KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Deuba will assume PM role after 14 months: PM Oli
Prime Minister (PM) KP Oli has announced that he will step down from his position in 14 months. Speaking briefly to the media at the Federal Parliament building on Friday, Prime Minister Oli stated that he plans to resign after the next 14 months. He added that Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba will assume the role of Prime Minister following his resignation.
NC President Deuba dismisses rumors of power shift
Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has clarified that there is no possibility of a change in the power equation. Speaking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon his return from Bangkok, Deuba dismissed the rumors of any shift in the political balance. Deuba’s statement comes amid discussions suggesting the government could collapse following his return from Thailand.
Govt run by middlemen and vested interests: Maoist leader Pun
Maoist Center General Secretary Barshaman Pun has alleged that the government is being run by middlemen and vested interests, as evidenced by its recent actions.
Speaking during a meeting of the House of Representatives on Friday, Pun claimed that the government’s behavior over the past ten months has confirmed its alignment with such groups. “For ten months, this government has done nothing but protect middlemen and vested interests while targeting opposition leaders,” he said.
10th Memorial Day of Gorkha Earthquake observed today
The 10th memorial day of the Gorkha Earthquake was observed across the country today with various commemorative programs. On April 25, 2015, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Nepal, with its epicenter located in Barpak, Gorkha district.
The disaster claimed the lives of 9,079 people and left 22,309 injured. It also caused extensive damage, destroying over 800,000 private homes and affecting more than 1,500 cultural heritage sites. The earthquake severely impacted several districts, including Gorkha, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Nuwakot, Dhading, Rasuwa, Makawanpur, Sindhuli, and Okhaldhunga.
Tremors felt in Sindhupalchowk on 10th anniversary of Gorkha Earthquake
Tremors were felt in Sindhupalchowk today, marking the 10th anniversary of the Gorkha earthquake. Lokvijay Adhikari, chief of the National Seismology and Research Center, informed Nepalkhabar that a 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck at 11:53 am on Friday, with its epicenter located in Phulpingkot, Sindhupalchowk. According to the center, this aftershock is the 603rd occurrence of a magnitude four or higher since the Gorkha earthquake.
Prachanda vows to uphold promises made to voters in Gorkha
Maoist Center Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has reaffirmed his commitment to the promises made during the last elections in Gorkha, stating that he continues to advocate for them even from the opposition benches.
Addressing the executive meeting of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality in Gorkha on Friday, Prachanda responded to concerns raised by Rural Municipality Chair Bishnu Bhatta regarding delays and budget shortages in road construction, drinking water supply, and other infrastructure projects.
Facebook to face ban in Nepal if it fails to register within seven days
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has issued a strong warning that Meta (Facebook) will be banned in Nepal if it fails to register within the next seven days.
Speaking at an interaction program on the Right to Information organized by the National Information Commission in Kathmandu on Friday, Gurung emphasized that Meta has repeatedly been issued notices to register in Nepal, but the company has not responded positively.
The minister pointed out that the deadline for the third notice had already expired a few days ago, and if Meta does not comply within the next week, the company will face a ban in the country.
Budget session of parliament begins
The sixth session of the House of Representatives officially commenced today, with Speaker Devraj Ghimire opening the session by reading the letter from President Ram Chandra Paudel that convened the meeting. In his address, Speaker Ghimire emphasized the critical need for effective lawmaking to reflect the aspirations of the people.
“This session is expected to be a forum for presenting the government’s policies, programs, and budget, along with other vital laws. Parliament is not only a place to raise the people’s voice but also to make necessary laws for the country,” he said, expressing hope that the session would help resolve growing public dissatisfaction over delays in legislation.
NC leader’s son linked to Bhatbhateni robbery, released under political pressure: Lingden
Shocking revelations have emerged linking the son of a senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader to the Bhatbhateni Superstore robbery that occurred following a royalist protest in Tinkune on March 28.
Among those identified and arrested through CCTV footage and TikTok videos is Mukesh Yadav, the son of Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav.
