KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Nepal Oil Corporation revises fuel prices
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has revised the prices of petroleum products, announcing the changes through a press release issued on Friday evening. According to the Corporation, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs 2 per liter, while the prices of diesel and kerosene have been reduced by Rs 1 per liter. The revised prices will come into effect starting Saturday, the Corporation stated.
Five newly appointed Bagmati Province ministers take oath
Five newly appointed ministers of the Bagmati Province government took the oath of office and secrecy today. Bagmati Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota administered the oath to Prabhat Tamang, Kanchan Chandra Bade, Suresh Shrestha, Armila KC Nepal, and Binu Rayamajhi. Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya appointed them earlier in the day. Bade from Kavre has been assigned the Ministry of Social Development; Tamang from Rasuwa, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning; Nepal from Lalitpur, the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Shrestha from Bhaktapur, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; and Rayamajhi from Chitwan, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation.
Bagmati CM expands cabinet, recommends five NC lawmakers as ministers
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya has expanded his cabinet, recommending five provincial assembly members from the Nepali Congress (NC) for ministerial appointments. According to NC sources, the recommended lawmakers are Kanchan Chandra Bade, Suresh Shrestha, Urmila Nepal, and Binu Rayamajhi. Bade was elected from Kavre Provincial Constituency 2(B), Shrestha from Bhaktapur 1(A), and Tamang from Rasuwa 1(A). Urmila Nepal, who is also a central member of the NC, represents Lalitpur through the proportional representation system, while Rayamajhi is a proportional representative from Chitwan.
Speaker Directs implementation of probe committee report on cooling-off period tampering
Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire has instructed that the report of the parliamentary special committee formed to investigate the tampering of the cooling-off period provision in the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2023, be implemented. Acting on the recommendations of chief whips from major political parties, Ghimire issued the directive on Friday. According to his press adviser, Shekhar Adhikari, the Speaker has asked the House of Representatives secretary to forward the report to the parliamentary offices of all parties, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, and the Federal Parliament Secretariat for necessary action.
Unified Socialist elevates Bamdev Gautam to third-ranking senior leader
The Unified Socialist has decided to appoint Bamdev Gautam as a senior leader with third-ranking status within the party. The decision was made during a Secretariat meeting held on Friday at the party’s central office in Aloknagar. Gautam had previously been slated to receive the third-ranking position upon joining the party, an understanding that has now been formalized. In addition to Gautam’s elevation, the Secretariat appointed three leaders who joined the party alongside him as Politburo members and nominated nine others as central members.
Govt spending crosses Rs 1.5 trillion in FY 2024/25
The government spent a total of Rs 1.508 trillion in the fiscal year 2024/25, up from Rs 1.4 trillion in FY 2023/24, according to figures presented at the annual progress review and performance agreement exchange ceremony held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Of the total expenditure, recurrent spending reached Rs 980.38 billion, or 85.95% of the target, while capital expenditure stood at Rs 222.68 billion, or 63.2% of the target. Financial management expenditure reached Rs 320.04 billion, equivalent to 87.87% of the target. Compared to the previous fiscal year, recurrent spending increased by 2.94%, and capital spending rose by 16.15%.Overall, the government achieved 81.87% of its annual expenditure target.
Social media should come under legal ambit: PM
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli has said that all social media platforms operating in Nepal must come under the legal framework. Speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘Digital Nepal Conclave 2025’ organized by the ICT Foundation today, he stated that social media companies should be registered in accordance with Nepal’s laws, pay taxes, and fulfill all other legal obligations. He has already directed the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to take necessary steps to bring social media under the legal ambit.
Bhaktapur Court releases Chakre Milan on bail
The Bhaktapur District Court has ordered the release of Milan Gurung, widely known as Chakre Milan, on bail of Rs 110,000 in connection with an assault case. A single bench of District Judge Ram Prasad Neupane issued the order, allowing Milan to remain free during trial after furnishing bail. The case dates back a year and involves charges of attempted murder. The Bhaktapur District Court had registered the case based on a complaint lodged at the Thimi Police Circle. Milan was arrested in Kathmandu and transferred to Bhaktapur shortly after being freed from custody in a separate case.
