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Jhapa: The Mechi-Mahakali bicycle tour, aimed at promoting the tourism industry, started from Kakarvitta in Jhapa this morning. 

It was joined by 13 people from Makwanpur. Mechinagar’'s outgoing mayor, Bimal Acharya, and the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) represented by Ekraj Giri, bid farewell to the team. The journey, organized by the Makwanpur-based Himalayan Riders, includes the participation of retired civil service employees, teachers, journalists, and others.

On this occasion, the founding chair of the Society, Chetnath Acharya, stressed the need to promote cycling culture in the country, highlighting its positive impact on health and its environmental significance. 

Throughout the tour, the participants will explore various tourist destinations in Nepal, sharing their significance. The tour is expected to reach Mahakali in ten days, as stated by FNJ Makwanpur’s former chair, Bhanubhakta Acharya.

Two spots are up for grabs at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 when eight teams clash at the Asia Qualifier Final in Nepal.

Hosts Nepal will be joined by Bahrain, Hong Kong China, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore and United Arab Emirates at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Final 2023 with two spots up for grabs at the showpiece event next year.

The eight teams will be split into two groups of four for the Asia Qualifier Final to take place from Oct 30 to Nov 5.

Group A comprises Nepal, Singapore, Oman, and Malaysia, and Group B includes UAE, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Kuwait.

All Group A matches will be played at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur while Group B matches will be played at Mulpani Cricket Stadium.

The top two teams in each group will secure a place in the high-stakes semi-finals on Nov 3 where the pair of winners will book a ticket to the USA and West Indies for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The two qualifiers will then meet in the Final of the Asia Qualifier on Nov 5 for a chance to win the tournament but with their spots at the main event already secure.

Nepal are well-placed to claim one of the two spots at the T20 World Cup next year with fervent home support sure to boost the team that surged into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year.

Recent qualifier tournament experience should only benefit the emerging Nepal outfit that is currently ranked 16th in the world in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings.

The rising Nepal are the highest-ranked team heading into the Asia Qualifier Final, although little separates the eight teams with the UAE (17), Oman (20), Hong Kong, China (21), Malaysia (25), Kuwait (27), Bahrain (28) and Singapore (36) all close behind.

Nepal have more recently fine-tuned for the event with four near-flawless T20I victories against Hong Kong China and the UAE in a warm-up tri-series on home soil.

Oman also have the form to eye a strong run through the qualifier event after taking out the Gulf Cricket T20I Tournament last month when beating the UAE by five wickets in the final.

The UAE had topped the standings with four impressive victories from their five group matches but failed to contain Aqib Ilyas and Ayaan Khan in Oman’s chase in the decider.

But the Middle East powerhouse can turn to a proud recent history in the format which has included being part of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Kuwait and Malaysia can also carry confidence into the Asia Qualifier Final after their recent success at the Asia Sub-Regional Qualifiers kept their hopes alive of progressing to the main event next year.

T20WC format and qualification

A total of 20 teams will compete for the big prize at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, with the top two at the Asia Qualifier Final among the last teams to snatch a spot. 

The United States and West Indies will appear at the event as hosts.

Australia, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka will be part of the tournament after finishing in the top-eight teams in the 2022 edition.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan qualified due to their position in the ICC Men's T20I Team Ranking at the end of the previous T20 World Cup. 

Since then Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Canada have booked their spots through their T20 World Cup regional qualifiers.

Two more teams will join the tournament through the Africa Qualifier Final to be held in Namibia from Nov 20 to Dec 1.

That leaves two Asia sides to help fill the remaining places and take their shot at T20 World Cup glory on the grand stage.

Fixtures

Oct 30

• UAE v Bahrain, 9:00 am, Mulpani Cricket Stadium
• Nepal v Singapore, 9:00 am, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Oman v Malaysia, 1:30 pm, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Hong Kong v Kuwait, 1:30 pm, Mulpani Cricket Stadium

Oct 31

• Singapore v Oman, 9:00 am, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Bahrain v Hong Kong, 9:00 am, Mulpani Cricket Stadium
• Malaysia v Nepal, 1:30 pm, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Kuwait v UAE, 1:30 pm, Mulpani Cricket Stadium

Nov 2

• Nepal v Oman, 9:00 am, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Hong Kong v UAE, 9:00 am, Mulpani Cricket Stadium
• Singapore v Malaysia, 1:30 pm, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Bahrain v Kuwait, 1:30 pm, Mulpani Cricket Stadium

