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Russian Drone Attack Hits Ukrainian Train on Route Used by European Officials

Written by space4knews on . Posted in News.

A Russian drone struck a Ukrainian train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after British former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top European security officials had traveled on the same route. The drone impacted the train’s engine, but Ukrainian authorities report no casualties so far. All passengers were safely evacuated before the drone crashed.

Johnson and other European national security advisers were returning from a conference held in Kyiv and had traveled on this railway line, though they were on a different train at the time of the attack.

Attack on Indian Crew-Operated Ship Near Oman Coast

Written by space4knews on . Posted in International.

September 15, Kathmandu – A commercial vessel named ‘MTL Gaia,’ carrying 14 Indian crew members, was attacked near the coast of Oman. The incident occurred on Sunday, targeting the ship with the Indian crew aboard. Among the 14 affected, 13 have been safely rescued, while the status of one Indian national remains unknown, according to reports.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the attack on the vessel and stated that search and rescue operations for the missing Indian citizen are ongoing. The Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation. Coordination efforts continue with Omani authorities to locate and assist the missing individual, the ministry added. The Ministry of External Affairs has called for an immediate reduction in regional tensions and urged the use of dialogue and diplomatic avenues to restore peace. India has appealed for easing tensions, reestablishing peace, and ensuring safe navigation through international waterways.

Pro Ref Admits Error in Upholding Haaland’s Winning Goal Decision

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Sports.

The Premier League refereeing body, Pro Ref, has admitted an error in confirming Erling Haaland’s winning goal during the Manchester derby. In the match at Old Trafford where Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1–0, Haaland’s goal in the 60th minute was initially disallowed for offside. According to Pro Ref, since Enzo Fernández did not touch the ball, the offside call was subjective, and the VAR should have advised for an on-field review.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez described the decision as unfair, while manager Michael Carrick expressed his confusion. Earlier in the game, at the 23rd minute, Phil Foden received a straight red card for kicking Bruno Fernandes, reducing Manchester City to 10 men. The match took place on 29 Bhadra in Kathmandu. Pro Ref acknowledged the mistake on Sunday night, stating the Premier League referees’ body considers the decision to validate Haaland’s goal as incorrect.

Initially, Haaland’s 60th-minute goal was ruled out due to offside, but it was later awarded after intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The controversy centered on City’s Enzo Fernández, who was in an offside position yet appeared to attempt to play the ball. However, Pro Ref clarified that Fernández had not touched the ball, making the offside call subjective. They further noted that the VAR failed to recognize the possibility that Fernández’s position affected the play and should have recommended an on-field review. Pro Ref contacted Manchester United on Saturday evening, labeling the incident a ‘clear error’ and announced that a detailed review of the incident would be conducted.

Is Your Child Concerned About Their Physical Appearance? Try These 5 Strategies

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Business.

Parents should focus on praising their children’s abilities and skills without discussing their physical appearance, and teach them not to compare themselves with others. Many children may experience anxiety about their body shape or appearance, which can lead to low self-confidence. This does not just cause unhappiness; it can also negatively affect their studies, sports, and other activities. Parents must pay special attention to boosting their child’s confidence and helping them concentrate successfully on building their future.

In such situations, parents may feel uncertain about how to reassure their children and maintain their self-esteem. Here are some effective strategies to consider: 1. Develop a positive attitude toward the body: Avoid discussing your own or others’ appearance or skin color in front of your child. Parents are the primary role models for children; when parents display confidence in themselves, children tend to develop the same quality. 2. Focus on abilities rather than appearance: It is important to shift your child’s attention from their looks and body to praising their physical activities or accomplishments. For example, if your child excels at jumping or running, acknowledge that achievement. Emphasize that a healthy body is more important than a beautiful one.

3. Raise awareness about media influence: Along with positive conversation, inform children about the negative effects of media portrayals to protect their thinking from adverse impacts. Also, explain that everyone’s body shape is different, and comparing oneself to others is inappropriate. 4. Foster self-love and respect: Teaching young children to respect their bodies is crucial. This helps prevent feelings of inferiority in the future. Not every part of the body needs to be attractive, but being healthy and strong is wise, and this should be emphasized. 5. Address your child’s emotions with empathy: If your child feels worried, discouraged, or ashamed about their body or skin color, respond with loving and understanding support instead of anger or complaints. Open communication makes it easier for children to share their feelings with parents and reduces hesitation.

How Working with Soil Can Improve Your Health Within Weeks

Written by space4knews on . Posted in News.

