KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant developments from Nepal and around the world. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we bring you a concise summary of the day’s top stories.

PM Oli Urges Unity for Development as Nepal Prepares to Graduate from LDC Status

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal’s upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category to a developing nation marks the beginning of the vision “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.” Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Oli highlighted that Nepal, after 55 years on the LDC list, will graduate alongside seven other countries next year. He said this shift reflects Nepal’s progress toward self-reliance, stronger economic indicators, and a more favorable investment climate.

Indra Baniya Elected as NC Bagmati Parliamentary Party Leader

Nepali Congress leader Indra Bahadur Baniya has been elected as the leader of the party’s Bagmati Province Parliamentary Party. In the election held on Wednesday in the provincial capital Hetauda, Baniya defeated Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama to secure the leadership post. Out of the 37 Provincial Assembly members elected from the Nepali Congress, 22 votes were cast in favor of Baniya, while Lama received 14 votes. One vote was invalidated.

Shankar Pokharel Says He Advised Bidya Devi Bhandari Not to Become President

UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel revealed that he advised former President Bidya Devi Bhandari to leave active politics and not pursue the presidency. Speaking at the 12th Representative Council meeting of GEFONT, Pokharel said he personally visited Bhandari at her residence and suggested it would be better if she declined, but the party made a unanimous decision to support her as president. He added that despite opposition, the party decided, and after completing two terms as president, it was expected she would retire from politics.

Maoist Centre Sets Agenda for Upcoming Standing Committee Meeting

The CPN (Maoist Centre) has finalized the agenda for its upcoming Standing Committee meeting, scheduled to begin on August 1. The decision was made during the office-bearers’ meeting held at Paris Danda, according to Vice Chair and Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota. As per Sapkota, the agenda includes a briefing by party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on the current political situation, discussion on reviving the halted political campaign in Pokhara, and setting the date for the next Central Committee meeting.

Ex-Madhesh Province Chief Jha Remanded in Custody in Rape Case

The Kathmandu District Court has ordered the pre-trial detention of former Madhesh Province Chief Rajesh Jha (also known as Ahiraj) in connection with a rape case. Jha is accused of repeatedly raping a young woman who worked as a domestic helper at his residence. Based on a complaint filed on February 15, 2025, police arrested him from Kathmandu on July 20, 2025.

Foreign Minister Rana Calls for Climate justice And Compensation From Global Funds

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said that Nepal has been raising the issue of climate justice strongly in the international arena. Speaking at a dialogue program titled “Nepal’s Foreign Policy, Climate Change and Concerns of Youth” organized by Nepal Tarun Dal in Pokhara on Wednesday, Minister Rana stressed that Nepal should receive compensation from international climate-related funds for the loss and damage it has suffered. She also mentioned that she recently raised Nepal’s concerns at the International Court of Justice, stating that Nepal has been disproportionately suffering the negative effects of carbon emissions by developed nations.

Ministers Caught Sleeping During National Assembly Meeting

During the National Assembly’s ongoing discussion on the “Study Report on Nepal’s Graduation from Least Developed to Developing Country, 2081 BS,” several ministers were seen sleeping. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, Youth and Sports Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary, and Defense Minister Manbir Rai were observed dozing off during the session. Earlier, in a House of Representatives meeting, Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung was also caught sleeping. When Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on him, Gurung did not respond, leading to widespread trolling on social media.

NUP Sacks Chair Ranjita Shrestha, Informs Election Commission

The Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) has informed the Election Commission that Ranjita Shrestha Chaudhary has been removed from the position of chairperson. She was dismissed for appointing an acting chairperson against party bylaws. After being implicated in the Pokhara bribery scandal, Chaudhary appointed Shiva Bastola from Pokhara as acting chairperson, which faced internal opposition within the party. The party’s disciplinary committee, led by Ramlal Dagaura, had given Chaudhary 24 hours to provide an explanation.  Since she failed to respond within the deadline, NUP notified the Election Commission of her removal.

Shekhar Koirala Raises Concerns Over Govt Functioning, Internal Party Democracy

Dr. Shekhar Koirala, leader of the Nepali Congress, has voiced serious concerns about the current government’s working style, the ordinance related to the Constitutional Council, and internal democracy within the party. Speaking to journalists today at Biratnagar Airport, he accused the government of failing to meet the expectations of the people. He stated that none of the points from the seven-point agreement between Congress and UML have progressed over the past year. Discussions about constitutional amendments or revisions have also faded, and the committee meant to be formed by the Nepali Congress central committee has not yet been established even after a month.

Diktel Mayor Bhattarai Begins Indefinite Hunger Strike

Mayor Tirtha Raj Bhattarai of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality in Khotang has begun an indefinite hunger strike in Kathmandu after his earlier three-day fast failed to bring any response from the authorities. The indefinite strike started at 9 AM on Wednesday, July 30, at Maitighar Mandala. Bhattarai had previously staged a hunger strike from July 27 to 29, fasting daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Dissatisfied with the lack of government action, he escalated his protest into a fast-unto-death. Among his key demands are the need for a policy-level framework to manage monkeys and other wild animals and the development of building codes and standards (NAMs) to promote the use of bamboo and raw materials in government offices.

