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US War Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed ‘fat generals’ and diversity initiatives that he said led to decades of decay in the military and told a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday they should resign if they do not support his agenda. Joining Hegseth was US President Donald Trump, who also delivered an address to the assembled admirals and generals in Quantico, Virginia that floated the idea of using deployments to US cities as “as training grounds for our military.”

The remarks by Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, and Trump, a former reality television star, had a made-for-TV element to them after top US military officials were summoned on short notice last week to the impromptu event. “Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading and we lost our way. We became the ‘Woke Department’,” Hegseth said as he kicked off the event. “But not anymore”

Addressing an auditorium full of top brass who flew in from around the world, Hegseth defended his firings of flag officers, including the top US general, who is Black, and the Navy’s top admiral, who is a woman. He said the officers he relieved were part of a broken culture.

He promised sweeping changes to how the Pentagon handles discrimination complaints and investigates accusations of wrongdoing. He said the current system has top brass walking on “egg shells.” “If the words I’m speaking today are making your hearts sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth said. “I know the overwhelming majority of you feel the opposite. These words make your hearts full.”

Hegseth said it was “completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon.” He said all fitness tests would be set to male benchmarks only and emphasized the importance of grooming standards. “The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” Hegseth told the audience, which sat in silence.

Democrats broadly condemned the event, which they said sought to drive partisan politics deep into the US military.

Reuters

The BP Highway (Dhulikhel–Sindhuli–Bardibas) remains in a damaged state after floods and landslides struck in mid-September, causing daily hardship for commuters in areas like Katunjebesi, Mangalatar, and Nepal Thok.

With Dashain bringing thousands of travelers to the road, the situation has worsened. The diversion road built after the Roshi River flood damaged the highway is rough and dusty, making travel difficult and uncomfortable.

Officials say reconstruction of the severely damaged sections could cost around Rs 9.66bn, but funding has yet to be secured. Until then, travelers are forced to rely on the temporary dirt road. In Kavrepalanchok’s Namobuddha to Kaladhunga stretch, eight out of 12 kilometers were completely destroyed by the disaster. 

The 160-km BP Highway, built with grant assistance from Japan starting in fiscal year 1996/97 and officially handed over to Nepal in 2015, has now become a major travel bottleneck during the festive season.

Photos: Nepal Photo Library

Four people died after being buried under a mound of soil in Haripurwa Municipality, located in Sarlahi district.

According to the District Police Office, Sarlahi, the incident occurred on Wednesday morning at Hardi river in Haripurwa-1, when the victims were extracting soil and were buried by a sudden landslide from above.

Police Inspector Balister Singh, spokesperson for the District Police Office, confirmed the deceased as 65-year-old Sayada Khatun, 9-year-old Nargis Khatun, 8-year-old Dillu Mansur, and 6-year-old Sabiba Khatun, all residents of Magarthana, Sonma Rural Municipality-6, Mahottari district.

During Nepal’s biggest festival, Dashain, the streets of Kathmandu Valley have become unusually quiet. With people traveling to their villages to celebrate Dashain and Tihar, and many locals staying indoors, the capital looks deserted.

Normally congested with heavy traffic, the roads of Kathmandu Valley are now empty. From Ghatasthapana to today, around 600,000 people left the Valley through various exit points.

With Navaratri underway, the Dashain festival has brought excitement across the country. Families, relatives, and communities are gathering to celebrate, making it a season of unity and festivity. Along with joy, however, comes the need to pay attention to health—especially when it comes to food.

Dashain is marked by feasts featuring meat dishes, but doctors warn that overconsumption and poor choices can affect health. Meat-based dishes are often low in water content and high in fat, creating imbalances in the body. Senior cardiologist Dr Prakash Raj Regmi recommends consuming green vegetables and salads alongside meat to maintain a balanced diet.

“Meat provides iron, protein, amino acids, and Vitamin B12,” says Dr Regmi. “But it also contains cholesterol and saturated fat. Fresh, fiber-rich foods like vegetables, pulses, and fruits should also be included. Instead of soft drinks, fresh fruit juice, yogurt, lassi, or buttermilk are healthier options.”

