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Kathmandu district court (KDC) has slapped on cricketer Sandip Lamichhane an eight-year jail term along with Rs 500,000 as fine and compensation after finding him guilty of rape. 

On Dec 29 last year, a single bench of judge Sishiraj Dhakal had issued a verdict in consonance with Section 219 (3) (e) of Civil Code 2074, finding Lamichhane guilty of raping ‘Gaushala 26’.  

The verdict has established that the accused “raped the victim taking advantage of her poor economic condition” and convicted him as per clause 219—1, 2 and 3 (d)—of the Criminal Code Procedure.

The case started unraveling after Lamichhane’s arrest from Tribhuvan International Airport on Oct 6 last year, on the basis of a complaint accusing him of raping a minor on Sept 6 the same year. 

Citing statements from both the parties, the CCTV footage and an eyewitness account, the verdict states that ‘Gaushala 26’ and Lamichhane stayed at a hotel room in Kathmandu after their return from a journey to Nagarkot, adding that Lamichhane had raped her in the room. 

However, a controversial legal provision vis-a-vis jail terms of 6-10 years means Lamichhane can still appeal against this judgment at a higher court by staying out of prison 

 The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 9.50 points to close at 2,089.62 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3.40 points to close at 386. 33 points.

A total of 13,477,946-unit shares of 301 companies were traded for Rs 5. 13 billion.

Meanwhile, Manakamana Smart Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited and Himalayan Reinsurance Limited were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser as its price fell by 5.95 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 28 trillion.

Those who practice yoga vouch for its many benefits. They say it is good for their overall wellbeing, that it makes them calmer and agile. Though research into it is still preliminary, scientific evidence supports what yogis have been claiming for decades—yoga, if done right, can be therapeutic. 

Zahyan Shahani is a yoga instructor. She conducts yoga classes at her studio, Zenned Out, in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur. She has been practicing yoga for almost a decade. She spoke to Babita Shrestha from ApEx about the healing benefits of yoga, how it can make you more mindful of the present, and why the early hours of the morning is considered to be the best time to practice yoga.

Are there any health benefits of regular yoga practice?

Yoga is a great way to make you more focused on whatever you’re doing. It can help you stay calm, handle stress, and even deal with mood swings. If you have health issues, it might ease the symptoms. It keeps your organs and breathing in good shape. Following the right poses and sequences can strengthen your muscles, make you more flexible, and improve how you move around. Yoga isn’t just about the body but also keeps your mind healthy, helps you sleep better, and keeps you on track.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do yoga? 

I’d recommend finding a workout that suits you and easily fits into your daily life. Think of it as a long term fitness regime and not a temporary trend. Start with a nearby studio or instructor to understand the basics of breathing, alignment, and techniques. It’s crucial in the beginning to prevent potential long-term damage to your bones or muscles. You might not immediately have issues but they could catch up later if you’re not practicing correctly. Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, you can practice on your own. 

Is there a good time to practice yoga?

Practicing yoga in the morning sets a positive tone for the day, helping you focus on your purpose and approach the day with the right mindset. If you’re interested in why mornings are ideal for yoga, explore ‘Brahma Muhurta’. This Sanskrit term translates to ‘time of Brahma’,’sacred time’, ‘time of divinity’ or ‘the creator’s time.’ It refers to the period just before sunrise, which is believed to be when your life force is at its strongest. Practicing yoga during this time can make a big difference in how you tackle the day.

How does yoga contribute to improving flexibility and mental well-being? 

The practice of yoga, particularly through various asanas, not only enhances physical fitness but helps you create a healthy space between joints by elongating tight muscles. It allows connection between deeper sets of muscles. If you love a slow and gentle asana practice, you can opt for Yin Yoga but if you like it to be fast paced, you can  go for Vinyasa or Power Yoga. There is Ashtanga Yoga for the ones who love routine sequences. Pranayama practice along with gentle asanas that open up the back, chest, and abdominal muscles can also help you with respiratory health.

Can you share a simple yoga tip that anyone can use in their day to day life? 

There’s this yoga move called Vajrasana. It’s one of the simplest asanas. You can do it right after you’ve had lunch or dinner. It’s not just good for improving slow digestion but also helps you if you’re dealing with issues like infection or gastroenteritis. On top of giving your digestive system a boost, it also keeps your spine healthy. As for other asanas, I recommend you do them on an empty stomach or a few hours after having food. If you’ve got any spinal health issues, it’s better to have someone guide you through yoga practice.

What are some things to keep in mind before starting a yoga session?

For anyone dealing with specific health concerns, especially back pain, my advice would be to have a chat with your yoga instructor or healthcare provider before diving into practice. Simple things like checking your daily posture and adjusting your pillow and mattress can also make a big difference. Don’t shy away from using props or any modifications because they can make bending and stretching easier.

Yoga shouldn’t cause you pain or discomfort, though it might make you a bit sore at the start. Communicate with your instructor to make any necessary adjustments in your yoga routine. When it comes to backbends, take it easy. Don’t push yourself into something that doesn’t feel right. Even a simple sequence like the Cobra pose can do more harm than good if not done correctly.

Should meditation be a part of your yoga sessions? 

