Nepal has decided to cancel the 'deposit scheme' introduced to keep Mount Everest free from pollution. The government made the decision after 11 years of implementation, citing a lack of expected results. Under the scheme, climbers were required to deposit a certain amount of money before their ascent, refundable only if they brought down at least eight kilograms of waste. Despite most climbers reclaiming their deposits, the overall pollution level on Everest showed little improvement, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Himala Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, said the project failed to play an effective role in environmental protection and instead created administrative complications. Climbers often collected waste from lower camps, leaving the higher camps neglected. Shering Sherpa, Chief Executive of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, noted that the most severe pollution persists in the upper camps, where tents, plastic cans, food packets, and used oxygen cylinders are still abandoned.

Experts pointed out that each climber generates about 12 kilograms of waste per expedition, while the rule required only eight kilograms to be brought down. They emphasized the need for more practical and effective policies to protect Everest’s environment.

Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a large-scale corruption case involving the Pokhara International Airport project, accusing 55 individuals and one company of inflating project costs and engaging in illicit financial transactions. The accused include five former ministers, ten former secretaries, and senior officials linked to the Chinese-funded infrastructure project. The case, lodged on Sunday, alleges that approximately USD 74.3 million (NPR 8.36 billion) was misappropriated through manipulated cost estimates and irregular tendering processes.

According to the CIAA, the project’s approved budget was deliberately revised with “malicious intent,” while Chinese firm China CAMC Engineering is accused of securing undue advantages through secret agreements and flawed feasibility studies. The project, initiated decades ago, has long faced controversy over transparency, political interference, and contract favoritism.

This is reportedly the largest corruption case ever submitted to Nepal’s Special Court. Analysts say the case could reshape public trust in foreign-funded infrastructure projects and intensify scrutiny of Chinese involvement in Nepal’s development sector.

At least 39 people have died in floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Nepal since Friday, according to the Nepal Police Headquarters. The Koshi Province has been the worst affected, recording 36 deaths, while Madhesh Province reported three fatalities. In Ilam district alone, 27 people died in landslides, with five still missing. Other casualties include two deaths in Udayapur, one in Khotang from lightning, and injuries in Bhojpur and Makwanpur. Six people were also killed in a road accident in Panchthar. Additional deaths occurred in Bara, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, and Ranihat of Madhesh due to floods or lightning strikes. Authorities fear the toll may rise as continuous rainfall hampers rescue and relief operations. The government has urged residents in high-risk areas to remain cautious amid forecasts of further heavy downpours.

Nepal is facing one of its worst crises in decades, driven by political instability, corruption, and deep-rooted party favoritism, according to political analyst Rajendra Bajgain. Speaking to The Himalayan Times, Bajgain warned that merely replacing the prime minister will not solve Nepal’s growing turmoil. He argued that the federal system, intended to promote accountability, has instead turned into a “factory of corruption,” plagued by bribery and political interference from local governments to national ministries. Bajgain cited major infrastructure failures, such as the Pokhara and Lumbini international airports, which became costly burdens due to poor planning and policy-level corruption. He cautioned that direct election of the prime minister could lead to dictatorship if structural reforms are ignored. To revive Nepal, Bajgain urged reducing local government units by 60%, introducing public-private partnerships for state enterprises, ensuring independent financial oversight, prosecuting corrupt officials, and adopting clear national development strategies like those of Singapore and Malaysia.

Sudan Gurung, a prominent youth leader of Nepal’s Gen-Z movement, has announced his candidacy in the country’s upcoming national elections.

Gurung revealed plans to launch a political platform called Movement for Change, uniting supporters nationwide. “Previous governments have corrupted politics. The ousted rulers are selfish and corrupt. If this is the politics they want, then we will fight and not back down,” he declared.

He stressed that his team is preparing to contest as a political party rather than as independents. Volunteers are already forming committees across Nepal, aiming to listen to people in every corner of the country.

The elections are scheduled for March, and Gurung expressed hopes that voters will reject old, corrupt leaders and demand accountability for past crimes.

