10 parties submit closed list of proportional representation candidates so far
The Election Commission has said that 10 parties have submitted the closed list of their candidates of proportional representation (PR) for the elections to the House of Representatives and province assemblies so far. The Election Commission had urged the parties to submit the close list of candidates on October 2, 3 for the elections to be held on November 20. According to the poll body, nine parties had submitted the list on Sunday. Only a political party submitted the closed list today. It has been learnt that Nepali Congress (BP), Mongol Organization, Janata Pragatisheel Party and Pichadabarga Dalit Janajati Party are preparing to submit the list today. Similarly, Khumbu Rastriya Dalit Morcha Nepal, Bahujan Ekata Party, Rastriya Nagarik Party, Ekakrit Shakti Nepal, CPN (Maoist Center) and Nepal Sadhbhawana Party among others are also preparing to submit the list today itself.
Ashesh Dangol’s ‘All Those Beautiful Dreams’ music album released
Ashesh Dangol, also known by his stage name Himalayan Hendrix released his music album ‘All Those Beautiful Dreams’ on Sept 3. All the eight songs in the album are written, composed, mixed/mastered and produced by Dangol. The album consists of 8 tracks: Greed, My Blues Ain’t For Sale, Human VS Machine, Posers The Losers, All Those Beautiful Dreams, Unfulfilled Dreams, I let It Go, and For The New Revolution.
Gold price drops by Rs 400 per tola on Monday
The price of gold has dropped by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 91, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 91, 800 per tola on Sunday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 90, 900 per tola today. Similarly, the price of silver is being traded at Rs 1, 175 per tola.
Government committed to hold upcoming elections in free and fair manner: PM
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the government is committed to hold the November 20 federal and provincial elections in a free and fair environment. Addressing a program organized on the occasion of Constitution Day in Tundikhel on Monday, Prime Minister Deuba expressed his confidence that the government would get support from all the people. “We are going to conduct the federal and provincial elections on November 20. The government is committed to hold the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner,” he said. The Prime Minister said that the government has been working day and night for political stability and to ensure good governance in the country. “Various rules and regulations have been formulated to implement the Constitution,” he said. Saying that Nepal witnessed a huge political change, he said that it is the duty of all to institutionalize it. PM Deuba further said that there is a need to work with integrity and honesty. He said that the responsibility rested on the shoulders of people to fulfill the dreams of the martyrs and to take the country towards the path of prosperity.
Future Foods: So much goodness under one roof
It’s difficult to say no to biryani. But we have all been disappointed when we have been served a plate full of rice and chicken in the name of biryani. ‘Biryani Moments’ is different. Located in a secluded area at Shankhamul, Kathmandu, it’s one of the many brands under Future Foods, a cloud kitchen. Besides Biryani Moments, there’s Biggies Burgers & Fries and Pie Pickers Pizza that are equally good. The biryani they serve is perhaps one of the best you can find in Kathmandu. It’s neither dry, nor soggy. It’s neither spicy, nor bland. A single serving comes with two chicken-leg pieces, which are tender with perfectly balanced flavors. You will definitely go back for more as well as recommend it to your friends. The burger here is delicious as the patty is juicy and cooked just right. But burger lovers will attest that it’s the bread bit that makes or breaks the burger. The bun they use is made from scratch and they have their own special recipe. The same goes for the pizza as well. The thin-crust pizza was surprisingly good for one that was made in the microwave. There is another quite peculiar dish that has just been launched. It’s called ‘Saptarangi Momo’ and there are seven pieces in one plate. The name comes from the fact that they have used seven colors to make the momo wraps. Don’t be alarmed as they haven’t used any artificial coloring. The chef mixes organic food materials like spinach, beetroot, turmeric, etc. to create the desired colors that are used. It not only tastes good but makes for an Instagram-worthy photo as well. The best part about Future Foods is that it’s open 24/7 and their delivery service also operates round the clock. So, the next time you are hungry and find yourself trying to decide between leftovers or instant noodles, we suggest you give Future Foods a try. Specials:
- Chicken Hyderabad Lazeej Dum Biryani
- Classic Chicken Burger
- Saptarangi Momo
Opening hours: 24 hours
Location: Shankhamul, Kathmandu
Meal for two: Rs 1,500
Online payment: Accepted
Reservations: 01-5906111/01-5261562
Parking: Not available
Mind Matters | A mother’s concern
Query
I’m a 49-year-old mother and I’m worried about my 15-year-old son. I heard two students committed suicide recently and I’m quite concerned about my son’s mental health. I want him to know that I will be there for him no matter what. I want to assure him that even if he makes a mistake, I will guide him rather than push him away in with anger. But he is very secretive and doesn’t share much with any of us in the family. I have no idea what goes on in his mind and that’s really scary. I feel I should do something to make him feel comfortable enough to talk to me when there is a problem, and try to build a better connection with him. But I don’t know how. Please help.—A worried mother
Answered by Krishangi, psychologist, Happy Minds
Dear worried mother,
Teenage is a phase when children are likely to be a little distant from their family, and it can be concerning to see them that way. Being a teenager is confusing as there will be hormonal and behavioral changes. They will be having a difficult time adjusting to that.
