KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

Election Commission Limits Vehicle Use for Upcoming Polls

The Election Commission has issued the Vehicle Permission Procedure 2026 to regulate transport during the March 5 elections. According to spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, candidates are restricted to two light vehicles (two-, three-, or four-wheelers) for campaigning. In areas without roads, up to four horses are permitted. Foreign-registered vehicles are strictly prohibited. While essential services like ambulances and fire trucks do not require permits, other vehicles must remain off the roads during the 48-hour silence period before voting. Any vehicle used without permission or during the restricted hours will be impounded by local administration and only released after the election concludes.

Italy Defeats Nepal by 10 Wickets in T20 World Cup

In their ICC T20 World Cup clash, Italy chased down Nepal’s target of 124 in just 12.4 overs to win by 10 wickets. Opener Anthony Muska scored 62 off 32 balls, while his brother Justin Muska contributed 60 off 44 balls. Nepal, playing their second match, suffered back-to-back defeats after losing to England in their opening game. Italy, who had lost to Scotland in their first match, secured their first win of the tournament with a dominant batting performance.

President Paudel Ends National Assembly Session

President Ram Chandra Paudel has formally concluded the ongoing session of the National Assembly, acting on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. According to the Office of the President, the session was prorogued effective from 12 midnight on Friday, February 13. The decision was made in line with Article 93, Clause 2 of the Constitution, following a Cabinet recommendation dated February 9. The announcement was confirmed in a press statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Ritesh Kumar Shakya.

Rabi Lamichhane Receives Court Date Amid Fraud Charges

Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane appeared at the Kaski District Court on Thursday morning to receive his official court date. Lamichhane faces charges related to cooperative fraud, money laundering, and organized crime involving the Suryadarshan Savings and Credit Cooperative. The Government Attorney’s Office has filed a lawsuit claiming Rs 33.7 million for embezzlement and some Rs 27.894 billion for money laundering. After being held in custody for 84 days, he was previously released on Rs 6.5 million bail. Following the court appearance, Lamichhane traveled to Syangja to continue his “Bell Greeting” election campaign activities.

Court Grants Rs 200K Bail to Visit Visa Scam Suspect

The Special Court has ordered the release of middleman Khem Prasad Subedi on bail of Rs 200,000. A bench comprising judges Narayan Prasad Paudel, Hemanta Rawal, and Dilliratna Shrestha issued the order after Subedi surrendered to the court. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a case against Subedi and six others, including former Immigration Chief Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, on December 11, 2025. Subedi is accused of laundering Rs 10.3 million and helping officials hide bribe money through land transactions. Bhattarai was previously released on a Rs 500,000 bail in the same case.

TikTok Launches ‘In-App Election Center’ for Nepal Polls

TikTok has announced the launch of an ‘In-App Election Center’ in Nepal to provide verified information for the upcoming general elections. Developed in collaboration with the Election Commission of Nepal, the center helps users identify polling stations, understand the voting process, and report misinformation. Ferdous Mottakin, TikTok’s Head of Public Policy for South Asia, stated that the platform has deployed an ‘Election Taskforce’ and advanced moderation technology to flag harmful or unverified content. The initiative also includes mandatory labeling for AI-generated content. This move follows similar efforts in over 200 global elections since 2020 to promote digital integrity and protect the democratic process from deceptive artificial engagement.

Nepal Police Repatriate 10 Fugitives with Interpol Help

Nepal Police, in coordination with Interpol, have brought back 10 individuals who fled abroad after committing crimes. This year, red notices were issued against 11 people and diffusion alerts against three; eight red notice subjects and two under diffusion were arrested internationally. Last year, 17 red notice and three diffusion subjects were repatriated. Deputy Inspector General Abhi Narayan Kafle said the force remains committed to tracking fugitives worldwide and strengthening law enforcement ahead of upcoming elections. Interpol notices are issued at the request of Nepal Police’s National Central Bureau to facilitate international arrests.

Kathmandu Administration Imposes Prohibitory Order Around TIA

The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has enforced a prohibitory order in and around Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudel issued the notice today, announcing restrictions in the designated area. Under the order, all forms of protests, rallies, assemblies, and slogan chanting have been banned. The administration stated that the decision was taken considering the airport’s sensitive status, with the aim of maintaining public order, ensuring security, and managing smooth movement in the surrounding area.

