Kathmandu
Monday, January 26, 2026
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.
RSP launches Madhesh election campaign from Janakpur; Balen addresses mass rally in Maithili
News reported by Birendra Raman, district correspondent of Nepal News, shows the Rastriya Swatantra Party launching its Madhesh election campaign with a massive declaration rally in Janakpurdham on Monday. The gathering at Tirhutiya Gachhi drew the largest turnout seen there in years, with senior leader Balendra Shah, known as Balen, emerging as the main crowd puller. Addressing supporters entirely in Maithili, Balen stressed federalism, local empowerment, and development, citing reforms in Kathmandu. RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane said the strong youth turnout signaled a growing appetite for political change in Madhesh.
National Women’s Cricket Team: Middle-order ‘disorder’ persists
Reporting from Kirtipur by Deep Subedi, a correspondent of Nepal News, Nepal’s women’s cricket team suffered consecutive defeats in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, with middle-order failures again proving decisive. Despite strong starts by the openers, Nepal was bowled out for 122 against Thailand and later fell two runs short against the Netherlands while chasing 141. Captain Indu Barma acknowledged the recurring batting collapse. Rubina Chhetry Belbase impressed with an unbeaten 37 and became only the second Nepali woman to reach 1,000 T20I runs, but Nepal’s qualification hopes now look slim.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/sports/national-womens-cricket-team-middle-order-disorder-persists/
High IT demand undercut by weak education system
In a report by Bidhya Rai of Nepal News, public schools across Nepal are struggling to turn ICT investments into learning outcomes due to an acute shortage of computer teachers. At Siddheshwar Secondary School in Bhojpur, computers purchased years ago remain unused, mirroring a national trend where ICT labs function as storage rooms. Despite rising global demand for IT professionals and expanding internet access, weak STEM foundations, teacher shortages, and largely theoretical instruction have limited skill development. Experts warn that without strengthening ICT education from the school level, Nepal risks missing opportunities in the growing digital economy.
https://english.nepalnews.com/s/science-technology/high-demand-in-it-weak-education/
Nepal Airlines is in deep financial crisis after missing opportunities
In a report by Uddab Thapa, a special representative of Nepal News, Nepal Airlines Corporation is portrayed as a national flag carrier trapped in a deep financial and managerial crisis, burdened by debt exceeding Rs 52 billion and a shrinking market share. Once a leading South Asian airline flying to Europe, NAC now controls just 11 percent of Nepal’s international aviation market despite rising tourist numbers. Political interference, aircraft shortages, grounded planes, and unimplemented reform reports have eroded competitiveness. With interim leadership and stalled appointments, experts warn the airline faces an increasingly risky future without urgent structural and governance reforms.
Systemic injustice: The toll of indiscriminate prosecution on civil servants
In a special feature by Bhasha Sharma for Nepal News, widespread use of mass prosecutions by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has been blamed for crippling public institutions and traumatizing civil servants. The report shows how bulk filing of corruption cases often leads to long suspensions, administrative paralysis, and eventual acquittals due to weak evidence. Legal experts, former officials, and court verdicts argue that indiscriminate prosecution erodes morale, delays development, and burdens the state financially, while courts repeatedly stress that corruption charges must be backed by clear, concrete proof.
Born for labor, worn for rebellion: The seductive journey of jeans in Nepal
In a reflective feature by Prabhakar Gautam for Nepal News, the journey of jeans in Nepal unfolds as a story of culture, rebellion, and everyday comfort. Introduced through hippies and foreign tourists in the late 1960s, jeans slowly moved from rarity to rebellion, and eventually to mainstream fashion. From Freak Street to villages nationwide, cinema, music, and changing politics helped denim cross social boundaries. Once seen as wayward attire, jeans are now a unisex staple and a lifestyle symbol, with homegrown Nepali brands steadily reclaiming the denim narrative.
When a senior Indian journalist apologized to King Mahendra over the murder of Punjab chief minister
In a historical deep dive by Nabin Aryal, Editor of Nepal News’ Saturday Special (Chhuttima), a forgotten 1965 episode resurfaces when Punjab Police illegally crossed into Mahendranagar to capture Sucha Singh, the prime accused in the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Pratap Singh Kairon. Nepal Police thwarted the operation, triggering a diplomatic storm between Kathmandu and New Delhi. India’s media backlash, Nepal’s refusal to extradite immediately, and a year-long court battle strained bilateral ties, eventually ending with Singh’s extradition and death sentence in India.
