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.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal Appointed Government Spokesperson

The government has officially designated Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal as its new spokesperson following the Cabinet decision today. The position became vacant after the former Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, resigned to contest the upcoming March 5 parliamentary elections. Kharel has registered his candidacy for Lalitpur-2, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Minister Aryal will now handle official briefings and represent the interim administration’s policies during the critical election period.

Govt. Extends Gen Z Protest Probe Again by 20 Days

The Council of Ministers today approved a 20-day extension for the high-level commission investigating the September 8, 2025, Gen Z protests. Government Spokesperson and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal stated that the commission, headed by former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, needs extra time to finalize its report. This is the second extension, following a one-month extension granted on December 18, 2025. The commission is responsible for documenting the casualties and property damage resulting from the September 8 and 9, 2025, protests.

Election Campaign Code of Conduct Violations

Election campaigns in Nepal have begun with prominent leaders, including Balendra Shah and KP Sharma Oli, openly violating the Election Commission’s code of conduct. Flashy processions, musical ensembles, and the involvement of children have been observed despite strict prohibitions. Observers and the Election Observation Committee highlight lax enforcement, urging proactive monitoring. District and central committees have been formed to track violations. Punishments include fines, cancellation of candidacy, or up to six-year bans. Analysts warn that early action is essential to deter misconduct and ensure fair elections ahead of the March 5 polls.

Press Council Nepal Registers 163 Complaints in Six Months

Press Council Nepal registered 163 complaints regarding media ethics violations during the first half of the fiscal year 2025/26. According to the council, at least 77 cases resulted in published refutations, and 14 led to formal apologies. The council monitored 744 pieces of content across 632 platforms, including social media. As the March 5 election approaches, the council has issued a special directive warning journalists against “hate speech” and misinformation. It has already blacklisted one media outlet for persistent non-compliance and issued warnings to 163 others.

SEE Exams Rescheduled to April 2 Due to National Elections

The National Examination Board (NEB) has officially released the schedule for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), set to run from April 2 to April 12. The exams were delayed by 12 days from the usual mid-March start due to the March 5 parliamentary elections. Approximately 517,000 students have registered for the exams. The Janak Education Materials Center is currently prioritizing the printing of election ballot papers, with SEE question paper printing scheduled to follow immediately after the electoral materials are completed.

Parsa Sees Surge of Madhesi Women Challenging Norms in Election Police Recruitment

In Parsa, women from the Madhesi community are breaking traditional barriers by applying for temporary Election Police roles for the March 5 polls. Applicants include 53-year-olds to 32-year-olds, who seek the 40-day employment to support their families’ needs. Parsa has received 5,399 applications for 2,852 positions. According to the District Administration Office, the participation of mothers and Gen Z youth demonstrates a strong commitment to both national service and economic stability during the electoral period.

Jhapa Constituency 5 Records Highest Voter Count Within the District

The District Election Office has confirmed that Jhapa Constituency 5 holds the highest number of voters among all constituencies in the district. According to the District Election Office, the district total has reached 713,537 voters, including 50,000 new additions. Constituency 5, the home stronghold of KP Sharma Oli, leads the district with 163,379 voters and 185 centers. As figures like Balendra Shah drive national voter engagement, this district remains a focal point for the March 5 polls. Other district areas include Constituency 2 with 147,522 voters and Constituency 3 with 110,857 voters.

Cyber Bureau Summons RPP Candidate Swagat Nepal

The Central Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police has summoned Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) parliamentary candidate Swagat Nepal (Bhadra Prasad Nepal) for questioning. SP Dipak Raj Awasthi stated the summons pertains to specific social media expressions, though the exact nature of the complaint remains undisclosed. Nepal, who is contesting from Jhapa-2, claimed the move is a political ploy to disrupt his campaign momentum following his entry into the RPP on January 19. Party spokesperson Mohan Shrestha confirmed they would cooperate with the bureau by providing a formal response.

Shekhar Koirala Defends “Middle Path” to Prevent Party Split

Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala stated on Thursday that he adopted a “middle path” during the recent special convention to prevent a potential party division. Speaking in Morang-6, Koirala explained that his absence from certain convention proceedings was a strategic move to maintain party unity before the March 5 elections. He emphasized that he and Dr. Dila Sangroula are now campaigning together to ensure a Nepali Congress victory. Koirala highlighted his parliamentary record of fighting corruption and vowed to continue advocating for good governance in the upcoming legislative term.

New NC Committee to Hold First Meeting Friday

The Nepali Congress Central Work Execution Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday at 1:00 PM at the BP Smriti Bhavan. This marks the first meeting since the December 2025 special general convention, where Gagan Thapa was elected as the new party president. According to Secretary Prakash Sharma, all office bearers and provincial presidents are invited to attend. The session is expected to focus on upcoming election strategies and internal administrative transitions following the recent leadership change in the country’s oldest political party.

NC Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel Resigns from Post

Krishna Prasad Paudel, the Chief Secretary of the Nepali Congress central office, resigned on Thursday. Paudel, who was appointed by former President Sher Bahadur Deuba in 2016, stepped down to allow newly elected President Gagan Thapa to appoint his own administrative team. Reports suggest that Thapa plans to appoint Krishna Prasad Dulal, a party secretary who actively supported the special convention, as the new Chief Secretary. Dulal previously joined the NC in 2017 following the merger of Vijay Kumar Gachhadar’s party.

Ilam Logistics Update: 90 Percent of Materials Ready for March 5 Elections

The Ilam District Election Office has secured 90 percent of the materials required for the March 5 elections. Information Officer Krishna Limbu of the office confirmed that 37 types of essential items, ranging from needles to matches, have been collected. The district currently has 231,809 registered voters. To accommodate this population, the number of polling centers has been increased by 5, bringing the total to 290 centers across 150 polling stations. Logistics such as sample ballot papers and additional ballot boxes are expected to arrive from the central office shortly.

