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Politics heating up, stock markets climbing, and football dreams alive — Nepal’s been keeping busy this week. From glaciers to grid upgrades and the endless dance of workers heading abroad, it’s a mix of good news, familiar challenges, and a few hopeful surprises. Let’s dive in.
Economy & Development 💸
The Nepali stock market continues to defy the gloom elsewhere, with the NEPSE index climbing for a fifth consecutive session and comfortably breaking the 2,700-point mark. Total turnover hit an impressive Rs 9.64 billion, reflecting growing investor confidence and a broad-based rally across sectors, reports KTM Post. Life and non-life insurance stocks led the charge, while finance and hydropower shares also saw notable gains. According to Republica, market heavyweights like Nepal Finance and Khanikhola Hydropower posted strong performances, adding to the positive sentiment. Though some sectors showed modest declines mid-week, the overall market mood remains bullish as investors ride the upward momentum.
It’s also been a week of major development commitments, with Nepal securing nearly Rs 7 billion from the Green Climate Fund to tackle the growing risk of glacial lake outburst floods. The seven-year project, implemented in partnership with UNDP, will reduce water levels in high-risk Himalayan lakes, strengthen early warning systems, and protect vulnerable communities, according to THT. With over 2,000 glacial lakes nationwide, this investment marks a vital step towards safeguarding livelihoods and boosting Nepal’s climate resilience.
On the infrastructure front, both energy and connectivity saw steady progress, with 607 MW of new hydropower projects now set to connect to the national grid through public-private partnerships, as detailed by Republica. The government has also announced plans to build 200 suspension bridges and push ahead with delayed road projects like the Narayangadh-Butwal and Araniko Highway expansions. Meanwhile, Pokhara International Airport’s new aviation fuel depot is ready to begin operations, and discussions around biofuel production are gaining momentum as Nepal looks to reduce its costly reliance on fossil fuel imports, notes KTM Post. Altogether, the week brought a welcome mix of market optimism, climate action, and steady groundwork for Nepal’s future.
Social & Cultural ⭐
Nepal’s women’s football team is on the verge of a historic breakthrough after a commanding performance at the Asian Cup qualifiers. The team thrashed Sri Lanka 8-0 on Wednesday, following an earlier 9-0 win over Laos, putting them just one match away from securing a spot at the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, according to KTM Post. Star striker Sabitra Bhandari, known as ‘Samba’, bagged another hat-trick, taking her international goal tally to 64. With growing confidence and back-to-back victories, the squad faces hosts Uzbekistan this Saturday in what will be a decisive encounter for Nepal’s football dreams.
While the mood is high on the field, everyday life has become pricier for many as vegetable costs in Kathmandu and beyond have nearly doubled in just two weeks. As KTM Post reports, monsoon rains have damaged key highways and farmers have shifted their focus to paddy planting, squeezing supplies of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and other essentials. Market officials warn prices may continue to climb through the festive season as supply remains patchy. Meanwhile, THT highlights renewed calls to address Nepal’s child labour crisis, with activists and officials in Pokhara urging stronger local government action to rescue working children and support their education.
It’s also been a winning streak for Nepali cricket, as the U-16 boys stormed into the final of the ACC East Zone Cup after demolishing Malaysia by nine wickets, according to TRN. The team will face Singapore in Saturday’s final, having already beaten them earlier in the tournament, as reported by Radio Nepal. With both football and cricket teams eyeing glory, there’s no shortage of sporting pride for Nepalis to cheer for this week.
Politics & Governance 🪧
Nepal’s political spotlight is firmly back on former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, whose return to party politics is already stirring up the landscape. Stepping away from the ceremonial life of a former head of state, Bhandari has rejoined the UML fold and reignited debates about leadership change and party direction. Her decision to relinquish all state privileges, confirmed in a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs this week, reflects her determination to avoid controversy and jump headfirst into the political fray, as reported by KTM Post. Many within the party see her as a potential counterbalance to KP Oli’s dominant style — whether that leads to unity or more factional fireworks remains to be seen, notes Republica.
Away from the party halls and podiums, it’s Nepal’s teachers who are making their voices heard. With the promised School Education Act still stuck in parliamentary limbo, the Nepal Teachers’ Federation is warning of fresh protests if the government fails to deliver by July 7. Their demands centre on fairer hiring rules and more realistic evaluation standards — reforms that could shape the future of classrooms nationwide, according to Republica. The coming days could be pivotal in breaking the deadlock.
Meanwhile, the courts are quietly keeping tabs on accountability, with the Supreme Court ordering Kathmandu Metropolitan City to explain its backtracking on landless settlers' applications — a small but important test of how seriously authorities are tackling longstanding land rights issues, reports THT. With leadership contests, grassroots demands, and legal checks all in motion, it’s a reminder that Nepal’s politics may be messy — but far from dull.
Diaspora & Globalization 🌏
Nepal’s hospitality industry may be booming, but keeping workers on home soil is proving an uphill battle. In Rupandehi, hotel owners say chronic labour shortages are threatening the sustainability of the sector, as trained staff view local jobs as little more than a launchpad for foreign employment or better-paying casino work. “We invest in training, uniforms, food, and accommodation — but many leave within months,” lamented one resort operator, reflecting a sentiment echoed across the district. Despite steady job creation, only around 30 percent of workers stay long-term, reports KTM Post.
Industry leaders say casinos are intensifying the pressure, luring away trained hotel staff with significantly higher salaries. Meanwhile, for many young workers, the ultimate goal remains a job abroad, leaving hotels caught in a constant cycle of costly recruitment and retraining. Across Rupandehi alone, an estimated 50,000 people are employed in hospitality, but operators warn that without better incentives and career prospects at home, the quality and growth of Nepal’s tourism industry could face serious setbacks.
Did you know ❓
Nepal’s hills contain over 123 distinct languages, many spoken by fewer than 1,000 people. Linguists say Nepal is one of the world’s most linguistically dense countries, yet some of these languages risk disappearing within a generation.
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