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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.

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 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.

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.

Clashes between Manchester City and Liverpool have often been regarded as key battles in Premier League title races in recent seasons but Sunday's encounter may merely point to which of the two clubs is best equipped to try to chase Arsenal, Reuters reported.

By the time the weekend's big game kicks off at the Etihad Stadium (1630 GMT) Arsenal, who visit surprise package Sunderland on Saturday, could be 10 points clear of champions Liverpool and nine ahead of Pep Guardiola's City.

That likely scenario would increase the pressure on City and Liverpool, who head into the last round of fixtures before another international stoppage second and third respectively, according to Reuters. 

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi and teammate Rodrigo De Paul, whose club is in the first round of the MLS playoffs, have been selected for their home country Argentina's friendly match against Angola next week, Reuters reported.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni named the forward and midfielder to the 24-player roster for the Nov. 14 friendly.

Inter Miami and Nashville FC split the first two matches of their MLS Cup playoff series, with the decisive Game 3 on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Should Inter Miami advance, the Eastern Conference semifinals would not begin until Nov. 22 or 23, according to Reuters.

The Triveni Synthetic Yarn Industries based in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor has paid the first installment of the electricity dues under the dedicated and trunk lines.

The industry paid the first installment to the Nepal Electricity Authority on Thursday. Subsequently, the power supply to the industry which was disconnected on October 21 has been resumed from the same day, said Manoj Silwal, Executive Director of the NEA.

Tribeni Synthetic is entitled to pay at least Rs 43.983 million in power tariff dues to the state-owned Nepal. As per the latest agreement, the Industry will pay all its dues divided into 28 installments. 

As the first installment, the industry has paid Rs 1.571 million.

Exports have increased from Birgunj customs point in the current fiscal year. The increase has been reported in the first three months of the current FY compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

According to Chief Customs Administrator Bishnu Prasad Gyawali, goods worth Rs 26.59 billion have been exported in the first three months of the current fiscal year. Goods worth Rs 8.84 billion had been exported in the same period last fiscal year.

In the three months of the current fiscal year, 67.13 billion liters of refined soybean oil worth Rs 13.98 billion have been exported.

Similarly, 21.148 billion liters of juice worth Rs 2.7 billion have been exported in the three months of the current fiscal year. In addition, 36.848 billion liters of refined sunflower oil worth Rs 1.7 billion and 24.95 billion pieces of garments worth Rs 970 million and synthetic yarn worth Rs 660 million have been exported.