KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Sushila Karki holds meeting with Rabi Lamichhane
Prime Minister Sushila Karki held a courtesy meeting with Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, on Sunday evening at Baluwatar. During the meeting, Lamichhane congratulated Prime Minister Karki on the peaceful and fair conduct of the recent elections, praising her leadership for delivering a democratic solution to the country in a short period. Prime Minister Karki also congratulated the Rastriya Swatantra Party for the successful election and emphasized working together to meet the expectations of the people. She highlighted the high hopes of citizens and urged officials to work honestly to deliver results.
Nepali Congress rejects resignation of President Gagan Thapa
The Nepali Congress on Sunday rejected the resignation of its President Gagan Thapa. The decision was made during a central committee meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Sanepa. Thapa had submitted his resignation on Wednesday, but the committee decided not to accept it after discussions among senior leaders. The meeting, chaired by Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma, also reviewed the March 5 election and discussed preparations for the party’s upcoming 15th general convention. After listening to all leaders’ opinions, the committee concluded that Thapa should continue to lead the party at least until the regular convention.
Election Commission submits House of Representatives election report to government
The Election Commission of Nepal has submitted the report on the results of the House of Representatives election in Nepal to the government. A team led by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari handed over the report to Prime Minister Sushila Karki at Baluwatar on Sunday. Receiving the report, Prime Minister Karki thanked the commission for successfully conducting the election. According to Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, the prime minister said the work carried out by the commission would be highly valued by history
Home Ministry holds meeting on Singha Durbar security arrangements
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal on Sunday held a meeting chaired by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal to discuss security arrangements for Singha Durbar. The meeting, attended by Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha, Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki, and senior ministry officials, focused on internal security preparations for the upcoming oath-taking of newly elected federal lawmakers and the management of parliamentary sessions. Home Minister Aryal instructed officials to ensure proper traffic control, security management, and financial arrangements, taking into account the oath-taking ceremony, parliamentary proceedings, and the safety of ministries within Singha Durbar.
Corruption case filed against 21 individuals, two firms over Pokhara airport project; Rs 461.5 million claim
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 21 individuals and two companies over alleged irregularities in the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport. According to CIAA spokesperson Suresh Nyaupane, the charge sheet accuses officials of collusion, bad faith, and unlawful conduct in the consultant appointment process under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, causing significant loss to public property.
NC warns of action against NSU leadership
The Nepali Congress has taken seriously the statement by Nepal Student Union President Dujang Sherpa declaring the union as separate and autonomous from the party. Speaking during the ongoing Central Working Committee meeting that began Friday, party spokesperson Dev Raj Chalise described the move as against party discipline. “NSU, Tarun Dal, and Nepal Women’s Association are all sister organizations formed by the Nepali Congress,” Chalise said. “How political, legal, or meaningful is it for institutions created by the party to declare separation? Those making such statements should reflect on this.”
Air pollution fizzles out with rainfall
The air pollution afflicting the country, including the federal capital, Kathmandu, for quite a while has declined remarkably after the rainfall last Friday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 178, making Kathmandu City as the second most polluted city in the world a week back. The AQI is now declined sharply placing the Kathmandu City at AQI 60. It means Kathmandu is the 67th polluted place in the world now. The AQI measurement from 0 to 50 is considered ‘good’ while 51 to 100 ‘requires alertness’, 100 to 150 is ‘unhealthy’, impacting badly the people with respiratory and heart diseases. It is ‘unhealthy for all’ if the AQI ranges from 151 to 200, while the ‘very unhealthy’ stage is 201 to 300 and ‘very dangerous’ in case of the AQI above 300.
NEPSE rises 54 points, turnover tops Rs 23.5 billion
The stock market rose by 54.51 points on Sunday, pushing the NEPSE index to 2,931 points, marking the highest level in about eight months. Last Thursday, NEPSE had gained 64 points. Market turnover also increased, reaching Rs 23.59 billion, up from Rs 21.22 billion the previous day. Out of all companies traded, 183 saw their share prices rise, 73 declined, and 8 remained unchanged. All sector indices except for the trade group posted gains, while the trade sector dipped by 0.11 percent. The microfinance sector recorded the largest gain, rising 4.21 percent.
RSP gears up to approve Balen as PP leader before March 27
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is scheduled to hold a secretariat and central committee meeting on the morning of March 26 to finalize key party decisions ahead of Balendra (Balen) Shah’s appointment as Prime Minister. The secretariat meeting is expected to propose senior leader Balen Shah as the leader of the parliamentary party (PP). The proposal will then be approved during the central committee meeting. Once approved, Balen will immediately assume the position of parliamentary party leader. The RSP, which has not yet held its first general convention since its establishment four years ago, will also use these meetings to decide on amendments to its statute. Newly elected members of the House of Representatives are scheduled to take their oath on March 26.
NC attributes 21-seat defeat to party discord
The Nepali Congress (NC) has concluded that internal infighting played a major role in its defeat in at least 21 constituencies in the recently concluded (March 5) House of Representatives elections. Spokesperson Devraj Chalise, speaking after a review at the ongoing central committee meeting, said that in constituencies where the party lost by margins of fewer than 3,000 to 5,000 votes, internal differences were the primary reason. “In constituencies where the party lost by 3,000 to 5,000 votes, internal disagreements combined with weaknesses in the election campaign contributed to the defeat. In seats lost by margins of 5,000 to 10,000 votes, internal rifts, weak campaign strategies, and adverse narratives put the party on the defensive,” Chalise explained.