Safe meat consumption

Doctors stress the importance of buying meat from clean, well-maintained butcher shops. Meat should only be purchased from outlets with proper hygiene measures, including wire mesh or glass covers to prevent contamination from flies and insects. Tools such as chopping boards and knives should be kept clean.

Consumer rights activist Bishnu Timilsena cautions buyers to be alert, as some vendors mislabel female animals’ meat as male or even sell poor-quality meat for profit. “Consumers should always demand fresh meat of natural quality,” he says.

What not to eat

Oncologist Dr Arun Shahi advises avoiding stale or rotten food during the holidays. “Do not eat burnt or charred meat, and try to avoid red meat,” he warns. “Disciplined eating is essential during Dashain.”

Dr Regmi adds that goat skin contains high amounts of fat and cholesterol and suggests avoiding offal such as liver and kidneys. He further advises against oily, deep-fried meat dishes and alcohol consumption during the festival.

Improperly handled meat can carry parasites such as Taenia saginata (tapeworm), especially in buffalo intestines. While laws require animals to be inspected before slaughter, rights groups say enforcement is weak, allowing unfit meat to reach consumers.

Focus on fiber

High-fiber foods are essential for digestion, weight control, diabetes management, and preventing chronic illnesses. Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and avocado are rich in fiber. Doctors recommend pairing meat dishes with fiber-rich foods to stay healthy and energetic.

“People with heart disease must be especially careful,” says Dr Regmi. “Excess salty and fatty foods can raise blood pressure, cause irregular heartbeat, and complicate heart function. Medication must not be skipped.”

Stay active, stay healthy

Beyond food, Dashain also brings opportunities for physical and mental wellness. Traditional activities such as visiting shrines, swinging on ping (swings), and flying kites promote both exercise and joy.

Dr Regmi suggests avoiding a sedentary lifestyle during the holiday. “Instead of sitting indoors playing cards, go outside, meet relatives, play swings, and exercise. Enjoy clean, homemade food and stay active for both fun and health,” he advises.

More than 111,000 people departed Kathmandu Valley in the past 24 hours as the Dashain festival travel rush peaked, according to the Valley Traffic Police Office.

Since Ghatasthapana, about 467,000 travelers have left the valley, with traffic congestion causing delays on major routes, said National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs Chair Vijay Bahadur Swar.

Authorities have deployed extra police to manage traffic and ensure smoother travel.

Meteorologists have warned of the possibility of heavy rainfall in Nepal, similar to the severe downpour recorded in October last year.

Binod Pokharel, Associate Professor of Hydrology and Meteorology at Tribhuvan University, said there is a high chance of “heavy” rain between Oct 3 and 7.

Posting on social media, Pokharel noted, “Let’s still hope the forecast turns out wrong, but the likelihood of severe rainfall, like last year in Ashoj, is very high.” According to him, three weather models have already indicated heavy rainfall during that period.

He stressed the need to alert farmers in advance, saying, “Since rainfall is likely to last for 3–4 days, farmers should be informed on time.”

Pokharel also mentioned that rainfall would begin to intensify from Thursday night, starting in eastern Nepal, and predicted that this year’s Dashain will likely be rainy.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division also issued a bulletin this morning, stating that heavy rainfall is possible at one or two places in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.

On the eighth day of Dashain, Maha Ashtami, a large number of devotees thronged the historic Gorkha Kalika Temple from early morning for worship and animal sacrifices.

As per tradition, government-sanctioned sacrifices will begin after 2 pm, following which the temple will be open for the public to offer sacrifices of goats, buffaloes, and sheep.

The Gorkha Kalika Temple is regarded as one of the most significant Shakti Peeths (power shrines) in the district. Devotees from Gorkha, as well as neighboring districts including Kathmandu, Tanahun, Chitwan, and Lamjung, visit the temple during this time.

It is widely believed that offering worship and sacrifices at the temple during Dashain fulfills devotees’ wishes and brings blessings.