A week of heavy rains and floods across Pakistan kills 46 people including 13 family members
Nearly a week of heavy monsoon rains and flash floods across Pakistan have killed at least 46 people and injured dozens as continuing severe weather similar to past emergenicies remains possible, officials said Monday, Associated Press reported.
The fatalities caused by abnormally strong downpours since Tuesday include 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13 in eastern Punjab province, seven in southern Sindh and four in southwestern Balochistan, National Disaster Management Authority and provincial emergency officials said.
“We are expecting above-normal rains during the monsoon season and alerts have been issued to the concerned authorities to take precautionary measures,” said Irfan Virk, a Pakistan Meteorological Department deputy director, according to Associated Press.
Nepse surges by 11. 99 points on Monday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 11. 99 points to close at 2,634. 27 points on Monday.
Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 2. 70 points to close at 451. 30 points.
A total of 14,172,535-unit shares of 318 companies were traded for Rs 6. 38 billion.
Meanwhile, Rapti Hydro And General Construction Limited (RHGCL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 97 percent.
Likewise, Panchakanya Mai Hydropower Ltd (PMHPL) was the top loser as its price fell by 4. 92 percent.
At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 48 trillion.
Jeep safari suspended in CNP from today
The jeep safari services operated inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) have been suspended from today (June 30) in view of the monsoon and the breeding season of wildlife and birds.
CNP closes the jungle safari every year during the monsoon season.
As the monsoon ends, the safari is opened around mid-September when the festivals begin. If the monsoon prolongs, the opening time is also postponed accordingly.
Avinash Thapa Magar, CNP Information Officer, said the jungle safari will be reopened after repairing the roads damaged due to rain during the monsoon.
It is said that during the monsoon season, floods occur and rivers swell, trees fall, roads become slippery and muddy, and with the growth of grass and shrubs, even wild animals cannot be seen easily.
Although the jungle safari inside the park will be stopped, he mentioned that jeep safaris will continue in the community forest of the park buffer zone.
Information Officer Thapa Magar said that tourist activities including trekking inside the reserve and observing the crocodile breeding centre will be regularly conducted.
Thirty-two jeeps are operated from Sauraha area, 10 from Kasara, seven from Meghauli, and five from Amaltari providing jungle safari to tourists.
Landslide obstructs Karnali Highway
The Karnali Highway has been obstructed due to a landslide.
Since this morning, the Sukhet–Jumla Road section along the Karnali Highway from Gagane Khola, Kalikot to Humma has been blocked.
The highway was obstructed as various places from Gagane Khola to Humma experienced landslides following the rain that started Sunday evening.
Due to heavy rain overnight, a landslide fell into Gagane Khola, completely obstructing the vehicular movement, said Kalikot's Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tek Bahadur Rawat.
“There is no condition to operate the vehicle therefore a JCB has been sent to remove the landslide,” he said.
Police said that vehicles heading to and from Kalikot, Jumla, Mugu, Bajura, Humla to Surkhet have been stranded mid-way due to the obstruction.
Speaker Ghimire calls on political parties to maintain dignity of Parliament
Speaker Devraj Ghimire has called on the political parties represented in the Parliament to maintain the dignity of the Parliament, fostering inter-party consensus through dialogue and collaboration as well as to move ahead in unity in addressing the people's aspirations.
On the occasion of Parliament Day, 2082 BS, today, Speaker Ghimire extended best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters, current and former members of the federal parliament, and representatives of provincial assemblies and local levels.
He expressed gratitude for the contributions of the free press, civil society, and the conscious citizens towards making the Parliament more effective, accountable, and responsive to the people.
On the historic occasion of Parliament Day, while paying heartfelt tribute to the martyrs who dedicated their lives to the movement for parliamentary democracy, he also recalled the contributions of political warriors.
Parliament Day is celebrated every year on the 16th of Ashad in commemoration of the first meeting of the people-elected House of Representatives in Nepal.
4.3 ML earthquake jolts Mugu
A 4.3 magnitude earthquake shook Mugu district on Monday.
According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center, Lainchaur, Kathmandu, the tremor occurred at 8:39 with its epicenter in Kotdanda, Mugu.
On June 29, an earthquake of 4.8- magnitude had occurred with its epicenter in Jima of Mugu.
Nepal has experienced several earthquakes and aftershocks with varying magnitudes.
The country is considered an earthquake prone zone as it lies in the Himalayan region.
Man found dead and lockdown lifted in Idaho after 2 firefighters killed, 1 wounded in sniper ambush
Two firefighters were killed Sunday and another was wounded when they were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community, as crews endured a barrage of gunfire over several hours that the governor called a “heinous” assault, Associated Press reported.
A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday night after a tactical response team discovered the body of a man with a firearm nearby, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said. Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of gun was found.
Authorities planned a news conference later Sunday to provide more information.
Sheriff’s officials said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d’Alene around 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a half hour later, according to Associated Press.
Canada rescinds digital services tax to advance trade discussions with the United States
The federal government announced late Sunday evening it is rescinding the digital services tax, days after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded it gone and cut off Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, Reuters reported.
In a press release, the federal government said it would rescind the tax "in anticipation of a mutually beneficial comprehensive trade arrangement with the United States."
"Prime Minister Carney and President Trump have agreed that parties will resume negotiations with a view towards agreeing on a deal by July 21, 2025," the press release added.
