KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Convicted lawmaker Deepak Manange loses assembly seat
Rajiv Gurung (popularly known by the alias Deepak Manange), a member of the Gandaki Provincial Assembly, has been disqualified from his position following a verdict by the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Nepal.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha and comprising Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Prasad Phuyal, and Kumar Chudal, ruled that Manange was ineligible to hold public office due to a criminal conviction with a final verdict already issued.
Heavy rain in Tibet triggers flood alert for Bhote Koshi and Sunkoshi rivers
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has urged residents living along the banks of the Bhote Koshi and Sunkoshi rivers in Sindhupalchok district to remain on high alert due to the risk of flooding. The advisory comes after reports of possible heavy rainfall in the upstream areas of Tibet, China — which feed into the Bhote Koshi River.
Five major highways blocked, three operating one-way due to heavy rainfall
Continuous rainfall across various parts of the country has led to the obstruction of five major highways, while three highways are operating in a one-way manner, according to Nepal Police Headquarters. In Bagmati Province, the Araniko Highway has been completely blocked at multiple points in Sindhupalchok district—specifically in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2 Kodari, Ward-3 Larcha, and Ward-2 Koplad.
Top Leaders of Nepali Congress and UML Hold Talks in Baluwatar
A meeting between the top leaders of the ruling coalition partners, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, is currently underway in Baluwatar. The discussion involves Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Prime Minister and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli. From the Congress side, Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak are also present.
Labour and Employment Ministry concerned over safety of Nepalis in Iran, Israel
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has decided to write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting it to direct Nepal’s diplomatic missions to take necessary measures for ensuring the safety of Nepali workers in Israel and Iran.
This move comes in response to the ongoing conflict between the two countries and aims to mitigate potential risks to Nepali citizens residing or working in the affected regions.
Visit visa issue not targeted at any party or leader: Manish Jha
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has clarified that its campaign against visit visa-related fraud and human trafficking is not targeted at any particular political party or individual leader. The party issued the statement after media reports alleged that fake complaints were filed at the directive of RSP lawmaker Sumana Shrestha. RSP’s acting spokesperson Manish Jha, through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated, “We have consistently said our movement is against organized crimes tied to visit visa abuse and human trafficking. We have called for an investigation into the past 18 years and the role of all 14 Home Ministers during that time. This is not aimed at any single party or leader.”
Dharan Mayor faces controversy over alleged budget misuse and labor campaign
Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Harka Raj Rai, popularly known as Harka Sampang, has found himself at the center of a serious controversy after attempting to allocate municipal funds to pay volunteers involved in his personal labor campaign — without institutional authorization or legal process.
Mayor Sampang, who was elected as an independent candidate in 2022, has been running various development initiatives through grassroots voluntary labor campaigns, often bypassing formal procedures.
However, tensions escalated recently when he allegedly attempted to retroactively pay volunteers from the city’s official budget for work already completed — particularly a gabion wall construction at the Multilingual School in Ward No. 16.
MCC projects to continue in Nepal with US green light
The United States has granted a specific exception to its 90-day pause on foreign assistance, allowing the full implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact to continue.
The decision comes as part of a broader U.S. government review of its foreign aid programs worldwide.
According to a statement issued by the U.S. Mission in Nepal, Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved the exception in February, enabling Nepal to move ahead with MCC-funded infrastructure projects despite the temporary suspension of other American assistance initiatives.
Sudurpaschim Minister Rameshwar Chaudhary asked to resign
Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has instructed Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment Rameshwar Chaudhary to resign from his post, citing dissatisfaction with his performance and decision-making. According to sources close to the Chief Minister, Shah was displeased with Minister Chaudhary’s conduct, particularly during the budget preparation process, where the minister allegedly acted independently without proper coordination. This prompted the Chief Minister to ask for his immediate resignation.
One held with 1.15 kg of gold from TIA
Police have arrested a person in possession of 1.15 kg of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport. Spokesperson of Nepal Police, Binod Ghimire, said that an Indian national, Minasurjeet Singh Khemani, 53, was arrested at the TIA.
Infrastructure Development Committee inspects Gwarko flyover ahead of inauguration
A field inspection of the newly completed Gwarko Flyover in Lalitpur was conducted today under the leadership of Deepak Singh, Chairperson of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the House of Representatives.
