KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Biswo Poudel takes oath as new NRB Governor
Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel has officially taken charge as the new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) after being sworn in on Wednesday.
He took the oath of office and secrecy before Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, as required by the constitution for the appointment of the central bank governor.
Following the swearing-in, Dr. Poudel headed to the central bank to formally assume his duties.
NC silent as MP Mohan Bahadur Basnet faces corruption charges and suspension
Despite one of its own central committee members and former Minister for Information and Communications, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, being suspended from his parliamentary position over a corruption case, the ruling Nepali Congress has remained conspicuously silent.
It has already been a week since Basnet’s parliamentary status was suspended following a corruption case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), yet the party has not issued any formal statement.
In contrast to the vocal stance Nepali Congress leaders had taken earlier regarding the suspension of former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, they have remained tight-lipped on Basnet’s issue.
After NRB Governor appointment, coalition focus shifts to Chief Election Commissioner
Just days after resolving a month-and-a-half-long dispute within the ruling coalition, the Nepali Congress has secured the appointment of the new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. Attention within the Nepali Congress–CPN-UML alliance has now shifted to deciding who will be appointed the next Chief Election Commissioner.
With Congress obtaining the governor’s post, UML leaders have argued that the position of Chief Election Commissioner should go to their party.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba had previously stated during a conversation with journalists on May 6 that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had agreed to allow Nepali Congress to choose the central bank governor. In line with that agreement, Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel was appointed governor on Tuesday.
Nepal’s imports near Rs 1.5 trillion in 10 months; exports up by over 72%
Nepal imported goods worth nearly Rs 1.5 trillion in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, according to data released on Wednesday by the Department of Customs.
From mid-July 2024 to mid-May 2025, the country imported goods totaling Rs 1.474 trillion. This figure represents a 13.11 percent increase compared to the same period last fiscal year, when imports had reached Rs 1.303 trillion.
Meanwhile, exports have also seen a significant rise. During the review period, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 217.91 billion, which is a remarkable 72.71 percent increase compared to the Rs 126.17 billion recorded during the same period last fiscal year.
CIAA raids immigration office at TIA, detains at least eight officials
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has conducted a raid at the Immigration Office of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
A team from the CIAA’s central office in Tangal carried out the operation on Tuesday, targeting officials suspected of corruption.
During the raid, CIAA officials detained several employees, including former immigration chief and Home Ministry Joint Secretary Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, who had recently returned to the ministry from his post at the airport.
Home Ministry Joint Secretary Bhattarai detained by CIAA following transfer from TIA
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has taken Joint Secretary Tirtha Raj Bhattarai of the Ministry of Home Affairs into custody.
Bhattarai, who was transferred from his post as Chief Immigration Officer at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) just a day earlier, was detained directly from the ministry premises by CIAA officials.
He faces allegations of collecting large sums of money from individuals traveling abroad—particularly to Dubai—on visit visas during his tenure at the airport.
Parliamentary committee refers Pokhara Airport corruption case to CIAA
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under the House of Representatives has decided to forward a letter to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) requesting an investigation and action regarding corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport.
In a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, the committee accepted the report submitted by a subcommittee and decided to ask the CIAA to investigate the issues of corruption raised in the report and take necessary action, according to committee chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel.
The subcommittee’s report highlights irregularities and corruption from the very beginning of the contract process for the airport’s construction. It further points out significant financial and technical irregularities during the implementation phase.
Nawaraj Subedi calls on RSP to join hands and push for Hindu state and constitutional monarchy
Nawaraj Subedi, the coordinator of the United People’s Movement Committee, has formally proposed an alliance with Rabi Lamichhane’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to restore a constitutional monarchy and a Hindu state in Nepal.
In a letter addressed to the RSP, Subedi called for cooperation to reinstate a constitutional monarchy, a Sanatan Hindu kingdom, and a multiparty democratic system.
He believes this is a historic necessity to replace the current political order, which, according to him, has failed to deliver good governance, prosperity, and national identity to the Nepali people.
More rainfall than average predicted for this monsoon
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has projected more than average rainfall coming the monsoon.
The department made an analysis of the weather patterns of recent times and predicted more than average rainfall in most places from June 1 to September 30.
Director at the department, Kamal Ram Joshi, shared that both maximum and minimum temperatures will record a rise in the imminent monsoon.
Gwarko overpass nears completion
The overpass under construction at Gwarko in Lalitpur is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for vehicular movement by June.
According to project officials, the work is in its final stages.
The construction company involved in the project has stated that it plans to complete all remaining work and hand over the overpass to the government by May 29.
Newly appointed governor meets Finance Minister
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel held a meeting today with the newly appointed Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, at the Ministry of Finance.
During the meeting, Finance Minister Paudel extended congratulations and best wishes to Governor Poudel for a successful tenure.
He expressed confidence that the new governor would take effective and result-oriented initiatives to address the economic and monetary challenges by coordinating between fiscal and monetary policies.
Energy Minister backs NEA white paper, disputes Kulman Ghising’s profit claims
Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka has expressed that the white paper recently released by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reflects the true financial state of the institution.
