Press freedom, judicial rulings, accountability in high-profile cases, and disaster and community impacts shaped today’s major developments in Nepal.
Politics & Governance
President Rabi Lamichhane of the Rastriya Swatantra Party said action will be taken against those obstructing media houses in the federal capital, after incidents where vehicles blocked entrances and police intervened to remove them and issue fines for traffic violations. He also emphasized that press freedom commitments apply even to party members who may be involved, according to Rabi Lamichhane. Separately, Koshi Province is formulating a land use policy by incorporating suggestions from local governments, as reported in Koshi Province land use policy.
Courts & Accountability
The Supreme Court annulled the government’s decision to restrict government advertisements to state-owned media, ruling the directive harmed both public and private media interests, including in a case involving government ads in private media. The court ordered the Prime Minister’s Office circular to be voided, with further details pending. In the Bhutanese refugee scam, former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rs 40,000, while former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand received two years, as covered in Rayamajhi and Khand sentences.
Economy & Business
Legal and administrative scrutiny continued around leadership appointments at major state enterprises, after 80-year-old Harahari Shrestha was appointed Executive Chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation despite concerns about age-related compliance, reported in Harahari Shrestha appointment. Separately, floods affected local livelihoods in Ratnanagar, where beekeepers reported significant hive damage and reduced honey production in beekeepers’ losses in Ratnanagar. Tourism safety planning also entered the economic conversation as the Annapurna trekking route sustained damage, with TAAN urging alternative travel due to hazards, according to Annapurna trekking route damage.
Society & Community
Disaster impacts across multiple communities included damage to Annapurna trekking infrastructure, with floods and landslides affecting the suspension bridge at Ghurjung and hotels in Banthanti, Ghandruk, and calls to avoid high-risk areas, as described in Annapurna trekking route damage. In Gandaki province, all districts reached full immunization status, reflecting expanded vaccination efforts, according to full immunization in Gandaki. Meanwhile, residents in Taudaha raised concerns over Bagmati River erosion that could lead to displacement and property loss, reported in Taudaha river erosion fears, and local communities also reported flooding-related setbacks for apiarists in beekeepers’ losses in Ratnanagar.
Date: July 15, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Asar 31, 2083
Top News
1. Action will be taken against those obstructing media houses: President Lamichhane (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, announced that action will be taken against individuals obstructing media houses in the federal capital, following incidents where vehicles blocked entrances. The police intervened, removing the vehicles and issuing fines for traffic violations. Lamichhane emphasized the party's commitment to press freedom and accountability, stating that even RSP members will face consequences if involved.
2. Floods and landslides damage Annapurna trekking route, tourists urged to stay alert (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Severe floods and landslides in the Kumrung Khola and Modi River areas of Annapurna Rural Municipality have damaged key infrastructure, including the suspension bridge at Ghurjung and two hotels in Banthanti, Ghandruk. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged tourists and guides to avoid high-risk areas and use alternative routes for safety, while calling on the government to restore damaged infrastructure promptly. TAAN emphasized prioritizing the safety of residents and tourists during this emergency.
3. कानुनविपरीत ८० वर्ष हाराहारीका श्रेष्ठलाई वायुसेवा निगम कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष नियुक्त (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Eighty-year-old Harahari Shrestha has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation, despite legal concerns regarding his age. This decision has raised questions about compliance with regulations governing such appointments.
4. स्थानीय तहका सुझाव समेटेर भू–उपयोग नीति बनाउँदै कोशी प्रदेश (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Koshi Province is developing a land use policy by incorporating suggestions from local governments. This initiative aims to enhance regional planning and resource management.
5. Rayamajhi jailed for four years, Khand gets two in Bhutanese refugee scam (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former Deputy Prime Minister and CPN-UML leader, has been sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rs 40,000 for his role in the Bhutanese refugee scam. Former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand received a two-year prison sentence and a Rs 20,000 fine for similar offenses. Several others involved in the case, including Teknath Rijal and others, received varying sentences and fines for abusing authority and fraud.
6. Supreme Court strikes down ban on government ads in private media (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The Supreme Court has annulled the government's decision to restrict government advertisements to state-owned media, ruling that the directive was detrimental to both public and private media interests. Justices Sharanga Subedi and Nripadhwaj Niraula ordered the Prime Minister's Office circular to be voided, although further details of the ruling are pending.
7. All districts in Gandaki province achieve full immunization status (risingnepaldaily.com)
All districts in Gandaki province have attained full immunization status. This achievement reflects the successful vaccination efforts in the region.
8. Taudaha people worry over Bagmati River erosion (risingnepaldaily.com)
Residents of Taudaha are expressing concerns about the erosion of the Bagmati River, which threatens their homes and livelihoods. The ongoing erosion has raised alarms about potential displacement and loss of property in the area. Local authorities are being urged to take immediate action to address the issue.
9. Beekeepers suffer loss due to floods in Ratnanagar (risingnepaldaily.com)
Beekeepers in Ratnanagar have reported significant losses due to recent flooding in the area. The floods have damaged hives and reduced honey production, impacting the livelihoods of local apiarists.
10. अनेरास्ववियु अध्यक्ष धामीलगायतका नेता पक्राउ (www.ratopati.com)
Nepal Police have arrested several leaders of the All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), including its president Deepak Dhami, during a peaceful protest against suspicious parking in Kathmandu. The protest, which involved parking motorcycles in front of Singhadurbar, led to demands for the unconditional release of the detained student leaders from ANNFSU.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 154.23 |
| CAD → NPR | 109.5 |
| AUD → NPR | 107.23 |
| GBP → NPR | 206.37 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.51 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4026.46 | NPR 232,875.10 |
| Silver | $58.29 | NPR 3,371.27 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 284,800.00 |
| Silver | NPR 4,415.00 |
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.
