KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the…
KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the…
NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed…
KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six…
KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs…
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on…
KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in…
KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus…
DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on…
KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local…
KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority…
KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor…
NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial…
KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS…
KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal…
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on…
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Bandwidth Platform Lacks Competitive Environment: Study Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon completing its study, the committee said that the lack of competitive environment is due to the same institutions obtaining the license of both the network service provider and internet service provider as per the Telecommunications Act, 2053 and Regulations, 2054 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee submitted its report with recommendations to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While receiving the report on Tuesday, Minister Sharma said that the management of international bandwidth is vital for Nepal and a study was carried out as there was no such study done till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government will immediately implement the recommendations made by the committee in the report," Minister Sharma said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was formed by the Ministry under the coordination of Joint Secretary Gaurav Giri. </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20910', 'image' => '20240605105612_20230411103022_Internett.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 10:55:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Netherlands beat Nepal in Inaugural Match of ICC T20 World Cup Cricket', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal had presented a target of 107 runs for the Netherlands for victory. The Netherlands achieved the target in 18.4 overs at the loss of four wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Max O' Dowd scored an unbeaten 54 runs for the Netherlands. He hit a six and four fours off 48-ball innings. Similarly, Vikramjit Singh scored 22 runs, Sybrand Engelbrecht contributed 14 and Bas de Leede contributed an unbeaten 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepali bowlers Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Avinash Bohara took one wicket each for Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, Nepal was elected to bat first after losing the toss at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA. and scored 106 runs losing all wickets in 19.2 overs. Captain Rohit Kumar Poudel scored 35 runs for Nepal. He hit five fours in his 37-ball innings. Karan KC scored 17 runs off 12 balls. Gulshan Jha scored 14 runs and Anil Sah scored 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Towards bowling, Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek took three wickets each and Paul van Meekeren sent two Nepali batsmen to the pavilion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal will play its second match against Sri Lanka in Florida, USA on June 11. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20908', 'image' => '20240605112617_RSS_CRICKET_447852178_880423094114072_3286256550743125177_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 11:25:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Soars by Rs 1,700 per Tola ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Prior to this, the price of the precious yellow metal had set an all-time high record of Rs 142,200 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Friday. </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"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, hallmark gold is being traded at Rs 142,700 per tola against Rs 141,000 on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the federation has fixed the price of worked gold at Rs 142,000 per tola. It was traded at Rs 140,000 on Monday. </span><br /> The price of gold has been rising steadily in the past few months. The federation fixes the price of gold and silver based on the price in the international market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The recent geopolitical tension due to the Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war have led to investors to invest in gold considering it as a safe haven in times of turmoil.</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"">Likewise, the price of silver has gone up by Rs 25 per tola and has been fixed at Rs 1,860 on Tuesday against Rs 1,835 the previous day. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20907', 'image' => '20240604064715_20240531012532_gold newwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 18:46:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 6.22 Points, Settles at 2085.30', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">June 4: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's trading session, 315 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 53,999 transactions. A total of 8,305,786 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4.8 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CEDB Hydropower Development Company Limited (CHDC) led the turnover amount with a total transaction of Rs 20 crore. Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GILB) gained 10% and hit the positive circuit for the day. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conversely, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) faced the maximum loss of 5.51%, closing at a market price of Rs 635 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in green territory except for the Hydropower Index, Mutual Fund Index, and Others Index. The Trading Index gained the most at 2.70%, while the Hydropower Index incurred the biggest loss of 0.61%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20906', 'image' => '20240604045224_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:50:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Iceland Marks Inauguration of New Consulate in Kathmandu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the consulate said that an event was held at the Hotel Yak and Yeti to mark the inauguration as well as the appointment of Vidushi Rana as the new honorary consul of the Republic of Iceland.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">According to the statement, the event was graced by distinguished personalities and dignitaries from various sectors, “reflecting the importance of this diplomatic milestone”. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, was the chief guest of the event. Iceland’s ambassador to Nepal Gudni Bragason also attended the event as a special guest, underscoring the strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Iceland, added the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event was also attended by several Members of Parliament as well as foreign ambassadors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Vidushi Rana, in her capacity as the new honorary consul, expressed her gratitude and commitment to fostering stronger relations between Nepal and Iceland. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">She highlighted the mutual benefits of enhanced diplomatic and economic ties and looked forward to her role in promoting cultural and commercial exchanges between the two nations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">“The inauguration of the new consulate premises in Kathmandu signifies a new chapter in Nepal-Iceland relations, aimed at facilitating smoother diplomatic interactions and promoting bilateral cooperation,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event concluded with a reception, allowing guests to network and discuss future collaborative opportunities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Rana was appointed as the honorary consul of Iceland on January 4.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20905', 'image' => '20240604043158_Inauguration- 8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:30:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Settlement of Coronavirus Insurance Claims worth Rs 11.5 Billion becomes Uncertain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance. However, it is still not certain whether the insured will get paid due to confusion regarding who shall pay the amount promised by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The people in general infected with the novel corona virus (Covid-19) are liable to receive about Rs 11.5 billion in insurance claims. However, the process of settling the claims has become uncertain as the OAG in its report pointed out that it is not appropriate for the government to pay such a large amount on the basis of a secretary-level decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the report prepared by the Office of the Auditor General, as of mid-June 2079, the government has released Rs 6.10 billion for coronavirus insurance while it is yet to settle claims worth Rs 11.34 billion. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The report has also instructed the Nepal Insurance Authority to get the payment done by the insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Surya Prasad Silwal, chairman of the authority, said that the government cannot shy away from its responsibility. He argued that the coronavirus insurance policy was issued with the consent of the government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"I have not read what the Office of the Auditor General has written in its report," he said, "But the government cannot get away from the responsibility to bear the cost of coronavirus insurance."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government has not yet made a formal decision not to bear the responsibility of settling the claims of coronavirus insurance. Last October, the government has released Rs 1 billion for settling the claims. After that, no additional amount has been released.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has mentioned in its audit report of the last fiscal year that the decision of the Government of Nepal to bear the unlimited liability of coronavirus insurance is not appropriate. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Insurance companies have also prepared to file a case against the government for the delay in releasing the payments as promised. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Immediately after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Insurance Board (currently Nepal Insurance Authority) issued instructions to the insurance companies to sell coronavirus insurance in March 2076. Following the instruction, the non-life insurance companies started selling insurance policies for which the government has promised to reimburse the amount.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">As the number of infected people increased, the companies tried to stop issuing the insurance policy within three months. However, since the Ministry of Finance assured the insurers by announcing that that the government would provide the insurance amount through the budget, the insurance companies gave continuity to the scheme. However, the government has been dilly-dallying in releasing the pledged amount.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20904', 'image' => '20240604022815_20200525021952_Adobegermumbrella.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 14:27:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21175', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Airline Passengers, Revenues to Hit Record Highs in 2024 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. </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"">IATA also said it expected the world's airlines to post $30 billion in net earnings this year, up from its previous estimate of $25.7 billion. </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 expected profit "is a great achievement considering the recent deep pandemic losses", IATA director general Willie Walsh told the trade body's annual general meeting in Dubai. "Without a doubt, aviation is vital to the ambitions and prosperity of individuals and economies. Strengthening airline profitability and growing financial resilience is important," he added. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airline industry's total revenues are expected to rise nearly 10 percent to $996 billion this year, another record high, IATA said. </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 industry body, which includes more than 300 airlines accounting for 83 percent of global traffic, is holding its 80th AGM in the United Arab Emirates financial hub. </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"">Despite the strong figures, airlines are also facing a sharp rise in costs due to shortages of parts and labour and challenges related to climate change. </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"">Their total expenses are also expected to hit a record high this year, climbing 9.4 percent to $936 billion, IATA said. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20903', 'image' => '20240604125617_airlines-1137400812.