Author: space4knews

The film ‘Kusti,’ directed by Anil Yonjan, is set to premiere in Kathmandu on October 26. This romantic comedy-drama stars Dhiraj Magar and Miruna Magar in pivotal roles. The director has also revealed that proposals for international screening rights are currently being received.

Kathmandu – The movie ‘Kusti,’ produced and directed by Anil Yonjan, is slated for release on October 26. Shot in Kathmandu and surrounding areas, the film’s release date has been finalized. The director stated, “We have finalized the release date after consultations with distributors and exhibitors. Accordingly, my team and I are currently engaged in the film’s technical work.”

‘Kusti’ is a journey through love, where the couple cannot part ways but finds it difficult to live together. This romantic comedy-drama is emotionally rich and humor-infused,” the director elaborated on the film. He added that despite love, the film portrays the struggle of a couple dealing with differing temperaments living together.

The main cast includes Dhiraj Magar, Miruna Magar, Pushkar Gurung, Luniva Tuladhar, Bholaraj Sapkota, Dikila Sherpa, Ravindra Jha, Rajaram Paudel, Kiran KC, Suryaman Limbu, Arvin Gurung, Rajani Gurung, and Suvarna Thapa. Notably, Dikila Sherpa, who won the ‘Miss Multimedia’ title and reached the top 15 in the 61st Miss India 2026 pageant this year, makes her debut in Nepali cinema with this film.

Director Yonjan shared that offers for acquiring international screening rights are coming in, and the film is expected to be released abroad soon. Audiences in Nepal and the diaspora eagerly anticipate the chemistry between Dhiraj and Miruna. Cinematography was handled by Umang Shahi, editing by Mitradev Gurung, and music contributions from Deepak Sharma, Anil Yonjan, and Kalyan Singh. Color grading was done by Renish Phago, with background music by Shailesh Shrestha and Rohit Shakya. Dance direction was led by Shishir Khati. OSR Digital served as the digital partner, while costume design for Dhiraj and Miruna was done by IIFT. Kathmandu Reach Entertainment, Apple Entertainment, and Mofasal FD Company are responsible for distribution and screening.

Committee team handing over the draft report on candidate selection for local level elections to the party chairperson. April 21, Kathmandu. The National Independent Party (Raswapa) has publicized the framework and criteria for selecting candidates for the local level elections. This outline details all the stages and requirements involved in the candidate selection process. Interested candidates must first apply through the ‘Candidate Club,’ where applicants will be evaluated based on a points system under specific categories. The individual scoring the highest points will be given the opportunity to become the candidate. Along with electoral popularity and prospects, the party will assess candidates on public conduct, honesty, financial transparency, freedom from self-interest and conflicts, legal and social credibility, and democratic values, Raswapa stated. By implementing this selection method, the party aims to prioritize quality and trustworthy candidates. See below for Raswapa’s candidate selection process and criteria – 

April 21, Kathmandu: Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal (DP) is holding discussions with the chief and senior advisors of all parties in the House of Representatives. The meeting is scheduled for 12 PM at Singha Durbar. The Speaker has invited the chief and senior advisors from the six parties represented in the House, including the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepal Communist Party, Labor Cultural Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, to participate in the discussion.

April 21, Kathmandu – Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has stated that the eviction of squatter settlements was carried out with the objective of ensuring housing rights. He emphasized that the government is continuously striving to find a permanent solution to this issue. On Monday, through his social media platform Facebook, the Prime Minister clarified that the settlements were vacated in accordance with regulations, and not to displace citizens arbitrarily. “The Government of Nepal wants to make it clear that all measures taken aim not to remove citizens but to ensure housing rights and to bring about a permanent resolution to the problem,” he said.

“Therefore, citizens are requested not to be unnecessarily alarmed or misled by false information.” The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to provide safe, dignified, and sustainable housing for every landless citizen, assuring that appropriate arrangements will be made so that no one remains homeless. He further disclosed that certain provisions of the Land Related Act 2078, which were hindering long-term solutions, have been repealed through an ordinance considering the current situation.

After removing legal obstacles, the government has commenced a process of digitally collecting facts, verifying details, and preparing clear records of genuine landless citizens, the Prime Minister noted. “This process will help identify the real status of landless citizens and enable the government to move forward with a systematic, transparent, and sustainable solution,” the Prime Minister wrote. “For citizens living in unsafe locations that pose risks to life, arrangements will be made for safe and organized relocation.”

