KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Sushila Karki clarifies resignation of cabinet ministers contesting elections
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has clarified the issue of several cabinet ministers resigning from their posts to contest the upcoming elections. Responding to questions raised by lawmakers while addressing the National Assembly for the first time on Monday, Prime Minister Karki said the ministers had made their political intentions clear even before joining the cabinet and were allowed to leave accordingly. Former ministers Kulman Ghising, Mahabir Pun, Jagadish Kharel and Bablu Gupta resigned from the cabinet to enter electoral politics. The Prime Minister said their departure was not unexpected, adding that she had given them a clear assurance that they could step down whenever they decided to contest elections.
President Paudel leaves for Japan
President Ram Chandra Paudel departed for an official visit to friendly nation Japan. The President was seen off at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, ministers, chiefs of the security agencies, senior government officials, and the Japanese Ambassador to Nepal. President Paudel is accompanied by his spouse, Sabita Paudel, senior government officials, and officials from the Office of the President. He is scheduled to return home on February 4.
76 candidates dropped from proportional closed lists; 21 found blacklisted by Credit Information Bureau Nepal
The Election Commission has decided to remove the names of 76 candidates from the proportional representation closed lists submitted by political parties for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. According to the Commission, the decision was taken after verifying candidate details based on complaints received regarding the submitted lists, eligibility and disqualification provisions under prevailing laws, various Commission decisions, and information provided by political parties. Among those removed, 21 candidates were found to be blacklisted by the Credit Information Bureau Nepal (CIB Nepal). The Commission also found that 25 candidates were simultaneously listed on proportional closed lists for Provincial Assembly membership.
Remittance inflows exceed Rs 1.05 trillion in six months
Nepal has received more than Rs 1.05 trillion in remittance inflows during the first six months of the current fiscal year. According to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation report released by Nepal Rastra Bank on Monday, remittance inflows increased by 39.1 percent to reach to Rs.1062.93 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025/26. In the same period last year, remittance inflows had grown by 4.2 percent. During mid- December to mid-January (Poush month), remittance inflows stood at Rs. 192.62 billion. In the same period of the previous year, such inflows were Rs. 122.44 billion.
Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane to return to public events from Tuesday
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane is set to resume public appearances from Tuesday after recovering from a leg injury. Lamichhane sustained the injury during a public event in Janakpur on January 19, where he was participating alongside senior party leader and former Prime Ministerial candidate Balendra Shah. Despite the injury, Lamichhane initially continued with his activities. However, due to a worsening infection (cellulitis), he was admitted to the hospital. He was discharged on January 29 but stayed home for rest as advised by doctors.
Ramkumari Jhankri denies any election alliance proposal from KP Sharma Oli
ML leader Ramkumari Jhankri has clarified that party chairman KP Sharma Oli has not proposed any election alliance or cooperation with any other party. The clarification comes after reports surfaced that Oli met with Nepali Communist Party (NCP) coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Sunday, during which discussions about potential electoral coordination for the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5 were said to have taken place.
Election Commission seeks clarification from nine more over poll code violations
The Election Commission (EC) has sought clarifications from nine more individuals for allegedly violating the Election Code of Conduct, taking the total number of explanations sought so far to 29. According to EC Assistant Spokesperson Kul Bahadur Jisi, the Commission had earlier sought 21 clarifications by Saturday, with nine additional notices issued on Sunday and Monday. Among those asked to explain is Hemraj Thapa, a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) from Bajura. The EC acted on a complaint alleging that Thapa used insulting, threatening and abusive language targeting Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya, linking him to the Martadi–Kolti road construction project contracted to PS Baniya JV.
Election Commission seeks second clarification from Balendra Shah
The Election Commission (EC) has sought a second clarification from former Kathmandu mayor and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidate Balendra Shah regarding alleged violations of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082. This follows a broader action in which the EC on Sunday and Monday asked nine more individuals for clarifications, taking the total number of notices issued to 30. According to EC Assistant Spokesperson Kul Bahadur GC, Shah’s case relates to reports that during the campaign in Jhapa-5, his wife Sabina Kafle deployed plainclothes police personnel to assist in electioneering.
National Assembly unanimously endorses three ordinances, including Voter List amendment
The National Assembly on Monday unanimously approved three ordinances, including the ordinance to amend the Voter List Act. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal tabled the Ordinance to Amend the Voter List Act, along with the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, and the Nepal Special Service Act (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, for approval in the House. Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal presented the proposals for a decision, which were endorsed unanimously by the members present.
Police intervene as Durga Prasai holds program outside permitted venue in Bharatpur
Police intervened in a program organized by Durga Prasai and his supporters in Bharatpur on Monday after it was held outside the location designated by the local administration. Tension escalated after Prasai began the program at Chaubiskothi Chowk, prompting the police to step in and attempt to disperse the gathering. This led to scuffles and pushing between police personnel and Prasai’s supporters. During the clash, police arrested three activists affiliated with Prasai, according to District Police Office, Chitwan spokesperson Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabindra Khanal.
