KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Cabinet recommends two Ordinances, takes six decisions
The government has taken six major decisions, including recommending the issuance of two ordinances to the President. The Cabinet meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar decided to recommend the President to issue two ordinances, according to government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel. The proposed ordinances seek to amend the Press Council Act, 2048 BS, and certain provisions of Nepal’s existing laws relating to culture, tourism and civil aviation. Similarly, the Cabinet decided to accept a concessional loan of USD 285 million and a grant of USD 20 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for road improvement projects. The meeting also approved additional investment by the Government of Nepal in Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited through the purchase of additional rights shares, Pokharel said.
NPL 2026: Lumbini defeats Pokhara by eight wickets
Lumbini Lions defeated Pokhara Avengers by eight wickets in Tuesday’s Nepal Premier League (NPL) T20 cricket match. In the match held at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur this evening, Lumbini bowled out Pokhara for 97 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Lumbini then chased down the 98-run target in just 11.4 overs, losing only two wickets. Captain Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 47 off 32 balls, while Niroshan Dickwella contributed an unbeaten 27 off 26 balls to guide Lumbini to victory. D’Arcy Short also scored 13 runs off six deliveries. For Pokhara, Bipin Khatri was the only bowler to claim a wicket, while opener Aasif Sheikh was run out.
NPL: Biratnagar Kings beat Janakpur Bolts by 2 runs
Biratnagar Kings defeated Janakpur Bolts by two runs in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) match held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 175 runs, Janakpur managed 172 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Saif Hassan led Janakpur’s batting effort, remaining unbeaten on 71 runs off 47 balls, including two fours and five sixes. Bishal Sushling contributed 43 runs, while James Neesham scored 27. For Biratnagar, Andre Russell was the leading bowler with three wickets. Angelo Mathews claimed two wickets, while Rupesh Singh took one. Earlier, batting first after being put in by Janakpur, Biratnagar posted 174 runs for the loss of three wickets in 20 overs. Imran Sheikh top-scored with 56 runs, while Andre Russell remained unbeaten on 52. Opener Lokesh Bam also contributed 50 runs. For Janakpur, Abhishek Tiwari claimed two wickets, while Moeen Ali took one.
Corruption case filed against 97, including Madhav Nepal and Minendra Rijal
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 97 individuals, including former Prime Minister and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress (NC) leader and former minister Dr. Minendra Rijal, over alleged irregularities in the transfer of public land into private ownership through a Cabinet decision. The anti-corruption body has sought to recover approximately Rs 735 million (Rs 73.5 crore) from the accused as damages. Those named in the case include former Land Reform Minister Dambar Shrestha and Kamala Ghimire, daughter of former Chief Secretary Madhav Ghimire, who went missing in the Trishuli River following a vehicle accident. The charge sheet also names former Secretary Chhabiraj Panta; former Joint Secretary Ramesh Chandra Adhikari; former Under Secretaries Gandhi Prasad Subedi, Hupendra Mani KC, Nurpati Kandel, Hari Raj Panta, Dr. Arjun Khadka, Laxman Thapa and Dhruva Sapkota; and Section Officer Balaram Niraula.
Indian national killed in Solukhumbu helicopter collision identified
The identities of the Indian national killed and two others injured in a collision between two helicopters at Pheriche in Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-4, Solukhumbu, on Tuesday morning have been established. The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu, a resident of Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to authorties, Balaramudu was travelling aboard a Fishtail Air helicopter when the collision occurred. The injured have been identified as Shailesh Krishna Patel, a New Zealander of Indian origin, and Rabindra Pradhan, the pilot-in-command of the Fishtail Air helicopter. Both were airlifted to Nepal Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment. The collision occurred at around 8:12 am as two helicopters were attempting to land at a helipad in Pheriche, a stopover for trekkers and mountaineers at an altitude of approximately 4,371 metres. One of the helicopters, an AS350 bearing registration number 9N-AOD and operated by Air Dynasty Heli Service Pvt. Ltd., had flown from Lukla Airport on a cargo flight.
