KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know today.

Listening to the People Is the Soul of Democracy: PM Karki

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that heeding the voice of the people is the very soul of democracy.  Emphasizing that a democratic system is one that listens to its citizens, she added that Constitution Day is also an occasion to evaluate the federal democratic republic. Prime Minister Karki made these remarks while addressing a special ceremony held at the Army Pavillion, Tundikhel, on the occasion of Constitution Day and National Day.

President Paudel Hosts Tea Reception at Sheetal Niwas on Constitution Day

On the occasion of Constitution Day, President Ramchandra Paudel hosted a tea reception at Sheetal Niwas to exchange greetings. The event saw a large gathering of both emerging leaders from the recent Gen Z movement and veteran politicians. Attendees included Prime Minister Sushila Karki, former Presidents Ram Baran Yadav and Bidya Devi Bhandari, various ministers, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, leaders from multiple political parties, top army and police officials, and diplomats.

NC Declares Parliament Dissolution Unconstitutional
The Nepali Congress has concluded that the Gen Z protests of September 8–9 were infiltrated by outside elements and that the subsequent dissolution of Parliament was unconstitutional. A meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee held on Friday at its Sanepa office stated that infiltrators were responsible for setting fire to public and private properties worth billions. At the same meeting, the committee reaffirmed that dissolving Parliament was unconstitutional and resolved to hold discussions with other political parties on the issue.

U.S. Reaffirms Commitment to Nepal’s Democratic and Economic Progress

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on behalf of the Government of the United States, extended his congratulations to the people of Nepal as the country marks Constitution Day. In his statement, Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for Nepal’s democratic process, emphasizing the need for a transparent government that fully adheres to the constitution, particularly as Nepal prepares for upcoming elections. He also expressed condolences to the families affected by recent protests, mourning the loss of life and injuries.

Prachanda Says He Saved Constitution Through Talks With Army Chief After Gen-Z Revolt
Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has claimed that he saved the Constitution and the presidency by holding talks with Chief of Army Staff Ashok Sigdel in the aftermath of the Gen Z revolt of September 8–9. Speaking at the party’s central office in Paris Danda on the occasion of Constitution Day, he linked the Gen Z movement with the People’s War, recalling that nearly 90 percent of those who fought in the insurgency belonged to the Gen Z generation.

Deuba Undergoes 12 Stitches; Speaking and Standing Cause Dizziness

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has undergone 12 stitches on his head, the party confirmed on Friday. Speaking at a press conference following the Central Working Committee meeting, party spokesperson Min Bishwakarma said the hospital had provided an update on Deuba’s condition. Deuba sustained injuries to the upper part of his neck during the recent Gen Z revolt. According to Bishwakarma, Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka briefed the committee on Deuba’s health earlier in the day.

Painting Work Underway at PM’s Office After Fire Damage

Painting has begun at the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office, which was damaged by fire during the Gen Z protests. While documents and other physical infrastructure were destroyed, the concrete structure of the Prime Minister’s Office building inside Singha Durbar was blackened by flames. As restoring the building to its original condition will take time, authorities have started cleaning and painting the exterior. Vehicles that were burned in the Singha Durbar fire are being relocated and managed elsewhere.

Home Ministry Sets Up Help Desk Following Gen Z Youth Protests

In response to the situation arising after the Gen Z youth protests, the Ministry of Home Affairs has established a help desk. According to a notice issued by the ministry, the help desk has been set up to facilitate reporting and addressing unruly activities or other issues in society. Assistant Spokesperson and Information Officer Rabindra Acharya stated that any information, complaints, advice, or suggestions can be communicated via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, or Viber to the number 9851360603.

Unified Socialist Party Seeks Leftist Unity Amid Challenging Times

The CPN (Unified Socialist) has decided to pursue unity with parties sharing similar ideology and principles. Citing the country’s current adverse circumstances, the party emphasized the need for leftist forces to act decisively. Announcing the decision on Friday, Vice Chairman Prakash Jwala stated that, in these challenging times, all communist, leftist, and socialist forces and parties should unite to safeguard the achievements of the communist movement, national sovereignty, and people’s revolution, extending a heartfelt appeal for collective action.

