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:

Authorities Brace for Heavy Rainfall, Mobilise Nationwide Disaster Response:

Nepali authorities have ramped up disaster preparedness as heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces from October 3 to 6. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority held a virtual meeting with chief district officers, security chiefs, and disaster focal persons to ensure readiness. The Nepali Army has six helicopters on standby, while police and armed forces are fully mobilised. District committees have been instructed to suspend nighttime travel, halt trekking, and relocate people from high-risk areas. The National Emergency Operations Centre will operate 24/7, and emergency warehouses are ready for immediate use. The Department of Roads has also recommended restricting travel and directed all relevant staff to be prepared for disaster response operations. Travelers are specifically warned to exercise caution along key highways, including Narayangadh-Muglin, Nagdhunga-Muglin, BP Highway, Kanthipath-Lokpath, Tribhuvan-Rajpath, and Daunne Road. Authorities emphasize preparedness to minimize potential loss of life and property amid the ongoing rain and associated hazards.

Home Minister Aryal Directs Security Agencies to Stay Prepared for Disaster Risk Reduction:

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has instructed security agencies to remain in a state of readiness for potential disaster risk management and mitigation. During an inspection of the Nepal Police Disaster Management Office in Samakhusi, he observed mock rescue drills, reviewed disaster response materials, and received updates on ongoing preparedness activities. Minister Aryal praised the Nepal Police for their commendable work in disaster management despite limited resources and training. He directed officials to maintain high morale and be ready for immediate deployment to minimize potential loss of life and property. Senior officials, including DIG Siddhi Bikram Shah and SSP Santosh Kumar Bhattarai, participated in the briefing.

Nepal Roads on High Alert as Heavy Rain Forecasted:

The Department of Roads in Nepal has placed teams on standby along high-risk highways following a three-day heavy rainfall forecast from October 4–6. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, using the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s seasonal bulletin, has instructed all divisions to prepare backup plans. Key routes, including Nagdhunga-Mugling, Mugling-Narayangadh, VP Highway, Kantipath, Tribhuvan Highway, and Daunne, are under heightened vigilance. Road crews and machinery have been deployed to clear potential landslides within three hours. District administrations have also advised avoiding travel on risky roads at night, with some roads temporarily closed for safety.

Kathmandu District Urges Residents to Avoid Night Travel Amid Heavy Rain Warning:

The District Administration Office Kathmandu has advised residents to avoid traveling in or out of the city at night from October 3–6 due to heavy rainfall forecasts. Assistant Chief District Officer Ashok Kumar Bhandari warned of potential floods, landslides, and soil erosion in risk-prone areas, urging people to stay indoors and exercise caution. Long-distance travel is discouraged unless essential. In emergencies, residents can contact the District Police, Armed Police Force Disaster Rescue Unit, or the District Emergency Operation Centre. Nearby districts, including Lalitpur, have also imposed vehicle restrictions on high-risk roads to ensure safety.

2 Pedestrians Killed, 40 Injured in Bardibas Bus Accident:

Two pedestrians died and over 40 others were injured in a bus accident at Khayarmara, Bardibas Municipality, Mahottari, on Friday morning. The deceased have been identified as Chulhai Chaudhary (80) of Bardibas-10, who died on the spot, and Prabesh Khadka (10) of Ishworpur-12, Sarlahi, who later succumbed to injuries during treatment. The accident occurred as the bus (Na 6 Kha 1464) was en route to Kathmandu. More than 40 passengers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical care at various hospitals in Bardibas. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Energy Minister Kulman Ghising Denies Any Ties with Ujyaalo Nepal Party:

KATHMANDU – Minister for Energy Kulman Ghising has clarified that he has no affiliation with the Ujyaalo Nepal Party. In a statement, he expressed concern over reports and social media posts linking him to the party and its chairperson, stressing that no discussions regarding his involvement have taken place. Ghising also denied participating in any Zoom meetings as claimed. Writing on Facebook, he called the information “false and baseless” and urged the public not to be misled. He further appealed to concerned parties to stop disseminating such unfounded claims, emphasizing that the reports were circulated without his consultation or consent.

Nepal Intellectual Council Urges KP Sharma Oli to Step Down as UML Chair:

Kathmandu – The Nepal Intellectual Council has formally recommended that CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli resign from party leadership. In a Secretariat meeting on Ashwin 1, the council reviewed the party’s current situation and drafted a three-page, three-point suggestion letter, signed by council chairman Gajendra Prasad Thapaliya and submitted to General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel. The recommendation urges Oli to step down immediately without waiting for the party convention, suggesting leadership transition through the Central Committee under party statutes. The council emphasized that senior leaders should assume advisory roles to guide new leadership, reflecting on past failures to provide timely guidance.

