October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower…
October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower…
October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high…
October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like…
October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali…
October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in…
October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday…
The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of…
October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on…
October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list.…
The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to…
October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP…
October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank…
October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning.…
Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life…
Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The WB indicated that it is willing to provide the concessional loan for the project during the meeting of its office-bearers with Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in Marrakesh of Morocco on Saturday. Finance Minister Mahat is in Morocco to attend the annual meeting of the WB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, the high-level Nepali delegation is preparing to hold a discussion focusing on the issues of technical and financial aspects for acquiring the loan in Washington next week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the WB has given a positive nod to the proposal presented by the finance minister to organise the 21st meeting of International Development Aid in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the review meeting with Vice-President for South Asia Region, WB, Martin Raiser, and WB Vice-President of Development Finance, Akihiko Nishio, they responded positively to Nepal's proposal. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18989', 'image' => '20231015114315_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Cancels Tenders due to High Bids', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the MCC projects, cancelled the contract process as the bid amounts were much higher than the overall estimated cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Information Officer of MCA Nepal, Rajeev Dahal, preparations are being made to invite new tender bids for the transmission line project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process was canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate, said Dahal. MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three sections.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Responding to the tender issued on May 22, six companies had submitted proposals to build the transmission line. Out of them, only five companies met the requirement as mentioned in the tender notice.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">India's Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, Transrail Lighting Limited, Tata Projects Limited, KEC International Limited, Larsen & Turbo Limited were technically successful and those companies applied for all three packages.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The first phase of the transmission line includes Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section. MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of building this section of transmission line at a cost of USD 76.4 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Among the companies that submitted proposal for the first package, Transrail Lighting Limited, the company that made the lowest bid, proposed to build the transmission line for USD 130.15 million. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The lowest bid exceeded the estimated cost by USD 55.67 million which is 72 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under the second phase, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost to build the Ratmate-New Damauli section at USD 64.8 million. The lowest bid was made by Tata Projects Limited. The company proposed to build the section for USD 105.4 million. The lowest offer was USD 45. 71 million more than the estimate of MCA. This is 62.5 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, under the third package, the New Damauli-New Butwal transmission line up to the border of India was estimated to be constructed for USD 79.2 million. However, Tata Projects Limited, which made the lowest bid, proposed USD 129. 21 million. That amount is 62.73 percent more than the cost estimate. The lowest offer was USD 49.7 million more than the estimate of MCA. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal had estimated the total cost of all three sections of the transmission line to be around USD 220 million. However, the proposal made by the companies that presented the lowest bid was amounted to USD 364 million. This cost is 66 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While there are doubts that the project will be completed within five years, MCA Nepal itself is not clear about how much time it will take for the next tender process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The US government will provide grants of USD 500 million for the project while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million to build transmission line and upgrade roads.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18988', 'image' => '20231015101854_1697340145.1693362083.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 10:18:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Marketing Research Sector Expanding in Nepal’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This was revealed during a recent “Seminar on Marketing Research” organized by Avant Garde Solution in collaboration with the Kathmandu University School of Management and Tribhuvan University Faculty of Management.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The seminar discussed the needs, prospects and challenges of research findings to promote marketing research activities in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prof Drd Achyut Prasad Wagle, registrar of Kathmandu University; Prof Drd Dilip Parajuli, deputy dean of Tribhuvan University and keynote speaker Saibal Ghosh, management consultant and former CEO of Berger Paints Nepal underscored the need for comprehensive market data, its quality, and the trustworthiness of the insights derived from it. The discussion brought to light the substantial opportunities that lie ahead in the field of market research, offering significant benefits to both the realms of business and the social sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The highlight of the seminar was the panel discussion featuring Ashutosh Tiwari, Sushil Shrestha, Punam Singh, Prof Dr Binod Krishna Shrestha, and Prof Dr Bhoj Raj Aryal. During this engaging session, the panel delved into key topics, including the dynamics of marketing research, the significance of a data-driven approach, the reliability of data, and the importance of contextualizing reports. The session was moderated by Ananta Raj Ghimire, an accomplished academician, corporate trainer, and motivational coach.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the event, Ramesh Shrestha, Managing Partner of Avant Garde Solutions, delivered a presentation titled "Marketing Data Analytics." His presentation shed light on the growing trend within marketing research, showcasing the industry's growth. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18987', 'image' => '20231015114102_mark.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:40:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Monsoon to Fully Exit after Some More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, monsoon is gone from all parts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as Madhes province from Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the division, monsoon is likely to exit from the remaining parts of the country within a few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the monsoon is on its way out, there is possibility of general to moderate rainfall from Monday to Wednesday due to the influence of the Westerly wind, the division said. It said a system of Westerly wind will arrive from Sunday night with chances of intermittent to light rainfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Pratibha Manandhar said the farmers are advised not to immediately harvest their paddy crop and if they have already done so to thresh it and store by today (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manandhar said the weather will start improving from Wednesday only, as it will still take some days more for the monsoon to exit from the eastern region of the country. At present, the monsoon wind is having partial impact in the eastern parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Normally, monsoon should have gone away from Nepal by October 2. However, this year monsoon has not withdrawn fully gone as of October 15. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Govinda Jha said although the sky will be clear in the afternoon, it will be somewhat hazy in the morning and evening due to atmospheric pollution and particulate matters in the air as there is no rain. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18986', 'image' => '20231015093654_weatherrrr.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:36:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19256', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '71.7 Percent People Perceive Political Leaders' Role in Corruption: Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a report entitled 'Corruption Reflection Nepal, 2023' unveiled by the Alternative Foundation on Saturday, corruption prevails in several forms in Nepal and the main forms are bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and extortion and abuse of power while nepotism and favoritism are deeply rooted in Nepalese culture, which back corruption. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the findings of the study, the major sources of corruption are traditional politics and working styles, nepotism, greed and getting rich quickly, policy loopholes, money-minded bureaucracy and authorities, delayed justice, unfair political appointments, abuse of the rule of law, cultural effects, among others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Almost all sectors: the public, political, and private sectors, have been infected by corruption, states the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Corruption negatively impacts the good governance system and jeopardizes transparency and accountability." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report has been divided into two sections: 'politics and corruption' and the 'government and corruption'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the survey that included 1,000 respondents, most of the respondents perceived that political parties do not implement their election manifestos. They expressed discontent with the working style of political parties and the behavior of political leaders. Citizens have a strong perception that political parties and leaders are involved in corruption and also in the protection of crimes in society. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It shows that 71.2 percent citizens think election manifesto of political parties is not implemented while 79.2 percent are not satisfied with the ways political parties work and 71.0 percent citizens think behaviour of political leaders is not good. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise 71.7 percent citizens assume political leaders are involved in corruption while 63.37 percent believe that political parties are involved in corruption, 70.8 percent perceives political parties and leaders protect crime in the society while 89.1 percent citizens think there is need of transformation in political parties. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens perceive that the government’s efforts to control corruption are not adequate. Most of the citizens are unaware of the CIAA's activities. Among the government intuitions and others, citizens perceived the highest level of corruption in government officials and the lowest corruption in bank employees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Survey coordinator Dr Janakraj Shah said the document would help make the government aware of public voices regarding the perceived status of corruption. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18985', 'image' => '20231015090248_20210128035011_11579841541.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Manang Air Chopper Crashes in Everest Region, Pilot Sustains Burn Injuries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.<br /> The helicopter was flying from Lukla to Lobuche for a rescue operation and crashed at 7:24 am in the morning. <br /> The helicopter’s pilot Prakash Sedhai was the only person onboard at the time of the accident. Captain Sedhai, who was injured in the accident, has been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. According to information officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Gyanendra Bhul, Captain Sedhai is out of danger. <br /> According to media reports, the pilot has sustained burn injuries and he is being transferred to Mumbai from Kathmandu-based HAMS for specialized treatment.<br /> The reason of the accident is not known yet and CAAN will reveal it after further investigation, Bhul told state-owned RSS. <br /> Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suspended the license of Manang Air following frequent crashes.<br /> “#CAAN has suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Manang Air Pvt. Ltd. until further notice,” CAAN wrote on Twitter, adding that a four-member committee has been formed for the investigation of H125 helicopter (9N-ANJ) accident of Manang Air in Lobuche area on Saturday.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18984', 'image' => '20231015091233_manang-air-customized-tour.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:11:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19255', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Route Permit Open for Public Transport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 15: The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a result, passenger vehicles are not required to have the route permits to provide service in any part of the country, according to the Department of Transport Management. The provision will remain in effect until October 27. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, the entry of large goods carrier vehicles including trailers, except those transporting food and other essential items, has been banned from entering the Kathmandu valley. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It may be noted that advance ticket bookings for public transport had opened from October 9 to facilitate passengers going home for Dashain festival. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">More than two million people are expected to leave the federal capital for their respective home town and villages to celebrate Dashain, one of the greatest festivals of the majority Hindus in the country. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18983', 'image' => '20231015053026_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 05:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19253', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Disasters Cause US$ 3.8 Trillion in Crop Loses over 30 Years: FAO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Floods, droughts, insect infestations, storms, disease and war have caused about $123 billion per year in lost food production between 1991 and 2021, the equivalent of five percent of total production or enough to feed up to half a billion people per year, the FAO said in a report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This is the first time the UN body has tried to compile such an estimate, with the aim of putting into context the scale of the cost of disasters on both a global and personal scale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The international community is taking stock of the fact that disasters are... increasing tremendously (...) quadrupling since the 1970s" and are having an increasing impact on food production, the deputy head of FAO's statistics department, Piero Conforti, told AFP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO has found that disasters are increasing in severity and frequency, from 100 per year in the 1970s to around 400 events per year in the past 20 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate change is increasingly responsible, as well as human and livestock diseases. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Agriculture around the world is increasingly at risk of being disrupted due to multiple hazards and threats such as flooding, water scarcity, drought, declining agricultural yields and fisheries resources, loss of biological diversities and environmental degradation," said the FAO. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It identified the "systemic drivers of disaster risk" as climate change, pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The damage adds up quickly. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Average annual grain losses hit 69 million tonnes, the equivalent of France's annual production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some 40 million tonnes of fruit and vegetable production was lost, and 16 million tonnes of meat, fish and eggs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Around 23 percent of losses due to disasters were sustained in the agricultural sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO further found that poorer nations suffered the highest losses due to extreme events in terms of the percentage of their agricultural output, at up to 10 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asia is the worst-hit region, sustaining 45 percent of total agricultural losses due to disasters, and losing the equivalent of four percent of its agricultural output. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Horn of Africa nations that are regularly touched by drought lost an average of 15 percent of crop production. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18982', 'image' => '20231014073446_image1.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:33:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19254', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Mahat urges EU to Remove Nepal from its Aviation Safety Concern List', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. He made such an appeal at a sideline meeting with EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen in Marrakesh, Morocco on Thursday. The finance minister is currently in Marrakesh to attend the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">During the meeting he also urged the EU to increase its economic assistance to Nepal, Minister Mahat's secretariat stated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU has put Nepal's airlines companies in its list of air safety concern since 2013. As a result, the airlines companies of Nepal are not allowed to operate flights in the European skies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU had refused to de-list Nepal’s airlines from the list of aviation concerns when it carried out a monitoring of Nepali airlines about a year ago. It had announced its plan of conducting an on-site monitoring of the status of air safety issues in February 2023, but the EU team did not come to Nepal for the monitoring following the air crash near the Pokhara Airport on January 15.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU's security committee, however, conducted an on-site study of Nepali airlines companies and on aviation security in August/September and the finance minister made this request in this context.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the EU Commissioner said that they would be carrying out works on this matter through the EU Embassy in Nepal and also hold discussions on this. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18981', 'image' => '20231014074022_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:39:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19252', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '11th NRNA Global Conference to Be Held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the NRNA. The conference, which takes place every two years, will involve the election of office bearers for the International Coordination Council of the NRNA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to inaugurate the conference on October 17. The World Knowledge Conference will span two days, October 17 and 18, according to NRNA spokesperson Somnath Sapkota. Additionally, there will be a session focused on women and youth during the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting is a new feature in this year's election schedule and will be open for 24 hours starting on October 19. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is set to conclude the polls on the evening of October 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NRNA has introduced an innovative 'facial app' for voting. Voters will receive a link to the app 24 hours before voting, and they can cast their votes after facial verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To prepare for this conference, 59 National Coordination Council elections were held earlier, resulting in the election of 4,227 international representatives. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting allows representatives from around the world to participate from their locations. However, candidates, proposers, and seconders are required to visit the convention site for registration and verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Representatives at the convention site will have access to computers for online voting at specified locations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Approximately 1,500 candidates and voters are expected to vote from the conference site. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Five individuals are vying for the position of NRNA president, including the incumbent NRNA presidents Badri KC and Rabina Thapa, vice presidents Mahesh Shrestha and RK Sharma, and deputy general secretary Binaya Adhikari.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18980', 'image' => '20231013033630_collage (23).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 15:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19251', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Israel-Hamas War a 'New Cloud' Over World Economy: IMF', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the French news agency, the global lenders are holding their gathering, which brings together finance ministers and central bankers from around the world, in an Arab country for the first time in 20 years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conflict, which erupted when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a bloody attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the world economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Speaking at a press conference in Marrakesh, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the International Monetary Fund was "very closely monitoring how the situation evolves" and how it is affecting oil markets.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">AFP quoted Georgieva as saying that it was "too early" to assess the impact of the conflict, but "this is a new cloud on not the sunniest horizon for the world economy -- new cloud, darkening this horizon."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Georgieva noted that the IMF's World Economic Outlook, which was released earlier this week but drafted before the conflict broke out, already showed weak global growth.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The global economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic has been hit by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, elevated inflation and high interest rates.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Unfortunately, far too many countries and communities are affected by natural disasters, and worse by wars in Ukraine and now in the Middle East that cause tragic loss of civilian lives and tremendous suffering," AFP quoted Georgieva as saying.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We mourn the victims," she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are experiencing severe shocks that are now becoming the new normal for a world that is weakened by weak growth and economic fragmentation."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, the IMF has kept its growth forecast a 3.0 percent for this year but lowered it to 2.9 percent for 2024, warning that the economy is "limping along, not sprinting."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said Tuesday that IMF research shows that a 10 percent increase in oil prices could weigh down on global growth by 0.15 percentage points and increase inflation by 0.4 percentage points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The International Energy Agency said on Thursday the risk of oil supply disruptions due to the war is limited but that it stands ready to intervene in markets if necessary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, said oil prices remain lower than in September.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While it is difficult to have a "clear reading" about the conflict's economic impact, Azour said, the situation is "big, it's an earthquake."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18979', 'image' => '20231013103155_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:31:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19250', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Credit Flow of Banks Starts Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There has been an improvement in the lending of banks along with an increase in bank deposits due to the policy reforms of the central bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of Nepal Rastra Bank, the total deposits of banks and financial institutions in the current fiscal year has increased by Rs 78 billion, while credit flow also increased by Rs 73 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By the end of the last fiscal year (FY), banks had collected a total of Rs 5767 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4879 billion in loans. As of October 9, bank deposits have reached Rs 5845 billion and credit flow has reached Rs 4952 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Until last year, the government had given banks the facility to calculate 80 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as deposits. Due to the removal of this facility from mid-July, only 50 percent of the deposit can be counted as bank deposits. As a result, bank deposits fell to Rs 5658 billion during the beginning of the current fiscal year. Bank deposit further declined to Rs 5610 billion by mid-August.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, after discussions with bankers, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat gave the facility to calculate 60 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as a deposit from September. Coupled with the increase in inflow of remittance, deposits of Rs 116 billion were added to the banking system within one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the increase in bank deposits, banks emphasized on lending. The central bank said that the loan disbursement of banks which was continuously declining till mid-August of the current year increased by Rs 93 billion in the last one and a half months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Spokesperson Dr Dilliram Pokharel says that bank loans increase due to the increase in business during the festive season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“This is the impact of central bank’s policy on credit expansion,” said Pokharel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Anil Sharma, chief executive officer of Nepal Bankers Association, said that credit expansion, which has been off the mark for a long time, has started increasing of late.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The credit expansion of banks was negative for the past one and a half years," he said, "It has started to increase in the past few months."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sharma said that although banks have not disbursed loans for big projects, small investments have been made in the import and consumer sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We don't have the detailed data on which sector the loan is going to," he said, "But, mainly, the loan may have been given to imports and consumer goods aimed at festivals."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In order to make the economy vibrant, the central bank had reviewed the loan policy for shares and personal real estate, real estate and vehicles last week. The NRB amended the Unified Directive, 2079 on October 5 and increased the margin lending cap to a maximum of Rs 150 million from 120 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Individual investors can now avail margin lending up to Rs 150 million, while institutional investors have a higher limit of Rs 200 million. This means that investors now have more flexibility in borrowing money for investing in the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This decision to remove the cap on margin lending comes in response to pressure from share market investors who argued that the cap of Rs 120 million on loans against the securities was negatively impacting the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the amended guidelines require commercial banks to maintain a counter cyclical buffer of 0.5 percent by the end of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of NRB, the average credit-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks on October 9 was 81.86 percent. As banks can give loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, they have the ability to extend loans of around Rs 475 billion at present. However, banks have been saying that there is no demand for loans due to high interest rates and weak economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The interbank interest rate fell to 1.91 percent on Monday due to high liquidity in banks and the lack of demand for loans. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18978', 'image' => '20231013103009_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19249', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '254 Nepalis Rescued from Israel brought Home ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. They were brought home on a wide-body aircraft of the Nepal Airlines Corporation. Government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, had gone to Israel to pick them up. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport after the rescue flight, Minister Saud said 254 of the 503 Nepalis who wanted to return back from Israel have been brought in this rescue flight and the remaining others would be brought soon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Five hundred and fifty-seven Nepalis had provided their details in response to the request of the Embassy of Nepal based in Tel Aviv, Israel for relocation to safer places and to return to Nepal. Out of the 557 Nepalis, 503 had applied to return to home and among them 254 have returned home today with us," the Foreign Affairs Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, 54 Nepalis who requested to be relocated from risky areas have been shifted to safe zone in Israel. He added that four Nepali citizens were injured in the attack by Hamas militants in southern parts of Israel and one among them has returned today after treatment, another one has been discharged from hospital while two others are receiving treatment in hospital in Israel. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A search continues for Bipin Joshi who has gone missing following the attack. We will share the information as soon as we get additional information," Minister Saud said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs said 10 Nepali students who had gone to Israel from the Far-west University of Nepal were killed in the attack by the Hamas group and coordination is being established with the Government of Israel to bring their bodies to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Israeli side has stated that it will take some time for handing over the bodies in order to complete the legal process and keep separate details of each and every deceased. The process is delayed because the number of bodies in Israel is currently very high," he said and requested the families and relatives of the deceased Nepalis to have patience for some time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Saud maintained that the government will make arrangement to bring home the remaining Nepalis who could not be brought this time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs thanked the media and media persons, the Government of Israel and the Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Israel in Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in Israel and the members of the flight crew, who helped in the rescue of Nepali nationals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal Police had kept three buses on stand-by at the airport to take the rescued Nepalis to various destinations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the data of the ministry, there are currently 265 Nepali students studying in Israel and about 4,500 working in various sectors. The 265 Nepali students went to Israel under the Israeli government’s 'Learn and Earn' programme. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18977', 'image' => '20231013094541_RatnaShrestha_KTM_RSS_26 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 09:44:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19248', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Organizes Awareness Programme on Life Insurance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The program was held at Shivalaya Multiple Campus.The program was graced by special guests, including the company's province head Tulkanath Acharya, deputy province head Balaram Gautam, and the head of the Department of Management, Pradeep Lamichhane, among other students.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the program, the company's province head, Tulkanath Acharya, highlighted the importance of life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the company's deputy province head, Balaram Gautam, shed light on the history of life insurance and the current status of it.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18976', 'image' => '20231013055717_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19247', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Bank provides 5 Gopro Cameras and Chest Straps to Nepal Police', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bank has donated donated five units of Gopro Hero 9 camera along with Insta 360 Chest Strap worth Rs 267,500 to monitor unwanted activities happening in Kathmandu, according to the press release issued by the bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On behalf of the bank, Ashok SJB Rana, chief executive officer of HBL, recently handed over the cameras to Superintendent of Police at District Police Office Kathmandu, Kumud Dhungel, in presence of Ujjal Rajbhandary, deputy chief executive officer and Samir Acharya, chief manager. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18975', 'image' => '20231013054609_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:44:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $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' => '19262', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'WB Positive to Provide Concessional Loan of Rs 130 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The WB indicated that it is willing to provide the concessional loan for the project during the meeting of its office-bearers with Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in Marrakesh of Morocco on Saturday. Finance Minister Mahat is in Morocco to attend the annual meeting of the WB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, the high-level Nepali delegation is preparing to hold a discussion focusing on the issues of technical and financial aspects for acquiring the loan in Washington next week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the WB has given a positive nod to the proposal presented by the finance minister to organise the 21st meeting of International Development Aid in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the review meeting with Vice-President for South Asia Region, WB, Martin Raiser, and WB Vice-President of Development Finance, Akihiko Nishio, they responded positively to Nepal's proposal. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18989', 'image' => '20231015114315_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Cancels Tenders due to High Bids', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the MCC projects, cancelled the contract process as the bid amounts were much higher than the overall estimated cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Information Officer of MCA Nepal, Rajeev Dahal, preparations are being made to invite new tender bids for the transmission line project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process was canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate, said Dahal. MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three sections.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Responding to the tender issued on May 22, six companies had submitted proposals to build the transmission line. Out of them, only five companies met the requirement as mentioned in the tender notice.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">India's Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, Transrail Lighting Limited, Tata Projects Limited, KEC International Limited, Larsen & Turbo Limited were technically successful and those companies applied for all three packages.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The first phase of the transmission line includes Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section. MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of building this section of transmission line at a cost of USD 76.4 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Among the companies that submitted proposal for the first package, Transrail Lighting Limited, the company that made the lowest bid, proposed to build the transmission line for USD 130.15 million. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The lowest bid exceeded the estimated cost by USD 55.67 million which is 72 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under the second phase, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost to build the Ratmate-New Damauli section at USD 64.8 million. The lowest bid was made by Tata Projects Limited. The company proposed to build the section for USD 105.4 million. The lowest offer was USD 45. 71 million more than the estimate of MCA. This is 62.5 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, under the third package, the New Damauli-New Butwal transmission line up to the border of India was estimated to be constructed for USD 79.2 million. However, Tata Projects Limited, which made the lowest bid, proposed USD 129. 21 million. That amount is 62.73 percent more than the cost estimate. The lowest offer was USD 49.7 million more than the estimate of MCA. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal had estimated the total cost of all three sections of the transmission line to be around USD 220 million. However, the proposal made by the companies that presented the lowest bid was amounted to USD 364 million. This cost is 66 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While there are doubts that the project will be completed within five years, MCA Nepal itself is not clear about how much time it will take for the next tender process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The US government will provide grants of USD 500 million for the project while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million to build transmission line and upgrade roads.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18988', 'image' => '20231015101854_1697340145.1693362083.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 10:18:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Marketing Research Sector Expanding in Nepal’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This was revealed during a recent “Seminar on Marketing Research” organized by Avant Garde Solution in collaboration with the Kathmandu University School of Management and Tribhuvan University Faculty of Management.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The seminar discussed the needs, prospects and challenges of research findings to promote marketing research activities in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prof Drd Achyut Prasad Wagle, registrar of Kathmandu University; Prof Drd Dilip Parajuli, deputy dean of Tribhuvan University and keynote speaker Saibal Ghosh, management consultant and former CEO of Berger Paints Nepal underscored the need for comprehensive market data, its quality, and the trustworthiness of the insights derived from it. The discussion brought to light the substantial opportunities that lie ahead in the field of market research, offering significant benefits to both the realms of business and the social sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The highlight of the seminar was the panel discussion featuring Ashutosh Tiwari, Sushil Shrestha, Punam Singh, Prof Dr Binod Krishna Shrestha, and Prof Dr Bhoj Raj Aryal. During this engaging session, the panel delved into key topics, including the dynamics of marketing research, the significance of a data-driven approach, the reliability of data, and the importance of contextualizing reports. The session was moderated by Ananta Raj Ghimire, an accomplished academician, corporate trainer, and motivational coach.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the event, Ramesh Shrestha, Managing Partner of Avant Garde Solutions, delivered a presentation titled "Marketing Data Analytics." His presentation shed light on the growing trend within marketing research, showcasing the industry's growth. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18987', 'image' => '20231015114102_mark.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:40:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Monsoon to Fully Exit after Some More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, monsoon is gone from all parts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as Madhes province from Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the division, monsoon is likely to exit from the remaining parts of the country within a few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the monsoon is on its way out, there is possibility of general to moderate rainfall from Monday to Wednesday due to the influence of the Westerly wind, the division said. It said a system of Westerly wind will arrive from Sunday night with chances of intermittent to light rainfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Pratibha Manandhar said the farmers are advised not to immediately harvest their paddy crop and if they have already done so to thresh it and store by today (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manandhar said the weather will start improving from Wednesday only, as it will still take some days more for the monsoon to exit from the eastern region of the country. At present, the monsoon wind is having partial impact in the eastern parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Normally, monsoon should have gone away from Nepal by October 2. However, this year monsoon has not withdrawn fully gone as of October 15. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Govinda Jha said although the sky will be clear in the afternoon, it will be somewhat hazy in the morning and evening due to atmospheric pollution and particulate matters in the air as there is no rain. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18986', 'image' => '20231015093654_weatherrrr.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:36:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19256', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '71.7 Percent People Perceive Political Leaders' Role in Corruption: Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a report entitled 'Corruption Reflection Nepal, 2023' unveiled by the Alternative Foundation on Saturday, corruption prevails in several forms in Nepal and the main forms are bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and extortion and abuse of power while nepotism and favoritism are deeply rooted in Nepalese culture, which back corruption. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the findings of the study, the major sources of corruption are traditional politics and working styles, nepotism, greed and getting rich quickly, policy loopholes, money-minded bureaucracy and authorities, delayed justice, unfair political appointments, abuse of the rule of law, cultural effects, among others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Almost all sectors: the public, political, and private sectors, have been infected by corruption, states the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Corruption negatively impacts the good governance system and jeopardizes transparency and accountability." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report has been divided into two sections: 'politics and corruption' and the 'government and corruption'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the survey that included 1,000 respondents, most of the respondents perceived that political parties do not implement their election manifestos. They expressed discontent with the working style of political parties and the behavior of political leaders. Citizens have a strong perception that political parties and leaders are involved in corruption and also in the protection of crimes in society. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It shows that 71.2 percent citizens think election manifesto of political parties is not implemented while 79.2 percent are not satisfied with the ways political parties work and 71.0 percent citizens think behaviour of political leaders is not good. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise 71.7 percent citizens assume political leaders are involved in corruption while 63.37 percent believe that political parties are involved in corruption, 70.8 percent perceives political parties and leaders protect crime in the society while 89.1 percent citizens think there is need of transformation in political parties. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens perceive that the government’s efforts to control corruption are not adequate. Most of the citizens are unaware of the CIAA's activities. Among the government intuitions and others, citizens perceived the highest level of corruption in government officials and the lowest corruption in bank employees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Survey coordinator Dr Janakraj Shah said the document would help make the government aware of public voices regarding the perceived status of corruption. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18985', 'image' => '20231015090248_20210128035011_11579841541.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Manang Air Chopper Crashes in Everest Region, Pilot Sustains Burn Injuries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.<br /> The helicopter was flying from Lukla to Lobuche for a rescue operation and crashed at 7:24 am in the morning. <br /> The helicopter’s pilot Prakash Sedhai was the only person onboard at the time of the accident. Captain Sedhai, who was injured in the accident, has been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. According to information officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Gyanendra Bhul, Captain Sedhai is out of danger. <br /> According to media reports, the pilot has sustained burn injuries and he is being transferred to Mumbai from Kathmandu-based HAMS for specialized treatment.<br /> The reason of the accident is not known yet and CAAN will reveal it after further investigation, Bhul told state-owned RSS. <br /> Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suspended the license of Manang Air following frequent crashes.<br /> “#CAAN has suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Manang Air Pvt. Ltd. until further notice,” CAAN wrote on Twitter, adding that a four-member committee has been formed for the investigation of H125 helicopter (9N-ANJ) accident of Manang Air in Lobuche area on Saturday.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18984', 'image' => '20231015091233_manang-air-customized-tour.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:11:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19255', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Route Permit Open for Public Transport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 15: The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a result, passenger vehicles are not required to have the route permits to provide service in any part of the country, according to the Department of Transport Management. The provision will remain in effect until October 27. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, the entry of large goods carrier vehicles including trailers, except those transporting food and other essential items, has been banned from entering the Kathmandu valley. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It may be noted that advance ticket bookings for public transport had opened from October 9 to facilitate passengers going home for Dashain festival. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">More than two million people are expected to leave the federal capital for their respective home town and villages to celebrate Dashain, one of the greatest festivals of the majority Hindus in the country. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18983', 'image' => '20231015053026_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 05:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19253', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Disasters Cause US$ 3.8 Trillion in Crop Loses over 30 Years: FAO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Floods, droughts, insect infestations, storms, disease and war have caused about $123 billion per year in lost food production between 1991 and 2021, the equivalent of five percent of total production or enough to feed up to half a billion people per year, the FAO said in a report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This is the first time the UN body has tried to compile such an estimate, with the aim of putting into context the scale of the cost of disasters on both a global and personal scale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The international community is taking stock of the fact that disasters are... increasing tremendously (...) quadrupling since the 1970s" and are having an increasing impact on food production, the deputy head of FAO's statistics department, Piero Conforti, told AFP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO has found that disasters are increasing in severity and frequency, from 100 per year in the 1970s to around 400 events per year in the past 20 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate change is increasingly responsible, as well as human and livestock diseases. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Agriculture around the world is increasingly at risk of being disrupted due to multiple hazards and threats such as flooding, water scarcity, drought, declining agricultural yields and fisheries resources, loss of biological diversities and environmental degradation," said the FAO. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It identified the "systemic drivers of disaster risk" as climate change, pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The damage adds up quickly. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Average annual grain losses hit 69 million tonnes, the equivalent of France's annual production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some 40 million tonnes of fruit and vegetable production was lost, and 16 million tonnes of meat, fish and eggs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Around 23 percent of losses due to disasters were sustained in the agricultural sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO further found that poorer nations suffered the highest losses due to extreme events in terms of the percentage of their agricultural output, at up to 10 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asia is the worst-hit region, sustaining 45 percent of total agricultural losses due to disasters, and losing the equivalent of four percent of its agricultural output. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Horn of Africa nations that are regularly touched by drought lost an average of 15 percent of crop production. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18982', 'image' => '20231014073446_image1.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:33:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19254', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Mahat urges EU to Remove Nepal from its Aviation Safety Concern List', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. He made such an appeal at a sideline meeting with EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen in Marrakesh, Morocco on Thursday. The finance minister is currently in Marrakesh to attend the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">During the meeting he also urged the EU to increase its economic assistance to Nepal, Minister Mahat's secretariat stated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU has put Nepal's airlines companies in its list of air safety concern since 2013. As a result, the airlines companies of Nepal are not allowed to operate flights in the European skies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU had refused to de-list Nepal’s airlines from the list of aviation concerns when it carried out a monitoring of Nepali airlines about a year ago. It had announced its plan of conducting an on-site monitoring of the status of air safety issues in February 2023, but the EU team did not come to Nepal for the monitoring following the air crash near the Pokhara Airport on January 15.