Ruling parties are running away from elections: UML leaders

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lr-Gk_Nmwl0/WI6QcscXvKI/AAAAAAAABz0/1qJ_nOiTJ34ySoXVjO859QoXDNsFS8AwwCLcB/s1600/Surkhet-29012017075634-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lr-Gk_Nmwl0/WI6QcscXvKI/AAAAAAAABz0/1qJ_nOiTJ34ySoXVjO859QoXDNsFS8AwwCLcB/s400/Surkhet-29012017075634-1000x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> CPN-UML leaders have alleged that the ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre)—are reluctant to hold the elections fearing their defeat.<br /> <br /> Addressing the provincial gathering organised by CPN-UML central publicity department and Press Chautari in Birendranagar on Sunday, UML Vice Chairman Yubaraj Gyawali said that the ruling parties are running away from the elections because of the growing popularity of CPN-UML. “Maoist Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba are panic-stricken because of UML’s popularity.” <br /> <br /> “The CPN-UML is political doctor. No parties other than UML seem to have the guts to resolve the country’s problem. That’s why the people’s trust is growing for UML,” he claimed.<br /> <br /> UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, who is also the chief of party publicity department, charged that PM Dahal and Deuba of acting in tyrannical manner. He claimed the government was not serious towards averting the political and constitutional crisis the nation would face after Jan 21, 2018. “The CPN-UML is capable to provide way-out to the nation if the NC and CPN (Maoist Centre) can’t do it,” he claimed.<br /> <br /> Saying that nowhere in the world can a nationality be found in the name of every ethnic group and language, secretary Bhattarai said the CPN (Maoist Centre) is trying to put the national independence and sovereignty at peril. “The Madhes-based parties are currently emulating the past actions of Maoists,” he said.<br /> <br /> He noted that there are nearly 2000 ethnic groups in India but not as many states. He further claimed that Tarai and hill should not be separated in the name of federalism.<br /> <br />  “Let no one dream to separate Madhes and hill as long as there is one single cadre of CPN-UML in the parliament and on the street,” he said. He further warned that the plans to make Hindi as official language were motivated by the intention to replace the national language. <br /> <br /> <br />

Ruling parties are running away from elections: UML leaders

CPN-UML leaders have alleged that the ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre)—are reluctant to hold the elections fearing ...

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Housing aid distribution starts in Bhaktapur

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ5Bm4zPHLk/WIf7dgp4P7I/AAAAAAAAByY/7WEPV7HOwUMkNnNz_nwsOvUveo5Lj1rgACLcB/s1600/bhaktapur-23012017080422-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ5Bm4zPHLk/WIf7dgp4P7I/AAAAAAAAByY/7WEPV7HOwUMkNnNz_nwsOvUveo5Lj1rgACLcB/s640/bhaktapur-23012017080422-1000x0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> More than 20 months after the Gorkha Earthquake, the National Reconstruction Authority on Sunday started distributing the first tranche of the private housing reconstruction grant to the quake-affected families in Bhaktapur district.<br /> <br /> Each displaced household will receive Rs50,000 in the first instalment. They will get an additional Rs250,000 in the next two phases.<br /> <br /> A total of 26,016 households have been enlisted as beneficiaries, according to the Bhaktapur District Administration Office. The Bhaktapur DAO said the first tranche would be deposited in the bank accounts of around 18,000 beneficiaries this week. The homeless families have already opened their accounts in the designated banks.<br /> <br /> “We were planning to distribute the first tranche to all the beneficiaries. But the government has not allocated enough funds. The grants will be distributed to 18,000 households in the next few days. The remaining 8,000 families will get the money when we get more budget,” Bhaktapur CDO Drona Pokharel told the Post.<br /> <br /> The government has released Rs900 million to the DAO so far. An additional Rs410 million will be required to pay the first instalment of cash to the remaining families.<br /> <br /> Bhaktapur is the last of the 14 worst-affected districts where the aid was distributed. The NRA has already distributed the money to most of the households in 11 worst-hit districts, while grants are being distributed in Kathmandu and Lalitpur.<br /> <br /> <br />

Housing aid distribution starts in Bhaktapur

More than 20 months after the Gorkha Earthquake, the National Reconstruction Authority on Sunday started distributing the first tranche o...

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India to measure whether Everest shrank in Nepal quake

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-owh5waB22f4/WIf69vuzpOI/AAAAAAAAByU/chkTdLCjFa0wBze8BgY6gBjuHDbcejq7wCLcB/s1600/_93783305_gettyimages-472823808-24012017080121-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-owh5waB22f4/WIf69vuzpOI/AAAAAAAAByU/chkTdLCjFa0wBze8BgY6gBjuHDbcejq7wCLcB/s640/_93783305_gettyimages-472823808-24012017080121-1000x0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Jan 24, 2017- The Indian government has announced it will measure the height of Mount Everest for the second time to assess whether it changed as a result of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.<br /> <br /> Surveyor-General Swarna Subba Rao said an expedition would be sent to the world's highest mountain in two months.<br /> <br /> Satellite data has indicated the quake impact reduced the height of the peak.<br /> <br /> The most widely recognised height, 8,848m (29,028ft), came from an Indian survey 62 years ago.<br /> <br /> Scientists have said that the height of a swathe of the Himalayas dropped by around one metre shortly after the 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake.<br /> <br /> They added at the time that a ground survey and GPS or an airborne mission would be needed to determine whether the world's highest peak had seen a change in its height by a few centimetres.<br /> <br /> Mr Rao told the Press Trust of India news agency that the team would take about a month to make its observations and another 15 days to compute and declare its data.<br /> <br /> <br />

India to measure whether Everest shrank in Nepal quake

Jan 24, 2017- The Indian government has announced it will measure the height of Mount Everest for the second time to assess whether it ch...

