Elon Musk, the renowned American entrepreneur, recently accused India of obstructing the entry of Starlink into the market. In a sarcastic remark, he referred to Mukesh Ambani as ‘Prime Minister Ambani.’ Musk questioned whether Starlink would be afforded a fair chance to compete in India. Following these claims, Reliance Industries issued an official statement on Friday to clarify its position.
Reliance stated that it has never been intimidated by competition. The company emphasized, “Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has advanced in a country that welcomes both domestic and foreign investments along with new ideas, especially those that improve people’s living standards.” It further added, “This freedom is grounded within the framework of laws and regulations. The Indian government has made it clear that a uniform process will be applied to every applicant, whether Indian or foreign. Jio itself is yet to obtain approvals for its own satellite services.”
According to the company, Reliance has never felt threatened by competition. Delivering the best service to customers remains its primary objective. Ambani noted that Jio entered the Indian telecom market in 2016 when it had virtually no customers. Over the past decade, Jio has gained the trust of more than 530 million customers. It has provided Indians with some of the world’s best digital infrastructure and the most affordable data plans. Reliance welcomes strong competition in satellite communications, including from Starlink.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has apologized for mistakes made during the discussion and consultation process of the ‘FIFA Forward Enterprises’ plan. Debbie Hewitt, Chairwoman of the England Football Association, warned that Infantino is not fit to remain FIFA President unless he provides documents and answers questions related to the FFE. FIFA is also preparing to investigate the suspension postponement of American player Folarin Balogun and the peace award granted to Donald Trump. Kathmandu, 30 Ashoj.
Infantino expressed regret and apologized for errors that occurred while unveiling the plan to grant professional rights to private investors under FIFA, the world football governing body. However, Debbie Hewitt, Chairwoman of the England Football Association and FIFA Vice President, warned that without releasing relevant documents and answering questions, Infantino is unfit to hold the FIFA presidency. Infantino made this admission during the FIFA Council meeting held on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland.
Hewitt stated that the FFE-related documents and questions were submitted but answers were not provided. She said, “He must answer these questions. If he refuses to respond now, he is not fit to be FIFA President.” UEFA has also criticized Infantino over the processes involved in the FFE plan.
The postponement of the suspension following American player Balogun’s red card was also discussed. FIFA’s legal committee will review the matter and report to the Council in December. Hewitt highlighted that issues surrounding the FFE case, Balogun’s suspension, and the peace award have raised serious concerns about football’s reputation.
Officials have reported that a missile attack targeting the presidential palace in Aden, Yemen’s southern port city, resulted in five deaths and 16 injuries. The main headquarters of the internationally recognized Yemeni government is located there.
Five ballistic missiles were launched at the Al-Mashiq Palace, and according to Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani, the Prime Minister and other ministers are safe.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that the attack targeted the “enemy Saudi-led military operations center” located in Aden.
The Saudi-led coalition continues to support the Yemeni government and provide air support to government-aligned forces against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
‘Cowardly Act’
Yemen’s Health Minister Qasem Buhaibeh said those who lost their lives in the attack included security personnel and civilians.
Prime Minister Shaya Jindani strongly condemned the Houthi missile attack in Aden, describing it as a “cowardly” act and a continuation of their criminal activities.
The government has pledged to continue fulfilling its responsibilities with greater determination and to carry on operations against the Houthi group along Yemen’s southwestern Red Sea coast and other frontlines.
Earlier, Houthi rebels denied launching attacks on Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a cruise missile launched towards the city of Medina, one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Military sources said that in response to attacks on areas under their control in the capital Sana’a and western Yemen, Houthi rebels have launched missile and drone strikes against Saudi airports, oil and gas facilities, and military bases.
A missile strike by Houthi rebels on Riyadh International Airport on Saturday killed 13 people, marking the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in the last decade.
Accusations of Iranian Instigation
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has accused Iran of inciting the Houthi rebels to escalate the conflict with Saudi Arabia.
“Iran continues to arm, train, and support Houthi fighters in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions,” Raiid Kirmli was quoted as saying by AFP.
“We believe this recent wave of violence by the Houthis at the final stage of the conflict has been instigated by Iran,” he added.
Iran has not yet issued an official response but has consistently denied supplying arms to the armed group, claiming only to provide political support.