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU's security committee, however, conducted an on-site study of Nepali airlines companies and on aviation security in August/September and the finance minister made this request in this context.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the EU Commissioner said that they would be carrying out works on this matter through the EU Embassy in Nepal and also hold discussions on this. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18981', 'image' => '20231014074022_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:39:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19252', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '11th NRNA Global Conference to Be Held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the NRNA. The conference, which takes place every two years, will involve the election of office bearers for the International Coordination Council of the NRNA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to inaugurate the conference on October 17. The World Knowledge Conference will span two days, October 17 and 18, according to NRNA spokesperson Somnath Sapkota. Additionally, there will be a session focused on women and youth during the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting is a new feature in this year's election schedule and will be open for 24 hours starting on October 19. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is set to conclude the polls on the evening of October 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NRNA has introduced an innovative 'facial app' for voting. Voters will receive a link to the app 24 hours before voting, and they can cast their votes after facial verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To prepare for this conference, 59 National Coordination Council elections were held earlier, resulting in the election of 4,227 international representatives. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting allows representatives from around the world to participate from their locations. However, candidates, proposers, and seconders are required to visit the convention site for registration and verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Representatives at the convention site will have access to computers for online voting at specified locations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Approximately 1,500 candidates and voters are expected to vote from the conference site. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Five individuals are vying for the position of NRNA president, including the incumbent NRNA presidents Badri KC and Rabina Thapa, vice presidents Mahesh Shrestha and RK Sharma, and deputy general secretary Binaya Adhikari.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18980', 'image' => '20231013033630_collage (23).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 15:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19251', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Israel-Hamas War a 'New Cloud' Over World Economy: IMF', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the French news agency, the global lenders are holding their gathering, which brings together finance ministers and central bankers from around the world, in an Arab country for the first time in 20 years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conflict, which erupted when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a bloody attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the world economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Speaking at a press conference in Marrakesh, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the International Monetary Fund was "very closely monitoring how the situation evolves" and how it is affecting oil markets.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">AFP quoted Georgieva as saying that it was "too early" to assess the impact of the conflict, but "this is a new cloud on not the sunniest horizon for the world economy -- new cloud, darkening this horizon."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Georgieva noted that the IMF's World Economic Outlook, which was released earlier this week but drafted before the conflict broke out, already showed weak global growth.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The global economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic has been hit by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, elevated inflation and high interest rates.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Unfortunately, far too many countries and communities are affected by natural disasters, and worse by wars in Ukraine and now in the Middle East that cause tragic loss of civilian lives and tremendous suffering," AFP quoted Georgieva as saying.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We mourn the victims," she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are experiencing severe shocks that are now becoming the new normal for a world that is weakened by weak growth and economic fragmentation."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, the IMF has kept its growth forecast a 3.0 percent for this year but lowered it to 2.9 percent for 2024, warning that the economy is "limping along, not sprinting."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said Tuesday that IMF research shows that a 10 percent increase in oil prices could weigh down on global growth by 0.15 percentage points and increase inflation by 0.4 percentage points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The International Energy Agency said on Thursday the risk of oil supply disruptions due to the war is limited but that it stands ready to intervene in markets if necessary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, said oil prices remain lower than in September.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While it is difficult to have a "clear reading" about the conflict's economic impact, Azour said, the situation is "big, it's an earthquake."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18979', 'image' => '20231013103155_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:31:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19250', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Credit Flow of Banks Starts Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There has been an improvement in the lending of banks along with an increase in bank deposits due to the policy reforms of the central bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of Nepal Rastra Bank, the total deposits of banks and financial institutions in the current fiscal year has increased by Rs 78 billion, while credit flow also increased by Rs 73 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By the end of the last fiscal year (FY), banks had collected a total of Rs 5767 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4879 billion in loans. As of October 9, bank deposits have reached Rs 5845 billion and credit flow has reached Rs 4952 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Until last year, the government had given banks the facility to calculate 80 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as deposits. Due to the removal of this facility from mid-July, only 50 percent of the deposit can be counted as bank deposits. As a result, bank deposits fell to Rs 5658 billion during the beginning of the current fiscal year. Bank deposit further declined to Rs 5610 billion by mid-August.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, after discussions with bankers, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat gave the facility to calculate 60 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as a deposit from September. Coupled with the increase in inflow of remittance, deposits of Rs 116 billion were added to the banking system within one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the increase in bank deposits, banks emphasized on lending. The central bank said that the loan disbursement of banks which was continuously declining till mid-August of the current year increased by Rs 93 billion in the last one and a half months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Spokesperson Dr Dilliram Pokharel says that bank loans increase due to the increase in business during the festive season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“This is the impact of central bank’s policy on credit expansion,” said Pokharel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Anil Sharma, chief executive officer of Nepal Bankers Association, said that credit expansion, which has been off the mark for a long time, has started increasing of late.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The credit expansion of banks was negative for the past one and a half years," he said, "It has started to increase in the past few months."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sharma said that although banks have not disbursed loans for big projects, small investments have been made in the import and consumer sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We don't have the detailed data on which sector the loan is going to," he said, "But, mainly, the loan may have been given to imports and consumer goods aimed at festivals."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In order to make the economy vibrant, the central bank had reviewed the loan policy for shares and personal real estate, real estate and vehicles last week. The NRB amended the Unified Directive, 2079 on October 5 and increased the margin lending cap to a maximum of Rs 150 million from 120 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Individual investors can now avail margin lending up to Rs 150 million, while institutional investors have a higher limit of Rs 200 million. This means that investors now have more flexibility in borrowing money for investing in the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This decision to remove the cap on margin lending comes in response to pressure from share market investors who argued that the cap of Rs 120 million on loans against the securities was negatively impacting the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the amended guidelines require commercial banks to maintain a counter cyclical buffer of 0.5 percent by the end of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of NRB, the average credit-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks on October 9 was 81.86 percent. As banks can give loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, they have the ability to extend loans of around Rs 475 billion at present. However, banks have been saying that there is no demand for loans due to high interest rates and weak economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The interbank interest rate fell to 1.91 percent on Monday due to high liquidity in banks and the lack of demand for loans. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18978', 'image' => '20231013103009_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19249', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '254 Nepalis Rescued from Israel brought Home ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. They were brought home on a wide-body aircraft of the Nepal Airlines Corporation. Government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, had gone to Israel to pick them up. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport after the rescue flight, Minister Saud said 254 of the 503 Nepalis who wanted to return back from Israel have been brought in this rescue flight and the remaining others would be brought soon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Five hundred and fifty-seven Nepalis had provided their details in response to the request of the Embassy of Nepal based in Tel Aviv, Israel for relocation to safer places and to return to Nepal. Out of the 557 Nepalis, 503 had applied to return to home and among them 254 have returned home today with us," the Foreign Affairs Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, 54 Nepalis who requested to be relocated from risky areas have been shifted to safe zone in Israel. He added that four Nepali citizens were injured in the attack by Hamas militants in southern parts of Israel and one among them has returned today after treatment, another one has been discharged from hospital while two others are receiving treatment in hospital in Israel. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A search continues for Bipin Joshi who has gone missing following the attack. We will share the information as soon as we get additional information," Minister Saud said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs said 10 Nepali students who had gone to Israel from the Far-west University of Nepal were killed in the attack by the Hamas group and coordination is being established with the Government of Israel to bring their bodies to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Israeli side has stated that it will take some time for handing over the bodies in order to complete the legal process and keep separate details of each and every deceased. The process is delayed because the number of bodies in Israel is currently very high," he said and requested the families and relatives of the deceased Nepalis to have patience for some time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Saud maintained that the government will make arrangement to bring home the remaining Nepalis who could not be brought this time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs thanked the media and media persons, the Government of Israel and the Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Israel in Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in Israel and the members of the flight crew, who helped in the rescue of Nepali nationals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal Police had kept three buses on stand-by at the airport to take the rescued Nepalis to various destinations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the data of the ministry, there are currently 265 Nepali students studying in Israel and about 4,500 working in various sectors. The 265 Nepali students went to Israel under the Israeli government’s 'Learn and Earn' programme. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18977', 'image' => '20231013094541_RatnaShrestha_KTM_RSS_26 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 09:44:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19248', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Organizes Awareness Programme on Life Insurance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The program was held at Shivalaya Multiple Campus.The program was graced by special guests, including the company's province head Tulkanath Acharya, deputy province head Balaram Gautam, and the head of the Department of Management, Pradeep Lamichhane, among other students.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the program, the company's province head, Tulkanath Acharya, highlighted the importance of life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the company's deputy province head, Balaram Gautam, shed light on the history of life insurance and the current status of it.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18976', 'image' => '20231013055717_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19247', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Bank provides 5 Gopro Cameras and Chest Straps to Nepal Police', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bank has donated donated five units of Gopro Hero 9 camera along with Insta 360 Chest Strap worth Rs 267,500 to monitor unwanted activities happening in Kathmandu, according to the press release issued by the bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On behalf of the bank, Ashok SJB Rana, chief executive officer of HBL, recently handed over the cameras to Superintendent of Police at District Police Office Kathmandu, Kumud Dhungel, in presence of Ujjal Rajbhandary, deputy chief executive officer and Samir Acharya, chief manager. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18975', 'image' => '20231013054609_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:44:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19262', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'WB Positive to Provide Concessional Loan of Rs 130 Billion ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The WB indicated that it is willing to provide the concessional loan for the project during the meeting of its office-bearers with Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in Marrakesh of Morocco on Saturday. Finance Minister Mahat is in Morocco to attend the annual meeting of the WB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, the high-level Nepali delegation is preparing to hold a discussion focusing on the issues of technical and financial aspects for acquiring the loan in Washington next week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the WB has given a positive nod to the proposal presented by the finance minister to organise the 21st meeting of International Development Aid in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the review meeting with Vice-President for South Asia Region, WB, Martin Raiser, and WB Vice-President of Development Finance, Akihiko Nishio, they responded positively to Nepal's proposal. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18989', 'image' => '20231015114315_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Cancels Tenders due to High Bids', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the MCC projects, cancelled the contract process as the bid amounts were much higher than the overall estimated cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Information Officer of MCA Nepal, Rajeev Dahal, preparations are being made to invite new tender bids for the transmission line project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process was canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate, said Dahal. MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three sections.