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.

EC Issues 21 Notices for Election Misconduct

The Election Commission has issued 21 clarification notices regarding violations of the Election Code of Conduct 2026. Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai reported on Thursday that since the code was implemented on January 19, only 5 responses have been received. The Commission’s monitoring unit has identified 302 instances of harmful information and hateful speech across electronic platforms, referring them for action under the Electronic Transactions Act 2006. Coordination centers are now fully operational to track misleading content and ensure “Information Integrity” ahead of the March 5 parliamentary elections, involving close cooperation with regulatory bodies and security agencies.

National Information Commission Issues Election Guidelines

The National Information Commission (NIC) instructed stakeholders on Thursday to ensure factual information flow for the March 5 elections. Commissioner Gagan Bista warned that misinformation and “fake news” could severely damage the democratic process. The NIC directed the Election Commission to enhance voter education in multiple languages and ordered political parties to appoint information officers to prevent the spread of hateful or misleading content. Media outlets were cautioned against publishing paid promotional materials as news. Additionally, citizens were urged to verify sources before sharing information on social media to maintain the integrity of the electoral environment.

Rupandehi Court Awaits Supreme Verdict on Lamichhane Case

The Rupandehi District Court has ordered government attorneys to wait for a Supreme Court ruling before proceeding with the amendment of charges against Rabi Lamichhane. Judge Shyam Lal Ghimire’s bench noted on January 20 that a writ petition regarding the withdrawal of organized crime and money laundering charges is currently pending at the apex court. Tahsildar Krishna Prasad Paudel clarified on Thursday that the court has not rejected the plea but is staying the decision until the Supreme Court’s interim order is finalized. Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, remains a central figure in the ongoing cooperative fraud investigation.

Police Publicize 10 Arrested Robbers After Mulpani Shooting

The District Police Range Kathmandu organized a press conference on Thursday to publicize 10 robbers arrested following a shootout in Mulpani. The group, led by individuals including 23-year-old Binay Tamang and 32-year-old Sabin Majhi, reportedly targeted solitary pedestrians at night. Among those arrested are goldsmiths Manis Ramaili and Bidur Bishwakarma, who were allegedly involved in processing stolen goods. Police confirmed that most of the suspects have extensive criminal backgrounds. The arrests followed a high-stakes operation where security forces opened fire to apprehend the gang members, who hail from various districts, including Kavre, Sindhuli, Khotang, and Sindhupalchowk.

Home Minister Pledges Strict Action Against Election Disruptors

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal stated on Thursday that anyone attempting to disrupt peace and security during the upcoming elections will face severe legal consequences. During a meeting with Election Commission officials, including Acting Chief Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, Aryal emphasized a “zero tolerance” policy toward criminal activities. He assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Home Affairs has synchronized a robust security plan to protect voters, candidates, and staff. The minister has already instructed local administrations and security chiefs to prioritize creating a fear-free environment for the March 5 polls, ensuring that security remains the government’s highest priority.

Koshi Province to Summon Winter Session on February 8

The Koshi Province cabinet has recommended summoning the provincial assembly’s winter session on February 8, at 2:00 PM. Internal Affairs Minister Indramani Parajuli announced that due to ongoing construction of the assembly building, the session will be held at Birendra Sabha Griha in Biratnagar for a monthly rent of Rs 800,000. The cabinet also approved the Koshi Province Planning Commission Order 2026 and provided theoretical consent for a legal aid bill. Furthermore, the government decided to provide 12.5 percent matching funds, totaling Rs 770 million, for the Rural Road Network Improvement Project.

CIAA Files Case Against 19 Officials Over Substandard CT Scan

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case at the Special Court on Thursday against 19 individuals from the Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS) in Dang. Former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sangeeta Singh Bhandari, former Acting Registrar Kailash Prasad Dev, and Director Dr. Sagar Panthi are accused of embezzling around Rs 73.1 million during the 2019 procurement of a 128-slice CT scan machine. The CIAA alleges they colluded with the Himalayan Meditech company. promoters Amar Shrestha and Sanju Rajkarnikar to tailor technical specifications and accept a substandard machine, causing massive losses to the government.

Telecom Corruption Hearing Postponed by Special Court

The Special Court postponed the hearing for a Rs 330 million corruption case involving former Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sunil Paudel and 17 others on Thursday. The bench, led by Chairman Sudarshan Dev Bhatta, stayed the proceedings following a request from the defendants’ legal counsel. The case involves alleged irregularities in the 2011 upgrade of the telecom’s billing system. The CIAA claims that the contract with AsiaInfo Linkage Technology for a Convergent Real-Time Billing system was executed with mutual collusion, bypassing competitive norms. The system was intended to integrate GSM, fiber, and wireless services into a single platform with a six-year maintenance agreement.

Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Against Japan Language Exams

A joint bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Shrikant Paudel dismissed a petition challenging the cancellation of language exams for Japanese trainees. The petition was filed after the Ministry of Labor scrapped the 2009 guidelines for the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) program, which previously granted the JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN) exclusive rights to conduct exams. With the dismissal, the government’s transition toward the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and the upcoming 2027 Employment for Skill Development (ESD) program remains valid. This decision allows all licensed recruitment agencies to send workers to Japan instead of a limited, listed group.

Former PM Madhav Nepal Hospitalized

Madhav Kumar Nepal, co-coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party and a former prime minister, has been hospitalized after developing chest-related health complications. He is currently receiving treatment at the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. Doctors said he was admitted after experiencing a persistent cough and fever, along with increasing difficulty in breathing. Medical examinations have confirmed complications affecting his chest, and specialists are closely monitoring his condition.

India Donates 250 Vehicles to Nepal for Election

The Government of India has handed over the second tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal, with more than 250 vehicles officially presented to the Government of Nepal at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu. The handover was marked by the presence of Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal and Indian Charge d’affaires Dr. Rakesh Pandey. In his remarks, Finance Minister Khanal highlighted the longstanding cooperation and friendly relations between Nepal and India. He expressed gratitude to the government and people of India for the supplies, emphasizing their significance in supporting Nepal’s preparations for the upcoming elections. This follows the first tranche of election-related assistance, which was handed over on 20 January 2026. Additional batches of assistance are expected in the coming weeks.

238 Killed in Road Accidents Nationwide in One Month

At least 238 people, including 15 children, died in road accidents across the country within a month, according to Nepal Police. Between mid-December and mid-January, police recorded 2,756 accidents, leaving 4,016 people injured. Among them, 663 sustained critical injuries, and 3,353 suffered minor wounds. Speeding was identified as the leading cause, responsible for 1,230 crashes. Other factors included drunk driving, inexperienced riders, jaywalking, and risky overtaking. A total of 4,549 vehicles were involved, with motorcycles accounting for over 56 percent of accidents. Most crashes occurred between noon and 6 pm. During the period, police penalized 88,969 traffic violators and collected Rs80.41 million in fines. Male drivers were involved in most accidents and violations.

Health Minister Warns of Health Insurance Budget Crisis Today

Health Minister Dr Sudha Gautam announced on Thursday that the government lacks the funds to settle current health insurance claims, as monthly expenses have surpassed Rs 2 billion. Speaking at the Gangalal National Heart Centre’s 30th anniversary, she revealed that this year’s allocated budget was exhausted just paying off last year’s debts. Gautam emphasized the urgent need for structural reforms, noting that insurance claims are drastically outstripping the allocated revenue. She criticized the fact that only the federal government is bearing the financial burden despite constitutional provisions for provincial and local involvement. The ministry is now working on a reform plan to ensure sustainability.

Third Phase of Tiger Census Begins in Chitwan-Parsa

The third phase of the tiger census commenced on Thursday across the Chitwan and Parsa National Parks. Senior Ecologist Haribhadra Acharya stated that the region is divided into three blocks to manage the count effectively. In this final phase, 328 pairs of automated cameras will be installed at 12 different camps, including Amlekhgunj and Nijgadh, to monitor tiger movements for 15 days and nights. Conservation Chief Ram Chandra Khatiwada noted that 24 cameras were damaged by wild elephants and tigers during the previous two phases. The results will update the 2022 census, which recorded 128 tigers in Chitwan and 41 in Parsa.

Min Bahadur Bham Chooses Berlinale Jury Over Election Bid

Filmmaker Min Bahadur Bham, director of Shambhala, has been appointed to the International Jury of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, a historic milestone for Nepali cinema. Bham will serve on the Main Competition jury, led by German director Wim Wenders, alongside members from South Korea, India, Japan, the U.S., and Poland. He previously made history as the first Nepali filmmaker to have a film in Berlinale’s main competition. The appointment came as Bham was preparing to contest a parliamentary seat with the Nepali Congress. After consulting party leaders, he deferred his election bid to accept the jury role, calling it the pinnacle of his career. He will travel to Berlin on February 9.

Singer Durgesh Thapa Announces Birth of Second Son

Popular singer and performer Durgesh Thapa announced the birth of his second son, Devansh Thapa, during the child’s rice-feeding ceremony (Pasni) this week. While his wife, Prachi Lama, gave birth approximately six months ago, the artist chose to keep the news private until now. Sharing a video on Thursday, Thapa described the moment as a beautiful new chapter of his identity. His eldest son is named Dakshit. The announcement coincided with the success of his latest song, Nach Nach Bhai Nach, which garnered 1,000,000 views on YouTube within four days of its release on January 24, his and Dakshit’s shared birthday.

