KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Tensions flare between Shyam Ghimire and Sumana Shrestha during parliamentary committee meeting
A heated exchange broke out between Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker and former Education Minister Sumana Shrestha during a meeting of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives on Thursday. The confrontation occurred during a discussion on the School Education Bill at Singha Durbar, where Committee Chair Amar Bahadur Thapa (Unified Socialist) had given Shrestha the floor to speak.
UML think tank launches survey challenging central committee’s key decisions
An internal rift has surfaced within Nepal’s ruling CPN-UML after its own intellectual wing launched a public survey questioning key decisions made by the party’s Central Committee, including the removal of the two-term limit for executive positions and the 70-year age cap for leadership roles. The survey comes just weeks after the party’s Central Committee meeting on July 21–22, where changes were endorsed to pave the way for UML Chair KP Sharma Oli’s continued leadership. The Nepal Intellectual Council, UML’s intellectual wing, however, has initiated a series of consultations aimed at reigniting debate ahead of the party’s Second Statute Convention, scheduled for September 5–7 in Godavari, Lalitpur.
Bidya Devi Bhandari sets up contact office at historic Thapagaun residence
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has set up a political contact office in the same Thapagaun residence from where her late husband and former CPN-UML General Secretary Madan Kumar Bhandari ran his 1991 election campaign. The office, located near Mandala Theater in Thapagaun, Kathmandu, is currently being furnished and is expected to be officially inaugurated in the coming days. According to a senior UML leader close to her, Bhandari intends to use the space as a platform to engage in political discussions and maintain contact with party leaders and cadres.
Impact of Bhandari’s membership cancellation felt at grassroots level, says ward chair
The CPN-UML’s decision to cancel the renewed party membership of former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has reportedly triggered discontent among grassroots-level party members. Bhandari, who had renewed her membership in April 2024, saw it annulled during the party’s central committee meeting held on July 21–22. The move has raised concerns among cadres, including elected representatives. One such voice of concern was expressed during a meeting of the UML Khotang-Kathmandu Liaison Committee held last Saturday in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. Dinesh Kumar Rai, Ward Chair of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-14 in Khotang, publicly criticized the decision, highlighting its demoralizing effect on party workers.
Prachanda urges swift passage of School Education Bill, calls for Ramhari Khatiwada’s resignation
Chair of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has called on the government to expedite the passage of the School Education Bill, blaming the delay on the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. Speaking at an educational dialogue program organized by the All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary) in Kathmandu on Thursday, Dahal stated that obstruction in the parliamentary committee by the two major parties had stalled the bill’s progress. He urged the government to pass it without further delay. Dahal asserted that the passage of the School Education Bill and the implementation of the Higher Education Commission’s report could resolve up to 90 percent of the problems in Nepal’s education sector. He noted that the absence of laws aligned with the spirit of the constitution has hindered meaningful reform in education.
Prachanda: Children of Maoist leaders and cadres will not study abroad or in private schools
Chair of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has announced that the children of Maoist leaders, elected representatives, and party cadres will no longer be allowed to study in private schools or abroad. Speaking during an educational dialogue program titled “With Students: Chair Prachanda” organized by the ANNISU (Revolutionary) on Thursday, the former prime minister said he has already directed party officials to ensure their children attend public schools. Prachanda said that following the central committee meeting of the Maoist Centre, he called a gathering of 123 party leaders, including mayors, deputy mayors, and other officials from Maoist-led local governments in Kathmandu, instructing them to enroll their children in public schools.
Three-tier of govt should be effortful to preserve Chure: Acting Prime Minister
Acting Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakashman Singh has said that cooperation between the three levels of government and the local community was necessary to protect the Chure region to reduce the impacts of climate change. Inaugurating a newly-constructed commercial building in Lahan today, the Acting Prime Minister said that sustainable preservation of Chure would help resolve the environmental challenges surfaced in Madhes. On the occasion, Minister Singh appreciated the role played by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction in advancing Nepal’s economy.
Glacial melting was one of the major challenges of Nepal: PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stated that Nepal has not made any mistakes regarding carbon emissions, but rather the country is simply bearing the consequences of others in terms of the impacts of climate change. Our carbon emissions are negligible, yet we are hugely impacted by climate change, and Nepal is one of the major victims of this. At a side event entitled “Glacial Melt and Beyond: Unraveling the Climate Challenges Impacting LLDCs” of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries at Awaza in Turkmenistan on Thursday, the PM said that as a Himalayan country, glacial melting was one of the major challenges of Nepal.
