- Saturday, 27 June 2026
Kathmandu, June 26: The monsoon has influenced the entire areas of Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati provinces, some parts of Gandaki Province, and a few areas in the eastern part of Lumbini Province. The remaining parts of the country are under the partial influence of westerly winds and local winds, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
The weather is likely to remain generally cloudy in the hilly and Himalayan regions of the country as well as in the Terai region of Koshi Province.
The Department stated that partly cloudy conditions are likely in the Terai regions of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and in the Hilly and Himalayan regions of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
The weather will remain mainly fair in the Terai regions of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces, the weather service mentioned.
There is a possibility of moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning at a few places in the hilly and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning is also likely at a few places in the Terai region of Koshi Province and Madhesh Province, and at one or two places in the Terai regions of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.
It said that heat wave conditions are likely at some places in the Terai regions of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces, while hot day conditions may also occur at some places in the Terai regions of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces.
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02- Int’l Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking being marked
Kathmandu, June 26: The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being observed across the world today. This Day will provide an opportunity to reflect on the continued and evolving impact of the world drug problem in all its dimensions and to exchange views on priority concerns and innovative, evidence-based responses, according to the UNODC.
The UN General Assembly in 1987 decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
“Global drug use and the number of drugs on the market have been increasing in the past decades. The century-long dominance of heroin in illicit global opioid markets is increasingly being challenged by changes in the illegal supply of opioids. Production, seizures and use of cocaine continue to rise, while low costs of manufacture and reduced risks of detection of synthetic drugs are contributing to their increase on illicit drug markets,” according to the UN.
Drug trafficking groups are seeking out technological innovation to target new audiences and ensure that drugs increasingly reach their users and help boost their billion-dollar businesses, it said.
Illicit drug markets have always been adapting, and organized crime has always been looking to exploit gaps in governance and regulation. “In response to these challenges, this year’s campaign will showcase how the international community, local and national governments, civil society and the public are working together on innovative responses to reduce demand for and supply of illicit drugs and thus mitigate threats.”
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03- Over Rs 2 million collected in traffic fines
Kathmandu, June 26: Traffic police booked and fined 2,438 vehicles for violating traffic rules across the Kathmandu Valley in the past 24 hours and collected more than Rs 2.07 million in penalties.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the violations included 85 incidents of drunk driving, 130 cases of ride-sharing against the rules, 123 traffic signal violations, and 160 incidents of over-speeding.
Likewise, 122 cases were recorded for breaching lane discipline and 99 for honking in prohibited areas.
Similarly, 27 vehicles were penalized for emitting smoke beyond the prescribed limits while 1,703 drivers and riders faced action for various other traffic offences, the Office said.
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04- RSP general convention: Votes obtained by 32 CC members released
Chitwan, June 26: The votes received by 32 central committee (CC) members were made public in the ongoing first general convention of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Of the candidates, Dr Swarnim Wagle obtained the highest votes under the open category with 2,656.
Likewise, Sobita Gautam secured 2,641 votes and Shisir Khanal obtained 2,538 votes under the open category, according to the RSP’s central election commission.
Sagar Dhakal obtained 2,367 and Dr Tosima Karki was elected with 2,302 votes, Ranju Darshana with 2,293 votes, Manish Jha with 2,281 votes, Hari Dhakal with 2,262 votes, Kabindra Burlakoti with 2,227 votes, Bipin Kumar Acharya with 2,169 votes, Ramesh Prasain with 2,166 votes and Nisha Dangi with 2,132 votes.
The commission shared that Biraj Bhakta Shrestha won the CC candidacy with 2,123 votes, Indira Rana Magar with 2,090 votes, Ganesh Parajuli with 2,087 votes, Pukar Bam with 2,070 votes, Jagadish Kharel (Lalitpur) with 2,065 votes, Shulav Kharel with 2.043 votes, Yagyamani Neupane with 1,903 votes, Pramod Neupane 1,892 votes, Sasmit Pokharel with 1,864 votes and Rima Bishwakarma with 1,845 votes.
