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 today:

NOC Reduces Petrol Price by Rs 2 Per Liter

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reduced the price of petrol. NOC decided to cut the price of petrol by Rs 2 per liter. According to NOC, the new rate will come into effect from Wednesday midnight. After the adjustment, the price of petrol in the Kathmandu Valley has been fixed at Rs 159 per liter, NOC said in a press release on Wednesday.

Jitendra Sonal Appointed Chief Minister of Madhes Province

Jitendra Sonal of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) has been appointed the new Chief Minister of Madhes Province. According to Article 168(2) of Nepal’s Constitution, Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari appointed Sonal to the post on Wednesday. He replaces Satish Kumar Singh, who previously served as the Chief Minister of Madhes Province.

British Ambassador Rob Fenn Pays Courtesy Call on PM Karki

A delegation led by Rob Fenn, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Nepal, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Sushila Karki. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ office today involved an exchange of views on matters of bilateral interest. During the meeting, Prime Minister Karki emphasized that in the country’s current extraordinary circumstances, the government’s main priorities and responsibilities are good governance and the conduct of elections.

Oli Proposes Mass Protest for Restoration of House of Representatives

The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has proposed a mass protest to restore the dissolved House of Representatives. In a political report presented to the party’s Central Committee, Chairman KP Sharma Oli emphasized that there is no alternative to a mass movement. It calls on party ranks, pro-constitution and pro-democracy political parties, and the general public to participate in various programs of public mobilization and protests.

Over 2,400 NC Delegates Submit Signatures Demanding Special General Convention

A total of 2,488 delegates of the Nepali Congress have submitted their signatures demanding a special general convention. On Wednesday, leader Guru Ghimire handed over the signatures to Acting Congress President Purna Bahadur Khadka. According to Ghimire, approximately 53 percent of the party’s delegates from across the country have signed. The signature collection campaign for the special general convention was initiated under the leadership of Congress General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwprakash Sharma.

Home Minister Claims Security Threats Arising from Those Removed by Gen Z Protest

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has stated that activities by leaders ousted during the Gen Z Movement are contributing to additional security challenges. Speaking with journalists at the Ministry of Home Affairs premises, he noted that such activities are ongoing and could exacerbate security concerns. Minister Aryal said, “We have been providing security. However, activities that could escalate into a national security crisis are originating from certain quarters.”

German Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on Minister Ghising

Udo Eugen Volz, Germany’s Ambassador to Nepal, paid a courtesy visit to Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation in Singha Durbar. Discussions focused on Nepal–Germany economic cooperation, German-supported solar projects, the Lekhnath–Damauli 220 kV transmission line, and potential areas of support for energy transition initiatives.

RPP Chair Lingden Affirms Party Will Participate in Elections

Rajendra Lingden, chairperson of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has clarified that his party will not boycott the upcoming elections. He made the statement while speaking to journalists after a central committee meeting at the party’s central office on Wednesday. Lingden also noted that elections held under the current system would not resolve long-term political problems.

Australian Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on PM Karki

Leann Johnston, Ambassador of Australia to Nepal, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Mrs. Sushila Karki at her office in Singha Durbar today. During the meeting, the Prime Minister and the Ambassador discussed a range of topics of mutual interest, including trade, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, aiming to further strengthen ties between Nepal and Australia.

Unity With UML Possible If Oli Steps Down: Prachanda

Pushpa kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Coordinator of the CPN (Maoist Centre), has commented on the possibility of uniting with the CPN (UML). At a gathering held in Benighat-Rorang, Dhading, Coordinator Prachanda spoke with youth leaders and party activists, emphasizing that the upcoming elections would be the party’s primary agenda. “From now on, the Maoist line is the election,” he stated, adding, “Immediately after Tihar, the process of uniting with the parties within the Socialist Front will move forward.”

Three Killed, Two Injured After Wall Collapse in Chitwan

Three workers were killed and two others injured when a wall of the Kisan Feed Industry in Ratnanagar, eastern Chitwan, collapsed on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at around 9:50 a.m. at Shantikunja Tol, Ward No. 12 of Ratnanagar Municipality when wall of the factory suddenly crumbled. According to police, five workers were injured in the collapse. Of them, three succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

Oli Says He Learned About the Shooting Only After Student’s Death

CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli has said he learned about the shooting on September 8 only after the death of the student and youth protesters. Presenting his political report at the party’s Central Committee meeting, Oli argued that the prime minister has no legal authority to order police to open fire. “The order to fire can only be given by a legally authorized institution or official, and the prime minister is not such an authority,” the report states.

National Assembly Chair Dahal Meets President Paudel

National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal met with President Ram Chandra Paudel today. According to the Secretariat of Chair Dahal, during the meeting held at the Office of the President in Sheetal Niwas, Dahal informed the President about his participation in the 151st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on behalf of Nepal’s Federal Parliament. The 151st IPU General Assembly, which includes parliaments from 181 countries around the world, is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 19 to 23.

UML’s 11th General Convention to be Held in Pokhara in December

The CPN (UML) has proposed to hold its 11th General Convention in Pokhara from December 13 to 15.  Party Chair KP Sharma Oli has suggested organizing the convention in mid-December. According to the UML’s statute, the general convention must be held within six months of the statute convention. The decision comes at a time when Oli is under pressure to step down following the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9.

NEPSE Falls by 22.58 Points, 206 Companies See Share Price Drop

On Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) dropped by 22.58 points, closing at 2,505.58. Share prices of 206 companies fell during today’s trading session. Despite the overall decline, 40 companies saw their share prices rise, while 5 companies remained unchanged. Trading volume also shrank compared to Tuesday, totaling Rs 3.10 billion for the day.

