Kathmandu
Monday, November 24, 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.
Rivalry intensifies as India and China vie over Nepal’s infrastructure
Baburam Biswakarma, Editor at Nepal News reports that the 750-megawatt West Seti Hydropower Project highlights Nepal’s infrastructure caught in a geopolitical struggle between China and India. Initially assigned to Australia’s SMEC, then China Three Gorges, and most recently India’s NHPC, the project remains stalled despite repeated agreements. Other projects such as Upper Karnali, Budhigandaki, and Arun III face similar delays due to foreign competition, domestic policy gaps, and investment challenges. Rivalry also affects railways, roads, and airports including Pokhara and Bhairahawa, raising concerns that political focus on foreign interests may compromise Nepal’s development agenda.
Residence remains under former CM’s control, leaving successor in rented housing
Birendra Raman, District Correspondent at Nepal News, highlights a brewing political standoff in Madhes Province, where Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav, despite being duly appointed, cannot occupy the official Chief Minister’s residence. His predecessor, Jitendra Sonal, who served only 25 days before losing a confidence vote on November 9, continues to reside there while engaging in seven-party political activities. Yadav now lives in a rented house with heavy security. Both leaders justify their positions, with Yadav citing constitutional propriety and Sonal framing it as protest against an unconstitutional appointment, leaving provincial administration and daily governance disrupted.
Perpetually divided royalists
Gopal Dahal, Special Representative at Nepal News, outlines the ongoing turmoil within the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP-Nepal. On November 11, Chairmen Rajendra Lingden and Kamal Thapa met to explore unification, yet both contend with persistent internal factionalism. Lingden faces rival groups led by Dhawal Shamsher and dissatisfied senior leaders, while Thapa struggles to consolidate his smaller party. Decades of splits and leadership disputes have long weakened royalist parties in Nepal, and recent pro-monarchy movements demonstrate that temporary unity among factions quickly collapses, leaving royalist efforts politically fragmented and increasingly irrelevant.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/feature/perpetually-divided-royalists/
Foreign aid withdrawal plunges NGO sector into crisis
Uddab Thapa, special representative of Nepal News, explains that Nepal’s NGO sector is in crisis as foreign aid-dependent organizations shut down. KIRDARC in Karnali, Samriddhi Foundation in Banke, and Aasaman Nepal in Dhanusha have ceased operations, leaving hundreds unemployed. The closure of USAID and reduced European aid has displaced about 35,000 NGO workers. Experts warn that without renewed support, essential programs in health, education, women’s empowerment, and governance across Nepal face serious setbacks.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/feature/foreign-aid-withdrawal-plunges-ngo-sector-into-crisis/
Nepal Airlines sinks deeper into economic encumbrance
Khila Nath Dhakal, Special Representative of Nepal News, highlights Nepal Airlines Corporation’s Airbus A-320 ‘Lumbini’ is in an escalating engine crisis. Its own engine remains in Israel after repair, forcing use of a leased engine from Israel Aerospace Industries, costing around Rs 1.5 billion. Disputes over payment and compensation, delays since April 26, 2024, and ongoing CIAA scrutiny threaten grounding. The corporation lacks spare engines and long-term contingency plans, putting both domestic and international flights at risk.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/feature/nepal-airlines-sinks-deeper-into-economic-encumbrance/
NPL lights up Kirtipur as management issues dim the experience
Deep Subedi, Correspondent of Nepal News, reports that the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Season 2 at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur has drawn massive crowds under floodlights. However, management issues, including a malfunctioning digital scoreboard, lack of technological support, overcrowding, and insufficient facilities, have marred the spectator experience. Despite a government investment of over Rs 966 million, fans face long queues, inadequate toilets, and disrupted viewing, dampening the excitement of Nepal’s franchise cricket spectacle.
Court halts tobacco warning rule, leaving mandate in limbo
Kalpana Bhattarai, a correspondent of Nepal News, reports that nearly 10 months after Health Minister Pradip Paudel’s directive to mandate 100 percent tobacco packet warnings, implementation remains stalled. Surya Nepal Company’s Supreme Court case has blocked the policy, despite tobacco causing around 27,000 deaths annually in Nepal. Experts warn that inadequate enforcement of the Tobacco Product Control and Regulation Act, including public smoking bans and sales restrictions to minors, undermines public health and fails to curb widespread tobacco-related diseases.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/health/court-halts-tobacco-warning-rule-leaving-mandate-in-limbo/
