KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Questions emerge over PM Shah’s governing style amid growing signs of friction within RSP
Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s recent cabinet appointments and handling of key political controversies have sparked fresh debate over his relationship with the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), with observers pointing to growing signs of a disconnect between the government and the party that brought him to power. The discussion intensified after Shah on Tuesday reappointed Sudan Gurung as Home Minister and inducted independent lawmaker Mahabir Pun as Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation. Gurung had resigned on April 22 following controversy over his property disclosures. A government-formed investigation committee submitted its report on June 6, and the Cabinet formally received the report on June 9. However, before the findings were made public, Gurung was reappointed to the Home Ministry the same day.
Supreme Court issues mandamus order in former child soldier case
A full bench of the Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order in a writ petition related to former child soldiers, marking a significant development in a long-running legal case. The petition, filed by Lenin Bista and others, named former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai among the respondents. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and issued a mandamus order in line with the demands outlined in the writ petition. The decision is being viewed as opening a potential legal pathway for further proceedings related to allegations surrounding the recruitment of child soldiers during Nepal’s armed conflict. However, the exact legal implications will depend on the contents of the court’s full verdict.
Foreign Minister Khanal to leave for China on Sunday
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is set to leave for a three-day official visit to China on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, Khanal will hold bilateral talks in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening Nepal-China relations and advancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest. The foreign minister is also scheduled to meet senior Chinese officials during his stay. As part of the visit, Khanal will participate in an investment conference organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, where he will engage with Chinese business leaders and promote foreign investment opportunities in Nepal. He will also attend a reception hosted by the Nepali embassy and interact with members of the Nepali community living in China. According to the ministry, Khanal is expected to return to Kathmandu on June 17.
SC clears way for implementation of civil servants’ trade union dissolution
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday cleared the way for the implementation of the government’s decision to dissolve the official trade union of civil servants by refusing to continue a previously issued interim order. On Friday, a Constitutional Bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma ruled by majority not to extend the interim protection previously granted. Earlier, on May 11, a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court had issued a short-term interim order, by majority, directing that the government’s decision to dissolve the trade union not be implemented immediately.
SSB accused of crossing into Nepali territory in Susta, locals protest
Tension has risen in the Susta area of West Nawalparasi after local residents accused Sashastra Seema Bal, one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces, of entering Nepali territory, prompting protests from the local community. According to locals, armed SSB personnel crossed a river along the border and carried out patrol activities inside Nepali territory. When local residents stopped them and questioned their presence, a brief confrontation reportedly occurred. The situation eased after the Indian security personnel returned to their side following public resistance. Rabindra Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Susta Bachau Abhiyan, claimed that the Indian side had also recently pressured authorities to halt embankment construction along the Narayani River.
Committee formed to investigate study visa recommendation irregularities
The Ministry of Education has formed a three-member committee to investigate the alleged involvement of ministry employees in irregularities related to study visa recommendations. The committee is coordinated by Joint Secretary Chandra Kant Bhusal and has been tasked with examining the role of employees in preparing letters and documents used for study visa recommendations. The other members of the committee are Under Secretary (Law) Gopi Krishna Regmi and Section Officer Gunaraj Bhattarai. The panel has been given seven days to submit its report.
NEPSE slips 4 points; daily turnover reaches Rs 4.34 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) on Friday witnessed a modest decline, with the benchmark index falling by 4 points to close at 2,724.03. The Sensitive Index, which tracks the performance of blue-chip companies, also edged lower, shedding 0.53 points to settle at 467.09. According to NEPSE, a total of 9.85 million shares of 342 listed companies were traded during the session, generating a turnover of Rs 4.341 billion. Market breadth remained negative, with share prices of 167 companies declining, while 91 companies posted gains. The share prices of 13 companies remained unchanged.
Nepali Congress extends deadline for active membership renewal
The Nepali Congress has extended the deadline for its active membership renewal campaign, citing ongoing participation from party members across the country. According to a statement issued by the party on Thursday, 538,622 of the 782,209 eligible active members have so far received digital identity cards through their respective ward presidents as part of the membership renewal process. The party also said that 149,309 members have independently submitted their renewal forms. Their details are currently being verified and updated through ward-level party committees. The Nepali Congress had initially set a deadline of midnight on June 11 for the renewal and distribution of active memberships.
Nepal Eye Hospital to provide services on Sundays as well
Nepal Eye Hospital in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, has announced that it is providing regular services on Sundays, traditionally a public holiday. Recognized as Nepal’s first eye hospital, the institution currently operates regular services from Sunday to Friday. According to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Dharmaraj Gosai, patient registration begins daily at 8:30 a.m., while specialist consultation, examination, and treatment services are available until 3:00 p.m. The hospital provides eye care services through modern infrastructure, advanced medical equipment, and a team of experienced ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and technical staff. It currently employs 150 personnel, including 16 ophthalmologists, one anesthesiologist, seven optometrists, and three fellows.
