KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

Western Nepal Hit by Continuous Seismic Tremors

A series of earthquakes has rattled western Nepal, with the latest tremor of 4.0 magnitude hitting Murai, Darchula, at 8:32 AM on Thursday. This follows a 4.1 magnitude earthquake centered in Rayal, Bajhang, on March 23 (Chaitra 9), and another 4.1 magnitude shock in Murai the same day. Earlier, a 4.0 magnitude tremor was recorded in Sitoula, Darchula, on March 17, and a 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck Chainpur, Bajhang, on March 6. Seismologists continue to monitor the region as frequent aftershocks cause alarm among local residents.

New MPs Sworn In Following March 5 Elections

Newly elected members of the House of Representatives took their oath of office on Thursday afternoon at the newly constructed multipurpose hall in Singha Durbar. Senior member Arjun Narasingh KC, who was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Paudel on Wednesday, administered the oath. Following the elections held on March 5, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) emerged as the largest party with 182 seats. Other parties include Nepali Congress with 38, CPN (UML) with 25, Nepali Communist Party with 17, Shram Sanskriti Party with seven, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party with five seats.

Balen Elected Parliamentary Party Leader of RSP

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has unanimously elected Balendra Shah (Balen) as its parliamentary party leader. During a central committee meeting held at the party office in Banasthali on Thursday, Party President Rabi Lamichhane proposed Shah for the role. The RSP, which secured 182 seats in the House of Representatives, has officially notified the president’s office of the decision. Balen is scheduled to be sworn in as the prime minister on Friday, marking a significant shift in Nepal’s political leadership.

Supreme Court Continues Hearing on Rabi Lamichhane Charges

The Supreme Court has placed the writ petitions against the revision of charges for Rabi Lamichhane under “continuous hearing” status as of Thursday. A joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Abdul Aziz Musalman is reviewing the decision made by Attorney General Sabita Bhandari to amend charges related to organized crime and money laundering. Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi and others filed the petitions on January 18, arguing the Attorney General’s move was unconstitutional. District courts across the country have put related proceedings on hold pending the final verdict from the Supreme Court.

Harka Raj Rai Pledges Creative Opposition Role in Parliament

Harka Raj Rai, Chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party, has announced that his party will play a constructive opposition role in the Federal Parliament. Arriving for his swearing-in at Singha Durbar on Thursday, the newly elected MP from Sunsari-1 stated he would offer “critical support” to the government while holding it accountable through rigorous questioning. Rai, whose party holds seven seats, emphasized that his primary focus will be ensuring access to clean drinking water nationwide. He pledged to support government initiatives that benefit the nation while remaining a strong voice for public concerns in the opposition.

Gyanendra Shahi Demands Investigation into Major Corruption Scandals

Gyanendra Shahi, Parliamentary Party Leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has vowed to maintain a strict stance against corruption. Speaking to reporters after his swearing-in on Thursday, Shahi demanded impartial investigations into the Widebody aircraft purchase, the Ncell 4G tax dispute, the Melamchi Water Supply Project, and recent gold smuggling cases. He pledged that his party would support the government in establishing the rule of law but would remain uncompromising on transparency and accountability. Shahi emphasized that bringing the truth behind these high-profile scandals to light is essential for good governance in Nepal.

Nepal Bar Association Rejects Gauri Bahadur Karki Report

The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has expressed serious disagreement with the recently published report from the probe commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki. Following a meeting on Thursday, the NBA concluded that the report exceeds its jurisdiction and violates the principle of separation of powers. General Secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala stated that the report’s suggestions regarding the Supreme Court’s Full Court amending laws are concerning. The NBA has formed a study committee chaired by President Bijay Prasad Mishra, including senior advocates Tikaram Bhattarai and Dinmani Pokharel, to evaluate the legal implications of the commission’s findings.

CZOP Urges Government to Retain Ministry of Women and Children

Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) has issued an appeal to the government to maintain the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens amidst plans to reduce the number of ministries. In a statement released by Chairman Tilottam Paudel on Thursday, the organization warned that dissolving or merging this ministry would have a long-term negative impact on 33.84 percent of the population. CZOP emphasized that children are the country’s future human resource and a dedicated ministry is essential for the protection and promotion of children’s rights. The organization urged policymakers to reconsider any decisions that might weaken the institutional framework supporting vulnerable social groups.

KP Oli Suggests MPs Prioritize National Interests

The Chairman of the CPN (UML) and former Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, has instructed his newly elected lawmakers to work firmly for the country and its people. Speaking at the party headquarters in Chyasal following the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, he urged representatives in both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly to stay disciplined and united. Oli emphasized that the party must counter misinformation and remain committed to the path of prosperity and development. He also noted a rise in global political instability, suggesting that international bodies like the United Nations have become increasingly ineffective.

Koshi Province Cabinet Allocates Rs 150 Million for Disaster Relief

The Koshi Provincial Government passed six major decisions during its cabinet meeting on Thursday. Internal Affairs Minister Indramani Parajuli announced the allocation of Rs 150 million to the disaster fund for reconstruction in areas hit by floods and landslides on October 4 and 5, as well as recent storms in the last weeks. The cabinet also approved the public holiday list for 2026, the Provincial Building Regulations 2026, and set limits for fiscal equalization grants and vehicle tax sharing.

