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 Holds Consultations with Sudurpashchim Lawmakers on Regional Issues

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) conducted a consultative meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs) representing Sudurpashchim Province at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singhadurbar on Tuesday. The discussion included representatives from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and CPN (Maoist Centre). The Prime Minister aimed to identify specific regional grievances and development needs, following similar sessions held on March 30 with lawmakers from Koshi and Karnali provinces. The focus remains on addressing local problems through direct legislative feedback to the executive head.

Home Minister and APF Chief Strategize on Disaster and Border Security

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung held a high-level briefing with Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector General Raju Aryal and his leadership team on Tuesday. The meeting focused on finalizing disaster management strategies and enhancing preparedness for potential risks. The leadership decided to intensify border patrolling to curb illegal activities and smuggling. Minister Gurung issued strict instructions to the APF to maintain tight surveillance at border points and ensure seamless coordination between agencies for resource management during emergencies. This strategic review aimed to bolster national security and public safety protocols ahead of the changing seasonal risks.

Parliament Secretariat Calls All-Party Meeting Ahead of Upcoming Session

The Federal Parliament Secretariat has summoned an all-party meeting for tomorrow at 1:00 PM to prepare for the new legislative session. Spokesperson Ekram Giri announced that the meeting will coordinate the agenda for the first session of both houses, scheduled by President Ram Chandra Paudel for April 2 at 2:00 PM. The upcoming session is expected to initiate the election process for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Currently, six political parties hold national status in the lower house and are expected to participate in the strategic discussions.

Govt. Launches 100-Point Governance Reform for Digital Transformation

The Council of Ministers has commenced a 100-point governance reform agenda prioritizing “digital governance” and “data governance.” As part of the first phase, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to shut down all betting apps and websites within 24 hours. The plan includes upgrading the Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS) within 100 days and ensuring that citizens’ biometric data is collected only once for all government services. Additionally, applications for police reports, passports, and driving licenses will be fully digital within 45 days, with a new National Integrated Digital Governance Platform launching soon.

Ministry of Education Orders Immediate Closure of Bridge Courses and Entrance Prep

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology directed the immediate closure of all “Bridge Course” and entrance examination preparation classes for school-level transitions. Spokesperson Shivakumar Sapkota announced on Monday that following a decision by Minister Sasmit Pokhrel, these programs must be fully shut down by April 14. The Ministry argued that these courses create unnecessary financial burdens on parents and negatively impact the psychology of students. District Administration Offices have been requested to monitor compliance and take legal action against institutions that continue to operate these unregulated programs beyond the deadline.

Ministry Establishes Fast Track Desk for Effective Service Delivery

Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Sobhita Gautam decided on Tuesday to establish a Fast Track Desk within the ministry to ensure transparency and efficiency. The desk will monitor the real-time status of files across different divisions and track the progress of letters received from other ministries. Minister Gautam stated that incomplete documents or matters outside the ministry’s jurisdiction would be identified and returned to the relevant agencies immediately to prevent delays. The system will also include a regular review mechanism to identify reasons for any work not completed within specified deadlines, aiming to streamline the legislative drafting and review processes.

Transparency International Nepal Applauds Government’s Governance Reform Agenda

Transparency International (TI) Nepal issued a statement on Tuesday praising the government’s recently unveiled 100-point governance reform list as a commendable step toward controlling corruption. The organization noted that the agenda aligns with the public mandate and includes long-standing demands for improved transparency and “digital governance.” President Madan Krishna Sharma stated that passing a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap in the very first cabinet meeting demonstrates a strong commitment to public welfare. TI Nepal expressed confidence that the tasks will be completed within their set deadlines and offered to provide its global expertise and experience to support the government’s ongoing anti-corruption and pro-governance initiatives.

Prime Minister Directs Resumption of Idle Electric Buses in Lumbini

The Office of the Prime Minister directed the Lumbini Development Trust on Monday to immediately operate the electric buses that have been sitting idle for six years. These vehicles, including five international-standard buses and 14 taxis, were provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at a cost of Rs 210 million to promote clean energy in Lumbini. The directive halted a previous plan by the Civil Aviation Authority to move the buses to Kathmandu. However, the Trust reported that most vehicles are currently in disrepair due to exposure to the elements and lack of drivers, requiring an estimated Rs 10 million for new tires, batteries, and AC repairs.

