Good morning!
Here’s a quick summary of important, ignored and interesting reports from Monday to kick-start your day:
Important
KC stalls hunger strike, pens letter to Narendra Modi
Medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC, who was staging his 17th hunger strike in Dadeldhura, has ended his fast-unto-death. KC has suspended his strike on the ninth day citing a recent border dispute with India. He has also written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi complaining about the border encroachment. He has also appealed to join hands to fight against the common enemies of humanity: diseases, poverty and backwardness. KC has requested PM Modi to regard the issue of sovereignty more seriously and respect Nepali feelings.
Everyone is united regarding border issues, says Dahal
Chairperson of Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday said that the country has been united on the issue of nationality. Speaking at a programme organised to administer the oath to the party’s ward committee office-bearers in Chitwan, Dahal said all parties had been unanimous in giving out their voices in the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister KP Oli on the border issue. Dahal said it was the first time that all political forces came together in regard to the border issue. Maintaining that the border dispute issue has appeared as a challenging one, Dahal assured that the NCP-led government would handle it effectively.
Ignored
ATM hacking: Singapore team to submit report by next week
A team from Singapore has completed its report on the recent ATM hacking scandal where Chinese hackers scooped up Rs 35 million from various ATMs of the capital. The team had come to Nepal for four days to do an on-sight study. A source at Nepal Rastra Bank said that the team had prepared its report. It was given three months to submit the report. The source added that the team would submit its report by next week.
Customs rate increased for gold
The customs rate for gold has increased. This is the second time that the rate has increased this fiscal year. The rate applies to both banks importing gold and to people bringing them while flying to Nepal. The Finance Ministry stated that the reason they increased the customs rate was that gold smuggling increased in the past few years. They are hopeful that increasing the customs rate will help curb this.
New customs rate for gold –
Per 10 grams for first 50 grams – Rs 7,500
Per 10 grams more than 50 grams – Rs 8,500
Interesting
MPs complain about low living standards
Nepal’s parliamentarians have complained about their low living standard at an interaction organised to discuss Nepal-America parliamentary practices on Tuesday. Lawmaker Maya Gyawali complained that she could not even afford to hire cabs even during emergencies. She added that she was compelled to compromise on limited resources. She also said that she hadn’t even been to the United States and said she didn’t get into the desired parliamentary committee. Similarly, lawmaker Man Bahadur Biswokarma moaned that the Prime Minister and ministers failed to fulfil their promises.
Bangladeshi President visits Bhaktapur
President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, who arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday, paid a visit to Bhaktapur. President Hamid has come to Nepal upon invitation from President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality, Sunil Prajapati, welcomed President Hamid in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square premises. President Hamid visited cultural heritage sites and artistic ancient buildings at the Durbar Square.
