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The incumbent Sher Bahadur Deuba-led five-party coalition government is essentially a caretaker dispensation, as the country just conducted the elections to federal parliament and provincial assemblies. In this interregnum period, it has no authority to take any big decision. But Deuba has gone on to issue an ordinance that allows the government to scrap the so-called political cases—both sub-judice and adjudicated ones. The only job of the current government is to facilitate smooth transition of power. It’s clear to see where this ordinance came from and to what end. As the five-party coalition, led by the Nepali Congress, could not muster a majority in the Nov 20 polls, it will need the support of fringe parties to form a government. This is where the ordinance comes in. It was issued with a purpose of freeing Resham Lal Chaudhary, a former lawmaker and leader of Nagarik Unmukti Party, who is currently in prison after being convicted of orchestrating the 2015 Kailali massacre, where eight people including a toddler lost their lives. Chaudhary’s party has won three seats in federal parliament, and the five-party coalition needs just two seats to secure a majority. The ordinance was brought to woo the newly elected lawmakers of Nagarik Unmukti Party. This transitional government has overstepped its jurisdiction by issuing the controversial ordinance. The important thing to bear in mind here is that the newly elected members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have yet to hold the first meeting. Before entering into its main business of lawmaking, the HoR will have to elect a new prime minister, president, deputy president, speaker, and deputy speaker. The new government will take shape accordingly. Even if the five-party coalition were to form the next government, this is a bad beginning in many ways. The move clearly demonstrates that the parties are not ready to mend their ways. In the past five years, parties in power largely bypassed the parliament and tried to run the country through ordinances. They seem to be headed towards the same path all over again. The recently concluded elections have clearly shown that people’s faith and trust in mainstream political parties are fast eroding. The emergence of new political parties should have served as a warning to them. But apparently, it didn’t.

After the government announced the lifting of import restrictions on automobiles, dealers have initiated the process of importing vehicles which stalled for the last eight months. While automobile dealers have continued their protest against high borrowing rates, they have also started opening letters of credit (LC) to import vehicles simultaneously. With the government announcing restrictions on vehicle import in April, imports of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles were halted for eight months. Leading automobile dealers say auto buyers have to wait for some time to ride new models as it will take 2-3 months to import vehicles after opening LCs at banks. "By completing the process in around two months, new vehicles will be available in the market," said Dhruba Thapa, President of the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal. According to Sandip Sharma, Manager-Marketing and Communications of Laxmi Intercontinental, the authorized distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Nepal, the first model that will arrive in Nepal from Hyundai will be the facelift Hyundai Venue, a compact SUV. "The facelift model of Venue will arrive by early February," informed Sharma. The new version of Venue was launched in India in June of this year. According to Sharma, the opening of LC to import Venue facelift has started. The other SUV from Hyundai to be launched in the market will be the Creta facelift. "It could hit the Nepali market by next Dashain," he said. According to Sharma, there are no new Hyundai vehicles being imported to Nepal in the next six months. "The new model from Hyundai could be Casper, a 5-seater hatchback. But we have to wait for another 12 months for that," he said. CG Moto Corp, the sole distributor of Maruti Suzuki in Nepal, is bringing the new Alto, Grand Vitara, and Vitara Breeza facelift in the coming months. "Both Grand Vitara and Breeza facelift will hit the market by mid-January 2023," said Anup Baral, Managing Director of Narayani Auto, a dealer of CG MotoCorp. Life Automobile, the authorized distributor of Jeep in Nepal is all set to launch the new brand - Jeep Meridian - in the local market. According to Ramesh Danekhu, Manager-Marketing Communications at MAW Enterprises, they will also start bringing new Kodiaq and Kushaq. Auto dealers say despite import restrictions lifting, there is no excitement in the domestic automobile market as the liquidity crunch is still affecting the banking sector. The vehicles that would hit the market soon: Hyundai Venue Facelift Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Vitara Breeza Facelift New Alto Jeep Meridian  Mahindra Scorpio  

Crowds in Paris and other French cities erupted in shouts of joy as France advanced to the World Cup final Wednesday, while disappointed Morocco fans mingled with the exuberant supporters of the winning team, paying tribute to the African country’s unprecedented achievement, Associated Press reported.

Football fans streamed to the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, shooting off firecrackers and red flares, to an unending chorus of honking cars.

On the famous avenue, many were brandishing French flags and singing “we are in the final.”

Some Moroccan fans, wrapped in the North African country’s flag, also cheered their team in the streets of the French capital.

France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the World Cup final against Argentina, in a historic match between the defending champion and Africa’s first ever semifinalist.

Supporters from both teams gathered in bars from the boulevards of Paris to the streets of Morocco’s capital Rabat, from the cosmopolitan French Riviera city of Nice to the historic Moroccan city of Marrakech.

In central Madrid, fans celebrated on Sol Square after the match, some with red Moroccan flags draped on their shoulders, jumping up and down, and some wearing the French tricolor.

In Belgium, scuffles briefly broke out in Brussels after the game and authorities countered with water cannon and teargas after they were targeted. One and a half hours later, a tense calm had returned. Media reports spoke of 40 detentions. There also was some unrest in northern Antwerp, according to Associated Press.

In Paris, riot police vans lined the broad thoroughfare and the base of the imposing Arc de Triomphe, and white-helmeted officers roamed the crowd on the Champs-Elysees. Minor incidents briefly broke out, leading officers to occasionally use teargas to move the crowd away.

Despite their sadness, Moroccan fans expressed pride in their team, highlighting the history-making moment this game represented.

A Rabat resident, Fatima Zahra Attaq said that she was “a bit sad, but this is football. ... After all, they gave their best and made us proud to reach this stage of the competition.”

