KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Three squatters die in first 100 days of Balen-led government as resettlement efforts draw criticism
The first 100 days of the government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah have been marked by criticism over its handling of landless settlers, with three displaced individuals reported dead and concerns mounting over delayed resettlement and rehabilitation efforts. While ministries have published lengthy lists of achievements to mark the government’s first 100 days in office, questions have been raised over the implementation of its commitment to address the issue of landless settlers and unmanaged housing. In its 100-point governance reform agenda released after taking office, the government had pledged to complete an integrated digital database and verification of landless settlers and unmanaged residents across the country within 60 days. However, critics say the government has instead focused on clearing informal settlements while failing to ensure adequate rehabilitation for displaced families.
Stakeholders call for flexible monetary policy to revive Nepal’s slowing economy
Representatives from the private sector, bankers, and former central bank governors have called for a flexible and production-oriented monetary policy to help revive Nepal’s slowing economy. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives Finance Committee on Sunday, lawmakers, industry representatives, and economic experts discussed expectations for the monetary policy for the fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27). President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Anjan Shrestha, said the business community expects the upcoming monetary policy to address issues left unresolved by the national budget. He said the private sector, which generates around 86 percent of employment, has long suffered from inconsistent policies and called for greater flexibility in the working capital guideline and a higher overdraft limit.
Govt focused on gaining likes instead of delivering results: Gagan Thapa
Gagan Thapa has accused the government of disregarding legal procedures and prioritizing popularity over good governance. Speaking at a review program on the government’s first 100 days held at the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa on Sunday, Thapa alleged that the government led by Balen Shah had begun functioning in a manner similar to the former Nepal Communist Party government formed after the 2017 general elections. Thapa claimed the government was attempting to bypass established procedures and legal provisions in the name of delivering quick results. He stressed that transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to the rule of law are essential for effective governance, adding that any move to weaken the legal system would be firmly opposed by the opposition.
RSP lawmaker Gelal clarifies remarks on ‘transferring mayors’
Parasmani Gelal, a lawmaker from Rastriya Swatantra Party representing Udayapur, has clarified his recent remarks about the “transfer of mayors,” which went viral on social media. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Gelal said the phrase “transferring a mayor” was used as a political expression, referring to the public’s ability to vote elected representatives out of office through elections. He said he made the remarks while interacting with constituents after receiving widespread complaints that local governments and mayors in his constituency had failed to deliver basic infrastructure, including road construction and maintenance. Gelal argued that while civil servants are part of the permanent administrative system and should be corrected through guidance rather than frequent transfers, elected representatives who fail to perform can ultimately be removed by the sovereign people through the electoral process.
Pradip Paudel urges end to dispute over active membership update drive
Pradip Paudel has called on all factions within the Nepali Congress to end the dispute surrounding the party’s active membership renewal campaign and participate in the process. Speaking at an interaction program with youth on Sunday as part of the party’s active membership update campaign, Paudel, who also coordinates the party’s Central Membership Management Committee, stressed the need to conduct the process within the party’s statute and ensure the 15th General Convention is held in accordance with established procedures. He said the party leadership deserves respect but emphasized that no one should overstep the boundaries set by the party’s constitution and rules. Paudel urged both the establishment and non-establishment factions within the party to work together to make the membership campaign successful. He also dismissed claims that the campaign was intended to remove existing members, clarifying that its objective is to update members’ records and create a unified membership database.
Seven killed, 25 injured in disasters across Nepal in 24 hours
Seven people lost their lives and 25 others were injured in various disaster-related incidents across the country in the past 24 hours, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The Authority said 47 separate disaster incidents were recorded during the period, affecting 37 districts. Among the fatalities, three were caused by snakebite. One person each died due to floods, heavy rainfall and landslides, while two others were killed in animal attacks. The daily bulletin shows the incidents included four floods, five cases of heavy rainfall, 11 landslides, 16 snakebite cases, four lightning strikes, five fire-related incidents, and two animal attacks.
Mother and son killed in elephant attack
A mother and her young son were killed in an elephant attack in Belhatta, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-23. According to Chandra Bhushan Yadav, Information Officer at the District Police Office, 25-year-old Ashika Bote and her four-year-old son, Bharat, died on the spot after being attacked by an elephant while they were sleeping at home on last night. Ashika’s husband, Purna, lit a fire in an attempt to scare away the elephant, which subsequently set their thatched house on fire. The blaze was later brought under control with the help of police and locals.
