KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant developments from Nepal and around the world. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we bring you a concise summary of the day’s top stories.

Proposal for Two Days Off Per Week to Combat Rising Air Pollution in Nepal: In response to Nepal’s increasing air pollution, the Ministry of Forests and Environment has proposed giving two days off per week to reduce pollution levels. Acting Prime Minister Prakashman Singh held a meeting with experts to address the issue, emphasizing collective efforts for improvement. The Ministry suggested measures like allowing vehicles on alternate days based on odd and even number plates. Experts cited vehicle emissions as a major cause and called for a comprehensive air quality management plan.

Health Ministry Urges Precautions as Kathmandu’s Air Pollution Reaches Hazardous Levels: The Ministry of Health and Population has advised heightened precautions as Kathmandu’s air quality index (AQI) reaches a hazardous level of 348. Nepal is currently ranked among the most polluted countries globally. The Ministry recommends that vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with respiratory conditions, take extra care. Citizens are urged to limit outdoor activities, wear masks, and avoid the most polluted areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Authority cites forest fires, road construction, and industrial activities as key contributors to the rising pollution levels. Authorities have called for immediate measures to improve air quality.

Residential Doctors in Nepal Launch Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Living Stipend: Residential doctors at 17 private medical colleges in Nepal have begun an indefinite strike, demanding a higher living stipend. The doctors, pursuing MD, MS, and MDS courses, are protesting the failure of private colleges to provide the Rs 48,737 stipend promised by the Medical Education Commission. After a 24-hour ultimatum was ignored, about 2,500 doctors stopped work, except for emergency services. The strike follows the commission’s decision, which has yet to be implemented by the colleges.

Supreme Court Rejects Interim Order for Kulman Ghising, Upholds Hitendra Dev Shakya’s Appointment: The Supreme Court has refused to issue an interim order in favor of Kulman Ghising, who was removed from his post as Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The decision follows a writ petition filed by Hitendra Dev Shakya, who challenged the government’s decision to replace him with Ghising four years ago. The court determined that issuing an interim order was not appropriate while the writ remains unresolved. Shakya’s position as NEA’s Managing Director is upheld, but his service-related writ is also yet to receive an interim order.

KMC Chief Administrative Officer Guragain Returns Amid Mayor Balen’s Opposition: A political deadlock unfolded in Kathmandu Metropolitan City as employees and ward chairpersons defied Mayor Balen Shah’s attempts to prevent Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain from resuming his role. Despite intervention by city police, they successfully escorted him into the office.

Mayor Shah had deployed municipal police, led by Rajunath Pandey, to block Guragain’s entry. However, employees and ward officials, who had been advocating for his return for months, managed to bring him inside. Guragain’s return follows nearly three months of absence, though his office remains locked, casting doubt on his ability to fully resume duties.

Tensions between the city’s leadership and administrative staff have been rising, with employees voicing frustrations over salary delays and operational disruptions. Additionally, some ward chairpersons criticized the city police for following the mayor’s direct orders instead of working under elected representatives.

Saroj Guragain Returns to Office After 3 Months, Salary Delays to be Addressed: After 3 months and 14 days, Saroj Guragain has returned to his duties as the Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. With the help of employees and representatives, he resumed his responsibilities today. Kathmandu Metropolitan City Spokesperson Navin Manandhar assured that everything would be back to normal from tomorrow, including the release of pending salaries, after Guragain resumed his position, ending the previous disruptions caused by locked office doors.

Mayor Balen Chief Secretary Warns Legal Action Over Saroj Guragain’s Forced Reinstatement: Bhupdev Shah, Chief Secretary to Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, has warned that anyone involved in forcibly reinstating Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain should be prepared for legal action. Shah criticized the break-in of the office lock to allow Guragain’s return after a 3-month absence, calling it a serious offense. He accused the federal government of backing a corruption suspect and said the Federal Affairs and Administration Ministry was complicit. Shah warned of legal consequences if Guragain is found guilty, as investigations by the Central Investigation Bureau and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority are ongoing.

