December 16: 'Dr App', which provides information about doctors, clinics and diagnostic centers available in cities across Nepal, has been launched by the…
December 16: 'Dr App', which provides information about doctors, clinics and diagnostic centers available in cities across Nepal, has been launched by the…
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on…
December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year…
December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra…
December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members.…
December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu…
December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds.…
December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report.…
December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in…
December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the…
December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on…
December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15).…
Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and…
December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch…
More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province…
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The app developed by Titanium Technology was launched in Kathmandu on Monday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is launched as a platform to help find information about hospitals and doctors in one place. This app will not only provide information from various experts at one place, but also gives the qualification, experience of all types of doctors and the opening time and location of the hospitals and clinics. Titanium Technology says that since not everyone has the information about which specialist doctor and hospital to go to for a sensitive issue like health, this app will make such information accessible to everyone.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Inaugurating the app, Samindra Singh Thapa, managing director of the company said that the app can solve dilemmas like which specialist and which place to go in case of a health problem. He informed, “In the app, you can find information about doctors, clinics and diagnostic centers available in cities across Nepal, which can be used not only in the country but also by Nepalese living abroad for their relatives.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is available in both English and Nepali languages. The company informed that the app, which is currently only available on Play Store, will soon be available on the App Store as well.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16287', 'image' => '20221216043115_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 16:30:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16545', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Bhandari Urges the Government to Solve Problems Seen in Industrial Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:22px"> December 16: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Speaking at the Birat Expo organized in Biratanagr, Bhandari argued that Biratnagar, country’s major industrial estate, was struggling to retain its past glory. She expressed confidence that Biratanagar would set a good example in industrialization to the whole country.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">President Bhandari stressed the need to establish industries based on domestic raw materials. She also highlighted the need to forge coordination among farmers and industrialists to produce raw materials for the industries in the country. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">At the programme, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Chairman Sekhar Golchha said that country was experiencing a financial crisis never seen before. “Earlier, the country faced economic crises due to the earthquake, COVID-19 and other disasters”, Golchha stated. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">But, Golchha blamed that Nepal Rastra Bank and the government’s flawed policies had led to the current financial crisis facing the country.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Morang Industry Association’s Chairman Suyash Pyakurel said that country was in need of export promoting and import replacing industries. “Post-COVID financial crisis has adversely affected almost all industries and business in the country”, Pyakurel added.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16286', 'image' => '20221216035726_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 15:47:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16544', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflation Rises to 8.08 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 7.38 percent whereas non-food and service inflation rose to 8.63 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of restaurant and hotel sub-category increased 15.97 percent, tobacco products 11.81 percent, milk products and eggs 9.33 percent, cereal grains and their products 9.19 and alcoholic drinks 8.84 percent, as per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report released by NRB on Thursday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report based on four months of data, the y-o-y price index of transportation subcategory increased 17.71 percent, health 11.22 percent, recreation and culture 8.76 percent, housing and utilities 8.49 percent and furnishing and household equipment 8.33 percent under the non-food and services category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review month, consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, hill and mountain areas stood at 7.56 percent, 8.52 percent, 8.03 percent and 6.68 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 6.14 percent, 5.42 percent, 7.14 percent and 5.00 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16285', 'image' => '20221216010258_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 13:02:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16543', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export, Import Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal released by the central bank on Thursday states that merchandise exports decreased 33.3 percent in the first four months of FY 2022/23 amounting Rs 54.77 billion against an increase of 104.3 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India and China decreased 42.3 percent and 34.2 percent respectively whereas exports to other countries increased 7.4 percent. Exports of zinc sheet, particle board, woolen carpets, tea, readymade garments, among others, increased whereas exports of soybean oil, palm oil, oil cakes, jute goods, textiles, among others, decreased in the review period, the repot states. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports decreased 18.1 percent amounting to Rs 532.69 billion against an increase of 61.6 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries decreased 16.5 percent, 20.9 percent, and 20.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB report, imports of petroleum products, chemical fertilizer, sponge iron, gold, aircraft spare parts, among others, increased whereas imports of transport equipment and parts, silver, telecommunication equipment and parts, MS billet, crude soybean oil, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Based on customs points, exports from Dry Port, Jaleshwar, Kailali, Krishnanagar, Mechi and Tribhuwan Airport Customs Offices increased whereas exports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the import side, imports from Jaleshwar Customs Office increased whereas imports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Total trade deficit decreased 15.9 percent to Rs 477.92 billion during the four months of FY 2022/23. Such a deficit had increased 56.8 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio decreased to 10.3 percent in the review period from 12.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 42.69 billion. Such amount was Rs 71.40 billion in the same period of the previous year, added the NRB. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16284', 'image' => '20221216124439_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 12:44:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16542', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC Resumes Flights after Resolving Cabin Crew Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. Both domestic and international flights of the state-owned airlines company was halted from Thursday morning after the cabin crew members of NAC staged protest against the NAC management for not renewing contract of two air hostesses, who have been working at the corporations for the past 15 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">After the issue was resolved, regular flights resumed on Thursday evening, informed Archana Khadka, spokesperson of NAC.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">NAC said that the company’s management team and the agitating crew members held discussions throughout the day and sorted out the problem.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">According to Spokesperson Khadka, the flights that were halted throughout the day resumed in the evening. She further informed that the NAC’s scheduled flights to New Delhi and Riyadh took place after 8 pm on Thursday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Spokesperson Khadka said that the agitating cabin crew members resumed their work after NAC agreed to renew the contracts of all the staffers. The cabin crew members had started the protest alleging that the NAC tried to lay off two staff members – Aarati Maharjan and Smita Gubaju – without any reasons although they had been serving with the NAC since the last 15 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the NAC Cabin Crew Association had accused the company of delaying renewal of contract, not providing them identity cards and of unfair treatment in perks and facilities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16283', 'image' => '20221216111621_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 11:15:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16541', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Urges to Take Precaution as Mercury Level Continues to Plunge', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr Sanjay Kumar Thakur appealed to all to be alert considering the increasing risk of infection during the cold weather. As the mercury level has started falling down continuously for the last few days, senior citizens, chronic patients, children, expecting mothers are advised to take special precautions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The temperature of Kathmandu plummeted to as low as 7.6 degree Celsius on Friday, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The ministry has requested the general public to keep warm and protect themselves against the increasing cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Furthermore, the ministry advised to take warm food and water and suggested not to stay outdoor and open area for a long time. Proper ventilation should be maintained while using heater or geyser, the ministry said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Considering the risk of infection due to contaminated water and food, the ministry urged all to pay special attention to food intake. Washing hands before preparing and eating meal is also recommended. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16282', 'image' => '20221216105551_DaneBohara_Humla_RSS_14(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 10:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16539', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Turns into Seeds Importer from Exporter', 'sub_title' => 'Inability to Maintain Quality of Seeds to Blame for Halt in Export of Vegetable Seeds', 'summary' => 'December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. Nepal, which used to export seeds to various countries until 16 years ago, is currently importing vegetable seeds worth millions of rupees from those countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Agribusiness Promotion Support and Training Center, Nepal used to export vegetable seeds to India, Bangladesh, Germany and Japan by producing them in hill districts including Rukum, Salyan, Pyuthan since the fiscal year 2086/87. In that year, Nepal produced half a metric ton of radish seeds and exported them to Bangladesh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After Bangladesh increased the demand order saying that the seeds of Nepal were of good quality, Nepal started producing seeds of cauliflower, radish, brinjal and tomato and exported them to other countries as well. According to government data, Nepal exported up to 89 metric tons of seeds to India in FY 2006/07 due to good demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, Nepal could not give continuity to the production and export of seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the country is now forced to import seeds worth millions of rupees annually, says Amar Raj Sharma, senior crop development officer of the centre.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claims that the demand for vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is decreasing and the export has stopped due to the weakness of the Nepali seed production company. He said, “The main reason why the export of the seeds produced by us stopped is that we could not maintain the quality. If we can maintain the quality, we can still export seeds.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, since the seed production centers were established in remote areas, the germinating power of the seeds started to decrease while being transported to Kathmandu due to the bad condition of roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Seed producers also need to maintain a distance of at least two kilometers while producing seeds of two different varieties. However, the distance could not be maintained due to lack of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, adulteration was seen in the seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to lack of adequate irrigation and fertilizer, the size of seeds was also a problem. Apart from this, the work on development and growth of indigenous varieties of seeds could not be done. As per the information, there is also a decline in the development of hybrid varieties, due to which the demand for seeds from foreign countries stopped and subsequently the export also came to a halt.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The center informed New Business Age that Nepal imported about 150,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds worth more than Rs 433.39 million in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16280', 'image' => '20221215052644_ss-8-850x340 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 17:25:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16538', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Urgent Action Needed in South Asia to Curb Deadly Air Pollution', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. The new World Bank report shows that there are economically feasible, cost-effective solutions to achieve clean air in the region, but this requires countries to coordinate policies and investments. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report “Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia”, released on Wednesday, says concentrations of fine particulate matter such as soot and small dust (PM 2.5) in some of the region’s most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what WHO considers healthy (5 µg/mᶾ). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exposure to such extreme air pollution has impacts ranging from stunting and reduced cognitive development in children, to respiratory infections and chronic and debilitating diseases. This drives up healthcare costs, lowers a country’s productive capacity, and leads to lost days worked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Large industries, powerplants and vehicles are dominant sources of air pollution around the world, but in South Asia, other sources make substantial additional contributions, added the report. These include combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating, emissions from small industries such as brick kilns, burning of municipal and agricultural waste, and cremation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air pollution travels long distances— crossing municipal, state, and national boundaries—and gets trapped in large “airsheds” that are shaped by climatology and geography. The report identifies six major airsheds in South Asia where spatial interdependence in air quality is high. Particulate matter in each airshed comes from various sources and locations, for example less than half of the air pollution in South Asia’s major cities is produced within cities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Persistently hazardous levels of air pollution have caused a major public health crisis in South Asia that demands urgent action,” said Martin Raiser, World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia. “Curbing air pollution requires not only tackling its specific sources, but also close coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries. Regional cooperation can help implement cost-effective joint strategies that leverage the interdependent nature of air quality.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, several South Asian countries have adopted policies to help improve air quality, but their focus on mitigating air pollution generated within cities is yielding insufficient results. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report shows that current policy measures will only be partially successful in reducing PM 2.5 concentrations across South Asia even if fully implemented. To achieve greater progress, the focus of policy makers should expand into other sectors, particularly small manufacturing, agriculture, residential cooking, and waste management. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report analyzes four scenarios to reduce air pollution with varying degrees of policy implementation and cooperation among countries. The most cost-effective scenario, which calls for full coordination between airsheds, would cut the average exposure of PM 2.5 in South Asia to 30 µg/m³ at a cost of $278 million per µg/mᶾ of reduced exposure, and save more than 750,000 lives annually. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The economic benefits of policies to reduce air pollution in South Asia exceed the economic costs by a large margin,” said Hans Timmer, World Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia. “But optimal solutions depend on several factors such as better monitoring systems, more scientific capacity, greater coordination between governments, and behavioral change among farmers, small firms, and households.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16279', 'image' => '20221215045217_Air pollution report launch _World Bank_ICIMOD.