November 14, 2024: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, November 14 — In this section, we present the key headlines of the day. If you have been busy and missed the news, we have got you covered. Here are the highlights.

Three found dead in Gokarneshwar, suspected asphyxiation from smoke

Three people are feared dead from asphyxiation after lighting a fire inside their room in Gokarneshwar Municipality-3.

The victims, identified as 33-year-old Sita Dangol Nagarkoti, her 15-year-old daughter Anshu Nagarkoti, and a two-month-old infant, were discovered lifeless.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was likely set to warm the room, as the infant was only two months old. Authorities believe the family may have succumbed to smoke inhalation.

According to an official from the Valley Crime Investigation Office involved in the investigation, they discovered that the door was locked from the inside and there was a fire burning in the room. The official stated, "We believe that the fire was lit to warm the room due to the two-month-old child, and the family may have died from suffocation."

Contempt of court petition filed against RSP leaders

A contempt of court petition has been filed against Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leaders in the Supreme Court, alleging that an agitation was orchestrated to disrupt the court's proceedings in the ongoing investigation into the embezzlement of cooperative funds involving RSP President, Rabi Lamichhane.

Advocate Anupam Bhattarai filed the petition, claiming that actions such as making statements, staging protests, and inciting the public to obstruct the judicial process were aimed at pressuring the court during the ongoing investigation. The petition has been scheduled for hearing on November 18.

In the contempt petition, it is claimed that senior members of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, including Vice President Swarnim Wagle, Spokesperson Manish Jha, MPs Sumana Shrestha, Birajbhakta Marhjan, Toshima Karki, and Sobita Gautam, mocked the judicial process by holding rallies, spreading false and baseless information about the judiciary, and creating confusion about the independent judiciary among the public.

Constitution will be reviewed after 10 years of implementation: PM Oli

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that the Constitution will undergo a review and evaluation after ten years of its implementation.

Speaking at the closing session of the Kantipur Conclave 2024, Prime Minister Oli emphasized that the core principles of democracy, republicanism, and federalism should not be compromised. He also made it clear that there should be no deviation from these principles.

He further explained that the current political equation in the country, which ensures stability, good governance, and development, had been made possible through collaboration between the major political parties, including the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, despite the lack of a clear majority for any single party. 

Prime Minister Oli also reiterated that he would hand over power to Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba in one year and eight months.

Lamichhane to remain in Bhairahawa tonight, transferred to Kaski tomorrow

Former Home Minister and President of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, will remain in Bhairahawa today (Thursday).

According to the Rupandehi District Police Office, he will be sent to Kaski tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Rupandehi's Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjit Singh Rathore confirmed that Lamichhane would be held at the district police office today and transferred to Kaski the following morning.

Although there were plans to send him via Buddha Air this evening, the transfer was delayed, and it will now take place tomorrow.

RSP to submit memorandum to PM Oli

The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is preparing to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

According to Manish Jha, the party's acting spokesperson, leaders gathered at the parliamentary party office in Singhadurbar discussed the timing of submitting the memorandum to the Prime Minister.

SC hears case on Nepal’s need to ratify Rome Statute

On Thursday, a single bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Manoj Sharma, convened to hear a case. Advocate Rabindra Tamang stood up to present his arguments and began by saying, “Sir, the Rome Statute was created by the United States. They have not ratified it, but we must."

Advocate Tamang then shifted his discussion to the European Union (EU), saying, “The US provides weapons and projects, but the EU also offers humanitarian aid. So, should we lean towards the US or the EU?”

Answering his own question, Tamang explained, “The US is a development partner for Nepal, and it trades weapons globally. The EU has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Nepal. However, we must remain neutral and not take sides with any country. Remaining neutral doesn’t mean we excuse crimes.”

This was part of his argument for why Nepal should ratify the Rome Statute. He pointed out that despite repeated requests from Prime Ministers, ministers, and past governments to pass the Rome Statute, it had not been ratified yet.

President Paudel departs Baku for Nepal

President Ram Chandra Paudel, who participated in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP-29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, departed for Nepal today. The conference began on November 11, and the President will return home via Doha, Qatar.

At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Health Minister Teymur Musayev bid farewell to the President.

The conference was held at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and President Paudel arrived in Baku on Monday, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Sabita Paudel, Forest and Environment Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi, and other senior government officials and advisors.

Prakash Bhujel's license found, compensation discussions ongoing

A fatal accident occurred on Wednesday in Brahmakhel, Shankarapur Municipality-9, Kathmandu, when a Land Cruiser driven by Prakash Bhujel, alias Jhankri (shaman), hit a motorcycle, resulting in the death of Narayan Nagarkoti from Kageshwori Manohara-2.

After the incident, Bhujel was arrested by the police, and an investigation is underway.

Police could not find a valid driving license with him. They contacted the Department of Transport Management to obtain a copy of his driving license. SP Nabaraj Adhikari of the Kathmandu District Police Range confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and the license is being verified.

Discussions are taking place between the victim's family and Bhujel regarding treatment costs and compensation. An officer from the Bouddha Police Circle mentioned that talks regarding compensation are ongoing.

Nagdhunga road to be partially closed until November 20

The Nagdhunga Road will be partially closed from today until November 20 during the day.

The closure is due to the need for slope cutting at the Sisne Khola area in Dhading, which is part of the Tribhuwan Highway under the Nagdhunga Tunnel Project.