Nepal–Japan ties at 70 a milestone in bilateral relations: President Paudel
President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan marks an important milestone in bilateral ties. During a courtesy meeting with Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii on Monday, President Paudel said Japan has been a reliable and important development partner in Nepal’s social and economic development, according to the Office of the President.
Nepali Congress leaders sidelined by special convention largely absent from election campaign
With the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, the country has entered full election mode. Political parties, candidates and activists are busy campaigning across the country. However, a section of the Nepali Congress leadership sidelined by the party’s special convention appears largely detached from the election process. Several senior leaders who lost positions and tickets after the special convention have yet to actively join campaign activities. While some remain in Kathmandu, others have only recently begun visiting their districts. As a result, in several constituencies, Congress voters have not seen familiar senior faces during the campaign.
Customs officer, two others arrested at TIA; Rs 453,556 seized
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has arrested three employees, including a customs officer, from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and recovered Rs 453,556 in cash.
Those arrested include Customs Officer Indra Neupane, Office Assistant Ganesh Prasad Pudasaini, and another staff Chhabi Prasad Rijal, who were working at the Foreign Postal Customs Branch of the Customs Office, the CIAA said.
The CIAA team arrested them and recovered Rs 453,556 in cash along with 23 mobile phone sets from their possession.
Pumdikot attracts visitors with towering Shiva statue
Pumdikot in the Pokhara Valley has become a new tourist attraction following the construction of a massive 51-foot statue of Lord Shiva. The site is gaining popularity among both domestic and international tourists visiting Pokhara. The statue is part of a larger religious tourism project that includes 108 Shiva Lingams, Damru, Kalash, and other structures built on around 22 ropani of land. The aim is to develop Pumdikot as a religious tourism destination.
Health insurance limit set at Rs 25,000 for OPD services
Under new rules, health insurance beneficiaries will now be able to claim up to Rs 25,000 per fiscal year for outpatient (OPD) services. According to Bikesh Malla, Information Officer at the Health Insurance Board, any medical expenses beyond this limit can be used for hospitalization, lab tests, and emergency care. The move aims to reduce the financial burden on OPD services, which currently consume a large share of insurance funds. The new rule is expected to come into effect from February 13. The board noted that services such as ICU and surgeries require higher coverage, and this limit will help balance insurance resources. Currently, families can enroll in health insurance by paying a premium of Rs 3,500, which covers up to Rs 100,000 in annual treatment costs for five family members. If OPD expenses exceed Rs 25,000, patients must pay the remaining cost out-of-pocket.
Case against RSP chief Rabi Lamichhane listed at Supreme Court
The case against RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane has been scheduled for hearing at the Supreme Court. The hearing pertains to a writ petition filed against the Attorney General’s Office’s decision to reinstate the passport misuse case against Lamichhane. The case has been listed for Monday before a bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Nrip Dhwaj Niraula.
Two youths in Chitwan receive citizenship in mother’s name
Two young men from Khairahani Municipality–5, Nischal Chaudhary and Shankar Chaudhary, have received Nepali citizenship in their mother’s name. The youths were granted citizenship in the name of their mother, Nisha Mahato (Chaudhary), by Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal. This is the first time in the district that citizenship has been issued under a mother’s name following recent amendments to the Citizenship Act and Regulations.
Gold price falls by Rs 13,400 per tola
Gold prices continued their downward trend on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold fell by Rs 13,400 per tola, closing at Rs 286,600 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver also dropped by Rs 300 per tola, settling at Rs 5,200 per tola.
Migrant worker stranded abroad rescued after three months; one still missing
Bhuvan BK of Phuldanda, Raghuganga Rural Municipality–6, who had been stranded abroad while attempting to travel for foreign employment, has been rescued after nearly three months. However, the whereabouts of Bishne Sarki of Benighat–9, Kaulegaun, who went missing after a boat accident while traveling from Serbia to Italy along with BK, remain unknown. BK was rescued through coordination among the Migrant Resource Center under the District Administration Office, the Foreign Employment Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nepali Embassy in Germany. He had been injured and left stranded following a boat accident on November 11, 2025, while attempting to enter Italy illegally. BK returned to his hometown last week and said he felt as if he had been given a new life.
Kohalpur–Surkhet 132 kV transmission line comes into operation
The Kohalpur–Surkhet section of the 132 kV Kohalpur–Surkhet–Dailekh transmission line project has come into operation. Following the commissioning of the project, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya said the Authority has successfully energized a 132 kV transmission line in Karnali Province for the first time. He said the project has created conditions for consumers in Karnali Province, particularly in Surkhet, to access reliable and quality electricity.
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