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Nepal’s economy projected to grow by 5.5pc: IMF

Kathmandu, January 23<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0k6OPHHinc/WIcEOkoEE0I/AAAAAAAABxc/VEtr010UW7sgekSVTICKtxZc_-PksdDzQCLcB/s1600/Buil00000117-e1485144415564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R0k6OPHHinc/WIcEOkoEE0I/AAAAAAAABxc/VEtr010UW7sgekSVTICKtxZc_-PksdDzQCLcB/s400/Buil00000117-e1485144415564.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the country’s economy will grow by 5.5 per cent in this fiscal. The outlook given by the international organisation is, however, a full percentage point lower than the government’s target of 6.5 per cent growth in 2016-17.<br /> <br /> The IMF mission led by Geert Almekinders today said that Nepali economy will bounce back in this fiscal owing to normalisation of economic activities, increased agriculture output due to favourable monsoon, accommodative monetary policy and accelerated post-earthquake reconstruction. Most importantly, the base-effect (low base of economy due to low growth) of last fiscal will be supportive for the economy to achieve the aforesaid growth rate, as per IMF.<br /> <br /> The country had achieved economic growth of 5.1 per cent in 2013-14, but the growth had retarded in the following years and stood at mere 0.77 per cent in the last fiscal. The country’s economy suffered a major blow due to the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015. The cascading effects of the earthquake coupled with trade disruptions in the last fiscal had shattered the country’s economy.<br /> <br /> Taking into account the reform initiatives taken by the government to revitalise the economy, the IMF mission said that the key challenge for the government now is to put the policies in place. This would extend the cyclical recovery into a sustained period of a high and inclusive growth. The main risk to the outlook pertains to failure of the capital budget implementation, according to IMF.<br /> <br /> “The medium-term outlook for Nepal critically depends on authorities’ effort to sustain and deepen the nascent reform momentum. Strong policies are needed to enhance confidence amid ongoing political uncertainty.”<br /> <br /> The IMF also suggested refurbishing institutional capacity of key institutions, which is ‘critical for overcoming the under-implementation of the budget and boosting private investment and growth’.<br /> <br /> IMF stressed on the need to introduce a realistic budget that effectively prioritises spending with the largest growth dividends, including in social spending areas of highest importance, for inclusive growth.<br /> <br /> “In scaling up public spending, care should also be taken not to exceed the economy’s aggregate absorptive capacity.”<br /> <br /> Here are some other major issues that the IMF mission highlighted during a press briefing held here today:<br /> <br /> Impact of demonetisation<br /> <br /> The IMF mission has said that it is unlikely there will not be significant impact of demonetisation of Indian high-value banknotes on the Nepali economy.<br /> <br /> “India’s sudden withdrawal of the high denomination Indian currency is expected to have a limited impact on the overall economy,” the mission shared in its conclusion.<br /> <br /> “While the financial system is holding a small amount of the demonetised notes, some corporates and households who hold such notes have seen their purchasing power affected.”<br /> <br /> Inflation target<br /> <br /> The mission has suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to fix the medium-term target for inflation and focus on narrowing down the inflation wedge between India and Nepal. The inflation wedge is an indicator that reflects the disparity in hike in prices of goods and services in Nepal and India. As import from India has predominant share in the country’s total import, Indian inflation automatically affects Nepal as well.<br /> <br /> “Maintaining competitiveness and external balance will require closing the inflation wedge with India on a sustained basis — through a tightening of monetary policy, facilitated by a strengthening of the monetary policy framework.”<br /> <br /> The IMF mission further said that the NRB will be able to tame the inflation at the targeted level due to normalisation of supply situation after last year’s trade disruption.<br /> <br /> NRB’s regulatory, supervisory capacity<br /> <br /> The mission stressed on the need for accelerated financial sector reforms and strong supervision of the financial sector to mitigate macro financial risks and increase access to finance. It also emphasised on enhancing the regulatory capacity of the central bank through strengthening several aspects of the regulatory framework.<br /> <br /> “This would include enhancing loan classification and provisioning and upgrading banks’ risk management.”<br /> <br /> In the context of recent lobbying by bankers seeking NRB to revise the existing credit-to-deposit ratio, which is 80:20 at present, the IMF mission showed strong reservations.<br /> <br /> “The ceiling on the loan-to-deposit ratio should be maintained as this alone can contribute in moderation of credit growth and normalisation of interest rates.”<br /> <br /> Source: Himalayantimes

Nepal’s economy projected to grow by 5.5pc: IMF

Kathmandu, January 23 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the country’s economy will grow by 5.5 per cent in this ...

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Former CoAS Katwal calls for restoring Hindu state

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnemQb20zCI/WIQMda5pCzI/AAAAAAAABu8/bguC_56jJdYNrS2WTIhCTvmuku6iXrkCACLcB/s1600/GeneralKatawal_AP-21012017073706-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tnemQb20zCI/WIQMda5pCzI/AAAAAAAABu8/bguC_56jJdYNrS2WTIhCTvmuku6iXrkCACLcB/s640/GeneralKatawal_AP-21012017073706-1000x0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Jan 21, 2017- Former Chief of Army Staff, Rookmangud Katwal, has said that all Nepali people should be engaged to establish the Hindu state in the country as Hindu religion is the identity of the country.<br /> <br /> Speaking at a programme organised by National Hindu Unity Forum Nepal at Phidim in Panchthar on Saturday, Katwal urged to declare the country as Hindu nation through constitution amendment.<br /> <br /> He added that the state should punish those trying to make people convert to other religions in various pretexts like poverty.<br /> <br /> Various persons including Central Chairman of the Forum, Indra Prasad Oli, also addressed the programme. RSS<br /> <br />

Former CoAS Katwal calls for restoring Hindu state

Jan 21, 2017- Former Chief of Army Staff, Rookmangud Katwal, has said that all Nepali people should be engaged to establish the Hindu sta...

