KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Office Being Reconstructed 

Reconstruction work is underway on the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, which had suffered damage during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025. The building, which was set on fire and vandalized during the demonstrations, is now being repaired as part of restoration efforts. According to the photo feature, renovation works are in progress, including repainting, replacement of damaged windows and doors, and installation of air conditioning systems.

Kami Rita Sherpa Scales Everest For Record 32nd Time

Legendary Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa has successfully summited Mount Everest for the 32nd time, extending his own world record for the highest number of ascents of the world’s tallest peak. Kami Rita reached the summit on Sunday, once again surpassing the record he had previously set himself. Born in January 1970, Kami Rita has held the record for the most Everest ascents. He last climbed Everest for the 31st time on May 27, 2025, breaking the record he had set a year earlier.

Lhakpa Sherpa Sets New World Record with 11th Everest Summit

Renowned Nepali mountaineer Lhakpa Sherpa has successfully summited Mount Everest for the 11th time, setting a new world record for the most ascents by a female climber. She reached the summit of the world’s highest peak at around 9:30 this Sunday morning, marking another historic milestone in her mountaineering career. With this latest achievement, Lhakpa Sherpa has become the female climber with the highest number of Everest ascents.

Local Governments Need to Focus on Long-Term Planning, Says Minister Khanal

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has said that local governments should focus on long-term planning rather than short-term politics. He made the remarks during a program organized by Tokha Municipality in Kathmandu on Sunday to collect advice and suggestions for drafting the policies, programs, and budget for the fiscal year 2026/27. He argued that the time has come to rise above political gains and work for the future.

Former President Bhandari Pays Tribute to Madan-Ashrit

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has paid tribute to the then general secretary of the CPN (UML), Madan Bhadari, and chief of Organization Department, Jibraj Ashrit. She reminded the constructions of late Bhadari and Ashrit in Nepali communist movement. The leaders had worked untiringly for reaching communist movement among general people, she added. In a message of tribute she released today, the 33rd Memorial Day of Madan Bhandari and Jibraj Ashrit, Bhandari said the ‘people’s multi-party democracy’ propounded by the popular leader Madan Bhandari is instrumental in ensuring social justice, prosperity and transformation via democratic system.

Gagan Thapa Says He Has Stepped Into  B.P. Koirala’s Shoes

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said that he has “stepped into the shoes of B.P. Koirala,” the founding leader of the party. Speaking at a program in the capital, Thapa said the party should focus on solving national problems rather than getting trapped in internal conflicts. Recalling party history and the legacy of B.P. Koirala, he said leading the Nepali Congress is both a matter of pride and responsibility. “I have stepped into B.P. Koirala’s shoes,” he said. “Should the president of the Nepali Congress think about the country’s problems or internal disputes?” He emphasized that many leaders and cadres have made long sacrifices to establish democracy, adding that the party’s core mission should be to bring change in citizens’ freedom, dignity, and living standards.

Landless Settlers Protest in Butwal Against Demolition of Settlements

Residents of landless and informal settlements protested in Butwal, accusing the government of creating panic by using bulldozers against long-established settlements without land ownership certificates. The protest was organized on Sunday by the Nepal Landless and Informal Settlers Struggle Committee, Rupandehi. The demonstration began from Rajmarga Chauraha in Butwal and turned into a mass assembly at Traffic Chowk. Committee coordinator Khagendra Paudel said the protest was against the government’s actions of evicting informal settlers by demolishing their houses without providing alternatives.

Hridayaesh Tripathi Expresses Disagreement With JSP-LSP Unification

Politician Hridayesh Tripathi has expressed a two-point disagreement over the proposed unification between Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party. Through social media, Tripathi stated that he opposes both a directly elected presidential system and a fully proportional electoral system. According to him, Nepal’s current parliamentary system and mixed electoral model are more suitable for a diverse country like Nepal. He argued that a directly elected presidential system could be harmful to minority communities and warned that party unity without ideological clarity could become “self-destructive.”

Time to Protest Against Government Activities, Says Prachanda

Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ the coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, has said that the time has come to oppose the activities of the current government. Speaking at a press conference held in Surkhet on Sunday, Prachanda said that actions being taken by the government, such as issuing ordinances and abolishing trade unions, are not appropriate. He said, “We had said that we would extend constructive support for constitutional amendments or for the protection of democracy, but the recent steps of the government have created a situation where we must move from support to protest.”

Two Children Die After Consuming Wild Mushrooms in Chitwan

Two people have died in Chitwan after consuming wild mushrooms. The incident occurred in Kulbang, Ward No. 1 of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality, where two members of the same family lost their lives. The deceased have been identified as a 9-year-old girl and a 11-year-old boy. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabindra Khanal of the District Police Office, the girl died on May 15, while the boy passed away on Saturday night during treatment. On May 12, five members of Shyam Bahadur Chepang’s family had eaten a wild mushroom dish.

