Today’s news is marked by governance and accountability moves alongside ongoing political disputes, economic policy concerns, and public-safety and health developments.
Politics & Governance
Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel urged party leaders to resolve internal differences through dialogue at Sanepa rather than relying on courts or protests. The call comes as Nepali Congress faces deepening rifts, including moves by Sher Bahadur Deuba’s faction to halt the party’s 15th General Convention amid Supreme Court reviews of the party’s legitimacy, according to Nepal Political and Economy Briefing (August 20) and courts dialogue Sanepa call by General Secretary Poudel. Separately, Prime Minister Balendra Shah began a road trip to Pokhara and planned to travel to Mustang, with his convoy making a brief stop in Dhading where local police were reportedly unaware of his itinerary, as covered in PM Balen Shah road trip to Pokhara and plans for Mustang.
Courts & Accountability
The Supreme Court annulled the appointment of Pradeep Kumar Shrestha as Executive Chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation, underscoring continued scrutiny of state enterprise leadership under Supreme Court annuls appointment of Nepal Airlines Corporation chairman Shrestha. In another court-related development, Kathmandu District Court released Nepal Investment Mega Bank CEO Jyoti Prakash Pandey on Rs 8 million bail in a case linked to the auction of Smart Telecom’s collateral, as reported in NIMB CEO Jyoti Prakash Pandey released on Rs 8 million bail. Meanwhile, Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane said the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) should not face interference, during a meeting with CIAA officials, as described in No interference in CIAA investigations, says RSP President Lamichhane.
Economy & Business
The government appointed Parbat Kumar Karki as Executive Director of the Citizen Investment Fund during a Cabinet meeting on August 20, pursuant to the Citizen Investment Fund Act, 1990, according to Citizens Investment Fund executive director Karki appointed. Financial and policy discussions were also highlighted in the Nepal Council of World Affairs’ 79th Annual General Meeting, where officials reviewed Nepal’s international relations, presented the annual financial report, and outlined future programs focused on foreign policy amid shifting global dynamics, as detailed in Nepal Council of World Affairs holds 79th Annual General Meeting. Separate updates in the wider economy and political landscape pointed to declining foreign aid and calls to mobilize private capital, in Nepal Political and Economy Briefing (August 20).
Society & Community
A landslide in Debal displaced 83 families and forced them to stay under tarpaulins while local authorities assessed damage and prepared assistance, as reported in Landslide forces 83 Debal families to stay under tarpaulin. Health reporting also emphasized that tuberculosis remains a significant and still under-detected threat in Nepal, with officials urging stronger screening and treatment efforts, covered in Unseen TB Threat In Nepal. With these issues continuing, public services and local response capacity are likely to remain key near-term priorities, particularly around disaster relief and disease detection, as reflected across both Landslide forces 83 Debal families to stay under tarpaulin and Unseen TB Threat In Nepal.
Date: August 21, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Bhadau 05, 2083
Top News
1. Nepal Council of World Affairs holds 79th Annual General Meeting (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Nepal Council of World Affairs (NCWA) convened its 79th Annual General Meeting on August 21, focusing on Nepal's international relations amid a changing global environment. Key discussions included the global power balance, economic challenges, and the impact of contemporary issues like climate change on developing countries. Council officials presented the annual financial report and outlined future programs, emphasizing the importance of foreign policy for Nepal's prosperity.
2. सर्वोच्चले बदर गरिदियो वायु सेवा निगमका कार्यकारी अध्यक्ष श्रेष्ठको नियुक्ति (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Supreme Court of Nepal annulled the appointment of Pradeep Kumar Shrestha as the Executive Chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation. This decision highlights ongoing scrutiny over governance and appointments within state-owned enterprises.
3. अदालत होइन, सानेपा आउनुहोस्, संवादबाटै निकास खोजौँ : महामन्त्री पौडेल (www.ratopati.com)
Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel has urged party leaders and workers to resolve internal differences through political dialogue rather than through courts or protests. He expressed concerns that the current government, despite having a majority, is failing to meet public expectations and is leading the country towards uncertainty. Paudel emphasized the need for unity within the party and called for discussions at the central office in Sanepa to strengthen internal democracy.
4. नागरिक लगानी कोषको कार्यकारी निर्देशकमा कार्की नियुक्त (nepalnews.com)
The Nepalese government has appointed Parbat Kumar Karki as the Executive Director of the Citizen Investment Fund. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on August 20, in accordance with Section 42(1) of the Citizen Investment Fund Act, 1990. Karki, a permanent resident of Udayapur and a former Executive Director at Nepal Rastra Bank, has prior experience in the same role at the Citizen Investment Fund and holds advanced degrees in Banking and Finance from Griffith University and Management from Tribhuvan University.
5. PM Balen Shah heads to Pokhara by road, plans to travel to Mustang (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has embarked on a road trip to Pokhara, with plans to continue to Mustang. His convoy made a brief stop along the Prithvi Highway in Dhading, where local police were unaware of his travel plans.
6. Nepal Political and Economy Briefing (August 20) (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Nepali Congress faces deepening intra-party rifts, with Sher Bahadur Deuba's faction petitioning to halt the party's 15th General Convention amid ongoing Supreme Court reviews of the party's legitimacy. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle reported a decline in foreign aid, urging the mobilization of private capital due to shrinking grants, while the CIAA is investigating complaints against all former prime ministers. Protests have erupted in Kathmandu from evicted residents, and Kiran Thapa has been appointed Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, backed by CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli.
7. Landslide forces 83 Debal families to stay under tarpaulin (risingnepaldaily.com)
A landslide in Debal has displaced 83 families, forcing them to seek shelter under tarpaulins. Local authorities are assessing the damage and providing necessary assistance to the affected residents.
8. NIMB CEO Jyoti Prakash Pandey released on Rs 8 million bail (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Kathmandu District Court has granted bail of Rs 8 million to Jyoti Prakash Pandey, CEO of Nepal Investment Mega Bank, in a case involving the auction of Smart Telecom's collateral. Pandey was arrested on May 12 and previously released on personal recognizance by the Supreme Court on May 20 after a habeas corpus petition from his wife. The government has charged him with fraud, organized crime, and violations of banking laws related to the unauthorized sale of Smart Telecom's assets.
9. No interference in CIAA investigations, says RSP President Lamichhane (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane stated that the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) will not be pressured in its investigations into public officials' alleged abuse of power. During a meeting with CIAA officials, he emphasized the need for objective and effective investigations, highlighting the serious consequences of legal cases on individuals' lives and careers.
10. Unseen TB Threat In Nepal (risingnepaldaily.com)
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant health threat in Nepal, with many cases going undetected due to a lack of awareness and resources. Health officials emphasize the need for improved screening and treatment programs to address the rising incidence of the disease. Efforts are being made to enhance public health initiatives and increase access to diagnostic services.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.44 |
| CAD → NPR | 111.46 |
| AUD → NPR | 109.36 |
| GBP → NPR | 209.37 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.69 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4536.44 | NPR 261,026.48 |
| Silver | $68.99 | NPR 3,969.68 |
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.
