KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Durga Prasai speaks out after release, criticizes royalist leaders over Tinkune violence
Durga Prasai, who was jailed following the violent royalist demonstration in Kathmandu’s Tinkune on March 28, has publicly addressed the media for the first time since his release. The demonstration had resulted in the deaths of journalist Suresh Rajak and transport worker Sabin Maharjan. Prasai, who was released from Dilli Bazaar Prison on August 4 after remaining silent for months, held a press conference at his residence in Bhaktapur on Monday, sharply criticizing various royalist parties and groups.
Durga Prasai claims police tried to ‘encounter’ him during Tinkune protest
Durga Prasai claimed on Monday that he narrowly escaped an alleged planned encounter by authorities during the March 28 Tinkune protest. Speaking at a press conference at his residence in Bhaktapur, Prasai said he fled toward India after learning that plainclothes police were sent to kill him. “They told me, ‘Plainclothes police have come to kill you; leave immediately.’ I left immediately,” Prasai said. “By the time curfew was imposed, I had already left Kathmandu. Four police teams were deployed to carry out the encounter. Had I not escaped that day, I would have been killed.”
Bidya Devi Bhandari receives warm welcome at Biratnagar Airport despite UML ban
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari was warmly received by provincial leaders and cadres of the CPN-UML upon her arrival at Biratnagar Airport on Monday, despite the party’s recent decision to bar her from active involvement in its activities. Provincial State Minister Sirjana Rai greeted Bhandari with a bouquet, while UML leaders including Binod Dhakal and Morang district secretary Somraj Thapa were also present at the airport. Dozens of UML cadres, estimated at around a hundred, lined up to welcome her.
Bidya Devi Bhandari affirms UML ties during Biratnagar visit
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari arrived in Biratnagar on Monday to attend the annual celebration of the Udgosh Daily. Upon arrival, she reaffirmed her association with the CPN-UML, stating that she continues to identify as an organized member and cadre of the party. Recalling her 45-year-long affiliation with the UML, Bhandari highlighted her commitment to work for the party’s interests. She noted that she was elected president as a UML member and continues to consider herself a party worker.
Report on School Education Bill presented to parliamentary committee
The report on the School Education Bill has been presented to the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives. During Monday’s meeting at Singha Durbar, committee secretary Dasharath Dhamala handed over the report to committee chair Amar Bahadur Thapa.
Foreign Minister: Nepal making continuous efforts for Bipin Joshi’s release
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that the Government of Nepal has been making continuous and tireless efforts for the early release of Nepali youth Bipin Joshi, who remains under the control of the Hamas group. In a statement issued on Monday, Deuba explained that the Foreign Ministry, in coordination with the Israeli government, has actively engaged Joshi’s family members in applying pressure for his release. His mother Padma and sister Pushpa are currently in Israel, meeting senior leaders and appealing for his freedom.
Two workers killed, five injured in landslide at Rahughat Hydropower Project
A landslide at Audit No. 1 (the access route to the main tunnel) of the under-construction Rahughat Hydropower Project in Raghuganga Rural Municipality, Myagdi, claimed the lives of two workers on Monday and injured five others. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Surya Bahadur Thapa of the District Police Office, the landslide struck near the base of Dagnam in Raghuganga-5, burying two workers. Five others injured in the incident have been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Dengue cases in Nepal cross 3,000
Nepal has recorded over 3,000 dengue cases as the mosquito-borne infection continues to spread across the country. In the past week alone, 137 new cases were reported. According to data from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), dengue has affected 74 districts since last December, with a total of 3,025 confirmed infections and two deaths reported so far.
Indian Foreign Secretary concludes two-day Nepal visit
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is returning to New Delhi on Monday after completing a two-day official visit to Nepal. Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday morning and held a series of high-level meetings throughout the day. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Misri extended a formal invitation from the Government of India to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to visit New Delhi. This marks the first official invitation since Oli assumed office 14 months ago.
Indian Foreign Secretary hands over vehicles and medical equipment to Nepali Army
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday called on Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Ashok Raj Sigdel at the Nepali Army Headquarters. During the meeting, Misri handed over light vehicles, critical medical equipment, and trained military animals, including dogs and horses, to the Nepali Army. According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the handover reflects the close ties between the two armies and highlights ongoing defense cooperation.
Securing Bipin Joshi’s release is govt’s top priority: PM Oli
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that ensuring the swift release of Bipin Joshi, the Nepali youth held hostage by the Hamas group, is the government’s responsibility. In a statement shared via Facebook today, PM Oli said the government is giving top priority to Joshi’s safety and is making every possible effort to secure his freedom.
Record number of fugitives arrested in Home Minister Lekhak’s first year
The Ministry of Home Affairs under Ramesh Lekhak has set a record in the enforcement of court verdicts, with the highest-ever number of fugitive convicts arrested in a single year. Since assuming office, Home Minister Lekhak has prioritized legal and policy reforms while also pressing for aggressive implementation of court decisions.
