AGP Executive Report

Cannes Breakthrough: Nepali director Avinash Bikram Shah’s Elephants in the Fog made history by winning the Jury Prize in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, with Kathmandu’s acting mayor Sunita Dangol hailing it as a proud global moment for Nepali cinema. Energy Oversight: Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha inspected Nepal Electricity Authority’s Load Dispatch Centre in Syuchatar, urging stronger system management, more domestic use, and better winter demand planning. Accountability Row: Lawmakers again questioned the Office of the Auditor General, saying it focuses on arrears while missing major scam-related probes. Sports Focus: Nepal’s women beat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in the CAVA Volleyball Championship, while India named its 23-player Blue Tigresses squad for SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 in Goa. Citizenship & Weather: Mahottari issued 209 citizenship certificates based on mothers’ lineage, and four provinces saw rainfall with thunder and lightning.

Cannes Breakthrough: Nepali director Abinash Bikram Shah’s “Elephants in the Fog” made history at Cannes 2026, winning the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize—while “Everytime” by Sandra Wollner took the top award in the same section. NEPSE & Budget Buzz: The Nepal Stock Exchange closed the week higher ahead of the 2026-27 budget, with the benchmark ending at 2,758.49 points (+0.97%). Madhesh Power Shift: Madhesh Province’s cabinet was reshuffled as JSP and Janamat ministers exited and CPN-UML joined, with a vote of confidence expected soon. Tea Trade Unblocked: Nepal says the obstruction to Nepali tea exports to India has been resolved after diplomatic coordination. Everest Crowding & Tragedy: After a record 274 climbers reached the summit in a day, two Indian climbers died during descent, renewing safety and crowding concerns. Border Security: Sniffer dogs were deployed at the Jamunaha Nepal–India border to curb drugs and other smuggling. Digital Push: The government outlined plans to expand 4G, strengthen cyber security, and reduce the digital divide.

Everest Overcrowding Turns Deadly: Two Indian climbers, Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are, died during descent after summiting in a record-breaking spring season as Everest saw 274 people reach the top in a single day and long queues returned to the “death zone.” Diplomacy & Trade: Nepal says hurdles on Nepali tea exports to India are resolved after India amended directives linked to the Indian Tea Board. Public Safety: Six APF trainees fainted in Kailali and are being airlifted to Kathmandu; officials cite extreme heat. Politics & Parliament: Lawmakers boycotted a House committee meeting after journalists were barred, while Madhesh CM Krishna Prasad Yadav won a vote of confidence. Health Crisis: Nepal’s cancer hospital reports a three-month stop in cisplatin supply, pushing patients into urgent medicine shortages. Sports: Nepal beat the USA by 122 runs in ICC World Cup League 2 at Kirtipur. Social & Culture: Former PM Sushila Karki is set to publish a children’s novel dedicated to her grandson.

CAVA Volleyball Title Push: Nepal women open the third CAVA Women’s Volleyball Championship at Dasharath Stadium’s Covered Hall with a big league clash against India on Friday, after a 2024 inaugural edition where India denied Nepal the title. Cricket Sweep: Nepal women complete a 2–0 T20 series win over Malaysia, chasing 83 with Samanjhana Khadka’s unbeaten 39. Parliament Tension: The House of Representatives passes the Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Bill, while opposition parties keep demanding PM Balendra Shah’s presence and question his accountability. Everest Shock: Everest’s record-breaking season continues, but two Indian climbers die during descent after a record 274 summit from Nepal earlier this week; a Briton also reaches his 20th ascent. Local Crackdown: Lamjung municipalities warn residents to remove illegal structures encroaching on public land or face demolition. Weather Watch: Cloudiness and rain are expected in several hilly and mountainous areas, with possible thunder and lightning.

