KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Deuba faction dissatisfied with Supreme Court verdict, may seek review against Thapa’s legitimacy
The faction of former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed serious dissatisfaction with the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Nepal. The court on Friday granted legal recognition to the leadership of party president Gagan Thapa through its final verdict on the party’s officiality dispute. Following the decision, leaders from the Deuba faction indicated that they may move for a review of the ruling. A meeting held after the verdict concluded that the leadership elected through the special general convention should take the initiative to safeguard party unity. Leaders from the Deuba camp also stressed that a solution should be sought through a committee empowered by the judicial body.
Deuba faction stresses unity, says NC leadership must take responsibility
A meeting of leaders aligned with outgoing Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has concluded that the current party leadership should take responsibility for ensuring unity within the party. The meeting of former central members from the Deuba faction was held following the Supreme Court’s decision granting legitimacy to the Gagan Thapa-led working committee elected through the special general convention. Leader Kundan Raj Kafle said the discussion focused on the party’s future direction after the court verdict, especially among those who did not participate in the special general convention. “Discussions have begun on how to move forward after the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said, adding that the meeting also reflected on the party’s past performance, internal ups and downs, and the need to strengthen unity.
T20 Series in Kirtipur: Leadership test for Captain Dipendra
The Nepali national cricket team will begin a T20 series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur from Monday. The series marks the formal introduction of a new structure in Nepali cricket, where different captains will lead the team in different formats. In the absence of regular captain Rohit Paudel and several senior players, all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee will lead the side. The squad, featuring a mix of young and experienced players, is expected to usher in a new phase for Nepal in T20 cricket. Nepal and UAE are meeting again after two and a half years. Out of their 11 T20 encounters so far, only one match has been played at Kirtipur, which the UAE won.
Shekhar, Shashank, Dhanraj distancing from Deuba faction, signal support for Gagan-led leadership
Following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the legitimacy dispute within the Nepali Congress (NC), a realignment within the party has begun, with leaders associated with the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction moving to distance themselves from the group. Leaders from the Koirala family, considered the party’s moderate bloc, skipped a meeting of the Deuba faction held at Smart Palace in Dhumbarahi on Sunday afternoon. Instead, they attended a separate gathering held earlier in the day at the Bishalnagar contact office of leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala. The meeting brought together Dr. Shekhar Koirala, Dr. Shashank Koirala, and former Vice President Dhanraj Gurung, along with other central committee members and lawmakers. Discussions reportedly focused on accepting the Supreme Court’s ruling and moving ahead with internal unity under the leadership of Gagan Thapa as party President.
4 killed, 14 injured in jeep accident in Salyan
Four people have died and 14 others were injured in a jeep accident in Salyan district. The jeep (registration number Lu Pa 001 Ja 0271) was en route from Thara in Bangad Kupinde Municipality-8 to Laxmipur in Kalimati Rural Municipality-1 when it met with an accident at Dhaire, Bangad Kupinde-12, at around 5:30 pm last night. Three people died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries during treatment. According to the District Police Office, Salyan, the deceased have been identified as Top Bahadur Thapa, 52, Thage Gharti, 52, and Karna Bahadur Pun, 29, all from Thara. Another victim, 30-year-old Man Bahadur Thapa, died while undergoing treatment at Mehlakuna Hospital in Surkhet, police said. Police Inspector and Information Officer Devraj Bhattarai said the injured were rescued and taken to Mehlakuna Hospital. Of the 14 injured, five are in critical condition. The jeep reportedly lost control and plunged about 50 meters off the road.
RSP appoints Deepak Bohara as head of diaspora department
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed central secretariat member and lawmaker Deepak Bohara as the head of its diaspora department. A meeting of the party’s central secretariat held on Sunday decided to assign Bohara the responsibility. He is also known as a close aide to party chair Rabi Lamichhane. Bohara is considered one of the leaders close to Lamichhane who did not secure a ministerial position in the government led by Balen Shah.
Vitamin A and deworming program launched nationwide for children
The government has begun administering vitamin A supplements and deworming medicine to children across the country from today and Monday under the National Vitamin A Program. The Ministry of Health and Population, through the Department of Health Services, has launched the two-day campaign that also includes deworming medication, said Lila Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Nutrition Branch. According to the programme, around 2.2 million children aged six to 59 months will receive vitamin A capsules, while about 2 million children aged one to five years will be given the deworming medicine Albendazole.
