KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

Government Launches ‘Zero Pending File’ Campaign

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has announced a ‘Zero Pending File Week Campaign’ to be held from April 13 to April 20. The initiative aims to eliminate delays in decision-making and prevent files from being stuck at various bureaucratic levels. Under the new guidelines, any file stagnant for more than three days will undergo a primary review, while those pending for over seven days will require a mandatory explanation from department heads. Employees who successfully clear backlogs will receive certificates of appreciation, while those found intentionally delaying files may face departmental action.

Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Resigns from Party Responsibilities

Newly elected Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur has resigned from all responsibilities of the Shram Sanskriti Party. In her resignation letter submitted to Party Chairman Harka Sampang on Friday, she stated her intention to fulfill her constitutional role as a neutral official. Thakur was elected to the post on Friday, after defeating Saraswoti Lama of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. She secured 229 votes out of the 256 members present in the House of Representatives.

Parliamentary Hearing Committee Formed with 12 Members

The House of Representatives officially formed the parliamentary hearing committee on Friday. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal presented the proposal, which was approved by the house. The committee consists of 12 members, including Arjun Narsingh KC, Barsha Man Pun, Ranju Darshana, and Padma Kumari Aryal. This committee holds a vital role in conducting hearings for high-level constitutional appointments, including the Chief Justice, Supreme Court judges, and ambassadors, ensuring legislative oversight and accountability of the executive branch.

First Session of Parliament Concludes with Key Appointments

The first session of the current House of Representatives concluded on Friday, having successfully elected Dol Prasad Aryal as Speaker and Rubi Kumari Thakur as Deputy Speaker. While no new laws were enacted during the short session, the House approved three ordinances related to elections and special services. Balendra Shah (Balen), leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was appointed Prime Minister during this term following a nearly two-thirds majority in the recent elections. The next session, focusing on the national budget and government policies, is expected to begin in late April.

USA Deports 35 Nepalis via Charter Flight

The United States government deported 35 Nepali nationals, who arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) via a charter flight on Tuesday. According to Immigration Chief Narahari Ghimire, the group included 12 individuals who entered the USA illegally and two who were on student visas. The Human Trafficking Bureau confirmed that others were deported for various policy violations. Since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, over 200 Nepalis have been deported as part of a broader crackdown on immigrants with irregular visa status or criminal records.

Doctors’ Association Refuses to Open OPDs on Sundays

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has announced that outpatient department (OPD) services will remain closed this Sunday, defying government requests. Although the Ministry of Health and Population directed hospitals to operate OPDs on Sundays to ease patient pressure, the NMA argued that services cannot be expanded without hiring additional human resources. The dispute arises from the government’s previous decision to grant public holidays on both Saturdays and Sundays. The association emphasized that existing staff are already overextended and cannot cover the extra day without a formal increase in hospital personnel.

Health Ministry Issues New Hospital Service Improvement Guidelines

The Ministry of Health and Population has issued the ‘Hospital Service Improvement Guidelines 2026’ to make healthcare more citizen-friendly and accessible. Under the new rules, hospitals must implement integrated electronic record systems and ensure laboratory reports are available within 24 hours. Doctors are now required to prescribe only those medicines available at the hospital pharmacy. Additionally, the guidelines strictly prohibit medical representatives (MRs) from entering hospitals during office hours. To improve patient conduct, the ministry has mandated that any staff member behaving rudely toward service seekers must attend a one-hour ‘Soft Skill Session’ after office hours.

Inquiry Committee Formed to Investigate Medicine Price Hikes

The Ministry of Health and Population has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of illegal medicine price hikes by the Director General of the Department of Drug Administration (DDA). The move follows a formal letter from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers regarding complaints of price increases made without following due legal process. The committee, led by Additional Health Secretary Dr. Shree Krishna Shrestha, includes legal chief Gopi Krishna Regmi and expert Kabin Maleku. The team has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within seven days.

