KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Government decides to withdraw social media bill from Parliament
The government has decided to withdraw the Social Media Bill from the Federal Parliament. A Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Tuesday approved the decision to withdraw the Bill Relating to the Operation, Use and Regulation of Social Media, 2081, from the Federal Parliament, government spokesperson and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said.
Nepal has benefited immensely from Japan’s assistance: President Paudel
President Ramchandra Paudel met with Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace here today. During the meeting, President Paudel, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, highly appreciated the assistance provided and the role played by Japan as an important and reliable development partner in Nepal’s socio-economic development. “Japan is supporting Nepal in areas such as human resources, health, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and cultural preservation, and Nepal and Nepalis have benefited greatly from it,” President Paudel said, according to the President’s press advisor Kiran Pokharel.
RSP Chair Lamichhane says two-thirds government ‘poisoned’ him, vows to change Singha Durbar
Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has accused the two-thirds government led by KP Sharma Oli of “poisoning” him. In a lengthy post on social media on Tuesday, Lamichhane said the alleged actions of the government forced him to move across the country and engage directly with the people while also running to courts nationwide. “I am not seeking to reach Singha Durbar; I am demanding to change Singha Durbar,” he wrote.
HoR election: 3,135 candidates confirmed under proportional representation
The Election Commission has published the final closed list of candidates under the proportional representation system for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. According to the final list released on Tuesday, a total of 3,135 candidates have been confirmed from 63 political parties, contesting under 57 election symbols.
No possibility of electoral alliance with NCP: UML Vice-Chair Gurung
CPN-UML Vice-Chairperson Prithvi Subba Gurung has said there is no possibility of an electoral alliance with the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) in the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Speaking at a program organized by Press Chautari Nepal in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Gurung said that the ideological positions of UML and NCP differ fundamentally, particularly in relation to the incidents of September 8 and 9, making any electoral coordination impossible. Gurung stated that with the Nepali Congress also indicating it will contest the elections independently, UML will likewise go to the polls on its own.
Four new scrub typhus and dengue cases reported in Chitwan
Four new cases of scrub typhus and dengue have been reported in Chitwan district over the past 24 hours. According to the daily update released by the Chitwan District Public Health Office, two cases of scrub typhus and two cases of dengue were confirmed during the period. All four infected individuals are residents of Ratnanagar Municipality. With the latest cases, the cumulative number of scrub typhus patients in the district has reached 549, while dengue cases have climbed to 218.
Lift once reserved for Mayor Balen opened to all at Kathmandu Metropolitan City
A lift that was previously used exclusively by former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has been opened for use by all employees and service seekers from Sunday. According to KMC Spokesperson Navin Manandhar, the decision was taken under the directive of Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol. One of the lifts installed at the metropolitan office has now been made accessible to the general public. The lift, installed in a rented building at Kamaladi, was password-protected during Shah’s tenure and was used only by him and members of his secretariat. It was installed in July 2023 and connected to the office parking area.
Rabi Lamichhane unable to travel to Chitwan on medical advice
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane was unable to travel to Chitwan on Tuesday due to medical advice following an infection caused by a leg injury. Lamichhane had sustained a bruise on his leg after hitting it while traveling to Janakpur on January 19. The injury later developed into an infection, requiring hospital treatment. Although he was discharged from the hospital and had been resting at home, he was advised not to travel as the risk of the infection spreading remained high, according to his secretariat.
People seek new vision, not new faces: Prithvi Subba Gurung
CPN-UML Vice-chair Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the public is not looking for new faces in politics but for a new vision. Speaking at an election dialogue program organized by Press Chautari Nepal in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Gurung argued that cosmetic changes in leadership are insufficient to meet people’s aspirations. Referring to the Nepali Congress, Gurung said that although new faces have emerged in the party, there has been no change in its vision.
World Bank approves $95 million to expand SME financing in Nepal
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $95 million operation to expand access to finance for over 100,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nepal, aiming to boost job-led growth. David Sislen, World Bank Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, said the operation will strengthen Nepal’s Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund (DCGF) by expanding risk-sharing, enhancing financial sustainability, and introducing guarantee products for underserved groups, including women-led businesses.
Nepal faces acute cooking gas shortage
Consumers across Nepal have been facing a severe shortage of cooking gas for the past two weeks, causing difficulties in households and small businesses. The shortage has arisen as gas supplies from India have not arrived on time. During the past India blockade, similar gas scarcity and long queues were observed across Kathmandu and other parts of the country. Due to the ongoing shortage, hundreds of consumers have been visiting the Nepal Gas office at Balaju Industrial Area daily, carrying empty cylinders in hope of refills. Many report leaving without gas despite standing in line.
Populism eclipses expertise as capable candidates struggle for attention ahead of polls
Ancient Greek philosopher Plato described politics as the art of creating a just state. By that standard, politics demands wisdom, integrity and deep study. Yet, as Nepal heads toward the March 5 House of Representatives election, the political arena appears increasingly dominated by noise over knowledge and popularity over competence. In recent years, politics in Nepal has been treated as an overly ordinary—and often performative—space. From mainstream media to social platforms, attention has gravitated toward viral personalities and loud populists, while experienced professionals, policy experts and capable administrators remain largely ignored.
KP Oli seeks return as PM, but flagship hospital promise remains largely unfulfilled
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who has served four terms since Nepal became a republic, is once again in the electoral race with the ambition of returning to the country’s top executive post. Oli is contesting the upcoming election scheduled for March 5 from Jhapa constituency–5. During the campaign, he has repeatedly claimed that under his leadership no essential work required for the country’s development was left undone. Addressing election-focused programs in recent days, Oli has said that basic necessities such as roads, education and healthcare were brought within people’s reach during his tenure. At a program in Jhapa a few days ago, he also targeted his rival Balen Shah, claiming that even the road leading to Shah’s home in Mahottari was built during his own government.
Balen Shah listens to concerns of landless settlers in Jhapa–5, rules out bulldozer action
Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Balen Shah has listened to the grievances of landless settlers in Jhapa–5, assuring them that actions seen in Kathmandu will not be repeated there. During an interaction with residents of a landless settlement in Kamal Rural Municipality on Tuesday morning, Shah responded to concerns that bulldozers might be used in the area as they were in Kathmandu. He clarified that such action would not take place in Jhapa.
Nepal reach Chennai for warm-up matches ahead of World Cup
The Nepali national cricket team has arrived in Chennai after playing two practice matches in Mumbai as part of its preparations for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Ahead of the tournament, Nepal will play two official warm-up matches in Chennai. In the first match, Nepal will face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the match will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium starting at 5:15 pm. Nepal and the UAE are familiar rivals, having faced each other frequently in international cricket.
Health Ministry urges public vigilance over Nipah virus
The Ministry of Health and Population has stated that it is fully committed to safeguarding public health and has urged citizens not to panic but to remain alert and responsible regarding the Nipah virus. The Ministry said it is aware of the public health risks posed by the Nipah virus reported in some countries and has taken all necessary precautionary measures. Although the World Health Organization has assessed the overall public health risk of Nipah virus as low at both global and Southeast Asia regional levels, the ministry said preparedness and awareness measures have been strengthened in view of cases reported in neighboring countries.
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