Nepal is stepping into the global education spotlight with a bold new plan: free study visas for international students. Announced as part of the 2025/26 federal budget by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, the policy will allow students to stay for the full length of their academic program. Their parents or guardians will also be eligible for multiple-entry visas. The initiative is part of a larger push to improve Nepal’s higher education system. The government plans to introduce legislation to streamline university governance, create academic consistency, and improve overall management. This comes amid criticism that Nepal’s…
Author: Onu Akter
Onu Akter
Onu Akter is a dedicated journalist covering politics, business, finance, sports, and local news. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, she delivers insightful and engaging stories that keep readers informed. Passionate about storytelling, Onu ensures her work is both compelling and fact-driven, making her a trusted voice in journalism.
The 5th edition of the Himalayan Travel Mart 2025 (HTM 2025) ended on a high note in Kathmandu, setting new standards for global tourism cooperation. Held from June 3 to 5 at The Soaltee Kathmandu, the event welcomed more than 700 delegates from 30 countries, including over 100 international participants. This year’s theme, “Mountains, Milestones, and Momentum,” celebrated two key moments—50 years of the PATA Nepal Chapter and 75 years since the first successful climb of Mount Annapurna. HTM 2025 positioned Nepal as a strong voice in the global tourism industry, highlighting its role as the “Gateway to the Himalayas.”…
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed corruption charges against 18 individuals, including top current and former executives of Nepal Telecom. The case involves alleged misconduct in the billing system procurement process, which reportedly caused significant financial losses to the state-owned company. Among those charged are former Managing Director Sunil Poudel and the current Managing Director Sangeeta Pahadi, who served as Chief Business Officer at the time of the incident. Other senior officials named include former Chief Technical Officer Pratibha Shrestha and Financial Officer Rajendra Shrestha. The charges are centered around irregular billing related to…
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has formally charged former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal with corruption in connection with the 2009–2011 Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal land acquisition case. The allegations center on allowing the company to exceed legal land ownership limits in Kavre district, intended for herb cultivation, processing, and a hospital project . The CIAA’s charge sheet, filed at Kathmandu’s Special Court on Thursday, claims that Nepal led the government in swapping and selling land plots at inflated prices, resulting in financial loss to the state. The agency is seeking a fine of 185.85 million…
a Chinese ensemble performed the “Nepal‑Dolmaling Guqin Concert” at the Dolmaling Hotel in Bouddha. The event featured six master musicians—Zhou Tongsheng, Chao Lifeng, Deng Lizhu, Ma Yexin, Zhao Yanchun, and Peng Jie—who brought the ancient art of Guqin to Nepali audiences. The concert, organized in collaboration with the Nepal Guowang International Travel Agency, showcased traditional Chinese culture through the serene and reflective tones of the Guqin. The performance aimed to deepen people‑to‑people ties and highlight cultural unity between the two nations. Guqin expert Zhou Tongsheng, who led the ensemble, spoke to the audience about the instrument’s rich heritage. He explained…
Hotel Himalaya bustled with excitement as the K‑Beauty Festa Nepal showcased the rising appeal of Korean beauty and culture in Kathmandu. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal organized the event to highlight the growing influence of K‑Beauty among Nepali consumers and youth. Leading Korean cosmetics retailers in Nepal participated, including Korean Beauty Point, Dream Skin Nepal, KPG‑Beauty and Prettyclick. They displayed a wide range of skincare and beauty brands that have earned loyal followings. Attendees enjoyed special promotional offers and live product demonstrations that sold out quickly. The strong turnout reflected the popularity of Korean skincare routines…
Muslims throughout Nepal came together on Saturday to celebrate Bakr Eid, also known as Eid al-Adha—one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar. The festival was marked by early morning prayers, community events, and acts of faith. At the Kashmiri Mosque in Ghantaghar, hundreds of devotees gathered for the special Eid prayer, also known as the Eid namaz. From early morning, worshippers arrived dressed in traditional attire, filling the mosque’s courtyard and surrounding open spaces. As the prayer began, they stood shoulder to shoulder, bowing and reciting verses in unison. This collective act of worship showcased the deep…
Nepal welcomed only 1.2 million international tourists in 2024, falling far short of its target to attract over 2 million visitors annually. Despite major investments in roads, airports, and tourism services, the country’s growth in foreign tourist numbers has stalled. Back in 2020, Nepal launched the “Visit Nepal 2020” campaign with the goal of reaching 2 million international arrivals. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted global travel and disrupted the campaign. Six years later, tourism has recovered worldwide—but Nepal’s numbers remain stuck. Tourism experts are raising questions: Why isn’t Nepal attracting more visitors, even with its rich culture, natural beauty, and…
Nepalese authorities have arrested an Indian citizen for attempting to smuggle gold into the country. The suspect, identified as Mahadev Samanta from West Bengal, was caught with 274 grams of undeclared gold during a routine security check on a passenger bus headed for Kathmandu. The arrest occurred in Nagdhunga, an area within Chandragiri municipality, just outside the capital. Police officials confirmed that Samanta failed to present any customs documentation for the gold he was carrying. Officers became suspicious during the check and found the hidden gold after searching his belongings. Samanta was taken into custody immediately, and the illegal gold…
Cricket fans are in for another treat as Nepal and Scotland prepare to face off once again in Match 77 of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023–27. The match will take place at the Forthill Cricket Ground in Dundee on Sunday, 8 June. The two sides last met on 4 June, in what turned out to be one of the most dramatic games of the tournament. Nepal pulled off a stunning one-wicket win on the final ball of the match. That victory pushed them to seventh place in the league table. In Match 75, Scotland batted first and…