Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Unified Socialist to hold general convention from June 30
The Unified Socialist party has decided to hold its 10th general convention in Kathmandu from June 30 to July 4. The Central Committee of the party finalized the date and venue for the convention. The party has disclosed five key resolutions following its eighth Central Committee meeting. The resolutions include approval of documents slated for presentation at the general convention.
Home Minister Lamichhane inspects Tribhuvan Int’l Airport
Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has taken a proactive measure in overseeing operations at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane inspected various crucial areas within the airport premises, including departure and arrival halls, boarding counters, immigration checkpoints, security offices, customs areas, and baggage management zones. During his visit, Minister Lamichhane engaged with key personnel such as the airport security chief, immigration officials, and civil aviation authorities. Discussions revolved around staffing, operational protocols, and challenges faced by these departments.
Gold price up by Rs 1,600 per tola today
Gold price increased by Rs 1,600 per tola in the domestic market today. As reported by the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 140,000 per tola, while standard gold is currently traded at Rs 139,300 per tola. The price of fine gold was Rs 138,400 per tola, while standard gold was traded at Rs 137,750 per tola on Wednesday.
Giribandhu Tea Estate land sale decided during Oli’s premiership: Deuba
Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has asserted that the decision to sell the land of Giribandhu Tea Estate in Jhapa was made during CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli’s tenure as Prime Minister. Addressing a program in Kathmandu on Thursday, NC President Deuba expressed his dissatisfaction with Oli’s decision, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging past choices. Deuba criticized Oli’s remarks on the Giribandhu Tea Estate, stating that such decisions fall within the realm of Nepali Congress leadership. He underscored the significance of respecting institutional processes, suggesting that Oli’s comments were ill-advised. It should be noted that UML Chairman Oli had on Wednesday alleged that Nepali Congress had sold 70 bighas of land at Giribandhu Tea Estate, sparking controversy.
NC shows flexibility; probe committee formation considered with Home Minister Lamichhane’s address
The Nepali Congress (NC) has demonstrated flexibility regarding the reopening smooth functioning of the parliament. The NC has shown willingness to form a parliamentary committee by allowing Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who faces allegations in a cooperative fraud case, to address Parliament. This move has also raised the possibility of continuous obstruction in parliamentary proceedings. The Nepali Congress’s willingness to entertain Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s proposal for probe committee formation, contingent upon Lamichhane’s parliamentary address, has initiated internal deliberations within the party. Furthermore, the scheduled Parliament meeting for Thursday at 11 am has been deferred to 4 pm.
Three foreigners arrested with cocaine worth Rs 80 million
Police have arrested three women, including two from Uganda and one from India, for smuggling cocaine worth Rs 80 million. The Narcotics Control Bureau of the Nepal Police apprehended the two Ugandan women and the Indian woman, who was the intended receiver of the drugs. According to Bureau spokesperson SP Rameshwor Karki, the first Ugandan woman, aged 44, arrived in Nepal on May 12 and was carrying 1.260 kg of cocaine in her stomach. She was arrested in Sinamangal, Kathmandu, and taken to Nepal Police Hospital in Maharajgunj, where 90 capsules of cocaine were discovered inside her stomach. Following this arrest, police detained the second Ugandan woman in Thamel on Wednesday and seized 1.394 kg of cocaine from her. In total, 2.654 kg of cocaine, valued at Rs 79.6 million, was confiscated from the two Ugandan women. During the investigation, the police also arrested an Indian woman in Thamel, who was supposed to receive the smuggled cocaine.
Cabinet Meeting: Govt to accept €13 million from Finland, two joint secretaries promoted
The government has decided to accept a €13 million grant from Finland to implement programs aimed at minimizing the effects of climate change. A cabinet meeting held today concluded with the decision to accept the grant from Finland. The funds will be used to support various climate change mitigation initiatives. Additionally, the government has decided to promote two joint secretaries to the position of secretary. According to Rekha Sharma, spokesperson for the government and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, the joint secretaries being promoted are Loknath Poudel and Rajendra Prasad Mishra.
NA meeting postponed following NC’s obstruction
The meeting of the National Assembly has been postponed due to obstruction from the main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC). Speaker Narayan Dahal has rescheduled the meeting for 1 AM on Friday. The Nepali Congress has been obstructing parliament sessions, demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane’s involvement in the cooperative fraud case. Meanwhile, a meeting of the House of Representatives, scheduled for 4 PM, has also failed to start as parties have not reached an agreement.
Dr. Govinda KC ends his hunger strike
Dr. Govinda KC, who has been on a hunger strike since May 11, ended his strike on Thursday. Dr. KC began his strike demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. On Wednesday evening, he was admitted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at Maharajgunj after his health deteriorated. In a press statement, Dr. KC expressed that the government had neglected his strike.
HoR meeting postponed yet again following NC’s obstruction
A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) held late this evening was postponed due to obstruction by the main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC). Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire has rescheduled the meeting for 11 am on Friday. The meeting, initially set to commence at 4 pm, began two hours late as parties failed to reach an agreement to break the parliamentary impasse. The Nepali Congress has been obstructing parliament sessions, demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the involvement of Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in a cooperative fraud case.
Nepali Congress and UML MPs scuffle in parliament meeting
Lawmakers from the Nepali Congress, the main opposition party, and the CPN-UML, a coalition member of the Dahal-led government, engaged in a scuffle during a parliamentary meeting in Kathmandu. The altercation arose from a disagreement between UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress Vice-President Dhan Raj Gurung, leading to chaos within the assembly on Thursday. As tensions escalated between the two leaders, fellow lawmakers intervened to restore order. The disagreement between Oli and Gurung sparked a physical altercation between members of the two parties, prompting Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire to adjourn the meeting. The ongoing budget session of the parliament has been marred by disruptions since its inception, primarily due to demands from the Nepali Congress.
RSP declares no formation of parliamentary committee amidst NC obstruction
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has asserted a parliamentary committee will not be formed to investigate the cooperative fraud case. This announcement comes in response to ongoing disruptions of parliamentary sessions by the Nepali Congress, preventing RSP Chairman and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane from addressing inquiries against him. Following Thursday’s parliamentary session, RSP Assistant Spokesperson Manish Jha conveyed to the media that the committee demanded by the Nepali Congress will not materialize. “Initially, we were open to forming a committee, with just two conditions. However, there has been no change in our stance now,” Jha stated. Furthermore, Jha emphasized that an investigation should extend to all accused members of the Nepali Congress, including President Sher Bahadur Deuba, his wife, and son.
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