Lumbini Provincial Hospital Ranked Best in Nepal for Third Year

Lumbini Provincial Hospital in Butwal has been declared the best hospital in Nepal in the Minimum Service Standard (MSS) evaluation for the third consecutive year. The hospital scored 90 points in the ‘Secondary B’ level assessment. During a review program on Thursday, Health Minister Khem Bahadur Saru praised the facility for improving the public’s perception of government healthcare. Currently, the hospital operates with over 850 health workers, including 51 specialist doctors. Medical Superintendent Dr. Indra Dhakal stated that while the ranking is a milestone, plans for further infrastructure and service specialization are already underway.

Patan Veterinary Center Without Doctors for 17 Months

The Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center in Patan has been operating without a veterinarian for 17 months, causing significant hardship for local farmers. According to Center Chief Gumanidatta Panta, the position has remained vacant since the contract doctor resigned, and the Sudurpashchim Provincial Government has yet to appoint a replacement. Farmers are currently forced to call doctors from Dhangadhi for serious livestock illnesses. The lack of on-site medical expertise has hindered effective service delivery and animal treatment in the region, leading to calls for immediate government intervention to fill the permanent staff quota.

KU and AIDA Launch Master’s Program in Diplomacy and Economy

Kathmandu University (KU) School of Arts and the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 25. The partnership aims to launch a Master’s in International Affairs, Economy, and Diplomacy (MIAED). Dean Uddhav Pyakurel and AIDA founder Sunil KC stated that the program will focus on economic diplomacy to develop future leaders. KU will oversee academic standards and degree certification, while AIDA will provide global professional networking and practical learning experiences. The initiative seeks to establish Nepal as a regional hub for advanced studies in contemporary geopolitics and international relations.

Film ‘Behuli’ Announced with Lead Cast Divya Rayamajhi and Paras Bam

The production of the film Behuli was officially launched with a ceremony at the Karyabinayak Temple in Lalitpur on Thursday. Produced by composer Arjun Pokharel, the movie stars Paras Bam Thakuri (known as Cool Boy) and Divya Rayamajhi in lead roles. Directed by Sashan Kandel, the romantic family drama is scheduled for release on August 28, coinciding with the Haritalika Teej festival. Filming is set to begin this week with a cast that includes Sarita Giri, Lokendra Lekhak, and Sabin Kattel. This project marks the debut of Arjun Pokharel as a film producer.

Army and Police Clubs Secure Victories in PM Cup Cricket

Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal Police Club recorded successful wins in the Prime Minister Cup Men’s National Cricket Tournament on Thursday. At the Mulpani Ground, Army defeated Gandaki Province by 7 wickets, with Kushal Malla taking 2 wickets and scoring an unbeaten 43. Captain Binod Bhandari scored 58, while Bhim Sharki and Trit Raj Das also hit half-centuries. In another match, Nepal Police Club chased down a target of 265 to defeat Bagmati Province by 7 wickets in 44 overs. With this win, Army has moved to the top of the points table.

Nepali Tennis Team Departs for ITF Championship in Sri Lanka

A Nepali tennis squad left for Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, to compete in the ITF Development Championship Finals. The tournament, running from March 29 to April 10, features 15 nations. Nepal is represented by Vishwashish Dallakoti and Aryash Raj Paudel in the boys’ category and Sara Panta and Era Khatri in the girls’ category. Coach Santosh Khatri will lead the team through Circuits 1 and 2. Member Secretary of the National Sports Council, Ram Charitra Mehta, officially bid farewell to the athletes, wishing them success in the regional competition.

Rabindra Chand Appointed Member Secretary of Karnali Sports Council

The Karnali Provincial Government has appointed Rabindra Chand as the Member Secretary of the Karnali Province Sports Development Council. The decision was finalized during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Chand secured the highest score of 67.17 during the evaluation and interview process conducted by the selection committee. Other finalists included Deepak Hamal, who scored 60.63, and Pramod Hamal, with 52.37. Initially, 21 candidates applied for the position, which was narrowed down to a shortlist of 10 before the final three names were recommended to the cabinet.

North Korea and Belarus Sign Friendship and Cooperation Treaty

North Korea and Belarus have formally strengthened their bilateral ties by signing a “Friendship and Cooperation” treaty during a summit in Pyongyang. Leader Kim Jong Un welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is on his first official visit to the country. The leaders pledged to increase collaboration in agriculture, industrial production, and trade, specifically focusing on pharmaceuticals and food supplies. Both nations, which support Russia in the Ukraine conflict, emphasized the need for independent nations to work together against Western geopolitical pressure. Analysts view this move as an effort to promote a “multipolar world” and reduce economic dependence on major powers like China.

Trump Signals Intention to End Conflict with Iran Within Weeks

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated his desire to conclude the current conflict with Iran within the next four to six weeks. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Trump has informed advisors that he aims for a diplomatic resolution before a potential summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May. Speaking at an NRCC fundraising event on Thursday, Trump claimed that Iran is willing to negotiate but remains hesitant due to internal pressures. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that some military plans were postponed as Iran showed signs of engagement, describing recent indirect communications as “productive.”