KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Balen Shah continues provincial consultations, UML lawmakers demand release of KP Sharma Oli
Prime Minister Balen Shah continued his provincial consultations with lawmakers on Tuesday, meeting representatives from Sudurpaschim Province at Singha Durbar. Following Monday’s discussions with lawmakers from Koshi and Karnali provinces, Tuesday’s dialogue also addressed concerns raised by members of the UML. During the session, UML lawmakers, including Ain Bahadur Mahara from Bajhang, urged the government to release party chairman KP Sharma Oli, who was arrested last Saturday.
PM Balen Shah’s secretariat limited to 25-member team
The details of advisers and staff working at the secretariat of Prime Minister Balen Shah have been made public. The prime minister’s secretariat currently consists of 25 members, including Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjankar. Among them, only four serve in the advisory team. The advisers include Chief Advisor Byanjankar, Political Advisor Asim Shah, Policy, Administration and Good Governance Advisor Sudip Dhakal, and Advisor from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Bibek Mishra.
Nepal police briefly detain Gen-Z Red Force coordinator Smriti Timalsina over government-critical video
Smriti Timalsina, coordinator of the Gen-Z Red Force affiliated with the Nepali Communist Party, was briefly taken into police custody on Tuesday for questioning and later released. Timalsina said plainclothes officers arrested her around 11 a.m. in Anamnagar, reportedly identifying themselves as party associates on official business. She was then taken to the District Police Office in Bhadrakali. Timalsina claimed that the detention was linked to a video she posted criticizing the government. She added that the police warned her against creating future anti-government videos and had her sign a written statement.
UML announces more protest programs against Oli’s arrest
The CPN-UML has announced a series of protests and programs in response to the arrest of party chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The decision was made during a secretariat meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s central office in Chyasal, Lalitpur, chaired by Vice Chair Rambahadur Thapa Badal. Secretary Mahesh Basnet said the meeting condemned Oli’s arrest and decided to proceed with organized protest programs. The arrests of Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak in Bhaktapur last Saturday, shortly after Balen Shah assumed office, were described by UML as vindictive and politically motivated.
Former Kathmandu CDO Chhabi Rijal released on same day of arrest
Chhabi Rijal, the former Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, has been released on the same day he was arrested on Tuesday. Rijal was arrested over allegations of suppressing the Gen-Z protest held on September 8 and 9, last year. However, the Nepal Police decided to release him on bail after taking a written undertaking that he would appear when summoned. A team from the Crime Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police had arrested Rijal from Subidhanagar and handed him over to the Kathmandu District Police Range.
Nepali Congress to hold election review programmes across all provinces
The Nepali Congress has decided to conduct election review programmes in all seven provinces to assess the recent electoral outcomes and chart the party’s future course. A meeting of the party’s central working committee took the decision to organise review sessions in each province, focusing on analysing the results of the elections held on March 5. According to party General Secretary Pradeep Paudel, the review process will involve discussions with candidates from all 165 electoral constituencies. The programme will also include constituency-level studies and evaluations in the presence of central representatives.
Govt to form multiple committees and task forces within a month under reform agenda
The government is set to form multiple committees, task forces, and study teams within a month as part of its 100-point governance reform agenda aimed at making public administration result-oriented, effective, measurable, and accountable. According to the action plan approved by the Cabinet, several institutional mechanisms will be established within defined timelines to ensure implementation of key reform measures. Under the reform agenda, a high-level investigation committee will be formed within a week to examine the facts surrounding incidents that occurred on September 9 2025.
Home Minister holds meeting with APF officials, focuses on disaster preparedness and border security
Home Minister Sudan Gurung is holding discussions with senior officials of the Armed Police Force at Halchowk. The meeting, attended by Inspector General Raju Aryal and other top officials, is reviewing ongoing work and identifying areas that require improvement. Discussions have primarily focused on preparedness for disaster management, with detailed deliberations on strengthening response mechanisms.
Govt rolls out 100-point reform plan prioritizing digital governance and data systems
The government has initiated implementation of a 100-point governance reform agenda, placing strong emphasis on digital governance and data management systems. As per the action plan approved by the Cabinet in its first meeting on March 27, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has begun steps to shut down betting-related apps and websites within 24 hours. The government has already directed the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to block such betting platforms. The reform agenda aims to make public service delivery faster, more transparent, paperless, and interconnected. Under this plan, the existing Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS) will be further strengthened and made more user-friendly within 100 days.
Deuba faction regroups after NC electoral setback, informal meet gains momentum
The faction led by Sher Bahadur Deuba has begun to reassert itself within the Nepali Congress after the party suffered a major setback in the March 5 general election. Following the poor performance of the Gagan Thapa-led establishment faction, in which even top office bearers faced defeat, the Deuba camp has intensified parallel political activities within the party. Although Deuba is currently abroad, the faction has been holding meetings under the leadership of former vice president Purna Bahadur Khadka.
