KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant development 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 and NC President Deuba Hold Meeting: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli held a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar today. The high-level talks followed a separate meeting of senior leaders from both parties held earlier at the same venue. The two top leaders discussed recent controversies surrounding Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who has come under scrutiny over a visit visa scandal at Tribhuvan International Airport.

PM Oli Mocks Maoists, Defends UML Against Corruption Allegations: At a meeting of ward chairs elected from CPN-UML in Bagmati Province, Prime Minister and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli accused the cooperative looters of pointing fingers at the UML. Oli claimed that the very people involved in embezzlement within the cooperative sector are trying to appear innocent and are now giving lectures on justice.  He remarked, “They chant slogans, refuse to repay what they’ve taken, and still shout the loudest against corruption — how shameless!” According to him, the current campaign to portray the UML as corrupt in the cooperative scandal is misleading.

Former President Bhandari Receives High-Level Welcome in Guangzhou, China: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, leading a joint Nepal government and CPN-UML delegation, arrived in Guangzhou, China, for a week-long visit. She was accorded the status and hospitality of a foreign head of state by Chinese government officials and Communist Party leaders. Bhandari’s delegation, including CPN-UML Foreign Department Chief Raghuvir Mahaseth, Industry Minister Damodar Bhandari, and Karn Bahadur Thapa, was accommodated at the Chinese government’s state guesthouse, Diaoyutai. To honor her visit, Chinese officials organized a dinner attended by senior government and party leaders, as well as representatives from neighboring countries.

RSP Demands Home Minister Lekhak’s Resignation, Warns of Turmoil in Parliament:  The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has strongly objected to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s handling of the ongoing visit visa scandal, questioning both his moral responsibility and the government’s inconsistent response. Following its Central Committee meeting on Sunday, RSP announced that the upcoming House of Representatives session on 13 Jestha (May 27) is unlikely to proceed normally if Lekhak does not step down. RSP Acting Spokesperson Manish Jha criticized Lekhak’s recent public statement—where the minister said he would leave politics if proven guilty—as meaningless and misleading. “If he is proven guilty, he should go to jail, not merely leave politics. That’s a natural consequence, not a favor,” Jha said, accusing Lekhak of deflecting accountability.

Cooperative Victims Stage Semi-Nude Protest in Kathmandu Demanding Refund of Savings: Cooperative victims held a semi-nude demonstration in Kathmandu’s Maitighar area on Sunday, demanding the return of their savings. While previous protests were led by women, this time, men took to the streets in protest. The demonstrators expressed frustration that despite repeated peaceful movements, the government has failed to ensure the refund of their cooperative savings. They claim that the government’s inaction has forced them to resort to this bold form of protest. The protesters also urged the government to recover funds by auctioning cooperative assets if necessary to return their savings.

NC President Deuba Summons Office-Bearers meeting for Monday: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has called a meeting of party office-bearers. According to Deputy General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar, the meeting has been scheduled for 9 AM on Monday. The meeting, to be held at Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha, is expected to discuss current political issues and the upcoming parliamentary session starting Tuesday. One of the key topics expected to be discussed is the recent controversy involving the Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Following the arrest of Joint Secretary Tirtha Raj Bhattarai in a visit visa scam, the spotlight has turned to the Home Minister’s secretariat, with increasing calls for the Minister’s resignation.

Roshni Shahi, Who Accused Ex-Speaker Mahara of Rape, Found Dead: A 50-year-old woman, Roshni Shahi, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her rented room in Balakot, Bhaktapur on Sunday. Police say the body was discovered inside a locked room at a three-story house owned by Laxmishwor Mahato in Suryabinayak Municipality-3. The landlord notified the police after the door remained unopened well into the afternoon. In the presence of local representatives, police broke open the door to find Shahi’s lifeless body lying on the floor of her bedroom. According to Bhaktapur police spokesperson Dhundiraj Neupane, the door was locked from the inside.

