KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM indifferent to Parliament, questions mount over Speaker’s conduct
Balen Shah has continued to stay away from Parliament despite mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding his response in the ongoing budget session. The budget session, which began on May 11, has repeatedly witnessed obstruction from opposition lawmakers calling for the Prime Minister’s presence in the House. However, Shah has neither attended parliamentary proceedings nor responded to lawmakers’ concerns during discussions on the government’s policies and programs. Although the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is located just minutes away from the Parliament building in Singha Durbar, Shah has reportedly avoided attending the House, citing work pressure. Sources claim he instead follows parliamentary proceedings live from his office.
Pressure mounts on Oli to step down, General Secretary Pokharel joins calls for leadership change
Internal debate over leadership change within the CPN-UML party has intensified, with growing pressure on party chair KP Sharma Oli to pave the way for new leadership. During the party Secretariat meeting held on Saturday, several top leaders reportedly argued that the party could no longer move forward under the current leadership style and stressed the need for a new direction. According to leaders present at the meeting, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and other senior office bearers suggested that the leadership should create space for renewal in order to inject new energy and dynamism into the party.
Chaos erupts in RSP meeting in Bara, cadres lash out at MPs
A heated extended meeting of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) turned chaotic in Bara on Saturday after internal disputes escalated into confrontation between party cadres and lawmakers. Tensions reportedly flared during the meeting over issues including ticket distribution and organizational expansion, leading to a tense situation that spiraled into physical confrontation. As the situation went out of control, MPs including Ganesh Dhimal, Chandan Singh, Arvind Sah, and Rahbar Ansari were forced to leave the venue for their safety.
Two arrested from Gongabu with SLR magazine and 45 rounds of ammunition
Police have arrested two individuals from Gongabu in possession of an SLR magazine and 45 rounds of ammunition. According to the District Police Range Kathmandu, the arrested have been identified as 27-year-old Khagendra Sharma of Rajbiraj Municipality-13 in Saptari, and 22-year-old Omshankar Gupta, originally from the same locality and currently residing in Narephant, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-32. Police spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Bhattarai said the arrest was made during a search at Kabeli Guest House near Shiva Temple in Gongabu, Tokha Municipality-9.
19th Durbar Marg Street Festival held in Kathmandu
The 19th edition of the Durbar Marg Street Festival was held on Saturday at Durbar Marg. This year’s event, themed “Extreme Saturday,” is being organized under the main sponsorship of Extreme Energy Drink. The festival has been jointly organized by Mavericks Group and Arbitrary Events with the initiative of the Durbar Marg Development Board. The event features a range of attractions including children’s games, 3-on-3 basketball competitions, e-sports, cultural processions, cosplay activities, and photo booths.
Scooter rider killed in bus collision in Makwanpur
A scooter rider died after being hit by a bus along the Kantilokpath road section at Sikhar Kateri in Makwanpurgadi Rural Municipality-2 of Makwanpur on Saturday afternoon. According to the District Police Office Makwanpur, the accident occurred when a bus heading from Kathmandu to Birgunj collided with a scooter travelling in the opposite direction on a curve. Police identified the deceased as 55-year-old Dorje Ratna Yonjan, the scooter rider and a local resident.
Tiptala border point resumes operation after staff deployment
The Tiptala border checkpoint in Taplejung has resumed operation following the deployment of customs personnel. According to Cheten Lama, the customs office in Olangchung Gola had previously been operating with the help of local office assistants. However, the office was completely shut down after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ward Chairperson Lama said the checkpoint has now come back into regular operation after Pradip Dhital was assigned as the chief customs officer on Thursday.
NC President Gagan Thapa says bid to cover up September 9 incident unacceptable
Gagan Thapa has said any attempt by the government to cover up the incident that took place on September 9, 2025, would be unacceptable. Speaking at a press meet organized at the Koirala Residence on Saturday, the Nepali Congress leader demanded that the government form a judicial commission to investigate the incident, in line with its earlier commitment. Thapa also called for the public release of the report prepared by the National Human Rights Commission Nepal regarding the incidents of September 8 and 9, 2025, insisting that action should be taken against those found responsible based on the report’s findings.
Cannes Film Festival historic for Nepal: Sunita Dangol
Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol has said that this year’s Cannes Film Festival has been historic for Nepal. Speaking to journalists upon her return at Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday, Dangol said Nepali cinema achieved a significant milestone for the first time in the festival’s history. She highlighted that the success of the film Elephants in the Fog, directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, which won the Jury Prize in the “Un Certain Regard” section, marks an important achievement for Nepal’s film industry, creative sector, and artistic community on the international stage.