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Baggage screeners at country’s sole int’l airport lack certification

Nepal has failed to execute standards related to aviation quality and security<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMnh6aoN-dc/WH7Le0tktgI/AAAAAAAABq0/IQMMllsbce8MiKlCC3m_8pxsIp_DyNH9QCLcB/s1600/Foreign-employment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMnh6aoN-dc/WH7Le0tktgI/AAAAAAAABq0/IQMMllsbce8MiKlCC3m_8pxsIp_DyNH9QCLcB/s400/Foreign-employment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A Nepal Police officer checks documents of persons visiting various nations for employment and higher education, before boarding their flights, at the Tribhuvan International Airport, in Kathmandu, on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Photo: RSS</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <br /></div> <div> <div> The recent incident of gold-smuggling at Tribhuvan International Airport has revealed the appalling state with which the nation’s gateway is being operated and how security is being trifled with at TIA.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> According to officials, TIA neither has the required number of screeners nor does it bother about their certification. Thus, it has been violating the aviation security-related annex of the International Civil Aviation Organisation that requires Nepal to ensure that persons carrying out aviation security screening operations be certified according to requirements of the national civil aviation security programme to ensure that performance standards are consistent and reliable.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Besides, the annex also requires certification of aviation security instructors according to the programme that is approved by the national aviation security committee headed by the Minister for Civil Aviation.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal not only operates TIA but is also responsible for training Nepal’s aviation security apparatus and running the civil aviation academy, which is approved for providing aviation security related trainings to Nepal police and airlines.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> The ICAO requirements have existed for long, but Nepal as usual, has been a laggard in implementing the critical standards that relate to quality control in aviation, a senior TIA official admitted.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> According to him, Nepal police is entrusted with the responsibility of screening the baggage of those flying from TIA and other airports. “However, they depend on CAAN for providing necessary training to its screening staff. The academy website also boasts of several aviation security trainings — basic, advanced, refresher and specialised. It is, however, curiously silent on certification trainings for screeners.” An official at CAAN’s academy also admitted that the screeners lacked certification.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Screening of passengers’ baggage worldwide is carried out by specialised X-ray baggage inspection system (XBIS) that presents computer-generated visuals of the contents of the baggage pieces inside the equipment to the screener. Since the screener on his/her watch has to exercise judgment while analysing the visuals and raise alarm, if needed, certification is clearly required for standardisation.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Owing to the cognitive workload fatigue is generated in the XBIS screeners. The ICAO also requires that screeners be periodically replaced every two to three hours for relief and recovery.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> The inability of the academy to comply with sensitive ICAO standards in AvSec training and lack of certification of its instructors is clearly worrisome, given the fact that it is headed by a 12th level officer, many of whom in the past went on to be CAAN’s director generals, a TIA source said.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Interestingly, the XBIS operated at international arrivals is owned and operated by the Department of Customs, which is silent about the training of its screeners in use of the hi-tech equipment. “Though the screening purpose of DoC differs markedly from that of aviation security, for operating identical XBIS equipment it is dependent on CAAN’s academy for providing training to its screeners,” a senior customs officer said.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> It is unlikely that the DoC went ahead with equipment procurement without any memorandum of understanding on training screeners with CAAN, as customarily the customs’ director general sits on the CAAN Board, he added. “The DoC has its own technical manpower for maintenance of equipment, one of whom stands accused in a recent case,” he recounted.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Sourse: thehimilayantimes</div>

Baggage screeners at country’s sole int’l airport lack certification

Nepal has failed to execute standards related to aviation quality and security A Nepal Police officer checks documents of persons visitin...

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Nepal Airlines regains numero uno position

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFlmlR62tFY/WHmECBTiynI/AAAAAAAABi4/MasMSfPS4ZwETGDQgrDTQAcZt-eswAy0QCLcB/s1600/NAC-13012017093623-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFlmlR62tFY/WHmECBTiynI/AAAAAAAABi4/MasMSfPS4ZwETGDQgrDTQAcZt-eswAy0QCLcB/s400/NAC-13012017093623-1000x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Jan 13, 2017- <span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6;">Nepal Airlines has taken the top spot in international passenger carriage for the first time in years, flying 275,701 travellers during the first nine months of 2016.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> According to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the national flag carrier bumped Qatar Airways down to second place with a massive 74.63 percent growth in passenger carriage. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Nepal Airlines began flying high after inducting two new Airbus A320 aircraft into its fleet last year. It resumed flights to Dubai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi soon after acquiring the new jets, and now serves eight international destinations. The carrier has been able to boost its market share on international routes to 11 percent.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">“NAC’s market share will more than double this year after it inducts its first wide-body Airbus A330-200 jet into its fleet,” said Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry and a board member of NAC. </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze2J7bI79DI/WHmD3w4-Z0I/AAAAAAAABi0/jXdNU-BWkGYgVZcnR_VP84tG4QJhL7m1gCLcB/s1600/Capture-13012017100845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze2J7bI79DI/WHmD3w4-Z0I/AAAAAAAABi0/jXdNU-BWkGYgVZcnR_VP84tG4QJhL7m1gCLcB/s400/Capture-13012017100845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 11.5px;">Meanwhile, international airline passenger traffic through TIA increased 5.51 percent in the first nine months of 2016. According to TIA, the 28 international airlines serving Kathmandu flew 2.50 million passengers between January and September last year. </span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">International air passenger traffic through TIA had dropped for the first time in 13 years as travellers stayed away due to the 2015 earthquake and a jet fuel shortage caused by an Indian trade embargo. </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">Airline-wise, Qatar Airways slipped to second position in terms of passenger carriage in the first nine months of 2016. Doha-based Qatar Airways flew 258,884 passengers during the period January-September last year, up 3.69 percent. </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">Low-cost carrier Air Arabia secured the third spot, posting a strong 24.62 percent growth. It flew 252,797 passengers. </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">Indian carrier Jet Airways slipped to the fourth spot, down 1.56 percent. The carrier flew 233,759 passengers in the period January-September 2016.</span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">No-frills carrier Fly Dubai posted a 15.82 percent growth with 227,755 passengers. Likewise, Oman Air saw the strongest passenger growth of 20.70 percent in the review period. It flew 134,932 passengers. </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">India’s flag carrier Indian Airlines slipped to the seventh spot with the number of passengers dropping 17.59 percent to 134,757. Malaysian-based low-cost </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">carrier Air AsiaX saw its passenger numbers growth by 1.52 percent to 125,645. </span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5px;">Thai Airways saw its passenger growth jump by a whopping 30.53 percent to 122,487 in the first nine months of 2016. Etihad Airways saw its passenger numbers drop 15.28 percent to 102,542. Start-up Nepali carrier Himalaya Airlines carried 17,604 passengers in the first nine months last year.</span></span></div>

Nepal Airlines regains numero uno position

Jan 13, 2017-  Nepal Airlines has taken the top spot in international passenger carriage for the first time in years, flying 275,701 tr...

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NRA to address around 87,000 grievances from quake-survivors

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIU-f4PEMok/WHmA69I19JI/AAAAAAAABiQ/iGyIOc2F5tEJvAJPG4EMp_fM7CSad1XcQCLcB/s1600/NRA-555x278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIU-f4PEMok/WHmA69I19JI/AAAAAAAABiQ/iGyIOc2F5tEJvAJPG4EMp_fM7CSad1XcQCLcB/s400/NRA-555x278.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jan 13, 2017- National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has pledged to address as many as 87,000 grievances received from the quake-survivors across the country.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to NRA Secretary Sanjaya Sharma, the Authority which has received around 200,000 complaints from quake-hit persons will look into the 87,000 complaints to begin with.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Secretary Sharma said so at a programme organised by the National Elections Observer Committee here on Friday.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Committee which conducted research among 2,000 people in three of the 14 hardest-hit districts- Dolakha, Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk- mentions in its report that the quake-hit locals in these districts were not satisfied with the financial, legal and technical support of the Authority. RSS</span></div>

NRA to address around 87,000 grievances from quake-survivors

Jan 13, 2017- National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has pledged to address as many as 87,000 grievances received from the quake-survi...

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Ramechhap quake victims still living in makeshift tents

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akmX_q0JWIM/WHbZmyVOZ6I/AAAAAAAABgY/RbLvFsHifhMM1KgiriWUFACIaQlKvEqVwCLcB/s1600/elderly-citizen-at-tents-before-Prince-Harrys-arrival-450x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-akmX_q0JWIM/WHbZmyVOZ6I/AAAAAAAABgY/RbLvFsHifhMM1KgiriWUFACIaQlKvEqVwCLcB/s320/elderly-citizen-at-tents-before-Prince-Harrys-arrival-450x320.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elderly citizen at tent.</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The victims of April 2015 earthquakes are still living under makeshift tents due to delay in reconstruction of their damaged houses in remote Duragaun of Ramechhap.</span></div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The local residents are living a hard life as the entire village started to cave in after the powerful earthquakes. Ward No 5 and 6 of the village were badly affected due to frequent cave-ins during the monsoon of 2016. Residents of the wards remain vigilant throughout the day for fear of a probable natural calamity.<br /><br />“A huge plain land has changed into three layers of land in just a week due to the cave-in,” said Kamal Sunuwar, a local. With the recurring cave-ins, the villagers have started to take turns sleeping at night and keeping vigil. The earthquake had claimed at least nine persons of the locality about 21 months ago.<br /><br />“Every night, we go to sleep in fear that we might me killed in a cave-in. It is some respite that the villagers are taking turns to sleep at night. The locals, who were taking combined shelter at local Thapadanda, have started to return to their tents,” said Ram Kumar Thapa, a local.<br /><br />According to locals, many big-wigs, including then president Ram Baran Yadav had reached the locality to console victims after the earthquake. “They made false promises and gave us sweet assurances.<br /><br />Many of them even assured they would reconstruct our houses and provide relief materials. However, we have received nothing except dreamy words so far while our situation is worsening day by day,” said Sabitri Karki, a local.<br /><br />People taking shelter under makeshift tents at Duragaun 5 and 6 are at high risk of land cave-in. Following the quakes and frequent aftershocks, huge cave-ins have occurred in many places of the district.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the quake victims have also been languishing in the cold. The elderly and children have been facing various health complexities due to the dipping mercury.</span><br /> <div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">source:thehimalayantimes</span></div>

Ramechhap quake victims still living in makeshift tents

Elderly citizen at tent. The victims of April 2015 earthquakes are still living under makeshift tents due to delay in reconstruction of...