RSP Chairman Lamichhane Holds Consultations with Madhesh-Based Leaders

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane met separately with Mahanta Thakur, Chairman of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP), and Prabhu Sah, Chairman of the Aam Janata Party (AJP), on Tuesday. The meetings, held at Lamichhane’s residence in Budhanilkantha, focused on political cooperation and prioritizing development in the Madhesh region. Lamichhane emphasized that the government aims to focus on Madhesh and Karnali for transformative growth. Both Thakur and Sah agreed to collaborate on national agendas while maintaining a role of constructive oversight, specifically discussing the political implications of the protests held on September 8 and 9, 2025.

Nepali Congress Appoints Provincial Coordinators for Election Review Sessions

The Nepali Congress has appointed coordinators and set dates for election review meetings across all seven provinces. Following a decision from the Central Work Execution Committee meeting on March 24 and 25, the party will hold discussions with direct and proportional candidates from all 165 constituencies. General Secretary Pradip Paudel issued a circular mandating the attendance of central members, provincial officers, and district presidents. The sessions aim to analyze recent electoral performances and formulate the party’s future political strategy. These provincial gatherings are scheduled to take place within the coming weeks as part of a nationwide organizational assessment.

CPN (UML) Announces Protest Over Arrest of Party Leadership

The CPN (UML) Secretariat meeting on Tuesday decided to continue its protest programs against the “prejudiced” arrest of Party Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel stated that the party views the arrests as a political vendetta rather than a legal process. To finalize further nationwide protest schedules, the party has called for an immediate meeting of its Central Committee. The UML leadership is mobilizing its cadres across all provinces to pressure the government for the release of their leaders, who were detained last Saturday in connection with investigations into past protest suppressions.

Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut Retires Following Mandatory Age Limit

Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut is set to retire on Tuesday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. As the Constitutional Council has not yet recommended a successor due to the absence of a Speaker and Opposition Leader in the current interim setup, Senior Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla will serve as the Acting Chief Justice. Malla, who has been a Supreme Court Justice since the fiscal year 2016/17, is expected to hold the position until 2028/29. Justice Raut had stopped hearing cases recently as per judicial tradition before his official departure from the apex court.

Immigration Department Blacklists Businessman Dipak Bhatt

The Department of Immigration blacklisted businessman Dipak Bhatt and his passport on Monday following a formal request from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI). Bhatt is currently under investigation for alleged financial irregularities and “setting” high-value government contracts through political influence. The DMLI sought the travel restriction to ensure Bhatt remains in the country during the ongoing probe into his assets and procurement dealings. The blacklist prevents him from leaving Nepal while authorities examine his role in several large-scale state purchases and appointments within various government agencies.

Commission Files Corruption Case Against National Grid Company Secretary

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case at the Special Court on Tuesday against Rajesh Pokhrel, company secretary of National Transmission Grid Company Limited. Investigations revealed Pokhrel submitted a fake experience certificate, claiming he worked as a senior officer at Garjang Valley Hydropower to secure his appointment on February 21, 2017. Over nearly nine years, he illegally obtained salaries and benefits totaling Rs 10.7 million. The CIAA is seeking imprisonment and fines under Section 16 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002.

Contempt of Court Case Filed Against 2 Patan High Court Judges

A contempt of court case was filed at the Supreme Court on Monday against Patan High Court Judges Rishi Rajbhandari and Gopal Prasad Bastola. Law student Bibek Chaudhary filed the petition, accusing the judges of ignoring binding legal precedents set by the Supreme Court regarding the use of “wheel locks” by traffic police. The petitioner argues that the High Court’s decision to dismiss a writ against wheel locks violated Article 128 (4) of the Constitution of Nepal, which mandates that lower courts follow principles established by the apex court. The Supreme Court administration has scheduled the initial hearing for Wednesday.

12 Arrested in Pokhara During Raid on Illegal International Trance Party

Kaski Police arrested 12 individuals, including three foreign nationals, during a midnight raid on an illegal trance party in Pokhara-18 on Tuesday. The party, organized by Bamendra Pun and Anubhav Sharma, involved the open sale and consumption of nine types of narcotics, including MDMA, cocaine, LSD, and magic mushrooms. Among those detained are Srishti Chand and Anubhav Sharma from India and Charles Gwaywa from Brazil. Police spokesperson DSP Hari Bahadur Basnet confirmed that eight suspects face drug-related charges, while four face charges for indecent behavior. The raid targeted a rented house where the event was being hosted without legal authorization.

Former Kathmandu CDO Chhabi Rijal Arrested Over Gen Z Protest Suppression

The Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested the former Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu, Chhabi Rijal, on Tuesday morning. Rijal was in office during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025, and faces allegations of using excessive force to suppress the movement. His arrest follows recommendations from a high-level inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki. The commission’s findings previously led to the arrests of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak last Saturday. Rijal is currently being held for further investigation into his administrative orders during the unrest.

