Ninth National Games: Nisim Thapa Magar dies in paragliding accident
A player died in a paragliding accident during the Ninth National Games being held in Pokhara on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Nisim Thapa Magar. He was representing the Nepal Army club in the cross-country competition. The tragedy occurred when the paraglide of a company suddenly fell from the sky this afternoon.
Xi emphasizes Chinese path to modernization as central task
Xi Jinping delivered a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Sunday, China Daily reported. The following are some highlights from the report: Momentous five years The five years since the 19th National Congress of the CPC have been truly momentous and extraordinary. The Party Central Committee has pursued a strategy of national rejuvenation amid global changes of a magnitude not seen in a century, with major strategic plans made for advancing the cause of the Party and the country. (Read more) Historic achievements over past decade The CPC has taken China on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. Under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the entire Party, the military, and the Chinese people have been brought together to carry out a great struggle with many new features of the times. (Read more) Opening new chapters in adapting Marxism to Chinese context It is the solemn historic responsibility of today's Chinese Communists to continue opening new chapters in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, with the courage to make theoretical explorations and innovations, the CPC has, from an entirely new perspective, deepened its understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society . (Read more)
Gold price drops by Rs 1, 000 per tola on Sunday
The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 93, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 94, 100 per tola on Friday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 92, 600 per tola today. Similarly, the price of silver is being traded at Rs 1, 160 per tola.
Satya Mohan Joshi’s body kept in Kist Hospital for last tributes (In pictures)
The body of cultural expert and historian Satya Mohan Joshi has been kept in the Kist Hospital for last tributes.
The body will be taken to the office of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City in Pulchowk today itself.
Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chief Chiribabu Maharjan said that the mortal remains will be kept in the premises of the Metropolitan City from 12 pm to 4 pm the tributes.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba among others will reach the office of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City this afternoon to pay final tributes to Joshi.
Joshi passed away at the age of 103 on Sunday.
He breathed his last during the course of treatment at the Gwarko-based Kist Medical College this morning.
According to a source at the hospital, he passed away at 7: 09 am today.
Joshi, who had been suffering from prostate and heart-related ailments for the past many years, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital on October 10.
Joshi was also suffering from pneumonia and was also found infected with dengue during the blood test.
Earlier, he had announced to donate his body to the hospital after his death.
Spurs beat Everton to close gap on Arsenal
Harry Kane marked his 400th Tottenham appearance with the opening goal as Antonio Conte's side closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal with victory over Everton, BBC reported.
Kane broke the Toffees' resistance from the penalty spot after being tripped in the area by England team-mate Jordan Pickford, who had failed to hold on to Matt Doherty's effort.
Belgorod shooting: Gunmen kill 11 in attack on Russian trainee soldiers
Gunmen have killed 11 people in an attack at a Russian military training ground on Saturday, BBC reported.
During a firearms training session, two men opened fire on a group who had volunteered to fight in Ukraine, state-owned news agency Ria reported.
The attackers were from a former Soviet republic, the Russian defence ministry said, but did not give further details.
They were also shot dead during the incident in the Belgorod region of Russia, which borders Ukraine.
A further 15 people were wounded.
"During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in the special military operation [against Ukraine], the terrorists opened fire with small arms on the personnel of the unit," Ria cited a defence ministry statement as saying.
"As a result of the shooting, 11 people were fatally wounded. Another 15 people with wounds of varying severity were taken to a medical facility," it said.
The local governor said no residents of the Belgorod region had been killed or injured.
Last month Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a mobilisation of 300,000 Russians who had previously done compulsory military service, according to BBC.
Soon after the mobilisation was announced, a military recruiter was shot at an enlistment office in Siberia.
Last week, Putin announced that over 200,000 people had already been mobilised, and he saw no need for additional mobilisation, BBC reported.
Evin prison fire: Gun shots and sirens heard at Iran's notorious detention centre
A major fire broke out on Saturday at Iran's notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals, BBC reported.
Videos shared online showed flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions could be heard.
An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
They first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by morality police.
China congress: Xi Jinping defends zero-Covid as party meeting opens
China's President Xi Jinping has been defending his controversial zero-Covid strategy as a historic Communist Party congress kicks off in Beijing, BBC reported.
In a break in decades-long tradition, delegates are likely to hand Mr Xi a third term as party chief.
Zero-Covid was an "all out people's war to stop the spread of the virus", he said.
The policy has saved lives, but also exacted a punishing toll on the Chinese people and economy.
There is increasing public fatigue over lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Beijing has come under strict security measures ahead of the congress, sparking frustration in the city with a rare and dramatic public proteston Thursday criticising Mr Xi and zero Covid.
Mr Xi also addressed the issue of Taiwan - which China claims as part of its territory. Self-governing Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the mainland.
Speaking slowly and deliberately, he said Beijing would "never promise to renounce the use of force" and that "complete reunification of our country must and will be realised", prompting sustained applause from delegates.
On Hong Kong, Mr Xi said Beijing had exerted control there, turning the situation from "chaos to governance". Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on the territory after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.
Since reaching top office, he has overseen a wide-reaching corruption crackdown extending to the highest echelons of the party. But critics have portrayed it as a political purge.
Mr Xi's speech dominates the first day of the congress - the choice of words has been workshopped for months and analysts will be poring over it for any signs of policy shifts.
A third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will pave the way for him to become the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, according to BBC.
About 2,300 delegates are meeting to elect party leaders and debate key policies.
Over the course of the congress, delegates are also expected to elect various leaders including the Politburo Standing Committee - China's equivalent of a presidential cabinet - who will present themselves to waiting media during the congress.
In the past, the twice-a-decade congress was seen as a chance for leaders to promote their supporters, as they vied to increase the power of their factions within the party.
But observers say these days there appears to be only one faction at the 20th Party Congress - that of Mr Xi.
In a clear sign of this consolidation of power, top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders released a communiqué days earlier endorsing him as "the core" of the party and leadership. They also called for the party to unite even more closely behind him.
The CCP does not set any term limits. But no leader besides Mao, the founder of communist China, has ever served a third term.
The presidency also used to have a two-term limit in the country's constitution, put in place by reformer Deng Xiaoping to prevent the rise of a Mao-like figure.
But Mr Xi has managed to eliminate this requirement: in 2018 China's rubber-stamp parliament abolished the rule, effectively allowing him to remain president for as long as he likes.
Since taking power in 2012, Mr Xi has led China on a path that has been equal parts ambitious and authoritarian, BBC reported.
He has pushed for "a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", which saw him pursuing economic reform, reducing pollution and alleviating poverty.
