Columnists

Yubaraj Ghimire

Nepal PM Oli hospitalised, put on ventilator; condition ‘stable’

Wed, Nov 27, 2019

A bulletin issued by the hospital said Oli had a stomach pain on Monday night, and his appendix was removed the next morning. His condition was said to be stable.

Map row: Nepal’s PM claims Kalapani area, tells India to ‘withdraw’

Mon, Nov 18, 2019

Kalapani map row: It was Oli’s first public response to a controversy triggered by official India maps released recently that included Kalapani, an area located on the western edge of Nepal.

Explained: Kalapani, a small area on the India map that bothers Nepal

Tue, Nov 12, 2019

Mapped within Uttarakhand is a 372-sq km area called Kalapani, bordering far-west Nepal and Tibet. While the Nepal government and political parties have protested, India has said the new map does not revise the existing boundary with Nepal.

Nepal protests inclusion of Kalapani area in official India map

Thu, Nov 07, 2019

Nepal’s ministry of foreign affairs said the publication of the map when a joint ministerial commission had referred the matter to the foreign secretaries of the two sides for settlement was not proper and “absolutely not acceptable for Nepal”.

Nepal, China step closer to signing extradition treaty

Mon, Oct 14, 2019

Nepal shares a long border with Tibet and is home to around 20,000 Tibetan exiles — two cases of self-immolation by Tibetans have been reported in the last few years.

Nepal ex-Speaker KB Mahara held in sexual harassment case

Mon, Oct 07, 2019

Police arrested Mahara from the official residence of the Speaker, which he had not yet vacated after resigning from the post following allegations that he attempted to rape an employee of the parliamentary secretariat.

Nepal: Accused of rape, Speaker steps down

Wed, Oct 02, 2019

In a letter to the deputy speaker, printed by newspaper My Republica, Mahara said he was stepping down “on moral grounds to facilitate a fair probe into the allegations raising serious questions about my character”.

Modi, Oli to open India-Nepal petroleum pipeline today

Tue, Sep 10, 2019

The inauguration of the project, which will carry fuel from Barauni refinery via Motihari in Bihar to Amalekhgunj in Nepal, will mark the completion of a project that was agreed upon bilaterally 15 years ago.

Jaishankar calls on Nepal PM, takes part in bilateral meet

Thu, Aug 22, 2019

Jaishankar, who flew in from Dhaka after a two-day visit to Bangladesh on Wednesday morning, will call on Nepal’s President Bidya Bhandari on Thursday.

Nepal: Four former govt employees under probe commit suicide

Tue, Aug 13, 2019

The Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has expedited investigations into a major land deal that involved transfer of government property to private individuals in the neighbourhood of the Prime Minister’s official residence.

Nepal rain kills 14, paralyses normal life

Sat, Jul 13, 2019

As collapsing houses, landslides and other rain-related incidents caused death and destruction, the government alerted people across the country, especially low lying areas, that more rain was likely and that caution should be exercised.

Nepal govt says no to Dalai Lama birthday

Sun, Jul 07, 2019

Sources in Nepal’s Home Ministry said the government has denied permission to the office of the Dalai Lama in Kathmandu, asking them not to celebrate the spiritual leader’s birthday — he was born July 6, 1935.

Nepal govt withdraws ‘Guthi Bill’ after protests

Wed, Jun 19, 2019

Prime Minister K P Oli asked his Land Reforms Minister to withdraw the Bill, but he was stopped by the Opposition from speaking on the issue in Parliament Tuesday morning.

Envoy to Nepal leads yoga practice above Everest base camp

Mon, Jun 17, 2019

The symbolic practice was part of International Yoga Day celebrations for June 21, and is believed to send the message that India is willing to pitch in to restore Everest to its pristine state.

Controversial Bills: Following protests, Nepal govt shows signs of retreat

Fri, Jun 14, 2019

One of the Bills seeks to replace the existing Press Council with a media council led by a government-appointed chief, who would have sweeping powers to impose fines up to Rs 1 million on editors, reporters or publishers if they are found guilty of defamation.

Explained: What does it take to climb Mount Everest? What are the risks involved?

Mon, Jun 03, 2019

Mount Everest expedition: The death of 11 climbers on the world’s highest peak has drawn worldwide attention. What does it take to climb Mount Everest? How many get permission, and how? What are the risks involved in the ascent?

At least 3 killed in Kathmandu explosions

Mon, May 27, 2019

Police said the situation was under control and patrols had been intensified in Kathmandu and other places.

Nepal PM Oli’s ‘abusive’ comments on Oppn expunged from records

Sun, May 12, 2019

Oli, in the course of his response to the debate over President Bidhya Devi Bhandari's address to the joint session of parliament, had on May 7 ridiculed the Opposition using many "unparliamentary" and "abusive" words.

Nepal: PM KP Oli warns Maoist group, defends president for ‘my govt’ remark

Sun, May 05, 2019

Addressing a parliamentary party meeting of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal, Oli said his government had succeeded in bringing “secessionist” groups to mainstream politics, and that he would want to give the same opportunity to those practicing “terrorism” provided they are willing to surrender arms.

The questions that matter Bihar: Lalu not present, but that does not mean Lalu is absent

Fri, Apr 19, 2019

RJD leaders say his stamp is everywhere — in the emergence of son Tejashwi Yadav as heir despite family grumblings, in the seat distribution within the alliance, in ticket allocation, and even in his absence that has robbed Bihar of the flavour the leader brought to its elections.