KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Nagarjun Mayor sentenced to 8 years in jail for corruption and money laundering
The Special Court has sentenced Nagarjun Municipality Mayor Mohan Bahadur Basnet to eight years in prison after finding him guilty in a high-profile corruption and money laundering case.
The verdict, delivered by Justices Tek Narayan Kunwar and Ram Bahadur Thapa, comes following a case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on December 29, 2024.
According to the court ruling, Basnet was involved in corruption amounting to over Rs 92.2 million. He has been ordered to pay a fine of Rs 23 million and an additional Rs 262 million in penalties under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The court found that Basnet laundered approximately Rs 131.2 million.
Budget confusion in Kathmandu further prolonged by ‘dual roles’ of ward chairs
Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the administrative heart of Nepal, remains without a budget for the fiscal year 2025/26—days after the legal deadline has passed. While five of the country’s six metropolitan cities have tabled their budgets on time, confusion and deadlock continue in the capital. A key reason: the shifting positions and “dual roles” of several ward chairs, most notably the city’s spokesperson, Nabin Manandhar.
Shekhar Koirala questions Deuba over handing government leadership to UML
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala on Monday questioned party president Sher Bahadur Deuba about the decision to let the CPN-UML lead the government last year.
Speaking at the central working committee meeting that began at the party’s central office in Sanepa, Koirala said, “I was among those who supported the idea of a Congress-UML coalition, but I had insisted that Congress should lead the government. Why then did Congress hand over the leadership to UML?”
Education Minister meets NC President Deuba over stalled Education Bill
While the ruling Nepali Congress was holding its Central Working Committee meeting in Sanepa, Education, Science and Technology Minister Raghuji Pant made an unexpected appearance to discuss the stalled School Education Bill with party president Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The meeting between Deuba and Minister Pant, which took place on Monday, was also attended by NC’s Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire.
By-elections for Rupandehi-3 and Manang Provincial Assembly set for November 3
The by-elections for Rupandehi Constituency No. 3 and Manang Provincial Assembly (B) are scheduled to be held on November 3.
The Election Commission decided in a meeting held on Monday to conduct the by-elections for Rupandehi-3 and Manang on this date.
NC Vice President Khadka submits progress report of Policy Institute to party president
Nepali Congress Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka has submitted the progress report of the party’s Central Policy, Research, and Training Institute to President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The report was handed over during the Central Working Committee meeting that began Monday at the party’s central office in Sanepa. The document details the institute’s activities and achievements from Asar 2079 to Asar 15, 2082.
PM Oli holds bilateral talks with Estonian President
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a bilateral meeting with President of Estonia Alar Karis on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, currently taking place in Seville, Spain.
Continuous rainfall floods 2,000 houses in Dhangadhi, eight people rescued
Continuous rainfall since Sunday has flooded large parts of Dhangadhi, inundating around 2,000 houses. Authorities rescued eight people stranded by the floodwaters on Monday.
According to Shivraj Joshi, Administrative Officer and Spokesperson at the District Administration Office in Kailali, four individuals were rescued from Shrilanka in Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan Ward 13, and another four from Beli village.
Parliamentary committee conducts hearings for SC and Judicial Council nominees
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee conducted the parliamentary hearings for proposed Supreme Court Justice Shanti Singh Thapa and Judicial Council member nominee Mahesh Kumar Nepal.
The committee meeting held on Monday at Singha Durbar heard the two nominees. Earlier, on Sunday, the committee had heard proposed Supreme Court justices Meghraj Pokharel and Shreekant Paudel.
Chitwan National Park temporarily halts jeep safaris from today
Chitwan National Park has announced a temporary suspension of jeep safari operations within the park starting today.
The decision comes as part of an annual measure aimed at protecting wildlife during their breeding season and ensuring visitor safety during the monsoon.
According to Abinash Thapa Magar, the park’s information officer, the safari services will remain halted until the first or second week of October.