Anjali holding soil in her hands

Image source, BBC/ Serenity Strull

Published

Reading time: 5 minutes

Working with soil, grass, trees, or bushes offers various benefits to our skin and overall immune system.

I often take walks in a garden near my home where diverse trees grow, and enchanting flowers bloom through spring while birdsong enlivens the air. Although my shoes often get muddy, I usually return home with clean hands.

Research shows that simply touching soil, moss, or plants benefits our skin’s microbial community. Mira Gronroos, a nature health researcher at the Finnish Environment Institute, conducted an experiment where participants rubbed their hands with soil, peat, and moss for 20 seconds. After washing their hands with water, the diversity and abundance of microbes on their skin increased. “Their hands looked clean to the naked eye but had undergone significant microbial changes,” she explained.

Though seeing many bacteria on our skin might be concerning, microbial diversity helps maintain balance by controlling harmful pathogens, thereby protecting us against diseases. Emerging research highlights that contact with natural elements like soil and plants is an easy way to enhance this microbial variety, boosting both skin health and the immune system.

Twenty seconds is not much time – during my walks, I often enjoy touching tree trunks or sitting on grass. However, Gronroos notes that longer and more frequent contact with nature yields better effects. In her study, skin microbes quickly returned to their pre-exposure state, suggesting that repeated and extended exposure is necessary to bring lasting changes to skin and body.

Vote Counting Continues in Sweden, Centre-Left Coalition Leads by 3 Seats, Current Government Faces Crisis

Written by space4knews on . Posted in International.

With 94.4 percent of votes counted in Sweden’s general election, the opposition centre-left coalition is projected to secure 176 seats, while the incumbent right-wing coalition is estimated to win 173 seats. Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democratic Party, stated that the opposition coalition is currently leading and that if this result holds, a new government will be formed. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced plans to discuss potential coalitions after the final results are confirmed and noted that the counting of late postal ballots will begin from Wednesday. 29 September, Kathmandu.

The vote counting for the general election held in Sweden is ongoing, with the final outcome still unclear. However, the ruling right-wing coalition appears to be trailing. Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democratic Party, informed her supporters that the opposition coalition is ahead and that a new government would be established if these results remain consistent. Polling stations closed at 8 PM local time on Sunday.

According to the latest update from the Swedish Election Authority on Monday morning, after counting 94.4 percent of votes, the 349-seat parliament is projected to have the opposition centre-left coalition securing 176 seats. Meanwhile, the ruling right-wing coalition is poised to gain only 173 seats. Despite having governed Sweden for decades and being the largest party, Andersson’s Social Democrats are facing their worst performance in a century, receiving 28.1 percent of the vote—2.2 percentage points less than in 2022.

Prime Minister and leader of the ruling coalition, Ulf Kristersson, has expressed his intention to consult with leaders of other parties following the election. He remarked, “It is appropriate to explore possible coalition options once the final results are in. The Swedish parliament holds an unequivocal non-socialist majority or a majority supportive of non-left economic ideologies. I will certainly investigate whether there might be any possibilities in that regard.”

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmy Åkesson stated that “it will not be clear who will form the next government tonight.” His party received 17.6 percent of the vote, down nearly 3 percentage points from 20.5 percent in 2022, causing them to fall to third place behind Kristersson’s Moderate Party. The counting of delayed postal ballots and votes cast at Swedish embassies abroad will commence on Wednesday.

In a tightly contested race, the first phase showed the left-wing coalition likely to secure a straightforward victory over Kristersson’s four-party alliance, which includes the nationalist Sweden Democrats. Initial polls had given the opposition coalition roughly a 10-point lead. But as the election approached, competition intensified and that lead shrank to 2-3 percent in the final week, making the contest highly suspenseful. Should Andersson succeed, it would provide some relief to left-leaning parties across Europe amidst the growing influence of right-wing and far-right factions.

Russian Drone Strike Targets Ukrainian Passenger Train Near Poland Shortly After Visit by UK Former Prime Minister

Written by space4knews on . Posted in International.

September 14, Kathmandu – A Russian drone targeted a passenger train in the Yahodyn area near Ukraine’s border with Poland, damaging the engine. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the attack. Earlier on the same route, another train carrying a delegation of senior European security officials, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, had passed through.

According to Ukrainian officials, the attack took place in Yahodyn, approximately two kilometers from the Polish border. Several European national security advisers, including the UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, had recently traveled this rail corridor. The officials were returning from a conference held in Kyiv. Russia has acknowledged carrying out the strike.

