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 Claims Meritocracy Will Drive NRB Governor Appointment: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed his commitment to appoint a capable individual as the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank based on merit rather than personal connections. Speaking at the formal inauguration of the Former Planners Forum Nepal, Prime Minister Oli stated, “I have no intention of bringing someone of my own to the central bank. The selection will be based on meritocracy, focusing on capable individuals. If someone can work efficiently, it benefits the country. There is no need for ‘my person.’ I am the Prime Minister, but I am not the only one in the government. Therefore, I prioritize meritocracy as much as possible.

Corruption Case Filed vs. Mohan Basnet, 15 Others for NPR 3 billion: A corruption case has been filed against Congress lawmaker and former minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet along with 15 others. On Thursday, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a case in the Special Court seeking compensation and penalty amounting to NPR 3.21 billion against Basnet and others. The case alleges that Basnet and others were involved in corrupt practices during the procurement of the Telecommunication Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System (TERAMOX) while Basnet held the ministerial post, CIAA spokesperson Rajendra Kumar Paudel said.

Chinese Delegation Led by Xiao Qi Meets Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli:  A Chinese delegation led by Xiao Jie, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday. During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, the Chinese team expressed its best wishes for the success of the Sagarmatha Sambaad scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from Jestha 2 (May 16). Xiao Qi reaffirmed China’s commitment to further strengthening the long-standing and friendly relations between Nepal and China. He also recalled the success of Prime Minister Oli’s official visit to China last December and conveyed China’s best wishes for Nepal’s development and prosperity.

PM Oli Meets Russian Delegation, Urges Halt to Nepali Recruitment: A Russian delegation led by Batu Khasikov, the head of the republic of Kalmykia under the Russian Federation, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Thursday. During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, discussions were held on various dimensions of the long-standing friendly relations between Nepal and Russia. Khasikov extended an invitation to Prime Minister Oli to attend the upcoming International Buddhist Conference scheduled for September in Kalmykia. In response, Prime Minister Oli requested Khasikov to convey his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official visit to Nepal. Prime Minister Oli also took the opportunity to express his concerns regarding the recruitment of Nepali citizens into the Russian military, emphasizing that Nepal and Russia do not have any military agreements.

Education Ministry Urges Community Schools to Conduct Classes During Winter or Summer Breaks: The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has requested community schools to continue teaching during the winter or summer breaks, depending on their convenience. The Ministry issued a notice explaining that the teacher and staff protests in Kathmandu during Chaitra of 2081 BS disrupted student enrollment and regular classes in community schools. To compensate for the academic loss, the Ministry has asked all community schools to manage necessary arrangements for continuous learning. The statement also highlighted the commitment made by the Teachers’ Federation to address the situation effectively.

Minister Gurung Announces Cabinet Decisions, Says Governor Appointment Imminent: Minister for Information, Communication, and Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, expressed optimism that Nepal would appoint a new governor for the central bank within a few days.  During a press briefing at Singha Durbar on Thursday to announce the decisions of the recent Cabinet meetings, Minister Gurung discussed the developments regarding the selection process. Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung made public the decisions of two cabinet meetings held on Baisakh 25 (May 8) and Baisakh 31 (May 14) through a regular press conference, unveiling a total of 22 resolutions.

Sobita Gautam Criticizes Institutional Corruption, Calls Power and Politics Tools of Political Revenge:  Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Sobita Gautam stated that using power and politics as tools for political retaliation represents the peak of institutional corruption. Speaking during Thursday’s House of Representatives session, Gautam reiterated her stance that political revenge against party president Rabi Lamichhane was evident. She remarked, “History will condemn such arbitrary tendencies. When power and politics are used for revenge, it reflects the height of institutional corruption.” Gautam also urged the government to reverse its actions against party president Lamichhane, stressing the importance of rule of law in a democratic republic.

Govt Aims to Transform Despair into Hope, Claims Home Minister Lekhak: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated that the current government was formed with the objective of turning the nation’s despair into hope. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Saptari Branch, on Thursday, Lekhak emphasized that the government, established with the cooperation of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML leadership, and other parties, has inspired confidence among the Nepali people. Highlighting the government’s priorities, Minister Lekhak said that the coalition was built on the agenda of constitutional amendment, good governance, economic progress, and political stability.

RPP Senior Vice Chair Mishra Presented in Supreme Court: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Senior Vice Chairman Rabindra Mishra was presented at the Supreme Court today. Yesterday, the Supreme Court had issued an order to produce him before the court within 48 hours in relation to a habeas corpus petition. This morning, Mishra was brought out of the custody of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range in handcuffs as usual. He was first taken to the Office of the Attorney General. From there, he was secretly escorted into the Supreme Court using the back entrance of the Attorney General’s office. During the entry process, security personnel removed the handcuffs from Mishra’s hands at the gate. After completing the necessary legal procedures at the court, Mishra was returned to police custody. The hearing on the habeas corpus petition is scheduled for tomorrow.

