KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council…
KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council…
The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali…
With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has…
KATHMANDU: Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu…
KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra…
KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College,…
KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from…
…
The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new…
Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024.…
KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of…
After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on…
BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj…
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken…
JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year…
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), (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' => '21652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Representative Elected UN ECOSOC Vice-President', 'sub_title' => 'Nepal to lead the Asia-Pacific states next year', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lok Bahadur Thapa, chief of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, will represent Nepal in the 54-member ECOSOC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal will be the chair of the Asia-Pacific states next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Election of Nepal's representative to the post of vice-president of the ECOSOC, one of the six main organs of the United Nations, is a matter of pride for the nation, said former Ambassador Sundarnath Bhattarai. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The ECOSOC is the platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve socio-economic progress including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The 54-member Council also elected two other vice-presidents: Krzysztof Szczerski of Poland for Eastern European states and Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica for Latin America and Caribbean states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A vice-president from the African States regional group will be elected at a later date.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Thapa pledged to work closely with all the member states in achieving the SDGs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, Nepal was elected a member of the ECOSOC with the highest number of votes from the Asia Pacific region for a three-year term of 2024-2026. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21377', 'image' => '20240726025352_ecosoc_2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:53:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines in Nepali Market on Friday', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold was traded at Rs 145,000 per tola on Thursday, but it is being traded at Rs 144,700 per tola on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, worked gold was traded at Rs 144,300 per tola on Thursday, but on Friday the price of standard gold is set at Rs 144,000 per tola.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the price of silver has decreased by Rs 20 per tola. The price of silver, which was traded at Rs 1,750 per tola on Thursday, has been fixed at Rs 1,730 per tola Friday.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21376', 'image' => '20240726023810_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:37:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21648', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Surge in Investor Interest: Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Records Highest FPO Applications', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged, as demonstrated by Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited's (SWMF) recent Further Public Offering (FPO). This marks a significant rebound following the Securities Board of Nepal's resumption of public issuance approvals after a lengthy pause.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the CDS and Clearing Limited, the state-owned central depository and clearing organization, Suryodaya Womi’s FPO has attracted an impressive 1.659 million applications. This is a notable increase compared to earlier this year, when over 960,000 applications were submitted for the initial public offering (IPO) of Sarbottam Cement Limited (SARBTM).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Last year, the board approved FPOs for three companies and IPOs for six companies. Comparing the application data, it is clear that investors are particularly attracted to Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta's FPO. The CDSC reports that over 1.659 million investors have applied for shares of Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta, seeking more than 23.86 million shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">As of Wednesday, Suryodaya Womi's share price per unit on the Nepal Stock Exchange stood at Rs 1,062.10. Share registrar Kumari Capital Limited said that investors are more excited because the company issued additional shares at Rs 100 per share. Pushpa Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Kumari Capital, stated that when the shares sold by the company through FPO are listed on the secondary market, they are bought and sold at a fixed price, which has increased investor attraction.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Suryodaya Womi has successfully sold 46,729 shares through the FPO. The public issue approval process, which had been stalled since January 4, resumed in mid-May, leading to a surge in investor interest. The FPO’s pricing, aligned with the IPO price, and the initial trading price set according to market conditions, have contributed to the increased attraction of Suryodaya Womi’s shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21374', 'image' => '20240726104307_IPOvsFPO.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:42:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '150 Containers from China Stranded at Rasuwagadhi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway. The main route to Rasuwagadhi is blocked for large vehicles after a gabion wall, constructed last year with significant state investment, collapsed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Bednidhi Khanal announced on Thursday that the transportation of large vehicles has been prohibited until further notice. Only light vehicles are permitted on the affected road.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Local residents have expressed concerns that the road damage resulted from the gabion wall's lack of reinforcement. The collapse of the wall has also heightened the risk for nearby settlements.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The District Disaster Management Committee revealed that the authorities had ignored numerous requests made a month ago to protect the road from such damage. The situation has led to a halt in the transportation of 150 containers, containing various materials imported from China, at Rasuwagadhi. These goods, destined for Kathmandu, are currently stranded due to the roadblock.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Importers are urging for immediate repairs to reopen this crucial international trade route. Locals have suggested enhancing rural roads as alternative routes to ensure continued traffic flow and minimize disruption.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Subodh Devkota, Divisional Engineer of Nuwakot's road monitoring division for Rasuwa, stated that a technical study is underway at the landslide site. He assured that all types of vehicles would be operational within a day or two. Additionally, repair work on alternative rural roads has already commenced to provide temporary relief.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21373', 'image' => '20240726104142_b582447a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21646', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Accounts Committee Seeks Lal Commission's Report on Power Tariff Dispute', 'sub_title' => 'International Relations and Tourism Committee Seeks ICAO Report', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">PAC Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel stated that the committee has written to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, asking it to share the report for study purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier on Thursday, the committee held discussions with business leaders and entrepreneurs regarding the power tariff dispute following the Lal Commission's report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the meeting, lawmakers Rajendra Lingden, Arjun Narsingh KC, and Rajan Dahal emphasized that the Lal Commission's recommendations should be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lawmaker Dr Amresh Kumar Singh noted that entrepreneurs should not deviate from the core issue, as industries were supplied power during the load-shedding period by disconnecting the power supply distributed for household purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, lawmaker Hari Dhakal suggested that businesspeople should operate their businesses legally instead of seeking informal deals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, industrialist Pashupati Murarka said the industrialists would pay the tariffs but should be provided with the Time-of-Day (TOD) meter, a type of electricity meter that records the amount of electrical energy consumed during different periods of the day giving an accurate detail of electricity consumption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament has directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to submit the report of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within a week.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the committee held in Singha Durbar on Thursday made this decision.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Committee Chairperson Raj Kishor Yadav urged the minister to submit the ICAO report within a week, noting that the report had not been received in the past despite several requests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the committee has directed the Tourism Ministry to inform the committee about the bill designed to separate the licensing and regulatory functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the committee members voiced support for advancing the bill to separate CAAN's jurisdiction in the interest of aviation safety. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21372', 'image' => '20240726103203_1703936496.line cut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:31:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Captain Shakya's Health Normal: Hospital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Director at the Medical College, Prof. Dr. Mina Thapa, issued a press note on Thursday stating that Captain Shakya is currently out of danger.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya is the lone survivor of the Saurya Airlines plane accident, which claimed the lives of 18 others onboard on Wednesday morning. He was rescued alive from the crash site at Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Captain Shakya has been undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital following the crash. The hospital told state-owned RSS that currently there are no complications in his treatment although he suffers broken ribs and backbone.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Shakya's face has sustained minor wounds. Three ribs and a backbone are fractured," RSS quoted Dr Thapa as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to RSS, Dr Thapa also paid tribute to those who died in the plane crash and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had visited the hospital to take stock of Captain Shakya’s health condition on Wednesday soon after the Pokhara-bound plane with maintenance crew of the airline company met with the accident.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21371', 'image' => '20240726094600_PM-Office-image_123650291(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 09:45:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21644', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lawmakers Grill CAAN Leadership Over Rising Air Accidents', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, they questioned why major stakeholders remained silent spectators while plane crashes increased in recent years, damaging the nation's image.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers, during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives on Thursday, asked who was responsible for the air crashes Nepal has witnessed, resulting in significant loss of human life and property. They emphasized the need for rigorous studies and effective enforcement of the study reports, the RSS report added. However, they voiced concerns about the non-implementation of these reports.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Those found guilty in these incidents must be held accountable, they insisted.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, the MPs also urged the government to operationalize the two new international airports, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport, which remain underutilized outside the federal capital.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Uday Shumsher JB Rana asserted that CAAN is the most responsible entity for the Saurya Airlines plane crash, and certain officials should face legal action.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trading of barbs between CAAN and the Nepal Airlines Corporation must end to find solutions to the problems tarnishing the nation's reputation. A separate entity is required for air safety," RSS quoted Rana as saying.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Sishir Khanal stated that air safety was becoming a pressing issue and that concerned bodies must be brought under legal scrutiny. Under the present leadership of CAAN, seven fatal air incidents occurred in two and a half years, claiming the lives of 118 people. He stressed that it is time for CAAN leadership to take moral responsibility.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, suggested forwarding a bill to split CAAN to enhance air safety although it remains unclear why he did not prepare the bill during his tenure as the civil aviation minister.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bimalendra Nidhi questioned why there was a lack of initiatives to get Nepal removed from the EU's air safety blacklist.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari responded that it would be difficult to determine the reasons behind air crashes until the investigation reports are released.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21370', 'image' => '20240726085255_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:52:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21643', 'article_category_id' => '228', 'title' => 'Domestic Airliners See Drop in Passenger Volume after Saurya Airlines Crash', 'sub_title' => 'A total of 178 domestic flights landed and took off at the TIA on Wednesday, down from 225 to 250 flights normally, according to the TIA Office', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Nepal’s domestic air carriers have witnessed a reduction in passenger volume following the Saurya Airlines crash on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">While Buddha Air, Nepal’s biggest domestic carrier, has seen around 10% reduction in passenger volume since Wednesday afternoon, around 20% people canceled their Yeti Airlines flight, representatives of domestic airlines, said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Rupesh Joshi, director of Marketing, Sales and Ground Handling Department at Buddha Air, said Buddha has not witnessed any flight cancellation so far but the passenger volume has dropped by 5 to 10% since Wednesday afternoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“It is natural that the fear factor affects the passenger movement after a plane crash,” said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson for Yeti Airlines, echoed Joshi regarding the fear factor. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Yeti saw cancellation of flights by around 15% to 20% after the plane crash on Wednesday,” Bartaula told New Business Age over the phone. “The flight bookings have dropped today (Thursday).”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He said that it might take a few more days for the resumption of regular passenger flow.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In 2023, 266 domestic flights, on average, took off and landed daily at the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the TIA office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Normally 225 to 250 domestic flights land and take off at the TIA,” said Subhash Jha, spokesperson at the TIA . “However, only 178 flights landed and took off on Wednesday.