KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Rabi Lamichhane says he has no room for immaturity, pledges responsible leadership
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has said he no longer has the luxury of being “immature” and will act with greater responsibility as party leader. Addressing the post-swearing-in program at the party’s first general convention in Chitwan, Lamichhane said the trust and expectations placed on the party by the public required serious commitment. “As the founding president, I carry important responsibilities. The country has placed hope and trust in us, and I must work to ensure that trust is not broken,” he said. “Earlier, I was accused of being immature, but the situation no longer allows that.” He added that circumstances were pushing him toward greater maturity and accountability in leadership.
RSP office bearers take oath of office and secrecy
Newly elected office bearers and central members of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have taken the oath of office and secrecy in a ceremony held at the convention venue hall. Rabi Lamichhane was elected unopposed as party president, while Dr. Swarnim Wagle was elected vice-president without contest. Elections were held for other office-bearer positions. Sobita Gautam has been elected vice-president (women), Bipin Kumar Acharya general secretary, and Hari Dhakal and Asim Shah joint general secretaries. Nisha Dangi has been elected as women’s joint general secretary.
Swarnim Wagle elected unopposed as RSP Vice Chair
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has been elected unopposed as the Vice Chair of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) during the party’s first general convention in Chitwan. The RSP Election Commission announced on Friday that Wagle secured the post unopposed after no other valid candidate remained in the race for the open vice president position. Wagle’s election was confirmed after Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, who had initially filed his candidacy for the post, withdrew from the contest. Shrestha, notably, had also proposed Wagle’s candidacy. Earlier, Wagle was elected as an open central committee member, receiving the highest number of votes—2,607. Under the RSP statute, candidates for all office-bearer positions except the president and senior leader must first be elected as central committee members. Earlier this week, Rabi Lamichhane was elected unopposed as the party’s Chair.
Sobita Gautam elected RSP Vice-Chair
Sobita Gautam has been elected vice-chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), securing 789 votes in the election for office bearers held on Friday. Her closest rival, Toshima Karki, received 572 votes. A total of 1,289 delegates cast their ballots in the office-bearer election, significantly fewer than the 2,959 votes recorded during the earlier election for central committee members. The sharp decline in turnout has been attributed to many delegates leaving the general convention before the second round of voting. As a result, 1,670 fewer delegates voted in the office-bearer election than in the central committee poll.
Bipin Acharya elected RSP General Secretary
Bipin Acharya has been elected General Secretary of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) at the party’s first general convention in Chitwan. Although the Election Commission has yet to formally announce the result, Manisha Jha confirmed Acharya’s victory while congratulating him on his election. Responding to the outcome, Acharya said his election as general secretary marked another step in strengthening the party’s institutional development.
Hari Dhakal, Asim Shah elected RSP joint general secretaries
Hari Dhakal and Asim Shah have been elected as joint general secretaries of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The two leaders were elected to the open joint general secretary posts in the party’s office-bearer election held during its first general convention in Chitwan. Dhakal is a member of the House of Representatives. Shah previously served as a proportional representation lawmaker and is currently a political adviser to Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Two-thirds of RSP delegates abstain from office-bearer election, turnout drops to around 30 percent
Participation of delegates at the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) first general convention in Chitwan has remained low, with only around 30 percent casting votes in the election of office bearers held on Friday. Out of 4,311 registered delegates, 2,959 participated in the central member election held on Thursday, reflecting a turnout of 68.63 percent, while 31.37 percent did not vote. However, participation declined further in the office-bearer election, with only 1,289 delegates casting ballots. The sharp drop in turnout has been attributed to the prolonged election process, with some delegates reportedly returning home before voting. A few delegates also staged a sit-in after being unable to cast their votes.
HoR meeting postponed again, rescheduled for Sunday
The meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for Saturday has been postponed once again after the Federal Parliament Secretariat issued a notice. The Secretariat said the meeting, which was due to begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, has now been rescheduled for Sunday. This is the third consecutive postponement of the House meeting. In its notice, the Parliament Secretariat said the meeting was deferred due to “special reasons,” without providing further details.
SC to hear writ petition of UML Vice Chair Poudel on June 30
The hearing on the writ petition filed by CPN (UML) Vice Chairman and former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel at the Supreme Court is scheduled for June 30. Poudel’s wife, Domaya Poudel, filed a writ petition in the court on June 24, stating that he was being illegally detained. A bench of Justice Shrikant Poudel ordered the Attorney General’s Office to submit a written response by June 15 and scheduled the hearing on the writ petition for June 30. Vice Chairman Poudel was arrested in Surkhet on June 22 on charges of money laundering and was produced before the Special Court in Kathmandu on June 23.
