KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Government extends tenure of probe commission on Gen-Z movement
The government has extended the tenure of the commission investigating the Gen-Z movement. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on Monday at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ office. According to Home Minister and government spokesperson Om Prakash Aryal, the commission’s duration has been extended by 25 days.
NC Vice-President Sharma urges leaders, cadres to unite for elections
Nepali Congress Vice-President Bishwo Prakash Sharma has urged party leaders and cadres to work in unity for the upcoming elections without resorting to personal attacks. Speaking at a program organized by Nepali Congress Chitwan on Monday, Sharma asked party members to internalize the outcome of the party’s special general convention and actively engage in the elections with a non-factional mindset and a commitment to change the country.
Election Commission transports ballot boxes and materials ahead of election
The Election Commission has begun transporting ballot boxes and other essential materials for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. According to the Commission, the transportation of election materials started last week as part of preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. The Commission stated that nine types of election materials are being dispatched from the central level, while an additional 37 types of materials will be managed at the district level.
National Assembly passes Tourism Bill, government prioritizes constitution-related laws
The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Tourism Bill. The proposal was presented by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Anil Kumar Sinha, who said the bill aims to diversify and promote tourism across Nepal. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Minister Anil Kumar Sinha also informed the assembly that the government is giving high priority to drafting and enacting laws necessary for the implementation of the Constitution. While responding to members’ oral questions, he stated that the identification, prioritization, and formulation of constitution-related laws are being carried out as a top priority by the government.
Preparations begin at Pashupatinath for Maha Shivaratri festival
Preparations for this year’s Maha Shivaratri festival have begun at the Pashupatinath Temple premises and surrounding areas, with painting, cleaning and infrastructure improvement works underway. The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) said special arrangements, including extensive sanitation and management measures, are being carried out to ensure devotees can offer prayers in a safe and orderly manner. PADT Executive Director and Spokesperson Subhash Chandra Joshi informed that nine thematic sub-committees have been formed under the main organizing committee to coordinate preparations for the festival.
Survey shows rising tobacco use among Nepali youth and adults
A recent national survey has highlighted a worrying trend in tobacco consumption across Nepal. According to the Nepal Multidimensional Indicator Survey, 41.8 percent of men and 5.1 percent of women aged 15 to 49 reported using some form of tobacco in the month preceding the survey. The survey also found that 7.6 percent of males and 2.1 percent of females began consuming tobacco before the age of 15, indicating an increasing tendency for addiction during adolescence.
Lawmakers raise concerns over Nepali workers’ safety abroad, development budget, inflation, and election security
Members of the National Assembly on Monday drew the government’s attention to multiple pressing issues, including the safety of Nepali workers abroad, stalled development budgets, inflation, and security ahead of the upcoming elections. Speaking during the zero-hour session, lawmaker Gomadevi Timilsina urged the government to expedite the repatriation of bodies of Nepalis killed in the coal mine explosion in Meghalaya, India, and intensify the search for missing workers.
National Assembly unanimously approves return of Social Media Bill to government
The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a decision to return the Social Media Bill to the government. Chairperson of the Assembly, Narayan Dahal, announced the return of the bill after presenting it for a decision in today’s session. Tulsa Kumari Dahal, chairperson of the Legislative Management Committee, submitted the committee’s report on the Social Media Bill. The bill had been referred to the committee for multi-stage discussion following its introduction in the National Assembly on August 29, 2025.
Oli and Balen lock horns in Jhapa-5 as ‘guintha’ remark fuels election drama
Electioneering in Jhapa constituency No. 5 has intensified, with CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) campaigning aggressively, turning the race into one of the most closely watched contests of the election season. From mourning rituals at private homes to temples, monasteries and even churches, election discussions have permeated everyday life in the constituency. A video of Balen’s wife Sabina Kafle offering prayers inside a church during the campaign has gone viral on social media, further drawing attention to the contest.
Nepal, Qatar discuss economic cooperation, tourism promotion and aviation expansion
Discussions have been held on promoting Nepal–Qatar economic development, tourism promotion, and cooperation exchange, with a focus on expanding aviation ties between the two countries. The meeting involved Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha, Qatari Ambassador to Nepal Mishal M. Al Ansari, and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal, along with Qatari business leaders and representatives of Qatar Airways.
Four years on, Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road still under construction
Construction of the Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road under the Araniko Highway has been ongoing for four years, but work remains far from complete. Only about 45 percent of the road has been finished so far. Excavation for road widening has created dusty conditions along the route, affecting daily life for residents and commuters alike. The road, a major entry point into Kathmandu used by thousands of people every day, continues to cause inconvenience for the local population.
Prachanda warns of global reactionary forces undermining democracy in Nepal
Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that global reactionary geopolitical forces targeting democracy are also becoming visible in Nepal. Speaking at a party entry program organized by NCP Kathmandu Constituency No. 5 on Monday, Prachanda said that world imperialism has been using social media-driven stunts to engineer geopolitical interference in different countries, and Nepal is not immune from such influence.
Gore sentenced to 10 years for 33-kg gold smuggling-linked murder case
The High Court in Morang has sentenced Chudamani Upreti, also known as Gore, the main planner behind the 33-kilogram gold smuggling case, to 10 years in prison. The ruling, delivered on Sunday, pertains to the murder of Sanam Shakya in Urlabari. The High Court in Biratnagar partially overturned the Morang District Court verdict and determined a new sentence.
Three armed police personnel injured in clash during raid on illegal warehouse in Birgunj
Three armed police personnel were injured on Monday during a clash with smugglers while raiding an illegal warehouse in Adarshanagar, Birgunj Metropolitan City–10. According to DSP Shailendra Thapa, co-spokesperson of the Armed Police Force (APF), the raid targeted the home of Madan Prasad Gupta, which was being used as an unlawful storage site for clothing.
Gold price rises again
The price of gold in the domestic market continued its upward trend on Monday, rising for the second consecutive day. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold price increased by Rs 4,100 per tola on Monday. With the latest rise, gold is being traded at Rs 304,600 per tola.
Gagan Thapa calls for new economic model for infrastructure development
Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa has said that Nepal must adopt a new economic model for infrastructure development over the next five years, arguing that long-standing problems cannot be solved through quick fixes or magic-like decisions. Active on social media, Thapa said that breaking contracts or making impulsive decisions would not address the structural challenges facing the country’s infrastructure sector.
Comment