KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Balen holds series of meetings with private sector, raising hopes for economic momentum
Prime Minister Balen Shah has stepped up consultations with business and industry leaders over the past two weeks, a shift from his earlier focus on diplomatic engagements and formal meetings during the first 100 days of his administration. Since July 8, Shah has met representatives from at least eight sectors, including the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC), the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), construction entrepreneurs, independent power producers, hotel operators, women entrepreneurs, footwear manufacturers, capital market stakeholders, handicraft businesses and organic producers. The meetings have centered on improving the investment climate, addressing business concerns and restoring private sector confidence.
Questions raised over appointment of Nepal Scouts chief commissioner Santosh Thapa
The government has appointed Santosh Kumar Thapa as the Chief Commissioner of the Interim National Executive Committee of Nepal Scouts, prompting questions over his political affiliations, past appointments, and previous allegations linked to overseas volunteer programs. The appointment was approved by the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Balen Shah on Wednesday. Minister for Education, Science and Sports Sasmit Pokharel handed Thapa his appointment letter the same day. Thapa was actively involved in Balen Shah’s mayoral election campaign during the 2022 local elections. In recent years, he has also been associated with leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), according to sources familiar with Nepal Scouts.
Education Minister vows to end political interference in universities within four years
Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel has pledged to eliminate political interference in Nepal’s universities within the next four years, promising a merit-based system for appointments, promotions, and transfers. Addressing the 67th anniversary celebration of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Thursday, Pokharel, who also serves as the university’s Pro-Chancellor, said the era of political power-sharing in higher education institutions must come to an end. He said no political or partisan pressure would be tolerated in decisions related to transfers, promotions, or appointments and urged university officials to immediately inform the Ministry of Education if they faced such interference.
Absconding insurance and securities case defendant arrested in Kathmandu
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested an absconding defendant accused of offenses under the Insurance Act, 2022 (2079 BS) and the Securities Act, 2007 (2063 BS). According to the CIB, Mrigendranath Rimal, a resident of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-7, was arrested from Sifal on Thursday based on complaints filed by the Nepal Insurance Authority and the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). Police said Rimal had been absconding in connection with the case. Following his arrest, he was presented before the Kathmandu District Court in Babarmahal for further legal proceedings, the CIB said.
UML Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel makes first public appearance since release
CPN-UML Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel made his first public appearance on Thursday since being released in connection with a money laundering case earlier this month. Paudel, who had stayed away from political events following his release on July 17 under a Special Court order, appeared alongside UML Chair KP Sharma Oli at a party programme in Kathmandu. The two leaders shared the stage at an interaction programme organized in Babarmahal to mark the 48th Pushpalal Memorial Day. Paudel was released after spending 25 days in custody. The Special Court ordered his release on general bail pending trial, ruling that there were insufficient grounds to keep him in pretrial detention while proceedings continue.
Govt proposes six-month paid maternity leave in draft reproductive health law amendment
The government has proposed extending paid maternity leave from 98 days to six months as part of a draft amendment to the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018, and has invited public feedback on the proposed changes. The Ministry of Health and Food Safety published a public notice under the Legislation Act, 2024, calling on stakeholders, experts, and members of the public to submit comments on the draft bill. The proposed amendment’s key provision is the extension of maternity leave to six months. However, the draft retains the existing provision of 98 days of paid leave in certain special circumstances. The bill also proposes a new legal provision declaring physical or psychological violence against pregnant women and new mothers illegal, making such acts subject to legal action.
Construction of Kalanki-Basundhara section of Kathmandu Ring Road to begin after Dashain-Tihar
Construction of the 8.2-kilometer Kalanki-Basundhara section under the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project is expected to begin immediately after the Dashain-Tihar festive period. Project Chief Ashika Pokharel said the Chinese side is preparing to move ahead with construction after completing the tender process in China once the final design is approved. According to Pokharel, construction of the service lane outside the main expressway is currently being carried out through Nepal’s own resources and has reached around 80 percent completion. Only asphalt paving work remains in some sections. The Chinese side has already submitted the preliminary design for the main expressway, and Nepal has provided necessary feedback and comments. The project is now at the stage of receiving the final design, she said.
RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane to visit China for meetings with senior Chinese officials
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is set to visit China later this month, leading a four-member party delegation to Beijing for high-level meetings with Chinese officials. According to party sources, Lamichhane will be accompanied by several leaders and lawmakers close to him. During the visit, he is expected to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior government officials. Details of the remaining meetings have not been disclosed. Sources close to the RSP said the visit aims to strengthen political engagement with China and build confidence following changes in Nepal’s political landscape after the March 5 political transition.
Five detained as youths protest against Education Minister at Tribhuvan University event
Five youths were detained on Thursday after staging a protest against Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel during the 67th anniversary celebration of Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur. The protesters chanted slogans, including “Nepo baby murdabad,” as the minister arrived to attend the university event. Police intervened and detained five demonstrators. The protesters demanded an end to political interference in universities and called for the implementation of a merit-based system in higher education governance.
Displaced landless families refuse to leave Kathmandu without guarantees on jobs, education, healthcare
Landless families staying at various holding centers have said they will not leave Kathmandu unless the government guarantees access to education, healthcare, and employment. The statement came after the government moved ahead with plans to resettle families displaced from riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley to locations corresponding to the permanent addresses listed on their citizenship certificates. Demonstrating at Maitighar on Thursday, the protesters said they would struggle to find employment outside Kathmandu and feared relocation without livelihood opportunities would make it difficult to sustain their families. They said they are willing to relocate anywhere in the country if the government first ensures access to education, healthcare, and jobs.
Reason and wisdom have disappeared from Nepal’s politics: NC leader Angdembe
Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe has said reason and wisdom have disappeared from Nepal’s politics, arguing that parliamentary and street politics have increasingly been dominated by insults and arrogance. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the party’s ‘Jara Abhiyan’ (Roots Campaign) and the launch of a new campaign in Kathmandu on Thursday, Angdembe said the Nepali Congress’ socialist ideology had been overshadowed by the pursuit of political power. Recalling the late B.P. Koirala’s policy of national reconciliation, Angdembe said Koirala had stressed that nationalism and democracy were complementary, but claimed the party had drifted away from those ideals. He also urged the party to reflect on whether its newly launched campaign represented a genuine new direction or merely a continuation of previous efforts.
Nepal’s imports reach Rs 2.09 trillion in FY 2025/26; exports surpass Rs 315 billion
Nepal imported goods worth Rs 2.096 trillion during the fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83 BS), an increase of 16.2 percent compared to the previous fiscal year, according to the Department of Customs. The department’s latest trade statistics show that the country exported goods worth Rs 315.29 billion during the same period, up 13.81 percent year-on-year. With both imports and exports increasing, Nepal’s total foreign trade expanded by 15.88 percent over the previous fiscal year, the department said. According to the data, petroleum products remained Nepal’s largest import, valued at Rs 172.43 billion. Imports of soybean oil and soybean oil raw materials totaled Rs 132.77 billion, making them the second-largest import category.
Dr. Govinda KC announces 24th hunger strike from Dhangadhi
Medical education and healthcare reform activist Prof. Dr. Govinda KC is set to begin his 24th hunger strike from Dhangadhi, Kailali, accusing the government of failing to implement past agreements and address his long-standing demands. Dr. KC announced that he would start the protest at 3 pm at the Krishna Temple Dharamshala in Dhangadhi, stating that the government has repeatedly ignored commitments made during previous agreements. In a statement issued on the eve of the protest, Dr. KC alleged that private interests and commercial groups have been gaining increasing influence in Nepal’s health and medical education sectors. Reminding that medical education and healthcare should remain purely non-profit public services, he said the National Medical Education Act, 2018, has a provision to make the sector fully non-profit by 2028, but claimed the government has failed to take meaningful steps toward implementation.
