October 28, 2024: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, October 28 — 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.

SC issues interim order in UML office land donation dispute

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order regarding the land donated by businessman Min Bahadur Gurung for the construction of the CPN-UML party office. On Monday, a single bench led by Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued the short-term interim order.

Advocate Gyan Bahadur Basnet filed a writ in this dispute, and the Supreme Court has summoned both parties for discussions.

Advocate Basnet sought to annul the decision to donate the land to the UML through the interim order.

Ruling parties prepare for ruthless response as opposition prepares taking to the streets

It seems that both the ruling party and the opposition are strategizing to pressure each other. Following aggressive actions by opposition parties against the government led by KP Sharma Oli, the ruling party has indicated a willingness to be more ruthless.

On October 25, a meeting of seven ruling coalition parties at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar concluded that any undesirable activities that promote chaos or contribute to political instability are unacceptable.

On the other hand, opposition parties have concluded that Prime Minister Oli's government has been entirely unsuccessful over its hundred days in power and have already submitted a 13-point memorandum to him. The opposition has also drawn attention to the government’s actions in a meeting with President Ram Chandra Paudel.

NC leader Thapa calls for investigation into cooperative fraud Involving party and UML leader

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, has stated that investigations should also be conducted against party Vice President Dhanraj Gurung and UML leader Rishikesh Pokharel, who have been linked to cooperative fraud.

While addressing a program for the exchange of greetings among central bank employees in Kathmandu on Monday, he suggested that the government should investigate Gurung and Pokharel in connection with the cooperative scam.

UML leaders Pandey and Timilsina submit clarification; Rawal yet to respond

Members of the Standing Committee of the CPN-UML, Binda Pandey and central committee member Usha Kiran Timilsina, have submitted responses to the clarifications sought by the party.

According to sources at the UML party office, Pandey and Timilsina submitted their explanations on Monday. Timilsina went to the party office, while Pandey called representatives to her home, as she has been resting at home due to a leg injury.

Neither Pandey nor Timilsina apologized in their responses. Instead, they emphasized that public issues raised should be discussed in order to elevate the party's dignity and image. 

Former vice-chair Bhim Rawal stated on Monday that he was still studying the explanation requested by the party. In response to a question from Ratopati, Rawal said, “I am still studying this matter. I haven’t submitted my response yet.”

11:37 AM, November 3, auspicious hour for Bhai Tika

The Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee has announced the auspicious hour for this year's Bhaitika to take place during the Tihar festival.     

Today's meeting of the committee decided that the auspicious time for Bhaitika is at 11:37 am on November 3, Sunday, Executive Director of the Committee Surya Prasad Dhungel said. The committee also said that the Kija Puja observed by the Newar community should also be held on the same day. 

3 dead, 8 injured in Salyan mini truck accident

A mini truck accident in Salyan has resulted in the deaths of three individuals.

The deceased include 13-year-old Srijana Basnet from Kapurkot Municipality-6, along with two others whose identities are yet to be confirmed. Srijana was pronounced dead at the Kapurkot Health Post.

On Monday afternoon, a mini truck with the registration number Ra 1 Kha 2402, carrying rice and straw from Dubede of Kapurkot Municipality-6 towards Chhapneta, fell 150 meters off the road, according to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Keshar Kumar Neupane.

Over 27,000 dengue cases reported nationwide; Gandaki province most affected

Among over 27,000 dengue cases reported across the country, nearly half of the patients are from the Gandaki Province.

According to the latest data from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), out of 27,153 dengue infections nationwide, 13,698 cases have been identified in Gandaki Province. Since January, 50 percent of confirmed dengue cases in the country have been in this province.

Additionally, 8,461 cases have been reported in Bagmati Province, 1,709 in Koshi, 1,400 in Lumbini, 1,118 in Sudurpashchim, 460 in Madhesh, and 307 in Karnali.

CAAN urges Indian authorities to address repeated bomb threats on flights

After receiving repeated threatening notifications claiming that bombs were placed on aircraft arriving from India, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has expressed concern to the Indian authorities. CAAN has urged the Indian government to address the issue through regulatory channels.

On Monday, a bomb threat was reported on an Air India flight, causing the aircraft, which was ready for takeoff with boarding passes issued, to be held for more than two hours. Similar incidents have occurred in recent days, with false rumors spreading not only about flights coming to Nepal but also regarding those traveling from India to various other countries.

