KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Travel restriction on Oli lifted
The high-level probe commission formed to investigate incidents related to the Gen Z movement of September 8 and 9 has lifted the restrictions imposed on former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, including a ban on foreign travel and leaving the Kathmandu Valley. In a statement issued on Monday, commission member and spokesperson Gyanraj Sharma said the restrictions were lifted as questioning of then Prime Minister Oli, who was under the scope of investigation, has been completed. With the investigation process concluded, the justification for continuing the restrictions no longer exists, the statement said.
Cabinet makes eight decisions on administration, diplomacy and policy matters
The government has made public various decisions taken by the Cabinet meeting held on Monday, including administrative, diplomatic, social and policy-related matters. Minister for Information and Communications, Jagdish Kharel, who is also the government spokesperson, said the meeting endorsed eight key decisions. According to Minister Kharel, the Cabinet decided to promote Om Bahadur Khadka, currently serving as Director of Investigation, to the post of Additional Chief Investigation Director at the National Investigation Department.
RSP expands central committee as power-sharing talks intensify among Balen, Kulman factions
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has inducted 33 new leaders into its central committee, triggering intense internal negotiations over power-sharing among factions linked to Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kulman Ghising, and Ujyalo Nepal. According to party sources, 26 of the newly appointed central members are close to Mayor Shah, while seven leaders have joined from Bibeksheel Sajha. Prominent Bibeksheel Sajha figures, including party chair Samikshya Baskota, general secretary Ranju Darshana, and Prakash Chandra Pariyar, have now become RSP central members. Mayor Shah, meanwhile, has been elevated to the position of senior leader within the party.
Prohibitory order imposed in four major areas of Birgunj
The District Administration Office (DAO), Parsa, has imposed a prohibitory order in four major areas of Birgunj Metropolitan City to maintain law and order. According to an order issued by Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal, all forms of gatherings, assemblies, rallies, and demonstrations have been banned from 1 pm on Monday until further notice. The administration said the prohibitory order has been enforced in line with the decision of the District Security Committee, in accordance with Section 6(3a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028.
CPN-UML speeds up candidate recommendations for House of Representatives polls
The CPN-UML has accelerated the process of recommending candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Following directives from the party’s central committee, district and constituency-level committees are rapidly submitting their candidate recommendations. While some districts have recommended a single candidate, in several districts—including Dolakha—recommendations have sparked tension. In places where consensus could not be reached, multiple aspirants’ names have been forwarded, and some districts have sent all interested candidates’ names to the central committee.
Rabi Lamicchhane urges party leaders to stop targeting ousted leaders
Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Rabi Lamichhane has advised party leaders and cadres not to waste time attacking old parties and their leaders. Saying that the time has come to chart a new course for Nepal, Lamichhane stressed that there is no point in remaining engaged in criticism of former political forces and their supporters.
Balen, Kulman absent from RSP unity meeting
Balen Shah and Kulman Ghising were absent from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) unity meeting held on Monday at the Rastriya Sabha Griha. Despite their absence, party sources said preparations are ongoing for a broader unity assembly, following agreements between RSP and allied parties.
RSP expands central committee as power-sharing talks intensify among Balen, Kulman factions
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has inducted 33 new leaders into its central committee, triggering intense internal negotiations over power-sharing among factions linked to Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kulman Ghising, and Ujyalo Nepal. According to party sources, 26 of the newly appointed central members are close to Mayor Shah, while seven leaders have joined from Bibeksheel Sajha.
Nepal unveils official jersey for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
The official jersey of the Nepali national cricket team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was unveiled on Monday. The tournament will be held from February 7 to March 8, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka. The jersey was launched in collaboration with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the official kit partner, T10 Sports.
NC special convention supporters urge party to follow statute
Supporters of a special convention in the Nepali Congress have urged the party to hold the meeting as per its statute. On Monday, they submitted a memorandum at the party office in Sanepha, requesting that the decision to hold the regular general convention in May be revised and a special convention be called in January.
Prachanda says Sept 9 destruction was a planned design, not Gen Z protest
Nepali Communist Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has described the nationwide destruction on September 9 in Nepal as part of a large-scale design and plan, clarifying that it was not caused by the Gen Z movement. Speaking at the ‘Unity Message Assembly and Interaction Program’ for Nepali expatriates in Delhi on Monday, Prachanda said the killings of young students on September 8 were unacceptable and brutal.
