Who and what the headlines are about.

Balendra Shah

47th Prime Minister of Nepal (since 27 March 2026, MP for Jhapa-5); former Mayor of Kathmandu (2022–2026). Rapper, structural engineer; joined RSP in Jan 2026 and led the party to victory in the 2026 election. Also holds the Defence portfolio; held Home Affairs on an interim basis from 22 April 2026 until Sudan Gurung was reinstated as Home Minister on 9 June 2026.

Gagan Thapa

President of Nepali Congress (elected January 2026, youngest ever); former Minister of Health. Resigned after NC's poor showing in March 2026 elections, though SC validated his NC leadership on 18 April 2026.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre); former Prime Minister (served 2022–2024); known as Prachanda. Now a backbench MP from Eastern Rukum after his party won only 17 seats in the 2026 election.

K P Sharma Oli

Chairperson of CPN-UML; former Prime Minister of Nepal (multiple terms). Lost his seat in the March 2026 elections and was briefly arrested (March–April 2026) over the Gen Z protest crackdown.

Rabi Lamichhane

Chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP); former TV journalist. Re-elected MP in 2026; backed Balen Shah as PM candidate; faces ongoing cooperative fraud case.

Sasmit Pokharel

Minister of Education and Sports in Balen Shah's government (since 14 May 2026, MP for Kathmandu-5) and government spokesperson. Held Education, Science and Technology plus Youth and Sports from 27 March 2026 until the May 2026 restructuring split science, technology and innovation into a separate ministry under Mahabir Pun. Former Sajha Youth Organization (Bibeksheel Sajha) leader; BBM-LL.B from Kathmandu University School of Law; won Kathmandu-5 in 2026 against NC, UML and RPP heavyweights.

Sher Bahadur Deuba

Five-time former Prime Minister; former President of Nepali Congress (until Jan 2026). Did not contest the 2026 election; faces money-laundering arrest warrant (April 2026).

Donald Trump

47th President of the United States (2025–); his trade tariff policies and Middle East diplomacy are frequently covered in Nepali media.

Sunil Lamsal

Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Minister of Urban Development of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Rupandehi-1). Structural engineer; previously infrastructure-and-environment expert under Balen Shah's Kathmandu mayoralty. BE (Lumbini Engineering College), ME in structural engineering from India. Worked on Gautam Buddha International Airport, Pokhara International Airport and Singha Durbar restoration.

Swarnim Wagle

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Tanahun-1). Economist (PhD from Australian National University); former Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission (2017–2018); ex–World Bank Senior Economist and UNDP Asia-Pacific Chief Economic Advisor. Vice-Chair of RSP.

Upendra Yadav

Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP-Nepal); former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Resigned from government in May 2024.

Nisha Mehta

Minister of Health and Population and Minister of Water Supply of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member — Madhesi cluster, Sunsari). Nurse from Inaruwa, Sunsari; trained at AIIMS New Delhi; master's in Nursing from Gwalior, India. Previously worked at the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences and Birat Teaching Hospital. RSP general member since founding.

Sudan Gurung

Founder of Hami Nepal (2020) and a key leader of the 2025 Gen Z protests that toppled the previous government (MP for Gorkha-1, RSP). Home Minister in Balen Shah's government 27 March – 22 April 2026, when he resigned amid scrutiny of his share investments and alleged links to a businessman under money-laundering investigation; reinstated as Home Minister on 9 June 2026 after a government inquiry committee reportedly cleared him. Previously a DJ and event manager in Kathmandu.

Biraj Bhakta Shrestha

Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kathmandu-8). Heritage-conservation activist; entered politics through Bibeksheel Sajha alongside Ujwal Thapa; founder of 'Force Nepal' and the 'One Tree – My Responsibility' campaign. Previously member of the inaugural Bagmati Provincial Assembly. Bachelor's in Commerce and Business Administration. Re-elected from Kathmandu-8 in 2026.

Gita Chaudhary

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Minister of Forests and Environment of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member — Tharu cluster, Kanchanpur). Lawyer from Shuklaphanta Municipality-4, Kanchanpur; founder of Youth Advocacy Nepal, providing free legal services to marginalised communities.

