- Saturday, 12 July 2025
Fuel switches cut off before Air India plane crash: AAIB
Both switches feeding fuel to the two engines of Air India flight 171 were cut off, followed by pilot confusion before the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, seconds after taking off, the first investigation report into the crash has revealed. It said that one pilot asked why he had shut off the fuel, and the other responded he didn't do it. The crash on June 12 was the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787, killing a total of 260 people -- all but one of the 242 people on board the aircraft died -- when the plane ploughed into a medical college hostel.
PM Oli congratulates Nepali footballers for victory against Bhutan
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has congratulated to the Nepali women footballers for securing a 6-1 victory against Bhutan in SAFF U-20 Women's Championship.
Chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places in five provinces
There are chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces today. The monsoon wind has its influence throughout the country at present with the monsoon low pressure trough somewhat closer to its average position in east Nepal and towards slightly north from its average position in the western belt of the country, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said.
Goats worth over Rs. 30 million sold
Goats worth over Rs. 30 million have been supplied to market from a single municipality in Salyan. Farmers affiliated with groups and cooperatives in t
Nation
Stadium being built in honour of cricketer Lamichhane
In honour of former Captain of Nepal's National Cricket Team Sandeep Lamichhane, the construction of a cricket stadium was initiated at Aruchaur village in Arjunchaupari Rural Municipality-5, Syangja district.
PM Oli congratulates Nepali footballers for victory against Bhutan
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has congratulated to the Nepali women footballers for securing a 6-1 victory against Bhutan in SAFF U-20 Women's Championship.
Two dead, six injured in Baitadi jeep accident
Two people, including the jeep driver, died while six others sustained injuries when a jeep met with an accident in Khipali in Patan Municipality-6 of Baitadi.
Speaker Ghimire appreciates Rwanda's efforts for economic development, lasting peace
Speaker of House of Representatives (HoR) Devraj Ghimire said that the Republic of Rwanda has established itself as a successful nation in the world for good governance, rapid economic growth and lasting peace.
World
Fuel switches cut off before Air India plane crash: AAIB
Both switches feeding fuel to the two engines of Air India flight 171 were cut off, followed by pilot confusion before the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, seconds after taking off, the first investigation report into the crash has revealed. It said that one pilot asked why he had shut off the fuel, and the other responded he didn't do it. The crash on June 12 was the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787, killing a total of 260 people -- all but one of the 242 people on board the aircraft died -- when the plane ploughed into a medical college hostel.
Business
Fuel switches cut off before Air India plane crash: AAIB
Both switches feeding fuel to the two engines of Air India flight 171 were cut off, followed by pilot confusion before the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, seconds after taking off, the first investigation report into the crash has revealed. It said that one pilot asked why he had shut off the fuel, and the other responded he didn't do it. The crash on June 12 was the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787, killing a total of 260 people -- all but one of the 242 people on board the aircraft died -- when the plane ploughed into a medical college hostel.
Goats worth over Rs. 30 million sold
Goats worth over Rs. 30 million have been supplied to market from a single municipality in Salyan. Farmers affiliated with groups and cooperatives in t
Madhes declared drought-affected zone
After paddy transplantation was severely disrupted in lack of rainfall, the Madhes Province government has officially declared the entire region a drought-affected zone. A cabinet meeting of the provincial gove
NRB slashes interest rates, promotes housing and share market growth
The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) unveiled the Monetary Policy for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025/26 on Friday with measures to expand private sector credit, manage non-performing loans (NPLs) and non-banking assets, and promote the share market.
Sports
Stadium being built in honour of cricketer Lamichhane
In honour of former Captain of Nepal's National Cricket Team Sandeep Lamichhane, the construction of a cricket stadium was initiated at Aruchaur village in Arjunchaupari Rural Municipality-5, Syangja district.
Interview
Budget focused on giving impetus to economy: Finance Minister Poudel
Kathmandu, May 31: The government has presented its budget (income and expenditure) estimates for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 in the parliament. The government was expected to bring the budget with various reform plans to improve the overall economic situation of the country and achieve the expected pace of development. But an average and status quo budget was presented, which has raised questions about what role it can play in improving the economy. In this context, RSS correspondent Hemant Joshi talked to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel. The excerpts of the interview are as follows: What are the focus and priorities of the upcoming fiscal year's budget including the aspects of reforms?A realistic and disciplined budget has been presented in terms of resource and expenditure management. We have emphasized the optimal use of resources and also tried to be realistic in terms of internal revenue and external debt mobilization. The allocation for capital expenditure has been increased while funds going to the provincial and local levels through financial transfers have been increased. This budget has particularly emphasized on two to three things in the process of giving an impetus to the economy. It has set the path for favorable policy reforms for investment growth. It adopts a policy to attract domestic and foreign investment. It also set a favorable ground for production growth and job creation.Experts have described this as an average budget, did you not try to intervene or were not able to do?There is no question of blindly interfering in the name of reforms. The budget has already taken the necessary steps to determine and adopt the right policy. Various policy reforms have been made. A policy of using alternative development finance has been adopted. Improvements have been made in project management and procurement processes. Instead of waiting for the next fiscal year, we have made arrangements to start the procurement process from Jestha 16. We expect the policy of austerity and spending cuts to balance current expenditure. In terms of taxes, many suggestions were received about the kind of revenue policy to be adopted and we listened to all of them. But I think that the decision that has been made now regarding taxes has increased the trust of taxpayers over the state.What kind of political pressure did you face during preparation of this budget? Is your budget politically biased?All the comments and feedback on the budget are welcome. While preparing the budget, my focus was on making the budget realistic and disciplined. Budget preparation is not a matter of pressure but something that is done based on justification. I did not feel any kind of pressure. However, the budget cannot be separated from politics out rightly. The government's policies and programs should be followed and the budget is based accordingly. Therefore, one cannot say that it is a completely technical manner away from politics. But this budget has come within the limits of the fundamentals norms of a budget.The private sector seems excited over the budget but there are concerns that the general public was not given due consideration…We were in a situation where we had to prioritize the needs of the nation more than that of its people. The budget has been introduced keeping this in mind. We were guided more by the need to increase production and productivity, adding impetus to the economy, increasing the economic growth rate and making it sustainable than going for cheap popularity. The budget ensures that economic activities will expand, private sector investment will increase, employment opportunities will rise and infrastructure projects will be completed on time. I am also optimistic that the targeted economic growth will be achieved through this budget.How is the prioritization and selection of projects different from previous years?We have always been mindful of the fact that the federal government should present plans and programs that should be approved by the federal parliament. The budget was prepared with a focus on important federal responsibilities. Furthermore, the functions of the provinces and local levels do not fall within the scope of the federal government's budget. Hence, federal projects costing less than Rs. 30 million were not included in the budget. The message we have put out is that not only the federal government but the provinces and local levels should also come up with a balanced budget.Furthermore, implementing of the budget should begin immediately. In fact, we should start implementing the budget from today itself. Accordingly, we will immediately proceed with projects the contracts of which can be handed out within the current fiscal year. (RSS)
Our approach to responding to loss and damage is a country-led and bottom-up one: Diong
Ibrahima Cheikh Diong is the Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). Indira Aryal, a reporter with this daily, spoke with Mr Diong about the mandate and mission of the Fund, and how developing countries like Nepal can access it more easily. Excerpts:
Society
PM Oli congratulates Nepali footballers for victory against Bhutan
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has congratulated to the Nepali women footballers for securing a 6-1 victory against Bhutan in SAFF U-20 Women's Championship.