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 12:55:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Car Rally to Dapcha to Promote Heritage Site', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Issuing a recent statement, the association said that the rally that started from Kathmandu on Friday ended at Dapcha via Banepa, Panauti, and Namobuddha.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The rally started from Lazimpat-based Dusit Princess after having a wonderful breakfast hosted by the hotel. The main host of the rally was Hotel Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort, Dhulikhel where all the participants were accommodated with lunch and dinner,” the statement reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the statement, the rally was attended by 36 participants (Skal members) using 25 vehicles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The main objective of the car rally is to showcase the historical and medieval town of Dapcha to help preserve its dying heritage, added the statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">An interaction program was also organized at Dusit Thani Himalayan resort, said the organisers.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20902', 'image' => '20240604011658_Pic 7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 13:16:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21174', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.8 Million People Likely to be Affected in Monsoon this Year ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the details released by the NDRRMA on Monday, more than 1.8 million people might be affected during this year's monsoon following the expectation of more rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NDRRMA Spokesperson Dr Disan Bhattarai shared that more than 1.8 million people of 412,000 households would likely be affected in different ways during the monsoon. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A situation might surface where 83,000 families would be directly affected and 18,000 households need to be rescued and provided with relief, NDRRMA said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, it was estimated that 1.2 million people would be affected by the monsoon while more than two million people were affected. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has already forecast that there is possibility of 35-55 per cent more rainfall than average rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Bhattarai mentioned that all the responsible agencies have already been directed to carry out necessary preparations considering higher risk this time. The preparedness work is being done in accordance with the monsoon preparedness and response national action plan developed by the Home Ministry. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20901', 'image' => '20240604114336_20210626022910_Monsoon.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 11:42:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Arranges 374 Beds for Helpless at 52 Hospitals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The private hospitals are obliged to allocate a minimum of 10 percent beds for free treatment to the helpless people as per KMC's edict. </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"">Public health inspector at the health department of KMC, Dhanendra Shrestha, informed that 70 patients have so far benefitted from the scheme launched in February. Most of those receiving the service are from out of the capital city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the private hospitals flouted legal provisions, the KMC introduced a free treatment work procedure, 2080 and enforced its strict implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The KMC has also arranged a system where the availability of beds, treatment services and other schemes at private hospitals can be checked online. </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"">Shrestha further informed that most of the patients receiving treatment under this scheme are suffering from ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, and kidney disease, while some are having respiratory and eye problems. </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"">One can dial KMC’s hotline number 1180 to receive information about the treatment or for the service. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20900', 'image' => '20240604105140_20230830033211_Hospital.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 10:51:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NIC Asia Bank Receives ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 4: NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank received the ‘Channel Innovation Platinum’ award for 2024, an accolade given annually by the international service provider ‘Infosys Finacle’.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NIC Asia Bank won this award in the innovation category, competing against 200 applicants across 10 categories. The award was given in recognition of its innovative and outstanding product, iServe, which enhances Nepal's digital banking services and provides international-level online banking.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">iServe is the top digital platform introduced by the bank in Nepal. It offers the convenience of using digital banking services from home or office, eliminating the need to visit the bank’s branch office physically.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank believes that this recognition will help further refine its digital services and reach more customers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20899', 'image' => '20240604083825_collage (21).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 08:36:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21171', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Upper House Members Air Mixed Views on Budget ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Airing their views during the general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year on Monday, Kamala Panta said the implementation of the budget is challenging when it is warranted to revive the economy finding ways to address the economic crisis. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Questioning over the exclusion of the matters about observing the year 2024 as a tourism year, the lawmaker said she wanted to be clear whether the government moved back from its commitments regarding the celebrations of the tourism year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maya Prasad Sharma said the budget suggests a realistic approach. "The policies, programmes, and the budget speech for the upcoming fiscal year are capable of building a vibrant atmosphere," hoping for effective implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharada Devi Bhatta said the budget to some extent is balanced and suggests vibrancy. "Budget should be civic-centered," she said, welcoming the new budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jayantidevi Rai said the budget is principally seen as highly positive, but the implementation side is challenging. Announcements to promote investment in agriculture and domestic production are encouraging, she said. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Budget ambitious, challenges in implementation </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upper house member Puja Chaudhary termed the budget an ambitious one. "The budget is much more ambitious," she said drawing the government to increase employees' payroll as well bearing in mind the increasing price rise. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Tul Prasad Bishwakarma said the budget this time has been able to raise hope among the people more than the previous one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Though the government's announcement to observe the upcoming decade as the decade for investment in the agricultural sector, the budget size for the agricultural sector in the next fiscal year reduced, he said. He was of the opinion that the budget should gradually minimize the size of foreign debt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Anjan Shakya said the budget is overall balanced and realistic. Questioning about potential sources for managing capital for the private sector, Shakya said banks and financial institutions are unable to expand loan facilities for the private sector due to various policy-level issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nar Bahadur Bist called for implementing the commitments to promoting cannabis farming for medicinal use with the help of a law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Padam Bahadur Pariyar said that overall the budget has addressed all sectors while Sonam Geljen Sherpa and Gomadevi Timilsina said though the budget is people-centered, challenges for its implementation loom large. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20898', 'image' => '20240603064444_20240514115805_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:44:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21170', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Receives Mixed Reactions from Lawmakers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Taking part in general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the fiscal year 2024-25 in a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary of Rastriya Swatantra Party said the budget is not realistic. Accusing the government of overlooking the sports sector in the budget speech, he also demanded a substantive approach to promote the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the CPN (Unified Socialist), the budget, introduced amid an economic slowdown, is expected to encounter implementation challenges. "On the one hand, the capital deficit persists, while on the other, the capital flight looms large. Our primary focus should be on managing the capital crisis."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Bahadur Shahi of Rastriya Prajatantra Party said the budget is expected to focus more on job creation and the development of the agriculture sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He proposed to implement a separate provision for the development of the mountain region as only two months Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May) and Jestha (mid- May to mid-June June) are favorable for undertaking development endeavors in the region. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20897', 'image' => '20240603062956_KRB-KTM-21image_123650291(1)copy.JPG', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:29:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21169', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sheds Minimal 3.97 Points, Closes at 2079.07', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 3: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">During today’s trading session, 316 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 59,295 transactions. A total of 8,820,125 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4 billion.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN) led the turnover amount with total transactions worth Rs 14 crores. Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) saw the highest gain of 9.66%, closing at a market price of Rs 670 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Conversely, NIBL Stable Fund (NIBLSTF) witnessed the highest loss of 10% and hit the negative circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in negative territory except the Microfinance Index, while the Finance Index remained unchanged. The Microfinance Index gained the most at 2.43%, while the Manufacturing and Processing Index lost the most at 1.05%.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20896', 'image' => '20240603033450_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 15:17:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/indexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Bandwidth Platform Lacks Competitive Environment: Study Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon completing its study, the committee said that the lack of competitive environment is due to the same institutions obtaining the license of both the network service provider and internet service provider as per the Telecommunications Act, 2053 and Regulations, 2054 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee submitted its report with recommendations to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While receiving the report on Tuesday, Minister Sharma said that the management of international bandwidth is vital for Nepal and a study was carried out as there was no such study done till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government will immediately implement the recommendations made by the committee in the report," Minister Sharma said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was formed by the Ministry under the coordination of Joint Secretary Gaurav Giri. </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20910', 'image' => '20240605105612_20230411103022_Internett.