Peoples' Review

Xizang marked the 75th anniversary of its peaceful liberation on Saturday, May 23, 2026, with celebrations in Lhasa and Qamdo. Residents participated in singing and dancing to commemorate the event and express appreciation for an improved quality of life.

Chitwan National Park has experienced a significant increase in domestic tourist arrivals while foreign tourist numbers have decreased during the current fiscal year. According to park officials, the decline in foreign visitors may be attributed to political developments in Nepal and conflicts in the Middle East, while domestic travel has been boosted by factors like increased Nepalis traveling and a government-introduced two-day weekend.

The Chinese Embassy in Nepal has categorically denied media reports alleging that Chinese nationals attempted to bribe journalists to publish negative stories about Nepali politicians, calling the claims "groundless rumors." The embassy stated its commitment to non-interference in Nepal's internal affairs and urged Nepali authorities to investigate the misinformation and take legal action.

A significant majority within the UML Secretariat, comprising 80 percent of its members, has called for Chairman K.P. Oli to step down from his position. This internal pressure stems from concerns that the party is becoming difficult to manage at the grassroots level, although Oli has rejected these arguments and stated he will not resign after being elected. The situation highlights a deep division within the party leadership.

CPN-UML Vice Chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel asserts that leadership failures, specifically the removal of the age limit and two-term cap, led to the current political crisis, suggesting a resignation by KP Sharma Oli on Bhadra 23 could have altered the course. Meanwhile, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari remembered her late husband Madan Bhandari as a thought-provoking ideologue who provided a strong theoretical basis for political movements.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichhane has instructed party MPs from Koshi and Madhesh provinces to refrain from making public statements for at least 100 days. This directive, aimed at protecting the party's image, was given during separate meetings held at the parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar.

Prime Minister Balen Shah held a joint meeting with ambassadors from 22 European Union member states in Kathmandu. The delegation, including ambassadors based in Kathmandu and New Delhi, aimed to congratulate the new government, reaffirm support for Nepal's development priorities, and explore new avenues for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and climate action. Discussions also touched upon Nepal's human rights situation, political stability, and economic development.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah met with non-resident ambassadors and heads of missions from European Union member nations to discuss Nepal's current priorities, strengthen bilateral relations, and explore areas of cooperation. The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, was described by press advisor Deepa Dahal as an opportunity to inform diplomats about Nepal's objectives.

Reconstruction has officially commenced on a severely damaged 3.2-kilometer section of Nepal's BP Highway, linking Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts, with financial and technical assistance from Japan. Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru and Nepal's Infrastructure Ministry Secretary Gopal Prasad Sigdel jointly laid the foundation stone for the Piple–Barkhekhola stretch, which was devastated by floods and landslides in October 2024.

Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has declared reservoir-based hydropower projects as a high priority for the government, emphasizing their crucial role in Nepal's long-term energy security, industrial development, and economic transformation. Following an inspection of the Kulekhani Hydropower Project, Shrestha stated that these projects are vital for electricity generation, water management, flood control, irrigation, and tourism, especially in light of climate change impacts.

Speaker DP Aryal proceeded with parliamentary business in the House of Representatives on Thursday despite ongoing protests and slogan chanting by opposition lawmakers demanding the presence of Prime Minister Balen Shah. Following a brief adjournment and discussions between Speaker Aryal and Prime Minister Shah, the session resumed with the Speaker moving forward with the agenda, including the presentation of an election-related ordinance by Minister Sobita Gautam, while opposition parties continued their obstruction.

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met with Juan Antonio March Pujol, the Non-Resident Ambassador of Spain to Nepal, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation, particularly in the tourism sector. The meeting also explored expanding collaboration in areas of shared interest between the two nations.