KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Commission bars Oli, Lekhak and three others from leaving Kathmandu Valley; directs passport suspension
The probe commission led by former justice Gauri Bahadur Karki has directed that the passports of five former officials, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, be suspended in connection with the human casualties during the Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9. The Commission of Inquiry, 2082, has brought them under investigation and instructed relevant authorities to bar them from traveling abroad.
UML Secretariat meeting: Oli under pressure to resign as party chair
The CPN-UML Secretariat meeting is underway at Chair KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur. According to leaders present, members of the Secretariat are divided into two groups, one pressing for Oli’s resignation and the other opposing it.
Government to classify injured from Gen-Z protests, provide relief
The government has decided to classify individuals injured during the Gen-Z protests and provide appropriate relief accordingly. Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication Jagdish Kharel said the Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar on Sunday decided to form a technical committee to immediately begin the classification process and distribute relief based on the categories of injury.
Home Minister orders police not to act against Gen-Z arson and vandalism suspects
Interim Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has directed police not to take legal action against those involved in vandalism, arson, and looting under the pretext of the Gen-Z protests of September 8 and 9. According to police sources, Aryal issued a written order to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandrakuber Khapung, instructing law enforcement not to proceed with cases against suspects linked to the destruction of government property during the violent demonstrations.
Judicial commission cannot be an excuse to grant impunity: Bhimarjun Acharya
Advocate Bhimarjun Acharya has said that the formation of a judicial inquiry commission cannot be used as an excuse to shield individuals involved in arson, looting, and vandalism during last month’s Gen-Z protests. In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Acharya argued that Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal’s directive not to proceed with legal action until the commission submits its report was unjustified and could amount to an attempt to cover up the incidents.
NEA issues 21-day ultimatum to industries for unpaid dedicated and trunk line dues
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to industries to clear outstanding dues for dedicated and trunk lines. In a notice released on Sunday, the Authority warned that payments must be made by November 3; failure to comply will result in action being taken. This directive follows a decision made during the NEA Board of Directors meeting on Friday, which was held in accordance with the directive of Energy Minister Kulman Ghising to collect these dues promptly.
Mahat defends Deuba, calls for party unity amid political turbulence
Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has defended party president Sher Bahadur Deuba against recent criticisms, dismissing allegations that Deuba obtained a passport in preparation to leave the country. Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Sunday, Mahat said every citizen has the constitutional right to a passport and accused critics of spreading baseless propaganda. “Every citizen has the right to obtain a passport. Painting Deuba as a criminal for exercising that right is baseless propaganda,” he said.
Finance Minister Khanal, Japanese Ambassador Maeda discuss Nepal–Japan cooperation
Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal held a courtesy meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru at the Finance Ministry on Sunday. During the talks, the two discussed Nepal’s current transitional context, the historic ties between Nepal and Japan, and Japan’s continued support in Nepal’s economic and social development.
Nepal Airlines Corporation launches direct flights to China’s Guangzhou
Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, has commenced direct flights to Guangzhou, China. The corporation began operating regular Kathmandu-Guangzhou-Kathmandu flights on Saturday. Although the flights were originally planned to start from September 25, technical issues delayed the inaugural flight, which eventually took off on Saturday afternoon. The initial flight scheduled earlier was canceled after passengers from various sectors, including some invited guests, had already arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport. The corporation provided support to those affected passengers.
KMC directs clearance of CT Market shops within three months
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has directed all shop owners operating in the CT Market to vacate their spaces within three months. According to a public notice issued by KMC’s Revenue Department, the city had earlier leased out the market under an income contract to Ganesh Electronics on January 6, 2023. However, after the company failed to carry out the agreed operations, KMC decided to demolish the market building and construct a new ward office in its place.
Everything that was not supposed to happen, happened: Former King Gyanendra
Former King Gyanendra Shah has decided not to offer Tika and Jamara to well-wishers during this year’s Dashain festival. In a message of greetings issued on Sunday on the occasion of Dashain, he stated that the festival will be observed only within the family and in a cultural manner, as the nation is currently in a state of extreme devastation and mourning.
Gold price hits Rs 223,200 per tola, silver at Rs 2,810
The price of gold in Nepal continued its upward trajectory on Sunday, climbing by Rs 700 per tola compared to last Friday’s rate. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, fine gold is now trading at Rs 223,200 per tola, while silver stands at Rs 2,810 per tola.
UML youth leaders pressure party leadership with reform message
As the CPN-UML Secretariat meeting was underway, a group of youth leaders affiliated with the party launched a messaging campaign urging top office bearers to choose reform over decline. Operating under the banner of the “Group for Change,” the youths sent messages to party leaders warning that the UML now faces two stark options. “We stand at a new turning point in the communist movement. The UML has two choices: either correct itself or collapse. If the UML collapses, the communist movement itself will move toward collapse, and the country will face crisis,” the message read.
NC says no tea reception this year
The Nepali Congress has said it would not organize a tea reception on Kojagrat purnima this year. The party used to conduct the tea party to exchange festival greetings since 2033 BS, the year iconic leader BP Koirala returned from exile with the policy of ‘national unity and reconciliation’.
Three killed in Salyan road accident
Three people were killed in a road accident at Chorkhola in Kapurkot Rural Municipality-3 of Salyan early Sunday morning. According to Inspector Resham Khatri, acting spokesperson for the District Police Office, the passenger vehicle (Lu 2Kha 6502) veered off the road and plunged around 400 meters at approximately 4 a.m. The deceased include two men and one woman. Their identities have not yet been confirmed. Two others sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Police step up surveillance of escaped prisoners after Gen-Z protests
Nepal Police has said that strict surveillance is being maintained on prisoners who escaped during the Gen-Z youth movement protests of September 8 and 9. According to Central Police Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Ghimire, of the inmates who fled from prisons across the country during the protests, around 8,000 have already returned, while about 6,000 remain at large. He urged the public to remain alert during upcoming festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath.
Minister Ghising stresses EV promotion to curb pollution, boost green economy
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kulman Ghising has underlined the need to promote electric vehicles (EVs) to control pollution and steer Nepal towards a green economy. Inaugurating a charging station set up by Charge Digital at Samakhushi in Kathmandu on Sunday, Ghising said replacing fuel-powered vehicles with electric alternatives is essential to reduce dependency on petroleum and safeguard the environment.
Minister Sinha vows to promote cottage industries
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Anil Kumar Sinha, pledged government support to develop and promote cottage and small industries as a key to a thriving economy. He made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries. “Small and cottage industries are the backbone of the national economy. Therefore, the government prioritizes this sector to foster further growth,” the minister emphasized.
Gen-Z protests cause Rs 100 million in damages to Banepa Municipality
Property damage worth nearly Rs 100 million has been recorded at Banepa Municipality following arson and vandalism during last month’s Gen-Z protests, according to a technical assessment carried out by the municipal office. The municipality’s three-storey administrative headquarters, housing key branches including planning and technical units, was completely destroyed in the violence.
NHRC to remain open during Dashain holidays
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced that it will remain open during the Dashain holidays from 11 am to 2 pm to receive complaints and monitor urgent incidents of human rights violations.
Shuklaphanta National Park remains in shadows due to poor promotion
Despite being home to Nepal’s largest grassland, rich biodiversity, and rare wildlife, Shuklaphanta National Park continues to remain overlooked because of inadequate promotion and weak infrastructure. The park, located in far-west Nepal, is renowned for its vast meadows, swamp deer, Bengal tigers, and unique flora and fauna. Yet, both domestic and international tourists rarely make their way here.
Deep roots of rage as India’s Ladakh seeks self-rule
India’s remote high-altitude desert region of Ladakh has been in turmoil since four people were killed in violent protests demanding greater political autonomy for the Himalayan territory. Growing resentment with New Delhi’s direct rule over the territory, and fears of losing livelihoods boiled over on Wednesday as crowds took to the streets in the main city Leh, torching a police vehicle and the offices of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Route opened for autumn climb to Dhaulagiri summit
A route has been prepared to reach the peak of Dhaulagiri mountain, the world’s seventh highest at 8,167 meters. Dhaulagiri mountain lies within Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4 in Myagdi district. Four Sherpas who reached the mountain with a climbing team this autumn have established the route and reached the summit. Mingma Sherpa, founder of the climbing company Seven Summit Treks, informed that the Sherpa team fixed ropes from the base camp to the summit on Saturday.
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