KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant developments 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.

MP Throws Microphone at Committee Chairperson During Heated Meeting: Kiran Kumar Sah, Chairperson of the Women and Social Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, was attacked with a microphone during a committee meeting on Wednesday. The incident occurred when Maoist Centre lawmaker Kalpana Miya Kusari reportedly threw both her nameplate and microphone at Chairperson Sah during the ongoing meeting in the committee’s chamber. According to Sah, Kusari arrived late to the meeting and began speaking without permission. When Sah attempted to stop her, a dispute broke out, culminating in Kusari throwing objects toward him. No injuries were reported.

CIAA Raids TIA, Arrests Former Immigration Chief Bhattarai: Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, Joint Secretary at the Home Ministry and former Chief Immigration Officer at Tribhuvan International Airport, was arrested by police Wednesday following a Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) probe into alleged links with a human trafficking ring. Bhattarai had only been transferred to the Home Ministry the previous evening. Prior to that, he was the head of the immigration office at Tribhuvan International Airport, where the CIAA launched a raid shortly before his arrest. The CIAA initiated the raid after receiving multiple complaints about officials collecting large sums of money and illegally facilitating foreign travel on visit visas.

BJP Leader Claims 81.2% Nepalis Want Hindu State: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Jolly has claimed that 81.2% of Nepal’s population wants the country reinstated as a Hindu state. During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Wednesday as part of his Nepal visit, Jolly said there is deep-rooted sentiment among Nepalis in favor of a Hindu nation. During his four-day visit, Jolly said he met with President Ramchandra Paudel and other senior leaders. “81.2% of the people in Nepal want a Hindu state. I am ready to support them,” he stated. He also expressed hope that Nepali political leaders would reconsider the issue in light of public sentiment.

SC Calls Off Scheduled Hearing on Rabi Lamichhane’s Habeas Corpus Petition: The Supreme Court of Nepal has called off the scheduled hearings that were to be held today in multiple cases involving former Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane. According to the court’s postponed hearing list, the bench was set to hear a habeas corpus petition filed by Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Paudel, naming the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers as the defendant. The petition reportedly challenges Lamichhane’s legal custody or treatment in relation to ongoing investigations. In addition, two high-profile cases of cooperative fraud and organized crime were also on the docket.

Department of Passports Violates Procurement Rules to Favor IDEMIA in E-passport Tender: In a serious breach of Nepal’s public procurement laws, the Department of Passports (DoP) is unlawfully intending to award a multi-billion-rupee e-passport tender to French firm IDEMIA by manipulating tender criteria, ignoring technical disqualifications, and bypassing mandatory procedural safeguards. Despite clear findings from a technical sub-committee that IDEMIA’s proposal for one of the packages was non-compliant and required further review by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO), the Evaluation Committee pushed through its selection without obtaining the legally required opinion.

Joint People’s Movement Committee Postpones Religious Awareness Campaign: The Joint People’s Movement Committee, led by Nabaraj Subedi, has postponed its previously scheduled religious awareness campaign that was to begin on Jestha 8 (May 22). In a press release issued Wednesday, Coordinator Subedi announced that the campaign, originally scheduled for Jestha 8–11 (May 22-25) across the Kathmandu Valley, has been postponed due to special circumstances. “A new notice regarding this campaign will be issued later,” the statement said.

Joint People’s Movement Committee Proposes Cooperation to RSP for Restoration of Constitutional Monarchy: The Joint People’s Movement Committee, formed to restore the constitutional monarchy and eternal Hindu monarchy along with multi-party democracy, has proposed cooperation to the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Nabaraj Subedi, coordinator of the committee, wrote a letter to RSP’s acting president DP Aryal proposing collaboration. The letter cites RSP’s core ideological stance and its criticism of the current system as reasons for seeking cooperation in the movement. Subedi’s letter also noted that RSP president Rabi Lamichhane has expressed doubts about receiving impartial justice under the current system.

MP Bhattarai Questions Integrity of Subcommittee Probing Pokhara Airport Irregularities: CPN-UML lawmaker Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai has raised concerns over potential conflict of interest involving members of the subcommittee investigating irregularities in the construction of Pokhara International Airport. Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee meeting on Wednesday, Bhattarai questioned whether members of the current subcommittee were involved in decision-making processes during the time the project was being implemented. He specifically pointed out that former Finance Minister Janardan Sharma was both part of the decision-making process and now a member of the subcommittee, which he said could create a conflict of interest.

Congress General Secretary Thapa Submits Written Response in Contempt of Court Case: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has submitted a written response to the Supreme Court in relation to a contempt of court case filed against him. On Wednesday, Thapa’s lawyer Amrit Kumar KC submitted the written reply on his behalf. The contempt case was filed after Thapa, on Baisakh 11 (April 23), publicly accused the Supreme Court of deliberately delaying a verdict on 52 constitutional appointments. The contempt petition was filed by advocates Bishal Thapa, Anantaraj Luintel, and Prativa Upreti.

