KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, bringing you the most important developments from Nepal and around the world. From politics and the economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we provide a concise summary of the day’s top stories. Here are today’s key highlights:

Major Political Parties Reaffirm Commitment to Political System, Call for Action Against Former King Shah:  A meeting of republican parties, including CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, and opposition parties, reaffirmed their commitment to the current political system. Held at Singha Durbar, the meeting discussed the recent royalist protests that turned violent, resulting in two deaths. Key participants included Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Maoist Centre Vice President Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and other political leaders. Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai called for collective action against former King Gyanendra Shah.

Deuba Reaffirms Nepal’s Hindu Cultural Roots at Bhagwat Mahayajna Inauguration: Sher Bahadur Deuba, during the Shreemad Bhagwat Mahayajna inauguration at Ghananadham, emphasized Nepal’s deep-rooted Hindu traditions. He urged the preservation of cultural practices like cow worship and highlighted the government’s commitment to stricter anti-cow slaughter laws. Deuba also called for the development of Ghanan as a religious tourism hub and supported infrastructure projects in the region. Local officials submitted a memorandum for necessary developments, including roads, bridges, and cultural schools to promote the area’s heritage.

Prachanda Blames Former King Gyanendra for Killing of Two Youths in Kathmandu: Chairman of CPN-Maoist Centre, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, has held former King Gyanendra Shah responsible for the killing of two youths during a royalist protest in Kathmandu on Friday. Speaking at an event in Kathmandu, Prachanda criticized those who could orchestrate such an incident in their own home, implying that such individuals would not hesitate to harm the public. He emphasized that there is growing public outcry against Gyanendra Shah and called for accountability.

PM Oli Consults with Former Leaders on Upcoming Thailand Visit and BIMSTEC Summit: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a consultation meeting with former prime ministers and foreign ministers on Sunday regarding his official visit to Thailand and participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The meeting focused on maximizing Nepal’s interests in areas such as economic development, connectivity, energy, tourism, and cultural exchange. PM Oli emphasized Nepal’s commitment to regional cooperation and global peace while utilizing the visit for national benefit. His official trip is scheduled from March 19-23, aimed at strengthening Nepal’s ties with Thailand and the BIMSTEC region.

RSP Moves to Reinstate Rabi Lamichhane as Party Chief: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is preparing to reinstate Rabi Lamichhane as its president. A secretariat meeting on Sunday decided to convene a central committee meeting under his leadership for the first time in over five months. However, this proposal must be approved in Monday’s central committee meeting. If passed, Lamichhane will lead the second session at 4 PM. Acting spokesperson Manish Jha stated that many party members support his return, but Lamichhane’s own willingness is also crucial. He had stepped aside after being arrested in a cooperative fraud case last year and has not attended formal meetings since.

Qatar Grants Amnesty to 18 Nepali Prisoners on Ramadan and Eid: The government of Qatar has granted amnesty to 18 Nepali citizens serving prison sentences for various offenses, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal announced. While the identities of those pardoned have not been disclosed, the ministry expressed gratitude to the Qatari government for the decision, highlighting it as a gesture of goodwill between the two nations. The amnesty was granted following a request from the Nepalese government through its embassy in Doha. Nepal appreciates Qatar’s humanitarian approach and values this as a symbol of strong bilateral relations.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party Leader Dhawal Shamsher Rana Says Movement is Close to Its Goal: Dhawal Shamsher Rana, General Secretary of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, assured supporters that the movement is nearing its goal. Speaking to leaders, activists, and well-wishers at the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday, Rana stated, “Don’t worry, we are close to the destination, I am fine, and please inform everyone.” Rana and senior RPP vice-chair Ravindra Mishra were presented in court after the police extended their detention for further investigation. The court granted a five-day custody for the investigation.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party Leader Gyanendra Shahi Warns Government of Growing Protests: Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Gyanendra Shahi has warned the government to be prepared for a storm of protests in response to its crackdown on royalist supporters. In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, Shahi stated that government repression would not halt the movement for the restoration of the monarchy. He warned that if the government attempts to suppress the movement, protests would grow exponentially, increasing “day by day, night by night.” Shah also called for the formation of a high-level citizen commission to investigate the allegations of police violence against protesters on Friday.

Court Grants Five-Day Detention for RPP’s Rabindra Mishra, Others: The Kathmandu District Court has approved a five-day detention for Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Senior Vice-chair Rabindra Mishra and other royalist leaders for further investigation into Friday’s violent protest in Tinkune. House of Representatives member Dhawal Shamsher Rana, RTF Commander Munindra Rajbhandari, and royalist supporter Santosh remain in custody.

