Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament…
Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament…
Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi…
Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community,…
Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other…
Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on…
The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the…
Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in…
The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed…
Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last…
Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered…
Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away…
Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict…
Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the…
Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of…
May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10)…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament meetings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the very first day of budget session of federal parliaments on Friday, the main opposition party Nepali Congress stalled the parliament, posing a demand of parliamentary probe commission on embezzlement in cooperatives. It resulted in both parliaments' failure to proceed with scheduled business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In this connection, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is learnt to have talked to leaders including CPN UML on how consensus could be built for smooth running of the parliament. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Nepali Congress held a meeting of the office bearers on Saturday. Accusing the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane of his involvement in embezzlement of cooperatives fund, the NC has insisted on formation of a parliamentary probe committee on it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre) Hitraj Pande informed that no agreement was made so far on clearing the parliamentary obstruction, but the government was devoted to find out solution at any cost. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Whip of CPN UML Mahesh Bartaula also hoped the talk among the top leaders would pave a way for removal of house obstruction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both the meetings of the Upper and Lower Houses are slated for May 14. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20679', 'image' => '20240512010123_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:00:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20950', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Approves Resignation of Economic Expert Advisor Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Office of the President, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai mentioned that the president has accepted the resignation tendered by his economic expert advisor Nepal, who is a former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President Paudel thanked Nepal for his service during his tenure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Governor Nepal courted controversy recently over his remarks on the government’s recent decision to include the new map of Nepal in the hundred-rupee notes of Nepali currency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20678', 'image' => '20240512121426_20181217013338_Send (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 12:13:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20952', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Committed to Facilitate and Secure Investment: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Hyundai Motor Assembling Plant of Laxmi Motor Corporation in Nawalparasi on Friday, PM Dahal stated that the country would be taken ahead on the journey of prosperity through economic development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the economy would be strengthened by taking the private sector into confidence, asserting that the government is committed to facilitate investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The country's economy cannot be made robust without the investment of the private sector and the collaboration between the state and the private sector. The productivity cannot be increased and employment opportunities also cannot be created without this," PM Dahal said, adding that the government is always in support of creating a climate conducive to investment, promoting the private sector and security and facilitation in the investment areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing the belief that the domestic and foreign investors would be attracted more towards the industry-friendly environment in Nepal with the operation of this new assembling plant, he said it would also help in import be substitution and creating jobs for hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled labourers along with the country’s industrialization. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The prime minister said that the establishment of the plant would facilitate consumers to buy vehicles at a relatively less price and it would contribute positively to the consumption of domestic resource and electricity. He added that the establishment of the vehicle assembling plant is a testimony of partnership in the local development and on the GDP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Our fiscal and monetary policies should be promotional, rather than restrictive. These policies and laws should contribute to the increase in production and employment generation," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20677', 'image' => '20240512010213_1d5f1113.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:01:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20947', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Icefall Doctors Scale Mt Everest, Opening the way for Other Aspiring Climbers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">With the fixing of the ropes, the expedition to Mt Everest has formally opened this year, Khimlal Gautam, chief of the Field Office of the Department of Tourism, told the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to Gautam, the rope fixing team reached the top of Mt Everest at 8:15 pm on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"Now, the route to Mt Everest is open for this season. Other climbers will scale Mt Everest following the successful summit of the peak by the Sherpa members," Gautam said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the members of the rope fixing team include Dendi Sherpa, Tenzing Gyalzen Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Rinze Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Suk Bahadur Tamang, Namgyal Dorjee Tamang and Lakpa Rinze Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, AFP also confirmed that the icefall doctors climbed Mt Everest citing Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, which led the team.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"A good weather window has been predicted until May 14, it is possible we will see over a hundred summits by then," AFP quoted Gautam as saying.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has issued 414 permits to mountaineers for this year's spring climbing season, which runs from April to early June.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Most Everest hopefuls are each escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 800 climbers will tread the same path to the top of the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak in the coming weeks, the French news agency further reported, adding, “This year, China reopened the Tibetan route to foreigners for the first time since it closed in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm. Last year, over 600 climbers made it to the peak of the highest mountain in the world. It also became the deadliest season on the mountain with 18 deaths, added AFP.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">“A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent in 1953.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20675', 'image' => '20240512115445_bafac36f.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:13:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20948', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Heavy Rainfall likely in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, the weather of the country is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, while it is mostly clear in the rest of the country. Some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini are experiencing light to moderate rain with thunder, storm and lightning as of Sunday morning. This is due to the effect of the westerly and local winds as well as the low pressure system formed around Bihar in India, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The weather will remain partly to generally cloudy across the country in the afternoon, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lateer tonight, the weather will remain partly to general cloudy across the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as at one or two places of the remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with lightning in some parts of the country, according to the weather bulletin issued by the department on Sunday morning. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20674', 'image' => '20240512114546_rsain.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:43:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20946', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'East-West Railway's 90% Work Completed in Sarlahi Section ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 12: The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Engineer Bhuwaneshwor Yadav, the project's information officer, reported that 90% construction work was accomplished within six years of the project's contract. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Sarlahi section spans 30 kilometers from Banke stream in the east to Bagmati River in the west, with the remaining track opening currently in progress.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Work to open track was stalled in some places after the Sagarmatha Forest Project and the Murtiya Forest Office did not clear trees reasoning that some farmers of Hariban municipality-5 refused to receive compensation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The progress of this section is therefore zilch. Engineer Yadav mentioned that the construction is snail-paced in recent period. According to Project Office, Lalbandi, the construction company is still to get payment for completed work. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20673', 'image' => '20240512065711_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 06:53:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20943', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU to Help Nepal bring Investment ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo informed that the 'EU-Nepal Trade Forum' is taking place in Kathmandu next week to bring European investment to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In her address to a reception organised on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the European Union, Ambassador Lorenzo said that the second meeting of the forum would be held in Kathmandu on May 15-16 to address Nepal's foreign investment deficit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said companies from EU countries would participate in the meeting to discuss the potential areas of investment in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU Ambassador further said Nepal was moving ahead with the goal of upgrading from the list of least developed countries in 2026 and it was necessary to create economic development and employment opportunities for the same. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20671', 'image' => '20240510015610_Veronique_Lorenzo_EU3_sunilsharma_005.width-1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:55:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20944', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Arrested with Rs 9.8 Million from Durbar Marg', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 10: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> The arrested are Samir Sunar, 28, and Milan BK, 29, of Siyari rural municipality-7 in Rupandehi, said Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Senior Superintendent of Police Sanuram Bhattarai. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">At a news conference organised today, Bhattarai shared that both of them were arrested from Durbar Marg on Thursday. "As per our preliminary investigation, they were also found involved in Hundi (money transfer through unofficial channel) and gold smuggling," he mentioned. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Police also impounded a car (Ba 13 Cha 4858) from them. Earlier, a warrant notice was issued against Milan BK on September 27, 2023 on the charge of his involvement in smuggling of 11.5 kg gold in Dolakha and had been absconding since then.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the preliminary investigation, both of them were found involved in criminal activities for two years, added police. Samir and Milan would be sent at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, for further investigation. (RSS) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20670', 'image' => '20240510042258_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 16:21:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20942', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Air India Cancels 74 Budget Flights after Sick Leave Strike ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air India Express said in a statement that it had made "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests" but had been forced to cancel 74 flights on Thursday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">More than 90 other flights had been "disrupted" since Tuesday by the resulting staff shortages, the airline said in a separate statement on Wednesday, without clarifying whether they had been delayed or cancelled. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief executive Aloke Singh said Wednesday that the airline had been forced to curtail its flight schedules over the coming days. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Since last evening, over 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty, at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations," Singh said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports said the budget carrier had sacked at least 20 staff. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An Air India Express spokesperson said Thursday that the airline had taken "appropriate steps against certain individuals", but did not provide further details. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," the spokesperson said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Delhi airport saw chaotic scenes on Wednesday as agitated passengers waited for updates on delayed and cancelled flights, according to Indian media reports. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20669', 'image' => '20240510015005_air-india-express-air-asia.jpg_18a606261ac_large.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:49:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20941', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Push for Development ‘Threatens’ Nepal's Nature Conservation Efforts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a news report published by AFP, a fifth of Nepal’s total lands have been designated as protected areas established to forbid infrastructure projects that could damage the environment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has been praised worldwide for combating poachers and conserving wildlife, allowing it to bring several animal species back from the brink of local extinction, the report added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the government enacted an ordinance last month allowing it to approve infrastructure projects in national parks, forests and other conservation areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The number of endangered tigers and one-horned rhinos in the country have thrived because of these protected areas as they found a favourable environment," Rampreet Yadav, a wildlife conservationist, told AFP.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This decision allowing construction of infrastructure will surely impact their habitat."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Yadav, who is also the former chief conservation officer of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's most important conservation area, said the decision was driven by the "vested interests of political leaders".