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.

Durga Prasai Surrenders to Indian Police in Assam, Set to Be Handed Over to Nepal: Durga Prasai, a medical entrepreneur and key figure in the pro-monarchy movement in Nepal, has surrendered to police in India’s Assam state. He had gone missing following the March 28 royalist protest in Kathmandu. According to family sources, Prasai surrendered as Indian police prepared to arrest him at Nepal’s request. He is expected to be handed over at the eastern Kakarbhitta border. Prasai recently posted videos claiming his life was in danger and had vowed to appear publicly within 24 hours.

Gagan Thapa Accuses Oli-Era Government of Wasting Loans on Useless Projects: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa criticized the Oli-led government for pushing Nepal into debt by misusing loans. Speaking at a party conference in Rupandehi, Thapa said the 2074-era Nepal Communist Party government made grave errors by investing borrowed money in unproductive infrastructure, such as building hospitals in every municipality without proper planning. He stated that loans should be used for productive investment, not wasteful spending, and stressed that it is now their responsibility to correct those mistakes.

Rope Fixing Completed on Everest for Spring Climbing Season: Rope fixing on the Khumbu Icefall route for the spring Everest climbing season has been successfully completed, according to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC). The route from Base Camp (5,200m) to Camp II (6,400m) was prepared by a team of eight experienced Icefall Doctors. Above Camp II, the work is handled by the expedition operator, this year assigned to Elite Exped. SPCC refuted recent media reports claiming route damage from avalanches, urging media to avoid spreading unverified information.

Three Foreigners Arrested at TIA with 5kg Cannabis Smuggled from Bangkok: Nepal Police arrested three foreign nationals—two Thai women and one Indian man—at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) with over 5kg of cannabis smuggled from Bangkok via Thai Airways flight TG319. The drugs were discovered with Thai national Kanokwan Pongsuwan at the red channel. Chonlada Ninchatturat and Indian national Jamshed Malik Kuppatil were also involved. Authorities believe the main handler is based in Thailand, and the group used Nepal as a transit point to supply drugs to India and Gulf countries.

Lightning Strikes Cause Five Deaths Across Nepal in Last 24 Hours: In the last 24 hours, lightning strikes have claimed the lives of five people across various districts in Nepal, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

A 54-year-old man died in Gauradaha Municipality-5, Jhapa, after being struck by lightning during a rainstorm. In Morang’s Kanepokhari Rural Municipality-1, a 12-year-old boy also lost his life to lightning. Similarly, a 60-year-old woman died in Nagarain Municipality-8, Dhanusha, after being struck while working in the field.

A 33-year-old woman in Sayal Municipality-6, Doti, succumbed to lightning strikes, while seven others were injured. In Bitthadchir Rural Municipality-3, Bajhang, a 78-year-old woman was killed by lightning, and two young girls were injured in the incident.

President Paudel Hails Nepal Army as Symbol of National Pride, Peace, and Humanity: President Ram Chandra Paudel has praised the Nepali Army, stating that it is not only a symbol of national pride but also represents peace and humanity on the international stage.

He expressed this sentiment while addressing the pre-deployment training completion ceremony of the new Bhairav Battalion, which is preparing for the UNSMIL mission in Libya. The ceremony was held today in Panchkhal, Kavre. President Paudel, who is the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army, emphasized the Army’s significant role in both national and international peacekeeping efforts.

PM Oli Asserts Government Stability: Prime Minister KP Oli has emphasized that there is no need for any movement to pressure the government into fulfilling its duties. Speaking at the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Industry and Commerce Day-2081, Prime Minister Oli reiterated his government’s commitment to stability and good governance.

“There is no need to continue movements to force the government,” said Oli. “The formation of this government is based on the goal of ensuring stability and promoting good governance. This is our primary agenda. Stability should not be seen as rigidity; it must be dynamic.”

Floods and Landslides Disrupt Highways Across Nepal Following Heavy Rainfall: Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall since Wednesday evening have caused major disruptions across various parts of Nepal. Several roads have been either completely blocked or partially opened for one-way traffic due to the impact of the disasters.

