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A Deputy Inspector of Police (DSP) in the Armed Police Force (APF) died after he was hit by a Scorpio jeep in Siraha district this morning.

The jeep with no registered number in it hit 48-year-old Laxman Prasad Yadav while he was patrolling in the inner road of Kachanari of Badiyarpatti-1 in the district.

The incident took place at around 3 am in the place bordering India, according to the District Police Office, Siraha.

Injured in the accident, DSP Yadav was rushed to Ram Kumar Umaprasad Memorial Provincial Hospital at Lahan where doctors declared him dead upon the admission, police said.

DSP Yadav was deployed in Badahari Base Camp of the APF, according to DSP and Spokesperson at the District Police Office, Siraha, Birendra Paswan.

The Scorpio jeep is said to whizz off towards India after hitting the police officer while search is underway for the vehicle, DSP Paswan informed.

Chief of APF's Battalion no 7's Chief and SP Naresh Bhandari said that they have received the information that the jeep hit the police officer after seeing the joint team of Nepal Police and APF patrolling.

The jeep was allegedly carrying alcohol which police could not verify the information since the fleeing jeep has not been confiscated yet, added SP Bhandari.

The week-long Bibaha Panchami festival has ritually kicked off from today.

The festival that commemorates the union of Princess Sita and Lord Ram in Treta Yug (Vedic era) is celebrated with gaiety and religious fervor in Dhanushadham in Janakpur.

The festival is observed on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Nepali month of Mangshir as per the lunar calendar.

This year, the main day of Bibaha Panchami is on December 6.

On the first day of the festival, Nagar Darshan (Town visit) ritual is scheduled.

Part of the celebration includes two children dressed as Ram and his brother Laxman parading around the ancient Janaki Temple, according to Ramroshan Das Baisnav, Sahayak Mahanta (assistant priest) of the Janaki Temple.

Second day is known as Phulbari Leela and is marked by dance performances and colorful processions.

On the third day is Dhanusha Yagya followed by Tilakotsav on the fourth day.

The fifth day is celebrated as Matkor and the final day is Ram Sita Swoyambar, the engagement day. 

Next day, the visitors comprising saints and religious leaders from nearby Indian cities including Ayodhya arriving at Janakpurdham to attend the re-enacting of the Ram Sita Swoyambar during the Bibaha Panchami festival are bade farewell marking the end of the festival.

The people from different religious faiths such as Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity also come to observe the celebration while the Hindu religious leaders and devotees participate in the rituals in large numbers.

During the festival, Ram and Sita are worshipped and homage is paid to the divine couple. Janakpur, the capital of Madhesh Province in Nepal, is believed to be the birthplace of Sita and ancient Mithila's capital.

Meanwhile, Janaki Temple's Mahantha Ramatapeshwor Das Baisnav, in the all-party meeting regarding the Bibaha Panchami today, called for collective efforts to celebrate the festival with grandeur.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, cast ballot at the Yubak Secondary School polling station at Kathmandu Metropolitan City- 16 in the local-level by-elections today.

In his brief remarks after casting vote, he said all the voters should enthusiastically take part in the voting to make democracy stronger as election is the beautiful aspect of democracy.

By-election is being held at KMC-16 today as the post of the Ward Chair fell vacant with the death of Ward Chair Mukunda Rijal who was elected from the Nepali Congress.

Voting for the local level by-elections started this morning.

The voting began at 7 am, and it will continue till 5 pm today.

A total of 2,26,799 people are exercising their voting rights in the by-elections being held for various 41 posts. The by-elections are conducted for the posts of a mayor and a deputy mayor at the municipality; two chairs and four vice chairs of rural municipalities, and 33 ward chairs totaling 41 posts.

Any one of the official documents from among voter's ID card, citizenship certificate, National ID card, passport, PAN or driving license can be produced to cast the vote.

A total of 376 candidates from various 20 political parties and independent ones are in the fray.

The EC has urged all concerned voting officers and employees to ensure a free and fair atmosphere for voting. Similarly, cooperation from political parties, voters, media and observers has been sought for the successful conduct of the election.

The 37th World AIDS Day is being marked by organizing public awareness programs across the country today. The theme of the Day for this year is: 'Take the right path: My health, my right!'

The public awareness programs are being organized at the initiative of the National AIDS and Sexual Disease Control Centre. Director at the Centre, Dr Sarbesh Sharma, informed that the HIV transmission declined by 91 percent by 2023.

Since 2010, HIV transmission has declined by 39 percent. Similarly, the death caused by this disease also decreased by half.

However, Afghanistan, Egypt, Fiji, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Papua New Guinea witnessed HIV transmission by 100 percent from 2010 to 2023.

Nepal is one of the countries declining HIV spread by 75 percent. Similar success was achieved in Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe, the Centre added.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, "Ending AIDS requires that we prioritize and reach everyone who is living with, at risk for or affected by HIV, including men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and people in prisons and other closed settings, as well as their partners."

How can unhealthy relationship dynamics, such as emotional manipulation or constant conflict, impact the mental health of teenagers or people of any age group for that matter?  What are some signs to look for that someone might be struggling with their mental health as a result of being in unhealthy relationships?

