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Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal has stressed the need to mobilize liquidity into the productive sector to build national capital.

Addressing a program marking the 36th anniversary of the Citizen Investment Trust (CIT), Minister Khanal said that there is plenty of liquidity in the banking sector due to falling interest rates and thus pressed for channelizing liquidity into the productive sector.

Highlighting the need to accelerate the large-scale infrastructure and long-term investment projects, Khanal informed that efforts are underway to promote mega projects such as Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project through Public- Private Partnership (PPP) model. 

He viewed that the idle capital should also be mobilized into the productive sector. 

Stating that ongoing tensions in the Middle East region could disrupt Nepal's supply chain, the minister cautioned that the disruption could lead to inflation. Hence, he called for timely actions to reduce such risks.

Finance Minister Khanal noted, "At present, both the balance of payment and current accounts are in surplus and the government revenue has increased compared to previous fiscal year."

While economic indicators are improving, he highlighted the need to ensure that investors can easily access capital.

Calling for laws on alternative financing, he viewed that the taxation on various retirement funds should be reconsidered, including lowering taxes on similar type of income and social security funds. 

On the occasion, he lauded the notable business success achieved by the CIT at a time when many state-owned enterprises were facing operational challenges.

He advocated for seeking appropriate alternatives in accordance with the government's policy guarantee to recover loans provided by the Fund to the Nepal Airlines Corporations.

Minister Khanal suggested that the CIT should be aware about risk management while considering investments. He added that it is necessary to issue long-term bonds for assets-liability management of various retirement funds.

A Thai man was arrested after entering the enclosure of Moo Deng, a popular pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, AP reported.

The man allegedly climbed into the enclosure while no staff or visitors were nearby and stayed briefly before being caught. Authorities later charged him with trespassing.

Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy confirmed that Moo Deng and her mother Jona were unharmed, though slightly startled.

Moo Deng rose to global fame after her birth in 2024, attracting large crowds and online attention. Officials say the man has been released on bail, and further investigation is ongoing.

A helicopter belonging to Air Dynasty crashed at Balabesi in Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality-2,  Khotang on Wednesday. 

The aircraft was en route to Khotang from Kathmandu and was carrying six people, including pilot Sabin Thapa, when the incident occurred.

According to locals, the chopper suddenly lost balance while landing and fell to the ground.

DSP Prakash Budhathoki, Chief of the District Police Office, Khotang, said that the details of the incident are yet to come. 

Among those on board, Kaji Bahadur Rai sustained injuries., DSP Budhathoki said. 

A helicopter has been dispatched from Kathmandu to carry out rescue operations, it has been learnt. 

The overnight strike by Israel against central Beirut has destroyed the safe areas in the capital, residents told to AP.

Amid renewed fighting with Hezbollah, Israel has intensified strikes in areas where the group has a strong presence, including southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs.

On early Wednesday, several attacks hit city neighborhoods without warning as well. 

“Today, Beirut is no different from the southern suburbs,” fire brigade Capt. Neshat Berri spoke to AP in the Bachoura neighborhood, where emergency crews dug through rubble.

Residents say fear is growing. “There is no safety,” said local resident Hassan Jaber near the damaged Basta area.

Saudi Arabia will be hosting a consultative meeting between Arab and Islamic foreign ministers as the Iran war doesn’t show any sign of abating, according to AP.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the meeting will discuss means to ‘support regional security and stability’ in Riyadh. 

Gulf Arab states have repeatedly come under fire from Iran, raising anger at Tehran, as well as the United States and Israel for launching the war, AP wrote.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.  

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 307, 700 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 309, 900 per tola on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 185 and is being traded at Rs 5, 150 per tola.

Madhes Province Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav has said that 100 days of provincial government under his leadership remained significant. 

Making public the achievements made in the 100 days of Madhes Province government on Tuesday, CM Yadav asserted that the government was successful in working as per people's need and expectation in a short time. Noticeable reforms were made in the fronts of education, health, agriculture, infrastructure development and good governance, he added.

"Hospitals are upgraded with the management of necessary workforce and smooth supply of medicine. Teacher's management and expansion of technical education was in place for school sector reform," he shared, adding that grants to farmers, availability of chemical fertilizers, irrigation facility and speeding up of construction works like roads, bridges and drinking water projects were also worth mentioning.

In his opinion, the provincial government stressed good governance and transparency with the adoption and expansion of the digital system. 

Skill-oriented training was provided to foster self-entrepreneurship, Yadav stated during a press meet on Tuesday. 

He vowed to work effectively for the betterment of people and province in the days ahead.

YouTube made a World Cup deal with FIFA on Tuesday that lets rights-holding broadcasters stream game action live on the video platform that offers global access to young viewers, Reuters reported.

FIFA announced a "game-changing partnership" that encourages World Cup rights holders to broadcast the first 10 minutes of games during the June 11-July 19 tournament -- in effect an appetizer encouraging young fans then to watch on traditional channels such as network TV.

In addition, broadcasters "will be able to stream a select number of matches in full on their YouTube channel, engaging global audiences and promoting where to watch more of the competition," FIFA said, according to Reuters.