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Greek coast guard boats and a helicopter searched the sea near the island of Chios on Wednesday. AP reported, the search followed a late-night collision between a patrol vessel and a migrant speedboat. At least 15 people were killed in the accident.

Officials said to AP, 24 migrants, including 11 children, were injured and taken to hospital. Two coast guard officers were also hurt. The bodies of 11 men and three women were pulled from the sea, while another woman later died in hospital.

The coast guard said the speedboat was traveling without navigation lights and ignored orders to stop. It changed direction and collided with the patrol boat before capsizing. Greece is a key entry point for migrants to Europe, and deadly accidents during sea crossings remain common.

Heavy snow has piled up in northern Japan over the past two weeks. Roads are blocked and daily life has been disrupted. Government officials said the snow has already caused dozens of deaths across the country.

According to the AP, 15 prefectures have been affected. Snow in the worst-hit areas has reached about two meters. At least 35 people have died and hundreds have been injured. Most deaths happened when people fell while clearing snow from their roofs. Niigata prefecture reported the highest number of deaths.

The heavy snowfall is linked to cold Arctic air staying over Japan. Authorities warned that rising temperatures could melt snow and trigger landslides and slippery roads. More heavy snow is expected this weekend in northern Japan. Officials urged people to take safety measures while removing snow.

Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) is organizing the Nepal–India Think Tank Forum 2026, themed “Regional Resilience: Strengthening Nepal–India Security Cooperation,”  to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. 

The one-day event will be held on Tuesday at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel.

The forum will feature three focused sessions that will examine the convergence, continuity, and future trajectory of Nepal–India security cooperation; address transnational threats, connectivity, and economic security challenges shaping bilateral relations and explore the role of think tanks, youth, and media in building resilient Nepal–India relations, reads a statement issued by NIICE. 

Speakers from India include Ambassador Pankaj Saran, former Deputy National Security Advisor of Indian Prime Minister Modi who is heading a think tank called NatStrat; Former Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.), Director General of the United Service Institution of India, that is the oldest security think tank of India; Capt. Dr. Alok Bansal, Executive Vice President of India Foundation which closely works with the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party; Prof.Sangeeta Thapliyal of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dr. Gaurav Saini, Co-Founder of Council for Strategic and Defence Research.

From Nepal, speakers Anurag Acharya, Director at Policy Entrepreneurs Inc., Dr. Angana Guha Roy, Associate Director at Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs; Maj. Gen. BinojBasnyat (Retd.), political and security analyst; and senior journalists Sanjeev Satgainya, Bibek Dhoj Thapa, Research Associate and Program Coordinator at NIICE and several others. 

“At a time when our region is facing new and complex challenges, Nepal and India must work closely together to address shared concerns, "Sumitra Karki, Director of NIICE said, adding, "​​​​​​Platforms like this will create valuable space for dialogue, enabling experts and policymakers from both sides to sit together, exchange ideas, and jointly explore practical solutions to common challenges.”

Police have arrested two persons on the charge of taking a youth hostage in Siraha. 

The accused allegedly lured the victim to India by promising him a lucrative job.

According to District Police Office information officer Ramesh Bahadur Pal, the arrestees have been identified as Suraj Mukhiya (26) of Kalyanpur Municipality-7, and Prashant Chaudhary (22) of Lahan Municipality-11.

Police said the alleged victim, Rishakesh Kumar Marik of Kalyanpur-7, was assured of a well-paying job in Gaya, India. 

After he reached there, the two allegedly confiscated his mobile phone and academic certificates. The incident reportedly took place on January 4. 

As stated by the victim, he was kept in a hostel, physically assaulted, and threatened with death while the accused demanded ransom from his family. 

The accused allegedly collected Rs 217,000 from the victim’s family as ransom and also took Indian currency (INR) 30,000 from the victim himself.

An election police officer died after falling off a cliff at Kharakte Salleri in Baitadi on Wednesday. 

Fresh recruit Prakash Chand (32) of Dasharathchand Municipality 4 died in the incident, according to District Police Office Chief Deepak Kumar Rai.

The accident took place this morning while he was returning home after successfully completing the police training to serve in the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 14, 400 per tola in the domestic market on Friday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 304, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 290, 300 per tola on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 265 and is being traded at Rs 5, 600 per tola today.

The Nepal Army personnel will be mobilized from today to ensure free, fair, and fearless elections to the House of Representatives (HoR).

Security personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department are being mobilized under the coordination of the Nepal Army for the elections scheduled for March 5. 

Army personnel will be deployed across all 165 constituencies nationwide.

On November 27, President Ram Chandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and decision of the council of ministers, approved the mobilization of Nepal Army for the elections. 

As part of its election security responsibilities, the Nepal Army will oversee critical tasks, including printing and transportation of ballot papers, security at polling stations,  transportation of ballot boxes, and protection of vote-counting centers.

The Kings League seven-a-side soccer format announced on Tuesday it had raised $63 million from investors led by U.S.-based Alignment Growth to support global expansion projects, taking its total funding since its launch in 2023 to over $160 million, Reuters reported. 

“We have proven that our model works at scale. This funding allows us to accelerate our expansion, continue innovating the format and explore strategic M&A opportunities that support our long-term vision,” Kings League CEO Djamel Agaoua said in a statement.

Created by former Spain defender Gerard Pique in 2022, the league has regional hubs in European countries including Spain, Germany and France. The investment led by Alignment Growth, a media and entertainment investor, will support its launch in the U.S. following its recent start in Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters.