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The government has released a total amount of Rs 754.93 million to provide subsidies for sugarcane farmers. 

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has released the amount which will be transferred to the beneficiaries' bank account through the district-based Treasury and Financial Comptroller offices, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD).

Although the Cabinet meeting had earlier decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 35 per quintal to sugarcane farmers, the MoF delayed the disbursement citing technical issues. 

The delay prompted the disgruntled sugarcane farmers to stage Kathmandu-centric protest programs. Also, the government's decision to halve the subsidy-previously Rs 70 per quintal-further fueled their decision to take to the street.

Although MoALD had proposed continuing the same amount this year as well, the Cabinet meeting decided to provide Rs 35 per quintal taking into account the country's current economic condition and needs.

Meanwhile, representatives of the MoALD and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and protesting sugarcane farmers held a meetibg on Tuesday at Singha Durbar. 

Lalan Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture, and Lal Kumar Shrestha and Maniratna Aryal, Under-Secretaries of the MoALD among others represented the government side while Shyam Babu Raya led the sugarcane farmers in the talks. 

It may be noted that Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari on last Tuesday had formed a four-member team in a bid to address the demands of protesting sugarcane farmers.

A female inmate was found hanging in the Morang District Prison on Wednesday.

Radha Bhattarai (32) aka Radhika of Barahachhetra Municipality-6, Sunsari, was found dead in the toilet of the prison.

According to Jailer Gaurav Dhungel, Bhattarai was found hanging with a shawl in the toilet at around 4:30 am on Wednesday.

“She was found hanging with the shawl in the toilet this morning. The toilet was also locked from inside,” he said.

DSP Kopila Chudal, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Morang, said that she might have committed suicide.

Jailer Dhungel said that the body will be sent to a hospital for postmortem.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, said police.

Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner showed their championship pedigree at the U.S. Open on Tuesday with commanding displays at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, walloping their first-round opponents on the third day of first-round action at the newly expanded major, Reuters reported.

Wimbledon champion Swiatek arrived in pristine form after capturing the Cincinnati title and made quick work of Emiliana Arango 6-1 6-2 in just an hour, never facing a break point.

The 2022 winner acknowledged the unique challenge of New York's atmosphere afterwards.

"Every year is tough, because New York is just so loud, and it's hard to find that balance off the court," she said, according to Reuters.

Naomi Osaka turned heads on Tuesday, stepping on court in a dazzling crystal-encrusted red Nike outfit before dismantling Belgium's Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4 to reach the U.S. Open second round at Flushing Meadows, Reuters reported.

The twice champion made her Louis Armstrong Stadium entrance with an elaborate rose-adorned ponytail that she later ditched for practicality, but not before making a statement at the floodlit evening session.

"I just thought it would be really fun to do a New York under the lights," Osaka said of her custom-designed ensemble. "This is my night outfit, so hopefully I'll wear my day outfit next time."

The 23rd seed's theatrical presentation extended beyond fashion, with her bag featuring a small Labubu charm she dubbed "Billie Jean Bling, not Billie Jean King" in her on-court interview, according to Reuters.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce are engaged to be married, the couple announced on social media on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

In a joint Instagram post, the pair wrote: "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married," along with photos showing the Kansas City Chiefs player proposing to Swift.

Photos showed the American couple in a garden of pink and white flowers. One image showed Kelce on one knee looking up at Swift, and another featured a large ring on Swift's left hand. A snippet of Swift's song "So High School" played in the background of the post, according to Reuters.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 199, 000 per tola today. 

The price of silver, however, has dropped by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 2, 345 per tola today.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has vowed to dismantle factionalism in the party. He also claimed that public trust was growing in the party. 

In an audiovisual message to the full meeting of the party's Karnali Province, Chairman Dahal reminded that the Standing Committee meeting of the party had made a resolution to make the party strong and unified by ending groupism, anarchy and conflict in the party. 

Dahal characterized the victory of party leaders at local levels, student unions and the Nepal Mountaineering Association as the symbol of rising public trust in the party, according to Dahal's personal secretariat. 

The Weather Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has informed that the low pressure belt of monsoon is currently towards south and west of its average range. 

With the generally cloudy weather across the country today, few places of hilly regions in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and Tarai region are likely to have moderate rainfall. However, very few places in Koshi and Gandaki Provinces will see heavy rainfall in their hilly regions.

It will be partly to generally cloudy weather in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces tonight, the weather service added. 

Few places in Tarai and of Koshi, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces are likely to have heavy rains. 

The Division cautioned the concerned sector, especially the road transport, to remain aware of the possible floods and debris flow in the streams and rivers in the wake of possibility of rainfall.