KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Special convention faction accuses NC establishment of provoking confrontation
The faction advocating for a special general convention of the Nepali Congress has accused the party establishment of attempting to create a confrontation by organizing a youth gathering at the party’s central office on the very day the special convention was scheduled. Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, leaders from the special convention faction alleged that while they had announced the special general convention, the party’s central office, in the name of the central committee and under the pretext of a youth gathering, scheduled another event at the same venue, potentially provoking a clash among party cadres.
Differences over leadership stall Ujyalo Nepal–RSP unity process
The merger between the Ujyalo Nepal Party and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has plunged into uncertainty. Despite an agreement in principle between the two sides, persistent differences, particularly over the distribution of positions, have complicated the unity process. While the two parties appear broadly aligned on political agendas, disagreements over leadership sharing have stalled progress. Amid growing public scrutiny, Ujyalo Nepal leader Kulman Ghising, who had been handling three ministerial portfolios, resigned from the government on Wednesday. Just a day earlier, while speaking at a programme of engineers, Ghising had claimed he was not yet a member of any political party. However, he stepped down before Prime Minister Sushila Karki could move to dismiss him.
Nepali Congress heads toward split as establishment faction calls central members’ meet
One of the country’s largest political parties, the Nepali Congress (NC), appears to be moving toward a possible split, as tensions escalate between the establishment faction and the camp led by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The latest development comes after the two general secretaries announced a second special general convention for January 11 and 12. In response, the party’s establishment faction has decided to convene a separate gathering of central committee members. Following discussions with party President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Thursday, the establishment faction decided to call a meeting of central members. According to a central committee member, the gathering will take place on Friday at 10:30 am in New Baneshwor.
RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane meets RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden
Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, held a meeting with Rajendra Lingden, chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), on Thursday morning. RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha confirmed the meeting, saying discussions focused primarily on the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. The two leaders also exchanged views on matters of mutual political interest between their respective parties.
Citizenship through mother’s name comes into force after regulation amendment
The legal provision allowing Nepali citizenship to be granted in the mother’s name in cases where the father’s identity is unknown has come into effect following the government’s approval and gazette notification of the fourth amendment to the Nepal Citizenship Rules, 2006. The amended rules, approved by the Cabinet on December 25, 2025, were published in the Nepal Gazette on January 5 and have since been implemented. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already issued a circular to all 77 District Administration Offices across the country to enforce the new provisions.
Nepali Army to mobilize 80,000 personnel for HoR election
The Nepali Army is preparing to mobilize around 80,000 personnel for the election of members of the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5. Nepali Army Brigadier General and spokesperson Rajaram Basnet said the Integrated Security Plan 2026 related to the election has already been approved by the government and endorsed by the President, paving the way for troop deployment accordingly. “The integrated security plan will guide the mobilization of the Army. As per the plan, troops will be deployed in the field from one month prior to the election,” Basnet said.
NEA to provide jobs to families of Gen-Z movement martyrs
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has decided to provide employment to family members of those declared martyrs during the Gen-Z movement held on September 8 and 9, in line with a government decision. A meeting of the NEA Board, chaired by former Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, on Tuesday decided to employ 27 members from martyr families.
Gold price drops by Rs 2,000 per tola on Thursday
The price of gold in the domestic market fell by Rs 2,000 per tola on Thursday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The federation has fixed the price of gold at Rs 265,700 per tola for the day. On the previous day, gold was traded at Rs 267,700 per tola. Earlier, on December 28, gold had reached its all-time high of Rs 270,600 per tola in the Nepali market.
Death toll in Sankhu bus accident rises to five
The death toll from a bus accident on the Jharasinghpauwa–Sankhu road section in Kathmandu has risen to five, while 33 injured passengers are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The accident occurred on Wednesday evening when a bus bearing registration number Ba 4 Kha 8788 met with an accident. Three women and two men have been confirmed dead.
Govt moves to address EPS roster issues for Korea-bound workers
The government has taken three key decisions in favor of individuals who have passed the Employment Permit System (EPS) exam for South Korea but have remained on the roster without getting job opportunities due to various reasons. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security said the current roster validity under the EPS system has prevented many candidates, despite passing the exam, from securing employment in South Korea. To address this, the ministry has decided to make diplomatic efforts to formally request the South Korean government to extend the validity period of the existing roster.
Madhesh Province lawmaker Rahbar Ansari quits Prachanda-led NCP
Madhesh Province Assembly member Rahbar Ansari has quit the Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’-led Nepali Communist Party. Ansari, who was elected as a provincial lawmaker from the Maoist Centre, formally left the party on Thursday by sending his resignation letter through postal service. He was previously listed as an alternative central committee member of the then Maoist Centre. In his resignation letter, Ansari announced his departure by invoking revolutionary slogans written in red letters, recalling the party’s past revolutionary ideals. He addressed Prachanda as the former chair of the Maoist Centre, a symbolic move reflecting his dissent following the party’s name change after Prachanda aligned with leaders including Madhav Kumar Nepal.
US Ambassador Dean R Thompson pays farewell call on President Paudel
US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson paid a farewell call on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday. According to Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson at the Office of the President, Ambassador Thompson met President Paudel at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas. During the meeting, the two discussed long-standing bilateral relations between Nepal and the United States, as well as matters of mutual interest and concern.
NEPSE gains 4.59 points on Thursday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index edged up by 4.59 points on Thursday, the last trading day of the week. The market, which remained mostly in the red throughout the session, recovered in the final half hour of trading. With the gain, the benchmark index closed at 2,640.54 points. Trading turnover declined slightly compared to the previous session. While shares worth Rs 5.17 billion were traded a day earlier, Thursday’s turnover stood at Rs 4.90 billion.
Absence of permanent bridge at Sati Ghat disrupts life and trade in Bhojpur-Sankhuwasabha corridor
Residents of Shadananda Municipality and Salpasilichho Rural Municipality have long been struggling due to the lack of a permanent bridge over the Arun River at Sati Ghat, which connects Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha districts. The absence of a permanent structure has significantly affected both daily commutes and local trade along this key northern entry point. Since 2020, a temporary ferry has been operated as an alternative. However, technical issues, storms, and increased river flow during the rainy season often force repeated closures. During the monsoon, when the ferry is completely suspended, locals are compelled to use a precarious hanging bridge and carry goods on their backs to cross the river.
Govt opens recruitment for 133,980 election police ahead of March 5 polls
The government has announced the recruitment of Election Police (temporary police) ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5. The Police Headquarters’ Human Resource Development Department, Recruitment and Selection Branch, has issued a notice calling for 133,980 Election Police personnel.
US withdraws from 66 international organizations
US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Wednesday (local time), directing the withdrawal of the United States from international organizations, conventions and treaties that are “contrary to the interests” of the US. The announcement was made in the statement of the Presidential Memoranda shared by the White House that mentioned withdrawal from 35-non non-UN organisations and 31 UN entities. The Non-UN organisations include the India and France-led International Solar Alliance, key environmental bodies like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
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