Loan Shark Victims Protest in Kathmandu with Black Blindfolds

Victims of high-interest informal lending, known as meter byaj, staged a protest at Maitighar in Kathmandu by wearing black blindfolds over their eyes. The demonstrators held banners revealing the identities of alleged moneylenders to draw public attention to their plight. The protest symbolized the government’s continued ignorance of their suffering. Participants said they were compelled to wear blindfolds to represent how their pain remains unseen by the authorities. Among the protesters were Sita Kumari Mandal of Lahan Municipality-3 and Shyam Bishwakarma of Ward-7, who joined the demonstration blindfolded.

Maoist Centre MP Alleges Caste-Based Discrimination Persists Among Lawmakers

Nepali lawmaker and Maoist Centre MP Suresh Kumar Ale Magar has highlighted ongoing caste-based discrimination among parliamentarians. Speaking at the Legislative Management Committee meeting on Wednesday, he said many people practicing caste-based untouchability have escaped punishment despite it being illegal. Ale Magar pointed out that structural issues in Nepal’s system prevent effective legal action against such social crimes, which he described as heinous offenses. He emphasized that discrimination exists even between wealthy individuals and Dalits, including among lawmakers, where Dalit MPs face bias once their identity is known.

Over 1,400 Bodies of Nepali Workers Who Died Abroad Returned to Families in Past Year

In the past fiscal year 2024/25, Nepal Police reported that the bodies of 1,401 Nepali migrant workers who died abroad were returned to their families. Among these, the highest number of deaths occurred in the 26 to 30 age group, with 233 bodies repatriated. Additionally, 29 bodies were from workers under 20 years old, 172 were aged 21 to 25, 226 were between 31 and 35 years, and 225 were in the 36 to 40 age brackets. These figures highlight the significant risks faced by young and middle-aged Nepali workers overseas, whose remains were brought back for proper rites and handed over to their families.

NEPSE Suffers Major Fall, Drops by 52.87 Points

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) witnessed a sharp decline on Wednesday, the fourth trading day of the week, with the index falling by 52.87 points to close at 2,949.19. This comes after a modest gain of 30.76 points on Tuesday, which had pushed the index to 3,002.07. On Monday, the index had risen by 7.10 points, while last week’s Wednesday had seen a drop of 18.44 points. Prior to that, the NEPSE index had shown consistent growth for eight consecutive trading days. Trading volume also saw a dip on Wednesday, totaling Rs 16.44 billion compared to Rs 18.24 billion the previous day.

Government Raises Full Domestic Debt, Only 58% External Debt in FY 2024/25

In the fiscal year 2081/82 (2024/25), the government successfully raised 100% of its targeted domestic debt but managed to mobilize only about 57.79% of the planned external debt, according to the Public Debt Management Office’s report up to mid-July. The government had set a target of Rs 330 billion for domestic borrowing, which was fully achieved. However, out of Rs 217 billion targeted for external borrowing, only Rs 125.39 billion was raised, falling short by approximately Rs 9.16 billion.

 CEOs Show Leniency on NRB’s Provision to Separate Investors and Bankers

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of banks appeared lenient regarding the provision introduced by Nepal Rastra Bank to separate bank investors from businesspersons. In a discussion organized by the central bank on Tuesday, they expressed views that support the provision. Most banks participating in the discussion stated that the bill currently tabled in Parliament was good. However, one CEO informed that individuals with business backgrounds and investments in banks should be given adequate time and facilitation to exit from one sector.

Nepal Rastra Bank Withdraws Rs 25 Billion in Deposits Today

Amid excess liquidity in the banking system, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) today withdrew Rs 25 billion through its deposit collection instrument. The central bank used an auction mechanism to absorb the funds for a period of 42 days. Currently, total deposits in the banking sector have exceeded Rs 7.2 trillion. The central bank took this step to manage surplus liquidity and stabilize interest rates through deposit collection tools and the standing deposit facility.

CDSC Decision to Affect Rs 87 Billion Worth of Shares in 58 Industries

The recent decision of CDS and Clearing Limited (CDSC) regarding registration of dematerialized shares is expected to affect Rs 87 billion worth of shares from 58 industries in energy, media, and cement sectors, according to IPPAN. Among them, 47 energy projects with Rs 53 billion worth of shares and 37 companies that have applied to issue Rs 41 billion worth of shares will be negatively impacted, IPPAN stated in a press release on Tuesday.

Jitu Nepal Releases ‘Mundreko Hansya Byangya Samagri 2082’ for Gaijatra

Artist Jitu Nepal has released a comedic satirical piece titled ‘Mundreko Hansya Byangya Samagri 2082’ on the occasion of Gaijatra. The first part, ‘Gaijatra Budget Speech,’ was made public on Tuesday via Nepal’s own YouTube channel ‘Jitu Comedy,’ TikTok, and Reels. This satire mocks the budget speech of a ‘useless minister’ through dialogues between the Speaker, ministers, and MPs inside the Parliament building. The artist announced that there will be four different parts of the Gaijatra series, each released four days apart.

