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Police have arrested four foreign nationals with four kg of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport.

SSP Somendra Singh Rathore of the Airport Security Office informed that they have apprehended four foreign nationals, who arrived in Kathmandu from Dubai, with 3. 745 kg gold.

They had already passed the customs check at the airport.

The Armed Police Force and airport staff have been entrusted with the responsibility of customs check.

However, the confiscation of the gold in large amounts has once again proved the negligence of the security personnel and the customs staff.

Police nabbed Akhmadjanovna dilfuza marifalieve , Israilovna saodat fayzieva , Gulamdjanovan umida akhmedov  and Sardor tursunov of Uzbekistan from the terminal gate.

Among the arrestees, three are women and one is a man.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, said SSP Rathore.

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 170, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 170, 500 per tola on Wednesday.

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1, 945 per tola today.

Four buildings were destroyed in a fire that broke out in a hotel on the bank of the Rara Lake last night.

The fire damaged the buildings made up of wooden structures. The hotel staff along with Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force doused the fire this morning.

A 15-member police team headed by Sub Inspector Deepak KC had reached Rara from the district headquarters Gamgadhi immediately after knowing the incident.

According to the District Police Office, the fire that broke out from the hotel's kitchen caused damages to three other buildings after the gas cylinder exploded.

The security personnel had immediately rescued the guests from the hotel and shifted them to nearby hotels, army barracks and national park offices.

Details of the incident are awaited.

A person died and three others were injured when an Eco Van met with an accident at Guyethebhir in Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, Myagdi on Wednesday.

The Border Police Post Bhurung Tatopani informed that the incident occurred after the van (Ba 6 Cha 4944) en route to Narchyang from Sukebagar of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 along the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road section fell on the bank of Kaligandaki river this afternoon.

Driver Sundevi Gauchan (40) of Dharap, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 died on the spot, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramesh Prasad Adhikari, Chief at the Border Police Post Bhurung Tatopani said.

Rupa Pun (50), Namita Chochangi (52) and Bishnu Kumari Budhathoki (52), who were injured in the accident, have been taken to Pokhara Hospital for treatment.

The van heading towards Shiva Temple in Narchyang fell some 150 meters down the road.

A team led by Inspector Sagar Paudel of the District Police Office, Myagdi is investigating the case.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba held a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on the sidelines of the High-Level Segment of the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today.

During the meeting, Minister Rana reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. She highlighted Nepal's significant progress in human rights as exemplary despite limited means and resources.

She briefed the High Commissioner that the Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed civil liberties as well as political, economic, social and cultural rights of the citizens as fundamental rights, reiterating the country's dedication to democratic values, rule of law and independence of the judiciary.

Similarly, she expressed Nepal's determination to conclude the transitional justice process soon, informing about ongoing efforts to draft a law aimed at completing the remaining work of the peace process.

Foreign Minister Rana was accompanied by Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Head of the UN Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ram Prasad Subedi, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, and Rajendra Thapa, Joint Secretary at the Human Rights and International Treaty Agreements Division of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

The community schools in the district have opened after two months of winter holidays.

Schools in Baragung, Gharpajhong and Thasang Rural Municipalities of the district have reopened after two months of winter vacation.

Community schools in lower Mustang give long winter holidays to students as snowfall and extreme cold affect the teaching and learning activities during the winter months of mid-December to mid-February.

Chief of Education Development and Coordination Unit, Mustang, Rameshwor Lamichhane said that community, monastery, nunneries and institutional schools in Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipalities of Upper Mustang are shifted to the lower warmer areas in winter.

There are 35 community schools in the district and 12 other seminaries in operation including Monastery, Amchi and Institutional.

Of the 47 schools in the district, 24 schools in Gharpajhang, Thasang and Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipalities give winter holidays every year.

President Ram Chandra Paudel attended a special ceremony organized by the Nepal Army (NA) to mark Mahashivaratri and the 261st NA Day today.

During the event, the President observed the feu-de-joie and NA skill shows and performances. A contingent of NA presented a guard of honor to the Head of State, who also serves as the Supreme Commander of the NA.

The President laid a wreath at the NA memorial in Tundikhel. The NA celebrates its establishment in conjunction with the Shivaratri festival, which marks the birthday of Lord Shiva. According to Vedic beliefs, Shiva symbolizes peace and security.

As part of the celebrations, President Paudel also launched the annual magazine "Sipahi-2081 BS," published by the NA Directorate of Public Relations and Information.

