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Wednesday, 04 February 2026

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Lamichhane issues stern warning over alliances, says dissolved house will not return

Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has broken his silence of the past few days and posted an aggressive status on social media today, rebuking the old political parties- the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party for talking of possible collaboration in the upcoming House of Representatives election.

File Photo - Gold jewelleries.

Gold up Rs 14,400 per tola, silver gains Rs 265

Gold price in the domestic market rebounded strongly on Wednesday after days of decline, rising by Rs 14,400 per tola.

FIle Photo: RSS

Fog in Terai, light snowfall possible in high hills

Fog and mist are likely in parts of the Terai region today, while high hilly and Himalayan areas of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces will remain generally cloudy, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD).

Social networking sites. Photo: business2community.com/youtube.com

Interim government withdraws contentious Social Media Bill 2025

The interim government has decided to withdraw one of the most contentious bills proposed by the previous KP Sharma Oli administration, the Social Media Act Bill 2025

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Prime ministerial debate: Harbinger of a good political culture

The forthcoming parliamentary election has indeed been marked by several notable features.

No Nipah case in Nepal, Health Ministry adopts high vigilance

Winter tourist arrivals surge in Mustang

137 crocodiles released in Rapti river

Nepali cuisine to be showcased in Washington DC under US–Nepal Gastronomy Exchange

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Saptari-2 looks for new representative as former comrades clash

“No candidate has won twice from Saptari Constituency-2 due to better political awareness,” said Dr Sharad Singh Yadav, who is also running in the constituency from the newly formed Janadhikar Party in the upcoming March 5 election. “This time around, citizens want better representatives too.”

Lila Pieters Yahia. Photo Courtesy: UN Nepal

Lila Pieters Yahia takes office as UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal

Lila Pieters Yahia of Canada has been appointed as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal and has officially assumed her duties from February 1, with the approval of the Government of Nepal.

MetLife Fortune 2026

MetLife named No. 1 in Life and Health Insurance on Fortune List

MetLife, Inc. has been ranked No. 1 in the Life and Health Insurance category on the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ 2026 list, marking its seventh consecutive year on the prestigious ranking.

Kathmandu

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File: Prime Minister Sushila Karki addressing the nation from Singhadurbar, Kathmandu. Photo: RSS

'All languages in Nepal are our assets,' says PM Karki

PM Karki has said that all languages spoken in Nepal are national assets and that none should be allowed to become extinct.

File: Ministry of Health and Population, in Kathmandu. Photo: THT

Health Ministry calls for caution, says Nipah Virus risk low in Nepal

According to medical experts, consuming fruits contaminated with the saliva, urine, or faeces of bats infected with the Nipah virus can lead to infection.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki Singh addressing the meeting of the National Assembly held at Singha Durbar on Monday. Photo: Ratna Shrestha/RSS

PM Karki assures free and fair election in first address to National Assembly

Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday assured that the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election will be held in a free, fair, and peaceful manner on the scheduled date of March 5.

Photo: THT

Nepal-based diplomatic missions informed about HoR polls

Kathmandu-based diplomatic missions were briefed on ongoing election preparations,

File: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. Photo: RSS

Minister Aryal calls for coordinated efforts to ensure free and fair election

Minister Aryal arrived in Bhaktapur to take stock of election-related preparations in the district.

Nepal

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Nepali Sherpa climbers meet Mendoza Mayor, explore sister city partnership

Nepali mountaineers Tashi Lakpa Sherpa and Nima Rinji Sherpa were welcomed by Mendoza Mayor Ulpiano Suarez this week following their successful ascent of Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak.

Gumba Polling Centre. Photo: Prakash Singh

Seasonal migration leaves remote Gumba Polling Centre in Bajura nearly empty

With a crucial House of Representatives election just weeks away, local officials and community leaders say that remote polling centers in Bajura district where the majority of registered voters have already left for the season, are unlikely to return in time to cast their ballots.

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Saptari-2 looks for new representative as former comrades clash

“No candidate has won twice from Saptari Constituency-2 due to better political awareness,” said Dr Sharad Singh Yadav, who is also running in the constituency from the newly formed Janadhikar Party in the upcoming March 5 election. “This time around, citizens want better representatives too.”

Lila Pieters Yahia. Photo Courtesy: UN Nepal

Lila Pieters Yahia takes office as UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal

Lila Pieters Yahia of Canada has been appointed as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal and has officially assumed her duties from February 1, with the approval of the Government of Nepal.

