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CPN (Maoist Center) has finalized the candidates for the National Assembly (NA) election scheduled for January 25.

A meeting of the party's office bearers convened at the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar today took a decision to this effect.

According to party secretary Devendra Paudel, Champadevi Karki (Koshi Province), Shree Krishna Adhikari, Manarupa Sharma (Gandaki), Jhakku Subedi (Lumbini), Bishnu Bishwakarma (Karnali) and Renu Chand (Sudur Paschim) have been picked as the party candidates for the upper house election.

Earlier, a meeting of the coalition partners held in Baluwatar this morning agreed on joint candidacies for the upper house elections, NC leader Ramesh Lekhak said.

As per the agreement, the NC will have 10 candidates followed by six from the CPN (Maoist Center), two from the CPN (Unified Socialist) and one from the Janata Samajbadi Party. The nomination for the remaining one seat shall be made by the President on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

With the elections scheduled for January 25, today marks the publication of the voter’s name list, and tomorrow is the day for registrations of candidates.

The final list of candidates is set to be published on January 11.

The District Administration Office Sarlahi has clamped a curfew in Barahathawa Municipality from the afternoon today until tomorrow morning.

Chief District Officer of Sarlahi, Komal Prasad Dhamala, said the curfew has been imposed, reasoning the likelihood of unrest following the death of a person in a clash. The curfew clamped from 5:30 pm Friday to 8 am Saturday is extended till 8 am today.

But the district administration further extended the curfew from 12:45 pm today till 8 am tomorrow, Monday, in view of the sensitivity of the situation and to maintain peace and security.

The curfew has been clamped in areas covering Bramhasthan on the way to Sitapur to the east, the canal on the way to Hajariya to the west, the Hanuman Temple to the south and the Soti-Chornia bridge to the north.

The DAO said any kind of assemblies and movement of people have been prohibited within this perimeter.

A person died in a protest on Friday.

The 30-year-old Jay Shankar Saha was killed in the clash that erupted between the demonstrators and security personnel as the locals demonstrated for upgrading a primary health centre of Barahathawa Municipality-6.

Police had lobbed tear gas shells and fired into the air to contain the situation where demonstrators pelted stones on a residence of Barahathawa Municipality mayor, Kalpana Katuwal, and municipality office.

Nepal and India held important discussions and agreed on eight various topics on the energy sector.

The 11th meeting of Nepal-India Energy Secretary Level Joint Steering Committee that concluded in Chitwan today has agreed on especially the topic of strengthening the electricity transmission system.

Nabin Raj Singh, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, said the meeting discussed various agenda prepared by the Joint-secretary level Joint Task Force.

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Gopal Prasad Sigdel, and Secretary at India's Ministry of Energy, Pankaj Agrawal, co-chaired the meeting.

Before this, the 11th meeting of Nepal-India Energy Joint Task Force co-chaired by Joint-Secretary Singh and Joint-Secretary of India's Ministry of Power, Dr D Saibaba, held necessary discussions on the existing, under-construction and proposed inter-country power transmission lines, various projects having Indian investment and the related transmission line projects, among other topics. The taskforce meeting also made recommendations to the Secretary-level meeting on these topics after discussing them.

However, it is said that most of the topics agreed upon this time shall be finalized by the technical groups, as these agreements are concerned more with technical topics.

The meeting made a decision on principle only since most of the topics are more technical-related, according to the Nepali high officials participating in the meeting.

Both sides have agreed on expanding the capacity of the Dhalkebar-Mujaffarpur Inter-country Transmission Line to 1,000 megawatts. Required infrastructures would be constructed at Dhalkebar substation for this purpose. At present, the export and import of 800 megawatts electricity is taking place from this transmission line.

The Joint Technical Committee will study and make necessary decisions on the topic of utilizing this transmission line in its maximum capacity. Nepal has also been paying the transmission fees for utilizing the full capacity of this transmission line.

The high officials of the Ministry of Energy who attended the meeting said that an important agreement has been made regarding utilization of the maximum capacity of the first inter-country transmission line linking Nepal and India.

Similarly, the Joint Technical Committee shall also take the necessary decision regarding determining the capacity of electricity that can be transmitted via the Dhalkebar-Sitamadhi 400-kV transmission line being constructed by the Indian company, Satluj Vidhyut Nigam. The Indian company is constructing this transmission line for exporting electricity to be produced from the Arun III Hydropower Project. This company, which is constructing the Arun-III project, has also taken responsibility for constructing other projects as well. It will take long until these projects are completed.