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 16:50:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16536', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Flights Affected due to Low Visibility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), flights were affected due to insufficient visibility at the airports except Bhadrapur, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, Surkhet and Tumlingtar. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TIA Spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said that domestic flights could be affected in airports in Terai areas for few more days due to low visibility. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Buddha Air's Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna shared that flights in majority of airports in Terai were affected since Thursday morning due to low visibility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some airports are expected to operate after 12:00 pm, he said, adding that passengers have been facing problems to reach their destination due to the visibility problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are around 300 domestic flights on a daily basis. Buddha Air alone operates the highest number of flights in a day which is around 150 flights followed by Yeti Airlines with 58 flights. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Altogether 20 airline companies including 11 helicopter companies have been conducting domestic flights at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that some places in the Terai belt have been experiencing foggy weather today while majority of the places in hill areas were cloudy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hill areas in Gandaki, Lumbini, Province 1 and Bagmati Province will be partially cloudy while weather will remain generally fair in remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Valley's maximum temperature was 19 degree Celsius and minimum temper 7.6 degree Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16277', 'image' => '20221215014738_1639701101.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:46:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16535', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC Submits Election Report to President Bhandari ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president. The elections to the members of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies were held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya submitted the report to the President Bidya Devi Bhandari amid a programme organised at Sheetal Niwas on Thursday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is a provision that the EC should submit report of the final results of FPTP and PR electoral system to the head-of the state within seven days of the announcement of the election results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President Bhandari said election is important for strengthening democracy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing her happiness over the conclusion of the elections, she thanked all including the Election Commission, security bodies, stakeholders and voters for this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, CEO Thapaliya said the polls were concluded in a fair and fearless environment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Through the elections, a total of 825 people’s representatives were elected (275 under the HoR and 550 under the PA). Women’s participation in the HoR is 33.10 percent, and 36.36 percent in the PA. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s representatives are scheduled to present a report along with the results of PA polls to the chief of all seven provinces on December 17, said the EC. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Present on the occasion were election commissioners Ishwori Prasad Paudel, Ram Prasad Bhandari, Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and the EC secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, among others. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16276', 'image' => '20221215013519_Pro_Ktm_ECN_President(5)(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16534', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tactical Masterplan Takes France into World Cup Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">AGENCIES<br /> December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday. According to media reports, holders France stayed on course to become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani at Al Bayt Stadium.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Morocco, the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup, had built their success on brilliant defending and fast counter attacks, but they got a taste of their own medicine when France abandoned possession early on and struck after five minutes, Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the news agency, Theo Hernandez's high hooked finish from a deflected Kylian Mbappe shot put the defending champions ahead and forced Walid Regragui's team to take the initiative, ending the game with more possession than Les Bleus.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Morocco pushed hard after the break, giving Mbappe more and more space off the left flank. The Paris St Germain forward then switched to a lone-striker role when Marcus Thuram replaced Giroud on 65 minutes,” Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Substitute Randal Kolo Muani poked the ball home 11 minutes from time with his first touch after some brilliant work by Mbappe. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium, added the news agency.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16275', 'image' => '20221215112442_np_file_199519.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:23:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16533', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC to Submit Election Report to President Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). The EC said it will submit the results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems. <br /> The EC had published the final results of the HoR and Province Assembly elections on Wednesday. <br /> There is a provision that the EC should submit the final results of the HoR election to the president and province assembly elections to the concerned province chiefs within seven days of the announcement of the election results. <br /> According to the EC, it is set to present the report containing the results of HoR elections to the president on Thursday. <br /> Likewise, the reports of province assembly election would be submitted to the concerned province chiefs on December 17, the EC source said. <br /> The name list of elected HoR and PA members would be published in the Nepal Gazette after submission of the reports to the president and province chiefs. <br /> As per the election results report prepared by the EC, a total of 825 individuals including 275 HoR members and 550 Province Assemblies members were elected during the November 20 elections. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16274', 'image' => '20221215110222_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:01:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16532', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Special Economic Zones(SEZ) Fail to Attract Investors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">December 15 : Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Nine months have passed since Special Economic Authority called for proposals to establish and operate industries in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. But, only half a dozen industries have signed an agreement to establish industries in Bhairahawa SEZ so far. SEZ Authority has called for the proposal second time as no one submitted proposals to operate industries in Simara SEZ in the first call. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Calling for proposals, SEZ Authority had issued a notice to establish industries in both SEZs nine months ago. Since then, SEZ authority has re-called for the proposal twice. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to SEZ Authority’s Executive Director Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta, number of investors signing the agreement is fewer than those taking permission. <br /> According to the SEZ Authority, 45 plots of Bhairahawa SEZ and 68 plots of Simara SEZ are ready for the establishment and operation of industries.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">SEZ Authority had issued notice saying that SEZs had become ready in March 2022 first time. Since then, the authority has re-issued calls in May and August as well. According to the authority, investors have received the permission for 69 plots. Out of them, 37 are from Simara and 32 from Bhairahawa. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors, who have paid Rs 25,000 per plot permission fee, have proposed investment of Rs 6 billion and Rs 4 billion in Simara and Bhairahawa SEZs respectively. Out of them, only seven investors and industrialists have signed an agreement to establish industries. As per the authority, five industries have signed an agreement in Bhairahawa SEZ while two have inked agreement in Simara SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors granted permission have shown reluctance despite repeated calls by the SEZ authority.<br /> A seven-day deadline was given to the investors granted permission to establish industries on November 25. Since no one approached the authority, the authority has extended the deadline twice, said sub-Engineer Sagar Silwal of the authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">“The authority will extend the deadline for the last time. If the investors granted permission do not come, their permission will be scrapped and fee will not be refunded”, added Sagar Silwal. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had started construction of SEZ in 2014. So far, as many as 113 plots have got ready. Out of them, only a few plots have come into use.In the first SEZ established in Bhairahawa, only seven industries are operating. Not a single industry is established in Simara SEZ. </span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Special Economic Zone Authority-2073 BS Act has provisioned to provide facilities to the industries in the SEZ through one-window system. But, its implementation is nowhere in sight. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the Act, Nepal Rastra Bank, Company Registrar’s Office, Custom Office, Post office and industry registrar’s desk have to be established in the premises of SEZ authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government ha spent around Rs 4 billion to construct industrial infrastructure in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Panchkanya Group, Shakti Minerals, Lead Light, some plastic and utensil industries are operating in Bhairahawa SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">To lure investors and industrialists in the SEZ, the government has slashed export limit from 75 per cent to 60 per cent. Likewise, they have to export product from the second year of the establishment of their industries. The government has also lowered rent. “We are preparing a draft to amend the act incorporating all changes made to attract investors”, said SEZ authority.</span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Tirupati Metal Industries’ Investor Bikash Agrawal said that they could not expand their investment in SEZ for failing to get bank loan. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Entrepreneurs and industrialists say that non-implementation of one-window system, lack of coordination among the government agencies, exorbitant rent, and 60 per cent export limit have discouraged potential investors and industrialists from establishing industries in the SEZ. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16273', 'image' => '20221215072130_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 07:17:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16531', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI Requests NRB To Take Special Initiative to Save the Economy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch .', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch and to ensure interest rate stability and price stability as the economy is being affected by internal and external factors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A delegation led by FNCCI President Sekhar Golchha met with high-ranking officials of NRB, including Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari, on Tuesday and made such request.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The private sector of Nepal is probably going through the most difficult situation," Golchha said, adding, "The central bank should make the economy viable through measures such as interest rate stability, and suspension of new arrangements related to current capital loans."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Delegates of FNCCI, with its goal to 'Save the Economy', are meeting the top leaders of the country's major political parties, the head of government and the finance minister, requesting them to solve the problem.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A statement issued by the FNCCI says that Golchha has urged the NRB governor to create a conducive environment for the entire private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, FNCCI has suggested that the government and the central bank should adopt various measures to protect the economy since the increase in the interest rates has affected the entrepreneurs while multi-faceted risks have increased in about a year since they started to control the market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has urged central bank to postpone the implementation of the Current Working Capital Guidelines 2079 for at least two years as it will harm the country's business sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The monetary policy mandates that the average spread rate (interest rate gap) of commercial banks should be maintained at 4 per cent and 4.6 per cent for development banks and finance companies. FNCCI appreciated the central bank for maintaining the spread rate, stating that it would help the economy against risk factors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the FNCCI has suggested reducing the base rate of the banks and financial institution in order to decrease the interest rate. Therefore, both the government and the central bank should find ways to inject liquidity into the market and reduce interest rates, the FNCCI statement reads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, FNCCI has asked for at least a one-year loan renewal facility, and to reduce the mandatory cash ratio by one percentage point.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has also requested the NRB to take special initiatives to increase capital expenditure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Government should provide loans to manufacturing industries at lower interest rates, as mentioned in the budget,” the statement added.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16272', 'image' => '20221214051548_ecomonic crisis.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 17:14:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16530', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '4,285 Candidates Lost Deposits in the November 20 Polls ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">December 14: More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As many as 2411 candidates had filed their nominations to the House of Representatives and 3224 candidates were in the fray in the provincial assemblies across the country. Out of them, 1,962 candidates, including 189 females contesting the election to the House of Representatives lost their deposits. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Likewise, a total of 2,324 candidates, including 237 females and one from ‘other category’ lost their deposit from the provincial assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In a press meet organized on Wednesday, the Election Commission informed that as many as 4,285 candidates had lost their security deposits from both the lower house of the federal parliament and province assemblies.<br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 5,635 candidates had contested the polls to the House Representatives and province assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate loses deposit for failing to secure 10 per cent of the total valid votes. <br /> In the proportional representation system, if a political party fails to secure one seat, it will lose the deposit. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 47 political parties that have submitted closed list of candidates in the PR category, forty parties have lost their deposits in the House of Representatives. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In the provincial assemblies, thirty parties in the province-1, 26 in Madhes Province, 33 in Bagmati, 24 in Gandaki, 22 in Lumbini, 22 in Karnali and 28 parties in Sudurpaschim Province lost their deposits.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate has to submit a deposit of Rs 10,000 to contest the polls to the House of Representatives under the first-past-the-post category, while the party has to deposit Rs 50,000 for the submission of closed list of candidates in proportional representation (PR) category in the HoR. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">While contesting the polls under the first-past-the-post system, a candidate requires to submit a despot of Rs 5000 in the province assembly and Rs 25,000 for submission of closed list of candidates in the proportional representation category. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16271', 'image' => '20221214050517_collage (11).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 16:59:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The app developed by Titanium Technology was launched in Kathmandu on Monday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is launched as a platform to help find information about hospitals and doctors in one place. This app will not only provide information from various experts at one place, but also gives the qualification, experience of all types of doctors and the opening time and location of the hospitals and clinics. Titanium Technology says that since not everyone has the information about which specialist doctor and hospital to go to for a sensitive issue like health, this app will make such information accessible to everyone.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Inaugurating the app, Samindra Singh Thapa, managing director of the company said that the app can solve dilemmas like which specialist and which place to go in case of a health problem. He informed, “In the app, you can find information about doctors, clinics and diagnostic centers available in cities across Nepal, which can be used not only in the country but also by Nepalese living abroad for their relatives.