- Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Kathmandu, May 13: The Kathmandu Valley recorded 1,687 cases of traffic violations in the past 24 hours, generating Rs 2.31 million in fines from offenders.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 85 drivers were booked for drunk-driving, while 163 were penalized for operating ride-sharing services in violation of regulations during this period.
Likewise, 142 drivers were fined for violating traffic signals and 117 for over-speeding driving.
Similarly, 66 cases of breaching lane discipline and 86 cases of honking in restricted areas were recorded.
Additionally, 98 vehicles were found parked on roadsides and pavements, while 121 cases involved driving on one-way route.
A further 804 other traffic-related offences were also recorded over the past 24 hours.
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07- RSP to hold its first general convention from June 21-23 in Chitwan
Kathmandu, May 13: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to hold its first general convention from June 21 to June 23 in Chitwan district.
A meeting of the party’s central committee, chaired by party Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane, here today finalized the dates for its maiden generation convention, according to Prakashchandra Pariyar, the RSP’s parliamentary whip.
The party was founded on June 21, 2022
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08- Call for unity to preserve Tharu identity
Dang, May 13: Leaders from the Tharu community across three provinces have called for greater unity to preserve and promote the community’s unique identity, language, traditions and culture.
The appeal was made during a two-day inter-provincial conference held in Chakhaura, Dangisharan rural municipality-3 in Dang district which concluded on Tuesday.
Organized by the Matawa, Barghar and Bhalmansa Association, the gathering urged both the Tharu community and the three-tiers of government to actively support cultural preservation.
They also said that government support is important for promoting tourism related to Tharu culture.
Issuing a joint statement, the community leaders emphasized the need to continue traditional Tharu marriage customs and preserve indigenous rituals, dances, music and food culture.
Concerns were raised over the gradual decline of traditional marriage practices, with organizers announcing plans to reward those who marry within community in a bid to preserve and promote their culture.
The conference also called on local governments not to erase the names of Tharu settlements and neighborhoods and engage in actions that undermine Tharu identity.
Participants further stressed the importance of encouraging the production and marketing of traditional Tharu foods, handicrafts and indigenous products.
The conference also demanded the passage and enactment of legislation related to the Matawa, Barghar, and Bhalmansa systems to ensure stronger State support for protecting Tharu culture and traditions.
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09- Nepal calls for translating Buddha’s timeless teachings into practice for global peace
Kathmandu, May 13: Nepal has urged for putting Buddha’s teachings into practice for world peace, stating that it shows the world the path of peace and cooperation.
Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, made this call while addressing the Commemorative Event of the International Day of Vesak 2026 at the UN, in New York, USA on Monday. The event was jointly organized by the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Thailand.
In his remarks, Thapa highlighted Lumbini, Nepal – the birthplace of Lord Buddha – as a global symbol of peace, spiritual renewal, and shared human values. He underscored that the timeless teachings of Buddha – compassion, non-violence, mindfulness, unity, and wisdom – remain profoundly relevant in a world facing conflict, division, inequality, and climate challenges.
“Peace begins within and must be consciously cultivated,” he noted, calling for greater solidarity, dignity, justice, and cooperation among nations.
Vesak is not a religious celebration, but a collective call to advance peace, harmony, and a more just and sustainable future for humanity.
The programme included a high-level segment, religious blessings and a special address by the Most Venerable Bhikku Paññakāra who led the 2,300 miles of “Walk for Peace” as well as statements by participating Member States, according to the United Nations.
The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution 54/115, recognized the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May as the International Day of Vesak, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha. This sacred occasion provides a meaningful opportunity for the international community to reflect on the universal values embodied in the Buddha’s teachings, which continue to inspire peace, compassion and harmony across cultures and societies.
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10- Private sector optimistic of government’s policies and programmes
Chitwan, May 13: The policies and programmes unveiled by the government for coming fiscal year 2026/2027 have generated enthusiasm among the private sector.
The entrepreneurs in the district said though the policies and programmes are seen effective, they are in a wait-and-see situation regarding its implementation.
President of Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chiranjivi Subedi, shared that the government’s policies and programmes document is in favour of the industrialists.
Saying though every government brings policies and programmes suitable for all sectors, private sectors used to be affected due to problem in its implementation, he stressed on its effective implementation.
Subedi opined that the private sector has become more excited being optimistic thinking that the government’s policies and programmes would be effectively implemented.
Similarly, President of Chitwan Association of Industries, Madan Ghimire, argued that the policies and programmes are positive, adding it depends on how the budget covers these programmes.
The private sector would be more enthusiastic if the government could work making plan for the implementation of policies and programmes, he mentioned.
Likewise, President of Chitwan Chamber of Commerce, Gopal Bhattarai, viewed that although the priority has been given to private sectors in policies and programmes, expected achievement could not been gained if challenges surface in implementation.
Vice-President of Regional Hotel Association, Sauraha, Gunaraj Thapaliya, stated that though the policies and programmes has appear to provide some relief, but not as much as the private sectors had hoped.
“The announcement of Visit year 2085 has raised some hopes among the tourism entrepreneurs and some improvement has been seen in coming year’s policies and programmes,” he underlined.
Similarly, Chairperson of Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association, Binod Pokharel, opined that the government has brought the policies and programmes encouraging the private sectors to increase investment.
“The issues missed in the policies and programmes should be incorporated in the budget that should create investment-friendly environment,” he added.
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11- Investment Mega Bank’s CEO, Pandey, arrested
Kathmandu, May 13: A police team from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested Jyoti Prakash Pandey, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Investment Mega Bank, from Sindhuli on charges of auctioning off government property illegally.
Pandey has been held on charges of participating in the auction process by violating government rights over the assets of Smart Telecom when the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has taken the private sector Smart Telecom’s entire assets, telecommunications infrastructure, telecommunications system, and telecommunications network under its control.
According to the Bureau’s spokesperson Shiva Kumar Shrestha, it has been revealed from the investigation that Chief Executive Officer Pandey participated in the auction process as the chairman of the ‘Loan Recovery Committee’.
Pandey, who was fleeing after switching off his mobile phone, was arrested during a vehicle check at Kamalamai Municipality–6 with the assistance of a police team dispatched from the District Police Office Sindhuli.
The Smart Telecom’s licence was automatically cancelled on April 16, 2023 as it did not renew it. According to the Telecommunications Service Provider Property Management Regulations, 2079, the Authority took control of the property.
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12- Cabinet approves Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083
Kathmandu, May 13: The government has approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083.
A cabinet meeting held today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers also approved the amendment to Electronic Governance Commission (Formation and Operation) Order, 2079.
According to Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr Bikram Timilsina, the meeting also decided to approve The Land Related (21st Amendment) Rules, 2083.
The government has nominated members of the House of Representatives Sushil Khadka (Baglung) and Yogesh Gauchan Thakali (Mustang) as members of the Public Investment Management Committee. —
