- Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Kathmandu, May 25: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has described her five-day visit to Japan as ‘fruitful’.
Upon her return home last night, she stated that her visit has helped further strengthen Nepal-Japan relations while expanding cooperation in various development sectors.
Dr Rana informed media persons that she held various important meetings with Japanese officials, including Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi, discussing various issues ranging from strengthening bilateral relations, and cooperation in various projects.
“During this visit, we discussed various issues of Nepal-Japan relations, ongoing cooperation and future projects in Nepal. Similarly, the visit also provided an opportunity to learn about policies and welfare systems implemented in Japan for senior citizens,” she said.
A bilateral meeting between Dr Rana and Takeshi touched on various aspects of Nepal-Japan bilateral relations, mutual interests, and common global concerns. Dr Rana expressed her gratitude for Japan’s continued support in Nepal’s development journey.
On May 23, Dr Rana also met with President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr Tanaka Akihiko, and discussed the timely implementation and completion of JICA-funded projects in Nepal. She thanked Japan for its long-standing support to Nepal’s economic and social development endeavours.
Earlier, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, IKUINA Akiko, paid a courtesy call on Dr Rana on the sidelines of the recently concluded “Sagarmatha Sambad” last week in Kathmandu. Dr Rana expressed her appreciation for Akiko’s active participation in the dialogue.
While in Japan, Dr Rana also addressed an international conference on senior citizens in Tokyo and shared Nepal’s efforts and challenges in policy development and welfare for senior citizens.
Upon her arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Dr Rana was welcomed by officials including Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amrit Bahadur Rai.
Foreign Minister Dr Rana had left for Japan last Monday.
—
Three killed after jeep plunges into Madi river
Damauli (Tanahun), May 25: Three people have died when a jeep carrying them fell into the Madi River from the bridge over the river in Tanahun along the Prithvi Highway.
The jeep (Ga. 2 Cha. 5760) heading from Damauli to Chapaghat fell into the River after breaking the railing of the bridge. Two others were injured in the accident, according to District Police Office Police Inspector Raju Adhikari.
The deceased have been identified as Prabin Thapa Magar, 35, Kumar Thapa, 22, and Kushal Thapa, 20, of Byas Municipality-5, according to police. They died while undergoing treatment at the Damauli Hospital.
The injured in the accident that took place on Friday night were rescued by the Nepal Army’s Kalibhanjan Battalion, Nepal Police and locals.
—
Possibility of rain with thunder and lightning today
Kathmandu, May 25: There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in few places in the hilly areas of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Sudurpaschim Provinces and one or two places in the rest of the country. There are also chances of light rain and snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.
The country is currently under the influence of westerly winds coupled with local winds. There is also partial influence of water vapor-rich winds coming from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. As a result, the weather today will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly areas of the four Provinces and mainly clear to partly cloudy in the rest of the country.
The Division has urged all concerned to take necessary precautions as there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall with lightning in one or two places in all seven provinces, which may affect daily life, agriculture and health services, road and air transport.
—
Kunwar elected chair of Nepal Land and Housing Developers Association
Kathmandu, May 25: Engineer Deepak Kunwar has been elected as the Chair of Nepal Land and Housing Developers Association.
A 15-member working committee was elected under the leadership of Kunwar by the Association’s 18th annual general meeting and election held last night. Kunwar is the Managing Director of CD Developments Pvt. Ltd.
Likewise, Purushottam Poudel has been elected as the first vice-chair, Sumit Kumar Agrawal as the second vice-chair, and Roshan Bhoydyo as the third vice-chair of the association. Tulsi Prasad Adhikari has been elected as the general secretary, Barun Kumar Acharya as the secretary, and Nischal Bahadur Shrestha as the treasurer. Dekendra Kumar Shrestha, Manoj Bahadur Shrestha, Haribhakta Shrestha, Sandeep Shrestha, Prasit Bhoydyo, Siddhanta Bikram Dhamala, Abhas Kunwar and Araniko Singh have been elected as members of the new executive committee.
—
Nepali art and culture showcased in China
Guilin (China), May 25: A musical and award distribution program has been organized here for the promotion of tourism, art and culture between Nepal and China.
The third SMS Nepal-China Cultural Preservation and Tourism Promotion Honors and Awards, 2081, organized by SMS Music and Entertainment and co-organized by Changdongxi Guilin Estate Management and Guilin Elite Education Consulting concluded on Saturday night.
Various artists from Nepal and China exhibited their performances in the program. From Nepal, artists including Devika Bandana, Kamal Khatri and the National Dynamic Art Group gave special musical performances, while Chinese artists also performed dances and songs.
SMS Music and Entertainment Chair Satyakala Tamang Lama said that the program is a bridge for friendship, culture, art and tourism promotion between Nepal and China. “Our objective of bringing Nepal’s identity and voice to the international stage is being realized through this platform,” Lama said.
At the program, Asim Rai, Chair of Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu, mentioned that Nepal and China have not only geographical affinity but also historical, religious and cultural relations for centuries. “From ancient Buddhist monasteries to today’s infrastructure and tourism partnerships our friendship is becoming stronger, deeper and more meaningful with time,” Rai said.
Chief Guest of the program, Secretary of the Guilin United Front Work Department, Blang Xianfeng, said that the event has also helped expand relations at the people-to-people level between the two countries.
On the occasion, the president of the Guilin Cultural Volunteer Association, Lin Bin, Zhang Gaolian, deputy director of the Guilin United Front Work Department, Yang Yunwu, vice president of the Guilin City Glory Cause Promotion Association, Chen Hongxian, president of Guilin Asset Management, and Mo Guangfu, captain of the Lijiang Rescue Center, were present.
Speaking at the event, Everest climber Midna Dembe Sherpa emphasized that tourism can be promoted through mountaineering. He also shared his experience of having successfully climbed various mountains above 8000 meters in the world 33 times.
At the program, singer Devika Bandana was awarded the Emerging Singer Award and singer Kamal Khatri was awarded the Best Singer Award.
SMS Music and Entertainment Managing Director Thupten Gyalbo Moktan expressed the belief that such programs dedicated to promoting cultural relations, friendship and tourism between Nepal and China would deepen mutual understanding between the two countries at the people-to-people level. “We are presenting our country’s musical heritage, art and culture on this international platform,”Moktan said.
—
Devotees begin arriving for special Gosainkunda fair
Rasuwa, May 25: Devotees have begun arriving for the special fair of Gosainkunda starting from May 27. The fair will be held till Ekadashi falling on June 7, according to the Gosainkunda Area Development Committee.
The committee expects 5,000 devotees to take part in the fair and bathe in Gosainkunda pond. The pond is located at an altitude of 4,380 meters above sea level. After reaching Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa, one can reach Gosainkunda via Tiwari Bagar, Khanti, Deurali, Dimsa, Cholangpati.
Nepal Police has stated that more than 250 devotees who came through the Patanjali Yoga Committee for the Ganga Dussehra festival have already left for Gosainkunda this morning. The Gosainkunda is a holy pilgrimage site that Hindus believe must be visited at least once in a lifetime.
A special fair is held for 10 days during the festival of Ganga Dussehra and five days during the festival of Janai Poornima.
