KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Top Three Party Leaders Unite to Protect Republic, Condemn Pro-Monarchy Movement
The meeting of top leaders from Nepal’s three major political parties concluded on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar with a strong consensus to stand united in defense of the federal democratic republic.
The leaders deemed the recent pro-monarchy protests as “non-political, violent, and criminal in nature,” according to sources present at the meeting. They stressed that such movements pose a threat to the country’s constitutional order and peace.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and UML leader Agni Kharel also participated.
Most arrested in Tinkune royalist protest say they acted in rage
Many of those arrested in connection with the violent royalist movement that erupted in Tinkune, Kathmandu on March 28 have told police they acted out of impulse or were influenced by others, according to SP Apil Raj Bohora, spokesperson for the Kathmandu District Police Range.
Speaking to Khabarhub, SP Bohora said that several detainees admitted to joining the protest “in a fit of rage” or under the guise of others.
“There is photo and video evidence against most of them, so they are unable to deny their involvement,” he said.
New Executive Committee Takes Charge at Nepal Bar Association
The newly elected executive committee of the Nepal Bar Association, led by Prof. Dr. Bijay Kant Mishra, officially assumed office on Saturday.
During the annual general meeting and handover ceremony organized by the Bar Association, the outgoing committee led by former president Gopal Krishna Ghimire transferred responsibilities to the new leadership.
The election for the 27th central executive committee was held on Chaitra 23. Senior Advocate Mishra represented the Broad Democratic, Progressive, Professional, Nationalist, and Inclusive Lawyers’ Group, while Senior Advocate Raman Kumar Shrestha contested from the Professional Lawyers’ Group. The election resulted in the selection of 25 new committee members.
Attempts to fish in murky water will be foiled, says Prachanda
CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the attempts being made to fish in murky water will be foiled.
Referring to the activities of the pro-monarchists in the country in the recent weeks, Prachanda said the conspiracies and audacities of the regressive forces would be defeated.
Addressing a rally organized by Newa: Rastriya Mukti Morcha at Basantapur in Kathmandu today, the Maoist Centre Chair praised the roles played by the Newar community in Nepal’s democratic movements.
Nepal miss out after rain spoils decider, Afghanistan qualify for U-19 World Cup
Nepal’s hopes of qualifying for the ICC U-19 World Cup were washed away after persistent rain forced the abandonment of their final and decisive match against Afghanistan in the Asia Qualifiers on Saturday.
The much-anticipated clash at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, which was to determine the qualifier from the region, never got underway due to a waterlogged field and continued weather disruptions throughout the day.
With both teams unbeaten in the tournament leading into the fixture, the winner would have earned direct qualification to the U-19 World Cup.
Teachers’ federation calls meeting amid ongoing protest
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has convened a crucial meeting with a single-point agenda: the immediate issuance of a School Education Act that incorporates previous agreements made with the government.
The meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 3:15 pm at Ratna Rajya Secondary School in Baneshwor, following 18 days of sustained protest in Kathmandu.
The federation’s national committee, along with key officials from its affiliated professional organizations and mobilization committees at the provincial and district levels, are expected to participate.
FNCCI chair urges Nepalis abroad to invest in Nepal
Chair of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has urged Nepalis working abroad to invest in Nepal, highlighting the country’s untapped investment opportunities.
Speaking at the first convention organized by Baglung Sewa Samaj Qatar in Doha on Friday evening, Dhakal emphasized that Nepal holds immense potential for growth in sectors such as hydropower, tourism, and industry.
He said the prevailing narrative that “nothing is possible in Nepal” is misleading and fails to recognize the possibilities that exist within the country.
Govt raises Rs 366 billion in debt in nine months
The government has raised over Rs 366 billion in debt during the first nine months of the current fiscal year 2024/25, bringing the country’s total outstanding public debt to Rs 2.67 trillion by March.
The figure was revealed in the latest public debt report published by the Public Debt Management Office.
