October 2, 2024: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, October 2 — In this section, we present the key headlines of the day. If you've been busy and missed the news, we’ve got you covered. Here are the highlights.

Hearing Committee endorses Raut as the next Chief Justice

The meeting of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee today has unanimously approved the nomination made to appoint Prakashman Singh Raut as the new Chief Justice.     

In the meeting of the committee held at Singha Durbar, the proposed Chief Justice Raut had presented a 24-point action plan to be implemented during his term as the head of the Supreme Court.     

His name was recommended by the Constitutional Council on September 16. He was recommended to the Council as the senior-most justice of the apex court by the Judicial Council.  

MPs on holiday while citizens face catastrophe: A shocking abdication of duty

 While the public suffers from natural disasters, Parliament remains closed. Parliamentary committees have also been unable to convene meetings due to lack of quorum.

Continuous rainfall and resulting floods and landslides have claimed the lives of 232 people, with many missing and injured. The sensitive time of disaster has arrived after the conclusion of Parliament's budget session. In such situations, mini-parliaments, or parliamentary committees, should be active.

Instead, during this disaster, lawmakers seem to be in a “festive mood.” With the end of the parliamentary session coinciding with the festival season, many MPs have traveled to their districts and are not in a hurry to return to Kathmandu.

23rd national convention of ANNFSU (R) postponed

The 23rd National Convention of the All Nepal National Free Students' Union (Revolutionary), the student wing affiliated with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), has been postponed. The ANNFSU (R) leadership stated that the convention was delayed due to the start of Dashain on Thursday and the tragic circumstances created by floods and landslides across the country.

Discussions were ongoing regarding the proposed constitution and reports for the closed session, but during consultations with the party's election commission about the timeline for completing elections in accordance with the adopted constitution, it was concluded that there would not be sufficient time to finalize all election processes before Dashain.

NA Chair Dahal certifies two bills

The Chairperson of the National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, has certified the Public Service Broadcasting Bill, 2020, and the Nepal University Bill, 2022. Chairperson Dahal certified these bills on Wednesday.

According to Dahal's secretariat, these bills will be sent to President Ram Chandra Paudel for authentication today.

The law will come into effect after the President provides his approval.

Road collapse at Krishna Bhir: Traffic limited to one-way

A section of the road has collapsed at Krishna Bhir in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality along the Prithvi Highway.

Following the road collapse, one-way traffic is being allowed, according to SP Naresh Subedi of the Bagmati Province Traffic Police Office.

Due to the risk of landslides, police have been deployed 24/7 in areas of the Prithvi Highway deemed hazardous.

Monsoon-induced disasters: Death toll climbs to 232

Recent monsoon-induced disasters have resulted in the deaths of 232 people. According to the Nepal Police, 23 individuals are still missing, and an additional 165 people have been injured.

So far, the police have rescued 17,031 individuals from the affected areas.

Due to the heavy rainfall, various locations are experiencing road blockages, and efforts are ongoing to clear the roads.

The police have urged travelers to contact the district police office before embarking on long journeys.

Police arrest five suspects in honey trap murder

Binod Khadgi, a 50-year-old resident of Kirtipur, Kathmandu, has been confirmed as a victim of a "honey trap" murder.

Khadgi's body was found on September 22, in the 49 kilo area of Panchkhal Municipality-8 in Kavre. Preliminary investigations by the Kavre District Police Office indicate that Khadgi was murdered in Bhaktapur and then his body was disposed of in Panchkhal.

The police have arrested five individuals involved in Khadgi's abduction and murder. Those arrested include 22-year-old Sarin Ghimire from Shankharapur Municipality-5 in Kathmandu, 20-year-old Ashish Paswan from Mahottari, currently residing in Bhaktapur, 21-year-old Rikesh Paudel from Shankharapur Municipality-5, and 19-year-old Pratik Gautam from Baglung, currently living in Koteshwar, Kathmandu.

Two buried in mound of clay in Humla

Two people have died after being buried by a heavy landslide while digging for clay for home decoration in Humla.

