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CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has indicated that he will not step down from party leadership anytime soon.

Amid growing pressure from within the party to hand over leadership, Oli told district chairs via a virtual address that he would continue to lead as long as he has the strength, conviction, and clarity of vision to do so, according to a party insider.

Following his ouster from power after the GenZ uprising, Oli has been residing in Gundu, from where he has been conducting party activities.

On Tuesday, ahead of the party’s upcoming Secretariat and Central Committee meetings, Oli addressed the Gandaki Province in-charge, province chairs, and district chairs virtually.

He has been holding separate virtual interactions with leaders from different provinces and districts.

During his virtual address, Oli claimed that a conspiracy had been orchestrated against him, his party, and the nation itself, describing the GenZ movement of Sept 8–9 as a product of that conspiracy.

Although he acknowledged being forced out of power, Oli asserted that he remains active in serving the country and the people. “As long as I can, I will continue. When I no longer can, I will step aside,” he said.

Kathmandu University (KU) is taking significant steps to internationalize higher education in Nepal, aiming to position the country as a regional education hub. Global universities are showing interest in collaborating with KU as it expands its international reach and academic offerings.

In an increasingly competitive academic world, universities worldwide seek to attract international students who enrich their campuses with diverse perspectives. Their presence not only enhances classroom discussions and research but also helps domestic students develop crucial communication and intercultural skills. For the host institution, welcoming foreign students ensures its programs remain globally relevant and aligned with international standards. 

The exchange of students also strengthens ties between countries. When international graduates return home, they often act as informal ambassadors, promoting trade, research, and diplomatic relationships. Many also stay on to work, contributing to the host country’s economy and skilled workforce.

To advance its internationalization goals, KU aims to maintain international students at around 10 percent of total enrollment across all programs. It plans to attract these students by offering affordable tuition, leveraging Nepal’s low cost of living, and building research partnerships with universities in the Global North.

Until 2021, KU had no specific policy to attract international students; those interested joined the university on their own initiative and funding. That changed when KU introduced measures to improve research engagement, international collaboration, and faculty exchange.

Each professor and associate professor at KU now has at least one Research Fellow (RF) to support departmental research. KU students pursuing MS by Research, MPhil, or PhD degrees can serve as RFs in exchange for fee waivers, and the same opportunity is extended to international students, who are also provided free accommodation when available.

To enhance its academic environment, KU launched a global “Call for International Faculty” on July 1, drawing over 450 applications from around the world. Selected professors receive a 50 percent higher salary than Nepali faculty if they teach at least a three-credit course for one semester.

The School of Arts and School of Education have already recruited educators from the United States, Brazil, Britain, South Korea, Taiwan, India, the Nordic countries, and China. Three international faculty members from the UK and USA are already teaching, with more joining next semester.

Between April 2021 and May 2024, KU hosted more than 178 higher education leaders and representatives from 37 countries, including vice-chancellors, ambassadors, and government officials, reflecting its growing global reputation.

International collaboration has long been central to KU’s academic identity. It has established partnerships with 284 higher education institutions across 42 countries, creating pathways for student exchange, joint research, and double-degree programs.

KU’s major partners include the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, Western Sydney University, and the Indian Institutes of Technology in Hyderabad and Madras. Through such collaborations, KU faculty and students have benefited from programs like Erasmus+, the European Union’s education and training initiative.

Currently, students from 57 countries, including Benin, Zambia, and South Africa, have studied at KU—making up 12.33 percent (5,660) of its 41,275 graduates. The university’s scholarships, fee waivers, and free housing for foreign students, coupled with its academic quality, are making KU a preferred destination for higher education in South Asia.

In the academic year 2023/24, KU launched a Bachelor in Yogic Science and Well-Being program in Tirupati, India, with the Shri Vishweswara Yoga Research Institute. It is also preparing to offer a Bachelor in Buddhist Studies in Hong Kong in collaboration with the Thrangu Vajrayana Buddhist Center.

Similarly, in 2024/25, KU introduced a double degree Bachelor in Information Technology (BIT) program in Australia with the Crown Institute of Higher Education. These programs mark a paradigm shift, extending KU’s reach beyond Nepal’s borders.

The university also runs a 2+2 undergraduate program with the Hebei University of Economics and Business in China and joint programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels with Western Sydney University. The Confucius Institute at KU, established in 2007, continues to attract Chinese students, while a new partnership with the Yunus Emre Institute will establish a Turkish Cultural Center in Nepal.

To bring more international students to Nepal, KU has begun collaborating with global education consultancies. In January 2023, it signed Letters of Intent with eight Nepali, four Chinese, and one US consultancy. These efforts have already brought over 50 new international students, primarily from China. In the last semester alone, 12 new PhD candidates—11 Chinese and one American—joined the School of Arts.

Despite these successes, KU faces major hurdles in attracting more foreign students—chief among them, Nepal’s restrictive student visa policy. The government currently does not issue student visas based solely on university offer letters, discouraging applicants who wish to study in Nepal.

KU has urged the Ministry of Education to create scholarship and internship programs for international students and to revise visa policies. In June 2022, it wrote to the Minister of Education requesting six annual scholarships—one for each school except Medical Sciences—for foreign students. The appeal was also shared with Nepali embassies worldwide.

Nepal’s visa regime remains one of the most tourist-friendly in the world but lacks flexibility for genuine students. Authorities fear misuse of student visas, but strict rules now penalize legitimate applicants. KU believes that a collaborative national approach—involving the government, universities, and the private sector—is essential to develop student-friendly policies that can help make Nepal a global education destination.

