Balen's politics of silence and absence: Not a harbinger of good omen

Balen's politics of silence and absence: Not a harbinger of good omen

Nepali people have been like a statistician who is said to be comfortable with one hand on the furnace and the other in the freeze. At times it had politicians like Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, who exercised unbelievable oratory skills.

Nepali people have been like a statistician who is said to be comfortable with one hand on the furnace and the other in the freeze. At times it had politicians like Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, who exercised unbelievable oratory skills.

Opinion 20 May, 2026

Fake helicopter rescue scam: Nepal's tourism reputation at stake

Fake helicopter rescue scam: Nepal's tourism reputation at stake

Recently, Germany’s leading and highly influential news magazine, Der Spiegel, published a report on Nepal’s infamous fake helicopter rescue scam.

Recently, Germany’s leading and highly influential news magazine, Der Spiegel, published a report on Nepal’s infamous fake helicopter rescue scam.

Opinion 19 May, 2026

A roadmap for research-led higher education framework: How this can improve the lives of the public

A roadmap for research-led higher education framework: How this can improve the lives...

The current political climate in Nepal offers a glimmer of hope for the academic sector. With education reform now a national priority, momentum for meaningful change is steadily building.

The current political climate in Nepal offers a glimmer of hope for the academic sector. With education reform now a national priority, momentum for meaningful change is steadily building.

Opinion 18 May, 2026

Nepal's health-budget promise: Can it become real care?

Nepal's health-budget promise: Can it become real care?

Nepal’s proposed commitment to raise the health-sector budget to 8 percent of the national budget could become a major reform step.

Nepal’s proposed commitment to raise the health-sector budget to 8 percent of the national budget could become a major reform step.

Opinion 15 May, 2026

Budget utilisation reaches 59.75 percent by Baisakh end

Budget utilisation reaches 59.75 percent by Baisakh end

Government budget expenditure has reached nearly 60 percent of the total allocation in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO).

Government budget expenditure has reached nearly 60 percent of the total allocation in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO).

Opinion 15 May, 2026

Hantavirus is not the next pandemic: But still Nepal should pay attention

Hantavirus is not the next pandemic: But still Nepal should pay attention

The recent hantavirus alarm aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius is a reminder that dangerous infections do not always begin in crowded cities or hospitals.

The recent hantavirus alarm aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius is a reminder that dangerous infections do not always begin in crowded cities or hospitals.

Opinion 14 May, 2026

Under the same sky: Why humanity would gain more from peace than rivalry

Under the same sky: Why humanity would gain more from peace than rivalry

There are moments in history when a sentence spoken in an official hall seems to transcend diplomatic protocol and touch something much deeper: our collective fear, the world’s fatigue, and the need to find a wiser path forward.

There are moments in history when a sentence spoken in an official hall seems to transcend diplomatic protocol and touch something much deeper: our collective fear, the world’s fatigue, and the need to find a wiser path forward.

Opinion 14 May, 2026

Prediction of less rain and high temperature: What can be the remedial measures?

Prediction of less rain and high temperature: What can be the remedial measures?

The long-awaited weather prediction for the monsoon period has been made public by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. It has, however, not brought relief to the farming community as it is contrary to their expectation. It has stated that there will be less rain in the country during the paddy plantation period after the entry of the monsoon from the Bay of Bengal, which is generally in June every year.

The long-awaited weather prediction for the monsoon period has been made public by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. It has, however, not brought relief to the farming community as it is contrary to their expectation. It has stated that there will be less rain in the country during the paddy plantation period after the entry of the monsoon from the Bay of Bengal, which is generally in June every year.

Opinion 13 May, 2026

What nurses taught me that Nepal has forgotten

What nurses taught me that Nepal has forgotten

Florence Nightingale would not recognise the wards I trained in. As a second-year medical student in the early 1990s, my first serious lessons in medicine came not from doctors or surgeons, but from nurses.

Florence Nightingale would not recognise the wards I trained in. As a second-year medical student in the early 1990s, my first serious lessons in medicine came not from doctors or surgeons, but from nurses.

Opinion 12 May, 2026

Rethinking Nepal's diplomacy in a competitive world: It must serve the national development strategy

Rethinking Nepal's diplomacy in a competitive world: It must serve the national...

Nepal stands at an important moment in its foreign policy evolution. As debates emerge over the structure, scale, and effectiveness of the country’s diplomatic network, the discussion is often framed around budgets, administrative costs, and the possible reduction of embassies abroad.