Chinese firm given operation contract for Japan-built Nagdhunga tunnel
The government has selected a Chinese company to operate and manage the Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel, Nepal’s first road tunnel, which is nearing completion after years of construction delays. The decision comes more than five years after construction of the tunnel project began on November 4, 2019. The project was awarded to Japanese contractor Hazama Ando Corporation with financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The tunnel is being built with a concessional Japanese loan worth around Rs 16 billion, along with an additional Rs 6 billion investment from the government.
UML Secretariat meets again after Oli’s arrest, plans further protests
The Secretariat meeting of the CPN-UML is underway for the second time following the arrest of party Chair KP Sharma Oli last Saturday. Oli, who was arrested from Bhaktapur’s Gundu area, is currently undergoing treatment at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Immediately after his arrest, the party had convened a Secretariat meeting under the chairmanship of Vice Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa.
RSP chair Lamichhane meets JSP leader Mahanta Thakur
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairperson Rabi Lamichhane held a meeting with Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) chief Mahanta Thakur on Wednesday. The discussion, held at Lamichhane’s private residence in Budhanilkantha, focused on the current political situation, development priorities in the Madhesh region, and plans that require immediate attention. Both leaders reportedly agreed to cooperate in line with the people’s mandate to advance the country’s overall development.
Gold and silver prices rise sharply in Nepal
The price of gold and silver has surged again in the Nepali market. On Tuesday, gold was traded at Rs 273,900 per tola, while today it has reached Rs 290,200 per tola, marking a daily rise of Rs 6,700. Silver prices have also seen an uptick, rising by Rs 145 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, silver is now trading at Rs 4,845 per tola, up from Rs 4,700 the previous day. Over the past week, silver has gained Rs 340 per tola.
Health Insurance Board warns hospitals against denying insured patients services
The Health Insurance Board Nepal has warned hospitals and health institutions that legal action will be taken if they deny services to patients enrolled in the national health insurance program. The warning comes after reports that several hospitals and service providers have been reluctant to provide treatment to insured patients and have failed to deliver necessary health services under the insurance scheme. The board stated that some health institutions were found causing inconvenience to insured beneficiaries and refusing to provide services during the implementation of the insurance program.
Teen protester targeted with online abuse after defending KP Sharma Oli during demonstrations
Protests erupted across the country on Saturday following the arrest of former prime minister and chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli. Party cadres and supporters took to the streets in various cities, accusing the government of engaging in revenge politics. Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding Oli’s immediate release and calling for the resignation of the Home Minister. Amid the demonstrations in Kathmandu, a Gen-Z teenage protester drew widespread attention after expressing her views publicly, arguing that the arrest of the UML chairman was not lawful.
RSP avoids NC-UML mistake, to hold cross-party debate on constitution amendment
The government led by Balendra Shah has moved quickly to initiate discussions on amending the Constitution of Nepal, forming a task force that will include representatives from all parties represented in the Federal Parliament of Nepal. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting held Monday at Singha Durbar. According to government spokesperson and Minister for Education Sasmit Pokharel, the task force will be coordinated by the prime minister’s political advisor Asim Shah. The task force has been mandated to prepare a discussion paper on constitution amendment and begin a broader consultation process involving parliamentary parties.
NC General Secretary Pradeep Paudel calls for party unity amid national challenges
General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, Pradip Paudel, has stressed the need for unity within the party, saying solidarity is crucial at a time when the country is facing difficulties. Taking to social media to express his views, Paudel recalled that the party had remained united during major crises in the past and had successfully led historic political changes in the country. “Through unity, the Nepali Congress led the country during historic transformations and achieved success,” Paudel wrote on Facebook. “Even today, strength lies in unity.”
Former Kathmandu CDO Chhabi Rijal arrested over Gen-Z movement crackdown
Chhabi Rijal, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu during the September 8, 2025 Gen-Z movement, has been arrested. Rijal was apprehended from Subidhanagar on Tuesday morning in connection with the government’s handling of the protests. Rijal’s arrest relates to killings that occurred during the violent suppression of the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, 2025. Following the protests, a commission led by former Justice Gauribahadur Karki was formed to investigate the incidents.
Lawmaker blames bureaucracy, PM Shah points to NC-UML as root cause
Prime Minister Balen Shah continued provincial consultations with lawmakers on Tuesday, meeting representatives from Sudurpaschim Province at Singha Durbar. During the discussion, lawmakers from the UML demanded the release of party chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who was arrested last Saturday. Three UML lawmakers, Yagya Bahadur Bogati (Achham-2), Ain Bahadur Mahara (Bajhang), and Ganesh Singh Thagunna (Darchula), raised questions about Oli’s detention, asking if it was politically motivated. Prime Minister Shah reportedly did not respond to these queries.
Nepal police briefly detain Gen-Z Red Force coordinator Smriti Timalsina over government-critical video
Smriti Timalsina, coordinator of the Gen-Z Red Force affiliated with the Nepali Communist Party, was briefly taken into police custody on Tuesday for questioning and later released. Timalsina said plainclothes officers arrested her around 11 a.m. in Anamnagar, reportedly identifying themselves as party associates on official business. She was then taken to the District Police Office in Bhadrakali. Timalsina claimed that the detention was linked to a video she posted criticizing the government. She added that the police warned her against creating future anti-government videos and had her sign a written statement.
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