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Tuesday, 18 March 2025

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File---Foreign Minister Dr Arju Deuba. Photo: RSS

Collective action key to tackling climate change: FM Deuba

The disaster inflicted severe damage on critical sectors, including drinking water, roads, energy, irrigation, and agricultural infrastructure.

Photo: RSS

Madhesh province will not participate in SEE, says CM Singh

CM Singh of Madhesh province has announced that the provincial government will not participate in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), set to begin on April 2.

File---People take part in a protest in Tel Aviv, demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Photo: AP

How many hostages are left in Gaza?

Hamas accused Israel of upending the ceasefire agreement and said the renewed strikes had put the fate of the remaining hostages in jeopardy.

Newly-appointed IGP Deepak Thapa. Photo: RSS

IGP Thapa assumes office following appointment

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deepak Thapa assumed office this afternoon.

Palestinians inspect the damage at Al-Tabi'in School in central Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Photo: AP

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 404 Palestinians and shatter ceasefire with Hamas

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 404 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials.

UPDATE: Foreign currencies amounting to Rs 250 million confiscated

One held with more than Rs 200 million from Jhor area

Japan assists in improving learning environment in Gorkha

20 rhinos found dead in eight months in Chitwan National Park

File Photo: Sandeep Sen

Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy skies and fair weather across country

The weather across various regions of Nepal is showing a mix of conditions today, as per the Meteorological Forecast Division (MFD).

Photo: RSS

FSU elections underway across Tribhuvan University campuses

Voting for the Free Student Union (FSU) elections commenced today in most of the Tribhuvan University (TU) campuses across the country.

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4.3 Magnitude earthquake hits Achham Tuesday morning

The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre (NEMRC) reported that a magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded in Achham this morning.

Kathmandu

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Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Photo: RSS

Significant efforts undertaken for nation's prosperity: NC President Deuba

On the occasion, President Deuba also inquired about RSS operations, acknowledging its recent effectiveness.

Photo: RSS

Deepak Thapa appointed as the Chief of Nepal Police

The Council of Ministers has decided to appoint Deepak Thapa as the Chief of Nepal Police.

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UML secretariat meeting taking place today

The 46th central secretariat meeting of the CPN (UML) is taking place today.

Photo Courtesy: Zonto Club Kathmandu

Zonta Club Kathmandu honors inspirational women on Yellow Rose Day

Zonta Club Kathmandu celebrated International Women's Day as Yellow Rose Day, recognizing the extraordinary achievements of women who have made a lasting impact in their respective fields on Sunday. The event honored women who continue to inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams.

Chief Whip of the ruling Nepali Congress, Shyam Kumar Ghimire

NC chief whip, lawmakers demand withdrawal of PCN action against THT

Lawmakers today strongly urged the Press Council Nepal (PCN) to withdraw its decision to take unilateral action against The Himalayan Times.

Nepal

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8K team sets to fix summit routes on Everest, Lhotse this spring

With the start of the spring climbing season, preparations are in full swing to smoothly manage expeditions on various mountains, including Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak.

File Photo: Sandeep Sen

Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy skies and fair weather across country

The weather across various regions of Nepal is showing a mix of conditions today, as per the Meteorological Forecast Division (MFD).

Photo: RSS

FSU elections underway across Tribhuvan University campuses

Voting for the Free Student Union (FSU) elections commenced today in most of the Tribhuvan University (TU) campuses across the country.

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4.3 Magnitude earthquake hits Achham Tuesday morning

The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre (NEMRC) reported that a magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded in Achham this morning.

Photo: RSS

UML secretariat meeting commits to further strengthen democracy

The CPN (UML) Secretariat meeting, held on Monday, reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the democratic system while reviewing a decade of constitutional implementation.

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World

Palestinian wait get donated food at a distribution center in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Photo: AP

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 235 and threaten to fully reignite war with Hamas

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 235 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials.

In this photo provided by El Salvador's presidential press office, a prison guard transfers deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador. Photo: AP

Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants even as a judge orders their removals be stopped

The immigrants were deported after Trump’s declaration of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which has been used only three times in U.S. history.

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Friday, March 14, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Photo: AP

Trump says he will talk to Putin on Tuesday as he pushes for end to Ukraine war

The United States President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine.

In this image made from video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Russian Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov as he visits military headquarters in the Kursk region of Russia.

Russia says it has retaken Kursk's biggest town as Putin advisor says truce would help Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that U.S. negotiators were on their way to Russia, but he wouldn’t comment on Moscow’s view of the ceasefire proposal.

FILE - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte stands in front of the presidential seal during a ceremony with the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines. Photo: AP

What is the International Criminal Court, which had former Philippine President Duterte arrested?

