KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Under pressure from special convention, Deuba agrees to talk with General Secretaries
Facing increased pressure due to the second special convention, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has finally agreed to hold talks with General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. After consultations and discussions throughout Monday with close party officials, central members, and legal advisors, Deuba decided to meet the general secretaries. Meen Bishwakarma, head of Congress’ publicity department, confirmed that Deuba informed the party that he would engage in talks with the general secretaries. The discussions with the institutional faction took place at Deuba’s Maharajgunj residence on Monday afternoon.
63% of delegates support Nepali Congress Special Convention
Sixty-three percent of delegates at the ongoing second special convention of the Nepali Congress have expressed support for the convention. During a regular press briefing at the convention venue, Bhrikutimandap, Publicity Committee coordinator and party leader Subash Pokharel, reported that 63 percent of delegates had signed in to participate. On the opening evening of the special convention on Sunday, 62 percent of delegates had registered, though provincial-level data had indicated 56 percent participation, with the highest turnout from Madhesh Province. By Monday, the number rose to two-thirds, or 66 percent, Pokharel said.
Special convention leaders warn of new NC leadership if Deuba does not appear
Leaders supporting the Nepali Congress special convention have warned that if party president Sher Bahadur Deuba does not appear, a new leadership will be announced tomorrow, following the voice of the majority of delegates. During a press briefing at the media center on the second day of the ongoing second special convention at Bhrikutimandap, leader Subash Pokharel issued this warning. He stated that 63 percent of delegates have expressed support for the special convention. If President Deuba and acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka do not attend, the convention platform will move forward to announce a new working committee.
Party unity at stake: Koirala acts as mediator between Deuba and special convention faction
Following a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at his Maharajgunj residence, leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has begun discussions with the special convention supporters, including General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. While Deuba was holding meetings with close leaders, Koirala arrived at Maharajgunj carrying messages from Thapa and Sharma. He was accompanied by Deputy General Secretaries Jeevan Pariyar and Badri Pandey, as well as leader Minendra Rijal. Speaking about his efforts, Koirala stated, “Even if I have to drink poison, I will prevent Congress from splitting; I am making a final attempt with both sides.” He delivered the messages from the special convention supporters to Deuba but has not revealed the details of the minimum consensus proposal.
NC clears way for new Central Committee, to dissolves current one
The second Special General Convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) is set to dissolve the current Central Committee led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. The procedure, passed at the start of the convention on Monday at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, outlines the process. Point 5(d) of the procedure states that since the term of office of the current Central Working Committee elected at the 14th General Convention of the Nepali Congress 2078 has expired, the Central Working Committee will be dissolved and a new Central Committee will be elected until the 15th General Convention of the party is concluded. The procedure also details the framework for the election of a new Central Committee. It provides for the dissolution of the Central Election Committee, Central Disciplinary Committee, and Accounts Committee, all of which were formed at various dates after the 14th General Convention, in accordance with the Nepali Congress Statute, 2017 (as amended).
Nepali Congress special convention endorses procedural rules
The Nepali Congress Special Convention endorsed its working procedures, paving the way for the closed-door session and further proceedings of the party’s extraordinary gathering. The convention approved and ratified the Nepali Congress Special Central Convention Procedure–2026 in accordance with Article 15 of the party statute, which vests supreme authority in the convention. The rules were endorsed by a voice vote of the closed-door session. With the approval of the procedures, all remaining sessions and programs of the special convention will now move forward in line with the adopted framework. The closed-door session was chaired by senior-most convention delegate Shyam Bahadur Khadka from Kathmandu–5.
NC’s Sharma proposes two-term PM limit and one-time proportional representation at Special Convention
Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has presented two major policy proposals during the closed session of the Special Convention, targeting both the Prime Minister’s office and proportional representation within the party. Sharma proposed that the same individual should not serve as Prime Minister more than twice. He stated that this step would end the recurring practice of repeated leadership and reduce growing dissatisfaction within the party. Reviewing past practices, Sharma pointed out that electoral alliances have failed to deliver expected benefits to the party. “Elections are held, new governments are formed, yet the same person continues as Prime Minister. This repeated practice over the last one and a half decades has increased public dissatisfaction, made leadership unpopular, and failed to deliver meaningful results,” he said.
