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.

Bad Weather Affects All Seven Provinces

Moderate rainfall and snowfall have commenced across Nepal due to a western low-pressure system and local winds. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Sankhuwasabha recorded 50 mm and Myagdi 60 mm of heavy rain within the last three hours. Other areas including Nuwakot (26 mm), Lamjung (17 mm), and Kaski (7.8 mm) also experienced precipitation. The department issued a bulletin predicting continued cloudy skies, thunder, lightning, and hailstorms for Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces through Saturday, with snowfall likely in high-altitude regions.

PM Balen Unveils 15-Member Cabinet with Average Age 38

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has formed a 15-member Council of Ministers, with an average age of 38.21 years, reflecting a strong youth presence. The oldest member is 51-year-old Swarnim Wagle, while the youngest is 29-year-old Sasmit Pokharel, minister for education, science and technology, youth, and sports, who was part of Shah’s mayoral team in Kathmandu. The cabinet blends experience and fresh faces, including Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, and Sita Badi, the first minister from the Badi community. Members come from diverse professional backgrounds, including law, media, public policy, and health, signaling a generational and professional shift in politics.

Historic 33% Female Representation in New PM Cabinet

For the first time in 18 years of inclusive policy, women occupy 33 percent of ministerial positions in the Nepal government. Prime Minister Balen Shah’s 15-member cabinet includes 5 women: Sobita Gautam (Law), Sita Badi (Women and Children), Pratibha Rawal (Federal Affairs), Gita Chaudhary (Agriculture and Forests), and Nisha Mehta (Health). This exceeds the previous record of 26 percent in 2022. The current representation covers diverse communities, including Khas-Arya, Dalit, Madhesi, and Tharu, marking a significant shift toward gender parity in the executive leadership of the country.

Sita Badi Becomes First Minister from Badi Community

Sita Badi, a proportional representative lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has assumed office as minister for women, children, and senior citizens in the government led by Balendra Shah. At 29, she is the first person from the Badi community to hold a ministerial post. Born in Surkhet and from a disadvantaged background, she moved to Kathmandu at age 12 with NGO support, pursuing higher education and advocating for women’s rights. She has run businesses and led programs promoting women’s economic empowerment while challenging social prejudice against her community. Her activism and dedication to women’s rights propelled her entry into politics and her rise to ministerial office.

Education Minister Pokharel Appointed Govt. Spokesperson

The first cabinet meeting of the Balen Shah administration has appointed the Minister for education, science, and technology, Sasmit Pokharel, as the official government spokesperson. Following the meeting on Friday, Pokharel announced that the government has approved a 100-point governance reform agenda to be made public on Saturday. Additionally, the cabinet formalized the implementation of the Gauri Bahadur Karki inquiry report regarding the events of September 8 and 9, 2025, marking a commitment to accountability and structural reform within the new government’s first hours of operation.

International and Domestic Leaders Congratulate Prime Minister Balendra Shah

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the newly appointed Prime Minister Balendra Shah via social media on Friday. Modi expressed eagerness to elevate India-Nepal cooperation to “greater heights” for mutual benefit. Domestically, CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli and outgoing Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba also extended their best wishes. Both leaders congratulated Shah and the members of the Council of Ministers for a successful tenure, signaling broad political acknowledgment of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader’s transition from mayor to the country’s prime minister.

Former PM Sushila Karki Returns to Private Residence

Outgoing Prime Minister Sushila Karki moved back to her private residence in Dhapasi on Friday, immediately after the swearing-in of Balen Shah. Karki, who took office on September 12, 2025, following the Gen Z protest, served for 196 days. Reflecting on her tenure, she noted that her primary mandate to conduct elections within six months was successfully met on March 5. Upon her return, she was greeted by her family dog, Puppy, and local well-wishers, stating she felt relieved to hand over leadership to a new generation.

First Female Attorney General Sabita Bhandari Resigns

Sabita Bhandari, the first woman to serve as attorney general of Nepal, resigned from her post on Friday. Appointed by the Sushila Karki administration on September 14, 2025, Bhandari stated she had no regrets regarding her “bold decisions,” despite significant controversy. Her tenure was marked by disputed rulings involving Rabi Lamichhane of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) regarding organized crime and money laundering charges, as well as cases related to WorldLink. Bhandari remarked that her decisions often challenged “male egos” in the legal sector but maintained that she acted with integrity throughout her term.

New Cabinet to Implement Karki Commission Report Against KP Oli

The first cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Balen Shah on Friday decided to implement the recommendations of the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led inquiry commission on the Gen Z protest. This decision places former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and former IGP Chandra Kuber Khapung under investigation. The commission has recommended up to 10 years of imprisonment for those found guilty. Government Spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel stated that while a separate committee will study security agency involvement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been directed to immediately proceed with legal action against Oli and others identified in the report.

Missing Helicopter Found Safe in Dolakha

A helicopter that went out of contact in the Dolakha district on Friday has been located safely. According to the District Police Office Dolakha, the aircraft was found at a helipad near Lakshya Gumba. The helicopter had initially departed from Kathmandu and stopped at Lumnang in Bigu Rural Municipality-1 before flying toward the monastery area. Authorities also reported that all passengers and crew members on board are unharmed. The brief loss of communication had triggered an immediate search, but the pilot successfully landed at the alternative helipad due to local conditions.

