KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Leftist leader Pradeep Nepal passes away at 71
Veteran leftist leader and former minister Pradeep Nepal has passed away at the age of 71. He died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital, where he had been admitted to the ICU on Monday after his health condition worsened. Unified Socialist Party leader Mohan Gautam confirmed Nepal’s passing on Tuesday afternoon. Nepal had been battling Parkinson’s disease and had distanced himself from active politics in recent months due to his declining health.
Governor appointment not delayed because of PM : Deuba
Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has clarified that the appointment of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) governor has not been delayed due to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Speaking at a policy dialogue on “Budget Priorities in the Current Economic Context” organized by the party’s Economic Policy and Planning Department at the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa today, Deuba addressed the ongoing delay. “We are in an alliance with KP Oli, and he has not caused any issues within the coalition,” said Deuba.
Prachanda and Finance Minister Paudel hold budget-focused talks
Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel met Chairman of the Maoist Centre and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at Dahal’s residence in Khumaltar this (Tuesday) morning. According to Prachanda’s secretariat, the meeting focused solely on the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
“Finance Minister Paudel held discussions with the top leader of the main opposition party regarding preparations for the next fiscal year’s budget,” a member of Prachanda’s secretariat said. “The meeting did not cover other political matters.” Debate on the government’s policies and programs for the fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26) began in the Federal Parliament on Monday. During the session, Prachanda had strongly criticized the government’s proposals.
Yogesh Bhattarai slams Prachanda’s reaction to Kulman’s dismissal
CPN-UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has likened the removal of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising to a bullet striking Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
Speaking during Tuesday’s session of the House of Representatives, Bhattarai criticized Prachanda’s reaction to Ghising’s dismissal, urging him to recall past decisions he himself had made—such as appointing a Chief Secretary and removing then-Army Chief Rukmangat Katuwal.
“Now you (Prachanda) are deeply troubled because KP Sharma Oli’s government removed a joint secretary. Why does it feel like a bullet in your heart?” Bhattarai asked.
NC lawmaker Gurung demands probe into property of political leaders and employees
Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Dhanaraj Gurung has called for the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the property details of political leaders and government employees who have held positions since 2046 BS (1990). Speaking during the discussion on the government’s new policies and programs for the fiscal year 2082-83 BS (2025-26) today, Gurung emphasized that such an investigation, conducted by a powerful body, would help curb corruption and promote good governance.
Lawmakers urge government action on key issues
Members of the House of Representatives have urged the government to address several pressing issues during the Emergency Hour in today’s parliamentary session. Ranjita Shrestha called for an impartial investigation into the April 30 arrest of Resham Chaudhary, leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party.
Similarly, Kantika Sejuwal drew the government’s attention to the case of Dipraj Bhandari, 26, of Sumli village in Chhayanath Municipality-14, Mugu district, who has been stranded in the United Arab Emirates for the past three months while working abroad.
Narayanghat-Butwal road section obstructed due to rain
The Narayanghat-Butwal road section in Nawalparasi has been obstructed due to rainfall. The road, currently being expanded to four lanes, became slippery this morning because of the rain, according to police reports.
Vehicle movement has been completely suspended due to mud accumulation on the road between Bishwakarma Mandir and Paisaththi turn in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-2, said Chief Police Inspector Janakraj Banjara of the District Traffic Police Office.
Parliamentarian Manish Jha accuses govt of political vendetta
Manish Jha, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has accused the state of targeting his party president in a case of political revenge, and claimed that Madhav Kumar Nepal, chair of the Unified Socialist Party, has also been drawn into the process.
Speaking during Tuesday’s session of the House of Representatives, Jha questioned the pattern of political actions being taken. “It started with our party president, then Resham Chaudhary, and now we hear Madhav Kumar Nepal is being summoned for questioning. Who’s next? CK Raut?” he asked.
Govt’s policies and programs lack vision and purpose: Dr. Wagle
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Dr. Swarnim Wagle has criticized the government’s recently unveiled policies and programmes, saying they lack enthusiasm, excitement, and a clear sense of purpose.
Participating in the House of Representatives’ discussion on Tuesday, Wagle remarked that the government appears disconnected from the gravity of the current national situation.
“It feels like you don’t even recognize your own strength,” he said. “There is no enthusiasm. There is no excitement. There should be a grand purpose. When facing an economic crisis of this scale, what has this experiment produced? Almost nothing.”
Ranjita demands fair investigation into Resham’s arrest
Chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, Ranjita Shrestha, has called for a fair and thorough investigation into the arrest of her party’s patron, Resham Chaudhary. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Shrestha emphasized that the rights of individuals must be upheld and questioned how state mechanisms could override those rights.
“How can the state machinery place a person’s rights below the law?” she asked. “This incident demands serious scrutiny. It’s not just about the arrest of one individual—it undermines public faith in federalism, inclusion, and democracy.”
