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Five people lost their lives on the Annapurna trekking route last fiscal year.

The Annapurna Circuit trek, known for its stunning beauty, is also one of the world's most hazardous treks, ranking as the 10th most risky globally.

The deceased are an US citizen, an Indian national, a Briton, and two Nepalis.

According to Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, Chief of the Annapurna Area Conservation Project (ACAP) unit, the majority of the fatalities here so far are attributed to high-altitude sickness.

The 69-year-old US citizen died after falling off a cliff at Khotro of Naso Rural Municipality-3 in Manang while the 35-year-old tourist from India succumbed to high-altitude sickness at Todanda of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9.  The Briton was found dead in a hotel room in Meta, Narpabhumi Rural Municipality-2.

Hari Adhikari (35) of Phulkharka in Ganga Jamuna Rural Municipality, a porter, died of altitude sickness near the Chulubes Camp in Manang Ngisyang-6.

Dadhiram Dangi (49) of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolis-9 in Dang, passed away near the Tiliho Base Camp. An autopsy report of Dangi is awaited.

Binod Gurung, Chair of the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang, stressed the need to know the weather conditions in Manang before embarking on the trek.

Weather in Manang demands a gradual adaptation process and neglecting this may significantly increase the risk of high-altitude sickness.

Four newly appointed ministers of Karnali Province government have taken the oath of office and secrecy today.

Karnali Province Chief Yagya Raj Joshi administered the oath of office and secretary to Rajiv Bikram Shah (Jajarkot), Ghanshyam Bhandari (Dailekh), Suresh Adhikari (Salyan) and Bijaya Budha (Humla).

Shah has been appointed as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, Bhandari as Minister for Social Development, Adhikari as Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment and Budha as Minister for Water Resources and Energy Development.  

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that an amendment to the Constitution has been realized to promote progression and prosperity in the country.

He said the existing political equation involving two major political parties: the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML is expected to proceed with the constitution's amendment in the pursuit of progression and prosperity.

In his address to a party program at Chyasal today, he argued that it is a false accusation to say that major parties are seeking to amend the Constitution for regression. "The Constitution is an amendable document as per the needs of the country and the people."   At the program held at the party's central office, the party vice chair and central members nominated by the party were sworn in.

He added that the need to amend the country's main law has been realized to strengthen democracy, increase its gravity and acceptability, explore additional bases for development and prosperity, and get connected to the citizens. "The Constitution is not unamendable."

The leader further stressed that politics be practiced for clean competition and the service of citizens.  

A month-long festival will be starting in Swoyambhu tomorrow. It is said all the preparations for the festival are complete.

Swoyambhu Management and Conservation Mahasamiti expects a higher turnout of devotees this time, following the recent reconstruction of the monuments at the historic site.

Mahasamiti General Secretary Ashok Buddhacharya said shops that were being operated in the makeshift tents have been removed for the convenience of visitors. The Committee hopes that around 500, 000 people from home and abroad will observe the event.  

Imports of cooking gas (liquefied petroleum gas) and avian turbine fuel (ATF) via the Birgunj point decreased last fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. Data shows that the import of cooking gas decreased by four percent while the import of jet fuel witnessed a significant fall of 71 percent.

According to Birgunj Customs Office's Information Officer Raghulal Karna, during the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), a total of 290,287 metric tons of cooking gas amounting to Rs 33.13 billion was imported while it was 267,048 metric tons worth Rs 30 billion last fiscal year.

The imports went down by 11,238 metric tons.

Similarly, the data indicates that 597,144 kiloliters (KL) of jet fuel worth Rs 17.31 billion was imported during the fiscal year 2078-79 BS (2021-22) via the point against 173,484 KL last fiscal year. However, the value of the fuel imported last fiscal year was Rs 18.21 billion due to an increased price of ATF. 

Despite the reduction in the imports of cooking gas and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), the imports of diesel and petrol increased. Diesel imports rose by four percent, while petrol imports soared by two percent compared to the previous year.

For the fiscal year 2079/80 (2022-23), diesel imports amounted to Rs 113.58 billion for 1,040,506 KL, and petrol imports totaled Rs 38.24 billion for 389,711 KL. In the previous fiscal year, diesel imports were valued at Rs 109.29 billion for 1,083,520 KL, and petrol imports at Rs 39.02 billion for 394,723 KL.

