KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prachanda announces to unite all socialists, Maoists before 2084 polls
CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has announced plans to unite all socialist and Maoist forces under a single banner before the upcoming polls.
Addressing a mass meeting in Chitwan today as part of the Maoist Centre’s Tarai-Madhes Awakening Programme along the Postal Highway, the Maoist Centre Chair stated that his party was working to unite all Maoist factions and socialists for the general elections of 2084 BS.
He argued that the Maoist Centre’s strengthened position has dispelled the notion that the ‘ CPN (Maoist Centre) cannot compete in elections without forming alliances’.
Monarchists protest in front of Narayanhiti Palace
Monarchist demonstrators staged a protest in front of Narayanhiti Palace Museum on Saturday, demanding the restoration of the monarchy.
The protest was led by Shahi Yuwa Shakti Nepal, a group advocating for the reinstatement of the former royal institution.
This marks the second consecutive Saturday of demonstrations at the palace gate, where participants waved national flags and voiced support for the monarchy.
US to revoke temporary legal status of over 500,000 immigrants
US President Donald Trump is set to revoke the temporary legal status of more than half a million immigrants, including those from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Ukraine.
The federal government has issued notices requiring immigrants to leave the United States before April 24 to avoid becoming undocumented.
The decision comes after the Biden administration had previously sponsored 553,000 immigrants under the CHNV program, which initially began in 2022 for Venezuelan citizens and later expanded to include other countries.
Border outpost to be established at Manang-China border
A Border Out Post (BOP) is set to be established on the Himalayan border between Manang district and China to enhance border security and surveillance.
The BOP will be located in Phu village of Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality -4 at an altitude of around 4,000 meters above sea level.
According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Matrika Acharya, the BOP aims to strengthen border crossing control, security measures, and crime prevention in the remote region.
World Water Day highlights Kathmandu’s drinking water crisis
As the world observes World Water Day today, Kathmandu Valley grapples with a severe drinking water crisis despite various policies aimed at sustainable water management.
Celebrated annually on March 22 since 1993, the United Nations initiated this day to raise awareness about clean drinking water and encourage efforts toward its accessibility for all.
The United Nations aims to ensure clean drinking water and sanitation facilities for everyone by 2030. Nepal, too, has set policies and strategies under its 15th Five-Year Plan to meet this goal, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Defense Minister commits to opening Gokarna Forest road
Defense Minister Manbir Rai has pledged to take the necessary steps to open the road inside the Gokarna Forest, currently under the Nepal Trust.
Following an inspection of the forest area in Gokarneshwor Municipality-4, Minister Rai expressed his commitment to removing the barbed wire and collapsed walls blocking the road and offering full support to facilitate the road opening.
The Gokarneshwor Municipality has been advocating for the road’s opening for a long time, citing its potential to ease connectivity between Dakshindhoka, Mulpani, and the Gokarneshwor Temple area.
President emphasizes on watershed conservation for recharging
President Ramchandra Paudel has stressed the need for conservation of water bodies for the recharge of groundwater resources in view of the challenges of water crisis that may arise in the future.
Issuing a message of best wishes on the occasion of the World Water Day today, the President stressed the need for all concerned to take initiative to construct structures including ponds and lakes in rural areas and alternatives for recharge of ground water with rainwater in urban areas.
“There is a need to formulate water reservoir plan by mixing ancient and modern technology,” the President said in his message.
Lifelong facilities will not be provided to former VIPs: Minister Paudel
Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has said lifelong facilities should not be provided to former VIPs.
At a programme organized by Nepali Congress Banke here today, Minister Paudel asserted that a provision of providing facilities to former VIPs would not be made.
He, however, said that it was right for the state to show respect and honour to the former VIPs, but lifelong facilities should not be provided to them.
Minister Khadka insists on proper utilisation of water resources
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, has highlighted the importance of water resources for our daily life and the country’s prosperity.
Inaugurating the first National Water Conference -2081 BS organised by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat here on Saturday, the Minister stressed the need of proper utilisation of water resources.
The event was coordinated by the Federation of the National Irrigation Water Users’ Association, Nepal.
Speaker stresses on strengthening provincial and local governments
Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said continuous dialogue and debate is necessary in the course of federalism implementation.
Addressing a discussions programme on ‘Province and Local Level Issues in Strengthening Federalism’ organized by the Province Good Governance Centre Bagmati here today, he stressed the need for further strengthening the province and local levels as they have become the backbone of the governance system after adopting the federal democratic republican system.
“Strengthening federalism is not just about structural management, but also combining its effective implementation, policy formulation, resource mobilization and accountability.
Journalist and Nepali Congress leader Mathawar Singh Basnet passes away
Senior journalist and Nepali Congress leader Mathawar Singh Basnet has passed away at the age of 79.
Basnet, a prominent figure in Nepal’s media and political landscape, took his last breath this morning at the Annapurna Neuro Hospital in Kathmandu after suffering a heart attack at his residence in Suryabinayak Municipality-8, Bhaktapur, on Thursday night.
According to Sushil Basnet, secretary of the Nepali Congress Bhaktapur District Working Committee, Basnet was placed on a ventilator during treatment but unfortunately could not recover. He will be cremated at Aryaghat in Pashupati later today.
Missing youth from Gorkha found dead in Marsyangdi River
A youth from Gorkha who had been missing for five days has been found dead in Tanahun.
The body of 30-year-old Rahul Kumal from Naukhil village, Gorkha, was discovered today in the Marsyangdi River at Aubukhaireni Rural Municipality-2.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashok Thapa from the District Police Office, Kumal, who worked at the Aina Hotel in Eklefat, had been missing since March 18.
Bagmati Province spends only 25% of budget
According to Indaraj Sanyal, Information Officer at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, the provincial government allocated a budget of Rs 64.54 billion, but only Rs 10.50 billion has been spent in the past eight months.
The expenditure breakdown reveals that 35.22% of the budget has been spent on current expenses, while 19.94% has gone to capital expenditures, highlighting a significant gap between the two.
Two, including rural municipality chair, in police custody
The police have taken Aurahi Rural Municipality Chair Shivaji Yadav and former ward chair and Janamat Party leader Dilip Yadav into custody on Friday evening in connection with a caste-based discrimination incident involving a Dalit family.
The Dalit family’s home was reportedly demolished in the name of organizing a Mahayagya in Aurahi.
According to Madhesh Province Police Chief and Deputy Inspector General of Police Lalmani Acharya, the two individuals have been taken into custody for investigation. Further action will be taken after receiving a complaint from the victim’s side.
Poetry, means of realising world: Former President Bhandari
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said the role of language, literature and art is significant in the development of society. “Thus art should be promoted.”
In her address to a solo poetry recitation by poet Tirtha Shrestha organised by the Madan Bhandari Foundation here on Saturday, the former President echoed the need of continuity of such events.
“There are various ways to reflect society, and poetry is one of the most effective means that provides insight into the reality of our nation and the world,” she added.
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