The 79-year-old former president has become the first former Asian leader to be arrested by the global court.

Opinion

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Enhanced social security system in Nepal: Public participation is the key

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Nepalese lost their jobs; among the worst hit were the blue-collar workers, as working remotely was not an option for them.

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GPAST's closure: Threatens Nepal's future in science and innovation

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The decision by the Gandaki Provincial Government to dissolve the Gandaki Province Academy of Science and Technology (GPAST) is not just a bureaucratic misstep but a politically shortsighted and reckless action that endangers Nepal’s future in science, innovation and sustainable development.

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How to save your kidneys: Detect the disease early on

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World Kidney Day was marked Thursday with the theme “Are Your Kidneys OK? – Detect early, protect kidney health”. This sends the message that kidney disease can be detected before it becomes serious. If not, it can lead to 'kidney failure'.

Business

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Gold price reaches historic high with Rs 1,100 surge on Tuesday

The price of gold surged by Rs 1,100 on Tuesday, reaching a new historic high in the domestic market.

Photo Courtesy: Freepik

NEPSE declines for second consecutive day this week

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index continued to decline on Monday, falling by 10.14 points (0.37%) to close at 2,704.70 points by the end of the trading session.

Representative image. Courtesy: Freepik.com

NEPSE declines by 21.63 points, daily turnover drops to Rs 6.83 billion

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index fell by 21.63 points (0.79%) on Sunday, closing at 2,714.85 points by the end of the trading session.

Photo: Freepik

Gold price drops by Rs 400 per tola

The price of gold has declined by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday, following a record high on Friday.

File Photo

Gold price hits historic high, surges by Rs 4,000 per tola on Friday

This surge of Rs 4,000 per tola in a single day has taken gold prices to their highest level ever recorded in Nepal.

Photo Gallery

Hindu devotees take part in prayers, fasting until moonrise, as they chant ‘Hare Rama, Hare Krishna’ while being showered with flowers during Gaura Purnima, also known as Puspa Holi (Flower Holi), at ISKCON in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal, on Friday, March 14, 2025. Marking the Holi festival of colors, the celebration honors Lord Krishna with devotion, music, and floral offerings.

Hindu devotees take part in prayers, fasting until moonrise, as they chant ‘Hare Rama, Hare Krishna’ while being showered with flowers during Gaura Purnima, also known as Puspa Holi (Flower Holi), at ISKCON in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal, on Friday, March 14, 2025. Marking the Holi festival of colors, the celebration honors Lord Krishna with devotion, music, and floral offerings.

In Pictures: Puspa Holi

A child covered in vermillion colors looks on during the Holi festival, known as the festival of colors, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Marking the arrival of spring, Holi brings people together in a vibrant celebration of joy, unity, and tradition with colors, music, and laughter.

A child covered in vermillion colors looks on during the Holi festival, known as the festival of colors, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Marking the arrival of spring, Holi brings people together in a vibrant celebration of joy, unity, and tradition with colors, music, and laughter.

Holi in Pictures: Kathmandu comes alive with colors and festivities

File - A view of under-construction Karnali Province stadium in Birandranagar of Surkhet. Photo: RSS

'No excuse to postpone 10th Nat'l Games under any pretext'

Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Shah gestures upon his return to Kathmandu from Pokhara, where pro-monarchists and loyalists organized a grand rally to welcome him at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Thousands of supporters gathered chanting slogans and waving flags in a show of allegiance to the former monarch. Photo: Skanda Gautam/ THT

Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Shah gestures upon his return to Kathmandu from Pokhara, where pro-monarchists and loyalists organized a grand rally to welcome him at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Thousands of supporters gathered chanting slogans and waving flags in a show of allegiance to the former monarch. Photo: Skanda Gautam/ THT

In Pictures: Former King Gyanendra Shah and welcome rally

Nepalese Muslims offer Friday prayers at Kashmiri Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday, March 7, 2025. Devotees gather in prayer, fasting from dawn to dusk, seeking spiritual reflection and devotion in this sacred month.

Nepalese Muslims offer Friday prayers at Kashmiri Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday, March 7, 2025. Devotees gather in prayer, fasting from dawn to dusk, seeking spiritual reflection and devotion in this sacred month.

In Pictures: Ramadan

A Oriental Turtle Dove searching for food in a sugarcane field inShuklaphanta Municipality-2 on Thursday. This species of dove, which travels in groups, is commonly seen in the Terai region during winter. Photo: Rajendra Prasad Paneru/RSS

Birds in Picture: Oriental Turtle Dove

Sports

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New Zealand beats Pakistan by 5 wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the T20 international cricket series

New Zealand won the toss and was eager to bowl first on a pitch at the University Oval which had been covered and looked fresh with patches of grass.

