US hikes visa fee

KATHMANDU: The United States has raised the non-immigrant visa fee to $131 from the current $100 with effect from January 1, says a press release issued by the United States Embassy here on Tuesday. Applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee before January 1 will be processed only if they are scheduled and appear for a visa interview before January 31. Applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee and appear for visa interviews after January 31, will have to pay the difference, $31, before they will be interviewed, says the release. — HNS

Abduction confirmed

KATHMANDU: Metropolitan Police on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of businessman Mahesh Murarka from Baneshwor on Monday evening. Superintendent of Police Sarbendra Khanal at the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, said they had received an FIR about the abduction. “Unidentified persons abducted him from Baneshwor when he was going to his residence at Battisputali from his office at Babarmahal,” he said. “The group blocked

his vehicle, pulled the driver, Shiva Shahi, out of the car and took him away with the car. The police later impounded the abandoned vehicle at Pingalasthan,” he added. Khanal said, “We have some unconfirmed clues that may help in the investigation.” — HNS