Three-tier of govt should be effortful to preserve Chure: Acting Prime Minister
Committee directs Pashupati Area Development Trust to submit details on land use
The International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives has directed the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) to submit a comprehensive report on the use of land registered under its name. Following an on-site visit to the Pashupati area on Thursday, the committee instructed PADT to provide details regarding the current usage and occupancy of its land holdings by August 31. Committee Chair Rajkishor Yadav stated that the Trust has been asked to clarify which plots of land are being used for what purposes and who is currently occupying them. He added that if any land has been allocated or used in violation of regulations, the committee will recommend appropriate action.
UML expresses dissent over Election Commission’s political party self-assessment guideline
The ruling CPN-UML has expressed strong disagreement with the Election Commission’s newly introduced Political Party Self-Assessment Procedure 2025, claiming that it interferes with the internal affairs of political parties. The UML has argued that self-assessment is an internal matter of political parties and that the Election Commission should not intervene in such processes. The Commission had invited political parties and stakeholders to provide feedback on the procedure by Thursday.
Rabi Lamichhane files petition seeking release on bail, calls detention politically motivated
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane, currently in judicial custody at Rupandehi prison, has filed a petition at the Rupandehi District Court seeking release on bail. He faces charges related to cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. Lamichhane has claimed that his imprisonment is politically motivated and has requested to be released on a bank guarantee under Sections 68 and 71 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2017. In his petition, he argued that he had no involvement in the cooperative fraud case and that he should be allowed to post bail equivalent to the amount of financial liability attributed to him.
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai demands Rabi Lamichhane’s release on bail
Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti) Chairman and former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has called for Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane to be released from custody while his case is being heard. Speaking to the media after meeting Lamichhane at the Rupandehi District Jail in Bhairahawa on Thursday, Bhattarai said Lamichhane should have been granted the opportunity to defend himself from outside the prison. “The final verdict has not yet been reached. He is currently in judicial custody, which is typically reserved for those deemed likely to abscond or commit further offenses,” Bhattarai said.
Nine individuals apply to be RSP candidates in Rupandehi-3 by-election
Nine individuals have submitted applications to become candidates from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for the upcoming by-election in Rupandehi-3. The RSP made the list of applicants public on Thursday through a live broadcast on its official Facebook page. The applicants are Sulav Kharel, Parthivendra Upadhyay, Lekhjung Thapa, Gyanu Poudel, Jit Bahadur Gupta, Kusum Maharjan, Rachana Chhetri, Poonam Kumari Agrawal, and Madhu Prasad Aryal. Among them, only Kusum Maharjan is from outside Rupandehi; the rest are local residents.
AIIB President Limbunan pays courtesy call on PM Oli
Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, currently taking place in Turkmenistan.
Nepali women’s team soars to 87th in FIFA rankings
The Nepal women’s national football team has achieved its highest-ever position in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, climbing 13 places to reach 87th in the latest rankings published by the sport’s global governing body. This marks a historic achievement for Nepali women’s football. The previous best ranking for Nepal was 91st, a record that has now been surpassed following an impressive run in recent international fixtures. Nepal, which previously stood at 100th, gained 46.49 ranking points, propelling the team into the top 90 for the first time. Within Asia, Nepal is now ranked 16th among AFC nations.
Non-communicable diseases on the rise in Nepal
Nepal is witnessing a worrying surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular illnesses, chronic respiratory complications, and cancers, according to health experts. Dr. Manita Pyakurel of the Nepal Non-Communicable Disease Alliance stated that NCD cases are increasing at an alarming rate. Among them, heart disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, and cancers are the most prevalent. “Heart-related conditions account for about 30 percent of all NCDs, followed by chronic respiratory diseases at 10 percent and cancers at 9 percent,” she said.
Over 2,400 homes at risk of landslides in Baglung’s Nisikhola Rural Municipality
At least 2,438 households in Nisikhola Rural Municipality of Baglung district have been identified as being at high risk of landslides and flash floods, putting an estimated 13,597 residents in danger. The most affected area is Ward No. 1, where 920 homes are exposed to significant landslide threats. Settlements such as Huldi, Lebang, Kiteni, and Swar are among the most vulnerable, according to Rural Municipality Chairperson Suryabahadur Gharti Magar. Landslides have become increasingly frequent in the region since 2017 (2074 BS), local residents say.
