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The death toll in a cooking gas cylinder explosion that occurred at a Kamalpokhari-based eatery has climbed to four.

According to the Spokesperson for the District Range Kathmandu and Superintendent of Police, Apil Raj Bohora, the latest victim is Chhiring Lama (25) of Dhunkharka, Bethanchok Rural Municipality, Kavre. He was temporarily residing in Kamalpokhari.

He succumbed to burn injuries last night.

Others seven injured in the incident that took place on February 5 are undergoinh treatment. 

Other deceased in the incident are Pradip Tamang (22) of Udayapurgadhi-7,  Udaypur, Rabin Rai (18) of Manahari Rural Municipality-5, Makawanpur, and Bhim Bahadur Ghale of Galtar of Katari Municipality-8, Udayapur.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2,700 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 167,500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 170,200 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 per tola and is being traded at Rs 1, 955 per tola.

The Hetauda Cement Industry (HCI) has faced a deepening financial crisis, causing adverse impact on production.

HCI management had shut down the factory since October 1, 2024, reasoning the need for repairing machines. Although it was expected to complete maintenance and resume production from mid-November, the administration argued it took more time for repair.

Administration chief and spokesperson, Hareram Aryal, however, said, "Only maintenance is not the reason behind delay in resumption of industry. As the economic crisis is deepening, it is not sure when to resume the industry."

Although the production is nil at present, the spending is regular- salary to employees and fuel costs. It further adds to the financial problems, according to him.

Aryal shared that the industry was in need of raw materials. "If it runs daily, at least 120 trucks of coal are required. It is not available now nor has money to purchase it. The previous payment is pending for a long time."

The employees are also not paid for their extra services.

Established at Lamsure of Hetauda city in 2033 BS, the industry had begun producing cement since 2043BS. The implements are old to use in full capacity for production.

Technical chief Kameshwor Mandal said, "Many equipment are overused and now not functioning well to ensure smooth production." He further said the maintenance was still going on.

When the industry is run in full capacity, it produces as many as 16,000 sacks of cement every day.

The Pathivara area saw snowfall with light rains last night. 

An employee at Pathivara Area Development Committee, Rajendra Mahat, informed that it was the third snowfall this season.

Earlier, the snowfall had occurred in December and January.

With the snowfall, the temperature dropped significantly in the religious site located at a height of 3,794 meters.

Executive Director at the committee, Prajin Hangbang, said the number of tourists increases after the snow every year.

The locals have said the scant rainfall this winter dented the growth of crops. To this, the snowfall was a huge relief, they added.

The District Police Office, Palpa has recorded a total of 53 cyber complaints in 11 months.

The office saw the registration of 53 complaints relating to cyber in the last 11 months from February 19, 2024 to January 13, 2025, according to Superintendent of Police, Narendra Chand. Most of those, 16, are Facebook ID hackings.

Similarly, out of those forwarded as cybercrime cases, 17 were settled so far.

The cybercrimes are perpetrated via social network sites and apps- Facebook, Twitter (X), YouTube, Messenger, Emo, Insta, Viber, and WhatsApp, among others.

SP Chand said the cyber complaints were on rise of late owing to expansion of internet and IT infrastructures, increasing use of digital gadgets and low digital literacy.

I have been married for five years. Lately, our relationship has been strained as my husband works late and I find myself juggling my career and most household responsibilities. We both feel unappreciated and struggle to communicate our frustrations without arguing. How can we maintain a healthy partnership when busy schedules and unequal responsibilities create tension?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, consultant psychiatrist 

Maintaining a healthy partnership while juggling demanding careers and household responsibilities is challenging. Your struggles with communication, unappreciation, and increasing tension are valid and quite common among couples navigating work-life balance. 

Emotional exhaustion can play a significant role in relationship strain, especially when one partner is juggling both career and household responsibilities. The constant pressure can lead to burnout, making people emotionally drained and less able to be present for each other. This exhaustion often manifests in impatience, irritability, and poor communication, which can make it difficult to nurture a healthy connection.

Perceived inequality in responsibilities is another factor that can contribute to conflict. When one partner feels overwhelmed by taking on more tasks, feelings of resentment can arise. This imbalance often leads to a cycle of blame and defensiveness, making it harder to address and resolve underlying issues.

Lack of quality connection is another challenge that can affect relationships. With busy schedules and constant responsibilities, partners may struggle to find time for meaningful interactions. This emotional distance can grow over time, leading to feelings of disconnection and a sense of being unappreciated.

Unmet emotional needs can also strain relationships when one or both partners don’t feel seen, heard, or valued. It can create a sense of isolation. This often results in either withdrawal or unhealthy expressions of frustration, such as arguing instead of having open, constructive conversations. These unmet needs can further deepen the emotional gap between partners.

Instead of addressing issues during moments of high tension, schedule a calm time to talk and express your feelings without placing blame. Use ‘I’ statements, such as “I feel overwhelmed handling household tasks alone,” to encourage understanding and prevent defensiveness. Take the time to list all household tasks and have an open conversation about dividing responsibilities fairly, considering each partner’s strengths and available time. If necessary, explore outsourcing some tasks, like hiring help for cleaning or meal preparation, to lighten the load and foster teamwork.

Even with busy schedules, make an effort to carve out small yet meaningful moments together. Whether it’s sharing a meal without distractions, taking a short walk, or having a weekly check-in about your emotional well-being, these moments help maintain connection. Also regularly express gratitude for each other. Simple gestures like saying, “I appreciate how hard you work for us,” can go a long way in making your partner feel seen and valued. Where possible, establish clear work-life boundaries. Encourage your partner to limit late hours, and be sure to take breaks yourself to avoid burnout. This helps create space for both relaxation and quality time together.

If communication continues to be a struggle, seeking professional guidance can provide valuable tools for navigating conflicts in a constructive way. A strong marriage isn’t about avoiding conflict but learning to face it together. By fostering open communication, redistributing responsibilities, and making time for connection, you can rebuild a sense of partnership. Small, consistent efforts will help both you and your partner feel appreciated and understood, strengthening your bond despite life’s challenges.

The 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, under construction in Rasuwa, has spent approximately Rs 170m in the affected areas through its Community Support Program (CSP).

The project’s developer, Nepal Water and Energy Development Company, has been supporting local communities through initiatives in education, health, drinking water, road infrastructure, cultural preservation, relief distribution, and livelihood development. These efforts fall under the CSP, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the Indigenous Community Planning Program.

Led by Korean companies, the project is being built with direct foreign investment. The dam and other structures are under construction in Hakuma, Amachodingmo Rural Municipality-1, while the underground power plant is being developed in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-1. Upper Trishuli-1 is the largest hydropower project under construction in Nepal with direct foreign investment, and its electricity will be used for domestic consumption.

In response to the 2015 earthquake, the company provided relief materials, constructed temporary shelters, and built school and health institution buildings. Helicopter rescues and health camps were also conducted in the affected areas.

For the first time in Nepal, the project has implemented a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process for indigenous communities. A separate Indigenous Community Plan was developed, considering their location, environment, and cultural heritage, with a dedicated budget for community-selected programs. Rs 25 million has been spent under this initiative.

CEO Byeong Su Min emphasized that the community support programs aim to enhance the economic and social well-being of affected residents. He stated that projects are selected based on local priorities and will continue as needed.

The project has spent Rs 78.6m to construct a Bailey bridge over the Trishuli River in Haku Valley, providing vital road access to residents of Amachodingmo Rural Municipality. This bridge also facilitates project-related transportation. Additionally, Rs 18.57m has been spent on road construction in affected areas, with Rs 7m allocated for the Dhunche-Khodol road.

To support education, school buildings have been constructed, and educational materials distributed. The project is also funding monastery construction and cultural preservation programs for indigenous communities.

To restore livelihoods and boost incomes, 121 people from project-affected households have received vocational training in Korean and Japanese language, driving, electrical work, welding, tailoring, motorcycle repair, and beauty services.

Currently, about 1,000 workers are engaged in construction, including 400 local residents from Rasuwa, of whom 154 belong to project-affected households. Over the five-year construction period, the project will provide daily employment to 800–1,000 Nepali workers.

Construction began in January 2022, with significant progress on the underground powerhouse, main tunnel, and dam. Overall physical progress stands at 52 percent. The Korean company Doosan Enerbility is responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction. Equity investors include the Korean government-owned Koen and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the World Bank Group.

The project is financed through 70 percent debt and 30 percent equity. Nine international financial institutions have committed $453.2 million to the project, which has a total estimated cost of $647.3m, including interest during construction. The remaining funds are covered through equity investments. Once completed, the project will generate 1.53 billion units of electricity annually.

Of the total annual energy output, 38.75 percent will be generated in winter and 61.25 percent during the rainy season. The electricity will be transmitted to the national grid via the Trishuli-3B Hub Substation, being constructed by the Nepal Electricity Authority, under a power purchase agreement with the authority.

Due to its proximity to Kathmandu, the project is considered vital for Nepal’s electricity system. It will generate 104 MW even during the winter when demand is high. Completion is targeted for Dec 2026.