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The price of gold has increased by Rs 2, 300 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 169, 800 per tola today.

It was traded at Rs 167, 500 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 1,965 per tola today.

Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has urged the concerned agencies to make the free screening campaign against non-communicable diseases a success.

The campaign has begun today to promote preventive methods against non-communicable diseases.

Issuing a message today, he said non-communicable diseases have accounted for nearly three-fourths of all deaths in the country, and climate change and increasing urbanization have added further complications.

After realizing the need to organize health promotional, remedial and curative services from the local level as a campaign with community participation to address this problem, the ministry has planned to protect the citizens from the vicious cycle of disease through preventive methods, he added.

"We are putting all-out efforts to enhance services and increase quality of treatment at our health facilities", the minister noted in the message.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has underlined the need to institutionalize outcomes achieved through struggles.

In a message delivered today to commemorate the armed struggle waged 30 years ago under the leadership of then CPN (Maoist), he said the responsibility has come to their shoulders to complete the remaining task of social transformation through public trust and mandate.

Noting that the federal democratic republic has been established after the end of monarchy in the country today due to armed struggle, Chair Dahal said that it has opened up ways to ensure representation of the oppressed communities in the governance process.

"We participated in the peace process through a comprehensive peace accord under specific circumstances. For the first time in history, we were able to institutionalize the rights of the Nepali people through the Constitution. The foundation for prosperity, justice and equality has been prepared. This was possible due to the people's war", the message reads.

Dahal, also the former Prime Minister, further noted that there were some shortcomings on our part in the process, but there was never a flaw in our intentions".

They have been continuously working for the advancement of the Nepali people and Nepali society, he stated, adding, "Therefore, we are moving forward with an open heart reviewing our weaknesses".

Chair Dahal paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives during the armed struggle, respect for those who went missing and wished full recovery to those injured, the message noted.

The World Radio Day is being observed by organizing several awareness-creating programs across the globe, today.

At the call of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, the day is being marked today by broadcasting radio programs to spread awareness about the problems arising from climate change and adaptation measures.

Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO Member States and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as International Day of the United Nations, February 13 became World Radio Day.

According to UNESCO, radio is beginning its second century of service as one of the most dependable and widely utilized forms of media in the world. 

Radio contributes to the achievement of its international objectives by supporting populations through climate disasters such as tropical storms and floods. It helps with the dissemination of fact-based information, listeners’ voices, and dedicated radio shows.

Radio is considered a powerful medium for democratic debate and mass communication. Radio is the most widely reached and the most listened globally.

At one time the role of radio in maintaining social diversity and unity, representing, listening and telling the stories of the voiceless was incomparable.

Radio, which has always been a friend of the commoners during disasters and in the rural areas, has also played a spectacular role in social change by providing information, entertainment and education.

Three students have died while 40 others were injured in a bus accident that took place along the Sankhu-Nagarkot road section in Kattike, Shankharapur Municipality-5, Kathmandu, on Wednesday.

The incident occurred this afternoon when the Sundarimai Yatayat bus (Ba 2 Kha 7958), hired by the SS Academy School based in in Chabahil, lost control reportedly due to a brake failure, said spokesperson of the District Police Range, Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Apil Raj Bohara.

The bus was returning from Nagarkot to Sankhu after collecting the students who had gone on a school picnic.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, according to the police.

The government has decided to accept USD 2 million (around Rs 277 million) for the 'emergency flood rescue plan-2024' to be provided by the Asian Development Bank under the 'Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund'.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, shared it while informing about the Cabinet decisions made on February 10.

An approval in principle was given on preparedness on financial management for the construction of reservoir-based Dudhkoshi hydropower project of 670 MW.

The government also decided to scrap the work procedure on punishment and pardon, case on hold, and change-2071; endorse the memorandum of understanding on visa permit to those except diplomatic officials and service passport holders between Nepal and Ukraine; and approve the MoU on diplomatic study and cooperation in training to be signed by the Institute of Foreign Affairs, Nepal and the Diplomatic Academy, Oman.

A 15-bed basic hospital run by Athbiskot Municipality of Dailekh district would be handed over to Karnali Academy of Health Sciences for its management.

Also endorsed by the Cabinet is the Insurance Regulation, 2081 BS.

Acting Chief Secretary at Lumbini Province, Baburam Adhikari, has been promoted by the government to the post of gazetted special class officer under Nepal administration service.

Secretary at Finance Ministry Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire has been transferred to Office of the President, while Secretary at President's Office, Narayan Prasad Duwadi to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, and Secretary at the CIAA Ghanshyam Upadhyay to the Finance Ministry.

A total of 17 joint secretaries (gazetted first class officers) have also been transferred by the government.

The Babarmahal area of Kathmandu got waterlogged after a major water supply pipe on the main road burst open.

The incident took place as the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) was conducting horizontal drilling to install underground power supply wires.

Head of Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Project Implementation Directorate, Tika Bahadur Chaudhary, said that a pipe in the major water supply system burst while 'horizontal drilling' was being conducted for underground electricity supply wire installation.

Though the water distribution valve was closed following the incident, the water has not stopped flowing, he said.

After the pipe burst leading to water logging, the Special Court in Babarmahal as well as surrounding government buildings were submerged along with some vehicles parked in the office premises.

The traffic along the section was also affected, leading to long traffic jam.

The Ministry of Health and Population is to provide free tests for noncommunicable diseases for a month. The service beginning tomorrow (February 13) will continue till the end of Fagun (March 13).

The campaign will be focused on increasing civic awareness on non-transmissible diseases and their prevention.  

According to Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki, people above 30 will be provided free tests for diabetes, hypertension and kidney-related issues with the measurements of body weight and height.

The nation's population above 50 is 14,090,000.  The services for them will be available in health institutions at the local levels.

Earlier on December 2, 2023, Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, endorsed a directive for the month-long campaign on non-communicable diseases.

Similarly, the Ministry is preparing to launch a free screening test for cervical cancer in the month of Fagun (February-March).