Author: space4knews

A homemade gun accidentally discharged in Baitadi, injuring Dan Bahadur Airi, a ward member of Surnaya Rural Municipality-2. After receiving first aid, Airi was referred from Baitadi District Hospital to Maya Metro Hospital in Dhangadhi for further treatment.

The Baitadi District Police Office has taken possession of the firearm from the scene and is conducting further investigation into the incident.

On April 23, Baitadi, it was reported that a 45-year-old ward member from Surnaya Rural Municipality-2, Dan Bahadur Airi, was injured when the pellets from a homemade gun he was loading hit his throat on Wednesday evening, according to Baldev Badu, spokesperson for Baitadi District Police Office.

Following initial treatment at Baitadi District Hospital, considering his medical condition, Airi was referred to Maya Metro Hospital in Dhangadhi where he is currently undergoing treatment.

The police have secured the firearm involved and are continuing their investigation, spokesperson Baldev Badu stated.

This spring season, 944 mountaineers have been granted permits to climb 30 different peaks. The Department of Tourism has collected more than 1 billion Nepalese Rupees in taxes from mountaineering activities. From Mount Everest alone, 410 climbers obtained permits, generating 893 million NPR in tax revenue. Kathmandu, April 23.

As of Thursday, 944 mountaineers have received permission to climb mountains during this year’s spring mountaineering season. According to the weekly report published by the Department of Tourism, permits were issued for 30 peaks. The department has collected over 1 billion NPR in taxes from these climbers, with the highest revenues coming from Mount Everest.

A total of 410 climbers in 41 groups have been authorized to climb Everest. From these permits, 893 million NPR in taxes have been collected. Among these Everest climbers, 97 are women. In this season, 86 climbers in 7 groups have obtained permits for Lhotse, 92 climbers in 8 groups for Ama Dablam, 54 for Makalu, the fifth-highest peak, and 44 climbers in 5 groups for Himlung Himal.

Data from the department shows that this year, climbers applying for permits include 127 from China, 100 from the United States, 64 from the United Kingdom, 60 from Russia, and 22 from Australia.

A corruption case has been registered against Kishori Prasad Yadav, the former acting chief of the Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office, Kalaiya, Bara. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has alleged that Yadav illegally amassed assets amounting to NPR 14,681,225 and has filed a case demanding this amount as a penalty. The commission named Yadav and his wife, Nirmala Kumar, as defendants, stating that the source of their assets and expenditures from 31 Ashad 2047 to 29 Poush 2080 B.S. remains unverified. (Date: 10 Baisakh, Kathmandu)

The corruption case against Kishori Prasad Yadav was filed in the Special Court, Kathmandu. The CIAA charged him with accumulating illegal assets while serving as the acting chief of the Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office in Kalaiya, Bara. The commission demands a penalty of NPR 14,681,225 from Yadav. According to the case report, Yadav was appointed on 31 Ashad 2047 and the investigation covers until 29 Poush 2080. During this period, Yadav and his family members reportedly spent NPR 49,302,626, while their total declared assets were NPR 34,621,401, indicating an excess expenditure of NPR 14,681,225. The commission could not verify the source of this additional expenditure, prompting them to file the case against Yadav as well as his wife, Nirmala Kumar.

Hospital services at Kanarali Health Science Institute have resumed following an apology from youths who behaved inappropriately towards healthcare workers. Youth activists Upendra Budhthapa and Narendra Budhthapa provided a written commitment assuring they will refrain from any actions that make medical staff feel unsafe. After healthcare workers halted non-emergency services to demand security guarantees, negotiations facilitated the restoration of hospital operations. April 23, Kathmandu.

On Wednesday, the youths had verbally abused and threatened healthcare workers on duty. In response, the healthcare staff suspended all non-emergency services starting Thursday morning, seeking assurances for their safety. According to the institute’s Registrar and spokesperson, Lakshmichandra Mahat, once an agreement was reached between the youths and healthcare workers, full hospital services resumed.

“The youths acknowledged their mistake and apologized, assuring they will not repeat such behavior,” Mahat stated. “The affected doctors chose not to escalate the matter further and reached a mutual agreement, which paved the way for services to recommence.” Some youths, claiming to be social activists, had approached various departments within the institute, verbally abusing and threatening healthcare personnel, creating a tense environment. After healthcare workers halted services, negotiations began at 10 a.m. The facilitation team included Vice Chancellor Dr. Pujan Rokaya, Registrar Mahat, Dean Dr. Prenit Pokharel, and Vivek Pun Magar.

The meeting of the task force responsible for drafting the constitution amendment discussion paper, chaired by Prime Minister Balen Shah’s political advisor Asim Sah, has commenced at Singha Durbar. The task force is set to prepare and submit the constitution amendment discussion paper. Kathmandu, 23 April — The meeting of the task force appointed to prepare the constitution amendment discussion paper is underway. This task force, led by Asim Sah, Political Advisor to Prime Minister Balen Shah, convened at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. The group will draft and present the constitution amendment discussion paper.

