KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
House session postponed until Thursday
The meeting of the House of Representatives has been postponed until Thursday.
The Federal Parliament Secretariat issued a notice on Tuesday, announcing the postponement of the session.
According to the public notice, the next meeting will be held at 11 am on Thursday.
RPP leader Rabindra Mishra released on Rs 300,000 bail
The District Court of Kathmandu has ordered the release of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Senior Vice Chair Rabindra Mishra on a bail of Rs 300,000.
A single bench of Judge Tara Devi Maharjan issued the order on Tuesday after Mishra appeared before the court in the morning. He had previously been released on recognizance but had remained out of contact with the court.
On Monday, the court had issued a similar order for RPP General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana, also releasing him on Rs 300,000 bail.
Kathmandu Mayor calls budget committee meeting without Chief Administrative Officer
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah has proposed holding a meeting of the Resource Estimation and Budget Ceiling Determination Committee amid mounting pressure to finalize the municipal budget.
However, controversy has erupted after it was revealed that the meeting is being convened without the committee’s member-secretary, Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain.
According to KMC sources, Mayor Shah has instructed the administration to prepare the proposal for the meeting, scheduled for June 18, at 11 AM in his office. The absence of Guragain, whose participation is mandatory in such meetings, has cast doubt over the legitimacy and outcome of the session.
UML youth leaders lash out at Maoist Centre over two-point agreement
Youth leaders of the ruling CPN-UML have launched a scathing attack on the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre), criticizing its recent two-point agreement with the government over the ongoing “visit visa scandal” that had stalled parliamentary proceedings.
Less than a week after the Maoist Centre agreed to end the House obstruction by reaching a deal with the ruling coalition, UML lawmakers have openly mocked the party and its leadership, questioning their political credibility.
UML lawmaker Surya Bahadur Thapa Kshetri took to social media on Tuesday, comparing Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to a leader who has lost all momentum.
Air pollution Is Nepal’s leading health risk: World Bank
Air pollution has become the leading health risk in Nepal, responsible for the highest number of deaths and disabilities in the country, according to a new report released by the World Bank.
The report, titled “Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions”, finds that air pollution causes approximately 26,000 premature deaths each year and reduces the average life expectancy of Nepalis by 3.4 years.
The report identifies Kathmandu Valley and the Terai region as Nepal’s main air pollution hotspots, where air quality has shown no significant improvement over the past decade. In addition to its severe impact on public health, poor air quality affects labor productivity, tourism, and the aviation sector. The economic cost of air pollution is estimated to exceed six percent of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.
Ratnechaur–Bhakunde road blacktopped 27 years after track opened
The blacktopping of the Ratnechaur–Bhakunde road in Myagdi has finally begun, 27 years after the track was first opened.
The blacktopping work follows the completion of road widening, drainage construction, retaining walls, curve and gradient improvements, and laying of the sub-base and base on the 10-kilometer stretch from Ratnechaur in Beni Municipality-1 to Tamane via Bhakunde in Ward No. 2.
According to Hari Subedi, Chief of the Road Division Office, Baglung, blacktopping is currently underway on a four-kilometer section between Upallachaur, Arjam, and Faparkhet under the ‘One Constituency, One Road’ program.
Govt moving ahead to implement conclusions of Sagarmatha Sambaad: Environment Minister
Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has said that the government has prepared an action plan to implement the conclusions of the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a multi-sectoral dialogue, held last month in Kathmandu.
During the inauguration of the ‘Post-Sagarmatha Sambaad’ event organized jointly here today by Sahas Nepal, Youth Alliance for Environment and KIRDAC, among other organisations, he said that efforts are being made to implement the ’25-point Sagarmatha Call’ by coordinating with everyone.
“Nepal is mostly affected by climate change, especially women, children, indigenous communities, Dalits, and marginalized groups, who are more affected. We have successfully amplified the voices of such communities through the Sagarmatha Sambaad,” he added.
Speaker urges RSP lawmakers to exercise self-regulation amid dress code row
Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire has stated that Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmakers wearing blue scarves in Parliament should exercise self-regulation and adhere to parliamentary decorum.
His remarks came after the ruling Nepali Congress demanded that the RSP lawmakers be expelled from the House for allegedly breaching dress code norms.
RSP lawmakers have been wearing blue scarves in protest, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over the controversial visit visa scandal.
Minister Khadka expresses dissatisfaction over poor progress in Energy Ministry
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has expressed serious dissatisfaction over the underwhelming performance of the ministry and its subordinate bodies.
Speaking at the High Management Team meeting held at the ministry today, Minister Khadka said that with just a month left in the current fiscal year, the progress made so far has been unsatisfactory.
“When progress within the ministry appears poor, it puts both diligent and non-performing employees in the same basket,” he said. “We often refer to civil servants as the permanent government, but that stability is not reflected in their work. Take your responsibilities seriously—let us establish a system of rewards and penalties based on performance.”
Narayanghat–Muglin road reopens
The Narayanghat–Muglin road section, which was blocked due to a landslide, has reopened for traffic.
According to the District Police Office, vehicular movement resumed after authorities cleared debris from the landslide that had occurred near Tui Khola in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5.
The landslide was triggered by rain on Monday night, causing a dry slide that obstructed the road earlier today.
Speaker holds meeting with top five parties to end parliamentary deadlock
Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire is currently holding discussions with leaders of the top five political parties at the Federal Parliament Building in Baneshwar to resolve the ongoing obstruction in the Parliament led by the fourth-largest party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
The meeting includes Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chief Whip Hit Raj Pandey, RSP Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chief Whip Gyan Bahadur Shahi.