Over 150 points on national highways blocked by floods and landslides
At least 150 points on Nepal’s major highways were blocked due to floods and landslides, with traffic completely halted at nine locations. According to the Department of Roads, since mid-April, 37 highways and roads have experienced disruptions. Currently, nine locations remain completely impassable. Meanwhile, traffic at 329 points has been affected by floods and landslides, of which 179 have been cleared and restored, while 141 points allow only one-way movement. Several major highways are still closed at nine locations, with damage reported to at least three bridges. The Galchi-Trishuli-Betrawati-Mailung-Syaphrubesi-Rasuwa Gadhi highway remains closed following the devastating flooding in China’s Lhende River on July 8.
BP Highway night travel ban extended till September 30
Authorities have extended the nighttime ban on vehicular movement along the BP Highway until September 30, citing the risk of floods and landslides. According to the Kavre District Administration Office, private and public vehicles will not be allowed to operate between 5 pm and 5 am until September 30. With the monsoon still active across the country, officials say heavy rains could trigger disasters such as floods and landslides at any time, prompting the decision to extend the ban by another 15 days. The local administration had first enforced the restriction on June 21, barring vehicular movement between 5 pm and 5 am to mitigate risks posed by monsoon-induced disasters.
Landslide blocks Kodari Highway, 600 containers stranded across border
Traffic along the Kodari Highway has been halted for 12 days due to a massive landslide in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2, Iku, leaving around 600 containers carrying vegetables and fruits stranded across the Miteri Bridge. The landslide, mixed with mud, has covered nearly two kilometers of the road, making not only vehicle movement but also pedestrian passage extremely difficult, said Arjun Sapkota, president of the Nepal Truck Container Transport Service Association. With no effective government effort to clear the debris, traders have resorted to hiring porters to carry goods across the blocked section.
PM Oli lays foundation stone for road project in Dhanusha
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone for a major road project during a ceremony held today in Manharpur, Dhanusha. Prime Minister Oli, along with Madhes Province Speaker Ram Chandra Mandal, jointly laid the foundation stone for the road at Gyan Chowk, Manharpur, located in Dhanusha Constituency No. 1. The 16.35-kilometer road will connect Kharihani and Simadhi via Manharpur and Hanspur.
MPs draw govt’s attention to contemporary issues
Members of the National Assembly (NA) have urged the government to address pressing issues including natural disasters, inflation, corruption, and shortcomings in communication and technology. Speaking during the Special Hour of today’s NA meeting, Nepali Congress (NC) member Kiranbabu Shrestha called for the proper use of communication and technology, stressing the need to eliminate existing anomalies in the sector.
Top End T20: Nepal falls to Northern Territory by 42 runs
In the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Australia, Nepal suffered a 42-run defeat against the home team, Northern Territory Strike. Chasing a target of 178 runs, Nepal managed only 135 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. The top-order collapse proved costly, as the openers failed to give Nepal a strong start. Kusal Bhurtel was dismissed for 8, Asif Sheikh for 11, and Lokesh Bam departed without scoring.
Commercial banks’ dividend payout capacity up to 38 percent
All 19 listed commercial banks have made their financial statements public for the last fiscal year, allowing stock investors to estimate potential dividends. Based on unaudited financial statements, four banks—Nepal Bank Ltd., Kumari Bank, NIC Asia, and Himalayan Bank—are not in a position to pay dividends this year. Nepal Investment Mega, with only a marginally positive dividend capacity, is also likely to withhold dividends. On average, the dividend payout capacity of the 19 listed commercial banks is 11 percent. Eleven banks have the ability to pay double-digit dividends this year. Everest Bank leads with the highest dividend payout capacity at 38 percent. The increase in dividend capacity is attributed to banks’ improved debt recovery performance.
KMC demolishes squatter homes along Manohara River
Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Friday demolished makeshift houses in a squatter settlement along the banks of the Manohara River. A team led by Municipal Police Chief Raju Pandey arrived at the site with bulldozers to dismantle the structures. Nepal Police personnel were also deployed to provide security during the operation. Meanwhile, clashes broke out on Friday as Kathmandu Metropolitan City moved to demolish houses in a squatter settlement along the banks of the Manohara River. Following the confrontation, a large number of police personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.
210 judges transferred simultaneously
The Judicial Council has simultaneously transferred 210 judges, including those serving in the district and high courts. In a meeting held on Friday, the Council decided on the mass transfer, which also includes significant changes in the Special Court. The Chairperson of the Special Court, Teknaran Kunwar, has been transferred to the High Court in Janakpur.