The deceased have been identified as approximately 25-year-old technician Dhruva, who was the co-coordinator of the Employment section in Tanjakot Rural Municipality, and 24-year-old Mansura Malla from the same village.

According to Narendra Chand, the information officer at the Humla District Police Office, they had gone to dig clay on Wednesday morning for home decoration during the Dashain festival from Ramgaon in Tanjakot Rural Municipality-3.

Airfares adjusted following decrease in petroleum prices

Following a decrease in petroleum prices, airfares have also been adjusted. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) implemented new fare rates on Wednesday based on the revised fuel prices.

The cost of fuel constitutes nearly 40% of the airfare, and fares have been determined considering the reduction in fuel charges.

According to the new rates, the fare from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur has been reduced by NPR 180, Kathmandu to Biratnagar by NPR 145, Kathmandu to Janakpur by NPR 75, and Kathmandu to Pokhara by NPR 95.

Similarly, fares have decreased by NPR 65 from Kathmandu to Bharatpur, NPR 120 to Bhairahawa, NPR 195 to Nepalgunj, and NPR 265 to Dhangadhi. The upper, middle, and lower limits of the new fare structure have all been lowered.

Property worth Rs 300 million of telecom, internet providers damaged

Properties worth around Rs 300 million of telephone and internet service providers were damaged from landslide, floods and inundation triggered by the recent incessant rainfall in the country.     

According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), though the details of losses of internet service providers have not been received yet preliminary estimates show that property worth around Rs 220 million of two telephone service providers—Nepal Telecommunication Company Ltd and Axiata Limited (Ncell) were damaged.     

The disaster has damaged property worth Rs 150 million of NTC while around seven million rupees of Ncell.     

World Bank projects Nepal's economic growth at 5.1% for 2025

The World Bank has projected that Nepal's economic growth rate for the current fiscal year (2081/82, or 2025) will be 5.1 percent, while the government has set a target of 6 percent.

The World Bank attributes this anticipated growth to an increase in tourist arrivals, growth in hydropower, and rice production.

For the previous fiscal year (2080/81, or 2024), the World Bank had projected Nepal's economic growth rate to be 3.9 percent.

The economy of Nepal is expected to grow by 5.5 percent in 2026. The World Bank has noted that the contribution of the private sector to Nepal's growth will be significant due to the central bank's flexible monetary policy and regulatory facilitation.

Gold and Silver prices on the rise

The price of gold has risen in the local market on Wednesday.

The hallmark gold, which was traded at 160,000 rupees per tola (11.66 grams) on Tuesday, increased by 800 rupees to reach 160,800 rupees per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the price of silver has also gone up.

The price of silver, which was trading at 1,925 rupees per tola on Tuesday, increased to 1,935 rupees per tola on Wednesday.

Iran fires at least 180 missiles into Israel

Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of escalating attacks in a yearslong conflict between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies that threatens to push the Middle East closer toward a regionwide war.

The orange glow of missiles streaked across Israel’s night sky as air raid sirens sounded and residents scrambled into bomb shelters. Israel vowed retaliation for Iran’s barrage, which it said had caused only a few injuries.

Before Iran’s attack, Israel had landed a series of devastating blows in recent weeks against the leadership of Hezbollah in Lebanon. It then ratcheted up the pressure on the Iran-backed militant group — which has been firing rockets into Israel since the war in Gaza began — by launching what it said is a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.

Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as 1st female president of Mexico

Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in Tuesday as Mexico’s first female president, riding the enthusiasm over her predecessor’s social programs but also facing challenges that include stubbornly high levels of violence.

After a smiling Sheinbaum took the oath of office on the floor of Congress, legislators shouted “Presidenta! Presidenta!” using the feminine form of president in Spanish for the first time in over 200 years of Mexico’s history as an independent country.

The 62-year-old scientist-turned-politician receives a country with a number of immediate problems, also including a sluggish economy, unfinished building programs, rising debt and the hurricane-battered resort city of Acapulco.

