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The Embassy of Israel in Nepal has celebrated the 77th Independence Day of the State of Israel and the 65th Diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel on 15 May 2025, hosting a special reception in Kathmandu. The chief guest of the program was Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav.

High-ranking government officials, political leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, media representatives, and friends of Israel joined the celebration.

 Ambassador Shmulik Arie Bass stated, “The strength of Israel lies not only in the military might but in the unity, innovation and the spirit of our people. Together with Nepal, we are committed to improve the reality for a better future for all.”

The Embassy solemnly remembered the Hamas Terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Two moving video testimonies- one from a Nepali survivor, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary and another from an Israeli survivor, Noa Beer were screened, offering firsthand accounts of the horrors of the Hamas terrorist attack, the brutality they endured and their stories of survival. A heartfelt video message from the sister of Bipin Joshi, the Nepali national still held hostage by Hamas, appealed for his safe release, together with all the audience.

Nepal and Israel established diplomatic relations on 1 June 1960. The Government of the State of Israel established its Embassy in Kathmandu in 1961.

The UN Security Council has called on Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza, warning of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.

The UN reported that aid deliveries, including food, water, and medicine, have been blocked for over 10 weeks, putting Gaza’s 2.1m residents at risk of famine. One in five people is facing starvation, and large parts of the territory remain under evacuation orders or militarized zones, as reported by UN news.

Humanitarian organizations say Israel’s proposed military-run aid system is unworkable and violates humanitarian principles. Nearly 500,000 people are facing catastrophic hunger, and over 400 aid workers have been killed in the conflict.

As stated by UN news, several countries, including China and the UK, urged Israel to comply with international law, allow immediate aid access, and end its military campaign, warning that continued restrictions will worsen civilian suffering.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has “sort of” agreed to terms in nuclear talks with the United States, signaling progress toward a possible agreement, BBC reported.

Speaking in Qatar during his Gulf tour, Trump described the negotiations as “very serious” and aimed at achieving long-term peace. He added that a military strike on Iran may no longer be necessary, saying, “We’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran.”

The US has demanded Iran end uranium enrichment to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, told that Tehran is willing to accept significant limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, according to BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, currently in Ankara, has criticized Russia for sending what he called “stand-in props” to peace talks in Turkey. Zelensky had earlier said he would only attend if Russian President Vladimir Putin was present, BBC reported.

Russia confirmed that Putin will not attend and responded by calling Zelensky a “clown and a loser,” according to a statement from its foreign ministry.

Despite the tensions, talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and US delegations are set to begin this afternoon. Observers note that the Russian delegation appears to be low-level, according to BBC.

US President Donald Trump, who is on a four-day tour of the Middle East, said he may travel to Istanbul on Friday if today’s talks show progress.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 8. 41 points to close at 2, 611. 85 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 44 points to close at 440. 00 points.

A total of 17,423,943-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 7. 08 billion.

Meanwhile, Om Megashree Pharmaceuticals Limited (OMPL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser with its price fell by 8. 65 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 34 trillion.

Mahendranagar has been developed into a modern city with the support of Rs 1bn. As part of the transformation, the streets in the Mahendranagar market area have been expanded to eight meters wide, with each street featuring disabled-friendly pedestrian paths and dedicated bicycle lanes. A drainage system has also been installed.

To enhance the city’s beauty and organization as per the master plan, Bhimdatta Municipality upgraded Mahendranagar market. In the first phase, 14 kilometers of roads were blacktopped with a total investment of Rs 1bn, said Pawan Lekhak, Sub-engineer of Bhimdatta Municipality.

According to Lekhak, the project has also added 22 kilometers of drainage, four kilometers of railings, 776 streetlights, and 8 high-mast lights. Cycle lanes and disabled-friendly pedestrian paths have been integrated across the market, while parks have been developed at various locations to enhance urban aesthetics. Electric poles and telephone wires have been relocated to the backs of the streets, and designated parking areas have been created.

“The first phase of work has been completed, though the construction company is currently carrying out repairs in a few places where issues have been reported,” said Lekhak. He added that the municipality is preparing to begin the second phase of the project, for which an additional Rs 660m to blacktop eight kilometers of roads and install 10 kilometers of sewerage has been approved.