Employee Unions Urge for a Conducive Work Environment for Kathmandu’s Chief Administrative Officer: Two employee unions have urged the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to create a conducive work environment for Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain. In a joint statement on Thursday, Narbahadur Saud, President of the Local Body Employees Union, and Shambhu Baral, General Secretary of the Local Body Employees Association, highlighted concerns over the administrative chaos following three months without leadership. They also criticized the disruption faced by Guragain while reporting for duty, noting the financial struggles faced by workers and halted development projects.

Seven Madhesh-Based Parties Form Federal Democratic Front to Pursue Constitutional Reforms:  Seven Madhesh-based political parties have united to form the Federal Democratic Front, aiming to coordinate efforts on constitutional amendments and shared agendas. The alliance includes the Janamat Party, Janata Samajbadi Party (Nepal), Janata Pragatisheel Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Tarai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, and Rastriya Mukti Party. A task force has been formed to draft the alliance’s policy document, and the group will adopt a rotational leadership system, similar to the Socialist Front.

RPP Demands Independent Probe and Martyr Recognition for Tinkune Incident: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has called for the formation of an independent investigation commission, led by a former Supreme Court judge, to probe the March 28 Tinkune incident. The proposed commission would include members from the Human Rights Commission and civil society. RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden, in a letter to Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, also demanded the resignation of the Home Minister, suspension of police and administrative officials involved in the crackdown, and the recognition of those killed as martyrs. Additionally, the party called for the release of detained leaders and proper medical care for the injured.

Teachers Continue Protest in Kathmandu, Demand Implementation of Education Act: Teachers from across Nepal gathered in Kathmandu have continued their protest for a second day, led by the Nepal Teachers Federation, demanding the full implementation of the Education Act and the fulfillment of prior agreements. Organized by the Nepal Teachers’ Federation, the demonstration saw educators march from Maitighar to Baneshwor, holding placards with slogans like “Respect the teaching profession” and “Enact the education act now.” The teachers are demanding the bill’s enactment, which has been pending in Parliament despite previous government commitments. They also oppose the idea of falling under local government jurisdiction, fearing political influence in their roles.

US Slaps 10% Tariff on Nepal as Part of Global Trade Strategy: The Trump administration has imposed a 10% tariff on Nepal as part of a broader strategy to increase tariffs on trading partners worldwide. Nepal’s exports to the US include readymade garments, woolen carpets, pashmina products, and other goods, totaling USD 241.4 million in trade during 2024. Despite this, Nepal’s exports to the US decreased in November 2024, with figures dropping from USD 14.865 million in October to USD 8.987 million. Nepal ranks 156th in global exports, with its key markets being India, the US, Germany, China, and the UK. Trump’s new tariffs also target India with a 26% reciprocal tariff and additional duties on Chinese imports. The move has faced criticism globally, with leaders warning of significant economic impacts. Around 60 countries, including Nepal, will be affected when the tariffs take effect on April 9, 2025.

Prime Minister Oli and Sri Lankan PM Amarasuriya Hold Meeting: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Harini Amarasuriya had a meeting here today. PM Oli is currently in Thailand in connection with participating in the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

During the meeting, the two Prime Ministers discussed various matters of bilateral and mutual interests. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, the Prime Minister’s Chief Political Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, among other officials were present in the meeting.

Following the conclusion of his programmes scheduled as part of the official visit to Thailand, PM Oli is busy in sideline meetings and other meetings with the Heads of State and Heads of Governments of BIMSTEC member nations who have arrived here to attend the regional group’s Summit.

RPP Demands Resignation of Home Minister Lekhak: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has demanded an investigation into the repression of the protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu on Chaitra 15. Submitting a memorandum to Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, the RPP has also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Chairman Rajendra Lingden, senior leader Pashupati Shamsher Rana and others have demanded an independent inquiry commission led by a Supreme Court judge to investigate the violent clashes that took place during the royalist protest at Singha Durbar today. The five demands include ‘Formation of an independent investigation commission comprising a former Supreme Court judge and a Human Rights Commission’ and ‘Resignation of the Home Minister for investigation, suspension of the police chief and administrative leadership who led the crackdown on Chaitra 15’.

