KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Home Minister ‘closely monitoring’ misconduct and leaks of sensitive information
The Ministry of Home Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline among police personnel and preventing the leakage of confidential information, following the dismissal of Armed Police Force AIG Banshiraj Dahal. A statement issued by Home Minister Sudan Gurung’s Secretariat said the minister was closely monitoring such incidents. “The Home Minister is closely monitoring and analysing acts of misconduct by police personnel under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the leakage of sensitive confidential information, and activities that adversely affect peace and security,” the statement said. On Friday, the ministry dismissed Armed Police Force (APF) Additional Inspector General (AIG) Banshiraj Dahal from service over allegations of leaking sensitive information.
Preparations underway for PM Balen’s India visit: MoFA
Preparations are underway for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to India, although the date has yet to be finalised, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Friday. Speaking at a press conference held at the ministry in Singha Durbar, MoFA spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri said the visit would take place at a mutually convenient time for Nepal and India. “The Prime Minister’s visit will definitely take place at a time convenient for both sides,” Chhetri said, adding that the ministry was working on preparations for the high-level visit. He clarified that no date had been fixed for the visit so far. The ministry is also preparing an agenda covering various issues of mutual interest and cooperation between the two countries for discussion during the visit.
AIG Banshiraj Dahal removed from Armed Police Force service
The government has removed Additional Inspector General (AIG) Banshiraj Dahal of the Armed Police Force (APF) from service. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, Dahal was removed from service with effect from today for indiscipline and acts that tarnished the honour, prestige and image of the Government of Nepal and the organisation he served. The statement said Dahal had repeatedly violated the provisions governing official conduct. The ministry had suspended Dahal on Asoj 19 over allegations of leaking sensitive security-related information. The suspension followed a recommendation from the Armed Police Force, Nepal, seeking action against Dahal for allegedly violating his official code of conduct. The Ministry of Home Affairs decided to suspend him and initiate an investigation on the same day.
Govt steps up market monitoring to ensure festival supplies
The government has decided to strengthen the supply of essential commodities and intensify market monitoring ahead of the upcoming festivals to prevent shortages, hoarding, black marketing and unjustified price hikes. During a weekly press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the government said market monitoring would be intensified through coordination among federal, provincial and local authorities, taking into account potential supply chain disruptions during the festival season and following disasters. Meanwhile, announcing the decisions of the 75th meeting of the Central Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, the government said measures would also be taken to maintain peace and security, ensure smooth public transport services and strengthen surveillance in disaster-prone and other vulnerable areas amid increased festival crowds.
Police make public three Chinese nationals in gold trading case
Police have made public three Chinese nationals accused of illegally transporting and trading gold from a rented house in Upper Bhangal, Budhanilkantha Municipality-2, Kathmandu. The suspects were presented at a press conference on Friday. They have been identified as Han Fei, 27, Zhou Longqin, 47, and Wang Jianzhen, 37. All three were residing in Budhanilkantha and are originally from China’s Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces. According to police, the suspects were arrested on Thursday during Operation Bravo Golf, following intensified surveillance based on specific intelligence. Police seized around 21 kilograms of gold, along with cash, vehicles allegedly used to transport the gold, machinery and equipment used for gold processing, and various documents.
Five killed in school bus accident in Pokhara
Five people, including four students, were killed when a school bus plunged off a cliff in Kalika, Pokhara Metropolitan City-28, this morning. The fifth victim was a local resident. According to Superintendent of Police Naveen Karki of the Kaski District Police Office, the identities of the deceased have yet to be established. Fourteen people are currently receiving treatment at the Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences. The injured have been taken to the institute and Gandaki Medical College for treatment. The bus, bearing registration number Ga 2 Kha 1417, was carrying students attending tuition classes from Majhthana in Pokhara-28 when it plunged approximately 200 metres down the Okhlebhir cliff.
LPG cylinder exchange across brands to begin Sunday in Kathmandu Valley
Consumers in the Kathmandu Valley will be able to exchange empty liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for filled cylinders of other brands from Sunday, October 11, under a special arrangement introduced for the festive season. The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association announced that cylinder exchange services will be available at six designated locations across the valley from October 11 to 17. The centres will operate daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The initiative, coordinated with Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Gas Dealers Federation, aims to ease difficulties faced by consumers who have been unable to exchange cylinders because of differences in brands. In a statement, association President Diwan Chand said LPG imports from various Indian refineries had remained steady, with 4,213,661 cylinders distributed in August alone. He clarified that the special arrangement was introduced to address problems with cross-brand cylinder exchanges during the festive period, rather than any shortage of gas supplies.