5,495 Prisoners and 244 Juveniles Recaptured After Gen Z Protests

Following the Gen Z demonstrations on September 8 and 9, prisoners have escaped from 27 prisons across Nepal. According to Chomendra Neupane, Director of the Department of Prison Management, a total of 13,591 prisoners out of 29,212 escaped from the prisons, while 964 out of 1,422 juveniles fled from correction centers. Director Neupane added that so far, 5,495 prisoners and 244 juveniles have been recaptured. However, 8,816 prisoners remain at large, and search operations are ongoing.

Toshima Karki Advocates Transformation of Rastriya Swatantra Party

Dr. Toshima Karki, a central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has expressed the need to transform the party. She emphasized that due to recent questions and scrutiny regarding the party, there is a necessity to review, reassess, and restructure various aspects such as leadership, principles, policies, and programs. Highlighting the importance of developing the party as a principal force with a governance mandate from the people to build a new Nepal amid the current sensitive circumstances, Karki has presented a four-point proposal.

Health Ministry Suspends Staff Transfers Temporarily

The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to temporarily halt staff transfers, deputations, and other administrative procedures. According to a notice issued by the ministry, essential services will continue, but other administrative processes will be paused due to the destruction of the ministry building and records in the fire during the protests on September 8 and 9. “The ministry apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this suspension,” the notice added.

Stock Market Suffers Heavy Losses This Week

The stock market closed early on Thursday due to massive losses following the Gen Z protests and subsequent change in government. The market, which fell 4 percent initially and halted for 20 minutes, plunged by other one percent leading to a 40-minute suspension, before another one percent drop forced a full-day closure. The index dropped by 160 points, closing at 2,511.91, wiping out property worth Rs 268 billion in a single day.

Nepal’s Budget Size Doubles in a Decade Since Constitution

In 2015, when the new constitution was promulgated, Nepal’s total budget stood at Rs 819.46 billion, with Rs 484 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs 208 billion for capital expenditure. Revenue collection that year was Rs 475 billion. Within ten years, by Fiscal Year 2024/25, the budget doubled to Rs 1.86 trillion, with Rs 1.14 trillion allocated for recurrent expenditure and Rs 352 billion for capital expenditure, while revenue collection reached about Rs 1.14 trillion, or 80 percent of the annual target.

Separate Fund to be Created for Reconstruction of Damaged Structures

The Ministry of Urban Development has decided to set up a separate fund for reconstruction of public structures damaged in the September 8–9 protests. Urban Development Minister Kulman Ghising made this his first decision after assuming office, with the Ministry of Finance now drafting working procedures to present at the next Cabinet meeting. The guidelines will include reconstruction, economic recovery, and relief provisions, according to Finance Ministry spokesperson Tank Prasad Pandey.

Finance Ministry Forms Task Force After Stock Market Plunge

Following Thursday’s 160-point fall in the NEPSE index to 2,511.91, the Ministry of Finance formed a task force to study problems and irregularities in the capital market. The panel has been given five days to submit its report with immediate systemic reforms to boost investor confidence and long-term measures to strengthen the market. Acting Executive Director of the Securities Board of Nepal, Rupesh K.C., has been appointed coordinator.

Film Suskera Enters Post-Production

The Nepali film Suskera, produced under the banner of Karmavir Multipurpose Investment Pvt. Ltd., has entered post-production. Director Shankar Adhikari, who is at the helm of the project, was reportedly injured during the production process. The film features performances by Shubham Adhikari, Hardik Paudel, and Nayra Prasai, with supporting roles by Sharmila Sharma, Dinesh Koirala, Dr. Om Krishna Prasai, Usha Kiran Adhikari, and several child actors including Manisha Shrestha, Sanjit Shrestha, Kalpana Bhujel, and Umesh Magar. Suskera tells the story of street children, highlighting their struggles and resilience.

Balidan Trailer Released

The trailer for the Nepali film Balidan was released on Friday, beginning with a moving scene of a mother asking her son to pledge to protect the nation and its dignity. Actress Richa Sharma plays the mother, while Sameer Bhatt portrays the son. The emotionally charged scene, in which the mother urges her son to eliminate those threatening the country’s soil and honor, sets a strong tone for the film. Balidan also features intense action sequences by Sameer Bhatta. Actors Arpan Thapa, Saugat Malla, and Mahendra Budhathoki appear in distinctive avatars in the trailer.

