KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Nepal-India ties can be elevated through development diplomacy: Lamichhane
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has said that Nepal and India can move beyond past limitations and usher in a new era of development diplomacy following his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking to social media after a nearly hour-long meeting with Modi during his ongoing visit to India, Lamichhane described the discussion as fruitful and emphasized the potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation. He said Nepal and India could build a partnership based on trust and progress through shared civilizational ties, enhanced digital connectivity, and easier cross-border mobility.
National Assembly meeting postponed to June 9 amid protest over PM’s statement
The National Assembly meeting has been postponed until June 9 after lawmakers protested, demanding that the Prime Minister withdraw his recent statement regarding Nepal–India border issues. As soon as the House convened on Wednesday, National Assembly members stood up in protest, insisting that parliamentary proceedings would not move forward unless the Prime Minister revised or withdrew his remarks. Following the continuous disruption, the meeting was postponed for a week. Earlier in the session, National Assembly member Sunil Bahadur Thapa described the Prime Minister’s statement as irresponsible and factually incorrect, calling for an apology and withdrawal.
Rabi Lamichhane meets Indian Prime Minister Modi
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two leaders held a meeting in the Indian capital, where they discussed matters of mutual interest. Details of the meeting were not immediately disclosed. Lamichhane is currently on a visit to India. Meanwhile, in a post on social media, Prime Minister Modi expressed his pleasure at meeting the RSP chair.
Oli accuses PM Balen Shah of making ‘anti-national’ remarks on border issue
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has accused Prime Minister Balen Shah of disrespecting Nepali citizens and making what he called false and anti-national remarks regarding the Nepal–India border issue. Speaking at a public event, Oli claimed that the Prime Minister had made untrue and nationally harmful statements in Parliament, which he said had no factual basis. Reiterating Nepal’s official position, Oli said that the country has not encroached upon even an inch of Indian territory. He further alleged that attempts to involve a third party in bilateral border matters were inappropriate.
Oli signals no immediate leadership handover amid growing debate within UML
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has indicated that he is not prepared to relinquish the party leadership anytime soon, despite mounting pressure from within the party and an intensifying debate over leadership transition. Addressing the inauguration of a membership renewal, expansion and motivation workshop in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Oli reiterated that he would not step down simply because some leaders wanted him to do so. He said he would only consider retirement after restoring the party to its former strength and guiding it through current challenges. “There are some leaders who believe the party will improve if someone’s head is placed on the table,” Oli said. “The idea that party unity can be achieved merely by removing a leader is not in the party’s interest.”
Budget receives mixed response as stakeholders question priorities
The government’s budget for fiscal year 2083/84 has received a mixed response, with representatives from most sectors expressing dissatisfaction while only a handful voiced optimism about its potential impact. The views emerged during a budget discussion organized by the Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR) in Kathmandu on Wednesday, where stakeholders from various sectors assessed the strengths and shortcomings of the government’s fiscal plan. Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha said Nepal’s economy continues to suffer from low productivity and stressed that the government faces the challenge of revitalizing a struggling economy.
Oli dares government to collect ‘ashes’ as property details after arson attack
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has launched a sharp attack on the government, accusing it of targeting him despite his acceptance of the administration formed through the recent elections. Speaking publicly for the first time since the elections, Oli expressed strong dissatisfaction over the government’s demand for his property details, claiming that his property had already been destroyed in an arson attack. He challenged the authorities to collect the ashes of the burnt property instead of seeking a property declaration.
Nepal–India ties trapped in Sisyphus cycle: Baburam Bhattarai
Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has remarked that Nepal–India diplomatic relations have long been trapped in a repetitive cycle, resembling the Greek myth of Sisyphus. Making his observation on social media in response to an article published by Rabi Lamichhane during his India visit in the English daily The Hindustan Times, Bhattarai said Nepal–India relations carry both visible and invisible layers of complexity. He noted that while discussions around development cooperation and civilizational ties between the two countries are often positively received on both sides, deeper strategic and sovereignty-related concerns continue to simmer beneath the surface.
Oli: PM Balen should not behave ‘childishly’ in public statements
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has issued a strong warning to Prime Minister Balen Shah, asking him not to make irresponsible remarks regarding national issues. Speaking at the inauguration of the UML’s national workshop in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Oli criticized the Prime Minister’s recent statement in Parliament, where he reportedly claimed that Nepal had also encroached upon Indian territory. Oli termed the remarks anti-national and misleading, saying such statements were unacceptable from a head of government.
Task force to review past agreements for constitution amendment discussion paper
A task force formed to prepare a discussion paper on constitutional amendment is set to review past agreements and understandings reached between the government and various agitating groups. The task force, coordinated by political adviser to Prime Minister Balen Shah, Asim Shah, has requested concerned ministries and government bodies to provide copies of agreements directly or indirectly related to constitutional amendments. According to task force member-secretary Liladhar Subedi, the study will examine how constitutional issues were addressed in past negotiations, discussions, and written agreements during different periods of political dialogue.
Govt partners with National Innovation Center to repair unused medical equipment in public hospitals
The government has launched an initiative to identify, repair, and bring back into operation medical equipment that has remained unused or out of service in public hospitals across the country. According to the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, discussions were held between the Health Minister Nisha Mehta and Mahabir Pun, founder of the National Innovation Center, on ways to coordinate efforts to restore non-functional medical equipment in government hospitals. The proposed collaboration will involve identifying damaged or unused equipment, conducting technical assessments, and carrying out repairs through the National Innovation Center to make the equipment operational again.
