The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm today (December12).…
The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm today (December12).…
December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online…
December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw…
Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last…
Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Private…
Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same…
Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private…
Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test…
Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from…
December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8.…
December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals.…
December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on…
December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan…
December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered…
December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on…
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme is being organized by New Business Age Pvt Ltd as an initiative to recognize and honour the best-performing companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister of Finance Janardan Sharma is scheduled to inaugurate the awards ceremony in a while. The Business Conclave and Awards is being attended by some 500 high-level professionals from the public and private sectors, including politicians, government officials, academicians, business leaders from banking, travel and tourism and other walks of life.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the entire global economy is going through an economic slowdown and Nepal is not an exception, this year’s conclave is focused on the theme “Emerging through the Crisis” so as to learn experiences and ways to overcome the grim situation, according to organizer. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the conclave, a panel discussion featuring Dr Posh Raj Pandey, chairman of SWATEE, Chandra Dhakal, senior vice president of FNCCI, Dr Neelam Dhungana Timsina, deputy governor of Nepal Rastra Bank and Toya Gyawali, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies will discuss about the current crisis, its causes and way to emerge out of the crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The session will be moderated by Dr Kalpana Khanal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dr Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, is the keynote speaker of the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This annual event is being organized by New Business Age since 2013. The event was not held in 2015, 2020 and 2022 due to the Gorkha earthquake and Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asian Paints is the main sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16247', 'image' => '20221212043902_IMG-20221212-WA0004.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 15:16:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16505', 'article_category_id' => '249', 'title' => 'Islington College Offers London Metropolitan University Courses to South Asian Students', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform. Islington College signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding in this regard with London Metropolitan University (LMU), mySecondTeacher, and RVI Group to use certain LMU courses under the administration of Islington College.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">With this latest strategic partnership, RVI Group will now be able to further strengthen their institutions with London Metropolitan University’s courses under the careful administration of Islington College using mySecondTeacher as a delivery platform, the college said in a statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">“With this monumental partnership, students from Thailand and Myanmar can also graduate with a BA (Hons) Business Administration degree from the London Metropolitan University. Islington College will play a key role in this partnership by facilitating the entire process of a student’s journey up until their graduation, along with aligning the marketing collaterals that shall be developed henceforth,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Islington College further said its faculty will also be responsible for creating an assessment development process as well as carrying out the marking processes as per London Metropolitan University’s guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Another groundbreaking initiative included in this partnership is using mySecondTeacher as a platform for online learning. With the help of mySecondTeacher, all course content will be made available to the students, and their assignments will also be distributed and retrieved on a single platform.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">The MOU signing ceremony was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of RVI Group Argus Ang, the founder of mySecondTeacher Dr Benson Soong, Founding Chairman of Islington College and ING Sulav Budhathoki, London Metropolitan University’s Head of Academic Partnerships Dr Wendy Bloisi, added the statement</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16246', 'image' => '20221212120032_Signing ceremony Photo.JPG', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 12:00:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16504', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production of Tiles begins in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials. An industry has been established in Jitpur Simara sub-metropolis-8 for the production of tiles using home-made materials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two entrepreneurs had been importing foreign tiles and hardware materials into the country since a long time established a joint venture company in Simara to begin production within Nepal. They came up with the idea to set up the industry in Nepal after carrying out in-depth study on tiles manufactured in India. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The product has been launched in the market since this year. Nepal Ceramic Industries Pvt Ltd already introduced the Nepaovit brand tiles in the market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to managing director of the industry, Manoj Rauniyar, almost 50 percent of the clay used for the production of the tiles was from Nepal. He shared that the industry has a plan to manufacture the tiles completely based on Nepali clay and sand after some months. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Different types of clay have been brought from Bara, Makawanpur and Dolakha districts and used for manufacturing tiles. However, color and glaze used for the tiles have been imported from foreign countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the initial months, clay as a raw material was completely imported from Rajasthan, said Rauniyar, adding that the company started using Nepali clay later on. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the industry Shambhunath Jha shared his plan to diversify the production of tiles that can be used for walls. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The industry spread over five bighas and 12 katthas of land was established at the cost of over Rs 1.5 billion. As many as 400 people are getting direct employment in the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The industry would help make Nepal self-reliant on tiles ," Chairman Jha added. He urged the government to lend support in managing raw materials and marketing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16245', 'image' => '20221212111233_made.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 11:12:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16503', 'article_category_id' => '224', 'title' => 'Private Sector Incurring Losses Over Billion Due to NEA’s Reluctance to Buy Electricity ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), twenty-seven power producer companies faced losses of more than Rs 1 billion after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) did not purchase their power last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">IPPAN says that NEA was reluctant to buy the power due to overload in transmission line following excessive production of the energy. IPPAN said that it had met with Energy Secretary Dinesh Ghimire and drew attention to the problem facing them. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The work to collect losses incurred by the private hydro power companies is underway. “The work to collect losses of Chepe Khola, Lower Modi, Dordi Khola, Ghalemdi Khola, United Idi Mardi, Buddhabhumi, Upper Syange, among others, is underway”, said IPPAN.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority signs an agreement with power producing companies on the basis of take or pay and take and pay categories. As per the take or pay agreement, NEA has to procure all the power generated by hydro power company once the project is connected to the transmission line. But, private power producers ink take and pay agreement for short-term due to delay in construction of transmission lines.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the take and pay agreement, the NEA purchases the electricity if need be. It is free not to procure the power as well. “Nepal Electricity Authority’s misuse of the take and pay provision has given trouble to power producers”, said IPPAN Chairman Mohan Kumar Dangi. He blamed the NEA for failing to explore market to sell power.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Dangi, delay in the construction of transmission lines by the NEA has incurred losses to the some hydro power projects as they have failed to evacuate power to the national grid.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">On the other hand, consumers are facing problem in quality supply of electricity in winter season. IPPAN Vice-chair asked the NEA to construct transmission lines as early as possible and help private power producers to lower the losses. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), however, says problem has arisen as private power producers connect their energy to sub-station other than mentioned in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA Spokesperson Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai said that NEA had not purchased power due to overload in the system during rainy season. NEA officials say that domestic electricity demand has to be increased for long term solution. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">When asked about the delay in the construction of transmission lines, NEA Spokesperson Bhattrai said, “NEA’s sole effort is not enough for transmission line construction adding “Land dispute, court cases, and social problem arise during the construction of transmission lines and it takes time to resolve them”.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA has been taking eight to nine years to construct a transmission line that is supposed to be completed in two to three years. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16244', 'image' => '20221212062833_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 06:24:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16502', 'article_category_id' => '273', 'title' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards to Be Held On Monday ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Private Limited. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> December 11: The seventh edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Age Private Limited. <br /> As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma will be the Chief Guest at the programme while Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development will be the keynote speaker. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The programme will have a panel discussion ‘on emerging through crises'. <br /> Asian Paints is the major sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. <br /> The programme will be live on Aarthik Abhiyan’s Facebook page, and New Business Age’s Youtube channel, according to the organiser. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16243', 'image' => '20221211064357_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 18:34:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16501', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Cardamom Price Drops', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 11: Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Cardamom entrepreneurs say that low demand for the cardamom has driven the price down this year. “Of late, production of the cardamom has gone up where as demand has shrunk which has led the price to drop”, said cardamom entrepreneur Narendra Tiwari. He has collected around 400 maunds of cardamom this year. Out of them, Tiwari has purchased half of them at Rs 29,000 per maund from farmers. “I have stored most of the cardamom in the godown due to price fall”, Tiwari added.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, farmers are also waiting for right price to sell their produce. Though they have handed over their product to traders, peasants have not reduced the price. “We are confused as the price is fluctuating”, said farmer Raj Kumar Bhattarai.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Price letup has also put big traders in trouble as they have to bank on Indian market. “The cardamom sold up to Rs 48,000 per maund last year. Since then, the price has been dipping”, cardamom farmers and traders say. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16242', 'image' => '20221211054014_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 17:35:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16500', 'article_category_id' => '279', 'title' => 'NIFRA, IFC Sign Agreement for Infrastructure Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA’s Chief Executive Officer Ram Krishna Khatiwada and Thomas Lubeck Regional Manager, PPP Transaction Advisory Services, South Asia and East Asia Pacific at IFC - International Finance Corporation have signed the agreement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the agreement, IFC will provide technical and financial assistance to NIFRA to speed up infrastructure development based on private-public partnership in Nepal.<br /> Similarly, the IFC will collaborate with NIFRA to identify projects and conduct a primary evaluation and capacity development of the identified projects. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA CEO Khatiwada said that the agreement would be a milestone to expedite Nepal’s infrastructure development. IFC’s representative Thomas Lubeck said that the collaboration with NIFRA would play a huge contribution to Nepal’s economy and infrastructure development.<br /> NIFRA was established with a motto to provide financial resources for infrastructure development based on public-private partnership. <br /> Since its inception, NIFRA has been investing in hydropower projects, tourism, hotels, and hospitals. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16241', 'image' => '20221211043300_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 16:28:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16499', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Commences Test Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December 11: Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project with installed capacity of 18 megawatt is the first hydro power promoted by Chaudhary Group. <br /> Since the hydro power is already connected to the national transmission line, generated power is evacuated to the national grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The hydro power will start producing power regularly after 15 days of test production”, said Chaudhary Group. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project’s power house is located at Kenga of Parbat’s Modi Rural Municipality while its embankment is situated at Birethanti of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, Kaski. Water from Modi Khola has been flown down through 2,393 meters long tunnel for power generation. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16240', 'image' => '20221211011153_modi 111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 13:05:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16498', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Farmers to Stage Sit-In to Press the Government to Purchase Paddy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December: Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">One and a half months have passed ever since the government fixed the support price for the paddy. FMTC, however, has not started buying the paddy except from Bardiya’s Rajpur, according to All Nepal Peasants’ Federation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Cabinet meeting on November 2 had decided to fix the support price for paddy for the current fiscal year 2022/23. As per the decision, price of thick-sized paddy is Rs 2,967 per quintal, and medium-sized paddy is Rs 3,128 per quintal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">With the government’s delay, some farmers had sold out their produce to traders even before the government had fixed the support price for paddy at cheaper price. <br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Paddy farmers have complained that delay to fix the minimum paddy price has stopped them from having profit. No different is the plight of sugarcane farmers. They have to agitate to press the government to fix the minimum price and sell their produce to every year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Chairman of Nepal Peasants’ Federation Ganesh Chandra Timilsina says that blame game among the FMTC, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is delaying the process to procure paddy from the peasants. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“We are preparing to stage sit-ins in front of eight depots owned by FMTC except Rajapur”, said Timilsina. <br /> Farmers and peasants will stage sit-ins at FMTC’s Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Janakpur, and Jhapa depots from today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Timilsina has said that their agitation and sit-in will continue until the government starts purchasing the paddy at the minimum price. Earlier, farmers led by All Nepal Peasants’ Federation and Nepal Peasants’ Federation had staged protest to press the FMTC to commence buying the paddy at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu, on Friday. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16239', 'image' => '20221211062505_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 06:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16497', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'The ‘Curse’ of High Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. And though a peak could be in sight, the effects may yet get worse, added the news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">How did we get here? In two words: pandemic and war, summed up Reuters. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“A long and comfortable period of scant inflation and low interest rates ended abruptly after COVID-19 struck, as governments and central banks kept locked-down businesses and households afloat with trillions of dollars of support. That lifeline kept workers from joining dole queues, businesses from going broke and house prices from crashing. But it also knocked supply and demand out of kilter as never before.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By 2021, as lockdowns ended and the global economy grew at its fastest post-recession pace in 80 years, all that stimulus money overwhelmed the world's trading system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, factories that had been idled could not ratchet up fast enough to meet demand, COVID-safe rules caused labour shortages in retail, transport and healthcare, and the recovery boom caused a spike in energy prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If that wasn't enough, Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Western sanctions on the major oil and gas exporter sent fuel prices yet higher.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Known as a "tax on the poor" because it hits those on low incomes the hardest, double-digit inflation has exacerbated inequalities worldwide. While wealthier consumers can rely on savings built up during pandemic lockdowns, others struggle to make ends meet and a growing number rely on food banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">With winter setting in across the northern hemisphere, that squeeze on living costs will tighten as fuel bills soar. Workers have taken strike action in sectors from healthcare to aviation to demand that wages keep pace with inflation. In most cases, they are having to settle for less, added Reuters.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Cost of living concerns dominate the politics of rich nations – in some cases relegating other priorities, such as climate change action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But if things are tough in industrialised economies, rocketing food prices are worsening poverty and suffering in poorer countries, from Haiti to Sudan and Lebanon to Sri Lanka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The World Food Programme estimates an extra 70 million people worldwide have been driven closer to starvation since the start of the Ukraine war in what it calls a "tsunami of hunger".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the world's central banks have embarked on steep interest rate hikes to cool demand and tame inflation. By the end of 2023, the International Monetary Fund expects global inflation to have fallen to 4.7% - just less than half its current level.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the context of Nepal, the trouble seems much more as the central bank says the year-on-year inflation hit as high as 8.5 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to 4.24 percent a year ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF's regular October outlook was one of the bleakest for years, stating: "In short, the worst is yet to come and for many people, 2023 will feel like a recession."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the chance of global growth dropping below two percent is increasing as major economies slowdown. Such a trend was last seen during the coronavirus outbreak and the global financial crisis of 2009, AFP added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has also warned that several major economies face a real risk of sliding into recession as the war in Ukraine, rising food and fuel costs, and soaring inflation cloud the global outlook.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Geneva-based trade body last month projected global trade to rise just 1.0 percent in 2023, down sharply from an estimated 3.5 percent rise for this year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16238', 'image' => '20221210104716_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:46:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16496', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Croatia Knocks Out Title Favourites Brazil on Penalties to Reach World Cup Semi-Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. Croatia, the beaten finalists four years ago, scored with all four of their spot-kicks as Rodrygo - taking his team's first kick - was denied by the brilliant Dominik Livakovic while the crucial fourth effort of Brazil’s Marquinho struck the post.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As the ball hit the foot of the woodwork and bounced away, Croatia's team sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, while the Brazil players hit the turf, knowing their dream of a sixth crown had come to an end, the BBC reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After an engrossing 90 minutes, Tite's men thought they had won it in extra time when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal Brazil's 'official' men's goalscoring record.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But Brazil were punished for letting their guard down, with substitute Bruno Petkovic drilling in an 117th-minute equaliser with their one and only shot on target, breaking Brazilian hearts in the Education City Stadium, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the 2018 runners-up came through their second straight shootout after beating Japan on penalties in the last 16 and will now face Argentina, who defeated the Netherlands in another penalty shootout in another late match of the day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16237', 'image' => '20221210104450_Croatia-3-e1670609429609-1-1024x576.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:44:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16495', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Argentina Win on Penalties after Dutch Fightback', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Argentina looked as if they were cruising to victory with a 2-0 lead with only seven minutes of normal time remaining but the Dutch scored twice through substitute Wout Weghorst to send the match into extra time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, Emiliano Martinez saved the first two Dutch penalties to give Argentina a huge advantage and Lautaro Martinez sent Andries Noppert the wrong way to set up a date for the South Americans with Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 16 yellow cards were shown throughout the contest by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu and Dutch wingback Denzel Dumfries was sent off after the final whistle for his part in the final brawl.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16236', 'image' => '20221210103454_20221210_afp_world_cup_2022_argentina_netherlands.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:34:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16494', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Japan Extends Grant Assistance for Setting Up Turmeric Processing Centre in Pyuthan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Yutaka Kikuta, signed a grant agreement in this regard with Shiva Rimal, president of the Volunteer Nepal National Group, for the construction of a new turmeric processing centre and the provision of agricultural equipment in Pyuthan district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu on Friday (December 9). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The project is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese government and involves a grant of USD 81,180 (approximately NPR 10 million). The project will help in setting up the processing centre for the production, processing, and commercialization of turmeric, the Embassy of Japan said in a press statement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Currently, more turmeric is imported than is produced domestically. Local turmeric farmers are not able to earn much profit due to the lack of domestic work centres to commercialize the product. The project was planned to improve this situation and generate income for farmers,” the statement added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Volunteer Nepal National Group has been working to improve the livelihoods of farmers. According to the statement, the project will be jointly managed by Pyuthan Municipality Ward 8, local farmers, and the Volunteer Nepal National Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will improve the environment for production of turmeric and also enhance the livelihoods of the local farmers in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We hope that this agricultural assistance will enhance the friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal now and for future generations,” the statement further said. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16235', 'image' => '20221210101603_turmeric-root-and-powder.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:15:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16493', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Tells Concerned Bodies not to Implement Parliament Secretariat’s Letter', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A constitutional bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki, senior Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha and justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Dr Anand Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Kumar Sinha on Friday issued the interim order following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed against the letter on Friday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The writ petition has raised significant constitutional and legal questions. The petition has also argued that the general secretary of parliament secretariat, Dr Bharat Raj Gautam, issued the letter going beyond his authority," the interim order read, adding, "The parliament’s general secretary exercising the authority bestowed to House of Representatives by the constitution has become a matter of serious concern. So, it is not logical from the viewpoint of balance of check to implement the letter immediately.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Until the SC completes hearing on writ petition, the letter that the parliament's general secretary issued must not be enforced, the constitutional bench added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar, Purna Man Shakya, Vice Chair Mukunda Prasad Poudel, and Secretary Rishiram Ghimire, among others had filed the petition at SC, demanding the letter to be scrapped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the writ petition, the petitioners argued that when Chief Justice Rana was suspended with the impeachment motion that questioned Rana's competence, behaviour and financial issues, merely a letter issued by the general secretary of the legislature parliament would not render the impeachment motion ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On Wednesday, General Secretary Dr Gautam had written a letter to the concerned bodies, including the Supreme Court, informing that the impeachment motion against CJ Rana was invalidated. It created a ripple effect in the political circle of the country. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16234', 'image' => '20221210093528_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 09:34:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16492', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhuvan Nagarkoti Lifts Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open Golf Title', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan carded four-under 64 to post the 72-hole total of 14-under 258 and recorded a nine-stroke victory over Dinesh Prajapati. Bhuvan claimed his 10th career title along with a cheque of Rs 116,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dinesh produced the best card of the day carding six-under 62 for the score of five-under 267 and moved up to second. He earned 78,000. Nepal No 1 Sukra Bahadur Rai slipped to third after he played even-par 68 and received Rs 63,000. Leader of first two rounds, Rabi Khadka played a round of four-over 72 and finished fourth at three-over 275. He earned Rs 50,000. Ramesh Adhikari came fifth at five-over 277 after he played one-over 69 and received Rs 43,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan, who went into the final round with a nine-shot lead, carded one-under 33 on the front nine and added three-under 31 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the second hole and bounced back with birdies on the third and fifth holes. With no one pushing from behind, Bhuvan carded birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes to cap a bogey-free back nine.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Second-placed Dinesh carded seven birdies and faced a bogey on the final round as he overtook Nepal No 1 pro Sukra in final standing. He carded two-under 32 on the front nine and shot four-under 30 on the back nine. He made birdies on the second, third and sixth holes before dropping a shot on the ninth. After taking the turn, Dinesh carded four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th holes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Amateur section, Ajit BK won the title with the score of 17-over 289. Ajit played six-over 74 in the final round, but that was enough for him to register 22-stroke victory over Suresh Tamang. Suresh played four-over 72 for the total score of 311.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 36 golfers -- 31 pros and five amateurs -- took part in the season-opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 670,000. Marketing Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Keshav Pradhan and President of PGA Nepal Rabindra Man Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-09', 'modified' => '2022-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16233', 'image' => '20221209085132_1670580749549.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-09 20:51:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16506', 'article_category_id' => '273', 'title' => 'Seventh ‘NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards 2022’ Kicks Off ', 'sub_title' => 'Seven companies and one individual to be awarded', 'summary' => 'The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm today (December12). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme is being organized by New Business Age Pvt Ltd as an initiative to recognize and honour the best-performing companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister of Finance Janardan Sharma is scheduled to inaugurate the awards ceremony in a while. The Business Conclave and Awards is being attended by some 500 high-level professionals from the public and private sectors, including politicians, government officials, academicians, business leaders from banking, travel and tourism and other walks of life.