KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
President calls for consensus between Government and major parties to ensure elections
President Ram Chandra Paudel has stressed the need for a mutual understanding between the government and major political parties to create a conducive environment for the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. During a meeting held at the President’s Office in Shital Niwas on Tuesday afternoon, President Paudel discussed the issue with Prime Minister Sushila Karki and leaders of three major political parties. The meeting was attended by Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and NCP Coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Gen-Z protest probe panel summons Ramesh Lekhak for statement
The investigation commission formed to study the human and material losses during the Gen-Z movement protests on September 8 and 9 has summoned former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to record his statement. The commission, which recently received a one-month extension to complete its investigation, has called Lekhak to seek information within seven days regarding the crackdown carried out on September 8. At the time, Lekhak was serving as the Home Minister.
President Paudel initiates direct talks between PM Karki and top party leaders
At the initiative of President Ram Chandra Paudel, direct talks are being held for the first time at Sheetal Niwas between the top leaders of the three major parties, Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Sharma Oli, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Prime Minister Sushila Karki. Prime Minister Karki, who assumed office through the Gen-Z protest on September 8 and 9, is participating in the discussions with top party leaders for the first time. Until now, she had only held meetings with second- and third-tier leaders of the three major parties.
Rabi Lamichhane clarifies late-night meeting with Kathmandu Mayor Balen
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane on Tuesday clarified the purpose of his late-night meeting with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, amid widespread speculation. The meeting took place on Monday night at the Kamalpokhari residence of RSP central member Asim Shah. Addressing journalists, Lamichhane said the discussion was part of an ongoing dialogue aimed at bringing together new and alternative political forces advocating for change.
NC should contest elections with new leadership: Paudel
Nepali Congress (NC) leader Pradeep Paudel has said that the party should participate in the upcoming election, scheduled for March 5, 2026, under new leadership after concluding its 15th general convention. Speaking with media persons in Kathmandu this morning, Paudel emphasized that the Congress should enter the elections with leadership elected through the general convention, policies aligned with the spirit of the Gen-Z movement, and a dynamic organizational structure. The Nepali Congress has decided to hold its 15th general convention in Kathmandu from January 10 to 13, 2026.
NC calls Central Work Execution Committee meeting
The Nepali Congress (NC) has convened a meeting of its Central Work Execution Committee. According to Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel, Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka has called the meeting for 1:00 pm on Wednesday. A notice has been issued requesting office bearers and Central Work Execution Committee members to attend the meeting at the party’s central office in Sanepa on December 24. The notice states that the meeting will be held at 1:00 pm at the Nepali Congress central office, BP Smriti Bhawan, BP Nagar, Lalitpur, and requests the presence of all office bearers and members in accordance with the instructions.
UML holds nationwide joint meeting to disseminate message of 11th national convention
The CPN-UML is holding a joint meeting of all seven provincial committees and the party’s district committees across all 77 districts on Tuesday to disseminate the message of its 11th national convention nationwide. Party General Secretary Shankar Pokharel is set to address the meeting simultaneously through a virtual platform. According to the party, Pokharel will deliver his address from the UML central office in Chyasal at 2 pm. Central office Secretary Dr Bhishma Adhikari said Zoom links have already been sent to all provincial committee members as well as district-level office bearers and secretariat members to ensure broad participation.
Temporary hall being prepared for National Assembly winter session after fire damage
With the construction of the new Parliament building inside Singha Durbar still incomplete, preparations have been intensified to arrange a temporary hall for the upcoming winter session of the National Assembly. As the federal parliament building at New Baneshwor was set on fire during the Gen-Z protests and the new parliament complex inside Singha Durbar is yet to be completed, authorities have moved to repair and expand an existing meeting hall to ensure the National Assembly can convene on time.
Imports worth Rs 359 billion enter Nepal through Birgunj customs in five months
Goods and commodities worth Rs 359.23 billion have been imported into Nepal through the Birgunj border point in the first five months of the current fiscal year. The import volume marks a 17 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. In absolute terms, imports rose by Rs 53.32 billion. During the corresponding five months of the last fiscal year, goods worth Rs 306.01 billion had entered the country through the Birgunj customs point.
Gold price jumps by Rs 5,500 per tola, sets new all-time high
The price of gold surged sharply on Tuesday, rising by Rs 5,500 per tola in a single day to hit a new all-time high in the domestic market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold has been priced at Rs 267,200 per tola for Tuesday. On the previous day, gold was traded at Rs 261,700 per tola. With this increase, gold has continued its record-breaking trend for consecutive days, reflecting sustained upward pressure in the precious metals market.
Govt team to inspect party offices damaged during Gen-Z protests today
A government team led by Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel will on Tuesday inspect major political party offices damaged during the Gen-Z movement. According to the minister’s private secretariat, the inspection will cover the party offices of Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party (NCP). The inspection team, which also includes Law Minister Anil Sinha, coordinator of the government’s high-level political dialogue committee, is scheduled to reach the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa at 11 am.
Hetauda road expansion victims stage musical protest at Maitighar
Victims of the Hetauda road expansion project staged a protest at Maitighar on Tuesday, playing traditional instruments and holding placards to draw attention to their grievances over demolition and compensation. The protesters accused the government of using bulldozers to demolish private property for road expansion without providing fair and adequate compensation. They said repeated demands raised at the local level have gone unaddressed, forcing them to bring their protest to the capital.
HPV vaccination drive against cervical cancer to begin nationwide from late Magh
The government is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign against cervical cancer from the last week of Magh, under the regular national immunization schedule. The Ministry of Health and Population announced the plan during an interaction program held on Monday, stating that the campaign will be implemented with technical support from UNICEF Nepal through the Family Welfare Division. Chief of the Child Health and Immunization Section, Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, said preparations for the campaign are almost complete. He acknowledged that elections and upcoming festivals could slightly affect implementation but assured that the campaign is planned to start in the last week of Magh and conclude by the first week of Falgun. The detailed schedule and dates will be made public soon.
Nepal’s trade deficit soars to Rs 649.68 billion
Nepal’s foreign trade deficit surged to Rs 649.68 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year, according to data released by the Department of Customs. During the review period from mid-July to mid-December, Nepal’s total foreign trade reached Rs 882.69 billion. Imports stood at Rs 766.18 billion, while exports amounted to Rs 116.50 billion. Compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year, imports increased by 15.83 percent, while exports recorded a notable rise of 58.17 percent, the Department said.
NEPSE gains marginally after two-day decline
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), which had been on a downward trend on Sunday and Monday, posted a marginal gain on Tuesday. The benchmark index rose by 3.27 points to close at 2,584.49 points, with a total turnover of Rs 3.42 billion recorded during the trading session. Of the traded companies, share prices of 134 companies advanced, while 117 companies saw a decline. The share prices of eight companies remained unchanged.
Gen-Z protest probe panel summons Ramesh Lekhak for statement
The investigation commission formed to study the human and material losses during the Gen-Z movement protests on September 8 and 9 has summoned former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to record his statement. The commission, which recently received a one-month extension to complete its investigation, has called Lekhak to seek information within seven days regarding the crackdown carried out on September 8. At the time, Lekhak was serving as the Home Minister. During the protests on September 8, a total of 19 people lost their lives,17 outside the Parliament building in Kathmandu and two in Itahari, Sunsari. The following day, violent demonstrations resulted in widespread damage to public and private property.
Chinese Ambassador Chen Song pays farewell call on President Paudel
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song paid a farewell call on President Ram Chandra Paudel at the President’s Office on Tuesday. According to the President’s Office, the meeting focused on Nepal–China relations as well as issues of mutual interest and concern between the two countries. President Paudel expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Chen for successfully completing his tenure in Nepal and thanked him for his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.
Ex-Home Secretary, former IGP, and CDO freed from travel restrictions
The travel restrictions on three former officials, including a former Home Secretary, have been lifted after the inquiry commission recorded their statements. The Commission, formed to investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9, lifted the travel ban on former Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, former IGP Chandrakuber Khapung, and former Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Chhabilal Rijal. Earlier, the Commission had barred the three from traveling abroad and required them to seek permission before leaving the Kathmandu Valley.
Miraj Dhungana–led Gen-Z group continues protests today
The Gen-Z movement led by Miraj Dhungana is continuing its protest demonstrations today as well. The group has been staging protests since yesterday, claiming that the interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, formed after the rebellion on September 8 and 9, has completely failed. According to sources, protests are currently underway at Maitighar, where demonstrators including Nicholas Bhusal are protesting within a police barricade.
Nepal’s public debt nears Rs 2.8 trillion
Nepal’s public debt has nearly reached Rs 2.8 trillion, according to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). As of the end of Mangsir (December 15) in the current fiscal year, the country’s public debt stood at Rs 2.788 trillion. At the end of the previous fiscal year in Asar (mid-July), Nepal’s public debt was Rs 2.674 trillion, meaning an increase of Rs 114.48 billion over the past five months. The PDMO stated that public debt now accounts for 45.66 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
National Examination Board opens Class 12 annual exam application for 2026
The National Examination Board (NEB) has opened applications for the Class 12 annual examination for the academic session 2025/26. The board announced the application process on Tuesday, inviting both regular and partial students to apply. Regular students can submit their application forms with a fee of Rs 800 by the end of Poush (January 14). Those unable to submit within this period can apply by January 29 by paying a late fee of Rs 1,600.
Bangladesh suspends visa services for Indian nationals
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has temporarily suspended consular and visa services for Indian nationals. The announcement was made on Monday, though the High Commission did not specify how long the suspension would remain in effect. The move comes days after India temporarily shut down its visa application center in Chittagong, Bangladesh, following a demonstration outside the Assistant High Commission of India in the port city.
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