Madhav Kumar Nepal

Former Chairperson of CPN (Unified Socialist), which merged into the new Nepali Communist Party (NCP) in November 2025; he serves as NCP joint coordinator. Former Prime Minister (2009–2011).

Manoj Kumar Sharma

31st Chief Justice of Nepal (since 19 May 2026); sworn in by President Ram Chandra Paudel at Shital Niwas the same evening the Parliamentary Hearing Committee unanimously endorsed his nomination. Constitutional Council recommended him on 7 May 2026; the pick was contentious because he was fourth in the Supreme Court seniority roll, bypassing acting CJ Sapana Pradhan Malla and two other senior justices. Former Supreme Court justice; serves a six-year term.

Khadka Raj Paudel

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kaski-1). Known by his literary name 'Ganesh' Paudel; writer, trekker and former English-literature lecturer (15+ years). MBA (Pokhara University), BA in English Literature (Tribhuvan University). Founder of the Random Readers Society.

Ram Chandra Paudel

President of Nepal (since 13 March 2023, term through 2028); Nepali Congress politician.

Bikram Timilsina

Minister of Communication and Information Technology of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Nuwakot-1). Academic and former broadcaster; PhD from Griffith University on the role of external forces in Nepal's peace process. Previously taught Diplomacy and International Law at Tribhuvan University and worked nine years as a producer/presenter at Radio Sagarmatha. Won Nuwakot-1 by defeating former Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat.

Sobita Gautam

Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Chitwan-3). Lawyer and former TV presenter (Swasthya Sarokar on Nepal Television); founding central committee member of RSP. First elected from Kathmandu-2 in 2022; in 2026 won Chitwan-3 by defeating Renu Dahal by a 38,662-vote margin.

Sapana Pradhan Malla

Senior-most sitting justice of Nepal's Supreme Court; served as Acting Chief Justice from 1 April 2026 to 19 May 2026 after Prakash Man Singh Raut's mandatory retirement at age 65. Bypassed for the permanent Chief Justice appointment when the Constitutional Council picked fourth-in-line Manoj Kumar Sharma; appointment drew criticism from legal and political circles as a breach of seniority convention.

Sunita Dangol

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu (2026–); Newar heritage conservationist and language activist. Deputy mayor under Balen Shah from 2022.

Gauri Kumari Yadav

Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 10 April 2026, MP for Mahottari-4); took over a portfolio previously held by the Prime Minister. Born in Samsi, Mahottari District; holds an I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science). One of just 14 women elected via FPTP in 2026; defeated sitting NC MP Mahendra Kumar Raya with 30,132 votes.

Rajendra Lingden

Chairperson of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP); proponent of Hindu state restoration.

Narayan Kaji Shrestha

Senior leader of CPN (Maoist Centre); former Deputy Prime Minister; known as Prakash.

Shishir Khanal

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, MP for Kathmandu-6). Co-founder of Teach For Nepal (2012); briefly Education Minister for 19 days in January 2023. Heads RSP's Foreign Relations Department; MPA from University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Deepak Kumar Sah

Former Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security (27 March 2026 – 9 April 2026) in Balen Shah's government. Dismissed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane after the party's disciplinary body found he had used his office to keep his wife, Junu Shrestha, on the Health Insurance Board.

Mahabir Pun

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation since 9 June 2026 in Balen Shah's government (independent MP, Myagdi-1) — inaugural head of the ministry, split off from the education ministry on 13 May 2026 after Pun lobbied for a dedicated science portfolio. Tech activist and Ramon Magsaysay laureate (2007); founder of the National Innovation Center and the Nepal Wireless Networking Project. Earlier the Education, Science and Technology Minister in Sushila Karki's interim government (2025–26).

Sita Badi

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 27 March 2026, PR member — Dalit cluster, Surkhet). The first parliamentarian and first cabinet minister from Nepal's marginalised Badi community, and the first woman from the Badi community to earn a master's degree. Long-time activist against caste-based discrimination.

Ramji Yadav

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security of Nepal in Balen Shah's government (since 10 April 2026, MP for Saptari-2); replaced Deepak Kumar Sah who was dismissed on 9 April 2026. Electrical engineer (Kathmandu Engineering College, 2017) from a Maithil Yadav family in Rajbiraj. Previously associated with Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, Janata Samajbadi Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party and Rastriya Mukti Party before joining RSP.

