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Fourteen trekkers have gone missing for three days at Suribung pass in the bordering area of Mustang and Manang districts.   

It is said that the trekkers were on their route to Phu village in Manang district via Damodarkunda area of Yara in Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality-4 in Mustang district.

Three Austrians and 11 Nepali trekkers have gone missing since Tuesday following the heavy snowfall, Chief District Officer of Mustang Bishnu Prasad Bhusal said.  

The Saribung pass is located at an altitude of 6,000 metres from the sea level.  

However, Bhusal hoped that the trekkers could have stayed safe in Dharmashala (religious inn) at Damodarkunda. 

He mentioned that the religious inn has a good stock of essential commodities including lodging and food and the trekkers would have stayed in a trouble free way. 

The trekkers had left Kathmandu for Suribung pass from Himalaya Adventure Travel Company some two weeks ago. 

The Department of Immigration (DoI) has repealed the six-point standard currently being implemented and various provisions issued at different times in a bid to control the illegal activities carried out in the name of visit visa and to promote good governance and professionalism in the immigration administration.

The information about this was shared in the press conference the DoI organised here today. It was shared on the occasion that a ministerial decision was made regarding the facilitative provision to allow departure on a visit visa if the person presents a passport, visa, flight ticket and declaration documents.

“A traveller on a visit visa must have a passport valid for at least six months, an entry permit of the concerned country or a visa-free entry if the country provides an 'on-arrival' visa, an air ticket to the destination of departure, and the necessary documents for the purpose of the visit, and the traveler must make a self-declaration for taking responsibility for any resulting consequences,” reads a press release made available to the press on the occasion. 

It has also been recommended to review the six-point standards currently being implemented.

The High-Level Study and Investigation Committee, 2082, established to address the problems observed regarding immigration and the visa provisions, had also suggested ensuring the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed by the constitution, the human rights of individuals, the right to move freely, and discouraging the manipulations of vested interest groups.

China's Xi Jinping took centre stage at an annual gathering of Pacific Rim leaders in South Korea on Friday, meeting Canadian and Japanese counterparts after securing a fragile trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.

That agreement, struck just before Trump left South Korea, skipping the main two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, cooled spiralling tensions between the world's two largest economies that jolted global commerce.

With Trump playing host for the White House's annual Halloween party back in Washington, Xi sought to cast China as the predictable champion of free and open trade at the forum, a role the U.S. has dominated for decades, according to Reuters ​​​​​​.

India and the US have signed a framework agreement to expand defence cooperation over the next 10-years, BBC reported.

The pact was announced after a meeting between US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur. 

The agreement will enhance "coordination, information sharing and tech cooperation" and advance "regional stability and deterrence", Hegseth said on X. 

It comes as the two countries are trying to close a trade deal and tide over tense ties after US President Donald Trump slapped 50% tariffs on India, including a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil and arms, according to BBC.

A tourist, who was injured after being hit by a falling rock in the Manaslu area, has been waiting for rescue for two days.

Minuindra Lamsal (44) of Tokha-6, Kathmandu was hit by the falling rock while he was returning from Samagaun, Chumanubri Rural Municipality-1 on Thursday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Raj Kumar Shrestha of the District Police Office said that there were difficulties in rescuing Lamsal as the helicopter could not fly due to adverse weather conditions.

According to health worker Chhiring Khamdo Lama, who is providing primary care to Lamsal, Lamsal is awaiting rescue while receiving first aid.

The public debt has increased by Rs 50 billion 600 million in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26).

According to the Public Debt Management Office, by the end of the last fiscal year, which ended on July 16, the government’s total debt stood at Rs 2,674 billion 40 million. As of the end of Asoj (October 17), it had reached Rs 2,724 billion 650 million. The debt amount is equivalent to 44.61 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Of the total sovereign debt as of October 17, the foreign debt accounts for 53.09 percent or Rs 1,446 billion 580 million, while the domestic debt makes up 46.91 percent or Rs 1,278 billion 70 million.

In the current fiscal year, the government has set a target of mobilizing Rs 595 billion in public debt. In the first quarter, it obtained Rs 100 billion 840 million, which is 16.93 percent of the annual target.

Towards domestic borrowing, the target is Rs 362 billion, and by October 17, the government had raised Rs 90 billion, equivalent to 24.86 percent of the annual target. For external borrowing, 4.65 percent or Rs 1.84 billion of the annual target of Rs 233.66 billion has been achieved.

In the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs 411 billion for interest payments on public debt. 

As of October 17, Rs 109.89 billion has been paid, which represents 26.74 percent of the total allocation.

Based on the GDP, total debt servicing expenditure as of October 17 stands at 1.80 percent.

Barcelona will look to recover from their 2-1 El Clasico defeat by Real Madrid when they host Elche in LaLiga on Sunday, but they will do so without midfielder Pedri, who is set to miss several weeks due to a leg muscle injury, Reuters reported.

The Catalan club, second in the standings and trailing leaders Real Madrid by five points, have been hit hard by injuries this season.

Manager Hansi Flick faces a mounting challenge as Pedri's absence adds to a lengthy list of sidelined players, including Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, according to Reuters.

Paris St Germain forward Desire Doue suffered a right thigh muscle lesion and will be out for several weeks, the French side said on Thursday, Reuters reported.

The 20-year-old left the pitch in the 62nd minute during the 1-1 draw in Lorient on Wednesday, after halting his run and screaming out in pain. He was then carried off on a stretcher before leaving the stadium on crutches.

"Further review of the injury will take place after the international break," PSG said in a statement, according to Reuters.