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.

Prime Minister Balen Assumes Charge of Home Ministry

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has decided to take direct responsibility for the Ministry of Home Affairs following the resignation of Sudan Gurung on Wednesday. The prime minister’s secretariat confirmed that a new home minister will not be appointed immediately, and the portfolio will remain under the prime minister for the time being. This decision follows a meeting where the outgoing minister submitted his resignation after questions were raised regarding his personal assets and shareholdings. Prime Minister Balen Shah is expected to oversee the ministry’s operations during the investigation into the allegations that led to the cabinet vacancy.

Home Minister Resigns Over Share Controversy; PM Takes Portfolio

Sudan Gurung resigned as Home Minister on Wednesday, citing ethical responsibility following public scrutiny over his shareholdings. Gurung, who assumed office on March 27, stated his resignation aims to ensure an impartial investigation without a conflict of interest. Following the resignation, Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced he will personally manage the Ministry of Home Affairs portfolio for the time being. The departure comes amid increasing demands for transparency and accountability in public office.

Students to Access No Objection Certificates (NOC) Online

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has fully digitized the No Objection Certificate (NOC) process, allowing students to apply and print certificates from home. The NOC branch in Sanothimi completed system integration with Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University on April 17. The new portal is linked with the Citizen Information Management System for citizenship verification and the National Examination Board for academic records. Payments are now collected through the Revenue Information Cashless Management System. Certificates will feature QR codes for digital verification, eliminating the previous requirement for physical office visits for most applicants.

Detention Extended for Businessmen in Money Laundering Probe

The Kathmandu District Court has extended the judicial custody of Sulav Agrawal and Deepak Bhatta by seven days. The extension was granted on Wednesday to allow for further investigation into a money laundering case. Both individuals were arrested in connection with suspicious financial activities and are being interrogated by relevant authorities. The court’s decision follows a request from investigators who cited the need for more time to process evidence and finalize the legal proceedings. This high-profile case continues to draw significant attention within the national financial and legal sectors.

Court Case Filed Against Durga Prasai Again

A case was registered at the Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday against medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai for spreading misleading information regarding the March 5 elections. According to the charge sheet filed by the government attorney’s office, Prasai utilized Facebook to claim the elections would not take place, which authorities characterized as provocative and deceptive. Prosecutors have sought punishment under Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2006. The legal action follows a period of heightened monitoring of social media activity related to national stability and the integrity of the electoral process.

Lumbini Province Passes Pesticide Management Bill

The Lumbini Provincial Assembly unanimously passed a bill regarding the management and regulation of pesticides during its 15th meeting of the 7th session. The legislation, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management, and Cooperatives, aims to establish a legal framework for the safe use and oversight of chemical pesticides within the province. Additionally, reports were presented concerning amendments to the District Coordination Committee Operation Act, 2018, and the annual report of the Public Accounts Committee. Lawmakers emphasized the historical significance of the session, also noting progress on bills related to the rights of the Dalit community. The next assembly meeting is scheduled for April 23.

Madhesh Province Lags in Child Health and Education Indicators

The National Statistics Office released the provincial results of the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2024/25 on Wednesday, revealing critical gaps in Madhesh Province. The neonatal mortality rate stands at 20 per 1,000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate is 33, both exceeding national averages. Nutrition is a major concern, with 23.2% of children underweight and 31.1% stunted. In education, 22.6% of children aged 9-12 are out of school. While electricity access is high at 98.5%, 65% of water sources were found to contain E. coli bacteria.

Lawmakers Move to Tighten Regulations on Diplomatic Passports

During a meeting chaired by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Wednesday, parliamentary chief whips agreed to enforce strict regulations on the use of diplomatic passports. The decision follows historical instances of misuse, leading to a consensus that the Passport Act, 2019, and Passport Rules, 2020, must be rigorously applied. Lawmakers emphasized that diplomatic passports should be used exclusively for official government business, while ordinary passports must be used for private travel. The meeting also highlighted the need for long-term policy amendments and an international study of practices to prevent future misuse and protect the country’s diplomatic reputation.

Education Calendar Disrupted Following Change in Academic Session Start

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has deferred the start of the new academic session from April 18 to May 4, leading to widespread confusion. Local levels are implementing inconsistent schedules, with Urlabari Municipality opening schools on Wednesday while Biratnagar Metropolitan City plans to start on April 28. Educational experts warn that this delay, combined with the new two-day weekly holiday, will reduce mandatory teaching days from the required 190 to approximately 141. This significant reduction poses a risk to the completion of the national curriculum and overall student learning outcomes for the year.

Encroachment Removal Drive Intensifies in Mithila Municipality

Mithila Municipality in Dhanusha launched a major campaign on Wednesday to remove unauthorized structures built on public land and highway perimeters. The drive, focused on the East-West Highway and the Durga Mandir feeder road in the Dhalkebar area, included the demolition of the traffic police office building situated within the road’s right-of-way. Authorities stated that the campaign aims to facilitate road expansion and systematic urban development. Prior public notice was issued to residents and business owners, and the municipality intends to continue clearing all encroached areas to ensure smooth traffic flow and the protection of public property.

Police Apprehend 580 Absconding Convicts in Court Drive

District authorities have arrested 580 absconding individuals following various court verdicts. The apprehended convicts have collectively begun serving 101 years, 10 months, and 19 days in prison. Additionally, the police recovered Rs 53.6 million in fines. During the previous fiscal year, a similar drive resulted in 583 arrests and the collection of Rs 25.8 million in fines. In a separate traffic safety update, police reported that 53 drivers were found operating vehicles under the influence of drugs during the current fiscal year.

