KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
RSP–Ujyalo Nepal unity deal collapses within two weeks after talks fail
The unity agreement signed between the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Ujyalo Nepal Party on December 29, 2025, has collapsed within just two weeks after talks between RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane and former minister Kulman Ghising ended without any conclusion. The two leaders held discussions on Friday and Saturday, but failed to resolve growing differences over the implementation of the unity deal, leading to its breakdown.
Oli says UML convention sent ‘historic’ message, reviews political roadmap at Central Committee meeting
The second full meeting of the Central Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (UML) has begun with strong participation from members across the country, just 22 days after the completion of the party’s first central committee meeting. Despite the cold weather and geographical difficulties, a large number of central committee members have gathered, reflecting high organizational engagement within the party. Addressing the meeting, party Chair KP Sharma Oli presented a comprehensive review of the 11th National Convention, its key political message, the unusual political developments after September 8 and 9, the legal struggle over the restoration of the House of Representatives, the proposed general election, the global political situation and the party’s immediate tasks.
Gagan Thapa calls for national dialogue to address Gen-Z movement’s demands
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has called for a national dialogue among political parties to address the key national issues raised by the Gen-Z movement. In a video shared on his social media platforms, Thapa urged people to offer their suggestions on how such a dialogue should move forward. He said the Gen-Z movement has brought several long-ignored national issues back into the centre of public debate and stressed that these concerns should not be overlooked.
UML Central Committee meets in Lalitpur; party rules revision on agenda
The Central Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (UML) is holding a meeting on Saturday at the Majestic Grand Palace in Ekantakuna, Lalitpur, starting from 11 am. Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to address the meeting, reviewing political developments, the party’s role so far, and preparations for the upcoming general elections. A key agenda item of the meeting is the revision of the party’s bylaws. Proposed amendments, based on changes made during the Second Statutory General Convention (September 5 to 7, 2025), and the Eleventh National Convention (December 14 to 16, 2025), will be presented for approval.
Nepali Congress Central Working Committee passes condolence motion on Homnath Dahal’s demise
The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nepali Congress has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former central committee member and senior journalist Homnath Dahal and passed a condolence motion in his honor. An emergency CWC meeting held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka concluded that the passing of 84-year-old Dahal in Kathmandu on Friday was an irreparable loss to the party. The late Dahal was a former president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, editor and publisher of the weekly Rastrapukar, and former chair of the Gorkhapatra Corporation.
NC district chiefs urge party to focus on upcoming general election, question necessity of special convention
Chairpersons of Nepali Congress from various districts have raised concerns over the legality and necessity of the party’s proposed special convention, urging leaders to concentrate on the upcoming House of Representatives election. In a press statement released on Wednesday, the district chiefs said that the country is still navigating a sensitive political situation following the events of September 8 and 9. They stressed that with the interim government having announced the general election schedule for March 5, the Congress must advance its responsibilities with focus and discipline.
Nepali Congress postpones Sunday’s youth rally
The Nepali Congress establishment faction has postponed its planned gathering scheduled for Sunday, citing the demise of former central committee member and senior journalist Homnath Dahal. An emergency meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka decided to defer the event. The party establishment said all formal program planned for Sunday have been suspended in mourning for Dahal.
Chandra Bhandari says Nepali Congress should not be divided in the name of special convention
Nepali Congress leader Chandra Bhandari has said that the party should not be allowed to split in the name of a special general convention. Addressing a press conference in Kathmandu on Saturday, Bhandari said the Nepali Congress has a long history of leading the country’s political transformation, and that any move that weakens party unity in the name of a special convention would be unacceptable. He suggested that the proposed special convention be held as a policy convention or a resolution convention instead, rather than one that risks deepening internal divisions.
Kulman Ghising appointed chairman of Ujyalo Nepal Party
Former Energy Minister Kulman Ghising has been appointed as the chairman of Ujyalo Nepal Party. The decision was made during the party’s central committee meeting on Saturday. Ghising, who previously served as the party’s patron, had announced a merger with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) two weeks ago. However, the agreement fell apart on Saturday, paving the way for his formal leadership of Ujyalo Nepal. The merger had faced obstacles after discussions between RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Ghising on Friday and Saturday ended without a resolution. Sources say the breakdown occurred over disagreements on party ideology, proportional representation, and organizational structure.
