KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Balen orders immediate release of detained journalists
The Prime Minister’s Office has expressed serious concern over the arrest of journalists from various media outlets. The office clarified that Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his secretariat had no involvement in the incident and that the Prime Minister was not informed of the arrests beforehand. In a social media post, the Prime Minister’s press expert, Deepa Dahal, said the Prime Minister had no prior knowledge of the incident. Dahal further stated that immediately after being informed about the arrests, Prime Minister Shah expressed serious concern and issued firm instructions for the immediate release of the detained journalists.
UN extends Nepal’s LDC graduation preparatory period until 2029
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has approved an additional three years for Nepal and Bangladesh to prepare for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, postponing their transition deadline until November 24, 2029. The decision was taken unanimously during the Assembly’s 81st session in New York following a joint initiative by the two countries. Resolution 81/L.8 formally grants both nations an extended preparatory period before graduating from the LDC category. Khalilur Rahman, president of the 81st session of the General Assembly and Bangladesh’s foreign minister, said the decision reflected the economic uncertainties, external shocks and structural vulnerabilities confronting the two countries. He stressed that additional time should be used to strengthen development foundations rather than simply delay graduation. “Graduation should advance development, not disrupt it,” Rahman said, adding that genuine progress should be assessed through stronger resilience, meaningful reforms and sustainable development outcomes.
Balen-led govt scores diplomatic success as UN grants Nepal three more years for LDC graduation
The Balendra Shah-led government has achieved a significant diplomatic success by securing an additional three years for Nepal to prepare for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, following unanimous approval by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Under Resolution 81/L.8, adopted during the Assembly’s 81st session in New York, Nepal and Bangladesh have been granted an extended preparatory period until November 24, 2029, postponing their previously scheduled graduation date of November 24, 2026. The decision marks an important achievement for the Shah government, which formally approached the United Nations in May 2026, seeking additional time to address the country’s economic vulnerabilities, strengthen productive capacity and prepare institutions for the challenges associated with graduation. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal conveyed Nepal’s request through a letter dated May 13 to the chairperson of the UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP), seeking a three-year postponement.
53 countries back Nepal’s initiatives for Himalayan climate resilience
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has stressed that the climate crisis confronting the Himalayan region transcends national boundaries and requires coordinated international action. Speaking at a high-level regional dialogue titled ‘From Everest to the Sea’, jointly organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Government of Nepal in Bangkok, Shrestha called for stronger global cooperation to protect the Himalayan region. According to the minister’s secretariat, Nepal’s four proposals aimed at addressing climate change impacts and managing transboundary disaster risks received support from representatives of 53 countries participating in the dialogue. First, Nepal has proposed developing a multi-hazard early warning system using satellite technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced tools. The initiative would involve collaboration among international space agencies, scientific institutions and governments to monitor vulnerable mountain slopes and glaciers across the Himalayan region.
MoFA intensifies efforts to reopen China border crossings
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has intensified inter-ministerial coordination and diplomatic initiatives to reconstruct the flood-damaged Rasuwagadhi border crossing in Rasuwa and restore regular operations at the Tatopani border crossing in Sindhupalchowk. The ministry shared the information during its regular press briefing on Friday. Speaking at the briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said an inter-ministerial coordination meeting was held on Thursday in the presence of Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, with representatives of concerned ministries and government agencies, to discuss the reopening of key trade routes connecting Nepal and China. According to Chhetri, the meeting discussed an assessment of the extensive damage caused to the Rasuwagadhi border crossing by the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26, reconstruction plans and other issues related to restoring cross-border operations.
Gold price drops by Rs 3,200 per tola in Nepali market
The price of gold, which had been rising for four consecutive days, declined sharply on Friday, falling by Rs 3,200 per tola in the domestic market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers, gold was traded at Rs 280,300 per tola today, down from Rs 283,500 on Thursday. Gold had gained Rs 5,000 per tola over the previous four trading days. Its price increased by Rs 3,000 on Monday, Rs 8 on Tuesday, Rs 900 on Wednesday and Rs 300 on Thursday. However, the precious metal had recorded a significant decline of Rs 11,700 per tola on Sunday, the first trading day of the week. Silver prices also declined on Friday. The federation reported that silver had fallen by Rs 105 per tola to Rs 3,825, compared to Rs 3,930 on Thursday.