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Responding to the tender issued on May 22, six companies had submitted proposals to build the transmission line. Out of them, only five companies met the requirement as mentioned in the tender notice.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">India's Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, Transrail Lighting Limited, Tata Projects Limited, KEC International Limited, Larsen & Turbo Limited were technically successful and those companies applied for all three packages.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The first phase of the transmission line includes Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section. MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of building this section of transmission line at a cost of USD 76.4 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Among the companies that submitted proposal for the first package, Transrail Lighting Limited, the company that made the lowest bid, proposed to build the transmission line for USD 130.15 million. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The lowest bid exceeded the estimated cost by USD 55.67 million which is 72 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under the second phase, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost to build the Ratmate-New Damauli section at USD 64.8 million. The lowest bid was made by Tata Projects Limited. The company proposed to build the section for USD 105.4 million. The lowest offer was USD 45. 71 million more than the estimate of MCA. This is 62.5 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, under the third package, the New Damauli-New Butwal transmission line up to the border of India was estimated to be constructed for USD 79.2 million. However, Tata Projects Limited, which made the lowest bid, proposed USD 129. 21 million. That amount is 62.73 percent more than the cost estimate. The lowest offer was USD 49.7 million more than the estimate of MCA. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal had estimated the total cost of all three sections of the transmission line to be around USD 220 million. However, the proposal made by the companies that presented the lowest bid was amounted to USD 364 million. This cost is 66 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While there are doubts that the project will be completed within five years, MCA Nepal itself is not clear about how much time it will take for the next tender process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The US government will provide grants of USD 500 million for the project while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million to build transmission line and upgrade roads.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18988', 'image' => '20231015101854_1697340145.1693362083.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 10:18:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Marketing Research Sector Expanding in Nepal’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This was revealed during a recent “Seminar on Marketing Research” organized by Avant Garde Solution in collaboration with the Kathmandu University School of Management and Tribhuvan University Faculty of Management.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The seminar discussed the needs, prospects and challenges of research findings to promote marketing research activities in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prof Drd Achyut Prasad Wagle, registrar of Kathmandu University; Prof Drd Dilip Parajuli, deputy dean of Tribhuvan University and keynote speaker Saibal Ghosh, management consultant and former CEO of Berger Paints Nepal underscored the need for comprehensive market data, its quality, and the trustworthiness of the insights derived from it. The discussion brought to light the substantial opportunities that lie ahead in the field of market research, offering significant benefits to both the realms of business and the social sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The highlight of the seminar was the panel discussion featuring Ashutosh Tiwari, Sushil Shrestha, Punam Singh, Prof Dr Binod Krishna Shrestha, and Prof Dr Bhoj Raj Aryal. During this engaging session, the panel delved into key topics, including the dynamics of marketing research, the significance of a data-driven approach, the reliability of data, and the importance of contextualizing reports. The session was moderated by Ananta Raj Ghimire, an accomplished academician, corporate trainer, and motivational coach.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the event, Ramesh Shrestha, Managing Partner of Avant Garde Solutions, delivered a presentation titled "Marketing Data Analytics." His presentation shed light on the growing trend within marketing research, showcasing the industry's growth. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18987', 'image' => '20231015114102_mark.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:40:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Monsoon to Fully Exit after Some More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, monsoon is gone from all parts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as Madhes province from Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the division, monsoon is likely to exit from the remaining parts of the country within a few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the monsoon is on its way out, there is possibility of general to moderate rainfall from Monday to Wednesday due to the influence of the Westerly wind, the division said. It said a system of Westerly wind will arrive from Sunday night with chances of intermittent to light rainfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Pratibha Manandhar said the farmers are advised not to immediately harvest their paddy crop and if they have already done so to thresh it and store by today (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manandhar said the weather will start improving from Wednesday only, as it will still take some days more for the monsoon to exit from the eastern region of the country. At present, the monsoon wind is having partial impact in the eastern parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Normally, monsoon should have gone away from Nepal by October 2. However, this year monsoon has not withdrawn fully gone as of October 15. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Govinda Jha said although the sky will be clear in the afternoon, it will be somewhat hazy in the morning and evening due to atmospheric pollution and particulate matters in the air as there is no rain. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18986', 'image' => '20231015093654_weatherrrr.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:36:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19256', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '71.7 Percent People Perceive Political Leaders' Role in Corruption: Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a report entitled 'Corruption Reflection Nepal, 2023' unveiled by the Alternative Foundation on Saturday, corruption prevails in several forms in Nepal and the main forms are bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and extortion and abuse of power while nepotism and favoritism are deeply rooted in Nepalese culture, which back corruption. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the findings of the study, the major sources of corruption are traditional politics and working styles, nepotism, greed and getting rich quickly, policy loopholes, money-minded bureaucracy and authorities, delayed justice, unfair political appointments, abuse of the rule of law, cultural effects, among others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Almost all sectors: the public, political, and private sectors, have been infected by corruption, states the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Corruption negatively impacts the good governance system and jeopardizes transparency and accountability." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report has been divided into two sections: 'politics and corruption' and the 'government and corruption'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the survey that included 1,000 respondents, most of the respondents perceived that political parties do not implement their election manifestos. They expressed discontent with the working style of political parties and the behavior of political leaders. Citizens have a strong perception that political parties and leaders are involved in corruption and also in the protection of crimes in society. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It shows that 71.2 percent citizens think election manifesto of political parties is not implemented while 79.2 percent are not satisfied with the ways political parties work and 71.0 percent citizens think behaviour of political leaders is not good. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise 71.7 percent citizens assume political leaders are involved in corruption while 63.37 percent believe that political parties are involved in corruption, 70.8 percent perceives political parties and leaders protect crime in the society while 89.1 percent citizens think there is need of transformation in political parties. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens perceive that the government’s efforts to control corruption are not adequate. Most of the citizens are unaware of the CIAA's activities. Among the government intuitions and others, citizens perceived the highest level of corruption in government officials and the lowest corruption in bank employees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Survey coordinator Dr Janakraj Shah said the document would help make the government aware of public voices regarding the perceived status of corruption. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18985', 'image' => '20231015090248_20210128035011_11579841541.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Manang Air Chopper Crashes in Everest Region, Pilot Sustains Burn Injuries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.<br /> The helicopter was flying from Lukla to Lobuche for a rescue operation and crashed at 7:24 am in the morning. <br /> The helicopter’s pilot Prakash Sedhai was the only person onboard at the time of the accident. Captain Sedhai, who was injured in the accident, has been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. According to information officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Gyanendra Bhul, Captain Sedhai is out of danger. <br /> According to media reports, the pilot has sustained burn injuries and he is being transferred to Mumbai from Kathmandu-based HAMS for specialized treatment.<br /> The reason of the accident is not known yet and CAAN will reveal it after further investigation, Bhul told state-owned RSS. <br /> Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suspended the license of Manang Air following frequent crashes.<br /> “#CAAN has suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Manang Air Pvt. Ltd. until further notice,” CAAN wrote on Twitter, adding that a four-member committee has been formed for the investigation of H125 helicopter (9N-ANJ) accident of Manang Air in Lobuche area on Saturday.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18984', 'image' => '20231015091233_manang-air-customized-tour.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:11:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19255', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Route Permit Open for Public Transport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 15: The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a result, passenger vehicles are not required to have the route permits to provide service in any part of the country, according to the Department of Transport Management. The provision will remain in effect until October 27. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, the entry of large goods carrier vehicles including trailers, except those transporting food and other essential items, has been banned from entering the Kathmandu valley. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It may be noted that advance ticket bookings for public transport had opened from October 9 to facilitate passengers going home for Dashain festival. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">More than two million people are expected to leave the federal capital for their respective home town and villages to celebrate Dashain, one of the greatest festivals of the majority Hindus in the country. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18983', 'image' => '20231015053026_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 05:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19253', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Disasters Cause US$ 3.8 Trillion in Crop Loses over 30 Years: FAO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Floods, droughts, insect infestations, storms, disease and war have caused about $123 billion per year in lost food production between 1991 and 2021, the equivalent of five percent of total production or enough to feed up to half a billion people per year, the FAO said in a report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This is the first time the UN body has tried to compile such an estimate, with the aim of putting into context the scale of the cost of disasters on both a global and personal scale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The international community is taking stock of the fact that disasters are... increasing tremendously (...) quadrupling since the 1970s" and are having an increasing impact on food production, the deputy head of FAO's statistics department, Piero Conforti, told AFP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO has found that disasters are increasing in severity and frequency, from 100 per year in the 1970s to around 400 events per year in the past 20 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate change is increasingly responsible, as well as human and livestock diseases. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Agriculture around the world is increasingly at risk of being disrupted due to multiple hazards and threats such as flooding, water scarcity, drought, declining agricultural yields and fisheries resources, loss of biological diversities and environmental degradation," said the FAO. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It identified the "systemic drivers of disaster risk" as climate change, pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The damage adds up quickly. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Average annual grain losses hit 69 million tonnes, the equivalent of France's annual production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some 40 million tonnes of fruit and vegetable production was lost, and 16 million tonnes of meat, fish and eggs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Around 23 percent of losses due to disasters were sustained in the agricultural sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO further found that poorer nations suffered the highest losses due to extreme events in terms of the percentage of their agricultural output, at up to 10 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asia is the worst-hit region, sustaining 45 percent of total agricultural losses due to disasters, and losing the equivalent of four percent of its agricultural output. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Horn of Africa nations that are regularly touched by drought lost an average of 15 percent of crop production. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18982', 'image' => '20231014073446_image1.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:33:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19254', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Mahat urges EU to Remove Nepal from its Aviation Safety Concern List', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. He made such an appeal at a sideline meeting with EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen in Marrakesh, Morocco on Thursday. The finance minister is currently in Marrakesh to attend the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">During the meeting he also urged the EU to increase its economic assistance to Nepal, Minister Mahat's secretariat stated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU has put Nepal's airlines companies in its list of air safety concern since 2013. As a result, the airlines companies of Nepal are not allowed to operate flights in the European skies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU had refused to de-list Nepal’s airlines from the list of aviation concerns when it carried out a monitoring of Nepali airlines about a year ago. It had announced its plan of conducting an on-site monitoring of the status of air safety issues in February 2023, but the EU team did not come to Nepal for the monitoring following the air crash near the Pokhara Airport on January 15.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU's security committee, however, conducted an on-site study of Nepali airlines companies and on aviation security in August/September and the finance minister made this request in this context.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the EU Commissioner said that they would be carrying out works on this matter through the EU Embassy in Nepal and also hold discussions on this. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18981', 'image' => '20231014074022_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:39:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19252', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '11th NRNA Global Conference to Be Held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the NRNA. The conference, which takes place every two years, will involve the election of office bearers for the International Coordination Council of the NRNA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to inaugurate the conference on October 17. The World Knowledge Conference will span two days, October 17 and 18, according to NRNA spokesperson Somnath Sapkota. Additionally, there will be a session focused on women and youth during the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting is a new feature in this year's election schedule and will be open for 24 hours starting on October 19. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is set to conclude the polls on the evening of October 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NRNA has introduced an innovative 'facial app' for voting. Voters will receive a link to the app 24 hours before voting, and they can cast their votes after facial verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To prepare for this conference, 59 National Coordination Council elections were held earlier, resulting in the election of 4,227 international representatives. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting allows representatives from around the world to participate from their locations. However, candidates, proposers, and seconders are required to visit the convention site for registration and verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Representatives at the convention site will have access to computers for online voting at specified locations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Approximately 1,500 candidates and voters are expected to vote from the conference site. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Five individuals are vying for the position of NRNA president, including the incumbent NRNA presidents Badri KC and Rabina Thapa, vice presidents Mahesh Shrestha and RK Sharma, and deputy general secretary Binaya Adhikari.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18980', 'image' => '20231013033630_collage (23).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 15:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19251', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Israel-Hamas War a 'New Cloud' Over World Economy: IMF', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the French news agency, the global lenders are holding their gathering, which brings together finance ministers and central bankers from around the world, in an Arab country for the first time in 20 years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conflict, which erupted when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a bloody attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the world economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Speaking at a press conference in Marrakesh, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the International Monetary Fund was "very closely monitoring how the situation evolves" and how it is affecting oil markets.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">AFP quoted Georgieva as saying that it was "too early" to assess the impact of the conflict, but "this is a new cloud on not the sunniest horizon for the world economy -- new cloud, darkening this horizon."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Georgieva noted that the IMF's World Economic Outlook, which was released earlier this week but drafted before the conflict broke out, already showed weak global growth.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The global economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic has been hit by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, elevated inflation and high interest rates.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Unfortunately, far too many countries and communities are affected by natural disasters, and worse by wars in Ukraine and now in the Middle East that cause tragic loss of civilian lives and tremendous suffering," AFP quoted Georgieva as saying.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We mourn the victims," she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are experiencing severe shocks that are now becoming the new normal for a world that is weakened by weak growth and economic fragmentation."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, the IMF has kept its growth forecast a 3.0 percent for this year but lowered it to 2.9 percent for 2024, warning that the economy is "limping along, not sprinting."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said Tuesday that IMF research shows that a 10 percent increase in oil prices could weigh down on global growth by 0.15 percentage points and increase inflation by 0.4 percentage points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The International Energy Agency said on Thursday the risk of oil supply disruptions due to the war is limited but that it stands ready to intervene in markets if necessary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, said oil prices remain lower than in September.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While it is difficult to have a "clear reading" about the conflict's economic impact, Azour said, the situation is "big, it's an earthquake."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18979', 'image' => '20231013103155_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:31:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19250', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Credit Flow of Banks Starts Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There has been an improvement in the lending of banks along with an increase in bank deposits due to the policy reforms of the central bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of Nepal Rastra Bank, the total deposits of banks and financial institutions in the current fiscal year has increased by Rs 78 billion, while credit flow also increased by Rs 73 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By the end of the last fiscal year (FY), banks had collected a total of Rs 5767 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4879 billion in loans. As of October 9, bank deposits have reached Rs 5845 billion and credit flow has reached Rs 4952 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Until last year, the government had given banks the facility to calculate 80 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as deposits. Due to the removal of this facility from mid-July, only 50 percent of the deposit can be counted as bank deposits. As a result, bank deposits fell to Rs 5658 billion during the beginning of the current fiscal year. Bank deposit further declined to Rs 5610 billion by mid-August.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, after discussions with bankers, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat gave the facility to calculate 60 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as a deposit from September. Coupled with the increase in inflow of remittance, deposits of Rs 116 billion were added to the banking system within one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the increase in bank deposits, banks emphasized on lending. The central bank said that the loan disbursement of banks which was continuously declining till mid-August of the current year increased by Rs 93 billion in the last one and a half months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Spokesperson Dr Dilliram Pokharel says that bank loans increase due to the increase in business during the festive season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“This is the impact of central bank’s policy on credit expansion,” said Pokharel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Anil Sharma, chief executive officer of Nepal Bankers Association, said that credit expansion, which has been off the mark for a long time, has started increasing of late.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The credit expansion of banks was negative for the past one and a half years," he said, "It has started to increase in the past few months."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sharma said that although banks have not disbursed loans for big projects, small investments have been made in the import and consumer sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We don't have the detailed data on which sector the loan is going to," he said, "But, mainly, the loan may have been given to imports and consumer goods aimed at festivals."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In order to make the economy vibrant, the central bank had reviewed the loan policy for shares and personal real estate, real estate and vehicles last week. The NRB amended the Unified Directive, 2079 on October 5 and increased the margin lending cap to a maximum of Rs 150 million from 120 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Individual investors can now avail margin lending up to Rs 150 million, while institutional investors have a higher limit of Rs 200 million. This means that investors now have more flexibility in borrowing money for investing in the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This decision to remove the cap on margin lending comes in response to pressure from share market investors who argued that the cap of Rs 120 million on loans against the securities was negatively impacting the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the amended guidelines require commercial banks to maintain a counter cyclical buffer of 0.5 percent by the end of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of NRB, the average credit-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks on October 9 was 81.86 percent. As banks can give loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, they have the ability to extend loans of around Rs 475 billion at present. However, banks have been saying that there is no demand for loans due to high interest rates and weak economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The interbank interest rate fell to 1.91 percent on Monday due to high liquidity in banks and the lack of demand for loans. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18978', 'image' => '20231013103009_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19249', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '254 Nepalis Rescued from Israel brought Home ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. They were brought home on a wide-body aircraft of the Nepal Airlines Corporation. Government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, had gone to Israel to pick them up. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport after the rescue flight, Minister Saud said 254 of the 503 Nepalis who wanted to return back from Israel have been brought in this rescue flight and the remaining others would be brought soon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Five hundred and fifty-seven Nepalis had provided their details in response to the request of the Embassy of Nepal based in Tel Aviv, Israel for relocation to safer places and to return to Nepal. Out of the 557 Nepalis, 503 had applied to return to home and among them 254 have returned home today with us," the Foreign Affairs Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, 54 Nepalis who requested to be relocated from risky areas have been shifted to safe zone in Israel. He added that four Nepali citizens were injured in the attack by Hamas militants in southern parts of Israel and one among them has returned today after treatment, another one has been discharged from hospital while two others are receiving treatment in hospital in Israel. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A search continues for Bipin Joshi who has gone missing following the attack. We will share the information as soon as we get additional information," Minister Saud said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs said 10 Nepali students who had gone to Israel from the Far-west University of Nepal were killed in the attack by the Hamas group and coordination is being established with the Government of Israel to bring their bodies to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Israeli side has stated that it will take some time for handing over the bodies in order to complete the legal process and keep separate details of each and every deceased. The process is delayed because the number of bodies in Israel is currently very high," he said and requested the families and relatives of the deceased Nepalis to have patience for some time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Saud maintained that the government will make arrangement to bring home the remaining Nepalis who could not be brought this time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs thanked the media and media persons, the Government of Israel and the Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Israel in Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in Israel and the members of the flight crew, who helped in the rescue of Nepali nationals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal Police had kept three buses on stand-by at the airport to take the rescued Nepalis to various destinations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the data of the ministry, there are currently 265 Nepali students studying in Israel and about 4,500 working in various sectors. The 265 Nepali students went to Israel under the Israeli government’s 'Learn and Earn' programme. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18977', 'image' => '20231013094541_RatnaShrestha_KTM_RSS_26 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 09:44:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19248', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Organizes Awareness Programme on Life Insurance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The program was held at Shivalaya Multiple Campus.The program was graced by special guests, including the company's province head Tulkanath Acharya, deputy province head Balaram Gautam, and the head of the Department of Management, Pradeep Lamichhane, among other students.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the program, the company's province head, Tulkanath Acharya, highlighted the importance of life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the company's deputy province head, Balaram Gautam, shed light on the history of life insurance and the current status of it.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18976', 'image' => '20231013055717_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19247', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Bank provides 5 Gopro Cameras and Chest Straps to Nepal Police', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bank has donated donated five units of Gopro Hero 9 camera along with Insta 360 Chest Strap worth Rs 267,500 to monitor unwanted activities happening in Kathmandu, according to the press release issued by the bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On behalf of the bank, Ashok SJB Rana, chief executive officer of HBL, recently handed over the cameras to Superintendent of Police at District Police Office Kathmandu, Kumud Dhungel, in presence of Ujjal Rajbhandary, deputy chief executive officer and Samir Acharya, chief manager. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18975', 'image' => '20231013054609_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:44:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: The World Bank is positive about providing concessional loan of Rs 130 billion for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The WB indicated that it is willing to provide the concessional loan for the project during the meeting of its office-bearers with Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat in Marrakesh of Morocco on Saturday. Finance Minister Mahat is in Morocco to attend the annual meeting of the WB. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Ministry of Finance, the high-level Nepali delegation is preparing to hold a discussion focusing on the issues of technical and financial aspects for acquiring the loan in Washington next week. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the WB has given a positive nod to the proposal presented by the finance minister to organise the 21st meeting of International Development Aid in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the review meeting with Vice-President for South Asia Region, WB, Martin Raiser, and WB Vice-President of Development Finance, Akihiko Nishio, they responded positively to Nepal's proposal. -- RSS </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18989', 'image' => '20231015114315_World.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:42:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19259', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'MCA Nepal Cancels Tenders due to High Bids', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 15: The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal canceled the contract bids of the projects under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) due to high cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal, which is responsible for implementing the MCC projects, cancelled the contract process as the bid amounts were much higher than the overall estimated cost.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">According to Information Officer of MCA Nepal, Rajeev Dahal, preparations are being made to invite new tender bids for the transmission line project. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The process was canceled after the lowest bid in the tender was 66 percent higher than the cost estimate, said Dahal. MCA Nepal had invited bids for the construction of the 315 km long transmission line project dividing it into three sections.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Responding to the tender issued on May 22, six companies had submitted proposals to build the transmission line. Out of them, only five companies met the requirement as mentioned in the tender notice.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">India's Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, Transrail Lighting Limited, Tata Projects Limited, KEC International Limited, Larsen & Turbo Limited were technically successful and those companies applied for all three packages.