Likewise, other winning CC candidacies are Raghuraj Pandey with 1,840 votes, Rajib Khatri with 1,745 votes, Samiksha Baskota with 1,739 votes, Ganesh Karki with 1,734 votes, Khagendra Sunar with 1,733 votes, Ashim Shah with 1,730 votes, Himesh Panta with 1,650 votes, Jagadish Kharel (Dolakha) with 1,552 votes, Gita Chaudhary with 1,537 votes and Lima Adhikari Acharya with 1,536 votes.
The commission said that 10 CC members have been elected under the Khas/Arya category, nine under Adibasi/Janajati category, two under Tharu category, five under Madhesi category, four under Dalit category, two under Muslim category and five each from all seven provinces.
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05- HoR meeting today
Kathmandu, June 26: Five bills are being tabled in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting today.
As per the Federal Parliament Secretariat, today’s HoR meeting is scheduled to pass the annual report of the Office of the Auditor General, and the Economic Bill, 2083 BS.
The meeting is called for at 1:00 pm today.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam is to table the 39th Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General, 2083 BS on behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Likewise, Minister Gautam is expected to table the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Bill, 2083 BS.
According to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle is scheduled to table the Prevention of Money Laundering (Third Amendment) Bill, 2083 BS, while Minister for Land Management, Cooperative, Federal Affairs and General Administration Prativa Rawal is expected to table the Cooperative (First Amendment) Bill, 2083 BS.
Furthermore, Minister for Health and Food Safety Nisha Mehata is expected to table the Bill made to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Health Sciences Academies, 2083.
The amendments received on the Economic Bill, 2083 BS would be discussed and tabled for decision, and then Finance Minister Wagle would table the Bill for House approval.
Similarly, Minister Wagle would table the National Debt Recovery Bill, 2083 BS for its parliamentary approval.
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06- Today’s HoR meeting postponed
Kathmandu, June 26: The House of Representatives (HoR) meeting scheduled for today has been postponed.
Issuing a notice a while ago, General Secretary of the Federal Parliament, Padma Prasad Pandey, stated that the HoR meeting is postponed until June 28 (Saturday).
Earlier, HoR Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal had summoned the HoR meeting for 1:00 pm today.
The HoR meeting is assumed to have postponed, citing the ongoing First General Convention of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
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07- Mental health problem looming large as a silent epidemic
Kathmandu, June 26: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has conducted psychosocial health camp in settlements, taking into consideration that the mental problem is looming large as a silent epidemic of late.
Coordinator at the KMC’s Health and Education Committee, Chinkaji Maharjan shared that the KMC Department of Health in collaboration with Happy Mind conducted psychosocial health camps in several places in Kathmandu.
As part of this, the team reached out to individuals belonging to different age groups and professions in localities within the metropolis.
The camps were conducted in nine localities of Kathmandu, including Swoyambhu, Bhagawan Pau, Kamalpokhari, Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir, Kharibot, Bouddha Stupa Premises, and Itumbahal on June 13-22.
On the occasion, individuals from 10 years to maximum 84 years were provided psychosocial counselling.
Based on gender-based participation, 55 sexual and gender minorities, 555 women, and 405 men attended the camps.
Maharjan shared that data from the psychosocial camp showed that mental health in the city is no longer just a personal issue but is developing into a serious ‘public health crisis.’
He added, “Mental health problems should not be seen as something to hide inside the mind or at home. Just like physical illnesses are treated, mental illnesses should also be addressed.”
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08- Gold price slightly up and silver down today
Kathmandu, June 26: The price of gold has gone up slightly while that of silver has dropped a bit in the domestic market today, the week’s last trading day.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has increased by Rs 800 per tola (11.66 grammes) while that of silver has decreased by Rs 55 today, compared to the previous day. The price of gold is set at Rs 279,100 per tola and silver at Rs 4,180 per tola today, the Federation stated.
The price of one tola of gold was Rs 278,300 and the same amount of silver was traded at Rs 4,235 on Thursday. On Wednesday, one tola of gold was traded at Rs 283,500 and silver at Rs 4,485.
The price of an ounce of gold is 4,022 and that of silver is 58 US dollars in the international market today.
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09- UN stresses on protection and justice to torture victims
Kathmandu, June 26: The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is being observed today in various countries of the world with an objective to achieve global commitment to a total end to torture, protection of victims, access to justice and rehabilitation.
