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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 5. 10 points to close at 2, 58. 60 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0. 58 points to close at 444. 12 points.

A total of  9,434,009-unit shares of 305 companies were traded for Rs 3. 59 billion.

Meanwhile, Trishuli Jal Vidhyut Company Limited (TVCL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (SMB) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 28 trillion.

The Maiti Nepal's Nepalgunj office said it rescued 598 women and girls at risk of trafficking from the Nepalgunj border checkpoint.

Keshav Koirala, Maiti Nepal, Nepalgunj coordinator shared this information in an interaction with journalists against human trafficking organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Banke Chapter here on Tuesday.

He said these girls and women were in risky travel to various countries, including India, in 2024.

According to Koirala, such number of girls and women were turned back after it was found while interrogating them out of suspicion that they were at risk of being trafficked in the pretext of finding work, marriage, visiting places and relatives, shopping, among other purposes.

Koirala said Maiti Nepal's Nepalgunj Office received applications for finding out whereabouts of 177 people in one year and 407 of them were found.

The family members of the missing people register application at the Office seeking its support in finding out their status after those who have reached India or third country go out of contact.

Coordinator Koirala said the highest number of applications were received from Banke district in 2024.

Most of the rescued women and girls are from Surkhet, Bardiya, Dang, Jajarkot, and Dailekh among the districts of Lumbini and Karnali provinces, he added.

Stating that agents are active in women trafficking through the misuse of social sites, Koirala said that Maiti Nepal has been carrying out anti-trafficking activities coordinating with all the three tiers of the government.

The Annapurna region, a renowned and adventure destination for trekking, welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in 2024, reaching a total of 244,045 visitors.

Of these, 132,094 were from South Asia, and 111,951 hailed from other countries. According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) office, this marks the highest number of visitors to the region in its history.

In 2023, the region had already set a high record, with 191,558 tourists visiting.

This surge follows a significant drop in arrivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019.

In 2021, the area saw only 16,105 tourists, with numbers climbing to 129,733 in the following year.

ACAP Chief Dr Rabin Kadariya said that not only did tourist arrivals revive in 2024, but they also set a new record with a substantial increase.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek, which includes attractions like the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Peak, Ghandruk, Manang's Tilicho Lake, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath, and Ghodepani of Myagdi, continues to draw both domestic and international visitors.

The Annapurna region has been recognized for its natural beauty, biodiversity, mountain life, and cultural significance. Four years ago, Lonely Planet, the international travel site, ranked it among the top ten most visited destinations globally, while CNN included it in their list of the 23 top travel sites for 2023. 

The price of gold increased by Rs 1,400 per tola (11.66 grams) in the domestic market today.

However, the price of silver remained unchanged as compared to yesterday.

The rise in the price of gold in international market and internal demand are among the reasons behind the price-rise, it is said.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the gold price is being traded at Rs 151,000 per tola on Wednesday. It was traded at Rs 149,600 per tola on Tuesday.

The silver is being traded at Rs 1,765 per tola today. 

In a significant move to strengthen international media collaboration, Annapurna Media Network (AMN), a leading media organization in Nepal, and Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC, the publisher of The South Asian Times based in Hicksville, New York, USA, are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership will formalize the exchange and distribution of news content between the two organizations across various media platforms, focusing on positive, motivational, and success-oriented stories that resonate with their audiences. The MOU is signed by Mr. Manoj Basnet, General Manager of Annapurna Media Network, and Mr. Kamlesh C. Mehta, Chairman and Publisher of Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC. This collaboration represents a strategic milestone in the relationship between the two organizations, aimed at fostering stronger media connections and enhancing their respective global media presence.

Under the terms of the MOU, The South Asian Timeswill publish news content provided by Annapurna Media Network across its print and digital platforms, with appropriate attribution given to AMN as the source. In return, Annapurna Media Network will also publish or reproduce content from The South Asian Times across its diverse media outlets, including Annapurna Post (Nepali daily), The Annapurna Express (English daily), Ap1 Television, Radio Annapurna, and its digital platforms. The content shared between the two organizations will center around positive stories that inspire and inform audiences, covering topics such as business achievements, social welfare, technological progress, cultural highlights, and human-interest stories. 

The primary objective of this partnership is to enhance the reach and visibility of both Annapurna Media Network and Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC. By sharing content and leveraging their respective platforms, the two organizations aim to connect with broader audiences across South Asia, the United States, and other international markets. The collaboration is designed to enrich the media landscape by providing readers with diverse and engaging content that not only reflects the interests of the two organizations' audiences but also promotes positive societal change, cultural understanding, and global community building. This partnership is not just about content sharing but also about fostering a constructive relationship within the global media industry.

This Memorandum of Understanding represents the beginning of a promising new chapter for both Annapurna Media Network and Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC. As the partnership progresses, both organizations are confident that their shared commitment to high-quality journalism, positive content, and global connectivity will result in a mutually beneficial relationship that will continue to grow and expand across borders. 

By leveraging their collective strengths, Annapurna Media Network and Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC aim to become leading voices in their respective markets, driving forward the global media conversation with content that is both impactful and inspiring. This MOU marks the first step in a long-term collaboration that will provide readers with an enriching news experience while fostering stronger ties between Nepal, the United States, and other international communities. As both organizations look to expand their influence and connect with audiences in new and innovative ways, they are excited about the future of their partnership and the new opportunities it will bring.

Manoj Basnet, the General Manager of Annapurna Media Network, expressed excitement about the new partnership with Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC and The South Asian Times. He highlighted that the collaboration would significantly expand their global reach, enabling them to deliver valuable news content to readers both in Nepal and worldwide. Similarly, Kamlesh C. Mehta, the Chairman & Publisher of Forsythe Multimedia Group, LLC, shared his enthusiasm about working with Annapurna Media Network, a highly respected media organization in Nepal. He emphasized that the partnership would offer readers a unique perspective and diversify the content available on The South Asian Times, aiming to provide high-quality news to their audiences.

Presently there is a general influence of westerly wind in the country with foggy weather in many places of the Terai.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, fog has also occurred in the hilly areas of Gandaki province.

The weather, according to the Department, will be partly cloudy in the hilly region and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon.

Likewise, the hilly areas of the far-western province will be partly cloudy while remaining parts of the country will have mainly fair weather.

Fog is likely to occur at many places in the Terai and Kathmandu Valley on Thursday morning, the Department has urged all concerned to remain alert as it may affect daily life, health, transport and aviation.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to all on the occasion of the New Year 2025 today.

Taking to social media, he posted an image of the rising sun and said, "May a beautiful dawn arise in everyone's life! Happy New Year 2025!". 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 33. 08 points to close at 2, 576.50 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 28 points to close at 444. 71 points.

A total of 13,174,379-unit shares of 308 companies were traded for Rs 5. 67 billion.

Meanwhile, Nadep Laghubittiya bittya Sanstha Ltd. (NADEP) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 4. 01 percent.
Likewise, Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (SMB), Janaki Finance Company Limited (JFL) and Pokhara Finance Ltd. (PFL) were the top loser as their price fell by10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 27 trillion.