Traffic Police Penalize 1,719 Drivers in Kathmandu Valley

In a massive crackdown over the last 24 hours, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office took action against 1,719 drivers for various traffic violations. The penalties included 113 cases of drunk driving, 102 for jumping red lights, and 93 for speeding. Additionally, 179 drivers were fined for lane discipline violations, while 46 were penalized for unnecessary honking. These enforcement actions resulted in the collection of Rs 1.1 million in revenue for the state treasury.

Aviation Ministry Directs Airports to Establish Childcare and Breastfeeding Rooms

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has issued a mandatory directive to establish breastfeeding and childcare rooms at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and all domestic airports within 24 hours. The instruction emphasizes maintaining international hygiene standards, implementing daily cleaning logbooks, and ensuring privacy for nursing mothers. Furthermore, airports must provide free sanitary pads in women’s toilets and operate primary care units for elderly or sick passengers. The ministry has urged travelers to report any non-compliance to designated information officers to ensure these essential health and privacy measures are strictly enforced across the national aviation network.

Chief Minister Kandel Highlights Challenges of Federalism

Karnali Province Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel stated that the implementation of federalism remains a significant challenge. Speaking at an event in Birendranagar on Saturday, he noted that traditional and centralized mindsets at the federal level have created complexities for provincial and local governments. Kandel emphasized that even a decade after the constitution’s implementation, the effective exercise of constitutional rights at the sub-national level has not met public expectations, hindering the overall progress of the federal system.

Former PM Baburam Bhattarai to Visit India

Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is scheduled to leave for India this Sunday to participate in the ‘Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Memorial Lecture.’ Invited as a keynote speaker by ITM University in Gwalior, the visit coincides with the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on April 14. Bhattarai will be accompanied by former minister Hisila Yami. During the trip, he is also slated to address a program at South Asian University in New Delhi on April 15.

Madhav Kumar Nepal Pledges Party Integration Within a Week

Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, co-coordinator of the Communist Party of Nepal, announced that the remaining work for the party’s organizational integration will be completed within a week. Speaking at a program on Saturday, he admitted that recent election results were below expectations and called for a serious review of cadres’ activity and honesty. The 45-member central coordination committee is currently holding intensive discussions to finalize the unification of 26 different political components into a single integrated force.

CPN (UML) General Secretary Criticizes ‘Populist’ New Forces

CPN (UML) General Secretary Shankar Pokharel claimed that the future of new political forces built on “populism and anarchy” is in crisis. Specifically referring to the internal dynamics between Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah (Balen), Pokharel argued that alliances formed without shared ideology eventually collapse due to conflicting interests. He criticized the new leadership for attacking traditional democratic structures like student unions and trade unions. Pokharel further questioned the Prime Minister’s reluctance to address the sovereign parliament while spending hours speaking at security agency events.

Security Personnel Added to Nepal-India Border in Sudurpashchim

The government has increased security deployments along the Nepal-India border in Kailali and Kanchanpur. According to the Armed Police Force (APF) No. 7 Baidyanath Brigade, a specialized team of 30 personnel has been mobilized for round-the-clock patrolling. The additional force aims to strengthen border security and curb illegal smuggling through Border Outposts (BOPs). Besides security duties, the APF is also conducting awareness programs on disaster management within local schools and communities in the border region.

Local Unit Receives Excellence Award

Halesi Tuwachung Municipality, Kotang, has been honored with the ‘Municipal Excellence Award’ for its outstanding performance in institutional development, service delivery, and financial governance. The award was presented to Mayor Bimala Rai by Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal on Friday during the 33rd anniversary of the Municipal Association of Nepal. The National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission declared the municipality the best performer based on the evaluation for the fiscal year 2024/25.

Gandaki University Holds First Convocation for 44 Graduates

Gandaki University celebrated its first convocation ceremony on Saturday, graduating a total of 44 students. The graduates included 11 in sports management, 18 in information technology, and 15 in pharmacy. Gaurav Bhandari received the Chancellor’s Medal for achieving the highest CGPA in the undergraduate program. During the event, Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey emphasized the need for an education system linked to production and technology to discourage the growing trend of youth migration.