April 21, Kathmandu – Narayandatt Paudel, Inspector General (IGP) of the Armed Police Force Nepal, was presented with the rank insignia. The insignia was directly conferred by Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs. On Monday, the Council of Ministers decided to promote Additional Inspector General (AIG) Paudel to the role of IGP, the head of the Armed Police Force. Since April 18, following the retirement of former IGP Raju Aryal, Paudel has been commanding the Armed Police Force.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a notice regarding a rain system with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds moving eastward from the Far-Western region. The department has highlighted the possibility of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in parts of Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the Terai regions of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Madhesh provinces until Tuesday. (April 21, Kathmandu)

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology disclosed information about a rain system producing thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds that is gradually moving eastward from Sudurpashchim Province. As this system is likely to cause further rainfall, the department has advised vigilance considering the risks of damage due to lightning and strong winds. The official release issued this morning states: “Currently, moderate rain with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds is occurring in the hilly and Terai areas of Sudurpashchim Province. As this system progresses northeastward, there is a possibility of additional rainfall in those areas and surroundings. Necessary precautions are therefore requested.”

According to disaster expert Dr. Dharma Raj Upreti, rain-bearing clouds with thunderstorms have entered most parts of Sudurpashchim through Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, and Uttarakhand in India, resulting in rainfall in Sudurpashchim and neighboring regions. This system is also affecting Lumbini Province, leading to cloud cover and slight to moderate rainfall in some places throughout the day. The Meteorological Forecasting Division has indicated a chance of heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning in certain parts of Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces. Throughout tonight, cloud cover is expected nationwide, with moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds, and hail in parts of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as scattered areas in other provinces.

Meteorologist David Dhakal noted that thunderstorms with rain are likely to occur in various parts of the country this week. He forecasted moderate to heavy rainfall until Tuesday in the Terai areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki provinces, and many parts of Madhesh province, with some places possibly experiencing very heavy rain. In contrast, Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces may receive moderate rainfall only in a few areas. From Wednesday through Thursday, moderate rainfall is projected in some Terai areas across all provinces. Moreover, precipitation or snowfall is also possible in the hill and mountain regions starting this week.

Bhishmaraj Andembe, the parliamentary leader of the Nepali Congress, has renewed his active membership in Nawamidanda-1 of Phalgunanda Rural Municipality, Panchthar. The Congress party is conducting a campaign called ‘Let’s Renew Membership’ and has deployed central representatives across all 77 districts.

Central representatives indicate that the campaign has struggled to succeed because incumbent Chairperson Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala’s faction have taken a stance against renewing membership. Amid rising controversy over active membership renewal in Nepali Congress, Andembe traveled to his home district Panchthar to complete his membership renewal.

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We often overlook the care of phone charging cables, a device essential in our daily lives. We only notice their importance when our battery dies and the cable is damaged. In reality, charging cables deteriorate faster due to the way we handle them. Here, we discuss proper cable care and usage techniques.

Michael Pect, founder of the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering at the University of Maryland, remarks that charging cables “go through a lot of abuse.” Technology companies frequently send their devices to his center to investigate why they fail. Pect explains, “We are like a morgue, but for electronic devices.” According to him, rough handling such as pinching, pulling, and repeatedly bending USB cables is common.

What is the best way to store a charging cable? I asked Pect. I assumed that loosely coiling the cable was best, as over-tightening or tangling causes damage. However, I learned that many people, including myself, waste time and energy storing cables this way. Pect says, “It doesn’t really make much difference.” This was hard for me to believe.

Charging cables are very useful. Their importance only becomes clear when they wear out. If a cable breaks, a phone or other electronic device cannot be charged. Remember, proper usage and care can save both your expenses and the environment.

“There are two types of people in this world: those who damage charging cables and those who prevent damage,” said Kyle Wiens, co-founder of iFixit, a long-term solutions and consumer rights organization. “It’s a tough truth, but I am the type of person who damages cables.” Let’s understand cable structure. Inside a charging cable are small metal wires encased in a material that prevents electrical leakage.

One end of the cable connects the small wires to a plug. Problems usually arise at that connection point. The joint experiences stress causing wires to break. Robert Hayers, head of the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, explains, “When repeatedly bent, atomic bonds gradually break down.” This causes the metal to become brittle and break.