Likewise, the meeting has agreed that the Joint Technical Committee will conduct a study on the feasibility of exporting power up to 200 megawatts through the 132 kV Tanakpur Mahendranagar transmission line or other high-voltage capacity transmission lines.

The meeting has approved the process and procedure on electricity export and import between Nepal and India during the monsoon via the existing transmission lines of 132 kV capacity or less by using the power transmission system of the neighbouring Indian states. These processes and procedures were prepared by the Central Electricity Authority of India in coordination with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and other agencies of India.

The meeting has also given the responsibility to the Joint Working Group for construction of additional two transmission lines of higher capacity. The 400-kV Yanrupa-Purnia transmission line and the New Lamki (Dododhara)-Bareily transmission line will be constructed between Nepal and India. The objective is to construct these two transmission lines until 2028. The modality of these transmission lines will also be finalized by the Joint Working Group.

The taskforce led by the Joint-Secretary of the Energy Ministry of the two countries will prepare the necessary modality for this.

Discussions have also been held in principle on having soon a separate tripartite agreement, in accordance with the Power Import and Export Guidelines of India, among NEA, the NTPC Vidhyut Vyapar Nigam of India and the Power Development Board of Bangladesh for export of 40 megawatts electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh by using India's transmission system. 

Based on this discussion, the necessary mechanism would be established for the three-nation partnership. This mechanism will make the necessary decisions, it is said.

These agreements related to transmission line and energy sector were reached in the context of Minister of External Affairs of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's visit to Nepal on January 4 and 5.

The Agreement Between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India on Long Term Power Trade was signed during the visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India, opening the door for the export of 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India from Nepal in 10 years.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Minister of External Affairs of India remotely inaugurated the 132 kV cross-border transmission lines between Nepal and India, namely the second circuit of Raxaul- Parwanipur line, the second circuit of Kataiya- Kusaha line and the New Nautanwa-Mainhiya lines.

Police have arrested a Sri Lankan national with 1.3 kg of illegal gold from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Sunday.

Kanthimathi Kavaskar (54) was arrested with 1.3 kg undeclared gold this morning, according to TIA security chief Deputy Inspector General of Police, Arjun Chand.

He came to Kathmandu on the flight FZ 573 of the FlyDubai at 1 am today.

The contraband was concealed within her inner garments.

Further investigation into the case is underway, police said.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 26. 36 points to close at 2,022.92 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 6. 16 points to close at 373. 00 points.

A total of 15,268,399-shares of 304 companies were traded for Rs 5. 24 billion.

Meanwhile, Terhathum Power Company Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 6. 69 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 14 trillion.

Indira IVF, recognized as India’s leading and reliable chain of IVF hospitals, manages a network of more than 120 specialized clinics across India. They have recently inaugurated their first international branch in Kathmandu, featuring advanced technology and skilled medical professionals. They aim to provide world-class facilities so that people in Nepal don’t have to travel abroad for fertility services. This initiative not only helps fulfill Nepalis’ parenthood aspirations but also aims to create opportunities and enhance skill development in Nepal.

Dr. Neha Homagain, 38, is a gynecologist, infertility expert and laparoscopic surgeon. She is currently the Center Head and Chief Fertility Specialist at Indira IVF based in Nepal. She is also among the few fertility experts recognized by the Nepal Medical Council. She trained at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York in the US, specializing in gynae oncology. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Homagain about her experience and roles at Indira IVF.

 How has global exposure enhanced your expertise in reproductive healthcare?

The training I had in gynae oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York was impactful. I was not only impressed by all the facilities but also realized the significant gap between oncology and fertility. It was an eye-opener to witness patient management, care standards, and the international level of healthcare provided there. Moreover, I saw the potential for medical tourism. Memorial Sloan Kettering is known for its advanced and top-notch medical facilities and I consider myself fortunate to have had that experience.

 What distinguishes Indira IVF’s approach and success?

At Indira IVF, we have world-class facilities that set the bar high. The reason for our extensive reach, with over 120 centers in India, is the top-notch approach and impressive success rate which stands at 75-80 percent. It’s because of their precision in everything from history-taking to ultrasonography and their cutting-edge labs. This IVF facility boasts the world’s best technology, like a ‘closed working chamber’ for egg fertilization. The eggs are fertilized in a closed chamber that replicates the human body conditions like temperature, carbon dioxide, pH, and oxygen, resulting in higher embryo and pregnancy quality. It’s remarkable.

