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.

Government, Gen Z Representatives Ink 10-Point Agreement

The government and Gen Z representatives late this evening signed a 10-point agreement at the Office of the Prime Minister, Singha Durbar. Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Bhoj Bikram Thapa, on behalf of those who attained martyrdom and were injured during the Gen Z movement, signed the pact.  Following the agreement signing ceremony, PM Karki said the consensus would prove to be a milestone in bringing transformations to the country.

President Paudel Calls for Human Rights-Friendly Federal Election

President Ramchandra Paudel has called for a collaborative effort to ensure the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 26, 2026, is human rights-friendly, aiming to strengthen the democratic system. On the occasion of the 77th International Human Rights Day, he expressed that the political situation following the youth movement is being watched closely by both Nepalese citizens and the international community. The President emphasized that the federal government, provincial governments, local levels, civil society, and the private sector must work together to fully implement the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. He stressed that a crucial aspect of human rights, which solidifies personal freedom and the democratic governance system, is the protection of economic, social, and cultural rights.

4 Water Schemes Bring ‘One House, One Tap’ to 196 Households in Dailekh

Four drinking water schemes have been completed in three remote wards and settlement of Bhagawatimai Rural Municipality in Dailekh, a region previously facing a severe water crisis. The projects have provided ‘One House, One Tap’ access to approximately 196 households, benefiting 1,184 locals in Wards 1, 3, and 4. The initiative, part of the ‘Integrated Initiative for Community Health Project,’ was supported by the joint financial and technical assistance of the British Red Cross and the Swiss Red Cross, in partnership with the Nepal Red Cross Dailekh Branch and the Rural Municipality. The schemes have ended the need for residents to travel long distances for water and mitigated health risks associated with drinking contaminated well water.

Department of Cooperatives Bans Dual Roles for Co-op Directors

The Department of Cooperatives has instructed all cooperative institution directors to avoid holding dual or multiple positions, enforcing the provision that an individual can only be a director of one cooperative at a time. The directive, based on Sections 41 (5) and 44 (1) (g) of the Cooperative Act, 2017, was issued on Monday. The department noted that despite existing regulations from various regulatory bodies, some individuals were found to be illegally serving as directors in multiple institutions. This move aims to establish good governance, uphold cooperative principles, and prevent the misuse of resources due to conflicts of interest, with the Department instructing regulatory bodies to take action against non-compliance.

DSP Madhu Nepal Arrested on Polygamy Charges

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Madhu Nepal was arrested by the Rupandehi District Police Office on charges of polygamy. DSP Nepal, who was serving at the Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Purba) District Police Office, surrendered to the police following a warrant issued by the court based on a complaint filed by his wife. Superintendent of Police (SP) Pradeep Bahadur Chhetri, Chief of Rupandehi District Police Office, confirmed that DSP Nepal has been remanded for three days for further investigation. Authorities are actively searching for the second wife to gather additional evidence in the polygamy case.

CPN (UML) Leader Shiva Shankar Shah Arrested on Rape Charges

Police arrested CPN (UML) leader Shiva Shankar Shah from Sitamarni, Bihar, India, on charges of minor rape and brought him to Dhanusha on Tuesday night. According to DSP Ganesh Bahadur Bam, spokesperson for the Dhanusha District Police Office, Shah had fled to India after a warrant was issued based on the victim’s complaint. Police also arrested the minor’s maternal uncle, Sanjay Mahaseth, from Janakpurdham, for allegedly trying to settle the case for money and prevent legal action. The case involves the alleged kidnapping and rape of a 13-year-and-4-month-old minor at a hotel on November 8. Shah was a mayoral candidate in the last local election.

43 Political Parties Will Not Participate in Proportional Election

A total of 43 political parties will not participate in the proportional representation (PR) system for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026. The Election Commission (EC) reported that out of 143 registered political parties, only 100 submitted applications for proportional representation purposes between Sunday and Tuesday. The EC’s schedule includes verifying the applications by December 12 and submitting the closed list of PR candidates on December 28 and 29. The final list will be published on February 3, after addressing claims and objections. Out of the 275 members of the House of Representatives, 165 will be elected through the direct system, and the remaining 110 through proportional representation. The direct election nomination is scheduled for January 20.