If you’re new to meditation, guided sessions can be a good way to start. It’s all about being mindful, doing away with distractions, and dedicating quality time to yourself. It helps you reflect on your own thoughts. What I strongly believe is that we often have the answers within us but most of the time we just seek validation from external sources. Meditation helps release all that stress, trauma, anxiety and the constant mental turmoil between the past, present and future. If you’re just starting out, take baby steps with meditation. Even two to five minutes is a great beginning and you can build up from there.

Police on Wednesday made public Ram Bahadur Bomjon, who was arrested on the charges of murder and sexual violence.

A Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police made public a controversial ascetic by organizing a press conference this afternoon.

The CIB had launched ‘Operation Blue’ to apprehend him.

SSP Dinesh Achary of the CIB said that Bomjon will be sent to Sarlahi District Court for further action.

A case has been field at the Sarlahi District Court against him.

A team of CIB detained Bomjon from Hattigauda of Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Police had confiscated Nepali and foreign currencies from his house.

Out of which, Rs 30.3 million Nepali currency and foreign currency equivalent to Rs 3.092 million were confiscated from his possession, the CIB said.

Similarly, police have also recovered 14 sets of mobile phones, 20 pen drives, two vehicles and four motorbikes among others from his residence.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud is preparing to fly to Russia for discussions on the death of Nepali nationals engaged in the ongoing war against Ukraine, the status of those missing in action and the repatriation of the youths still engaged in the war alongside the Russians. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in consultation with Moscow to set the date for the visit. Minister Saud is doing spadework for talks with his Russian counterpart regarding the death, injury and status of those Nepali recruits, who have gone missing while fighting for the Russian army. 

There are no bilateral provisions on recruitment in the Russian forces, but reports suggest that Nepalis are serving alongside the Russians and fighters from a number of other countries lured by certain ‘incentives’. 

Moscow has not responded to Nepal’s repeated requests for information about the Nepalis in the Russian army, though the government has said that hundreds of Nepalis have been serving the Russians, more than 100 have gone missing and 11 Nepalis have died in the war so far.

According to Saud, 115 families of the Nepali youths, who have joined the Russian army, have submitted a request at the ministry calling for their early repatriation. We have asked Russia to repatriate the Nepalis serving its army and compensate the families of those killed in action, he said. 

Despite repeated requests from Nepal, no response has come from Russia, which recently passed a law allowing foreigners to join its army with a promise to provide them citizenship once they fulfill set criteria. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal informed the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives that India has signed an agreement to purchase 10, 000 megawatt of electricity from Nepal in 10 years.

Though India has agreed to procure electricity from Nepal, it has reservations pertaining to the purchase of power produced by the Chinese companies.

During the meeting of the parliamentary committee on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dahal said that attempts are being made to cajole India to buy electricity produced by the Chinese companies in Nepal.

The Prime Minister said that India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Nepal a few days ago had signed a long-term power agreement.

“No agreement has been made to take the investment of India only. There is a provision that any country can produce electricity in Nepal. India has signed an agreement to purchase 10, 000 megawatt of electricity from Nepal in 10 years,” PM Dahal said, adding, “The Indian government, however, is reluctant to purchase electricity produced by Chinese companies in Nepal.”

Prime Minister Dahal said that attempts are being made to persuade India to buy the electricity from the hydropower projects invested by the Chinese company.

Two persons died when a jeep met with an accident at Barali Thumka in Bhimad Municipality-3 of Tanahun district on Wednesday.

Santosh Paudel, Chief at the District Traffic Police Office, Tanahun, said that the ill-fated jeep (Ga 1 Ja 6356) was heading towards Rampur from Pokhara when the incident occurred at around 9: 30 am today.

He said that the identity of the deceased has not been ascertained yet.

According to him, two persons died on the spot and nine others were injured in the accident.

Among the injured, four have been taken to Pokhara for treatment while five are undergoing treatment at the GP Koirala National Center For Respiratory Diseases in Tanahun.

It has been learnt that the jeep fell some 300 meters down the road.

Police said that they have arrested the jeep driver for investigation.

Nepali Ambassador to Switzerland Ram Prasad Subedi presented a letter of credence to Swiss President Viola Amherd amidst a special ceremony organized at the Federal Palace in Bern, Switzerland.

Upon arrival at the Palace, the Ambassador was accorded Guard of Honour.

Ambassador Subedi was granted an audience by the President Amherd where he conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to the Swiss President’s personal health and happiness as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Switzerland, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Geneva on Tuesday.

While underscoring the excellent bilateral relations between Nepal and Switzerland, Ambassador Subedi expressed his commitment to work towards further strengthening bilateral ties and expanding the areas of cooperation. He further elaborated about the opportunities to work together in the areas of trade, tourism and investment. He also acknowledged the Swiss support through Swiss Development Cooperation in Nepal, including in the peace process.

President Amherd while echoing the similar sentiments stated that Nepal and Switzerland enjoy long standing friendly relations and reaffirmed the strong bonds of goodwill and friendship between the two peoples, and assured the Ambassador of full cooperation in the discharge of his duties, according to the statement.

Senior officials of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as well as spouse Jyoti Rijal Subedi, Deputy Chief of Mission Paras Pandit and First Secretary Amar Rai were present on the occasion.

Later in the evening, Ambassador Subedi called on Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary of Swiss Confederation at the Federal Palace in Bern.

They discussed exploring the opportunities for working together for the meeting of high-level political leaders, holding regular meetings of bilateral consultation mechanisms, promoting economic cooperation and cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.