Author: space4knews

Following the restoration of multiparty democracy in the country, the Nepali Congress, which split for the second time in 2046 BS (1989-90 AD), has commenced its 15th General Convention from Sunday. The faction led by Gagan Thapa, officially recognized by the Election Commission, is holding the party’s supreme gathering with changes in policy and leadership, while former chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba’s group has announced a parallel convention in the month of Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December), conducting separate party activities. Congress Vice-Chairperson Pushpa Bhusal stated, “The convention is being conducted on a legal basis and it is not an illegal split.” She added, “The unity of Congress relates to national politics and necessity, but turning such political disputes into legal matters has complicated the situation further.” “It has caused a psychological division in some ways. The central committee formed after the convention must work inclusively to accommodate everyone.”

Leader of the Deuba faction, Prakash Sharan Mahat, commented, “No faction benefits when Congress splits, and the possibility of immediate unity does not appear likely.” “We had proposed postponing the convention from both sides, and the court could have facilitated consensus without rejection. However, when they proceeded, we also moved forward.” Approximately 7,500 delegates—the highest ever—are participating in the Nepali Congress convention scheduled from Ashwin 18 to 22 (early October). For the first time, 21 central committee seats have been reserved for youth under 35.

A political analyst noted that despite ongoing factionalism within Congress to consolidate its top leadership and individual groups, this is the first clear split observed since 2064 BS (2007-08 AD). The party had split in 2059 BS (2002-03 AD) under the name Nepali Congress (Democratic) but reunited in 2064 BS. Journalist and writer Haribahadur Thapa commented, “Though this split is not as large as that of 2059 BS, the message of division is clear. This news of a party split could weaken the main opposition further and its impact will be seen in the upcoming local elections.” Congress co-general secretary Prakash Rasaili acknowledged the challenge, noting an ongoing need to propel the party forward amidst harm caused by former leaders opposed to Gagan Thapa. “However, the party is stronger due to its procedures and constitutional supremacy rather than individuals. Efforts will continue, both before and after the convention, to include senior leaders. Even if not, Congress will adopt a new direction,” Rasaili said.

In a special convention held in Poush last year (December 2022), Gagan Thapa was elected party chair, replacing Deuba, and was officially recognized by the Election Commission. Prior to the start of the 15th General Convention, the Congress Central Working Committee decided to include all Deuba faction central members in the central committee. Although some Deuba faction leaders have returned to the central committee meetings, others remain separate from the officially recognized Gagan Thapa group by the Election Commission.

In 2059 BS, the party split under Sher Bahadur Deuba’s leadership resulting in the formation of Nepali Congress (Democratic), while the Election Commission granted official status to Girija Prasad Koirala-led Congress. Journalist Haribahadur Thapa said, “The split occurred during the 11th General Convention in 2062 BS (2005-06 AD). Despite differences in background, this current split at the 15th General Convention is the first major division since 2046 BS.” He added, “Although many leaders have returned to the main Congress, significant impacts on the party cannot yet be claimed. It is not comparable to the 2059 split.” “However, some who are not part of Gagan Thapa’s Congress may later return with attempts to form a smaller Congress, which could weaken the party. The upcoming local elections will be the main test.” Congress Vice-Chair Pushpa Bhusal described this as an internal party challenge alone. “We are honoring senior leaders while promoting the new generation. The increased representation of Generation Z and youth reflects social changes. We are redefining our roles,” Bhusal explained.

Deuba faction leader NP Saud stated that while there was division between the central committee and organizing committee during the special convention, the party’s broad organizational structure remained united. However, the current situation has worsened. “After failing to receive the court’s review, we were ready to move towards a lockdown. When that did not happen, we politically urged halting the convention. That could have prevented the party split,” Saud said. “There was no division in other structures, and waiting for the Supreme Court’s order was necessary. But the haste under time pressure disrupted the entire organization. It has hurt the chances of unity.” Saud blamed the lack of unity displayed in the last general elections for the poor performance and weakness of the party. “People hoped the party would not disintegrate. But with the two remaining factions, further damage will be seen in provincial and local elections,” he added. However, Congress co-general secretary Rasaili regards this factional situation as mere “commotion.” “The Supreme Court has twice granted legal status to Gagan Thapa, and the Election Commission has made the final decision. This raises questions about commitment to democracy,” Rasaili said. “Currently, no Congress MPs hold any opposition roles in parliament. We remain one party and the same situation applies in the provinces.”

