KC's fast underscores the Nepal government's failure in managing the COVID-19 crisis, highlighting the need for improved public health measures and accountability.

An investigation by Alyaa Alhadjri and her Malaysian colleague revealed a corrupt collaboration between the migration agencies of Nepal and Malaysia, along with private companies, to exploit Nepali workers. The investigation led to significant actions, including the suspension of Bestinet's operations, the arrest of former Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and a labor pact between Malaysia and Nepal. The story, published in various media outlets, prompted further investigations in neighboring countries like Bangladesh.

On April 7, Rinji Rai, a Nepali labor recruiter, was found dead in a hostel toilet in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. Malaysian authorities have ruled out foul play, but Rinji’s widow, Indrasuwa Rai, and the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agency suspect mysterious circumstances and are calling for a murder investigation. The article highlights issues surrounding the import quota for migrant workers, which is allegedly being manipulated and traded for millions.

The article discusses the findings of the 'Pandora Papers', a global investigation led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which has exposed the use of tax havens by Nepali business persons and companies to hide wealth and avoid taxes. Prominent entities like Chaudhary Group and Golchha Organization have been implicated. The investigation reveals that individuals such as Binod Kumar Chaudhary, Nepal’s sole dollar billionaire, and his family, as well as other Nepali nationals, have set up offshore companies in tax havens like the British Virgin Islands. The Act Restricting Investment Abroad 1964 prohibits such investments, and the article highlights the legal and ethical implications of these findings. Despite previous investigations like 'NepaLeaks', there has been little action from the state to address these issues, suggesting possible complicity among Nepali politicians.

The article discusses the severe impact of illegal sand mining on the Chure rivers in Nepal, which has led to the displacement of farmers and significant ecological damage. The mining has increased the velocity of monsoon floods, destroying crops and farmland, and altering the natural landscape. The once fertile Tarai plains, known as Nepal's grain basket, are now facing a crisis that is driving farmers away from agriculture. The local governments and contractors are implicated in this environmental crime, with little to no regulation or enforcement of laws to protect the region. The crisis is also affecting towns across the border in India, with rising river levels and increased flood risks. Despite the existence of a masterplan to protect the Chure-Tarai region, rampant extraction continues, especially in an election year when local leaders are focused on campaign funding rather than environmental protection.

Vaccine supplies to Nepal are increasing with the arrival of Chinese Sinopharm vaccines and assurances of additional doses through the COVAX facility. Nepal has ordered 4 million doses of Sinopharm’s VeroCell vaccines, with the first shipment of 800,000 doses arriving from Beijing. The US is working on sending 1.5 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine under COVAX. The UK and EU are also contributing to the vaccine supply. Nepal faces challenges in vaccinating its population, with less than 3% fully vaccinated and a need to inoculate 22 million people. Financial support from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank is aiding vaccine procurement. Public health officials warn of a potential second peak of COVID-19 due to premature relaxation of lockdown rules.

At least 63 retired Gurkha soldiers have died from Covid-19 in Nepal due to a lack of vaccinations, despite pleas to the British government for help. The Nepali government suspended its vaccination program due to shortages, leaving many vulnerable. The Gurkha Welfare Trust and other NGOs provide essential support, but the UK government faces criticism for not prioritizing vaccines for Nepal and its retired soldiers. The situation underscores the historical and ongoing inequities faced by Gurkha soldiers who have served the British Army.

The climbing season at Everest Base Camp is marred by a surge in Covid-19 cases, with many Nepali Sherpas falling ill due to inadequate quarantine and testing measures for incoming mountaineers. Despite the Nepali government's denial of an outbreak, reports indicate a significant number of infections among Sherpas, leading to daily evacuations. The situation is exacerbated by the country's strained healthcare system and political infighting, which critics argue has hindered effective pandemic response. Calls are growing for the climbing season to be halted to prevent further spread of the virus.

Nepal's Prime Minister’s Employment Program (PMEP), aimed at providing 100 days of employment to jobless citizens, has fallen significantly short of its targets, exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite ambitious goals, only a fraction of jobseekers have found work, leading to widespread disappointment. Local officials cite lack of resources, delayed budgets, and insufficient local ownership as major hurdles. The program's limitations are highlighted by the contrasting success of India's MGNREGS. Calls for better coordination, increased funding for equipment, and skill training are emphasized to improve the program's impact.

The article by Ramu Sapkota from the Centre for Investigative Journalism exposes a corruption scandal in Nepal's medical education system. It details how medical colleges, through political connections and bribery, have circumvented the rigorous process of obtaining and maintaining accreditation, leading to the proliferation of ill-equipped institutions producing underqualified doctors. An expert committee in 2010 found massive irregularities in the licensing process, but the report was ignored. The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) and the anti-graft body, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), are implicated in the scandal, with evidence of meddling in seat allocation decisions and conflicts of interest involving CIAA chief Lokman Singh Karki. The investigation also reveals that medical colleges have been admitting students without proper entrance exams and manipulating examination results for financial gain.