- Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Kathmandu, May 15: National Cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted by Patan High Court. The bench of Justices Sudarshandev Bhatt and Anju Upreti acquitted Lamichhane in a case of rape, after overturning the decision of the District Court to find him guilty.
Earlier, the District Court of Kathmandu convicted Lamichhane in the rape case and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment along with a fine.
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18- UML is dedicated to decent parliamentary practice – chairpersonOli
Kathmandu, May 15: CPN (UML) chair KP Sharma Oli has said that his party is dedicated to decent parliamentary practice. Addressing the meeting of the party’s parliamentary party held today at the federal parliament building premises, he said that there is no reason to be worried by the ongoing protest of the main opposition Nepali Congress in the parliament.
Chairperson Oli argued that if the Nepali Congress accuses someone without evidence and without fault, the parliamentary committee cannot be formed for such reason. “The accused person should be allowed to speak in the parliament first, and why only Congress can speak and others cannot? Should we just listen to NC?,Oli said.
Also leader of the parliamentary party, leader Oli said, “We are dedicated to decent parliamentary practice, the parliament should be functioning immediately. Congress should also exercise restraint now.” He also said that they are trying to bring together all the political parties after assessing the situation. Former Prime Minister Oli said, “Let us go to the House tomorrow for a debate.
Similarly, chief whip of the party’s parliamentary party, Mahesh Kumar Bartaula, informed the mediapersons after the meeting that the role to be played by UML’s lawmakers in the policy and programme presented in Parliament was discussed.
“Party vice chair Bishnu Paudel, general secretary Shankar Pokharel and former finance minister Dr. Yuvaraj Khatiwada imparted training to the MPs about the topics to be raised in the parliament and those included in the policy and programme in today’s meeting.
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20- Minister Bhandari, Ferran discuss Nepal-EU trade issues
Kathmandu, May 15: Myriam Ferran, the Deputy Director General at the European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships, on Wednesday called on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari.
In the meeting held at Soaltee Hotel, the Minister highly appreciated the European Union’s continued support and cooperation to Nepal’s socio-economic development. “Nepal and the EU have been enjoying close relations since 1974 and Nepal accords high priority to the cooperation and support from the EU.”
As he said during the meeting, Nepal and the EU share common understandings regarding the necessity and relevancy of democracy, freedom, and pluralism.
He highlighted the need for multi-sectoral cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the collective goals of the world, and address pressing issues like global hunger and climate change crisis.
Nepal is in the process of graduating to a middle-income country from the category of a Least Development Country (LDC) and it needs technical and economic support from its development partners including the EC for the sustainability of such a historic transformation, according to the Minister.
As the Minister stated, Nepal and the EU relations and cooperation are based on mutual respect. Describing the EU as a major destination for the exports of Nepali goods and services, the Minister urged the Commission to ensure easy access for Nepali exportable goods to the EU market.
He also praised the EU’s role in boosting Nepal’s trade capacity and in the value chain development.
Expressing his hope that Nepal-EU relations will be strengthened in the days to come, he said, “We are pursuing a post-COVID economic recovery and in the process of graduating to the developing country, and in this situation, we require more investment in various development sectors.”
In response, Deputy Director Ferran pledged support for the enhancement of the EU market for Nepali goods. Calling for increasing exports of goods from Nepal to the EU, she said the EU yearns to see the market expansion for Nepali goods in the EU. “We will leave no stone unturned to cooperate with Nepal towards that end.”
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21- Policies and programmes encourage tourism entrepreneurs
CB Adhikari/RSS
Kathmandu, May 15: The government presented the policies and programmes which have aimed at promoting tourism by reviving marketing of tourism programmes and prioritizing necessary infrastructures.
The government has planned to develop tourism destinations and increase inflow of foreign tourists.
Concluding that the traditional approach of tourism promotion needs revisiting, the government is focused on adopting innovative ways for it.
In the policies and programmes President Ram Chandra Paudel presented in the joint sitting of the federal parliament on Tuesday, the government announced to identify, develop and promote the tourist destinations making profiles. This scheme has encouraged the tourism entrepreneurs.
Hotel Association Nepal’s President Binayak Shah said, “Government’s policy to remarketing of tourism programmes is laudable.” He argued that policies and programmes that warrant new approach are appreciative. “As we have very old tourism laws, we must take measures to fit timely needs,” he added.