According to which, the deceased Sabin Maharjan and Suresh Rajak should be declared martyrs and compensation should be provided, the false cases against RPP leaders Rabindra Mishra and Dr. Dhaval Shamsher Rana and others should be dismissed, the innocent should be released, and free and effective treatment should be provided to the injured.

Earthquake Hits Darchula on Thursday Afternoon: An earthquake struck Darchula on Thursday afternoon, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring Centre. The tremor occurred at 5:04 PM. The epicenter of the earthquake was located near the Api Himal region, and its magnitude was recorded at 4 on the Richter scale. Previously, on the 13th of Chaitra (March 27), an earthquake had also occurred in HumlaKalika, with a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale.

BIMSTEC should uphold spirit of regional unity and collective cooperation: Minister Dr Rana:  Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has stressed the need for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to uphold the spirit of regional unity and collective cooperation.

Addressing the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held today as part of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok , she called for unity and collective cooperation to strengthen BIMSTEC as a platform that represents the shared aspirations of the citizens of the Bay of Bengal region.

BIMSTEC symbolises a dazzling rainbow representing two dynamic regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia- each of its seven colours illuminating rich civilizations, cultures, histories, and ecological diversity. It should make efforts to unlock the potential for economic prosperity of the citizens of this region,” the Minister said.

Dr Rana reiterated Nepal’s commitment to regionalism and multilateralism in a peaceful, equitable, and inclusive manner under the leadership of the United Nations. “We are actively engaged in all regional and global forums to strengthen peace, security, and sustainable development. We are also proud to be the largest peacekeeping troop contributor to the United Nations.

PM Oli Addresses AIT Event, Stressing on Collective Efforts for Secured, Prosperous Future: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is presently on the five-day official visit to Thailand starting April 1, addressed an event hosted by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) here today.

In his address, the Prime Minister echoed the need for collective efforts to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the entire humanity. He highlighted that the Government of Nepal is focused on promoting human happiness, prosperity, security, and self-dignity. Talking about the motto of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali” implemented by the government as the national aspirations, the Prime Minister said there is no greater achievement than the human happiness with the fulfillment of their aspirations.

He also called for collaborative efforts at the national, regional, and global levels to address the climate change, the common and global concern for all. The event was also attended by teachers and students at AIT from Nepal. The Prime Minister expressed his hope that AIT graduates would significantly contribute to Nepal’s development, particularly in sectors like hydropower.

Nepal’s ambassador to Thailand, Dhan Bahadur Oli said Nepali make up the fourth largest group among the students in the AIT from abroad. As he said, the cooperation with the AIT is the priority of the Embassy. Presently, 181 Nepali students are pursuing studies in the AIT while so far, 1795 Nepali have been graduated from here. Seven Nepali including three members on the Board of Trustee serve as the faculty members here. The Prime Minister was received by the Institute President Pai-Chi Li on the occasion.

Man Arrested for Fraudulently Extorting NPR 3.2 Million by Promising Jobs in Serbia: A man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding individuals of NPR 3.2 million by promising to send them to Serbia for foreign employment. The accused, 28-year-old Suresh Mak, a resident of Bhaktapur Municipality-5 and currently living in KageshwariManohara Municipality-4, was arrested based on a complaint filed by the victims. According to Angur GC, Superintendent of Police at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Suresh was arrested in the Bouddha area of Kathmandu.

GC stated, “Suresh had collected NPR 3.2 million from five victims by claiming he would send them to Serbia. After taking the money, he became unreachable, leading the victims to file a complaint.” Suresh has been sent to the Department of Foreign Employment in Tahachal for further investigation and legal action.

Seven Madhesi Parties Form ‘Federal Democratic Front’: Seven Madhesi-centered political parties have announced the formation of the ‘Federal Democratic Front.’ The parties made the announcement during an event held in Kathmandu on Thursday, where they emphasized the need for constitutional amendments, the protection of the republic, and strengthening the voice for good governance.

The event saw the participation of several prominent leaders, including Upendra Yadav, the leader of the Janata SamajbadiParty Nepal; CK Raut, the leader of the Janamat Party; Ranjita Chaudhary, president of the Nagarik Unmukti Party; MahanthaThakur, leader of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal; Rajendra Mahato, leader of the Rashtriya Mukti Party; Hridayesh Tripathi, leader of the Janata Pragatisheel Party; and Brisheshchandra Lal, leader of the Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party.