Local businesses believe the continued development of the market could turn it into a tourist attraction. Local tourism entrepreneur Jagadish Chandra Bhatta said the organized layout, disabled-friendly sidewalks, and cycle lanes have enhanced both the beauty and business potential of the market.

Mahendranagar’s five distinct streets, each with unique features, have also become a point of interest for visitors. Local businessman Krishnananda Bhatta noted that burying electric poles and wires and improving greenery and lighting would further enhance the market’s charm.

However, concerns over encroachment have recently emerged. “Encroachment has started to affect the market area. The municipality must address this issue to preserve its beauty,” said local resident Indra Sau, also urging authorities to beautify the parks.

Named after King Mahendra, who founded the market, Mahendranagar’s five main streets each have a distinct identity and commercial character. Street No 1 is dominated by medical and hardware stores, while Street No 2 features banks, printing houses, electronics, and grocery shops. Street No 3 also has a concentration of medical shops, along with a few hotels and banks. Street No 4 is lined with hotels, medical stores, and banks. Street No 5, also known as Campus Road, is the busiest of all, home to numerous bookstores and banks, making it the most crowded and commercially vibrant area in the market.

The stretch from Madan Chowk to the Bus Park, known as the “Special Line,” is considered a prime commercial zone with fancy shops and a public stage that hosts events and sports. A Mahendra Memorial lies at the heart of this area, which also features free drinking water and greenery for beautification.

With its proximity to major Indian industrial cities and its expanding commerce, Mahendranagar has emerged as a key commercial hub, with business activity reaching both highways and nearby rural areas.

China’s deputy speaker and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Xiao Jie paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister, Baluwatar, he wished for the success of Sagarmatha Sambaad taking place in Kathmandu from May 16 and showed willingness to enhance long-standing and friendly relations between Nepal and China with high-priority, according to the PM Oli's Secretariat.

Stating that China has always wished for Nepal's development and prosperity, leader Xiao recalled that the official visit of Prime Minister Oli last December was successful.

Similarly, Prime Minister Oli appreciated China's speedy progress in the development and information technology sector and its impacts across the world, saying Nepal and China have been enjoying close and cordial relationship for a long time.

Reiterating Nepal's firm commitment to the one-China principle, the Prime Minister stressed that both countries should take initiative for the implementation of past agreements signed between them.

Prime Minister Oli's Chief Advisor, Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, Nepal's Ambassador to China, Dr Krishna Prasad Oli and high-ranking officials of the Foreign Ministry among others were present on the occasion.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority on Thursday filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 16 individuals and two companies in connection with the procurement of Telecommunication Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System (Teramocs) equipment for the Nepal Telecommunication Authority.

According to CIAA spokesperson Rajendra Kumar Paudel, the anti-corruption watchdog has sought Rs 3. 21 billion from each of them, including Nepali Congress lawmaker and former minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet.

The CIAA has stated that this scam came to light when Basnet was the Minister for Information and Communications.

Similarly, the then chairpersons of the Nepal Telecommunications Digambar Jha and Purushottam Khanal, the then members Dhan Raj Gyawali and Tika Prasad Upreti, directors Bijay Kumar Ray, Surendra Lal Hada and Dipesh Acharya and then then deputy directors Rewati Raya Panta, Suresh Basnet, Harinya Prasad Bastakoti, Achyutananda Mishra and Sanjeev Adhikari have been made defendants.

Likewise, the corruption charges have also been registered against consulting firm Vanrise Solutions SAL and its CEO Jamal Anauti and its local agent Connection Trade Link Pvt Ltd and its chairman Dilip Kumar Gurung and its director Tej Prasad Kharel.

On January 19, 2024, the parliamentary Committee for Education, Health and Information Technology directed the government to submit documents related to Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) and Teramocs.

The Committee had directed the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to submit papers related to policy decision, purchase process, payment and rationale of implementation concerning MDMS and Teramocs from the start.

The House panel also decided to ask for the ministry-level investigation report on these topics and the court decisions related to the same and to take further decisions on the basis of consultations with experts.

Earlier on December 27, 2023, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament had instructed the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority to carry out further investigation into the technology procurement process of Teramocs and proceed with the prosecution in accordance with the law.

Teramocs is a technology conceptualised for the lawful interception and domestic voice/data traffic monitoring with fraud detection and control over the network of telecom service operators, who are providing telecom and internet services to the public.