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 Instructs Vice-Chancellors to Remove Political Groups

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) held a 3.5 hours meeting on Monday with vice-chancellors from 11 universities and seven health science institutes at Singha Durbar. He issued a strict directive to remove all political student and employee organizations from educational and health institutions, stating that no law would block such a move. While some officials, including those from Nepal Sanskrit University, reported threats and safety concerns during past removal attempts, the prime minister assured them of full security support. He emphasized that schools and hospitals must remain free of party flags and urged those interested in politics to resign from professional roles. He also ordered that exam results be published within one month.

Four Non-Residential Ambassadors Present Credentials to President

President Ram Chandra Paudel received the letters of credence from four newly appointed non-residential ambassadors on Monday. At separate ceremonies held at Shital Niwas, Ambassadors Mustapha Jawara of Gambia, Christopher Cooter of Canada, Tomaz Mencin of Slovenia, and Abdennour Khelifi of Algeria presented their credentials. High-ranking government officials were present during the ceremonies, which formalize the diplomatic representation of these nations to Nepal.

Speaker Aryal Directs Committee Chairs to Maintain Impartiality

Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal met with the chairpersons of 12 parliamentary committees at Singha Durbar on Monday. The group included chairs from 10 House of Representatives committees and two joint committees. During the meeting, the speaker instructed the chairpersons to operate the “mini-parliament” effectively and urged them to keep political party affiliations and biases out of committee proceedings. He emphasized the need for committees to remain independent despite members being elected through party tickets and pledged full support from the Federal Parliament Secretariat.

Home Minister Gurung Clarifies Asset and Share Disputed

The Home Minister Sudhan Gurung provided a point-by-point clarification regarding allegations of hidden assets and suspicious share purchases today. Through a WhatsApp group operated by his secretariat, he denied concealing Rs 2.5 million in shares, asserting that his total investment of over Rs 20 million is transparently listed on the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers website. He explained that investments in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro were categorized within this broader group rather than hidden. He further detailed that the funds were sourced via a formal loan agreement dated May 12, 2023, and transacted entirely through banking channels. He noted that the Department of Money Laundering Investigation under the Ministry of Finance is currently handling the probe without any interference from his ministry.

US Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur Arrives in Nepal

Paul Kapur, the United States Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, arrived in Nepal on Monday. According to the U.S. Embassy, his visit is aimed at strengthening the U.S.-Nepal partnership. During his stay, he is scheduled to meet with government officials, business leaders, and cultural experts to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues.

Committee Formed to Review High Airport Parking Fees

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has formed a five-member committee to review and revise parking fees at domestic and international airports. Following widespread complaints from passengers and airline staff regarding excessive charges, the committee, led by Binod Prasad Neupane of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), has been tasked with proposing a new fee structure within three days. The government aims to make parking more affordable and transparent across all airports operated by the authority.

Police Arrest Man for Threatening Prime Minister and Home Minister

Police have arrested 20-year-old Sajan Bista, also known as Sanubhai, for threatening to shoot Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Home Minister Sudhan Gurung. The suspect, a resident of Bajhang who had been working in Bangalore, India, for five years, was apprehended in Sinamangal, Kathmandu. Using a Facebook alias, he demanded the release of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, claiming a team with AK-47 rifles was ready for an attack. He has been handed over to the Cyber Bureau for further investigation into cybercrime and criminal intimidation.

3 Arrested for Assaulting Foreign National in Thamel

Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the assault and robbery of a foreign national in Thamel, Kathmandu. The arrests followed the viral spread of a video on social media depicting the incident. A team from the District Police Range Kathmandu took the suspects into custody, and further investigations are being conducted at the Lainchaur Police Circle. Authorities are working to identify if the suspects were involved in other criminal activities targeting tourists in the area.

Government Resumes Labor Permits for UAE and Gulf Nations

The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has resumed issuing labor permits for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf nations. The decision, made on Monday, lifts the temporary ban imposed on March 1, which was enacted due to security concerns following conflict in the Middle East. Permits are now open for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel. However, the department clarified that permits for Iraq will continue to follow the specific cabinet decision made on December 26, 2025.

Lumbini Lawmakers Oppose Fuel Hikes and New Customs Rules

Members of the Lumbini Province Assembly demanded the federal government withdraw recent petroleum price hikes and the Rs 100 customs duty during the 13th meeting of the seventh session. Lawmakers including Krishna Kushma Tharu, Indra Kumari Ghatraj, and Hema Belbase stated that rising costs are directly hitting citizens and could force farmers into displacement due to increased irrigation and tractor costs. Additionally, lawmaker Bishnu Prasad Panthi urged the government to bring ‘Meta’ under the legal framework to ensure it pays revenue according to Nepali law. The assembly also received reports from the Social Development Committee and the Agriculture, Forest, and Environment Committee.

