May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist…
May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist…
May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this…
May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said.…
May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process.…
May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27…
May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and…
May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount…
May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public…
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and…
May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring…
Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with the index on the fourth trading day of the week,…
More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati…
May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY…
May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards 2023, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been…
May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued the order in this regard on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Advocate Gyanendra Aran had filed a writ petition at the SC against the government's decision to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The apex court has also sought a written response from the government and ordered for discussion with both sides. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 20 had decided to dole out Rs 800 million for the disqualified fighters at the rate of Rs 200,000 to each of the 4,000 plus disqualified combatants.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) had verified 19,602 Maoist combatants as eligible fighters for integration into the Nepalese Army while 4,008 were certified as disqualified on various grounds and particularly because most of them were underage.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The incumbent government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the chairman of the CPN Maoist Centre, has been heavily criticized for trying to misuse the funds of the state coffers in the name of distributing funds to the disqualified Maoist combatants when the country’s economy is facing crisis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17640', 'image' => '20230518124828_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:47:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17906', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'GBIA Marks First Anniversary but is Yet to Come into Full Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">GBIA has failed to come in full operation. So far, Jazeera Airways had been operating three Bhairahawa-Kuwait flights a week. It conducted a test flight on 16 May, 2022. But now, it has reportedly told about halting its flights to and from the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“The private sector invested over Rs 60 billion targeting the airport,” said Krishna Prasad Sharma, president of the Lumbini chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). They have invested in hotels, infrastructures, services, trade and tourism targeting the project, he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The mobility of approximately 20,000 people was expected in the area on a daily basis. With this hope, the area has been developed as a trade hub. But now, the airport has not been operated as expected. This has only added to our worries. Fears of our investments risks are deepening day by day. Entrepreneurs have no any other option,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He blamed the government for not paying attention to fully operate the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Failure to fully operate the airport has left all of us in the lurch,” he complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">India is reportedly dilly-dallying to agree on giving air entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Sharma is not ready to accept it. “Air entry points and Indian obstructions are only rumours. We are assured that the Asian Development Bank invested in the project after taking into accounts all these issues. The Government of Nepal should take a lead role to resolve these problems. There is no other alternative to operate the airport. This is our demand with the government,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He was of the view that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his upcoming visit to India should strictly take up the matter with India, and take concrete steps in operating the project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Millions of rupees of investment at risk</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Construction of hotel buildings and infrastructures has taken place along with the building of the airport. Around 146 hotels, big and small, are operational with the investment of around Rs 30 billion. Besides, around 21 hotels are under construction at the cost of approximately Rs 20 billion. “Millions of rupees invested in these projects are at risk. Entrepreneurs are in tension due to failure to pay bank loans. Some of them have got to the situation of abandoning the business,” said Chandra Prakash Shrestha, president of the Siddhartha Hotel Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He complained about the failure of the state to take initiatives for its operation. The government should take initiatives to bring in tourists from the countries that follow Buddhism in East Asia through the airport, he stressed. “We have repeatedly taken up the matter with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and the government. We do not know why are the demands are yet to be addressed.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two cable cars in Butwal are under construction with the investment of millions of rupees targeting incoming tourists through the airport. The projects that run three kilometers from Butwal to Basantapur of Tinau Rural Municipality-3 in Palpa district are estimated to cost over Rs 3.5 billion. One station is located at Bamghat of Butwal-3, and another at Basantapur of the Rural Municipality-3. Hotels, a park for recreation, and Kamakhyadevi Temple are under construction at Basantapur hill. A picnic spot has also come into operation. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Air routes not an issue</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hansha Raj Pandey, the general manager of the airport does not agree with the air route problem as reported. “Landing in the airport is feasible and cost friendly, he said. It is easier for an aircraft entering Simara to land in Bhairahawa. Despite long distance, there isn’t any air traffic here compared to Kathmandu. Airline companies have to bear additional costs when an aircraft has to hold in the sky. There is no such problem here.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Pandey, routes will be shorter for aircraft to fly through the L626 Mahendranagar route from Bhairahawa. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Pilots can also understand this. So, the report that the airport is not properly operating as a result of the air route problem is only a rumour,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Making the L626 two ways will make the airport much feasible, he said. Nevertheless, there is a problem in operating the airport during winter, he said. There may be a visibility problem despite landing through the instrument landing system (ILS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discounts on fees for aviation services for one more year </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport has been offering 100 percent discounts on fees charged for plane landing, parking, communications and aviation services and security check for international airlines, and this offer has been extended for one more year, said the airport’s general manager Pandey. The exemption came into operation on 28 May, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Late Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had laid the foundation stone of the airport on 15 January, 2015. Later, the then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated the airport with an investment of approximately Rs 35 billion on May 16 in 2022. Spanning around 800 bighas of land, the project has runways that span three kilometers. It has capacity to park four narrow-body aircraft and one wide-body aircraft. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Private sector draws attention of Prime Minister</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Entrepreneurs submitted a memorandum to PM Dahal during his visit to Lumbini to attend an event organised here on 5 May, 2023 on the occasion of the 2567th Birth Anniversary of Gautam Buddha and the Lumbini Day, 2080, demanding full operation of the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A delegation from the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi met with the PM and put forth the demand. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their demands include PM Dahal taking a flight from the airport during his upcoming visit to India. The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the flag carrier of Nepal, should start its flights from the airport to attract both domestic and international airlines, they demanded. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their other demands are that the NAC starts flights along Bhairahawa-Delhi, Bhairahawa-Malaysia, Bhairahawa-Qatar routes at the earliest, and the PM should take initiatives for regular and chartered flights at the airport for all countries in the world that follow Buddhism as Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is considered to be of great significance to those countries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Initiatives should be taken immediately to fully operate the airport so as to save the investment of over Rs 60 billion of the private sector in hotels, infrastructures and tourism, they demanded. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">No alternative airport</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 26 February, 2023, an aircraft of Air Vistara en route to Kathmandu from New Delhi and another one of FlyDubai from Dubai to Kathmandu were diverted to Lucknow of India after they could not land at the TIA due to bad weather. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly on 24 April, 2023, an aircraft of FlyDubai caught a fire in its engine during a takeoff from the TIA. However, all these aircraft did not show interest in diverting to two international airports of Nepal -- Pokhara and Gautam Buddha airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">International aircraft often give first priority to make an emergency landing or divert to airports outsides Nepal. International aircraft entering Nepal should choose an alternative airport. The Gautam Buddha International Airport should be taken as an alternative airport. But, no international flight has been diverted to it so far, it has been reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have kept the airport ready 24 hours a day. A workforce has also been managed accordingly. But, aircraft did not show interest to land here,” said Pandey blaming a lack of passengers for their apathy to land at the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“A large aircraft has over 300 passengers. The airline company should reach an agreement with a hotel for the accommodation and food for its passengers. But, in Bhairahawa, as far as I know, there has not been any agreement reached between an international airline and a hotel in this regard,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">When an emergency landing takes place in the airport, there arises problems of accommodation, food for passengers and crews and the conduction of a security check during a takeoff the following day, say experts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides, variations in the prices of aviation fuel in Nepal and India have also made the matter worse, they said. Aviation fuel is much cheaper in India than in Nepal. In Nepal, aviation fuel is sold for 1,360 dollars per thousand litres, while it costs 998 dollars in India. The diverted international aircraft did not pick the airport to save money, they said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is a pilot’s choice to land a diverted plane. We cannot force them," said Pandey. The airport is feasible for diverted international aircraft than the one in Lucknow in terms of distance and time, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Not only international flights, domestic airliners have also preferred to divert to Lucknow instead of the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It requires human resources including engineers for a diverted aircraft to take off. The respective airline company has to manage human resources for this. As of now, Jazeera Airways has been operating flights from the airport. So, planes could not be diverted to the airport due to a lack of agreement between these airlines and the Jazeera Airways, said the airport employees. Without the management of a workforce, there are difficulties and the lengthy process for a diverted plant to take off from the airport, they said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17638', 'image' => '20230518121326_GB airporttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:12:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17908', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Precipitation due to the Influence of Westerly Wind ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. The weather is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi Province and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the provinces due to this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu's weather is cloudy and it received light rainfall in the morning. It will be partly to generally cloudy in the hill region of the country towards the afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are chances of brief or light rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province and in a few places of the hill region of the rest of the provinces, the division stated in its weather bulletin. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17637', 'image' => '20230518122214_weatherrr - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17905', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SEBON Dismisses Allegation of Irregularities in the Process of Issuing Stock Broker License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. The board issued a press statement and said that baseless accusations were made against the board with a mala fide intention to keep the broker business within the circle of limited traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the board, it issued the letter of intent for the distribution of broker license in order to provide equal opportunity to all those who have fulfilled the criteria through legal process within the given deadline. The board expressed its regret that the old brokers tried to hinder the overall market development by publishing certain self-centered, self-interested statements without maintaining their minimum professional dignity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the fifth amendment to the Securities Dealers (Securities Brokers and Securities Dealers) Regulations, 2064 was approved by the Government of Nepal, the Council of Ministers on September 14 and made a policy arrangement for the open entry of securities brokers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to international practices, the board proceeded with the licensing process in accordance with the provisions of the regulation, considering the capital of the organization, the qualification of the directors, the qualification of the head of the organization and the information technology as the main criteria for granting the license. The board published a 30-day public notice on September 18 and invited applications for issuing securities brokers and securities traders' licenses.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Out of the total 46 applications received for the new broker license, the board gave letter of intent to 43 companies. According to the board, 41 applications were for limited-service securities brokers, four were for full-fledged securities brokers and one was for securities traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the process for broker license is completed within 35 days from the date of expiry of the application deadline.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board informed that its efforts to allow 12 "A" class banks’ subsidiaries and 31 other organizations to enter as securities brokers and traders will make the securities market more competitive and transparent. The board claims that the level of securities market services will increase and investors will benefit from competition in services and prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board expects that the demand for the entry of securities brokers, which the investors have been demanding for a long time, will be addressed and there will be competition in the securities market as well as employment opportunities and this will contribute to the overall economy. The board also expressed its commitment to formulate and implement an open and progressive policy for the protection of investors' rights and interests and for the development and expansion of the secondary market in the future as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SBAN issued a statement last Friday and demanded immediate suspension of the brokers’ license just like the license of the stock exchange was suspended. Alleging financial irregularities, the association also demanded investigation and action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board issued a counter statement claiming that the regulations were drafted and then amended several times by the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17636', 'image' => '20230518112800_Sebon-update.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 11:27:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17904', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kamirita Sherpa Scales Mt Everest for the 27th Time, Creates History ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The 53-year-old mountaineer stood atop the highest mountain in the world on Wednesday morning at 8:30 am, Director of the Department of Tourism Yuwaraj Khatiwada told RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa, who is originally a resident of Thame in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu district and is currently residing in Kathmandu, broke his own record of climbing the 8,848.86 metres mountain and thereby creating a new one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada shared that the expedition is going on in full swing but the number of climbers making it to the top of the Mt Everest could not be ascertained owing to lack of communications with the climbers pushing towards the summit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Imagine Nepal Treks and Expedition Company's Director Mingma Gyalzen Sherpa informed RSS that over 100 mountaineers including Kamirita have climbed Mt Everest so far this spring while as many were on a summit push bid. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Kamirita latest ascent has spread a message to the world that the mountaineering sector of Nepal is safe," asserted Khatiwada.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kamirita, who first set his feet atop the Everest on May 13, 1994, has climbed many mountains over 8,000 metres at home and abroad for over 39 times till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Pasang Dawa Sherpa is hot on the heels of Kamirita and ascended Everest for the 26th time this spring. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A record number of climbers are attempting to scale the Mt Everest this spring as Nepal issued the highest number of climbing permits in history for Everest this season since the first successful ascent of the Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department issued 478 permits for 44 groups this season. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17635', 'image' => '20230518105218_FwTHtq6agAEVihB (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:47:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17903', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB Approves US$300 Million Loan to Improve Road Connectivity and Trade in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Issuing a statement on Wednesday, ADB Transport Specialist for South Asia Sin Wai Chong said that the project road is along the East–West Highway which forms part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation corridor.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Together with other regional cooperation initiatives under the SASEC framework, better infrastructure, improved connectivity, and safe road networks will boost border trade and logistics and improve the lives of rural communities,” said Chong.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB, at least 95 kilometers (km) of road from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi will be upgraded from a two-lane to a four-lane dual roadway. It will incorporate climate and disaster-resilient design features such as higher thermal resistant pavements and bridges with stringent flood-proofing requirement, added the statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project will improve road safety through features such as junctions with traffic signals, footpaths with streetlights and tactile paving surface, overhead pedestrian crossings, road crossings with raised platform, and bus stops equipped with lighting system, the ADB further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB statement, the project will build the capacity of the Department of Roads in climate and disaster-resilient strategies, road asset management, road safety, and project management and implementation. “Community awareness campaigns on road safety, health and hygiene, and human trafficking will also be conducted. This will be complemented with capacity building programs for women and disadvantaged groups to improve their mobility and access to services.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB said it will provide an additional US$750,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation guidelines for road projects, bidding documents, performance indicators, and a user handbook on long-term performance-based maintenance. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB added that it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17634', 'image' => '20230518100646_adbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:06:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17902', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sherpa Dies while Returning from the Summit of Everest ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NA's Military and Public Relations Directorate said that efforts were underway to retrieve the body of Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Captain Dipendra Singh Khatry, who became unwell while returning after climbing Mount Everest, was airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment. Khatry who was also engaged in the clean mountain campaign on Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse was first taken to camp-2 with the support of other mountaineers. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Captain Khatri along with three others were taken to Kathmandu for treatment and are said to be in normal health condition now, the directorate said. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remaining works of the clean mountain campaign are being carried out under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Kishor Adhikari despite unfavourable weather condition. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17633', 'image' => '20230518094613_20230330102040_1680132652.Clipboard32.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:45:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17901', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transportation Fare Decreases ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport. The DoTM slashed the public transport fare on Wednesday after the Nepal Oil Corporation reduced the price of diesel effective from 12 midnight on Tuesday. <br /> Issuing a notice on Wednesday, the DoTM said that the public transport fare has been automatically adjusted based on the fuel price. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px">It is stated in the notice that the fare of passenger transport vehicles has been reduced by 3.20 percent. Similarly, the fare of cargo vehicles operated in the hill route has been decreased by 4.19 percent and that of the goods carrier vehicles operated in Tarai by 4.65 percent. -- RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17632', 'image' => '20230518091548_Transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:14:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17900', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB Issues Circular on Loan Restructuring and Rescheduling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 18: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">These arrangements were implemented as part of the third quarterly review of the current fiscal year's monetary policy (2079/80). <br /> As per the circular, effective from June 15, loans obtained in the hotel and restaurant, livestock, construction sectors, as well as loans up to Rs 50 million in other sectors, can be restructured and rescheduled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular specifies that loan re-scheduling and restructuring can proceed once the debtor has repaid at least 10 percent of the outstanding interest amount. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This decision is based on an analysis of the industry's and business's cash flow and income, as requested by the debtors. Additionally, the circular outlines four conditions that must be met for the implementation of these arrangements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular emphasizes that only loans classified as active loans up until April 13 can be considered for restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Furthermore, a provision of five percent credit loss on the restructured and rescheduled loans must be made, and these loans can only be utilized within the cluster where they were originally classified.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">It may be noted that the NRB had softened some monetary arrangements through quarterly review of the monetary policy. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17631', 'image' => '20230518060823_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 06:06:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17896', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16-Year-Old Chinese Girl Scales Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl Sui Cho Yuan successfully reached atop Everest via the south slope at 5:42am on May 15. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Organizing a press conference here Wednesday, Nepal Big Mountain Travel shared this information. The travel agency had facilitated the summit of Sui, according to Managing Director Sudarshan Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl is said to be the youngest woman climber.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, climber Sui shared that she was inspired by her father, Lei, who had scaled Everest from the north slope in 2007. Although the adverse atmosphere posed hostility in the beginning, the weather was clear on the day she reached atop the world's highest peak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also extended thanks to the Sherpas who assisted her in climbing Everest. According to Sui, Everest was polluted with trash and her team brought back the used materials to keep the mountain clean.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, former Chair of Nepal Mountaineering Association, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said that there is no provision to issue permits to the people below 16 years for climbing Everest.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Everest summit this year, various programmes are being organized in the country. The climbing for this year began last Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17627', 'image' => '20230517093316_122208-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 21:32:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17895', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Surges as Turnover Amount Rises; All Sector Indices Close in Green', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with the index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 17: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The index climbed by 23.39 points, or 1.28%, reaching 1,845.10, compared to the previous trading day. The positive trend is also reflected in the stock market after the index re-tested previous low of 1807 points.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The continuous decline in the market for the past few days has attracted buyers, resulting in an increase in the turnover amount compared to the previous trading day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">High interest rates, liquidity scarcity, and tight polices related to the sharemarket had led to the NEPSE on the continuous downward trend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Experts say that the time is appropriate for investments into the stock market as share prices have hit a very low in the market for a long time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">A total of 2,577,210 shares of 266 scrips traded their hands via 25,634 transactions. <br /> The total turnover amount stood at NPR 85.76 crores in the NEPSE today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">SHIVAM CEMENTS LTD (SHIVM) shares traded the most and had the highest turnover of Rs. 5.46 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 403.50 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Aatmanirbhar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ANLB) gained the highest 9.99% and hit the positive circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Conversely, Mai Khola Hydropower Limited (MKHL) lost the highest 7.93% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">All sector indices closed green, "Others" gained the highest 2.37%, while "Mutual Fund" gained the least 0.04% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Likewise, the sensitive index increased by 1.15 percent, the float index by 1.25 percent, and the sensitive float index by 1.03 percent.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17626', 'image' => '20230517050845_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 17:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17894', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 18,000 Cows Affected with Lumpy Skin Disease in Bagmati Province', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 17: More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The initial data collection from the first phase indicates that at least 18,324 cows have been infected with the disease. Tragically, a significant number of cows have lost their lives due to the illness. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The highest number of fatalities has been reported in Makawanpur district, with 197 out of 4,835 infected cows succumbing to the disease. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sindhuli district has recorded 9,634 infected cases, resulting in the death of 47 cows. Ramechhap has reported 1,965 infected cases, followed by Chitwan with 1,060 cases, Kathmandu with 83 cases, Lalitpur with 40 cases, Kavrepalanchok with 400 cases, Nuwakot with 300 cases, Sindhupalchok with six cases, and Bhaktapur with one case.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17625', 'image' => '20230517043430_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:28:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17893', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Growth Rate of Provinces Slows Down', 'sub_title' => 'The growth rate of all seven provinces is expected to be very low', 'summary' => 'May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the estimates released by the National Statistics Office on Tuesday, the economic growth rate of all seven provinces will be much lower than the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the Fiscal Year 2022/23, the national GDP in terms of consumer prices is estimated to be equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5381</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bagmati Province will contribute the most to the national economy although the GDP of the province will contract sharply compared to the last fiscal year. The GDP of Bagmati Province is estimated to be Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1981</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. The least contribution will be from Karnali Province. The GDP of this province is estimated to be around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">221</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The current fiscal year's national GDP is estimated to grow by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.86</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in terms of consumer prices, which is far less than the growth target of 8 percent set by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the state level, it is estimated that Gandaki Province will have the highest percentage of growth at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.3</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent while the growth rate of Bagmati Province is expected to be the lowest among all at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. As per the revised estimates of the NSO last year, the growth rate of Gandaki Province was the highest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) and Madhesh was the lowest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.65</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) in FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">/</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Based on the economic activity according to the industrial classification, the contribution of the agricultural sector will be the highest in all the provinces except Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade sector will be more in Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade will be second in Koshi, Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In Bagmati Province, the contribution of the real estate business and housing services ranks second. In Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim, the contribution of public administration and defense sector is second. Except for Bagmati and Madhesh, the contribution of administrative support services activities to the gross domestic product of all provinces is the lowest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17624', 'image' => '20230517041650_gdp_estimate.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:16:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17892', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards Complete', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards 2023, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards programme, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed. The training program for startups under this awards ceremony has already been completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The organisers of the awards ceremony had requested for applications from startups from all seven provinces. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> startup entrepreneurs from across the country had submitted applications for the awards programme. The theme of this year's awards is 'Towards Startup Nation'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This year, the awards are being given to eight start-up companies. The awards programme is supported by sastodeal.com, Laxmi Bank, Shikhar Insurance, Rigo, Nexon EV, Max and City Express. Similarly, Nepal Rastra Bank, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Insurance Authority, Citizens Life Insurance, National Life Insurance, Nepali Patro and Dishome Fiber Net have also supported the awards function.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New Business Age has been organising various award programs. The company has been selecting and awarding the best management colleges and companies since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2013. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2019</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the company has started honoring women entrepreneurs. New Business Age had organized the New Biz Business Conclave and Awards programme last winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17623', 'image' => '20230519011840_new logo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:55:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17891', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Windstorm Destroys Bananas Worth Rs 50 Million in Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district. The Chitwan Banana Producers Association confirmed that the banana farmers suffered massive loss due to the windstorm.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Chitwan Banana Producers Association Janak Raj Panta said that bananas planted in a total of 150 bighas of land in the district were completely damaged. He said that the damage in 150 bigha of land caused losses of around Rs 50 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Among the seven municipalities of the district, Khairhani and Rapti municipalities suffered the most damage. Panta said that there was partial damage in Ratnanagar, Kalika and Bharatpur Metropolitan City.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishi Gurung, a farmer of Ratnanagar municipality-5, Jhuwani, who planted bananas in 35 bighas of land in Khairhani and Rapti, said that bananas in 10 bighas of land were completely destroyed by the storm. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 5 bigha of bananas belonging to Baburam Bhatta of Ratnanagar have been completely damaged in Ratnanagar-4, Seri. He said that he faced financial loss of Rs 2.5 million. He said, “There was a plan to prepare and send the bananas to the market towards mid-June. All plans got destroyed by the wind,” said Bhatta.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Baburam Duwadi's 2 bigha vegetable garden in Ratnanagar was destroyed as well, causing a loss of Rs 1 million. He said, “The crop was to be ready within a month or two. The wind suddenly destroyed the bananas.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The wind destroyed Malbhog and Jinine varieties of bananas. The association collected the details of the damage since Monday morning. Most of the farmers have been taking insurance as the banana plantations started to be destroyed due to the annual storms. Panta said that 95 percent of farmers in Chitwan have insurance. Altogether 750 farmers have been cultivating bananas commercially in 3000 bighas of land. Altogether 70,000 metric tons of bananas worth Rs 1.6 billion are produced here annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17622', 'image' => '20230517031141_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:07:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17909', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Orders Government Not to Provide Money to Disqualified Maoist Combatants ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued the order in this regard on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Advocate Gyanendra Aran had filed a writ petition at the SC against the government's decision to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The apex court has also sought a written response from the government and ordered for discussion with both sides. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 20 had decided to dole out Rs 800 million for the disqualified fighters at the rate of Rs 200,000 to each of the 4,000 plus disqualified combatants.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) had verified 19,602 Maoist combatants as eligible fighters for integration into the Nepalese Army while 4,008 were certified as disqualified on various grounds and particularly because most of them were underage.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The incumbent government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the chairman of the CPN Maoist Centre, has been heavily criticized for trying to misuse the funds of the state coffers in the name of distributing funds to the disqualified Maoist combatants when the country’s economy is facing crisis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17640', 'image' => '20230518124828_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:47:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17906', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'GBIA Marks First Anniversary but is Yet to Come into Full Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">GBIA has failed to come in full operation. So far, Jazeera Airways had been operating three Bhairahawa-Kuwait flights a week. It conducted a test flight on 16 May, 2022. But now, it has reportedly told about halting its flights to and from the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“The private sector invested over Rs 60 billion targeting the airport,” said Krishna Prasad Sharma, president of the Lumbini chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). They have invested in hotels, infrastructures, services, trade and tourism targeting the project, he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The mobility of approximately 20,000 people was expected in the area on a daily basis. With this hope, the area has been developed as a trade hub. But now, the airport has not been operated as expected. This has only added to our worries. Fears of our investments risks are deepening day by day. Entrepreneurs have no any other option,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He blamed the government for not paying attention to fully operate the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Failure to fully operate the airport has left all of us in the lurch,” he complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">India is reportedly dilly-dallying to agree on giving air entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Sharma is not ready to accept it. “Air entry points and Indian obstructions are only rumours. We are assured that the Asian Development Bank invested in the project after taking into accounts all these issues. The Government of Nepal should take a lead role to resolve these problems. There is no other alternative to operate the airport. This is our demand with the government,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He was of the view that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his upcoming visit to India should strictly take up the matter with India, and take concrete steps in operating the project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Millions of rupees of investment at risk</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Construction of hotel buildings and infrastructures has taken place along with the building of the airport. Around 146 hotels, big and small, are operational with the investment of around Rs 30 billion. Besides, around 21 hotels are under construction at the cost of approximately Rs 20 billion. “Millions of rupees invested in these projects are at risk. Entrepreneurs are in tension due to failure to pay bank loans. Some of them have got to the situation of abandoning the business,” said Chandra Prakash Shrestha, president of the Siddhartha Hotel Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He complained about the failure of the state to take initiatives for its operation. The government should take initiatives to bring in tourists from the countries that follow Buddhism in East Asia through the airport, he stressed. “We have repeatedly taken up the matter with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and the government. We do not know why are the demands are yet to be addressed.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two cable cars in Butwal are under construction with the investment of millions of rupees targeting incoming tourists through the airport. The projects that run three kilometers from Butwal to Basantapur of Tinau Rural Municipality-3 in Palpa district are estimated to cost over Rs 3.5 billion. One station is located at Bamghat of Butwal-3, and another at Basantapur of the Rural Municipality-3. Hotels, a park for recreation, and Kamakhyadevi Temple are under construction at Basantapur hill. A picnic spot has also come into operation. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Air routes not an issue</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hansha Raj Pandey, the general manager of the airport does not agree with the air route problem as reported. “Landing in the airport is feasible and cost friendly, he said. It is easier for an aircraft entering Simara to land in Bhairahawa. Despite long distance, there isn’t any air traffic here compared to Kathmandu. Airline companies have to bear additional costs when an aircraft has to hold in the sky. There is no such problem here.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Pandey, routes will be shorter for aircraft to fly through the L626 Mahendranagar route from Bhairahawa. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Pilots can also understand this. So, the report that the airport is not properly operating as a result of the air route problem is only a rumour,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Making the L626 two ways will make the airport much feasible, he said. Nevertheless, there is a problem in operating the airport during winter, he said. There may be a visibility problem despite landing through the instrument landing system (ILS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discounts on fees for aviation services for one more year </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport has been offering 100 percent discounts on fees charged for plane landing, parking, communications and aviation services and security check for international airlines, and this offer has been extended for one more year, said the airport’s general manager Pandey. The exemption came into operation on 28 May, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Late Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had laid the foundation stone of the airport on 15 January, 2015. Later, the then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated the airport with an investment of approximately Rs 35 billion on May 16 in 2022. Spanning around 800 bighas of land, the project has runways that span three kilometers. It has capacity to park four narrow-body aircraft and one wide-body aircraft. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Private sector draws attention of Prime Minister</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Entrepreneurs submitted a memorandum to PM Dahal during his visit to Lumbini to attend an event organised here on 5 May, 2023 on the occasion of the 2567th Birth Anniversary of Gautam Buddha and the Lumbini Day, 2080, demanding full operation of the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A delegation from the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi met with the PM and put forth the demand. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their demands include PM Dahal taking a flight from the airport during his upcoming visit to India. The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the flag carrier of Nepal, should start its flights from the airport to attract both domestic and international airlines, they demanded. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their other demands are that the NAC starts flights along Bhairahawa-Delhi, Bhairahawa-Malaysia, Bhairahawa-Qatar routes at the earliest, and the PM should take initiatives for regular and chartered flights at the airport for all countries in the world that follow Buddhism as Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is considered to be of great significance to those countries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Initiatives should be taken immediately to fully operate the airport so as to save the investment of over Rs 60 billion of the private sector in hotels, infrastructures and tourism, they demanded. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">No alternative airport</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 26 February, 2023, an aircraft of Air Vistara en route to Kathmandu from New Delhi and another one of FlyDubai from Dubai to Kathmandu were diverted to Lucknow of India after they could not land at the TIA due to bad weather. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly on 24 April, 2023, an aircraft of FlyDubai caught a fire in its engine during a takeoff from the TIA. However, all these aircraft did not show interest in diverting to two international airports of Nepal -- Pokhara and Gautam Buddha airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">International aircraft often give first priority to make an emergency landing or divert to airports outsides Nepal. International aircraft entering Nepal should choose an alternative airport. The Gautam Buddha International Airport should be taken as an alternative airport. But, no international flight has been diverted to it so far, it has been reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have kept the airport ready 24 hours a day. A workforce has also been managed accordingly. But, aircraft did not show interest to land here,” said Pandey blaming a lack of passengers for their apathy to land at the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“A large aircraft has over 300 passengers. The airline company should reach an agreement with a hotel for the accommodation and food for its passengers. But, in Bhairahawa, as far as I know, there has not been any agreement reached between an international airline and a hotel in this regard,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">When an emergency landing takes place in the airport, there arises problems of accommodation, food for passengers and crews and the conduction of a security check during a takeoff the following day, say experts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides, variations in the prices of aviation fuel in Nepal and India have also made the matter worse, they said. Aviation fuel is much cheaper in India than in Nepal. In Nepal, aviation fuel is sold for 1,360 dollars per thousand litres, while it costs 998 dollars in India. The diverted international aircraft did not pick the airport to save money, they said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is a pilot’s choice to land a diverted plane. We cannot force them," said Pandey. The airport is feasible for diverted international aircraft than the one in Lucknow in terms of distance and time, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Not only international flights, domestic airliners have also preferred to divert to Lucknow instead of the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It requires human resources including engineers for a diverted aircraft to take off. The respective airline company has to manage human resources for this. As of now, Jazeera Airways has been operating flights from the airport. So, planes could not be diverted to the airport due to a lack of agreement between these airlines and the Jazeera Airways, said the airport employees. Without the management of a workforce, there are difficulties and the lengthy process for a diverted plant to take off from the airport, they said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17638', 'image' => '20230518121326_GB airporttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:12:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17908', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Precipitation due to the Influence of Westerly Wind ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. The weather is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi Province and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the provinces due to this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu's weather is cloudy and it received light rainfall in the morning. It will be partly to generally cloudy in the hill region of the country towards the afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are chances of brief or light rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province and in a few places of the hill region of the rest of the provinces, the division stated in its weather bulletin. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17637', 'image' => '20230518122214_weatherrr - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17905', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SEBON Dismisses Allegation of Irregularities in the Process of Issuing Stock Broker License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. The board issued a press statement and said that baseless accusations were made against the board with a mala fide intention to keep the broker business within the circle of limited traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the board, it issued the letter of intent for the distribution of broker license in order to provide equal opportunity to all those who have fulfilled the criteria through legal process within the given deadline. The board expressed its regret that the old brokers tried to hinder the overall market development by publishing certain self-centered, self-interested statements without maintaining their minimum professional dignity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the fifth amendment to the Securities Dealers (Securities Brokers and Securities Dealers) Regulations, 2064 was approved by the Government of Nepal, the Council of Ministers on September 14 and made a policy arrangement for the open entry of securities brokers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to international practices, the board proceeded with the licensing process in accordance with the provisions of the regulation, considering the capital of the organization, the qualification of the directors, the qualification of the head of the organization and the information technology as the main criteria for granting the license. The board published a 30-day public notice on September 18 and invited applications for issuing securities brokers and securities traders' licenses.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Out of the total 46 applications received for the new broker license, the board gave letter of intent to 43 companies. According to the board, 41 applications were for limited-service securities brokers, four were for full-fledged securities brokers and one was for securities traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the process for broker license is completed within 35 days from the date of expiry of the application deadline.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board informed that its efforts to allow 12 "A" class banks’ subsidiaries and 31 other organizations to enter as securities brokers and traders will make the securities market more competitive and transparent. The board claims that the level of securities market services will increase and investors will benefit from competition in services and prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board expects that the demand for the entry of securities brokers, which the investors have been demanding for a long time, will be addressed and there will be competition in the securities market as well as employment opportunities and this will contribute to the overall economy. The board also expressed its commitment to formulate and implement an open and progressive policy for the protection of investors' rights and interests and for the development and expansion of the secondary market in the future as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SBAN issued a statement last Friday and demanded immediate suspension of the brokers’ license just like the license of the stock exchange was suspended. Alleging financial irregularities, the association also demanded investigation and action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board issued a counter statement claiming that the regulations were drafted and then amended several times by the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17636', 'image' => '20230518112800_Sebon-update.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 11:27:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17904', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kamirita Sherpa Scales Mt Everest for the 27th Time, Creates History ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The 53-year-old mountaineer stood atop the highest mountain in the world on Wednesday morning at 8:30 am, Director of the Department of Tourism Yuwaraj Khatiwada told RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa, who is originally a resident of Thame in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu district and is currently residing in Kathmandu, broke his own record of climbing the 8,848.86 metres mountain and thereby creating a new one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada shared that the expedition is going on in full swing but the number of climbers making it to the top of the Mt Everest could not be ascertained owing to lack of communications with the climbers pushing towards the summit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Imagine Nepal Treks and Expedition Company's Director Mingma Gyalzen Sherpa informed RSS that over 100 mountaineers including Kamirita have climbed Mt Everest so far this spring while as many were on a summit push bid. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Kamirita latest ascent has spread a message to the world that the mountaineering sector of Nepal is safe," asserted Khatiwada.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kamirita, who first set his feet atop the Everest on May 13, 1994, has climbed many mountains over 8,000 metres at home and abroad for over 39 times till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Pasang Dawa Sherpa is hot on the heels of Kamirita and ascended Everest for the 26th time this spring. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A record number of climbers are attempting to scale the Mt Everest this spring as Nepal issued the highest number of climbing permits in history for Everest this season since the first successful ascent of the Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department issued 478 permits for 44 groups this season. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17635', 'image' => '20230518105218_FwTHtq6agAEVihB (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:47:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17903', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB Approves US$300 Million Loan to Improve Road Connectivity and Trade in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Issuing a statement on Wednesday, ADB Transport Specialist for South Asia Sin Wai Chong said that the project road is along the East–West Highway which forms part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation corridor.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Together with other regional cooperation initiatives under the SASEC framework, better infrastructure, improved connectivity, and safe road networks will boost border trade and logistics and improve the lives of rural communities,” said Chong.