Additionally, President Paudel presented prizes to Major Jaganath Danai and Corporal Mitra Bahadur Rana Magar, who secured first and second place, respectively, in the 'free fall jump' competition. He also presented "Tokens of Remembrance" to the chiefs of military squads from India, the UK, and the US, who performed band displays during the event.

Before this, Skyhooks Army Aviation Services displayed banners, and an army helicopter showered flower petals on the occasion, also displaying a banner reading ‘Sena Diwas-2081 (Army Day-2025)’.

Nepal Army soldiers performed celebratory rifle and artillery fire, including volley and individual rifle shots. The event featured floats showcasing traditional army costumes, along with music and dance ensembles. Various vehicles, equipment, and arms used by the Nepal Army in peacekeeping missions were also displayed.

Other highlights included demonstrations of various military skills, such as free fall jumps, cultural dances to patriotic songs, group demonstrations (including Aikido, Military Aggressive Skills, Taekwondo, Khukuri Drill, Judo, and the Shoot to Kill Drill), and the Shiva Tandav Dance. Soldiers also formed the NA insignia, a hexagon with a trident and pellet drum, along with the map of Nepal.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and National Assembly (NA) Chair Narayana Prasad Dahal were among the dignitaries attending the celebration.

Other attendees included deputy prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers, heads and office-bearers of constitutional bodies, senior government officials, chiefs of security agencies, representatives from Nepal-based diplomatic missions, and distinguished personalities from various walks of life.

Former Army Chiefs from India-- Joginder Jaswant Singh, Deepak Kapoor, Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, Dalbir Singh Suhag, Manoj Mukund Naravane and Manoj Pandey-- also attended the special event at the invitation of the NA Directorate.

The celebrations were broadcast live by various media, including the Nepal Television.

The construction of a 400 kV Lapsiphedi Substation is underway in Bozini, Shankharapur Municipality-3, in eastern Kathmandu. The substation, designed for 400/220 kV, 220/132 kV, and 132/11 kV levels, aims to transmit electricity from hydroelectric projects on the Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to the Kathmandu Valley. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2026.

Despite initial local opposition, construction, which began about a year ago, is progressing steadily. Built on approximately 172 ropanis of land, the Lapsiphedi Substation is set to become the largest electricity supply hub in Kathmandu Valley. Some locals had obstructed the project, arguing that the substation should not be built in a residential area. However, landowners had already received compensation, and all legal procedures—including the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Supplementary IEE—were completed before selecting Bozhini as the most suitable location.

Under the Khimti-Barhabise-Lapsiphedi Substation Project, nearly 40 percent of the civil structures, including the control room and GIS equipment building of the 400/220 kV Lapsiphedi Substation, have been completed. About 80 percent of the equipment supply—including power transformers, GIS, and control panels—has also been finalized. Meanwhile, the Khimti and Barhabise substations under the same project are also under construction.

Similarly, under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu Transmission Line Project, 50 percent of the civil structures for the 220/132 kV and 132/11 kV substations have been completed, while 98 percent of the equipment has been supplied. Once the civil works are finished, equipment installation at the substations will commence.

During a site inspection on Wednesday, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising urged project managers and contractors to deploy additional manpower to ensure timely completion. “While local issues initially caused delays, overall progress has been satisfactory,” he said. “We are committed to addressing legitimate local concerns by investing in road repairs, drinking water facilities, school buildings, playgrounds, monasteries, and employment opportunities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).”

As part of the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu 220/400 kV Transmission Line Project, a 400 kV transmission line will connect the new Khimti Substation in Ramechhap to Kathmandu via Barhabise in Sindhupalchowk. All towers in the Khimti-Barhabise section have been erected, with only three kilometers of wire left to be installed.

In the Barhabise-Lapsiphedi section, 120 out of 122 towers have been completed, and about 42 kilometers of wire have been laid. Project Chief Nitish Poudel stated that the goal is to complete the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu transmission line by March 2026. The 220 kV substation in Barhabise has already been completed.

The substations and transmission lines are being built with funding from the Government of Nepal, NEA, and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the ‘Power Transmission Expansion and System Improvement Project’.

The construction of the Lapsiphedi-Changunarayan 132 kV transmission line, intended to supply electricity from Lapsiphedi to Kathmandu Valley, remains stalled due to landowner opposition. For the past seven years, construction has been blocked due to disputes over the right-of-way for transmission lines.

Although the 132 kV Changunarayan Substation has been completed, it remains non-operational due to the lack of a power supply. Once operational, it will provide reliable and high-quality electricity to eastern Kathmandu, which currently depends on supply from the Chabahil Substation.