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.

House Of Representatives Meeting Postponed Until Monday:  The meeting of the House of Representatives has been postponed until Monday after opposition parties continued their obstruction over the visit visa controversy. Today’s session, originally scheduled for 1 PM, was first rescheduled for 3:15 PM and then pushed further to 5:30 PM. Despite the delays, the session was ultimately adjourned as the opposition maintained its protest.

PM Oli Criticizes Former Prez Bhandari’s Political Comeback Speculations: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has voiced serious concerns regarding former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s recent political engagements in Jhapa, fueling speculation about her possible return to active politics. Speaking at the inauguration of the ANNFSU’s 24th National Convention in Kirtipur, Oli dismissed such speculations as baseless, pointing out that the party has yet to set a date for its next general convention. Oli indirectly referred to Bhandari while criticizing the emergence of factions within the party.

Smooth Power Transfer to NC After 13 Months: PM Oli: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has clarified that there is no disagreement within the ruling coalition, stating that the government is moving forward with the right policies for stability, good governance, and development. Speaking at the 24th National Convention of ANNFSU, he reiterated that power will be handed over to the Nepali Congress after 13 months as per the agreement between Congress and UML. Oli said that despite being in coalition now, the parties will compete separately in the next election, emphasizing that UML is working toward securing a single-party majority under “Mission 2084.” He dismissed any confusion regarding UML’s electoral goals.

Land Commission Briefs PM Oli on Plan to Distribute Ownership Certificates: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held discussions today with the officials of the Land Problem Resolution Commission to review the progress of the commission’s work. During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, the commission briefed him on their ongoing efforts in identifying landless Dalits, squatters, and unmanaged settlers, as well as collecting records, verifying data, conducting land surveys, resolving disputes, and preparing for land registration and distribution of ownership certificates. These activities are being carried out in coordination with all three tiers of government.

Egypt’s Ambassador to Nepal Bids Farewell to President Poudel: Noha Hamdy Ahmed ElGebaly, Egypt’s Ambassador to Nepal, paid a farewell visit to President Ramchandra Poudel at the President’s official residence, Sheetal Niwas, on Sunday. According to a statement from the President’s Office, the meeting focused on the longstanding bilateral relations between Nepal and Egypt, as well as mutual interests and cooperation. During the visit, President Poudel expressed his gratitude to Ambassador ElGebaly for successfully completing her diplomatic tenure in Nepal.

Congress–Maoist Talks Fail to Resolve Parliamentary Deadlock: Efforts to break the parliamentary deadlock have stalled again after talks between the Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders ended without reaching an agreement. The meeting at the Federal Parliament building in New Baneshwor included Nepali Congress Vice-President Purna Bahadur Khadka and leader Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, alongside Maoist Deputy General Secretaries Barshaman Pun and Shakti Bahadur Basnet, and Chief Whip Hit Raj Pandey. The main sticking point remained the demand by the Maoist Centre for the formation of a parliamentary investigation committee into the visit visa scandal, a proposal that the Nepali Congress has not agreed to.

Nepal Prepares to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 as Infection Rates Surge in India: With a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections in neighboring India, Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population has completed all necessary preparations to prevent the spread of the virus within the country. Drawing on past experience where infections in India crossed into Nepal within about 15 days, the ministry has been working on preventive measures for the last two weeks. Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki stated that considering the recent rapid increase in cases and some deaths in India, proactive steps are being taken to ensure Nepal is ready. He emphasized that the past pattern of infections spreading from India to Nepal, whether sooner or later, has guided the current preparedness efforts.

Prachanda Says Nepali Congress Unwilling to Cooperate on Visit Visa Investigation: Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ chairman of the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre), has stated that the Nepali Congress has shown little flexibility regarding the investigation into the visit visa scandal. Prachanda made these remarks during a recent opposition meeting held at the Federal Parliament building in New Baneshwor. Earlier, he had met with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence in Budhanilkantha on Saturday. During the meeting, Prachanda conveyed that he was carrying a mandate from opposition parties but found Congress reluctant to support forming an investigative committee.

CIAA Files Corruption Case Against Nepal Telecom MD Sangita Pahadi and 17 Others: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has taken action by filing a corruption case against 18 individuals, including Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sangita Pahadi. The case has been forwarded to the Special Court. The CIAA alleges irregularities involving Nepal Telecom’s billing system, maintenance fees, and other financial discrepancies that have caused a loss of Rs 330 million to the state. During the investigation, statements were recorded from former Chief Secretary Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, about 30 employees including two joint secretaries, and members of the Nepal Telecom Board of Directors.

