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 Shah Attends Chief Justice Oath Amid Criticism Over Parliament Absence

Prime Minister Balendra Shah attended Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma at the President’s Office, even as controversy continues over his repeated absence from the House of Representatives. Shah has faced criticism from opposition parties and legal experts after skipping parliamentary discussions on the government’s policies and programs, prompting protests and obstruction in the House. Opposition lawmakers had demanded his presence, arguing that the prime minister should personally respond to questions raised by MPs.

Manoj Kumar Sharma Sworn In as Chief Justice

Manoj Kumar Sharma was sworn in as chief justice on Tuesday after receiving parliamentary hearing approval, taking the oath of office from Ram Chandra Paudel. According to Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Koirala, Sharma is also scheduled to assume office later on Tuesday. The Constitutional Council selected Sharma from a list of six names recommended by the Judicial Council, despite him being fourth in the Supreme Court’s seniority order. The recommendation triggered protests from the Nepal Bar Association and others, who questioned judicial independence and transparency after the seniority tradition was bypassed. The senior-most Supreme Court judge, Sapana Pradhan Malla, was also considered a contender for the post. The controversy deepened after the government introduced an ordinance allowing decisions by just three members of the six-member Constitutional Council. Sharma’s name was endorsed under that provision despite objections from opposition leader Vishma Raj Angdembe and National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal.

Acting Chief Justice Sapana Malla’s Office Shifted After Sharma Takes Charge

The workspace setup of acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla was relocated within the Supreme Court complex following the parliamentary approval of Manoj Kumar Sharma as the new Chief Justice. Malla previously occupied a designated chamber and secretariat suite on the third floor of the newly constructed Supreme Court Building while serving as the temporary head of the judiciary. Chief Justice Sharma assumed official charge of the office on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM, immediately after taking his official oath of office from President Ram Chandra Paudel. The Supreme Court Administration assigned Malla a new permanent office chamber on the third floor of the annexe building.

Election Commission Records Rs 4.967 Billion Expenses for House of Representatives Polls

The Election Commission published the comprehensive financial expenditure statement for the recent House of Representatives election on Tuesday. The data shows the national election was executed at a total cost of Rs 4.967 billion out of an initial budgetary resource pool of Rs 6.719 billion provided by the state. Based on a total registered national voting population of 18,903,689 individuals, the mean administrative cost per single voter stood at Rs 263 for the 2026 general election. The commission issued formal statements of appreciation to chief election officers, security forces, and administrative personnel for facilitating cost-efficient polling operations.

Cabinet Approves 6.1 Million Swiss Franc Grant for Municipal Revenue Project

The Council of Ministers approved the acceptance of a CHF 6.1 million financial grant from the Government of Switzerland on Tuesday to execute the Municipality Revenue Enhancement Project. Concurrently, the cabinet accepted an RMB 79.3 million grant from the government of China to upgrade the Araniko Highway. Minister for Communication Sasmit Pokharel announced a relief package for families displaced from hazardous Kathmandu Valley riverbanks, granting an immediate lump-sum rehabilitation stipend of Rs 25,000. It also provides monthly housing allowances of Rs 15,000 for five-member families, plus Rs 2,000 per additional person, for three months. The cabinet also approved the Federal Parliament submission of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2002, amendment bill.

Lawyers Light Lanterns at Supreme Court in Protest Over Access to Justice

Legal practitioners staged a symbolic lantern protest at the Supreme Court premises on Tuesday, accusing the judiciary of creating obstacles to the registration of writ petitions and demanding truth and justice. The protest, organized under the leadership of the Nepal Bar Association (NBA), took place at around 1:00 pm in the association’s office courtyard inside the Supreme Court complex. Lawyers lit lanterns as a mark of protest against recent developments in the apex court. The demonstration followed a decision taken during the association’s meeting on Sunday. The NBA stated that the protest was necessary after a situation emerged in which writ petitions could not even be registered in court. Legal practitioners participating in the protest said the move was intended to draw attention to concerns over judicial transparency, accountability, and citizens’ access to justice.

Finance Minister Prioritizes Governance and Middle-Class Expansion in National Assembly

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle stated before the National Assembly that the expansion of the middle class and institutional good governance form the foundational pillars of the government’s economic agenda. Responding to legislative inquiries regarding the appropriation bill, he explained that the state seeks to curb systemic corruption, intermediary exploitation, and institutional rent-seeking. Wagle highlighted that structural delays and historical policy gridlocks caused massive losses in “missing GDP,” which the state plans to recover through aggressive e-governance models, digital delivery, and binding performance contracts. He clarified that the middle-class strategy aims to elevate impoverished workers, farmers, and landless citizens through upward social mobility rather than merely distributing poverty equally.

HoR Meeting Resumed After 15-Minute Adjournment Today

The meeting of the House of Representatives has resumed after being adjourned for 15 minutes. Today’s session will continue discussions on the principles and priorities of the appropriation bill. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is scheduled to respond during the meeting.

