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 stories you need to know today.

PM Oli Criticizes ‘Gen Z’ Agitation, Calls for Respect of Constitution

The CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that while many things can be tolerated, he will never accept the humiliation of the nation. Addressing delegates on the final day of UML’s Statute Convention at the Sunrise Convention Center in Godavari, Lalitpur, Oli emphasized the party’s opposition to disorder and disrespectful behavior. “Nationalism is neither poetry nor a fleeting interest. We are a force that has sacrificed for free speech and national pride. UML does not oppose social media, but illegal business practices under the guise of legality will not be tolerated,” Oli said.

KMC Mayor Balen Shah Backs Gen Z Movement
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Sah, popularly known as ‘Balen,’ has expressed support for the spontaneous Gen Z movement called across the country on Monday, including the capital. Posting on Facebook, he stated that due to age restrictions, he could not participate in the rally but fully supports the cause. “Tomorrow, in this spontaneous rally, no party, leader, worker, lawmaker, or activist should act for personal gain. I cannot attend due to age limits, but it is important to understand their message. I give my full support,” Balen wrote.

Journalists Protest Government’s Social Media Ban
Journalists demonstrated against the government’s restriction on social media. Organizations including the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and Nepal Press Union held a protest on Sunday at Maiti Ghar, Kathmandu, carrying banners. Protesters chanted slogans such as “The people’s mouths cannot be gagged,” “Freedom of expression is our right,” and “The government kicked our stomachs, took away our rice and lentils, withdraw undemocratic decisions.” Journalist leaders demanded that the government immediately reverse its decision, stating that closing social media platforms violates citizens’ rights.

TRC Receives Over 15,000 New Complaints
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has received over 15,000 new complaints related to incidents during the conflict era. The commission announced on Sunday that these complaints were submitted after issuing a three-month public notice for cases of rape or serious sexual violence. According to TRC member and spokesperson Achyut Prasad Bhandari, of the 15,191 new complaints, 5,471 were filed at the commission, 5,088 came from districts, and 3,912 concerned sexual violence. Previously, only 314 complaints of sexual violence had been registered. Jajarkot recorded the highest number of complaints (883).

Special Court Orders Public Notice for Five Absconding Defendants in Patanjali Land Fraud Case
The Special Court in Kathmandu has ordered a public notice for five defendants whose whereabouts are unknown in the Patanjali land fraud case. The joint bench of judges Narayan Prasad Paudel, Hemant Rawal, and Bidur Koirala issued the order on Sunday. Of the 93 defendants, 87 have appeared in court. One defendant has not responded even after an extension. “Since the addresses of five defendants remain unknown, the court has ordered publication of their names in newspapers,” the court stated.

Anti-Usury Committee Protests at Maiti Ghar
The Struggle Committee Against Usury (Loan Sharking) staged a protest at Maiti Ghar, Kathmandu on Sunday. They are leading a Kathmandu-centered movement with four main demands: unify all victims, cancel forged promissory notes, take action against moneylenders charging high interest, and return land to victims.

Nepal-China Joint Military Exercise ‘Sagarmatha Friendship’ Begins in Kathmandu
The fifth edition of the Nepal-China joint military exercise, “Sagarmatha Friendship,” began in Kathmandu on Sunday. The exercise will run until September 16and will cover disaster management, UN peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism training. Started in 2017, the exercise has been held alternately in Nepal and China every year. The Nepal Army regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises to exchange skills and knowledge with neighboring countries’ militaries.

First National Conference of Women Government Lawyers to Begin
Nepal’s first national conference for women government attorneys will begin on Monday, under the theme “Empowering Women Government Lawyers, Strengthening the Criminal Justice System,” taking place on September 8-9. The conference opening will be conducted by Senior Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla. Participants will exchange experiences, discuss professional challenges, and explore opportunities among women lawyers.

Nepali Congress to Discuss Social Media Platform Closure with Government
The Central Executive Committee of the Nepali Congress decided that the party will only formalize its stance on the government’s social media platform closure after direct discussion with the government. During a meeting convened by Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to discuss the registration of the party for the Manang-1 (b) by-election, the closure of social media was also discussed. One participant of the meeting stated that since the party is in government, it will first consult directly with the Prime Minister to understand the reasons and basis for the decision before taking an official position.

