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.

PM Balen Pledges Policy Stability and Investment Push to Global Envoys

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) assured European Union and international ambassadors on Tuesday that Nepal’s new government will prioritize good governance, economic growth, policy continuity, and political stability while pursuing broader global partnerships and investment. During a joint meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers with EU ambassadors and heads of mission based in Kathmandu and New Delhi, Shah said his administration is committed to improving citizens’ living standards through inclusive economic development, innovation, and streamlined investment procedures. He also reaffirmed Nepal’s balanced foreign policy based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared prosperity, while emphasizing diplomacy and dialogue over military conflict. The diplomats congratulated Shah on Nepal’s peaceful elections and expressed readiness to expand cooperation, investment, and development partnerships across key sectors.

Opposition Disrupts House Session Demanding PM Balen Shah’s Appearance

Opposition parties repeatedly disrupted Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, demanding the immediate presence of Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) for the mandatory monthly question-and-answer session required under parliamentary regulations. The protest was led by the Nepali Congress along with the CPN (UML), Nepali Communist Party, Shram Sanskriti Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party. As lawmakers obstructed proceedings, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal briefly adjourned the session for 15 minutes. After the meeting resumed, opposition MPs again stalled proceedings and objected to Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Jagdish Kharel describing the protest as a “tamasha.” Opposition lawmakers demanded the remark be removed from parliamentary records as the tense session continued throughout the day.

PM Shah to Appear in Parliament Within a Week

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) informed the House of Representatives on Tuesday that Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah will appear before Parliament within seven days, prompting opposition parties to end their obstruction of the session. RSP Chief Whip Kabindra Burlakoti made the announcement during the second parliamentary sitting after continued protests demanding the Prime Minister’s mandatory monthly question-answer session. Opposition lawmakers, including leaders from the CPN (UML), accused the ruling coalition of delaying earlier commitments. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal urged lawmakers to resume proceedings after confirming the parliament secretariat had officially received notice of the prime minister’s attendance. The House later resumed discussion on pending bills.

Central Bureau Recommends Action Against Ten Police Officials Over Custody Death

An official probe committee led by Deputy Inspector General Dinesh Kumar Acharya recommended strict disciplinary action against 10 police personnel today, Tuesday. The investigation targeted ranks spanning from the Superintendent of Police down to junior constables following the suspicious custody cell death of a 23-year-old inmate at the Khurkot Area Police Office in Sindhuli. The Central Police News Desk confirmed the punitive recommendations include one formal warning, two administrative call-to-attentions, five operational suspensions with immediate transfers, one severe reprimand, and one salary-grade reduction, alongside strict directives to enforce the Custody Management Directive, 2024.

MPs Raise Alarm Over Rain Damage and Disaster Response in Parliament

Lawmakers on Tuesday drew the government’s attention to widespread damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds, floods, and landslides across several districts during the House of Representatives emergency session. MPs demanded immediate relief, compensation, and stronger disaster preparedness measures after reports of damaged homes, disrupted roads, crop losses, electricity cuts, and deaths linked to weather-related incidents. Concerns were raised over landslide disruptions along the Mid-Hill Highway, storm damage in Baglung, livestock losses in Achham, and prolonged power outages in Pyuthan, Rolpa, and Arghakhanchi. Lawmakers also called for better disaster awareness, support for affected farmers, and urgent restoration of damaged infrastructure. Separate concerns were raised over a maternal death in Dhanusha and attempts to demolish 34 households in Mahottari despite a Supreme Court decision.

Lawmaker Demands Urgent Reversal of 2-Day Weekly Public Holiday Policy

During a House of Representatives assembly today, Tuesday, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Member of Parliament Krishna Hari Budhathoki urged the government to immediately scrap the two-day weekend policy. The legislative floor brief asserted that enforcing public closures on Saturdays and Sundays across sensitive education and healthcare sectors has severely disrupted emergency clinical access and delayed national academic curricula. Budhathoki called on the state to initiate urgent public school consolidations and implement high-quality residential schooling grids to control escalating per-student educational infrastructure costs across rural areas experiencing sharp demographic declines.