RPP Appoints Jayanta Nath Khanal as Chief Secretary

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has appointed Professor Jayanta Nath Khanal as its Chief Secretary. Party chair Rajendra Lingden nominated Khanal to the post on Sunday, according to party spokesperson and publicity department chief Mohan Kumar Shrestha. Khanal, who worked for a long time at Tribhuvan University, was also a central committee member of the party and chair of its affiliated academic council.

Foreign Investment Commitments Exceed Rs 45 Billion In 10 Months

According to the Department of Industry, foreign direct investment commitments worth more than Rs 45.32 billion have been received in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025/26. From mid-July 2025 to mid-May 2026, a total of 728 projects have attracted investment commitments during this period.

Nepal Airlines Debt Exceeds Rs 55 Billion Due To Loan Default

Nepal Airlines Corporation has failed to repay principal and interest on time, due to which the loan taken to purchase aircraft has increased to over Rs 55 billion. According to the 63rd report of the Office of the Auditor General, the loan provided to the corporation by government guarantee has increased significantly. The corporation had taken a loan of Rs 36 billion to purchase aircraft. This loan was taken from the Employees Provident Fund and the Citizen Investment Trust to purchase A320 and A330 aircraft on June 18, 2013, and June 11, 2017.

Kuwait Airways to Resume Flights to Nepal From Tuesday Next Week

Kuwait Airways will resume its regular flights to Nepal from Tuesday in the next week (May 26) after suspension due to Iran–Israel–US tensions. The airline will operate flights twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday, from Kathmandu to Kuwait using an Airbus A330-800 with a capacity of 235 passengers. The service, previously halted on February 28, will mainly serve stranded passengers and those unable to travel earlier. Passengers with unused tickets can contact the airline for rescheduling. All flights will operate from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

Nepal Electricity Authority Invests Rs 56.8 Billion Without Government Approval

It has been found that the Nepal Electricity Authority has made share investments worth Rs 56.8 billion without obtaining approval from the Government of Nepal. According to the 63rd report of the Office of the Auditor General, the authority has invested in 35 entities, including subsidiaries, associates, and others. The report states that according to Section 5(a) of the Nepal Electricity Authority Act 1984, approval from the Government of Nepal is required before making share investments.

Govt Orders Action Against Sugar Black Marketing; Says No Immediate Shortage Expected

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has directed the concerned bodies to take action against those involved in black marketing by creating a shortage of sugar. Following India’s decision to impose restrictions on sugar exports, the ministry held discussions among stakeholders on Friday regarding the possible impact in Nepal. The ministry has stated that there is sufficient sugar stock to meet demand for the next eight months, so there will be no immediate shortage.

Comedy Film ‘Local Love’ Announced;

A new film titled Local Love is going to be made in the comedy genre. The film, which will be produced under the banner of Khapunghang Films Pvt. Ltd., had its auspicious inauguration ceremony held in Kathmandu on Saturday. The film will be directed by Ramkaji Bhujel and will feature actors Subhash Meche, Pari Shakya, Sajan Thapa Magar, Krishna Bhakta Maharjan, Raj Sharma Pangeni, Rajendra Dangol, Shanta Prajapati, and others. The film will include music by Bikash Chaudhary, cinematography by Bikram DC, and lyrics by Deependra Khadka. The producers of the film are Tulsi Khapung and Biru Gurung.

Eleena Chauhan And Rahul Shrestha Release New Dance Song ‘Siththi Bajaundai’

A new dance song titled “Sitthi Bajaundai”(blowing the whistle) featuring the voices of singer Eleena Chauhan and singer Rahul Shrestha has been released. The song features lyrics, music, and rap by Jagat Tiruwa, while the arrangement is done by Jeewan Badu. In the music video, actress Priyanka Karki and singer Rahul Shrestha can be seen performing energetic dance sequences. Rahul Shrestha, who has long been active in the Nepali film industry, appears in a music video after a long gap. The video is choreographed by Kabiraj Gahatraj, shot by Saurav Lama, and edited by Manoj Karki.

Kathmandu Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol To Attend Cannes Film Festival

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, is set to participate in the world-famous Cannes Film Festival. She will depart for France this evening. She will stay there for four days, gain experience from the event, and also extend an invitation to the Cannes organizers to visit Kathmandu. Dangol’s visit is part of preparations for the upcoming Kathmandu Film Festival that the metropolis plans to organize soon. As part of this initiative, the city is also preparing to host film festivals in various wards of Kathmandu. The Cannes Film Festival is being held in France until May 23.

