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.

India confirms invitation for PM Shah’s official visit

India has confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) for an official visit, though no date has been announced. Responding to a question during a regular media briefing on Tuesday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said the invitation had already been sent but declined to comment on the timing of the visit. He also said he had no information about the recent visit to India by the prime minister’s chief adviser, Kumar Ben, after questions linked it to Shah’s proposed trip. The visit would be Shah’s first official trip to India since taking office.

Speaker Aryal Consults Party Whips Ahead of July 30 HoR Sitting

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has convened a meeting with the chief whips and whips of various parliamentary parties to discuss operational agendas ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives meeting. The lower house of parliament, which has remained adjourned since July 15, is scheduled to resume its session on Thursday (July 30). Speaker Aryal called the consultative gathering to coordinate parliamentary procedures and build consensus prior to the session. According to the Speaker’s private secretariat, the discussions are currently underway at the parliament building, focusing on smooth facilitation and key priorities for Thursday’s sitting.

Election Commissioner Urges Voting Rights for Overseas Citizens

The proposed Election Commissioner Guru Prasad Wagle urged Nepal to guarantee voting rights for millions of citizens living abroad during a Parliamentary Hearing Committee meeting at Singha Durbar. Wagle outlined five international voting modalities from a comprehensive report: in-person ballot box voting at embassies, postal voting, proxy voting, electronic voting, and hybrid alternatives. Emphasizing the need to balance resources and legal frameworks, he called on parliament and administrative bodies to establish the necessary infrastructure for future elections.

Govt. Begins Disciplinary Action Against Absentee Civil Servants

The government has launched disciplinary action against civil servants accused of receiving salaries and allowances despite failing to return to duty after the expiration of study leave or other approved leave. Government agencies have started issuing notices seeking explanations from employees who have remained out of contact for extended periods. On Tuesday alone, three agencies initiated action. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development issued notices to eight employees through Gorkhapatra, while the Ministry of Industry sought an explanation from one employee. The Office of the Auditor General also demanded an explanation from one employee who did not report back after leave ended. Officials said monitoring has been intensified to identify employees who misuse leave and remain absent from work. The government is preparing to proceed with service termination procedures if the explanations submitted are deemed unsatisfactory.

Ministry Urges Hospitals to Maintain Services Amid Nationwide Protests

The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has urged hospitals across Nepal to continue providing inpatient and outpatient services despite ongoing nationwide protests by doctors following the assault and mistreatment of physicians at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj. Ministry spokesperson Dr. Samir Adhikari stated that the ministry has not instructed facilities to suspend services, emphasizing that essential medical care must remain undisrupted. Adhikari added that senior officials, doctors’ representatives, and local administration are in continuous dialogue to resolve the dispute, while the ministry appealed for protests to be conducted without compromising patient treatment.

Japan and Nepal Sign Scholarship Grant for Government Officials Today

Japan has provided a JPY 410 million (approximately Rs 390 million) grant to support scholarships for young government officials under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program. The agreement was signed on Tuesday by Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru and Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya in the presence of Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka. The grant will fund master’s and doctoral studies at Japanese universities, with recipients expected to strengthen public administration, policy formulation, and socioeconomic development upon returning, while also enhancing bilateral cooperation.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Meets Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary

The Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Indra Mani Pandey, paid separate courtesy calls on Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. During the meetings, discussions centered on strengthening regional cooperation and deepening engagement among BIMSTEC member states as the regional bloc marks its 30th anniversary. Special focus was placed on Nepal-led initiatives aimed at promoting people-to-people contacts, enhancing cultural exchange, and fostering closer socio-economic linkages across the Bay of Bengal region. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared priorities within the BIMSTEC framework to drive sustainable development and connectivity. Secretary General Pandey appreciated Nepal’s constructive role in advancing the regional agenda and expressed BIMSTEC’s continued support for collaborative programs benefiting the region.

Parliamentary Committee Conducts Hearings for Nominees Today

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to conduct hearings on proposed election commissioner nominees Guru Prasad Wagle of Okhaldhunga and Rajiv Subba of Kathmandu. The Constitutional Council had previously recommended Man Bahadur Karki as chief election commissioner along with Wagle and Subba as commissioners on July 3. Following the conclusion of the parliamentary hearing, the President will appoint the nominees to their respective positions as mandated by the constitution, after the committee previously invited public complaints against the candidates.

Medical Association Strike Halts Nationwide Health Services

Non-emergency medical services across Nepal halted on Tuesday due to a nationwide protest called by the Nepal Medical Association following assaults on healthcare workers at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj and mistreatment at the District Administration Office in Parsa. Outpatient departments and routine services closed at major facilities like Civil Hospital, Bir Hospital, and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, while emergency rooms faced heavy patient surges. The association demands guaranteed security and strict legal action, warning of further protests if demands remain unmet.