At the start of the fiscal year, Nepal’s total public debt stood at Rs 2.43 trillion 49 billion. With an addition of Rs 2.33 trillion in new borrowing over the past nine months, the total debt liability has now reached Rs 2.67 trillion.
KMC moves to digitize community schools
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has begun equipping community schools with digital infrastructure.
As part of this initiative, KMC-26 has handed over 20 digital smart boards to Shanti Vidya Griha Secondary School in Lainchaur.
The boards, each measuring 65 inches, were handed over by Ward Chair Khyamraj Tiwari to the school’s principal, Shiva Kumari Baral Ghimire, at a formal event held on Thursday. The equipment was procured through the public procurement process at a cost of Rs. 4,359,540.
Police lock Yogesh Bhattarai in toilet amid protest in Taplejung
A video of CPN-UML Secretary and Member of Parliament Yogesh Bhattarai being locked inside a toilet by police for his security has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread public attention.
The incident occurred on Friday when Bhattarai reached Lelep in his home district, Taplejung, to inaugurate the Kanchenjunga Diamond Festival alongside Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey.
As soon as Bhattarai arrived, he was met with protests from a local group opposing the construction of a cable car in the area.
Ram Kumari Jhakri urges teachers to end protest
Unified Socialist Party leader Ram Kumari Jhakri has called on protesting teachers to abandon their Kathmandu-centric agitation and return to their schools, arguing that the solution lies in dialogue, not in the streets.
In a strongly worded post on social media, Jhakri criticized the ongoing teachers’ movement, accusing them of being unwilling to engage in meaningful resolution efforts despite the government’s stated commitment to pass the Education Act.
“Teachers who draw salaries from the state cannot say they won’t return until the bill is passed,” she wrote, referring to the Education Bill currently under discussion in a parliamentary committee. “Will the bill be passed on the streets?”
Shaligram Museum drawing increasing no of tourists
The Shaligram Museum located in Kundule of Baglung Municipality-4 has become a tourist attraction of late. An increasing numbers of religious tourists are visiting the Museum to get a glance of the precious and sacred stone.
The museum is a repository of some 1.25 million Shaligram stones. The stones have been preserved and kept inside a 100-meter tunnel.
Rishi Prapannacharya, the curator of the museum, shared that tourists from various parts of Nepal as well as South India are visiting the museum. Nearly 50,000 more religious tourists have already visited the museum this year compared to the previous fiscal year.
Central Zoo urges public to report injured or orphaned wild animals
The Central Zoo has called on the public to immediately report any cases of wild animals found injured, orphaned, or in distress.
According to Zoo Chief Satyanarayan Shah, the zoo dispatches trained rescue teams as soon as such incidents are reported.
“We have an experienced rescue team that operates not just within the Kathmandu Valley, but across the country,” Shah said.
Experts stress policy reform for tourism promotion
Experts and tourism stakeholders have highlighted the need for comprehensive policy and structural reforms to revitalize Nepal’s tourism industry, which they say holds the potential to significantly boost employment and strengthen the national economy.
Speaking at a policy conclave organized to mark the 8th anniversary of IHM College in Kathmandu on Friday, participants highlighted the importance of launching special packages and exploring new tourist destinations to prolong foreign visitors’ stay in Nepal.
Dr Ramhari Lamichhane, a tourism expert and former member secretary of CTEVT, stressed the need to improve the quality of hospitality services to ensure a more pleasant experience for international tourists.
Foreign Minister calls for upgrades at Tatopani border
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana has directed authorities to further organize and improve the Tatopani border crossing in Sindhupalchowk, underscoring its strategic importance for trade and tourism.
During an inspection visit to the border point and customs office on Friday, Minister Rana emphasized the need for better infrastructure and coordination, noting that the crossing is projected to generate over Rs 22 billion in annual revenue.
She was accompanied by Nepali Congress lawmaker Mohan Bahadur Basnet and other officials.
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