KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
UML-NCP alliance sparks dissent among party ranks
The UML-NCP provincial government coalition, announced with the aim of ensuring political stability, has struggled to win support from party ranks, with voices of concern emerging from leaders and grassroots cadres alike. The two parties, which have experienced periods of cooperation, unification and division, signed a new agreement on Saturday between their respective chairpersons, KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, to work together in provincial governments. However, the agreement has failed to generate enthusiasm among many leaders and cadres from both sides. After details of the provincial cooperation deal, reached following discussions among select leaders of the two parties, were made public on Saturday, several leaders expressed their dissatisfaction through public statements.
Nagdhunga tunnel, Balambu flyover illuminated ahead of opening
The Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel and the Balambu Flyover at the western gateway to Kathmandu are now fully illuminated with street lights as final preparations are completed ahead of their official inauguration. The tunnel and flyover, which connect Kathmandu with Dhading, are set to open on Monday, marking the launch of Nepal’s first road tunnel. The project was inaugurated by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on 21 October 2019 and is becoming operational nearly seven years later. Built at a cost of around Rs 29 billion, the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel is expected to ease chronic traffic congestion at Nagdhunga and improve connectivity to and from the Kathmandu Valley.
Cooperative victims’ march halted at Shantibatika en route to Singha Durbar
A protest march by victims of microfinance institutions towards Singha Durbar was stopped by security personnel at Shantibatika on Sunday. The demonstrators had launched the “Capital March” from Balkhu with the aim of reaching Singha Durbar. However, they were prevented from proceeding beyond Shantibatika. After being stopped, the protesters staged a sit-in on the road and held a public gathering at the site. The march was organised by the Nepal Farmers and Workers Movement Against Microfinance and Financial Exploitation.
Koshi CM refuses to step down without formal UML decision
Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Karki has reportedly refused to step down unless the CPN-UML formally decides to remove him through its party secretariat, amid growing internal disputes over the province’s leadership. The development follows a power-sharing agreement between the CPN-UML and the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), under which the UML is set to lead the Koshi provincial government. According to party sources, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli wants to replace Karki with Taplejung lawmaker Til Kumar Menyangbo. Oli is said to have assured Menyangbo on Saturday that he would be appointed the next chief minister. Karki, who currently leads the provincial government with the support of the Nepali Congress, reportedly met Oli on Friday after learning of the plan to replace him. While details of the meeting have not been disclosed, sources said Karki argued that it would be inappropriate for him to resign while his government was delivering results.
Home Minister orders swift completion of Rasuwagadhi integrated customs building
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has directed authorities to expedite the construction of the Integrated Customs Office at Rasuwagadhi, which has remained under construction for the past eight years. During an inspection visit, Gurung instructed officials to increase the number of workers and accelerate construction to complete the long-delayed project. He warned that action would be taken against contractors who continue to delay the project after securing the contract, as well as against technical personnel and supervisors who fail to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Local residents expressed hope that the minister’s directive would help ensure the timely completion of the project, which has faced significant delays since construction began eight years ago.
Education Minister Pokharel vows action against exam paper leakers
Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, has said that those behind leaking exam papers of MBS First Semester of the Tribhuvan University (TU) will be punished. Talking to the media at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Minister Pokharel said Nepal Police has advanced investigations by nabbing two persons for their alleged involvement in the wrongdoings. He shared that instant surveillance was increased in coordination between the Home Ministry and Nepal Police after getting information on exam paper leak. Minister Pokharel stated that immediate actions were taken for the question paper leakers, adding that whoever involved in the anti-good governance activities would be punished.
