KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Foreign Minister assures efforts underway to repatriate Nepalis from Israel
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the government is actively working to bring Nepali citizens back from Israel amid growing concerns for their safety.
Speaking during Monday’s session of the House of Representatives, Minister Rana informed lawmakers that over 2,000 Nepalis had gone to Israel under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement and all relevant data of these individuals is available.
“They have been paying for three consecutive years, so they can be rescued using the security fund,” she said.
Pokhara metropolis unveils budget of Rs 8.35 billion
The Pokhara Metropolitan City has unveiled its annual budget of Rs 8.35 billion for the fiscal year 2025/26.
Deputy Mayor Manju Devi Gurung presented the budget on Sunday at the 17th municipal assembly of the metropolitan city.
The budget has estimated the revenue of Rs 3.13 billion from federal conditional grants, Rs Rs 330.08 million from federal revenue sharing, Rs 528.7 million from federal equalization grant, Rs 0.815 million from provincial equalization grant.
Man accused of employment fraud arrested in Kathmandu
Police have arrested a man accused of defrauding individuals by promising lucrative jobs in Croatia under false pretenses.
The suspect, 42-year-old Suvarna Kumar Bal of Sindhuli’s Dhyanglekh Rural Municipality–3, currently residing in Nagarjun Municipality, Kathmandu, was taken into custody on Friday.
According to police, Bal allegedly took a total of Rs. 350,000 from four individuals with assurances of arranging foreign employment in Croatia, but later became unreachable.
Delayed overhead bridges puts pedestrians at risk in Lalitpur
The construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge along the busy Gwarko–Mahalaxmisthan–Ekantakuna–Kalanki road in Lalitpur has remained incomplete for over two years, putting pedestrians at serious risk.
Though concrete pillars were erected, work has stalled with no visible progress since then. As a result, pedestrians are forced to cross the road amid high-speed traffic, often risking their lives.
Locals have voiced frustration over the lack of safety measures and delays in construction. Authorities have not provided clear reasons for the halt or a timeline for completion.
Urban Ministry says Tamang’s budget claims tied to failed projects in Morang
The secretariat of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, has claimed that Nepali Congress lawmaker Purna Bahadur Tamang (Kanchharam) expressed anger in Parliament due to the termination of construction contracts linked to his company.
According to the ministry, Tamang’s firm was awarded two road improvement contracts in Morang under the Rural Road Connectivity Improvement Project. However, due to failure to complete the works on time and despite repeated deadline extensions, the contracts were revoked at the end of the last fiscal year.
The projects — Khorsane–Kerabari–Singhadevi Road and Laxmimarg–Dangihat–Banaul–Babiyabirta–Amahi Road — were awarded in 2076, with a completion deadline set for Bhadra 2078.
NC central committee meeting postponed
The Nepali Congress has postponed its Central Working Committee meeting, initially scheduled for June 29, by one day.
According to the party’s Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel, the meeting has been rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances and will now be held on June 30 at 1 PM.
Earlier, on June 13, the party had issued a notice announcing that the meeting would take place on June 29. However, citing internal reasons, the decision was revised on Friday.
Chitwan National Park to suspend jeep safari from June 29
Chitwan National Park is set to suspend jeep safari activities inside the park starting June 29 due to the onset of the monsoon season.
The park suspends jeep safaris annually for about three months during the rainy season as part of its safety and conservation protocol.
According to Park Information Officer Abinash Thapa Magar, the decision was made because the monsoon brings heavy rainfall, swollen rivers, fallen trees, slippery roads, overgrown grass, and reduced visibility of wildlife—factors that make safari trips risky and less effective.
Shiva Nepali accuses govt of shielding human trafficking network
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Shiva Nepali on Monday accused the government of shielding a massive human trafficking racket operating under the guise of visit visas.
Speaking during the special hour of the House of Representatives, Nepali described the crime as a “grave insult to humanity” and alleged that it is thriving under state protection.
“This is not just organized international crime—it is a monstrous betrayal of human dignity,” said Nepali. “The racket is being run from within Nepal with direct or indirect support from the state, and it is shameful that the government is trying to protect criminals instead of punishing them.”
Parliament session begins amid boycott from RSP and RPP
The House of Representatives convened its scheduled session today as opposition parties Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) continued their protest over the recent visit visa scandal.
