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World Diabetes Day is being observed today by organizing numerous awareness programs in Nepal and across the globe.

This day aims to enhance understanding of the risks, prevention, and treatment options for diabetes.

Since 2007, it has been recognized following a United Nations initiative. The UN has urged all member nations to develop national strategies aligned with their healthcare systems to combat diabetes.

The World Health Organization reported that in 2014, 422 million adults globally were living with diabetes, a significant increase from 108 million in 1980. The rise in diabetes cases is attributed to factors such as obesity, poor lifestyle choices, and insufficient physical activity. Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and steering clear of smoking and alcohol.

The global organization has stressed the importance of prioritizing long-term health policies, raising public awareness, and fostering a lifestyle-friendly environment to address the escalating diabetes crisis.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has stated that there is currently no major weather system affecting the country.

This afternoon, the department anticipates partly cloudy conditions in the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while the rest of the country will have mostly clear weather.

Additionally, tonight, the forecast suggests that most areas will remain generally clear, although some locations may see partly cloudy skies.

The average non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of development banks has climbed close to 10 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

According to unaudited financial statements of the Class ‘B’ financial institution, the average NPL ratio reached 9.86 percent at mid-October. This marks a sharp rise of 1.98 percentage points from 7.89 percent in the same period of the previous fiscal year. 

The increase in NPL levels has been attributed to a slowdown in new credit disbursement and weak recovery of principal and interest from existing loans, which have together intensified pressure on the overall financial health of the banking industry.

The analysis is based on financial statements from 16 out of 17 development banks. The Karnali Development Bank, which the NRB recently placed under management control after declaring it troubled, has not published its first-quarter results.

Among the 16 development banks, 11 reported a rise in their NPL ratios compared to the previous fiscal year, while only five managed to reduce their bad loans.

Narayani Development Bank recorded the highest NPL ratio at 57.04 percent, signaling severe financial distress and poor loan quality. In contrast, Miteri Development Bank reported the lowest ratio of just 0.55 percent.

Narayani’s NPL level surged sharply from 34.81 percent in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Along with Narayani, two other development banks — Saptakoshi (11.5 percent) and Corporate (11.77 percent) — also have NPL levels in double digits.

Only five development banks — Miteri, Salpa, Sindhu, Excel, and Saptakoshi—managed to reduce their NPL ratios during the review quarter compared to the same period last year.

Likewise, 10 out of 16 development banks now have NPL levels exceeding 5 percent. The deterioration in loan quality comes amid prolonged economic slowdown over the past two years. This was further aggravated by the Gen Z protests in the second week of September which disrupted business activities and delayed loan repayments.

Loans and advances of banks and financial institutions are broadly categorized into performing and non performing loans, primarily based on past due period of interest or principal receivable. Pass and watchlist categories fall under performing loans whereas non performing loans include substandard, doubtful, loss and restructured/rescheduled loans.

Since banks are required to set aside higher provisioning for bad loans, higher NPL levels affect.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has demolished the illegal structure built by former Energy Minister and Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka on the Nepal Scout land.

Earlier on Thursday, Nepal Scout had given a week's time to Khadka Land Development Pvt. Ltd.  to pay the rent arrears.

Following the company’s failure to pay the dues, the metropolis, exercising its regulatory authority, demolished the structure.

In 2008, Nepal Scout had provided three ropanis of land to Khadka Land Development Pvt. Ltd. (where the Lainchaur Banquet is currently operating) on rent for 10 years.

The company has not been paying the rent even though the contract expired.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 5, 900 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 250, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 244, 300 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 345 per tola today.

Actress Nisha Adhikari received a party registration certificate from the Election Commission of her party ‘Gatishil Lokatantrik Party’and officially started her political journey.

Adhikari is a central member of the party and said that she will dedicate the next decade to the country. Adhikari, who has closely followed the political ups and downs of the country, has also done her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in political science and now is doing her MPhil in ‘conflict and peace.’

She said that she got involved when the ‘Gatishil Loktantrik Party’ was preparing for the 2027 elections and has been meeting with the GenZ team continuously for two months. While working for the party, she plans to pursue film and study too.

Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Nepal Police Dan Bahadur Karki was conferred insignia on Thursday.

Home Secretary Rameshwor Dangal conferred insignia to Karki amidst a program held in the Home Ministry this morning.

A Cabinet meeting held on Monday had decided to appoint Karki as the 33^rd IGP of Nepal Police.

IGP Chandra Kuber Khapung took compulsory retirement on Wednesday after completing his 30-year service.

The Hydrology and Meteorological Forecasting Division has stated that currently there is no remarkable influence of any weather system across the country.

This afternoon, there will be partial clouds in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces while the rest of the areas will see clear weather, it has been predicted.

The weather is expected to be generally clear throughout the country tonight.