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The Midnight Riders—one of the few blues based bands in Nepal—are coming out with their latest album ‘Aawaz’. The album is to be launched at the Irish Pub, Lazimpat, on Dec 3 with a live event starting at 7pm. The album contains eight tracks. Seven of them are originals by The Midnight Riders. One of the tracks called ‘Maski Maski’ is credited to senior musician Jyoti Ghimire. However, the band has changed the song completely for this rendition.  Satish Sthapit, who also engineered the band’s previous album ‘Baiguni Lai Blues Le Marnu Parcha’, is behind the recording, mixing, and mastering of the album this time as well. The album title has been sponsored by Karma Tenzin (Karma Residences), who is a music aficionado  himself and a long time supporter of the band. Track list:

1. Bhana Na
2. Lakeside Blues
3. Awaaz
4. Herana Herana
5. Samaya
6. Soch
7. Yo Samjihne Mann
8. Maski Maski

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Janamat Party Chairman CK Raut have discussed the formation of the new government. In the meeting, PM Deuba reportedly requested Raut to join the government that will be formed under the leadership of Nepal Congress with current coalition partners on board. According to a piece of brief information provided by the Prime Minister’s Office, the duo discussed the possible collaboration. In Madhes, Raut’s party has emerged as a moderate political force.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) secured a profit of Rs 8.5 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, 2022/23. According to the NEA’s financial details (unprocessed) for the months of Shrawan, Bhadra and Ashoj (mid-July to mid-October) of the current FY, its income has been calculated at Rs 32.98 billion: through power trade, interest collection and other sources of income. When the total expenditures of Rs 24.88 billion of the period is deducted, its profit stands at Rs 8.5 billion before tax payment. As per the proactive disclosure of its activities made as per the right to information (RTI) Act, the NEA in this period purchased power worth Rs 14.15 billion from the private sector. It, through the supplies of power generated by the power houses under its ownership and purchases from the private sector, earned a net income of Rs 22.20 billion in the period. Its income from the power trade to India in the first three months was Rs 6.17 billion. In the fiscal year 2072-73 BS (2015-16), the annual loss of the NEA was Rs 8.89 billion. However, it made a U-turn to report the profit in the following years.  Its annual profit was Rs 16.16 billion in the last fiscal year. According to the NEA managing director Kulman Ghising, factors like intervention in power leakage, power export to India, rise in domestic consumption, control of expenditures are credited for converting it into a profitable organization.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 11. 22 points to close at 1, 961. 06 points on Thursday. Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1.82 points to close at 383. 66 points. Meanwhile, a total of 3,865,961 unit shares of 241 companies were traded for Rs 1. 32 billion. Meanwhile, Dhaulagiri Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Citizens Mutual Fund-1 was the top loser as its price fell by 3.64 percent. At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 82 trillion.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 98, 100 per tola today. The yellow bullion was traded at Rs 97, 600 per tola on Wednesday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 97, 600 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver is being traded at Rs 1, 330 per tola today.

The parliamentary and provincial assembly elections have concluded in a free and fair environment.  This is the second periodic election held under the 2015 constitution. So, it is a milestone development in terms of the implementation of the constitution, which was opposed by Madhes-based parties and Janajatis. But the poll outcome has diminished the hope of government stability. The Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN- UML have emerged as the first and second largest parties. Still, the seat numbers of either of these parties are very low. If either one were to form the next government, it would need the support of four-five fringe parties. Such a coalition government is bound to be a fragile one. It could collapse anytime, triggering instability. The newly emerged parties and some old parties like Rastriya Prajatantra Party, meanwhile, have some reservations on the constitution and the federal set up. This does not augur well for the stability of the country. One way to prevent this impending volatility can be an NC-UML coalition. UML seems ready to go for this option. Senior UML leaders including Bishnu Rimal have publicly stated that the party is ready to sit down for power-sharing talks with the NC. At this point, the NC should seriously consider this option. The UML leaders have rightly said that the two big parties should shoulder the responsibility of ensuring a stable government. The NC-UML coalition government will be a strong one in terms of their parliamentary strength. Their numbers will allow the parliament to enact laws required to run the government. We have seen in the past how the involvement of many parties in government can paralyze both government and parliament functioning. Compared to other parties, we believe that the NC and UML can formulate an implementable common minimum program. They are also more mature when it comes to dealing with internal and external challenges. Barring a few issues, the two parties have almost similar positions on Nepal’s relation with big powers. Only a stable and strong government can revive people’s trust on major political parties and thereby to the current political system. If public frustration continues to rise, the system could collapse. For the greater good of the country, the NC and UML should put their differences aside and come together.

Voting has started in 10 polling centers of Dolakha district on Thursday. According to Chief Returning Officer Dilli Ratna Shrestha, voting began at 7 am. A meeting of the Election Commission on November 27 had decided to conduct re-election in 10 polling centers of Dolakha today. Voting has begun in Kalidhunga Secondary School-based polling center A, B and C in Baiteswor-3. Earlier, the Election Commission had canceled the election held in the polling centers on November 20 and decided to conduct re-polling in the areas.  

Nepali Congress candidate Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has been elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Sunsari-4. He emerged victorious by defeating CPN-UML candidate Jagadish Kushiyat by a margin of 112 votes. Karki secured 30, 483 votes while his closest contender Kushiyat garnered 30, 371 votes.