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.

Class 12 Results Out: 61.17% Pass, 38.83% Non-Graded

The National Examination Board (NEB) has published the Class 12 results, with 61.17 percent of students passing and 38.83 percent placed in the non-graded (NG) category. Out of 511,525 examinees, over 198,000 failed to secure the minimum grade. These students will now have to appear in grade improvement exams. The exams, initially set for April 24, were delayed by nationwide protests and held from May 4.

Prime Minister Oli Arrives in Turkmenistan to Attend UN LLDC Conference

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has arrived in Turkmenistan today to participate in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). The delegation led by Prime Minister Oli landed in Avaza city via Dubai International Airport at 2:30 PM local time. Upon arrival at the International Airport, Prime Minister Oli was welcomed by Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Lok Bahadur Thapa, and other officials. Prime Minister Oli is attending the conference being held in Avaza city from August 5 to 8.

RSP and RPP Lawmakers Continue Protest in Parliament Over Visit Visa Scandal

Lawmakers from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) once again walked out of the House session today, continuing their protest demanding a parliamentary probe into the visit visa scandal. RSP MP Asim Shah questioned the whereabouts of files related to human trafficking under the guise of visit visas. He also asked whether corruption scandals, including leaked audio of bribe demands, are considered resolved just by resignations. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan stated that the visit visa controversy is not just an isolated issue but a problem of underlying intent.

Indra Baniya Stakes Claim for Bagmati Chief Minister Post

Indra Bahadur Baniya, leader of the Nepali Congress Bagmati Provincial Parliamentary Party, has officially staked his claim for the post of Chief Minister. Bagmati Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota had on Monday called for claims to be submitted for the appointment of a new Chief Minister as per Article 168(2) of the Constitution. Shortly after the Province Chief’s call, Baniya submitted his claim for the position. Baniya has submitted his claim on behalf of the ruling coalition, comprising the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML.

Maoist Centre Claims Party Unity, Moves Towards Merger with Biplav-Led CPN

The CPN (Maoist Centre) has claimed internal party unity and announced its decision to pursue unification with the Biplav-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN). Speaking to reporters after the party’s Standing Committee meeting on Monday, Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said the Maoist Centre has ended all internal factionalism and is now unified. In the same Standing Committee meeting, the party also decided to initiate formal talks for party unification with the Biplav-led CPN. Vice Chairman and Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota informed that the meeting agreed to form a dialogue team to start discussions on the merger.

Dissident Faction in RPP Holds Meeting Under Dhawal Shamsher Rana’s Coordination

A meeting of the dissatisfied faction within the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), expressing discontent with Chairman Rajendra Lingden, was held today. The meeting, coordinated by General Secretary Dr. Dhawal Shamsher Rana, was attended by 70 members, including seven office bearers. Tensions had escalated after Chairman Lingden began selectively taking disciplinary actions against leaders from the non-establishment faction. In response, the dissident group led by Rana has been countering through complaints filed with the Election Commission and issuing joint press statements. Just yesterday, Rana sent an official letter to the party chairman addressing these concerns.

Chief Secretary Aryal Accused of Obstructing Probe into Cooling-off Period Tampering

The Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee has concluded that Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal prevented officials from signing their statements related to the manipulation of the Civil Service Bill’s cooling-off period clause. The committee had summoned Prime Minister’s Office Secretary Phanindra Gautam and other officials on Sunday to validate their statements, but they refused to appear, allegedly on Aryal’s directive.  The probe suspects senior bureaucrats, led by Aryal, lobbied to nullify the agreed two-year cooling-off provision for retired or resigned civil servants.

Polygamy Legalization Proposal Sparks Fiery Debate in Parliament

A heated debate has erupted in the House of Representatives over a proposed amendment to the Criminal Code that could legally recognize polygamy under certain conditions. The issue was raised by several lawmakers during Monday’s parliamentary session, with strong objections coming primarily from female MPs who demanded immediate clarification from the government. Sunita Baral, whip of the ruling CPN-UML, highlighted growing public and media discussions about the potential legalization of polygamy linked to the draft law. Similarly, Rupa Chaudhary, whip of the main opposition CPN-Maoist Centre, questioned the government’s intent.

Delayed by Monsoon Lull, Paddy Plantation Picks Up Pace in Madhes Province

Farmers in Madhes Province have finally begun paddy plantation after continuous rainfall over the past three days eased the prolonged water shortage. According to the Directorate of Agricultural Development of Madhes Province, paddy plantation had remained below 50 percent until mid-July due to insufficient rainfall. However, with recent showers, plantation coverage has now reached 63 percent. Senior Horticulture Officer Pradeep Yadav informed that paddy plantation is now in full swing across all eight districts of the province.