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the entire global economy is going through an economic slowdown and Nepal is not an exception, this year’s conclave is focused on the theme “Emerging through the Crisis” so as to learn experiences and ways to overcome the grim situation, according to organizer. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the conclave, a panel discussion featuring Dr Posh Raj Pandey, chairman of SWATEE, Chandra Dhakal, senior vice president of FNCCI, Dr Neelam Dhungana Timsina, deputy governor of Nepal Rastra Bank and Toya Gyawali, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies will discuss about the current crisis, its causes and way to emerge out of the crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The session will be moderated by Dr Kalpana Khanal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dr Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, is the keynote speaker of the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This annual event is being organized by New Business Age since 2013. The event was not held in 2015, 2020 and 2022 due to the Gorkha earthquake and Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asian Paints is the main sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16247', 'image' => '20221212043902_IMG-20221212-WA0004.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 15:16:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16505', 'article_category_id' => '249', 'title' => 'Islington College Offers London Metropolitan University Courses to South Asian Students', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform. Islington College signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding in this regard with London Metropolitan University (LMU), mySecondTeacher, and RVI Group to use certain LMU courses under the administration of Islington College.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">With this latest strategic partnership, RVI Group will now be able to further strengthen their institutions with London Metropolitan University’s courses under the careful administration of Islington College using mySecondTeacher as a delivery platform, the college said in a statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">“With this monumental partnership, students from Thailand and Myanmar can also graduate with a BA (Hons) Business Administration degree from the London Metropolitan University. Islington College will play a key role in this partnership by facilitating the entire process of a student’s journey up until their graduation, along with aligning the marketing collaterals that shall be developed henceforth,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Islington College further said its faculty will also be responsible for creating an assessment development process as well as carrying out the marking processes as per London Metropolitan University’s guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Another groundbreaking initiative included in this partnership is using mySecondTeacher as a platform for online learning. With the help of mySecondTeacher, all course content will be made available to the students, and their assignments will also be distributed and retrieved on a single platform.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">The MOU signing ceremony was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of RVI Group Argus Ang, the founder of mySecondTeacher Dr Benson Soong, Founding Chairman of Islington College and ING Sulav Budhathoki, London Metropolitan University’s Head of Academic Partnerships Dr Wendy Bloisi, added the statement</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16246', 'image' => '20221212120032_Signing ceremony Photo.JPG', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 12:00:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16504', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production of Tiles begins in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials. An industry has been established in Jitpur Simara sub-metropolis-8 for the production of tiles using home-made materials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two entrepreneurs had been importing foreign tiles and hardware materials into the country since a long time established a joint venture company in Simara to begin production within Nepal. They came up with the idea to set up the industry in Nepal after carrying out in-depth study on tiles manufactured in India. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The product has been launched in the market since this year. Nepal Ceramic Industries Pvt Ltd already introduced the Nepaovit brand tiles in the market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to managing director of the industry, Manoj Rauniyar, almost 50 percent of the clay used for the production of the tiles was from Nepal. He shared that the industry has a plan to manufacture the tiles completely based on Nepali clay and sand after some months. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Different types of clay have been brought from Bara, Makawanpur and Dolakha districts and used for manufacturing tiles. However, color and glaze used for the tiles have been imported from foreign countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the initial months, clay as a raw material was completely imported from Rajasthan, said Rauniyar, adding that the company started using Nepali clay later on. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the industry Shambhunath Jha shared his plan to diversify the production of tiles that can be used for walls. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The industry spread over five bighas and 12 katthas of land was established at the cost of over Rs 1.5 billion. As many as 400 people are getting direct employment in the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The industry would help make Nepal self-reliant on tiles ," Chairman Jha added. He urged the government to lend support in managing raw materials and marketing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16245', 'image' => '20221212111233_made.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 11:12:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16503', 'article_category_id' => '224', 'title' => 'Private Sector Incurring Losses Over Billion Due to NEA’s Reluctance to Buy Electricity ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), twenty-seven power producer companies faced losses of more than Rs 1 billion after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) did not purchase their power last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">IPPAN says that NEA was reluctant to buy the power due to overload in transmission line following excessive production of the energy. IPPAN said that it had met with Energy Secretary Dinesh Ghimire and drew attention to the problem facing them. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The work to collect losses incurred by the private hydro power companies is underway. “The work to collect losses of Chepe Khola, Lower Modi, Dordi Khola, Ghalemdi Khola, United Idi Mardi, Buddhabhumi, Upper Syange, among others, is underway”, said IPPAN.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority signs an agreement with power producing companies on the basis of take or pay and take and pay categories. As per the take or pay agreement, NEA has to procure all the power generated by hydro power company once the project is connected to the transmission line. But, private power producers ink take and pay agreement for short-term due to delay in construction of transmission lines.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the take and pay agreement, the NEA purchases the electricity if need be. It is free not to procure the power as well. “Nepal Electricity Authority’s misuse of the take and pay provision has given trouble to power producers”, said IPPAN Chairman Mohan Kumar Dangi. He blamed the NEA for failing to explore market to sell power.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Dangi, delay in the construction of transmission lines by the NEA has incurred losses to the some hydro power projects as they have failed to evacuate power to the national grid.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">On the other hand, consumers are facing problem in quality supply of electricity in winter season. IPPAN Vice-chair asked the NEA to construct transmission lines as early as possible and help private power producers to lower the losses. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), however, says problem has arisen as private power producers connect their energy to sub-station other than mentioned in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA Spokesperson Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai said that NEA had not purchased power due to overload in the system during rainy season. NEA officials say that domestic electricity demand has to be increased for long term solution. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">When asked about the delay in the construction of transmission lines, NEA Spokesperson Bhattrai said, “NEA’s sole effort is not enough for transmission line construction adding “Land dispute, court cases, and social problem arise during the construction of transmission lines and it takes time to resolve them”.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA has been taking eight to nine years to construct a transmission line that is supposed to be completed in two to three years. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16244', 'image' => '20221212062833_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 06:24:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16502', 'article_category_id' => '273', 'title' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards to Be Held On Monday ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Private Limited. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> December 11: The seventh edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Age Private Limited. <br /> As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma will be the Chief Guest at the programme while Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development will be the keynote speaker. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The programme will have a panel discussion ‘on emerging through crises'. <br /> Asian Paints is the major sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. <br /> The programme will be live on Aarthik Abhiyan’s Facebook page, and New Business Age’s Youtube channel, according to the organiser. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16243', 'image' => '20221211064357_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 18:34:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16501', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Cardamom Price Drops', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 11: Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Cardamom entrepreneurs say that low demand for the cardamom has driven the price down this year. “Of late, production of the cardamom has gone up where as demand has shrunk which has led the price to drop”, said cardamom entrepreneur Narendra Tiwari. He has collected around 400 maunds of cardamom this year. Out of them, Tiwari has purchased half of them at Rs 29,000 per maund from farmers. “I have stored most of the cardamom in the godown due to price fall”, Tiwari added.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, farmers are also waiting for right price to sell their produce. Though they have handed over their product to traders, peasants have not reduced the price. “We are confused as the price is fluctuating”, said farmer Raj Kumar Bhattarai.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Price letup has also put big traders in trouble as they have to bank on Indian market. “The cardamom sold up to Rs 48,000 per maund last year. Since then, the price has been dipping”, cardamom farmers and traders say. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16242', 'image' => '20221211054014_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 17:35:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16500', 'article_category_id' => '279', 'title' => 'NIFRA, IFC Sign Agreement for Infrastructure Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA’s Chief Executive Officer Ram Krishna Khatiwada and Thomas Lubeck Regional Manager, PPP Transaction Advisory Services, South Asia and East Asia Pacific at IFC - International Finance Corporation have signed the agreement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the agreement, IFC will provide technical and financial assistance to NIFRA to speed up infrastructure development based on private-public partnership in Nepal.<br /> Similarly, the IFC will collaborate with NIFRA to identify projects and conduct a primary evaluation and capacity development of the identified projects. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA CEO Khatiwada said that the agreement would be a milestone to expedite Nepal’s infrastructure development. IFC’s representative Thomas Lubeck said that the collaboration with NIFRA would play a huge contribution to Nepal’s economy and infrastructure development.<br /> NIFRA was established with a motto to provide financial resources for infrastructure development based on public-private partnership. <br /> Since its inception, NIFRA has been investing in hydropower projects, tourism, hotels, and hospitals. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16241', 'image' => '20221211043300_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 16:28:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16499', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Commences Test Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December 11: Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project with installed capacity of 18 megawatt is the first hydro power promoted by Chaudhary Group. <br /> Since the hydro power is already connected to the national transmission line, generated power is evacuated to the national grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The hydro power will start producing power regularly after 15 days of test production”, said Chaudhary Group. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project’s power house is located at Kenga of Parbat’s Modi Rural Municipality while its embankment is situated at Birethanti of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, Kaski. Water from Modi Khola has been flown down through 2,393 meters long tunnel for power generation. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16240', 'image' => '20221211011153_modi 111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 13:05:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16498', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Farmers to Stage Sit-In to Press the Government to Purchase Paddy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December: Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">One and a half months have passed ever since the government fixed the support price for the paddy. FMTC, however, has not started buying the paddy except from Bardiya’s Rajpur, according to All Nepal Peasants’ Federation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Cabinet meeting on November 2 had decided to fix the support price for paddy for the current fiscal year 2022/23. As per the decision, price of thick-sized paddy is Rs 2,967 per quintal, and medium-sized paddy is Rs 3,128 per quintal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">With the government’s delay, some farmers had sold out their produce to traders even before the government had fixed the support price for paddy at cheaper price. <br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Paddy farmers have complained that delay to fix the minimum paddy price has stopped them from having profit. No different is the plight of sugarcane farmers. They have to agitate to press the government to fix the minimum price and sell their produce to every year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Chairman of Nepal Peasants’ Federation Ganesh Chandra Timilsina says that blame game among the FMTC, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is delaying the process to procure paddy from the peasants. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“We are preparing to stage sit-ins in front of eight depots owned by FMTC except Rajapur”, said Timilsina. <br /> Farmers and peasants will stage sit-ins at FMTC’s Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Janakpur, and Jhapa depots from today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Timilsina has said that their agitation and sit-in will continue until the government starts purchasing the paddy at the minimum price. Earlier, farmers led by All Nepal Peasants’ Federation and Nepal Peasants’ Federation had staged protest to press the FMTC to commence buying the paddy at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu, on Friday. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16239', 'image' => '20221211062505_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 06:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16497', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'The ‘Curse’ of High Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. And though a peak could be in sight, the effects may yet get worse, added the news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">How did we get here? In two words: pandemic and war, summed up Reuters. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“A long and comfortable period of scant inflation and low interest rates ended abruptly after COVID-19 struck, as governments and central banks kept locked-down businesses and households afloat with trillions of dollars of support. That lifeline kept workers from joining dole queues, businesses from going broke and house prices from crashing. But it also knocked supply and demand out of kilter as never before.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By 2021, as lockdowns ended and the global economy grew at its fastest post-recession pace in 80 years, all that stimulus money overwhelmed the world's trading system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, factories that had been idled could not ratchet up fast enough to meet demand, COVID-safe rules caused labour shortages in retail, transport and healthcare, and the recovery boom caused a spike in energy prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If that wasn't enough, Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Western sanctions on the major oil and gas exporter sent fuel prices yet higher.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Known as a "tax on the poor" because it hits those on low incomes the hardest, double-digit inflation has exacerbated inequalities worldwide. While wealthier consumers can rely on savings built up during pandemic lockdowns, others struggle to make ends meet and a growing number rely on food banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">With winter setting in across the northern hemisphere, that squeeze on living costs will tighten as fuel bills soar. Workers have taken strike action in sectors from healthcare to aviation to demand that wages keep pace with inflation. In most cases, they are having to settle for less, added Reuters.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Cost of living concerns dominate the politics of rich nations – in some cases relegating other priorities, such as climate change action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But if things are tough in industrialised economies, rocketing food prices are worsening poverty and suffering in poorer countries, from Haiti to Sudan and Lebanon to Sri Lanka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The World Food Programme estimates an extra 70 million people worldwide have been driven closer to starvation since the start of the Ukraine war in what it calls a "tsunami of hunger".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the world's central banks have embarked on steep interest rate hikes to cool demand and tame inflation. By the end of 2023, the International Monetary Fund expects global inflation to have fallen to 4.7% - just less than half its current level.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the context of Nepal, the trouble seems much more as the central bank says the year-on-year inflation hit as high as 8.5 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to 4.24 percent a year ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF's regular October outlook was one of the bleakest for years, stating: "In short, the worst is yet to come and for many people, 2023 will feel like a recession."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the chance of global growth dropping below two percent is increasing as major economies slowdown. Such a trend was last seen during the coronavirus outbreak and the global financial crisis of 2009, AFP added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has also warned that several major economies face a real risk of sliding into recession as the war in Ukraine, rising food and fuel costs, and soaring inflation cloud the global outlook.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Geneva-based trade body last month projected global trade to rise just 1.0 percent in 2023, down sharply from an estimated 3.5 percent rise for this year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16238', 'image' => '20221210104716_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:46:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16496', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Croatia Knocks Out Title Favourites Brazil on Penalties to Reach World Cup Semi-Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. Croatia, the beaten finalists four years ago, scored with all four of their spot-kicks as Rodrygo - taking his team's first kick - was denied by the brilliant Dominik Livakovic while the crucial fourth effort of Brazil’s Marquinho struck the post.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As the ball hit the foot of the woodwork and bounced away, Croatia's team sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, while the Brazil players hit the turf, knowing their dream of a sixth crown had come to an end, the BBC reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After an engrossing 90 minutes, Tite's men thought they had won it in extra time when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal Brazil's 'official' men's goalscoring record.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But Brazil were punished for letting their guard down, with substitute Bruno Petkovic drilling in an 117th-minute equaliser with their one and only shot on target, breaking Brazilian hearts in the Education City Stadium, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the 2018 runners-up came through their second straight shootout after beating Japan on penalties in the last 16 and will now face Argentina, who defeated the Netherlands in another penalty shootout in another late match of the day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16237', 'image' => '20221210104450_Croatia-3-e1670609429609-1-1024x576.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:44:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16495', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Argentina Win on Penalties after Dutch Fightback', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Argentina looked as if they were cruising to victory with a 2-0 lead with only seven minutes of normal time remaining but the Dutch scored twice through substitute Wout Weghorst to send the match into extra time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, Emiliano Martinez saved the first two Dutch penalties to give Argentina a huge advantage and Lautaro Martinez sent Andries Noppert the wrong way to set up a date for the South Americans with Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 16 yellow cards were shown throughout the contest by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu and Dutch wingback Denzel Dumfries was sent off after the final whistle for his part in the final brawl.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16236', 'image' => '20221210103454_20221210_afp_world_cup_2022_argentina_netherlands.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:34:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16494', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Japan Extends Grant Assistance for Setting Up Turmeric Processing Centre in Pyuthan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Yutaka Kikuta, signed a grant agreement in this regard with Shiva Rimal, president of the Volunteer Nepal National Group, for the construction of a new turmeric processing centre and the provision of agricultural equipment in Pyuthan district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu on Friday (December 9). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The project is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese government and involves a grant of USD 81,180 (approximately NPR 10 million). The project will help in setting up the processing centre for the production, processing, and commercialization of turmeric, the Embassy of Japan said in a press statement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Currently, more turmeric is imported than is produced domestically. Local turmeric farmers are not able to earn much profit due to the lack of domestic work centres to commercialize the product. The project was planned to improve this situation and generate income for farmers,” the statement added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Volunteer Nepal National Group has been working to improve the livelihoods of farmers. According to the statement, the project will be jointly managed by Pyuthan Municipality Ward 8, local farmers, and the Volunteer Nepal National Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will improve the environment for production of turmeric and also enhance the livelihoods of the local farmers in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We hope that this agricultural assistance will enhance the friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal now and for future generations,” the statement further said. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16235', 'image' => '20221210101603_turmeric-root-and-powder.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:15:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16493', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Tells Concerned Bodies not to Implement Parliament Secretariat’s Letter', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A constitutional bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki, senior Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha and justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Dr Anand Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Kumar Sinha on Friday issued the interim order following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed against the letter on Friday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The writ petition has raised significant constitutional and legal questions. The petition has also argued that the general secretary of parliament secretariat, Dr Bharat Raj Gautam, issued the letter going beyond his authority," the interim order read, adding, "The parliament’s general secretary exercising the authority bestowed to House of Representatives by the constitution has become a matter of serious concern. So, it is not logical from the viewpoint of balance of check to implement the letter immediately.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Until the SC completes hearing on writ petition, the letter that the parliament's general secretary issued must not be enforced, the constitutional bench added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar, Purna Man Shakya, Vice Chair Mukunda Prasad Poudel, and Secretary Rishiram Ghimire, among others had filed the petition at SC, demanding the letter to be scrapped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the writ petition, the petitioners argued that when Chief Justice Rana was suspended with the impeachment motion that questioned Rana's competence, behaviour and financial issues, merely a letter issued by the general secretary of the legislature parliament would not render the impeachment motion ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On Wednesday, General Secretary Dr Gautam had written a letter to the concerned bodies, including the Supreme Court, informing that the impeachment motion against CJ Rana was invalidated. It created a ripple effect in the political circle of the country. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16234', 'image' => '20221210093528_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 09:34:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16492', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhuvan Nagarkoti Lifts Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open Golf Title', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan carded four-under 64 to post the 72-hole total of 14-under 258 and recorded a nine-stroke victory over Dinesh Prajapati. Bhuvan claimed his 10th career title along with a cheque of Rs 116,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dinesh produced the best card of the day carding six-under 62 for the score of five-under 267 and moved up to second. He earned 78,000. Nepal No 1 Sukra Bahadur Rai slipped to third after he played even-par 68 and received Rs 63,000. Leader of first two rounds, Rabi Khadka played a round of four-over 72 and finished fourth at three-over 275. He earned Rs 50,000. Ramesh Adhikari came fifth at five-over 277 after he played one-over 69 and received Rs 43,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan, who went into the final round with a nine-shot lead, carded one-under 33 on the front nine and added three-under 31 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the second hole and bounced back with birdies on the third and fifth holes. With no one pushing from behind, Bhuvan carded birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes to cap a bogey-free back nine.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Second-placed Dinesh carded seven birdies and faced a bogey on the final round as he overtook Nepal No 1 pro Sukra in final standing. He carded two-under 32 on the front nine and shot four-under 30 on the back nine. He made birdies on the second, third and sixth holes before dropping a shot on the ninth. After taking the turn, Dinesh carded four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th holes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Amateur section, Ajit BK won the title with the score of 17-over 289. Ajit played six-over 74 in the final round, but that was enough for him to register 22-stroke victory over Suresh Tamang. Suresh played four-over 72 for the total score of 311.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 36 golfers -- 31 pros and five amateurs -- took part in the season-opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 670,000. Marketing Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Keshav Pradhan and President of PGA Nepal Rabindra Man Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-09', 'modified' => '2022-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16233', 'image' => '20221209085132_1670580749549.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-09 20:51:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme is being organized by New Business Age Pvt Ltd as an initiative to recognize and honour the best-performing companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister of Finance Janardan Sharma is scheduled to inaugurate the awards ceremony in a while. The Business Conclave and Awards is being attended by some 500 high-level professionals from the public and private sectors, including politicians, government officials, academicians, business leaders from banking, travel and tourism and other walks of life.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the entire global economy is going through an economic slowdown and Nepal is not an exception, this year’s conclave is focused on the theme “Emerging through the Crisis” so as to learn experiences and ways to overcome the grim situation, according to organizer. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the conclave, a panel discussion featuring Dr Posh Raj Pandey, chairman of SWATEE, Chandra Dhakal, senior vice president of FNCCI, Dr Neelam Dhungana Timsina, deputy governor of Nepal Rastra Bank and Toya Gyawali, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies will discuss about the current crisis, its causes and way to emerge out of the crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The session will be moderated by Dr Kalpana Khanal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dr Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, is the keynote speaker of the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This annual event is being organized by New Business Age since 2013. The event was not held in 2015, 2020 and 2022 due to the Gorkha earthquake and Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asian Paints is the main sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16247', 'image' => '20221212043902_IMG-20221212-WA0004.