“The national team made us dream,” said Reda Hakam, also working in Rabat. “The dream is now over. I am not sad. I am actually very proud.”

Kenza El Amrani said that “I think Moroccans should wipe the tears off their faces and cheer for this team.”

Those who attended the game in Qatar also paid tribute to the performance and fighting spirit of the African team.

“Morocco played with their hearts,” said Ayaz Dhrolia, a fan from Canada whose face was painted in Morocco colors as he left Doha’s Al Bayt Stadium. “They won the hearts of millions and millions of people around the world, well appreciated. Thanks, Morocco.”

Youssra Zhhata, a Moroccan woman who was at the game, stressed that “they made it to the semifinals and that’s an accomplishment. ... And we had Africans, Arabs, everyone supporting us.”

Morocco was under French rule from 1912-56, giving the match political and emotional resonance for both nations.

Morocco has exceeded all expectations in Qatar by beating second-ranked Belgium in the group stage and then eliminating European powerhouses Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase to reach the semifinals, Associated Press reported.

In Gaza, Palestinians who thronged cafes and outdoor large screens expressed disappointment at Morocco’s loss.

“All of Gaza is now sad for this result. We were hoping they would win,” said Wael al-Riffi, a Gaza resident, as he held Morocco’s flag.

Crowds also gathered in the Israeli-occupied West Bank to watch the game.

The Palestinians felt empathy from the Moroccan national team as players held the Palestinian flag several times at the World Cup.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 2. 62 points to close at 1,897.0 8 points on Wednesday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 12 points to close at 370. 19 points. A total of 2,087,876 unit shares of 246 companies were traded for Rs 72 billion. Meanwhile, CYC Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited and Eastern Hydropower Limited were the top gainers today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 74 trillion.

A writ has been filed at the Supreme Court against Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane. Supreme Court spokesperson Bimal Paudel said that the writ was filed demanding that Lamichhane’s lawmaker post be scrapped at the earliest. “A writ was filed against Rabi Lamichhane. Yuva Raj Safal has lodged the writ,” Paudel said. He said that Rastriya Swatantra Party, Election Commission, federal parliament and District Administration Office, Kathmandu have been made defendants. Safal has urged the concerned authority not to administer oath to Lamichhane as a lawmaker. Lamichhane was dragged into controversy after being embroiled in a dual citizenship case. He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Chitwan-2.    

The Election Commission has made public the final results of the elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly held on November 20. Organizing a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya announced the results of the election to the House of Representatives. The results of the Province Assembly will be made public on December 17. Earlier on December 7, the Election Commission had given three days to the parties and had asked the name list of the candidates to be elected under the proportional representation category from the closed list. The Election Commission made public the final results today after the parties submitted the list by correcting the names of the lawmakers in the closed list. The poll body is scheduled to submit the report of the final results of the elections to President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday. The way to form a new government will be opened after the Election Commission submitted the report to the President. Seven parties got recognition of national party in the elections. Twelve political parties will be represented in the Parliament. Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party and Nepal Janamat Party have become the national party. Among these parties, Rastriya Swatantra Party and Nepal Janamat Party have emerged as new political parties. Nepali Congress has become the largest party with 79 seats—57 FPTP and 32 PR followed by CPN-UML with 78 seats—44 FPTP and 34 PR. Thirty-two lawmakers of the CPN (Maoist Center) will represent the party in the Parliament. Similarly, 20 lawmakers of Rastriya Swatantra Party and 14 lawmakers of Rastriya Prajatantra Party will represent their respective parties in the Parliament. Likewise, 12 lawmakers of Janata Samajbadi Party and six lawmakers of Nepal Janamat party will participate in the Parliament. The Election Commission said that three lawmakers of Nagarik Unmukti Party, five independent lawmakers and one lawmaker each from Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Rastriya Janamorcha will also show their participation in the Parliament.  

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1,000 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 101, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 100, 000 per tola on Tuesday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 100, 500 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 10 is being traded at Rs 1, 400 per tola today.

At a time when efforts are being made to form a new government under the leadership of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Maoist Center) General Secretary Dev Gurung held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss a possible left alliance and power sharing. The CPN (Maoist Center) has been bargaining with the Congress saying that they could even join hands with the UML. A key partner of the incumbent coalition government, the Maoist Center, which had earlier said that the current alliance should be given continuity to take the country towards the path of prosperity, has recently intensified meetings with the main opposition UML. Second rung leaders of the UML and the Maoist Center have been mounting pressure on Oli and Dahal to join hands together. Earlier this week, UML politburo member Mahesh Basent held a meeting with Maoist Center Chairman Dahal and stressed that the UML and Maoist Center should form a government together. During the meeting held on Tuesday night, Maoist Center leader Gurung told Oli that there is no alternative to left alliance and can form a government now also. According to a source, second rung leaders of both the parties are planning to arrange a meeting between Oli and Dahal. “We are creating a conducive environment to arrange a meeting between the chairperson of two parties. Oli and Dahal will meet soon,” a UML leader close to Oli said. The leader was of the opinion that both the leaders have felt that a communist government is indispensable for the long-term development of the country. “Both the chairmen are ready to move ahead by correcting the mistakes made in the past,” the leader said, adding, “Both the leaders have felt that the left alliance and communist government are essential for the long-term development of the country.” A Maoist Center leader said that Gurung went to Balkot to meet Oli after holding a broader discussion with Dahal. The source said that the duo discussed the possibility of forming a government by roping in some fringe parties. The CPN-UML has won 79 seats – 57 FPTP and 32 PR while the Maoist Center has won 32 seats.