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Shree Antu in Ilam is famous for its sunrise views. Now, a new destination is drawing visitors eager to witness the sunset: Borabandh in Varahakshetra Municipality-6 of Sunsari, a riverside spot along the Saptakoshi that has rapidly gone viral.

The number of visitors coming to Borabandh to watch the giant waves of the Saptakoshi, the golden reflections on the river, and the spectacular view of the sun sinking behind the hills is increasing every day. Ward Chairperson of Barahakshetra-7, Kapil Acharya, said, “Just like Shree Antu attracts people for sunrise, Borabandh is now attracting visitors for sunset. It has become a new tourist hotspot in Varahakshetra.” What was once a quiet riverside hangout has surged in popularity after photos and videos of the area went viral on social media.

The biggest draw for tourists is the stunning sunset scene—an open sky, a calm river surface, and the sun slowly disappearing behind the hilltops. By late afternoon, young people, families, couples, and photography enthusiasts gather here to take photos, record videos, make TikToks, or simply sit along the riverbank. Visitors begin arriving around 3 pm, and by 5 pm the riverside is packed.

Tourists say Borabandh offers an intimate experience of nature. Sitting in a boat, playing with the river’s waves, and watching golden light shimmer across the water leaves many smiling in wordless satisfaction. The growing crowds have transformed the once-quiet Koshi banks. Hotels and restaurants have now opened in places where only a handful of people visited before.

One such business is a riverside restaurant operated by local resident Bikul Shrestha, which has quickly become one of the busiest establishments in the area. “Our daily turnover now exceeds Rs 50,000,” he said. “We serve fish, local chicken, pork, spicy dishes, and more—right on the banks of the Koshi. Tourists leave happy.” The popularity of Borabandh has boosted the local economy, created employment opportunities for youth, and increased demand for local products.

Visitors are now coming not only from Dharan, Beltar, Inaruwa, Itahari, and Biratnagar, but also from Bihar, India. With the rising number of tourists, authorities have strengthened security. Police Inspector Diwas Kunwar of the Mahendranagar Area Police Office said police have been deployed for public safety and traffic management.

The local government has also taken interest in Borabandh’s potential. Varahakshetra Mayor Ramesh Karki said, “We plan to develop Borabandh as a new tourist destination. It could become another key attraction after Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary.” Plans include systematic development with parks, walking trails, picnic areas, proper parking, and improved sanitation.

The name “Borabandh” itself has a story. During the monsoon, river erosion posed flood risks to nearby settlements. To protect the area, locals filled soil in sacks and stacked them along the riverbank to create an embankment—bora (bags) and bandh (embankment)—giving the place its name.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted restrictions on the use of high-denomination Indian rupee notes in Nepal, introducing a more flexible system for currency movement between the two countries.

The RBI amended its earlier rules under the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations 2025. Under the revised provision, Indian currency and RBI-issued notes—except notes of InRs 100 denomination and above—can now be carried to and from Nepal and Bhutan without restriction.

According to the new rules, travelers from India to Nepal or Bhutan can now carry Indian currency notes above InRs 100 denomination up to a limit of InRs 25,000. Likewise, persons traveling from Nepal or Bhutan to India are also allowed to bring high-denomination notes up to InRs 25,000.

The amendment also permits Nepali and Bhutani currency to be carried between Nepal, Bhutan, and India without restriction. However, the new provision does not apply to citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Earlier, Nepal had prohibited the use of high-denomination Indian notes within its territory. The revised rules will take effect once Nepal Rastra Bank aligns its regulations with the new RBI provision.

Officials say the updated policy will benefit tourists and migrant workers traveling between Nepal and India by easing currency-related difficulties.

Kathmandu Gorkhas have become the second team to reach the playoffs in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) underway in the capital. The Sudurpaschim Royals had reached the playoffs before this.

In today's match, Kathmandu defeated Pokhara Avengers by 13 runs to secure a place in the playoffs.

Pokhara, chasing the target of 166 runs set by Kathmandu, were all out for 152 runs in 20 overs. 

