KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Foreign Minister Khanal holds talks with Indian counterpart Jaishankar in New Delhi
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, who is currently on an official visit to India, held bilateral talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Saturday. During the meeting, Minister Khanal said India remains Nepal’s most important development partner and that Nepal attaches high priority to strengthening bilateral relations with New Delhi. He added that Nepal is fully prepared to advance cooperation between the two countries in a more concrete and meaningful manner across multiple sectors.
RSP moves ahead with district-level leadership elections in 38 districts
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has advanced its district-level leadership selection process as part of its ongoing organizational restructuring campaign, with voting and election procedures underway in 38 districts on Saturday. According to the party’s Election Commission, led by Chief Bhuvan K.C., district conventions and leadership elections were held across multiple provinces as part of preparations for the party’s first national convention. Voting and leadership selection processes were conducted in districts including Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Kavrepalanchok, Chitwan, Kaski, Dang, Banke, Kailali, and several other districts across all seven provinces.
Foreign Minister Khanal meets BJP foreign affairs chief in New Delhi
Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Shishir Khanal, held talks with Vijay Chauthaiwale, head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in New Delhi on Saturday. According to the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, the meeting focused on strengthening Nepal–India bilateral relations, expanding cooperation between political parties, and further deepening people-to-people ties between the two countries. The embassy said the two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to advance Nepal–India relations through broader and multidimensional cooperation.
Nepal committed to strengthening ties with India, says Foreign Minister Khanal
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has said the Nepal government is committed to expanding and further strengthening bilateral relations with India through renewed cooperation and mutual trust. In an interview with Indian television channel NDTV on Saturday, Khanal said the government, led by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is focused on enhancing the multidimensional relationship between the two neighboring countries. Highlighting the close ties between Nepal and India, he noted that despite having an open border, both countries respect and accommodate each other’s security concerns.
Sonam Wangchuk backs student protest in Delhi, calls for education reform
Hundreds of students gathered at the historic Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding reforms in India’s education system and accountability for alleged irregularities in various competitive examinations and government recruitment processes. Prominent education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the demonstration in solidarity with the students, lending support to what organizers described as a movement against systemic failures in the country’s examination system. Addressing the gathering, Wangchuk said he was generally not fond of protests but felt compelled to stand with students seeking justice. He also thanked the Indian government for allowing a peaceful demonstration in the capital and stressed the need for comprehensive reforms in the education sector.
Former Home Minister Sudan Gurung demands action against Ishwori Bhujel’s killer
Former Home Minister Sudan Gurung has called for strict legal action against those involved in the murder of Ishwori Bhujel. Gurung visited the Balaju Police Circle on Saturday and received a briefing on the incident. During the visit, he urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice, according to his secretariat. Earlier, the former minister met with Bhujel’s mother and sister to express condolences and gather information about the case. Bhujel was reportedly a resident of Gorkha Constituency No. 1, the area represented by Gurung.
Lamichhane calls for unity, sacrifice and democratic culture ahead of RSP district conventions
Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane, has urged party members to demonstrate patience, sacrifice and dedication to fulfill what he described as the responsibility entrusted by the times. In a social media message ahead of the party’s district conventions taking place on Saturday and Sunday, Lamichhane said the moment had arrived for members to transform from “I” to “we.” “To further expand the public mandate we have received and to make politics more civilized, transparent and people-friendly, all of us must show patience, sacrifice and commitment,” he wrote.
RSP begins district conventions nationwide ahead of first national general convention
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which is preparing for its first national general convention, has begun district-level conventions across the country from Saturday. According to a decision of the party’s Central Committee, conventions are being held in 37 districts on Saturday, while an additional 29 districts will conduct their conventions on Sunday. The convention in Bara district has been scheduled for June 9. Addressing the opening session of the Kathmandu district convention, RSP General Secretary Kavindra Burlakoti said the party aims to complete conventions in 67 of the country’s 77 districts before the national convention. He added that conventions in the remaining districts will be held after the national gathering.
Speaker Aryal calls for stronger coordination among three tiers of government in lawmaking
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dol Prasad Aryal, has stressed the need for coordination and cooperation among Nepal’s three tiers of government while formulating laws. Addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Conference organized by the Inter Legislature Forum in Tikapur on Friday, Aryal said effective coordination, collaboration, and cooperation between the federal parliament and provincial assemblies are essential for the successful implementation of federalism. Emphasizing that laws enacted by the federal, provincial, and local governments should not conflict with one another, Aryal said he was committed to ensuring harmony in legislation across all levels of government.
Speaker, NA Chair inspect proposed dry port site in Kanchanpur
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal and National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal have inspected the proposed dry port site at Dodhara–Chandani Municipality in Kanchanpur. The inspection was carried out during their visit to Sudurpaschim Province to attend a high-level inter-parliamentary conference, according to the Speaker’s secretariat. The leaders reviewed the site as part of discussions on infrastructure development projects expected to support Nepal’s trade and economic growth. Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur and National Assembly Vice-Chair Leela Kumari Bhattarai also participated in the visit.
Finance Minister faces scrutiny over repeated changes to Finance Bill after budget presentation
Questions have been raised over a series of revisions made to the Finance Bill by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle after the presentation of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, prompting concerns from opposition lawmakers and policy observers. The controversy has drawn comparisons with the budget dispute of fiscal year 2022/23, when former Finance Minister Janardan Sharma resigned amid allegations that unauthorized individuals were allowed into the Ministry of Finance during the final stages of budget preparation to influence tax rates. Although a parliamentary probe later cleared Sharma of wrongdoing, the episode sparked a major political debate. This time, critics allege that multiple revisions have been made to the Finance Bill even after it was tabled in the House of Representatives and publicly released.
Bagmati Province committee publishes names of major borrowers of five troubled cooperatives
The Cooperative Management Committee under Bagmati Province has made public the list of major borrowers from five troubled savings and credit cooperatives. According to a decision made on Friday, the committee released the names of 114 large borrowers linked to five cooperatives that have been under regulatory scrutiny. The affected institutions include Lali Gurans Savings and Credit Cooperative Limited, Sumeru Savings and Credit Cooperative Limited, National Namobuddha Savings and Credit Cooperative Limited, Darshan Savings and Credit Cooperative Limited, and Civil Savings and Credit Cooperative Limited.
Egg prices increased as poultry farmers set new support rates
The Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association has once again increased the farm-gate support price of eggs, with the new rates coming into effect from Friday. The decision was made during a physical and virtual meeting of the association held in Kathmandu. According to Association Chairperson Binod Pokharel, the revised prices were determined based on consultations and recommendations from egg producers and poultry entrepreneurs across the country, with Chitwan serving as the benchmark market. Under the new pricing structure, XL eggs have been priced at Rs 560 per crate (30 eggs), large eggs at Rs 545, medium eggs at Rs 515, and small eggs at Rs 500 per crate. Following the revision, retail egg prices are expected to reach around Rs 25 per piece.
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