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 10:55:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Netherlands beat Nepal in Inaugural Match of ICC T20 World Cup Cricket', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal had presented a target of 107 runs for the Netherlands for victory. The Netherlands achieved the target in 18.4 overs at the loss of four wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Max O' Dowd scored an unbeaten 54 runs for the Netherlands. He hit a six and four fours off 48-ball innings. Similarly, Vikramjit Singh scored 22 runs, Sybrand Engelbrecht contributed 14 and Bas de Leede contributed an unbeaten 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepali bowlers Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Avinash Bohara took one wicket each for Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, Nepal was elected to bat first after losing the toss at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA. and scored 106 runs losing all wickets in 19.2 overs. Captain Rohit Kumar Poudel scored 35 runs for Nepal. He hit five fours in his 37-ball innings. Karan KC scored 17 runs off 12 balls. Gulshan Jha scored 14 runs and Anil Sah scored 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Towards bowling, Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek took three wickets each and Paul van Meekeren sent two Nepali batsmen to the pavilion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal will play its second match against Sri Lanka in Florida, USA on June 11. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20908', 'image' => '20240605112617_RSS_CRICKET_447852178_880423094114072_3286256550743125177_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 11:25:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Soars by Rs 1,700 per Tola ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Prior to this, the price of the precious yellow metal had set an all-time high record of Rs 142,200 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Friday. </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"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, hallmark gold is being traded at Rs 142,700 per tola against Rs 141,000 on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the federation has fixed the price of worked gold at Rs 142,000 per tola. It was traded at Rs 140,000 on Monday. </span><br /> The price of gold has been rising steadily in the past few months. The federation fixes the price of gold and silver based on the price in the international market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The recent geopolitical tension due to the Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war have led to investors to invest in gold considering it as a safe haven in times of turmoil.</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"">Likewise, the price of silver has gone up by Rs 25 per tola and has been fixed at Rs 1,860 on Tuesday against Rs 1,835 the previous day. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20907', 'image' => '20240604064715_20240531012532_gold newwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 18:46:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 6.22 Points, Settles at 2085.30', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">June 4: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's trading session, 315 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 53,999 transactions. A total of 8,305,786 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4.8 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CEDB Hydropower Development Company Limited (CHDC) led the turnover amount with a total transaction of Rs 20 crore. Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GILB) gained 10% and hit the positive circuit for the day. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conversely, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) faced the maximum loss of 5.51%, closing at a market price of Rs 635 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in green territory except for the Hydropower Index, Mutual Fund Index, and Others Index. The Trading Index gained the most at 2.70%, while the Hydropower Index incurred the biggest loss of 0.61%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20906', 'image' => '20240604045224_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:50:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Iceland Marks Inauguration of New Consulate in Kathmandu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the consulate said that an event was held at the Hotel Yak and Yeti to mark the inauguration as well as the appointment of Vidushi Rana as the new honorary consul of the Republic of Iceland.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">According to the statement, the event was graced by distinguished personalities and dignitaries from various sectors, “reflecting the importance of this diplomatic milestone”. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, was the chief guest of the event. Iceland’s ambassador to Nepal Gudni Bragason also attended the event as a special guest, underscoring the strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Iceland, added the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event was also attended by several Members of Parliament as well as foreign ambassadors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Vidushi Rana, in her capacity as the new honorary consul, expressed her gratitude and commitment to fostering stronger relations between Nepal and Iceland. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">She highlighted the mutual benefits of enhanced diplomatic and economic ties and looked forward to her role in promoting cultural and commercial exchanges between the two nations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">“The inauguration of the new consulate premises in Kathmandu signifies a new chapter in Nepal-Iceland relations, aimed at facilitating smoother diplomatic interactions and promoting bilateral cooperation,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event concluded with a reception, allowing guests to network and discuss future collaborative opportunities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Rana was appointed as the honorary consul of Iceland on January 4.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20905', 'image' => '20240604043158_Inauguration- 8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:30:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Settlement of Coronavirus Insurance Claims worth Rs 11.5 Billion becomes Uncertain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance. However, it is still not certain whether the insured will get paid due to confusion regarding who shall pay the amount promised by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The people in general infected with the novel corona virus (Covid-19) are liable to receive about Rs 11.5 billion in insurance claims. However, the process of settling the claims has become uncertain as the OAG in its report pointed out that it is not appropriate for the government to pay such a large amount on the basis of a secretary-level decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the report prepared by the Office of the Auditor General, as of mid-June 2079, the government has released Rs 6.10 billion for coronavirus insurance while it is yet to settle claims worth Rs 11.34 billion. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The report has also instructed the Nepal Insurance Authority to get the payment done by the insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Surya Prasad Silwal, chairman of the authority, said that the government cannot shy away from its responsibility. He argued that the coronavirus insurance policy was issued with the consent of the government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"I have not read what the Office of the Auditor General has written in its report," he said, "But the government cannot get away from the responsibility to bear the cost of coronavirus insurance."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government has not yet made a formal decision not to bear the responsibility of settling the claims of coronavirus insurance. Last October, the government has released Rs 1 billion for settling the claims. After that, no additional amount has been released.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has mentioned in its audit report of the last fiscal year that the decision of the Government of Nepal to bear the unlimited liability of coronavirus insurance is not appropriate. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Insurance companies have also prepared to file a case against the government for the delay in releasing the payments as promised. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Immediately after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Insurance Board (currently Nepal Insurance Authority) issued instructions to the insurance companies to sell coronavirus insurance in March 2076. Following the instruction, the non-life insurance companies started selling insurance policies for which the government has promised to reimburse the amount.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">As the number of infected people increased, the companies tried to stop issuing the insurance policy within three months. However, since the Ministry of Finance assured the insurers by announcing that that the government would provide the insurance amount through the budget, the insurance companies gave continuity to the scheme. However, the government has been dilly-dallying in releasing the pledged amount.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20904', 'image' => '20240604022815_20200525021952_Adobegermumbrella.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 14:27:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21175', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Airline Passengers, Revenues to Hit Record Highs in 2024 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. </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"">IATA also said it expected the world's airlines to post $30 billion in net earnings this year, up from its previous estimate of $25.7 billion. </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 expected profit "is a great achievement considering the recent deep pandemic losses", IATA director general Willie Walsh told the trade body's annual general meeting in Dubai. "Without a doubt, aviation is vital to the ambitions and prosperity of individuals and economies. Strengthening airline profitability and growing financial resilience is important," he added. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airline industry's total revenues are expected to rise nearly 10 percent to $996 billion this year, another record high, IATA said. </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 industry body, which includes more than 300 airlines accounting for 83 percent of global traffic, is holding its 80th AGM in the United Arab Emirates financial hub. </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"">Despite the strong figures, airlines are also facing a sharp rise in costs due to shortages of parts and labour and challenges related to climate change. </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"">Their total expenses are also expected to hit a record high this year, climbing 9.4 percent to $936 billion, IATA said. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20903', 'image' => '20240604125617_airlines-1137400812.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 12:55:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Car Rally to Dapcha to Promote Heritage Site', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Issuing a recent statement, the association said that the rally that started from Kathmandu on Friday ended at Dapcha via Banepa, Panauti, and Namobuddha.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The rally started from Lazimpat-based Dusit Princess after having a wonderful breakfast hosted by the hotel. The main host of the rally was Hotel Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort, Dhulikhel where all the participants were accommodated with lunch and dinner,” the statement reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the statement, the rally was attended by 36 participants (Skal members) using 25 vehicles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The main objective of the car rally is to showcase the historical and medieval town of Dapcha to help preserve its dying heritage, added the statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">An interaction program was also organized at Dusit Thani Himalayan resort, said the organisers.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20902', 'image' => '20240604011658_Pic 7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 13:16:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21174', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.8 Million People Likely to be Affected in Monsoon this Year ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the details released by the NDRRMA on Monday, more than 1.8 million people might be affected during this year's monsoon following the expectation of more rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NDRRMA Spokesperson Dr Disan Bhattarai shared that more than 1.8 million people of 412,000 households would likely be affected in different ways during the monsoon. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A situation might surface where 83,000 families would be directly affected and 18,000 households need to be rescued and provided with relief, NDRRMA said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, it was estimated that 1.2 million people would be affected by the monsoon while more than two million people were affected. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has already forecast that there is possibility of 35-55 per cent more rainfall than average rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Bhattarai mentioned that all the responsible agencies have already been directed to carry out necessary preparations considering higher risk this time. The preparedness work is being done in accordance with the monsoon preparedness and response national action plan developed by the Home Ministry. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20901', 'image' => '20240604114336_20210626022910_Monsoon.