October 29, 2024: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, October 29 — 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.

Dozens arrested during RSP protest

More than 50 individuals were arrested on Tuesday during a protest organized by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) calling for the release of President Rabi Lamichhane.

Among those detained were MP Ashok Chaudhary and other party leaders and activists. According to SP Navraj Adhikari from the Kathmandu District Police, one of those arrested was a woman, while the rest were men.

The RSP staged a demonstration in Baluwatar to protest Lamichhane's arrest. The police intervened and made arrests after party leaders attempted to breach a restricted area during the protest.

All the arrested individuals have been released in the evening.

RSP leaders meet Prime Minister amid ongoing protests

While Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane remains in custody facing allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of cooperative funds, party leaders have held significant meetings with the Prime Minister and Home Minister.

The RSP has been protesting since October 19, claiming that Lamichhane's arrest is politically motivated. During these protests, party members have vocally criticized the Prime Minister and the government.

In this context, RSP Vice President Dolprasad Aryal (DP) and Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Monday.

Aryal met with Home Minister Lekhak alone at Singhadurbar, while both Aryal and Pariyar went to Baluwatar to meet the Prime Minister.

Cabinet promotes DIG Rana and Hyoju to AIG

The Cabinet has decided to promote DIG Kiran Rana and Dr. Sundar Prasad Hyoju to the rank of AIG (Additional Inspector General) in the Nepal Police.

A senior official from the Prime Minister's Office informed Ratopati about the decision made in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Rana, who is stationed at the Tribhuvan International Airport Security Office, and Hyoju, DIG at the Police Hospital, were recommended for the promotion to AIG by the promotion committee on October 20.

With this promotion, Dr. Hyoju will become the head of the Police Hospital.

Tihar celebration begins; Dhanteras observed today

The second largest festival of Hindus, Yama Panchak, also known as Tihar, officially begins today, starting from the day of Krishna Trayodashi (thirteenth day of the dark lunar fortnight).

Tihar starts today as the Dwadashi Tithi (twelfth day of the dark lunar fortnight) ends at 11:01 AM, followed by Trayodashi.

According to the Nepal Calendar Determination Committee, Tihar is marked by celebrating Dhanteras (the day of buying precious metals and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi) today, as the Trayodashi Tithi begins after 11:01 AM.

Salyan mini truck accident update: Death toll reaches four

The death toll from the mini truck accident in Salyan on Monday has reached four. The number increased after the driver, 24-year-old Man Bahadur Bhandari, passed away.

The other victims, 14-year-old Gobardhan Khadka, 12-year-old Dilli Bhandari, and 13-year-old Srijana Basnet, died on the spot.

According to Resham Bahadur Khatri, spokesperson for the district police office in Salyan, driver Bhandari succumbed to his injuries at the Rapti Hospital in Tulsipur, Dang, last night.

Flower farmers in Kathmandu prepare for Tihar celebrations

With the onset of Yamapanchak today, marigold farmers in the Kallabari area of Kathmandu are busy collecting flowers and making garlands.

The Ichangu and Ramkot areas are now adorned with blooming marigolds, Godawari flowers, and other blossoms, making the fields look beautiful.

Farmers have been busy in their fields since early morning, picking flowers.

Kallabari, known as a hub for flower cultivation in the Kathmandu Valley, sees both commercial transactions and consumers visiting farms to purchase flowers directly. The flowers produced here are primarily consumed within the Kathmandu Valley.

Unsecured loans for migrant workers soon

Workers seeking foreign employment will soon be able to obtain unsecured loans through banks. The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security is in the process of drafting guidelines for this initiative.

The ministry has prepared a draft guideline for providing unsecured loans to individuals going for overseas employment and has initiated discussions with stakeholders.

The aim is to eliminate the burden of high-interest loans required for foreign employment by arranging for unsecured loans through banks. Minister Sharatsingh Bhandari announced during a press conference on October 25 that an agreement will be made with banks to facilitate these loans for workers. He stated that arrangements are being made for banks to cover the expenses incurred when going abroad.

Gold prices surge on Dhanteras; reaches NPR 168,500 per tola

On the occasion of Dhanteras, the price of gold has seen a significant increase today.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the price of hallmark gold has risen by NPR 1,500 per tola (11.66 grams), reaching NPR 168,500.

