KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant developments from Nepal and around the world. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we bring you a concise summary of the day’s top stories.
PM Oli Dismisses Rumors of Government Collapse: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that rumors and talks surrounding the possible fall of the government hold no truth. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the administrative building of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality in Chitwan, Oli said that major parties like the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have come together to form a government aimed at ensuring development and good governance in the country.
“Focus confidently on development works; there’s no need to follow baseless rumors,” PM Oli said. “Our destination is a prosperous Nepal and happy Nepalis. There is no alternative to that goal.” Oli likened the national goal of prosperity to “a powerful medicine in a small capsule” and praised Ichchhakamana as a naturally promising rural municipality.
No One Can Dismantle the Republican Constitution, Says Home Minister: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has reiterated that no one has the authority to dismantle Nepal’s republican constitution. Stressing the importance of periodic elections, he said people are free to elect or reject parties and leaders every five years.
“You can change the government through elections every five years, but you cannot say you’ll tear up or abolish the democratic, republican constitution,” Lekhak said while addressing the Gandaki-level security conference in Pokhara on Friday. He pointed to ongoing demonstrations in favor of former King Gyanendra and warned that such activities must remain within democratic bounds.
Resident Doctors Protest at Medical Education Commission: Resident doctors staged a sit-in at the Medical Education Commission on Friday, demanding the dissolution of a task force formed under the Commission’s 18th meeting, which had proposed increasing MBBS and BDS seats and fees.
Doctors accused the task force of planning to raise MBBS seats as a means to fund an increase in post-graduate (PG) residents’ allowances. Dr. Sheshraj Ghimire, head of the Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers, said the protest aimed to oppose quality compromises in medical education. “You can’t increase fees and seats just to justify allowance hikes,” Dr. Ghimire said, emphasizing that the task force’s proposal undermines educational standards.
Civil Servants Should Not Be Pushed to the Streets, Says Congress General Secretary Sharma: General Secretary of the ruling Nepali Congress party, Bishwo Prakash Sharma, has stated that civil servants should not be forced to take to the streets in protest. Speaking at a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the Federal Parliament on Friday, Sharma expressed concern over growing unrest among public sector workers.
“I got stuck in traffic for a while while coming here. Teachers are already protesting on the streets,” Sharma said during the meeting. “We must not create an environment where civil servants are also compelled to come to the streets.” The committee is currently holding discussions on the Civil Service Bill. During the ongoing meeting, representatives from various civil servant trade unions drew the attention of the committee chairperson and its members to their demands.
Teachers’ Protest Enters 17th Day; Roads Blocked in Kathmandu: Teachers across Nepal have been protesting for 17 days, demanding the enactment of a teacher- and staff-friendly School Education Act. On Friday, the movement intensified, affecting traffic along major Kathmandu roads including the Maitighar–Babarmahal stretch.
Under the leadership of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, the protest began on Chaitra 20 and has since gained momentum. Despite the Education Ministry’s seven-point proposal to address their demands, the teachers’ union remains dissatisfied and has escalated the protests. Teachers have completely blocked roads from Maitighar to Bijulibazar, severely affecting transportation in the area.
Finance Secretary Suggests Raising Retirement Age for Civil Servants: Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay has suggested that raising the retirement age for civil servants to 60 years could save up to NPR 60 billion annually.
This proposal comes as part of the discussions on the Federal Civil Service Bill. The proposal is currently being discussed in Parliament, where a sub-committee led by the Nepali Congress has suggested a phased increase in retirement age over a few years.
Nepal Telecom Announces Possible Service Disruptions: Nepal Telecom has announced that certain areas in Kathmandu, including Thahiti, Asan, and Indrachowk, may experience disruptions to their telephone, internet, and TV services on the evening of Friday, May 5.
The telecom company stated that the disruption would last from 9 PM to 7 AM the following day, urging customers to contact the company if services are not restored within the designated time.
Increasing Number of Nepali Green Card Holders in the US: The number of Nepali citizens receiving U.S. Green Cards has been steadily increasing, with more than 42,000 Nepalis obtaining permanent resident status from 2019 to 2023.
