Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Nepal establishes diplomatic relations with Kiribati
Nepal has established diplomatic relations with Republic of Kiribati today. With this, the number of countries with which Nepal has diplomatic relations has reached 183. Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas), which is located in the central Pacific Ocean, gained independence on 12 July 1979 from Britain. It has a total land area of 811 square kilometers with a population of over 120,000 people. Kiribati became a member of the United Nations on 14 September 1999. Both Nepal and Kiribati are members of G77 and China and the Least Developed Countries.
77 lives lost to monsoon-induced disasters in Koshi Province
A total of 77 people have died in Koshi Province due to natural disasters in the last fiscal year (2023/24). The majority of casualties, 22 lives, were lost to floods, which also left 24 individuals injured, according to Nepal Police Spokesperson Bhim Bahadur Dahal. Flood-related fatalities occurred across 117 locations within the province. In addition, 20 people died and 134 were injured in fire incidents reported from 1,731 different sites throughout the province last year. Furthermore, 13 individuals lost their lives and 57 were injured due to wild animal attacks, while another 13 died and 36 were injured from lightning strikes. Landslides resulted in nine fatalities and 20 injuries.
Gold price down by Rs 300 per tola today
The price of gold decreased by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold is now priced at Rs 149,500 per tola, while standard gold is trading at Rs 148,800 per tola. On the previous day, fine gold was traded at Rs 149,800 per tola, and standard gold at Rs 149,100 per tola. In contrast, the price of silver decreased by Rs 10 per tola, bringing it to Rs 1,860 per tola.
Rastriya Sabhagriha complex flooded due to heavy rain
Incessant rain last night caused flooding in the Rastriya Sabhagriha (City Hall) building complex located at Exhibition Road, Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. With no drainage options available, the complex is currently inundated with water. Efforts are underway to remove the water using two pumps. The building also houses the office of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Ambika Shrestha, owner of Hotel Dwarika’s, passes away
Ambika Shrestha, the owner of Heritage Hotel Dwarika’s in Battisputali, Kathmandu, passed away at the age of 92. According to family sources, Shrestha died at Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur after battling pneumonia and rheumatism for the past two months. She is survived by one daughter and two grandsons. Shrestha dedicated herself to fulfilling the dreams of her late husband, Dwarika Das Shrestha, by founding Dwarika’s Hotel. Although construction began in 1964, she officially registered the hotel in 1977.
Energy Ministers of Bangladesh and India to visit Nepal for electricity trade agreement
Energy Ministers from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh are set to meet on July 28 to finalize an agreement on electricity trade between Nepal and Bangladesh, according to Nabin Singh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation. Nepal and Bangladesh have already signed an agreement for Bangladesh to import electricity from Nepal. The new agreement will enable Nepal to use Indian transmission lines to export electricity to Bangladesh. If finalized, Bangladesh will import 40 megawatts of electricity produced in Nepal during the monsoon season for six months each year.
Karnali Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel discloses property details
Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Yamlal Kandel, along with the province’s ministers, made their property details public on Thursday. According to the disclosed details, CM Kandel has accumulated substantial properties in both his and his wife’s names. CM Kandel owns two houses, one in Kathmandu and another in Birendranagar, Surkhet. Additionally, he possesses lands in five different locations registered under his wife’s name. Specifically, CM Kandel owns houses in Birendranagar Municipality-4 and Kageshwori Manohara Municipality in Kathmandu. His land holdings include plots in Birendranagar Municipality wards 9, 10, and 4, as well as Gothatar in Kathmandu Furthermore, he holds 10 tolas of gold and has Rs 3,312,485 deposited in 11 bank and cooperative accounts registered under his and his wife’s names.
Senior Advocate Ramesh Badal sworn in as Attorney General
Senior Advocate Ramesh Badal has been sworn in as the Attorney General. The Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Attorney General Badal in the presence of President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today. Badal was appointed by President Ramchandra Paudel on the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Oli on Wednesday. The Attorney General serves as the chief legal advisor to the government.