Home Minister Lekhak Emphasizes Drug Control as Government Priority: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has underscored that controlling illegal drugs is a top priority for the government. Highlighting the alarming situation caused by drug trafficking and substance abuse in society, he stressed the need for united efforts to tackle the problem effectively. Speaking at a program held on Sunday at the Ministry of Home Affairs to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Minister Lekhak called for cooperation and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders to reduce and control drug misuse.

RSP Requests Parliamentary Study Visit to Immigration Department: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has formally requested a parliamentary study and observation visit to the Immigration Department. Dr. Chanda Karki Bhandari, a lawmaker from RSP, submitted the request to the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives. In her petition, Dr. Karki highlighted growing public concern over allegations of illegal human trafficking and corruption linked to visa and immigration processes. She noted that such activities directly undermine the core values of good governance, transparency, and the rule of law in the country.

Nepal’s First Gender Reassignment Surgery Successfully Performed at TUTH: Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj has successfully conducted Nepal’s first gender reassignment surgery, marking a milestone in the country’s medical and LGBTQ+ history. According to hospital spokesperson and associate professor Dr. Gopal Sedhain, the surgery was performed on a 25-year-old transgender individual from Janakpur, who was assigned male at birth but later transitioned due to hormonal influences. The surgical team reconstructed female genitalia using appropriate tissue from the patient’s male genitalia. The groundbreaking operation was carried out by the hospital’s Department of Plastic Surgery during a series of procedures held from Jestha 12 to 15 (May 26 to 29).

Bus Accident in Dang Kills Two: Two people died in a bus accident at Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City–13, Bakhariya. Narayan Bhandari (65) and Shanta Khadka Chaudhary (42), both residents of Dangisharan Rural Municipality–2, died while undergoing treatment at Rapti Provincial Hospital in Tulsipur following a bus accident. The bus (Na 4 Kha 4009), en route from Goltakuri, Dangisharan to Tulsipur, crashed due to brake failure. According to police, 32 passengers were injured in the accident.

NEPSE Index Drops by Double Digits; Turnover Nears Rs 9.14 billion: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a notable decline today, falling by 11.06 points to settle at 2,629.89. The trading session saw activity from 313 companies, with a total of 19,992,181 shares exchanged across 86,636 transactions. The total turnover for the day amounted to approximately Rs 9.13 billion. Despite the overall bearish trend, two sectors managed to post gains. The Hydropower group increased by 1.22%, while the Hotels and Tourism group rose slightly by 0.12%. In contrast, all other sectors experienced declines. The Banking sector dropped by 1.05%, Development Banks by 0.06%, Finance by 0.91%, Investment by 0.08%, and Life Insurance by 0.77%.

Finance Minister Warns Against Pressure on SEBON, Calls for Market Reforms: Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has urged caution against those attempting to exert pressure and influence on the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) and emphasized the need to focus on market development. During the opening ceremony of the Board’s 33rd anniversary on Sunday morning, he directed that legal action should be taken against those involved in insider trading in the stock market. He said, “Those who commit mistakes should be punished, and those who perform well should be encouraged. Many try to pressure and influence the institution. We must protect it from such elements and strengthen regulation.”

NRB to Hold Auction for 42-Day Deposit Instrument Amid Increasing Liquidity: As demand for bank investments declines and liquidity steadily increases, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has announced an auction for a 42-day deposit instrument. The banking sector has been under pressure from excess liquidity since the beginning of the current fiscal year, and liquidity pressure has increased further as the fiscal year draws to a close. With interbank interest rates dropping due to the liquidity surplus, NRB has introduced a long-term liquidity absorption tool. The central bank has stated it will auction NPR 2.5 billion worth of 42-day deposit instruments on Sunday.

Government Allocates Budget for New City Construction and Development Projects: The government has allocated a budget of NPR 1.7028 billion for new city construction and development projects in the upcoming fiscal year 2082/083 (2025/26). In the current fiscal year 2081/082 (2024/25), NPR 1.6279 billion was allocated for the same projects. Accordingly, the budget for the next fiscal year has been increased by NPR 74.9 million, which is 4.6 percent higher than last year’s budget. The government has announced that it will conduct studies to build infrastructure aligned with smart cities and eco-villages in the coming fiscal year.

First Look of Film ‘Kalli’ Released; Set to Premiere on February 13, 2026: The first look of the film ‘Kalli’, presented by Lekali Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Kasturi Production, has been unveiled. Produced under the banner of Kiran Nepali, the film is scheduled for release on Falgun 1, 2082 B.S. (February 13, 2026). Two official posters of the film have announced the release date as February 13, 2026. Written by Mahesh Dawadi, the film is directed by Laxman Sunar. After directing ‘Bulaki’, Laxman has gained recognition in the film industry. He is now known for directing socially relevant films, and thus ‘Kalli’ is expected to be a strong film addressing social themes.