The Russian side stated that the attack targeted western Ukraine’s railway infrastructure. However, Ukraine’s state railway company suspects the actual target may have been the train carrying diplomats. Due to changes in the schedule, the train with diplomatic passengers had already departed the station earlier than planned. Taking into account the ongoing risk of Russian air attacks, the train’s timetable was adjusted. The railway company reported that passengers on the train that was struck were instructed to disembark just 15 minutes before the drone attack. Subsequently, the Russian jet-propelled drone struck the train’s engine.

Heightened Vigilance Continues in Sikkim: Strict Monitoring to Prevent Recurrence of 2023 Disaster

Written by space4knews on . Posted in News.

Settlement near the Teesta River in Sikkim

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, In 2023, flooding caused by a glacial lake outburst caused significant disaster in Sikkim

Officials have warned that the recent sudden and destructive floods in neighboring Nepal have raised alarm for potential hazards in Sikkim, India.

To prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods of 2023, state officials are being encouraged to intensify scientific monitoring and engineering interventions at high-altitude, risk-prone glacial lakes.

Across the Indian Himalayan region, 189 high-risk glacial lakes have been identified, with 40 of these falling within Sikkim’s boundaries, prompting the state to adopt a multi-tiered risk reduction strategy.

Among these, 16 lakes are classified as highly sensitive in the ‘A’ category, requiring mandatory ‘real-time’ monitoring and site-specific engineering measures.

The state government has established a high-level steering committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for policy oversight, alongside a multidisciplinary task force for implementation and monitoring activities.

Asian Games: Emerging Formats and Growing Challenges

Written by space4knews on . Posted in News.

In the Asian Games, qualification stages similar to those in the Olympic Games are being implemented more rigorously. This shift has introduced new challenges for athletes and teams alike. The competitiveness of the sports continues to intensify, elevating the overall level of performance. The inclusion of new formats and rules across various sporting disciplines has made the experience more engaging and appealing.

India Wins Women’s Asia Cup but Refuses to Receive Trophy

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Sports.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 to claim the title, but the team refused to accept the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi. The BCCI had demanded that the trophy presentation be conducted by ACC Vice President Khalid Al Zarooni, and due to the lack of consensus, the Indian team declined to participate in the award ceremony. 29 Bhadra, Kathmandu.

The final was held at the Dubai International Stadium. Although Naqvi briefly appeared on the field, the Indian team neither accepted the trophy nor received their medals as there was no agreement on the BCCI’s proposal. Naqvi handed over the prize cheque to the runners-up Sri Lanka, while the Indian players were absent from the stage.

India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar expressed the team’s solidarity with the BCCI’s decision. He said, “For us, the competition is over. We are the Asia Cup champions, and that is enough. Our focus now will be on the Asian Games.” ACC President Naqvi is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Last year, India similarly refused to accept the trophy after winning the men’s Asia Cup.

Dollar Rate Stable Today; Exchange Rates for Other Foreign Currencies Announced

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Business.

News Summary

Prepared following editorial review.

  • The Nepal Rastra Bank has set today’s buying rate for the US dollar at NPR 152.59 and the selling rate at NPR 153.19.
  • The central bank has also established exchange rates for other foreign currencies including the Euro, Pound, and Yuan.
  • The central bank may adjust exchange rates as needed, and commercial banks may quote different rates.

September 14, Kathmandu – Nepal Rastra Bank has determined today’s foreign currency exchange rates. According to the central bank, the US dollar’s buying rate is set at NPR 152.59 and the selling rate at NPR 153.19.

Yesterday (Sunday), the dollar rate remained unchanged.

The European Euro is quoted at a buying rate of NPR 177.00 and a selling rate of NPR 177.70, the British Pound Sterling has a buying rate of NPR 206.29 and a selling rate of NPR 207.11, and the Swiss Franc’s buying rate is NPR 186.91 with a selling rate of NPR 187.64.

The Australian Dollar has a buying rate of NPR 109.41 and a selling rate of NPR 109.84, the Canadian Dollar is buying at NPR 110.00 and selling at NPR 110.44, and the Singapore Dollar has a buying rate of NPR 120.42 and a selling rate of NPR 120.89.

The Japanese Yen (per 10 units) is set at NPR 9.94 for buying and NPR 9.98 for selling. The Chinese Yuan’s buying and selling rates are fixed at NPR 22.75. The Saudi Riyal’s buying rate is NPR 40.63 and selling rate NPR 40.79, while the Qatari Riyal is buying at NPR 41.86 and selling at NPR 42.02.