Education Minister Raghuji Panta Committed to Finalizing School Education Bill, 2080: Education Minister Raghuji Panta has expressed his commitment to finalizing the School Education Bill, 2080. Speaking during the discussion on the subcommittee report at the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee meeting held on Wednesday at Singha Durbar, Minister Panta emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue to reach a conclusion on the bill. He noted that certain issues in the bill require political consensus. Minister Panta suggested advancing the agreed-upon provisions while continuing discussions to resolve remaining disagreements before finalizing the bill.

Nepali Congress to Start Distributing New Active Memberships from Upcoming Shrawan: The Nepali Congress has decided to begin distributing new active memberships starting from the upcoming month of Shrawan. The ‘Active Membership Management Committee’ led by General Secretary Gagan Thapa held a meeting on Wednesday and decided to complete the renewal of active memberships by the end of Asar and commence distribution of new active memberships from Shrawan. Committee member Prakash Snehi shared this information. “The meeting held today decided to complete the renewal of active memberships by the end of Ashar and to start the distribution of new active memberships from Shrawan,” said Snehi, who is also a central committee member.

Defense Minister Rai Asserts Nepal Army’s Capability to Tackle All National Challenges and Disasters: Defense Minister Manbir Rai stated that the Nepal Army is capable of addressing every kind of problem and disaster that may occur in the country. Speaking at the ‘Interaction on Security of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves’ program held today in Salleri, organized by the Ministry of Defense, Minister Rai emphasized that the army’s role extends beyond border and peace security. He highlighted that the Nepal Army is now established as an active institution ready to respond during natural disasters, crises, and other emergencies.

Police Complete Investigation Against Those Involved in March 28 Tinkune Arson: The police have completed the investigation against individuals involved in undesirable activities during the protest held on Chaitra 15 (March 28) in support of former King Gyanendra Shah. Kathmandu Police have finalized the investigation and are preparing to submit the report to the government attorney’s office. According to an officer involved in the investigation, the report is expected to be submitted by Wednesday evening. The police have recommended prosecution on charges related to causing death against eight individuals, including medical professional Durga Prasai.

Above-Average Rainfall Predicted for Upcoming Monsoon Season: Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast above-average rainfall for this year’s monsoon season. The department released its seasonal outlook on Wednesday, projecting higher-than-normal precipitation levels. Nepal’s monsoon typically spans from Jestha 18 to Ashoj 14 (roughly June to early October), with monsoon usually entering around Jestha 30. According to the department, monsoon systems have already started developing over the Bay of Bengal and reached central Sri Lanka, suggesting that monsoon rains may arrive earlier than usual in Nepal this year.

NEPSE Ends in Red Despite Initial Surge Following New Governor Appointment: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed dramatic fluctuations on Wednesday. Although the market opened on a positive note, it ultimately closed in negative territory, dropping 6.93 points to settle at 2,670.51. The early boost was largely attributed to the appointment of Dr. Biswo Poudel as the new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. Within just four minutes of market opening, NEPSE surged by 83 points, reflecting investor optimism. However, the upward momentum was short-lived as the market quickly reversed and ended the day in decline. In terms of trading volume, the day saw transactions worth NPR 10.69 billion. Out of the traded companies, 153 saw a drop in their share prices, while only 93 recorded gains.

Newly Appointed Governor Poudel Takes Office, Prioritizes Supervision: Dr. Biswo Nnath Poudel, appointed as the 18th Governor of the Central Bank, took office today at the Bank’s office in Baluwatar. He stated that he will prioritize supervision of banks and financial institutions. “We cannot just make rules; we must also strengthen supervision,” he said. “We will also emphasize improving the quality of loans.”

Nepal’s Imports Near NPR 1.5 trillion in 10 Months of FY 2080/81: Nepal imported goods worth nearly NPR 1.5 trillion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year (FY 2080/81), ending in Baisakh. According to data released by the Department of Customs on Wednesday, the total import value reached NPR 1.474 trillion. This marks a 13.11% increase compared to the same period last fiscal year, when Nepal had imported goods worth NPR 1.303 trillion. The steady rise in imports indicates growing domestic consumption and dependency on foreign goods, despite ongoing efforts to promote local production and reduce trade deficits.

Energy Minister Khadka Says NEA’s White Paper is Realistic: At a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Minister Deepak Khadka stated that the white paper released by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reflects the realistic financial condition of the authority. He mentioned that the white paper reveals the current true state of NEA, which had been surrounded by uncertainty. The Minister also informed that an audit of the authority will be conducted soon.

