News - Khabar Butwal

Nepal Ranks 92nd in the World’s Most Powerful Passports List

Nepal has ranked 92nd in the Henley Passport Index 2025, placing it ninth from the bottom among the world's most powerful passports. Out of 101 countries assessed, Nepal shares the 92nd position with South Sudan and Nigeria. Compared to last year (2024), when Nepal ranked 87th, it has dropped five spots. Countries that rank below Nepal include Sudan, Libya, North Korea, Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan — with Afghanistan at the bottom of the list. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa — either…

All Office Bearers Elected Unopposed in NRN NCC USA

All office bearers of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) National Coordination Council (NCC) USA have been elected unopposed. According to the election schedule announced for the new leadership of the organization, each position received only one nomination. As a result, the election commission declared all candidates elected unopposed. The election was originally scheduled for July 27 and 28. Although multiple nominations were filed for some posts, most positions had only one candidate. Following consensus efforts by senior members of the association, all candidates were unanimously elected, the commission confirmed on Wednesday. According to the election commission, the following individuals were…

203 Nepali Nationals Repatriated via Tatopani Border

A total of 203 Nepali nationals entered Nepal through the Tatopani border on Wednesday after being stranded in Tibet due to a flood. They were left stranded after the Miteri Bridge at the Rasuwagadhi border point was swept away by a flood in the Lhendey stream, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River, on Asar 24 (Nepali calendar). Responding to the request of the Government of Nepal, the Chinese authorities transported the stranded individuals to the Tatopani checkpoint in 20 vehicles accompanied by Chinese security personnel. The Nyalam administration of Tibet officially handed them over to the local authorities of Sindhupalchok,…

Nepalis Stranded in China Due to Floods Returning Home via Tatopani Border

Sindhupalchok, July 23 – Nepali nationals stranded in China after a devastating flood in the Lhendhe River on Asar 24 (early July) are finally returning home today via the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok. The flood had swept away the Nepal–China friendship bridge, preventing many Nepalis from returning home. Following diplomatic efforts, including an appeal made on Monday by Rasuwa's Member of Parliament, Engineer Mohan Acharya, to Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, the repatriation process has now been initiated. During the meeting, MP Acharya raised concerns about the delay in bringing back Nepalis stranded in Kerung, the…

Three Missing After Tip Truck Plunges into Bheri River

Jajarkot, July 22 – Three people have gone missing after a tipper truck plunged into the Bheri River last night. The truck (registration no. Ra 1 Kha 1501), operated by Yeti Builders and involved in the construction of the Bheri Corridor, was en route from Dalli in Nalgad Municipality, Jajarkot to Rimna when it veered off and fell into the river at Pipalchaur, Athbiskot-14, Rukum West. According to Sub-Inspector Shiu Kumar Chaudhary of the Area Police Office, Rimna, there were three people on board, including the driver. Their whereabouts are currently unknown. Police teams from Rukum West and Jajarkot have…

Narayanghat–Butwal Road Project Gets One-Year Extension Amid Ongoing Works

The deadline for the eastern section of the Narayanghat–Butwal road expansion project, part of the East-West Highway widening into four lanes, is set to be extended by one year. According to Chudaram Dhakal, Project Director at the Department of Roads Project Directorate (ADB), although the contractor initially requested a longer extension, a mutual agreement was reached to complete most of the remaining work within one year—excluding final finishing touches. “After discussions with the contractor and project consultant, we agreed to a one-year extension based on their commitment to completing 90% of the work within this period,” Dhakal said. This will…

Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crash in Dhaka School Campus: 20 Dead, 170 Injured

At least 20 people have been confirmed dead and 170 injured after a military training jet crashed and exploded on a school campus in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on Monday. The Bangladesh Air Force’s training aircraft reportedly caught fire and exploded near the Milestone School and College in Uttara. Video footage from the site shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash area, causing panic in the vicinity. Over 50 injured individuals were rushed to the hospital while still bleeding. Many of the deceased are reported to be students who were on their way home after school. Among…

Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President of India Citing Health Reasons

India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has decided to resign from his post, prioritizing his health and well-being on the advice of medical professionals. This decision marks a significant move, highlighting his focus on personal health. Dhankhar addressed his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, wherein he stated that he would step down from the post of Vice President with immediate effect. He mentioned that the decision was made after considering medical advice and the need to focus on healthcare. In his letter, Dhankhar expressed gratitude to President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Union Council of Ministers for their…

Four Injured in Microbus Accident on Prithvi Highway in Tanahun

Four passengers were injured in a microbus accident that occurred on Sunday morning at Chhirkane, Byas Municipality–12, along the Prithvi Highway in Tanahun district. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashok Thapa of the Tanahun District Police Office, the microbus (Ba 4 Kha 8413) en route from Pokhara to Kathmandu lost control and met with an accident. The injured have been identified as Ramu Thapa, 30, from Shuklagandaki Municipality–5 in Tanahun; Rudra Bahadur Pahadi, 40, from Pokhara Metropolitan City–6; Krishna Bahadur Tamang, 20, assistant driver from Gangajamuna Rural Municipality–2 in Dhading; and Rudra Prasad Kattel, 54, from Nechasalyan Rural Municipality–3…

Former Lalitpur Mayor and Minister Buddhi Raj Bajracharya Passes Away at 89

Buddhi Raj Bajracharya, former Mayor of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City (now Metropolitan City) and former Minister of Tourism, has passed away at the age of 89. He died on Saturday at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj. Bajracharya was a senior politician known for his significant contributions to the development of art, culture, and infrastructure in Lalitpur. He served as the Tourism Minister in 2004 during the reign of then-King Gyanendra Shah. In 1997 (2054 B.S.), he was elected Mayor of Lalitpur from the CPN-UML and remains the only elected UML representative to win the mayoral seat in Lalitpur to date.…