Submit your Article

The US Embassy in Nepal has launched Creator’s Mela 2026: Vision to Venture, an initiative aimed at strengthening Nepal’s digital creator ecosystem by encouraging the transition from content creation to sustainable business development.

The program began on Saturday at Hotel Siraichuli in Chitwan, marking the start of a multi-city series. According to the organizers, the 2026 edition places greater emphasis on professional growth, entrepreneurship, and long-term career building for digital creators.

More than 800 young and emerging creators participated in the Chitwan event, which featured parallel sessions including panel discussions, spotlight conversations, workshops, live performances, and the Pitch to Success platform. Speakers and performers included Priyanka Karki, Ayushman Joshi, Cabinet Shrestha, Anand Bagaria, and Sandhya KC, along with digital creators such as 2B Gamer, Eva Giri, Shrishes Manandhar, Ekata Tandukar, Nepal 8th Wonder, and The K-OS. The event concluded with a live music performance by Yabesh Thapa.

Creator’s Mela 2026 will continue in Nepalgunj on Jan 24, followed by a two-day finale in Kathmandu on Jan 30 and 31. The Kathmandu program will include the Pitch to Success segment, where selected creators will present their business ideas to a panel of corporate executives for feedback and mentorship.

The theme Vision to Venture focuses on connecting digital creativity with enterprise development. The program integrates sessions on technology use, platform monetization, and digital business skills to support creators in building sustainable ventures.

Mike Harker, Public Affairs Chief at the US Embassy Nepal, said the initiative aims to support entrepreneurship and job creation by expanding skills and networks among creators across the country, while also linking Nepali creators to international opportunities.

Preparations for the celebration of Sonam Lhosar 2862 have reached the final stage. The organization also announced that Prime Minister Sushila Karki is scheduled to attend the event as the chief guest.

The Nepal Tamang Ghedung shared the update during a press conference, stating that arrangements for this year’s Sonam Lhosar, which marks the Year of the Horse (Ta), are nearing completion.

The two-day celebration will take place at Tundikhel on Magh 4 and 5. Ghedung’s Federal President Mohan Gole said preparations are in their final phase, adding that a rally featuring Tamba, Bombo, Lama, and Jhankri will also be organized as part of the celebrations.

Ghedung General Secretary Jagatman Dong said that, as in previous years, the event is being prepared on a grand scale at Tundikhel, with programs planned to honor various individuals. According to the organizers, 101 organizations are involved in coordinating the event.

National Ghedung President Bir Bahadur Yonjan said Sonam Lhosar has been traditionally celebrated at Tundikhel as a cultural festival. The program will also include performances by national artists and a DJ session by DJ Tenzing, the organizers said.

The Election Commission (EC) has geared up the implementation of election code of conduct and also set up the office of the returning officer.

The EC had also held a discussion with the political parties registered for participating in the House of Representatives (HoR) member election-2082 in connection with the implementation of Election Code of Conduct, 2082.

The discussion was held in the presence of Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari and Commissioners Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shamsher JB Rana, along with the Commission Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut.

The political parties present on the occasion expressed their commitment to help conduct the upcoming elections in a free, fair, and fear-free environment.

The parties' representatives said that they would ensure the faithful implementation of the Constitution, the Election Commission Act, 2073, the Political Parties Act, 2073, the Election (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2073, the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2074, the National Assembly Member Election Act, 2075, and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, along with other election-related laws.

In the context of the elections, they expressed their commitment to be present when called upon by the Commission, the Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee and Sub-committee, Election Officers, and Polling Officers.

The commission has stated that it has received suggestions such as the need for effective monitoring in the implementation of the code of conduct, and that the commission should be vigilant in checking and regulating fake information, propaganda, and hate speech disseminated through social media.

During the discussion, Bhandari urged the representatives of all political parties to participate in the election by complying with the law and not engaging in politics of prohibition.

Election Commissioner Sagun Shamsher JB Rana, who also serves as the coordinator of the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, provided information on the use of social media monitoring tools by the EC for the regulation of social media.

Representatives of the political parties expressed their commitment to implement the prevailing election laws and the election code of conduct.

He indicated that the election code of conduct will be implemented fairly with cooperation from all political parties.

EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed that offices of Chief Returning Officer have been set up in all 77 districts and offices of Returning Officer in 88 electoral constituencies for the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The CPN-UML is holding a meeting of its Secretariat today to finalize candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives election.

The meeting has been scheduled for 1 pm. Party leaders said the meeting has been called to decide candidates as the election schedule sets Magh 6 for candidate nominations in all 165 constituencies.

The party’s constituency coordination committees, district committees, and provincial committees have already recommended candidates. Based on these recommendations, the names of around 35 leaders, including party chair KP Sharma Oli, have been unanimously proposed so far.

As the party has not yet decided to form an electoral alliance with any other party, the UML is expected to field candidates with the party’s own election symbol in all constituencies.

Earlier, the Central Committee had decided to authorize the Secretariat to finalize candidates for the election. 

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has called a meeting of its Central Committee.

According to a party leader, the meeting will be held on Sunday at 2 pm at the party’s central office in Chhauni. The meeting is expected to finalize candidates for all 165 constituencies for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21.