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As many as 729,550 tourists visited Nepal in 2016

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIGMtqdoKys/WHbWqTk7F6I/AAAAAAAABgA/Nbm1nQsfXlwv6iPD465EgFG4y-CvzHm6gCLcB/s1600/the-Himalayan-range1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIGMtqdoKys/WHbWqTk7F6I/AAAAAAAABgA/Nbm1nQsfXlwv6iPD465EgFG4y-CvzHm6gCLcB/s400/the-Himalayan-range1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists capture the panaromic view of a Himalayan range from Punhill in Ghorepani of Myagdi district on Monday, January 25, 2016. Photo: RSS</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div> <br /></div> <div> <b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">KATHMANDU:</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As many as 729,550 number of foreign tourists visited Nepal in 2016.</span></div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal in 2016 increased by 24 per cent as compared to 2015, according to the Department of Immigration.<br /><br />A total of 554,747 tourists had visited Nepal in 2015 while the number of tourists was up by 174,803 in 2016 as compared to 2015.<br /><br />Director General at the Department, Kedar Neupane, said that there was improvement in the number of tourists visiting Nepal in 2016. However, there was slight decline in numbers of tourists visiting Nepal in 2015, due to massive earthquake and unofficial blockade along Nepal-India border points, added Neupane.<br /><br />Indian tourists top the list of tourists visiting the Himalayan nation to China and Sri Lanka respectively.<br /><br />A total of 118,249 Indian tourists visited Nepal via air route while, 23, 452 number of Chinese tourists out of 104,005 entered the nation via Rasuwa.<br /><br />Likewise, 57,521 tourists from Sri Lanka, 53, 645 from US, 46,295 from UK, 26,722 from Thailand, 25,769 from Myanmar, 25,507 from Australia, 25,171 from South Korea, 23,812 from Germany visited Nepal last year, according to the Department of Immigration.<br /><br />A statistics of the Department shows that the highest numbers of tourists visit Nepal during September, October and December.</span>

As many as 729,550 tourists visited Nepal in 2016

Tourists capture the panaromic view of a Himalayan range from Punhill in Ghorepani of Myagdi district on Monday, January 25, 2016. Photo: ...

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Home Ministry directed to review public holidays

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXjWmECd2xA/WHbVFHN1uMI/AAAAAAAABfs/AcIgQVrJOzIYBthNMTnzm-57iY2RruCUQCLcB/s1600/cabinet-11012017012427-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXjWmECd2xA/WHbVFHN1uMI/AAAAAAAABfs/AcIgQVrJOzIYBthNMTnzm-57iY2RruCUQCLcB/s400/cabinet-11012017012427-1000x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists capture the panaromic view of a Himalayan range from Punhill in Ghorepani of Myagdi district on Monday, January 25, 2016. Photo: RSS</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> Jan 11, 2017- The government has decided to review the number of public holidays enjoyed by the government employees on various festivals and other special occasions.<br /> <br /> Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Karki informed a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to review the public holidays. The Home Ministry has been directed to review the public holidays and come up with a report. The report will recommend the festivals that should be declared as national holidays, and will also suggest the holidays that need to be categorized as zonal, national or others, he added.<br /> <br /> Karki said Home Ministry will finalise the report by next month.<br /> <br /> The government decision to review public holidays came after opinions were sharply divided over providing holiday on National Unity day, also the birth day of former King Prithivi Narayan Shah, in the context of abolition of monarchy.<br /> <br /> The National Unity day was marked by a holiday until it was annulled by the government formed after the 2006 people’s movement.<br /> Source:kathmandupost

Home Ministry directed to review public holidays

Tourists capture the panaromic view of a Himalayan range from Punhill in Ghorepani of Myagdi district on Monday, January 25, 2016. Photo: ...

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Nepal will play proactive role to repel negative impact of climate change: President

