KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
NPL: Karnali Yaks clinch thrilling win over Biratnagar Kings
Karnali Yaks secured a thrilling victory over Biratnagar Kings in the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), chasing down a target of 187 runs with just one ball to spare. Karnali captain Sompal Kami led the chase with an unbeaten 62 off 32 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. He shared an unbroken 64-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Gulshan Jha, who remained unbeaten on 28 off 21 balls. Karnali needed eight runs in the final over to win. Sompal took a single off the first delivery, while Gulshan collected two runs off the second and another single off the third. Biratnagar’s Lokesh Bam then dropped Gulshan’s catch, giving Karnali a crucial reprieve. Sompal followed with two runs off each of the next two deliveries to seal the victory. Earlier, Sompal and Pawan Saraf revived Karnali’s innings with a 66-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Pawan scored 36 off 28 balls before being dismissed. Karnali had struggled early in the chase, losing its first five wickets cheaply. Mark Watt scored one, Deepak Dumre made 20, Akbar Ali managed one, Ariful Islam contributed 32, and Hussain Talat was dismissed without scoring. Sompal and Pawan then steadied the innings.
Janakpur Bolts register first NPL win, beat Kathmandu Gorkhas by 8 wickets
Janakpur Bolts opened their winning account in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Kathmandu Gorkhas on Thursday. Chasing Kathmandu’s target of 116 runs, Janakpur reached 117 in 17.2 overs, losing just two wickets. Moeen Ali starred with the bat, scoring a half-century to steer his side to a comfortable victory. Janakpur had lost their opening match against Karnali Yaks and bounced back with the win. Kathmandu Gorkhas, meanwhile, began their tournament campaign with a defeat.
Chief Justice Sharma denies links to Inam Sapkota, calls media reports baseless
Chief Justice (CJ) Manoj Kumar Sharma has denied any connection with a person named Inam Sapkota, dismissing media reports linking him to Sapkota as false and misleading. Issuing a statement on Thursday afternoon, Sharma expressed surprise and dismay over a report published by Diyo Post under the headline, “Chief Justice Sharma and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Bishwaraj Pokharel’s ‘bribe’ in the US.” Sharma said he had no involvement in the matters described in the report and denied having any direct or indirect acquaintance or contact with the individuals mentioned. “I have no direct or indirect acquaintance or contact with those individuals. I have never met them. During the months mentioned in the report—November, December and January—I was not even the Chief Justice,” he said.
Nepal Bar Association demands probe into Chief Justice, judges linked to Inam Sapkota
The Nepal Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella organization of legal professionals in Nepal, has called for an investigation into allegations linking the Chief Justice and other judges to Inam Sapkota, who is reportedly under investigation for his alleged role as a middleman. Messages reportedly linking Supreme Court Judge Hari Phuyal and Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma to Sapkota, who is currently in custody, have recently been made public. In a statement issued on Thursday, the NBA said media outlets had recently published details of alleged conversations and meetings between Supreme Court judges and individuals connected to a controversial case. Reports linking the Chief Justice to the matter had also surfaced, raising serious public concerns. The Association said that questions raised publicly about the conduct of judges and the judiciary’s top leadership should not be dismissed as mere media reports and instead require a formal investigation.
CJ Sharma calls full court meeting amid controversy over links to Inam Sapkota
Chief Justice (CJ) Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma has called a full court meeting of all Supreme Court judges for Friday to discuss current issues. On Thursday, Sharma issued a press statement rejecting reports linking his name to Inam Sapkota, a detained middleman. He denied having any connection with Sapkota. Messages allegedly showing conversations between Sapkota and two Supreme Court justices, Hari Phuyal and Shrikant Poudel, have also been made public. Both judges have denied the allegations through separate press statements. Meanwhile, the Nepal Bar Association has called for an impartial investigation into the allegations involving members of the judiciary. The full court meeting has been convened amid growing controversy over the reported links and calls for an independent investigation.
Nepal Police to take legal action against attempts to drag organisation into controversy
Nepal Police has said it will investigate and take legal action against individuals deliberately attempting to undermine the organisation or act against the government by dragging the security agency into controversy. In a statement, Nepal Police spokesperson Abinarayan Kafle said the organisation remained committed to maintaining public security, preserving peace and order, controlling crime, and protecting the lives and property of citizens. “The Nepal Police wishes to inform all concerned that it will initiate necessary investigations and take legal action in accordance with prevailing laws against individuals deliberately spreading misleading information to damage the organisation’s reputation, professionalism and performance, or attempting to weaken the Nepal Police or act against the government by drawing the security agency into controversy,” the statement said.
RSP Chair Lamichhane meets Speaker Aryal at Singha Durbar
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane visited Singha Durbar on Thursday to meet Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal at his office. According to the Speaker’s Secretariat, the meeting lasted around 20 minutes and was informal in nature. The meeting came a day after Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a meeting with Lamichhane on Wednesday.
