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 Meets Senior Journalists And Editors

Prime Minister Sushila Karki held a meeting with senior journalists and editors on Friday. According to PM Karki’s press advisor Ram Bahadur Rawal, the meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar and was also attended by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel.

Oli Urges Splintered UML Leaders to Rejoin Party

As preparations for party unification between the CPN (Unified Socialist) and the CPN (Maoist Centre) intensify, CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has called on those who had left the UML to return to the party. In an emotional Facebook message on Friday, Oli claimed that the UML has always been at the forefront in defending democracy, national sovereignty, and the rights of the people. He claimed that the UML has played a leading role in safeguarding the country’s independence, protecting democracy, and advancing development.

Gen Z Front Formed Under Leadership of Raksha Bam

A new political group named Gen-Z Front has been announced under the coordination of Raksha Bam. According to the organizers, the Front has been established with the goal of institutionalizing the “Gen Z Rebellion” and unifying agendas to reach an agreement with the state.

Unified Socialist’s Jhakri Opposes Merger With Maoist Centre

CPN (Unified Socialist) Standing Committee member Ram Kumari Jhakri has said that she and her faction are not against party unity, responding to ongoing debates within her party over a proposed merger with the CPN (Maoist Centre). Her remarks come amid the third plenary meeting of the party’s Central Committee, which has been in session for three days and has witnessed intense discussions on the unity proposal with the Maoists.

President Paudel to Attend Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar

President Ram Chandra Paudel is set to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development, which will be held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, from November 4 to 6. According to Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, President Paudel will lead a 12-member Nepali delegation to the summit at the invitation of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Supreme Court Seeks Written Response on Freezing Passports of Oli and Lekhak

The Supreme Court has sought a written response within 15 days regarding the freezing of passports and travel restrictions outside the Kathmandu Valley for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and others. A single bench led by Justice Nripadhwaj Niraula issued a show-cause notice to the government after the preliminary hearing of the writ petition filed on this matter, requesting a written reply. The petition was filed by advocate Dr. Premraj Silwal on October 29.

PM Karki Holds Talks on Malaysia’s Draft Standards for Employment Agencies

Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday held a high-level meeting at Singh Durbar to discuss Malaysia’s newly proposed standards for manpower and employment agencies. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal, Labour Secretary Krishnahari Pushkar, and senior officials from the ministries of Labour, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Law. According to officials, the 10-point proposal sent by the Malaysian government is only a draft and has not been finalized. The government decided to pursue bilateral consultations to ensure that any new provisions safeguard the interests of Nepali migrant workers.

Bhattarai Calls For Release of Rabi Lamichhane, Seeks Unity of Alternative Forces

Former chair of the Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti), Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, said Rabi Lamichhane should be released from prison by some means. Addressing the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) “Comprehensive Political Dialogue” held in Kathmandu on Friday, Bhattarai said he signed in support because he felt there had been an injustice against Rabi. Bhattarai said it would be better for Rabi to face his case while outside custody. “I believe it would be fairer if he could confront the charges from outside. His abilities and talents could then be put to use,” he said. He urged leaders of other parties present to reach minimal consensus and form a single party.

Nepali Congress Central Committee Meeting Postponed to Sunday

The Nepali Congress central committee meeting has been postponed to the day after tomorrow (Sunday). The delay came after Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma could not reach an agreement on the schedule for the party’s general convention. “A meeting was postponed and rescheduled for 1 PM on Sunday due to disagreements over the agenda,” said a central leader. Within the party, the establishment faction favors setting the schedule to hold the 15th general convention after the elections.

660,000 UML Members to Elect Representatives for 11^th General Convention

Communist Party of Nepal (UML) will select representatives for its 11th National Congress from a pool of 660,000 organized members. Kashinath Adhikari, head of the UML Organization Department, said that all members eligible to vote have renewed their membership by mid-April. “We have completed the final stage of verifying all organized members. Representatives will be elected solely from these 660,000 members,” Adhikari confirmed.

NC Signatories Call Strategic Meeting to Push for Party Convention

The group of Nepali Congress representatives who signed a petition demanding the party’s general convention has called a strategic meeting for Sunday. According to coordinator Guru Ghimire, the meeting will take place at 12:30 PM on Sunday in Baneshwar.  Ghimire said that party representatives currently in Kathmandu — particularly those who signed the petition for a special general convention — will participate in the gathering. The meeting is being convened with the aim of exerting pressure on the party leadership to bring forward a schedule for the regular general convention.

