KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Special convention factions stand firm: No consensus until Deuba steps down
The closed session of the Nepali Congress’ second special convention has concluded, and preparations for the election of new leadership have now begun. Subash Pokharel, coordinator of the convention’s publicity and communications committee, told a briefing at the media center in Bhrikutimandap that the convention is set to run for four days, with the leadership election process beginning once the session concludes. Voting could start as early as Wednesday.
Nepali Congress executive committee meeting postponed, rescheduled for tomorrow at 8 a.m.
The Nepali Congress Central Executive Committee meeting, which began in Sanepa, was postponed shortly after it started. The meeting was initially chaired by Vice-president Dhanraj Gurung, as Acting President Khadka was occupied with ongoing talks.
This is a rebellion: Gagan Thapa
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that the special general convention is not merely a routine party program but a rebellion. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the closed-door session of the special general convention underway at Bhrikutimandap in the capital, Thapa said, “This is not a regular program. We are part of a rebellion. This is a rebellion. Raising questions itself is an act of rebellion. Remaining silent is like embracing death. We raised questions.”
Gagan–Bishwa reports endorsed
The Nepali Congress special general convention has endorsed the reports presented by General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The convention hall approved the reports submitted yesterday. General Secretary Thapa presented the contemporary political report, while General Secretary Sharma presented the organizational report.
Establishment faction maintains stance against immediate leadership change
Talks at the Nepali Congress special general convention have failed to reach a concrete conclusion as the establishment faction remains firm in its position against an immediate change in leadership. Leaders from the non-establishment side, including general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, have been advocating for a change in leadership before heading into elections. However, leaders close to party president Sher Bahadur Deuba are unwilling to alter the leadership at this stage, causing negotiations to stall.
No voting at Nepali Congress Special Convention tonight
Voting will not take place tonight at the Nepali Congress special general convention currently underway at Bhrikutimandap in the capital. According to the schedule, nomination registration is set to take place between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Only after the completion of the nomination process will a revised schedule be announced, said Sitaram KC, senior advocate and coordinator of the Central Election Committee.
Suspicious transaction reporting rises by 30 percent
The Financial Information Unit (FIU) under Nepal Rastra Bank has made public its 14th annual report for the fiscal year 2081/82 (2024/25), highlighting significant progress in efforts to control money laundering and financial crimes in Nepal. According to the report, the number of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) received from financial institutions increased by 30 percent during the review period. While 7,338 such reports were received in the previous fiscal year, the number rose to 9,565 this year. The increase indicates heightened vigilance within the financial sector and a strengthening of monitoring mechanisms.
Nine Nepalis killed in gas cylinder blast in India’s Himachal Pradesh
Nine Nepali citizens were killed in a gas cylinder explosion in Himachal Pradesh, India, according to confirmations from family members. All the victims were from two families residing in Siddha Kumakha Rural Municipality–2 of Salyan district. The explosion occurred at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday while the victims were sleeping in their rented accommodation. A gas cylinder stored inside the room is believed to have exploded, sparking a fire that also damaged nearby houses. All nine are reported to have died instantly.
51 days to polls: 85 candidates withdraw PR nominations
A total of 85 candidates from various political parties have withdrawn their names from the closed lists submitted under the proportional representation (PR) system for the House of Representatives (HoR) election. According to the Election Commission, candidates were allowed to withdraw their names between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Monday. The House of Representatives election is scheduled to be held on March 5. The Commission stated that candidates whose names were included in the proportional closed lists could withdraw their candidacy either in person or through an authorized representative if they were unable to appear themselves.
Extreme cold brings development work in Mustang to a halt
Development and construction activities in the mountainous district of Mustang have come to a complete standstill due to extreme winter cold. With temperatures plunging during the winter season, infrastructure development and construction projects underway across all five local levels of Mustang have been suspended. Project Chief Tejashwi Sharma said that road and bridge construction under the national pride Beni–Jomsom–Korala road project, which connects Nepal’s north and south, has been severely affected by the cold. Construction equipment has frozen due to extremely low temperatures, forcing work to stop. He said that project activities in the Mustang section of the Korala road were suspended before December due to the harsh weather conditions.