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 11:42:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Arranges 374 Beds for Helpless at 52 Hospitals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The private hospitals are obliged to allocate a minimum of 10 percent beds for free treatment to the helpless people as per KMC's edict. </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"">Public health inspector at the health department of KMC, Dhanendra Shrestha, informed that 70 patients have so far benefitted from the scheme launched in February. Most of those receiving the service are from out of the capital city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the private hospitals flouted legal provisions, the KMC introduced a free treatment work procedure, 2080 and enforced its strict implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The KMC has also arranged a system where the availability of beds, treatment services and other schemes at private hospitals can be checked online. </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"">Shrestha further informed that most of the patients receiving treatment under this scheme are suffering from ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, and kidney disease, while some are having respiratory and eye problems. </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"">One can dial KMC’s hotline number 1180 to receive information about the treatment or for the service. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20900', 'image' => '20240604105140_20230830033211_Hospital.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 10:51:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NIC Asia Bank Receives ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 4: NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank received the ‘Channel Innovation Platinum’ award for 2024, an accolade given annually by the international service provider ‘Infosys Finacle’.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NIC Asia Bank won this award in the innovation category, competing against 200 applicants across 10 categories. The award was given in recognition of its innovative and outstanding product, iServe, which enhances Nepal's digital banking services and provides international-level online banking.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">iServe is the top digital platform introduced by the bank in Nepal. It offers the convenience of using digital banking services from home or office, eliminating the need to visit the bank’s branch office physically.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank believes that this recognition will help further refine its digital services and reach more customers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20899', 'image' => '20240604083825_collage (21).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 08:36:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21171', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Upper House Members Air Mixed Views on Budget ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Airing their views during the general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year on Monday, Kamala Panta said the implementation of the budget is challenging when it is warranted to revive the economy finding ways to address the economic crisis. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Questioning over the exclusion of the matters about observing the year 2024 as a tourism year, the lawmaker said she wanted to be clear whether the government moved back from its commitments regarding the celebrations of the tourism year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maya Prasad Sharma said the budget suggests a realistic approach. "The policies, programmes, and the budget speech for the upcoming fiscal year are capable of building a vibrant atmosphere," hoping for effective implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharada Devi Bhatta said the budget to some extent is balanced and suggests vibrancy. "Budget should be civic-centered," she said, welcoming the new budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jayantidevi Rai said the budget is principally seen as highly positive, but the implementation side is challenging. Announcements to promote investment in agriculture and domestic production are encouraging, she said. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Budget ambitious, challenges in implementation </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upper house member Puja Chaudhary termed the budget an ambitious one. "The budget is much more ambitious," she said drawing the government to increase employees' payroll as well bearing in mind the increasing price rise. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Tul Prasad Bishwakarma said the budget this time has been able to raise hope among the people more than the previous one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Though the government's announcement to observe the upcoming decade as the decade for investment in the agricultural sector, the budget size for the agricultural sector in the next fiscal year reduced, he said. He was of the opinion that the budget should gradually minimize the size of foreign debt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Anjan Shakya said the budget is overall balanced and realistic. Questioning about potential sources for managing capital for the private sector, Shakya said banks and financial institutions are unable to expand loan facilities for the private sector due to various policy-level issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nar Bahadur Bist called for implementing the commitments to promoting cannabis farming for medicinal use with the help of a law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Padam Bahadur Pariyar said that overall the budget has addressed all sectors while Sonam Geljen Sherpa and Gomadevi Timilsina said though the budget is people-centered, challenges for its implementation loom large. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20898', 'image' => '20240603064444_20240514115805_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:44:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21170', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Receives Mixed Reactions from Lawmakers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Taking part in general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the fiscal year 2024-25 in a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary of Rastriya Swatantra Party said the budget is not realistic. Accusing the government of overlooking the sports sector in the budget speech, he also demanded a substantive approach to promote the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the CPN (Unified Socialist), the budget, introduced amid an economic slowdown, is expected to encounter implementation challenges. "On the one hand, the capital deficit persists, while on the other, the capital flight looms large. Our primary focus should be on managing the capital crisis."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Bahadur Shahi of Rastriya Prajatantra Party said the budget is expected to focus more on job creation and the development of the agriculture sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He proposed to implement a separate provision for the development of the mountain region as only two months Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May) and Jestha (mid- May to mid-June June) are favorable for undertaking development endeavors in the region. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20897', 'image' => '20240603062956_KRB-KTM-21image_123650291(1)copy.JPG', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:29:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21169', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sheds Minimal 3.97 Points, Closes at 2079.07', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 3: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">During today’s trading session, 316 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 59,295 transactions. A total of 8,820,125 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4 billion.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN) led the turnover amount with total transactions worth Rs 14 crores. Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) saw the highest gain of 9.66%, closing at a market price of Rs 670 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Conversely, NIBL Stable Fund (NIBLSTF) witnessed the highest loss of 10% and hit the negative circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in negative territory except the Microfinance Index, while the Finance Index remained unchanged. The Microfinance Index gained the most at 2.43%, while the Manufacturing and Processing Index lost the most at 1.05%.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20896', 'image' => '20240603033450_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 15:17:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Notice (8): Undefined variable: file [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Bandwidth Platform Lacks Competitive Environment: Study Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon completing its study, the committee said that the lack of competitive environment is due to the same institutions obtaining the license of both the network service provider and internet service provider as per the Telecommunications Act, 2053 and Regulations, 2054 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee submitted its report with recommendations to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While receiving the report on Tuesday, Minister Sharma said that the management of international bandwidth is vital for Nepal and a study was carried out as there was no such study done till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government will immediately implement the recommendations made by the committee in the report," Minister Sharma said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was formed by the Ministry under the coordination of Joint Secretary Gaurav Giri. </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20910', 'image' => '20240605105612_20230411103022_Internett.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 10:55:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Netherlands beat Nepal in Inaugural Match of ICC T20 World Cup Cricket', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal had presented a target of 107 runs for the Netherlands for victory. The Netherlands achieved the target in 18.4 overs at the loss of four wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Max O' Dowd scored an unbeaten 54 runs for the Netherlands. He hit a six and four fours off 48-ball innings. Similarly, Vikramjit Singh scored 22 runs, Sybrand Engelbrecht contributed 14 and Bas de Leede contributed an unbeaten 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepali bowlers Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Avinash Bohara took one wicket each for Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, Nepal was elected to bat first after losing the toss at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA. and scored 106 runs losing all wickets in 19.2 overs. Captain Rohit Kumar Poudel scored 35 runs for Nepal. He hit five fours in his 37-ball innings. Karan KC scored 17 runs off 12 balls. Gulshan Jha scored 14 runs and Anil Sah scored 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Towards bowling, Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek took three wickets each and Paul van Meekeren sent two Nepali batsmen to the pavilion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal will play its second match against Sri Lanka in Florida, USA on June 11. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20908', 'image' => '20240605112617_RSS_CRICKET_447852178_880423094114072_3286256550743125177_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 11:25:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Soars by Rs 1,700 per Tola ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Prior to this, the price of the precious yellow metal had set an all-time high record of Rs 142,200 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Friday. </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"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, hallmark gold is being traded at Rs 142,700 per tola against Rs 141,000 on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the federation has fixed the price of worked gold at Rs 142,000 per tola. It was traded at Rs 140,000 on Monday. </span><br /> The price of gold has been rising steadily in the past few months. The federation fixes the price of gold and silver based on the price in the international market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The recent geopolitical tension due to the Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war have led to investors to invest in gold considering it as a safe haven in times of turmoil.</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"">Likewise, the price of silver has gone up by Rs 25 per tola and has been fixed at Rs 1,860 on Tuesday against Rs 1,835 the previous day. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20907', 'image' => '20240604064715_20240531012532_gold newwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 18:46:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 6.22 Points, Settles at 2085.30', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">June 4: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's trading session, 315 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 53,999 transactions. A total of 8,305,786 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4.8 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CEDB Hydropower Development Company Limited (CHDC) led the turnover amount with a total transaction of Rs 20 crore. Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GILB) gained 10% and hit the positive circuit for the day. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conversely, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) faced the maximum loss of 5.51%, closing at a market price of Rs 635 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in green territory except for the Hydropower Index, Mutual Fund Index, and Others Index. The Trading Index gained the most at 2.70%, while the Hydropower Index incurred the biggest loss of 0.61%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20906', 'image' => '20240604045224_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:50:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Iceland Marks Inauguration of New Consulate in Kathmandu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the consulate said that an event was held at the Hotel Yak and Yeti to mark the inauguration as well as the appointment of Vidushi Rana as the new honorary consul of the Republic of Iceland.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">According to the statement, the event was graced by distinguished personalities and dignitaries from various sectors, “reflecting the importance of this diplomatic milestone”. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, was the chief guest of the event. Iceland’s ambassador to Nepal Gudni Bragason also attended the event as a special guest, underscoring the strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Iceland, added the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event was also attended by several Members of Parliament as well as foreign ambassadors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Vidushi Rana, in her capacity as the new honorary consul, expressed her gratitude and commitment to fostering stronger relations between Nepal and Iceland. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">She highlighted the mutual benefits of enhanced diplomatic and economic ties and looked forward to her role in promoting cultural and commercial exchanges between the two nations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">“The inauguration of the new consulate premises in Kathmandu signifies a new chapter in Nepal-Iceland relations, aimed at facilitating smoother diplomatic interactions and promoting bilateral cooperation,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event concluded with a reception, allowing guests to network and discuss future collaborative opportunities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Rana was appointed as the honorary consul of Iceland on January 4.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20905', 'image' => '20240604043158_Inauguration- 8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:30:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Settlement of Coronavirus Insurance Claims worth Rs 11.5 Billion becomes Uncertain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance. However, it is still not certain whether the insured will get paid due to confusion regarding who shall pay the amount promised by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The people in general infected with the novel corona virus (Covid-19) are liable to receive about Rs 11.5 billion in insurance claims. However, the process of settling the claims has become uncertain as the OAG in its report pointed out that it is not appropriate for the government to pay such a large amount on the basis of a secretary-level decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the report prepared by the Office of the Auditor General, as of mid-June 2079, the government has released Rs 6.10 billion for coronavirus insurance while it is yet to settle claims worth Rs 11.34 billion. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The report has also instructed the Nepal Insurance Authority to get the payment done by the insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Surya Prasad Silwal, chairman of the authority, said that the government cannot shy away from its responsibility. He argued that the coronavirus insurance policy was issued with the consent of the government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"I have not read what the Office of the Auditor General has written in its report," he said, "But the government cannot get away from the responsibility to bear the cost of coronavirus insurance."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government has not yet made a formal decision not to bear the responsibility of settling the claims of coronavirus insurance. Last October, the government has released Rs 1 billion for settling the claims. After that, no additional amount has been released.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has mentioned in its audit report of the last fiscal year that the decision of the Government of Nepal to bear the unlimited liability of coronavirus insurance is not appropriate. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Insurance companies have also prepared to file a case against the government for the delay in releasing the payments as promised. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Immediately after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Insurance Board (currently Nepal Insurance Authority) issued instructions to the insurance companies to sell coronavirus insurance in March 2076. Following the instruction, the non-life insurance companies started selling insurance policies for which the government has promised to reimburse the amount.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">As the number of infected people increased, the companies tried to stop issuing the insurance policy within three months. However, since the Ministry of Finance assured the insurers by announcing that that the government would provide the insurance amount through the budget, the insurance companies gave continuity to the scheme. However, the government has been dilly-dallying in releasing the pledged amount.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20904', 'image' => '20240604022815_20200525021952_Adobegermumbrella.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 14:27:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21175', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Airline Passengers, Revenues to Hit Record Highs in 2024 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. </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"">IATA also said it expected the world's airlines to post $30 billion in net earnings this year, up from its previous estimate of $25.7 billion. </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 expected profit "is a great achievement considering the recent deep pandemic losses", IATA director general Willie Walsh told the trade body's annual general meeting in Dubai. "Without a doubt, aviation is vital to the ambitions and prosperity of individuals and economies. Strengthening airline profitability and growing financial resilience is important," he added. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airline industry's total revenues are expected to rise nearly 10 percent to $996 billion this year, another record high, IATA said. </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 industry body, which includes more than 300 airlines accounting for 83 percent of global traffic, is holding its 80th AGM in the United Arab Emirates financial hub. </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"">Despite the strong figures, airlines are also facing a sharp rise in costs due to shortages of parts and labour and challenges related to climate change. </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"">Their total expenses are also expected to hit a record high this year, climbing 9.4 percent to $936 billion, IATA said. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20903', 'image' => '20240604125617_airlines-1137400812.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 12:55:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Car Rally to Dapcha to Promote Heritage Site', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Issuing a recent statement, the association said that the rally that started from Kathmandu on Friday ended at Dapcha via Banepa, Panauti, and Namobuddha.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The rally started from Lazimpat-based Dusit Princess after having a wonderful breakfast hosted by the hotel. The main host of the rally was Hotel Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort, Dhulikhel where all the participants were accommodated with lunch and dinner,” the statement reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the statement, the rally was attended by 36 participants (Skal members) using 25 vehicles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The main objective of the car rally is to showcase the historical and medieval town of Dapcha to help preserve its dying heritage, added the statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">An interaction program was also organized at Dusit Thani Himalayan resort, said the organisers.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20902', 'image' => '20240604011658_Pic 7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 13:16:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21174', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.8 Million People Likely to be Affected in Monsoon this Year ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the details released by the NDRRMA on Monday, more than 1.8 million people might be affected during this year's monsoon following the expectation of more rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NDRRMA Spokesperson Dr Disan Bhattarai shared that more than 1.8 million people of 412,000 households would likely be affected in different ways during the monsoon. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A situation might surface where 83,000 families would be directly affected and 18,000 households need to be rescued and provided with relief, NDRRMA said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, it was estimated that 1.2 million people would be affected by the monsoon while more than two million people were affected. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has already forecast that there is possibility of 35-55 per cent more rainfall than average rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Bhattarai mentioned that all the responsible agencies have already been directed to carry out necessary preparations considering higher risk this time. The preparedness work is being done in accordance with the monsoon preparedness and response national action plan developed by the Home Ministry. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20901', 'image' => '20240604114336_20210626022910_Monsoon.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 11:42:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Arranges 374 Beds for Helpless at 52 Hospitals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The private hospitals are obliged to allocate a minimum of 10 percent beds for free treatment to the helpless people as per KMC's edict. </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"">Public health inspector at the health department of KMC, Dhanendra Shrestha, informed that 70 patients have so far benefitted from the scheme launched in February. Most of those receiving the service are from out of the capital city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the private hospitals flouted legal provisions, the KMC introduced a free treatment work procedure, 2080 and enforced its strict implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The KMC has also arranged a system where the availability of beds, treatment services and other schemes at private hospitals can be checked online. </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"">Shrestha further informed that most of the patients receiving treatment under this scheme are suffering from ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, and kidney disease, while some are having respiratory and eye problems. </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"">One can dial KMC’s hotline number 1180 to receive information about the treatment or for the service. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20900', 'image' => '20240604105140_20230830033211_Hospital.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 10:51:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NIC Asia Bank Receives ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 4: NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank received the ‘Channel Innovation Platinum’ award for 2024, an accolade given annually by the international service provider ‘Infosys Finacle’.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NIC Asia Bank won this award in the innovation category, competing against 200 applicants across 10 categories. The award was given in recognition of its innovative and outstanding product, iServe, which enhances Nepal's digital banking services and provides international-level online banking.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">iServe is the top digital platform introduced by the bank in Nepal. It offers the convenience of using digital banking services from home or office, eliminating the need to visit the bank’s branch office physically.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank believes that this recognition will help further refine its digital services and reach more customers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20899', 'image' => '20240604083825_collage (21).