KATHMANDU: Stay ahead of the curve with Nepal News’ evening wrap-up -your trusted source for the most important headlines from Nepal and beyond. Whether it’s major moves in politics, shifts in the economy, entertainment buzz, or sports highlights, our daily digest gives you a sharp, local to global perspective. Catch up on everything that mattered today, all in one place.

Nepal Thrash Bhutan 8–0 in SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship, Boost Title Hopes:
Nepal cruised to an emphatic 8–0 win over Bhutan in the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship on Saturday in Dhaka, powered by hat-tricks from Purnima Rai and Meena Deuba. Meena struck within 44 seconds and completed her treble in the 65th minute, while Purnima netted in the 23rd, first-half injury time, and added time. Samikshya Magar and Kusum Khatiwada also scored, cementing Nepal’s dominance. With 12 points from five matches and a +26 goal difference, Nepal now lead the standings. As Bangladesh prepare to face Sri Lanka later, Nepal eyes a favourable outcome ahead of Monday’s likely title-deciding clash with the hosts.

UML Politburo Puts Renewal of Former President Bhandari’s Party Membership on Hold Amid Concerns:
The CPN-UML Politburo has put on hold the renewal of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership after serious discussions about her return to active politics. During a two-day meeting at the party’s central office in Chyasal, leaders debated the implications of a former head of state rejoining party leadership. UML Publicity Chief Rajendra Gautam said the topic received significant attention, and party Chair KP Sharma Oli proposed further discussions in upcoming meetings. The party has yet to make a final decision on Bhandari’s membership renewal, reflecting caution amid internal concerns.

23 Injured as Passenger Bus Crashes in Kavrepalanchok Due to Brake Failure:
At least 23 people were injured when a passenger bus (Ba 3 Kha 8408) met with an accident at Pauwa, Bhumlu Rural Municipality-8 in Kavrepalanchok district on Saturday. The bus, traveling from Dorkhani in Ramechhap to Kathmandu, crashed into a roadside wall after its brakes failed, according to the District Police Office. Among the 32 passengers on board, 23 sustained injuries and were rushed to Dhulikhel Hospital for treatment. Deputy Superintendent of Police Bin Bahadur Ghale said the identities of the injured are yet to be confirmed. The driver has been taken into custody by Dolalghat police for further investigation.

PM Oli Claims Rapid Infrastructure Progress, Cites 2.25 km Road Built Daily in FY 2024/25:
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stated on Engineers’ Day that Nepal constructed 2.25 kilometres of road daily in fiscal year 2024/25, totaling 932 kilometres of blacktopped roads. Posting on social media, Oli highlighted what he called a renewed momentum in infrastructure development since the UML-led government returned to power. He credited past UML tenures for setting high development benchmarks and emphasized the need to further accelerate progress. Praising engineers as vital to both infrastructure and technological growth, Oli called for intensified efforts to meet the country’s development goals, linking recent achievements to his party’s leadership track record.

Shekhar Koirala’s Meetings with Dahal and Bhandari Spark Talk of Alternative Alliance:
Senior Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala’s recent meetings with Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari have fueled speculation about a possible alternative political alliance amid rising public discontent. While Koirala denied aiming to unseat the current Oli-Deuba coalition, he emphasized the need for urgent reforms and anti-corruption action. Dahal reportedly backed Koirala as a potential PM, though Koirala lacks the numbers to replace Deuba. With fringe parties distancing from the government, Koirala’s moves are seen as pressure tactics to expand his support within Congress ahead of the next general convention and leadership race.

RSP’s Manish Jha Calls for Abolition of Provincial Assemblies, Triggers Debate on Federal Reform:
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Manish Jha has reignited political debate by advocating for the abolition of provincial assemblies while retaining provinces. Speaking in Kathmandu, Jha proposed empowering local representatives to perform legislative roles, enhancing coordination and cutting duplication. As part of broader reforms, RSP also aims to reduce federal ministries from 21 to 15 and dismantle over 100 underperforming commissions to save billions. Jha criticized major parties for lacking vision, positioning RSP as a bold reformist alternative. While the proposal may face parliamentary resistance, RSP’s push for a leaner and more accountable governance model is gaining public attention.

Over 800 Families at Risk Along Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi Rivers:
Over 850 families in 22 settlements along the Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi rivers in Sindhupalchok are at high risk of floods and landslides, especially during the monsoon. Residents like Deepak Tamang of Larcha and Durga Prasad Bhandari of Bahrabise live in constant fear but have nowhere to relocate. Many sleep in tents; flood alerts are issued via Viber, yet proper shelter and relocation remain unmet. Hotel owner Anjan Khadka urges the government for protective infrastructure. Daily cross-border weather coordination occurs with China, but residents say disaster warnings alone are not enough. Locals demand relocation, safety plans, and real government intervention.