17-year-old student allegedly killed over mobile phone dispute in Baglung
Lajin Thapa, 17, from Badigad Rural Municipality-1 in Baglung was allegedly beaten to death by his colleagues after he refused to give his mobile phone to them. Thapa had left his home in the evening of July 17 to celebrate the birthday of Asim Ban of the same locality. His body was retrieved from a local river last Thursday. The District Police Office has apprehended Rem Bahadur BK, 20, Sudip BK, 19, Asim Ban, 16, and Dadi Pariyar, 15, on the charge of their involvement in the crime. It is learnt that the group celebrated the birthday and consumed alcohol till late night. On their way back home, they engaged in a dispute over the mobile phone set, and the disagreement led to the killing of Thapa, said District Police Office’s Superintendent of Police, Phanidra Prasai.
NC ministers submit resignations to Lumbini parliamentary party
Nepali Congress (NC) ministers in the Lumbini Provincial Government have collectively submitted their resignations to the party’s parliamentary party. All five Congress ministers serving in the provincial cabinet submitted their resignation letters to Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary. Social Development Minister Janmajaya Timilsena confirmed that the ministers had sent their resignations to Chaudhary. The resignations came a day after the CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) reached an agreement to cooperate in forming and running provincial governments.
Police arrest suspects in MBS paper leak case
Police have taken two individuals into custody on charges of leaking the question paper for the first semester examination of the Master of Business Studies (MBS) programme under the Faculty of Management at Tribhuvan University (TU). According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel held discussions with Nepal Police Inspector General (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki last night after reports of the question paper leak surfaced and directed the concerned authorities to take immediate action. Following the instruction, police arrested an individual allegedly involved in leaking the question paper on Sunday morning.
Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel to be inaugurated on Monday
The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel, which connects Kathmandu and Dhading, is set to be inaugurated on Monday. Built at a cost of around Rs 29 billion, the tunnel is being inaugurated seven years after its foundation stone was laid. The foundation stone for the project was laid in October 2019, by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Under the original agreement, construction was to be completed within 42 months. However, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, land compensation disputes and other factors. Nearly four years after construction began, the emergency rescue tunnel achieved breakthrough on August 7, 2023. The event was attended by the then Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala, Minister of State Nanda Chapai, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka, and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Finance Minister Wagle urges Nepali diaspora to invest in homeland
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has urged the Nepali diaspora to invest in the homeland to support the country’s development and prosperity. Speaking during a virtual interaction with young Nepali entrepreneurs living in Australia, Dr. Wagle encouraged them to take confidence in the government’s and the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) principle of “Once a Nepali, always a Nepali.” According to the minister’s personal secretariat, Dr. Wagle said Nepalis living abroad serve as goodwill ambassadors and can play a vital role in supporting the government’s efforts to accelerate economic development. He highlighted the government’s tax and revenue reforms, as well as industry-friendly policies, aimed at boosting economic activity.
Kakarbhitta-Laukahi road expansion gains momentum
The expansion and upgrading of the Kakarbhitta-Laukahi section of the East-West Highway is gaining momentum with support from a Rs 46 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project covers a total length of 95 kilometers and has been divided into two sections: the eastern section, stretching 45 kilometers from Kakarbhitta to Sitapuri in Jhapa, and the western section, covering 50 kilometers from Sitapuri to Labipur in Sunsari. According to the latest progress report, the first package (Kakarbhitta-Sitapuri) has achieved 47 percent physical progress, while the second package (Sitapuri-Gothgaon) has reached 42 percent and the third package (Gothgaon-Labipur) has reached 19 percent completion.
Various highways disrupted by floods and landslides
Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall have disrupted traffic on several major highways and road sections across the country. According to Nepal Police, the nighttime ban on vehicle movement along the BP Highway connecting Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli remains in effect until 5:00 am. Owing to the risk of flooding, all types of vehicles are prohibited from operating on the Khurkot–Nepalthok–Katunjebesi section between 6:00 pm and 4:00 am. Similarly, all vehicular movement along the Kanti Lokpath has been suspended from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am until further notice due to monsoon-related risks.