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 08:36:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21171', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Upper House Members Air Mixed Views on Budget ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Airing their views during the general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year on Monday, Kamala Panta said the implementation of the budget is challenging when it is warranted to revive the economy finding ways to address the economic crisis. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Questioning over the exclusion of the matters about observing the year 2024 as a tourism year, the lawmaker said she wanted to be clear whether the government moved back from its commitments regarding the celebrations of the tourism year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maya Prasad Sharma said the budget suggests a realistic approach. "The policies, programmes, and the budget speech for the upcoming fiscal year are capable of building a vibrant atmosphere," hoping for effective implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharada Devi Bhatta said the budget to some extent is balanced and suggests vibrancy. "Budget should be civic-centered," she said, welcoming the new budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jayantidevi Rai said the budget is principally seen as highly positive, but the implementation side is challenging. Announcements to promote investment in agriculture and domestic production are encouraging, she said. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Budget ambitious, challenges in implementation </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upper house member Puja Chaudhary termed the budget an ambitious one. "The budget is much more ambitious," she said drawing the government to increase employees' payroll as well bearing in mind the increasing price rise. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Tul Prasad Bishwakarma said the budget this time has been able to raise hope among the people more than the previous one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Though the government's announcement to observe the upcoming decade as the decade for investment in the agricultural sector, the budget size for the agricultural sector in the next fiscal year reduced, he said. He was of the opinion that the budget should gradually minimize the size of foreign debt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Anjan Shakya said the budget is overall balanced and realistic. Questioning about potential sources for managing capital for the private sector, Shakya said banks and financial institutions are unable to expand loan facilities for the private sector due to various policy-level issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nar Bahadur Bist called for implementing the commitments to promoting cannabis farming for medicinal use with the help of a law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Padam Bahadur Pariyar said that overall the budget has addressed all sectors while Sonam Geljen Sherpa and Gomadevi Timilsina said though the budget is people-centered, challenges for its implementation loom large. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20898', 'image' => '20240603064444_20240514115805_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:44:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21170', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Receives Mixed Reactions from Lawmakers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Taking part in general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the fiscal year 2024-25 in a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary of Rastriya Swatantra Party said the budget is not realistic. Accusing the government of overlooking the sports sector in the budget speech, he also demanded a substantive approach to promote the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the CPN (Unified Socialist), the budget, introduced amid an economic slowdown, is expected to encounter implementation challenges. "On the one hand, the capital deficit persists, while on the other, the capital flight looms large. Our primary focus should be on managing the capital crisis."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Bahadur Shahi of Rastriya Prajatantra Party said the budget is expected to focus more on job creation and the development of the agriculture sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He proposed to implement a separate provision for the development of the mountain region as only two months Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May) and Jestha (mid- May to mid-June June) are favorable for undertaking development endeavors in the region. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20897', 'image' => '20240603062956_KRB-KTM-21image_123650291(1)copy.JPG', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:29:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21169', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sheds Minimal 3.97 Points, Closes at 2079.07', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 3: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">During today’s trading session, 316 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 59,295 transactions. A total of 8,820,125 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4 billion.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN) led the turnover amount with total transactions worth Rs 14 crores. Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) saw the highest gain of 9.66%, closing at a market price of Rs 670 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Conversely, NIBL Stable Fund (NIBLSTF) witnessed the highest loss of 10% and hit the negative circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in negative territory except the Microfinance Index, while the Finance Index remained unchanged. The Microfinance Index gained the most at 2.43%, while the Manufacturing and Processing Index lost the most at 1.05%.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20896', 'image' => '20240603033450_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 15:17:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
Warning (2): simplexml_load_file() [<a href='http://php.net/function.simplexml-load-file'>function.simplexml-load-file</a>]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "" [APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133]file not found!Code Context// $file = 'http://aabhiyan:QUVLg8Wzs2F7G9N7@nepalstock.com.np/api/subindexdata.xml';if(!$xml = simplexml_load_file($file)){$viewFile = '/var/www/html/newbusinessage.com/app/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'articles' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'current_user' => null, 'logged_in' => false ) $articles = array( (int) 0 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21181', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Bandwidth Platform Lacks Competitive Environment: Study Report', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: A committee formed by the government to conduct a study on the feasibility of Bandwidth Platform (International Internet Gateway) in Nepal has pointed out that the sector lacks competitive environment in the country.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upon completing its study, the committee said that the lack of competitive environment is due to the same institutions obtaining the license of both the network service provider and internet service provider as per the Telecommunications Act, 2053 and Regulations, 2054 BS.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee submitted its report with recommendations to Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma on Tuesday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">While receiving the report on Tuesday, Minister Sharma said that the management of international bandwidth is vital for Nepal and a study was carried out as there was no such study done till date.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">"The government will immediately implement the recommendations made by the committee in the report," Minister Sharma said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The committee was formed by the Ministry under the coordination of Joint Secretary Gaurav Giri. </span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20910', 'image' => '20240605105612_20230411103022_Internett.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 10:55:30', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21185', 'article_category_id' => '243', 'title' => 'Modi Heads for Victory in India Vote, but no Landslide ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">NEW DELHI: India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his allies were heading for victory in the country's general election count on Tuesday, but with a reduced parliamentary majority as the opposition surpassed expectations. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Commentators and exit polls had projected an overwhelming victory for Modi, whose campaign wooed the Hindu majority to the worry of the country's 200-million-plus Muslim community, deepening concerns over minority rights. But for the first time in a decade Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could fail to secure an overall majority of its own, figures from the election commission projected, meaning it would need to rely on its alliance partners. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The main opposition Congress party was set to nearly double its parliamentary seats, in a remarkable turnaround largely driven by deals to field single candidates against the BJP's electoral juggernaut. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With 92 percent of votes counted, the BJP's vote share at 37.1 percent was marginally lower than it was in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi was re-elected to his constituency representing the Hindu holy city of Varanasi by a margin of 152,000 votes -- compared to nearly half a million votes five years ago. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The election commission figures showed the BJP and its allies leading in at least 282 seats out of a total of 543, enough for a parliamentary majority. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">But the BJP itself was only leading in 239, well down on the 303 it won five years ago, while the Congress was ahead in 99, up from 52. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Moral defeat' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Celebrations had already begun at the headquarters of Modi's BJP before the full announcement of results. But the mood at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi was also one of jubilation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"BJP has failed to win a big majority on its own," Congress lawmaker Rajeev Shukla told reporters. "It's a moral defeat for them." </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Stocks slumped on speculation the reduced majority would hamper the BJP's ability to push through reforms. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Shares in the main listed unit of Adani Enterprises -- owned by key Modi ally Gautam Adani -- dropped 25 percent, before recovering. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi's opponents have struggled to counter the BJP's well-oiled and well-funded campaign machine, and have been hamstrung by what they say are politically motivated criminal cases aimed at hobbling challengers. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">US think tank Freedom House said this year that the BJP had "increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of the capital Delhi and a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Modi, returned to jail on Sunday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Kejriwal, 55, was detained in March over a long-running corruption probe, but was later released and allowed to campaign as long as he returned to custody once voting ended. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"When power becomes dictatorship, then jail becomes a responsibility," Kejriwal said before surrendering himself, vowing to continue "fighting" from behind bars. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><strong><span style="font-size:14.0pt">'Strength of Indian democracy' </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Many of India's Muslim minority are increasingly uneasy about their futures and their community's place in the constitutionally secular country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Modi himself made several strident comments about Muslims on the campaign trail, referring to them as "infiltrators". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The polls were staggering in their size and logistical complexity, with 642 million voters casting their ballots -- ranging from megacities New Delhi and Mumbai, as well as in sparsely populated forest areas and the high-altitude Himalayas. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">"People should know about the strength of Indian democracy," chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said Monday, calling the counting process "robust". </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Based on the commission's figure of an electorate of 968 million, turnout came to 66.3 percent, down roughly one percentage point from 67.4 percent in the last polls in 2019. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Analysts have partly blamed the lower turnout on a searing heatwave across northern India, with temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). – AFP/RSS</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""> </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20909', 'image' => '20240605011011_mdi.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 13:09:25', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21182', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Netherlands beat Nepal in Inaugural Match of ICC T20 World Cup Cricket', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: Nepal lost its inaugural match of the ICC T20 Men's World Cup Cricket tournament against the Netherlands by six wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal had presented a target of 107 runs for the Netherlands for victory. The Netherlands achieved the target in 18.4 overs at the loss of four wickets. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Max O' Dowd scored an unbeaten 54 runs for the Netherlands. He hit a six and four fours off 48-ball innings. Similarly, Vikramjit Singh scored 22 runs, Sybrand Engelbrecht contributed 14 and Bas de Leede contributed an unbeaten 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepali bowlers Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee and Avinash Bohara took one wicket each for Nepal. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Earlier, Nepal was elected to bat first after losing the toss at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, USA. and scored 106 runs losing all wickets in 19.2 overs. Captain Rohit Kumar Poudel scored 35 runs for Nepal. He hit five fours in his 37-ball innings. Karan KC scored 17 runs off 12 balls. Gulshan Jha scored 14 runs and Anil Sah scored 11 runs. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Towards bowling, Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek took three wickets each and Paul van Meekeren sent two Nepali batsmen to the pavilion. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nepal will play its second match against Sri Lanka in Florida, USA on June 11. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-05', 'modified' => '2024-06-05', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20908', 'image' => '20240605112617_RSS_CRICKET_447852178_880423094114072_3286256550743125177_n.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-05 11:25:35', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21180', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Price of Gold Soars by Rs 1,700 per Tola ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The price of gold increased by Rs 1,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Tuesday to reach an all-time high of Rs 142,700. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Prior to this, the price of the precious yellow metal had set an all-time high record of Rs 142,200 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Friday. </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"">According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, hallmark gold is being traded at Rs 142,700 per tola against Rs 141,000 on Monday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, the federation has fixed the price of worked gold at Rs 142,000 per tola. It was traded at Rs 140,000 on Monday. </span><br /> The price of gold has been rising steadily in the past few months. The federation fixes the price of gold and silver based on the price in the international market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The recent geopolitical tension due to the Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war have led to investors to invest in gold considering it as a safe haven in times of turmoil.</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"">Likewise, the price of silver has gone up by Rs 25 per tola and has been fixed at Rs 1,860 on Tuesday against Rs 1,835 the previous day. </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20907', 'image' => '20240604064715_20240531012532_gold newwww.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 18:46:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21179', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Gains 6.22 Points, Settles at 2085.30', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">June 4: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index witnessed a growth of 6.22 points, or 0.29%, closing at 2,085.30 on the third trading day of the week on Tuesday. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During today's trading session, 315 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 53,999 transactions. A total of 8,305,786 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4.8 billion.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">CEDB Hydropower Development Company Limited (CHDC) led the turnover amount with a total transaction of Rs 20 crore. Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GILB) gained 10% and hit the positive circuit for the day. </span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conversely, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) faced the maximum loss of 5.51%, closing at a market price of Rs 635 per share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in green territory except for the Hydropower Index, Mutual Fund Index, and Others Index. The Trading Index gained the most at 2.70%, while the Hydropower Index incurred the biggest loss of 0.61%.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20906', 'image' => '20240604045224_collage (6).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:50:34', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21178', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Iceland Marks Inauguration of New Consulate in Kathmandu', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Republic of Iceland has inaugurated its new consulate in Kathmandu. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the consulate said that an event was held at the Hotel Yak and Yeti to mark the inauguration as well as the appointment of Vidushi Rana as the new honorary consul of the Republic of Iceland.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">According to the statement, the event was graced by distinguished personalities and dignitaries from various sectors, “reflecting the importance of this diplomatic milestone”. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, was the chief guest of the event. Iceland’s ambassador to Nepal Gudni Bragason also attended the event as a special guest, underscoring the strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Iceland, added the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event was also attended by several Members of Parliament as well as foreign ambassadors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Vidushi Rana, in her capacity as the new honorary consul, expressed her gratitude and commitment to fostering stronger relations between Nepal and Iceland. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">She highlighted the mutual benefits of enhanced diplomatic and economic ties and looked forward to her role in promoting cultural and commercial exchanges between the two nations. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">“The inauguration of the new consulate premises in Kathmandu signifies a new chapter in Nepal-Iceland relations, aimed at facilitating smoother diplomatic interactions and promoting bilateral cooperation,” reads the statement.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">The event concluded with a reception, allowing guests to network and discuss future collaborative opportunities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Arial,"sans-serif"">Rana was appointed as the honorary consul of Iceland on January 4.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20905', 'image' => '20240604043158_Inauguration- 8.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 16:30:48', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21177', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Settlement of Coronavirus Insurance Claims worth Rs 11.5 Billion becomes Uncertain', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General, an organization that audits the transactions of government agencies, has been repeatedly saying that it is the responsibility of the insurance companies to settle the claims of coronavirus insurance. However, it is still not certain whether the insured will get paid due to confusion regarding who shall pay the amount promised by the government.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The people in general infected with the novel corona virus (Covid-19) are liable to receive about Rs 11.5 billion in insurance claims. However, the process of settling the claims has become uncertain as the OAG in its report pointed out that it is not appropriate for the government to pay such a large amount on the basis of a secretary-level decision.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">According to the report prepared by the Office of the Auditor General, as of mid-June 2079, the government has released Rs 6.10 billion for coronavirus insurance while it is yet to settle claims worth Rs 11.34 billion. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The report has also instructed the Nepal Insurance Authority to get the payment done by the insurance companies.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Surya Prasad Silwal, chairman of the authority, said that the government cannot shy away from its responsibility. He argued that the coronavirus insurance policy was issued with the consent of the government. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">"I have not read what the Office of the Auditor General has written in its report," he said, "But the government cannot get away from the responsibility to bear the cost of coronavirus insurance."</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The government has not yet made a formal decision not to bear the responsibility of settling the claims of coronavirus insurance. Last October, the government has released Rs 1 billion for settling the claims. After that, no additional amount has been released.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">The Office of the Auditor General has mentioned in its audit report of the last fiscal year that the decision of the Government of Nepal to bear the unlimited liability of coronavirus insurance is not appropriate. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Insurance companies have also prepared to file a case against the government for the delay in releasing the payments as promised. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">Immediately after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Insurance Board (currently Nepal Insurance Authority) issued instructions to the insurance companies to sell coronavirus insurance in March 2076. Following the instruction, the non-life insurance companies started selling insurance policies for which the government has promised to reimburse the amount.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"ekmukta","serif"">As the number of infected people increased, the companies tried to stop issuing the insurance policy within three months. However, since the Ministry of Finance assured the insurers by announcing that that the government would provide the insurance amount through the budget, the insurance companies gave continuity to the scheme. However, the government has been dilly-dallying in releasing the pledged amount.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20904', 'image' => '20240604022815_20200525021952_Adobegermumbrella.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 14:27:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21175', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Airline Passengers, Revenues to Hit Record Highs in 2024 ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">DUBAI: Airlines are expecting to fly nearly five billion passengers in 2024, a new record beating the pre-Covid pandemic high, trade industry association IATA said on Monday. </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"">IATA also said it expected the world's airlines to post $30 billion in net earnings this year, up from its previous estimate of $25.7 billion. </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 expected profit "is a great achievement considering the recent deep pandemic losses", IATA director general Willie Walsh told the trade body's annual general meeting in Dubai. "Without a doubt, aviation is vital to the ambitions and prosperity of individuals and economies. Strengthening airline profitability and growing financial resilience is important," he added. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The airline industry's total revenues are expected to rise nearly 10 percent to $996 billion this year, another record high, IATA said. </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 industry body, which includes more than 300 airlines accounting for 83 percent of global traffic, is holding its 80th AGM in the United Arab Emirates financial hub. </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"">Despite the strong figures, airlines are also facing a sharp rise in costs due to shortages of parts and labour and challenges related to climate change. </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"">Their total expenses are also expected to hit a record high this year, climbing 9.4 percent to $936 billion, IATA said. – AFP/RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20903', 'image' => '20240604125617_airlines-1137400812.