Author: space4knews

Engineers at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed a new “memristor chip” capable of functioning under extreme temperatures. Published in the journal Science on March 26, 2026, the research reveals that this tiny device can store data and perform complex calculations at temperatures as high as 700 degrees Celsius. Typically, current silicon chips used in smartphones or satellites begin to fail beyond 200 degrees Celsius, but this new chip sets a record by operating flawlessly at temperatures higher than molten lava.

Led by Professor Joshua Yang, the research team utilized specialized materials including tungsten, hafnium oxide, and graphene to create this remarkable chip. Conventional chips face short-circuiting and data loss due to metal atoms migrating under extreme heat. However, the strong graphene layers in this memristor chip completely prevent atomic displacement. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the chip can switch states up to one billion times at 700 degrees Celsius while preserving stored data for over 50 hours.

This breakthrough technology holds great promise for sensors used in spacecraft destined for extremely hot environments such as the surface of Venus, as well as underground sensors enduring scorching rock conditions. Beyond data storage, the chip is a significant advancement for artificial intelligence (AI) applications. AI systems like ChatGPT rely heavily on complex mathematical operations such as matrix multiplication, which typically consume substantial energy in current computers. The new memristor chip can perform these computations instantaneously as electrical current flows, vastly accelerating AI calculations while reducing power consumption.

Although currently in the laboratory stage, the technology is expected to take some time before commercial deployment. However, since the materials involved are already used industrially, there is confidence that large-scale manufacturing in the future will be feasible.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party has appointed Member of Parliament and lawyer Mohanlal Acharya to represent the party in the task force responsible for preparing the constitution amendment discussion paper. The government formed this task force under the coordination of Asim Shah, the Prime Minister’s Chief Political Advisor. Acharya is an expert in constitutional law, human rights, and international law, and is also a practicing lawyer. Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra – The Rastriya Swatantra Party has selected MP and lawyer Mohanlal Acharya to represent the party in the task force drafting the constitution amendment discussion paper. This task force was established under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s main political advisor, Asim Shah. The party has sent Acharya, who was elected from Kapilvastu-1 constituency, to represent them in the task force. Acharya is known for his expertise in constitutional law, human rights, and international law, as well as his active involvement in various constitutional and legal studies and research activities.

The Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection has fined three business firms in the Kathmandu Valley a total of 45,000 rupees for consumer fraud. Shankar Food Grocery Store and SDR Store were each fined 20,000 rupees, while Gupta Grain Store was fined 5,000 rupees. During the monitoring, 36 other firms were sensitized about consumer rights and given general directives.

Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra – During market monitoring, the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection imposed fines on three commercial firms found guilty of consumer fraud. The department conducted inspections at various locations in the Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday, identifying the offending shops and issuing fines totaling 45,000 rupees. Both Shankar Food Grocery Store and SDR Store, located in Kathmandu Metropolitan City ward no. 14, Kuleshwor, were fined 20,000 rupees each.

Similarly, Gupta Grain Store, operating in Gongabu, Kathmandu-26, was fined 5,000 rupees. Meanwhile, 36 other firms received awareness on consumer rights along with general guidance during the monitoring process. Various shops, including grocery stores, fancy stores, mobile shops, cosmetic shops, and food stores operating in New Buspark, Chabahil, Tokha, and Lalitpur Chapagaun areas of Kathmandu, were made aware of consumer rights and given standard instructions.

March 7, Mustang – In the Himalayan district of Mustang, seven tourists, including four foreign nationals, have tragically lost their lives due to avalanches caused by the region’s high-altitude terrain. The District Police Office reported that among those who died were six men and one woman who were visiting the area between mid-September and late March of this fiscal year.

According to Police Inspector Ishwar Mahat, who is the Information Officer at the District Police Office, the deceased group included three Indian men and one Mexican man, ranging in age from 41 to 75 years.

Based on the district police data, on September 8, an avalanche in Muktinath claimed the life of 71-year-old Anand Madhavrao Deshpande from Belgaum, Udarakurd, Karnataka, India. On October 10, 75-year-old Madhav Prasad Sharma Upreti from Mahalaxmi Municipality-4, Imadol, Lalitpur, died in a similar incident in Jomson, Ghaparjong-4. Likewise, on October 26, Jagat Bahadur Timilsina, 50, a resident of Balefi Rural Municipality-8, Sindhupalchok, lost his life due to an avalanche in Marpha, Ghaparjong-2.