Durga Prasai Breaks Silence, Claims He Fled to Save His Life: Two days after the violent clashes at Kathmandu’s Tinkune, Durga Prasai released a video statement on Sunday, claiming he fled the scene to escape an assassination attempt. He alleged that a sharpshooter was positioned to target him and that a bullet passed close to his ear while he was heading to the stage. Prasai also stated that after tear gas was fired at his vehicle, he took control of the car himself and broke through the police barricade to reach a safe location, believing his life was in imminent danger.

Royalist Protest Spokesperson Swagat Nepal Released:  Swagat Nepal, spokesperson for the Joint People’s Movement Committee advocating for monarchy restoration, has been released on a general date. He was arrested on Friday but freed after authorities found he was not presence on the protest side and no significant role in inciting violence during the royalist protest.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party Protests with Torch Rally Against Arrests: In protest of the arrest of their leaders and activists, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) organized a torch rally in Chabahil, Kathmandu, on Sunday evening. The party demanded the immediate release of senior vice-chair Dhawal Shamsher Rana, Ravindra Mishra, and others detained following Friday’s incident in Tinkune. Both Mishra and Rana were presented in court for an extension of their detention, with the Kathmandu District Court granting a five-day custody for further investigation. RPP also held torch rallies in other locations to express their opposition to the arrests.

Nine Arrested in Connection to Vandalism and Looting at Bhat-bhateni Supermarket: Police arrested nine individuals linked to vandalism and looting at Bhat-bhateni Supermarket in Koteshwor during a royalist protest on March 28. The suspects, from various districts including Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Nuwakot, Sindhuli, and Sunsari, were found with stolen items such as alcohol, clothing, and cosmetics. Arrested individuals include Ashish Singh, Prem Kumar Mahato, and others. Police are continuing their investigation and searching for more suspects involved in the incident.

Government Declares Public Holiday for Eid on Monday: The government has announced a public holiday on Monday in observance of Eid, a major festival celebrated by the Muslim community. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notice confirming the holiday.

21 Stolen Nepali Relics Repatriated from the US: Nepal has recovered 21 stolen relics and carved wooden blocks of archaeological significance that were smuggled to the United States, the Department of Archaeology announced. Among them are three Pauva paintings lost from Itumbahal in 2037 BS, a 9th-century Buddha idol from Bungmati, and a 12th-century Buddha idol from Patan’s Guit Chaitya. The artifacts were retrieved with assistance from US authorities, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Since 1986, Nepal has reclaimed 177 stolen artifacts from various countries, with 104 recovered from the US alone.

NRNA Calls for Clear Citizenship Laws, Investment-Friendly Policies: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has urged the Nepal government to implement clear citizenship laws and create a stable investment climate. During the 16th Europe Regional Conference in Malta, members highlighted political instability as a key barrier to investment. Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhattarai, acknowledged the challenges and emphasized ongoing policy reforms. Meanwhile, internal disputes persist within the NRNA. A high-level committee led by Dr. Shesh Ghale warned against interference from a rival group and announced a unification convention in Kathmandu from May 3-5, 2025, warning that failure to update the organization by May 18 could lead to its dissolution.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak Defends Democratic Accountability, Urges Questioning of Rulers: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak emphasized the right to question elected representatives and the government in a democratic system, stating that they must be held accountable. Addressing an event on the 27th anniversary of Reporters Club Nepal, he urged the public to consider whether former King Gyanendra Shah can be questioned and held accountable amid the ongoing royalist movement. Lekhak highlighted that younger generations who have not witnessed the monarchy should understand that in a democracy, criticizing the government and its officials is allowed. He stressed that, unlike the monarchy era, today the President and Prime Minister can be questioned.

PM Oli to Address Parliament on Kulman Ghising’s Dismissal: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will address Parliament on Monday regarding the removal of Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Speaker Devraj Ghimire held discussions with major party whips on Sunday, agreeing to allow Oli’s clarification. The opposition, however, insists on continuing the House obstruction until a valid justification is provided. Ghising’s replacement with Hitendra Dev Shakya on March 24 sparked protests. Both have filed Supreme Court petitions, with hearings set for Monday. Ghimire also called for discussions on the recent Tinkune violence, labeling it an attack on democracy.

