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.
PM Oli Criticizes Internal Dissent in UML: Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has objected to voices from within his own party that, he says, indirectly help opposition forces. Speaking at a program marking the party’s 76th founding anniversary, Oli accused some members of making statements that create confusion and support adversaries.
He added that in today’s political climate, “one doesn’t need to make mistakes to be blamed,” saying that even those trying to do good work face organized attacks by regressive elements intent on damaging the nation.
House Arrest on Royalist Leader Subedi Lifted: Nabaraj Subedi, coordinator of the ‘Joint People’s Movement Committee for the Restoration of Monarchy’, is no longer under house arrest. Subedi had been kept under police surveillance since March 28, following a violent pro-monarchy protest at Tinkune.
In a statement released Tuesday, Subedi said the surveillance has now ended and that he has resumed his duties with the committee. “Since March 28, I had been under 24-hour police watch,” he stated, “From today, the surveillance has ended, and I have returned to regular committee work.” He also expressed gratitude toward those who supported him during this period.
PM Oli No Longer Fit to Lead, Says Prachanda: Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has lost the moral and political legitimacy to remain in office. Speaking at an event marking the 77th anniversary of the Communist Party of Nepal and Lenin Day, Prachanda criticized the Prime Minister for disrespecting protesting teachers and failing to address their demands.
He said it is disgraceful that the government has shown no urgency despite teachers protesting across the country. Prachanda urged the government to stop humiliating teachers and instead focus on resolving their issues. He also called on teachers to continue their movement with patience.
Three Children Dead, Mother Critical After Poisoning in Dhanusha: Three children in Dhanusha district have died due to poisoning, and their mother is in critical condition. The victims—six-year-old Aditya Sah, four-year-old Aakriti Sah, and two-year-old Aarushi Sah—were the children of Sushil Sah from Yadukuha, Shahidnagar-5.
According to Inspector Sanjeev Yadav of the District Police Office, the mother, 30-year-old Pabita Sah, is being treated on a ventilator at the Provincial Hospital. The incident occurred around 6:40 PM on Monday when the mother and children were found at home after ingesting poison. Locals rushed them to the hospital, but the children had already died by the time they arrived.
Teachers’ Union Tells Members to Boycott Grade 12 Exams: The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has instructed its members not to participate in any duties related to the upcoming Grade 12 examinations starting on April 24 (Baisakh 11). In a joint statement, Federation Chair Laxmi Kishor Subedi and General Secretary Tul Bahadur Thapa urged all principals, teachers, and staff not to engage in activities such as answer sheet checking, result publishing, entrance exams, admissions, training, seminars, or educational tours. They called on the government to immediately pass the Education Act and claimed the ongoing protests are aimed at ensuring fair management and improving educational quality.
Grade 12 Exams to Be Held on Schedule, NEB Confirms: The National Examination Board (NEB) has decided to conduct the Class 12 examinations on the originally scheduled date, Baisakh 11 (April 24), despite growing uncertainties due to an ongoing nationwide teachers’ protest. A meeting of the board held on Tuesday morning concluded that the examinations will not be postponed. Uncertainty had loomed over the examinations after teachers across the country launched a protest demanding the immediate implementation of the Education Act.
The teachers, under the leadership of the Teachers’ Federation, have been staging protests, including street demonstrations, since Chaitra 20, 2081 B.S. (April 2, 2025). Their demands include the prompt endorsement of the Education Act and the integration of 18 categories of teachers under a unified administrative system.
Civil Service Trade Union Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum with 10-Point Demands: The Civil Service Trade Union has issued a 72-hour ultimatum with ten demands, urging their fulfillment. During a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee on Tuesday, union leaders presented their demands to the parliamentary committee. The leaders emphasized that if their demands are not addressed within 72 hours, they will initiate the next phase of their protest.