As per the election timetable, candidate nominations for all 165 constituencies are set for Magh 6. The party has convened the Central Committee meeting to make decisions related to the nomination process.

Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has said that internal disputes within the party will be resolved through dialogue.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday before heading to Sanepa, Koirala said the party would reunite by addressing differences through discussion. “It will be resolved. It has to be resolved. We must engage in dialogue. Through dialogue, the disputes in the Nepali Congress will be settled,” he said, adding that conflicts occur everywhere but are ultimately resolved through understanding.

On Friday, the Election Commission granted official recognition to the working committee led by party president Gagan Thapa, who was elected through the party’s special general convention.

Earlier, before the Election Commission announced its decision, the Deuba faction had held a press conference in Sanepa, warning of a nationwide protest if the decision did not go in its favor.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the dissolved central committee is being held to review the Election Commission’s decision and decide future strategy.

The Nepali Congress is holding a meeting of its Central Working Committee today. This will be the second meeting since the party selected its new leadership.

The meeting has been scheduled for 11:30 am at Arpan Banquet in New Baneshwor. It comes after the leadership led by Gagan Thapa received official recognition following the special general convention on Friday.

All office bearers and central committee members have been requested to attend the meeting. Party spokesperson Devraj Chalise said the meeting will discuss decisions taken in the previous meeting as well as issues related to the upcoming elections.

The Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Committee has fixed the wholesale prices of agricultural products for today.

According to the committee, the price of large Indian tomatoes has been set at Rs 105 per kg, small local tomatoes at Rs 70, small tunnel tomatoes at Rs 100, small Indian tomatoes at Rs 80, and Terai tomatoes at Rs 95 per kg. Red potatoes are priced at Rs 32 per kg, Indian red potatoes at Rs 27, and dry Indian onions at Rs 45 per kg.

Similarly, local carrots are priced at Rs 80 per kg, Terai carrots at Rs 70, local cabbage at Rs 80, Terai cabbage at Rs 55, coconut cabbage at Rs 60, local cauliflower at Rs 120, Jhyapu cauliflower at Rs 140, Terai cauliflower at Rs 100, red radish at Rs 40, white radish (local) at Rs 20, white radish (hybrid) at Rs 25, long brinjal at Rs 70, round brinjal at Rs 80, and maize beans at Rs 50 per kg.

Other vegetables include peas at Rs 70 per kg, local ghee beans at Rs 140, hybrid ghee beans at Rs 120, rajma beans at Rs 90, French beans at Rs 100, bitter gourd at Rs 180, bottle gourd at Rs 90, Terai pointed gourd at Rs 240, ridge gourd at Rs 110, ripe pumpkin at Rs 50, green pumpkin (long and round) at Rs 40, turnip at Rs 80, okra at Rs 120, sweet potato at Rs 70, yam at Rs 60, taro at Rs 65, and chayote at Rs 90 per kg.

Leafy vegetables have also been priced, with mustard greens at Rs 50 per kg, spinach at Rs 80, cress at Rs 80, fenugreek greens at Rs 80, radish greens at Rs 45, green onion at Rs 60, basil at Rs 100, yam at Rs 80, oyster mushroom at Rs 130, button mushroom at Rs 450, king oyster mushroom at Rs 300, shiitake mushroom at Rs 1,000, and asparagus at Rs 2,050 per kg.

The committee has also fixed prices of broccoli at Rs 130 per kg, beetroot at Rs 80, sajivan at Rs 420 per kg, red cabbage at Rs 100, jhiri greens at Rs 130, knol khol at Rs 70, celery at Rs 250, parsley at Rs 600, fennel greens at Rs 80, mint at Rs 400, gandhe mula at Rs 80, tamarind at Rs 180, bamboo shoots at Rs 120, tofu at Rs 150, gundruk at Rs 400, and tree tomato at Rs 260 per kg.

Among fruits, apples (Jhole) are priced at Rs 280 per kg and Fuji apples at Rs 350 per kg. Bananas are selling at Rs 180 per dozen, lemons at Rs 100 per kg, pomegranate at Rs 350, Nepali oranges at Rs 140, green watermelon at Rs 100, sweet orange at Rs 120, junar at Rs 120, and pineapple at Rs 155 per piece.

Cucumbers (local) are priced at Rs 140 per kg and hybrid cucumbers at Rs 85 per kg. Other fruits include lime at Rs 70, Chinese pear at Rs 230, Nepali papaya at Rs 70, Indian papaya at Rs 110, lapsi at Rs 120, strawberry at Rs 500, kiwi at Rs 300, and avocado at Rs 350 per kg.

Spices and other items include amla at Rs 80 per kg, ginger at Rs 100, dried chilli at Rs 420, green chilli at Rs 120, bullet chilli at Rs 125, mache chilli at Rs 90, capsicum at Rs 100, akabare chilli at Rs 650 per kg, green garlic at Rs 120, and coriander at Rs 120 per kg.

Likewise, dry Chinese garlic is priced at Rs 280 per kg, dry Nepali garlic at Rs 200, dried chayapi at Rs 160, green chayapi at Rs 200, dried fish at Rs 1,000, fresh rohu fish at Rs 340, bachuwa fish at Rs 280, and chhadi fish at Rs 250 per kg.