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 15:16:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16505', 'article_category_id' => '249', 'title' => 'Islington College Offers London Metropolitan University Courses to South Asian Students', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform. Islington College signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding in this regard with London Metropolitan University (LMU), mySecondTeacher, and RVI Group to use certain LMU courses under the administration of Islington College.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">With this latest strategic partnership, RVI Group will now be able to further strengthen their institutions with London Metropolitan University’s courses under the careful administration of Islington College using mySecondTeacher as a delivery platform, the college said in a statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">“With this monumental partnership, students from Thailand and Myanmar can also graduate with a BA (Hons) Business Administration degree from the London Metropolitan University. Islington College will play a key role in this partnership by facilitating the entire process of a student’s journey up until their graduation, along with aligning the marketing collaterals that shall be developed henceforth,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Islington College further said its faculty will also be responsible for creating an assessment development process as well as carrying out the marking processes as per London Metropolitan University’s guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Another groundbreaking initiative included in this partnership is using mySecondTeacher as a platform for online learning. With the help of mySecondTeacher, all course content will be made available to the students, and their assignments will also be distributed and retrieved on a single platform.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">The MOU signing ceremony was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of RVI Group Argus Ang, the founder of mySecondTeacher Dr Benson Soong, Founding Chairman of Islington College and ING Sulav Budhathoki, London Metropolitan University’s Head of Academic Partnerships Dr Wendy Bloisi, added the statement</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16246', 'image' => '20221212120032_Signing ceremony Photo.JPG', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 12:00:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16504', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production of Tiles begins in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials. An industry has been established in Jitpur Simara sub-metropolis-8 for the production of tiles using home-made materials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two entrepreneurs had been importing foreign tiles and hardware materials into the country since a long time established a joint venture company in Simara to begin production within Nepal. They came up with the idea to set up the industry in Nepal after carrying out in-depth study on tiles manufactured in India. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The product has been launched in the market since this year. Nepal Ceramic Industries Pvt Ltd already introduced the Nepaovit brand tiles in the market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to managing director of the industry, Manoj Rauniyar, almost 50 percent of the clay used for the production of the tiles was from Nepal. He shared that the industry has a plan to manufacture the tiles completely based on Nepali clay and sand after some months. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Different types of clay have been brought from Bara, Makawanpur and Dolakha districts and used for manufacturing tiles. However, color and glaze used for the tiles have been imported from foreign countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the initial months, clay as a raw material was completely imported from Rajasthan, said Rauniyar, adding that the company started using Nepali clay later on. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the industry Shambhunath Jha shared his plan to diversify the production of tiles that can be used for walls. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The industry spread over five bighas and 12 katthas of land was established at the cost of over Rs 1.5 billion. As many as 400 people are getting direct employment in the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The industry would help make Nepal self-reliant on tiles ," Chairman Jha added. He urged the government to lend support in managing raw materials and marketing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16245', 'image' => '20221212111233_made.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 11:12:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16503', 'article_category_id' => '224', 'title' => 'Private Sector Incurring Losses Over Billion Due to NEA’s Reluctance to Buy Electricity ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), twenty-seven power producer companies faced losses of more than Rs 1 billion after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) did not purchase their power last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">IPPAN says that NEA was reluctant to buy the power due to overload in transmission line following excessive production of the energy. IPPAN said that it had met with Energy Secretary Dinesh Ghimire and drew attention to the problem facing them. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The work to collect losses incurred by the private hydro power companies is underway. “The work to collect losses of Chepe Khola, Lower Modi, Dordi Khola, Ghalemdi Khola, United Idi Mardi, Buddhabhumi, Upper Syange, among others, is underway”, said IPPAN.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority signs an agreement with power producing companies on the basis of take or pay and take and pay categories. As per the take or pay agreement, NEA has to procure all the power generated by hydro power company once the project is connected to the transmission line. But, private power producers ink take and pay agreement for short-term due to delay in construction of transmission lines.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the take and pay agreement, the NEA purchases the electricity if need be. It is free not to procure the power as well. “Nepal Electricity Authority’s misuse of the take and pay provision has given trouble to power producers”, said IPPAN Chairman Mohan Kumar Dangi. He blamed the NEA for failing to explore market to sell power.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Dangi, delay in the construction of transmission lines by the NEA has incurred losses to the some hydro power projects as they have failed to evacuate power to the national grid.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">On the other hand, consumers are facing problem in quality supply of electricity in winter season. IPPAN Vice-chair asked the NEA to construct transmission lines as early as possible and help private power producers to lower the losses. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), however, says problem has arisen as private power producers connect their energy to sub-station other than mentioned in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA Spokesperson Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai said that NEA had not purchased power due to overload in the system during rainy season. NEA officials say that domestic electricity demand has to be increased for long term solution. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">When asked about the delay in the construction of transmission lines, NEA Spokesperson Bhattrai said, “NEA’s sole effort is not enough for transmission line construction adding “Land dispute, court cases, and social problem arise during the construction of transmission lines and it takes time to resolve them”.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA has been taking eight to nine years to construct a transmission line that is supposed to be completed in two to three years. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16244', 'image' => '20221212062833_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 06:24:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16502', 'article_category_id' => '273', 'title' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards to Be Held On Monday ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Private Limited. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> December 11: The seventh edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Age Private Limited. <br /> As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma will be the Chief Guest at the programme while Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development will be the keynote speaker. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The programme will have a panel discussion ‘on emerging through crises'. <br /> Asian Paints is the major sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. <br /> The programme will be live on Aarthik Abhiyan’s Facebook page, and New Business Age’s Youtube channel, according to the organiser. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16243', 'image' => '20221211064357_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 18:34:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16501', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Cardamom Price Drops', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 11: Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Cardamom entrepreneurs say that low demand for the cardamom has driven the price down this year. “Of late, production of the cardamom has gone up where as demand has shrunk which has led the price to drop”, said cardamom entrepreneur Narendra Tiwari. He has collected around 400 maunds of cardamom this year. Out of them, Tiwari has purchased half of them at Rs 29,000 per maund from farmers. “I have stored most of the cardamom in the godown due to price fall”, Tiwari added.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, farmers are also waiting for right price to sell their produce. Though they have handed over their product to traders, peasants have not reduced the price. “We are confused as the price is fluctuating”, said farmer Raj Kumar Bhattarai.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Price letup has also put big traders in trouble as they have to bank on Indian market. “The cardamom sold up to Rs 48,000 per maund last year. Since then, the price has been dipping”, cardamom farmers and traders say. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16242', 'image' => '20221211054014_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 17:35:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16500', 'article_category_id' => '279', 'title' => 'NIFRA, IFC Sign Agreement for Infrastructure Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA’s Chief Executive Officer Ram Krishna Khatiwada and Thomas Lubeck Regional Manager, PPP Transaction Advisory Services, South Asia and East Asia Pacific at IFC - International Finance Corporation have signed the agreement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the agreement, IFC will provide technical and financial assistance to NIFRA to speed up infrastructure development based on private-public partnership in Nepal.<br /> Similarly, the IFC will collaborate with NIFRA to identify projects and conduct a primary evaluation and capacity development of the identified projects. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA CEO Khatiwada said that the agreement would be a milestone to expedite Nepal’s infrastructure development. IFC’s representative Thomas Lubeck said that the collaboration with NIFRA would play a huge contribution to Nepal’s economy and infrastructure development.<br /> NIFRA was established with a motto to provide financial resources for infrastructure development based on public-private partnership. <br /> Since its inception, NIFRA has been investing in hydropower projects, tourism, hotels, and hospitals. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16241', 'image' => '20221211043300_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 16:28:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16499', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Commences Test Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December 11: Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project with installed capacity of 18 megawatt is the first hydro power promoted by Chaudhary Group. <br /> Since the hydro power is already connected to the national transmission line, generated power is evacuated to the national grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The hydro power will start producing power regularly after 15 days of test production”, said Chaudhary Group. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project’s power house is located at Kenga of Parbat’s Modi Rural Municipality while its embankment is situated at Birethanti of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, Kaski. Water from Modi Khola has been flown down through 2,393 meters long tunnel for power generation. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16240', 'image' => '20221211011153_modi 111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 13:05:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16498', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Farmers to Stage Sit-In to Press the Government to Purchase Paddy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December: Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">One and a half months have passed ever since the government fixed the support price for the paddy. FMTC, however, has not started buying the paddy except from Bardiya’s Rajpur, according to All Nepal Peasants’ Federation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Cabinet meeting on November 2 had decided to fix the support price for paddy for the current fiscal year 2022/23. As per the decision, price of thick-sized paddy is Rs 2,967 per quintal, and medium-sized paddy is Rs 3,128 per quintal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">With the government’s delay, some farmers had sold out their produce to traders even before the government had fixed the support price for paddy at cheaper price. <br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Paddy farmers have complained that delay to fix the minimum paddy price has stopped them from having profit. No different is the plight of sugarcane farmers. They have to agitate to press the government to fix the minimum price and sell their produce to every year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Chairman of Nepal Peasants’ Federation Ganesh Chandra Timilsina says that blame game among the FMTC, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is delaying the process to procure paddy from the peasants. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“We are preparing to stage sit-ins in front of eight depots owned by FMTC except Rajapur”, said Timilsina. <br /> Farmers and peasants will stage sit-ins at FMTC’s Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Janakpur, and Jhapa depots from today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Timilsina has said that their agitation and sit-in will continue until the government starts purchasing the paddy at the minimum price. Earlier, farmers led by All Nepal Peasants’ Federation and Nepal Peasants’ Federation had staged protest to press the FMTC to commence buying the paddy at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu, on Friday. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16239', 'image' => '20221211062505_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 06:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16497', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'The ‘Curse’ of High Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. And though a peak could be in sight, the effects may yet get worse, added the news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">How did we get here? In two words: pandemic and war, summed up Reuters. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“A long and comfortable period of scant inflation and low interest rates ended abruptly after COVID-19 struck, as governments and central banks kept locked-down businesses and households afloat with trillions of dollars of support. That lifeline kept workers from joining dole queues, businesses from going broke and house prices from crashing. But it also knocked supply and demand out of kilter as never before.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By 2021, as lockdowns ended and the global economy grew at its fastest post-recession pace in 80 years, all that stimulus money overwhelmed the world's trading system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, factories that had been idled could not ratchet up fast enough to meet demand, COVID-safe rules caused labour shortages in retail, transport and healthcare, and the recovery boom caused a spike in energy prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If that wasn't enough, Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Western sanctions on the major oil and gas exporter sent fuel prices yet higher.