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All services of the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), including utility payment, are set to be suspended for three days due to the merger of the servers. 

The merging of the Kshetrapati and Tripureshwor branches, along with necessary software integration work for the Maharajgunj and Kamaladi branches, will affect the system leading to the service closure. 

According to KUKL's Chief Executive Director Ashok Kumar Paudel, services will be shut from December 12 to 14.

He stated, “Due to the software merger, online payment services, revenue collection counters, new connection services, and all other services at Kshetrapati, Tripureshwor, Maharajgunj, and Kamaladi will be closed for three days.” 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 5. 03 points to close at 2, 609. 03 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 86 points to close at 446. 18 points.

A total of 8,647,948-unit shares of 329 companies were traded for Rs 3. 73 billion.

Meanwhile, Swastik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SWASTIK) and Muktinath Krishi Company Limited (MKCL) were the top gainers today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Jhapa Energy Limited (JHAPA) was the top loser as its price fell by 9. 30 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 47 trillion.

The Nepali Embassy, in coordination with relevant Thai authorities, deported 47 Nepalis involved in online dating scams, casino and gaming fraud, cryptocurrency crimes, and other online scams in Myanmar. They were flown back to Nepal on Wednesday via Nepal Airlines flight RA402.

The deported individuals come from 26 different districts, comprising 45 men and two women.

One person each came from Chitwan, Dailekh, Kaski, Kathmandu, Kavre, Palpa, Ramechhap, Rautahat, Salyan, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Taplejung, and Tehrathum districts, two each from Dang, Mahottari, Morang, Nawalparasi, Nuwakot, Syangja and Tanahun districts, and three each from Dhading, Gorkha, Rupandehi, Sindhupalchowk and Udayapur districts and five from Jhapa.

According to them, they reached Myanmar through various people, including friends and online friends, friends who play online games such as PUBG, and advertisements on social media.

Their age group includes one 17-year-old, 26 people between the ages of 20 and 25, 10 people between the ages of 26 and 30, eight people between the ages of 31 and 35, one 40-year-old, and one 41-year-old.

Most of them have completed their 10+2 education and have studied information technology. They have been involved with scamming centers for periods ranging from two to 18 months.

A two-day Regional Workshop on “Assessing Impact of Transboundary Animal Diseases in South Asia,” followed by the SAARC CVOs Forum Meeting, was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

The event jointly organized by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka and the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), Sri Lanka, aimed to strengthen regional coordination and assess the growing threat of transboundary animal diseases (TADs), which continue to affect livestock productivity, food security and rural livelihoods in South Asia.

The event brought together leading policymakers, scientists, veterinary experts and development partners from the SAARC Member States (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), WOAH Asia and Pacific, FAO RAP, ACAPSI and Regional and International Organizations.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, D.P. Wickremasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation called for stronger investment in technology, laboratory capacity and early-warning systems. He emphasized that safeguarding animal health is key to ensuring food safety, supporting rural economies and enhancing regional trade.

Guest of Honour Dr. Palika Fernando, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation, highlighted Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to strengthen veterinary services and disease surveillance. She noted that regional workshops such as this provide vital opportunities for countries to learn from each other’s experiences and align their strategies.

Representing the SAARC Secretariat, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF), SAARC Secretariat, Nepal, underscored the importance of integrating regional frameworks with national disease-control programs. He noted that the SAARC Secretariat will continue to support cross-border collaboration, capacity-building and harmonized reporting systems.

Md. Harunur Rashid, Director, SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), in his special remarks, reiterated SAC’s commitment to promoting evidence-based policymaking and fostering collaboration among SAARC Member States.

He stressed that South Asia, with one of the world’s largest livestock populations, must adopt a unified strategy to mitigate disease risks. “No single country can tackle TADs alone. Only through shared knowledge and joint action can we build resilient livestock systems,” he said.

The session concluded with remarks by the Chairperson, Dr. K.K. Sarath, Chief Veterinary Officer and Director General of DAPH, who stressed the need for sustained regional commitment.

The program began with an overview presentation by Dr. Md. Younus Ali, Senior Program Specialist (Livestock), SAC, who highlighted the economic and social consequences emphasized that regional disease surveillance, joint research and rapid response mechanisms are essential to safeguard livestock-dependent communities.