KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings to you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

31,416 out of 35,221 local representatives elected so far

The Election Commission (EC) has stated that 31,416 people’s representatives have been elected in the local level elections so far.

The Election Commission had held elections at all 753 local levels of the country on May 13 in a single phase.

According to EC, as many as 145,011 candidates had contested for 35,221 posts.

Out of the 753 local levels, counting of votes has been completed in 638 local levels so far.

A total of 31,416 people’s representatives have been elected for the posts of mayor, deputy mayor, rural municipality chairperson, vice-chairperson, ward chair and four members in each ward.

Ruling coalition gets victory in more than two-thirds local levels

Political parties associated with the ruling coalition have got victory in more than two-thirds local levels in the election held on May 13.

Of the 635 local levels where vote counting has completed till this noon, candidates of alliance have been elected in 428 local levels.

US Under Secretary Zeya arrives in Kathmandu

United States Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya arrived in Kathmandu on Friday.

US Under Secretary Zeya landed in Kathmandu at around 3 pm today after completing the first leg of her six days India-Nepal visit that began on Tuesday.

She was welcomed at Tribhuvan Internationa Airport by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and US embassy officials, including Ambassador Randy Berry.

Her visit comes as Nepal and the US are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties.

NC leader Rana Deuba appeals to parliament to review rape bill

Nepali Congress leader Arzu Rana Deuba has appealed to the parliament to review bills related to rape.

Taking to Facebook on Friday to express solidarity with rape victims, the leader called on to review rape-related bills in the country and stressed that reporting abuses should not be time-bound.

“As the scar remains with the survivors for a lifetime & it’s almost as if time stopped for them at a very terrible moment in their lives – the time to report should not be time-bound,” Rana Deuba wrote,” adding, “It takes a lot of time to muster up the courage to even speak about it publicly & to reach the point of demanding justice.”

“Other nations have changed laws to allow retribution & justice to survivors of child sexual abuse even after decades. Nepal should follow,” she wrote.

HoR endorses eight ordinances

The meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Friday endorsed eight ordinances.

Of the passed ordinances, three– Nepal Police and Provincial Police (Operation, Supervision and Coordination (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2078; Social Security (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2078; and Acid and Other Hazardous Chemicals (Regulation) Ordinance, 2078 –were tabled by Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand.

Speaker seeks government action against sexual harassment accused

Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has said his serious attention has been drawn to an incidence of sexual harassment against a beauty pageant participant.

In response, he directed the government to bring the alleged perpetrator under the purview of law and ensure compensation to the survivor.

It may be noted that a woman via a series of TikTok videos a few days ago claimed that a beauty pageant organiser drugged her and raped her for six months.

JSP mayor candidate Singh widens his lead with nearly 12,000 votes in Birgunj Metropolis

Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) mayor candidate Rajeshman Singh is widening his lead with nearly 1,2000 votes in Birgunj Metropolitan City.

Singh got 23,892 votes while his nearest rival Vijay Kumar Sarawgi of the CPN-UML collected 12,289 votes. Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s candidate Girish Giri is distant behind with just 1426 votes.

Similarly, Imtiaz Alam of Nepali Congress is lead the deputy mayoral race with 16,881 votes while Purushottam Lal Jha of Democratic Socialist Party is struggling to chase Alam with 3,576 votes.

Excessive import of agro products will be controlled: Finance Minister

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said the government had prioritized the control of excessive import of agricultural items which can be produced within the country. It would help strengthen national economy, he argued.

He admitted that the national economy witnessed stress due to the COVID pandemic, unseasonal rains, and Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, the effects should be minimized gradually, Sharma added.