The Iranian Foreign Minister has expressed readiness to assist in facilitating any dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels.
The civil war in Yemen, which began when the Houthis ousted the internationally recognized government in Sana’a in 2014, has severely impacted the country.
The conflict escalated further after the Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the government.
Last July, the informal four-year ceasefire began to break down following Houthi-imposed maritime blockades and missile and drone attacks on the Red Sea coast and Saudi assets.
The Houthis have stated that their attacks against Saudi Arabia are retaliatory measures in response to aerial assaults on their territorial blockades and smaller airports.
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Serbian tennis player Stefan Milicevic has been handed a 24-year ban by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on charges of match-fixing. The 29-year-old is accused of fixing six matches in total, including five that he played in. Additionally, he is alleged to have attempted to fix six more matches between 2022 and 2024. The ITIA also imposed a £53,000 fine on Milicevic for failing to cooperate with the investigation and for not responding to seven contact attempts. Kathmandu, 30 Ashoj.
Milicevic’s 24-year ban for involvement in match-fixing represents one of the strictest penalties in tennis after lifetime bans for corruption. According to the ITIA, Milicevic, who competes in the lower tiers of professional tennis, was part of a corruption network and tried to recruit other professional players.
The primary reason for the severity of the ban was Milicevic’s lack of cooperation during the investigation. Despite seven attempts by the independent investigative body to contact him, Milicevic refused to participate in the process. Along with the ban, he was fined £53,000. The ban will remain in effect until October 2050, when he will be 53 years old. During this period, he is prohibited from participating as a player or coach, or even attending, any events organized or sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Grand Slam tournaments, or any national tennis federation.
Following the disclosure that projects under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) had achieved less than 20 percent progress by the end of the last fiscal year, the Nepalese government requested a one-year extension to implement the agreement, which MCC accepted, according to the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA Nepal).
The comprehensive progress report on national pride projects, published by the National Planning Commission within the first week of Ashwin, indicated that since the project’s inception up to the end of the last fiscal year, only 18.24 percent progress had been made financially and economically. After extended political disputes, the House of Representatives approved the agreement with explanatory remarks, leading to the MCC compact entering its implementation phase in Nepal from August 2023.
Under the project, all work related to electricity transmission lines and road network construction was initially scheduled to be completed within the next one year and six months. Subsequently, an additional one-year extension was granted. MCA Nepal stated that this recent extension approval is still awaiting formal authorization from Nepal’s Ministry of Finance.
The latest update provided by MCA Nepal reported 20.56 percent progress in the project as of September, with expenditures exceeding NPR 2.3 billion. MCA Nepal also noted that although floods and other unforeseen events have posed challenges to implementation, they are meticulously planning and working to ensure that progress is not hindered.
Nepal Rastra Bank has issued directives to appoint ‘focal persons’ (designated individuals) during festivals to promptly address incidents of cyber fraud and online scams.
The central bank and the Financial Institution Regulation Department have instructed all banks and financial institutions in categories A, B, and C to implement these measures to mitigate cyber security risks.
Following this directive, banks have started appointing focal persons, and the Nepal Bankers’ Association has stated that this will aid in controlling fraud incidents.
Online transactions have surged in recent years, accompanied by a rise in cyber fraud and scams, especially during festival periods.
Banks and financial institutions are required to provide the name, position, mobile number of the focal person, and a duty email address monitored 24/7 throughout the week to the Nepal Police Headquarters at cbpillar@nepalpolice.gov.np, as mandated by the Nepal Rastra Bank.
What Additional Measures Does Nepal Rastra Bank’s Directive Include?
Image source: NRB
The Nepal Rastra Bank has instructed banks and financial institutions to take immediate action to recover funds once a cyber fraud or online scam complaint is received.
“Banks and financial institutions are directed to promptly provide transaction details related to electronic fraud during festivals, quickly identify and freeze suspicious accounts and transactions, and facilitate overall investigation processes by appointing responsible individuals,” the bank’s statement reads.
“Since digital transactions increase during festivals, this step aims to strengthen coordination with security agencies to address criminal activities and mitigate risks of online scams,” it added.
