- Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Baitadi, Jan 24: Normal life in the hilly regions of Sudurpashchim Province, including Baitadi, has been affected after a snowfall brought transport services to a grinding halt since last night. The Dashrath Chand Highway and the Jaya Prithvi Highway have remained obstructed due to snowfall at Narkholi, Khodape, Shreebhawar, Satbanjh and Dehimandau.
According to Baitadi Police Spokesperson, Police Inspector Suraj Singh, the snowfall has also disrupted electricity supply in the area. Efforts are underway to restore both transport and power services.
Police reported that Sahukharka and Hagulte areas in Dadeldhura also witnessed snowfall, leading to the closure of the Bhimdutta Highway. Along with Baitadi, highland areas of Darchula, Bajhang, Doti and Dadeldhura have been experiencing snowfall since Friday evening.
Meanwhile, farmers have welcomed the snowfall and winter rains—the first of the season. Due to the absence of rainfall for the past four months, winter crops had begun drying up. Farmers hope that the snowfall will help retain soil moisture and support crop growth.
The increasing cold, however, has adversely affected daily life.
—
08- International Day of Education today
Kathmandu, Jan 24: Today marks the International Day of Education. January 24 has been observed as the International Day of Education each year since 2019, following a call by the United Nations.
This year, the Day is being observed worldwide under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education.” The right to education is enshrined in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that education shall be free, at least at the elementary and fundamental stages. Similarly, the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child also recognizes the right to education, emphasizing the need for broad access to higher education.
While formulating the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the international community acknowledged the crucial role of education in achieving sustainable development. Goal 4 is exclusively dedicated to quality education, focusing on inclusive and equitable education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.
According to UNESCO, at present, 250 million children and adolescents worldwide remain out of school, while the number of adults lacking basic education stands at 763 million.
—
09- RSS reporter bags ‘Hari Jamuna Journalism Award’
Janaki (Banke), Jan 24: A reporter for the , Rupani GM, has been conferred on the ‘Hari Jamuna Journalism Award’.
The Independent Journalists’ Association handed over the award that carries the purse of Rs 5,151. Together with GM to receive the award was Bhagat Ram Tharu, reporter for News-24 Television from Banke district.
The award was instituted by social activist Madhavi Sah in memory of his late parents.
—
10- NCP expels seven turncoats
Kathmandu, Jan 24: The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has expelled seven members for acting against the party’s decisions and directives. The expelled ones include those who registered their nominations as rivals to the party’s official candidates for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for March 5, as well as those who backed such nominations.
The expelled leaders are Haribol Gajurel and Maheshwor Dahal from Sindhuli; Kul Prasad KC from Dang; Mejar Rai from Udayapur; and Dharmanath Shah, Raj Kumari Shah, and Jiwachha Shah from Siraha.
This was stated in a press release jointly issued by party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Co-Coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal.
—
11- Good governance drive at a local level
Bhojpur, Jan 24: Ramprasad Rai rural municipality in the district has decided to launch a good governance campaign.
The local level shared this information at an orientation on local governance held in the presence of Chief District Officer Rajan Paudel and people’s representatives on Friday.
Chairperson of the rural municipality, Tham Bahadur Rai, said good governance is elusive until the transparency and accountability are ensured. The campaign for good governance is beginning soon, he added.
Coordinator of the good governance and local service committee, Ekaraj Acharya, informed that good governance help to ensure smooth service delivery. Every employee should be made accountable to people, he added.
—
12- RSS meets with clients in Siraha
Siraha, Jan 24: The today held discussions with its clients and media houses based in the district.
The interaction focused on RSS services, including its recently expanded audio-video services and newly launched news bulletins in various mother tongues such as Awadhi, Nepal Bhasha (Newari) and Maithili.
During the discussion, RSS Executive Chair Dharmendra Jha highlighted the institution’s efforts to make its services compatible with changing times and technology-friendly. On the occasion, he spoke about the credibility of RSS services at home and abroad and urged media houses to utilize RSS services, which are available at very reasonable charges, to enhance their own services.