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB, at least 95 kilometers (km) of road from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi will be upgraded from a two-lane to a four-lane dual roadway. It will incorporate climate and disaster-resilient design features such as higher thermal resistant pavements and bridges with stringent flood-proofing requirement, added the statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project will improve road safety through features such as junctions with traffic signals, footpaths with streetlights and tactile paving surface, overhead pedestrian crossings, road crossings with raised platform, and bus stops equipped with lighting system, the ADB further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB statement, the project will build the capacity of the Department of Roads in climate and disaster-resilient strategies, road asset management, road safety, and project management and implementation. “Community awareness campaigns on road safety, health and hygiene, and human trafficking will also be conducted. This will be complemented with capacity building programs for women and disadvantaged groups to improve their mobility and access to services.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB said it will provide an additional US$750,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation guidelines for road projects, bidding documents, performance indicators, and a user handbook on long-term performance-based maintenance. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB added that it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17634', 'image' => '20230518100646_adbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:06:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17902', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sherpa Dies while Returning from the Summit of Everest ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NA's Military and Public Relations Directorate said that efforts were underway to retrieve the body of Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Captain Dipendra Singh Khatry, who became unwell while returning after climbing Mount Everest, was airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment. Khatry who was also engaged in the clean mountain campaign on Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse was first taken to camp-2 with the support of other mountaineers. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Captain Khatri along with three others were taken to Kathmandu for treatment and are said to be in normal health condition now, the directorate said. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remaining works of the clean mountain campaign are being carried out under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Kishor Adhikari despite unfavourable weather condition. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17633', 'image' => '20230518094613_20230330102040_1680132652.Clipboard32.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:45:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17901', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transportation Fare Decreases ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport. The DoTM slashed the public transport fare on Wednesday after the Nepal Oil Corporation reduced the price of diesel effective from 12 midnight on Tuesday. <br /> Issuing a notice on Wednesday, the DoTM said that the public transport fare has been automatically adjusted based on the fuel price. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px">It is stated in the notice that the fare of passenger transport vehicles has been reduced by 3.20 percent. Similarly, the fare of cargo vehicles operated in the hill route has been decreased by 4.19 percent and that of the goods carrier vehicles operated in Tarai by 4.65 percent. -- RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17632', 'image' => '20230518091548_Transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:14:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17900', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB Issues Circular on Loan Restructuring and Rescheduling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 18: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">These arrangements were implemented as part of the third quarterly review of the current fiscal year's monetary policy (2079/80). <br /> As per the circular, effective from June 15, loans obtained in the hotel and restaurant, livestock, construction sectors, as well as loans up to Rs 50 million in other sectors, can be restructured and rescheduled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular specifies that loan re-scheduling and restructuring can proceed once the debtor has repaid at least 10 percent of the outstanding interest amount. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This decision is based on an analysis of the industry's and business's cash flow and income, as requested by the debtors. Additionally, the circular outlines four conditions that must be met for the implementation of these arrangements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular emphasizes that only loans classified as active loans up until April 13 can be considered for restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Furthermore, a provision of five percent credit loss on the restructured and rescheduled loans must be made, and these loans can only be utilized within the cluster where they were originally classified.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">It may be noted that the NRB had softened some monetary arrangements through quarterly review of the monetary policy. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17631', 'image' => '20230518060823_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 06:06:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17896', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16-Year-Old Chinese Girl Scales Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl Sui Cho Yuan successfully reached atop Everest via the south slope at 5:42am on May 15. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Organizing a press conference here Wednesday, Nepal Big Mountain Travel shared this information. The travel agency had facilitated the summit of Sui, according to Managing Director Sudarshan Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl is said to be the youngest woman climber.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, climber Sui shared that she was inspired by her father, Lei, who had scaled Everest from the north slope in 2007. Although the adverse atmosphere posed hostility in the beginning, the weather was clear on the day she reached atop the world's highest peak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also extended thanks to the Sherpas who assisted her in climbing Everest. According to Sui, Everest was polluted with trash and her team brought back the used materials to keep the mountain clean.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, former Chair of Nepal Mountaineering Association, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said that there is no provision to issue permits to the people below 16 years for climbing Everest.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Everest summit this year, various programmes are being organized in the country. The climbing for this year began last Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17627', 'image' => '20230517093316_122208-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 21:32:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17895', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Surges as Turnover Amount Rises; All Sector Indices Close in Green', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with the index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 17: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The index climbed by 23.39 points, or 1.28%, reaching 1,845.10, compared to the previous trading day. The positive trend is also reflected in the stock market after the index re-tested previous low of 1807 points.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The continuous decline in the market for the past few days has attracted buyers, resulting in an increase in the turnover amount compared to the previous trading day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">High interest rates, liquidity scarcity, and tight polices related to the sharemarket had led to the NEPSE on the continuous downward trend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Experts say that the time is appropriate for investments into the stock market as share prices have hit a very low in the market for a long time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">A total of 2,577,210 shares of 266 scrips traded their hands via 25,634 transactions. <br /> The total turnover amount stood at NPR 85.76 crores in the NEPSE today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">SHIVAM CEMENTS LTD (SHIVM) shares traded the most and had the highest turnover of Rs. 5.46 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 403.50 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Aatmanirbhar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ANLB) gained the highest 9.99% and hit the positive circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Conversely, Mai Khola Hydropower Limited (MKHL) lost the highest 7.93% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">All sector indices closed green, "Others" gained the highest 2.37%, while "Mutual Fund" gained the least 0.04% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Likewise, the sensitive index increased by 1.15 percent, the float index by 1.25 percent, and the sensitive float index by 1.03 percent.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17626', 'image' => '20230517050845_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 17:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17894', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 18,000 Cows Affected with Lumpy Skin Disease in Bagmati Province', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 17: More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The initial data collection from the first phase indicates that at least 18,324 cows have been infected with the disease. Tragically, a significant number of cows have lost their lives due to the illness. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The highest number of fatalities has been reported in Makawanpur district, with 197 out of 4,835 infected cows succumbing to the disease. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sindhuli district has recorded 9,634 infected cases, resulting in the death of 47 cows. Ramechhap has reported 1,965 infected cases, followed by Chitwan with 1,060 cases, Kathmandu with 83 cases, Lalitpur with 40 cases, Kavrepalanchok with 400 cases, Nuwakot with 300 cases, Sindhupalchok with six cases, and Bhaktapur with one case.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17625', 'image' => '20230517043430_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:28:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17893', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Growth Rate of Provinces Slows Down', 'sub_title' => 'The growth rate of all seven provinces is expected to be very low', 'summary' => 'May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the estimates released by the National Statistics Office on Tuesday, the economic growth rate of all seven provinces will be much lower than the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the Fiscal Year 2022/23, the national GDP in terms of consumer prices is estimated to be equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5381</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bagmati Province will contribute the most to the national economy although the GDP of the province will contract sharply compared to the last fiscal year. The GDP of Bagmati Province is estimated to be Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1981</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. The least contribution will be from Karnali Province. The GDP of this province is estimated to be around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">221</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The current fiscal year's national GDP is estimated to grow by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.86</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in terms of consumer prices, which is far less than the growth target of 8 percent set by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the state level, it is estimated that Gandaki Province will have the highest percentage of growth at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.3</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent while the growth rate of Bagmati Province is expected to be the lowest among all at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. As per the revised estimates of the NSO last year, the growth rate of Gandaki Province was the highest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) and Madhesh was the lowest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.65</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) in FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">/</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Based on the economic activity according to the industrial classification, the contribution of the agricultural sector will be the highest in all the provinces except Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade sector will be more in Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade will be second in Koshi, Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In Bagmati Province, the contribution of the real estate business and housing services ranks second. In Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim, the contribution of public administration and defense sector is second. Except for Bagmati and Madhesh, the contribution of administrative support services activities to the gross domestic product of all provinces is the lowest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17624', 'image' => '20230517041650_gdp_estimate.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:16:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17892', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards Complete', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards 2023, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards programme, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed. The training program for startups under this awards ceremony has already been completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The organisers of the awards ceremony had requested for applications from startups from all seven provinces. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> startup entrepreneurs from across the country had submitted applications for the awards programme. The theme of this year's awards is 'Towards Startup Nation'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This year, the awards are being given to eight start-up companies. The awards programme is supported by sastodeal.com, Laxmi Bank, Shikhar Insurance, Rigo, Nexon EV, Max and City Express. Similarly, Nepal Rastra Bank, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Insurance Authority, Citizens Life Insurance, National Life Insurance, Nepali Patro and Dishome Fiber Net have also supported the awards function.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New Business Age has been organising various award programs. The company has been selecting and awarding the best management colleges and companies since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2013. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2019</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the company has started honoring women entrepreneurs. New Business Age had organized the New Biz Business Conclave and Awards programme last winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17623', 'image' => '20230519011840_new logo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:55:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17891', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Windstorm Destroys Bananas Worth Rs 50 Million in Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district. The Chitwan Banana Producers Association confirmed that the banana farmers suffered massive loss due to the windstorm.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Chitwan Banana Producers Association Janak Raj Panta said that bananas planted in a total of 150 bighas of land in the district were completely damaged. He said that the damage in 150 bigha of land caused losses of around Rs 50 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Among the seven municipalities of the district, Khairhani and Rapti municipalities suffered the most damage. Panta said that there was partial damage in Ratnanagar, Kalika and Bharatpur Metropolitan City.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishi Gurung, a farmer of Ratnanagar municipality-5, Jhuwani, who planted bananas in 35 bighas of land in Khairhani and Rapti, said that bananas in 10 bighas of land were completely destroyed by the storm. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 5 bigha of bananas belonging to Baburam Bhatta of Ratnanagar have been completely damaged in Ratnanagar-4, Seri. He said that he faced financial loss of Rs 2.5 million. He said, “There was a plan to prepare and send the bananas to the market towards mid-June. All plans got destroyed by the wind,” said Bhatta.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Baburam Duwadi's 2 bigha vegetable garden in Ratnanagar was destroyed as well, causing a loss of Rs 1 million. He said, “The crop was to be ready within a month or two. The wind suddenly destroyed the bananas.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The wind destroyed Malbhog and Jinine varieties of bananas. The association collected the details of the damage since Monday morning. Most of the farmers have been taking insurance as the banana plantations started to be destroyed due to the annual storms. Panta said that 95 percent of farmers in Chitwan have insurance. Altogether 750 farmers have been cultivating bananas commercially in 3000 bighas of land. Altogether 70,000 metric tons of bananas worth Rs 1.6 billion are produced here annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17622', 'image' => '20230517031141_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:07:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued the order in this regard on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Advocate Gyanendra Aran had filed a writ petition at the SC against the government's decision to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The apex court has also sought a written response from the government and ordered for discussion with both sides. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 20 had decided to dole out Rs 800 million for the disqualified fighters at the rate of Rs 200,000 to each of the 4,000 plus disqualified combatants.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) had verified 19,602 Maoist combatants as eligible fighters for integration into the Nepalese Army while 4,008 were certified as disqualified on various grounds and particularly because most of them were underage.