KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Government allows Ncell to renew license in four installments
The government has allowed Ncell to renew its telecommunications service operation license in four installments. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, permitting Ncell to pay its renewal charges in four phases. The first installment will include an additional 10 percent interest.
Dinesh DC appointed chairman of Film Development Board
The government has appointed Dinesh DC as the Chairman of the Film Development Board. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday. Dinesh DC is a prominent figure in the Nepali film industry, known for his roles as a film director, producer, actor, TV actor, presenter, and president of Cinema Circle Nepal.
CAN announces monthly salaries for provincial players
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced that it will provide a monthly salary to provincial-level players. During a meeting held on Thursday, CAN decided to offer a monthly salary of Rs 15,000 to five players—two female and three male—from each of the seven provinces. This new salary scheme will take effect from September 1. The association will transfer the funds to each province, and the respective provincial cricket associations will enter into agreements with the players.
Ek Narayan Aryal appointed as Chief Secretary
The government has appointed Ek Narayan Aryal as the new Chief Secretary. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday. Aryal previously served as Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The current Chief Secretary, Liladevi Gadtaula, is set to retire on August 31 (Saturday). Gadtaula, who was appointed on July 25, made history as Nepal’s first female Chief Secretary.
CAN announces Rs 300,000 reward for Nepali cricketers in T20 World Cup
The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a reward of Rs 300,000 each for the Nepali cricket players and the head coach who represented Nepal in the ICC T20 World Cup. The decision was made during a meeting of the association held on Thursday. The reward recognizes the outstanding performances of the players and the coach in the T20 World Cup, which took place in the West Indies and the United States of America. Additionally, assistant staff members will receive Rs 150,000 each.
Govt distributes Rs. 3 lakh each to women volleyball players
Prime Minister (PM) KP Oli awarded prizes to players participating in the ‘CAVA Women’s Volleyball Nations League, 2024′ tournament today. Fourteen players, including team captain Aruna Shahi, received Rs. 3 lakh each. Chief Coach Jagdish Prasad Bhatta was also honored. Nepal secured second place with a stellar performance in the tournament held in Kathmandu recently. Following a Council of Ministers’ decision, a total prize fund of Rs. 47.6 lakh was allocated to the participating players and trainees.
Arrest made related to Muna Pandey’s death in Houston: Police
The Houston Police Department said that an arrest has been made related to the death of 21-year-old Muna Pandey. A surveillance image of the suspect had been released by authorities, though it is not yet confirmed if this individual is the one arrested on Wednesday. Additional details about the arrest have not been provided, local media reports said. The police are still investigating and will provide updates as new information becomes available. According to media reports, a man was seen on surveillance footage leaving an apartment two days before 21-year-old Muna Pandey, a college student from Nepal, was found shot to death in her southwest Houston residence on Monday evening.
Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios, makes historic visit to Nepal
Sheynnis Palacios, the reigning Miss Universe 2023, arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday for her inaugural visit to Nepal. During her stay, Palacios will participate in an event associated with Miss Universe Nepal 2024. This marks the first time a Miss Universe titleholder has visited Nepal. Palacios was crowned Miss Universe 2023 at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, which took place on November 18, 2023, at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador.
NC lawmaker suspects RSP’s involvement in Tudikhel protest against PM Oli and Deuba
Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain has expressed suspicion regarding the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) involvement in the Tudikhel incident, which targeted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Speaking at the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Thursday, Bajgain accused the RSP of inciting the incident and acting against religious tolerance. The protest took place during the Gaura Festival program in Kathmandu, where Prime Minister Oli and President Deuba were present to extend their greetings.
10 including former DIG Shah arrested for illegal hunting of wild animal
Ten individuals, including former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Nepal Police, Gyan Bikram Shah, have been arrested on charges of illegally hunting a wild boar. The arrests were made by a team from the District Police Office, Saptari, in Hanuman Nagar Kangkalini Municipality-1 on Wednesday. The police discovered a dead wild boar, shot and hidden in a tractor, during the operation. Along with Shah, Sub Inspector Sanjay Neupane of Biratnagar Metropolitan-3 was also taken into custody. Other individuals arrested include Laxman Mandal, Janardan Raut, Shankar Prasad Yadav, Om Shankar Prasaila, Aakash Yadav, Rabin Das, and Pradip Limbu.
