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.

At Least Seven Killed in Rukum Jeep Accident

At least seven people were killed on the spot when a jeep met with an accident at Jharmare in Banphikot Rural Municipality-7 of Rukum West on Friday evening. According to police, the jeep (registration number Ra 1 Ja 422) was en route from Musikot Khalanga, the district headquarters, to Syalakhadi of Aathbiskot Municipality when it veered off the road at Jharmare, located on the border between Aathbiskot Municipality and Banphikot Rural Municipality.

Maoist Centre, Unified Socialist Near Pre-Election Merger

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) are set to merge before November 16 to contest upcoming elections as a unified party. Both sides have agreed on Marxism–Leninism as their ideological foundation, dropping previous Maoist and multi-party people’s democracy principles, and plan a streamlined leadership structure with fewer top positions. Party name options under discussion include CPN (Socialist) or Nepal Communist Party, with the traditional communist flag to be retained. Final preparations and internal objections, mainly from some senior Unified Socialist leaders, are expected to be resolved soon.

Gen Z Rally Honors Fallen Protesters at Maitighar Mandala

A “Gen Z United” rally was held at Maitighar Mandala on Friday, calling for unity among Gen Z groups and urging the public not to forget the blood of the martyrs who died during the September protests that reshaped Nepal’s political landscape. The peaceful demonstration saw participation from children, youth, and families of martyrs, who carried placards reading “Nation First, Ego Later” and “Let’s Not Stay Silent When the Country Suffers — Let’s Unite.” Family members of those who lost their lives in the Gen Z movement joined the rally, reminding participants that the sacrifices of the martyrs must not go in vain.

Election Commission Reviews Applications of 15 New Political Parties

The Election Commission (EC) has stated that it is studying the documents of 15 political parties that have applied for registration. Out of these, 10 parties submitted their applications before the announcement of the House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026, and five submitted theirs after the announcement. According to EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, while parties can generally apply for registration at any time, the formation of a new government following the Gen Z Movement, the dissolution of the House, and the election announcement have prompted increased youth participation in party registration. He added that applications meeting all requirements will be approved.

Nepal Steps Up Preparations for COP-30 Climate Summit

As the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP-30) under the UN climate framework approaches, Nepal has intensified its preparations. Scheduled from November 10–21 in Belém, Brazil, the summit will focus on reducing fossil fuel consumption, conserving forests, oceans, and biodiversity, transforming agriculture and food systems, human development, and technology and capacity building. Nepal plans to highlight outcomes from the “Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025,” particularly on Himalayan conservation.

Nepal Army Completes 32 Strategic Road Projects

The Nepal Army, the country’s primary security organization, has completed 32 strategically important road projects, officials report. Manoj Thapa, Director of Military Operations Department, stated that the army has opened over 1,400 kilometers of “pilot tracks” and handed them over to the government. As part of these initiatives, the Karnali Corridor—a national pride project—was connected to the national road network in Humla after the installation of a Bailey bridge at Chuwa Khola in Kharpunath, with significant contribution from the Nepal Army.

Nepali Congress Launches “Voter Registration Campaign” via Circular

Nepali Congress general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have issued a circular to local committees urging completion of voter registration by November 16, instructing provincial presidents and party units to actively participate in line with the Election Commission’s notice. The circular directs provincial committee members and office bearers to lead the campaign in different districts immediately after Chhath, asks all district committees and subordinate units to prioritize voter registration over other tasks, and urges provincial parliamentary party members to promote registration in their constituencies. Citizens can register at designated Election Commission centers by November 16, bringing citizenship certificates, while youths without citizenship must obtain one to register the same day.

Home Minister Did Not Enter Pashupatinath Temple With Shoes: PADT

The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has clarified that Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal did not enter the main Pashupatinath temple wearing leather shoes. On Wednesday, October 22, Minister Aryal visited the Pashupati area privately with his family and offered prayers at key temples, avoiding restricted zones, PADT acting Secretary Subhash Chandra Joshi confirmed. A photo shared on social media showing him at a doorway outside the main temple’s southwest corner was misleading, PADT stated.

Three Girls Drown in Kulariya River in Kailali

Three young girls drowned on Friday while playing in the Kulariya River, part of the Rani Jamara irrigation system in Kailali. According to Tikapur Police, the victims were 12-year-old Sulochana Upadhyay from Janaki Rural Municipality–5, 10-year-old Nisha Bajgain, and 8-year-old Mansi Bajgain. The girls went swimming at noon on Friday, and when two tried to rescue the third, all three drowned. Locals pulled them out and rushed them to Tikapur Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Two Men Found Dead in Jhapa

In Jhapa district, two men, including an elderly man, were found dead this morning in Damak Municipality and Kamal Rural Municipality. According to the Damak Police Station, 61-year-old Tek Bahadur Khadka, a resident of Kamal Rural Municipality-5, was found dead in his own home. At the time, his wife, Kabita Khadka, had traveled to Chitwan to celebrate the Tihar festival. Similarly, 71-year-old Ambika Khanal of Damak Municipality-8 was found dead in his home this morning, police said. Police Inspector Nabin Rai stated that legal formalities were completed in both cases, and the bodies were sent to Damak Hospital for postmortem.