According to him, restructuring of tourism programmes helps boost this sector. The concept of religious circuit and ridges tourism are innovative ones in the policies. There were indeed essential.
Now, time has come to see how the government implement these policies and schemes, Shah reminded.
After energy and agriculture, the tourism has been regarded as the base of national economy in the government announcement.
Director at Nepal Tourism Board, Maniraj Lamichhane als0 observed that development of tourism infrastructures is appreciative mention. “Whatever issues are incorporated in this time are positive initiative and those missing ones could be addressed through budget,” he added.
Easy access to tourism infrastructure is imperative, he stressed.
Similarly, tourism entrepreneur Rajendra Prasad Sapkota also said the government policies and programmes are welcome initiatives, which, however, need proper enforcement. “Arrival of tourists has upped, so the policy to promote tourism destination is spread optimism in this sector,” he viewed.
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22- Adverse climate affects expedition to Everest
Kathmandu, May 15: Expedition to Mt Everest, the world’s tallest peak, has been affected for past two days due to adverse climate. Department of Tourism Director Rakesh Gurung said that no one has been able to reach the summit of the Everest since Tuesday as the climate is adverse towards the upper part of camp IV.
Meanwhile, the search for the missing two Mongolian climbers is still on. Two Sherpa guides were sent by ‘ATK Expedition’ Pvt Ltd to search and rescue the two Mongolian climbers, who were missing during an attempt to scale the Everest.
According to the Mountaineering Branch of the Department, 53-year-old Usukhjargal Tsedendamba, and 31-year-old Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, are missing since heading towards the peak of Mount Everest at 8:45 am on May 13.
So far, more than 70 climbers have climbed the Everest since the beginning of new spring climbing season began from May 10.
Meanwhile, Kami Rita Sherpa has broken his own record of climbing for 28 times in this season. A total of 414 mountaineers including 75 women and 339 men from 41 mountaineering expedition groups have taken permission to climb the Everest in this season.
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23- PM Dahal, UML Chair Oli and DPM Lamichhane dicuss parliament impasse
Kathmandu, May 15: A meeting has held between the heads of the ruling parties— CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Center) and Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Prime Minister and CPN (MC) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and RSP President and DPM Rabi Lamichhane met at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singhdarbar earlier today and discussed contemporary issues including ways to bring the stalled parliament into operation.
During the meeting, RSP Chair and DPM Lamichhane said he raised the matter with Prime Minister Dahal and Leader Oli that he should be allowed to speak in Parliament after accusations were leveled against him in the House.
“I should get the opportunity to speak in the House after a question has been raised about me, then if my response is not satisfactory, they (Congress) can use their right to protest, which I duly respect”, Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane said.
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24- Deuba mourns passing away of historian Gyanmani Nepal
Kathmandu, May 15: Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has expressed sorrow over the demise of historian Gyanmani Nepal. Nepal passed away on May 14, at age 92.
Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the leader paid tributes to the departed soul. The former Prime Minister described the passing away of the historian as an irreparable loss to the field of history and research.
Nepal who was born in Siktel of Bhojpur on Magh 17, 1989 BS is considered an intellectual of the first generation contributing to more fact-based contents to history.
He has around two dozen creations including the ‘Mahabharat of Nepal’ and ‘Nepal Nirukta’ to his name.
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25- Budget incorporates policies and programmes: Minister Pun
Kathmandu, May 15: Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said the budget would come in line with the policies and programmes presented yesterday.
During an interaction organized by FNCCI on the government policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2081/82 here Wednesday, Minister Pun reminded that the government had aimed at increasing production, and employment, and improving the internal economy.
“Forthcoming budget will incorporate policies and programmes. Similarly, the monetary policy will also align with budget,” he informed, adding that the government wants viable suggestions from the private sector.
The Minister committed to addressing problems facing the manufacturing and development sector. He assured that payment to construction contractors will not be stalled.
“Government is both guardian and torchbearer. Government is watching others and it is also being watched by others,” he said, admitting that some multi-year projects had witnessed problems.
Realizing the role of agriculture, policies, and programmes, the development of infrastructure is given equal attention to prop economic activities.
The Minister further said widening the tax net is better than increasing tax.
President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, urged the government to bring a budget bearing in mind the resources and capacity of the State which is capable of transforming the economic scenario.