Prachanda Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Low Youth Support

Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, expressed dissatisfaction with the low attendance of youth during the inauguration of the Gen Z Festival organized by All Nepal National Free Students’ Union Revolutionary at the National Assembly Hall today. While inaugurating the event, Prachanda noted that the turnout was not as high as it should have been and instructed the organizers to ensure a full hall for the concluding session on December 20. He suggested that it would have been easy to mobilize youth, referring to the large crowds at the party’s recent unity message assemblies. Prachanda stated that the organizers should have taken more time for preparation, even if it meant delaying the festival by a few days.

Nepali Congress Baglung-2 Recommends 10 Candidates for HoR Election

The Nepali Congress’s Regional Committee for Baglung Constituency No. 2 has recommended ten names for the direct election to the House of Representatives, scheduled for March 5, 2026. The decision was made during a meeting held on Tuesday. The ten candidates recommended for the direct race are Arjun Sherchan, Tek Raj Poudel, Nar Bahadur Pun Niraj, Manjesh Bam Malla, Gita Sirish, Dhurva Gautam, Dandapani Sharma, Rishi Ram Kandel, Dila Ram Sharma, and Devendra Kumar Gharti Magar. Additionally, four names were recommended for the proportional representation category and three for the National Assembly elections, which are set to take place on January 25. All the names will be submitted to the Central Committee through the District Working Committee.

Low Investment in Higher Education Cited as Hindrance to Gen Z Aspirations

Prime Minister Sushila Karki stated that the national aspirations for quality higher education, skills, employment, and prosperity to be met domestically are further highlighted by the Gen Z protest. Addressing the 31st Convocation Ceremony (Phase One) of Kathmandu University (KU) on Wednesday, she noted that while global trends like artificial intelligence and virtual reality are transforming higher education, Nepal’s investment in this sector remains low. Prime Minister Karki, who also serves as the KU Vice Chancellor, stressed that meeting these aspirations is impossible without significantly increasing investment and depoliticizing higher education by removing unnecessary political interference. The ceremony saw 2,209 students graduate, bringing the total number of KU alumni to 50,040.

Minister Kharel Stresses Need for Action Against Digital Gender-Based Violence

Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel emphasized the need for seriousness and unity in mitigating digital gender-based violence. Speaking at an interaction on Monday in Kathmandu, Minister Kharel urged women journalists to take on the dual responsibility of ensuring their own safety and making the sector secure by producing content and advocacy free from digital violence. The minister, who is also the government spokesperson, noted that the government is rapidly working on good governance and corruption control, in line with the spirit of the Gen Z protest, and has moved forward with more than 25 major files related to corruption and irregularities.

Hitedra Dev Shakya Reinstated as NEA MD, Prioritizes Duhabi Substation Spares

Hitendra Dev Shakya was reinstated as the Managing Director (MD) of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Wednesday following a Supreme Court order. Immediately after assuming office, his first decision was to approve the purchase of necessary spare parts for the Duhabi Substation, which he described as a crucial task. Speaking to journalists, Shakya stated that the legal troubles he faced were a result of holding the MD position, and he returned with a commitment to work with greater zeal and integrity for the next three and a half years. He expressed confidence that his working relationship with the Energy Minister will be smooth, given their shared background within the NEA.

Over 11,000 Trees to Be Cut for East-West Highway Expansion

A total of 11,577 trees are set to be cut across Mahottari, Dhanusha, and Sarlahi districts to facilitate the expansion of the Kamala-Dhalkebar-Pathlaiya section of the East-West Highway. According to Rajesh Kumar Das, Chief of the Eastern Section Project, official approval was finally received after completing all procedures through the Division Forest Office and the Ministry of Forest and Environment. Specifically, 6,027 trees will be cut in Mahottari, 3,674 in Sarlahi, and 1,876 in Dhanusha. The expansion will establish a six-lane, 31-meter-wide road in urban areas and a four-lane, 18-meter-wide road in other areas, with the majority of the trees being Sal.

Division Forest Office in Rautahat Vandalized Over Dispute

The Division Forest Office in Chandranigahpur, Rautahat, was vandalized on Tuesday evening, according to Chief Hemant Prasad Sah. The damage, which occurred after office hours, included destruction to office furniture, computers, and windowpanes. Ashok Prasad Yadav, Chairman of the Rangpur Partnership Forest Users Group, claimed that the group’s officials were compelled to vandalize the office due to the behavior of Chief Sah. Yadav accused Chief Sah of conspiring with sawmills to tender quality timber, pressuring the group to sign agreements with specific organizations for the Sustainable Forest Management project, and obstructing development work, all of which led to the group’s frustration.

