Today’s News in a Nutshell

KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

The Kathmandu District Court has convicted former minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, finding them guilty of offences against the state. The court ruled that the accused were involved in a scheme that falsely promised to send Nepali citizens to the United States by portraying them as Bhutanese refugees. Former Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey and Keshab Prasad Dulal, a former aide to Sujata Koirala, were also convicted of offences against the state. Others found guilty of offences against the state and integrated offences include Sanu Bhandari, Sagar Rai, Sandesh Sharma, Indrajeet Rai, Govinda Kumar Chaudhary and Angtawa Sherpa.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a meeting with President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masato Kanda on Tuesday. The meeting took place at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, where the two discussed Nepal’s development priorities, infrastructure development and various aspects of the Asian Development Bank’s investment in the country. While the PM’s private secretariat confirmed the meeting, it did not disclose the specific agenda or outcomes of the discussions.

Devendra Khatri appointed Vice-Chairman of Medical Education Commission

Prof. Dr. Devendra Khatri has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Medical Education Commission. Prime Minister and Commission Chairman Balendra Shah appointed Khatri to the post. Khatri received his appointment letter from Minister for Education and Sports and Commission Co-Chairman Sasmit Pokharel during a ceremony held at the Ministry on Tuesday. Before his appointment, Khatri was serving at the Nepal Army Institute of Health Sciences. The position of Vice-Chairman had remained vacant following the removal of Dr. Anjani Kumar Jha and other Commission officials after the government introduced an ordinance providing for the removal of certain public office holders.

Gold price falls for third consecutive day, drops by Rs 1,400 per tola

The price of gold declined by Rs 1,400 per tola in the Nepali market on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive day of decline. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, gold was traded at Rs 288,000 per tola, down from Rs 289,400 per tola on Monday. Silver prices also fell during Tuesday’s trading. The price of silver dropped by Rs 30 per tola to Rs 4,555, compared to Rs 4,585 per tola in the previous trading session. The latest decline continues the downward trend in precious metal prices seen over the past three trading days.

Public Accounts Committee sees dispute over formation of subcommittee

A dispute emerged in the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives over the formation of a subcommittee to discuss government arrears. The disagreement surfaced during the committee meeting held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, as lawmakers from ruling and opposition parties differed over the selection of the subcommittee coordinator and members. During the meeting, lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) argued that the ruling parties should be given the coordinator’s position as the committee chairperson belongs to the opposition party. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers said they should be given a respectable role in the subcommittee. Committee member Khagendra Sunar said the majority should not dominate the minority in the committee’s work. He insisted that since the committee leadership is held by the opposition, the subcommittee coordinator should be from the ruling side.

UAE grants amnesty to 111 Nepali prisoners

The Government of Nepal has expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for granting royal amnesty to 111 Nepali prisoners on the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2026. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the amnesty reflected the deep friendship and cordial bilateral relations between Nepal and the UAE, and described it as a significant gesture of goodwill. According to the Ministry, the UAE government granted the amnesty in response to a request made by the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi under the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kathmandu plans financial partnership with local bodies to extend Banchare Danda landfill’s lifespan

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is preparing to introduce a financial partnership with neighbouring local governments to help extend the lifespan and sustainability of the Banchare Danda landfill site. Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol said the metropolitan city is implementing measures to reduce the volume of waste reaching the landfill by promoting waste segregation at the source. Dangol said KMC spends nearly Rs 1 billion annually on landfill operations and infrastructure as well as social development programmes in and around the landfill site.

Body of one missing in Dailekh bus accident recovered in Kailali

The body of one of the four people who went missing after a vehicle plunged into the Karnali River in Dailekh last week has been recovered in Kailali District. The vehicle, bearing registration number Karnali Province 02-001 Kha 1055, was traveling from Surkhet to Kalikot when it met with an accident at Sangetada in Chamunda Bindrasaini Municipality on Asar 18. According to District Police Office Dailekh Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Shravan Kumar BK, the body was found in Mohanyal Rural Municipality-6 of Kailali and was identified as that of Mekhe Tiruwa, a resident of Pachaljharana Rural Municipality-9, Kalikot. The identification was confirmed by the deceased’s son, Rabindra Tiruwa.

