KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Special Court extends Bishnu Paudel’s remand by three days in money laundering case
The Special Court has extended the judicial remand of former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel by three days as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. A joint bench comprising Special Court Chair Tek Narayan Kunwar and judges Narayan Prasad Paudel and Hemanta Rawal issued the order on Monday, granting investigators an additional three days to question Paudel.
TU orders removal of student political organization structures from constituent campuses
Tribhuvan University (TU) has directed all its constituent campuses to remove the organizational structures of politically affiliated student groups from university premises. The Student Welfare and Sports Directorate issued a circular to campus chiefs on Monday, instructing them to begin the required process in line with directives from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. According to the letter, signed by Deputy Administrator Sandesh Kumar Regmi, the directive is based on a ministry communication dated June 23. It states that the move aims to end partisan political influence in educational institutions, ensure students’ genuine representation, and improve the quality of education.
When will RSP’s newly elected office bearers take the oath?
Six office bearers elected during the first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have yet to take the oath of office, despite the convention concluding last Friday. No oath-taking ceremony was held on Sunday or Monday, and the party has not yet announced an official date for the swearing-in. Party sources said the ceremony is expected to take place later this week. Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has already taken the oath. However, newly elected Vice Chairs Swarnim Wagle and Sobita Gautam, General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, and Joint General Secretaries Hari Dhakal, Nisha Dangi, and Asim Shah are yet to be sworn in.
Swarnim Wagle says this is the most disciplined budget in 12 years
Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has described the current budget as the most disciplined in the past 12 years, highlighting its reduced size relative to the size of the economy. Speaking during a discussion on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, in the National Assembly on Monday, Minister Wagle said the size of the announced budget stands at 28.5 percent of projected GDP, which he claimed is the smallest ratio in over a decade.
Janardan Sharma says communist leadership failed to meet public expectations
Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party leader Janardan Sharma has said Nepal’s communist movement has weakened because leaders at the highest levels failed to effectively fulfill their responsibilities. Speaking at the launch of a book written by former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal in Kathmandu on Monday, Sharma argued that the communist leadership itself bears responsibility for the weakening of the movement and the rise of populism.
Man arrested from Kirtipur holding center on public disturbance charge
Police have arrested a man from the holding center for landless squatters in Kirtipur on charges of committing an offense against public peace. The arrested individual has been identified as 39-year-old Dambar Tamang of Arun Rural Municipality in Bhojpur. According to police, Tamang has been presented before the District Court to obtain an extension of his remand for further investigation under a public disturbance case.
Traffic police remove tinted windows from Home Minister and Home Secretary’s vehicles
Traffic police have removed black-tinted windows from the vehicles of Home Minister Sudan Gurung and Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha as part of an ongoing enforcement campaign against illegal window tinting. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office carried out the action on Monday. Following the launch of a drive to remove illegally tinted windows, Home Minister Gurung himself reportedly visited the traffic police office requesting that the tint be removed from his official vehicle.
Speaker Arjyal urges MPs to be more responsible, attentive to public scrutiny
Speaker Dol Prasad Arjyal has urged members of the House of Representatives to become more responsible in their roles, noting that their work, behaviour and conduct are being closely observed by voters and the public through various platforms. Inaugurating an orientation program organised today by the Federal Parliament Secretariat for lawmakers, Speaker Arjyal said legislators should learn from past best practices in lawmaking and become more research-oriented and technology-friendly.
NRB sanctions eight microfinance institutions over regulatory violations
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has taken action against eight microfinance institutions, along with their boards of directors and chief executive officers, for violating regulatory directives and prudential standards during the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024/25. The Microfinance Institutions Supervision Department said the action was taken against institutions that failed to maintain sound corporate governance and exhibited weak financial indicators. The central bank has imposed prompt corrective measures on some institutions while issuing warnings to others.
Agriculture Minister Chaudhary stresses self-reliance in rice through climate-resilient farming
Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary has stressed the need for modern technology, research, and coordinated efforts among stakeholders to achieve self-reliance in rice production while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Issuing a message of best wishes on the occasion of the 23rd National Paddy Day and Paddy Plantation Festival 2083, Minister Chaudhary said the theme of this year—“Climate-Friendly Technology, Self-Reliance in Rice, and Prosperity”—reflects the current needs and challenges of Nepal’s agriculture sector.