28 Women Suspected of Cervical Cancer Found in Nepalgunj

A free sexual and reproductive health camp organized by Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City identified 28 women as suspected cases of cervical cancer. Out of 141 women who came for check-ups at the Urban Health Promotion Center, 28 were flagged as suspicious for the cancer, and most others showed signs of various uterine infections. Jageshwar Basnet, Public Health Officer at the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan Health Division, stated that 43 women also underwent HPV DNA testing, with results pending. The camp, supported by B-Group, AFD, and MDM-France, provided immediate assistance to two women suffering from uterine prolapse by inserting rings and referred all suspected cancer and serious infection cases to Bheri Hospital for further testing and treatment.

Rise in Birthing Centers Reduces Home Births in Rural Sindhuli

The incidence of home births is decreasing in rural areas of Sindhuli district due to the growing number of operational birthing centers. Local residents report that pregnant women are now opting for the secure maternity services offered at these centers instead of traveling to expensive hospitals in urban centers or the capital, Kathmandu. Bainkuntha Lal Pahadi, Ward Chairman of Phikkal Rural Municipality–5, stated that home delivery is now at zero in his ward thanks to the birthing services provided by the local health post. The local municipality also provides a transportation incentive of Rs 1,000 for every check-up to pregnant women who undergo regular health monitoring. The Sindhuli Health Office confirmed that 41 health posts across the district’s nine local levels now operate birthing centers.

Singer Satyakala Rai Honored in US as ‘Ambassador of Peace’

Singer Satyakala Rai was honored with the title of ‘Ambassador of Peace’ in the United States by the Global People Alliance at a special event. The organization recognized her for her significant contribution to Nepali music. The event, co-hosted by the Kalyan Foundation, also featured a special screening of her film, Kandetar. Most attendees at the premiere praised the film for advocating nationalism and urged others to watch and support it. The event saw the participation of prominent individuals, including Dr. Pradip Bastola, founder of the Global People Alliance, and President Kashi Adhikari. Rai is currently in the US with ‘Kandetaar’ after screenings in the UK and Canada, with more than a dozen shows scheduled in the US.

Darjeeling Pays Tribute to ‘Mantra’ Rock Band as It Marks 25th Anniversary

Darjeeling resonated with music on Sunday, as hundreds of musicians gathered at the city’s famous Chaurasta to pay tribute to the popular Nepali rock band ‘Mantra,’ which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In a pre-event for the Melo-T Fest, guitarists performed the band’s hit song Bir Bir Gorkhali, which symbolizes Gorkha pride. Although the effort fell slightly short of achieving the world record target of over 1,000 participants, the event was hailed as a powerful display of community spirit and a celebration of the band’s legacy. Bhaskar Dewan, the band’s singer, expressed gratitude, calling it a great honor and a perfect way to reconnect with Darjeeling’s musical roots. The main festival is scheduled to run from December 11 to 14, 2025.

Lumbini into Qualifier 2, Will Face Biratnagar

Lumbini Lions have entered the Qualifier 2 of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025, defeating Kathmandu Gorkhas by 4 wickets. In the eliminator match held at TU International Cricket Ground earlier today, Lumbini surpassed the victory target of 112 runs set by Kathmandu in 17.4 overs at the loss of 6 wickets. For Lumbini’s victory D’Arcy Short scored 33 runs in 34 balls, followed by Sundeep Jora who scored 23 runs in 23 balls. Likewise, Captain Rohit Paudel and Niroshan Dickwella scored 18 and 14 runs respectively. For the bowling side, Santosh Yadav took 2 wickets, while Karan KC, Sunny Patel, Shahab Alam and Rashid Khan took 1 wicket each.

Niramaya Chaudhary Wins Open Women’s Marathon

Niramaya Chaudhary secured first place in the Open Women’s Marathon competition organized in Rapti Rural Municipality on Wednesday as part of the 16-Day International Campaign against Gender-Based Violence. She completed the four-kilometer distance in 17 minutes and 50 seconds. Chaudhary was awarded Rs 14,000 cash and a certificate. Rima Chaudhary took second place, completing the distance in 18 minutes and 5 seconds, and received Rs 12,000. Anju Sarki finished third in 18 minutes and 17 seconds, earning Rs 10,000 cash and a certificate. The event, which saw participation from 76 women, was organized with the goal of raising public awareness against gender violence and promoting women’s empowerment through sports.