 Also to prevent mix-up in egg and sperm handling, Indira IVF has combined technology and science by introducing the Risk Identification (RI) system. This system triggers an alarm if it detects any mismatched samples. This ensures that errors are practically non-existent. Another interesting aspect is the use of Artificial Intelligence. Our eyes can miss tiny details but, with AI, specialists at Indira IVF can pinpoint the best embryos and grade them, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

 What latest scientific breakthroughs and advancements in Assisted Reproductive Technology are in use at the Indira IVF?

Indira IVF is ahead in IVF technology. They’ve got the best services, experienced embryologists, and a big research team constantly rolling out the latest technology like the Closed Working Chamber, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection  (ICSI), and Day Five embryo blast transfer. Speaking of embryos, there are two types, Day Three and Day Five and Indira IVF goes for Day Five due to its high success rate. They even use Laser Assisted Hatching, making tiny drills in the outer cells so that when the embryo is implanted, it can easily break out and attach to the uterus. Indira IVF is all about quality injections and has a 24/7 monitoring system.

 At Indira IVF, to address issues like a low egg count, egg problems, irregular ovulation, or instances where natural pregnancy is unlikely, we employ ICSI, a more advanced version of IVF. While IVF involves placing one egg amidst many sperm for self-fertilization, ICSI takes it up by injecting a single sperm directly into one egg. This technique is particularly beneficial in cases of male infertility with a low sperm count, enabling men to have their genetic offspring.

 In what ways does Indira IVF contribute to facilitating skill development in Nepal?

Through Indira Fertility Academic, a well-known fertility training center, over 400 embryologists have received training in India. For Nepal, this means that doctors or neurologists can undergo training at Indira IVF and return to contribute their expertise, bridging the manpower gap in the field in their country. 

How does Indira IVF make services accessible to a wide range of people?

Our price list is set to be inclusive, welcoming everyone from different economic backgrounds whether low-income or middle-class. Our services are not just affordable but also rooted in research, making them accessible to a wide range of people. And for those with lower incomes who might struggle with the costs, we offer discounts on various facilities.

What can be done if a couple has issues in conceiving?

If a couple, despite having unprotected sex, faces difficulty in conceiving, it’s important to acknowledge it as a potential infertility issue. The crucial first step is to consult a doctor because fertility issues can be complex and affect both partners. Seeking early medical advice can allow for simpler treatments, addressing hormonal imbalances or egg-related problems but delaying consultation might result in missed opportunities. 

In today’s context, modern technology provides empowerment, offering options like egg freezing. Since biological clocks and career plans aren’t always in sync, as a specialist, I recommend you freeze those eggs and sperm. When the time is right and you are with your partner of choice, you’re good to go for making healthy babies. Quality tends to drop with age, so it’s about being a step ahead.

The ruling coalition has finalized the sharing of seats for the National Assembly election.

A meeting of the ruling coalition held in Baluwatar on Sunday finalized the seat-sharing for the election.

According to which, Nepali Congress will get 10, CPN (Maoist Center) six, CPN (Unified Socialist) two, and Janata Samajbadi Party will get one seat.

After the meeting, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said that the sharing of seats has been finalized among the ruling coalition parties.

He said that the cluster has been finalized in many places and it will be finalized in some places soon.

With the agreement on seat distribution, the parties are preparing to finalize the name of the candidates by holding internal discussions.

According to a source, CPN (US) Chairman Nepal demanded three seats for his party.

But Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba had said that two seats can only be given to his party.

Though Congress leader Lekhak said that there was an agreement, the leaders of the CPN (US) are not happy with the seat distribution.

Filing of nominations for the election to the National Assembly will be held on Monday. The final list of voters is being published today.

The National Assembly election for 19 seats has been scheduled for January 25.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has publicly invited submission as part of its initiative to enhance the efficiency and capacity of entities under the home administration.

A study committee and a thematic sub-committee have been constituted to devise action plans to improve the performance and capacity of bodies within the home ministry, according to Home Ministry Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.

The Ministry formed the committee under the headship of former Chief Secretary Leelamani Poudyal. 

The committee is expected to present a comprehensive report outlining plans and strategies for the enhancement of home administration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the government will implement reform measures based on the recommendations provided in the committee's report.

Individuals interested in contributing to the reform process are encouraged to visit the ministry's official website at www.moha.gov.np to submit their suggestions, particularly in areas such as local administration, armed police, Nepal police, and immigration.