Nepal News Evening Briefing | Saturday, October 10, 2026

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.

Weather Conditions To Improve Nationwide Gradually From Tomorrow

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology announced that weather conditions are expected to improve gradually as the active meteorological system centered over eastern Nepal shifts southeastward and dissipates. Meteorologists of the department reported that while light to moderate rainfall persists across isolated hill areas in Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces, including a recorded maximum precipitation of 103.4 millimeters in Siraha, 73.8 millimeters in Kaski’s Ghalegaun, and 65.2 millimeters in Gulmi’s Badigad, overall precipitation volumes will decrease significantly heading into Sunday, October 11. Meteorological authorities issued yellow weather advisories warning of isolated thunderstorm risks in mountainous terrain while advising the public to monitor official updates for safe travel planning.

President Paudel Stresses Educational Modernization And Practical Skill Development

President Ram Chandra Paudel declared that the national educational curriculum must be systematically modernized to reflect evolving global paradigms, equipping students to successfully navigate future technological challenges and economic opportunities. Addressing celebratory events marking the 80th founding anniversary of Pashupati Mitra Secondary School, President Paudel noted that rapid advancements in science, technology, and artificial intelligence are fundamentally transforming traditional academic frameworks. He emphasized that educational institutions must transcend rote memorization and high examination scores, fostering practical problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, discipline, integrity, and social responsibility to prepare students to become capable future leaders, professionals, and conscientious citizens.

LP Gas Association Arranges Special Cylinder Exchange Across 6 Locations In Kathmandu To Serve 13 Brands

The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association arranged special cylinder exchange services across 6 designated locations in the Kathmandu Valley enabling consumers to exchange cooking gas cylinders from 13 distinct brands starting Sunday, October 11. Operating daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM in coordination with the Nepal Oil Corporation and the Gas Dealers Federation, the special distribution initiative runs through Saturday, October 17. Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Secretary Rudra Singh Taang stated that the temporary administrative measure ensures seamless fuel availability during the festive holiday period. Authorized exchange points operate at Siphal, Pepsicola, the Balaju Industrial Estate, Sukedhara, Kalanki, and Harisiddhi in Lalitpur, handling designated member industry brands under supervision by Association President Diwan Chand.

Highway Blockades Leave Long And Short-Distance Transport Vehicles Stranded At New Buspark

Ongoing disruptions along primary transit corridors, including the Prithvi Highway, forced transport operators to suspend departures, leaving numerous long and short-distance passenger vehicles stranded inside the central bus terminal at New Buspark in Gongabu. With primary highway routes obstructed by infrastructural damage, transport operators attempted to reroute commercial traffic through alternative pathways such as the Kanti Highway connecting Kathmandu to Hetauda. However, extreme traffic congestion along secondary routes created severe operational bottlenecks, prompting terminal authorities to hold all departing vehicles within the bus park premises. The unexpected travel standstill caused widespread uncertainty among holiday passengers holding advance tickets for festival travel. Transport authorities advised travelers to verify current road conditions through official traffic updates prior to commencing journeys.

Pokhara International Airport Bans Drones, Kites, And Laser Lights To Ensure Flight Safety

The management office of Pokhara International Airport and the legacy domestic airfield issued strict public prohibitions against flying kites, drones, hot-air balloons, and utilizing laser lights within surrounding airspace and approach zones. Airport Chief Jagannath Niroula stated that unauthorized aerial activities pose severe hazards to aircraft takeoff and landing safety. Furthermore, authorities urged local residents and municipal entities to ensure proper waste management and prevent dumping animal carcasses near open drainage channels, as unmanaged waste attracts scavenging birds and wildlife that jeopardize operational safety. The civil aviation office cautioned that individuals violating these safety regulations will face prosecution under prevailing civil aviation security laws.