Mahalakshmi, Lalitpur, and Dolakha Chess Association Lead Tulsilal Chess Championship

Mahalakshmi Municipality, Lalitpur Metropolitan Municipality, and Dolakha Chess Association are vying for the title in the Eighth Tulsilal Memorial National Club Team Chess Championship being held in Lalitpur. After four rounds, the top three teams are tied with seven points each, having secured three wins and one draw. Mahalakshmi Municipality defeated Kumari Pati Chess Club 4–0 in the third round but drew 2–2 with Lalitpur Metropolitan Municipality in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Dolakha District Association secured a 2.5–1.5 victory over Dolakha Chess Home in the third round and later drew 2–2 with Thapathali Chess Park in the fourth round. These close results set the stage for a competitive final phase of the championship.

Barcelona and Liverpool Secure Victories in UEFA Champions League

Barcelona and Liverpool clinched wins in the UEFA Champions League matches held on Tuesday night. At home, Barcelona defeated Frankfurt 2–1, with both goals scored by Kounde in the 50th and 53rd minutes, overturning an initial goal by Ansgar Knauff in the 21st minute. This victory propelled Barcelona to 10 points from six games. In another competitive match, Liverpool won 1–0 against Inter Milan, thanks to a decisive goal from Dominik Szoboszlai in the 88th minute. Following the win, Liverpool has accumulated 12 points from six games. Other matches on Tuesday night saw victories for Bayern Munich, Marseille, Atlético de Madrid, Atalanta, and Tottenham, all securing wins over their respective opponents.

Thousands Flee Conflict on Thailand-Cambodia Border

Thousands of families on both sides of the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border have fled their homes to escape a bitter new conflict that resumed on Monday, breaking a fragile truce brokered by US President Donald Trump in July. Hundreds of thousands have moved into temporary shelters. However, some, like Thai village head Wuttikrai Chimngarm, were forced to stay behind to safeguard houses and belongings. Both sides accuse the other of reigniting the hostilities and targeting civilian areas. Cambodian residents fled the disputed village of Kaun Kriel for the second time, having previously escaped the five-day July border clash, which killed at least 48 people.

Australia Implements World-First Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Australia has implemented a world-first law banning children under 16 from having social media accounts, with no exemption for parental approval, making it the world’s strictest policy of its kind. The law requires platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to take “reasonable steps” to ensure compliance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese championed the ban, calling it a necessary step to protect children from harmful content and algorithms. Social media firms face fines of up to USD 33 million for serious breaches. While popular among parents, critics and experts express concern that young people, especially those from marginalized communities, will circumvent the ban or be robbed of connection.

Amazon and Microsoft Announce USD 52.5 Billion Investment in India

Amazon and Microsoft have announced a combined investment plan of USD 52.5 billion in India over the coming years, signaling the country’s growing role as an AI and cloud infrastructure hub. Amazon committed USD 35 billion by 2030 to advance AI-driven digitization and job creation, building on its existing $40 billion investment. Microsoft committed USD 17.5 billion to strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem, including a new “hyperscale cloud region” (a cluster of data centers) in Hyderabad set to go live in mid-2026. This surge follows a USD 15 billion commitment from Google in October and comes as India intensifies efforts to build a domestic chipmaking industry.

South Korea Protests Joint Russia-China Air Patrol

South Korea lodged a complaint with the Chinese and Russian defense attachés after seven Russian and two Chinese military aircraft “briefly entered” its Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Tuesday. Seoul deployed fighter jets to take “tactical measures” in preparation for emergencies but noted that the planes did not violate South Korea’s sovereign airspace. The aircraft entered the Kadiz near Ulleung Island and Dokdo (Russian) and Ieodo (Chinese) before regrouping near Japan’s Tsushima Island. China confirmed the joint patrol was part of an “annual cooperation plan.” Russia does not recognize South Korea’s unilaterally established KADIZ.

Sperm Donor’s Hidden Cancer Gene Affects 197 Families

A major investigation has revealed that an anonymous sperm donor unknowingly carrying a genetic mutation that dramatically raises the risk of cancer has fathered at least 197 children across 14 countries in Europe. The mutation affects the TP53 gene, which normally prevents cells from turning cancerous, and can lead to L-Fraumenii syndrome, a condition carrying up to a 90% chance of developing cancer, often in childhood. The sperm was sold by the European Sperm Bank over a 17-year period, starting in 2005, and was used by 67 fertility clinics. The bank admitted that national limits on the number of families per donor were “unfortunately” breached in some countries, notably inBelgium,m where 38 women had 53 children from this donor despite a limit of six families. A “very small number” of British families who received treatment in Denmark have been informed.