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.

PM Karki Reaffirms Commitment to Hold Fear-Free Elections on Schedule

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has reiterated her government’s commitment to conducting elections on the scheduled date in a peaceful and fear-free environment. She made the statement during a meeting with political parties on Tuesday. “The government is fully committed to ensuring elections are held on time in an atmosphere free of fear,” Prime Minister Karki said.

UML Cadre Arrested For Allegedly Setting Fire to Former President Bhandari’s House

Kathmandu: A cadre of the Youth Association, affiliated with CPN (UML), has been arrested on charges of setting fire to the residence of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The arrested individual has been identified as Sonam Thebe, a permanent resident of Sirijangha Rural Municipality-1, Taplejung, who was currently living in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu.

PM Karki Holds Over Four-Hour Meeting with Gen Z Movement Injured

Prime Minister Sushila Karki today spent over four hours in Baluwatar engaging with individuals injured during the Gen Z Movement. The meeting, which commenced at 10:30 AM, concluded recently. During the discussion, the injured urged the government to take firm action against corruption and repression, warning that failure to do so could spark another street protest. A delegation of 18, led by Rupin Khadka, emphasized that a government born out of revolutionary ideals must implement decisive and transformative measures. Speaking on behalf of the group, Khadka remarked, “Who is preventing the arrest of those we protested against? Is it the rules, the law, or the constitution? Wherever obstruction exists, action must begin there.”

Gen Z Protests: Rs 1.5m Relief for Each Deceased; Rs 4.8m Released for Injured

The government has released Rs 4.858 million to cover emergency medical expenses for those injured during the Gen Z Movement protests.  Each injured person is receiving Rs 20,000 in immediate assistance, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. The Cabinet meeting on September 28 decided to provide emergency financial aid based on injury classification, with further relief to follow after assessment by a technical committee. The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided Rs 1.5 million each to the families of 53 people who died during the movement—Rs 1 million in financial relief and Rs 500,000 for funeral expenses.

Madhav Nepal Appeals Government to Build Trust with Parties Ahead of Elections

Madhav Kumar Nepal, chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist), has advised the government to move forward by building trust with political parties and leaders. Speaking to journalists during a Deusi-Bhailo program on Tuesday in Kathmandu, Chairman Nepal said his party would also support the government in ensuring that the upcoming elections are conducted fairly and with dignity, emphasizing the importance of consulting political parties and leaders. He highlighted the possibility of amending the Constitution to refine and improve federalism, calling for broad political discussions on constitutional reforms.

Formal Decision on General Convention Will Be Made by Central Committee: NC Acting President Khadka

Nepali Congress Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka has said that the party’s Central Committee meeting will make a formal decision regarding the upcoming general election on March 5, 2026 and the party’s 15th General Convention. Speaking at a program held in Surkhet on Tuesday, Khadka stated that the Central Committee meeting starting from October 30 will officially decide on the election, party convention, and the country’s current situation. He also emphasized that as a democratic party, the Nepali Congress is always prepared for elections.

UML Leader Bartaula Says Home Minister Aryal Is Main Challenge for Polls

CPN (UML) central committee member Mahesh Bartaula has claimed that Home Minister Om Aryal is the main challenge to peace, security, and the upcoming March 5 House of Representatives election. Speaking on social media, Bartaula alleged that if an investigation were conducted, it would reveal that Aryal acted as the “main gardener” behind infiltration and destruction during the peaceful protests of Gen-Z youth. He criticized Aryal for being unable to move beyond jealousy, envy, frustration, and anger, writing that the minister does not recover looted weapons, boost police morale, or track escaped inmates.

Nepal Nursing Association Announces Nationwide Protest Program

The Nepal Nursing Association (NNA) has announced its protest programs, holding a press conference at its central office on Monday. The nurses, particularly those working in private hospitals and medical colleges, have expressed anger over low wages and labor exploitation, prompting the planned protests. During the press conference, NNA Central President Chandrakala Sharma stated that from October 21 to 28, nurses across all hospitals and health education institutions in the country will wear black armbands while performing their duties. Additionally, from October 29 to November 4, nursing services, except for emergency care, will be halted for two hours daily from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Bipin Joshi’s Last Rites Conducted on Mahakali River Bank

The last rites of Bipin Joshi were performed this morning on the bank of the Mahakali River. His remains were brought to his residence at Bheemdatta Municipality-3 on Monday evening from Israel, where he had gone as an agricultural student under the Learn and Earn programme. Before the cremation, a funeral procession was held, and a contingent of the Armed Police Force presented him with a guard of honour, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Sagar Bohora of the District Police Office, Kanchanpur.