Bank spokesperson Guruprasad Paudel explained that because of the increased risk of digital scams during festivals and extended holidays, banks and financial institutions often cannot respond effectively without such guidelines.
“Considering current practices and upon the request of Nepal Police Cyber Bureau as well as the initiative of Nepal Rastra Bank, this directive ensures responsiveness even during long holidays by designating a single focal person to utilize the ‘golden hour’ after an incident,” he stated.
“As people celebrate festivals, some attempt fraudulent activities. This arrangement ensures the focal person pays special attention to prevent such incidents,” he added.
What Actions Are Banks Taking Following the Directive?
Santosh Koirala, president of Nepal Bankers’ Association, stated that although necessary systems were in place before, banks have now started appointing dedicated focal persons for the festival period.
“We are creating a mechanism within banks to take immediate action upon receiving complaints and send reports to cyber units,” he said.
“Hackers tend to be most active during festivals. To counter this, Nepal Rastra Bank issued this circular. We had considered this measure earlier as well. While complete control isn’t guaranteed, it certainly helps,” he added.
He mentioned banks have records of hackers transferring funds from three banks within one minute.
“In such cases, there is an opportunity to immediately freeze the transferred amount or notify the receiving bank to prevent further transactions, thus safeguarding the funds,” Koirala explained.
“There are numerous instances in the past where money was frozen immediately after receiving transfer notifications.”
Customers are encouraged to report suspected fraud instantly to the designated numbers to enable prompt resolution.
“If a customer reports ‘my money is missing’ or ‘my account has been hacked,’ we immediately inform all banks to place a hold on the transaction and notify the cyber department,” Koirala said.
“If the money hasn’t been transferred yet, we can arrange to hold the account, but if the transfer is complete, filing a complaint with the cyber police is the only remaining option.”
Hackers commonly attempt to lure customers into updating their KYC, sharing OTPs, or screen sharing to divert funds.
Koirala advised reporting suspicious activity immediately to the contact numbers provided by banks or financial institutions.
What Is the Current Status of Digital Payments in Nepal?
According to the latest data compiled by Nepal Rastra Bank, digital payment adoption is rapidly expanding throughout Nepal.
There are now over 30 million mobile banking users, approximately 28 million wallet accounts, and around 14 million issued debit cards, the central bank reports.
Monthly mobile banking transactions reach approximately 80 million, involving over 60 billion Nepalese rupees in volume.
“Mobile banking has evolved from a service to check balances or transfer funds to a primary channel for everyday financial transactions,” said the central bank spokesperson Paudel.
He also highlighted the growing significance of QR payments, which have become an important component of retail transactions.
“In a month, roughly 75 million QR transactions amounting to about 16 billion rupees take place, demonstrating the widespread adoption of digital payments among merchants, service providers, and consumers.”
At least five people have died and 16 others were injured in a missile attack carried out by Houthi rebels on the presidential palace complex in Aden, Yemen. The attack took place while the Prime Minister and several ministers were present at the palace; however, officials from the higher government levels have confirmed that the top authorities remain safe. According to Yemen’s Health Minister, among the deceased are two of the Prime Minister’s security guards. The identities of the other victims have not yet been disclosed.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing at least five powerful explosions within the presidential palace compound, with thick smoke billowing over the area following the assault. Initial reports indicate that a minimum of five missiles were fired at the building. The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging they targeted the Saudi Arabia-led military operations headquarters located in Aden.
In addition to this, Houthi forces have been attempting attacks on Saudi Arabian airports and oil facilities. Speaking at a press conference, Turkish Al-Maliki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition, revealed that the Houthis launched 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh this month alone. These assaults have resulted in 17 fatalities and 333 injuries.
The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014, and the recent attack risks escalating tensions between Yemen and Saudi Arabia once again. Although the official ceasefire period has ended, an unofficial ceasefire remains in effect.
At Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, a shooting incident has resulted in the deaths of at least four people, including three children. Authorities report that the shooter was also killed at the scene, though it has not yet been confirmed whether the shooter is included among the deceased. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting with the investigation, while Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is closely monitoring the situation.
On October 17, in the northwestern U.S. state of Oregon, a shooting at an elementary school in Bend left at least four dead, including three children. According to CBS and CNN, the shooting occurred on Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, approximately 160 kilometers southeast of Portland. Officials confirmed that the shooter was killed at the scene, but it remains unclear if the initial death count includes the shooter.
