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National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal and Swiss National Council's President Eric Nussbaumer held a bilateral meeting in Geneva, Switzerland today.

The meeting took place during NA Chairperson Dahal's participation in the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland.

During the meeting, they discussed further enhancing bilateral and economic relations between the two countries as well as addressing the international issues and bolstering multilateral cooperation, according to Federal Parliament's Secretariat.

On the occasion, Dahal expressed gratitude on the behalf of Nepali people towards the Swiss government for its important support in Nepal's peace process and conflict management.

Mentioning the common viewpoint that both countries had been upholding in various international multilateral forums such as the United Nations and IPU, he articulated Nepal's readiness for further strengthening the mutual interests and friendly ties between Nepal and Switzerland in bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, the Secretariat said.

Noting Switzerland's exemplary practice of democracy and federalism, he said that Nepal seeks to learn from these practices and further strengthen democracy and democratic institutions.

He highlighted the commitment of government of Nepal towards principle of inclusiveness to ensure participation of marginalized communities in the State apparatus and appraised of the provision of at least 33 per cent participation of women in the federal parliament and province assembly and at least 41 per cent in local levels.

Reaffirming Nepal's commitment towards completing the remaining works of peace process, he said that Nepal was moving towards the goal of sustainable peace, stability and development. "We expect the Swiss government's significant support to conclude the peace process in Nepal," he appealed.

Dahal also informed that the Federal Parliament had formed Nepal-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendly Group, opening the door for the parliaments of the both countries to exchange their experiences, knowledge and support.

Acknowledging Switzerland as one of the important development partners of Nepal, he expressed his gratitude to the government of Switzerland and Swiss citizens for their continuous development assistance.

Likewise, Swiss National Council's President Nussbaumer discussed the strong ties sharing Nepal and Switzerland and expressed his happiness to hold a meeting with his Nepali counterpart, the Secretariat said. Congratulating Nepal for introducing a legislation aimed at transitional justice, President Nussbaumer expressed Switzerland's readiness to assist in its implementation.

He also lauded Nepal for adopting federal governance system through the provision in new constitution, and pledged Swiss government's support in implementation of federalism.

In recognition to the potential of tourism in Nepal, Nussbaumer vowed utmost assistance from the Swiss government in tourism promotion of Nepal. 

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, they discussed traditional relations between the two countries, mutual welfare and exchange of cooperation.

Possible support from Japanese government for reconstruction of BP highway damaged by recent landslide and flood also featured in the meeting.

Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport, Keshav Kumar Sharma, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, among others were present on the occasion.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 43. 22 points to close at 2, 842. 88 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 7. 68 points to close at 493. 98 points.

A total of 13,224,322-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 5. 66 billion.

Meanwhile, Vijaya laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (VLBS) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 79. 90 percent.

Likewise, Upper Syange Hydropower Limited (USHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 54 trillion.

The law enforcement body and the air service providers have launched initiative to collect bodies of the five Russian climbers, who died during an expedition to Dhaulagiri peak.

The bodies of the Russian climbers were found at an altitude of 7,100 metres.

Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Myagdi, Bharat Shrestha, said a five-member team of Sherpa reached the Dhaulagiri peak in a chopper of Air Altitude and started collecting the lifeless bodies.

The five-member team under the leadership of proprietor of Seven Summit Trek, Mingma Sherpa, has been deputed to retrieve the bodies.

The rescue team brought one body at Italy Basecamp from the incident site till 11:00 am and preparation was underway to bring others at the Basecamp, he added.

The climbers had spent a night at the base camp before their ascent. However, they lost contact with authorities at 11:00 am on October 7 They were confirmed dead on October 9.

Collection of the lifeless bodies was delayed due to adverse weather and hostile territory.

The expedition was organized by IAM Trekking & Expedition for a total of 14 climbers, but seven decided to cancel their trip midway.

However, two climbers were successful to reach atop the peak. Earlier, a helicopter had reached the peak to bring the bodies, but returned empty hand. Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest peak in the world.

It is located at Dhaulagiri Municipality-14.

According to the Department of Tourism, only 14 climbers had received permits for the autumn ascent.

 With over 380,000 foreign students, Germany ranks  fourth worldwide among the most popular study destinations.  According to the study carried out by Fintiba, for the first time since 2024, the Indian make up the largest share within this group, replacing the Chinese as the most prominent population group. And the  numbers of Nepali students in German universities are increasing over the past few years. 