According to the central bank, the Thai Baht’s buying rate is NPR 4.61 and selling rate NPR 4.63, the UAE Dirham is buying at NPR 41.55 and selling at NPR 41.71, the Malaysian Ringgit’s buying rate is NPR 37.49 and selling rate NPR 37.63, the South Korean Won (per 100 units) is buying at NPR 11.37 and selling at NPR 11.42, the Swedish Krona is buying at NPR 15.74 and selling at NPR 15.80, and the Danish Krone is set at buying NPR 23.68 and selling NPR 23.77.

The Hong Kong Dollar is quoted with a buying rate of NPR 19.46 and a selling rate of NPR 19.53. The Kuwaiti Dinar’s buying rate is NPR 497.60 with a selling rate of NPR 499.56, the Bahraini Dinar’s buying rate is NPR 404.72 and selling rate NPR 406.31, and the Omani Riyal’s buying rate is NPR 396.33 and selling rate NPR 397.89.

For the Indian Rupee (per 100 units), the buying rate is NPR 160.00 and the selling rate NPR 160.15. The Nepal Rastra Bank has indicated that it may revise these exchange rates as necessary. Commercial banks may quote different rates, and the latest official exchange rates are available on the central bank’s official website.

Improvement in Loan Demand Signals Increased Economic Activity

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Business.

News Summary

  • Since mid-July of this fiscal year until September 4, commercial banks have increased loans by over NPR 4.3 billion.
  • According to the Bankers’ Association, festive seasons, relaxed loan policies, and new projects in the hotel and hydropower sectors have driven loan demand growth.
  • By September 4, the average loan-to-deposit ratio of banks reached 70.65 percent.

September 13, Kathmandu — Demand for loans at banks appears to be rising. As the festive season approaches this year, there has been an improvement in loan demand.

Since the start of the current fiscal year, commercial banks have disbursed NPR 41 billion in loans. Of the 20 operating commercial banks, there was a negative loan investment of NPR 200 million in July, but by September 4, loan investments increased by NPR 4.3 billion.

Banks had anticipated an increase in loan investment compared to last year from the beginning of this fiscal year. According to the Nepal Bankers’ Association, loan disbursement has been expanding. In the previous fiscal year, loan investments fell by NPR 1.1 billion in July but rose by NPR 4.3 billion in August.

From mid-2021 to early 2024, foreign exchange reserves continuously declined. During that period, the government even restricted imports of luxury goods. The COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling foreign reserves led the economy into recession. Reduced overall demand caused economic activities to drop, creating excess liquidity in the financial sector and reducing loan demand.

However, recently, Nepal Rastra Bank has relaxed lending policies and new projects have begun in the hotel and hydropower sectors, leading banks to forecast increased loan disbursements this fiscal year. Sudesh Khaling, CEO of Everest Bank, noted that loan growth in the first two months of this fiscal year has exceeded last year’s levels.

In the previous fiscal year, private sector loans from banks and financial institutions increased by NPR 359.36 billion, a 6.5 percent growth rate. The central bank had anticipated a 12 percent increase.

The central bank attributed the lower-than-target growth to a sluggish economy and reduced demand, completing only half of the loan investment targets. For this fiscal year, it has set an 11 percent expansion target for private sector lending. Nonetheless, loan investments are expected to rise compared to the previous year.

“Loan demand has particularly increased in the under-construction hydropower and hotel sectors,” Khaling said. “September and October are peak loan expansion seasons, coinciding with the festive period when imports also rise.”

Loans are also expected to increase due to the September 26 flood in Rasuwa. If the government increases capital expenditure for reconstruction in that area, loan disbursement should rise as per central bank targets.

With the government increasing capital spending, cement and steel production will also grow, necessitating expansion of production capacity and thus increasing loan demand. Khaling analyzed that rising imports will further stimulate loan disbursement. He added, “Loan growth tends to spike in the last month of each quarter, while the first month usually sees a downward trend.”

The Rasuwa flood has also helped boost both deposits and loans within the financial system. Foreign aid inflows will increase deposits further, he noted. “This time, government spending will drive higher loan demand, stimulate economic activity, and boost consumption.”

Most loans being disbursed are previously approved. Given the massive reconstruction needs after the Rasuwa flood, the central bank’s relaxed lending policies, excess liquidity, and reduced interest rates, the potential for increased loan disbursement is high.

By September 4 this fiscal year, deposits of commercial banks increased by NPR 6.4 billion, while loans rose by NPR 4.3 billion.

By that date, banks’ average loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 70.65 percent. Banks have the capacity to raise this ratio to 90 percent. To date, total bank deposits have reached NPR 7.54 trillion.