Both parties boycotted the session, demanding the formation of a high-level investigation committee and the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
RSP lawmaker Shiva Nepali, speaking during zero hour before walking out, accused the ruling alliance of suppressing the opposition’s voice in Parliament. He reiterated RSP’s demand for either a high-level parliamentary probe committee or a judicial commission to investigate alleged human trafficking taking place under the guise of visit visas.
Gold prices stable
The price of gold has remained stable, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association.
With this, gold has remained at Rs 195,200 per tola.
The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 10, reaching Rs 2,170 per tola.
Alternate route also collapses on Butwal–Narayanghat Road
The alternate route along the Butwal–Narayanghat section of the East-West Highway has been completely blocked, leaving all vehicular movement through Dumkibas area at a standstill.
Following the collapse of a bridge in Dumkibas, Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality–1, traffic had been diverted via a temporary embankment (diversion). However, continuous rainfall washed away the diversion earlier this week.
In response, small and medium-sized vehicles (up to 12 wheels) were being rerouted through an inner road network via Hongshi Gate, Sardi, and Jyamire. That route too has now become impassable due to a swollen stream in Binayi Tribeni–3, according to Superintendent of Police Yadav Dhakal.
Mechi Customs Office collects over Rs 14.43 billion in revenue
The Mechi Customs Office has collected Rs 14.43 billion in revenue in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2024/25. This figure accounts for 91.56 percent of the office’s annual revenue target for the same period.
According to Information Officer Ishwar Kumar Humagain, the revenue collection target for the 11-month period was set at Rs 15.77 billion. In comparison, during the same period in the previous fiscal year 2023/24, the target was Rs 16.67 billion, of which only 77.56 percent was achieved.
Petroleum products remain the leading source of revenue, contributing Rs 8.78 billion—around 60.81 percent of the total collection.
Drinking water supplied to 6,000 households in Panchkhal
Clean drinking water has been supplied to 6,000 households in Panchkhal Municipality with the successful implementation of the Panchkhal–Sunkoshi Drinking Water Project.
Since Saturday, a total of 31,000 residents have gained access to safe drinking water at home.
According to Kumar Lamichhane, Chairperson of the Consumers’ Committee, the project officially began distributing water to all 6,000 households from Saturday morning. Approximately 99 percent of the physical infrastructure of the under-construction project has now been completed.
Chimkhola-Mangale-Rahughat Hydropower Project begins trial production
The 37.5 MW Chimkhola-Mangale-Rahughat Hydropower Project, constructed in Raghuganga Rural Municipality, has begun trial production.
Promoted by Tudi Power Company Limited, the project has started generating electricity following the successful testing of its major infrastructure, including the dam, water retention pond (descender), and tunnel.
Tudi Power representative Indra Dhakal stated that the electricity will be connected to the central transmission line once the trial phase is successfully completed, which is expected within the next 15 days.
Culvert replaces suspension bridge in Galkot
A culvert has been constructed in Galkot Municipality in Baglung as an alternative to a suspension bridge, providing easier access for small vehicles and pedestrians. Several culverts have now been built across the municipality to improve connectivity.
The new culvert was built after the suspension bridge over the Mulakhola in Narethanti, Galkot-2, was washed away by floods.
The original bridge, destroyed in the floods of 2072 BS, was replaced during the construction of a motorway. Since then, four culverts have been constructed in Narethanti, replacing previously existing suspension bridges.
Spy cameras installed around Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park (CNP) has installed ‘spy cameras’ in sensitive areas to help control possible poaching.
According to the park’s Information Officer, Abinash Thapa Magar, it is difficult to maintain human security presence in every part of the park during the monsoon season. The spy cameras have been deployed to monitor any suspicious activity, and elephant patrols have also been increased.
A total of 30 spy cameras have been secretly installed in vulnerable locations within the park. These cameras capture images of people moving around and are expected to aid in curbing poaching.
Man arrested for strangling wife to death in Parsa
A man has been arrested on charges of strangling his wife to death in Parsa.
Safiraja Miyan of Jagarnathpur Rural Municipality-4 was taken into custody on Sunday for allegedly murdering his wife, Lal Bibi Khatun, on Saturday night.
District Police Office spokesperson Kishor Lamsal stated that Miyan was remanded in custody for five days by the District Court and that the police are continuing their investigation.
Comment