KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Prachanda sees crisis in Congress and UML as political opportunity for Maoist Centre
Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has said that the ongoing ideological and leadership crises within the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML present a political opportunity for the Maoist Centre.
Addressing a program organized by the Unified All Nepal Teachers’ Organization in Kathmandu on Saturday, Prachanda claimed that the Maoist Centre is currently the only major party without an ideological or political crisis.
He stated that if the Maoist Centre can effectively navigate the current situation, it could reclaim a leadership position in national politics.
Rajendra Gautam: Bidya Bhandari’s return to politics unacceptable to UML
Rajendra Gautam, Head of the Publicity Department of the CPN-UML, stated that former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s return to active politics is not acceptable to the party.
Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Nepal Press Society in Bhaktapur on Saturday, Gautam remarked that Bhandari’s UML membership and potential political re-engagement is a ‘secondary matter’ for the party.
He clarified that the party’s Central Committee had reached its decisions after thorough discussions regarding a 70-year age limit, a two-term limit for executive positions, and restrictions on former presidents engaging in active politics.
2.8 million signatures collected in support of Rabi Lamichhane, warns Wagle
Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Vice Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has accused major political parties of forming the current government to protect the interests of a few corrupt individuals.
Speaking at an RSP event organized by the Umakund–Kathmandu Contact Committee on Saturday, Waglé claimed that unlike past coalition efforts aimed at national stability after major political changes, the present alliance is a rare and unfortunate example of power-sharing motivated by the need to shield corruption cases.
He alleged that the government used constitutional amendment talks as a mere excuse to justify the coalition and accused ministers of a government that promised prosperity and good governance of being embroiled in corruption themselves.
Making ‘people’s multiparty democracy’ a guiding principle is a right-wing deviation: Jhala Nath Khanal
Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhala Nath Khanal, has criticized the adoption of “People’s Multiparty Democracy” (Jabaja) as a guiding principle, calling it a ‘severe right-wing deviation.’
Speaking at the launch of Lok Krishna Bhattarai’s book Nirvasan on Saturday, Khanal argued that Nepal’s communist movement suffered from repeated divisions because of a deviation from Marxism-Leninism, which he believes should remain the sole ideological foundation.
“The communist movement began to fragment when the party adopted Jabaja instead of upholding Marxism-Leninism,” he said. “We are now in a critical situation, with more than 24–25 splinter groups. A comprehensive ideological, political, and organizational restructuring is necessary.”
Player auction for second NPL edition scheduled for August 9, 458 players registered
The player auction for the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) will take place on August 9 (Shrawan 24), the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced in a press release on Saturday.
According to CAN spokesperson Chhumbi Lama, a total of 458 Nepali cricket players have registered for the NPL. The registration window was open from July 12 to July 22.
CAN stated that details of all registered players will be shared with the eight participating franchise teams. Based on the criteria set by CAN’s technical committee and the players shortlisted by the franchises, a final list of players eligible for the auction will be published.
Gulmi-Kathmandu Contact Forum of Biplav-led NCP merges with Maoist Centre
The Gulmi–Kathmandu Contact Forum of the Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’-led Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has officially merged with the CPN (Maoist Centre).
The merger took place during the forum’s fifth general convention held on Saturday. Chairperson of the Maoist Centre, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, welcomed the leaders into the party at a formal program.
According to Prachanda’s secretariat, in addition to members of the contact forum, several leaders and cadres from other political parties have also joined the Maoist Centre.
Prachanda accuses UML of displaying double standards over cooling off period
Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has accused the CPN-UML of displaying double standards regarding the Federal Civil Service Bill.
Speaking at the inauguration of a multipurpose building at the Martyr Teachers Memorial Center in Sitapaila, Kathmandu on Saturday, Prachanda criticized UML lawmakers for proposing amendments in the National Assembly, saying it confirmed his party’s doubts about UML’s intentions.
“UML finally meowed during the cooling period,” he remarked, implying the party had shown weakness. “The amendment proposal tabled by UML lawmakers in the National Assembly has validated the concerns raised by the Maoist Centre.”
Gandaki Province former Chief Gurung passes away
Nepali Congress leader (NC) and former Chief of Gandaki Province, Prithviman Gurung, passed away today at his private residence. He was 76.
The former NC President in Chitwan, Gurung had been appointed the Chief of Gandaki Province on Saun 12, 2078 BS ( July 27, 2021) and remained on the post till March 14, 2024.
A resident of Bharatpur Metropolis-26, Gurung had also served as the Chair of the Nawalparasi Land Commission, according to NC central member Tek Prasad Gurung.
Only 47% paddy planted in Madhesh as monsoon delays
The failure of monsoon rains to arrive on time has severely disrupted paddy transplantation in Nepal’s Madhesh Province, often referred to as the country’s “grain basket.”
According to the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Madhesh Province, only 47 percent of paddy planting has been completed so far this season, far below the normal levels expected by this time of year.
Mahottari district, one of the hardest-hit areas, has reported only 30 percent transplantation. Farmers are increasingly worried as dry fields, parched paddy seedbeds, and widening cracks in semi-transplanted plots indicate the scale of the damage.
DDC fails to pay farmers in Kanchanpur
The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) has failed to pay farmers and cooperatives in Kanchanpur for milk supplied over the past several months, leaving local producers in financial distress.
According to local cooperatives, the DDC owes more than Rs 60 million to seven milk cooperatives and 34 dairy farms in the district. The dues have accumulated since November 2024, and the delay has disrupted the payment cycle for dairy farmers.
