https://kathmandupost.com/The Kathmandu Post : Find the latest breaking news from Nepal, opinion and analysis on Nepali politics, business, culture and arts, sports, movies, food and travel, books, education, auto and more at kathmandupost.comhttps://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/10/18/nepal-imports-2-million-packs-of-playing-cards-in-two-monthsThe country imported cards worth Rs51.8 million in the first two months of the current fiscal year, generating Rs31.1 million in customs revenue.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/10/18/france-counts-cost-of-worst-unrest-in-yearsMore than half a million people joined marches in scores of cities, marking ​the convergence of a month-long student movement with broader social discontent against rising living costs and declining public services.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/10/18/iran-urges-us-to-accept-proposal-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuzIran’s ​conditions include, among other demands, the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, ‌the lifting of US sanctions on its oil exports as well as ending hostilities on all regional fronts.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/18/traders-race-to-bring-in-dashain-goods-as-tatopani-border-reopensMore than 45 containers carrying festival goods remain held up in China, with traders uncertain how long the crossing will stay open.https://kathmandupost.com/cricket/2026/10/18/andre-russell-to-play-for-biratnagar-kings-in-nepal-premier-leagueThe two-time T20 World Cup winner has scored 9,933 runs and taken 539 wickets in 611 T20 matches, making him one of the most experienced players in the format.https://kathmandupost.com/karnali-province/2026/10/18/three-years-after-quake-survivors-in-karnali-still-face-dashain-in-temporary-sheltersDelayed damage assessments and slow grant processing have delayed home reconstruction in Jajarkot, Rukum West, and Salyan.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/10/18/border-disruptions-push-up-apple-prices-ahead-of-dashainChina supplies most of Nepal’s imported apples, leaving the market exposed to rising freight costs even as domestic production grows.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/10/18/festival-crush-in-kolkata-kills-at-least-17Heavy rain triggered overcrowding at a Durga Puja venue as devotees tried to leave, with dozens injured in the crush.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/18/what-to-know-about-the-us-trial-over-mamta-kafle-s-disappearanceMore than two years after the Nepali nurse vanished in Virginia, her husband is on trial for murder, though her body has never been found. He has pleaded not guilty. Here are 14 key questions about the case and the evidence.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/18/for-saptari-s-fire-hit-families-there-is-little-to-celebrate-this-dashainWith their homes and belongings reduced to ashes, families in Badgama and Mainakaderi are relying on emergency aid while facing the daunting cost of rebuilding.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/18/nepal-s-mandira-lamichhane-dhimal-elected-fellow-of-the-international-science-councilShe is the first Nepali woman scientist and only the second Nepali citizen to receive the distinction.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/18/can-nepal-s-hydropower-boom-withstand-a-changing-himalayaAs floods and landslides expose the vulnerabilities of hydropower projects, Nepal’s push to generate 30,000 MW by 2035 raises urgent questions about safety, sustainability and who benefits from the country’s rivers. https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/10/18/mass-protests-in-france-spiral-into-worst-riots-in-yearsMore than half a million people took to the streets over rising living costs and deteriorating public services, as looting, arson and clashes with police left hundreds injured and led to 1,200 arrests.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/18/three-dead-three-missing-as-jeep-plunges-into-sunkoshi-riverThe Tata Sumo jeep fell about 200 metres from the Mid-Hill Highway into the river in Sindhuli at 2:30am on Sunday. Four passengers, including the driver, were rescued.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/10/18/fiction-park-he-was-the-best-in-class-he-still-wasn-t-good-enoughWhen Eklavya is denied an award he has earned, he discovers that talent alone cannot overcome the prejudices of those in power.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/10/18/ddc-to-pay-dairy-farmers-every-fortnight-from-2027The state-owned corporation plans to expand sales, open new outlets and diversify products to improve cash flow and ensure timely payments to farmers.https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2026/10/18/gagan-thapa-takes-oath-as-congress-president-vows-to-regain-public-trustSays his main challenge was to preserve Congress’s legacy while making it relevant to a changing Nepali society.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/journalist-shrestha-released-after-artist-panta-agrees-to-approach-press-councilPolice had taken Shrestha from his residence to Cyber Bureau following a complaint over a report concerning the alleged takeover of 10-ropani land in Dhading.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/audio-attributed-to-fugitive-gb-rai-says-he-wants-to-return-to-nepalIn an audio recording and statement published by Setopati, Rai says he is ready to cooperate with authorities and repay depositors, but police have yet to authenticate the material.