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Following the crash, flights were halted for some hours which also contributed to the decline in overall flights.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Though the domestic carriers of Nepal, including planes and helicopters, had flown a record 4.46 million passengers in 2022, the number dropped to 4.15 million in 2023, according to CAAN’s statistics. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Buddha Air recorded the highest passenger movement last year, flying 2.57 million passengers. Yeti Airlines came second in the list with 717,030 passengers, followed by Shree Airlines with 605,338 passengers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, Saurya Airlines had carried 122,571 passengers last year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Along with a slowdown in the economy and expensive air fares, frequent air crashes have emerged as major concerns for the air travelers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Despite air travel being considered the safest mode of transportation, Nepal has so far recorded 108 air crashes in its aviation history, killing 959 individuals, according to CAAN.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Pilot Manish Ratna Shakya remains the sole survivor in Wednesday’s plane crash. Shakya is being treated at the Kathmandu Medical College in Sinamangal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">A Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ 200 plane with registration number 9N-AME veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway, shortly after taking off from Runway 02 (Koteshwar side) at 11:11 am, CAAN said in a press statement. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Most of the passengers on board were the staff at Saurya Airlines, headed to Pokhara for carrying out C-check of the aircraft. However, three among the deceased belonged to the same family–father, mother and their child.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Questions have been raised about the performance of the regulator—CAAN— for allowing Saurya Airlines to accommodate the wife and child of an airline employee in the ill-fated plane carrying maintenance crew.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The plane had caught fire in the accident leading to the death of 18 people including a Yemani national, on board. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu for autopsy. Doctors at the hospital have said that the bodies of the victims will be handed over to the relatives after identification, which might require DNA tests as some bodies have been charred beyond recognition.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => 'crash, TIA, airport, airlines, plane, Nepal, aviation, CAAN, Saurya, passenger, volume', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21369', 'image' => '20240726083236_20220630032136_airraft.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:31:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Appoints New Members to National Planning Commission', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 26: The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The appointments were made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Dr. Shivaraj Adhikari from the Palpa district has been appointed as the NPC Vice-Chairperson. Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung informed government decision. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Adhikari is an economics professor at Tribhuvan University.In addition to Prof. Adhikari, the Cabinet appointed several other members to the NPC. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The new appointees are RP Bichha, Dr. Ramesh Prasad Singh, Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Gita Kumari Poudel Adhikari, Dr. Jaya Bahadur Tandon, and Ganga Dutta Awasthi.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21368', 'image' => '20240726055420_collage (77).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 05:52:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21640', 'article_category_id' => '239', 'title' => 'Bardiya's Burhan Wilderness Camps Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Extraordinary Destinations ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. This list highlights the top 100 destinations around the globe to explore in the coming year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established about two years ago by conservationists Prabha Gautam and Manoj Gautam, the sister-brother duo, Burhan Wilderness Camps is located at the Khata Wildlife Corridor near Bardiya National Park. According to Time magazine, the camp offers visitors bushwalks, canoe trips, wildlife tracking with anti-poaching units, and opportunities to view Asiatic elephants, one-horned rhinos, and the Royal Bengal Tiger.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Bal Krishna Joshi, husband of Prabha Gautam, expressed his joy to NewBiz. Joshi described Burhan Wilderness Camps as a commitment to eco-friendly tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“We have adhered to the 'leave no trace' philosophy,” Joshi said in a phone interview. “Tourists stay in luxurious tents and enjoy local Tharu cuisine.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He also noted that “the tourist flow has been steady, and it has created employment opportunities for locals.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Joshi added that they plan to open the tree houses after the monsoon and hope this model will serve as a suitable example for locals in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Burhan Wilderness Camps is an effort for natural conservation through responsible tourism,” Joshi added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21367', 'image' => '20240725085900_Bardiya-1721913152.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 20:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lila Devi Gadtaula appointed as Nepal's First Woman Chief Secretary', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal. The cabinet meeting held on Thursday appointed Gadtaula, currently the acting chief secretary, to the position of chief secretary.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With this appointment, Gadtaula has become the first woman chief secretary of the country. She, however, will retire on August 31, 2024, due to age limit. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21366', 'image' => '20240725090540_GSnKNnhbUAAkvzz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 21:05:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Microfinance-led NEPSE Closes the Week with 32-Point Gain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">July 25: After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Today's trading session saw 320 scrips traded through 159,757 transactions. A total of 35,594,868 shares were exchanged, resulting in a turnover of Rs 14.13 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Sanima GIC Insurance Limited (SGIC) led the market in terms of turnover, with transactions totaling Rs 34 crores. Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) experienced the highest gain of the day, rising by 10% and hitting the upper circuit limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">On the other hand, Miteri Development Bank Limited (MDB) faced the steepest decline, dropping 7.65% to close at Rs 640 per share.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Key indices also showed positive movements: the Sensitive Index increased by 1.56%, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index rose by 1.43% and 1.89%, respectively.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In terms of sector indices, most sector indices closed in positive territory, with the exception of the Development Bank Index, Hydropower Index, Investment Index, and Others Index, which recorded losses.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Microfinance Index recorded the highest gain, increasing by 6.83%, while the Investment Index experienced the largest loss, declining by 0.73%.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21365', 'image' => '20240725032849_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 15:27:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Birgunj Customs' Business Getting Back on Track', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Om Prakash Khanal </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:"Times New Roman","serif"">BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the Madhesh movement and the blockade of Birgunj, which was a central trading point about a decade ago, foreign trade shifted to other checkpoints. However, recent data show that business at Birgunj has returned to its former levels.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Department of Customs, 47.08 percent of total imports were made through the ICP and dry port customs of Birgunj in the last fiscal year 2023/24. The ICP Customs alone contributed 34.30 percent.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Birgunj border was blocked due to the anti-constitution movement and blockade that lasted from August 2015 to January of 2016 after the promulgation of the constitution. During that time, protestors blocked the former Birgunj customs checkpoint, diverting most trade to Bhairahawa customs. In that year, imports from Birgunj Customs dropped to 23.50 percent. After the embargo was lifted in January, import and export activities resumed. The total import volume of both Birgunj and dry port customs was reduced to 35 percent of the total import at that time.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Located in the center of the country, with a short distance from seaports and easy transportation, local entrepreneurs and traders were concerned about the decline in trade through the port, which is situated in the largest industrial corridor.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Data from the Department of Customs indicates that in the following years, imports and exports through the Birgunj border have gradually improved. In the fiscal year 2022/23, imports from ICP and dry port customs accounted for 47.37 percent of the total imports. The import data for Bhairahawa customs increased rapidly during the blockade. In 2015/16, about 25 percent of total imports came through Bhairahawa. Some trade from Birgunj also shifted towards Biratnagar customs during that period.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dilaram Panthi, Chief Customs Administrator of Birgunj Customs, notes that vehicle imports that had shifted to Bhairahawa Customs have not yet returned to Birgunj. Mainly fuel, vehicles, and industrial raw materials are imported through the Birgunj checkpoint. Regarding export business, around 20 percent of goods are exported from ICP and Biratnagar Customs. Products like readymade clothes, juice, processed oil, yarn, vegetables, jute, and tea are exported from Birgunj and Biratnagar.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Entrepreneur Arvindra Amatya says it is natural for businesses to gravitate towards a comfortable environment. Amatya added, "To leverage Birgunj's uniqueness in business, emphasis should be placed on facilitating trade and promoting a business-friendly environment. Geographical and physical infrastructure can be improved with appropriate policies and trends."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21364', 'image' => '20240725023649_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Discussion on BRI Project Implementation Model Underway: Foreign Affairs Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly appointed Minister Rana clarified this while responding to queries posed by parliamentarians in the International Affairs and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament on Wednesday.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Parliamentarians questioned the Minister about the modality under which the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project would be operated, specifically whether it would be a grant or a loan.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana said, "The Government of Nepal has already signed the 'framework document' of this project. No decisions have been made as to how it will be operated and implemented, whether under a grant or loan. We will hold extensive discussions with all stakeholders, similar to how the MCC project was endorsed by the parliament after broad discussions with everyone."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana emphasized that Nepal's nationalism, national interest, and the interests of Nepali citizens will be central in framing foreign policy. This will also be a key consideration in implementing foreign-assisted projects in 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Minister asserted that Nepal's foreign policy will be based on the principles of Panchasheel (five principles of co-existence) and non-alignment.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Regarding the EPG report, she said, "The report is to be received with the consent of both countries. It will be proceeded with after identifying where it got stuck."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a different note, she reassured that all Nepali students are safe amid current developments in Bangladesh. She informed that her Ministry has set up a separate Help Desk at the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka to facilitate Nepalis willing to return home.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She shared that around 1,400 Nepali students returned home from Bangladesh as of Tuesday, and those still in Bangladesh are also reported to be safe.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Foreign Affairs Minister proposed developing a dedicated website to secure integrated information about Nepali students studying in various countries. This would help determine the exact number of such students and facilitate rescue operations during emergencies.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also underlined the need to increase Nepali students' access to embassy and consulate services by restructuring and expanding these structures as needed.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the Foreign Minister said high-level diplomatic efforts are underway to rescue and repatriate Nepali citizens recruited in the Russian army for the Russia-Ukraine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She stated that 34 Nepali citizens have been confirmed dead during the Russia-Ukraine war, with the results of DNA tests for 22 others still pending. Six Nepalis remain prisoners of war in Ukraine.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Dr. Rana also informed that consistent diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels are underway to rescue Bipin Joshi, who has been taken hostage by Hamas in the Israel-Palestine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Additionally, she briefed on the progress of recent agreements reached during the visits to India and China by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. In response to lawmakers' requests to operate the Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports at full capacity, she pledged to assess the situation and take necessary actions.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Mahantha Thakur, Sunita Baral, Sudan Kirati, Shishir Khanal, Eknath Dhakal, Uday Shumsher Rana, Bhim Prasad Acharya, Prem Suwal, Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana, and Damodar Poudel raised queries to the Foreign Minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21363', 'image' => '20240725023517_20240702123010_Clipboard09-8-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:34:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Herbs worth Rs 81 Million Exported via Kakadbhitta in Fiscal Year 2023/24', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24. According to the Quarantine Office, Kakadbhitta, herbs including chiraito (swertia), rittha (soapberry), majitho (rubia cordifolia) and satibayer (rhus parviflora) were exported during the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A total of 160 metric tonnes of swertia worth Rs 48 million were exported during the period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Farmers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, and Bhojpur are engaged in the commercial farming of swertia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 83 metric tonnes of rubia cordifolia worth Rs 16.5 million, 151 metric tonnes of soapberry worth Rs 9.69 million, and 24 metric tonnes of chutro (barberry) worth Rs 1.2 million were exported in the last fiscal year, added the office. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21362', 'image' => '20240725015545_herb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 13:49:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Representative Elected UN ECOSOC Vice-President', 'sub_title' => 'Nepal to lead the Asia-Pacific states next year', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lok Bahadur Thapa, chief of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, will represent Nepal in the 54-member ECOSOC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal will be the chair of the Asia-Pacific states next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Election of Nepal's representative to the post of vice-president of the ECOSOC, one of the six main organs of the United Nations, is a matter of pride for the nation, said former Ambassador Sundarnath Bhattarai. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The ECOSOC is the platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve socio-economic progress including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The 54-member Council also elected two other vice-presidents: Krzysztof Szczerski of Poland for Eastern European states and Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica for Latin America and Caribbean states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A vice-president from the African States regional group will be elected at a later date.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Thapa pledged to work closely with all the member states in achieving the SDGs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, Nepal was elected a member of the ECOSOC with the highest number of votes from the Asia Pacific region for a three-year term of 2024-2026. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21377', 'image' => '20240726025352_ecosoc_2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:53:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines in Nepali Market on Friday', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold was traded at Rs 145,000 per tola on Thursday, but it is being traded at Rs 144,700 per tola on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, worked gold was traded at Rs 144,300 per tola on Thursday, but on Friday the price of standard gold is set at Rs 144,000 per tola.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the price of silver has decreased by Rs 20 per tola. The price of silver, which was traded at Rs 1,750 per tola on Thursday, has been fixed at Rs 1,730 per tola Friday.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21376', 'image' => '20240726023810_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:37:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21648', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Surge in Investor Interest: Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Records Highest FPO Applications', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged, as demonstrated by Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited's (SWMF) recent Further Public Offering (FPO). This marks a significant rebound following the Securities Board of Nepal's resumption of public issuance approvals after a lengthy pause.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the CDS and Clearing Limited, the state-owned central depository and clearing organization, Suryodaya Womi’s FPO has attracted an impressive 1.659 million applications. This is a notable increase compared to earlier this year, when over 960,000 applications were submitted for the initial public offering (IPO) of Sarbottam Cement Limited (SARBTM).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Last year, the board approved FPOs for three companies and IPOs for six companies. Comparing the application data, it is clear that investors are particularly attracted to Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta's FPO. The CDSC reports that over 1.659 million investors have applied for shares of Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta, seeking more than 23.86 million shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">As of Wednesday, Suryodaya Womi's share price per unit on the Nepal Stock Exchange stood at Rs 1,062.10. Share registrar Kumari Capital Limited said that investors are more excited because the company issued additional shares at Rs 100 per share. Pushpa Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Kumari Capital, stated that when the shares sold by the company through FPO are listed on the secondary market, they are bought and sold at a fixed price, which has increased investor attraction.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Suryodaya Womi has successfully sold 46,729 shares through the FPO. The public issue approval process, which had been stalled since January 4, resumed in mid-May, leading to a surge in investor interest. The FPO’s pricing, aligned with the IPO price, and the initial trading price set according to market conditions, have contributed to the increased attraction of Suryodaya Womi’s shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21374', 'image' => '20240726104307_IPOvsFPO.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:42:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '150 Containers from China Stranded at Rasuwagadhi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway. The main route to Rasuwagadhi is blocked for large vehicles after a gabion wall, constructed last year with significant state investment, collapsed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Bednidhi Khanal announced on Thursday that the transportation of large vehicles has been prohibited until further notice. Only light vehicles are permitted on the affected road.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Local residents have expressed concerns that the road damage resulted from the gabion wall's lack of reinforcement. The collapse of the wall has also heightened the risk for nearby settlements.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The District Disaster Management Committee revealed that the authorities had ignored numerous requests made a month ago to protect the road from such damage. The situation has led to a halt in the transportation of 150 containers, containing various materials imported from China, at Rasuwagadhi. These goods, destined for Kathmandu, are currently stranded due to the roadblock.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Importers are urging for immediate repairs to reopen this crucial international trade route. Locals have suggested enhancing rural roads as alternative routes to ensure continued traffic flow and minimize disruption.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Subodh Devkota, Divisional Engineer of Nuwakot's road monitoring division for Rasuwa, stated that a technical study is underway at the landslide site. He assured that all types of vehicles would be operational within a day or two. Additionally, repair work on alternative rural roads has already commenced to provide temporary relief.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21373', 'image' => '20240726104142_b582447a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21646', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Accounts Committee Seeks Lal Commission's Report on Power Tariff Dispute', 'sub_title' => 'International Relations and Tourism Committee Seeks ICAO Report', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">PAC Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel stated that the committee has written to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, asking it to share the report for study purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier on Thursday, the committee held discussions with business leaders and entrepreneurs regarding the power tariff dispute following the Lal Commission's report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the meeting, lawmakers Rajendra Lingden, Arjun Narsingh KC, and Rajan Dahal emphasized that the Lal Commission's recommendations should be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lawmaker Dr Amresh Kumar Singh noted that entrepreneurs should not deviate from the core issue, as industries were supplied power during the load-shedding period by disconnecting the power supply distributed for household purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, lawmaker Hari Dhakal suggested that businesspeople should operate their businesses legally instead of seeking informal deals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, industrialist Pashupati Murarka said the industrialists would pay the tariffs but should be provided with the Time-of-Day (TOD) meter, a type of electricity meter that records the amount of electrical energy consumed during different periods of the day giving an accurate detail of electricity consumption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament has directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to submit the report of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within a week.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the committee held in Singha Durbar on Thursday made this decision.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Committee Chairperson Raj Kishor Yadav urged the minister to submit the ICAO report within a week, noting that the report had not been received in the past despite several requests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the committee has directed the Tourism Ministry to inform the committee about the bill designed to separate the licensing and regulatory functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the committee members voiced support for advancing the bill to separate CAAN's jurisdiction in the interest of aviation safety. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21372', 'image' => '20240726103203_1703936496.line cut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:31:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Captain Shakya's Health Normal: Hospital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Director at the Medical College, Prof. Dr. Mina Thapa, issued a press note on Thursday stating that Captain Shakya is currently out of danger.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya is the lone survivor of the Saurya Airlines plane accident, which claimed the lives of 18 others onboard on Wednesday morning. He was rescued alive from the crash site at Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Captain Shakya has been undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital following the crash. The hospital told state-owned RSS that currently there are no complications in his treatment although he suffers broken ribs and backbone.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Shakya's face has sustained minor wounds. Three ribs and a backbone are fractured," RSS quoted Dr Thapa as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to RSS, Dr Thapa also paid tribute to those who died in the plane crash and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had visited the hospital to take stock of Captain Shakya’s health condition on Wednesday soon after the Pokhara-bound plane with maintenance crew of the airline company met with the accident.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21371', 'image' => '20240726094600_PM-Office-image_123650291(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 09:45:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21644', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lawmakers Grill CAAN Leadership Over Rising Air Accidents', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, they questioned why major stakeholders remained silent spectators while plane crashes increased in recent years, damaging the nation's image.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers, during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives on Thursday, asked who was responsible for the air crashes Nepal has witnessed, resulting in significant loss of human life and property. They emphasized the need for rigorous studies and effective enforcement of the study reports, the RSS report added. However, they voiced concerns about the non-implementation of these reports.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Those found guilty in these incidents must be held accountable, they insisted.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, the MPs also urged the government to operationalize the two new international airports, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport, which remain underutilized outside the federal capital.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Uday Shumsher JB Rana asserted that CAAN is the most responsible entity for the Saurya Airlines plane crash, and certain officials should face legal action.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trading of barbs between CAAN and the Nepal Airlines Corporation must end to find solutions to the problems tarnishing the nation's reputation. A separate entity is required for air safety," RSS quoted Rana as saying.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Sishir Khanal stated that air safety was becoming a pressing issue and that concerned bodies must be brought under legal scrutiny. Under the present leadership of CAAN, seven fatal air incidents occurred in two and a half years, claiming the lives of 118 people. He stressed that it is time for CAAN leadership to take moral responsibility.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, suggested forwarding a bill to split CAAN to enhance air safety although it remains unclear why he did not prepare the bill during his tenure as the civil aviation minister.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bimalendra Nidhi questioned why there was a lack of initiatives to get Nepal removed from the EU's air safety blacklist.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari responded that it would be difficult to determine the reasons behind air crashes until the investigation reports are released.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21370', 'image' => '20240726085255_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:52:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21643', 'article_category_id' => '228', 'title' => 'Domestic Airliners See Drop in Passenger Volume after Saurya Airlines Crash', 'sub_title' => 'A total of 178 domestic flights landed and took off at the TIA on Wednesday, down from 225 to 250 flights normally, according to the TIA Office', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Nepal’s domestic air carriers have witnessed a reduction in passenger volume following the Saurya Airlines crash on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">While Buddha Air, Nepal’s biggest domestic carrier, has seen around 10% reduction in passenger volume since Wednesday afternoon, around 20% people canceled their Yeti Airlines flight, representatives of domestic airlines, said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Rupesh Joshi, director of Marketing, Sales and Ground Handling Department at Buddha Air, said Buddha has not witnessed any flight cancellation so far but the passenger volume has dropped by 5 to 10% since Wednesday afternoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“It is natural that the fear factor affects the passenger movement after a plane crash,” said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson for Yeti Airlines, echoed Joshi regarding the fear factor. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Yeti saw cancellation of flights by around 15% to 20% after the plane crash on Wednesday,” Bartaula told New Business Age over the phone. “The flight bookings have dropped today (Thursday).”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He said that it might take a few more days for the resumption of regular passenger flow.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In 2023, 266 domestic flights, on average, took off and landed daily at the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the TIA office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Normally 225 to 250 domestic flights land and take off at the TIA,” said Subhash Jha, spokesperson at the TIA . “However, only 178 flights landed and took off on Wednesday.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Following the crash, flights were halted for some hours which also contributed to the decline in overall flights.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Though the domestic carriers of Nepal, including planes and helicopters, had flown a record 4.46 million passengers in 2022, the number dropped to 4.15 million in 2023, according to CAAN’s statistics. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Buddha Air recorded the highest passenger movement last year, flying 2.57 million passengers. Yeti Airlines came second in the list with 717,030 passengers, followed by Shree Airlines with 605,338 passengers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, Saurya Airlines had carried 122,571 passengers last year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Along with a slowdown in the economy and expensive air fares, frequent air crashes have emerged as major concerns for the air travelers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Despite air travel being considered the safest mode of transportation, Nepal has so far recorded 108 air crashes in its aviation history, killing 959 individuals, according to CAAN.