The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from…
…
The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from…
KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the…
The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser…
The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday.…
SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now…
UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance…
KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural…
…
DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker…
POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production.…
KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety…
KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition.…
KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority…
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk…
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]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' => '21801', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIT's Net Profit Declines by 9.91% in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, August 11</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) reported a net profit of around Rs 1.1 billion in the last fiscal year, 2023/24, a 9.91% decline than that in the previous fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">It had made a net profit of around Rs 1.22 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In the last fiscal year, CIT’s total income increased by 5.25% to around Rs 1.92 billion, while expenses rose by 2.72% to around Rs 455 million, its unaudited financial statement for the fourth quarter, published recently, shows.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the company's paid-up capital stands at around Rs 5.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established on March 18, 1991, Citizen Investment Trust is a statutory institute under the Citizen Investment Trust Act, 2047, and operates as a public financial organisation owned by the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21526', 'image' => '20240811114142_shutterstock_108788819-1536x1087.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 11:40:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21799', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Phulbari-Banglabandh Checkpoint Resumes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 11: The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Subas Pandey, Chief of the Nepal Transit and Warehousing Company Limited Office in Kakarvitta, containers that were previously stationed in Kakarvitta are now en route to Bangladesh since August 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, consignments from the Bangladeshi border have started moving toward Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that since the formation of the interim government in Bangladesh, trade between the two countries has become more streamlined. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the fiscal year 2023/24, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 463.18 million to Bangladesh and imported goods worth Rs 3.83 billion from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21525', 'image' => '20240811070836_collage (95).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 07:07:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21798', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Cases of Dengue, Cholera on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, the total number of dengue patients reached 3,084 last Friday, with 722 new cases reported in the past four days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As of August 5, dengue was confirmed in 2,365 people. The mosquito-borne infection has spread nationwide, except in Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla, and Humla districts, according to Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Borne Disease Control Section.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tanahu district has the highest number of dengue cases (583), followed by Kathmandu (307), Kaski (166), and Jhapa (135). In response, the ministry has urged all public and private offices to launch 'larva search and destroy' campaigns and to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. The government has also announced free treatment for dengue patients in public healthcare facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Cholera cases are also on the rise, with 47 cases detected nationwide so far. Dr Dahal reported that cholera has been confirmed in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Kailali, and Rupandehi districts, with Lalitpur having the highest number of cases (34) and Rupandehi the lowest (1). -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21524', 'image' => '20240810093039_202307191120x400_61442241844.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 21:28:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21797', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Aims to Assist Nepal in Establishing Fertiliser Plant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal’s northern neighbour was ready to complete all the works related to the establishment of a fertiliser plant within the next year,<br /> according to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen made the remark during his meeting with editors of mainstream Nepal media on Thursday evening, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The ambassador reiterated that the works related to the fertiliser plant would be launched as soon as the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) approves the proposal related to it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Our aim is to run a fertiliser plant utilising the electricity and water resources abundantly available in Nepal,” said Chen, adding that China has always supported the socio-economic development of Nepal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepali farmers face a shortage of chemical fertilisers during the peak farming season every year because of poor supply & distribution mechanism and policy failure, apart from other global factors. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Though the government has always failed to secure enough fertilisers required for cultivation, the budget for the current fiscal year has cut the amount allocated for the purchase of chemical fertilisers to Rs 27.95 billion from Rs 30 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lack of fertiliser availability pushes farmers to buy the smuggled fertilisers which are more expensive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In 2022, Nepal signed the government-to-government agreement to import the chemical fertiliser from India for five years, which is estimated to cover around 30% annual requirement of the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">China is the world's largest producer of urea and accounts for about a third of global supplies of the nitrogen-based fertiliser, Reuters reported in September last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Besides the fertiliser plant, the ambassador informed that a team of Chinese technicians were in Nepal to conduct a feasibility study for the Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Chinese ambassador laid emphasis on developing tourism infrastructure to attract more Chinese tourists. “China is ready to transfer technology,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen, however, claimed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation document was not signed with Nepal in lack of completion of some technical activities, adding that the BRI agreement between Nepal and China would be signed within a few months. (With inputs from RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21523', 'image' => '20240810060657_20201224020609_Flag.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:06:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21796', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Accumulated Profit Reaches Rs 47.41 Billion in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. In the last fiscal year alone, the NEA made a net profit of Rs 13.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Making public the NEA’s progress report, marking the third anniversary of his second tenure as MD of the state-owned power monopoly, Ghising claimed that the profit was not because of the outstanding payment from the supply of electricity to industries through the dedicated feeder and trunkline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“NEA had accumulated a loss of Rs 34.61 billion until eight years ago, but it has been making net profits every year since FY 2016/17,” Ghising said. “Despite reducing electricity tariff by 25%, there has been an increase in profit with the number of consumers reaching around 5.9 million.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Regarding the ongoing conflict with the industrialists, Ghising said that the outstanding payment from the industrialists for the supply of electricity during the load shedding period will be recovered as per the law.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“The evidence is safe with us,” Ghising said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21522', 'image' => '20240810060154_20231016030910_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:01:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21795', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'People without Travel History Report Dengue in Solukhumbu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Locals have observed a significant increase in the mosquito population in Salleri, with some attributing their arrival to motor vehicles. "They may have gradually adapted to the temperature here," said KB Ghimire. Residents have noted hotter summers and less frequent snowfall in winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Field Office of Hydrology and Meteorology in Salleri, temperatures now range between 25-28 degrees Celsius during the day, with morning and evening temperatures at 22-23 degrees Celsius. This rise in temperature has created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The problem extends beyond Salleri to other areas like Sotang, Nechasalyan, and Mapya Dudhkoshi. People in these regions have started using mosquito nets and repellents. Ram Bahadur Thapa mentioned that mosquitoes are now seen as far as Kharkhola, a settlement below Lukla.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Rajan Thapa, who is knowledgeable about climate change, stated that rising temperatures are negatively impacting local life and crops. He believes that the temperature increase is also contributing to the higher incidence of dengue fever.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Health Office Solukhumbu reported 30 cases of dengue across the district in the past month. According to Ashok Siwakoti, the office's pandemic focal person, 27 cases are from Sotang rural municipality, and almost all the infected had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In response, the health office has launched a 'mosquito larva search and destroy' campaign and is raising awareness about dengue prevention methods. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21521', 'image' => '20240809044335_phaplu-to-everest-base-camp-trek8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:42:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21794', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Approves its First Treaty Targeting Cybercrime ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After three years of negotiations and a final two-week session in New York, members approved the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime by consensus, and it will now be submitted to the General Assembly for formal adoption. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"I consider the documents... adopted. Thank you very much, bravo to all!" Algerian diplomat Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, chairwoman of the treaty drafting committee, said to applause. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The committee was set up, despite US and European opposition, following an initial move in 2017 by Russia. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new treaty would enter into force once it has been ratified by 40 member nations and aims to "prevent and combat cybercrime more efficiently and effectively," notably regarding child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hailing a "landmark convention," South Africa's delegate said "the provisions of technical assistance and capacity building offer much needed support to countries with less developed cyber infrastructures." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But the treaty's detractors -- an unusual alliance of human rights activists and big tech companies -- denounce it as being far too broad in scope, claiming it could amount to a global "surveillance" treaty and be used for repression. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In particular, the text provides that a state may, in order to investigate any crime punishable by a minimum of four years' imprisonment under its domestic law, ask the authorities of another nation for any electronic evidence linked to the crime, and also request data from internet service providers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Warning of an "unprecedented multilateral tool for surveillance," Deborah Brown of Human Rights Watch told AFP the treaty "will be a disaster for human rights and is a dark moment for the UN." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This treaty is effectively a legal instrument of repression," she said. "It can be used to crack down on journalists, activists, LGBT people, free thinkers, and others across borders." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">- Human rights clause - </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nick Ashton-Hart heads the Cybersecurity Tech Accord delegation to the treaty talks, representing more than 100 technology companies, including Microsoft and Meta. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Regretably," he said Thursday, the committee "adopted a convention without addressing many of the major flaws identified by civil society, the private sector, or even the UN's own human rights body." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Wherever it is implemented the Convention will be harmful to the digital environment generally and human rights in particular," he told AFP, calling for nations not to sign or implement it. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Some nations however are complaining the treaty actually includes too many human rights safeguards. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A few days ago, Russia, which has historically supported the drafting process, complained the treaty had become "oversaturated with human rights safeguards," while accusing countries of pursuing "narrow self-serving goals under the banner of democratic values." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Thursday's session, Iran attempted to have several clauses with "inherent flaws" deleted. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">One paragraph in question stipulated that "nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted as permitting suppression of human rights or fundamental freedoms," such as "freedoms of expression, conscience, opinion, religion or belief." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The deletion request was rejected with 102 votes against, 23 in favor (including Russia, India, Sudan, Venezuela, Syria, North Korea and Libya) and 26 abstentions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Neither Iran nor any other country, however, chose to prevent approval by consensus. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21520', 'image' => '20240809043343_BB4803B8-959C-4FCB-8BB4-2D00581937AC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21793', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IFAD Inaugurates New Country Office in Nepal to Increase Impact on Rural Lives', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the UN agency that works with its member states to support development for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people said that the inauguration ceremony on August 8 was attended by Reehana Rifat Raza, regional director for the Asia and the Pacific Division at the Programme Management Department of the IFAD, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Neils Balzer, country director for the World Food Programme in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“IFAD plays a crucial role in supporting small-scale farmers in Nepal, especially women and youth, as they navigate the challenges of climate change,” the statement quoted Raza as saying. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We work closely with the government to help smallholder farmers increase their incomes, improve food security, and build a more sustainable future. Our new office here is a strategic step towards deepening our partnership and accelerating progress,” she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary Mishra thanked IFAD for supporting smallholder farmers and encouraged the Fund to invest more in Nepal’s agriculture sector as a part of the country’s recently launched Decade of Agriculture. He also emphasized the need for IFAD’s country strategy to evolve according to the changed context, incorporating changes in governance structure and challenges like climate change and youth out-migration, the statement added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IFAD stated that it recognizes the potential for greater impact through enhanced partnerships with the government, donor agencies, and the private sector as it expands its presence and financing in Nepal</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Roshan Cooke, IFAD country director for Nepal and Bhutan, stated that “setting up a new office in Kathmandu brings us closer to our ground operations and improves oversight of the country portfolio. It also allows us to engage in policy dialogue at the country level to advance the transition to agroecological farming, improve domestic and export market access, and empower smallholder farmers."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The statement added that IFAD’s strategy in Nepal addresses key challenges such as poverty, inequality and social marginalization, particularly in the hill and mountain regions where infrastructure and market access are limited. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Programmes are focused on improving rural infrastructure, targeting marginalized communities, improving income opportunities, and supporting governance and community resilience,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Nabraj Simkhada, deputy CEO of KSBBL, directors of the IFAD-financed programmes, and representatives from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and the Ministry of Urban Development. Representatives from private sector and civil society were also present, added the statement</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, Nepal was one of the first countries to receive an IFAD loan in 1978. Since then, IFAD has financed 20 projects with a total cost of US$929.29 million, including US$404.68 million of IFAD’s own resources, reaching over 1.1 million families, the statement further said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, the new office will oversee significant projects, including the Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture Programme (VITA) with a cost of US$179 million, the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) with a cost of US$50 million, the Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project (RERP – Samriddhi) costing US$26 million and the newly approved Resilient High Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP) at US$120 million, all of which reinforce IFAD’s commitment to advancing agricultural development in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21519', 'image' => '20240809025909_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:56:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21792', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gold, Silver Prices Surge in Domestic Market', 'sub_title' => 'Fine and worked gold are being traded at Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively, on Friday', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The price of gold surged by Rs 1,500 per tola (11.66 grams) in Nepal on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the prices of fine and worked gold have increased to Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the price of silver has also increased by Rs 40 per tola, reaching Rs 1,730 per tola on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Earlier on Monday, the price of gold had broken the all-time record in the domestic market when the fine gold was traded at Rs 150,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21518', 'image' => '20240809022854_20240801032633_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:27:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21791', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'How Bangladesh Student Protests brought in a New Leader ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least 450 people were killed in more than a month of deadly protests that ended the autocratic rule of 76-year-old prime minister Sheikh Hasina. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Here are five key dates explaining how the protests toppled the government in the South Asian nation of about 170 million people. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 1: Blockades begin </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">University students build barricades blocking roads and railway lines to demand reforms to a quota system for sought-after public sector jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They say the scheme is used to stack the civil service with loyalists of Hasina's ruling Awami League. Hasina, who won a fifth term as prime minister in January after a vote without genuine opposition, says the students are "wasting their time". </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 16: Violence intensifies </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Six people are killed in clashes, the first recorded deaths in the protests, a day after bitter violence when protesters and pro-government supporters fought in Dhaka with sticks and hurled bricks at each other. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina's government orders the nationwide closure of schools and universities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 18: Hasina rebuffed </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Students reject an olive branch from Hasina, a day after she appeals for calm and vows that every "murder" in the protests would be punished. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Protesters chant "down with the dictator" and torch the headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television and dozens of other government buildings. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Clashes escalate despite a round-the-clock curfew, the deployment of soldiers and an internet blackout. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Days later, the Supreme Court rules the decision to reintroduce job quotas was illegal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But its verdict falls short of protesters' demands to entirely abolish reserved jobs for children of "freedom fighters" from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war against Pakistan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 5: Hasina toppled </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina flees Dhaka by helicopter as thousands of protesters storm her palace, with millions on the streets celebrating, some dancing on the roof of armoured cars and tanks. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announces in a broadcast on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 8: Yunus to lead </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nobel peace prize winner Yunus, 84, flies to Dhaka to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He is expected to be sworn in later in the day, to begin what the army chief has vowed will be a "beautiful democratic process". – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21517', 'image' => '20240809091813_159016-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:17:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21790', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gandaki Province Government Grants Rs 30 Million to Dairy Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. The Livestock and Fishery Development Directorate, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Management, implemented the Production-Based Incentive Support Programme across 85 local levels in 11 districts of the province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under this scheme, the provincial government provided a subsidy of Rs 2.50 per liter for the 13,961 metric tonnes of milk produced by 64 cooperatives. Dr. Prerana Bhattarai, director general of the directorate, noted that this subsidy is exclusively available to dairy farmers who sell their milk through cooperatives.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Last year, the Gandaki Province government had allocated Rs 65.5 million to the program as part of the subsidy increment scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><strong>Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) Achieves Self-Sufficiency in Milk Production</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has become self-sufficient in milk production. According to a recent report, milk production in the district has exceeded local demand, allowing the surplus to be supplied to other areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishav Guragain, chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, stated that Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has been self-sufficient in milk for the past three years. The district produces 146 liters of milk per person annually, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended 91 liters per person in developing countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For the fiscal year 2023/24, the district continues to maintain this level of milk production, highlighting its ongoing self-sufficiency. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21516', 'image' => '20240809091712_20240701104046_20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21789', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Grounds Two Helicopter Companies for Safety Violations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This decision comes in the wake of the Air Dynasty helicopter crash on Wednesday, prompting CAAN to ground domestic airlines with safety systems below 60 percent. A senior CAAN official confirmed that two helicopter companies will be grounded on Thursday after scoring below the requisite percentage in a recent Safety Management System (SMS) assessment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CAAN, Annapurna Helicopters scored 34 percent and Mustang Helicopters scored 23 percent in the SMS assessment held in 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The SMS study conducted last year revealed that helicopters operated by Mustang, Annapurna, Prabhu, and other companies scored below 60 percent. According to the technician involved, these companies have continued operating flights despite their inadequate safety systems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In response to two air crashes within a 14-day period, CAAN has intensified its focus on air safety compliance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Over the past two years, CAAN has enforced stricter regulations for helicopter flights during the monsoon season and aimed to enhance the financial auditing of airline companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, these measures have faced pushback, with pilots protesting the restrictions on monsoon helicopter flights, and members of parliament (MPs) intervening to block the enforcement of the no-fly rule after 12 PM in Karnali.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21515', 'image' => '20240809091251_311923371_143959038381367_7889082666547008107_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:12:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21788', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nag Panchami Observed across Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. As per the lunar calendar, this festival falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August)</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The festival is being marked by worshipping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of every household. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is believed that sticking the picture of the snake god safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, fire and lightning. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Worshipping the snake god is believed to have started in the Vedic age as Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Special worship is offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country on this day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After worshipping, the snake god is offered cow milk, rice pudding and other. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21514', 'image' => '20240809084240_20230821105904_MD_Sundarharaicha_095431.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:42:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Orders not to Implement Government Decision to Sack NEA Directors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of SC Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued an interim order on Thursday preventing the government from implementing its decision to remove Pun and Acharya from their roles.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The SC has also asked the government to provide the reasons behind their dismissal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The decision to remove Pun and Acharya was made at the ministerial level by Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Dipak Khadka on August 2.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Following their removal, the government had appointed Devendra Karki and Mahendra Bahadur Gurung to the positions. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21513', 'image' => '20240809083511_20220922045627_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA Submits PAC 100,000 Page-Long Details of Electricity Supplied to Industries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 8</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, NEA's managing director, confirmed to New Business Age that the around 100,000 pages of information on the TOD metre data, logbooks, billing in Ampere, and details of bills provided to industrialists were submitted to the parliamentary committee.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The TOD metre data was not necessary earlier. However, since it is being sought after, we have submitted it,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Eakram Giri, secretary of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament, said that they have received around three dozen packs of files, including the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The committee will review the data and discuss it in the next meeting,” Giri said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The industries, which have defaulted in payment of bill for the use of electricity supplied under the dedicated feeders and trunk lines during the load-shedding period, have been demanding the TOD metre data for the settlement of dues.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The defaulting industries have taken a stance that they will not pay the dues unless the NEA provides them with the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NEA, on the other hand, maintains that it has provided all the required bills and has repeatedly asked the industries to clear the bills.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NEA, the industrialists owe Rs 6.65 billion in addition to a 25 per cent fine, amounting to about Rs 8.25 billion. Initially, the NEA had calculated that industrialists who consumed electricity from the dedicated feeder and trunk line owed Rs 21.3 billion. However, the arrears were revised after taking into consideration the recommendation of a commission formed by the government to address the dispute.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Specifically, Jagdamba Steel owes Rs 1.60 billion, Jagdamba Synthetic Rs 200 million, Reliance Spinning Mills Rs 753.7 million, Ghorahi Cement Rs 510 million, Arghakhanchi Cement Rs 440 million, and Hulas Steel Rs 140 million.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-08', 'modified' => '2024-08-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21512', 'image' => '20240808084020_75689f13.