Shankar Pokharel says current coalition will last until the elections
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel said on Monday that those “suffering from the illness of instability” are spreading rumors about the government’s collapse. Speaking at a press conference organized by Press Chautari Nepal Kanchanpur, Pokharel stressed that the coalition between Nepali Congress and UML was built on high-level understanding and would continue until the next elections. He urged the public to trust Parliament and political parties rather than rumors.
PM Oli reviews Digital Nepal Framework expansion and Nepal Telecom progress
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday received a briefing on the expansion of the Digital Nepal Framework and the latest progress of Nepal Telecom. Oli, who has consistently emphasized the use of communication and information technology to accelerate governance, development, and prosperity, was briefed by Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, Secretary Radhika Aryal, and Nepal Telecom’s Acting Managing Director Sabina Maske Pradhan, among others.
Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentarians’ Meet 2025 begins in Kathmandu today
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Parliamentarians’ Meet 2025 is set to commence today (Monday) in Kathmandu, bringing together lawmakers and experts from across the region to promote dialogue, coordination, and shared understanding on pressing environmental challenges. The two-day event, held with technical support from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), will see participation from Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Afghanistan was not invited, as Nepal has not recognized its current government.
President Paudel calls for global adherence to Paris Agreement
President Ram Chandra Paudel has stressed that all countries must honor their commitments under the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and contain the rise in global temperatures. Inaugurating a regional conference of parliamentarians from the Hindu Kush Himalaya in Kathmandu on Sunday, President Paudel urged developed, developing, poor, and industrial nations alike to work collectively to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Committee Chair Thapa stresses collaboration for resilience to climate change
Chairperson of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee under the federal parliament, Kusum Devi Thapa, has echoed the need for combined efforts to cope with the impacts of climate change. During her address to an inaugural session of the Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentarians’ Meet 2025 in Kathmandu today, Thapa was of the view that the consequences of climate change have posed threats to the entire human civilisation and the natural resources on the earth.
Climate change a crisis for human civilization: Foreign Minister Rana
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has urged global collective action to tackle climate change, calling it a “borderless phenomenon” posing a serious threat to human civilization. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Hindu Kush Himalaya Parliamentarians’ Meet 2025 in Kathmandu, Minister Rana stressed that climate change transcends boundaries and geographies, making global cooperation essential.
Govt struggles to deliver on private sector commitments
The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has revealed that the government failed to implement more than a quarter of the private sector–related programs announced in last fiscal year’s budget. According to CNI’s Budget Watch report, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government did not move forward with 27 percent of the total private sector programs it had introduced. Of the rest, 25 percent were fully implemented, while 48 percent were only partially carried out.
Nepal suffers third straight defeat in Top End T20 Series
Nepal slumped to its third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Australia, losing to Melbourne Stars by 31 runs on Monday. Chasing a target of 176 runs, Nepal managed to score only 144 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Gold prices up by Rs 800
The price of gold has gone up on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has gone up by Rs 800. With this, the price of gold has been set at Rs 196,300 per tola. Similarly, the price of gold has gone up by Rs 5 and is being sold at 2,315.
NEPSE gains 9.16 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a modest rise on Monday, with the index gaining 9.16 points to close at 2,770.39, marking a 0.33 percent increase. Despite the positive movement in the index, overall trading volume declined. Shares worth Rs 6.17 billion changed hands, with a total of 15,229,921 units traded during the day.
Two killed, three injured in road accident at Budhanilkantha
Two people were killed and three others injured in a road accident at Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, late Sunday night. According to Kathmandu District Police, the accident occurred around 1 am at Budhanilkantha-7 when a scooter traveling from Golfutar toward Narayansthan collided head-on with a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction.
NADA Auto Show 2025 kicks off Tuesday at Bhrikutimandap
The NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA) is set to begin its much-anticipated NADA Auto Show 2025 from Tuesday at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall in Kathmandu. The exhibition will run until August 24.
Limited pastureland, stray dogs threaten sheep farming in Bhojpur
Sheep farmers in Bhojpur district say their livelihoods are under serious threat due to shrinking pastureland and frequent attacks by stray dogs. Veteran farmer Govinda Khathet, 72, who has been engaged in sheep husbandry for decades, said the twin challenges have forced nearly 20 farmers in the area to abandon sheep rearing over the past two years.
Rising use of children in crimes alarms police in Chitwan
Police in Chitwan district have expressed concern over the growing trend of children being used to commit crimes. According to the Chitwan District Police Office, 86 children between the ages of 10 and 18 were arrested in the past year for involvement in eight different types of crimes. Superintendent of Police (SP) Govinda Puri, chief of Chitwan District Police, said 26 were arrested for public offenses and misconduct, 22 for theft, 21 in drug-related cases, seven for attempted murder, five for rape, two for attempted rape, two for vehicular homicide, and one for cybercrime.
Comment