KATHMANDU: Welcome to Nepal News’ Evening Economic Brief—your go-to source on key financial updates in Nepal. Stay informed with concise insights on market trends, economic indicators, and policy shifts. Here are today’s top highlights:

PM KP Sharma Oli Arrives in Thailand for BIMSTEC Summit: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. He was welcomed by Thai Deputy PM Surya Jangroongruangkit and other officials. This marks the first official visit of a Nepali PM to Thailand. Oli’s delegation includes First Lady Radhika Shakya, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, and key government officials.

Body of Protest Victim Sabin Maharjan Handed Over to Family: The body of Sabin Maharjan, who was shot and killed during the pro-monarchy protest on March 28, has been handed over to his family. Maharjan, a resident of Kirtipur-4, lost his life in the violent demonstration. His family had initially refused to claim his body, demanding justice and compensation. Following a post-mortem at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, the body was released. His last rites will be performed at Pashupati Aryaghat today.

24 More Arrested Over Tinkune Violence: Kathmandu police have arrested 24 more individuals for their alleged involvement in the March 28 violence at Tinkune. According to District Police Range Spokesperson SP Apil Raj Bohara, the suspects were apprehended from various parts of the city for offenses including arson and vandalism, which resulted in two casualties. Earlier, 41 people had been taken into custody and remain under investigation. Authorities continue efforts to identify those responsible for the unrest.

President Paudel Concludes Parliamentary Sessions: President Ram Chandra Paudel has officially ended the ongoing sessions of both houses of the federal parliament, effective from midnight. The decision was made based on the Council of Ministers’ recommendation, in accordance with Clause (2) of Article 93 of the Constitution of Nepal. The move follows a Monday cabinet meeting where ministers unanimously agreed to terminate the sessions.

Deputy PM Prakash Man Singh Assigned to Oversee PM’s Duties During Thailand Visit: President Ramchandra Paudel has designated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh to handle daily administrative affairs in the absence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. PM Oli is on an official visit to Thailand from April 1-5 at the invitation of his Thai counterpart. He will attend and address the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit on April 4. The President’s decision follows the Prime Minister’s recommendation, as per constitutional provisions, according to the Office of the President.

Ishwar Pokhrel Appointed Acting Chair of CPN (UML): CPN (UML) Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel has been appointed as the party’s Acting Chair while Prime Minister and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli is on a five-day visit to Thailand. Oli is attending the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit on April 4. The appointment follows the party’s Statute 2049 BS (amendment 2078 BS), according to UML Central Office Secretary Dr. Bhishma Adhikari. Pokhrel will oversee party affairs until Oli returns on April 5.

Supreme Court Postpones Hearing on NEA Managing Director Dispute: The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing on the dispute over Nepal Electricity Authority’s Managing Director appointment. A division bench of Justices Kumar Chudal and Nityananda Pandey reviewed petitions from former MD Kulman Ghising and newly appointed MD Hitendra Dev Shakya on Tuesday. However, as the hearing remained inconclusive, the case was placed under pending review. Despite being given special priority, the case has been postponed multiple times and awaits further proceedings.

Government Appeals to Public to Avoid Pro-Monarchy Protests, Provides Treatment for Injured: The Nepal government has urged the public to refrain from participating in the disruptive pro-monarchy protests, as announced by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung during Tuesday’s Cabinet briefing. The government has also directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the violent Tinkune protest, which resulted in injuries and casualties, and take action against the offenders. The Ministry of Health has been tasked with providing medical treatment for the injured. The government emphasized that such events should not be allowed to recur.

Nepal Receives Japanese Grant for Dhulikhel Hospital Trauma Center: The government of Nepal will receive a grant from Japan to improve the Trauma and Emergency Service Center at Dhulikhel Hospital. The Cabinet also approved revenue-sharing guidelines for provinces and local levels and appointed Choodamani Chapagain as CEO of Nepal Stock Exchange. Dr. Pradhuman Raj Pandey was named Executive Director of the Kalimati Market Development Committee. Additionally, the government directed free medical treatment for those injured in recent pro-monarchy protests and ordered an investigation into vandalism incidents, ensuring preventive measures against future disturbances.

RPP Leader Deepak Bohara Passes Away at 69: Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader and Rupandehi-3 MP Deepak Bohara has passed away at 69 due to throat cancer. He was receiving treatment at Om Hospital, Kathmandu. His body was flown to Bhairahawa via a Nepal Army helicopter for final tributes before being brought back to Kathmandu. His last rites will be performed at Aryaghat after a tribute at the RPP office in Dhumbarahi. Siddharthanagar Municipality has declared a public holiday in his honor.