Harka Sampang

Former Independent Mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City (2022–2026); known for grassroots governance reforms. Founder and chairman of Shram Sanskriti Party (2025–).

Prime Minister of Nepal

Head of government of Nepal.

President of Nepal

Ceremonial head of state of Nepal.

Finance Minister of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Finance.

Minister of Education and Sports of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Education and Sports. Until the May 2026 ministry restructuring this office headed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; science, technology and innovation were then split off into a separate ministry.

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal

Presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Home Minister of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Foreign Minister of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chief Justice of Nepal

Head of the Supreme Court and judiciary of Nepal.

Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

Minister of Health and Population of Nepal

Head of the Ministry of Health and Population.

Nepal Police

National civilian police force of Nepal.

Federal Parliament of Nepal

Bicameral legislature of Nepal comprising the House of Representatives and National Assembly.

Supreme Court of Nepal

Nepal's highest court.

Armed Police Force Nepal

Paramilitary police force of Nepal; handles border security and counter-terrorism.

Nepal Army

National army of Nepal.

Nepal Rastra Bank

Central bank of Nepal.

Ministry of Home Affairs

Nepal's ministry responsible for internal security, police and local administration.

Tribhuvan University

Nepal's largest and oldest university; established 1959.

Election Commission of Nepal

Constitutional body that conducts elections in Nepal.

Ministry of Finance

Nepal's central ministry for fiscal policy and budget.

Nepal Electricity Authority

State-owned electricity utility; manages generation, transmission and distribution.

Nepal Stock Exchange

Nepal's only stock exchange; commonly referred to as NEPSE.

Asian Development Bank

Regional development bank; significant infrastructure funder in Nepal.

Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority

Nepal's constitutional anti-corruption body; investigates abuse of authority by public officials.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Nepal's largest metropolitan city authority, governing Kathmandu city.

United Nations

International organization; Nepal is a member since 1955 and a significant troop contributor to UN peacekeeping.

Securities Board of Nepal

Nepal's capital-market regulator; approves IPOs/FPOs and oversees NEPSE, brokers and listed companies.

Nabil Bank

One of Nepal's largest private commercial banks; NEPSE ticker NABIL.

National Planning Commission

Nepal's apex economic planning body; advises on development policy and national budgets.

Gorkhapatra

Nepal's oldest and largest-circulation Nepali-language daily newspaper; state-owned.

Sanima Bank

Private commercial bank; NEPSE ticker SANIMA.

World Bank

International financial institution; major development lender to Nepal.

Global IME Bank

One of Nepal's largest commercial banks by assets; NEPSE ticker GBIME.

Nepal Insurance Authority

Regulator of Nepal's insurance industry (formerly the Insurance Board / Beema Samiti).

Nepal SBI Bank

Nepal subsidiary of State Bank of India; NEPSE ticker SBI.

Himalayan Reinsurance

Nepal's second reinsurer; NEPSE-listed (ticker HRL).

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Regional intergovernmental organisation; headquartered in Kathmandu.

BIMSTEC

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation; Nepal is a member.

Ncell

Private telecommunications company operating in Nepal; one of the two major mobile networks.

NIC Asia Bank

Major private commercial bank; NEPSE ticker NICA.

CDS and Clearing Limited

Nepal's central securities depository and clearing house; a NEPSE subsidiary.

Chilime Hydropower Company

Hydropower developer; NEPSE ticker CHCL.

Citizens Bank International

Private commercial bank; NEPSE ticker CZBIL.

Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market

Kathmandu's main wholesale fruit and vegetable market; price index frequently cited in food inflation reporting.

Kumari Bank

Private commercial bank; NEPSE ticker KBL.

Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank

National-level development bank; NEPSE ticker MLBL.

NMB Bank

Private commercial bank; NEPSE ticker NMB.

Siddhartha Bank

Private commercial bank; NEPSE ticker SBL.

Citizen Investment Trust

State investment trust managing retirement and unit-trust schemes; a major NEPSE institutional investor.

MetLife Nepal

Nepal operation of American Life Insurance Company (MetLife); a foreign-invested life insurer.

Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower

Operator of the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi project, Nepal's largest; NEPSE ticker UPPER.

