KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Mishra and Prasai to remain in custody for five more days
The Kathmandu District Court has extended the custody of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) senior vice-chair Rabindra Mishra for the eighth time. The court has also granted police permission to keep medical entrepreneur and royalist activist Durga Prasai in custody for five more days.
Prasai was arrested on Chaitra 28 from Assam, India, while Mishra has been in custody since Chaitra 15, following a royalist protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu, that turned violent and resulted in the deaths of journalist Suresh Rajak and transport worker Sabin Maharjan.
The extension order was issued by Judge Mona Singh of the Kathmandu District Court, covering Mishra, Prasai, and 22 others.
Film studio will be built in Banepa, PM assures
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that beginning of the high-tech indoor shooting studio called ‘Cinepa’ was a sort of revolution for Nepal’s film industry.
At a programme organized by the Film Development Board at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar today, the PM announced that a film studio would be built at Banepa in Kavre as per the demand of the film industry.
The demand being raised by the film industry and stakeholders for six decades is being addressed, the PM stated.
Congress lawmaker Maya Rai charged in Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case
Nepali Congress proportional lawmaker Maya Rai has been formally charged in connection with the large-scale savings fraud involving the Suryadarshan Cooperative, based in Kalimati, Kathmandu.
The case, which also implicates Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane, centers on the alleged embezzlement of over Rs 1.19 billion from more than 690 depositors.
Rai, who was arrested in Kathmandu on Baisakh 13, has been charged with two offenses: cooperative fraud and organized crime.
Women’s T20 Cricket: Hong Kong defeats Nepal
Nepal has been defeated by Hong Kong in the match played today under the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers.
Hong Kong defeated Nepal by 7 wickets in the match played at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground in Bangkok, Thailand.
Nepal set a target of 30 runs for victory after the match was reduced to 5 overs each due to rain.
But Hong Kong achieved the target in 4.3 overs with the loss of 3 wickets.
Two-way traffic resumes on BP Highway
The BP Highway, which was blocked due to a landslide, has reopened. Two-way traffic resumed at 1 p.m. today after the debris was cleared, according to DSP Min Bahadur Ghale of the District Police Office, Kavrepalanchok. The highway had been closed since 8:45 p.m. on Monday after a flood in the Roshi River swept away a diversion at Mamti in Roshi Rural Municipality. The flood severely damaged the section of the road leading to Mangaltar in Roshi-12. Further flooding on Monday night delayed the reopening, but the road has now been restored for vehicular movement.
Preparations for Sagarmatha Sambaad in final stage
Preparations for the first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad, a high-level international conference organized by the Government of Nepal, are in the final stage. Scheduled for May 16 to 18 in Kathmandu, the dialogue forum will focus on “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.” The government plans to hold the dialogue biennially. The dialogue, named after Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), aims to provide a multi-stakeholder platform for global, regional, and national discussions on urgent contemporary issues, especially climate change. Over 150 foreign guests from nearly 40 countries—including ministers, experts, diplomats, and heads of agencies—are expected to attend alongside about 400 national and international participants.
Lawmakers urge govt to prepare for monsoon disasters
With the arrival of the monsoon season, lawmakers have urged the government to step up preparations to mitigate the risks of floods and landslides across the country. During an emergency meeting of the House of Representatives held today, they expressed concern over the lack of reconstruction of infrastructure damaged during last year’s disasters and called for immediate preventive measures. Lawmaker Suryaman Dong criticized the government’s delay in assessing the damages caused by the floods and landslides of September 2024. He also raised concerns about the sluggish pace of reconstruction and repair of critical infrastructure, warning that the country remains vulnerable to repeat disasters if proactive steps are not taken.
SEBON unveils SME regulations, but NEPSE yet to approve bylaws
The Securities and Exchange Board of Nepal (SEBON) has made public the Securities Issuance and Trading Regulations for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 2025, setting the groundwork for small and medium-sized companies to raise capital through the issuance and trading of securities. However, the implementation of these regulations has hit a roadblock, as the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) board has failed to endorse the required bylaws. In line with the directives from SEBON, NEPSE formed a five-member working committee to draft the regulations necessary for the launch of an SME trading platform.
MP Deepak Giri criticizes govt for ‘musical chair’ over governor appointment
Nepali Congress lawmaker Deepak Giri has accused the government of prioritizing the “musical chair” of appointing the governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, while the country remains mired in confusion and indecision. Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Giri remarked that despite the nation grappling with various unresolved issues, the government seems preoccupied with the appointment of the central bank’s governor. He pointed out that more than two months have passed since the previous governor, Maha Prasad Adhikari, formally left office, yet no new appointment has been made. Adhikari, who had assumed office on April 6, 2020, retired on April 5 this year.