‘Hostel 3’ Makers Announce New Film ‘Generation: Father vs Son’: Following the commercial success of the 2081 B.S. (2024 A.D.) Nepali film Hostel 3, its producers have announced their next venture titled ‘Generation: Father vs Son’. The upcoming film will delve into the theme of generational conflict — often described as the generation gap — and will be directed by Sashan Kandel. So far, actors Padam Tamang and Santosh Baniya have been confirmed as part of the cast. Both actors had made their acting debut in Hostel 3, also directed by Kandel. Their names are listed in the official production permit issued by the Film Development Board of Nepal for this new project.

‘Gaun Aayeko Bato’ to Screen in Over 40 Theaters Across the UK: The Nepali film ‘Gaun Aayeko Bato’, directed by Nabin Subba, is set to be screened in the United Kingdom from the first week of July. The film will be showcased in more than 40 cinemas across the UK, aiming to introduce Nepali storytelling to international audiences. The UK distribution rights have been purchased by ‘Underground Slate’, a distribution company, for a two-year period. Gabriel Wetz, co-founder of Underground Slate, expressed his excitement at collaborating with director Nabin Subba for the film’s UK release. ‘Gaun Aayeko Bato’ (The Road That Came to the Village) tells a poignant story of rural life, identity, and transformation.

Rajesh Hamal’s Comeback Film ‘Narasimha: Avatar’ Opens for Advance Ticket Booking: Advance ticket booking for legendary actor Rajesh Hamal’s comeback film, ‘Narasimha: Avatar’, has officially begun. Multiplex chains across Nepal have started releasing their show schedules and opened online and counter bookings. Nepal’s largest multiplex chain, QFX Cinemas, opened ticket sales from Tuesday, offering favorable show timings. Other chains like INI Cinemas have also made bookings available, while several other halls have either begun or are preparing to open their ticket counters soon. The first look poster of the film, along with its official release date, is expected to be unveiled tomorrow by the producers. The much-anticipated film is set to release this Friday, on Jestha 9 (May 23, 2025).

Defender Puja Rana Returns from Bhutan to Join National Women’s Football Team Camp: Nepal national women’s football team defender Puja Rana has returned from Bhutan to participate in the national team’s preparation camp. She arrived back in Nepal on Wednesday. Puja had been playing for Transport United Club in the Bhutanese Women’s League. She is also a member of the Nepal Police Club and the national team. In her debut match in the Bhutanese league, Puja scored a goal and delivered an impressive performance. The Nepali women’s national team is currently preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers and will play two friendly matches against Thailand as part of their preparation.

Shree Bhagwati Club Promoted to Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League: Shree Bhagwati Club has secured promotion to the Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League. In a match held at the ANFA Complex, Bhagwati defeated Boys Union Club 2–1, earning their place in the top-tier division. This makes Bhagwati the second club to gain promotion to the top division this season. Earlier, Planning Boys had already secured their promotion. With this victory, Bhagwati has accumulated 26 points from 12 matches. Meanwhile, Boys Union will remain in the second division, having secured only 19 points from the same number of games.

14 Teams to Compete in 9th Prime Minister Cup Volleyball Tournament in Pokhara: A total of 14 teams will participate in the 9th edition of the Prime Minister Cup NVA Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Tournament, which is set to kick off on Jestha 8 (May 22) in Pokhara. The tournament will run until Jestha 15 (May 29) at the Pokhara Stadium. According to NVA President Jitendra Bahadur Chand, the participating teams in the men’s category include Help Nepal Sports Club, Nepal APF Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Koshi Province, Gandaki Province Volleyball Association, Sudurpaschim Province, and Manimukunda Club from Rupandehi.

Israel Pounds Gaza, Kills 38: Israeli forces continue bombarding Gaza, killing at least 38 people since dawn, dismissing criticism from the UK and the EU over the “monstrous” war in the enclave. Authorities in Gaza say Israel’s “starvation policy” has killed at least 326 Palestinians since March 2, as the UN warns that 14,000 babies are at risk of dying within 48 hours. The UN also says no aid has been distributed in Gaza because of Israeli restrictions despite a handful of aid trucks entering the territory.

26 Naxalites Killed in Encounter with Security Forces in India’s Chhattisgarh: At least 26 Naxalites have been killed in an armed encounter with security forces in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, India. The operation was part of the government’s intensified crackdown to rid the state of Naxalite insurgents. Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao confirmed the fatalities and stated that security forces are working diligently to make the state Naxal-free by March 2026. Speaking to news agency ANI, Sao said, “Since our government came to power, we have been running a campaign to make the Bastar region free from Naxalite influence. In the recent encounter in Narayanpur, over two dozen Naxalites have been killed.”

US May Consider New Sanctions on Russia if Peace Talks Stall, Says US Secretary of State Rubio: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday (local time) stated that Russia would be slammed with additional sanctions by Washington if Moscow fails to provide a formal proposal outlining its conditions for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as reported by Anadolu Agency. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said that such a delay from Russia would show Moscow’s real intent to negotiate on the matter.