Supreme Court Justice Hari Phuyal goes on leave amid controversy
Supreme Court (SC) Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal has taken a four-day leave amid controversy surrounding his alleged communication with a person under investigation for money laundering. His leave began on Tuesday and will run through November 6. Supreme Court spokesperson Ashok Chhetri said that Justice Phuyal received approval for the leave from Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma, covering the period from November 3 to 6. The controversy emerged after screenshots of conversations between Justice Phuyal and Inam Sapkota, who is currently in custody pending an investigation into alleged money laundering, surfaced. Meanwhile, a Full Court meeting of the Supreme Court held on Monday decided to ask the relevant authorities to conduct an impartial investigation into the alleged links between Justice Phuyal and Sapkota, who has been described as an intermediary in the matter.
NC urges Speaker to convene parliamentary meeting
Nepali Congress (NC) Parliamentary Party Leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe has urged Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal to convene a meeting of Parliament without delay. During a meeting with Speaker Aryal on Monday, Angdembe, the parliamentary leader of the main opposition party, called for an immediate parliamentary session to discuss pressing political and national issues. Angdembe argued that addressing important matters through ordinances goes against the spirit of democracy and stressed the need for parliamentary deliberations. He also called for discussions on issues concerning people affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
Indian Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela arrives in Nepal
India’s newly appointed Ambassador to Nepal, Sudhakar Dalela, arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday to assume his diplomatic assignment. India had nominated Dalela for the post after its previous ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, completed his tenure and returned home. Following Nepal’s approval of his appointment through the formal diplomatic process of agrément, India officially appointed him as its new ambassador and sent him to Kathmandu. Dalela joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1993 and began his diplomatic career in Israel. Over the course of his career, he has served at Indian diplomatic missions in Brasilia, Chicago, Dhaka, Geneva, Thimphu, and Washington, D.C. He has also served as India’s Ambassador to Bhutan. Before his appointment to Nepal, Dalela was serving as Secretary (Economic Relations) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, a position he assumed in September 2025.
NEPSE gains 6.62 points as turnover reaches Rs 5.65 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index gained 6.62 points to close at 2,664.13 on Tuesday, while daily turnover declined to Rs 5.65 billion from Rs 7.18 billion recorded on Monday. Share prices of 143 companies advanced, while 122 declined and 14 remained unchanged. Global IME Bank, Butwal Power Company, Kumari Bank, Soltee Hotel, Sanima Middle Tamor, Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Ghalemdi Hydropower were among the companies recording the highest trading volumes. The hotels and tourism sub-index recorded the highest gain, rising by 1.07 percent. The banking sector increased by 0.52 percent, hydropower by 0.31 percent and life insurance by 0.09 percent. Development banks, microfinance, non-life insurance and trading sectors also posted gains.
Gold price rises by Rs 700 per tola in domestic market
The price of gold in the local market increased by Rs 700 per tola today, while the price of silver declined by Rs 45 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 275,000 per tola, while silver is being traded at Rs 3,675 per tola. On Monday, fine gold was priced at Rs 274,300 per tola, while silver was traded at Rs 3,720 per tola.
Foreign Minister Khanal, EU Ambassador Whiteley discuss strengthening bilateral ties
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and newly appointed European Union Ambassador to Nepal Charles Whiteley held talks on strengthening Nepal-EU relations and expanding bilateral cooperation during a courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu on Tuesday. During the meeting, Khanal congratulated Whiteley on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure in Nepal. The two exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Nepal and the European Union in the coming days. The meeting reflects the continued engagement between Nepal and the EU on matters of shared interest. However, the Ministry’s statement did not specify the particular sectors or initiatives discussed during the meeting.
Nepal to strongly raise climate justice and mountain conservation issues at COP31: Minister Chaudhary
Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary has said Nepal will strongly raise issues of climate justice, adequate climate financing and mountain conservation at the upcoming 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31). Speaking at a programme organised by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Nepal in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Minister Chaudhary said that although Nepal’s contribution to the global climate crisis was negligible, its people were bearing the consequences of a crisis they had not created. She said Nepal had received USD 21.6 million from the Loss and Damage Fund, while approval had been granted to submit three projects worth around USD 45 million to the Adaptation Fund. Minister Chaudhary stressed that adequate climate financing should be provided on time in the form of grants rather than loans.
