KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Manoj Kumar Sharma sworn in, takes charge as Chief Justice
Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma has formally assumed office as the Chief Justice following his appointment and oath of office, concluding a process that had drawn extensive political and legal attention in recent weeks. President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Sharma to the post on Tuesday after his name was unanimously approved by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee. Following the appointment, Sharma took his oath of office the same day and is set to begin his responsibilities at the Supreme Court from Wednesday, including overseeing bench allocation and daily case management.
Parliamentary hearing committee unanimously endorses Manoj Kumar Sharma as Chief Justice
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has unanimously endorsed the name of Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma for the post of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Sharma’s endorsement came after the completion of the parliamentary hearing process conducted following his recommendation by the Constitutional Council. With the committee’s approval, Sharma is set to receive his formal appointment and take the oath of office as the new Chief Justice later on Tuesday.
Manoj Kumar Sharma assumes office as Chief Justice
In a rare sequence of events completed within a single day, Manoj Kumar Sharma has assumed office as the Chief Justice of Nepal following parliamentary hearing, approval, appointment, oath-taking and formal assumption of duties. Sharma’s appointment was finalized on Tuesday after he appeared before the parliamentary hearing committee in Singha Durbar and responded to 16 complaints filed against him. The committee unanimously endorsed his nomination following the hearing. Following the endorsement, President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy at Shital Niwas.
Budget will align with government policy and programme: Finance Minister Wagle
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has said the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be fully aligned with the government’s policy and programme. Responding to lawmakers during discussions in the House of Representatives on the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill, Minister Waglé said there is complete coordination between the government’s policy and programme and the principles and priorities of the budget. He also urged opposition lawmakers not to defend individuals “engaging in wrongdoing under the guise of entrepreneurship.”
Government decides to accept grants from China and Switzerland
The government has decided to accept two separate grant assistance packages from northern neighbour China and European nation Switzerland. A Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday approved a proposal from the Ministry of Finance to accept a grant of 6.116 million Swiss francs from the Government of Switzerland for the Municipal Revenue Enhancement Project. Government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel said the Cabinet also decided to accept a grant of 79.36 million RMB from the Government of China for the repair and improvement of the Araniko Highway.
Government to provide Rs 25,000 rehabilitation support to displaced squatters
The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has decided to provide Rs 25,000 in rehabilitation support to each landless and squatter family displaced from riverbank settlements in Kathmandu. A Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday approved the proposal put forward by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to provide a one-time rehabilitation grant of Rs 25,000 per family after verification of those displaced from high-risk settlements. The Cabinet also decided to provide Rs 15,000 per month for three months to manage temporary housing for displaced landless and squatter families, based on a five-member household.
Auditor General flags transfer and misuse of Nepal Trust land
The Office of the Auditor General has raised serious concerns over hundreds of ropanis of land belonging to the Nepal Trust being transferred in the names of individuals and being used privately. In its 63rd annual report, the Auditor General stated that despite legal provisions prohibiting Nepal Trust property from being registered in the name of any individual, a Cabinet decision taken on September 11, 2007, enabled trust land in different parts of Kathmandu to be transferred to tenants. According to the report, 172 ropanis and 15 annas of land located in Matatirtha, Thankot, Satungal, and Ichangu — previously registered under the Nepal Trust and with ownership certificates issued by the Kalanki Land Revenue Office — were found to have been transferred to tenants and their successors.
Finance Committee to hold consultations with experts on upcoming budget
The Finance Committee under the House of Representatives has decided to hold consultations with experts regarding the upcoming fiscal year budget. A meeting held on Tuesday at Singha Durbar made the decision to seek expert inputs to provide recommendations and directives to the government on budget formulation, committee chair Krishna Hari Baskota said. During the meeting, committee members shared their views on the upcoming budget formulation process. Based on the issues raised, the committee will hold discussions with experts and forward necessary suggestions and recommendations to the government, Baskota added.