Israeli strikes on southern Gaza kill 51

Israeli air strikes and a ground operation targeting the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza have killed at least 51 people, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Tanks reportedly advanced into some parts of the city and its surrounding area on Tuesday night, with residents reporting gunfire and heavy shelling.

One wounded man who made it to hospital told the BBC “tanks stormed in” to his village without warning.

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had struck Hamas targets located in three schools sheltering displaced people in central and northern Gaza overnight.

More than 160 left dead in US south-east by Hurricane Helene

More than 160 people are now known to have been killed by Hurricane Helene, one of the deadliest storms to hit the US in recent times.

Hundreds of others remain missing after Helene battered south-eastern states, causing floods, wrecking communities, and cutting power.

Search-and-rescue efforts continue, and aid deliveries have been made by airdrops and mules. The US government has said the clear-up effort could take years.

President Joe Biden is due to visit badly-affected North Carolina on Wednesday, while Vice-President Kamala Harris goes to neighbouring Georgia.

Dipendra Singh Airee soars to second in ICC Men's T20 All-Rounder rankings

In a remarkable achievement for Nepali cricket, Dipendra Singh Airee has secured the second position in the ICC Men's T20 All-Rounder rankings.

The latest rankings, unveiled by the International Cricket Council, highlight Airee's outstanding performance, as he accumulates 230 points, just 23 points shy of England’s Liam Livingstone, who holds the top spot with 253 points. 

Airee’s ascent to the second position is a testament to his all-round capabilities on the field, showcasing his talent and dedication in the shortest format of the game.

Following him in third place is Australia’s Marcus Stoinis, who rounds out the top three.

Babar Azams resigns Pakistan white-ball captaincy

Babar Azam has quit as Pakistan captain for the second time in less than a year, citing a desire to lessen his workload and focus on his batting. In a lengthy post on X, Babar said he had notified the PCB of his decision to quit the white-ball captaincy last month in an interest to "prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family".

"I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team," part of the statement said. "It's been an honour to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role. Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it's added a significant workload.

Champions League roundup: Milan's woes continue, City and Barcelona impress

Bayer Leverkusen is doing things its own way in the Champions League. As AC Milan found out Tuesday, Xabi Alonso’s team is entertaining, lucky, and difficult to beat.

Victor Boniface’s goal made the difference as Leverkusen beat Milan 1-0 in its first Champions League home game in nearly two years. Alejandro Grimaldo lit up the game with a backheel pass for Jeremie Frimpong to shoot before Boniface finished on the rebound.

Leverkusen had its share of luck, too.

Alvaro Morata missed a close-range header for Milan late on, and the game was packed with close refereeing calls that could have easily tipped the game Milan’s way.

While Erling Haaland maintained his staggering record of having more goals than games in the Champions League, it was the performance of another attacker that might have given Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola more satisfaction on Tuesday.

It is difficult to build too many narratives from an easy 4-0 win for City at outsider Slovan Bratislava, but Phil Foden’s display in the Slovakian capital — featuring a goal, a sumptuous assist and plenty more — was hard to ignore.

Arsenal's first-half show sinks Paris St-Germain

Arsenal secured their first win in the new Champions League format as they overcame Paris St-Germain at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side followed an opening draw with Atalanta by taking control with two first-half goals from Kai Havertz’s header and a free-kick from Bukayo Saka that drifted in past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG had their moments, especially when Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves hit the woodwork either side of the break, but the platform for victory was established by a dominant first-half display from Arsenal.

Rampant Dortmund put seven past chastened Celtic

Celtic’s unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt as they were  taught a Champions League lesson by a rampant Borussia Dortmund inspired by the electric Karim Adeyemi.

Daizen Maeda cancelled out Emre Can’s early penalty in a frantic start, but it proved to be the briefest of respites for the Scottish champions.

Adeyemi ran riot with a lethal hat-trick, with another spot-kick from Serhou Guirassy helping the home side to a 5-1 half-time lead.

Guirassy struck again after the break and Felix Nmecha completed the rout with the seventh goal.