KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Three-party deal spares Home Minister Lekhak from visa scandal fallout
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has survived calls for his resignation following a high-profile corruption scandal involving the issuance of visit visas at Tribhuvan International Airport. A three-party agreement signed on Friday ensures that Lekhak will neither be required to resign nor face a parliamentary investigation. The controversy erupted after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) detained Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, a joint secretary at the Home Ministry, on May 21. Bhattarai, a close confidant of Lekhak and former chief of the immigration office, was allegedly involved in collecting millions of rupees daily by facilitating outbound visit visas under a corrupt network.
Parliament deadlock continues as RSP, RPP protest Maoist Centre’s floor time
The deadlock in Nepal’s House of Representatives continues despite efforts to reach a political consensus over the ongoing visit visa scandal. Friday’s parliamentary meeting began late due to ongoing internal and cross-party consultations aimed at resolving differences between the ruling coalition and opposition parties. The session, originally rescheduled for 3:15 PM, eventually began around 4:45 PM. The delay followed Thursday’s adjournment by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, who had initially called the meeting for 1 PM.
RSP lawmakers protest in parliament as Home Minister addresses the HoR
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmakers staged a protest in Parliament on Friday by surrounding the well and chanting slogans while Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was addressing the House.
Despite a two-point agreement between three major parties paving the way for the resumption of the House session, RSP and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) expressed dissatisfaction and continued to obstruct the proceedings.
RSP doesn’t support two-point agreement between Maoist and ruling coalition: Manish Jha
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Manish Jha has remarked that his party has “divorced” the CPN (Maoist Centre) for the time being. His comment comes in the wake of a two-point agreement between the ruling coalition and the main opposition aimed at ending the parliamentary obstruction over the ongoing visit visa controversy. Speaking briefly to the press at the Parliament building, Jha stated that the agreement between the ruling party and the main opposition Maoist Centre does not offer a viable solution to the crisis.
Lindgen accuses Maoist Centre of surrendering to ruling coalition
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Rajendra Lingden has sharply criticized the main opposition party, CPN (Maoist Centre), for what he called a “brave surrender” over the controversial visit visa scandal allegedly involving Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Speaking during Friday’s session of the House of Representatives, Lingden slammed the Maoist Centre for backing down after nearly two weeks of obstructing parliament proceedings, saying the party ultimately capitulated to protect the ruling alliance.
Durga Prasain, seven others sent to Dillibazaar Jail
Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain and seven others arrested in connection with the violent protest in Tinkune on March 28 have been sent to Dillibazaar Jail. SSP Bishwa Adhikari of the District Police Range, Kathmandu, said that all eight individuals were transferred to Dillibazaar Jail on Friday. Those sent to jail along with Prasain include Kumar Tamang, Saroj Gautam, Gokarna Shahi, Dandapani Regmi, Sushil Baral, and Keshav Basnet.
Arrest warrants to be issued against RPP leaders Mishra and Rana
The District Court of Kathmandu is preparing to issue arrest warrants against two senior leaders of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) in connection with the violent pro-monarchy protest that erupted in Tinkune on March 28. According to court officials, senior vice president Rabindra Mishra and general secretary cum Member of Parliament Dhawal Shamsher Rana are listed as absconding defendants in the case. Since they failed to appear before the court when the case was filed, a formal warrant with a deadline will now be issued to ensure their presence.
Foreign Minister faces human trafficking questions amid US report
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba came under scrutiny on Friday during a parliamentary committee meeting, following a scathing report by the U.S. Department of State that placed Nepal on its human trafficking watch list.
The Trafficking in Persons Report 2024, published in July by the U.S. State Department, stated that Nepal has failed to fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and alleged that some Nepali police officials and political leaders are involved in trafficking for sexual exploitation, often with financial incentives.
Govt issues new health screening guidelines for migrant workers
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has introduced new standards for the health screening of Nepali workers seeking foreign employment. The revised guidelines come in response to growing complaints about negligence in the medical examination process for outgoing migrant workers. The ministry has now issued a comprehensive directive outlining mandatory health and laboratory tests that every foreign-bound worker must undergo.
Sagarmatha Sambaad helped global mapping of Nepal’s climate agenda: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister and Nepali Congress leader Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the recent Sagarmatha Dialogue held in early May succeeded in putting Nepal’s climate concerns on the global map despite limited preparation time. Responding to lawmakers during the meeting of the House of Representatives’ International Relations and Tourism Committee on Tuesday, Minister Rana said the event was organized with just 72 days of preparation but still managed to initiate strong dialogue and engagement on Nepal’s key concerns related to climate change, the Himalayas, and the future of humanity.
