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.

16 Members of a Family Mysteriously Missing from Sindhuli’s Golanjor: Police have launched a search operation after 16 members of the same family reportedly went missing from Golanjor Rural Municipality in Sindhuli district. The missing individuals belong to the family of Urmila Hayu, who lived near Chetpa in Ward-6 of the rural municipality, at a place called Bhandas Bippar Kateri. Locals informed the Sindhuli District Police Office on Monday morning after the entire family was found missing. Police team promptly arrived at the Hayu residence and began investigating the case.

Sumana Shrestha Criticizes PM Oli’s Aerial Inspection of Drought in Madhesh: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Sumana Shrestha remarked that water will not come to Madhesh just by observing the drought from a helicopter. Her comments were aimed at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during a meeting of the Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources Committee on Monday while proposing amendments to the bill to revise some Nepal Acts related to land. “Just because there’s a drought, flying over Madhesh in a helicopter won’t bring rain. The issue of the Chure hills is connected,” she said, indirectly criticizing the Prime Minister.

MCC Project to Continue in Nepal, Says Finance Ministry: The Ministry of Finance has announced that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project in Nepal, which had been put on hold after Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency, is now set to continue. In a press release issued on Monday, the ministry stated that the review process initiated under the executive order of January 20, 2025, has now concluded. The MCC, through a letter dated July 24, 2025, informed that the review has ended and recommended the continuation of Nepal’s compact.

Prachanda and Madhav Nepal Hold Political Talks: Chairman of CPN-Maoist Centre, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ and Chairman of CPN Unified Socialist, Madhav Kumar Nepal, held a discussion on Monday. The meeting took place at the Maoist Centre’s parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar. Senior Vice-Chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha, General Secretary Dev Gurung, and Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun attended from the Maoist Centre side. From Unified Socialist, senior leaders including Madhav Kumar Nepal and Dr. Beduram Bhusal participated. According to Prachanda’s secretariat, the leaders discussed current political issues and other relevant topics.

Special Court Denies Madhav Nepal Permission to Appoint Legal Representative: The Special Court has rejected former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal’s request to appoint a legal representative in the corruption case filed against him. Nepal had submitted an application seeking permission to delegate the court appearance to a representative, citing political obligations and travel across various parts of the country. However, a bench of Judges Tej Narayan Singh Raya and Murari Babu Shrestha ruled that since Nepal faces criminal charges carrying more than three years of imprisonment, the provision to appoint a legal representative does not apply.

German Firm Veridos Signs E-passport Contract With Nepal’s Department of Passport: German identity solutions provider Veridos, partly owned by the German government, has officially signed a contract with Nepal’s Department of Passport (DoP) for the supply and personalization of electronic passport (e-passport) booklets. Under Package 2 of the international tender issued by the DoP, Veridos will be responsible for the supply, delivery, and personalization of e-passports. The contract includes the production and delivery of 6.4 million e-passport booklets over a period of five years. As per the agreement, Veridos will begin supplying the e-passport booklets by March 2026, which is one month ahead of the originally scheduled delivery date, demonstrating the company’s commitment to timely implementation.

Bimal Paudel Appointed Chief Registrar of Supreme Court: The Judicial Service Commission has appointed Bimal Paudel as the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court. The decision was made during a commission meeting held on Monday morning. Paudel, who was serving as the Registrar, has now been elevated to the post of Chief Registrar. The position became vacant after former Chief Registrar Devendra Raj Dhakal retired on Sunday upon reaching the age limit of 58. Since 2017, the Supreme Court has been following the practice of appointing a Chief Registrar with the rank equivalent to a Chief Secretary.

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Biplav Hold Two-Hour Meeting: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and CPN General Secretary Netra Bikram Chand (Biplav) held a two-hour meeting on Monday morning at Pokharel’s residence. The discussion focused on Biplav’s engagement in agriculture, the communist movement, and related topics. Quoting Pokharel, Gopal Khanal, a member of UML’s international department who was present at the meeting, said, “Comrade’s farming model has sent a positive message across the country. If it can be linked with farmers and business, aligning production with profitability, it could yield even better results.”

Tourism Minister Unveils New Tourism Policy 2025, Emphasizes Public-Private Partnership: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, has emphasized the government’s commitment to working in partnership with the private sector. Speaking at a ceremony organized at the Ministry on Monday to unveil the new “Tourism Policy 2025,” Minister Pandey urged the private sector to move forward with confidence, assuring that the government is ready to coordinate efforts. “The private sector should move ahead with self-assurance; the government is ready to cooperate,” he said. “Only when the private sector leads can we achieve positive results. We want to work together.”