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk1ZuNa5ey8/WHWMRn3XGMI/AAAAAAAABeg/OgUjHpODglMqYnjF1SvfGooNhjWst66XQCLcB/s1600/Dense-Pine-Forest-in-Mid-hills-of-Nepal_-Copyright_-Amit-Poudyal-%2540IUCN-Nepal-1024x768-1024x768-10012017055046-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk1ZuNa5ey8/WHWMRn3XGMI/AAAAAAAABeg/OgUjHpODglMqYnjF1SvfGooNhjWst66XQCLcB/s400/Dense-Pine-Forest-in-Mid-hills-of-Nepal_-Copyright_-Amit-Poudyal-%2540IUCN-Nepal-1024x768-1024x768-10012017055046-1000x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jan 10, 2017- President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that Nepal wishes to play a proactive role to protect biodiversity and repel the negative impact of climate change.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inaugurating the International Conference on Biodiversity, Climate Change Assessment and Impacts on Livelihood here on Tuesday, the Head of State said, "The whole world is concerned about the biodiversity loss and looming threats of climate change. Despite resource constraints and globalized nature of climate change impact, Nepal has given priority to address these concerns."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The President said while Nepal's contributions to global warming are negligible, it is forced to face the brunt of the negative impact of climate change in the form of ice-melting and threats of glacial lake outburst floods, deforestation, denudation and desertification, loss of precious flora and fauna, drought, landslide and depletion of sources of water, habitat loss and impact on productivity of soil, and consequent migration of people.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"In a way our country represents the world biodiversity in a miniature as Nepal is composed of Himalayas, mountains, valleys and flatlands ranging from the highest point of the world in the Himalayas in the north to plain areas in the southern Tarai with exquisite flora and fauna. It is in this context that the conference is undoubtedly more important for Nepal," the President observed.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stating that biodiversity is vital for human survival and livelihood, she said in recent years climate change and global warming have emerged as serious challenges threatening biodiversity and disturbing livelihood of common masses.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"While perilous loss of our biodiversity is sure to cause havoc to our fragile ecosystem, predicted impacts are more vulnerable as more people are also likely to face risks of 'vector borne diseases'. Reckless human activities have already resulted in the loss of biodiversity- a base of life support system. The other critical instance in this respect is possibility of food insecurity in many countries including Nepal," President Bhandari stated.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nepal is a party to both Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the President said, adding that Nepal has chalked out eco-friendly policy to safeguard forest cover, protected areas and habitat conservation.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Minister for Population and Environment Jayadev Joshi said developing countries like Nepal have been affected the most by the negative impact of climate change which has caused a serious threat to the livelihood.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stating that the government has formulated and implemented adaptation policy for combating the negative consequences of climate change, he stressed the need of implementing environment-friendly development policy and conducting public awareness programmes at the local level for biodiversity protection.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tribhuvan University vice-chancellor Prof Tirtha Khaniya, Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) David Molden, USAID Nepal Director Peter Malnak, Prof Nir Krakauer of City University College of New York, and Chief of the Central Department of Botany Prof Mohan Shivakoti spoke on the significance of the conference, saying it would provide the platform for exchange of ideas and experiences in biodiversity conservation and combating climate change throughout the world.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The conference will run for three days. It is jointly organised by the Ministries of Science and Technology, Population and Environment, Agricultural Development and Forest and Soil Conservation, TU Central Department of Botany, the Agriculture and Forestry University.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The conference brings together around 400 scientists, researchers, professors, environmentalists and conservationists from more than 20 countries including Nepal, India, China, Pakistan, among others. The conference will deliberate on biodiversity issues, climate change and colonising species of plants as well as environmental and mountain problems. Some 300 international research papers will be presented and discussed during the conference, according to Prof Pramod K Jha, the coordinator of the Conference Organising Committee. RSS</span></div>

Nepal will play proactive role to repel negative impact of climate change: President

Jan 10, 2017- President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that Nepal wishes to play a proactive role to protect biodiversity and repel the n...

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German woman found dead

<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Jan 10, 2017- A German woman, who had been missing since Thursday, was found dead in a forest at Bandipur-2, Tanahun, on Monday. Police said they found the body of 29-year-old Nabine Gruchot in Sirdi forest. Gruchot, who had been staying at a hotel in Bandipur-4, had left for Muchchok on Thursday and not returned. Police suspect she might have fallen off a cliff. </span></span>

German woman found dead

Jan 10, 2017- A German woman, who had been missing since Thursday, was found dead in a forest at Bandipur-2, Tanahun, on Monday. Police said...

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3 Indians among four arrested with 40 kg hashish

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEESzQcHJQ4/WHbV_1AI79I/AAAAAAAABf4/c9qfbOfe1S8YGo8A5WyUFNSBQT0nx1AwQCLcB/s1600/Charesh--5--11012017051327-1000x0-11012017055134-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rEESzQcHJQ4/WHbV_1AI79I/AAAAAAAABf4/c9qfbOfe1S8YGo8A5WyUFNSBQT0nx1AwQCLcB/s400/Charesh--5--11012017051327-1000x0-11012017055134-1000x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Jan 11, 2017- Four persons, three of them Indian nationals, have been arrested with 40 kilograms of hashish from Bhumesthan-6 in Dhading district.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Police said one local and three Indians--one woman and two men--were arrested while selling the contraband along the Prithivi Highway, said police.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> The arrestee are Shambhu Rijal, 34, of Bhumesthan-7, and Indian national Akhilesh Kumar Bhagat, 20, Santosh Paswan, 18, and Madhu Giri aka Bitu, 28, all from Darbhanga, Bihar.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Police said Rijal was selling the drug to the Indians while they were busted.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> source: kathmandupost</div>

3 Indians among four arrested with 40 kg hashish

Jan 11, 2017- Four persons, three of them Indian nationals, have been arrested with 40 kilograms of hashish from Bhumesthan-6 in Dhadin...

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INDIA SLAPS ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON NEPALI JUTE ITEMS