Party Makes Harka Sampang’s Photo Mandatory on Event Materials

The Shram Sanskriti Party has directed all subordinate committees to mandatorily include the photograph of party chairman Harka Sampang on banners and promotional materials used in party programs. A circular issued by the party’s Koshi Province Executive Committee instructed district, metropolitan, municipal, ward, and neighborhood-level units to use the image of Harka Sampang in all publicity materials and event displays. The directive, signed by Province Committee Chair Pratap Rai and Secretary Deepak Timilsina, was issued on Monday and reflects a publicity approach previously adopted by the CPN (UML) under Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Earlier, the UML had similarly required party committees to prioritize Oli’s photograph in official programs, stage management, and promotional materials.

Ensure Timely Payment to Sugarcane Farmers: Amresh Kumar Singh

Member of Parliament Amresh Kumar Singh has demanded that the government ensure speedy payments to sugarcane farmers. Speaking at Tuesday’s House of Representatives meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Singh drew the government’s attention to the issue, stating that sugar mills have still not cleared the farmers’ dues. “The sugar mills have not been able to pay the money. Farmers have also not received the subsidies provided by the government. The sugarcane farmers must be paid soon. The government subsidy should also be provided quickly,” he said.

Durga Prasai Released from Custody on Recognizance

Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai has been released from custody following an order from the Parsa District Court. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hari Basnet of the District Police Office, Parsa, Prasai was released on a general date (ordinary recognizance) in accordance with the court’s directives. The police had previously filed cases against him charging him with cybercrime and offenses against the state. Prasai had been arrested just a few days prior from Hotel Dialo in Birgunj.

Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women Begins in Lalitpur

Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary said the Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women would help strengthen global commitments toward protecting the rights, dignity, and representation of women engaged in livestock keeping and pastoralism. Addressing the event in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, on Tuesday, Chaudhary said pastoralism is closely linked to food systems, biodiversity conservation, local economies, and cultural heritage, but women pastoralists still remain underrepresented in decision-making processes. The gathering, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) with support from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to amplify the voices of pastoralist women and promote gender-responsive policies. The conference, continuing through Friday, is also reviewing recommendations from a similar international gathering held in India in 2010.

Foreign Ministry Launches ‘MoFA Mitra’ App for Consular Services

The Department of Consular Services under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the MoFA Mitra mobile application to provide digital consular assistance to citizens abroad and their families. The application was formally launched on Tuesday by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal at a program held at the department in Tripureshwar. Speaking at the event, Minister Khanal said consular services have become increasingly important as the number of citizens working and living abroad continues to rise, stressing the need to expand digital access to public services. The app allows users to register complaints, track service requests, receive updates, and communicate directly with Nepali diplomatic missions for issue resolution. It is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

Switzerland Signs Transitional Justice Trust Fund Agreement with Nepal

The governments of Switzerland and Nepal signed an agreement supporting Nepal’s Transitional Justice Trust Fund, reaffirming bilateral cooperation on accountability, reconciliation, and inclusive justice linked to Nepal’s peace process. The agreement was signed by Danielle Meuwly, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal, and Dhaniram Sharma, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance, in the presence of Markus Leitner, Head of the Asia and Pacific Division at Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). According to officials, the Swiss contribution will support survivor-centered transitional justice initiatives, including psychosocial counseling and institutional capacity-building. The agreement reflects Switzerland’s continued backing of Nepal’s post-conflict peace and reconciliation efforts and its commitment to strengthening long-term trust and sustainable peace in the country.

KMC Issues 15-Day Ultimatum to Liquidate Gorkha Media Assets

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office published a mandatory 15-day legal ultimatum today, ordering the immediate clearance of outstanding rent liabilities at the shuttered Galaxy 4K Television headquarters in Balwatar. The enforcement follows an administrative lawsuit filed at the local Judicial Committee by the property owner, confirming Gorkha Media Network defaulted on commercial lease payments and local rental taxes for nearly three consecutive years. Moving under Section 70 of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Dispute Resolution (Procedure) Act, 2018, the municipal enforcement bureau warned that failure to clear the building will result in a full public auction of all broadcasting hardware.