US to provide Nepal with $150 million in disaster-response equipment
US Chargé d’Affaires Megan Bouldin met Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and US assistance to Nepal for disaster preparedness and recovery following the devastating floods in August. During the meeting, Bouldin expressed condolences for those who lost their lives in the disaster and conveyed sympathy to the families of Nepali Army personnel who remain missing. She also highlighted plans by the United States to provide Nepal with more than $150 million worth of US-made helicopters, drones and riverboats to enhance the country’s disaster-response capabilities. Deliveries of the equipment are scheduled to begin next year. The equipment is expected to strengthen Nepal’s capacity for search-and-rescue missions, medical evacuations and emergency response operations. The planned assistance will complement the $38 million worth of M28 Skytruck aircraft donated by the United States last autumn. The aircraft have since been used to support disaster-relief operations in Nepal.
No strong winds expected in Nepal as cyclone Arnab weakens
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Weather Forecasting Division has said there is no likelihood of strong winds in Nepal as Cyclone Arnab, which developed in the Bay of Bengal, has weakened. According to the Department, the cyclone has weakened into a strong low-pressure system. Bibhuti Pokharel, a senior meteorologist at the Department, said light to moderate rainfall was possible in parts of the country due to the system, but there was no threat of dangerous winds like those associated with a stronger cyclone. She said the eastern region could receive comparatively heavier rainfall than other parts of the country. The system’s effects are expected to persist mainly from Thursday or Friday through Saturday, Pokharel said.
NEPSE rises 31.54 points as turnover reaches Rs 8.57 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index climbed 31.54 points, or 1.18 percent, to close at 2,695.60 points on Thursday, extending gains despite fluctuations during the trading session. Trading activity remained robust, with 23.25 million shares of 350 companies changing hands through 69,619 transactions. Total turnover reached Rs 8.57 billion. Of the companies traded, share prices of 181 advanced, while 91 declined and six remained unchanged. The banking sector led the market gains, with its sub-index rising by 2.28 percent. The hotel and tourism and other groups each gained 2.05 percent. The finance group advanced by 1.69 percent, while the development bank group increased by 1.55 percent. Other sectoral indices posted gains of less than one percent.
CAAN urges aviation sector to adopt safety measures amid Cyclone Arnab
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has called on aviation stakeholders to strengthen safety measures in anticipation of potential disruptions caused by Cyclone Arnab. In a safety circular, CAAN instructed air service providers, airport operators, airlines and other concerned agencies to remain vigilant as the weather system could bring moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds and snowfall in Nepal’s mountainous and high-hill regions. The authority has urged heightened caution on October 29 and 30, warning that heavy rainfall, strong winds and poor visibility could affect aircraft take-offs and landings, airport operations and runway conditions. CAAN has also directed air traffic management units to prepare comprehensive flight management plans for adverse weather conditions and coordinate with other aviation agencies as necessary. If weather conditions deteriorate beyond established operational limits, the units must take appropriate measures, including rerouting flights, placing aircraft in holding patterns or making other operational adjustments.
Jhapa administration urges public to remain vigilant for three days
The risk of flooding and inundation has increased in Jhapa and other parts of the country due to the impact of Cyclone Arnab, prompting the District Administration Office to urge the public to remain on high alert. According to information from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Koshi Province is likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds from October 29 to 31. With farmers in Jhapa rushing to harvest ripe paddy, the administration has urged them to exercise caution amid the adverse weather forecast. Farmers have been advised to postpone harvesting where possible and move already harvested paddy to safe locations.
“Poor condition of Karnali Corridor highlights state neglect”
Travelling along the Humla-Surkhet road has become a gruelling experience for both passengers and drivers, with frequent landslides and the deteriorating condition of the Karnali Corridor making journeys difficult and dangerous. Regardless of weather conditions, landslides occur at several points along the road, disrupting transportation and putting travellers at risk. The situation has once again raised questions about the government’s role in road construction, upgrading and maintenance. Nawaraj Rawat of Jaira, Sarkegad Rural Municipality-1, expressed frustration over the road’s condition after completing a hazardous three-day journey from Humla to Surkhet. He said the Karnali Corridor, a vital highway connecting Jamunaha in Nepalgunj to Hilsa near the Nepal-China border in Humla, had become so difficult to travel that using it felt like a punishment. Despite its importance, the road has remained in poor condition for years, with little improvement in its safety and accessibility, he complained.
Mustang produces apples worth over Rs 1.14 billion
Mustang district has produced apples worth an estimated Rs 1.14 billion this year, according to preliminary data from the Agriculture and Livestock Development Office. The office has collected initial production data from five local levels, covering a total of 662 hectares of apple orchards. According to office chief Dr. Lalmani Aryal, the district produced high-density, hybrid apples worth Rs 236 million and traditional local apples worth Rs 919.91 million. Total production of both varieties reached 7,038.54 metric tonnes. Of the total output, hybrid apples accounted for 959.62 metric tonnes, while traditional varieties contributed 6,078.92 metric tonnes.
Gold price rises, silver price falls in domestic market
Gold prices rose by Rs. 300 per tola in the domestic market today, while silver prices fell by Rs. 50 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold was fixed at Rs. 283,500 per tola, while silver was priced at Rs. 3,930 per tola. On Wednesday, fine gold was traded at Rs. 283,200 per tola, while silver was priced at Rs. 3,980 per tola.