Krishna Dutta Paneru, chairperson of the Sathi Agriculture Cooperative, said his group alone is yet to receive Rs 6 million from DDC. “Because DDC hasn’t paid us since Mangsir, we’ve been unable to pay our farmers on time,” he said. The cooperative supplies around 5,000 liters of milk to DDC every month.
FIFA’s ‘Football for Schools’ program set to launch in Nepal on July 31
FIFA’s global initiative Football for Schools is set to be launched in Nepal for the first time, with an official kickoff scheduled for July 31 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.
Jointly led by FIFA and UNESCO, the program aims to integrate football into the school education system. Its broader goal is to promote life skills, inclusivity, and a healthy lifestyle among children through sport.
The inaugural event is expected to be both impactful and entertaining, with popular Nepali singer Aastha Raut scheduled to perform a special act. A formal agreement was signed between Raut and the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to this effect. The deal was inked by ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai and singer Raut earlier this week.
Dahal stresses on meaningful Communist unity
Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has underlined the need for proceeding with the Communist unification on the basis of policies and ideologies.
During his address to a programme held marking the centennial birth anniversary and 47th death anniversary of Pushpalal, the founder of Nepal Communist Party here today, he spoke of the possibility of a meaningful unification among the left forces that are against crony capitalism. “The resolution against crony capitalism is a true respect and tribute to Pushpalal and this very point is also a take-off for the Communist unity.”
Youth leader backing former President suspended by National Youth Federation
Suraj Kharel, Lumbini Province president of the CPN-UML’s youth wing, the National Youth Federation Nepal (NYAN), has been suspended for one year for alleged disciplinary violations.
Kharel, who has publicly aligned himself with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, was suspended following a decision taken by the association’s central secretariat meeting on July 25, according to a statement issued by General Secretary Ramesh Chaulagain.
The decision, based on clauses 41 and 42 (a) and (b) of the NYAN’s revised 2047 statute (amended during its 10th national convention held in Pokhara), relieves Kharel of all responsibilities and bars him from engaging in organizational activities for a year.
NSJF Pulsar Sports Award to be held in Pokhara
The 22nd edition of the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award, Nepal’s most prestigious sports awards ceremony, will be held in Pokhara for the first time on September 14, the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF) announced on Friday.
Breaking from tradition, the award ceremony is being organized outside the Kathmandu Valley for the first time in its history. The decision to host the event in Pokhara aligns with the ongoing “Visit Pokhara Year” campaign, according to NSJF President Niranjan Adhikari.
“We’ve partnered with our sponsors to bring this landmark edition to Pokhara, and we’re committed to making it unique and grand,” said Adhikari during a press meet at Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu.
Monsoon drought threatens paddy crops in far-western Nepal
A delayed and weakened monsoon has triggered an emerging drought across parts of Sudurpaschim Province, particularly in Kailali and neighboring districts, posing a serious threat to paddy cultivation.
Farmers who had transplanted paddy seedlings in June using water drawn from boring pumps are now witnessing their fields crack under a dry spell that has lasted more than two weeks. With no significant rainfall since July, many fear the paddy crop may wither unless the monsoon intensifies soon.
“We transplanted paddy in June using water pumped from underground sources,” said local farmer Harilal Chaudhary. “But for the past two weeks, there’s been no sufficient rain. The drought is drying up the fields and damaging the crops.”
Bidhya Devi Bhandari signals showdown with PM Oli as UML rift widens
Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Friday publicly re-entered partisan politics with a fiery address that signaled the beginning of an open ideological and organizational battle within the CPN-UML.
Speaking at a press conference held at Karki Banquet in Babarmahal, she denounced the party’s decision to invalidate her membership and presented herself not just as a former head of state but as the former Vice-Chair of the UML, ready to lead what appears to be a looming internal rebellion.
Bhandari arrived about half an hour late for the 3 p.m. event, by which time a large crowd of journalists, party cadres, and supporters had already overflowed the venue’s smaller hall, prompting organizers to shift the gathering to a larger space.
Five Nepali jailed in Iran return home
Five Nepali citizens who had been imprisoned in Iran for various offenses have been repatriated to Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday.
According to the ministry, their release was secured following a court order issued by Iranian authorities. The return was facilitated with the support of Nepal’s Consulate General in Tehran and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This marks the second group of Nepali nationals to be repatriated from Iran in recent months. Earlier, nine individuals were brought back home on different dates with assistance from the Government of India.
President Paudel derails PM Oli’s push to reshape Constitutional Council
A controversial bill seeking to amend the Constitutional Council Act has triggered a major institutional clash in Nepal, drawing sharp lines between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Ram Chandra Paudel.
The conflict, which began within Parliament, has now extended all the way to the President’s Office, signaling deepening friction within the country’s constitutional framework.
The bill, which was endorsed by both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, was sent to the President for final certification on July 15. However, President Paudel returned it unsigned, citing that the proposed changes undermined the spirit and intent of the Constitution and democratic norms.
Tribhuvan Park in Thankot being transformed into a more attractive destination
Chandragiri Municipality has given high priority to enhancing the appeal of Tribhuvan Park in Thankot and is actively undertaking various development works to that end.
The municipality is accelerating the reconstruction, renovation, maintenance, and new construction of infrastructure within the park—an area of historical and cultural significance and a popular domestic tourist destination.
Chandragiri Municipality Mayor Ghanashyam Giri stated that the project is being carried out with a supplementary municipal grant exceeding Rs. 30 million.
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