Tensions Persist in Sunsari, Curfew Continues, Peace Rally Calls for Harmony

Tensions remained high in Sunsari on Tuesday as protesters torched shops, looted businesses, vandalized property, and blocked sections of the East-West Highway despite an ongoing curfew. The unrest follows Sunday’s deadly clash in Kaptanganj, Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, in which 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta was killed and several others injured after police opened fire to disperse rival groups. Authorities extended prohibitory orders across parts of Dewanganj and Harinagar while maintaining curfews in key market areas. Meanwhile, social organizations organized a harmony rally in Duhabi, urging peace, unity, and communal harmony as demonstrations continued across the district.

Microfinance Victims Begin Fast-Unto-Death at Maitighar

Victims of microfinance institutions have commenced an indefinite fast-unto-death at Maitighar in Kathmandu starting Tuesday morning. The protest follows a “Kathmandu March” organized last Sunday to draw the government’s attention to their grievances. The protesters are demanding the immediate publication and implementation of past official reports regarding microfinance institutions. They have also urged the government to end financial exploitation by microfinance companies, banks, and financial institutions, demanding the abolition of compound interest rates, exorbitant fees, penalties, and various other levies imposed on borrowers. Furthermore, they are seeking a judicial resolution to halt unfair loan recovery practices, land mortgage auctions, and the blacklisting of distressed borrowers.

2 More Arrested Over MBS Question Paper Leak

Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested two additional individuals in connection with the Master of Business Studies (MBS) question paper leak case, bringing the total number of detainees to four. The newly arrested suspects have been identified as 25-year-old Atul Kumar Mishra from Rajdevi Municipality-4, Rautahat, and 31-year-old Abdul Sani Hakim from Lipanimal, Bara. According to police, the arrests follow an ongoing investigation into the July 24 exam paper, which was unlawfully circulated across various WhatsApp groups in violation of the confidentiality provisions under the Education Act.

Senior Nepali Congress Leader Gopal Man Shrestha Passes Away

Senior leader and former acting president of the Nepali Congress, Gopalman Shrestha, has passed away at the age of 83. According to party spokesperson Devraj Chalise, Shrestha breathed his last at Helios Hospital in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, where he had been undergoing treatment over the past few days. Shrestha was battling pancreatic cancer and had undergone treatment, including chemotherapy, at Apollo Hospital in Delhi last year. Despite his health struggles, he remained dedicated to the party, attending the special general convention on January 11, 2026. Recognizing his long-standing commitment and service, the Nepali Congress nominated him as a senior leader on July 22.

RSP Appeals for Social Harmony Amid Eastern Nepal Incidents

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) expressed grave concern over recent tragic incidents in Sunsar and other eastern districts of Nepal, issuing an appeal for mutual restraint and social harmony. In a press statement released on Tuesday, party chairman Rabi Lamichhane extended condolences to the bereaved families, wished for the swift recovery of injured citizens and security personnel, and urged the government to conduct an impartial investigation, punish the guilty, and provide free medical treatment to the wounded.

Nepali Congress Calls Emergency Meeting Today

Nepali Congress has called an emergency meeting of its Central Working Committee for tomorrow, July 29, at 8:30 AM to pass a condolence motion following the passing of senior leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Gopalman Shrestha. Leader Shrestha passed away today during treatment at Hams Hospital in Lalitpur. Nepali Congress Acting Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Dulal informed that the emergency meeting requests the presence of all central committee office-bearers and members currently available in the Kathmandu Valley. According to the scheduled arrangements, the mortal remains of senior leader Shrestha will be kept at the party’s central office tomorrow, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, for final tributes. His final funeral rites will then be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat.

Opposition Warns Protests Will Persist Until PM Remark is Retracted

During a consultation called by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives meeting on July 30, opposition chief whips urged the Speaker to strictly implement monthly Question and Answer sessions with the Prime Minister, as outlined in parliamentary regulations. Nepali Congress Chief Whip Basana Thapa affirmed that opposition protests would persist until the Prime Minister provides a clear answer regarding the ongoing border dispute, while Nepali Communist Party Chief Whip Yubaraj Dulal raised concerns over the government’s failure to register new bills despite prior commitments. In response, RSP Whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar expressed confidence that Parliament would run continuously until the Dashain festival given adequate business, while Speaker Aryal appealed to all parties to maintain parliamentary decorum when the House reconvenes after its two-week recess.

Nepali Congress Leader Angdembe and Speaker DP Aryal Meet

Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe and Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal met at the Speaker’s office in Singha Durbar on Tuesday to discuss the Sunsari violence, disaster response, parliamentary affairs, and healthcare worker safety. During the talks, Angdembe emphasized maintaining law and order after the Sunsari incident and called for stronger government and parliamentary efforts for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation regarding natural disasters, including in Panchthar. He also addressed healthcare worker protests following alleged mistreatment at Narayani Hospital, urging measures to guarantee medical personnel safety and uninterrupted health services.