Nov 3

• Semi-final 1: A1 v B2, 11:00 am, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Semi-final 2: B1 v A2, 11:00 am, Mulpani Cricket Stadium

Nov 5

• Final: winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2, 11:00 am, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur

ICC

Kathmandu: A month-long fair has started at the Aadinath temple on Chovar Hill in Kathmandu. This annual event begins on the day of Ashwin Shukla (Kojagrat) Purnima and continues until Kartik Shukla Purnima. Devotees from the Kathmandu Valley and its surroundings eagerly participate in this fair. It is believed that visiting the temple during the fair brings happiness and prosperity to families and helps individuals overcome fear, ailments, and troubles.

The temple, originally established by Lichchhabi King Amshuberma, holds significant historical and archaeological importance. Inside the temple, there is an idol representing a fusion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parbati, known as Ardhanareshwor (Aadinath). Both Hindus and Buddhists hold deep reverence for this sacred site.

Hindus worship Aadinath as Shiva Shakti, while Buddhists worship Aadinath as Aanandadi Lokeshwor. Buddhist adherents view the deity as a symbol of compassion, while Hindus venerate Aadinath. Buddhists believe that meditation on Lokeshwor brings longevity and wealth, protecting against premature death.

Local residents of Kirtipur emphasize that both Hindu and Buddhist devotees share a strong connection with the temple, reflecting a common cultural bond between these two communities.

During the fair, devotees offer flags, various utensils, and ornaments after performing a Sapta Satwo puja (ritual) in the temple. Each day of the fair, people bring a variety of offerings to the temple, conduct pujas while playing musical instruments, singing bhajan kirtans (hymns), and performing religious dances, as shared by local resident Kanhaiya Kunwar.

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the main opposition leader, CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, had a meeting on Friday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar. They discussed two important issues: the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Nepal and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bill.

Guterres is scheduled to visit Nepal on Oct 29 and will address a joint meeting of the Federal Parliament on Oct 31. Prime Minister Dahal aims to pass the transitional justice bill before Guterres’ arrival, but this requires the support of the main opposition. 

While there is agreement on most aspects of the bill, the major point of contention is the provision granting immunity to individuals accused of murder, considering murder as a human rights violation. The government is attempting to address issues related to murder through reconciliation. They plan to reclassify murder as a human rights violation rather than a serious crime, which has the support of the Congress and Maoists in the ruling coalition. However, UML has not accepted this change.

UML whip Mahesh Bartaula says they are open to reaching an agreement on the bill before the UN Secretary-General’s visit, but he accuses the government of creating tension instead of cooperation. “Prime Minister Dahal’s decision to grant a holiday on People’s War Day contributes to this tension,” he says.

A sub-committee under the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee has prepared a report on amending the ‘Bill to amend the Commission for Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Act’ through consensus over the past month and a half. Bartaula, a member of the sub-committee, says most issues have been resolved, except for the topic of reconciliation in cases of serious incidents like murder.

UML’s stance is to not use reconciliation to absolve individuals of murder except in cases of double confrontations. They argue that such cases should be prosecuted. 

The issue of child soldiers during the armed conflict is another concern. While an agreement refers to these children as “connected parties of the conflict”, UML believes this issue is being unnecessarily prolonged for political reasons and calls for additional discussions.

Chair of the Human Rights Committee and CPN (Maoist Center) leader Bimala Subedi expressed optimism that the bill will move forward, emphasizing the need for consensus to resolve this sensitive issue. She highlighted the importance of political-level consensus, as it’s a long-standing matter. 

Four issues remain to be discussed within the committee, and Subedi believes that a positive environment for resolution is now present, especially following the meeting between the Prime Minister and the main opposition leader. 

Prime Minister Dahal had previously attempted to pass this bill in time he went to the United Nations General Assembly—to no avail.

Kathmandu: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced the final squad for the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Final, which will be held at Kirtipur and Mulpani Cricket Grounds starting from Monday. Sandeep Lamichhane has also been included in the squad.

Two weeks ago, Lamichhane announced through social media that he was withdrawing from the competition to spend time with his family. As a result, he was not part of the team for the triangular T20I series against Hong Kong and UAE. Nepal secured victories against both UAE and Hong Kong during the league stage of the triangular series, but they were defeated by UAE in the final by four wickets.

The ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier Final is scheduled to take place from Oct 13 to 20. According to CAN, the Nepali team includes Rohit Paudel (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sundeep Zora, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Abinash Bohra, Pratish GC, Bibek Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Binod Bhandari.

Surya Tamang, Shyam (Mausam) Dhakal, Lokesh Bam, and Sagar Dhakal, who were part of the team that played in the T20I triangular series, were not included in the Qualifier Final squad.

The tournament has two groups where Group A comprises Nepal, Singapore, Oman, and Malaysia, and Group B includes UAE, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Kuwait. Nepal's first match will be against Singapore on Monday.

The two teams that advance to the final will have the opportunity to compete in the T20 World Cup next year in America and the West Indies.

Kathmandu: The Dashain festival this year has been relatively peaceful, with only a few incidents reported in the Kathmandu Valley, according to the Valley police.

Although there were sporadic incidents from Fulpati, the seventh day of Dashain on Oct 21, until Oct 27, there haven’t been major criminal activities, thefts, robberies, or road accidents. 

Senior Superintendent of Police Dinesh Raj Mainali, the spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, stated that in terms of peace and security, this year’s Dashain has concluded more amicably than in previous years.

Throughout the festival, special security plans were implemented, and undercover police were deployed in potential high-risk areas. Surveillance was conducted in all three districts using trained personnel and drones. 

Mainali said, “No efforts were spared in the security arrangements. Police officers operated undercover, and we even utilized drones and dogs for surveillance. Dashain remained peaceful due to the vigilant efforts of additional personnel. There is a plan to continue surveillance until Chhath”'

However, a few sporadic incidents did occur. A total of 103 incidents were reported between Oct 21 and 27, resulting in two fatalities and 118 injuries, as per Mainali.

Of these incidents, 51 were related to road accidents, resulting in one fatality and 73 injuries.

Additionally, 13 incidents involved physical altercations, leading to one fatality and 13 injuries. There were 10 incidents of theft and two incidents involving the use of sharp weapons, resulting in three injuries. 

Furthermore, three incidents related to gambling occurred, resulting in the arrest of 22 gamblers (seven in Kathmandu, 13 in Lalitpur, and two in Bhaktapur). The police confiscated approximately Rs 500,000 from them.

Washington: Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, introduced two new subscription plans on Friday (local time), including a Premium+ tier for users willing to pay for an ad-free experience, according to a page detailing the features of the subscription.

Premium+ tier that costs $16 per month and offers the ‘largest reply boost’ and removes ads from the For You and Following feeds.

The second tier launching is called ‘Basic’ and costs $3 per month. The tier doesn’t come with a blue checkmark, but includes basic features like the ability to edit posts and post longer text and videos. It also offers a ‘small reply boost’.

“We’re also launching a new Basic tier for $3/month (when signing up via Web) that gives you access to the most essential Premium features,” posted X.

Since taking over last year, owner Elon Musk has begun searching for ways to monetize the platform and even started making users in New Zealand and the Philippines pay $1 per year to access X.

The latest move by Musk intends to bring in additional revenue. Premium+ tier comes with revenue-sharing, along with access to other creator tools.

Premium Plus builds on the perks that come with X's standard Premium plan (formerly Twitter Blue), which includes a blue checkmark, the ability to edit tweets, longer posts, longer video uploads, encrypted direct messages, and more, reported The Verge.

Meanwhile, ‘Basic’ option plan doesn’t let you pay your way to verification—it doesn’t include a checkmark—and subscribers will only receive a ‘small boost’ to their replies. It also doesn’t include reduced ads or access to X’s media studio.

X is also planning to bundle video and audio calling for some users, in a push to turn the platform into an everything app, reported New York Post.

Musk has been exploring several options to extensively monetize the social media platform, which he acquired for $44bn in Oct 2022.

He added a series of new features to X, including live streaming, video and audio calls, and even plans to incorporate banking. 

ANI

Lewiston: The man wanted in the mass shooting at a bowling alley and bar that killed 18 people and wounded 13 was found dead Friday, bringing an end to a search that put the entire state of Maine on edge for the last two days.

Robert Card, who was wanted in connection with the shootings at Schemengees Bar and Grille and at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston, was found dead in Lisbon Falls, Maine, Gov Janet Mills said at a Friday night news conference.

Commissioner of Maine Department of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck said Card was found at 7:45 pm near the Androscoggin River of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He declined to provide a specific address.

