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.
Government Appoints Biswo Poudel as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank: The government has appointed Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel as the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. Spokesperson and Minister for Communication, Information and Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, informed that Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar appointed Poudel as the 18th Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.
PM Oli and NC President Deuba Hold Meeting at Baluwatar: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba have held talks. The two leaders met at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar. The meeting originally scheduled for yesterday had been postponed due to the Prime Minister’s health condition. Although his health hasn’t fully improved, the meeting was conducted at the Prime Minister’s residence instead of attending any external programs. Due to the Prime Minister’s illness, his scheduled appearance in Parliament today to respond to questions has also been postponed.
PM Oli Unwell, Q&A With Lawmakers Dropped: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s scheduled question-and-answer session with lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Tuesday has been cancelled due to his ill health. Speaker Devraj Ghimire’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari confirmed that the agenda was removed as Prime Minister Oli would be absent for health reasons. Citing the same, Monday’s Cabinet meeting was also postponed. The House meeting commenced at 11 AM on Tuesday.
Lawmakers Raise Various Pressing Issues: In a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, lawmakers put their views on various contemporary issues. Airing their views in a zero hour of the session, Bina Lama urged the government to address the concerns of Maryada Palaks or the marshals assigned in parliament. She demanded facilities for nutritious snacks and meal for them. Similarly, Binita Kumari Singh accused the government of being indifferent towards the implementation of People’s Housing Programme. Bina Jaiswal raised her concern that “banks and finances make undervaluation of loan securities while proceeding for auctions.
Foreign Minister Rana Leaves for Japan: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has left for Japan via Thailand. According to her secretariat, she left late last night to participate in an international conference on social isolation among senior citizens, scheduled to begin Wednesday in Tokyo. The event is being organized by the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People and will bring together ministers, senior government officials, and veteran social activists from more than a dozen countries.
Mukkumlung Movement to Intensify Against Colonialism, Encroachment, and Human Rights Violations: The ongoing conservation movement in the Mukkumlung region against colonialism, encroachment, human rights violations, and forced development projects is set to intensify. On Tuesday, representatives of the Mukkumlung Tangsep Chumbo and Mukkumlung Conservation Inter-party Political Alliance issued a warning during a press conference in Kathmandu, announcing fresh protests. Rajendra Mahato, President of the Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal, briefed the press on the latest developments and future plans of the movement. According to Mahato, serious human rights violations such as vigilante violence, shootings, and arrests have occurred in various parts of the Mukkumlung area, allegedly orchestrated by state forces in collusion with pro-cable car interest groups.
RTI Crucial for Establishing Good Governance, Says Home Minister Lekhak: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said the Right to Information is a must for the promotion of transparency and good governance. During an interaction with ministerial-level information officers organised by the National Information Commission here today, the Minister reminded of the Constitutional recognition of the RTI as the fundamental right of the citizens. “It is our duty to impart information and it is the duty of the citizens to get the information,” he said, adding that certain information related to privacy, peace and security, national defence, foreign relations, and diplomacy does not need to be disclosed.
Barshaman Pun Says Current Oli-Led Government on the Verge of Collapse: CPN (Maoist Centre) Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun has claimed that the current government is on the brink of collapse. Speaking to journalists in Pokhara on Tuesday, Pun stated that if the government led by KP Sharma Oli falls, the Nepali Congress should lead the new government. “If the government falls, we’ve already said the first party should claim leadership,” he said. “The third party has already set a record by running the government for 18 months, the second for one year. Now the first party can form a majority even without the UML and Maoists. Our stance is that the first party should lead. If there is no clear majority, we will consider our position.”
Rabi Lamichhane’s Habeas Petition Hearing Deferred: The habeas corpus petition filed by Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has been placed under ongoing hearing by the Supreme Court. A bench comprising Justices Nahakul Subedi and Bal Krishna Dhakal began hearing the petition on Tuesday, which had previously been postponed six times without being heard. The hearing could not be completed today and the case was deferred for further review. Although the justices had urged all parties to shorten arguments and conclude the hearing on the same day, only Lamichhane’s lawyers were able to argue on Tuesday.
Lingden Tells PM: ‘Helicopter is Your Only Exit If You Reject Dialogue’: Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Rajendra Lingden, has announced that the nationwide campaign for the reinstatement of the monarchy and Hindu state scheduled to begin on May 29 (Jestha 15) will be peaceful and that the party will not allow the government side to resort to violence either. Taking a jab at the Prime Minister’s recent remarks in Parliament, he said: “The PM recently said that at his age, he can no longer run away. He didn’t say he wouldn’t run only that he couldn’t. If they don’t wish to compromise, we will at least give them the courtesy of leaving by helicopter. Let them use that facility.”
