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Rastriya Prajatantra Party led by Rajendra Lingden has decided to hit the streets demanding the restoration of a Hindu state along with the monarchy. The party has formed different sub-committees under its senior leaders to press for the cause. 

Party Spokesperson Mohan Shrestha said their street protest is meant to press major political parties to scrap the 2015 Constitution as well as federal structures and highlight problems facing the people. 

Of late, voices against the 2015 constitution have become louder. A few weeks ago, businessperson Durga Prasai had organized a demonstration in Kathmandu on the same agenda. 

While several groups are hitting the streets demanding the fulfillment of these agendas, like-minded parties and organizations have not come together to build a united force for the cause. 

The teaser of action thriller ‘Operation Valentine’ has been unveiled. Nepali filmmaker Phurba Sherpa handled the Line Producer role, and a portion of the film was shot in Nepal’s Langtang area.

Entitled ‘First Strike’, the teaser presents captivating visuals alongside impactful dialogues delivered by lead actor Varun Tej. The film’s narrative centers around the unwavering bravery of Air Force heroes on the frontlines and the adversities they confront while safeguarding the nation.

Based on true events, ‘Operation Valentine’ features Tej portraying Rudra and Manushi Chhillar in the role of a radar officer, emanating strength and determination in her character portrayal.

Penned by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, Aamir Khan, and Siddharth Raj Kumar, the film is directed by Hada himself and is scheduled for release in Telugu and Hindi on 16 Feb 2024. Initially slated for release on Dec 8, the film faced a postponement.

Sony Pictures International Productions and Sandeep Mudda are the producers of the film while it is co-produced by Nandkumar Abbineni and God bless Entertainment.

Recently, the production team issued a statement announcing the alteration in the release date. “Varun Tej and Manushi Chhillar’s ‘Operation Valentine’ will now have a revised release date to ensure the audience receives the most extraordinary cinematic experience. Stay tuned,” the statement read.

The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has instructed the Government of Nepal to make a recovery of tax that Ncell, the private telecommunications service provider in the country, owed to it.

A meeting of the Committee today issued directives to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. The meeting directed the government to not allow the transactions of Company shares until the Committee formed to investigate the matter about the sale of company shares submits the report.

Committee President Ramhari Khatiwada said the meeting asked the government for amending the Telecommunications Act and Regulations, making them compatible with time. In addition to this, the government has been directed to assess the capacity and business experiences of buyers during the sale and purchase of shares of big companies like the Ncell.

Similarly, the meeting decided to seek information regarding the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)'s response to the sale of Ncell share, directing the government to make necessary amendments to bring the Ncell under the government ownership.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal Air Chief Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's office in Singha Durbar, several matters related to Nepal and Sri Lanka were discussed, said the PM's secretariat.

A bridge project over Tamor River to link Panchthar and Terhathum districts has yet to be completed even after 12 years of contract signing.

In the absence of the bridge, the people of Kummayak Rural Municipality in Panchthar have to walk seven to eight hours to reach Myanglung in Terhathum to attend the weekly market.
Villagers usually travel to Myanglung weekly market carrying goods on their backs so that they could sell them. They return home carrying daily supplies, such as salt, oil, soap bars and clothes. It is an arduous journey that many villagers take every Friday  

Ramesh Thapa, who had come to Myanglung to sell almonds from Bijuwapani of Kummayak, said, “We were excited about the bridge project because we would not have to carry heavy loads along steep hill trails. But now we don’t know if the bridge will ever be constructed.”

If one has to reach the city of Dharan, one has no option but to walk all the way to Myanglung and from there cover the distance of 116 kilometers through Basantapur, Sidhuwa, Hile and Dhankuta. Locals say with the bridge in place, Dharan can be reached directly through Tamor corridor, and the travel duration would be cut by half. 

A contract was signed with Swachchhanda Contractor Company in June 2011 for the construction of the bridge at a cost of Rs 130m. As per the agreement, the bridge was to be completed by July 2018. 

Ram Kumar Dev, chief of the Road Division Office, Dhankuta, said only 50 percent of the work has been completed so far. “Out of the five pillars, only four have been constructed. We are extending the construction deadline till mid-July 2024,”he added. 

Ajay Lamichhane, a representative of Swachchhanda Contractor Company, said that the project was delayed because there was no road leading to the bridge from Myanglung. “Before we could start building the bridge, we had to build the road first,” he said. 

Following the project delay, Arjan Dhungana of Myanglung and Dik Bahadur Karki of Laligurans Municipality had lodged a complaint with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). Local residents of Myanglung too have been putting pressure on the Myanglung Municipality and the District Administration Office, Tehrathum, to complete the bridge project.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a show cause notice on the writ filed by House of Representatives independent lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh against the Ncell share buyout.