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Pilot Manish Ratna Shakya remains the sole survivor in Wednesday’s plane crash. Shakya is being treated at the Kathmandu Medical College in Sinamangal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">A Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ 200 plane with registration number 9N-AME veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway, shortly after taking off from Runway 02 (Koteshwar side) at 11:11 am, CAAN said in a press statement. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Most of the passengers on board were the staff at Saurya Airlines, headed to Pokhara for carrying out C-check of the aircraft. However, three among the deceased belonged to the same family–father, mother and their child.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Questions have been raised about the performance of the regulator—CAAN— for allowing Saurya Airlines to accommodate the wife and child of an airline employee in the ill-fated plane carrying maintenance crew.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The plane had caught fire in the accident leading to the death of 18 people including a Yemani national, on board. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu for autopsy. Doctors at the hospital have said that the bodies of the victims will be handed over to the relatives after identification, which might require DNA tests as some bodies have been charred beyond recognition.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => 'crash, TIA, airport, airlines, plane, Nepal, aviation, CAAN, Saurya, passenger, volume', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21369', 'image' => '20240726083236_20220630032136_airraft.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:31:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Appoints New Members to National Planning Commission', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 26: The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The appointments were made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Dr. Shivaraj Adhikari from the Palpa district has been appointed as the NPC Vice-Chairperson. Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung informed government decision. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Adhikari is an economics professor at Tribhuvan University.In addition to Prof. Adhikari, the Cabinet appointed several other members to the NPC. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The new appointees are RP Bichha, Dr. Ramesh Prasad Singh, Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Gita Kumari Poudel Adhikari, Dr. Jaya Bahadur Tandon, and Ganga Dutta Awasthi.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21368', 'image' => '20240726055420_collage (77).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 05:52:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21640', 'article_category_id' => '239', 'title' => 'Bardiya's Burhan Wilderness Camps Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Extraordinary Destinations ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. This list highlights the top 100 destinations around the globe to explore in the coming year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established about two years ago by conservationists Prabha Gautam and Manoj Gautam, the sister-brother duo, Burhan Wilderness Camps is located at the Khata Wildlife Corridor near Bardiya National Park. According to Time magazine, the camp offers visitors bushwalks, canoe trips, wildlife tracking with anti-poaching units, and opportunities to view Asiatic elephants, one-horned rhinos, and the Royal Bengal Tiger.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Bal Krishna Joshi, husband of Prabha Gautam, expressed his joy to NewBiz. Joshi described Burhan Wilderness Camps as a commitment to eco-friendly tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“We have adhered to the 'leave no trace' philosophy,” Joshi said in a phone interview. “Tourists stay in luxurious tents and enjoy local Tharu cuisine.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He also noted that “the tourist flow has been steady, and it has created employment opportunities for locals.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Joshi added that they plan to open the tree houses after the monsoon and hope this model will serve as a suitable example for locals in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Burhan Wilderness Camps is an effort for natural conservation through responsible tourism,” Joshi added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21367', 'image' => '20240725085900_Bardiya-1721913152.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 20:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lila Devi Gadtaula appointed as Nepal's First Woman Chief Secretary', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal. The cabinet meeting held on Thursday appointed Gadtaula, currently the acting chief secretary, to the position of chief secretary.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With this appointment, Gadtaula has become the first woman chief secretary of the country. She, however, will retire on August 31, 2024, due to age limit. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21366', 'image' => '20240725090540_GSnKNnhbUAAkvzz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 21:05:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Microfinance-led NEPSE Closes the Week with 32-Point Gain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">July 25: After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Today's trading session saw 320 scrips traded through 159,757 transactions. A total of 35,594,868 shares were exchanged, resulting in a turnover of Rs 14.13 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Sanima GIC Insurance Limited (SGIC) led the market in terms of turnover, with transactions totaling Rs 34 crores. Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) experienced the highest gain of the day, rising by 10% and hitting the upper circuit limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">On the other hand, Miteri Development Bank Limited (MDB) faced the steepest decline, dropping 7.65% to close at Rs 640 per share.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Key indices also showed positive movements: the Sensitive Index increased by 1.56%, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index rose by 1.43% and 1.89%, respectively.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In terms of sector indices, most sector indices closed in positive territory, with the exception of the Development Bank Index, Hydropower Index, Investment Index, and Others Index, which recorded losses.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Microfinance Index recorded the highest gain, increasing by 6.83%, while the Investment Index experienced the largest loss, declining by 0.73%.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21365', 'image' => '20240725032849_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 15:27:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Birgunj Customs' Business Getting Back on Track', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Om Prakash Khanal </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:"Times New Roman","serif"">BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the Madhesh movement and the blockade of Birgunj, which was a central trading point about a decade ago, foreign trade shifted to other checkpoints. However, recent data show that business at Birgunj has returned to its former levels.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Department of Customs, 47.08 percent of total imports were made through the ICP and dry port customs of Birgunj in the last fiscal year 2023/24. The ICP Customs alone contributed 34.30 percent.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Birgunj border was blocked due to the anti-constitution movement and blockade that lasted from August 2015 to January of 2016 after the promulgation of the constitution. During that time, protestors blocked the former Birgunj customs checkpoint, diverting most trade to Bhairahawa customs. In that year, imports from Birgunj Customs dropped to 23.50 percent. After the embargo was lifted in January, import and export activities resumed. The total import volume of both Birgunj and dry port customs was reduced to 35 percent of the total import at that time.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Located in the center of the country, with a short distance from seaports and easy transportation, local entrepreneurs and traders were concerned about the decline in trade through the port, which is situated in the largest industrial corridor.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Data from the Department of Customs indicates that in the following years, imports and exports through the Birgunj border have gradually improved. In the fiscal year 2022/23, imports from ICP and dry port customs accounted for 47.37 percent of the total imports. The import data for Bhairahawa customs increased rapidly during the blockade. In 2015/16, about 25 percent of total imports came through Bhairahawa. Some trade from Birgunj also shifted towards Biratnagar customs during that period.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dilaram Panthi, Chief Customs Administrator of Birgunj Customs, notes that vehicle imports that had shifted to Bhairahawa Customs have not yet returned to Birgunj. Mainly fuel, vehicles, and industrial raw materials are imported through the Birgunj checkpoint. Regarding export business, around 20 percent of goods are exported from ICP and Biratnagar Customs. Products like readymade clothes, juice, processed oil, yarn, vegetables, jute, and tea are exported from Birgunj and Biratnagar.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Entrepreneur Arvindra Amatya says it is natural for businesses to gravitate towards a comfortable environment. Amatya added, "To leverage Birgunj's uniqueness in business, emphasis should be placed on facilitating trade and promoting a business-friendly environment. Geographical and physical infrastructure can be improved with appropriate policies and trends."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21364', 'image' => '20240725023649_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Discussion on BRI Project Implementation Model Underway: Foreign Affairs Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly appointed Minister Rana clarified this while responding to queries posed by parliamentarians in the International Affairs and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament on Wednesday.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Parliamentarians questioned the Minister about the modality under which the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project would be operated, specifically whether it would be a grant or a loan.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana said, "The Government of Nepal has already signed the 'framework document' of this project. No decisions have been made as to how it will be operated and implemented, whether under a grant or loan. We will hold extensive discussions with all stakeholders, similar to how the MCC project was endorsed by the parliament after broad discussions with everyone."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana emphasized that Nepal's nationalism, national interest, and the interests of Nepali citizens will be central in framing foreign policy. This will also be a key consideration in implementing foreign-assisted projects in 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Minister asserted that Nepal's foreign policy will be based on the principles of Panchasheel (five principles of co-existence) and non-alignment.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Regarding the EPG report, she said, "The report is to be received with the consent of both countries. It will be proceeded with after identifying where it got stuck."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a different note, she reassured that all Nepali students are safe amid current developments in Bangladesh. She informed that her Ministry has set up a separate Help Desk at the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka to facilitate Nepalis willing to return home.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She shared that around 1,400 Nepali students returned home from Bangladesh as of Tuesday, and those still in Bangladesh are also reported to be safe.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Foreign Affairs Minister proposed developing a dedicated website to secure integrated information about Nepali students studying in various countries. This would help determine the exact number of such students and facilitate rescue operations during emergencies.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also underlined the need to increase Nepali students' access to embassy and consulate services by restructuring and expanding these structures as needed.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the Foreign Minister said high-level diplomatic efforts are underway to rescue and repatriate Nepali citizens recruited in the Russian army for the Russia-Ukraine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She stated that 34 Nepali citizens have been confirmed dead during the Russia-Ukraine war, with the results of DNA tests for 22 others still pending. Six Nepalis remain prisoners of war in Ukraine.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Dr. Rana also informed that consistent diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels are underway to rescue Bipin Joshi, who has been taken hostage by Hamas in the Israel-Palestine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Additionally, she briefed on the progress of recent agreements reached during the visits to India and China by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. In response to lawmakers' requests to operate the Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports at full capacity, she pledged to assess the situation and take necessary actions.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Mahantha Thakur, Sunita Baral, Sudan Kirati, Shishir Khanal, Eknath Dhakal, Uday Shumsher Rana, Bhim Prasad Acharya, Prem Suwal, Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana, and Damodar Poudel raised queries to the Foreign Minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21363', 'image' => '20240725023517_20240702123010_Clipboard09-8-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:34:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Herbs worth Rs 81 Million Exported via Kakadbhitta in Fiscal Year 2023/24', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24. According to the Quarantine Office, Kakadbhitta, herbs including chiraito (swertia), rittha (soapberry), majitho (rubia cordifolia) and satibayer (rhus parviflora) were exported during the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A total of 160 metric tonnes of swertia worth Rs 48 million were exported during the period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Farmers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, and Bhojpur are engaged in the commercial farming of swertia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 83 metric tonnes of rubia cordifolia worth Rs 16.5 million, 151 metric tonnes of soapberry worth Rs 9.69 million, and 24 metric tonnes of chutro (barberry) worth Rs 1.2 million were exported in the last fiscal year, added the office. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21362', 'image' => '20240725015545_herb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 13:49:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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) ), (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' => '21652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Representative Elected UN ECOSOC Vice-President', 'sub_title' => 'Nepal to lead the Asia-Pacific states next year', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lok Bahadur Thapa, chief of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, will represent Nepal in the 54-member ECOSOC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal will be the chair of the Asia-Pacific states next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Election of Nepal's representative to the post of vice-president of the ECOSOC, one of the six main organs of the United Nations, is a matter of pride for the nation, said former Ambassador Sundarnath Bhattarai. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The ECOSOC is the platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve socio-economic progress including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The 54-member Council also elected two other vice-presidents: Krzysztof Szczerski of Poland for Eastern European states and Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica for Latin America and Caribbean states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A vice-president from the African States regional group will be elected at a later date.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Thapa pledged to work closely with all the member states in achieving the SDGs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, Nepal was elected a member of the ECOSOC with the highest number of votes from the Asia Pacific region for a three-year term of 2024-2026. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21377', 'image' => '20240726025352_ecosoc_2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:53:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines in Nepali Market on Friday', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold was traded at Rs 145,000 per tola on Thursday, but it is being traded at Rs 144,700 per tola on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, worked gold was traded at Rs 144,300 per tola on Thursday, but on Friday the price of standard gold is set at Rs 144,000 per tola.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the price of silver has decreased by Rs 20 per tola. The price of silver, which was traded at Rs 1,750 per tola on Thursday, has been fixed at Rs 1,730 per tola Friday.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21376', 'image' => '20240726023810_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:37:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21648', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Surge in Investor Interest: Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Records Highest FPO Applications', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged, as demonstrated by Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited's (SWMF) recent Further Public Offering (FPO). This marks a significant rebound following the Securities Board of Nepal's resumption of public issuance approvals after a lengthy pause.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the CDS and Clearing Limited, the state-owned central depository and clearing organization, Suryodaya Womi’s FPO has attracted an impressive 1.659 million applications. This is a notable increase compared to earlier this year, when over 960,000 applications were submitted for the initial public offering (IPO) of Sarbottam Cement Limited (SARBTM).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Last year, the board approved FPOs for three companies and IPOs for six companies. Comparing the application data, it is clear that investors are particularly attracted to Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta's FPO. The CDSC reports that over 1.659 million investors have applied for shares of Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta, seeking more than 23.86 million shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">As of Wednesday, Suryodaya Womi's share price per unit on the Nepal Stock Exchange stood at Rs 1,062.10. Share registrar Kumari Capital Limited said that investors are more excited because the company issued additional shares at Rs 100 per share. Pushpa Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Kumari Capital, stated that when the shares sold by the company through FPO are listed on the secondary market, they are bought and sold at a fixed price, which has increased investor attraction.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Suryodaya Womi has successfully sold 46,729 shares through the FPO. The public issue approval process, which had been stalled since January 4, resumed in mid-May, leading to a surge in investor interest. The FPO’s pricing, aligned with the IPO price, and the initial trading price set according to market conditions, have contributed to the increased attraction of Suryodaya Womi’s shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21374', 'image' => '20240726104307_IPOvsFPO.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:42:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '150 Containers from China Stranded at Rasuwagadhi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway. The main route to Rasuwagadhi is blocked for large vehicles after a gabion wall, constructed last year with significant state investment, collapsed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Bednidhi Khanal announced on Thursday that the transportation of large vehicles has been prohibited until further notice. Only light vehicles are permitted on the affected road.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Local residents have expressed concerns that the road damage resulted from the gabion wall's lack of reinforcement. The collapse of the wall has also heightened the risk for nearby settlements.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The District Disaster Management Committee revealed that the authorities had ignored numerous requests made a month ago to protect the road from such damage. The situation has led to a halt in the transportation of 150 containers, containing various materials imported from China, at Rasuwagadhi. These goods, destined for Kathmandu, are currently stranded due to the roadblock.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Importers are urging for immediate repairs to reopen this crucial international trade route. Locals have suggested enhancing rural roads as alternative routes to ensure continued traffic flow and minimize disruption.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Subodh Devkota, Divisional Engineer of Nuwakot's road monitoring division for Rasuwa, stated that a technical study is underway at the landslide site. He assured that all types of vehicles would be operational within a day or two. Additionally, repair work on alternative rural roads has already commenced to provide temporary relief.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21373', 'image' => '20240726104142_b582447a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21646', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Accounts Committee Seeks Lal Commission's Report on Power Tariff Dispute', 'sub_title' => 'International Relations and Tourism Committee Seeks ICAO Report', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">PAC Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel stated that the committee has written to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, asking it to share the report for study purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier on Thursday, the committee held discussions with business leaders and entrepreneurs regarding the power tariff dispute following the Lal Commission's report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the meeting, lawmakers Rajendra Lingden, Arjun Narsingh KC, and Rajan Dahal emphasized that the Lal Commission's recommendations should be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lawmaker Dr Amresh Kumar Singh noted that entrepreneurs should not deviate from the core issue, as industries were supplied power during the load-shedding period by disconnecting the power supply distributed for household purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, lawmaker Hari Dhakal suggested that businesspeople should operate their businesses legally instead of seeking informal deals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, industrialist Pashupati Murarka said the industrialists would pay the tariffs but should be provided with the Time-of-Day (TOD) meter, a type of electricity meter that records the amount of electrical energy consumed during different periods of the day giving an accurate detail of electricity consumption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament has directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to submit the report of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within a week.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the committee held in Singha Durbar on Thursday made this decision.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Committee Chairperson Raj Kishor Yadav urged the minister to submit the ICAO report within a week, noting that the report had not been received in the past despite several requests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the committee has directed the Tourism Ministry to inform the committee about the bill designed to separate the licensing and regulatory functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the committee members voiced support for advancing the bill to separate CAAN's jurisdiction in the interest of aviation safety. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21372', 'image' => '20240726103203_1703936496.line cut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:31:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Captain Shakya's Health Normal: Hospital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Director at the Medical College, Prof. Dr. Mina Thapa, issued a press note on Thursday stating that Captain Shakya is currently out of danger.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya is the lone survivor of the Saurya Airlines plane accident, which claimed the lives of 18 others onboard on Wednesday morning. He was rescued alive from the crash site at Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Captain Shakya has been undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital following the crash. The hospital told state-owned RSS that currently there are no complications in his treatment although he suffers broken ribs and backbone.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Shakya's face has sustained minor wounds. Three ribs and a backbone are fractured," RSS quoted Dr Thapa as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to RSS, Dr Thapa also paid tribute to those who died in the plane crash and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had visited the hospital to take stock of Captain Shakya’s health condition on Wednesday soon after the Pokhara-bound plane with maintenance crew of the airline company met with the accident.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21371', 'image' => '20240726094600_PM-Office-image_123650291(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 09:45:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21644', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lawmakers Grill CAAN Leadership Over Rising Air Accidents', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, they questioned why major stakeholders remained silent spectators while plane crashes increased in recent years, damaging the nation's image.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers, during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives on Thursday, asked who was responsible for the air crashes Nepal has witnessed, resulting in significant loss of human life and property. They emphasized the need for rigorous studies and effective enforcement of the study reports, the RSS report added. However, they voiced concerns about the non-implementation of these reports.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Those found guilty in these incidents must be held accountable, they insisted.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, the MPs also urged the government to operationalize the two new international airports, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport, which remain underutilized outside the federal capital.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Uday Shumsher JB Rana asserted that CAAN is the most responsible entity for the Saurya Airlines plane crash, and certain officials should face legal action.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trading of barbs between CAAN and the Nepal Airlines Corporation must end to find solutions to the problems tarnishing the nation's reputation. A separate entity is required for air safety," RSS quoted Rana as saying.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Sishir Khanal stated that air safety was becoming a pressing issue and that concerned bodies must be brought under legal scrutiny. Under the present leadership of CAAN, seven fatal air incidents occurred in two and a half years, claiming the lives of 118 people. He stressed that it is time for CAAN leadership to take moral responsibility.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, suggested forwarding a bill to split CAAN to enhance air safety although it remains unclear why he did not prepare the bill during his tenure as the civil aviation minister.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bimalendra Nidhi questioned why there was a lack of initiatives to get Nepal removed from the EU's air safety blacklist.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari responded that it would be difficult to determine the reasons behind air crashes until the investigation reports are released.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21370', 'image' => '20240726085255_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:52:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21643', 'article_category_id' => '228', 'title' => 'Domestic Airliners See Drop in Passenger Volume after Saurya Airlines Crash', 'sub_title' => 'A total of 178 domestic flights landed and took off at the TIA on Wednesday, down from 225 to 250 flights normally, according to the TIA Office', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Nepal’s domestic air carriers have witnessed a reduction in passenger volume following the Saurya Airlines crash on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">While Buddha Air, Nepal’s biggest domestic carrier, has seen around 10% reduction in passenger volume since Wednesday afternoon, around 20% people canceled their Yeti Airlines flight, representatives of domestic airlines, said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Rupesh Joshi, director of Marketing, Sales and Ground Handling Department at Buddha Air, said Buddha has not witnessed any flight cancellation so far but the passenger volume has dropped by 5 to 10% since Wednesday afternoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“It is natural that the fear factor affects the passenger movement after a plane crash,” said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson for Yeti Airlines, echoed Joshi regarding the fear factor. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Yeti saw cancellation of flights by around 15% to 20% after the plane crash on Wednesday,” Bartaula told New Business Age over the phone. “The flight bookings have dropped today (Thursday).”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He said that it might take a few more days for the resumption of regular passenger flow.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In 2023, 266 domestic flights, on average, took off and landed daily at the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the TIA office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Normally 225 to 250 domestic flights land and take off at the TIA,” said Subhash Jha, spokesperson at the TIA . “However, only 178 flights landed and took off on Wednesday.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Following the crash, flights were halted for some hours which also contributed to the decline in overall flights.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Though the domestic carriers of Nepal, including planes and helicopters, had flown a record 4.46 million passengers in 2022, the number dropped to 4.15 million in 2023, according to CAAN’s statistics. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Buddha Air recorded the highest passenger movement last year, flying 2.57 million passengers. Yeti Airlines came second in the list with 717,030 passengers, followed by Shree Airlines with 605,338 passengers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, Saurya Airlines had carried 122,571 passengers last year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Along with a slowdown in the economy and expensive air fares, frequent air crashes have emerged as major concerns for the air travelers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Despite air travel being considered the safest mode of transportation, Nepal has so far recorded 108 air crashes in its aviation history, killing 959 individuals, according to CAAN.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Pilot Manish Ratna Shakya remains the sole survivor in Wednesday’s plane crash. Shakya is being treated at the Kathmandu Medical College in Sinamangal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">A Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ 200 plane with registration number 9N-AME veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway, shortly after taking off from Runway 02 (Koteshwar side) at 11:11 am, CAAN said in a press statement. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Most of the passengers on board were the staff at Saurya Airlines, headed to Pokhara for carrying out C-check of the aircraft. However, three among the deceased belonged to the same family–father, mother and their child.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Questions have been raised about the performance of the regulator—CAAN— for allowing Saurya Airlines to accommodate the wife and child of an airline employee in the ill-fated plane carrying maintenance crew.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The plane had caught fire in the accident leading to the death of 18 people including a Yemani national, on board. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu for autopsy. Doctors at the hospital have said that the bodies of the victims will be handed over to the relatives after identification, which might require DNA tests as some bodies have been charred beyond recognition.