Employees Provident Fund

State retirement-savings fund for government and institutional employees; a major institutional investor.

IME Life Insurance

Private life insurer in the IME group; NEPSE ticker ILI.

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

Nepal's ministry for science, technology and innovation policy; created in May 2026 by splitting the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. First minister Mahabir Pun (from 9 June 2026).

Nepal Bank Limited

Nepal's first commercial bank (est. 1937); government-majority owned; NEPSE ticker NBL.

Standard Chartered Bank Nepal

Nepal arm of the global Standard Chartered group; NEPSE ticker SCB.

Social Security Fund

Government contributory fund for formal-sector workers' social security.

Kathmandu

Capital and largest city of Nepal.

India

Nepal's southern neighbour; largest trading partner and major source of foreign influence.

Singha Durbar

Nepal's central government secretariat complex in Kathmandu; seat of the executive and most ministries. Colloquially used as a metonym for the government itself.

Koshi Province

Province 1; eastern Nepal including Biratnagar.

Chitwan

District in Bagmati Province; home to Chitwan National Park. Bharatpur is the headquarters.

Jhapa

District in Koshi Province; southeastern Terai, major tea-growing region.

Bagmati Province

Province 3; includes Kathmandu Valley.

Karnali Province

Province 6; mountainous mid-west region; least populous province.

United States

Country; significant Nepali diaspora; Trump administration trade tariffs frequently covered.

Lalitpur

Metropolitan city in Kathmandu Valley; historically known as Patan.

Madhesh Province

Province 2; Terai lowlands, large Madhesi population.

Lumbini Province

Province 5; western Terai, birthplace of Buddha at Lumbini.

Birgunj

Metropolitan city in Parsa District, Madhesh Province; main Nepal–India border crossing.

Dhangadhi

Metropolitan city; capital of Sudurpashchim Province.

Biratnagar

Metropolitan city in Koshi Province; second-most populous city in Nepal.

Iran

Middle Eastern country; frequently covered due to nuclear standoff, US sanctions, and Strait of Hormuz tensions affecting global oil and Nepal's fuel costs.

Surkhet

Capital city of Karnali Province; Birendranagar municipality.

Gandaki Province

Province 4; includes Pokhara.

Japan

Country; rising destination for Nepali students and workers under visa programs.

Bharatpur

Metropolitan city; capital of Bagmati Province; headquarters of Chitwan District.

Kailali

District in Sudurpashchim Province; Dhangadhi is the district headquarters.

Siraha

District in Madhesh Province; Terai lowlands, known for agriculture.

Sudurpashchim Province

Province 7; far-western Nepal; capital Dhangadhi.

China

Nepal's northern neighbour; major infrastructure and investment partner via BRI.

Banke

District in Lumbini Province; Nepalgunj is the district headquarters.

Dhanusha

District in Madhesh Province; Janakpur is the district headquarters.

Rautahat

District in Madhesh Province; Terai lowlands.

Nepalgunj

Sub-metropolitan city in Banke District, Lumbini Province; major southwestern commercial hub.

Janakpur

Sub-metropolitan city; capital of Madhesh Province. Religious and cultural centre associated with Sita.

Pokhara

Second-largest city of Nepal; Gandaki Province.

Hetauda

Sub-metropolitan city; capital of Bagmati Province.

Bhaktapur

Historic city in Kathmandu Valley; UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval Newari architecture.

Pakistan

South Asian country; Nepal's neighbour through India; frequently covered due to regional geopolitics.

Makwanpur

District in Bagmati Province; Hetauda is the district headquarters.

Jajarkot

District in Karnali Province; epicentre of the 2023 earthquake.

Strait of Hormuz

Strategic waterway between Iran and Oman; roughly 20% of global oil passes through it. Frequently referenced in Nepal's fuel price and geopolitics coverage.

Tehran

Capital of Iran; frequently referenced in coverage of Iran's nuclear programme and regional diplomacy.

Gulmi

District in Lumbini Province; hilly terrain, known for agriculture and labour migration.

Tanahun

District in Gandaki Province; Damauli is the district headquarters.

Butwal

Sub-metropolitan city in Lumbini Province; major commercial hub.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf state; major destination for Nepali migrant workers.