Preparations underway to build new bridge across Saptakoshi River
Preparations are underway to construct a new three-kilometre-long bridge connecting Kanchanpur in Saptari district with Rajabas in Sunsari as an alternative to the existing Koshi Barrage Bridge. According to Chudaraj Dhakal, director of the Project Directorate under the Department of Roads, the estimated cost of the proposed bridge is Rs 43 billion, based on a detailed project report prepared a few years ago. The project will be implemented with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. Once completed and brought into operation, the new bridge and road will shorten the East-West Highway journey by 14 kilometres. Dhakal said technical preparations for the construction of the bridge and road infrastructure are currently underway.
Janakpurdham-Ayodhya special train service in final preparatory stage
Preparations to launch a special train service connecting Janakpurdham in Nepal with Ayodhya, a major Hindu pilgrimage destination in India, have reached the final stage. The service is expected to be jointly inaugurated by the prime ministers of Nepal and India during Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s proposed visit to India, according to Abhisheth Parajuli, Managing Director of Nepal Railway Company. “We are making preparations to inaugurate the special train service during Prime Minister Shah’s visit to India,” Parajuli said. He added that discussions were underway between the railway authorities of both countries, customs officials and security agencies to finalise operational arrangements. Although the inauguration date has yet to be confirmed, preparations are being expedited with the proposed visit of Prime Minister Shah, scheduled for November 22.
Home Ministry suspends N-PABSAN activities until further notice
The government has suspended the activities of the National Private and Boarding Schools’ Association Nepal (N-PABSAN) until further notice, citing its repeated failure to comply with government directives. In a public notice issued on Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the decision was taken under Clause 2 of the National Directive Act, 2018 BS. The ministry stated that the association’s office-bearers had been found acting contrary to its statute and stated objectives. The ministry had held discussions with concerned stakeholders on October 9 and instructed the association to operate in accordance with the Act and directives issued by the ministry on November 28, 2025. However, as the association failed to comply with the instructions, the ministry decided to suspend its activities, according to the notice.
Public Procurement Office blacklists 120 firms for violations
The Public Procurement Monitoring Office has blacklisted 120 firms and companies since March 27 for violating public procurement laws and procedures or failing to meet their contractual obligations. The office, which functions under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, said the move was aimed at improving transparency, promoting fair competition and strengthening accountability in public procurement. As part of the reform measures, the government has introduced the second amendment to the Public Procurement Act, 2007, along with the 15th and 16th amendments to the Public Procurement Rules, 2007. The office has also updated nine categories of standard bidding documents covering the procurement of goods and construction works to align them with the revised provisions.
Cyclone ‘Arnab’ disrupts trekking in Kanchenjunga region, stranding 250 tourists
Around 250 domestic and international tourists trekking in the Kanchenjunga region have been stranded midway due to adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’, which developed in the Bay of Bengal. Heavy snowfall in higher elevations and freezing temperatures in lower areas have disrupted trekking activities, leaving tourists travelling to and returning from the base camps unable to continue their journeys. Many have taken shelter in hotels and settlements along the trekking routes, with accommodation facilities reportedly filled to capacity. According to photojournalist Rajiv Limbu, who is trekking to the Kanchenjunga base camp, all hotels in the Ghunsa area are occupied by domestic and foreign tourists. His team has been staying there for the past two days. Similarly, journalist Giriraj Baskota of Panchthar, who is also trekking in the region, said hotels along the routes were full. The area has experienced light rainfall, rising temperatures and snowfall in higher mountain areas. Tourist numbers have increased in settlements along both the northern and southern Kanchenjunga base camp routes. These include Italitar, Lamatar, Amjilesa, Thangim, Gyabla, Phale, Ghunsa, Khambachen and Lonak in the north, and Yamphudin, Naya Jhoreni, Torongden, Seram and Ramje in the south.
