October 6, 2024: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, October 6 — 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.

Prakashman Singh Raut sworn in as Chief Justice

The newly appointed Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut has taken the oath of office and secrecy. In a ceremony held at the President's residence, Shital Niwas, on Sunday, Chief Justice Raut took the oath.

President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath to the newly appointed Chief Justice Raut, who was appointed to the position earlier that day.

Former King Shah returns after four-day visit to Bhutan

Former King Gyanendra Shah has returned to Nepal after a four-day visit to Bhutan.

Invited by the Bhutanese royal family, former King Shah traveled to Bhutan on Thursday with family members and returned to Nepal on Sunday morning.

During his visit, Shah reportedly addressed a gathering of former students, including some of his classmates of North Point School in Darjeeling, where he studied.

Accompanying former King Shah were his daughter Prerana, his niece Sitasma, and aides from his private secretariat.

25 parties registered for local level by-polls

A total of 25 parties, including the Rashtriya Swotantra Party (RSP), have registered for the local level by-elections.

These parties have been registered in accordance with the constitution for the by-elections scheduled for Sunday, December 1.

The Election Commission had previously called for party registration from September 26 to October 2, during which 26 political parties submitted applications

Journalists Dhungana and Kandel released after apology

After apologizing, journalists Nabin Dhungana and Yubaraj Kandel have been released from custody. Dhungana and Kandel were sentenced to jail on September 23 for contempt of court.

They faced jail time due to a contempt case filed against them regarding material published/broadcast as "Dark File" on the website Sidhakura.com.

The Supreme Court's nine-member full bench sentenced Rajkumar Timilsina, who created the "fake audio," to six months in prison, while publishers Yuvaraj Kandel and executive editor Nabin Dhungana of Sidhakura Online were sentenced to three months each.

Public outcry grows over ministerial apathy over monsoon havoc

Despite significant damage to life and property in most districts of Bagmati Province due to the floods and landslides on September 27 and 28, complaints about the federal government's lack of presence in the affected areas are rising. In response, some ministers have begun to take action.

After the rain stopped and weather conditions improved, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak visited areas including Tika Bhairav in Godawari Municipality for an inspection on Sunday. Similarly, Health and Population Minister Pradeep Poudel visited Dhulikhel Hospital to assess the condition of those injured in the floods and landslides.

Jhyaple tragedy: Investigation underway amid allegations of police negligence

The Police Headquarters is investigating the accident that occurred in Jhyaple Khola, located in Dhading's Dhunibeshi Municipality-9.

During the heavy rainfall on September 27 and 28, a landslide in Jhyaple Khola buried two microbuses and a bus, resulting in the deaths of 35 people.

It is assessed that the then Superintendent of Police (SP) of Dhading Gautam KC played a negligent role in the incident. The Home Ministry has recalled both the former Chief District Officer of Dhading, Rajendra Dev Pandey, and SP KC.

Monsoon begins retreating from Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces

The monsoon has begun to retreat from this year's season in the Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces.

According to a bulletin released by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology's Meteorological Forecasting Division at 4:30 PM on Sunday, the monsoon has exited from many areas of Nepal's Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces.

Additionally, it has also retreated from a few places in Lumbini Province.

New TMS launched in stock market, NEPSE's monopoly ends

A new Trading Management System (TMS) has been launched in the secondary market of shares. The new TMS has been introduced by the broker company itself as an alternative to the TMS operated by the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE).

Secured Securities (Broker Number 36) is starting this system from today.

According to Santosh Mainali, the Executive Chairman of Secured Securities and also the Chair of the Nepal Stock Brokers Association, the company received approval to operate the new trading management system in Shrawan and has completed all necessary processes, including technical testing, to launch the system from Sunday.

 Investors using the broker account through this company can now trade using a new username and password without any additional fees.

Gold prices set at NPR 161,000 per tola on Sunday

The price of gold is set at NPR 161,000 per tola (11.66 grams) on Sunday.

The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association has reported a slight decrease in the price of hallmarked gold compared to Friday, maintaining it at NPR 161,000 per tola.

On Friday, the price of hallmarked gold was also NPR 161,000 per tola, which was the highest price recorded.