Lawmakers Call For Making Laws Banning Turning Cultivable Land To Non-agricultural: Lawmakers of the House of Representatives (HoR) have stressed the need to include the issue of taking initiatives to recommend a special law so that agricultural land cannot be converted into non-agricultural land in the National Agriculture Policy-2025.

They were speaking in today’s meeting of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee under the HoRon the theme ‘Discussions and Collection of Necessary Suggestions on Agriculture Policy, which is in the formulation stage at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development’. Saraswati Subba said agriculture was becoming women-dominated and stressed the need for focusing on women-friendly policies in terms of technology and grants.

Meena Tamang stressed the need of providing necessary support to the private sector to ensure market for agricultural commodities in the agriculture policy. Surya Prasad Dhakal emphasized on formulating integrated agriculture act on the basis of agriculture policy so that real farmers are respected. Rupa Soshi Chaudhary opined that a policy should be formulated to encourage and prioritize domestic agricultural production by strengthening the agricultural market.

Nepal Reinsurance Among Top Traded Stocks, Ranks Sixth on Wednesday: Nepal Reinsurance is one of the companies that frequently ranks among the top 10 in terms of share market transactions. On Wednesday, it stood in sixth position in terms of high-value transactions. Among the two reinsurance companies operating in Nepal, this one has government ownership.

However, the company has consistently been delayed in publishing its financial reports. While other companies have already released their second-quarter financial reports for the current fiscal year two months ago, this company has just published its fourth-quarter financial report for the previous fiscal year.

According to the published report, the company earned a net profit of NPR 1.13 billion in the last fiscal year. Compared to the previous fiscal year (2079/80), the company’s profit has declined by approximately 27%. In the previous fiscal year, the company’s net profit was NPR 1.55 billion.

The decline in profit has impacted the company’s annual earnings per share (EPS). The annual EPS stands at NPR 8.43, whereas it was previously NPR 12.17.

The company’s net premium income has also decreased. While it was NPR 9.88 billion in the previous fiscal year, it has shrunk to NPR 9.49 billion in the last fiscal year. The company’s per-share net worth is NPR 145. On Wednesday, when the market closed, the company’s share price was NPR 1,312 per unit.

Thick Fog Disrupts Flights at Tribhuvan International Airport: Flights at Tribhuvan International Airport have been affected since early Thursday morning due to low visibility caused by thick fog. According to the Tribhuvan Airport Office, flights are currently operating under the IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) system, which results in slower aircraft management compared to normal conditions.

Most scheduled flights this morning were impacted. Even now, some planes are seen circling in the sky before being allowed to land. Five mountain flights that took off from Kathmandu this morning had to be diverted to other airports due to low visibility.

According to the airport, out of the three Buddha Air mountainflights, two were diverted to Bhairahawa and one to Janakpur. Similarly, one mountain flight each from Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines was diverted to Bhairahawa.

NEPSE Rises Slightly, Trading Volume Surges on Thursday: On the last trading day of the week, Thursday, the NEPSE index saw a slight increase of 3.35 points, closing at 2,703.39 points. Trading volume also surged, with the total turnover reaching NPR 7.23 billion, compared to NPR 5.44 billion on Wednesday. This marks an increase of NPR 1.79 billion from the previous day. A total of 155.2 million shares of 324 securities were traded.

Among the listed companies, 93 saw their share prices increase, while 151 experienced a decline. Green Ventures recorded the highest gain, with its stock rising by 9.99% to NPR 505.20 per share. Similarly, Super Madi Hydropower’s stock climbed by 6.09%, reaching NPR 955.80 per share. On the losing side, Upakar Laghubitta’s stock fell by 9.10%, closing at NPR 3,256.10 per share, while Guardian Micro Insurance dropped 6.86%, settling at NPR 2,405 per share.

In terms of trading volume, Himalayan Reinsurance recorded the highest turnover on Thursday, making it the most actively traded stock of the day.