This surge is attributed to various visa categories, including the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery, employment-based visas, and extraordinary ability visas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that the number of Nepali green card holders continues to rise, contributing to a growing Nepali diaspora in the United States.
RPP Leader Dhawal Shumsher Rana to Be Released on Bail: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana, arrested in connection with the Tikune protest, is expected to be released on bail. According to sources, the Kathmandu District Government Attorney’s Office, upon recommendation from the District Police Office, is preparing to release Rana on condition that he appears when summoned. Rana, a cancer patient, needs to travel to India for regular follow-ups.
He was arrested on Chaitra 15 (March 28) after a pro-monarchy protest turned violent in Tikune. His supporters claim the arrest was an attempt to deny him medical care. The United People’s Movement for Monarchy Restoration expressed objections on Friday regarding his detention.
Social Media Platforms Like Facebook to Face Ban if Not Registered Within Deadline, Warns Minister Gurung: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has made it clear that social media platforms, including Facebook, will face a ban if they are not registered within the government-mandated deadline.
Addressing the 9th General Convention of Sancharika Samuha Nepal in Kathmandu on Friday, Minister Gurung stated that all social media platforms operating in Nepal must comply with the country’s laws, and failure to register within the given timeframe will result in restrictions. He noted that only a few days remain before the extended one-month deadline for registration expires, yet major platforms like Facebook have not initiated the process. “Only two or three days remain before the month is over. No one is coming forward. They do not even respect the government,” he said.
Writ Petition Filed in SC Against Dr. Gunakar Bhatta: A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, who resigned from the post of Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank. Advocates Pratibha Upreti and Bishal Thapa filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Friday, claiming that Bhatta is not qualified to be appointed as Governor.
According to the petitioners, the Supreme Court has already accepted the supplementary petition to be filed on Sunday. The petitioners have argued that the act is unlawful as it is founded solely on a political agreement between the parties, rather than on legal or constitutional grounds. Bhatta had resigned from the post of Executive Director only on Friday. Bhatta’s resignation has not been accepted.
Class 12 Exams Not Postponed, Says National Examination Board: The National Examination Board (NEB) has clarified that the Class 12 exams have not been postponed. This statement comes in response to misleading information circulating on social media claiming that the exams were delayed due to the ongoing teachers’ protest. In an official press release, the NEB stated, “The board’s serious attention has been drawn to the dissemination of false information across various social media platforms regarding the postponement of the Class 12 annual examination scheduled to begin from Baisakh 11, 2082 (April 24, 2025), which has created confusion among students.” The board has also warned that legal action will be taken against those responsible for spreading such misinformation. “The process for legal action under cyber law has been initiated against individuals who circulated unauthorized and misleading information by using the board’s letterhead and forging the chairperson’s signature in such a sensitive matter as examinations,” the statement added.
41 Dead, 257 Injured in Pre-Monsoon Disasters Across Nepal: So far during this year’s pre-monsoon period, disaster-related incidents have claimed the lives of 41 people in Nepal. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), an additional 257 people have been injured, with damages amounting to tens of millions of rupees in property loss.
The authority stated that the country is currently in the pre-monsoon phase, which typically spans from mid-Falgun to mid-Jestha in the Nepali calendar (March to May in the Gregorian calendar). During this season, localized wind patterns usually lead to afternoon, evening, or nighttime weather disturbances. These include hailstorms, strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes, especially in certain regions of Nepal.
Two Killed, 14 Injured in Bus Accident: Two persons died while 14 others were injured in a bus accident occurred at Dharampani of Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality-2, Makwanpur today. The bus (Ba Pra 01-006 Kha 7072) en route to Hetauda from Kathmandu fell some 200 metres down the road in the night- at 1:00 am. It was heading to Makwanpur via Kanti Highway, according to District Police Office, Makwanpur.
Those losing lives in the incident were Nilam Devi Raut, 50, and Manushi Magar, 13. Raut, injured seriously in the incident, breathed her last during treatment while Magar’s lifeless body was recovered from the site. A team led by police inspector Birendra Rayamajhi was mobilized towards the incident site immediately after receiving the information. There were 15 passengers in the bus.