Milan Gurung carrying utensils after washing it

Women's quiet contributions to Nepal's care economy

Freshly washed clothing could be seen drying in the sun from a distance. It was the first week of Magh (January 23), and the skies were clear. On that sunny but cold day, Milan Gurung was doing dishes in freezing water.

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World

Hybrid and electric vehicles shipped from China are unloaded from the BYD Changzhou car carrier docked at Terminal Zarate, in Argentina's Buenos Aires province, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Flooded by cheap Chinese goods, Latin America is fighting back to protect its industries

China has been flooding Latin American markets with low-priced exports, especially autos and e-commerce goods,

Pakistani army soldiers and other security officials examine a site following militants attack with guns and grenades, in Quetta, Pakistan. Photo: AP

Militants kill 33 people in multiple attacks in southwest Pakistan; 92 assailants also killed

Balochistan has long been the site of an insurgency by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government in Islamabad.

In this photograph released by Bangladesh Prime Minister's office, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, addresses a press conference following her election victory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo: AP

Bangladesh's ousted leader Hasina denounces the upcoming election from her exile in India

International rights groups have raised concerns about the fairness of the trial.

FILE- Motorcyclists ride by the entrance of the airport in Niamey, Niger, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)

Islamic State claims responsibility for Niger air base attack

State television reported that Niger's forces responded quickly to the assault early Thursday, killing 20 of the attackers and arresting 11 others,

People pass by damaged cars near an apartment building after a Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Photo: AP

Russia and Ukraine's combined war casualties could reach 2 million soon, report estimates

The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides of Russia's war on Ukraine could be 2 million by spring,

Opinion

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Photo: Freepik

Nepal between power and proximity: Sphere, buffer, or strategic actor?

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Small states like Nepal rarely get to choose their geography, but they do choose how to respond to it and what they make of it.

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Planning before budgeting: A missing link in public projects

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It is said that “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. This is something that we often come across in development projects. Most planning works executed by the government for infrastructure works, such as roads and buildings, are limited to the Detailed Project Report (DPR). To start with, DPRs often have a bad reputation.

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Universal Health Coverage: The decisive election agenda

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Ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is one of the defining policy challenges of the 21st century. In election periods, few issues resonate more powerfully with voters.

Business

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MetLife Fortune 2026

MetLife named No. 1 in Life and Health Insurance on Fortune List

MetLife, Inc. has been ranked No. 1 in the Life and Health Insurance category on the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ 2026 list, marking its seventh consecutive year on the prestigious ranking.

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Film stars Anoop Bikram Shahi, Pradeep Khadka choose Deepal S07 EV

Prominent Nepali film personalities Anoop Bikram Shahi and Pradeep Khadka have added the Deepal S07 ICA electric SUV to their personal garages, reflecting growing interest in intelligent and design-led electric vehicles in Nepal.

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Hyatt Place Butwal unveils Valentine's Getaway in Lumbini Province

Hyatt Place Butwal, a recently opened premium property in Lumbini Province, has introduced a special Valentine’s Day package aimed at couples seeking a private and relaxed getaway in the lap of the Himalayas.

Aloft kathmandu

Aloft Kathmandu Thamel concludes Partner Appreciation Series with gym members' evening

Aloft Kathmandu Thamel has concluded its Partner Appreciation Series with a special evening dedicated to its gym members, recognizing their role in the hotel’s growing fitness and wellness community.

inDrive highlights ride safety measures as urban mobility expands in Nepal

Global mobility platform inDrive has reinforced its commitment to user safety in Nepal, emphasizing informed decision-making while preserving its core principle of freedom of choice amid the rapid expansion of ride-hailing services in urban centres.

Photo Gallery

Devotion in motion: Body-rolling ritual marks end of Madhav Narayan Festival

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Madhav Narayan Festival and Swasthani Brata Katha: Month-long festival in Bhaktapur

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa (left) and party leader Bishwa Prakash Sharma interact while arriving at the party’s central office in Sanepa, Kathmandu, Nepal, on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Nepali Congress is set to nominate party President Gagan Kumar Thapa as its prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming House of Representatives election. Photo/Skanda Gautam

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa (left) and party leader Bishwa Prakash Sharma interact while arriving at the party’s central office in Sanepa, Kathmandu, Nepal, on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Nepali Congress is set to nominate party President Gagan Kumar Thapa as its prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming House of Representatives election. Photo/Skanda Gautam

In Pictures: Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma

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

Sports

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Nepal aims for achievement-oriented performance at Asian Games

The Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) has intensified preparations to ensure Nepal’s athletes perform strongly at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi–Nagasaki, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

Photo Courtesy: Nepal Olympic Committee

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe tries a shot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in Madrid, Spain. Photo: AP

Mbappé's last-gasp penalty lifts Real Madrid to 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano in Spanish league

The result allowed Álvaro Arbeloa's side to keep pace with Barcelona, which won 3-1 at Elche on Saturday.

