KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Oli to visit China for SCO Summit
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to visit China on August 30 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, according to sources close to the Prime Minister. The summit will be held in Beijing on August 31 and September 1, with Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurating the event.
JSP and Rashtriya Mukti Party announce working unity, eye full merger
The Ashok Rai-led Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), formed after splitting from Upendra Yadav’s JSP-Nepal, has entered into working unity with Rajendra Mahato’s Rashtriya Mukti Party. The announcement was made Thursday at a party palace in New Baneshwor, attended by top leaders and central committee members from both sides. The agreement is seen as a step toward a full party merger, with plans to integrate their provincial, district, and local committees.
Tourism Department director faces corruption charges over unexplained assets worth nearly Rs 10 million
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against Sachindra Kumar Yadav, a Director (CDE) at the Department of Tourism in Bhrikutimandap, accusing him of amassing illegal wealth. According to the CIAA, Yadav’s income between June 7, 2009, and August 14, 2022, totaled Rs 26.8 million, while his expenses and investments reached Rs 36.5 million. The investigation found that assets worth about Rs 9.68 million could not be justified.
Patan High Court rejects writ petitions by former ANFA President Ganesh Thapa
The Patan High Court has dismissed writ petitions filed by former All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) president Ganesh Thapa and his son, Gaurav Thapa, against the football governing body. Ganesh Thapa had filed a petition on May 2, claiming contempt of court by ANFA and its current president, Pankaj Bikram Nembang. He also challenged the legitimacy of ANFA’s general assembly and demanded his right to participate.
Suspended Bagmati mayor gets 8 years in prison, ordered to repay over Rs 100 million in corruption case
The Special Court has sentenced suspended Bagmati Municipality mayor Bharat Kumar Thapa to 8 years in prison and ordered him to repay Rs 100.9 million in a high-profile corruption case. Thapa, known locally for creating the “Bharat Lake,” was found guilty of illegally amassing Rs 34.5 million beyond his legitimate income and misusing municipal resources in a fishpond construction project without federal approval.
Secretariat clarifies: Complaint against Rabi was not prepared in Home Minister’s office
The Secretariat of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has refuted reports claiming that a complaint filed with the Judicial Council against Rabi Lamichhane was prepared inside the Home Minister’s office on the same day Lamichhane’s cooperative fraud case was scheduled for a court hearing in Rupandehi District Court. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Home Minister’s personal secretary, Badri Prasad Tiwari, dismissed such claims as false, misleading, fabricated, and baseless, alleging they were intended to influence the court and tarnish the Minister’s image.
Nepal Airlines plans to jointly purchase aircraft with provincial governments
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is preparing to purchase aircraft in partnership with provincial governments to operate provincial-level flights. Under the plan, each province would receive one STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, purchased through NAC management with financial investment from the respective provincial government. According to the corporation, the initiative follows special directives from Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey. Discussions with all provinces are underway, with funding expected to come from both provincial and local governments, while ownership and operations will remain with NAC.
Rupandehi-3 by-election: RPP aims to defend seat, NC seeks revenge
Political parties have begun strategic preparations for the upcoming by-election in Rupandehi Constituency-3, with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) determined to defend its stronghold and the Nepali Congress aiming to avenge its narrow defeat in the last general election. The Election Commission has scheduled the by-election for November 3, following the death of RPP lawmaker Deepak Bohora earlier this year. Bohora had defeated then-Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand of the Nepali Congress in the 2022 parliamentary elections, winning 36,717 votes to Khand’s 34,036.
RSP and RPP continue to boycott HoR
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) boycotted the House of Representatives meeting yet again, protesting the government’s failure to meet their demand for an investigation into the controversial visit visa scandal. At the start of Thursday’s session, lawmakers from both parties stood in protest from their seats. Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire then granted time to RSP lawmaker Dr. Chanda Karki, followed by RPP lawmaker Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan.
Nepal Airlines struggles to turn profits despite revenue gains
Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the government-owned airline, has long struggled to achieve profitability, even as other state-owned enterprises report gains. Established in 1958, NAC has recently faced criticism over operational inefficiencies and rising losses, despite operating six aircraft, including two wide-body, two narrow-body, and two twin-otters.
