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First Lady Melania Trump has denied connections to Jeffrey Epstein, telling reporters at the White House that any claims linking the two "need to end today". 

In a surprise announcement on Thursday, the first lady called for congressional hearings for survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking, BBC reported. 

She also denied online rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump, calling them "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation". 

President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to address the joint session of both Houses of the Federal Parliament today. 

President Paudel, on recommendation of the Council of Ministers, will address the joint sitting of both Houses of the Federal Parliament at 3 pm in accordance with Article 95 of the Constitution, the Office of the President informed. 

Members of both Houses have been called to be present for the purpose. 

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has again increased the prices of petroleum products. 

The state-owned corporation has hiked the petro prices citing fluctuations in crude oil prices in the international market. 

The NOC has increased the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas, effective from Thursday midnight. 

The NOC board of directors has raised petrol price by Rs 17 per liter and diesel and kerosene by Rs 25 per liter each. 

Likewise, the price of cooking LPG has been increased by Rs 100 per cylinder. 

According to the corporation, domestic aviation fuel has been upped by Rs 6 per liter. 

With the revised rates in place, petrol now has reached Rs 219 per liter in the Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, diesel and kerosene are priced at Rs 207 per liter. 

The price of a cooking LPG cylinder has reached Rs 2,010. 

Likewise, domestic aviation fuel has been fixed at Rs 257 per liter. 

The government claims that despite offering 50 percent exemption on customs duties and infrastructure development taxes, the losses did not reduce, necessitating the price hike. 

The NOC claims it will fortnightly incur a loss of approximately Rs 7.81 billion despite today's price increase. 

Biska, the cultural and historical festival, which is exclusively observed in Bhaktapur, formally began today. 

Devotees have flocked to Taumadhi to pay homage to the deity Bhairav since the morning marking the commencement of the festival. 

After the worship to Bhairav concludes, the chariot procession of the Bhairav will begin, it is said. 

The Biska festival commenced with the towing of the Chariot of Bhairav after performing all the associated customary rituals.

 The idols of Bhairav and Betal are installed in the chariot along with the sword and flag brought from Hanumandhoka in Kathmandu.

The chariot is pulled in a procession from local Taumadhi to Gahiti.

The festival is observed in a grand way for eight nights and nine days with the celebrations of various rituals including the Sindur Jatra and the tongue-piercing ceremony.