Sheila Miller, Communications Manager for the Bend Police Department, stated that police received a report of a shooting in a vehicle outside the school at 12:59 p.m. local time on Thursday. Officers arrived at the scene within minutes. The suspect was killed shortly after, but Miller was unsure whether the suspect was shot by the police or died by other means. “We are currently clearing classrooms and ensuring everyone is evacuated safely,” Miller said. “We hope an incident like this never happens in Bend. This is a very tragic event.”
The number of injured and their conditions have not yet been disclosed. FBI Director Kash Patel shared on social media that federal agents are supporting local police at the scene, providing all necessary resources. Governor Tina Kotek has also stated that she is closely observing developments. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley expressed sorrow over the tragedy and conveyed his condolences to the affected students and families. “My sympathy goes out to the community of Bend and all the students and families impacted by this event. No one should have to live in fear of violence in their school,” he wrote on social media platform X. Security officials affirm that the investigation is ongoing.
The Nepalese team, comprising 20 players and a total of 29 members, departed for China on Friday to participate in the 29th edition of the ISF Football World Cup. The competition will be held from October 17 to 26, featuring players aged between 16 and 18. According to General Secretary Rajkumar Karki, the selection process initially shortlisted 40 players from 372 candidates, and ultimately 20 players made the final team.
The team includes players Ivanratna Tuladhar, Manav Subba, Arav Shrestha, Agrimjung Singh Basnet, Sahilraj Thapa, Prashant Mayangbo, Riwaz Gurung, Sagarbahadur Shrestha, Samyog Rai, Suyash Paudel, Anshuman KC, Bhavishya Shah, Sibhans Bhattarai, Aakristha Mahat, Krishchal Thapa, Krishna Gurung, Kriyaash Sapkota, Tenzing Sherpa, Isaac Shahi, and Argen Tuladhar. The team will be led by Rajkumar Karki, who is a member of the International School Sport Federation and General Secretary of the School Sports Federation (ISSF).
Accompanying the team are ISSF President Vinod Shrestha, Ramkrishna Maharjan, Pashupati Adhikari, Bhuvanlal Shrestha, Sovinraj Regmi, and Sumid Bhattarai as officials. Coaches Thaman Bhusal and Santosh Nyaupane are in charge of training. According to General Secretary Karki, 372 players participated in the selection process. “In the first phase, 40 players were selected, from which the final 20 were included in the team,” he stated. The team’s send-off ceremony was conducted by National Sports Council (NSC) Vice President Vishal Shrestha and NSC member Monalisha Khambu, among others.
Nepal will be represented by Swastika Bista, Sirjana Thapa, Prajna Manandhar, and Prakriti Shrestha at the Billie Jean King Cup tennis tournament held in Vietnam from October 21 to 24. The Nepalese tennis team will depart for Phan Thiet, Vietnam, on October 19, with Santosh Khatri serving as the team coach.
Kathmandu, October 16 – Four players from Nepal are set to participate in the Billie Jean King Cup tennis competition in Vietnam. The tournament, scheduled from October 21 to 24, will see Swastika Bista, Sirjana Thapa, Prajna Manandhar, and Prakriti Shrestha representing the country. Santosh Khatri is the designated coach.
The five-member Nepalese tennis delegation, including four players, will leave for Phan Thiet, Vietnam, on October 19 to compete in the tournament. On Friday, the team was formally sent off by Ramcharitra Mehta, Member-Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC), along with NSC member Monalisha Khambu and others.
Himalaya Sports has contracted Shoaib Akhtar as a special guest for the ‘Red Bull Cricket Live in Association with Bajaj Pulsar’ program, which airs before and after Nepal Premier League (NPL) matches. Known as the ‘Rawalpindi Express,’ Akhtar is set to participate in this exclusive cricket broadcast in Nepal.
Akhtar will offer his insights on the third edition of the NPL, which begins on October 16 (29 Ashoj), sharing his international cricket experience, technical analysis, and perspectives on the potential of Nepali cricket. Between 1997 and 2011, he played for Pakistan’s national team in 46 Test matches taking 178 wickets, 163 One Day Internationals with 247 wickets, and 15 T20 matches claiming 19 wickets.