Bird Flu Confirmed in Gokarneshwar, Municipality Issues High Alert

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in Wards 2, 3, and 4 of Gokarneshwar Municipality, prompting authorities to launch emergency control measures. The municipality said infected ducks, chickens, quails, guinea fowls, eggs, and feed are being safely destroyed and buried, while disinfection work is ongoing in affected areas. Authorities have restricted unauthorized entry into poultry farms and made disinfection mandatory for essential visits. Farmers have also been instructed not to move between farms, reuse egg crates, or allow animals such as dogs, cats, and rats inside poultry premises. The municipality urged the public to consume poultry products only after thorough cooking and to immediately report unusual bird deaths to nearby veterinary offices.

Nilam Poudel Records Historic First Trans Woman Everest Summit

The Blue Diamond Society published an official mountaineering dispatch today celebrating professional makeup artist and trans woman Nilam Poudel as the first individual from Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community to successfully summit Mount Everest. Poudel reached the absolute peak of the world’s highest mountain on May 23, before returning safely to Kathmandu via Tribhuvan International Airport today. The landmark alpine feat was hailed by human rights groups as a major victory against deep-seated social discrimination, giving visibility to marginalized communities on the global high-altitude stage.

Patan High Court Orders Soft Copy of ‘Lalibazar’

The Patan High Court has ordered the production team of Lalibazar to submit a soft copy of the film for judicial review. A joint bench of Judges Swikriti Parajuli and Surya Prasad Parajuli on Tuesday directed Shatkon Arts to provide the film copy on the condition that it be returned after screening. The court has scheduled the film to be viewed by the bench on Wednesday before deciding whether to issue an interim order in the case filed by Rosani Nepali. Earlier, on May 15, the Supreme Court had instructed the High Court to make a decision after watching the film. The movie has been running in theaters since May 8.

Actress Barsha Siwakoti Signs Suspense Feature ‘Ganga Rani’

The production executives of Aaha Films formally signed actress Barsha Siwakoti today to play the leading role in the upcoming suspense feature Ganga Rani. The commercial contract signing was marked by a promotional poster release, with writer-director Raj Bahadur Sane confirming principal photography will commence in late August this year. Concurrently, producer Kamal Prasad Sharma announced an open casting call seeking four female and four male actors to fill the remaining primary supporting roles in the dramatic narrative.

Director Baliram Chauhan Announces Film ‘Lyang Lyang’

Filmmaker Baliram Chauhan officially announced the production blueprint for his upcoming cinematic project ‘Lyang Lyang’ today by releasing the commercial theme poster. Produced under the corporate banner of Skyfall Pictures, the contemporary feature carries the official slogan ‘Every Youth’s Story’ to depict the psychological distress and relationship anxieties gripping the modern generation. The screenplay, co-authored by Chauhan and Upashree Khatiwada, utilizes localized urban youth terminology to frame a realistic social drama, though the production management team has deferred publishing the official ensemble cast listings and theatrical release dates.

Folk Rock Band Nepathya Schedules Historic Debut Concert in Malaysia

The pioneering Nepali folk-rock band Nepathya finalized its inaugural international concert itinerary for Malaysia today, scheduling a massive musical performance in Kuala Lumpur on June 1. Managed by Nepalaya via digital booking networks, the historic show will take place at the prominent Zepp Kuala Lumpur theater located inside Bukit Bintang. Marking its first-ever corporate appearance in the Southeast Asian nation across a 35-year musical trajectory, Malaysia becomes the 20th country and Kuala Lumpur the 58th global city visited by the group. The live lineup features lead vocalist Amrit Gurung backed by five session musicians to connect with the local migrant workforce.

NSC Recalls CAN Member and Spokesperson Lama

The National Sports Council (NSC) has recalled Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) member and spokesperson Chhumbi Lama. Yesterday, the NSC sent a letter to spokesperson Lama informing him that he has been recalled. CAN has also been instructed to implement this decision and report back with the information. Chapter 2, Section 3, Subsection (4) of the statute of the Cricket Association of Nepal provides for the nomination of ex-officio members to the association by the NSC. Under this provision, the NSC had nominated Lama in April 2024. However, he has been recalled within just two years. The new executive committee of CAN had given Lama the responsibility of spokesperson. Lama had also become a member of the previous executive committee through the recommendation of the NSC.

