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.

PM Oli Briefs Parliament on China Visit

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has briefed the House of Representatives on his upcoming five-day visit to China. Addressing the session on Friday, he expressed confidence that the visit would be beneficial for Nepal. According to the Prime Minister, Nepal has been gradually enhancing its level of participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He highlighted that, as the world’s largest organization, the SCO offers Nepal significant opportunities to gain strategic benefits. During the visit, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Han Zheng.

RPP Seeks UN Discussion on Nepal’s Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh Territories

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has called for raising the issue of Nepal’s territories, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh, at the United Nations. During the urgent discussion segment of the House of Representatives’ Friday session, RPP Chief Whip Gyan Bahadur Shahi requested that the matter of the trade agreement between India and China, which involves Nepali territory, be raised at the UN in his capacity as a member. However, the government has already sent details, including a map depicting Limpiyadhura, to the relevant United Nations bodies.

Madhesh Province Assembly Meeting Indefinitely Postponed

The Madhesh Province assembly meeting has been postponed indefinitely due to obstruction by opposition parties. The opposition continued to disrupt the provincial assembly today, demanding the resignation of Finance Minister Sunil Kumar Yadav. Jawaharlal Kushwaha, chief whip of the opposition CPN (Maoist Centre), criticized the finance minister for presenting a flawed budget that was passed by majority, calling for his resignation.

CPN (Majority) Protests Against Embossed Number Plates

The Communist Party of Nepal (Majority) staged a protest in front of the Transport Management Office in Minbhawan, Kathmandu, against the implementation of embossed vehicle number plates. On Friday, party leaders and activists demonstrated, chanting slogans and holding banners and pamphlets, opposing the new government regulation regarding number plates.

Ramhari Khatiwada Named as Member of Parliamentary Hearing Committee

The House of Representatives has approved the name of Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada as a member of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee. In a meeting held on Friday, Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, presiding over the session from the Speaker’s chair, proposed replacing Congress lawmaker Ishwari Devi Neupane with Khatiwada as a member of the committee. The House approved this proposal. With the approval of the proposal, Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada has officially been confirmed as a member of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee.

Election Commission Sets Date for By-Election in Manang

The Election Commission has set the date for the by-election in Manang, Constituency No. 1, Province Assembly–B. According to Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the by-election is scheduled for November 3. The constituency’s representative, Rajiv Gurung (Deepak Manange), had been elected to the Gandaki Provincial Assembly. On June 18, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hariprasad Phuyal, and Kumar Chudal, ruled for his removal from office.

Monsoon Becomes More Active in Nepal; Surkhet Records Heavy Rainfall

The monsoon has intensified in Nepal over the past few days, with extremely heavy rainfall recorded in Surkhet in the last 24 hours. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Khani Khola rain gauge station in Surkhet recorded the highest rainfall of 292.3 millimeters, indicating torrential rain. Senior meteorologist Prativa Manandhar of the Forecasting Division said that an active low-pressure system caused concentrated heavy rainfall in certain parts of the western region, while precipitation remained scattered in limited areas.

Arnico Panday Released on Rs 20,000 Bail

Kathmandu District Court has ordered the release of former National Planning Commission member Arnico Panday on a bail of Rs 20,000. The bench, led by Judge Dhruva Raj Karki, demanded a bail of Rs 20,000 on Friday. Panday, who is also a central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was arrested by the Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau on Wednesday.

Cholera Patients Recovering in Parsa

The number of patients recovering from a cholera and diarrhea outbreak in Parsa is increasing. According to data from the District Public Health Office, 447 patients have been discharged in the past eight days. So far, 676 suspected cases have been reported, with 152 confirmed cholera patients. Currently, 152 suspected patients are receiving treatment, including 74 confirmed cases. The number of patients admitted to Narayani Hospital has risen due to its free treatment services. The first cases were detected in Birgunj on August 22, 2025.

Nepali Congress-Affiliated Engineers’ Group to Elect New Leaders

The 8th Central General Convention of the Center for Democratic Engineers, Nepal (CEDEN), will be held on Saturday, to elect a new leadership. The main race is between two panels. Rabi Bhushan Jha is backed by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, while his opponent, Dhanendra KC, has the support of leaders like Gagan Thapa and Shekhar Koirala. The election will choose an 18-member central committee from 37 candidates. Voting will take place from 8 AM to 6 PM for a total of 6,547 members across the country.