He said the private sector wishes that the budget could contribute to a durable and high economic growth, leading to the transformation.
The FNCCI advised the government not to increase the size of the budget. Similarly, the FNNCI wanted the government to conclude the sovereign credit rating, implement the bilateral investment agreement, ensure a facility for a free multi-year (at least for three years) visa for potential investors, and implement the concept of a one-stop service center effectively.
It has also urged the government to identify the viability gap fund and provide its facilities,
The Federation wants the government to gradually reduce income tax for production-based industries, and a 40 percent discount in income tax for tourism and IT industries.
It has sought the facility of re-loan for cottage and small industries and women entrepreneurs, promotion of domestic products and their consumption, and operation of the start-up programs.
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26- Petro prices fall beginning this midnight
Kathmandu, May 15: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has revised the prices of petroleum products to be effective from Wednesday midnight.
A meeting of the NOC Board of Directors decided to reduce the price of petrol by Rs 7 per liter and diesel and kerosene by Rs 5 per liter.
With the adjustments of prices, the retail price of petrol is set at Rs 168.5 per liter for the first cluster (Charlali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Amlekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Birgunj) while it is Rs 170 per liter in the second cluster ( Surkhet and Dang) and is Rs 171 per liter for the consumers of third cluster which includes Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dipayal depots.
The price adjustments follow the revised price list from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the supplier of petroleum products to Nepal, according to NOC Spokesperson Manoj Thakur.
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27- Peace Corps Deputy Director in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, May 15: Peace Corps Deputy Director, David E. White Jr. has arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday for a five-day visit.
During the visit, he will meet with the representatives of the Nepal government and civil society, according to the United States Embassy in Kathmandu. Peace Corps is an international service network of volunteers, community members, host country partners and staff dedicated to the cause of world peace and friendship. He will discuss the plan to expand the Peace Corps programme in Nepal during his stay here.
Deputy Director White will also participate in the swearing-in ceremony of 10 Peace Corps Response Volunteers who recently arrived in Nepal. This is the first group of response volunteers to work in Nepal. The Peace Corps Response Programme sends experienced U.S. volunteers to countries requesting their assistance to carry out short-term, high-impact tasks. During the visit, White will also meet with volunteers and their counterparts currently working in Nepal.
Volunteers in Nepal work on locally prioritized projects in the fields of agriculture, education and health. They learn Nepali language and other local languages in order to communicate and collaborate effectively with the community. Currently, 40 Peace Corps volunteers are working in seven districts of Nepal. They are teaching English in government schools in rural communities and working on food and nutrition security.
With the new group about to take oath, the number of Peace Corps volunteers working in eight districts in Nepal will reach 50. In September 1962, the Peace Corps established its operations in Nepal for the first time. Since then, nearly four thousand American citizens have worked in Nepal in various areas and across the country. At the invitation of governments around the world, Peace Corps volunteers on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development and youth development.
Through the service, Peace Corps network members develop transferable skills as well as intercultural competence. It works to prepare the next generation as the global leaders. Since the founding of the Peace Corps by then US President John F. Kennedy in 1961, more than 240,000 US citizens have served in 142 countries around the world.
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28- Nepal and Korea exchange messages on 50th anniversary
Kathmandu, May 15: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages with President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol on the happy occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Marking the momentous occasion, Prime Minister Dahal extended heartiest felicitations to President Yoon, the Government and the friendly people of the Republic of Korea. The Prime Minister highlighted close and friendly relationship between the two countries based on cordiality, mutual respect and goodwill.
While expressing satisfaction over a half-century-old journey of bilateral relations, the Prime Minister stressed on celebrating the occasion with wider cooperation under the tagline ‘Everesting Friendship’, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here today.
Similarly, Korean President Yoon extended his greetings to the Government and people of Nepal. He emphasized the strong ties of friendship and cooperation in various sectors between the two countries.
In the message, President Yoon has also expressed his confidence that the bilateral relations between Nepal and the Republic of Korea would further accelerate in the years to come.
Nepal and the Republic of Korea established their diplomatic relations on 15 May 1974.
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29- Police arrest two for involvement in transnational human trafficking
Kathmandu, May 15: A gang is found to have been involved in a human trafficking racket from Nepal by opening contact offices in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
The Nepal Police found this during its recent investigation.
