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.

Ministry of Women and Children Scraps All Discretionary Grants

Minister for Women, Children, Senior Citizens and Social Welfare Sita Badi announced that her ministry has completely abolished all accessibility-driven discretionary grants. Speaking during a parliamentary review session hosted by the Women and Social Affairs Committee on Friday, Minister Badi clarified that the bold policy decision was necessary to stop institutional grant distributions based on political influence. The ministry will now direct its limited budget resources strictly toward mandatory public welfare costs, including administrative functions, child correction home management, and social security programs. Future budget allocations will prioritize fairness and true operational merit, transitioning the state funding framework toward absolute transparency.

Madhesh CM Yadav Wins Vote of Confidence

Krishna Prasad Yadav secured a vote of confidence in the Madhesh Provincial Assembly on Friday, winning 62 votes in favor against 36 opposed. Yadav sought the confidence vote after the Janamat Party withdrew support from the government. A total of 100 assembly members were present during the vote. Ahead of the floor test, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) joined the ruling coalition and backed the motion alongside the Nepali Congress and other allies. Opposition parties, including Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Janamat Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, voted against the proposal.

Court Drops Additional Charges Against Rabi Lamichhane

The Kaski District Court has withdrawn organized crime and money laundering charges against Rabi Lamichhane and other defendants in the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case, while allowing the fraud case to proceed. A single bench led by Judge Him Lal Belbase on Friday decided to drop the additional charges against Lamichhane, Gitendra Babu Rai, Chhabilal Joshi, and others, citing the Attorney General’s decision and the need to simplify the legal process. According to the court order, retaining only the fraud charge would make it easier for defendants to reach settlements and for victims to recover their money and claimed amounts without complications arising from multiple charges.

Supreme Court Rejects Durga Prasai’s Habeas Corpus Writ Petition

A Supreme Court joint division bench comprising Justices Binod Sharma and Nityanand Pandey dismissed a habeas corpus writ petition filed on behalf of political campaigner Durga Prasai on Friday. Defense Attorney Kirtinath Sharma Poudel confirmed that the court issued a mandamus order directing the District Police Office, Parsa, to finalize its ongoing criminal investigations within four days. Prasai was arrested by law enforcement units in Birgunj on Monday under a warrant from the Parsa District Court. The state prosecution continues to pursue active charges under the Electronic Transactions Act alongside serious offenses against the state.

CPN (UML) Leaders Dispute Party Reorganization Strategy at Secretariat Meeting

A heated political dispute broke out between Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Vice Chairman Prithvi Subba Gurung during the eighth CPN (UML) Secretariat meeting in Gundu on Friday. Chairman Oli threatened disciplinary actions against members running unauthorized organizational regroupings during leadership transitions, prompting Gurung to reject the threat by questioning if the party was a private company. Senior Vice Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ backed Oli, alleging deep-state subversion and a soft military coup behind prior election defeats. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman Bishnu Poudel urged a full review of executive rules, criticizing the removal of the 70-year age ceiling and two-term limits.

Lawmakers Boycott Committee Meeting Over Exclusion of Journalists

A cross-party coalition of lawmakers staged a walkout from the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee meeting on Friday after journalists were barred from covering the session. Committee Chairperson Hari Dhakal directed marshals to exclude reporters following initial photo sessions, drawing formal text complaints from Parliamentary Affairs Journalist Society President Manoj Satyal. Consequently, Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Amaresh Kumar Singh, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Nishkal Rai, and CPN (UML) lawmaker Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rai boycotted the hall. The closed-door session at Banepa was scheduled to brief Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal regarding recent field inspections of landless settler housing shelters in Kirtipur and Banepa.

Bar Association Submits 39-Point Judicial Reform Roadmap

The Nepal Bar Association unveiled a comprehensive 39-point memorandum on Friday, aimed at eliminating corruption and strengthening transparency across the national judiciary. Bar General Secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala signed the formal demand paper, which was delivered to Supreme Court Chief Justice Manosh Kumar Sharma. The association demanded immediate enforcement of the anti-graft report drafted by former Justice Hari Krishna Karki alongside mandatory public asset declarations for sitting judges. The roadmap urges the integration of an Electronic Case Management platform, video conference hearings, and a seven-day maximum window to resolve rejected court petitions to eliminate systemic case backlogs.

Govt. Recovers 687 Nepali Citizens From Southeast Asian Scam Centers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that diplomatic operations successfully rescued 687 Nepali citizens trapped inside illegal online scam syndicates across Southeast Asian borders. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri announced on Friday that joint operations with regional law enforcement pulled 71 citizens out over the last two weeks, adding to a prior pool of 616 individuals. Country-of-origin manifests show 562 citizens rescued from Cambodia, 111 from Myanmar, eight from Laos, and six from Thailand. The Nepalese Embassy in Bangkok successfully secured official immigration fine waivers for 102 individuals from the Cambodian government while coordinating the release of 18 prisoners in Myanmar.