ILO Country Director meets Labour Minister Yadav
Numan Özcan, Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has met with Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramji Yadav to discuss cooperation on employment promotion and labour sector reforms. According to the Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting was held at the Ministry on Tuesday and focused on strengthening the Skills, Employment and Entrepreneurship Centres established across all 753 local levels in Nepal. The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation on policy and institutional reforms aimed at promoting decent employment opportunities. The discussions further focused on ensuring the effective implementation of ongoing labour and employment-related programmes in the country.
Girl drowns in Jakhera Lake
A six-year-old girl died after drowning in Jakhera Lake in Lamahi Municipality-3, Dang, on Tuesday. According to the District Police Office, Dang, the deceased has been identified as Kritika Chaudhary of Kothari, Gadhwa Rural Municipality-2, who had visited the lake with her family for a picnic. Police said Kritika accidentally slipped into the lake while feeding fish. She was immediately rescued and rushed to Lamahi Hospital for treatment. However, she died during treatment, according to the Ward Police Office, Lamahi. Her body has been kept at Lamahi Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
One killed, one injured in motorcycle collision in Sundarijal
One person was killed and another injured in a collision between two motorcycles in Sundarijal, Kathmandu, last night. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the accident occurred when a motorcycle (Ba 02-065 Pa 9157) travelling from Sundarijal towards Namgyal was hit from behind by another motorcycle (Ba 02-058 Pa 7405) travelling in the same direction. Traffic Police Office spokesperson Superintendent of Police Nareshraj Subedi said 45-year-old Santosh Dhungana, originally from Itahari Municipality-7, Sunsari, and residing in Dobato, Gokarneshwor Municipality-1, Kathmandu, died in the accident. Dhungana, who sustained serious injuries, died during treatment at Nepal Medical College in Attarkhel.
Nepal Bar Association forms panel to study recent issues in judiciary
The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has formed a committee to examine issues and concerns raised about the judiciary in recent days. The committee, coordinated by former NBA President Chandeshwor Shrestha, includes former Supreme Court Bar Association President Purnaman Shakya, former NBA Vice Presidents Usha Malla Pathak and Surendra Kumar Mahato, and former NBA member Chandra Prasad Kafle. NBA Central Committee member Baburam Aryal has been appointed as the member secretary of the panel. The committee has been given one month to investigate the issues surrounding the judiciary, gather relevant facts and recommend measures to improve the judiciary’s image and standing, according to NBA General Secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala. The committee was formed during a joint meeting of the NBA Working Committee and its Advisory Committee.
Corruption case filed against former PM Madhav Kumar Nepal
A corruption case has been filed at the Special Court against former Prime Minister and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case, alleging irregularities in the transfer of public land into private ownership through a decision of the Council of Ministers. According to the CIAA, irregularities were detected in the registration of public land in the Biratnagar area. The case is currently undergoing the formal review process at the Special Court. Meanwhile, another corruption case involving Nepal, commonly known as the Patanjali land case, is also pending before the Special Court.
Mustang records surge in tourist arrivals
A total of 285,616 foreign tourists visited Mustang district in the first ten months of 2026, reflecting a significant increase compared to the number of visitors recorded throughout 2025. According to the National Trust for Nature Conservation’s Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom, the district received 262,012 visitors from SAARC countries and 28,275 visitors from other countries between January and October. The number of foreign tourists visiting Mustang has increased substantially compared to 161,141 recorded throughout the entire year of 2025, according to ACAP statistics. ACAP Jomsom Chief Rajesh Gupta said that tourist arrivals had increased significantly, with November and December still remaining in the current year. According to ACAP data, the number of visitors from SAARC countries increased by approximately 97 percent in the first ten months of 2026 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Gupta said that arrivals from SAARC countries had increased by 129,146 compared to the total recorded in 2025.
Sirsiya river cleanup campaign intensified ahead of Chhath
Efforts to clean the Sirsiya River in Birgunj have been stepped up ahead of the Chhath festival, with the government prioritizing pollution control and environmental protection. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has taken the initiative to intensify river-cleaning efforts and control industrial pollution. Industries operating in the area have been instructed to address the problem of chemical waste and untreated industrial wastewater being discharged into the river. The government, concerned agencies and local authorities have stepped up efforts to ensure that devotees can perform Chhath rituals and offer prayers in a clean and safe environment. The Department of Industries has already issued a directive instructing industries not to discharge untreated wastewater into the river. It also announced plans for joint monitoring and inspections.
