KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Ideological alignment key for left unity: PM Oli
Prime Minister and Chair of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, stated today that those who have strayed in various directions without a clear ideological foundation cannot be brought into the fold of left unity.
Speaking at a memorial program organized in Madannagar, Balkhu, on the occasion of the anniversary of the passing of the late Madan Bhandari, the then General Secretary of the CPN-UML, and Jeevraj Ashrit, the head of the organization department, Prime Minister Oli emphasized that unity should not be an end in itself.
Instead, he stressed the need to bring others into the party by convincing them of the correct ideology.
Illegal remittance flows suspected in central bank Governor appointment: Koirala
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has directly linked the suspected influx of illegal money under the guise of remittances to potential manipulation in the appointment of the Central Bank Governor.
Speaking at a program in Kathmandu on Saturday, Koirala highlighted the recent surge in remittances, reaching approximately 200 billion rupees last month. He argued that this figure appears disproportionately high compared to the number of Nepali citizens working abroad, leading him to suspect that illicit funds are being funneled into the country disguised as remittances.
JSP-Nepal holds warning assembly in Birgunj; newly formed confederation announces protest plans
he central confederation recently formed by Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal organized a large-scale ‘warning assembly’ in Birgunj on Saturday, bringing together leaders and representatives from various marginalized communities across the country.
Held at the Town Hall, the event was inaugurated by JSP-Nepal chair Upendra Yadav, who also presented a 13-page concept paper outlining the confederation’s goals and future direction.
Melamchi River water distribution expanded to Balaju and Nagarjun areas
The Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), Project Implementation Directorate (PID), has begun expanding the distribution of Melamchi river water to additional areas in Kathmandu Valley, including Balaju and Nagarjun municipalities.
According to Tika Bahadur Chaudhary, Chief of the Directorate, the initiative aims to enhance water supply services and ensure clean, treated water reaches more households in the capital.
The expansion covers neighborhoods such as Balaju, Buspark, Chapakot, Chyangli, Lazimpat, Belkote, Shivapuri, and Khokana in Kathmandu Metropolitan Ward-16, as well as Kageshwori Manohara, Nagarjun, and Brindavan Mahadev in Wards 1 and 2 of Nagarjun Municipality.
IPL resumes today after suspension amid India-Pakistan tensions
The Indian Premier League (IPL), which was suspended due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, is set to resume from today.
The league was put on hold on May 8 after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in response to a terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Following the easing of tensions and the resolution of the conflict between the two countries, the popular cricket tournament will now continue as scheduled.
Nepal to host first-ever Everest Summiteers Summit on May 27
Nepal is set to host the first-ever international conference of climbers who have summited the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. The event, titled the Everest Summiteers Summit, will take place in Kathmandu on May 27.
Organized by Everest Alliance Nepal, the landmark conference aims to bring together mountaineers from across the globe who have successfully reached the top of Everest.
So far, 177 climbers from 16 countries have registered for the event, according to Everest Alliance Nepal President Sudarshan Nepal.
Japan provides additional grant for Dhulikhel Hospital Trauma Center
The Japanese government has committed an additional grant of 573 million yen for the “Dhulikhel Hospital Trauma and Emergency Center Improvement Project,” in a move aimed at strengthening Nepal’s emergency healthcare infrastructure.
The agreement was signed on Friday at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Japan’s Parliamentary Deputy Foreign Minister Ikuina Akiko.
The grant agreement was signed between Dhaniram Sharma, Head of the International Economic Assistance Coordination Division at the Ministry of Finance, and a representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Nepal.
CIAA probes millions collected by school for unbuilt shops; ex-Minister under scrutiny
The Bardibas office of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has launched an investigation into Pashupati Adarsha Secondary School in Lahan Municipality-1, Siraha, over allegations of collecting millions of rupees from businesspersons under the guise of renting out shop shutters that were never constructed.
The investigation has drawn in former minister and Nepali Congress central committee member Padma Narayan Chaudhary. Chaudhary served as the chairman of the school management committee during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, which is when the funds were allegedly collected from the traders.
Nepal, Bhutan discuss joint efforts on climate change and Himalayan issues
Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, met with Bhutan’s Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, Gem Tshering, who is currently on a visit to Nepal. The meeting took place today on the sidelines of the ‘Sagarmatha Sambad’ (Everest Dialogue) organized by the Government of Nepal starting Friday.
During their discussion, both ministers acknowledged that Nepal and Bhutan, being Himalayan nations, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and agreed to explore avenues for collaboration to address these shared challenges.
Appropriation Bill realistic, aimed at self-reliance and sustainable development: Finance Minister
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, has stated that the principles and priorities of the upcoming Appropriation Bill have been determined in line with the country’s current economic status and resource management capabilities.
