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 Holds Security Meeting, Government Opens Door for Political Dialogue:
Prime Minister Sushila Karki convened a high-level meeting with chiefs of all four security agencies to review Nepal’s current security situation. The discussion included Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal and Home Ministry Secretary Rameshwor Dangal. Security chiefs briefed the Prime Minister on potential demonstrations by various groups, providing a comprehensive analysis of risks. Following the meeting, Minister Aryal emphasized that political demands can be presented responsibly and reiterated the government’s readiness for dialogue with all concerned parties. The session highlighted the administration’s focus on maintaining law and order while facilitating discussions to address political issues through talks rather than street protests.

Home Minister Calls for Dialogue, Urges Protesters to Avoid Street Demonstrations:
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has urged groups staging street protests to engage in dialogue instead, emphasizing that the government is ready to address political demands through talks. Speaking after a security meeting with agency heads at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, Aryal stressed that protesters should respect others’ rights and avoid damaging public or private property. He warned against any violent activities and called on political forces to cooperate. The meeting also reviewed the country’s security situation, with the government focusing on maintaining law and order and ensuring a stable environment ahead of upcoming elections.

CPN-UML Vows to Pursue Elections and Parliament Reinstatement Amid Security Concerns:
CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said his party will advance preparations for the March 5 elections while pursuing the agenda of reinstating parliament. Speaking at a Sunwal gathering, Gyawali criticized the government for failing to create a conducive environment for elections and stressed that restoring parliament is key to addressing Gen-Z youth demands. He highlighted ongoing security challenges, including missing weapons and over 5,000 uncontrolled inmates from recent unrest. Gyawali called for impartial investigations, dialogue with Gen-Z representatives, and consensus-building to facilitate elections and parliament reinstatement. Leadership matters will be resolved through the party’s upcoming general convention.

Nepal Police Detain 50 Gen Z United Members Over Unauthorized Protest in Kathmandu:
Nepal Police detained 50 members of Gen Z United in Kathmandu for attempting to hold a demonstration at Maitighar Mandal without local administration permission. The District Police Range said the group was taken into custody to prevent potential clashes with other Gen Z factions and ensure their safety. Among those detained, 24 were female and 26 male. Gen Z United leader Madan Karki claimed their request for permission had been denied by the District Administration Office, calling the police action “undemocratic.” He said the protest aimed to promote unity among Gen Z groups, but authorities prevented the demonstration despite their prior approach.

Nine Injured as Force Vehicle Loses Brake in Arghakhanchi:
Nine people were injured when a force vehicle (Lu 1 Ja 4352) traveling from Chhatragunj, Chhatradev Rural Municipality, to Sandhikharka met with a brake failure at Danda Chaupari, Arghakhanchi-5. Of the 15 passengers on board, two are in critical condition: 27-year-old driver Bel Bahadur Mukhiya of Panini-8 and 70-year-old Bhojraj Bhusal of Malarani-1. The injured include Kamaladevi Pandey (68), Rima Bhusal (60), Sita Bhusal (35), Kamala Subedi (55), Pooja Pandey (18), her two-year-old daughter Pavitra Pandey, and Anjana Rasaili (23). All victims are receiving treatment at Arghakhanchi Hospital, authorities reported, while the cause of brake failure is under investigation.

Minister Ghising Urges Timely Completion of New Federal Parliament Building:
Urban Development Minister Kulman Ghising emphasized completing the new Federal Parliament building in the Singha Durbar complex on schedule during a site visit. He instructed the contractor to establish a daily work plan, noting the deadline has been extended five times, with final completion set for December 31. The building, covering 157 ropanis, is 87 percent finished, with interior work underway. Ghising cited damage to the existing New Baneshwar Parliament building during recent Gen-Z protests, which has disrupted National Assembly meetings. He stressed the urgency of finishing the new building to facilitate upcoming National Assembly sessions and House of Representatives meetings after elections.

KMC Designates Eight Sites for Chhath Festival, Deploys 300 Sanitation Workers:
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has identified eight locations for Chhath festival celebrations, including Kamalpokhari, Gaurighat, Boksidaha, Bagmati Dobhan, Tankeshwor, Balkhu Kumari Club, Kuleshwor Volleyball Ground, and Ramghat. Metropolitan Police Chief Rajunath Pandey said cleaning and preparation have already begun, with over 300 sanitation workers deployed to ensure a safe and hygienic environment. Authorities urged devotees not to park vehicles in designated areas and warned that no fees will be collected in the name of Chhath. The city has made systematic arrangements to facilitate smooth celebrations. Chhath involves worshipping the Sun God at rivers and ponds for health, prosperity, and well-being.

Over 30,000 Foreign Tourists Visit Annapurna Region in One Month:
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) reported that 30,547 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in Asoj (mid-September to mid-October), including 10,019 from South Asia and 20,528 from other countries. ACAP Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya said this figure is slightly lower than last year by 185 visitors, attributing the decline to the early-September Gen-Z protests and weather disruptions. He noted that September to November is the peak trekking season, with arrivals expected to rise further in Kartik (mid-October to mid-November). The increase in domestic tourists following the Tihar festival has been observed in Mustang and surrounding areas.

Upcoming Nepali Family Film Paran Launches Contest with Rs. 100,000 Prize to Boost Audience Engagement:
Nepali family drama Paran, set to release on Kartik 14, has announced a promotional contest offering Rs. 100,000 to engage viewers. The ‘Mero Paran’ contest invites participants to post a photo with their ‘Paran’—which can be a parent, spouse, partner, friend, or sibling—on social media with the caption and tag the film’s official Facebook page. One winner will receive Rs. 100,000, while 100 participants will get special show tickets. Additionally, 50 lucky audience members can watch the film with cast members by scanning QR codes during promotional tours. Directed by Deepak Prasad Acharya, the film stars Neer Shah.

‘Baristha Balram’ Draws Strong Audience Turnout Across Nepalese Theaters:
The Nepali film Baristha Balram, starring Dayahang Rai and Bijay Baral, has enjoyed impressive occupancy across cinemas nationwide during the Bhai Tika festival. Producers report first-day occupancy of 70–80%, with audiences flocking from both the capital and regional cities, prompting theaters to add extra shows. Viewers praised the actors’ on-screen chemistry, dialogues, and storytelling, noting the film delivers both entertainment and social messages. Directed by Surendra Paudel and produced by Anvi Films in collaboration with Brishabh Siddhi Entertainment, the movie features strong performances from a supporting cast including Samriddhi Aryal and Mao Tse Gurung. Positive reviews suggest a promising box-office run.

Nepali Film ‘Jerry on Top’ Secures Canada Distribution Following Domestic Success:
Nepali film Jerry on Top, starring Anmol KC, Jasita Gurung, and Aanchal Sharma, has secured distribution rights in Canada, announced by promoter Prachar Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Directors Ashish Puri and producer Vivek Thapa signed the agreement Friday, responding to high audience demand. The movie, which has been running in Nepalese theaters since Asoj 31 and remains house full in its second week, has earned over NPR 6 crore and drawn 75,000 viewers. Directed by Suyog Gurung, the film blends a love story with a Mount Everest expedition. Jerry on Top is also screening in the USA, Australia, and Malta, with Canadian screenings set from November 1.

Miss Universe Nepal Sanya Adhikari Departs for Thailand to Compete in 74th Miss Universe:
Miss Universe Nepal 2025, Sanya Adhikari, has departed for Thailand to participate in the 74th edition of the Miss Universe pageant. She was seen off at Tribhuvan International Airport by national director Sangita Puri and representatives of the organizing body. The global competition will culminate on November 21 at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Bangkok. Thailand is hosting Miss Universe for the fourth time, with 119 contestants competing, including Saudi Arabia making its debut. Preliminary competitions and the national costume showcase will begin on November 19. Sanya won the national title in October in Lalitpur, receiving NPR 200,000 and other prizes.

OSR Digital Becomes First Nepali YouTube Channel to Reach 10 Million Subscribers:
Nepali digital media leader OSR Digital has set a new record by crossing 10 million YouTube subscribers, becoming the first Nepali channel to achieve this milestone in official and commercial content distribution. Managing Director Om Agrawal thanked viewers, artists, musicians, and the entire team, promising higher-quality content and new initiatives in the future. Starting from VCDs and DVDs, OSR Digital has evolved into a major online entertainment platform, showcasing Nepali films, music, web series, and videos. Its other channels, OSR Reality and OSR Movies, are also active with over 2 million subscribers each, and international content expansion is planned.

Paro FC, Featuring Nepal’s Manikumar Lama, Falls 1-0 in AFC Challenge League Opener:
Nepalese midfielder Manikumar Lama’s Paro FC suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in their opening AFC Challenge League match against Oman’s Al-Sabha Club on Saturday. The game’s sole goal came from Kanon Markneh, who converted a penalty in the 26th minute, proving decisive for the visitors. With this win, Al-Sabha secured three points in Group A, while Paro FC begins the tournament with a setback. Paro will next face Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr FC on October 28, followed by a clash against Kyrgyzstan’s FC Abdish-Ata on October 31, aiming to recover and advance in the group stage.

Nepal Clinches Three Bronze Medals on Opening Day of South Asian Senior Athletics Championship:
On the first day of the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championship in Ranchi, India, Nepal secured three bronze medals. Santoshi Shrestha earned bronze in the women’s 5,000 meters with a time of 16:36.61, breaking the national record previously held by Kanchhi Maya Koju. Mukesh Pal claimed bronze in the men’s 5,000 meters, finishing in 14:25.54. Additionally, the Nepalese mixed 4×400 meter relay team, consisting of Ramita Kumari Tharu, Jayarani Tharu, Som Bahadur Kumal, and Ram Prasad Tharu, finished in 3:37.16 to secure another bronze. India dominated with golds in all three events, while Sri Lanka took two silvers. Nepal fields 26 athletes in the championship.

Afghan-Pakistani Negotiators Meet in Istanbul to Strengthen Border Ceasefire:
Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are meeting in Istanbul to address security concerns and establish a lasting ceasefire along their shared border after two weeks of intense clashes that killed dozens, including civilians. The confrontation began after Kabul blamed Pakistan for explosions in the Afghan capital, prompting retaliatory strikes. Following initial truce attempts, a second ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey has held. Saturday’s talks aim to formalize mechanisms for stability, including potential intelligence sharing and coordinated action against armed groups. While both sides emphasize security and territorial integrity, analysts caution that technical measures may not fully resolve the deeper drivers of cross-border tensions.

Trump Embarks on Asia Trip for Trade Talks with Xi, Hints at Possible Kim Meeting:
US President Donald Trump departed for Asia on Friday, aiming to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the ongoing trade war and potentially meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. His itinerary includes Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, Tokyo to meet Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi, and South Korea for the APEC summit in Busan. Trump hopes to finalize a deal with China to prevent 100 percent tariffs starting November 1, while also discussing fentanyl trafficking. Officials report constructive trade talks in Malaysia. Seoul authorities indicate a “considerable” chance of a Trump-Kim meeting, the first since 2019, amid ongoing nuclear negotiations.

EU Unveils Strategy to Reduce Dependence on Chinese Critical Raw Materials:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is developing a strategy to lessen its reliance on Chinese critical raw materials, following China’s tightened export restrictions on rare earths in October. These minerals, essential for automotive, defense, Greentech, and digital industries, currently see over 90% of EU consumption imported from China. In the short term, the EU will negotiate with China while seeking alternative sources through partnerships with countries including Ukraine, Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Chile, and Greenland. The initiative, named RESourceEU, builds on REPowerEU and emphasizes circular economy practices to recover critical materials from products already in Europe.