Experts have raised concerns that the government’s directive on starting the new academic session, which many local authorities have announced they will disregard, was made in an ‘immature manner’ and could negatively affect student learning and school operations. The central government had instructed schools to begin enrollment from April 28 and start classes from May 6. However, during the first week of April, the Rural Municipal National Federation and the Nepal Municipality Association requested all local governments to initiate enrollment and commence classes based on “local laws, environment, needs, and consultations with parents.” Following this, local authorities within the Kathmandu Valley decided to start new enrollment drives from April 24 and begin regular classes from April 28. Some schools have already commenced lessons this week. An official from the Ministry of Education stated that schools are expected to implement the decision with sensitivity, considering the national circumstances.

According to Schedule 8 of Nepal’s 2015 Constitution, basic and secondary school-level education falls under the jurisdiction of local governments. Since Balendra Shah, popularly known as ‘Balen,’ became Prime Minister, local governments have expressed serious dissatisfaction with the government’s decisions regarding new school enrollment and the start of classes. On Wednesday, the Kathmandu Valley Mayors’ Forum urged municipalities within the valley to begin student admissions on Friday and start regular classes from April 28. Forum Chair Chiribabu Maharjan said, “The federal government’s decision encroaches on the authority of local municipalities, which oversee education up to Grade 12, and given that the government’s rationale is insufficient, we have resolved to commence classes from April 28.”

Various regulations prepared under the education rules provide clarity about the annual academic calendar. According to the curriculum, schools are required to operate for 220 days annually, with 192 days dedicated to instructional time. Education expert Dhananjay Sharma criticized the government’s circular as an intrusion on local bodies’ autonomous rights, calling the decision erroneous. He explained, “Even though schools can give Sundays off according to the curriculum, the education rules mandate that schools remain open for at least 192 instructional days. This government directive undermines that regulation and will negatively affect student learning and school operations.”

Officials from the Ministry of Education, however, support the central government’s decision on the academic calendar. Ministry spokesperson Shivkumar Sapkota said, “The government has made a decision considering the country’s current situation and issued directives to the concerned bodies for implementation. It is essential to understand the gravity and sensitivity of this decision and act accordingly.”

Chinese scientists have developed a 3D-printed connector-enabled strong tube technology designed for building solar power stations and large antennas in space. This innovation will enable the assembly of parts and construction of structures hundreds of meters long in orbit, revitalizing the vision behind NASA’s ‘SpiderFab’ project. The Shenyang Institute has already successfully demonstrated a small antenna structure in the laboratory and regards this technology as a foundational step for the next generation of space systems. Kathmandu, April 23.

The American space agency NASA proposed the ‘SpiderFab’ project years ago, which envisioned spider-like robots weaving solar power stations and massive antennas directly in space. Although NASA’s dream did not reach fruition, scientists at the Shenyang Institute of Automation in northern China claim to have developed the essential technologies needed to achieve a similar goal. According to a recent report published in the journal Space: Science and Technology, the Chinese research team has created strong, hollow tubes from carbon fiber composites and connected them using 3D-printed connectors.

This process uses laser technology to join the tubes and joints without bolts or glue, resulting in robust connections. Such technology enables constructing lightweight yet strong structures in space, addressing the constraints imposed by rocket size limits and intense launch forces. Large structures built on Earth are difficult to fit inside rockets, and delicate equipment risks damage during launch. However, with this new Chinese method allowing parts to be directly manufactured, joined, and assembled in orbit, constructing structures hundreds of meters long becomes feasible.

Listed on the U.S. sanctions list since 2022, the Shenyang Institute considers this technology foundational for future space systems. The concept has been successfully demonstrated by building a small antenna structure in the laboratory. If fully implemented, this technology could usher in a new era in the global competition to develop enormous space structures for exploration, communications, and solar energy harvesting.

The current session of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly has been officially concluded. Following the recommendation of the Provincial Council of Ministers and at the request of Chief Minister Chetan Narayan Acharya, the session was brought to an end. During the 16th meeting held on 10th Baishakh in Butwal, the bill to amend the District Assembly and District Coordination Committee Operation Act, 2075, was unanimously passed.

Provincial Head Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar announced that the session ended at midnight on Thursday, the 10th, with enforcement effective from that time, according to a statement from his office spokesperson Kamal Gyawali. The winter session comprised 16 meetings in total. During the 16th meeting held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Speaker Tularam Gharti Magar read out the letter announcing the conclusion of the session.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, Bhoomishwar Dhakal, proposed the discussion and passage of the bill. Speaker Gharti submitted the proposal for decision, after which it was declared unanimously passed. During the meeting, provincial assembly members Basanti Nyaupane, Ambika Kafle, Yamuna Roka Tamang, Bhandarilal Ahir, Shanti Lodh, and Bhagwati Adhikari shared their views on current affairs.