Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Sunday have published stories related to a wide range of issues on their front pages. The ongoing NCP standing committee meeting, the latest development in US-Nepal ties and other issues have received considerable attention from the editors. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Sunday.
Important
NCP leaders criticise Oli govt, party leadership
The Himalayan Times, Nagarik and Kantipur carry reports saying that leaders of Nepal’s ruling party have criticised their party leadership for failing to live up to the people’s expectations. Senior leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, during the ongoing meeting on Saturday, demanded that the party do away with ‘favouritism’ and start following rules and regulation.
The two leaders told the meeting that the party was becoming unpopular and party chairs KP Oli and Prachanda failed to follow the party’s norms and values.
China wary of US proposal to Nepal
Naya Patrika, in its lead story, reports that China is wary and India is ‘neutral’ with regards to the US proposal that Nepal play a central role in its Indo-Pacific alliance. Republica reports that Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali told Michael Pompeo that Nepal will not join the US-led alliance. It quotes party sources to say that Gyawali told NCP leaders the government understood that partnering with the US could hurt ties with China. The report comes as foreign affairs experts suggested that Nepal only join alliances if they are beneficial forthe country.
Ignored
Nirmala Pant Murder: Arrested man’s DNA does not match with killers’
Naya Patrika reports that Bishal Chaudhari, the man arrested by police as the prime suspect in the Nirmala Pant murder case has been released after his DNA didn’t match with that of the killer. However, police officials haven’t made the DNA report public. Pradip Rawal, who was arrested along with Chaudhari, is still in police custody.
The piece also states that Chaudhari and Rawal admitted to killing Nirmala Pant after they were tortured by police.
Interesting
The Himalayan Times questions if the proposed merger between Federal Socialist Forum and Rastriya Janata Party will ever take place. In the report, the paper states that RJP coordinator Rajendra Mahato has played down the merger saying it won’t be happening now. However, Ram Sahaya Yadav says that it is still a possibility.
The parties entered into an alliance just before the elections and contested the polls together.
Nepali films making record losses
Annapurna Post, in its two-column story, reports how the film industry in Nepal faces losses of up to Rs 500 million every year. In the report, it states that of the 65 movies released this year, only 5 per cent of the films earned as much as they invested. Only 3 per cent made a profit.
The paper reports that over a billion rupees is invested into movies every year.