Lamichhane is being kept in a separate room with facilities: Rupandehi Prison
The Rupandehi Prison Office has said that Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has been kept in a separate cell from the outset due to security concerns. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the prison said Lamichhane, who has been in custody for the past four months over cooperative fraud and organized crime charges, has a dedicated cell with a private toilet.
Rekha Sharma tells PM Oli to avoid making smeared remarks in Parliament
CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Rekha Sharma has cautioned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli against making what she described as light or disrespectful remarks in Parliament. Speaking during the zero hour of Thursday’s House of Representatives meeting, Sharma objected to Oli’s recent comment likening Parliament to a venue for creating social media content.
New vice-chancellors of four health science institutions take oath before PM Oli
Newly appointed vice-chancellors of four health science institutions took their oath of office and secrecy before Prime Minister and University Chancellor K.P. Sharma Oli on Thursday. The ceremony, held at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office in Singha Durbar, saw Prof. Dr. Bikram Prasad Shrestha of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Associate Prof. Dr. Pujan Kumar Rokaya of Karnali Health Science Academy, Prof. Dr. Buddhi Prasad Paudel of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, and Dr. Bharat Khatri of Pokhara Health Science Academy officially sworn in.
Nepal cricket team to play additional practice matches after Top End T20 series
The Nepal men’s national cricket team will play five additional practice matches following the conclusion of the Top End T20 series, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced on Thursday. As part of this preparatory series, Nepal will compete against ACT and South Australia from August 26 to 30.
Private school operators announce protest against Education Bill
Private school operators have announced a series of protests expressing dissatisfaction with the School Education Bill recently endorsed by the parliamentary Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee. Two major associations, PABSON and N-PABSON, jointly unveiled their protest programs. As part of the plan, memorandums will be submitted today to municipal mayors and heads of education sections.
KMC Education Committee approves key school changes
Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Education Committee held a meeting on Wednesday under Mayor Balen Shah, with Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragai, educators, school representatives, and parent associations in attendance. The committee approved several measures, including adding classes and subjects in both community and institutional schools, school name and location changes, ownership transfers, and revocation of permissions for non-operational schools.
Local govts urged to act against child labour
Stakeholders and experts have called for stronger enforcement of existing laws to curb child domestic labour, urging local governments to play a proactive role in eliminating the practice and ensuring child-friendly governance. Speaking at a programme organised on Wednesday by Children-Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH) to release a report titled Life as Child Domestic Workers in Kathmandu, participants stressed that while laws exist, their implementation remains weak.
Vacant doctor’s post at Birgunj Prison raises health concerns
The District Prison in Birgunj, Parsa, has been operating without a doctor for years despite having an approved post for a seventh- or eighth-level medical officer. At present, only a health assistant is providing medical services to inmates. The issue gained public attention after 25-year-old Rahul Sah Turaha of Birgunj Metropolitan City-25 died last Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Narayani Hospital.
Gold prices up marginally
Gold prices have gone up marginally on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has increased by Rs 100 per tola. With this, the price of gold has been set at Rs 196,800 per tola. The price of silver has gone up by Rs 15 and is being sold at Rs 2,340 per tola.
Govt sets minimum support price for paddy, approves AI policy
The government has fixed the minimum support price for paddy for the current fiscal year. At a press briefing on Thursday, Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that the Cabinet meeting held on August 11 decided to set the price at Rs 3,463.81 per quintal for coarse paddy and Rs 3,628.33 per quintal for medium paddy.
Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu marks 79th Independence Day
A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Chancery to mark the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan. Ambassador of Pakistan Abrar H. Hashmi unfurled the national flag on the occasion. Members of the Pakistani community, Nepali friends, and Embassy officials with their families attended the ceremony. This year, Independence Day was celebrated with the zeal of victory in “Marka-e-Haq.”
MCA-Nepal signs $154m contracts to advance power line project
The Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA Nepal) signed two major contracts under the Compact’s Electricity Transmission Project, jointly funded by the governments of Nepal and the United States. Following the successful completion of the foreign aid review, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact resumed work with renewed momentum and shared commitment from both governments, a statement issued by MCA-Nepal said.
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