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At least 26 people were injured by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked the northern Philippines, forcing the closure of an international airport, sending panicked residents into the streets and causing substantial damage to a hospital, Aljazeera reported. The earthquake, which struck at about 10:59pm on Tuesday (14:59 GMT) near the upland town of Dolores, was felt as far away as the capital Manila, more than 330km (205 miles) to the south. Police and civil aviation officials said that at least 26 people were injured in Ilocos Norte, the home province of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, where the international airport in the capital city of Laoag was ordered to close temporarily on Wednesday due to damage from the earthquake.

The rising market inflation has hit hard the consumers in the mountainous districts of Karnali Province. Price of essential commodities of daily use has skyrocketed after the roads in the district had been disrupted by floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains during the first week of this month. Traffic on the Karnali Highway resumed last Tuesday, 20 days after being disrupted. Although the highway has been opened for traffic, not all vehicles can travel easily due to the poor and risky condition of the road at several places along the highway. As a result, the supply of essential consumer goods has still not become smooth. The traders have retained the price of commodities which they had arbitrarily increased citing the disruption of the highway. The consumers have been hit hard by the exorbitant price hike. Wheat flour which cost Rs 70 per kg before the disruption of the highway now costs Rs 160 per kg and it is in short supply. "The market price of essential commodities has shot up beyond the reach of the ordinary consumers. The price of cooking gas has reached Rs 3,000 per cylinder while that of cooking oil has hit Rs. 160 per liter packet," rued Samjhana Mahat of Chandannath Municipality-7, Jumla. She said on top of the high inflation, there is shortage of commodities in the market. According to her, the price of essentials has increased by almost three-folds. The marigold flower garland which cost Rs 50 before has now reached Rs. 150 per unit. Mutton price which was Rs. 1000 per kilo has reached Rs 1,300 per kilo and one cannot get chicken in the market. Jaya Shankar Dhital, a consumer, charged the traders of creating an artificial shortage in the market to increase the price in the pretext of highway disruption. Similarly, the local transport operators have increased the transport fare by 20 to 25 percent citing shortage of fuel. The price of vegetables has also shot up two times. The consumers in Humla, Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla and Kalikot districts of the Karnali province have been adversely affected by the high inflation.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has said that the diversity of faith and cultures have made the national unity stronger. The Vice President made this observation in a message of best wishes he gave on the occasion of Tihar Festival-2079BS and the Nepal Sambat New Year 1143. He wished that the various festivals provide the energy to forge unity ahead for building a prosperous Nepal. Stating that a secular nation Nepal which is full of multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and geographical diversity is very rich in terms of culture and customs as well, Vice President Pun expressed the belief that the festival of Tihar and Nepal's unique calendar, the Nepal Sambat, contribute towards further consolidating the national unity by enhancing mutual goodwill, tolerance, brotherhood and unity among the Nepalis. He has also expressed best wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity, good health and continued progress to all Nepali sisters and brothers within the country and abroad, as well as for the nation's prosperity on these occasions.  

Hyatt Place Kathmandu is conducting a week-long food festival from 29th Oct to 5th Nov, to celebrate the food heritage & ethnic cuisines of Nepal in collaboration with Raithane - a food enterprise that champions traditional ingredients and dishes.  

Nepal is a diverse country with a varied culture, language, and biodiversity. From the deep valleys to the high Himalayas and lush evergreen forests of Terai to the mountain grasslands, geography and culture have shaped and defined food preferences of hundreds of ethnic groups which have evolved with time and way of life of the people. But, unfortunately, due to several reasons, these ethnic cuisines are being forgotten or lost.  

Modernization is important, equally important is to preserve the tradition and culture we inherited, cuisine being the impartial part of it.

Underlining the same belief, “Lost Cuisines of Nepal” is an initiation by Hyatt Place Kathmandu to accent these traditional dishes which is not just going to be a culinary experience but also will take you through the journey of lifestyle of the Nepalese people reflected through the dishes. 

For instance, in Phalgi, the sweetness of young green maize is preserved by crushing it and drying for use in winter stews.

In Taruwa, seasonal greens are dipped in fresh batter and fried to provide a crispy bite to everyday meals.

In Yanben faksa, wild edible lichen is elaborately processed and paired with pork offal. 

Thekuwa, an ancient delicacy, prepared for matrimonial rituals at Terai regions. These are a few mentions from a menu. This food fest, set in a traditional interior of Zing-World of Flavours, will feature even more ancient delicacies from nooks & corners of the country. 

This first-ever traditional food fest will be inaugurated by Pawan Golyan who has been consistently promoting Nepal made products with one of his many ventures, Mato.