One month after the devastating floods hit the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, schools in the affected areas have gradually started reopening. However, significant challenges remain concerning the physical infrastructure, transportation services, and the mental well-being of students and teachers.
Not only is there a need to arrange textbooks and teaching materials, but students are also facing difficulties reaching their schools due to disrupted transportation routes.
October 1, Seoul (RASAS/KUNA) – South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called for the restoration of trust and resumption of talks with North Korea. This appeal comes just days after an explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) injured South Korean soldiers.
In his address marking the Armed Forces Day of South Korea on Thursday, President Lee expressed hope for ending the long-standing stalemate, rebuilding trust with North Korea, and restarting the negotiation process. On September 21, an explosion occurred in the DMZ, to which South Korea attributed responsibility to North Korea on Wednesday, also demanding an apology for the incident.
The South Korean military described the event as a “clear violation” of the armistice agreement between the two Koreas. The explosion left three South Korean soldiers seriously injured. However, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, denied any involvement by her country. She accused South Korea’s investigation results as false and fabricated. Amid ongoing political and military tensions between the two sides, South Korea’s president has issued this call to restore dialogue and rebuild trust.
How is the DNA testing conducted for bodies discovered after the floods? The devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi and lower Trishuli rivers claimed hundreds of lives, and thousands remain unaccounted for. Authorities continue their efforts to identify the deceased by collecting samples from hundreds of bodies and body parts found from Rasuwa to India. DNA samples are also being collected from family members of the missing individuals.
Manika Bishwakarma had a personal conversation with Rameshwar Paudel, Superintendent of Police of Chitwan district, regarding how the DNA testing process is progressing and when the results can be expected. Listen to this interview for detailed insights.
October 1, Kabul – A massive fire broke out on Wednesday evening at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province, western Afghanistan, completely destroying 18 fuel tankers and partially damaging three others. The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority reported the incident on Thursday. According to the authority, firefighting teams quickly arrived at the scene and managed to control the blaze, preventing further spread. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing. Security personnel and relevant agencies are deployed at the site, continuously monitoring the situation while collecting and assessing detailed information about the damage caused by the fire, the authority said.
Islam Qala, located approximately 120 kilometers from Herat city, is a key border crossing serving as a critical trade and transit route between Afghanistan and Iran. Thousands of travelers pass through daily, and a substantial volume of goods and commodities are transported through this point. Consequently, authorities are maintaining continuous surveillance over the regular operations at the border while evaluating the full extent of losses resulting from the fuel tanker fire.
President Ramchandra Paudel has announced the conclusion of the current session of both houses of the Federal Parliament starting from midnight on Friday.
As per the recommendation made by the Council of Ministers on Ashoj 13, the President has ended the session effective from 12 midnight of Ashoj 16, according to his office.
According to the Council of Ministers’ recommendation, the President is exercising his constitutional authority to convene and dissolve parliamentary sessions.
The second session of the House of Representatives, commonly referred to as the Budget Session, commenced on Baisakh 28.
Including the meetings scheduled for Friday, the Secretariat of the Federal Parliament reported that the House of Representatives held 67 meetings, while the National Assembly reached 51 meetings during this session.
What is the Status of the Bills?
A spokesperson of the Parliament Secretariat, Ekram Giri, informed that a total of 11 bills were passed during this session.
According to the Secretariat, 36 bills were registered during the second session, with 14 bills currently under consideration by parliamentary committees.
Three bills each are under review in the International Relations and Tourism Committee and the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee.
Two bills each are being examined by the Finance Committee, Women and Social Affairs Committee, Industry and Commerce Committee, and the Labor and Consumer Interests Committee.
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee are each reviewing one bill, the Parliament Secretariat added. Additionally, 11 bills have undergone theoretical discussions.
Officials from the Secretariat claim that ministers have responded to questions raised during meetings, while members have continuously engaged in discussions regarding public representation.
“From the perspectives of lawmaking, oversight, and public representation, this session appears to have been productive,” said spokesperson Giri.
Prime Minister Under Intense Questioning
During this session, opposition party MPs persistently raised questions regarding Prime Minister Shah’s frequent absences.
When seeking clarification on remarks made by the Prime Minister concerning matters related to India, his absence led opposition members to disrupt the meeting.