Nepal Backward Classes Federation’s Protest Enters 155th Day

The Nepal Backward Classes Federation has reached the 155th day of its ongoing protest against the government, demanding implementation of their five-point agenda. Protesters gathered at Maitighar, wearing masks as a form of demonstration. According to the Backward Classes Movement Committee, repeated agreements made with the government have not been implemented, forcing them to intensify the agitation. Meanwhile, the National Inclusion Commission has urged the Cabinet to promptly approve and appoint based on the report it submitted to the Ministry regarding the surname listing of backward classes.

Public Will Not Forget Home Minister’s Role in Visa Controversy: RSP MP Shah

In the Monday session of the House of Representatives, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Asim Shah accused Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak of being involved in the controversial visit visa scandal, claiming the public will never forget this issue. Speaking during his allotted time granted by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Shah demanded to know the status of investigations into the human trafficking cases linked to visit visas. “Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Home Minister where the files concerning the human traffickers under the guise of visit visas have reached,” Shah said.

Mahakali River Swells, Vehicular Movement Halted at Sharada Barrage

Following increased water flow in the Mahakali River, authorities have stopped the movement of four-wheeled vehicles at the Sharada Barrage in Kanchanpur. According to Sagar Bohara, spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, the restriction was imposed after continuous rainfall caused the river water level to rise significantly. “The movement is halted when the water flow in Mahakali reaches 100,000 cubic feet per second (cusec),” he stated.

Application Open for Korean Language Test Under Employment Permit System

The Korean Language Test application under the Employment Permit System (EPS) has been announced open. The EPS Korea Branch, under the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, issued a notice on Monday inviting applications for the language test. It is estimated that around 5,300 candidates will pass this exam. Among them, approximately 3,500 will qualify for the production sector, and 1,800 for the agriculture and animal husbandry sector.

NEPSE Rebounds After Three-Day Slump, Gains 8.62 Points on Monday

After three consecutive days of decline, Nepal’s stock market showed signs of recovery on Monday. The NEPSE index rose by 8.62 points compared to the previous trading day, closing at 2,867 points. Earlier in the day, the market had climbed nearly 16 points before the weighted average price adjustment in the final 15 minutes of trading brought the gain to 8.62 points. Last Tuesday, the NEPSE index had touched a high of 3,002 points.

NOC Begins Construction of Amlekhgunj–Lothar Petroleum Pipeline

As part of the second phase of the petroleum pipeline project, Nepal Oil Corporation has officially started the construction of the Amlekhgunj–Chitwan (Lothar) pipeline. The physical infrastructure work began last Friday near the Rapti River bank in Lothar. Project Chief Pradip Yadav inaugurated the pipeline office at Lothar and formally launched the construction work.

CDSC Set to Mandate Separate ISINs For Shares

CDS and Clearing House (CDSC) is moving forward with a new mandate that will require companies to use separate International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs) for their founder and public shares. As per the draft ‘Securities Dematerialization Operating Guidelines, 2025,’ this will apply to all companies that differentiate between these share types in their constitutional documents.

Hotel Occupancy Drops Sharply Across the Country

Hotel occupancy rates across Nepal have sharply declined, with many hotels reporting occupancy around just 25 percent due to fewer guests, according to hotel operators. Hoteliers attributed the drop in occupancy to a decrease in tourist arrivals. He explained that while the number of hotels is increasing, there has not been a significant rise in tourists, leading to lower occupancy rates. Shah also noted that the monsoon season combined with poor road conditions has affected the movement of both domestic and international tourists.

Kulman Ghising Blames NEA Leadership for Power Supply Problems

Former Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kulman Ghising, has criticized the current leadership of the NEA, stating that the inability to manage effectively has resulted in nationwide electricity supply issues. Speaking at a program organized by the Nepali community in Austin during his ‘Ujyalo Nepal Abhiyan’ visit to the United States, Ghising remarked that despite having adequate power generation, the NEA leadership has failed to demonstrate necessary managerial competence.

Government Weighs Mandatory Quality Standards for Imports

Discussions are underway to mandate quality standards for all imported goods and to reduce land rental fees for properties managed by Industrial Area Management Limited. The talks were held during a high-level meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari to discuss the implementation of this fiscal year’s budget.