Nepali Embassy in Israel tells citizens to stay safe
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the Embassy of Nepal in Israel has issued a public notice urging Nepali nationals living in Israel to remain cautious and prioritize their safety. In a social media post, the embassy advised Nepalis to stay informed about the latest safety protocols issued by the Israeli Home Front Command and follow the updated guidelines available through the National Emergency Portal.
Heated debate erupts among lawmakers over visa scam in parliamentary committee
A meeting of the Industry, Commerce, Labour, and Consumer Interest Committee under the House of Representatives turned tense on Friday following a heated exchange among lawmakers over the ongoing visit visa scandal. The dispute erupted after Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Ganesh Parajuli criticized the alleged collusion of state bodies in the trafficking of Nepali citizens under the guise of visit visas.
Leopard attack prompts darting operation in Bandipur
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has deployed a darting team to capture a leopard that has killed two children in the past two months in Bandipur. According to the District Forest Division Office, the operation aims to tranquilize and relocate the leopard responsible for the fatal attacks. The team—comprising personnel from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local residents, and forest officials—is currently operating in and around Kuwadi, Ward 2 of Bandipur Rural Municipality.
British govt positive on meeting ex-Gurkha demands
The Government of the United Kingdom has expressed a positive stance toward addressing long-standing demands of ex-Gurkha servicemen, including calls for equal pensions. In a significant development, Nepali and British officials resumed dialogue on Thursday in London—nearly a year after their last meeting—focused on the rights and welfare of retired Gurkha soldiers who served in the British Army.
Foreign Minister refutes allegations of issuing threats to media owner
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has expressed objection to media reports framing her telephone conversation with Shobha Gyawali, Managing Director of Republic Media, as a threat. In a press note issued on Friday, Minister Deuba said she was surprised by what she called “misleading and fabricated” media content based on the phone call, which she claims has been deliberately distorted.
Deuba calls NC Central Working Committee meeting
The Nepali Congress has called a meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) after a gap of 10 months. The meeting is scheduled to take place on June 29 at 1 PM at the party’s central office, Sanepa, according to Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel. The last full CWC meeting was held from August 4 to September 1, 2024 during which the party endorsed all proposals from the Mahasamiti meeting held in Godavari, Lalitpur in February 2024, with some modifications.
MPs call for party consensus on lifting ban on female domestic workers in Gulf countries
Lawmakers have stressed the need for political parties to develop a unified position on lifting the ban on sending Nepali women as domestic workers to Gulf countries. In a meeting of the Industry, Commerce, Labour, and Consumer Welfare Committee under the House of Representatives held today at Singha Durbar, lawmakers acknowledged that sufficient intra-party discussion on the issue was still lacking. The meeting centered around the possibility of resuming the deployment of Nepali domestic workers—particularly women—to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country with which Nepal has already signed a bilateral labour agreement.
Gold prices up by Rs 4,200 per tola
Gold prices in Nepal witnessed a sharp increase on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold rose by Rs 4,200 per tola, bringing it to Rs 197,100 per tola. Silver prices also climbed, going up by Rs 15 per tola. Silver is now being traded at Rs 2,165 per tola.
Malekhu–Muglin road to remain closed at night from today
Vehicular movement along the Malekhu–Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway will be restricted during nighttime hours from June 13 to June 21, according to local authorities. The road will remain closed to all but emergency vehicles daily from 10:30 pm to 3:00 am due to ongoing construction works. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Subash Hamal of the Dhading District Police Office informed that the closure is necessary to allow the installation of RCC beams over several bridges — including those at Barbhang Khola, Mowa Khola, Khatauti Khola, and Gomti Khola.
Foreign Minister says study underway on Nepalis illegally residing abroad
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba informed a parliamentary committee on Friday that the government has initiated a study, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Labour, to assess the situation of Nepali nationals who are illegally residing in countries that are not official labor destinations. Speaking at a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives in Singha Durbar, Minister Rana said that the study aims to identify and address the issues faced by such migrants.
Bishal Bhandari denies being summoned over satirical comedy episode
A short video posted by Comedy Night with Champions director Bishal Bhandari outside the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Singha Durbar on Thursday sparked social media chatter and media speculation that he had been summoned by the government following a satirical episode of the popular show.
Shekhar Koirala urges swift collection of NEA dues
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has stressed that the government must not delay in collecting outstanding dues owed to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 13th General Convention of the NEA Employees’ Union in Kathmandu on Friday, Koirala said swift recovery of dues is essential to safeguard both the NEA and the nation’s financial stability.
Comment