“If our demands are not addressed and the Civil Service Bill is not moved forward within 72 hours, we will begin the next phase of our protest,” said Amba Datta Bhatta, President of the Nepal Civil Service Organization, at the meeting. The Civil Service Bill is currently under consideration by the State Affairs Committee. The annual session of Parliament is set to begin on 12th Baisakh, and President Bhatt urged that the bill should be presented in Parliament on the same day.
Prachanda Urges Teachers to Patiently Continue Protests: Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has urged teachers to continue their protests with patience. Speaking at a program organized at the party’s central office in Parisdanda to mark the 77th anniversary of the Nepal Communist Party, he made a direct appeal to the protesting educators.
Teachers across Nepal have been demonstrating in Kathmandu since Chaitra 20 (April 2), demanding amendments to the School Education Act. Despite multiple rounds of dialogue with the government, no resolution has been reached. In his address, Prachanda acknowledged the teachers’ repeated efforts to negotiate with the government and the consistent betrayals they have faced. He encouraged them to persist in their struggle peacefully and patiently.
SC Refers Rabi Lamichhane’s Habeas Petition to Joint Bench: The Supreme Court will conduct a joint bench hearing on the habeas corpus petition filed against the pre-trial detention of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, who is currently in custody in Rupandehi District Prison in connection with a cooperative fraud case. A preliminary hearing on the petition was held on Tuesday in the single bench of Justice Abdul Aziz Musalman. Following the initial review, Justice Musalman ordered that the case be forwarded to a joint bench for further deliberation.
The next hearing will now be scheduled before a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court. The habeas corpus petition was filed on Sunday by Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Paudel, arguing that her husband was being illegally detained and demanding his immediate release. The petition claims that due legal process was not followed when placing him in custody.
Civil Servants Object to Being Deployed for Grade 12 Exams: The Nepal Civil Servants’ Trade Union has expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s plan to deploy civil servants to conduct upcoming Grade 12 examinations. Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on State Affairs and Good Governance on Tuesday, Acting Chairperson of the union, Uttam Katuwal, voiced opposition to the move. “There is an attempt to mobilize civil servants for the Grade 12 exams, and we do not agree with this,” he said.
Katuwal added that civil servants support the ongoing teachers’ protest and cannot support any effort aimed at undermining it. Echoing similar concerns, President of the Nepal Civil Servants’ Organization, Ambadatta Bhatt, also stated that there are indications of plans to deploy civil servants for the exam duties, which the organization opposes.
NEPSE Falls by Nearly 10 Points, Trading Volume Also Declines: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed lower on Tuesday, dropping by 9.96 points to settle at 2,688.32. The Sensitive Index also declined by 3.91 points, while the Float Index fell by 0.86 points, and the Sensitive Float Index by 1.29 points.
A total of 319 companies were traded during the day, with 22.55 million shares changing hands, amounting to a total transaction value of NPR 8.32 billion. Compared to Monday’s trading volume of NPR 8.77 billion, the overall turnover also declined, signaling a decrease in investor activity alongside the market index drop.
Indian Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Visits Arun-III Hydropower Project: Indian Minister for Power and Housing Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, who is currently on a visit to Nepal, inspected the Arun-III Hydropower Project on Tuesday. He arrived in Kathmandu earlier in the day and jointly visited the project site along with Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka.
The Arun-III project, which has a total capacity of 900 megawatts, is being constructed by India’s SJVN (formerly Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam). According to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, the two ministers reviewed the progress of the project during the visit and also discussed ways to resolve existing obstacles affecting its implementation.
Ordinance Misinterpreted as Favoring Giribandhu Tea Estate, Says Minister Adhikari: Land Management Minister Balram Adhikari stated that the pending land ordinance was wrongly interpreted as being tailored to benefit Giribandhu Tea Estate. He clarified there is no connection between the ordinance and the estate.
Despite House of Representatives’ approval, the ordinance has stalled in the National Assembly due to controversy. The minister also announced that committees have been formed to rewrite the 2019 Land Survey Act and the 2021 Land Act.