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is available in both English and Nepali languages. The company informed that the app, which is currently only available on Play Store, will soon be available on the App Store as well.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16287', 'image' => '20221216043115_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 16:30:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16545', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Bhandari Urges the Government to Solve Problems Seen in Industrial Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:22px"> December 16: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Speaking at the Birat Expo organized in Biratanagr, Bhandari argued that Biratnagar, country’s major industrial estate, was struggling to retain its past glory. She expressed confidence that Biratanagar would set a good example in industrialization to the whole country.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">President Bhandari stressed the need to establish industries based on domestic raw materials. She also highlighted the need to forge coordination among farmers and industrialists to produce raw materials for the industries in the country. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">At the programme, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Chairman Sekhar Golchha said that country was experiencing a financial crisis never seen before. “Earlier, the country faced economic crises due to the earthquake, COVID-19 and other disasters”, Golchha stated. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">But, Golchha blamed that Nepal Rastra Bank and the government’s flawed policies had led to the current financial crisis facing the country.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Morang Industry Association’s Chairman Suyash Pyakurel said that country was in need of export promoting and import replacing industries. “Post-COVID financial crisis has adversely affected almost all industries and business in the country”, Pyakurel added.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16286', 'image' => '20221216035726_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 15:47:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16544', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflation Rises to 8.08 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 7.38 percent whereas non-food and service inflation rose to 8.63 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of restaurant and hotel sub-category increased 15.97 percent, tobacco products 11.81 percent, milk products and eggs 9.33 percent, cereal grains and their products 9.19 and alcoholic drinks 8.84 percent, as per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report released by NRB on Thursday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report based on four months of data, the y-o-y price index of transportation subcategory increased 17.71 percent, health 11.22 percent, recreation and culture 8.76 percent, housing and utilities 8.49 percent and furnishing and household equipment 8.33 percent under the non-food and services category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review month, consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, hill and mountain areas stood at 7.56 percent, 8.52 percent, 8.03 percent and 6.68 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 6.14 percent, 5.42 percent, 7.14 percent and 5.00 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16285', 'image' => '20221216010258_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 13:02:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16543', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export, Import Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal released by the central bank on Thursday states that merchandise exports decreased 33.3 percent in the first four months of FY 2022/23 amounting Rs 54.77 billion against an increase of 104.3 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India and China decreased 42.3 percent and 34.2 percent respectively whereas exports to other countries increased 7.4 percent. Exports of zinc sheet, particle board, woolen carpets, tea, readymade garments, among others, increased whereas exports of soybean oil, palm oil, oil cakes, jute goods, textiles, among others, decreased in the review period, the repot states. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports decreased 18.1 percent amounting to Rs 532.69 billion against an increase of 61.6 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries decreased 16.5 percent, 20.9 percent, and 20.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB report, imports of petroleum products, chemical fertilizer, sponge iron, gold, aircraft spare parts, among others, increased whereas imports of transport equipment and parts, silver, telecommunication equipment and parts, MS billet, crude soybean oil, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Based on customs points, exports from Dry Port, Jaleshwar, Kailali, Krishnanagar, Mechi and Tribhuwan Airport Customs Offices increased whereas exports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the import side, imports from Jaleshwar Customs Office increased whereas imports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Total trade deficit decreased 15.9 percent to Rs 477.92 billion during the four months of FY 2022/23. Such a deficit had increased 56.8 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio decreased to 10.3 percent in the review period from 12.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 42.69 billion. Such amount was Rs 71.40 billion in the same period of the previous year, added the NRB. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16284', 'image' => '20221216124439_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 12:44:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16542', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC Resumes Flights after Resolving Cabin Crew Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. Both domestic and international flights of the state-owned airlines company was halted from Thursday morning after the cabin crew members of NAC staged protest against the NAC management for not renewing contract of two air hostesses, who have been working at the corporations for the past 15 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">After the issue was resolved, regular flights resumed on Thursday evening, informed Archana Khadka, spokesperson of NAC.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">NAC said that the company’s management team and the agitating crew members held discussions throughout the day and sorted out the problem.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">According to Spokesperson Khadka, the flights that were halted throughout the day resumed in the evening. She further informed that the NAC’s scheduled flights to New Delhi and Riyadh took place after 8 pm on Thursday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Spokesperson Khadka said that the agitating cabin crew members resumed their work after NAC agreed to renew the contracts of all the staffers. The cabin crew members had started the protest alleging that the NAC tried to lay off two staff members – Aarati Maharjan and Smita Gubaju – without any reasons although they had been serving with the NAC since the last 15 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the NAC Cabin Crew Association had accused the company of delaying renewal of contract, not providing them identity cards and of unfair treatment in perks and facilities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16283', 'image' => '20221216111621_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 11:15:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16541', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Urges to Take Precaution as Mercury Level Continues to Plunge', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr Sanjay Kumar Thakur appealed to all to be alert considering the increasing risk of infection during the cold weather. As the mercury level has started falling down continuously for the last few days, senior citizens, chronic patients, children, expecting mothers are advised to take special precautions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The temperature of Kathmandu plummeted to as low as 7.6 degree Celsius on Friday, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The ministry has requested the general public to keep warm and protect themselves against the increasing cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Furthermore, the ministry advised to take warm food and water and suggested not to stay outdoor and open area for a long time. Proper ventilation should be maintained while using heater or geyser, the ministry said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Considering the risk of infection due to contaminated water and food, the ministry urged all to pay special attention to food intake. Washing hands before preparing and eating meal is also recommended. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16282', 'image' => '20221216105551_DaneBohara_Humla_RSS_14(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 10:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16539', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Turns into Seeds Importer from Exporter', 'sub_title' => 'Inability to Maintain Quality of Seeds to Blame for Halt in Export of Vegetable Seeds', 'summary' => 'December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. Nepal, which used to export seeds to various countries until 16 years ago, is currently importing vegetable seeds worth millions of rupees from those countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Agribusiness Promotion Support and Training Center, Nepal used to export vegetable seeds to India, Bangladesh, Germany and Japan by producing them in hill districts including Rukum, Salyan, Pyuthan since the fiscal year 2086/87. In that year, Nepal produced half a metric ton of radish seeds and exported them to Bangladesh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After Bangladesh increased the demand order saying that the seeds of Nepal were of good quality, Nepal started producing seeds of cauliflower, radish, brinjal and tomato and exported them to other countries as well. According to government data, Nepal exported up to 89 metric tons of seeds to India in FY 2006/07 due to good demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, Nepal could not give continuity to the production and export of seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the country is now forced to import seeds worth millions of rupees annually, says Amar Raj Sharma, senior crop development officer of the centre.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claims that the demand for vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is decreasing and the export has stopped due to the weakness of the Nepali seed production company. He said, “The main reason why the export of the seeds produced by us stopped is that we could not maintain the quality. If we can maintain the quality, we can still export seeds.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, since the seed production centers were established in remote areas, the germinating power of the seeds started to decrease while being transported to Kathmandu due to the bad condition of roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Seed producers also need to maintain a distance of at least two kilometers while producing seeds of two different varieties. However, the distance could not be maintained due to lack of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, adulteration was seen in the seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to lack of adequate irrigation and fertilizer, the size of seeds was also a problem. Apart from this, the work on development and growth of indigenous varieties of seeds could not be done. As per the information, there is also a decline in the development of hybrid varieties, due to which the demand for seeds from foreign countries stopped and subsequently the export also came to a halt.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The center informed New Business Age that Nepal imported about 150,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds worth more than Rs 433.39 million in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16280', 'image' => '20221215052644_ss-8-850x340 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 17:25:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16538', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Urgent Action Needed in South Asia to Curb Deadly Air Pollution', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. The new World Bank report shows that there are economically feasible, cost-effective solutions to achieve clean air in the region, but this requires countries to coordinate policies and investments. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report “Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia”, released on Wednesday, says concentrations of fine particulate matter such as soot and small dust (PM 2.5) in some of the region’s most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what WHO considers healthy (5 µg/mᶾ). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exposure to such extreme air pollution has impacts ranging from stunting and reduced cognitive development in children, to respiratory infections and chronic and debilitating diseases. This drives up healthcare costs, lowers a country’s productive capacity, and leads to lost days worked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Large industries, powerplants and vehicles are dominant sources of air pollution around the world, but in South Asia, other sources make substantial additional contributions, added the report. These include combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating, emissions from small industries such as brick kilns, burning of municipal and agricultural waste, and cremation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air pollution travels long distances— crossing municipal, state, and national boundaries—and gets trapped in large “airsheds” that are shaped by climatology and geography. The report identifies six major airsheds in South Asia where spatial interdependence in air quality is high. Particulate matter in each airshed comes from various sources and locations, for example less than half of the air pollution in South Asia’s major cities is produced within cities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Persistently hazardous levels of air pollution have caused a major public health crisis in South Asia that demands urgent action,” said Martin Raiser, World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia. “Curbing air pollution requires not only tackling its specific sources, but also close coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries. Regional cooperation can help implement cost-effective joint strategies that leverage the interdependent nature of air quality.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, several South Asian countries have adopted policies to help improve air quality, but their focus on mitigating air pollution generated within cities is yielding insufficient results. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report shows that current policy measures will only be partially successful in reducing PM 2.5 concentrations across South Asia even if fully implemented. To achieve greater progress, the focus of policy makers should expand into other sectors, particularly small manufacturing, agriculture, residential cooking, and waste management. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report analyzes four scenarios to reduce air pollution with varying degrees of policy implementation and cooperation among countries. The most cost-effective scenario, which calls for full coordination between airsheds, would cut the average exposure of PM 2.5 in South Asia to 30 µg/m³ at a cost of $278 million per µg/mᶾ of reduced exposure, and save more than 750,000 lives annually. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The economic benefits of policies to reduce air pollution in South Asia exceed the economic costs by a large margin,” said Hans Timmer, World Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia. “But optimal solutions depend on several factors such as better monitoring systems, more scientific capacity, greater coordination between governments, and behavioral change among farmers, small firms, and households.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16279', 'image' => '20221215045217_Air pollution report launch _World Bank_ICIMOD.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 16:50:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16536', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Flights Affected due to Low Visibility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), flights were affected due to insufficient visibility at the airports except Bhadrapur, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, Surkhet and Tumlingtar. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TIA Spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said that domestic flights could be affected in airports in Terai areas for few more days due to low visibility. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Buddha Air's Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna shared that flights in majority of airports in Terai were affected since Thursday morning due to low visibility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some airports are expected to operate after 12:00 pm, he said, adding that passengers have been facing problems to reach their destination due to the visibility problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are around 300 domestic flights on a daily basis. Buddha Air alone operates the highest number of flights in a day which is around 150 flights followed by Yeti Airlines with 58 flights. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Altogether 20 airline companies including 11 helicopter companies have been conducting domestic flights at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that some places in the Terai belt have been experiencing foggy weather today while majority of the places in hill areas were cloudy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hill areas in Gandaki, Lumbini, Province 1 and Bagmati Province will be partially cloudy while weather will remain generally fair in remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Valley's maximum temperature was 19 degree Celsius and minimum temper 7.6 degree Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16277', 'image' => '20221215014738_1639701101.