UML General Secretary urges Speaker to remain neutral in parliamentary proceedings
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has said it is inappropriate for the Speaker to defend the government against criticism raised by lawmakers in the House of Representatives. In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, Pokharel urged Speaker DP Aryal to maintain political neutrality and reminded him that elected lawmakers—not the Speaker—are the principal participants in parliamentary debate. His remarks come amid growing criticism that the Speaker has increasingly intervened to counter opposition arguments and defend the government when lawmakers raise questions during House proceedings. Pokharel also expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as the Speaker’s direct engagement in debates with opposition members.
Harka Sampang questions PM Shah and Nepal Army over border security response
Shram Sanskriti Party chair Harka Sampang has raised serious questions over Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s response and the role of the Nepal Army following reports of an incident in Susta involving Indian border security forces. Speaking during the Friday session of the House of Representatives, MP Sampang criticised the government’s silence over the alleged movement of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in the Susta area of Nawalparasi. During the emergency time of the meeting, Sampang said, “It has already been 11 days since the Prime Minister said Nepal has also encroached on Indian land, yet there is no sign of him appearing in Parliament.” He demanded that if the Prime Minister is unable to attend Parliament, the Defence Minister should be called to address the issue. “If the Prime Minister cannot come, who is the Defence Minister of Nepal? Speaker D.P. Aryal should summon him here,” Sampang said.
Minister Pun urges provinces and local levels to allocate 1% budget for innovation
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun has urged provincial and local governments to allocate at least one per cent of their capital expenditure to science, research and innovation. Taking to social media, Minister Pun said that a provision already exists for allocating one per cent of the capital budget for grants in science and innovation-related sectors, and called on subnational governments to prioritize this in upcoming budget formulation. He stressed that research and innovation are essential for the country’s prosperity and long-term development, adding that the ministry will take significant steps to strengthen this sector.
Gold price rises by Rs 5,300 per tola
The price of gold increased by Rs 5,300 per tola on Friday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The federation has fixed the price of gold at Rs 292,000 per tola for today. On Thursday, gold was traded at Rs 286,700 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver also rose on Friday. Silver increased by Rs 190 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4,840 per tola today. On Thursday, silver was priced at Rs 4,650 per tola.
Law Ministry seeks public feedback on amendments to 20 Nepal laws
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has invited public feedback on a draft bill prepared under the “Some Nepal Acts (Amendment) Bill, Legislative Act, 2081”. The ministry issued a notice on Thursday requesting suggestions from the general public within one week in a specified format and language, according to ministry spokesperson Dal Bahadur Adhikari. The proposed amendments cover 20 existing laws, including the Employees Provident Fund Act, 2019; Land (Measurement and Survey) Act, 2019; Land Act, 2021; Education Act, 2028; and Land Revenue Act, 2034. Other laws included in the review are the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training Act, 2045; Citizens Investment Trust Act, 2047; Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Act, 2048; Civil Service Act, 2049; University Grants Commission Act, 2025; Health Service Act, 2053; and the Foreign Employment Act, 2064.
Khusbu Oli criticizes Foreign Minister over handling of Nepal-India border issue
Chief Whip of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Khusbu Oli, has expressed dissatisfaction with the role of Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal regarding Nepal’s border dispute with India. Speaking during Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Oli said the foreign minister’s handling of the issue during his recent visit to New Delhi was not satisfactory. She recalled that Khanal had indicated before the visit that he would address border-related concerns, but alleged that the matter was not raised during formal talks in the Indian capital. “I would like to express my disagreement with the foreign minister’s position on the border dispute,” Oli said. “During the official discussions in New Delhi, he did not raise the issue anywhere. After the visit, he only mentioned it in a closed-door interaction with journalists.”
Minister Mehta calls for making Ayurvedic production more effective
Minister for Health and Food Safety Nisha Mehta on Friday visited the Singha Durbar Vaidyakhana at Anamnagar, Kathmandu. During the visit, the Minister stressed the need to make the production of Ayurvedic and herbal medicines more effective, ensuring sufficient output to meet domestic demand. She also urged the Vaidyakhana management to submit details of required resources, equipment, and workforce needed for prompt reforms aimed at strengthening the facility, improving production efficiency, and enhancing market promotion. The Minister further directed improvements in overall cleanliness and management.
Meta technical glitch: Facebook and Instagram stop working
Millions of users around the world experienced disruptions due to a sudden technical issue affecting Meta’s main apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Users reported widespread service interruptions across the platforms. When attempting to access the services, many users see an error message indicating an unexpected problem and stating that efforts are underway to resolve it. Similar issues have also been reported on Instagram. Meta has not yet provided an official status update for users regarding the outage, and its professional tools dashboard has also not been updated, making it difficult for users to obtain confirmed information about the extent of the disruption.
Ganga Dahal denounces ‘media trial’ against her family, seeks legal action against misinformation
Ganga Dahal, daughter of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has objected to what she described as a coordinated media trial targeting her and her family through social media platforms. In a statement posted on social media, Dahal claimed that baseless, misleading and conspiratorial content had been circulated through unfamiliar YouTube, Facebook and TikTok accounts, and rejected the allegations in their entirety. She alleged that social media was being misused to tarnish her family’s reputation based on political prejudice and called on the government and relevant security agencies to take notice of the issue. Dahal also demanded strict legal action against individuals involved in spreading misinformation and creating confusion among the public.