Former Prime Minister Khanal Says Party Formation and Splits are Capitalist Traits: Former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal remarked that the formation and splitting of political parties are natural characteristics of capitalism. Speaking at an event held in Kathmandu on Thursday to mark the 25th Memorial Day of leftist leader Nirmal Lama, Khanal explained that party creation and division are inherent to capitalist political systems. “In a party-based system, the creation of new parties is natural. Party formation and collapse are traits of capitalism,” he said. “Capitalist constitutions define how many numbers form a government and how many bring it down. But without a revolutionary direction, nothing significant will happen regardless of government shifts,” Khanal added.

Health Minister Prepares to Update Health Operation Guidelines: Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel has initiated preparations to revise the standards for operating health institutions. The existing Health Operation Standards 2077 and the Health Institution Establishment, Operation, and Upgradation Directive 2070 are set to be updated, and for this purpose, the minister has formed a committee. The committee, chaired by Dr. Saroj Sharma, Chief of the Ministry’s Quality Measurement and Regulation Division, includes senior officials such as Deputy Secretary Dr. Anup Bastola, Chief Nursing Administrator of Bir Hospital Roshni Laxmi Tuitui, Senior Public Health Officer Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari, among others.

NC General Secretary  Sharma to Climb Mount Everest: Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwaprakash Sharma is set to climb Mount Everest. According to Himal Gautam, Director at the Department of Tourism, Sharma has obtained the official permit for the Everest expedition. Sharma himself shared the news of his arrival at Everest Base Camp through social media. Climbers are currently reaching the summit in large numbers, with over 40 climbers reaching the peak just on Wednesday.

Nepal Stock Market Declines for the Fifth Consecutive Day:  The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 8.41 points on Thursday, the last trading day of the week, closing at 2,611 points. This marks the fifth consecutive day of market decline. Despite the downturn, the prices of 82 companies increased, while 164 saw a decline, and one remained unchanged. The total transaction volume for the day stood at NPR 7.08 billion, down from NPR 8.73 billion recorded the previous day. The Hotel and Tourism sector led the gains with a substantial rise of 4.91%, driven by positive third-quarter financial reports from companies within the sector. The Trading sector also grew by 0.70%. On the downside, the Development Bank sector saw the largest dip, falling by 2.12%.

Capital Expenditure Only 34% Two Months Before Fiscal Year-End: With just two months left for the fiscal year to end, the government’s capital expenditure has reached only 34%. Out of the Rs. 352.35 billion allocated under the federal government, only Rs. 120.37 billion had been spent by the end of Baisakh. This represents just 34.16% of the total allocated budget. During this period, the government spent a total of Rs. 1.157 trillion, which includes Rs. 773.22 billion in current expenditure and Rs. 264.28 billion in financial management, according to the Office of the Financial Comptroller General. The expenditure in current and financial management stood at 67.79% and 71.96%, respectively.

Revenue Advisory Committee Submits Report to Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel: The Revenue Advisory Committee has submitted its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel. During the event at the Ministry of Finance, Revenue Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, who chairs the committee, presented the report. The committee recommended expanding the tax base to cover all economic activities, extending the scope of digital services tax, managing international service providers’ data, and classifying activities like real estate transactions as taxable.

SEBON Seeks Proof from IPPAN on Commission Claims for Hydropower IPO Approval: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has asked the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) to provide evidence supporting its claims that SEBON officials demanded commissions for approving IPOs of hydropower projects. SEBON has officially requested proof to substantiate these allegations. However, IPPAN Secretary-General Balram Khatri stated he was unaware of SEBON’s letter and mentioned that discussions between SEBON and IPPAN had already resolved the matter. Khatri added that instead of seeking evidence, SEBON should focus on approving the IPOs that have been pending for a long time.

‘Unko Sweater’ Continues to Draw Audience Support Five Days After Release, Producers Claim Good Business: The film ‘Unko Sweater,’ which was released last Friday, has continued to receive audience support through its fifth day of screening. While exact box office figures have not been publicly disclosed, the production team claims the movie has performed well commercially. Following the positive reception, the cast—including Bipin Karki, Pariksha Limbu, and Alex Paras—along with the crew, have been visiting various theaters to gather audience feedback and thank viewers for their support. Director Naveen Chauhan said that fans appear very happy to meet the actors in person, often taking selfies and asking about upcoming films.