New Provisions Implemented for Visit Visa; All Previous Rules Cancelled

The Department of Immigration has introduced new standards for visit visas, cancelling all previously issued provisions and regulations, according to spokesperson Tikarama Dhakal. Under the new rules, applicants for a visit visa must hold a passport valid for at least six more months, possess a valid visa for the destination country, have air tickets to the destination, provide all necessary documents for the visit, and submit a self-declaration accepting full responsibility for any consequences arising from the trip.

Kathmandu Metropolitan Demolishes Unauthorized Structures at Thapathali Ram Temple

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) demolished unauthorized structures built at the Ram Temple in Thapathali on Friday. A KMC team took control of the heritage site and removed the illegally constructed structures that were also being rented out, despite repeated notices to vacate. Since the structures were built by encroaching on land owned by the Guthi Sansthan and were not removed voluntarily, the KMC, with the support of the municipal police, brought in dozers to demolish them. Residents living in temporary shelters were evacuated before the demolition.

Cyclone Montha Hits Eastern Nepal, Morang Sees 210 mm Rain

The Cyclone Montha, developing over the Bay of Bengal, has caused heavy rainfall in Nepal over the past 24 hours, with Morang’s Sundar Haraicha recording the highest 210 millimeters. According to official records, Saptari’s Baramjhiya received 143 millimeters of rainfall. Dinkar Kayastha, Information Officer at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, said the cyclone has mainly affected Madhesh and Koshi provinces, though rainfall and cloudy conditions were reported in Bagmati and other provinces as well. He described the rain as intense, noting that rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters is categorized as extremely heavy.

VIP Lounge at Tribhuvan Airport Remains Closed After Gen Z Protests

The VIP lounge at Tribhuvan International Airport, used for the arrival and departure of distinguished individuals, remains closed following the Gen Z protests. According to airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, the lounge was initially closed on September 11 during the protests and has not reopened since. All VIP travelers now stand in the same queues as ordinary passengers. Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul explained that the lounge was closed at the time due to security concerns. “There is no new decision regarding reopening,” he said, “it can only reopen after new security protocols are put in place.”

Jomsom–Kagbeni Road Collapses, Traffic Completely Halted

Continuous rainfall has caused the Jomsom–Kagbeni road section of the Beni–Jomsom–Korala route under the Kaligandaki Corridor to collapse, bringing traffic to a complete halt. Around 50 meters of the blacktopped road at Panda Khola has caved in, disrupting all vehicular movement. According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Santosh Batsyal, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Mustang, the road has been completely blocked by landslides mixed with mud falling from the slopes above. As a result, all traffic movement from Jomsom to Kagbeni, Muktinath, and Upper Mustang has been suspended.

NMA Submits Suggestions to Health Minister to Improve Health System

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has presented recommendations to Health and Population Minister Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam aimed at strengthening the country’s health system. NMA officials, led by President Dr. Anil Karki, met the minister on Friday to convey their best wishes for her tenure and provide various suggestions.The recommendations focused on strengthening primary healthcare, making the National Health Insurance Program more effective, and clarifying monitoring and accountability mechanisms across federal, provincial, and local levels.

Diesel And Kerosene Prices Reduced, Petrol Unchanged

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reduced the prices of diesel and kerosene while keeping the petrol price unchanged. According to the corporation, prices of fuel imported from India have decreased — petrol by Rs 0.03 per liter and diesel by Rs 1.19 per liter. Following this, NOC decided to cut the retail prices of diesel and kerosene by Rs 1 per liter, effective from midnight Friday.

Government Debt Stands at 2.68 Trillion

As of mid-October 2025, the government’s total debt has reached Rs 2.724 trillion. By the end of the last fiscal year (mid-July 2025), it stood at Rs 2.674 trillion. The outstanding public debt now accounts for 44.61 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Out of the total debt as of mid-October, external loans make up 53.09 percent (Rs 1.446 trillion), while domestic loans account for 46.91 percent (Rs 1.278 trillion). For the current fiscal year, the government has targeted to mobilize Rs 595 billion in public borrowing.

