October 24, 2024: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, October 24 — 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.

Court grants additional 7 days of custody for Rabi Lamichhane

The Kaski District Court has granted police permission to hold RSP President Rabi Lamichhane in custody for an additional seven days.

On Thursday, Judge Chandrakanta Poudel's bench approved the extension for further investigation, as confirmed by court spokesperson Suraj Adhikari.

The police presented Lamichhane to the court after the initial six-day detention period expired, seeking an extension for further custody.

Lamichhane was arrested in Kathmandu and brought to Pokhara as part of an investigation into cooperative fraud.

UN Day: PM Oli commends UN peacekeepers

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has commended courageous peacekeepers from around the world, particularly those serving at present in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 

In his address to an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Nepali Army at the NA Headquarters today to mark United Nations (UN) Day 2024, the Prime Minister said UN peacekeepers' unwavering dedication and fearlessness in the face of increasingly complex challenges and hard situations exemplify the true spirit of peacekeeping and inspire all of us to uphold global peace and security.

RSP plans protest against Oli government in Kathmandu

The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to hold a protest against the KP Oli-led government on Friday in Kathmandu. The demonstration will take place at Maitighar Mandala at 1 PM, with an appeal to unite against 'political revenge'.

Although the protest is organized by the party, RSP's central committee member Pukar Bam has encouraged general public participation.

"We have publicly called for action against the arrogance and retaliatory measures of the two-thirds government. The movement will no longer be limited to Pokhara or specific individuals or parties. It has now evolved into a broader campaign. We will launch a nationwide expose against the Oli government," Bam stated in an interview with Ratopati.

Maoist Centre accuses government of targeting opposition leaders

The main opposition party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), has accused the government of targeting opposition leaders with legal actions while protecting its own leaders.

Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota made these claims during a press conference at the party's central office in Parisdanda on Thursday.

He specifically accused Congress Vice President Dhanraj Gurung and UML leader and chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Rishikesh Pokhrel, of being shielded from scrutiny.

"They are filing cases against opposition leaders and putting them in jail while protecting their own. Despite clear evidence, figures like Dhanraj Gurung and Rishikesh Pokhrel are being shielded. The current government is reversing the good governance measures implemented by the previous administration," Sapkota stated.

New ministers sworn in for Lumbini provincial government

Newly appointed ministers of the Lumbini Provincial Government have taken their oaths of office. Three ministers were sworn in by the provincial chief, Krishna Bahadur Gharti.

Janmajay Timilsina from Bardiya has been sworn in as the Minister of Social Development, Devkaran Kalwar from Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West) as the Minister of Forests and Environment, and Aadesh Agrawal from Banke as the Minister of Internal Affairs and Law.

Among those sworn in, Timilsina and Kalwar represent the Nepali Congress, while Agrawal is from the Janata Samajwadi Party.

Five killed in vehicle accidents across Nepal

Five people have died in vehicle accidents across various districts. According to police, the fatalities occurred in districts including Kapilvastu, Jhapa, and Saptari.

As reported in the daily police bulletin, in Kapilvastu, a bus (number Lu.2 Kha 2142) collided with a motorcycle (number Ra.7 Pa 348) on the road in Shivaraj Municipality-1.

The motorcycle rider, 28-year-old Lilaram Kunwar from Dang's Rapti Rural Municipality-4, died from injuries sustained in the crash.

In Jhapa, a bus (number Pr.1-01-001 Kha 4331) struck an electric bicycle at Karkha Chowk in Kamal Rural Municipality-4 on Wednesday evening, resulting in the deaths of Tek Bahadur Limbu and his 9-year-old granddaughter, who were riding the bicycle.

In Saptari, a motorcycle (number Ba.91 Pa 8596) hit a pedestrian on the road in Khadak Municipality-11, leading to the death of 40-year-old Chhedilal Marik from Shambhunath Municipality-11 on Wednesday night.

Additionally, in Bajura, a motorcycle (number Ka.Pr.02-001 Pa 481) lost control and crashed on the road at Bhukakhola in Jagannath Rural Municipality-5 on Wednesday night, resulting in the death of the rider, 30-year-old Khemraj Budha from Kalikot's Sannitriveni Rural Municipality-8.

NEA cuts power to 49 industries for unpaid fees

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has cut off the power supply to 49 industries that failed to pay their dedicated and trunk line fees. The NEA had previously communicated with these industries, giving them a 90-day deadline to settle their dues, which expired today.

According to sources within the NEA, the power supply was disconnected after the industries did not make the required payments within the specified time.

Earlier today, the NEA's board of directors held a meeting, during which Energy Minister Deepak Khadka expressed the view that power disconnection should not occur. However, the meeting did not reach any decisions regarding the outstanding fees.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising stated that these industries must pay their dues as they have utilized dedicated and trunk lines.

NEPSE index drops 18.25 points on last trading day of the week

On the last trading day of the week, Thursday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 18.25 points. Starting at 2,646 points, the NEPSE experienced fluctuations before settling at 2,627 points.