<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jan 7, 2017- India has imposed anti-dumping duty ranging from $6.30 to $351.72 per tonne on the import of jute and jute products from Nepal.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zF5MKZyqZoQ/WHHaFa9s5NI/AAAAAAAABag/liiBwfb1LIMbzBUH8wiRVXufR583wfiPACEw/s1600/Jute-07012017080836-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zF5MKZyqZoQ/WHHaFa9s5NI/AAAAAAAABag/liiBwfb1LIMbzBUH8wiRVXufR583wfiPACEw/s400/Jute-07012017080836-1000x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <br />According to Indian media reports, the duty has been imposed for five years, effective from Friday, to protect Indian industry. The import-restrictive levy has been imposed on jute yarn/twine, Hessian fabric and jute sacking bags in “all forms and specifications”.<br />According to the reports, based on complaints of local players, the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties of India had initiated a probe into imports of the products in 2015.<br />In its final order, issued in October last year, it had come to the conclusion that there is dumping of goods and the imports were “underc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> utting and suppressing the prices of the domestic industry”.<br />“Performance of domestic industry has deteriorated in the terms of profitability return on investments and cash flow (and) injury to domestic industry has been caused by dumped imports,” the probe report said.<br />Nepali jute producers import 70 percent of raw materials from India and export finished products to the southern neighbour. Nearly 95 percent of Nepali jute is exported to India.<br />Raj Kumar Golchha, president of Jute Industry Association, said India’s move has put the already struggling Nepali jute industry on the verge of collapse. He said the Indian department has slapped 3-4 percent duty on jute rope, 4-5 percent on jute sacks and 0-2 percent on hessian jute fabric.<br />Traders said extended loadshedding hours, labour issues and lack of incentives have forced most of the local jute factories to close down. Among 12 jute factories in the country, only four—Arihant, Raghupati, Baba and Swastik—are in operation. These mills employ 12,000 workers.<br />Moreover, the industry has been dropped from the government’s priority list even though the demand for more ecological packaging globally has strengthened its export potential.<br />Three decades ago, the country used to be a major exporter of jute to Europe, and the golden fibre was one of the major sources of foreign exchange.<br />Jute was grown on 56,000 hectares, but now the cultivation has shrunk to 11,000 hectares.<br />The government has also removed subsidies on fertilisers, seeds and pond construction. The country used to produce 150,000 tonnes of jute three decades ago, which has now plunged to 17,000 tonnes.</span>

INDIA SLAPS ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON NEPALI JUTE ITEMS

Jan 7, 2017- India has imposed anti-dumping duty ranging from $6.30 to $351.72 per tonne on the import of jute and jute products from Nepal....

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Elderly killed in tusker attack

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jan 6, 2017- An elderly person was killed in a wild elephant attack at Sagfara in Ilam this afternoon. </span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The deceased has been identified as Jay Bahadur Limbu, 84, of Sagfara-2, said Sub-Inspector at Area Police Office, Madhumalla, Ganesh Bantawa. </span></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tusker had attacked Limbu when he was walking on the road nearby his house this morning. Critically injured Limbu died on the way to Biratnagar-based Nobel Hospital from primary treatment at Urlabari-based Araniko Hospital, said police. RSS </span></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBnKFyDmRE0/WHA-723a3vI/AAAAAAAABY8/kklAWAaZcRMulstZNiJTy9IRfQiJVR7XQCLcB/s1600/Elephas-586f85207548c6.32857655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBnKFyDmRE0/WHA-723a3vI/AAAAAAAABY8/kklAWAaZcRMulstZNiJTy9IRfQiJVR7XQCLcB/s640/Elephas-586f85207548c6.32857655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>

Elderly killed in tusker attack

Jan 6, 2017- An elderly person was killed in a wild elephant attack at Sagfara in Ilam this afternoon.  The deceased has been identified ...

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14 Chandannath idols recovered

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CteSx2Y8sBU/WGxj7kCTXzI/AAAAAAAABW8/wbu2ZuPtZhsRqCGTJ-H4Wqo9fc4KlrZ9gCLcB/s1600/murti-fela-04012017075849-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CteSx2Y8sBU/WGxj7kCTXzI/AAAAAAAABW8/wbu2ZuPtZhsRqCGTJ-H4Wqo9fc4KlrZ9gCLcB/s640/murti-fela-04012017075849-1000x0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Jan 4, 2017- Fourteen idols and two conch shells, which were stolen from the Chandannath Temple in Jumla district headquarters Khalanga on November 26, were found at Depalgaun-2 in the district on Tuesday.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Local women had spotted the idols at Rokayawada while they were going to the forest to collect firewood. One of them immediately telephoned her relative in Khalanga who informed the police about the idols.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Idol of the main deity Dattatreya was among the 21 centuries-old images and other valuables that were stolen from the temple. The Chandannath-Bhairavnath Guthi Management Committee said the idols of Dattatreya, Buddha, Krishna, Mahakaal and a gold-plated steeple, footprints of the deities and a rare conch were among the valuables stolen.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People of Depalgaun did not let the security personnel collect the idols before the authorities promised to properly probe the incident and nab the robbers. They allowed police to collect the idols only after sniffer dogs were brought to the scene.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The security personnel and Chandannath-Bhairavnath Guthi Management Committee members gathered the idols that were scattered about in the stream and the foot trail. They were brought to Khalanga in a procession attended by hundreds of people. According to Gaurinanda Acharya, former chief of the Guthi Management Committee, the idols were reinstalled in the temple.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Police mobilised a search team suspecting that other idols and valuables could be hidden in the area.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the theft, locals had staged demonstrations in the district for days, criticising the administration for failing to nab the culprits. A team led by Additional Inspector General of Police Bigyan Raj Sharma had reached Khalanga for inspection. Chandannath, a revered Hindu temple, is a major tourist attraction in the Karnali region. It is believed that Chandannath Baba, an ascetic, had brought various idols and installed them at the temple in 1855.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">source: kathmandupost</span>

14 Chandannath idols recovered

Jan 4, 2017- Fourteen idols and two conch shells, which were stolen from the Chandannath Temple in Jumla district...

