KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Supreme Court clears path for implementation of National ID cards
The Supreme Court has paved the way for the implementation of the national identity card after dismissing a previously issued interim order on Sunday.
This decision allows the government to move forward with its plan to introduce the national ID system.
The full bench, consisting of Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and Justices Abdul Aziz Musalman and Nripdhwaj Niraula, has dismissed the writ petition filed against the government’s decision.
Govt’s outstanding debt exceeds Rs 2.53 trillion
The government’s outstanding debt has surpassed Rs 2.53 trillion as of mid-December 2024, according to the half-yearly review report for the fiscal year 2024/25 published by the Public Debt Management Office.
The debt has increased by Rs 102 billion in just the last six months, rising from Rs 2.43 trillion at the beginning of the fiscal year to Rs 2.53 trillion.
This now constitutes 44.46 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Bamdev Gautam set to rejoin UML after three and a half years
Bamdev Gautam, the former vice-chair of the CPN-UML, is set to rejoin the party after three and a half years.
Gautam had remained neutral during disputes between former CPN co-chairs KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ opting to lead the National Campaign for Unity of Nepal Communist Party. He left the UML on September 3, 2021, citing dissatisfaction with party leadership.
Recently, Gautam has engaged in discussions with UML leadership, including two rounds of talks with Prime Minister and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.
Government fails to meet expected foreign aid targets
The government is unlikely to meet its foreign aid targets for the current fiscal year, with only 14.8% of the annual goal achieved in the first six months.
According to Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, who shared the data at a press conference on Sunday, the government has secured Rs 7.72 billion in foreign grants, far below the target of Rs 52.33 billion set for the fiscal year.
While this marks a 4.8% increase in grant receipts compared to the same period last year, the amount still falls significantly short of expectations.
Former DIG Joshi sent to custody as bail hearing remains inconclusive
The bail hearing for former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, a defendant in the Swarnalakshmi Cooperative savings embezzlement case, remained inconclusive on Sunday.
The Kathmandu District Court has ordered Joshi to be held in police custody.
The hearing took place before Judge Thakur Prasad Kharel’s bench, where Joshi appeared in connection with the fraud allegations involving the Kalimati-based cooperative.
33 hostages released by Hamas: Bipin Joshi not included in the list
The Israeli government has made public the names of 33 hostages abducted by Hamas militants. These individuals are set to be released in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, as reported by various agencies.
The list includes both the youngest and oldest hostages abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack. Among them is nine-month-old Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage, and 86-year-old Shlomo Manzur, the eldest.
These hostages are confirmed to be among the first group scheduled for release, as per the agencies’ claims.
Israel recently announced a ceasefire, which is set to come into effect starting Sunday.
Nepali national Bipin Joshi, also abducted on October 7, is not included in the released list.
Second suspect arrested for assault on Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi
Police have arrested another individual accused of assaulting Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi at the premises of the Kathmandu District Court.
The suspect is identified as Mahananda Jaisi, who is from Adanchuli Rural Municipality-4, Humla, and currently resides in Suryadarshan Height, Kathmandu. According to Kathmandu District Police, Jaisi also goes by the name Mahananda Pandey.
Jaisi was apprehended on Saturday from Tokha Municipality-3, Kathmandu. He is currently being held at the Singha Durbar Police Circle for further investigation.
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