KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
RSP Chair Rabi calls for stronger social and national unity
Emphasising unity amid diversity, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has called for stronger social cohesion and national solidarity, saying the festive occasions of Tihar and Chhath offer an opportunity to renew bonds of love, harmony and mutual understanding. Extending his greetings on social media today on the occasion of Tihar, Nepal Sambat and Chhath, Lamichhane said the festivals would help reinforce mutual love, harmony and unity among families, communities and society as a whole. He also expressed hope that Nepal’s national unity amid diversity would grow stronger. “May Tihar, the festival of lights, joy and enthusiasm, and Chhath, the festival of faith, devotion and dedication, bring happiness, peace, prosperity and renewed hope to everyone,” Lamichhane said in his message. Lamichhane also announced that he would be present at Ganga Sagar in Janakpurdham to celebrate this year’s Chhath festival, conveying a message of national unity.
Two youths killed as truck hits motorcycle in Sunsari
Two youths were killed when a truck collided with a motorcycle along the Koshi Highway in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-13, Sunsari, late last night. The accident occurred near a petrol pump at around midnight when a northbound truck (Province 1-04-001 Kha 0008) collided with a motorcycle (Province 1-02-025 Pa 3136) travelling in the opposite direction, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chandra Khadka of the District Police Office, Sunsari. Both motorcycle riders sustained serious injuries and were immediately rescued and rushed to Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar. However, doctors declared them dead upon arrival at 12:11 am. The deceased were both men, believed to be between 30 and 35 years old. Police are working to establish their identities, DSP Khadka said. The truck driver fled the scene following the accident and remains absconding. Police have launched a further investigation into the incident, Khadka added.
List of 63 people from Jumla missing in Bhotekoshi flood made public
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has made public the verified details of 63 people from Jumla district who went missing in the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa on August 26. According to the authority, the list was prepared based on information verified by the District Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee. Individuals included on the list who have since been found or confirmed alive, or their immediate family members, have been requested to submit a claim within the stipulated deadline.
Foreign Minister Khanal arrives in Antalya to attend COP31
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has arrived in Antalya, Türkiye, leading the Nepali delegation to the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khanal is scheduled to address the opening session of the conference on November 9 (Kartik 23). The conference will run from November 9 to 20 (Kartik 23 to Mangsir 4). He will also participate in the Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November 11 and 12 (Kartik 25 and 26). During the conference, Khanal is scheduled to attend a high-level event titled ‘Advancing the Mountain Agenda: Glaciers, Cryosphere and Resilience under Overshoot, Shared Responsibility and Sustainable Financing’. The event is being jointly organised by Nepal, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan and Pakistan. The Foreign Ministry said Khanal would also participate in other high-level meetings and side events and hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts and other distinguished dignitaries.
Tourist arrivals surge in Sikles
The picturesque village of Sikles in Kaski district has witnessed a notable rise in tourist arrivals in recent days, with more than 3,000 visitors exploring the destination over a six-day period. According to Devijang Gurung, chairperson of Ward No. 1 of Madi Rural Municipality, over 3,000 tourists visited Sikles between November 1 and 6. He shared the figures with the RSS. Gurung said that most visitors stayed in Sikles before heading towards Kori, another popular tourist destination, and the Kaphuche Glacier for trekking and sightseeing. November 4 recorded the highest number of visitors, with 719 arrivals, while the lowest daily figure stood at 254, he added. The growing influx of tourists has brought renewed enthusiasm among local hoteliers and homestay operators.
One killed, six injured in Bolero jeep accident in Jumla
One person was killed and six others injured when a Bolero jeep travelling from Mugu to Jumla met with an accident at Chautha in Kanakasundari Rural Municipality-1 of Jumla district last evening. According to the District Police Office, Jumla, the jeep (registration number Ka 1 Ja 0054) met with the accident while travelling towards Jumla. Suraj Pun Magar, 42, a permanent resident of Uttarganga Rural Municipality-1 in Rukum East who was currently residing in Kanakasundari Rural Municipality of Jumla, died on the spot, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Chiranjivi Dahal of the District Police Office, Jumla. Dahal said the six injured passengers were taken to the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences by an ambulance provided by Kanakasundari Rural Municipality. They are currently receiving treatment, and their condition is reported to be normal. According to the police, 16 people were travelling in the jeep at the time of the accident. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
Prithvi Highway blocked by dry landslide
The Prithvi Highway has been blocked in both directions following a dry landslide at Ghoptebhir in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-4 of Chitwan district. The highway has remained completely blocked since 10 am on Sunday, said Chief Police Inspector Anil Thapa of the District Traffic Police Office, Chitwan. He said efforts were underway to clear the debris and reopen the road. “If there are no further landslides, traffic in both directions will resume soon,” he said. Vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the highway following the landslide. The disruption has caused inconvenience to commuters, particularly during the festive season.
Gold and silver prices remain stable
Gold and silver prices remained unchanged in the domestic market today compared to Friday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Associations, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 283,000 per tola, while silver is being traded at Rs 3,810 per tola. On Friday, gold and silver were also priced at Rs 283,000 and Rs 3,810 per tola, respectively.