Kulman Ghising and Gyanendra Shahi Honored with ‘Global Hero Award’ in New York: Kulman Ghising, former Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, and Gyanendra Shahi, spokesperson and Member of Parliament from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, were honored with the Global Hero Award at a grand ceremony in New York on Sunday evening. The award was conferred by the organization Hami Nepali Global in recognition of their contributions. sWhile accepting the award, Kulman Ghising recalled the time when Nepal faced up to 18 hours of daily load-shedding and credited collective efforts for making the country load-shedding free.

Five Rescued from Flooded Stream During Bol Bam Ritual in Sundarijal: Five people, including four Indian nationals and one Nepali, were rescued after being trapped in a swollen stream near Sundarimai Temple in Sundarijal, Kathmandu. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM while the devotees were bathing as part of the Bol Bam ritual. A sudden surge in the water level left them stranded midstream. They were successfully rescued with the help of a team deployed from the Chandan Nath Battalion of the Nepali Army and other security agencies.

Bodies of Two Youths Missing in Gosainkunda Found: The bodies of two youths who went missing while swimming in Gosainkunda, Rasuwa on Sunday have been found. According to the Nepal Army, the bodies were recovered on Monday morning during a search operation. The deceased have been identified as 28-year-old Sujan Dhakal of Biratnagar and Manoj Neupane of Belbari, both from Morang district. It is suspected that they drowned after entering a deep section of the sacred lake to bathe. Search efforts had begun on Sunday itself, with personnel from the Nepal Army’s Shreenath Battalion, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force deployed to the site.

NEPSE Ends Slightly Lower, Trading Volume Shrinks to Rs 19.36 Billion: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) fell by 2.07 points on Monday, continuing Sunday’s 18.44-point decline. Although the index had risen by 12 points mid-session, final adjustments brought it down to 2962.13 points. Trading volume dropped to Rs 19.36 billion from Rs 26.57 billion the previous day. Out of the traded companies, 156 saw price declines while 94 gained. Development banks (+3.04%) and trade (+3.24%) sectors led the gains, while banking, hydropower, insurance, and tourism sectors declined.

U.S. to Continue Millennium Challenge Corporation Projects in Nepal: The United States has decided to continue projects under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in Nepal. The Ministry of Finance issued an official notice confirming this. Previously, the U.S. Embassy in Nepal had indicated MCC would continue. After Donald Trump became U.S. President, foreign aid to many countries was paused pending a 90-day review; now aid to Nepal will resume.

Nepal Airlines Corporation Receives Award in India: Nepal Airlines Corporation received the award for Best Air Service Provider on the Nepal route at the 10th International Tourism Conclave and Travel Awards (ITCTA) 2025 held in New Delhi. The award ceremony was held on July 26 at Hotel Le Meridien. The honor was jointly presented by ICM Group’s chairman and managing director Ajay Gupta and Indian government representative Nasir Aslam Bani, according to Nepal Airlines spokesperson Subash Dangui.

Tribhuvan International Airport Overwhelmed by Passenger Volume: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has reached a point where it cannot handle the passenger load while ensuring flight safety, smooth travel, and flight operations. Though it has an annual capacity of 8 million passengers, over 4.65 million passengers used its services in the first six months of 2025 alone. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, from January to June 2025, 4,655,078 passengers traveled via air, compared to 4,662,425 in the same period in 2024.

Hydropower Projects Generate RS 380.3 Million in Royalties in Fiscal Year 2024/25: Hydropower projects generated RS 380.3 million in royalties during fiscal year 2024/25. Including dues from the previous fiscal year, the Department of Electricity Development reports a total collection of RS 380.3 million in royalties to date. According to Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 1992, license holders must pay RS 100 per installed kilowatt annually for 15 years after starting commercial production, plus 2% of the average sale price per unit of electricity.

Veteran Actress Mithila Sharma Joins Neeta Dhungana’s Directorial Debut ‘Sukha Dukha’: Actress and producer Neeta Dhungana Adhikari has signed veteran actress Mithila Sharma for her upcoming directorial venture, ‘Sukha Dukha’. Dhungana, who is also producing the film, confirmed Sharma’s involvement in the project. Expressing her excitement, Neeta said she felt truly honored to have a legendary artist like Mithila Sharma in her film. “It’s a privilege to have such an esteemed actress as part of my directorial debut,” she shared. The film has also roped in renowned Indian cinematographers Kabir Lal and Shahid Lal as Directors of Photography.

Singer Anil Singh Accuses Music Nepal and Music.com of Ruining His Career: Singer Anil Singh has accused Music Nepal and Music.com of pushing him to the brink, claiming their actions have destroyed his music career and personal life. Sharing a video on social media in which he is seen in conversation with representatives of both companies, Singh alleged that these platforms are responsible for sabotaging his musical journey. In a strongly worded post, he wrote: “Music Nepal and Music.com are forcing me to die. Why are they ruining my career and my musical life?”

