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Two persons died when two motorcycles collided with each other in Patharatol-1, Rajdevi Municipality of Rautahat on Friday. 

The motorcycle (PR 2-03-018 P 3346) heading towards Gaur from Gangapipra collided with an Indian motorcycle (BR 30AF 2370 this morning, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Bishnu Pradeep Basyal of the District Police Office.

The deceased have been identified as bike rider Ashok Mahato (30) of Pipra Bazaar, Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality-2, Rautahat and another bike rider Arbinda Mahato (29) of Hajmini, Rajdevi Municipality-2, Rautahat. 

Newly elected Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa assumed office on Friday. 

Thapa, who previously served as the General Secretary of the party, was unanimously elected as the President during the second special general convention held in Kathmandu on January 15. 

The first meeting of the newly elected working committee is taking place at the party's central office in Sanepa today. 

Rights organizations have called on all to fully comply with the election code to conduct the House of Representatives elections scheduled for 5 March in a clean, fair, and fear-free manner. 

In a statement issued by Indra Prasad Aryal, President of the Nepal Human Rights Organization, and Bijayaraj Gautam, President of the Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC), stakeholders were urged to effectively follow the election code of conduct to make the upcoming elections in clean, fair, and credible manner. 

All concerned parties involved in the elections, including political parties, candidates, government bodies, security personnel, media, and voters, have been called to strictly adhere to the election code of conduct.

"Clean, fair, and fearless elections are the foundation of strengthening democracy," the statement said. "The campaign expresses a commitment to actively engage in continuous monitoring, cooperation, and civic awareness to make elections clean and trustworthy." 

The two organizations urged security agencies to perform an impartial and professional role in maintaining peace and security throughout the election period, and the media to deliver responsible, factual, and balanced news. 

They also requested voters not to be influenced by any kind of inducement, pressure, or misinformation and to exercise their voting rights freely.

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has withdrawn his candidacy.

Bhattarai, who had filed his candidacy from Gorkha-2 for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, has decided to withdraw his nomination today.

He had filed his nomination from the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party.

The country has recorded 5,966 incidents of disaster across the country so far since April 14, 2025.

A total of 424 people lost their lives and 1,643 people sustained injuries in such incidents. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 38 people went missing and 11,535 families were affected in such incidents.

The highest incident of fire took place during the period, added authority. 

A total of  2,692 fire incidents occurred where 75 people lost their lives while 442 people were injured and 2,996 families were affected. 

Similarly, the country recorded 577 incidents of landslides where 71 people were killed, five are still missing and 80 were injured. 

A total of 316 incidents of flood took place during the period while 427 of heavy rainfall, 352 of lightning, 580 of snakebite, 186 of forest fire, 290 of wind, 422 of animal attack.

Likewise, 105 cases of high-altitude were recorded so far since April 14, 2025 as well as five of avalanche, seven of earthquake, two of boat collapse, added the Authority.   

According to the Authority, incidents of fire are on rise in recent periods.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved parliament in advance of a snap election scheduled for February 8, Aljazeera reported. 

The speaker of Japan’s parliament on Friday read out a letter, officially dissolving the lower house as lawmakers shouted the traditional rallying cry of “banzai”.

The dissolution of the 465-member lower house now paves the way for a 12-day election campaign, which officially begins on Tuesday, according to Aljazeera. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel attended the 'Basanta Shrawan' ceremony at Nasal Chowk, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, on Friday morning to mark Basanta Panchami.

During the ceremony, the President listened to the hymns and the melody played as per the Vedic rituals. 

There is a tradition of the Head of State attending this ritual at the Nasal Chowk of Hanumandhoka on the day of Magh Shukla Panchami (the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Magh according to the lunar calendar). This tradition has started since the Malla period. 

On the occasion, the chief priest of Hanumandhoka Management Office presented President Paudel with Abhishek, tika, garland, and flower offerings. President Paudel worshiped Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. 

A contingent of the Nepal Army presented a ceremonial salute to the President on the occasion.

The ceremony was attended by First Lady Sabita Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, Sunita Dangol, Acting mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and other distinguished guests. 

Basanta Panchami is traditionally observed by worshipping Goddess Saraswati, and it is believed that performing Basanta Shrawan on this day brings happiness, peace, and prosperity.

Basanta Panchami is being celebrated across the country by paying homage to Goddess Saraswati, known as the goddess of knowledge, on Friday. 

Also known as Saraswati Puja, writers, artists, journalists, teachers and students worship their tools, pen, paper, pencil and musical instruments as goddess Saraswati.

There is also a belief that you will be blessed if you begin your learning after worshiping Saraswati. The day is also regarded as auspicious for social and religious functions like marriage, bratabanda, gufa and belbibaha.

It is considered auspicious to start education for children and to pierce their nose and ears. Devotees, especially students, throng the temples of Goddess Saraswati since early morning today.