NEPSE index edges down slightly
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index declined marginally in trading on Friday. According to the Nepal Stock Exchange, the benchmark NEPSE index fell by 2.00 points to close at 2,649.51. The sensitive index, which tracks the performance of large-cap companies, also slipped by 0.55 points to 457.68. A total of 7,727,649 shares of 359 listed companies were traded through 74,552 transactions, with a total turnover of Rs 3.94 billion. In terms of trading volume, Global IME Bank Debenture 2086/87 topped the list, followed by Global IME Bank Debenture 2084/85, Nepal Bank Debenture 2087, Aankhukhola Hydropower Company, and City Hotel. According to NEPSE, the biggest gainers of the day were Snow River Falls, Taksar Piluwa Khola Hydropower, Yambling Hydropower, NMB Debenture 2089/90, and NMB Debenture 2090.
Gold price rises by Rs 800 after three consecutive days of decline
After declining continuously for the past three days, the price of gold increased on Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold rose by Rs 800 per tola. With the increase, fine gold was traded at Rs 279,100 per tola in the Nepali market today. On the previous trading day, gold prices had dropped by Rs 5,200 per tola to reach Rs 278,300. Meanwhile, the price of silver declined on Thursday. Silver became cheaper by Rs 55 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4,180 per tola, according to the association.
Over Rs 2 million collected in traffic fines across Kathmandu Valley
Traffic police booked and fined 2,438 vehicles for violating traffic rules across the Kathmandu Valley over the past 24 hours, collecting more than Rs 2.07 million in penalties. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the offences included 85 cases of drunk driving, 130 instances of unauthorized ride-sharing, 123 traffic signal violations and 160 cases of overspeeding. Police also recorded 122 lane discipline violations and 99 cases of unnecessary honking in prohibited areas. In addition, 27 vehicles were penalized for emitting excessive smoke, while 1,703 drivers and riders faced action for various other traffic offences, the Office said.
Home Minister directs police to break drug supply chain to protect youth
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has directed the police administration to break the drug supply chain in order to protect younger generations from addiction to narcotic substances often used for temporary pleasure and recreation. Issuing a special message on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the minister said the observance should not remain limited to formal ceremonies and instructed authorities to actively work toward controlling the problem at its roots. In his message, Gurung noted that various studies and reports indicate a rise in drug trafficking, describing the trend as a matter of serious concern. To address the challenge, he said the government has adopted a policy of treating drug abuse as a social issue and plans to launch a broader campaign aimed at reducing and preventing narcotics use.
Prachanda and Nepal meet NC leader Shekhar Koirala in Biratnagar
Nepali Communist Party coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and party co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal held a meeting with Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala. The leaders met at Koirala’s residence in Biratnagar. According to sources, discussions during the meeting focused on the country’s contemporary political situation, recent political developments and issues of mutual interest.
Oli, Prachanda, Madhav Nepal to share stage after long gap
After a long interval, top communist leaders are set to appear on the same platform at a major political event in Kathmandu. Senior communist leaders will speak at a symposium being organized on the occasion of the 75th birth anniversary of late CPN-UML leader Madan Bhandari. The Madan Bhandari Foundation is organizing the event on June 28. The symposium, themed “Nepal’s Communist Movement and People’s Leader Madan Bhandari,” will be held at the Rastriya Sabhagriha, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari will attend as the chief guest. Speakers include CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Communist Party Co-ordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Co-ordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal.
UML lawmaker Ram Kumari Jhakri accuses government of targeting opposition leaders
CPN-UML lawmaker Ram Kumari Jhakri has accused the government of protecting leaders from the ruling side while targeting opposition politicians through arrests. Speaking during the special hour of Friday’s National Assembly meeting, Jhakri alleged that the government had withdrawn criminal charges against one of its own leaders while ordering the arrest of UML Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel based solely on a single individual’s statement. She argued that the government was attempting to silence leaders of rival political parties by adopting tactics similar to those seen in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Jhakri said arresting a person who could be available for questioning at any time was unjustified and unnecessary.
