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.

SEE Results Published, 61.81 Percent Students Pass: The results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE) have been published. The National Examination Board released the results following a board meeting on Friday evening. According to the board, 61.81 percent of students have passed the SEE this year.

Simkot Will Be Connected to National Road Network in Some Days, PM Says: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that the district headquarters of Humla will be connected to the national road network in some days. In a Facebook post today, PM Oli shared that Simkot will be linked to the national road network in some days adding that the long wait for 26 years for road network is being fulfilled soon. Similarly, PM Oli has argued that Humla is not a remote district now, thanks to the road connectivity there.

JSP Nepal Withdraws Support From Lumbini Province Government: The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, led by Upendra Yadav, has officially withdrawn its support from the Lumbini Province government. The support was initially extended to the government led by Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya. JSP Nepal had earlier announced its decision to pull out support from the federal government headed by KP Sharma Oli, and the provincial move is part of the same decision.

NC President Deuba Says Occasional Disagreements with UML Are Normal: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has stated that occasional misunderstandings with the UML are normal. Although they share power in the ruling coalition, since UML is a different party, disagreements are natural, he said. Speaking to journalists on Friday in Bharatpur, Chitwan, President Deuba explained that differences in understanding on some government decisions arise for this reason and should not be considered unusual. “Since UML is a different party, sometimes disagreements occur; this is natural,” Deuba said, adding that the government is moving forward based on mutual consensus.

Foreign Minister Rana Departs for Italy to Attend FAO Conference: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba departed for Rome, Italy today to attend the 44th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference, scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 4. She will address the main sessions of the conference as well as other high-level events organized alongside it. The Nepali delegation she is leading includes Nepal’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the FAO, along with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

RSP Calls Parliamentary Party Meeting to Discuss Visit Visa Scandal: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has called a meeting of its parliamentary party for Saturday, Ashar 14 (June 28), at 9 AM. According to party spokesperson and House of Representatives member Manish Jha, the meeting will focus on the recent developments surrounding the visit visa scandal. The RSP has been actively protesting in Parliament, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who has been implicated in the scandal.

Appropriation Bill Tabled in National Assembly Without Amendments: The House of Representatives has forwarded the Appropriation Bill (Budget Bill) to the National Assembly with a message stating that no amendments were made. On Thursday, the bill was officially tabled in the National Assembly. National Assembly Secretary Dr. Surendra Aryal informed the assembly about the letter received from the House of Representatives, which stated that the bill was passed without any changes. Following the announcement, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel presented the Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly.

NC Calls Office-Bearers’ Meeting to Finalize Central Committee Agenda: The Nepali Congress (NC) has called a meeting of its office-bearers to finalize the agenda for the upcoming Central Working Committee meeting. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba has summoned the central committee meeting for Monday at 1 PM. To prepare for it, he has called an office-bearers’ meeting on Sunday. The office-bearers’ meeting will be held at 10:30 AM Sunday at Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha. The meeting will set the agenda for the central committee. This will be the first regular working committee meeting since last July.

Proposal to Grant Various Benefits to Private Schools Joining Public Educational Trusts: A discussion has begun on a proposal to provide various exemptions and facilities if private schools wish to join public educational trusts. In a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Health, and Information Technology held on Friday, deliberations advanced on this proposal. Committee Chairperson Ammar Bahadur Thapa presented the proposal concerning exemptions that could be granted to private schools willing to become part of public trusts.

Unified Socialist Holds Secretariat Meeting to Discuss Chair Nepal’s Court Case: The secretariat meeting of the CPN (Unified Socialist) was held at the party’s central office in Aloknagar today. The meeting was mainly focused on discussing the legal case involving party Chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal. Recently, the Special Court released Nepal on a bail of Rs 3.5 million in connection with the Patanjali Yogpeeth land case. According to party sources, internal party matters were also discussed during the meeting.