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The first phase of the transmission line includes Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-New Hetaunda section. MCA Nepal had estimated the cost of building this section of transmission line at a cost of USD 76.4 million.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Among the companies that submitted proposal for the first package, Transrail Lighting Limited, the company that made the lowest bid, proposed to build the transmission line for USD 130.15 million. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The lowest bid exceeded the estimated cost by USD 55.67 million which is 72 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under the second phase, MCA Nepal had estimated the cost to build the Ratmate-New Damauli section at USD 64.8 million. The lowest bid was made by Tata Projects Limited. The company proposed to build the section for USD 105.4 million. The lowest offer was USD 45. 71 million more than the estimate of MCA. This is 62.5 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, under the third package, the New Damauli-New Butwal transmission line up to the border of India was estimated to be constructed for USD 79.2 million. However, Tata Projects Limited, which made the lowest bid, proposed USD 129. 21 million. That amount is 62.73 percent more than the cost estimate. The lowest offer was USD 49.7 million more than the estimate of MCA. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The MCA Nepal had estimated the total cost of all three sections of the transmission line to be around USD 220 million. However, the proposal made by the companies that presented the lowest bid was amounted to USD 364 million. This cost is 66 percent more than the estimate.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While there are doubts that the project will be completed within five years, MCA Nepal itself is not clear about how much time it will take for the next tender process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The US government will provide grants of USD 500 million for the project while the Government of Nepal will contribute USD 197 million to build transmission line and upgrade roads.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18988', 'image' => '20231015101854_1697340145.1693362083.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 10:18:16', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19261', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '‘Marketing Research Sector Expanding in Nepal’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">October 15: Experts are of the view that the marketing research sector is expanding rapidly, with ample opportunities emerging, particularly in countries like Nepal.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This was revealed during a recent “Seminar on Marketing Research” organized by Avant Garde Solution in collaboration with the Kathmandu University School of Management and Tribhuvan University Faculty of Management.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The seminar discussed the needs, prospects and challenges of research findings to promote marketing research activities in Nepal. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Prof Drd Achyut Prasad Wagle, registrar of Kathmandu University; Prof Drd Dilip Parajuli, deputy dean of Tribhuvan University and keynote speaker Saibal Ghosh, management consultant and former CEO of Berger Paints Nepal underscored the need for comprehensive market data, its quality, and the trustworthiness of the insights derived from it. The discussion brought to light the substantial opportunities that lie ahead in the field of market research, offering significant benefits to both the realms of business and the social sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The highlight of the seminar was the panel discussion featuring Ashutosh Tiwari, Sushil Shrestha, Punam Singh, Prof Dr Binod Krishna Shrestha, and Prof Dr Bhoj Raj Aryal. During this engaging session, the panel delved into key topics, including the dynamics of marketing research, the significance of a data-driven approach, the reliability of data, and the importance of contextualizing reports. The session was moderated by Ananta Raj Ghimire, an accomplished academician, corporate trainer, and motivational coach.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">During the event, Ramesh Shrestha, Managing Partner of Avant Garde Solutions, delivered a presentation titled "Marketing Data Analytics." His presentation shed light on the growing trend within marketing research, showcasing the industry's growth. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18987', 'image' => '20231015114102_mark.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 11:40:27', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19258', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Monsoon to Fully Exit after Some More Days', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: The monsoon this year has petered out from most parts of Bagmati and Madhes provinces. It has already exited from Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, monsoon is gone from all parts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces as well as Madhes province from Saturday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the division, monsoon is likely to exit from the remaining parts of the country within a few days. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Although the monsoon is on its way out, there is possibility of general to moderate rainfall from Monday to Wednesday due to the influence of the Westerly wind, the division said. It said a system of Westerly wind will arrive from Sunday night with chances of intermittent to light rainfall. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Pratibha Manandhar said the farmers are advised not to immediately harvest their paddy crop and if they have already done so to thresh it and store by today (Sunday). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Manandhar said the weather will start improving from Wednesday only, as it will still take some days more for the monsoon to exit from the eastern region of the country. At present, the monsoon wind is having partial impact in the eastern parts of the country. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Normally, monsoon should have gone away from Nepal by October 2. However, this year monsoon has not withdrawn fully gone as of October 15. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Meteorologist Govinda Jha said although the sky will be clear in the afternoon, it will be somewhat hazy in the morning and evening due to atmospheric pollution and particulate matters in the air as there is no rain. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18986', 'image' => '20231015093654_weatherrrr.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:36:15', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19256', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '71.7 Percent People Perceive Political Leaders' Role in Corruption: Report ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 15: Weak leaders and political parties are to blame for rising corruption in Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to a report entitled 'Corruption Reflection Nepal, 2023' unveiled by the Alternative Foundation on Saturday, corruption prevails in several forms in Nepal and the main forms are bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and extortion and abuse of power while nepotism and favoritism are deeply rooted in Nepalese culture, which back corruption. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the findings of the study, the major sources of corruption are traditional politics and working styles, nepotism, greed and getting rich quickly, policy loopholes, money-minded bureaucracy and authorities, delayed justice, unfair political appointments, abuse of the rule of law, cultural effects, among others. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Almost all sectors: the public, political, and private sectors, have been infected by corruption, states the report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Corruption negatively impacts the good governance system and jeopardizes transparency and accountability." </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The report has been divided into two sections: 'politics and corruption' and the 'government and corruption'. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the survey that included 1,000 respondents, most of the respondents perceived that political parties do not implement their election manifestos. They expressed discontent with the working style of political parties and the behavior of political leaders. Citizens have a strong perception that political parties and leaders are involved in corruption and also in the protection of crimes in society. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It shows that 71.2 percent citizens think election manifesto of political parties is not implemented while 79.2 percent are not satisfied with the ways political parties work and 71.0 percent citizens think behaviour of political leaders is not good. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Likewise 71.7 percent citizens assume political leaders are involved in corruption while 63.37 percent believe that political parties are involved in corruption, 70.8 percent perceives political parties and leaders protect crime in the society while 89.1 percent citizens think there is need of transformation in political parties. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Citizens perceive that the government’s efforts to control corruption are not adequate. Most of the citizens are unaware of the CIAA's activities. Among the government intuitions and others, citizens perceived the highest level of corruption in government officials and the lowest corruption in bank employees. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Survey coordinator Dr Janakraj Shah said the document would help make the government aware of public voices regarding the perceived status of corruption. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18985', 'image' => '20231015090248_20210128035011_11579841541.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:01:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19257', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Manang Air Chopper Crashes in Everest Region, Pilot Sustains Burn Injuries', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px">October 14: A helicopter of Manang Air crashed while landing at Lobuche in the Everest region on Saturday morning.<br /> The helicopter was flying from Lukla to Lobuche for a rescue operation and crashed at 7:24 am in the morning. <br /> The helicopter’s pilot Prakash Sedhai was the only person onboard at the time of the accident. Captain Sedhai, who was injured in the accident, has been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. According to information officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Gyanendra Bhul, Captain Sedhai is out of danger. <br /> According to media reports, the pilot has sustained burn injuries and he is being transferred to Mumbai from Kathmandu-based HAMS for specialized treatment.<br /> The reason of the accident is not known yet and CAAN will reveal it after further investigation, Bhul told state-owned RSS. <br /> Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suspended the license of Manang Air following frequent crashes.<br /> “#CAAN has suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Manang Air Pvt. Ltd. until further notice,” CAAN wrote on Twitter, adding that a four-member committee has been formed for the investigation of H125 helicopter (9N-ANJ) accident of Manang Air in Lobuche area on Saturday.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18984', 'image' => '20231015091233_manang-air-customized-tour.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 09:11:53', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19255', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Route Permit Open for Public Transport', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 15: The government has opened route permits for public vehicles with effect from Friday. The provision has been made to ease the travel of the public for the upcoming festival of Dashain.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">As a result, passenger vehicles are not required to have the route permits to provide service in any part of the country, according to the Department of Transport Management. The provision will remain in effect until October 27. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Likewise, the entry of large goods carrier vehicles including trailers, except those transporting food and other essential items, has been banned from entering the Kathmandu valley. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It may be noted that advance ticket bookings for public transport had opened from October 9 to facilitate passengers going home for Dashain festival. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">More than two million people are expected to leave the federal capital for their respective home town and villages to celebrate Dashain, one of the greatest festivals of the majority Hindus in the country. (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-15', 'modified' => '2023-10-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18983', 'image' => '20231015053026_collage (9).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-15 05:29:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19253', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Disasters Cause US$ 3.8 Trillion in Crop Loses over 30 Years: FAO ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 14: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock loses over 30 years, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said on Friday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Floods, droughts, insect infestations, storms, disease and war have caused about $123 billion per year in lost food production between 1991 and 2021, the equivalent of five percent of total production or enough to feed up to half a billion people per year, the FAO said in a report. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This is the first time the UN body has tried to compile such an estimate, with the aim of putting into context the scale of the cost of disasters on both a global and personal scale. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The international community is taking stock of the fact that disasters are... increasing tremendously (...) quadrupling since the 1970s" and are having an increasing impact on food production, the deputy head of FAO's statistics department, Piero Conforti, told AFP. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO has found that disasters are increasing in severity and frequency, from 100 per year in the 1970s to around 400 events per year in the past 20 years. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Climate change is increasingly responsible, as well as human and livestock diseases. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Agriculture around the world is increasingly at risk of being disrupted due to multiple hazards and threats such as flooding, water scarcity, drought, declining agricultural yields and fisheries resources, loss of biological diversities and environmental degradation," said the FAO. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">It identified the "systemic drivers of disaster risk" as climate change, pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The damage adds up quickly. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Average annual grain losses hit 69 million tonnes, the equivalent of France's annual production. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some 40 million tonnes of fruit and vegetable production was lost, and 16 million tonnes of meat, fish and eggs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Around 23 percent of losses due to disasters were sustained in the agricultural sector. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The FAO further found that poorer nations suffered the highest losses due to extreme events in terms of the percentage of their agricultural output, at up to 10 percent. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asia is the worst-hit region, sustaining 45 percent of total agricultural losses due to disasters, and losing the equivalent of four percent of its agricultural output. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif""> Horn of Africa nations that are regularly touched by drought lost an average of 15 percent of crop production. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18982', 'image' => '20231014073446_image1.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:33:56', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19254', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Finance Minister Mahat urges EU to Remove Nepal from its Aviation Safety Concern List', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">October 14: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has urged the European Union (EU) to remove Nepal from its aviation safety concern list. He made such an appeal at a sideline meeting with EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen in Marrakesh, Morocco on Thursday. The finance minister is currently in Marrakesh to attend the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">During the meeting he also urged the EU to increase its economic assistance to Nepal, Minister Mahat's secretariat stated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU has put Nepal's airlines companies in its list of air safety concern since 2013. As a result, the airlines companies of Nepal are not allowed to operate flights in the European skies. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU had refused to de-list Nepal’s airlines from the list of aviation concerns when it carried out a monitoring of Nepali airlines about a year ago. It had announced its plan of conducting an on-site monitoring of the status of air safety issues in February 2023, but the EU team did not come to Nepal for the monitoring following the air crash near the Pokhara Airport on January 15.