Website launched to provide information on Mundum Trail
A new website has been launched to provide visitors with practical information about the Mundum Trail, its tourism potential, natural beauty and trekking routes. The Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment of Koshi Province developed the website to promote the trail, encourage tourism and provide travellers with essential information for planning their trips. Chairperson of Tyamkemaiyung Rural Municipality, Saroj Basnet, said information about the Mundum Trail and other tourist destinations is available at www.tourism.koshi.gov.np. Both domestic and international visitors can access useful digital resources to help them plan and undertake their journeys. The website provides information about the trail’s routes, nearby destinations, natural and cultural attractions, and the lifestyles of local communities. The Mundum Trail, which passes through Bhojpur, Khotang and neighbouring areas, is a major tourist destination in eastern Nepal. Its scenic landscapes, Himalayan vistas, rich Kirat culture, and historically and religiously significant sites are among the trail’s key attractions.
Tourists flock to Annapurna Base Camp during festive holidays
Annapurna Base Camp and the Maurice Herzog Trek in Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Myagdi district, have witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals during the Dashain and Tihar holidays, with favourable weather attracting visitors from Nepal and abroad. The 8,091-metre Annapurna I, Panchkunda Lake and the Maurice Herzog Trek have become increasingly popular among holidaymakers seeking adventure and natural beauty. According to Tej Gurung, a promoter of the Maurice Herzog Trek, around 200 domestic and international tourists have been visiting the base camp daily since Dashain. “Young people and working professionals have chosen Annapurna Base Camp as a holiday destination. The trekking route and surrounding areas remained safe despite the monsoon-related disasters in Asoj, and restaurants and camps along the trail are currently crowded,” Gurung said.
Buddhist stupa construction boosts tourism prospects in Bhojpur’s Panchdhara
Tourist arrivals in Panchdhara, located in Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality-9 of Bhojpur district, have begun to increase following the construction of a Buddhist stupa aimed at promoting religious tourism and fostering religious harmony. The local government has prioritised the development of religious infrastructure to transform Panchdhara, a region known for its natural beauty, into an attractive religious and tourism destination. According to Navaraj Mangpahang, Chairperson of Ward No. 9 of Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality, the local government has moved ahead with a broader concept of developing ‘Panch Dham’ to establish Panchdhara as a comprehensive religious destination.
Police constable killed as tractor hits motorcycle in Nawalpur
A police constable was killed after a tractor collided with his motorcycle along the East-West Highway in Devchuli, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), on Friday morning. The motorcycle (Ba 02-073 Pa 2077), travelling east to west, was hit by a tractor (Lu 3 Ta 3633) moving in the same direction. The rider, identified as Lokesh Bhandari, 24, of Ajaymeru Rural Municipality-1, Dadeldhura, sustained serious injuries in the collision. He was immediately rescued by police and rushed to Madhyabindu Provincial Hospital in Danda, where doctors declared him dead, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Pandit of the District Police Office. Bhandari was serving as a police constable at the Samakhusi Police Circle in Kathmandu, Pandit confirmed.
Police, Army Celebrate Kukur Tihar with special worship and canine skill shows
The Nepal Police and Nepali Army marked Kukur Tihar on Sunday by worshipping their trained dogs and organizing special programmes highlighting the animals’ vital role in security operations, crime investigation and rescue missions. On the occasion of Kukur Tihar, observed on the second day of Yamapanchak during the five-day Tihar festival, special worship ceremonies were held at the Nepal Police Canine Office in Maharajgunj and the Nepali Army’s Shri Bhairav Bahan Company in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur. Kukur Tihar is dedicated to dogs, which are revered in Hindu tradition for their loyalty, vigilance and companionship. On this day, people worship dogs by offering them flower garlands, tika and delicious food as a mark of respect and gratitude.
Four homeless people rescued from streets in Jhapa’s Mechinagar
Four people living on the streets along the East-West Highway have been rescued in Mechinagar Municipality by the Jhapa branch of Manav Sewa Ashram. The four individuals were rescued on Friday night from different locations, including Kakarbhitta, Itabhatta, Dhulabari and Charali, and taken to the ashram’s facility at Bahundangi in Mechinagar-4, said Neelkantha Tiwari, coordinator of the ashram’s guardian committee. Among those rescued is a man who was released from prison a few days ago but had nowhere to go and was forced to live on the streets.
Laxmi Puja and Kukur Tihar observed today
Laxmi Puja, one of the most significant days of the five-day Tihar festival, was observed across the country today with religious devotion, traditional rituals and festive celebrations. Dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, fortune and prosperity, the festival is marked by illuminating homes, worshipping the goddess and performing rituals believed to bring happiness, good fortune and abundance to households. Traditionally observed on the third day of Tihar, Laxmi Puja falls on the second day of the festival this year, coinciding with Narak Chaturdashi and Kukur Tihar, the day dedicated to honouring dogs. The five-day festival, also known as Yamapanchak, began on Saturday. On the occasion of Laxmi Puja, people clean and decorate their homes and surroundings, believing that Goddess Laxmi favours clean and well-maintained households. As evening falls, homes, courtyards and temples are illuminated with electric lights, oil lamps and butter lamps to welcome the goddess.
Man arrested with rifle ammunition in Kathmandu
Police have arrested a man in possession of a round of ammunition used in a .303 rifle from Kalanki, Kathmandu. The arrested man has been identified as 42-year-old Surendra Nepali of Byas Municipality-11, Damauli, Tanahun. Police recovered the ammunition while checking him after he was spotted moving suspiciously around Kalanki Chowk in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14. The Kathmandu District Court has granted police a five-day remand to investigate the case under the Arms and Ammunition Act, according to the District Police Range, Kathmandu.
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