Journalist Anil Yadav expressed the view that RSS services are credible and voiced hope for further improvement in their quality in the days ahead. He added that RSS services are available at very fair prices, contributing significantly to the local media.
—
13- 2,100 persons enter CPN UML
Kathmandu, Jan 24: As many as 2,100 leaders and cadres of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, including its central member Dipendra Agrawal, entered the CPN UML today.
UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli welcomed the new members in the party by offering them shawls amidst a programme in the party central office at Chyasal, Lalitpur.
The new entrants, such as Agrawal and youth entrepreneurs Surendra Shahi, Khagendra Tahpa, Padam Saud and Ashok Saud viewed their entry to UML gave a message of share bazaar development and expansion from a single platform.
—
14- Tribute to martyr Shukraraj Shastri
Kathmandu, Jan 24: A memorial gathering was organized at Teku, Kathmandu in honour of martyr Shukraraj Shastri who sacrificed his life for the sake of establishment of democracy.
Today is the first day of the martyrs’ week observed annually in the country.
Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dagol, other officials and locals made floral offer to a statue of martyr Shastri. Acting Mayor Dangol spoke on the contribution made by martyr Shukraraj Shastri for the establishment of democracy in Nepal.
“We’re grateful to those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and liberation from autocracy. We’re enjoying the rights due to the freedoms achieved after struggle,” remarked Pushpa Ratna Prajapati, member of KMC ward no 2.
—
15- BFIs weak in research denting investment: Finance Minister
Kathmandu, Jan 24: Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has said the culture of study and research is weak in banking and financial institutes (BFIs), resulting in dearth of knowledge to identify the areas of investment.
In his address to the 61st anniversary of the Rastriya Banijya Bank here today, Minister Khanal said liquidity increases significantly once the FBIs ignore study and research. It has further cascading results like increase in unemployment and expansion of consumption-focused economy, he argued.
The Minister expressed worry over unwise use of remittances in the country. He urged the BFIs to conduct rigorous studies so that area of investment can be identified well, national economy expanded and employment created.
He criticized, “BFIs are focused largely on the investment as per proposals forward by industrialists and entrepreneurs. They are ignoring how they can chip in the national initiatives to create employments and spur production. Study and research help FBIs to generate idea to secure high return.”
He admitted that huge chunk of remittance was not utilized for long-term economic transformation but for daily consumption. As a government financial entity, the Rastriya Banijya Bank should be responsible to pour in remittance in productive sector so that it could contribute to economic prosperity.
Once the productive sector witnesses sufficient investment, it helps spur domestic production and reduce imports, the Minister reminded. On a different note, Finance Minister said the major mandate of the present government is to successfully hold the March 5 election to the House of Representatives. So, government expects all sides’ cooperation to this regard.
—
16- RBB records 4.45 % inactive loan, 1.75 billion profit in first half of current fiscal
Kathmandu, Jan 24: The government-owned Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) has recorded an inactive loan ratio of 4.45 percent and earned a profit of Rs 1.75 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year (2082/83 BS/ 2025-26) , according to the bank’s preliminary data.
The information was shared at a programme organized today to mark the bank’s 61st anniversary.
Speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Bank’s Board of Directors, Dev Kumar Dhakal, said the RBB has prioritized loan disbursement to the productive sector. “Positive indicators are now visible in the capital market, construction, services, loan expansion, and the development sector. This has instilled hope in the national economy,” he said.
Bank Chief Executive Officer Devendra Raman Khanal said RBB’s fiscal services are driven by innovation and determination. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the government in increasing loan disbursement, he said preparations are underway to issue debentures worth Rs 300 billion to strengthen the bank’s capital base.
According to information shared at the programme, RBB currently provides deposit services to more than 4,743,000 million customers, while over 226,000 clients are receiving loan services. Although the bank has investable funds of Rs 171 billion based on the credit–deposit ratio and Rs 139 billion based on liquidity, it is in a position to disburse only an additional Rs 18 billion in loans due to capital adequacy constraints.
The bank’s paid-up capital stands at Rs 15.63 billion. During the first half of the current fiscal year, it collected deposits totaling Rs 553 billion and disbursed loans worth Rs 99 billion.
—
