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It has been three years since the Covid-19 pandemic subsided, but more than 95,000 are still awaiting their promised insurance payouts. The government has yet to release over Rs 11.34bn in covid insurance claims, leaving many policyholders in limbo.

During the pandemic, around 1.75m policies were issued under the covid insurance scheme, with nearly 165,059 claims filed. While 69,765 policyholders have received payments totaling around Rs 6.58bn, the remaining 95,294 have received nothing. Insurance companies say that they are unable to make the payments because the government, which had promised to cover liabilities beyond a certain threshold, has not allocated the necessary funds. The Ministry of Finance, meanwhile, cites a lack of resources amid ongoing budget constraints.

“The covid insurance issue is a priority,” said Ambika Prasad Khanal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance. “However, due to the pressure on resources, nothing can be said about insurance payout at the moment.” The finance ministry has failed to commit funds, despite repeated requests from both insurance companies and the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA)—the insurance market regulator.

“Insurance companies have done what they could. The rest is up to the government,” said Nirmal Adhikari, spokesperson for the Nepal Insurance Authority. “We are mere coordinators; it is the government’s responsibility.”

Frustrated by the government's inaction, insurance companies and policyholders have taken the matter to the Supreme Court. They have filed lawsuits against both the NIA and the government.  The Nepal Insurers Association, the umbrella body of 14 non-life insurance companies, has said that the government has failed to honor its financial obligations.

“We were told the government would shoulder the burden beyond Rs 3.5bn,” said Chunky Kshetri, former chairperson of the association. “But after years of waiting, we have been left with no choice but to seek justice in court.” The lack of payment has not only affected individual policyholders but also had broader implications for the insurance sector, which is grappling with reduced credibility and operational challenges.

Complicating matters further are allegations of fraud. At least 669 cases of duplicate or fraudulent claims, amounting to Rs 63.9 million in irregular payouts, have been identified. However, insurance expert Rabindra Ghimire said this was largely due to the lack of strong oversight mechanisms and clear policy limits. “Insurance fraud is common all over the world, especially in health insurance,” Ghimire said. “Here, the government did not set timeframes or caps on covid insurance payouts, unlike Thailand and Singapore, which managed expectations and liabilities from the beginning.”

Thailand and Singapore limited their coverage to small amounts and set deadlines for claims which helped prevent excessive liabilities. Nepal, however, offered up to Rs 100,000 per person with no clear claim deadlines which led to overwhelming demand and a ballooning fiscal responsibility. The covid insurance scheme was launched in April 2020 with premium rates as low as Rs 300 for coverage of Rs 50,000.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba reached Hong Kong on Thursday.

Leading a Nepali delegation, Minister Rana left for Hong Kong on Wednesday night to participate as observer in signing ceremony for the Convention on the Establishment of International Organisation for Mediation at the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, according Minister Rana's Press Advisor, Yek Raj Pathak.

The signing ceremony is being held in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on May 30.

Mediation is one of the key dispute settlement methods outlined in the United Nations (UN) Charter. Co-initiated by 19 countries, including China, the organisation represents a contribution from developing countries to the international rule of law.

The delegation comprises senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of Nepal in Hong Kong.

Foreign Minister Rana will return home on May 31.

CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that it is the duty of the true republicans to steadfastly stand in support of the federal democratic republican system and forward-looking change.

In his message of best wishes on the occasion of the Republic Day-2082 BS today, he stated that the unity among the pro-change forces is imperative to protect the republican system.

The Maoist Centre Chair said that political parties need to focus on fulfilling the task of transforming the economic, social, and cultural life of the Nepali people in accordance with the changed governance system by implementing the fundamental rights granted by the republican constitution.

"The establishment of the republic is based on the historical people's movement carried out with the conscious initiative of the Maoists and the participation of the oppressed masses, as well as the cooperation of other republican forces," he said, adding that the pro-republic forces should firmly stand in favor of the republic and the change fighting against the status quoits and retrograde activities.

Chairman Dahal has wished that Republic Day inspires the campaign to change the condition of the people by focusing on the development of republican thinking, style, and behavior, along with a strong unity and cooperation among republican forces.

On this occasion, he has paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the people's war for the establishment of the republic and has expressed respect for the sacrifice and dedication of those missing and injured combatants.

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the prosperous, civilised and progressive Nepal could be built through the protection of the Constitution and institutionalisation of the federal democratic republic system.

On the occasion of the Republic Day today, he extended his best wishes to all Nepalis residing at home and abroad, stating that it is everyone's shared responsibility to protect the historic achievements gained through the sacrifices of the Nepali people.

The former Prime Minister also expressed his belief that this day will inspire everyone to work for consolidating inclusive democracy and social justice with equality and prosperity.

He expressed his respect for all those contributing to the protection and promotion of democracy, the message reads.

"Many individuals have sacrificed their invaluable lives in every democratic movement for civil freedoms, national independence, the establishment and restoration of democracy, and for its protection and promotion", Deuba noted in the message.

Billionaire Elon Musk has announced that his role in US President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting task force is coming to an end. Musk has served as a special government employee, helping lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) since its formation earlier this year, according to BBC.

Musk's position permitted him to work for the government for up to 130 days annually. With that deadline approaching, his resignation is expected by the end of May.

In a post on X, Musk praised President Trump for the opportunity and expressed confidence in the agency's future, describing it as a model for cutting unnecessary government expenditure, BBC reported.

A White House official confirmed Musk’s offboarding would begin Wednesday night. His exit follows criticism of Trump’s recent multi-trillion dollar bill, which includes large tax breaks and increased defense spending.

A US federal court has ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping global tariffs, declaring them unconstitutional. The Court of International Trade found that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the president unilateral power to regulate trade through tariffs—a power the Constitution reserves for Congress.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of small businesses affected by the tariffs. The court noted that the administration’s justification did not meet the legal threshold of an “unusual and extraordinary threat”, according to BBC.

The White House promptly filed an appeal, arguing that the tariffs were necessary for national economic security and aligned with the president's "America First" strategy. The case is one of several judicial challenges to Trump's trade policies, which have triggered instability in global markets since April.

US President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline to show intent to end the war in Ukraine, warning of a “different” US response if delays continue.

Trump's remarks come after a steep increase in Russian strikes across Ukraine, which has resulted in scores of casualties. Despite a recent call between the two leaders and talk of a potential peace memorandum, no progress has been made.

The administration previously paused US military support to Ukraine in March but has not demanded major concessions from Russia. Trump’s public criticism of Putin has intensified, though it has yet to shift Russia’s stance, BBC reported.

The EU and UAE have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, aiming to boost trade in goods, services, digital commerce, and strategic sectors like renewable energy. Talks will begin in June following a meeting in Dubai between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and UAE Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi, as reported by Xinhua.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the decision as a significant step toward improving EU-Gulf ties. The negotiations come as the EU aims to reduce its reliance on US trade, following US President Donald Trump's declaration of a 50 percent tax on EU exports, which has now been postponed until July 9. Trump welcomed the talks but warned of trade measures if no deal is reached.