KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Karki faces backlash over remarks about Muslim community
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has drawn strong criticism after making remarks about Muslim women during an event on the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Speaking at the program organized by the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that while no religion teaches violence against women, discrimination still exists in the name of religion.
Gen-Z activists confront Police near PM’s residence
A group of Gen-Z activists, including Miraj Dhungana, clashed briefly with police on the road outside the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday. The youths, who had surrounded Singha Durbar a day earlier, reached Baluwatar in protest, demanding reforms and a meeting with Prime Minister Sushila Karki. Police removed them from the road, leading to a short period of pushing and tension between the two sides.
Congress leaders push for special General Convention, reject ‘insult’ to signatures
Leaders within the Nepali Congress who are demanding a Special General Convention say the party must move toward internal elections with renewed policies and leadership. Speaking at a gathering in Kathmandu on Wednesday, they stressed the need to correct past weaknesses, amend the party statute, and take the party forward with a more unified approach.
Former Law Campus Free Student Union President arrested over Supreme Court arson case
A former president of the Free Student Union at Nepal Law Campus has been arrested for alleged involvement in vandalism and arson at the Supreme Court on September 9 during the Gen-Z protests. According to police, Bishnu Dhungel, who is also associated with the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (Revolutionary), was taken into custody on Wednesday based on statements from two suspects previously arrested in the same case.
Four Tribhuvan University Professors charged over fake PhD used to secure Exam Controller job
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against Tribhuvan University Associate Professor Dilliram Prasai and three others, accusing them of using a fake PhD certificate to secure a government position. According to the CIAA, Prasai claimed to have completed his PhD despite his dissertation being under revision, allowing him to gain eight academic points needed for the job. Based on those points, he was appointed as Assistant Examination Controller at the Regional Examination Control Office in Biratnagar on December 3, 2024.
RSP removes provincial in-charges, to appoint central members in their place
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has relieved all seven provincial in-charges of their responsibilities as part of an organizational restructuring aimed at strengthening party unity and preparing for upcoming elections. A Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday thanked the outgoing in-charges and decided that central committee members will now be appointed to oversee provincial leadership roles. The outgoing in-charges included Santosh Pariyar in Koshi, Manish Jha in Madhesh, Lima Adhikari in Bagmati, Shishir Khanal in Gandaki, Bipin Acharya in Lumbini, Ganesh Parajuli in Karnali and Hari Dhakal in Sudurpaschim. Pariyar had already resigned from the party earlier.
UML Politburo member Mahesh Basnet faces Gen-Z protests in Dhangadhi
CPN-UML Politburo member Mahesh Basnet, accompanied by Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung, has arrived in Dhangadhi by aircraft, prompting local Gen-Z youth to stage protests. A group of Gen-Z activists gathered near Devotee Hotel in Dhangadhi, leading authorities to deploy a heavy police presence to maintain order. The protesters, carrying placards, demonstrated against Basnet on the city’s main streets.
UML strongly objects to acting Chief Election Commissioner’s remarks on security
CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has expressed strong objection to remarks made by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari regarding security ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026. “Even with thousands of combatants and weapons kept outside, elections took place. Saying elections cannot happen because some weapons are outside is wrong,” Bhandari has said.
Govt focused on instilling hope through good governance: Minister Ghising
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kulman Ghising has said the current government is working to restore public confidence by ensuring good governance across all sectors. Speaking at the Nepal Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2082, jointly organized by the National Youth Council and Nepal Business Institute today, he said long-standing public anger and frustration have surfaced in the form of the Gen-Z movement.
Nepal’s public debt rises to Rs 2.72 trillion, government borrows Rs 138.75 billion in four months
Nepal’s public debt has climbed to Rs 2.72 trillion, according to the Public Debt Management Office, which reported a steady increase in both internal and external liabilities during the first four months of the current fiscal year.
As of the first day of the fiscal year, the country’s total public debt stood at Rs 2.6 trillion. In the review period, the figure rose by Rs 55 billion. The government’s internal debt has now reached Rs 1.2 trillion, while external debt obligations stand at Rs 1.4 trillion.
Health Minister vows to prioritise removing irregularities in health insurance
Health and Population Minister Sudha Sharma says her top priorities are improving the management and supply of medicines and removing irregularities in the health insurance system. Speaking at an event in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Sharma said the health ministry’s most problematic and corruption-prone areas are medicine procurement and supply, as well as irregularities in the insurance programme. She said these three areas will be her immediate focus.
Tiger census to begin on December 16 across five national parks
The government is set to begin Nepal’s next national tiger census from Poush 1 (December 16), covering five major protected areas, Parsa, Chitwan, Banke, Bardiya and Shuklaphanta National Parks. According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the census will run for three months, Poush, Magh and Falgun, following the standard four-year interval. Senior ecologist Hari Bhadra Acharya said the enumeration will start from the Chitwan–Parsa complex, which has been divided into three blocks.
43 arrested in Chitwan over vandalism, arson, and looting during Gen-Z protests
Chitwan police have arrested 43 individuals in connection with vandalism, arson, and looting that occurred across the district during the Gen-Z movement. The arrests were made based on complaints filed with the district police office. According to District Police Office spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravindra Khanal, those arrested are facing charges related to criminal disruption, theft, disorderly conduct, and narcotics. Police have extended the detention period for further investigation and will take action based on the severity of the offenses.
Surrounding Singha Durbar won’t bring progress, Mahabir Pun warns Gen-Z protesters
Education Minister Mahabir Pun has remarked that Nepal cannot achieve development merely by surrounding Singha Durbar, cautioning Gen-Z protesters to rethink their approach as demonstrations continue in the capital. His statement comes a day after a group of Gen-Z activists attempted to enter Singha Durbar on Tuesday and staged a symbolic encirclement after being denied entry by security personnel.
Gold price rises by Rs 900 per tola, silver up Rs 20
The price of gold increased by Rs 900 per tola on Wednesday, with the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association fixing it at Rs 248,800 per tola. On Tuesday, gold was traded at Rs 247,900 per tola. Silver also saw a rise of Rs 20 per tola, reaching Rs 3,220. On Tuesday, silver was priced at Rs 3,200 per tola.
Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting postponed again
The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting has been postponed once more. The party has been repeatedly delaying the meeting as it has not reached a concrete decision regarding the party’s general convention. The meeting, which was inaugurated by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba on October 14, is still yet to conclude.
Bibeksheel Sajha Party to merge with Rastriya Swatantra Party, announcement on Sunday
The Bibeksheel Sajha Party is set to merge with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). A meeting of Bibeksheel Sajha on Wednesday decided to formally unify with RSP. RSP leader Shishir Khanal said the unification announcement will take place on Sunday at the Rashtriya Sabha Griha. He confirmed that all necessary procedures for the merger have been completed and Bibeksheel Sajha leaders will be given positions within RSP with due respect.
Four Tribhuvan University Professors charged over fake PhD used to secure Exam Controller job
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against Tribhuvan University Associate Professor Dilliram Prasai and three others, accusing them of using a fake PhD certificate to secure a government position. According to the CIAA, Prasai claimed to have completed his PhD despite his dissertation being under revision, allowing him to gain eight academic points needed for the job.
Former Law Campus Student Union President arrested over Supreme Court arson case
A former president of the Free Student Union at Nepal Law Campus has been arrested for alleged involvement in vandalism and arson at the Supreme Court on September 9 during the Gen-Z protests. According to police, Bishnu Dhungel, who is also associated with the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (Revolutionary), was taken into custody on Wednesday based on statements from two suspects previously arrested in the same case.
Comment