Supreme Court Schedules May 25 Hearing on Sher Bahadur Deuba Arrest Warrant Appeal

The Supreme Court issued a directive summoning both parties on Monday to debate an interim injunction requested by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba against his active arrest warrant. The single bench of Judge Meghraj Pokharel reviewed the petition on Tuesday and fast-tracked the case, ordering the procurement of the confidential investigation files from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation. The department previously obtained an arrest authorization from the Kathmandu District Court, which Deuba challenges by arguing that the Special Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over such matters. The Supreme Court granted respondents a 15-day deadline to present valid causes for the warrant while Deuba remains in Hong Kong.

Cabinet Decides Housing Support for Families Relocated from High-Risk Settlements

The Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday afternoon decided to provide financial incentives to people relocated from high-risk settlements so they can arrange alternative housing on their own. According to the decision, a family of up to five members will receive a relief amount of Rs 15,000 per month for housing management expenses. Families with more than five members will receive an additional Rs 2,000 per month for each extra member. The assistance will initially be provided for three months. Similarly, the government has also decided to verify the details of people who will be displaced due to the removal of high-risk settlements along riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley. Each affected family will receive a one-time resettlement support amount of Rs 25,000.

Court Remands Durga Prasai to Custody for 3 Days

Police have been granted an additional three days to continue the investigation into Durga Prasai, who was arrested from Hotel Siddhartha Diwalo in Birgunj on Monday night. He was produced before the Parsa District Court on Tuesday, where the extension of custody was approved, according to the District Police Office, Parsa. Police said the investigation was launched based on complaints alleging that Prasai had made provocative remarks through social media, engaged in activities affecting social harmony, and was involved in actions that could incite against the state. He is being investigated under the Electronic Transactions Act and charges related to offenses against public peace. Police stated that authorities are collecting further details regarding his public statements, programs, and social media activities.

Tribhuvan University Receives Fifty Official Applications for Vacant Vice-Chancellor Position

The Ministry of Education received a total of 50 individual candidate submissions vying for the vacant post of vice-chancellor at Tribhuvan University. The formal selection procedure commenced following an open public call issued on May 8, which provided an exclusive 10-day application window for interested academic professionals. Ministry representatives stated that the candidate screening panels will verify all entry portfolios against predefined procedural criteria, and any non-compliant submissions will face immediate disqualification. The vacancy occurred after university executives were relieved of their official duties through a newly enacted state ordinance, paving the way for competitive leadership appointments.

Special Licensing Examination Records 81.37% Passing Rate

The Nepal Medical Council logged an 81.37 percent passing rate during its specialized licensing examination, with results published on May 12. Council data confirms that 131 examinees successfully cleared the medical evaluation out of 165 initial applicants who registered for the test conducted on April 3. Statistical records show that two applicants were entirely absent from the testing centers, while 32 candidates failed to secure passing scores. Concurrently, the council’s executive board approved the formation of seven operational committees, establishing dedicated panels for Education and CPD, Registration, Foreign Doctors’ Registration, Professional Conduct and Health, Examination, Dental, and Procurement.

Polish Mountaineer Becomes First to Ski Down Everest, Lhotse Without Oxygen

Polish alpinist Bartosz Kacper Ziemski successfully summited Mount Everest on Tuesday without supplemental oxygen before skiing down toward Base Camp, marking a historic achievement in Himalayan mountaineering. Just a week earlier, on May 12, Ziemski had also completed a no-oxygen summit and full ski descent of Lhotse. With the back-to-back accomplishments, he became the first person in history to complete ski descents of both Everest and Lhotse without oxygen in a single climbing season. Ziemski carried out both ascents in alpine style, climbing without Sherpa support or bottled oxygen. His Himalayan ski-mountaineering record also includes successful descents from Annapurna I, Kangchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Makalu, Manaslu, Gasherbrum I, and Broad Peak, further cementing his reputation as one of the leading high-altitude ski alpinists in the world.

First-Look Poster of Nir Shah’s ‘Kamala Miss’ Unveiled

The first-look poster of veteran filmmaker Nir Shah’s upcoming psychological drama ‘Kamala Miss’ has been unveiled ahead of its nationwide release on August 7. The newly released poster features lead actor Basana Timilsina in an intense psychological expression and posture, hinting at a mysterious, emotionally sensitive, and psychologically layered storyline. Based on a psychological narrative, the film stars Shah himself alongside Ramesh Budhathoki, Shivam Saraf Chhetri, Aarav Dahal, Bhawana Magar, Sushant Kumar Shrestha, Jayanta Regmi, Suresh Thapa, Rajan KC, and Sanjay Khatiwada. Produced by Uma Malla under the banner of the Bijay Malla Memorial Foundation, the film is based on a story by Bijay Malla. The screenplay and dialogues were jointly written by Shah and Prajal Dulal. The film marks Shah’s return to direction after nearly a decade.

