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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 3. 24 points to close at 1,965.93 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 37 points to close at 348. 18 points.

 A total of 6,312,552-unit shares of 303 companies were traded for Rs 2. 36 billion.

Meanwhile, Multipurpose Finance Company Limited (MPFL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. Likewise, Sabaiko Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SABSL) was the top loser with its price dropped by 6. 09 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 11 trillion.

In 2023, Nepal experienced its second-warmest year on record. Previously, the hottest year on record for Nepal was 1981. The average maximum temperature for 2023 was 27.9 degrees Celsius, an increase of 0.6 degrees Celsius from the previous normal annual maximum temperature.

Global trends indicate that worldwide temperatures have surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold across an entire year for the first time, with March 2024 breaking new temperature records. 

Nepal is not exempt from this trend. Several meteorological stations recorded unprecedented high temperatures, reflecting the severity of the heat waves experienced in 2023.

Experts suggest that 2024 could become the hottest year on record, with heat waves already occurring early in the year. 

Weather expert Ngamindra Dahal notes that the record could be broken because intense heat waves have already started. “If a place experiences a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius for an hour, it’s manageable, but the concern arises when such high temperatures persist throughout the day,” he explains.

March 2024 was the warmest March ever recorded globally. It was also the 10th month in a row that was the hottest on record, itself an ongoing record-breaking streak.

The primary cause of the exceptional heat was human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Other factors pushing up temperatures include El Niño, the natural climate pattern that warms the surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said that March averaged 14.14 degrees Celsius, exceeding the previous record from 2016 by a 10th of a degree. The month was also 1.68 degrees Celsius hotter than an average March between the years 1850-1900, the reference period for the pre-industrial era.

The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to take preventive measures against the heat wave. The effects of heat waves include fast heartbeat, breathing complications, low blood pressure level, sweating, severe headache, and dizziness. 

The National Youth Scientists Conference is to be organized in Birendranagar, Surkhet on May 9 and 10.

The conference is being held under the joint auspices of the Karnali Province Government, Ministry of Social Development and the Mid-West University and with support from the National Youth Council.

The Karnali Province Government has said that the Youth Scientist Conference is being held for the first time in Karnali with the objective of encouraging science research and innovation.

Jaharlal Hamal, Chief of Youth and Sports Division at the Ministry of Social Development, said youth scientists from all seven provinces would participate in the conference. "One of the goals of this event is to encourage study and research in science by bringing together the studies and research carried out in this field at one place while the next goal is to facilitate exchange of views and experiences among the youth scientists so as to further motivate them in scientific study and research," he added.

According to Hamal, applications along with biodata and the portfolio of the scientific studies, research and surveys they have conducted have been sought from interested youth scientists from 16 to 40 years of age for participation in the conclave. The participants would be selected after reviewing the applications. 

Sudeep Thakuri, the Dean of the Mid-Western University, Graduate School of Science and Technology, believes that the conference will further motivate the youth scientists to dedicate themselves in scientific studies and research works.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the 16th periodic plan will focus on integrated infrastructure development and extension and utilization of information technology.

Addressing an inaugural session of the National Development Council's meeting in Kathmandu today, the Prime Minister said the 16th plan will accord priorities to the agricultural commercialization, promotion of product-based industries, employment-based education and quality healthcare services.

High priority should be given to promotion of tourism, creation of domestic job opportunities and development of integrated settlement, according to the Prime Minister. To address this need, the plan is required to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship development through youth-targeted domestic and foreign investment, according to the government head.

Stating that the government acknowledges the private sector as instrumental for economic prosperity, the Prime Minister said the plan has endorsed the facilitating roles of government, community, non-government and development partners in efforts aiming to find economic prosperity.  He said he is hopeful that the plan will rightly determine its visions, goals and investment estimations. 

Insisting on collaborative efforts among the three-tier government to implement the plan successfully, the Prime Minister said it is necessary for the governments at all levels to mobilize revenue concisely to manage investment and public expenditures.

" The plan expects to secure a significant investment from the private sector, according to the Prime Minister who is hopeful of that goals, objectives and strategies of the Plan will contribute to seeking an effective role of the private sector in economic expansion through the promotion of investment, production, productivity and employment," he said

He pressed the need for a regular and result-oriented monitoring and assessment system during the implementation of the Plan. 

He also expressed his hope the National Planning Commission will develop an integrated framework for economic reforms and implement it in coordination of all bodies concerned. " I hope the goal for average economic growth and other social and environmental goals of the Plan will be achieved by an effective implementation of the Plan through a collaborative approach among all including three-tier government, private sector, cooperatives and development partners. "

Similarly, Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal laid emphasis on the need of keeping agriculture in priority in the 16th plan, saying forest and mining based industries should be established and policy-level mistakes should be removed.

"The government should move ahead making the private sector into confidence and it should take a policy of encouraging the private sector", he added. Sharing that development of the hydropower and tourism sector would make a significant contribution to the country, Chair Nepal stressed that the government should pay its full attention in these sectors.

Likewise, Vice President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, pointed out the need that all political parties, bureaucracy, and general people should move ahead joining hands to maintain good governance.

"The country has to depend on imports due to legal complexities despite having necessary means and resources for its development and prosperity", he said, adding existing laws should be revised in order to utilize available means and resources. 

