KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Gagan Thapa elected Nepali Congress President
Gagan Thapa has been elected president of the Nepali Congress (NC) at the party’s 15th General Convention, securing a decisive victory over his rival, Shyam Krishna Khadgi. Voting was held on Friday, and the counting of votes concluded late at night at the Rastriya Sabha Griha in Kathmandu, according to Mahesh Gautam, a member of the General Convention’s Media Centre. Thapa secured 6,584 votes, while Khadgi received 375 votes. A total of 54 votes were declared invalid. According to the Election Committee, 7,039 of the 7,317 registered general convention delegates cast their votes in the election. Following the completion of the vote count, ballot boxes containing votes for other positions in the party’s Central Working Committee were taken to the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa for further counting.
Gagan Thapa pledges to transform NC by winning public trust
Newly elected Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has pledged to transform the party by restoring public trust and changing its working style. Addressing party leaders, cadres and supporters at the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa on Saturday following his election at the party’s 15th General Convention, Thapa said he viewed his new role as a responsibility rather than a privilege. “You have entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the party through your trust. I have come here to express my gratitude for this responsibility. This trust is a mandate for change. We do not regard it as authority, but as a responsibility,” he said. Thapa stressed that electing new leadership at the general convention, held following the special general convention, would not alone bring meaningful change to the party. He said the Congress must reform its working methods and strengthen accountability and responsibility.
Stranded on the road: Drivers cook and sleep by Prithvi Highway
Cargo trucks carrying food supplies to Kathmandu and passenger buses have been stranded after a section of the Prithvi Highway subsided at Galaudi in Galchhi Rural Municipality-5, Dhading, disrupting traffic. With the highway blocked, drivers and helpers have been forced to cook meals and spend the night on the main road in front of Bharatpur’s central bus terminal. As Dashain approaches, trucks carrying rice and other essential food items have remained stuck for hours, leaving a long line of cargo vehicles along the main road in Bharatpur. Driver Bishal Rajput, whose vehicle has been stranded since Friday night, said the road disruption had made it difficult to deliver food supplies on time. Drivers and helpers have been lighting makeshift stoves beside the road to cook meals and sleep overnight.
UML appoints 13 new central committee members
The CPN-UML has appointed 13 leaders as central committee members following a three-day meeting of its Standing Committee that concluded on Saturday. Those appointed are Sirjana Rai of Bhojpur, Sabitra Aryal of Rupandehi, Indu Kaderiya Bista of Kanchanpur, Sita Pangeni of Nawalpur, Sita Adhikari of Palpa, Dr Pushpa KC Bhandari of Kaski, Dharmanath Prasad Sah of Siraha, Tejman Kandangwa of Tehrathum, Tank Angbuhang of Taplejung, Navin Rokka of Rolpa, Min Prasad Gurung of Syangja, Dabal Pandey of Dolakha and Tejendra KC of Rupandehi. According to a press statement issued by party General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, the meeting also set a schedule for organisational strengthening and conventions and gatherings at various levels.
Minister Khanal emphasizes Nepal’s climate sensitivity on global stage during Australia visit
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has returned home after an official visit to Australia, where he participated in the high-level ‘Pre-Cop Leaders Event’ on climate change in Fiji and Tuvalu. During this visit, Australia pledged an additional 15 million Australian dollars in aid for the relief and recovery efforts following the recent floods in Nepal, bringing the total aid to 26 million Australian dollars. Talking to media upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today, Foreign Minister Khanal shared significance of this visit in promoting Nepal’s climate sensitivity on the global stage, mobilizing equitable climate finance, and strengthening bilateral relations with Australia. Invited by the leaders of Australia, Fiji, and Tuvalu, Minister Khanal aimed to build political consensus and advance the global climate agenda ahead of the 31st Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-31) scheduled for next November in Antalya, Turkey.
NHRC calls for accessible, quality and non-discriminatory mental health services
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged all stakeholders to ensure accessible, quality and non-discriminatory mental health services in line with the right to health guaranteed by the Constitution and existing laws. Issuing a statement on the occasion of World Mental Health Day today, the Commission called on all three tiers of government and other concerned stakeholders to strengthen mental health services and ensure that everyone can access them without discrimination. The Commission urged authorities to ensure adequate human resources at the local level to provide psychosocial counselling and facilitate discussions on mental health. It also stressed the need to protect the confidentiality and dignity of people affected by mental health conditions and ensure their meaningful participation. World Mental Health Day is observed globally on October 10 under the slogan, “Listen to the Experience, Respect the Voice, Initiate Change.”