Balen quietly surveys Oli’s stronghold Jhapa-5 after three-hour talks with RSP leaders
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has begun serious internal discussions about contesting the next parliamentary election from Jhapa constituency–5, a key electoral stronghold of CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli. Sources say Shah recently held a three-hour closed-door meeting in Kathmandu with leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) from Jhapa to assess the political landscape, voter sentiment and party strength in the constituency. Among those present were RSP Jhapa chair Prakash Pathak, district secretary Shambhu Sushkera Dhakal, Jhapa–3 regional chair Laxman Basnet, Jhapa–5 departmental member Birodh Subedi and district disciplinary committee coordinator Arjun Upreti. Jhapa–5 includes Damak Municipality, Oli’s hometown, along with Gauradaha Municipality, Kamal Rural Municipality and Gauriganj Rural Municipality. The constituency has long been considered UML’s electoral fortress.
Prachanda, Madhav Nepal and NCP central members take oath
Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Co-Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, and central committee members have taken their oath of office. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the party’s central office in Parisdanda.
Former House Speaker Ghimire suggests restoring Parliament as best solution amid crisis
Former House Speaker Devaraj Ghimire has said that restoring Parliament through the Supreme Court and taking the country to a fresh mandate is the most appropriate option amid the current political crisis. Speaking at a press conference in his home constituency, Jhapa-2, Ghimire stressed that the solution to the ongoing crisis should be sought by returning to the constitutional framework. He highlighted that the Gen-Z movement and recent destructive events on September 8 and 9 caused not only human suffering but also billions worth of physical infrastructure damage, while severely affecting the legislature, executive, and judiciary. “Following those events, the constitution itself has been effectively sidelined,” Ghimire told reporters.
NEPSE edges up slightly as turnover reaches Rs 6.9 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) posted a marginal gain on Tuesday, rising by 4.90 points to close at 2,639.91. Total turnover for the day reached NPR 699.48 crore. Among the traded companies, share prices of 118 firms increased, while 134 saw a decline. Shares of eight companies remained unchanged. In terms of individual performance, Three Star Hydropower shareholders earned the highest profit from sales, whereas shareholders of Rusuwagadhi Hydropower incurred the largest losses. Although NEPSE recorded a slight gain overall, six sectoral indices ended in positive territory, while six others remained in the red.
Former Maoist leader Santosh Subedi joins Nepali Communist Party
Central committee member of the CPN (Maoist) led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’, Santosh Subedi, has joined the Nepali Communist Party (NCP). Subedi was welcomed into the party on Tuesday by NCP Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at his residence in Hattiban, in the presence of several party leaders. Subedi, originally from Rolpa and the son of National Assembly member Jhakku Prasad Subedi, had been working closely with Biplav since the split of the former CPN (Maoist) under Mohan Vaidya in 2014. Biplav has announced he will contest the upcoming House of Representatives election from Rolpa on March 5. Subedi joined the NCP while Biplav, also the party general secretary, is preparing for the elections. Subedi said he returned to his hometown to assist NCP leader and former Finance Minister Barshaman Pun in the upcoming polls.
Nirvana Chaudhary appointed Nabil Bank chairman
In its 699th board meeting held on Monday, Nabil Bank selected director Nirvan Kumar Chaudhary as the chairman of the board. He will assume office after taking the oath from Nepal Rastra Bank, officially taking charge of the chairman’s responsibilities. Nabil Bank has also approved a 12.50 percent cash dividend at its 41st annual general meeting (AGM). The meeting, chaired by the bank’s outgoing chairman Upendra Prasad Paudel on Monday, passed the dividend proposal from the bank’s profit for the fiscal year 2024/25. At the AGM, Anil Keshari Shah was elected unopposed as a director representing the founder shareholders’ group on the bank’s board of directors. During the current fiscal year 2025/26, Nabil Bank has also issued new capital instruments worth Rs 5 billion “Nabil 8% Non-Convertible Non-Cumulative Preference Shares” with a face value of Rs 100 each.
