KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
President Paudel extends condolences to UML Chair Oli
President Ram Chandra Paudel has extended heartfelt condolences to KP Sharma Oli, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), following the demise of his father. President Paudel visited Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, to personally express sympathy to him and other bereaved family members. Oli’s father, Mohan Prasad Oli, passed away last Friday at the age of 97.
Rabi Lamichhane’s writ hearing deferred to Thursday
The Supreme Court of Nepal has scheduled the hearing of a writ petition challenging the decision to withdraw cases against Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, for Thursday after it could not be concluded on Tuesday. The hearing had begun on Sunday at a joint bench of justices Saranga Subedi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel. As the proceedings could not be completed, the case has been kept “under consideration” and will continue on March 19, according to Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Prasad Koirala.
Nepal faces no major gas or fuel shortages, officials confirm
More than two weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the resulting retaliatory actions and geopolitical tensions in West Asia are affecting global energy supply chains, with a noticeable impact even in Nepal. Nepali households are facing shortages of cooking gas, and petroleum products have seen sharp price increases. Analysts warn that if the conflict in West Asia continues, it could disrupt daily life and the broader economy in Nepal.
PM Sushila Karki consoles UML leaders after electoral defeat
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has thanked leaders of the CPN-UML party for their cooperation in conducting the election peacefully, while also urging them not to be discouraged by their defeat. Prime Minister Karki invited UML leaders to Baluwatar to express her appreciation. Senior UML leaders including Ishwar Pokhrel, Pradeep Gyawali and Mahesh Bartaula were present during the meeting.
PR members of parliament to get certified on Thursday
The 110 members of parliament (MPs) elected through proportional representation (PR) under the March 5 House of Representatives election will be officially recognized on Thursday. Assistant Spokesperson of the Election Commission Kul Bahadur GC shared certificates will be distributed to MPs elected through proportional representation according to the cluster prescribed in the law.
Criticism mounts as PM’s personal secretary named NTNC chair
The appointment of Adarsh Shrestha, personal secretary to the Prime Minister, as chairperson of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) has sparked widespread criticism. Gen-Z activist Rakshya Bam has strongly objected to the decision, calling it a “mockery of ethics and expertise.” Bam argued that appointing a person without relevant expertise in a sensitive field such as biodiversity and nature conservation could seriously undermine the institution’s credibility and impact wildlife management.
Deuba faction resurfaces after electoral setback for Gagan Thapa
Leaders aligned with Sher Bahadur Deuba have begun voicing criticism inside the Nepali Congress following the party’s poor performance in the recent elections and the defeat of party president Gagan Kumar Thapa. Internal tensions within the party have resurfaced after the election results, with leaders close to Deuba questioning the legitimacy and relevance of the special general convention through which Thapa assumed party leadership. Thapa had organized the second special general convention of the party in Kathmandu on January 11 after disagreements with then-president Deuba over reform agendas raised during the Gen-Z movement last year. With support from a majority of convention representatives and backing from leaders including Bishwa Prakash Sharma, Thapa moved ahead with the convention and later assumed party leadership.
Home Ministry orders probe into incident involving Xi Jinping’s book burning
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Nepal Police to investigate an incident that could potentially affect Nepal–China relations and take action against those involved. The ministry said it issued the directive following a communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had received concerns through diplomatic channels. The incident relates to an incident at Manmohan Technical Institute in Morang, where a copy of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book The Governance of China was reportedly burned.
Lamichhane, Balen absent due to health issues: DP Aryal
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has begun a two-day residential training program for its newly elected federal lawmakers in Lalitpur, but the absence of party chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah has drawn attention. The training started Tuesday morning at Hotel Royal Tulip in Gwarko, with participation from all 182 RSP lawmakers elected from across the country. Speaking at the program, RSP vice-chair Dol Prasad Aryal said Lamichhane and Balen were unable to attend the orientation due to health issues and busy schedules. He added that efforts are being made to ensure their presence, noting that Lamichhane is expected to attend on Wednesday and at the closing session.
UML’s Shankar Pokharel says RSP rise driven by populism, opportunism
General Secretary of the CPN-UML, Shankar Pokharel, has said the rise of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is built on populism and opportunism. Addressing a virtual meeting of provincial and district leaders, Pokharel claimed that new political forces have emerged on the foundation of “populism and anarchism,” indirectly referring to the RSP. He alleged that the party is a coalition of populists and opportunists lacking clear ideology, principles, and long-term political vision related to the nation and nationalism.
SC ruling ends dual allowance for 11 Nepal Academy lifetime members
Eleven lifetime members of the Nepal Academy will no longer receive allowances following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Nepal that upheld the Academy’s decision to stop dual benefits. The decision comes after the court dismissed a writ petition filed against the Academy’s move to halt additional allowances for lifetime members who already receive salaries or pensions from state institutions. The Academy had earlier decided, through a council meeting chaired by Chancellor Bhupal Rai on February 23, 2023, to discontinue such dual benefits. The affected members subsequently challenged the decision at the Supreme Court.
RSP lawmaker Ashika Tamang’s directive on local tax sparks controversy
A directive issued by Ashika Tamang, a lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), regarding local taxation has sparked controversy and raised questions about constitutional boundaries. Tamang, elected from Dhading-1, announced via social media that vehicle fees being collected along the Malekhu–Talti stretch should be stopped immediately. She also warned of action against those continuing to collect the charges. In her post, Tamang questioned the legitimacy of collecting taxes solely for using a road for transportation purposes.
RSP’s Swarnim Wagle urges lawmakers to stay accountable, serve people
Vice-chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Swarnim Wagle, has urged newly elected lawmakers to remain actively committed to serving the country and its people. Speaking at the party’s ongoing orientation program in Lalitpur on Tuesday, Wagle said the RSP has received a strong public mandate and stressed the need for representatives to act responsibly and remain accountable. He emphasized that lawmakers are elected to draft laws and must also ensure oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of government performance—even if the government is led by their own party.
20 arrested in drug-related incidents, including two Indian nationals at TIA
Police have arrested 20 individuals in a series of drug-related incidents across the country, including two Indian nationals detained at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). The two Indian nationals were apprehended last night upon arrival from Bangkok on a Nepal Airlines flight, with 3.160 grams of a cannabis-like substance in their possession. In a separate operation, one individual was arrested with brown sugar from Nagdhunga in Chandragiri Municipality-2, according to the Central Police newsroom.
UAE shuts airspace amid reported missile and drone threats from Iran
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily closed its airspace after reports of incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, according to the country’s defence ministry. The UAE’s civil aviation authority said the closure is precautionary and temporary. The decision came shortly after major airlines, including Etihad Airways and Emirates, had resumed some flight operations, BBC reported. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the United Kingdom after Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain would not be drawn into a broader war involving Iran.
Faith writes open letter to Balen Shah urging protection of sex workers’ rights
Aastha-Faith, an organization advocating for the rights and welfare of sex workers for the past two decades, has written an open letter to senior leader Balen Shah, whom the Rastriya Swatantra Party has projected as a future prime minister, urging him to address the human rights and justice concerns of Nepal’s millions of sex workers. The letter was made public by Faith’s executive director, Rina Lama. The NGO recently released a film, Laalima, based on the experiences of 3,000 sex workers, which premiered on March 13. “We made this film to highlight the ongoing human rights violations faced by sex workers,” Lama said. The film is described not just as a story but as a collective document capturing the voices of thousands of marginalized women.
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