Suraj Giri, Chief Executive Officer of Himalaya Sports, described Akhtar’s involvement as a significant achievement for sports broadcasting in Nepal. He emphasized that this move brings the expertise and analysis of a renowned international cricketer closer to Nepali viewers. The third edition of the NPL will be held from October 26 to November 21.
The Nepali women’s handball team is departing for Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Saturday to participate in the IHF Nations Women’s Trophy Zone 2 tournament. The competition will be held from Kartik 1 to 5 (October 18-22). Alongside Nepal, teams from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Yemen, and Afghanistan will also participate in the event.
The team comprises 14 players including captain Bandana Rai, coached by Susil Adhikari. Other team members include Uma Rai, Devakumari Banskota, Bimala Tamang, Durga Bohora, Hilina Rana, Kalpana Oli, Komali Khadka, Samina Chaudhary, Samjna Kumal, Sangita Chaudhary, Sanju Rai, Shantika Rai, and Mamta Rana.
Accompanying the team are Pitambar Timsina, President of the Nepal Handball Association; Vice President Taswira Tamang; General Secretary Keshav Pathak; and Executive Committee members Ratnajyoti Manandhar and Mahendra Pun. According to General Secretary Pathak, the tournament is organized by the International Handball Federation (IHF). On Friday, the team was officially sent off by Ramcharitra Mehta, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council, and Monalisha Khambu, Member of the Council.
Many people displaced by the floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers last Bhadra month have come to Kathmandu seeking shelter. A large number of individuals in the affected districts are forced to stay in temporary camps. The government has been providing relief through various means.
Those who have left their districts and arrived elsewhere are concerned about whether they will continue to receive aid. However, some organizations are collecting their data, conducting regular health check-ups, and distributing relief within the capital. In this context, Niranjan Rajvanshi spoke with Uttam Niraula, a representative of one such organization, about the operation of a special health camp for BBC Hatmalo.
Just as Nepalese eagerly await major festivals like Dashain and Tihar, cricket enthusiasts are equally excited for the third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). This season is scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 21 at the TU International Cricket Ground. Beginning immediately after the Dashain festival, eight teams are gearing up to compete for the championship, with the Biratnagar Kings and Sudurpashchim Royals currently training in India.
The participation of international stars such as David Warner and Shakib Al Hasan, along with coaches like Ajantha Mendis and Sohel Tanvir, has significantly heightened the league’s competitive appeal. Fans are enthusiastic, and all eight teams are engrossed in final preparations. Meanwhile, national team players are engaged in the Cricket World Cup League 2 series during the Dashain period, creating a challenge to balance international commitments with domestic league readiness.
This edition of the NPL is anticipated to infuse the festive atmosphere with cricketing excitement. However, a key topic of discussion remains whether audience interest will match or surpass that of previous seasons. While the Biratnagar Kings and Sudurpashchim Royals are refining their skills through practice in India, the remaining teams are training within Nepal. Several teams have also appointed foreign coaches: Biratnagar has enlisted Sri Lanka’s Dhammika Prasad, Chitwan has engaged Pakistan’s Sohel Tanvir, Pokhara secured Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis, and Lumbini brought on India’s Tinu Yohannan. These international coaches are expected to elevate Nepalese players’ competitiveness on the global stage.
The NPL has cultivated a new professional environment for cricket in Nepal, but with each season, spectator expectations continue to grow. Another critical point is what fresh experiences the third season will offer viewers. Since many people travel to their villages or abroad during festivals, there is a possibility of reduced attendance. The true test for the NPL will come after the tournament begins, as the performances of foreign star players and the overall preparedness of the teams come into focus.
The devastating floods of the Bhote Koshi and lower Trishuli rivers in the past Bhadra month forced many senior citizens to lose their children, grandchildren, loved ones, and entire property. These elderly individuals, currently taking refuge in temporary shelters, are completely helpless.
What kind of healthcare and mental support do these disaster-affected seniors require, and what long-term protection and security measures should the government implement? On this subject, Sagar Budhathoki conducted an in-depth interview with geriatric specialist Dr. Urja Bhattarai for ‘BBC Hatmelau’.
