Title: "‘Fake Nepali’ Shailendra Mohan receives Upendra Yadav’s blessing: The story of an Indian citizen running Nepali politics"

Summary:
The article exposes Shailendra Mohan Jha, an Indian citizen who has managed to deeply influence Nepali politics and administration for decades, particularly in the Madhesh region. Born in India and educated there, Mohan even failed to secure Nepali citizenship for his own wife but still played a major role in Nepal’s political landscape.

His influence is not limited to business, health, and contracts but extends into politics as a key financial backer and trusted ally of Upendra Yadav, leader of the powerful Madhesi party, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal (JSPN). Mohan supported the party with significant funding and logistics in the 2022 federal elections and was nearly nominated as a proportional representation member of parliament before internal party disputes blocked his candidacy.

Mohan holds a central membership in JSPN and maintains close ties with top leaders. Publicly pro-India, he has represented the Nepal-India Friendship Association since 2007 and currently serves as its chairman. During the Madhesh movement, he had direct contacts with the Indian embassy and reportedly coordinated efforts that worsened the Nepal-India border blockade, causing severe hardships for Nepali citizens.

Political analysts criticize leaders like Upendra Yadav for protecting figures like Mohan, allowing an Indian citizen to wield power in Nepali politics, which they say undermines democracy. The party has yet to issue an official statement or response to these accusations.

Archive: https://archive.md/VDKqw

Summary:

• Nepal reported its first Covid-19 death in two years on June 25, 2025.
• The victim was a 39-year-old woman from Suryodaya Municipality, Ilam district.
• She was admitted to Biratnagar-based Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital in critical condition and died shortly after arrival.
• She had symptoms like fever and respiratory problems and tested positive for coronavirus.
• This death signals the spread of new Omicron subvariants in the community.
• Whole-genome sequencing of recent Covid cases showed multiple Omicron subvariants, mainly XFG, XFG.3, and JN.1.
• Since January, 180 people from 25 districts tested positive, with 25 cases confirmed in the past week alone.
• Covid is now considered endemic in Nepal, with testing primarily focused on symptomatic individuals.
• Health officials are urging infected people entering Nepal via border points to isolate for five days.
• The Ministry of Health is working to procure rapid diagnostic test kits amid limited supply.
• Neighboring India is seeing a decline in active cases, but porous borders make variant transmission common.
• Experts warn that while the latest variants aren’t highly deadly, they still pose risks to elderly and immunocompromised people.

Archive: https://archive.md/6E0Da

Summary:
A biodiversity study in Gaumukhi Rural Municipality, Pyuthan district, Lumbini Province, Nepal, recorded 217 bird species, highlighting its importance as a bird habitat in western Nepal. Conducted in two phases (Sept-Oct 2024 and Apr-May 2025) by ornithologists from the Himalayan Research Centre and Gaumukhi municipality, the survey documented 4,538 birds, including 99 conservation-priority species.

Key findings:

• Rare species include the globally endangered steppe eagle, migratory Gomayu Chil (from Mongolia), and demoiselle crane.
• The area hosts two of Nepal’s nine nationally protected birds: the Himalayan monal (national bird) and the elusive Cheer Pheasant.
• Critically endangered vultures such as slender-billed, red-headed, white-rumped, Himalayan griffon, and bearded vultures were also found.
• Presence of 17 nationally endangered species, 4 species with restricted geographical ranges, and 69 habitat-specific species.
• 31 bird species are listed on the CITES protected list.

The study also recorded other wildlife: 8 butterfly species, 5 freshwater fish, 4 amphibians, 8 reptiles, and 18 mammals, emphasizing Gaumukhi’s biological diversity.

Local authorities plan to designate about 180.382 sq km of Gaumukhi forest as a protected conservation area, a proposal first made in 2016. The area serves as an ecological corridor connecting nearby forests, crucial for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Officials hope this study will boost ecological tourism, academic research, and sustainable livelihoods through conservation efforts. Gaumukhi is emerging as a hotspot for birdwatchers, eco-tourists, and nature researchers. Nepal now hosts around 900 bird species; recently, a migratory seabird—short-tailed shearwater—was recorded for the first time.

