KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Corruption case against a former PM raises pressure on KP Oli
Following the corruption case filed on Thursday by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) against former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, questions are now being raised about former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s own tenure. Under previous legal interpretations, Cabinet-level policy decisions were generally not subject to corruption investigations. However, the CIAA has filed a case alleging that a Cabinet decision under Nepal’s premiership—allowing Patanjali Yogpeeth to purchase land beyond legal limits—amounted to corruption. This sets a new legal precedent that may open the door to scrutinizing other controversial decisions made at the highest levels of government.
Madhav Nepal accuses PM Oli of orchestrating corruption charges
Chairperson of CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of initiating corruption charges against him out of political bias and personal vendetta. Speaking at the inaugural convention of the party’s Madhesh Province Contact Committee in Kathmandu on Saturday, Nepal claimed that PM Oli deliberately targeted him in the Patanjali land case, driven by prejudice and political antagonism.
Ishwar Pokharel rejects bias claims in Patanjali land scam
Senior Vice Chair of CPN-UML, Ishwar Pokharel, has rejected claims that his party acted with political prejudice in the Patanjali land case. Speaking at a program organized by the UML Okhaldhunga-Likhu-Kathmandu Contact Forum on Saturday, Pokharel said it was wrong to accuse the UML of bias and defended the legitimacy of investigations into the matter. “If anyone within the UML has done wrong, they will come under the purview of investigation,” Pokharel said.
Four new Covid cases detected in Sudurpaschim
Four new Covid cases have been confirmed in Sudurpaschim Province over the past 24 hours, all among men recently returned from India, according to provincial health authorities. Hemraj Joshi, the Covid contact person at the Sudurpaschim Province Health Directorate, stated that the infections were confirmed through antigen tests conducted at border points. Three cases were identified at the Trinagar checkpoint, while one case was detected at the Jhuleghat border. “The infected individuals are from Kanchanpur, Achham, and Bajhang districts,” Joshi said. “They tested positive through antigen kits during routine screening of suspected individuals. All have been advised to remain in home isolation.”
Education Minister confident School Education Bill will be passed by June 29
Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, Raghuji Pant, has expressed confidence that the School Education Bill 2080 will be passed by the House of Representatives by June 29. Speaking at a consultation program on early childhood development organized by the Federal Parliamentarians’ Coordination Group on Saturday, Minister Pant said that the government is working with urgency to finalize and pass the bill.
Experts doubt new budget can address Nepal’s economic challenges
Economic experts have expressed skepticism over the effectiveness of Nepal’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26, arguing it is unlikely to resolve the country’s prevailing economic challenges. At an interaction program titled “Budget 2025/26: Review and Implementation”, organized by the Nepal Intellectual Organization, Kathmandu District Committee, experts said the budget was introduced under difficult economic circumstances but lacks the necessary reforms and strategies to drive recovery. Dr. Ramesh Paudel, former member of the National Planning Commission, noted that although the budget may not appear technically flawed, it fails to introduce any meaningful policy departure. “This was an opportunity for the two-thirds majority government to take bold policy steps. At a time when public trust in the government and budget is waning, this budget should have aimed to rebuild confidence,” he said. “By including only what’s realistically doable, the government could have strengthened credibility.”
Shekhar Koirala tells party cadres to question NC leadership over term extension
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has called on party leaders and cadres to openly question the party’s top leadership about the recent extension of the Central Working Committee’s term. Speaking at the first convention of the Sindhuli–Kathmandu Contact Committee in Lokanthali, Bhaktapur on Saturday, Koirala challenged party members to ask why the leadership, including the president and other office bearers, have failed to hold the general convention on time.
Maoist Centre engages with citizens to address public concerns: Leelamani Pokharel
CPN (Maoist Centre) Secretary Leelamani Pokharel has stated that the party has launched a nationwide campaign to reach people’s doorsteps to understand their problems and concerns firsthand. Speaking to journalists in Chitwan on Friday, Pokharel said the Maoist Centre was conducting various outreach activities as part of its effort to reconnect with the public and promote collaborative politics. “These initiatives aim not only to listen to the people but also to create an environment conducive to forming working alliances with other political parties, potentially paving the way for future unification,” he explained.
Two boys drown in pond in Jhapa
Two boys drowned in a pond inside the Namuna Community Forest in Arjundhara Municipality–11, Jhapa, on Saturday morning. According to District Police Office spokesperson Khagendra Khadka, the victims were 12-year-old Mahsus Gurung and 10-year-old Sujal Gurung, originally from Jirikhimti, Tehrathum. They were visiting Arjundhara as guests at the home of Purna Bahadur Rai.