The session resumed only after Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal responded to the queries on the Prime Minister’s behalf.
In Thursday’s meeting, Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Bishmaraj Angdembe expressed dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister’s apparent disregard for parliamentary proceedings.
He criticized the Prime Minister for not providing any briefings to the parliament before and after his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly.
“Informing Parliament before attending the General Assembly is not only a tradition but also legitimizes parliamentary concerns. This strengthens the Prime Minister and balances parliamentary accountability with international diplomatic responsibilities,” he said.
“Unfortunately, he neither informed Parliament beforehand nor provided any updates upon his return. Should he continue to disregard parliamentary tradition, it could backfire in the near future. He should consider this moving forward.”
Meanwhile, MPs from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party highlighted the Prime Minister’s character of focusing more on action than speeches.
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
‘Neglect Was Apparent’
Several experts on parliamentary affairs have observed that the current Prime Minister and ministers evidently neglect parliamentary proceedings, which is also reflected in their frequent absences.
“When the Prime Minister neglects Parliament, ministers are likely to follow suit. Accountability to Parliament should be inspired primarily by the Prime Minister. This would motivate leaders of other parties to attend Parliament regularly,” stated Haribahadur Thapa, parliamentary affairs expert and editor of Barakhari.com.
“However, the absence of the Prime Minister has fostered a growing tendency to disregard Parliament. Accountability has been notably low even though he presides over Parliament.”
During this session, the Speaker had to issue a “ruling” urging the Prime Minister to respond to queries, which is a rare occurrence in Nepal’s parliamentary history.
“It is not a favorable situation when the Speaker is compelled to intervene and issue rulings,” he added.
He cautioned that neglecting the Parliament, which represents the people, could ultimately harm the Prime Minister himself.
“The Prime Minister appears more engaged with social media, but continued involvement there raises questions. As pressure mounts from all sides, even if the Prime Minister addresses Parliament tomorrow to reassure the public, regaining trust might be challenging,” he added.
“Promptly responding reduces doubts, whereas failure to respond increases suspicions.”
He recommended the Prime Minister engage in dialogue before suspicions grow, suggesting that “Parliament is the most effective platform to build public trust.”
According to Thapa, while new MPs show enthusiasm during debates, their engagement in questions and proposals is somewhat lacking. The opposition’s role also appears less robust.
Nevertheless, he anticipates that the presentation and participation of MPs may be different in the next session.
“There is potential for MPs to come more maturely prepared with more questions and proposals in the upcoming session,” he remarked.
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October 1, Kathmandu – The Indian cricket team secured a place in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games on Thursday. In the semifinal match, India delivered an impressive performance by bowling out Sri Lanka for just 45 runs, setting up a gold medal showdown against Pakistan. Chasing a target of 170, Sri Lanka was dismissed within 9.5 overs, losing all their wickets. Nuwanidu Fernando top-scored with 15 runs, while no other batsman managed to reach double figures.
Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma each took two wickets, while Washington Sundar added one. Additionally, three Sri Lankan batsmen were dismissed via run-outs. Having lost the toss, India batted first and posted 169 runs for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Ishan Kishan led the Indian innings with an unbeaten 80 runs off 46 balls, including four fours and five sixes. Vaibhav Suryavanshi contributed 38 runs. For Sri Lanka, Tharindu Ratnayake and Sahan Arachige claimed two wickets apiece, with Wanuja Sahan, Lasith Crospul, and Nuwanidu Fernando taking one wicket each. The gold medal match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for Saturday, the same day Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will compete for the regional bronze medal.
The chairman of a government-formed committee has revealed that a recommendation has been prepared to withdraw cases against some protesters involved in last year’s Gen Z movement.
The committee is set to submit its report along with its opinions to Home Minister Sudhan Gurung.
Baburam Regmi, the committee chair and former judge of the High Court, stated that the recommendation to withdraw cases applies to “certain individuals” as permitted by law.
“Our report will be based on our existing legal framework,” he said.
According to the committee, 1,887 individuals in 33 districts are facing 445 cases. Among them, some are absconding, some detained, while others have been released on bail or surety.
The Gen Z movement took place nationwide on September 8 and 9 last year, demanding an end to benefits and privileges granted based on corruption, good governance, and nepotism.