BP Highway blocked again; passengers face hardship
The BP Highway has been blocked once again, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. The road was disrupted after flooding in the Roshi River washed away temporary diversions following rainfall last night. The District Police Office, Kavre, said the highway has remained closed since late last night after floodwaters damaged diversions in areas including Katunje, Mangaltar and Ghumaune in Kavre district. Authorities said it will take time to repair the damaged sections and restore traffic flow. The police have urged travellers to check road conditions before starting their journey. For updates, the public has been requested to contact emergency numbers 100 and 103.
Processed fuels cost higher than crude oil: NOC
Amid growing public concern over fuel prices in the domestic market, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has clarified that retail petroleum prices in Nepal are determined on the basis of international market rates. The Corporation said that processed fuels are always more expensive than crude oil, as Nepal does not have its own refinery and therefore imports refined petroleum products directly instead of crude oil. NOC spokesperson Manoj Thakur said fuel prices in Nepal should not be compared with crude oil, but with processed fuel prices in the international market. He added that NOC procures petroleum products from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), and prices are automatically adjusted every 15 days based on IOC rates.
Demolition of encroached structures begins in Birgunj for highway expansion
The Road Division Office, Hetauda, has begun demolishing houses and structures built by encroaching on the main road in Birgunj from Sunday morning. The drive has been launched to widen the Tribhuvan Highway section from Gandak Chowk to Miteri Pul by 25 metres on both sides. According to the office, around a dozen excavators were deployed from 5 am to remove encroachments, and approximately 1,200 houses and structures are expected to be demolished as part of the campaign. Engineer Bhola Sah said the action has been taken in line with a Supreme Court verdict and federal government directives. “We had repeatedly issued notices to remove illegal structures, but since they were not cleared, we have begun demolition using excavators,” he said. “This will help move forward the road expansion work.”
Two killed, two injured in ambulance accident in Banke
Two people, including a yoga instructor, were killed and two others injured after an ambulance struck pedestrians in Banke on Sunday morning. According to the District Police Office, Banke, an ambulance traveling from Kohalpur to Rajapur in Bardiya hit four people walking along the road near the Forest Division Office in Gulariya-7. Police Inspector Prakash Karki said 52-year-old Bhumi Lamichhane and her five-year-old grandson Rihans Kharel died in the accident. Bhumi Lamichhane was also known locally as a yoga instructor. Her daughter-in-law Sita Lamichhane and local resident Surya Upadhyay were injured in the incident. They are receiving treatment at Nepalgunj Teaching Hospital in Kohalpur. Police said the group was crossing the road in the morning to attend yoga at an Ayurveda hospital when the speeding ambulance hit them.
Gold price increase in domestic market
The price of gold and silver has increased in the domestic market today, according to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Federation. Gold price increased by Rs 1,200 per tola, reaching Rs 301,000. The price had declined last Friday after several days of continuous gains. On that day, gold dropped by Rs 3,000 per tola to Rs 299,800, following a two-day surge of Rs 6,100. Likewise, silver prices have also gone up, increasing by Rs 95 per tola to Rs 5,225. Previously, silver had fallen by Rs 120 per tola last Friday to Rs 5,130.
14-year-old girl missing for nine days in Parbat
A 14-year-old girl from Deupur, Modi Rural Municipality-2 in Parbat, has been missing for the past nine days. The missing girl, Ritika Jaisi, went missing on April 9 while returning home from her maternal uncle’s house in Dhairing, Jaljala Rural Municipality-7. According to police, she was last confirmed to have boarded a vehicle from Milan Chowk along the Maldhunga–Beni road toward Patichaur in Modi Rural Municipality. However, she has not been in contact since. Deputy Superintendent of Police Bijay Yadav said the search operation has been intensified and all subordinate police units have been mobilized with her description to continue the search.
Govt to deploy security for removal of student party structures in universities
The government has decided to provide security support if any obstruction is faced during the removal of student organisation banners, flags, graffiti and other political structures from university premises. Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel has directed that security assistance be mobilised through the Ministry of Home Affairs in case of any law and order challenges during the removal process of student organisations affiliated with political parties. On April 3, Minister Pokharel held a meeting with 14 vice-chancellors of universities under the coordination of University Grants Commission Chair Devraj Adhikari and instructed them to proceed with the removal of such structures.