YouTubers’ Federation Protests Social Media Ban
The umbrella organization of YouTubers, the Online TV Journalists Association, has launched a protest against the government’s shutdown of electronic social media platforms. Claiming that the government has “kicked them in the stomach,” online TV journalists staged a rally at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon. It is estimated that more than 10,000 online TVs are operating in Nepal, with over 1,000 affiliated under the Online TV Journalists Association.

Prachanda Claims Public Still Has Trust in Maoists
Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the people’s hope, trust, and support remain with the Maoists. Speaking at a gathering organized under the Mid-Hill Highway campaign in Bhoteodar, Sundarbazar Municipality-9 of Lamjung on Sunday, Prachanda stated that while leading the government, he worked in favor of the country and the people, which is why the public continues to trust him. He added that although his party is currently outside the government, it is still working with a people-centered approach.

NEPSE Index Drops 11.32 Points on Monday
Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by 11.32 points on Monday, the first trading day of the week, closing at 2,708.45 points. This marks a 0.41% decline compared to the previous trading day, with a total turnover of RS 440.27 million. On the day, 79 companies saw their share prices rise, while 173 companies experienced declines. Among the top gainers, Himstar Hydro surged 9.97%, and Nepal Investment Bank’s investment plan rose 5.83%. United Power Company saw a notable drop of 5.12%, along with other fluctuations across several companies.

Mutual Funds Mobilize Over RS 58.95 Billion in Stock and Money Markets

According to data from the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), by the end of first month of current fiscal year, mutual funds had mobilized over Rs 58.959 billion, investing in the stock market and other money market instruments. The total net worth of share mutual funds stood at Rs 68.96 billion. The total investment of these mutual funds in the securities market was Rs 53.36 billion. Most of these investments were in shares of listed companies.

India Reduces GST Rates; Nepali Businesses Concerned
The Government of India has recently reduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates. Previously, goods produced and sold in India were taxed at 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. India has now set the rates at 5% and 18%. With India reducing GST, entrepreneurs near the Nepal-India border have expressed serious concerns. They worry that prices of goods in the Indian market will drop, directly impacting the Nepali market and economy. In particular, due to the open border, illegal trade (smuggling) may increase, affecting Nepali industries and government revenue.

Deposit Insurance Covers RS 1.57 Trillion
Deposit insurance for individuals in banks, financial institutions, and microfinance institutions amounts to around RS 1.57 trillion. Out of 5,71,36,000 individual accounts across financial institutions from class ‘A’ to ‘D,’ deposits including current, call, savings, and fixed accounts are insured for RS 15,79,05,00,00,000, according to the Deposit and Credit Protection Fund. By the end of fiscal year 2023/24, 4,57,95,000 accounts were insured for RS 14,30,46,00,00,000.

104 Hydropower Projects in Protected Areas at Risk
According to the Department of Electricity Development, 104 projects with construction licenses are located in various national parks and protected areas, with a total capacity of 5,608 MW. The risk of losing billions in investment increases as these projects cannot progress. The department stated that 34 projects have applied for construction licenses, while 26 projects are studying after obtaining survey licenses. In total, 179 hydropower projects fall in national parks, protected areas, and border zones, though IPPAN reports 237 projects (19,736 MW capacity) are affected.

Filming of Director Ramesh Koirala’s Movie ‘Bigul’ Completed

The filming of the movie Bigul, directed by Ramesh Koirala, has been completed. After 34 days of regular shooting, the production wrapped up on Saturday. Director Koirala said the shooting went as well as he had envisioned. Based on social awareness, politics, and civic duties, the film features actors Benisha Hamal, Naren Khadka, Neer Shah, Ramesh Budhathoki, Geeta Adhikari, and others. The story is by Dinesh Koirala, with screenplay and dialogues by Maunata Shrestha.

Anuj Lama Releases New Song ‘Tadha Najau’

Singer Anuj Lama has released a new song titled Tadha Najau. The music is by Anuj himself, lyrics by Aruna Rumba, and arrangement by Niroj Lama. The song urges loved ones to always stay close. The music video features Punam Lakshmi Magar and Pukar Chapagain, directed by Kiran Chapagain, with cinematography by Pankaj Mahar and editing by Dhiraj Adhikari. The video has been released on lyricist Aruna Rumba’s official YouTube channel.

