Today’s developments span shifting provincial and national political calculations, ongoing accountability demands, and practical responses to monsoon impacts and public services.
Politics & Governance
The CPN-UML parliamentary party meeting is continuing as the party prepares an exit from the Bagmati government, with strategy discussions underway inside the party. The Madhes Province coalition involving the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN is also working toward reducing the number of ministries alongside a cabinet reshuffle timeline. Separately, a political briefing highlighted concerns about coalition tensions linked to tax measures, internal bargaining within the Nepali Congress, and monsoon-linked infrastructure pressures in Kathmandu. CPN-UML parliamentary party meeting Madhes Province ministry reduction plan Nepal political briefing (July 19)
Courts & Accountability
A parliamentary committee has directed the government to ensure the rights of children placed in correction homes, including improved facilities, better nutrition, and coordinated action by relevant ministries. The committee also called for transferring a newly constructed building in Rupandehi to ease congestion at the Child Correction Home, following a human rights report. In the passport case, reporting says intervention by the Balen team was found to be incorrect within a month, raising additional scrutiny around the response to the issue. Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee on correction homes Passport case intervention by Balen team Child Correction Home congestion easing
Economy & Business
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment says 1,250 metric tons of DAP fertilizer will arrive in Nepal on Monday, with a larger purchase tied to a global tender. The shipment is expected to enter the country gradually as remaining fertilizer packaging is completed at Kolkata port. Separate political reporting also points to continued public backlash around new tax measures, feeding into broader governance and budget-policy tensions. 1,250 metric tons of DAP fertilizer arrival Global tender and packaging timeline Tax measures backlash in coalition
Society & Community
Monsoon disruptions continue along the Prithvi Highway as landslides at Phisling and in the Chitwan–Dhading corridor affect traffic, with crews working to reopen blocked stretches. The Chitwan-side blockage has been cleared, but vehicles are still held at multiple points toward Dhading due to ongoing landslide risk in Jawang Khola. Meanwhile, thousands of devotees visited Pashupatinath Temple for the first Monday of Saun, reflecting steady public participation in major religious observances. Landslides at Phisling disrupt Prithvi Highway Road reopen toward Chitwan, Dhading still blocked Pashupatinath crowds for first Monday of Saun
Date: July 20, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Shrawan 04, 2083
Top News
1. बागमती सरकारबाट बाहिरिने तयारीमा एमाले, संसदीय दलको बैठक जारी (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The CPN-UML is preparing to exit the Bagmati government, with a meeting of its parliamentary party currently underway. Discussions are focused on the party's strategy for this potential withdrawal.
2. साउन १५ सम्ममा मन्त्रिपरिषद् हेरफेरसँगै मन्त्रालयको सङ्ख्या कटौती गर्ने तयारी (www.ratopati.com)
The coalition of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN in Madhes Province will remain intact, with plans to reduce the number of ministries from 12 to 9 by August 1. The coalition leaders are working on merging several ministries, such as combining Forest and Tourism into one and placing Education under Social Development. Additionally, the provincial government will conduct open competitive bidding for all development projects in the current fiscal year to address past issues of corruption and quality complaints.
3. House panel directs govt to ensure rights of children at correction homes (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee has instructed the government to develop actionable plans to protect the rights of children in correction homes following a report on their human rights. The committee emphasized the need for improved facilities and adequate nutrition, directing relevant ministries to collaborate on humane arrangements and to ensure access to nutritious food for the children. Additionally, the committee called for the transfer of a newly constructed building in Rupandehi to the Child Correction Home to alleviate congestion.
4. पहिराेले अवरुद्ध चितवन तर्फको सडक खुल्यो, धादिङतर्फ अझै अवरुद्ध (www.ratopati.com)
Landslides on the Prithvi Highway in Chitwan have been cleared, allowing traffic to resume, while the road towards Dhading remains blocked. Landslides occurred at two locations in Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, and despite clearing the Chitwan side, vehicles are still halted at Chumlingtar, Kurintar, and Muglin due to ongoing landslides in Dhading's Jawang Khola. Local authorities had suspended vehicle movement due to the risk of further landslides, causing a traffic backlog.
5. Devotees throng Pashupatinath to observe first Monday of Saun (risingnepaldaily.com)
Thousands of devotees visited Pashupatinath Temple to celebrate the first Monday of Saun, a significant day for worship in the Hindu calendar. The temple witnessed large crowds as people participated in rituals and offerings.
6. 1,250 metric tons of fertilizer to arrive on Monday (theannapurnaexpress.com)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment announced that 1,250 metric tons of DAP fertilizer will arrive in Nepal on Monday. This shipment is part of a total of 30,000 metric tons purchased through a global tender, with the remaining fertilizer currently being packaged at Kolkata port. The fertilizer will enter Nepal gradually as packaging is completed.
7. राहदानी प्रकरण : एक महिनामै गलत सावित भयो बालेन टिमको हस्तक्षेप (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The intervention by the Balen team in the passport issue has been deemed incorrect within a month. This development raises questions about the effectiveness of their actions in addressing the situation.
8. शिक्षामन्त्री सस्मित पोखरेललाई चितवनमा कालो झन्डा (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Education Minister Ashmita Pokharel faced protests in Chitwan, where demonstrators displayed black flags against her. The protest highlights growing discontent regarding her policies and actions in the education sector.
9. Landslides at Phisling disrupt Prithvi Highway (risingnepaldaily.com)
Landslides at Phisling have caused significant disruptions on the Prithvi Highway, affecting traffic flow. Authorities are working to clear the debris and restore normal conditions on the highway.
10. Nepal political briefing (July 19) (theannapurnaexpress.com)
A closed-door meeting between Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle in Kavre has raised concerns about tensions within the governing coalition, particularly regarding new tax measures that have faced public backlash. Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress is on the verge of a split as rival factions clash over leadership, with the Khadka faction threatening to form a separate party if demands for power-sharing are not met. Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has acknowledged his party's political setbacks while preparing protest campaigns, and ongoing monsoon rains have exacerbated Kathmandu's infrastructure issues, prompting calls for improved urban planning.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 154.36 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.09 |
| AUD → NPR | 107.78 |
| GBP → NPR | 207.68 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.51 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4014.67 | NPR 232,388.92 |
| Silver | $56.83 | NPR 3,289.60 |
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.
