Nepal’s latest developments span tourism gains, cross-border trade dynamics, and active moves in governance, institutions, and public accountability.
Politics & Governance
The government is signaling a push toward economic prosperity by expanding international aid and trade, alongside a focus on using non-tariff facilities available to Nepal as an LDC. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said policy reviews are needed to avoid missed opportunities amid Nepal’s geopolitical constraints. Cabinet meeting discussions are also set to include the supply of cooking gas and institutional restructuring proposals affecting the National Identity Document under the Prime Minister’s Office. Shisir Khanal Cabinet meeting
Courts & Accountability
A parliamentary committee has called an international organization that issued a statement about alleged pressure on judges to appear before the committee. The move reflects ongoing concerns about judicial independence and maintaining the integrity of the legal system. Separately, the Law Minister has floated a restructuring idea that would place the National Investigation Department under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers rather than the Home Ministry, citing the department’s specialized work. Parliamentary committee statement on judges Sobita Gautam on NID
Economy & Business
Tourism continued to recover in July, with Nepal welcoming 71,775 foreign tourists, a 2.3% increase from July 2025. Indian visitors remained the largest group, while Chinese arrivals rose sharply by 61.09% to 11,099, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. In the border-trade and supply-chain context, foreign ministry officials said India–China trade has resumed through the Lipulekh route, while the agriculture sector faces rising external dependence as declining jute cultivation in eastern districts drives imports from India and Bangladesh. Foreign tourist arrivals in July Lipulekh border trade resumption Jute cultivation decline and imports
Society & Community
Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre signed an agreement to revive the Teku waste-to-energy plant, aiming to rehabilitate and restart operations within two months. The plan is supported through the Mini-Grid Energy Access Programme with World Bank backing, and sets roles for reconstruction, operation, and long-term management. On public land management, Tribhuvan University has been working to address the challenges of reclaiming government land it has used for decades, after identifying uncertainties about ownership decisions. KMC and AEPC deal for Teku plant Tribhuvan University and government land use
Date: August 05, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 20, 2083
Top News
1. Nepal welcomes 71,775 foreign tourists in July as Chinese arrivals surge (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepal welcomed 71,775 foreign tourists in July 2026, a 2.3% increase from July 2025. Indian visitors accounted for the largest share at 23,490, while Chinese arrivals surged by 61.09% to 11,099, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. South Asia contributed 41.46% of total arrivals, although this marked an 11.93% decline from the previous year.
2. लिपुलेक हुँदै भारत–चीन सीमा व्यापार पुन: सुरु, परराष्ट्रका अधिकारीले भने– ‘विषय गम्भीर’ (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Trade between India and China has resumed through the Lipulekh border, according to foreign ministry officials, who described the situation as "serious." This development highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions and the importance of the border trade route.
3. Declined jute cultivation in eastern districts results in huge imports from India, Bangladesh (risingnepaldaily.com)
Jute cultivation has significantly declined in eastern districts of Nepal, leading to increased imports from India and Bangladesh. This shift has raised concerns about local agricultural sustainability and economic impacts on domestic farmers.
4. Government in mission to achieve economic prosperity: Foreign Minister Khanal (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that the government is focused on achieving economic prosperity through enhanced international aid and trade. He emphasized the need to better utilize non-tariff facilities available to Nepal as a Least Developed Country and called for a review of missed opportunities. Khanal highlighted the importance of formulating and implementing effective policies to navigate the challenges posed by Nepal's geopolitical situation.
5. न्यायाधीशमाथिको दबाबबारे विज्ञप्ति निकाल्ने अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय संस्थालाई संसदीय समितिमा बोलाइयो (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The parliamentary committee has summoned the international organization that issued a statement regarding pressure on judges. This action follows concerns about judicial independence and the integrity of the legal system in Nepal.
6. Over 71,700 tourists visited Nepal in July (risingnepaldaily.com)
In July, Nepal welcomed over 71,700 tourists, indicating a positive trend in tourism for the country. This influx reflects the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector post-pandemic.
7. KMC, AEPC sign deal to revive Teku waste-to-energy plant (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) signed a memorandum of understanding to rehabilitate and operate the Teku waste-to-energy plant, which has been inactive for some time. The project aims to resume operations within two months, funded through the Mini-Grid Energy Access Programme with World Bank support. The agreement outlines the roles of both parties in the project's reconstruction, operation, and long-term management.
8. Law Minister Gautama for including NID under PM’s Office (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Law Minister Sobita Gautam has proposed that the National Investigation Department (NID) be placed under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers rather than the Home Ministry, citing the specialized nature of its work. This suggestion was made during discussions on the Bill to Revive the Previous Provisions of the Nepal Special Services Act, 2042, where committee members highlighted the need for restructuring the department due to its current inefficiency.
9. भोगचलन गरेको सरकारी जग्गा के गर्ने ? (newsofnepal.com)
Tribhuvan University is operating on approximately 1,000 ropani of government land, including various campuses and the Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital, which has been under the university's use for over 40 years. The university is facing challenges in reclaiming its land due to a lack of government decisions regarding ownership, while it has initiated processes to recover its properties across the country. The university's administration is currently studying the ownership status of the land it occupies and aims to resolve the issues surrounding government land usage.
10. Cabinet meeting at 11:30 am today (theannapurnaexpress.com)
A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for 11:30 am today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. The meeting follows discussions on various issues, including the supply of cooking gas and the inclusion of the National Identity Document under the Prime Minister's Office.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 152.91 |
| CAD → NPR | 108.93 |
| AUD → NPR | 107.47 |
| GBP → NPR | 205.55 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.68 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4137.63 | NPR 237,256.62 |
| Silver | $60.81 | NPR 3,486.92 |
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.