File--New Zealand's Will Young plays a shot during the ICC Champions Trophy. Photo: AP

Newcastle players celebrate after winning the EFL Cup final soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London. Photo: AP

Newcastle wins the English League Cup and secures its first major domestic trophy in 70 years

After 70 long years the wait is over for Newcastle.

Barcelona's players celebrate their side's 4th goal scored by Ferran Torres during a La Liga soccer match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Photo: AP

Two late goals as Barcelona rallies to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2

Lamine Yamal scored two minutes into stoppage time and Ferran Torres six minutes later to give Barcelona the gritty come-from-behind victory.

Photo Courtesy: Cricket Association of Nepal

CAN announces central contracts for 2025 Season

The central contracts for the 2025 season are valid for six months, from January to June.

FILE - Bayern's Joshua Kimmich celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarter final second leg soccer match against Arsenal, in Munich, Germany. Photo: AP

Kimmich commits his future to Bayern Munich with a new contract through 2029

The Germany captain has been with Bayern since 2015, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2020.

Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the Champions League round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain. Photo: AP

Real Madrid beats Atletico on penalties in Champions League. Arsenal, Villa, Dortmund also advance

First-leg games are on April 8-9 and return games are one week later.

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Entertainment

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FILE - Emilie Dequenne appears at the awards ceremony during the 76th international film festival, Cannes, southern France. Photo: AP

Belgian actor Émilie Dequenne dies at 43 of rare cancer, report says

Émilie Dequenne, the Belgian actor who won a top Cannes Film Festival prize for her breakout role in “Rosetta,” has died, a news report says. She was 43.

Amrit Gurung, lead singer of Nepathya, performs during the band's 2025 Australia Tour in Perth. Photo: Nepathya

Nepathya announces additional Sydney concert after tickets sell out

KATHMANDU, MARCH 13Nearly three weeks before the scheduled concert date, all 5,500 tickets for Nepathya's Sydney show sold out via online bookings.Issuing a statement, Nepathya said, 'Owing...

Nepathya frontman Amrit Gurung performing in Perth. Photo: Dipit Raz/Nepalaya

Nepathya wins hearts at Perth concert

KATHMANDU, MARCH 11After a successful performance in Canberra, Nepathya, Nepal's renowned folk-rock band, mesmerized a full-house audience at their Perth concert.In a statement, Nepathya said, on...

Bollywood personalities Karan Johar, left, and Kareena Kapoor Khan share a lighter moment as actor Shahid Kapoor, right, looks on, on the first day of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Jaipur, India, Saturday, March 8, 2025. Photo: AP

India's official Oscar entry, which failed to make the cut, wins big at major Bollywood awards show

JAIPUR, MARCH 10The film that was submitted as India's official Oscar entry but failed to make the final list of nominees has swept the International Indian Film Academy Awards, which recognize...

FILE - Lady Gaga appears at the photo call for the film "Joker: Folie A Deux" during the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. Photo: AP

Lady Gaga strikes a chord: The superstar singer rekindles passion for music with new album 'Mayhem'

LOS ANGELES, MARCH 7When Lady Gaga walked into a New York City bar she frequented five years ago, the memories hit hard: Back then, she wrote songs there, feeling lost and disconnected from...

Sean Baker, winner of the awards for best original screenplay, best film editing, best director, and best picture for "Anora," poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo: AP

Sean Baker wins best director Oscar for 'Anora' in Academy Awards sweep

LOS ANGELES, MARCH 3"Anora" creator Sean Baker won best director, best picture and two other Academy Awards at the Oscars on Sunday, bookending a dominant awards season for the American filmmaker...

Lifestyle

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Poet Momila, Nawaraj Lamsal, Dinesh Adhikari and Usha Adhikari jointly launch 'Pani Ko Parade'. Photo: Nepalaya

Nepalaya releases 'Paniko Parade', a poetry collection by Dinesh Adhikari

Poet Dinesh Adhikari’s poetry collection, Paniko Parade, has been officially released.

Old Durbar x Samundra Man Singh Shrestha 3

Yeti Distillery honours Paubha artist Samundra Man Singh Shrestha for promoting Nepali folk art

Internationally acclaimed Paubha artist, Samundra Man Singh Shrestha was honoured by Yeti Distillery Private Limited for his remarkable contribution to preserving and promoting Nepal’s traditional art on the global stage.

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'Kalsanga Kusti' launched highlighting an octogenarian's victory over cancer

The book ‘Kalsanga Kusti’, chronicling Captain Ash Bahadur Gurung’s inspiring battle against stage-four prostate cancer in his 80s, was launched in Bharatpur on March 1.