The gang is accused of human trafficking by taking Nepali women to Dubai and Kuwait on a visit visa.
One of the accused Rakesh Nepali is found to have possessed two fake citizenship in the name of Gopal Sunar and Rakesh Sunar for the crime, according to Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office’s Superintendent of Police, Rabindra Regmi. Their targets are women who are promised lucrative jobs in Dubai and forced to work as domestic help once they reach Kuwait.
One of the relatives of the survivors approached the police, seeking to rescue her, and she was rescued by the Kuwait-based Nepali Embassy on May 9. The police revealed this with the completion of the primary investigation into the incident.
Police have arrested Rakesh Sunar, 24, aka Gopal Sunar from Dailekh and presently residing in Boudha, and Akash Babu BK aka Ayush from Gorkha, who currently resides in Gorkha on the charge of their involvement in the trafficking of women.
When the survivor sought to get back home, the agent allegedly held her hostage, demanded Rs 150,000, and made a death threat against her.
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30- Syantu Shrestha qualifies for Paris Olympics
Kathmandu, May 15: Table tennis player Syantu Shrestha has booked a place in Paris Olympics, 2024.
Syantu defeated Nepal’s Sanyog Kapali 4-3 in the men’s singles final match of the South Asian Qualifying Tournament held on Wednesday at the table tennis hall in Lanchaur to become only the third ever Nepali athlete to play in the Olympics after being selected through the qualifying round.
Earlier, Taekwondo athletes Sangina Baidya and Deepak Bishta passed the qualifying stage to compete in the Olympics. Sangina was selected for Athens Olympics in 2004 and Deepak in Beijing in 2008.
In today’s match, Syantu won the first set by 11-7 points but lost by 8-11 points in the second set. After winning the next two sets by 11-7 and 11-6, Syantu lost the fifth and sixth sets by 8-11 and 8-11. By winning the final set 11-9, Syantu confirmed his place in the Olympics.
Earlier, Syantu had defeated Sri Lanka’s Chamira Ginige and Sanyog had defeated Sri Lanka’s Jayasanka de Silva and made it to the finals.
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31- SC issues interlocutory order, staying JSP legitimacy row
Kathmandu, May 15: The Supreme Court has issued an interlocutory order, staying the Election Commission decision to register a new political party, after the split of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal.
A single bench of Justice Binod Sharma ordered the Election Commission not to proceed with the registration of the JSP formed under the leadership of Ashok Rai.
The SC summoned both the Election Commission and petitioner to appear before the court for the discussion on it, as it requires logical conclusion at a time when some of the decisions of Election Commission were enforced while some are awaiting for it. The Commission had made various decisions on May 6.
Objecting to Election Commission’s decision to authenticate Rai’s faction as a political party, JSP Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav had filed a writ petition. Yadav has demanded invalidation of Rai-led party.
The Election Commission had given authenticity to leader Rai’s application for party legitimacy on May 6.
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32- National interest above party interests: Deputy Speaker Rana
Kathmandu, May 15: Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Indira Rana, has said that parliamentarians should raise their voice keeping national interest above party interest.
She came with this view during a visit to the National News Agency (RSS) central office in federal capital Kathmandu, on Wednesday. She mentioned about the important role of the legislatures and suggested them to work in the interest of the people and the nation. “Sometimes the House and Parliamentary Committees are adjourned due to lack of quorum of MPs, which is said.” She noted.
The role of the legislature is not normal, therefore all should come with genuine agendas and not blame each other without any concrete ground. She further opined that senior leaders of the major parties should forge consensus and come into understanding to run the House smoothly.
Deputy Speaker Rana, shared that the issues of children, women, margin
alized and people with disabilities should be raised effectively in the House.
On another note, she mentioned that it is possible to maintain good governance through fair and independent journalism.
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33- Cricketer Lamichhane free from CAN’s suspension
Kathmandu, May 15: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) lifted its suspension on national cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane. The decision followed the order of the Patan High Court on Wednesday to acquit him in a case of rape, after overturning the decision of the Kathmandu District Court to find him guilty.
Earlier, the District Court of Kathmandu convicted Lamichhane in the rape case and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment along with a fine. And, it prompted the CAN to suspend Lamichhane from participating in all cricket activities at home and abroad.
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