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.

President Issues Constitutional Council Ordinance Following Government Resubmission

President Ram Chandra Paudel has issued the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers, and Procedures) Act ordinance on Tuesday. This move comes after the government resubmitted the document following the President’s earlier decision to return it for reconsideration. While the President had previously approved seven of eight recommended ordinances, this specific one was initially sent back. The government re-recommended the identical text during a Monday cabinet meeting. The newly issued ordinance stipulates that a quorum for Constitutional Council meetings requires only four members, and decisions can now be made by a simple majority of those present.

Prime Minister Advocates for Value-Based Student Politics and Bureaucratic Reform

Prime Minister Balen Shah emphasized that students should learn politics from teachers and intellectual discourse rather than from political crowds. In a Tuesday social media statement, he defended an ordinance aimed at removing partisan organizations from educational institutions and the bureaucracy. Shah characterized existing student and employee unions as “sleeper cells” that serve political parties invisibly rather than the public interest. He argued that system credibility has been weakened by prioritizing party flags over merit and competence. The Prime Minister asserted that this reform is not a battle against any specific party but a necessary step to protect the country’s institutional future from partisan infection.

Massive Dismissal of Public Officials from 9 Agencies

Following the publication of the Special Provisions on Dismissal of Public Officials Ordinance in the Gazette, approximately 1,600 officials across various ministries have been removed from their posts. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology announced the dismissal of 36 officials from nine agencies, including Gorkhapatra Corporation, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, and the Press Council Nepal. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport saw 20 officials lose their positions, including the chairman and 13 members of the Nepal Engineering Council, as well as board members from the Road Board Nepal and Nepal Railway Board.

Land Revenue Offices Renamed to Land Administration Offices via Ordinance

The government has officially renamed Land Revenue Offices (Malpot Karyalaya) to Land Administration Offices (Bhumi Prashasan Karyalaya) through a recent ordinance amending several Nepal Acts. The new legislation modifies the Land (Survey and Measurement) Act and the Land Revenue Act. Furthermore, the reform allows local levels’ land management branches to handle significant tasks like land registration, ownership transfers, and property restrictions. The ordinance also facilitates the formation of committees to manage landless Dalits and squatters and grants local land-use councils the authority to make one-time changes to local land-use designations.

Supreme Court Bans Publication of Citizenship Numbers in Driving License Results

The Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order prohibiting the Department of Transport Management from making citizenship numbers public when announcing driving license examination results. A bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Meghraj Pokharel ruled that such publications violate the constitutional right to individual privacy. The court noted that while the department has the authority to publish names and roll numbers, no law grants the right to broadcast citizenship details. The ruling follows a writ petition filed by law student Bivek Chaudhary, who argued that the practice exposed citizens to unnecessary privacy risks.

Government Recommends Summoning Federal Parliament Session for May 11

A cabinet meeting held on Tuesday at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar decided to recommend the summoning of both houses of the Federal Parliament. Government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Sasmit Pokharel informed journalists that the recommendation seeks to start the session on May 11, at 2:00 PM. Following the recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel officially summoned the session in accordance with Article 93(1) of the Constitution. The meetings for both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly will take place at the Federal Parliament Building.

Federal Parliament Secretariat Implements One-Window System for Complaints

Starting Tuesday, the Federal Parliament Secretariat has introduced a “one-window” system to manage public complaints. Previously, individuals filed complaints directly with various parliamentary committees, often leading to duplicate investigations across multiple groups. Under the new arrangement, the Secretariat will register all complaints centrally and then forward them to the relevant committees based on the subject matter. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal proposed this change during a meeting with committee chairpersons to streamline the process. While some committee heads noted the discussion is ongoing, Secretariat spokesperson Ekram Giri confirmed that staff have already been deployed to implement the new system.

Ramesh Aryal Appointed Acting Director General of Inland Revenue Department

The Ministry of Finance has appointed Joint Secretary Ramesh Aryal as the Acting Director General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Aryal, who was already serving as a Joint Secretary within the department, has been tasked with handling daily administrative functions following the transfer of the previous Director General. The position had been vacant for a short period, and Aryal will lead the institution, a critical arm for national revenue collection and tax administration, until a permanent appointment is made by the government.

Nepali Congress Calls for Impartial Investigation into Chief Minister Baniya

The Bagmati Province Parliamentary Party of the Nepali Congress has urged for a fair and just investigation into Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya. The meeting, chaired by Baniya himself at the Provincial Good Governance Center in Jawalakhel on Tuesday, discussed ongoing money laundering inquiries. Additionally, the party decided that project selection for the fiscal year 2026/27 will be based on the geographical needs and formal requests of provincial assembly members. Parliamentary Party Secretary Min Krishna Maharjan stated that the meeting focused on ensuring both legal fairness and strategic development planning for the upcoming budget cycle.

Harka Sampang Questions Government Inaction Over Lipulekh Road Construction

Harka Sampang, Chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party, issued a statement on Tuesday criticizing the government’s passive response to India’s road construction through Lipulekh to Mansarovar. He questioned why the government failed to stop the encroachment of the Mahakali River and why it has not formed a high-level team for quadrilateral talks involving Nepal, India, China, and the UN. Sampang argued that the Army should be deployed to protect the borders rather than for clearing squatter settlements or serving as personal security for ministers. He also urged the government to divert bulldozers from squatter areas to disaster-hit regions like Roshi Khola.

Data Collection Intensifies for Displaced Squatter Families in Kathmandu

Following the removal of squatter settlements in various parts of Kathmandu, authorities have accelerated the documentation of affected families. As of Tuesday, at least 3,111 families have registered their details at Dasharath Rangasala in Tripureshwor. The Integrated Bagmati Civilization Development Committee and the Valley Development Authority have been conducting this joint census since April 25. Specialized desks have been established at the western side of the stadium to facilitate form filling and verify the records of those impacted by the recent eviction drives.

Supreme Court Demands Records on Squatter Settlement Eviction Procedures

The Supreme Court has ordered the government to submit all documents and decisions related to the methods used for clearing squatter settlements. A single bench of Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel requested evidence showing how the evictions complied with the 100-point Governance Reform Document, the Constitution, and the Right to Housing Act, 2018. The court specifically demanded details regarding the human rights conditions of displaced families, including provisions for food, education for children, and healthcare for the elderly and disabled. Both parties have been summoned for a discussion on May 6.

Traffic Police Penalize Over 2,200 Drivers in Kathmandu Valley

In a massive 24-hour enforcement drive, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police took action against 2,293 drivers for various violations. The operations resulted in the collection of Rs 2.4 million in revenue. According to police data, penalties included 113 for drunk driving (MAPSE), 184 related to ride-sharing violations, 157 for jumping red lights, and 124 for speeding. Other significant infractions involved lane discipline (219), sidewalk parking (123), and unauthorized horn use (73). The crackdown aims to improve road safety and strict adherence to traffic regulations across the capital.

Two Injured in Everest Icefall Collapse, Airlifted to Kathmandu

Two climbers, including a Sherpa guide, were injured after a serac collapse in the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest while moving from Base Camp toward Camp II on Monday morning. According to the Department of Tourism, a large block of ice (serac) fell onto the climbing route at around 5:45 AM, just days after the trail was opened for the season. The injured include a 40-year-old Indian climber from Pune and a 44-year-old Sherpa guide. Immediately after the incident, rescue teams from Pioneer Adventure and Summit Force Expedition responded and alerted Base Camp. A helicopter from Lukla was deployed at 6:30 AM following coordination by Seven Summit Treks and evacuated the injured climbers. Both were airlifted to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment. Officials said their condition is stable and not life-threatening.

44 Officials of National Sports Council Removed

A total of 44 officials of the National Sports Council have been relieved of their duty from Tuesday. Issuing a notice, the Ministry of Youth and Sports said the removal includes the vice-chairperson and other members of the council. The ministry stated that the decision was made in accordance with Sub-section (1) of Section 2 of the Ordinance on Special Provisions for Removal of Public Officials, 2026. According to the provision, officials appointed by the ministry or by the Council of Ministers upon the ministry’s recommendation have been automatically removed from their positions.

