1. Election Commission allows withdrawal and replacement of PR candidates
The Election Commission has said that candidates listed under the proportional representation (PR) system for the upcoming House of Representatives election can withdraw their names within a specified timeline. Political parties will be allowed to replace withdrawn candidates. The EC is currently verifying PR lists submitted by 64 political parties. Corrections can be made until January 11, withdrawals until January 12, and the final PR list will be published on February 3 after addressing complaints.
2. Seven injured as Buddha Air aircraft overruns runway at Bhadrapur Airport
Seven people, including co-pilot Sushant Shrestha, were injured after a Buddha Air ATR-72 aircraft overshot the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport in Jhapa. The plane, carrying 51 passengers and five crew members, overran the runway by 300 meters at around 9:10 pm on Friday. Police rescued all passengers and rushed the injured to Omsai Pathibhara Hospital. Six passengers were discharged after minor treatment, while the co-pilot remains hospitalized with head and facial injuries.
3. Communications Minister highlights need for professional journalism training
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel stressed the importance of training centers in strengthening professional journalism. He made the remarks while inspecting the under-construction central training center of Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) in Bharatpur, Chitwan. The Rs 57.6 million project, started in May 2023, will include a four-storey academic facility with 19 rooms. The minister pledged government support for operational resources once construction is completed.
4. Month-long Madhavnarayan Mela begins at Shalinadi in Sankhu
The traditional Madhavnarayan Mela has begun at Shalinadi in Sankhu, Kathmandu, and will continue until February 1. A total of 176 devotees are observing a month-long fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Madhav Narayan and Goddess Shree Swasthani. Thousands of devotees marked the opening day with ritual baths and prayers at the Shalinadi River. Saturdays are expected to see the highest footfall during the festival.
5. Aquatic bird census starts in Kanchanpur district
The annual aquatic bird census has started in Kanchanpur to assess the population and status of indigenous and migratory birds. The census is being conducted by Bird Conservation Nepal in coordination with Shuklaphanta National Park and involves more than 20 trained enumerators. Data will be collected until January 18 across lakes, rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs, including hard-to-reach areas using elephants. Conservationists warn that aquatic bird species have declined by nearly half due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and urbanization.
6. Patan Durbar Museum records over 313,000 visitors in 2025
Patan Durbar Museum received 313,300 visitors in 2025, including over 105,000 foreign tourists, according to museum officials. The number of foreign visitors declined compared to 2024, mainly due to road construction and social movements. However, domestic tourism, including student visits, has steadily increased. Officials say Nepali visitor numbers continue to rise despite fluctuations in foreign arrivals.
International
7. Venezuela accuses US of attacking civilian and military sites
Venezuela’s government has accused the United States of carrying out attacks on civilian and military installations after multiple explosions rocked Caracas early Saturday. President Nicolás Maduro declared a state of external disturbance and ordered full activation of national defense plans. The U.S. government has not officially commented, while the FAA has banned U.S. flights over Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity. The incident follows months of escalating tensions, including U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling operations.
8. Death toll rises to 14 after train derailment in southern Mexico
The death toll from a train derailment in Oaxaca, Mexico, has risen to 14, President Claudia Sheinbaum said. The accident occurred on December 28 when a passenger train carrying around 250 people plunged into a ravine. Authorities are assessing how to recover the train due to difficult terrain. The attorney general’s office is investigating the cause of the derailment.
9. Swiss bar fire death toll expected to rise as dozens remain critical
At least 40 people are believed dead after a massive fire broke out at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland. Authorities say 119 people were injured, many critically, and the death toll is expected to increase. Investigators suspect sparklers attached to bottles and flammable ceiling materials triggered a flashover. Switzerland has declared national mourning, while several European countries are assisting with medical treatment.
10. France defends granting citizenship to George and Amal Clooney
The French government has defended its decision to grant citizenship to George and Amal Clooney. Officials cited their contributions to France’s cultural influence and international outreach. The move has sparked public debate but remains supported by the government. No further policy changes were announced.
Business
11. BYD overtakes Tesla as world’s top electric vehicle seller in 2025
China’s BYD has overtaken Tesla in global electric vehicle sales for the first time in 2025. Tesla’s deliveries fell by 8.6 percent year-on-year, while BYD’s sales rose nearly 28 percent to over 2.25 million vehicles. Analysts attribute Tesla’s decline partly to the removal of U.S. EV tax credits and a broader slowdown in the American EV market. Industry forecasts suggest weak EV demand in the U.S. may continue into 2026.