It is noted that 70 percent of Nepal's fuel requirements are addressed through supplies via Birgunj.

Having friends over for lunch or dinner is always a good idea. It allows us to spend some time together while making our friends feel valued, thus cementing our bond. We spend a lot of time working on the menu. It has to be perfect. Good food is the key to a great time. But we often underestimate the importance of fun, party décor unless it’s a birthday or anniversary celebration.

 There’s more to décor than balloons and streamers when you are hosting. Small things can liven up the atmosphere of your home, making your guests feel at ease and put them in a peppy mood. Here we share some of our favorite décor ideas that are sure to make your house party a fun and wholesome event and make you the talk of the town (in your friend’s circle, at least).

Harness the flower power

Flowers, real or faux, can brighten up a space with minimal effort. But rather than just a bunch of flowers on the dining room table or the coffee table, consider breaking it up and having a few stems in different places around the house. Don’t forget to place some in the guest bathroom as well. Pair it with a lit candle if your bathroom doesn’t get natural light during the day. You can also use artificial flowers but be careful not to overdo it and try to stick to ones that look as natural as possible. You can also put some rose petals in an urn and place that at the entrance along with some floating candles. It will give your space a cozy yet regal vibe.

Display the essentials

Bring out the cutlery, napkins, and toothpicks and display them in an interesting manner—on trays, flower vases, small candle holders etc. You can get pretty, printed napkins these days or if you want to be sustainable, opt for cloth napkins, complete with metal napkin rings. Put a water jug and glasses on a large tray, along with an interesting décor accessory like a flower vase, candle, or a random figurine and have it ready on the dining table. It can be an interesting yet functional display. Display your glassware on the bar and coffee and tea things on the kitchen counter for easy access as well as practical décor. The idea here is to put things you will need in the course of entertaining on display and make it a part of the party décor.

Put up some lights

String lights are a charm to your space. Most of us keep this décor accessory stowed away for Tihar or Christmas. But you can actually use them all year round. They are cheap, easy to maintain, and look great when lit. We recommend warm lights instead of cool or multicolored ones but the choice is yours. String these up at the entrance or in the living or dining space for an instant festive feel. It will lend your space a peaceful ambiance. If you are entertaining in the evening, turn off the overhead lights and put on lamps or light candles. Light some scented candles in different areas of the house—this will brighten up yourspace while making it smell great.

Make some noise

What’s a party without good music? Create a party playlist depending on when you are hosting, who are the guests, and what the day or night is like. There is perhaps nothing good music can’t solve. If you want your guests to wind down with a drink, play some soothing tunes. If you want them to feel upbeat, put on some house music. The only rule here is that the playlist has to be long enough to last the course of the party. You shouldn’t have to keep getting up to change the tracks. If you are having an outdoor party, we also suggest you put up some windchimes. Hang them up from the tree, if you have one, or put up a few wherever possible to be soothed by some tinkling sounds as your friends sit around chatting.

Focus on fabulous food arrangement

Good food can taste even better if it’s rightly displayed and served. We feast with our eyes first before we sit down to eat, don’t we?  So, take out your best serving bowls. Serving food in cooking utensils is a big, resounding no. Use cake trays to serve finger foods. Get creative. Turn an old bucket into a bright, chic drink receptacle. Spray paint it a funky color and write down ‘Drinks’ on it to create a cool beverage chiller. Think vertical displays. If you have small racks or stools that you can put on countertops or tables, bring them out, drape a fancy napkin or cloth over it and use it as a place to serve drinks or desserts.

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 149, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 149, 900 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 137, 725 per tola. It was traded at Rs 149, 400 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 1, 985 per tola today.

Light rainfall is taking place at one or two places in Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.

This is due to the influence of monsoon winds still active in the country, according to the Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

The Division said that the weather will be partly to generally cloudy across the country today with a possibility of light to moderate rain coupled with thunder and lightning at some places.

It is predicted that one or two places in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces could receive heavy rainfall this afternoon.

Later tonight, the weather will be partly cloudy across the country with chances of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning in some places. There are chances of heavy rainfall in one or two places in Koshi and Lumbini Provinces.