Energy transformation a government priority: Energy Minister

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said the government has placed the transformation of the energy sector among its top priorities to support the country’s economic development. Responding to questions raised during discussions on the appropriated budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said the government has prepared an action plan to accelerate key energy infrastructure projects. He said the government aims to complete the construction of 12 electricity transmission line projects in the next fiscal year, including nine 132 kV transmission lines, two 220 kV transmission lines and the Nepal–India Power Transmission and Trade Project.

Over 512,000 metric tones of fertilizer distributed: Agriculture Minister

Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary has said more than 512,000 metric tonnes of chemical fertiliser have been distributed across the country so far. Responding to lawmakers during discussions on the ministry’s budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Chaudhary said 558,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser had been imported by Asar 19 (July 3), including existing stock, of which 512,000 metric tonnes had already been sold and distributed. She said around 95,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser remain in stock, while an additional 50,000 metric tonnes are expected to arrive soon through the government-to-government (G2G) procurement process.

NRB issues bonds worth Rs 25 billion through auction

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has invited bids for government bonds worth Rs 25 billion. Issuing a public notice on Tuesday, the central bank said bonds of 2027 will be auctioned through an online bidding system. Only licensed banks and financial institutions classified as ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ categories by NRB, which are recognised as counterparties, are eligible to participate in the auction. The participating institutions must specify the amount they want to bid for along with the interest rate, which should be mentioned up to four decimal places. According to NRB, bidders can submit applications starting from a minimum amount of Rs 50 million. The maximum bid amount should be equal to the total called amount or an amount exactly divisible by Rs 50 million.

NRB says economy remains externally strong but internal demand and credit growth weak

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has said that while Nepal’s economy remains strong on the external front, sluggish domestic demand and slow credit expansion continue to pose challenges. Releasing the annual review of the Monetary Policy for the fiscal year 2025/26, the central bank said consumer inflation remained under control during the review period. The NRB had set a target of keeping inflation within 5 percent, while average inflation stood at 2.66 percent during the period. The external sector showed a historically strong position, with foreign exchange reserves as of April sufficient to cover 19.2 months of imports of goods and services. This was significantly higher than the target of seven months.

More than a dozen NRB policies and programs remain stalled

More than a dozen policies and programs introduced by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) through its monetary policy remain pending, with several key measures still in the study and formulation phase. The central bank, while releasing the annual review report of the Monetary Policy for fiscal year 2025/26, stated that important initiatives related to structural reforms of banks and financial institutions, digital banking, credit management and financial sector regulation have yet to move into implementation. According to the report, NRB is still studying the review of existing provisions on loan classification and loan loss provisioning of banks and financial institutions. A detailed study is also underway to revise the classification and working areas of banks and financial institutions.

Rameshore Khanal says failure to separate public, private lives fuels corruption

Former finance minister and former secretary Rameshore Khanal has said that corruption and poor governance begin when public officials fail to separate their private and public lives. Expressing his views in a Facebook post, Khanal highlighted what he described as the growing influence of middlemen within Nepal’s administrative system. He said intermediaries often gain access to influential officials by cultivating close relationships with their family members and gradually expanding their influence over decision-making. According to Khanal, such individuals initially seek to win the trust of an official’s spouse through praise and frequent visits. They then begin bringing gifts for family members, including children and even pets, to strengthen personal ties.

Bird flu brought under control in seven districts, four remain affected

Bird flu has been brought under control in seven districts, while the disease remains active in four others, according to the Department of Livestock Services. The department said the outbreak has been contained in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan and Nawalparasi. However, control efforts are still underway in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchok. Department spokesperson Dr. Mukul Upadhyay said technical teams were mobilised to contain the outbreak by culling infected birds and safely disposing of poultry products and related materials in affected areas.

Sanga underpass nears completion with 95 percent physical progress

The under-construction Sanga underpass, a key infrastructure project on the eastern gateway to the Kathmandu Valley, has achieved around 95 percent physical progress, with the main structure and approach roads now complete. The underpass, regarded as one of the most significant components of the Araniko Highway’s Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road expansion project, is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety for commuters travelling to and from the Valley. According to the project, the underpass has a total length of 1,110 metres, including a 190-metre approach road on the Banepa side and a 900-metre approach road towards Bhaktapur. The main underpass structure is 18 metres long, six metres high and 10.5 metres wide.