Answered by Dr Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

Unhealthy relationship dynamics, including emotional manipulation and frequent conflict, can have significant and far-reaching impacts on mental health irrespective of age. These negative interactions erode self-esteem, foster anxiety, and can contribute to feelings of isolation and depression.

Emotional manipulation often involves tactics like guilt-tripping, or using affection as a means of control. For teenagers, who are still developing their sense of identity and emotional resilience, being manipulated can lead to confusion, self-doubt, and an increased risk of depression and other mental disorders.

Similarly, constant conflict, and thus repeated exposure to arguments and hostility, whether in romantic, or family relationships, activates the body’s stress response. Chronic exposure can lead to heightened stress levels, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased vulnerability to mental health issues such as anxiety disorders or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Recognizing that someone is affected by toxic relationships is crucial for timely intervention. You might notice some behavioral changes in that person. S/he may withdraw from friends and activities they once enjoyed, display irritability, or show sudden drops in academic or work performance.

You might even notice signs like persistent sadness, low self-worth, or a pervasive sense of hopelessness. Stress and emotional distress often manifest physically through unexplained headaches, or frequent illness due to a weakened immune response. People exposed to unpredictable or manipulative relationships might become overly anxious about making decisions or may doubt themselves frequently. An individual might go to great lengths to avoid situations, people, or conversations that may trigger conflict or emotional pain.

If these signs are present, it’s essential to reach out and offer support. Encouraging open dialogue and connecting the individual with mental health professionals can make a significant difference. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has been shown to help people rebuild self-esteem and resilience after experiences of emotional manipulation or chronic conflict. Promoting a supportive, understanding environment is key in helping anyone affected by toxic relationships regain their mental and emotional balance.

Are self-help books actually helpful? That’s debatable. It depends from person to person and on what someone is looking for at a particular point in their life. I know people who hate self-help. They find it preachy and pretentious. Then there are others who only read self-help, attracted to them as moths are to light. It gives them perspective and helps them make sense of things, they say. I fall somewhere in the middle. I don’t dislike the genre but I also don’t buy every new book that comes out making bold claims to change your life or transform the way you look and feel.

Occasionally I feel like I need a pep talk or some guidance and that’s when I pick up self-help. ‘The Happiness Project’ by Gretchen Rubin is one of my favorite books in the genre and I’m constantly re-reading that. But there are others too that have changed my ways of thinking and helped me bring some discipline into my life. I usually pick up self-help books that don’t have to be read in a single shot or in a linear pattern. I prefer those you can dip in and out of these books but you still find some nugget of wisdom to rewire your brain. Here are three such brilliant books that you can pick up as 2024 comes to an end to ensure you are ready to face 2025 with an open mind.

Living the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

I have heard a lot about ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron. It’s supposed to be a transformative book that teaches you how to, as cliché as it sounds, be the best version of yourself. The book was an instant bestseller when it was published in 1992. It teaches people techniques and exercises to become confident and creative. Cameron also ran The Artist’s Way online course on her website, with 12 weeks of videos to supplement the structure of the book. She is also called the ‘Queen of Change’.  In ‘Living the Artist’s Way’ published earlier this year, Cameron shows you how to seek and accept guidance to become more creative. The book teaches you how to connect with the intuitive power within yourself and trust the answers you receive.

The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest

This is a really easy-to-read book. Though the book is a compilation of 365 daily meditations, you can randomly flip to a page and just read that. If you want to change your life in 2025, then this book can help you do that without overwhelming you. You will gradually learn how to do and see things differently and become a different person. The person you want to be is already within you, says Wiest. You just have to convince your mind to act consistently on what your heart already knows it wants to do. This book is for anyone standing at the crossroads of where you are and where you want to be. There are no studies quoted to back what is said so the book reads like an affirmation of sorts and that helps you simply complex ideas.

You’re a Badass by Jen Sincero

I have to confess that the bright yellow cover made me buy this book. I knew nothing about it. But I’m glad that I picked this one up. It’s basically a pep-talk in 200 something pages that you didn’t know you needed. There is nothing new here but everything Sincero says has been pushed to the back of your mind and you don’t know you need a refresher course until you get one. It’s a simple book that you will be able to breeze through unlike heavier self-help titles like ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear that you need to sit down with a notebook and pen by your side. The theme of the book is basically self-love and each chapter ends with a powerful reminder to be kinder to yourself. If I had to choose one book to help me prepare for 2025, it would definitely be this one.

Janakpur Bolts secured an easy victory over Biratnagar Kings in the Nepal Premier League's inaugural match on Saturday at Kirtipur, Kathmandu.

Chasing a target of 128 runs, Janakpur reached 131 in just 15.3 overs with only two wickets down.

A remarkable partnership of 116 runs in 87 balls between Lahiru Milantha and Harsh Thaker was key to Janakpur's win, achieved with 27 balls to spare.

Lahiru Milantha scored a brilliant half-century, amassing 75 runs off 53 balls, while Harsh Thaker contributed 29 runs. 

Anil Sah managed 5 runs, and Aasif Sheikh failed to score.

Biratnagar's bowlers Chris Sole and Pratis GC claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Biratnagar Kings, batting first, were bowled out for 127 runs in 19 overs.