Parliamentary Committee Reorganizes 4 Subcommittees

The Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee of the National Assembly reorganized four subcommittees on Monday. The new subcommittees focus on public policy study, delegated legislation, government assurances, and national documents and archaeology. Committee Chair Puja Chaudhary announced that coordinators were selected from the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and CPN (Maoist Centre) based on consensus. Specifically, Madan Kumari Shah will lead the public policy study, while Sunil Bahadur Thapa will head the government assurances subcommittee.

RSP Approves Revised Levy for Ministers and Lawmakers

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has officially revised the monthly levy for its ministers and lawmakers. The Central Committee endorsed the decision today, setting the levy for lawmakers at Rs 15,000, down from the previous Rs 16,500. Ministers will now contribute Rs 18,000, while personal secretaries are required to pay a levy of Rs 2,000. Spokesperson Manish Jha confirmed that the changes were initially proposed during Sunday’s secretariat meeting.

Ujyalo Nepal Party Demands Fuel Price Relief for Karnali

Kulman Ghising, Chairman of the Ujyalo Nepal Party (UNP), has demanded that the government withdraw petroleum price hikes, specifically requesting a relief package for the Karnali Province. Speaking at a press conference in Birendranagar, Surkhet, he argued that Karnali’s difficult geography makes fuel costs even more burdensome for locals and tourists. He noted that while the UNP faced losses in the recent elections due to its recent formation, the party is now expanding its organization to the ward level. He also mentioned that Rs 35 billion was secured for electrification and a 132 kV transmission line to Jumla during his previous leadership roles.

Nepali Congress to Elect Parliamentary Party Leader on April 24

The Nepali Congress has scheduled the election for its parliamentary party leader for April 24. According to the election committee at Singha Durbar, voting will take place between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The voter list is set to be published on April 23, with the final list of candidates to be announced on the day of the election. The process is being conducted in accordance with the party’s parliamentary regulations.

Bhup Dev Shah Appointed General Secretary of RSP

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed Bhup Dev Shah as its general secretary during a Central Committee meeting held at the party office in Chamati today. Spokesperson Manish Jha confirmed the nomination, alongside the appointment of Sagar Dhakal and Sarita Shree Gyawali as members of the party secretariat. The decision was part of a broader organizational restructuring discussed during the ongoing committee sessions.

Immigration Officers Removed for Illegal Passport Endorsements

The Department of Immigration has removed two immigration officers from their duties at Tribhuvan International Airport for illegally writing conditions on passports. The officers reportedly stamped “Employment strictly prohibited” on the passports of Nepali citizens departing for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Department Spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal announced that the department has no policy to issue such conditional departure permits. A probe committee formed on April 16 is currently investigating the incident to determine further disciplinary actions.

APF Head Office Tracks Unofficial Singha Durbar Visits

The Armed Police Force (APF) Headquarters has requested the Nepal Police to provide records of APF officers entering Singha Durbar. This move comes amid reports that some officers have been meeting political leaders and high-ranking officials without internal authorization. Under the Armed Police Force Rules, 2015, personnel must follow strict protocols for external meetings. Currently, two SSPs (Netra Karki and Rajesh Upreti) and one SP have been asked for clarification regarding unauthorized entries. The Nepal Police security unit at Singha Durbar maintains detailed logs of all visitors, which will be used for departmental disciplinary reviews.

Divorce Cases Surge in Kathmandu District Court

The Kathmandu District Court registered 2,907 divorce cases as of April 3, with 1,039 already settled. According to court officials, divorce is now the third most common filing after banking offenses and check bounce cases. Data shows that 42,739 divorce cases were filed nationwide in the 2024/25 fiscal year. Factors contributing to the rise include foreign employment, financial issues, and changing social perceptions of marriage. The court has established a system to finalize mutual consent divorces within two days to manage the high volume.

Bird Species Count in Gulmi Reaches 355

The number of recorded bird species in Gulmi has reached 355 following the discovery of 30 new species during a recent survey. Nepal’s Bird Conservation Association (BCN) identified the new species, including the Great Barbet, Maroon Oriole, and Blue-winged Minla, within the Thaple Satyawati forest area. Project Officer Shambhu Bhattarai noted that the Resunga, Madane, and Thaple Satyawati regions have become vital habitats for rare birds, including six globally endangered species like the Cheer Pheasant and White-rumped Vulture. The district now hosts 40% of the 903 bird species found in Nepal.