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:46:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16535', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC Submits Election Report to President Bhandari ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president. The elections to the members of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies were held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya submitted the report to the President Bidya Devi Bhandari amid a programme organised at Sheetal Niwas on Thursday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is a provision that the EC should submit report of the final results of FPTP and PR electoral system to the head-of the state within seven days of the announcement of the election results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President Bhandari said election is important for strengthening democracy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing her happiness over the conclusion of the elections, she thanked all including the Election Commission, security bodies, stakeholders and voters for this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, CEO Thapaliya said the polls were concluded in a fair and fearless environment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Through the elections, a total of 825 people’s representatives were elected (275 under the HoR and 550 under the PA). Women’s participation in the HoR is 33.10 percent, and 36.36 percent in the PA. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s representatives are scheduled to present a report along with the results of PA polls to the chief of all seven provinces on December 17, said the EC. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Present on the occasion were election commissioners Ishwori Prasad Paudel, Ram Prasad Bhandari, Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and the EC secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, among others. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16276', 'image' => '20221215013519_Pro_Ktm_ECN_President(5)(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16534', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tactical Masterplan Takes France into World Cup Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">AGENCIES<br /> December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday. According to media reports, holders France stayed on course to become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani at Al Bayt Stadium.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Morocco, the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup, had built their success on brilliant defending and fast counter attacks, but they got a taste of their own medicine when France abandoned possession early on and struck after five minutes, Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the news agency, Theo Hernandez's high hooked finish from a deflected Kylian Mbappe shot put the defending champions ahead and forced Walid Regragui's team to take the initiative, ending the game with more possession than Les Bleus.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Morocco pushed hard after the break, giving Mbappe more and more space off the left flank. The Paris St Germain forward then switched to a lone-striker role when Marcus Thuram replaced Giroud on 65 minutes,” Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Substitute Randal Kolo Muani poked the ball home 11 minutes from time with his first touch after some brilliant work by Mbappe. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium, added the news agency.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16275', 'image' => '20221215112442_np_file_199519.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:23:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16533', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC to Submit Election Report to President Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). The EC said it will submit the results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems. <br /> The EC had published the final results of the HoR and Province Assembly elections on Wednesday. <br /> There is a provision that the EC should submit the final results of the HoR election to the president and province assembly elections to the concerned province chiefs within seven days of the announcement of the election results. <br /> According to the EC, it is set to present the report containing the results of HoR elections to the president on Thursday. <br /> Likewise, the reports of province assembly election would be submitted to the concerned province chiefs on December 17, the EC source said. <br /> The name list of elected HoR and PA members would be published in the Nepal Gazette after submission of the reports to the president and province chiefs. <br /> As per the election results report prepared by the EC, a total of 825 individuals including 275 HoR members and 550 Province Assemblies members were elected during the November 20 elections. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16274', 'image' => '20221215110222_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:01:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16532', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Special Economic Zones(SEZ) Fail to Attract Investors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">December 15 : Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Nine months have passed since Special Economic Authority called for proposals to establish and operate industries in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. But, only half a dozen industries have signed an agreement to establish industries in Bhairahawa SEZ so far. SEZ Authority has called for the proposal second time as no one submitted proposals to operate industries in Simara SEZ in the first call. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Calling for proposals, SEZ Authority had issued a notice to establish industries in both SEZs nine months ago. Since then, SEZ authority has re-called for the proposal twice. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to SEZ Authority’s Executive Director Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta, number of investors signing the agreement is fewer than those taking permission. <br /> According to the SEZ Authority, 45 plots of Bhairahawa SEZ and 68 plots of Simara SEZ are ready for the establishment and operation of industries.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">SEZ Authority had issued notice saying that SEZs had become ready in March 2022 first time. Since then, the authority has re-issued calls in May and August as well. According to the authority, investors have received the permission for 69 plots. Out of them, 37 are from Simara and 32 from Bhairahawa. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors, who have paid Rs 25,000 per plot permission fee, have proposed investment of Rs 6 billion and Rs 4 billion in Simara and Bhairahawa SEZs respectively. Out of them, only seven investors and industrialists have signed an agreement to establish industries. As per the authority, five industries have signed an agreement in Bhairahawa SEZ while two have inked agreement in Simara SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors granted permission have shown reluctance despite repeated calls by the SEZ authority.<br /> A seven-day deadline was given to the investors granted permission to establish industries on November 25. Since no one approached the authority, the authority has extended the deadline twice, said sub-Engineer Sagar Silwal of the authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">“The authority will extend the deadline for the last time. If the investors granted permission do not come, their permission will be scrapped and fee will not be refunded”, added Sagar Silwal. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had started construction of SEZ in 2014. So far, as many as 113 plots have got ready. Out of them, only a few plots have come into use.In the first SEZ established in Bhairahawa, only seven industries are operating. Not a single industry is established in Simara SEZ. </span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Special Economic Zone Authority-2073 BS Act has provisioned to provide facilities to the industries in the SEZ through one-window system. But, its implementation is nowhere in sight. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the Act, Nepal Rastra Bank, Company Registrar’s Office, Custom Office, Post office and industry registrar’s desk have to be established in the premises of SEZ authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government ha spent around Rs 4 billion to construct industrial infrastructure in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Panchkanya Group, Shakti Minerals, Lead Light, some plastic and utensil industries are operating in Bhairahawa SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">To lure investors and industrialists in the SEZ, the government has slashed export limit from 75 per cent to 60 per cent. Likewise, they have to export product from the second year of the establishment of their industries. The government has also lowered rent. “We are preparing a draft to amend the act incorporating all changes made to attract investors”, said SEZ authority.</span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Tirupati Metal Industries’ Investor Bikash Agrawal said that they could not expand their investment in SEZ for failing to get bank loan. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Entrepreneurs and industrialists say that non-implementation of one-window system, lack of coordination among the government agencies, exorbitant rent, and 60 per cent export limit have discouraged potential investors and industrialists from establishing industries in the SEZ. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16273', 'image' => '20221215072130_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 07:17:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16531', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI Requests NRB To Take Special Initiative to Save the Economy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch .', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch and to ensure interest rate stability and price stability as the economy is being affected by internal and external factors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A delegation led by FNCCI President Sekhar Golchha met with high-ranking officials of NRB, including Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari, on Tuesday and made such request.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The private sector of Nepal is probably going through the most difficult situation," Golchha said, adding, "The central bank should make the economy viable through measures such as interest rate stability, and suspension of new arrangements related to current capital loans."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Delegates of FNCCI, with its goal to 'Save the Economy', are meeting the top leaders of the country's major political parties, the head of government and the finance minister, requesting them to solve the problem.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A statement issued by the FNCCI says that Golchha has urged the NRB governor to create a conducive environment for the entire private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, FNCCI has suggested that the government and the central bank should adopt various measures to protect the economy since the increase in the interest rates has affected the entrepreneurs while multi-faceted risks have increased in about a year since they started to control the market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has urged central bank to postpone the implementation of the Current Working Capital Guidelines 2079 for at least two years as it will harm the country's business sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The monetary policy mandates that the average spread rate (interest rate gap) of commercial banks should be maintained at 4 per cent and 4.6 per cent for development banks and finance companies. FNCCI appreciated the central bank for maintaining the spread rate, stating that it would help the economy against risk factors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the FNCCI has suggested reducing the base rate of the banks and financial institution in order to decrease the interest rate. Therefore, both the government and the central bank should find ways to inject liquidity into the market and reduce interest rates, the FNCCI statement reads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, FNCCI has asked for at least a one-year loan renewal facility, and to reduce the mandatory cash ratio by one percentage point.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has also requested the NRB to take special initiatives to increase capital expenditure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Government should provide loans to manufacturing industries at lower interest rates, as mentioned in the budget,” the statement added.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16272', 'image' => '20221214051548_ecomonic crisis.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 17:14:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16530', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '4,285 Candidates Lost Deposits in the November 20 Polls ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">December 14: More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As many as 2411 candidates had filed their nominations to the House of Representatives and 3224 candidates were in the fray in the provincial assemblies across the country. Out of them, 1,962 candidates, including 189 females contesting the election to the House of Representatives lost their deposits. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Likewise, a total of 2,324 candidates, including 237 females and one from ‘other category’ lost their deposit from the provincial assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In a press meet organized on Wednesday, the Election Commission informed that as many as 4,285 candidates had lost their security deposits from both the lower house of the federal parliament and province assemblies.<br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 5,635 candidates had contested the polls to the House Representatives and province assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate loses deposit for failing to secure 10 per cent of the total valid votes. <br /> In the proportional representation system, if a political party fails to secure one seat, it will lose the deposit. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 47 political parties that have submitted closed list of candidates in the PR category, forty parties have lost their deposits in the House of Representatives. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In the provincial assemblies, thirty parties in the province-1, 26 in Madhes Province, 33 in Bagmati, 24 in Gandaki, 22 in Lumbini, 22 in Karnali and 28 parties in Sudurpaschim Province lost their deposits.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate has to submit a deposit of Rs 10,000 to contest the polls to the House of Representatives under the first-past-the-post category, while the party has to deposit Rs 50,000 for the submission of closed list of candidates in proportional representation (PR) category in the HoR. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">While contesting the polls under the first-past-the-post system, a candidate requires to submit a despot of Rs 5000 in the province assembly and Rs 25,000 for submission of closed list of candidates in the proportional representation category. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16271', 'image' => '20221214050517_collage (11).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 16:59:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 60 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The app developed by Titanium Technology was launched in Kathmandu on Monday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is launched as a platform to help find information about hospitals and doctors in one place. This app will not only provide information from various experts at one place, but also gives the qualification, experience of all types of doctors and the opening time and location of the hospitals and clinics. Titanium Technology says that since not everyone has the information about which specialist doctor and hospital to go to for a sensitive issue like health, this app will make such information accessible to everyone.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Inaugurating the app, Samindra Singh Thapa, managing director of the company said that the app can solve dilemmas like which specialist and which place to go in case of a health problem. He informed, “In the app, you can find information about doctors, clinics and diagnostic centers available in cities across Nepal, which can be used not only in the country but also by Nepalese living abroad for their relatives.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is available in both English and Nepali languages. The company informed that the app, which is currently only available on Play Store, will soon be available on the App Store as well.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16287', 'image' => '20221216043115_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 16:30:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16545', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Bhandari Urges the Government to Solve Problems Seen in Industrial Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:22px"> December 16: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Speaking at the Birat Expo organized in Biratanagr, Bhandari argued that Biratnagar, country’s major industrial estate, was struggling to retain its past glory. She expressed confidence that Biratanagar would set a good example in industrialization to the whole country.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">President Bhandari stressed the need to establish industries based on domestic raw materials. She also highlighted the need to forge coordination among farmers and industrialists to produce raw materials for the industries in the country. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">At the programme, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Chairman Sekhar Golchha said that country was experiencing a financial crisis never seen before. “Earlier, the country faced economic crises due to the earthquake, COVID-19 and other disasters”, Golchha stated. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">But, Golchha blamed that Nepal Rastra Bank and the government’s flawed policies had led to the current financial crisis facing the country.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Morang Industry Association’s Chairman Suyash Pyakurel said that country was in need of export promoting and import replacing industries. “Post-COVID financial crisis has adversely affected almost all industries and business in the country”, Pyakurel added.