KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Indrajatra festival being celebrated today
The traditional festival of Indrajatra is being celebrated today with the worship of Devraj Indra, the god of rain and good harvest. This annual festival is primarily observed in the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as in Dhulikhel and Dolakha. It begins on Bhadra Shukla Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Bhadra) and continues for eight days.
UML’s second statute convention discusses reports in group sessions
The CPN-UML’s second statute convention, currently underway at Sunrise Hall in Godawari, Lalitpur, is holding group discussions on the reports submitted for the event. According to Rajendra Gautam, head of the party’s publicity department, delegates have been divided into ten groups based on province, the Kathmandu Valley, and central structures. He said the Koshi Province group has already completed its discussions and begun drafting its report.
UML forms 7-member committee to draft contemporary political proposal
The CPN-UML has formed a seven-member committee under party secretary Yogesh Bhattarai to prepare a proposal on contemporary political issues for the party’s ongoing second statute convention in Godawari, Lalitpur. Party chair KP Sharma Oli announced the formation of the committee on Saturday. Along with coordinator Bhattarai, the members include Standing Committee member and head of the publicity and publication department Rajendra Gautam, Politburo member Jwala Sah, Ishwori Rijal, and Central Committee members Ushakala Rai, Srijana Kafle, and Madhav Dhungel.
Nepal, India PMs to jointly lay foundation stone of Dodhara-Chadani dry port: Home Minister
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the foundation stone for a dry port at Dodhara-Chadani in Kanchanpur will be jointly laid by the prime ministers of Nepal and India during the Nepali Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to New Delhi. Speaking at a training program organized by the Nepali Congress Training Department of Constituency-3 in Dodhara-Chadani on Saturday, Minister Lekhak announced that the proposed facility would be the largest dry port in the country.
Prachanda criticizes NC-UML govt, calls it product of threats and brokers
Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has criticized the coalition government of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, saying it was formed under the influence of brokers and threats rather than the parties’ own wisdom. Speaking at a training program on “The Role of Nepali Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in a Socialist-Oriented Economy” organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in Pokhara, Prachanda said the government that came into power yesterday out of fear continues to survive today for the same reason.
Gagan Thapa calls for accountability within Nepali Congress
Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that political parties themselves are not inherently wrong, but individuals associated with them can make mistakes. Speaking at a workshop titled “BP’s Ideals and Contemporary Nepali Politics” organized by NC Kathmandu Metropolitan City–30 on Saturday, Thapa stressed the need for internal purification within the party.
Deuba on Bidya Bhandari: Constitution does not bar return to politics
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the constitution does not prevent former presidents or vice presidents from re-entering active politics. Speaking to journalists at Biratnagar Airport on Saturday, Deuba noted that the political engagement of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari and former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun should not be seen as unusual. He emphasized that the constitution does not bar former heads of state from affiliating with political parties.
Crisis in UML’s internal democracy as dissent blocked at statute convention
Serious questions have been raised about internal democracy within the CPN-UML after dissenting voices were blocked at the party’s second statute convention, currently underway in Godawari, Lalitpur. Chair KP Sharma Oli removed a dissenting proposal put forward by Standing Committee member Karna Thapa from the official agenda, effectively barring him from presenting his views. Despite standing for nearly 30 minutes to speak, Thapa was denied the floor by Oli.
Existing coalition government continues: Deuba
Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the existing coalition government will continue ahead. Talking to media at Biratnagar Airport this morning, the former Prime Minister and the parliamentary leader of the major coalition government partner echoed the need for a broader wider consensus with a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution.
India’s Chief Justice B. R. Gavai in Lumbini
India’s Chief Justice B. R. Gavai i visited the sacred birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha in Lumbini today. This marks his first visit to Nepal since assuming the highest judicial office in India, and he described the visit as a special spiritual occasion. Gavai was welcomed by officials of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), including Vice-Chair Dr. Lharkyal Lama, Member-Secretary Sanuraja Shakya, Executive Member Shyam Rokka, and Senior Administrative Chief Gyanin Rai, along with other staff.
Parliament exploring use of AI to enhance efficiency: Speaker Ghimire
Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that Nepal’s Parliament is studying ways to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency in legislative and administrative functions. Addressing the National Artificial Intelligence Conference organized by the Digital Media Foundation in Patan on Friday, Speaker Ghimire highlighted AI’s potential in supporting parliamentary committees, converting speech to text, and quickly retrieving and analyzing data related to bills and legislative documents.
Ramechhap Airport remains deserted as it waits for tourist season
Once a bustling hub during peak travel seasons, Ramechhap Airport has now fallen silent, with no regular flights operating for months. The airport, located in Manthali of Ramechhap district, is the closest alternative to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport for flights to eastern Nepal but currently lies idle. Flights from Ramechhap are largely limited to the tourist season, when heavy traffic at Kathmandu airport prompts airlines to divert foreign trekkers to Lukla via Manthali. During that period, tourists are transported by road from Kathmandu to Ramechhap before boarding flights to Solukhumbu.
Finance Minister Paudel asks media to highlight both govt shortcomings and achievements
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel has called on the media to play a balanced role in pointing out government shortcomings while also disseminating positive achievements to the public. Addressing the 27th annual general meeting and convention of the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Saturday, Paudel said the media must function with both critical and constructive perspectives.
Floods and landslides block 12 highways across Nepal
Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall have brought road transport across Nepal to a near standstill, with 12 major highways completely blocked and 160 others operating only partially, according to the Department of Roads. Among the highways shut down are the Thori–Bhandara–Malekhu section, the Galchi–Trishuli–Betrawati–Mailung–Syaphrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road, and the Jamunaha–Nepalgunj–Kohalpur–Surkhet–Khilalu–Hilsa route along the Karnali Highway.
Nepal to face Bangladesh in friendly football match today
Nepal and Bangladesh will face each other today in the first of two international friendly football matches at Dasharath Stadium. The match will kick off at 5:30 PM. Both teams aim for a win, with the game being played during the FIFA international window.
Oli says accident used as pretext to disrupt UML statute convention
The second day of the CPN-UML’s statute convention began an hour late after a vehicle carrying delegates hit a young girl at Harisiddhi intersection, blocking the road. Party Chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said the girl was immediately taken to hospital for treatment, with all medical expenses to be covered by the party. He wished her a speedy recovery.
61 local governments yet to present budget for current fiscal year
A total of 61 local governments across Nepal have yet to unveil their budgets for the current fiscal year, despite the constitutional requirement to do so by Asar 10 (June 24). According to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, out of 753 local governments, only 692 have so far introduced their budgets and implemented them, leaving 61 still non-compliant.
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