Gold and silver prices edge higher
Gold and silver prices rose slightly in the domestic market today. Compared to Friday, the price of gold increased by Rs 1,600 per tola, while silver gained Rs 60 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, the price of fine gold was fixed at Rs 287,100 per tola, while silver was traded at Rs 4,410 per tola. On Friday, fine gold was priced at Rs 285,500 per tola and silver at Rs 4,350 per tola. On Thursday, fine gold was traded at Rs 291,300 per tola, while silver was priced at Rs 4,505 per tola.
Two women killed in Rolpa landslide
Two women have died and a man has been injured in a landslide at Dawang Lake in Sunchhahari Rural Municipality-1, Rolpa. According to the District Police Office, Rolpa, locals Asauji Gharti Magar, 51, and Amara Gharti Magar, 36, who had gone to graze their cattle and goats, were buried in the landslide that occurred on Saturday afternoon. Their bodies were recovered from the landslide debris in the evening with the joint efforts of local residents and police. Kule Gharti Magar, 60, was injured in the incident. He was rescued and taken to Seram Health Post for treatment, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Panch Kumar Bakhu, chief of the District Police Office, Rolpa.
Teenager dies after being buried in Rajpur landslide
A teenager has died after being buried in a landslide in Rajpur Rural Municipality, Dang. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Hem Bahadur Khatri of the District Police Office, Dang, 13-year-old Dipesh Chaudhary of Pipaldanda, Rajpur Rural Municipality-2, died after being buried in a landslide while collecting soil at Durga Community Forest in Bela on Saturday. He was rescued from the landslide debris and rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Two arrested with 30 kg of marijuana in Kathmandu
Police have arrested two people in possession of 30 kilograms of marijuana from Sundarijal, Kathmandu. The arrested have been identified as Awatar Singh Tamang, 26, a resident of Haibung in Melamchi Municipality-3, Sindhupalchowk, currently residing in Alapot, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality-2, Kathmandu, and Ambak Tamang, 54, of Sundarijal. According to police, the marijuana was recovered from the two while they were travelling on a motorcycle (Ba 83 Pa 4377) at around 1:00 am on Saturday.
140 kg of marijuana recovered in Parsa
Police recovered 140 kilograms of marijuana from Mirzapur in Chhipaharmai Rural Municipality, Parsa, on Saturday night. According to police, the marijuana was found abandoned in a garden at around 9:00 pm. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible for storing the contraband.
One arrested with brown sugar in Morang
Police arrested a man in possession of 6.38 grams of brown sugar near Deuliya Khola in Kanepokhari Rural Municipality-2, Morang, at around 10:30 pm on Saturday. The arrested has been identified as Randhwaj Rai of Belbari Municipality-11, Morang. He was riding a motorcycle (Province 1-02-044 Pa 118) from Rangeli towards Kanepokhari when police stopped and searched him. According to the Area Police Office, Pathari, Morang, further investigation into the case is underway.
Tourist arrivals continue in Chitwan despite rainy season
The arrival of domestic and foreign tourists has increased at tourist destinations in Chitwan following the government’s introduction of a two-day weekend holiday system. Tourism entrepreneurs are encouraged by the steady flow of visitors despite the ongoing rainy season. They said tourist arrivals this year have increased compared to previous years in major destinations including Sauraha, Patihani, Jagatpur and Meghauli. According to entrepreneurs, the number of Chinese and Indian tourists has also increased significantly along with domestic visitors. Mahesh Khanal, general secretary of the Regional Hotel Association Chitwan, said that although tourists engaging in tourism activities during the rainy season usually account for around 30 percent of annual arrivals, hotel occupancy has reached around 50 percent this year.
Home Minister reaches Bhotekoshi to encourage rescue workers
Home Minister Sudan Gurung on Sunday reached Shyaphrubensi of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-5 in Rasuwa, where an electric vehicle plunged into the Bhotekoshi River on Saturday evening. The vehicle driver, 22-year-old Sabin Tamang of Tallo Dharapani in Kalika Rural Municipality-3, has been missing since the incident. Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar said that following the Home Minister’s onsite inspection, divers and personnel from three security agencies have been deployed at the incident site.
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