Minister Bhandari's surprise inspection in Kalimati and Kuleshwor; Vendors flee

Industry Minister Damodar Bhandari conducted an inspection of the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market on Sunday. He was accompanied by the Director General of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, Rajan Poudel, and a team of consumer rights activists.

The inspection began at a fish shop in Kalimati, where cleanliness was found to be lacking. Minister Bhandari instructed for improvements and requested invoices, but the vendors refused to show them.

Bhandari then urged the staff of the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee to provide invoices and improve cleanliness.

Israeli airstrike on mosque in central Gaza kills at least 18 people

An apparent Israeli airstrike early Sunday killed at least 18 people in central Gaza, Palestinian medical officials said.

The strike hit a mosque sheltering displaced people near the al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah, the hospital said in a statement.

An Associated Press journalist counted the bodies at the hospital morgue. Hospital records showed that the dead were all men. Another two men were critically wounded, the hospital said.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment about the strike on the mosque.

Maldives to seek bailout from India despite strained ties

Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu has told the BBC that he is confident that India will come to the aid of the island nation as it faces an economic crisis.

Muizzu, who begins a five-day visit to India on Sunday, is expected to seek a bailout worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Maldives is staring at a debt default as its foreign exchange reserves have dropped to $440m (£334m), just enough for one-and-a-half months of imports.

Tunisia votes Sunday in its third presidential election since the Arab Spring

Tunisians voted Sunday in an election expected to grant President Kais Saied a second term, as his most prominent detractors, including one of the candidates challenging him, are in prison.

The 66-year-old president faces few obstacles to winning reelection, five years after riding anti-establishment backlash to a first term, and three after suspending parliament and rewriting the constitution giving the presidency more power.

The North African country’s election is its third since protests led to the 2011 ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali — the first autocrat toppled in the Arab Spring uprisings that also overthrew leaders in Egypt, Libya and Yemen.

United's winless streak continues, Chelsea's five-game winning run ends

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will hope a battling draw at Aston Villa will relieve the fierce scrutiny of his position.

The club's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Villa Park to see United at least show some of the resilience that was missing in the collapse at home to Tottenham and the defensive solidity lacking in Porto in the Europa League.

Ten Hag turned to the veteran duo of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans to add some steel, although he lost the England defender to injury right on half-time.

Marcus Rashford twice tested Villa keeper Emi Martinez while United captain Bruno Fernandes came closest with a second half free-kick that bounced back off the bar at the Holte End. Substitute Antony also forced Martinez into an acrobatic save from long range.

Chris Wood and Noni Madueke scored as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest played out a tactical and feisty draw at Stamford Bridge.

Forest went ahead when 32-year-old striker Wood slid in a finish past Robert Sanchez after a good set-piece routine involving James Ward-Prowse and Nikola Milenkovic in the 49th minute.

But Chelsea responded quickly as Madueke equalised eight minutes later after cutting in on his left foot and shooting, his fourth such effort having had the beating of left-back Alex Moreno.

Reddy, Patil and Harmanpreet help India overcome Pakistan

India 108 for 4 (Shafali 32, Harmanpreet 29*, Sana 2-23) beat Pakistan105 for 8 (Dar 28, Reddy 3-19, Patil 2-12) by six wickets

India's net run rate (NRR) ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 game against Pakistan was -2.90. They had to win and win big against Pakistan for that to become positive and move up in the points table.

 On a hot afternoon in Dubai, though, India achieved only one of those tasks - beating Pakistan by six wickets to earn two points and open the account with a sluggish chase.

The win was set up by Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil, who combined for five of the eight wickets Pakistan lost. Pakistan huffed and puffed to 105 on the back of Nida Dar's 28.

Juventus not enthusiastic on welcoming back Paul Pogba after doping ban reduced

Juventus does not seem overly enthusiastic about welcoming back Paul Pogba.

Pogba had his four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months on Friday after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning the France World Cup winner will be free to resume his career in March 2025.

Pogba, who tested positive for testosterone in August last year, said he “just cannot wait to get back on the pitch.”

His club, Juventus, does not appear to feel the same.

“We’re waiting for the sentence documents, then we’ll make a decision,” sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said before Saturday’s Serie A match against Cagliari.

“He was a great player but he’s been out of action for a long time.”

Giuntoli’s comments echoed those of coach Thiago Motta in his pre-match press conference on Friday.