Folk Singer Bishnu Majhi Re-Releases Dashain Song ‘Paradeshi Mero Paradeshi’
Folk singer Bishnu Majhi’s Dashain song Paradeshi Mero Paradeshi has been re-released. The song targets Nepalis living abroad during Dashain. The vocals are by Bishnu Majhi and Sundarmani Adhikari, who also composed and wrote the song. The track captures the pain of Nepalis unable to return home for the festival and separated from their families.

Arun Pun Magar Cast in Lead Role for Upcoming Film ‘Mitjyu’

Actor Arun Pun Magar has been signed for the lead role in the upcoming film Mitjyu, directed by Anil Budhamagar. Arun previously acted in the film Khushma. Other cast members include Saugat Malla, Dayahang Rai, Teriya Magar, and Smita Lamichhane. The production team says Arun’s presence strengthens the film. The story is by Mahesh Rai, and the film is produced by Janak Ghartimagar, who previously produced the hit film Ghar Jwai. This is the second collaboration between director Anil Budhamagar and producer Janak Ghartimagar.

Lalitpur Queens to Participate in Domestic Volleyball Tournament
Lalitpur Queens, currently competing in the Everest Women’s Volleyball League (EWVL), will now also take part in domestic competitions. Owned by Rupse Sports, Lalitpur Queens will participate in the 6th Tiger Cup National and International Volleyball Tournament, organized by Tiger Group in Pokhara from January 23 to 31, 2026. Since joining the franchise-based EWVL last year, Lalitpur Queens, led by national team player and captain Salina Shrestha, reached the finals in the league’s first edition. The team has already won two consecutive matches in the ongoing EWVL in Pokhara.

NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards 2081 Nominees Announced
The ‘NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards’ has announced the nominees for the year 2081 across four categories: Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year. The Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF)’s player selection committee unveiled the nominations for the 22nd edition of the awards on Saturday. In each category, five top contenders have been shortlisted. For Male Player of the Year, the nominees include Cricket players Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Bhurtel, Wushu athlete Bijay Sinjali, Table Tennis player Santu Shrestha, and Kho-Kho player Janak Chand.

Deepak Shrestha Elected Unopposed as President of Nepal National & International Athletes Association
In the third general assembly and election of the Nepal National & International Athletes Association, a 15-member executive committee was elected unopposed under the leadership of President Deepak Shrestha. The assembly, held in Kathmandu on Saturday, was inaugurated by outgoing Bagmati Province Youth and Sports Minister Meen Krishna Maharjan. Elected office-bearers include Vice Presidents Aysha Shakya (Taekwondo) and Deepak Thapa (Badminton), General Secretary Shiva Sundar Gothe (Table Tennis), Secretary Mande Kaji Shrestha (Karate), and Treasurer Ang Babu Lama (Wushu).

Boko Haram Kills Over 60 in Overnight Attack in Nigeria’s Borno State
The jihadist group Boko Haram has killed more than 60 people in an overnight attack in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State, local officials report. On Friday night, militants struck the village of Darul Jamal, home to a military base near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, killing at least five soldiers. The Nigerian Air Force responded with strikes, killing 30 militants after receiving reports of the raid. The village had recently seen residents return following years of displacement.

Israeli Strikes Kill 17 in Gaza Amid Global Protests
Israeli forces continued overnight bombardment of Gaza, killing at least 17 people in attacks on a school, tents, and a home. Meanwhile, families and supporters of Israeli captives staged protests demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign a deal to secure the release of their loved ones. On Saturday, thousands rallied in London calling for an end to the ban on the campaign group Palestine Action. Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 64,368 people.

Russian Drone Strikes Hit Kyiv Residential Areas
Kyiv’s main government building was struck overnight in Russian drone attacks, with smoke and explosions observed as the capital came under fire. It is unusual for Russian missiles and drones to target the city center due to the high concentration of air defenses, our correspondent notes. In other parts of Kyiv, several multi-story residential buildings were hit and partially destroyed, resulting in two deaths—including an infant—and injuries to 20 others.

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba Resigns as LDP President After Electoral Defeat
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), weeks after its coalition suffered a historic defeat in July elections. The 68-year-old leader initially resisted calls to step down, citing the need to ensure a U.S.-Japan tariff deal was properly implemented. Since taking office last year, Ishiba has faced electoral losses that wiped out his coalition’s majority in both parliamentary houses, leaving it in the minority in the more powerful lower house after October’s defeat.