Balen likely to resign as Kathmandu Mayor on Jan 18
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah is preparing to resign from his post on January 18. Mayor Shah, who has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as a senior leader, is set to step down two days before filing his candidacy for the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, according to a member of his Secretariat. As per the Election Commission’s timetable, nominations for the House of Representatives election will be registered on January 20. The RSP has already declared Balen as its prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Balen is also preparing to contest from Jhapa-5, challenging CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. In this regard, he held a one-and-a-half-hour discussion with local leaders from Jhapa on Sunday.
Three killed in jeep accident in Baitadi
Three people were killed in a jeep accident this morning at Sandighanti in Patan Municipality-8 along the Jayaprithi Highway in Baitadi district. The Bolero jeep (registration number Ma 1 Ja 224), which was traveling from Motinagar to Dadeldhura, lost control and plunged about 300 meters off the road, according to police. Police spokesperson Inspector Suraj Singh said that three men died on the spot. The total number of passengers in the vehicle remains unknown. Police said others on board were injured and wre taken to Dadeldhura Hospital for treatment.
Deuba rejects Special General Convention, says party unity intact
Amid growing internal tensions, Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday said that efforts were being made to divide the party through a special general convention, but asserted that the party would remain united. Speaking to party leaders and workers who met him this morning, Deuba said, “They have tried to divide the party, but the party will not split. I am confident of that.” He added that he would take necessary decisions based on the outcome of the closed session of the special general convention faction. Leaders from the establishment faction met Deuba earlier today, during which he reiterated that the special general convention is not legitimate.
Gold price hits all-time high
Gold prices in the domestic market climbed to a record high on Monday, continuing their strong upward trend. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold rose by Rs 4,100 per tola in today’s trading. With this increase, gold was traded at Rs 274,700 per tola, the highest level ever recorded in Nepal’s bullion market. On Sunday, gold had been trading at Rs 270,600 per tola. Silver prices also surged on Monday. The price of silver increased by Rs 205 per tola to reach Rs 5,195 per tola, which is also an all-time high.
Tatopani border crossing closed after massive fire in Khasa area
The Nepal-China northern trade border at Tatopani has been completely closed after a massive fire broke out in the border forest of China’s Nyalam-Khasa area. The Chinese authorities have suspended all movement through the crossing, citing heightened security risks. The closure follows a fire that erupted Sunday night in the Chhobin area, which includes the central parts of Nyalam and Khasa, and has not yet been brought under control, said Police Inspector Jagat Bahadur Rai of the Area Police Office in Kodari. Rai added that the fire has halted local and tourist movement, as well as the passage of goods vehicles. Smoke and ash from the blaze are covering the skies of Liping, Tatopani, and surrounding areas, disrupting communication and network services in the border region.
Female voters outnumber men in Gandaki Province
A total of 1,870,065 voters have been registered for the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5 in Gandaki Province. Of them, 955,516 are female and 914,535 are male, according to the Provincial Election Office in Pokhara. The office said the number of female voters exceeds male voters by 40,981. Providing district-wise details, Information Officer Rudra Prasad Neupane said that all districts in the province except Gorkha have more female voters. In Gorkha, there are 114,837 male voters and 114,220 female voters. Manang has 3,377 male and 3,623 female voters. Lamjung has 67,600 male and 69,524 female voters, while Kaski has 148,515 male and 160,115 female voters. Similarly, Tanahun has 123,491 male and 130,906 female voters, and Syangja has 122,464 male and 126,351 female voters. In Nawalpur, there are 129,054 male voters and 139,468 female voters.
Two-day orientation on election management begins in Nepalgunj
A two-day orientation program on election management for chief returning officers, election officers and district election officers from provincial and district levels began here today. The program aims to orient participants on various aspects of election management ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election. Inaugurating the program, Election Commissioner Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar said elections are the fundamental foundation of democracy and that the Election Commission has been working continuously to ensure a free, fair and impartial electoral environment. “The Election Commission bears a major responsibility for strengthening democratic institutions by ensuring the exercise of citizens’ sovereign rights through elections,” she said.