Cybercrime Complaints Rise to 20,526 in Fiscal Year 2025/26

The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau registered 20,526 applications related to cybercrime in the fiscal year 2025/26, up from 18,926 in the previous fiscal year, highlighting the growing challenges posed by digital offenses. The bureau had received 19,730 cybercrime-related applications in fiscal year 2023/24. In 2025/26, it registered 161 cybercrime cases and arrested 155 people, according to the bureau’s data. Misuse of social media platforms accounted for the largest share of complaints. Facebook/Messenger topped the list with 7,123 applications, followed by TikTok with 6,776, WhatsApp with 3,105, Telegram with 1,031 and Instagram with 628. Similarly, 744 applications involved eSewa, Khalti, bank accounts and SMS. Cyber fraud and banking-related offenses have also emerged as significant challenges for law enforcement.

German Firm Threatens E-Passport Service Suspension Over Rs 300 Million Dues

Muehlbauer ID Services GmbH, the German company operating Nepal’s e-passport systems, has given the Department of Passports until Monday to pay Rs 300 million in outstanding dues, warning it may suspend services otherwise. The company says it has received no payment since securing the contract last year. Any suspension could disrupt passport issuance nationwide because Veridos GmbH, the German firm printing passports, relies on Muehlbauer’s systems to process applicants’ data. The payment delay is linked to a corruption case filed on June 23 by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority against 18 individuals, including government officials and representatives of the two companies. The Special Court has yet to deliver its final verdict. Muehlbauer has warned of contractual action, including termination. Its employees have also threatened a strike over unpaid salaries, while internet provider Subisu has warned of a possible service suspension over unpaid bills.

Supreme Court Directs NRB Not to Mandate National Id Cards Exclusively For Banking Services

The Supreme Court issued an interim judicial directive instructing the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to refrain from enforcing the National Identity Card as the sole and mandatory prerequisite for opening and maintaining bank accounts. A judicial bench comprising Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Meghraj Pokharel partially invalidated provisions within the integrated regulatory directives that restricted citizen identification exclusively to national identity documents. The court ordered financial institutions to accept alternative statutory documents, including citizenship certificates, to ensure citizens retain continuous access to essential banking services. The judicial review originated from a public interest writ petition filed by advocate Sarita Adhikari, who argued that strict national identity card mandates created severe administrative hurdles and financial exclusion for ordinary citizens.

Foreign Minister Returns Home

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal returned to Nepal today after participating in the high-level Pre-COP Leaders Event in Fiji and Tuvalu, along with an official visit to Australia. Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal highlighted that Australia committed 15 million Australian dollars in grants for post-flood recovery following the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river basin disaster, raising total Australian relief aid to 26 million Australian dollars. During discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, bilateral talks focused on flood management, disaster resilience, and preparation for COP31, scheduled for November 9-20, in Antalya, Turkiye. Furthermore, all border points between India and China are closed.

Ambassadorial Nominee Pandey Pledges To Institutionalize High-Level Bilateral Visits With India

Proposed Ambassador to India Nischal Nath Pandey outlined plans to regularize high-level diplomatic visits and structured bilateral dialogues to resolve outstanding issues between Nepal and India. Presenting his official action plan before the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, Nischal Nath Pandey emphasized that strengthening institutional mechanisms remains paramount for addressing immediate and long-term national interests. Highlighting Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s upcoming official state visit to New Delhi, the nominee committed to activating existing bilateral cooperation frameworks encompassing trade, transit, energy partnerships, and disaster relief. He reiterated that foreign policy will strictly adhere to constitutional guidelines prioritizing national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independent economic diplomacy.

Govt. Introduces Bill Permitting Energy-Saving Industries To Trade Carbon And Efficiency Certificates

The government registered the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill, 2026, in the House of Representatives, proposing a regulatory mechanism that allows commercial establishments and industrial entities exceeding energy conservation targets to trade surplus efficiency certificates. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha submitted the legislative proposal, which mandates that businesses failing to achieve designated energy-saving targets must purchase matching energy savings certificates from compliant entities or face compensatory financial penalties. The legislative framework requires the proposed national center to establish differentiated energy-saving plans across industrial and residential sectors, verifying performance through independent energy auditors to encourage commercial efficiency and sustainable power management nationwide.

Foreign Minister Holds High-Level Talks With Australian Governor-General In Canberra