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-08 20:39:29', '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' => '21801', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIT's Net Profit Declines by 9.91% in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, August 11</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) reported a net profit of around Rs 1.1 billion in the last fiscal year, 2023/24, a 9.91% decline than that in the previous fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">It had made a net profit of around Rs 1.22 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In the last fiscal year, CIT’s total income increased by 5.25% to around Rs 1.92 billion, while expenses rose by 2.72% to around Rs 455 million, its unaudited financial statement for the fourth quarter, published recently, shows.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the company's paid-up capital stands at around Rs 5.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established on March 18, 1991, Citizen Investment Trust is a statutory institute under the Citizen Investment Trust Act, 2047, and operates as a public financial organisation owned by the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21526', 'image' => '20240811114142_shutterstock_108788819-1536x1087.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 11:40:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21799', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Phulbari-Banglabandh Checkpoint Resumes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 11: The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Subas Pandey, Chief of the Nepal Transit and Warehousing Company Limited Office in Kakarvitta, containers that were previously stationed in Kakarvitta are now en route to Bangladesh since August 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, consignments from the Bangladeshi border have started moving toward Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that since the formation of the interim government in Bangladesh, trade between the two countries has become more streamlined. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the fiscal year 2023/24, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 463.18 million to Bangladesh and imported goods worth Rs 3.83 billion from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21525', 'image' => '20240811070836_collage (95).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 07:07:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21798', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Cases of Dengue, Cholera on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, the total number of dengue patients reached 3,084 last Friday, with 722 new cases reported in the past four days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As of August 5, dengue was confirmed in 2,365 people. The mosquito-borne infection has spread nationwide, except in Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla, and Humla districts, according to Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Borne Disease Control Section.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tanahu district has the highest number of dengue cases (583), followed by Kathmandu (307), Kaski (166), and Jhapa (135). In response, the ministry has urged all public and private offices to launch 'larva search and destroy' campaigns and to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. The government has also announced free treatment for dengue patients in public healthcare facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Cholera cases are also on the rise, with 47 cases detected nationwide so far. Dr Dahal reported that cholera has been confirmed in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Kailali, and Rupandehi districts, with Lalitpur having the highest number of cases (34) and Rupandehi the lowest (1). -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21524', 'image' => '20240810093039_202307191120x400_61442241844.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 21:28:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21797', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Aims to Assist Nepal in Establishing Fertiliser Plant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal’s northern neighbour was ready to complete all the works related to the establishment of a fertiliser plant within the next year,<br /> according to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen made the remark during his meeting with editors of mainstream Nepal media on Thursday evening, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The ambassador reiterated that the works related to the fertiliser plant would be launched as soon as the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) approves the proposal related to it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Our aim is to run a fertiliser plant utilising the electricity and water resources abundantly available in Nepal,” said Chen, adding that China has always supported the socio-economic development of Nepal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepali farmers face a shortage of chemical fertilisers during the peak farming season every year because of poor supply & distribution mechanism and policy failure, apart from other global factors. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Though the government has always failed to secure enough fertilisers required for cultivation, the budget for the current fiscal year has cut the amount allocated for the purchase of chemical fertilisers to Rs 27.95 billion from Rs 30 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lack of fertiliser availability pushes farmers to buy the smuggled fertilisers which are more expensive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In 2022, Nepal signed the government-to-government agreement to import the chemical fertiliser from India for five years, which is estimated to cover around 30% annual requirement of the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">China is the world's largest producer of urea and accounts for about a third of global supplies of the nitrogen-based fertiliser, Reuters reported in September last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Besides the fertiliser plant, the ambassador informed that a team of Chinese technicians were in Nepal to conduct a feasibility study for the Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Chinese ambassador laid emphasis on developing tourism infrastructure to attract more Chinese tourists. “China is ready to transfer technology,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen, however, claimed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation document was not signed with Nepal in lack of completion of some technical activities, adding that the BRI agreement between Nepal and China would be signed within a few months. (With inputs from RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21523', 'image' => '20240810060657_20201224020609_Flag.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:06:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21796', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Accumulated Profit Reaches Rs 47.41 Billion in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. In the last fiscal year alone, the NEA made a net profit of Rs 13.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Making public the NEA’s progress report, marking the third anniversary of his second tenure as MD of the state-owned power monopoly, Ghising claimed that the profit was not because of the outstanding payment from the supply of electricity to industries through the dedicated feeder and trunkline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“NEA had accumulated a loss of Rs 34.61 billion until eight years ago, but it has been making net profits every year since FY 2016/17,” Ghising said. “Despite reducing electricity tariff by 25%, there has been an increase in profit with the number of consumers reaching around 5.9 million.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Regarding the ongoing conflict with the industrialists, Ghising said that the outstanding payment from the industrialists for the supply of electricity during the load shedding period will be recovered as per the law.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“The evidence is safe with us,” Ghising said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21522', 'image' => '20240810060154_20231016030910_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:01:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21795', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'People without Travel History Report Dengue in Solukhumbu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Locals have observed a significant increase in the mosquito population in Salleri, with some attributing their arrival to motor vehicles. "They may have gradually adapted to the temperature here," said KB Ghimire. Residents have noted hotter summers and less frequent snowfall in winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Field Office of Hydrology and Meteorology in Salleri, temperatures now range between 25-28 degrees Celsius during the day, with morning and evening temperatures at 22-23 degrees Celsius. This rise in temperature has created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The problem extends beyond Salleri to other areas like Sotang, Nechasalyan, and Mapya Dudhkoshi. People in these regions have started using mosquito nets and repellents. Ram Bahadur Thapa mentioned that mosquitoes are now seen as far as Kharkhola, a settlement below Lukla.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Rajan Thapa, who is knowledgeable about climate change, stated that rising temperatures are negatively impacting local life and crops. He believes that the temperature increase is also contributing to the higher incidence of dengue fever.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Health Office Solukhumbu reported 30 cases of dengue across the district in the past month. According to Ashok Siwakoti, the office's pandemic focal person, 27 cases are from Sotang rural municipality, and almost all the infected had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In response, the health office has launched a 'mosquito larva search and destroy' campaign and is raising awareness about dengue prevention methods. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21521', 'image' => '20240809044335_phaplu-to-everest-base-camp-trek8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:42:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21794', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Approves its First Treaty Targeting Cybercrime ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After three years of negotiations and a final two-week session in New York, members approved the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime by consensus, and it will now be submitted to the General Assembly for formal adoption. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"I consider the documents... adopted. Thank you very much, bravo to all!" Algerian diplomat Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, chairwoman of the treaty drafting committee, said to applause. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The committee was set up, despite US and European opposition, following an initial move in 2017 by Russia. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new treaty would enter into force once it has been ratified by 40 member nations and aims to "prevent and combat cybercrime more efficiently and effectively," notably regarding child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hailing a "landmark convention," South Africa's delegate said "the provisions of technical assistance and capacity building offer much needed support to countries with less developed cyber infrastructures." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But the treaty's detractors -- an unusual alliance of human rights activists and big tech companies -- denounce it as being far too broad in scope, claiming it could amount to a global "surveillance" treaty and be used for repression. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In particular, the text provides that a state may, in order to investigate any crime punishable by a minimum of four years' imprisonment under its domestic law, ask the authorities of another nation for any electronic evidence linked to the crime, and also request data from internet service providers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Warning of an "unprecedented multilateral tool for surveillance," Deborah Brown of Human Rights Watch told AFP the treaty "will be a disaster for human rights and is a dark moment for the UN." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This treaty is effectively a legal instrument of repression," she said. "It can be used to crack down on journalists, activists, LGBT people, free thinkers, and others across borders." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">- Human rights clause - </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nick Ashton-Hart heads the Cybersecurity Tech Accord delegation to the treaty talks, representing more than 100 technology companies, including Microsoft and Meta. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Regretably," he said Thursday, the committee "adopted a convention without addressing many of the major flaws identified by civil society, the private sector, or even the UN's own human rights body." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Wherever it is implemented the Convention will be harmful to the digital environment generally and human rights in particular," he told AFP, calling for nations not to sign or implement it. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Some nations however are complaining the treaty actually includes too many human rights safeguards. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A few days ago, Russia, which has historically supported the drafting process, complained the treaty had become "oversaturated with human rights safeguards," while accusing countries of pursuing "narrow self-serving goals under the banner of democratic values." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Thursday's session, Iran attempted to have several clauses with "inherent flaws" deleted. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">One paragraph in question stipulated that "nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted as permitting suppression of human rights or fundamental freedoms," such as "freedoms of expression, conscience, opinion, religion or belief." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The deletion request was rejected with 102 votes against, 23 in favor (including Russia, India, Sudan, Venezuela, Syria, North Korea and Libya) and 26 abstentions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Neither Iran nor any other country, however, chose to prevent approval by consensus. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21520', 'image' => '20240809043343_BB4803B8-959C-4FCB-8BB4-2D00581937AC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21793', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IFAD Inaugurates New Country Office in Nepal to Increase Impact on Rural Lives', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the UN agency that works with its member states to support development for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people said that the inauguration ceremony on August 8 was attended by Reehana Rifat Raza, regional director for the Asia and the Pacific Division at the Programme Management Department of the IFAD, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Neils Balzer, country director for the World Food Programme in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“IFAD plays a crucial role in supporting small-scale farmers in Nepal, especially women and youth, as they navigate the challenges of climate change,” the statement quoted Raza as saying. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We work closely with the government to help smallholder farmers increase their incomes, improve food security, and build a more sustainable future. Our new office here is a strategic step towards deepening our partnership and accelerating progress,” she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary Mishra thanked IFAD for supporting smallholder farmers and encouraged the Fund to invest more in Nepal’s agriculture sector as a part of the country’s recently launched Decade of Agriculture. He also emphasized the need for IFAD’s country strategy to evolve according to the changed context, incorporating changes in governance structure and challenges like climate change and youth out-migration, the statement added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IFAD stated that it recognizes the potential for greater impact through enhanced partnerships with the government, donor agencies, and the private sector as it expands its presence and financing in Nepal</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Roshan Cooke, IFAD country director for Nepal and Bhutan, stated that “setting up a new office in Kathmandu brings us closer to our ground operations and improves oversight of the country portfolio. It also allows us to engage in policy dialogue at the country level to advance the transition to agroecological farming, improve domestic and export market access, and empower smallholder farmers."