The project has announced that the road will be partially closed from 11 AM to 2 PM each day until November 20.

During this time, the road will be fully closed for 20 minutes at intervals, with the road opening and closing every 20 minutes for work.

NEPSE index rises by 14 points on last trading day of the week

On the last trading day of the week, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index rose by 14 points. Although the index saw a modest increase, the total trading volume exceeded 10 billion rupees. On Thursday, 2.16 million shares were bought and sold, with a total transaction value of 10.32 billion rupees.

For the week as a whole, the stock market saw an overall increase of 10%. On Sunday, the index was at 2,738 points. On Monday, it rose by 22 points, reaching 2,760 points. However, the market saw a decline on Tuesday and Wednesday. When the market closed on Wednesday, the index stood at 2,734.38 points. On Thursday, the index reached 2,748.79 points by the end of trading.

PM Oli sets deadline for Narayangadh-Butwal road expansion project

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that a decision will be reached soon regarding the delay in the construction of the Narayangadh–Butwal road section under the East-West Highway.

During a discussion at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar today, which included concerned ministers, ministry officials, and representatives from Rupandehi, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), and Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Prime Minister Oli emphasized that if construction does not begin by December 2024, there will be no option but to terminate the contract.

He stated that if the contractor company performs reliably, it would be appropriate to continue with the project, and added that the trend of holding the project for 28 years must be avoided.

Number of stock broker companies reaches 90

The number of stock broker companies permitted to carry out transaction in the secondary stock market has reached 90.

Eighty-two stock broker companies had got the permission for stock transaction in the secondary market in the last fiscal year, 2023/24 and eight more companies have been given the permission, Nepal Stock Exchange Limited (NEPSE) said.

NEPSE said that 90 stock broker member companies have been issued license as of this October 16 for share transactions.

Gold and silver prices see decline

The price of gold has decreased by NPR 2,200 today.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the price of hallmarked gold was set at NPR 160,000 per tola on Thursday. On Wednesday, it had been NPR 162,200 per tola.

The price of silver has also dropped by NPR 35 today. Silver, which was priced at NPR 1,940 per tola on Wednesday, has decreased to NPR 1,905 per tola on Thursday.

Snap Sri Lankan election poses test for new leader

Sri Lanka’s 17.1 million voters head to the polls again on Thursday to vote in snap parliamentary elections, barely seven weeks after choosing a new president.

More than 8,800 candidates are in the fray in an election marked by a low-key campaign.

Voting begins at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT) and ends until 16:00 (10.30 GMT). Counting will start in the evening and results are expected on Friday.

Out of 225 seats in the parliament, 196 MPs will be directly elected. The rest would be nominated by political parties based on the percentage of votes they get in what is known as proportional

"Over 8,800 candidates belonging to 49 political parties and 284 independent groups are contesting the elections but only around 1,000 candidates have actively campaigned," Rohana Hettiarachchi, executive director of poll monitoring group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections, told the BBC.

Trump picks Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Marco Rubio for secretary of state

President-elect Donald Trump chose Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general on Wednesday, bypassing more experienced options in favor of a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a disruptor and whom Trump has tasked with dramatically overhauling the Justice Department.

Trump also announced that he had tapped Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as his nominee for secretary of state. And he selected Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, to serve as his director of national intelligence.

CAN to provide Rs 250,000 to each female cricket player

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced to give a prize of Rs. 250,000 to each female cricket player who for the first time entered in U-19 World Cup.

The CAN spokesperson Chumbi Lama informed that the officials included in the team will be honored with a prize of Rs 150,000.     

Nepal achieved a historic achievement in the U-19 World Cup for the first time by winning by eight wickets against the home team UAE in the match held in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday.     

Nepal is placed to the World Cup by adding 10 points from 6 games. Similarly, UAE scored the same 10 points from the same match, Nepal managed to get a place in the World Cup by being ahead in net run rate.     

The U-19 Cricket World Cup will be held in Malaysia in 2025. 

Australia and Saudi Arabia draw 0-0 in World Cup qualifier

Australia and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.

While there was late drama there was little quality on display.

Near time, Sultan Al-Ghannam’s low shot from just inside the area went in and seemed to give a vital win for Herve Renard, the second-time Saudi coach who replaced Roberto Mancini last month. To the relief of the majority of the 27,491 fans, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Australia was given a penalty after 12 minutes after Mitch Duke went down under a challenge from Saudi goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar but VAR ruled the foul was outside the area.

Saudi Arabia, like Australia aiming for a seventh World Cup appearance, went closest with a shot from Nasser Al-Dawsari forcing a save from Joe Gauci at the near post.

Australia vs Pakistan T20: Maxwell sets up Australia win in seven-over thrash

Australia 93 for 4 (Maxwell 43, Stoinis 21*, Afridi 2-9) beat Pakistan 64 for 9 (Afridi 20*, Ellis 3-9, Bartlett 3-13) by 29 runs

It was a shortened game at the Gabba, and Australia made short work of it. After persistent rain and lightning delayed the start by nearly three hours and reduced the game to a seven-over shootout, Australia inflicted a crushing 29-run defeat upon Pakistan.

 Glenn Maxwell, who struggled in the preceding ODI series, blasted his way through the innings with 43 off 19, before Pakistan slumped to 24 for six in the first four overs before finishing with 64 for nine.