Kathmandu
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
KATHMANDU: Nepal News is transforming the way stories are told in Nepal. No longer content with simply reporting events, our journalists dig deeper, asking not only what is happening, but why it matters.
Each story is carefully planned, with clear assignments, structured outlines, thorough research, verified data, and insightful quotes. Every piece is thoughtfully edited and crafted to provide clarity amid the noise.
Every week, we present a curated selection of stories that capture the heartbeat of Nepal — from groundbreaking investigative reports to human-interest features, policy analyses, and cultural insights. These are more than just news stories; they are windows into the forces shaping our society, economy, and daily lives.
Here’s a look at the seven standout features from last week, each reflecting our commitment to quality journalism, storytelling depth, and editorial integrity. Explore these stories to understand not just the headlines, but the narratives behind them.
Brain drain of specialist doctors threatens nationwide healthcare
A report by Kalpana Bhattarai, a correspondent of Nepal News, highlights the rising migration of Nepali specialist doctors driven by financial strain, low salaries, and limited career security. The story follows general surgeons Dr. Lok Kathayat and Dr. Gokul Bhatta, who invested millions in medical education but found earnings in Nepal insufficient to sustain families or repay loans. Data from the Nepal Medical Council shows thousands seeking Good Standing Certificates, with more than 70 percent leaving permanently. Severe shortages in critical fields and stagnant government hiring signal looming risks where Nepal may need foreign doctors to meet essential healthcare needs.
CIAA ramps up Trishakti-CG Holdings land case
A follow-up investigation update by Khila Nath Dhakal, special representative of Nepal News, reports that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has intensified its probe into the disputed sale of Trishakti Cement Company’s land in Khopasi. The Commission has ordered the ministry and the land department to submit all decision records from the initial application to the final approval issued by the Council of Ministers in 1998. Officials say the land was later sold illegally to CG affiliates in 2000. Authorities are now tracing every individual involved in the decision chain while reviewing policy decisions spanning multiple fiscal years.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/business/ciaa-ramps-up-trishakti-cg-holdings-land-case/
Forty years on, SAARC struggles to realize its regional vision
In an in-depth reflection by Sarach Chandra Bhandari, the article examines SAARC’s approach to its 40th Charter anniversary amid deep political paralysis. Despite representing one quarter of the global population, the bloc has remained stalled since the 2014 Kathmandu Summit. Bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan, Afghanistan’s instability, and domestic political turbulence across member states have frozen high-level engagement. While technical bodies continue working, experts warn that without summits, SAARC cannot regain strategic direction. The piece argues that renewed political will, economic pragmatism, and collective action are essential for restoring regional cooperation and addressing shared challenges felt across South Asia.
Altered decision on Trishakti-CG land sale puts Koirala Cabinet under CIAA investigation
In a detailed follow-up by Khila Nath Dhakal, a special representative of Nepal News, the controversial 1998 decision of the Girija Prasad Koirala Council of Ministers to release and permit the sale of Trishakti Cement’s ceiling-exempted land has come under renewed scrutiny. The CIAA is investigating why the Council altered its own conditions within a week and how the land was later sold to Binod and Arun Chaudhary despite legal restrictions. Documents show the land was meant for industrial expansion and required reinvestment, neither of which occurred. The Commission is now tracing every official involved and reviewing decades-old policy decisions.
Foreign employment: Free on paper, paid in practice
A news report by Uddab Thapa, special representative of Nepal News, reveals that the decade-old Free Visa Free Ticket policy remains largely symbolic, with migrant workers still paying heavy unauthorized fees despite government assurances. Workers bear costs for welfare funds, insurance, medical tests, orientation, and agency charges, often spending far more than the mandated Rs 10,000 service fee. Even G2G routes to Korea and Israel exceed Rs 100,000. Manpower agencies routinely make workers sign zero-cost declarations while charging large sums. With over 41,000 Nepalis leaving monthly, experts warn that weak regulation and rising official fees deepen exploitation instead of reducing migration costs.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/business/foreign-employment-free-on-paper-paid-in-practice/
Hospitals see cancer patients only after critical delays
A detailed health report by Kalpana Bhattarai, correspondent of Nepal News, examines how late cancer diagnosis in Nepal stems from personal negligence, systemic delays, and financial barriers. Two women who ignored symptoms for months learned they had advanced-stage cancer only after spending Rs 700000 and Rs 2.2 million on treatment. A BMJ-backed study shows patients wait over four months from symptoms to treatment, with 25 percent waiting more than six months. Older adults, Dalit communities, and men face higher late diagnosis risks. Experts urge early screening, wider testing capacity, streamlined procedures, and stronger public awareness to reduce preventable cancer deaths.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/feature/hospitals-see-cancer-patients-only-after-critical-delays/
Strengthening Human and Social Development in Climate Justice: A Review of COP30- Axis 5
In an analytical piece by Ram Kumar Bhattarai, a practitioner of society and climate justice, the article outlines how the COP30 Global Climate Action Agenda marks a pivotal shift toward human-centered climate governance. The report emphasizes six thematic axes, with Axis 5 urging countries to strengthen health systems, social protection, green skills, education, and cultural heritage resilience. Nepal’s gaps include weak climate health financing, limited early warning integration, fragmented green skills programs, and underfunded climate education. Despite these shortcomings, Nepal’s constitutional guarantees, rising climate budgeting, community-based resource management, and expanding access to global climate funds position the country to accelerate progress under COP30 commitments.
