KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Karki urges NFDIN to work effectively for promotion of indigenous nationalities
Prime Minister (PM) Sushila Karki has directed the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) to operate in a more result-oriented and effective manner to justify its relevance. The Foundation is a state-owned institution established for the promotion and development of indigenous nationalities. Addressing the 26th Board Council meeting of the Foundation, which she chaired on Monday, PM Karki emphasized the need for stronger and more efficient execution of the Foundation’s initiatives.
Cabinet approves Rs 14.38 billion concessional loan from ADB
The government has decided to accept a concessional loan worth approximately Rs 14.38 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Making public the Cabinet decisions taken at the meeting held at Singha Durbar on December 15, government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said the Cabinet approved the acceptance of a concessional loan of USD 100 million under the Strengthening Public Financial Management and Improved Service Delivery Programme.
Over 2,000 trees felled for Upper Arun Hydropower Project
More than 2,000 trees have been cut down in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality for the construction of the 1,063-megawatt Upper Arun Hydropower Project and its access road. According to the Division Forest Office, a total of 2,168 trees have been felled from national and community forests in wards 2 and 4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. Information Officer Chandralal Rai said the trees were cleared to facilitate project construction and road access.
Newly appointed NPC Vice Chair, member take oath of office
Newly appointed Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr Prakash Kumar Shrestha and member Prof Suniti Shrestha (Hada) have taken the oath of office and secrecy. At a program held on Tuesday, Vice Chairperson Shrestha took the oath before Prime Minister and NPC Chairperson Sushila Karki. Following this, member Prof Hada was sworn in by Vice Chairperson Shrestha in the presence of Prime Minister Karki. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by NPC member and Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal, Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Raj Kumar Shrestha, NPC Secretary Rabi Lal Panth, and other senior government officials.
UML general convention voting rescheduled for 8 am Wednesday
Voting at the 11th general convention of the CPN-UML will now begin at 8 am on Wednesday. General Secretary Shankar Pokharel said the voting, which had been scheduled for Tuesday evening, was postponed following discussions between presidential candidates KP Sharma Oli and Ishwor Pokharel.
Govt’s capital expenditure weak in first five months of FY 2025/26
The government’s development spending has remained weak in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to official data from the Office of the Auditor General. Up to the end of Mangsir, only 8 percent of the capital budget was spent. Out of the total allocation of Rs 407 billion for capital expenditure this fiscal year, the government has spent just Rs 33.8743 billion so far. Similarly, for recurrent expenditure, of the annual allocation of Rs 1.18 trillion, 33.7 percent or Rs 398 billion has been utilized. Under the financial management heading, Rs 375 billion was allocated, of which Rs 132.5397 billion (35.32 percent) has been spent.
NEPSE gains 18.37 points, closes at 2,619.99
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rose by 18.37 points on Tuesday, closing at 2,619.99 points. Share prices of 187 companies increased, while 61 companies saw a decline and 11 remained unchanged. Total turnover slightly decreased compared to the previous session. Shares worth Rs 3.29 billion were traded on Tuesday, down from Rs 3.44 billion recorded on Monday.
Shekhar Koirala meets NC President Deuba to discuss membership distribution, disciplinary actions
Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala met party president Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday to discuss issues related to active membership distribution and the central disciplinary committee’s recommended revocation of certain party actions. Dr. Koirala, accompanied by central member Dr. Minendra Rijal, raised concerns over the distribution of membership forms without serial numbers, which had been sent to districts by the active membership distribution committee. He said the unnumbered forms have created nationwide complications within the party.
Nationwide tiger census begins in Nepal with deployment of 1,100 camera traps
Nepal has officially launched its nationwide tiger census, a scientific exercise conducted every four years, with the deployment of 1,100 advanced camera traps across major tiger habitats. The census was formally inaugurated at a programme held in Sauraha, Chitwan, on Tuesday. The tiger count is being led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, in coordination with the Department of Forests and Land Conservation.
Man arrested for cheating victim of Rs 300,000 on pretext of sending to South Korea
Police have arrested a man on charges of cheating a victim by promising employment in South Korea with the lure of an attractive salary. The arrested individual has been identified as 43-year-old Khadananda Lamichhane, originally from Bhimsen Nath Rural Municipality-2 of Gorkha and currently residing at Tokha Municipality-3, Kathmandu. According to police, Lamichhane had taken Rs 300,000 from a victim by assuring them that he would arrange employment in South Korea. After receiving the money, he reportedly went out of contact, prompting the victim to file a complaint.
Bagmati Assembly meeting uncertain as NC, UML stake claim to Speaker’s post
The meeting of the Bagmati Provincial Assembly has become uncertain after ruling coalition partners Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML both laid claim to the vacant Speaker’s post. The Speaker’s position fell vacant after then Speaker Bhuwan Kumar Pathak submitted his written resignation on September 17. Pathak had earlier announced his resignation through social media during the Gen-Z protests. Despite the vacancy, the Provincial Assembly has failed to convene for the past four months as the two ruling parties have been unable to reach a consensus on who should lead the Assembly. Bagmati Provincial Assembly Secretary Ram Kumar Paudel said there is currently no information regarding when the next meeting will be held.
Gold price drops by Rs 1,700 per tola
Gold prices declined in the local market on Tuesday, falling by Rs 1,700 per tola compared to the previous day, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. As per the federation, gold is being traded at Rs 259,000 per tola today. On Monday, gold was priced at Rs 260,700 per tola, which was recorded as the highest price so far.
TAAN, Korean travel agents sign MoU to promote tourism between Nepal and South Korea
The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation for the promotion of bilateral tourism between Nepal and South Korea. The MoU was signed on Tuesday by TAAN President Sagar Pandey and KATA Vice President Kim Beomje in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal, Park Tae-Young.
Harshal Pathak appointed head coach of Nepal women’s national cricket team
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has appointed Harshal Pathak as the head coach of the Nepal women’s national cricket team. CAN made the decision to appoint Pathak to the post on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the association. Pathak will be responsible for leading the national women’s team in upcoming international tournaments and overseeing player development and team preparation. The Cricket Association of Nepal expressed confidence that his appointment would contribute to strengthening the performance of the women’s national side.
Govt terminates 22 stalled irrigation contracts worth Rs 14.23 billion
The government has terminated 22 irrigation-related contracts that had remained stalled for years despite formal agreements, leaving projects incomplete and in a deteriorated state. The total value of the terminated contracts stands at Rs 14.23 billion. According to the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, the terminated contracts include six under the Babai Irrigation Project, 15 under the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project in Janakpurdham, Dhanusha, and one under the Sunkoshi–Marin Diversion Project. In addition, a contract worth Rs 17.6 million under the Bheri Babai project has also been terminated.
Authorities take action against five firms
The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSCP) has imposed fines of Rs 10,000 each on five firms following inspections at various locations in Kathmandu. The inspections, carried out with the support of local authorities and consumer rights activists, targeted multiple businesses. Firms penalized include Sumesh Glass Traders Gongbu, Krishna Tile and Sanitary House, RN Traders, Universal Home Solution Pvt. Ltd., and Sirak Dasna Shop, each receiving a Rs 10,000 fine.
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