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The statement added that IFAD’s strategy in Nepal addresses key challenges such as poverty, inequality and social marginalization, particularly in the hill and mountain regions where infrastructure and market access are limited. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Programmes are focused on improving rural infrastructure, targeting marginalized communities, improving income opportunities, and supporting governance and community resilience,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Nabraj Simkhada, deputy CEO of KSBBL, directors of the IFAD-financed programmes, and representatives from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and the Ministry of Urban Development. Representatives from private sector and civil society were also present, added the statement</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, Nepal was one of the first countries to receive an IFAD loan in 1978. Since then, IFAD has financed 20 projects with a total cost of US$929.29 million, including US$404.68 million of IFAD’s own resources, reaching over 1.1 million families, the statement further said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, the new office will oversee significant projects, including the Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture Programme (VITA) with a cost of US$179 million, the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) with a cost of US$50 million, the Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project (RERP – Samriddhi) costing US$26 million and the newly approved Resilient High Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP) at US$120 million, all of which reinforce IFAD’s commitment to advancing agricultural development in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21519', 'image' => '20240809025909_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:56:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21792', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gold, Silver Prices Surge in Domestic Market', 'sub_title' => 'Fine and worked gold are being traded at Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively, on Friday', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The price of gold surged by Rs 1,500 per tola (11.66 grams) in Nepal on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the prices of fine and worked gold have increased to Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the price of silver has also increased by Rs 40 per tola, reaching Rs 1,730 per tola on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Earlier on Monday, the price of gold had broken the all-time record in the domestic market when the fine gold was traded at Rs 150,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21518', 'image' => '20240809022854_20240801032633_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:27:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21791', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'How Bangladesh Student Protests brought in a New Leader ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least 450 people were killed in more than a month of deadly protests that ended the autocratic rule of 76-year-old prime minister Sheikh Hasina. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Here are five key dates explaining how the protests toppled the government in the South Asian nation of about 170 million people. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 1: Blockades begin </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">University students build barricades blocking roads and railway lines to demand reforms to a quota system for sought-after public sector jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They say the scheme is used to stack the civil service with loyalists of Hasina's ruling Awami League. Hasina, who won a fifth term as prime minister in January after a vote without genuine opposition, says the students are "wasting their time". </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 16: Violence intensifies </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Six people are killed in clashes, the first recorded deaths in the protests, a day after bitter violence when protesters and pro-government supporters fought in Dhaka with sticks and hurled bricks at each other. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina's government orders the nationwide closure of schools and universities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 18: Hasina rebuffed </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Students reject an olive branch from Hasina, a day after she appeals for calm and vows that every "murder" in the protests would be punished. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Protesters chant "down with the dictator" and torch the headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television and dozens of other government buildings. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Clashes escalate despite a round-the-clock curfew, the deployment of soldiers and an internet blackout. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Days later, the Supreme Court rules the decision to reintroduce job quotas was illegal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But its verdict falls short of protesters' demands to entirely abolish reserved jobs for children of "freedom fighters" from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war against Pakistan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 5: Hasina toppled </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina flees Dhaka by helicopter as thousands of protesters storm her palace, with millions on the streets celebrating, some dancing on the roof of armoured cars and tanks. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announces in a broadcast on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 8: Yunus to lead </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nobel peace prize winner Yunus, 84, flies to Dhaka to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He is expected to be sworn in later in the day, to begin what the army chief has vowed will be a "beautiful democratic process". – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21517', 'image' => '20240809091813_159016-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:17:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21790', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gandaki Province Government Grants Rs 30 Million to Dairy Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. The Livestock and Fishery Development Directorate, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Management, implemented the Production-Based Incentive Support Programme across 85 local levels in 11 districts of the province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under this scheme, the provincial government provided a subsidy of Rs 2.50 per liter for the 13,961 metric tonnes of milk produced by 64 cooperatives. Dr. Prerana Bhattarai, director general of the directorate, noted that this subsidy is exclusively available to dairy farmers who sell their milk through cooperatives.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Last year, the Gandaki Province government had allocated Rs 65.5 million to the program as part of the subsidy increment scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><strong>Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) Achieves Self-Sufficiency in Milk Production</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has become self-sufficient in milk production. According to a recent report, milk production in the district has exceeded local demand, allowing the surplus to be supplied to other areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishav Guragain, chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, stated that Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has been self-sufficient in milk for the past three years. The district produces 146 liters of milk per person annually, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended 91 liters per person in developing countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For the fiscal year 2023/24, the district continues to maintain this level of milk production, highlighting its ongoing self-sufficiency. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21516', 'image' => '20240809091712_20240701104046_20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21789', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Grounds Two Helicopter Companies for Safety Violations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This decision comes in the wake of the Air Dynasty helicopter crash on Wednesday, prompting CAAN to ground domestic airlines with safety systems below 60 percent. A senior CAAN official confirmed that two helicopter companies will be grounded on Thursday after scoring below the requisite percentage in a recent Safety Management System (SMS) assessment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CAAN, Annapurna Helicopters scored 34 percent and Mustang Helicopters scored 23 percent in the SMS assessment held in 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The SMS study conducted last year revealed that helicopters operated by Mustang, Annapurna, Prabhu, and other companies scored below 60 percent. According to the technician involved, these companies have continued operating flights despite their inadequate safety systems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In response to two air crashes within a 14-day period, CAAN has intensified its focus on air safety compliance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Over the past two years, CAAN has enforced stricter regulations for helicopter flights during the monsoon season and aimed to enhance the financial auditing of airline companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, these measures have faced pushback, with pilots protesting the restrictions on monsoon helicopter flights, and members of parliament (MPs) intervening to block the enforcement of the no-fly rule after 12 PM in Karnali.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21515', 'image' => '20240809091251_311923371_143959038381367_7889082666547008107_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:12:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21788', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nag Panchami Observed across Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. As per the lunar calendar, this festival falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August)</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The festival is being marked by worshipping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of every household. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is believed that sticking the picture of the snake god safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, fire and lightning. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Worshipping the snake god is believed to have started in the Vedic age as Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Special worship is offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country on this day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After worshipping, the snake god is offered cow milk, rice pudding and other. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21514', 'image' => '20240809084240_20230821105904_MD_Sundarharaicha_095431.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:42:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Orders not to Implement Government Decision to Sack NEA Directors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of SC Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued an interim order on Thursday preventing the government from implementing its decision to remove Pun and Acharya from their roles.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The SC has also asked the government to provide the reasons behind their dismissal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The decision to remove Pun and Acharya was made at the ministerial level by Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Dipak Khadka on August 2.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Following their removal, the government had appointed Devendra Karki and Mahendra Bahadur Gurung to the positions. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21513', 'image' => '20240809083511_20220922045627_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA Submits PAC 100,000 Page-Long Details of Electricity Supplied to Industries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 8</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, NEA's managing director, confirmed to New Business Age that the around 100,000 pages of information on the TOD metre data, logbooks, billing in Ampere, and details of bills provided to industrialists were submitted to the parliamentary committee.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The TOD metre data was not necessary earlier. However, since it is being sought after, we have submitted it,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Eakram Giri, secretary of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament, said that they have received around three dozen packs of files, including the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The committee will review the data and discuss it in the next meeting,” Giri said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The industries, which have defaulted in payment of bill for the use of electricity supplied under the dedicated feeders and trunk lines during the load-shedding period, have been demanding the TOD metre data for the settlement of dues.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The defaulting industries have taken a stance that they will not pay the dues unless the NEA provides them with the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NEA, on the other hand, maintains that it has provided all the required bills and has repeatedly asked the industries to clear the bills.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NEA, the industrialists owe Rs 6.65 billion in addition to a 25 per cent fine, amounting to about Rs 8.25 billion. Initially, the NEA had calculated that industrialists who consumed electricity from the dedicated feeder and trunk line owed Rs 21.3 billion. However, the arrears were revised after taking into consideration the recommendation of a commission formed by the government to address the dispute.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Specifically, Jagdamba Steel owes Rs 1.60 billion, Jagdamba Synthetic Rs 200 million, Reliance Spinning Mills Rs 753.7 million, Ghorahi Cement Rs 510 million, Arghakhanchi Cement Rs 440 million, and Hulas Steel Rs 140 million.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-08', 'modified' => '2024-08-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21512', 'image' => '20240808084020_75689f13.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-08 20:39:29', '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