Ministry Issues New Guidelines for National Excellence Farmer Awards

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has introduced the National Excellence Farmer Award Implementation Procedure 2025. The program will honor 14 outstanding farmers or cooperatives every May 29 to boost morale in the agricultural sector. Candidates must meet specific criteria, such as owning 5087.33 square meters of land in hilly regions or 1,000 local poultry birds. Applications will be called annually for a month until every mid-January. Evaluation includes a 100-point system, with 30 points dedicated to on-site inspections, focusing on production volume, job creation, and sustainable practices.

Health Ministry to Establish New Climate Health Resilient Unit

The Ministry of Health and Population is set to establish a specialized Climate Health Resilient Unit to address emerging medical challenges caused by climate change. Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki confirmed that the unit will operate under the Health Coordination Division. The initiative, part of the current fiscal year’s policy and program, aims to create a multi-sectoral framework for mitigating climate-related health risks. The ministry is currently finalizing the “Terms of Reference” (ToR) for the unit, which will focus on adapting the national health system to handle environmental shifts.

KMC Formally Resumes Riverbank Map Approvals

Following a Supreme Court ruling on January 18, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City issued a public notice on Thursday, officially lifting the construction ban on riverbanks. The court partially overturned a previous decision that mandated a “construction prohibited zone” extending 20 meters beyond the original 2008 standards. The new order, issued by Justices Sunil Kumar Pokhrel, Balkrishna Dhakal, and Nripa Dhwoj Niroula, clarified that additional restrictions without legal compensation were not justifiable. Landowners may now apply for building permits provided they adhere to the government’s original riverbank setback requirements established in 2008.

Oscar Nominations Anticipated as DiCaprio-Led Film Emerges as Front Runner

Oscar nominations are set to be announced, with One Battle After Another expected to lead after strong performances across major award circuits. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio and is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who is widely tipped for his first Academy Award. Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are also expected to feature prominently. This year marks a weaker showing for British acting contenders, while animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters is favored in the animation and original song categories. The awards ceremony will be held on March 15.

Film ‘Unko Sweater’ Debuts on YouTube After Earning Rs 100 Million

The hit film Unko Sweater, starring Bipin Karki and Miruna Magar, was released on YouTube on Thursday, via the Artmandu channel. Directed by Navin Chauhan, the simple love story premiered in theaters on May 9, 2025. The Nepal Film Development Board records its domestic box office gross at Rs 106.2 million, while producers claim a total of Rs 12 billion worldwide, including Rs 24 million from India. The film also features Sunil Pokharel and Menuka Pradhan.

Government Lists Kirtipur Cricket Stadium as National Priority Project

The Ministry of Urban Development has officially listed the Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur as a National Priority Project. Following the 2025 master plan approval, the government intends to invest some Rs 10 billion to upgrade the facility into a state-of-the-art international venue. The Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Sports and National Sports Council to expedite land acquisition. The upgrade aims to increase spectator capacity and modernize infrastructure, cementing the stadium’s status as the primary hub for Nepali cricket.

Sixth Tiger Cup Volleyball Championship Begins Friday in Pokhara

The sixth edition of the Ncell Tiger Cup International Invitational Club Championship is set to commence in Pokhara on Friday. Organized by the Tiger Group of Pokhara, the tournament will feature five women’s teams and six men’s teams, including international squads like the Thailand Queens and the Maldives National Team. The opening matches will see New Diamond face Tribhuvan Army in the women’s category, followed by Army against Maldives in the men’s. Winners in both categories will receive Rs 666,666, while runners-up and third-place finishers will earn Rs 366,666 and Rs 266,666, respectively.

Nepal Eliminated from SAFF Futsal Championship After Maldives Loss

The national team was eliminated from the SAFF Futsal Championship on Thursday, following a 2-1 defeat against the Maldives. The match, held at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Thailand, saw Nepal exit the tournament with one game still to play. Despite a record of one win and two draws in previous rounds, the loss confirmed Nepal’s inability to reach the knockout stage. The national squad is scheduled to play its final honorary match against Bangladesh on the coming Saturday before returning to Kathmandu.

US Deportation of Nepalis and Visa Bond Policy

In 2025, the US deported 553 Nepali citizens for overstaying visas, lacking documentation, or violating immigration laws, including 80 via a charter flight in January. The Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau handles deportees before returning them to families. Nepali officials say illegal entry via Mexico has stopped, reducing human trafficking risks. The Trump administration has also suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Nepal, requiring eligible B1/B2 applicants to post bonds up to USD 15,000. Around 5,000 Nepalis remain under temporary protected status in the US pending court decisions.

NATO Plans Expanded Arctic Presence After US Signals Framework Deal

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance will increase its security presence in the Arctic following signals from the United States toward a cooperative framework on Greenland. Speaking during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rutte said NATO military commanders will assess additional security needs, with contributions expected from both Arctic and non-Arctic member states. The move follows US President Donald Trump stepping back from threats involving Greenland and trade measures. NATO aims to finalize operational plans swiftly, with implementation targeted for early 2026.

Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Plant After Fukushima Shutdown

Japan has restarted Reactor 6 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, the world’s largest facility, marking Tepco’s first reactor restart since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Operations were briefly delayed due to an alarm issue, with commercial output expected next month. Japan has now restarted 15 of its 33 operable reactors as it seeks energy security and net-zero emissions by 2050. Despite strengthened safety standards and oversight by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, public opposition persists due to safety concerns and rising operational costs.