Internal rift deepens in Shram Sanskriti Party over Dharan mayoral candidacy
A dispute over the upcoming mayoral candidacy for Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has triggered internal tensions within the Shram Sanskriti Party led by Harka Sampang. Following growing disagreement within the party, five leaders, including central committee member Purna Gahatraj Bishwakarma, collectively resigned, after which party chair Sampang expelled them on Wednesday afternoon. Sampang announced through social media that central member Gahatraj and provincial member Rashi Mehwahang have been removed from the party. Earlier, the group had issued a statement declaring their resignation.
Special Court sentences Madhesh Province lawmaker Saroj Kumar Singh to over 4 years in prison in corruption case
The Special Court has sentenced Madhesh Province Assembly member Saroj Kumar Singh to four years and one month in prison after finding him guilty of taking bribes and commissions. A division bench comprising Special Court Chairperson Sudarshan Dev Bhatt and members Umesh Koirala and Vidur Koirala had earlier convicted Singh under the Corruption Prevention Act, 2002. Issuing the sentencing order, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 3.85 million, which has been determined as the amount of bribery and commission received from various consumer committees. The court further ordered the confiscation of the same amount.
Health Ministry invites applications for vacant positions in nine health bodies
The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has called for applications to fill vacant leadership positions in nine government health councils, hospitals, and boards. In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the ministry invited eligible candidates to apply for vacant posts in the Ayurveda Medical Council, Nepal Health Research Council, Nepal Nursing Council, Nepal Health Professional Council, Nepal Pharmacy Council, Nepal Medical Council, B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, and the Health Insurance Board. According to the ministry, interested candidates who meet the qualifications specified under the relevant laws and regulations may submit their applications for the vacant positions.
CNI welcomes budget, says effective implementation can steer economy in new direction
The Confederation of Nepalese Industries has welcomed the government’s budget for fiscal year 2026/27, describing it as a positive and industry-oriented plan that could provide a new direction to Nepal’s economy if implemented effectively. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Confederation said the budget places industrial promotion at the center of economic policy and contains measures that could boost domestic production while attracting foreign investment. According to the CNI, the government’s decision to reduce customs duties on 273 items to maintain a one-tier difference between raw materials and finished goods for manufacturing industries will enhance the competitiveness of domestic products and accelerate industrialization.
21 killed in fire at Delhi restaurant
At least 21 people lost their lives after a fire broke out at a restaurant in the Malviya Nagar area of south Delhi on Wednesday morning, according to officials. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said it received an emergency call about the blaze at around 9:45 a.m. and immediately dispatched several fire engines to the site. Reports indicate that many of the victims were foreign nationals, Indian media reports said. The fire reportedly started at Flourish Stay B&B, a building that housed a restaurant on the ground floor. Rescue teams evacuated more than 40 people from the premises and transported them to nearby hospitals using Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) ambulances.
JICA enhances support for Nagdhunga Tunnel with additional loan of JPY 5.7 billion
The Government of Japan has extended an additional Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of 5.7 billion Japanese yen for the Nagdhunga Tunnel Construction Project, bringing the total Japanese loan assistance for the project to more than 22 billion yen. The Exchange of Notes on the additional assistance was signed by Ghanashyam Upadhyaya, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and Maeda Toru, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, on behalf of the Government of Japan. Likewise, the Loan Agreement was signed by Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Foreign Aid Coordination Division at the Ministry of Finance, and Matsuzaki Mizuki, Chief Representative of the JICA Nepal Office.
Four Lumbini Province ministers resign
Four ministers of the Lumbini provincial government, a coalition between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, resigned from their posts on Wednesday. The ministers—Bhumishwar Dhakal, Dinesh Panthi, Khem Saru Magar, and Sita Sharma Chaudhary—had joined the government as representatives of the CPN-UML. According to sources, all four UML ministers were asked to step down as preparations for the provincial budget entered the final stage. The source, quoting the Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, added that the reshuffle was aimed at providing opportunities to new faces in the government.
Questions raised as 11 pages quietly disappear from Finance Bill after budget presentation
Questions have emerged over apparent changes made to the Finance Bill tabled alongside the national budget by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, with concerns being raised about whether amendments were introduced after the legislation had already been presented in Parliament. As part of the budget presentation on May 29, Finance Minister Wagle submitted the Finance Bill, 2026, to the House of Representatives, following the long-established budgetary process. The bill was subsequently published on the Ministry of Finance’s website. However, scrutiny of different versions of the document suggests that the bill may have been revised multiple times after its parliamentary registration. According to comparisons of the documents uploaded to the ministry’s website, versions containing 461 pages and 459 pages were later replaced by a 450-page version currently available online.
Gold and silver prices remain stable, silver sees slight decline
Gold prices in the domestic market remained unchanged on Wednesday, while silver prices recorded a slight decline compared to the previous day. According to market data, gold was priced at Rs 3,11,300 per tola on both Tuesday and Wednesday, showing no change in trading value. Silver, however, declined from Rs 5,405 per tola on Tuesday to Rs 5,370 per tola on Wednesday, reflecting a marginal drop of Rs 35 per tola.
Gandaki Province prioritizes domestic tourism through ‘First Home, Then Abroad’ campaign
The Gandaki Province government has announced plans to place greater emphasis on promoting domestic tourism in the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 BS through initiatives such as the ‘First Home, Then Abroad’ and ‘Lake to Lake’ programmes. Unveiling the province’s annual policies and programmes in the Gandaki Provincial Assembly on Tuesday, Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta said the government will implement a ‘One District, One Tourist Destination’ policy to promote tourism across all districts of the province. The initiative will also focus on promoting cultural festivals, indigenous traditions, local products, and lifestyles.
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