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.

Speaker Warns Shram Sanskriti MPs Over Placard Protest in House

Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Wednesday warned lawmakers from the Shram Sanskriti Party against “unruly behavior” after they continued protests inside the House, carrying placards. The MPs protested Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s absence from Parliament and the eviction of landless settlers in Kathmandu. The repeated demonstrations disrupted House proceedings, prompting the Speaker to intervene and urge lawmakers to maintain parliamentary dignity and discipline. Aryal warned party lawmakers, including parliamentary leader Harka Sampang, not to repeat such actions.

Grade 11 Academic Sessions Scheduled to Terminate Annual Vacation on June 15

The Education and Human Resource Development Center issued formal operational directives confirming that nationwide academic schedules for Grade 11 will launch concurrently on June 15. The scheduling decisions follow the complete processing and publication of the standardized Secondary Education Examination (SEE) results. Under core ministerial mandates, the central department dispatched administrative letters to all Education Development Committee Coordination Units across the country to standardize institutional openings. The directive ensures synchronized course orientations, uniform enrollment fees, and standard registration timelines for all higher secondary institutions, ensuring that public and private educational operations resume without seasonal implementation gaps.

Law Minister Gautam Presented 2 bills On Behalf of PM Shah

Today, two bills were tabled in the House of Representatives on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen). At Wednesday’s session of the House, Minister for Law Sobita Gautam introduced the proposed legislation on the Prime Minister’s behalf. The bills presented included the House of Representatives Member Election (First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Electoral Roll (First Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Foreign Minister Reaffirms Commitment to National Interest in Parliament Panel

On Wednesday, Minister Shisir Khanal participated in a discussion on the Foreign Ministry’s policies and programs organized by the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives. The discussion focused on Nepal’s foreign policy priorities, promotion of national interests, and the welfare of Nepali citizens living abroad. Responding to concerns and observations raised during the meeting, Minister Khanal said the government remains committed to pursuing a principled foreign policy guided by national interest. He also pledged to strengthen Nepal’s diplomatic engagement and improve service delivery through diplomatic missions.

Auditor General Submits 8th Annual Report to Madhesh Chief

The Office of the Auditor General on Wednesday submitted its eighth annual report to Madhesh Province Chief Surendra Labh Karna, highlighting financial management and governance issues within provincial bodies. Deputy Auditor General Tara Prasad Pandey handed over the report covering the fiscal year 2024/25 during a program in Janakpur. The report reviews revenue collection, budget implementation, expenditure systems, financial discipline, arrears, and irregularities across ministries, local bodies, and public entities under the provincial government. Province Chief Karna stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and corrective measures to strengthen good governance and public trust.

Parliamentary Discord Escalates Over Ministerial Accountability Rules in House

A legislative standoff occurred between Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal and lawmakers from the Shram Sanskriti Party during a House of Representatives session on Wednesday. Tensions flared when Information and Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina addressed state 4G optimization, prompting party floor leader Harka Sampang to demand immediate unscheduled floor microphones for regional policy recommendations. The Speaker denied the request, citing Rule 15(2) guidelines that restrict spontaneous questioning after official summaries. The debate worsened when Labor Minister Ramji Yadav concluded an employment fraud briefing, prompting opposition member Aren Rai to shout across the floor. Speaker Aryal invoked Rule 20(9) and Rule 21(1) code protections, threatening immediate physical ejection for unparliamentary behavior.

Senior Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla Goes on 20-Day Leave

The senior-most Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, Sapana Pradhan Malla, entered a 20-day period of personal leave following institutional friction over recent leadership choices. Supreme Court Spokesperson and Co-Registrar Arjun Prasad Koirala confirmed that the senior jurist authorized her own temporary absence request while serving as Acting Chief Justice, immediately prior to the official inauguration of the newly appointed Chief Justice, Manosh Kumar Sharma. The administrative friction stems from a Constitutional Council recommendation that bypassed the first three ranking senior magistrates on the judicial roster to select the fourth-ranked candidate. Consequently, Sapana Pradhan Malla boycotted the official state oath-taking ceremony administered by President Ram Chandra Paudel, forcing second-ranked Judge Kumar Regmi to coordinate the formal welcoming reception.

