KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
House subcommittee submits report on School Education Bill
The subcommittee formed under the House of Representatives’ Education, Health and Information Technology Committee to review the School Education Bill clause-by-clause has submitted its report following nearly two months of consultations and deliberations.
The subcommittee, coordinated by CPN-UML lawmaker Chhabilal Bishwakarma, was formed on March 21 with a mandate to complete its work within 35 days. However, the process extended to almost two months due to in-depth discussions with experts, stakeholders, and agitating teachers.
Hearing on Rabi and Chhabi’s case postponed due to missing signatures; Court demands explanation
Pokhara High Court on Sunday postponed the hearing in the cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering case involving Rabi Lamichhane and Chhabilal Joshi due to the absence of signatures on court summons. The court mentioned that the letter sent to inform defendants Rabi and Chhabi — who are currently in custody at Rupandehi Prison — about their court appearance did not contain signatures.
Pokhara High Court orders retrieval of Suryadarshan Cooperative case file involving Rabi Lamichhane
The Pokhara High Court has instructed the retrieval of the case file related to the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case, in which Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is one of the accused. The directive was issued on Sunday by a joint bench of Chief Judge Dr. Ratna Bahadur Bagchand and Judge Milan Kumar Rai, following three consecutive days of hearings. Lamichhane’s legal team had objected on Friday, stating the hearing had moved forward without their prior knowledge. In response, the court scheduled a review of the petitions for Sunday.
Durga Prasai to remain in custody for four more days
The court has granted permission to extend the detention of Durga Prasai and others by four more days for further investigation. A bench led by Judge Harka Bahadur Chhetri issued the order, allowing the police to continue holding Prasai and his associates in custody.
With this extension, the total period of detention has reached 56 days. The police are now working to complete their investigation and submit a final report within this timeframe.
RPP accuses government of being autocratic
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Roshan Karki has accused the government and the Home Ministry of becoming increasingly autocratic and bureaucratically insular.
Speaking during a special session of the House of Representatives on Sunday, MP Karki criticized the government’s approach to governance, saying, “This government is becoming autocratic. The Home Ministry is acting like a separate entity altogether.”
HoR endorses Sahid Dashrath Chand Health Science University Bill
The House of Representatives (HoR) today passed the Sahid Dashrath Chand Health Science University Bill, 2081 BS. A session of the lower house today unanimously endorsed the Bill along with a report from the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee.
Prior to this, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, in his response to queries raised during the discussions on the Bill, said the provision to appoint the Ministers from the education and also the health and population, as pro-chancellors of the University aims to develop the University as a hub of health as well.
NEPSE slips marginally by 0.10% to close at 2,609.05
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) declined slightly on Sunday, shedding 2.79 points (0.10%) to close at 2,609.05. This minor drop follows an earlier loss of 8.41 points in the previous trading session. The benchmark index opened at 2,608.26, climbing as high as 2,625.26 during the day before dipping to a low of 2,606.09. Trading volume reached Rs. 8.50 billion, with a total of 16,907,737 shares changing hands in 79,893 transactions across 309 listed companies.
Ward chairs reject new committee appointments by Mayor Balen, demand executive meeting first
Ward chairs of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City have rejected the recent appointments made by Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) regarding changes in the leadership of various municipal committees.
In a joint letter submitted to the Mayor on Sunday, ward chairs Dal Bahadur Karki, Birendra Prajapati, and Binod Rajbhandari stated that they would not assume the newly assigned responsibilities without formal approval from the municipal executive.
Hollywood film ‘Tashi’ based on Tenzing Norgay’s Everest ascent begins shooting in Mustang
The shooting of the Hollywood film Tashi, based on the life of the first Everest climber Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, is set to begin on Monday in various locations of Mustang, Nepal.
The film, inspired by Sherpa’s historic 1953 ascent of Mt. Everest, will be shot across three local municipalities in Mustang. A large production team consisting of over 300 crew members from Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nepal has already arrived, with more on the way.
Two arrested for fraud over foreign employment in Poland and Bulgaria
Two individuals have been arrested by police on charges of fraudulently collecting money by luring victims with promises of high-paying jobs in Poland and Bulgaria.
The arrested have been identified as 35-year-old Hikmat Kumar Thapa, originally from Bhagwatimai Rural Municipality–1, Dailekh, currently residing in Tokha Municipality–5, Kathmandu; and 30-year-old Jikrullah Miya, originally from Adarsh Kotwal Rural Municipality–8, Bara, currently residing in Kathmandu Metropolitan City–29.
IGP Thapa directs strict response to anti-constitutional activities
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deepak Thapa has instructed his subordinates to prioritize the enforcement of law, protection of lives and property, and efforts to ease public life.
Speaking at a meeting with the chief of the Valley Police Office at Nepal Police Club, Bhrikutimandap on Sunday morning, IGP Thapa emphasized the need to take anti-constitutional activities seriously.
Gold price drops after recent surge
he price of gold, which had risen by Rs 3,000 per tola on Friday, has dropped today. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Federation, gold is being traded at Rs 184,200 per tola today, a decrease of Rs 600 from Friday’s rate of Rs 184,800 per tola.
Executive Director of UN Fund for Loss and Damage calls on PM Oli
Visiting Executive Director of the United Nations Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage Ibrahima Cheikh Diong today paid a courtesy call on Prime Minster KP Sharma Oli at latter’s official residence in Baluwatar.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked him for taking part in the first edition of the Sagarmatha Dialogue.