According to a situation update issued by Nepal Police, landslides and floods have affected highways in 13 different locations. Out of these, six roads have been completely blocked, while another six are operating on a one-way basis. In one location, the debris has already been cleared and traffic has resumed fully.

Rally Organized in Kathmandu Demanding Hindu Nation: A rally was organized in Kathmandu on Thursday, demanding the establishment of a Hindu nation. The event was organized by various religious organizations and supported by the Omkar family’s religious groups.

The peaceful religious public demonstration aimed to promote social harmony and national unity under the theme of “Sanatan Hindu Nation.” The rally, which started from Gaushala and ended at Ratnapark, called for the establishment of religious tolerance and other demands related to the promotion of Hindu values in the nation.

Teachers’ Protest Continues in Kathmandu Demanding Education Act: Teachers in Kathmandu have been protesting for the past nine days, demanding the implementation of the School Education Act. On Thursday, the Nepal Teachers’ Federation organized another demonstration in the Maitighar–Babarmahal area of Kathmandu.

The teachers are calling for the government to honor past agreements and implement the education act as previously agreed upon. The federation has urged the government to either immediately begin the parliamentary session, call a special session, or issue an ordinance to enact the School Education Act.

KMC Mayor Balen Resumes Office After Nine Days: Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) Shah resumed his office on Thursday after nine days. Balen had been on leave since before Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain arrived at the office. He had arrived at the Guragain office on Thursday last week.

Despite the obstruction of the Metropolitan Police Force, he was taken to the office by employees and public representatives. At that time, Balen had reached Bhimsen in Dolakha. According to metropolitan sources, Balen had not visited the metropolis since Tuesday last week.

Resignation of TU Vice Chancellor Baral Accepted: Kesharjang Baral’s resignation as the Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University has been accepted. The resignation was approved by Prime Minister and Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, KP Sharma Oli, as confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday.

Baral had submitted his resignation on the 16th of Chaitra (March 29). He was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University on the 10th of Falgun, 2080 (February 22, 2024), under the leadership of Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ during the government of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).

Mishra Elected President of Nepal Bar Association: Prof. Bijay Prasad Mishra has been elected as the new President of the Nepal Bar Association, defeating his competitor, senior advocate Raman Shrestha. According to the final vote count, Mishra secured 5,052 votes, while Shrestha received 2,621 votes.

After his victory, the newly elected president Mishra emphasized the importance of unity and inclusiveness, stating that he aims to move forward with the collective support of all members of the Bar Association.

NC General Secretary Thapa Supports Postponing 15th General Convention: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has expressed support for postponing the party’s 15th General Convention. Thapa indicated that the convention could be held by Mangsir 2083 (mid-December, 2026), signaling his position in favor of delaying the event.

The 14th General Convention of the party was held in Mangsir 2078 (December, 2021). According to the party’s constitution, the 15th General Convention was supposed to be held by Mangsir 2082 (December 2025). However, speaking at the provincial conference for Kathmandu-2 on Thursday, Thapa stated that the convention could be delayed until Mangsir 2083 (mid-December, 2026).

Ongoing Discussion on Ship Bill in National Assembly’s Legislative Management Committee: The National Assembly’s Legislative Management Committee continued its detailed discussion on the Ship Bill on Thursday. The committee has been deliberating on various provisions of the bill that came from the National Assembly.

During Thursday’s session, lawmakers proposed amendments, including the need for a survey before operating ships and the requirement for an official institution to conduct the survey. As of Thursday’s meeting, discussions have progressed up to Chapter 5 of the bill. Lawmakers have reached a consensus on provisions related to the operation of ships, ship construction, determination of waterway routes and usage, and ownership of ships.

Four Found Dead Across Nepal in Last 24 Hours: Four individuals were found dead in separate incidents across Kathmandu, Dhading, and Kailali. In Kathmandu, 45-year-old Yuvraj Dhakal, originally from Biratnagar, Morang, was found dead in his room in Shankhamul, Ward 31, on Wednesday. In Dhading, 60-year-old Chudamani Kandel from Gajuri Rural Municipality-2 was found dead.

