Nepal

Recurring barriers from India are hurting exports of Nepali tea, experts claim, as disputes persist over branding and competition with the Darjeeling label; Producers argue certification issues limit market access and weaken Nepal’s premium tea industry

A $28 million fraud investigation is shaking Nepal’s business elite, with alleged fake transactions and misuse of funds; Authorities are probing high-profile figures and companies, exposing regulatory gaps and weak oversight in Nepal’s corporate sector

Banana prices in Kathmandu have surged due to supply shortages caused by weather damage, transport disruptions and lower production; Traders say rising demand and limited imports have further pushed up prices, affecting consumers and small retailers

New members of Nepal’s National Assembly were sworn in following upper-house elections, where the Balendra Shah’s reformist Rastriya Swatantra Party won by a landslide, reshaping Nepal’s political landscape

Digital payment services will be redefined under amendments to the Nepal Rastra Bank Act; The proposal would expand the central bank’s regulatory scope, raising concerns from fintech firms about compliance burdens and conflicting oversight frameworks

Nepali Congress has declared Gagan Thapa as its Prime Minister candidate, signalling a generational shift within the party; The decision aims to project reformist leadership ahead of upcoming political contests and strengthen the party’s national appeal

366 gharials in rivers Rapti and Narayani have been recorded with a new survey, confirming a steady recovery of the endangered crocodile; a freshwater dolphin was also sighted, signaling improving river health and success of conservation efforts in Nepal

Karki's government is mired in controversy for disputed political appointments, alleged misuse of authority, and infighting within the ruling coalition; These issues have stalled key reforms and eroded public trust

Department of Passports is in final negotiations with French and German firms to secure a short-term supply of machine-readable passports: stock has fallen below 170.000 units and the new biometric passport contract doesn’t begin until mid-March 2026

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has renewed efforts to enforce a long-ignored ban on public smoking; An awareness drive with fines is underway and though past attempts failed, the city says strict enforcement is vital for public health and pollution control