Education Ministry to consult stakeholders on reforms to education consultancy sector
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is set to hold consultations with stakeholders today to discuss challenges facing Nepal’s education consultancy sector and possible policy and regulatory reforms. The meeting, to be chaired by government spokesperson and Minister for Education Sasmit Pokharel, will bring together office bearers and representatives of various associations involved in the education consultancy industry. According to the ministry, discussions will cover the current state of the consultancy business, challenges faced by the private sector, measures to promote quality education consultancy services, and potential policy and regulatory improvements.
Task force submits interim report on human-wildlife conflict as Nepal seeks monkey management plan
A government task force on human-wildlife conflict has submitted its interim report to Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary, outlining recommendations to reduce damage caused by monkeys and other wild animals. Receiving the report on Wednesday, Minister Chaudhary said the growing problem of monkey-related crop destruction in several districts has become increasingly serious, stressing that the government is committed to finding a practical and long-term solution. She said the issue extends beyond wildlife conservation, noting that monkey attacks are destroying crops, displacing farmers, and directly affecting agricultural production. The problem, she added, should be treated as a national issue linked to farmers’ livelihoods and the country’s food security. The minister directed the task force to prepare a clear action plan incorporating scientific, legal, and practical measures for managing the monkey population.
Nearly two dozen Nepal colleges risk losing foreign degree programs under new regulations
Nearly two dozen colleges in Nepal offering foreign-affiliated academic programs could lose their operating approval if they fail to replace partnerships with lower-ranked universities under the government’s newly enforced Foreign Academic Programs (Operation and Regulation) Regulations, 2083. The new regulations introduce stricter quality standards for foreign university affiliations, requiring institutions to partner only with universities ranked within the top 1,000 globally by Times Higher Education (THE), QS World University Rankings, or equivalent international ranking systems. Under Rule 21 of the regulations, colleges are permitted to change their foreign university affiliation. To do so, they must sign an agreement with a university meeting the criteria set out in Rule 7(3)(n) and submit an application to the Ministry of Education.
Floods, landslides block 11 highway sections nationwide
Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall have disrupted traffic on major highways at 11 locations across Nepal today. According to the Nepal Police’s latest update issued on Thursday morning, road sections in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces have been affected. Highways that have been completely blocked include the Mechi Highway in Ilam, the Mid-Hill Highway in Khotang, the B.P. Highway in Sindhuli and Kavrepalanchok, the Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchok, and Kanti Lokpath in Makawanpur. Other roads closed due to floods and landslides include the Lamosangu–Ramechhap Road in Dolakha, the Kaligandaki Corridor in Baglung, the Besisahar–Manang Road in Lamjung, the Beni–Jomsom Road in Myagdi, and the Bheri Corridor along the Jajarkot–Dolpa road section in Rukum West.
Government is effortful to remove Nepal from FATF’s ‘Grey List’: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has said the government is effortful to remove Nepal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘Grey List’. He believed that Nepal could extricate itself out from ‘Grey List’ soon if tax administration could be made transparent, effective and accountable. Addressing tax officers under the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) across the country from IRD, Lazimpat, today, Finance Minister Dr Wagle laid emphasis that tax administration should closely scrutinize money laundering offenses. He stressed the need of incorporating taxpayers under the ambit of tax through voluntary tax compliance for tax collection rather than forcefully and terrorizing them. The Finance Minister urged to speak openly if there is a shortage of anything like human resources, infrastructures and information technology to make tax administration efficient.
Bedika KC arrested following complaint filed by Radhika Dasi
The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police has arrested Bedika KC following a complaint filed by storyteller Radhika Dasi, police said. According to police, KC was arrested from Jorpati on Thursday after Dasi accused her of spreading misinformation through social media. Cyber Bureau spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Dilip Kumar Giri confirmed the arrest to Khabarhub. “We have arrested Bedika KC based on a complaint filed by another woman. She has been taken into custody for investigation following allegations of defamation and spreading rumours,” Giri said.
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