Author: space4knews

Image source, Getty Images

29 March 2026

Reading time: 3 minutes

The internationally recognized government of Yemen has condemned Iran’s attempt to forcibly involve their country in the Middle Eastern conflict.

Recent Attacks in the Gulf Region

Iran continues to carry out missile and drone strikes targeting sites across the Gulf states.

Recent attacks have been reported overnight in Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE.

In Bahrain, Alba, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, is assessing damage to its facilities caused by recent attacks.

Previously, Iran targeted aluminum plants in Bahrain and the UAE, claiming those facilities were linked to the US military.

Israel reported that on Saturday it completed another phase of attacks against Tehran, the Iranian capital, targeting command centers and weapons sites.

Potential for Ground Operations?

Image source, Reuters

According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon is preparing for a potential ground campaign against Iran that could last for weeks.

However, US officials have indicated it remains unclear whether former President Donald Trump would authorize such an operation.

The US has already deployed the USS Tripoli and approximately 3,500 troops to the region.

Image source, EPA

Reports suggest that planned operations may focus on intense assaults combining special forces and conventional troops rather than a full-scale invasion.

Efforts to obtain responses from involved parties are ongoing.

Talks in Pakistan

Under an agreement with Iran, Pakistan will allow an additional 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to use the Strait of Hormuz.

This narrow maritime passage is currently mostly closed to commercial shipping.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the deal ahead of meetings with Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East.

According to a correspondent, Pakistan is well positioned to mediate a resolution to the Middle East crisis.

Islamabad maintains close ties with both Iran and the United States but hosts no US military bases.

Chaitra 16, Kathmandu – The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the passport misuse case against RSSP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane today.

The hearing will take place before a bench comprising Justices Kumar Regmi and Meghraj Pokharel. This is the 12th time the case has been called after multiple postponements.

The case stems from allegations made by Yuvraj Paudel two years ago, accusing Lamichhane of using both Nepali and American passports.

Paudel contends that the Attorney General’s Office’s decision not to pursue the case against Lamichhane on passport misuse grounds was unlawful.

Three years ago, former Attorney General Dinmani Pokharel decided on 6th Chaitra 2079 not to proceed with the case concerning Lamichhane’s passport controversy. However, Paudel has approached the Supreme Court with a writ, and preparations are underway for a favorable hearing.

Previously, the Supreme Court had requested the case file three times. On 22nd Chaitra 2079, a bench led by Justice Hariprasad Phuyal ordered the Attorney General’s Office to explain why the decision was made, questioning the relationship between the office and the decision.

With the decision now received and the hearing scheduled for today, this marks a significant milestone in the process.

Image Source, Getty Images / EPA

March 29, 2026

Reading time: 3 minutes

CIB Chief Manoj Kumar KC Claims ‘No Information’

Image Source, RSS

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung made the arrest warrant for Khadka public via Facebook.

The warrant states, “You are to be immediately arrested under investigation of money laundering offenses; hence, this arrest warrant has been issued.”

Former CIB Chief, Deputy Inspector General of Police Manoj Kumar KC, said they acted on a request for assistance from the Money Laundering Investigation Department regarding Khadka’s arrest.

“We provided assistance upon request from the Money Laundering Department,” he said.

The reports also claim that the department has sent letters to the CIB to initiate investigations against the three former prime ministers.

Accordingly, investigations into the assets and sources of income of these leaders have been launched following the letter.

However, CIB Chief Manoj Kumar KC stated, “I have been asked about this letter before, but I have no information regarding the letter concerning the three former prime ministers.”

‘Investigation Ongoing Since Earlier’

During the Gen Z movement, arson attacks were carried out at the residences of these three former prime ministers.

At that time, videos and photos were released alleging financial irregularities at Deuba and Prachanda’s residences.

Despite the investigation reportedly beginning, no official confirmation has been issued by any party.

The department’s Director and Information Officer Jitendra Adhikari, without naming anyone, said, “This matter has been under investigation for some time now.”

According to him, the department initiates investigations following complaints or information and this phase represents the initial stage.

The department requested CIB support after further investigation seemed necessary. However, Director Adhikari said, “Issuing letters to CIB or other such procedural steps relate to investigation officers or the investigation team and I am not informed about any such letter.”

He also conveyed that they are not made aware of these processes.

CIB spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police Shivkumar Shrestha, also responded that he had no knowledge on the matter.

Some officials, in informal conversations, said “disclosing information before outcomes in this sensitive and dynamic environment is risky.”

“Investigations should not be based on rumors targeting senior officials or leaders,” one official remarked. “In such scenarios, various reports and rumors can emerge. The current news should be seen in this context.”

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In the recent House of Representatives election, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswap) witnessed unprecedented popular support. Out of 275 seats, Raswap won 182 seats. Although a wave of votes for a small symbol like the “bell” is not unique in Nepal’s political history, this time voters chose the same symbol with distinct hopes.

Over the past seven decades, similar groundswell movements have repeatedly refreshed the collective memory. This time, voters supported Raswap largely because they wanted to see a new generation rebel against the inactivity of old political parties. Communities always expect their leaders to take initiative. In democracy, leaders who fail to lead are destined to lose elections. When this rule is ignored, frustration spreads, igniting rebellion among youth, who cast their votes based on this shared anger — the outcome we witnessed.