Students Padlock Campus Offices Over Missing Exam Marks

Students have padlocked the Education Faculty and Examination offices at Mahendra Bindeshwori Multiple Campus in Rajbiraj. The protest, which began on Friday, was a reaction to the B.Ed. fourth-year results released on Thursday, which showed all 130 students as absent from their practical exams. The students allege the marks were withheld due to the personal interests of some staff. Students have vowed to continue their lockdown until the practical exam marks are included in the results.

Hetauda Sanitation Workers Enrolled in Social Security

Sanitation workers in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City have been enrolled in a social security fund for their health and safety. The initiative was launched on Thursday, with enrollment for all workers beginning on Friday. Mayor Meena Kumari Lama launched the program. The workers are part of a partnership with the waste management organization, Green and Clean City Service. The program benefits 53 workers, including 21 women, who collect an average of 26 tons of waste daily.

NEPSE Index Declines by 38 Points at Week’s End

After rising by 21 points on Monday, 4 points on Tuesday, and 53 points on Wednesday, the NEPSE index fell by 38.10 points on Thursday, the last trading day of the week. Compared to the previous day, the index dropped 1.35 percent, closing at 2,781 points. Out of the traded shares, 24 companies gained value, while 227 companies declined. As a result, the overall NEPSE index dropped by 38 points. This week, Nepal Rastra Bank also issued a directive easing dividend distribution rules for microfinance institutions.

Ten Major Banks to Face Comprehensive Audit

An agreement was signed on Thursday to conduct an international-standard comprehensive asset quality audit of 10 major commercial banks. Nepal Rastra Bank had selected Bangladeshi firm Howladar Yunus & Company, Chartered Accountants, for the audit. The banks listed for audit include Global IME Bank, Nabil Bank, Nepal Investment Mega Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Kumari Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank, Prabhu Bank, Himalayan Bank, Nepal Bank Limited, and NIC Asia Bank.

Finance Ministry to Invite Tenders for Valuation of Sick Industries

The Ministry of Finance is preparing to invite tenders for the valuation of assets and liabilities of four long-sick government-owned industries. The ministry has already selected consultants for the valuation and has responded to various queries raised during the consultant selection process. Recently, it confirmed that consultants have been chosen for Butwal Spinning Mills Limited, Janakpur Cigarette Factory Limited, and two other industries, and preparations are underway to call tenders soon.

Concessional Loan System Revived After Years of Halt

The provision of concessional loans, which had been halted for several years, is set to resume after Nepal Rastra Bank issued a new procedure for interest subsidies. Under the new “Procedure 2025 on Interest Subsidy for Concessional Loans,” individuals wishing to start businesses can now access loans ranging from Rs 500,000 to Rs 50 million with interest subsidies. This has reopened the way for concessional credit distribution once again.

Domestic Airfares Soar Ahead of Dashain

Bookings and prices of domestic airline tickets ahead of Dashain have surged sharply. As people prepare to leave Kathmandu for the festival, tickets for remote destinations have become almost impossible to find, while fares for accessible destinations have nearly doubled. According to airlines, about 40 percent of tickets to various destinations have already been booked. Securing tickets to remote areas such as Tumlingtar, Lukla, Simikot, Dolpa, Rumjatar, Bhojpur, and Khanidanda has become extremely difficult even after paying high fares.

Folk Singer Ratna ‘Behosi’ Bajracharya Honored

Folk singer Ratna ‘Behosi’ Bajracharya was honored with the Nepal Ratna Samman on his 90th birthday. The award was presented by the Newa Sadhana Kala Kendra in recognition of his significant contributions to both Nepali and Nepal Bhasa music. According to the organizers, this award acknowledges his decades of dedication to the arts. Having started his career in theater and music at age 12, Behosi was one of the few singers of his time to have his songs broadcast live on Radio Nepal after a successful voice test in mid 1950s.

Nepali Film ‘Yo Man Ta Mero Nepali Ho’ Celebrates 51 Days

The Nepali film, “Yo Man Ta Mero Nepali Ho,” has celebrated its 51st day of screening. The film, which was released on July 11, 2025, marked the occasion with an event at Ashta Narayan Cinema Hall in Balaju. The celebration was attended by film development board officials and the Nepal Artists’ Association President, who honored the cast and crew. Produced by Padma Ishwar Entertainment and directed by Mitra Pradhan, the film stars Bijay Baral and Wilson Bikram Rai. It is also currently screening in various cities across the United States.

