Nepal’s focus today spans accountability, fiscal and economic direction, and targeted public services amid ongoing social and security pressures.
Politics & Governance
Prime Minister Balendra Shah met private sector representatives to discuss an investment-friendly environment and reforms to address industrial challenges and boost job creation and production (Prime Minister Shah commits to cooperate with private sector for development of country's economy). Separately, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav said Nepal is committed to expanding economic cooperation with China, including trade and potential Chinese investment in manufacturing (Nepal committed to enhancing economic cooperation with China: Minister Yadav). Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat also announced plans to amend economic laws from 2013 in a coordinated way to improve economic governance (२०१३ सालदेखिका अर्थसम्बन्धी ऐनहरू एकैसाथ संशोधन गर्दै अर्थमन्त्री डा. वाग्ले).
Courts & Accountability
The Kathmandu District Court has convicted former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, along with former Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey, in the Bhutanese refugee scam for falsely verifying non-Bhutanese individuals for third-country settlement (Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Ex-DPM Rayamajhi and Ex-Home Minister Khand termed guilty). The ruling also found 20 other defendants guilty, with sentencing scheduled for July 13 while seven defendants, including Sanjeev Rayamaji and Prateek Thapa, were acquitted (Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Ex-DPM Rayamajhi and Ex-Home Minister Khand termed guilty). The next procedural step will be sentencing as the court’s liability determinations translate into penalties (Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Ex-DPM Rayamajhi and Ex-Home Minister Khand termed guilty).
Economy & Business
After the new government’s first 100 days, coverage highlights a shift from early political goodwill to fiscal constraints, noting public debt rising from Rs. 1.05 trillion in FY2018/19 to nearly Rs. 2.67 trillion in FY2024/25 and rising debt servicing pressures (The honeymoon is over: Fiscal reality begins for Nepal’s new government). The same reporting frames an immediate policy demand for efficiently using borrowed resources to produce economic returns while managing higher repayment costs (The honeymoon is over: Fiscal reality begins for Nepal’s new government). At the policy level, government planning to revise economic laws and pursue new cooperation with China is being presented as part of the broader push to improve investment conditions (२०१३ सालदेखिका अर्थसम्बन्धी ऐनहरू एकैसाथ संशोधन गर्दै अर्थमन्त्री डा. वाग्ले).
Society & Community
Bharatpur Hospital will operate the Sharadanagar Health Post as a satellite hospital, aiming to expand healthcare services in the area (भरतपुर अस्पतालले शारदानगर स्वास्थ्य चौकीलाई स्याटलाइट अस्पतालका रूपमा सञ्चालन गर्ने). In housing, displaced squatters from holding centres in Nagarkot and Bode reported uncertainty after receiving Rs 25,000 but not finding accommodation, with some families staying with relatives after being dropped at multiple locations (Government provides Rs 25,000 to displaced squatters, housing uncertainty persists). Security officials also inspected border points to strengthen surveillance and curb drug trafficking, reflecting continued public-safety efforts alongside domestic service delivery (Security officials inspect border points to control drug trafficking).
Date: July 09, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Asar 25, 2083
Top News
1. Bhutanese Refugee Scam: Ex-DPM Rayamajhi and Ex-Home Minister Khand termed guilty (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, former Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand, and former Home Secretary Tek Narayan Pandey have been convicted in the Bhutanese refugee scam by the Kathmandu District Court, along with 20 others. A total of 23 individuals were found guilty of fraud and organized crime for falsely verifying non-Bhutanese individuals as refugees for third-country settlement. Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, with seven defendants, including Sanjeev Rayamaji and Prateek Thapa, acquitted.
2. Nepal committed to enhancing economic cooperation with China: Minister Yadav (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to enhancing economic cooperation with China during a meeting with Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in trade, investment, and infrastructure development, with an emphasis on attracting Chinese investment in Nepal's manufacturing sector. Vice Minister Yan expressed China's willingness to support Nepal's participation in trade fairs and assist in developing trade infrastructure at border points.
3. PM Shah commits to cooperate with private sector for development of country's economy (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah met with private sector representatives to discuss enhancing the country's economic activities, creating an investment-friendly environment, and addressing industrial challenges. He emphasized the government's commitment to implementing necessary reforms and fostering collaboration with the private sector to boost job creation and production. Key figures from various business organizations participated in the meeting, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue to develop supportive policies for industry and investment.
4. भरतपुर अस्पतालले शारदानगर स्वास्थ्य चौकीलाई स्याटलाइट अस्पतालका रूपमा सञ्चालन गर्ने (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Bharatpur Hospital will operate the Sharadanagar Health Post as a satellite hospital. This decision aims to enhance healthcare services in the region.
5. Government provides Rs 25,000 to displaced squatters, housing uncertainty persists (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Displaced squatters from holding centres in Nagarkot and Bode report being left without accommodation after the government provided Rs 25,000 but did not assist in finding housing. Many families were dropped off at various locations, with some unable to secure rental rooms and resorting to staying with relatives. The Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee denied claims of abandonment, stating that transportation was arranged for residents to their chosen destinations.
6. The honeymoon is over: Fiscal reality begins for Nepal’s new government (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepal's new government has completed its first 100 days, transitioning from a period of political goodwill to facing fiscal realities. The public debt has surged from Rs. 1.05 trillion in FY2018/19 to nearly Rs. 2.67 trillion in FY2024/25, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rising to 43.7%. The government must now focus on efficiently utilizing borrowed resources to generate economic returns while managing rising debt servicing costs, which have increased from Rs. 123 billion to over Rs. 320 billion.
7. २०१३ सालदेखिका अर्थसम्बन्धी ऐनहरू एकैसाथ संशोधन गर्दै अर्थमन्त्री डा. वाग्ले (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat announced plans to amend economic laws from 2013 in a simultaneous effort. This initiative aims to streamline and update existing regulations to enhance economic governance in Nepal.
8. इरानमाथि अमेरिकाको हवाई आक्रमण, इरानले भन्यो– निर्भीकताका साथ जवाफ दिन्छौं (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The United States has conducted airstrikes against Iran, prompting a response from Iran stating it will retaliate with determination. Iranian officials emphasized their commitment to respond fearlessly to the attacks.
9. Nepal’s climate reckoning runs wider than its laws (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Nepal introduced climate budget tagging in 2012 to track government spending on climate risk, but its FY 2024/25 review indicated the lowest spending utilization among Sustainable Development Goal categories. The country faces significant challenges, including glacier depletion and a hydropower strategy that prioritizes export revenue over local community needs, while legal frameworks fail to address these climate impacts effectively. As Nepal continues to monetize its natural resources, it risks accumulating structural vulnerabilities that could lead to economic losses and environmental disasters.
10. Security officials inspect border points to control drug trafficking (risingnepaldaily.com)
Security officials conducted inspections at various border points to enhance measures against drug trafficking. The initiative aims to strengthen surveillance and curb the influx of illegal substances into the country.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.2 |
| CAD → NPR | 108.2 |
| AUD → NPR | 106.01 |
| GBP → NPR | 204.45 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.43 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4073.08 | NPR 233,998.20 |
| Silver | $58.23 | NPR 3,345.31 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 284,700.00 |
| Silver | NPR 4,340.00 |
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.