This study underlines the urgent need to protect Gaumukhi’s natural heritage while promoting responsible tourism and community involvement.

Archive: https://archive.md/rurD7

Summary:
With the monsoon season approaching in Nepal, communities are preparing to face associated risks like floods and landslides, which mostly affect vulnerable populations in flood-prone plains and areas with poor infrastructure. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology forecasts above-normal rainfall for the 2025 monsoon, especially in Lumbini, Karnali, and Gandaki provinces, with a higher chance of extreme rainfall events.

Key Points:

• Monsoon Preparedness Response Plan (MPRP) 2025: The Nepal government has prepared the MPRP to focus on early action to minimize disaster impacts. Around 40% of disasters occur during the monsoon, which accounts for 80% of Nepal’s annual rainfall.
• Community-Based Early Warning Systems (EWS): Civil society organizations (CSOs) have been developing flood resilience through tools like SMS alerts, IVR calls, sirens, door-to-door campaigns, and simulation drills to train local disaster committees.
• Importance of Local Volunteers: Training and maintaining records of trained volunteers is critical for effective rescue and management during disasters.
• Inclusive Planning: Preparedness plans emphasize including marginalized groups such as women and the elderly, who face higher risks in disasters.
• Local Disaster Climate Resilience Framework (LDCRF): Several organizations are supporting local governments to map risks, prepare evacuation plans, and assign clear roles for disaster response.
• Call for Coordination and Investment: Strengthening monsoon preparedness requires coordinated efforts from local governments, CSOs, private sectors, and sustained investment for community-led risk-informed strategies.

The article stresses that being prepared at the household, community, and government levels can reduce risks to life, property, and livelihoods. It urges shifting from a reactive response approach to proactive preparedness with early warning and local involvement to transform monsoon from a season of terror into one of safety and resilience.

Archive: https://archive.md/9rF0X

Summary:

• The SEE exam results for 2081 (2024) were published by the National Examination Board.

• Out of 514,071 students who appeared, about 61.81% passed and qualified to enter Grade 11.

• The pass rate has improved from last year’s 48%, where the non-graded (fail) students were more than 52%.

• The new grading system, introduced in 2078 BS, is stricter and no longer allows all students to automatically receive a certificate.

• Subject-wise failure rates:

  • Mathematics had the highest failure count with 128,215 students failing.
  • English followed with 80,672 failures.
  • Science and Technology had 79,271 failures.
  • Nepali theory exam failures were 54,735.
  • Social Studies failures were 53,186.

• To pass the SEE, students must score at least 35% in theoretical exams and 40% in practical exams.

• The results publication was delayed by one week due to a teachers' strike.

• The exam saw participation from diverse groups including inmates, minority communities, and students from different provinces.

• Supplementary exams for failed subjects will be held starting from 29th Shrawan (mid-August).

• Results can be checked online on official websites or via SMS services.

Archive: https://archive.is/odSw6

Summary:

• Background: Fifty-seven Nepali nationals from 18 districts were recently rescued from captivity in India, specifically from Rudrapur and Kashipur in Uttarakhand, where they were trafficked with false promises of lucrative jobs.

• Deception and Abuse: The victims were lured by promises of well-paid jobs (around 23,000 Indian rupees/month) and good living conditions. Upon arrival, they faced poor housing, starvation, forced confinement, and abuse including beatings and threats. Their phones were seized to prevent communication. They were also pressured to recruit others.

• Personal Stories: For example, Man Bahadur BK, a 13-year-old boy from Kailali, was promised a job but ended up confined and his phone taken. Another victim, Bishal Budhathoki, was locked up after initially being treated well. One victim reportedly died in captivity about a month prior.

• Rescue Operation: The rescues were conducted through coordination between Indian police, the NGO Kin India, and Nepali authorities after weeks of surveillance. Police raids freed 35 hostages in Kashipur and later 22 more who had been moved to a forested area.