Govt promotes Achyut Mani Neupane to Secretary-level position
The government has promoted Achyut Mani Neupane, a joint attorney at the Nepal Judicial Service, to the gazetted special class and appointed him secretary of the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timsina announced the decision following a Cabinet meeting held on Friday. The Cabinet also approved several other decisions, including authorising the signing of a mandate agreement with the World Bank concerning the Nepal Earthquake Catastrophe Fund. Similarly, the government approved the formation order for a committee tasked with registering bitauri land in the names of the individuals currently occupying it for fiscal year 2083. In addition, the Cabinet decided to provide cash incentives to players, coaches and managers of Nepal’s women’s kabaddi and karate teams who won medals at the 20th Asian Games.
President issues Ordinance to amend disaster-related laws
President Ram Chandra Paudel has issued an ordinance to amend laws related to disasters. The government had recommended three ordinances to the President for issuance. However, the President’s Office has so far issued only one. According to Krishna Bahadur Shahi, spokesperson for the President’s Office, the President has issued the Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Disasters, 2083.
NEPSE rises 17.15 points as turnover reaches Rs 4.83 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index gained 17.15 points on Friday to close at 2,591.80, registering a double-digit rise in the share market. The sensitive index, which measures the performance of large companies, increased by 3.80 points to settle at 465.85. Similarly, the float index rose by 1.42 points to 179.10, while the sensitive float index gained 1.50 points to close at 157.46. A total of 12,905,942 shares were traded through the exchange, generating a turnover of Rs 4.83 billion. All 13 sectoral sub-indices recorded gains during the trading session. Share prices of 180 companies advanced, while 89 declined and 10 remained unchanged.
Education amendment proposes subsidized vehicle loans for teachers
The Ministry of Education has forwarded the Education (Eleventh Amendment) Regulations, 2083, to the Ministry of Finance for approval, proposing interest subsidies to help teachers purchase vehicles. Under the proposed provision, first-class secondary-level teachers would be eligible to purchase vehicles worth up to Rs 5 million, while second-class teachers could purchase vehicles worth up to Rs 4 million. Similarly, teachers across all grades at the secondary, lower secondary and primary levels would be eligible to purchase two-wheelers worth up to Rs 400,000. According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the proposed regulation provides for the government to cover interest costs equivalent to up to 80 percent of the instalment-related financial burden under bank financing arrangements for vehicle purchases.
Advance ticket booking for long- and medium-distance buses opens
Advance ticket booking for long- and medium-distance buses has opened today (Friday) to facilitate travel during the upcoming festival season, according to the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs. Federation Chairman Punya Prasad Sitaula ‘Saroj’ said passengers could book tickets from today. He said the federation had made necessary preparations to manage the expected surge in passenger numbers and prevent overcharging and other forms of exploitation during the festive period. Sitaula urged passengers to check three key details when purchasing tickets: their destination, travel date and seat number. He advised passengers to verify these details carefully, whether booking tickets online or at counters.
Gold and silver prices rise in domestic market
Gold and silver prices increased in the domestic market on Friday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold rose by Rs 2,900 per tola (11.66 grams) to reach Rs 295,700 per tola, the federation said. Similarly, the price of silver increased by Rs 15 per tola to Rs 4,405. The rise in prices of both precious metals reflects an upward movement in the domestic bullion market.
Govt creating supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship and innovation: Minister Timilsina
Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina has highlighted the government’s efforts to create a supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that young people’s knowledge, skills, creativity and technological capabilities are key to Nepal’s economic prosperity. Addressing the fifth edition of the Nepal Youth Entrepreneurship Conference 2026 in Kathmandu on Friday, Minister Timilsina called for greater investment in research and innovation. He said the government must establish an enabling environment, while the private sector should play an active role in promoting entrepreneurship and technological advancement. The minister noted that interest in entrepreneurship among young people is growing worldwide, including in Nepal, where youth potential is increasingly being harnessed in production, services and technology.
Govt revises fares for electric public vehicles on inter-provincial routes
The Department of Transport Management has revised fares for electric public vehicles operating on inter-provincial routes, introducing new rates for short-, medium- and long-distance passenger and cargo services. The revised fares apply to vehicles operating on both Terai and hilly routes, with charges determined by distance and route category. For long-distance journeys exceeding 250 kilometres in the Terai, the fare has been set at Rs 2.93 per passenger per kilometre. For routes ranging from 25 to 250 kilometres, the rate is Rs 3 per passenger per kilometre. The fare for the Kathmandu–Pokhara and Pokhara–Narayanghat routes has been fixed at Rs 3.24 per passenger per kilometre. Vehicles certified as deluxe services may charge 20 percent more than the standard fare, while super deluxe services may impose an additional 20 percent on top of the deluxe rate.
