KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Oli expresses concern over instability within communist parties
Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has expre’ssed concern over what he described as growing instability and factionalism within Nepal’s communist parties. Speaking at a program organized at the CPN-UML central office in Chyasal to mark the 28th memorial of Tulsi Lal Amatya, Oli recalled that Pushpa Lal Shrestha, one of the founding leaders of the communist movement in Nepal, was denied party leadership back in 1951 (2008 BS). According to Oli, Pushpa Lal’s failure to become general secretary led to operational challenges within the party. “In the first general convention in 1953 (2010 BS), Pushpa Lal was not elected as general secretary, not officially, but internally, he was defeated as early as 1951,” said Oli. “Manmohan Adhikari became the general secretary instead. Such political maneuverings prevented the communist movement from progressing in an orderly manner.”
Ex-president should not be allowed to join active politics, says Pariyar
Nepali Congress Deputy-General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar has argued that constitutional provision should be made to prevent the former presidents from joining the party politics. Speaking at a programme organized by the NC Congress Surya Binayak Municipality on Saturday, such a provision should be in place even by amending the constitution. Leader Pariyar noted that the constitution failed to incorporate the provision that allows individuals who have held the presidency to become rejoin active politics adding that it should be included in the current constitutional amendment.
Jhala Nath Khanal to Madhav Nepal: Party isn’t a one-man show
Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhala Nath Khanal, has strongly objected to party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal’s recent remarks telling him to leave the party, asserting that a leader cannot expect members to quit just because they are ordered to. Khanal made the statement on Saturday during a press meet, responding to Nepal’s comment made after Khanal’s TV interview sparked internal debate. “I was shocked and saddened,” Khanal said. “We’ve been together since 2032 BS, and I believed he understood the rules, values, and democratic centralism of a communist party.”
If UML commits to unity with flexibility, I will support Bidya Devi’s involvement: Jhala Nath Khanal
Senior leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhala Nath Khanal, has said there is no constitutional restriction preventing former President Bidya Devi Bhandari from entering active politics. Amid an internal rift with party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, who recently told him to leave the party, Khanal expressed openness to supporting Bhandari’s return, if it facilitates leftist unity. In an interview, Khanal said he would back Bhandari’s political role if CPN-UML demonstrates flexibility and commits to building a united front among leftist forces.
After rift with Madhav, Khanal says party lacked direction and accountability
Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhala Nath Khanal, has reiterated that the party has failed to justify its split from the former parent party, CPN-UML, four years ago. This follows a recent interview where Khanal commented on the party’s leadership and relevance, prompting Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal to warn him to “leave the party.” The rift has now spilled into the public, exposing growing internal tensions. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Khanal reflected on the party’s initial intentions and current shortcomings.
Man arrested for allegedly killing wife in Makwanpur
Police have arrested a 45-year-old man on charges of killing his wife in Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality-5, Bungdol, Makwanpur. According to the District Police Office, Makwanpur, the suspect, Man Bahadur Shivbhakti, allegedly strangled his 40-year-old wife, Durgalaxmi Shivbhakti, at her parental home. Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyamu Aryal said the incident occurred when no one else was home. The suspect reportedly told police that his wife had been bedridden and unable to walk due to paralysis, and that he had been under severe stress before strangling her.
If we fail to justify our revolt, it will automatically be deemed wrong: Jhala Nath Khanal
Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhala Nath Khanal, has said that the party’s split from CPN-UML will be automatically deemed unjustified if its rationale cannot be proven. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Khanal responded to party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal’s recent remarks asking him to “leave the party.” He clarified that he does not personally believe that the revolt against UML was wrong. “I do not think our revolt was wrong,” Khanal stated. “But if we cannot justify it, then it will naturally be proven wrong.”
Madhesh-based parties demand withdrawal of land-related bill
Leaders from Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal and Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal have urged the government to withdraw the “Bill to Amend certain Nepal Acts relating to Land, 2082”. Speaking at the 23rd edition of the ‘Madhesh Dialogue’ organized by the Madhesh Library and Research Center in Aloknagar on Saturday, JSP General Secretary Ramkumar Sharma and Rastriya Mukti Party leader Keshav Jha demanded that the government roll back the bill. Sharma emphasized that the government must justify the necessity of the bill before tabling it. Calling the bill flawed, he insisted it should be scrapped entirely.
Nepali Congress has to engage Gen Z in politics: Shekhar Koirala
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has warned that the party faces the risk of collapse if it fails to connect with the current Generation Z youth. Speaking at an event organized by the Nepali Congress Ward No. 4 committee of Biratnagar Metropolitan City to honor active senior citizens, Koirala said that a weakened Congress would also weaken democracy. “Without democracy, the Nepali people cannot survive,” he said, emphasizing that only a strong Nepali Congress can safeguard democratic values.
Lawyers call for urgent reforms to ensure justice for women and girls with disabilities
Nepal’s Constitution and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act guarantee equal access to justice for women and girls with disabilities, but legal practitioners say these promises often remain unfulfilled in practice. At a consultation meeting with lawyers from the Kathmandu Valley on Saturday, participants highlighted deep-rooted structural barriers, stigma, and discriminatory attitudes that continue to deny women and girls with disabilities meaningful access to the justice system. Advocate Dr. Shashinath Marasini said many service seekers cannot reach courts regularly or articulate their cases due to systemic and physical inaccessibility. “Until our justice system is inclusive in process and infrastructure, justice will remain out of reach for many,” he said.