Nearly 800,000 Workers Obtained Labor Permits for Foreign Employment in the Past Year: According to the Department of Foreign Employment, a total of 794,845 individuals received labor permits and went abroad for foreign employment from Baisakh to Chaitra 2081 B.S. (April 2024 to March 2025). In comparison, during the previous year—from Chaitra to Baisakh (March 2023 to April 2024)—711,423 individuals had obtained labor permits to work abroad. This marks an increase of 83,422 people in 2081 B.S. compared to 2080 B.S.
Data from the department also reveals that from Chaitra 2079 to Baisakh 2080 (March–April 2023), 773,242 people had gone abroad with labor permits. These statistics confirm that the number of Nepali workers going abroad for employment has increased over the past two years.
Supreme Court Orders Unfreezing of Durga Prasai-Linked Hospital Bank Accounts: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order to unfreeze bank accounts linked to businessman Durga Prasai’s two hospitals. Following a royalist protest in Tinkune on Chaitra 15, 2081 B.S. (March 28) that turned violent, Prasai—identified as a commander of the protest—was arrested, and both his personal and hospital accounts were frozen by police.
In response, Dr. Anjali Karki, the Operations Director of B & C Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., and Purwanchal Cancer Hospital Pvt. Ltd., filed two separate writ petitions. A single bench of Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal heard the case and issued an order to unfreeze the accounts.
Governor Recommendation Committee Member Bhattarai Resigns: Bijayanath Bhattarai, a member of the committee formed to recommend a new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, has resigned. The committee—formed on March 24 and headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel—also includes former Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission Prof. Dr. Bishwanath Paudel and former NRB Governor Bhattarai.
Though Bhattarai’s resignation has been confirmed, the reason remains unclear. The committee has not held a single meeting since its formation. According to the NRB Act, individuals affiliated with political parties are ineligible for the position, although past appointments have often ignored this provision.
Nepali Film ‘Bhuthan’ Gets Universal Certification from Film Censor Board: The film ‘Bhutan’ has passed the censor board review with a Universal Certificate, granting it approval for public screening. The film is scheduled to release on Baisakh 12 (April 25). Shot in Ohio, USA, the film’s English title is “The World’s Happiest Man.” It stars Haribansha Acharya in the lead role, alongside Dayahang Rai, Anuradha Majumdar, Pooja Chand-Lama, Richa Ghimire, Joyce Pandey, Aditi Pyakurel, Tom Crane, and Bimal Subedi.
Veteran Hollywood actor Bruce Dern also appears in a special role. This is the first Nepali film made under the banner of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), and it features collaboration with some Hollywood technicians.
Shivanshi Giri Crowned Senior Winner of Junior School Princess 2025: At the Junior School Princess 2025 competition organized by Season Media, Shivanshi Giri claimed the title in the senior group. The event concluded on Monday, with Pranvishree Singh securing the position of 1st Runner-Up, followed by Pari Guragai as 2nd Runner-Up, Arya Gurung as 3rd Runner-Up, and Prakriti Dani as 4th Runner-Up.
In the junior category, Prashiya Pangeni emerged as the winner. The runners-up in this category included Asmi Sharma as 1st Runner-Up, Emia Gurung as 2nd Runner-Up, Yushree Dangol as 3rd Runner-Up, and Sanskriti Rai as 4th Runner-Up.
New Feature Film ‘Panch Pandav’ to Star Dhurmus and Suntali: A new feature film titled ‘Panch Pandav’ is set to star popular comedy duo Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus) and Kunjana Ghimire (Suntali). The film will be directed by Basant Niraula and produced by Kalyani Sakhya. The Film Development Board granted production approval on Chaitra 17.
According to official records, the film’s production is being carried out under the banner of Kali Rani Films, with a total budget of Rs 33.2 million. Dhurmus and Suntali were last seen together in the film “Senti Virus” five years ago. Dhurmus most recently appeared in “Laj Sharanam.”
