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Mastermind of Kidney Racket Arrested: More Than 100 Nepalis Exploited in India

 Kathmandu, September 2 Police have arrested 38-year-old Shyam Krishna Bhandari from Sindhupalchok, accused of running one of the biggest kidney trafficking rackets involving Nepali citizens. He was caught in India with the help of Delhi Police and brought back to Kathmandu on Saturday. According to the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau, Bhandari is the main planner behind sending Nepalis to India and getting their kidneys removed. SSP Krishna Pangeni said he is the most significant operator arrested so far in cross-border kidney trafficking cases. Police say Bhandari has been active in the illegal trade for about five years. He had first gone to India to sell his own kidney but could not do so because of a medical mismatch. Instead, he started arranging kidney transplants for others and built a network. After a week-long investigation in Delhi, police arrested Bhandari and his associate Sujan Bharti (29), also from Sindhupalchok, and brought them to Nepal. Investigators belie...
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Rs 638 Million Earned From Mountaineering in Spring Season

 Phungling (Taplejung), Sept 2: The number of mountain climbers in Nepal has been steadily rising. According to the Department of Tourism, mountaineering expeditions generated Rs 638 million in revenue during this year’s spring climbing season (March 1–April 21). This season, 41 climbers—26 men and 15 women—successfully scaled Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), the world’s third-highest peak located in Taplejung, contributing Rs 10.97 million in royalty. Similarly, 66 climbers reached the summit of Mt. Makalu in Sankhuwasabha, generating Rs 16.26 million in revenue. The world’s tallest mountain, Sagarmatha (Everest), drew the largest number of climbers—374 in total (302 men and 72 women)—bringing in Rs 554 million. Overall, 869 climbers (678 men and 191 women, both Nepalis and foreigners) scaled 23 different peaks during the spring season, with the government collecting Rs 638 million in total revenue.
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Landslides in Nepal: An Escalating Natural Disaster

 This year’s summer monsoon has once again brought frequent landslides, floods, and debris flows across Nepal — a pattern also seen across South Asia. Landslides are a natural process where soil, rock, and earth slide downhill, but in Nepal, they are becoming deadlier due to heavy rains, fragile geology, rising temperatures, and human activities such as road construction and deforestation. According to Nepal’s Disaster Risk Reduction Portal (2011–Aug 2025), 4,629 landslides have been recorded, causing nearly 1,906 deaths, 1,591 injuries, and over Rs 20.66 billion in damages. The frequency has risen sharply — from less than 1 landslide per 1,000 km² in 2011 to almost 7 in 2024. Recent examples highlight the scale of the problem: Prithvi Highway (Dhading, Aug 8, 2025): Multiple landslides blocked traffic for hours. Rapti Highway (Salyan, Aug 4): Closed due to landslides in Chorkhola. Karnali Highway (Kalikot): Repeated blockages. Araniko Highway (Sindhupalchok, Aug 7): Blocked at Ikh...
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Tourist Arrivals Rise by 22% in August

 Kathmandu, Sept 1: Nepal welcomed 88,680 international tourists in August 2025, marking a 22% rise compared to the same month last year, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). India remained the top source, with 35,505 visitors — about 40% of the total. Other key markets included China (7,533), the United States (6,068), Sri Lanka (5,956), and Bangladesh (4,262). From January to August 2025, Nepal received 736,562 tourists. By region, South Asia (SAARC) accounted for 53% of arrivals, followed by other Asian countries (17.8%), Europe (12.6%), North America (8.2%), Oceania (2.7%), the Middle East (1.1%), Africa (0.4%), and others (4.1%). In July 2025, tourist arrivals stood at 70,193. NTB CEO Deepak Raj Joshi said the growth shows the tourism sector is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that new Air India Express flights have helped boost arrivals from India.
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Seoul Spy Agency: Around 2,000 North Korean Soldiers Killed in Russia Deployment

 Seoul, Sept 2: About 2,000 North Korean soldiers sent to support Russia in the war in Ukraine are estimated to have been killed, South Korea’s spy agency said Tuesday, according to lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) had previously reported in April that at least 600 soldiers had died. Based on updated assessments, the agency now estimates the number of casualties at around 2,000. South Korean and Western intelligence sources say North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia in 2024, mostly to the Kursk region, along with artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems. Lawmaker Lee added that North Korea plans to deploy another 6,000 soldiers and engineers to Russia, with 1,000 already arrived. Earlier this year, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said North Korea would send builders and deminers to the Kursk region. North Korea confirmed its troop deployment in April and acknowledged that soldiers had been killed in combat. Since...
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Gold Price Reaches Record High in Nepal

 Kathmandu, Sept 2: Gold prices have reached an all-time high in Nepal following a rise in the international market. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of one tola (11.66 grams) of gold has climbed to Rs 205,900 today, up from Rs 205,300 on Monday. Silver prices have also increased slightly, with one tola trading at Rs 2,485, up Rs 15 from the previous day. Former Federation president Manik Ratna Shakya said the rise in gold prices is driven by global political and economic uncertainties, not by demand in Nepal. Internationally, gold is currently trading at USD 3,494 per ounce (31.1 grams).
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Traffic Blocked at 13 Locations Across Nepal

 Kathmandu, Sept 2: Continuous rainfall has caused floods and landslides, bringing traffic to a halt at 13 different locations across the country. According to Nepal Police Headquarters, major roads affected include the Koshi Highway, Pasang Lhamu Highway, Galchhi–Trishuli–Mailung Road, Dhorpatan–Saljhandi Road, Beni–Darbang Road, Bheri Corridor, Chhedagad Road, and Jajarkot–Dolpa Road. Security personnel are working to clear the roads, and one-way traffic has already resumed at eight sections in various areas.
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