Actress Aditi Budhathoki Debuts on Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet

Nepalese actress Aditi Budhathoki attended the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival in France, sharing her event photographs on Monday. She attended the global film exhibition representing BMW India while wearing a designer gown crafted by Shivangi Pradhan. The prestigious media festival, which concludes on May 24, features a notable delegation of Nepalese filmmakers and state officials. Key attendees include Kathmandu Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol; director Abhinash Bikram Shah, whose film Elephants in the Fog holds its world premiere alongside Pradeep Khadka, Prachanda Man Shrestha, Pradeep Shahi, and Anup Paudel promoting cinema at a joint national pavilion.

Zohra Sports Withdraws All Cases Against CAN

Zohra Sports Management has announced the withdrawal of all legal cases filed against the Cricket Association of Nepal over disputes related to the Nepal Premier League. Managing Director Aamir Akhtar said the decision followed a request from the National Sports Council to unite stakeholders for sports development. The company had filed cases in the Supreme Court, Kathmandu District Court, and Patan High Court over the league’s ownership and intellectual property rights. Akhtar, however, said ownership of “Nepal Premier League Private Limited” and its bank account will remain under his control.

Kazakhstan Volleyball Contingent Arrives for CAVA Women’s Championship

The national volleyball delegation from Kazakhstan arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday to compete in the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship. The regional sporting tournament will take place at the Dasharath Rangasala Covered Hall from May 22 to May 29. Head Coach Jagadish Bhatta finalized the 14-member domestic lineup under the captaincy of Niruta Thagunna. The tournament features eight competing nations split into two groups, placing Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, India, and the Maldives in Group ‘A’, while Group ‘B’ consists of Iran, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to determine the regional champions.

One Hundred Fifty Youth Players Register for Tulsilal Junior Chess Championship

Organizers finalized the operational arrangements for the Second Tulsilal Memorial National Junior Chess Championship, scheduled to run from today to Friday, May 22. The youth tournament is organized by the Lalitpur Sports Club under the auspices of the Nepal Chess Federation and managed by the Bhaktapur District Chess Association. The open sports event will gather 150 elite chess players under the age of 20 from across the nation to compete under the Swiss League pairing format spanning seven to nine rounds. The cash prizes include Rs 30,000 for the open champion and Rs 15,000 for the girls’ division winner, alongside dedicated age group rewards.

Ebola Outbreak in Congo Kills 131 as Fears Grow Over Wider Spread

An Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 131 people, with more than 513 suspected cases reported as health officials warn the virus may be spreading faster than initially believed. The outbreak, centered in Ituri province, has already reached South Kivu, Goma and neighboring Uganda, where one death has been confirmed. Authorities fear the true number of infections could exceed 1,000 due to under-detection. Several African countries have tightened border screenings, while health agencies continue efforts to contain the virus. No approved vaccine currently exists for the Bundibugyo strain behind the outbreak.

Taiwan Accuses China of Escalating Regional Tensions With Fresh Military Drills

Taiwan on Tuesday accused China of becoming the biggest source of regional instability as Beijing continued military exercises near the island ahead of President Lai Ching-te’s second anniversary in office. Taiwan’s defense ministry said China carried out another “joint combat readiness patrol” around Taiwan, while China’s navy confirmed a carrier group led by the Liaoning had been deployed to the Western Pacific for live-fire drills. Taiwanese officials warned the repeated exercises threaten regional peace and navigational safety across the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific. Despite rising tensions, Taipei again called for dialogue with Beijing.

Two Killed in San Diego Mosque Shooting as Police Investigate Hate Crime

Two teenage gunmen opened fire outside the Islamic Center of San Diego in San Diego on Monday, killing a security guard and two other men before later being found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said. Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating the attack at the largest mosque in San Diego County as a possible hate crime, though no clear motive has been confirmed. All children at the mosque’s day school were safely accounted for after the incident, which occurred around 11:40 AM PDT. Police said one suspect’s mother had reported him missing earlier in the day, noting he was suicidal and had taken firearms and a vehicle. Officials believe the suspects acted alone, and investigations are ongoing into possible connected incidents nearby.

Microsoft Expands India AI Push With Major Data Center Plan

Microsoft is set to open its largest data center in India by mid-2026 as part of a major expansion to meet rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud services, company officials said Tuesday. The tech giant has committed about $17.5 billion in investments in India, alongside earlier funding, as it strengthens infrastructure in key hubs including Hyderabad. The expansion supports growing use of Azure cloud services and AI tools like Copilot, driven by India’s large internet user base and expanding enterprise adoption. Microsoft said its India operations now serve global AI development needs, even as it faces rising competition and a tightening labor market for skilled tech talent.