KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Deuba returns calling for national and Congress unity
Former Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called for national and party unity following his return to Nepal after nearly five months abroad for medical treatment. In a statement issued after returning to Nepal on Thursday, Deuba said he had returned “not to gain power but to strengthen national unity.” He called for healing the wounds caused by past divisions and hostility and choosing reconciliation over retaliation. Deuba said the Nepali Congress has embraced the change demanded by the younger generation. Referring to the Gen-Z movement in September last year, he said he had supported addressing its legitimate demands at the time. However, he clarified that change should not mean portraying the struggles, sacrifices and contributions of previous generations as failures.
Deuba sends 7 messages after returning to Nepal, takes softer line on Gagan Thapa
Former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba has delivered a series of political messages after returning to Nepal following nearly five months abroad for medical treatment, adopting a notably softer tone towards party president Gagan Thapa. Deuba returned to Kathmandu on Thursday amid a high-profile welcome, after remaining abroad amid political and legal speculation surrounding his return. In a statement issued after his arrival, Deuba appeared to acknowledge the generational transition taking place within the Nepali Congress, while also cautioning against sidelining the older generation.
Police raid journalist Kishor Shrestha’s residence, seize electronic devices
Police raided the Nakkhu residence of Jana Aastha weekly editor and publisher Kishor Shrestha late Wednesday night, hours after his arrest. According to family sources, police seized laptops, computers and mobile phones from the residence during the raid. Shrestha, who was arrested near his residence in Kusunti, was taken to the Kathmandu District Police Range before police arrived at his home and confiscated the electronic devices. Police are also preparing to visit the Jana Aastha office in Thado Dhunga, Lalitpur. Journalists have gathered at the media house to protest the reported move, arguing that police cannot unlawfully raid a media organisation.
World Association of Press Councils calls for immediate release of Kishor Shrestha
The World Association of Press Councils (WAPC) has strongly objected to the arrest of Nepali journalist and Jana Aastha weekly editor Kishor Shrestha, calling on the Nepal government to release him immediately and unconditionally. In a statement issued from Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, WAPC expressed serious concern over Shrestha’s arrest and detention and urged the Nepal government to secure his immediate and unconditional release. Shrestha is the editor and publisher of Jana Aastha weekly and Jana Aastha online. He also serves as the second vice president of WAPC. According to information received from Nepal, Shrestha was arrested from his private residence in Lalitpur on Wednesday evening by a joint police team on allegations of violating privacy-related laws.
Foreign Ministry’s 2026 Summer Fellowship and Internship programme concludes
The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) has organised the closing and research dissemination programme of the ‘Foreign Ministry Summer Fellowship and Internship Programme 2026’. Welcoming participants, IFA Executive Director Rojina Tamrakar highlighted the objectives and significance of the programme. She said the initiative provides young researchers and professionals with practical exposure to diplomacy and foreign policy while serving as a bridge between academic research and policymaking. Tamrakar also stressed the need to develop research findings into useful and practical policy resources.
Journalist Kishor Shrestha remanded in custody for 3 days
The Kathmandu District Court has granted police permission to keep senior journalist Kishor Shrestha in custody for three days for investigation. Shrestha was arrested from Lalitpur late Wednesday night on charges of violating the right to privacy. A bench of Judge Umesh Prasad Luitel granted the three-day remand order following a hearing that lasted from Thursday afternoon until late afternoon. Police presented Shrestha before the court for the remand extension after taking him to the government attorney’s office. He was brought before the court only after 4 pm on Thursday.
Sudurpashchim Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah resigns
Sudurpashchim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has announced his resignation from the post. Chief Minister Shah announced his resignation while addressing a meeting of the provincial assembly on Thursday.
Govt recovers Rs 510 million in long-pending industrial dues
The government has intensified efforts to recover industrial dues that had remained unpaid for decades, collecting more than Rs 510 million so far following directives from Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav. The Ministry of Industry said it has prioritised the recovery of outstanding rent and other dues owed by various industries and institutions, including amounts that had remained unpaid for nearly four decades. The collection drive was accelerated after Minister Yadav instructed officials to take firm action against industries and institutions that had failed to pay amounts owed to the state for years. As part of the campaign, Rs 41.19 million has been recovered from Continental.
Death toll from Rolpa landslide rises to seven, five still missing
The death toll from a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall in Thabang Rural Municipality-5 of Rolpa has risen to seven. The landslide occurred at Kotlabara on Tuesday evening, burying several houses and leaving five people missing. Two others were injured in the incident. The injured have been identified as 22-year-old Himal Pun Magar and 25-year-old Sanjay Gharti Magar, both residents of the area. They were initially treated at Thabang Health Post and later referred to Butwal for further treatment. The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar, 65-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar, 40-year-old Jun Kumari Pun Magar, nine-year-old Ashim Pun Magar, six-year-old Ashok Pun Magar, 75-year-old Dal Bahadur Pun Magar and 71-year-old Manrakhi Pun Magar.
Woman arrested with 74 kg of banned red wild mushrooms in Surkhet
Surkhet police have arrested a woman after seizing five sacks of banned red wild mushrooms from a bus heading towards Nepalgunj. The arrested woman has been identified as Chandrakali Budha, a resident of Sinja Rural Municipality-5 of Jumla who is currently living in Surkhet. Police arrested Budha on Wednesday after conducting a search of a bus at the local Subbakuna checkpoint. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Kavindra Singh Bohara of the District Police Office, five sacks of red wild mushrooms were found concealed inside the bus’s luggage compartment.
Two-day weekly public holiday here to stay: Minister Gautam
The government has clarified that it has no plans to review the two-day weekly public holiday. Responding to questions from National Assembly members on matters related to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Thursday, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam said there had been no decision or preparation to reconsider the two-day public holiday. Gautam said the two-day holiday had helped make public administration more result-oriented while promoting economy in energy use, including electricity and vehicle fuel, as well as administrative expenditure. She also claimed that the arrangement had improved work-life balance among employees and workers and had a positive impact on their morale, efficiency and productivity.
Death toll from Rolpa landslide rises to seven, five still missing
The death toll from a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall in Thabang Rural Municipality-5 of Rolpa has risen to seven. The landslide occurred at Kotlabara on Tuesday evening, burying several houses and leaving five people missing. Two others were injured in the incident. The injured have been identified as 22-year-old Himal Pun Magar and 25-year-old Sanjay Gharti Magar, both residents of the area. They were initially treated at Thabang Health Post and later referred to Butwal for further treatment. The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old Shanti Pun Magar, 65-year-old Kamal Bahadur Pun Magar, 40-year-old Jun Kumari Pun Magar, nine-year-old Ashim Pun Magar, six-year-old Ashok Pun Magar, 75-year-old Dal Bahadur Pun Magar and 71-year-old Manrakhi Pun Magar.
Press Council Nepal raises concern over Kishor Shrestha’s arrest, media office raid
The Press Council Nepal has expressed serious concern over the arrest of Aastha Media Chair and Jana Aastha weekly editor Kishor Shrestha and the subsequent entry of armed police into the media house, where computers and other materials were reportedly seized. Issuing a statement on Thursday, the council said it had taken note of Shrestha’s arrest on Wednesday night, the search of his private residence and the entry of armed personnel into the Jan Aastha office on Thursday morning. The council said citizens’ right to information is guaranteed through press freedom and stressed that maintaining the dignity of the press is the responsibility of all concerned parties. At the same time, it reminded journalists and media organisations that press freedom must be exercised within professional standards and the journalistic code of conduct.
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