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$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' => '21801', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIT's Net Profit Declines by 9.91% in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, August 11</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) reported a net profit of around Rs 1.1 billion in the last fiscal year, 2023/24, a 9.91% decline than that in the previous fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">It had made a net profit of around Rs 1.22 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In the last fiscal year, CIT’s total income increased by 5.25% to around Rs 1.92 billion, while expenses rose by 2.72% to around Rs 455 million, its unaudited financial statement for the fourth quarter, published recently, shows.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the company's paid-up capital stands at around Rs 5.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established on March 18, 1991, Citizen Investment Trust is a statutory institute under the Citizen Investment Trust Act, 2047, and operates as a public financial organisation owned by the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21526', 'image' => '20240811114142_shutterstock_108788819-1536x1087.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 11:40:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21799', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Phulbari-Banglabandh Checkpoint Resumes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 11: The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Subas Pandey, Chief of the Nepal Transit and Warehousing Company Limited Office in Kakarvitta, containers that were previously stationed in Kakarvitta are now en route to Bangladesh since August 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, consignments from the Bangladeshi border have started moving toward Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that since the formation of the interim government in Bangladesh, trade between the two countries has become more streamlined. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the fiscal year 2023/24, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 463.18 million to Bangladesh and imported goods worth Rs 3.83 billion from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21525', 'image' => '20240811070836_collage (95).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 07:07:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21798', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Cases of Dengue, Cholera on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, the total number of dengue patients reached 3,084 last Friday, with 722 new cases reported in the past four days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As of August 5, dengue was confirmed in 2,365 people. The mosquito-borne infection has spread nationwide, except in Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla, and Humla districts, according to Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Borne Disease Control Section.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tanahu district has the highest number of dengue cases (583), followed by Kathmandu (307), Kaski (166), and Jhapa (135). In response, the ministry has urged all public and private offices to launch 'larva search and destroy' campaigns and to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. The government has also announced free treatment for dengue patients in public healthcare facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Cholera cases are also on the rise, with 47 cases detected nationwide so far. Dr Dahal reported that cholera has been confirmed in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Kailali, and Rupandehi districts, with Lalitpur having the highest number of cases (34) and Rupandehi the lowest (1). -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21524', 'image' => '20240810093039_202307191120x400_61442241844.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 21:28:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21797', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Aims to Assist Nepal in Establishing Fertiliser Plant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal’s northern neighbour was ready to complete all the works related to the establishment of a fertiliser plant within the next year,<br /> according to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen made the remark during his meeting with editors of mainstream Nepal media on Thursday evening, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The ambassador reiterated that the works related to the fertiliser plant would be launched as soon as the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) approves the proposal related to it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Our aim is to run a fertiliser plant utilising the electricity and water resources abundantly available in Nepal,” said Chen, adding that China has always supported the socio-economic development of Nepal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepali farmers face a shortage of chemical fertilisers during the peak farming season every year because of poor supply & distribution mechanism and policy failure, apart from other global factors. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Though the government has always failed to secure enough fertilisers required for cultivation, the budget for the current fiscal year has cut the amount allocated for the purchase of chemical fertilisers to Rs 27.95 billion from Rs 30 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lack of fertiliser availability pushes farmers to buy the smuggled fertilisers which are more expensive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In 2022, Nepal signed the government-to-government agreement to import the chemical fertiliser from India for five years, which is estimated to cover around 30% annual requirement of the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">China is the world's largest producer of urea and accounts for about a third of global supplies of the nitrogen-based fertiliser, Reuters reported in September last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Besides the fertiliser plant, the ambassador informed that a team of Chinese technicians were in Nepal to conduct a feasibility study for the Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Chinese ambassador laid emphasis on developing tourism infrastructure to attract more Chinese tourists. “China is ready to transfer technology,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen, however, claimed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation document was not signed with Nepal in lack of completion of some technical activities, adding that the BRI agreement between Nepal and China would be signed within a few months. (With inputs from RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21523', 'image' => '20240810060657_20201224020609_Flag.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:06:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21796', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Accumulated Profit Reaches Rs 47.41 Billion in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. In the last fiscal year alone, the NEA made a net profit of Rs 13.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Making public the NEA’s progress report, marking the third anniversary of his second tenure as MD of the state-owned power monopoly, Ghising claimed that the profit was not because of the outstanding payment from the supply of electricity to industries through the dedicated feeder and trunkline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“NEA had accumulated a loss of Rs 34.61 billion until eight years ago, but it has been making net profits every year since FY 2016/17,” Ghising said. “Despite reducing electricity tariff by 25%, there has been an increase in profit with the number of consumers reaching around 5.9 million.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Regarding the ongoing conflict with the industrialists, Ghising said that the outstanding payment from the industrialists for the supply of electricity during the load shedding period will be recovered as per the law.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“The evidence is safe with us,” Ghising said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21522', 'image' => '20240810060154_20231016030910_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:01:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21795', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'People without Travel History Report Dengue in Solukhumbu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Locals have observed a significant increase in the mosquito population in Salleri, with some attributing their arrival to motor vehicles. "They may have gradually adapted to the temperature here," said KB Ghimire. Residents have noted hotter summers and less frequent snowfall in winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Field Office of Hydrology and Meteorology in Salleri, temperatures now range between 25-28 degrees Celsius during the day, with morning and evening temperatures at 22-23 degrees Celsius. This rise in temperature has created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The problem extends beyond Salleri to other areas like Sotang, Nechasalyan, and Mapya Dudhkoshi. People in these regions have started using mosquito nets and repellents. Ram Bahadur Thapa mentioned that mosquitoes are now seen as far as Kharkhola, a settlement below Lukla.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Rajan Thapa, who is knowledgeable about climate change, stated that rising temperatures are negatively impacting local life and crops. He believes that the temperature increase is also contributing to the higher incidence of dengue fever.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Health Office Solukhumbu reported 30 cases of dengue across the district in the past month. According to Ashok Siwakoti, the office's pandemic focal person, 27 cases are from Sotang rural municipality, and almost all the infected had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In response, the health office has launched a 'mosquito larva search and destroy' campaign and is raising awareness about dengue prevention methods. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21521', 'image' => '20240809044335_phaplu-to-everest-base-camp-trek8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:42:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21794', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Approves its First Treaty Targeting Cybercrime ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After three years of negotiations and a final two-week session in New York, members approved the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime by consensus, and it will now be submitted to the General Assembly for formal adoption. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"I consider the documents... adopted. Thank you very much, bravo to all!" Algerian diplomat Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, chairwoman of the treaty drafting committee, said to applause. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The committee was set up, despite US and European opposition, following an initial move in 2017 by Russia. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new treaty would enter into force once it has been ratified by 40 member nations and aims to "prevent and combat cybercrime more efficiently and effectively," notably regarding child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hailing a "landmark convention," South Africa's delegate said "the provisions of technical assistance and capacity building offer much needed support to countries with less developed cyber infrastructures." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But the treaty's detractors -- an unusual alliance of human rights activists and big tech companies -- denounce it as being far too broad in scope, claiming it could amount to a global "surveillance" treaty and be used for repression. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In particular, the text provides that a state may, in order to investigate any crime punishable by a minimum of four years' imprisonment under its domestic law, ask the authorities of another nation for any electronic evidence linked to the crime, and also request data from internet service providers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Warning of an "unprecedented multilateral tool for surveillance," Deborah Brown of Human Rights Watch told AFP the treaty "will be a disaster for human rights and is a dark moment for the UN." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This treaty is effectively a legal instrument of repression," she said. "It can be used to crack down on journalists, activists, LGBT people, free thinkers, and others across borders." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">- Human rights clause - </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nick Ashton-Hart heads the Cybersecurity Tech Accord delegation to the treaty talks, representing more than 100 technology companies, including Microsoft and Meta. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Regretably," he said Thursday, the committee "adopted a convention without addressing many of the major flaws identified by civil society, the private sector, or even the UN's own human rights body." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Wherever it is implemented the Convention will be harmful to the digital environment generally and human rights in particular," he told AFP, calling for nations not to sign or implement it. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Some nations however are complaining the treaty actually includes too many human rights safeguards. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A few days ago, Russia, which has historically supported the drafting process, complained the treaty had become "oversaturated with human rights safeguards," while accusing countries of pursuing "narrow self-serving goals under the banner of democratic values." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Thursday's session, Iran attempted to have several clauses with "inherent flaws" deleted. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">One paragraph in question stipulated that "nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted as permitting suppression of human rights or fundamental freedoms," such as "freedoms of expression, conscience, opinion, religion or belief." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The deletion request was rejected with 102 votes against, 23 in favor (including Russia, India, Sudan, Venezuela, Syria, North Korea and Libya) and 26 abstentions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Neither Iran nor any other country, however, chose to prevent approval by consensus. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21520', 'image' => '20240809043343_BB4803B8-959C-4FCB-8BB4-2D00581937AC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21793', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IFAD Inaugurates New Country Office in Nepal to Increase Impact on Rural Lives', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the UN agency that works with its member states to support development for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people said that the inauguration ceremony on August 8 was attended by Reehana Rifat Raza, regional director for the Asia and the Pacific Division at the Programme Management Department of the IFAD, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Neils Balzer, country director for the World Food Programme in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“IFAD plays a crucial role in supporting small-scale farmers in Nepal, especially women and youth, as they navigate the challenges of climate change,” the statement quoted Raza as saying. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We work closely with the government to help smallholder farmers increase their incomes, improve food security, and build a more sustainable future. Our new office here is a strategic step towards deepening our partnership and accelerating progress,” she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary Mishra thanked IFAD for supporting smallholder farmers and encouraged the Fund to invest more in Nepal’s agriculture sector as a part of the country’s recently launched Decade of Agriculture. He also emphasized the need for IFAD’s country strategy to evolve according to the changed context, incorporating changes in governance structure and challenges like climate change and youth out-migration, the statement added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IFAD stated that it recognizes the potential for greater impact through enhanced partnerships with the government, donor agencies, and the private sector as it expands its presence and financing in Nepal</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Roshan Cooke, IFAD country director for Nepal and Bhutan, stated that “setting up a new office in Kathmandu brings us closer to our ground operations and improves oversight of the country portfolio. It also allows us to engage in policy dialogue at the country level to advance the transition to agroecological farming, improve domestic and export market access, and empower smallholder farmers."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The statement added that IFAD’s strategy in Nepal addresses key challenges such as poverty, inequality and social marginalization, particularly in the hill and mountain regions where infrastructure and market access are limited. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Programmes are focused on improving rural infrastructure, targeting marginalized communities, improving income opportunities, and supporting governance and community resilience,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Nabraj Simkhada, deputy CEO of KSBBL, directors of the IFAD-financed programmes, and representatives from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and the Ministry of Urban Development. Representatives from private sector and civil society were also present, added the statement</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, Nepal was one of the first countries to receive an IFAD loan in 1978. Since then, IFAD has financed 20 projects with a total cost of US$929.29 million, including US$404.68 million of IFAD’s own resources, reaching over 1.1 million families, the statement further said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, the new office will oversee significant projects, including the Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture Programme (VITA) with a cost of US$179 million, the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) with a cost of US$50 million, the Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project (RERP – Samriddhi) costing US$26 million and the newly approved Resilient High Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP) at US$120 million, all of which reinforce IFAD’s commitment to advancing agricultural development in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21519', 'image' => '20240809025909_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:56:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21792', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gold, Silver Prices Surge in Domestic Market', 'sub_title' => 'Fine and worked gold are being traded at Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively, on Friday', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The price of gold surged by Rs 1,500 per tola (11.66 grams) in Nepal on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the prices of fine and worked gold have increased to Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the price of silver has also increased by Rs 40 per tola, reaching Rs 1,730 per tola on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Earlier on Monday, the price of gold had broken the all-time record in the domestic market when the fine gold was traded at Rs 150,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21518', 'image' => '20240809022854_20240801032633_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:27:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21791', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'How Bangladesh Student Protests brought in a New Leader ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least 450 people were killed in more than a month of deadly protests that ended the autocratic rule of 76-year-old prime minister Sheikh Hasina. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Here are five key dates explaining how the protests toppled the government in the South Asian nation of about 170 million people. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 1: Blockades begin </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">University students build barricades blocking roads and railway lines to demand reforms to a quota system for sought-after public sector jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They say the scheme is used to stack the civil service with loyalists of Hasina's ruling Awami League. Hasina, who won a fifth term as prime minister in January after a vote without genuine opposition, says the students are "wasting their time". </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 16: Violence intensifies </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Six people are killed in clashes, the first recorded deaths in the protests, a day after bitter violence when protesters and pro-government supporters fought in Dhaka with sticks and hurled bricks at each other. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina's government orders the nationwide closure of schools and universities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 18: Hasina rebuffed </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Students reject an olive branch from Hasina, a day after she appeals for calm and vows that every "murder" in the protests would be punished. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Protesters chant "down with the dictator" and torch the headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television and dozens of other government buildings. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Clashes escalate despite a round-the-clock curfew, the deployment of soldiers and an internet blackout. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Days later, the Supreme Court rules the decision to reintroduce job quotas was illegal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But its verdict falls short of protesters' demands to entirely abolish reserved jobs for children of "freedom fighters" from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war against Pakistan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 5: Hasina toppled </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina flees Dhaka by helicopter as thousands of protesters storm her palace, with millions on the streets celebrating, some dancing on the roof of armoured cars and tanks. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announces in a broadcast on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 8: Yunus to lead </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nobel peace prize winner Yunus, 84, flies to Dhaka to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He is expected to be sworn in later in the day, to begin what the army chief has vowed will be a "beautiful democratic process". – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21517', 'image' => '20240809091813_159016-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:17:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21790', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gandaki Province Government Grants Rs 30 Million to Dairy Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. The Livestock and Fishery Development Directorate, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Management, implemented the Production-Based Incentive Support Programme across 85 local levels in 11 districts of the province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under this scheme, the provincial government provided a subsidy of Rs 2.50 per liter for the 13,961 metric tonnes of milk produced by 64 cooperatives. Dr. Prerana Bhattarai, director general of the directorate, noted that this subsidy is exclusively available to dairy farmers who sell their milk through cooperatives.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Last year, the Gandaki Province government had allocated Rs 65.5 million to the program as part of the subsidy increment scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><strong>Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) Achieves Self-Sufficiency in Milk Production</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has become self-sufficient in milk production. According to a recent report, milk production in the district has exceeded local demand, allowing the surplus to be supplied to other areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishav Guragain, chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, stated that Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has been self-sufficient in milk for the past three years. The district produces 146 liters of milk per person annually, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended 91 liters per person in developing countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For the fiscal year 2023/24, the district continues to maintain this level of milk production, highlighting its ongoing self-sufficiency. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21516', 'image' => '20240809091712_20240701104046_20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21789', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Grounds Two Helicopter Companies for Safety Violations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This decision comes in the wake of the Air Dynasty helicopter crash on Wednesday, prompting CAAN to ground domestic airlines with safety systems below 60 percent. A senior CAAN official confirmed that two helicopter companies will be grounded on Thursday after scoring below the requisite percentage in a recent Safety Management System (SMS) assessment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CAAN, Annapurna Helicopters scored 34 percent and Mustang Helicopters scored 23 percent in the SMS assessment held in 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The SMS study conducted last year revealed that helicopters operated by Mustang, Annapurna, Prabhu, and other companies scored below 60 percent. According to the technician involved, these companies have continued operating flights despite their inadequate safety systems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In response to two air crashes within a 14-day period, CAAN has intensified its focus on air safety compliance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Over the past two years, CAAN has enforced stricter regulations for helicopter flights during the monsoon season and aimed to enhance the financial auditing of airline companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, these measures have faced pushback, with pilots protesting the restrictions on monsoon helicopter flights, and members of parliament (MPs) intervening to block the enforcement of the no-fly rule after 12 PM in Karnali.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21515', 'image' => '20240809091251_311923371_143959038381367_7889082666547008107_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:12:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21788', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nag Panchami Observed across Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. As per the lunar calendar, this festival falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August)</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The festival is being marked by worshipping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of every household. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is believed that sticking the picture of the snake god safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, fire and lightning. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Worshipping the snake god is believed to have started in the Vedic age as Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Special worship is offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country on this day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After worshipping, the snake god is offered cow milk, rice pudding and other. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21514', 'image' => '20240809084240_20230821105904_MD_Sundarharaicha_095431.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:42:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Orders not to Implement Government Decision to Sack NEA Directors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of SC Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued an interim order on Thursday preventing the government from implementing its decision to remove Pun and Acharya from their roles.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The SC has also asked the government to provide the reasons behind their dismissal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The decision to remove Pun and Acharya was made at the ministerial level by Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Dipak Khadka on August 2.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Following their removal, the government had appointed Devendra Karki and Mahendra Bahadur Gurung to the positions. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21513', 'image' => '20240809083511_20220922045627_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA Submits PAC 100,000 Page-Long Details of Electricity Supplied to Industries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 8</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, NEA's managing director, confirmed to New Business Age that the around 100,000 pages of information on the TOD metre data, logbooks, billing in Ampere, and details of bills provided to industrialists were submitted to the parliamentary committee.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The TOD metre data was not necessary earlier. However, since it is being sought after, we have submitted it,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Eakram Giri, secretary of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament, said that they have received around three dozen packs of files, including the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The committee will review the data and discuss it in the next meeting,” Giri said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The industries, which have defaulted in payment of bill for the use of electricity supplied under the dedicated feeders and trunk lines during the load-shedding period, have been demanding the TOD metre data for the settlement of dues.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The defaulting industries have taken a stance that they will not pay the dues unless the NEA provides them with the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NEA, on the other hand, maintains that it has provided all the required bills and has repeatedly asked the industries to clear the bills.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NEA, the industrialists owe Rs 6.65 billion in addition to a 25 per cent fine, amounting to about Rs 8.25 billion. Initially, the NEA had calculated that industrialists who consumed electricity from the dedicated feeder and trunk line owed Rs 21.3 billion. However, the arrears were revised after taking into consideration the recommendation of a commission formed by the government to address the dispute.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Specifically, Jagdamba Steel owes Rs 1.60 billion, Jagdamba Synthetic Rs 200 million, Reliance Spinning Mills Rs 753.7 million, Ghorahi Cement Rs 510 million, Arghakhanchi Cement Rs 440 million, and Hulas Steel Rs 140 million.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-08', 'modified' => '2024-08-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21512', 'image' => '20240808084020_75689f13.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-08 20:39:29', '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
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 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$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' => '21801', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CIT's Net Profit Declines by 9.91% in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, August 11</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The Citizen Investment Trust (CIT) reported a net profit of around Rs 1.1 billion in the last fiscal year, 2023/24, a 9.91% decline than that in the previous fiscal year 2022/23.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">It had made a net profit of around Rs 1.22 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In the last fiscal year, CIT’s total income increased by 5.25% to around Rs 1.92 billion, while expenses rose by 2.72% to around Rs 455 million, its unaudited financial statement for the fourth quarter, published recently, shows.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the company's paid-up capital stands at around Rs 5.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established on March 18, 1991, Citizen Investment Trust is a statutory institute under the Citizen Investment Trust Act, 2047, and operates as a public financial organisation owned by the Government of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21526', 'image' => '20240811114142_shutterstock_108788819-1536x1087.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 11:40:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21799', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Phulbari-Banglabandh Checkpoint Resumes', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">August 11: The Phulbari-Banglabandh checkpoint, a crucial trade route connecting Nepal, India, and Bhutan, has resumed normal operations. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This reopening has significantly improved the flow of imports and exports to and from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Subas Pandey, Chief of the Nepal Transit and Warehousing Company Limited Office in Kakarvitta, containers that were previously stationed in Kakarvitta are now en route to Bangladesh since August 7. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, consignments from the Bangladeshi border have started moving toward Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Pandey said that since the formation of the interim government in Bangladesh, trade between the two countries has become more streamlined. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the fiscal year 2023/24, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 463.18 million to Bangladesh and imported goods worth Rs 3.83 billion from Bangladesh.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-11', 'modified' => '2024-08-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21525', 'image' => '20240811070836_collage (95).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-11 07:07:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21798', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Cases of Dengue, Cholera on the Rise ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10: The number of dengue and cholera cases is rising across the country. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Ministry of Health and Population, the total number of dengue patients reached 3,084 last Friday, with 722 new cases reported in the past four days.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As of August 5, dengue was confirmed in 2,365 people. The mosquito-borne infection has spread nationwide, except in Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla, and Humla districts, according to Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, chief of the NTD and Vector Borne Disease Control Section.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Tanahu district has the highest number of dengue cases (583), followed by Kathmandu (307), Kaski (166), and Jhapa (135). In response, the ministry has urged all public and private offices to launch 'larva search and destroy' campaigns and to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. The government has also announced free treatment for dengue patients in public healthcare facilities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Cholera cases are also on the rise, with 47 cases detected nationwide so far. Dr Dahal reported that cholera has been confirmed in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Kailali, and Rupandehi districts, with Lalitpur having the highest number of cases (34) and Rupandehi the lowest (1). -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21524', 'image' => '20240810093039_202307191120x400_61442241844.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 21:28:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21797', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'China Aims to Assist Nepal in Establishing Fertiliser Plant', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The government of China has shown interest to assist Nepal in establishing a fertiliser plant. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal’s northern neighbour was ready to complete all the works related to the establishment of a fertiliser plant within the next year,<br /> according to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen made the remark during his meeting with editors of mainstream Nepal media on Thursday evening, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The ambassador reiterated that the works related to the fertiliser plant would be launched as soon as the Investment Board Nepal (IBN) approves the proposal related to it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Our aim is to run a fertiliser plant utilising the electricity and water resources abundantly available in Nepal,” said Chen, adding that China has always supported the socio-economic development of Nepal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepali farmers face a shortage of chemical fertilisers during the peak farming season every year because of poor supply & distribution mechanism and policy failure, apart from other global factors. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Though the government has always failed to secure enough fertilisers required for cultivation, the budget for the current fiscal year has cut the amount allocated for the purchase of chemical fertilisers to Rs 27.95 billion from Rs 30 billion in the previous fiscal year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Lack of fertiliser availability pushes farmers to buy the smuggled fertilisers which are more expensive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">In 2022, Nepal signed the government-to-government agreement to import the chemical fertiliser from India for five years, which is estimated to cover around 30% annual requirement of the country.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">China is the world's largest producer of urea and accounts for about a third of global supplies of the nitrogen-based fertiliser, Reuters reported in September last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Besides the fertiliser plant, the ambassador informed that a team of Chinese technicians were in Nepal to conduct a feasibility study for the Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Chinese ambassador laid emphasis on developing tourism infrastructure to attract more Chinese tourists. “China is ready to transfer technology,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Ambassador Chen, however, claimed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation document was not signed with Nepal in lack of completion of some technical activities, adding that the BRI agreement between Nepal and China would be signed within a few months. (With inputs from RSS)</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21523', 'image' => '20240810060657_20201224020609_Flag.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:06:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21796', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA’s Accumulated Profit Reaches Rs 47.41 Billion in Last FY', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 10</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The accumulated profit of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reached Rs 47.41 billion by the end of last fiscal year, 2023/24, Managing Director of NEA Kulman Ghising said on Friday. In the last fiscal year alone, the NEA made a net profit of Rs 13.31 billion.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Making public the NEA’s progress report, marking the third anniversary of his second tenure as MD of the state-owned power monopoly, Ghising claimed that the profit was not because of the outstanding payment from the supply of electricity to industries through the dedicated feeder and trunkline.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“NEA had accumulated a loss of Rs 34.61 billion until eight years ago, but it has been making net profits every year since FY 2016/17,” Ghising said. “Despite reducing electricity tariff by 25%, there has been an increase in profit with the number of consumers reaching around 5.9 million.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Regarding the ongoing conflict with the industrialists, Ghising said that the outstanding payment from the industrialists for the supply of electricity during the load shedding period will be recovered as per the law.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“The evidence is safe with us,” Ghising said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-10', 'modified' => '2024-08-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21522', 'image' => '20240810060154_20231016030910_20230913111412_NEA_20191104081559.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-10 18:01:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21795', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'People without Travel History Report Dengue in Solukhumbu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">SOLUKHUMBU, August 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area. Previously, mosquitoes were hardly found in this mountainous region of Koshi Province, but their presence is now noticeable.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Locals have observed a significant increase in the mosquito population in Salleri, with some attributing their arrival to motor vehicles. "They may have gradually adapted to the temperature here," said KB Ghimire. Residents have noted hotter summers and less frequent snowfall in winter.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Field Office of Hydrology and Meteorology in Salleri, temperatures now range between 25-28 degrees Celsius during the day, with morning and evening temperatures at 22-23 degrees Celsius. This rise in temperature has created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The problem extends beyond Salleri to other areas like Sotang, Nechasalyan, and Mapya Dudhkoshi. People in these regions have started using mosquito nets and repellents. Ram Bahadur Thapa mentioned that mosquitoes are now seen as far as Kharkhola, a settlement below Lukla.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Rajan Thapa, who is knowledgeable about climate change, stated that rising temperatures are negatively impacting local life and crops. He believes that the temperature increase is also contributing to the higher incidence of dengue fever.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Health Office Solukhumbu reported 30 cases of dengue across the district in the past month. According to Ashok Siwakoti, the office's pandemic focal person, 27 cases are from Sotang rural municipality, and almost all the infected had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In response, the health office has launched a 'mosquito larva search and destroy' campaign and is raising awareness about dengue prevention methods. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21521', 'image' => '20240809044335_phaplu-to-everest-base-camp-trek8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:42:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21794', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'UN Approves its First Treaty Targeting Cybercrime ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">UNITED NATIONS, August 9: UN member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After three years of negotiations and a final two-week session in New York, members approved the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime by consensus, and it will now be submitted to the General Assembly for formal adoption. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"I consider the documents... adopted. Thank you very much, bravo to all!" Algerian diplomat Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, chairwoman of the treaty drafting committee, said to applause. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The committee was set up, despite US and European opposition, following an initial move in 2017 by Russia. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The new treaty would enter into force once it has been ratified by 40 member nations and aims to "prevent and combat cybercrime more efficiently and effectively," notably regarding child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hailing a "landmark convention," South Africa's delegate said "the provisions of technical assistance and capacity building offer much needed support to countries with less developed cyber infrastructures." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But the treaty's detractors -- an unusual alliance of human rights activists and big tech companies -- denounce it as being far too broad in scope, claiming it could amount to a global "surveillance" treaty and be used for repression. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In particular, the text provides that a state may, in order to investigate any crime punishable by a minimum of four years' imprisonment under its domestic law, ask the authorities of another nation for any electronic evidence linked to the crime, and also request data from internet service providers. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Warning of an "unprecedented multilateral tool for surveillance," Deborah Brown of Human Rights Watch told AFP the treaty "will be a disaster for human rights and is a dark moment for the UN." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This treaty is effectively a legal instrument of repression," she said. "It can be used to crack down on journalists, activists, LGBT people, free thinkers, and others across borders." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">- Human rights clause - </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nick Ashton-Hart heads the Cybersecurity Tech Accord delegation to the treaty talks, representing more than 100 technology companies, including Microsoft and Meta. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Regretably," he said Thursday, the committee "adopted a convention without addressing many of the major flaws identified by civil society, the private sector, or even the UN's own human rights body." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Wherever it is implemented the Convention will be harmful to the digital environment generally and human rights in particular," he told AFP, calling for nations not to sign or implement it. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Some nations however are complaining the treaty actually includes too many human rights safeguards. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A few days ago, Russia, which has historically supported the drafting process, complained the treaty had become "oversaturated with human rights safeguards," while accusing countries of pursuing "narrow self-serving goals under the banner of democratic values." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During Thursday's session, Iran attempted to have several clauses with "inherent flaws" deleted. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">One paragraph in question stipulated that "nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted as permitting suppression of human rights or fundamental freedoms," such as "freedoms of expression, conscience, opinion, religion or belief." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The deletion request was rejected with 102 votes against, 23 in favor (including Russia, India, Sudan, Venezuela, Syria, North Korea and Libya) and 26 abstentions. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Neither Iran nor any other country, however, chose to prevent approval by consensus. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21520', 'image' => '20240809043343_BB4803B8-959C-4FCB-8BB4-2D00581937AC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 16:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21793', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'IFAD Inaugurates New Country Office in Nepal to Increase Impact on Rural Lives', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the UN agency that works with its member states to support development for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people said that the inauguration ceremony on August 8 was attended by Reehana Rifat Raza, regional director for the Asia and the Pacific Division at the Programme Management Department of the IFAD, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Neils Balzer, country director for the World Food Programme in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“IFAD plays a crucial role in supporting small-scale farmers in Nepal, especially women and youth, as they navigate the challenges of climate change,” the statement quoted Raza as saying. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“We work closely with the government to help smallholder farmers increase their incomes, improve food security, and build a more sustainable future. Our new office here is a strategic step towards deepening our partnership and accelerating progress,” she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Secretary Mishra thanked IFAD for supporting smallholder farmers and encouraged the Fund to invest more in Nepal’s agriculture sector as a part of the country’s recently launched Decade of Agriculture. He also emphasized the need for IFAD’s country strategy to evolve according to the changed context, incorporating changes in governance structure and challenges like climate change and youth out-migration, the statement added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IFAD stated that it recognizes the potential for greater impact through enhanced partnerships with the government, donor agencies, and the private sector as it expands its presence and financing in Nepal</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Roshan Cooke, IFAD country director for Nepal and Bhutan, stated that “setting up a new office in Kathmandu brings us closer to our ground operations and improves oversight of the country portfolio. It also allows us to engage in policy dialogue at the country level to advance the transition to agroecological farming, improve domestic and export market access, and empower smallholder farmers."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The statement added that IFAD’s strategy in Nepal addresses key challenges such as poverty, inequality and social marginalization, particularly in the hill and mountain regions where infrastructure and market access are limited. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Programmes are focused on improving rural infrastructure, targeting marginalized communities, improving income opportunities, and supporting governance and community resilience,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Nabraj Simkhada, deputy CEO of KSBBL, directors of the IFAD-financed programmes, and representatives from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and the Ministry of Urban Development. Representatives from private sector and civil society were also present, added the statement</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, Nepal was one of the first countries to receive an IFAD loan in 1978. Since then, IFAD has financed 20 projects with a total cost of US$929.29 million, including US$404.68 million of IFAD’s own resources, reaching over 1.1 million families, the statement further said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to IFAD, the new office will oversee significant projects, including the Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture Programme (VITA) with a cost of US$179 million, the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) with a cost of US$50 million, the Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project (RERP – Samriddhi) costing US$26 million and the newly approved Resilient High Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP) at US$120 million, all of which reinforce IFAD’s commitment to advancing agricultural development in Nepal.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21519', 'image' => '20240809025909_aaaa.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:56:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21792', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gold, Silver Prices Surge in Domestic Market', 'sub_title' => 'Fine and worked gold are being traded at Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively, on Friday', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The price of gold surged by Rs 1,500 per tola (11.66 grams) in Nepal on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the prices of fine and worked gold have increased to Rs 148,100 and Rs 147,400 per tola, respectively.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, the price of silver has also increased by Rs 40 per tola, reaching Rs 1,730 per tola on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Earlier on Monday, the price of gold had broken the all-time record in the domestic market when the fine gold was traded at Rs 150,000.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21518', 'image' => '20240809022854_20240801032633_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 14:27:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21791', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'How Bangladesh Student Protests brought in a New Leader ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">DHAKA: A student-led uprising in Bangladesh against government hiring rules culminated this week in the prime minister fleeing, with Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus chosen to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">At least 450 people were killed in more than a month of deadly protests that ended the autocratic rule of 76-year-old prime minister Sheikh Hasina. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Here are five key dates explaining how the protests toppled the government in the South Asian nation of about 170 million people. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 1: Blockades begin </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">University students build barricades blocking roads and railway lines to demand reforms to a quota system for sought-after public sector jobs. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">They say the scheme is used to stack the civil service with loyalists of Hasina's ruling Awami League. Hasina, who won a fifth term as prime minister in January after a vote without genuine opposition, says the students are "wasting their time". </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 16: Violence intensifies </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Six people are killed in clashes, the first recorded deaths in the protests, a day after bitter violence when protesters and pro-government supporters fought in Dhaka with sticks and hurled bricks at each other. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina's government orders the nationwide closure of schools and universities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>July 18: Hasina rebuffed </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Students reject an olive branch from Hasina, a day after she appeals for calm and vows that every "murder" in the protests would be punished. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Protesters chant "down with the dictator" and torch the headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television and dozens of other government buildings. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Clashes escalate despite a round-the-clock curfew, the deployment of soldiers and an internet blackout. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Days later, the Supreme Court rules the decision to reintroduce job quotas was illegal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But its verdict falls short of protesters' demands to entirely abolish reserved jobs for children of "freedom fighters" from Bangladesh's 1971 independence war against Pakistan. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 5: Hasina toppled </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Hasina flees Dhaka by helicopter as thousands of protesters storm her palace, with millions on the streets celebrating, some dancing on the roof of armoured cars and tanks. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announces in a broadcast on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would form an interim government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong>August 8: Yunus to lead </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nobel peace prize winner Yunus, 84, flies to Dhaka to lead a caretaker government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">He is expected to be sworn in later in the day, to begin what the army chief has vowed will be a "beautiful democratic process". – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21517', 'image' => '20240809091813_159016-01-02.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:17:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21790', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Gandaki Province Government Grants Rs 30 Million to Dairy Farmers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">POKHARA, August 9: The Gandaki Province government has allocated Rs 30.9 million in grants to dairy farmers for the fiscal year 2023/24, based on their milk production. The Livestock and Fishery Development Directorate, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Management, implemented the Production-Based Incentive Support Programme across 85 local levels in 11 districts of the province.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Under this scheme, the provincial government provided a subsidy of Rs 2.50 per liter for the 13,961 metric tonnes of milk produced by 64 cooperatives. Dr. Prerana Bhattarai, director general of the directorate, noted that this subsidy is exclusively available to dairy farmers who sell their milk through cooperatives.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Last year, the Gandaki Province government had allocated Rs 65.5 million to the program as part of the subsidy increment scheme.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><strong>Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) Achieves Self-Sufficiency in Milk Production</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Meanwhile, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has become self-sufficient in milk production. According to a recent report, milk production in the district has exceeded local demand, allowing the surplus to be supplied to other areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rishav Guragain, chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre, stated that Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) has been self-sufficient in milk for the past three years. The district produces 146 liters of milk per person annually, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended 91 liters per person in developing countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">For the fiscal year 2023/24, the district continues to maintain this level of milk production, highlighting its ongoing self-sufficiency. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21516', 'image' => '20240809091712_20240701104046_20210714055638_Dairy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:16:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21789', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'CAAN Grounds Two Helicopter Companies for Safety Violations', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against two helicopter companies by grounding them due to safety violations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This decision comes in the wake of the Air Dynasty helicopter crash on Wednesday, prompting CAAN to ground domestic airlines with safety systems below 60 percent. A senior CAAN official confirmed that two helicopter companies will be grounded on Thursday after scoring below the requisite percentage in a recent Safety Management System (SMS) assessment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to CAAN, Annapurna Helicopters scored 34 percent and Mustang Helicopters scored 23 percent in the SMS assessment held in 2023.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The SMS study conducted last year revealed that helicopters operated by Mustang, Annapurna, Prabhu, and other companies scored below 60 percent. According to the technician involved, these companies have continued operating flights despite their inadequate safety systems.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">In response to two air crashes within a 14-day period, CAAN has intensified its focus on air safety compliance.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Over the past two years, CAAN has enforced stricter regulations for helicopter flights during the monsoon season and aimed to enhance the financial auditing of airline companies.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, these measures have faced pushback, with pilots protesting the restrictions on monsoon helicopter flights, and members of parliament (MPs) intervening to block the enforcement of the no-fly rule after 12 PM in Karnali.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21515', 'image' => '20240809091251_311923371_143959038381367_7889082666547008107_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 09:12:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21788', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nag Panchami Observed across Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, Aug. 9: The festival of Nag Panchami is being observed across the country by Hindus today as per the time-honoured tradition. As per the lunar calendar, this festival falls on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August)</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The festival is being marked by worshipping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of every household. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">It is believed that sticking the picture of the snake god safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, fire and lightning. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Worshipping the snake god is believed to have started in the Vedic age as Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Special worship is offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country on this day. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After worshipping, the snake god is offered cow milk, rice pudding and other. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21514', 'image' => '20240809084240_20230821105904_MD_Sundarharaicha_095431.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:42:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21787', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Orders not to Implement Government Decision to Sack NEA Directors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, August 9: The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government not to proceed with its decision to dismiss Bhakta Bahadur Pun and Kapil Acharya from their positions as Board of Directors of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A single bench of SC Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued an interim order on Thursday preventing the government from implementing its decision to remove Pun and Acharya from their roles.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The SC has also asked the government to provide the reasons behind their dismissal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The decision to remove Pun and Acharya was made at the ministerial level by Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Dipak Khadka on August 2.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Following their removal, the government had appointed Devendra Karki and Mahendra Bahadur Gurung to the positions. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-09', 'modified' => '2024-08-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21513', 'image' => '20240809083511_20220922045627_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-09 08:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21786', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEA Submits PAC 100,000 Page-Long Details of Electricity Supplied to Industries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, August 8</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on Thursday submitted to the Public Account Committee (PAC) a detailed record of the electricity, inducing the time of the day (TOD) Metre data, supplied to the industries through the dedicated feeders and trunk lines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kulman Ghising, NEA's managing director, confirmed to New Business Age that the around 100,000 pages of information on the TOD metre data, logbooks, billing in Ampere, and details of bills provided to industrialists were submitted to the parliamentary committee.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The TOD metre data was not necessary earlier. However, since it is being sought after, we have submitted it,” said Ghising.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Eakram Giri, secretary of the Public Accounts Committee of parliament, said that they have received around three dozen packs of files, including the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The committee will review the data and discuss it in the next meeting,” Giri said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The industries, which have defaulted in payment of bill for the use of electricity supplied under the dedicated feeders and trunk lines during the load-shedding period, have been demanding the TOD metre data for the settlement of dues.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The defaulting industries have taken a stance that they will not pay the dues unless the NEA provides them with the TOD metre data.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The NEA, on the other hand, maintains that it has provided all the required bills and has repeatedly asked the industries to clear the bills.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NEA, the industrialists owe Rs 6.65 billion in addition to a 25 per cent fine, amounting to about Rs 8.25 billion. Initially, the NEA had calculated that industrialists who consumed electricity from the dedicated feeder and trunk line owed Rs 21.3 billion. However, the arrears were revised after taking into consideration the recommendation of a commission formed by the government to address the dispute.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Specifically, Jagdamba Steel owes Rs 1.60 billion, Jagdamba Synthetic Rs 200 million, Reliance Spinning Mills Rs 753.7 million, Ghorahi Cement Rs 510 million, Arghakhanchi Cement Rs 440 million, and Hulas Steel Rs 140 million.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-08-08', 'modified' => '2024-08-08', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21512', 'image' => '20240808084020_75689f13.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-08-08 20:39:29', '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