Postal Service Activity Triples Under New Governance Reforms

The Postal Service in Tanahun has seen a 300% increase in workload following the government’s 100-point reform agenda to deliver services to citizens’ doorsteps. In the Dumre area, daily mail volume has risen from 40 to 150 items. A key highlight of the reform is the home delivery of passports, which was launched in Vyas Municipality. This initiative eliminates the need for residents to travel to the district headquarters and wait in long queues. Local officials noted that the secured delivery of sensitive documents has significantly increased public trust in state services and saved residents both time and transportation costs.

Venomous Snake Rescues Rise in Banke Due to Heatwave

Banke has seen an increase in venomous snake sightings as rising temperatures drive reptiles into residential areas seeking cooler environments. Species including Russell’s Viper, Cobra, Krait, and Python have been frequently spotted. The Division Forest Office has rescued 140 snakes so far this fiscal year, with a dedicated rescue team led by the Armed Forest Guard. Rescued snakes are being relocated to forest areas. In addition to snake management, authorities have deployed “fire ambulance” teams to control forest fires. A recent fire spreading from Banke National Park to Shamshergunj was successfully contained by the fire monitoring personnel.

Actress Priyanka Karki Supports Resigning Home Minister

Sudhan Gurung resigned as Home Minister on Wednesday, citing ethical responsibility following public scrutiny over his shareholdings. Gurung, who assumed office on March 27, stated his resignation aims to ensure an impartial investigation without a conflict of interest. Following the resignation, Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced he will personally manage the Ministry of Home Affairs portfolio for the time being. Actress Priyanka Karki publicly supported the move on social media, praising the choice of morality over power despite pressure from media trials. Actress Priyanka Karki further called for a deep and impartial investigation into the allegations, expressing confidence in a powerful political return.

Teaser Released for Upcoming Movie ‘Kaji’ Starring Bipin Karki

The teaser and release date for the movie Kaji have been officially announced. Starring Bipin Karki in the lead role, the film is a romantic drama produced by Rizal and Rizal Production. Directed by Laxman Rizal with a screenplay by Pradip Bhardwaj, the movie also features Keki Adhikari, Garima Sharma, and Prakash Ghimire. The technical team includes Kali Prasad Baskota for music and Chintan Raj Bhandari for cinematography. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 22. The production follows the successful trend of character-driven narratives in the local cinema industry.

National Women’s Team Secures 2nd Consecutive Win in T20 Challenge Trophy

Nepal defeated hosts Rwanda by 2 wickets in the ICC Women’s T20 Challenge Trophy in Kigali on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 89, Nepal reached the total with 2 balls to spare, finishing at 89/8. Samjhana Khadka led the chase with 48 runs. Earlier, Rwanda was bowled out for 88 runs, with Nepal’s Rachana Chaudhary taking 3 wickets. This victory follows Nepal’s 50-run win over Italy and a previous loss to the United States. The tournament features Nepal, Rwanda, the USA, Italy, and Vanuatu, with teams playing each other twice in a round-robin format.

Oman Defeats Nepal ‘A’ by 70 Runs in Series Opener

Oman secured a 70-run victory over the Nepal ‘A’ national cricket team at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Batting first, Oman posted a total of 280 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs, led by Mujibur Ali’s 72 runs. Nepal’s Akash Chand took 4 wickets. In response, Nepal was bowled out for 210 in 44.4 overs. Despite half-centuries from Ishan Pandey (52) and captain Anil Kumar Sah (50), the middle order collapsed, losing the final 6 wickets for just 22 runs. The second match of the series is scheduled for Friday.

Historical Golden Artifacts Returned to Romania from Netherlands

A 2,500-year-old ornate Cotofenesti helmet and 3 golden bracelets from the Dacian civilization have been returned to Romania. The items were stolen from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands during a raid in January 2025. Following a 14-month international investigation and legal process, the artifacts were transported under heavy security to the National History Museum in Bucharest on Tuesday. While the helmet and bracelets are now on public display, one golden bracelet remains missing. The return is viewed as a significant achievement for cultural heritage protection, despite minor damage noted on the recovered golden helmet.

North Korean Hackers Suspected of $290 Million Crypto Heist

A North Korean hacking group is suspected of stealing approximately USD 290 million worth of cryptocurrency from the online investment platform KelpDAO. The breach, which occurred on April 19, involved unauthorized access to two blockchain servers operated by the technology platform LayerZero. This allowed hackers to extract Ethereum-related crypto tokens from the vault. Experts have linked the attack to the Lazarus Group, noting that North Korea frequently utilizes sophisticated cybercrimes to fund its nuclear weapons program. This incident marks the largest crypto exploitation of 2026 so far. Previous estimates suggest North Korea has stolen over USD 3 billion in digital assets since 2017.

US Imposes Sanctions on 14 Entities Aiding Iranian Weapon Procurement

The US Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on Tuesday against 14 individuals and companies located in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. These entities are accused of assisting Iran in procuring and transporting weapons or components to rebuild its ballistic missile stockpile following joint military operations by the US and Israel. The sanctions come as a two-week ceasefire announced by the US president nears its end. Authorities noted that Iran has increased its reliance on Shahed-series suicide drones to target energy infrastructure in the region. This move is seen as a strategic effort to weaken Iran’s military supply chain and pressure the administration back to the negotiating table regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran Seizes Cargo Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

Tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired upon and seized two cargo ships, the MSC Francesca and Epaminondas. According to maritime monitoring agencies, the IRGC navy diverted the vessels toward the Iranian coast, accusing them of operating without necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems. This incident occurred shortly after the US president extended a temporary ceasefire, threatening the stability of ongoing peace negotiations. While no casualties have been reported, the seizure is viewed as a major obstacle to a potential peace agreement between the US and Iran. International media reports indicate that the IRGC targeted a total of three vessels during the operation.