Rautahat District Court Official Arrested with Bribe

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested Luv Kumar Singh, an official at the Rautahat District Court, on Tuesday. Singh was caught red-handed at 3:45 PM within the court premises while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a service seeker. According to the CIAA’s Hetauda office, the bribe was demanded in exchange for processing land release documents as per a court verdict. The official is currently in custody as the anti-graft body prepares to file a formal corruption charge sheet at the Special Court following the completion of the preliminary investigation.

Police Question Gen Z Activist Smriti Timilsina Over Misleading Social Media Content

The Kathmandu District Police Range questioned Smriti Timilsina, coordinator of the Gen Z Red Force, on Tuesday regarding her recent social media activity. SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai stated that Timilsina was summoned for spreading unverified information about a purported “blockade” by China, which authorities deemed harmful to diplomatic relations. The activist was not arrested but was cautioned about the impact of “reels” containing unproven claims on public peace and international ties. Following the discussion with the police, Timilsina reportedly removed the controversial videos from her platforms and was allowed to leave after providing a statement on the source of her information.

Police Arrest 7 Middlemen at Swayambhu Transport Management Office

Police arrested seven middlemen at the Transport Management Office in Sano Bharyang on Tuesday afternoon. A team from the Swayambhu Police Circle detained the suspects for obstructing public service by soliciting customers for vehicle registration book (bluebook) renewals. Those arrested include Bal Bahadur Sunar, Bigyan Rai, Sanjay Rajwahak, Bimal Tamang, Ramesh Karki, Kalpana Lamsal, and Uddhav Khanal. Authorities recovered Rs 122,000 in cash and 53 bluebooks from the group. The suspects are currently in custody as police investigate the extent of the unauthorized document processing ring operating near the government facility.

Prithvi Highway Section Closed Nightly for 3 Days for Road Upgrades

A section of the Prithvi Highway in the Ichchhakamana area of Chitwan will be closed for six hours every night starting Tuesday until April 2. The closure, effective from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM, is necessary for road expansion work at Ghoptebhir under the Muglin-Nagdhunga Road Project (West Section). Assistant Chief District Officer Chiranjibi Sharma stated that all private and public vehicles would be halted, while essential services like ambulances and fire trucks would be allowed passage. Authorities urged travelers to contact the Muglin police or project officials for real-time updates during the construction window.

National Medicines Laboratory Achieves International ISO Accreditation After 6 Years

The National Medicines Laboratory (NML) has officially received the ISO 17025:2017 certification, marking its first international accreditation since its establishment 60 years ago. Director Bharat Bhattarai confirmed on Tuesday that the certification followed three years of rigorous quality management and technical improvements. As the sole government laboratory for drug testing, this accreditation ensures that its analysis of domestic and imported medicines meets global standards. The NML, established under Section 6 of the Drugs Act, 1978, will now have higher credibility in verifying vaccine quality and auditing private pharmaceutical laboratories.

Ministry Moves to Expand Health Screening Access for Foreign Employment

The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has officially expanded health checkup options for workers seeking foreign employment. During a ministerial meeting on Tuesday, it was decided that any government-recognized hospital can now be enlisted to perform these screenings. This move updates the Health Institution Enlistment, Renewal, and Monitoring Procedures, 2015. While the Nepal Medical Professionals Association welcomed the decision, they emphasized the need for a management plan for the 194 private health institutions that currently handle these services. The reform aims to simplify the departure process for migrant laborers by providing more accessible medical testing locations.

Textbooks Dispatched to Remote Himalayan Districts

The Janak Shiksha Samagri Kendra Provincial Press in Nepalgunj began the distribution of textbooks for the upcoming 2083 academic session to Humla and Dolpa on Monday. These two districts, among the remotest in Nepal, are being prioritized in the first phase of distribution. According to Provincial Printing Press, the Nepalgunj warehouse currently holds 1,335,000 units, representing 85% of the total target of 1,591,000 books. The center aims to sell books worth Rs 210 million this year, covering five districts in Karnali and five in Lumbini through its network of 120 vendors.