Pushpa Oli elected as YCL chair unopposed
Pushpa Oli has been unanimously elected as the chairman of the Young Communist League (YCL), the youth wing affiliated with the CPN (Maoist Centre). Oli was elected during the third national convention of the YCL. Several leaders, including Kehar Singh Kunwar, Navaraj Ayer, Ganesh Shahi, Dambar Pulami, and Thakur Saurag, were also in the race for the top post, but the convention reached a consensus on Oli’s leadership.
RPP youth wing condemns state funding for Tarun Dal building
he youth wing of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has strongly objected to the government’s decision to allocate state funds for the construction of a building for Nepal Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the ruling Nepali Congress. Issuing a statement on Saturday, the Rastriya Prajatantrik Yuwa Sangh expressed serious concern over the budget allocation, calling it a blatant misuse of public funds and an example of favoritism in the name of national property protection.
Authorities appeal for relief after fire destroys market in Bajura
A fire swept through Bamka Bazaar in Budhiganga Municipality-6 on Friday afternoon, reducing at least 30 shops to ashes and causing damages worth millions of rupees. The blaze, reportedly triggered by an exploding cooking gas cylinder at Navadurga Hotel, has left dozens of families and traders in crisis. District Police Deputy Superintendent Iqbal Hawari confirmed that the fire destroyed shops mostly made of tin sheets, including grocery and clothing stores owned by local residents. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, but the financial loss is said to be extensive.
Koshi Rural Municipality chair’s tirade against police goes viral
A video showing Ayub Ansari, Chairperson of Koshi Rural Municipality, hurling abusive language at police officers has gone viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions from the public. In the video, Chairperson Ansari is seen expressing outrage over alleged police mistreatment of dairy farmers and accusing the police of extorting money from the public. His remarks are laced with profanities and threats of violence.
PM Oli calls for vigilance and safety during monsoon
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged everyone to be vigilant and prioritize safety during the ongoing monsoon season. In a message posted on his Facebook page today, Prime Minister Oli highlighted the increased risk of disasters like floods and landslides during this time of year. “The monsoon season brings a higher risk of disasters such as floods and landslides,” he stated. “Constant vigilance is essential to protect ourselves from such calamities.”
Nepal’s call for unified BIMSTEC disaster mechanism
Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadee has highlighted steps taken by Nepal in reducing disaster mortality, infrastructure retrofitting, localizing DRR strategies, and improving social protection standards. He also urged the creation of a unified BIMSTEC disaster mechanism to harmonize risk assessments, monitor Sendai Framework implementation, and establish a dedicated regional DRR fund. At the High-Level UNDRR-BIMSTEC event under the eighth edition of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR 2025) that concluded in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday, Secretary Duwadee presented Nepal’s progress under the Disaster Risk Reduction National Strategic Plan of Action (2018–2030).
NC warns of action over misappropriated relief fund in Kalikot
The Nepali Congress has expressed serious concern over the alleged misappropriation of relief funds meant for landslide victims in Narharinath Rural Municipality of Kalikot district. The party has warned of internal disciplinary action if the relief is not distributed to the rightful victims immediately. The controversy centers around Rs 543,005 handed over by the popular Indreni TV program and Indreni Social Organization to rural municipality chairperson Nagendra Bista in February 2024.
Anjan Shakya calls for bold reforms to transform Nepal’s agriculture
National Assembly member Dr. Anjan Shakya has urged the government to establish an Agriculture Center of Excellence to ensure holistic development of Nepal’s agricultural sector. Speaking during discussions on the budget for the fiscal year 2025/26, Shakya said the need for a comprehensive strategy rooted in modernization, sustainability, and commercialization of agriculture.
Gagan Thapa stresses need for responsible politics, warns against provocative rhetoric
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has called on party leaders and supporters to uphold the party’s long-standing commitment to responsible and principled politics, cautioning against impulsive and emotionally charged rhetoric that could threaten democratic values. Speaking at the first general convention of the Nepal Democratic Yakthung Limbu Association in Dharan on Friday, Thapa emphasized that the Nepali Congress (NC) does not engage in mob politics or incitement.
Minister Yadav calls for use of bicycles to minimize air pollution
Minister for Drinking Water Pradeep Yadav has suggested that all concerned promote the use of bicycles to reduce air pollution in the dense cities and urban areas. Inaugurating the cycle rally organized by the Marwadi Youth Forum on the occasion of World Environment Day here today, Minister Yadav called for using bicycles to reduce traffic congestion and eliminate an unhealthy lifestyle. The use of green vehicles does not produce smoke as they do not consume fossil fuel, he reminded, adding that building a green world requires utmost use of clean and renewable energy. The Minister pledged more investment in policy making and infrastructure to promote environment-friendly transportation.
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