Provinces Score Full Marks on Specific Fiscal Indicators

In a recent performance evaluation by the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC), provincial governments achieved full marks in four out of 11 key indicators. All provinces received five points for depositing 40% of vehicle tax into the provincial consolidated fund and another five points for providing equalization grants to local units by mid-March. Furthermore, every province scored five points for submitting budget estimates to the Ministry of Finance by mid-January and 10 points for entering data into the commission’s website. However, Madhesh Province was the only one to score zero in the budget review indicator for failing to submit its report by the mid-November deadline.

Press Council Asked to Investigate Media Election Violations

The Election Commission has requested Press Council Nepal to take legal action against several journalists and media outlets for violating the Election Code of Conduct 2026. Complaints were filed against Rabin Prasad Thapaliya and Chitra Kumar Chaulagain of Sagarmatha Post for continuously posting candidate promotional materials on their personal social media accounts. Legal Officer Mohan Raj Joshi stated that these actions violate Section 7 of the code. Additionally, the commission has demanded a clarification from Gorkhapatra Sansthan within two days regarding the removal of its Madhesh and Bagmati province coordinators. The move emphasizes the need for media neutrality during the election period to ensure fair play for all candidates.

12 Inmates Escape from Dhankuta Rehab Center

Twelve individuals escaped from the Sunaulo Jeevan Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Karmitar, Dhankuta, early Thursday morning. The escapees, who were undergoing treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, reportedly broke through a security fence after assaulting a caretaker. DSP Gyan Kumar Mahato of the District Police Office stated that 12 out of the 30 residents fled the facility, allegedly under the leadership of Bijay Mallik. The center focuses on detoxification and psychological counseling. Police have launched a search operation in the surrounding areas and are investigating the security lapses that allowed the group to escape from the upper floor of the building during the morning hours.

DOTM Orders Strict Enforcement of Freight Load Limits

The Department of Transport Management (DOTM) has issued a circular to all seven provincial ministries demanding strict enforcement of load limits for freight vehicles. Rajendra Baniya, president of the Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Nepal, welcomed the move, noting that excessive weight significantly shortens the lifespan of Nepal’s roads. While the Department of Roads issues similar directives annually, implementation has historically been weak due to a lack of coordination between the police and customs departments. The new circular aims to protect infrastructure from damage caused by overloaded trucks. Transport entrepreneurs have pledged their support for the measure, provided the government ensures a level playing field and consistent monitoring across all major highways.

Tanahun Election Office Receives 16 Complaints of Violations

Authorities in Tanahun have received 16 complaints regarding Election Code of Conduct violations ahead of the March 5 House of Representatives election. Chief District Officer Shivalal Tiwari stated that oral clarifications were sought from offenders. One notable case involved Shreeram Neupane, a Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate, who distributed digital smart boards featuring his photo and symbols to community schools; authorities ordered the removal of his images from the devices. Other complaints include excessive use of flags, large crowds, and government employees participating in campaigns. Assistant CDO Deepak Regmi has been designated to monitor further violations to ensure a fair and dignified election.

Koshi Cabinet Moves Projects to National Planning Commission

The Koshi Province cabinet meeting held on Thursday in Biratnagar decided to enter provincial projects for the upcoming fiscal year into the National Planning Commission [NPC] system. Spokesperson Indramani Parajuli stated that this includes overall and special grant projects. The cabinet also approved sending the Provincial Research Training Institute Act 2022 amendment bill to the relevant legislative committee. Additionally, a provincial-level LDC Graduation Implementation Committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. These steps are aimed at streamlining project management and ensuring that the province remains on track for national budgetary allocations and its transition out of the least developed category.

Madhesh Government Passes 67 Laws Amid Frequent Changes

The Office of the Chief Attorney of Madhesh Province announced that the provincial government has enacted 67 laws to date. Chief Attorney Dr. Sunil Ranjan Singh noted that while several other laws are in the pipeline, frequent changes in the government leadership have hindered the legislative process. Despite these challenges, the Free Legal Aid Program has become increasingly effective, particularly for Dalit, marginalized, and disabled citizens. Service seeker numbers have grown annually, from 108 in fiscal year 2018/19 to 368 in 2024/25. Legal practitioners are currently deployed across all eight districts of Madhesh to ensure the poor have access to district, high, and supreme courts.