Ruby Khan Ends 23-Day Hunger Strike After Deal With Government

Activist Ruby Khan ended her 23-day hunger strike on Wednesday after reaching a five-point agreement with the government over demands for an impartial investigation into the abduction and murder of Nirmala Kurmi. Under the agreement, the government pledged to expedite the investigation and judicial process in the Kurmi case and review other cases raised by Khan. Authorities also agreed to investigate possible negligence by police personnel and ensure the security of Khan and women’s rights activists involved in the campaign. The agreement was signed after talks between Khan and a government negotiation team in Nepalgunj, Banke. Khan’s fast was formally broken by Deepa Dahal.

Supreme Court Issues Show-Cause Order Over Durga Prasai’s Arrest

The Supreme Court of Nepal issued a formal show-cause order against state law enforcement agencies regarding the preventive detention of prominent national campaign coordinator Durga Prasai. Supreme Court Justice Mahesh Sharma Poudel issued a judicial mandate on Tuesday, requiring the Office of the Attorney General to present a comprehensive written justification within 24 hours, excluding standard transit time. The legal challenge stems from a habeas corpus writ petition filed by defense attorney Ashish Luitel following an arrest operation by the District Police Office, Parsa in Birgunj last Monday. The state detention order lists criminal charges under the Electronic Transactions Act alongside serious offenses against the state.

NC Lawmaker Says Dismissals Have Created Vacuum in State Bodies

Nepali Congress lawmaker Bishma Raj Angdembe on Wednesday said the government has created a “vacuum” in sensitive state bodies by removing officials appointed through political power-sharing. Speaking in the House of Representatives, Angdembe said institutions including transitional justice commissions had been left non-functional after recent dismissals. He urged the government to quickly appoint capable and impartial officials and said conflict victims were still awaiting justice even two decades after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Meanwhile, CPN (UML) MP Yashuda Kumari Baral accused ruling party lawmakers of using disrespectful language against opposition MPs and demanded inappropriate remarks be removed from parliamentary records.

MP Ashika Tamang Clashes with Traffic Police at Thapathali Junction

An administrative confrontation occurred at the Thapathali traffic junction in Kathmandu between elected Member of Parliament Ashika Tamang, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and on-duty metropolitan traffic police officers. The incident unfolded at approximately 2:30 PM when her private vehicle driving from Maitighar toward Tripureshwor was ordered to halt near a pedestrian crosswalk because the automated signal switched to yellow. The lawmaker got out of the vehicle to voice sharp complaints against the deployment coordinators, disrupting urban vehicle movement for several minutes. Law enforcement databases noted that the intersection maintains strict compliance monitoring, pointing out a previous incident where the vehicle of House Speaker DP Aryal received a formal fine ticket at the exact same location for lane violations.

Deuba Faction Opens Contact Office in Anamnagar

Leaders and supporters from the faction of Sher Bahadur Deuba have established a contact office in Anamnagar in preparation for the 15th Central General Convention of the Nepali Congress. According to Nepali Congress General Convention member Manohari Shrestha, the office was set up in April with the aim of holding meetings and interactions with party members arriving from different districts. “Friends and colleagues from various districts come here, but there is often no proper place to meet or gather. That is why we opened this contact office,” he said.

Nepal Embassy Invites Indian Influencers for Tourism Promotion Trip

The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi has invited applications from Indian social media influencers, vloggers, podcasters, and digital creators for a familiarization trip aimed at promoting Nepal’s tourism sector. Five Indian creators will be selected to visit Nepal and produce content highlighting the country’s natural beauty, culture, spirituality, hospitality, and adventure tourism. Applicants must be active on platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or X and create travel, lifestyle, food, or tourism-related content. Selection will be based on audience engagement, storytelling, and relevance to Indian viewers. Selected participants will produce vlogs, reels, podcasts, and travel posts promoting Nepal. Applications must be submitted by May 30.