Traffic Police and Transport Federation Agree on Luggage Tag System

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office and transport operators forged a structural agreement on Friday to launch a mandatory baggage tag framework on commercial public vehicles. Traffic Office Chief SSP Navaraj Adhikari and Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Central President Saroj Sitaula signed the safety protocol to curb luggage loss. Under the system, bus operators must issue a duplicate two-part receipt tag during passenger boarding. One tag is affixed to the passenger’s baggage, and drivers or conductors will cross-verify the holding matching ticket before release at destinations. Operators must provide financial compensation for baggage damage or loss resulting from staff negligence.

6 APF Trainees Airlifted to Kathmandu

The Armed Police Force (APF) initiated an emergency aerial evacuation on Friday to transport six security personnel to Kathmandu after they collapsed during regular field exercises. The seven trainees lost consciousness during intensive drilling operations at the APF Revenue, Customs and Industrial Training Academy located in Tikapur, Kailali District. Medical officials attributed the collective medical emergency to excessive summer heatwaves over the plains. The six critically affected personnel were loaded onto a Army Sky Truck transport plane for emergency medical transit to advanced clinical facilities in the capital city, while one trainee remains under local monitoring.

Tea Exports to India Ease After Diplomatic Intervention

The Foreign Ministry said on Friday that tea exports to India have become smoother after diplomatic efforts led Indian authorities to revise a directive that had disrupted shipments. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said coordination between the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi and Indian officials helped amend a directive issued by the Tea Board of India, easing export procedures for Nepali traders. The ministry also said rescue operations are continuing for Nepalis trapped in online scam centers near the border regions of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. According to the ministry, 687 Nepalis, including 71 rescued in the last two weeks, have been brought back home. Meanwhile, Nepal will host the third Nepal-China Project Implementation Mechanism meeting in June and launch the “MoFA Mitra” mobile application on June 5 to support Nepalis living abroad.

Nepal Medical Council Warns Against Illegal Use of ‘Dr.’ Title

The Nepal Medical Council has warned of strict legal action against individuals using the title “Dr.” or “physician” without registration in the council or other authorized professional bodies. In an urgent notice issued Thursday, the council directed unauthorized users to remove the title within 15 days from signboards, prescription pads, visiting cards, and social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. The council said it would enforce a “zero tolerance” policy through physical and digital monitoring after the deadline. The council clarified that only doctors registered with the Nepal Medical Council are legally allowed to examine patients, provide consultations, and prescribe allopathic medicines in Nepal. Violators could face up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of Rs 3,000, or both under the Nepal Medical Council Act, 1964.

Mehta, WHO Chief, Discusses Strengthening Nepal’s Health Cooperation

Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta held talks with World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva to discuss cooperation in Nepal’s health sector. During the meeting, the two discussed the WHO’s support for Nepal’s health sector and reviewed ongoing collaboration between Nepal and the global health body. The discussions also focused on continuing and strengthening future cooperation in public health and other key health-related areas.

Armenia Opens Honorary Consulate in Kathmandu

Armenia officially inaugurated its honorary consulate in Kathmandu yesterday, May 21, marking a new step in strengthening diplomatic and cultural relations with Nepal. The consulate office in Naxal was jointly inaugurated by Armenian Ambassador Vahagn Afyan and Honorary Consul Kiran Malla. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Afyan described the opening as a significant milestone in Nepal-Armenia relations since diplomatic ties were established in 1993. He emphasized cooperation in tourism, education, information technology, trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and cultural diplomacy. Honorary Consul Malla highlighted the historical and cultural similarities between the two countries and expressed confidence that collaboration in tourism, trade, academia, and youth engagement would further deepen bilateral relations.

Volatile Commodity Costs Drive String Bean Prices Up by 334%

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection published its market price analysis report for the month ending May 14, tracking consumer price hikes for daily commodities. The analysis shows that retail prices of rice, lentils, and eggs rose compared to preceding months due to fuel overheads and a strong US dollar. Green vegetables experienced extreme price swings, with string beans registering a 334.79 percent price jump. Long cowpeas increased by 250 percent, bottle gourd by 165 percent, pumpkin by 138.89 percent, and hybrid cucumbers by 125 percent. Market reports linked the retail inflation to standard transit fuel rates peaking at Rs 219 for petrol and Rs 237 per liter for diesel.

