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The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an order directing the government to not block the roads in the name of VIP vehicles.

Responding to a writ petition filed by advocate Gyaneshwor Koirala six years ago, a joint bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Mahesh Sharma issued such a verdict today.

Advocate Koirala on February 2, 2018 had filed a writ petition stating that blocking the roads in the name of VIP vehicles would cause inconvenience to the general public.

He had filed the writ petition claiming that the closure of roads in the name of VIP would violate the freedom of citizens.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers was made defendant in the writ.

On February 6, 2018, Justice Tej Bahadur KC had issued a show cause notice on the writ.

Sending a letter to the apex court, the Home Ministry had demanded the dismissal of the writ saying that stopping the vehicles for some time while going to and returning after attending official ceremonies cannot be said to be the violation of freedom of the general public.

In the reply, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers had also demanded annulment of the writ.

Tokha Municipality has started removing structures illegally constructed along the Bishnumati river banks.

Temporary structures built illegally along the Bishnumati corridor and its adjoining areas were evicted this morning to make the corridor beautiful and well-managed.

Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality, Sher Bahadur BC, shared that the illegal structures constructed at Bishnumati river banks encroaching upon public land were removed using dozers.

Tokha Municipality took out illegally constructed structures by forming a 'Public Land Preservation Committee' under the coordination of chairperson of Tokha municipality-4, Dharmendra Shrestha.

The Committee on Tuesday dismantled the structures constructed in front of Fluorescent School located at Tokha Municipality-8, said Deputy Mayor Murari Tamang. Structures unlawfully constructed along the Bishnumati corridor from Manorath Tirtha to Tokha police post would be cleared in the first phase, according to the municipality.

Saying that over 1,000 ropanis of land in Tokha has been encroached, Mayor Prakash Adhikari mentioned that the municipality has a plan to preserve the public land.

Locals residing along the banks of Bishnumati river around Fluorescent School had obstructed the municipality's bid to clear the illegal structures and also pelted stones at the police.

Issuing a notice a few days ago, the municipality had urged the locals to remove illegal structures constructed on public land.

Kitchens need to be clean. But it can also be beautiful. The right décor can elevate a basic, functional space into one that’s so stunning that you will want to live there. Most often, people tend to neglect the kitchen area, thinking there’s not much you can do with it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. You don’t have to redo your entire space to change its look and feel. There are simple ways in which you can add some much-needed oomph into your kitchen which, until now, has just been a space to cook meals.

Add cute trays on the counter

Don’t clutter your kitchen countertops with salt and pepper shakers, cups, oil canisters, spoon holders, etc. Use metal or wooden trays to clump items together and decorate them artfully. You can use a small wooden tray next to the cooking range to hold all the oil bottles. Use another to hold salt and pepper shakers, tea bags, and teapot. The idea is to group things together and artfully decorate your kitchen with daily-use items.

Designate a bar area

Do you stow away liquor in cabinets in the kitchen? Why not create a cute little bar area instead? You can remove the cabinets and install glass panels or leave them open, depending on your choice and mood. You can display all your glass wares and other bar items here as well. A bar area in the kitchen can immediately take the space from drab to dashing. If you aren’t much of a drinker, a tea or coffee bar can work equally well.

Squeeze in a seating area

Add a round table and a couple of chairs and create a breakfast nook in the kitchen if you have the space for it. Place a vase with a single rose bud in it. This space can also double as a kitchen island where you can chop your veggies and meal prep if you are low on counter space. Having a seating area in the kitchen will give it a very café-ish vibe. If you have a window space in the kitchen, you can put a bench beneath it and place a table in front of it too. This will free up space at the center.

Put a mirror over the sink

If your sink isn’t in front of the window, try placing a mirror on the wall in front of it. This will give your kitchen an illusion of space, amplify the lighting, and give it some character. Go for a round one as everything in kitchens tends to be square and rectangular. Find a gilded mirror in black, white, or gold to go with the gloss of the tiles in the kitchen. You can also place mirrors as the backdrop on open shelves or in the bar area.

Think kitchen decorations

You might think we are nuts but put decorative items in the kitchen and see for yourself. It’s a simple trick to make your kitchen beautiful. Lean small pieces of artwork on easels if there is no space to hang them up. If you have open shelves, add decorative pieces like vases, bowls, sculptures, etc. that you have collected over the years or those that are meaningful to you. Kitchen accessories like the coffee maker, teapots, and caddies can be functional and decorative at the same time. Consider this while deciding to display or stow them away. Ever thought about adding a table lamp on the kitchen counter?

Get in some minor alterations

While it’s also tempting to redo your kitchen, especially after it’s been in use for a few years, there are little things you can do to freshen it up. Change the backsplash on the kitchen counter. Don’t opt for plain tiles this time. Go for patterned ones instead. Color your kitchen cabinets. Opt for royal blue or dark forest green to make a stunning style statement. But if you prefer a neutral tone, go for peach, brown, or beige. Change the light fixture. Get a brass faucet. Change the knobs on your cabinets. Little things like these can give your kitchen the makeover it needs.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 1. 76 points to close at 2,033.06 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 88 points to close at 364. 32 points.

A total of 9,342,546-unit shares of 314 companies were traded for Rs 3. 11 billion.

Meanwhile, Bottlers Nepal (Balaju) Limited (BNL) and Samaj Laghubittya Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SAMAJ) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, GreenLife Hydropower Limited (GLH) was the top loser with its price dropped by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 19 trillion.  

Even the commercial banks, which are regarded as financially transparent, follow regulatory guidelines to the letter, and are considered excellent in corporate governance, have been included in the list of worst performers in terms of their financial standing, performance, and governance by Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse).

