KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant developments from Nepal and around the world. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we bring you a concise summary of the day’s top stories.

Three Killed In Pokhara Electric Microbus Accident: Three passengers lost their lives when an electric microbus (Plate No. Ga 1 Ja 8630), en route from Kathmandu to Pokhara, crashed at Lameahal, Pokhara-32, along the Prithvi Highway.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been confirmed. According to Inspector Shova Pandey, Chief of the District Traffic Office, Kaski, eight people, including the driver, were injured in the accident.

President Paudel Receives 62nd Auditor General’s Annual Report: The 62nd annual report of the Auditor General for the fiscal year 2080/81 has been presented to President Ram Chandra Paudel. On Wednesday, Auditor General Toyam Raya submitted the report in accordance with Subsection (1) of Article 294 of Nepal’s Constitution. The information was provided in a press release issued by the President’s Office. On the occasion, President Paudel emphasized the need for public officials to be more responsible and accountable in order to maintain financial discipline and enhance fiscal responsibility.

PM Oli Urges NRNs to Remain Unified and Purpose-driven: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) to stay unified, dignified, and goal-oriented. During the inauguration of the “NRNA Global Conclave” on Wednesday, he emphasized the need to avoid behaviors that contradict the organization’s objectives. He called for abandoning narrow-mindedness and focusing on high-level unity. He stated, “It is inappropriate to have disputes in an organization that should be united. The institution cannot function by changing the constitution for individual gains. Disagreements and conflicts during the General Assembly send the wrong message. Let reason and logic prevail, and the organization should not be a platform for personal interests.”

SC Orders to Produce Rabindra Mishra Before Court: The Supreme Court has issued a show cause order in the habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Rabindra Mishra, directing the relevant authorities to justify the legality of his detention and present him physically before the court. The order was issued by the single bench of Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel. The petition, filed by his wife, Sarika Karki, was submitted Tuesday, seeking Mishra’s immediate release and challenging the grounds for his continued detention. In its order, the apex court has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with 12 other defendants involved in the case, to provide reasons for Mishra’s detention and to ensure his physical presence at the upcoming court session.

Rabi Lamichhane’s Habeas Corpus Petition Deferred Again: The hearing for the habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has been deferred once again. Along with Lamichhane’s petition, two other writs—jointly registered by him and former DIG Chhabilal Joshi—were also set for a hearing today. The writs name Narayan Bahadur Paharai and 44 others as defendants in connection to a cooperative case. The hearings were scheduled at the bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Abdul Aziz Musalman. Senior Advocate Narayan Kandel, Lamichhane’s legal representative, stated that the court was expected to decide whether the three petitions would be heard.

MPs demand to rescue Nepali workers stranded in Saudi Arabia: Chief Whip of the CPN (UML) Mahesh Kumar Bartaula has called attention of the government for rescuing the Nepali stranded in Saudi Arabia after the closure of the company they were working in. Speaking during the ‘call attention hour’ in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, he drew the government’s attention to the fact that 469 Nepali workers have been stranded after the closure of Sandran International Company Limited in the Jubail City of Saudi Arabia, urging for immediate rescue and assistance. Among the 469 workers who became unemployed when the employer company closed, 226 workers want to return to Nepal.

Foreign Minister Rana Deuba Highlights Global Focus of Sagarmatha Sambaad on Climate Change: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba stated that Nepal’s upcoming Sagarmatha Sambaad will center around climate change, the Himalayas, and the future of humanity. The forum will feature extensive discussions on the current state of climate change and the challenges it brings. During a workshop on climate adaptation and resilience for South Asia, held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Dr. Deuba emphasized that climate change is a global issue, requiring commitment, collaboration, and coordination across countries.