Meanwhile, loan investments have reached NPR 5.33 trillion, according to the Bankers’ Association. However, Nepal Rastra Bank reported that by September 8, total deposits of banks and financial institutions reached NPR 8.33 trillion, while loans had increased to NPR 5.998 trillion.

During this period, the average loan-to-deposit ratio of banking and financial institutions was 71.35 percent, the central bank said.

Nearly 500 Permits Issued for Mountain Climbing This Autumn Season

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Business.

As of Friday, 498 individuals have obtained climbing permits for the upcoming autumn season. For Manaslu mountain climbing, 451 climbers from 38 teams have secured permits, including 120 women. This season, the government has collected 2.11 billion Nepalese Rupees in royalty fees from climbers as of Friday. (September 13, Kathmandu)

Despite the significant impact of the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood on the tourism sector, adventure tourism has not experienced a major decline. The number of permits issued for mountain climbing this autumn is approaching 500. According to the Department of Tourism, 451 climbers, including 120 women, have obtained permits for Manaslu. Members of a total of 38 teams have been authorized.

Additionally, three climbers have received permits for Makalu mountain. For Dangga mountain, two groups comprising 16 climbers have permits, while for Dhaulagiri, two groups totaling 19 climbers have been authorized, according to the Department of Tourism. Furthermore, two climbers have obtained permits for Gangapurna mountain and seven for Thorong Peak. This season’s permits have been granted to climbers from 63 countries.

The largest group of climbers is from China, including 100 individuals and 29 women. Following that, 53 climbers are from Russia, 37 from the United States, and 28 from the United Kingdom. Additionally, France has issued permits to 27 climbers, while Germany and Japan each have 16 authorized climbers.

Anilkumar Sah Elected Unopposed as President of Morang Industry and Trade Association

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Business.

September 14, Biratnagar – Anilkumar Sah has been unanimously elected as the president of Morang Industry and Trade Association, one of Nepal’s oldest and most prestigious business organizations. Alongside Sah’s unopposed selection as the president of the association’s 35th executive committee, Anil Sarda was chosen as senior vice president, Vikas Kumar Begwani as vice president for commerce, Sanjay Kumar Shrestha as vice president for industry, and Amit Kumar Sarada as general secretary.

The new executive committee also includes Amit Rathi and Dipesh Subedi as secretaries, Vinit Sanghaniya as treasurer, and Manish Maru as deputy treasurer. The spokesperson duties were assigned to Sushil Surana.

Committee members selected are Rajesh Kumar Agrawal, Vivek Agrawal, Anveet Ghimire, Pawan Rathi, Devashish Golcha, Bedant Jaju, Dr. Bandana Jain, Lokesh Tiwdewal, Dhiraj Mohta, and Omprakash Sharma. Invited members include Dr. Deependra Naulakha, Amit Agrawal, Shruti Sharma, Pankaj Dagad, and Vikas Agrawal. From the women entrepreneur committee, Sadhana Jha was appointed coordinator and Gina Shrestha deputy coordinator. The tenure of the new executive committee is set for two years.

Pokhara Warriors Win Indoor Super League Season 2 Title

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Sports.

Pokhara Warriors clinched the title of the Indoor Super League Cricket Season 2, presented by Katia House and sponsored by Extreme Energy Drink. In the final match held on Saturday at the Velocity Arena in Kathmandu, Pokhara defeated Butwal Empire by 17 runs. Amit Shrestha took 3 wickets and was awarded the ‘Player of the Final’ title, while Hariom Joshi was declared the tournament’s best player.

Batting first in the final, Pokhara posted a total of 79 runs. When the innings were in trouble, Amit Shrestha delivered an outstanding batting performance, guiding the team to a competitive score. Butwal’s batsmen struggled to find momentum chasing a target of 80 runs. After Amit took three wickets, Butwal fell short by 17 runs and missed out on the championship.

The week-long tournament featured 10 teams competing in a total of 49 matches. The champion team Pokhara received NPR 500,000, along with trophies and medals, while the runner-up Butwal was awarded NPR 200,000 and medals. Amit Shrestha was named ‘Player of the Final’ for his all-around performance. Pokhara’s Ashray Basnet was declared the best batter, earning NPR 15,000, and Gautam KC of Kathmandu Kailash Kings was named the best bowler. Hariom Joshi received the tournament’s best player award along with NPR 25,000, while Santosh Rokaya from Kathmandu was honored as the ‘Emerging Player’ with NPR 10,000.