KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Over 16,300 students conferred at TU’s 51st Convocation
Tribhuvan University (TU) today held its 51st convocation, conferring degrees on over 16,300 students. The ceremony was graced by Prime Minister and TU Chancellor Sushila Karki, alongside other prominent figures from the academic community. In total, 89,101 students have graduated across undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil, and PhD programs. The event, held at Dasharath Rangashala, marked a historic occasion as Japanese Nobel laureate Professor Takaaki Kajita attended as the chief guest for the first time in TU’s history.
Balen leaves Kumar Ben’s house after 10 hours
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah left Lalitpur after spending 10 hours at the residence of his aide Kumar Ben in Jhaghal. During his stay in Lalitpur, Balen met more than a dozen individuals involved in building a new alternative political force. He interacted with several prominent figures, including Kulman Ghising, Rabi Lamichhane, Amresh Singh, and Baburam Bhattarai, holding discussions at a single location.
Kulman: Ujyalo Party will lead nation’s transformation through elections
Patron of the Ujyalo Nepal Party and Minister for Energy, Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development Kulman Ghising has said the upcoming election should serve as the starting point for new political forces. Speaking at the inauguration of Ujyalo Ghar, the party’s central office, in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, on Thursday, Ghising said the election would be held on schedule and should mark the departure point for emerging political forces. Stressing that youth must step forward for Nepal’s prosperity and good governance, he said there have been calls for unity among new forces. Ghising also indicated that new forces could contest the election as a team.
Ramesh Lekhak to appear before probe commission on Monday
Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said he will appear before the investigation commission on Monday to record his statement. Speaking to journalists at the Nepali Congress party office in Sanepa on Thursday, Lekhak said he would give his statement to the probe commission formed to investigate incidents related to the Gen-Z movement. He said the commission had formally asked him to appear on Friday, but he would instead reach the commission’s office on Monday to record his statement.
Resham: Prospects of unity among new forces slim after meeting Balen
Resham Lal Chaudhary, a leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal, has said the likelihood of new political parties and groups uniting as an alternative to traditional parties appears weak. Speaking after a meeting with Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah on Wednesday night, Chaudhary said ongoing discussions among new and alternative political forces have failed to produce meaningful results. Chaudhary said repeated meetings among new parties and groups to explore possible cooperation in the upcoming election scheduled for March 5, 2026, have not been encouraging.
Ujyalo Nepal Party officially opens office in Tripureshwor
The Ujyalo Nepal Party has officially brought its central office into operation. The party office, established in Tripureshwor, was inaugurated on Thursday in the presence of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Kulman Ghising as the chief guest. Party leaders and supporters were present at the inauguration ceremony. Speaking briefly on the occasion, Minister Ghising said the party aims to move forward with a focus on good governance, public service delivery and alternative politics.
Rabi–Balen hold third round of talks, Lamicchane asks for patience on outcome
The third round of talks between Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamicchane and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah concluded on Thursday. After holding two rounds of discussions on Sunday and Monday, the two leaders met again on Thursday at the Jawalakhel residence of Kumar Ben for further dialogue on possible political cooperation. Speaking briefly to journalists after the meeting, Lamicchane refrained from giving a direct response on the outcome of the talks. Smiling as he exited the venue, he urged reporters to be patient.
Balen Shah holds talks with Nepali Congress leaders ahead of March 5 elections
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has intensified political consultations as the March 5, 2026, House of Representatives election approaches. On Wednesday evening, Shah met with key Nepali Congress leaders, including Dr. Chandra Bhandari, at the home of his advisor Kumar Ben in Kupandol. The meeting lasted around three hours and focused on discussions about forming a coordinated political approach involving new and youth-driven forces. Bhandari, who has already declared his candidacy for the Congress presidency in the upcoming 15th general convention, participated along with Milan Pandey and Sagar Dhakal.
Oli calls for Parliament’s reinstatement before elections
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has reiterated that the reinstatement of Parliament must precede any upcoming elections. Speaking at an event on Thursday in Kathmandu, where volunteers from the party’s 11th General Convention were thanked, Oli referred to a recent meeting at Shital Niwas. The meeting, convened on Tuesday at the initiative of President Ramchandra Paudel, included Prime Minister Sushila Karki and other party leaders, including Nepali Congress Chair Sher Bahadur Deuba. Oli stated that during the talks, he emphasized that the country is moving toward regression, not progress, and therefore, the first step must be restoring Parliament. “We are not against elections. What we oppose is regression. We want the House of Representatives reinstated as soon as possible,” he said.
Gold, silver prices dip after hitting record highs
Gold and silver prices declined on Thursday, retreating from recent record highs. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold fell by Rs 600 per tola to Rs 267,500. On the previous day, gold had traded at Rs 268,100 per tola, marking an all-time high.
RPP Nepal calls Central Committee meeting ahead of party unity announcement
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP Nepal) has convened a Central Committee meeting for December 30. Party General Secretary Rajaram Bartaula said the meeting will be held at 1 pm at Navadurga Party Palace in Sukedhara, Kathmandu. According to Bartaula, the meeting will primarily focus on preparations to ensure the success of the joint Party Unity Declaration Assembly scheduled for December 31 between RPP and RPP Nepal.
Bishwa Prakash to not contest upcoming election
Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has announced that he will not contest the election scheduled for March 5, 2026. Speaking at a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee held in Sanepa on Thursday, Sharma said he would not be a candidate in the upcoming election. “I was in Jhapa yesterday and had already told friends in the constituency committee meeting to come forward and stake their claim as candidates,” Sharma said. “I had said a year ago that I would not contest. On January 5, in Dhulabari, I had clearly told those interested in contesting the next election to work hard, because I would not be a candidate.”
Private airlines suspend Pokhara–Jomsom flights amid winter slowdown
Private airlines have temporarily suspended flights on the Pokhara–Jomsom route due to low tourist arrivals during the winter season. Summit Airlines and Tara Air cited adverse weather, the risk of snowfall, and the seasonal decline in passengers as reasons for halting operations. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Jomsom Office Chief Deepak Pokharel, both airlines normally operate regular flights on the route, but services have been paused. Chartered and emergency helicopter flights, however, are still operational.
Christmas being observed today
The Christian community across Nepal and around the world is celebrating Christmas today, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Jesus Christ is believed to have been born in Bethlehem, in present-day Israel, on December 25. For Christians, Christmas symbolizes the core teachings of Christ—salvation, love, and peace—which form the foundation of the faith.
Sudan Gurung says rooms locked until Rabi and Balen agree to work together
Sudan Gurung on Thursday said he has locked the rooms at the residence of Kumar Ben, where talks between Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah are underway, and will not open them until the two leaders resolve their differences and agree to work together. Releasing a video message Thursday afternoon, Gurung claimed that he and his team were “standing guard” outside the house during the dialogue. In the video, he said the rooms had been locked to ensure that the talks continue until a common understanding is reached.
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