Film ‘Taaraaharu’ Set to Release on August 22

The Nepali film ‘Taaraaharu’ (Stars) is set to hit theaters from August 22. The production team announced the release date on Monday by unveiling an official poster of the film. The poster portrays characters entangled in inner conflicts. Actor Ashanta Sharma’s look appears restless and mentally disturbed, while actress Menuka Pradhan’s character hints at a contrasting emotional tone. Interestingly, the film is directed by actor Sharma himself. According to Sharma, the film revolves around the story of a middle-class family, focusing particularly on the lives of lower-middle-class families living in urban settings.

Miss Nepal North America 2025 Title Won by Diya Shrestha in New York

Diya Shrestha has won the title of ‘Miss Nepal North America 2025’ held in New York. She was crowned at the grand finale of the 8th edition, organized on Saturday night at Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York. Diya, a New York resident, earned the opportunity to directly enter next year’s Miss Nepal competition with this victory. Additionally, she will serve as the goodwill ambassador for the Nepal Tourism Board. The competition featured 19 contestants representing various parts of the United States.

‘Riyal Ringgit’ Movie Screening Suspended Across Nepal

The movie ‘Riyal Ringgit’, which was released last Friday, will suspend its screenings nationwide starting Monday. The production company, Rebel Films Pvt. Ltd., announced this decision on Sunday through a press release. The suspension is due to theaters not providing adequate showtimes to the film. Despite positive audience feedback and repeated requests to theaters, the organizers faced neglect regarding appropriate screening schedules, forcing them to take the tough decision of halting the showings.

Director Ashok Thapa Magar’s New Film ‘Jalaki’ in Production

Ashok Thapamagar, famed for the previous hit film ‘Khusma,’ is now producing a new film titled ‘Jalaki’. The first phase of shooting was completed in March. Preparations are underway for the second and third phases of filming. Actress Upasana Singh Thakuri, who won the National Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Khusma’, plays the lead role in ‘Jalaki’. In ‘Jalaki’, Upasana shares the screen with Dheeraj Magar and Sonam Topden. Upasana and Dheeraj had also been paired in ‘Khusma’.

ANFA U-16 Youth League: Adarsha Meche’s Brace Powers APF to Comfortable Win in

With a brilliant brace from Adarsha Meche, departmental side APF Football Club secured a comfortable victory in the ANFA U-16 Youth League. In the match held at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Monday, APF defeated Planning Boys United 3-0. With this result, APF climbed to sixth position in the standings, collecting 19 points from 11 matches. Meanwhile, the defeated Planning Boys United remain in 13th place with 6 points from the same number of games.

Nepal APF Club Signs Two Defenders for AFC Women’s Champions League

Nepal APF Club has included two defenders in their squad for the AFC Women’s Champions League. APF signed Review Ghimire from Nepal Police Club and Bimala BK from Tribhuvan Army Football Club to strengthen the team. The club also appointed Chetan Ghimire, coach of Nepal Police Club and an AFC A-license holder, as the head coach for the tournament. However, the team’s main forward, Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’, will not be part of the squad for the Champions League.

Heavy Rain and Floods in Pakistan Kill at Least 299

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported that heavy rainfall and floods, which began on June 26, have caused widespread destruction across the country. At least 299 people have died, including 140 children. Among the deceased are 102 men and 57 women. In addition, more than 700 people have been injured, including 239 children, 204 women, and 272 men, according to NDMA figures.

More Than 60 Migrants Die Off Yemen in Boat Capsize

More than 60 migrants died when a boat carrying around 150 people sank off the coast of Yemen in bad weather on Sunday. The vessel capsized off Yemen’s southern province of Abyan, and 68 bodies have been recovered, the Yemen chief for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) told the BBC. He said 12 people had been rescued and dozens were still missing. Most of the victims are believed to be Ethiopian nationals, said the IOM, which called the incident “heartbreaking”.

Influential Indian Tribal Leader Shibu Soren Dies at 81

Shibu Soren, a prominent Indian tribal leader and a three-time chief minister of the eastern state of Jharkhand, has died at the age of 81. He was undergoing treatment in Delhi for a kidney ailment and had been on life support after he suffered a stroke last month. In a political career of more than 40 years, Soren co-founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), an influential regional party that has been at the forefront of the creation of the tribal-dominated eastern state.

Trump Says US Envoy Witkoff to Travel to Russia ‘Next Week’

United States President Donald Trump said his special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia next week to continue talks on the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said Witkoff would visit, “I think next week, Wednesday or Thursday.” Responding to questions from reporters on what Russia could do to avoid looming sanctions, the US president replied: “Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed.” Trump has threatened to impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia if it fails to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine soon.