The incident involved looting and vandalism at the Bhatbhateni outlet in Koteshwor, owned by Min Bahadur Gurung. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden brought the issue to light during the first meeting of the Federal Parliament’s meeting on Friday.
Foreign Minister refutes claims of political shake-up during Thailand trip
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has dismissed rumors of a government change in Nepal, stating that the current government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will not be overthrown.
Speaking upon her return to Kathmandu on Friday, Minister Rana addressed the rumors during her participation in the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 21 to 25. She clarified that her visit was purely for the UN program and not for any political discussions.
Country’s situation worsened after UML-NC alliance
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Acting President Dol Prasad Aryal has criticized the political alliance between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, claiming that the country’s situation has deteriorated as a result.
Speaking at a session of the House of Representatives on Friday, Aryal argued that good governance and an end to corruption are impossible when these two major parties join forces. “When these parties merge, the situation only worsens. It is impossible to expect good governance and an end to corruption,” he stated.
Teachers vow to continue protests until Education Act is passed
The ongoing teachers’ protest in Kathmandu entered its 24th day today, and despite a Supreme Court order to return to work, the agitation shows no sign of stopping. On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing the protesting teachers to return to school within three days.
However, Teachers’ Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi made it clear that the protest would continue. In a Facebook post, he stated, “Our fight is against the state’s insensitivity towards education, its disregard for teachers, staff, and students. It is a protest against the delay and conspiracy to obstruct the passage of a progressive School Education Act. Our actions and expressions should reflect this struggle.”
Education Minister calls for dialogue as teachers’ protest nears one month
Newly appointed Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Pant, has called for talks with protesting teachers as their movement demanding the passage of the School Education Bill, 2023, nears a month.
Teachers and staff from community schools have been agitating for 24 days, pressing the government to endorse the bill, which is currently under discussion in the parliamentary committee of the House of Representatives. The proposed bill aims to amend and unify laws related to school education.
Pokharel urges teachers to return to classrooms, calls for formal agreement
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel emphasized the urgency of formalizing previous informal agreements with agitating teachers to ensure schools reopen and academic activities resume without further delay.
Taking to social media, Pokharel welcomed the Supreme Court’s recent directive to the government, saying it reflects a serious concern for the future of students and is a response to the prolonged school closures. Pokharel also criticized some teacher leaders for misinterpreting the court’s directive.
Students urge govt to end exam chaos
The Class 12 exams, which were originally scheduled to begin on April 24, have been postponed to May 4, but with the ongoing teachers’ strike, uncertainty continues to cloud the academic future of students across the country.
Students who have been preparing diligently for the past two months are now left in limbo, caught in the crossfire between teachers demanding the promulgation of the Education Act and a government unable to guarantee the exams will be held on time. The situation has left many students emotionally exhausted and mentally distressed.
NMA suspends services sans emergency from today
The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has announced that all medical services—except emergency and intensive care—suspended starting today (April 25) in all government and private hospitals, medical colleges, and clinics across the country.
In a press release, the NMA urged all doctors to halt their participation in routine services as part of an escalating protest. Doctors and health workers in the Kathmandu Valley also staged a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala today, followed by demonstrations at the Ministry of Health and Population and District Administration Offices in other districts.
NC denies govt collapse rumors, calls attempts to incite instability “fishing in murky waters”
Nepali Congress (NC) Chief Whip Shyam Ghimire has dismissed rumors of a government collapse, stating that efforts are being made to cause instability by spreading false claims. Speaking during a session of the House of Representatives, Ghimire emphasized that there is no truth in the allegations that nothing has changed in the past 20 years, except for the system itself.
Videos of traffic police misconduct spark public outrage, investigations underway
Questions are being raised about the conduct of traffic police deployed in the field after multiple videos showing violent behavior towards the public in Kathmandu have gone viral.
One of the most widely circulated videos, filmed on December 8, 2024, shows four traffic police officers physically assaulting a civilian under a bridge in Sundhara. The footage has triggered public outrage and led to the detention of the officers involved, who were part of the Public Service Circle.