New Film ‘Gunyo Cholo: The Dress’ to Premiere

The new film, ‘Gunyo Cholo: The Dress’, is now available for pre-booking. Directed by Samundra Bhatta, the movie tells the story of a transgender character, a first for a Nepali film. Star actor Najir Hussen plays the lead role of a transgender woman. The film’s entire post-production, including editing and sound design, was completed in Hollywood. This joint Nepali-Hollywood production was also selected for the prestigious Tasveer Film Market in America.

Nepal ‘A’ Crush Assam by 96 Runs in Second T20 Match in Guwahati

Nepal ‘A’ registered a commanding victory over Assam in the second match of the ongoing T20 series in Guwahati, India. Nepal defeated Assam by 96 runs. Chasing Nepal’s target of 174 runs, Assam was bowled out for just 77 in 15.2 overs. Ruhinandhan Pegul scored the highest for Assam with 17 runs, while Sibashankar Roy added 16 runs. For Nepal, leg-spinner Yubaraj Khatri took 4 wickets for 15 runs in 3.2 overs. Earlier, after winning the toss, Nepal A elected to bat first and scored 173 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Nepali National Football Team Announced for Two Friendlies Against Bangladesh

National football team head coach Matt Ross has announced Nepal’s squad for two upcoming friendly matches against Bangladesh at home. On Friday, he revealed a 23-member team under the captaincy of Kiran Kumar Chemjong. Nepal will play Bangladesh on September 6 and 9 at Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwor. These friendlies are part of Nepal’s preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Nepal is scheduled to play two qualifying matches against Vietnam on October 9 and 14.

Dispute within Nepal Olympic Committee Threatens Asian Games Preparation

A leadership dispute within the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) is casting a shadow over preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in 2026. Two rival committees, one recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the other formed by the government, are locked in a struggle. This legal and administrative battle is directly impacting athletes, who are facing insufficient training, lack of international exposure, and an unclear selection process. There is a risk that the IOC might suspend the NOC, forcing Nepali athletes to compete under the Olympic flag instead of their national flag.

Winner of Nepalgunj 10 Night Run to Compete in Thailand’s Marathon

Preparations for the Nepalgunj 10 Night Run have entered an advanced stage. The winner of this event will earn the opportunity to participate in a world-class running event held in Bangsaen, Thailand. Bangsaen, a coastal tourist city, hosts three major international running events each year. The Bangsaen 21 is classified as a Platinum-level World Athletics event. A memorandum of understanding was signed between T.S. Thakuri, founder of Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon—the parent event of Nepalgunj 10 Night Run—and Rut Jiroajvaanichakorn, founder and managing director of the Bangsaen Series.

Thai PM Removed from Office Over Leaked Phone Call

A Thai court has removed PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office over a contentious leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader. In the clip, Shinawatra can be heard calling Hun Sen “uncle” and criticising the Thai army. Shinawatra apologised after the leak, saying it was a “negotiating tactic” to mend relations over a worsening border dispute. Now, the country’s deputy PM will replace Shinawatra before a new vote is held for prime minister. Paetongtarn is now the fifth leader since 2008 to be dismissed by this court.

Israel Kills 34 Palestinians Across Gaza

At least 34 Palestinians have been killed in early morning Israeli attacks across Gaza, including five in the al-Mawasi area – a so-called “humanitarian zone” designated by Israel – in the south. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is among those criticising Israel’s expanded military operation to seize Gaza City, saying it “signals a new and dangerous phase” in the war. Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip if Hamas refuses to disarm.

Tear Gas Fired as Thousands of Indonesians Protest on Streets of Jakarta

Police have fired tear gas at crowds of protesters surrounding the headquarters of the police’s special ops unit Brimob in Jakarta. Tensions are high following a young motorcycle taxi driver’s death after he was run over by a Brimob vehicle at a protest on Thursday night. The Indonesian capital has seen a series of demonstration this week over allegedly lavish MP allowances and income inequality. Some of the protests have been violent, as police armed with batons and shields fired smoke bombs.

India and Canada Name Top Diplomats After 10 Months to Mend Ties

India and Canada have appointed new high commissioners to each other’s countries, in the latest step to restore ties strained by the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in a Vancouver suburb in 2023. India’s previous high commissioner left Canada last October after Ottawa expelled him, linking six diplomats to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar – though Delhi insisted he was withdrawn. That same day, India ordered out six senior Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner.