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 to Hold Talks With Parties on Tuesday 

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has called parties represented in the dissolved Parliament for discussions related to elections. According to Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the Prime Minister plans to meet the parties represented in the dissolved Parliament on October 21. Letters have been sent today inviting both national and other parties to the discussion.

Sheetal Niwas Debunks Oli’s Claim On Interim PM appointment 

The Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas, has debunked CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli’s claim that he did not recommend former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to be appointed as interim prime minister. Presidential Press Adviser Kiran Pokharel said the interim government was formed with the consent of major political parties and on the written recommendation of then Prime Minister Oli.

Bipin Joshi Receives Final Honors in Israel

The body of Nepali hostage Bipin Joshi, who was killed while under Hamas captivity, has been sent back to Nepal. At a solemn ceremony held at Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to Joshi before his repatriation. The 23-year-old Nepali student had displayed extraordinary courage during the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, at Kibbutz Alumim.

Oli Clarifies He Did Not Recommend Sushila Karki as PM

The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli has stated that he did not recommend former Chief Justice Sushila Karki for the Prime Minister post. Speaking to editors, Oli described the current interim government as unconstitutional and said he had only written to the President under constitutional provisions to facilitate the formation of a new government. He explained, “Given the complex and fluid situation, my recommendation was intended to allow the President, as the guardian of the Constitution, to take necessary steps within constitutional and democratic processes to restore normalcy and control the situation. This was not a direct recommendation for Sushila Karki.”

Writ Filed Against Government’s Decision to Recall 11 Ambassadors

A writ has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the interim government’s decision to recall 11 ambassadors appointed by the previous KP Sharma Oli-led government. The Cabinet had approved the recall on October 16, 2025. The writ, filed by advocates Pratibha Upreti and Ananta Raj Luintel along with journalist Sunil Bhattarai, names the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as respondents. The petitioners argue that the interim government, formed only to conduct elections and hand over power to an elected government, does not have constitutional authority to make long-term political or diplomatic decisions.

PM Karki Urges Citizens to Register Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has called on all citizens to register in the voter list to secure their right to vote. Posting on social media, she said, “The government is preparing to hold parliamentary elections on March 5, 2026. I urge everyone to register in advance to ensure their voting rights.” The reminder comes amid rising political tensions, with CPN (UML) Chairman KP Oli openly opposing the elections and demanding the reinstatement of parliament, while other parties, including Nepali Congress, remain divided over the election process.

KP Oli Says Gen Z Movement Was Misled

CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli has claimed that the Gen Z movement was misled. In his first press conference since stepping down as Prime Minister, Oli said he views the movement in three parts, corresponding to its demands. “The Gen Z movement had three explicit demands: end corruption, maintain good governance, and reopen blocked social media platforms,” he stated. “The movement was misled and mobilized for protests at any cost.”

CIAA Files Corruption Case Against Former Additional Health Secretary Mishra

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against former Additional Health Secretary Dr. Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra at a Special Court, relating to irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment during her tenure as Director General of the Department of Health Services. The case implicates 15 individuals and claims damages exceeding Rs 140 million. Mishra’s name had recently been discussed in the previous government as a potential Health Minister, but she resigned from the ministry following the Gen Z movement.

Home Secretary Issues 7-Page Directive to All 77 CDOs

Home Secretary Rameshwar Dangal has issued a seven-page directive to all 77 Chief District Officers (CDOs) covering 11 key topics. Through this secretary-level decision on Sunday, Dangal instructed the CDOs to actively and diligently play their roles in maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, ensuring good governance, regulation, coordination, and facilitating public service delivery. He emphasized that their personal conduct should foster and strengthen citizens’ trust and confidence in the government.

Prachanda Calls for Party Transformation in Line with Gen Z Demands

Coordinator of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Convention Organizing Committee Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said the country is currently facing an extraordinary and complex situation, adding that the party’s role has become more significant in this difficult period. Speaking at a greetings exchange and tea reception event organized by the Maoist Centre Lalitpur Metropolitan Committee, Prachanda said the party has been given a huge responsibility, which is why a 10-point directive has been issued. Prachanda stated that the demands raised by the Gen Z protesters were also the party’s own demands, and that the Maoist Centre supports them.

Nepal to Receive Body of Bipin Joshi Tomorrow

The Nepali government is preparing to bring home the body of Bipin Joshi, who was killed by Hamas. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his body is scheduled to arrive in Nepal on Monday at 2:30 PM. A condolence ceremony will be held by the government upon arrival. Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Kshetri noted that although a Nepali delegation was planned to accompany the body, preparations are not yet complete. Bipin Joshi had gone to Israel under the “Learn and Earn” program and was taken captive by Hamas during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Three Dead, Nine Injured in Tractor Accident in Lamkichuha

A tractor carrying fertilizer overturned in Dhobeni Khola under Lamkichuha Municipality, killing three people and injuring nine others. The tractor, traveling from Bardgoriya Rural Municipality–4 toward Chisapani went out of control, according to Police Inspector Lokendra Bahadur Singh of the Lamki Police Station. The deceased have been identified as 64-year-old Dan Bahadur Saud, 34-year-old Harka Saud, and 16-year-old Sheetal Saud. The injured were rescued with help from locals and police and taken to Lalratna Hospital in Lamki.

Ganesh Kumar Shrestha Promoted to Lieutenant General in Nepal Army

Chief of Army Staff Ashokraj Sigdel on Sunday presented the insignia of Lieutenant General to Major General Ganeshkumar Shrestha at the Nepal Army Headquarters. The Army’s Public Relations and Information Directorate confirmed that Shrestha’s promotion was approved by the Cabinet. The ceremony was attended by fellow Lieutenant Generals and the families of the promoted officers.

Government Forms Committee to Address Nurses’ Salary Demands

The government has formed a 14-member committee to address the demands of nursing professionals regarding fair remuneration. The committee is led by Health Ministry Additional Secretary Prof. Dr. Shreekrishna Shrestha. The move follows protests by nurses from various private hospitals and medical colleges across the country, who have been demanding fair pay and benefits. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sushila Karki—who also serves as the Minister for Health—directed ministry officials to take immediate steps to resolve the issue.

Nepali Congress Delegates Make Fresh Appeal for Special Convention

Nepali Congress delegates who had previously submitted signatures demanding a special general convention have issued a fresh six-point appeal, raising concerns over the ongoing central committee meeting. At a press conference on Sunday at New Baneshwar, the delegates urged the current central working committee to take the demand seriously. Manoj Mani Acharya read the appeal on behalf of the signatories. The appeal emphasizes that under Article 17(2) of the party statute, convention representatives have the sovereign right to demand a special general convention, which cannot be obstructed.

RSP Leader Toshima Karki Opposes Secretariat Expansion

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Toshima Karki has expressed objections to the recent expansion of the party secretariat. Following the nomination of Sobita Gautam, Ganesh Parajuli, Shishir Khanal, and Hari Dhakal as new secretariat members, Karki called for a comprehensive party reform. In a letter sent to the party’s founding president Rabi Lamichhane on Sunday, Karki outlined a four-point stance, emphasizing the need for restructuring RSP’s leadership, principles, and policy programs.

CAAN Annex Building to Be Handed Over to Kathmandu District Court

The annex building of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) headquarters in Babarmahal has been approved to be handed over to the Kathmandu District Court. The decision was made by the authority’s board of directors, confirmed by General Manager Pradeep Adhikari. The board’s decision, taken in a meeting on October 16, was signed today by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, officially opening the door for negotiations and formal agreements with the court. The decision noted that the Kathmandu District Court building was damaged during protests on September 8-9 disrupting court operations.

Harka Sampang Registers Shram Sanskriti Party

Dharan Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Harka Sampang has officially registered his new political party, Shram Sanskriti Party, with the Election Commission. Sampang had submitted an application to form a new party on October 12 and completed the official registration process on Sunday. However, he has not yet disclosed the party’s policies or its leadership structure.

NEPSE Index Rises 16.67 Points, Closes at 2,503.85

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) opened the week on a positive note, with the index rising 16.67 points to close at 2,503.85. A total of 323 companies saw 6,199,929 shares traded over 28,737 transactions, amounting to Rs 2.79 billion in turnover. Among sectoral indices, Development Bank fell 0.21%, Mutual Funds 0.13%, and Non-Life Insurance 0.34%, while all other sectors recorded gains. Notable increases included Banking 0.87%, Finance 0.51%, Hotels & Tourism 0.72%, Hydropower 0.70%, Investment 0.75%, Life Insurance 0.33%, Manufacturing & Processing 0.90%, Microfinance 0.47%, Trading 0.90%, and Others 1.16%.

Capital Expenditure Declines Sharply in First Quarter

Capital expenditure has decreased compared to the same period last fiscal year. From mid-August to mid-October 2025/26, the government spent only Rs 19.18 billion — 4.7% of the annual target — while last year it had reached Rs 29.44 billion (8.36%). According to the Office of the Financial Comptroller General, recurrent expenditure during the first quarter reached Rs 256.8 billion, which is 21.75% of the annual target.

20 Commercial Banks Earn Rs 16.59 Billion Net Profit in First Two Months of FY 2025/26

In the first two months of FY 2025/26, 20 commercial banks collectively earned Rs 16.59 billion in net profit — a 6.2% decline compared to Rs 17.69 billion during the same period last year. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, profits increased in 10 banks and declined in 10 others. Siddhartha Bank, NMB Bank, Nepal Bank, Machhapuchhre Bank, and Laxmi Sunrise Bank recorded the highest profit growth.

Government Cuts Rs 122 Billion from Budget to Manage Priority Expenditures

The government has trimmed over Rs 122 billion from this fiscal year’s budget to manage expenditures for five key purposes. The cuts will fund the upcoming elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, repair and reconstruction of public property damaged during the Gen Z movement, rehabilitation of those affected by the protests, reconstruction of flood damage from October 4-5, and financing of ongoing priority projects.

Government Begins Process to Terminate 50 More Defunct Road Construction Contracts

The Department of Roads has initiated the process to terminate 50 additional non-performing road construction contracts that have been left incomplete for years. Offices under the department — including the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Offices in Kathmandu, Itahari, Pokhara, Surkhet, Janakpur, and Damauli — have begun termination proceedings. The Road Division Office, Janakpur, alone has issued a public notice for terminating 21 such contracts, the highest among all offices.

Suspense Thriller Film ‘Kasturi’ Announced

A new Nepali film ‘Kasturi’ starring Nikhil Upreti and Barsha Shiwakoti has been officially announced for production. The film is being produced by Dhiraj Agrawal under the banner of Ten Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. The movie, directed by Ritu Bohora, is a suspense thriller based on his own story. The film will combine mystery, fear, and intrigue, exploring psychological tension, murder, abduction, and conspiracy. This will be the first on-screen collaboration for Nikhil Upreti and Barsha Shiwakoti.

Comedy Film ‘Maijharo’ Gets Screening Approval

The upcoming film ‘Maijharo’, set to release on October 24 has received clearance from the Central Film Censor Board with a Universal certificate, allowing it to be screened for all audiences. Written and directed by comedian Wilson Bikram Rai, the film portrays life, culture, and social realities of Eastern Nepal. The cast includes Dhiraj Magar, Miruna Magar, Diya Pun, Sunil Thapa, Kabita Ale, Pushkar Gurung, Abhiyaraj Baral, Uday Subba, Buddhi Tamang, Rajani Gurung, Bishal Limbu, and Subhash Singh Thakuri.

Trailer of Family Drama ‘Paran’ Released

The trailer for the film ‘Paran’, scheduled for release on October 31, was unveiled in a launch event in Kathmandu. The movie explores family dynamics, focusing on an elderly father seeking closeness with his children in later life. The story highlights the tension that arises when children prioritize their own ambitions over parental companionship. Lead actor Neer Shah stars in the film.

New Folk Songs Released for Tihar

Shree Gopal Siddha Lok Bhajan Panini Samaj has released two new songs for Tihar: ‘Laxmi Pukar’ and ‘Deusi Bhailo’. Laxmi Pukar features lyrics, vocals, and music by Shesh Narayan Pokhrel. In Shreekrishna Leela Deusi Bhailo, the lyrics were written by Devi Prasad, Chudamani, and Ghanshyam Pokhrel, while vocals were performed by Devi Prasad Pokharel. Both songs have accompanying music videos directed by Suraj Khanal. Kapil Pokharel, a member of the society, said the songs incorporate traditional folk tunes from Arghakhanchi, Palpa, and Gulmi districts.

Sharad Bheswakar to Captain Nepal in Hong Kong Sixes

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a seven-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, with Sharad Bheshwakar as captain. The squad retains last year’s captain Sandeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, and Rashid Khan, while Basir Ahmad, Adil Alam, and Rupesh Singh make their debut. The 33-year-old Hong Kong Sixes tournament will take place from November 7–9 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.  Nepal had reached the second-plate semifinal last year, defeating England by six wickets and Australia by 11 runs, but lost to Sri Lanka and UAE.

Construction of Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium Reaches 40%

The construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Bharatpur, Chitwan, has reached 40 percent completion. The project is being developed by the Bharatpur Metropolitan City with support from both provincial and federal governments. According to city engineer Ghanshyam Mishra, work is currently underway on the parapet and the second floor of both towers. There are four parapets and two towers in total, with 122 workers currently engaged on-site.

Seven Nepali Athletes to Compete in Five Sports at Asian Youth Games

Nepal will be represented by seven athletes across five sports at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, scheduled from October 22 to 31, 2025. The competitors are: Sabina Shrestha (badminton), Ruven Thapa (golf), Samita Nepali (judo), Palestha Kakshhapati and Genji Rai (Muay Thai), and Atharva Singh and Arya Maharjan (swimming). Officials accompanying the team include Tilak Pandey (badminton), Dhruva Babu Thapa (golf), Devakimaya Shrestha (judo), Bhupesh Shakya (Muay Thai), and Nayana Shakya (swimming).

38 Palestinians Killed in Gaza as Israel Violates Ceasefire

Gaza’s media office has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement with Hamas 47 times since the truce began in early October, resulting in 38 Palestinian deaths and 143 injuries. “These violations include direct gunfire on civilians, deliberate shelling, and arrests of non-combatants—evidence that Israel continues its aggression despite the declared end of the war,” the statement read. Authorities in Gaza urged “the United Nations and guarantor nations” to take urgent steps to compel Israel to halt attacks and ensure the safety of civilians.

Afghanistan and Pakistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following a week of deadly clashes along their disputed border, in talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said early Sunday that the two countries also agreed to “establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability” between them. Doha added that follow-up meetings will be held in the coming days “to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner.”

Mass “No Kings” Protests Sweep Across US Against Trump Policies

Huge crowds gathered across major US cities — including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles — to protest President Donald Trump’s policies under the banner “No Kings.” Thousands filled New York City’s Times Square, holding placards reading “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional.” Ahead of the rallies, Trump allies accused demonstrators of ties with the far-left Antifa movement, labelling the protests as a “hate America rally.” While several states deployed the National Guard as a precaution, organizers said the nationwide demonstrations remained peaceful.

Colombia Accuses US of ‘Murder’ After Strike on Submarine

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the US of committing “murder” after striking what President Donald Trump has called a “drug-carrying submarine”. Writing on social media, Trump said two people were killed in the US attack on the vessel, which he said US intelligence confirmed was “loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics”. Petro responded on X, saying: “The Colombian boat was adrift and had its distress signal up due to an engine failure,” when it was struck. He added: “We await explanations from the US government.”