‘Narsimha: Avatar’ Trailer Release Sparks High Hype, Foreign Demand Grows: The trailer for the film ‘Narsimha: Avatar,’ set to release on Jestha 9 (May 23), has generated significant excitement. The film is highly anticipated not only in the Nepali market but also abroad. Director and writer Diwakar Bhattarai stated that demand for the film is strong internationally, with ongoing negotiations for distribution in several countries. The Australian distribution rights have already been sold to BI Events, which is considered the largest market for Nepali films outside Nepal. The production team has not disclosed the purchase price.

Filmmakers Begin Shooting ‘Jari: Song of Chyabrung,’ the Sequel to Successful ‘Jari’: Following the success of the film ‘Jari,’ the production team has started shooting its sequel, titled ‘Jari: Song of Chyabrung,’ in Panchthar, Koshi Province. The filming began on Baisakh 29 (May 12), Buddha Jayanti day, and will continue until Ashad 15 (June 29) across various locations in Panchthar, including Falgunanda Rural Municipality. Written and directed by Upendra Subba, the movie stars Dayahang Rai, Miruna Magar, Bijay Baral, and Richa Sharma in lead roles. The producers confirmed this is the second installment in the ‘Jari’ series.

Captain Indu Barma’s Aggressive Batting Helps Nepal Avoid Defeat Against Bahrain in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers: Captain Indu Barma’s aggressive batting led Nepal to a match-winning performance, helping the team avoid a defeat against Bahrain in their final group-stage match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers. Due to rain, the match was reduced to 7 overs with a target of 56 runs. Nepal chased it down with 8 balls to spare, losing 4 wickets in the process. At one point, Nepal was struggling at 23 runs for 4 wickets in 3.5 overs. Captain Indu Barma turned the game around with an unbeaten 24 off just 7 balls. She smashed three consecutive boundaries in the fifth over and added one more boundary and a six in the sixth over, sealing the victory for Nepal.

National Sports Council Spends Rs 1.5 billion Without Program Approval: The Auditor General’s Office revealed in its 62nd audit report, published on Wednesday, that the National Sports Council (NSC) spent Rs 1.49 billion without proper program approval. According to the report, in the fiscal year 2080/081 (2023/24), the Ministry of Youth and Sports provided NSC with a budget of Rs 1.78 billion. However, out of that, Rs 1.49 billion was spent without getting the necessary program approvals. The Auditor General’s report has raised questions about the performance of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council.

Naya Basti Youth Club Relegated to C Division League:  Naya Basti Youth Club has been relegated from the B Division League. During Wednesday’s Shahid Smarak B Division League match, Madhyapur Youth Association held Shree Bhagawati Club to a 1-1 draw, which confirmed Naya Basti’s relegation to the C Division two matches before the season’s end. Naya Basti had recently lost to Jhapa Football Club. Additionally, the club also faced setbacks after the 3 points awarded to them for a complaint against Saraswati Youth Club were deducted. The ANFA Appeals Committee lifted the suspension of Dhirendra Bahadur Shah of Saraswati Club and reinstated the 3 points to Saraswati, putting Naya Basti in deeper crisis.

54 Killed in Overnight Airstrikes on Southern Gaza City: A hospital in southern Gaza says 54 people have been killed in overnight airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis. An Associated Press cameraman in Khan Younis counted 10 airstrikes on the city overnight into Thursday, and saw numerous bodies taken to the morgue in the city’s Nasser Hospital. Some bodies arrived in pieces, with some body bags containing the remains of multiple people. The hospital’s morgue confirmed 54 people had been killed. It was the second night of heavy bombing, after airstrikes Wednesday on northern and southern Gaza killed at least 70 people, including almost two dozen children.

At least 21 killed in crash in Mexico: At least 21 people have been killed in a road accident in central Mexico, according to a local official. The three-vehicle crash happened on the highway between Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in Puebla state on Wednesday morning, said Samuel Aguilar Pala, a local government official. Mr Pala said 18 people died at the scene and another three died later in hospital. Several others were injured and are receiving medical attention, he wrote on X. According to local media, the crash involved a tanker truck, a bus and a van. Mexican newspaper La Jornada reports that the crash took place when a cement truck attempted to overtake a van.

Trump Says India Willing to Charge ‘no tariffs’ on US Goods: US President Donald Trump has said that India has offered to drop all tariffs on goods imported from his country. The Indian government has “offered us a deal where basically they are willing to literally charge us no tariff,” Trump said at an event in Doha. India and the US are currently in talks to negotiate a trade agreement. Delhi has not commented yet on the remarks. The BBC has reached out to India’s commerce ministry for comment. No further details regarding the purported deal with India have been made public yet. Trump was speaking at an event with business leaders in Doha where he announced a series of deals between the US and Qatar including for Boeing jets.