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The incumbent government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the chairman of the CPN Maoist Centre, has been heavily criticized for trying to misuse the funds of the state coffers in the name of distributing funds to the disqualified Maoist combatants when the country’s economy is facing crisis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17640', 'image' => '20230518124828_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:47:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17906', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'GBIA Marks First Anniversary but is Yet to Come into Full Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">GBIA has failed to come in full operation. So far, Jazeera Airways had been operating three Bhairahawa-Kuwait flights a week. It conducted a test flight on 16 May, 2022. But now, it has reportedly told about halting its flights to and from the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“The private sector invested over Rs 60 billion targeting the airport,” said Krishna Prasad Sharma, president of the Lumbini chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). They have invested in hotels, infrastructures, services, trade and tourism targeting the project, he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The mobility of approximately 20,000 people was expected in the area on a daily basis. With this hope, the area has been developed as a trade hub. But now, the airport has not been operated as expected. This has only added to our worries. Fears of our investments risks are deepening day by day. Entrepreneurs have no any other option,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He blamed the government for not paying attention to fully operate the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Failure to fully operate the airport has left all of us in the lurch,” he complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">India is reportedly dilly-dallying to agree on giving air entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Sharma is not ready to accept it. “Air entry points and Indian obstructions are only rumours. We are assured that the Asian Development Bank invested in the project after taking into accounts all these issues. The Government of Nepal should take a lead role to resolve these problems. There is no other alternative to operate the airport. This is our demand with the government,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He was of the view that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his upcoming visit to India should strictly take up the matter with India, and take concrete steps in operating the project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Millions of rupees of investment at risk</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Construction of hotel buildings and infrastructures has taken place along with the building of the airport. Around 146 hotels, big and small, are operational with the investment of around Rs 30 billion. Besides, around 21 hotels are under construction at the cost of approximately Rs 20 billion. “Millions of rupees invested in these projects are at risk. Entrepreneurs are in tension due to failure to pay bank loans. Some of them have got to the situation of abandoning the business,” said Chandra Prakash Shrestha, president of the Siddhartha Hotel Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He complained about the failure of the state to take initiatives for its operation. The government should take initiatives to bring in tourists from the countries that follow Buddhism in East Asia through the airport, he stressed. “We have repeatedly taken up the matter with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and the government. We do not know why are the demands are yet to be addressed.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two cable cars in Butwal are under construction with the investment of millions of rupees targeting incoming tourists through the airport. The projects that run three kilometers from Butwal to Basantapur of Tinau Rural Municipality-3 in Palpa district are estimated to cost over Rs 3.5 billion. One station is located at Bamghat of Butwal-3, and another at Basantapur of the Rural Municipality-3. Hotels, a park for recreation, and Kamakhyadevi Temple are under construction at Basantapur hill. A picnic spot has also come into operation. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Air routes not an issue</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hansha Raj Pandey, the general manager of the airport does not agree with the air route problem as reported. “Landing in the airport is feasible and cost friendly, he said. It is easier for an aircraft entering Simara to land in Bhairahawa. Despite long distance, there isn’t any air traffic here compared to Kathmandu. Airline companies have to bear additional costs when an aircraft has to hold in the sky. There is no such problem here.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Pandey, routes will be shorter for aircraft to fly through the L626 Mahendranagar route from Bhairahawa. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Pilots can also understand this. So, the report that the airport is not properly operating as a result of the air route problem is only a rumour,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Making the L626 two ways will make the airport much feasible, he said. Nevertheless, there is a problem in operating the airport during winter, he said. There may be a visibility problem despite landing through the instrument landing system (ILS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discounts on fees for aviation services for one more year </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport has been offering 100 percent discounts on fees charged for plane landing, parking, communications and aviation services and security check for international airlines, and this offer has been extended for one more year, said the airport’s general manager Pandey. The exemption came into operation on 28 May, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Late Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had laid the foundation stone of the airport on 15 January, 2015. Later, the then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated the airport with an investment of approximately Rs 35 billion on May 16 in 2022. Spanning around 800 bighas of land, the project has runways that span three kilometers. It has capacity to park four narrow-body aircraft and one wide-body aircraft. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Private sector draws attention of Prime Minister</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Entrepreneurs submitted a memorandum to PM Dahal during his visit to Lumbini to attend an event organised here on 5 May, 2023 on the occasion of the 2567th Birth Anniversary of Gautam Buddha and the Lumbini Day, 2080, demanding full operation of the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A delegation from the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi met with the PM and put forth the demand. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their demands include PM Dahal taking a flight from the airport during his upcoming visit to India. The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the flag carrier of Nepal, should start its flights from the airport to attract both domestic and international airlines, they demanded. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their other demands are that the NAC starts flights along Bhairahawa-Delhi, Bhairahawa-Malaysia, Bhairahawa-Qatar routes at the earliest, and the PM should take initiatives for regular and chartered flights at the airport for all countries in the world that follow Buddhism as Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is considered to be of great significance to those countries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Initiatives should be taken immediately to fully operate the airport so as to save the investment of over Rs 60 billion of the private sector in hotels, infrastructures and tourism, they demanded. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">No alternative airport</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 26 February, 2023, an aircraft of Air Vistara en route to Kathmandu from New Delhi and another one of FlyDubai from Dubai to Kathmandu were diverted to Lucknow of India after they could not land at the TIA due to bad weather. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly on 24 April, 2023, an aircraft of FlyDubai caught a fire in its engine during a takeoff from the TIA. However, all these aircraft did not show interest in diverting to two international airports of Nepal -- Pokhara and Gautam Buddha airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">International aircraft often give first priority to make an emergency landing or divert to airports outsides Nepal. International aircraft entering Nepal should choose an alternative airport. The Gautam Buddha International Airport should be taken as an alternative airport. But, no international flight has been diverted to it so far, it has been reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have kept the airport ready 24 hours a day. A workforce has also been managed accordingly. But, aircraft did not show interest to land here,” said Pandey blaming a lack of passengers for their apathy to land at the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“A large aircraft has over 300 passengers. The airline company should reach an agreement with a hotel for the accommodation and food for its passengers. But, in Bhairahawa, as far as I know, there has not been any agreement reached between an international airline and a hotel in this regard,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">When an emergency landing takes place in the airport, there arises problems of accommodation, food for passengers and crews and the conduction of a security check during a takeoff the following day, say experts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides, variations in the prices of aviation fuel in Nepal and India have also made the matter worse, they said. Aviation fuel is much cheaper in India than in Nepal. In Nepal, aviation fuel is sold for 1,360 dollars per thousand litres, while it costs 998 dollars in India. The diverted international aircraft did not pick the airport to save money, they said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is a pilot’s choice to land a diverted plane. We cannot force them," said Pandey. The airport is feasible for diverted international aircraft than the one in Lucknow in terms of distance and time, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Not only international flights, domestic airliners have also preferred to divert to Lucknow instead of the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It requires human resources including engineers for a diverted aircraft to take off. The respective airline company has to manage human resources for this. As of now, Jazeera Airways has been operating flights from the airport. So, planes could not be diverted to the airport due to a lack of agreement between these airlines and the Jazeera Airways, said the airport employees. Without the management of a workforce, there are difficulties and the lengthy process for a diverted plant to take off from the airport, they said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17638', 'image' => '20230518121326_GB airporttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:12:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17908', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Precipitation due to the Influence of Westerly Wind ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. The weather is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi Province and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the provinces due to this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu's weather is cloudy and it received light rainfall in the morning. It will be partly to generally cloudy in the hill region of the country towards the afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are chances of brief or light rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province and in a few places of the hill region of the rest of the provinces, the division stated in its weather bulletin. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17637', 'image' => '20230518122214_weatherrr - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17905', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SEBON Dismisses Allegation of Irregularities in the Process of Issuing Stock Broker License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. The board issued a press statement and said that baseless accusations were made against the board with a mala fide intention to keep the broker business within the circle of limited traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the board, it issued the letter of intent for the distribution of broker license in order to provide equal opportunity to all those who have fulfilled the criteria through legal process within the given deadline. The board expressed its regret that the old brokers tried to hinder the overall market development by publishing certain self-centered, self-interested statements without maintaining their minimum professional dignity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the fifth amendment to the Securities Dealers (Securities Brokers and Securities Dealers) Regulations, 2064 was approved by the Government of Nepal, the Council of Ministers on September 14 and made a policy arrangement for the open entry of securities brokers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to international practices, the board proceeded with the licensing process in accordance with the provisions of the regulation, considering the capital of the organization, the qualification of the directors, the qualification of the head of the organization and the information technology as the main criteria for granting the license. The board published a 30-day public notice on September 18 and invited applications for issuing securities brokers and securities traders' licenses.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Out of the total 46 applications received for the new broker license, the board gave letter of intent to 43 companies. According to the board, 41 applications were for limited-service securities brokers, four were for full-fledged securities brokers and one was for securities traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the process for broker license is completed within 35 days from the date of expiry of the application deadline.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board informed that its efforts to allow 12 "A" class banks’ subsidiaries and 31 other organizations to enter as securities brokers and traders will make the securities market more competitive and transparent. The board claims that the level of securities market services will increase and investors will benefit from competition in services and prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board expects that the demand for the entry of securities brokers, which the investors have been demanding for a long time, will be addressed and there will be competition in the securities market as well as employment opportunities and this will contribute to the overall economy. The board also expressed its commitment to formulate and implement an open and progressive policy for the protection of investors' rights and interests and for the development and expansion of the secondary market in the future as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SBAN issued a statement last Friday and demanded immediate suspension of the brokers’ license just like the license of the stock exchange was suspended. Alleging financial irregularities, the association also demanded investigation and action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board issued a counter statement claiming that the regulations were drafted and then amended several times by the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17636', 'image' => '20230518112800_Sebon-update.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 11:27:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17904', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kamirita Sherpa Scales Mt Everest for the 27th Time, Creates History ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The 53-year-old mountaineer stood atop the highest mountain in the world on Wednesday morning at 8:30 am, Director of the Department of Tourism Yuwaraj Khatiwada told RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa, who is originally a resident of Thame in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu district and is currently residing in Kathmandu, broke his own record of climbing the 8,848.86 metres mountain and thereby creating a new one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada shared that the expedition is going on in full swing but the number of climbers making it to the top of the Mt Everest could not be ascertained owing to lack of communications with the climbers pushing towards the summit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Imagine Nepal Treks and Expedition Company's Director Mingma Gyalzen Sherpa informed RSS that over 100 mountaineers including Kamirita have climbed Mt Everest so far this spring while as many were on a summit push bid. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Kamirita latest ascent has spread a message to the world that the mountaineering sector of Nepal is safe," asserted Khatiwada.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kamirita, who first set his feet atop the Everest on May 13, 1994, has climbed many mountains over 8,000 metres at home and abroad for over 39 times till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Pasang Dawa Sherpa is hot on the heels of Kamirita and ascended Everest for the 26th time this spring. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A record number of climbers are attempting to scale the Mt Everest this spring as Nepal issued the highest number of climbing permits in history for Everest this season since the first successful ascent of the Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department issued 478 permits for 44 groups this season. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17635', 'image' => '20230518105218_FwTHtq6agAEVihB (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:47:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17903', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB Approves US$300 Million Loan to Improve Road Connectivity and Trade in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Issuing a statement on Wednesday, ADB Transport Specialist for South Asia Sin Wai Chong said that the project road is along the East–West Highway which forms part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation corridor.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Together with other regional cooperation initiatives under the SASEC framework, better infrastructure, improved connectivity, and safe road networks will boost border trade and logistics and improve the lives of rural communities,” said Chong.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB, at least 95 kilometers (km) of road from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi will be upgraded from a two-lane to a four-lane dual roadway. It will incorporate climate and disaster-resilient design features such as higher thermal resistant pavements and bridges with stringent flood-proofing requirement, added the statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project will improve road safety through features such as junctions with traffic signals, footpaths with streetlights and tactile paving surface, overhead pedestrian crossings, road crossings with raised platform, and bus stops equipped with lighting system, the ADB further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB statement, the project will build the capacity of the Department of Roads in climate and disaster-resilient strategies, road asset management, road safety, and project management and implementation. “Community awareness campaigns on road safety, health and hygiene, and human trafficking will also be conducted. This will be complemented with capacity building programs for women and disadvantaged groups to improve their mobility and access to services.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB said it will provide an additional US$750,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation guidelines for road projects, bidding documents, performance indicators, and a user handbook on long-term performance-based maintenance. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB added that it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17634', 'image' => '20230518100646_adbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:06:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17902', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sherpa Dies while Returning from the Summit of Everest ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NA's Military and Public Relations Directorate said that efforts were underway to retrieve the body of Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Captain Dipendra Singh Khatry, who became unwell while returning after climbing Mount Everest, was airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment. Khatry who was also engaged in the clean mountain campaign on Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse was first taken to camp-2 with the support of other mountaineers. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Captain Khatri along with three others were taken to Kathmandu for treatment and are said to be in normal health condition now, the directorate said. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remaining works of the clean mountain campaign are being carried out under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Kishor Adhikari despite unfavourable weather condition. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17633', 'image' => '20230518094613_20230330102040_1680132652.Clipboard32.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:45:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17901', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transportation Fare Decreases ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport. The DoTM slashed the public transport fare on Wednesday after the Nepal Oil Corporation reduced the price of diesel effective from 12 midnight on Tuesday. <br /> Issuing a notice on Wednesday, the DoTM said that the public transport fare has been automatically adjusted based on the fuel price. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px">It is stated in the notice that the fare of passenger transport vehicles has been reduced by 3.20 percent. Similarly, the fare of cargo vehicles operated in the hill route has been decreased by 4.19 percent and that of the goods carrier vehicles operated in Tarai by 4.65 percent. -- RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17632', 'image' => '20230518091548_Transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:14:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17900', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB Issues Circular on Loan Restructuring and Rescheduling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 18: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">These arrangements were implemented as part of the third quarterly review of the current fiscal year's monetary policy (2079/80). <br /> As per the circular, effective from June 15, loans obtained in the hotel and restaurant, livestock, construction sectors, as well as loans up to Rs 50 million in other sectors, can be restructured and rescheduled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular specifies that loan re-scheduling and restructuring can proceed once the debtor has repaid at least 10 percent of the outstanding interest amount. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This decision is based on an analysis of the industry's and business's cash flow and income, as requested by the debtors. Additionally, the circular outlines four conditions that must be met for the implementation of these arrangements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular emphasizes that only loans classified as active loans up until April 13 can be considered for restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Furthermore, a provision of five percent credit loss on the restructured and rescheduled loans must be made, and these loans can only be utilized within the cluster where they were originally classified.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">It may be noted that the NRB had softened some monetary arrangements through quarterly review of the monetary policy. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17631', 'image' => '20230518060823_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 06:06:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17896', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16-Year-Old Chinese Girl Scales Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl Sui Cho Yuan successfully reached atop Everest via the south slope at 5:42am on May 15. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Organizing a press conference here Wednesday, Nepal Big Mountain Travel shared this information. The travel agency had facilitated the summit of Sui, according to Managing Director Sudarshan Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl is said to be the youngest woman climber.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, climber Sui shared that she was inspired by her father, Lei, who had scaled Everest from the north slope in 2007. Although the adverse atmosphere posed hostility in the beginning, the weather was clear on the day she reached atop the world's highest peak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also extended thanks to the Sherpas who assisted her in climbing Everest. According to Sui, Everest was polluted with trash and her team brought back the used materials to keep the mountain clean.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, former Chair of Nepal Mountaineering Association, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said that there is no provision to issue permits to the people below 16 years for climbing Everest.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Everest summit this year, various programmes are being organized in the country. The climbing for this year began last Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17627', 'image' => '20230517093316_122208-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 21:32:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17895', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Surges as Turnover Amount Rises; All Sector Indices Close in Green', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with the index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 17: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The index climbed by 23.39 points, or 1.28%, reaching 1,845.10, compared to the previous trading day. The positive trend is also reflected in the stock market after the index re-tested previous low of 1807 points.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The continuous decline in the market for the past few days has attracted buyers, resulting in an increase in the turnover amount compared to the previous trading day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">High interest rates, liquidity scarcity, and tight polices related to the sharemarket had led to the NEPSE on the continuous downward trend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Experts say that the time is appropriate for investments into the stock market as share prices have hit a very low in the market for a long time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">A total of 2,577,210 shares of 266 scrips traded their hands via 25,634 transactions. <br /> The total turnover amount stood at NPR 85.76 crores in the NEPSE today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">SHIVAM CEMENTS LTD (SHIVM) shares traded the most and had the highest turnover of Rs. 5.46 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 403.50 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Aatmanirbhar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ANLB) gained the highest 9.99% and hit the positive circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Conversely, Mai Khola Hydropower Limited (MKHL) lost the highest 7.93% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">All sector indices closed green, "Others" gained the highest 2.37%, while "Mutual Fund" gained the least 0.04% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Likewise, the sensitive index increased by 1.15 percent, the float index by 1.25 percent, and the sensitive float index by 1.03 percent.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17626', 'image' => '20230517050845_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 17:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17894', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 18,000 Cows Affected with Lumpy Skin Disease in Bagmati Province', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 17: More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The initial data collection from the first phase indicates that at least 18,324 cows have been infected with the disease. Tragically, a significant number of cows have lost their lives due to the illness. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The highest number of fatalities has been reported in Makawanpur district, with 197 out of 4,835 infected cows succumbing to the disease. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sindhuli district has recorded 9,634 infected cases, resulting in the death of 47 cows. Ramechhap has reported 1,965 infected cases, followed by Chitwan with 1,060 cases, Kathmandu with 83 cases, Lalitpur with 40 cases, Kavrepalanchok with 400 cases, Nuwakot with 300 cases, Sindhupalchok with six cases, and Bhaktapur with one case.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17625', 'image' => '20230517043430_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:28:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17893', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Growth Rate of Provinces Slows Down', 'sub_title' => 'The growth rate of all seven provinces is expected to be very low', 'summary' => 'May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the estimates released by the National Statistics Office on Tuesday, the economic growth rate of all seven provinces will be much lower than the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the Fiscal Year 2022/23, the national GDP in terms of consumer prices is estimated to be equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5381</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bagmati Province will contribute the most to the national economy although the GDP of the province will contract sharply compared to the last fiscal year. The GDP of Bagmati Province is estimated to be Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1981</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. The least contribution will be from Karnali Province. The GDP of this province is estimated to be around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">221</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The current fiscal year's national GDP is estimated to grow by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.86</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in terms of consumer prices, which is far less than the growth target of 8 percent set by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the state level, it is estimated that Gandaki Province will have the highest percentage of growth at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.3</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent while the growth rate of Bagmati Province is expected to be the lowest among all at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. As per the revised estimates of the NSO last year, the growth rate of Gandaki Province was the highest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) and Madhesh was the lowest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.65</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) in FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">/</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Based on the economic activity according to the industrial classification, the contribution of the agricultural sector will be the highest in all the provinces except Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade sector will be more in Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade will be second in Koshi, Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In Bagmati Province, the contribution of the real estate business and housing services ranks second. In Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim, the contribution of public administration and defense sector is second. Except for Bagmati and Madhesh, the contribution of administrative support services activities to the gross domestic product of all provinces is the lowest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17624', 'image' => '20230517041650_gdp_estimate.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:16:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17892', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards Complete', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards 2023, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards programme, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed. The training program for startups under this awards ceremony has already been completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The organisers of the awards ceremony had requested for applications from startups from all seven provinces. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> startup entrepreneurs from across the country had submitted applications for the awards programme. The theme of this year's awards is 'Towards Startup Nation'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This year, the awards are being given to eight start-up companies. The awards programme is supported by sastodeal.com, Laxmi Bank, Shikhar Insurance, Rigo, Nexon EV, Max and City Express. Similarly, Nepal Rastra Bank, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Insurance Authority, Citizens Life Insurance, National Life Insurance, Nepali Patro and Dishome Fiber Net have also supported the awards function.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New Business Age has been organising various award programs. The company has been selecting and awarding the best management colleges and companies since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2013. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2019</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the company has started honoring women entrepreneurs. New Business Age had organized the New Biz Business Conclave and Awards programme last winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17623', 'image' => '20230519011840_new logo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:55:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17891', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Windstorm Destroys Bananas Worth Rs 50 Million in Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district. The Chitwan Banana Producers Association confirmed that the banana farmers suffered massive loss due to the windstorm.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Chitwan Banana Producers Association Janak Raj Panta said that bananas planted in a total of 150 bighas of land in the district were completely damaged. He said that the damage in 150 bigha of land caused losses of around Rs 50 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Among the seven municipalities of the district, Khairhani and Rapti municipalities suffered the most damage. Panta said that there was partial damage in Ratnanagar, Kalika and Bharatpur Metropolitan City.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishi Gurung, a farmer of Ratnanagar municipality-5, Jhuwani, who planted bananas in 35 bighas of land in Khairhani and Rapti, said that bananas in 10 bighas of land were completely destroyed by the storm. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 5 bigha of bananas belonging to Baburam Bhatta of Ratnanagar have been completely damaged in Ratnanagar-4, Seri. He said that he faced financial loss of Rs 2.5 million. He said, “There was a plan to prepare and send the bananas to the market towards mid-June. All plans got destroyed by the wind,” said Bhatta.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Baburam Duwadi's 2 bigha vegetable garden in Ratnanagar was destroyed as well, causing a loss of Rs 1 million. He said, “The crop was to be ready within a month or two. The wind suddenly destroyed the bananas.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The wind destroyed Malbhog and Jinine varieties of bananas. The association collected the details of the damage since Monday morning. Most of the farmers have been taking insurance as the banana plantations started to be destroyed due to the annual storms. Panta said that 95 percent of farmers in Chitwan have insurance. Altogether 750 farmers have been cultivating bananas commercially in 3000 bighas of land. Altogether 70,000 metric tons of bananas worth Rs 1.6 billion are produced here annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17622', 'image' => '20230517031141_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:07:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 18: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interlocutory order to the government, directing the government not to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued the order in this regard on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Advocate Gyanendra Aran had filed a writ petition at the SC against the government's decision to provide Rs 200,000 to each of the disqualified Maoist combatants. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The apex court has also sought a written response from the government and ordered for discussion with both sides. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the Council of Ministers on March 20 had decided to dole out Rs 800 million for the disqualified fighters at the rate of Rs 200,000 to each of the 4,000 plus disqualified combatants.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) had verified 19,602 Maoist combatants as eligible fighters for integration into the Nepalese Army while 4,008 were certified as disqualified on various grounds and particularly because most of them were underage.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The incumbent government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the chairman of the CPN Maoist Centre, has been heavily criticized for trying to misuse the funds of the state coffers in the name of distributing funds to the disqualified Maoist combatants when the country’s economy is facing crisis.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17640', 'image' => '20230518124828_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:47:38', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17906', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'GBIA Marks First Anniversary but is Yet to Come into Full Operation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) has completed its first anniversary, but the second international airport of Nepal after Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan International Airport going through setbacks has added to worries of the investors. The private sector has reportedly invested over Rs 60 billion targeting this project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">GBIA has failed to come in full operation. So far, Jazeera Airways had been operating three Bhairahawa-Kuwait flights a week. It conducted a test flight on 16 May, 2022. But now, it has reportedly told about halting its flights to and from the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“The private sector invested over Rs 60 billion targeting the airport,” said Krishna Prasad Sharma, president of the Lumbini chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). They have invested in hotels, infrastructures, services, trade and tourism targeting the project, he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The mobility of approximately 20,000 people was expected in the area on a daily basis. With this hope, the area has been developed as a trade hub. But now, the airport has not been operated as expected. This has only added to our worries. Fears of our investments risks are deepening day by day. Entrepreneurs have no any other option,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He blamed the government for not paying attention to fully operate the airport. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Failure to fully operate the airport has left all of us in the lurch,” he complained. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">India is reportedly dilly-dallying to agree on giving air entry points. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Sharma is not ready to accept it. “Air entry points and Indian obstructions are only rumours. We are assured that the Asian Development Bank invested in the project after taking into accounts all these issues. The Government of Nepal should take a lead role to resolve these problems. There is no other alternative to operate the airport. This is our demand with the government,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He was of the view that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his upcoming visit to India should strictly take up the matter with India, and take concrete steps in operating the project. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Millions of rupees of investment at risk</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Construction of hotel buildings and infrastructures has taken place along with the building of the airport. Around 146 hotels, big and small, are operational with the investment of around Rs 30 billion. Besides, around 21 hotels are under construction at the cost of approximately Rs 20 billion. “Millions of rupees invested in these projects are at risk. Entrepreneurs are in tension due to failure to pay bank loans. Some of them have got to the situation of abandoning the business,” said Chandra Prakash Shrestha, president of the Siddhartha Hotel Association. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He complained about the failure of the state to take initiatives for its operation. The government should take initiatives to bring in tourists from the countries that follow Buddhism in East Asia through the airport, he stressed. “We have repeatedly taken up the matter with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and the government. We do not know why are the demands are yet to be addressed.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two cable cars in Butwal are under construction with the investment of millions of rupees targeting incoming tourists through the airport. The projects that run three kilometers from Butwal to Basantapur of Tinau Rural Municipality-3 in Palpa district are estimated to cost over Rs 3.5 billion. One station is located at Bamghat of Butwal-3, and another at Basantapur of the Rural Municipality-3. Hotels, a park for recreation, and Kamakhyadevi Temple are under construction at Basantapur hill. A picnic spot has also come into operation. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Air routes not an issue</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hansha Raj Pandey, the general manager of the airport does not agree with the air route problem as reported. “Landing in the airport is feasible and cost friendly, he said. It is easier for an aircraft entering Simara to land in Bhairahawa. Despite long distance, there isn’t any air traffic here compared to Kathmandu. Airline companies have to bear additional costs when an aircraft has to hold in the sky. There is no such problem here.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to Pandey, routes will be shorter for aircraft to fly through the L626 Mahendranagar route from Bhairahawa. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Pilots can also understand this. So, the report that the airport is not properly operating as a result of the air route problem is only a rumour,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Making the L626 two ways will make the airport much feasible, he said. Nevertheless, there is a problem in operating the airport during winter, he said. There may be a visibility problem despite landing through the instrument landing system (ILS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Discounts on fees for aviation services for one more year </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airport has been offering 100 percent discounts on fees charged for plane landing, parking, communications and aviation services and security check for international airlines, and this offer has been extended for one more year, said the airport’s general manager Pandey. The exemption came into operation on 28 May, 2022. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Late Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had laid the foundation stone of the airport on 15 January, 2015. Later, the then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated the airport with an investment of approximately Rs 35 billion on May 16 in 2022. Spanning around 800 bighas of land, the project has runways that span three kilometers. It has capacity to park four narrow-body aircraft and one wide-body aircraft. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Private sector draws attention of Prime Minister</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Entrepreneurs submitted a memorandum to PM Dahal during his visit to Lumbini to attend an event organised here on 5 May, 2023 on the occasion of the 2567th Birth Anniversary of Gautam Buddha and the Lumbini Day, 2080, demanding full operation of the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A delegation from the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rupandehi met with the PM and put forth the demand. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their demands include PM Dahal taking a flight from the airport during his upcoming visit to India. The Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the flag carrier of Nepal, should start its flights from the airport to attract both domestic and international airlines, they demanded. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Their other demands are that the NAC starts flights along Bhairahawa-Delhi, Bhairahawa-Malaysia, Bhairahawa-Qatar routes at the earliest, and the PM should take initiatives for regular and chartered flights at the airport for all countries in the world that follow Buddhism as Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, is considered to be of great significance to those countries.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Initiatives should be taken immediately to fully operate the airport so as to save the investment of over Rs 60 billion of the private sector in hotels, infrastructures and tourism, they demanded. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">No alternative airport</span></strong> <br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On 26 February, 2023, an aircraft of Air Vistara en route to Kathmandu from New Delhi and another one of FlyDubai from Dubai to Kathmandu were diverted to Lucknow of India after they could not land at the TIA due to bad weather. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly on 24 April, 2023, an aircraft of FlyDubai caught a fire in its engine during a takeoff from the TIA. However, all these aircraft did not show interest in diverting to two international airports of Nepal -- Pokhara and Gautam Buddha airports. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">International aircraft often give first priority to make an emergency landing or divert to airports outsides Nepal. International aircraft entering Nepal should choose an alternative airport. The Gautam Buddha International Airport should be taken as an alternative airport. But, no international flight has been diverted to it so far, it has been reported. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We have kept the airport ready 24 hours a day. A workforce has also been managed accordingly. But, aircraft did not show interest to land here,” said Pandey blaming a lack of passengers for their apathy to land at the airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“A large aircraft has over 300 passengers. The airline company should reach an agreement with a hotel for the accommodation and food for its passengers. But, in Bhairahawa, as far as I know, there has not been any agreement reached between an international airline and a hotel in this regard,” he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">When an emergency landing takes place in the airport, there arises problems of accommodation, food for passengers and crews and the conduction of a security check during a takeoff the following day, say experts. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Besides, variations in the prices of aviation fuel in Nepal and India have also made the matter worse, they said. Aviation fuel is much cheaper in India than in Nepal. In Nepal, aviation fuel is sold for 1,360 dollars per thousand litres, while it costs 998 dollars in India. The diverted international aircraft did not pick the airport to save money, they said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"It is a pilot’s choice to land a diverted plane. We cannot force them," said Pandey. The airport is feasible for diverted international aircraft than the one in Lucknow in terms of distance and time, he said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Not only international flights, domestic airliners have also preferred to divert to Lucknow instead of the Gautam Buddha International Airport. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It requires human resources including engineers for a diverted aircraft to take off. The respective airline company has to manage human resources for this. As of now, Jazeera Airways has been operating flights from the airport. So, planes could not be diverted to the airport due to a lack of agreement between these airlines and the Jazeera Airways, said the airport employees. Without the management of a workforce, there are difficulties and the lengthy process for a diverted plant to take off from the airport, they said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17638', 'image' => '20230518121326_GB airporttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:12:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17908', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Precipitation due to the Influence of Westerly Wind ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: The Westerly wind coupled with the local wind has had a general impact in the country’s weather at present, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said. The weather is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi Province and partly cloudy to generally clear in the rest of the provinces due to this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu's weather is cloudy and it received light rainfall in the morning. It will be partly to generally cloudy in the hill region of the country towards the afternoon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are chances of brief or light rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places of Koshi Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province and in a few places of the hill region of the rest of the provinces, the division stated in its weather bulletin. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17637', 'image' => '20230518122214_weatherrr - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 12:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17905', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SEBON Dismisses Allegation of Irregularities in the Process of Issuing Stock Broker License', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 18: The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has expressed its anger over the demand of the Stock Broker Association of Nepal (SBAN) to stop the new broker license process. The board issued a press statement and said that baseless accusations were made against the board with a mala fide intention to keep the broker business within the circle of limited traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the board, it issued the letter of intent for the distribution of broker license in order to provide equal opportunity to all those who have fulfilled the criteria through legal process within the given deadline. The board expressed its regret that the old brokers tried to hinder the overall market development by publishing certain self-centered, self-interested statements without maintaining their minimum professional dignity.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the fifth amendment to the Securities Dealers (Securities Brokers and Securities Dealers) Regulations, 2064 was approved by the Government of Nepal, the Council of Ministers on September 14 and made a policy arrangement for the open entry of securities brokers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to international practices, the board proceeded with the licensing process in accordance with the provisions of the regulation, considering the capital of the organization, the qualification of the directors, the qualification of the head of the organization and the information technology as the main criteria for granting the license. The board published a 30-day public notice on September 18 and invited applications for issuing securities brokers and securities traders' licenses.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Out of the total 46 applications received for the new broker license, the board gave letter of intent to 43 companies. According to the board, 41 applications were for limited-service securities brokers, four were for full-fledged securities brokers and one was for securities traders.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board clarified that the process for broker license is completed within 35 days from the date of expiry of the application deadline.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board informed that its efforts to allow 12 "A" class banks’ subsidiaries and 31 other organizations to enter as securities brokers and traders will make the securities market more competitive and transparent. The board claims that the level of securities market services will increase and investors will benefit from competition in services and prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board expects that the demand for the entry of securities brokers, which the investors have been demanding for a long time, will be addressed and there will be competition in the securities market as well as employment opportunities and this will contribute to the overall economy. The board also expressed its commitment to formulate and implement an open and progressive policy for the protection of investors' rights and interests and for the development and expansion of the secondary market in the future as well.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">SBAN issued a statement last Friday and demanded immediate suspension of the brokers’ license just like the license of the stock exchange was suspended. Alleging financial irregularities, the association also demanded investigation and action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The board issued a counter statement claiming that the regulations were drafted and then amended several times by the Council of Ministers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17636', 'image' => '20230518112800_Sebon-update.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 11:27:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17904', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Kamirita Sherpa Scales Mt Everest for the 27th Time, Creates History ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Record-holder mountaineer Kamirita Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) for a record 27th time on Wednesday. This makes him the only person to climb Everest for 27 times.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> The 53-year-old mountaineer stood atop the highest mountain in the world on Wednesday morning at 8:30 am, Director of the Department of Tourism Yuwaraj Khatiwada told RSS. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sherpa, who is originally a resident of Thame in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu district and is currently residing in Kathmandu, broke his own record of climbing the 8,848.86 metres mountain and thereby creating a new one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Khatiwada shared that the expedition is going on in full swing but the number of climbers making it to the top of the Mt Everest could not be ascertained owing to lack of communications with the climbers pushing towards the summit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Imagine Nepal Treks and Expedition Company's Director Mingma Gyalzen Sherpa informed RSS that over 100 mountaineers including Kamirita have climbed Mt Everest so far this spring while as many were on a summit push bid. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Kamirita latest ascent has spread a message to the world that the mountaineering sector of Nepal is safe," asserted Khatiwada.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kamirita, who first set his feet atop the Everest on May 13, 1994, has climbed many mountains over 8,000 metres at home and abroad for over 39 times till date. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, Pasang Dawa Sherpa is hot on the heels of Kamirita and ascended Everest for the 26th time this spring. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A record number of climbers are attempting to scale the Mt Everest this spring as Nepal issued the highest number of climbing permits in history for Everest this season since the first successful ascent of the Everest on May 29, 1953. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department issued 478 permits for 44 groups this season. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17635', 'image' => '20230518105218_FwTHtq6agAEVihB (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:47:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17903', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'ADB Approves US$300 Million Loan to Improve Road Connectivity and Trade in Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">May 18: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Issuing a statement on Wednesday, ADB Transport Specialist for South Asia Sin Wai Chong said that the project road is along the East–West Highway which forms part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation corridor.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Together with other regional cooperation initiatives under the SASEC framework, better infrastructure, improved connectivity, and safe road networks will boost border trade and logistics and improve the lives of rural communities,” said Chong.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB, at least 95 kilometers (km) of road from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi will be upgraded from a two-lane to a four-lane dual roadway. It will incorporate climate and disaster-resilient design features such as higher thermal resistant pavements and bridges with stringent flood-proofing requirement, added the statement. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The project will improve road safety through features such as junctions with traffic signals, footpaths with streetlights and tactile paving surface, overhead pedestrian crossings, road crossings with raised platform, and bus stops equipped with lighting system, the ADB further said. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">According to the ADB statement, the project will build the capacity of the Department of Roads in climate and disaster-resilient strategies, road asset management, road safety, and project management and implementation. “Community awareness campaigns on road safety, health and hygiene, and human trafficking will also be conducted. This will be complemented with capacity building programs for women and disadvantaged groups to improve their mobility and access to services.