Furthermore, on November 8, a 61-year-old Indian tourist died in a hotel located in Ghaparjong-3. On December 26, 74-year-old Indian tourist Chandrakant Shrapat Tambokar died due to an avalanche in Ranipauwa, Muktinath. Then, on March 1, 67-year-old Mexican Federico Lopez Camba died near a permanent bridge in Thasang Rural Municipality-1, Tukuchesh following an avalanche. Finally, on March 4, 41-year-old Sarita Budhathoki died in an avalanche at the Muktinath Temple, Thori Rural Municipality-4, Parsaki.

The police have emphasized the high risk associated with high-altitude trekking in Mustang and have urged visitors to exercise extreme caution to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.

Babunan Chaudhary Kalwar from Rautahat has been arrested in Kathmandu’s Kalanki area on charges related to fake citizenship. A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended him and handed him over to the Rautahat District Police Office. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the Rautahat District Court on September 18.

The accused was taken into custody on Tuesday after being an absconder. The investigation team is proceeding with further legal action as per protocol.

The government has appointed Kiran Pandit as the Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. Pandit is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Management Department and has over two decades of experience at the central bank. He holds a postgraduate degree in Sociology from Tribhuvan University and has completed several international courses. 24 Chaitra, Kathmandu.

Kiran Pandit, appointed as Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, is presently the Executive Director of the Foreign Exchange Management Department. Among the bank’s Executive Directors, he ranks seventh. The appointment was made on Tuesday, filling one of the two vacant Deputy Governor positions. Minister for General Administration, Pratibha Rawal, confirmed that only one person has been appointed at this time.

Governor Dr. Bishwanath Paudel had recommended four Executive Directors for the Deputy Governor posts, but only Kiran Pandit has been appointed so far. The government has not provided any information regarding the vacancy for the other position. According to Section 16 of the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058, the appointment of Deputy Governors is made by the government based on the Governor’s recommendation and with the decision of the Council of Ministers.

As part of the Artemis mission, a crater on the Moon is set to be named in honor of an astronaut’s late wife. According to Jamie Hansen, an astronaut on the Artemis II mission who shared the update with NASA’s Kelsey Young, the team is preparing to name several craters visible on the lunar surface and captureable with a camera’s long lens. Among these craters, one bright spot located near the Moon’s surface is to be named “Carol.” This name is proposed in memory of Carol Taylor Wiseman, wife of Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman. Carol passed away in 2020 at the age of 46 after battling cancer.

For the first time, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has been installed in a public area at Tribhuvan Airport. Ramji Bhandari, Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 9, stated that the AED is a lifesaving device designed for emergencies involving cardiac arrest. Kathmandu Metropolitan City expressed gratitude to the Health Advancement Program in South Asia Nepal and Tribhuvan Airport for their cooperation.

Kathmandu, 24 Chaitra – An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device has been set up at Tribhuvan Airport. According to Kathmandu Metropolitan City, this is the first time such a device has been placed in a public location within Ward No. 9, which includes the airport. Ward Chairperson Ramji Bhandari explained that the AED can be used immediately in cases of sudden cardiac arrest or when the heart abruptly stops beating, potentially saving a patient’s life. He highlighted that the availability of these devices in public spaces marks significant progress in emergency health safety measures. The Metropolitan City extended thanks to the Health Advancement Program in South Asia Nepal and Tribhuvan Airport for coordinating and implementing this initiative.

The Film Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly, has now been presented to the House of Representatives. This bill was registered on April 27, 2025 (Baisakh 14, 2082) and enacted on January 12, 2026 (Magh 28). It aims to develop the film industry as a social, cultural, and entertainment sector.

Kathmandu – The Film Bill, approved by the National Assembly, has been tabled in the House of Representatives. On Tuesday, Harkraj Rai, Secretary of the House of Representatives, presented the message of the bill during the parliamentary session. The bill was originally registered by then Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, on April 27, 2025 (Baisakh 14, 2082) in the National Assembly.

After detailed discussions and amendments, the National Assembly passed the bill on January 12, 2026 (Magh 28). The House of Representatives will now take forward the process of further consideration. The government introduced this new film-related bill to modernize and replace the Film Act of 1969 (Bikram Sambat 2026) to incorporate inclusivity, federal structure, and new technologies.

The objective of this bill is to promote the film industry as a social, cultural, and entertainment enterprise while positioning the country as a prominent tourism destination through cinema. It mandates necessary screening procedures for domestic and foreign film screenings and aims to foster the development, expansion, promotion, and regulation of the domestic film industry.