Dengue Detected Year-Round in Sudurpaschim, Experts Blame Climate Change: What was once considered a summer and monsoon illness, dengue is now appearing throughout the year in Nepal’s Sudurpaschim Province. From January to June 2025, 167 cases were reported across multiple districts, with cases even in colder months. Health experts and officials point to climate change as a key factor behind the expanding timeline of dengue outbreaks. Rising temperatures, prolonged mosquito breeding cycles, and irregular rainfall are allowing mosquitoes to thrive beyond the traditional season.

Hydropower Subsector Shares Rise Despite NEPSE Index Falling 4.45% This Week: While the NEPSE index dropped by 4.45%, the hydropower subsector index increased by 3.82 points this week. Hydropower companies led in share price rises and trading volume. On Thursday, Green Development Bank shares rose by 9.18%, and Saptakoshi Development Bank shares increased by 9%. Varun Hydropower, People’s Hydropower, and Super Madi Hydropower shares also gained significantly. The top five companies by trading volume were mainly hydropower firms.

Government Disaster Relief Fund Stands at NPR 4.65 billion: According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the government has NPR 4.65 billion available in various funds for rescue and relief efforts during natural disasters. This includes NPR 1.89 billion in the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, NPR 1.27 billion in the Central Disaster Management Fund, NPR 0.79 billion in provincial disaster funds, and NPR 0.69 billion in district disaster funds.

Negligence in Maintenance of Cargo Inspection Equipment at TIA Halts Operations: Cargo import-export operations at Tribhuvan International Airport are near suspension due to poor maintenance of inspection equipment. The Nepal Transport and Warehouse Ltd. is responsible for operating and maintaining X-ray scanners, weighing machines, and printing devices used during cargo clearance. Long delays in repairing these broken machines have frustrated cargo operators, threatening to halt cargo clearance entirely.

India Makes BIS Certification Mandatory for Sanitary Pads and Diapers Exported from Nepal: India has mandated Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for sanitary pads and diapers exported from Nepal. Additionally, only products with mandatory trademarks and sealed packaging are allowed entry into India. Nepalese manufacturers report that India does not allow exports of loosely packaged pads and diapers and imposes strict import regulations, but Nepal has yet to formulate policies to address import controls.

Energy Minister Deepak Khadka Announces Preparation for 220 kV Transmission Line with China: Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka stated that preparations are underway to build a 220 kV transmission line connecting Rasuwa Gadhi–Chilime–Jilong–Kerung with China. He discussed Nepal’s energy sector achievements and ongoing power trade agreements with India and Bangladesh at the fifth SCO Energy Ministers’ meeting in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

Teaser of Nepali Film ‘PR’ Highlights Struggles of Students Abroad: The teaser of the Nepali film PR, produced under the banner of Salon Salina Films, has been officially released. The teaser was launched during a special event held on Thursday. It portrays the emotional and financial struggles of Nepali students living in Australia, along with the pain and longing experienced by their families back home in Nepal. PR features a diverse cast including R.A. Suraj Paudel, Rajan Kunwar, Binita Karki, Pooja Chaudhary, Bimala Khatri, Asma Adhikari, Kushal Thapa, Ganesh Budhathoki, Krishna Thapa, Max, and Nabin Ghayal.

Poster of Nepali Film ‘Nakchhong’ Unveiled, Featuring Lead Actor Bhuvan Singh Rai: The poster of the upcoming Nepali film Nakchhong has been officially unveiled at a special event. Presented by Jyoti Raj Rai, the poster prominently features lead actor Bhuvan Singh Rai. The design showcases the Kathmandu cityscape in the background, alongside imagery representing the traditional Bijuwa (shamanic figure), hinting at the film’s cultural and spiritual themes. The film stars Yaseli Yonghang, Sushma Subba Gurung, Sara Rai, Tayahang Rai, Anusha Rai, Saroj Rai, Uttam Rai, Purna Limbu, Trichu Rai, and Dinesh Koirala, among others. Nakchhong is directed by Kiran Rai.