On Wednesday, hallmark gold was trading at NPR 167,000 per tola.

NEPSE sees significant gains on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index experienced a notable increase, rising by 46.69 points to reach 2,692. 

Following a four-day trading hiatus, the market had previously climbed by 27 points on Monday.

On Tuesday, share prices for 221 companies rose, while 17 companies saw declines, and 5 companies maintained stable prices.

A total of 1,337,300 shares were traded, resulting in a cumulative turnover of NPR 6.128 billion, according to NEPSE.

TikTok founder becomes China's richest man

The surging global popularity of TikTok has seen the co-founder of its parent company, ByteDance, become China's richest person.

According to a rich list produced by the Hurun Research Institute, Zhang Yiming is now worth $49.3bn (£38bn) - 43% more than in 2023.

The 41-year-old stepped down from his role in charge of the company in 2021, but is understood to own around 20% of the firm.

TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps in the world, despite deep concerns in some countries about its ties to the Chinese state.

Gaza aid fears as Israel bans UN Palestinian refugee agency

Israel's parliament has voted to pass legislation banning the UN's Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) from operating within Israel and Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, within three months.

Contact between Unrwa employees and Israeli officials will also be banned, severely limiting the agency's ability to operate in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Co-operation with the Israeli military - which controls all crossings into Gaza - is essential for Unrwa to transfer aid into the war-torn territory. It is the main UN organisation working on the ground there.

Unrwa staff will no longer have legal immunity within Israel, and the agency's headquarters in East Jerusalem will be closed.

Israeli strike in northern Gaza kills at least 93

An Israeli strike on a five-story building where displaced Palestinians were sheltering in the northern Gaza Strip killed at least 93 people early Tuesday, more than half of them women and children, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.

In a separate development, Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah said it has chosen Sheikh Naim Kassem as its new top leader following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike last month.

The group said in a statement that Hezbollah’s decision-making Shura Council elected Kassem, who had been Nasrallah’s deputy leader for over three decades, as the new secretary-general. Hezbollah vowed to continue with Nasrallah’s policies “until victory is achieved.”

Mount Fuji breaks records as it remains snowless for longer than ever before

Mount Fuji is still without snow, making it the latest time in the year the mountain has remained bare since records began 130 years ago.

The peaks of Japan's highest mountain typically gets a sprinkling of snow by early October, but unusually warm weather has meant no snowfall has been reported so far this year.

In 2023 snow was first seen on the summit on 5 October, according to AFP news agency.

Japan had its hottest joint summer on record this year with temperatures between June and August being 1.76C (35.1F) higher than an average.

In September, temperatures continued to be warmer than expected as the sub-tropical jet stream's more northerly position allowed a warmer southerly flow of air over Japan.

Man City and Spain midfielder Rodri wins men's Ballon d'Or

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has won the men's Ballon d'Or - awarded to the best footballer of the year - for the first time.

The 28-year-old, who lost just one game last season for club and country, was awarded the prize in Paris after helping Spain win Euro 2024 in July.

He also won the Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with City.

Rodri, the first player in the club's history to win the Ballon d'Or, claimed the award ahead of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr.

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min wins Asia’s International Player of the Year award for the fourth time

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min was crowned as Asia’s International Player of the Year for the fourth time by the Asian Football Confederation at its annual awards ceremony Tuesday.

Son, who captains both Tottenham and the South Korea national team, also won the prize in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and takes the trophy from compatriot Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich.

Australia’s Ellie Carpenter, who plays for French club Lyon, became the inaugural winner of the women’s international award.

The AFC has a separate prize for players based overseas and awarded its main player of the year awards to Akram Afif of Qatar and Japan’s Kiko Seike.

Lakers' unbeaten start to NBA season ended by Suns

Phoenix Suns duo Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combined to send Los Angeles Lakers tumbling to their first NBA defeat of the season.

Booker bagged 33 points and Durant 30 to give the Suns a thrilling 109-105 win at Phoenix's Footprint Center.

Lakers star LeBron James had a quiet game and registered just 11 points as team-mate Anthony Davis top scored with 29, while Austin Reaves added 23.

The Lakers had gone into the match with an impressive 3-0 start to the campaign under new head coach JJ Redick and made a superb start to the game.

Davis bagged 16 points in the first quarter to give the Lakers a 26-8 lead.