Singer Shambhujeet Baskota Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Renowned composer Shambhujeet Baskota was honored with the ‘Bindhyabasini Lifetime Achievement Award 2025’ and a cash prize of Rs 100,000. The award was presented on Friday during the 16th edition of the Bindhyabasini Music Awards in Kathmandu. Other honorees included lyricist Bijay Shiwakoti, who received Rs 50,000, and singer Rachana Rimal, who was awarded Rs 25,000. The event distributed awards across 12 categories, with Shiva Pariyar and Samikshya Adhikari winning top honors for best male and female singers, respectively.

Trailer Released for Film ‘Pahad’ Highlighting Rural Migration

The official trailer for the film ‘Pahad’, directed and written by Tulsi Ghimire, has been released, focusing on the socio-economic crisis of youth migration in Nepal. The movie portrays the struggles of empty villages and water scarcity in the hilly regions. Starring Madan Krishna Shrestha, Bipin Karki, and Sunil Thapa, the film is scheduled for release on April 14. The production features music by Ranjit Gazmer and marks the debut of actress Panchami Ghimire.

Nihana Shrestha Wins Silver at World School Team Chess

Nepali chess player Nihana Shrestha secured a silver medal at the FIDE World School Team Chess Championship Asian Continental Stage. Shrestha earned 5.5 points from 7 matches, securing impressive victories over players from Australia, India, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, and Singapore. While the overall Nepali team produced mixed results in the competition held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Shrestha’s individual performance stood out. The Asian stage of the tournament was won by the Wisdom School of Uzbekistan.

Nepal Hockey Association Unveils National Team Jerseys

The Nepal Hockey Association officially unveiled the new jerseys for the national men’s and women’s teams on Friday. The men’s team will wear red jerseys, while the women’s team will compete in pink. A total of 26 players have been selected for each squad based on their performance in the national tournament held in February. During the ceremony, officials announced plans to construct a dedicated hockey stadium in Dhulikhel, Kavre, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) already completed and awaiting further government investment.

Artemis II Ends Historic Lunar Mission with Safe Splashdown

NASA’s Artemis II mission concluded with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, marking the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. The Orion spacecraft carrying astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen completed a nearly 10-day, roughly 695,000-mile journey around the Moon. Re-entering Earth’s atmosphere at extreme speeds, the capsule safely deployed parachutes and landed near California, with all crew reported in good health. The mission is a major step toward future lunar landings under NASA’s Artemis program.

EU and OIC Condemn New Israeli Settlements in West Bank

The European Union (EU) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have strongly condemned the Israeli government’s decision to establish over 30 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a statement, the EU described the expansion as a violation of international law and a threat to the two-state solution. Since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office in 2022, over 68 settlement outposts have been approved. International bodies have urged Israel to reverse these decisions and fulfill its obligations to protect Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Russia and Ukraine Declare 32-Hour Easter Ceasefire

Amidst the ongoing four-year conflict, Russia and Ukraine have implemented a short-term temporary ceasefire starting Saturday, in observance of Orthodox Easter. Per the Kremlin’s directive, the 32-hour truce began at 4:00 PM (1300 GMT) and will last until Sunday night. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Army Chief Valery Gerasimov have been ordered to halt all hostile activities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed a positive response to the humanitarian initiative. Despite this temporary pause, violence persisted leading up to the deadline, including a drone strike involving 128 units and attacks in Poltava and Sumy that left one dead and 15 injured.

Seven Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Gaza Refugee Camp

The Gaza Civil Defense reported that seven people were killed and multiple others injured during an Israeli air strike on the Al-Bureij refugee camp on Saturday. Two missiles reportedly struck near a police station, with six bodies being transported to Al-Aqsa Hospital and one to Al-Awada Hospital. Among the wounded, four are reported to be in critical condition. Both Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violating the ceasefire that has been in place since October 10, 2025. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 738 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, while the Israeli military has reported the deaths of five soldiers during the same period.

Pakistan PM Meets US and Iranian Delegations for Peace Talks

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate high-level meetings with US and Iranian delegations in Islamabad on Saturday to support ongoing peace negotiations. US Vice President J.D. Vance met with Sharif at the prime minister’s office to discuss progress in the talks. Earlier, the Pakistani leader met with the Iranian negotiation team, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating a successful resolution and promoting regional stability during the diplomatic sessions.