Court remands Durga Prasai to custody for 3 days
Police have obtained a three-day remand against medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai, who was arrested from Birgunj in Parsa district on Monday night. Prasai was taken into custody from Hotel Siddhartha Diyalo in Birgunj and kept at the District Police Office, Parsa. On Tuesday, police presented him before the Parsa District Court, which granted a three-day extension for investigation.
Ministry forms 15-member task force to manage human–wildlife conflict
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Environment has formed a technical task force to address rising human–wildlife conflict across the country. The decision aims to control damage caused by wild animals, improve related policies and programmes, and strengthen implementation at the local level. The ministry has formed a 15-member task force comprising experts in human–wildlife conflict management.
Govt’s outstanding revenue dues surpass Rs 275 billion: Auditor General
The government’s outstanding revenue dues have crossed Rs 275 billion, according to the Office of the Auditor General. The 63rd annual report made public by the office states that total outstanding revenue, including interest, reached Rs 275.05 billion by the end of the fiscal year 2024/25. According to the report, the largest share of unpaid dues is related to income tax, which stands at Rs 219.11 billion.
Deuba-led NC faction opens liaison office in Anamnagar
The dissident faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) has established a liaison office in Kathmandu. The group aligned with outgoing party President Sher Bahadur Deuba has opened a liaison office in Anamnagar, Kathmandu. The office was reportedly established with the participation of leaders Guru Baral, Jitjung Basnet, Jit Sherchan, Kundan Kafle, Kedar Karki, and others. Baral, Basnet, and Kafle are outgoing central committee members. Similarly, Sherchan is the Baglung district president and finance minister of the Gandaki provincial government. Karki is a former chief minister of Koshi Province.
MP raises issue of allegation against Krishna Kumar Karki in Parliament
Allegations that Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Krishna Kumar Karki impregnated a Nigerian woman and later abandoned her were raised in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. During today’s House meeting, MP Parvati Bishwakarma drew the government’s attention to the matter, stating that the issue widely circulating on social media has raised serious concern. “It is all over social media that a ruling party MP made a foreign woman pregnant and then disappeared. This has created a very painful situation,” she said.
Govt asked to clarify position on Pathibhara Cable Car Project
CPN-UML lawmaker Kshitij Thebe has drawn the government’s attention to the under-construction Pathibhara (Mukumlung) Cable Car project and the slow pace of road infrastructure development in Taplejung. Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, MP Thebe demanded the government clarify its official position on the Pathibhara Cable Car project, which he described as being linked to national pride and local development. He said people in Taplejung were confused by reports suggesting that construction work on the cable car had been halted. “Will this project move forward or be stopped? What is the government’s official position? The people of Taplejung are waiting for clear information,” MP Thebe said.
Gen-Z Movement Nepal demands arrest of MP Krishna Kumar Karki over alleged arson involvement
Gen-Z Movement Nepal has demanded the immediate arrest and legal action against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Member of Parliament Krishna Kumar Karki (Morang–2), accusing him of direct involvement in the arson and vandalism at Singha Durbar and the Federal Parliament building on September 9, 2025. In a press statement issued by spokesperson Bijay Shah, the movement claimed that various media reports, public videos, and images show MP Karki present inside the Parliament premises and allegedly participating in acts of arson. It also stated that the lawmaker had shared related materials on social media, suggesting his involvement.
Changunarayan to become country’s first ‘Yoga Municipality’
The historic town of Changunarayan, located on a hill in the northeastern part of the Kathmandu Valley, is set to become Nepal’s first officially declared “Yoga Municipality.” Speaking at a recent press conference, Jeevan Khatri, Mayor of Changunarayan Municipality, said preparations are underway to formally declare the municipality a “Yoga Municipality” during a three-day event scheduled for May 22–24. According to Mayor Khatri, the event will feature a large-scale yoga science camp at the Nepal Electricity Authority Training Center in Kharipati every morning at 5:00 am.
Gold and silver prices rise slightly
The price of gold and silver increased on Tuesday compared to Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold rose by Rs 500 per tola and silver increased by Rs 45 per tola. The price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 295,300 per tola today, up from Rs 294,800 on Monday.
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