In another widely shared clip, an assistant constable is seen chasing down a motorcyclist and kicking and punching him. The time and location of this incident have not yet been confirmed.
Home Minister Lekhak warns against inviting disaster by damaging nature
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has emphasized that we must not invite risk by damaging nature. Speaking at the Lalitpur Metropolitan City Resilience Fair, organized by Lalitpur Metropolis at Patan Durbar Square on the 10th anniversary of the Gorkha earthquake, Minister Lekhak recalled the devastating disaster and the loss of lives and property it caused. He stressed the importance of taking precautions to reduce the risks of future disasters, particularly earthquakes.
PM Oli’s parliamentary address postponed
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s scheduled address to the first meeting of the budget session today was postponed. The address was deferred due to the absence of top leaders from the major political parties. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba was in Thailand, while Maoist Centre Chair and opposition leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was in Gorkha. In their absence, second-tier leaders addressed the opening of the session.
National Assembly adjourned after 7-minute sitting
The first meeting of the National Assembly’s sixth session was adjourned after just 7 minutes of sitting today. The meeting, which was scheduled for 1 pm, began on time with National Assembly Speaker Narayan Dahal reading out a letter from the President regarding the convening of the session.
Following this, Speaker Dahal presented a condolence motion for the passing of Deepak Bohara, a former member of the Panchayat, former minister, and current member of the House of Representatives.
Foreign tourist arrivals in Mustang surge nearly 50% in 2081 BS
Foreign tourist arrivals in Mustang have seen a remarkable increase of nearly 50 percent in 2081 BS compared to the previous year, according to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Jomsom Office. ACAP Jomsom Office Chief Rajesh Prasad Gupta said that a total of 144,745 foreign tourists visited Mustang in 2081 BS, up from 96,645 in 2080 BS.
This marks a 49.76 percent rise in international footfall to the Himalayan district. Among them, 117,614 were tourists from SAARC countries, while 27,131 were from other parts of the world. Tourist arrivals from SAARC nations alone recorded a growth of 53.71 percent.
RPP Nepal to hold mass demonstration on April 28
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Nepal has announced a mass demonstration in Kathmandu on April 28, protesting the government’s proposed amendment to the criminal code and demanding the immediate release of leaders and activists arrested during a recent pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu nation rally.
The party made the announcement following its central working committee meeting on Friday. According to a statement issued by General Secretary Rajaram Bartaula, the demonstration will call for the release of Rabindra Mishra, as well as Durga Prasai, Pashupati Khadka, Munindra Rajbhandari, and Santosh Silwal, who were arrested during the Tinkune protest on March 28.
36 dead, 745 injured in road accidents in Lumbini Province in one month
A total of 402 road accidents occurred across all 12 districts of Lumbini Province during the month of Chaitra, resulting in 36 deaths and 745 injuries, according to the Provincial Police Office. Provincial Police Chief Dan Bahadur Karki said the number of fatalities in Chaitra decreased slightly compared to Falgun, when 39 people lost their lives in road mishaps.
Gold price drops by Rs 1,000 per tola
The price of gold declined by Rs 1,000 per tola in the domestic market today, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. Gold was traded at Rs 189,600 per tola today. Similarly, the price of silver has been set at Rs 2,000 per tola. In the international market, gold is currently being traded at around US$ 3,325 per ounce.
Kathmandu’s temperature likely to dip from Sunday
The current heat in the Kathmandu Valley is expected to ease from Sunday, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The department stated that a drop in maximum temperature is likely following rainfall starting Sunday.
Until then, residents of the valley should brace for continued hot weather, with temperatures predicted to hover between 31°C and 34°C on Saturday. Elsewhere in the country, weather conditions remained generally fair today. However, hilly regions of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces experienced partly to generally cloudy skies.