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 12:55:31', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21176', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Car Rally to Dapcha to Promote Heritage Site', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">KATHMANDU: Skal International Nepal, an association of travel and tourism professionals that encourages and creates a network of contacts around the world, organized a car rally from Kathmandu to Dapcha in Kavre last weekend with the objective of promoting the local heritage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Issuing a recent statement, the association said that the rally that started from Kathmandu on Friday ended at Dapcha via Banepa, Panauti, and Namobuddha.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“The rally started from Lazimpat-based Dusit Princess after having a wonderful breakfast hosted by the hotel. The main host of the rally was Hotel Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort, Dhulikhel where all the participants were accommodated with lunch and dinner,” the statement reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the statement, the rally was attended by 36 participants (Skal members) using 25 vehicles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">The main objective of the car rally is to showcase the historical and medieval town of Dapcha to help preserve its dying heritage, added the statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">An interaction program was also organized at Dusit Thani Himalayan resort, said the organisers.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20902', 'image' => '20240604011658_Pic 7.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 13:16:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21174', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Over 1.8 Million People Likely to be Affected in Monsoon this Year ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: More than 1.8 million people are likely to be affected by the monsoon this year, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">As per the details released by the NDRRMA on Monday, more than 1.8 million people might be affected during this year's monsoon following the expectation of more rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NDRRMA Spokesperson Dr Disan Bhattarai shared that more than 1.8 million people of 412,000 households would likely be affected in different ways during the monsoon. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">A situation might surface where 83,000 families would be directly affected and 18,000 households need to be rescued and provided with relief, NDRRMA said. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Last year, it was estimated that 1.2 million people would be affected by the monsoon while more than two million people were affected. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has already forecast that there is possibility of 35-55 per cent more rainfall than average rainfall this year. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Dr Bhattarai mentioned that all the responsible agencies have already been directed to carry out necessary preparations considering higher risk this time. The preparedness work is being done in accordance with the monsoon preparedness and response national action plan developed by the Home Ministry. -- RSS </span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20901', 'image' => '20240604114336_20210626022910_Monsoon.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 11:42:52', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21173', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'KMC Arranges 374 Beds for Helpless at 52 Hospitals ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for free treatment to helpless and poor people. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The private hospitals are obliged to allocate a minimum of 10 percent beds for free treatment to the helpless people as per KMC's edict. </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"">Public health inspector at the health department of KMC, Dhanendra Shrestha, informed that 70 patients have so far benefitted from the scheme launched in February. Most of those receiving the service are from out of the capital city. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">After the private hospitals flouted legal provisions, the KMC introduced a free treatment work procedure, 2080 and enforced its strict implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The KMC has also arranged a system where the availability of beds, treatment services and other schemes at private hospitals can be checked online. </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"">Shrestha further informed that most of the patients receiving treatment under this scheme are suffering from ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, and kidney disease, while some are having respiratory and eye problems. </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"">One can dial KMC’s hotline number 1180 to receive information about the treatment or for the service. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20900', 'image' => '20240604105140_20230830033211_Hospital.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 10:51:01', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21172', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NIC Asia Bank Receives ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">June 4: NIC Asia Bank Limited was honored with the prestigious ‘Infosys Finacle Innovation Awards 2024’ for its exceptional digital products in the country's banking and financial sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank received the ‘Channel Innovation Platinum’ award for 2024, an accolade given annually by the international service provider ‘Infosys Finacle’.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">NIC Asia Bank won this award in the innovation category, competing against 200 applicants across 10 categories. The award was given in recognition of its innovative and outstanding product, iServe, which enhances Nepal's digital banking services and provides international-level online banking.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">iServe is the top digital platform introduced by the bank in Nepal. It offers the convenience of using digital banking services from home or office, eliminating the need to visit the bank’s branch office physically.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The bank believes that this recognition will help further refine its digital services and reach more customers.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-04', 'modified' => '2024-06-04', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20899', 'image' => '20240604083825_collage (21).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-04 08:36:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21171', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Upper House Members Air Mixed Views on Budget ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">KATHMANDU: members of the National Assembly (NA) have insisted on an effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25). </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Airing their views during the general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year on Monday, Kamala Panta said the implementation of the budget is challenging when it is warranted to revive the economy finding ways to address the economic crisis. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Questioning over the exclusion of the matters about observing the year 2024 as a tourism year, the lawmaker said she wanted to be clear whether the government moved back from its commitments regarding the celebrations of the tourism year. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Maya Prasad Sharma said the budget suggests a realistic approach. "The policies, programmes, and the budget speech for the upcoming fiscal year are capable of building a vibrant atmosphere," hoping for effective implementation. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Sharada Devi Bhatta said the budget to some extent is balanced and suggests vibrancy. "Budget should be civic-centered," she said, welcoming the new budget. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Jayantidevi Rai said the budget is principally seen as highly positive, but the implementation side is challenging. Announcements to promote investment in agriculture and domestic production are encouraging, she said. </span><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Budget ambitious, challenges in implementation </span></strong><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Upper house member Puja Chaudhary termed the budget an ambitious one. "The budget is much more ambitious," she said drawing the government to increase employees' payroll as well bearing in mind the increasing price rise. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">However, Tul Prasad Bishwakarma said the budget this time has been able to raise hope among the people more than the previous one. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Though the government's announcement to observe the upcoming decade as the decade for investment in the agricultural sector, the budget size for the agricultural sector in the next fiscal year reduced, he said. He was of the opinion that the budget should gradually minimize the size of foreign debt. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Anjan Shakya said the budget is overall balanced and realistic. Questioning about potential sources for managing capital for the private sector, Shakya said banks and financial institutions are unable to expand loan facilities for the private sector due to various policy-level issues. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Nar Bahadur Bist called for implementing the commitments to promoting cannabis farming for medicinal use with the help of a law. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Padam Bahadur Pariyar said that overall the budget has addressed all sectors while Sonam Geljen Sherpa and Gomadevi Timilsina said though the budget is people-centered, challenges for its implementation loom large. -- RSS</span></span></span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20898', 'image' => '20240603064444_20240514115805_Parliament.jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:44:13', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21170', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Budget Receives Mixed Reactions from Lawmakers', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions to the budget announced for the upcoming fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Taking part in general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditure for the fiscal year 2024-25 in a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Ashok Kumar Chaudhary of Rastriya Swatantra Party said the budget is not realistic. Accusing the government of overlooking the sports sector in the budget speech, he also demanded a substantive approach to promote the agricultural sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the CPN (Unified Socialist), the budget, introduced amid an economic slowdown, is expected to encounter implementation challenges. "On the one hand, the capital deficit persists, while on the other, the capital flight looms large. Our primary focus should be on managing the capital crisis."</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Gyan Bahadur Shahi of Rastriya Prajatantra Party said the budget is expected to focus more on job creation and the development of the agriculture sector. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He proposed to implement a separate provision for the development of the mountain region as only two months Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May) and Jestha (mid- May to mid-June June) are favorable for undertaking development endeavors in the region. -- RSS</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20897', 'image' => '20240603062956_KRB-KTM-21image_123650291(1)copy.JPG', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 18:29:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '21169', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NEPSE Sheds Minimal 3.97 Points, Closes at 2079.07', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px">May 3: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) Index witnessed a minimal loss of 3.97 points or 0.19%, closing at 2079.07 on the second trading day of the week on Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">During today’s trading session, 316 scrips were traded on the NEPSE through 59,295 transactions. A total of 8,820,125 units of shares changed hands, resulting in a total turnover of Rs 4 billion.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">NRN Infrastructure and Development Limited (NRN) led the turnover amount with total transactions worth Rs 14 crores. Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) saw the highest gain of 9.66%, closing at a market price of Rs 670 per share.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Conversely, NIBL Stable Fund (NIBLSTF) witnessed the highest loss of 10% and hit the negative circuit for the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In terms of sector indices, all sectors closed in negative territory except the Microfinance Index, while the Finance Index remained unchanged. The Microfinance Index gained the most at 2.43%, while the Manufacturing and Processing Index lost the most at 1.05%.</span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2024-06-03', 'modified' => '2024-06-03', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '20896', 'image' => '20240603033450_collage (20).jpg', 'article_date' => '2024-06-03 15:17:47', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
