Snapshot of today’s news

Kathmandu, September 24 — In this section, we provide all the important headlines of the day. If you’ve had a busy schedule and missed the news, we’ve got you covered. Here are the summaries.

Anxious Rabi’s tactical tact: Can he woo the opposition?

The Rashtriya Swotantra Party (RSP) is seeking support from opposition parties to prevent the arrest of President Rabi Lamichhane. According to sources from RSP, parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre) have expressed their commitment to support Rabi.

"Conversations have taken place with parties other than UML and Congress. The government is acting with the intention of causing harm to Rabi, we have received commitments from the opposition parties that they will support us," the source told Ratopati, adding, "Discussions have been held with the Maoist party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). We have received positive responses."

According to sources, Rabi is seeking support from other parties, claiming that political revenge has been inflicted upon him and that the two major parties are collaborating to suppress other parties.

Meanwhile, the plan to arrest Rabi has suddenly been put on hold. After the arrest of former DIG Chhabilal Joshi on September 22 from Baneshwar, Rabi Lamichhane became the target. Fearing that the government could take action against him, Lamichhane has been anxious.

However, the police suddenly backed off. The order to hold off on the plan to arrest Lamichhane led the two DSPs to return from RSP’s office in Bansthali.

Dengue cases surge in Kathmandu

As the number of dengue patients continues to rise, hospitals are also becoming crowded. Since the beginning of September, the influx of dengue patients in Kathmandu has increased.

At Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital's emergency department, the number of dengue patients is on the rise. According to Bhaleshwar Yadav, the in-charge of the emergency department, there has been a significant increase in the number of dengue-infected patients in the hospital over the past 10 days.

According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), the districts at high risk are Kaski, Tanahun, Kathmandu, Parbat, Chitwan, Gorkha, and Lalitpur. Yadav stated that with the recent halt in rainfall, the larvae of dengue have started to become active, which is leading to an increase in dengue infections.

NEPSE index sees significant decline

The stock market index (NEPSE) experienced a significant decline again on Tuesday. Trading started at 2,529 points and fell by 58.93 points, bringing the index down to 2,470 points.

Overall, the market decreased by 2.33%, with transactions totaling NPR 5.68 billion. Today, 1.55 million shares from 309 companies were bought and sold.

On Tuesday, the share prices of 233 companies dropped, while 10 companies saw an increase, and one remained stable. Notably, the price of Upper Syangja Hydropower increased by 7.83%. Other companies that rose in price did not exceed a 5% increase.

Proposed ambassador to Sri Lanka Ramkrishna Bhattarai withdraws name

The proposed ambassador to Sri Lanka has withdrawn his name. Ramkrishna Bhattarai, the proposed ambassador to Sri Lanka, withdrew his name on Tuesday.

According to Ishwari Neupane, chairperson of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, Bhattarai has withdrawn his name. The committee had requested his bachelor's degree certificate. However, instead of providing the certificate, he opted to withdraw from the ambassadorial position.

179 prisoners granted parole

 A decision has been made to place 179 prisoners on parole. This was confirmed by Attorney General Ramesh Badal, stating that the Federal Probation and Parole Board's meeting has recommended the release of these individuals on parole.

The recommendation made by the Federal Probation and Parole Board needs to be presented to the relevant district court through the Department of Prison Management. Once approved by the district court, the prisoners will be able to leave the prison premises and live on parole.

India confirms first mpox case in current outbreak

India has reported its first case with the new mpox strain that has triggered a public health emergency alert by the World Health Organization (WHO), Reuters reports.

Called clade 1b, the new variant is highly-transmissible and has been linked to the mpox outbreak in Africa.

According to media reports, the strain has been detected in a 38-year-old man from the southern state of Kerala who returned from Dubai recently.

Mpox, previously known as monkey pox, is a contagious virus that can cause painful skin lesions.

SC issues show-cause order in Durga Prasain's detention

A writ petition filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain has resulted in a show-cause order being issued.

Durga Prasain's son, Nirajan Prasain, filed a writ petition for habeas corpus, claiming that his father has been unlawfully detained.

On Tuesday, a single bench led by Justice Prakashman Singh Raut conducted a preliminary hearing on the writ and issued a show-cause order against the respondents.

China's Smart Dragon-3 rocket launches 8 satellites from sea

China launched a Smart Dragon-3 carrier rocket from the waters near the city of Haiyang in east China's Shandong Province on Tuesday, placing eight satellites into planned orbit.

The commercial rocket blasted off at 10:31 a.m. (Beijing Time), carrying Tianyi-41 and other satellites.

'I prefer facts to words' - Arteta on 'dark arts' claims

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says his side's tactics in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Manchester City were "normal".

The Gunners conceded a 98th-minute equaliser at Etihad Stadium, having been reduced to 10 men following Leandro Trossard's sending off in first-half stoppage time.

Arsenal were accused of time-wasting against City, with John Stones and Kyle Walker saying the Gunners used the "dark arts" while protecting their 2-1 lead.

But Arteta says his team had little option but to defend deeply, given City's numerical advantage, referencing a moment in the first half when Guardiola's side were down to 10 following Rodri's injury.

Dashain ticket booking begins September 28

Advance ticket booking for Dashain will open from September 28 (Asoj 12). After discussions with the Department of Transport, Bijay Bahadur Swar, president of the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, confirmed that advance ticket bookings for Dashain will commence on the 12th of Ashoj.

Protestors demand release of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain

Protests were held again on Tuesday demanding the release of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain.

The Struggle Committee Against Microfinance and Financial Exploitation Nepal, Churebhabar Rashtriya Ekata Party Nepal, and the Citizens' Saving Campaign Nepal organized a protest at Maitighar Mandala against Prasain's arrest.

During the protest, demonstrators covered their mouths with black tape.

Prasain was arrested on Sunday in Bhaktapur.

On September 18, the Kathmandu District Court had granted permission for his arrest.

A complaint had been filed against him with the Cyber Bureau under the Electronic Transactions Act.