Nepal Staggers Elections: Federal Polls in 2026, Provincial and Local in 2027:

Nepal’s Election Commission has announced a major shift in the electoral calendar, separating federal, provincial, and local elections. The House of Representatives elections are scheduled for March 5, 2026, while provincial and local polls will be held in 2027. This change follows the dissolution of the House after the Gen-Z protests forced then–PM KP Sharma Oli to resign, leading to an interim government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. Provincial elections are expected in November 2027 and local polls in May 2027, ensuring federal parliament elected in 2026 can complete its full term by 2031 while overseeing the other two tiers of elections.

NHRC to Monitor Human Rights Cases During Dashain Holidays:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced it will continue registering complaints and monitoring urgent human rights incidents throughout the Dashain holidays across all 11 offices, including its central office in Lalitpur. NHRC spokesperson Tika Ram Pokharel stated that the Janakpur provincial office recently handled a human rights complaint, ensuring immediate monitoring. The commission has urged the government to remain attentive during the festive period, citing challenges such as restricted mobility, increased criminal activity, price surges, black-market operations, and disruptions in public service delivery. NHRC emphasized vigilance to safeguard citizens’ rights even during national holidays.

Former Minister Prabhu Sah Criticizes Government for Ignoring Youth-Led Jana Andolan Legacy:

Prabhu Sah, chairman of the Janmata Party and former minister, criticized the current government for failing to honor the historic Gen-Z (Jana) Andolan, despite youth sacrifices that led to its success. Speaking at a festival event in Garuda Municipality, Sah said the government celebrated the movement with mourning instead of acknowledging its victory. He accused Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s administration of sidelining youth representation, ignoring martyrs, and maintaining old leadership in power. Sah also demanded the constitution be scrapped, citing it as a root cause of ongoing national issues. He emphasized the movement aimed at systemic change, not mere leadership replacement.

Nepal Announces 15-Member Squad for ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier:

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East-Asia Pacific Qualifier, scheduled in Oman from October 8. Sahab Alam, part of the previous 16-member team for the UAE series against the West Indies, was not included, while Sandip Lamichhane returns to the squad. The team is led by Captain Rohit Paudel and Vice-Captain Dipendra Singh Airee, with other members including Sanip Jora, Kushal Bhurtel, Lokesh Bam, Kushal Malla, Ashif Sheikh, Adil Alam, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Arif Sheikh, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Gulsan Jha, and Sompal Kami. The squad has already arrived in Oman.

Nepal Goalkeeper Anjila Tumbappo Subba Signs with Indian Club Sethu FC:

Nepal’s national women’s football team goalkeeper, Anjila Tumbappo Subba, has joined Indian club Sethu FC for a half-season stint. Formerly the captain of Nepal’s national team, Anjila has previously played in the Indian Women’s League with Sethu and participated in European professional leagues last season, including with Greece’s NIS Atromitos. She has 57 caps for Nepal and led the national team until the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. With approval from APF, her current club, she will represent Sethu in international competitions. Anjila has already arrived in India and participated in team training, according to film producer Prem Shrestha.

AI-Enabled “Trionda” Ball Unveiled for FIFA World Cup to Aid Offside and Handball Decisions:

The official FIFA World Cup match ball, Adidas’ AI-powered “Trionda”, has been unveiled. Designed to assist both players and match officials, the ball features integrated technology that helps determine offside and handball situations in real time. Its color scheme—white, red, blue, and green—represents host nations USA, Canada, and Mexico, incorporating a blue star for the USA, a red maple leaf for Canada, and a green eagle for Mexico. Using Adidas’ new Connected Ball Technology, the embedded chip transmits data on ball weight and player positions, enabling faster AI-assisted decisions. The ball is also engineered for enhanced flight stability, addressing past criticisms.

Unidentified Drones Spotted Over Belgian Military Base Amid Rising European Airspace Concerns:

Fifteen unidentified drones were observed over Elsenborn military base in eastern Belgium early Friday, discovered during routine surveillance testing at 1:45 am. The base, spanning 28 square kilometres, serves primarily as an army training camp. The drones’ origin and operators remain unknown, though some reports suggest they crossed from neighboring Germany. The incident follows similar drone disruptions across Europe, including flight cancellations at Munich Airport and airspace violations in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Estonia, and Romania. European leaders are debating the implementation of a “drone wall” to secure the eastern border. Russia has denied involvement, calling the accusations “unfounded.”

Macron Urges Forceful Action: Shoot Down Drones, Seize “Shadow Fleet” to Starve Russia of War Revenue:

French President Emmanuel Macron urged European leaders to adopt tougher measures against Russia, calling for drones that violate European airspace to be shot down and for interdiction of the so‑called “shadow fleet” tankers that clandestinely transport oil. Speaking at the European Political Community summit, Macron backed stronger sanctions on Russia’s energy sector and highlighted Ukraine as the frontline of a widening hybrid war. He cited French action detaining a sanctioned tanker and two crew members and said seizing shadow‑fleet vessels for short periods would disrupt Russia’s financing—which he estimated funds 30–40% of its war effort. Leaders signalled hardened stances after closed-door talks.