Govt to provide relief to poultry farmers within a week

The Department of Livestock Services has completed preparations to distribute Rs 520 million in compensation to poultry farmers who suffered losses due to bird flu outbreaks in 11 districts. The relief is expected to be disbursed within a week. The compensation will cover up to 75 percent of the verified losses incurred by farmers. As part of efforts to contain the disease, authorities culled infected poultry and destroyed eggs and poultry feed. Department spokesperson Mukul Upadhyay said the relief amount would be transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible farmers whose claims have been verified following the submission of applications.

Court orders Roshan Pokharel remanded to judicial custody over alleged abusive content targeting PM Shah

The District Court in Panchthar has ordered Roshan Pokharel to be sent to judicial custody pending trial in a case filed under the Electronic Transactions Act over allegedly producing YouTube content containing abusive and objectionable remarks against PM Balendra Shah. Pokharel, a resident of Aangsarang in Phalgunanda Rural Municipality–6 of Panchthar, faces charges related to electronic transactions after a case was registered against him in the district court. He was initially arrested on April 9. Following public criticism over his arrest, police released him into the custody of his family two days later.

Paddy plantation declines by 12.62% amid delayed monsoon

Paddy transplantation across Nepal has declined by 12.62 percent compared to the same period last year, mainly due to delayed monsoon rains. According to the Department of Agriculture, paddy has been transplanted on 443,595 hectares of land as of Monday, accounting for 32.38 percent of the country’s total cultivable paddy area. During the same period last year, transplantation had reached 45 percent. Nepal has more than 1.37 million hectares of land suitable for paddy cultivation, according to the department. Province-wise, Sudurpaschim has recorded the highest transplantation rate at 57.9 percent, followed by Gandaki (41 percent), Karnali (40.5 percent), Lumbini (37.3 percent), Bagmati (33.2 percent), Koshi (31.5 percent) and Madhesh (15.6 percent).

Sugarcane farmers receive nearly Rs 1.8 billion in pending payments

Sugarcane farmers in Mahottari have received nearly Rs 1.8 billion in long-pending payments for crops supplied to two sugar mills in the district. According to the District Administration Office, farmers were paid more than Rs 1.76 billion for sugarcane delivered to Everest Sugar and Chemical Industries in Gaushala Municipality-1 and Siddhibinayak Sugar and Chemical Industries in Gaushala Municipality-12. Farmers supplied around 2.8 million quintals of sugarcane to the two mills during the current fiscal year 2082/83. The payments have been calculated and cleared accordingly, Chief Administrative Officer Kameshwor Yadav said. However, the government subsidy for sugarcane farmers has yet to be released. The District Payment Committee has written to the Office of the Financial Comptroller, requesting the release of the pending subsidy amounting to Rs 207 million.

Road blacktopping begins in Myagdi’s Darwang after 19 years

Road blacktopping has begun in Darwang Bazaar of Malika Rural Municipality-6 in Myagdi, marking the first such upgrade in 19 years. The work is being carried out under the federal government’s complementary grant programme. Darwang, the administrative and commercial centre of Malika Rural Municipality and western Myagdi, was last blacktopped in 2064 BS. The current project, estimated at Rs 16.65 million, was awarded to Sapkota Builders for Rs 12.68 million. Rural Municipality Chairperson Beg Prasad Garbuja said road widening, drainage construction, retaining walls, graveling, and the laying of base and sub-base layers have already been completed, while bitumen and chippings have been laid since last week.

Govt launches Sagarmatha Tree Plantation Campaign in Bhojpur

The government’s annual Sagarmatha Tree Plantation Campaign is underway in Bhojpur, with local authorities planting rhododendron saplings to promote environmental conservation, biodiversity and sustainable tourism. The nationwide campaign, which runs from June 28 to July 31 each year, is being implemented in Bhojpur by the Division Forest Office. Office Chief Khudrus Miya said the initiative would contribute to environmental protection, climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The campaign was launched at Tiwaribhanjyang in Ward No. 2 of Pauwadungma Rural Municipality. As part of the programme, a rhododendron plantation drive has begun in the Mundum Trekking Trail area, a destination known for its tourism and religious significance.