UML to Celebrate Republic Day as a Public Festival with Cultural Parade in Kathmandu: The CPN-UML has decided to mark Jestha 15 (May 29) — the day Nepal was declared a federal democratic republic — as a public celebration to honor the party’s decades-long struggle and sacrifices. A meeting of the UML Secretariat on Sunday decided that party committees outside the Kathmandu Valley will organize special programs at the local level to commemorate the day. According to party publicity department chief Rajendra Gautam, all subordinate committees have been instructed to begin preparations. In the Kathmandu Valley, a cultural parade and public gathering will be held under the coordination of the valley-level party committees. The Secretariat has issued a heartfelt appeal for active participation from the public and party members in the planned festivities.

61 Charged in Connection with Tinkune Violence Including Rana, Mishra, and Prasai: A total of 61 individuals have been charged in connection with the violent incident that occurred in Tinkune, Kathmandu on Chaitra 15 (March 28). 50 individuals — including Dhawal Shumsher Rana, Rabindra Mishra, and Durga Prasai — have been charged with offenses against the state. Separate cases have been filed against 11 others solely for criminal unrest. Additionally, Durga Prasai and seven others have also been charged with attempted murder and homicide. As for the four minors involved, investigations are ongoing, and separate charges will be filed against them in the Juvenile Court.

President Paudel Appoints New Non-Resident Ambassadors to Europe: President Ramchandra Paudel has appointed Nepal’s resident ambassador to Belgium, Sewa Lamsal, as the non-resident ambassador to Luxembourg. Similarly, Dr. Shail Rupakheti, Nepal’s resident ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, has been named the non-resident ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican). Under Article 282(1) of Nepal’s Constitution and upon the Council of Ministers’ recommendation, the president formalized these appointments today. Additionally, Ambassador Rupakheti has also been appointed as the non-resident ambassador to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and the Slovak Republic, according to the President’s Office.

Foreign Minister Rana Terms Japan Visit Meaningful: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has described her five-day visit to Japan as ‘fruitful’. Upon her return home last night, she stated that her visit has helped further strengthen Nepal-Japan relations while expanding cooperation in various development sectors. Dr Rana informed media persons that she held various important meetings with Japanese officials, including Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi, discussing various issues ranging from strengthening bilateral relations, and cooperation in various projects.

Education Minister Panta Assures Implementation of 9-Point Agreement with Teachers: Education, Science, and Technology Minister Raghuji Panta has affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the nine-point agreement reached with teachers. He stated that discussions are ongoing to address the agreement within the upcoming budget. Speaking at the Education Committee meeting on Sunday, Minister Panta acknowledged the financial pressures faced by the government but emphasized that efforts are underway to incorporate the terms of the agreement into the Education Bill. “We are in talks with the Teachers’ Federation. Although the government is under significant economic strain, it remains dedicated to implementing the nine-point agreement,” he said.

Govt Employees Protest Against Proposed Civil Service Bil: Civil servants in Nepal have launched protests expressing disagreement with several provisions in the proposed Civil Service Bill. The agitating employees have gathered in front of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, voicing dissatisfaction over career development, transfer and promotion procedures, and perceived reductions in benefits and facilities. Representatives of the Nepal Civil Service Employees Union claim that the bill lacks a clear roadmap for career progression. They also argue that the mechanisms for transfers and promotions are ambiguous, and that certain provisions would curtail existing employee benefits.

Two Die After Consuming Toxic Mushrooms in Ilam: Two people have died after consuming wild mushrooms in Ilam. Seventeen-year-old Numa Lawati and 22-year-old Manisa Chemjong from Mangsebung-5, Ilam, passed away after eating the mushrooms.  Another local, Dhanraj Sangbang, fell ill after eating the same mushrooms. According to the police, the victims had collected the wild mushrooms from the forest while working in the Suryodaya municipality area.  Shortly after consuming the mushrooms, they experienced symptoms such as vomiting and stomach pain and were taken to AMDA Hospital in Damak, Jhapa, for treatment. Despite medical efforts, both individuals died during treatment, the Ilam District Police Office reported.