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Feasibility study of automated parking lot in New Road area begins

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yada4KFd_g/WGieFVhW3iI/AAAAAAAABVg/49q-xjZBR8AvD_FcGBO0SgX_yKdTHr6MgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0040-30122016080603-1000x0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Yada4KFd_g/WGieFVhW3iI/AAAAAAAABVg/49q-xjZBR8AvD_FcGBO0SgX_yKdTHr6MgCLcB/s400/DSC_0040-30122016080603-1000x0.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Dec 30, 2016- A feasibility study on construction of automated parking lot capacious for 400 cars has begun in the New Road area.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> A five-storey building housing the parking lot will be built in the land belonging to Kathmandu Metropolitan City near Pipalbot at the estimated cost of around Rs 1 billion, said Spokesperson of the Office of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Gyanendra Karki.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> One should get a card for parking and after pressing a button on a wall, the vehicle will be allowed parking in an open space or a chosen area. Elevator will be used to take up and down potential cars.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Universal Holding Nepal has got the contract to conduct the study.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 11.5px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> The KMC will start the construction under public private partnership after the study. The building will also have underground parking space. RSS</div>

Feasibility study of automated parking lot in New Road area begins

Dec 30, 2016- A feasibility study on construction of automated parking lot capacious for 400 cars has begun in the New Road area. A fiv...

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Bird Conservation Nepal records 13,749 birds in Valley

<br /><br />The first urban bird monitoring 2016 has recorded a total of 13,749 individual birds from rural to urban gradients of Kathmandu Valley.<br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfIlMNx2g7E/WGidUF6s6GI/AAAAAAAABVY/MnjVA45wWZMtzVJ-r5fN6YdkHdB0q7uJQCLcB/s1600/nmbca.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfIlMNx2g7E/WGidUF6s6GI/AAAAAAAABVY/MnjVA45wWZMtzVJ-r5fN6YdkHdB0q7uJQCLcB/s640/nmbca.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Bird conservationists and researchers participated in the monitoring that was conducted by the Bird Conservation Nepal on January and June/July 2016.<br /><br />This number accounts for a total of 102 bird species. Of them, 85 species of birds with 6,496 individual birds were recorded in winter and 63 species of birds with 7,253 individual birds were recorded in summer.<br /><br />Researchers have said that the diversity of species had significantly decreased from rural to urban gradients.<br /><br />“We found very low species diversity in urban areas that might be due to a lack of habitat and reduced food availability,” Krishna Prasad Bhusal, one of the participants of the monitoring and Conservation Officer of BCN told The Himalayan Times.<br /><br />According to the monitoring report, the common pigeon was the most common bird species based on the number of individual birds recorded.<br /><br />A total of 4,545 common pigeons were recorded, 2,339 in winter and 2,206 in summer. Similarly, the house sparrow was identified as the second most common bird in urban and adjacent areas with 2,327 individual birds of this species.<br /><br />Likewise, 2,147 house crows were recorded, 827 common mynas, 765 cattle egrets, 426 Eurasian tree sparrows, 360 barn swallows, 308 jungle mynas, 243 red-vented bulbuls, and 159 black kites were recorded.<br /><br />According to the BCN study, urbanisation has affected the distribution of birds in Kathmandu Valley. However, long term monitoring and analysis of different environment variables are still necessary to analyse the effect of urbanization in birds in the Valley.<br /><br />Researchers recorded a higher number of resident bird species at 82 species, followed by winter migrant species at 16, and summer migrant species at 4.<br /><br />Urban habitats can be monitored using birds as an ecological indicator. Different habitat enrichment, like presence of exotic plants, high human density, road, industry, and buildings make urban habitats more complex. There is a strong need of conservation activities to protect the existing biodiversity in urban areas.<br /><br />Kathmandu is the most urbanised city in Nepal with a population of around four million people. More than 500 species of birds were recorded at Kathmandu Valley in 2008, while around 160 species are recorded only from the urban and its adjacent areas of Kathmandu Valley.<br /><br />“The increasing human density is narrowing the habitat of urban birds in the Valley. Modern housing practices, environmental pollution, high tension lines, lack of fruiting trees, and other factors are contributing to the decrease in bird population in the capital,” the monitoring report reads.<br /><br />The urban bird monitoring program divided Kathmandu into three gradients: urban, sub-urban, and rural based on core residential area to monitor the birds.<br />source: The Himalayan Times.

Bird Conservation Nepal records 13,749 birds in Valley

The first urban bird monitoring 2016 has recorded a total of 13,749 individual birds from rural to urban gradients of Kathmandu Valley. Bird...

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Pokhara Street Festival set to welcome New Year 2017

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myAArslY1H4/WGeuVKSHAFI/AAAAAAAABUU/51kWAxxajTkSpvbkrQg6sqURLLLhuqtOACLcB/s1600/15th-pokhara-street-festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myAArslY1H4/WGeuVKSHAFI/AAAAAAAABUU/51kWAxxajTkSpvbkrQg6sqURLLLhuqtOACLcB/s400/15th-pokhara-street-festival.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> POKHARA - The 'Pokhara Street Festival' is being organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) – Pokhara from December 28 to January 1 at the bustling Lakeside to bid farewell to year 2016 and welcome New Year 2017.<br /><br />At a press conference held on Monday, Festival's Coordinator, Gopi Bahadur Bhattarai, said the 18th edition of the street festival – being held annually during the same time and for the same period of time – will bear the banner 'Let's eat in the streets, dance and revel'.<br /><br />Bhattarai added that necessary preparations were underway to make the festival grand and civilized, and assured the tourists of being treated to various delicacies along with cultural and entertainment presentations.<br /><br />REBAN – Pokhara Chairman, Chau Bahadur Gurung, said the street festival will span 3.5 km from Lakeside to Sahid Chowk to Patan of Khaharedihi.

Pokhara Street Festival set to welcome New Year 2017

POKHARA - The 'Pokhara Street Festival' is being organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) – Pokhara from D...

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