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 Security personnel of Nepal and China have conducted a joint monitoring of the northern border area in and around Humla.

The border crossing in Hilsa of Namkha Rural Municipality-5 was monitored on Saturday.

As per the decision of the security personnel of the two countries, the border and border posts in the in Hilsa were jointly monitored, said Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector Krishna Bahadur Ojha, who heads the APF Border Security Post in Hilsa.

The joint monitoring was conducted to prevent any untoward incident at the border crossing, to understand the condition of the border posts and to increase coordination among the security personnel.

The monitoring team included Chinese security personnel from China and the Armed Police Force and District Police from Nepal.

Meanwhile, Nepali security personnel have been patrolling from Hilsa towards Nara and Limi.

The Armed Police Force has been deployed in border security since its establishment in Hilsa transit point on the northern border in 2077 BS.

Deputy Superintendent of the Armed Police Force Devraj Rai said that although snowfall in northern Namkha during winter closes the movement in Yari and Hilsa the Armed Police Force has been deployed in border security all year round.

Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) has intensified preparations for observing the Pokhara Visit Year, 2025 in a grand manner.

PMC had declared Pokhara city the tourism hub of Nepal last year.

The Visit Year is expected to spur economic activities by creating new jobs and promoting art and cultures in the city.

It is also aimed at conservation of nature. The tourism entrepreneurs have been positive towards the Visit Year 2025, thinking that it would be an opportunity to reap benefits.

Mayor Dhanraj Acharya informed that they were planning to hold a special function at the end of this month or early next month to forward the tourism activities under the yearlong observance.

The Pokhara Visit Year is included in PMC's policy and programs.

According to Acharya, the local level was at work to make the Visit Year successful. "Pokhara Visit Year, 2025 would a milestone for promotion of tourism in Pokhara city and vicinity. We've forwarded preparation accordingly," he added.

He shared that PMC has prioritized collaboration at multiple layers- local, national and international- to make the yearlong campaign successful.

"Cooperation and coordination from all sides is essential to boost tourism in Pokhara," he stressed, adding that neighbouring country China had declared 2025 as Nepal Visit Year, which would play a significant role in bolstering Nepal's activities in tourism sector.

Similarly, chief of tourism and urban development division at PMC, Bimal Ranjan Karki, said under the Pokhara Visit Year, 2025, plans were afoot for conducting regular flights to various countries from the Pokhara International Airport, diversification of tourist activities by expanding tourism to rural level and fostering eco-tourism, and involving locals in tourism.

Similarly, national and international publicity of Pokhara tourism via digital media are also planned by the local level.

PMC has set an ambitious goal of bringing in 1.5 million tourists this year.

However, former vice chairman of urban planning commission at PMC and tourism strategist, Ram Chandra Lamichhane, said only announcement would not suffice, but essential homework and active engagement to make the campaign a success.

For the realization of Visit Year, infrastructure development, clear strategy and strong willpower are imperative, he underlined.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said Nepal has already made advancements in terms of development works and infrastructure.

In his virtual address to the foundation stone laying ceremony of Butwal-Gorusinge road section up-gradation and today, PM Oli said the government would speed up the construction of tunnel, administrative and hospital buildings and other development works.

He also announced that the Butwal-Gorusinge road section would be expanded within the next three years.

The successful breaking of the Siddhababa tunnel way today was a great achievement, he said, stressing that the country's development should be undertaken on our own with high determination and courage.

He, however, clarified that cooperation from foreign aid agencies can also be received for such works.

Prime Minister Oli urged all to move ahead towards building the nation in unison, ignoring the forces attempting to spread division and confusion in the name of religion, caste and several other names.

Deputy Prime Ministers Prakash Man Singh and Bishnu Prasad Poudel among others had addressed the programme. 

Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has urged girls aged 10-14 to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps protect against cervical cancer.

In a video message released on Friday, the Minister highlighted the increasing risk of cervical cancer in Nepal and stressed that vaccination is a key preventive measure.

"The nationwide vaccination campaign will target girls from grade six to 10, and the Department of Health Services will also ensure access to the vaccine for out-of-school girls aged 10-14," said Minister Paudel in his message.

He also called for the enthusiastic participation of all relevant stakeholders, including women community health volunteers and representatives from the health and education sectors, to help make the campaign a success.

Minister Paudel urged girls from the target age group to get vaccinated at their respective schools or nearby centers.

The government is set to launch the HPV vaccination drive from February 4-18, aiming to vaccinate 1.68 million girls.

The government has expressed grief over the death of 12 people including seven Nepalis in a rail accident occurred in Jalgaon near the Pardhade railroad station in Maharashtra.

The accident occurred on January 22.

Issuing a press statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured.

The Ministry confirmed the demise of Nepali citizens Kamala Nabin Bhandari, Lachhiram Pasi, Himu Nandaram Bishwakarma, Nandaram Padhma Bishwakarma, Maisara Kami Bishwakarma, Jokla Kami and Radheshyam Radh Nepali.

Out of the four injured Nepalis, three are receiving treatment at a local health facility and one is in critical condition at Godawari Hospital, Jalgaon.

The Ministry stated that officials are coordinating with the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi and concerned Indian agencies through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to repatriate the bodies of the deceased Nepalis and provide necessary medical treatment to the injured passengers.

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 160, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 159, 600 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1, 880 per tola today.

India has called a tender for the construction of a dry port at Dodhara Chandani Municipality-1 in Kanchanpur district.

The Indian side announced a tender after the agreement between the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) to cut down trees at the dry port construction site.

India invited a tender at Rs 2.54 billion for the construction of the dry port.

Executive Director of the NITDB, Ashish Gajurel, said activities for the construction of dry port would be started soon.

"The Indian side has already announced a tender. Activities to count the trees last time in order to remove them are also underway from our side. The final report will be received by Sunday and then we will invite bids in this regard", he mentioned.

Activities for the construction of Integrated Check Post from India would begin once the activities of site clearance are completed.

The governments of Nepal and India had on June 1, 2023 signed an agreement for the construction of the dry port with the help of financial and technical support of the Indian government.

Various infrastructures including two go down buildings, customs checking building, quarantine building, immigration building, security building would be constructed on 42.36 hectares of land to be used for integrated check post, shared NITDB.

Women members in the Madhesh Province Assembly (PA) have complained of subjugation to gender-based discrimination.

Airing their views during a concluding session of the three-day worship on gender sensitive parliamentary reporting today, they said they face discrimination both inside and outside the Parliament.

Madhesh PA Deputy Speaker Babita Rout Ishar said, "It is obviously not easy for women to secure a due space and opportunities in politics. I myself reached this position after a long struggle," she said, adding that despite an increase in women's presence in politics, their quality representation is still awaited. She expected media support to address this gap.

PA member Kiran Shah stressed the need of raising a collective voice against the assault on their colleague Shahida Khatun.

PA member and NC whip Jibachha Yadav sought meaningful participation of women members in budget formulation and allocation procedures.

She also urged all the stakeholders concerned to respond to the voices of women politicians seriously.

"We are almost unheard by the government," she said.

Another PA member Anita Kumari Shah accused the government of disregarding the voices of women lawmakers.

Khatun said the government has not yet responded to the assault on her, despite being formally informed about it.