Chile declares 'state of catastrophe' as deadly wildfires menace cities

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two regions where deadly wildfires are raging, BBC reported. 

At least 16 people are confirmed dead in the Nuble and Biobio regions, about 500km (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago. At least 20,000 have been evacuated. 

The most dangerous fire has swept through dry forests bordering the coastal city of Concepción. About 250 homes have been destroyed, disaster officials said, according to BBC. 

Starmer holds phone call with Trump over Greenland tariff threat

Sir Keir Starmer told Donald Trump in a phone call on Sunday that it would be "wrong" to apply tariffs to allies opposing a US takeover of Greenland, No 10 has said, BBC reported. 

It is the first time the two leaders have spoken since the US president vowed to impose a 10% levy on goods imported from eight European nations, including the UK, until a deal was reached over the US to purchase the island.

The White House has intensified calls for the US to take control of the autonomous Danish territory on national security grounds, alarming both European allies and those living on the island, according to BBC. 

At least 21 killed in Spain after crash involving high-speed trains

At least 21 people have been killed and dozens more injured following a collision between two high-speed trains in southern Spain on Sunday evening, officials say, BBC reported. 

The incident happened near the town of Adamuz, close to the city of Cordoba, when a high-speed train travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed and crashed onto a neighbouring track, rail network operator Adif said.

A second train travelling in the opposite direction, from Madrid to Huelva, also derailed, according to BBC. 

Election code of conduct comes into force from midnight

The Election code of conduct -2082 for the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives is getting in force from midnight. 

Kul Bahadur GC, Assistant Spokesperson of the Commission, said that a meeting of the Election Commission convened on Sunday took the decision to this effect.

The Commission, constitutional body responsible to conduct and monitor election, formulated and implemented the code of conduct by exercising the authority granted by the Section 22 of the Election Commission Act-2073 to enable a free, fair, impartial, transparent and fear-free environment as well as to ensure frugality during the elections. 

The Commission is going to apprise the members of Council of Ministers and high-ranking government officers about the enforcement of election code of today itself, said Assistant Spokesperson GC.

 

 

5 killed, 13 injured in Dharan bus accident

Five persons died and 13 others were injured  in a bus accident at Zero Point in Dharan Sub-Metropolis-13, Dharan on Sunday. 

A passenger bus (Ko 1 Kha 7119) en route to Dharan from Dhankuta hit a roadside medical building, killing five passengers, including a child, said Chandra Khadka, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Sunsari. 

The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.

Police said that they are looking into the case. 

 

PM Karki, EC officials discuss election issues

As the deadline for nomination of candidates contesting the March 5 elections under first-past-the-post system draws closer, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and officials of the Election Commission (EC) held a discussion on the relevant matters today.

The discussion was held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, Kathmandu. 

Minister for Finance Rameshwor Khanal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentarian Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma and Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari among others dwelt on the election-related matters. 

The interim government led by PM Karki is conducting the elections to the House of Representatives on March 5. EC, a constitutional body, is responsible for conducting and monitoring elections. 

The deadline for nomination of candidates contesting the elections under the first-past-the-post system is January 20. 

The political parties are making last-ditch efforts to finalize the FPTP candidates from 165 constituencies from across the country. 

Similarly, the election code of conduct is getting in force from mid-night.

 

KMC Mayor Balen Shah resigns

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah resigned from his post on Sunday. 

He submitted his resignation to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol.

In his resignation letter, Shah stated that he stepped down voluntarily in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal 2072, the Local Government Operation Act 2074, and prevailing legal provisions of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The resignation takes effect immediately.

Reflecting on his tenure, Shah said that he worked honestly and with dedication for the welfare of the city and its residents.

He further expressed hope that the metropolis’s leadership, service delivery, and development efforts would become more effective, transparent, and result-oriented in the future, wishing success to the Municipal Executive.

Following his resignation, Shah is set to enter active politics. He

 has also been preparing to contest the upcoming elections from Jhapa-5.

 

Nepse surges by 31. 12 points on Sunday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 31. 12 points to close at 2, 672. 55 points on Sunday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 4. 70 points to close at 459. 43 points.

A total of 16,611,479-unit shares of 338 companies were traded for Rs 1. 52 billion.

Meanwhile, Sagar Distillery Limited (SAGAR), Unnati Sahakarya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (USLB), Shreenagar Agritech Industries Limited (SAIL) and Gurkhas Finance Ltd. (GUFL) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise, Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 8. 78 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 48 trillion.