Rohit and Prashansa to Represent Nepal at Miss & Mister Fitness Supermodel World 2025 in Vietnam: Rohit Shrestha and Prashansa Budhathoki will represent Nepal at the ‘Miss and Mister Fitness Supermodel World 2025’ competition held in Vietnam. They departed for Vietnam on Saturday evening to participate in the event scheduled in the city of Qui Non, Binh Dinh Province. The competition will take place on June 14, where Prashansa will compete in the ‘Miss’ category and Rohit in the ‘Mister’ category. Prashansa, who has interests in dance and sports, aspires to become a supermodel in the future. She has previously won the titles of ‘Heritage Gems Universe 2025’ and ‘Model Superstar 2024’.

Constitutionalist Bhimarjun Acharya Releases Song ‘Samjhi Rahe Ratai Bhari’: Bhimarjun Acharya, a constitutional expert who creates literary and musical works under the name Arjun Milan, has released his new song ‘Samjhi Rahe Ratai Bhari’ (Remembering Throughout the Night). He dedicated this song to the memory of mothers on Jestha 25 (June 8). The song features his own lyrics, music, and vocals. With meaningful words, melodious music, and heartfelt emotion, the song is a vibrant creation that embodies Acharya’s belief that a true song must come alive from genuine feeling. Acharya, who has previously released four albums including ‘Maunata Ko Sahar’, ‘Sajilo Hundaina Jiban’, ‘Euta Jiban’, and ‘Atit Gari’, had the arrangement of this song done by Phanindra Rai.

PM Oli and Minister Singh Inspect Kirtipur Cricket Stadium Upgradation Works: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh on Sunday inspected the ongoing upgradation works at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The stadium, which is being developed to meet international standards, is undergoing major improvements including the installation of floodlights and the construction of a large parapet. According to project officials, six floodlight poles are being installed, with each pole set to hold 70 to 85 lights ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 watts. The installation is being handled by the joint venture firm Bishan–Ishwori JV.

Former National Cricketer Lalit Singh Bhandari Announces Retirement: Former Nepali national team player Lalit Singh Bhandari has announced his retirement from international cricket. He made the announcement via social media on Sunday. “After much thought and introspection, I have decided to retire from international cricket,” Bhandari wrote. The 28-year-old left-arm pacer made his debut for Nepal in 2018 during Nepal’s historic first One Day International (ODI) match against the Netherlands, where he took two wickets. However, Bhandari was unable to make a comeback to the national side after being seriously injured in a road accident on Bhadra 27, 2077 (September 12, 2020).

Times Basketball Club Storms into HJBL Final After Defeating Hounds: Times Basketball Club has secured a spot in the final of the Himalayan Java Basketball League (HJBL) after a commanding 92–67 victory over Hounds Academy in their last league-stage match. With this win, Times not only advanced to the final but also avenged their earlier defeat against Hounds in the first round. Both teams finished the league stage with 17 points each, having won seven and lost three out of ten matches. However, Times edged ahead based on point difference. In the final, Times will now face GoldenGate, who had already secured their place in the title match earlier in the tournament.

Israel Kills 5, Wounds 70 Seeking Aid in Gaza in Latest Mass Shooting: At least five people have been killed and more than 70 wounded in the latest incident of Israeli troops opening fire on hungry Palestinians seeking aid in south Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says it will reopen two of its aid points today after distributing no desperately needed food in Gaza yesterday. More than 100 people have been killed by Israeli fire while seeking aid at its locations since May 27.

Donald Trump Orders National Guard to LA After Clashes Over Immigration Raids: Donald Trump thanks the National Guard “for a job well done” hours after announcing troops would be deployed to Los Angeles. Trump earlier said 2,000 members of the National Guards would be deployed following clashes over raids on undocumented migrants. Residents of a predominantly Latino district repeatedly clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal agents. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says active duty Marines are also on “high alert”

Colombia Presidential Hopeful Shot in Head at Rally: A Colombian presidential candidate has been shot three times – reportedly twice in the head – at a campaign event in the capital, Bogota. Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was attacked while addressing a small crowd in a park on Saturday. Police arrested a 15-year-old suspect at the scene, local media say. Uribe’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, called on the nation to pray for his survival. “Miguel is currently fighting for his life. Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are treating him,” she said.