Knowing this, you should avoid common mistakes. “Many people, when unplugging, lie on their beds and pull the long cable, which puts unnecessary pressure on the connector,” Pect explains. According to Hayers, using thin cables also leads to issues. Plugging your phone while lying on a bed or in unusual positions bends the connector at awkward angles.

“Some people plug their phones in and place them in a car cup holder,” Wiens notes. “The phone’s weight and car vibrations stress a single part of the cable.” Avoid this behavior as it only accelerates cable damage.

Additional advice concerns storing long, heavy cables. Wiens and other experts suggest, “If you neither coil cables too tightly nor leave them overly twisted, they will last longer.” If available, prefer ‘braided cables’ which use durable fabric or nylon mesh instead of plastic coatings. “This is ultimately the better choice,” says Wiens.

April 21, Butwal – The Industrial Area Management Limited under the central government issued a letter on April 28 demanding the immediate removal of unauthorized settlements and other physical structures on the land of Motipur Industrial Area in Rupandehi. Following this correspondence, thousands of residents from approximately five thousand households in Raniganj, located in Butwal wards 17 and 18 along the riverbank, fear they may be displaced from their longstanding homes.

Locals who have lived there since 2000 BS submitted a memorandum on April 29 to the Industrial Area Management Limited and Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, urging them to adhere to previous agreements. The prior understanding was that the industrial area would be established only on vacant land without any settlements. Despite submitting the memorandum, no clear commitment has been received from the Industrial Area Management Limited or the Sub-Metropolitan City to halt the eviction, prompting the residents to form the Settlement Protection Struggle Committee and initiate protests.

On Sunday, thousands of landless and unauthorized settlement residents from eight localities of Raniganj took to the streets carrying placards demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Balen Government. According to Tank Prasad Nyaupane, advisor to the Settlement Protection Struggle Committee, residents have been unable to sleep at night since the directive to clear the settlements was issued. Nyaupane criticized Prime Minister Balendra Shah for authoritarian tactics, claiming that the government’s direct instruction to clear the settlements and the accompanying letter have terrorized citizens rather than treating the poor humanely. “On the Prime Minister’s orders, the Industrial Area Management Limited’s strict directive to clear the settlements has left 2,500 families in Raniganj fearing displacement, unable to sleep through the night,” said Nyaupane.

Chhavi Raskoti, coordinator of the Struggle Committee, accused Prime Minister Balen Shah, who led the Janajati movement, of using bulldozers to spread terror in the homes of landless and unauthorized residents, contrary to the demands of the Janajati community. Since the government previously allowed residence, collected house taxes, and provided electricity, drinking water, and road infrastructure, the current eviction orders are considered unjust. Although the foundation stone for the industrial area was laid amid local opposition to displacing nearly 5,000 families who have lived there since 2000 BS, no progress has been made in six years. According to Raskoti, approximately 5,000 households in Butwal, Tilottama, Shuddhodhan, and Siyari are affected by the Motipur Industrial Area.

Chief of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Khelraj Pandey, has assured residents that settlements within the industrial area will not be removed. He explained that boundaries have been demarcated in coordination with the Industrial Area Management Limited to exclude settlements in Butwal wards 17 and 18 in the east, ensuring no displacement will occur. “The Motipur Industrial Area cannot be established by removing the Raniganj settlements,” stated Mayor Pandey. Following the central government’s demand to clear the settlements and the local government’s refusal to comply, the future progress of work in the Motipur Industrial Area remains uncertain.

The government led by Prime Minister Walendra Shah has sparked widespread discussion by deciding to remove hundreds of officials holding political appointments simultaneously from their positions. Experts have warned that this move could have both positive and negative consequences in the future. A legal scholar and professor cautioned that this practice could increase the risk of excessive use of ordinances going forward. Prime Minister’s press and research advisor Deepa Dahal revealed plans for future appointments to be made through open competition and based on merit.

Following the cabinet’s recommendation on Saturday, President Ramchandra Paudel issued the ‘Special Ordinance on the Dismissal of Public Officials, 2083,’ which will lead to the simultaneous dismissal of hundreds of politically appointed officials. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, a total of 1,594 officials holding political appointments across various boards, committees, and institutions will be removed.