Speaking at a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Minister Khadka said the white paper was timely and essential, especially as confusion loomed over the NEA’s financial standing.
“The white paper has revealed the NEA’s actual condition,” he said, adding that a comprehensive audit of the Authority will be conducted soon.
Governor Poudel begins tenure, approves printing of new 500 and 1,000 rupee notes
Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, the newly appointed Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, has officially assumed office.
After taking the oath of office before Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut on Wednesday, Governor Poudel proceeded to the Nepal Rastra Bank office in Baluwatar to formally take charge.
Upon assuming his duties, Governor Poudel stated that he will formulate monetary policies aligned with the government’s upcoming budget implementation. He emphasized that he will work in coordination with all stakeholders to stimulate the country’s economic activities.
Seven-vehicle collision in Gaushala after bus loses control, three injured
A traffic accident involving a passenger bus occurred in Gaushala, Kathmandu on Wednesday morning.
The bus, bearing registration number Ba 5 Kha 6735 and operated by Baba Gokarneshwor Yatayat, was en route to the airport when it lost control and collided with multiple vehicles at around 10:55 a.m.
According to Kathmandu Police Range Spokesperson SP Apilraj Bohora, three individuals sustained injuries in the incident. The driver of the bus fled the scene and is currently at large.
Police officer honored for assisting pregnant woman in labor in Kailali
A police constable in Kailali has been honored for her heroic act in helping a woman in labor who was found in distress on the roadside.
Chandrika Deuba, a police constable stationed at Khairana Police Post, was awarded with a letter of appreciation and recognition in official records by the District Police Office, Kailali, on Wednesday.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Balaram Singh Rana presented the award and praised Constable Deuba for her exemplary service.
Tensions flare in parliamentary committee meeting as lawmakers clash
The political tension usually visible in Federal Parliament sessions has now extended into parliamentary committees, with a heated confrontation breaking out in the House of Representatives’ Women and Social Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
A near physical altercation occurred between the committee chairperson and UML lawmaker Kiran Kumar Sah and opposition MP Kalpana Miya Kusari of the Maoist Centre. The scuffle unfolded during a meeting held early in the morning at 7 am.
According to eyewitnesses, MP Kusari arrived late to the meeting and began speaking without seeking permission from Chairperson Sah.
25-year-old found dead in swimming pool
A 25-year-old man was found dead in a swimming pool on Monday night in Chitwan.
According to Rabindra Khanal, the information officer at the District Police Office, Lokesh Mahato, a resident of Bharatpur metropolis-22, allegedly drowned in the swimming pool at the Dahakhani-based View Resort in Ichchhakamana rural municipality-7.
It has been reported that he had gone for swimming with his colleagues, who later allegedly found him dead. Following the incident, the police have detained them for further investigation into the case.
Gold price surges by Rs 5,000 per tola
The price of gold in the Nepali market has soared by Rs 5,000 per tola today, following a sharp rise in the international market.
The precious metal, which had remained stable for the past three days, saw a significant jump in value.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold is now set at Rs 189,800 per tola.
Seven wards in Kanchanpur declared disaster- hit areas
The government has officially declared seven wards in Kanchanpur, the district in the Sudur Paschim Province, as disaster-affected areas.
This decision follows a delay in restoring the bride and guide bund (embankment) damaged by last year’s flooding from the Mahakali River.
A meeting of the district disaster management committee earlier recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs announce the area as a disaster-hit zone.
NC-UML coalition will last until 2027 elections: Shankar Pokharel
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has asserted that the current government led by UML Chair KP Sharma Oli will continue until the next general elections scheduled for 2027.
Speaking at a press conference organized by Press Chautari’s Dang chapter on Wednesday, Pokharel dismissed rumors of the government’s collapse as baseless. He stated that the ruling coalition between the Nepali Congress and the UML will remain intact until the upcoming elections.
Pokharel emphasized that there is no misunderstanding between the Congress and the UML regarding governance. He claimed the coalition was formed to end the trend of smaller parties dominating major parties and to ensure stable governance.
Supreme Court postpones hearing involving Rabi Lamichhane
The Supreme Court of Nepal has postponed scheduled hearings for several cases related to former Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane that were set for today.
As per the court’s updated schedule, a habeas corpus petition filed by Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Paudel, was among the cases listed for hearing.
The petition names the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers as the defendant and reportedly questions the legality of Lamichhane’s custody or the manner in which investigations are being handled.
NEPSE drops 7.94 points despite early surge following NRB Governor appointment
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) experienced a day of high volatility on Wednesday, as optimism following the appointment of a new central bank governor initially drove the market sharply higher before it eventually closed slightly lower.
A day earlier, speculation surrounding the appointment of Dr. Biswo Poudel as the new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank had lifted the market by 49 points.
Many investors anticipated that the official appointment would give the market further momentum. That optimism was evident at the start of trading, with the index surging by nearly 94 points within the first three minutes, reaching an intraday high of 2,771 points.
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