KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Corruption is the biggest threat to human rights: PM Karki
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that corruption has emerged as the biggest challenge to human rights in Nepal. Addressing the ceremony organized to mark the International Human Rights Day, PM Karki stressed that corruption directly deprives poor and marginalized citizens of their fundamental rights. “Corruption is the biggest challenge to human rights. It is not only an economic irregularity; it is a grave violation that snatches the fundamental rights of poor, vulnerable, and marginalized citizens,” she said. “When a project becomes corruption-ridden, patients are deprived of their right to treatment, and students are blocked from accessing quality education.”
Pokharel targets Oli: If I were him, I would have already given my statement to the Commission
CPN-UML Senior Vice Chair Ishwar Pokharel has said that party chair KP Sharma Oli should appear before the inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki if summoned. Speaking during an interaction with editors and journalists in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Pokharel, who is also a contender for the party chairmanship in the upcoming 11th General Convention, remarked that if he were in Oli’s position, he would have gone to provide his statement even before being called by the commission.
Gen-Z movement and Government sign 10-point agreement
Representatives of the Gen-Z People’s Movement and the Government of Nepal has signed a 10-point agreement on Wednesday, addressing key demands raised during protests against corruption, misgovernance, impunity, and social inequality. The agreement includes provisions for honoring martyr families, providing relief to the injured, and forming commissions to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. The government has committed to forming a high-level commission to investigate violent incidents that occurred during the recent protests.
Ishwar Pokhrel says he will accept UML convention results, calls blocking of Bhandari’s membership a ‘leadership mistake’
CPN-UML Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokhrel has said he will fully accept the results of the party’s 11th General Convention, regardless of the outcome of the internal competition. Interacting with journalists in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Pokhrel said one should not be happy only when winning but must also be ready to accept defeat and move forward in the party’s interest.
Prabhu Bank’s remittance head Shakya arrested in banking offense case
Prabhu Bank Limited’s Head of Remittance Department, Sugen (Sujit) Shakya, has been arrested on charges of additional involvement in banking offenses under the Banking Offense and Punishment Act, 2008. He was taken into custody from Ikhachen, Lalitpur–11, on Wednesday after police obtained an arrest warrant from the Patan High Court. According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, Shakya had unlawfully appointed Prabhu Management Pvt. Ltd. as a super agent and provided advance funds for remittance transactions.
Back at NEA, Shakya pledges immediate action on key projects
Hitendra Dev Shakya has officially assumed his duties as the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) from Wednesday. Shakya returned to the post following a Supreme Court ruling that reinstated him. He reached the NEA office at Ratnapark to take charge of his responsibilities. During the occasion, Managing Director Shakya clarified that the priorities set by the authority will remain unchanged. He emphasized the prompt implementation of government plans to advance several major hydropower projects.
UML finalizes 2,154 delegates for 11th General Convention
CPN-UML has finalized the list of delegates for its upcoming 11th National General Convention, the party’s Convention Management Committee announced. The committee, in a meeting held today, confirmed that a total of 2,154 delegates will participate in the convention through elections, special quotas, and nominations, said committee coordinator Kashinath Adhikari. In addition, all 309 members of the party’s Central Advisory Council will attend the convention, bringing the total number of participants in the convention hall to 2,463. The committee has also started printing delegate identification cards.
KUKL to suspend all services for three days for software merger
Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) is set to halt all services, including revenue payments, for three days due to an ongoing software merger process. According to KUKL Chief Executive Director Ashok Kumar Paudel, the consolidation of the Chhetrapati and Tripureshwar branches, along with the software integration of the Maharajgunj and Kamaladi branches, requires a complete service shutdown from 3 PM on December 12 to 14.
Silver hits all-time high of Rs 3,750 per tola; gold rises by Rs 200
Silver prices reached a new all-time high on Wednesday, breaking the record set a week ago. The metal climbed to Rs 3,750 per tola, marking a sharp increase of Rs 150 in a single day. Silver had been traded at Rs 3,600 per tola on Tuesday. Last Wednesday, it had hit a previous high of Rs 3,655 per tola. Gold prices also rose, increasing by Rs 200 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold that traded at Rs 251,900 per tola the previous day reached Rs 252,100 on Wednesday.
CPN-UML is not Oli’s private company: Karna Thapa
CPN-UML Standing Committee member Karna Bahadur Thapa, now known as a prominent critic of party Chair KP Sharma Oli, has intensified his objections to Oli’s leadership style. Thapa argues that Oli has acted against his own earlier commitments to the democratization of party structures by removing the two-term and 70-year age limits within the UML. A native of Bajura, Thapa claims he has been sidelined for raising these concerns. Preparing to contest for the position of Deputy General Secretary, or Secretary if possible, Thapa has aligned himself with the group led by Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel. He believes delegates at the 11th General Convention will “rebel” and replace the current leadership, insisting that Oli would not have secured the presidency in the ninth and tenth general conventions without Pokharel’s support.
Nagdhunga–Naubise–Malekhu road to remain partially closed for a week from today
The Nagdhunga–Naubise–Malekhu road section will remain partially closed for a week starting today as authorities begin blacktopping and upgrading works along the highway. According to the Nagdhunga–Muglin Road Project (Eastern Section), vehicular movement will be halted for five hours daily, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm, until December 16 to allow uninterrupted construction activity.
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