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16286', 'image' => '20221216035726_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 15:47:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16544', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflation Rises to 8.08 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 7.38 percent whereas non-food and service inflation rose to 8.63 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of restaurant and hotel sub-category increased 15.97 percent, tobacco products 11.81 percent, milk products and eggs 9.33 percent, cereal grains and their products 9.19 and alcoholic drinks 8.84 percent, as per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report released by NRB on Thursday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report based on four months of data, the y-o-y price index of transportation subcategory increased 17.71 percent, health 11.22 percent, recreation and culture 8.76 percent, housing and utilities 8.49 percent and furnishing and household equipment 8.33 percent under the non-food and services category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review month, consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, hill and mountain areas stood at 7.56 percent, 8.52 percent, 8.03 percent and 6.68 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 6.14 percent, 5.42 percent, 7.14 percent and 5.00 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16285', 'image' => '20221216010258_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 13:02:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16543', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export, Import Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal released by the central bank on Thursday states that merchandise exports decreased 33.3 percent in the first four months of FY 2022/23 amounting Rs 54.77 billion against an increase of 104.3 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India and China decreased 42.3 percent and 34.2 percent respectively whereas exports to other countries increased 7.4 percent. Exports of zinc sheet, particle board, woolen carpets, tea, readymade garments, among others, increased whereas exports of soybean oil, palm oil, oil cakes, jute goods, textiles, among others, decreased in the review period, the repot states. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports decreased 18.1 percent amounting to Rs 532.69 billion against an increase of 61.6 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries decreased 16.5 percent, 20.9 percent, and 20.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB report, imports of petroleum products, chemical fertilizer, sponge iron, gold, aircraft spare parts, among others, increased whereas imports of transport equipment and parts, silver, telecommunication equipment and parts, MS billet, crude soybean oil, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Based on customs points, exports from Dry Port, Jaleshwar, Kailali, Krishnanagar, Mechi and Tribhuwan Airport Customs Offices increased whereas exports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the import side, imports from Jaleshwar Customs Office increased whereas imports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Total trade deficit decreased 15.9 percent to Rs 477.92 billion during the four months of FY 2022/23. Such a deficit had increased 56.8 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio decreased to 10.3 percent in the review period from 12.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 42.69 billion. Such amount was Rs 71.40 billion in the same period of the previous year, added the NRB. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16284', 'image' => '20221216124439_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 12:44:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16542', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC Resumes Flights after Resolving Cabin Crew Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. Both domestic and international flights of the state-owned airlines company was halted from Thursday morning after the cabin crew members of NAC staged protest against the NAC management for not renewing contract of two air hostesses, who have been working at the corporations for the past 15 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">After the issue was resolved, regular flights resumed on Thursday evening, informed Archana Khadka, spokesperson of NAC.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">NAC said that the company’s management team and the agitating crew members held discussions throughout the day and sorted out the problem.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">According to Spokesperson Khadka, the flights that were halted throughout the day resumed in the evening. She further informed that the NAC’s scheduled flights to New Delhi and Riyadh took place after 8 pm on Thursday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Spokesperson Khadka said that the agitating cabin crew members resumed their work after NAC agreed to renew the contracts of all the staffers. The cabin crew members had started the protest alleging that the NAC tried to lay off two staff members – Aarati Maharjan and Smita Gubaju – without any reasons although they had been serving with the NAC since the last 15 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the NAC Cabin Crew Association had accused the company of delaying renewal of contract, not providing them identity cards and of unfair treatment in perks and facilities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16283', 'image' => '20221216111621_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 11:15:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16541', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Urges to Take Precaution as Mercury Level Continues to Plunge', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr Sanjay Kumar Thakur appealed to all to be alert considering the increasing risk of infection during the cold weather. As the mercury level has started falling down continuously for the last few days, senior citizens, chronic patients, children, expecting mothers are advised to take special precautions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The temperature of Kathmandu plummeted to as low as 7.6 degree Celsius on Friday, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The ministry has requested the general public to keep warm and protect themselves against the increasing cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Furthermore, the ministry advised to take warm food and water and suggested not to stay outdoor and open area for a long time. Proper ventilation should be maintained while using heater or geyser, the ministry said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Considering the risk of infection due to contaminated water and food, the ministry urged all to pay special attention to food intake. Washing hands before preparing and eating meal is also recommended. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16282', 'image' => '20221216105551_DaneBohara_Humla_RSS_14(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 10:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16539', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Turns into Seeds Importer from Exporter', 'sub_title' => 'Inability to Maintain Quality of Seeds to Blame for Halt in Export of Vegetable Seeds', 'summary' => 'December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. Nepal, which used to export seeds to various countries until 16 years ago, is currently importing vegetable seeds worth millions of rupees from those countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Agribusiness Promotion Support and Training Center, Nepal used to export vegetable seeds to India, Bangladesh, Germany and Japan by producing them in hill districts including Rukum, Salyan, Pyuthan since the fiscal year 2086/87. In that year, Nepal produced half a metric ton of radish seeds and exported them to Bangladesh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After Bangladesh increased the demand order saying that the seeds of Nepal were of good quality, Nepal started producing seeds of cauliflower, radish, brinjal and tomato and exported them to other countries as well. According to government data, Nepal exported up to 89 metric tons of seeds to India in FY 2006/07 due to good demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, Nepal could not give continuity to the production and export of seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the country is now forced to import seeds worth millions of rupees annually, says Amar Raj Sharma, senior crop development officer of the centre.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claims that the demand for vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is decreasing and the export has stopped due to the weakness of the Nepali seed production company. He said, “The main reason why the export of the seeds produced by us stopped is that we could not maintain the quality. If we can maintain the quality, we can still export seeds.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, since the seed production centers were established in remote areas, the germinating power of the seeds started to decrease while being transported to Kathmandu due to the bad condition of roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Seed producers also need to maintain a distance of at least two kilometers while producing seeds of two different varieties. However, the distance could not be maintained due to lack of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, adulteration was seen in the seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to lack of adequate irrigation and fertilizer, the size of seeds was also a problem. Apart from this, the work on development and growth of indigenous varieties of seeds could not be done. As per the information, there is also a decline in the development of hybrid varieties, due to which the demand for seeds from foreign countries stopped and subsequently the export also came to a halt.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The center informed New Business Age that Nepal imported about 150,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds worth more than Rs 433.39 million in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16280', 'image' => '20221215052644_ss-8-850x340 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 17:25:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16538', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Urgent Action Needed in South Asia to Curb Deadly Air Pollution', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. The new World Bank report shows that there are economically feasible, cost-effective solutions to achieve clean air in the region, but this requires countries to coordinate policies and investments. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report “Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia”, released on Wednesday, says concentrations of fine particulate matter such as soot and small dust (PM 2.5) in some of the region’s most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what WHO considers healthy (5 µg/mᶾ). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exposure to such extreme air pollution has impacts ranging from stunting and reduced cognitive development in children, to respiratory infections and chronic and debilitating diseases. This drives up healthcare costs, lowers a country’s productive capacity, and leads to lost days worked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Large industries, powerplants and vehicles are dominant sources of air pollution around the world, but in South Asia, other sources make substantial additional contributions, added the report. These include combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating, emissions from small industries such as brick kilns, burning of municipal and agricultural waste, and cremation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air pollution travels long distances— crossing municipal, state, and national boundaries—and gets trapped in large “airsheds” that are shaped by climatology and geography. The report identifies six major airsheds in South Asia where spatial interdependence in air quality is high. Particulate matter in each airshed comes from various sources and locations, for example less than half of the air pollution in South Asia’s major cities is produced within cities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Persistently hazardous levels of air pollution have caused a major public health crisis in South Asia that demands urgent action,” said Martin Raiser, World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia. “Curbing air pollution requires not only tackling its specific sources, but also close coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries. Regional cooperation can help implement cost-effective joint strategies that leverage the interdependent nature of air quality.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, several South Asian countries have adopted policies to help improve air quality, but their focus on mitigating air pollution generated within cities is yielding insufficient results. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report shows that current policy measures will only be partially successful in reducing PM 2.5 concentrations across South Asia even if fully implemented. To achieve greater progress, the focus of policy makers should expand into other sectors, particularly small manufacturing, agriculture, residential cooking, and waste management. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report analyzes four scenarios to reduce air pollution with varying degrees of policy implementation and cooperation among countries. The most cost-effective scenario, which calls for full coordination between airsheds, would cut the average exposure of PM 2.5 in South Asia to 30 µg/m³ at a cost of $278 million per µg/mᶾ of reduced exposure, and save more than 750,000 lives annually. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The economic benefits of policies to reduce air pollution in South Asia exceed the economic costs by a large margin,” said Hans Timmer, World Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia. “But optimal solutions depend on several factors such as better monitoring systems, more scientific capacity, greater coordination between governments, and behavioral change among farmers, small firms, and households.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16279', 'image' => '20221215045217_Air pollution report launch _World Bank_ICIMOD.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 16:50:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16536', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Flights Affected due to Low Visibility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), flights were affected due to insufficient visibility at the airports except Bhadrapur, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, Surkhet and Tumlingtar. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TIA Spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said that domestic flights could be affected in airports in Terai areas for few more days due to low visibility. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Buddha Air's Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna shared that flights in majority of airports in Terai were affected since Thursday morning due to low visibility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some airports are expected to operate after 12:00 pm, he said, adding that passengers have been facing problems to reach their destination due to the visibility problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are around 300 domestic flights on a daily basis. Buddha Air alone operates the highest number of flights in a day which is around 150 flights followed by Yeti Airlines with 58 flights. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Altogether 20 airline companies including 11 helicopter companies have been conducting domestic flights at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that some places in the Terai belt have been experiencing foggy weather today while majority of the places in hill areas were cloudy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hill areas in Gandaki, Lumbini, Province 1 and Bagmati Province will be partially cloudy while weather will remain generally fair in remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Valley's maximum temperature was 19 degree Celsius and minimum temper 7.6 degree Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16277', 'image' => '20221215014738_1639701101.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:46:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16535', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC Submits Election Report to President Bhandari ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president. The elections to the members of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies were held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya submitted the report to the President Bidya Devi Bhandari amid a programme organised at Sheetal Niwas on Thursday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is a provision that the EC should submit report of the final results of FPTP and PR electoral system to the head-of the state within seven days of the announcement of the election results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President Bhandari said election is important for strengthening democracy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing her happiness over the conclusion of the elections, she thanked all including the Election Commission, security bodies, stakeholders and voters for this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, CEO Thapaliya said the polls were concluded in a fair and fearless environment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Through the elections, a total of 825 people’s representatives were elected (275 under the HoR and 550 under the PA). Women’s participation in the HoR is 33.10 percent, and 36.36 percent in the PA. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s representatives are scheduled to present a report along with the results of PA polls to the chief of all seven provinces on December 17, said the EC. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Present on the occasion were election commissioners Ishwori Prasad Paudel, Ram Prasad Bhandari, Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and the EC secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, among others. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16276', 'image' => '20221215013519_Pro_Ktm_ECN_President(5)(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16534', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tactical Masterplan Takes France into World Cup Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">AGENCIES<br /> December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday. According to media reports, holders France stayed on course to become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani at Al Bayt Stadium.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Morocco, the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup, had built their success on brilliant defending and fast counter attacks, but they got a taste of their own medicine when France abandoned possession early on and struck after five minutes, Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the news agency, Theo Hernandez's high hooked finish from a deflected Kylian Mbappe shot put the defending champions ahead and forced Walid Regragui's team to take the initiative, ending the game with more possession than Les Bleus.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Morocco pushed hard after the break, giving Mbappe more and more space off the left flank. The Paris St Germain forward then switched to a lone-striker role when Marcus Thuram replaced Giroud on 65 minutes,” Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Substitute Randal Kolo Muani poked the ball home 11 minutes from time with his first touch after some brilliant work by Mbappe. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium, added the news agency.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16275', 'image' => '20221215112442_np_file_199519.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:23:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16533', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC to Submit Election Report to President Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). The EC said it will submit the results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems. <br /> The EC had published the final results of the HoR and Province Assembly elections on Wednesday. <br /> There is a provision that the EC should submit the final results of the HoR election to the president and province assembly elections to the concerned province chiefs within seven days of the announcement of the election results. <br /> According to the EC, it is set to present the report containing the results of HoR elections to the president on Thursday. <br /> Likewise, the reports of province assembly election would be submitted to the concerned province chiefs on December 17, the EC source said. <br /> The name list of elected HoR and PA members would be published in the Nepal Gazette after submission of the reports to the president and province chiefs. <br /> As per the election results report prepared by the EC, a total of 825 individuals including 275 HoR members and 550 Province Assemblies members were elected during the November 20 elections. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16274', 'image' => '20221215110222_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:01:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16532', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Special Economic Zones(SEZ) Fail to Attract Investors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">December 15 : Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Nine months have passed since Special Economic Authority called for proposals to establish and operate industries in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. But, only half a dozen industries have signed an agreement to establish industries in Bhairahawa SEZ so far. SEZ Authority has called for the proposal second time as no one submitted proposals to operate industries in Simara SEZ in the first call. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Calling for proposals, SEZ Authority had issued a notice to establish industries in both SEZs nine months ago. Since then, SEZ authority has re-called for the proposal twice. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to SEZ Authority’s Executive Director Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta, number of investors signing the agreement is fewer than those taking permission. <br /> According to the SEZ Authority, 45 plots of Bhairahawa SEZ and 68 plots of Simara SEZ are ready for the establishment and operation of industries.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">SEZ Authority had issued notice saying that SEZs had become ready in March 2022 first time. Since then, the authority has re-issued calls in May and August as well. According to the authority, investors have received the permission for 69 plots. Out of them, 37 are from Simara and 32 from Bhairahawa. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors, who have paid Rs 25,000 per plot permission fee, have proposed investment of Rs 6 billion and Rs 4 billion in Simara and Bhairahawa SEZs respectively. Out of them, only seven investors and industrialists have signed an agreement to establish industries. As per the authority, five industries have signed an agreement in Bhairahawa SEZ while two have inked agreement in Simara SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors granted permission have shown reluctance despite repeated calls by the SEZ authority.<br /> A seven-day deadline was given to the investors granted permission to establish industries on November 25. Since no one approached the authority, the authority has extended the deadline twice, said sub-Engineer Sagar Silwal of the authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">“The authority will extend the deadline for the last time. If the investors granted permission do not come, their permission will be scrapped and fee will not be refunded”, added Sagar Silwal. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had started construction of SEZ in 2014. So far, as many as 113 plots have got ready. Out of them, only a few plots have come into use.In the first SEZ established in Bhairahawa, only seven industries are operating. Not a single industry is established in Simara SEZ. </span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Special Economic Zone Authority-2073 BS Act has provisioned to provide facilities to the industries in the SEZ through one-window system. But, its implementation is nowhere in sight. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the Act, Nepal Rastra Bank, Company Registrar’s Office, Custom Office, Post office and industry registrar’s desk have to be established in the premises of SEZ authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government ha spent around Rs 4 billion to construct industrial infrastructure in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Panchkanya Group, Shakti Minerals, Lead Light, some plastic and utensil industries are operating in Bhairahawa SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">To lure investors and industrialists in the SEZ, the government has slashed export limit from 75 per cent to 60 per cent. Likewise, they have to export product from the second year of the establishment of their industries. The government has also lowered rent. “We are preparing a draft to amend the act incorporating all changes made to attract investors”, said SEZ authority.</span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Tirupati Metal Industries’ Investor Bikash Agrawal said that they could not expand their investment in SEZ for failing to get bank loan. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Entrepreneurs and industrialists say that non-implementation of one-window system, lack of coordination among the government agencies, exorbitant rent, and 60 per cent export limit have discouraged potential investors and industrialists from establishing industries in the SEZ. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16273', 'image' => '20221215072130_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 07:17:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16531', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI Requests NRB To Take Special Initiative to Save the Economy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch .', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch and to ensure interest rate stability and price stability as the economy is being affected by internal and external factors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A delegation led by FNCCI President Sekhar Golchha met with high-ranking officials of NRB, including Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari, on Tuesday and made such request.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The private sector of Nepal is probably going through the most difficult situation," Golchha said, adding, "The central bank should make the economy viable through measures such as interest rate stability, and suspension of new arrangements related to current capital loans."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Delegates of FNCCI, with its goal to 'Save the Economy', are meeting the top leaders of the country's major political parties, the head of government and the finance minister, requesting them to solve the problem.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A statement issued by the FNCCI says that Golchha has urged the NRB governor to create a conducive environment for the entire private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, FNCCI has suggested that the government and the central bank should adopt various measures to protect the economy since the increase in the interest rates has affected the entrepreneurs while multi-faceted risks have increased in about a year since they started to control the market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has urged central bank to postpone the implementation of the Current Working Capital Guidelines 2079 for at least two years as it will harm the country's business sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The monetary policy mandates that the average spread rate (interest rate gap) of commercial banks should be maintained at 4 per cent and 4.6 per cent for development banks and finance companies. FNCCI appreciated the central bank for maintaining the spread rate, stating that it would help the economy against risk factors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the FNCCI has suggested reducing the base rate of the banks and financial institution in order to decrease the interest rate. Therefore, both the government and the central bank should find ways to inject liquidity into the market and reduce interest rates, the FNCCI statement reads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, FNCCI has asked for at least a one-year loan renewal facility, and to reduce the mandatory cash ratio by one percentage point.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has also requested the NRB to take special initiatives to increase capital expenditure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Government should provide loans to manufacturing industries at lower interest rates, as mentioned in the budget,” the statement added.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16272', 'image' => '20221214051548_ecomonic crisis.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 17:14:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16530', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '4,285 Candidates Lost Deposits in the November 20 Polls ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">December 14: More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As many as 2411 candidates had filed their nominations to the House of Representatives and 3224 candidates were in the fray in the provincial assemblies across the country. Out of them, 1,962 candidates, including 189 females contesting the election to the House of Representatives lost their deposits. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Likewise, a total of 2,324 candidates, including 237 females and one from ‘other category’ lost their deposit from the provincial assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In a press meet organized on Wednesday, the Election Commission informed that as many as 4,285 candidates had lost their security deposits from both the lower house of the federal parliament and province assemblies.<br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 5,635 candidates had contested the polls to the House Representatives and province assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate loses deposit for failing to secure 10 per cent of the total valid votes. <br /> In the proportional representation system, if a political party fails to secure one seat, it will lose the deposit. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 47 political parties that have submitted closed list of candidates in the PR category, forty parties have lost their deposits in the House of Representatives. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In the provincial assemblies, thirty parties in the province-1, 26 in Madhes Province, 33 in Bagmati, 24 in Gandaki, 22 in Lumbini, 22 in Karnali and 28 parties in Sudurpaschim Province lost their deposits.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate has to submit a deposit of Rs 10,000 to contest the polls to the House of Representatives under the first-past-the-post category, while the party has to deposit Rs 50,000 for the submission of closed list of candidates in proportional representation (PR) category in the HoR. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">While contesting the polls under the first-past-the-post system, a candidate requires to submit a despot of Rs 5000 in the province assembly and Rs 25,000 for submission of closed list of candidates in the proportional representation category. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16271', 'image' => '20221214050517_collage (11).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 16:59:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falseinclude - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
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The app developed by Titanium Technology was launched in Kathmandu on Monday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is launched as a platform to help find information about hospitals and doctors in one place. This app will not only provide information from various experts at one place, but also gives the qualification, experience of all types of doctors and the opening time and location of the hospitals and clinics. Titanium Technology says that since not everyone has the information about which specialist doctor and hospital to go to for a sensitive issue like health, this app will make such information accessible to everyone.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> Inaugurating the app, Samindra Singh Thapa, managing director of the company said that the app can solve dilemmas like which specialist and which place to go in case of a health problem. He informed, “In the app, you can find information about doctors, clinics and diagnostic centers available in cities across Nepal, which can be used not only in the country but also by Nepalese living abroad for their relatives.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The app is available in both English and Nepali languages. The company informed that the app, which is currently only available on Play Store, will soon be available on the App Store as well.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16287', 'image' => '20221216043115_health sector.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 16:30:36', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 1 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16545', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'President Bhandari Urges the Government to Solve Problems Seen in Industrial Sector ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => ' President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:22px"> December 16: President Bidhya Devi Bhandari urged the government to solve the problems seen in the industrial sector on Friday.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Speaking at the Birat Expo organized in Biratanagr, Bhandari argued that Biratnagar, country’s major industrial estate, was struggling to retain its past glory. She expressed confidence that Biratanagar would set a good example in industrialization to the whole country.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">President Bhandari stressed the need to establish industries based on domestic raw materials. She also highlighted the need to forge coordination among farmers and industrialists to produce raw materials for the industries in the country. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">At the programme, Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Chairman Sekhar Golchha said that country was experiencing a financial crisis never seen before. “Earlier, the country faced economic crises due to the earthquake, COVID-19 and other disasters”, Golchha stated. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">But, Golchha blamed that Nepal Rastra Bank and the government’s flawed policies had led to the current financial crisis facing the country.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:22px">Morang Industry Association’s Chairman Suyash Pyakurel said that country was in need of export promoting and import replacing industries. “Post-COVID financial crisis has adversely affected almost all industries and business in the country”, Pyakurel added.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16286', 'image' => '20221216035726_collage (14).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 15:47:11', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 2 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16544', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Inflation Rises to 8.08 Percent', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: The year-on-year consumer price inflation increased to 8.08 percent in mid-November 2022 compared to 6.04 percent a year ago. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to Nepal Rastra Bank, food and beverage inflation stood at 7.38 percent whereas non-food and service inflation rose to 8.63 percent in the review month. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Under the food and beverage category, y-o-y price index of restaurant and hotel sub-category increased 15.97 percent, tobacco products 11.81 percent, milk products and eggs 9.33 percent, cereal grains and their products 9.19 and alcoholic drinks 8.84 percent, as per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report released by NRB on Thursday.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report based on four months of data, the y-o-y price index of transportation subcategory increased 17.71 percent, health 11.22 percent, recreation and culture 8.76 percent, housing and utilities 8.49 percent and furnishing and household equipment 8.33 percent under the non-food and services category.