Six months since FATF grey list: Inching towards the blacklist

Six months since FATF grey list: Inching towards the blacklist

In February 2025, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering – an inter-governmental body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – identified significant weakness in enforcement, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes in Nepal.

In February 2025, the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering – an inter-governmental body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – identified significant weakness in enforcement, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes in Nepal.

Opinion 01 Aug, 2025

The great Nepali detour: Why all roads lead everywhere (and nowhere)

The great Nepali detour: Why all roads lead everywhere (and nowhere)

There’s a growing chorus among Kathmandu’s self-appointed intellectuals, a trend that’s become almost fashionable in certain circles: the assertion that Nepal’s destiny lies northwards, that the future is to be found in a pivot away from the familiar southern plains and towards the promise of the high plateaus beyond the Himalayas.

There’s a growing chorus among Kathmandu’s self-appointed intellectuals, a trend that’s become almost fashionable in certain circles: the assertion that Nepal’s destiny lies northwards, that the future is to be found in a pivot away from the familiar southern plains and towards the promise of the high plateaus beyond the Himalayas.

Opinion 31 Jul, 2025

43rd BP Memorial Day: Literary contribution superseding the political

43rd BP Memorial Day: Literary contribution superseding the political

Bishweswor Prasad Koirala's (BP) Memorial Day was observed last week throughout the country highlighting his multi-faceted contribution to Nepali society.

Bishweswor Prasad Koirala's (BP) Memorial Day was observed last week throughout the country highlighting his multi-faceted contribution to Nepali society.

Opinion 30 Jul, 2025

The Perils of a Bad Bank for Nepal

The Perils of a Bad Bank for Nepal

A Bad Bank is a specialized financial entity created to take over and manage the troubled or non-performing assets (NPAs) of a financial institution. It can be established as a separate entity or structured within the existing bank by segregating toxic assets.

A Bad Bank is a specialized financial entity created to take over and manage the troubled or non-performing assets (NPAs) of a financial institution. It can be established as a separate entity or structured within the existing bank by segregating toxic assets.

Opinion 29 Jul, 2025

Eliminating viral hepatitis in Nepal: It's time to break down the barriers

Eliminating viral hepatitis in Nepal: It's time to break down the barriers

As the world prepares to mark World Hepatitis Day on July 28, we are reminded of both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead in the fight against viral hepatitis.

As the world prepares to mark World Hepatitis Day on July 28, we are reminded of both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead in the fight against viral hepatitis.

Opinion 28 Jul, 2025

Revival of the RIC dialogue: Implications for South Asian stability

Revival of the RIC dialogue: Implications for South Asian stability

The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, originally conceived by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in the late 1990s, was designed to foster Eurasian solidarity and promote a multipolar world order in response to US-led Western dominance.

The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, originally conceived by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in the late 1990s, was designed to foster Eurasian solidarity and promote a multipolar world order in response to US-led Western dominance.

Opinion 25 Jul, 2025

Plumber of the mind: Freud peeled the layers of our self

Plumber of the mind: Freud peeled the layers of our self

Sigmund Freud was a frail kid. He was, however, a bright student — a child with endless curiosity.

Sigmund Freud was a frail kid. He was, however, a bright student — a child with endless curiosity.

Opinion 24 Jul, 2025

Domination of the big three: How long will it last?

Domination of the big three: How long will it last?

The façade of Nepali politics has been appearing irritatingly similar with the same three faces of Sher Bahadur Deuba, K P Oli and Prachanda projecting in the political panorama, one after another.

The façade of Nepali politics has been appearing irritatingly similar with the same three faces of Sher Bahadur Deuba, K P Oli and Prachanda projecting in the political panorama, one after another.

Opinion 23 Jul, 2025

Between two worlds: A decade of becoming

Between two worlds: A decade of becoming

This August marks ten years since I left Nepal to pursue higher education in the United States.

This August marks ten years since I left Nepal to pursue higher education in the United States.

Opinion 22 Jul, 2025

Nepal's bold step forward: Unpacking the PM's WASH commitments

Nepal's bold step forward: Unpacking the PM's WASH commitments

June marked a pivotal moment for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nepal.

June marked a pivotal moment for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nepal.

Opinion 21 Jul, 2025

Supreme Court verdict: A missed opportunity for constitutional justice

Supreme Court verdict: A missed opportunity for constitutional justice

Four years ago, then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli issued an ordinance amending the Constitutional Council Act, citing non-cooperation and issues in convening council meetings.