Similarly, 68-year-old Motiraj Paudel from Gulmi’s Chhatrakot Rural Municipality-5, was found dead in Panini Rural Municipality-3 in Arghakhanchi. In Kailali, a woman’s body was found at the Karnali River in Tikapur Municipality-8. The identity of the woman has not been established, according to the police.

Kathmandu Metropolis Staff Submit Memorandum Demanding Action Against Pandey and Shah: Staff members of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and professional organizations have submitted a memorandum demanding disciplinary action against Rajunath Pandey and Bhupadev Shah. On Thursday, the organizations submitted the memorandum to Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain, demanding action against Pandey and Shah. The memorandum includes 11 specific demands.

The memorandum states, “The employee of the Secretariat, under the name of the Chief’s personal secretary, and metropolis police head attempted to defame individuals such as the Deputy Mayor and Ward Chairpersons through unauthorized means in the public media, which constitutes a violation of employee conduct. Therefore, we demand that the individuals be subjected to the strictest legal action.”

PM Oli Urges Domestic Production, Criticizes Nepal’s Dependence on Basic Imports:  Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the 59th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Industry Day, extending his congratulations to the business community on the occasion.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Oli encouraged Nepali industrialists and entrepreneurs to focus on boosting production within the country. He emphasized the importance of self-reliance and pointed out that Nepal has the capacity for local manufacturing, referencing the traditional skills of Nepalese people in crafting iron tools since ancient times.

NEPSE Falls by 5.57 Points on Final Trading Day of the Week: On the final trading day of the week, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 5.57 points, bringing the benchmark index down to 2,670.70 points on Thursday. This decline follows a gain of 13.90 points on Wednesday, which had pushed the index up to 2,680.52 points.

Interestingly, while the index fell today, overall trading volume increased. A total of shares worth Rs 5.63 billion were traded on Thursday—up from Wednesday’s trading volume of Rs 4.48 billion. This contrast highlights the growing investor activity even as market sentiment remained slightly bearish.

Nepal and India Begin Talks to Streamline Trade and Curb Illegal Activities: Nepal and India have initiated a bilateral dialogue in Kathmandu aimed at making foreign trade between the two countries more efficient and transparent. The discussions, led by customs officials from both sides, are centered on simplifying trade procedures while also addressing concerns related to illegal trade and revenue leakage.

Among the key agenda items is the early exchange of preliminary export-related information between the customs offices of Nepal and India. This step is expected to enhance coordination and reduce delays in cross-border trade. Another major point of discussion is the implementation of an electronic cargo tracking system.

Nepal Earns Over Rs 14 billion from IT Exports in Eight Months of Current Fiscal Year:  In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, Nepal has exported information technology (IT) services worth Rs 14.30 billion, according to data published by Nepal Rastra Bank. Of this, software services alone accounted for Rs 10.5 billion, highlighting the growing role of Nepal’s tech sector in the country’s export earnings.

Telecommunication services brought in Rs 3.64 billion, while software and app sales contributed the highest amount—Rs 10.61 billion. Additionally, Nepal earned Rs 40 million from the export of information services. During the same period, Nepal imported IT services worth Rs 3.60 billion, showing a trade surplus in this sector.

‘Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi’ Becomes Highest-Grossing Nepali Film of 2081: The film Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi has emerged as the highest-grossing Nepali film of 2081, according to the Film Development Board’s annual report. The board published a list of 59 Nepali films released throughout the year, with Purna Bahadur Ko Sarangi leading the box office earnings.

The report reveals that the film earned a total of NPR 46.8 million. Following it in second place is 12 Gaun, which grossed NPR 19.92 million, while Chakka Panja 5 secured third place with a gross of NPR 15.2 million. The film with the lowest earnings, as per the report, is Shirphool, which only managed to gross NPR 18,500 at the box office.

Singer Shantishree Pariyar Becomes Most-Viewed Nepali Artist on YouTube Music in 2081: Singer Shantishree Pariyar has become the most-streamed Nepali artist on YouTube Music in 2081. Her 20 songs have garnered over 160 million listens.