MoFA highlights digital reforms, economic diplomacy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has highlighted a series of achievements during the first 100 days of the present government, citing improvements in service delivery, consular assistance and economic diplomacy. The ministry said it had focused on making its services simpler, more transparent, technology-friendly and citizen-centric, in line with the government’s agenda of promoting good governance and effective public service delivery. Among the key initiatives, the ministry launched the ‘Mofa Mitra’ mobile application to provide consular and other services to Nepalis facing difficulties abroad. It also expanded the online consular and legal advisory services of the Department of Consular Services to all 77 districts and 537 local levels.
PM Balen Shah to hold first one-on-one meeting with ADB chief
Prime Minister (PM) Balen Shah is set to hold his first individual meeting with a foreign delegation since assuming office, with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda scheduled to call on him on Tuesday. According to a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanda will become the first foreign dignitary to meet the prime minister in a one-on-one format. Before meeting Shah, the ADB chief is scheduled to hold discussions with Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, and other government officials on Monday. Shah’s approach of limiting individual meetings with foreign officials reflects a broader attempt to recalibrate Nepal’s diplomatic engagement. The move signals an effort to centralise foreign policy coordination, minimise inconsistencies in messaging, and transition from personality-driven diplomacy to a more structured, state-led framework.
New passport system to come into effect from July 10
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said preparations have been nearly completed to launch a new passport system from July 10, aimed at making passport services simpler and more convenient. As part of the reform, the ministry has introduced a mobile passport service to issue passports in countries where Nepal does not have a diplomatic mission. The ministry also signed an agreement with the Department of Postal Services on June 30 to expand passport services through district administration offices and area administration offices. The agreement came into effect immediately, and the process has begun to allow citizens to apply for passports from any district in the country.
Indian national held with 2.8 kg marijuana at TIA
Police have arrested an Indian national after recovering 2.8 kg of marijuana from his luggage at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. The Narcotics Control Bureau’s branch office at TIA said the contraband, concealed inside chocolate packets, was discovered during baggage screening on Sunday morning. The arrested person has been identified as 57-year-old Hari Chhetri of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. According to Bureau spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Durga Raj Regmi, Chhetri had arrived in Kathmandu from Bangkok, Thailand, on Thai Airways flight TG309. Preliminary investigation suggests the marijuana was being smuggled from Thailand to Kolkata via Nepal, the bureau said.
Gold price drops after two-day surge; silver also declines
The price of gold declined on Sunday after rising by Rs 12,400 per tola over the previous two trading days. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold fell by Rs 400 per tola to Rs 290,300 on Sunday from Rs 290,700 on Friday. Gold had gained Rs 7,200 per tola on Friday alone. Silver prices also edged lower, falling by Rs 10 per tola to Rs 4,605 from Rs 4,615 on Friday. Gold prices had risen by a combined Rs 12,400 per tola on Thursday and Friday, following a cumulative decline of Rs 6,500 over the preceding three trading days.
Govt committed to press freedom: Minister Timilsina
Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has said the government remains fully committed to protecting press freedom and constitutional rights to expression, describing free media as a cornerstone of democracy. Inaugurating a national conference on “Press Freedom in Changing Circumstances: Media Law and Responsible Journalism” organised by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in Lalitpur on Sunday, he said there are no restrictions on press freedom and that the state continues to safeguard and promote media rights. Timilsina urged FNJ to engage in constructive dialogue, stating that the government is ready to address challenges in the media sector through a comprehensive approach rather than protests or isolated demands. He said all channels of communication remain open and rejected claims that dialogue has been closed.
Woman dies, four injured as flash flood and landslide hit Dolpa
A woman died and four others were injured after a mud-filled flash flood, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, swept through the Dhula River in Gairi village of Jagadulla Rural Municipality-5 in Dolpa district. The incident occurred around 3:00 am on Sunday when the sudden flood entered residential areas and inundated houses. Ananda BK, approximately 56 years old, was buried under debris while asleep inside her home. She was rescued with the help of police and locals but died on the way to Jhyakot Health Post for treatment.