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Known as a "tax on the poor" because it hits those on low incomes the hardest, double-digit inflation has exacerbated inequalities worldwide. While wealthier consumers can rely on savings built up during pandemic lockdowns, others struggle to make ends meet and a growing number rely on food banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">With winter setting in across the northern hemisphere, that squeeze on living costs will tighten as fuel bills soar. Workers have taken strike action in sectors from healthcare to aviation to demand that wages keep pace with inflation. In most cases, they are having to settle for less, added Reuters.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Cost of living concerns dominate the politics of rich nations – in some cases relegating other priorities, such as climate change action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But if things are tough in industrialised economies, rocketing food prices are worsening poverty and suffering in poorer countries, from Haiti to Sudan and Lebanon to Sri Lanka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The World Food Programme estimates an extra 70 million people worldwide have been driven closer to starvation since the start of the Ukraine war in what it calls a "tsunami of hunger".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the world's central banks have embarked on steep interest rate hikes to cool demand and tame inflation. By the end of 2023, the International Monetary Fund expects global inflation to have fallen to 4.7% - just less than half its current level.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the context of Nepal, the trouble seems much more as the central bank says the year-on-year inflation hit as high as 8.5 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to 4.24 percent a year ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF's regular October outlook was one of the bleakest for years, stating: "In short, the worst is yet to come and for many people, 2023 will feel like a recession."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the chance of global growth dropping below two percent is increasing as major economies slowdown. Such a trend was last seen during the coronavirus outbreak and the global financial crisis of 2009, AFP added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has also warned that several major economies face a real risk of sliding into recession as the war in Ukraine, rising food and fuel costs, and soaring inflation cloud the global outlook.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Geneva-based trade body last month projected global trade to rise just 1.0 percent in 2023, down sharply from an estimated 3.5 percent rise for this year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16238', 'image' => '20221210104716_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:46:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16496', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Croatia Knocks Out Title Favourites Brazil on Penalties to Reach World Cup Semi-Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. Croatia, the beaten finalists four years ago, scored with all four of their spot-kicks as Rodrygo - taking his team's first kick - was denied by the brilliant Dominik Livakovic while the crucial fourth effort of Brazil’s Marquinho struck the post.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As the ball hit the foot of the woodwork and bounced away, Croatia's team sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, while the Brazil players hit the turf, knowing their dream of a sixth crown had come to an end, the BBC reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After an engrossing 90 minutes, Tite's men thought they had won it in extra time when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal Brazil's 'official' men's goalscoring record.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But Brazil were punished for letting their guard down, with substitute Bruno Petkovic drilling in an 117th-minute equaliser with their one and only shot on target, breaking Brazilian hearts in the Education City Stadium, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the 2018 runners-up came through their second straight shootout after beating Japan on penalties in the last 16 and will now face Argentina, who defeated the Netherlands in another penalty shootout in another late match of the day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16237', 'image' => '20221210104450_Croatia-3-e1670609429609-1-1024x576.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:44:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16495', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Argentina Win on Penalties after Dutch Fightback', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Argentina looked as if they were cruising to victory with a 2-0 lead with only seven minutes of normal time remaining but the Dutch scored twice through substitute Wout Weghorst to send the match into extra time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, Emiliano Martinez saved the first two Dutch penalties to give Argentina a huge advantage and Lautaro Martinez sent Andries Noppert the wrong way to set up a date for the South Americans with Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 16 yellow cards were shown throughout the contest by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu and Dutch wingback Denzel Dumfries was sent off after the final whistle for his part in the final brawl.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16236', 'image' => '20221210103454_20221210_afp_world_cup_2022_argentina_netherlands.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:34:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16494', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Japan Extends Grant Assistance for Setting Up Turmeric Processing Centre in Pyuthan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Yutaka Kikuta, signed a grant agreement in this regard with Shiva Rimal, president of the Volunteer Nepal National Group, for the construction of a new turmeric processing centre and the provision of agricultural equipment in Pyuthan district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu on Friday (December 9). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The project is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese government and involves a grant of USD 81,180 (approximately NPR 10 million). The project will help in setting up the processing centre for the production, processing, and commercialization of turmeric, the Embassy of Japan said in a press statement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Currently, more turmeric is imported than is produced domestically. Local turmeric farmers are not able to earn much profit due to the lack of domestic work centres to commercialize the product. The project was planned to improve this situation and generate income for farmers,” the statement added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Volunteer Nepal National Group has been working to improve the livelihoods of farmers. According to the statement, the project will be jointly managed by Pyuthan Municipality Ward 8, local farmers, and the Volunteer Nepal National Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will improve the environment for production of turmeric and also enhance the livelihoods of the local farmers in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We hope that this agricultural assistance will enhance the friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal now and for future generations,” the statement further said. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16235', 'image' => '20221210101603_turmeric-root-and-powder.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:15:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16493', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Tells Concerned Bodies not to Implement Parliament Secretariat’s Letter', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A constitutional bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki, senior Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha and justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Dr Anand Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Kumar Sinha on Friday issued the interim order following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed against the letter on Friday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The writ petition has raised significant constitutional and legal questions. The petition has also argued that the general secretary of parliament secretariat, Dr Bharat Raj Gautam, issued the letter going beyond his authority," the interim order read, adding, "The parliament’s general secretary exercising the authority bestowed to House of Representatives by the constitution has become a matter of serious concern. So, it is not logical from the viewpoint of balance of check to implement the letter immediately.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Until the SC completes hearing on writ petition, the letter that the parliament's general secretary issued must not be enforced, the constitutional bench added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar, Purna Man Shakya, Vice Chair Mukunda Prasad Poudel, and Secretary Rishiram Ghimire, among others had filed the petition at SC, demanding the letter to be scrapped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the writ petition, the petitioners argued that when Chief Justice Rana was suspended with the impeachment motion that questioned Rana's competence, behaviour and financial issues, merely a letter issued by the general secretary of the legislature parliament would not render the impeachment motion ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On Wednesday, General Secretary Dr Gautam had written a letter to the concerned bodies, including the Supreme Court, informing that the impeachment motion against CJ Rana was invalidated. It created a ripple effect in the political circle of the country. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16234', 'image' => '20221210093528_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 09:34:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16492', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhuvan Nagarkoti Lifts Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open Golf Title', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan carded four-under 64 to post the 72-hole total of 14-under 258 and recorded a nine-stroke victory over Dinesh Prajapati. Bhuvan claimed his 10th career title along with a cheque of Rs 116,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dinesh produced the best card of the day carding six-under 62 for the score of five-under 267 and moved up to second. He earned 78,000. Nepal No 1 Sukra Bahadur Rai slipped to third after he played even-par 68 and received Rs 63,000. Leader of first two rounds, Rabi Khadka played a round of four-over 72 and finished fourth at three-over 275. He earned Rs 50,000. Ramesh Adhikari came fifth at five-over 277 after he played one-over 69 and received Rs 43,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan, who went into the final round with a nine-shot lead, carded one-under 33 on the front nine and added three-under 31 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the second hole and bounced back with birdies on the third and fifth holes. With no one pushing from behind, Bhuvan carded birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes to cap a bogey-free back nine.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Second-placed Dinesh carded seven birdies and faced a bogey on the final round as he overtook Nepal No 1 pro Sukra in final standing. He carded two-under 32 on the front nine and shot four-under 30 on the back nine. He made birdies on the second, third and sixth holes before dropping a shot on the ninth. After taking the turn, Dinesh carded four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th holes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Amateur section, Ajit BK won the title with the score of 17-over 289. Ajit played six-over 74 in the final round, but that was enough for him to register 22-stroke victory over Suresh Tamang. Suresh played four-over 72 for the total score of 311.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 36 golfers -- 31 pros and five amateurs -- took part in the season-opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 670,000. Marketing Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Keshav Pradhan and President of PGA Nepal Rabindra Man Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-09', 'modified' => '2022-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16233', 'image' => '20221209085132_1670580749549.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-09 20:51:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: The Seventh edition of the NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards kicked off in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme is being organized by New Business Age Pvt Ltd as an initiative to recognize and honour the best-performing companies.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Minister of Finance Janardan Sharma is scheduled to inaugurate the awards ceremony in a while. The Business Conclave and Awards is being attended by some 500 high-level professionals from the public and private sectors, including politicians, government officials, academicians, business leaders from banking, travel and tourism and other walks of life.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As the entire global economy is going through an economic slowdown and Nepal is not an exception, this year’s conclave is focused on the theme “Emerging through the Crisis” so as to learn experiences and ways to overcome the grim situation, according to organizer. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">During the conclave, a panel discussion featuring Dr Posh Raj Pandey, chairman of SWATEE, Chandra Dhakal, senior vice president of FNCCI, Dr Neelam Dhungana Timsina, deputy governor of Nepal Rastra Bank and Toya Gyawali, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies will discuss about the current crisis, its causes and way to emerge out of the crisis. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The session will be moderated by Dr Kalpana Khanal.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Dr Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, is the keynote speaker of the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">This annual event is being organized by New Business Age since 2013. The event was not held in 2015, 2020 and 2022 due to the Gorkha earthquake and Covid-19 pandemic.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Asian Paints is the main sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16247', 'image' => '20221212043902_IMG-20221212-WA0004.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 15:16:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16505', 'article_category_id' => '249', 'title' => 'Islington College Offers London Metropolitan University Courses to South Asian Students', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">December 12: Students of South Asia will now have access to certain courses of London Metropolitan University (LMU) through online platform. Islington College signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding in this regard with London Metropolitan University (LMU), mySecondTeacher, and RVI Group to use certain LMU courses under the administration of Islington College.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">With this latest strategic partnership, RVI Group will now be able to further strengthen their institutions with London Metropolitan University’s courses under the careful administration of Islington College using mySecondTeacher as a delivery platform, the college said in a statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">“With this monumental partnership, students from Thailand and Myanmar can also graduate with a BA (Hons) Business Administration degree from the London Metropolitan University. Islington College will play a key role in this partnership by facilitating the entire process of a student’s journey up until their graduation, along with aligning the marketing collaterals that shall be developed henceforth,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Islington College further said its faculty will also be responsible for creating an assessment development process as well as carrying out the marking processes as per London Metropolitan University’s guidelines.