KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
RSP holding vigilance rally in Pokhara as police prepare to present Rabi Lamichhane to court
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is holding a vigilance rally in Pokhara today as the police present party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane in court.
Lamichhane, who has been in custody since October 19, is scheduled to appear at the Kaski court, where the deadline for his case is likely to be extended.
RSP lawmaker Dr. Toshima Karki announced that the rally will commence from Zero Kilo Ghanti Ghar in Pokhara.
Kaski Court allows 10 more days of custody for Lamichhane
The Kaski District Court has granted the police permission to keep Rabi Lamichhane in custody for an additional 10 days to facilitate further investigation.
On Tuesday, the court extended the detention period by 10 days, which includes the Tihar holiday.
However, Lamichhane has already spent 5 days in custody, meaning he will remain in detention for the next 5 days.
PM Oli unwell, all meetings put off
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli is unwell and has been resting at home since Monday due to a mild fever, PM’s Secretariat said.
A source from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat confirmed that his condition has improved, and his fever has now subsided.
“He had a fever since yesterday, but it has since returned to normal. He is currently resting,” the source stated.
COP29: Climate finance, mountain issues top Nepal’s agenda
With the COP29 climate conference set to take place in Azerbaijan, Nepal has finalized its key priorities for the event.
President Ram Chandra Paudel is expected to attend the UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.
Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Chief of the Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, confirmed that Nepal’s agenda for the conference has been finalized.
RSP leaders discuss protest strategies after court extends Lamichhane’s custody
Following the decision by Kaski District Court to extend Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane’s arrest until November 8, RSP leaders have begun informal discussions on organizing further protests and new programs.
A lawmaker from RSP stated that party leaders are strategizing the next phase of protests in response to the court’s 10-day extension.
Lamichhane’s legal team had requested his release, arguing that he should be investigated without being held in custody. The court’s decision to extend his detention has fueled frustration among his supporters, who are preparing for more assertive demonstrations.
2,119 govt employees, including 14 secretaries, to retire this fiscal year
The Government of Nepal faces a rising wave of retirements among senior bureaucrats this fiscal year. Fourteen high-ranking civil servants, at the Secretary level, are expected to retire during the fiscal year 2024-2025, with two already stepping down since the fiscal year began.
Prominent among the retirees is Leela Devi Gadtaula, who served as Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers before being promoted to Chief Secretary. Gadtaula retired after reaching the mandatory age limit.
Toya Narayan Gyawali, another senior Secretary, left his post at the National Planning Commission Secretariat on September 4. Gadtaula had retired a week earlier, on August 31.
Over 940,000 foreign tourists visit Nepal in 10 months
Nepal’s tourism industry has shown robust recovery in 2024, with over 940,000 foreign visitors arriving in the first ten months, according to the latest figures from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
October alone recorded 124,393 arrivals, marking a 6.4 percent increase compared to the same month in 2023, when 117,306 tourists visited.
This growth signals the resilience of Nepal’s tourism sector, which is now operating at 92.96 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with 2019 serving as the last reference point, when 134,096 tourists visited in October.
Comment