Nepal's Daily Digest
Nepal issued a record 492 climbing permits for the 2026 spring Everest season. With the summit window opening May 19–21, lines of climbers are forming on the Southeast Ridge. Forecasters expect 60–80 summits today alone, while no-oxygen and speed-record attempts await a calmer window around May 26–27. Mt Lhotse (8,516 m) was also successfully summited on May 18.
Nepal's Supreme Court is gripped by an unprecedented institutional standoff. Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla ordered court administration to register writ petitions challenging the Constitutional Council's recommendation of Manoj Kumar Sharma as Chief Justice — but registrars and the chief registrar went missing as the deadline passed, refusing to comply. 16 formal complaints have been filed against the nominee. Parliament's hearing process has begun.
Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane became the fastest bowler in history to reach 150 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in just 73 matches — surpassing Australia's Mitchell Starc (77 ODIs). He had previously held the record for fastest to 100 ODI wickets. Nepal beat Scotland by six wickets in the ICC World Cup League 2, climbing to fifth place, with a century partnership between Ishan Pandey and Rohit Paudel sealing the 195-run chase.
Legendary Sherpa guide Kami Rita Sherpa summited Mount Everest for the 32nd time on Sunday, smashing his own world record set in 2025. The feat cements his status as the most experienced Everest climber in history. A Nepali climber also carried a kite scribbled with the dreams of Gaza's children to the summit, drawing global attention.
Not a single member raised the issue of CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli's resignation during the party's secretariat meeting, Setopati reports. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended a UML event as chief guest, hinting at a possible reconciliation with Oli. Meanwhile, youth leaders from Nepali Congress's anti-establishment faction met in Kathmandu, hinting at parallel activities.
The Nepal Super League's new expanded format aims to modernise Nepali football, but significant uncertainty surrounds player contracts and the domestic calendar. Football stakeholders are debating whether the expansion will revive the sport or create further instability in an already fragile league structure.
The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. At least 100 deaths and 390+ suspected cases have been reported. Nepal has stepped up Ebola surveillance at airports and border crossings in response, with health authorities on high alert.
Pakistan has delivered a revised Iranian proposal to the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, with Iran sending its response via mediator Pakistan. Issues holding up negotiations include Iran's nuclear ambitions, with the US and major powers insisting Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. The development has diplomatic implications for Nepal, which has nationals detained in the region.
A confidential briefing note from the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Secretariat, obtained by Kantipur, describes Nepal's progress as 'disappointing' and warns that the September 2026 review will be the decisive moment for potential blacklisting. Failure to implement key reforms could severely impact Nepal's access to international banking and remittances.
Nepal's government has started the first phase of refunding deposits to victims of problematic cooperatives, returning nearly Rs 1.4 million to 378 depositors. The initial phase prioritises savers with deposits of up to Rs 10,000. The cooperative crisis had affected hundreds of thousands of Nepalis who lost savings in fraudulent schemes.
Both houses of Nepal's parliament — the House of Representatives and the National Assembly — convene today. The opposition has moved to strike down key ordinances in the National Assembly, while parties in the upper house are mulling rejection of the measures. Opposition leaders continue to demand that Speaker compel PM Balen Shah to attend parliament.
A surge in tourism is creating growing security challenges along Nepal's open border with India. Rowdy behaviour, cross-border crime, and weak monitoring are posing increasing difficulties for local authorities in border districts. Strict customs enforcement has also sharply reduced cross-border trade, with goods worth more than Rs 100 now attracting duties.
Nepal's disaster management authorities project that more than 226,000 people will be affected by the 2026 monsoon season. The forecast comes as the BP Highway continues to suffer severe disruptions — even moderate rain washes away diversions, turning three-hour journeys into six-hour ordeals. Traditional Bajura springs are also drying up, signalling worsening water stress.
Prime Minister Balen Shah's social media endorsement of the Dairy Development Corporation's products sent sales soaring, reviving interest in a traditional Himalayan dairy brand. While the DDC welcomed the unexpected boost, critics questioned the appropriateness of a sitting PM using social media to promote a state enterprise, with some calling it a distraction from pressing governance issues.
The Himalayan Literature Festival (HLF) will welcome internationally acclaimed authors including Pulitzer Prize winners to Kathmandu this season. Sessions titled 'Poetry and Consciousness' and 'Sudden Zen' are among the highlights. Separately, a camera-trapping survey to assess the condition of the endangered red panda in the Dhaulagiri region has commenced, highlighting Nepal's biodiversity conservation efforts.