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.

12 Voters Barred from National Assembly Elections

The Election Commission has excluded five provincial assembly members and seven local-level officials from the final voter list for the January 25, 2026, National Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission’s Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the individuals were excluded due to deaths, court-ordered removals, or ongoing suspensions. The preliminary list now contains 2,043 voters, including 545 provincial members and 1,498 local chiefs and deputies. The election will fill 18 seats vacated by members completing their terms on March 4, 2026. Candidates may withdraw by January 11, and final symbols will be distributed the following day.

Province Chief Administers Oath to 6 New Madhesh Ministers

Madhesh Province Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav finalized his cabinet on Wednesday, expanding the council of ministers for the third time since taking office. Approximately one month after the government’s formation, six new ministers were inducted, bringing the total cabinet size to 12 members, including the Chief Minister. Province Chief Dr. Surendra Labh administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers. The new appointments include Manish Suman (Labor and Transport), Rajkumar Gupta (Physical Infrastructure Development), Shankar Prasad Chaudhary (Forest and Environment), Shyam Prasad Patel (Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives), Basanta Kushwaha (Sports and Social Welfare), and Phakira Mahato (Home, Communications, and Law).

Hunger Striker Dr. Nicholous Bhusal Hospitalized After 9 Days

Dr. Nicholas Bhusal, who had been on a hunger strike for nine days at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu, was rushed to Bir Hospital on Wednesday for emergency treatment. The Nepal Medical Association facilitated the transfer after a medical team found his health condition deteriorating significantly. Bhusal’s protest centers on demands related to the Gen Z protest, including legal action against those who used lethal force during protests and the release of arrested activists. His other demands include a thorough investigation into corruption and the implementation of voting rights for Nepalis living abroad. Doctors at the hospital have placed him under close observation.

Rabi Lamichhane Appears in Pokhara Court

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane appeared before the Kaski District Court in Pokhara regarding the Suryadarshan Saving and Credit Cooperative fraud case. According to the court officials, Lamichhane attended to record his official court date. This helps align his hearing schedule with other defendants, ensuring all future legal appearances occur on the same day. Lamichhane was previously arrested in Kathmandu on November 18, 2024, and was later released on bail of Rs 6.5 million on January 9, 2025, in the case.

Minister Kulman Ghising Denies Nepotism in PR Candidate List

Minister and RSP Vice Chairman Kulman Ghising issued a statement on Wednesday denying allegations of nepotism regarding the party’s proportional representation (PR) list. Social media reports claimed that Ghising influenced the inclusion of his “nephew” and “father-in-law” on the list. Ghising clarified that the individuals mentioned are not his relatives and were selected through a collective party process, not personal pressure. He emphasized his lifelong opposition to nepotism and favoritism. The minister also assured that any technical errors found in the closed list would be corrected within the timeframe provided by the Election Commission.

RPP and RPP-Nepal Announce Unification Under Lingden

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP-Nepal officially merged on Wednesday following a six-point agreement signed in Kathmandu. Rajendra Lingden will serve as the chairman of the unified party, which will retain the name RPP and use the “plough” as its election symbol. The agreement establishes a vision for a Hindu kingdom with a monarchy and total religious freedom. While Kamal Thapa’s specific role was not detailed, members elected during the 2021 convention will retain their positions. Local and district structures will be adjusted honorably based on the 2021 organizational framework to ensure smooth integration.

Finance Minister Allocates Rs 25 Billion for Upcoming Election Expenses

Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal announced on Wednesday that the government has secured funding for the March 5, 2026, elections using the current budget. By halting 4,000 unprepared projects worth Rs 30 million each, the ministry freed up approximately Rs 120 billion. Khanal confirmed that Rs 60.9 million has already been released to the Election Commission. Total costs are projected to include Rs 17 billion for temporary police and Rs 25 billion to Rs 26 billion for equipment and vehicles. The minister assured that these strategic budget freezes would ensure the national election proceeds without requiring additional external funding or supplementary budgets.

EPS Passers Protest in Gwarko Demanding South Korea Deployment

Over 200 youths who passed the Employment Permit System (EPS) language and skill tests staged a protest at the Gwarko office in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The protesters, some of whom have been on the roster for nearly 2 years, are demanding immediate deployment to South Korea. Out of 17,030 successful candidates for 2025, many have yet to receive labor contracts. Director Binda Acharya stated that the Nepal government has forwarded demands, including roster extensions and sector changes, to the Korean government. Currently, over 100,000 Nepalis work in Korea. In 2025, 11,200 workers were sent, an increase from 9,200 in 2024.

Election Office Established in Gandaki for National Assembly Polls

An Election Officer’s Office was inaugurated on Wednesday in Pokhara to manage the National Assembly elections in Gandaki Province. District Judge Himlal Belbase has been appointed as the election officer for the January 25, 2026 polls. Two seats are being contested in the province to replace outgoing leaders Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Bhagwati Neupane. Officials noted a change in voting weights, with provincial members’ votes increasing to 53 and local officials’ to 19. Currently, the Nepali Congress holds the highest total weight in the province with 2,704 points, followed by the CPN (UML) with 2,496 points.