Minister Timilsina urges caution over fake news circulating online
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Bikram Timilsina has stressed the need for citizens to verify whether information circulating on social media is official or merely rumours. Speaking at a program in Chhare Bazaar of Likhu Rural Municipality-6, Nuwakot, the Minister said recent claims that the government was planning to distribute new mobile phones to all ministers were completely false and misleading. He said such fabricated content is being spread to create unnecessary distrust against the government and may be driven by malicious intent.
Woman dies after house wall collapses in Siraha
A woman died on Saturday evening after a house wall collapsed in Siraha. The deceased has been identified as 60-year-old Kisunbati Yadav of Sakhuwanankarkatti Rural Municipality-2. According to District Police Office spokesperson Ramesh Bahadur Pal, the incident occurred when strong winds triggered by a storm caused a house wall to collapse on her. She died on the spot. The storm also disrupted normal life in several districts of Madhesh Province on Saturday. Police said details of damage caused by the storm across affected areas are still being collected.
RSP calls central committee meeting
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has called a meeting of its central committee. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 pm on Monday at the party’s central office in Banasthali, under the direction of party president Rabi Lamichhane. The party has instructed all central committee members to attend the meeting mandatorily. The meeting will focus on contemporary political developments, the party’s future strategy, and organizational strengthening.
Former King Gyanendra to visit Pokhara this week
Former King Gyanendra Shah is set to visit Pokhara this week. In a statement issued on Sunday, his communications secretary Phaniraj Pathak said Gyanendra Shah will travel to Pokhara along with his wife, Komal Shah. According to the secretariat, the former royal couple will stay in Pokhara for a few days, during which they are expected to participate in various programs and meet well-wishers. Although described as a personal visit, the former king’s recent tours to different districts and the public receptions he has received have drawn attention.
Spring climbing season opens on Dhaulagiri I with nine successful summits
Nine climbers have successfully summited Dhaulagiri I as the spring expedition season gets underway on the 8,167-metre peak in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-4. Nine climbers, five Nepalis and four foreigners, successfully reached the summit on Saturday under an expedition organized by Imagine Nepal, marking the first ascent of the season. According to the company, the successful climbers include China’s Liu Hong, Liu Yishi, Wang Zhong, Switzerland’s Christine Vogondi, and Nepali climbers Fur Gyalzen Sherpa, Pasang Namgel Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Ngima Nuru Sherpa, and Pemba Chiri Sherpa. Team leader Fur Gyalzen Sherpa said the group reached the summit at 11:40 pm on Saturday and safely returned to the third base camp. He added that Sherpa guides had earlier fixed ropes through the snowy route, enabling the ascent.
Annapurna climbing season begins
The spring climbing season has begun on Annapurna I, the world’s tenth-highest peak. The 8,091-meter peak lies in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Narchyang, in Myagdi district. A team led by Lakpa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks successfully reached the summit on Saturday, marking the start of this year’s climbing season. The expedition included seven Nepali and five foreign climbers. In a separate ascent, a Sherpa guide along with two climbers from the Netherlands and Australia reached the summit at 10:15 am on Saturday, according to Tej Bahadur Gurung of Maurice Herzog Trek. “The first team has successfully summited Annapurna this season,” Gurung said, adding that climbers and support staff have started moving toward the base camp.
National Assembly Chairman Dahal meets Turkish Speaker Numan
Narayan Prasad Dahal, Chairman of Nepal’s National Assembly, held a courtesy meeting with Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, in Istanbul on Saturday. Dahal is in Istanbul to attend the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). According to his secretariat, the meeting focused on bilateral relations, mutual interests and parliamentary cooperation between Nepal and Turkey. During the talks, Dahal emphasized the need to further strengthen ties through parliamentary collaboration. He expressed interest in expanding exchanges of parliamentary experience, mutual visits, and forming a parliamentary friendship group.