Earlier, Speaker Ghimire had held separate discussions with Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, ruling party whip Bartaula, and RSP’s Chief Whip Pariyar in an effort to end the stalemate in the House.
Nepali Congress leader demands expulsion of RSP lawmakers from HoR meeting
The ruling Nepali Congress has called for the expulsion of lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for what it called “unruly behavior” during a House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday.
During a discussion on rules at the 2 pm session, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire objected to RSP lawmakers wearing blue scarves in Parliament as a form of protest against Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who is under fire over the ongoing visit visa scandal.
“Honorable Speaker, Clause 30 of the House rules deals with controlling indecent behavior, and Clause 31 allows for expulsion from the chamber,” Ghimire said, directly addressing the Speaker while pointing to RSP lawmakers. “Is it appropriate to wear blue scarves in Parliament? What if someone comes in wearing shorts tomorrow—would that be acceptable under parliamentary decorum?”
Nabaraj Bohara reaches Baluwatar after 31-day barefoot march from Surkhet
Nabaraj Bohara, who began a barefoot journey from Surkhet on May 18, has reached Baluwatar on the 31st day of his protest march.
He arrived in the capital this morning, walking from Kalanki to Baluwatar.
Bohara undertook the journey to draw national attention to corruption and irregularities in Karnali Province. His protest, done entirely barefoot, was aimed at symbolizing the pain and neglect suffered by the people of the region.
RSP lawmakers don blue ribbons to demand Home Minister’s resignation
Lawmakers from the opposition Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) arrived at the Federal Parliament building on Tuesday wearing blue ribbons as part of their ongoing protest against the visit visa scandal involving Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
The MPs, who have been surrounding the parliamentary well in protest for days, donned the symbolic blue scarves as they entered the session hall in New Baneshwor.
The party is demanding Minister Lekhak’s resignation and a thorough investigation into alleged involvement in human trafficking under the guise of visit visas.
Speaker and Home Minister hold talks over two-point agreement
Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak held discussions on Tuesday morning in Singha Durbar, just ahead of the scheduled parliamentary session. The meeting comes amid rising tensions in Parliament over the visit visa controversy involving Minister Lekhak.
According to the Speaker’s Secretariat, the two discussed the implementation of the two-point agreement recently reached between the ruling party and the main opposition, CPN (Maoist Centre). The agreement had briefly helped end the parliamentary deadlock.
In addition to the Maoist Centre’s demands, Speaker Ghimire and Minister Lekhak also reportedly discussed issues raised by the other opposition party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
Prachanda says ‘visa scam’ dates back to 2007
CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stated that the problem surrounding the misuse of ‘visit visas’ is not a recent issue, but one that has existed since 2007.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the Press Center Chitwan at his Shivnagar residence on Tuesday, Dahal stressed the need for proper investigation and structural reform.
“This issue must not be ignored. If necessary, we are ready to amend the constitution, draft new laws, and take policy-level decisions,” he said, adding, “Even if I step aside, the Nepali people won’t let go of this issue.”
Mustang sees 33% surge in tourists
The number of domestic and international tourists visiting Mustang has surged significantly due to improved accessibility along the national pride project road connecting Beni–Jomsom–Korala.
With much of the road between Myagdi and Mustang now blacktopped, travel to the high Himalayan district has become more convenient, encouraging a steady influx of visitors.
The district, rich in religious, cultural, and natural attractions, is emerging as a major tourist hub in Nepal.
Landslide keeps Kaligandaki Corridor Road blocked in Gulmi
The Kaligandaki Corridor Road remains obstructed following a massive landslide in Baralba, located in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-6, Gulmi district.
The landslide, which occurred on Monday afternoon, brought down large rocks and debris, leading to a complete road blockade, authorities confirmed.
According to Kaligandaki Rural Municipality Chairperson Bed Bahadur Thapa, continuous falling debris is hampering efforts to reopen the road.
Trump says early G7 exit has ‘nothing to do’ with an Israel-Iran ceasefire
US President Donald Trump said his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday had “nothing to do” with a possible ceasefire between Israel and Iran, adding that France’s leader had been “wrong” to suggest otherwise.
“Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a ‘cease fire’ between Israel and Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!”
Macron had suggested that the United States was ready to make a diplomatic overture to Iran.
“There was an offer made for a meeting and an exchange,” Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit. “If the United States can obtain a ceasefire, it is a very good thing,” the French president said.
Trump departed the G7 gathering a day early, as US ally Israel and Iran traded fire for a fifth straight day.
Gold prices down by Rs 2,500
The price of gold in Nepal fell significantly on Tuesday, dropping by Rs 2,500 per tola compared to the previous day.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold is now being traded at Rs 195,000 per tola, down from Rs 197,500 on Monday.
Silver prices also saw a slight decrease, falling by Rs 5 per tola. As of Tuesday, silver is being traded at Rs 2,160 per tola.
KMC halts road and footpath excavation for monsoon season
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has announced a temporary ban on all road and footpath excavations within its jurisdiction for the duration of the monsoon.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, KMC’s Public Construction Department declared that from June 15 to September 16, no agency or party will be granted permission to dig up public roads or footpaths.
The decision comes in response to the inconveniences faced by the public during the rainy season, including mud, dust, and unsafe walking conditions due to ongoing construction works.
Nepali peacekeepers return from UN Mission in Abyei
A third contingent of Nepali peacekeepers deployed under the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has returned home, the Nepal Army confirmed on Monday.
According to the Directorate of Public Relations and Information, a total of 67 personnel led by Lieutenant Colonel Bhola Kumar Karki arrived in Nepal after completing their mission.
Earlier, on June 13, the fourth contingent of 77 personnel led by Major Gyan Kaji Shrestha had departed for Abyei to replace the returning unit.
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