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The Election Commission has issued a certificate of party registration to a new political party, Shram Sanskriti Party, led by Harka Sampang, Mayor of Dharan sub-metropolis. 

The EC gave a certificate of party registration to the party today as per Article 4 and 5 of Political Party Act, 2073. 

Out of seven new political parties that had filed applications for registration after the Gen-Z protest, the party led by Sampang is the first one to receive the certificate. 

After receiving the party registration certificate, Sampang said, "We have formed a 28-member working committee. We will work for the country and we are honest towards the nation and people."

The Manaslu trekking route in northern Gorkha has been reopened. 

The trekking route, which was completely closed from Thursday due to possible risk of landslides following heavy snowfall and rainfall, has been opened from today, said Acting Chief District Officer, Chitrangat Baral. 

The district administration has also requested the trekkers to start their trekking safely only after taking necessary information about the trekking route with the help of trekking guide. 

Baral added, "The trekking route has been opened after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology forecast that the weather will improve gradually."

Chief of Manaslu Conservation Area Project Program, Gorkha, Santosh Sherchan, said the trekkers have been urged to start their journey only after taking information about weather and adopting precautions as some trekking routes are damaged due to rainfall. 

Tourists heading towards Manaslu area were compelled to return back without reaching there due to heavy snowfall and rainfall.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed the Board of Directors of the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and other top officials to be serious about ending anomalies in the organization.

PM Karki directed the top-level management of the NAC to implement recommendations received at different times from experts for the Corporation's reforms and stated that all stakeholders should work to make the NAC a prideful institution for all.

The PM made such directives to the NAC Board of Directors and top-level officials after inviting them to the Office of the Prime Minister today.

According to the PM's Secretariat, PM Karki asked the officials to maintain good governance, end fiscal irregularities and curb anomalies in different tasks of the NAC including the regular maintenance of aircrafts.     

The PM also directed the officials to work without any political pressure.

On the occasion, the Acting Chairman of the NAC Board of Directors Bikram Rai pledged to bring about reforms and work to ensure results within some days.

Likewise, the Acting General Manager of the NAC, Janakraj Kalakheti, said that the Corporation has a total deficit of more than Rs 17 billion. 

During the meeting, Finance Minister Rameshwore Khanal and Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal were also present.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country, BBC reported.

Samia won 98% of the votes in Wednesday's poll, the electoral commission said. In her Saturday victory speech she said the election was "free and democratic", accusing protesters of being "unpatriotic".

Opposition parties rejected the results, calling the vote a mockery of the democratic process as Samia's main challengers had been either imprisoned or barred from running, according to BBC.

Sanjay Upadhya is an author, journalist and analyst. ApEx talked to him regarding the recent GenZ movement in Nepal. In this interview, he talked about the new political course after the protest, foreign policy priorities and geopolitical factors. Excerpts:

How do you view the GenZ protests and their aftermath?

The protests held on Sept 8–9 marked a significant awakening among a new generation of Nepalis eager for change, driven by frustration with corruption, misgovernance, and stifling politics. Despite the tragic violence that overshadowed the event, the resilient spirit of the movement remains evident. Subsequently, there has been a noticeable lack of clear leadership within GenZ, leading to some division. Various groups are articulating diverse demands and ideas, thereby confounding the average Nepali. If Nepal’s youth succeed in bridging these divisions and presenting a unified platform, the movement has the potential to evolve into a stable political force rather than a transient social phenomenon. Whether through electoral participation or sustained civic pressure on traditional parties, this generation bears the responsibility of redefining Nepal’s political discourse, shifting from mere power preservation to principles of accountability, inclusion, and innovation.

Do you see any geopolitical factors behind the GenZ protests?

The primary causes of the protests were deeply entrenched in local concerns and had been increasingly intensifying over time. Geopolitical considerations also contributed, reflecting the priorities and aspirations of various external groups active within Nepal. Certain factions emphasized the importance of Nepal avoiding the adoption of authoritarian tendencies and practices influenced by foreign powers and their financial and developmental assistance. Others sought to defend their traditional spheres of influence within the nation. Additionally, some parties aimed to prevent instability in Nepal from impacting their own borders and sensitive regions. Although tell-tale signs abound, the full extent of external involvement in these protests may remain forever uncertain.

What are your thoughts on the foreign policy priorities of the new government?

Given the interim nature of the current administration, its foreign policy must remain rooted in continuity rather than experimentation. So far, it has acted prudently by reaffirming Nepal’s traditional diplomatic principles such as non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and sovereign independence. With a government primarily focused on maintaining law and order, restoring public trust, and creating a conducive environment for elections, these priorities are sufficiently broad to occupy its efforts and resources. In this context, implementing any drastic measures would not be practical or prudent.

How might major powers such as India, China, and the United States view the recent political developments in Nepal?

Each of these major powers is likely to interpret recent political developments through the lens of its aspirations for Nepal. India anticipates observing Nepal confidently advancing along a pathway toward a stronger parliamentary democracy that can safeguard New Delhi’s primary political, diplomatic, and security interests. The United States seeks assurance that Nepal remains committed to democratic values, human rights, and transparent governance, while resisting undue external influence. 

In an era of intensifying competition between democratic and authoritarian models of governance, Nepal’s ability to maintain its independence and pluralism carries symbolic importance beyond South Asia. China’s emphasis is on maintaining Nepal’s stability and security. Beijing supports Nepal’s efforts to adhere to commitments such as the One China policy and hopes that Nepal can maintain its independence and remain free from unnecessary external pressures. Beijing’s broader strategic vision views a stable Nepal as essential for regional security and as a buffer against external interference in Tibet.

What approach should Nepal take to maintain balanced and cordial relations with all major powers in this evolving context?

The interim government must prioritize its fundamental obligation to ensure that elections are conducted on 5 March 2026. Subsequently, upon assuming office, the new administration may concentrate on overseeing Nepal’s foreign policy, guided by principles such as non-alignment, sovereign equality and mutual respect. Traditionally, these tenets have allowed Nepal to maintain cordial relations with all major powers without becoming overly dependent on any single one. Overall, Nepal should exercise caution to prevent actions or statements that could disrupt the nation’s fragile geopolitical stability amid the swiftly evolving global landscape.

Beijing has said it will loosen a chip export ban it imposed after Dutch authorities took over Nexperia, a Chinese-owned chipmaker based in the Netherlands, BBC reported.

In September, the Netherlands invoked a Cold War-era law to take control of Nexperia, stating "serious governance shortcomings" which could impact the availability of chips - which are critical for making cars - in an emergency.

China said in response that it would not re-export Nexperia chips completed in its Chinese factories to Europe. Last month, the likes of Volvo Cars and Volkswagen warned it could lead to temporary shutdowns at their plants, according to BBC.

The Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress scheduled for today has been postponed. 

The next meeting will be held on November 4, said NC Party Office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel.

The party has requested its office bearers, members, invitee members and presidents of all seven provinces to attend the meeting. 

The meeting was put off after the establishment side and factional side could not forge consensus regarding presenting a proposal to announce the date of the party's 15th general convention.  

Earlier, the meeting called for Friday was also deferred.

Former President Barack Obama touted Democratic candidates for governor in two states at campaign rallies on Saturday, urging voters in next week's election to reject what he called the “lawlessness and recklessness” of President Donald Trump's administration, Reuters reported.

Obama, the two-term president still highly popular among Democrats, laid out a biting indictment of the Trump administration at rallies for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger and New Jersey candidate Mikie Sherrill.

“Let’s face it, our country and our policy are in a pretty dark place right now,” Obama told a roaring crowd of Spanberger supporters at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, according to Reuters.