Scrub Typhus Cases Rising in Nawalparasi After Monsoon

Following the end of the monsoon, scrub typhus infections have increased in Nawalpur. According to the Provincial Public Health Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat–Susta East), a total of 44 people have been infected so far. Information Officer Chhabilal Subedi reported that as of September 21, only 17 cases had been recorded. “In the last 20 days, 27 new cases have been reported in Nawalpur,” he said, adding that 38 patients have recovered, while six are still undergoing treatment at hospitals.

Tihar Exodus: Half a Million Expected to Leave Kathmandu Valley

As Bhaitika approaches, the number of travelers leaving the Kathmandu Valley has increased significantly. Crowds have been seen at various checkpoints and bus terminals across the valley. From Saturday morning until Bhaitika, around 500,000 people are estimated to travel out of the valley. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office reported that the number of people entering the valley for Tihar is also substantial. Specifically, from 6 a.m. on October 20 to 6 a.m. on October 21, 40,977 travelers left the valley while 40,408 entered.

Government Cuts Budget by Over Rs. 125 Billion After Gen Z Protest

Following the Gen Z protests, the new government has reduced about Rs. 125 billion from the total budget allocated for the current fiscal year. After assuming office, Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal made one of his first decisions to form a committee to study which projects’ budgets could be reduced within the ongoing fiscal plan. Similarly, the Cabinet meeting on September 22 decided to slash the budget of some projects. Based on that decision, the government has cut Rs. 114.10 billion across nearly a dozen development-related ministries.

Industrialists Reject NEA’s Controversial Charges, Cite Lack of Evidence

A coalition of Nepal’s leading industrialists has announced its refusal to pay the disputed dedicated/trunk line electricity charges demanded by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The group emphasized that the decision aims to protect legal governance and national economic stability, rather than avoid legitimate payments. According to the industrialists, the dispute is not limited to a few companies but affects over 30 major industries collectively. They argue that NEA’s seven-year billing record and lack of proof showing actual use of premium services highlights serious institutional weaknesses. They demanded that liability should only be determined based on transparent evidence, including TOD meter data and Lal Commission reports, and criticized NEA for arbitrary cancellation of administrative review procedures and requiring 5% bank guarantees for disputed amounts.

Over Rs 35 Billion in Foreign Investment Commitments in the First Three Months of Current Fiscal Year

In the first three months of the current fiscal year, Nepal has received foreign investment commitments worth over Rs 35 billion. According to the Department of Industry’s monthly report on foreign direct investment (FDI), from mid-July to mid-October, a total of 311 industries received investment commitments amounting to Rs 35.13 billion. The Department stated that during this fiscal year, seven large, four medium, and 300 small-scale industries received foreign investment commitments.

NEA Disconnects Power Lines of Industries with Outstanding Dues

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has started disconnecting the electricity lines of industries that consumed power through dedicated and trunk lines during past load-shedding periods without paying the required premium charges. On Tuesday morning, the authority cut electricity connections of Jagadamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mills, Shivam Cement, Ghorahi Cement, Arghakhanchi Cement Industries, and Triveni Spinning Mills. The outstanding amounts for these industries are substantial, with Jagadamba Steel owing Rs 1.60 billion, Reliance Spinning Mills Rs 753.7 million, Shivam Cement Rs 778.8 million, Ghorahi Cement Rs 508.5 million, Arghakhanchi Cement Rs 448.4 million, and Triveni Spinning Mills Rs 321 million.

Farmers Unable to Sell Paddy at Government-Set Support Price

Although the Government of Nepal determined the support price for paddy as early as in mid-July, farmers have not been able to sell their produce at that price. Since traders have failed to implement the government-fixed support price, farmers have been unable to sell their produce at the declared rate. The Nepal government had set the price of coarse paddy at Rs. 3,463.81 per quintal and medium paddy at Rs. 3,628.33 per quintal.