Dissident faction of Nepal Student Union protests at Nepali Congress HQ
The dissatisfied faction of the Nepal Student Union (NSU), a sister organization of the ruling Nepali Congress, staged a protest at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Monday, demanding the immediate convening of the union’s general convention.
The protest comes after repeated delays by the NSU’s ad hoc committee, which had been mandated to hold the general convention within three months following the 2022 general elections. Despite multiple extensions, the committee has failed to organize the convention, prompting disgruntled members to take to the streets.
The parent party had earlier decided that the term of the ad hoc committee would automatically expire by the end of April.
Acting PM Singh and Minister Gurung discuss measures to strengthen disaster information system
Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh and Communication Minister, Prithvi Subba Gurung, held discussions on enhancing Nepal’s disaster information dissemination system amid growing concerns over monsoon-related risks.
During a meeting at the Ministry of Urban Development, the two leaders discussed the role of the Ministry of Communication in improving early warning communication, especially during heavy rainfall and natural disasters.
The discussion follows a recent decision made at Sunday’s meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by Acting Prime Minister Singh, which stressed the need to make post-weather forecast alerts more effective.
Govt forms Loan Recovery Tribunal to address cooperative disputes
The government has decided to establish a Loan Recovery Tribunal to address and resolve loan-related disputes within cooperative institutions. The move comes amid growing concerns over mismanagement and default cases in Nepal’s cooperative sector.
According to government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, the cabinet meeting held on June 27 at Singha Durbar approved the formation of the tribunal.
The tribunal will be chaired by Kriti Bahadur Basnet, an Under-Secretary at the Supreme Court, with Basanta Raj Puri and Govinda Sharma Gaire serving as members.
Teachers’ Federation warns of fresh protest if Education Bill delayed further
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation has warned of launching a fresh round of protests if the government fails to pass the long-awaited School Education Bill in the House of Representatives without further delay.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi and General Secretary Tul Bahadur Thapa Magar said the agreement reached with the government on April 30 must be honored, stressing that the bill should be passed without further postponement.
The bill is currently under discussion in the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee of the House. However, several key issues, including the future of private schools and the integration of relief teachers, remain unresolved.
Continuous rainfall floods several areas in Dhangadhi
Heavy rainfall since last night has caused flooding in several parts of Dhangadhi, submerging roads, shops, and residential areas across the city and its vicinity.
Areas including Bishalnagar, Milan Chowk, Shivanagar, Hasanpur, Campus Road, Malika Tole, Krishnanagar, Purano Bhansar, and the southern settlement of Katan village have been severely affected, with floodwaters entering shops and homes.
Residents reported that overflowing drains and poor sewage management have made it difficult for people to walk through the streets.
CM Shah calls for high alert as heavy rain submerges Kailali-Kanchanpur areas
Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has instructed security agencies to remain on high alert and in a state of readiness as the region faces increased flood risks due to continuous heavy rainfall.
The chief minister’s directive comes after large swathes of Kailali and Kanchanpur districts were submerged, raising fears of further inundation and displacement. Shah emphasized the need for immediate preparedness to ensure effective mobilization of security personnel in case of emergencies.
He also urged the public to stay vigilant and take all necessary precautions to remain safe during potential flooding caused by the relentless downpour.
Landslide blocks Karnali Highway
The Karnali Highway has been obstructed since early Monday morning due to multiple landslides triggered by continuous rainfall, authorities confirmed.
The landslides occurred along the Surkhet–Jumla section of the highway, particularly between Gagane Khola and Hulma in Kalikot district. According to Tek Bahadur Rawat, Deputy Superintendent of Police in Kalikot, the heavy downpour that began Sunday evening caused landslides at several points, blocking vehicular movement.
“There’s no way for vehicles to pass at the moment,” said DSP Rawat. “A bulldozer has been dispatched to Gagane Khola to clear the debris, starting from Khulalu Zero Point where the Karnali Corridor begins.”
Gold prices down again
Gold prices have continued its downward trend.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold prices have gone down by Rs 300 on Monday.