Gigantic New Poster of Nepali Film ‘Balidan’ Unveiled Ahead of Dashain Release:
A massive new poster of the highly anticipated Nepali movie ‘Balidan’ has been unveiled ahead of this year’s Dashain festival. The 60-foot-tall and 16-foot-wide poster was displayed Thursday at Kathmandu’s Gongabu Bus Park, showcasing actor Sameer Bhatt in a fierce, blood-stained avatar wielding a weapon, symbolizing sacrifice and patriotism. Director Santosh Sen called ‘Balidan’ a cinematic revolution, emphasizing its deep narrative and powerful presentation amidst foreign films. Produced by Pawan Bradford Bist and featuring stars like Sameer Bhatt, Sougat Malla, and Kavita Rai, the film promises to reach audiences nationwide with its strong patriotic message.

Fifth Fatality in a Year: Woman Killed in Wild Elephant Attack in Morang:
Amina Rajbanshi, 45, of Belbari-8, Morang, was killed in a wild elephant attack while watering her paddy field last Sunday, becoming the fifth victim in the district this year. Days earlier, Amit Limbu, 41, of Belbari-10, was seriously injured in a similar attack. According to the Division Forest Office, five people—three women and two men—have died in such incidents in fiscal year 2081/82. Authorities attribute the rise in attacks to deforestation and forest fires driving elephants into human settlements. Since 2068 BS, 17 people and nine elephants have died in the region. Locals are urged to take strict precautions.

‘Pariwar’ Film Announced with Muhurat Ceremony; Family Drama with Hidden Conflict Promised:
The formal announcement of the film ‘Pariwar’ was made on Friday with a traditional muhurat ceremony, marking the start of its shooting. Directed by Madan Thapa, most scenes will be shot in Kathmandu, with some outside the valley. The film’s intriguing poster shows four figures — one man, two women, and a child — hinting at the possibility of a polygamous family. The presence of a dog and cat suggests ongoing family conflicts. The title design creatively highlights “WAR” within “Pariwar,” signaling underlying strife. No cast details have been released yet.

Film ‘Jadau’ Announced to Spotlight Deep-Rooted Caste Discrimination in Nepali Society:
The film ‘Jadau’ aiming to portray the harsh realities of caste discrimination and challenges faced by inter-caste love relationships was formally announced in Kathmandu on Thursday. The announcement event featured a poignant poem recitation highlighting the pain caused by caste bias. Directed jointly by Kaji Limbu and Anjan Sharma, the movie will begin shooting in early Bhadra under the Silver Screen Entertainment and Sammishran Movies banner. Lead actors Mukun Bhusal, Niti Shah, Prabhatpal Thakuri, Vinod Nyaupane, and Sandhya Shrestha spoke about their challenging and fresh roles. The film promises to raise awareness and advocate for ending caste discrimination in Nepal.

Official Trailer of Nepali Film ‘Real Ringget’ Released Ahead of July 30 Premiere:
The official trailer of the much-anticipated Nepali film ‘Real Ringget’, set to release on Shrawan 16 (July 30), was unveiled coinciding with the Shrawan Sankranti festival. The trailer poignantly depicts the struggles faced by Nepali youth forced into foreign employment, including scenes showing Nepali workers held captive and a video message sent from captivity broadcast on television. Director Vibhor Pokharel said the film tells the story of every Nepali migrant worker’s harsh reality and lifestyle. Starring Pramod Chaulagain, Nita Dhungana, and others, the film highlights the challenges in key destination countries represented symbolically by the currencies ‘Riyal’ and ‘Ringget’. Shot across Rajasthan, Chitwan, Kathmandu, and Letang, ‘Real Ringget’ is written by Pradeep Bhardwaj and will be distributed by Kafia Films.

Belgian Coach Patrick De Wilde Resigns as Nepal Women’s National Football Team Head Coach:
Belgian coach Patrick De Wilde has resigned as head coach of the Nepal women’s national football team, less than a month after signing a one-year contract. His resignation follows a series of disputes during the Asian Cup qualifiers in Uzbekistan, primarily over captaincy selection. The controversy disrupted team management, with officials accusing De Wilde of responsibility for the turmoil. Despite Nepal remaining unbeaten under his guidance with two wins and a draw, the penalty shootout loss to Uzbekistan ended their campaign. De Wilde is Nepal’s first coach with a Pro License to lead the women’s team.

