KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings to you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Leaked letter reveals Nepali Army proposed US to involve Nepal in SPP during KP Oli’s term
A day after the Nepali Army (NA) denied its involvement in the United States State Partnership Program (SPP), a request letter written by then Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), now retired, General Rajendra Chhetri obtained by Khabarhub has starkly contrasted the NA claim.
The letter reveals that the NA had requested the United States to involve Nepal in the State Partnership Program (SPP) when CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli was the Prime Minister.
It is learned that the Oli-led government, through the Nepali Army, wrote to the US requesting the establishment of a National Guard State Partnership Program (NGSSP) for Nepal.
In a letter obtained by Khabarhub, dated October 27, 2015, and addressed to then US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B. Teplitz, the Nepali Army formally requested the establishment of a NGSSP for Nepal.
This revelation has starkly contrasted the NA’s statement issued on Wednesday, denying Nepal’s involvement in SPP.
Man suspected of contracting monkeypox virus being observed at Teku hospital
A Nepali youth suspected of contracting monkeypox virus is under observation at a Teku hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The suspect is being monitored at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital (STIDH) in Teku, Kathmandu.
According to STIDH, the young man who arrived from Dubai is being monitored after he exhibited similar symptoms to that of monkeypox virus.
The 27-year-old man had a fever of up to four degrees Celsius on Thursday and there were red blisters on his body and hands.
Parliamentary panel summons CoAS Sharma for discussion on SPP
The International Relations Committee (IRC) of the House of Representatives has summoned Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhuram Sharma for discussion after Nepali Army’s proposed letter for the State Partnership Program (SPP) with the United States became public.
The parliamentary panel has called a meeting at 9 am on Friday and invited CoAS Sharma to shed light on the matter.
IRC President Pabitra Niraula (Kharel) said CoAS Sharma was called to clarify the issue of SPP after various related matters became public. She added that a letter has been sent to the CoAS Sharma to come with information about the SPP.
UML lawmakers boycott Parliament meeting
Lawmakers of the main opposition CPN-UML have boycotted the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Taking time to speak, UML’s Chief Whip Bishal Bhattarai Bhattarai objected to the Speaker to compel the UML lawmakers to take part in the budget discussion despite the party’s demand for a parliamentary inquiry into Finance Minister Janardhan Sharma’s decision to include an outsider to prepare the budget.
“We are concerned that the Speaker did not respect the dignity of the parliament,” he said.
IOC sends new price list of petroleum products to NOC; prices increase
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has sent a new price list of petroleum products to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Thursday.
According to the new price list sent to NOC, the price of petrol has increased by Rs 6.52 per liter, diesel by Rs 19.3 and aviation fuel by Rs 19.91.
According to the new price list sent by India, NOC, in a statement issued Thursday, said there is a deficit of Rs 31.28 per liter in petrol.
Petrol is being sold at Rs 178 per liter at present. Now the cost price has climbed to Rs 209.28, as per NOC.
NCB arrests seven foreigners with 51 kg illegal heroin worth Rs 1.2 billion
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of Nepal Police has arrested seven foreign nationals in possession of 51 kilograms of heroin.
Holding a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, NCB said seven South African women were arrested after the bureau monitored and investigated several areas around Tribhuvan International Airport and Thamel for long.
It has been revealed that the arrested arrived in Kathmandu from Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways flights on several dates.
According to the police, 49 kg of white heroin and 2 kg of gray heroin were seized from them.
The illegal market value of the seized drug is about Rs 1.2 billion, said NCB Superintendent of Police (SP) Jeevan Kumar Shrestha.
Global IME Bank and BOK sign MoU for merger
Global IME Bank and Bank of Kathmandu (BOK) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for merger on Thursday.
Following the signing of the merger agreement, stock trading of the banks has been suspended in Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE).
The joint entity has been agreed to be named as Global IME BOK Bank and the post of chief executive officer (CEO) of the merged entity would be held by incumbent Global IME Bank CEO Ratna Raj Bajracharya.
NEPSE rebounds with 12.57 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index closed at 1,978.94 on Thursday after gaining 12.57 points.
This is a gain of 0.64% after a loss of 29.89 points on Wednesday.
The index that opened at 1,966.89 made an intraday low of 1,950.76 and an intraday high of 1,993.95 before closing at 1,978.94 points at the end of trading day.
The total turnover of Rs 1.18 billion was recorded today as 3,594,594 shares of 221 companies traded hands via 25,585 transactions. The turnover of Wednesday had stood at Rs 1.49 billion.
No treason while fixing tax rates as mooted, ready to face music if proved otherwise: FinMin Sharma
Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has said that the country has not been betrayed while fixing tax rates as mooted and if anybody proves otherwise, he is ready to face the music.
Responding to queries raised in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Sharma said, “I am fully responsible for the tax rates set by the Revenue Committee. There has been no betrayal as mooted. I am ready to face the music if anybody proves manipulation in the tax rates, because I know nothing is wrong with it.”
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