Home Minister to address Parliament on Resham Chaudhary’s arrest
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak is scheduled to brief Parliament regarding the arrest of Resham Chaudhary, patron of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. During Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, lawmakers from the Nagarik Unmukti Party demanded a ruling and clarification on the matter. Although Speaker Devraj Ghimire initially hesitated, he later informed the House that the Home Minister would respond.
According to the Speaker, Minister Lekhak has conveyed, through a verbal message, that he will address the issue during the House session on Thursday (May 8).
Govt’s Policies and Programs traditional: Devendra Poudel
Maoist Center Secretary and Member of the House of Representatives Devendra Poudel has criticized the government’s newly announced policies and programs as being traditional and repetitive.
Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives on the annual policies and programs for fiscal year 2082/83 BS, Poudel remarked that several initiatives mentioned this year—including public policy flow, social justice, student employment for 20 hours a week, citizen apps, online tax systems, digital infrastructure, cyber security, Digital Nepal, and reforms in the banking sector—were already included in last year’s programs and have merely been copied without innovation.
NEPSE inches up by 0.03% to close at 2,611.43 on Tuesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) marginally rose by 1.03 points (0.03%) on Tuesday, closing at 2,611.43, after slipping by 3.44 points in the previous session.
The market opened at 2,608.6 and fluctuated between an intraday high of 2,625.70 and a low of 2,608.57. Total trading turnover reached Rs. 8.74 billion, with 20,542,764 shares traded across 318 listed companies through 80,054 transactions. The overall market capitalization stood at Rs. 4.34 trillion, while the float market capitalization was recorded at Rs. 1.44 trillion.
Govt employees should not be allowed to form party-affiliated organizations: Minister Gurung
Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that government employees should not be allowed to form party-affiliated organizations in a democratic system.
Speaking at an interaction program on Tuesday titled “Using the Right to Information for Reliable Journalism,” Gurung argued that while such affiliations may have been justifiable during the struggle against autocracy, they are no longer appropriate under a democratic framework.
Bill Gates and Binod Chaudhary meet in Singapore
Chaudhary Group Chairman and Member of Parliament (MP) Binod Chaudhary met Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates during the Philanthropy Asia Alliance 2025 (PAA-2025) conference held in Singapore on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the Chaudhary Group, the two held in-depth discussions on the key challenges facing Nepal’s healthcare and employment sectors.
Chaudhary expressed his appreciation for the Gates Foundation’s support during critical times, including the 2015 earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to improve child nutrition under the “Strong Nepal” initiative.
Death toll in Dhankuta bus accident rises to three
The death toll in the bus accident that occurred at Dhankuta Municipality-6 has risen to three after 58-year-old Leela Bahadur Shrestha of Shadananda Municipality-13 passed away early this morning.
According to police, Shrestha died during treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan at around 4:00 am. The accident took place on Monday when a bus (Ko 1 Kha 2177), en route to Dhankuta from Dharan, met with a mishap.
Speaker directs government to address issues raised in Parliament
Speaker Devraj Ghimire has instructed the government to respond to various concerns raised in the House of Representatives (HoR) over time. During today’s HoR meeting, lawmakers from the Janamat Party protested the recent detention of the party’s patron, Resham Chaudhary, who was held by police for several hours without explanation.
Maoists listen, apologize, and promise reforms in Madhes
The Maoist Center recently concluded its 50-day “Maoist Tarai-Madhes Awareness Campaign with the People,” a grassroots initiative launched from Kachankabal, Jhapa, on February 24, 2025, and wrapped up in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, on April 29.
The campaign’s core goal was to listen to the grievances of the people of Tarai-Madhes, reflect on the party’s past, and reconnect with its original agenda. Led by party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the campaign covered 20 districts along Nepal’s Postal Highway.
Teen killed by lightning while grazing goats in Udayapur
A teenager in Katari, Udayapur, died after being struck by lightning.The deceased has been identified as 13-year-old Chit Bahadur Walampaki Magar, a resident of Ward 8, Katari Municipality. He had gone to the nearby forest to graze goats and did not return home by Monday evening.
When only the goats returned without him, his father, Man Bahadur, went searching and eventually discovered his son lying unconscious in the forest. Ward Chairperson Nabin Tamang confirmed that the boy had been struck by lightning.
4 killed, 12 injured in separate road accidents in Dhankuta and Udayapur
Four people lost their lives and 12 others were injured in two separate road accidents in Dhankuta and Udayapur districts. In the first incident, a passenger bus (Ko 1 Kha 2177) traveling from Dharan to Bhojpur veered off the Koshi Highway at Dhankuta Municipality-6 at around 10:15 AM on May 5 and plunged 50 meters down the road. Fourteen passengers, including the driver, were injured. A police team from the District Police Office, Dhankuta, responded immediately and transported the injured to nearby hospitals.