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB said it will provide an additional US$750,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation guidelines for road projects, bidding documents, performance indicators, and a user handbook on long-term performance-based maintenance. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">ADB added that it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17634', 'image' => '20230518100646_adbb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 10:06:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17902', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Sherpa Dies while Returning from the Summit of Everest ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 18: Phurwa Sherpa, a resident of Sankhuwasabha, who was involved in the Nepalese Army's Clean Mountain Campaign 2023, died on the way back to the base camp after reaching atop Mount Everest. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The NA's Military and Public Relations Directorate said that efforts were underway to retrieve the body of Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise, Captain Dipendra Singh Khatry, who became unwell while returning after climbing Mount Everest, was airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment. Khatry who was also engaged in the clean mountain campaign on Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse was first taken to camp-2 with the support of other mountaineers. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Captain Khatri along with three others were taken to Kathmandu for treatment and are said to be in normal health condition now, the directorate said. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Remaining works of the clean mountain campaign are being carried out under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Kishor Adhikari despite unfavourable weather condition. -- RSS </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17633', 'image' => '20230518094613_20230330102040_1680132652.Clipboard32.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:45:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17901', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Transportation Fare Decreases ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">May 18: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decreased the fare of passenger and goods vehicles under the inter-province public transport. The DoTM slashed the public transport fare on Wednesday after the Nepal Oil Corporation reduced the price of diesel effective from 12 midnight on Tuesday. <br /> Issuing a notice on Wednesday, the DoTM said that the public transport fare has been automatically adjusted based on the fuel price. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px">It is stated in the notice that the fare of passenger transport vehicles has been reduced by 3.20 percent. Similarly, the fare of cargo vehicles operated in the hill route has been decreased by 4.19 percent and that of the goods carrier vehicles operated in Tarai by 4.65 percent. -- RSS </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17632', 'image' => '20230518091548_Transport.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 09:14:26', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17900', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NRB Issues Circular on Loan Restructuring and Rescheduling', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 18: The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has issued a circular to banks and financial institutions outlining new arrangements for loan restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">These arrangements were implemented as part of the third quarterly review of the current fiscal year's monetary policy (2079/80). <br /> As per the circular, effective from June 15, loans obtained in the hotel and restaurant, livestock, construction sectors, as well as loans up to Rs 50 million in other sectors, can be restructured and rescheduled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular specifies that loan re-scheduling and restructuring can proceed once the debtor has repaid at least 10 percent of the outstanding interest amount. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">This decision is based on an analysis of the industry's and business's cash flow and income, as requested by the debtors. Additionally, the circular outlines four conditions that must be met for the implementation of these arrangements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The circular emphasizes that only loans classified as active loans up until April 13 can be considered for restructuring and rescheduling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Furthermore, a provision of five percent credit loss on the restructured and rescheduled loans must be made, and these loans can only be utilized within the cluster where they were originally classified.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">It may be noted that the NRB had softened some monetary arrangements through quarterly review of the monetary policy. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-18', 'modified' => '2023-05-18', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17631', 'image' => '20230518060823_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-18 06:06:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17896', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '16-Year-Old Chinese Girl Scales Everest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: A 16-year-old Chinese girl has ascended Mount Everest with the onset of the Spring season.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl Sui Cho Yuan successfully reached atop Everest via the south slope at 5:42am on May 15. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Organizing a press conference here Wednesday, Nepal Big Mountain Travel shared this information. The travel agency had facilitated the summit of Sui, according to Managing Director Sudarshan Nepal. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Chinese girl is said to be the youngest woman climber.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, climber Sui shared that she was inspired by her father, Lei, who had scaled Everest from the north slope in 2007. Although the adverse atmosphere posed hostility in the beginning, the weather was clear on the day she reached atop the world's highest peak.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also extended thanks to the Sherpas who assisted her in climbing Everest. According to Sui, Everest was polluted with trash and her team brought back the used materials to keep the mountain clean.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, former Chair of Nepal Mountaineering Association, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said that there is no provision to issue permits to the people below 16 years for climbing Everest.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Everest summit this year, various programmes are being organized in the country. The climbing for this year began last Saturday.</span></span></span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17627', 'image' => '20230517093316_122208-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 21:32:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17895', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Index Surges as Turnover Amount Rises; All Sector Indices Close in Green', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with the index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">May 17: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) saw a rise in turnover amount along with index on the fourth trading day of the week, Wednesday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The index climbed by 23.39 points, or 1.28%, reaching 1,845.10, compared to the previous trading day. The positive trend is also reflected in the stock market after the index re-tested previous low of 1807 points.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The continuous decline in the market for the past few days has attracted buyers, resulting in an increase in the turnover amount compared to the previous trading day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">High interest rates, liquidity scarcity, and tight polices related to the sharemarket had led to the NEPSE on the continuous downward trend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Experts say that the time is appropriate for investments into the stock market as share prices have hit a very low in the market for a long time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">A total of 2,577,210 shares of 266 scrips traded their hands via 25,634 transactions. <br /> The total turnover amount stood at NPR 85.76 crores in the NEPSE today. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">SHIVAM CEMENTS LTD (SHIVM) shares traded the most and had the highest turnover of Rs. 5.46 crores closing at a market price of Rs. 403.50 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Aatmanirbhar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ANLB) gained the highest 9.99% and hit the positive circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Conversely, Mai Khola Hydropower Limited (MKHL) lost the highest 7.93% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">All sector indices closed green, "Others" gained the highest 2.37%, while "Mutual Fund" gained the least 0.04% today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Likewise, the sensitive index increased by 1.15 percent, the float index by 1.25 percent, and the sensitive float index by 1.03 percent.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17626', 'image' => '20230517050845_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 17:05:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17894', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 18,000 Cows Affected with Lumpy Skin Disease in Bagmati Province', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 17: More than 18,000 cows across 13 districts in Bagmati Province have been affected by the lumpy skin disease, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Bagmati Province. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The initial data collection from the first phase indicates that at least 18,324 cows have been infected with the disease. Tragically, a significant number of cows have lost their lives due to the illness. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The highest number of fatalities has been reported in Makawanpur district, with 197 out of 4,835 infected cows succumbing to the disease. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sindhuli district has recorded 9,634 infected cases, resulting in the death of 47 cows. Ramechhap has reported 1,965 infected cases, followed by Chitwan with 1,060 cases, Kathmandu with 83 cases, Lalitpur with 40 cases, Kavrepalanchok with 400 cases, Nuwakot with 300 cases, Sindhupalchok with six cases, and Bhaktapur with one case.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17625', 'image' => '20230517043430_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:28:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17893', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Growth Rate of Provinces Slows Down', 'sub_title' => 'The growth rate of all seven provinces is expected to be very low', 'summary' => 'May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the provinces are likely to contract sharply in the current fiscal year (FY 2022/23).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to the estimates released by the National Statistics Office on Tuesday, the economic growth rate of all seven provinces will be much lower than the previous year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the Fiscal Year 2022/23, the national GDP in terms of consumer prices is estimated to be equal to Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">5381</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bagmati Province will contribute the most to the national economy although the GDP of the province will contract sharply compared to the last fiscal year. The GDP of Bagmati Province is estimated to be Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1981</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion. The least contribution will be from Karnali Province. The GDP of this province is estimated to be around Rs </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">221</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The current fiscal year's national GDP is estimated to grow by </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.86</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent in terms of consumer prices, which is far less than the growth target of 8 percent set by the government. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">At the state level, it is estimated that Gandaki Province will have the highest percentage of growth at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">3.3</span></span> <span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">percent while the growth rate of Bagmati Province is expected to be the lowest among all at </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">1.4</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent. As per the revised estimates of the NSO last year, the growth rate of Gandaki Province was the highest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">6.35</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) and Madhesh was the lowest (</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">4.65</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> percent) in FY </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">20</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">21</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">/</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">22</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Based on the economic activity according to the industrial classification, the contribution of the agricultural sector will be the highest in all the provinces except Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade sector will be more in Bagmati. The contribution of wholesale and retail trade will be second in Koshi, Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In Bagmati Province, the contribution of the real estate business and housing services ranks second. In Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim, the contribution of public administration and defense sector is second. Except for Bagmati and Madhesh, the contribution of administrative support services activities to the gross domestic product of all provinces is the lowest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17624', 'image' => '20230517041650_gdp_estimate.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 16:16:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17892', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Preparations for New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards Complete', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards 2023, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May 17: Preparations for the New Business Age Startup Summit and Awards programme, which is scheduled to be held on Friday (May 19), under the initiative of New Business Age, have been completed. The training program for startups under this awards ceremony has already been completed.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The organisers of the awards ceremony had requested for applications from startups from all seven provinces. More than </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2,000</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> startup entrepreneurs from across the country had submitted applications for the awards programme. The theme of this year's awards is 'Towards Startup Nation'.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This year, the awards are being given to eight start-up companies. The awards programme is supported by sastodeal.com, Laxmi Bank, Shikhar Insurance, Rigo, Nexon EV, Max and City Express. Similarly, Nepal Rastra Bank, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Insurance Authority, Citizens Life Insurance, National Life Insurance, Nepali Patro and Dishome Fiber Net have also supported the awards function.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">New Business Age has been organising various award programs. The company has been selecting and awarding the best management colleges and companies since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2013. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Since </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">2019</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, the company has started honoring women entrepreneurs. New Business Age had organized the New Biz Business Conclave and Awards programme last winter.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-19', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17623', 'image' => '20230519011840_new logo.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:55:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '17891', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Windstorm Destroys Bananas Worth Rs 50 Million in Chitwan', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">May 17: The windstorm that hit Chitwan on Sunday evening destroyed banana plantations worth Rs 50 million in seven municipalities of the district. The Chitwan Banana Producers Association confirmed that the banana farmers suffered massive loss due to the windstorm.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">General Secretary of Chitwan Banana Producers Association Janak Raj Panta said that bananas planted in a total of 150 bighas of land in the district were completely damaged. He said that the damage in 150 bigha of land caused losses of around Rs 50 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Among the seven municipalities of the district, Khairhani and Rapti municipalities suffered the most damage. Panta said that there was partial damage in Ratnanagar, Kalika and Bharatpur Metropolitan City.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishi Gurung, a farmer of Ratnanagar municipality-5, Jhuwani, who planted bananas in 35 bighas of land in Khairhani and Rapti, said that bananas in 10 bighas of land were completely destroyed by the storm. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 5 bigha of bananas belonging to Baburam Bhatta of Ratnanagar have been completely damaged in Ratnanagar-4, Seri. He said that he faced financial loss of Rs 2.5 million. He said, “There was a plan to prepare and send the bananas to the market towards mid-June. All plans got destroyed by the wind,” said Bhatta.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Baburam Duwadi's 2 bigha vegetable garden in Ratnanagar was destroyed as well, causing a loss of Rs 1 million. He said, “The crop was to be ready within a month or two. The wind suddenly destroyed the bananas.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The wind destroyed Malbhog and Jinine varieties of bananas. The association collected the details of the damage since Monday morning. Most of the farmers have been taking insurance as the banana plantations started to be destroyed due to the annual storms. Panta said that 95 percent of farmers in Chitwan have insurance. Altogether 750 farmers have been cultivating bananas commercially in 3000 bighas of land. Altogether 70,000 metric tons of bananas worth Rs 1.6 billion are produced here annually.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-05-17', 'modified' => '2023-05-17', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '17622', 'image' => '20230517031141_Untitled.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-05-17 15:07:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