World Bank Approves $150M for Nepal’s Bridge Resilience Program: The World Bank has approved a $150 million financing package for Nepal’s Third Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP-III). The initiative aims to strengthen Nepal’s bridge infrastructure against climate-induced disasters like floods, landslides, and earthquakes, ensuring safe and uninterrupted connectivity. Led by the Department of Roads, the program will incorporate climate-resilient designs, real-time monitoring systems, and inclusive accessibility features. It also includes capacity-building efforts for effective infrastructure management. World Bank official David Sislen emphasized the importance of resilient bridge networks for Nepal’s sustainable growth and improved access to essential services for marginalized communities.

Trailer of ‘Khel’ Starring Suraksha Pant Released on YouTube: The trailer for the much-anticipated film Khel, starring Suraksha Pant, has been released on YouTube. The 2-minute 30-second trailer offers a glimpse into the storyline and character portrayals, featuring actors Monica Thapa, Hena Nagar Koti, Nikita Acharya, Samapika Gautam, Mithila Sharma, Sarita Giri, and Bholaraj Sapkota. Directed by Anurag Pradhan and Astha Shrestha, Khel blends Nepali folklore, tradition, spirituality, thriller, and suspense, revolving around four friends haunted by a terrifying past. The film, produced by Luis Raj Maharjan and Ashish Raj Maharjan, will release on Baishakh 12.

Rajesh Hamal’s Film ‘Narsingha: Avatar’ Completes Dubbing: The dubbing for actor Rajesh Hamal’s film Narsingha: Avatar has been completed, and the movie is ready for release, confirmed director Diwakar Bhattarai. The film features a memorable dialogue from Hamal, “Do you think I’m a fool, or am I truly crazy?” which is expected to be popular among the audience. The film also marks Hamal’s return to the screen after eight years, generating excitement. Along with Hamal, the film stars Saroj Khanal, Raj Katwal, Niti Shah, and others. The cinematography is by Raju Bikram Thapa, with action by Chandrapanta and music by Shambhujeet Baskota and Arjun Pokhrel. The release date is yet to be announced.

Singer Milan Newar’s New Song “Timi Tadha Chhau” Released: Singer Milan Newar has released her new song Timi Tadha Chhau on her YouTube channel. The song, with lyrics and music by Rajan Raj Shivakoti, features an emotional video starring Milan Newar, Ramchandra Adhikari (Gokte Kaji), Rajan Raj Shivakoti, and child artist Parina Bhandari in her acting debut. The song depicts a mother leaving her young daughter for foreign employment. Directed by Rajujang Basnet, the video poignantly portrays the relationship between the mother, daughter, and grandfather. The production team has also announced the release of Sunsan Raat 2 – Part 2.

Deep Karki’s Heroic Saves Help Butwal Lumbini FC Draw Against Jhapa FC in NSL Opener: Butwal Lumbini FC’s goalkeeper Deep Karki was the hero as his impressive saves helped secure a goalless draw against Jhapa FC in the opening match of the Nepal Super League (NSL) on Sunday at Dasarath Stadium, Tripureshwor. Jhapa dominated the first half, but Butwal Lumbini faced challenges in the second half, with captain Eric Bisht receiving a double yellow card and being sent off. Despite being down to 10 men, Deep Karki’s remarkable performance kept the score level.

28 Players Called for Closed Training for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers: Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has called up 28 players for closed training in preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers in Thailand, scheduled for May. The training camp will begin on Monday. Players included in the camp are captain Indu Verma, Rubina Chettri, Bindu Rawal, Alisa Kumari Yadav, and several others. The team will be focused on building strength and readiness for the qualifiers, aiming to secure a spot in the global tournament.

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 1,700 as Aid Efforts Intensify: Myanmar’s earthquake death toll reached 1,700 on Sunday, with over 3,400 people injured and 300 missing following the 7.7-magnitude quake on Friday. As hospitals were overwhelmed, foreign rescue teams and aid efforts ramped up. The military junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, acknowledged the escalating crisis, warning the death toll could rise further. This marks one of Myanmar’s strongest quakes in a century, and the junta has called for international assistance.

Iran Rejects Direct Talks with US on Nuclear Program, Seeks Trust-Building: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Sunday that Iran is rejecting direct negotiations with the US regarding its nuclear program, citing a breach of promises as the root cause of issues. He stated that trust-building measures from the US are needed for any future talks. This statement followed a letter from US President Donald Trump on March 12, with Iran’s response leaving open the possibility for indirect negotiations, facilitated through Oman.