Rishi Dhawan of Pokhara hit a maximum of 54 runs but it was not enough to secure victory.

In bowling, Shahab Alam took six wickets including a hat-trick for Kathmandu.

Earlier, in the match held at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, having lost the toss, batted first and scored 165 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. 

Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sarki played a half-century innings for Kathmandu. Ben was out for 64 and Bhim for 55.

Dhananjay Lakshan took four wickets while captain Kushal Bhurtel took two wickets for Pokhara.

With this win, Kathmandu have reached the playoffs with 10 points while Pokhara have four points from six games. 

Pokhara now have one game remaining.

The number of tourists visiting Mustang by November has increased by 10.61 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom, 14,411 more foreign tourists visited the district by November this year compared to the previous year. 

One hundred fifty-one thousand two hundred and thirty tourists visited the district as of November this year.

This year, 124,353 tourists from SAARC countries and 26,877 from other countries visited the district as of November. 

Tourist arrivals in August and September had declined due to adverse weather and the Gen Z movement, it is said.

In 2024, a total of 135,719 tourists, including those from SAARC nations, had visited the district. 

The number of tourists from the SAARC region stood at 109,549.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the government is prepared for the election, with the goal of holding it on the announced date.

Addressing a program organized by the Jyapu Culture Development Trust today to mark the 22nd Jyapu Day, the Prime Minister said the government is committed to accelerating the nation’s development by handing leadership to the younger generation through the election announced for March 5, 2026.

“The September 8–9 Gen Z movement was a great lesson for us,” the Prime Minister said, urging everyone to address the sentiments raised by the movement.

“It is the primary responsibility of the government to conduct the election on March 5, 2026, and hand power over to the youth force,” said the head of the interim government. She added that the government is preparing accordingly and expects support from all Nepalis.

She also added that local governments have a significant role in promoting cultural traditions and festivals being conducted by over 5,000 Guthis, and pledged the government’s support for their preservation and promotion.

Extending her best wishes on the occasion of Jyapu Day, she said authorities concerned should pay special attention to protecting Nepal’s unique heritage by linking culture with tourism.

South Korean authorities are developing a mobile app for stalking victims to track in real-time the location of their stalkers, if they're nearby, BBC reported. 

The app, announced by South Korea's justice ministry on Wednesday, is part of an approved amendment to the country's electronic monitoring law.

Stalkers have become a subject of public concern in South Korea, especially as high-profile crimes involving stalking have made headlines in recent years, according to BBC.

Meta has started removing Australian children under 16 years old from its Instagram, Facebook and Threads platforms, a week before an official teen social media ban begins, BBC reported. 

The tech giant announced last month it had begun notifying users aged between 13 to 15 years old that their accounts would start being shut down from 4 December.

An estimated 150,000 Facebook users and 350,000 Instagram accounts are expected to be affected. Threads, similar to X, can only be accessed via an Instagram account, according to BBC. 

Nepal's preliminary team to play the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier has been announced.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced the preliminary team of 26-member today.

The team includes Indu Barma, Rajmati Airee, Sita Rana Magar, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Joshi, Riya Sharma, Somu Bista, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubi Podar, Poooja Mahato, Kabita Kunwar, Rubina Kshetry, Sana Prabin, Alisha Yadav, Iswori Bista, Roma Thapa, Soni Pakhrin, Bindu Rawal, Laxmi Saud, Manisha Upadhyay, Simana KC, Anu Kadayat, Kajol Shrestha, Kiran Kunwar, Asmina Karmacharya, and Mamata Chaudhary, CAN informed. 

The team will begin the closed door training session at Mulpani Cricket Ground from Friday onward. 

After the closed door training, the final team of Nepal will be announced.

A total of 10 countries will participate in the global qualifier to be held in Nepal from January 12 to February 1. 

Four top countries among them will be selected for the Women T20 World Cup to be held in England in June 2026. 

The Group 'A' of global Qualifier includes Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, the United States and Zimbabwe while Group 'B' has Nepal along with Bangladesh, Namibia, the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea.