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/world/2026/07/18/india-s-skyroot-launches-vikram-1-in-first-private-orbital-rocket-missionThe Vikram-1 rocket lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 0635 GMT, leaving behind a plume of fire and smoke dubbed “Mission Aagaman”.https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2026/07/18/a-run-through-nepal-s-first-road-tunnelThe Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel opens to the public for the first time ahead of its long-awaited launch, with formal inauguration set for July 27.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/07/18/nepse-posts-strongest-weekly-gain-in-months-as-turnover-jumpsBenchmark index rises nearly 3 percent, adding Rs140 billion to market value as trading activity rebounds and all sectoral indices advance.https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2026/07/18/the-week-in-six-photos-1784344317Here are some of the photos taken by our photojournalists and reporters this week.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/07/18/finding-community-through-photowalksFrom a small gathering of colleagues to a growing community of photographers, photowalks have created spaces to learn, explore and see Nepal differently.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/07/18/a-ridiculous-book-to-make-sense-of-a-horrible-worldAditi Mali's 'The Complete Shampoo and Daddy' has just had it with the world. It, therefore, takes from it only what it must.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/07/18/events-july-18-to-july-24-2026The Post brings you a lowdown on some major events this week.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/07/18/institutional-failure-ruins-historic-asian-games-ticket-for-nepali-esportsAfter months of rigorous training and securing hard-fought qualifications in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, Nepal’s elite gamers watch their podium dreams slip away due to administrative ego.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/07/18/nepse-this-week-1784341485Here is a snapshot of what happened at the stock market this week. https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/07/18/historic-kolkata-biratnagar-rail-cargo-service-begins-transit-costs-set-to-fallThe service marks a major expansion of Nepal-India transit connectivity and promises faster deliveries, lower logistics costs and improved access for eastern Nepal's importers.https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2026/07/18/ncp-eyes-return-to-power-in-provinces-as-nc-uml-alliance-fraysProvince-specific coalition talks could produce new governments in Sudurpaschim, Karnali and beyond. https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/18/task-force-submits-sweeping-amendment-proposals-but-consensus-elusiveGovernment panel submits 500-page paper on governance, elections, judiciary and federalism, but major parties question its legitimacy.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/18/a-locked-library-and-the-questions-it-leaves-behindThe closure of Kathmandu Valley Public Library has become a window into Nepal’s relationship with books, knowledge and public life.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/deuba-s-son-implicated-in-money-laundering-probe-over-rs26-million-transferThe chargesheet says firms owned by Jayabir Deuba received the money from controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/pmo-sets-up-panel-to-probe-passport-rolloutTechnical glitches have cut passport production by two-thirds and delayed services, prompting the government to form an expert panel.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/loan-sharking-victims-call-off-protest-after-nine-point-deal-with-governmentThe government agrees to classify predatory lending as an economic crime, draft a special law within three months and establish dedicated tribunals to hear loan-sharking cases.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/07/17/us-iran-each-attack-infrastructure-in-risky-escalationWashington and Tehran have been testing the limits of escalation since their ceasefire agreement collapsed last week, raising the prospect of a return to all-out war.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/under-the-guise-of-oversight-lawmakers-face-backlash-over-high-handed-conductChasing social media attention, lawmakers are crossing jurisdictional lines by confronting officials, seeking confidential files and issuing arbitrary ultimatums.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/taklakot-trade-resumes-but-china-tightens-control-over-manasarovar-accessFifty-seven Bajhang residents have secured border passes for trade in Tibet, but strict travel rules continue to keep pilgrims away from the sacred lake.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/07/17/in-lamine-yamal-s-old-neighbourhood-world-cup-final-against-messi-brings-prideA viral photograph showing Messi, 39, with a baby Lamine Yamal, now 19, has captured imaginations ahead of Sunday’s final in New Jersey.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/government-halts-new-contract-hiring-keeps-existing-workers-on-payrollExisting contract employees will be pooled and redeployed across government agencies while a task force reviews long-term employment terms, benefits and legal protections.https://kathmandupost.com/football/2026/07/17/anfa-says-it-will-bear-all-of-aashish-rai-s-treatment-costs-despite-funding-delay Football governing body attributes delay in financial support to FIFA suspension and vows to resume payments once administrative hurdles are cleared.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/07/17/five-things-to-know-about-trump-s-election-fraud-allegationsTrump’s claims range from foreign interference allegations to voter fraud accusations, but previous intelligence reviews and investigations have found little evidence to support them.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/nepal-s-esports-teams-take-on-the-world-as-billion-dollar-industry-surgesDRS Gaming and Horaa Esports fly Nepal’s flag at the Esports World Cup as players chase historic success abroad while warning that a lack of domestic tournaments and government support threatens the industry at home.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/court-grants-bail-to-deepak-bhatta-and-sulav-agrawal-in-securities-and-insurance-offence-casesBoth will remain in custody in a separate money laundering case.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/07/17/trump-threatens-new-iran-escalation-and-risks-repeating-old-mistakesAs a month-old interim ceasefire collapses, the US president weighs broader military action despite analysts warning that more strikes are unlikely to force Tehran to change course and could deepen the regional conflict.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/07/17/aaditya-subedi-on-leaving-harvard-to-build-an-ai-labThe 19-year-old talks about technology and the unconventional choices that have shaped his journey.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/07/17/where-history-meets-contemporary-art‘Mythical Real’ brings together 17 artists whose works examine the enduring connections between humanity and nature.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/07/17/nepal-and-india-to-resume-talks-on-air-entry-routes-after-decade-long-lullOfficials will discuss additional cross-border air entry points critical for the viability of Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airports.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/07/17/india-opening-power-transmission-infra-sector-to-chinese-linked-firms-gives-nepal-a-chance-to-make-its-caseNew Delhi has granted a two-year exemption to four companies with Chinese ownership or business links, allowing them to compete for Indian government contracts related to critical electricity transmission infrastructure.https://kathmandupost.com/politics/2026/07/17/mps-to-get-personal-secretaries-backDecision revives concerns over nepotism, political patronage and misuse of public funds.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/dna-report-contradicts-gang-rape-case-against-four-juvenilesFindings link only the main accused to the victim, raising fresh questions over prosecutors' decision to charge all four with rape and murder.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/17/government-victims-of-predatory-lending-close-to-agreementHome Minister Gurung agrees to declare usury a serious economic crime, cancel fraudulent loan documents and set up a special tribunal.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/07/17/nepal-s-development-spending-short-of-even-half-of-annual-allocationDevelopment spending reaches only 46.79 percent of the annual budget’s allocation, with authorities citing political instability, elections and supply disruptions for delays in project implementation.https://kathmandupost.com/editorial/2026/07/17/ensure-legal-recourse-for-state-imposed-punishmentsNepali citizens possess no legal space to challenge the fines or charges imposed by security forces.https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/07/17/nepal-promises-to-save-nature-it-never-checksNepal produces surprising research on Himalayan biodiversity given its size. The talent exists, but patience and willingness to fund slow, honest work are lacking.https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/07/17/between-delhi-and-beijing-nepal-forgets-kathmanduA state that struggles to govern effectively at home will also struggle to negotiate and deliver abroad.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/16/government-turns-to-tax-arrears-recovery-to-meet-ambitious-revenue-targetThe government aims to recover more than Rs100 billion from long-pending tax arrears to help meet its Rs1.405 trillion revenue target for the next fiscal year through a tax settlement scheme.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/16/central-zoo-to-reopen-on-friday-as-environmental-samples-test-negative-for-bird-fluThe zoo has been closed since June 19 following an outbreak of the deadly virus among vultures, owls, swans and other rare birds, as well as a jungle cat and civets housed at the facility.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/07/16/1-115-nepali-caregivers-clear-israel-selection-process-for-long-term-care-jobsIsrael had opened applications for 2,300 caregiver positions, but only 1,115 candidates met all eligibility criteria after the selection process.