KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
New Citizenship Bill to empower mothers in child citizenship registration
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stated that the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act, 2006, aims to recognize mothers as the primary guardians of their children by granting them the right to declare and assume full responsibility for their child’s citizenship. Speaking during the theoretical discussions on the Nepal Citizenship Bill at the Legislation Management Committee under the National Assembly, Minister Lekhak clarified that the Bill’s goal is to ensure mothers have the full right to pass citizenship to their children if they declare that the father cannot be identified or presented.
Banepa sisters face social boycott for performing father’s funeral rites
Banepa Municipality Deputy Mayor Bimala Sapkota and her two sisters are facing social backlash after breaking a long-held tradition by performing their father’s funeral rites themselves. Following the death of their 91-year-old father, Hari Prasad Sapkota, on Sunday, the three sisters, Bimala, Nirmala, and Radhika, lit the funeral pyre and began the 13-day kriyā mourning period. Their decision defied the customary belief that such rituals must be carried out by sons.
NHRC team visits Rabi Lamichhane at Bhairahawa Prison
A team from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) visited Bhairahawa Prison to meet with Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, who is currently in custody on charges of embezzlement involving crores of rupees from a cooperative. The visit comes amid recent controversial reports in the media about Lamichhane’s condition in custody.
Gandaki abolishes 7 directorates, cuts 185 staff to slash administrative costs
The Gandaki provincial government has decided to abolish seven directorates and merge their functions into relevant ministries, along with cutting 185 staff positions, as part of efforts to reduce rising administrative expenses.
According to Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, this move is expected to immediately reduce the province’s financial burden by approximately Rs 500 million.
Complaint filed against Rabi Lamichhane at Judicial Council
A formal complaint has been lodged against Rabi Lamichhane, chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), at the Judicial Council while he remains in custody at Bhairahawa Prison. The complaint, filed by lawyer Ramesh Bahadur Rawal, accuses Lamichhane of interfering in judicial processes. Rawal’s complaint states that while the case against Lamichhane is still under consideration at the Rupandehi District Court, Lamichhane submitted petitions aimed at influencing the court’s decision.
Rabi Lamichhane’s bail hearing scheduled after submitting bank guarantee
Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane’s bail hearing has been scheduled at the Rupandehi District Court after he submitted a bank guarantee equivalent to the bail amount. The hearing is set before Judge Narayan Sapkota’s bench. Lamichhane has already deposited a bank guarantee of Rs 27.48 million as part of his bail application, and the court is now proceeding with the case.
Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Upendra Yadav hold discussion on democratic cooperation
Senior Vice President of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), Narayan Kaji Shrestha, met with Upendra Yadav, Chair of the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, for a key discussion at Shrestha’s residence in Hattiban. The talks focused on safeguarding democratic achievements and advancing socialism through cooperation among transformative political forces.
Large crowd of devotees at Pashupatinath on final Monday of Shravan
Thousands of devotees thronged the Pashupatinath Temple on Monday to mark the final Monday of the holy month of Shravan, which is considered especially auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. Mondays are traditionally dedicated to Shiva, and during Shravan, devotees believe their prayers are particularly well-received by the deity, also known as Ashutosh.
NEPSE falls 27.90 points, closes at 2,822
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 27.90 points on Monday, settling at 2,822.46 points. Although the market opened on a positive note, it began to decline after 32 minutes of trading. Despite the fall in the index, total turnover rose sharply. Monday’s transactions reached Rs 10.21 billion, compared to Rs 8.53 billion the previous day. Out of the listed companies, 30 saw their share prices increase, while 220 declined.
Bipin Joshi’s mother and sister leave for Israel to press for his release
The mother and sister of Bipin Joshi, who has been held hostage by Hamas since October 2023, left for Israel on Monday to push for his release. Bipin’s mother Padma Joshi and sister Pushpa departed on a FlyDubai flight at 9 am, facilitated by the Israeli Embassy in Kathmandu. Witnesses at Tribhuvan International Airport said the two were visibly emotional, breaking into tears as they entered the departure area.
PM KP Oli to inaugurate NADA Auto Show 2025
The Nepal Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has announced that Prime Minister KP Oli will inaugurate the upcoming NADA Auto Show 2025. Prime Minister Oli accepted the invitation extended by NADA to grace the event as the chief guest and officially open the 17th edition of the auto show. On August 10, a delegation led by NADA Chair Karan Chaudhary met with Prime Minister Oli to provide details about the event and formally request his presence for the inauguration.
House committee to host Hindu Kush Himalaya Conference in Kathmandu
The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources has announced plans to organize the ‘Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentary Conference’ in Kathmandu in August. At a press conference held on Monday at Singha Durbar, the committee revealed that the conference will be held on August 18-19 with coordination from the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Planning Commission, along with technical support from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Gold prices down
Gold prices have decreased by Rs 1,100 per tola on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold for Monday has been set at Rs 198,100 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has gone down by Rs 15 per tola and is being sold for Rs 2,315 per tola.
Nepal cricket team departing for Australia to compete in Top End T20 series
The Nepal national cricket team is departing for Australia today to take part in the Top End T20 cricket series from August 14 to 24, marking the first time Nepal will compete in the tournament. The farewell program was organized by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Sunday, with National Sports Council Member Secretary Tanka Lal Ghising, CAN President Chatur Bahadur Chand, and Secretary Paras Khadka among those present to bid the team goodbye.
Sudurpaschim Province to provide Rs 500,000 to family of inmate killed in Kailali Prison
The Sudurpaschim Province Government has announced Rs 500,000 in compensation for the family of Bharat Chaudhary, an inmate who died after a violent clash in Kailali Prison on Friday night. The decision was made during a meeting of the provincial security committee on Sunday evening, chaired by Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, according to a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law. The government will also cover the cost of medical treatment for the 44 prisoners injured in the incident.
Nepalgunj–New Delhi direct flight proposal submitted to Prime Minister
Representatives from Banke and Bardiya, along with local industrialists and business leaders, have urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to facilitate the operation of a direct flight between Nepalgunj and New Delhi. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, they stated that necessary infrastructure at Nepalgunj Airport has already been developed. They emphasized that such a service would enhance air connectivity for 32 districts of western Nepal and boost economic activities in the region.
Nepalgunj-Delhi direct flight a priority for govt: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr. Arju Rana Deuba said Nepal is trying hard to establish a direct flight route between Nepalgunj and New Delhi, India. Minister Rana made this commitment on Monday during a meeting at the Ministry with key political leaders from Banke, members of the federal parliament representing Banke and Bardiya districts, business entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders who had requested her support for the direct Nepalgunj-Delhi flight.
PM Oli assures adequate fertilizer supply to farmers
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the government is paying special attention to ensuring there is no shortage of chemical fertilizers during this year’s planting season. In a Facebook post on Monday, Oli said there is currently a stock of 28,824 metric tons of fertilizer available across the country for immediate use.
77 percent paddy plantation completed in Madhes
Around 77 percent of paddy plantation has been completed in the eight drought-affected districts of Madhes Province. According to Jitendra Yadav, Director at the Directorate of Agricultural Development, the highest plantation rate has been recorded in Bara at 95 percent, while the lowest is in Mahottari at 61.5 percent.
Hybrid variety of paddy planted with Chinese support
Hybrid varieties of paddy have been planted in the trial paddy fields of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, in Chitwan district, with the support of the government of China.
Thirty-six Hybrid varieties of paddy developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science in Chongqing have been planted as a pilot in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song.
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