NRB’s Investment Abroad Surpasses Rs 1.8 Trillion

The Nepal Rastra Bank’s (NRB) foreign investments have exceeded Rs 1.8 trillion. According to the bank’s data, as of mid-October, its investment in foreign securities has reached Rs 1.81 trillion. At the end of last fiscal year, the figure was Rs 1.50 trillion. This investment remains the central source of income for the NRB. The bank invests this amount in foreign bonds using Nepali currency obtained through remittances and foreign currency reserves. This is the NRB’s main source of revenue.

NAC to Appoint New Managing Director Through Open Competition

The Managing Director of Nepal Airlines Corporation will now be selected through an open competition. A committee has been formed under the coordination of Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Hariprasad Mainali, to shortlist and recommend qualified candidates through open competition. Prime Minister Sushila Karki, in her capacity as the departmental minister, approved the formation of the committee today. Captain Kul Bahadur Limbu has been appointed as the expert member of the committee. The Head of the Planning and Administration Division of the ministry, who is also a Joint Secretary, will serve as the member-secretary.

Construction Entrepreneurs Brief Finance Minister Khanal Amid Wave of Contract Cancellations

As the government has begun issuing a series of notices to terminate contracts, a delegation from the Federation of Contractors Associations of Nepal met Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal to brief him on the problems facing the construction industry. The federation drew the minister’s attention to the need to amend impractical laws and regulations related to the construction sector. In response, Minister Khanal said he had already instructed relevant agencies to begin necessary amendments.

Nepal Reinsurance Company Faces Rs 16 Billion Claims

The state-owned Nepal Reinsurance Company (Nepal Re), which had taken sole reinsurance for riot and terrorism-related risks, has received reinsurance claims worth Rs 16.51 billion due to the Gen Z movement.
Because of the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, non-life insurance companies received 3,187 claims totaling Rs 23.24 billion. According to data from the Insurance Board, out of these, non-life insurers submitted 2,868 reinsurance claims worth Rs 16 billion to Nepal Re.

Film ‘Paran’ Gets Single-Screen Release Across Nepal

Under the Friday release schedule, the film ‘Paran’ received a single-screen showing across the country starting Friday. ‘Paran’ is the debut directorial venture of Deepak Prasad Acharya (Kaku). The film stars veteran actor Neer Shah in a central role, alongside Madan Krishna Shrestha, Pooja Chand, Mahesh Tripathi, Anjana Baraili, Keki Adhikari, Praveen Khatri, Buddhi Tamang, Yaseli Yonghang, Babin Rai, Pushparaj Ojha, Seema Kafle, Daman Rupakheti, Yaman Shrestha, Subhatraraj Acharya, Suresh Thapa, Vinod Rai, and child actor Aryadip Acharya. The film is produced under the Bioscope Cinema banner.

Anmol KC’s ‘Jerry on Top’ Crosses Rs 100 Million at Box Office

The film ‘Jerry on Top’, starring actor Anmol KC, has grossed over Rs 100 million at the box office. This marks the first time in Anmol KC’s decade-long film career that one of his films has crossed the 100-million milestone. To celebrate the achievement, the film’s production team held a special event in Kathmandu on Friday. The celebration saw Anmol KC, Jasita Gurung, Anchal Sharma, Bhuwan KC, Kedar Ghimire, director Suyog Gurung, producer Saroj Neupane, and others cutting a cake and sharing their joy over the film’s success.

Child Singer Ashok Darji’s Journey Portrayed in Film ‘Man Binako Dhan’

The film ‘Man Binako Dhan’ chronicles the life and struggles of child singer Ashok Darji. Directed by musician and singer Tanka Budhathoki, who supported Darji from his street singing days to professional performance, the film portrays the conflict between heart and wealth in contemporary society while showing Darji’s journey from ‘zero to hero’. Budhathoki stated that the story is based on Darji’s childhood experiences and clarifies some past allegations against him, highlighting the transformation of his life from singing on the streets to becoming a professional singer.

Nepathya to Perform in Pokhara with NPL Team Pokhara Avengers

The popular Nepali band Nepathya is set to perform a concert in Pokhara, organized by the Nepal Premier League (NPL) franchise team Pokhara Avengers. The event, titled “Nepathya for Cricket”, will take place on Friday, November 7, at Pokhara Football Stadium. According to Pokhara Avengers, the concert aims to connect cricket and music. Fans in Pokhara can purchase the jerseys through Nepathya’s official website to attend the concert.