National Assembly Sends Constitutional Council Amendment Bill for Detailed Discussion: The National Assembly has sent the Constitutional Council (Work, Duties, Rights, and Procedures) Amendment Bill, 2079 for detailed discussion to the Legislative Management Committee. In Wednesday’s session, the proposal presented by Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on behalf of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was unanimously approved by the House. National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal informed the session about the certification letter for the bill received from the President’s office.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to Take Action on Smuggling through Open Borders: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the home administration to control smuggling through open borders within the next 30 days. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Nepal Press Union in Biratnagar on Wednesday afternoon, Minister Lekhak acknowledged that while the government has been continuously working to curb illegal imports, exports, and smuggling, further efforts are still needed. “Since yesterday, during my participation in various programs, industrialists and businessmen have reported that illegal smuggling is causing problems in trade. I realized the need for further work to control smuggling and have issued directives for its control,” he said.

Maoist MP Expresses Objection Over Finance Minister’s Absence in Budget Discussion: MP Hitraj Pandey of the CPN (Maoist Centre) has raised objections regarding the absence of Finance Minister in the discussion on the principles and priorities of the upcoming budget bill for the fiscal year 2082/83. During Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, MP Pandey pointed out that according to parliamentary rules, the presence of the Finance Minister is mandatory for such discussions, but he was absent, which led to the objection.

Finance Minister Paudel meets World Bank VP Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel held a courtesy meeting with Martin Raiser, Vice President of the World Bank for South Asia. During the meeting, discussions were held regarding future partnerships between the Government of Nepal and the World Bank.

Over 39 Conflict-Affected Organizations Write Open Letter to PM Oli: More than 39 conflict-affected organizations and networks from across the country have written an open letter to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, expressing serious objections to the process of selecting officials for the Transitional Justice Commission. In the letter, they have criticized the current selection process as opaque, unreliable, and not victim-friendly, warning the Prime Minister not to force the formation of a citizens’ commission on behalf of the victims. The letter states, “If this process does not follow the correct path, we will be forced to form a citizens’ commission.”

Relief Quota Teachers Form National Committee Amid Disagreement with Government and Teachers’ Federation: A new national committee for the Nepal Relief Quota Teachers has been formed, expressing disagreement with the recent agreement between the government and the Teachers’ Federation. A meeting held in Bardibas, Mahottari recently elected Bishnu Khatri as the president of the 29-member Nepal Relief Teachers National Committee. In a press conference on Wednesday at the Sambad Dabali, President Khatri outlined several demands, including inclusion in the Social Security Fund and no internal competition among teachers. He emphasized that all teachers in relief quota positions should be integrated into the Social Security Fund with professional security based on their contributions, and there should be continued professional opportunities until the age limit.

22 Injured in Pokhara Bus Accident: Twenty-two people were injured in an accident in Pokhara Metropolitan City-22, Kaski, on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred when a bus (registration number Ga 1 Kha 3886) overturned on the road while returning to Pokhara from the World Peace Stupa. Among the injured, four are reported to be in critical condition, according to the police. The injured were immediately rescued and taken to Gandaki Medical College in Pokhara for treatment. Most of the passengers on the bus were Indian tourists.

NEPSE Declines for Fourth Consecutive Day, Trading Volume Drops to Rs 8.73 billion: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell for the fourth straight trading day on Wednesday, declining by 13.96 points to settle at 2,620 points. Along with the decline in the index, the total trading volume also saw a dip. Compared to Tuesday’s turnover of Rs 9.63 billion, Wednesday’s trading volume stood at Rs 8.73 billion. Out of the traded companies, the share prices of 62 companies increased, while 183 companies saw declines, and one remained unchanged. Despite the overall market downturn, the “Others” group saw a significant rise of 2.46%, driven by strong performances from two reinsurance companies. Similarly, the Development Bank sector increased by 1.19%, while all other sectors witnessed declines.

