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A man was injured in a firing in Nepal-India border area on Monday.

Nirdosh Sangraula (28) of Biratnagar Metropolitan City-8 was injured when a group of unidentified persons opened fire at him near Jogbani Railway of India this morning, the District Police Office, Morang said.

He sustained injuries on his right leg and thigh.

Sangraula is undergoing treatment at the Koshi Hospital.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, police said.

Hindu devotees are observing Bala Chaturdashi, also called Satbij Chharne din, across the country on Monday.

During the festival, the holy seeds are sown at Kailash, Gaurighat, Aryaghat, and Guheswori of Pashupati area, Panchase, Galeshwor and Lord Shiva’s shrines across the country on Mangsir Krishna Chaturdashi.

Families of those who died over the last one-year sow holy seeds and light oil lamps and keep themselves awake throughout the night, praying for the departed souls to rest in heaven.

There is a belief that one’s ancestors will have a place in heaven if such seeds are sown in the Lord Shiva’s shrines.

Devotees coming from various places of the country throng the Pashupati area; lit lights in the name of their deceased ancestors and stay awake the whole night on Mangsir Krishna Trayodashi, by chanting hymns.

They sow the Satbij early in the morning on Chaturdashi after taking a sacred bath. RSS

Radha: Wrath of the Maeju

Rishi Amatya

Fantasy Fiction

Radha is the first-of-its-kind fantasy fiction set in Patan. The book is about a young girl who is excited to spend a quiet Saturday in Patan Durbar Square with her brother and uncle. But an earthquake brings her dreams crashing to the ground—along with Patan’s temples and palaces—and unleashes forces that threaten everyone she loves. As the armies of darkness await at the border between the worlds, Radha must find the strength and resolve to do everything it takes to restore the balance. An adventure unlike any before, Radha is the story about how the titular character must overcome her own doubts before she can know what it means to be a god. 

Sweet Bean Paste

Durian Sukegawa

Contemporary | Japan

Sentaro has a criminal record, drinks too much, and his dream of becoming a writer is just a distant memory. He spends his days in a tiny confectionery shop selling pancakes filled with sweet bean paste. But everything is about to change. Into his life comes Tokue, an elderly woman with disfigured hands and a troubled past. Tokue makes the best sweet bean paste Sentaro has ever tasted. She begins to teach him her craft, but as their friendship flourishes, social pressures become impossible to escape and Tokue’s dark secret is revealed, with devastating consequences. Sweet Bean Paste is a moving novel about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship.

Bright Young Women

Jessica Knoll

Thriller | Mystery

January 1978. A serial killer has terrorized women across the Pacific Northwest, but his existence couldn’t be further from the minds of the vibrant young women at the top sorority on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee. Tonight is a night of promise, excitement, and desire, but Pamela Schumacher, president of the sorority, makes the unpopular decision to stay home—a decision that unwittingly saves her life. Startled awake at 3 a.m. by a strange sound, she makes the fateful decision to investigate. What she finds behind the door is a scene of implausible violence—two of her sisters dead; two others, maimed. Over the next few days, Pamela is thrust into a terrifying mystery inspired by the crime that’s captivated public interest for more than four decades.

Doing nothing on the weekend might sound appealing, especially after a hectic work week. But finding some fun things to do can help you bond with family and friends while ensuring that by Monday morning you are refreshed and recharged. So, what can you do to make your weekend fun and memorable? We’ve curated a list of ideas for you to get started.

Paint a masterpiece

Art can be intimidating, and with that many of us never pick up a paintbrush. But it’s not that difficult. The idea is to have fun. The House of Palettes is a painting studio in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur that lets you sip on wine and cocktails while you work on your masterpiece. Don’t fret, there are experts to help you. Quite a few other restaurants occasionally hold ‘paint and sip’ sessions and promote the event through social media. Alternatively, you can also buy some paint and canvas and have a go at it at home too.

Host a movie night

Whether it is rewatching a movie you loved as a child or finally watching Squid Games on Netflix, a movie night can be a lot of fun and wholesome too. Invite some friends over, get a big tub of popcorn, and watch something you know you will all enjoy. There is something special about spending Saturday surrounded by your loved ones while watching something that feels nice and nostalgic. We recommend ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and ‘Matilda’.

Go on a food tour

We are all guilty of eating the same thing. We often go to the same restaurants whenever we eat out. So, spend a Saturday doing something different. Make it a point to sample a new cuisine or go to a new place and try the local food there. The Durbar Squares, especially Patan and Bhaktapur, have many small eateries that serve great local delicacies. Be a tourist in your own town and indulge in some good food while you explore the place.

