KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Gagan Thapa links Madhesh agenda to national policy debate
Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that his decision to contest the election from Madhesh was taken after careful consideration. Speaking with local journalists in Sarlahi-4, Thapa said he chose to become a candidate from the constituency as issues facing Madhesh, such as education, health, and employment, are matters of national concern. Thapa stated that the Sarlahi party committee had repeatedly urged him to contest from the constituency, and that this time the opportunity materialized. He added that he selected an Inner Madhesh district to closely understand the region’s issues and raise them more effectively.
Khagendra Sunuwar clarifies he is a strict vegetarian amid viral video controversy
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) proportional candidate Khagendra Sunuwar has clarified that he is a strict vegetarian, following the circulation of a viral video claiming otherwise. The video, widely shared on social media and in the media in recent days, featured a statement suggesting, “If mutton is allowed, cow should be allowed too.” Sunuwar said the clip is from an old podcast, edited and circulated misleadingly ahead of the elections, apparently to tarnish his image.
Balen Shah embarks on election campaign in Kailali and Kanchanpur
Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balendra Shah (Balen), has set out on an election campaign in Kailali and Kanchanpur. According to his secretariat, Shah began his election tour at 7 am from Rajapur in Bardiya, heading towards Kailali and Kanchanpur. As part of the campaign, the RSP is scheduled to hold programs along the route from Rajapur to Tikapur, Lamki, Bardagoriya, Sukhad, Parmanpur, Masuriya, Chaumala, Attariya, and Dhangadhi Bazaar.
EC seeks written clarification from Balen, Harka, Mahesh and Nicholous over code of conduct violations
The Election Commission has sought written clarification from four candidates over alleged violations of the election code of conduct. The candidates are senior Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Balen Shah, CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet, Shram Sanskriti Party Chair Harka Sampang, and independent candidate Nicholous Bhusal. Balen Shah is contesting from Jhapa-5, Mahesh Basnet from Bhaktapur-2, Harka Sampang from Sunsari-1, and Nicholous Bhusal from Rupandehi-2.
Rabi Lamichhane hospitalised after leg injury
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has been admitted to hospital after developing a problem in his left leg. According to his personal secretary, Abinash Acharya, Lamichhane was admitted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj after an infection was detected on the skin of his left leg.
Home Minister Aryal inspects central prisons, meets Top Bahadur Rayamajhi
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal visited two major prisons and the central prison hospital in Kathmandu on Tuesday, assessing the facilities and meeting inmates. Accompanied by Home Secretary, Chief of the Peace and Security Division, Director General of the Department of Prison Management, and senior police officials, Minister Aryal inspected the Central Jail in Jagannath Deval and Dillibazar Prison.
Prachanda warns against social media stunts, calls for unity to counter political theatrics
Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has criticized the use of social media for political stunts, saying that such tactics are misleading the public. His remarks were aimed at Rastriya Swatantra Party leaders Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Sah. Speaking at a party unity program held at the party headquarters in Paris Danda on Tuesday, Prachanda said only through collective action can such stunt politics be countered.
Attorney General Sabita Bhandari gets Yubaraj Saphal arrested over social media posts
Yubaraj Paudel Saphal was arrested on Tuesday following complaints by Attorney General Sabita Bhandari that he had posted defamatory and false statements about her on social media. According to the Kathmandu District Police, Paudel had uploaded videos claiming that the Attorney General’s office weakened cases to protect her daughter, who is implicated in an egg sale controversy, and alleged misconduct in decisions involving Rastriya Swatantra Party chief Rabi Lamichhane. The videos reportedly contained abusive language and personal attacks directed at Bhandari and her office.
Missing details in EC candidate profiles raise concerns over transparency
The Election Commission published the personal details of 3,406 first-past-the-post candidates on January 23, stating that voters in the digital age would be able to instantly check candidates’ qualifications through the Commission’s website. Since then, the publicly available list has triggered discussions at the grassroots level about candidates’ qualifications, with voters even raising questions on social media based on the information provided online.
NC leader Khatiwada questions state security after elderly couple murdered in Okhaldhunga
Following the public disclosure of the brutal murder of an elderly couple in Okhaldhunga last night, Nepali Congress leader Ramhari Khatiwada has raised serious questions about the state’s security system. Referring to the incident in Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality–6, Bhadaure, Khatiwada said the killing of the elderly couple has exposed weaknesses in state security. The victims have been identified as 80-year-old Chandra Bikram Rai and his wife Chandramaya Rai, who were residing in Bohore of Bhadaure. According to police, the couple was murdered after a robbery at the grocery shop they had been operating, citing local residents.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki inspects Kathmandu–Tarai Fast Track
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has inspected the Kathmandu–Tarai Fast Track. Prime Minister Karki set out early Tuesday morning to inspect the fast track project. She was accompanied by Foreign Minister Balanand Sharma during the inspection. The Kathmandu–Tarai Fast Track is a national pride project. The short-distance route connecting the Kathmandu Valley with Nijgadh of Bara district is being viewed as strategically significant.
Balen Shah visits Bardiya, inaugurates RSP contact office in Rajapur
Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balen Shah, has arrived in Bardiya. During his visit, Shah met with party cadres and supporters and inaugurated the RSP Bardiya District Contact Office of Election Constituency No. 2 in Rajapur. According to party sources, the visit focused on strengthening the party’s organizational presence at the local level. Shah interacted with local leaders and activists, discussing party activities and organizational matters in the district.
Nepali youths protest delays in EPS deployment to South Korea
Youth candidates under the Employment Permit System (EPS) have staged a protest in Kathmandu, demanding faster deployment to South Korea after passing language and skill tests. The protesters, who passed the language exams for the agriculture and fisheries sectors but have remained on the roster for over a year without being sent, gathered at Maitighar on Tuesday.
Gold price hits new record on Tuesday, reaches Rs 309,300 perr tola
The upward trend in gold prices continued on Tuesday, setting a new record once again. Compared to Monday, the price of gold increased by Rs 300 per tola today. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold is being traded at Rs 309,300 per tola on Tuesday. This is the highest price recorded so far. On Monday, gold was traded at Rs 309,000 per tola. Compared to Sunday, the price of gold had surged by Rs 5,200 per tola on Monday.
NEPSE continues downward trend on Tuesday, index drops by 42.58 points
The downward trend of the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index continued on Tuesday. After shedding 3.07 points on Monday, the index plunged by a further 42.58 points on Tuesday. Despite fluctuations in the index in recent days, trading volume has remained relatively high, indicating sustained market interest and investor enthusiasm. With the election atmosphere intensifying across the country, increased investor participation has supported higher trading volumes. While the total turnover had crossed Rs 16 billion on Monday, it declined slightly to around Rs 14 billion on Tuesday.
Two reports tabled in National Assembly meeting
Two reports were tabled at the National Assembly meeting held on Tuesday. During the meeting, Chairperson of the Legislation Management Committee Tulsakumari Dahal presented the Report of the Legislation Management Committee on the Film Bill, 2081. Similarly, the Annual Report of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee for Fiscal Year 2081/82 was also tabled in the House. The report was presented by Committee Chairperson Sonam Geljen Sherpa.
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