Fungal infection likely to reduce mango production in Banke
Mango farming in Banke has been severely affected by powdery mildew (Oidium mangiferae), locally known as Madhuwa disease. The fungal infection, which has appeared just as mango trees begin fruiting, has raised concerns among farmers over potential crop losses. “If the plants are infected, yields can drop drastically,” said mango farmer Abdula Wajid Sai of Janaki Rural Municipality–1. According to the Agricultural Knowledge Centre Banke, the disease appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, flowers and fruits, leading to premature shedding and a sharp decline in production. The centre has been offering technical advice and recommending appropriate pesticides to control its spread.
Wildlife Week focuses on awareness and conservation
Shuklaphanta National Park is observing Wildlife Week with a series of public awareness and conservation-focused programs. The week, which began on April 14, is being held under the slogan “Safe People, Safe Wildlife: Utilization of Biodiversity, Bridge to Prosperity.” Assistant Warden Binay Kumar Jha said the programs aim to reduce human–wildlife conflict, minimize damage, and promote prosperity through the sustainable use of biodiversity. Activities include awareness programs on wildlife, environment and biodiversity, as well as cleanliness drives at the park’s main office in Majhgaun, with participation from local communities, students and stakeholders.
One killed in tractor accident in Baitadi
One person died in a tractor accident at Sanigad Khola in Sigas Rural Municipality-8, Baitadi, on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Lokendra Bohara, 25, of Tolkhet, Sigas-8. He died on the spot when a tractor en route from Lupun in Sigas-8 to Deulekh in Bajhang met with an accident. According to Police Inspector Suraj Singh, spokesperson for the District Police Office, there were two people on board, including the driver. Bohara died in the incident, while the driver, 30-year-old Dan Bahadur Dhami of Sigas Rural Municipality-5, is in contact with the police. Preliminary information suggests that the tractor fell around 300 meters off the road.
Farmers worried as wind and disease damage mangoes in Siraha
Mango production in Siraha district is expected to decline this year, with farmers increasingly concerned after strong winds and the outbreak of ‘Madhuwa’ disease caused the shedding of mango blossoms and young fruits. According to the Agricultural Knowledge Centre Siraha, mangoes cultivated on around 9,025 hectares had shown promising growth this season. However, due to disease infestation, only about 10 percent of the fruit is estimated to have remained on the trees. Information officer Sudeep Khanal said there had been expectations of a bumper harvest this year, but the continued dropping of blossoms and young fruits has led to fears of a significant decline in output. Last year, the district produced 59,886 metric tons of mangoes.
Temperatures rise across the country
Temperatures have increased across Nepal, with several regions experiencing warmer-than-usual conditions. The Kathmandu Valley is also feeling the effect of the rising heat. According to the Weather Forecasting Division Nepal, the minimum temperature in the Kathmandu Valley today has reached 18.5 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists say the rising temperatures are linked to weakening cloud cover and increasing solar radiation during the pre-monsoon period, which often leads to warmer days and relatively humid conditions in urban areas like Kathmandu.
Restoration of Jayabageshwori Temple expected to complete by May 1
Restoration work is underway to revive the outer structure of the Jayabageshwori Temple in the Pashupati area, with completion expected by May 1. As part of the renovation, new clay idols of Goddess Jayabageshwori, along with Lord Ganesh and Bhairav, are being prepared. According to Anita Bhatta, Information Officer at the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the temple’s structure is traditionally renewed every 12 years. She said the current restoration work is expected to be completed within two weeks. The temple houses the idol of Adi or Nar-Mukha Vinayaka, representing the original human-faced form of Lord Ganesh before the elephant head replacement by Lord Shiva. Notably, the Ganesh idol here does not feature an elephant head.
Four pistols, 58 rounds of ammunition recovered from Kathmandu’s Bishnumati riverbank
Four pistols and 58 rounds of bullets have been recovered from the bank of the Bishnumati River in Kathmandu. The weapons were found at Shobhabhagawati in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-15, according to SSP Ramesh Thapa. He said that seven magazines were also recovered along with the pistols and ammunition. The pistols have been identified as Type-54 models. Police also recovered seven magazines compatible with the same weapon. A total of 58 rounds of 9mm bullets, reportedly used in Beretta pistols, were found during the operation. The recovery was made on Sunday morning during a joint cleaning drive conducted by the metropolitan city and police personnel along the riverbank. A police team deployed from Police Circle Swayambhu reached the site based on specific information and seized the weapons.
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