Three organisations donate over Rs 3.54 million to flood victims
Three organisations—the Japan Nepal Society (JNS), Tokyo; the JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN); and the Institution for Suitable Actions for Prosperity (ISAP)—have donated a total of Rs 3,547,536 to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for people affected and displaced by the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district. The donation was made in response to the Government of Nepal’s appeal for assistance to flood victims. The amount was voluntarily collected from members of the three organisations and handed over to Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle by a delegation led by Dr Ram Chandra Bhusal, president of JAAN and team leader of the JNS-supported Agriculture Promotion Project in Nepal (APPIN). The amount will be deposited into the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. Of the total contribution, JNS, Tokyo, donated Rs 2,226,560, JAAN contributed Rs 1,011,705, and ISAP provided Rs 309,271.
Flood damages bridge, disrupting traffic, tourism and trade
Tourism and commercial activities in Baglung have been hit hard after flooding damaged the approach road to Maldhunga Bridge, disrupting the main road connection and disappointing businesses that had expected a surge in visitors during the Dashain festival. In recent years, the festive season has brought an influx of tourists to destinations such as Kalika Temple, Panchakot and Dhorpatan, boosting hotel occupancy, trade and employment opportunities. However, the expected increase in visitors has failed to materialize this year, leaving hotels and businesses struggling. Traffic has remained disrupted for 12 days since flooding washed away the approach road to Maldhunga Bridge, a major entry point to Baglung. The damage has severed regular road connectivity between Baglung and Parbat, while the main route to Myagdi and Mustang has also been blocked, affecting tourism and local economic activities.
Govt to provide Rs 1.5 billion in grants to sugarcane farmers
The government is set to provide Rs 1.5 billion in grant assistance to sugarcane farmers as an incentive for sugarcane production. Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Geeta Chaudhary approved the procedures for distributing the grants to sugarcane-producing farmers on Thursday, according to her personal secretariat. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment said the grant assistance would be distributed to farmers in Bardiya, Rautahat, Kailali and Kanchanpur. The government has been providing sugarcane farmers with an annual subsidy of Rs 70 per quintal to support production.
543 tonnes of fruit imported through Korala border in 11 days
A total of 543 tonnes of fruit have been imported from China through the Korala border crossing over the past 11 days, according to the Quarantine Office in Nhechung, Lomanthang-4, Mustang. Bandana Ghartimagar, a technical assistant at the office, said the influx of Chinese fruit followed heavy rainfall and snowfall. The imports included 87.3 tonnes of apples, 16.1 tonnes of mangoes and 8.316 tonnes of dragon fruit. However, the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road has remained completely blocked due to adverse weather conditions, disrupting the transportation of imported goods to their destinations. The prolonged disruption has raised concerns about the spoilage of perishable fruits, many of which have remained stranded in containers.
Five arrested on drug trafficking charges in Kathmandu
Police have arrested five people, including three Indian nationals and two Nepali citizens, on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau has confirmed. The three Indian nationals, identified as Pushpam Prakash, 19, Mahesh Kumar, 25, and Sonu Kumar, 19, from Samastipur district in Bihar, were intercepted at the Nagdhunga checkpoint while travelling on a bus from Janakpur to Kathmandu. Police recovered 32.730 grams of brown heroin from their possession. Following further investigation, police arrested two additional suspects from a hotel in Sundhara, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-22. They have been identified as Kristi Khadki, 23, and Ramkrishna Khadki, 28, both residents of Galchhi Rural Municipality-6 in Dhading district.
Kathmandu District Court to provide essential services during Dashain holidays
The Kathmandu District Court will remain open to provide essential judicial services during the Dashain holiday period from October 11 to 25. In a notice issued on Friday, the court said it would provide services from 11 am to 3 pm on designated working days, except on Ghatasthapana, Saturdays, Phulpati and Bijaya Dashami. During this period, the court will hear habeas corpus petitions, issue urgent arrest warrants and extend the remand of suspects presented before it. The court will also process requests for call detail records (CDRs) and arrest warrants. In addition, it will accept bail deposits from defendants in custody and collect fines from individuals seeking to settle penalties imposed under court verdicts.
60 Israeli volunteers complete school volunteering programme in Nepal
A group of 60 Israeli volunteers from Heroes for Life, an Israeli non-governmental organisation (NGO), has completed a volunteering programme at eight government and public schools in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, along with a two-day engagement with the Down Syndrome Society Nepal. The programme aimed to promote fun and creative learning activities that encourage students to think beyond conventional approaches. The volunteers also participated in school renovation projects, including painting and creating artistic murals. The volunteers arrived in Nepal in two batches of 30. The first group carried out its activities from September 4 to 17, while the second group volunteered from September 28 to October 8.
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