Stock Market Sees Rs 7.60 billion in Transactions; NEPSE Falls by 9.14 Points: A total of Rs 7.60 billion worth of shares were traded in the stock market today, with 18.5 million shares changing hands. On the first trading day of the week, the NEPSE index dropped by 9.14 points, settling at 2679.41. While the prices of 99 listed securities rose, 148 declined, and one remained unchanged. Investors in Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals enjoyed gains as its stock hit the positive circuit, earning Rs 102.40 per share. In addition, the share prices of Mahuli Microfinance, River Falls Power Ltd., Unnati Sahakarya Microfinance, and Suryodaya Microfinance rose by 8.25%, 7.74%, 7.24%, and 6.60%, respectively.

NRB Continues to Withdraw Excess Liquidity from Banks: With excess liquidity prevailing in banks and financial institutions, Nepal Rastra Bank is aggressively mopping up funds. On Jestha 7 (May 21), the central bank collected Rs 5 billion at an interest rate of 2.99%, and on Sunday, it plans to withdraw an additional Rs 3 billion. Currently, banks have 30% loan-eligible investments. To manage liquidity, the central bank continues to issue deposit collection instruments. Due to liquidity management challenges, banks are placing more funds than needed even at low interest rates.

Bangladeshi Company Selected to Conduct Asset Quality Review of 10 Commercial Banks in Nepal: Nepal Rastra Bank has appointed a Bangladeshi company to conduct an asset quality review (loan portfolio review) of Nepal’s ten largest commercial banks. Dhaka-based Howladar Yunus & Company was selected as the technically qualified firm to carry out the examination, according to Nepal Rastra Bank’s announcement. Other shortlisted firms included companies from Sri Lanka and India. The review is being conducted as part of Nepal’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program, which requires international auditors to assess the financial health of the country’s major banks.

VAT Registration of Thousands of Taxpayers Suspended Simultaneously for Not Submitting Tax Returns: Thousands of taxpayers who failed to submit their Value Added Tax (VAT) returns have had their registrations suspended at once. The Inland Revenue Department had published a public notice on Baisakh 11 (April 24) disclosing the names of taxpayers who had not submitted their tax returns for six consecutive months. The department had also issued a 15-day ultimatum. The notice instructed the concerned taxpayers to contact their respective Inland Revenue Office or Taxpayer Service Office, where their business is registered, and regularize their transactions. However, as most taxpayers failed to submit the required details within the given timeframe, the department stated that their VAT registrations were suspended as per the decision made on Jestha 9 (May 23).

Film ‘Mahabhoj’ Launches Street Play Campaign Ahead of Release: The film Mahabhoj, set to be released this coming Thursday, has started promoting itself through street plays. The street drama, which began a few days ago, was performed on Saturday evening in Gokhamba, Kathmandu. Titled “Satya Kahilya Lukdaina – Mahabhoj” (Truth Never Hides – Mahabhoj), the street play highlights the story and central theme of the film. It aims to generate greater interest among the audience. According to the film’s production team, the play will continue to be performed daily at various locations in Kathmandu until the day before the movie’s release.

Nepathya Performs in Seattle, USA: Surrounded by vast lakes and snow-capped mountains, the enchanting city of Seattle witnessed a grand performance by Nepathya. The band entertained the audience with a mix of new and classic folk songs, providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This was Nepathya’s first show in Seattle during their seventh tour of the United States. It marked the band’s second concert on this year’s US tour, following their first performance a week ago in Austin, Texas. The doors of Seattle’s ‘Moore Theatre’ opened promptly at 7 PM on Friday evening, and the show began an hour later. Nepathya’s lead vocalist, Amrit Gurung, captivated the audience, who sang along, danced, and thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