Nepal Thanks UAE for Granting Amnesty to 166 Nepali Inmates: The Government of Nepal has expressed gratitude to the UAE for granting amnesty to 166 Nepali inmates on the occasion of Ramadan and Eid. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the gesture as a sign of strong bilateral ties. The amnesty was granted following Nepal’s request through its embassy in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the humanitarian cooperation between the two nations.

Govt Focused on Realistic and Implementable Budget- Finance Minister Poudel: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel emphasized the government’s focus on presenting a practical and implementable budget for the upcoming fiscal year. During a discussion with the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Affairs, he urged prioritizing labor, skills, and manufacturing over distributive programs. Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari highlighted the need to utilize migrant returnees’ skills for domestic employment. The Prime Minister’s Employment Program was also reviewed during the meeting.

Kathmandu Becomes World’s Most Polluted City: Kathmandu ranked as the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday evening, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 204. It surpassed Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Hanoi (Vietnam), both at 151 AQI. Poor air quality in the valley is linked to dry winter conditions and lack of rainfall. The presence of harmful pollutants like PM2.5, nitrates, and black carbon poses serious health risks. Kathmandu also topped the global pollution list on Monday.

Nepal’s Ambassador Dr. Shankar Sharma Meets UP CM Yogi Adityanath Amid Pro-Monarchy Protests: Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Shankar Sharma, met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday to discuss Nepal-India relations. The meeting gained attention due to ongoing pro-monarchy protests in Nepal demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and Hindu state status, with Adityanath being seen as a supporter. The discussion also reportedly addressed the recent violent protests in Nepal. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana had previously raised concerns with Indian officials, who denied involvement. Additionally, a protester carrying Adityanath’s photo during protests has reportedly fled to India.

NEPSE Drops 16.95 Points, Closes at 2,676.17: After gaining 29.82 points in the previous session, NEPSE fell by 16.95 points (0.62%) to close at 2,676.17. The market saw a turnover of Rs. 5.79 Arba with 10.67 million shares traded across 320 companies. Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (HRL) led in turnover at Rs. 64.25 Crores. Guardian Micro Life Insurance (GMLI) gained 10%, while Gurans Laghubitta (GLBSL) dropped 5.56%. The Trading Index rose 3.8%, while the Finance Index declined 1.84%.

HPPCL Factory Torched Amid Pro-Monarchy Protests, Causing Massive Losses: The Herbs Production and Processing Company Ltd. (HPPCL) suffered extensive damage after pro-monarchy protests turned violent last Friday. Rioters set fire to the company’s facility in Jadibuti, destroying buildings, machinery, and herbal products. Initial estimates put structural damage at Rs. 300 million, with total losses still being assessed. HPPCL, a key producer of medicinal oils, employs over 400 workers and partners with 800 farmers. Operations are now severely disrupted.

Cement and Iron Rod Prices Drop as Power Supply Improves: Industries have reduced cement and iron rod prices, citing lower production costs due to improved electricity supply. Cement prices have dropped by up to Rs 15 per bag, while iron rods are cheaper by Rs 2 per kg. The price drop follows India’s decision to resume night-time power supply, reducing outages. Previously, industrialists were accused of artificial shortages to inflate prices. Authorities have now instructed manufacturers to disclose production costs to ensure fair pricing.

Tribhuvan International Airport Extends Operations to 18 Hours Daily: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has extended its operational hours to 18 hours daily, effective April 1, after months of restricted service due to infrastructure upgrades. The airport, previously closed for 10 hours a day, will now operate from 6 AM to midnight. While the linkway connecting the taxiway to the runway is complete, work on the parallel taxiway continues. The Rs. 15 billion Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project is expected to finish in 1.5 years.

Gold Prices Hit Record High at Rs. 179,700 Per Tola in Nepal: Gold prices in Nepal surged by Rs. 1,800 in a single day, reaching an all-time high of Rs. 179,700 per tola. Tejabi gold also increased to Rs. 179,000 per tola. This surpasses the previous record of Rs. 177,900 per tola set on March 31, 2025. The continuous rise in prices has set new market records, while silver remains stable at Rs. 2,035 per tola.

“Unko Sweater” Teaser Revives Nostalgia of Handwritten Diaries and Memories: The newly released teaser of the much-awaited Nepali film “Unko Sweater” brings back the lost art of handwritten diaries, evoking memories of a time when friends, family, and loved ones’ words were preserved on paper. The film’s teaser delves into love, emotional conflicts, and the journey through memories, offering a heartfelt tribute to a tradition fading in the digital age. Starring Bipin Karki and Miruna Magar in the lead roles, alongside Wilson Vikram Rai, Alex Paras, and Parisha Limbu, the teaser beautifully portrays the ups and downs of love, memories, and relationships. The teaser showcases Bipin writing his feelings in a diary, while Miruna hints at the complexities of love, emphasizing its delicate nature.

