Today’s news centers on tighter parliamentary pressure, governance and accountability moves, and ongoing developments in security and the economy.
Politics & Governance
Speaker Dor Prasad Aryal has directed Prime Minister Balendra Shah to appear in Parliament and answer lawmakers’ questions, after months of criticism over his perceived leniency toward the ruling party. The Speaker issued three rulings, including a three-day deadline for government responses related to the Jajarkot earthquake and the repatriation of Santosh Rai’s body, and set a direct Q&A for August 26. Meanwhile, negotiations continue around leadership changes in Bagmati as the regional government formation process advances. Bagmati’s government-formation talks have reopened speculation about a new Chief Minister.
Courts & Accountability
The political directive is also tied to a broader push for accountability as opposition groups press for scrutiny of the Prime Minister’s remarks regarding border issues. The August 26 parliamentary Q&A is set to become a key forum for lawmakers’ inquiries, with criticism also aimed at the Speaker’s earlier approach. In parallel, the Madhesh government is tightening controls to curb wasteful spending through new guidelines aimed at improving administrative accountability. Madhesh spending curbs and new criteria reflect a shift toward stricter financial oversight.
Economy & Business
Government finances showed a positive start as revenue rose in the first month of the current fiscal year. In fiscal year 2083-84, total revenue reached Rs 93.43 billion, supported by tax revenue of Rs 85.19 billion and foreign grants. Expenditure for the same month totaled Rs 41.88 billion, while Suketar Airport remains under a travel disruption after flights were suspended for two months. Flights halted at Suketar Airport are affecting connectivity for local routes.
Society & Community
Security and crime-related developments continued across multiple locations, including a narcotics case in Banke where two people were arrested with 13.64 kg of opium and additional contraband. Kohalpur arrests with opium followed a joint operation involving the Narcotics Control Bureau. Separately, two Nepal Airlines Corporation employees were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport after being found with US dollars in their possession, and they have been sent for further investigation. In the Kathmandu Valley, police also arrested four people linked to robberies targeting pedestrians for gold earrings, including individuals involved in stealing and buying stolen items. Arrests over gold chain robberies were made after investigations into incidents on August 26 and 30.
Date: August 18, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Bhadau 02, 2083
Top News
1. After months of criticism, Speaker DP Aryal takes a tougher line with government (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Speaker DP Aryal has intensified pressure on the government by directing Prime Minister Balendra Shah to appear in Parliament and answer lawmakers' questions, following months of criticism for his perceived leniency towards the ruling party. Aryal issued three rulings, including a three-day deadline for the government to respond to questions about the Jajarkot earthquake and the repatriation of Santosh Rai's body from Cambodia, while also scheduling a direct Q&A session with the prime minister on August 26. This shift in Aryal's approach comes amid ongoing opposition protests demanding accountability regarding Shah's controversial remarks on Nepal-India border issues.
2. फजुल खर्च रोक्न कठोर बन्दै मधेश सरकार, नयाँ मापदण्ड लागू (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The Madhesh government is implementing strict measures to curb unnecessary expenditures by introducing new guidelines. These measures aim to enhance financial accountability and reduce wasteful spending within the administration.
3. Government revenue increases in first month of current fiscal year (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Government revenue in the first month of the fiscal year 2083-84 BS (2026-27) reached Rs 93.43 billion, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Tax revenue was Rs 85.19 billion, while non-tax revenue contributed Rs 7.3 billion, alongside foreign grants of Rs 240.3 million. Total expenditures for the month amounted to Rs 41.88 billion, representing 1.97% of the total budget of Rs 2,124.34 billion.
4. भारतसँगको सैन्य कूटनीति र भूराजनीतिसँग जोडिन्छ मानार्थ प्रधानसेनापति प्रचलन (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The honorary title of Chief of Army Staff is being linked to military diplomacy and geopolitical strategies with India. This development reflects the ongoing collaboration and strategic alignment between Nepal and India in defense matters.
5. बागमतीमा सरकार गठनको बाटो खुल्यो, नयाँ मुख्यमन्त्री को ? (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The path for government formation in Bagmati has opened up, leading to speculation about the appointment of a new Chief Minister. Political negotiations are underway to finalize the leadership in the region.
6. 2 arrested in Kohalpur with 13.64 kg of Opium (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Two individuals, Karn Bahadur Budha and Taipsingh Giri, were arrested in Kohalpur, Banke, with 13.64 kg of opium and 148 grams of hashish by a joint team from the Narcotics Control Bureau. The police also seized a digital weighing scale and Rs 5,000 in cash during the operation, which involved warning shots fired.
7. Two NAC employees arrested with US dollars (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Two employees of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Janani Bajracharya and Mamta Pandey, were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport with 4,300 US dollars each while traveling to Kuala Lumpur. They have been sent to the Money Laundering Investigation Department for further investigation.
8. सडकमा पैदलयात्रीको सुनको सिक्री लुट्ने र किन्ने चार जना पक्राउ (www.ratopati.com)
Police have arrested four individuals involved in the robbery of gold earrings from pedestrians, particularly targeting women and senior citizens in the Kathmandu Valley. The suspects include a motorcycle driver and individuals involved in stealing and purchasing the stolen gold, with connections to thefts in Sunsari's Dharan and Itahari. The group was apprehended on August 31, following investigations into incidents that occurred on August 26 and 30, where they forcibly took gold earrings from victims.
9. Flights halted for two months at Suketar Airport (risingnepaldaily.com)
Flights at Suketar Airport have been suspended for two months. The halt affects all operations at the airport, impacting local travel and connectivity.
10. Nepal Political Briefing (August 17) (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has agreed to respond to lawmakers' questions in Parliament following Speaker Dor Prasad Aryal's directive, amid criticism of Aryal's previous favoritism towards the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). A Q&A session is scheduled for August 26, where Shah may face inquiries about his controversial statements on border issues. Meanwhile, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane is focused on internal party matters, as the RSP opens applications for its candidate club for upcoming local elections, while the Nepali Congress continues to grapple with internal divisions ahead of its general convention.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.27 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.6 |
| AUD → NPR | 109.2 |
| GBP → NPR | 207.81 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.63 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4392.09 | NPR 252,440.59 |
| Silver | $65.15 | NPR 3,744.57 |
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.
