KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Oli raises concerns with President Xi over China-India agreement on Lipulekh
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed his objections to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the China-India agreement to use Nepal’s Lipulekh territory as a trade route. During the meeting in Tianjin on Saturday, Foreign Ministry Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai stated that PM Oli clearly raised Nepal’s concerns about the agreement. Oli emphasized that, according to the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, all territories east of the Mahakali River are sovereign Nepali land, and expressed confidence that China would support Nepal’s position.
PM Oli discusses bilateral relations with Chinese President Xi
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the cordial and bilateral discussions, the two leaders reviewed friendly relations between the countries and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. Both sides agreed that their respective mechanisms would take proactive steps to strengthen ties and collaboration.
Prachanda: After festivals, we will intensify protests in streets and parliament
Chair of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has announced that after the festival season, the party will launch intensified protests focusing on both the streets and the parliament. Speaking at a seminar on the status of Dalit rights in Nepal, policy development, and implementation challenges held at the party office in Paris Danda on Saturday, Prachanda said all opposition parties would unite to intensify the movement after the festivals.
Madhav Kumar Nepal denies wrongdoing in Patanjali land case
CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal has said he committed no wrongdoing in relation to the Patanjali land case. Speaking at the third meeting of the Socialist Press Organization’s central committee in Kathmandu on Saturday, Nepal said he had acted in accordance with the constitution and the law, and therefore no fault could be attributed to him.
Cholera outbreak in Birgunj poses risk of spreading to other areas
The monsoon season in Nepal has triggered the annual surge of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, including dengue, scrub typhus, Japanese encephalitis, acute diarrhea, and cholera. Health authorities have confirmed widespread outbreaks, particularly in the southern Terai region. According to the Family Welfare Division, dengue has now spread across 74 districts, while scrub typhus cases have been reported in Chitwan and several other Terai districts. Japanese encephalitis has affected 103 people nationwide, claiming 20 lives so far.
Agreement reached on including ‘cooling off period’ in Civil Service Bill
The provision for a ‘cooling-off period’ is to be included in the Civil Service Bill. The Legislation Management Committee of the National Assembly today decided to include this provision in the bill. This provision had reached the peak of controversy after the House of Representatives passed the bill without including the cooling off period. During the discussion on the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2080 in the committee, a decision has been made to incorporate the provision of a cooling-off period of two years.
UML Senior Vice-Chair Pokharel appointed Acting Chair
Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli has assigned the responsibilities of Acting Chair to CPN-UML Senior Vice-Chair Ishwar Pokharel. According to UML’s Head of the Publicity Department, Rajendra Gautam, the decision was made after Chair Oli left for Tianjin, China, on Saturday morning to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit at the friendly invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Former President Bhandari welcomed with 51-kg flower garland by UML cadres in Bara
Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari was welcomed with a 51-kilogram flower garland by CPN-UML cadres at Simara Airport in Bara on Saturday, defying the party’s directive. Despite strict instructions from the UML leadership not to attend, several party leaders and members, including Standing Committee member Mukunda Neupane, Politburo member Purushottam Paudel, and Central Committee member Arvind Singh, gathered at the airport to receive Bhandari.
Balen Shah requests city police to adopt softer tone in public engagement
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has stressed the need for closer cooperation and coordination between the metropolitan police and other state security agencies. Speaking at the 33rd Metropolitan Police Day program today, Mayor Shah urged the police to actively enforce laws, policies, and regulations. He appreciated the role of the metropolitan police in removing encroachments, protecting public property, and maintaining good governance and public order.
Rohit Paudel guides Nepal to victory in ODI against South Australia
Captain Rohit Paudel’s unbeaten century led Nepal to a thrilling victory in a practice One Day International (ODI) against South Australia (SA) on Saturday. Chasing a target of 243 runs set by South Australia, Nepal achieved the goal with 5 balls to spare, losing 8 wickets in the process. Paudel remained not out at 101, guiding Nepal across the finish line in a dramatic chase while Sompal remained not out at 40.
NEPSE shows optimism as microfinance dividend policy boosts investor sentiment
Nepal’s stock market, NEPSE, showed signs of recovery last week as investors welcomed a new dividend policy for microfinance institutions introduced by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The NEPSE index rose 32 points over the week, bringing some relief after weeks of continuous decline. The market had been under pressure since mid-July, with the NEPSE index falling from 3,002 points to a low of 2,739.95 points by Sunday. The downward trend had weakened investor confidence, making any positive policy announcement a potential turning point.
NC leader stresses economic reform to meet health workers’ demands
Nepali Congress Vice President Dhanraj Gurung has stressed that strengthening the national economy is key to fulfilling the demands of doctors. Speaking at a seminar themed “Unified Steps for Health Services, Party Leadership, and National Progress” organized in Kathmandu on Friday to mark the annual assembly of the Democratic Doctors’ Association, Gurung said the government must take doctors’ concerns about service benefits seriously.
Heavy rains cause major road disruptions across Nepal
Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered floods and landslides, completely blocking nine major highways across Nepal, authorities reported on Saturday.
According to the Police Headquarters, the Koshi Highway at Bhotkhola in Sankhuwasabha, the Nepal-China connecting bridge in Rasuwa, the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa, and the Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchok have been fully obstructed.
Dasharath Stadium declared unfit by AFC again
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has once again declared Dasharath Stadium unfit to host international matches, forcing Nepal to lose its home advantage for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Vietnam. An AFC inspection team concluded that the stadium failed to meet international standards in terms of safety measures, pitch quality, floodlights, and physical infrastructure.
Balen Shah tells PM Oli to raise Lipulekh issue during China visit
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has advised Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to highlight Nepal’s sovereignty over the Lipulekh pass during his China visit. Prime Minister Oli departed for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China this morning via Himalaya Airlines.
Doctor killed in car accident in Chitwan
A doctor was killed in a car accident at Ramailo Chowk in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-10, Chitwan. The car went out of control and crashed into a tree, killing the driver, Dr. Biplav Bhatt of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-2.
Chief of Army Staff Sigdel returns home
Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel has returned to Nepal after attending the ‘Chiefs of Defense’ conference organized by the Indo-Pacific Command of the United States Army, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Army. The event was held in Hua Hin, Thailand. According to the Public Relations and Information Directorate of the Military Headquarters, General Sigdel arrived in Kathmandu last night. He was received at Tribhuvan International Airport by Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa.
Tatopani border closed for a week; 500 containers stuck
The Tatopani border (Nepal-China border) crossing has remained closed for the past seven days due to continuous landslides triggered by incessant rainfall. A major landslide at Iku, near Kodari Bazaar in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2, blocked the Araniko Highway last Sunday night. According to Surya Prasad Kafle, Officer at the Tatopani Customs Office, although traffic briefly resumed on the evening of August 24, the road was closed again after fresh landslides that night.
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