Israel

Middle Eastern country; Israel–Gaza and Israel–Lebanon conflicts are extensively covered in Nepali media.

Baglung

District in Gandaki Province; Baglung municipality is the headquarters.

Australia

Country; significant Nepali diaspora.

Taplejung

Easternmost district of Nepal, Koshi Province; gateway to Kangchenjunga trek.

Rupandehi

District in Lumbini Province; Butwal is the district headquarters; contains Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha.

Mount Everest

World's highest mountain (8,849 m); located on Nepal–Tibet border; known in Nepali as Sagarmatha.

Saudi Arabia

Gulf state; significant destination for Nepali migrant workers.

Dhankuta

District in Koshi Province; hilly eastern district.

United Kingdom

Country; historic Nepal ties via Gurkha regiments and diaspora.

Kanchanpur

District in Sudurpashchim Province; Mahendranagar is the district headquarters.

Myagdi

District in Gandaki Province; Beni is the district headquarters; Mahabir Pun won Myagdi-1 in 2026.

Parbat

District in Gandaki Province; Kushma is the district headquarters.

Baitadi

District in Sudurpashchim Province; far-western hilly district.

Udayapur

District in Koshi Province; Gaighat is the district headquarters.

Lebanon

Middle Eastern country; Israel–Lebanon conflict extensively covered in Nepali media.

South Korea

Country; popular destination for Nepali workers under the EPS (Employment Permit System) program.

Canada

Country; significant Nepali diaspora.

Himalayas

Mountain range spanning Nepal's northern border; home to eight of the world's fourteen 8000m peaks including Mount Everest.

Palestine

Territory in the Middle East; the Israel–Palestine conflict and Gaza situation are frequently covered in Nepali media.

Rara Lake

Nepal's largest lake located in Mugu District, Karnali Province; popular eco-tourism destination.

Germany

Country; growing destination for Nepali students and skilled workers.

Panchthar

District in Koshi Province; hilly eastern district bordering India.

Qatar

Gulf state; one of the largest destinations for Nepali migrant workers.

Dharan

Sub-metropolitan city in Koshi Province; known for Harka Sampang's governance model.

Salyan

District in Karnali Province; hilly mid-western district.

Nepali Congress

Centre-left political party; historically one of Nepal's two largest. Won 38 seats in the 2026 election; leadership contested after Gagan Thapa resigned as president, though SC validated his faction on 18 April 2026.

CPN (UML)

Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist). Chairperson remains KP Sharma Oli.

Rastriya Swatantra Party

Centrist political party founded 2022 by Rabi Lamichhane. Won a parliamentary majority in the 2026 election; Balen Shah, who joined RSP in Jan 2026, became PM.

CPN (Maoist Centre)

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).

Rastriya Prajatantra Party

Right-wing royalist party; advocates restoration of Hindu state and constitutional monarchy. Reunified with RPP-Nepal on 31 December 2025; current chair is Rajendra Lingden.

Shram Sanskriti Party

Nepali political party focused on labour rights and cultural identity; founded by Harka Sampang.

Healthcare

Health system, hospitals, public health policy and medical services in Nepal.

Roads and Infrastructure

Road construction, highways, bridges and infrastructure development in Nepal.

Education

Education policy, schools, universities and literacy initiatives in Nepal.

Federalism

Nepal's federal system established by the 2015 Constitution; provincial and local governance issues.

Constitution

Nepal's 2015 Constitution; constitutional amendments and debates.

Agriculture

Farming, food security, agricultural policy and rural livelihoods in Nepal.

Hydropower

Hydroelectric power generation; Nepal has among the world's highest per-capita potential; key export earner.

Tourism

Nepal's tourism industry including trekking, mountaineering and heritage tourism.

Foreign Employment

Nepali labour migration to Gulf countries, Malaysia, South Korea and beyond; policy and welfare issues.

Air Travel

Civil aviation, airlines, airports and air transport policy in Nepal.

Climate and Environment

Climate change impacts on Nepal including glacial melt, flooding, and environmental policy.

Remittances

Foreign remittances from Nepali migrant workers; constitutes over 25% of GDP.

Cricket

Bat-and-ball sport; Nepal is an ICC Associate Member.

Football

Association football (soccer); Nepal's national team is governed by ANFA.