On Thursday, share prices of 107 companies fell, while 67 companies saw an increase and 7 companies' prices remained stable. A total of 1,228,300 shares were bought and sold, amounting to a trading volume of 5.41 billion rupees.

All subgroups, except for hydropower, saw a decline in their indices on Thursday. The hydropower subgroup index increased by 0.36%.

India implements BIS certification requirement, hindering Nepali exports

Recently, India has introduced obstacles to the export of Nepali goods. Industry experts have indicated that the requirement for a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificate has impeded exports. This policy has particularly affected exporters of plywood, footwear, cement, sanitary pads, and other products from Nepal.

The BIS serves as a certification of standards recognised by the Indian government, and it is mandatory for the sale and distribution of any goods within India. However, industry stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the challenges associated with obtaining this certification.

India first implemented this requirement on October 1, 2023. A notice was issued on September 23, 2023, mandating BIS for imported sanitary pads and diapers. Subsequently, on March 24, 2024, BIS was applied to both imported and domestically produced goods.

Gold price sees slight dip

The price of gold has experienced a modest decrease on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of hallmark gold has fallen in comparison to Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the price of hallmark gold was set at NPR 166,700 per tola. However, on Thursday, it dropped by NPR 700, bringing the new price to NPR 166,000, as stated by the association.

Tropical storm battering Philippines leaves at least 24 people dead

Widespread flooding and landslides set off by a tropical storm in the northeastern Philippines on Thursday left at least 24 people dead, swept away cars and prompted authorities to scramble for motorboats to rescue trapped villagers, some on roofs.

The government shut down schools and offices — except those urgently needed for disaster response — for the second day on the entire main island of Luzon to protect millions of people after Tropical Storm Trami slammed into the country’s northeastern province of Isabela after midnight.

The storm was blowing over Aguinaldo town in the mountain province of Ifugao after dawn with sustained winds up to 95 kph (59 mph) and gusts up to 160 kph (99 mph). It was blowing westward and was forecast to enter the South China Sea later on Thursday, according to state forecasters.

Lebanon local official says 19 killed in Israeli strike on family's home

At least 19 people, including six women and five children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, a local official has said.

Suad Hammoud told the BBC that the dead included former school principal Ahmed Ezzedine and three generations of his family, who all lived in the three-storey building in the village of Teffahta.

The village’s imam, Sheikh Abdo Abo Rayya, was killed while walking near the house at the time of the strike along with two passers-by, she added.

The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident, but it has repeatedly said it takes measures to mitigate harm to civilians.

SAFF Women's Championship: Nepal thrashes Sri Lanka 6-0; secures semifinal spot 

In the final group match of the SAFF Women's Championship 2024, Nepal defeated Sri Lanka by a score of 6-0. The match took place on Thursday at Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu. With this victory, Nepal has advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.

Nepal took the lead in the 8th minute with a goal from Sabita Rana Magar. In the 11th minute, Sabitra Bhandari, also known as "Samba," scored the second goal for Nepal. Just two minutes later, Rekha Paudel added a third goal, making it 3-0.

Rekha scored again in the 37th minute, converting a shot from Samba taken outside the penalty area. In the 46th minute, Sabita Rana Magar scored the fifth goal for Nepal. During injury time in the second half, Rashmi Kumari Ghising added one more goal, bringing the final score to 6-0.

Smith 89 repels Sajid six-for, as England edge 13-wicket day

Pakistan 73 for 3 (Masood 16*, Shakeel 16*) trail England 267 (Smith 89, Duckett 52, Sajid 6-128) by 194 runs

The patio heaters, industrial-sized fans and rakes have worked their magic. But as Rawalpindi's famed batting track produced 13 wickets on the opening day of this third and decisive Test, it was England who benefitted, first scrapping to 267 and then making that a workable total by reducing Pakistan to 73 for 3 by the close.

On a pitch that had everyone guessing, Ben Stokes winning England's first toss in eight attempts felt heaven-sent, especially as his opposite number Shan Masood admitted to trepidation as to how matters would play out underfoot.

But it would have been a wasted miracle were it not been for a remarkable 89 from Jamie Smith, bagging a first half-century way from home, and driving a vital 107-run stand with Gus Atkinson (39) for the seventh wicket.

Washington Sundar's career-best 7 for 59 spins out New Zealand

India 16 for 1 (Southee 1-4) trail New Zealand 259 (Conway 76, Ravindra 65, Washington 7-59, Ashwin 3-64) by 243 runs

Three days ago, Washington Sundar was not even part of this Test squad, instead scoring a hundred and taking a couple of three-fors against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.

 Brought in the XI ahead of the incumbent spinner (Kuldeep Yadav) and the back-up (Axar Patel) in the squad, he took seven wickets on the first day of a Test to bowl New Zealand out for 259.

Five of his victims were bowled, one lbw and one caught as he took out the last seven wickets following three taken by Tamil Nadu team-mate R Ashwin.