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The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is being observed worldwide today. 

The United Nations General Assembly designated this day after adopting, on 2 December 1949, the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (Resolution 317(IV)). 

Each year, the day is marked to raise global awareness against slavery and human trafficking.

The purpose of this day is not only to recall historical forms of slavery but also to draw attention to today’s widespread “modern forms of slavery,” which include human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation, child labour, forced marriage and the recruitment of child soldiers.

It is estimated that around 50 million people across the globe are trapped in modern slavery, many of them subjected to forced labour or other forms of coercive exploitation. Women and children remain particularly vulnerable.

Perpetrators often exploit poverty, inequality, discrimination, displacement, and lack of protection to target vulnerable groups — including women, children, indigenous communities, minorities, and migrant workers.

In this context, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and various UN bodies have repeatedly emphasized the need for collective action to end modern slavery, ensure justice and rehabilitation for victims, and strengthen legal frameworks and awareness to prevent exploitation.

In Nepal too, various events are being held today, calling for stronger cooperation among the government, civil society and communities to combat all forms of slavery and human trafficking. As modern-day exploitation continues to affect many, the need for awareness, justice, social inclusion and human rights protection has become ever more urgent.

This day is not only a reminder but also an opportunity to commit to concrete action in support of those who remain the most vulnerable and exploited.

A German national was found dead in the Khopra area of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, Myagdi district on Monday afternoon. 

German national Weiser Astrid Elizabeth had gone missing since November 25 on her way to Kaski from Myagdi.  

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of District Police Office, Myagdi, Surya Bahadur Thapa confirmed that her body was found some 160 meters off the road in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, Myagdi.  

Local community members and tour guides had informed the police as they spotted the dead body today, according to the police.

Police stated that the dead body of the German national would be sent to Kathmandu for examination.

Weiser had stayed in Khopro area of Myagdi district before leaving for Dobato area in Kaski.

Police assumed that the German national would have fallen off the cliff.

An artifact of archaeological importance stolen from the Kumari Ghar (Home of the Living Goddess) in Kathmandu has been brought back from the United Kingdom. 

The Department of Archaeology, in coordination with heritage activists both at home and abroad, succeeded in retrieving the Toran, a decorative craft, from the UK.

The object, dating back to the Malla era, was stolen from the Kumari Ghar in 2057 BS. It is now restored to its original location.

According to Department officer Sarita Subedi, international law provisions the return of cultural heritage items that remain in foreign countries once the necessary legal procedures are completed. 

When information was received that an artifact of archaeological value stolen from Nepal has been located elsewhere, the process to reclaim it was initiated. 

Importantly, the respective country bearing the artifact covers the transportation cost. 

The Nepali communities abroad and heritage activists also help to facilitate its transportation back home.

World AIDS is being observed around the world, including Nepal today under the theme "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response". 

The theme this year calls for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and human-rights-centered approaches to end AIDS by 2030.

Various programs are also being organized in the country today, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Population, and the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC).

Meanwhile, in Chitwan, the number of sexually transmitted diseases among HIV-AIDS infected people in the district is on the rise. 

Among them, 35 were found to have sexually transmitted diseases. 

According to Dr Pramod Poudel, senior physician at Bharatpur Hospital, during the tests conducted on 1,040 people in the past 10 months, 35 were found carrying sexually transmitted diseases. 

Likewise, tuberculosis has been found in seven of the AIDS infected people. 

This was found in the tests of 93 people. 

Currently, there are 1,243 AIDS infected people in the district. 

Of these, 34 people are taking ART from Baghauda Hospital in Madi, while 1,209 people are taking it from the ART Center in Bharatpur.

Poudel informed that 66 new infections were found during tests conducted at various places in the district in the past 10 months. 

According to Krishnahari Sapkota, program coordinator of the AIDS Health Foundation at Bharatpur Hospital, 65 patients who were taking ART have been transferred while 28 have stopped taking the ART. He said that 13 of the infected people here have died. 

Sapkota said that the perspective of looking at AIDS patients has not changed yet. 

Even ambulance drivers hesitate in bringing the infected to the hospital for treatment.