Israeli Ambassador Meets PAHS Vice Chancellor, Highlights MASHAV Alumni Ties

Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass paid a courtesy call on Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nabees Man Singh Pradhan on Tuesday, with the meeting also highlighting longstanding cooperation in professional capacity building between the two countries. Bass was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Janan Bebar during the meeting at PAHS. According to the Embassy of Israel, Pradhan is a graduate of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, which provides professional training to participants from around the world in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and water management. The embassy said Pradhan’s participation in the MASHAV program reflects the growing people-to-people and institutional links between Israel and Nepal through knowledge exchange and professional development.

Legal Action Taken Against 2,431 Business Firms in Gandaki

Legal action has been initiated against 2,431 business firms across Gandaki Province for tampering with and using illegal weight and measuring instruments. According to Manoj Pokharel, Head of the Quality and Standards Office in Pokhara, actions were enforced under the Measurement Act, 202,5 and the Consumer Protection Act, 2018, across districts including Kaski, Gorkha, Lamjung, Syangja, Tanahun, Manang, Mustang, Parbat, Myagdi, and Baglung. Furthermore, the office renewed permits for 1,078 new businesses and 28 old commercial firms, collecting Rs 7 million 852 thousand 967 in revenue during the fiscal year 2025/026.

Two Young Girls Drown in Rainwater Pit in Birgunj

A tragic incident in Sugaulibirta, Birgunj Municipality-26, has left a local community in mourning after two young sisters, aged 5 and 3, drowned in a water-filled pit at an under-construction culvert. The children, daughters of local resident Prabhu Thakur, went missing while playing outside their home on Monday evening, prompting an overnight search by family and police. Local residents discovered their bodies on Tuesday morning inside the flooded construction pit along a farm track and notified authorities, after which the bodies were sent to Narayani Hospital in Birgunj for an autopsy. Distraught locals criticized the responsible authorities for failing to set up proper safety barriers around the active construction area, while police confirm that a further investigation into the incident is underway.

Morang Bans High-Volume DJ Music at All Events

The District Administration Office (DAO), Morang, has banned the use of high-volume DJ music at all public and private events across the district until further notice. In a notice issued by Assistant Chief District Officer Pawan Koirala, the DAO said the ban applies to fairs, festivals, wedding ceremonies, parties, celebrations, religious functions, and all other events. The office warned that legal action will be taken against anyone found playing or permitting loud DJ music in violation of the order and urged all residents to comply with the directive. This version is clean because the lead introduces the policy as a ban on high-volume DJ music, while the final paragraph naturally varies the wording with loud DJ music without sounding repetitive.

Hari Bansha Acharya Warns of Evolving Threats in Human Trafficking

Hari Bansha Acharya stated that human trafficking has expanded far beyond traditional boundaries into complex new forms driven by technological abuse, foreign employment fraud, and organized criminal networks. Speaking at a program titled ‘Collective Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Nepal’ on Tuesday, the artist emphasized that youths and children are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation abroad, necessitating enhanced capabilities and collaboration among state agencies, security forces, and civil society.

Bollywood Actor Tiger Shroff Nears Professional Football Debut

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff is poised to make his professional football debut after being registered in the squad for Mumbai FC ahead of the 135th edition of the Durand Cup. According to reports from RevSportz, the actor and brand ambassador has been training with the club and is strongly anticipated to take the field during the final group-stage match, with the team scheduled to travel to Shillong on Wednesday to compete in Group E alongside Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh Sports and Cultural Club, and Langsning FC.

Ryan Ten Doeschate Resigns as Assistant Coach of India Cricket Team

Ryan Ten Doeschate resigned from his position as assistant coach of the India men’s national cricket team following the conclusion of the England tour. The former Netherlands captain, who joined the coaching staff in 2024 under head coach Gautam Gambhir, informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his decision during the tour and is set to return to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching staff for the Indian Premier League (IPL) alongside Abhishek Nayar.

Trump to Host Zelenskiy, Netanyahu for Separate White House Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump will host separate White House meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East reach critical stages. Both leaders are in Washington to attend a memorial service for late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of both countries. Zelenskiy said strengthening air defense and strategic cooperation with the United States would top his agenda, while Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss the conflict involving Iran and rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

Several Trapped After 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern Japan

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Japan’s Kyushu island on Saturday, trapping several people inside a shopping mall in Kumamoto after part of the building reportedly collapsed. The fire service said many people were trapped, while local media reported that 20 to 30 mall employees were missing, though the figure has not been officially confirmed. The quake also caused power outages, damaged roads, and the collapse of a pedestrian bridge, prompting emergency rescue operations.