Author: space4knews

April 9, Birgunj (Parsa) – An outbreak of avian flu among birds raised for research under the National Avian Research Program has resulted in damages amounting to nearly 5 million Nepalese Rupees. The avian flu, which emerged in the last week of Chaitra (March), forced the destruction of several bird species and their feed at the Parwanipur-based research center in Bara district.
Khambahadur Prajwal, Information Officer at the National Avian Research Program in Parwanipur, confirmed that following the detection of avian flu among the research birds in the last week of Chaitra, approximately NPR 4.5 to 5 million in economic losses were incurred.
“Avian flu was first identified in the turkey species, and as the infection spread to other bird species housed in the farm, all birds had to be destroyed,” he explained. “We have completed all procedures to cull the birds, eggs, and feed from the facility.”
The outbreak led to the culling of around 2,000 chicks, approximately 1,200 poultry birds including Giriraj and others, 33 quails, 47 white and black turkeys, and about 450 guinea fowls, according to the office. In addition, 835 kilograms of L1 feed, 455 kilograms of L2 feed, and 1,835 kilograms of L3 feed were discarded.
Prajwal added that sanitization efforts at the affected farm are currently underway, including lime application, manure treatment, and heat sterilization by fire. “The office is also making efforts to procure various poultry breeds previously distributed to farmers,” he said. “Preparations are in progress to restart the program by bringing necessary birds and eggs from the offices located in Pokhara and Nepalgunj under the National Avian Research Program.”

April 26, Sunsari — Police have arrested three individuals in Dharan on charges of illegal trafficking of brown sugar. The detainees are 20-year-old Sandesh Tamang from Banskhark, Melamchi Municipality-4, Sindhupalchok; 22-year-old Samir Diyali from Thanti, Kavrepalanchok Municipality-3; and 28-year-old Kshitij Bhandari from Naya Buspark, Biratamod Municipality-6, Jhapa.

A joint team comprising members from the Koshi Province Office in Biratnagar PIT, the District Police Office Dharan, and the Ward Police Office Dharan conducted a raid on a hotel room on Friday night, leading to the arrests. Police recovered 36.910 grams of brown sugar in possession of the suspects. The individuals were apprehended in room number 7 at Ratna Inn Hotel located in Ward 9, Bagichalaine, Dharan Municipality, according to police sources.

The motorcycles used by the suspects for trafficking brown sugar, registered under Bagmati Province with license plates 02-027 P 3281 and 02-043 P 4882, were also seized.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has announced the opening of applications for the positions of Chairperson and four members of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority. The ministry has also called for applications for the Executive Director position at the Security Printing Center. Interested candidates can submit their applications by the close of office hours on May 18. This announcement was made on April 9 in Kathmandu.

The Ministry has invited applications for one Chairperson and four member positions at the Nepal Telecommunications Authority. Additionally, the ministry is seeking candidates for the Executive Director post of the Security Printing Center. Candidates interested in these roles are advised to submit their applications by the office closing time on Tuesday, May 18, as per the official notice.

April 26, Janakpur Dham – A woman lost her life when a storm destroyed a cattle shed in Mahottari. Sunita Sada, a 50-year-old resident of Musahari Tole, Pipara Rural Municipality-6, and wife of Sundeshwar Sada, died at the scene. On Friday evening around 5:30 PM, Sunita had gone to take shelter in the cattle shed owned by local Jagru Mukhiya to escape the storm. During this time, the shed collapsed, causing injuries that led to her death on site. Police spokesperson Shailendra Bhatt of Mahottari provided this information.

April 26, Pyuthan – A motorcycle accident in the Gaumukhi Rural Municipality area of Pyuthan has resulted in the death of one individual. The accident occurred near Livase in Gaumukhi Rural Municipality on Friday night, leading to the passing of 25-year-old Hemraj Rana Magar from Artubang.
According to the Pyuthan District Police Office, the motorcycle bearing the license plate Lu 56 Pa 1776, which was traveling from Thulabesi towards Arkha, was found early Saturday morning about 35 meters below the road in the Nepane River. The police stated that both the motorcycle and the driver were found submerged in the river. Further investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to authorities. The deceased, Hemraj Magar, worked at the Narendra Gayatri Eye Hospital branch eye care center located in Thulabesi.

