Today’s developments center on demands for accountability in public disputes, alongside governance moves, health and education cooperation, and community-focused conservation and sports updates.
Politics & Governance
The Cabinet meeting declared four people who died during protests in Sunsari and Siraha in July as martyrs, while also appointing Nirmal Kumar Upreti as Executive Director of the Foreign Employment Board and approving steps including the opening of a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu. It also decided to publish a report related to the Ncell shares investigation and approved exemptions for certain fees and taxes for electric ambulances and hearse vans. Separately, the Nepali Congress reiterated calls for judicial scrutiny of the Sunsari incident, demanding a judicial commission to investigate events and ensure transparency. Four killed in Sunsari and Siraha protests declared martyrs Nepali Congress demands formation of judicial commission to investigate Sunsari incident NC calls for high-level judicial commission to probe recent Sunsari and Siraha incidents
Courts & Accountability
Dr. Govinda K.C. again alleged government collusion with private medical education providers, saying delays in appointing qualified regulators and issues tied to labor exploitation and financial irregularities demand investigation. He warned that if his five demands are not met, including removal of certain officials and reversal of scholarship cuts, he will restart his 24th hunger strike. Meanwhile, a committee recommendation on the Ncell share-transaction investigation has urged a deeper probe into revenue leakage, foreign exchange embezzlement, and possible money laundering, citing offshore structures and compliance concerns under Nepali law. Dr. Govinda K.C. charges collusion and warns of 24th hunger strike Committee recommends in-depth investigation on Ncell share ownership transaction Committee recommends in-depth investigation on Ncell share ownership transaction
Economy & Business
Nepal and India signed memorandums for eight High Impact Community Development Projects, with India providing Rs 803 million in grant assistance for areas including health system digitalization, hospital construction, agricultural centers, and a cold storage facility in Syangja. Local governments are set to implement the initiatives. In addition, the Ncell share transactions committee has recommended that the government reject the latest share purchase agreement and take steps to secure government ownership of telecommunications assets after license expiration. Nepal, India sign MoUs for education, health and agriculture projects Committee recommends in-depth investigation on Ncell share ownership transaction Committee recommends in-depth investigation on Ncell share ownership transaction
Society & Community
World Elephant Day was observed in Nepal with renewed focus on conservation of wild elephants and the protection of safe migration corridors amid habitat fragmentation and infrastructure development pressures. Nepal’s ten-year elephant conservation plan (2025–2035) emphasizes habitat protection and reduced human-elephant conflict, with the aim of involving communities in safeguarding both wild and domesticated elephants. Elsewhere, Nepal’s European T-10 cricket league announced a major prize and appointed Vinod Bhandari as brand ambassador to raise the league’s profile in the region. World Elephant Day in Nepal and the challenge of safe corridors Nepalese T-10 cricket league appoints Vinod Bhandari as brand ambassador World Elephant Day in Nepal and the challenge of safe corridors
Date: August 12, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 27, 2083
Top News
1. सरकार–मेडिकल माफियाबीच साँठगाँठ रहेको डा. गोविन्द केसीको आरोप ,माग पूरा नभए २४औँ सत्याग्रह पुनः सुरु गर्ने चेतावनी (newsofnepal.com)
Dr. Govinda K.C. accused the government of collusion with private medical education providers, claiming this undermines public medical education and health systems. He warned of resuming his 24th hunger strike if his five demands, including the removal of certain officials and the reversal of scholarship cuts, are not met. K.C. criticized the delay in appointing qualified individuals to regulatory bodies and called for an investigation into labor exploitation and financial irregularities in private medical colleges.
2. विश्व हात्ती दिवस : नेपालमा वन्य हात्ती संरक्षणसँगै सुरक्षित करिडोरको चुनौती (तस्बिरहरु) (nepalnews.com)
World Elephant Day is being observed in Nepal, focusing on the conservation of wild elephants, reducing human-elephant conflict, and protecting natural migration corridors. This year's theme emphasizes "Safe and Eco-friendly Corridors, Safe Elephants," highlighting the need to secure these pathways amidst pressures from habitat fragmentation and infrastructure development. Nepal's ten-year elephant conservation plan (2025-2035) prioritizes habitat protection, conflict reduction, and community involvement, advocating for the well-being of both wild and domesticated elephants.
3. NC calls for high-level judicial commission to probe recent Sunsari and Siraha incidents (risingnepaldaily.com)
The Nepali Congress (NC) has demanded the establishment of a high-level judicial commission to investigate the recent incidents in Sunsari and Siraha. The party emphasizes the need for accountability and thorough examination of the events that occurred in these districts.
4. युरोपमा नेपाली टी–१० क्रिकेटको ठूलो पुरस्कार, ब्रान्ड एम्बासडरमा विनोद भण्डारी (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Nepalese T-10 cricket league in Europe has announced a significant prize, with Vinod Bhandari appointed as the brand ambassador. This initiative aims to promote cricket and enhance its visibility in the region.
5. Four killed in Sunsari and Siraha protests declared martyrs (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The government has declared four individuals who died during protests in Sunsari and Siraha last July as martyrs. The Cabinet meeting also appointed Nirmal Kumar Upreti as the Executive Director of the Foreign Employment Board and approved the opening of a Portuguese consular office in Kathmandu. Additionally, it decided to publish a report on the Ncell shares investigation and exempt certain fees and taxes for electric ambulances and hearse vans.
6. Nepal, India sign MoUs for education, health and agriculture projects (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Nepal and India have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for eight High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), with India providing Rs 803 million in grant assistance. The projects include the digitalization of the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, construction of hospitals and agricultural centers across various districts, and a cold storage facility in Syangja. Local governments in Nepal will implement these initiatives.
7. Committee recommends in-depth investigation on Ncell share ownership transaction (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Study and Investigation Committee on Ncell Axiata's share transactions has recommended an in-depth investigation into potential revenue leakage, foreign exchange embezzlement, and money laundering related to past ownership transactions. The committee, led by former Auditor General Tanka Mani Sharma Dangal, found that many transactions were conducted through offshore structures without proper approval, and it raised concerns about Ncell's compliance with Nepali law regarding share sales. The report suggests the government reject Ncell's latest share purchase agreement and implement measures to ensure government ownership of telecommunications assets after license expiration.
8. 'Big Four' bowlers back as ageing Australia begin gruelling run (risingnepaldaily.com)
Australia's veteran bowlers, known as the 'Big Four,' have returned to the squad as the team prepares for a demanding series of matches. This move comes as the team faces challenges related to their aging roster. The upcoming schedule is expected to test the players' endurance and performance levels.
9. कोलम्बियामा भूकम्पबाट मृत्यु हुनेको संख्या १८० नाघ्यो, उद्धारकार्य जारी (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The death toll from the earthquake in Colombia has surpassed 180, with rescue operations ongoing. Efforts are being made to locate and assist survivors in the affected areas.
10. सुनसरी घटना छानबिनका लागि न्यायिक आयोग गठन गर्न कांग्रेसको माग (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Nepali Congress has demanded the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the Sunsari incident. This request aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the ongoing inquiry.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 152.79 |
| CAD → NPR | 109.58 |
| AUD → NPR | 107.92 |
| GBP → NPR | 206.18 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.62 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4400.64 | NPR 252,139.90 |
| Silver | $65.22 | NPR 3,736.86 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
