Submit your Article

The Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs (FNTTE), an umbrella organization of transport entrepreneurs across the country, has demanded adjustment in public transport fares following a significant rise in petroleum prices.

In a press statement issued today, the federation said its attention was drawn to the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products by the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), which came into effect last night.

The sudden and significant rise of petroleum prices without considering the concerns of transport entrepreneurs and passengers has directly affected the transport sector, said Federation General Secretary Deknath Gautam in the statement. 

The federation has also called for controlling internal leakage and consumption of petroleum products within the NOC and implementing a scientific system in the supply chain to ensure smooth distribution.

It said that public vehicles run on diesel and petrol, and any increase in petrol prices directly affects the operation of public transport providers. 

The NOC increased the price of diesel by Rs 10 per liter and petrol by Rs 15 per liter starting Sunday night.

Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) Command, Lieutenant General Joel Vowell, paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff, Ashok Raj Sigdel, today.

During the meeting held at Army Headquarters, Bhadrakali, they discussed the matters of bilateral welfare. 

A team led by Vowell arrived in Nepal on Sunday as part of a regular visit. 

The delegation would also visit Panchkhal-based Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) of the Nepali Army.

The team will leave for Thailand on Tuesday.

It is believed that this visit would further strengthen Nepal-US relations and contribute to humanitarian support, disaster management and international peacekeeping efforts. 

Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming paid a courtesy call on National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal on Monday. 

During the meeting held at Chair Dahal's office in Singha Durbar, they discussed matters including relations between the two countries, parliamentary cooperation, mutual assistance and contemporary issues. 

Talking about long-standing relations between Nepal and China, Chair Dahal viewed the relations between the two countries are strong and deep not only at diplomatic level but also at people-to-people level. 

He mentioned that formation of a new government is in the process after completion of the election to the House of Representatives on March 5 in Nepal. 

The NA Chairperson also lauded the Chinese support to Nepal's development, according to Dahal's Secretariat. 

On the occasion, Ambassador Zhang shared that friendly relations based on mutual interest have been maintained since establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal. 

Collaboration and cooperation between the two countries have remarkably increased and the relations between the two countries have reached a new height after the exchange of presidential visits of both countries, he argued.  

NA Secretary Tul Bahadur Kandel, employees at Foreign Ministry and Federal Parliament Secretariat and the officials of the Chinese Embassy were present in the meeting.

Ten people have been killed after a fire broke out in the trauma centre of a government hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, BBC reported. 

All the victims were patients, while 11 hospital staff are being treated for burns suffered while trying to rescue patients, state Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.

The fire - suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit - started in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack city around 02:30 local time on Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday), according to BBC. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 26. 07 points to close at 2, 798. 83 points on Monday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 6. 38 points to close at 480. 41 points.

A total of 30,790,211-unit shares of 345 companies were traded for Rs 1. 61 billion.

Meanwhile, Salapa Bikas Bank Limited (SABBL), Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML), Upper Hewakhola Hydropower Company Limited (UHEWA) and Solu Hydropower Limited (SOHL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Siddhartha Equity Fund (SEF)was the top loser as their price fell by 4. 39 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 74 trillion.

Five people have gone missing in the Baridya National Park. 

They have been identified as Resham Samaseli (25), Ram Bahadur Gharti (34), Rabilal Damai (41) and Sunil Samaseli (30) of Barahatal Rural Municipality-1 and Durga Bahadur Sijali (45) of Gangae of Lekbeshi Municipality-5. They reportedly entered the park area for alleged 'hunting'. 

They have been missing since Sunday evening, according to the District Police Office, Surkhet Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Jung Budthapa.  

A four-member security team has been mobilized for the search of the missing ones, the Surkhet Police said. 

The District Police Office, Bardiya has been informed about the incident. 

Freshly crafted wine, ready for enjoyment

Political thriller One Battle After Another has dominated this year's Oscars, scoring six wins including best picture, BBC reported. 

It marks the first best picture and best director win for Paul Thomas Anderson, who had never previously won an Oscar despite being one of Hollywood's most respected film-makers. 

"You make a guy work hard for one of these, I really appreciate it," he joked in his acceptance speech, adding that making the film had been a "wonderful, wonderful journey".

Other winners included Sinners star Michael B Jordan, who beat Timothée Chalamet to the best actor award; and Irish actress Jessie Buckley, who was recognised for her role in Hamnet, according to BBC. 

One hundred and eighty inmates out of those escaping the Nawalparasi Jail during Gen Z movement last September are still at large. Of them, 150 are men and 30 women.  

A total of 546 detainees had escaped from the Nawalparasi Jail on September 9. Of them, 362 returned to jail while four others have been kept in another prison, said an employee at Jail Administration Nawalparasi, Kiran Aryal.

Some of the detainees had returned to prison themselves while police had arrested some others. 

The Jail Administration had issued a notice, asking the escaped detainees to return to the jail. 

The district custody had 575 detainees before the Gen Z movement. 

Of them, 41 were Indian prisoners. Thirty eight Indian prisoners are still absconding while police arrested three Indian detainees and handed them to the custody. 

Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Bir Dutta Panta, shared that search for those at large is on.