The flyover, which has seen multiple deadline extensions and design revisions, is now set to be officially inaugurated this Friday, June 20, by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Scheduled budget meeting of Kathmandu Metropolitan remains uncertain
The budget estimation and resource allocation committee meeting, expected to be held on Wednesday morning at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), remains uncertain.
According to KMC spokesperson Nabin Manandhar, committee members have yet to receive any official notice regarding the meeting. “We have not received any official information about the meeting,” Manandhar told Khabarhub.
The uncertainty appears to stem from Mayor Balen Shah’s attempt to bypass Committee Member-Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guraagain, who has reportedly not been included in the budget preparation process.
High Court orders not to enforce suspension of Kathmandu Municipal Police Chief Rajunath Pandey
The Patan High Court has issued an interim order not to implement the suspension of Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Municipal Police Chief Rajunath Pandey. The court order states: “An interim order has been issued under Rule 42(1) of the High Court Regulation, directing the respondents to maintain the current status and allow the petitioner to continue performing duties in his position.” Pandey had filed a writ petition at the Patan High Court seeking an interim order against his suspension. The order was issued by a division bench comprising Justices Rishiraj Bhandari and Dilliratna Shrestha in Bench No. 9.
Over 35 Nepalis detained in Bangalore theft case
More than 35 Nepalis have reportedly been taken into custody by Indian police in connection with a theft case in Bangalore, India. The city has increasingly become a popular destination for employment among Nepalis, especially those from Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
While Delhi and Mumbai were previously the main cities of employment for Nepalis in India, Bangalore is now seen as a safer and more promising location—particularly for families working as domestic helpers.
However, with the rising number of Nepalis seeking work there, incidents involving individuals with criminal intent have also emerged, according to Ram Bahadur BK from Achham, who has been working in Bangalore for the past 12 years. “In the past, miscreants in Delhi and Mumbai caused problems for innocent Nepalis. Now, similar issues are being seen here,” he said.
Nepal begins process to establish Consulate General in Dallas
The government has officially initiated the process to establish a Consulate General office in Dallas, Texas, aimed at serving the growing Nepali diaspora in the southern United States.
Suresh Adhikari, recently appointed as Joint Secretary and Consul General by the Government of Nepal, confirmed that preliminary steps for setting up the office have commenced.
Speaking at a reception and felicitation event organized by the local Nepali community on Tuesday, Adhikari stated that the consulate will begin providing services once a suitable location is selected and the U.S. government grants the necessary approvals.
Human Rights group stages peaceful protest outside Israeli Embassy
The Human Rights and Peace Society staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy in Kathmandu on Wednesday, expressing concern over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Protesters called for an immediate end to the escalating violence in West Asia, warning that the conflict poses a serious threat to regional stability and global peace. The society emphasized the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the war and urged the international community to take calm and constructive action to resolve the situation.
Holding anti-war placards, demonstrators appealed to both Israel and Iran to pursue dialogue and diplomatic efforts to settle their disputes peacefully.
Beshisahar-Chame road obstructed
A landslide has obstructed the Besisahar-Chame road section.
The road has been disrupted after a landslide occurred this morning near the Bung Falls in Lamjung Marsyangdi Rural Municipality.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ramesh Bohora informed that the landslide occurred due to incessant rainfall. Efforts are underway to remove the landslide debris, he said.
Youth dies in Kailali prison, family alleges foul play
A 28-year-old man arrested on banking offense charges has died under suspicious circumstances while in custody at Kailali District Prison.
Harish Pali, a resident of Bhageshwar Rural Municipality–5 in Dadeldhura, was found unconscious in the prison premises at around 10:30 pm on Monday and later died during treatment at Seti Provincial Hospital.
According to Jailor Padam Timilsina, Pali was rushed to the hospital in an unresponsive state, where doctors observed that he had high fever and severely low blood pressure. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his condition.
Gold price rises by Rs 900, silver also up
The price of gold witnessed an increase of Rs 900 on Wednesday, according to the Federation of Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association.
With the latest hike, gold is now being traded at Rs 195,900 per tola.
Silver prices also climbed, going up by Rs 65 to reach Rs 2,225 per tola.
Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar departs for South Africa
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar has departed for Pretoria, South Africa, to participate in a high-level dialogue on democracy.
She will be attending the conference titled “Reimagining Democracy in Africa: Comparative Experiences from the Global South”, which is being jointly organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the Open Society Foundation, and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
The dialogue is scheduled to take place on June 19 and 20.
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