Farmers in Bhojpur rush to harvest and store paddy as weather clears
Farmers in Bhojpur have stepped up paddy harvesting and storage activities following an improvement in weather conditions after several days of continuous rainfall. With the skies clearing, farmers have returned to their fields early in the morning to resume harvesting and storing paddy, activities that had been disrupted by the unseasonal rains. The rainfall, which occurred when the paddy crop was ready for harvest, left fields waterlogged and muddy, making harvesting and transportation difficult. Farmers are now busy harvesting the crops, bundling the paddy, drying it and storing it at home. In some areas, they are also helping one another with harvesting and storage. Bam Bahadur Karki, a farmer from Bhojpur Municipality-5, said the improvement in weather had made harvesting and storing paddy considerably easier. “The rainfall a few days ago delayed our paddy storage work. The clearing of the weather has brought some relief,” he said. “Everyone is now making every effort to bring in the harvest from their fields. Storing paddy is our main priority at the moment.”
KMC bans sale of plastic flowers and garlands during Tihar
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the sale and distribution of plastic flowers, garlands and other plastic-based decorative items during the Tihar festival. Issuing a notice on Tuesday, the Metropolitan City urged shopkeepers, traders and the general public not to sell or distribute plastic flowers, garlands and decorative materials. It warned that any such items found on sale would be confiscated. To promote locally produced flowers and support Nepali farmers, the KMC has designated 26 locations across the city for the sale and distribution of natural flowers and garlands. The designated locations are Baneshwor, Shankhamul, Chabahil, Tinkune, Siphal, Battisputali, Swayambhu, Kalimati, Kalanki, Naya Bazar, Machhapokhari, Handigaun, Samakhusi, Maharajgunj, Gongabu, Chappal Karkhana, Baluwatar, Kamaladi, Putalisadak, Anamnagar, Tebahal, Sundhara, New Road, Lagan, Jaisidewal and Bhrikutimandap.
Bagmati CM Magar pledges to address health sector workforce shortage
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Kiran Thapa Magar has said the provincial government is preparing to introduce temporary staffing quotas to address the shortage of human resources in health institutions across the province. Inaugurating a province-level integrated annual review of health programmes implemented in the fiscal year 2082/83 BS, the Chief Minister said the Organisation and Management (O&M) Survey of the health sector had been completed and that staff would be managed based on institutional needs. He acknowledged that provincial hospitals, district public health offices, and Ayurvedic and alternative medicine institutions were facing a shortage of required personnel. The introduction of temporary staffing quotas is expected to help ease the shortage and improve service delivery, he added. According to Thapa Magar, only 4.5 percent of the provincial budget has been allocated to the health sector. The provincial government must operate 13 provincial hospitals, 13 Ayurvedic and alternative medicine institutions, and 13 district public health offices with limited financial and human resources.
Bheri Hospital introduces specialized lung and sleep care services
Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj, Banke, has introduced specialized services for thezdiagnosis and treatment of respiratory, lung and sleep-related disorders. Dr. Ranjit Pandey of the hospital said the new services would provide significant relief to patients suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses and sleep disorders. The services cover a range of conditions, including chronic asthma, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, fluid accumulation in the chest, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other lung diseases, Dr. Pandey said. Patients experiencing sleep-related problems, such as snoring, interrupted breathing during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness and persistent fatigue, can also receive specialized diagnosis and treatment. The hospital will additionally provide treatment for both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis, along with intensive care for patients suffering from severe pneumonia and other critical respiratory conditions.
Bhaitika auspicious hour set for 11:07 am on Nov 11
The Nepal Calendar Determination Committee has announced 11:07 am on Wednesday, November 11, as the auspicious time for observing Bhaitika, the main ritual of the Tihar festival. Committee Chairperson Prof. Dr. Purushottam Bhattarai said that the auspicious time for receiving Bhaitika had been fixed for 11:07 am. On this occasion, brothers and sisters traditionally exchange tika and blessings. According to the committee, there are no strict astrological restrictions on receiving tika in the afternoon. However, state dignitaries have been advised to observe the ritual at the designated auspicious time. This year’s Tihar festival, also known as Yamapanchak, will begin on Friday, November 6. Dhanwantari Jayanti will also be observed on the same day, while Kaag Tihar (Crow Festival) will fall on Saturday, November 7.
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