• Traffickers Arrested: Two key traffickers, Birendra Shahi and Manish Tiwari, were arrested. The operation uncovered that this trafficking ring had been operating since 2018, collecting money upfront from job seekers and forcing victims to recruit others.

• After Rescue: The rescued Nepalis were brought back to Nepal via the Gaddachauki border and received by local officials. They were provided shelter, food, and transportation home.

• Concerns: Authorities believe similar trafficking rings continue to operate in the area, with many victims quietly sent back without formal rescue.

This case highlights ongoing human trafficking challenges affecting Nepali citizens seeking work abroad, exposing them to exploitation and abuse.

Archive: https://archive.md/FxFga

Summary:

• Despite having an anti-torture law in place for years, Nepal has failed to effectively enforce it.
• Reports of torture and ill-treatment by security forces continue, especially during arrests and interrogations.
• Victims often lack proper access to justice, and perpetrators rarely face consequences.
• The government has been criticized by human rights groups for weak implementation and insufficient accountability mechanisms.
• There is a call for stronger political will, improved training of law enforcement, and better monitoring to prevent torture.
• The article highlights the need for Nepal to meet its international obligations to protect human rights and eliminate torture.

Archive: https://archive.is/RNztv

Summary:

• A new aviation fuel depot with a capacity of 3.6 million liters has been constructed near Pokhara International Airport.
• The project was completed by Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) with an investment of around NPR 68 crore.
• The depot includes three tanks, each with a capacity of 1.2 million liters, built with modern infrastructure and safety features.
• Construction started in the first week of Ashad 2080 (mid-June 2023) and is expected to be operational from the second week of Shrawan 2082 (late July 2025).
• This depot is the first fully domestically-built aviation fuel depot, developed in collaboration with an Indian company.
• Previously, the old Pokhara airport had only 64,000 liters storage capacity, and fuel had to be transported by tankers from the old site to the new airport.
• The new depot includes safety features like two water tanks of 1,200 kiloliters each for fire prevention.
• The facility is fully automated and meets international standards.
• Daily fuel consumption in Pokhara during peak season ranges between 18,000 to 22,000 liters.
• NOC has several other fuel depots across Nepal but many smaller airports still lack aviation fuel depots.
• With this new depot, NOC can manage increasing demand for aviation fuel due to growing domestic and international flights at Pokhara Airport more efficiently.

This development is significant for improving aviation fuel supply and service quality at Pokhara International Airport.

Archive: https://archive.md/yvQ5s

Summary:

• The Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project, a Rs 49 billion initiative aimed at transforming agriculture by providing year-round irrigation to five Tarai districts (Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha) and generating 31.07 MW electricity, is progressing very slowly.
• Even though half of the contract period has passed, only about 7% of the dam construction is complete.
• The project involves diverting water from the Sunkoshi river in Sindhuli district to the Marin river in Kamalamai Municipality through a 13.3 km tunnel.
• The tunnel portion, constructed by China Overseas Engineering (COVEC), was completed ahead of schedule in May 2024.
• However, dam construction contracted to Patel-Raman JV is lagging behind with only 7% physical progress despite 29 months since work began (expected 30% progress by now).
• Seasonal challenges like monsoon floods have damaged structures and delayed work. The dam foundation needs to be laid 12 meters deep in the riverbed, with the structure rising 18 meters above river level.
• Discrepancies exist in reported progress figures: project chief states 7%, contractor claims 14%.
• Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh criticized the slow progress and warned of contract termination if improvements aren't made.
• The project will inundate 312 hectares affecting 3,026 households.
• Officials say delays are criminal and warn they will cancel contracts if work doesn't speed up. The Department of Water Resources has issued warnings and threatened termination.
• So far Rs 16 billion has been spent, with an estimated 35% overall physical progress including tunnel and other works.
• The deadline for completion is March 2028, but meeting it is uncertain unless construction accelerates significantly.