Now, all eyes are on what the nearly two-thirds majority government will do. Nepal’s social fabric is diverse, with varying expectations that require a political culture and an efficient civil service to meet them. Past leadership cultures that produced malpractices such as corruption, abuse, fraud, and irregularities cannot be remembered fondly. They only shouted slogans of good governance but failed to bring real societal change. This is the painful reality of Nepalese politics.

For decades, Nepalese politics has mainly been under the control of hereditary and feudal elites, a corrupt middle class, intermediaries, and brokers. Without understanding the political culture of these actors, one cannot grasp Nepal’s political landscape. Nor can anyone boldly push for political change without this understanding.

Let us begin with the structure that generates such political leadership – one that institutionalized misgovernance and corruption. To date, much of Nepali society is caught in networks of nepotism, sycophancy, behavior, and manipulation. This culture permeates all levels and groups of society. Whether small or large, visible or hidden, this issue affects everyone. Political parties also embody this culture, producing leaders and cadres based on it. Ending this and bringing social morality into political culture is imperative.

The journey toward prosperity will only begin when the office of the Civil Servants’ Trade Union, located near the South Gate of Singha Durbar, is closed. Otherwise, this will remain mere rhetoric.

The race to change not only parties but factions is also intense. Everyone must know that a political party entangled in factionalism and sub-factionalism cannot lead society; such groups are simply a lost cause. This understanding is important not only for new parties and leaders but also for the cadres because the accusations from factions come more from cadres than leaders. Without planting the seeds of democracy within parties soon, the dream of prosperity will be shattered.

Currently, the middle class is influential in politics. Only the development of this class’s culture can improve overall progress but will not bring immediate change to ordinary citizens’ lives. This is evident across all levels in Nepal. The intermediaries represent the jewel of the power structure’s middle class, whose colors change over time. This intellectual group, often involved in political sycophancy, remains active in exploiting power and colludes with a corrupt bureaucracy in illicit activities.

Junior employees with low salaries become shields for corruption as civil service leaders engage in corrupting politics for gain. This leadership culture, maintained by the civil service stepping into political leadership’s shoes, has led to today’s malpractices. The bureaucrats have pressured political leadership to secure their own share.

Those affected say that even though authoritarian political systems have changed, the bureaucratic poison tree planted by the Rana regime and nurtured by feudal lords remains unuprooted. This is the biggest obstacle to development. Prosperity will only begin once the Civil Servants’ Trade Union office near Singha Durbar’s South Gate is blocked. Otherwise, it will remain just talk.

In a changing environment, redefining and reforming politics with a new vision to move forward on the path to prosperity is unavoidable. Holding firm to the belief that neither you nor the nation will change is foolishness.

Without policy, social order cannot be established, and social relations will falter. The bureaucracy, which supports maintaining existing conditions under the cover of self-interest, appears inactive. This has dashed Nepal’s progress dreams for decades. No one speaks about this, and the political leadership largely remains silent for fear of dismantling vested interests within the established corrupt system. This dire situation must compel new leadership to take strong steps; otherwise, Nepalese society’s hopes will perish.

The responsibility to sustain this enthusiasm lies with elected representatives. Ironically, lawmakers who create legislation are the most neglected. Formal approvals for laws are sought, but the bureaucratic leadership weakens these very legislators. This group either acts independently or under orders and is led by a coalition of broker middle-class political leaders and western-educated intellectual intermediaries. Although it may sound like an accusation, this is the harsh reality of our society today. Nevertheless, meaningful initiatives to prevent potential disasters are essential. Without strong internal party democracy, transparent political and administrative leadership, and active civil society, meaningful change is impossible.

Redefining politics in the new environment to advance prosperity is the only viable option. Building oneself, society, and the nation is now a collective responsibility. Persisting in complaints without self-change or societal transformation is futile. To maintain order and curb systemic corruption, immediate actions must be taken:

First, without strong democracy within parties, envisioning a true republic is futile. Factionalism is the cancer affecting all parties and must be eradicated. Parties should be run by representative groups and their cohesive leadership; if not, disillusionment will continue.

Second, without restructuring the civil service, a stable government cannot provide services effectively. The bureaucracy, trapped in serving parties and leaders, is the root of social crimes and current crises. Old dysfunctional mechanisms must be discarded and services revamped in line with new contexts; otherwise, quality service delivery is impossible.

Third, the influence of vested interest groups in policymaking must be legally discouraged. This is challenging as the dominant middle class must learn to become disciplined entrepreneurs; otherwise, broker manipulations will persist. Besides lawmaking and transparency, ethical leadership development must also receive attention, strengthening parliament’s social and executive roles and making representatives accountable.

To make Nepal’s journey to prosperity successful and sustainable, it is essential to dismantle the obstructive bureaucracy. Taxpayers’ money should be used properly, and civil servants must serve as genuine public servants. That day is near and will only be possible when political parties and their leadership evolve into exemplary citizen leadership. Ultimately, Nepal’s vehicle to prosperity can move only when administration is efficient, disciplined drivers operate the system, and everyone changes their mindset. Let us wait, that day will come soon.