Press Council Nepal objects to police intervention in media newsrooms
Press Council Nepal (PCN) has expressed serious concern over reports that plainclothes police personnel entered the newsrooms of several media outlets, detained journalists and attempted to arrest them. The Council strongly objected to the actions, which reportedly took place after office hours on Friday, ahead of two consecutive public holidays. It said taking journalists into custody without providing clear grounds for arrest, presenting an arrest warrant, obtaining court authorization or disclosing the nature of the criminal complaint amounted to a serious threat to press freedom and journalists’ professional security. The Council also recalled that it is legally mandated to investigate, monitor and address complaints arising from media content, disputes over published news and alleged violations of the journalistic code of conduct.
Nighttime traffic suspended on Kanti Lokpath for two days
Vehicle movement along the Kanti Lokpath, which connects Kathmandu with Makwanpur, has been restricted during nighttime for two days due to the increased risk of floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. The District Administration Office, Makwanpur, has prohibited vehicular movement along the highway from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am on October 29 and 30. Assistant Chief District Officer Sheshakanta Paudel said the district has been experiencing continuous rainfall since Thursday under the influence of Cyclone Arnab, which is developing over the Bay of Bengal. The persistent rainfall has heightened the risk of landslides and flooding along the route.
Two journalists arrested for questioning over report on police chief
Police have detained two journalists, including Bishwa Mani Subedi of Nepal Press, for questioning over a news report concerning Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki. Subedi was arrested from the Nepal Press office in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu. An official at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office said the arrest was made on the basis of a letter received from the Cyber Bureau. According to Cyber Bureau officials, Subedi was taken into custody for questioning over a Nepal Press report claiming that the government was preparing to remove Karki from the post of police chief and that the Inspector General had begun seeking legal advice. Another journalist, Shobha Raj Baral, was also arrested on the same day.
Man arrested for cryptocurrency transactions worth Rs 2.16 billion
Police have arrested Sunil Kumar Yadav, 28, of Sabaila Municipality-12, Dhanusha, on charges of illegally trading in cryptocurrency. According to the Central Police Newsroom, Yadav is suspected of conducting cryptocurrency transactions worth Rs 2,160,120,821 (over Rs 2.16 billion). A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested him in coordination with Dhanusha District Police following information that betting activities were being conducted through various electronic platforms and online betting applications, involving large-scale illegal cryptocurrency transactions.
Sunsari farmer cultivates marigolds commercially ahead of Tihar
Arjun Bista, a farmer from Barahakshetra Municipality-6 in Sunsari, has cultivated marigolds commercially on five katthas of land this year, targeting the Tihar festival. Bista, who has been growing marigolds for the past five years to meet the increased demand during Tihar, has planted the ‘Table Tennis’ variety this year. He said the plants brought from Kathmandu were taller and produced fewer flowers than expected. However, he noted that overall production had improved this year after he changed the flower variety and cultivation techniques. Last year, Bista cultivated marigolds on more than 10 katthas of land but suffered significant losses due to rainfall. Despite much of the crop being damaged, he managed to sell flowers worth more than Rs 200,000 during Tihar, as the surviving flowers fetched good prices in the market.
More than 451,000 people receive national identity cards in Jhapa
A total of 451,704 people have received national identity cards in Jhapa, according to the District Administration Office. The information was disclosed in the office’s first-quarter progress report for the current fiscal year. The District Administration Office in Bhadrapur and the Area Administration Offices in Gaurigunj and Damak are responsible for registering personal details and distributing national identity cards in the district. Of the 864,816 people who registered for national identity cards in Jhapa, 553,548 cards have been received from the central authority, Assistant Chief District Officer Sahadev Rayamajhi said. Of the cards received, 101,844 are awaiting distribution. Rayamajhi said some cards remain undistributed because the concerned individuals have died, gone abroad for employment or left the district for other reasons.