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We will have nothing to show and give our next generation," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal's protected habitat laws have seen the country triple the local tiger population to 355 since 2010, while the number of one-horned rhinoceros also rose to 752 in 2021 from around a hundred in the 1960s, AFP reported, adding, “It also nearly doubled its forest cover between 1992 and 2016 after rampant logging.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has shown a strong commitment to enhancing its hydropower industry following a significant surge in dam construction since the beginning of the century, resulting in an installed capacity exceeding 3,300 megawatts. In January, Nepal inked a deal with India to export 10,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity over the next decade, to meet the energy demands of its power-hungry neighbor. In addition, Bangladesh is also keen to purchase clean energy from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, tourism is also a major source of income for Nepal, which saw a million foreign visitors last year after a post-pandemic bounceback, and investments are being made in hotels and airports to cater to the needs of the travellers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Environment ministry spokesperson Badri Raj Dhungana told AFP that the new regulations had been introduced to bring a balance between environmental protection and development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"They will not be constructed in very sensitive areas. We will need a work plan with proper mapping," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But according to AFP, Padma Bahadur Shrestha, a lawyer specialising in litigation aimed at nature protection, said the decision showed the government was set on casting aside environmental concerns in its rush for development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"It wants to destroy Nepal's biodiversity to make new infrastructure," AFP quoted Shrestha as saying.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20668', 'image' => '20240510014326_20220613011426_khaptad.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20937', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Court Issues Arrest Warrants against 20 People in Bal Mandir Land Embezzlement Case', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court issued the arrest warrant on Thursday upon the request of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police, which is investigating the matter.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidya is the elder sister of Nepali Congress leader Prakashman Singh. She was the president of the children's organization from 2047 BS to 2077 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidhya, along with other officials of the child welfare organization have been accused of leasing the land of Bal Mandir to Vishal Group, a commercial organisation, in a way that would cause loss to the organization. Vishal Group is running a school named Brihaspati Vidya Sadan on that land of Bal Mandir. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court has also issued arrest warrants against the school's principal, board members and shareholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">CIB Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Hobindra Bogti confirmed that the district court has issued arrest warrants to investigate alleged irregularities carried out by the accused including Baidhya, who was the president of the children's organization for about 27 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"An investigation has been started against the accused on charges of fraud after a complaint was registered," SP Bogti told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The children's organization filed a complaint with the CIB on April 26 alleging that the contract with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan was illegal and demanded action against those involved. SP Bogti said that the CIB has started an investigation based on the same complaint.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Bal Mandir’s President Bidya Neupane accused the ex-officials of the welfare organisation of signing an agreement with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan to lease the land at a low price of Rs 900,000 per month effective until 2132 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Neupane accused that the ex-officials of Bal Mandir made financial gains in collusion with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan and business houses when they leased 29 ropanis and 5 annas of land owned by the children's organization.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">She said that the board meeting of the children's organization held on April 26 also decided to cancel the dubious contract.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the agreement with Bal Mandir and acquired the land and again gave it to Rai School on 'sub-lease'. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the officers involved in the investigation, Nepal Children's Organization and Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the lease agreement on 2049 BS and then decided to set new rates in 2053 BS, 2058 BS, 2059 BS and 2072 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In 2072 BS, the then president of Bal Mandir Rita Singh Baidhya was found to have signed a new agreement to extend the lease with the old agreement still in force. Neupane, the incumbent president of Bal Mandir, said that 17 years were still left in the old agreement when the new agreement was signed to extend the lease for another 43 years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"It seems that an agreement has been reached for 79 years until 2132 BS," Neupane told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The current leadership of Bal Mandir has alleged that Rita Singh, the then president of Nepal Children's Organization, and Purushottam Raj Joshi of Brihaspati Vidya Sadan, entered into a supplementary agreement in 2072 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had provided 119 ropanis of land to Bal Mandir in 2021 BS after acquiring 'Sita Bhavan' in Naxal from the queen of then Rana Prime Minister Bhim Shumsher.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20666', 'image' => '20240510113427_14bf2240.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 11:33:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20939', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Preparing to bring Transformational Budget: Finance Minister Pun ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing a pre-budget discussion programme organised by the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Thursday, Finance Minister Pun said the government shall lift up the confidence of the private sector and adopt reformative and transformative policies in some sectors to improve the slowdown seen in the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the government received suggestions to adopt interventionist policies in order to improve the economy, but the government will not go to extremes.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Some areas are in need of transformation and not just reform," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the finance minister, the government is committed to protecting the investment, trade, business, and property of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is committed to synchronization between the fiscal policy and the monetary policy," Finance Minister Pun said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also maintained that a change in the tax rate to be made through the next fiscal year's budget would be done by justifying its need and appropriateness. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We will not make changes to the tax rate under anyone's influence. The Economic Bill will have three columns specifying the reasons and justification for the change in the tax rate. We will clarify the reasons for the change in the tax rate,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Pun also pledged to increase the government’s capital expenditure.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Although a double digit economic growth is not possible, we are hopeful of achieving an economic growth of 7.5 per cent," the Finance Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal opined that the overall economy is in problem due to the slump in both market demand and supply. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He claimed that the government has given a message of creating investment-friendly environment by changing the laws in a short time through ordinance. The FNCCI president suggested that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year should keep the demands and suggestions of the private sector in priority. He suggested to the government to also maintain uniformity and harmony between the budget and the monetary policy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dhakal also suggested announcing the Investment Decade through the upcoming fiscal year's budget and to provide concessions to the industries creating a large number of jobs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the tax imposed on the merger and acquisition of banks and financial institutions has sent out a wrong message. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, highlighted concerns regarding the national capital's development. He pointed out the challenge posed by the current negative growth rate in the production and construction sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He mentioned that the number of blacklisted entrepreneurs is increasing due to their failure to pay back the loan of the banks and financial institutions. He added that the economic slowdown resulted from the tight finances and monetary policy brought by the government after COVID-19. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, said the private sector is focusing its attention on how to protect their investment rather than increasing investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A point of view of looking at the private sector should be changed. National capital building is decreasing due to our contradictory policy," he said, pointing out the need of bringing budget with a focus on investment in infrastructure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He suggested that there was necessary of quality measuring and labeling of imported goods, and imposing two-level customs tax on raw materials and produced goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, President of Nepal Bankers' Association, Sunil KC, shared that the banking sector is currently in a difficult situation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The banking sector has accumulated an investable amount of Rs 500 billion. But the loan investment will not increase until the morale of private sector is boosted. It is necessary to increase financial access of small and middle-scale enterprises rather than providing concession," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal, Ganesh Karki stressed the effective implementation of the budget. He suggested taking the private sector on board in the electricity transmission line and power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions, Nepal (CBFIN) president Upendra Paudel suggested bringing foreign investment in the banking sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar of Kathmandu University and economist Achyut Wagle said although all sides know about the status of the economy, they have not been able to carry out works towards resolving the economic issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the Nepal Automobiles Association Nepal, Karan Chaudhary, said the automobiles sector is facing problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He explained, "Make in Nepal policy has not become effective, the state has not put the auto sector in priority saying it is unproductive sector." -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20665', 'image' => '20240510123143_bdcddd0c.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:30:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20936', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rainfall Predicted in Hill Regions Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology informed that the influence of westerly winds, local wind patterns, and a low-pressure system formed in and around Bihar, India, has been affecting the country's weather.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The forecast predicts partly to generally cloudy skies in the hill regions of the country, including the Koshi and Lumbini provinces, with light rain likely in some areas, accompanied by thunder and lightning, particularly in the Koshi and Bagmati provinces this afternoon. There's also a possibility of light snowfall in some high hill and mountainous regions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Tonight, the weather in the hill regions, including Koshi Province, is expected to be partly to generally cloudy, with chances of light to moderate rainfall followed by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds in one or two places in the rest of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Over the next 24 hours, the department anticipates light rain with thunder and lightning in various parts of the hill regions, including the Koshi and Bagmati provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Considering the potential impact of light snowfall on daily life, including agriculture, health, tourism, mountaineering, and transportation in these regions, the department has advised people to remain alert.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20664', 'image' => '20240510103440_snowwwwwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:33:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20938', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI President Dhakal Receives Corporate Excellence Award', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">President Ram Chandra Poudel presented the award to Dhakal during a special event in the capital on Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association commended Dhakal for his significant contributions to the country's economy, physical and human development, job creation, and social and economic progress.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Starting from his upbringing in rural western Nepal, Dhakal has established a successful presence in sectors such as banking, investment, tourism, hydroelectricity, insurance, and social services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association acknowledged Dhakal's dedication, commitment, competence, and capacity, which have been recognized through this award.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the appreciation letter, it was stated, "Your achievements in fostering the nation's economy, development, and employment across various sectors underscore your dedication and competence. This award is a testament to your dedication."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dhakal mentioned that the honor has inspired him to embrace further responsibilities in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20663', 'image' => '20240510120354_IMG-20240509-WA0008.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:03:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20935', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Session of Federal Parliament to Commence Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The budget session is all set to begin after President Ram Chandra Paudel on May 2 summoned the joint session of the federal parliament in accordance with the Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The federal parliament secretariat has already issued a notice requesting all members of the parliament for their presence in the session called for 2.00 pm today at New-Baneswor based International Conference Centre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the constitutional provision, an estimated details of income and expenditure (budget) for the upcoming year has to be presented in the parliament on May 28 (Jestha 15). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, the president will read out the government's annual policies and programmes in the joint sitting of both the Houses. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to run the session effectively, Speaker Devraj Ghimire held discussions with top leaders of major political parties represented in the parliament. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20662', 'image' => '20240510100245_budgetttttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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' => '20951', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Informal Talks on to Clear Parliament Obstruction ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament meetings. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament meetings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the very first day of budget session of federal parliaments on Friday, the main opposition party Nepali Congress stalled the parliament, posing a demand of parliamentary probe commission on embezzlement in cooperatives. It resulted in both parliaments' failure to proceed with scheduled business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In this connection, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is learnt to have talked to leaders including CPN UML on how consensus could be built for smooth running of the parliament. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Nepali Congress held a meeting of the office bearers on Saturday. Accusing the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane of his involvement in embezzlement of cooperatives fund, the NC has insisted on formation of a parliamentary probe committee on it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre) Hitraj Pande informed that no agreement was made so far on clearing the parliamentary obstruction, but the government was devoted to find out solution at any cost. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Whip of CPN UML Mahesh Bartaula also hoped the talk among the top leaders would pave a way for removal of house obstruction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both the meetings of the Upper and Lower Houses are slated for May 14. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20679', 'image' => '20240512010123_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:00:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20950', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Approves Resignation of Economic Expert Advisor Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Office of the President, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai mentioned that the president has accepted the resignation tendered by his economic expert advisor Nepal, who is a former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President Paudel thanked Nepal for his service during his tenure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Governor Nepal courted controversy recently over his remarks on the government’s recent decision to include the new map of Nepal in the hundred-rupee notes of Nepali currency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20678', 'image' => '20240512121426_20181217013338_Send (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 12:13:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20952', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Committed to Facilitate and Secure Investment: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Hyundai Motor Assembling Plant of Laxmi Motor Corporation in Nawalparasi on Friday, PM Dahal stated that the country would be taken ahead on the journey of prosperity through economic development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the economy would be strengthened by taking the private sector into confidence, asserting that the government is committed to facilitate investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The country's economy cannot be made robust without the investment of the private sector and the collaboration between the state and the private sector. The productivity cannot be increased and employment opportunities also cannot be created without this," PM Dahal said, adding that the government is always in support of creating a climate conducive to investment, promoting the private sector and security and facilitation in the investment areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing the belief that the domestic and foreign investors would be attracted more towards the industry-friendly environment in Nepal with the operation of this new assembling plant, he said it would also help in import be substitution and creating jobs for hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled labourers along with the country’s industrialization. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The prime minister said that the establishment of the plant would facilitate consumers to buy vehicles at a relatively less price and it would contribute positively to the consumption of domestic resource and electricity. He added that the establishment of the vehicle assembling plant is a testimony of partnership in the local development and on the GDP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Our fiscal and monetary policies should be promotional, rather than restrictive. These policies and laws should contribute to the increase in production and employment generation," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20677', 'image' => '20240512010213_1d5f1113.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:01:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20947', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Icefall Doctors Scale Mt Everest, Opening the way for Other Aspiring Climbers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">With the fixing of the ropes, the expedition to Mt Everest has formally opened this year, Khimlal Gautam, chief of the Field Office of the Department of Tourism, told the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to Gautam, the rope fixing team reached the top of Mt Everest at 8:15 pm on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"Now, the route to Mt Everest is open for this season. Other climbers will scale Mt Everest following the successful summit of the peak by the Sherpa members," Gautam said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the members of the rope fixing team include Dendi Sherpa, Tenzing Gyalzen Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Rinze Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Suk Bahadur Tamang, Namgyal Dorjee Tamang and Lakpa Rinze Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, AFP also confirmed that the icefall doctors climbed Mt Everest citing Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, which led the team.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"A good weather window has been predicted until May 14, it is possible we will see over a hundred summits by then," AFP quoted Gautam as saying.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has issued 414 permits to mountaineers for this year's spring climbing season, which runs from April to early June.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Most Everest hopefuls are each escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 800 climbers will tread the same path to the top of the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak in the coming weeks, the French news agency further reported, adding, “This year, China reopened the Tibetan route to foreigners for the first time since it closed in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm. Last year, over 600 climbers made it to the peak of the highest mountain in the world. It also became the deadliest season on the mountain with 18 deaths, added AFP.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">“A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent in 1953.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20675', 'image' => '20240512115445_bafac36f.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:13:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20948', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Heavy Rainfall likely in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, the weather of the country is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, while it is mostly clear in the rest of the country. Some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini are experiencing light to moderate rain with thunder, storm and lightning as of Sunday morning. This is due to the effect of the westerly and local winds as well as the low pressure system formed around Bihar in India, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The weather will remain partly to generally cloudy across the country in the afternoon, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lateer tonight, the weather will remain partly to general cloudy across the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as at one or two places of the remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with lightning in some parts of the country, according to the weather bulletin issued by the department on Sunday morning. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20674', 'image' => '20240512114546_rsain.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:43:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20946', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'East-West Railway's 90% Work Completed in Sarlahi Section ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 12: The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Engineer Bhuwaneshwor Yadav, the project's information officer, reported that 90% construction work was accomplished within six years of the project's contract. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Sarlahi section spans 30 kilometers from Banke stream in the east to Bagmati River in the west, with the remaining track opening currently in progress.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Work to open track was stalled in some places after the Sagarmatha Forest Project and the Murtiya Forest Office did not clear trees reasoning that some farmers of Hariban municipality-5 refused to receive compensation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The progress of this section is therefore zilch. Engineer Yadav mentioned that the construction is snail-paced in recent period. According to Project Office, Lalbandi, the construction company is still to get payment for completed work. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20673', 'image' => '20240512065711_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 06:53:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20943', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU to Help Nepal bring Investment ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo informed that the 'EU-Nepal Trade Forum' is taking place in Kathmandu next week to bring European investment to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In her address to a reception organised on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the European Union, Ambassador Lorenzo said that the second meeting of the forum would be held in Kathmandu on May 15-16 to address Nepal's foreign investment deficit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said companies from EU countries would participate in the meeting to discuss the potential areas of investment in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU Ambassador further said Nepal was moving ahead with the goal of upgrading from the list of least developed countries in 2026 and it was necessary to create economic development and employment opportunities for the same. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20671', 'image' => '20240510015610_Veronique_Lorenzo_EU3_sunilsharma_005.width-1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:55:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20944', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Arrested with Rs 9.8 Million from Durbar Marg', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 10: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> The arrested are Samir Sunar, 28, and Milan BK, 29, of Siyari rural municipality-7 in Rupandehi, said Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Senior Superintendent of Police Sanuram Bhattarai. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">At a news conference organised today, Bhattarai shared that both of them were arrested from Durbar Marg on Thursday. "As per our preliminary investigation, they were also found involved in Hundi (money transfer through unofficial channel) and gold smuggling," he mentioned. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Police also impounded a car (Ba 13 Cha 4858) from them. Earlier, a warrant notice was issued against Milan BK on September 27, 2023 on the charge of his involvement in smuggling of 11.5 kg gold in Dolakha and had been absconding since then.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the preliminary investigation, both of them were found involved in criminal activities for two years, added police. Samir and Milan would be sent at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, for further investigation. (RSS) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20670', 'image' => '20240510042258_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 16:21:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20942', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Air India Cancels 74 Budget Flights after Sick Leave Strike ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air India Express said in a statement that it had made "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests" but had been forced to cancel 74 flights on Thursday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">More than 90 other flights had been "disrupted" since Tuesday by the resulting staff shortages, the airline said in a separate statement on Wednesday, without clarifying whether they had been delayed or cancelled. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief executive Aloke Singh said Wednesday that the airline had been forced to curtail its flight schedules over the coming days. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Since last evening, over 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty, at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations," Singh said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports said the budget carrier had sacked at least 20 staff. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An Air India Express spokesperson said Thursday that the airline had taken "appropriate steps against certain individuals", but did not provide further details. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," the spokesperson said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Delhi airport saw chaotic scenes on Wednesday as agitated passengers waited for updates on delayed and cancelled flights, according to Indian media reports. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20669', 'image' => '20240510015005_air-india-express-air-asia.jpg_18a606261ac_large.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:49:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20941', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Push for Development ‘Threatens’ Nepal's Nature Conservation Efforts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a news report published by AFP, a fifth of Nepal’s total lands have been designated as protected areas established to forbid infrastructure projects that could damage the environment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has been praised worldwide for combating poachers and conserving wildlife, allowing it to bring several animal species back from the brink of local extinction, the report added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the government enacted an ordinance last month allowing it to approve infrastructure projects in national parks, forests and other conservation areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The number of endangered tigers and one-horned rhinos in the country have thrived because of these protected areas as they found a favourable environment," Rampreet Yadav, a wildlife conservationist, told AFP.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This decision allowing construction of infrastructure will surely impact their habitat."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Yadav, who is also the former chief conservation officer of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's most important conservation area, said the decision was driven by the "vested interests of political leaders".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We will have nothing to show and give our next generation," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal's protected habitat laws have seen the country triple the local tiger population to 355 since 2010, while the number of one-horned rhinoceros also rose to 752 in 2021 from around a hundred in the 1960s, AFP reported, adding, “It also nearly doubled its forest cover between 1992 and 2016 after rampant logging.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has shown a strong commitment to enhancing its hydropower industry following a significant surge in dam construction since the beginning of the century, resulting in an installed capacity exceeding 3,300 megawatts. In January, Nepal inked a deal with India to export 10,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity over the next decade, to meet the energy demands of its power-hungry neighbor. In addition, Bangladesh is also keen to purchase clean energy from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, tourism is also a major source of income for Nepal, which saw a million foreign visitors last year after a post-pandemic bounceback, and investments are being made in hotels and airports to cater to the needs of the travellers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Environment ministry spokesperson Badri Raj Dhungana told AFP that the new regulations had been introduced to bring a balance between environmental protection and development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"They will not be constructed in very sensitive areas. We will need a work plan with proper mapping," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But according to AFP, Padma Bahadur Shrestha, a lawyer specialising in litigation aimed at nature protection, said the decision showed the government was set on casting aside environmental concerns in its rush for development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"It wants to destroy Nepal's biodiversity to make new infrastructure," AFP quoted Shrestha as saying.