In second place is Sushant KC, whose songs have accumulated 110 million listens. Third place goes to SD Yogi, with 89.4 million listens. Sajjan Raj Vaidya, ranked fourth, has received 80 million listens.

Singer Rachana Rimala to Perform at The Cliff in Kusma on New Year’s Eve: The Cliff in Kusma, which is becoming a major destination for adventure tourism, will host a musical performance by singer Rachana Rimala to celebrate the New Year.

Visitors to The Cliff will have the opportunity to enjoy Rimala’s performance along with the festivities.In celebration of the New Year, The Cliff is offering a 20% discount at its cafe and Megatrol, and guests booking rooms at the resort will receive a free adventure tourism activity.

Nepal Defeats Kuwait by Six Wickets: Nepal has defeated Kuwait by six wickets in a match played today under the Four-Nation T20 International Cricket Championship underway in Hong Kong. Nepal secured the 186-run target posed by Kuwait in 18.5 overs, losing four wickets. Opener duo Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh played a half-century partnership in Nepal’s victory.

Bhurtel secured 81 runs with the help of six fours and six sixes off 50 balls while Sheikh made 53 runs including two fours and four sixes off 38 balls. Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee made an important contribution of 31 runs with the help of three sixes and two fours in 12 balls. For Kuwait, Yasin Patel took two wickets while Mohamed Shafeeq and Mohammed Aslam took one wicket each.

Kushal Bhurtel Breaks National Record for Most Half-Centuries in T20s: Nepali cricket team’s opener, Kushal Bhurtel, has broken the national record for the most half-centuries in T20 internationals, previously held by all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee. After struggling with poor form for a long period, Bhurtel has found excellent rhythm during Nepal’s tour to Hong Kong.

In Thursday’s T20 series match against Kuwait, Bhurtel scored 81 runs off 50 balls, setting a new record for the most half-centuries by a Nepali player. Previously, Dipendra held this record with 10 half-centuries in T20s. However, with this half-century against Kuwait, Bhurtel now has 11 international half-centuries, surpassing Dipendra’s record.

Himalayan Sherpa FC Reaches Final of Jitpur Simara Gold Cup: In the ongoing Jitpur Simara Gold Cup at the Simara Stadium, Himalayan Sherpa FC has reached the final after defeating host team Nawa Janajagriti Youth Club Simara 2–1. The competitive match on Wednesday marked the sixth day of the tournament, with Himalayan Sherpa securing their spot in the final.

In front of nearly 10,000 local supporters under the floodlights, Himalayan Sherpa triumphed and advanced to face another ‘A Division’ team, Machhindra Football Club, in the title clash. This victory has brought them one step closer to winning the coveted trophy.

Nawaz Sharif Calls for Political Solution to Balochistan Crisis: Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has stressed the need for a political resolution to the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, pledging to play an active role in fostering peace in the province, Dawn reported.

Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with National Party President and former Balochistan chief minister Abdul Malik Baloch at his Jati Umra residence on Wednesday. The meeting came a day after Army Chief Asim Munir assured foreign investors of strong security measures in the mineral-rich province amid growing instability.

Japan ‘strongly’ Demands US Reviews Other Tariffs: Japan’s government said Thursday it received “positively” US Donald Trump’s pause on new tariffs but still “strongly” demands that Washington reconsider other levies. “We received the latest US announcement positively,” chief government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular briefing.

But he added: “We continue to strongly demand that the United States reviews measures on its reciprocal tariffs, tariffs on steel and aluminium, and tariffs on vehicles and auto parts.” Trump’s announcement last week of sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs for a slew of countries included a 24-percent levy on imports from Japan, the world number four economy.

Zelensky Claims 155 Chinese Fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in the war. His comments come after two Chinese fighters were captured earlier this week – marking Kyiv’s first official allegation that China was supplying Russia with manpower.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Zelensky reiterated his claim that there are “many more” Chinese nationals engaged in the conflict, based on information gathered by his government. Responding on Thursday, a Chinese government spokesman said they “advise relevant parties to correctly and soberly understand China’s role and not to make irresponsible remarks”.