Nepali Music Program Scheduled in Auburn, Australia for Teej Festival

A Nepali musical event is set to take place in Auburn, Australia, on Bhadra 6 (August 22) at the NSW Grand Palace. Singer Ramjee Khand and vocalist Shantirani Pariyar will perform at the event. Arun Shrestha, president of the organizing group Auburn Society, stated the program aims to educate Nepali women living abroad about the importance of their culture and festivals.

Singer Hiran Thapa Releases Teej Song ‘Barilai’

Singer and composer Hiran Thapa has released an original Teej song titled ‘Barilai’ through the YouTube channel of Laxman Bhandari. The folk-style song features vocals by Sapana Pariyar, CP Magar, Tika Rana Magar, Rima Sunar, and Hiran Thapa himself. Written and composed by Thapa, the song portrays the pain of not being able to visit parental home, problems following polygamy, and the sorrow of having daughters after marriage. The song was arranged by Govinda Anek and its video was shot by Prakash Khadka.

‘Dorumba’ Play to Premiere at Askar College’s Sadhana Ghar Theatre

After two decades of teaching cinema, Askar College will stage the play ‘Dorumba’ starting Thursday at its Sadhana Ghar auditorium. Written by Suman Kumar Wagle, the play depicts the story of people caught between the state and rebel forces during the Maoist conflict. The play involves students from various batches of the college, especially those specializing in acting, and will be directed by 16th batch student Yudip Sitoula. ‘Dorumba’ will be performed daily at 5:15 PM from July 31 to August 9, with an additional show on Saturday at 1:15 PM.

APF and Shri Bhagwati Draw 2-2 in ANFA U-16 Youth League

In the ANFA U-16 Youth League, APF Football Club shared a 2-2 draw with Shri Bhagwati Club after conceding a late goal. The match was played Wednesday at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato. APF’s Ayush Sarkar and Pujan Dhakal scored, while Shri Bhagwati’s Sabir Shrestha and Anil Pariyar responded with goals of their own. With this draw, APF has 16 points from 10 matches, sitting in sixth place, while Shri Bhagwati has moved up to ninth with 10 points from the same number of games.

CAN Board Meeting on Thursday to Discuss NPL and T20 World Cup Preparation

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is set to hold its board meeting on Thursday. The meeting will focus on reviewing the first edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) and discussing plans for the second edition, along with other key matters. The primary agenda includes detailed discussions on the Nepal Premier League and the national cricket team’s journey to the T20 World Cup. The meeting will evaluate the achievements of the first edition, held during November and December, and explore areas for improvement.

Nepal U-20 Women’s Football Team Bids Farewell for AFC Qualifiers in Bhutan

The Nepali U-20 women’s national football team has been officially bid farewell as it prepares to travel to Bhutan for the AFC Women’s U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) organized the farewell program on Thursday at the Dasharath Stadium. Yam Prasad Gurung continues as the team’s head coach. Under Gurung’s guidance, the Nepali team had come close to winning the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship but narrowly missed the title. In the tournament held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nepal lost both matches against the host nation. Nepal was defeated 3–2 in the first match and suffered a 4–0 loss in the final and title-deciding game.

Tsunami hits parts of Russia, Japan, America, Philippines, Peru After Russia Quake

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including Japan, Hawaii, and parts of the U.S. West Coast. The earthquake occurred about 85 miles off the Kamchatka coast at a depth of nearly 12 miles. Evacuations are underway in coastal areas. Waves as high as 3–4 meters were reported in Kamchatka, while Japan’s northern Hokkaido region recorded smaller waves of about 30 cm. A 6-foot wave hit an island between Japan and Hawaii, and Hawaii’s Oahu Island experienced a 4-foot wave at Haleiwa.

UK Will Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Takes Steps Towards Peace

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel took “substantive steps” towards a two-state solution and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday the UK will formally recognize the state of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various “substantive steps”, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. The potentially landmark move, part of Starmer’s plan for a “lasting peace”, came after the British leader recalled his cabinet from recess for urgent talks on the worsening situation in the besieged territory.

Trump Says ‘Good Friend’ India May Face up to 25% Tariffs

India could face tariffs as high as 25% if it fails to finalise a trade deal with the US this week, President Donald Trump has said. “Yeah, I think so,” he told reporters on Tuesday when asked whether Delhi would face higher tariffs in the absence of an agreement. The US has set a 1 August deadline for India and several other countries to either reach a trade agreement or face increased tariffs. Indian and American officials have been negotiating a trade deal for the past few months, but officials have alternated between sounding optimistic and cautious about when it will be announced.

Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Second Ceasefire Violation in Two Days

Thailand’s military accused Cambodian forces on Wednesday of breaching a ceasefire agreement at three separate locations along the disputed border, warning that continued aggression could compel Thai forces to respond more decisively. The allegations come less than two days after both governments agreed to a ceasefire brokered in Malaysia, which came into effect at midnight on Monday, aimed to stop fighting and prevent escalation of their deadliest conflict in more than a decade following five days of intense fighting that has killed at least 43 people and displaced over 300,000 civilians on either side.