4 injured in clash between NC, UML cadres in Gorkha

A clash broke out between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML cadres in Arughat Rural Municipality-1, Gorkha on Monday.

Police said that the clash erupted last night following a dispute over the election issues under the influence of alcohol.

Two cadres of Nepali Congress and two cadres of UML were injured in the incident.

Phul Bahadur Lama and Bikram Lama of UML and Bir Bahadur Lama and Dorje Lama of Nepali Congress were injured in the clash.

They have returned home on Tuesday morning after receiving primary treatment at the Arughat Primary Health Post.

Police said that they are looking into the case.

Ward chairman candidate of Tulsipur Chaudhary dies

A ward chairman candidate of Ward-17 of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, Dang has died.

Chaudhary, who had filed his candidacy from the CPN-UML, died last night.

A permanent resident of Badhausi, Chaudhary (53) had been suffering from kidney and liver related problems for the past many years.

During his previous tenure, he had worked as a ward member of Tulsipur-17.

He was taken to the Nepalgunj-based Bheri Hospital after he fell sick during the election campaign.

Later, he was taken to the Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu where he breathed his last during the course of treatment, UML Tulsipur Chairman Madhav Oli said.

 

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka calls on Energy Minister Bhusal

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation in Singha Durbar on Monday.

On this occasion, Ambassador Kikuta expressed his gratitude to Minister Bhusal for participating in the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit through video conference held in Kumamoto City, Japan on April 23-24, 2022, read a statement issued by the Embassy of Japan.

In addition, Ambassador Kikuta said that His Majesty the Emperor of Japan mentioned Nepal at the beginning as well as the ending of the commemorative keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the summit.

During the meeting, Ambassador Kikuta highlighted the importance of relationship between Japan and Nepal and mentioned the long history of bilateral cooperation, especially in the energy sector such as Kulekhani Hydropower Project form 1970s.

The ambassador also stated that the Government of Japan recently revised “Country Development Cooperation Policy for Nepal” and Japan would continue to support Nepal’s national achievement based on the major target of the Policy, “Assistance for a balanced and sustainable economic growth, aiming at Nepal’s graduation from the Least Developed Countries status," the statement read.

He indicated that Japan would continue to cooperate in areas such as social and economic infrastructure development including energy and water sector, human resource development, disaster prevention, and poverty reduction in line with the Policy.

Nepal reports 8 new Covid-19 cases on Monday

Nepal logged eight new Covid-19 cases on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 693 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which six returned positive. Likewise, 1, 309 people underwent antigen tests, of which two were tested positive.

The Ministry said that no one died of the virus in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that 17 infected people recovered from the disease.

As of today, there are 190 active cases in the country.

Sri Lankan PM resigns amid economic crisis

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned amid mass protests at the government's handling of the economic crisis, officials say, BBC reported.

The move came as the island was placed under curfew after violent clashes between Rajapksa supporters and anti-government protesters in Colombo. 

At least 78 people have been injured in the violence in the capital, a local hospital says. 

There have been protests over soaring prices and power cuts since last month.

Mr Rajapaksa, 76, sent his resignation letter to his younger brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, his spokesman said, according to BBC.

The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. 

The government has requested emergency financial help. Many Sri Lankans also want President Rajapaksa to go as well, BBC reported.

Government announces public holiday on Election Day

The government has announced a public holiday on May 13, the Election Day.

Issuing a statement, the Home Ministry announced a public holiday on May 13 as per the Cabinet decision, Home Ministry spokesperson Phanindra Mani Pokharel said.

He said that the government offices and public agencies across the country have also given a public holiday on that day.

 

Nepse surges by 12. 27 points on Monday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 12. 27 points to close at 2, 268. 84 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index plunged by 3. 12 points to close at 439. 47 points.

Meanwhile, a total of 3, 324, 822 unit shares of 222 companies were traded for Rs 1. 39 billion.

In today’s market, all sub-indices saw green except for Hotels and Tourism, Development Bank, Life Insurance and Investment.

At the end of the day, total market capitalisation stood at Rs 3. 22 trillion.

EC urges private sector to grant holiday on May 13

The Election Commission has appealed to the private sector to grant a holiday on May 13.

Saying that all the people have the right to ensure their vote, the poll body urged to the private sector to grant a holiday on Election Day.

Similarly, the Commission has directed the parties and candidates to stop election campaigning during the silence period starting tomorrow.

Likewise, the EC urged the telecom companies  not to provide any SMS service for the campaigning.

Meanwhile, the Commission directed the chairman of Gorkhapatra National Daily and office bearers of Land Commission to furnish clarification within three days for violating the election code of conduct.