Facebook Feud Erupts Between UML’s Shankar Pokharel and Home Minister Aryal

A heated Facebook exchange has erupted between CPN (UML) General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal over the handling of the September 8 and 9 Gen Z protests. Pokharel accused Aryal of obstructing police action against those responsible for the violence, vandalism, arson, and looting, emphasizing that perpetrators must face legal consequences and that the UML fully supports independent police investigations. In response, Aryal strongly refuted the claims, calling them baseless and urging Pokharel, as a senior leader, not to exaggerate or fuel societal rumors.

 25 Injured in Separate Road Accidents Across Tanahun

At least 25 people were injured in eight separate road accidents that occurred in various parts of Tanahun district on the day of Bhai Tika, police said. According to the District Police Office, Tanahun, the most serious incident took place along the Prithvi Highway at Myagde Rural Municipality–1, Gunadi, where a bus (Ga 1 Kha 9301) heading to Damauli from Tharpu met with an accident, leaving 12 people injured. All of them are undergoing treatment at Provincial Hospital, Damauli. Police said all the injured are receiving treatment at various hospitals, and investigations are ongoing into the causes of the accidents.

NRB Pulls Liquidity After Loan Demand Stalls

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has significantly stepped-up liquidity-absorption operations after the demand for credit failed to pick up, putting strain on its liquidity-management strategies. Despite falling interest rates, banks and financial institutions have not seen a rise in fresh borrowing, leaving excess funds in the system and forcing the central bank to withdraw liquidity to maintain monetary stability.
Since the start of the current fiscal year, the NRB has absorbed Rs 770 billion from the market.  NRB officials say that when lending growth stalled, the central bank increased deposit-rate hikes to drain liquidity and keep interbank rates above the corridor’s lower bound.

Number of Labor Supplier Companies in Nepal Exceeds 400

The number of labor supplier companies in Nepal has surpassed 400.
According to the latest data from the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety, 437 companies were registered to operate as labor suppliers during fiscal years 2024/25 and 2025/26, including new registrations and renewals. Most of these companies are engaged in providing security services. The government has warned against operating labor supply services without registration and advised clients not to hire workers through unregistered firms. With stricter registration procedures, the number of registered companies has continued to rise.

Cross-Border QR Payments in Nepal Reach Over Rs 400 Million Monthly

One year after the launch of cross-border QR payments, Nepal now records over Rs 400 million in monthly digital transactions. So far, Nepal Rastra Bank has only implemented cross-border QR acquiring — allowing foreigners to make payments in Nepal using QR codes. Data from the central bank show that foreigners make payments exceeding Rs 400 million each month via QR codes. However, Nepali citizens still cannot make QR payments in other countries, as NRB has not yet introduced that system.

Nepali AI Company Fusemachines Listed on NASDAQ

Fusemachines, an artificial intelligence (AI) company founded by Nepali entrepreneur Dr. Sameer Maskey, has officially been listed on the U.S. stock exchange NASDAQ. The company’s common shares began trading under the symbol “FUSE” on Thursday. With this milestone, Fusemachines has become the first company of Nepali origin to be listed on NASDAQ. The company described this achievement as a new chapter in its mission to “democratize AI for all.”

Saudi Arabia Abolishes Kafala System, Benefiting Nepali Workers

Saudi Arabia has officially ended its 70-year-old Kafala system, benefiting more than 13 million foreign workers. According to the new rules, workers can now change jobs or leave the country without their sponsor’s permission and have access to legal support. The Kafala system had long been criticized internationally for restricting labor rights and promoting forced labor and human trafficking. The end of the sponsorship system will benefit millions of workers, mainly from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines.

Film Maijharo Hits Screens Across Nepal

From Friday, the film Maijharo has been released nationwide, following the tradition of Friday movie premieres. Directed by Wilson Bikram Rai, known for Takme Budha, this is his directorial debut. The film features lead performances from Dhiraj Magar, Miruna Magar, and Diya Pun and has secured over 80 shows across the country. Centered on a love triangle, Maijharo received a Universal Certificate from the Nepal Film Censor Board and has a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes. The release coincides with the Tihar and Chhath festivals, aiming to attract holiday audiences.

Baristha Balaram and Soltini See Strong Opening Nationwide

Two films, Baristha Balaram and Soltini, which were released on Thursday to coincide with the Bhaitika festival, have reported successful openings at the box office. Both films, produced with different storylines, have performed well across the country, according to the producers. Baristha Balaram, directed by Surendra Paudel, stars Dayahang Rai and Bijay Baral in lead roles. Audiences have responded positively, noting that the film combines entertainment with a social message. The storyline, which highlights the exploitation of natural resources, has been particularly praised as relatable and meaningful.