Film ‘Lalibazar’ Releases New Poster Featuring Swastima Khadka and Debutant

The production company Shatkon Arts released a new poster for the upcoming film Lalibazar, scheduled for release on May 1. The poster features actress Swastima Khadka alongside debutant Bishal Devkota, who was selected through auditions. Devkota, who has a background in theater, previously caught the attention of producers Pradeep Bhattarai and Rabindra Singh Baniya during his performance in the play ‘Mira.’ The film, directed by Yam Thapa, depicts a realistic social narrative and features a popular soundtrack with over 8 million views on YouTube. The cast also includes Samaira Thapa and Abhay Baral, with Prashansa Subedi making her acting debut.

Former Miss Nepal Usha Khadgi Disputes Property Ownership on Social Media

Former Miss Nepal Usha Khadgi has publicly addressed a domestic and property dispute with her former husband, media personality GP Timilsina, through a series of social media posts. Khadgi claimed that despite a court ruling dividing their house into four equal shares of 25% each for herself, her daughter, her son, and her former husband, she continues to face mental harassment to vacate the premises. She alleged that Timilsina claims sole ownership and creates a hostile environment for her and their children. Khadgi appealed to the new government and legal authorities for the enforcement of her property rights and protection from ongoing domestic duress.

Nepal Police Club Defeats Koshi Province by 6 Wickets in PM Cup

Nepal Police Club secured a 6-wicket victory over Koshi Province in the Prime Minister Cup One Day National Cricket Tournament held at Narayani Stadium in Birgunj on Tuesday. Koshi Province was bowled out for 162 runs in 42.5 overs, with Sujan Thapaliya scoring 48. Dinesh Kharel of Nepal Police Club took 5 wickets and was named Man of the Match. In response, Nepal Police Club reached the target in 33.5 overs, scoring 165 for the loss of 4 wickets, led by Aarif Sheikh’s 81 runs and Rashid Khan’s 73.

Sports Minister Outlines Grassroots Development Plan During NSC Inspection

Minister for Youth and Sports Sasmit Pokhrel inspected the National Sports Council (NSC) in Tripureshwor and the International Sports Complex in Satdobato on Tuesday. During the visit, Pokhrel emphasized a 5-year plan to integrate sports into the primary school curriculum to develop athletes from the grassroots level. He noted that while departmental teams like the police, army, and APF currently dominate, early-age training and proper nutrition are essential for long-term success. The Ministry plans to shortlist 16 sports for initial screening and coaching programs in schools, aiming to address mental health through the discipline of sports.

Pakistan Super League Faces Record Fines and Ball Tampering Allegations

The opening week of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been marred by record-breaking disciplinary actions, most notably a USD 71,500 fine imposed on fast brawler Naseem Shah. This record penalty followed Shah’s social media criticism of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during the tournament’s opening ceremony. Additionally, Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined USD 3,500 for security protocol violations, while batsman Fakhar Zaman faces a potential two-match ban following ball-tampering allegations during a match against Karachi Kings. The tournament is currently being held at only 2 venues behind closed doors due to regional tensions and fuel supply concerns.

India to Launch World’s Largest Census Operation Including Caste Data

India is set to begin its massive national census on Wednesday, deploying over 3 million personnel to map a population of approximately 1.420 billion. For the first time since 1931, the survey will officially collect sensitive “caste” data to guide inclusive policymaking. The exercise will occur in two phases: the first, running from April to September 2026, will focus on housing and basic amenities, while the second will cover socio-economic and demographic details. While most of the country will use March 1, 2027, as the reference date, high-altitude regions like Jammu and Kashmir will complete the process before October 1, 2026, due to weather constraints.

Iran Attacks Kuwaiti Oil Tanker Near Dubai Amid Rising Regional Tensions

An Iranian drone struck the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker ‘Al-Salmi’ near Dubai on Monday morning, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime conflict. While all 24 crew members are reported safe, the attack highlights the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for 25% of global crude oil and 20% of gas. Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that their forces are prepared for potential US ground interventions. Meanwhile, reports suggest US President Donald Trump is attempting to negotiate an end to the war through 15 specific conditions, including the total cessation of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Air Strikes Target Strategic Military and Industrial Infrastructure in Isfahan

Preliminary reports from Iran’s Isfahan province indicate significant damage to military sites and industrial infrastructure following recent aerial attacks. The strikes targeted key defense hubs, including the Badr Airbase, the 8th Shekari Airbase, and the 4th Air Force Base. Beyond military targets, the Mobarakeh Steel Company complex reported production disruptions, and several cultural landmarks, such as the Abbasi Jameh Mosque and Naqsh-e Jahan Square, sustained impact. Isfahan is considered the heart of Iran’s defense industry and houses major nuclear facilities, including those in Natanz. Security official Akbar Salehi confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of casualties and structural losses in the strategic province.