Anjila’ Marks Fourth Week, Surpasses ‘Sikandar’ in Nepal Box Office: Nepali film ‘Anjila’ has entered its fourth week with growing popularity, achieving nearly 140 shows on its first day of week four, double the number on its release day. The film, based on the life of Nepal’s national women’s football team captain, Anjila Tumbapo Subba, has outperformed the Indian film ‘Sikandar’ in Nepal, despite the latter’s success in India. Subba, who stars in the film, is actively promoting it across various cities in Nepal before returning to Greece for football commitments. The film showcases her struggles and success from childhood to her athletic career.

Durgesh Thapa’s Song ‘Dushman Hereko Heryai’ Hits 50 Million Views on YouTube: Durgesh Thapa’s song “Dushman Hereko Heryai” has achieved a remarkable 50 million views on YouTube within just three months of its release. Expressing gratitude for this success, Thapa thanked his fans for their immense love and support. The song features vocals by Thapa, Anand Karki, Samiksha Adhikari, and Elina Chauhan, with a music video starring Priyanka Karki, Kavita Nepali, Pema Lama, and Sahadev Shrestha. The song is currently ranked 71st on YouTube’s global trending list, highlighting the growing popularity of Nepali music.

Rachana Rimal Takes Legal Action Against Fake Facebook Accounts: Singer Rachana Rimal has expressed frustration over a fake Facebook account impersonating her and causing trouble. She warned her fans not to trust the fake account and shared its link while urging legal action against it. Rimal clarified that the account in question is not her official page and has repeatedly requested the operator to cease its activities. She appealed to her followers to report the fake account and assured that she would pursue legal remedies against such fraudulent actions.

American Director Anky Cyriaque’s Debut Film ‘Seasons’ to be Shot in Nepal and Across the Globe: American director Anky Cyriaque’s debut feature film, Seasons, will have its cinematography in various locations, including Nepal, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. In addition to Nepal, filming will take place in New York, London, and Vancouver.

The film features top talents such as Serena Motola, Seiya Matsudo, and Rei Shirakawa, with Japanese actors also joining the cast. Based on a story intertwining love, life, death, and fate across different countries and times, the screenplay has been penned by Oscar-nominated writer Calman Apple (Speed for Thespians). Cyriaque’s Seasons draws inspiration from his own script, Seasons of a Soul.

The film tells the story of a couple in love, torn apart yet brought back together by the past. Discussions are currently underway with Canadian singer-songwriter Krisha Turner and two Japanese and Hollywood high-profile actors for further involvement. Cyriaque has mentioned that the project has been a decade in the making. “What began as a spark of imagination has taken me on an extraordinary journey, traversing the vibrant streets of London, the serene beauty of Japan, and the majestic landscapes of Nepal,” Cyriaque told The Hollywood Reporter.This international project will be shot in both English and Japanese.

Nepal Men’s Football Team Retains 175th Position in FIFA Rankings: The Nepal men’s football team has maintained its 175th position in the latest FIFA rankings. According to the rankings released by the world football governing body FIFA on Thursday, Nepal’s position remains unchanged.

In South Asia, Nepal ranks third after India and the Maldives. India has dropped one place to 127th, while the Maldives has fallen two spots to 164th. Among Nepal’s neighboring teams, Bhutan remains at 182nd, while Bangladesh has climbed two places to 183rd. Meanwhile, Pakistan stands at 198th, and Sri Lanka is ranked 200th.

In March, Nepal played two international matches. The team secured a 1-0 victory in a friendly match against Singapore, which was ranked 14 places higher. However, in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, Nepal suffered a 2-0 defeat against Malaysia, which is ranked 43 places higher.

Nepal U-19 Suffers Heavy Defeat Against Afghanistan U-19 in Youth ODI Series Opener: Nepal faced a crushing defeat in the first match of the Youth ODI series, which began in Kathmandu on Thursday. The Nepal U-19 team lost to Afghanistan U-19 by a massive 130 runs. Chasing Afghanistan’s formidable target of 301 runs, Nepal was bowled out for 170 in 46.1 overs. Despite a half-century from Niraj Yadav, other batters failed to make a significant contribution. Niraj Yadav scored 53 runs, while Ashok Dhami and Santosh Yadav added 24 runs each. Abhishek Tiwari contributed 17 runs.

