KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
700 Nepali students allowed to return to Odisha College after forced eviction
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has agreed to allow over 700 Nepali students to return to their hostels and resume their studies.
On Sunday, the university had forcibly evicted these students, using police force and baton charges, after they protested the mysterious death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal.
Following diplomatic intervention, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement on Monday, confirming that KIIT had agreed to provide hostel accommodations and continue classes for Nepali students.
Protest in Kathmandu over Nepali student’s death in India
Protests erupted in Kathmandu on Monday following the mysterious death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal in India and the subsequent crackdown on over 700 Nepali students by her college administration.
The protest was organized by the student wing of the CPN-UML, the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU), outside the Indian Embassy in Lainchaur. Demonstrators demanded justice for Lamsal and urged the Indian government to ensure the safety of Nepali students studying in India.
During the protest, ANNFSU Chair Samik Badal called on the Indian government to guarantee the security of Nepali students. He warned that if their peaceful demands were ignored, nationwide pressure campaigns would be launched.
House of Representatives approves general discussion on Citizenship Amendment Bill
The House of Representatives has approved a motion to hold a general discussion on the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The motion, presented by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, was passed by a majority vote after failing to proceed on February 16 due to a lack of quorum.
In the same session, a bill with a message from the National Assembly regarding the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill, 2025 was tabled.
Nepal urges Iran to help secure release of Bipin Joshi
Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, Oman, on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.
During their discussion, the two ministers reviewed Nepal-Iran relations and matters of mutual interest.
Foreign Minister Rana also requested her Iranian counterpart to take diplomatic initiatives for the release of Nepali national Bipin Joshi, who has been held by Hamas since October 2023.
Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel discharged from hospital
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, who sustained injuries in a balloon explosion during the Pokhara Visit Year event, has been discharged from Kirtipur Hospital after two days of treatment.
The hospital issued a statement confirming that Paudel’s burn wounds were healing, with no apparent adverse effects on his lungs, leading to the decision for his discharge.
“The burn wounds of both of them are healing and there does not appear to be any adverse effect on the lungs,” the statement read.
Foreign Minister Rana meets Indian counterpart Jaishankar in Oman
Foreign Minister Dr. Arju Rana, currently on a visit to Oman, met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Sunday.
Minister Rana arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference.
Minister Rana shared that she met with Jaishankar on Sunday evening, and both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nepal-India relations.
Fire in Halesi Bazaar causes over Rs 73 million in damage
A massive fire that broke out in Halesi Bazaar, a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirats, has caused damage exceeding Rs 73 million, according to an initial police report.
The fire originated in the kitchen of local resident Padamsher Rai in Mahadevsthan, Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-7, and quickly spread, destroying four houses, three hotels, a hardware shop, and a microfinance office.
The fire completely destroyed Padamsher Rai’s three-story wooden house, along with a hardware shop and the Nirdhan Utthan Microfinance Office, causing losses of approximately Rs 40 million.
Gold price increases by Rs 1,200 per tola today
Gold price increased by Rs 1,200 per tola today (Monday) after dropping by Rs 2,700 per tola yesterday.
Silver prices have also gone up. As per the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Federation, gold is now priced at Rs 168,700 per tola, up from Rs 167,500 per tola yesterday.
Last Friday, the price of gold had peaked at Rs 170,200 per tola.
Regular import of petrol begins through Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline
Regular import of petroleum products, including petrol, kerosene, and other essential fuels, has officially begun through the expanded Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline.
The expansion of the international pipeline was completed recently, marking a significant milestone in Nepal’s petroleum supply chain.
Pralayankar Acharya, Chief of the Madhes Provincial Office of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) in Amlekhgunj, confirmed that the expansion project is now fully operational.
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