Singer Ishwari Baral Releases New Song ‘Dahi Dinchhu Mohi Dinchhu’

Singer Ishwari Baral’s new song “Dahi Dinchhu Mohi Dinchhu” (“I will offer curd and buttermilk”) has been released. The song, based on a folk rhythm blending Thado Bhaka and Jhyaure styles, was made public on Sunday. The song features lyrics and music by popular creator Deepak Sharma. It was recorded at OAV Studio in Anamnagar, with arrangement by Sabin Subedi, while mixing and mastering were done by Narendra Biyogi. The music video is directed by Keshav Raj Bhatta. The video features dance and acting performances by Suresh Koli, Shekhar Gharti Magar, Tirsana Baraili, and Ishwari Baral. Choreography has also been done by Bhatta, with Nabin Paudel as assistant choreographer.

NSL Season 4 to Begin from September 5; Home-and-Away Format Planned

The fourth edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL) will begin from September 5. All three previous editions of the NSL were held at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar. Kathmandu Rayzrs won the inaugural edition, while Lalitpur City FC has dominated by winning consecutive titles since then. Organisers, Nepal Sports and Event Management (NSEM), said on Sunday that this season is being planned in a “home and away” format. The number of teams is also expected to be increased to 10–12.

Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon Wins Prestigious AMS Social Award

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the global umbrella body of road running, has decided to award Nepal’s Dhara Nepalgunj Marathon this year’s AIMS Social Award. The award will be presented at the 25th AIMS World Congress to be held in Tromsø, Norway from June 18–20. Earlier recipients of the award include the Great Ethiopian Run (Ethiopia) in 2013, Tokyo Marathon (Japan) in 2014, Marathon Internacional Lala (Mexico) in 2015, Munich Marathon (Germany) in 2016, Marathon de las Flores Medellín (Colombia) in 2017, Belgrade Marathon (Serbia) in 2018, and Harmony Geneva Marathon for UNICEF (Switzerland) in 2019.

Nepal Police Club Wins 2nd National Women’s Football Tournament Title

Nepal Police Club has won the title of the 2nd National Women’s Football Tournament 2026. The final was held in Butwal on Saturday, where Police defeated Sankata Football Club, Kathmandu, 1–0 to become champions. In a closely contested match, Samjhana Lawati scored the decisive goal in the 8th minute of the second half, which proved enough for Police’s victory. The first half ended goalless. The match turned tense, with referee Kirti Sen Thakuri showing five yellow cards during the game. After the completion of seven minutes of added time, tensions escalated as players from both teams clashed following the final whistle, briefly turning the field chaotic.

WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo A Public Health Emergency, 80 Deaths Reported

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. The agency said the outbreak in DR Congo’s eastern Ituri province has seen around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths, but it does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency. However, WHO warned it could potentially become “a much larger outbreak” than what is currently being detected and reported, with a significant risk of local and regional spread.

At Least Four Killed in Ukraine’s Large-Scale Drone Attack on Russia

At least four people have been killed after Ukraine launched large-scale drone attacks on several Russian regions, including Moscow, in what officials described as the biggest drone assault in more than a year. Russian authorities said on Sunday that three people were killed in the Moscow region and another person died in Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border. Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said a woman was killed after a drone struck a house in Khimki, north of Moscow.

Tens Of Thousands Join Rival Protests In London; Dozens Arrested

Tens of thousands of protesters joined two rival marches in London on Saturday — the “Unite the Kingdom” rally organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration. More than 4,000 police officers were deployed in the capital to manage a so-called “sterile zone” between the two marches. Officers also used drones, police horses and dogs, and had armoured vehicles on standby. The Metropolitan Police said it was one of the most significant policing operations in years, with tens of thousands of football fans also attending the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Iran To Announce Plan On Strait Of Hormuz Traffic Management Amid Rising Tensions

Iran says it will soon reveal its plan to manage traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including charging tolls. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran it will have a “very bad time” if a peace deal is not reached soon, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf said the world “stands at the cusp of a new order”. Israeli attacks on Gaza killed at least 11 Palestinians and wounded more than 60 others on Saturday. Israel has also continued its attacks on southern Lebanon, saying it has struck 100 sites in two days after negotiators from both countries agreed to extend a ceasefire for another 45 days.

Qatar And Saudi Arabia Discuss Ceasefire, Regional Stability In Phone Call

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The two officials discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, including the ceasefire between the US and Iran, as well as de-escalation efforts, the Qatari foreign ministry said. The Qatari Prime Minister also urged all parties to support ongoing mediation efforts to address the root causes of the crisis through dialogue, aiming for a sustainable agreement to prevent renewed escalation.