Nepal halts half-million dollar haul

Police in Nepal say they have arrested an American national in the capital, Kathmandu, for allegedly trying to smuggle almost half a million dollars out of the country.

Police officials say the man, John Aronow Hoag, was about to board a Thai Airways flight to Bangkok from Kathmandu's international airport on Tuesday when more than $490,000 was found in his bags.

They are describing it as one of the biggest such hauls in Nepal.

The police say the man is being questioned.

Under Nepali law, foreigners are not allowed to take more than $10,000 out of Nepal.

Nepali nationals are allowed to take out $2,000

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service