Singer Shantishree Pariyar Supports Gen Z Protest Victims

Shantishree Pariyar has provided support for victims of the recent Gen Z protests through Ashika Tamang. Pariyar announced via social media that she donated Rs 50,000, praising Tamang’s tireless humanitarian work, which included providing clothing, food, medical care, and emotional support directly to the injured and affected families. “I wanted to contribute a small part to this noble effort,” Pariyar said, requesting that her assistance reach the victims through Tamang.

18 Films Receive Production Approval from Film Development Board

Between mid-September and mid-October, the Film Development Board granted production approval to 18 films, including projects by veteran directors like Ujwal Ghimire as well as newcomers such as Nabin Subba. Some approvals were for entirely new projects, while others were for sequels. The film Kumari, directed by Dinesh Raut, has received approval and is currently in production. Lyricist-turned-director Shankar Adhikari ‘Ghayal’ will direct Suskera, which has also been granted permission.

SAFF Club Women’s Championship: Participating Teams Confirmed

The lineup for the SAFF Club Women’s Championship has been finalized. The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) confirmed on Friday that five clubs, including Nepal’s APF, will participate in the tournament held in Kathmandu. The highly anticipated first edition of the competition is scheduled from December 5 to 20 at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar. Besides APF, the tournament will feature Bangladesh’s Nasrin Sports Academy, India’s East Bengal Club, Bhutan’s Transport United, and Pakistan’s Karachi City FC, SAFF announced.

Yeti Airlines Partners with Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon for 11th Edition

Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon, which has been held continuously for the past 11 years, has partnered with Nepal’s leading airline, Yeti Airlines. The agreement covers support for the 11th edition of the marathon and its sister events, scheduled for Saturday, November 22. Yeti Airlines’ Business Development Officer, Yubaraj Bista, and Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon Program Manager, Kapil Thapa, exchanged the agreement. With this partnership, Yeti Airlines becomes the official airline partner of the marathon.

Third Jyotipunja Cup Rescheduled After Gen Z Movement

The third Jyotipunja Cup football tournament in Rampur, which was postponed due to the Gen Z movement, is now scheduled to take place from Asoj 26 to Kartik 3. The organizing Jyotipunj Youth Club announced the new dates on Friday. Preparations had been underway for the originally planned schedule of October 12 to 20, but the recent political developments and circumstances in the country had forced a temporary suspension. Known as the largest tournament in the Kaligandaki Basin region, the Jyotipunja Cup’s new dates were set with the expectation that life will normalize after the movement and the post-Dashain period will provide a more conducive environment.

RSF Paramilitary Drone Strike Kills At Least 75 People in Sudan

Sudan‘s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed 75 people in a drone strike that hit a mosque at a camp for displaced people near the western city of El-Fasher on Friday, first responders said. The RSF conducted their strike as they make gains in their push to capture Darfur‘s last army-held city. The attack struck a mosque at the Abu Shouk camp, just outside the North Darfur capital, said the Emergency Response Room, a local volunteer group coordinating relief in the camp.

Israeli Army Pushes Deeper into Gaza City, Forcing Mass Displacement

The Israeli military has intensified its offensive near the center of Gaza City, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee along coastal roads. Residents informed of relentless assaults involving drone strikes, fighter jets, and remote-controlled explosives, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble as Israeli forces advance. Civilians in Gaza described a constant barrage of attacks, saying the destruction has reached unprecedented levels. Reports indicate that the Israeli army is employing both aerial bombardment and ground explosives, systematically clearing areas as part of its push deeper into the besieged enclave.

Taliban Orders Removal of Women’s Texts from Afghan Universities

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has removed books authored by women from university curricula as part of a sweeping new ban that also prohibits teaching human rights and sexual harassment. Authorities identified 680 books considered “of concern,” including 140 written by women, with titles such as ‘Safety in the Chemical Laboratory.’ These were deemed to conflict with “Sharia and Taliban policies.” Universities have also been instructed to stop teaching 18 subjects.

Magnitude-7.8 Earthquake Shakes Russia

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has struck near the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region, the U.S. Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage. The quake’s epicenter was 127 kilometers (79 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and it struck at 6:58 a.m. Friday local time, according to the USGS. It had a depth of 19.5 kms. The Pacific Tsunami Warning System briefly issued a tsunami threat but later lifted it. The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks of up to magnitude 5.8.