Everest Rush: Mount Everest’s “Death Zone” saw record crowds as 274 climbers reached the summit from Nepal in a single day, smashing the 2019 mark of 223—while Reuters and others flag overcrowding risks as Nepal issued 494 permits this season and queues stretched for hours. Parliament Clash: In Kathmandu, House Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal failed to enforce the rule for a PM Q&A session after Prime Minister Balendra Shah refused to allocate time, triggering opposition obstruction. NEPSE Slide: Nepal Stock Exchange fell 12.36 points to close at 2,742.11, with 188 companies down and turnover at Rs 3.89 billion. Homegrown Digital Service: Nepal Police launched a smartphone-based “Citizen Assistance and Grievance Management” system for filing complaints online. Karnali Ties: India’s Home Minister Amit Shah gifted 40 kg sandalwood to Pashupatinath, while Israel’s envoy Bass signaled expanded agriculture and skills cooperation with Karnali. Business Update: Page Industries reported Q4 FY’26 profit up 9% YoY, though down 5.7% sequentially.

Digital Governance Push: Nepal launched a new online platform for citizens to directly send feedback and disagreements on draft acts and bills, unveiled on Law Day by Minister Sobita Gautam. Parliament Tensions: Nepali Congress chief whip Nishcal Rai warned against “numerical arrogance” and demanded Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s presence, as opposition protests continue and the Speaker pushes back on placards. Health, Disaster, Safety in HoR: Lawmakers pressed the government on healthcare shortages, disaster response and road safety, while also raising Ebola risk concerns. Press Freedom Row: Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina said the government has no plan to curtail the press, stressing boundaries and strengthening media bodies. Power Disruption: NEA reported a transformer earthing technical fault causing outages in parts of Tanahun, Gorkha and Chitwan, with repair teams working to restore supply. Sports & Culture: Prakashchandra Nepal won the Open National Chess Tournament in Khotang; a radio language class began in Shuklagandaki to preserve mother tongues. Markets: NEPSE jumped 30.08 points to close at 2,754.48.

Cricket Upset: Nepal’s Women beat Malaysia in the first T20 International practice match, chasing a 68-run target with two wickets to spare at Bayuemas Oval. Rights & Justice: Government and rights activist Rubi Khan signed a five-point pact over the Nirmala Kurmi abduction-murder case; Khan ended her 23-day hunger strike and the matter will move toward judicial process. Parliament Watch: Lawmakers pressed the government on healthcare shortages, disaster response, road safety, and social inclusion, while the main opposition demanded quick appointments to transitional justice bodies. Transitional Justice: The RSP-led government’s ordinance dismissed officials from TJ mechanisms, and MPs warned it could stall peace-process work. Press Freedom: Communications Minister Bikram Timilsina said the government has no plan to control the press, stressing constitutional guarantees. Health Alert: Nepal’s health ministry says hantavirus risk is low and urges people not to spread panic. Trade Update: India eased tea testing rules for domestic sales, expected to restart Nepali tea exports.

Regional Security: India kicked off multilateral exercise PRAGATI 2026 in Meghalaya with troops from 12 “friendly nations,” including Nepal, aiming to boost interoperability and defence diplomacy in the Indian Ocean region. Markets: NEPSE share trading volume fell 18.9% in 10 months of FY25/26 as investor confidence thinned. Environment: Annapurna-area groups and ACAP stepped up trekking-waste cleanups, moving about 32,650 kg to Pokhara in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. FATF Pressure: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle told an APG delegation Nepal is committed to exiting FATF’s grey list, citing ongoing short- and long-term reforms. Public Health: Nepal’s NMICS 2024-25 found 61% of people drink water contaminated with E. coli, while safely managed sanitation access sits at 40%. Economy & Daily Life: Gold slipped Rs 3,300 per tola; NRB set Wednesday’s USD buy/sell at Rs 154.16/154.76. Energy & Labour: Fuel use dropped sharply after government curbs; migrant outflows to GCC fell 47% in March-April vs last year. Sports & Culture: Nepal beat Scotland in Cricket World Cup League 2; KIMFF 2026 runs May 27-31 with 50+ films from 29 countries.