Gold, silver prices fall slightly
Gold prices declined slightly on Friday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold dropped by Rs 600 per tola to Rs 196,200. Silver also saw a decrease of Rs 25 per tola, with the new rate set at Rs 2,315.
Officials call for stronger push to revive country’s economy
Senior government and financial sector officials have stressed the need for stronger efforts to boost Nepal’s economy, despite indicators showing signs of stability. Speaking at a meeting of the Ministry-level Development Committee, National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari said that while economic indicators were satisfactory, confidence among both the private and public sectors needed strengthening. Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Prof. Dr. Biswo Poudel urged the government to give a big push to certain sectors to stimulate growth, particularly at a time when interest rates are low. Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay called for a review of past targets and results to improve focus, while Revenue Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire stressed the urgency of implementing programs effectively and reforming revenue administration.
Pond constructed to reduce human-wildlife conflict
With water sources in the forest depleting, wildlife has begun venturing closer to human settlements in Tanahu. In response, the Division Forest Office has constructed ponds to provide water for wildlife and help reduce conflicts. Under its human-wildlife conflict management program, the office built ponds in eight community forests across the district. Each community forest received Rs. 100,000 for pond construction. Additionally, a recharge pond was built in Bagishwari Community Forest (Bhanu Municipality-9) at a cost of Rs. 100,000.
Increase in rare Blackbuck population in Shuklaphanta
The population of rare blackbucks in Shuklaphanta National Park continues to grow steadily. Since the species’ restoration efforts began a decade ago, their numbers have risen to 310, comprising 117 males, 143 females, and 50 calves. Among the males, 93 are adults and 24 semi-adults, while females include 99 adults and 44 semi-adults. The blackbucks are protected within a fenced area of 58.8 hectares in Hirapur Phata inside the park.
Baglung’s Jalpatal remains overlooked due to lack of hiking trails
Surrounded by towering mountains and with calm, clear waters at its center, Jalpatal in Baglung district is a serene and picturesque lake ready to welcome visitors. Colorful flowers add to the charm of this beautiful, clean lake, captivating those who manage to reach it. Located in Dhorpatan Municipality-9 of Baglung at an altitude of 4,400 meters, Jalpatal remains largely unknown despite its immense potential.
Shuklaphanta sees rise in Blackbuck numbers
The population of rare blackbucks in Shuklaphanta National Park continues to grow steadily. Since the species’ restoration efforts began a decade ago, their numbers have risen to 310, comprising 117 males, 143 females, and 50 calves. Among the males, 93 are adults and 24 semi-adults, while females include 99 adults and 44 semi-adults. The blackbucks are protected within a fenced area of 58.8 hectares in Hirapur Phata inside the park. The fencing began with just 7.5 hectares in 2012 and has gradually expanded over the years: 4.5 hectares in 2013, 5 hectares in 2015, 17 hectares in 2017, and 7.8 hectares in 2019.
Baglung-Beni road repaired at a cost of Rs 32.1 million
The Road Division Office has completed repairs on the 14-kilometer Lamabaglung-Beni road at a cost of Rs 32.1 million. Previously serving as an alternative to the Maldhunga-Beni route, the road had become difficult to travel due to landslides, potholes, and damaged blacktop. According to engineer Bishnu Prasad Lamichhane of the office, the repairs included widening the road by removing landslides at Hulake, Bhasbhase, Dhadeni, Sim, and Pangrekhola, as well as carrying out slope stabilization, graveling, blacktopping, constructing concrete drains, installing gabion mesh, and building retaining walls for rainwater drainage.
Tarakhola rural municipality chairman turns trial apple farming into commercial success
The apple farming venture started six years ago by Man Bahadur Roka, chairman of Tarakhola Rural Municipality-5, with seedlings brought from Jumla for trial purposes, has now developed into commercial production. Royal Red and Italian Fuji are the main attractions of his orchard. Roka initially planted 100 seedlings but was able to save only 80. Today, he has 140 fruit-bearing apple trees of various varieties, spread over four ropanis of land. He plans to expand the cultivation to six ropanis in the near future, with a long-term goal of 10 ropanis.
Most schools in Parbat operating with principals appointed against Education Act
An assessment by the Education Development and Coordination Unit has revealed that 270 of the 272 community schools in Parbat district are being run by principals appointed in violation of the Education Act. Only Narayan Secondary School in Kushma and Himalaya Secondary School in Khurkot have principals meeting the legal criteria. The Act specifies fixed terms and academic qualifications for principals, but these have largely been ignored. Under the Education Regulations 2002, a principal’s term is limited to five years, with reappointment requiring a competitive selection process.