Home Minister Gurung assures investigation after meeting Chitwan man seeking justice over wife’s death
Home Minister Sudan Gurung met Sujan BK of Chitwan, who has been staging a protest in Kathmandu for the past three months demanding justice over the death of his wife, allegedly due to hospital negligence. According to officials, BK, a resident of Ratnanagar Municipality in Chitwan, was invited to the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he shared his grievances directly with the Home Minister. Carrying his infant child, BK told the minister that his wife had died prematurely following what he described as serious negligence by a hospital during the post-delivery period. He said inadequate care and treatment had cost his wife her life, leaving him to raise their newborn child alone.
2,223 motorists penalized for violating traffic rules
Traffic police in the Kathmandu Valley took action against 2,223 motorists for violating traffic rules over the past 24 hours, generating Rs 1.881 million in revenue for the state treasury. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 94 drivers were penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol, 150 for unauthorized ride-sharing, 177 for violating traffic signals, and 118 for speeding. Similarly, action was taken against 61 motorists for failing to follow lane discipline, 154 for honking in no-horn zones, 98 for illegal roadside parking, and 120 for driving on one-way roads. In addition, 1,251 motorists were fined for various other traffic violations, the office said.
Two women die after being swept away in Godavari river
Two women died after being swept away by floodwaters in the Godavari River on Thursday. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Yogendra Timilsina of the District Police Office, the deceased have been identified as 55-year-old Maheshwori Dhamala and 40-year-old Kalpana Saud, both residents of Godavari Municipality-4. The women had gone to a nearby forest to collect mushrooms on Thursday morning when they were swept away while crossing the river. Their bodies were later recovered from an area behind the Vana Devi Temple, police said.
Western trough brings rainfall
The influence of a western trough in the upper atmosphere, combined with local winds, brought rainfall to various parts of the country today. According to the Weather Forecasting Division, weather conditions are currently generally cloudy over most hilly and mountainous areas, including Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces, while the Terai region remains partly cloudy. Light rainfall is being recorded at a few places in Lumbini Province and at isolated locations in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. The Division has urged the public and concerned authorities to remain alert, as rainfall, thunderstorms and snowfall could partially affect daily life, agriculture, and road and air transportation.
‘Trauma Society of Nepal’ formed under leadership of Dr. Pramod Lamichhane
The Trauma Society of Nepal has been formed under the chairmanship of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pramod Lamichhane. The society was established in the presence of medical professionals involved in orthopedic care, trauma management and trauma surgery. Senior physician Prof. Dr. Ramesh Prasad Singh has been appointed patron of the newly formed organization. The executive committee includes Dr. Shailendra Kumar Duwal Shrestha as Senior Vice-Chairperson, Dr. Hemanta Kumar Gupta as Vice-Chairperson, Dr. Bijayendra Adhikari as General Secretary, Dr. Alok Pandey as Treasurer, Dr. Pawin Thapa as Joint Secretary and Dr. Sanjit Jha as Joint Treasurer.
Two arrested for allegedly defrauding victims of Rs 4.5 million with foreign employment promises
The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two individuals on charges of defrauding job seekers of Rs. 4.5 million by falsely promising employment opportunities in the United States and Croatia. The arrested individuals have been identified as 45-year-old Ruku Kumari Shrestha of Sailung Rural Municipality-2, Dolakha, and 35-year-old Shailendra Shakya of Urlabari Municipality-6, Morang, according to Superintendent of Police Sharad Kumar Thapa Chhetri of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office.
33 arrested with drugs
Police on routine patrol arrested 33 people in possession of drugs from different parts of the country. According to the Central Police Newsroom, eight people were arrested in Kathmandu, six in Lalitpur, four in Jumla, three in Surkhet, and two each in Morang, Sindhupalchowk, Tanahun, Rupandehi and Banke. One person each was arrested in Siraha and Kailali. Police seized narcotic substances, including brown heroin and marijuana, as well as prescription drugs such as diazepam, phenergan, buprenorphine, promethazine, spasmoly and tramadol from those arrested. Further investigation is underway.
Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City provides Rs 200,000 assistance for families of fire victims
Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City has decided to provide Rs 200,000 each from its Disaster Relief Fund to the families of two people who lost their lives in separate fire incidents. The decision was made during the 48th executive meeting of the sub-metropolitan city, Chief Administrative Officer Keshav Raj Pardhe said. Under the decision, Rs 200,000 will be provided to the family of Rima Devkota, 76, of Bhamke, Tulsipur-1, who died in a fire on January 12, and to the family of Gumi Kumari Poudel, 72, of Motipur, Tulsipur-7, who lost her life in a fire incident on March 26.
Ward Chairman arrested in banking crime case
Police have arrested Ghuran Mahato, ward chairman of Bardibas Municipality–9, in connection with a banking crime case. Mahato, who had been absconding after the Mahottari District Court issued an arrest warrant against him on May 5, was apprehended by police on Thursday. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Panchalal Gole, Mahato is currently being held at the Area Police Office, Bardibas. Further investigation into the banking crime case is underway.
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