With this, the price of gold has been set at Rs 188, 100 per tola.
Health Minister’s condition improving
The condition of Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel, who is currently undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital, is improving, according to hospital officials.
Minister Paudel was admitted to the hospital on Asar 14 after falling ill. In a statement issued on Monday, the hospital confirmed that his health is gradually improving.
He is being treated under the direct supervision of a team of specialist doctors led by the hospital’s director, Prof. Dr. Dilip Sharma.
Private hospitals to be removed as first-contact service centers
The Health Insurance Board has decided to remove private hospitals from the list of first-contact (primary) treatment centers under the national health insurance scheme.
Citing Section 9(6) of the Health Insurance Act, 2017 (Second Amendment) and Clause 2(c) of the Health Insurance Regulation, 2078 (First Amendment), the board clarified that only government hospitals are eligible to be designated as first-contact service points.
In an official notice, the board announced that this provision will be fully enforced starting July 17, thereby excluding private hospitals from this category.
Gude Lake in Pokhara faces threat due to lack of conservation efforts
Gude Lake, one of the nine lakes in Pokhara, is facing increasing ecological threats due to neglect and lack of conservation efforts.
Located in Ward No. 26 of Pokhara Metropolitan City, the lake spans an area of 4.98 hectares.
Named after the “gund” plant—traditionally used for weaving mats—the lake is both culturally and ecologically significant. However, locals say that both the gund vegetation and the lake itself are now endangered.
Fire guts furniture factory in Jhapa
A fire broke out at a furniture factory in Arjundhara Municipality-11, Bus Park area, on Sunday night, causing an estimated loss of around Rs 1.2 million.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Khagendra Bahadur Khadka, the blaze was sparked by an electrical short circuit at the one-storey tin-roofed house owned by local resident Moti Bahadur Khadka, where the Khadka Furniture Industry was being operated.
The fire destroyed all timber and a wood-cutting machine inside the facility. Firefighters from Birtamod Municipality, local residents, and police personnel worked together to bring the fire under control.
Earthquake jolts Mugu
An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale struck the Kotdanda area of Mugu district on Monday morning, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, Lainchaur.
The tremor was recorded at 8:39 AM with its epicenter located around Kotdanda. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received so far.
This follows another tremor of magnitude 4.8 recorded on Sunday with its epicenter near Jima in the same district.
Mango production declines in Siraha
Mango production in Siraha district has dropped significantly this year. According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center, Siraha, total production has declined to 59,866.5 metric tons, compared to 99,235 metric tons last year—a decrease of nearly 40 percent.
Last year, mangoes were cultivated across 9,000 hectares of land. However, this year, only 8,895 hectares remained productive. The average yield has also fallen, from 11.02 metric tons per hectare last year to just 6.63 metric tons this year.
Information Officer Kiran Bishwakarma stated that the primary reason for the decline is the natural fruiting cycle—mango trees typically yield abundantly one year and less the next. Other contributing factors include lack of irrigation, insufficient pest and disease control, and insect infestations.
114 drug cases registered in Parsa
Drug trafficking cases have surged in Parsa district, with 114 drug-related cases registered up to June 26 in the current fiscal year.
The rise in drug-related activities is attributed to the district’s 107-kilometer open border with neighboring India.
Parsa Police Chief Gautam Mishra stated that 151 individuals—both domestic and foreign—have been arrested in connection with drug trafficking during this period.
Ridi–Wamitaksar road blocked by landslide
Continuous rainfall on Sunday night triggered a landslide, completely blocking the Ridi–Wamitaksar road section near Tallofant, on the border of Chandrakot Rural Municipality-8 and Musikot Municipality-5.
Following the landslide, all vehicular movement along the road came to a halt. The road is a key route connecting Ridi and Wamitaksar to Palpa and Butwal and sees high traffic volumes daily.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ganga Bahadur Saru, a police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Shivdhan Prasad Kathariya from Majuwa Police Post has been deployed to the site to begin clearance efforts.
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