Patan High Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Tiger Skin Smuggler

The Patan High Court has upheld a lower court’s decision to sentence Chinese national Ma Jingbin to 5 years in prison for tiger skin smuggling. A joint bench of judges Rajukumar Khatiwada and Deepak Khanal confirmed the conviction, which also includes a Rs 1,000 compensation fine. Ma, a hotel manager, was arrested in July 2021 at the Jianghu Kezan Hotel in Kathmandu with a 10-foot-long tiger skin. Forensic tests linked the skin to a tiger identified as CNP-FT54, last seen in Chitwan National Park in 2017. While Ma was convicted, the court acquitted three other Chinese nationals, Zhao Pengcheng, Niu Yuliang, and Peng Hui, citing a lack of direct evidence.

Construction Resumes at 25-MW Darbang Myagdikhola Project After Month-Long Obstruction

Construction of the 25-megawatt Darbang Myagdikhola Hydropower Project has resumed after a month-long halt triggered by local protests over delayed bridge construction. Residents of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality had obstructed work since January 9, demanding progress on a motorable bridge at Dangkhol, six years after a Rs 19.3 million contract was signed in June 2019. Local leaders withdrew the agitation after assurances the bridge would begin within the current fiscal year. The project, promoted by Dhaulagiri Kalika Hydro Limited, has pledged to expedite construction following legal procedures.

Kathmandu Ranked Worst Among Nepal’s Six Metropolises

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has emerged as the worst-performing metropolis in Nepal, scoring only 44.97 points in the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission evaluation. In contrast, Biratnagar ranked first with 78.11 points, followed by Lalitpur at 76.33 and Bharatpur at 68.04. The evaluation used 17 indicators, including financial transparency, tax collection, and social metrics like student retention and vaccination rates. Pokhara and Birgunj scored 58.76 and 54 points, respectively. This performance review highlights Kathmandu’s failure to meet key benchmarks compared to its peers, directly impacting its future federal grant allocations and status as the nation’s capital.

Panini Rural Municipality Ranked Best in Performance Evaluation

Panini Rural Municipality of Arghakhanchi has been ranked as the top-performing local government in Nepal, securing 83.84 points. The National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission released the results on Thursday based on 17 performance indicators. Only 4 local units nationwide crossed the 80-point mark, including Chaurjahari Municipality (82.15) and Malika Rural Municipality (81.98). Evaluation criteria included budget submission deadlines, revenue mobilization, and health and education metrics like SEE (Secondary Education Examination) results. Conversely, local levels in Madhesh Province performed poorly, with Debahi Gonahi Municipality scoring the lowest at 30.91 points.

Jumla Residents Protest Rs 25,000 Ambulance Fare

Local residents in Jumla have expressed outrage after the District Ambulance Committee fixed the ambulance fare to Nepalgunj at Rs 25,000. The committee, led by Chief District Officer Deepak Paudel, also set the rate to Surkhet at Rs 20,000 and local municipal travel at Rs 600. While officials argue the rates are based on fuel costs, maintenance, and the Ambulance Operation Guidelines 2026, locals claim the pricing is exploitative for poor and rural citizens. Kiran Kumar Sharma of the Public Health Service Office acknowledged the complaints and suggested a possible review in future meetings if the high costs prevent citizens from accessing life-saving medical care.

Government Ships Rice to Remote Nagu Area Amid Protests

The government has begun transporting 1,000 quintals of food grains to the roadless Nagu area of Naugad Rural Municipality-1 in Darchula. The move comes after locals threatened to boycott the March 5 elections if their demands for food, roads, and bridges were not met. Harka Raj Upadhyaya of the Food Management and Trading Company confirmed that 33 bags of rice reached the area in the first phase via jeeps and mules. However, residents have protested the price of Rs 62 per kilogram, noting it is higher than the market rate of Rs 58. Local leader Karan Singh Dadal urged the government to adjust prices, considering the extreme poverty and geographical isolation of the region.