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => 'crash, TIA, airport, airlines, plane, Nepal, aviation, CAAN, Saurya, passenger, volume', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21369', 'image' => '20240726083236_20220630032136_airraft.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:31:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Appoints New Members to National Planning Commission', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 26: The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The appointments were made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Dr. Shivaraj Adhikari from the Palpa district has been appointed as the NPC Vice-Chairperson. Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung informed government decision. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Adhikari is an economics professor at Tribhuvan University.In addition to Prof. Adhikari, the Cabinet appointed several other members to the NPC. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The new appointees are RP Bichha, Dr. Ramesh Prasad Singh, Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Gita Kumari Poudel Adhikari, Dr. Jaya Bahadur Tandon, and Ganga Dutta Awasthi.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21368', 'image' => '20240726055420_collage (77).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 05:52:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21640', 'article_category_id' => '239', 'title' => 'Bardiya's Burhan Wilderness Camps Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Extraordinary Destinations ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. This list highlights the top 100 destinations around the globe to explore in the coming year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established about two years ago by conservationists Prabha Gautam and Manoj Gautam, the sister-brother duo, Burhan Wilderness Camps is located at the Khata Wildlife Corridor near Bardiya National Park. According to Time magazine, the camp offers visitors bushwalks, canoe trips, wildlife tracking with anti-poaching units, and opportunities to view Asiatic elephants, one-horned rhinos, and the Royal Bengal Tiger.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Bal Krishna Joshi, husband of Prabha Gautam, expressed his joy to NewBiz. Joshi described Burhan Wilderness Camps as a commitment to eco-friendly tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“We have adhered to the 'leave no trace' philosophy,” Joshi said in a phone interview. “Tourists stay in luxurious tents and enjoy local Tharu cuisine.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He also noted that “the tourist flow has been steady, and it has created employment opportunities for locals.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Joshi added that they plan to open the tree houses after the monsoon and hope this model will serve as a suitable example for locals in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Burhan Wilderness Camps is an effort for natural conservation through responsible tourism,” Joshi added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21367', 'image' => '20240725085900_Bardiya-1721913152.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 20:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lila Devi Gadtaula appointed as Nepal's First Woman Chief Secretary', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal. The cabinet meeting held on Thursday appointed Gadtaula, currently the acting chief secretary, to the position of chief secretary.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With this appointment, Gadtaula has become the first woman chief secretary of the country. She, however, will retire on August 31, 2024, due to age limit. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21366', 'image' => '20240725090540_GSnKNnhbUAAkvzz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 21:05:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Microfinance-led NEPSE Closes the Week with 32-Point Gain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">July 25: After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Today's trading session saw 320 scrips traded through 159,757 transactions. A total of 35,594,868 shares were exchanged, resulting in a turnover of Rs 14.13 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Sanima GIC Insurance Limited (SGIC) led the market in terms of turnover, with transactions totaling Rs 34 crores. Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) experienced the highest gain of the day, rising by 10% and hitting the upper circuit limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">On the other hand, Miteri Development Bank Limited (MDB) faced the steepest decline, dropping 7.65% to close at Rs 640 per share.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Key indices also showed positive movements: the Sensitive Index increased by 1.56%, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index rose by 1.43% and 1.89%, respectively.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In terms of sector indices, most sector indices closed in positive territory, with the exception of the Development Bank Index, Hydropower Index, Investment Index, and Others Index, which recorded losses.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Microfinance Index recorded the highest gain, increasing by 6.83%, while the Investment Index experienced the largest loss, declining by 0.73%.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21365', 'image' => '20240725032849_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 15:27:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Birgunj Customs' Business Getting Back on Track', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Om Prakash Khanal </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:"Times New Roman","serif"">BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the Madhesh movement and the blockade of Birgunj, which was a central trading point about a decade ago, foreign trade shifted to other checkpoints. However, recent data show that business at Birgunj has returned to its former levels.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Department of Customs, 47.08 percent of total imports were made through the ICP and dry port customs of Birgunj in the last fiscal year 2023/24. The ICP Customs alone contributed 34.30 percent.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Birgunj border was blocked due to the anti-constitution movement and blockade that lasted from August 2015 to January of 2016 after the promulgation of the constitution. During that time, protestors blocked the former Birgunj customs checkpoint, diverting most trade to Bhairahawa customs. In that year, imports from Birgunj Customs dropped to 23.50 percent. After the embargo was lifted in January, import and export activities resumed. The total import volume of both Birgunj and dry port customs was reduced to 35 percent of the total import at that time.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Located in the center of the country, with a short distance from seaports and easy transportation, local entrepreneurs and traders were concerned about the decline in trade through the port, which is situated in the largest industrial corridor.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Data from the Department of Customs indicates that in the following years, imports and exports through the Birgunj border have gradually improved. In the fiscal year 2022/23, imports from ICP and dry port customs accounted for 47.37 percent of the total imports. The import data for Bhairahawa customs increased rapidly during the blockade. In 2015/16, about 25 percent of total imports came through Bhairahawa. Some trade from Birgunj also shifted towards Biratnagar customs during that period.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dilaram Panthi, Chief Customs Administrator of Birgunj Customs, notes that vehicle imports that had shifted to Bhairahawa Customs have not yet returned to Birgunj. Mainly fuel, vehicles, and industrial raw materials are imported through the Birgunj checkpoint. Regarding export business, around 20 percent of goods are exported from ICP and Biratnagar Customs. Products like readymade clothes, juice, processed oil, yarn, vegetables, jute, and tea are exported from Birgunj and Biratnagar.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Entrepreneur Arvindra Amatya says it is natural for businesses to gravitate towards a comfortable environment. Amatya added, "To leverage Birgunj's uniqueness in business, emphasis should be placed on facilitating trade and promoting a business-friendly environment. Geographical and physical infrastructure can be improved with appropriate policies and trends."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21364', 'image' => '20240725023649_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Discussion on BRI Project Implementation Model Underway: Foreign Affairs Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly appointed Minister Rana clarified this while responding to queries posed by parliamentarians in the International Affairs and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament on Wednesday.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Parliamentarians questioned the Minister about the modality under which the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project would be operated, specifically whether it would be a grant or a loan.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana said, "The Government of Nepal has already signed the 'framework document' of this project. No decisions have been made as to how it will be operated and implemented, whether under a grant or loan. We will hold extensive discussions with all stakeholders, similar to how the MCC project was endorsed by the parliament after broad discussions with everyone."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana emphasized that Nepal's nationalism, national interest, and the interests of Nepali citizens will be central in framing foreign policy. This will also be a key consideration in implementing foreign-assisted projects in 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Minister asserted that Nepal's foreign policy will be based on the principles of Panchasheel (five principles of co-existence) and non-alignment.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Regarding the EPG report, she said, "The report is to be received with the consent of both countries. It will be proceeded with after identifying where it got stuck."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a different note, she reassured that all Nepali students are safe amid current developments in Bangladesh. She informed that her Ministry has set up a separate Help Desk at the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka to facilitate Nepalis willing to return home.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She shared that around 1,400 Nepali students returned home from Bangladesh as of Tuesday, and those still in Bangladesh are also reported to be safe.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Foreign Affairs Minister proposed developing a dedicated website to secure integrated information about Nepali students studying in various countries. This would help determine the exact number of such students and facilitate rescue operations during emergencies.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also underlined the need to increase Nepali students' access to embassy and consulate services by restructuring and expanding these structures as needed.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the Foreign Minister said high-level diplomatic efforts are underway to rescue and repatriate Nepali citizens recruited in the Russian army for the Russia-Ukraine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She stated that 34 Nepali citizens have been confirmed dead during the Russia-Ukraine war, with the results of DNA tests for 22 others still pending. Six Nepalis remain prisoners of war in Ukraine.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Dr. Rana also informed that consistent diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels are underway to rescue Bipin Joshi, who has been taken hostage by Hamas in the Israel-Palestine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Additionally, she briefed on the progress of recent agreements reached during the visits to India and China by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. In response to lawmakers' requests to operate the Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports at full capacity, she pledged to assess the situation and take necessary actions.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Mahantha Thakur, Sunita Baral, Sudan Kirati, Shishir Khanal, Eknath Dhakal, Uday Shumsher Rana, Bhim Prasad Acharya, Prem Suwal, Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana, and Damodar Poudel raised queries to the Foreign Minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21363', 'image' => '20240725023517_20240702123010_Clipboard09-8-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:34:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Herbs worth Rs 81 Million Exported via Kakadbhitta in Fiscal Year 2023/24', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24. According to the Quarantine Office, Kakadbhitta, herbs including chiraito (swertia), rittha (soapberry), majitho (rubia cordifolia) and satibayer (rhus parviflora) were exported during the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A total of 160 metric tonnes of swertia worth Rs 48 million were exported during the period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Farmers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, and Bhojpur are engaged in the commercial farming of swertia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 83 metric tonnes of rubia cordifolia worth Rs 16.5 million, 151 metric tonnes of soapberry worth Rs 9.69 million, and 24 metric tonnes of chutro (barberry) worth Rs 1.2 million were exported in the last fiscal year, added the office. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21362', 'image' => '20240725015545_herb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 13:49:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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[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' => '21652', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Representative Elected UN ECOSOC Vice-President', 'sub_title' => 'Nepal to lead the Asia-Pacific states next year', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26: A representative from Nepal has been elected as the vice-president for the Asia-Pacific states of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lok Bahadur Thapa, chief of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, will represent Nepal in the 54-member ECOSOC. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal will be the chair of the Asia-Pacific states next year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Election of Nepal's representative to the post of vice-president of the ECOSOC, one of the six main organs of the United Nations, is a matter of pride for the nation, said former Ambassador Sundarnath Bhattarai. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The ECOSOC is the platform for fostering debate and innovative thinking, forging consensus on ways forward, and coordinating efforts to achieve socio-economic progress including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The 54-member Council also elected two other vice-presidents: Krzysztof Szczerski of Poland for Eastern European states and Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica for Latin America and Caribbean states.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A vice-president from the African States regional group will be elected at a later date.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Thapa pledged to work closely with all the member states in achieving the SDGs.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, Nepal was elected a member of the ECOSOC with the highest number of votes from the Asia Pacific region for a three-year term of 2024-2026. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21377', 'image' => '20240726025352_ecosoc_2.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:53:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21651', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Declines in Nepali Market on Friday', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The price of gold on Friday declined by Rs 300 per tola in the Nepali market. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, fine gold was traded at Rs 145,000 per tola on Thursday, but it is being traded at Rs 144,700 per tola on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, worked gold was traded at Rs 144,300 per tola on Thursday, but on Friday the price of standard gold is set at Rs 144,000 per tola.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Likewise, the price of silver has decreased by Rs 20 per tola. The price of silver, which was traded at Rs 1,750 per tola on Thursday, has been fixed at Rs 1,730 per tola Friday.