First Glimpse of Sushil Shrestha-Starrer Film ‘Parivartan’ Revealed from Action-Packed Set: The first look from the shooting set of Parivartan, starring Sushil Shrestha, has been unveiled, showcasing the actor in an intense action role. In one of the photos, Sushil is seen soaked in water and wrestling on the ground. In another, he appears bloodied while aiming a gun. Known for his powerful action performance in the film Outlaw, Sushil has described Parivartan as having action sequences that are “larger than life.” The movie has been in production for the past 50 days, with filming taking place in eastern Nepal, including Jhapa and Biratnagar.

‘Masuriko Dana’ Song from ‘Janai Haraeko Manchhe’ Released Ahead of Film’s Premiere: As the release date of the upcoming Nepali film ‘Janai Haraeko Manchhe: Sambandhaka Dhagaharu’ approaches, the production team has unveiled a new promotional song titled ‘Masuriko Dana’. Sung by renowned vocalist Anju Panta and SD Yogi, the song features lyrics by Hark Saud and music composed by Yogi himself. The music video stars lead actors Bijay Baral, Keki Adhikari, Miruna Magar, and Gaurav Pahari, with choreography by Sunil Chhetri. The song stands out for its use of authentic Nepali vocabulary and culturally rooted expressions.

Machhindra Club Climbs to Second Place in ANFA U-16 Youth League: Machhindra Club has risen to second place in the ANFA U-16 Youth League standings. In a match held on Monday at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Machhindra convincingly defeated the departmental team, Tribhuvan Army Football Club, by 5–0. Arjun Bahadur Kathayat was the top scorer for Machhindra, netting two goals. Pragyana Rai, Himal Thing, and Bikash Thapa each contributed one goal. With this victory, Machhindra has accumulated 20 points from 9 matches. The defeated Army team remains in 12th place with 6 points from the same number of games.

Manang Marshyangdi Climbs to Third in ANFA U-16 League: Manang Marshyangdi Club defeated Jawalakhel Youth Club 3–1 on Monday at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato to move up to third place in the ANFA U-16 League. Ishwar Damai Pariyar, Shiom Shrestha, and Sakin Kunwar each scored a goal for Manang.  Pujan Sunar scored the lone goal for Jawalakhel. With the win, Manang now has 20 points from 9 matches, while Jawalakhel sits in ninth place with 10 points from the same number of games.

Nepal Finalizes Squad for AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Bhutan: The Nepali team is in its final phase of preparation for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Bhutan from Bhadra 23 to 28 (September 8–13). With qualification as the goal, Nepal on Sunday announced its final 23-member squad for the tournament. Head coach Yam Prasad Gurung has retained most of the players from the recently concluded SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship in Bangladesh. Only one change has been made to the squad compared to the SAFF tournament lineup.

PM Oli Directs Timely and Effective Preparation for 10th National Games: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the leadership of the National Sports Council to carry out timely and effective preparations to conclude the 10th National Games within the upcoming month of Mangsir (November/December). During a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, PM Oli emphasized that the national competition must be treated as a matter of national pride, especially in the context of the upcoming Asian Games scheduled for 2026 in Japan.

Floods in Pakistan Leave 10 Dead, Cause Widespread Damage: The death toll from the recent flooding in the Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) region has reached 10, as rescue operations continue and stranded tourists are being relocated to safer areas, Dawn reported, citing officials on Sunday. According to Dawn, the region had been witnessing alarming effects of climate change, with heatwaves, unpredictable weather, and glacial melt triggering cloudbursts and severe flooding.

Gaza Death Toll Since Dawn Reaches 43, 9 Of Them Aid Seekers: At least 43 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn today, including nine aid seekers, sources in Gaza hospitals said. More and more mothers are being killed while trying to find food for their starving children in Gaza. As food becomes scarcer, men are often sent to bring back supplies from aid distribution sites. Since many have died in the process, more Palestinian women are being forced to choose between dying of hunger or risking getting killed by Israeli forces while trying to get food.

Six Killed in Thailand Market Mass Shooting: Six people have been killed in a mass shooting at a food market in Bangkok, according to Thai officials. The suspect in the attack at Or Tor Kor Market is also dead, police in Thailand’s capital confirmed. Local media have reported that some of those killed are security guards. The Or Tor Kor market is well known for high quality fresh fruit and seafood. “Police are investigating the motive. So far, it’s a mass shooting,” Worapat Sukthai, deputy police chief of Bangkok’s Bang Sue district said. Police officials added that the gunman also took their own life.

Cambodia and Thailand Agree to ‘Immediate and Unconditional Ceasefire’: Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” following peace talks. Malaysia’s leader Anwar Ibrahim said the ceasefire would take effect from midnight local time, adding: “This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security”. At least 33 people have been killed and thousands displaced since 24 July when fighting escalated following months of tensions