Finance Minister Khanal Holds Series of Meetings in Washington DC
Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal held separate meetings with various donor agencies and senior U.S. officials in Washington DC. Khanal, who is attending the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, discussed Nepal–U.S. trade and investment promotion with the U.S. Trade Representative. On the occasion, he requested the U.S. side to extend the Nepal Trade Preference Program. Similarly, during his meeting with representatives from the U.S. State Department, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations.

Rs 4.9 Billion Added in Share-Backed Loans in Two Months
Share-backed lending by banks and financial institutions increased by Rs 4.9 billion in the first two months of current fiscal year. According to NRB data, the total volume of such loans reached Rs 145.6 billion by mid-September, up from Rs 140.7 billion in mid-July. The figure marks a 45.9 percent year-on-year rise.

NRB Withdraws Rs 35 Billion from Banking System
The central bank mopped up Rs 35 billion from the market as liquidity has become excessive in the banking system. To absorb the surplus, NRB had invited banks and financial institutions to participate in online bidding by 3 PM today. Bids were placed in multiples that evenly divide between a minimum of Rs 100 million and a maximum of Rs 500 million.

Over Rs 350 Billion in Remittances Received in Two Months
In the first two months of FY 2025/26, Nepal received more than Rs 350 billion in remittances. According to NRB data released Tuesday, remittances increased by 33.1 percent to Rs 352.08 billion, compared to a 15.8 percent rise in the same period last year.

Durgesh Thapa Flies to the US for 11-City Music Tour

Singer and stage performer Durgesh Thapa departed for the United States on Tuesday evening from Tribhuvan International Airport to perform in a series of musical events across 11 cities. His tour kicks off on Friday, October 17, in Austin, Texas, and will conclude on November 22 in Dallas, Texas. In between, Durgesh will perform on 11 stages, including cities like New York, Baltimore, Columbus, and Colorado, organizers have confirmed.

Trailer Released for Wilson Bikram Rai’s Film ‘Maijharo’

The trailer for the upcoming Nepali film ‘Maijharo’, written and directed by Wilson Bikram Rai (Takmebudha), was released on Tuesday. The 3-minute 49-second trailer portrays the struggles of a man in love and the ensuing challenges he faces. The film features Dheeraj Magar, Miruna Magar, Diya Poon, and Dayahang Rai, with the director himself appearing in parts of the trailer. The movie was shot around the Ilam-Panchthar region in eastern Nepal.

Nepali Film Releases Continue Through Tihar Festival

Following the Dashain festival, three Nepali films—‘Balidan,’ ‘Haribahadur ko Jutta,’ and ‘Maitighar’—are still running in theaters during their third week. As Tihar approaches, more films are set for release, attracting public curiosity about box office performance. On Bhai Tika (October 23) ‘Baristha Balaram’ and ‘Soltini’ will be released, followed by ‘Maijharo’ on October 24.

Nepal Secures T20 World Cup Spot

Qatar broke its losing streak by defeating Japan by three wickets on Wednesday in the ICC T20 World Cup Asia & East Asia-Pacific Super Six stage. With this result, Oman and Nepal, already topping the points table, have secured their places in next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The top three teams from this stage qualify for the World Cup. Meanwhile, UAE, Japan, and Qatar have two points each, and Samoa remains without points.  Even if these teams win their remaining games, they cannot surpass four points, ensuring Nepal and Oman’s qualification.

Nepal to Face Turkmenistan in Opening Match of CAVA Cup 2025

In the CAVA Cup 2025, Nepal will play against Turkmenistan in the tournament’s opening match. According to the organizers, the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA), the competition will be held at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from October 22-27. A total of six teams will participate, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. In this edition, each team will face every other team in a round-robin format.

Four Nepali Players to Compete in World Karate Championship Qualifiers in Paris

Four Nepali athletes will compete in the qualifiers for the World Karate Championship scheduled in Paris, France, from October 17 to 19. The six-member Nepali team, including the four players, departed for France on Wednesday. The competition will feature one male and three female athletes. Swanim Manandhar will compete in the men’s individual kata, while Arika Gurung (women’s 68+ kg), Barsha Budha (women’s under 50 kg), and Sabina Shrestha (women’s under 55 kg) will represent Nepal in their respective categories.

20 Killed as Bus Catches Fire in India’s Rajasthan

At least 20 passengers were killed when an AC bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in India’s Rajasthan caught fire on Tuesday afternoon. According to local reports, 19 bodies were recovered from the bus, while one injured passenger died later in Jodhpur Hospital. MLA Pratap Puri, who reached the site along with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, confirmed the death toll to the media. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that each deceased’s family will receive INR 2 lakh and each injured passenger INR 50,000 from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Bangladesh Garment Factory Fire Kills At Least 16

At least 16 people have died after a huge fire broke out at a garment factory in Bangladesh, with officials warning that the toll could rise. Sixteen bodies have been recovered and would be handed to families after DNA testing, as they have been burnt beyond recognition, the fire service said. Distraught relatives gathered outside the four-storey factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur area on Tuesday in search of their loved ones still missing.

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga Dies Aged 80

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80. Odinga died on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in India. Indian police told the AFP news agency that he was walking with family members and a personal doctor “when he suddenly collapsed”. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. In recent weeks, there has been speculation about his health, although family members and political allies had dismissed reports suggesting he was critically ill.