Army Rotates Peacekeeping Troops in Central African Republic

The army has rotated its peacekeeping personnel deployed under the United Nations mandate in the Central African Republic. On Thursday, a fresh contingent of 179 soldiers from the Kali Bahadur Battalion (8th Shift) and the Military Police Unit (11th Shift) departed for the mission. Simultaneously, 211 peacekeepers from the Ripumardan Battalion and the 10th shift of the Military Police returned to Nepal after completing their service. Currently, 1,107 Nepali security personnel are serving in the Central African Republic to maintain regional stability.

National Examination Board Finalizes SEE Preparations for 512,421 Students

The National Examination Board (NEB) has completed preparations for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), set to begin on April 2. A total of 512,421 students will participate across 1,966 centers. Controller Tukraj Adhikari noted that Bagmati Province has the highest enrollment with 109,513 students. For the first time, the board has banned group monitoring to avoid distracting students. Exams will run until April 12, with distinct question papers printed for each of the seven provinces to prevent widespread leaks.

Bollywood Director Ramesh Sippy and Rajesh Hamal to Lead NIFF Dialogue

The ninth Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF), scheduled from April 2 to April 6, will feature a historic dialogue between Bollywood legend Ramesh Sippy and Nepali superstar Rajesh Hamal. Festival Chairman KP Pathak announced the session, titled “Cinema Samwad,” will take place on April 3 at the Nepal Tourism Board. Sippy, famous for directing the masterpiece Sholay, is expected to arrive in Kathmandu on March 31. The festival will showcase 88 films from 40 countries, including non-competitive entries from China and Russia, alongside 10 interactive workshops.

Actor Paul Shah Announces New Film ‘Yanimaya: Rhythm of Love’

Actor Paul Shah has ventured into film production with the announcement of his new project, Yanimaya: Rhythm of Love. The first-look poster, featuring Shah and debutante Anjana Pun Magar, was released on Friday. Directed by Om Pratik, the film is scheduled to begin filming in early May. This project follows the commercial success of Shah’s recent films Mohar and Aa Bata Aama. Yanimaya, co-produced by Chandra Jyoti Ale, is described as a musical romance, continuing the successful collaboration between the lead pair previously seen in popular music videos.

Madhesh and Sudurpashchim Secure Wins in PM Cup Cricket

Madhesh Province recorded its second victory in the Prime Minister Cup One-Day National Cricket Tournament by defeating Lumbini Province by 24 runs in Janakpur on Friday. Madhesh was bowled out for 124 runs, but Bishal Patel’s five-wicket haul restricted Lumbini to just 99 runs. In another match held in Birgunj, Sudurpashchim Province earned its first win by defeating Koshi Province by seven wickets. Hemant Dhami took four wickets for Sudurpashchim, while Khadak Bohra anchored the chase with an unbeaten 66 runs, reaching the 131 runs target in 19.5 overs.

NRNA Luxembourg Elects New Committee Under Durga Thapa

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Luxembourg formed its new National Coordination Council (NCC) on Friday, with Durga Thapa elected president. The general assembly, attended by NRNA President Dr. Hem Raj Sharma, also selected Yuddha Thapa as the International Coordination Council (ICC) member. Dr. Sharma praised the inclusion of women in leadership roles and the increasing participation of the second-generation Nepali diaspora. The newly formed committee aims to unite the Nepali community in Luxembourg and strengthen ties with the homeland through various socio-economic initiatives.

Cryptocurrency Surge in Iran Linked to Sanction Evasion

Analysts report a massive flow of cryptocurrency in Iran following the start of the Middle East conflict on February 28. Millions of dollars in digital assets moved through Iranian exchanges between February 28 and March 2, with a significant portion appearing to be linked to the Revolutionary Guards. Experts suggest these digital currencies are being used to bypass international sanctions, facilitate restricted oil sales, and fund regional proxies like the Houthi rebels. While the state favors stablecoins pegged to the US dollar, Iranian citizens are increasingly turning to Bitcoin, currently valued at over USD 68,000, as a “lifeline” against domestic inflation nearing 50 percent.

Austria Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 14

Austria’s conservative-led coalition government plans to ban social media use for children under 14 to protect them from addictive algorithms and harmful content, including sexual abuse. While the principle of the ban has been agreed upon, details on implementation and timing remain undecided. Draft legislation is expected by the end of June. The government will determine which platforms are affected based on algorithmic addictiveness and exposure to inappropriate content rather than naming specific platforms. Austria would join other countries, including Australia and France, that have introduced or approved age-based social media restrictions to safeguard young users from potential mental and physical health risks.

Middle East Tension Escalates as Trump Extends Hormuz Deadline

Regional tension in the Middle East remains high as U.S. President Donald Trump extended the deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to April 6. Despite the extension, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a warning for civilians to stay away from U.S. military locations, labeling the presence of troops as “human shields.” The conflict, which escalated following U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, has disrupted global energy markets, prompting Japan to lift restrictions on coal power and Vietnam to cut fuel taxes. Meanwhile, indirect negotiations continue through Pakistan, with Iran demanding war reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the strategic waterway.