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India’s heaviest launch vehicle LVM-3, in its third commercial mission, placed US communication satellite Bluebird Block-2 in a precise orbit early Wednesday morning. Weighing around 6,100 kg, it was the heaviest satellite launched by an Indian rocket, The Indian Express reported. 

“This (the LVM3-M6 mission) was the ninth consecutive successful launch for LVM-3, demonstrating a 100% reliability… The satellite was placed with less than 2-km deviation from the planned orbit, which is one of the best performances among launch vehicles in the global arena… This gives us great confidence for the Gaganyaan mission,” said ISROchairperson V Narayanan after the successful launch.

A modified version of the same launch vehicle — a human-rated version with more safety — will carry Indian astronauts to space, according to The Indian Express. 

Private airline companies have suspended flights on the Pokhara–Jomsom route for a couple of months due to a sharp decline in the number of tourists visiting Mustang during the winter season.

Summit Airlines and Tara Air decided to halt services citing adverse weather conditions, the risk of snowfall, and a drop in tourist arrivals during the off-season, according to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Jomsom Office Chief Deepak Pokharel. 

Both airlines normally operate regular flights on the route.

However, chartered and emergency helicopter services are continuing.

Tara Airlines’ Mustang station in-charge, Suchan Lalchan, said that Pokhara–Jomsom flights have been suspended from December 4 to March 4. 

Summit Airlines stated that its services have remained closed for the past two months.

Strong winter winds in Mustang significantly affect flight operations. 

In addition, improved travel convenience along the Beni–Jomsom–Korala roadway has led to a further decline in air passengers.

US actor Pat Finn, who appeared in popular TV shows including Friends, Seinfeld and The Middle, has died aged 60, BBC reported. 

The comedy and improvisation performer died at home in Los Angeles on Monday having undergone treatment for cancer since 2022, US media reported. 

"Pat never met a stranger - only friends he didn't know yet," his family said in a statement posted on social media, according to BBC. 

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 267, 500 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 268, 100 per tola on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 4, 400 per tola.