Nearly NPR 10 billion Corruption Found in Pokhara Airport Project by Parliamentary Probe: A parliamentary subcommittee investigating the construction of Pokhara International Airport has concluded that around NPR 10 billion worth of irregularities and corruption occurred during the project. The subcommittee under the Public Accounts Committee has prepared a draft report citing irregularities under 11 different categories.
The draft, prepared under the leadership of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chair Rajendra Lingden, has been circulated among some lawmakers for review. Some have already signed it while others have requested more time for study. According to a member of the subcommittee, tax exemptions were granted illegally — a matter already questioned earlier. The member further stated that the Pokhara airport irregularities constitute one of the biggest corruption scandals in the country. The Ministry of Finance did not provide all the requested documents, suggesting the actual corruption figure might be even higher.
NEPSE Index on the Rise, Shows Signs of Optimism: As the Nepali New Year 2082 begins, the country’s stock market has shown signs of renewed optimism. The NEPSE index has recorded gains for three consecutive trading days, boosting investor confidence and reflecting positive market sentiment at the start of the new year. This week, the NEPSE index rose by 19.34 points. Last week, the index had declined by 32.69 points to close at 2703.39. However, with this week’s rise, the index climbed to 2722.73.
The trading days were split across two Nepali years: the week began with the final trading day of 2081 and continued into 2082 on Baisakh 2. The stock market was open for four trading days this week. Out of those, the NEPSE index increased on three days and fell on only one. On the first trading day of the week, which was also the final day of 2081 (Sunday), the NEPSE dropped by 8.84 points. The remaining three days, however, witnessed upward movement in the index.
Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr. Gunakar Bhatta Resigns: Dr. Gunakar Bhatta has resigned from his post as Executive Director of Nepal Rastra Bank. He submitted his resignation on Friday. The governor’s seat at the central bank is currently vacant. It is understood that Bhatta tendered his resignation following confirmation of a new governor appointment.
Earlier, another Executive Director, Prakash Kumar Shrestha, had also resigned. The government had formed a recommendation committee three weeks ago to appoint a new governor. An agreement has reportedly been reached between the two ruling parties regarding the selection.
Government Enforces New Aviation Regulation, Significantly Increases Airlines’ Paid-Up Capital: The paid-up capital requirements for airline operators in Nepal have been significantly raised following the enforcement of a new aviation management regulation. For the first time, the government has introduced the Air Service Management Regulation, 2081, aimed at streamlining and better regulating airline companies. The regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, was approved by the Cabinet last Tuesday and has now come into effect.
With this new regulation in place, two existing procedural guidelines have been repealed: the Procedure for Granting Licenses to Civil Aviation Institutions, 2066 and the Procedure for Granting International Air Service Permits to Private Sector Companies in Nepal, 2075. Until now, the ministry had been issuing licenses and collecting revenue from aviation-related institutions through these procedures. The Auditor General’s Office had also raised questions about revenue collection being conducted under procedural guidelines rather than formal regulation.
Pal Shah’s First Film of the Year ‘Mohar’ Set to Release on Shrawan 23: Actor Pal Shah is returning to the silver screen with his first film of the year, Mohar, scheduled for release on Shrawan 23 (August 8, 2025). The film is produced under the banner of Film Makers Pvt. Ltd. and is written and directed by Om Pratik, with Chumban Jung Shahi as the producer.
The cast includes Pal Shah, Benisha Hamal, Niti Shah, Arjun Jung Shahi, Mithila Sharma, Rabindra Jha, Laxmi Giri, Sushil Devkota, and child artist Sara Sharma. Recently released images show Shah in a rugged look with long hair and a musket, sparking curiosity about his role in the movie.
Comedian Umesh Rai (Fulandeki Aama) to Debut on Big Screen with ‘Hello Kashiram’: TV comedian Umesh Rai, widely known as Fulandeki Aama, is set to make his big-screen debut with the film Hello Kashiram, releasing on Jestha 2 (May 16, 2025). As the release date approaches, Rai shared his excitement about the film, calling it a memorable experience, especially as it’s his first feature film.
He said the shooting process was full of fun, and audiences can expect to see him in a completely different avatar. Veteran actor Dilip Rayamajhi plays the lead role, and Rai expressed deep admiration for their collaboration.