Israel Restricts Unselected Lottery Candidates to Successive Recruitment Portals

The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security announced that Nepalese health candidates who failed to clear the primary electronic selection lottery for Israeli long-term care centers cannot skip technical screening queues. Ministry Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Pitambar Ghimire issued regulatory notifications confirming that 1,153 unselected applicants must resubmit formal documentation through upcoming recruitment cycles rather than seeking custom fast-track interventions. Prior structural allocations executed on June 24, 2024, by the Department of Foreign Employment successfully authorized 2,112 selected workers via randomized draws. Government channels urged protestors holding demonstrations at Maitighar to stop pressuring authorities, confirming that formal diplomatic appeals to alter bilateral protocols were denied.

ACAP Deploys AI Drones for High-Altitude Forest Patrols in Mustang

The Jomsom District Office of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) launched high-altitude forest patrols utilizing built-in Artificial Intelligence (AI) drone technology across Mustang. The operational enforcement zones encompass the isolated sub-alpine terrains of Lupra Lekh in Varagung Muktikshetra-1, as well as Bhrapsa and Namkhu Lekh within Gharpajhong Rural Municipality. Senior Natural Resources Conservation Assistant Sanjog Thakali confirmed that the 1,063-gram automated surveillance drone operates at a maximum velocity of 90 to 97 kilometers per hour, reaching a flight altitude limit of 6 kilometers with a signal transmission sweep radius of 15 to 20 kilometers. The system conducts aerial scanning during the active Yarsagumba harvesting cycle to counter illegal weapon possession, forest fires, wildlife poaching, and unlawful trap installations.

Pokhara City Imposes 3-Day Deadline to Identify Verified Settlers

Pokhara Metropolitan City issued an urgent administrative directive giving landless Dalit communities and unverified settlers a three-day deadline to submit formal claims at the Ward No. 9 Office. The submission window closes on May 22, matching the final day of a 35-day structural clearance notice originally issued on April 17. The municipal action aims to clear 104,290.23 square meters of prime land in Prithvichowk, originally acquired for a comprehensive regional transit facility during 1974/75. Over 50 years of infrastructural delays and illegal building reduced the available public land footprint to just 13227.05 square meters, leaving over 450 unauthorized structures requiring immediate clearance.

Indian Pilgrims Boost Tourist Flow to Muktinath

MUSTANG: Religious tourism has increased in the Muktinath region of Mustang as improved road access and favorable weather continue drawing visitors. Local authorities and tourism entrepreneurs said Indian pilgrims make up the majority of recent visitors to Muktinath Temple. The attraction has grown following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past visit to Muktinath and the promotion of religious tourism circuits. Improved road conditions along the Pokhara-Jomsom-Muktinath route have shortened travel time, making the pilgrimage easier for domestic and foreign tourists. Hotels and public areas around Muktinath and Ranipauwa are currently crowded with visitors.

Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival Set for June 6-7

The fourth edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival 2026 will be held on June 6 and 7 at Hotel Himalaya under the theme “Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a Changing World.” The festival will feature discussions, poetry recitals, workshops, book launches, music, and cultural programs involving writers, filmmakers, diplomats, and artists from across South Asia. Participants include Ila Arun, Pratibha Ray, Piyush Mishra, and Acharya Prashant. Organizers said the festival aims to strengthen literary and cultural exchange across South Asia.

23rd Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival Sets Official Lineup

The Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) announced its 23rd annual edition, scheduled to run from May 27 to May 31 at the QFX Chhaya Center in Thamel. Festival Director Ramyata Limbu confirmed that the cultural showcase features over 50 specialized films spanning 29 countries, highlighting international feature fiction, short documentaries, and extreme adventure epics. The opening ceremony features the domestic premiere of ‘Shape of Momo’, directed by Triveni Rai, tracking a protagonist named Vishnu. The event includes panels marking the 70th anniversary of bilateral ties with both Switzerland and Japan, featuring director Sakamoto Junji’s film on climber Junko Tabei. Cash prizes include USD 1,500 for top feature releases, USD 1,000 for short entries, and Rs 100,000 for Nepal Panorama categories judged by Dipti D’Cunha, Chalida Uabumrungjit, Kumar Nagarkoti, and Luca Bich.