Four commercial banks—Agricultural Development Bank Ltd, Nepal Investment Mega Bank Ltd, Kumari Bank Ltd, and Prabhu Bank Ltd—have been classified in Group ‘Z’ by Nepse. Out of 20 commercial banks in the country, only eight have been included in Group ‘A’ by Nepse.

A total of 31 companies listed on the bourse have been classified in Group ‘A’. The list includes eight commercial banks, seven development banks, one finance company, six microfinance institutions, and three hydropower companies. Nepal Reinsurance Company Ltd, Himalayan Distillery, Shivam Cements, Nepal Telecom, Hydropower Investment and Development Company, and Nepal Infrastructure Bank have also been included in Group ‘A’. 

Garima, Lumbini, Mahalaxmi, Miteri, Muktinath, Shangrila, and Shine Resunga are the seven development banks that have made it to Nepse’s ‘A’ list. Likewise, Chhimek, First, Jiwan Biwaks, Sana Kisan, NIC Asia, and Swabalamban are the microfinance institutions included in Group ‘A’. Three hydropower companies—Butwal Power, Chilime Hydropower, and Sanima Hydropower—and one finance company—ICFC Finance are also in Group ‘A’.

Nepse has classified 35 companies in Class ‘B’, 70 in Class ‘G’, and 135 in Class ‘Z’.

Nepse has said that listed companies can ask for a review of the classification by furnishing proofs within 35 days. The stock exchange company has been classifying companies as per Rule 11 of the Securities Listing and Trading Rules, 2018.

As per Nepse, companies with a paid-up capital above Rs 1bn, that have been listed for a minimum of two years, consistently demonstrated profitability over the past three fiscal years, have a credit rating above average, distributed dividends, and conducted their annual general meetings within six months of the fiscal year-end have been classified in Group ‘A’.

Similarly, companies with a paid-up capital of at least Rs 500m, that have been listed for a minimum of three years, recorded profits in two out of the past three fiscal years, and held annual general meetings within six months of the fiscal year-end have been categorized in Class ‘B’.

Companies that have been listed for two years but have not met the criteria for either A or B groups have been classified in Group ‘G’. Companies that are not in either of the three groups have been classified in Group ‘Z’.

An Indian national has been arrested with 855 grams of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Airport Security Police Office apprehended Sharif Ahmed Abdul Gafur (35), who arrived in Kathmandu on a Fly Dubai flight, with the precious yellow metal during a regular security check.

He has been handed over to the airport customs office for further investigation.  

The gold is being traded at Rs 118, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 117, 450 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,410 per tola today.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that Nepal’s participation in UN peace operations has always remained an important component of its foreign policy, aimed at achieving and strengthening global peace and stability which has been well praised by the global society. "I feel extremely proud as I assert the fact that Nepal presently contributes the highest number of troops and police personnel in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions and has further pledged to deploy up to 10, 000 well-trained and equipped personnel for UN Peace operations on request of the United Nations", he said.

In his statement at the opening ceremony of exercise "Shanti Prayas IV" at a function held at Army Officer's Club in Bhadrakali this morning, he said Nepal contributes the highest number of women troops among all the UN member countries in its Peacekeeping missions. The government of Nepal will continue to give highest priority to the United Nations Peace Operations and continue to support the United Nations in its every endeavors, he assured.

Stating Nepal has and will always vehemently advocate for peace and equality in international forums, he said Nepal’s commitments are rooted in its desire for peace and harmony in the world and are expressed through her participation in international treaties and agreements that promote disarmament and peaceful resolution of conflicts. "This is further manifested through our participation in the UN peace operations, where our peacekeepers have distinctly demonstrated bravery, compassion, and selflessness in their noble mission to protect and restore hope in regions torn apart by conflict."

In the contemporary global landscape, peacekeepers face heightened and multiple threats due to the complex and multi-layered nature of conflicts, driven by various factors from ethnic tensions to terrorism among others, he said and noted that adapting to this changing scenario is a must as peacekeeping operations have evolved into complex politico-military-humanitarian efforts demanding a greater understanding and preparation on the part of peacekeepers. "It has thus become crucial to reassess how we deliver peace amid new complex challenges to maintain trust and legitimacy of the UN Peacekeeping."

The Prime Minister noted that the significance of peacekeeping cannot be overstated, as it requires a deep sense of humanity, a profound commitment, and a readiness to intervene to protect the vulnerable. Peacekeepers have been embodying these principles, and their efforts have made a profound impact, often in the face of great peril.

He said that the multinational exercise emphasizes and reminds us of the necessity to continually train, refine strategies, and build strong partnerships among nations for the successful conduct of peacekeeping operations.

Extending a warm welcome to all esteemed delegates and friends from friendly foreign countries gathered in Kathmandu, the Prime Minister also extended honor and paid tributes to the brave peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace worldwide.

He also took the opportunity to admire the steadfast commitment and dedication of all peacekeepers, who despite facing formidable challenges, continue to serve with valor and compassion. "Their contributions and sacrifices have not only brought honor to their nations but have also played a crucial role in the pursuit of global peace and stability."

Prime Minister Dahal expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, the Nepali Army for hosting the event, while also appreciating the support of the US Indo-Pacific Command - Global Peace Operations Initiative for co-sponsoring this significant event.

The onus of preparing credible peacekeepers lies on the contributing countries, thus apart from regular peacekeeping training; Nepal has been participating in and hosting similar kinds of multinational peacekeeping exercises in the past, the Prime Minister noted.