HPV vaccines to be administered to children in four districts
The government is set to launch a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeting cervical cancer in four districts this week. Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, head of the Child Health and Immunisation Branch at the Department of Health Services, said the campaign will be conducted in Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, and Manang. These districts had missed the earlier nationwide campaign in February due to school closures caused by snowfall. The HPV vaccine was administered to 6th-grade students and 10-year-old girls outside of schools across the country from February 8 to 27, except in the four districts mentioned. Children from grades 7 to 10, as well as out-of-school girls aged 11 to 14, were also vaccinated. During the campaign, a total of 323,000 girls across 73 districts received the HPV vaccine, Dr. Gautam stated.
Taplejung mountains turn silvery after heavy snowfall
After two days of rain, the mountains of Taplejung district have taken on a silvery hue as the weather clears. The Tijure-Milke-Jalajle area of Maiwakhola Rural Municipality in Taplejung has been blanketed in snow since morning. The world’s third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga, along with Kumbhakarna, Pathibhara, and Manabhara areas, has also turned silvery. The opening of clear weather has attracted more domestic tourists eager to enjoy the snow. The high mountainous regions of Taplejung have been receiving heavy snowfall since Friday evening. Snowfall that began alongside rain has transformed many areas of the district into a winter landscape.
128 arrested for illegal activities in Chitwan National Park
Authorities at Chitwan National Park (CNP) have arrested 128 individuals on various charges since the start of the current fiscal year. According to the park’s Information Officer, Abinash Thapa Magar, the majority of those arrested were involved in illegal fishing in the Rapti River. A total of 70 individuals were apprehended and penalized for this offense. In addition, three individuals were arrested for attempted rhinoceros poaching, five for pangolin-related offenses, 11 for collecting fiddlehead ferns, and 30 for illegally gathering green fodder. One person was arrested for killing birds, four for entering the park without permission, and another four for involvement in other prohibited activities.
Gold price drops by Rs 12,500 in a single day
The price of gold declined sharply by Rs 12,500 per tola on Sunday. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Federation, gold is being traded at Rs 282,000 per tola today, down from Rs 294,500 per tola the previous day. Over the past week, gold prices have fallen by Rs 27,400 per tola. Last Sunday, gold was traded at Rs 309,400 per tola. Analysts attribute the recent decline in gold prices to fluctuations in the international market. As global oil prices rise, countries require more US dollars for imports, increasing demand for the dollar. A stronger dollar typically puts downward pressure on gold prices.
Nepalgunj Customs struggles to meet revenue target
Nepalgunj Customs Office has collected just over half of its annual revenue target in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. Out of the fiscal year 2082/83 target of Rs 24.54 billion, only Rs 12.75 billion, or 51.97 percent, has been collected by mid-Falgun, according to Janardan Poudel, Chief of Nepalgunj Customs Office. Poudel said the office now faces the challenge of collecting the remaining 48 percent in the last four months to achieve the target, noting that revenue collection has consistently fallen short of monthly targets. Collection performance in Shrawan, Bhadra, Asoj, Kartik, Mangsir, Poush, and Magh ranged between 69 and 88 percent of monthly targets.
Butwal-Narayangadh road obstructed
The Butwal-Narayangadh road section, closed since Friday, has yet to reopen fully, disrupting transport services. The Daunne section in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-2 (Bardaghat Sustapur) along the East-West Highway has become slippery and muddy, making vehicle movement difficult. According to Yubaraj Khadka, Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Nawalparasi, the mud from winter rains and the continuous flow of debris from the Daunne hills have made the road impassable. Vehicles are struggling to climb the uphill areas near Ghiukhola and Bishwakarma Temple, often getting stuck midway.
Dhulikhel-Khawa road upgrade starts with traffic restrictions
Upgrading work on the Dhulikhel-Khawa road section along the Araniko Highway has begun with a temporary ban on vehicular traffic. The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, has closed the road for two weeks starting Saturday night to accelerate paving and expansion work. Senior Divisional Engineer Sunam Yogesh said vehicles will be restricted from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am between March 21 and April 3, with tippers and cargo trucks completely banned during this period.
Ngwenya, Khoza appointed CEO and COO of World Cup 2027 Local Organising Committee
Qondisa Ngwenya has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, while Edward Khoza will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027. According to ESPNcricinfo, the appointments were confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Saturday, following what the board described as a “rigorous recruitment and selection process,” with both candidates receiving unanimous endorsement. The report said that Ngwenya currently serves as the president of Cycling South Africa and brings extensive experience from the sporting and media sectors, including his previous role as head of television production company Octagon.
President Paudel calls for ensuring equal access to water
President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged government bodies, development partners, organizations, and the public to work collectively to ensure water conservation, sustainable use, and equitable access to water resources. In a message on the occasion of World Water Day 2026, President Paudel stressed the importance of gender equality, inclusive participation, and fair access at all levels of water management. “Water is the foundation of life, health, prosperity, and social justice. From the rise of human civilization to the present, water has shaped every aspect of life. While ancient civilizations flourished along riverbanks, conserving water and nature has now become increasingly challenging,” he said.
Vice President Yadav urges equitable access and conservation of water
Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has emphasized the need for effective implementation of state policies to ensure equitable distribution of and access to water resources. In a message on the occasion of World Water Day 2026, he extended his congratulations and stated, “Water is the foundation of life, and its conservation and proper use are our shared responsibility.” The Vice President noted that Nepal is increasingly facing a serious water crisis, worsened by climate change and the accelerated melting of glaciers.
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