Advance Bookings Open in Nepal Multiplexes for ‘Mit Jyu’ and ‘Kaji’

Commercial multiplex chains across Nepal, including QFX Cinemas, Big Movies, INI Cinemas, and One Cinemas, opened synchronized advance ticket reservation counters for two major domestic cinematic releases. The synchronized box office launches are scheduled to begin public screenings this upcoming Friday. The first theatrical release, titled ‘Mit Jyu’, is an indigenous social drama directed by Anil Budha Magar, tracking a rural transport competition between two close drivers played by Dayahang Rai and Saugat Malla, marking the acting debut of Teria Magar under producer Janak Gharti Magar. Concurrently, the romance-themed feature film ‘Kaji’, directed by Laxman Rijal and starring Bipin Karki and Keki Adhikari, finalized its multiplex slot arrangements.

Nepal Women Defeat Malaysia by Two Wickets in T20 Practice Match

The Nepal women’s national cricket team defeated Malaysia women’s national cricket team by two wickets in the first T20 practice match at Bayuemas Oval Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Chasing a modest target of 68 runs, Nepal reached 68-8 in 17.3 overs. Samjhana Khadka top-scored with 32 runs, while Ruby Poddar added 15. Earlier, Malaysia were bowled out for 67 in 16.5 overs after electing to bat first. Puja Mahato claimed three wickets, while Riya Sharma and Manisha Upadhyay took two each. Nepal is in Malaysia for the Asian Qualifier and ACC Premier Cup preparations.

US Defeats Scotland by 6 Wickets at TU

The United States national cricket team climbed to the top of the ICC World Cup League-2 standings after defeating Scotland by six wickets at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 169 runs, the US batting lineup reached 170/4 in 17.1 overs, led by steady opening contributions of 37 runs each from their top order, alongside a crucial 35 from the team captain. Scotland chose to bat first but was bowled out for 169 in 43.3 overs, despite a top score of 66 off 85 balls. The US bowling attack was spearheaded by a four-wicket haul, alongside three wickets from their lead pacer. The victory puts the US at 38 points from 27 matches, just ahead of Scotland’s 38 points from 32 games on net run rate, while Nepal sits fifth with 22 points.

Xi and Putin Showcase Deepening China-Russia Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has projected China’s growing diplomatic influence by hosting separate high-profile visits from Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump within days, underscoring Beijing’s expanding role in global affairs. China strengthened trade and strategic ties with Russia through multiple agreements, although key issues such as a long-delayed gas pipeline remained unresolved. Beijing has also gained leverage internationally through its manufacturing strength, rare earth dominance, and broader trade partnerships. While China has called for an end to conflict in the Middle East, it has avoided directly criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine, a stance that continues to draw scrutiny from Europe as Beijing seeks a larger global diplomatic role.

WHO Reports 600 Suspected Ebola Cases as DR Congo Outbreak Spreads to Uganda

The World Health Organization has reported around 600 suspected Ebola cases and 139 suspected deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda. So far, 51 cases have been confirmed in eastern DR Congo and two in Uganda, including one death in Kampala involving a traveler from Congo. Health officials believe the outbreak may have begun months ago before detection. The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern but not a global pandemic emergency. The Bundibugyo strain poses added challenges because no approved vaccine or targeted treatment currently exists, while ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has complicated response efforts.

Bristol Myers Taps Anthropic AI for 30,000 Employees in Major Drug Development Push

‘Bristol Myers Squibb’ said on Wednesday it is partnering with ‘Anthropic’ to deploy the Claude artificial intelligence model across more than 30,000 employees as the drugmaker seeks to accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of new medicines. The company said it will also use Anthropic’s Claude Code tool and explore AI applications in research, drug development, manufacturing, and commercial operations. The move comes as major pharmaceutical companies increasingly invest in AI to improve efficiency and boost the success rate of new drugs. ‘Eli Lilly and Company’ has also partnered with ‘NVIDIA’ on AI-driven drug development initiatives. Bristol Myers said the collaboration aims to unlock insights from decades of fragmented data, while industry estimates suggest advanced AI systems could significantly raise clinical development productivity over the coming years.