KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Gagan Thapa challenges Deuba faction to defeat him democratically at Congress Convention
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has made it clear that no one has the right to halt the process of the party’s 15th General Convention. Addressing the Central Working Committee meeting at the party office in Sanepa on Monday, Thapa said party leaders and members at all levels have the right to express political disagreements, but no one has the authority to stop the general convention. Thapa challenged those who are dissatisfied with the party’s leadership or leadership faces to come to the convention and defeat them through democratic means rather than attempting to obstruct the convention process. He said the leadership elected through the special general convention, the updated details provided by the Election Commission and the verdict of the Division Bench of the court are all legally valid.
SC orders release of Jana Aastha Editor Kishor Shrestha
The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Kishor Shrestha, Editor-in-Chief of Jana Aastha weekly. A joint bench of Supreme Court Justices Nahakul Subedi and Balkrishna Dhakal issued the order to release Shrestha. Presenting his statement before the bench, Shrestha claimed that he had been falsely charged due to prejudice against him. He also alleged that he was subjected to mental distress while in custody. Shrestha was arrested late Wednesday night by a joint team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office and the District Police Range, Kathmandu, on allegations of violating the Privacy Act, 2075. During the hearing, four government lawyers and 17 lawyers representing Shrestha argued the case.
PM Shah to face question-and-answer session in Parliament on August 26
Prime Minister Balendra Shah is set to appear in the House of Representatives on August 26 to participate in a question-and-answer session with lawmakers. According to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Parashmani Golal, lawmakers have been asked to submit their questions for the Prime Minister by August 21. Golal said the Prime Minister is scheduled to be present in Parliament on August 26 to respond directly to questions raised by lawmakers. Earlier today, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal directed the Prime Minister to attend the House after Shah was absent from the parliamentary session.
RSP Lawmaker slams helicopter arrangement for Minister
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Parash Mani Gelal has criticised the government for arranging a helicopter for Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal after he reportedly fell ill with a common cold and fever. Addressing the House of Representatives meeting on Monday, Gelal said ordinary citizens were struggling to access transportation to hospitals while medical personnel were unavailable at some health facilities. Taking a strong swipe at ministers travelling across the country, Gelal questioned the decision to arrange a helicopter for Minister Lamsal. “People are struggling for gas, fertiliser, communication services, electricity and basic healthcare. A helicopter is arranged when a minister catches a common cold, but when ordinary people are critically ill, they have no means of reaching hospitals and there are no doctors at hospitals,” he said.
Two killed in Kavre jeep accident, injured airlifted to Dhulikhel Hospital
Two people have been killed in a jeep accident in Syautali of Khanikhola Rural Municipality-1, Kavrepalanchok, on Monday afternoon. The deceased have been identified as 24-year-old Anita Moktan of Khanikhola-2 and 61-year-old Kalak Bahadur Majhi of Khanikhola-4, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabin Bista, the information officer. Five people injured in the accident were airlifted to Dhulikhel Hospital for treatment. They have been identified as 25-year-old Rahul Tamang of Banepa Municipality-14, 24-year-old Pradip Jargamagar of Khanikhola-3, Boudhaman Lama of Khanikhola-5, whose age is yet to be confirmed, Dhanapati Rawal of Chautara Municipality, Sindhupalchok, and jeep driver 28-year-old Yas Bahadur Tamang of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, Sindhuli.
Four Ministers appointed in Koshi Province, Prachanda’s son-in-law gets physical infrastructure portfolio
Four ministers from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) have been appointed to the Koshi Province government led by Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki. Among those appointed, Jeevan Acharya, son-in-law of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has been given the portfolio of Minister for Physical Infrastructure. Acharya is married to Ganga Dahal, Prachanda’s daughter and former personal secretary. The other newly appointed ministers are Khinu Langwa Limbu, Geeta Timsina and Gombu Sherpa.
Lumbini Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya secures vote of confidence
Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya has secured a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly. Acharya received 45 votes in favour and 26 against during Monday’s meeting of the Lumbini Province Assembly. Speaker Tularam Gharti Magar announced that the confidence motion had been endorsed by a majority after the votes in favour exceeded the required majority of the total members of the provincial assembly. Acharya received support from lawmakers representing the CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party, Rastriya Janamorcha and Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal. Lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and Janamat Party voted against the motion.