Mental health emerging as a silent public health crisis: KMC
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has conducted psychosocial health camps in local settlements amid growing concerns that mental health problems are emerging as a silent epidemic. Coordinator of the KMC Health and Education Committee, Chinkaji Maharjan, said the KMC Health Department, in collaboration with Happy Mind, organized psychosocial health camps at multiple locations across Kathmandu. As part of the initiative, outreach teams engaged individuals from different age groups and professional backgrounds living within the metropolitan area. The camps were conducted from June 13 to 22 at nine locations including Swoyambhu, Bhagawan Pau, Kamalpokhari, Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir, Kharibot, Bouddha Stupa premises and Itumbahal.
ANNFSU protests outside NEB, demands probe into Class 12 results
Members of the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU) staged a protest outside the National Examination Board (NEB) in Bhaktapur on Friday, demanding an investigation into alleged errors in the publication and evaluation of the Class 12 examination results. The student organization accused the board of flaws in the result publication and marking process, as well as the lack of an effective system for re-evaluation and re-totaling of answer sheets. Protesters carried placards with slogans including “Stop injustice against students,” “End irregularities in education,” “Investigate the anomalies,” “Punish those responsible,” and “Ensure educational justice.” Anjana Shivakoti, General Secretary of ANNFSU, said the demonstration was organized to demand reforms in the education sector and greater accountability from the National Examination Board.
Journalist Binod Dhakal arrested in cybercrime case
Journalist Binod Dhakal has been arrested by police in connection with a cybercrime case. A team from the New Baneshwor Police Circle took Dhakal into custody in Kathmandu. Dhakal, who has been associated with several media outlets including Canada Nepal Dot Com, had published comments through his Facebook account concerning Inspector General of Police Dhan Bahadur Karki and Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Hemkarna Paudel. Following those remarks, a complaint was registered against him at the Area Police Office, Itahari. According to New Baneshwor Police Circle, Dhakal was arrested based on an arrest warrant issued by the Sunsari District Court. Police said he was taken into custody with court authorization and has been sent to Sunsari for further investigation.
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed today
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed worldwide today to raise awareness about the devastating impact of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking on individuals, families and communities. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking through a resolution adopted on December 7, 1987. The annual observance underscores the global commitment to strengthening international cooperation and collective action to build a world free from drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Authorities issue instructions to close unregistered crusher industries
Raghuganga Rural Municipality in Myagdi has issued a public notice directing the closure and removal of crusher industries operating illegally without completing the required registration process. According to Chief Administrative Officer Kulraj Poudel, crusher industries operating without fulfilling legal requirements have been instructed to cease operations and remove their equipment within one month. The rural municipality stated that legal action will be taken against any crusher industry, except those licensed for hydropower and development projects, if found extracting riverbed materials illegally.
Bagmati to launch pangolin conservation program as province’s pride animal
The Bagmati Province government has announced a special program to conserve the pangolin, designating the endangered mammal as the province’s “pride animal” in the budget for the fiscal year 2026/27. Presenting the provincial budget, Bagmati Province Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning Prabhat Tamang said the conservation initiative aims to strengthen efforts to protect the species and its habitat across the province. The budget also makes the use of domestically produced timber mandatory in the construction of government buildings. In addition, the provincial government has pledged to adopt environmentally friendly and bioengineering technologies and implement integrated water resource management to help reduce climate-related risks.
Madhes Province to begin Appropriation Bill discussion on July 1
The Madhes Provincial Assembly is set to begin discussions on the thematic ministries allocated for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27 under the Provincial Appropriation Bill from July 1. Speaker Ram Ashish Yadav stated that preparations are underway to convene a Provincial Assembly session on July 1 to discuss the Appropriation Bill. The Madhes Provincial Government has allocated a budget of Rs 41.1386 billion for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27. Finance Minister Yubaraj Bhattarai presented the budget of Rs 41.1386 billion in the Provincial Assembly, prioritizing agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship promotion, education, and health for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27.
Man arrested on charges of infant murder and incest in Jhapa
Police have arrested a man accused of killing a newborn and engaging in incest in Jhapa. The suspect was arrested from a hotel in Fikkal Bazar, Suryodaya Municipality-10 of Ilam, based on special intelligence and technical investigation, police said. A newborn baby’s body had been found buried in an open area at Jhiljhile of Shivasatakshi Municipality on April 15. During police interrogation, the survivor alleged that the child was born following repeated sexual abuse by her father and that the infant was buried on his instruction, according to District Police Office Jhapa information officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police Ranjan Awa.
Comment