Landslide blocks Kaligandaki Corridor in Gulmi
The Kaligandaki Corridor has been completely blocked by a landslide near Rakse in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-2, Gulmi, according to police. The landslide brought rocks and debris onto the road, halting traffic along the corridor. A police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Baburam Shrestha has been deployed to the site from the Purtighat Police Post, said Birendra Bir Bishwakarma, information officer and deputy superintendent of police at the District Police Office, Gulmi. The road closure has left passengers and vehicles travelling towards Baglung, Pokhara, Palpa and Butwal stranded midway during the festive season.
Foreign Minister Khanal returns home after Australia visit
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has returned home after participating in a high-level Pre-COP Leaders’ event on climate change in Fiji and Tuvalu and completing an official visit to Australia. Speaking to reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport today, Khanal said Australia had announced a grant of 15 million Australian dollars for post-flood reconstruction. With the latest announcement, Australia’s total assistance for flood disaster response has reached 26 million Australian dollars, he said. Addressing the Pre-COP Leaders’ Plenary, Khanal emphasised the need for cooperation between countries stretching from the mountains to the sea, noting that glacier melting and rising sea levels are interconnected aspects of the climate crisis.
Govt should focus on effective service delivery: chair Ghising
Kulman Ghising, Chair of the Ujjyalo Nepal Party, has advocated for the current government to be given a chance to demonstrate its capabilities through positive collaboration. Talking to media in Bharatpur Airport in Chitwan, he acknowledged the government’s initiatives aimed at enhancing good governance, combating corruption, and revitalizing closed indigenous industries. Ghising stressed the importance of these efforts being conducted within the legal framework and urged the government to address pressing issues affecting citizens’ daily lives. He highlighted the need for the government to focus on controlling inflation, ensuring the availability of fertilizers and seeds in agriculture, and reconsidering tax policies. Ghising specifically called for the avoidance of additional taxes in critical sectors such as electricity, education, health, and ride-sharing, emphasizing the need for the government to be attentive to the direct impacts on the people.
President Poudel calls for education system aligned with future challenges and opportunities
President Ram Chandra Poudel has stressed the need to reform Nepal’s education system in line with the changing global landscape, equipping students to tackle future challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Addressing a program organised today to mark the 80th anniversary of Pashupati Mitra Secondary School, the President said the education system must evolve alongside rapid advances in science, technology and artificial intelligence. Emphasising the importance of social harmony and a strong sense of national responsibility, Poudel said education is the foundation of the nation’s future. He stressed that students should develop qualities such as discipline, honesty, hard work, morality, patriotism and social responsibility. He noted that today’s students would become the teachers, doctors, engineers, administrators, entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists and responsible citizens of tomorrow. Therefore, education should go beyond textbook knowledge and the pursuit of high examination scores.
Bhotekoshi Floods: Official death toll reaches 1,457
The death toll from the devastating floods that struck the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system on August 26 has reached 1,457, according to Nepal Police. The Nepal Police Headquarters said the figures were current as of 6 am on Friday. Two people who sustained critical injuries in the disaster have recently died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu. Of the total fatalities, 236 were reported in Rasuwa, 205 in Nuwakot, 73 in Dhading, 369 in Chitwan, 80 in Gorkha, 38 in Tanahun, 232 in Nawalparasi and 222 in Nawalparasi East.
BP Highway reopens after rain-induced obstruction
Traffic has resumed along the BP Highway after heavy overnight rainfall triggered a debris blockage. According to the Department of Roads, the highway was obstructed by debris between Narke and Pinthali, about three kilometres from Mangaltar toward Bhakunde, along a section currently under construction. The road has been reopened after crews cleared the debris deposited by the rainfall, allowing vehicles to move along the route again. The department confirmed that stranded passengers and vehicles have resumed their journeys to their respective destinations.
Continuous rainfall blocks several highways
Continuous rainfall has disrupted road connectivity in various parts of the country, blocking several highways, according to police. The Police Headquarters said the Trishuli River has cut off a section of the Prithvi Highway at Galaudi in Gajuri Rural Municipality-5, Dhading, disrupting traffic along the route. Similarly, traffic has been completely halted on the Kaligandaki Corridor following a landslide at Rakse in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-2, Gulmi. The Kanti Lokpath has also been obstructed by a landslide at Takurche in Bagmati Rural Municipality-3, Lalitpur.
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