Analysts note that the practice of making politically favorable appointments continues with the arrival of a new government. According to public administration expert Kashiraj Dahal, the current government may have felt compelled to take this dismissive step due to the underperformance of previous politically appointed officials. “The government has introduced a governance reform agenda. It appears the decision to use an ordinance for dismissals stems from fears that these individuals may not provide adequate support or might refuse cooperation,” Dahal explained. He added, “The government likely aims to streamline the existing administrative system.” Another stated objective is to bring in qualified and capable individuals through competitive recruitment in future appointments. Government officials have also publicly conveyed this intention. However, issuing an ordinance without a sitting parliament and holding a two-thirds majority government has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Experts have underscored that this decision could have both beneficial and adverse effects. “Future governments might continue this precedent or appoint qualified and capable personnel as needed,” said administration specialist Dahal. Political analyst Koirala anticipated an increase in political appointments whenever a new government comes to power. “This process could create a distortion whereby individuals—regardless of their qualifications or competence—can be removed by a subsequent government,” he stated. Law lecturer Bipin Adhikari emphasized that ordinances should be used only under compelling circumstances. “The current use does not conform to standard procedures. Laws must be enacted transparently and should not be overlooked,” he asserted.

This article is prepared after a comprehensive review of recent reports. According to the World Bank and the International Telecommunication Union, the number of internet users worldwide has increased from 100 million to over 5 billion in the last two decades. The World Health Organization has identified mental health as one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. According to American professor Cal Newport, the uncontrolled and disorderly use of technology is reducing human capacity to control attention and time.

Technology is one of the greatest achievements of human civilization. It has brought remarkable improvements in productivity, communication, education, and healthcare. Reports from the World Bank and the International Telecommunication Union highlight that internet users worldwide have grown from less than 100 million to more than 5 billion in the past 20 years, making information universally accessible. Digital analyst Simon Kemp notes that social media users now exceed 5.6 billion, as video calls, real-time messaging, and digital platforms enable instantaneous human connection. Industrial automation, robotics, and data-driven production systems have increased efficiency. A study by the McKinsey Global Institute found that digital technology use has boosted productivity by 20 to 30 percent.

The use of technology not only saves time and resources but also reduces costs and improves quality. Banking systems have evolved through digital payments, mobile banking, and online transactions. In education, online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and open educational resources have transcended geographic boundaries to expand knowledge access. In healthcare, telemedicine, digital diagnostics, and AI-based treatment systems have made care faster and more effective. On the surface, human life appears more convenient; however, instead of simplifying life, the reality is quite the opposite. While technology saves time, it continuously fragments attention and knowledge. People have a surplus of information but lack deep understanding. Relationships have expanded instantaneously but intimacy and trust are diminishing. Thinkers describe this paradox as the “crisis hidden within convenience.”

Although technological development aims to ease human life, its rapid and unregulated expansion is the root cause of today’s crisis. The reality is that people are increasingly mentally distracted, socially isolated, and intellectually superficial. Awareness, social relationships, and the capacity to understand reality are gradually declining. Life appears orderly on the outside but is increasingly unstable, fragmented, and uncertain internally. Thus, the modern era has become not only an age of progress but also an era of human crisis; a crisis not of material deprivation but one of consciousness, meaning, and control.

According to American professor Cal Newport, technology itself is not the problem; rather, it is the erratic and unconsidered use of it. Today, people live under the influence of technology rather than using it simply as a tool. Social media, notifications, and continuous flows of information have created mental dependency. This reduces individuals’ ability to control their attention, time, and energy. Previously, knowledge was built through extended focus, study, and self-reflection. Reading a book required a person to focus on a single idea for a long time, facilitating deep understanding. In today’s digital environment, learning is disrupted continuously; attention shifts from one link to another, and from one notification to the next.

Social media has transformed relationships from qualitative to quantitative. Despite having thousands of friends or followers, people experience a decline in intimacy, trust, and emotional closeness. Knowledge has shifted from a “deep structure” to “surface scanning.” People see vast amounts of information but understand little; they know many facts but remember few. Information arrives quickly, but the ability to analyze, synthesize, and convert it into long-term knowledge is weakening. A Microsoft Canada study revealed that the average human attention span is approximately 8 seconds. Short videos and continuous information flows on social media push people from “deep attention” toward “momentary focus,” undermining deep study, critical thinking, and patience.

As noted in Nicholas Carr’s book “The Shallows,” continuous information flow alters brain function itself. Reading digitally, scrolling, and fast information absorption fragment our attention and weaken deep contemplation. Research from the University of California corroborates these findings. The World Health Organization reports that nearly 1 billion people globally experience some form of mental health issue. This is not merely a healthcare statistic but also a profound indication of a crisis in modern civilization. Excessive use of digital technology, urbanization, and uncertain lifestyles continually stress people’s mental equilibrium.