On December 12, 1997, by resolution 52/149, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June as the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
According to the UN, torture is a crime under international law. As per all relevant instruments, torture is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The systematic or widespread practice of torture constitutes a crime against humanity. The observance serves as a call to action for all stakeholders including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals everywhere to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been victims of torture and those who are still tortured today. There is no excuse for the use of torture, according to the UN.
Torture destroys the victim’s personality and negates the intrinsic dignity of the human being. Although international law absolutely prohibits torture, it continues to occur around the world.
“There is an increase in the use of torture worldwide. It’s partly correlated to the fact that we have more wars going on in this world since 1945. The International Committee of the Red Cross says there are 100 armed conflicts currently going on. And regrettably, with armed conflict comes an uptick in the use of torture and other forms of inhuman treatment,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards.
Although the pretext of safeguarding national security and borders is frequently employed to justify torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, the extensive impact of torture often extends beyond the individual act, potentially perpetuating cycles of violence across generations, according to the UN.
Stating that prompt, effective and specialized programmes are required for rehabilitation of victim survivors, the UN shared that rehabilitation centres and organisations operated across the world have been playing significant role to make transition from horror to healing.
The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, administered by the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva is a unique victim-focused mechanism that channels funding for the assistance to victims of torture and their families.
Established in 1981 the Fund has been providing legal, social, humanitarian, psychological and medical services to persons deprived of liberty, children and adolescents, refugees and migrants, victims of enforced disappearance, indigenous peoples, victims of sexual and gender-based violence and LGBTI persons, among others.
A message of UN Secretary-General António Guterres on this Day reads that torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.
He also called the international community to adopt zero tolerance policy against torture.
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10- Bagmati province to conserve pangolin as ‘province pride animal’
Bagmati, June 26: The Bagmati Province government is going to run a special programme to protect the pangolin as the province’s pride animal.
Bagmati provincial government’s Finance and Planning Minister Prabhat Tamang said that special programme will be introduced in the Bagmati Province government’s budget for the fiscal year 2026/27 to protect the pangolin as the pride animal of the province.
The budget statement mentions that the use of domestically-produced timber will be mandatory while constructing the government structures. The provincial government has stated that environmentally friendly and bioengineering technologies will be used and integrated water resource management will be carried out to reduce climate risks.
Minister Tamang said that a locally-produced goods and agriculture produce collection and processing centre and a ‘tourist kitchen’ will be established in each district to bring local produce to consumers.
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11- RSP general convention: Dr Wagle’s sole candidacy for vice president; election for other positions
Chitwan, June 26: Dr. Swarnim Wagle is the sole candidate for the vice-president post under the open category in the second phase of elections as part of the first national convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
For other positions, more candidates than required have registered their candidacies so elections will take place if consensus efforts fail.
As per the final list of candidates issued by the party’s Central Election Commission, Sobhita Gautam and Dr. Tosima Karki will vie for one female vice-president position.
Likewise, 10 candidates are contesting for the general secretary position. Among the candidates for general secretary are Kabindra Burlakoti, Pramod Nuepane, Rajunath Pandey, Manish Jha, Jagadish Kharel (Lalitpur), Ranju Darshana, Ganesh Karki, Ganesh Parajuli, Sagar Dhakal, and Bipin Kumar Acharya. For the two joint general secretary positions, 11 aspirants have filed their candidacies.
Candidates aspiring for joint general secretary are Ramesh Prasai, Yagya Mani Neupane, Sulabh Kharel, Asim Shah, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, Milan Limbu, Pukar Bam, Rajiv Khatri, Bijay Jaire, Hari Dhakal, and Himesh Pant.
Similarly, the commission has stated that five women candidates – Julie Yadav, Jamuna Sharma, Kamini Kumari Chaudhary, Nisha Dangi, and Rima Bishwakarma – have filed their candidacies for the position of joint general secretary.
The party also shared that efforts are being made for consensus. Only the 99 central members elected in the first phase are eligible to participate in the second phase of the election process according to the party’s arrangements.
Meanwhile, the party’s outgoing general secretary Burlakoti and newly elected central member Jagadish Kharel (Lalitpur), who had filed for the general secretary position, have announced their withdrawal from the race.
Election Commission chief Bhuwan KC stated that they have received information that efforts for consensus are ongoing in the process of selecting office bearers, but preparations are being made for election on the commission’s part.
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