Schools that had been temporarily closed due to the catastrophic floods in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers have started to reopen. Students affected by the floods have expressed a sense of relief. School officials are emphasizing extracurricular activities alongside the academic curriculum to help students regain a sense of normalcy.

According to a report released by the District Administration Office of Nuwakot, six schools in the district were completely damaged, and three schools sustained partial damage due to the floods. In Vidur Municipality, the Shaheed Jagat Prakash Jung Shah Sanskrit Secondary School located in Devighat resumed operations on September 17. Principal Manju Chitrakar shared that various sports and counseling programs are currently underway for the students.

Situated near the Trishuli River, this school serves approximately 800 students. Principal Chitrakar explained that the school offers education from pre-school to grade 10, with Sanskrit taught from grades 6 through 10. She stated, “On the first day the school reopened, some students could not attend due to lack of access to roads and bridges or fear. We are now focusing on various activities to boost the students’ morale.” Biraj Chitrakar, a student who has been staying at a holding center and with relatives after his home was swept away by the flood, said reopening the school has made spending time easier and that interacting with teachers and friends has helped reduce his fears.

Biraj recounted that on the day the flood occurred, he had gone to play futsal, and the floodwaters washed away his school uniform and books. He expressed concerns about whether another major flood might again damage the school given its proximity to the river. “The closure of the school after the flood brought significant hardship. It was very disheartening not to meet friends. Talking with friends lifted my spirits,” he said. Student Prakriti Chitrakar shared that the flood destroyed her childhood home and many memories. “I forget my sorrows when I come to school, but on the way home, I realize that my house has been washed away by the flood. That makes me very sad again,” she said. Parent Ranjana Shrestha conveyed a sense of relief when the school reopened but noted, “Children are still experiencing fear and anxiety.” Experts have pointed out that although children feel some relief after returning to school following a lengthy closure, the psychological trauma caused by the flood remains deep, and it will take time for them to fully return to normalcy.

Krista Pike, who became a subject of controversy after an attempt to carry out the death penalty via lethal injection failed in Tennessee, United States, has been transferred to a hospital, her attorneys said. According to one of her lawyers, Pike was given two doses of pentobarbital and is receiving life-sustaining treatment at the hospital. Details are emerging about what went wrong during the execution process. Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder of 19-year-old Kalyn Slimm, and this sentence has been legally contested up until the final moments.

This incident marks the second failed execution in Tennessee this year. In May, authorities postponed the lethal injection procedure for Tony Carders, convicted in 1994 for kidnapping and the murder of three people, after the intravenous line for administering the lethal drugs could not be found. Since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban on the death penalty in 1976, 1,683 individuals have been executed in the United States, according to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC).

Public support for the death penalty in the U.S. has declined recently and is currently at its lowest in 50 years. A recent Gallup poll showed that 52 percent of Americans supported the death penalty in 2025. Meanwhile, in 2014, Oklahoma briefly suspended the use of lethal injection due to serious errors in administering the execution drugs.

Critics have pointed out that supply issues with the drugs used in lethal injections, alongside several controversial executions, raise serious humanitarian concerns. Legal challenges often focus on the standards of drug use, arguing that the process causes unnecessary pain and suffering. They warn these practices risk violating the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on “cruel and unusual punishment.”

The shipment of uranium from Russia for the second unit of Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has not arrived on schedule. Some in Bangladesh attribute the delay to Pakistan, alleging that Pakistan denied flight permission to the plane carrying the uranium through its airspace. This issue has sparked widespread debate, criticism, and controversy across Bangladesh. Various opinions have circulated on social media platforms as well. Although relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have recently improved, questions remain regarding Islamabad’s decision to restrict the flight.