“In absence of the protection of mountains and environment, the entire human life will be insecure,” he said, adding that this should be the matter of global concern.
Composite wall constructed to prevent river erosion in Myagdi
A ‘composite’ technology wall has been constructed in Singa Tatopani, Beni Municipality-4, Myagdi, to control river erosion and reduce the risk of flooding from the Myagdi River.
The project was carried out jointly by the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project, Pokhara, and the Water Resources, Irrigation, and Drinking Water Division Office, using funds allocated by both the federal and provincial governments for the fiscal year 2081/82 BS.
Youth found dead in Pingalasthan, Kathmandu
A man was found dead near the roadside in Pingalasthan, Kathmandu, on Sunday. According to the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, the body of a man believed to be around 30 years old was discovered in Ward No. 9 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
APF Assistant Sub-Inspector Chhatyal climbs Mt Everest
Armed Police Force (APF) Assistant Sub-Inspector Danta Bahadur Chhatyal has successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. At 9:20 AM today, he raised the Sagarmatha Sambaad and the flag of the Armed Police Force Nepal atop the 8,848-meter-high summit of Mount Everest, as confirmed by Armed Police Inspector Nirmal Basnet, the coordination officer at Everest Base Camp.
Bagmati Province government spends only 38 percent of budget in 10 months
The Bagmati Province Government has utilized just 38.91 percent of its allocated budget in the first ten months of the current fiscal year 2081/82. According to Indraraj Sanjyal, Information Officer at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Planning, the provincial government has spent 35.01 percent of its budget on capital expenditure and 46.79 percent on current expenditure between Shrawan and Baisakh. The total expenditure amounts to Rs 25.11 billion, with Rs 13.27 billion allocated to capital expenditure and Rs 12.87 billion to current expenditure. This is out of the total budget of Rs 64.54 billion for the fiscal year. Notably, capital expenditure is lower than current expenditure.
Sagarmatha Sambaad concludes with ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’ declaration
The three-day Sagarmatha Sambaad concluded in Kathmandu with the adoption of a 25-point ‘Sagarmatha Call for Action’ declaration, drawing global attention to the need for a dedicated Himalayan-focused climate fund.
The declaration highlights the urgency of establishing a Himalayan-focused climate center to address the growing climate finance needs of mountainous regions, which are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. Participants emphasized the need to mobilize climate finance, urging that Himalayan countries be prioritized for grants or concessional loans.
Foreign Secretary highlights success of Sagarmatha Sambaad in elevating Himalayan issues globally
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai has said that Nepal successfully brought global attention to Himalayan issues through the country’s first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad. Speaking at a press conference held after the conclusion of the dialogue, Secretary Rai stated that the event not only elevated Nepal’s international image but also provided a critical platform to highlight ongoing climate challenges. “The dialogue shed light on the concerns of the Himalayan region, which are also of interest to island nations and beyond,” he said.
PM Oli congratulates medal winners of South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli has extended congratulations to the Nepali medalists of the South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship. At a felicitation program held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar today, PM Oli praised the young athletes for their achievements and encouraged them to continue working hard with high morale to succeed at the international level.
Corruption in Bharat Lake: Case filed against 8, including former Madhes Finance Minister
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against eight individuals, including the former Finance Minister of Madhesh Province, Bijay Kumar, for alleged irregularities in the construction of Bharat Lake in Sarlahi.
According to the CIAA, Minister Kumar, on June 20, 2021, unilaterally decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide a grant of Rs 300 million for the construction of a fishpond (Bharat Lake), bypassing due process.
4 killed, 28 injured in natural disasters in 24 hours
Four people have died and 28 others have been injured in various natural disasters across the country over the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
The NDRRMA reported that 50 districts have been affected by storms, floods, landslides, and other calamities brought on by changing weather patterns during the pre-monsoon season. NDRRMA spokesperson Ram Bahadur KC stated that storms alone have claimed four lives and injured 21 people.
Four injured in Khukuri attack at Nepal Tarun Dal convention in Lamjung
Four individuals were injured in a khukuri attack during the district convention of Nepal Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the Nepali Congress, in Lamjung. The incident occurred during the inaugural session of Tarun Dal’s fifth district convention held at Pragatitol Ama Samuha Bhawan in Besisahar Municipality-8 on Saturday.
The injured have been identified as Khushijung Gurung, regional president of Tarun Dal and ward president of Besisahar Municipality-9; Kishorejung Basnet, a member of the Nepali Congress Lamjung District Working Committee; Sudip Adhikari, a central member of the Nepal Students’ Union; and Dhan Ghale, a member of Nepal Tarun Dal.
Foreign participants of ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ enjoy mountain flight
Foreign delegates attending the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ were treated to a mountain flight offering panoramic views of the Himalayan range, including the world’s highest peak, Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest). The scenic flight was organized under the leadership of Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi, with coordination from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepal Tourism Board.
Truck hits motorcycle in Kathmandu, one dead
A motorcyclist lost his life after being hit by a truck in Kageshwari Manohara, Kathmandu last evening. The accident occurred on Saturday evening in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality-9, Radar, when a motorcycle (Ba 60 Pa 1795) was hit by a truck (Ba Pra-03-001 Kha 1247), according to the District Police Range, Kathmandu.
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