For Afghanistan, Zaibullah Shaheen claimed 2 wickets, conceding just 24 runs in his 10-over spell. Mahbub Khan and Wahidullah Zadran also took 2 wickets each, while Abdul Aziz and Nooristani Omarzai picked up one wicket apiece.

Nepal National Cricket Team Begins Closed Training in Bhairahawa: The Nepal national cricket team has commenced its closed training in Bhairahawa. The training, which started on Wednesday at the Siddhartha Cricket Ground in Bhairahawa, is in preparation for the upcoming four-nation T20 series in Hong Kong, scheduled for next week.

Under the captaincy of Rohit Kumar Paudel, the national cricket team is being trained by Nepali coach Gyanendra Mall. This is the first time the national team is undergoing training in Bhairahawa. The Rupandehi Cricket Association welcomed the players who arrived for the closed training.

China ramps up military incursions around Taiwan: Taiwan detected 59 Chinese aircraft, 23 Chinese naval vessels and eight official ships operating around itself as of 6am (local time), a statement by the Taiwanese Ministry of Defence said.

Of the 59 aircraft, 31 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone).In a post on X, the MND said, “59 PLA aircraft, 23 PLAN vessels and 8 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 31 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.

The Chinese military staged a second day of exercises around Taiwan on Wednesday, launching live-fire strikes in the East China Sea and practicing blockade operations near crucial shipping lanes to the east and west of the island, as per CNN.

The Taiwanese MND said that in response, they launched a “Rapid Response Exercise. In a post on X, the MND said, “No matter how the PLA attempts to cloak these actions with exaggerated labels, they cannot justify the inherently provocative nature of such drills. ROC Armed Forces have launched the “Rapid Response Exercise”. We will remain on high alert and safeguard our national security.

Myanmar quake death toll rises over 3,000, Says Junta: The death toll from a major earthquake in Myanmar has risen above 3,000, the ruling junta said on Thursday. A statement from a junta spokesperson said that 3,085 deaths had been confirmed, with 341 people still missing and 4,715 injured, six days after the shallow 7.7-magnitude quake. Rescue and aid workers had arrived from 17 countries, Zaw Min Tun added, with nearly 1,000 tonnes of supplies and relief materials. “We have been continuing search and rescue work, we would like to express special gratitude for the hard work of the international community and medical teams,” he said.

Israeli PM Netanyahu Vows Pressure on Gaza Until Hostages Are Returned: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday spoke about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensifying their operations in the Gaza Strip and said that the IDF is not only seizing territory and destroying infrastructure but also targeting key corridors, such as the Morag Corridor.

Sharing a video on X, Netanyahu said, “Last night in the Gaza Strip, we switched gears. The IDF is seizing territory, striking the terrorists and destroying the infrastructure. We are also doing something else: We are seizing the Morag Corridor. This will be the second Philadelphi, an additional Philadelphi Corridor.” Netanyahu also said that the pressure on Gaza will continue to escalate until hostages are returned. He said, “Because we are now dividing the Strip and increasing the pressure step by step, so that they will give us our hostages. And as long as they do not give them to us, the pressure will increase until they do.

He further said, “We are determined to achieve the objectives of the war, and we are acting relentlessly and with a clear line and a clear mission. And with G-d’s (god’s) help and that of our heroic soldiers, we will also achieve them.” Earlier on Monday, Israeli lawmakers unanimously approved NIS 5 billion (USD 1.3 billion) for economic, infrastructure, and social development in Gaza border communities.

America’s Taxpayers Have Been Ripped Off for 50 Years Claims Donald Trump: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) called April 2, 2025, a pivotal day in American history. Referring to the day as “Liberation Day ”Trump declared it as the turning point for American industry.

Trump’s remarks came while he participated in the Make America Wealthy Again Event. My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day, waiting for a long time. April 2nd, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to Make America Wealthy Again,” the US President said.

He emphasised that after decades of exploitation, the era of American taxpayers being “ripped off” was over. Trump said, “Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, but it is not going to happen anymore. Trump further said, “In a few moments, I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world. Reciprocal: That means they do it to us and we do it to them. This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history.