Regarding the matter, Umar Daraz Nangia of BBC Urdu questioned Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Sajjad Haider. Haider stated, “The approval related to air route and airspace use is a technical and administrative procedure. Generally, coordination is required between aviation authorities and concerned officials, which can lead to adjustments in flight schedules.” Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over whether the commercial start of electricity generation at Rooppur will face further delays due to the uranium’s delayed arrival. Bangladesh’s internal political climate and electricity supply situation have intensified interest in this issue.

Already strained by a fuel shortage, Bangladesh’s electricity supply faces additional pressure from this incident. Against this backdrop, Bangladesh is aiming to connect electricity generated from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid as soon as possible to address the energy crisis. However, due to technical challenges and the uranium’s delayed delivery, there are fears that the start of generation could be postponed further. Rosatom, the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company, has issued a statement regarding the revised uranium supply schedule.

The transportation of nuclear fuel is considered extremely sensitive globally and requires strict adherence to special regulations and protocols. According to international rules, flights carrying nuclear materials must obtain diplomatic overflight clearance from each country’s airspace. Rosatom stated that the flight carrying uranium for the Rooppur project was canceled due to delayed airspace permission; however, it did not explicitly name Pakistan. On social media, opinions vary regarding the improvement of relations with Pakistan amid this controversy. BBC Urdu also sought Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry’s perspective, which emphasized that airspace use and diplomatic flight approvals are conducted fully in accordance with regulations and civil aviation procedures.

Mary has been struggling with social anxiety since her adolescence. Her condition deteriorated to the point that she developed depression and had to take some time off from school. Upon entering university, she completely distanced herself from group activities. “I didn’t join any clubs or groups,” Mary (name changed) said. “I felt like no one wanted to know me. During my studies, I didn’t make any friends.” Mary’s social anxiety became so severe that she was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. This condition can affect about 12 percent of people. Many individuals face common struggles in social situations. Students questioned how to cope with such feelings in their first and final years of university. Research indicates that nearly one in five students experience social anxiety during their studies. A study by the University of Chichester clearly linked social anxiety to lower grades, weaker relationships, and loneliness. Entering university represents the first opportunity to experience independence and there is often an expectation to quickly make friends. Mary recalled, “The first time I went to a group, everyone was already engaged in conversations. I started to feel scared and felt out of place. Then I went back home.”

Twenty-five-year-old Mary described how her body reacts when she experiences social anxiety. When talking to new people, her face would feel warm and her hands would tingle. According to Neil Greening, Chair of Social Anxiety Alliance UK, such sensations are common. “People often believe they have a personality flaw and blame themselves for needing help,” he said. Greening explained that social anxiety becomes problematic when it prevents a person from doing what they want or need to do. “Extroversion and social confidence are admired in society, so accepting social anxiety is difficult. Many try to hide it or behave in a safe manner.” Typical signs of social anxiety include remaining silent, giving very short answers, avoiding interaction by focusing on the phone, sitting close to only one person or always staying in the corner of a group, and only discussing safe topics.

Mary is currently managing her social anxiety in postgraduate studies. After completing her undergraduate degree, she underwent CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) through the NHS. CBT is considered an effective treatment for social anxiety as it helps people improve their thoughts and behaviors. David Clark, Professor of Psychology at Oxford University, encourages more people to seek treatment. However, he notes that the first step has to be taken by oneself. According to him, stopping overthinking is the initial move. “Many with social anxiety make negative assumptions, like fearing embarrassment or believing others think poorly of them. CBT helps change these thoughts. It can be scary but is very helpful,” he said. Clark advised giving up safety behaviors, such as rehearsing before speaking, avoiding eye contact, or only sitting with the same person. He also suggests avoiding repeated rumination after social events. Mary agrees with this approach. “I used to replay events over and over. I learned that fighting social anxiety requires a gradual process. Therapy helped a lot, and advice from friends was beneficial too,” she said. “Now, I’m more motivated to socialize. Small groups in postgraduate studies help. I’m also part of an astronomy group. It’s still challenging, but I am learning to manage it.”