Today’s news centers on parliamentary and cabinet activity alongside governance, accountability efforts, and ongoing development and economic priorities.
Politics & Governance
Nepal’s federal legislature is set to meet today, with the House of Representatives scheduled at 11 am to consider the Employees Provident Fund (tenth amendment) Bill, 2083 and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2083. The National Assembly will convene at 1:15 pm as ministers prepare to respond to lawmakers, including a proposal to send the Bill on Liability of Domestic Aviation, 2083 to the Legislation Management Committee. Separately, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called a Cabinet meeting for today at 3 PM at Singhadurbar, as confirmed in reporting citing the Prime Minister’s Office timeline (prime minister calls cabinet meeting; मन्त्रिपरिषद् बैठक बस्दै).
In provincial developments, Karnali Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence today in the Province Assembly, following his election supported by CPN-UML. Reporting also links the delay in cabinet expansion to ongoing portfolio discussions among ruling partners, with Shahi indicating expansion after the trust motion (Karnali Chief Minister Shahi to seek vote of confidence today).
Courts & Accountability
Accountability actions are highlighted in the government’s response to the Sunsari-Siraha incident, where an incident report concludes no external weapons were used and recommends action against the individuals who fired shots. The report frames the matter as a responsibility and accountability issue for those directly involved (Sunsari-Siraha incident report). In parallel, the Internal Revenue Office in Lahan has filed a corruption case against tax officer Pal and chartered accountant Yadav, alleging misconduct linked to tax administration (corruption case against Lahan tax officer).
Political scrutiny of governance also continues, with the Nepali Congress Central Committee criticizing the government on good governance and rule-of-law issues and reiterating its push for a constitutional amendment suggestion commission led by a retired Chief Justice. The party’s demands also include transparency and attention to economic concerns like inflation and diplomatic appointments (government pressure by Nepali Congress; Nepal Political and Economy Briefing (August 18)).
Economy & Business
The government has set a target to complete irrigation projects of national pride within five years, directing project heads to expedite work to support agriculture and broader economic prosperity. Minister Bijay Bhakta Shrestha emphasized timely completion as key to strengthening the sector, while reporting notes that projects such as Sunkoshi Marin Diversion and Bheri Babai Diversion are under review with timelines and financial progress tracked (government aims to complete irrigation projects within five years).
In business and investment conditions, a political and economy briefing reports that foreign direct investment has declined amid a deteriorating business climate, with concerns raised about arbitrary arrests of business owners. The same briefing connects these economic strains with rising political tensions, including warnings issued by CPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba regarding constitutional boundaries (Nepal Political and Economy Briefing (August 18)). Outside the policy sphere, cricket development activities also point to regional engagement, with Aamir Akhtar and Nadeem Shahid launching the Italia T-10 Cricket league in Rome from November 7 to 15 across six city franchise teams, backed by the Italian Cricket Federation.
Date: August 19, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Bhadau 03, 2083
Top News
1. Aamir Akhtar and Nadeem Shahid join hands to launch T-10 League in Italy, 6 teams to compete (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Aamir Akhtar, a former Nepali international cricketer and founder of the Everest Premier League, and Nadeem Shahid, a former English cricketer, are launching the "Italia T-10 Cricket" league in Rome from November 7 to 15, with six city-based franchise teams. The league, backed by the Italian Cricket Federation, aims to promote cricket in Italy and will be organized through their company, Apex T-10 Limited. Matches will be broadcast live in over 30 countries, contributing to the sport's expansion ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
2. सुनसरी-सिरहा घटना रिपोर्ट : बाहिरी हतियारको प्रयोग छैन, गोली हान्नेलाई कारबाही सिफारिस (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The report on the Sunsari-Siraha incident concludes that there was no use of external weapons, and it recommends action against those who fired shots. The findings emphasize accountability for the individuals involved in the shooting.
3. राष्ट्रिय गौरवका सिँचाइ आयोजना पाँच वर्षभित्र सम्पन्न गर्ने सरकारको लक्ष्य (www.ratopati.com)
The government aims to complete national pride irrigation projects within five years, directing project heads to expedite construction. Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Bijay Bhakta Shrestha emphasized the need for timely completion to boost the agriculture sector, which is vital for the country's economic prosperity. Various projects, including the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion and the Bheri Babai Diversion, are under review, with specific timelines and financial progress outlined for each.
4. आन्तरिक राजस्व कार्यालय लहानका कर अधिकृत पाल र चार्टर्ड एकाउन्टेन्ट यादवविरुद्ध भ्रष्टाचार मुद्दा (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Internal Revenue Office in Lahan has filed a corruption case against tax officer Pal and chartered accountant Yadav. The allegations involve misconduct related to tax administration.
5. Karnali Chief Minister Shahi to seek vote of confidence today (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Karnali Chief Minister Mangal Bahadur Shahi is set to seek a vote of confidence in the Province Assembly today, following his election with CPN-UML support on July 28. The Cabinet expansion is pending due to delays in ministry portfolio discussions among ruling partners, with Shahi indicating he will expand the Cabinet after securing the trust motion.
6. Both Houses of Parliament meeting today (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Both Houses of the federal Parliament are convening today, with the House of Representatives meeting at 11 am to discuss several bills, including the 'Employees Provident Fund (tenth amendment) Bill, 2083' and the 'Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2083.' The National Assembly will meet at 1:15 pm, where ministers will respond to lawmakers' questions and Minister Khadak Raj Paudel will propose sending the 'Bill on Liability of Domestic Aviation, 2083' to the Legislation Management Committee for further discussion.
7. प्रधानमन्त्रीले बोलाए मन्त्रिपरिषद्को बैठक (nepalnews.com)
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called a Cabinet meeting for today at 3 PM. The meeting will take place at the Prime Minister's Office in Singhadurbar, Kathmandu.
8. Nepal Political and Economy Briefing (August 18) (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Nepali Congress has proposed forming a commission led by a former Chief Justice to recommend constitutional amendments, following a report submitted by Prime Minister Balendra Shah's chief advisor. Amid internal rifts, the party is organizing its 15th general convention under President Gagan Thapa, who aims to bridge divides within the party. Foreign Direct Investment has declined due to a deteriorating business climate, exacerbated by arbitrary arrests of business owners, while political tensions rise as Communist Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal warns Sher Bahadur Deuba against exceeding constitutional boundaries after Deuba's declaration of Hindu identity.
9. मन्त्रिपरिषद् बैठक बस्दै (newsofnepal.com)
A Cabinet meeting is scheduled to take place today at 3:00 PM at the Prime Minister's Office in Singhadurbar. Deepa Dahal, a press and research advisor to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, confirmed the meeting.
10. सरकारमाथि कांग्रेसको प्रहार (newsofnepal.com)
The Nepali Congress Central Committee expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's performance, highlighting issues such as good governance, press freedom, economic activities, and disaster management. The party reiterated its commitment to hold its 15th General Convention from October 16 to 19 in Kathmandu and called for the formation of a constitutional amendment suggestion commission led by a retired Chief Justice. Additionally, the Congress demanded the government to ensure transparency, uphold the rule of law, and address pressing economic concerns, including inflation and the appointment of ambassadors.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.4 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.61 |
| AUD → NPR | 109.06 |
| GBP → NPR | 207.56 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.61 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4339.04 | NPR 249,603.01 |
| Silver | $62.63 | NPR 3,602.79 |
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.