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/ani-choying-drolma-appointed-vice-chair-of-lumbini-development-trustThe Buddhist nun and singer was appointed by the Cabinet on October 16, following a proposal from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The post had been vacant for an extended period.https://kathmandupost.com/cricket/2026/10/17/nepal-suffer-shock-defeat-to-canada-ahead-of-crucial-oman-clashYuvraj Samra’s maiden ODI century helped Canada secure a 24-run victory, leaving Nepal with one match remaining in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.https://kathmandupost.com/health/2026/10/17/bangladesh-is-battling-measles-it-s-a-real-warning-to-other-nationsBangladesh’s measles vaccination programme had been a success story. But in 2025, amid political turmoil, it faltered. Its unvaccinated children are now paying the price.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/two-killed-three-injured-in-auto-rickshaw-crash-in-jajarkotThe vehicle plunged 60 to 65 metres off the Bheri Corridor road in Nalgad Municipality while travelling from Rukum West to Jajarkot.https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2026/10/17/gagan-thapa-tops-vote-count-in-nepali-congress-conventionLalitpur Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan ranks second among the top 10 vote-getters, followed by Basana Thapa, according to the results.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/10/17/banks-to-keep-select-branches-open-during-dashain-holidayCustomers will be able to make basic transactions at designated branches, with most banks planning to operate for two to three hours a day except on the day of Tika.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/10/17/bank-stocks-lead-market-rally-but-can-the-gains-lastNepse rose 1.63 percent before Dashain as banking and insurance shares attracted buyers. Analysts point to expected earnings, dividends and margin lending as potential drivers, but say turnover must rise to sustain the rally.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/police-take-journalist-kishor-shrestha-to-cyber-bureau-for-talks-over-complaintsRuling RSP leader Himesh Panta filed a complaint over a report alleging his family had grabbed land, while Shrestha lodged a counter-complaint over Panta’s social media remarks.https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/10/17/how-electric-cooking-can-drive-equityThe failure to expand electric cooking in Nepali kitchens shows how Nepal’s energy policies are failing its people.https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/10/17/the-two-hour-mapNepal’s shift to fewer, stronger maternal facilities is sound. The floods show those facilities also have to hold up in a disaster.https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/10/17/media-outlets-dress-up-for-dashain-what-about-other-festivalsDashain’s prominence in Nepali media is understandable, but how consistently do news outlets recognise the festivals of other religious and cultural communities?https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/nepal-s-leaders-call-for-unity-as-shah-highlights-dashain-s-financial-strain Prime Minister Balendra Shah said financial hardship should not make the festival a burden, while the president and vice-president stressed social harmony and support for families affected by disasters.https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2026/10/17/dashain-paints-the-country-in-festive-coloursCrowded markets, kite-filled skies and packed roads capture the excitement as families head home and communities prepare to celebrate. These pictures by Post photographers offer a glimpse of the sights and spirit of Dashain across Nepal.https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2026/10/17/shoppers-crowd-kathmandu-markets-for-phulpati Families flock to traditional bazaars for flowers, sugarcane, ginger plants and other offerings used in the Dashain ritual.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/10/17/when-tradition-becomes-a-fashion-statementAt NCFT’s graduating show, 54 designers focused on Nepal’s architecture, agricultural traditions, and traditional jewellery.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/10/17/what-s-on-in-kathmandu-valley-this-week-1792206626From music and workshops to food and heritage walks, here’s what’s happening around the Valley this week.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/10/17/what-s-different-about-janakpur-bolts-jersey-revealWhile other NPL franchises lean on AI-generated content, Janakpur Bolts’ jersey reveal puts human creativity, the team’s troubled past and its determination to rebuild at the centre. https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/10/17/teams-ditch-nsl-banner-to-form-new-nepal-football-leagueThe familiar lineup of seven club owners and former NSL executives returns with a brand-new tournament structure, with its first season kicking off on February 13.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/16-musahar-families-get-land-titles-after-years-of-waitingThe families in Rupandehi’s Gaidahawa Rural Municipality received legal ownership of the land they live on. The district has 82,000 registered landless people and informal settlers.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/bhotekoshi-flood-displaced-777-students-nepal-plans-five-year-school-recoveryOf the 57 educational institutions assessed in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts, 28 were damaged and 15 were completely destroyed.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/10/17/loss-and-damage-fund-calls-extraordinary-meeting-for-oct-22-to-support-nepalNepal formally requested an urgent response from the Fund on August 31, calling on the Board to take a special decision to provide assistance rapidly, directly and effectively.