KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prime Minister appears stressed, responds sharply to journalist question; video goes viral
Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who assumed office as the head of the interim government on September 12, has yet to finalize her cabinet. The proposed 11-member cabinet currently includes only eight members, including the Prime Minister herself. Amid slow government progress, an incomplete cabinet, conflicting demands from various Gen-Z groups, and high public expectations, the Prime Minister appears to be under significant pressure.
Government recalls Ambassadors from 11 countries except India
The interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki has decided to recall Nepali ambassadors posted in 11 countries. Information and Communication Technology Minister Jagdish Kharel on Thursday said the decision concerns ambassadors appointed during the tenure of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Kharel listed the countries as China, Germany, Israel, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan. However, the Nepali ambassador to India, Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, has not been recalled.
PM Karki on cooperative fraud victims: Swindlers won’t be spared
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has initiated efforts to address the problems faced by victims of cooperative fraud. On Thursday, she held a discussion at Singha Durbar with Cooperative Minister Anil Sinha, Cooperative Secretary Kedarnath Sharma, Prime Minister’s Office Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha, the chair of the Crisis Management Committee, officials from the Cooperative Regulatory Authority, and representatives of the National Federation for the Protection of Cooperative Victims’ Deposits.
Shekhar: Congress must give the country a new direction
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has called for a regular party convention in Mangsir (mid-November – mid-December) to revive and unify the party. Speaking at the Congress Central Working Committee meeting in Sanepa on Thursday, Koirala stressed that the party’s 15th General Convention must be held this Mangsir (mid-November – mid-December).
Congress meeting: Leaders stress holding General Convention asap
Nepali Congress leaders have emphasized the need to hold the party’s regular general convention at the earliest possible time. At the party’s Central Working Committee meeting held on Thursday at the party office in Sanepa, spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said the leaders suggested that the party leadership should take the preparations for the 15th general convention seriously and ensure it is held without delay.
Congress meeting to resume on Friday
The Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress, which has been ongoing since October 14, continues as central members share their views on current political issues. At the session held today at the party’s central office in Sanepa, Acting Chair Purna Bahadur Khadka briefed members on recent political developments. Secretary General Krishna Prasad Paudel informed that General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa presented various proposals during the meeting.
Discussion underway between govt and Gen-Z representatives at Sheetal Niwas
A discussion between the government and Gen-Z representatives has begun in the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel. The meeting at the President’s residence, Sheetal Niwas, is attended by Prime Minister Sushila Karki and various individuals representing the Gen-Z group. Several ministers and other government officials are also participating in the discussion.
Prachanda’s conclusion: Despite massive losses, Oli shows no sign of regret
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, coordinator of the organizing committee of the CPN (Maoist Centre) convention, said that the Gen-Z youth movement was completely peaceful. However, he criticized the then government for failing to prepare security measures and for handling the situation insensitively, which led to violence. Speaking at a meeting with party leaders and activists in Chitwan on Thursday, Prachanda said, “The youth movement was entirely peaceful. But the government’s lack of preparedness and insensitive approach turned the situation violent. Targeting youths in college uniforms, hitting them in the head and chest, was internationally shameful.”
Within UML meeting: discussion over use of magnesium and sodium in burning Singha Durbar and Parliament
Questions were raised during a CPN‑UML central committee meeting about whether people inside the party are being used like “magnesium and sodium.” Central committee member Govinda Thapa asked the question on Thursday. Thapa referred to a New York Times report that alleged organized groups used incendiary chemicals such as magnesium and sodium in the arson attacks that burned major buildings, including Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, and the Parliament, on September 9.
122 fugitives arrested in Kathmandu following Gen-Z protests
The Nepal Police have arrested 122 prisoners who had escaped from various jails during the Gen-Z protest demonstrations on September 9. The arrests were made by the District Police Range Kathmandu, the Valley Crime Investigation Office, and its operational team. Among those captured, 35 were convicted for theft, 17 for rape, 30 for narcotics offences, 12 for attempted murder, three for culpable homicide, three for polygamy, three for banking offences, three for organised crime, and the rest for robbery, vehicular killing, kidnapping, human trafficking, and other cases.
