KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Truck driver arrested with Rs 250 million was previously arrested for gold smuggling
The truck driver arrested on Tuesday morning with illegal currency worth Rs 250 million from various countries has been identified as Kushan Lama, a 39-year-old resident of Sindhupalchowk.
It has been revealed that Lama was previously arrested with 7 kg of gold.
According to SSP Ramesh Basnet, Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Lama was arrested from Kalanki with 7 kg of gold and had served a five-year prison sentence before being released in 2022.
Nepal seeks US support for release of Bipin Joshi from Hamas captivity
Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana, met with Ricky Gill, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Director for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US National Security Council, on the sidelines of the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, India.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nepal-US relations and addressing shared democratic and human rights values, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A key topic of discussion was the continued diplomatic effort to secure the release of Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi, who is believed to be held captive by Hamas.
Congress calls meeting to formulate stance amid rising monarchist activity
The ruling Nepali Congress has called a meeting of its central executive committee to formulate an official stance on the growing activities of monarchist forces advocating for the reinstatement of former King Gyanendra Shah.
A meeting of party officials at President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha on Tuesday decided to convene the central executive committee meeting on Chaitra 10 to review the monarchist movement that has gained momentum since Falgun 25.
Following the meeting, Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat confirmed the decision. “The executive committee meeting will be held on the 10th to review the situation and make necessary decisions,” he said.
TU FSU elections conclude peacefully
The Free Student Union (FSU) elections at Tribhuvan University’s constituent and affiliated campuses have been successfully completed today.
Voting took place from 8 AM to 4 PM, and aside from minor incidents, the elections were conducted peacefully across all campuses, according to Pashupati Adhikari, secretary of the FSU Central Monitoring and Coordination Committee.
Elections were completed in 38 constituent campuses and 250 affiliated campuses. Vote counting is set to begin later this evening, as per the election committees formed at each campus.
Madhesh Province withdraws from SEE exam process over dispute on center head appointment
The Madhesh Province government has announced its withdrawal from this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE) process, citing disagreements over the appointment of center heads.
Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh, speaking at a press conference, expressed dissatisfaction with the District Examination Coordination Committees for appointing the principal of the school where the center is located as the center head, disregarding the provincial government’s directives.
The Madhesh government had earlier proposed a lottery system for the appointment of center heads to ensure a fair, credible, and transparent examination process.
Janamat party claims Chairperson Ranjita favors party unification
The Janamat Party, led by Dr. CK Raut, has claimed that Ranjita Shrestha, chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), is in favor of party unification.
On March 15, Dr. Raut and Shrestha met at the Parliament building in Baneshwar to discuss various aspects of party unification.
Following the meeting, Janamat Party spokesperson Sharad Singh Yadav stated that Shrestha supported the unification process.
Nepal’s poultry industry faces crisis as 236 hatcheries shut down
Nepal’s poultry sector is grappling with a severe crisis as 236 hatchery industries have shut down due to prolonged financial struggles since the Covid pandemic. The closures follow an extended period of chick sales failing to meet cost prices, leaving the industry in turmoil.
According to Tikaram Pokharel, Vice President of the Nepal Poultry Federation, the number of hatcheries has drastically declined from 348 to 120 for broiler chicken chicks. Similarly, the number of layer hatcheries has decreased from 14 to just six.
Ministry of Urban Development reports Rs 12.24 billion expenditure in current fiscal year
The Ministry of Urban Development has spent Rs 12.24 billion, or 17.93% of its total budget, in the current fiscal year.
The ministry, which has an allocated budget of Rs 91.35 billion, made this announcement during a press conference held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday. According to Narayan Prasad Mainali, spokesperson for the ministry, a total of 3,716 new programs were planned for this fiscal year, out of which bids were invited for 1,623 programs.
Gold price hits record high again, increases by Rs 1,100 per tola
The price of gold in Nepal has surged to an all-time high, with the precious metal now trading at Rs 175,200 per tola, according to the Federation Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association.
The price jumped by Rs 1,100 per tola from Monday’s rate of Rs 174,100 per tola. Last Friday, gold was priced at Rs 174,500 per tola, indicating a continuous upward trend in the market.
Newly appointed IGP Deepak Thapa awarded rank insignia
Deepak Thapa has been formally awarded the rank insignia as the 31st Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Nepal Police at a special ceremony organized at the Ministry of Home Affairs today.
Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi presented the insignia to IGP Thapa, following his appointment confirmed by the Cabinet in a meeting held on Monday evening.
Economic activities stalled in Sudurpaschim due to Civil Service Act protest
Economic activities in Sudurpaschim Province have ground to a halt as accounting staff protest the Civil Service Act introduced by the provincial government, which they say undermines career development opportunities in the accounting sector.
Accounts officer Krishna Shahi stated that the act directly affects accounting employees, leaving them with limited prospects for promotion and career growth. As a result of the protest, salary disbursements for provincial assembly members, government employees, and people’s representatives have been put on hold.
20 rhinos found dead in eight months in Chitwan
In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, 20 rhinos have been found dead in Chitwan National Park and its surrounding areas.
According to Abinash Thapa Magar, the park’s information officer, all the deaths have been attributed to natural causes, including attacks by tigers and crocodiles, fighting among themselves, illness, getting stuck in swamps, and old age.
Magnitude 4.3 earthquake strikes Achham
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded in western Nepal this morning. According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the quake struck at 6:33 AM, with its epicenter in Batulasain, Achham district.
Earlier, on March 8, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake was recorded in the country, with its epicenter in the Khungkhani area of Baglung district.
Stand and floodlight installation at TU Cricket Ground to be completed by May 7
The Ministry of Urban Development has announced that the construction of stands and the installation of floodlights at the Kirtipur Cricket Ground will be completed by May 7.
This information was shared during a press conference held at the Ministry of Urban Development on Tuesday to report financial progress.
Study team at Sinja Valley to push for World Heritage listing
A study team from the Central Department of Archaeology, Kathmandu, has arrived at Sinja Valley, the birthplace of the Khas language, to assess its potential inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
According to Purna Prasad Dhital, Chair of Sinja Rural Municipality, the team has begun discussions with locals, focusing on the history, current status, and community perspectives regarding the valley’s cultural and archaeological significance. The study team is led by Saubhagya Pradhananga, Chief of the Department.
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