Archive: https://archive.is/LPXb1

Summary:

• Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was granted bail by the Special Court in Kathmandu on June 25, 2025, in connection with the Patanjali land scam case.
• The court set bail at Rs 3.5 million after a nearly three-hour detention hearing.
• The case involves allegations that Nepal, during his tenure as prime minister (May 25, 2009 – February 6, 2011), facilitated the illegal sale of government-exempt land to Patanjali Yogpeeth Ayurveda Company Nepal.
• The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) accused Nepal and sought a prison sentence of 10 to 14 years along with recovery of Rs 185.85 million in damages and fines.
• Senior Advocate Sushil Pant represented CIAA and argued that the Cabinet decision enabling the land transaction was corrupt and not exempting Nepal from accountability.
• The defense, led by Senior Advocate Shambhu Thapa, challenged the CIAA’s legal standing, calling the charges politically motivated and legally baseless.
• The court considered Nepal's role and position before granting bail.
• The bench comprised judges Tej Narayan Singh Rai, Ram Bahadur Thapa, and Bidur Koirala.
• Nepal appeared in court, gave his statement, and was released on bail as ordered by the court.

This case has been one of the high-profile corruption-related investigations involving a former prime minister in Nepal.

Archive: https://archive.is/X28wa

Summary:
The Supreme Court of Nepal has issued an interim order allowing Gandaki Province to continue implementing its "Ride-Hailing (Regulation Management) Rules 2025," despite protests and legal disputes. The court rejected calls to suspend the regulation amid nationwide transport unrest caused by opposition from transport entrepreneurs.

Key points:

• The regulation was introduced by Gandaki Province on May 15, 2025, to bring app-based ride services under legal oversight, ensure safety standards, and allow private vehicles to operate commercially under specific conditions.
• Transport entrepreneurs opposed the regulation, arguing it contradicts the federal Motor Vehicle Transport Management Act, especially Section 8(2), which restricts commercial use of private vehicles.
• In protest, public transport operators staged strikes across major cities, causing severe disruption.
• The Supreme Court ruled the regulation serves public interest and should not be suspended.
• The court directed federal authorities not to interfere in provincial matters and urged stakeholders not to obstruct essential services.
• The decision followed a writ petition claiming unlawful federal interference and disruption of services.
• The ruling supports provincial jurisdiction over transport regulation and aims to modernize Nepal’s transport sector, challenging the entrenched transport syndicate system.

Overall, the court's order reinforces Gandaki Province's authority to regulate ride-hailing services and discourages federal interference during the ongoing disputes.

Archive: https://archive.md/XwCa3

Summary:

• Nepal Rastra Bank (the central bank) has amended the Foreign Investment Foreign Loan Management Bylaw, 2021, to allow Nepali IT companies to access foreign currency for making foreign investments in IT-related sectors abroad.
• This change supports the government’s move to globalize domestic enterprises, as announced in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
• Nepali IT firms that have earned foreign currency by exporting IT services in the past three fiscal years can now reinvest up to 50% of their average annual export earnings (with a cap of US$1 million) in foreign countries.
• Companies can establish sales branches or processing units overseas for semi-processed goods.
• 25% of annual income generated through exports can be reinvested abroad, but 50% of profits earned from these foreign ventures must be repatriated to Nepal.
• The amendment also introduces legal provisions recognizing “sweat equity” for Nepali professionals contributing technology, knowledge, or unique services to foreign companies.
• IT companies must submit relevant documents (registration, tax certificates, financial reports, board decisions) when applying for foreign currency and await approval within 15 working days.
• Companies investing abroad have to submit audited financial reports annually; if auditing is not mandatory in the investment country, unaudited reports suffice.
• The bylaw requires repatriation of earnings via banking channels and mandates strict legal action if foreign currency is misused.
• The definition of “technology transfer” is broadened to include agreements involving patents, trademarks, know-how, technical services, outsourcing, digital data processing, and more.
• This move is seen as crucial for expanding Nepal’s IT sector internationally and capitalizing on its growing IT service exports.

In short, the central bank is facilitating Nepali IT firms to invest overseas by easing access to foreign currency while ensuring transparency and repatriation of profits.

Archive: https://archive.md/9uIeB