Nepali Table Tennis Roster Triumphs at South Korean Championship

The All Nepal Table Tennis Association published a historic international tracking bulletin today announcing that national youth players secured top-tier victories at the Yang Young-Ja Table Tennis Mission Championship in Incheon, South Korea. Running between May 16 and May 26, the elite international training summit concluded with Nepali athlete Yongi Poudel capturing first place in the Under-19 singles division. Additionally, the four-member mixed national roster clinched first place in the comprehensive team event, securing Rs 40,000 in cash prizes and professional gear after outcompeting 150 elite junior players representing the Philippines, Laos, and Mongolia.

Nepal Set for Tough CAVA Semifinal Clash Against Unbeaten Iran

Host nation Nepal will face unbeaten Iran in the semifinals of the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship 2026 in Kathmandu after both teams secured places in the final four with strong group-stage performances. Nepal reached the semifinals after defeating Kyrgyzstan and Maldives, recovering from a narrow opening loss to defending champion India. Iran advanced with three straight victories, including a dominant win over Kazakhstan to top Group B. The semifinal is expected to test Nepal’s youthful squad against one of the tournament’s strongest sides as the home team looks to capitalize on local support at the National Sports Council Covered Hall located inside the Dasharath Stadium premises in Tripureshwar.

FIFA Finalizes Team Base Camps

FIFA has finalized team base camp selections for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with all 48 participating nations choosing operational hubs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico ahead of football’s largest-ever tournament. A total of 39 teams selected bases in the United States, while seven opted for Mexico and two for Canada. Major football nations, including Argentina, Brazil, England, France, and Germany, picked high-profile American training centers. Defending champions Argentina will train in Kansas City, while Brazil chose the New York-New Jersey region. FIFA said the expanded tournament will spread economic and tourism benefits beyond the 16 host cities, with 25 additional communities set to welcome national teams during the competition.

US Strikes on Iran Raise Doubts Over Ceasefire Talks

Fresh US air strikes in southern Iran have deepened tensions and cast uncertainty over ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between Tehran, Washington, and Israel. The attacks targeted missile facilities and boats allegedly involved in mining operations near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route that Iran has effectively blocked since the conflict began on February 28. Tehran condemned the strikes as a violation of the ceasefire and warned of retaliation. Diplomatic talks, mediated largely by Pakistan and recently hosted in Qatar, continue amid disputes over frozen Iranian assets, uranium enrichment, and maritime security in the Gulf.

Israel Intensifies Attack on Lebanon Despite Active Ceasefire

Israel has intensified its military campaign across Lebanon, launching widespread strikes on Hezbollah targets in the Bekaa Valley and southern regions despite an extended ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year. Lebanese media reported at least 12 deaths in Mashghara as attacks expanded beyond border areas. Hezbollah responded with drone and rocket attacks targeting Israeli troops, tanks, and military sites. Israeli authorities have also ordered evacuations in parts of southern Lebanon ahead of further strikes. The escalation comes as negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are set to continue in Washington, while Beirut demands a full Israeli withdrawal from the south. More than 400 people in Lebanon and 10 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began in April.

UK Expands Sanctions on Russia-Linked Crypto and Banking Networks

Britain has imposed new sanctions targeting Russia-linked cryptocurrency platforms, banks and financial networks accused of helping Moscow bypass Western restrictions tied to the war in Ukraine. The measures freeze assets and block UK firms from processing payments or maintaining correspondent banking ties with the entities. Officials say the crackdown focuses on so-called shadow financial systems, including the Kremlin-linked A7 network and several crypto exchanges and firms operating across jurisdictions such as Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and the United Arab Emirates. London said it is working with allies to disrupt funding routes supporting Russia’s war effort and hold enablers accountable. The move follows broader sanctions adjustments aimed at managing supply pressures in energy markets.