NEPSE gains 18.30 points as turnover crosses Rs 8.5 Billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index surged by 18.30 points on Thursday, closing at 2,850.37 points, a 0.64% increase. The rise in NEPSE was accompanied by a noticeable uptick in trading volume. A total of 254,003,540 shares worth Rs 8.53 billion were traded during the day. Out of the 318 companies that saw trading activity, 197 registered gains in their share prices, while 62 recorded losses. No company saw its share price remain unchanged.
Nepal exports over Rs 17.5 billion worth of electricity to India and Bangladesh
Nepal has exported over Rs 17.5 billion worth of electricity to India and Bangladesh in the fiscal year 2024/25. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal sold approximately Rs 17.19 billion worth of electricity to India and around Rs 266.7 million to Bangladesh. Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka said the achievement not only boosts export volume but also improves Nepal’s trade balance, as electricity imports from India, which were about Rs 12.92 billion last year, are gradually declining.
NC General Secretary objects EC’s party self-assessment draft
Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has expressed strong objections to the draft of the ‘Political Party Self-Assessment Procedure 2025’ prepared by the Election Commission. In a social media post on Thursday, Sharma stated his disagreement with the draft and urged that the disagreements over the procedure be resolved within the Election Commission itself. He said that the evaluation of political parties is a right of the people, guided clearly by the constitution, rather than an institutional imposition.
Dry landslide blocks Mid-Hill Highway
A dry landslide has completely obstructed the Mid-Hill Highway at Bimire Bhanjyang in Ward 10 of Madhyanepal Municipality. According to police, the continuous falling of debris has made it impossible to immediately clear the landslide and reopen the road. The landslide, which occurred on Thursday morning, disrupted vehicular movement along the Pokhara–Besisahar route.
Indian Foreign Secretary to visit Nepal on August 17
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Nepal on August 17, according to a source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his stay, Misri is expected to meet with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Arju Rana Deuba, and other senior officials. The visit comes in preparation for Prime Minister Oli’s upcoming trip to India, scheduled for September.
Gold price remains steady while silver edges up
The price of gold in the Nepali market remained unchanged on Thursday, holding steady at Rs 198,400 per tola, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. Meanwhile, silver prices saw a slight increase. Silver is being traded at Rs 2,315 per tola today, up by Rs 10 from Wednesday’s rate of Rs 2,305.
UML General Secretary criticizes unchanging leadership in Maoist Centre
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has pointed out that while major political parties like the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have seen regular changes in leadership since the establishment of multiparty democracy, the same cannot be said for the Maoist party. In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, Pokharel highlighted that since the 1990 political movement, leadership in both Nepali Congress and UML has undergone several transitions, reflecting internal democratic practices. However, he suggested that the CPN (Maoist Centre) has remained under the control of a single individual since its inception.
Three remanded in custody in Karnali Development Bank scam
Tulsipur High Court has ordered pretrial detention for three individuals, including the founding chairperson of Karnali Development Bank, in connection with a multi-billion-rupee financial scam that rocked the bank headquartered in Nepalgunj. The court ruling, issued by a joint bench of Justices Chandra Bahadur Saru and Poonam Singh Chand, followed a hearing on the high-profile embezzlement case that implicates 109 individuals in total.
Armed Police Force establishes temporary monsoon response bases at 41 locations
The Armed Police Force (APF) has established temporary monsoon response bases at 41 locations across the country, including several within the Kathmandu Valley. In the Valley, bases have been set up at Kolmateshwor Temple, Dharmasthali, Dhapasi, Lele in Lalitpur, and Sanothimi in Bhaktapur. According to Deputy Inspector General Kalidas Dhauwaji, the central spokesperson for the APF, these bases are part of efforts to support rescue and relief operations during monsoon-related disasters.
Government moves to legally recognize domestic workers as formal labor
The Government of Nepal is preparing to formally recognize domestic workers under the country’s labor laws for the first time. Acting on the directive of Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari, the ministry has initiated the legal amendment process to provide domestic workers with formal labor status. Minister Bhandari emphasized the urgent need to bring domestic workers, long excluded from formal systems, under the scope of official labor protections, and said that the government has started laying the legal groundwork accordingly.
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