When several youths were fatally shot by police on the first day of protest, the demonstrations on the following day intensified, leading to arson, vandalism, looting, and attacks on security forces. Officials reported investigations and cases being filed against those involved.
“There are roughly three categories of cases: damage to individual property, damage to some business establishments, and damage to government institutions,” Regmi explained.
“Our law, Supreme Court precedents, and previous practices allow withdrawal of some cases. Taking all this into account, we will submit the report.”
Earlier, the police reported that charges relating to 13 types of offenses had been filed in connection with the events of September 9.
These included charges of culpable homicide, illegal possession of weapons, misconduct, attempt to murder, robbery and theft, prison law violations, arson, and vandalism.
Regmi noted that over 50 cases have already been decided by the courts and the report suggests the possibility of presidential pardon on the government’s recommendation for some protesters.
‘The New Generation Has Also Learned the Old Ways’
Image source, BBC/AshokDahal
Image caption, Several international five-star hotels in the capital were set on fire during the protest on September 9
Former Supreme Court Justice Balram KC stated that both the government and new generation leaders have adopted the same old practices.
“There has been much misuse. This is not the first government to misuse the system, but the new generation has learned the old methods. This happens due to bad company,” KC remarked.
According to former Justice KC, it is appropriate for the government not to file appeals if the accused have already been acquitted by the courts rather than withdrawing cases arbitrarily.
“The government should not discriminate or seek to discredit previous administrations by pardoning or withdrawing cases without just cause. If courts have acquitted them, no appeal should be filed,” he added.
However, KC pointed out that globally, it is common to recommend pardons to the president and grant amnesty in such cases.
“Since criminal justice systems are not flawless, governments recommend pardons and presidents grant them to correct shortcomings,” KC explained.
“Countries like the UK and the US also grant pardons. However, in our context, pardoning those close to oneself has worsened the situation.”
‘Not All Cases Will Be Withdrawn’
Image source, PMO
Caption, In December last year, then-Prime Minister Sushila Karki and protest leaders including Bhojvikram Thapa signed an agreement on withdrawal of cases
Despite the committee’s recommendation, the Muluki Criminal Procedure Code and withdrawal procedure laws prohibit withdrawal of certain cases.
The law bans withdrawal of cases related to fake passports or citizenship, immigration, corruption, human trafficking and smuggling, drug trafficking or business, illegal hunting and trade of wildlife, poisoning of public consumer goods, inhumane treatment resulting in death, money laundering, and protection of ancient monuments.
“There is a law that cases involving possession of weapons cannot be withdrawn. We have thoroughly examined these aspects,” Regmi clarified.
According to Regmi, the committee was instructed to study and recommend case withdrawals based on the agreement with the interim government led by Sushila Karki.
Experts suggest that even if the committee recommends withdrawal, cases may not be dropped solely on that basis.
Former Justice KC emphasized that the committee’s recommendation is not binding on the government or courts.
“Courts have the authority to refuse withdrawal; that is within their prerogative,” he said.
Chairman Regmi noted that after the report is reviewed by the relevant ministry and the Attorney General’s Office, only then will the legal process for withdrawal begin.
“The court where the case is filed will hear the petition, and it will be up to the court to accept or reject it; the legal procedure must be followed. The court will not simply accept withdrawal based solely on our recommendation,” he added.
An earlier agreement between Gen Z leaders and then-Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s interim government outlined recommendations for bail and withdrawal of charges if the accused were not involved in serious crimes.
Activist Sarisma Thapa stated that there was consensus not to criminalize activities expressing political dissent or dissatisfaction with government institutions.
“Our agreement stated that if actions were connected to irrigation systems with criminal intent, then legal action should be taken,” she remarked.
The three-member committee included former Deputy Attorney General Chet Nath Ghimire and former Deputy Inspector General of Police Posraj Pokharel.
The committee has reviewed statements from those facing cases, along with events and evidence.
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A new controversy has emerged regarding the early departure of the Iranian delegation from New York, where they had traveled for the United Nations General Assembly. According to the news agency AP, U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio instructed Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave New York before their scheduled program concluded. U.S. officials confirmed this on Wednesday.
