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.

PM Balen Shah Forms Lean Cabinet Without Deputy Premiers

For the first time since 1991, a new government has been formed in Nepal without any deputy prime ministers. Prime Minister Balen Shah broke traditional political practices by appointing a streamlined 15-member cabinet focused on performance rather than political balancing. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) stated that the restructuring aims to avoid a heavy government by merging ministries and focusing on economic reform and good governance. This new cabinet also excludes state ministers, signaling a shift toward a results-oriented administration intended to meet public demands for efficiency and reduced administrative costs.

Police Arrest Former PM KP Sharma Oli and Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak

Police arrested CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday. The arrests were made following a cabinet decision to implement the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission report regarding the suppression of the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025. Oli was taken from his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, while Lekhak was arrested at his rented home in Katunje by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office led by SP Surya Bahadur Khadka.

Police Arrest Former Lawmaker Karna Bahadur Malla on Rape Charges

Former lawmaker Karna Bahadur Malla was arrested by the District Police Range Lalitpur on Saturday in Satdobato. According to SSP Hobindra Bogati, the 52-year-old accused had been at large for a month following a complaint filed on February 16. The victim had recently conducted a hunger strike at Maitighar to pressure authorities. Police tracked Malla through Mugu and Kalikot before locating him in Lalitpur. He remains in custody as the legal proceedings for the alleged sexual assault begin.

CPN (UML) Protests Nationwide Demanding KP Oli’s Release

CPN (UML) supporters launched nationwide protests on Saturday following the arrest of Chairman KP Sharma Oli. In Nepalgunj, activists burned an effigy of Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and clashed with police at BP Chowk. Protesters in Kathmandu faced baton charges after entering the prohibited zone at the Singha Durbar south gate, resulting in one activist sustaining a head injury. Demonstrations were also reported in Butwal, Pokhara, Hetauda, and throughout the Sudurpashchim Province, with the party declaring a protest schedule lasting until April 2.

Former PM Oli Undergoes Health Check-up at TUTH Following Arrest

Following his arrest on Saturday, CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli was taken to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Gopal Sedai confirmed that a team of specialists is conducting medical examinations on the former Prime Minister in the emergency department. Oli was first taken to the Police Range Bhadrakali before being transferred to the hospital. The CPN (UML) has, meanwhile, called an emergency secretariat meeting at the party office in Chyasal to discuss protest programs and a legal response to the arrest of their chairman.

Prime Minister Balen Shah Pledges Close Cooperation with India and Pakistan

Prime Minister Balen Shah expressed gratitude to the leaders of India and Pakistan for their congratulatory messages on Saturday. Responding to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah stated his desire to work closely to advance the multifaceted relationship for the prosperity of both nations. He also thanked Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, committing to strengthening friendly ties and regional cooperation. The new administration highlighted its priority to maintain strong and constructive relationships with regional neighbors through these diplomatic acknowledgments.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Ends Special Traffic Privileges for VIPs

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung directed the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police to stop providing special treatment to ministerial motorcades that cause public distress on Saturday. During an unannounced inspection of the traffic office, he told SSP Nabaraj Adhikari that ministers should depart earlier if they are in a hurry rather than blocking ordinary citizens. Minister Gurung emphasized that the government is a servant to the people and instructed police to prioritize making movement easier for the general public rather than focusing on VIP facilitation.

Former President Objects to Arrest of KP Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari expressed strong opposition to the arrest of KP Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday. In a press release, she described the government’s move as a “revenge-driven” action that violates democratic values and the rule of law. She argued that the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission report, used as the basis for the arrests, was incomplete and contained significant errors. Bhandari warned that such “immature” decisions by the new government could trigger further conflict and instability, urging the administration to reconsider and follow proper constitutional procedures.

Minister Gita Chaudhary Inspects Fertilizer Stocks at Krishi Samagri Company

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Gita Chaudhary, inspected the Krishi Samagri Company in Kuleshwor on Saturday. The visit was focused on reviewing the chemical fertilizer supply chain and identifying ways to prevent the chronic shortages faced by farmers during the planting season. Minister Chaudhary discussed future distribution plans and the current status of remaining stocks with company officials. The government aims to minimize supply gaps and ensure that the necessary agricultural inputs reach farmers across the country on time for the upcoming cropping cycle.

Home Minister Directs Police to Maintain Transparency and Law Enforcement

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung instructed security personnel to stand firm in implementing the law and maintain transparency in their work on Saturday. During an inspection of the District Police Range Lalitpur in Jawalakhel, he emphasized the need for clear performance in service delivery. Minister Gurung also inspected the Police Circle in Satdobato and the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office in Ramshahpath. According to Police Superintendent Gautam Mishra, the minister’s visit aimed to ensure that local security units are operating effectively under the new administration’s guidelines.

Harka Sampang Demands Arrest of Leaders Involved in Destroying State Property

Harka Sampang, chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party, termed the recent high-profile arrests as a sign of “political revenge” on Saturday. While acknowledging the arrests of KP Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak, Sampang demanded that the state also apprehend those responsible for burning and destroying major administrative buildings, including Singha Durbar, the Parliament Building, and the Supreme Court. He argued through social media that true progress only comes from his party’s ideology and warned that the country would face continuous unrest if the politics of retaliation continue.

Durga Prasai Challenges Legitimacy of Old Parties Amid High-Profile Arrests

Durga Prasai, coordinator of the Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizen Rescue Campaign, stated that the arrest of leaders like KP Sharma Oli is insignificant compared to the threat to the nation’s existence on Saturday. Speaking at Tribhuvan International Airport, he compared the arrogance of old parties to evil, claiming their pride led to the current political crisis. Prasai congratulated Prime Minister Balen Shah but warned against international interference, specifically stating that any activities involving the Dalai Lama in Nepal would be unacceptable and cause significant national instability.

Nepali Congress Conducts Parliamentary Training for New Lawmakers

The Nepali Congress began a specialized parliamentary awareness training program for its newly elected members of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly on Saturday. The session at the party headquarters in Sanepa featured briefings from Party President Gagan Thapa, Vice Presidents Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Pushpa Bhusal, and General Secretaries Pradip Paudel and Gururaj Ghimire. The party, which currently holds 38 seats in the lower house, aims to equip its representatives with the necessary skills for effective legislative participation.

Bangladesh Embassy Celebrates 55th Independence Day in Kathmandu

The Embassy of Bangladesh hosted a reception in Kathmandu on Saturday to celebrate its 55th Independence and National Day. Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav attended as the chief guest alongside Ambassador Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman. The ambassador thanked the people of Nepal for their moral and material support during the 1971 Liberation War. During the event, which was attended by various diplomats and ministers, the ambassador also sought Nepal’s support for Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly for 2027–2028.

New Song Released from Film ‘Paralko Aago’ Featuring Prakash Saput

The second song from the film Paralko Aago, titled ‘Dukha Sukha Jindagani,’ was released on Saturday. The track features vocals and music by Prakash Saput and Shanti Shree Pariyar. The film, directed by Laxman Sunar and produced by Sushil Pokharel, is based on the famous story by Guru Prasad Mainali. Starring Suhana Thapa and Saugat Malla, the movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 24. The song’s music video, choreographed by Ramji Lamichhane, depicts rural life and has been well-received following the success of the film’s first single.

Fourth Kohalpur Gold Cup to Commence in May

The fourth edition of the Kohalpur Gold Cup will be held from May 2 to May 9. Tournament coordinator Karna Bahadur Basnet announced that 8 teams, including 3 ‘A’ Division clubs and 2 international teams, will participate in the competition. The winner will receive Rs 800,000 and the runner-up Rs 400,000. To promote tourism, the finalists will be taken for a jungle safari in Banke National Park. Management and marketing for the event have been contracted to Ishwari United.

Jyoti Sports Academy Wins Mayor’s Cup T20 Title in Nepalgunj

Jyoti Sports Academy secured the Mayor’s Cup (Men’s) T20 cricket title by defeating Nepalgunj Champs by 3 runs in a closely contested final. After being sent in to bat, the Academy scored 128 runs in 20 overs, with Subhendu Pandey top-scoring with 36. Despite a heroic 73 runs from Samsuddin Ansari, the Champs finished at 126 for 8 wickets. Ravish Verma of Jyoti Sports was named Player of the Match for his critical bowling performance in the final over.

Tenth Prime Minister Cup Volleyball League Scheduled for April

The 10th Prime Minister Cup National Women’s and Men’s Volleyball League will take place from April 23 to May 2. Nepal Volleyball Association President Jitendra Bahadur Chand announced that 14 teams (8 men’s and 6 women’s) will compete at the Dasharath Stadium covered hall. The winning team will receive Rs 1 million, while second and third places will earn Rs 500,000 and Rs 250,000, respectively. The total budget for the event is estimated at Rs 11.5 million.

UN Secretary-General Forms Task Force for Strait of Hormuz Maritime Security

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has established a task force to develop technical mechanisms for humanitarian and trade security in the Strait of Hormuz as of Saturday. The move aims to protect the supply of food and fertilizer, which is at risk due to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The task force will work with member states to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels while respecting national sovereignty. Concurrently, the UN reported that over 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.

Australia to Provide Fuel Import Guarantees Amid Middle East Conflict

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday that the Australian government will provide guarantees for fuel imports to ensure supply security. This move comes as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts global trade and drives up energy prices. A new bill will be introduced in the Federal Parliament on Monday to allow government guarantees for the private sector’s purchase of fuel, fertilizer, and other essential goods. Energy Minister Chris Bowen reported that current national reserves stand at 39 days for petrol and 30 days for diesel and jet fuel.

Russia Upgrades and Returns Advanced Drone Technology to Iran

Russian officials have been returning advanced, combat-proven drone technology to Iran after upgrading it during the war in Ukraine, according to reports on Saturday. The drones now feature improved guidance systems, enhanced cameras, electronic jamming resistance, and artificial intelligence capabilities. This technical exchange follows extensive use of Iranian drone designs by Russia over the past year. Analysts suggest this deepening military cooperation creates new challenges for U.S. and allied forces in the Middle East, where Iran has recently increased the frequency of its drone operations.

Modi Warns of Global Food and Fuel Shortages Caused by Middle East War

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that the ongoing war in the Middle East has created severe global shortages of food and fuel. Speaking at the inauguration of the first phase of Noida International Airport in Jewar, he noted that the conflict is causing anxiety worldwide as prices for petrol, diesel, and gas rise. Prime Minister Modi assured that the government is taking all possible steps to protect Indian farmers and families from the crisis. He also urged domestic political parties to avoid making irresponsible statements that could harm the nation’s interests during this period of international instability.

22 Migrants Die at Sea Near Greece After 6 Days Without Water

At least 22 migrants died after their boat was stranded for six days near the Greek coast, according to survivors rescued on Saturday. The European Border Agency rescued 26 people, including a woman and a young girl, near Crete. Survivors reported that the bodies of the deceased were thrown overboard on the orders of a smuggler after they ran out of food and water during the journey from Tobruk, Libya. Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, on charges of human smuggling related to the fatal voyage.

Global Economy Faces Severe Strain Due to Escalating Middle East Conflict

The conflict in the Middle East has triggered widespread economic instability, with oil prices rising sharply on Saturday. Attacks on industrial zones in Abu Dhabi and the Kuwaiti port of Shuwaikh have raised fears regarding energy security. Thailand has sought safety guarantees from Iran for its tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, while Germany has signaled it may extend coal power production to manage energy costs. Inflation is surging in Spain, and several African nations, including Ethiopia and Kenya, are reporting severe fuel shortages and disruptions to key exports like tea due to port congestion and maritime insecurity.