NC steps up talks with UML, potential partners ahead of National Assembly elections
Nepali Congress has stepped up internal discussions on forming alliances with other parties, including CPN-UML, for the upcoming National Assembly elections. On Monday, the party’s Executive Committee met at the Sanepa office to discuss potential coordination with other parties for the NA polls.
Nepali Congress claims 8 seats in upcoming National Assembly polls
Nepali Congress has claimed eight out of 18 seats in the upcoming National Assembly election scheduled for January 25. According to party sources, the claim comes as Nepali Congress holds parallel discussions with both the CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party to explore potential alliances.
NEPSE gains 28.73 points as all indices close higher
The stock market posted a strong performance on Monday, with all indices closing in positive territory. The benchmark NEPSE index rose by 28.73 points to settle at 2,639.37. The market remained bullish throughout the trading session. Share prices of 214 companies advanced, while 37 declined and eight remained unchanged. Trading activity also picked up significantly. Total turnover increased to Rs 6.47 billion on Monday, compared to Rs 5.01 billion recorded on Sunday.
US Ambassador Thompson pays courtesy call on PM Sushila Karki
United States Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday. The meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, where the two sides discussed issues of bilateral interest, cooperation, and contemporary developments. During the meeting, Prime Minister Karki expressed gratitude to the United States for its long-standing development assistance and continued support to Nepal. She voiced confidence that US cooperation would continue in support of Nepal’s democratic process, peace, and stability in the days ahead.
Minister Sinha urges effective implementation of women-friendly policies
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha has stressed that women-friendly policies must be implemented in practice rather than remaining limited to paper. Addressing an interaction titled ‘Women’s Opportunities in Startups: Challenges and the Way Forward’, organized by Policy Research Pvt Ltd in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Sinha emphasized the need to ensure women’s real access to enterprises, business, and startup opportunities.
Attorney General’s Office submits annual report to President
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) presented its annual report for fiscal year 2024/25 to President Ram Chandra Paudel on Monday. The report was submitted by Attorney General Sabita Bhandari at a program held at the President’s official residence, Sheetal Niwas. According to the report, the AGO disposed of 75,165 cases, writs, and petitions filed in various courts, with the government prevailing in 66.34% of the cases.
Rs 133.5 million collected in government fund for Gen Z movement damages
A total of Rs 133.5 million has been collected in a government fund set up to restore properties damaged during the September 8–9 Gen Z movement. According to Finance Ministry Spokesperson Tanka Prasad Pandeya, Rs 133,565,000 has been deposited in the fund as of Monday morning. Siddhartha Premier Insurance Limited contributed Rs 10.1 million today under its Institutional Social Responsibility initiative. Last week, MetLife Nepal deposited Rs 2.5 million, and earlier Oriental Insurance contributed Rs 2 million.
Patan High Court halts Nepal Medical Association election process
The Patan High Court has issued an interim order directing the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) not to proceed immediately with the election process of its central executive committee. A joint bench of Justices Rishipram Niraula and Deepak Khanal issued the order on Sunday while hearing a prohibitory writ petition filed by Ajay Kumar Mishra and others against the Nepal Medical Association. According to the court, the election schedule and election bylaws made public by the NMA on October 6, 2025, were introduced without completing the mandatory procedures outlined under Rule 6 of Chapter 4 of the Association’s Election Bylaws, 2070.
Arnico Panday withdraws name from RSP’s proportional closed list
Former National Planning Commission member and central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dr Arnico Panday, has announced the withdrawal of his name from the party’s proportional representation closed list. Dr Panday made the announcement through social media on Monday, stating that he has withdrawn his name from the closed list submitted by RSP to the Election Commission.
Gold price jumps Rs 4,600 per tola on Monday
The price of gold surged by Rs 4,600 per tola in the domestic market on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold has been fixed at Rs 265,000 per tola for the day. On the previous trading day, gold was traded at Rs 260,400 per tola. The sharp rise in gold prices in Nepal follows a significant increase in the international market, triggered by the United States’ attack and control actions in Venezuela, which pushed global gold prices higher.
Four identified among six killed in Bhimphedi road accident
Four of the six people who lost their lives in a road accident along the Hetauda–Bhimphedi–Kulekhani road section on Sunday have been identified, police said. The accident occurred on Sunday evening at Jurikhet in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-6, when a Sumo (Na 1 Ja 1778) heading towards Hetauda from Kathmandu met with an accident. According to Makwanpur Police, the deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Sabita Lamsal of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-4, 29-year-old Nikhil Agrawal of Hetauda-2, and two Indian nationals—42-year-old Rajnish Kumar and 49-year-old Arvind Kumar from Patna, Bihar.
Comment