NRT Secures 4th Straight Win in National League

New Road Team (NRT) defeated Sankata Club 3-1 in the “New Road Derby” at the ANFA Complex on Thursday. Captain Kritish Ratna Chhunju opened the scoring in the 10th minute, followed by an own goal by Gilbert Bilg and a third strike by Timothy Okekere. Despite the win, the match was tense, as both Timothy and Sankata’s Taye Daniel Bradaru received red cards. NRT now has 12 points from five matches, equaling APF and Machhindra FC. However, the derby saw a record low attendance of only 225 spectators, prompting NRT coach Jeevan Sinkeman to call for better fan engagement and grassroots marketing.

3rd University Games Scheduled for February 5 in Dhulikhel

The 3rd University Games will be held from February 5 to February 6, 2026, at Kathmandu University (KU) in Dhulikhel. Organized by the National Sports Council (NSC) and co-hosted by KU, the event will feature 279 athletes from eight universities, including Tribhuvan and Pokhara universities. For the first time, basketball has been added to the roster alongside volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and athletics. NSC member Kamal Bhattarai noted that KU stepped in after the Agriculture and Forestry University declined due to budget constraints. The NSC has allocated Rs 1.8 million for the competition.

Nepal Police Club Sweeps Maldives in Tiger Cup

Nepal Police Club (NPC) secured a dominant 3-0 straight-set victory over the Maldives Volleyball Association in the 6th Tiger Cup in Pokhara. NPC won the sets 25-11, 25-9, and 25-15, keeping their final hopes alive with 10 points from 5 matches. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Thailand Queens secured third place by defeating APF. The women’s final between New Diamond Sports Club and Nepal Police Club is scheduled for Friday. In the men’s division, the final lineup depends on the upcoming match between Gandaki Province and Parbat, both currently holding 9 points each.

Trump Warns Iran as US Naval Armada Moves into Gulf
US President Donald Trump warned Iran that “time is running out” to negotiate a nuclear deal as a large US naval force heads to the Gulf. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country is ready to respond “immediately and powerfully” to aggression. Trump urged Iran to come to the table, citing past US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and threatening worse attacks if provoked. Satellite images show increased US fighter jets, drones, and warships in the region, while Iran has deployed its drone carrier ship. Talks remain stalled despite previous nuclear deal commitments.

Xinjiang Whistleblower Granted US Asylum
Chinese national Guan Heng, who exposed human rights abuses in Xinjiang, has been granted asylum in the US. In 2020, Guan secretly filmed detention facilities holding over a million Uyghurs. He applied for asylum in 2021 after traveling through Hong Kong, Ecuador, and the Bahamas. The immigration judge cited Guan’s well-founded fear of persecution, noting threats to his family. Guan’s lawyer called the case a “textbook example” for asylum. The Department of Homeland Security has 30 days to appeal. China denies allegations, calling the facilities “re-education camps,” while Uyghurs in exile continue reporting abuse.

Tesla Shifts to AI and Robotics Amid Revenue Drop
Tesla reported a 3% decline in 2025 revenue, with Q4 profits plunging 61%, as it pivots from EVs to AI and humanoid robots. Elon Musk announced plans to end Model S and Model X production, converting the California plant for Optimus robots. The company invested USD 2bn in Musk’s AI venture, xAI. Tesla faces pressure from investors after Musk’s political involvement and competition from China’s BYD, now the world’s largest EV maker. The company will ramp up spending by USD 20bn to focus on AI, robotics, and high-volume EVs like Model 3 and Model Y.

Researchers Warn Open-Source AI Models Pose Security Risks
Cybersecurity researchers report that open-source large language models (LLMs) are vulnerable to misuse, enabling hackers to run spam, phishing, disinformation, and other illicit activities. The 293-day study tracked models from Meta, Google, and others, finding hundreds with disabled safety guardrails. About 30% of these hosts operate in China, 20% in the US. Experts say responsibility for misuse is shared among developers, deployers, and labs, emphasizing the need for mitigation measures. Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet acknowledge risks but stress the benefits of open-source AI. Hackers exploiting these LLMs could bypass conventional platform safeguards.

AI Drives Diverging Fortunes for Big Tech
Big Tech earnings highlight investor focus on AI returns. Meta’s revenue rose 24% in Q4, boosted by AI-enhanced ad targeting, and forecasts 33% growth this quarter. Microsoft’s Azure growth lagged expectations, with its OpenAI stake posing $280bn risk, causing shares to drop 6%. Tesla, meanwhile, reported slight revenue decline but exceeded profit forecasts as it shifts to AI and robotics, sending shares up 2.9%. Analysts warn investors are scrutinizing whether massive AI spending will yield sufficient returns, revealing tension between corporate ambitions and Wall Street’s demand for immediate payoff.