Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali and his wife Saraswati say their decision to donate their organs after death has been one of their most beautiful experiences in life.

The government of K P Sharma Oli has not been able to do much about improving Nepal’s economic indicators. Where did it go wrong? What is the state of our economy at the moment and what are the areas the government must focus on through the upcoming budget? Economist Biswo Poudel provided specific answers to these questions in an interview with Mahabir Paudyal and Sagar Ghimire.

The main opposition Nepali Congress is a divided house once again. There is war of words between party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and Koirala faction, most notably Dr Shekhar Koirala and Dr Shashank Koirala.  Party president says one thing about government’s decision, his spokesperson soon opposes it and party president then changes his position. District presidents are appealing for timely General Convention, which Deuba seems bent on deferring.  Why is Congress in such mess? What is its reading of the government’s performance?

The government is hosting Investment Summit starting from Friday in Kathmandu at a time when it is being criticized for not being able to create an investment-friendly environment.

The Bibeksheel Sajha Party Nepal (BSPN), formed after the merger of Bibeksheel Nepali Party and Sajha Party in July 2017, split last week when Ujwal Thapa filed an application at the Election Commission (EC) to register a new party named Bibeksheel Nepali Dal. What led to the unexpected split? How will Bibeksheel Nepali Dal go ahead in the days to come? Republica’s Thira L Bhusal met with him for a comprehensive response.

Nepal and Qatar share multi-faceted relations. Over 500,000 Nepali migrant workers are said to be currently working in this Gulf nation. Besides exchange of high level visits to cement the ties, Nepal and Qatar have also been expanding various avenues of cooperation. The relations between the two countries have deepened further with Qatar establishing residential embassy in Nepal. As Qatar is celebrating its National Day – the birth day of its founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani on Tuesday, Republica talked to Ambassador of Qatar to Nepal Yousuf bin Mohamed al-Hail. Excerpts:

European Investment Bank (EIB) is the public bank owned by 28 member countries of the European Union. The EIB supports investment in 160 countries worldwide. In Asia, it focuses on support for climate-related investment. Nearly 14 percent of its investment is outside the EU including Asia. The EIB has provided more than 190 million euro for energy investment across Nepal over the last five years.

A popular player Kevin O’Brien became the first ever centurion from his nation Ireland after achieving the gallant feat in Ireland’s first ever Test match against Pakistan back in May. O’Brien had scored a match winning century against England in ICC World Cup 2011, which is arguably the biggest moment in Ireland cricket’s history. He arrived in Nepal on Wednesday with much fan fare to represent Kathmandu Kings Xi in the Everest Premier League (EPL) starting on Saturday.

Pokhara Rhinos, an Everest Premier League (EPL) outfit, has appointed a foreign coach in Nepali franchise cricket for the first time ever. The signing of Australian Nathan Dodd is considered a breath of fresh air and a giant leap for Nepali cricket toward the next level.

The government, through the budget for Fiscal Year 2013/14, announced plans to build an international-standard exhibition hall and a dry port on the land of the defunct Himal Cement Factory in Chobhar. But the project has failed to take off. Nepal Intermodal Transportation Development Board (NITDB), under the Ministry of Commerce, was assigned the task of implementing the project with financial support of US$ 22 million from the World Bank.