KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Bishnu Paudel’s remand extended by five more days
The Special Court has extended the remand of CPN-UML Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel by five more days. A bench comprising Special Court judges Narayan Prasad Paudel and Bidur Koirala issued the order on Wednesday, marking the fourth time the court has extended Paudel’s detention period. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation had arrested Paudel from Surkhet on June 22 and brought him to Kathmandu. An investigation against him is ongoing on charges related to money laundering.
Govinda Bahadur Karki appointed as new Chief Secretary
The government has decided to appoint Govinda Bahadur Karki as the new Chief Secretary of Nepal. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Wednesday made the decision to appoint Karki to the country’s highest-ranking civil service position.
Nepal tightens rules for foreign-affiliated colleges with new regulation
The government has approved the Foreign Educational Programme (Operation and Regulation) Rules to improve the quality and monitoring of colleges operating under foreign university affiliations in Nepal. The regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Education and Sports, was endorsed by the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. The new rules introduce stricter standards for colleges offering foreign-affiliated academic programmes. The government said the regulation aims to enhance the quality, credibility and international competitiveness of higher education in Nepal.
NHRC says internal investigation reports not made public to protect sensitive information
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Top Bahadur Magar has said the commission does not publicly release its internal investigation and monitoring reports due to the sensitive information they contain. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee on Wednesday, Magar said NHRC reports include victims’ complaints, witness statements, confidential investigation details and sensitive documents, making direct public disclosure inappropriate.
Speaker orders removal of UML lawmaker Rai’s remarks from parliamentary record
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has directed the removal of CPN-UML lawmaker Rajendra Kumar Rai’s remarks from the official parliamentary record. During Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Rai had made a statement questioning the Speaker, saying, “Speaker, can you hear or not?” The remark triggered a dispute, leading to a temporary suspension of the House meeting.
Harka Sampang seeks Speaker’s ruling for PM to clarify border remarks
Shram Sankriti Party Chair Harka Sampang has urged Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to direct Prime Minister Balen Shah to clarify his recent remarks on border issues in the House of Representatives. Speaking during Wednesday’s House meeting, Sampang said the opposition’s protest over the Prime Minister’s statement was continuing and called on the Speaker to issue a ruling requiring the Prime Minister to respond. He warned that Parliament could descend into disorder if parliamentary rules were followed by one side but ignored by the other. He also drew the Speaker’s attention to the need for the Prime Minister and ministers to attend House meetings regularly.
UML’s Padma Aryal accuses government of showing authoritarian tendencies in first 100 days
CPN-UML Deputy Parliamentary Party Leader Padma Aryal has accused the government of exhibiting authoritarian and absolutist tendencies during its first 100 days in office. Speaking during Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Aryal said the formation of the new government had put Nepal’s political culture, constitutional supremacy, separation of powers and citizens’ freedoms under strain. She alleged that the government had failed to protect national interests, arguing that the Prime Minister’s controversial remarks suggesting Nepal had encroached on Indian territory had undermined the country’s historical dignity and national sovereignty.
Ganesh Parajuli says revised statute provisions should not be misinterpreted
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) parliamentary deputy leader Ganesh Parajuli has said the disciplinary provisions included in the party’s revised statute should not be interpreted differently or linked to specific individuals. Speaking to journalists at the Federal Parliament premises in Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Parajuli said the revised statute was approved after extensive discussions within the central committee and was not drafted according to the wishes of any single person.
House sends Tourism Bill and Nepal Rastra Bank amendment bill to committees
The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved proposals to send the Tourism Bill and the Nepal Rastra Bank (Third Amendment) Bill to the concerned parliamentary committees for clause-by-clause discussion. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadka Raj Paudel tabled the proposal to refer the Tourism Bill—originally introduced in the National Assembly—to the relevant committee for detailed deliberation.
Suraj Shakya appointed Kathmandu Valley Development Authority chief
The government has appointed Suraj Shakya as the Development Commissioner of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority. Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel informed that the decision was taken by the Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar on Wednesday. The Cabinet also approved the operation of Geta Hospital in Kailali as the teaching hospital of Shaheed Dashrath Chand Health Science University.
Flash flood risk issued for several districts amid heavy rainfall forecast
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has warned of a moderate risk of flash floods in several districts across the country due to expected heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The DHM has urged people, especially those living near small rivers and streams, to remain cautious and take necessary safety measures. According to the weather forecast, heavy rainfall is likely in some parts of the hilly and southern plains of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. One or two places in Madhesh Province may also experience heavy rainfall.
Ten middlemen arrested from BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
Police have arrested 10 suspected middlemen from BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, for allegedly engaging in illegal commission-based activities targeting patients. According to Sunsari District Police Office Chief Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar Thebe, the suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday night based on special information received by police. A joint team from the Area Police Office Dharan and the temporary police post at Ghopa arrested the individuals from in front of the institute’s emergency building on suspicion of being involved in such activities.
Gautam Buddha International Airport remains deserted four years after opening
The Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, Nepal’s second international airport, stands fully equipped with modern facilities but continues to wait for regular international flights four years after its grand opening. The airport’s international terminal, fitted with advanced infrastructure, immigration desks, security systems and a capable runway, often remains quiet due to the lack of scheduled international services. Occasional charter flights bring limited passengers before the airport returns to silence.
Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar retires after completing five-year tenure
Nepal government Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar has retired from the civil service after completing his five-year tenure as secretary. Pushkar, who had been serving in the reserve pool under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, officially went on mandatory retirement on Wednesday. He was promoted to the post of secretary on July 8, 2021, after joining the civil service on January 31, 1997. During his career, he held key positions at the Ministry of Finance as Revenue Secretary, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, and the Office of the Vice President.
Sexual and gender minorities call for equal citizenship and voting rights
Members of Nepal’s sexual and gender minority community have voiced concerns over continued discrimination and barriers to accessing constitutionally guaranteed rights, including citizenship and voting. Speaking at a programme organised by the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities in coordination with Paschim Tara Nepal, participants said many people from the community remain unable to fully exercise their civic rights despite legal recognition of their identities.
Energy Minister directs regulator to prepare reforms to boost domestic electricity consumption
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said the government has directed the electricity regulator to prepare policy reforms aimed at increasing domestic electricity consumption. Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Minister Shrestha said Nepal should not focus solely on expanding electricity generation but also on increasing demand and ensuring efficient use of power. He said the regulator had been instructed to formulate policy measures to encourage greater domestic consumption.
Committee formed to remove encroachments from Janakpur’s Guthi lands
The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation has formed a nine-member implementation committee to protect Guthi lands and remove encroachments in the Greater Janakpur area, including the Ram Janaki Temple in Dhanusha. The committee was formed to speed up the implementation of previous reports prepared for the protection and management of ponds, pond embankments, major temples, monasteries and Guthi properties located within Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City.
Agriculture Minister urges newly appointed NARC scientists to drive sectoral reforms
Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Gita Chaudhary has expressed confidence that the dedication and active involvement of newly appointed scientists at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) will help take the country’s agriculture sector to new heights. Addressing the inauguration of an orientation programme for newly appointed scientists organised by NARC on Wednesday, Minister Chaudhary urged the researchers to work with honesty, dedication and a results-oriented approach to address the challenges facing Nepal’s agriculture sector.
Dhurbe’s tusks to be trimmed again following latest fatal incident
Wildlife authorities are preparing to tranquilize the notorious wild elephant known as Dhurbe, trim its tusks and fit it with a new radio collar after the animal’s latest fatal attack raised its death toll to 25. Chief Conservation Officer Dil Bahadur Pun of Chitwan National Park said the operation will be carried out once the elephant is located. The tusks were previously trimmed two years ago.
Sunrise International Convention Centre now lies in ruins after protest violence
The Sunrise International Convention Centre in Godawari, a government-built venue designed to host national and international conferences, now lies in ruins after being set ablaze and vandalized during the Gen-Z protests on September 9, 2025. The violence left the centre’s main conference hall completely gutted, with its roof collapsing under intense flames. Glass panels, interior facilities and other physical infrastructure were also extensively damaged, leaving the once-modern complex largely unusable.
PM Balen Shah holds first meeting with private sector on economic reforms
Prime Minister Balen Shah on Wednesday held his first meeting with representatives of the private sector to discuss industrial development, the investment climate and economic reforms. The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, focused on revitalising the economy, making it easier to operate businesses, creating a more investment-friendly environment, removing policy and procedural barriers, boosting private sector confidence, and promoting employment and production. During the discussion, Prime Minister Shah described the private sector as an important partner in the country’s economic development, investment expansion, job creation and production growth. He said the government was committed to addressing the practical challenges faced by businesses.
Bird flu remains active in Kathmandu Valley and Kavre
Although bird flu has been brought under control in most parts of the country, the infection remains active in the Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepalanchok, according to the Department of Livestock Services. The Department said outbreaks have been contained in several districts, including Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, and Chitwan.
Gold price falls by Rs 900 per tola; silver also declines
Gold prices declined by Rs 900 per tola in the Nepali market on Wednesday, continuing a downward trend that began earlier this week. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold is being traded at Rs 287,100 per tola, down from Rs 288,000 per tola on Tuesday.
Ministry launches campaign to address frequent power outages
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has launched a special campaign to address frequent power outages during the monsoon season. According to the ministry, the initiative prioritizes resolving recurring electricity disruptions caused by the rainy season and ensuring a more reliable power supply.
Over 2,000 vehicles fined for traffic violations in Kathmandu Valley
Traffic police fined 2,076 vehicles for violating traffic rules across the Kathmandu Valley in the past 24 hours. According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Naresh Prasad Subedi, 68 drivers were penalized for drink-driving, 129 for illegally sharing rides, 126 for violating traffic signals and 189 for speeding.
AI boom pushes global intangible investment to record $10 trillion in 2025
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped push global investment in intangible assets such as software, data and research to a record level of more than $10 trillion in 2025, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). WIPO said investments in intangible assets, including research and development, software and databases, brands, design and organizational knowledge, now represent a growing share of global economic value creation.
Ncell contributes Rs 14.59 billion to government revenue in nine months
Private sector telecom giant Ncell has maintained a strong contribution to government revenue despite a slight decline in business income during the first nine months of the current fiscal year. According to company data, Ncell contributed Rs 14.59 billion to various government funds through taxes, fees and royalties from Shrawan to Chaitra of fiscal year 2082/83. During the period, the company recorded total revenue of Rs 24.33 billion, with government payments accounting for 60.81 percent of its total income.
22,000 kg of waste collected from Mustang and sent to Pokhara for processing
More than 22,000 kilograms of non-biodegradable waste collected from Mustang has been transported to Pokhara for processing as part of ongoing waste management efforts in the Himalayan district. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Jomsom have prioritized waste management to reduce the environmental impact of tourism and climate change.
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