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 tells Madhesh leaders he is committed to federalism and secularism
Prime Minister Balen Shah has said he remains fully committed to federalism, secularism and the Constitution, while acknowledging shortcomings in the government’s response to the recent unrest that began in Sunsari and spread to parts of Madhesh Province. The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Madhesh-based political leaders at Singha Durbar on Friday amid growing tensions following the Sunsari incident. According to leaders present at the meeting, Shah admitted that the government could have responded better and said all state mechanisms had been mobilised to investigate the incident before he publicly addressed the nation.
PM Balen Shah says govt prioritising empowerment of provinces
Prime Minister Balen Shah has said his government has given high priority to strengthening provinces and ensuring they receive full authority. Addressing a high-level meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar to discuss the recent situation in Tarai-Madhesh, Shah said provinces can only become fully empowered through the complete and effective implementation of the Constitution. The prime minister said the practice of federalism has continued since the promulgation of the Constitution and the government is committed to transferring powers from the federal government to provinces and facilitating the delegation of authority to local levels.
PM Balen Shah says govt prioritising empowerment of provinces
Prime Minister Balen Shah has said his government has given high priority to strengthening provinces and ensuring they receive full authority. Addressing a high-level meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar to discuss the recent situation in Tarai-Madhesh, Shah said provinces can only become fully empowered through the complete and effective implementation of the Constitution. The prime minister said the practice of federalism has continued since the promulgation of the Constitution and the government is committed to transferring powers from the federal government to provinces and facilitating the delegation of authority to local levels.
Police arrest 36 people for disrupting communal harmony
Nepal Police has arrested 36 people from five districts for allegedly being involved in activities aimed at disturbing communal and social harmony. Issuing a statement on Friday evening, the Police Headquarters said the highest number of arrests were made in Dhanusha, where 18 people were detained. According to police, five people were arrested from Siraha, eight from Sarlahi, two from Mahottari and one from Parsa.
All-party meeting in Parsa decides to hold peace rally to maintain harmony
An all-party meeting held in Parsa has made a four-point decision to maintain peace, security, social harmony and public order in the district. The meeting, chaired by Parsa Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal, who is also the chairperson of the District Security Committee, decided that all stakeholders would play an active role in maintaining peace and security, according to lawmaker Hari Pant.
PM holds discussions with RSP MPs representing Tarai-Madhesh
Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah held discussions with lawmakers representing the Tarai-Madhes region. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, focused on recent incidents in the region and the situation arising from them.
Families receive bodies of two killed in Sunsari clash
Families of two people killed during a clash in Sunsari on July 26 have received their bodies from the hospital. The families of Om Prakash Mehta and Jai Prakash Mehta of Kaptanganj in Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 received the bodies on Friday evening from Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar. Om Prakash died at the scene after sustaining a gunshot injury, while Jai Prakash, who was critically injured, died during treatment on Thursday.
RPP demands impartial probe into Tarai-Madhesh violence
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has expressed deep concern over recent violent incidents in the Tarai-Madhesh region and demanded an impartial investigation, legal action against those responsible and an all-party dialogue for a long-term solution. Issuing a statement after a meeting of the party’s Central Working Performance Committee chaired by RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden on Friday, party spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shrestha made the demands.
Siddhartha Thapa released in passport procurement corruption case
The Special Court has released Siddharth Thapa, one of the defendants in the passport procurement corruption case, on a regular date. A joint bench of Special Court Chairman Basudev Acharya and member Hemanta Rawal ordered the release of Thapa, who is the Nepal representative of the German company Veridos. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed the case at the Special Court on June, alleging corruption in the procurement of e-passports.
Four bodies recovered in Broad Peak avalanche
Rescue teams have recovered four bodies from the site of the avalanche that struck Pakistan’s Broad Peak on Thursday, while search operations continue for several climbers who remain missing, including renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi.