Four years ago, then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli issued an ordinance amending the Constitutional Council Act, citing non-cooperation and issues in convening council meetings.

Opinion 20 Jul, 2025

E-governance in Federal Nepal: The failure of decentralised digitalisation

E-governance in Federal Nepal: The failure of decentralised digitalisation

Nepal’s federalism brought unprecedented authority and autonomy to local governments (LGs), empowering them to design and implement their own vision of governance.

Nepal’s federalism brought unprecedented authority and autonomy to local governments (LGs), empowering them to design and implement their own vision of governance.

Opinion 18 Jul, 2025

Nepali Congress at a strategic crossroads: The urgency of unity amid emerging threats

Nepali Congress at a strategic crossroads: The urgency of unity amid emerging threats

Nepal’s political landscape is transforming rapidly. At such a moment, the Nepali Congress (NC)—long considered a guardian of democratic ideals and centrist politics—is confronting an unprecedented convergence of challenges.

Nepal’s political landscape is transforming rapidly. At such a moment, the Nepali Congress (NC)—long considered a guardian of democratic ideals and centrist politics—is confronting an unprecedented convergence of challenges.

Opinion 17 Jul, 2025

Dalit Round Table Conference: Only cohesion and union can carry forward the momentum

Dalit Round Table Conference: Only cohesion and union can carry forward the momentum

Talking about caste discrimination is not so common in a country like Nepal. Yet if the nation really wants to progress and reach unprecedented levels of prosperity, then this is an issue that citizens can’t pretend not to see.

Talking about caste discrimination is not so common in a country like Nepal. Yet if the nation really wants to progress and reach unprecedented levels of prosperity, then this is an issue that citizens can’t pretend not to see.

Opinion 17 Jul, 2025

Nepal's tourism strategy: Aiming for the sky, missing the pilgrim next door

Nepal's tourism strategy: Aiming for the sky, missing the pilgrim next door

If ever there was proof that the gods dabble in the tourism business, Uttar Pradesh is it.

If ever there was proof that the gods dabble in the tourism business, Uttar Pradesh is it.

Opinion 16 Jul, 2025

Celebration of Bhanubhakta's birth anniversary: Tributes paid round the globe

Celebration of Bhanubhakta's birth anniversary: Tributes paid round the globe

At a time when the performance of the government is more than dismal or even suffocating at times, events like the celebration of the anniversary of luminaries such as Bhanubhakta certainly provides the much-needed breather.

At a time when the performance of the government is more than dismal or even suffocating at times, events like the celebration of the anniversary of luminaries such as Bhanubhakta certainly provides the much-needed breather.

Opinion 16 Jul, 2025

A paradigm shift in the end-of-life scenario

A paradigm shift in the end-of-life scenario

I work as a pulmonary and critical care physician, which involves caring for critically ill patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and treating a diverse range of lung-related ailments in the outpatient setting.

I work as a pulmonary and critical care physician, which involves caring for critically ill patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and treating a diverse range of lung-related ailments in the outpatient setting.

Opinion 16 Jul, 2025

Breaking Barriers: Rethinking Capacity Building for Climate Resilience in Nepal

Breaking Barriers: Rethinking Capacity Building for Climate Resilience in Nepal

As climate change accelerates across the Himalaya, Nepal stands at a crossroads.

As climate change accelerates across the Himalaya, Nepal stands at a crossroads.

Opinion 15 Jul, 2025

Time for a diplomatic reset: Revisiting the Birendra Doctrine

Time for a diplomatic reset: Revisiting the Birendra Doctrine

During the cold war era that began with the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan in 1947 and ended with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the world was ideologically divided into two blocs – one led by the United States promoting capitalism, and the other aligned with the Soviet Union advocating communism.

During the cold war era that began with the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan in 1947 and ended with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the world was ideologically divided into two blocs – one led by the United States promoting capitalism, and the other aligned with the Soviet Union advocating communism.

Opinion 15 Jul, 2025

Souvenirs from the Smallest Room: My Japanese Toilet Epiphany

Souvenirs from the Smallest Room: My Japanese Toilet Epiphany

There are few experiences in life as unexpectedly delightful as one’s first encounter with a Japanese toilet. Imagine a weary traveller, jet-lagged and disoriented, stumbling into the arrivals lounge of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

There are few experiences in life as unexpectedly delightful as one’s first encounter with a Japanese toilet. Imagine a weary traveller, jet-lagged and disoriented, stumbling into the arrivals lounge of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

Opinion 14 Jul, 2025