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20668', 'image' => '20240510014326_20220613011426_khaptad.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20937', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Court Issues Arrest Warrants against 20 People in Bal Mandir Land Embezzlement Case', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court issued the arrest warrant on Thursday upon the request of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police, which is investigating the matter.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidya is the elder sister of Nepali Congress leader Prakashman Singh. She was the president of the children's organization from 2047 BS to 2077 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidhya, along with other officials of the child welfare organization have been accused of leasing the land of Bal Mandir to Vishal Group, a commercial organisation, in a way that would cause loss to the organization. Vishal Group is running a school named Brihaspati Vidya Sadan on that land of Bal Mandir. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court has also issued arrest warrants against the school's principal, board members and shareholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">CIB Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Hobindra Bogti confirmed that the district court has issued arrest warrants to investigate alleged irregularities carried out by the accused including Baidhya, who was the president of the children's organization for about 27 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"An investigation has been started against the accused on charges of fraud after a complaint was registered," SP Bogti told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The children's organization filed a complaint with the CIB on April 26 alleging that the contract with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan was illegal and demanded action against those involved. SP Bogti said that the CIB has started an investigation based on the same complaint.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Bal Mandir’s President Bidya Neupane accused the ex-officials of the welfare organisation of signing an agreement with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan to lease the land at a low price of Rs 900,000 per month effective until 2132 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Neupane accused that the ex-officials of Bal Mandir made financial gains in collusion with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan and business houses when they leased 29 ropanis and 5 annas of land owned by the children's organization.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">She said that the board meeting of the children's organization held on April 26 also decided to cancel the dubious contract.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the agreement with Bal Mandir and acquired the land and again gave it to Rai School on 'sub-lease'. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the officers involved in the investigation, Nepal Children's Organization and Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the lease agreement on 2049 BS and then decided to set new rates in 2053 BS, 2058 BS, 2059 BS and 2072 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In 2072 BS, the then president of Bal Mandir Rita Singh Baidhya was found to have signed a new agreement to extend the lease with the old agreement still in force. Neupane, the incumbent president of Bal Mandir, said that 17 years were still left in the old agreement when the new agreement was signed to extend the lease for another 43 years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"It seems that an agreement has been reached for 79 years until 2132 BS," Neupane told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The current leadership of Bal Mandir has alleged that Rita Singh, the then president of Nepal Children's Organization, and Purushottam Raj Joshi of Brihaspati Vidya Sadan, entered into a supplementary agreement in 2072 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had provided 119 ropanis of land to Bal Mandir in 2021 BS after acquiring 'Sita Bhavan' in Naxal from the queen of then Rana Prime Minister Bhim Shumsher.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20666', 'image' => '20240510113427_14bf2240.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 11:33:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20939', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Preparing to bring Transformational Budget: Finance Minister Pun ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing a pre-budget discussion programme organised by the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Thursday, Finance Minister Pun said the government shall lift up the confidence of the private sector and adopt reformative and transformative policies in some sectors to improve the slowdown seen in the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the government received suggestions to adopt interventionist policies in order to improve the economy, but the government will not go to extremes.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Some areas are in need of transformation and not just reform," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the finance minister, the government is committed to protecting the investment, trade, business, and property of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is committed to synchronization between the fiscal policy and the monetary policy," Finance Minister Pun said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also maintained that a change in the tax rate to be made through the next fiscal year's budget would be done by justifying its need and appropriateness. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We will not make changes to the tax rate under anyone's influence. The Economic Bill will have three columns specifying the reasons and justification for the change in the tax rate. We will clarify the reasons for the change in the tax rate,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Pun also pledged to increase the government’s capital expenditure.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Although a double digit economic growth is not possible, we are hopeful of achieving an economic growth of 7.5 per cent," the Finance Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal opined that the overall economy is in problem due to the slump in both market demand and supply. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He claimed that the government has given a message of creating investment-friendly environment by changing the laws in a short time through ordinance. The FNCCI president suggested that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year should keep the demands and suggestions of the private sector in priority. He suggested to the government to also maintain uniformity and harmony between the budget and the monetary policy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dhakal also suggested announcing the Investment Decade through the upcoming fiscal year's budget and to provide concessions to the industries creating a large number of jobs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the tax imposed on the merger and acquisition of banks and financial institutions has sent out a wrong message. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, highlighted concerns regarding the national capital's development. He pointed out the challenge posed by the current negative growth rate in the production and construction sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He mentioned that the number of blacklisted entrepreneurs is increasing due to their failure to pay back the loan of the banks and financial institutions. He added that the economic slowdown resulted from the tight finances and monetary policy brought by the government after COVID-19. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, said the private sector is focusing its attention on how to protect their investment rather than increasing investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A point of view of looking at the private sector should be changed. National capital building is decreasing due to our contradictory policy," he said, pointing out the need of bringing budget with a focus on investment in infrastructure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He suggested that there was necessary of quality measuring and labeling of imported goods, and imposing two-level customs tax on raw materials and produced goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, President of Nepal Bankers' Association, Sunil KC, shared that the banking sector is currently in a difficult situation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The banking sector has accumulated an investable amount of Rs 500 billion. But the loan investment will not increase until the morale of private sector is boosted. It is necessary to increase financial access of small and middle-scale enterprises rather than providing concession," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal, Ganesh Karki stressed the effective implementation of the budget. He suggested taking the private sector on board in the electricity transmission line and power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions, Nepal (CBFIN) president Upendra Paudel suggested bringing foreign investment in the banking sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar of Kathmandu University and economist Achyut Wagle said although all sides know about the status of the economy, they have not been able to carry out works towards resolving the economic issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the Nepal Automobiles Association Nepal, Karan Chaudhary, said the automobiles sector is facing problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He explained, "Make in Nepal policy has not become effective, the state has not put the auto sector in priority saying it is unproductive sector." -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20665', 'image' => '20240510123143_bdcddd0c.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:30:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20936', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rainfall Predicted in Hill Regions Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology informed that the influence of westerly winds, local wind patterns, and a low-pressure system formed in and around Bihar, India, has been affecting the country's weather.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The forecast predicts partly to generally cloudy skies in the hill regions of the country, including the Koshi and Lumbini provinces, with light rain likely in some areas, accompanied by thunder and lightning, particularly in the Koshi and Bagmati provinces this afternoon. There's also a possibility of light snowfall in some high hill and mountainous regions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Tonight, the weather in the hill regions, including Koshi Province, is expected to be partly to generally cloudy, with chances of light to moderate rainfall followed by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds in one or two places in the rest of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Over the next 24 hours, the department anticipates light rain with thunder and lightning in various parts of the hill regions, including the Koshi and Bagmati provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Considering the potential impact of light snowfall on daily life, including agriculture, health, tourism, mountaineering, and transportation in these regions, the department has advised people to remain alert.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20664', 'image' => '20240510103440_snowwwwwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:33:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20938', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI President Dhakal Receives Corporate Excellence Award', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">President Ram Chandra Poudel presented the award to Dhakal during a special event in the capital on Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association commended Dhakal for his significant contributions to the country's economy, physical and human development, job creation, and social and economic progress.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Starting from his upbringing in rural western Nepal, Dhakal has established a successful presence in sectors such as banking, investment, tourism, hydroelectricity, insurance, and social services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association acknowledged Dhakal's dedication, commitment, competence, and capacity, which have been recognized through this award.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the appreciation letter, it was stated, "Your achievements in fostering the nation's economy, development, and employment across various sectors underscore your dedication and competence. This award is a testament to your dedication."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dhakal mentioned that the honor has inspired him to embrace further responsibilities in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20663', 'image' => '20240510120354_IMG-20240509-WA0008.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:03:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20935', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Session of Federal Parliament to Commence Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The budget session is all set to begin after President Ram Chandra Paudel on May 2 summoned the joint session of the federal parliament in accordance with the Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The federal parliament secretariat has already issued a notice requesting all members of the parliament for their presence in the session called for 2.00 pm today at New-Baneswor based International Conference Centre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the constitutional provision, an estimated details of income and expenditure (budget) for the upcoming year has to be presented in the parliament on May 28 (Jestha 15). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, the president will read out the government's annual policies and programmes in the joint sitting of both the Houses. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to run the session effectively, Speaker Devraj Ghimire held discussions with top leaders of major political parties represented in the parliament. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20662', 'image' => '20240510100245_budgetttttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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' => '20951', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Informal Talks on to Clear Parliament Obstruction ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament meetings. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament meetings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the very first day of budget session of federal parliaments on Friday, the main opposition party Nepali Congress stalled the parliament, posing a demand of parliamentary probe commission on embezzlement in cooperatives. It resulted in both parliaments' failure to proceed with scheduled business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In this connection, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is learnt to have talked to leaders including CPN UML on how consensus could be built for smooth running of the parliament. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Nepali Congress held a meeting of the office bearers on Saturday. Accusing the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane of his involvement in embezzlement of cooperatives fund, the NC has insisted on formation of a parliamentary probe committee on it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre) Hitraj Pande informed that no agreement was made so far on clearing the parliamentary obstruction, but the government was devoted to find out solution at any cost. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Whip of CPN UML Mahesh Bartaula also hoped the talk among the top leaders would pave a way for removal of house obstruction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both the meetings of the Upper and Lower Houses are slated for May 14. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20679', 'image' => '20240512010123_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:00:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20950', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Approves Resignation of Economic Expert Advisor Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Office of the President, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai mentioned that the president has accepted the resignation tendered by his economic expert advisor Nepal, who is a former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President Paudel thanked Nepal for his service during his tenure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Governor Nepal courted controversy recently over his remarks on the government’s recent decision to include the new map of Nepal in the hundred-rupee notes of Nepali currency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20678', 'image' => '20240512121426_20181217013338_Send (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 12:13:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20952', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Committed to Facilitate and Secure Investment: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Hyundai Motor Assembling Plant of Laxmi Motor Corporation in Nawalparasi on Friday, PM Dahal stated that the country would be taken ahead on the journey of prosperity through economic development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the economy would be strengthened by taking the private sector into confidence, asserting that the government is committed to facilitate investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The country's economy cannot be made robust without the investment of the private sector and the collaboration between the state and the private sector. The productivity cannot be increased and employment opportunities also cannot be created without this," PM Dahal said, adding that the government is always in support of creating a climate conducive to investment, promoting the private sector and security and facilitation in the investment areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing the belief that the domestic and foreign investors would be attracted more towards the industry-friendly environment in Nepal with the operation of this new assembling plant, he said it would also help in import be substitution and creating jobs for hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled labourers along with the country’s industrialization. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The prime minister said that the establishment of the plant would facilitate consumers to buy vehicles at a relatively less price and it would contribute positively to the consumption of domestic resource and electricity. He added that the establishment of the vehicle assembling plant is a testimony of partnership in the local development and on the GDP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Our fiscal and monetary policies should be promotional, rather than restrictive. These policies and laws should contribute to the increase in production and employment generation," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20677', 'image' => '20240512010213_1d5f1113.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:01:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20947', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Icefall Doctors Scale Mt Everest, Opening the way for Other Aspiring Climbers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">With the fixing of the ropes, the expedition to Mt Everest has formally opened this year, Khimlal Gautam, chief of the Field Office of the Department of Tourism, told the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to Gautam, the rope fixing team reached the top of Mt Everest at 8:15 pm on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"Now, the route to Mt Everest is open for this season. Other climbers will scale Mt Everest following the successful summit of the peak by the Sherpa members," Gautam said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the members of the rope fixing team include Dendi Sherpa, Tenzing Gyalzen Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Rinze Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Suk Bahadur Tamang, Namgyal Dorjee Tamang and Lakpa Rinze Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, AFP also confirmed that the icefall doctors climbed Mt Everest citing Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, which led the team.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"A good weather window has been predicted until May 14, it is possible we will see over a hundred summits by then," AFP quoted Gautam as saying.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has issued 414 permits to mountaineers for this year's spring climbing season, which runs from April to early June.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Most Everest hopefuls are each escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 800 climbers will tread the same path to the top of the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak in the coming weeks, the French news agency further reported, adding, “This year, China reopened the Tibetan route to foreigners for the first time since it closed in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm. Last year, over 600 climbers made it to the peak of the highest mountain in the world. It also became the deadliest season on the mountain with 18 deaths, added AFP.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">“A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent in 1953.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20675', 'image' => '20240512115445_bafac36f.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:13:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20948', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Heavy Rainfall likely in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, the weather of the country is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, while it is mostly clear in the rest of the country. Some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini are experiencing light to moderate rain with thunder, storm and lightning as of Sunday morning. This is due to the effect of the westerly and local winds as well as the low pressure system formed around Bihar in India, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The weather will remain partly to generally cloudy across the country in the afternoon, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lateer tonight, the weather will remain partly to general cloudy across the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as at one or two places of the remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with lightning in some parts of the country, according to the weather bulletin issued by the department on Sunday morning. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20674', 'image' => '20240512114546_rsain.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:43:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20946', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'East-West Railway's 90% Work Completed in Sarlahi Section ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 12: The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Engineer Bhuwaneshwor Yadav, the project's information officer, reported that 90% construction work was accomplished within six years of the project's contract. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Sarlahi section spans 30 kilometers from Banke stream in the east to Bagmati River in the west, with the remaining track opening currently in progress.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Work to open track was stalled in some places after the Sagarmatha Forest Project and the Murtiya Forest Office did not clear trees reasoning that some farmers of Hariban municipality-5 refused to receive compensation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The progress of this section is therefore zilch. Engineer Yadav mentioned that the construction is snail-paced in recent period. According to Project Office, Lalbandi, the construction company is still to get payment for completed work. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20673', 'image' => '20240512065711_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 06:53:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20943', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU to Help Nepal bring Investment ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo informed that the 'EU-Nepal Trade Forum' is taking place in Kathmandu next week to bring European investment to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In her address to a reception organised on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the European Union, Ambassador Lorenzo said that the second meeting of the forum would be held in Kathmandu on May 15-16 to address Nepal's foreign investment deficit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said companies from EU countries would participate in the meeting to discuss the potential areas of investment in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU Ambassador further said Nepal was moving ahead with the goal of upgrading from the list of least developed countries in 2026 and it was necessary to create economic development and employment opportunities for the same. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20671', 'image' => '20240510015610_Veronique_Lorenzo_EU3_sunilsharma_005.width-1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:55:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20944', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Arrested with Rs 9.8 Million from Durbar Marg', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 10: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> The arrested are Samir Sunar, 28, and Milan BK, 29, of Siyari rural municipality-7 in Rupandehi, said Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Senior Superintendent of Police Sanuram Bhattarai. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">At a news conference organised today, Bhattarai shared that both of them were arrested from Durbar Marg on Thursday. "As per our preliminary investigation, they were also found involved in Hundi (money transfer through unofficial channel) and gold smuggling," he mentioned. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Police also impounded a car (Ba 13 Cha 4858) from them. Earlier, a warrant notice was issued against Milan BK on September 27, 2023 on the charge of his involvement in smuggling of 11.5 kg gold in Dolakha and had been absconding since then.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the preliminary investigation, both of them were found involved in criminal activities for two years, added police. Samir and Milan would be sent at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, for further investigation. (RSS) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20670', 'image' => '20240510042258_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 16:21:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20942', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Air India Cancels 74 Budget Flights after Sick Leave Strike ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air India Express said in a statement that it had made "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests" but had been forced to cancel 74 flights on Thursday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">More than 90 other flights had been "disrupted" since Tuesday by the resulting staff shortages, the airline said in a separate statement on Wednesday, without clarifying whether they had been delayed or cancelled. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief executive Aloke Singh said Wednesday that the airline had been forced to curtail its flight schedules over the coming days. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Since last evening, over 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty, at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations," Singh said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports said the budget carrier had sacked at least 20 staff. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An Air India Express spokesperson said Thursday that the airline had taken "appropriate steps against certain individuals", but did not provide further details. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," the spokesperson said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Delhi airport saw chaotic scenes on Wednesday as agitated passengers waited for updates on delayed and cancelled flights, according to Indian media reports. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20669', 'image' => '20240510015005_air-india-express-air-asia.jpg_18a606261ac_large.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:49:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20941', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Push for Development ‘Threatens’ Nepal's Nature Conservation Efforts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a news report published by AFP, a fifth of Nepal’s total lands have been designated as protected areas established to forbid infrastructure projects that could damage the environment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has been praised worldwide for combating poachers and conserving wildlife, allowing it to bring several animal species back from the brink of local extinction, the report added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the government enacted an ordinance last month allowing it to approve infrastructure projects in national parks, forests and other conservation areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The number of endangered tigers and one-horned rhinos in the country have thrived because of these protected areas as they found a favourable environment," Rampreet Yadav, a wildlife conservationist, told AFP.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This decision allowing construction of infrastructure will surely impact their habitat."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Yadav, who is also the former chief conservation officer of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's most important conservation area, said the decision was driven by the "vested interests of political leaders".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We will have nothing to show and give our next generation," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal's protected habitat laws have seen the country triple the local tiger population to 355 since 2010, while the number of one-horned rhinoceros also rose to 752 in 2021 from around a hundred in the 1960s, AFP reported, adding, “It also nearly doubled its forest cover between 1992 and 2016 after rampant logging.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has shown a strong commitment to enhancing its hydropower industry following a significant surge in dam construction since the beginning of the century, resulting in an installed capacity exceeding 3,300 megawatts. In January, Nepal inked a deal with India to export 10,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity over the next decade, to meet the energy demands of its power-hungry neighbor. In addition, Bangladesh is also keen to purchase clean energy from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, tourism is also a major source of income for Nepal, which saw a million foreign visitors last year after a post-pandemic bounceback, and investments are being made in hotels and airports to cater to the needs of the travellers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Environment ministry spokesperson Badri Raj Dhungana told AFP that the new regulations had been introduced to bring a balance between environmental protection and development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"They will not be constructed in very sensitive areas. We will need a work plan with proper mapping," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But according to AFP, Padma Bahadur Shrestha, a lawyer specialising in litigation aimed at nature protection, said the decision showed the government was set on casting aside environmental concerns in its rush for development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"It wants to destroy Nepal's biodiversity to make new infrastructure," AFP quoted Shrestha as saying.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20668', 'image' => '20240510014326_20220613011426_khaptad.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20937', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Court Issues Arrest Warrants against 20 People in Bal Mandir Land Embezzlement Case', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court issued the arrest warrant on Thursday upon the request of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police, which is investigating the matter.