KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Biswo Poudel appointed NRB governor
Economist Dr Biswo Poudel has been appointed the new governor of Nepal Rastra Bank.
The council made the decision of ministers on Tuesday based on suggestions from the Governor Recommendation Committee, which had finalised Poudel, Neelam Dhungana Timilsina, and Dinesh Bhattarai as nominees. Poudel, a prominent economist and policy expert in Nepal, holds a Ph.D. in economics and has specialized in development economics and public policy.
PM Oli and Deuba hold talks at Baluwatar
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. The two leaders are said to have discussed the latest political developments during their meeting. Prime Minister Oli, who is currently unwell, was unable to attend a scheduled question-and-answer session in the House of Representatives, which was subsequently removed from the parliamentary agenda.
SC defers habeas corpus hearing for Rabi Lamichhane and Chhabilal Joshi to Wednesday
he Supreme Court has deferred the habeas corpus petition filed in relation to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane and former DIG Chhabilal Joshi. The petition was reviewed by a joint bench of Justices Nakul Subedi and Bal Krishna Dhakal on Tuesday. After a preliminary hearing, the case was placed under review (hearing deferred). The petitions concerning Lamichhane and Joshi—his business partner at Gorkha Media—were heard together before the bench decided to continue proceedings on Wednesday.
Rajunath Pandey given seven days to give clarification, faces dismissal if response unsatisfactory
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)’s Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Ghimire has issued a seven-point clarification notice to City Police Superintendent Rajunath Pandey, giving him seven days to respond. The notice accuses Pandey of misconduct and indiscipline, including making unauthorized statements to the media, engaging in inappropriate behavior with elected officials, disobeying orders intended to de-escalate tensions, and deliberately inciting conflict.
49% surge in suspicious transactions amid speculation of political appointee as Governor
On the same day the government moved to appoint Nepali Congress affiliated Dr. Biswo Paudel as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, alarming data revealed a significant rise in suspicious financial transactions within the country. The Financial Information Unit (FIU) under Nepal Rastra Bank reported that suspicious transaction reports (STRs) increased by 49% in 2024 compared to 2023, under the provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2008. The announcement of a political appointee to the central bank—a position meant to regulate such activities—has raised fresh concerns. Dr. Paudel, a former active member of the Nepali Congress and defeated candidate in the 2022 parliamentary election, is set to replace Maha Prasad Adhikari, who was also seen as close to the CPN-UML.
Lingden warns of final push to reinstate monarchy
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden has said that the movement to reinstate the monarchy and declare Nepal a Hindu nation, set to begin on Jestha 15 (May 29), will be peaceful and disciplined. He emphasized that they will not allow any form of violence, nor will they give the government an excuse to suppress the movement by provoking conflict.
Nepal Teachers’ Federation accuses govt of dishonoring past agreements
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has accused the government of lacking responsibility and sincerity in upholding agreements made with teachers. In a statement issued today, the Federation expressed dissatisfaction with the report submitted by the sub-committee formed under the Education Committee to amend the School Education Bill. The Federation argued that instead of addressing the essence of past agreements and the spirit of previous movements, the report regresses even further compared to the original bill.
Govt faces heat over private school shielding
The subcommittee formed under the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives has come under scrutiny for remaining silent on the issue of regulating privately funded schools in the proposed School Education Bill.
The subcommittee, coordinated by CPN-UML lawmaker Chhabilal Bishwakarma, submitted its report to the main committee on Sunday. However, the report does not address the government’s proposal to bring privately funded schools under educational trusts.
Land Bill draws scrutiny over risks of public land misuse
Lawmakers have raised serious concerns that certain provisions in the newly proposed “Bill to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Land, 2025” could result in public and government land being captured by land mafias and middlemen under the pretext of distributing land to the landless and squatters. Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Balram Adhikari, tabled the bill for discussion today. During the bill’s theoretical deliberation, MPs expressed fears that it could legitimize unregulated land distribution and encourage land fragmentation.
Chinese contractor expresses concern over Public Accounts Committee report on Pokhara Airport
The Chinese company China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. (CAMCE), which constructed Pokhara Regional International Airport, has expressed surprise and concern over media coverage citing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report of Nepal’s Federal Parliament. In a public notice published in Gorkhapatra today, CAMCE claimed that the report contains numerous inaccuracies and lacks thorough investigation and objective analysis.
PM Oli misses HoR’s question session due to health issues
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been removed from Tuesday’s scheduled question-and-answer session with lawmakers in the House of Representatives due to health concerns. According to the Speaker’s Secretariat, the Q&A session was dropped from the parliamentary agenda after PM Oli was reported to be unwell. The meeting of the House of Representatives began at 11 am on Tuesday.