 Singer Neetu Paudel Dies Following Self-Immolation Attempt

Singer Neetu Paudel, who set herself on fire by pouring petrol over her body, has passed away. She died on Friday morning during treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital, according to SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai of Kathmandu District Police. Paudel had attempted self-immolation last Saturday afternoon at the office of musician and singer Babul Giri. She was immediately rescued and taken to the hospital, but her injuries proved fatal.

Nepal Registers First Win in CAVA Cup Men’s Volleyball

After suffering consecutive defeats in the first two matches, Nepal has finally secured its first victory in the CAVA Cup Men’s Volleyball Championship. In the third match held on Friday at the indoor hall in Dhaka, Nepal defeated the Maldives in straight sets. Facing one of the weakest teams in the tournament, Nepal comfortably won the first set 25–21. The second set was more competitive, but Nepal still managed to take it 25–23. In the final set, Nepal faced little resistance and sealed the match with a 25–18 victory.

Pokhara Avengers Sign England’s Adam Rossington for NPL Season 2

Pokhara Avengers have signed experienced England wicketkeeper-batter Adam Rossington for the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled to be held from November 17 to December 13. The franchise said Rossington, 32, was brought in to strengthen the team’s top order ahead of the upcoming tournament. Rossington has had a long domestic career in England. He began his professional journey with Middlesex, later representing Northamptonshire and Essex. In county cricket, he has played over 100 first-class matches, and in the T20 format, he has featured in 186 games, amassing 3,586 runs.

Australian All-Rounder Bosisto Signs with Karnali Yaks for NPL 2

Karnali Yaks Sports Pvt. Ltd. has signed Australian all-rounder William Bosisto for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), set to take place from November 17 to December 13. Grihendra Ghimire, director of Karnali Yaks, confirmed that Bosisto, a player from the Australia U-19 team, will join the team for the upcoming tournament.  He becomes the second foreign player contracted by Karnali Yaks, following Scotland spinner Mark Robert James Watt. Ghimire noted that Bosisto’s experience from the first NPL edition is expected to benefit the team in this second edition.

Lahiru Milantha to Play Second NPL Season with Janakpur Bolts

American cricketer of Sri Lankan origin, Lahiru Milantha, will represent Janakpur Bolts again in the second season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The team confirmed they have re-signed Milantha for this season. Milantha, who has previously played for Sri Lanka ‘A’ and the Emerging Sri Lanka squad, has experience playing in Nepal. He played for Lumbini All Stars in the Nepal T20 League organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal three years ago and is currently active in cricket in the United States.

At Least 25 Killed in Fiery Bus Crash in India

At least 25 people lost their lives early Friday morning when a Kaveri Travels Volvo bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The accident occurred around 3:30 am, and within minutes, flames engulfed the entire vehicle.  Twelve passengers managed to escape, some with critical burn injuries, while several others were trapped inside the burning bus. Rescue teams struggled for hours to control the blaze and recover the charred bodies from the wreckage. Authorities are working to identify the victims.

Trump Halts All Trade Talks with Canada After Ontario’s Anti-Tariff Ad Sparks Fury

US President Donald Trump has abruptly ended all trade negotiations with Canada following the release of a controversial advertisement criticizing his tariff policies. The advert, funded by the provincial government of Ontario, quoted former US President Ronald Reagan — a revered figure in American conservatism — warning that tariffs “hurt every American.” The message appeared to target Trump’s recent protectionist measures. In a fiery post on social media, Trump denounced the advert as “FAKE” and “egregious,” declaring that “trade talks are HEREBY TERMINATED.” His statement immediately threw ongoing discussions between Washington and Ottawa into uncertainty.

UN Urges Israel to Open More Aid Crossings as Gaza Faces Humanitarian Crisis

The United Nations has called on Israel to allow “more aid trucks at more crossing points” into Gaza, as aid deliveries remain well below the levels outlined in the recent ceasefire agreement. Despite the ceasefire, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face severe shortages of food and clean water. Many residents are also unable to return to their homes due to the ongoing presence of Israeli troops in the region. The United States is pressing Israel to comply with the agreement, with senior diplomat Marco Rubio being the latest American official to visit the country and emphasize the need for humanitarian access.

Trump to Meet Xi in South Korea Amid Rising US-China Trade Tensions

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on 30 October in South Korea, during the sidelines of an Asian summit, the White House confirmed. The meeting, planned for several weeks, faced uncertainty as tensions between the world’s two largest economies escalated. This will mark the first in-person encounter between Trump and Xi since the former resumed office. The backdrop of the meeting is a growing trade dispute: Trump has threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November if Beijing does not ease its tightened restrictions on rare earth exports.