Janamat provincial assembly member resigns, says it’s inappropriate to take salary from taxpayers
Gita Gurung, a Proportional Representation (PR) member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly from the Janamat Party led by Dr. CK Raut, has resigned from her position. Gurung submitted her resignation to Provincial Assembly Speaker Tularam Gharti Magar, stating in her letter that she found it inappropriate to draw a salary funded by taxpayers. “It is not appropriate for me to receive a salary from the taxes paid by the people,” she wrote. “Therefore, I resign from my position effective today.”
Minister Gurung warns against misuse of social media and press freedom
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has stated that the government has not interfered with press freedom, but that misuse of media—particularly social media—must be addressed. He emphasized that while freedom of the press is important, increasing anarchy and disorder in its name must be curbed. “Anarchy and indiscipline have increased in the name of press freedom in our country,” he said. “To address this, we are preparing a new mass media bill.”
Gold price drops by Rs 2,000 per tola
The price of gold fell sharply in the domestic market today, following a decline in international prices. According to the Federation Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of fine gold dropped by Rs 2,000 per tola, settling at Rs 184,800. On the other hand, the price of silver increased by Rs 10 per tola, reaching Rs 1,970. Last Friday, gold was priced at Rs 186,800 per tola, while silver stood at Rs 1,960.
Minister Yadav vows to resolve drinking water problem in Kalaiya
Minister for Drinking Water, Pradip Yadav, has pledged to address the ongoing drinking water issues in Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City-8 of Bara district. Speaking at the inauguration of the Khapartata Drinking Water Project, Minister Yadav expressed confidence that the completion of the project would help alleviate the water scarcity faced by local residents. He assured that every household in the area would gain access to clean and safe drinking water.
ISC delegates meet PM Oli to promote parliamentary cooperation
Participants of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) held a meeting with former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday, aiming to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and foster shared prosperity through international cooperation. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, where delegates and Prime Minister Oli exchanged experiences and discussed common goals for peace and development. On the occasion, Oli expressed Nepal’s readiness to collaborate with ISC member countries in international forums.
Woman dies under suspicious circumstances in Rautahat, family alleges dowry-related murder
A 21-year-old woman has died under suspicious circumstances less than six months after her marriage in Katahariya Municipality, Rautahat. Her family has alleged that she was murdered over dowry and has demanded a thorough investigation and legal action against those responsible. The deceased, Saniya Prabin, was the wife of Armaan Rai Bhat, a resident of Katahariya Ward No. 5. Originally from Baderwa Tole in Katahariya Ward No. 3, Saniya was reportedly found hanging in her room on Sunday afternoon, according to police.
Bridge collapses in Chormara, blocking East-West Highway
The Chormara bridge along the Kathmandu–Narayanghat–Butwal road section collapsed, disrupting traffic on the East-West Highway since last night. Following the collapse of the main bridge, vehicles were rerouted via an alternative path: Chormara–Tandi–Daunbari–Baruwa–Bhandara–Girubari River, exiting through Herbstar toward Arunkhola or Chowrangi. Fortunately, currently no water was flowing in the river at the bridge site, allowing vehicles to cross the riverbed without difficulty.
BP Highway obstructed after flood washes away diversion
The BP Highway was obstructed after a flood washed away a temporary diversion at Roshi Khola in Mapti, Kavre, following continuous rainfall. Deputy Superintendent of Police Min Bahadur Ghale, the office’s information officer, stated that the flood severely damaged the section of the road leading to Mangaltar in Roshi Rural Municipality-12, making it impossible to reopen the highway overnight.
Seed bank established in Tulsipur to preserve indigenous crops
An agricultural cooperative in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-4 has established a seed bank aimed at preserving indigenous crop varieties that are gradually disappearing. Chairperson of the cooperative, Jharana Pun, said a seed collection campaign is already underway and will be expanded gradually. So far, seeds of over 50 varieties of crops and vegetables have been collected, which will be cultivated to boost production. “The collected seeds will be used for further cultivation and eventually sold to farmers,” she said.
CTEVT to admit students based on SEE GPA, scraps entrance exams
The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) has announced that student admissions for its programs will now be based on the GPA obtained in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), ending the long-standing practice of conducting entrance exams. Umesh Mishra, Controller of Examinations at CTEVT, confirmed that the change will come into effect from the current academic session. “Now students will not have to take entrance exams to study any subject under CTEVT,” Mishra said, citing concerns over irregularities and unethical practices surrounding the entrance exam system.
Nepali artists honored at South Korean Film Festival
Nepali poet and artist Jeevan Khatri, along with fellow poets Sunil Dipta Rai and Dilip Bantawa, was honored at the closing ceremony of the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival in South Korea. The documentary film Machine Country, featuring the three Nepali poets in lead roles, was awarded Best Film and selected as the special closing show, a distinction regarded as a major honor at the festival. Khatri and the entire production team—including producer and director Kim Young-ok, assistant director Kim Sun-hae, Nepali language translators Lee Gi-ju Muna and Mohan Karki—were celebrated with a red-carpet tribute at the event.
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