Responding to lawmakers’ queries in the House of Representatives regarding the Appropriation Bill (excluding tax proposals) for the fiscal year 2025/26, Minister Paudel said the government is formulating the budget by internalizing ground realities and addressing national aspirations such as socialism based on democratic values and the vision of a “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.”
He said the upcoming budget will focus on enhancing production, ensuring equal access, alleviating poverty, and creating a self-reliant economy through collaboration among the public, private, and cooperative sectors.
Deuba promises to improve govt shortcomings amid coalition challenges
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has acknowledged the challenges faced by the current coalition government and assured that any shortcomings will be addressed and improved moving forward.
Speaking at a program organized by the Democratic Thought Society in Kathmandu on Saturday, Deuba highlighted that despite being a large party, the Nepali Congress does not hold a majority and is therefore compelled to form a government in alliance with other parties, including the UML.
KMC announces free training for over 2,000 participants in Skill Fair 2025
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has called for applications for the upcoming Skill Fair 2025, aiming to provide free skill-based training to 2,082 individuals.
The fair, which is set to begin from the 20th of this month, will feature training sessions in 34 different categories across 10 sectors.
Engineer Shailendra Jha, coordinator of the Skill Fair Implementation Committee, said that preparations are underway to conduct the training in collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector institutions, and donor agencies.
BIMSTEC Secretary General, Kyrgyz President’s Special Envoy Meet Foreign Minister Dr. Rana
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, held separate courtesy meetings today with the Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Indra Mani Pandey, and the Special Envoy of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Dinara Kemelova.
BIMSTEC Secretary General Pandey, who is in Kathmandu to participate in the Sagarmatha Sambad, met with Minister Dr. Rana on the sidelines of the event. During their meeting, Minister Dr. Rana reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the objectives and principles of BIMSTEC.
Qatar’s special envoy meets Forest Minister
Qatar’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability, Bader Omar Al Dafa, held a meeting with Nepal’s Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, during his visit to Nepal for the Sagarmatha Sambaad.
The meeting took place at the Sagarmatha Sambaad venue, where both sides discussed a range of issues related to bilateral cooperation in environmental protection and climate resilience.
According to the Ministry of Forest and Environment, the discussion focused on fostering a long-term strategic partnership in the areas of forest conservation, environmental technology transfer, pollution control, and innovation.
Ministers Lekhak and Pandey inspect Everest Base Camp
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey reached the Everest Base Camp area today on an inspection visit aimed at assessing the condition of climbers and reviewing the peace and security situation during the tourist season.
The two ministers arrived at the Base Camp in Khumbu by helicopter early this morning. Their visit comes amid growing concerns about safety, tourism management, and helicopter flight regulation in the Everest region.
Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs calls on PM Oli
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, IKUINA Akiko paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today. Akiko, who is currently in Nepal to participate in the ongoing Sagarmatha Sambaad, held a courtesy meeting with PM Oli at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar.
Stating that Nepal and Japan shared the cordial relations, PM Oli mentioned that the Sagarmatha Sambaad was organized acknowledging the facts that the issues emerging due to climate changes are a cause for concerns for everyone and collaborative efforts were needed to tackle this global crisis.
Three killed after being hit by uprooted trees in windstorm
Three people lost their lives and seven others were injured in separate incidents caused by trees uprooted during a windstorm in Nawalparasi and Kailali, according to police reports.
In West Nawalparasi, Mira Byambu, 30, and Durga Bahadur Pun, 40, both residents of Ward No. 7 of Sunwal Municipality, died after a tree fell on a roadside waiting shed where they had taken shelter from the rain.
The incident occurred last evening, informed Santosh Poudel, Chief of the Area Police Office in Sunwal. Three others were injured in the same incident.
Climate change talks held at Everest Base Camp
A special dialogue focusing on climate change, Himalayan life, and expectations from the government was held at Everest Base Camp today (Saturday), under the coordination of Nepali Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament, Bishwa Prakash Sharma.
The dialogue saw the participation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Tourism Minister Badri Pandey, who traveled to the base camp to engage with locals and experts.
NEPSE falls nearly 50 points amid four-day trading week
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) closed nearly 50 points lower this week, continuing its downward trend during a shortened four-day trading session.
The market was closed on Monday due to Buddha Jayanti and remained shut over the weekend, allowing only four trading days between May 11 and 15.
The NEPSE index, which stood at 2661.64 points at the end of the previous week, dropped to 2611.85 points by Thursday, marking a total decline of 49.79 points.
Nepal wins first UK practice match ahead of ICC World Cup League-2
Nepal’s national cricket team began its UK tour on a high note by securing a three-wicket win against the Newport Cricket Club in their first one-day practice match held in Cardiff on Friday.
The victory marks a strong start for Nepal as it prepares for upcoming fixtures in the ICC World Cup League-2.
Chasing a target of 213 runs set by the hosts, Nepal reached the total in 37.5 overs, losing seven wickets in the process.
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