Traffic action collects Rs 528,501 in revenue
A total of 1,813 drivers were taken into action in the past 24 hours for violating traffic rules, generating Rs 528,501 in revenue for the state. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, nine individuals were booked for driving under the influence of intoxicants, 105 for illegal ride-sharing, 119 for violating traffic signals, and 115 for speeding. Similarly, action was taken against 102 drivers for not following lane discipline, 79 for unnecessary honking in restricted areas, 117 for roadside parking violations, and 65 for driving on one-way roads. A further 1,110 cases were recorded for various other traffic violations.
Two arrested in Rs 39 lakh foreign employment fraud case
Police have arrested two youths on charges of defrauding Rs 39 lakh by promising attractive salaries in foreign employment opportunities. According to the Central Police Newsroom, Saroj Pant of Kavre and Anil Khatri of Ramechhap were arrested on Saturday. Pant is accused of taking Rs 16 lakh from an unemployed youth on the pretext of sending him to Ireland, while Khatri allegedly collected Rs 23 lakh from six individuals by promising jobs in Dubai. Police said further action is being taken in coordination with the Department of Foreign Employment.
Govt plans to develop Korala road into tourist highway
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Poudel has said the government aims to develop the Korala road as a tourist highway under the Kaligandaki Corridor. Speaking at a discussion programme on tourism development and promotion organised by the District Administration Office in Mustang, Minister Poudel said the government plans to upgrade the road section from Bhairahawa in the south to Korala in the north under the corridor and develop it as a dedicated tourist highway. He said the Korala route will be prioritised as a tourist highway, highlighting tourism as a key pillar of economic prosperity. He also noted that the Mustang–Dolpa road has been given high priority by the government.
Rising temperatures linked to increase in snakebite cases in Sarlahi
Cases of snakebite have increased in Sarlahi in recent weeks as rising temperatures have driven snakes out of their natural habitats. The Snakebite Treatment Centre at Nawalpur in Lalbandi Municipality-1 has reported a higher number of patients compared to the same period last year. Health Assistant Jagannath Yadav said the centre had treated 305 snakebite patients by the first week of July this year, exceeding the number recorded during the corresponding period last year. Chairman of the centre, Uddhav Paudel, said between three and seven people visit the facility each day for treatment. “Snakebite cases are generally higher from January to September,” he said.
Bardibas declared a literate municipality
Bardibas Municipality in Mahottari has been declared a literate local level, becoming the fourth local government in the district to achieve the status. Madhesh Province Minister for Labour and Transport Sharada Thapa announced the declaration during a programme held in Bardibas on Saturday. Under the literacy criteria, at least 95 percent of the population aged 15 to 60, excluding school-going children, must be literate for a local level to be recognised as a literate municipality. According to Chief of the Municipality’s Education Section, Rewati Prasad Parajuli, Bardibas has a total population of around 75,000. Of them, about 25,000 students are enrolled in the formal education system across 80 schools within the municipality. Among the 46,526 people aged 15 to 60, a total of 45,332 have met the prescribed literacy standards.
Organic fertiliser produced from forest leaf litter
Four community forest user groups in Gorkha have begun producing organic fertiliser from leaf litter and other forest biomass that would otherwise go to waste. The initiative has been launched by the Ram Laxman Community Forest User Group and the Bagpani Community Forest User Group in Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-1, the Ludi Damgade Community Forest User Group in Gorkha Municipality-8, and the Kaluwagaira Aapgaira Kutmire Community Forest User Group in Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality-5. The programme is being implemented with technical and financial support from the Division Forest Office, Gorkha.
Nepali poetry tour concludes in Cambridge, UK
The Nepali poetry tour has successfully concluded in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Writers from London and Cambridge gathered at the historic Parker’s Piece in an event facilitated by the Contemporary Literature Foundation of Britain. During the programme, poets Krishna Upadhyay, Poshendra Satyal, Lata Gautam, Yograj Dhakal, Keshav Pudasaini, Chandramani Gautam, and Krishna Bajgain presented their literary works. This marks the third edition of the Kavya Yatra (poetry tour), an initiative aimed at connecting Nepalis in the UK with their language, culture, and literature, while also promoting Nepali poetry on a global platform.
Concrete bridge in Sawakhola comes into operation
A concrete bridge has been constructed over Sawakhola at a cost of Rs 30.77 million and brought into operation. With the completion of the project, vehicles have been allowed to use the bridge from Saturday. The structure was built with a supplementary grant from the federal government. Officials said the bridge has improved year-round connectivity along the Khotang–Papmakham Bhanjyang road, which previously faced disruption during the rainy season. The bridge is 20.90 metres long.
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