Judiciary Shake-Up: Newly appointed Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma took oath after a unanimous parliamentary endorsement, unveiling a push to clear cases within 18 months and modernize courts with tech and better case management. Police Modernization: Nepal Police released a three-year strategic plan and launched an online complaint system via the Nepal Police Mobile App. Politics Under Pressure: UML revived Bidya Devi Bhandari’s party membership, while Gen-Z Movement Nepal demanded the arrest of RSP MP Krishna Kumar Karki over the September 9 Singha Durbar incident. Court Watch: The Supreme Court issued a show-cause order on a Deuba petition challenging an arrest warrant in a money laundering case. Border & Crime: An Indian national was arrested at Kakarbhitta with 570 grams of gold worth about Rs 14.46 million. Wildlife & Tourism: Tourists are flocking to Lamjung for cliff honey hunting, and camera traps were installed in Jaljala and Dhorpatan to monitor endangered red pandas. Economy: NEPSE fell 6.51 points; gold rose Rs 500 per tola.

Rail Expansion: India’s Railways has approved a ₹962 crore, 54-km third line between Kiul and Jhajha to ease congestion on the Howrah–Delhi corridor and boost passenger-freight capacity. US Visa Pressure: US student visa rejections for Indian applicants jumped to 61% in 2025, with stricter screening and closer checks on applicants’ social media cited as key drivers. Parliament Watch: A fresh debate on the Appropriation Bill’s principles and priorities is underway, with opposition lawmakers pushing for stronger fiscal discipline and better alignment with economic realities. Banking Stress: Nepal Rastra Bank’s loan portfolio review flags malpractices like evergreening, collateral overvaluation and under-provisioning, even as reported capital ratios stay above thresholds. Border Trade Hit: Traders say strict customs on goods above Rs 100 has cut Nepal–India border trade by up to 75%. Sports: Nepal beat Scotland by six wickets in ICC World Cup League 2, with Rohit Poudel’s 74 and Ishan Pandey’s 55 steering the chase. Everest: Kami Rita Sherpa summited Everest for a record 32nd time.

Drug Crackdown: Kuwait says it has arrested 11 people in separate drug cases, seizing methamphetamine, heroin, hashish, Captagon pills, Lyrica, cash, firearms and ammunition. Judiciary vs Parliament: Nepal’s top court fight spilled into the legislature after Acting CJ Sapana Pradhan Malla ordered a writ petition registered over the Constitutional Council’s Chief Justice recommendation—sparking a fresh institutional clash. Appropriation Bill Debate: MPs in the HoR began discussing the Appropriation Bill’s principles and priorities for 2083/84, with lawmakers pushing faster capital spending, better implementation, and fewer duplication gaps. NEPSE Update: The stock market slipped modestly—NEPSE fell 1.03 points to 2,730.91, with turnover at Rs 2.45 billion. Electricity Upgrade: Nepalgunj’s distribution system added five new feeders to handle summer demand and improve voltage stability. Cricket: Nepal beat Scotland by six wickets in ICC World Cup League 2; Sandeep Lamichhane also became the fastest to 150 ODI wickets. Everest Records: Kami Rita Sherpa climbed Everest for a 32nd time, while Lhakpa Sherpa set a women’s record with her 11th summit.

Fuel Pricing Transparency: In Nepal’s National Assembly, MP Loday Tsheten raised fresh questions over how petrol and diesel prices are calculated for imports from India’s OMCs, urging the government to disclose the full pricing structure—costs, freight, dealer margins, taxes, and exchange-rate factors—after earlier price drops sparked doubts about the old system. Housing Rights: Thousands of landless squatters staged a major rally in Lumbini’s Butwal to protest eviction drives, saying millions have been displaced without proper alternatives. Climate Shock Relief: In Bajura, a drought insurance payout triggered by satellite monitoring delivered emergency food support to 671 households, aiming to help families before hunger worsens. Health Policy: Government and RSP MPs have started reforms to strengthen health insurance, focusing on coordination gaps and public trust. Everest Records: Kami Rita Sherpa climbed Everest for a 32nd time, while Lhakpa Sherpa notched her 11th ascent. Sports: Nepal faces Scotland today in ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 after a recent win over the USA.