Chairperson of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, underlined that the 16th plan should be forwarded making the federalism strong.

"The country cannot be prosperous until provinces are made resourceful. The planned development concept should be forwarded for the country's development", he stressed.

Chairperson of Nagarik Unmukti Party and former Minister Ranjita Shrestha said the national economy should be made strong by maintaining good governance and establishing social justice in health, education, employment and other sectors. 

Shrestha opined, "The working capacity should be maximum utilized making the inter-relation of all three-levels strong to achieve the goal and objectives of the 16th plan. It is necessary that all political parties should be responsible and united with a common goal for the country's prosperity."

Laying emphasis on the need of moving ahead selecting prioritized projects in the country's economic development, former Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat stressed the need of paying special attention in project selection and budget allocation.

Similarly, former Finance Minister Dr Yubraj Khatiwada said a policy of getting more results from low investment should be adopted, adding that the country's economy is improving in recent periods.

Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha shared that the NPC should be restructured and make it further strong legally, expressing the view that it would be easier to implement the strategy and action plan of the 16th plan only if the NPC becomes strong.

Parliamentary party leaders of the political parties represented in the Federal parliament, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, the Chief Ministers, Chairpersons of Federal Parliamentary Committees and national security advisors were present on the occasion.

The government is expediting preparations for the 2024 Nepal Investment Summit, which kicks off in Kathmandu on April 28. 

The two-day summit is being organized to attract both domestic and foreign investments and serves as a continuation of two previous summits held in 2017 and 2019.

The government has sent invitations to more than 1,900 national and international investors to participate in the summit, according to Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, spokesperson for the Office of the Investment Board Nepal (OIBN). So far, 1,029 individuals from 53 countries, including Nepal, have confirmed their participation, he added.

The highest number of confirmed participants are from Nepal (385), followed by China (265) and India (243), according to OIBN data. Most foreign representatives include officials stationed at diplomatic missions in Nepal, representatives of donor organizations, and investors already involved in projects in Nepal.

Although the government sent invitations to billionaires like India’s Adani and Ambani, as well as Chinese companies Alibaba and Tesla, none have confirmed their participation, Upadhyaya said.

However, he said OIBN believes engaging with foreign companies already investing in Nepal and learning about their relationship could inspire others.

In the first Nepal Investment Summit held in 2017, Nepal received investment commitments of around Rs 1.4trn. Chinese investors committed to invest more than Rs 800bn, the highest amount, while Bangladeshi investors expressed confidence in investing over Rs 200bn. Investors from India, Japan, the UK, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and other countries also expressed interest in investing in Nepal. The summit saw around 250 institutional and individual investors from two dozen countries participate.

The 2nd Nepal Investment Summit in 2019 was organized on a grander scale, showcasing 77 projects worth Rs 3.2trn, including 50 government and 27 private sector projects. Of these, 30 projects received investment proposals worth Rs 2.3trn, and 11 additional non-showcased projects received proposals worth Rs 80bn.

The summit saw 700 representatives from 300 companies and 40 countries participate, along with 600 individuals from 100 local companies. It featured four plenary sessions, six parallel sessions, four sideline sessions, 36 bilateral meetings, 39 B2G meetings, and 30 B2B meetings.

Sixteen investment-related agreements were signed during the two-day summit. However, the Board has faced criticism for a lack of proactiveness in implementing the agreements after the summits.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a Nepali team to play a T20 series against West Indies ‘A’.

The CAN on Thursday announced a 16-member team under the captaincy of Rohit Paudel.

Along with captain Paudel, Asif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Anil Shah, Arif Sheikh, Sandeep Jora, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Gulsan Jha, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Pratish GC, Abhinas Bohara, Bibek Yadav and Akash Chand are in the team.

The T20 series between Nepal and West Indies ‘A’ will start from Saturday.

According the CAN, the two teams will play the matches on April 28, May 1 and May 2. They will play the last match on May 4.

West Indies have already announced a 15-member team under the captaincy of Roston Chase.

Most of the members of the team announced by the West Indies have already made their debut in the national team.

A fire spread from a community forest has destroyed 13 houses of Barahpokhari Rural Municipality-1, Barahpokhari, Khotang.

The fire that broke out at Barahpokhari community forest gutted 13 houses, seven lofts and two sheds. Details of the loss incurred by fire are yet to be received.

According to Barahpokhari-1 ward Chair Dhak Bahadur Karki, two houses and lofts of Mohanlal Thapa Magar of Bhirgaun, one house and three lofts of Purna Bahadur Magar, house of Bhadra Singh Magar and two cowsheds, house of Subash Thapa Magar and scaffolding and house of Madan Thapa Magar were gutted in the fire.

The fire destroyed two houses and two lofts, 40 goats, half tola gold and Rs 50,000 in cash of Gangamaya Magar of Dancingtar.

Likewise, the fire gutted houses of Suman Magar of Khorsane village, Lekhraj Khatiwada of Gahate, Hom Bahadur Katawal and Padma Bahadur Katawal of Dandakharka village, among others.

The Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and local residents have been trying to douse the fire, said Bhuwan Shrestha, a local.

According to the police, 109 fire incidents have so far taken place in the district since mid-July, causing damage of property worth Rs 40.9 million.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 135, 800 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 136, 000 per tola on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 135, 150 per tola. It was traded at Rs 135, 350 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,655 per tola today.