Tottenham's Dominic Solanke (19) is congratulated after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in London. Photo: AP

Tottenham roars back to draw with Man City and do Arsenal a favor in Premier League title race

Tottenham did fierce rival Arsenal a huge favor in the Premier League title race on Sunday.

Liverpool's Florian Wirtz, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle in Liverpool. Photo: AP

Arsenal opens seven-point lead in Premier League and Liverpool beats Newcastle

Arsenal and Liverpool rediscovered that winning feeling in the Premier League on Saturday.

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan holds a glass of champagne as she sits next to the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at a press conference after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: AP

Understated triumph: Elena Rybakina wins the Australian Open with calm precision

Rybakina's resurgence is coming off a 2025 season that was interrupted by the monthslong suspension of her coach by the WTA and up-and-down form.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: AP

Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam

A couple of unforced errors from Djokovic early in the second set gave Alcaraz the confidence.

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Entertainment

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Bhushita Vasistha performing at Paleti in Kathmandu. Photo: Nepalaya

Bhushita Vasistha 'Spring Soak' poetry recital enchants audience

Paleti is a short musical program traditionally held on the last Friday and Saturday of each English month.

The team from "KPop Demon Hunters" pose in the press room with the award for best song written for visual media for "Golden" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

South Korea celebrates K-pop's 'Golden' historic Grammy win

SEOUL, FEBRUARY 2South Koreans celebrated on Monday as the song "Golden" claimed K-pop's first Grammy Award, a milestone that critics say highlights the genre's global appeal and signals...

Prabal Gurung, photographed by Arhant Shrestha. Courtesy of Prabal Gurung.

Prabal Gurung named international guest of honour at Melbourne Fashion Festival's 30th Anniversary

KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 2Globally acclaimed NepalI American fashion designer Prabal Gurung has been named International Guest of Honour for the 30th anniversary of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival,...

Cover image of Nepathya Nepal Tour 2026. Photo: Nepalaya

Nepathya to tour four cities across Nepal

KATHMANDU, JANUARY 28Nepal's premier folk-rock band, Nepathya, is set to perform in four cities across Nepal at a time when the country is gripped by election fervor.In a statement, Nepalaya, the...

FILE - Neil Young performs at the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival in Napa, Calif., on May 25, 2019. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Neil Young's gift to Greenland: Free access to his entire music catalog

NEW YORK, JANUARY 28Neil Young is giving the people of Greenland the gift of song - his songs, that is.The veteran rocker announced Tuesday on his blog that he is providing free access to his entire...

Natalie Portman attends the premiere of "The Gallerist" during the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Eccles Center in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Natalie Portman, Seth Rogen debut new movies at Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, JANUARY 25The comedy streak at the Sundance Film Festival continued Saturday with the world premieres of the art world satire "The Gallerist," with Natalie Portman, and Oliva Wilde's...

Lifestyle

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Cover image of January edition of Paleti featuring Bhushita Vasistha. Photo: Nepalaya

Bhushita to return to Paleti with metrical poetry

For enthusiasts of metrical poetry, Paleti is set to feature poet Bhushita Vasistha in its upcoming edition.

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Passang Nuru Sherpa, author of 'Behind the Mask', honoured in Ilam

Renowned Nepali-American writer Passang Nuru Sherpa has been honoured by the Federal Executive Committee of the Nepal Sherpa Association in recognition of his growing international literary achievements, including winning a prestigious book award in the United States.

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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.

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

Nepal

Photo Courtesy: JICA Nepal/facebook

JICA Volunteers: Cultivating change at Nepal's grassroots level

Honoka Tanimoto moves between rows of students at Shree Ramrekha Basic School in Baglung, guiding their hands across computer keyboards as they practice typing. For many children from economically disadvantaged families, this is their first sustained exposure to digital technology—an experience Tanimoto is determined to make meaningful despite limited school resources.

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.

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