EV imports surge ahead of new budget announcement
As the government prepares to unveil the new fiscal year budget, imports of electric vehicles (EVs) have surged significantly. Fearing potential hikes in customs duties and excise taxes in the upcoming budget, vehicle importers are rushing to bring in EVs under the current, lower tax regime. Currently, Kathmandu’s Dry Port in Chobhar is packed with hundreds of EVs from various brands awaiting customs clearance. These vehicles have entered Nepal primarily through the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points in the north, and Birgunj in the south, with a few arriving via other entry points as well.
Foreign Minister leaves for Japan via Thailand
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba departed for Japan on Monday night, with a transit through Thailand. According to her secretariat, Minister Rana is visiting Japan primarily for regular medical treatment. During her stay in Tokyo, she is also scheduled to attend an international conference focused on senior citizens, where she will deliver an address.
NA Vice Chairperson Ghimire off to China
National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairperson Bimala Ghimire left for China on Monday leading an eight-member parliamentary delegation. During her six-day formal visit, Ghimire is scheduled to attend different programmes in Xian of Shaanxi, China. The parliamentary delegation will attend the Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development Forum of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Ninth Silk Road International Expo and other programmes.
Communist unity needs honest diagnosis: Prachanda
Chair of Maoist Centre, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has said that the party is seriously taking into account the people’s feedback and criticism, and moving forward with self-assessment and reflection. Speaking during an interaction program organized by the Mid-Hill Highway Public Dialogue Campaign team led by Dahal in Bheri Municipality of Jajarkot, representatives from various sectors including elected officials, political parties, government employees, journalists, civil society, and local stakeholders shared their views and concerns.
EU delegation brings ambassadors from New Delhi to Kathmandu for strategic dialogue
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nepal has brought together ambassadors and representatives based in New Delhi to Kathmandu for a high-level briefing and engagement visit. According to the EU Delegation in Nepal, the three-day visit aims to provide the diplomats with a comprehensive overview of Nepal’s political, social, and economic landscape. The focus will also include the impacts of climate change, prospects for green growth, governance, innovation, and inclusive development.
NC leader Nain Singh Mahar tell govt to implement agreement with teachers
Nepali Congress Central Committee Member and Head of the Party’s Education Department, Nain Singh Mahar, has called on the government to implement its past agreements with teachers. During a meeting today with office-bearers of the Nepal Teachers’ Association, Kathmandu Metropolitan Chapter, Mahar emphasized that the government must not backtrack on the commitments made to the teachers’ federation.
Narayangadh–Butwal road: Construction work focused in Daunne section
he physical progress of the Narayangadh–Butwal road expansion project has reached 66.50%, according to project information officer Shiva Khanal. Out of the total 113.53 kilometers of the road, blacktopping has been completed on 90.87 kilometers on one side. Excluding the area occupied by bridges, 110.46 kilometers of the road need to be blacktopped. The remaining 3.07 kilometers are covered by bridges. Currently, vehicles can travel on 93.94 kilometers of blacktopped road, which is about 83% of the total length.
Local levels urged to complete classification of land by the end of current fiscal year
Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Balram Adhikari, has urged all local levels to complete the land classification process by the end of the current fiscal year. Responding to lawmakers’ queries during a discussion on the proposal to consider the Bill to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Land, 2025, Minister Adhikari emphasized the potential challenges that could arise if land classification is not finalized on time.
Gold price stable, minor dip in silver
The price of gold in the local market has remained unchanged for the past three days, while silver has witnessed a slight fluctuation. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold today stands at Rs. 184,800 per tola, remaining stable since the weekend. In contrast, silver is being traded at Rs. 1,940 per tola, a slight drop from Rs. 1,945 per tola on Monday.
Nepal thumped by Thailand to finish runners-up in the Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
Nepal faced a heavy 78-run defeat against Thailand in their final match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Super 3 stage, finishing as runners-up. With the win, Thailand remained unbeaten and clinched the Asia Qualifier title. Both teams had already secured their places in the Global Qualifier prior to this match. Batting first, Thailand posted a strong total of 158 runs for the loss of just two wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Nepal could only manage 80 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs.
Nepal wins second warm up game thanks to centuries from Airee and Sharki
Nepal’s national cricket team has secured its second straight victory in the UK as part of its preparations for the ICC World Cup League 2. In a dominant performance, Nepal defeated the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) by 124 runs. Nepal posted a commanding total of 335 for 4 in the allotted 50 overs, powered by centuries from Dipendra Singh Airee and Bhim Sharki.
237 killed, 908 injured by lightning strikes in Nepal over four years
Lightning strikes have claimed the lives of 237 people and injured 908 others across Nepal over the past four years, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The risk of lightning extends from Jhapa in Koshi Province to Kanchanpur in the Sudurpaschim, and from Humla in Karnali to Dhanusha in Madhesh Province. Roshni Kumari Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the NDRRMA, stated that the districts most vulnerable to lightning are Jhapa, Udayapur, and Makawanpur.
U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump administration to begin deportation of 350,000 Venezuelans
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted permission to the Trump administration to initiate the deportation process for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans residing in the United States. This decision comes after a California judge had issued a circular last month allowing individuals whose legal status had expired to remain in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
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