Mustang-Dolpa road remains closed for 10 days

The Mustang-Dolpa road has been closed for the last 10 days due to accumulation of snow on the road following heavy snowfall. 

The Road Division Office in Mustang has expanded the Mustang–Dolpa road from Pakling in Mustang through Sangta village to Chhuksam in Dolpa. 

To assist Upper Dolpa residents in transporting goods to Jomsom in Mustang and traveling to Pokhara–Kathmandu, the Baglung Road Division Office has upgraded the Mustang–Dolpa road and created a new track as the shortest direct route from the Dolpa headquarters. 

Additionally, the Mustang–Dolpa road was widened to facilitate the transport of goods from Mustang to Upper Dolpa and to enable the movement of sheep and yaks from Dolpa to Mustang. 

Surendra Gurung, the ward chairperson of Baragung Muktichhetra–5, reported that the Mustang–Dolpa road, situated at an elevation of 4,000 meters above sea level, has been blocked due to heavy snowfall. 

The blockage has hindered the transport of goods and vehicles from Jomsom to Chhuksam. 

Ward Chairperson Gurung mentioned that a request has been made to the Baglung Road Division Office to remove the snow.

 

German general says Russia could launch limited attack on NATO any time

Russia has capacity for a limited attack against NATO territory at any time but a decision to act would depend on the Western allies' posture, a top German military official warned, Reuters reported.

"If you look at Russia's current capabilities and combat power, Russia could kick off a small-scale attack against NATO territory as early as tomorrow," Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank told Reuters in an interview.

"Small, quick, regionally limited, nothing big - Russia is too tied down in Ukraine for that."

Sollfrank, who heads Germany's joint operations command and oversees defence planning, also echoed NATO warnings that Russia could potentially mount a large-scale assault on the 32-member alliance as early as 2029 if its armament efforts persist, according to Reuters.

Harry apologises to Canada for wearing LA Dodgers cap during World Series

The Duke of Sussex has apologised to Canada for wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers hat while attending a World Series game against the Toronto Blue Jays, BBC reported.

Prince Harry joked that he was "under duress" when he wore the bright blue cap during the epic Game 4 of the World Series in Los Angeles. He thought it was "the polite thing to do" after being invited to the game by the Dodgers' owner.

His headgear choice upset many in Canada - a Commonwealth nation- who criticised him for not showing his allegiance to the realm, or to the only Canadian team in Major League Baseball, according to BBC.

SC to come into full operation from November 17

The Supreme Court is coming into full operation from November 17. 

It has been delivering its service partially after the SC building was torched and damaged during the Gen Z protest on September 9.  

A meeting of the Supreme Court's full bench held on Thursday decided to operate all services regularly. 

The  hearing date for which was already scheduled would be conducted regularly from November 17 as case files have been saved from destruction. 

The meeting also took the decision to register all types of cases, applications and conduct hearings.

 

 

Diversion of water from Melamchi to Kathmandu completely halted

In a move prompted by unmet demands, groups of vendors and committees representing Melamchi flood victims have halted the diversion of water from the Melamchi stream to Kathmandu. 

Jagarnath Das, the Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, said that local residents obstructed the water diversion at the source of the Melamchi Water Supply Project on Thursday. 

He remarked, "The locals have blocked the source today, demanding the fulfillment of the agreement made last year with former Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav." Since the main supply was cut off, the diversion of Melamchi water to Kathmandu has been entirely halted since Thursday afternoon. 

The locals have ceased the water supply, asserting that the demands of the flood and landslide victims from 2078 BS, along with other affected individuals, remain unaddressed. The Melamchi water supply, which had been interrupted in Mid-June due to the onset of rains, resumed on October 12. 

Executive Director Das stated that discussions would be initiated with the protesting groups to seek a resolution for the water supply to Kathmandu. Additionally, four concerned committees from Sindhupalchok and Kavre had previously blocked the Melamchi Water Supply Office in Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu, a week ago.

 

400 startups to get up to Rs 2m concessional loan

The government is providing concessional loans to 400 startup enterprises in the current fiscal year 2025/26. The Industrial Enterprises Development Institute (IEDI), an autonomous entity dedicated to developing human and knowledge resources for entrepreneurship and business promotion in Nepal, has issued a public notice calling for project proposals from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking startup loans. Interested applicants can submit their proposals by Nov 27.

The loans will be disbursed under the Startup Enterprise Loan Operation Procedure, 2025, approved recently by the government. As per the revised procedure, qualified applicants must demonstrate innovative ideas, knowledge, skills, and the capacity to transform their concept into viable enterprises.

The government has allocated Rs 730m for the program in the current fiscal year. Loans will be offered at a three percent interest rate. Altogether, 765 startups have benefited from the program so far. In the previous fiscal year, 600 entrepreneurs received concessional loans under the same scheme, while 165 were financed in fiscal year 2023/24. 

The government, however, has revised the loan limit for this fiscal year. Startup enterprises, which have received financing of up to Rs 2.5m, will get only up to Rs 2m in the current fiscal year. The minimum loan amount remains unchanged at Rs 500,000. To qualify for the scheme, a startup must be registered as a private firm, partnership firm, company, or cooperative enterprise under relevant laws. Eligible businesses must be involved in the production of goods or services using innovative and creative technology, have growth potential, and not exceed 10 years since registration. Additionally, their annual turnover should not surpass Rs 150m.

The program covers 16 priority sectors, including agriculture and livestock, tourism and hospitality, forest-based industries, science and technology, health services, education, renewable energy, environmental protection, waste management, and climate change mitigation. The IEDI has urged interested entrepreneurs to submit detailed project proposals as per the prescribed format within the deadline. The proposals will be evaluated by a three-member committee as outlined in the amended procedure. Successful applicants will also be offered entrepreneurship and business management training before receiving the loan.

The startup loan initiative, which was first introduced in fiscal year 2023/24, is part of the government’s broader policy to foster a culture of innovation and reduce youth unemployment through entrepreneurship.

 

Atlanta United bring back 'Tata' Martino to recapture MLS magic

Atlanta United turned back the clock by hiring Gerardo 'Tata' Martino as their new head coach on Thursday for a second stint, hoping the Argentine can work the same magic in Major League Soccer that delivered their 2018 MLS Cup triumph, Reuters reported.

The 62-year-old has signed a two-year contract through 2027, returning to the club where he made his mark as the expansion team's first coach in 2017.

The reunion comes after Atlanta parted ways with Ronny Deila, who managed the club for one forgettable season that saw them finish 14th in the Eastern Conference with 28 points and miss the playoffs entirely in 2025, according to Reuters.

Villa cruise to win over Maccabi while Forest fail to break Sturm Graz

Aston Villa had little trouble securing a 2-0 home win against Maccabi Tel-Aviv thanks to goals from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen, while Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw at Sturm Graz, where Morgan Gibbs-White saw a first-half penalty saved, Reuters reported.

Maatsen gave Villa the lead in first-half stoppage time, steering the ball in from a tight angle. Malen then sealed the result from the penalty spot a minute before the hour mark after Elad Madmon had fouled Ezri Konsa.

Many pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters gathered outside Villa Park before the match. Local police made six arrests, according to Reuters.