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The decision to raise senior citizen allowances from 68 to 70 years will save the government approximately Rs 10bn annually, finance ministry officials say. The government, through the budget for fiscal year 2022/23 presented by Janardan Sharma of CPN (Maoist Center) had lowered the age limit for senior citizen allowances to 68 from 70. As the growing elderly population was putting additional financial burden, the government raised the age limit to 70 from the coming fiscal year.

It was one of the recommendations made by the High-level Economic Reforms Advisory Committee led by former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal.

Currently, all senior citizens aged 68 and above receive a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000. The age threshold, however, will remain unchanged for targeted groups such as elderly Dalits, residents of remote areas and others qualifying under special categories. According to finance ministry spokesperson Shyam Prasad Bhandari, raising the age limit is expected to save the state Rs 10bn annually. “This measure is aimed at easing fiscal pressure and making the system more sustainable and efficient,” he told ApEx. 

The government has also barred provincial and local bodies from duplicating social security programs, to avoid overlapping benefits and excessive spending. A total of Rs 109bn, roughly 5.55 percent of the national budget of Rs 1,964bn, has been allocated for all social security programs in the upcoming fiscal year. This represents a decline from previous years when social security expenses comprised over eight percent of the budget.

Khanal said limiting allowances to citizens above 70 years will help redirect funds toward capital formation. “It is not a permanent saving, but it provides temporary relief,” he said. The government also plans to integrate all social security payments with the national ID system to prevent duplication.

Economist Ramesh Paudel said the decision aligns with Nepal’s rising life expectancy, currently at 71.3 years. However, he criticized the move as symbolic rather than transformative. “Increasing the age limit might free up some funds, but it won’t significantly boost economic growth,” he said. Paudel called for a shift toward a single-window social security system focused on free education and healthcare, rather than multiple allowance categories. “Such investments have more long-term economic impact than scattered cash distributions,” he added.

According to the National Statistics Office, Nepal is on track to become an aging society by (2054/55), as the birth rate declines and the elderly population, which has already tripled since 1991/92, continues to rise.

Finance Ministry Joint-secretary Krishna Prasad Sharma called for a review of the pension system and a redesigned model for social support. “Expanding social security without systemic reforms could make it unsustainable,” he added. The number of beneficiaries is expected to increase from 3.75m this year to 3.78m next year, even with the higher age requirement, according to finance ministry officials.

North Korea has relaunched a 5,000-tonne destroyer two weeks after it tipped over during an earlier launch attempt. The warship has been stabilized and is now moored, with full restoration expected before a key ruling party meeting this month, according to BBC.

Leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the incident, condemned the failure as a "criminal act" that "severely damaged the country's dignity and pride." He blamed the mishap on "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility, and unscientific empiricism."

At least four officials were arrested, including Ri Hyong-son from the ruling party's Munitions Industry Department. Analysts believe Kim's severe response demonstrates North Korea's determination to upgrade its navy, BBC reported.

A group of dacoits robbed a house in Surunga Municipality-8, Saptari and subsequently murdered the house owner on Thursday.  

The group barged into Kantalal Chaudhary’s house and murdered him before decamping with properties last night, the police informed.

Chaudhary's younger brother, Ramakanta sustained injuries in the lethal attack.

According to the police, the dacoits had robbed the gold and silver jewelries and cash from the house of Chaudhary.

Search for the robbers is underway, the police said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 420 cases of measles in England since January 2025, with a notable increase in April and May. The majority of cases—roughly two-thirds—involve youngsters aged ten and younger. London has seen the largest number of infections this year, according to Xinhua.

Health experts are afraid that foreign travel during the summer holidays will lead to additional spread, particularly since measles is still prevalent in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

UKHSA is urging parents to check that their children have received both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Vaccination is the best way to protect families and communities during the holiday season, Xinhua reported.