Two Women Die After Cliff Fall in Tanahun: Two women died after falling off a cliff while cutting grass in Tanahun district. According to the police, the incident occurred at a cliff in the Katorke Community Forest located in Rishing Rural Municipality–3, Solung. District Police Office Tanahun’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ashok Thapa, informed that the deceased have been identified as 62-year-old Shree Maya Rana of Rishing-3 and 26-year-old Khimsara Magar of Devghat Rural Municipality–2.
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Kaski: On Tuesday afternoon, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 struck Kaski district, with its epicenter near Pokhara. The National Seismological Center confirmed the quake occurred at 1:59 PM. The tremors were felt not only in Kaski but also in neighboring districts including Syanjga, Tanahun, Parbat, Myagdi and Baglung.
395 Climbers Successfully Summit Everest So Far This Spring Season: A total of 395 individuals have successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest so far in the ongoing spring climbing season. According to the Department of Tourism, out of the total, 153 are permit-holding climbers, while 235 are Sherpa support staff. The remaining 7 are part of the rope-fixing team. This year, the department has issued climbing permits for Everest to 468 individuals across 47 expedition groups. In total, for this season, 1,168 climbers from 127 groups have received permits to scale 27 different peaks across Nepal.
Nepal Sees Sharp Rise in Money Laundering Concerns: Suspicious transactions and activities linked to money laundering saw a sharp rise of 49 percent in 2024, according to a new report by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under Nepal Rastra Bank. The FIU, in its annual newsletter released on Tuesday, revealed that a total of 9,304 Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) were filed throughout 2024.
Government Preparing to Exclude Small-scale Projects from Budget Starting Next Fiscal Year 2082/83: The Ministry of Finance’s budget formulation guidelines issued in Falgun 2081 for the upcoming fiscal year, and the government policy and program document presented by President Ramchandra Paudel in Parliament on 19 Baishakh, have prioritized cutting small-scale projects. In fact, the government had already announced stopping small-scale projects from the previous fiscal year. Then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had decided in a cabinet meeting in Poush 2080 that small projects costing less than 30 million rupees would be allocated to provinces and local levels while making the budget for fiscal year 2081/82 on time.
Stock Market Sees Significant Rise: On Tuesday evening, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a significant rise following reports that the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 5 PM would appoint a new governor to the Nepal Rastra Bank. After a long deadlock, the major ruling coalition partners reportedly reached an agreement on the appointment, leading to a market rally. The NEPSE index surged by 49.09 points (1.86%), closing at 2,677. Despite the rise in the index, total turnover slightly decreased. Compared to the previous day’s transaction of Rs 7.35 billion, Tuesday’s turnover stood at Rs 7.31 billion. Out of the traded companies, the value of 229 increased, 15 declined, and one remained unchanged. All sector indices posted gains. The hotel and tourism sector saw the highest growth, with an increase of 3.42%.
Government Decides to Hand Over Iodized Salt Trade to Private Sector: The government has decided to hand over the trade of iodized salt to the private sector. Last month, the Council of Ministers decided to implement the Iodized Salt (Production and Sale-Distribution) Act, 2055, starting from Shrawan 1, 2082 and a notification was published in the Gazette on 22 Baishakh, 2082. Though the Salt Trading Corporation has been selling iodized salt for the last six decades, with the new act, other private industries besides Salt Trading will be allowed to supply and trade iodized salt. The act provides for granting licenses to all interested in salt trade.
Government Ministries Directed to Report Progress on Grey List Exit Measures: Relevant ministries and departments have been instructed to submit reports on the progress of activities aimed at removing Nepal from the ‘grey list’ related to money laundering to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. In a secretary-level meeting held on Monday, it was decided that ministries responsible for implementing urgent corrective actions—namely the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, among others—must send detailed updates to the Prime Minister’s Office within 2082 B.S.
SEBON Requests Factual Proof from IPPAN Regarding Commission Allegations: Following allegations of commission demands in IPO approvals, the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has requested factual proof from the Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPPAN). The board has written a letter asking IPPAN to provide its institutional stance. The letter states, “As accusations have been made mentioning names of IPPAN’s responsible officials including its chairman in relation to the board chairman, if there is any basis or factual details, please provide them and also share the official stance of the institution.”
New Film ‘Aa Bata Aama’ Announced: Director Chandra Panta has announced the production of a new film titled ‘Aa Bata Aama’ by releasing a theme poster on Monday. The poster depicts a child expressing love toward their mother. Director Pant explained the film will portray the deep affection between mother and child. The movie will be produced under Arya Entertainment and is scheduled to begin filming in Bhadra. Actor details will be announced soon. The Film Development Board lists Krisnat Singh and Bipana Thapa as actors registered for the film.