Trailer of Highly Anticipated Nepali Movie ‘Pitambar’ Released: The trailer for the much-awaited Nepali film Pitambar has been released in a special event in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The action-packed trailer begins with the consequences of violence against women and features the film’s lead actors, including Pradeep Khadka, Dayahang Rai, and Saugat Malla as tough police officers. The trailer also highlights actors like Anup Bikram Shahi, Divya Dev, and Pramod Agarhari in negative roles. Directed under the banners of KP Films and Purushottam Pradhan Films, Pitambar features a star-studded cast and is expected to be a major hit.

First Song of Upcoming Movie ‘Mahabhoj’ Released: The first song “Makkhai Pare” from the upcoming movie Mahabhoj, set to release on the 15th of Jestha, has been made public. The song, written by Surendra Diyali and sung by Prashant Siwakoti with music by him, features a catchy Kauda rhythm. The video shows main actors Dayahang Rai, Khagendra Lamichhane, Anjana Baraili, Gaumaya Gurung, and Malika Mahat performing the traditional dance, with Aryan Sigdel and Suraksha Pant portraying a sophisticated couple. Directed by Dinesh Raut, the film has garnered high expectations from the audience.

Upasana Singh Thakuri Inspired by Karma’s Action, Hopes for Future Action Roles: Actress Upasana Singh Thakuri, who stars opposite Bipin Karki in Karma, was impressed by the film’s action sequences and expressed her desire to act in action films. Though not in an action role in Karma, she hopes for offers in the genre. Directed by Saurabh Chaudhary, the film features drama, suspense, and action. Karma is set for release on March 29, 2082 BS, in Nepal and internationally, with international rights sold to Seven Seas Cinema.

Chyasal Youth Club Defeats Madhyapur 4-0, Climbs to Third in ‘B’ Division League: Chyasal Youth Club secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Madhyapur Youth Association in the Sahid Smarak ‘B’ Division League, moving to third place in the standings. Goals from Ashish Tharu, Niraj Karki, Sujan Biskarma, and Kushal Dewal sealed the win. Chyasal now has 7 points from four games, just behind Planning Boys United and level with Shree Bhagwati Club. Madhyapur, with 4 points, has played three matches.

Shree Bhagwati Club Climbs to Top Spot in ‘B’ Division League with 2-0 Win: Shree Bhagwati Club secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over bottom-ranked Shree Kumari Club in the ongoing Sahid Smarak ‘B’ Division League, moving to the top of the points table.

The match, held at the ANFA headquarters ground in Satdobato on Tuesday, saw Suleman Thapamagar and Amit Lama scoring the goals for Shree Bhagwati. This marked their third consecutive win, maintaining an unbeaten record. With the win, Shree Bhagwati moved ahead of Planning Boys, who have one game less, and now lead the table with 10 points from four games.

Dhangadhi FC Wins Opening Match of Nepal Super League: Dhangadhi FC made a victorious start in the Nepal Super League (NSL), defeating Butwal Lumbini FC 3-1 at the Dasarath Stadium on Tuesday. Dhangadhi took the lead in the 6th minute with a goal from Ahmad Hijazi. However, Butwal equalized in the 31st minute through Kenta Hara. The match saw a breakthrough when marquee player Kritisharatna Chhunjule scored, putting Dhangadhi ahead 2-1. In injury time, Hijazi netted his second goal, securing a 3-1 victory for Dhangadhi FC.

Le Pen Defiant After Court Ruling Bans Her from Office: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has vowed her party can still win the 2027 presidential election despite a court ruling barring her from office for five years. Calling the verdict a “nuclear bomb” from the establishment, Le Pen and her National Rally party are demanding a swift appeal. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin urged a “reasonable” review, while party leader Jordan Bardella called for peaceful protests this weekend.

Trump’s Tariffs Fuel Uncertainty but Unlikely to Trigger Recession-IMF Chief U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs are creating uncertainty and undermining global economic confidence, but they are unlikely to cause a near-term recession, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters. Trump plans to introduce “reciprocal tariffs” targeting trade partners like the EU, China, and Canada. While Goldman Sachs raised its U.S. recession probability to 35%, Georgieva expects only a slight downward adjustment in global growth, emphasizing the need for economic clarity.

NATO Will Endure Despite Trump’s Pressure, Says EU Foreign Policy Chief: NATO will remain intact despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated. In an interview with El Mundo, she reaffirmed NATO’s strength but warned that some member states must make tough decisions to meet the 2% GDP defense spending requirement. Trump has urged NATO members to increase spending, even suggesting a 5% threshold. Meanwhile, NATO officials cite deterring Russia as the main reason for increased military expenditure.