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

Issues with India should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy: Foreign Minister Shrestha

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha has emphasized the longstanding history of mutual friendship and cooperation between Nepal and India. He emphasized that any existing issues between the two nations must be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy. Speaking during the third series of lectures initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honor of former ambassador and former foreign secretary Professor Yadunath Khanal in Kathmandu, Shrestha highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Nepal and India, citing cultural affinity and multifaceted connections.

PM and Speaker hold talks on ending parliamentary deadlock

Prime Minister (PM) Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” and Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire held a meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar to resolve the ongoing deadlock in Parliament. During the meeting, Speaker Ghimire expressed concern over the parliamentary obstruction, urging the Prime Minister to spearhead efforts to resolve the impasse. Highlighting the obstruction by the main opposition party, Nepali Congress, Speaker Ghimire emphasized that even essential resolutions, such as expressing gratitude to the President for presenting the forthcoming year’s policy and program, were hindered due to the disruptions.

More than 43,000 apply for skill fair training at Tundikhel

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has received a staggering 68,866 applications for various free skill training programs. Among these, 43,058 individuals have applied for the skill fair at Tundikhel, as confirmed by the KMC. The ongoing skill fair at Tundikhel aims to train 2,081 individuals with the intention of facilitating subsequent employment opportunities. The fair offers training across 30 categories within 10 different fields. Engineer Shailendra Jha, a member of the Urban Planning Commission, shared plans to train 15,000 individuals in the current fiscal year under the KMC Pride Plan, with the target of securing employment or self-employment for 5,000 individuals.

14 injured in vehicle accident at Dolakha, nine in critical condition

Fourteen individuals sustained injuries when a Bolero vehicle was involved in an accident at Mailung Rural Municipality-1 in Dolakha district on Wednesday. The vehicle, bearing registration number Province 01-026 Cha 9813, was transporting attendees of a funeral ceremony. Among the injured, nine are reported to be in critical condition. The victims are residents of Sailung-8. The accident is believed to have been caused by brake failure, possibly due to the vehicle carrying a load exceeding its capacity.

Gold price up by Rs 1,000 per tola today

Gold price increased by Rs 1,000 per tola in the domestic market today. As reported by the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 138,400 per tola, while standard gold is currently traded at Rs 137,750 per tola. The price of fine gold was Rs 137,400 per tola, while standard gold was traded at Rs 136,750 per tola on Tuesday.

Upendra Yadav expands JSP-Nepal’s Central Committee

Following the split in the Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N), where 32 leaders, including Ashok Rai, formed a new faction, Upendra Yadav, the Chairman of JSP, has undertaken significant structural reforms. In a move during the JSP central executive committee meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Yadav announced the expansion of the central committee’s membership from 151 to 251, effectively doubling its size. This decision comes as a revision to the previous Legislative Assembly’s resolution.

16th Plan: Govt aims for 7.3% economic growth and $2,351 PCI

The government has revealed its 16th plan, the five year development plan, targeting an economic growth of 7.3 percent by the fiscal year 2085/86. During a press conference at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, the National Planning Commission stated that the government aims to boost economic growth from its current rate of 3.9 percent to 7.3 percent. Additionally, over the next five years, the government aims to elevate the Per Capita Income (PCI) to $2,351, up from the current $1,456. Moreover, the government has set ambitious targets, including achieving an 85% literacy rate, maintaining a 5% unemployment rate, and ensuring 100% access to electricity and the internet.

UML to back CM Sodari in Sudurpaschim Province without joining government

The CPN-UML has resolved to extend its support to Chief Minister (CM) Dirgha Sodari of CPN (Unified Socialist) in Sudurpaschim Province. CM Sodari is slated to undergo a vote of confidence on Thursday. While CPN-UML has announced its backing for CM Sodari in the confidence vote, it will not participate in the government led by CM Sodari. “Our parliamentary party meeting has endorsed the decision to support CM Sodari,” stated UML parliamentary party leader Rajendra Singh Rawal. The decision by UML follows Unified Socialist’s decision to support CM Hikmat Karki of UML in Koshi Province.