Actress Keki Adhikari Commences Production of New Film ‘Station’

Actress and producer Keki Adhikari officially launched the production of her new film, Station, during an auspicious ceremony at Baglamukhi Temple on Monday. The social drama, produced under the banner of Keki Adhikari Films, is directed by Sulakshyan Bharati, who also authored the script. While the lead cast remains unannounced, the project is produced by Badri Adhikari. Filming is scheduled to begin in the third week of May 2026, with a nationwide theatrical release set for September 4.

Balami Re-elected President of Film Journalists Association

Samir Balami was re-elected as the president of the Film Journalists Association of Nepal during its 27th Annual General Meeting and 10th General Convention in Kathmandu. The new executive committee includes Raghunath Sapkota as organizational vice president, Kumar Acharya as program vice president, and Dipjyoti Thapa as women’s vice president. Gopi Krishna Chapagain was elected general secretary, while Madan Rijal and Mohammad Jalim secured secretary positions. Manish Anjan (Dahal) and Arjun Guragai were chosen as treasurer and assistant treasurer, respectively. Additionally, eight members, including Yubarna Paudel and Sojana Lohar, were inducted into the central committee to lead the association’s upcoming term.

Mandala Theatre to Premiere “Grand Rehearsal” with Support from Willem Dafoe

Mandala Theatre in Thapagaun is set to stage a new satirical play titled “Grand Rehearsal” from April 24 to May 17. Directed by Umesh Tamang and produced by Buddhi Tamang, the play is a “play within a play” inspired by the Broadway production The Play That Goes Wrong. It features actors including Anup Neupane and Milan Karki depicting the chaotic attempts of a cast to stage a murder mystery. Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe, who visited Nepal last year, sent a video message congratulating the team and encouraging audiences to watch the performance.

Nepal Chess Federation Announces National Championship Schedule

The Nepal Chess Federation, chaired by Herakaji Maharjan, has finalized dates for several major tournaments. The National Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship will be held from April 29 to May 1 in Kathmandu. Furthermore, the 26th Open National and 11th Women’s National selection rounds are scheduled for May 18 to 22 in Jhapa. Top performers will qualify for the 47th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. The federation also appointed Rupesh Jaiswal to represent Nepal in an international tournament in Mongolia following his recent performances.

CAN Announces Preliminary Nepal A Squad for Upcoming Series

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced a 32-member preliminary Nepal A national squad for the upcoming series against Oman, Scotland, and the United States. The roster includes prominent players such as Dev Khanal, Kushal Malla, Sandeep Jora, and Sagar Dhakal, under the guidance of Head Coach Raju Basnyat. The match schedule begins with Nepal A facing Oman on April 22, followed by fixtures against Scotland on May 6 and the USA on May 7. Training and final selections are underway to prepare the developmental side for these international encounters.

Army Wins 25th National ITF Taekwondo Championship

The Army secured the team championship title at the 25th National ITF Taekwondo Championship held at the Tripureshwor Covered Hall. The Army team dominated the two-day event organized by the Nepal International Taekwondo Federation, winning 19 gold, 4 silver, and 9 bronze medals. Bagmati Province finished second with 7 gold medals, followed by the APF Club in third. Individually, Suman Marasingi Magar and Reena Dhimal of the Army were named best male and female athletes, winning 3 and 5 gold medals, respectively, across various sparring and pattern categories.

India Slips to 6th Largest Economy as GDP Ranking Drops

India has fallen to 6th place among the world’s largest economies, dropping from its previous 4th position, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The decline is attributed to a stronger U.S. dollar, a weakening Indian rupee, and revisions in India’s GDP base year. Currently, the United States leads with a USD 31 trillion economy, followed by China at USD 20 trillion, Germany at USD 5 trillion, and Japan at USD 4.4 trillion. Nepal’s economy is estimated at USD 46 billion with a projected growth rate of 3%, while global inflation is expected to see a moderate increase in 2026.

Domestic Shooting in Louisiana Leaves Eight Children Dead

A mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, has left eight children dead in what authorities described as a domestic incident. The attacker, identified as the father of seven victims, carried out shootings at multiple locations before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. Police pursued and fatally shot him. Two adult women remain in critical condition, while another child was injured while escaping. The victims included boys and girls aged between early childhood and the pre-teen years. The attack is among the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in recent years, highlighting ongoing concerns over domestic violence and gun-related fatalities.

US-Iran Ceasefire at Risk as Blockade Clash Halts Peace Efforts

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is under strain after a cargo ship seizure and continued maritime blockades heightened tensions. Iran has refused to join new peace talks, citing ongoing restrictions and shifting demands, while negotiations planned in Islamabad face uncertainty. The standoff has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies, triggering a surge in oil prices and volatility in markets. Military confrontations at sea and threats targeting infrastructure have escalated risks, as the conflict, now in its eighth week, continues to impact regional stability and global energy flows.