Translator Tulsi Bhattarai (left), Indira Koirala (center) and Political Scientist Bhaskar Gautam jointly launch 'Saat Sal ko Katha' in Kathmandu. Courtesy: Nepalaya

Nepalaya launches book 'Saat Sal Ko Katha' on 75 years of democracy

The 120-page book ‘Saat Sal Ko Katha’ is priced at 345 Nepali rupees.

Cover image of the book Nepathya. Photo: Nepalaya

'Nepathya' book to debut in bookstores following successful pre-order campaign

Written by Girish Giri, the book was developed through a long association with the band’s frontman, Amrit Gurung.

Science and Tech

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This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts greeting each other after a SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. Bottom row from left: Butch Wilmore, Takuya Onishi, Anne McClain, Kirill Peskov, Nichole Ayers and Don Pettit.

NASA's stuck astronauts welcome their newly arrived replacements to the space station

The Boeing Starliner capsule encountered so many problems that NASA insisted it come back empty, leaving its test pilots behind to wait for a SpaceX lift.

This image made from video by NASA shows the docking of the SpaceX capsule to the International Space Station Sunday, March 16, 2025. Photo: NASA via AP

NASA's stuck astronauts welcome their newly arrived replacements to the space station

Just over a day after blasting off, a SpaceX crew capsule arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday, delivering the replacements for NASA’s two stuck astronauts.

This photo provided by NASA shows the Intuitive Machines' Athena lander approaching the surface of the moon.

Private lunar lander may have fallen over while touching down near the moon's south pole

Intuitive Machines last year put the U.S. back on the moon despite its lander tipping on its side.

Courtesy: Fusemachines

Fusemachines opens registration for AI Fellowship 2025 in Nepal

Fusemachines, a leading provider of enterprise AI products and services, has announced that registration for the Fusemachines AI Fellowship 2025 - Nepal cohort is now open.

This image provided by Firefly Aerospace on Feb. 26, 2025 shows Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander orbiting the moon. Photo: Firefly Aerospace via AP

Private lunar lander Blue Ghost touches down on the moon with a special delivery for NASA

A private lunar lander carrying a drill, vacuum and other experiments for NASA touched down on the moon Sunday, the latest in a string of companies looking to kickstart business on Earth's celestial neighbor ahead of astronaut missions.

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Entertainment

Zoe Saldana accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "Emilia Perez" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo: AP

Complete list of winners at the 97th Academy Awards

Adrien Brody took home his second leading man Oscar for “The Brutalist,” Mikey Madison took home the best actress statuette and “Anora” was crowned best picture on its way to five awards Sunday.

Entertainment

Mikey Madison accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Anora" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo: AP

Strip club Cinderella story 'Anora' wins best picture at 97th Academy Awards

"Anora,” a strip club Cinderella story without the fairy tale ending, was crowned best picture at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, handing Sean Baker’s gritty, Brooklyn-set screwball farce Hollywood’s top prize.

Entertainment

FILE - Actress Michelle Trachtenberg poses for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 19, 2009. Photo: AP

Michelle Trachtenberg, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Harriet the Spy' star, dies at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, a former child star who appeared in the 1996 “Harriet the Spy” hit movie and went on to co-star in two buzzy millennial-era TV shows — “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl” — has died. She was 39.

Nepal

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NSU holds symposium in Syangboche on climate justice

After the successful completion of the Jay Nepal Cup, a symposium featuring environmental activists, mountain trekkers, and the Jay Nepal T20 Cup winners was held by the Nepal Students Union (NSU) in Syangboche, Solukhumbu, on Thursday.

Photo Gallery

Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, gestures during her visit to Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Maiti Nepal works to rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. Photo: Skanda Gautam/ THT

In Pictures: Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Nepal

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, are on an official visit to Nepal.

Blogs

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The silent suffering as a bug

“Changes bring opportunity”. After reading ‘The Metamorphosis’ by Franz Kafka, this saying feels like an outrage. Kafka, a prominent 20th-century figure, explores the struggle of daily life, depicting a man caught between the hardships of life and death.

Nepal

FILES- Hikers walking on a trail as a helicopter comes in to land at Mong La village near Namche Bazar on the route to reach Everest Base Camp. Photo: AFP

Helicopter rescue in Everest region resumes as talks end on positive note

Helicopter rescue operations in the Everest region are set to resume from Saturday following a meeting of key stakeholders, including the District Administration Office (DAO), Sagarmatha National Park, helicopter operators, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and security forces.

Nepal

Illustration: Ratna Sagar Shrestha/THT

Nepali Embassy in Bangkok warns against traveling on tourist visas for work

The Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok has issued a notice urging Nepali citizens to refrain from traveling to countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand on tourist or visit visas under the pretext of lucrative job offers.

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