Govt. Annuls Board Chairman Recruitment Notice for State Broadcasters

The government abruptly canceled its competitive recruitment vacancy notice for the executive chairman position of the Public Service Broadcasting institution, which oversees Radio Nepal and Nepal Television. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology originally issued the open invitation on Thursday, calling for qualified professionals to submit applications before June 1. However, an official follow-up notice published on Friday confirmed the complete cancellation of the hiring drive within 24 hours. In contrast, corresponding state-backed recruitment drives seeking a general manager for the Gorkhapatra Sansthan and a chairman for the Press Council Nepal remain valid.

‘Lalibazar’ Drama Feature Grosses Rs 52.5 Million Across National Theaters

The indigenous social drama film ‘Lalibazar’ successfully grossed Rs 52.5 million in box office sales across national cinema chains. Distribution data released by production company Shatkon Arts on Friday confirmed that the theatrical revenue was accumulated through Thursday. Shatkon Arts CEO Max Dipesh Khatri noted that audience attendance increased by 10% during its second week following its initial launch on May 8. Directed by Yam Thapa, the family-centric film features an ensemble cast including Swastima Khadka, Rabindra Singh Baniya, Samaira Thapa, and Mukunda Kumar Shrestha.

Cyber Bureau Issues Official Warning to 3 Comedians

The Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police summoned and issued formal warning reprimands to three popular domestic stand-up comedians and digital podcasters. The bureau confirmed on Friday that media creators Sajan Shrestha, Bishal Gautam, and Utsav Sapkota were called into the bureau headquarters for questioning. The regulatory intervention was triggered after the media hosts repeatedly incorporated unpalatable language and derogatory references directed at law enforcement personnel during their broadcast episodes. The police authorities ordered the content creators to maintain standard public decency codes and refrain from broadcasting offensive jargon across public social media networks.

Nepal Crushes United States by 122 Runs in ICC League-2 Match

Nepal defeated the United States by 122 runs in their ICC World Cup Cricket League-2 match at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground on Friday. Batting first, Nepal posted a dominant total of 316 runs, led by Ishan Pandey’s top score of 84 off 83 balls, alongside 59 from Dipendra Singh Airey, 46 from captain Rohit Paudel, and 43 from opener Aasif Sheikh. In response, the US batting lineup was bowled out for 195 in 41.2 overs. Nepal’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Sandeep Lamichhane, who claimed 3 wickets, with support from Lalit Rajbanshi, Dipendra Singh Airey, and Gulshan Jha, who took 2 wickets each. For the US, Shubham Ranjane took 3 wickets.

Nepal Women Sweep Malaysia 2-0 With 7-Wicket T20 Victory

The Nepal women’s national cricket team defeated the Malaysia women’s national cricket team by seven wickets on Friday at Bayuemas Oval to complete a 2-0 sweep in the bilateral T20I series. After restricting Malaysia to 82/9 in 20 overs, Nepal comfortably chased the target in 16 overs with seven wickets in hand. Kabita Kunwar starred with both bat and ball, taking 2 wickets for 10 runs before scoring an unbeaten 19. Opener Samjhana Khadka anchored the chase with an unbeaten 39 off 37 balls, sharing a match-winning 42-run stand with Kunwar after Nepal slipped to 41/3. Riya Sharma also claimed two wickets as Nepal dominated the match throughout.

Trump Orders 5,000 More US Troops to Poland Amid NATO Tensions

US President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland, days after the Pentagon halted a planned deployment of 4,000 troops to the country. The move comes as Washington reassesses its military presence in Europe under Trump’s “America First” policy and pushes NATO allies to increase defense responsibilities. Trump linked the decision to strong ties with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the deployment, while Germany also backed the move amid broader discussions over US troop levels and European security commitments.

Iran, Pakistan Hold Fresh Talks as Hormuz Dispute Clouds US War Negotiations

Iran and Pakistan held high-level talks in Tehran on Friday as efforts intensified to find a framework to end the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, with major disagreements still centered on uranium stockpiles and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi amid continued indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington. The conflict has disrupted global energy markets, sharply reducing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The United States opposes Iran’s proposal to impose controls and fees on vessels passing through the waterway. US President Donald Trump has also intensified pressure over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, while Tehran insists on maintaining its strategic demands despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.

Honduras Bloodshed Escalates, 25 Killed in Gang Massacre and Anti-Drug Clash

At least 25 people were killed in two separate violent attacks in Honduras as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on organized crime and drug trafficking groups. The deadliest assault occurred in the Trujillo area of Colón department, where 19 people were shot dead in a region affected by gang conflicts linked to palm plantation control and narcotics trafficking routes. In another incident near the Guatemala border in Omoa, five police officers and one civilian were killed during a clash between anti-drug forces and suspected traffickers. The attacks came shortly after Honduras approved new security reforms allowing greater military involvement in public security operations and opening the possibility of classifying gangs and drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Authorities believe the violence is closely tied to drug trafficking networks operating in northern Honduras.