SEBON Prepares to Accelerate IPO Approvals After Two-Year Stagnation: With IPO issuance halted for nearly two years, the Nepal Securities Board (SEBON) is preparing to hold sales managers accountable under a new fast-track system. The board has been accused of seeking commissions to accelerate IPO approvals, which led to project backlogs. To address this, SEBON plans to demand progress reports from sales managers for all projects in the pipeline. “We are conducting site visits for all files and projects, and this process is causing delays in IPO approvals,” a SEBON source said. “There are many companies in the pipeline, and studying each file is time-consuming, so we are asking for additional reports from sales managers.”

NEPSE Directs Listed Companies to Update Financial Information: The Nepal Stock Exchange Limited (NEPSE) has instructed all listed companies to provide updated financial information and other relevant details. According to the notice, companies that have not made their profiles, contact details, board of directors, and financial reports available on the website are required to log in to the “Notes” section and enter the information. Listed companies must visit the NEPSE website, access the “Notes” login, and upload their company details accordingly.

Minister Dahal Urges South Korea to Invest in Nepal’s Railway Development: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has called on South Korea to confidently invest in the development and expansion of Nepal’s railway services. During a meeting with representatives of Korea Rail (KORAIL), Minister Dahal emphasized that railway expansion is a priority for the Government of Nepal. He also urged Korean investors to consider research and studies on expanding railway networks to Nepal’s religious, cultural, and tourist destinations.

Commercial Banks Set New Deposit Interest Rates: Before the start of the new month, commercial banks have set the deposit interest rates for the month of Jestha. These interest rates will be effective from Thursday. According to the new rates, savings accounts will offer interest rates ranging from a minimum of 3.00% to a maximum of 5.10%. Banks and financial institutions are required to keep the interest rate difference for different types of savings deposits within 2%. Based on this, interest rates for both general and special savings accounts have been fixed. Most banks have set the lower limit for savings accounts at 3%. The bank with the highest lower limit is NIC Asia Bank, offering 3.10%.

‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar No. 2’ Set for Release This Friday, Advance Bookings Open: The much-anticipated Nepali film ‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar No. 2’ is set to hit theaters this Friday, with advance bookings now officially open. The movie has secured a significant number of shows across major multiplexes, reflecting strong anticipation from audiences. According to the booking details, QFX, the country’s largest multiplex chain, has scheduled 25 shows in Kathmandu and 22 shows outside the valley, totaling 47 shows across its outlets. INI Cinemas has allocated 15 shows across its four outlets, while One Cinemas has scheduled four shows at its Kalimati location. FCube Cinemas has also added four shows to its lineup. These numbers are subject to change based on demand.

Pradeep Khadka Begins Shooting for Upcoming Film ‘Airi’ in Dhorpatan Valley: Nepali actor Pradeep Khadka has officially started shooting for his upcoming film ‘Airi’ in the scenic Dhorpatan Valley of western Baglung. The action film began its production on Wednesday, featuring Pradeep alongside Chum Darang and Sonam. According to Khadka, the shoot kicked off smoothly, with co-stars Dhiraj Magar and Bhutanese actor Sangay Tsheltrim expected to join the set next week. Pradeep confirmed the commencement of filming, expressing excitement for the project. Chum Darang, who gained fame from her appearance in the latest season of India’s popular reality show Bigg Boss, hosted by Salman Khan, is making her debut in the Nepali film industry with ‘Airi’.

Second Bhajan Festival Organized by Saja Nepali Samaj UK Concludes in the UK: The second edition of the Bhajan (Hymn) Festival, organized by Sajha Nepali Samaj UK, concluded successfully in the United Kingdom. The event took place at the Shree Krishna Temple in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, with participation from Nepali communities residing in London, Scotland, Wales, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and other locations. The festival, held under the theme “Preserve Our Identity, Culture, and Ideals; Embrace a Civilized and Progressive Life,” featured vibrant cultural showcases and devotional performances from eight different groups representing various regions. Wolverhampton Mayor Linda Leach inaugurated the festival, expressing appreciation for the Nepali community’s commitment to preserving their cultural heritage in the UK.

