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Saturday, 24 January 2026

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Photo: RSS

Devotees throng Saraswati temples on Shree Panchami

Devotees across the country thronged Saraswati temples on Thursday to mark Shree Panchami, also known as Basanta Panchami, worshipping Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom and the arts.

FILE - Croatia's Jana Fett stretches to return to Poland's Iga Swiatek in a first round women's singles match on day two of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)

Croatian tennis player Jana Fett suspended under anti-doping program

The 29-year-old Fett, who is ranked No. 189 in the world, provided a testing sample while competing in the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs in Croatia in November.

Photo courtesy: NAST

Multi-stakeholder interaction highlights urgent need to protect Nepal's biodiversity amid climate change and pollution

Discussions focused on identifying nature-based solutions and policy-driven interventions at national, provincial, and local levels.

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British Council's Cultural Protection Fund marks 10 yea

The British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund has marked its tenth year of operation, continuing efforts to safeguard cultural heritage at risk from conflict and climate change in Nepal and other countries.

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inDrive conducts road safety training for driver partners

Global ride-hailing platform inDrive has organised a road safety training session titled “Safe Journey Begins With Your Choice” for its driver partners in Kathmandu.

Mahindra XEV 9e wins ICOTY 2026 Green Car Award

UNICEF, Finland showcase child-led photography on education in emergencies

5,966 disaster incidents recorded in nine months; 424 dead

Scuffle, arson reported at Sanothimi Child Correction Centre

Photo: MoFAGA

Two killed in Rautahat motorcycle collision

Two people were killed after two motorcycles collided head-on near a school in Rajdevi Municipality of Rautahat district on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy: NAST

NAST's IAC empowers marginalized youth with advanced digital skills to promote self-employment in Nawalpur

With the objective of enhancing digital literacy and reducing Nepal’s digital divide, IAC under the NAST recently conducted a three-day digital skills training program for Tharu youth in Nawalpur.

Photo courtesy: CAN/Facebook

Nepal narrowly lose to Netherlands; Bangladesh secures super six spot

The Netherlands now have six points from three matches, while Nepal’s chances of progressing to the Super Six have weakened following their opening loss to Thailand.

Kathmandu

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NC President Gagan Thapa. Photo: RSS

NC President Gagan Thapa assumes office today

Newly elected Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa is assuming office today following the party’s second special general convention.

Photo courtesy: NAST

NAST's IAC empowers marginalized youth with advanced digital skills to promote self-employment in Nawalpur

With the objective of enhancing digital literacy and reducing Nepal’s digital divide, IAC under the NAST recently conducted a three-day digital skills training program for Tharu youth in Nawalpur.

File Photo - Department of Immigration, Kathmandu.

90 Nepalis deported from US arrive on chartered flight

The Nepal Police Bureau of Anti-Human Trafficking is conducting investigations into the cases.

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Five veterans receive Skill Hero Award at Skill Week 2026

Five individuals from diverse professional fields were honoured with the Skill Hero Award 2026 at the closing ceremony of Skill Week 2026, organised by Glocal After School, in Lalitpur on Monday.

The petition challenged the Election Commission’s recognition of Gagan Thapa as NC President following the party’s special general convention.

SC rejects interim order in Nepali Congress leadership dispute

The Supreme Court has rejected the interim order sought in a writ petition concerning the leadership dispute within the Nepali Congress (NC).

Nepal

Photo: MoFAGA

Two killed in Rautahat motorcycle collision

Two people were killed after two motorcycles collided head-on near a school in Rajdevi Municipality of Rautahat district on Friday morning.

Photo: RSS

EC investigates complaints against HoR nominations as polls near

With 42 days remaining for the House of Representatives (HoR) elections, the Election Commission (EC) is investigating complaints filed against a handful of candidate nominations before publishing the provisional list of candidates.

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Indian Army sets Everest record with largest single-day summit push

The Indian Army’s Army Adventure Wing (AAW) has set a world record by achieving the largest single-day summit of Mount Everest by one organization, with 49 climbers and Sherpa guides reaching the top on May 27 during the Spring 2025 climbing season.

Photo: RSS

Few constituencies are epicentres of HoR polls

As the election nomination has been completed, the election fever has started to grip the 165 constituencies across the country.

Photo: Press Council Nepal

Press Council registers 163 complaints, tightens media monitoring ahead of elections

Press Council Nepal has intensified monitoring of media content, including social media platforms, ahead of the upcoming National Assembly and House of Representatives elections, registering 163 complaints by mid-Poush of the current fiscal year 2082/83.