Everest Nepal Cultural Group Returns After Showcasing Folk Culture in Thailand: Everest Nepal Cultural Group, a cultural ambassador of Nepal for over three decades, has returned home after participating in the International Folk Cultural Exchange event held in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand, from April 10 to 16, 2024.
Representing Nepal, the group performed various traditional cultural dances and rituals alongside international groups from Mexico, Sri Lanka, Russia, and Thailand. The performances highlighted Nepal’s rich heritage and continued the group’s long-standing mission of promoting Nepali culture globally.
Brazilian Legend Roberto Carlos Delays Nepal Visit Due to Health Issues: Roberto Carlos, the legendary Brazilian defender and 2002 FIFA World Cup winner, will not arrive in Nepal as scheduled. He was originally expected to visit Nepal on Friday (Baisakh 5) to attend matches in the Nepal Super League (NSL). However, due to unforeseen circumstances and a sudden health issue, Carlos will not be able to travel at the prearranged time, according to a statement issued by the NSL organizers.
Despite the delay, organizers remain hopeful and are in discussions to bring the Brazilian icon for the NSL final. “We are coordinating to ensure that Roberto Carlos arrives in Nepal for the final if possible,” the statement read. “We want to assure all fans that Roberto Carlos will definitely visit Nepal and will participate in NSL activities before the final.”
Nepal U-19 Set for Crucial World Cup Qualifier Against Afghanistan: Nepal’s U-19 cricket team is set to face Afghanistan’s U-19 side in a decisive match on Saturday. The game, part of the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifier in Kathmandu, will determine which of the two strong contenders secures a ticket to the 2026 U-19 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The winner of Saturday’s match will qualify for the World Cup to be held in January-February 2026. With Nepal playing on home turf, the team is aiming for back-to-back World Cup qualifications. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, which previously qualified directly, now finds itself in the qualifiers and is eager to avenge its earlier setback.
International Women’s Football Tournament Brings Life Back to Nepalgunj Stadium: Since hosting the 8th National Games, Banke district had not seen any major sporting events. Despite millions spent on infrastructure, the facilities had remained idle. However, with an upcoming international women’s football tournament, the Nepalgunj Stadium is once again bustling with activity.
The venue has been renovated for the Lumbini Cup International Invitational Women’s Football Tournament, bringing excitement among local players and football fans. This marks the biggest competition at the stadium since the National Games. Organizers believe the Lumbini Cup will help produce a new generation of female footballers. As the event meets international standards, preparations began months in advance. The stadium has been decorated, and regular watering has transformed the pitch into a lush green field.
At Least 38 killed, 102 Injured in US Air Strikes on Yemen: Air strikes by the United States on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port have killed at least 38 people in what is one of the deadliest attacks on the country by US forces Houthi-affiliated media report. Al Masirah TV said the strikes on Thursday also wounded 102 people, citing the country’s Hodeidah Health Office.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the air strikes were intended to cut off the Houthis’ source of fuel and revenue. “Today, US forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists,” CENTCOM said in a post on social media. “The objective of these strikes was to degrade the economic source of power of the Houthis,” it said.
Hamas Says Ready for Prisoner Exchange Deal to End Gaza War: Hamas said on Thursday evening that it is ready to immediately begin negotiations on a deal to swap all Israeli hostages with an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, in a bid to completely stop the Gaza war. Hamas expressed “readiness to immediately begin negotiations on a comprehensive package, whereby all prisoners held by the resistance and an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners in the occupation’s prisons are released,” Khalil Al-Hayya, head of Hamas in Gaza, said in a video speech.
This is “in exchange for a complete cessation of the war against our people, a full (Israeli) withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the start of reconstruction, and the end of the (Israeli) siege,” Al-Hayya said. Al-Hayya accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government of “using partial agreements as a cover” for Netanyahu’s “political agenda, which is based on continuing the war,” adding that Hamas “will not be part of implementing this policy.
Taiwan Detects 11 Chinese Aircraft, 6 Naval Vessels Near Its Territory: Taiwan detected 11 Chinese aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels and three official ships operating around its territory up until 6 am (local time) on Friday, a statement by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said.
Seven out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), authorities said. In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND said, “11 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