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidya is the elder sister of Nepali Congress leader Prakashman Singh. She was the president of the children's organization from 2047 BS to 2077 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidhya, along with other officials of the child welfare organization have been accused of leasing the land of Bal Mandir to Vishal Group, a commercial organisation, in a way that would cause loss to the organization. Vishal Group is running a school named Brihaspati Vidya Sadan on that land of Bal Mandir. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court has also issued arrest warrants against the school's principal, board members and shareholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">CIB Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Hobindra Bogti confirmed that the district court has issued arrest warrants to investigate alleged irregularities carried out by the accused including Baidhya, who was the president of the children's organization for about 27 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"An investigation has been started against the accused on charges of fraud after a complaint was registered," SP Bogti told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The children's organization filed a complaint with the CIB on April 26 alleging that the contract with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan was illegal and demanded action against those involved. SP Bogti said that the CIB has started an investigation based on the same complaint.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Bal Mandir’s President Bidya Neupane accused the ex-officials of the welfare organisation of signing an agreement with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan to lease the land at a low price of Rs 900,000 per month effective until 2132 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Neupane accused that the ex-officials of Bal Mandir made financial gains in collusion with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan and business houses when they leased 29 ropanis and 5 annas of land owned by the children's organization.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">She said that the board meeting of the children's organization held on April 26 also decided to cancel the dubious contract.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the agreement with Bal Mandir and acquired the land and again gave it to Rai School on 'sub-lease'. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the officers involved in the investigation, Nepal Children's Organization and Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the lease agreement on 2049 BS and then decided to set new rates in 2053 BS, 2058 BS, 2059 BS and 2072 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In 2072 BS, the then president of Bal Mandir Rita Singh Baidhya was found to have signed a new agreement to extend the lease with the old agreement still in force. Neupane, the incumbent president of Bal Mandir, said that 17 years were still left in the old agreement when the new agreement was signed to extend the lease for another 43 years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"It seems that an agreement has been reached for 79 years until 2132 BS," Neupane told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The current leadership of Bal Mandir has alleged that Rita Singh, the then president of Nepal Children's Organization, and Purushottam Raj Joshi of Brihaspati Vidya Sadan, entered into a supplementary agreement in 2072 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had provided 119 ropanis of land to Bal Mandir in 2021 BS after acquiring 'Sita Bhavan' in Naxal from the queen of then Rana Prime Minister Bhim Shumsher.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20666', 'image' => '20240510113427_14bf2240.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 11:33:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20939', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Preparing to bring Transformational Budget: Finance Minister Pun ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing a pre-budget discussion programme organised by the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Thursday, Finance Minister Pun said the government shall lift up the confidence of the private sector and adopt reformative and transformative policies in some sectors to improve the slowdown seen in the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the government received suggestions to adopt interventionist policies in order to improve the economy, but the government will not go to extremes.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Some areas are in need of transformation and not just reform," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the finance minister, the government is committed to protecting the investment, trade, business, and property of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is committed to synchronization between the fiscal policy and the monetary policy," Finance Minister Pun said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also maintained that a change in the tax rate to be made through the next fiscal year's budget would be done by justifying its need and appropriateness. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We will not make changes to the tax rate under anyone's influence. The Economic Bill will have three columns specifying the reasons and justification for the change in the tax rate. We will clarify the reasons for the change in the tax rate,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Pun also pledged to increase the government’s capital expenditure.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Although a double digit economic growth is not possible, we are hopeful of achieving an economic growth of 7.5 per cent," the Finance Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal opined that the overall economy is in problem due to the slump in both market demand and supply. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He claimed that the government has given a message of creating investment-friendly environment by changing the laws in a short time through ordinance. The FNCCI president suggested that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year should keep the demands and suggestions of the private sector in priority. He suggested to the government to also maintain uniformity and harmony between the budget and the monetary policy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dhakal also suggested announcing the Investment Decade through the upcoming fiscal year's budget and to provide concessions to the industries creating a large number of jobs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the tax imposed on the merger and acquisition of banks and financial institutions has sent out a wrong message. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, highlighted concerns regarding the national capital's development. He pointed out the challenge posed by the current negative growth rate in the production and construction sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He mentioned that the number of blacklisted entrepreneurs is increasing due to their failure to pay back the loan of the banks and financial institutions. He added that the economic slowdown resulted from the tight finances and monetary policy brought by the government after COVID-19. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, said the private sector is focusing its attention on how to protect their investment rather than increasing investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A point of view of looking at the private sector should be changed. National capital building is decreasing due to our contradictory policy," he said, pointing out the need of bringing budget with a focus on investment in infrastructure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He suggested that there was necessary of quality measuring and labeling of imported goods, and imposing two-level customs tax on raw materials and produced goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, President of Nepal Bankers' Association, Sunil KC, shared that the banking sector is currently in a difficult situation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The banking sector has accumulated an investable amount of Rs 500 billion. But the loan investment will not increase until the morale of private sector is boosted. It is necessary to increase financial access of small and middle-scale enterprises rather than providing concession," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal, Ganesh Karki stressed the effective implementation of the budget. He suggested taking the private sector on board in the electricity transmission line and power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions, Nepal (CBFIN) president Upendra Paudel suggested bringing foreign investment in the banking sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar of Kathmandu University and economist Achyut Wagle said although all sides know about the status of the economy, they have not been able to carry out works towards resolving the economic issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the Nepal Automobiles Association Nepal, Karan Chaudhary, said the automobiles sector is facing problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He explained, "Make in Nepal policy has not become effective, the state has not put the auto sector in priority saying it is unproductive sector." -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20665', 'image' => '20240510123143_bdcddd0c.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:30:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20936', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rainfall Predicted in Hill Regions Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology informed that the influence of westerly winds, local wind patterns, and a low-pressure system formed in and around Bihar, India, has been affecting the country's weather.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The forecast predicts partly to generally cloudy skies in the hill regions of the country, including the Koshi and Lumbini provinces, with light rain likely in some areas, accompanied by thunder and lightning, particularly in the Koshi and Bagmati provinces this afternoon. There's also a possibility of light snowfall in some high hill and mountainous regions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Tonight, the weather in the hill regions, including Koshi Province, is expected to be partly to generally cloudy, with chances of light to moderate rainfall followed by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds in one or two places in the rest of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Over the next 24 hours, the department anticipates light rain with thunder and lightning in various parts of the hill regions, including the Koshi and Bagmati provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Considering the potential impact of light snowfall on daily life, including agriculture, health, tourism, mountaineering, and transportation in these regions, the department has advised people to remain alert.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20664', 'image' => '20240510103440_snowwwwwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:33:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20938', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI President Dhakal Receives Corporate Excellence Award', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">President Ram Chandra Poudel presented the award to Dhakal during a special event in the capital on Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association commended Dhakal for his significant contributions to the country's economy, physical and human development, job creation, and social and economic progress.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Starting from his upbringing in rural western Nepal, Dhakal has established a successful presence in sectors such as banking, investment, tourism, hydroelectricity, insurance, and social services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association acknowledged Dhakal's dedication, commitment, competence, and capacity, which have been recognized through this award.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the appreciation letter, it was stated, "Your achievements in fostering the nation's economy, development, and employment across various sectors underscore your dedication and competence. This award is a testament to your dedication."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dhakal mentioned that the honor has inspired him to embrace further responsibilities in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20663', 'image' => '20240510120354_IMG-20240509-WA0008.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:03:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20935', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Session of Federal Parliament to Commence Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The budget session is all set to begin after President Ram Chandra Paudel on May 2 summoned the joint session of the federal parliament in accordance with the Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The federal parliament secretariat has already issued a notice requesting all members of the parliament for their presence in the session called for 2.00 pm today at New-Baneswor based International Conference Centre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the constitutional provision, an estimated details of income and expenditure (budget) for the upcoming year has to be presented in the parliament on May 28 (Jestha 15). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, the president will read out the government's annual policies and programmes in the joint sitting of both the Houses. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to run the session effectively, Speaker Devraj Ghimire held discussions with top leaders of major political parties represented in the parliament. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20662', 'image' => '20240510100245_budgetttttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Leaders of the major political parties have continued internal and informal dialogues to clear the obstruction of the federal parliament meetings. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the very first day of budget session of federal parliaments on Friday, the main opposition party Nepali Congress stalled the parliament, posing a demand of parliamentary probe commission on embezzlement in cooperatives. It resulted in both parliaments' failure to proceed with scheduled business. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In this connection, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is learnt to have talked to leaders including CPN UML on how consensus could be built for smooth running of the parliament. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the Nepali Congress held a meeting of the office bearers on Saturday. Accusing the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane of his involvement in embezzlement of cooperatives fund, the NC has insisted on formation of a parliamentary probe committee on it. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre) Hitraj Pande informed that no agreement was made so far on clearing the parliamentary obstruction, but the government was devoted to find out solution at any cost. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, Chief Whip of CPN UML Mahesh Bartaula also hoped the talk among the top leaders would pave a way for removal of house obstruction. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Both the meetings of the Upper and Lower Houses are slated for May 14. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20679', 'image' => '20240512010123_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:00:18', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20950', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Approves Resignation of Economic Expert Advisor Nepal', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the resignation of economic expert advisor Dr Chiranjeevi Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Issuing a press statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the Office of the President, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai mentioned that the president has accepted the resignation tendered by his economic expert advisor Nepal, who is a former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President Paudel thanked Nepal for his service during his tenure. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Former Governor Nepal courted controversy recently over his remarks on the government’s recent decision to include the new map of Nepal in the hundred-rupee notes of Nepali currency.