NEPSE index soars past 2,400, surging 59.68 points as turnover hits Rs. 15.54 billion
The NEPSE Index achieved a remarkable rise, surpassing the 2,400 mark and closing at 2,424.32, up 59.68 points or 2.52% from the previous day’s close. This surge follows a breakthrough of the 2,300 level just two days earlier, reflecting strong positive sentiment among traders and investors. The trading session began with the index at 2,373.53 points, reaching a low of 2,355.59 and a high of 2,459.94 before closing at 2,424.32. Throughout the day, 312 stocks were traded across 184,712 transactions, with a total volume of 39,938,237 shares exchanged, resulting in a significant turnover of Rs. 15.54 Arba.
Two foreign nationals arrested for smuggling cocaine
A squad from the Narcotics Control Bureau apprehended two individuals today—one Indian and one Nigerian—on charges of smuggling cocaine weighing one kilo and 100 grams. The arrested individuals are Fahimuddin Nasinmuddin Ansari, 23, from India, and Akechukuwa Siril Obodofula, 44, from Nigeria, according to Bureau Chief and Senior Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Kumar Acharya. The Nigerian national arrived in Nepal on a Qatar Airlines flight on July 16 to supply the contraband to Ansari. He was arrested in Pingalasthan, accused of smuggling cocaine into Nepal.
Rimal appointed Chief Political Adviser, Khatiwada named Economic Adviser to PM Oli
Bishnu Rimal has been appointed as the chief political adviser to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday. Additionally, Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada has been appointed as the economic adviser to PM Oli. Kathiwada previously served as Finance Minister when Oli was Prime Minister in 2074 BS.
125 people killed in disaster-related incidents since June 10
A total of 125 lives have been lost in various disaster-related incidents across Nepal, including floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall since June 10. Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dan Bahadur Karki provided details, stating that casualties included two in Kathmandu, 22 in Koshi province, five in Madhes province, 20 in Bagmati province, 38 in Gandaki province, 23 in Lumbini province, seven in Karnali province, and eight in Sudurpaschim province. Additionally, eight individuals in Kathmandu, 34 in Koshi province, nine in Madhes province, seven in Bagmati province, 29 in Gandaki province, nine in Lumbini province, 33 in Karnali province, and 14 in Sudurpaschim province sustained injuries due to these incidents. Rescue efforts have successfully saved 41 people in Koshi province and 12 in Gandaki province.
Deputy Speaker Rana faces criticism over controversial letter to US Embassy
Seventeen months ago, a letter penned by Deputy Speaker Indira Rana to the US Embassy in Kathmandu has ignited a firestorm of controversy. The missive, originally intended to secure visas for Nepali youths, has now thrust Rana into a heated debate concerning her alleged involvement in adoption irregularities and overseas placements. In the letter dated February 26, 2023, Deputy Speaker Rana, affiliated with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) under Rabi Lamichhane’s leadership, formally requested visas for herself and six others, including Upendra Gautam, Sushma Lama, Rajesh Lama Tamang, Sujan Gharti Magar, and Dhan Prasad Gurung. The purpose cited was their participation in the NGO CSW67 Forum scheduled in New York from March 6 to March 17, 2023. “I am scheduled to attend the NGO CSW67 Forum in New York,” Rana stated in the letter, urging expedited visa processing for the delegation due to the event’s demanding schedule. She underscored the forum’s significance in advancing women’s empowerment, expressing gratitude for the American invitation. However, the leaked communication has sparked outrage within the ruling Nepali Congress party, which has called for Rana’s immediate resignation.
Five new ministers sworn in Madhesh Province
Madhesh Province welcomed five new ministers on Thursday during an oath-taking ceremony held in the evening. Four of the newly appointed ministers represent the Nepali Congress, while one represents the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party. The Nepali Congress now heads four ministries: the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, led by Janardan Singh Chhetri; the Ministry of Finance, led by Sunil Kumar Yadav; the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation, and Drinking Water, led by Shesh Narayan Yadav; and the Ministry of Labor and Transport, led by Kaushal Kishore Rai. Rani Sharma Tiwari from the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party has been appointed as the Minister for Education and Culture.
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