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 Declares Rs 14.6 Million in Cash; Cites Social Media as Main Income Source

Prime Minister Balen Shah has declared cash holdings of Rs 14.6 million in his bank account, according to a statement of assets made public on Sunday. In the disclosure submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Shah stated that a significant portion of his income is generated through social media platforms. He reported having around 4 million followers on Facebook, 1.2 million on YouTube, and 500,000 on X, noting that these platforms provide substantial earnings and his property. The asset declaration also lists property holdings within the family. Shah reported that land measuring five aana in Kathmandu and 1.2 bigha in Dhanusha is registered in his mother’s name. Additionally, 9 bigha of land in Mahottari is registered under the name of his late father, Ramnarayan Shah. He further disclosed that his wife, Sabina Kafle, owns 190 tola of gold and silver, described as ancestral property. The disclosure has been made in accordance with Section 50 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2002 (2059 BS), which requires public officials to submit details of their assets.

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle Declares Four Properties Worth Millions, Rs 19 Million in Bank Deposits

Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has declared ownership of four houses and apartments across multiple locations, according to asset details made public by the government. As per the disclosure, Wagle owns an apartment in Sanepa, Lalitpur valued at Rs 20 million, and a house in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur worth Rs 50 million. He has also declared an apartment in Dhulikhel, Kavre valued at Rs 37.5 million, along with a house in district of Tanahun worth Rs 20 million. To account for these assets, the finance minister has cited international employment as his primary source of income. He also listed proceeds from the sale of a private residence, bank loans, and personal borrowings as contributing factors behind his accumulated wealth. In terms of liquid assets, Wagle reported total cash holdings of Rs 19 million across various bank accounts. The disclosure forms part of mandatory asset declarations submitted by public officials under prevailing anti-corruption laws.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Declares Land Across Three Districts, Shares Worth Millions

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung owns land in Dhankuta, Chitwan and Gorkha, according to asset details published by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The disclosure shows that Gurung personally owns 19 ropani and 15 aana of land in Dhankuta, which he states was purchased through investment income. In Chitwan’s Bharatpur, 30 kattha of land is registered in the name of his father, Dil Bahadur Gurung. A further 221 ropani of land in Gorkha is listed under the name of his grandfather, Ramsal Gurung. Gurung has also declared 89 tola of gold and 6 kilograms of silver in his name. His bank savings total Rs 6.16 million across various accounts. In addition to real estate and cash, the home minister has significant equity holdings. He owns 30,000 shares in Hope Holdings Pvt Ltd worth Rs 3 million, and 57,000 shares in Lagom Premium Apartments Pvt Ltd valued at Rs 5.7 million. He has also declared assets worth Rs 7 million under Adventure Villa Pvt Ltd. Altogether, his share investments across various companies amount to Rs 27.456 million.

Minister Sita Badi Declares Assets: Million Savings, No Liabilities

The government has made public the asset declarations of the prime minister and ministers, with Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Sita Badi reporting modest personal holdings. According to the statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Badi has disclosed receiving 18 tola of gold and 15 tola of silver as part of her wedding gifts. In terms of financial assets, she holds Rs 1.5 million in cash deposited in accounts at NIC Asia/Prabhu Bank. She has declared agricultural and livestock assets including 20 chickens and one dog. The minister has stated that she holds no outstanding loans or liabilities.

NC to Elect Parliamentary Party Leader on April 17

The Nepali Congress (NC) is set to elect its parliamentary party leader in the House of Representatives on April 17. According to Party Joint General Secretary and Election Committee Coordinator Prakash Rasaili ‘Snehi’, the election schedule will be announced on the same day. He said efforts are underway to reach a consensus on a single candidate. However, if consensus is not achieved, the party will proceed with a democratic election process. Rasaili added that if only one candidate emerges, the leader will be elected unanimously; otherwise, voting will be held. Meanwhile, leaders including Arjun Narsingh KC, Bhishma Raj Angdembe, Mohan Acharya, and others are reportedly in the race for the post.

Speaker Aryal Pledges to Perform Duties with Neutrality

Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Dol Prasad Aryal, has expressed his commitment to carrying out his duties in a neutral way, keeping the nation and people in the center. At a program organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) today, he stated that he would work with integrity and impartiality in both the formulation and implementation of laws. Speaker Aryal said that, as a facilitator in amending the Constitution and formulating laws, he would carry out his responsibilities with neutrality. He also expressed his commitment to advancing the law-making process through a “fast-track” approach in order to directly benefit the public. The Speaker further added that continuous pressure would be exerted on the government to ensure the implementation of the Budhigandaki Project.

Roshan Pokharel Released After Arrest Over Alleged Abusive YouTube Content

Roshan Pokharel, who was arrested on charges of publishing abusive and defamatory content on YouTube targeting political leaders including Prime Minister Balen Shah, has been released. According to DSP Anish Karki of the District Police Office, Panchthar, Pokharel has been handed over to his family with the condition that he will appear whenever required. A resident of Phalgunanda Rural Municipality–7 in Panchthar, Pokharel was arrested on April 9 following an investigation based on findings from the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau.

Illegal Goods Worth Over Rs 2.1 Million Seized

Illegally brought goods worth more than Rs 2.1 million were seized at Pancheshwor Rural Municipality-4 this morning. The Armed Police Force Nepal impounded a pick-up van (Sudurpaschim Province 01 001 Cha 2789) and a tractor (Sudurpaschim Province 01 002 Ta 5090) along with the goods worth Rs 2.1 million that were brought evading tax from India, shared Deputy Superintendent of Police of APF Nepal No 51 Company Headquarter, Baitadi, Junga Bahadur Kunwar. A total of 23 quintals of sugar as well as other grocery items were seized, he added.  A team led by APF Police Inspector Ramesh Prasad Pandey seized such illegal goods while acting on a tip-off. Those involved in such illegal activities escaped after seeing security personnel. The impounded vehicles along with illegal goods were handed over to Mahakali Customs Office, Jhulaghat, for necessary action.