Hari Khadka Appointed Head Coach of Nepal National Football Team

Hari Khadka has been appointed as the head coach of the Nepal national football team. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has entrusted the former captain with the responsibility of leading the team. Khadka previously served as ANFA’s Technical Director. The appointment follows the resignation of foreign coach Matt Ross, who stepped down from his one-year contract earlier this week.

ANFA Suspends Senior Vice President Bir Bahadur Khadka Until Next General Assembly

The All-Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has suspended Senior Vice President Bir Bahadur Khadka until the next general assembly. The decision was taken during an emergency video conference meeting on Friday, held under ANFA’s bylaws, Articles 32 (2) and (6). The main agenda of the meeting was disciplinary action against Khadka, as per Article 38 (16) of the ANFA constitution.

First Jhapa Women’s Gold Cup Postponed to Monday

The First Jhapa Women’s Gold Cup 2025, an international invitational knockout football tournament originally scheduled to start on Saturday, has been postponed by two days. The organizers cited heavy rainfall expected in Jhapa and other parts of the country due to Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal as the reason for the delay. As a result, the opening match has been rescheduled for Monday, November 3, between the Nepal Police Club Women’s Team and Church Boys United Women’s Team.

Second Nepalgunj National Swimming Championship Kicks Off

The second Nepalgunj National Swimming Championship began Friday morning in Nepalgunj. The event, organized by the Nepalgunj Swimming Club, was inaugurated by Lumbini Province Youth and Sports Minister Santosh Kumar Pandey. Minister Pandey highlighted the immense potential of the sports sector in Lumbini Province and affirmed the provincial government’s commitment to its development. The opening ceremony was chaired by Club President Keshwar Raj Neupane, with a welcome speech by Senior Vice President Suryamani Adhikari.

Tanzania Opposition Claims Around 700 Killed in Post-Election Protests

Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, has claimed that roughly 700 people have died in protests following this week’s disputed elections. Chadema spokesperson John Kitoka said “around 350” deaths occurred in the capital Dar-es-Salaam and more than 200 in the northern city of Mwanza. “If we add the figures from other parts of the country, the total comes to around 700 deaths,” he said. The party said its members visited hospitals across Tanzania to estimate the toll. The unrest comes after chaotic elections that have led to clashes between protesters and authorities, with curfews imposed in major cities.

Prince Andrew Loses ‘Prince’ Title, Ordered to Vacate Windsor Mansion

Prince Andrew is being stripped of his “Prince” title and will leave his official residence, the Royal Lodge in Windsor. The move follows a decision by King Charles to further distance the monarchy from his brother’s ongoing controversies. Andrew, now to be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, is expected to relocate to a smaller property on the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk. Earlier this month, he relinquished his remaining royal titles, including the Duke of York, amid renewed public scrutiny over his private life. The development comes after the publication of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who reiterated her allegations that, as a teenager, she was forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions.

Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica and Haiti, Killing Dozens

At least 19 people have died in Jamaica due to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon said on Friday. The storm has also claimed at least 30 lives in Haiti, making it one of the most powerful and deadly hurricanes to strike the Caribbean in years. In Jamaica, entire communities have been marooned or flattened, particularly in western regions. “There are devastating scenes,” Dixon said, adding that many areas remain inaccessible to emergency services. Power remains out across most of the island, and residents are struggling to salvage belongings from floodwaters and mud.

Israeli Strikes Continue in Gaza Despite Declared Ceasefire

Israeli warplanes and artillery continued to pound the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday, despite Israel’s claim that it had returned to a ceasefire two days earlier. Residents in Gaza say they fear a return to full-scale bombing as they search for food, water, and shelter amid widespread destruction. “We hear the sounds of jets every night,” one resident told local media. Meanwhile, Hamas has handed over the bodies of two more deceased Israeli captives, which Israel says have been positively identified. According to Gaza health officials, at least 68,527 Palestinians have been killed and 170,395 injured since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023.

India and US Sign 10-Year Defense Cooperation Framework

India and the United States have signed a framework agreement to expand defense cooperation over the next decade, marking a significant deepening of strategic ties between the two nations. The pact was announced following a meeting in Kuala Lumpur between US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh. According to Hegseth, the agreement will boost coordination, information sharing, and technological cooperation, while advancing regional stability and deterrence. Singh described the deal as a demonstration of growing strategic convergence, posting on X that it will herald a new decade of partnership, with defense remaining a major pillar of bilateral relations.