Nepal stands at an important moment in its foreign policy evolution. As debates emerge over the structure, scale, and effectiveness of the country’s diplomatic network, the discussion is often framed around budgets, administrative costs, and the possible reduction of embassies abroad.

Opinion 12 May, 2026

Remembering the USS Liberty-and why it still matters

Remembering the USS Liberty-and why it still matters

On June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy intelligence ship, was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats while operating in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War.

On June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy intelligence ship, was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats while operating in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula during the Six-Day War.

Opinion 12 May, 2026

Integrating road safety into road asset management: Must shift from a reactive approach to a preventive one

Integrating road safety into road asset management: Must shift from a reactive...

The recent road accident in Rolpa district, where a jeep carrying pilgrims fell from a rural hill road and caused multiple fatalities, is another painful reminder of Nepal’s growing road safety challenges.

The recent road accident in Rolpa district, where a jeep carrying pilgrims fell from a rural hill road and caused multiple fatalities, is another painful reminder of Nepal’s growing road safety challenges.

Opinion 11 May, 2026

Why the gut–brain connection is changing neuroscience

Why the gut–brain connection is changing neuroscience

A few years ago, doctors began noticing something unusual about many patients who were later diagnosed with Parkinson disease.

A few years ago, doctors began noticing something unusual about many patients who were later diagnosed with Parkinson disease.

Opinion 11 May, 2026

U.S. Embassy to host nationwide football tourney 'GOAL! USA'

U.S. Embassy to host nationwide football tourney 'GOAL! USA'

The U.S. Embassy Nepal, in association with Xtreme Energy Drink, is set to organise a nationwide football tournament titled “GOAL! USA” to mark 250 years of American independence and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

The U.S. Embassy Nepal, in association with Xtreme Energy Drink, is set to organise a nationwide football tournament titled “GOAL! USA” to mark 250 years of American independence and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Opinion 10 May, 2026

How to turn foreign missions into export engines: Rewrite the template for our envoys

How to turn foreign missions into export engines: Rewrite the template for our envoys

Shishir Khanal, the new foreign minister, has spent much of his first month repeating a familiar phrase.

Shishir Khanal, the new foreign minister, has spent much of his first month repeating a familiar phrase.

Opinion 08 May, 2026

Gut realities: A toxic saga 'unplugged'

Gut realities: A toxic saga 'unplugged'

When insightful research sequenced DNA from microorganisms derived from our armpits, belly buttons, and other locations, it revealed minuscule versions of ecosystems, like the Alps, composed of trillions of microbes.

When insightful research sequenced DNA from microorganisms derived from our armpits, belly buttons, and other locations, it revealed minuscule versions of ecosystems, like the Alps, composed of trillions of microbes.

Opinion 07 May, 2026

A lens on liberation: Photographing women's place in public life

A lens on liberation: Photographing women's place in public life

Never just an empty ground, public spaces are theatres brought to life by the bodies inhabiting them. These spaces are not merely designed, they are performed into being.

Never just an empty ground, public spaces are theatres brought to life by the bodies inhabiting them. These spaces are not merely designed, they are performed into being.

Opinion 07 May, 2026

A tale of two squatters' evictions: What the government can learn from them

A tale of two squatters' evictions: What the government can learn from them

The hallowed social corridors of Nepal have been resonating with the voices for or against the present clearance of encroached public land underway in the country.

The hallowed social corridors of Nepal have been resonating with the voices for or against the present clearance of encroached public land underway in the country.

Opinion 06 May, 2026

Left behind: How gender inequality still shapes education and the economy in Nepal

Left behind: How gender inequality still shapes education and the economy in Nepal

Nepal has come a long way. A new constitution, a functioning democracy, and at least on paper, a serious commitment to gender equality.

Nepal has come a long way. A new constitution, a functioning democracy, and at least on paper, a serious commitment to gender equality.

Opinion 06 May, 2026

Reforming Nepal's tax system: A pathway to sustainable growth in a stable political era

Reforming Nepal's tax system: A pathway to sustainable growth in a stable political...

As Nepal moves into a phase of relative political stability, the country has a rare opportunity to shift its focus towards long-term economic reforms. Among these, tax policy reform is central to ensuring sustainable and steady growth.

As Nepal moves into a phase of relative political stability, the country has a rare opportunity to shift its focus towards long-term economic reforms. Among these, tax policy reform is central to ensuring sustainable and steady growth.

Opinion 05 May, 2026