Saugat Malla Starrer Film ‘Viral Gorkhe’ to Release on January 15, 2026

Saugat Malla starrer film ‘Viral Gorkhe’ is set to release on January 15, 2026. The production unit of the film has released a poster announcing the release date. The poster features the film’s two main actors, Saugat Malla and Srishti Shrestha, shown in a romantic pose. The tagline on the side reads, “Batasle Udai Lagyo Maya Mero” (The wind has carried away my love), highlighting the love story between the two characters. The poster also includes social media reaction icons such as Like, Love, and emoji, symbolizing the desire for the film to go viral and the audience’s emotional attachment.

Hit Nepali Film ‘12 Gaun’ Released on OTT Platform Cinemaghar

The popular Nepali film ‘12 Gaun’, which earned Rs 220 million at the box office last year, has been released on the OTT platform Cinemaghar, coinciding with Laxmi Puja. Viewers worldwide can watch the film for Rs 299. It is available through the Cinemaghar app on Google Play Store, App Store, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG WebOS, and can also be cast via Chromecast. Additionally, audiences can stream the film on computers via web browsers.

Gopal Yonjan’s Art Collection Donated to Cornell University

The significant works of timeless singer, musician, and playwright Gopal Yonjan have been donated to Cornell University in New York. Yonjan’s wife, Renchin, provided the documented collection to the university free of charge. The university’s South Asia collection will preserve and promote these works. “Preserving Gopal Yonjan’s works in the university’s South Asia Collection showcases Nepali music on a global platform,” wrote Yonjan’s daughter, Srijana Singh, on social media.

Nepal Women’s National Football Team to Play Friendly Matches After Tri-Nation Tournament

The Nepal Women’s National Football Team will play additional friendly matches following the upcoming Tri-Nation International Football Tournament. An international friendly competition featuring Nepal, India, and Iran will be held in Shillong, India. Initially, a friendly match between Nepal and India was planned to take place in Siliguri, but later, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) announced that a Tri-Nation friendly including Iran will instead be organized in Shillong. According to the schedule, Nepal will play against Iran on October 24 and against India on October 27). After that, another friendly match between Nepal and India will take place on October 30.

Chitwan Rhinos Recruit Three Foreign Players for NPL Second Season

Chitwan Rhinos have brought in three foreign players for the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The team has retained Sohel Tanvir, who played for Chitwan in the previous season. Additionally, all-rounder Ravi Bopara, who played for Chitwan last season, has rejoined the team for this season. The former England international made significant contributions to Chitwan’s batting in the previous season. England’s Dawid Malan is also set to come to Nepal to play for Chitwan in the NPL.

Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi has made history by winning the parliamentary vote to become Japan’s first-ever female prime minister. The 64-year-old conservative, often dubbed Japan’s “Iron Lady”, has long admired former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Her election marks a groundbreaking moment in Japan’s male-dominated political landscape. This was Takaichi’s third bid for the top post. She now becomes Japan’s fourth prime minister in just five years, reflecting the frequent leadership changes that have plagued the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) amid a string of political scandals.

US and Australia Sign Major Rare Earths Deal to Counter China’s Market Dominance

The United States and Australia have formalized an agreement aimed at boosting supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals. The deal, announced on Monday, is part of ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on China, which currently controls about 70% of rare earths mining and 90% of global processing. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the agreement will support an $8.5 billion (A$13 billion; £6.3 billion) pipeline of “ready-to-go” projects designed to expand Australia’s mining and processing capacity. According to the framework, the two countries will invest $1 billion in projects across the US and Australia over the next six months.

Violence Escalates in Gaza Amid Fragile Ceasefire; US Pushes Diplomacy

Israel has carried out further airstrikes and shootings in Gaza, raising concerns over the sustainability of the fragile US-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. The Palestinian Civil Defence reported that four people were killed in two separate incidents in the al-Shaaf area, east of the Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, “by Israeli gunfire as they were returning to check on their homes.” The Israeli military said it targeted militants who crossed the so-called “yellow line,” approaching Israeli troops in Shujayea, adjacent to Tuffah, and “posed a threat.” The yellow line, defined in a map shared by US President Donald Trump on October 4, marks the boundary behind which Israeli troops pulled back under the ceasefire agreement.