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21376', 'image' => '20240726023810_cd5483b7.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 14:37:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21648', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Surge in Investor Interest: Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Records Highest FPO Applications', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU, July 26</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With the formation of a new government, Nepal's secondary market of securities is witnessing a notable upswing. Investors’ enthusiasm for newly issued shares in the primary market has surged, as demonstrated by Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited's (SWMF) recent Further Public Offering (FPO). This marks a significant rebound following the Securities Board of Nepal's resumption of public issuance approvals after a lengthy pause.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">According to the CDS and Clearing Limited, the state-owned central depository and clearing organization, Suryodaya Womi’s FPO has attracted an impressive 1.659 million applications. This is a notable increase compared to earlier this year, when over 960,000 applications were submitted for the initial public offering (IPO) of Sarbottam Cement Limited (SARBTM).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Last year, the board approved FPOs for three companies and IPOs for six companies. Comparing the application data, it is clear that investors are particularly attracted to Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta's FPO. The CDSC reports that over 1.659 million investors have applied for shares of Suryodaya Womi Laghubitta, seeking more than 23.86 million shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">As of Wednesday, Suryodaya Womi's share price per unit on the Nepal Stock Exchange stood at Rs 1,062.10. Share registrar Kumari Capital Limited said that investors are more excited because the company issued additional shares at Rs 100 per share. Pushpa Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Kumari Capital, stated that when the shares sold by the company through FPO are listed on the secondary market, they are bought and sold at a fixed price, which has increased investor attraction.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Suryodaya Womi has successfully sold 46,729 shares through the FPO. The public issue approval process, which had been stalled since January 4, resumed in mid-May, leading to a surge in investor interest. The FPO’s pricing, aligned with the IPO price, and the initial trading price set according to market conditions, have contributed to the increased attraction of Suryodaya Womi’s shares.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21374', 'image' => '20240726104307_IPOvsFPO.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:42:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21647', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '150 Containers from China Stranded at Rasuwagadhi', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: </span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Incessant rainfall on Wednesday night has caused a landslide that has partially damaged the Pasang Lhamu Highway. The main route to Rasuwagadhi is blocked for large vehicles after a gabion wall, constructed last year with significant state investment, collapsed.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Chief District Officer Bednidhi Khanal announced on Thursday that the transportation of large vehicles has been prohibited until further notice. Only light vehicles are permitted on the affected road.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Local residents have expressed concerns that the road damage resulted from the gabion wall's lack of reinforcement. The collapse of the wall has also heightened the risk for nearby settlements.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The District Disaster Management Committee revealed that the authorities had ignored numerous requests made a month ago to protect the road from such damage. The situation has led to a halt in the transportation of 150 containers, containing various materials imported from China, at Rasuwagadhi. These goods, destined for Kathmandu, are currently stranded due to the roadblock.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Importers are urging for immediate repairs to reopen this crucial international trade route. Locals have suggested enhancing rural roads as alternative routes to ensure continued traffic flow and minimize disruption.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Subodh Devkota, Divisional Engineer of Nuwakot's road monitoring division for Rasuwa, stated that a technical study is underway at the landslide site. He assured that all types of vehicles would be operational within a day or two. Additionally, repair work on alternative rural roads has already commenced to provide temporary relief.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21373', 'image' => '20240726104142_b582447a.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:40:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21646', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Public Accounts Committee Seeks Lal Commission's Report on Power Tariff Dispute', 'sub_title' => 'International Relations and Tourism Committee Seeks ICAO Report', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday requested the government to provide the report on power tariffs for 'dedicated feeders and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission led by former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">PAC Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel stated that the committee has written to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, asking it to share the report for study purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Earlier on Thursday, the committee held discussions with business leaders and entrepreneurs regarding the power tariff dispute following the Lal Commission's report.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the meeting, lawmakers Rajendra Lingden, Arjun Narsingh KC, and Rajan Dahal emphasized that the Lal Commission's recommendations should be implemented.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Lawmaker Dr Amresh Kumar Singh noted that entrepreneurs should not deviate from the core issue, as industries were supplied power during the load-shedding period by disconnecting the power supply distributed for household purposes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, lawmaker Hari Dhakal suggested that businesspeople should operate their businesses legally instead of seeking informal deals.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, industrialist Pashupati Murarka said the industrialists would pay the tariffs but should be provided with the Time-of-Day (TOD) meter, a type of electricity meter that records the amount of electrical energy consumed during different periods of the day giving an accurate detail of electricity consumption.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Meanwhile, the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament has directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation to submit the report of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within a week.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A meeting of the committee held in Singha Durbar on Thursday made this decision.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Committee Chairperson Raj Kishor Yadav urged the minister to submit the ICAO report within a week, noting that the report had not been received in the past despite several requests.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the committee has directed the Tourism Ministry to inform the committee about the bill designed to separate the licensing and regulatory functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Most of the committee members voiced support for advancing the bill to separate CAAN's jurisdiction in the interest of aviation safety. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21372', 'image' => '20240726103203_1703936496.line cut.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 10:31:09', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21645', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Captain Shakya's Health Normal: Hospital', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Saurya Airlines' Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, who has been receiving treatment following the deadly plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, is in normal condition, according to Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Director at the Medical College, Prof. Dr. Mina Thapa, issued a press note on Thursday stating that Captain Shakya is currently out of danger.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Shakya is the lone survivor of the Saurya Airlines plane accident, which claimed the lives of 18 others onboard on Wednesday morning. He was rescued alive from the crash site at Tribhuvan International Airport.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Captain Shakya has been undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital following the crash. The hospital told state-owned RSS that currently there are no complications in his treatment although he suffers broken ribs and backbone.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"Shakya's face has sustained minor wounds. Three ribs and a backbone are fractured," RSS quoted Dr Thapa as saying.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to RSS, Dr Thapa also paid tribute to those who died in the plane crash and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had visited the hospital to take stock of Captain Shakya’s health condition on Wednesday soon after the Pokhara-bound plane with maintenance crew of the airline company met with the accident.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21371', 'image' => '20240726094600_PM-Office-image_123650291(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 09:45:10', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21644', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lawmakers Grill CAAN Leadership Over Rising Air Accidents', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: In the wake of the recent air accident in the federal capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has faced scrutiny from lawmakers.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the state-owned RSS, they questioned why major stakeholders remained silent spectators while plane crashes increased in recent years, damaging the nation's image.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers, during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives on Thursday, asked who was responsible for the air crashes Nepal has witnessed, resulting in significant loss of human life and property. They emphasized the need for rigorous studies and effective enforcement of the study reports, the RSS report added. However, they voiced concerns about the non-implementation of these reports.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Those found guilty in these incidents must be held accountable, they insisted.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On the occasion, the MPs also urged the government to operationalize the two new international airports, Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport, which remain underutilized outside the federal capital.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmaker Uday Shumsher JB Rana asserted that CAAN is the most responsible entity for the Saurya Airlines plane crash, and certain officials should face legal action.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">“The trading of barbs between CAAN and the Nepal Airlines Corporation must end to find solutions to the problems tarnishing the nation's reputation. A separate entity is required for air safety," RSS quoted Rana as saying.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, Sishir Khanal stated that air safety was becoming a pressing issue and that concerned bodies must be brought under legal scrutiny. Under the present leadership of CAAN, seven fatal air incidents occurred in two and a half years, claiming the lives of 118 people. He stressed that it is time for CAAN leadership to take moral responsibility.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Former Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, suggested forwarding a bill to split CAAN to enhance air safety although it remains unclear why he did not prepare the bill during his tenure as the civil aviation minister.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Bimalendra Nidhi questioned why there was a lack of initiatives to get Nepal removed from the EU's air safety blacklist.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari responded that it would be difficult to determine the reasons behind air crashes until the investigation reports are released.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21370', 'image' => '20240726085255_Parliament RSS 800.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:52:17', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21643', 'article_category_id' => '228', 'title' => 'Domestic Airliners See Drop in Passenger Volume after Saurya Airlines Crash', 'sub_title' => 'A total of 178 domestic flights landed and took off at the TIA on Wednesday, down from 225 to 250 flights normally, according to the TIA Office', 'summary' => '', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Nepal’s domestic air carriers have witnessed a reduction in passenger volume following the Saurya Airlines crash on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">While Buddha Air, Nepal’s biggest domestic carrier, has seen around 10% reduction in passenger volume since Wednesday afternoon, around 20% people canceled their Yeti Airlines flight, representatives of domestic airlines, said.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Rupesh Joshi, director of Marketing, Sales and Ground Handling Department at Buddha Air, said Buddha has not witnessed any flight cancellation so far but the passenger volume has dropped by 5 to 10% since Wednesday afternoon.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“It is natural that the fear factor affects the passenger movement after a plane crash,” said Joshi. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson for Yeti Airlines, echoed Joshi regarding the fear factor. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Yeti saw cancellation of flights by around 15% to 20% after the plane crash on Wednesday,” Bartaula told New Business Age over the phone. “The flight bookings have dropped today (Thursday).”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He said that it might take a few more days for the resumption of regular passenger flow.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">In 2023, 266 domestic flights, on average, took off and landed daily at the Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the TIA office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Normally 225 to 250 domestic flights land and take off at the TIA,” said Subhash Jha, spokesperson at the TIA . “However, only 178 flights landed and took off on Wednesday.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Following the crash, flights were halted for some hours which also contributed to the decline in overall flights.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Though the domestic carriers of Nepal, including planes and helicopters, had flown a record 4.46 million passengers in 2022, the number dropped to 4.15 million in 2023, according to CAAN’s statistics. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Buddha Air recorded the highest passenger movement last year, flying 2.57 million passengers. Yeti Airlines came second in the list with 717,030 passengers, followed by Shree Airlines with 605,338 passengers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Similarly, Saurya Airlines had carried 122,571 passengers last year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Along with a slowdown in the economy and expensive air fares, frequent air crashes have emerged as major concerns for the air travelers.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Despite air travel being considered the safest mode of transportation, Nepal has so far recorded 108 air crashes in its aviation history, killing 959 individuals, according to CAAN.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Pilot Manish Ratna Shakya remains the sole survivor in Wednesday’s plane crash. Shakya is being treated at the Kathmandu Medical College in Sinamangal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">A Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ 200 plane with registration number 9N-AME veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway, shortly after taking off from Runway 02 (Koteshwar side) at 11:11 am, CAAN said in a press statement. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Most of the passengers on board were the staff at Saurya Airlines, headed to Pokhara for carrying out C-check of the aircraft. However, three among the deceased belonged to the same family–father, mother and their child.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Questions have been raised about the performance of the regulator—CAAN— for allowing Saurya Airlines to accommodate the wife and child of an airline employee in the ill-fated plane carrying maintenance crew.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The plane had caught fire in the accident leading to the death of 18 people including a Yemani national, on board. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu for autopsy. Doctors at the hospital have said that the bodies of the victims will be handed over to the relatives after identification, which might require DNA tests as some bodies have been charred beyond recognition.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => 'crash, TIA, airport, airlines, plane, Nepal, aviation, CAAN, Saurya, passenger, volume', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21369', 'image' => '20240726083236_20220630032136_airraft.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 08:31:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21642', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Government Appoints New Members to National Planning Commission', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">July 26: The government has appointed new members to the National Planning Commission (NPC), including a new Vice-Chairperson. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The appointments were made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Thursday. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Dr. Shivaraj Adhikari from the Palpa district has been appointed as the NPC Vice-Chairperson. Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung informed government decision. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Prof. Adhikari is an economics professor at Tribhuvan University.In addition to Prof. Adhikari, the Cabinet appointed several other members to the NPC. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The new appointees are RP Bichha, Dr. Ramesh Prasad Singh, Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Gita Kumari Poudel Adhikari, Dr. Jaya Bahadur Tandon, and Ganga Dutta Awasthi.</span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-26', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21368', 'image' => '20240726055420_collage (77).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-26 05:52:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21640', 'article_category_id' => '239', 'title' => 'Bardiya's Burhan Wilderness Camps Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Extraordinary Destinations ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">NewBiz Report<br /> KATHMANDU, July 25</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Burhan Wilderness Camps in Bardiya district has been included in Time Magazine's list of the world's greatest places for 2024. This list highlights the top 100 destinations around the globe to explore in the coming year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Established about two years ago by conservationists Prabha Gautam and Manoj Gautam, the sister-brother duo, Burhan Wilderness Camps is located at the Khata Wildlife Corridor near Bardiya National Park. According to Time magazine, the camp offers visitors bushwalks, canoe trips, wildlife tracking with anti-poaching units, and opportunities to view Asiatic elephants, one-horned rhinos, and the Royal Bengal Tiger.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Bal Krishna Joshi, husband of Prabha Gautam, expressed his joy to NewBiz. Joshi described Burhan Wilderness Camps as a commitment to eco-friendly tourism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“We have adhered to the 'leave no trace' philosophy,” Joshi said in a phone interview. “Tourists stay in luxurious tents and enjoy local Tharu cuisine.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">He also noted that “the tourist flow has been steady, and it has created employment opportunities for locals.”</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">Joshi added that they plan to open the tree houses after the monsoon and hope this model will serve as a suitable example for locals in the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">“Burhan Wilderness Camps is an effort for natural conservation through responsible tourism,” Joshi added.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-26', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21367', 'image' => '20240725085900_Bardiya-1721913152.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 20:57:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21641', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Lila Devi Gadtaula appointed as Nepal's First Woman Chief Secretary', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lila Devi Gadtaula has been officially appointed as the chief secretary of the Government of Nepal. The cabinet meeting held on Thursday appointed Gadtaula, currently the acting chief secretary, to the position of chief secretary.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif"">With this appointment, Gadtaula has become the first woman chief secretary of the country. She, however, will retire on August 31, 2024, due to age limit. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21366', 'image' => '20240725090540_GSnKNnhbUAAkvzz.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 21:05:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21639', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Microfinance-led NEPSE Closes the Week with 32-Point Gain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">July 25: After a correction of 27.32 points on Wednesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rebounded, gaining 32 points, or 1.26%, to close at 2568.11, on the last trading day of the week on Thursday.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Today's trading session saw 320 scrips traded through 159,757 transactions. A total of 35,594,868 shares were exchanged, resulting in a turnover of Rs 14.13 billion.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Sanima GIC Insurance Limited (SGIC) led the market in terms of turnover, with transactions totaling Rs 34 crores. Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) experienced the highest gain of the day, rising by 10% and hitting the upper circuit limit.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">On the other hand, Miteri Development Bank Limited (MDB) faced the steepest decline, dropping 7.65% to close at Rs 640 per share.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Key indices also showed positive movements: the Sensitive Index increased by 1.56%, while the Float Index and Sensitive Float Index rose by 1.43% and 1.89%, respectively.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">In terms of sector indices, most sector indices closed in positive territory, with the exception of the Development Bank Index, Hydropower Index, Investment Index, and Others Index, which recorded losses.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Microfinance Index recorded the highest gain, increasing by 6.83%, while the Investment Index experienced the largest loss, declining by 0.73%.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21365', 'image' => '20240725032849_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 15:27:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21638', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Birgunj Customs' Business Getting Back on Track', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Om Prakash Khanal </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:"Times New Roman","serif"">BIRGUNJ: Almost half of the country's total imports come through the two customs offices at the Birgunj border. Based on import value, half of the imports are made through Birgunj customs.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to the Madhesh movement and the blockade of Birgunj, which was a central trading point about a decade ago, foreign trade shifted to other checkpoints. However, recent data show that business at Birgunj has returned to its former levels.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the Department of Customs, 47.08 percent of total imports were made through the ICP and dry port customs of Birgunj in the last fiscal year 2023/24. The ICP Customs alone contributed 34.30 percent.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Birgunj border was blocked due to the anti-constitution movement and blockade that lasted from August 2015 to January of 2016 after the promulgation of the constitution. During that time, protestors blocked the former Birgunj customs checkpoint, diverting most trade to Bhairahawa customs. In that year, imports from Birgunj Customs dropped to 23.50 percent. After the embargo was lifted in January, import and export activities resumed. The total import volume of both Birgunj and dry port customs was reduced to 35 percent of the total import at that time.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Located in the center of the country, with a short distance from seaports and easy transportation, local entrepreneurs and traders were concerned about the decline in trade through the port, which is situated in the largest industrial corridor.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Data from the Department of Customs indicates that in the following years, imports and exports through the Birgunj border have gradually improved. In the fiscal year 2022/23, imports from ICP and dry port customs accounted for 47.37 percent of the total imports. The import data for Bhairahawa customs increased rapidly during the blockade. In 2015/16, about 25 percent of total imports came through Bhairahawa. Some trade from Birgunj also shifted towards Biratnagar customs during that period.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Dilaram Panthi, Chief Customs Administrator of Birgunj Customs, notes that vehicle imports that had shifted to Bhairahawa Customs have not yet returned to Birgunj. Mainly fuel, vehicles, and industrial raw materials are imported through the Birgunj checkpoint. Regarding export business, around 20 percent of goods are exported from ICP and Biratnagar Customs. Products like readymade clothes, juice, processed oil, yarn, vegetables, jute, and tea are exported from Birgunj and Biratnagar.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Entrepreneur Arvindra Amatya says it is natural for businesses to gravitate towards a comfortable environment. Amatya added, "To leverage Birgunj's uniqueness in business, emphasis should be placed on facilitating trade and promoting a business-friendly environment. Geographical and physical infrastructure can be improved with appropriate policies and trends."</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21364', 'image' => '20240725023649_20201012023113_1602458957.Clipboard15.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:36:22', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21637', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Discussion on BRI Project Implementation Model Underway: Foreign Affairs Minister', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that discussions on the operational and implementation modalities of the BRI project are ongoing, with no decisions taken yet.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Newly appointed Minister Rana clarified this while responding to queries posed by parliamentarians in the International Affairs and Tourism Committee of the Federal Parliament on Wednesday.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Parliamentarians questioned the Minister about the modality under which the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project would be operated, specifically whether it would be a grant or a loan.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana said, "The Government of Nepal has already signed the 'framework document' of this project. No decisions have been made as to how it will be operated and implemented, whether under a grant or loan. We will hold extensive discussions with all stakeholders, similar to how the MCC project was endorsed by the parliament after broad discussions with everyone."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Rana emphasized that Nepal's nationalism, national interest, and the interests of Nepali citizens will be central in framing foreign policy. This will also be a key consideration in implementing foreign-assisted projects in 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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Minister asserted that Nepal's foreign policy will be based on the principles of Panchasheel (five principles of co-existence) and non-alignment.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Regarding the EPG report, she said, "The report is to be received with the consent of both countries. It will be proceeded with after identifying where it got stuck."</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">On a different note, she reassured that all Nepali students are safe amid current developments in Bangladesh. She informed that her Ministry has set up a separate Help Desk at the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka to facilitate Nepalis willing to return home.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She shared that around 1,400 Nepali students returned home from Bangladesh as of Tuesday, and those still in Bangladesh are also reported to be safe.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Foreign Affairs Minister proposed developing a dedicated website to secure integrated information about Nepali students studying in various countries. This would help determine the exact number of such students and facilitate rescue operations during emergencies.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She also underlined the need to increase Nepali students' access to embassy and consulate services by restructuring and expanding these structures as needed.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, the Foreign Minister said high-level diplomatic efforts are underway to rescue and repatriate Nepali citizens recruited in the Russian army for the Russia-Ukraine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">She stated that 34 Nepali citizens have been confirmed dead during the Russia-Ukraine war, with the results of DNA tests for 22 others still pending. Six Nepalis remain prisoners of war in Ukraine.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Minister Dr. Rana also informed that consistent diplomatic efforts at bilateral and multilateral levels are underway to rescue Bipin Joshi, who has been taken hostage by Hamas in the Israel-Palestine war.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Additionally, she briefed on the progress of recent agreements reached during the visits to India and China by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. In response to lawmakers' requests to operate the Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports at full capacity, she pledged to assess the situation and take necessary actions.</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:"Times New Roman","serif"">Lawmakers including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Mahantha Thakur, Sunita Baral, Sudan Kirati, Shishir Khanal, Eknath Dhakal, Uday Shumsher Rana, Bhim Prasad Acharya, Prem Suwal, Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana, and Damodar Poudel raised queries to the Foreign Minister.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21363', 'image' => '20240725023517_20240702123010_Clipboard09-8-1.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 14:34:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21636', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Herbs worth Rs 81 Million Exported via Kakadbhitta in Fiscal Year 2023/24', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24. According to the Quarantine Office, Kakadbhitta, herbs including chiraito (swertia), rittha (soapberry), majitho (rubia cordifolia) and satibayer (rhus parviflora) were exported during the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A total of 160 metric tonnes of swertia worth Rs 48 million were exported during the period.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Farmers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, and Bhojpur are engaged in the commercial farming of swertia.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, 83 metric tonnes of rubia cordifolia worth Rs 16.5 million, 151 metric tonnes of soapberry worth Rs 9.69 million, and 24 metric tonnes of chutro (barberry) worth Rs 1.2 million were exported in the last fiscal year, added the office. -- RSS</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-07-25', 'modified' => '2024-07-25', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '21362', 'image' => '20240725015545_herb.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-07-25 13:49:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