Parliament continue discussions on government’s Policies and Programs
Both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly continued discussions on the government’s policy and program for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS (2025/26). The deliberations began on Monday, following the presentation of the policy document by President Ram Chandra Paudel during a joint sitting of both houses last Friday.
Gold price sees increase in domestic market today
The rise in gold prices on the international market has led to a corresponding increase in the domestic bullion market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold in the domestic market today is Rs 189,900 per tola (11.66 grams), up from Rs 184,100 per tola on Sunday. Similarly, silver prices have also increased, with the current price at Rs 1,965 per tola, compared to Rs 1,910 on Sunday.
Public holiday declared in Madhes Province today
The Madhes Province Government has announced an additional public holiday, updating the list previously published in the provincial gazette. According to a notice issued by Under-Secretary Ganesh Nayak of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Communications, and Law, the province will observe a public holiday on Tuesday, May 6, in celebration of Janaki Nawami (Sita Jayanti). Another holiday has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, on the occasion of Kabir Das Jayanti.
‘Ghatalthan’ emerging as a tourist destination
The renowned Shaktipeeth ‘Ghatalthan’ in Doti Ghatal, located in Amargadhi Municipality-3 of the Sudurpaschim Province, is increasingly gaining recognition as a domestic tourist destination. Visitor numbers have seen a noticeable rise in recent years, especially among devotees.
Also referred to as Budhi Ghatal, the site is drawing attention for its religious significance and tourism potential. Recognized as the principal Shaktipeeth in the area, ‘Ghatalthan’ is attracting pilgrims and sightseers alike.
‘Thachyang’ – The Himalayan tradition of freedom from social bonds
Thachyang is the original cultural practice of the Tangwe Gurung community, residing in Tangwe, Baragung Muktikshetra-3, Mustang. Unlike a festival, Thachyang is a ritual that symbolizes a person’s liberation from societal responsibilities upon reaching a certain age. In the Tangwe Gurung community, individuals voluntarily perform Thachyang after turning 57. The term ‘Thachyang’ literally translates to freedom from social bonds. It is an ancient cultural tradition that has been practiced for centuries among the Tangwe Gurung community in the Himalayan region.
Bagmati Province Cabinet recommends convening Provincial Assembly meeting
The Bagmati Province Council of Ministers has decided to recommend that Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota convene a meeting of the Provincial Assembly on May 19.
The meeting also approved the posting and transfer of five provincial secretaries. Baikuntha Adhikari has been assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hemraj Bhusal to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Land and Administration, and Jhalakram Adhikari to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Republic Day to be celebrated over three days in Koshi Province
Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has directed preparations for a grand three-day celebration of Republic Day 2082 (2025) in May. A meeting held at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers decided to mark Republic Day on May 28, 29 and 30 with widespread public participation and awareness about the values and achievements of the democratic republic.
Policies and Programs cannot address people’s expectations: Lawmaker Aryal
Maoist Center lawmaker Urmila Aryal has criticized the government’s policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year, claiming that they fail to meet the expectations of the people.
She argued that the government has removed important programs from the past, which undermines the potential for real progress. Speaking in today’s National Assembly session on the government’s proposed policies and programs for fiscal year 2082-83 (2025/26), Aryal expressed disappointment, stating that the policies do not inspire the enthusiasm needed to address the country’s pressing challenges.
Govt’s Policies and Programs aim to transform development culture: UML Chief Whip Neupane
Chief Whip of the CPN-UML, Bhagawati Neupane, has said that the government’s policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 reflect a clear determination to transform the country’s existing development culture.
Speaking during the National Assembly’s discussion on the policy document, Neupane argued that there is no reason to oppose this year’s policies and programmes, calling them more scientific, realistic, and relevant than those of previous years.
166 APF personnel face action for posting photos and videos on social media
A total of 166 personnel from the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal have faced disciplinary action for posting photos and videos on social media in violation of the organization’s guidelines.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailendra Thapa, the joint spokesperson for the APF, the personnel shared images and videos of themselves in uniform on platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Imo, WeChat, and others over the past two years.
Relay hunger strike continues demanding release of Rabindra Mishra
The Rastrabadi Deshbhakta Janata, an activist group, has continued its relay hunger strike for the fifth consecutive day, demanding the release of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Rabindra Mishra and others.
The strike, ongoing at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur, calls for the release of individuals arrested in connection with the pro-monarchy protest that took place in Kathmandu on March 28. Protesters displayed placards with slogans such as “Dismiss false charges,” “Release nationalists,” “Uphold the rule of law,” and “Protect civil liberties.”
‘Kehi Bhaneka chhaina’, sung by Sudeep and Shantishree, released
The folk song ‘Kehi Bhanekai Chhaina’, sung by Shantishree Pariyar and Sudeep Adhikari, has been released. Composed by Sudeep Adhikari, the song was launched on YouTube on Monday. The music video, set in a rural backdrop, stars Obi Rayamajhi and Juna Bishwakarma.
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