Brazilian Football Star Carlos in Nepal: Legendary Brazilian football player, Roberto Carlos, has arrived in Nepal today to watch a match being held under the Nepal Super League (NSL) Football Championship underway in Kathmandu. NSL organizers welcomed Carlos at Tribhuvan International Airport. Carlos arrived in Nepal at the invitation of the NSL organizer.
Saying he is very happy while arriving in Nepal, the Brazilian football star thanked all the Brazilian football fans in Nepal. Carlos is scheduled to watch the second qualifier match to be held between Pokhara and Dhangadhi taking place at local Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday.
New National Cricket Coach Stuart Law to Arrive in Nepal on Friday: Newly appointed head coach of the Nepali national cricket team, Stuart Law, is set to arrive in Nepal this Friday. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), Law will land in the country on April 25. Although he was appointed head coach on March 28, he is arriving in Nepal nearly a month after his appointment.
During this interim period, former cricketer Gyanendra Malla was designated as the acting coach for the Hong Kong T20I Quadrangular Series. The 56-year-old Law has been signed on a two-year contract starting from April. Following the end of the previous coach Monty Desai’s tenure in January and the subsequent non-renewal of his contract, the position was left vacant until Stuart Law was selected through an open application and evaluation process.
First-Ever Cricket Ground Constructed in Khotang District: For the first time, a cricket ground has been constructed in Khotang district. The newly built facility, named Lafyang Siran Cricket Ground, is located in Kaflegaun, under Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-5. The cricket ground, measuring 87 meters in length and 57 meters in width, was developed under the initiative of the Khotang District Cricket Association.
Eight ropanis of land were managed for the project, which received Rs 800,000 in funding from the Ministry of Social Development of Koshi Province. Rupan Rai, the association’s president, stated that the ground was constructed with the aim of promoting cricket among the younger generation, encouraging sports culture, and producing cricket players from rural areas.
Indian PM Modi Emplanes for Saudi Arabia on 2-day Visit: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. PM Modi is visiting Saudi Arabia from April 22 to 23 at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Since 2014, PM Modi has transformed the trajectory of India’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.
This will be PM Modi’s third visit to the country, following earlier visits in 2016 and 2019. All other Prime Ministers before him together visited Saudi Arabia three times in seven decades. This also marks his 15th visit to a country in the Gulf region. “Today, I embark on a two-day State visit to the Kingdom of Saudi at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” he said in a pre-departure statement.
Myanmar Post-earthquake Truce Due to Lapse: A Myanmar ceasefire declared after last month’s devastating earthquake was due to expire on Tuesday, after aid groups and international mediators called for an extension to ease relief efforts. The junta which seized power in a 2021 coup sparking a many-sided civil war — said it would cease attacking its myriad armed opponents following the magnitude-7.7 quake which has killed more than 3,700.
Conflict monitors and residents in combat zones say fighting continued on both sides during the 20-day truce, declared to spur aid delivery in Myanmar’s central belt and due to expire at midnight (1730 GMT). State media reported no ceasefire extension on Tuesday morning and a junta spokesman could not immediately be reached by AFP for comment.
New Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Plan Proposed: A senior Palestinian official familiar with Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations has told the BBC that Qatari and Egyptian mediators have proposed a new formula to end the war in Gaza. According to the official, it envisages a truce lasting between five and seven years, the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, a formal end to the war, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
A senior Hamas delegation was due to arrive in Cairo for consultations. The last ceasefire collapsed a month ago when Israel resumed bombing Gaza, with both sides blaming each other for the failure to keep it going. Israel has not commented on the mediators’ plan.
Pope Francis’s Funeral Scheduled for 26 April: The Vatican has announced the Pope’s funeral will take place on Saturday, 26 April at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST). Pope Francis’s funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter’s Basilica. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service.
At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation – a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God – and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial.