More than 20,000 tourists visit Chitwan National Park during Dashain
A total of 20,087 tourists visited Chitwan National Park during the Dashain festival, following the resumption of jeep safaris inside the park. According to Ganesh Tiwari, the park’s information officer, the visitors included 11,891 Nepali tourists, 7,365 foreign tourists and 831 visitors from SAARC countries. Tourists visit the park to observe its rare wildlife, particularly the one-horned rhinoceros, leopards, elephants, bears and gharial crocodiles, as well as a wide variety of bird species. Tiwari said the park collected Rs 17.344 million in revenue from tourists during the Dashain period. Of the total, Rs 1.783 million was collected from Nepali visitors, Rs 831,000 from tourists from SAARC countries and Rs 14.73 million from visitors from other countries.
Chapagain appointed Global Ambassador for the Grand Bargain
Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has been appointed Global Ambassador for the Grand Bargain, a major global initiative aimed at making humanitarian action more effective, accountable, equitable and locally led. He was formally welcomed into the role at the 2026 Grand Bargain Annual Meeting in Geneva and will champion the initiative’s agenda for an initial two-year term. In his new role, Chapagain will work with governments, donors, United Nations agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and local humanitarian organizations to strengthen collective action on some of the most pressing challenges facing the humanitarian system.
Floods disrupt apple transportation in Gorkha’s Manaslu region
Apples produced in the Manaslu region of northern Gorkha have been stored in warehouses after floods along the Budhigandaki River washed away bridges and roads, disrupting transportation to markets. Businessman Lakpa Dundup Lama said farmers and traders have been forced to store their apples because there is no viable alternative for transporting them to market. Flooding triggered after an avalanche blocked the Ungilung River in Chumanubri Rural Municipality-6 on Asoj 25 washed away dozens of bridges and sections of roads along the Budhigandaki River, disrupting movement in the area. The flood also blocked the Benighat-Arughat-Larke road, considered a lifeline for northern Gorkha. The road section connecting Sirdibas in Chumanubri Rural Municipality with Arkhet in Arughat has been obstructed.
Toll collection to begin at Nagdhunga Tunnel on November 1
The Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project is set to begin collecting tolls from vehicles using the tunnel route from November 1. In a public notice issued today, the project stated that toll collection would begin in accordance with a decision by the Executive Committee of the Road Board Nepal. The government had previously fixed toll rates for vehicles using the Nagdhunga-Naubise tunnel and published them in the Nepal Gazette. The rates vary according to vehicle type and direction of travel. Cars, vans, pickups, tractors, microbuses and other light vehicles will be charged Rs. 65 when entering Kathmandu and Rs. 60 when leaving the capital. Similarly, minibuses and mini-tippers/trucks will be charged Rs. 125 for entry into Kathmandu and Rs. 80 for departure. Buses and trucks with a single rear axle will be charged Rs. 260 when entering Kathmandu and Rs. 200 when leaving.
Three arrested with customs-evaded goods in Sunsari
Police have arrested three people in Dharan, Sunsari, for allegedly transporting goods worth Rs. 982,500 that had been brought into the country without paying customs duties. The goods were discovered during an inspection of a mini-truck (Ko 2 Kha 1618) travelling from Itahari to Dharan.A joint police team from the Area Police Office, Dharan, and the temporary police post in Tinkune arrested the driver, Pradeep Kumar Sah, 25, of Biratnagar Metropolitan City-4; co-driver Bhupendra Rajbanshi, 42, of Jahada Rural Municipality-1; and another co-driver, Kartik Rajbanshi, from the same locality. Chandra Bahadur Khadka, information officer at the District Police Office, Sunsari, said the seized goods, the mini-truck and all three suspects had been kept at the Area Police Office, Dharan, for further investigation.
Langtang Valley trek reopens after construction of alternative routes
The Langtang Valley trekking route has reopened following the construction of alternative trails to ensure the safety of trekkers after flash floods damaged key infrastructure in the region. Although the Bhotekoshi River flood damaged sections of the Pasang Lhamu Highway and infrastructure around Syafrubesi, alternative trekking routes have been developed to allow tourists to access the popular destination safely. The reopening of the world-renowned trekking route, which had been disrupted by the flash floods, has brought relief and excitement to local residents and tourism entrepreneurs. The alternative trails were constructed through the initiatives of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and local governments.
TikTok removes over 2 million videos in Nepal in Q2 2026
TikTok removed 2,036,191 videos in Nepal for violating its community guidelines between April and June 2026, according to the company’s latest transparency report. The report shows that the platform’s automated moderation systems detected and removed 99.5 percent of the videos before users reported them. Additionally, 92.3 percent of the videos were taken down within 24 hours of being posted. Following subsequent reviews, TikTok restored 33,503 videos. Globally, TikTok removed more than 188.2 million videos during the same period. The company also reported removing over 146.8 million fake accounts and more than 26.8 million accounts suspected of belonging to users under the age of 13.
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