Dengue infections decline with onset of winter in Gandaki Province
Dengue infections have declined in Gandaki Province as the rainy season ends and winter approaches. According to the Provincial Disease Control Centre, 1,274 cases were recorded in August, the highest monthly total this year, while 425 people have been infected since October. Centre Director Manmohan Mishra said dengue infections began rising in July, with 1,191 cases recorded in September. The disease has spread to all districts of Gandaki Province except the Himalayan district of Manang, with Baglung reporting the highest number of infections. According to the centre’s data, 3,576 dengue cases were recorded across the province during the 43 weeks since January. At its peak, weekly infections reached 274. In the 43rd week, 69 cases were reported.
Nepal, US explore cooperation in education and sports
US Chargé d’Affaires Megan Bouldin met Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel on Friday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in education and sports, with a particular focus on expanding US exchange programmes and advancing sports diplomacy. During the meeting, Bouldin highlighted the valuable contributions of Nepali participants in US exchange programmes, including the Fulbright Programme, who returned home and applied their knowledge and experience to Nepal’s education sector. The discussions also explored ways to introduce American expertise in athlete training, development and sports management in Nepal as the country prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cyclone Arnab raises risk of heavy rain, snowfall
Cyclone Arnab, which developed over the Bay of Bengal, combined with the partial influence of westerly winds, has affected various parts of the country since Thursday. According to the Weather Forecasting Division, weather conditions are generally cloudy across the country today. Light rainfall has been reported in the hilly areas of Koshi and Bagmati provinces, as well as in some parts of the Terai and Madhes regions. The Division has forecast generally cloudy conditions across most parts of the country this afternoon, with moderate rainfall and snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in many areas of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. Similar conditions are expected in most mountainous areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. Strong winds are also likely in some parts of the Terai regions of Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. Heavy rainfall and snowfall are possible in some areas of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, as well as at one or two locations in the mountainous and hilly regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
Wholesale egg prices rise ahead of festive and winter seasons
The wholesale support prices of eggs have increased following a rise in market demand with the onset of the festive and winter seasons. The Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association revised the support prices during a meeting held in Pokhara on Thursday, raising the rates announced at its previous meeting in Kathmandu. Association Chairperson Binod Pokharel said the prices of XL, large and medium-sized eggs had been increased by Rs 200 per carton, while the price of smaller eggs had gone up by Rs 100 per carton. Under the revised rates, a carton of XL eggs weighing 14.5–14.8 kilogrammes now costs Rs 3,900, up from Rs 3,700. Similarly, the support price of large eggs weighing 13.5–13.8 kilogrammes has increased to Rs 3,800 from Rs 3,600. The price of medium-sized eggs weighing 12.5–12.8 kilogrammes has also risen to Rs 3,700 from Rs 3,500.
Travellers advised to avoid non-essential travel on Muglin-Narayangadh road
Road Division Bharatpur has urged motorists and passengers to avoid non-essential travel along the Muglin-Narayangadh road section as continued rainfall has increased the risk of landslides and road damage. In a public notice issued today (Friday), the Division advised travellers to check road conditions with the concerned security agencies before undertaking journeys along the highway. According to the notice, the Muglin-Narayangadh road is currently in normal condition, and vehicular movement is continuing. However, the possibility of landslides and other road-related hazards remains due to persistent rainfall in several parts of the country associated with Cyclone Arnab. The Division has requested drivers and passengers to undertake journeys only when necessary and to obtain updates on road conditions from security agencies before setting out.
NTB seeks content creators’ support to promote tourism
The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has invited travel content creators, videographers and photographers to participate in a campaign aimed at promoting Nepal’s natural beauty, mountain destinations and cultural heritage internationally. The NTB has called for applications from content creators interested in showcasing Nepal’s diverse tourism attractions to a global audience. The initiative aims to introduce the international community to the country’s majestic mountains, vibrant culture and rich traditions through visual and digital content. The campaign is also expected to bring together creative talents capable of highlighting Nepal’s exceptional tourism experiences through videos, photographs and other creative works.
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