KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
UML welcomes back leaders who had joined Unified Socialist Party
Leaders who had left CPN-UML for the Unified Socialist party have returned to the UML amid dissatisfaction with the broader communist unification. On Monday, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli welcomed Ramkumari Jhakri and Kisan Shrestha back to the party during the “Homecoming Campaign” in Kathmandu, presenting them with the party flag.
Sumitra Subedi Bhandari appoints Saroj Yadav as Madhesh Province Chief Minister
Madhesh Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari, on Monday morning, appointed CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader Saroj Yadav as the Chief Minister. Subedi, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Kathmandu, administered the oath of office to Yadav at a hotel in Sindhuli under Article 168 (3) of the Constitution. Yadav’s appointment comes two days after Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal resigned on Saturday following indications that he would fail to secure a vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly.
Late-night CM appointment in Madhesh Province sparks political storm
Politics from Madhesh Province to the federal capital has been thrown into turmoil after Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari appointed CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister early Monday morning from a hotel in Bardibas, Mahottari. Appointed as Province Chief during KP Sharma Oli’s premiership, Bhandari bypassed the Nepali Congress-led alliance and swore in Yadav as Chief Minister under Article 168 (3) of the Constitution from a Bardibas hotel.
Office of Madhesh Chief Minister vandalized following controversial appointment
Tension flared in Madhesh Province on Monday morning after the appointment of UML parliamentary party leader Saroj Yadav as Chief Minister, leading to vandalism inside the Chief Minister’s Office. According to reports, provincial assembly members, along with several individuals, entered the Chief Minister’s chamber and vandalized furniture and property. They also threw away the national flag displayed in the office.
Seven parties to file petition against Madhesh CM’s overnight appointment
In Madhesh Province, seven political parties have decided to approach the Supreme Court over the sudden appointment of CPN-UML parliamentary leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as chief minister from a hotel. The parties claim that Yadav’s appointment violated the constitution, citing Article 168, Clause 3. A joint meeting on Monday morning resolved to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court with signatures from a majority of provincial assembly members. Congress parliamentary leader Krishna Prasad Yadav said the petition would include endorsements from 74 provincial assembly members across the seven parties.
RPP withdraws support from new Madhesh government, calls CM appointment ‘serious breach of discipline’
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has opposed Madhesh Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari’s controversial decision to appoint CPN-UML leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister from a hotel in Bardibas. RPP Chairman Rajendra Prasad Lingden said the party’s attention had been drawn to its participation in the newly formed provincial government, calling it a serious violation of party discipline.
CK Raut calls for autonomous Madhesh amid turmoil over midnight CM appointment
As political tension escalates in Madhesh Province following the midnight appointment of UML leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister, Janamat Party Chairman Dr. CK Raut has reignited his long-dormant agenda of Madhesh autonomy. Taking to social media on Monday, Raut called for the declaration of Madhesh as an autonomous state, arguing that the current turmoil has created the right time to assert Madhesh’s self-governance.
UML calls parliamentary party meeting of dissolved House to discuss political situation
The CPN-UML has called a parliamentary party meeting of members of the dissolved House of Representatives to discuss the recent political complexities and unusual circumstances in the country. According to Mahesh Bartaula, Chief Whip of the UML parliamentary group in the dissolved House, the meeting will be held on November 18 at 1:00 PM at the party’s central office in Chyasal.
Bhim Rawal to join newly formed Nepal Communist Party
Former UML Vice-Chairman Bhim Rawal, expelled from the party in late 2024, is now preparing to align with the newly created Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Prachanda, Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Jhala Nath Khanal. Despite UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s recent public call for dissidents to “return home,” Rawal had initially dismissed the appeal. However, after months of political uncertainty and nationwide outreach under his Matribhoomi Jagaran Abhiyan, Rawal has now decided to join the new left bloc.
UML central member Pasang Sherpa released after paying fine in polygamy case
CPN-UML central member Pasang Sherpa was released from Dillibazar Prison on Monday after paying the monetary equivalent of his sentence in a polygamy case. According to Kathmandu District Court sources, Sherpa was freed following an order by Judge Anand Prasad Shrestha, which allowed his release upon payment of the fine.
Rift deepens in Nepali Congress over House reinstatement move
A rift has surfaced within the Nepali Congress (NC) over the party’s move to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives. The party began collecting lawmakers’ signatures on Sunday under the directive of party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is currently in Singapore. Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire initiated the signature campaign at Deuba’s instruction, as the party seeks to restore the parliament dissolved after the formation of the interim government led by Sushila Karki on September 12.
RSP will secure a two-thirds majority in upcoming election: Aryal
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) held its extended meeting in Sauraha, Chitwan, on Friday and Saturday, releasing a nine-point declaration. Despite winning 21 seats in the House of Representatives in its first election in 2079 BS, the party has yet to hold its first general convention — a matter that has drawn considerable attention and criticism. Acting Party President DP Aryal maintains that the RSP faces no challenges concerning upcoming elections. He argues that holding a general convention at this stage would be inappropriate, as district, local, and tole-level conventions have not yet taken place nationwide. Aryal insists that it is politically prudent to postpone the general convention until after the elections.