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World

File: An Aurora Borealis is seen in the sky above Nuuk, Greenland. Photo: AP

Denmark says its sovereignty is not negotiable after Trump's Greenland about-turn

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said security in the Arctic is a matter for all of NATO, and it is “good and natural” that it be discussed between the U.S. president and Rutte.

CORRECTS DATE In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, recruits perform drills at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

Ukraine endures a bitter winter after Russian attacks as peace efforts overshadowed

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 75 Ukrainian drones over several regions.

FILE - This image realeased by the U.S. Navy shows an aerial view of Diego Garcia. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)

What to know about the Chagos Islands as Trump slams the UK's sovereignty deal

Trump now appears to agree that it is a bad deal and links it to his desire to acquire Greenland.

File: President Donald Trump speaks during an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. Photo: AP

Republicans and Democrats are trying to contain Trump's Greenland aggression. Will it be enough?

Trump said on social media that because of modern weapons systems “the need to ACQUIRE is especially important.”

Passengers wait in the hall of Madrid train station on Sunday, January 18, 2026, following the announcement of the suspension of service due to an accident in which two trains derailed in Cordoba. Photo: Carlos Luján/Europa Press via AP

High-speed trains collide after one derails in southern Spain, killing at least 21

A high-speed train derailed, jumped onto the track in the opposite direction and slammed into an oncoming train Sunday in southern Spain, killing at least people 21 and injuring dozens more, the country's transport minister said.

Opinion

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From hydropower to a high-value economy: Think of absorbing power within the domestic economy

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Nepal is often described as hydropower-rich but economy-poor. That description no longer reflects current realities. Nepal is not short of natural resources, generation potential, or even electricity capacity.

Photo Courtesy: Nepali Congress/Facebook

SGN-triggered political scenario: Renaissance of the NC and democracy in Nepal

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The Guru Raj Ghimire-initiated and Gagan Thapa-Biswa Prakash Sharma-supported Special General Convention (SGN) has incredibly transformed the image of the Nepali Congress (NC) in the same manner as a rather ugly looking caterpillar turns into a stunningly beautiful butterfly.

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Gagan-Biswa's historic revolt: A testament for contemporary politics

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The first Special Convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) was held in May 1957 following the resignation of then President Subarna Shumsher Rana.

Business

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55 SuryaJyoti agents qualify for MDRT 2026; two earn Court of the Table status

As many as 55 agents from SuryaJyoti Life Insurance have qualified for membership of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) 2026 after meeting the prescribed annual business targets based on their 2025 performance.

Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai PALISADE named 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

Hyundai Motor Company’s all-new PALISADE has been named the 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) jury.

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Litmus launches skill improvement programme for electricians in Kathmandu

Litmus Industries Limited has launched a Skill Improvement Programme (SIP) aimed at upgrading the technical skills and safety awareness of electricians, with the initial rollout taking place in Kathmandu.

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Ather 450 completes 6,000km cross-border ride from India to Nepal

The Ather 450 electric scooter has completed a cross-country journey of more than 6,000 kilometres between India and Nepal, underscoring its long-distance capability and operational reliability, according to the company.

Photo: Sandeep Sen

Gold price falls Rs 2,900 per tola after hitting record high

Gold price in the domestic market declined by Rs 2,900 per tola on Thursday, a day after reaching a historic high.

Photo Gallery

Women in traditional attire dance and sing during Sonam Lhosar celebrations, marking the Tamang New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Horse, in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Women in traditional attire dance and sing during Sonam Lhosar celebrations, marking the Tamang New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Horse, in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday, January 19, 2026.

In Picture: Sonam Lhosar

Men and women undergo physical training to be selected as temporary police personnel (Myadi Police) in preparation for the upcoming elections in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Men and women undergo physical training to be selected as temporary police personnel (Myadi Police) in preparation for the upcoming elections in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday, January 19, 2026.

In Pictures: Myadi Police

Former Mayor Balen Shah (left) and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichhane (right) gesture after ringing the party bell following Balen’s resignation as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City at the Rastriya Swatantra Party central office in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Balen Shah stepped down from his post to contest the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 and has been appointed a senior leader of the RSP, which has officially projected him as its prime ministerial candidate.

Former Mayor Balen Shah (left) and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichhane (right) gesture after ringing the party bell following Balen’s resignation as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City at the Rastriya Swatantra Party central office in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Balen Shah stepped down from his post to contest the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 and has been appointed a senior leader of the RSP, which has officially projected him as its prime ministerial candidate.

In Pictures: Balen and Rabi Lamichhane at RSP Central Office

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt steps out of Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival for the inauguration ceremony of a casino in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Photo/Skanda Gautam

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt steps out of Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival for the inauguration ceremony of a casino in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Photo/Skanda Gautam

In Pictures: Sanjay Dutt in Nepal

Canadian American actress Sunny Leone walks towards a vehicle upon her arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport for the engagement of a casino in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Photo/Skanda Gautam

In Picture: Sunny Leone in Nepal

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In Pictures: Tamu Lhosar celebrations at Tundikhel

Sports

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Nepal narrowly lose to Netherlands; Bangladesh secures super six spot

The Netherlands now have six points from three matches, while Nepal’s chances of progressing to the Super Six have weakened following their opening loss to Thailand.

Photo courtesy: CAN/Facebook

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford, top, attempts a shot at goal in front of Slavia's Stepan Chaloupek during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Slavia Prague and Barcelona in Prague, Czech Republic. Photo: AP

Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea make Champions League charge, Bayern advances and Barcelona wins

Premier League teams are powering ahead in the Champions League with five of England's top flight clubs in position to advance to the round of 16.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand return to Francesco Maestrelli of Italy during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: AP

Djokovic one away from 400 Grand Slam match wins; Wawrinka makes history

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka made it a day for the ages at the Australian Open.

Villareal's goalkeeper Arnau Tenas saves the ball from Ajax's Owen Wijndal, left, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Villarreal and Ajax in Villarreal, Spain. Photo: AP

Man City stunned by tiny Bodø/Glimt in huge Champions League upset and Arsenal into round of 16

Arsenal is now on its longest-ever winning streak in the Champions League and is guaranteed a top-two finish.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: AP

Record crowds witness Sabalenka, Alcaraz, Gauff and Zverev advance at Australian Open

Alcaraz, 22, is trying to win his first title at Melbourne Park to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

Photo: NOC/facebook

Nepal Olympic Committee bids farewell to WMAC Nepal Director ahead of Austria Convention

The Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) on Wednesday bade farewell to Sowyamvu Raj Dangol, National Director of the World Martial Arts Committee (WMAC) Nepal, as he prepares to represent the country at the WMAC World Convention and International Referee Seminar 2026 in Austria.

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Entertainment

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FILE - Taylor Swift appears at the MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, N.Y., on Sept. 11, 2024. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, members of Kiss and more get into Songwriters Hall of Fame

The 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held June 11 in New York City.

FILE - Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Green Day to open 60th Super Bowl with anniversary ceremony celebrating generations of MVPs

LOS ANGELES, JANUARY 18The NFL is marking the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl with a hometown opening act.Green Day will kick off the big game with an opening ceremony Feb. 8 at Levi's Stadium...

FILE - Korean group BTS appears at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The new BTS album title and what to know about the K-pop band's comeback

NEW YORK, JANUARY 15After a nearly four-year musical hiatus, the K-pop giants BTS are back. Well, almost.On Thursday morning, the entertainment company BigHit Music shared on social media that the...

Amy Poehler poses in the press room with the award for best podcast for "Good Hang with Amy Poehler during the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Photo: AP

Complete list of 2026 Golden Globe Award winners

BEVERLY HILLS, JANUARY 12The revolutionary saga "One Battle After Another" won best picture, musical or comedy at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards."Hamnet" won best picture, drama at the ceremony Sunday...

Singer and actor Prashant Tamang. Courtesy: Prashant/Facebook

Singer and actor Prashant Tamang dies at 42

KATHMANDU, JANUARY 11Singer and actor Prashant Tamang passed away from cardiac arrest on Sunday morning at the age of 42.News of Tamang's sudden demise sent shockwaves through Nepali-speaking...

This combination of photos shows Sabrina Carpenter, left, Taylor Swift, center, and Bad Bunny. Photo: AP

Taylor Swift leads the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations, followed by Bad Bunny and more

NEW YORK, JANUARY 8Pledge allegiance to her hands, her team, her vibes: Taylor Swift once again leads the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award nominees with nine. She's followed by Bad Bunny, Sabrina...

Lifestyle

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Toastmasters Leadership Institute 2026: Building stronger clubs-and stronger organizations-through leadership and membership excellence

The Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI), organized by Division A and Division B of Toastmasters District 41, was successfully conducted on January 17, 2026, at Sanskriti International School, Kathmandu.

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My Peace Corps experience

Being born in Nepal and moving to the United States at the age of five, my parents never allowed me to forget our culture, heritage, or motherland.

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Malisa Acharya wins 'Face of SY 2082 (Brand Ambassador Hunt)'

Malisa Acharya has won the ‘Face of SY 2082 (Brand Ambassador Hunt)’, a competition organised by SY Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

Photo: RSS

Guinness record holder Sunar receives Honorary Doctorate in sports science

Dinesh Sunar, who has set 21 Guinness World Records in various sports, has been conferred with Honorary Doctorate in sports science by an American University.