Plant a garden

Most garden DIY projects can be completed in just one weekend. If you have a small patch of land or a balcony area, look into ways you can create a small garden. Buy some pots, paint them, and plant some seasonal flowers. They look great and will beautify your home with minimal effort. You can ask your spouse or sibling to help and make it a family affair. You can also go plant hunting and visit a few local nurseries. You can make a garden box or plant an herb garden if you don’t have much room.

Have a spa day

Doesn’t a relaxing day at the spa sound like just the thing you need after a long, tiring week? Book a massage for yourself and your partner. You can also opt for a staycation at one of the many hotels in and around Kathmandu and pamper yourself with the many facilities at the spa there. A hot oil head massage followed by a whole-body deep tissue massage and a sauna session might be just what you need to feel like you have got this.

Play some board games

Board games aren’t just for children as most people falsely seem to believe. Games like ‘Sequence’, ‘Stratego’, ‘Scrabble’, ‘Go’, ‘Battleship’, and ‘Monopoly’ among others can be a lot of fun as well as help keep your mind sharp. Or when was the last time you put together a jigsaw puzzle? You get some cool 500- or 1000-piece puzzles these days. It might take you more than a single weekend to put it together but the effort will be worth it.

Visit the farmer’s market

No matter where you are, chances are you won’t be too far from a farmer’s market. They are indeed all the rage right now. And there is so much to explore in one. You can enjoy a taste of the freshest produce, source high-quality food that you won’t get at a supermarket, as well as hang out with family and friends. It’s almost like a picnic of sorts. What’s great is that there is usually no entry fee and you can probably snag a few free samples—of coffees and self-care products—too.

Organize your digital data

We have hundreds, if not thousands, of photos on our phones. We have scanned important documents but we need to scroll through a lot of random pictures to get to them. Additionally, there are all these notes and photos in an old shoebox somewhere—you know you’d be heartbroken if you lost that black and white photo of your grandparents or that card your best friend gave you when you were in school. So set aside a weekend to scan and save your photos and memorabilia and organize them properly in your digital storage space. It will send you on a trip down memory lane and also make it easier for you to find that citizenship when you need it.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to ensure the full implementation of recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Addressing a function organized by the NHRC, marking the 75th International Human Rights Day, here today, the Prime Minister said he would initiate to implement all the NHRC recommendations. 

On the occasion, the government head said the government is consistently working to amend the act relating to transitional justice so as to make survivors feel of a greater justice.  "Politically, I am also effortful to make this happen," he said, pledging all sorts of possible support to make the NHRC further empowered and resourceful.

He utilized the forum to remind that the Constitution has identified 31 rights as fundamental rights of the citizens. "The government is committed to the protection of human rights."

NHRC Chair Top Bahadur Magar apprised the Prime Minister that only 15.3 percent NHRC recommendations have been enforced, urging the government to prioritize the implementation of NHRC advice. Taking the opportunity to brief the Prime Minister of challenges the NHRC is facing for operations due to its quake-damaged structures, he called on the government to swiftly conclude the transitional justice issues. 

NGO Federation President Ram Prasad Subedi said though Nepal's constitution is exemplary, improvements are needed in the status of constitutional mechanism and its implementation. "Frustrating remarks about the republic are due to the failure of the State's mechanism to work efficiently."

Fifteenth Human Rights Magna Meet coordinator Dipak Soni advised the government to be serious to conclude the transitional justice procedures. "Human Rights of each citizen be guaranteed."

The share market has been closed for the whole day today following the increase of the Nepse index by six percent.

The trading was closed after the index, which started to rise continuously after the opening of the market on Sunday, increased by six percent in less than one-and-half-hour.

There is a provision to close the market for 20 minutes if the Nepse index increases by four percent in the first hour, 40 minutes if it is increased by five percent in two hours and for the whole day if it is increased by six percent.

The shares were traded for only nine minutes today.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 300 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 117, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 118, 800 per tola on Friday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 116, 950 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,425 per tola today.

Police have arrested an Egyptian national with 6.5 kg gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport in the wee hours of Sunday.

DIG Arjun Chand Thakuri, Chief of the airport police, said that they apprehended Sherif Mohamed Lashin (31) with 6.5 kg gold last night.

He said that Lashin landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport on flydubai flight 573 at 12:45 am today.

“Acting on a tip-off, security personnel detained him during a security check. He brought the precious yellow metal by making a false bottom in the half jacket,” DIG Thakuri said.

He said that they have also detained two Sudanese nationals who were with the Egyptian citizen for the investigation.

Earlier on Thursday, police had nabbed Chandra Ghale of Gorkha with 14 kg gold from the airport.