Rajduwali landslide remains Mechi Highway’s most dangerous stretch as repair work continues
The Rajduwali landslide section in Ilam along the Mechi Highway has continued to pose a severe challenge to transportation in eastern Nepal, with authorities describing it as the most vulnerable and risky stretch of the vital corridor linking Jhapa’s Charali to Taplejung’s Phungling. The 268-kilometre Mechi Highway, considered the lifeline of eastern Nepal, frequently faces disruptions at Rajduwali in Ilam Municipality-9, where recurring landslides and unstable geology have made the area highly unpredictable. Locals say the road surface can sink or collapse within hours, making travel extremely hazardous.
Gulmi sees only 11% paddy transplantation amid rainfall shortage
Paddy transplantation has been severely affected in Gulmi district this year, with only 11 percent of the total targeted area planted so far due to insufficient rainfall and irrigation challenges. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Gulmi, only 719.51 hectares—around 11 percent of the total 6,541 hectares earmarked for paddy cultivation—has been transplanted as of Sunday. Information Officer Tikakam Nyaupane said that most farmlands remain barren as farmers continue to wait for adequate rainfall to begin large-scale plantation.
Thousands of Nepalis continue to leave for foreign jobs despite change in govt
Despite the formation of a new government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah, the outflow of Nepali youths seeking employment abroad has shown little sign of slowing. Every evening, thousands of young Nepalis gather at Tribhuvan International Airport, preparing to depart for destinations across the world in search of better employment opportunities. Many are accompanied by emotional family members bidding them farewell, underscoring the continued struggle for livelihoods at home.
Finance Minister Wagle administers oath to new SEBON chief, directs investor-focused reforms
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle on Monday administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly appointed Chairman of the Nepal Securities Board (SEBON), Gopal Prasad Bhatta, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Bhatta was appointed as SEBON chairman following a Cabinet decision made on June 19. Following the oath-taking ceremony, Finance Minister Wagle instructed the new chairman to work with integrity to safeguard the interests and investments of capital market investors.
Gokul Baskota mocks communist unity efforts, questions leaders’ motives
CPN-UML leader and former Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Baskota has sharply criticised ongoing efforts to forge unity and cooperation among Nepal’s communist parties, describing them as an attempt to “piece together a pot that has already been broken several times.” In a social media post, Baskota questioned the motives behind renewed calls for communist unity, arguing that party leaders are using narratives of political instability and looming crises to create a persuasive public image while masking their own failures and clinging to power.
Wild elephants damage six houses in Udayapur
A herd of wild elephants has entered the Kumang Lamachaur area of Chaudandigadhi Municipality-7, causing panic among local residents and destroying multiple houses. According to Information Officer at the District Police Office, Ganesh Bam, the elephants arrived in Kumang on Sunday night and left behind a trail of destruction, damaging at least six houses.
CIAA files corruption case against nine over alleged irregularities in tourism site project
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court against nine individuals, including the acting chief administrative officer of Durgathali Rural Municipality in Bajhang, over alleged irregularities in a programme aimed at identifying new tourism destinations. The case relates to alleged embezzlement of funds allocated under the fiscal year 2018/19 program for the construction of a temple under a tourism promotion initiative.
TUTH resumes health insurance services from today
Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj will resume outpatient department (OPD) services under the government’s health insurance program from today. According to a notice issued by the hospital’s Health Insurance Branch, OPD services under the Nepal Government’s Health Insurance Program will restart from today. The hospital has also announced the schedule for the distribution of health insurance OPD tickets. Tickets will be available at the insurance counter from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and again from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
Gold prices fall by Rs 1,400 per tola in domestic market
Gold prices declined in the Nepali market on Monday, with the price of the yellow metal dropping by Rs 1,400 per tola, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The association said fine gold is being traded at Rs 282,400 per tola, down from Rs 283,800 per tola recorded on Sunday.
LA 2028 Olympic cricket qualification pathway unveiled, Nepal in contention through global qualifier
The qualification pathway for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games has been officially unveiled, giving Nepal a potential route to secure a historic Olympic berth through a global qualifying tournament. Cricket will return to the Olympics after a 128-year absence, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approving the qualification system for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. A total of six men’s and six women’s teams will compete in the T20 format, with each squad comprising 15 players.
Budhanilkantha School rejects abuse allegations, says investigation already completed
Budhanilkantha School has dismissed recent reports published in various media outlets and circulated on social media alleging physical and mental abuse of students, stating that the matter had already been investigated and addressed. In a statement issued on Monday, the school administration said it had taken the allegations with utmost seriousness and conducted an impartial investigation. It added that the recommendations made by the investigation committee had already been implemented. The school reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of physical, mental and emotional abuse, emphasizing that the safety, dignity, well-being and protection of children’s rights remain its highest priorities.
Comment