Artificial portrayals of success and lifestyles on social media increase dissatisfaction, anxiety, and stress among many individuals. Thus, the WHO has identified mental health as a critical challenge of the 21st century. A European HBSC study shows that unhealthy or uncontrolled social media use among children has risen from about 7 percent to 11 percent. Various studies, including those from Harvard, demonstrate a strong link between social media use and loneliness. Although social media connects adolescents and young adults, excessive use contributes to increased loneliness. Consequently, anxiety and depression rates among teenagers have notably risen in the past two decades, linked not only to biological or personal factors but deeply intertwined with socio-technical environments.

Social media has expanded relationships quantitatively rather than qualitatively. Despite having thousands of friends and followers, intimacy, trust, and emotional closeness have diminished. Sociologist Jean Baudrillard argued that modern society is entering a state of “hyperreality,” where digital representations have more influence than actual experiences. People prioritize displaying life over living it. This is the profound truth of our age — technology itself is not the issue, but the direction of human consciousness is the key force shaping our future.

A primary reason is that digital relationships are often performance-based, where individuals present artificial images rather than their true selves. Likes, comments, and shares indicate social acceptance, encouraging individuals to share content aimed at influencing others rather than expressing genuine experience. Therefore, relationships increasingly rely on perception rather than reality, turning natural connections into strategic presentations. When relationships are based on digital portrayal rather than real experience, depth, durability, and trustworthiness significantly weaken.

Information circulating on networks becomes consumable content before becoming true knowledge. For platforms, information is not knowledge but an attention-grabbing object. Whoever captures attention gains value. Emotional stimuli often trump factual accuracy. Intense emotions such as anger, fear, excitement, resentment, or controversy prompt immediate user reactions. Consequently, angry posts spread rapidly, and controversial content is shared more frequently. Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over quality. Content that generates more clicks, likes, shares, and comments is prioritized over accuracy. This elevates emotional content, making extreme anger, resentment, and reactions more trending. Consequently, truth and facts weaken; this is not only a user choice but a systemic design outcome.

Technology raises concerns about privacy and freedom. Data collection and algorithms influence not only behavior but also thinking. This transforms individuals from independent decision-makers into directed consumers. Ultimately, the problem lies not in technology itself but in how it is used and the socio-economic structures guiding its application. Technology is a tool developed for human convenience, enabling time savings, easier information access, and greater effectiveness. When consciousness is aware, balanced, and purposeful, technology can become a powerful medium for knowledge, creativity, and meaningful life.

Thus, the profound truth of today’s era is that the direction of human consciousness, not technology itself, will determine the future. However, when technology’s use becomes imbalanced, uncontrolled, and solely consumption-driven, these very conveniences transform into threats to human existence.

Kathmandu, April 21 – Three passengers have died aboard a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, with at least one confirmed case of hantavirus infection, a rare disease transmitted by rodents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an investigation is ongoing regarding a possible hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship en route from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde.
In a statement released on Saturday, WHO confirmed one case of hantavirus infection and indicated that an additional five passengers are suspected to be infected.
“Among the six affected individuals, three have died, and one is currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) in South Africa,” the statement said. WHO reports that further laboratory tests and epidemiological investigations are ongoing. Passengers and crew members are being provided with necessary healthcare and support, and viral genome sequencing is in progress.
Coordination between countries continues to facilitate the rescue of two other passengers showing symptoms. Hantavirus is a rare disease transmitted to humans through contact with rodent urine or feces. It can cause severe bleeding fever (hemorrhagic fever) and can be fatal in serious cases.
South Africa’s Ministry of Health had earlier confirmed on Saturday that a “serious acute respiratory illness” outbreak had occurred, with at least two deaths reported. The third infected individual remains in ICU in Johannesburg. Ministry spokespeople confirmed that hantavirus has been diagnosed in the patient receiving treatment in Johannesburg.
The first symptomatic individual, a 70-year-old man, died aboard the ship. His body is currently held on Saint Helena Island, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His 69-year-old wife also fell ill and was transported to South Africa, where she died in a hospital in Johannesburg. The nationalities of the deceased have not been confirmed, but the patient currently in ICU is reported to be a 69-year-old British citizen.