April 26, Kathmandu – Nepal is currently influenced by a western low-pressure system, a local atmospheric system, and a low-pressure area in the lower atmosphere near the eastern regions. At present, the hilly and mountainous areas of Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Koshi, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces are generally cloudy, while the remaining Terai regions are partly cloudy. Moderate rainfall is occurring in some parts of Koshi, Bagmati, and Lumbini provinces, along with light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning in one or two locations of Madhesh, Gandaki, and Karnali provinces, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

This afternoon, the hilly and mountainous areas will generally experience cloudy skies, while the Terai regions will remain partly cloudy. There is a likelihood of moderate rainfall or snowfall with thunder and lightning in some places of the hilly and mountainous areas in Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, as well as in a few locations of hilly and mountainous areas in other provinces. Additionally, one or two parts of the Terai region may experience light rain with thunder and lightning, the weather office reported. Tonight, Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces will mostly see cloudy skies, while other parts will be partly cloudy. Moderate rainfall or snowfall accompanied by thunder and lightning is also possible in some hilly and mountainous locations within these provinces.

An AI-generated image depicting informal settlements. April 9, Kathmandu.

In Kanchanpur, there are nearly 60,000 landless Dalits, Sukumbasis, and informal settlers. According to data from the Land Problem Resolution Commission, 58,635 people have been certified as landless Dalits, Sukumbasis, and informal settlers across nine municipalities in Kanchanpur. Netra Prakash Pant, the district chairman of the now-dissolved commission, stated that out of 74,604 applications received, 58,635 individuals have been verified. Among those certified, there are 2,729 landless Dalits, 2,400 landless Sukumbasis, and 53,506 informal settlers.

According to Pant, Krishna Pur Municipality recorded the highest number of applications with 17,693, while Shuklaphanta Municipality received applications from 11,863 landless Dalits, Sukumbasis, and informal settlers. Dodhara-Chandani Municipality had the fewest applications, with 3,997 registered cases. The outgoing chairman of the commission noted that Laljhadi Rural Municipality has the lowest number of landless Dalits and Sukumbasis, with 22 landless Dalits and 90 landless Sukumbasis among the applicants. Additionally, 4,469 informal settlers lodged applications there. Conversely, Punarbas Municipality saw the most applications from landless Dalits and Sukumbasis, with 771 landless Dalits and 867 Sukumbasis applying for land through the commission. The municipality is also home to 6,760 informal settlers.

• Bhimdatta Municipality: 992 landless Dalits, 991 landless Sukumbasis, 6,283 informal settlers, total 8,196
• Bedkot Municipality: 308 landless Dalits, 205 landless Sukumbasis, 9,021 informal settlers, total 9,534
• Krishnapur Municipality: 105 landless Dalits, 1,110 landless Sukumbasis, 16,478 informal settlers, total 17,693
• Shuklaphanta Municipality: 193 landless Dalits, 154 landless Sukumbasis, 11,489 informal settlers, total 11,836
• Dodhara Chandani Municipality: 176 landless Dalits, 260 landless Sukumbasis, 3,561 informal settlers, total 3,997
• Belauri Municipality: 118 landless Dalits, 188 landless Sukumbasis, 5,300 informal settlers, total 5,606
• Punarbas Municipality: 771 landless Dalits, 875 landless Sukumbasis, 6,760 informal settlers, total 8,406
• Beladandi Rural Municipality: 157 landless Dalits, 195 landless Sukumbasis, 4,403 informal settlers, total 4,755
• Laljhadi Rural Municipality: 22 landless Dalits, 90 landless Sukumbasis, 4,469 informal settlers, total 4,581
• Total: 2,772 landless Dalits, 4,068 landless Sukumbasis, 67,764 informal settlers, total 74,604

Pant explained that ambiguities in land classification and transfer, along with legal complexities regarding forest areas, have posed policy and legal challenges in issuing land ownership certificates to landless Dalits, Sukumbasis, and informal settlers. He cited the lack of coordination among multiple agencies, complex procedures, and time consumption as significant administrative hurdles. He emphasized that establishing a commission structure insulated from political changes, with fixed terms and continuity, can facilitate effective resolution of land-related problems.