Narayanhiti museum hall and cafeteria remain non-operational six years after handover
The conference hall and cafeteria constructed within the Republic Memorial area inside the Narayanhiti Palace Museum premises have remained non-operational even six years after being formally handed over. The structures were built by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction at a cost of Rs 449.15 million and handed over to the Narayanhiti Palace Museum Development Committee on January 17, 2020. Despite completion, the facilities have not been brought into use, prompting the Office of the Auditor General in its 63rd annual report to direct that the structures be made operational.
Heatwave alert issued for six districts in western Nepal
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued a heatwave alert, warning of extreme heat and hot wind conditions in parts of western Nepal from today until Monday. According to the notice, temperatures in some areas of the Tarai region in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius or above, leading to a high risk of extreme heat conditions. Moderate heatwave conditions are also likely across several Tarai districts in the two provinces. The authority has urged residents of districts including Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Doti, Kailali and Kanchanpur to remain on high alert. Likewise, districts such as Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Salyan, Surkhet, Achham, Dadeldhura and Baitadi have been placed under “updated alert” status.
Nepal–China border security coordination meeting held in Lomanthang
A Nepal–China border security coordination meeting was held on Friday in Lomanthang of Upper Mustang, focusing on strengthening cooperation along the northern frontier. The meeting brought together officials from the Zhongba County Public Security Bureau and Nepali security agencies along with local representatives from Mustang district. The Chinese delegation was led by Deputy County Governor Dunzhu Yujie and included Public Security Bureau Director Luoying, foreign liaison officer Siren Zhaxi, and five other officials.
Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road expansion still incomplete, commuters face continued hardship
The long-awaited expansion of the Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road section under the Araniko Highway has yet to be completed, with commuters and local residents continuing to face dust, mud, and traffic congestion. The 16-kilometre road expansion project, which began three years ago, aims to upgrade the stretch into a six-lane roadway connecting Bhaktapur’s Suryabinayak to Kavrepalanchok’s Dhulikhel. Despite ongoing work, progress remains incomplete, causing daily inconvenience to travellers and businesses along the route. The project has been divided into two sections—Suryabinayak–Sanga and Sanga–Dhulikhel. According to project officials, overall physical progress has reached around 70 percent, up from 67 percent a few months ago and around 50 percent earlier.
Long-distance buses from Kathmandu Valley to introduce luggage tag system
A luggage tagging system is set to be introduced in long-distance public transport vehicles operating from the Kathmandu Valley, aiming to enhance passenger safety and reduce cases of lost or swapped baggage. The initiative is expected to make public transport more organized while addressing long-standing complaints of missing luggage and mismanagement during travel. An official agreement was signed on Friday between the Metropolitan Traffic Police Office Kathmandu and the National Transport Entrepreneurs Federation Nepal to implement the system.
‘Elephants in the Fog’ wins Jury Prize at Cannes
Nepali cinema has achieved a historic milestone at the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival, with the film Elephants in the Fog winning the Jury Prize under the “Un Certain Regard” section. Directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, the film secured one of the most prestigious awards in the category, which is considered the second most important segment after the main competition. The top honour in the section, the Un Certain Regard Prize, was awarded to Everytime, directed by Sandra Wullner, while the Nepali film stood out as one of the most acclaimed entries in the lineup.
Govt preparing to reopen Hetauda Textile Industry: Minister Yadav
Gauri Kumari Yadav has said the government is making preparations to bring the long-shuttered Hetauda Textile Industry back into operation. During an inspection of the Hetauda Industrial Area on Saturday, Minister Yadav said reopening the ailing textile factory would contribute to the country’s economic development and create employment opportunities. She stated that the government has adopted a policy of reviving sick and closed industries in order to strengthen the national economy and promote job creation.
Education Ministry urges students to seek services only from renewed consultancies
The Ministry of Education and Sports has urged students planning to pursue higher education abroad to obtain services only from educational consultancies that have renewed their licenses for the fiscal year 2025/26. The ministry published the updated list of renewed educational consultancy institutions and requested students and guardians to verify the status of consultancies before seeking services. According to the ministry, the list was published following a decision made on May 20 by Education Secretary Chudamani Paudel.
Over 1,900 drivers booked in Valley in 24 hours, five held for drug-impaired driving
The traffic police have taken action against 1,922 drivers across the Kathmandu Valley within the last 24 hours, collecting a total of Rs 1.97 million in fines. According to Nawaraj Adhikari, the enforcement drive targeted various traffic violations including drink driving, overspeeding, red light violations, and lane discipline breaches. Among those penalized were 118 drivers for drink driving, 198 for ride-sharing violations, 126 for red light jumping, 131 for overspeeding, 73 for lane crossing, 90 for driving on sidewalks, 95 for unnecessary horn use, 105 for one-way violations, and 986 for other offences.
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