Society of Former Information Commissioners formed
Society of Former Information Commissioners (SoFIC) has been constituted under the convenorship of former Chief Information Commissioner, Mahendra Man Gurung. The Society has been formed to protect and promote the right to information by utilizing the experience, knowledge, capacity and skills of the former information commissioners, it is stated.
Coordinator Gurung shared that the Society of Former Information Commissioners has been formed with the objective of providing opinions and suggestions to the concerned parties on the topic of right to information with the commitment to stand in favour of this right.
Nepal invites global community to Sagarmatha Sambaad and Himalayan Travel Mart 2025
Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, has extended an open invitation to global leaders, climate experts, and tourism professionals to participate in Sagarmatha Sambaad-2025, to be held in Kathmandu from May 16 to 18, 2025.
Speaking at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference 2025 in Istanbul, CEO Joshi called on the international community to join Nepal’s initiative for a global dialogue on climate change and sustainable tourism. During the conference, a partnership agreement was also signed between the Tourism Board and PATA to support preparations for the event.
President Paudel calls for greater public awareness on earthquake safety
On the tenth memorial of the devastating Gorkha Earthquake, President Ram Chandra Paudel urged for increased public awareness and preparedness to reduce the risks of future quakes. In a message, President Paudel emphasized that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, the risks they pose can be significantly reduced through informed planning and safety measures.
He highlighted rapid urbanization, fragile topography, and poorly built infrastructure as major contributors to the heightened vulnerability to seismic disasters in Nepal.
UML leader Pokharel criticizes populism, claims UML targeted for advocating development
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has claimed that a weak state cannot safeguard the rights of its citizens, and accused certain forces of deliberately undermining state institutions through orchestrated propaganda.
Speaking at the second meeting of the Press Chautari Nepal Central Committee in Lalitpur on Friday, Pokharel stated that a calculated campaign is underway to weaken the state, which has fueled growing tension between the government and the people.
PM Oli meets NRNA Australia President to discuss investment opportunities
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met with Anil Pokharel, President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia, at his official residence in Baluwatar last night to discuss prospects for increasing investment in Nepal.
According to Pokharel, the meeting focused on the NRNA’s interest in expanding its investment footprint in Nepal and highlighted the need to create an investment-friendly environment to facilitate such efforts.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the growing contribution of the Nepali diaspora in Australia to both the Australian and Nepali economies.
Woman killed in motorcycle accident on Hetauda-Narayangadh road
A woman lost her life after being hit by a motorcycle in Lachka, Manahari Rural Municipality-7, along the Hetauda-Narayangadh road section on Thursday night. The motorcycle (Ba 62 Pa 1114), which was headed from Manahari to Sunachuri, struck the woman—believed to be around 60 years old. She was immediately rescued by the police and rushed to Hetauda Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.
People’s courage to rise from earthquake disaster is incomparable: Prachanda
Maoist Centre Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the courage, resilience, and determination shown by the Nepali people in the aftermath of the Gorkha earthquake a decade ago is truly incomparable.
In a message shared via his social media handle today to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, Dahal acknowledged the people’s unwavering spirit in the face of immense tragedy.
“While significant progress has been made in reconstruction, many people are still facing challenges related to education, healthcare, drinking water, roads, infrastructure, and employment,” he stated.
Indian Embassy hands over sickle cell, thalassemia to government
The government of India has provided Nepal with vaccines to be used in the treatment for sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. The first batch of vaccines was to Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel by India’s ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava amidst a programme here today.
The first shipment of vaccines includes 17,030 vile vaccines of five different types. These vaccines are expected to control the infections of Sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
Bagmati Province: Wildfires cause loss to 9,600 hectares forests
Several new forests and plant species are being destroyed due to forest fires in community forests located in different districts of Bagmati Province every year.
Wildfires caused by human negligence cause human losses as well as the loss of flora, fauna and biodiversity.
More than 9,600 hectares of forests have been damaged due to the fire in different districts of Bagmati province from January to March, said Tek Narayan Shrestha, Public Information Officer at the province forest directorate.
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