Nepal approves Rs 3.77 billion in foreign investment commitments in first month of FY 2026/27
Nepal received foreign investment commitments worth Rs 3.77 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year 2083/84. According to the monthly report published by the Foreign Investment & Technology Transfer Section of the Department of Industry, a total of 191 projects received approval for foreign investment commitments worth Rs 3.77 billion in Shrawan. Of the total approved projects, 187 came through the automatic route, with investment commitments amounting to Rs 3.47 billion. The remaining four projects were approved through the regular process, with commitments totalling Rs 299.4 million. The proposed projects are expected to create employment for 1,773 people.
Govt revenue rises in first month of current fiscal year
The government’s revenue collection increased significantly during the first month of the current fiscal year 2026/27 (2083/84 BS), according to the Financial Comptroller General Office. The government collected more than Rs 93.43 billion in revenue during the period, an increase of around 10 percent, or Rs 8.24 billion, compared with the same month of the previous fiscal year. Of the total revenue collection, tax revenue amounted to Rs 85.19 billion, while non-tax revenue stood at Rs 7.3 billion. The government also received Rs 240.3 million in foreign grant assistance during the first month of the fiscal year, from mid-July to mid-August. For the current fiscal year, the government has set a revenue collection target of Rs 1.642 trillion.
Indian Army Chief Seth conferred honorary rank of General of Nepali Army
Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth has been conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army. President Ram Chandra Paudel conferred the honorary rank on General Seth during a special ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas on Monday. Nepal and India have maintained a longstanding tradition of conferring the honorary rank of General on each other’s army chiefs since 1950. Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel and other senior Nepali Army officials attended the ceremony. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava was also present.
Bagmati Chief Minister Baniya announces resignation
Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya has announced his resignation from the post. Chief Minister Baniya announced his decision while addressing a meeting of the Bagmati Province Assembly on Monday. The provincial assembly had convened to conduct a vote of confidence after the CPN-UML withdrew its support for the Baniya-led government, leaving it in a minority. Baniya announced his resignation after it became clear that he did not have the support of a majority of provincial lawmakers. The Bagmati Provincial Assembly currently has 104 members, and a minimum of 53 votes is required to secure a majority. Baniya had the support of only 38 lawmakers, including 36 from the Nepali Congress and two from the Hamro Nepali Party, which is part of the provincial government.
Speaker rules PM Shah to respond to MPs’ questions
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has directed Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) to attend the meeting of the House of Representatives and respond to questions raised by lawmakers. The Speaker issued the directive during Monday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, asking Prime Minister Shah to appear before the House and answer questions from its members. “I direct the honorable Prime Minister to attend the meeting of the House of Representatives and answer the questions of the honorable members in accordance with Rules 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 of the Rules,” Speaker Aryal said.
Nine road sections blocked amid incessant rainfall
Nine road sections in various parts of the country have been completely blocked due to landslides, road subsidence and river erosion triggered by incessant monsoon rainfall, according to Nepal Police. Nepal Police said vehicular movement along the Khurkot-Nepalthok-Katunjebesi-Sindhuli section of the BP Highway, which connects Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts, has been suspended from 6 pm to 4 am due to the risk of flooding. Vehicles are allowed to operate along the section from 4 am to 6 pm. Similarly, traffic movement along the Kanti Lokpath in Makawanpur has been restricted from 5 pm to 5 am.
Devotees throng Naxal Nagpokhari on Nagpanchami
The Nagpanchami festival is being observed across the country today on the occasion of Shrawan Shukla Panchami, with devotees worshipping Nag, or the serpent deity, as part of a traditional Hindu practice. On the occasion, people place or paste pictures of serpents above the main entrance of their homes or on either side of the doorway and offer prayers. According to religious belief, worshipping Nag in this manner protects households from poisonous creatures such as snakes and scorpions, as well as from fire, lightning and other natural calamities throughout the year. As part of the festival, devotees show their reverence for serpents by displaying their pictures at the entrances of their homes.
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