Hearing the petition filed by Singh on December 6, Justice Prakash Man Singh issued such order.

Issuing a show cause notice, a single bench of Justice ordered both sides to be present on January 1 for discussion.

Singh had filed a writ petition demanding that the efforts of Malaysian company Axiata to sell its shares in the Nepal-based telecom company Ncell be halted at the earliest.

In the writ, he demanded a mandamus order not to give recognition to the agreement to sell 80 percent shares of Ncell by maintaining low value, violating Nepal’s rules and regulations.

No matter your age, it’s important to keep your breasts healthy and have a basic understanding of what’s normal. That way you can nip problems in the bud, should they arise. Dr Sundar Shrestha, general consultant at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, who specializes in Endocrine, GI, and Laparoscopic surgery, runs us through the basics of breast care in a conversation with ApEx.

What are the symptoms of breast health issues?

Usually, breast health issues come with the symptoms of breast pain, heaviness, and nipple discharge, whether bloody, watery, or black/blue. Also, you should pay attention to changes in your breasts, like lumps, changes in size or shape, persistent pain, tenderness, and skin texture. One should be mindful of changes in breast temperature as well, as heat could be indicative of some problems. To avoid risks, it’s better to do routine self-checks and seek medical help if you notice any unusual signs.

How do you differentiate between a normal breast and an abnormal one?

During puberty, girls typically experience natural breast growth and some women may feel like their breasts are getting heavier before, during, or after their menstrual period. These are normal. However, unusual discharges (bloody or greenish), the presence of breast lumps, tenderness, hot areas (with or without fever), and uneven nipple position or size (either up and down or the nipple turning inward or to the side) can indicate some abnormality within the breast tissues.

What are some of the common breast health issues?

Some women have breast abscesses. These are usually common in lactating mothers. Fibroadenoma are little lumps which are also called ‘breast mice’ and they are usually found in women aged 15 to 35. It’s important to take notice of these issues and consult a doctor. A retracted nipple, where your nipple dips into the areola and doesn’t stick out as it should, can be a cause for concern. Breast eczema may cause itchy and scaly areas around the nipple. Uneven breast size can be considered normal unless there are other signs and symptoms or it’s congenital. Ductal ectasia, causing discharge from some nipple ducts, is another issue you should be aware of. If you’re facing any of these problems, it’s very crucial to seek medical help as soon as possible.

What are the main risk factors for breast cancer?

It’s important to know if breast cancer runs in your family. If you haven’t had children, you should pay extra attention to your breast health as nulliparity comes with a higher breast cancer risk. If you have been exposed to radiation, whether for medical reasons or at work, that’s something to think about too. 

As we get older, the chances of breast cancer increases. Carrying heavy loads can also increase your risk. Drinking alcohol and smoking are also risk factors. The onset of menstruation before the early age of 12 or experiencing menopause after 55 can also impact breast cancer risk. It also depends on ethnicity, with white women at higher risk. 

Do the menstrual cycle and contraceptives affect breast health?

The menstrual cycle and the use of contraceptives impact a woman’s breasts in different ways. During menopause, the decline in estrogen and progesterone levels may affect breast tissue, while the reduction in breast density can result in abnormalities later. Throughout the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations can alter breast tissue density and sensitivity, causing breast tenderness in some women. While modern contraceptives with low estrogen are safe and don’t increase the risk like some pills do, it’s important to consult a doctor before taking anything. Also, be careful with other hormone treatments and try to avoid radiation exposure. 

What can be done to prevent breast health issues?

To keep your breasts healthy and lower the chance of getting breast cancer, you can do a few things. First, make sure to go for regular check-ups, like mammograms, which are x-ray checks for breast health. Catching problems early can help fix them with minimal hassle. Also, check your breasts yourself each month and look for any changes. Eating good, nutritious food, not smoking or drinking too much alcohol, and staying active by exercising can also go a long way. 

How can we self-check for problems and what’s the right age to start regular mammogram screenings?

It’s a good idea for women in their reproductive years to check their breasts for any changes every month. For that, stand in front of a mirror and look at your breasts. Check if they look different in size, shape, or skin texture. Lift your arms and use your fingers to feel your breasts for lumps or anything unusual. You can start with mammograms after you turn 40, and I recommend the test every couple of years. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with President Ram Chandra Paudel on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Dahal had reached Sheetal Niwas this morning to meet President Paudel.

During the meeting, they discussed the contemporary political situation of the country, the President’s Secretariat said.

President Paudel has continuously been showing interest in the works of the government.

On the occasion, President Paudel also showed concern about the National Assembly election.

The tenure of the 20 National Assembly members including a female member nominated by the President is expiring soon.

There is a provision to nominate one female member at the recommendation of the Cabinet.

The government has fixed January 25 as the date of the election for 19 seats.