Kathmandu Election Office Adds 50 New Polling Centers

The District Election Office in Kathmandu has added 50 new polling centers, bringing the total to 817 for the House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026. This is an increase from the 767 centers utilized during the 2022 elections. Kathmandu district, which elects 10 members to the lower house, has a total of 710,708 registered voters. This electorate consists of 344,194 men and 366,507 women. The addition of centers aims to improve accessibility and manage the high voter density in the capital, ensuring a more efficient voting process for the upcoming national polls.

Education Ministry Issues Strict Instructions to Foreign-Affiliated Schools

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has tightened regulations on domestic institutions offering foreign university degrees. Following reports of student exploitation and policy violations, the ministry issued a 10-point directive. Institutions are now required to replace “Discipline Incharges” with counseling centers and must submit a certified fee structure within 15 days. The directive mandates that all scholarship details be transparently published on websites. Schools are also restricted to running programs only in approved locations. The ministry warned that failure to comply with these guidelines, based on the 2002 directives, will result in immediate legal prosecution.

‘Viral Gorkhey’ Drops Trailer, Set to Release on January 15

The trailer for the film Viral Gorkhey was released on Wednesday, featuring real-life couple Saugat Malla and Shristi Shrestha. Directed by Nigam Shrestha, the movie satirizes the modern obsession with social media fame. The story follows a character named Gorkhe, played by Malla, who performs dangerous and bizarre stunts on TikTok and YouTube to achieve popularity. The film explores the conflict between digital fame and real-life reality. Produced by AK Brother Company and Nirvana Film School, the movie features an ensemble cast including Buddhi Tamang and Rishi Dhamala. It is scheduled for release on January 15, 2026.

NPC Women Enter NVA Cup Semifinals Undefeated

Nepal Police Club (NPC) advanced to the semifinals of the ninth NVA Cup Championship after defeating Madhesh Province 3-0 on Wednesday. At the NSC covered hall, NPC dominated with set scores of 25-3, 25-8, and 25-9, finishing as Group B winners. APF Club joined them as group runners-up. In Group A, Everest Volleyball Club beat Chuli Youth Club 3-0, but Tribhuvan Army Club and New Diamond Youth Sports Club secured the semifinal slots. The upcoming matchups will see NPC face Army, while APF will compete against New Diamond for a place in the championship final.

ANFA to Hold Early Elections on January 28

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) will hold early elections on February 11, 2026, following a decision by the executive committee on Wednesday. Although the current four-year term was set to end on June 20 (Ashar 6), the majority of members voted for early polls to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup in North America. ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang called the meeting after several officials, including suspended Senior Vice President Bir Bahadur Khadka, criticized the leadership for failure in international matches and league management. The move aims to resolve leadership disputes and address concerns over administrative transparency.

ICC World Cup Trophy to Be Brought to Nepal

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour Programme is also set to be observed in Nepal. The program will be jointly organized by India and Sri Lanka. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket tournament will be held from February 7, 2026, while the trophy tour will take place in Nepal from January 5 to 7. CAN stated that further details regarding the program, including the schedule, locations, and related activities, will be announced through a separate press meet. This will be the first time the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy is being brought to Nepal. Nepal will compete in the tournament from Group C alongside England, the West Indies, Italy, and Bangladesh.

Thailand Releases 18 Cambodian Soldiers After Ceasefire Deal

Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered following deadly border clashes in July. The handover was briefly delayed after Bangkok accused Phnom Penh of violating the truce with drone incursions. The release, a primary demand from the Cambodian government, took place under significant Chinese diplomatic pressure. The ceasefire requires both nations to freeze front lines and allow displaced civilians to return home. Border tensions, which have persisted for over a century, escalated earlier this year, resulting in multiple casualties and the displacement of nearly 1,000,000 people. Both nations expressed hope that the move builds mutual trust.

Taiwan Remains on High Alert Following Chinese Military Drills

Taiwan maintained an emergency response center on Wednesday after China conducted massive “Justice Mission 2025” military exercises. Taipei reported that 77 Chinese aircraft and 25 naval vessels operated around the island over a 24-hour period, with 35 planes crossing the Taiwan Strait median line. While Chinese ships began moving away, Beijing has not officially declared the end of the drills. The exercises follow a record USD 11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan. Ambassadors from the Quad nations met in Beijing to discuss the regional security threat. China defended the maneuvers as a necessary measure against “separatist forces” and external interference.

Bangladesh Mourns Former PM Khaleda Zia During Funeral

Hundreds of thousands gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday to pay final respects to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who died at 80. Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, was a central figure in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a symbol of resistance. Foreign dignitaries from India, Pakistan, and Bhutan attended the rites. She will be buried beside her husband, Ziaur Rahman. Her son, Tarique Rahman, recently returned from a 17-year exile and is expected to lead the party. Zia’s death marks the end of an era defined by her fierce political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, who was unseated last year.