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20678', 'image' => '20240512121426_20181217013338_Send (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 12:13:50', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20952', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Committed to Facilitate and Secure Investment: PM Dahal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Inaugurating the Hyundai Motor Assembling Plant of Laxmi Motor Corporation in Nawalparasi on Friday, PM Dahal stated that the country would be taken ahead on the journey of prosperity through economic development. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said the economy would be strengthened by taking the private sector into confidence, asserting that the government is committed to facilitate investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The country's economy cannot be made robust without the investment of the private sector and the collaboration between the state and the private sector. The productivity cannot be increased and employment opportunities also cannot be created without this," PM Dahal said, adding that the government is always in support of creating a climate conducive to investment, promoting the private sector and security and facilitation in the investment areas. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing the belief that the domestic and foreign investors would be attracted more towards the industry-friendly environment in Nepal with the operation of this new assembling plant, he said it would also help in import be substitution and creating jobs for hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled labourers along with the country’s industrialization. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The prime minister said that the establishment of the plant would facilitate consumers to buy vehicles at a relatively less price and it would contribute positively to the consumption of domestic resource and electricity. He added that the establishment of the vehicle assembling plant is a testimony of partnership in the local development and on the GDP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Our fiscal and monetary policies should be promotional, rather than restrictive. These policies and laws should contribute to the increase in production and employment generation," he said. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20677', 'image' => '20240512010213_1d5f1113.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 13:01:43', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20947', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Icefall Doctors Scale Mt Everest, Opening the way for Other Aspiring Climbers ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Ten Sherpa climbers known as ‘icefall doctors’ for their role in fixing ropes for the expedition teams reached atop the world's highest peak Mt Everest late Friday, opening the route for other climbers. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">With the fixing of the ropes, the expedition to Mt Everest has formally opened this year, Khimlal Gautam, chief of the Field Office of the Department of Tourism, told the state-owned RSS. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to Gautam, the rope fixing team reached the top of Mt Everest at 8:15 pm on Friday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"Now, the route to Mt Everest is open for this season. Other climbers will scale Mt Everest following the successful summit of the peak by the Sherpa members," Gautam said. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">According to RSS, the members of the rope fixing team include Dendi Sherpa, Tenzing Gyalzen Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Rinze Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Suk Bahadur Tamang, Namgyal Dorjee Tamang and Lakpa Rinze Sherpa. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, AFP also confirmed that the icefall doctors climbed Mt Everest citing Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, which led the team.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"A good weather window has been predicted until May 14, it is possible we will see over a hundred summits by then," AFP quoted Gautam as saying.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal has issued 414 permits to mountaineers for this year's spring climbing season, which runs from April to early June.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Most Everest hopefuls are each escorted by a Nepali guide, meaning more than 800 climbers will tread the same path to the top of the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak in the coming weeks, the French news agency further reported, adding, “This year, China reopened the Tibetan route to foreigners for the first time since it closed in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm. Last year, over 600 climbers made it to the peak of the highest mountain in the world. It also became the deadliest season on the mountain with 18 deaths, added AFP.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">“A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent in 1953.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20675', 'image' => '20240512115445_bafac36f.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:13:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20948', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Heavy Rainfall likely in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted heavy rainfall in some places of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces on Sunday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the department, the weather of the country is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces, while it is mostly clear in the rest of the country. Some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini are experiencing light to moderate rain with thunder, storm and lightning as of Sunday morning. This is due to the effect of the westerly and local winds as well as the low pressure system formed around Bihar in India, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The weather will remain partly to generally cloudy across the country in the afternoon, with light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in some parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Lateer tonight, the weather will remain partly to general cloudy across the country. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as at one or two places of the remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain with lightning in some parts of the country, according to the weather bulletin issued by the department on Sunday morning. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20674', 'image' => '20240512114546_rsain.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 11:43:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20946', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'East-West Railway's 90% Work Completed in Sarlahi Section ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">May 12: The East-West Electric Railway project in Sarlahi district has seen construction of 90 percent of construction completed in the area. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Engineer Bhuwaneshwor Yadav, the project's information officer, reported that 90% construction work was accomplished within six years of the project's contract. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Sarlahi section spans 30 kilometers from Banke stream in the east to Bagmati River in the west, with the remaining track opening currently in progress.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Work to open track was stalled in some places after the Sagarmatha Forest Project and the Murtiya Forest Office did not clear trees reasoning that some farmers of Hariban municipality-5 refused to receive compensation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The progress of this section is therefore zilch. Engineer Yadav mentioned that the construction is snail-paced in recent period. According to Project Office, Lalbandi, the construction company is still to get payment for completed work. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-12', 'modified' => '2024-05-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20673', 'image' => '20240512065711_collage.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-12 06:53:49', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20943', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EU to Help Nepal bring Investment ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The European Union (EU) has pledged to help Nepal bring in investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo informed that the 'EU-Nepal Trade Forum' is taking place in Kathmandu next week to bring European investment to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In her address to a reception organised on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the European Union, Ambassador Lorenzo said that the second meeting of the forum would be held in Kathmandu on May 15-16 to address Nepal's foreign investment deficit. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">She said companies from EU countries would participate in the meeting to discuss the potential areas of investment in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EU Ambassador further said Nepal was moving ahead with the goal of upgrading from the list of least developed countries in 2026 and it was necessary to create economic development and employment opportunities for the same. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20671', 'image' => '20240510015610_Veronique_Lorenzo_EU3_sunilsharma_005.width-1024.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:55:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20944', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Two Arrested with Rs 9.8 Million from Durbar Marg', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 10: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested two persons along with Rs 9.8 million cash with undisclosed source.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"> The arrested are Samir Sunar, 28, and Milan BK, 29, of Siyari rural municipality-7 in Rupandehi, said Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Senior Superintendent of Police Sanuram Bhattarai. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">At a news conference organised today, Bhattarai shared that both of them were arrested from Durbar Marg on Thursday. "As per our preliminary investigation, they were also found involved in Hundi (money transfer through unofficial channel) and gold smuggling," he mentioned. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Police also impounded a car (Ba 13 Cha 4858) from them. Earlier, a warrant notice was issued against Milan BK on September 27, 2023 on the charge of his involvement in smuggling of 11.5 kg gold in Dolakha and had been absconding since then.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the preliminary investigation, both of them were found involved in criminal activities for two years, added police. Samir and Milan would be sent at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, for further investigation. (RSS) </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20670', 'image' => '20240510042258_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 16:21:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20942', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Air India Cancels 74 Budget Flights after Sick Leave Strike ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Mumbai: Air India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 74 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air India Express said in a statement that it had made "every possible effort to minimise the inconvenience caused to our guests" but had been forced to cancel 74 flights on Thursday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">More than 90 other flights had been "disrupted" since Tuesday by the resulting staff shortages, the airline said in a separate statement on Wednesday, without clarifying whether they had been delayed or cancelled. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Chief executive Aloke Singh said Wednesday that the airline had been forced to curtail its flight schedules over the coming days. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Since last evening, over 100 of our cabin crew colleagues have reported sick prior to their rostered flight duty, at the last minute, severely disrupting our operations," Singh said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty." </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Media reports said the budget carrier had sacked at least 20 staff. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">An Air India Express spokesperson said Thursday that the airline had taken "appropriate steps against certain individuals", but did not provide further details. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are taking appropriate steps against certain individuals as their actions have caused grave inconvenience to thousands of our guests," the spokesperson said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">New Delhi airport saw chaotic scenes on Wednesday as agitated passengers waited for updates on delayed and cancelled flights, according to Indian media reports. – AFP/RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20669', 'image' => '20240510015005_air-india-express-air-asia.jpg_18a606261ac_large.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:49:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20941', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Push for Development ‘Threatens’ Nepal's Nature Conservation Efforts', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Conservationists have condemned new regulations allowing operation of hydropower projects and hotels in protected areas, arguing they threatened to damage the habitats of tigers and other endangered animals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to a news report published by AFP, a fifth of Nepal’s total lands have been designated as protected areas established to forbid infrastructure projects that could damage the environment.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has been praised worldwide for combating poachers and conserving wildlife, allowing it to bring several animal species back from the brink of local extinction, the report added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, the government enacted an ordinance last month allowing it to approve infrastructure projects in national parks, forests and other conservation areas.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The number of endangered tigers and one-horned rhinos in the country have thrived because of these protected areas as they found a favourable environment," Rampreet Yadav, a wildlife conservationist, told AFP.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"This decision allowing construction of infrastructure will surely impact their habitat."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Yadav, who is also the former chief conservation officer of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's most important conservation area, said the decision was driven by the "vested interests of political leaders".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We will have nothing to show and give our next generation," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal's protected habitat laws have seen the country triple the local tiger population to 355 since 2010, while the number of one-horned rhinoceros also rose to 752 in 2021 from around a hundred in the 1960s, AFP reported, adding, “It also nearly doubled its forest cover between 1992 and 2016 after rampant logging.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal has shown a strong commitment to enhancing its hydropower industry following a significant surge in dam construction since the beginning of the century, resulting in an installed capacity exceeding 3,300 megawatts. In January, Nepal inked a deal with India to export 10,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity over the next decade, to meet the energy demands of its power-hungry neighbor. In addition, Bangladesh is also keen to purchase clean energy from Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, tourism is also a major source of income for Nepal, which saw a million foreign visitors last year after a post-pandemic bounceback, and investments are being made in hotels and airports to cater to the needs of the travellers.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Environment ministry spokesperson Badri Raj Dhungana told AFP that the new regulations had been introduced to bring a balance between environmental protection and development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"They will not be constructed in very sensitive areas. We will need a work plan with proper mapping," he said.