Everest Headlines: Kami Rita Sherpa has scaled Mount Everest for a record 32nd time, reaching the summit at 10:12am, while Lhakpa Sherpa made her 11th ascent—another Everest milestone for Nepal’s climbing season. Border & Smuggling Crackdown: Mustang Customs seized 592 cartons of vapes from Lomanthang and also impounded a container of clothes and shoes, arresting three people. Human Trafficking & Cybercrime: Nepal and Thailand agreed to deepen cooperation against trafficking, smuggling, and online scams, including faster intelligence sharing. Scam Sting in Nepal: A manpower scam was exposed in a sting operation, with an agent caught red-handed. Public Health Alert: Nepal has stepped up Ebola surveillance after WHO declared a public health emergency in the DRC and Uganda. Cost of Living: Egg prices jumped as intense heat cut production, while Nepal’s forex market kept the US dollar selling at Rs 153.85. Politics & Rights: Landless squatters and informal settlers began a national gathering in Butwal, protesting evictions and bulldozing without resettlement.

Inclusive Tourism: Deaf trekking guides are gaining visibility on Nepal’s trails, with deaf youths trained through a Nepal Tourism Board–UNDP effort and stories like Chop Prasad Paudel’s Manaslu Circuit completion showing how sign language can open mountains to more people. Health & Food Safety: Confusion is growing after non-iodised salt entered the market, as experts warn about health risks while consumers struggle to understand what to buy and how much. Everest Records: Kami Rita Sherpa has summited Everest for a record 32nd time, extending the Everest season’s momentum as more guides and climbers head up. Courts & Customs: The Supreme Court ordered customs officials to treat people respectfully at Nepal–India border points while enforcing rules on goods above Rs 100. Crime & Security: A Nepali gang in Hyderabad allegedly used a fake housemaid role and birthday party cover to carry out a villa dacoity, police say. Business & Money: NRB says it will revisit the standing deposit facility to make the interest-rate corridor work better. Tourism Numbers: Rara Lake has drawn 13,545 visitors in nine months, with daily arrivals rising as the season picks up.

LDC Graduation Delay: Nepal is preparing to ask the UN to postpone its Least Developed Countries graduation by three years, citing economic constraints and the risk of losing trade and development privileges. Cricket Buzz: Kushal Bhurtel smashed an unbeaten 120 as Nepal beat the USA by nine wickets in World Cup League-2 at TU Ground, chasing 196 with ease. Domestic Economy: The government says it will boost sugar production by pushing improved sugarcane varieties and expanding industry capacity, after India’s export ban moves. Markets Watch: NEPSE fell 0.50% last week; investors reportedly lost about Rs 234 billion in market value amid weak confidence. Public Policy: Nepal has formed a new ministry explicitly for gender and sexual minorities, marking a first for LGBTIQ recognition. Crime Across Borders: In Hyderabad, four Nepali nationals were arrested in the Jawaharnagar house dacoity case tied to a robbery of gold and silver. Weather: Moderate rain, thunderstorms and hail are possible in parts of the country.

Middle East Talks Stuck: Iran’s top diplomat says lack of trust is blocking talks to end the war with the US, as tensions stay high and the Strait of Hormuz remains a key pressure point. South Asia Business Push: Accor signs TRIBE Kathmandu Budhanilkantha, a 2029 opening that boosts its South Asia footprint. Banking Shockwaves: India’s ATS arrested Shivaji Rathod over a fake “bomb” hoax at a Pune hospital; separately, Hyderabad police detained parents of the Nepalese domestic help accused in an ex-IPS officer’s wife murder case. Nepal Infrastructure: Karnali Corridor’s northern stretch—123 km from Khulalu (Kalikot) to Sallisalla (Humla)—moves toward blacktopping under a multi-year plan. Education & Rights: SEE results face complaints over marking errors; child rights groups protest a proposal to lower marriage age to 18. Mount Everest Prep: Rope-fixing for the spring season is reported complete, with summit attempts set to begin as weather allows. Markets: NEPSE edged up 1.77 points, but turnover fell to Rs 3.09 billion.