The death toll from violent protests in Nepal has climbed to 72, according to the Ministry of Health. Bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of government buildings, residences, and other destroyed sites.

Angry demonstrators set fire to the Supreme Court, Parliament, and several homes of political leaders during the unrest. Once the clashes subsided, authorities began retrieving victims’ bodies from the debris.

Earlier, officials had confirmed 52 deaths, but the number surged as recovery operations continued. More than 2,000 people have been injured in the violence.

Nepal’s president has dissolved parliament following the recommendation of interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. A new election has been scheduled for March 5, 2026. Sushila took office Friday night as head of an interim government, which will serve for six months and is led by a small cabinet.

The appointment followed talks among representatives of the Jan-Jir protesters, the president and the head of the armed forces, after which consensus was reached to make Sushila prime minister. Sushila Karki served as Nepal’s chief justice from 2016 to 2017 — the country’s first woman to hold that post — and is widely regarded for her tough stance against corruption, a stance that has earned her popularity with the Jan-Jir movement.

In a historic development, Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has taken oath as the country’s first female interim Prime Minister. She was sworn in Friday evening at the presidential residence Shital Niwas by President Ram Chandra Poudel.

Karki’s appointment under Article 61 of the constitution marks a significant departure from previous governments formed under Article 76. Political analysts view the move as a major constitutional and political shift for Nepal.

Nepal’s former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned amid mass protests led by Gen-Z groups and is currently staying at a military barracks. In a letter to his party, he blamed India for his downfall, saying he lost power because of his stance on the Lipulekh border dispute and his claim that Lord Ram was born in Nepal, not India. Oli had previously declared Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani as integral parts of Nepal, straining ties with New Delhi.

Contrary to earlier media reports, the wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal is alive but in critical condition after being severely burned in an arson attack during protests in Kathmandu.

Rajyalakshmi Chitrakar was trapped inside the family home when demonstrators set it ablaze. While several outlets had prematurely reported her death, corrected statements confirm she survived but with life-threatening injuries as most of her body was burned.

In violence-hit Nepal, army helicopters were seen rescuing government ministers and their families on Thursday, with dramatic footage showing them dangling in harnesses as they were airlifted over a hotel in Kathmandu.

The country has been rocked by mass protests led by Gen-Z demonstrators who stormed parliament, torched the house of Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and attacked the residence of Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel. Videos show Finance Minister Paudel being chased and kicked on the street.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her husband, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, also came under attack at their home. Footage showed the former PM bloodied before army personnel rescued him.

Riots spread even to prisons, but the army quickly intervened and relocated inmates. Troops have been patrolling Kathmandu streets, enforcing stay-at-home orders as unrest continues.

In Nepal, Gen-Z protesters have proposed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as prime minister of an interim government.
The decision was announced after a six-hour virtual meeting on Wednesday, led by the army chief and attended by young activists from across the country. Protesters demanded justice for demonstrators killed on government orders, including the arrest and prosecution of senior leaders. Local media reported that Karki has responded positively to the request to lead an interim administration.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, were injured after their residence was attacked and set ablaze by Gen Z protesters.

The couple was reportedly beaten before being handed over to police.

Earlier, a viral video showed Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat fleeing from protesters in Kathmandu before being tripped and struck by a demonstrator. He crashed into a wall but quickly got back up and continued running.

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned following violent anti-corruption protests that rocked Kathmandu.
According to Reuters, his resignation came just hours after demonstrators set fire to the parliament building. At least 19 people have been killed over two days of unrest, with protesters attacking the residences of top leaders, including Oli and former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Tuesday’s clashes claimed two more lives and left nearly 90 others injured. Prior to stepping down, Oli had called for an all-party meeting to address the crisis.

Facing mounting protests, the Nepalese government has lifted its ban on social media.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Parbati Subba Gurung, said the cabinet reached consensus to restore access after widespread youth-led protests branded the “Gen-Z Revolution.”
The government had banned social media on September 4 in a controversial move that sparked massive demonstrations. Violent clashes have since killed at least 19 people and injured over 400. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned earlier on “moral grounds.”