Barsha Siwakoti Signs Lead Role in Balchhi Dhurbe’s Film ‘Gobar Ganesh’: Television actor Marichman Shrestha, popularly known as ‘Balchhi Dhurbe’, is making a film titled Gobar Ganesh, which he will both direct and produce. Barsha Siwakoti has now been signed for the lead role in the film, Shrestha confirmed. A formal agreement between the production team and Siwakoti was signed on Thursday. Earlier, Padam Tamang, Maotse Gurung, Sitadevi Timalsina, and Pujana Ghimire ‘Puku’ had already been signed for the film.

‘Nepal Kids Idol’ Launches School Activation Campaign Ahead of Nationwide Talent Show: Organized by Jai Media Management, the children-focused talent show Nepal Kids Idol has officially launched its ‘School Activation’ campaign to promote the event among young participants. As part of the campaign, organizers are visiting various schools to raise awareness and encourage student participation. According to the organizers, children between the ages of 5 and 15 will be eligible to compete in the show. Jai Media founder Jay Raj Ray stated that the activation campaign has successfully generated interest among students, teachers, and parents.

Nepal To Play T20 Series In Australia: Nepal’s national cricket team is set to play a T20 series in Australia as part of its preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced. According to CAN, the Nepali team will stay in Darwin, Australia, from August 14 to 24 for the Top End T20 Series. However, the official schedule and details regarding the opposing teams Nepal will face have not yet been made public.

Nepal Reaches Pre-Quarterfinals in U-19 Boys’ Team Event at Asian Youth TT Championship: Nepal has advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the U-19 Boys’ Team Event at the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship, currently underway in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In Group 1 play, Nepal defeated Saudi Arabia 3–1 to secure its place in the pre-quarterfinals as group runners-up with a total of 3 points, according to team leader Jacky Maharjan. Nepal’s U-19 boys’ team comprises players Pravesh Basnet, Himal Bista, and Gananjay Dahal.

Nepal to Host First-Ever Franchise Indoor Premier League Cricket Tournament: For the first time in Nepal, a Franchise Indoor Premier League Cricket tournament is set to be organized by Kathmandu Sports Events Pvt. Ltd. The tournament will take place from Bhadra 23 to 28 (September 8–13) at Chunikhel, Budhanilkantha Municipality, in Kathmandu. Announcing the event at a press conference, organizers confirmed that the league will feature 10 franchise teams competing in matches of 10 overs each. The Royal Sports Park in Chunikhel has been selected as the venue for the high-energy indoor competition.

Taplejung Gold Cup to Begin from August 9, Final on Krishna Janmashtami: The third edition of the Taplejung Gold Cup Football Tournament—one of the district’s most prestigious sports events—will kick off on Shrawan 24 (August 9), organizers announced. The final match is scheduled for Shrawan 31 (August 16) on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. Organized annually by the Lakhajatra Management Committee during the Lakhajatra festival, preparations for the event have already started. According to committee secretary Tikendra Nepali, efforts are underway to build a spectator parapet at the match venue.

US Gained Nothing from Strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Says: Iran’s supreme leader has insisted the US “gained no achievements” from strikes on its nuclear facilities, in his first public address since a ceasefire with Israel was agreed on Tuesday. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the strikes did not “accomplish anything significant” to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program, and described the retaliation against an American air base in Qatar as dealing a “heavy blow”. It came as Washington doubled down on its assessment that the strikes had severely undermined Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Israel Kills Over 70 in Gaza as 549 Killed Seeking Aid in Past Month: Hospital sources in Gaza tell that at least 72 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the territory over the past 24 hours. Gaza’s Government Media Office says at least 549 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces while trying to access humanitarian supplies in the past four weeks, and a further 4,066 were injured at or near US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution sites. Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 56,259 people and wounded 132,458, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Iran Carries Out Wave of Arrests and Executions in Wake of Israel Conflict: Iranian authorities have carried out a wave of arrests and multiple executions of people suspected of links to Israeli intelligence agencies, in the wake of the recent war between the two countries. It comes after what officials describe as an unprecedented infiltration of Iranian security services by Israeli agents. Authorities suspect information fed to Israel played a part in a series of high-profile assassinations during the conflict. This included the targeted killings of senior commanders from the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and nuclear scientists.