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The EU's security committee, however, conducted an on-site study of Nepali airlines companies and on aviation security in August/September and the finance minister made this request in this context.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On the occasion, the EU Commissioner said that they would be carrying out works on this matter through the EU Embassy in Nepal and also hold discussions on this. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-14', 'modified' => '2023-10-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18981', 'image' => '20231014074022_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-14 07:39:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19252', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '11th NRNA Global Conference to Be Held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: The 11th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the NRNA. The conference, which takes place every two years, will involve the election of office bearers for the International Coordination Council of the NRNA.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to inaugurate the conference on October 17. The World Knowledge Conference will span two days, October 17 and 18, according to NRNA spokesperson Somnath Sapkota. Additionally, there will be a session focused on women and youth during the conference.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting is a new feature in this year's election schedule and will be open for 24 hours starting on October 19. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is set to conclude the polls on the evening of October 20. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The NRNA has introduced an innovative 'facial app' for voting. Voters will receive a link to the app 24 hours before voting, and they can cast their votes after facial verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To prepare for this conference, 59 National Coordination Council elections were held earlier, resulting in the election of 4,227 international representatives. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Online voting allows representatives from around the world to participate from their locations. However, candidates, proposers, and seconders are required to visit the convention site for registration and verification.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Representatives at the convention site will have access to computers for online voting at specified locations.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Approximately 1,500 candidates and voters are expected to vote from the conference site. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Five individuals are vying for the position of NRNA president, including the incumbent NRNA presidents Badri KC and Rabina Thapa, vice presidents Mahesh Shrestha and RK Sharma, and deputy general secretary Binaya Adhikari.</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> (RSS) </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18980', 'image' => '20231013033630_collage (23).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 15:33:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19251', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Israel-Hamas War a 'New Cloud' Over World Economy: IMF', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The war between Israel and Hamas has cast a shadow over the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Morocco, with warnings that it has darkened the outlook for an already sluggish global economy, AFP reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the French news agency, the global lenders are holding their gathering, which brings together finance ministers and central bankers from around the world, in an Arab country for the first time in 20 years.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The conflict, which erupted when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a bloody attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the world economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Speaking at a press conference in Marrakesh, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the International Monetary Fund was "very closely monitoring how the situation evolves" and how it is affecting oil markets.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">AFP quoted Georgieva as saying that it was "too early" to assess the impact of the conflict, but "this is a new cloud on not the sunniest horizon for the world economy -- new cloud, darkening this horizon."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Georgieva noted that the IMF's World Economic Outlook, which was released earlier this week but drafted before the conflict broke out, already showed weak global growth.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The global economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic has been hit by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, elevated inflation and high interest rates.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"Unfortunately, far too many countries and communities are affected by natural disasters, and worse by wars in Ukraine and now in the Middle East that cause tragic loss of civilian lives and tremendous suffering," AFP quoted Georgieva as saying.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We mourn the victims," she added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We are experiencing severe shocks that are now becoming the new normal for a world that is weakened by weak growth and economic fragmentation."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, the IMF has kept its growth forecast a 3.0 percent for this year but lowered it to 2.9 percent for 2024, warning that the economy is "limping along, not sprinting."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said Tuesday that IMF research shows that a 10 percent increase in oil prices could weigh down on global growth by 0.15 percentage points and increase inflation by 0.4 percentage points.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The International Energy Agency said on Thursday the risk of oil supply disruptions due to the war is limited but that it stands ready to intervene in markets if necessary.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, said oil prices remain lower than in September.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">While it is difficult to have a "clear reading" about the conflict's economic impact, Azour said, the situation is "big, it's an earthquake."</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18979', 'image' => '20231013103155_iiii.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:31:05', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19250', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Credit Flow of Banks Starts Increasing', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">October 13: The credit flow of banks and financial institutions (BFIs) has started to increase due to the flexible policy adopted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">There has been an improvement in the lending of banks along with an increase in bank deposits due to the policy reforms of the central bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of Nepal Rastra Bank, the total deposits of banks and financial institutions in the current fiscal year has increased by Rs 78 billion, while credit flow also increased by Rs 73 billion. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By the end of the last fiscal year (FY), banks had collected a total of Rs 5767 billion in deposits and disbursed Rs 4879 billion in loans. As of October 9, bank deposits have reached Rs 5845 billion and credit flow has reached Rs 4952 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Until last year, the government had given banks the facility to calculate 80 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as deposits. Due to the removal of this facility from mid-July, only 50 percent of the deposit can be counted as bank deposits. As a result, bank deposits fell to Rs 5658 billion during the beginning of the current fiscal year. Bank deposit further declined to Rs 5610 billion by mid-August.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">However, after discussions with bankers, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat gave the facility to calculate 60 percent of the accumulated funds of the local level as a deposit from September. Coupled with the increase in inflow of remittance, deposits of Rs 116 billion were added to the banking system within one month.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After the increase in bank deposits, banks emphasized on lending. The central bank said that the loan disbursement of banks which was continuously declining till mid-August of the current year increased by Rs 93 billion in the last one and a half months. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Nepal Rastra Bank’s Deputy Spokesperson Dr Dilliram Pokharel says that bank loans increase due to the increase in business during the festive season. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“This is the impact of central bank’s policy on credit expansion,” said Pokharel.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Anil Sharma, chief executive officer of Nepal Bankers Association, said that credit expansion, which has been off the mark for a long time, has started increasing of late.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"The credit expansion of banks was negative for the past one and a half years," he said, "It has started to increase in the past few months."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Sharma said that although banks have not disbursed loans for big projects, small investments have been made in the import and consumer sectors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">"We don't have the detailed data on which sector the loan is going to," he said, "But, mainly, the loan may have been given to imports and consumer goods aimed at festivals."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In order to make the economy vibrant, the central bank had reviewed the loan policy for shares and personal real estate, real estate and vehicles last week. The NRB amended the Unified Directive, 2079 on October 5 and increased the margin lending cap to a maximum of Rs 150 million from 120 million.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Individual investors can now avail margin lending up to Rs 150 million, while institutional investors have a higher limit of Rs 200 million. This means that investors now have more flexibility in borrowing money for investing in the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">This decision to remove the cap on margin lending comes in response to pressure from share market investors who argued that the cap of Rs 120 million on loans against the securities was negatively impacting the stock market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Additionally, the amended guidelines require commercial banks to maintain a counter cyclical buffer of 0.5 percent by the end of the current fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the data of NRB, the average credit-deposit ratio (CD ratio) of banks on October 9 was 81.86 percent. As banks can give loans by maintaining a CD ratio of up to 90 percent, they have the ability to extend loans of around Rs 475 billion at present. However, banks have been saying that there is no demand for loans due to high interest rates and weak economy.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The interbank interest rate fell to 1.91 percent on Monday due to high liquidity in banks and the lack of demand for loans. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18978', 'image' => '20231013103009_Banks - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 10:29:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19249', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '254 Nepalis Rescued from Israel brought Home ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">October 13: Two hundred and fifty-four Nepali nationals rescued from Israel have been brought to Nepal early this morning. They were brought home on a wide-body aircraft of the Nepal Airlines Corporation. Government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, NP Saud, had gone to Israel to pick them up. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Talking to the media at the Tribhuvan International Airport after the rescue flight, Minister Saud said 254 of the 503 Nepalis who wanted to return back from Israel have been brought in this rescue flight and the remaining others would be brought soon. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"Five hundred and fifty-seven Nepalis had provided their details in response to the request of the Embassy of Nepal based in Tel Aviv, Israel for relocation to safer places and to return to Nepal. Out of the 557 Nepalis, 503 had applied to return to home and among them 254 have returned home today with us," the Foreign Affairs Minister said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to him, 54 Nepalis who requested to be relocated from risky areas have been shifted to safe zone in Israel. He added that four Nepali citizens were injured in the attack by Hamas militants in southern parts of Israel and one among them has returned today after treatment, another one has been discharged from hospital while two others are receiving treatment in hospital in Israel. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"A search continues for Bipin Joshi who has gone missing following the attack. We will share the information as soon as we get additional information," Minister Saud said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs said 10 Nepali students who had gone to Israel from the Far-west University of Nepal were killed in the attack by the Hamas group and coordination is being established with the Government of Israel to bring their bodies to Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The Israeli side has stated that it will take some time for handing over the bodies in order to complete the legal process and keep separate details of each and every deceased. The process is delayed because the number of bodies in Israel is currently very high," he said and requested the families and relatives of the deceased Nepalis to have patience for some time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister Saud maintained that the government will make arrangement to bring home the remaining Nepalis who could not be brought this time. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Minister for Foreign Affairs thanked the media and media persons, the Government of Israel and the Government of Nepal, the Embassy of Israel in Nepal and the Embassy of Nepal in Israel and the members of the flight crew, who helped in the rescue of Nepali nationals. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal Police had kept three buses on stand-by at the airport to take the rescued Nepalis to various destinations. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the data of the ministry, there are currently 265 Nepali students studying in Israel and about 4,500 working in various sectors. The 265 Nepali students went to Israel under the Israeli government’s 'Learn and Earn' programme. -- RSS </span><br /> <br /> </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18977', 'image' => '20231013094541_RatnaShrestha_KTM_RSS_26 (1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 09:44:37', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19248', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Organizes Awareness Programme on Life Insurance', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Life Insurance Limited, Kushma Branch, has conducted an awareness program on life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The program was held at Shivalaya Multiple Campus.The program was graced by special guests, including the company's province head Tulkanath Acharya, deputy province head Balaram Gautam, and the head of the Department of Management, Pradeep Lamichhane, among other students.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During the program, the company's province head, Tulkanath Acharya, highlighted the importance of life insurance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additionally, the company's deputy province head, Balaram Gautam, shed light on the history of life insurance and the current status of it.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18976', 'image' => '20231013055717_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:56:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '19247', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Himalayan Bank provides 5 Gopro Cameras and Chest Straps to Nepal Police', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">October 13: Himalayan Bank Ltd (HBL), under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has extended its helping hand to District Police Office Kathmandu.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bank has donated donated five units of Gopro Hero 9 camera along with Insta 360 Chest Strap worth Rs 267,500 to monitor unwanted activities happening in Kathmandu, according to the press release issued by the bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On behalf of the bank, Ashok SJB Rana, chief executive officer of HBL, recently handed over the cameras to Superintendent of Police at District Police Office Kathmandu, Kumud Dhungel, in presence of Ujjal Rajbhandary, deputy chief executive officer and Samir Acharya, chief manager. </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2023-10-13', 'modified' => '2023-10-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '18975', 'image' => '20231013054609_collage (7).jpg', 'article_date' => '2023-10-13 05:44:59', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $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