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">In the review month, consumer price inflation in the Kathmandu Valley, Terai, hill and mountain areas stood at 7.56 percent, 8.52 percent, 8.03 percent and 6.68 percent respectively. Inflation in these regions were 6.14 percent, 5.42 percent, 7.14 percent and 5.00 percent respectively a year ago.</span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16285', 'image' => '20221216010258_Inflation.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 13:02:20', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 3 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16543', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal’s Export, Import Decline', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 16: Nepal’s exports decreased by 33.3 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest report of Nepal Rastra Bank.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation Report of Nepal released by the central bank on Thursday states that merchandise exports decreased 33.3 percent in the first four months of FY 2022/23 amounting Rs 54.77 billion against an increase of 104.3 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Destination-wise, exports to India and China decreased 42.3 percent and 34.2 percent respectively whereas exports to other countries increased 7.4 percent. Exports of zinc sheet, particle board, woolen carpets, tea, readymade garments, among others, increased whereas exports of soybean oil, palm oil, oil cakes, jute goods, textiles, among others, decreased in the review period, the repot states. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the first four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports decreased 18.1 percent amounting to Rs 532.69 billion against an increase of 61.6 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China and other countries decreased 16.5 percent, 20.9 percent, and 20.1 percent respectively. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the NRB report, imports of petroleum products, chemical fertilizer, sponge iron, gold, aircraft spare parts, among others, increased whereas imports of transport equipment and parts, silver, telecommunication equipment and parts, MS billet, crude soybean oil, among others, decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Based on customs points, exports from Dry Port, Jaleshwar, Kailali, Krishnanagar, Mechi and Tribhuwan Airport Customs Offices increased whereas exports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">On the import side, imports from Jaleshwar Customs Office increased whereas imports from all the other major customs points decreased in the review period. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Total trade deficit decreased 15.9 percent to Rs 477.92 billion during the four months of FY 2022/23. Such a deficit had increased 56.8 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio decreased to 10.3 percent in the review period from 12.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">During the four months of FY 2022/23, merchandise imports from India by paying convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 42.69 billion. Such amount was Rs 71.40 billion in the same period of the previous year, added the NRB. </span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16284', 'image' => '20221216124439_Trade.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 12:44:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 4 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16542', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'NAC Resumes Flights after Resolving Cabin Crew Protest', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">December 16: Nepal Airlines Corporation has resumed its flights that were obstructed on Thursday due to the protest by cabin crew members. Both domestic and international flights of the state-owned airlines company was halted from Thursday morning after the cabin crew members of NAC staged protest against the NAC management for not renewing contract of two air hostesses, who have been working at the corporations for the past 15 years. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">After the issue was resolved, regular flights resumed on Thursday evening, informed Archana Khadka, spokesperson of NAC.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">NAC said that the company’s management team and the agitating crew members held discussions throughout the day and sorted out the problem.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">According to Spokesperson Khadka, the flights that were halted throughout the day resumed in the evening. She further informed that the NAC’s scheduled flights to New Delhi and Riyadh took place after 8 pm on Thursday. </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Spokesperson Khadka said that the agitating cabin crew members resumed their work after NAC agreed to renew the contracts of all the staffers. The cabin crew members had started the protest alleging that the NAC tried to lay off two staff members – Aarati Maharjan and Smita Gubaju – without any reasons although they had been serving with the NAC since the last 15 years.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="font-family:"arial sans-serif","serif"">Issuing a statement on Thursday, the NAC Cabin Crew Association had accused the company of delaying renewal of contract, not providing them identity cards and of unfair treatment in perks and facilities.</span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16283', 'image' => '20221216111621_NAC.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 11:15:33', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 5 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16541', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Health Ministry Urges to Take Precaution as Mercury Level Continues to Plunge', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 16: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to take precautions as the temperature is becoming increasingly cold across the country including Kathmandu Valley. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr Sanjay Kumar Thakur appealed to all to be alert considering the increasing risk of infection during the cold weather. As the mercury level has started falling down continuously for the last few days, senior citizens, chronic patients, children, expecting mothers are advised to take special precautions. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The temperature of Kathmandu plummeted to as low as 7.6 degree Celsius on Friday, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The ministry has requested the general public to keep warm and protect themselves against the increasing cold. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Furthermore, the ministry advised to take warm food and water and suggested not to stay outdoor and open area for a long time. Proper ventilation should be maintained while using heater or geyser, the ministry said. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Considering the risk of infection due to contaminated water and food, the ministry urged all to pay special attention to food intake. Washing hands before preparing and eating meal is also recommended. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-16', 'modified' => '2022-12-16', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16282', 'image' => '20221216105551_DaneBohara_Humla_RSS_14(2).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-16 10:55:12', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 6 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16539', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Nepal Turns into Seeds Importer from Exporter', 'sub_title' => 'Inability to Maintain Quality of Seeds to Blame for Halt in Export of Vegetable Seeds', 'summary' => 'December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 15: Export of vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is come to a halt due to the inability to maintain quality of the seeds. Nepal, which used to export seeds to various countries until 16 years ago, is currently importing vegetable seeds worth millions of rupees from those countries.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the data provided by the Agribusiness Promotion Support and Training Center, Nepal used to export vegetable seeds to India, Bangladesh, Germany and Japan by producing them in hill districts including Rukum, Salyan, Pyuthan since the fiscal year 2086/87. In that year, Nepal produced half a metric ton of radish seeds and exported them to Bangladesh. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">After Bangladesh increased the demand order saying that the seeds of Nepal were of good quality, Nepal started producing seeds of cauliflower, radish, brinjal and tomato and exported them to other countries as well. According to government data, Nepal exported up to 89 metric tons of seeds to India in FY 2006/07 due to good demand.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">However, Nepal could not give continuity to the production and export of seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, the country is now forced to import seeds worth millions of rupees annually, says Amar Raj Sharma, senior crop development officer of the centre.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">He claims that the demand for vegetable seeds produced in Nepal is decreasing and the export has stopped due to the weakness of the Nepali seed production company. He said, “The main reason why the export of the seeds produced by us stopped is that we could not maintain the quality. If we can maintain the quality, we can still export seeds.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to him, since the seed production centers were established in remote areas, the germinating power of the seeds started to decrease while being transported to Kathmandu due to the bad condition of roads. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Seed producers also need to maintain a distance of at least two kilometers while producing seeds of two different varieties. However, the distance could not be maintained due to lack of land.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">As a result, adulteration was seen in the seeds.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Due to lack of adequate irrigation and fertilizer, the size of seeds was also a problem. Apart from this, the work on development and growth of indigenous varieties of seeds could not be done. As per the information, there is also a decline in the development of hybrid varieties, due to which the demand for seeds from foreign countries stopped and subsequently the export also came to a halt.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The center informed New Business Age that Nepal imported about 150,000 kilograms of vegetable seeds worth more than Rs 433.39 million in the last fiscal year alone.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16280', 'image' => '20221215052644_ss-8-850x340 - Copy.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 17:25:41', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 7 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16538', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Urgent Action Needed in South Asia to Curb Deadly Air Pollution', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">December 15: South Asia is home to nine of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, which causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs, the World Bank said in its latest report. The new World Bank report shows that there are economically feasible, cost-effective solutions to achieve clean air in the region, but this requires countries to coordinate policies and investments. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report “Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia”, released on Wednesday, says concentrations of fine particulate matter such as soot and small dust (PM 2.5) in some of the region’s most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what WHO considers healthy (5 µg/mᶾ). </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Exposure to such extreme air pollution has impacts ranging from stunting and reduced cognitive development in children, to respiratory infections and chronic and debilitating diseases. This drives up healthcare costs, lowers a country’s productive capacity, and leads to lost days worked. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Large industries, powerplants and vehicles are dominant sources of air pollution around the world, but in South Asia, other sources make substantial additional contributions, added the report. These include combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating, emissions from small industries such as brick kilns, burning of municipal and agricultural waste, and cremation. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">Air pollution travels long distances— crossing municipal, state, and national boundaries—and gets trapped in large “airsheds” that are shaped by climatology and geography. The report identifies six major airsheds in South Asia where spatial interdependence in air quality is high. Particulate matter in each airshed comes from various sources and locations, for example less than half of the air pollution in South Asia’s major cities is produced within cities. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“Persistently hazardous levels of air pollution have caused a major public health crisis in South Asia that demands urgent action,” said Martin Raiser, World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia. “Curbing air pollution requires not only tackling its specific sources, but also close coordination across local and national jurisdictional boundaries. Regional cooperation can help implement cost-effective joint strategies that leverage the interdependent nature of air quality.” </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">According to the report, several South Asian countries have adopted policies to help improve air quality, but their focus on mitigating air pollution generated within cities is yielding insufficient results. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report shows that current policy measures will only be partially successful in reducing PM 2.5 concentrations across South Asia even if fully implemented. To achieve greater progress, the focus of policy makers should expand into other sectors, particularly small manufacturing, agriculture, residential cooking, and waste management. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">The report analyzes four scenarios to reduce air pollution with varying degrees of policy implementation and cooperation among countries. The most cost-effective scenario, which calls for full coordination between airsheds, would cut the average exposure of PM 2.5 in South Asia to 30 µg/m³ at a cost of $278 million per µg/mᶾ of reduced exposure, and save more than 750,000 lives annually. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif"">“The economic benefits of policies to reduce air pollution in South Asia exceed the economic costs by a large margin,” said Hans Timmer, World Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia. “But optimal solutions depend on several factors such as better monitoring systems, more scientific capacity, greater coordination between governments, and behavioral change among farmers, small firms, and households.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16279', 'image' => '20221215045217_Air pollution report launch _World Bank_ICIMOD.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 16:50:04', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 8 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16536', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Domestic Flights Affected due to Low Visibility ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: Domestic flights have been affected due to low visibility incurring from thick fog in Terai-Madhes. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">According to the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), flights were affected due to insufficient visibility at the airports except Bhadrapur, Pokhara, Dhangadhi, Surkhet and Tumlingtar. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">TIA Spokesperson Teknath Sitaula said that domestic flights could be affected in airports in Terai areas for few more days due to low visibility. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Buddha Air's Information Officer Dipendra Kumar Karna shared that flights in majority of airports in Terai were affected since Thursday morning due to low visibility. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Some airports are expected to operate after 12:00 pm, he said, adding that passengers have been facing problems to reach their destination due to the visibility problem. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There are around 300 domestic flights on a daily basis. Buddha Air alone operates the highest number of flights in a day which is around 150 flights followed by Yeti Airlines with 58 flights. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Altogether 20 airline companies including 11 helicopter companies have been conducting domestic flights at present. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that some places in the Terai belt have been experiencing foggy weather today while majority of the places in hill areas were cloudy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Hill areas in Gandaki, Lumbini, Province 1 and Bagmati Province will be partially cloudy while weather will remain generally fair in remaining provinces. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Kathmandu Valley's maximum temperature was 19 degree Celsius and minimum temper 7.6 degree Celsius. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16277', 'image' => '20221215014738_1639701101.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:46:58', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 9 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16535', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC Submits Election Report to President Bhandari ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission has submitted a report containing the election results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems to the president. The elections to the members of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies were held on November 20. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya submitted the report to the President Bidya Devi Bhandari amid a programme organised at Sheetal Niwas on Thursday. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">There is a provision that the EC should submit report of the final results of FPTP and PR electoral system to the head-of the state within seven days of the announcement of the election results. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">On the occasion, President Bhandari said election is important for strengthening democracy. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Expressing her happiness over the conclusion of the elections, she thanked all including the Election Commission, security bodies, stakeholders and voters for this. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Similarly, CEO Thapaliya said the polls were concluded in a fair and fearless environment. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Through the elections, a total of 825 people’s representatives were elected (275 under the HoR and 550 under the PA). Women’s participation in the HoR is 33.10 percent, and 36.36 percent in the PA. </span><br /> <span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">The EC’s representatives are scheduled to present a report along with the results of PA polls to the chief of all seven provinces on December 17, said the EC. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">Present on the occasion were election commissioners Ishwori Prasad Paudel, Ram Prasad Bhandari, Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and the EC secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, among others. -- RSS </span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16276', 'image' => '20221215013519_Pro_Ktm_ECN_President(5)(1).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 13:34:28', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 10 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16534', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Tactical Masterplan Takes France into World Cup Final', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday.', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px">AGENCIES<br /> December 15: France will face Argentina in a heavyweight World Cup final after the French side beat underdogs Morocco 2-0 in the semifinal match on Wednesday. According to media reports, holders France stayed on course to become the first team in 60 years to successfully defend the trophy thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani at Al Bayt Stadium.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Morocco, the first African side to reach the last four of the World Cup, had built their success on brilliant defending and fast counter attacks, but they got a taste of their own medicine when France abandoned possession early on and struck after five minutes, Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">According to the news agency, Theo Hernandez's high hooked finish from a deflected Kylian Mbappe shot put the defending champions ahead and forced Walid Regragui's team to take the initiative, ending the game with more possession than Les Bleus.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Regragui had noted on Tuesday that France were tactical masters and able to adjust to any opponents as he praised Didier Deschamps as the best coach in the world.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">“Morocco pushed hard after the break, giving Mbappe more and more space off the left flank. The Paris St Germain forward then switched to a lone-striker role when Marcus Thuram replaced Giroud on 65 minutes,” Reuters reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px">Substitute Randal Kolo Muani poked the ball home 11 minutes from time with his first touch after some brilliant work by Mbappe. That wrapped a win that reminded everyone of France's tournament nous and that Argentina better come up with a masterplan of their own in Sunday's final at Lusail stadium, added the news agency.</span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16275', 'image' => '20221215112442_np_file_199519.jpeg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:23:19', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 11 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16533', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'EC to Submit Election Report to President Today ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). ', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,"sans-serif""><span style="font-family:"Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"">December 15: The Election Commission (EC) is set to submit its report of the election results to President Bidya Devi Bhandari today (December 15). The EC said it will submit the results of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) electoral systems. <br /> The EC had published the final results of the HoR and Province Assembly elections on Wednesday. <br /> There is a provision that the EC should submit the final results of the HoR election to the president and province assembly elections to the concerned province chiefs within seven days of the announcement of the election results. <br /> According to the EC, it is set to present the report containing the results of HoR elections to the president on Thursday. <br /> Likewise, the reports of province assembly election would be submitted to the concerned province chiefs on December 17, the EC source said. <br /> The name list of elected HoR and PA members would be published in the Nepal Gazette after submission of the reports to the president and province chiefs. <br /> As per the election results report prepared by the EC, a total of 825 individuals including 275 HoR members and 550 Province Assemblies members were elected during the November 20 elections. -- RSS</span></span></span></p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16274', 'image' => '20221215110222_Election_Commission.2e16d0ba.fill-650x500.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 11:01:45', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 12 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16532', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'Special Economic Zones(SEZ) Fail to Attract Investors ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.', 'content' => '<p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">December 15 : Special economic zones(SEZs) were established with a vision to advance industrialization through export promotion and contribute to the fast economic development. However, they have gone useless after they failed to lure investors and entrepreneurs.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Nine months have passed since Special Economic Authority called for proposals to establish and operate industries in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. But, only half a dozen industries have signed an agreement to establish industries in Bhairahawa SEZ so far. SEZ Authority has called for the proposal second time as no one submitted proposals to operate industries in Simara SEZ in the first call. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Calling for proposals, SEZ Authority had issued a notice to establish industries in both SEZs nine months ago. Since then, SEZ authority has re-called for the proposal twice. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">According to SEZ Authority’s Executive Director Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta, number of investors signing the agreement is fewer than those taking permission. <br /> According to the SEZ Authority, 45 plots of Bhairahawa SEZ and 68 plots of Simara SEZ are ready for the establishment and operation of industries.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">SEZ Authority had issued notice saying that SEZs had become ready in March 2022 first time. Since then, the authority has re-issued calls in May and August as well. According to the authority, investors have received the permission for 69 plots. Out of them, 37 are from Simara and 32 from Bhairahawa. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors, who have paid Rs 25,000 per plot permission fee, have proposed investment of Rs 6 billion and Rs 4 billion in Simara and Bhairahawa SEZs respectively. Out of them, only seven investors and industrialists have signed an agreement to establish industries. As per the authority, five industries have signed an agreement in Bhairahawa SEZ while two have inked agreement in Simara SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Investors granted permission have shown reluctance despite repeated calls by the SEZ authority.<br /> A seven-day deadline was given to the investors granted permission to establish industries on November 25. Since no one approached the authority, the authority has extended the deadline twice, said sub-Engineer Sagar Silwal of the authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">“The authority will extend the deadline for the last time. If the investors granted permission do not come, their permission will be scrapped and fee will not be refunded”, added Sagar Silwal. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government had started construction of SEZ in 2014. So far, as many as 113 plots have got ready. Out of them, only a few plots have come into use.In the first SEZ established in Bhairahawa, only seven industries are operating. Not a single industry is established in Simara SEZ. </span><br /> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Special Economic Zone Authority-2073 BS Act has provisioned to provide facilities to the industries in the SEZ through one-window system. But, its implementation is nowhere in sight. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As per the Act, Nepal Rastra Bank, Company Registrar’s Office, Custom Office, Post office and industry registrar’s desk have to be established in the premises of SEZ authority. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">The government ha spent around Rs 4 billion to construct industrial infrastructure in Bhairahawa and Simara SEZs. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Panchkanya Group, Shakti Minerals, Lead Light, some plastic and utensil industries are operating in Bhairahawa SEZ. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">To lure investors and industrialists in the SEZ, the government has slashed export limit from 75 per cent to 60 per cent. Likewise, they have to export product from the second year of the establishment of their industries. The government has also lowered rent. “We are preparing a draft to amend the act incorporating all changes made to attract investors”, said SEZ authority.</span></p> <p><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Tirupati Metal Industries’ Investor Bikash Agrawal said that they could not expand their investment in SEZ for failing to get bank loan. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Entrepreneurs and industrialists say that non-implementation of one-window system, lack of coordination among the government agencies, exorbitant rent, and 60 per cent export limit have discouraged potential investors and industrialists from establishing industries in the SEZ. </span></p> <p><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-15', 'modified' => '2022-12-15', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16273', 'image' => '20221215072130_collage (8).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-15 07:17:39', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ), (int) 13 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16531', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => 'FNCCI Requests NRB To Take Special Initiative to Save the Economy ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch .', 'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">December 14: The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to take special initiatives for managing the liquidity crunch and to ensure interest rate stability and price stability as the economy is being affected by internal and external factors.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A delegation led by FNCCI President Sekhar Golchha met with high-ranking officials of NRB, including Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari, on Tuesday and made such request.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"The private sector of Nepal is probably going through the most difficult situation," Golchha said, adding, "The central bank should make the economy viable through measures such as interest rate stability, and suspension of new arrangements related to current capital loans."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Delegates of FNCCI, with its goal to 'Save the Economy', are meeting the top leaders of the country's major political parties, the head of government and the finance minister, requesting them to solve the problem.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A statement issued by the FNCCI says that Golchha has urged the NRB governor to create a conducive environment for the entire private sector.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, FNCCI has suggested that the government and the central bank should adopt various measures to protect the economy since the increase in the interest rates has affected the entrepreneurs while multi-faceted risks have increased in about a year since they started to control the market.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has urged central bank to postpone the implementation of the Current Working Capital Guidelines 2079 for at least two years as it will harm the country's business sector. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The monetary policy mandates that the average spread rate (interest rate gap) of commercial banks should be maintained at 4 per cent and 4.6 per cent for development banks and finance companies. FNCCI appreciated the central bank for maintaining the spread rate, stating that it would help the economy against risk factors. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Likewise, the FNCCI has suggested reducing the base rate of the banks and financial institution in order to decrease the interest rate. Therefore, both the government and the central bank should find ways to inject liquidity into the market and reduce interest rates, the FNCCI statement reads.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Similarly, FNCCI has asked for at least a one-year loan renewal facility, and to reduce the mandatory cash ratio by one percentage point.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">FNCCI has also requested the NRB to take special initiatives to increase capital expenditure.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">“Government should provide loans to manufacturing industries at lower interest rates, as mentioned in the budget,” the statement added.</span></span></p> <p> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16272', 'image' => '20221214051548_ecomonic crisis.jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 17:14:55', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => null, 'user_id' => '34' ) ), (int) 14 => array( 'Article' => array( 'id' => '16530', 'article_category_id' => '1', 'title' => '4,285 Candidates Lost Deposits in the November 20 Polls ', 'sub_title' => '', 'summary' => 'More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.', 'content' => '<p><br /> <span style="font-size:20px">December 14: More than 75 per cent of the candidates lost their security deposits in the November 20 polls to the House of Representatives and province assemblies.</span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">As many as 2411 candidates had filed their nominations to the House of Representatives and 3224 candidates were in the fray in the provincial assemblies across the country. Out of them, 1,962 candidates, including 189 females contesting the election to the House of Representatives lost their deposits. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Likewise, a total of 2,324 candidates, including 237 females and one from ‘other category’ lost their deposit from the provincial assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In a press meet organized on Wednesday, the Election Commission informed that as many as 4,285 candidates had lost their security deposits from both the lower house of the federal parliament and province assemblies.<br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A total of 5,635 candidates had contested the polls to the House Representatives and province assemblies. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate loses deposit for failing to secure 10 per cent of the total valid votes. <br /> In the proportional representation system, if a political party fails to secure one seat, it will lose the deposit. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">Out of 47 political parties that have submitted closed list of candidates in the PR category, forty parties have lost their deposits in the House of Representatives. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">In the provincial assemblies, thirty parties in the province-1, 26 in Madhes Province, 33 in Bagmati, 24 in Gandaki, 22 in Lumbini, 22 in Karnali and 28 parties in Sudurpaschim Province lost their deposits.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">A candidate has to submit a deposit of Rs 10,000 to contest the polls to the House of Representatives under the first-past-the-post category, while the party has to deposit Rs 50,000 for the submission of closed list of candidates in proportional representation (PR) category in the HoR. </span><br /> </p> <p><span style="font-size:20px">While contesting the polls under the first-past-the-post system, a candidate requires to submit a despot of Rs 5000 in the province assembly and Rs 25,000 for submission of closed list of candidates in the proportional representation category. </span><br /> </p> ', 'published' => true, 'created' => '2022-12-14', 'modified' => '2022-12-14', 'keywords' => '', 'description' => '', 'sortorder' => '16271', 'image' => '20221214050517_collage (11).jpg', 'article_date' => '2022-12-14 16:59:40', 'homepage' => false, 'breaking_news' => false, 'main_news' => true, 'in_scroller' => false, 'user_id' => '42' ) ) ) $current_user = null $logged_in = false $xml = falsesimplexml_load_file - [internal], line ?? include - APP/View/Elements/side_bar.ctp, line 133 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::_renderElement() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 1224 View::element() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 418 include - APP/View/Articles/index.ctp, line 157 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 968 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 117
| Currency | Unit |
Buy | Sell |
| U.S. Dollar | 1 | 121.23 | 121.83 |
| European Euro | 1 | 131.65 | 132.31 |
| UK Pound Sterling | 1 | 142.47 | 143.18 |
| Swiss Franc | 1 | 124.29 | 124.90 |
| Australian Dollar | 1 | 71.69 | 72.05 |
| Canadian Dollar | 1 | 83.90 | 84.32 |
| Japanese Yen | 10 | 10.94 | 11.00 |
| Chinese Yuan | 1 | 17.17 | 17.26 |
| Saudi Arabian Riyal | 1 | 32.27 | 32.43 |
| UAE Dirham | 1 | 33.01 | 33.17 |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 1 | 27.36 | 27.50 |
| South Korean Won | 100 | 9.77 | 9.82 |
Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)
| Fine Gold | 1 tola | 77000.00 |
| Tejabi Gold | 1 tola | 76700.00 |
| Silver | 1 tola | 720.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association
| Petrol | 1 Liter | 106.00 |
| Diesel | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| Kerosene | 1 Liter | 95.00 |
| LP Gas | 1 Cylinder | 1375.00 |
Update : 2020-03-25