Peace Corps Deputy Director E. David White Jr. arrives in Nepal

Peace Corps Deputy Director, David E. White Jr., arrived for a five-day trip to Nepal. While in Nepal, Deputy Director White will be meeting with government and civil society representatives to thank them for their long-standing support of the Peace Corps program since its founding and discuss plans to expand Peace Corps programming in Nepal. Deputy Director White will also participate in the swearing-in of ten newly arrived Peace Corps Response Volunteers. This is the first ever group of Response Volunteers to serve in Nepal. The Peace Corps Response Program brings U.S. citizen Volunteers with experience targeted to complete short-term (e.g., nine-twelve months), high-impact service assignments in countries that request them.

Patan High Court grants clean chit to Sandeep Lamichhane in rape case

In a significant turn of events, the Patan High Court has granted a clean chit to cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane in a rape case. After conducting hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Patan High Court overturned the previous verdict issued by the Kathmandu District Court, granting cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane an acquittal in the rape case. A joint bench comprising Judges Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Anju Upetri rendered the verdict absolving Lamichhane of all charges. Initially, the Kathmandu District Court had sentenced Sandeep to eight years of imprisonment for the alleged rape incident in Gaushala-26. Subsequently, Sandeep lodged an appeal with the Patan High Court, where the case experienced five postponements.

SC issues short-term interim order on Upendra Yadav’s writ petition against JSP split

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a short-term interim order in response to a writ petition filed by Upendra Yadav against the division of the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal. Chairman of JSP Nepal, Yadav, lodged a petition with the apex court challenging the Election Commission’s decision to recognize the faction led by Ashok Rai as a separate entity. Yadav also urged the court to nullify the election body’s ruling. During the hearing, the single bench presided over by Judge Binod Sharma has summoned both parties to appear for discussions on May 21, postponing all proceedings related to the party’s split.

CAN reverses suspension of Sandeep Lamichhane following court’s clean chit

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has revoked the suspension of Nepali leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane after the Patan High Court acquitted him in a rape case on Wednesday. In a press statement, CAN announced that its decision aligns with the verdict of the Patan High Court, which acquitted Lamichhane of all charges. Previously, following hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Patan High Court had overturned the Kathmandu District Court’s verdict, granting Lamichhane a clean chit in the rape case.

16th plan estimated to cost Rs 11.1 trillion: NPC reports

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has announced that the estimated cost of implementing the 16th Plan is approximately Rs 11.1 trillion. Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Vice Chairman of the NPC, briefed the media about the plan and the approved cost estimate during the Council of Ministers meeting held on Tuesday. He assured that there would be no hindrance in securing the necessary investment for implementation. NPC Spokesman Yamlal Bhusal highlighted that the cost required for achieving the objectives outlined in the 16th Plan exceeds Rs 11.1 trillion. He emphasized on enhancing partnerships with the private sector to ensure funding for the plan. One of the key strategies of the 16th Plan is to address structural obstacles across various dimensions of development to increase production, productivity, and competitiveness, according to Bhusal.

Adverse weather hampers Mt Everest expedition; Search for missing climbers continues

Adverse weather conditions have disrupted the expedition to Mt Everest, the world’s tallest peak, for the past two days. Rakesh Gurung, Director of the Department of Tourism, reported that no climbers have been able to reach the summit of Everest since Tuesday due to adverse weather conditions affecting the upper part of camp IV. In the midst of this, efforts to locate two missing Mongolian climbers are ongoing. ‘ATK Expedition’ Pvt Ltd has dispatched two Sherpa guides to search and rescue the missing climbers, identified as 53-year-old Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and 31-year-old Purevsuren Lkhagvajav. They went missing while attempting to scale Everest at 8:45 am on May 13, according to the Mountaineering Branch of the Department. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, over 70 climbers have successfully ascended Everest since the beginning of the new spring climbing season on May 10.

NOC slashes petro prices

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced a reduction in petroleum prices, effective from today. Following a meeting of the NOC Board of Directors, it was decided that the price of petrol would be slashed by Rs 7 per liter, with diesel and kerosene seeing a reduction of Rs 5 per liter. With these adjustments, the retail price of petrol will stand at Rs 168.5 per liter for consumers in the first cluster, encompassing Charlali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Amlekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, and Birgunj. In the second cluster, comprising Surkhet and Dang, it will be Rs 170 per liter, while consumers in the third cluster, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal depots, will see a price of Rs 171 per liter.