Tilganga launching aesthetic oculoplasty service soon

The Tilaganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) will be launching the service of aesthetic oculoplasty (ophthalmic plastic surgery) soon.

At a special seminar on aesthetic oculoplasty organized here today, Institute Executive Director Dr Sanduk Ruit spoke about the potentiality of this service in Nepal. He said the service would be launched in near future. 

The service will be available at TIO and the Tilganga City Eye Center, Chuchchepati shortly. 

Gold prices drop slightly in domestic market

The price of gold has seen a slight decline in the Nepali market on Monday. The price of hallmark gold, which was set at NPR 167,400 per tola on Sunday, has decreased by NPR 400 to NPR 167,000 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the price of hallmark gold per 10 grams has been established at NPR 143,175 on Monday.

Stock market sees double-digit rise after four days of decline

After four trading days, the stock market has shown a double-digit increase. After three consecutive days of decline, the market rose by 27.41 points on the fourth day. Today, the index climbed to 2645.36 points.

Today, shares of 307 companies worth 10,418,000 units were bought and sold, resulting in a total transaction of 5.34 billion rupees, as reported by NEPSE.

Worry over toxic Delhi air as pollution worsens

Air quality in India's capital Delhi has deteriorated to severe and extremely poor levels in the past few days, data shows.

Pollution levels crossed 25-30 times the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommended safe limit at several locations in the city last week.

Experts have warned that the situation will worsen in the coming days due to weather conditions, use of firecrackers during the festival of Diwali on Thursday and burning of crop remains in neighbouring states.

Delhi and several northern Indian cities report extreme levels of air pollution between October and January every year, causing disruption to businesses, shutting down of schools and offices.

Japan's ruling party loses its majority in blow to new PM

The coalition led by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has lost its majority in parliament, its worst result in over a decade.

The LDP and its coalition partner, the much smaller Komeito, have taken 215 seats together, falling short of the 233-seat majority needed to govern.

The election was called by the LDP’s new leader Shigeru Ishiba just days before he was sworn in as prime minister - but the loss of his party's parliamentary majority has now put his political future into question.

Civilians' plight in North Gaza "unbearable": UN chief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "shocked" by the levels of death, injury and destruction in the north of Gaza Strip amid the ongoing intense Israeli military operation, his spokesman said in a statement on Sunday.     

Hundreds of people were killed in Gaza in the past few weeks, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and more than 60,000 others were forced to flee yet again, many fearing not being able to return, the statement said.     

"The plight of Palestinian civilians trapped in North Gaza is unbearable," the statement said.

Man Utd sack manager Ten Hag; Ruud van Nistelrooy named interim manager

Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag following the club's poor start to the season.

Ten Hag's final game was Sunday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham that left the club 14th in the Premier League with just three wins from their opening nine matches.

United are also 21st of 36 teams in the Europa League table, having drawn their three opening fixtures.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the club as Ten Hag's assistant last summer, has been named as interim manager.

The club said Van Nistelrooy would be in charge "while a permanent head coach is recruited".

Zambia mourns seven footballers killed in bus crash

Zambian football is in mourning after seven players from Chavuma Town Council FC were killed in a bus crash.

The country's football association (Faz) expressed its "deep shock" at the accident, which occurred on Saturday while the squad was travelling to a third-tier league game in the north west of the country.

"We are in touch with the football, civil and law enforcement authorities in the province to furnish us with full details," Faz president Andrew Kamanga said.

Curry injured in Warriors' defeat against Clippers

Head coach Steve Kerr said the injury Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry picked up in the 112-104 defeat against the LA Clippers is a "concern".

The 36-year-old first limped out of the game in the third quarter, when he received treatment for a twisted ankle.

Curry, a two-time MVP, returned to the game four minutes into the fourth quarter but immediately aggravated the issue and had to be helped to the locker room by team-mate Gary Payton.

"He's doing OK. He used the word 'mild' or 'moderate'," Kerr said.

"He's obviously sprained that ankle many times before. He doesn't think it's too bad, but it's a concern."

Kirsten resigns as Pakistan's white-ball coach

Gary Kirsten has resigned as Pakistan's limited-overs coach after six months in the role and Test coach Jason Gillespie will be in charge for the white-ball tour of Australia which starts next week.

The former South Africa batter was appointed on a two-year contract in April at the same time as Gillespie took over the Test side.

Kirsten is reported by ESPNCricinfo, external to have had a strained relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about selection issues.