Legendary Singer Asha Bhosle Passes Away

Asha Bhosle, one of the most iconic and versatile voices in Indian music history, passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the soundscape of Indian cinema and music for over eight decades. She was 92. Dr Pratit Samdani at Breach Candy Hospital confirmed the demise of the legendary singer. “Asha Bhosale breathed her last today in Breach Candy Hospital. She passed away due to multi-organ failure,” Dr Samdani said. She had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday evening following extreme exhaustion and a chest infection. The veteran singer’s granddaughter, Zanai Bhosle, had earlier confirmed her hospitalization through a social media statement, requesting privacy for the family. Born in 1933, Asha Bhosle began her musical journey at a young age, rising to prominence in the 1950s and eventually becoming one of the most celebrated playback singers in the world. Her voice- playful, emotive, and endlessly adaptable- defined generations of music lovers across India and beyond.

Shankar, Ashwini, and Aryan Star in ‘Premko Jeet’

The music video of the song Premko Jeet, featuring vocals by Shankar Shrestha, Bisham Acharya, and Avigya Ghimire, has been officially released. Blending love, romance, and heartbreak, the video showcases a powerful performance by actor Aryan Sigdel. Alongside him, singer Shankar Shrestha and model Ashwini Shahi also deliver notable performances in this film-style production. The 8-minute-long tragic love story is presented in a Bollywood-inspired style. Director Keshav Raj Bhatt has portrayed Ashwini Shahi in a bold and glamorous look in the video. The song features lyrics and music by Likhu Sahayatri, while Bisham Acharya handled the arrangement, mixing, and mastering. The video was shot by Karan Chaisir, with editing and color work done by Milan Bishwakarma. The video has been released through Shankar Shrestha’s official channel.

CAN Bans Cricketer Karan KC for One Match Over Umpire Criticism

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has decided to suspend Nepal Police Club player Karan KC for one match. The decision was taken after KC made remarks about an umpire on social media during the ongoing Prime Minister Cup One-Day National Cricket Tournament 2026. CAN concluded that his statement was against the spirit of the game. According to the association, KC has also been fined 100 percent of his match fee in addition to the one-match suspension. CAN stated that such action was necessary to maintain discipline among players in coordination with all concerned stakeholders. In a press release issued by CAN Spokesperson Chhumbi Lama, it was emphasized that adherence to sportsmanship and discipline is mandatory for all players.

Police Say Over 500 Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Rally in London

Police in London said they had arrested more than 500 pro-Palestinian protesters at a demonstration in support of the banned group Palestine Action on Saturday. Officers carried away activists to cheers and clapping from other demonstrators who gathered for the sit-down demonstration in the capital’s Trafalgar Square. The protesters held placards in support of the banned group Palestine Action, making them liable for arrest. London’s Metropolitan Police said on social media platform X just before midnight that they had arrested 523 people aged between 18 and 87. Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The High Court in London upheld a challenge to the ban in mid-February, saying it had interfered with the right to freedom of speech. The government has been granted leave to appeal against the decision. London’s Metropolitan Police paused arrests in the wake of the High Court ruling before announcing in late March that they would resume.

Indonesian Women Face Jail for Stepping on Quran

Indonesian police said Sunday they had arrested two women on blasphemy charges after a video showing one of them stepping on a Quran went viral on social media in the Muslim-majority country. The two women, whose names and ages were not disclosed, were nabbed by police in Banten province this week and risk five years in prison if found guilty under Indonesia’s blasphemy law. The law forbids anyone from making statements offending one of the country’s six official religions or trying to prevent someone from adhering to one of those religions. The incident happened on Wednesday when a salon owner in Lebak, Banten, some 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the capital Jakarta, accused a guest of stealing her belongings. When the woman denied it, the salon owner insisted she swear an oath while stepping on a Quran, and took a video. The video of the incident spread like wildfire on social media, sparking public anger. Rights groups have long campaigned against the blasphemy laws, which they say are frequently misused to target religious minorities.

Artemis II’s Moon-Traveling Astronauts Return Home to Cheers After a Record-Breaking Trip

Still marveling over their moon mission, the Artemis II astronauts received a thunderous welcome home Saturday from hundreds who took part in NASA’s lunar comeback that set a record for deep space travel. The crew of four arrived at Ellington Field near NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, flying in from San Diego, where they splashed down just offshore the evening before. After a quick reunion with their spouses and children, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen took the hangar stage, surrounded by space center workers and other invited guests. They were introduced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, among the first to greet them aboard the recovery ship Friday. “Ladies and gentlemen, your Artemis II crew,” Isaacman said to a standing ovation. The jubilant crowd included flight directors and the launch director, Orion capsule and exploration system managers, high-ranking military officers, members of Congress, the space agency’s entire blue-suited astronaut corps and even retired ones, and more. Their homecoming was poignant: They returned to NASA’s Houston base on the 56th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13, whose “Houston, we’ve had a problem” refrain turned a near-disaster into triumph. “This was not easy.” an emotional Wiseman said. “Before you launch, it feels like it’s the greatest dream on Earth. And when you’re out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It’s a special thing to be a human, and it’s a special thing to be on planet Earth.”