Three girls drown while fishing in Jhapa’s Sisnekhola
Three young girls drowned while fishing in the Sisnekhola stream at Gauradaha Municipality-9, Jhapa, on Thursday afternoon, police said. The victims have been identified as seven-year-old Sushma and nine-year-old Swikriti, daughters of local resident Anju Magar, and 11-year-old Roshni, daughter of Nirmala Pariyar. According to the District Police Office, Jhapa, the girls were fishing in the stream when they accidentally slipped into deep water and drowned. Locals and police later recovered their bodies from the site.
Bipin Joshi’s mother and sister return after confirmation of his death in Hamas captivity
The mother and sister of Bipin Joshi, the Nepali student who had been held captive by Hamas militants since the October 7 attack in Israel last year, returned home on Thursday morning after his death was officially confirmed. They arrived in Kathmandu aboard a Qatar Airways flight, empty-handed and grief-stricken, following weeks of uncertainty over Joshi’s fate. Joshi, who was pursuing his studies in Israel under the Learn and Earn program, was among the 10 Nepali students affected during the Hamas assault. While nine of his peers were killed on the spot, Joshi had remained unaccounted for, raising hopes that he might be alive in captivity.
Gold surges past Rs 250,000 mark, sets new record
Gold prices in Nepal soared to an unprecedented level on Thursday, crossing the Rs 250,000 mark per tola for the first time in history. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations (FENEGOSIDA), fine gold is being traded at Rs 250,900 per tola, reflecting a sharp Rs 2,000 increase from Wednesday’s rate of Rs 248,900 per tola. This marks the highest-ever price recorded in the domestic bullion market, signaling heightened investor interest and strong global cues.
Prachanda says socialist alliance unity in final stage
Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the parties within the Socialist Front are close to unification. Speaking at a party gathering in Kathmandu on Thursday, Dahal said that the process of unifying the parties under the Socialist Front had reached its final stage. “This time, we will begin the unification of leftist forces through the Socialist Front,” Dahal said, adding that the move aims to consolidate all leftist forces under one banner.
Jitendra Sonal sworn in as Madhes Province Chief Minister
Newly appointed Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Jitendra Prasad Sonal, took the oath of office and secrecy on Thursday. At a ceremony held at the Office of the Province Head in Janakpurdham, Sonal, a Provincial Assembly member from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal, took the oath in the Bhojpuri language before Province Head Sumitra Subedi Bhandari.
Leaders pile pressure on Oli to step down as UML chair
Senior and central leaders of the CPN-UML have continued to press party chair KP Sharma Oli to resign from his post as the party’s 10th Central Committee meeting entered its second day on Thursday. The meeting, which began on Wednesday in Lalitpur, saw a growing number of central members urging Oli to step down and hand over leadership responsibilities to another senior leader ahead of the party’s 11th General Convention. The second day’s session, which started in the morning, was adjourned at 1 p.m. for lunch.
PM Karki directs temporary premises for courts to ensure uninterrupted service
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said judicial services should not be disrupted even for a single day. At a joint meeting with the board of directors of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and a Supreme Court delegation, PM Karki insisted that court services must continue uninterrupted. The meeting, organized to discuss alternative arrangements after damage to the Kathmandu District Court building, was convened by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
UML slams government for failing to create conducive environment for polls
The CPN-UML has accused the government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki of failing to create a conducive environment for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Speaking during a consultation meeting organized by the Election Commission on Thursday with various political parties, UML leaders harshly criticized the government, alleging that it was moving toward suppressive actions rather than ensuring a fair and free election.
Election the only viable option at present, says Dahal
Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that holding elections is the only viable option in the current political situation. Speaking at a function in Chitwan on Thursday, Dahal said the present state of politics has left no alternative to elections and urged all political parties to prepare accordingly.
NEPSE dips 18.40 points on final trading day of the week
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) closed lower on Thursday, the final trading day of the week, with the benchmark index dropping by 18.40 points to settle at 2,487.17. According to NEPSE, a total of Rs 3.27 billion worth of shares were traded during the day. Out of all listed companies, share prices of 197 firms declined, while 45 companies gained. The prices of nine companies remained unchanged.
Kanchha Sherpa, last surviving member of first Everest ascent team, dies at 92
Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 Everest expedition, passed away at his residence in Kapan, Kathmandu, on Thursday. He was 92. Sherpa was part of the British expedition led by Colonel John Hunt, which made history when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953.
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