Police found Card’s body at a recycling facility where he recently worked, a law enforcement official told the AP. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity.

Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine, was a US Army reservist who underwent a mental health evaluation in mid-July after he began acting erratically during training, a US official told The Associated Press.

Card had been sought since the Wednesday night shootings, and murder warrants were issued against him.

A bulletin sent to police across the country shortly after the attack said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this past summer after “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” a military base.

A US official said Card was training with the Army Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment in West Point, New York, when commanders became concerned about him.

State police took Card to the Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point for evaluation, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the information and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity

Authorities had scoured the woods and hundreds of acres of family-owned property, sent dive teams with sonar to the bottom of a river and scrutinized a possible suicide note Friday in the second day of their intensive search for Card.

Authorities lifted their shelter in place order Friday evening, nearly 48 hours after the shootings.

The names and pictures of the 16 males and two females who died were released as State Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck asked for a moment of silence at a news conference. Their ages ranged from 14 to 76.

Law enforcement officials had said they hadn't seen suspect Card since his vehicle was left at a boat ramp Wednesday shortly after the shootings.

Authorities say Card, who had firearms training, opened fire at the bar and a bowling alley Wednesday in Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city.

The city held an online vigil Friday night with local clergy members, prayer and music. Residents expressed their shock and pain in chat postings, describing themselves as angry, grieving, tired and heartbroken. Those watching at home were urged to light candles.

One poster, Victoria, wrote: “I lost 2 people that I cared truly about and a close family friend that is currently fighting for his life in ICU. My heart’s shattered.”

Police and other law enforcement officers were spotted in several areas around the region on Friday. Divers searched the water near a boat launch in Lisbon, and a farming business in the same town. At points throughout the day, police vehicles were seen speeding through several towns, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

A gun was found in Card’s car, which was discovered at a boat ramp, and federal agents were testing it to determine if it was used in the shooting, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. Authorities have said publicly that the shooter used at least one rifle. They have not released any other details, including how the suspect obtained the firearm.

Authorities found a suicide note at a home associated with Card on Thursday that was addressed to his son, the law enforcement officials said. They said it didn’t provide any specific motive for the shooting. Authorities also recovered Card’s cellphone in the home, making a search more complicated because authorities routinely use phones to track suspects, the officials said.

Federal agents conducted several searches of properties associated with Card on Thursday, collecting a number of items, including electronics, the officials said. Investigators are also analyzing Card’s financial information and reviewing his social media posts, writings and his mental health history, they said.

The Cards have lived in Bowdoin for generations, neighbors said, and various members of the family own hundreds of acres in the area. The family owned the local sawmill and years ago donated the land for a local church.

“This is his stomping ground,” Richard Goddard, who lives on the road where a search took place on Thursday, said of the suspect. “He knows every ledge to hide behind, every thicket.”

Family members of Card told federal investigators that he had recently discussed hearing voices and became more focused on the bowling alley and bar, according to the law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. When he was hospitalized in July in New York, Card had told military officials he had been hearing voices and said he wanted to harm other soldiers, the officials said.

Police said Thursday that Card would be charged with 18 counts of murder.

The victims of the shootings include Bob Violette, 76, a retiree who was coaching a youth bowling league and was described as devoted, approachable and kind. Auburn City Councilor Leroy Walker told news outlets that his son, Joe, a manager at the bar and grill, died going after the shooter with a butcher knife. Peyton Brewer-Ross was a dedicated pipefitter at Bath Iron Works whose death leaves a gaping void in the lives of his partner, young daughter and friends, members of his union said.

The manager of the youth bowling league vowed that the league would survive despite the devastating grief members were feeling.

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf said the shootings killed at least four members of their community, many of whom were ardent advocates for the deaf and hard of hearing.

The attacks stunned a state of only 1.3m people that has one of the country’s lowest homicide rates: 29 killings in all of 2022. Gov Janet Mills said Friday that many Maine residents will know someone who died.

“It is often said that our state is ‘one big, small town’ because Maine is such a close-knit community. As a result, many of us know the victims personally, including me," she said in a statement. “Tonight, I ask Maine people to join me in reading their stories, learning who they were, celebrating them as beloved people, and mourning them as irreplaceable.”

Schools, public buildings and many businesses remained closed Friday. Bates College in Lewiston canceled classes and postponed the inauguration of the school’s first Black president.

The shootings mark the 36th mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

AP