Gold, silver prices hit fresh all-time highs
Gold and silver prices in the domestic market have climbed to new historic highs, continuing their upward trend in line with record prices in the international market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, the price of gold was fixed at Rs 276,500 per tola for Tuesday. This marks an increase of Rs 1,800 from the previous day, when gold was traded at Rs 274,700 per tola. Silver also became expensive, rising by Rs 145 to reach Rs 5,340 per tola. On Monday, silver was traded at Rs 5,195 per tola. Traders say the surge in prices in the Nepali market is driven by fresh records in global gold and silver prices, which have directly pushed up local rates.
Suman Sayami set to join NCP, to be inducted as Central Committee member
Activist Suman Sayami is set to formally join the Nepali Communist Party on Wednesday during a grand party unification program, where new Central Committee members will also be announced. Senior NCP leaders, including party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal, had been making sustained efforts to bring Sayami into the party. According to party sources, Sayami will be inducted as a member of the NCP Central Committee. Speaking to Khabarhub, Sayami said he would be joining the NCP along with around 40 leaders from Kathmandu’s indigenous communities. “I am not joining the NCP because of dissatisfaction with the Rastriya Mukti Party. Our group is moving in this direction in response to the current need for political polarization and realignment among parties,” Sayami said. “I am confident that sooner or later, the Mukti Party will also join the NCP.”
Authorities inspect 18 firms, takes action
The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has inspected 18 firms in Kathmandu and Lalitpur and taken action against them. During the inspection, the Department fined New RA Enterprises Rs 20,000 for activities found to be in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS. The monitoring team inspected paint companies, hardware shops, and outlets selling construction materials. One firm was fined on the spot, while 17 others were issued corrective instructions. According to the Department, regular market monitoring and reform initiatives are being carried out to control black marketing, protect consumers’ rights, and ensure environmental compliance.
193,000 voters registered in Baglung
A total of 193,381 voters have been registered in Baglung district for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. According to the District Election Office, Baglung, the voter roll includes 94,806 male and 98,574 female voters. District Election Officer Yagya Prasad Rijal said the highest number of new registrations came from the 16–28 age group during the voter registration period. Rijal said 5,253 voters were added across the district during the latest registration drive. He noted that young people showed the greatest interest in registering as voters.
Eight thousand voters added in Nuwakot
The total number of voters in Nuwakot for the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5 has reached 247,868. District Election Officer Hom Bahadur Thapamar said that, according to data released by the District Election Office, Nuwakot has two constituencies, with 123,929 voters in Constituency No. 1 and 123,939 voters in Constituency No. 2. The current voter count is 8,112 higher than in the previous election held in 2022. Of the total voters, 118,975 are women, 128,890 are men, and three are third-gender voters. For the upcoming election, 293 polling booths have been set up across 132 polling stations in the district, an increase of three polling stations compared to the previous election.
Paddy production declines in Rautahat
Paddy production in Rautahat district has declined this year compared to last year due to floods triggered by incessant rainfall in September. The floods inundated paddy fields during the crucial harvesting period, significantly affecting overall output. Surendra Prasad Kurmi, Acting Chief of the Agricultural Knowledge Center, Rautahat, said the district recorded a decrease of 21,578 metric tons in paddy production this year. According to him, Rautahat produced 116,708 metric tons of paddy last year, while production this year stood at 95,130 metric tons. Kurmi said paddy was cultivated on 31,500 hectares of land this year, with an average yield of 3.02 metric tons per hectare.
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