KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Split looms in Unified Socialist over merger with Maoist Center
The CPN (Unified Socialist) is heading toward a potential split after deepening internal rifts surfaced over Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal’s decision to unite with the CPN (Maoist Center). A faction opposed to Nepal’s unification move held a separate gathering at Navadurga Party Palace in Sukkedhara on Saturday. The meeting, attended by senior leader Jhalanath Khanal and several disgruntled members, marked a clear indication of division within the party ranks.
UML stages motorcycle rally in Pokhara against ‘anarchy and regressive forces’
The CPN-UML Kaski District Committee organized a motorcycle rally in Pokhara on Saturday, voicing commitment to defend the constitution and counter what it called regressive conspiracies and anarchic tendencies. The rally, which began from Pokhara City Hall, passed through Prithvi Chowk, New Road, Mahendrapul, Chipledhunga, and Lakeside before concluding with a corner meeting at Shahid Chowk.
Bhattarai backs Oli’s call for return of former UML cadres
CPN-UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has welcomed party chair KP Sharma Oli’s recent call for former leaders and cadres who had left the party to return, describing the move as “timely and necessary.” In a social media post on Saturday, Bhattarai wrote, “The call made by Chairman Oli to comrades who contributed to building the CPN-UML to join this movement once again is both welcome and contextually relevant.” He emphasized that uniting the left movement under the ideological guidance of Janata Ko Bahudaliya Janabad (People’s Multiparty Democracy) is the national imperative of the moment.
Unified Socialist to merge with Maoist Centre on November 4, Madhav-Prchand to lead
The Madhav Nepal faction of the CPN-Unified Socialist is set to merge with the CPN-Maoist Centre on November 4, following agreement between Unified Socialist Chair Madhav Nepal and Maoist Centre Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, according to Unified Socialist Deputy General Secretary Rajendra Rai. Rai stated that the unification will include leaders from the grassroots to the central level. Leaders from the Nepal Socialist Party, led by Mahendra Rai, and some from the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN will also join the merger on the same day. While all leaders from the Nepal Socialist Party support the unification, only some leaders from the Chand faction are on board.
UML to hold 11th National Convention in Kathmandu with 2,100 delegates
The CPN-UML is set to hold its 11th national convention in Kathmandu from Mangsir 27, with 2,100 delegates expected to participate. The convention was initially scheduled to be held in Pokhara, but the leadership opted for the capital as the new location. Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, speaking after a secretariat meeting on Saturday, said the delegates will include leaders from the party’s various departments, mass organizations, and committees.
Maoist leader Janardan Sharma voices dissent over Unified Socialist merger, warns of threat to party ideology
In Saturday’s secretariat meeting of the CPN-Maoist Centre, party leader Janardan Sharma, also known as ‘Prabhakar,’ has expressed dissent over the proposed merger with the CPN-Unified Socialist, urging the leadership to halt the process. Sharma warned that the unification, if carried out without ideological clarity, historical review, and organizational preparation, would weaken the party’s revolutionary character and undermine the broader leftist movement. He argued that a rushed, principle-free merger could serve narrow personal interests rather than strengthen the party.
UML leader Jhapat Bahadur Rawal proposes two models for transparent leadership selection
CPN-UML Central Committee member Jhapat Bahadur Rawal has proposed two alternative models to reform the process of selecting representatives and leadership for the party’s upcoming National General Convention. Rawal said the convention should be used as a historic opportunity to strengthen organizational democracy, representation, and transparency within the party. In a proposal made public on Saturday, Rawal outlined two frameworks, a geography-based representation model and a direct member participation model, both designed to make the party more people-oriented and institutionally strong.
Sports Minister Gupta inspects TU Cricket Ground
Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta on Saturday visited the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur to inspect ongoing development works. The minister reviewed the newly constructed parafit seating with a capacity of 10,000 and the installation of floodlights at the stadium. The inspection aimed to assess the readiness of the ground for upcoming sporting events and ensure the infrastructure meets required standards.
Body found under Biring Khola bridge in Jhapa identified as missing man Saroj Sharma
The body found buried under the Biring Khola bridge in Jhapa has been identified as that of 33-year-old Saroj Sharma of Maidhar, Shivsatakshi-10. Sharma, a resident of Santhal Basti in Shivsatakshi Municipality-10, had gone missing along with his car last Sunday. His body was discovered buried under the bridge near the Hulaki Highway in Jhapa Rural Municipality-5 on Saturday. Police have reached the site and are conducting an investigation and preparing to send the body for postmortem.
Flights to Lukla halted for three days due to adverse weather
Flights to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest, have been suspended for the past three days due to continuous rainfall and fog covering the sky. With flights halted, hotels from Lukla to Namche Bazaar are now fully occupied by tourists. According to Nawaraj Katwal, Air Traffic Controller at Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, no flights have been able to operate since Thursday due to poor visibility. Normally, the airport sees over 60 flights daily during this season, but all have been suspended.
Ghising stands firm amid criticism for cutting industrial power lines
Energy Minister Kulman Ghising has come under controversy after the decision to cut electricity lines for 30 industries using dedicated and trunk lines due to non-payment of outstanding dues. While some have supported the minister’s action, several industrialists and groups have expressed dissatisfaction and criticized the decision. Amid the controversy, Minister Ghising released a detailed clarification on social media Saturday, stating that his decision was made according to the law and to uphold the institution’s reputation.
RPP’s Shrestha says Gen-Z movement showing signs of division
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shrestha has said that internal divisions have begun to emerge among youths associated with the Gen-Z movement. Speaking about Thursday’s tripartite talks held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, Shrestha shared on social media the points he had raised during the meeting. The dialogue, initiated by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, brought together representatives from the government, political parties, and Gen-Z protesters.
India–Nepal Startup Partnership Network launched to boost cross-border collaboration
A new initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between startups in India and Nepal has been launched under the name India–Nepal Startup Partnership Network (IN-SPAN). According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the program invites applications from innovative and transformative Nepali entrepreneurs to participate in an eight-week fully funded training and innovation program at IIT Madras, in association with IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITM Pravartak).
Baskota slams left unity talks, calls post-split unification nonsense
CPN-UML Politburo member and former Minister for Communication Gokul Baskota has criticized recent efforts at left unity, calling them nonsense after the split. His remarks came after the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal decided to merge with the CPN (Maoist Center). Following the unification move, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli had urged those who left the party to return, in what appeared to be a renewed call for broader left consolidation.
Transport Department to resume printing driving licenses from Sunday, hands over task to Security Printing Center
The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) is set to resume the printing of driving licenses from Sunday, nearly two months after its printing system and data servers were severely damaged during the Gen-Z movement protests of September 8 and 9. In line with the Security Printing Act, 2024, which mandates that all government documents be printed through the Security Printing Center (SPC), the department has now transferred the license printing responsibility to the Center.
Bancharedanda locals bar garbage dumping, demand implementation of past agreement
Locals of Bancharedanda landfill site have warned that they will not allow garbage dumping in the area until previous agreements are fully implemented. During a discussion held at the Ministry of Urban Development on Friday, the locals said that despite repeated agreements, none of the commitments had been enforced, prompting them to bar waste disposal from Kathmandu Valley.
Beni–Darbang road blocked for three days due to landslide
The Beni–Darbang road, which links three local levels in western Myagdi to the district headquarters, Benibazaar, has remained blocked for the past three days following a landslide. The landslide occurred at Phaparkhet (Ghumaune) on the border of Beni Municipality–4 and Mangala Rural Municipality–2, cutting off direct road access to Mangala, Malika, and Dhaulagiri rural municipalities since Thursday.
Budget implementation hit as federal govt withholds grant transfers to provinces, local levels
The implementation of Nepal’s national budget has been disrupted after the federal government halted part of the grant-based funds allocated to provincial and local levels midway through the fiscal year. According to the seventh annual report of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission, presented to President Ram Chandra Paudel on October 16, the federal government failed to fully release the grants that had been pledged to lower levels of government. The report warns that this shortfall has created serious challenges in executing development and administrative programs across the country.
Gen-Z protest injury ID cards to be distributed in Baitadi
Preparations are underway to distribute ‘Gen-Z Protest Injury Identity Cards’ to those injured during the Gen-Z demonstrations in Baitadi district. According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Punya Bikram Paudel, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Ministry of Health, has sent a list of six individuals from Baitadi who were injured during the protests held on September 8 and 9.
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