He identified that the inability to provide land to landless Dalits and Sukumbasis and to manage informal settlers in Kanchanpur stems not only from resource shortages but also from inactivity among members and secretaries, lack of administrative and technical collaboration, and policy and legal entanglements. “Without a responsible staffing system, clear policies, and an effective implementation mechanism, a long-term solution to land issues remains unattainable,” Pant remarked. “If these issues are addressed, long-term resolution is possible.”

During his 15-month tenure, Pant reported that the commission managed to function effectively for approximately 45 days, through which 96 land ownership papers, 496 certificates, and surveying tasks were completed. “We completed identification and certification in seven local units,” he added, “but due to arson incidents on September 8-9, work had to be restarted in two remaining units. Most wards had completed their work, while some were still ongoing.”

Pant expressed confidence that with a stable and obstruction-free environment, the commission can distribute 5,000 to 7,000 land ownership papers monthly. “However, the continuous disturbances since September 8 have adversely impacted this process, as everyone is aware,” he concluded.

United States President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. This declaration comes amid ongoing mutual accusations between Russia and Ukraine over violations of separate ceasefires while commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. Trump stated that during this three-day ceasefire, each country would exchange 1,000 prisoners.

Confirming Ukraine’s participation in the ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has informed that Russia has also agreed to it. Prior to this, both sides had continued attacks on each other, and the mayor of Moscow reported his city was targeted with drone attacks throughout the night. Praising Presidents Putin and Zelensky for the ceasefire, Trump wrote, “I am very pleased to announce a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on May 9, 10, and 11.”

President Putin had announced a ceasefire to be implemented from May 8 to 9 before the Victory Day celebrations. Russia has warned Ukraine that, should Moscow come under attack, it would respond with a “devastating retaliatory missile strike” on the center of Kyiv. Notably, this year’s Victory Day parade will not include military equipment displays, and heightened security alertness has been enforced in Moscow.

The United States has mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine, although these negotiations have yet to yield concrete results. U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio has stated that America remains ready to facilitate talks but will not waste time if progress is not made.

April 26, Salyan – A tractor accident occurred within the Baghchaur Municipality-10, Bhatbite area of Salyan, resulting in the death of the driver. On Saturday morning, a tractor bearing license plate Veh 1 T 2090, which was carrying construction materials from Srinagar to Damachour near Bhanubhakta Secondary School, Damachour, fell approximately 50 meters off the road.

The police reported that the tractor driver, Basanta Budhathoki, approximately 25 years old and a resident of Sharada Municipality-13, died on the spot.

April 26, Kathmandu – Following the outbreak of hantavirus infections originating from a cruise ship, two new suspected cases have been identified in Spain and the remote South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha as of Friday. The potential spread of the virus across geographically distant regions thousands of miles apart has raised concerns. However, the World Health Organization has clarified that the overall risk to the general public remains low. To date, three deaths have been attributed to this outbreak.

In Alicante province, Spain, a 32-year-old woman exhibiting hantavirus symptoms is undergoing specialized medical testing. She had traveled on a flight alongside a Dutch woman infected on the cruise ship, MV Hondius. According to Health Minister Javier Padilla, the Dutch woman became ill and disembarked in Johannesburg before the flight departed, where she later died following treatment.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has reported a suspected infection in a British man residing on Tristan da Cunha island. The man is confirmed to have been a passenger on the same Dutch cruise ship during mid-April. Technical officer Aness Leguand from the World Health Organization emphasized that given the virus’s nature and transmission rate, human-to-human spread is unlikely to occur easily and thus there is no cause for panic. The cruise, which began in March with roughly 150 passengers from Argentina, was en route toward African waters via Antarctica. Officials have confirmed the strain as the Andes variant of hantavirus, the only type known to transmit between humans. Medical experts note that the virus spreads only through prolonged and close contact. The ship is currently being monitored in maritime zones near Cape Verde.