NEPSE drops 36.83 points to close at 2,749.57
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index saw a notable decline today, ending at 2,749.57 points, a decrease of 36.83 points or 1.32% from the previous close. This follows a session where the index had increased by 3.80 points to end at 2,786.40 points. The day began with the index at 2,791.09 points, fluctuating significantly throughout the session, reaching a high of 2,800.28 points and a low of 2,727.57 points before closing at the final value. Trading was robust, with 322 stocks traded through 146,204 transactions, involving 28,346,246 shares and achieving a turnover of Rs. 12.24 billion.
President Paudel authenticates Transitional Justice Bill
President Ram Chandra Paudel has authenticated the Bill related to Transitional Justice on Thursday, in accordance with Article 113 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal. The Bill, officially titled the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act (Third Amendment) Bill, 2081 BS, had previously been approved by both houses of the Federal Parliament. The House of Representatives passed the Bill on August 14, followed by its endorsement by the National Assembly on August 22.
10 countries welcome TRC Bill, pledge support for implementation
Following the authentication of the Transitional Justice Bill by President Ram Chandra Paudel, ten countries have expressed their support for the legislation and pledged assistance in its implementation. The bill, formally known as the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act (Third Amendment) Bill, 2081 BS, was authenticated by President Paudel on Thursday under Article 113(2) of the Constitution of Nepal. Ten nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, Finland, the European Union, Germany, and France, issued a joint statement welcoming the bill.
Nepali caregivers selected for Israel through transparent lottery process
A total of 2,200 Nepali caregivers were selected through a lottery process to work in Israel as auxiliary workers on Thursday. The selection was conducted through a live broadcast at the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) office in Jerusalem, Israel, in the presence of Moshe Nakash, Director of Immigration in Israel. The selected candidates comprised 60 percent females and 40 percent males. A total of 3461 names (1598 females and 1863 males) out of 4024 total applicants were selected for the lottery process.
Bhusal, Hamal, and Basnet nominated as senior leaders of CPN (Unified Socialist)
The CPN (Unified Socialist) has nominated three members as senior leaders of the party. During a Central Committee meeting, Bhedu Ram Bhusal, Pramesh Hamal, and Ghanendra Basnet were selected for the role. The leaders nominated as senior leaders had previously staked their claim for the position of Senior Vice Chairman within the party.
Prachanda warns of street protests over govt’s arrogance of two-thirds majority
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, ‘Prachanda’ Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), has urged the ruling alliance of CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) to avoid displaying arrogance due to their two-thirds majority. Speaking to the media after a party event in Dhangadi, Dahal criticized the early performance of the new government as unsatisfactory. “I have cautioned them to refrain from showing arrogance because of their two-thirds majority,” Dahal said, adding that he would consider street protests if the attitude persists.
Tremor felt in Bajura
An earthquake was felt in Bajura at 7:34 PM today. The Earthquake Measuring Center in Surkhet reported that the tremor, with a magnitude of 4.3, had its epicenter in Masta Rural Municipality, Bajhang. The quake was also felt in neighboring districts. The tremor has caused fear among the locals, and details of any damage are yet to be collected.
Alert issued as India prepares to open Dhauliganga Dam
The Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, is set to open the Dhauliganga Dam for two days, from August 31 to September 1. In response, authorities in Baitadi district have issued a cautionary alert, warning residents to be vigilant as the water level in the Mahakali River is expected to rise. The dam, part of the Dhauliganga Hydropower Project, will be opened from midday on August 31 until the evening of the following day. Baitadi’s Chief District Officer, Bhim Kant Sharma, urged the public to remain alert during the hours immediately following the dam’s opening.
Bharat falls short in Paris Paralympics
Bharat Singh Mahat was defeated today in the K-44 category of taekwondo (U-58 kg) at the Paris Paralympics 2024. In the Round of 16 match held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, Bharat lost to Japan’s Mitsuya Tanaka with a score of 19-3. Tanaka is ranked fifth in the world, while Bharat holds the 57th position in the global rankings.
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