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">Another groundbreaking initiative included in this partnership is using mySecondTeacher as a platform for online learning. With the help of mySecondTeacher, all course content will be made available to the students, and their assignments will also be distributed and retrieved on a single platform.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Arial MT","sans-serif"">The MOU signing ceremony was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of RVI Group Argus Ang, the founder of mySecondTeacher Dr Benson Soong, Founding Chairman of Islington College and ING Sulav Budhathoki, London Metropolitan University’s Head of Academic Partnerships Dr Wendy Bloisi, added the statement</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-13', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16246', 'image' => '20221212120032_Signing ceremony Photo.JPG', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 12:00:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16504', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Production of Tiles begins in Nepal ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 12: Nepali entrepreneurs have started producing tiles in the country using domestic raw materials. An industry has been established in Jitpur Simara sub-metropolis-8 for the production of tiles using home-made materials. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Two entrepreneurs had been importing foreign tiles and hardware materials into the country since a long time established a joint venture company in Simara to begin production within Nepal. They came up with the idea to set up the industry in Nepal after carrying out in-depth study on tiles manufactured in India. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The product has been launched in the market since this year. Nepal Ceramic Industries Pvt Ltd already introduced the Nepaovit brand tiles in the market. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to managing director of the industry, Manoj Rauniyar, almost 50 percent of the clay used for the production of the tiles was from Nepal. He shared that the industry has a plan to manufacture the tiles completely based on Nepali clay and sand after some months. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Different types of clay have been brought from Bara, Makawanpur and Dolakha districts and used for manufacturing tiles. However, color and glaze used for the tiles have been imported from foreign countries. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the initial months, clay as a raw material was completely imported from Rajasthan, said Rauniyar, adding that the company started using Nepali clay later on. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the industry Shambhunath Jha shared his plan to diversify the production of tiles that can be used for walls. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The industry spread over five bighas and 12 katthas of land was established at the cost of over Rs 1.5 billion. As many as 400 people are getting direct employment in the industry. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The industry would help make Nepal self-reliant on tiles ," Chairman Jha added. He urged the government to lend support in managing raw materials and marketing. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16245', 'image' => '20221212111233_made.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 11:12:02', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16503', 'article_category_id' => '224', 'title' => 'Private Sector Incurring Losses Over Billion Due to NEA’s Reluctance to Buy Electricity ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Private hydropower companies incurred losses of more than Rs 1 billion due to the reluctance of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to procure the electricity produced by the private power producers last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), twenty-seven power producer companies faced losses of more than Rs 1 billion after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) did not purchase their power last year. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">IPPAN says that NEA was reluctant to buy the power due to overload in transmission line following excessive production of the energy. IPPAN said that it had met with Energy Secretary Dinesh Ghimire and drew attention to the problem facing them. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The work to collect losses incurred by the private hydro power companies is underway. “The work to collect losses of Chepe Khola, Lower Modi, Dordi Khola, Ghalemdi Khola, United Idi Mardi, Buddhabhumi, Upper Syange, among others, is underway”, said IPPAN.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority signs an agreement with power producing companies on the basis of take or pay and take and pay categories. As per the take or pay agreement, NEA has to procure all the power generated by hydro power company once the project is connected to the transmission line. But, private power producers ink take and pay agreement for short-term due to delay in construction of transmission lines.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the take and pay agreement, the NEA purchases the electricity if need be. It is free not to procure the power as well. “Nepal Electricity Authority’s misuse of the take and pay provision has given trouble to power producers”, said IPPAN Chairman Mohan Kumar Dangi. He blamed the NEA for failing to explore market to sell power.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to Dangi, delay in the construction of transmission lines by the NEA has incurred losses to the some hydro power projects as they have failed to evacuate power to the national grid.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">On the other hand, consumers are facing problem in quality supply of electricity in winter season. IPPAN Vice-chair asked the NEA to construct transmission lines as early as possible and help private power producers to lower the losses. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), however, says problem has arisen as private power producers connect their energy to sub-station other than mentioned in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA Spokesperson Suresh Bahadur Bhattarai said that NEA had not purchased power due to overload in the system during rainy season. NEA officials say that domestic electricity demand has to be increased for long term solution. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">When asked about the delay in the construction of transmission lines, NEA Spokesperson Bhattrai said, “NEA’s sole effort is not enough for transmission line construction adding “Land dispute, court cases, and social problem arise during the construction of transmission lines and it takes time to resolve them”.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NEA has been taking eight to nine years to construct a transmission line that is supposed to be completed in two to three years. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-12', 'modified' => '2022-12-12', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16244', 'image' => '20221212062833_collage (3).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-12 06:24:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16502', 'article_category_id' => '273', 'title' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards to Be Held On Monday ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Seventh Edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Private Limited. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> <br /> December 11: The seventh edition of NewBiz Business Conclave and Awards will be held in Kathmandu on Monday. The programme will kick off in Kathmandu at 3:30 pm, according to New Business Age Private Limited. <br /> As per the organizer, awards will be given away in eight different categories. Out of them, seven will be under institutional categories, while one individual will be felicitated with lifetime achievement award in business leadership in recognition of his/her contribution to the business sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Seven institutional awards include best managed company of the year, best managed commercial bank, best managed development bank, best managed finance company, best managed micro finance company and best managed non-life insurance company and best managed life insurance company. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Independent jury members consisting experts from various sectors have already selected excellent institutions and person to be awarded after a series of evaluation.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Finance Minister Janardan Sharma will be the Chief Guest at the programme while Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director of the India’s Institute for Studies in Industrial Development will be the keynote speaker. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The programme will have a panel discussion ‘on emerging through crises'. <br /> Asian Paints is the major sponsor of the programme while Gods of Furniture, Metlife Insurance, Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nexus Evi, NLG Insurance, Dish Home, Fiber Net, Nepali Patro, President Travels and Tours, have sponsored the event. <br /> The programme will be live on Aarthik Abhiyan’s Facebook page, and New Business Age’s Youtube channel, according to the organiser. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16243', 'image' => '20221211064357_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 18:34:51', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16501', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Cardamom Price Drops', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">December 11: Cardamom price has fallen of late. A maund of cardamom sells at Rs 24,000 at Jhapa’s Birtamod. Per maund of cardamom would fetch Rs 26,000 just a week ago in the same market. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Cardamom entrepreneurs say that low demand for the cardamom has driven the price down this year. “Of late, production of the cardamom has gone up where as demand has shrunk which has led the price to drop”, said cardamom entrepreneur Narendra Tiwari. He has collected around 400 maunds of cardamom this year. Out of them, Tiwari has purchased half of them at Rs 29,000 per maund from farmers. “I have stored most of the cardamom in the godown due to price fall”, Tiwari added.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Meanwhile, farmers are also waiting for right price to sell their produce. Though they have handed over their product to traders, peasants have not reduced the price. “We are confused as the price is fluctuating”, said farmer Raj Kumar Bhattarai.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Price letup has also put big traders in trouble as they have to bank on Indian market. “The cardamom sold up to Rs 48,000 per maund last year. Since then, the price has been dipping”, cardamom farmers and traders say. </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16242', 'image' => '20221211054014_collage (4).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 17:35:46', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16500', 'article_category_id' => '279', 'title' => 'NIFRA, IFC Sign Agreement for Infrastructure Development ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. ', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px">December: Nepal Infrastructure Bank Limited (NIFRA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed an agreement for infrastructure development in Nepal. The two institutions signed the agreement to advance the infrastructure development projects based on public-private partnership. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA’s Chief Executive Officer Ram Krishna Khatiwada and Thomas Lubeck Regional Manager, PPP Transaction Advisory Services, South Asia and East Asia Pacific at IFC - International Finance Corporation have signed the agreement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">As per the agreement, IFC will provide technical and financial assistance to NIFRA to speed up infrastructure development based on private-public partnership in Nepal.<br /> Similarly, the IFC will collaborate with NIFRA to identify projects and conduct a primary evaluation and capacity development of the identified projects. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">NIFRA CEO Khatiwada said that the agreement would be a milestone to expedite Nepal’s infrastructure development. IFC’s representative Thomas Lubeck said that the collaboration with NIFRA would play a huge contribution to Nepal’s economy and infrastructure development.<br /> NIFRA was established with a motto to provide financial resources for infrastructure development based on public-private partnership. <br /> Since its inception, NIFRA has been investing in hydropower projects, tourism, hotels, and hospitals. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16241', 'image' => '20221211043300_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 16:28:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16499', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Commences Test Production', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. ', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December 11: Middle Modi Hydropower Project in Modi Khola located at the border of Parbat and Kaski districts has started test production. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project with installed capacity of 18 megawatt is the first hydro power promoted by Chaudhary Group. <br /> Since the hydro power is already connected to the national transmission line, generated power is evacuated to the national grid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The hydro power will start producing power regularly after 15 days of test production”, said Chaudhary Group. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The project’s power house is located at Kenga of Parbat’s Modi Rural Municipality while its embankment is situated at Birethanti of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, Kaski. Water from Modi Khola has been flown down through 2,393 meters long tunnel for power generation. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16240', 'image' => '20221211011153_modi 111.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 13:05:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16498', 'article_category_id' => '277', 'title' => 'Farmers to Stage Sit-In to Press the Government to Purchase Paddy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">December: Farmers led by their organizations are preparing to stage sit-ins at food depots across the country to press the government-owned Food Management and Trading Company(FMTC) to start purchasing paddy at the minimum support price set by the government from today(Sunday). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">One and a half months have passed ever since the government fixed the support price for the paddy. FMTC, however, has not started buying the paddy except from Bardiya’s Rajpur, according to All Nepal Peasants’ Federation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The Cabinet meeting on November 2 had decided to fix the support price for paddy for the current fiscal year 2022/23. As per the decision, price of thick-sized paddy is Rs 2,967 per quintal, and medium-sized paddy is Rs 3,128 per quintal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">With the government’s delay, some farmers had sold out their produce to traders even before the government had fixed the support price for paddy at cheaper price. <br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Paddy farmers have complained that delay to fix the minimum paddy price has stopped them from having profit. No different is the plight of sugarcane farmers. They have to agitate to press the government to fix the minimum price and sell their produce to every year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Chairman of Nepal Peasants’ Federation Ganesh Chandra Timilsina says that blame game among the FMTC, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is delaying the process to procure paddy from the peasants. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“We are preparing to stage sit-ins in front of eight depots owned by FMTC except Rajapur”, said Timilsina. <br /> Farmers and peasants will stage sit-ins at FMTC’s Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Janakpur, and Jhapa depots from today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Timilsina has said that their agitation and sit-in will continue until the government starts purchasing the paddy at the minimum price. Earlier, farmers led by All Nepal Peasants’ Federation and Nepal Peasants’ Federation had staged protest to press the FMTC to commence buying the paddy at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu, on Friday. </span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-11', 'modified' => '2022-12-11', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16239', 'image' => '20221211062505_collage (2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-11 06:21:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16497', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'The ‘Curse’ of High Inflation', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Globally, people are experiencing inflation at levels not seen for decades as prices surge for essentials like food, heating, transport and accommodation, Reuters said in a news report published on December 8. And though a peak could be in sight, the effects may yet get worse, added the news agency.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">How did we get here? In two words: pandemic and war, summed up Reuters. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“A long and comfortable period of scant inflation and low interest rates ended abruptly after COVID-19 struck, as governments and central banks kept locked-down businesses and households afloat with trillions of dollars of support. That lifeline kept workers from joining dole queues, businesses from going broke and house prices from crashing. But it also knocked supply and demand out of kilter as never before.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">By 2021, as lockdowns ended and the global economy grew at its fastest post-recession pace in 80 years, all that stimulus money overwhelmed the world's trading system.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, factories that had been idled could not ratchet up fast enough to meet demand, COVID-safe rules caused labour shortages in retail, transport and healthcare, and the recovery boom caused a spike in energy prices.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">If that wasn't enough, Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Western sanctions on the major oil and gas exporter sent fuel prices yet higher.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Known as a "tax on the poor" because it hits those on low incomes the hardest, double-digit inflation has exacerbated inequalities worldwide. While wealthier consumers can rely on savings built up during pandemic lockdowns, others struggle to make ends meet and a growing number rely on food banks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">With winter setting in across the northern hemisphere, that squeeze on living costs will tighten as fuel bills soar. Workers have taken strike action in sectors from healthcare to aviation to demand that wages keep pace with inflation. In most cases, they are having to settle for less, added Reuters.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Cost of living concerns dominate the politics of rich nations – in some cases relegating other priorities, such as climate change action.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But if things are tough in industrialised economies, rocketing food prices are worsening poverty and suffering in poorer countries, from Haiti to Sudan and Lebanon to Sri Lanka.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The World Food Programme estimates an extra 70 million people worldwide have been driven closer to starvation since the start of the Ukraine war in what it calls a "tsunami of hunger".</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the world's central banks have embarked on steep interest rate hikes to cool demand and tame inflation. By the end of 2023, the International Monetary Fund expects global inflation to have fallen to 4.7% - just less than half its current level.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the context of Nepal, the trouble seems much more as the central bank says the year-on-year inflation hit as high as 8.5 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to 4.24 percent a year ago.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The IMF's regular October outlook was one of the bleakest for years, stating: "In short, the worst is yet to come and for many people, 2023 will feel like a recession."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to AFP, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the chance of global growth dropping below two percent is increasing as major economies slowdown. Such a trend was last seen during the coronavirus outbreak and the global financial crisis of 2009, AFP added.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Similarly, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has also warned that several major economies face a real risk of sliding into recession as the war in Ukraine, rising food and fuel costs, and soaring inflation cloud the global outlook.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Geneva-based trade body last month projected global trade to rise just 1.0 percent in 2023, down sharply from an estimated 3.5 percent rise for this year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16238', 'image' => '20221210104716_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:46:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16496', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Croatia Knocks Out Title Favourites Brazil on Penalties to Reach World Cup Semi-Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Croatia knocked title favourites Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties as they kept their nerve to edge through to the semi-finals. Croatia, the beaten finalists four years ago, scored with all four of their spot-kicks as Rodrygo - taking his team's first kick - was denied by the brilliant Dominik Livakovic while the crucial fourth effort of Brazil’s Marquinho struck the post.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As the ball hit the foot of the woodwork and bounced away, Croatia's team sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, while the Brazil players hit the turf, knowing their dream of a sixth crown had come to an end, the BBC reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">After an engrossing 90 minutes, Tite's men thought they had won it in extra time when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal Brazil's 'official' men's goalscoring record.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">But Brazil were punished for letting their guard down, with substitute Bruno Petkovic drilling in an 117th-minute equaliser with their one and only shot on target, breaking Brazilian hearts in the Education City Stadium, Reuters reported.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the news agency, the 2018 runners-up came through their second straight shootout after beating Japan on penalties in the last 16 and will now face Argentina, who defeated the Netherlands in another penalty shootout in another late match of the day.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16237', 'image' => '20221210104450_Croatia-3-e1670609429609-1-1024x576.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:44:08', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16495', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Argentina Win on Penalties after Dutch Fightback', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 10: Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to keep Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive after the Dutch side snatched a 2-2 draw from the jaws of defeat in an extraordinary quarter-final on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Argentina looked as if they were cruising to victory with a 2-0 lead with only seven minutes of normal time remaining but the Dutch scored twice through substitute Wout Weghorst to send the match into extra time.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Reuters, Emiliano Martinez saved the first two Dutch penalties to give Argentina a huge advantage and Lautaro Martinez sent Andries Noppert the wrong way to set up a date for the South Americans with Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 16 yellow cards were shown throughout the contest by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu and Dutch wingback Denzel Dumfries was sent off after the final whistle for his part in the final brawl.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16236', 'image' => '20221210103454_20221210_afp_world_cup_2022_argentina_netherlands.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:34:06', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16494', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Japan Extends Grant Assistance for Setting Up Turmeric Processing Centre in Pyuthan ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant assistance of Rs 10 million for the construction of a turmeric processing centre in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Japan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Yutaka Kikuta, signed a grant agreement in this regard with Shiva Rimal, president of the Volunteer Nepal National Group, for the construction of a new turmeric processing centre and the provision of agricultural equipment in Pyuthan district. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu on Friday (December 9). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The project is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese government and involves a grant of USD 81,180 (approximately NPR 10 million). The project will help in setting up the processing centre for the production, processing, and commercialization of turmeric, the Embassy of Japan said in a press statement. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“Currently, more turmeric is imported than is produced domestically. Local turmeric farmers are not able to earn much profit due to the lack of domestic work centres to commercialize the product. The project was planned to improve this situation and generate income for farmers,” the statement added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Volunteer Nepal National Group has been working to improve the livelihoods of farmers. According to the statement, the project will be jointly managed by Pyuthan Municipality Ward 8, local farmers, and the Volunteer Nepal National Group. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will improve the environment for production of turmeric and also enhance the livelihoods of the local farmers in Pyuthan district. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">“We hope that this agricultural assistance will enhance the friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal now and for future generations,” the statement further said. </span></span></span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16235', 'image' => '20221210101603_turmeric-root-and-powder.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 10:15:23', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16493', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'SC Tells Concerned Bodies not to Implement Parliament Secretariat’s Letter', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 10: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order asking the concerned bodies to not implement the letter written by the general secretary of parliament secretariat, which had stated that the impeachment motion against suspended Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana was rendered ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">A constitutional bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki, senior Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha and justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada, Dr Anand Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Kumar Sinha on Friday issued the interim order following a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed against the letter on Friday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The writ petition has raised significant constitutional and legal questions. The petition has also argued that the general secretary of parliament secretariat, Dr Bharat Raj Gautam, issued the letter going beyond his authority," the interim order read, adding, "The parliament’s general secretary exercising the authority bestowed to House of Representatives by the constitution has become a matter of serious concern. So, it is not logical from the viewpoint of balance of check to implement the letter immediately.” </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Until the SC completes hearing on writ petition, the letter that the parliament's general secretary issued must not be enforced, the constitutional bench added. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chairman of the Supreme Court Bar, Purna Man Shakya, Vice Chair Mukunda Prasad Poudel, and Secretary Rishiram Ghimire, among others had filed the petition at SC, demanding the letter to be scrapped. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">In the writ petition, the petitioners argued that when Chief Justice Rana was suspended with the impeachment motion that questioned Rana's competence, behaviour and financial issues, merely a letter issued by the general secretary of the legislature parliament would not render the impeachment motion ineffective. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On Wednesday, General Secretary Dr Gautam had written a letter to the concerned bodies, including the Supreme Court, informing that the impeachment motion against CJ Rana was invalidated. It created a ripple effect in the political circle of the country. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-10', 'modified' => '2022-12-10', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16234', 'image' => '20221210093528_Supreme Court.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-10 09:34:07', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16492', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Bhuvan Nagarkoti Lifts Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open Golf Title', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 9: Bhuvan Nagarkoti won the Surya Nepal Kathmandu Open, the first event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23, at the par-68 Royal Nepal Golf Club on Friday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan carded four-under 64 to post the 72-hole total of 14-under 258 and recorded a nine-stroke victory over Dinesh Prajapati. Bhuvan claimed his 10th career title along with a cheque of Rs 116,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dinesh produced the best card of the day carding six-under 62 for the score of five-under 267 and moved up to second. He earned 78,000. Nepal No 1 Sukra Bahadur Rai slipped to third after he played even-par 68 and received Rs 63,000. Leader of first two rounds, Rabi Khadka played a round of four-over 72 and finished fourth at three-over 275. He earned Rs 50,000. Ramesh Adhikari came fifth at five-over 277 after he played one-over 69 and received Rs 43,000.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Bhuvan, who went into the final round with a nine-shot lead, carded one-under 33 on the front nine and added three-under 31 on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the second hole and bounced back with birdies on the third and fifth holes. With no one pushing from behind, Bhuvan carded birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes to cap a bogey-free back nine.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Second-placed Dinesh carded seven birdies and faced a bogey on the final round as he overtook Nepal No 1 pro Sukra in final standing. He carded two-under 32 on the front nine and shot four-under 30 on the back nine. He made birdies on the second, third and sixth holes before dropping a shot on the ninth. After taking the turn, Dinesh carded four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th holes.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In Amateur section, Ajit BK won the title with the score of 17-over 289. Ajit played six-over 74 in the final round, but that was enough for him to register 22-stroke victory over Suresh Tamang. Suresh played four-over 72 for the total score of 311.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A total of 36 golfers -- 31 pros and five amateurs -- took part in the season-opening event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2022-23. The event carries a cash purse of Rs 670,000. Marketing Manager of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd Keshav Pradhan and President of PGA Nepal Rabindra Man Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-09', 'modified' => '2022-12-09', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16233', 'image' => '20221209085132_1670580749549.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-09 20:51:03', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
