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Nepal

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Nepal. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Kathmandu

Head of State

President Ram Chandra Poudel

Head of Government

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Cathay passengers from Kathmandu who suffered food poisoning are sent to North Lantau Hospital for examination. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong expands probe after more Cathay passengers on Nepal flights fall ill

Centre for Health Protection investigating two food poisoning cases involving 36 passengers who arrived from Kathmandu earlier this week.

10 Jan 2025 - 10:47PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Cathay apologises after second suspected food poisoning

10 Jan 2025 - 12:11AM

Mount Everest

Planning a helicopter tour of Everest? Nepal has some bad news for you

7 Jan 2025 - 9:36AMvideocam

nepalese

Nepal's Buddhist ‘Kung Fu Nuns’ fighting the patriarchy

The 1,000-year-old Drupka order of Buddhist nuns are given equal status as monks

3 Jan 2025 - 5:00PM

01:00

Diplomacy

Opinion | Dialogue can help China, India sidestep disputes over mega dam

To alleviate concerns and reduce tensions, greater transparency, consistent data sharing and diplomacy are essential.

2 Jan 2025 - 5:41AMvideocam

Martial arts

Nepal’s Kung fu nuns show off skills at monastery reopening after Covid closure

These nuns, trained in self-defence, are part of the Drukpa lineage, which promotes gender equality and empowers women through physical and spiritual development.

3 Jan 2025 - 5:30PMvideocam

Year in Review

Travel stories you read most in 2024, about a horror gang rape and more

We look back at some of the top stories in travel for 2024, from a shocking gang rape in India to the revamp of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

30 Dec 2024 - 4:18PM

Mountaineers climb a slope during their ascent of Mount Everest in Nepal in 2021. A story about overcrowding on peaks like this one was one of the top five travel stories of the year. Photo: AFP

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

Political violence and social unrest have dented support for South Asian countries from investors and multilateral institutions.

27 Dec 2024 - 10:30AM

Tibet

Panchen Lama to make rare visit to Nepal after Tibet trip, reports say

The trip, which has not been confirmed by Beijing or Kathmandu, comes months before the Dalai Lama is expected to unveil a succession plan.

12 Dec 2024 - 4:01PMvideocam

English Premier League

Manchester United turn attention to South Asia in bid to discover new talent

Premier League club eyeing young players from India, Nepal, Thailand and United Arab Emirates.

12 Dec 2024 - 2:33AM

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee (left) and Harry Maguire in action during a session at Carrington Training Centre. Photo: DPA

Protests around the world

Nepal’s ‘barbaric’ animal sacrifice ritual persists despite outcry

Activists estimate as many as 500,000 animals will be sacrificed at Nepal’s Gadhimai Temple this week to honour the Hindu goddess of power.

8 Dec 2024 - 3:00PM

A Hindu devotee prepares to slaughter buffalos as a offering during the 2019 Gadhimai Festival in Bariyarpur, Nepal. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Nepal’s PM Oli strengthens ties with China, bypassing India

While Oli secured a framework agreement and cash help, his coalition government grapples with debt fears and balancing ties with both China and India.

5 Dec 2024 - 8:18PMvideocam

Central Asia

China seeks to boost energy ties with Turkmenistan

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also said he would seek to boost investment in the country at a meeting with his Central Asian counterparts.

1 Dec 2024 - 7:58PM

Bhutan

Bhutan’s ‘mindfulness city’ angers displaced ethnic Nepalis

Bhutan’s plan for southern farmlands has sparked outrage among forced-out ethnic Nepalis, who say the megaproject would be on stolen land.

2 Dec 2024 - 8:02AM

Bhutan, a Himalayan nation of fewer than 800,000 people, is pitching its Gelephu Mindfulness City project as “a sanctuary for global businesses and professionals”. Photo: Getty Images

France

France smashes South Asian migrant trafficking ring, 26 arrested

Traffickers are suspected of having smuggled several thousand people from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal into France.

29 Nov 2024 - 12:40PM

In December 2023, a plane carrying hundreds of Indian passengers was grounded for days at Vatry airport east of Paris over concerns it was part of a human trafficking scheme. File photo: AP

Asia travel

Finding Nepal’s ‘heart and soul’ away from tourist hotspots

Nepal isn’t just about Himalayan treks and Kathmandu. Travellers who leave the tourist trail are being enriched by cultural experiences and a sense of “connection” with residents.

25 Nov 2024 - 7:58AM

Asia travel

Nepal trekking – without the crowds but with community spirit

An alternative to Nepal’s Poon Hill, Mohare Danda has comparable Himalayan views, a fraction of the crowds, and benefits local women and families

20 Nov 2024 - 3:34PM

Diplomacy

Nepal’s PM heads to Beijing, signalling shift from New Delhi

K.P. Sharma Oli’s visit reflects Nepal’s intention to strengthen ties with China and rebalance traditionally India-centric relations.

14 Nov 2024 - 4:53PMvideocam

Nepal’s new Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli looks on after taking the oath of office during a ceremony at the presidential office in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 15. Photo: EPA-EFE

Bhutan

Bhutan aims to sell Southeast Asia on its 21-year ‘mindfulness city’ project

The tiny Himalayan kingdom is looking to raise US$100 million to get its planned special administrative region off the ground.

12 Nov 2024 - 9:39AM

Chinese tourists

‘Huge opportunity for us’: can Nepal cash in on China’s tourism campaign?

Nepal should introduce more incentives and use Chinese social media platforms to promote itself to bring in visitors, industry players say.

9 Nov 2024 - 3:40PM

Women and gender

The Nepali women behind village's blooming business

1 Nov 2024 - 5:02PM

01:00

Women and gender

Nepali women bloom amid garland industry’s flowering prosperity

Nepal is set to export 200,000 garlands, valued at US$1.4 million, providing jobs and income for women who weave flowers into garlands.

1 Nov 2024 - 4:59PMvideocam

A farmer harvests marigold flowers. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Elderly from Hong Kong ethnic minorities learn to cope with hurdles through arts

Expressive arts centre helps 300 from minority groups deal with emotional issues, including worries about death.

28 Oct 2024 - 11:36AM

Climate change

Climate change could erase Nepal’s snow leopards in three decades, study warns

With temperatures rising and habitats shrinking, Nepal’s big cats face an uncertain future, according to new research.

25 Oct 2024 - 8:08PM

Climbing and mountaineering

Nepali teen climber returns to hero’s welcome

15 Oct 2024 - 6:00PM

01:41

Climbing and mountaineering

Nepal record-setting teen climber returns home to hero’s welcome

The 18-year-old, who has scaled the world’s 14 highest peaks, said Sherpas ‘are not just guides, we are trailblazers’.

14 Oct 2024 - 6:02PMvideocam

Nepalese mountaineer Nima Rinji Sherpa, 18, reacts as he arrives in Kathmandu on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE/

Climate change

‘Our world has ended’: Nepal floods devastate lives and the economy

September’s floods caused millions in damages, displacing thousands and threatening economic growth, as climate change exacerbates future risks.

10 Oct 2024 - 4:23PMvideocam

Climbing and mountaineering

At just 18, he’s already climbed all the highest peaks on Earth

Nepali teen Nima Rinji Sherpa is no stranger to the world’s high places, hailing from a family of record-holding mountaineers.

9 Oct 2024 - 2:22PM

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