Simran Rai’s Suspension Lifted Ahead of Decisive SAFF U-20 Women’s Match:
Nepal defender Simran Rai’s three-match suspension has been lifted, allowing her to play in the crucial SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship match against Bangladesh on Monday. Both Simran and Bangladesh’s Mosammat Sagorika were initially suspended for three games and fined $500 each following a violent incident during their July 13 match, where the two players clashed physically, earning direct red cards. Despite the usual one-match ban for red cards, SAFF extended the suspension due to the incident’s severity. With Simran having served the ban, she is now eligible to play, while Sagorika’s suspension ends after the Sri Lanka game.

Karnali Yaks Partners with Hilton Kathmandu as Hospitality Sponsor for Nepal Premier League Season 2:
Nepal Premier League (NPL) team Karnali Yaks has signed a partnership with Hilton Kathmandu to serve as their official hospitality partner for the league’s second edition. Under the agreement, players and officials will stay at Hilton Kathmandu’s Naxal branch during the tournament. Karnali Yaks, who reached the second qualifier round in the previous season, have retained coach Gyanendra Mall and seven key players, including marquee player Sompal Kami. The team also plans to sign more notable players this season, continuing its strategy to strengthen the squad for the upcoming competition.

Nepali Volleyball Stars Pratibha Mali and Rajendra Bista Crowned Best Players at NPVAA Awards in Sydney:
Nepali volleyball players Pratibha Mali and Rajendra Bista were named the best female and male players respectively at the inaugural Nepal Volleyball Association Australia (NPVAA) Awards held in Sydney. Pratibha, from Magdi Kali United, and Rajendra, representing Dhorpatan, led a list of awardees recognized for their outstanding performances. Saraswati Chaudhary was named best female spiker, while Dil Bahadur Sunar won best male spiker. The event also honored coaches, management teams, and fair play, highlighting the vibrant Nepali volleyball community in Australia. NPVAA oversees 12 clubs across New South Wales with a strong presence of national-level players.

Nepal U-23 Football Squad Trimmed to 32 Players Ahead of AFC Qualifiers:
Nepal’s U-23 national football team has been reduced from 40 to 32 players as part of the final selection process, announced by head coach Navin Neupane and confirmed by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). The team is preparing for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled from September 3 to 9 in Tajikistan. Nepal is placed in Group K alongside Tajikistan, Syria, and the Philippines. The selected 32-player squad includes notable names like Abhishek Sentang, Ayush Ghalan, and Pujan Thapa as the team aims for a strong qualifying campaign in the regional tournament.

Syria-Israel Ceasefire Agreed Amid Sweida Clashes:
The US has announced a ceasefire between Syria and Israel following a week of deadly clashes in Syria’s Sweida province between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes. Israeli airstrikes targeted Syrian military positions after reports of attacks on Druze civilians. US Envoy Tom Barrack confirmed the truce, brokered with support from Türkiye, Jordan, and others. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to halt hostilities. Syrian forces have begun withdrawing, with Druze groups assuming local security. The conflict displaced over 80,000 people and devastated infrastructure. The UN warns of a growing humanitarian crisis as services remain disrupted.

Sweida Burns: Over 900 Dead as Tribal-Druze Clashes Escalate in Southern Syria:
Clashes between Arab tribal fighters and Druze forces in Syria’s southern city of Sweida have left at least 940 people dead, despite a ceasefire announcement by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Tribal fighters, many aligned with government forces, continued their assault on Saturday, torching homes and looting shops. Disturbing videos of executions and abuse of Druze elders have circulated, deepening fears among the besieged population. With over 87,000 displaced, Sweida faces critical shortages of food, water, and electricity. Government troops are attempting to regain control, but chaos persists. One fleeing resident said, “Sweida has been destroyed. Most of the people we know are dead.”

EU’s 18th Sanctions Package on Russia Takes Effect, Targeting Energy and Banks:
The European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia over the Ukraine conflict officially came into force after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. The measures, adopted by all 27 member states following assurances to Slovakia on gas and oil supply, ban transactions with 22 additional Russian banks and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, while prohibiting the use of the damaged Nord Stream gas pipelines. The sanctions also introduce a dynamic price cap on Russian crude oil, set 15% below average market prices, now triggered at $47.6 per barrel. Over 400 vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” are barred from EU ports. The EU states these sanctions will stay until the Ukraine conflict is resolved. Russian officials downplayed the impact on their banks and maintain willingness for peace talks, blaming Ukraine and its Western allies for stalling negotiations.