‘Ae Kancha’ Song Released: The song ‘Ae Kancha,’ written by lyricist Lokraj Adhikari and composed by Govinda Madhur Acharya, has been released. Sung by Jacqueline Paraless-Fleming, the music arrangement is also by Acharya. The romantic-style song highlights Nepali traditional food, natural beauty, and cultural arts. The music video features models Yubin Dhungana and Manju Koirala portraying a romantic love story. The video is beautifully shot by Subin Godar, edited by Tekendra Shah, and directed by Prakash Dhital.
Film Production Shows Growth in Nepal: At the beginning of 2082 BS, film production in Nepal has increased. According to the Film Development Board, 18 films registered for production permits in Baisakh 2082, up 12.5% from 16 films registered in Chaitra 2081. Compared to Baisakh last year, film production has increased by 38.46% (from 13 films last year to 18 films this year). In Nepal, filmmakers must register with the Film Development Board to obtain production permits.
Thailand Women Outplay Nepal to Top Asian Qualifiers; Both Secure Global Qualifier Spots: The Asian regional qualifier for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has concluded in Thailand, with both host Thailand and Nepal advancing to the global qualifying round. In the final match of the Super 3 round held on Tuesday, Thailand defeated Nepal by 78 runs. After losing the toss and being invited to bat first, Thailand posted 158 runs for the loss of only two wickets in their allotted overs. In reply, Nepal struggled in their batting and managed only 80 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Kabita Kunwar was Nepal’s top scorer with 24 runs off 33 balls, including one boundary.
Nepal U-19 Football Team Returns Home After SAFF U-19 Championship: The Nepal U-19 football team returned home on Tuesday after participating in the SAFF U-19 Championship. The team was warmly welcomed by ANFA officials at Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal reached the semifinals of the SAFF U-19 Championship but was eliminated after a 2-1 defeat against defending champions Bangladesh in the semifinal match. Although the team had traveled to India with the goal of winning the title, Nepal was unable to secure a place in the final this time. In the group stage, Nepal defeated Sri Lanka 5-0 in the first match but lost 4-0 to India in the second game.
Besishahar Municipality Wins 16th District President Running Shield: Besishahar Municipality has claimed the title at the 16th District-Level President Running Shield competition held in Mid-Nepal’s Lamjung district. The municipality won a total of 26 medals, including 12 gold, 9 silver, and 5 bronze, to lift the prestigious President Running Shield. Sundarbazar Municipality secured the runner-up position by winning 22 medals: 7 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze. Dordi Rural Municipality finished third, winning 13 medals comprising 6 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze. Marsyangdi Rural Municipality was awarded the trophy for the most disciplined team in the competition.
Israel Pounds Gaza, Killing 60; Canada, France, UK Threaten Sanctions: Israeli forces bombard Gaza, killing at least 60 people since midnight, after the military orders Palestinians in the southern city of Khan Younis to flee ahead of an “unprecedented attack”. The leaders of Canada, France and the UK threaten to take “concrete action” against Israel if it does not end its renewed offensive in Gaza, while 22 countries urge Israel to let aid into the besieged enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses the calls and pledges to press on with the offensive, which includes plans for Israel to take control of the whole of Gaza.
Trump, Putin Hold Talks Over Ceasefire in Ukraine: US President Donald Trump spoke to Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Monday about peace in Ukraine after Washington said there was an “impasse” over ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II and that the United States may have to walk away. Trump, who says he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has repeatedly called for an end to the “bloodbath” in Ukraine, which his administration casts as a proxy war between the United States and Russia. Under pressure from Trump, delegates from both sides met last week in Istanbul for the first time since March 2022, after Putin proposed direct talks and Europeans and Ukraine demanded an immediate ceasefire.
Want to End War but Not Sure if Russia is Ready, Says Ukrainian President Zelensky: Following calls with US President Donald Trump and other European leaders on the potential ceasefire talks with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday (local time) voiced his uncertainty about Russia’s readiness to commit to a ceasefire, citing a lack of trust in Moscow’s intentions. Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s willingness to pursue a full ceasefire without preconditions, a proposal initially put forward by US President Donald Trump, while emphasising the need for Russia to demonstrate genuine commitment through concrete actions.
India’s Bengaluru Flooded After Heavy Rains: Parts of the southern Indian city of Bengaluru, often called India’s Silicon Valley are under water after heavy rainfall. The city is on high alert for more pre-monsoon showers on Tuesday due to cyclonic formations over the Andaman Sea, according to authorities. Three people, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed in rain-related incidents on Monday. Bengaluru is home to major global technology companies, many of whom have asked their employees to work from home due to flooded roads. Many parts of the city received 100 mm (4in) of rain on Monday, a record since 2011.