New Look of Actor Kedar Prasad Ghimire aka ‘Magne Budha’ Revealed from Ongoing Film ‘Maitighar’: The shooting of the film ‘Maitighar’ is currently underway, featuring actor Kedar Prasad Ghimire in the role of a Shiva devotee popularly known as ‘Magne Budha’. In the released photos, Ghimire is seen holding a trishul (trident) and damaru (small drum), wearing rudraksha beads, and sporting the traditional matted hair (jatadhari) look. Filming is currently taking place in Darbang. According to producer Rohit Adhikari, after shooting in the Himalayan villages of Takam and Dharapani, the crew has now moved to Darbang for the latest sequences. The distinctive look of ‘Magne Budha’ has already sparked significant interest among the audience.

Deputy PM Singh Reveals Karate Was Banned Before 1990, Urges Understanding of Democratic Progress: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh stated that karate was prohibited in Nepal under the system that existed before 1990 (2046 BS). Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10th Dhanbahadur Memorial International Karate Competition on Sunday, Singh explained that during the one-party autocratic Panchayat regime, even sports like karate were not allowed to be played openly by everyone. He noted that after the 1990 People’s Movement, Nepal entered a phase where organizing and participating in sports competitions became possible.

Nepal’s Chunar Wins Bronze at UWW Asian Belt Wrestling Championship 2025 in New Delhi: Nepal’s wrestler Suresh Chunar secured the bronze medal at the UWW Asian Belt Wrestling (Alish) Championship 2025 held in New Delhi, India. Chunar won third place in the men’s 80 kg freestyle category at the competition held at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, according to Prakash Kumar Kusari, President of the Nepal Wrestling Association. In the same event, Kazakhstan’s Aibolat Amanov claimed the gold medal, while India’s Kuvenu Puro took silver. During the award ceremony, representatives from the organizing bodies—the AITDWP Federation, Asian Alish Federation, and World Alish Federation—presented certificates and medals to Suresh Chunar..

First Edition of SAFF Women’s Club Championship to Be Held in Nepal: The inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship is set to take place in Nepal. Although the final decision on the tournament details is yet to be made, the competition is likely to be held in November. During the SAFF Congress held in Kathmandu, several ambitious plans were proposed to raise the standard of South Asian football. The federation has suggested organizing at least 11 tournaments, including men’s and women’s futsal as well as school-level competitions. All seven South Asian countries participated in the Congress.

Fresh Wave of Russian Strikes Across Ukraine Kills 12: At least 12 people have been killed and dozens injured across Ukraine in overnight Russian drone and missile attacks, regional officials and emergency services say. Three children were killed in Zhytomyr, west of Kyiv, and a man in his 70s was killed in the southern city of Mykolaiv, the state emergencies service said. It comes a day after the Ukrainian capital suffered one of the heaviest assaults since the start of the Russian invasion. Saturday’s attacks, which killed 13 people across Ukraine, come as diplomatic efforts to end the fighting have resulted in prisoner exchanges, but Russia has ignored calls for a ceasefire.

Outrage, Horror After Israeli Attack Kills Nine Children of Gaza Doctor: An Israeli strike has killed nearly the entire family of a Khan Younis doctor while she was at work, Gaza health officials said. The attack hit the home of Alaa al-Najjar, a paediatrician at the southern city’s Nasser Hospital, on Friday, setting it ablaze and killing nine of her 10 children, according to the head of the hospital’s paediatrics department, Ahmad al-Farra. The dead children, two of whom remain under the rubble, range in age from seven months to 12 years old, said Gaza’s Government Media Office. It named them as Sidar, Luqman, Sadin, Reval, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Rakan and Yahya.

10 Dead in Colombia University Outing Bus Accident:A field trip by students and their professors ended in tragedy Saturday when their bus crashed in western Colombia, killing at least 10 people and injuring 11, their university said. The bus driver lost control of the vehicle as it carried 26 passengers from Tolima to Quindio, according to a preliminary investigation.