Intra-party tensions flare as Maoist Centre holds key Standing Committee meeting
he CPN (Maoist Centre) is holding its Standing Committee meeting at the party’s central office in Paris Danda at a time when tensions between party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” and Deputy General Secretary Janardan Sharma have been on the rise. The meeting, which began at 11 am on Saturday, is providing each speaker 10 to 15 minutes to present their views on Chairman Prachanda’s proposals, party leaders said. Key agenda items include advancing the Mid-Hill Highway campaign, setting the date for the Central Committee meeting, expanding the Socialist Front, strengthening internal unity, building the organization, dividing responsibilities, and preparing proposals on disaster response to floods and landslides, bills under parliamentary consideration, livelihood issues, and other current affairs.
Bagmati CM Lama to resign Sunday under conditional agreement
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama has agreed to step down on Sunday under a conditional arrangement reached with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. According to party sources, Lama will resign if three ministers he appointed on July 30 are allowed to continue in their posts under the new provincial government. The deal was struck during a meeting at Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha on Saturday. On July 30, Lama appointed Govinda Lamsal as Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Maya Shrestha as Minister for Youth and Sports, and Geeta Gurung as Minister for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. However, coalition partner CPN-UML had blocked their swearing-in.
Police vow to continue crackdown on criminal activities in Kathmandu
Police have made it clear they will not halt their ongoing campaign against criminal activities in the capital. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bishwa Adhikari, chief of the Kathmandu District Police Range, said operations are being carried out across the city to dismantle the networks of known gangsters. “Gangsters will not be allowed space to operate,” SSP Adhikari said. “Our operation is ongoing, and we have already compiled a list of those involved in such unwanted activities in Kathmandu. They will be tracked down and brought under the ambit of legal action.”
Seven teenage girls rescued from suspected trafficking at Nepal-India border
Indian police have rescued seven Nepali teenage girls from suspected human trafficking at the Panitanki border point, according to Maiti Nepal’s Koshi Province coordinator Govinda Ghimire. The rescue took place on Friday, and the girls, all from Sankhuwasabha district, were taken into custody along with two men accused of trafficking them. They are currently being held at the Khoribari police station in India. One of the suspects has been identified as Dipesh Gurung, 41, of Toribari in Darjeeling, India, and the other as Japan Gurung, 61, of Makalu-3 in Sankhuwasabha. Police say the men lured the girls with promises of foreign employment in Hong Kong and took them across Nepal’s eastern border at Kakarbhitta to Panitanki, intending to make fake Aadhaar cards and other documents in Siliguri.
Nepal welcomes over 70,000 tourists in July
Nepal received a total of 70,193 international visitors in July 2025, marking an 8.7 percent increase compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The figures show Nepal’s tourism sector has nearly returned to its pre-pandemic performance, achieving 99 percent of the arrival numbers recorded in April 2019. Industry officials say this indicates that Nepal’s tourism is back on track after the severe disruption caused by COVID-19. From January to July 2025, Nepal welcomed 647,882 international tourists, the highest post-pandemic arrival count so far.
Kathmandu–Madhesh fast track construction gains momentum
The construction of the Kathmandu–Tarai/Madhes Expressway, a national pride project of strategic significance, has gained momentum after years of delays. Managed and closely monitored by the Nepali Army, the project is targeted for completion by the end of April 2027. Although the work had been slowed in the past due to policy hurdles, geographical challenges, and land acquisition issues, the pace has now picked up, Nepali Army Spokesperson Rajaram Basnet said. According to the updated status report for FY 2024/25, the expressway has achieved 42.13 percent overall physical progress and 44 percent financial progress (including mobilization advances) by the end of July.
Farmers in Madhesh Province relieved as rain brings life to parched crops
After months of severe drought, farmers in Mahottari are finally breathing a sigh of relief as recent rains have revived hopes for their paddy and other crops. Continuous rainfall since Monday, including a steady downpour overnight, has replenished soil moisture across most parts of the district. Vijay Yadav, a farmer from Kataiya in Bhangaha-3, said the past three days of rainfall have been a boon. “The paddy seedlings we planted earlier using water from wells, boreholes, and shallow tube wells through pump sets now have a real chance of survival,” he said.
Ancient Sauga Hiti in Patan restored
The historic Sauga Hiti near Patan Durbar Square, which had been covered in moss and filled with stagnant water like a pond, has been cleaned and repainted. The restoration and cleaning were carried out under the initiative of the Rotary Nyatapol Club, in collaboration with the Lalitpur Metropolitan Police, the Saugah Tole Improvement Committee, and the Mangalbazar Police Station. According to Praveen Maharjan of Rotary Nyatapol, the hiti had accumulated about three feet of water. In the first phase, the water was drained, and the stone surfaces were scrubbed with steel brushes and cleaned with pressure pumps before being repainted. The paint was provided with support from KNP Nerolac.
Communication Minister tells journalists not to be emotional over Media Council Bill
Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged journalists not to become emotional over the Media Council Bill, assuring that the government will treat the media sector no differently from other sectors of society. Speaking at an interaction program organized by Press Chautari Nepal on the provisions of the bill, Minister Gurung said journalists’ objections to the appointment recommendation process outlined in the bill were unwarranted. “It is not necessary that journalists alone must represent all press-related institutions,” Gurung said. “As the Council is a regulatory body, the provision allowing the appointment of a former judge as chairperson is appropriate.”
Nepal Red Cross Central Committee to amend statute to resolve ongoing issues
The Central Committee of the Nepal Red Cross Society has announced plans to amend its statute to address ongoing organizational problems. In a statement issued on Friday, the committee said it will work in affiliation with the Social Welfare Council. The government recently formed the committee, which has been tasked with amending the existing statute of the Nepal Red Cross Society and holding the central general convention in line with the revised statute.
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