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But according to AFP, Padma Bahadur Shrestha, a lawyer specialising in litigation aimed at nature protection, said the decision showed the government was set on casting aside environmental concerns in its rush for development.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"It wants to destroy Nepal's biodiversity to make new infrastructure," AFP quoted Shrestha as saying.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20668', 'image' => '20240510014326_20220613011426_khaptad.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 13:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20937', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Court Issues Arrest Warrants against 20 People in Bal Mandir Land Embezzlement Case', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: The Kathmandu District Court has issued arrest warrants against 20 individuals, including the then president of Nepal Children’s Organization (Bal Mandir) Rita Singh Baidya, on the charge of causing financial loss to the charitable organization by illegally leasing its land in Naxal, Kathmandu for 79 years at a throw-away price.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court issued the arrest warrant on Thursday upon the request of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police, which is investigating the matter.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidya is the elder sister of Nepali Congress leader Prakashman Singh. She was the president of the children's organization from 2047 BS to 2077 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Baidhya, along with other officials of the child welfare organization have been accused of leasing the land of Bal Mandir to Vishal Group, a commercial organisation, in a way that would cause loss to the organization. Vishal Group is running a school named Brihaspati Vidya Sadan on that land of Bal Mandir. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The court has also issued arrest warrants against the school's principal, board members and shareholders.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">CIB Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Hobindra Bogti confirmed that the district court has issued arrest warrants to investigate alleged irregularities carried out by the accused including Baidhya, who was the president of the children's organization for about 27 years.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"An investigation has been started against the accused on charges of fraud after a complaint was registered," SP Bogti told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The children's organization filed a complaint with the CIB on April 26 alleging that the contract with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan was illegal and demanded action against those involved. SP Bogti said that the CIB has started an investigation based on the same complaint.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Bal Mandir’s President Bidya Neupane accused the ex-officials of the welfare organisation of signing an agreement with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan to lease the land at a low price of Rs 900,000 per month effective until 2132 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Neupane accused that the ex-officials of Bal Mandir made financial gains in collusion with Brihaspati Vidya Sadan and business houses when they leased 29 ropanis and 5 annas of land owned by the children's organization.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">She said that the board meeting of the children's organization held on April 26 also decided to cancel the dubious contract.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the agreement with Bal Mandir and acquired the land and again gave it to Rai School on 'sub-lease'. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">According to the officers involved in the investigation, Nepal Children's Organization and Brihaspati Vidya Sadan signed the lease agreement on 2049 BS and then decided to set new rates in 2053 BS, 2058 BS, 2059 BS and 2072 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">In 2072 BS, the then president of Bal Mandir Rita Singh Baidhya was found to have signed a new agreement to extend the lease with the old agreement still in force. Neupane, the incumbent president of Bal Mandir, said that 17 years were still left in the old agreement when the new agreement was signed to extend the lease for another 43 years. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">"It seems that an agreement has been reached for 79 years until 2132 BS," Neupane told New Business Age.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The current leadership of Bal Mandir has alleged that Rita Singh, the then president of Nepal Children's Organization, and Purushottam Raj Joshi of Brihaspati Vidya Sadan, entered into a supplementary agreement in 2072 BS. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Nirmala UI","sans-serif"">The Government of Nepal had provided 119 ropanis of land to Bal Mandir in 2021 BS after acquiring 'Sita Bhavan' in Naxal from the queen of then Rana Prime Minister Bhim Shumsher.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20666', 'image' => '20240510113427_14bf2240.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 11:33:29', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20939', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government is Preparing to bring Transformational Budget: Finance Minister Pun ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said that the government is preparing to include reformative and transformative plans and programmes in the upcoming fiscal year's the budget rather than adopting strict policies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Addressing a pre-budget discussion programme organised by the Society of Economic Journalists-Nepal (SEJON) on Thursday, Finance Minister Pun said the government shall lift up the confidence of the private sector and adopt reformative and transformative policies in some sectors to improve the slowdown seen in the economy at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He said that the government received suggestions to adopt interventionist policies in order to improve the economy, but the government will not go to extremes.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Some areas are in need of transformation and not just reform," he added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the finance minister, the government is committed to protecting the investment, trade, business, and property of the private sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government is committed to synchronization between the fiscal policy and the monetary policy," Finance Minister Pun said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He also maintained that a change in the tax rate to be made through the next fiscal year's budget would be done by justifying its need and appropriateness. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"We will not make changes to the tax rate under anyone's influence. The Economic Bill will have three columns specifying the reasons and justification for the change in the tax rate. We will clarify the reasons for the change in the tax rate,” he added.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Finance Minister Pun also pledged to increase the government’s capital expenditure.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Although a double digit economic growth is not possible, we are hopeful of achieving an economic growth of 7.5 per cent," the Finance Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal opined that the overall economy is in problem due to the slump in both market demand and supply. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He claimed that the government has given a message of creating investment-friendly environment by changing the laws in a short time through ordinance. The FNCCI president suggested that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year should keep the demands and suggestions of the private sector in priority. He suggested to the government to also maintain uniformity and harmony between the budget and the monetary policy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dhakal also suggested announcing the Investment Decade through the upcoming fiscal year's budget and to provide concessions to the industries creating a large number of jobs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, the tax imposed on the merger and acquisition of banks and financial institutions has sent out a wrong message. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, highlighted concerns regarding the national capital's development. He pointed out the challenge posed by the current negative growth rate in the production and construction sectors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He mentioned that the number of blacklisted entrepreneurs is increasing due to their failure to pay back the loan of the banks and financial institutions. He added that the economic slowdown resulted from the tight finances and monetary policy brought by the government after COVID-19. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, said the private sector is focusing its attention on how to protect their investment rather than increasing investment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A point of view of looking at the private sector should be changed. National capital building is decreasing due to our contradictory policy," he said, pointing out the need of bringing budget with a focus on investment in infrastructure. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He suggested that there was necessary of quality measuring and labeling of imported goods, and imposing two-level customs tax on raw materials and produced goods. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meanwhile, President of Nepal Bankers' Association, Sunil KC, shared that the banking sector is currently in a difficult situation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The banking sector has accumulated an investable amount of Rs 500 billion. But the loan investment will not increase until the morale of private sector is boosted. It is necessary to increase financial access of small and middle-scale enterprises rather than providing concession," he underscored. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, President of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal, Ganesh Karki stressed the effective implementation of the budget. He suggested taking the private sector on board in the electricity transmission line and power trade. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions, Nepal (CBFIN) president Upendra Paudel suggested bringing foreign investment in the banking sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Registrar of Kathmandu University and economist Achyut Wagle said although all sides know about the status of the economy, they have not been able to carry out works towards resolving the economic issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">President of the Nepal Automobiles Association Nepal, Karan Chaudhary, said the automobiles sector is facing problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">He explained, "Make in Nepal policy has not become effective, the state has not put the auto sector in priority saying it is unproductive sector." -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20665', 'image' => '20240510123143_bdcddd0c.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:30:57', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20936', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Rainfall Predicted in Hill Regions Today', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Light rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and winds is occurring in certain areas of the Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, with partial to general changes in weather conditions across the country. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology informed that the influence of westerly winds, local wind patterns, and a low-pressure system formed in and around Bihar, India, has been affecting the country's weather.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The forecast predicts partly to generally cloudy skies in the hill regions of the country, including the Koshi and Lumbini provinces, with light rain likely in some areas, accompanied by thunder and lightning, particularly in the Koshi and Bagmati provinces this afternoon. There's also a possibility of light snowfall in some high hill and mountainous regions.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Tonight, the weather in the hill regions, including Koshi Province, is expected to be partly to generally cloudy, with chances of light to moderate rainfall followed by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds in one or two places in the rest of the country.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Over the next 24 hours, the department anticipates light rain with thunder and lightning in various parts of the hill regions, including the Koshi and Bagmati provinces.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Considering the potential impact of light snowfall on daily life, including agriculture, health, tourism, mountaineering, and transportation in these regions, the department has advised people to remain alert.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20664', 'image' => '20240510103440_snowwwwwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:33:44', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20938', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI President Dhakal Receives Corporate Excellence Award', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has been honored with the Corporate Excellence Award by the Association of Chartered Accountants of Nepal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">President Ram Chandra Poudel presented the award to Dhakal during a special event in the capital on Thursday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association commended Dhakal for his significant contributions to the country's economy, physical and human development, job creation, and social and economic progress.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Starting from his upbringing in rural western Nepal, Dhakal has established a successful presence in sectors such as banking, investment, tourism, hydroelectricity, insurance, and social services.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Association acknowledged Dhakal's dedication, commitment, competence, and capacity, which have been recognized through this award.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the appreciation letter, it was stated, "Your achievements in fostering the nation's economy, development, and employment across various sectors underscore your dedication and competence. This award is a testament to your dedication."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dhakal mentioned that the honor has inspired him to embrace further responsibilities in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20663', 'image' => '20240510120354_IMG-20240509-WA0008.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 12:03:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '20935', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Session of Federal Parliament to Commence Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">May 10: The budget session of the House of Representatives and National Assembly under the federal parliament is scheduled to take place from today (May 10) onwards. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The budget session is all set to begin after President Ram Chandra Paudel on May 2 summoned the joint session of the federal parliament in accordance with the Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The federal parliament secretariat has already issued a notice requesting all members of the parliament for their presence in the session called for 2.00 pm today at New-Baneswor based International Conference Centre. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the constitutional provision, an estimated details of income and expenditure (budget) for the upcoming year has to be presented in the parliament on May 28 (Jestha 15). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Prior to this, the president will read out the government's annual policies and programmes in the joint sitting of both the Houses. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In order to run the session effectively, Speaker Devraj Ghimire held discussions with top leaders of major political parties represented in the parliament. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-05-10', 'modified' => '2024-05-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20662', 'image' => '20240510100245_budgetttttt.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-05-10 10:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, '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