Nepal Cricket Team Leaves for ICC World Cup League-2 in Scotland: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has bid farewell to the national cricket team heading to Scotland for the ICC World Cup League-2 Triangular Series. CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand, Secretary Paras Khadka, Central Member Chhumbi Lama, and others saw off the team on Tuesday. Before competing in Scotland, Nepal will play practice matches against local teams in the UK, as well as a match against Scotland’s ‘A’ team. According to CAN, the team is set to depart for the UK at 6 PM on Tuesday evening. However, Head Coach Stewart Law and Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel were absent from the farewell event.

Sandeep Lamichhane opts Out of Central Contract With CAN: Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has announced on his Facebook page that he will not be continuing under the central contract of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) for now. After the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) bid farewell to the team on Wednesday for the upcoming series in Scotland, he declared his decision to discontinue the agreement with CAN. In his message, Lamichhane expressed that this decision is not a step away from cricket or his nation, but rather a move towards personal and professional growth. He thanked CAN for its unwavering support throughout his cricket journey, acknowledging their pivotal role in both the development of Nepalese cricket and his own progression as a player.

Nepal on the Brink of Elimination from Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers: Nepal’s hopes of progressing in the Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers have dimmed after a three-wicket loss to Hong Kong. The defeat in a rain-affected match on Tuesday has nearly sealed Nepal’s exit from the league stage. In the double round-robin tournament, Nepal’s first game against Hong Kong was canceled due to rain. Nepal is set to face Bahrain on Thursday, while Hong Kong will play Bahrain on Friday. For Nepal to advance, it must defeat Bahrain, and Hong Kong must lose to Bahrain. If Nepal wins and Hong Kong also wins, Hong Kong will proceed to the next round. However, if Bahrain defeats both Nepal and Hong Kong, Bahrain will advance.

Israel Kills 65 in Gaza: Israeli forces continue to bombard Gaza, killing at least 65 Palestinians in predawn attacks, after a day of deadly assaults on the European and Nasser hospitals. At least 50 of the victims were in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces bombed residential buildings in Jabalia town and the Jabalia refugee camp. The US’s envoy to the UN has called on countries and aid agencies to back a US-Israeli plan to take over aid delivery in Gaza. But Russia, China and the UK rejected the proposal, with the British envoy telling the UN Security Council that her country will not support any plan “that seeks to deliver political or military objectives”.

US Welcomes India-Pakistan “Ceasefire”: Following the recent cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, the US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasised the importance of direct communication between both countries. He also commended India and Pakistan for choosing the path of peace. On being asked if the US received any assurance or commitment during their talks with Pakistan, whether Pakistan will dismantle its terror infrastructure or no longer support terror groups in the country, Pigott while addressing the press briefing on Tuesday said, “I can only reiterate that we welcome the ceasefire reached between India and Pakistan this weekend.

Uruguay’s Former President Jose Mujica Passes Away at 89: Jose Mujica, Uruguay’s former President, passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 89, after battling cancer for more than a year, according to a report by CNN. Mujica was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in May 2024, which then spread to his liver. Uruguay’s President Yamandu Orsi paid tribute to the former president and said, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, leader, and leader. We will miss you dearly, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your profound love for your people. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo also expressed condolences and called Mujica an example of “wisdom, foresight, and simplicity.

UN Relief Chief Urges Action ‘to prevent genocide’ in Gaza: United Nations relief chief Tom Fletcher on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to take action “to prevent genocide” in Gaza, delivering a scathing account of Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territory. Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, demanded that Israel lift its aid blockade on Gaza, where its offensive has killed tens of thousands and reduced much of the enclave to rubble. For those killed and those whose voices are silenced: what more evidence do you need now?” asked Fletcher. “Will you act — decisively — to prevent genocide and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law? He alleged that Israel was “deliberately and unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”