As a mother, I suggest you notice your son’s behavior patterns. For instance, notice if he is constantly on his phone, or irritated when talking to family members. Pay attention to their appearance. If you notice something off, try to confront him but be gentle. You have said that you want him to share things with you and let you know if he makes a mistake and you can only do that by communicating well.
You might not like certain things your children do, and as a parent you can talk through the situation rather than imposing rules and punishments. Try to explain how and why you would like them to do things. Being patient and trying to reason things out are some important aspects of parenting teens.
Children tend to mimic their parents on a subconscious level. When they see that you are calm and respectful towards them, they will also try to be calm and respectful towards you. And that will translate in their behavior with everyone around them as well. In your son’s case, since he must be going through some changes that he doesn’t know how to deal with, asking a male figure to explain what’s happening to him might prove to be helpful.
You need to find an approach that suits you, in order for him to open up. For that, first you might have to create an environment where he feels comfortable enough to share things. One way to get teens to open up can be by showing them that you are interested in things they are interested in—not only in their hobbies and school life but also in their choices and decisions.
Start by asking little things like, “How was your day?”, “Is there anything you want to do on the weekend?”, “How are your friends?”, and “Is there something you want to talk about?”. They might not open up initially but once they see you are trying to make an effort, they will reciprocate.
Doing so will also show them you are approachable and they might eventually come to you for advice as well. Once your children start communicating with you, listen to them as an equal and not as a parent. This will help create a neutral space for them to just be themselves and not feel judged. The focus should be on having constructive conversations with them. That way you will be able to guide them into making the right decisions without seeming like an overbearing parent.
I think what most parents also need to do is hug their children and let them know that they love them every morning before they go to school. Let them feel wanted and valued, and remind them they have a loving home to come back to, no matter what happens in the outside world.
Pakistan floods put pressure on faltering economy
The calls are growing louder. Pakistan desperately needs help after its worst floods in years, and it needs it fast, BBC reported.
"This climate calamity couldn't have come at a worse time, when Pakistan's economy was already struggling with a balance of payments crisis, rising debt, and soaring inflation," Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistan ambassador to the UN and the UK, told the BBC.
If the country doesn't get debt relief, she added, the economy risks "tanking".
Catastrophic rain linked to climate change has submerged large parts of the country, killing nearly 1,500 people and affecting roughly 33 million people.
Homes, roads, railways, crops, livestock and livelihoods have been washed away in the extreme weather event.
Across the country, an estimated 800,000 cattle - a key source of income for rural families - have been lost in the floods.
Farmers who have not had their crops and livestock washed away are now reportedly running low on feed for their cattle.
There will likely be more pain ahead with a food crisis looming.
Roughly 70% of the onion harvest, along with rice and corn, has been destroyed, according to Pakistan's climate change minister, Sherry Rehman.
Pakistan is the world's fourth largest rice exporter, with markets in Africa and China.
Almost all of Pakistan's households are consumers of wheat, but with so much agricultural land damaged, the wheat harvest could be at risk too.
Food prices are already under pressure because of the post-pandemic supply chain disruption and the war in Ukraine, which is a major global supplier of key crops.
Pakistan's inflation rate was more than 24% before the floods, according to reports, and some costs have climbed by 500%.
Authorities may need to import food to feed people and raw materials for industry, but the country's foreign reserves were running low even before the crisis..
Pakistan is also a producer of cotton, which is used in the country's textile industry - a major employer. Manufacturers are bracing for a shortage of that too, BBC reported.
On Sunday, Pakistan's finance minister Miftah Ismail said the country would "absolutely not" default on its debt payments despite the floods.
Mr Ismail also said that external financing sources had been secured, including more than $4bn (£3.5bn) from the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and World Bank.
About $5bn of investments from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia would be made in the current financial year, he added.
At the same time, Pakistan's central bank announced that Saudi Arabia's development authority had extended a deposit of $3bn, which had been due for repayment in December, by one year.
Also on Sunday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it would work with countries around the world international community to support Pakistan's relief and reconstruction efforts.
Last month, an IMF bailout package was approved but conditions were attached, like raising taxes and applying austerity measures.
Andrew Wood, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings, flagged "high inflation, a weaker currency, and tighter fiscal and monetary conditions" as affecting growth in a recent briefing. He added that the agency estimated the government's debt position was around 74% of GDP.
"Financial support from the IMF and other multilateral and bilateral partners is critical, in our view... Structural reforms that support Pakistan's business environment and macroeconomic stability would be important pillars of an enduring economic recovery," Mr Wood said, according to BBC.
The floods were caused by record rainfall during the monsoon season and melting glaciers in the mountains.
The South Asian nation received nearly 190% more rain than the 30-year average, in July and August. The southern province of Sindh received 466% more rain than average.
When UN Secretary General António Guterres visited Pakistan last week, he blamed climate change for the disaster and said the country needed massive financial support.
"I have seen many, many humanitarian disasters in the world. But I have never seen climate carnage on this scale. I have simply no words to describe what I have seen today, a flooded area that is three times the total area of my own country, Portugal," Mr Guterres said.
Aid agencies are now assessing the scale of the reconstruction effort, and with entire villages underwater, a public health crisis is inevitable.
Weather officials say more rain is expected in the coming days, putting thousands of displaced people at further risk.
Biden again says US would defend Taiwan if China attacks
US President Joe Biden has again said the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an "unprecedented attack" by China, BBC reported.
Speaking in a CBS interview, Mr Biden replied "Yes" when asked if that meant US forces would defend Taiwan.
The interview aired on Sunday, prompting the White House to reiterate that US policy had not changed.
Washington's policy has always been one of "strategic ambiguity" - it does not commit to defending Taiwan, but also does not rule out the option.
Taiwan is a self-ruled island off the coast of eastern China that Beijing claims as part of its territory. Washington has long walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue. On the one hand it adheres to the One China policy, a cornerstone of its relationship with Beijing.
Under this policy, Taiwan is a part of China and the position is not challenged. So the US does not recognise it as a separate state and has no diplomatic ties with the island. But it maintains close relations and sells arms to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, which states that the US must provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Mr Biden reiterated this in the CBS 60 Minutes interview on Sunday, according to BBC.
"There's a One-China policy and Taiwan makes their own judgements on their independence. We are not moving, not encouraging their being independent - that's their decision," he said.
Mr Biden had made similar comments in May, vowing to intervene militarily to defend Taiwan if it was attacked. The White House had quickly followed up by saying there was no departure from America's long-standing policy.
This time too the White House has issued a statement that appears to contradict Mr Biden: "The President has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn't changed. That remains true."
But this is the third time in a year that President Biden has gone further than the official stance in indicating a promise of military action - in October 2021 and then again in May this year.
Earlier this month, the US agreed to sell $1.1bn (£955m) in weaponry and missile defence to Taiwan, provoking anger from China.
Tensions between US and China ramped up after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to the island in August - a trip Mr Biden had said was "not a good idea".
In response, Beijing staged a five-day military blockade around Taiwan. The US claims it shot missiles over the island, but Beijing did not confirm this and Taiwan said the missiles China fired flew high into the atmosphere and posed no threat, BBC reported.
Elsewhere in the pre-recorded interview broadcast on Sunday, Mr Biden warned Russia not to use chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.