A survey conducted by Fintiba, the leading finance and insurance platform for international students and job seekers, reveals that Germany is primarily valued for its career opportunities and openness. Moreover, the German universities can set themselves apart from other top nations for international students (USA, United Kingdom, Australia) with a unique selling point. 

Overall, 71 percent of the surveyed international students indicate that they want to work in Germany, thus seeing their studies in Germany as a springboard for their professional careers. As the most important factor for their career plans, 73 percent of all participatns in the Fintiba survey cite the good career opportunities in the German job market compared to their places of origin. Jonas Marggat, CEO of Fintiba says: Foreign students are generally in a very comfortable situation in the Germany. The high quality standards and almost no tuition fees combined with the subsequent great career opportunities are almost unique world-wide. 

Nevertheless, the remaining challenges, especially the language barrier, must to taken very seriously. Therefore, we at Fintiba ensure that actual complications such as bank accounts and insurances are provided quickly and securely for the students so that they have enough time for the state and university-organized integration courses, he said. Administrative hurdles represent another obstacle for around 20 percent of international students. According to the study, 22 percent of students reported difficulties with immigration authorities, while 17 percent had problems adapting to new academic structures. 

Not only the students, the migrant workers from South Asian countries to Germany is increasing over the past few years. According to Federal Statistical Office, 10565 Nepalese are living in Germany for the study and works.  Similarly, around 2000 temporary residence permit has been granted to Nepali students for the educational purposes. More than 8,000 Nepali are studying in the various universities and every year number is increasing. Over the past decade, Germany is increasing the scholarships quotas for the Nepali students. 

The idol of Taleju Bhawani in Hanuman Dhoka was reinstated in the temple on Saturday with established rituals.

Earlier, on Asoj Shukla Saptami, the seventh day of the waxing moon in the month of Asoj as per the lunar calendar, the idol was brought to the main chowk of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square through tantric rituals to be shown to the Living Goddess Kumari.

Kumari paid homage to the Taleju Bhawani at an auspicious hour of 10:00 pm on Friday.

According to Gautam Shakya, the manager of Kumari Ghar (the House of the Living Goddess), the idol was restored to the temple on Saturday, the day of Bijaya Dashami, the 10th day of Dashain.

The reinstatement of the idol marks the beginning of the Tika ceremony, he said. 

There has been a general impact of the Westerly wind along with the local wind in Lumbini, Sudurpaschim, and Karnali provinces, while a partial impact has been observed in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagamati and Gandaki provinces.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the combined effect of the Westerly and local winds is expected to bring rain today.

In its weather bulletin, the Division has predicted partially to generally cloudy in Koshi, Bagamati, and Gandaki provinces with chances of light to moderate rainfall in hilly regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.

Today, light rainfall with lightning has been expected in one/two parts of Koshi, Bagamati, and Gandaki provinces.

Tonight, one/two parts of the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces are likely to witness light rainfall.

On October 14, partial and generally cloudy conditions are expected in hilly parts of the Koshi, Bagamati, and Gandaki provinces while light rainfall is likely in hilly regions of the Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

In two days of the Dashain festival, a total of 63,242 people traveled via Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

The travel flights were recorded for both domestic and international services on the Phulpati (the seventh day) and the Maha Astami/Mahanawami( the eighth/ninth day) of the Dashain festival.

The Maha Astami and Maha Nawami were observed on the same date this time. According to TIA Spokesperson Rinji Sherpa, on October 11, the number of domestic passengers for 301 flights was 17,329, while 14,436 passengers traveled by 278 domestic flights on October 12, totaling 31,765 towards domestic services.

Similarly, towards international flights, the number of passengers on October 12 for 107 flights (both arrival and take-off) was 16,509 followed by 14,968 on 107 flights the following day, totaling 31,477.

Earlier, on September 30, the TIA recorded 559 flights in a single day towards both domestic and international categories and the number of passengers was 35,704.

The occurrence of significant flooding and landslides due to incessant rains on September 27-28 caused subsequently high demand for flights.

TIA dealt with the significant rise in the number of passengers from September 29 to October 2 in the aftermath of the disasters.

Its terminal building was overcrowded. The TIA said now the flight schedule has returned to normal.