Double amputee Magar makes history on all continents
“Life does not lose its meaning just because part of the body is damaged,” says Hari Budha Magar, who has made history by becoming the first person with double above-the-knee amputations to summit the highest peaks on all seven continents—enduring temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. “By recognizing our abilities, we can climb the Everest of our dreams every day. I am living proof that hard work leads to success,” he said. A former Gurkha soldier, Magar completed the historic feat with a demanding three-day ascent of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, which rises 4,892 metres above sea level. He reached the summit on January 6, marking the culmination of a years-long challenge. Magar, a resident of Canterbury, Kent, lost both legs in 2010 after being injured by an improvised explosive device while serving with the British Army in Afghanistan. He spent several years undergoing intensive physical and mental training to prepare for the record-breaking achievement.
Myagdi’s Gurja to be connected to road network
“There is no place higher than a hilltop, and no village higher than Gurja”—this popular saying in Myagdi reflects the long-standing remoteness of Gurja in Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality–1. Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality has begun planning to connect Gurja, long regarded as one of the most remote settlements in the district, to the road network within the current fiscal year. Rural Municipality Chairman Prem Prasad Pun said Gurja will be linked to the transport system by constructing an additional four kilometers of road under the Lulang–Gurja Road Project. “The Lulang–Gurja road, which began in fiscal year 2079/80 BS, is a priority project of the rural municipality,” Pun said. “Over the past three years, around 18 kilometers of road have been opened from Lulang to Bhaisimane with investments from the rural municipality as well as the provincial and federal governments.”
Waterfowl census completed in Chitwan National Park
The winter waterfowl census has been completed in Chitwan National Park (CNP) and surrounding areas. The census was conducted on January 8–10, while the nationwide waterfowl census in Nepal is carried out annually from 3rd to 18th January. According to Basu Bidari, President of the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association, Bagmati Province, the census was conducted along the Lothar River and in lakes and ponds connected to rivers in the district. A total of 70 ornithologists participated. “We are currently identifying the species of waterfowl observed. The results will be available in a day or two,” Bidari said.
Tomato imports from eastern border surge by 932%
The import of tomatoes through the Mechi Customs Office in Kakarbhitta, Nepal’s eastern border, has surged by 932 percent in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. From August to December, tomatoes worth Rs 68.47 crore were imported from India. According to Ishwor Kumar Humagain, Information Officer at the customs office, a total of 2,676,520 kg of tomatoes were imported during this period, generating Rs 8.273 million in customs revenue. By comparison, during the same period in the previous fiscal year 2024/25, only 138,650 kg of tomatoes worth Rs 3.73 million were imported from the eastern border. Humagain noted that most of Nepal’s imported tomatoes come from India.
KMC sterilizes over 5,000 community dogs under ward-level program
Under a sterilization and vaccination program run across 28 wards, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has sterilized a total of 5,044 community dogs so far. The program, which began on October 31, 2025, recorded the highest number of sterilizations in Ward 6 with 621 dogs, while Ward 21 reported the lowest with only 8 dogs. The city’s Agriculture and Livestock Department has stated that the program is currently ongoing in Wards 18, 22, 25, and 27. The initiative aims to manage the community dog population, improve public safety, and ensure the well-being of the animals.
Viewing center built in Ghaar Deurali through donations and volunteer labor
Locals have constructed a viewing center in Ghaar Deurali of Annapurna Rural Municipality–6 without government assistance. The Bhuwani Youth Family built the center in memory of their late founding member, Krishna Prasad Baruwal, who passed away two years ago. Along with volunteer labor, the group raised about Rs 200,000 to develop a hiking trail, install railings, create a rest area, and set up an information board leading to Deurali Danda. “We have built this infrastructure in memory of Baruwal to promote Deurali as a tourist destination,” said family leader Shyam Prasad Khadka. “With the hiking trail, railings, and rest and viewing facilities at the mountaintop, it has now become easier and safer for tourists to visit.”
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