43 deaths from venomous snake bites in Sudurpaschim over two years
In the past two years, 43 people have died in Sudurpaschim Province due to venomous snake bites. According to the Provincial Police Office, many victims were bitten by snakes but could not reach a hospital in time for treatment. Some fatalities occurred when people sought help from snake charmers instead of immediately visiting a medical facility. Senior Superintendent of Police Prakash Ranabhat, the Provincial Police Office’s information officer, said that 23 people died from snake bites in the fiscal year 2023/24, 17 in 2024/25, and three so far this year.
Potato production in pocket areas decreases
Potato production has declined in Annapurna Rural Municipality-8, including Nangi, Ramche, and Kafaldanda, key potato-growing areas in Myagdi. The drop in output has made it difficult to meet demand. Potatoes grown in these cold-climate areas are known for their taste and nutrition, making them popular in urban markets. Considered a food crop for export in the ward, potato farming used to provide good income for local farmers. However, the recent decrease in production has left them unable to satisfy demand, said Rammaya Pun, a farmer from Nangi and member of Annapurna Rural Municipality.
Kasraul road poses danger to locals
The Bann Samiti (Forest Committee)-Kasraul Road, part of the northern section of the Nagar Gaurav Yojana Ring Road in Shuklaphanta Municipality, has become increasingly dangerous due to dry trees lining both sides of the road. Falling tree branches and trees pose a constant risk to vehicles and pedestrians. Local resident Ratan Lal Rana, 60, recalled that Phiruwa Rana died a few years ago after being struck by a dry tree branch while walking on the road.
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrates 79th Independence Day
The 79th Independence Day of India was celebrated today at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, with participation from the Indian community and friends of India in Nepal. The event began with the hoisting of the national flag by the Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Sribastava followed by the broadcast of President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day. In her remarks, the President reflected on India’s remarkable progress over the past 78 years.
Woman injured in elephant attack dies
A woman from Damak Municipality-1, Jhapa, who was injured in a wild elephant attack, has died. 46-year-old Sunita Rai, who was attacked while taking a morning walk on the road in Bargachhi, Damak-1, around 4:30 am on July 27, passed away this morning at the Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar during treatment.
Farmers in a hurry to plant millet
Farmers in Bhojpur are busy planting millet, which is grown as a second crop in fields previously planted with maize. Millet cultivation takes place across all nine local levels of the district, including Bhangeri, Bokhim, Dumsika, and Dawa of Bhojpur Municipality. Farmers said that a lack of timely rainfall this year delayed millet planting in valley areas. With recent rains, they have now begun sowing. Millet sells for Rs 50–60 per kilogram in local markets. Local farmer Ram Bahadur Khatri urged the government to introduce a special program to promote millet, a native crop.
Annual report of Nat’l Inclusion Commission tabled in NA
The annual report of the National Inclusion Commission for the year 2081/82 was tabled in today’s National Assembly meeting. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, on behalf of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, presented the Commission’s annual report. National Assembly Secretary Dr. Surendra Aryal also tabled the Integrated Report of Coordination Meetings with the Electoral Committee held across seven provinces. The report was prepared by incorporating suggestions received during the provincial meetings, he said. The National Assembly is scheduled to meet next on August 19.
NHRC urges protection of hunger strikers’ lives
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for justice and protection of the lives of reservists on a hunger strike to death in Mahendranagar, Madanchowk, Kanchanpur. Joint Secretary Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, in a press release today, urged that the lives of the Struggle Committee chairmen, Jaya Bahadur Rokaya and Rana Bahadur Bam, be protected. “The Commission urges all three levels of government to hold talks on their demands promptly and save the lives of the hunger strikers through consensus, taking their health conditions into account,” the statement said.
Muslim Commission submits annual report to President Paudel
Acting Chairperson of the Muslim Commission, Mahamdin Ali, submitted the Commission’s annual report for the fiscal year 2024/25 to President Ramchandra Paudel during a ceremony held at the Office of the President on Friday. On the occasion, President Paudel emphasized the importance of upholding the dignity of all citizens, noting that Nepal is a multiethnic, multilingual, multireligious, and multicultural nation.
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