Nepal Pharma Expo 2026 Set for March 12-14

The Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON) announced that the 10th Nepal Pharma Expo 2026 will be held from March 12 to 14 at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. With the theme “Innovation in Pharma: For Tomorrow’s Health,” the expo will feature over 200 stalls from multinational companies in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Germany, and Japan. APPON President Biplab Adhikari stated that 90% of stalls will showcase international technology, raw materials, and machinery. Director General of the Department of Drug Administration Narayan Prasad Dhakal emphasized that the event will help local industries adopt modern technology and move toward self-sufficiency in medicine production while maintaining global quality standards.

Priyanka Karki Joins Cast of Action Film ‘Paras’

Actress Priyanka Karki has officially joined the cast of the upcoming film Paras, directed by Krisha Chaulagain. She joins previously announced stars Nikhil Upreti and Jasita Gurung. While the production team has confirmed her lead role, it remains unclear whether she or Jasita will be paired opposite Nikhil Upreti. The film is described as an action-oriented social drama. The addition of Karki, a prominent figure in Nepali cinema, has generated significant buzz among fans and industry insiders. The director stated that further details regarding the plot and the specific character dynamics will be revealed during a formal announcement event scheduled for later this month.

Film ‘Shree Bukuro’ Premieres Ahead of Friday Release

The premiere of the film Shree Bukuro: The Home Calling was held on Wednesday at Big Movies in Kathmandu, attended by industry veterans like Tulsi Ghimire and Chhabi Raj Ojha. Director Tulsi Ghimire praised the film for its emotional depth and portrayal of ancestral homes, noting that lead actress Laxmi Giri’s performance was deeply moving. Written and directed by Sudip Bhupal Singh, the movie explores family relationships, social issues, and the preservation of heritage. The cast includes Ashirwad B. Chhetri and Nikita Acharya. Produced by Ruby Sen Singh, the film opens in theaters this Friday, with advance ticket bookings already available for the public.

Bagmati Tech Teams Qualify for National Hackathon Showcase

The Bagmati provincial round of the ‘Code for Impact: US-Nepal Tech Innovation Hackathon’ concluded in Kathmandu with two teams selected for the national showcase. Aashirbad Care, a digital platform connecting families with health caregivers, and Data Hiti, a credit scoring and anti-money laundering system, advanced to the next phase. Acting US Ambassador Scott Urbom attended the event, which is supported by the US Embassy and Adhyanta Advisory. A total of 14 teams from across seven provinces will now undergo a six-month incubation and mentorship period. The finalists will compete in June 2026 for grants and investment opportunities to bring their tech-based solutions to the market.

China’s Military Restructuring Deepens as Xi Defends Purge

Chinese President Xi Jinping has publicly addressed the recent removal of senior military figures, calling the past year ‘extraordinary’ and highlighting intensified anti-corruption efforts within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Former Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and several other top officers were dismissed over alleged disciplinary violations. Over the past three years, more than a dozen generals have been investigated or removed. Xi described the crackdown as essential to strengthening loyalty and stability within the armed forces. Analysts say such public references are unusual and likely aimed at reinforcing internal party discipline and projecting control amid sweeping military restructuring.

Bangladesh Votes in First Election Since 2024 Uprising

Vote counting is underway in Bangladesh following the first national election since mass protests ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. More than 2,000 candidates contested parliamentary seats, excluding members of Hasina’s banned Awami League. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party faces a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami and a student-backed party. Voters also participated in a constitutional referendum proposed by the interim government. Nearly one million security personnel were deployed nationwide. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus described the vote as a fresh start after months of turmoil. Final results are expected soon.

South Korea Spy Agency Says Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Chosen as Heir

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un appears to have designated his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as successor. The teenager has increasingly appeared alongside her father at major military and political events, signaling a possible leadership transition. Lawmakers cited her growing public prominence and indications of policy involvement. Though North Korea traditionally favors male heirs, observers note that female authority figures already hold influence within the regime. Questions remain over the timing of the move, as Kim Jong Un is still relatively young. Pyongyang has not officially confirmed the succession.