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'Saigrace - The Storyteller' book review: A living document of human experience

Saigrace Pokharel is a master storyteller who, in recent years, has managed to win the hearts of listeners of any age, be it young or old.

Science and Tech

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Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, left, NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui are seen inside the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship SHANNON shortly after having landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Long Beach, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (NASA via AP)

Astronauts say space station's ultrasound machine was critical during medical crisis

The astronauts evacuated last week from the International Space Station say a portable ultrasound machine came in “super handy” during the medical crisis.

FILE - Astronaut Suni Williams is interviewed at Johnson Space Center on March 31, 2025, in Houston. Photo: AP

NASA astronaut who was stuck at the space station for months retires within a year of returning

NASA’s Suni Williams — one of two astronauts stuck for months at the International Space Station — has retired.

File: A view of NAST office in Khumaltar, Lalitpur. Photo: THT

Nepal's NAST ranks 3rd in digital innovation among 45 nations

The competition featured programs from 60 information access centers across 45 countries, with 30 videos submitted from various nations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, and Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells speak to the media during a visit to St John Paul II College in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 11, 2025. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP

Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia banned them for children

Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia since the country banned use of the platforms by those under 16, officials said.

This photo provided by NASA shows clockwise from bottom left are, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui gathering for a crew portrait wearing their Dragon pressure suits during a suit verification check inside the International Space Station’s Kibo laboratory module, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (NASA via AP)

NASA sends 4 astronauts back to Earth in first medical evacuation

An astronaut in need of doctors' care departed the International Space Station with three crewmates on Wednesday in NASA's first medical evacuation.

Mixed Bag

Health

Health Minister Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam launching the Community-Based Disease Surveillance System.

Nepal launches community disease surveillance system to catch outbreaks early

When unusual illnesses strike a village, it's often teachers who notice students falling sick in clusters. When livestock die unexpectedly, community health volunteers hear about it first.

Nepal

Nepali Mountain guides Riten Tashi Sherpa and Ashish Gurung receiving South Korea’s prestigious Golden Ice Axe from South Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Tae-Young on December 27 in Kathmandu. Photo Courtesy: Nepal Mountaineering Association

Nepali guides receive Korea's Golden Ice Axe for Mera Peak recovery

Two Nepali mountain guides have been awarded South Korea’s prestigious Golden Ice Axe for their role in a high-risk body recovery operation on Mera Peak last October, marking the first time Nepali climbers have received the country’s highest mountaineering honour.

Environment

File - Sacks of garbage collected from Mount Everest are seen in Namche Bajar, Solukhumbu district, on May 27, 2019. Photo: AP

As melting glaciers reveal decades of trash, Nepal moves to clean up the Himalayas

High above the clouds, where prayer flags snap in thin air, and climbers chase lifelong dreams, another, quieter legacy has been building for decades: discarded oxygen cylinders, torn tents, frozen human waste, and even the remains of those who never made it back.

Business

Hyatt Place Butwal

Hyatt Place Butwal opens as Nepal's newest international-brand hotel

Hyatt Place Butwal has officially opened its doors in Rupandehi, marking the expansion of the Hyatt brand in Nepal with its third property in the country after Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Business

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Robust remittances, soaring exports buoy economy as inflation cools

Nepal’s economy displayed a strong external performance coupled with subdued domestic inflation in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the latest macroeconomic report released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Sunday.

Nepal

Tourists in Annapurna Base camp area. Photo: RSS

Tourist arrivals near pre-pandemic levels; Nepal records 128,443 visitors in October

Nepal’s tourism industry continues its strong rebound, with 128,443 international visitors arriving in October 2025, marking a 3.3 percent increase compared to the same month last year and a 96 percent recovery compared to pre-pandemic figures from October 2019, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

Nepal

File Photo - Manaslu. Photo: 8K Expeditions

Autumn climbing season sees 1,450 climbers on Nepal's peaks, royalty tops USD 1.8 million

Nepal’s mountains have seen steady climbing activity this autumn, with 1,450 climbers across 175 teams receiving permits, according to a Department of Tourism report under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Kathmandu

The framed photo of 38-year-old Sauran Kishor Shrestha rests in the trembling hands of his wife, Rojita Shrestha, at their home in Dhungedhara, Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday, October 6, 2025. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

He went out for change and never returned: Remembering a father, a dreamer, a martyr

The framed photo of 38-year-old Sauran Kishor Shrestha rests in the trembling hands of his wife, Rojita Shrestha, at their home in Dhungedhara, Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday, October 6, 2025.

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