Schedule Released for CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship in Kathmandu

The Nepal Volleyball Association has announced the match schedule for the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship, set to take place from May 22 to May 29 at the Dasharath Rangasala covered hall. Nepal, placed in Group A, will face India in its opening match. The host nation is also scheduled to play Kyrgyzstan and the Maldives in the group stage. Group B consists of Iran, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka. The tournament will follow a single round-robin league format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.

High Court Extends Ban on ‘Lalibazaar,’ Seeks Censor Board Records

The High Court Patan has extended its interim order blocking the release of the film Lalibazaar and directed the Film Censor Board to submit its original decision for review. The bench of Geeta Prasad Timsina and Deepak Khanal will continue hearings after examining the documents. The film’s release, initially set for May 1, remains halted following an earlier order on April 28. The case stems from a petition by Roshni Badi, who alleges misrepresentation of the Badi community. The film stars Swastima Khadka and is directed by Yam Thapa.

Period Drama ‘Maharajadhiraj’ Begins Filming with Star-Studded Cast

The auspicious mahurat for the film ‘Maharajadhiraj’ was held on Tuesday morning at the Banglamukhi Temple with traditional music and rituals. Directed and written by Parichhed Sen, the film is a social period drama featuring a massive cast of about 80 actors, including Aryan Sigdel, Pooja Sharma, Pushpa Khadka, and Usha Rajak. Production is set to begin this Friday in Sunsari’s Sri Lanka Island, where the crew will spend one week before returning to Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur for a 70-day shoot. Produced by Ravi Khadka and others under the Chhatreshwar Management banner, the film is slated for release during the Phulpati during the Dashain festival.

New York Hosts ‘Met Gala 2026’ with ‘Costume Art’ Theme

The Met Gala 2026, regarded as the world’s most prestigious fashion event, concluded in New York with the theme “Costume Art.” The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, featured co-chairs Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. Celebrities like Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, and Naomi Osaka showcased avant-garde designs on a red carpet transformed into a lush garden setting. Performers like Joshua Henry opened the show with a dramatic rendition of “I Want to Dance with Somebody.” The gala remains a primary platform for designers and stars to display artistic innovation through fashion.

US Says Ceasefire Holds as Tensions Rise in Strait of Hormuz

The United States said a fragile ceasefire with Iran remains intact despite recent clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. Under President Donald Trump, US forces launched a naval operation to escort commercial tankers, destroying 6 Iranian boats along with missiles and drones. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US ships and the United Arab Emirates, escalating tensions in the Gulf. Both sides issued conflicting accounts of incidents, including strikes on vessels and attempted crossings. The conflict, ongoing since February 28, has disrupted global trade and energy markets. While limited attacks continue, officials say they remain below the threshold of full-scale war, even as diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan and China struggle to advance.

Factory Blast in China’s Hunan Kills 26, Injures 61

An explosion at a fireworks factory in Hunan Province killed 26 people and injured 61, according to state media. The blast occurred at the Huasheng Fireworks plant in Liuyang, a major global hub for fireworks production. More than 1,500 emergency responders, along with drones and rescue equipment, were deployed, and 7 people were rescued from debris. Authorities evacuated residents within a 3 km radius and are investigating the cause, with company staff placed under control measures. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a full investigation and rescue effort. Environmental monitoring shows normal conditions, though nearby homes sustained heavy damage.

WHO Probes Possible Human Transmission in Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak

The World Health Organization says there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius, where 3 passengers have died. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, remains anchored near Cape Verde with 149 people from 23 countries under strict precautions. Authorities have identified 7 cases, including 2 confirmed infections, with the outbreak likely linked to the Andes strain from South America. The virus is typically rodent-borne, and human transmission is considered rare. Two crew members with symptoms are set for evacuation to the Netherlands, while Spain is assessing whether to allow the ship to dock in the Canary Islands for further medical response.