Former NTA Chair Bhandari arrested in Smart Cell scam case
Former chairman of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), Bhupendra Bhandari, has been arrested in connection with the Smart Cell scam case. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested him from Dhapakhel, Ward No. 23 of Lalitpur Metropolitan City. CIB spokesperson and Senior Superintendent of Police Anupam Shamsher Jabara said that Bhandari will be investigated over allegations related to the Smart Cell case. He is accused of causing financial loss to the state through the sale of Smart Cell’s assets.
Lamichhane steps up dialogue to ease Madhesh tensions
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has continued efforts to ease the tensions seen in Sunsari and other parts of the Tarai-Madhesh region. He has remained engaged in continuous dialogue since Wednesday and on Friday began consultations with leaders of different religious communities. Lamichhane held talks with Muslim leaders Maulana Nurul Hussain and Maulana Mohammad Khalid at the party’s parliamentary office in Singha Durbar on Friday.
Harka Sampang appeals for maintaining religious harmony
Shram Sanskriti Party Chairman Harka Sampang has said that the current religious and communal tensions in the country can be resolved only through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect. Issuing a statement on Friday, he said that Nepal belongs equally to all Nepalis and that the rights of citizens of every religion must be guaranteed. He emphasized that a high degree of tolerance toward all religions and religious beliefs is essential for preserving harmony.
UML general secretary accuses government of mishandling recent incidents
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has accused the government of failing to understand the sensitivity of recent incidents in different parts of the country and respond to them appropriately. Speaking at a programme organised by the UML Kathmandu Metropolitan Committee in Kathmandu on Friday, Pokharel said the current government and the home administration had failed to address recent developments in a timely and effective manner.
Acting Mayor Dangol expresses concern over recurring flooding at Maitighar
Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Sunita Dangol has said that separate drainage systems for sewage and rainwater will be developed in the Maitighar Mandala area as part of a long-term solution to the recurring flooding problem during the monsoon season. Speaking to RSS, Dangol said the existing drainage system is unable to handle the excess load during periods of heavy rainfall.
NEPSE rebounds after four-day decline
The stock market rebounded on Friday, the final trading day of the week, after declining continuously for the previous four sessions. The NEPSE index gained 12.96 points to close at 2,685 points. Despite Friday’s recovery, the benchmark index still declined by 49 points overall during the week, having stood at 2,734 points last Friday. Market analysts said the unrest in parts of the eastern Tarai had a notable impact on investor sentiment during the week. Market turnover also improved slightly. Daily turnover increased to Rs 3.75 billion from Rs 3.38 billion recorded on Thursday.
NRB asks payment service providers to support Taxpayer Incentive Gift Program
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has directed all licensed payment service providers to make the necessary arrangements for the implementation of the Taxpayer Incentive Gift Program 2026, which is scheduled to come into effect on August 6. The central bank has instructed payment institutions to begin informing customers about the program from July 31. They have also been told to notify users if updates to their mobile applications are required in order to participate in the scheme.
Education minister says all displaced children have been enrolled in schools
Minister for Education and government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel has pledged that children affected by the removal of squatter settlements in the Kathmandu Valley will not be deprived of education. Responding to lawmakers’ questions in the National Assembly on Friday, Minister Pokharel said the government has taken measures to ensure that the education of displaced children continues uninterrupted by transferring them to nearby schools.
Gold and silver prices rise in domestic market
Prices of gold and silver increased in the domestic market today. Compared to Thursday, gold rose by Rs 1,000 per tola, while silver increased by Rs 50 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 285,000 per tola today, while silver is being traded at Rs 4,360 per tola.
Nepal cricket team returns after disappointing outing in Netherlands
The Nepal national cricket team has returned home after completing a triangular series under the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 in the Netherlands. Nepal returned on Friday after competing in the series involving Namibia and the Netherlands. Nepal suffered defeats in all four matches of the tour, failing to register a victory in the series.
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