Minister Ghising urges Helambu Rural Municipality to help resolve Melamchi obstruction
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising has urged Helambu Rural Municipality to take necessary steps to resolve the obstruction at the Melamchi Water Supply Project source area. The minister made the request after locals affected by the project shut down the water intake, halting water supply to the Kathmandu Valley. The protesters have been demanding implementation of previous agreements with the government.
NEPSE continues downward trend for second day, slips 5.80 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) continued its losing streak for the second straight day of the trading week. After a 30.02-point decline on Sunday, the benchmark index dropped by another 5.80 points on Monday, closing at 2,560.29 points. According to NEPSE, shares worth Rs 4.51 billion were traded today. Out of the total listed companies, 151 saw a decline in their share prices, 90 gained, while 11 remained unchanged.
Gold price surges by Rs 2,900 per tola in Nepal
The price of gold in Nepal has surged by Rs 2,900 per tola on Monday, continuing its upward trend. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has been fixed at Rs 241,500 per tola for the day. On Sunday, it was traded at Rs 238,600 per tola.
Ranjha Airport’s new terminal building completed ahead of schedule
The construction of the new, modern terminal building at Ranjha Airport in Nepalgunj has been completed two months ahead of schedule. According to Nal Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Ranjha Airport Terminal Building Project, the construction company began work in January 2023 with a three-year deadline extending to January 2025, but finished the project earlier than planned.
Man arrested for beating 78-year-old father to death in Kathmandu
Police have arrested a man accused of killing his 78-year-old father in Kimdol, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-15. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Pemba Lama, also known as Roshan Gurung, originally from Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6 in Gorkha, was taken into custody on Sunday night.
Govt team inspects Korala border to boost Nepal-China trade and tourism
A high-level team from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration visited the Korala border on Monday to assess its infrastructure and potential for trade and tourism. The team, including Home Secretary Rameshwar Dangal and Immigration Department Director General Ramchandra Tiwari, traveled from Pokhara to Jomsom and then proceeded to Korala border. They met with Lhoghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality Chairperson Lopsang Chomfel Bista and Korala Immigration Office Chief Pravesh Budhuwal to gather information about the border’s operations.
Election Commission consults former officials to ensure smooth upcoming elections
The Election Commission (EC) on Monday consulted with its former officials and secretaries to prepare for the upcoming House of Representatives and National Assembly elections. The meeting, held at the EC central office on Kantipath, aimed to draw on past experiences to make the elections free, fair, impartial, secure, and cost-effective.
Players refuse to join ANFA talks unless discussions are broadcast live
Protesting footballers have refused to sit for talks with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) unless the discussion is broadcast live. A team led by Nepal Football Players’ Association President Bikram Lama reached the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Monday for the talks, called after ANFA and A Division clubs agreed to skip this year’s A Division League and hold only the National League instead.
Department resumes driving license written and trial exams after two months
The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has resumed written and trial examinations for driving licenses starting today, nearly two months after they were halted due to damage caused during the Gen-Z movement protests in September. In the first phase, the department has restarted services from four offices in the Kathmandu Valley. “We resumed written and trial exams at Radhe Radhe and Sanobharyang from Sunday and have now added Chabahil and Ekantakuna offices,” said Keshav Khatiwada, Director of Information and Technology at the DoTM.
Diverted flights skip Gautam Buddha Airport as infrastructure and cost challenges persist
Despite having an alternative international airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa has struggled to handle diverted international flights due to technical issues and a shortage of skilled personnel. On Saturday, flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) were disrupted for over 5.5 hours when its airfield lighting system failed. As a result, a Korean Air flight and a Fly Dubai flight were diverted to Delhi and Lucknow, respectively. However, even when alternative airports like GBIA exist, most international carriers still prefer landing outside Nepal, citing operational and cost concerns.
National AI Center inaugurated in Nepal to boost digital transformation
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has established the National AI Center, inaugurated on Monday by Minister Jagdish Kharel. Minister Kharel highlighted that although the center has started in a small office, it marks a significant leap for Nepal’s AI sector. He noted that with the formation of the AI Council and the introduction of a national AI policy, Nepal is advancing steadily on the path to a digital future.
Police arrest 10 vandals, arsonists linked to Gen Z protest in Jhapa
Police have arrested 10 individuals allegedly involved in vandalism and arson during the Gen Z protests on September 8-9, targeting the Area Police Office, Damak. Two youths from Chulachuli, Ilam, Nakul Adhikari (22) of Chulachuli-3 and Riyaz Silwal (19) of Chulachuli-5, were taken into custody Sunday night for investigation, according to the Area Police Office, Damak. Their arrest brings the total of those apprehended for attacking the office to four, the District Police Office, Jhapa said.
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