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The number of scrub typhus cases has increased in Nawalparasi following the end of the monsoon.

According to the Province Public Health Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta East), a total of 44 cases of scrub typhus have been reported in Nawalpur this year as of today.

Public Health Officer and Information Officer Chhabilal Subedi stated that there were 17 cases in the district as of September 21, and 27 new cases have been recorded in the past 20 days. 

Of the infected individuals, 38 have recovered while six are currently undergoing treatment.

Although the risk of dengue has decreased in the district, the risk of scrub typhus which presents symptoms similar to dengue has increased. “Alarmingly, scrub typhus is 30 times more fatal than dengue,” he added.

Scrub typhus is caused by a bacterium called Orientia tsutsugamushi which is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mites.

Office Chief Shailendra Kumar Singh stated that public awareness efforts have been intensified in response to the growing threat of scrub typhus. 

As no vaccine is currently available for the disease, the most effective preventive measure is to avoid bites from infected mites. These mites commonly inhabit low-lying bushes and are also found on the ears of mice in the area.

Acting President of Nepali Congress, Purna Bahadur Khadka, has said that his party will participate in the elections if the government creates a suitable environment for the same.

Khadka said so while addressing the memorial meeting held today in Surkhet on the 13th day of the demise of the party's Surkhet district former president Govinda Bahadur Malla. He stated that the party is ready to participate in the elections as soon as all conditions necessary for the election are in place.

So far, the government has not carried out the reliable tasks required to hold the elections, said the NC Acting President Khadka.

He suggested that if the government is sincere to hold elections, emphasis should be given to returning the weapons looted by infiltrators during the Gen-Z demonstration, to boosting the morale of the police and security agencies, to engage the parties participating in the elections, and to assure the electorate of security.

Khadka accused the government of abandoning the task of creating an atmosphere conducive for elections and engaging in prejudiced attacks on party leaders, instead creating confusion and increasing uncertainty.

The NC Acting President stated that the ongoing central executive committee meeting of the party would make appropriate decisions regarding the elections, the party's convention, and the current situation.

The government has allocated Rs 4.85 million as contingency expenses for those injured during the September 8-9 Gen Z demonstrations. 

Each injured person has been provided with Rs 20,000, based on the preliminary report from the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

In the first phase, the amount was released to Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kaski, Surkhet, Kailali, and Dadeldhura.

The Cabinet, on September 28, decided to ensure immediate financial assistance for contingency expenses based on the classification of injuries identified by the technical committee.

So far, the Ministry of Health has submitted details of 2,419 injured to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Similarly, the injured have been provided with identity cards. 

The Home Ministry has sent 2,876 ID cards to the respective District Administration Offices, while 38 cards have been issued directly from hospitals.

Gen Z clinics have been set up at designated hospitals for follow-up treatment of the injured, with arrangements for free transportation facilities, it is said. 

 Seventy-six people lost their lives during the Gen Z movement. 

Among them, the identities of 53 individuals are known, including three Nepal Police officers. 

The identities of 12 people are yet to be established. While trying to escape from prison, 10 inmates were killed by bullets fired by security personnel. One foreigner also lost life during the Gen Z movement.

The lines of six industries that did not pay the electricity bills for using dedicated and trunk lines have been cut.

Rajan Dhakal, spokesperson of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said that the electricity supply of Jagadamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mills, Shivam Cement, Ghorahi Cement, Arghakhanchi Cement, and Triveni Spinning Mills have been cut due to unpaid electricity bills.

According to spokesperson Dhakal, the power supply to these industries has been cut off since Sunday morning. 

The issue of collecting electricity tariff for using dedicated and trunk lines has not been resolved since 2018. 

For the first time, a study on the arrears of tariffs from dedicated and trunk lines was conducted under the coordination of the then member of NEA board of directors, Bhakta Bahadur Pun and a report presented to the board meeting held on 14 May 2018.

The NEA has been making efforts to realise the electricity dues from the defaulting companies since that time.

Industrial entrepreneurs have, however, said that they do not pay the charges because they have not used dedicated or trunk lines.

This matter had reached various courts, the Public Accounts Committee of the Federal Parliament, and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

Last time, the NEA issued a public notice on September 28, asking the industries to pay the arrears within 21 days.

NEA had given the defaulting companies and industries the facility to pay the dues in installments. It stated that the electricity supply to the six industries was disconnected as per the Electricity Tariff Collection Regulations 2078 after they failed to pay the tariff within that period.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepal-Pakistan Youth Council, extended humanitarian support to flood survivors in Ilam. 

The Pakistani embassy distributed essential relief materials to the flood-affected families.

According to the Embassy, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H. Hashmi, handed over the relief assistance to families affected by recent natural disasters in Mangsebung and Phakphokthum rural municipalities.

Ilam district recorded 37 fatalities due to massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall on October 3 and 4. 

Chief District Officer of Ilam, Sunita Nepal, along with local government representatives, was present during the relief distribution.

On the occasion, Ambassador Hashmi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and emphasized the need for strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nepal and Pakistan.

Earlier, the Ambassador also paid a courtesy call on Koshi Province’s Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Rewati Raman Bhandari, and conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with Nepal during this time of disaster.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki is consulting with the parties represented in the dissolved Parliament today to create a political environment for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026.

A formal letter has been sent to the seven political parties to participate in the discussion at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar, at 4 pm and that they have also been contacted by telephone, Ram Bahadur Rawal, PM Karki's press coordinator said.

He said that discussions with the parties were held as one of the efforts being made to create an election environment.

The government has been discussing with the Election Commission and the state security bodies regarding legal and policy arrangements related to elections, preparations, and security arrangements.

Leaders of parties including the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, the CPN (Maoist Center), the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and the Janata Samajbadi will participate in the first formal discussion with political parties by Prime Minister Karki on topics such as election preparations.

Coordinator Rawal said that there will be high-level representation from those parties.

Previously, at the call of President Ram Chandra Paudel, a discussion was held with political parties regarding election preparations at the President's Office, Sheetal Niwas, on October 10 in the special presence of Prime Minister Karki.

Similarly, during discussions on October 16 with 29 political parties, who had representation in the dissolved House of Representatives and had won at least one ward member in the last local elections, the representatives of the parties urged the government to create an environment conducive for elections through intensive discussions with the parties.

The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica football federations announced on Monday a joint bid to host the 2031 Women's World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, Reuters reported.

FIFA approved the expansion of the Women's World Cup from 32 to 48 teams in May, adopting a 12-group format that will increase the number of games from 64 to 104, matching the expanded 2026 men's World Cup.

The federations said in a joint statement the proposal aimed to deliver "the most impactful tournament in history", promising a lasting legacy for women's football across North America, Central America and the Caribbean, according to Reuters.

Sanae Takaichi has been elected Japan's prime minister by its parliament, making her the first woman to hold the office, BBC reported.

The 64-year-old won a clear majority on Tuesday - 237 votes in the powerful Lower House and another 125 in the Upper House - as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

A staunch conservative and admirer of the late former UK PM Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi takes over at a challenging economic moment as Japan grapples with a rising cost of living and a frustrated public. 

It's also been an uncertain time for the world's fourth-largest economy. She is the fourth PM in just five years, after her predecessors' terms were cut short by plunging ratings and scandals, according to BBC.