KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
RPP bars Provincial lawmakers from power talks, complicating UML’s Bagmati govt. bid
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has instructed its provincial lawmakers not to participate in any government formation or power-sharing activities until the party issues an official decision from the central leadership. The directive was issued following a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee chaired by RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden at the party’s central office in Dhumbarahi on Wednesday. The committee authorized Lingden to make an appropriate decision on provincial government formation when deemed necessary.
Dhawal Shamsher Rana, Durga Prasai to launch ‘Jaya Nepal Party’
Former Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) leader Dr. Dhawal Shamsher Rana and medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai are set to register a new political party, the Jaya Nepal Party, with the Election Commission on August 13. The decision follows a series of discussions between the two leaders, who have agreed on the party’s name, flag and other organizational matters, according to sources involved in the initiative. Young leader Sagun Lawati of Panchthar is also associated with the new political campaign. Under the proposed party structure, Rana will serve as the party chair, while a new position of “Supreme Leader” has been created for Prasai.
Special Court orders former Tourism Secretary Neupane released on Rs 450,000 bail in Pokhara Airport corruption case
The Special Court has ordered the release of former Tourism Secretary Maheshwor Neupane on bail of Rs 450,000 in a corruption case related to tax exemptions granted during the construction of Pokhara International Airport. The order was issued on Wednesday by a bench comprising Special Court Chair Basudev Acharya and members Umesh Koirala and Bidur Koirala. The case stems from a corruption investigation by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), which alleges that officials unlawfully granted customs and tax exemptions to the airport’s contractor in violation of the construction agreement.
Oli holds meeting with Koshi UML leadership, CM Karki Amid leadership row
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli is holding discussions with Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki and the party’s provincial leadership amid ongoing uncertainty over the province’s leadership. The meeting is being attended by UML Koshi Province in-charge Sherdhan Rai, Provincial Chair Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Provincial Secretary Raj Kumar Bhandari and other senior provincial leaders, along with Chief Minister Karki. The discussions come as Oli and Rai continue to press Karki to resign as chief minister. However, Karki has so far refused to step down, prompting the party leadership to convene what is being viewed as a decisive round of talks.
Bodies of Nimsdai and three other climbers brought down to Broad Peak Base Camp
A rescue team led by renowned Nepali mountaineer Mingma G has recovered the bodies of four climbers, including celebrated climber Nirmal Purja “Nimsdai,” from Pakistan’s Broad Peak and brought them to the mountain’s base camp. The bodies of Purja, Nima Sherpa and Chinese climber Zhong Wang, which had remained stranded for a week at an altitude of around 5,000 meters in the Karakoram range, were brought to base camp on Wednesday. The Pakistan Alpine Club confirmed that the bodies of Purja, Zhong Wang, Nima Sherpa and Kilu Sherpa had all been recovered. The rescue team included Pakistani climbers Sirbaz Khan, Abid Baig and Sherbaz, along with Dipen Gurung and Pema Chewang Sherpa from Imagine Nepal Treks. The team reached the recovery site within a few hours after departing from base camp on Wednesday morning.
Foreign Minister Khanal seeks stronger trade, tourism and technology ties with Korea
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has stressed the need to further expand air connectivity, trade, tourism, education, technology, and people-to-people relations between Nepal and South Korea. During a farewell meeting with South Korean Ambassador Park Taeyong, who is returning home after completing his three-year term in Nepal, Minister Khanal emphasized the importance of promoting trade, health, and education as key areas of bilateral cooperation, according to his private secretariat. Stating that new areas for investment should be identified, Khanal said cooperation should be expanded beyond the energy and manufacturing sectors to other fields of mutual interest.
Nepali Congress says Balen-led govt has lost public trust
The Nepali Congress (NC) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Balen Shah-led government, accusing it of failing to deliver good governance, transparency, and accountability despite enjoying a near two-thirds majority. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, party spokesperson Devraj Chalise accused the government of facing a moral crisis, political incompetence, and a growing crisis of public trust. He said that despite enjoying a near two-thirds majority, the government was attempting to divert public attention instead of addressing the country’s pressing problems.
Govt to compensate families of those killed in Madesh protests
The government has decided to provide compensation, relief, and medical treatment to those who were killed and injured during the recent protests in Sunsari and Siraha. The decision was taken at Wednesday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers, according to Prime Minister’s Press and Research Expert Deepa Dahal. The Cabinet also decided to appoint Prof. Dr. Khadga Bahadur KC of Parbat as chairperson of the University Grants Commission and Prof. Dr. Rosi Shrestha of Bhojpur as a member of the commission. In addition, the meeting approved the Statistics (First Amendment) Regulations, 2083. The Cabinet further decided to repeal the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee Formation Order, 2054 BS, and to merge the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee with the Nepal Transit and Warehouse Management Company Limited.
Yanki Ukyab appointed Investment Board CEO
The government has appointed Yanki Ukyab as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Investment Board Nepal. The decision was taken by the Cabinet during its meeting held on Wednesday. According to government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel, Ukyab was appointed to the post on the recommendation of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Ukyab, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board Nepal, is a development economist. She previously worked as a consultant for the Investment Board and is regarded as an expert in public policy, sustainable development, climate issues, economic development, and investment.
Process to resolve dispute over ISP dues moves forward
The government has begun preparations to resolve the long-standing dispute over unpaid telecommunication service charges, royalties, and contributions to the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF) owed by internet service providers (ISPs). The Ministry of Information and Communications has intensified consultations with stakeholders to address issues related to arrears, tax assessments, and license renewals that have remained unresolved for years. During a meeting with officials of the Internet Service Providers’ Association Nepal (ISPAN) on Wednesday, Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina clarified that taxes and fees legally due to the government would be recovered under any circumstances.
Ministry of Agriculture issues National Agriculture Policy 2083
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has issued the National Agriculture Policy, 2083 with the objective of making Nepal’s agriculture sector modern, commercial, competitive, and self-reliant. Prepared in line with the federal governance system, the policy gives top priority to food security, food sovereignty, increasing farmers’ income, boosting agricultural production, reducing imports, and promoting agricultural exports. Speaking about the policy, Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary said it was introduced to build a sustainable and production-oriented agricultural system and address the existing challenges facing the sector.
Govt, activist Ranabhat sign 19-point agreement
Activist Jyoti Ranabhat, who had been on a hunger strike demanding the implementation of various health-sector reforms, has ended her fast after reaching a 19-point agreement with the government. Ranabhat, who is also a nurse, had been on a hunger strike since July 30. The agreement was signed by Krishna Shrestha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety; Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Hemanta Chandra Ojha; and Legal Officer Jaya Prakash Subedi. Under the agreement, the Ministry of Health and Food Safety will form a task force within seven days to determine salaries, service conditions, facilities, and other benefits for nurses, midwives, and other health workers employed in government, institutional, private, community hospitals, medical colleges, and teaching institutions. The task force is expected to complete its work within six months.
Blocked Narayangadh-Muglin road reopens after landslide clearance
Transport services on the Narayangadh-Muglin road have resumed after a landslide that blocked traffic near Simaltal was cleared. According to Krishna Acharya, information officer at the Division Road Office, Bharatpur, two-way vehicular movement resumed after the debris from the landslide, which occurred at around 7:05 am on Tuesday, was removed. The landslide had blocked traffic in both directions along the Kathmandu-Muglin-Narayangadh road section, causing a complete disruption of transport services.
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