Kathmandu University’s efforts mark a crucial beginning. If supported by policy reforms, these initiatives could transform Nepal into a regional hub of higher learning—where affordability, diversity, and academic excellence come together to attract the world’s brightest minds.

The World Post Day 2025 is being observed across the world, including Nepal today.

The Day is observed in commemoration of the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, which was established in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, the UPU has invited all member countries to take part in the global social media campaign on the theme: "Post for People: Local Service. Global Reach." It has also called for contributions of photos or short videos that bring this theme to life.

In a statement on the occasion, Director General of the UPU, a UN specialized agency responsible for international postal cooperation and development, Masahiko Metoki, has urged all to work together in ensuring that the Post continues to offer quality services to everyone, everywhere, connecting local communities to the world. "Let us unite to make the postal network more accessible, more reliable and more inclusive than ever."

The day is also being observed in Nepal by organizing a variety of events.

Nepal defeated Kuwait by 58 runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia and EAP Qualifiers.

Chasing a victory target of 142 runs posted by Nepal in the match held at the Al Amerat cricket ground in Oman, Kuwait managed to score 83 runs losing all the wickets in 18.1 overs.

Only three Kuwait batsmen could score in double digits with opener Clinto Anto and batsman Yashin Patel contributing 26 and 19 runs respectively. Meet Bhavsar scored 11 runs in 12 balls.

Nepali bowlers Lalit Rajbansi, Sandeep Lamichhane and Captain Rohit Paudel took two wickets each in giving their team the first win of the qualifiers. Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav and Kushal Bhurtel claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, batting first after losing the toss, Nepal scored 141 runs in 20 overs at the loss of seven wickets.

Opener Kushal Bhurtel top-scored with 66 runs in 56 balls followed by Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Jha who scored 20 runs each.

Captain Rohit Paudel was the third batsman to reach double figures, scoring 16 runs in 15 balls. Bhurtel won the player-of-the-match award for taking 1 wicket as well.

For Kuwait, N Rajendran and A Chandamara took two wickets each followed by M.A. Farooq and M. Aslam who took one wicket each.

Led by captain Paudel, Nepali national team comprises Asif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Jora, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha and Sandeep Lamichhane.

Nepal have been grouped together with Kuwait and Japan in Group B. There are three groups comprising nine countries vying for a spot in the T20 world cup taking place from February to March in 2026.

The weather today will remain partly cloudy in the hilly areas and mainly fair in the rest of the country.

There is a possibility of light rain in one or two places of the hilly areas of the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

Meteorological analysis by the Division states that westerly winds are affecting many places in the western part of Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, Karnali, and a few places in western Gandaki Province, while the effect of monsoon winds and local winds is becoming weak.

Tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly cloudy in Koshi Province and mainly fair in the rest of the country. There is a possibility of light rain in one or two places of the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

Nepal defeated Malaysia to clinch Women's Twenty20 International Series cricket on Wednesday.

Nepal won the series defeating Malaysia by five wickets in the fifth and decisive match held at Bayuemas Oval Cricket Ground of Malaysia this morning.

With this victory, Nepal won the five-match series by 3-2 against Malaysia.

Nepal achieved the target of 104-run posted by Malaysia in 18 overs at the loss of five wickets.

For Nepal, Rubi Poddar scored 26 runs, Puja Mahato 23 runs, Rubina Chhetri 15 runs (not out) and Samjhana Khadka 13 runs.

Ainna Hamizah, Nur Dania Syuhada, Aisya Eleesa Erni Firdaus and Nur Alya of Malaysia took one wicket each.

Earlier, choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Malaysia gathered 103 runs in 20 overs at the loss of seven wickets.

Winifred scored the highest 40 runs for Malaysia while Mahira Izzati Ismail made 19 runs, Ainna Hamizah 15 runs and Nur Dania Syuhada 11 runs. 

Similarly, Kabita Kunwar and Rajmati Airee took three wickets each and Rachana Chaudhary claimed one wicket.

The government has said that the reconstruction of the road infrastructure damaged by the recent floods and landslides will cost Rs 12.38 billion, given first priority to restoring the damaged roads.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport stated that an estimated Rs 10.68 billion will be required for reconstruction of the major highways, alternative roads, Bailey bridge and permanent bridges damaged due to the monsoon-induced disasters.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising has said that subordinate agencies are working with the first priority on restoring roads damaged and blocked due to floods and landslides.

Also the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ghising, said that manpower along with equipment has been deployed to operate the blocked road as soon as possible.

He stated that manpower along with equipment has been deployed to operate the blocked road as soon as possible.

The recent flood has caused significant damage to the Mechi Highway. It is estimated that Rs 1.5 billion will be required for the reconstruction of this highway.

Similarly, the government estimates that it will cost Rs 3.77 billion to rebuild the damaged Koshi, Mid-Hill, Postal, Araniko, Kanti, Narayanghat-Muglin and other highways.

According to Minister Ghising's private secretariat, the government has estimated that it will cost Rs 4.52 billion to rebuild 17 damaged bridges, Rs 800 million to install Bailey bridges, and Rs 1.59 billion for the maintenance of alternative roads.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 2, 600 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 238, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 235, 400 per tola on Tuesday.

The price of silver, however, has dropped by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 2, 955 per tola today.