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The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 115, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 116, 000 per tola on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 114, 450 per tola. It was traded at Rs 115, 450.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,420 per tola today.

Wrapping up his four-day official visit to Nepal, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres returned to New York on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka bade farewell to him at the VVIP lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport.

On the occasion, high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the United Nations Office in Nepal were present during the farewell ceremony.

A contingent of Nepal Army offered a guard of honor to Guterres in his farewell.

At the cordial invitation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the UN Secretary General arrived in Kathmandu on October 28.

The UN Chief had separately called on President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal'.

Likewise, he held separate meetings with Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, national Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Deputy Prime Minister duo, Khadka and Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud.

During his stay in Nepal, he visited the Everest region and Annapurna Base Camp, Pokhara and Lumbini.

He also visited historically and archaeologically important Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur.

PM Dahal had hosted a dinner with a cultural program in honor of the Secretary General.

In the course of his visit, he also addressed the joint session of the Federal Parliament.

Guterres, who came to Nepal for the first time after assuming the post of the UN Secretary General, in 2017 had discussed the issues related to Nepal's home-grown peace process, climate change and poverty alleviation.

A man has been arrested again less than five months after he got amnesty on the Republic Day.

Chitwan police apprehended Ram Chandra Thapa (55) on the charge of allegedly issuing threats to a person to demand ransom.

President Ram Chandra Paudel, on the recommendation of the government, on May 29 on Republic Day had pardoned the remaining jail terms of Thapa.

Police had nabbed Thapa, a permanent resident of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan-City-2, Makwanpur and currently residing Bharatpur Metropolitan City-9, on various charges time and again in the past.

He was detained on the charge of robbery recently and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Chitwan police claimed that Thapa had demanded Rs 2.5 million with Somraj Subedi, an owner of a pharmacy at Pulchowk in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-9, by issuing threats.

“Thapa started asking for money with Subedi from Wednesday (October 15). Police arrested him on Monday,” DSP Bijay Raj Pandit of the District Police Office, Chitwan said.

The District Police Office, Chitwan by organizing a press conference on Tuesday said that Thapa was arrested from near Malpotchowk in Bharatpur-10.

DSP Pandit said that Thapa has asked Rs 2.5 million with Subedi.

Somraj Subedi said that Thapa had called him at around 6 pm on October 25 and asked for Rs 2.5 million by speaking in Hindi language.

“He threatened to kill me and my son for failing to pay the amount. The next day, he said that it would be fine if he was provided Rs 2 million,” he said. “Later, I informed the police and they arrested him.”

DSP Pandit said that it was the fifth time Thapa, who had come to collect the money, was arrested.

Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, who is on an official visit to the United States of America, held a meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the US International Development Finance Corporation, Scott Nathan on Tuesday.

On the occasion, they discussed the matters related to Corporation's investment in Nepal, it is said.

Minister Saud highlighting government strategies for the promotion of private sector investment in Nepal had urged CEO Nathan for increasing investment flow to Nepal through the Corporation.

Corporation Chief Nathan had shared his perspectives on the increment of Corporation's investment for economic development of Nepal and its potential areas.

The Corporation as part of the US government now has invested USD 36 billion 450 million in 110 countries.

Besides, the Corporation has been mobilizing financial instruments for the development of private sector through capital investment.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his belief that the United Nations would help Nepal to conclude the peace process.

In a brief conversation with the media after the address by the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament earlier today, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence that the UN as well as the international community would continue to help conclude the peace process in Nepal. "The opinion of the international community and Secretary General Guterres towards Nepal's peace process is positive," he said.

Similarly, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli appreciated Secretary General Guterres' speech in the House on Nepal's peace process, poverty, climate change and other issues.

Stating that the UNSG Guterres has correctly evaluated Nepal, he said it is admirable to note that developed countries should help poor countries like Nepal on issues such as climate change.

Visiting UN Secretary General António Guterres has said that the world could learn much from Nepal in responding to multiple crises.

Addressing the joint session of the Federal Parliament on Tuesday, Guterres said, "As geopolitical tensions rise, global divisions are becoming deeper and more dangerous. Smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between great powers. And climate catastrophe is accelerating with deadly force."

According to him, other countries can learn much from Nepal in responding to such crises.

Nepal a promoter of peace, champion of multilateralism

Similarly, he viewed Nepal as a promoter of peace, a champion of multilateralism, and a staunch supporter of sustainable development and climate action.

"Nestled between two great powers, you have forged your own path to safeguard your sovereignty and independence.  And your journey over the past twenty years has been wonderful to see," he said, adding that a new republic with a new Constitution has the UN Charter at its heart.

He lauded Nepal, saying it was quick to embrace the Sustainable Development Goals, and is making progress on many of them. "Your country has successfully calmed the storms of conflict and moved from war to peace. A process the United Nations has been proud to support," he shared.

Nepal's dynamic story of progress continues today, the UN Secretary General viewed, adding that Nepal's graduation from Least Developed Country status is imminent. The UN is committed to supporting a smooth transition, he vowed.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has said Nepal has long been a friend to the international system and a steadfast champion of multilateralism, peace and developing countries’ interests.

In his address to the joint session of the Federal Parliament at New Baneswor-based Parliament building on Tuesday, the UN chief stressed on the dire need of revitalization and reforms in the system.

Noting that the world is in a state of flux and is moving towards multi-polarity, he said, "A multipolar world provides new opportunities for leadership and balance on the global stage".

The UN Secretary General said this new dynamic, however, requires strong multilateral institutions to maintain peace. "History shows us that. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Europe was multipolar, but without strong multilateral institutions, it descended into war that engulfed the world. That is not a risk we can take".

Underlining the need of strong international institutions that reflect the realities of today, Guterres said the developing countries must have far greater representation in international institutions.

He called for reform of the outdated United Nations Security Council and proposed measures to reform the global financial architecture – so that it better represents developing countries and responds to their needs.  "These proposals are gaining real traction – at this year’s United Nations General Assembly and beyond.".

The United Nations Summit of the Future next year is an important chance to push further progress, he noted, adding, "I count on Nepal’s support to help make the change we need a reality.".

The UN chief argued that multilateralism must both reflect the world, and respond to it, which means creating the institutions and tools we need to address new threats, and to seize new opportunities.

"Technology can solve problems and spur development. It can entrench divisions and inflame inequality", he said, adding that today it is doing too little of the former and too much of the latter.

He called for a global response to the technologies that are changing the world at astonishing speed in a way to harness them for the good of humanity.

The UN high-level body on Artificial Intelligence comprising experts from G77 countries will report this year, so member states can consider global governance options for artificial intelligence, he said in his address. "We must also bring the benefits of technology to all, and ensure that in a new technological era, no one is left behind. That is the purpose of the Global Digital Compact the United Nations has proposed".

It aims to bring together governments and industry to ensure that technology works for all, and accelerates the Sustainable Development Goals, he mentioned.

"As a steadfast champion of multilateralism, peace and developing countries’ interests, Nepal will be a vital ally at the Summit", the UN Secretary added.

Nepal entered the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier with a six-wicket victory over Malaysia at the TU Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal bowled out Malaysia to 165 runs in the allotted 20 overs losing all the wickets.

In response, Nepal chased the target in 18 overs losing four wickets.

Kushal Malla scored a half century for Nepal. Similarly, Kushal Bhurtel contributed 43 runs off 24 balls hitting four boundaries and four sixes and Asif Sheikh made 32 runs off 23 balls with one four and two sixes. Likewise, Sundeep Jora scored unbeaten 18 runs.