KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Kulman Ghising says he will not resign, denies party affiliation
Energy Minister Kulman Ghising has said he will not resign from the government, insisting that he is not affiliated with any political party. Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Ghising stated that, as of today, he is not a member of any political party. Reiterating this position, he made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down from his ministerial post. During the press conference, journalists questioned him about why he continues to remain in the government despite having played a political role during the Sushila Karki–led citizens’ government. Although the event organizers attempted to stop political questions by taking away the microphone, the question was still raised, putting Ghising in an uncomfortable position.
Mayor Balen Shah submits written response to Gen-Z movement probe panel
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has submitted a written response to the investigation commission formed to probe the Gen-Z movement that took place on September 8 and 9. The commission has now moved ahead with drafting its report after completing the statement-taking process. Last week, the panel recorded the written statement and testimony of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. It has also recorded statements from former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Earlier, the commission had collected details and other relevant data related to the Gen-Z movement. Following statements from lower-level security officials, the panel also recorded testimonies from Kathmandu’s then police chief, senior officials of the Valley Police Office, and top officials at Police Headquarters.
Congress decides to coordinate with other parties in National Assembly election
The Nepali Congress has decided to contest the upcoming National Assembly election in coordination and cooperation with other political parties. The decision was taken by a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee held on Tuesday at the BP Smriti Bhawan in Lalitpur. The meeting was chaired by Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and focused on the National Assembly member election scheduled for 2026. According to Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel, the meeting resolved to adopt a policy of cooperation and electoral coordination for the National Assembly election to be held on January 25.
Oli sidelines rivals, strips Ishwar Pokhrel of key role, elevates Bishnu Rimal
CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli has continued sidelining leaders who challenged him, most recently stripping former senior vice-chair Ishwar Pokhrel of his responsibilities during the party Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday. Oli relieved Pokhrel of his role as head of the party’s Policy and Research Institute, a position Pokhrel had been overseeing. The responsibility has now been handed to Bishnu Rimal, a close aide of Oli who was defeated both for central committee membership and the post of deputy general secretary in the party’s 11th General Convention.
Protesting cadres block leaders’ entry at Nepali Congress central office
Protesting cadres of the Nepali Congress on Tuesday obstructed party leaders from entering the party’s central office, staging demonstrations outside the premises. The protesters chanted slogans against what they described as attempts to hold the party hostage and barred leaders from using the main entrance. Tensions briefly flared as verbal altercations broke out between some leaders and the demonstrators. Leaders attending the Central Working Committee meeting were forced to enter the party office through alternative gates.
UML to align with Nepali Congress for National Assembly election on Jan 25
CPN-UML has decided to forge an electoral alliance with the Nepali Congress for the upcoming National Assembly election scheduled for January 25. The decision was taken during a Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Chyasal, UML Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta said. “An agreement has been reached to move forward together with the Nepali Congress in the National Assembly election. However, seat sharing has yet to be finalized,” Bhatta said. “As various clusters need to be balanced, the exact division of seats has not been determined. The two parties will settle this through mutual understanding.”
UML appoints Vice-Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa as election commander for March 5 polls
UML has appointed Vice-Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ as the party’s election commander for the upcoming elections scheduled on March 5. The decision was made during a Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Chyasal, Lalitpur. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta confirmed that under Badal’s leadership, UML will fully engage in the electoral process.
Curfew in Birgunj extended until 6 PM Tuesday amid rising communal tensions
The curfew in Birgunj has been extended until 6 PM on Tuesday following escalating tensions between two communities over religious and social issues. The local administration had initially imposed the curfew from Monday evening until 8 AM Tuesday. It was later extended to 1 PM and now further extended until 6 PM, according to the District Administration Office, Parsa. Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal stated that the curfew covers Birgunj Metropolitan City from Buspark, Nagwa, and Inarwa in the east, to Sirsia River in the west, Gandak Chowk in the north, and Shankaracharya Gate in the south. During this period, gatherings, assemblies, rallies, or protests are strictly prohibited.
Oli submits statement to probe panel on Gen-Z protest; UML reveals five key points
The statement submitted by CPN-UML Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the commission formed to investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9 has become a subject of public debate. Oli, who had earlier stated that he was ready to take bullets but would not give a statement to the commission, eventually appeared before the panel and recorded his statement on Sunday. Since then, reports and interpretations of his testimony have emerged from various angles.
Fire breaks out at timber depot in Gairigaun, Kathmandu
A fire has broken out at a timber depot in Gairigaun, Kathmandu, sending thick plumes of smoke across the surrounding area. Nepal Police, Metropolitan Police, and firefighting teams are currently working to bring the blaze under control with the help of fire engines. Further details regarding the cause of the fire and possible damage are yet to be confirmed.
Bardiya National Park sets up cameras to track man-eating tiger after fatal attack
Bardiya National Park has installed cameras in Sauri, Ward 1 of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, Kusum, to track a tiger suspected of attacking humans. Despite setting up five cameras around the incident site, the tiger has not yet been spotted, said Senior Conservation Officer Birendra Prasad Kandel of the park. “We are monitoring the area with cameras, but the tiger has not appeared so far,” Kandel said. “Since it has not returned to the accident site, it likely moved along its usual route after feeding.”
One-horned rhinos thrive in Nepal as rare mating observed near Narayani
Nepal has recently achieved notable success in conserving the world’s rare one-horned rhinoceros, showcasing its commitment to protecting this endangered species. During the 2021 rhino census, Chitwan National Park recorded 694 rhinos, while the nationwide total stood at 752. The government has set an ambitious target to double the rhino population by 2030 through various conservation initiatives. However, rising instances of rhino deaths in recent times have raised concerns about meeting this target.
Supreme Court prepares 10,000+ case files lost in fire during Gen-Z protests
The Supreme Court of Nepal has prepared files for more than 10,000 cases that were destroyed in a fire during the Gen-Z protest in September 2025. Out of a total of 24,000 case files at the Supreme Court, 20,000 were reportedly burnt on September 9, 2025, amid protests, while only 4,000 files survived the blaze. According to Supreme Court spokesperson Nirajan Pandey, as of January 5, 10,340 case files from the burnt records have been reconstructed with the help of service institutions and the Office of the Attorney General.
NEPSE gains 9.93 points as turnover crosses Rs 7.12 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rose by 9.93 points on Tuesday, closing at 2,649.30 points amid a total turnover of Rs 7.12 billion. A total of 148 listed companies recorded gains during the session, while share prices of 103 companies declined. The prices of eight companies remained unchanged. Among the day’s movers, investors selling shares of Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta earned the highest profits, while those selling shares of Ruru Jalbidyut Company incurred the biggest losses.
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