Former King Gyanendra warns Nepal may not survive as a nation
Former King Gyanendra Shah has expressed deep concern that Nepal itself may be at risk of survival, saying the country now faces a far more serious crisis than in the past. In a video message released on the occasion of the 304th Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day, the former monarch said that while there was once worry about whether Nepal would be built, today there is growing fear about whether the country can even be saved. Gyanendra said that nearly two decades after leaving Narayanhiti Royal Palace, the continuing political, economic and social crises facing the country have left him deeply worried.
Rabi Lamichhane admits failure to save party unity with Kulman Ghising-led Ujyalo Nepal
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has admitted that he failed to preserve the party’s unity agreement with Kulman Ghising-led Ujyalo Nepal Party. Briefing an emergency meeting of the party Secretariat held on Saturday afternoon, Lamichhane said that despite showing maximum flexibility to protect the unity deal, the effort ultimately failed. According to party sources, Lamichhane and Ghising held a one-hour closed-door meeting on Friday, followed by a final and decisive round of talks on Saturday that also involved Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah. However, the negotiations collapsed, leading to the breakdown of the unity agreement signed on December 29, 2025.
NEA MD personally inspects power outages in Patan, Syuchatar, Balaju
Amid increasing complaints from consumers about frequent power cuts in Patan, Syuchatar, and Balaju, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Hitendra Dev Shakya has personally gone into the field to identify and resolve technical issues. Shakya held a late-night discussion on Thursday at the Syuchatar Load Dispatch Center with senior officials from the grid, directing them to immediately locate the source of the problem and find solutions. He also conducted on-site inspections on Friday around 10 am at the Lagankhel and Jawalakhel Distribution and Customer Service Centers to assess the situation and review complaints.
Police committed to citizens’ security even in difficult times: IGP Karki
Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki has said that despite challenging circumstances and significant losses, the Nepal Police continues to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of citizens. Speaking at the inauguration of the Traffic Accident Reduction Special Campaign and Traffic Week 2082, organized by the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office, IGP Karki recalled the destruction caused during the Gen-Z protests, when several police offices and buildings were set on fire and traffic police structures and equipment were severely damaged.
20.27% of Nepal’s population below poverty line, Sudurpaschim poorest province
Around 20.27 percent of Nepal’s population lives below the poverty line, according to the Small Area Estimation of Poverty-2023 released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Friday. The report, which assesses monetary poverty at municipal and district levels using the cost of basic needs method, shows that 18.34 percent of urban residents and 24.66 percent of rural residents fall below the poverty threshold. The NSO has set a new poverty line at Rs 72,908 per capita annual expenditure, replacing the previous benchmark of Rs 19,261 determined in 2009/10. People spending less than this amount per year are classified as poor.
Indo-Nepal T-20 Championship Cup to be held in Bhadrapur next month
The ‘Koshi Pathibhara Indo-Nepal T-20 Championship Cup Cricket Tournament’ is set to be held from February 4 to 11 at the newly constructed cricket ground of Mechi Stadium in Bhadrapur. The tournament is being organised by the Bhadrapur Cricket Club and will feature eight teams, including four from Nepal and four from India. Organising Committee Coordinator Manoj Subba said the winning team will receive a cash prize of Rs 500,000, while the runner-up will be awarded Rs 300,000.
Cash transaction limit capped at Rs 500,000 from Jan 15
Cash transactions in Nepal will be limited to a maximum of Rs 500,000 starting from January 15, according to new directives issued by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The provision has been included in the central bank’s Unified Directives issued to banks and financial institutions. Under the new rule, any payment exceeding Rs 500,000 must be made either through an account-payee cheque or directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account. Cheques issued in the name of any firm, company, institution or office must also be account-payee.
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