The Trump administration had issued visas to Iran’s President Masoud Padeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi under strict conditions to participate in the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting. President Padeshkian returned from New York last week after addressing the United Nations. However, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remained in the U.S. as he was preparing to participate in indirect talks.
These talks included sensitive topics such as reopening the Hormuz Strait, ending regional conflicts, and resuming halted negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. According to AP, Araghchi was scheduled to stay in New York until Wednesday. However, the Iranian side has completely denied that their delegation was forced to return early due to U.S. orders.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations posted on the social media platform X accusing the U.S. State Department of spreading false information. The Iranian mission wrote on X: “The Iranian delegation returned from New York on Monday evening as scheduled, information which was communicated to the U.S. State Department on September 17. The U.S. State Department, having found nothing, is now spreading baseless news.”
September 30, Kathmandu – The Bhutan men’s cricket team training in Pokhara has faced their third consecutive loss. In the third practice match held on Thursday at the Pokhara Stadium cricket ground, Bhutan was defeated by CAN-11 by 13 runs. Earlier, Bhutan had lost the first two matches against the Gandaki Province team.
Chasing a target of 124 runs set by CAN-11, Bhutan managed only 110 runs. Bhutan’s opener Namgyal Thinley scored the highest with 29 runs, but it was not enough for victory. Thinley, Jamtso, and Sonam Chopel each contributed 19 runs; Ranjung Mikyo Dorji scored 12; Chiring Tashi made 9; Karma Dorji added 4; and Sonam Yeshe contributed 5 runs. Tenzing Rabge, Gakul Kumar Ghale, and Tashi Dorji were unable to add runs. Anand Mangar remained unbeaten on 10 runs.
In bowling, Bipin Sharma of CAN-11 took a match-high three wickets. Captain Bipin Khatri and Yuvraj Khatri claimed two wickets each, while Dayanand Mandal secured one wicket. After winning the toss, CAN-11 batted first and scored 123 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was boosted by captain Bipin Khatri’s 52 runs off 36 balls. Arjun Kumal scored 25, Tritraj Das 4, Mayank Yadav 8, Deepakprasad Dumre 2, Sohil Kunwar 1, Rasid Khan 8, Yuvraj Khatri 8, and Akash Chand 2 runs before getting out. Bipin Sharma remained not out on 3 runs.
For Bhutan’s bowling, Thinley Jamtso, Gakul Kumar Ghale, and Sonam Yeshe each took two wickets, while Karma Dorji and Namgyal Thinley picked up one wicket apiece. Bhutan, currently training in Pokhara as part of their preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Sub-Regional Qualifier ‘A’, will play their fourth and final practice match against CAN-11 on Friday.
October 1, Kathmandu – Mohsen Rezai, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has strongly criticized the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on social media platform X, written in Arabic but without directly naming the UAE, Rezai stated, “Just as hosting American military bases did not guarantee security, welcoming the ‘Butcher of Gaza’ will also yield no positive outcome.”
He further added, “Let us learn from the recent war, cease actions that escalate conflict, and stop making unfounded claims over the Iranian islands.”
Recently, the UAE once again criticized Iran at the United Nations, raising the issue of Iranian occupation of three islands. These islands have been a longstanding point of dispute between Iran and the UAE. Relations between the two countries have become increasingly strained in recent months, especially following recent attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran, which have intensified tensions.
October 1, Kathmandu – An extensive cultural event alongside an open sports tournament is set to take place in Rengil, Kalikot, coinciding with the Dashain and Tihar festivals. Organized by Ribzi United for Social Awareness (RUSA), the tournament will be held from November 1 to 4 in ward number 11, Khadachakra Municipality, Rengil, Kalikot.
The open sports competition will feature both men’s and women’s football and volleyball, according to the organizers. The winning men’s football team will receive a prize of NPR 144,444, while the runner-up will be awarded NPR 77,777. For women’s football, the champions will be awarded NPR 33,333 and the runners-up NPR 15,555. Registration fees are set at NPR 10,000 for men’s teams and NPR 3,500 for women’s teams.
In volleyball, the men’s winning team will receive NPR 44,444, with the runner-up earning NPR 22,222. The women’s volleyball winners will get NPR 22,222 and the runners-up NPR 11,111. Registration fees for men’s volleyball are NPR 4,500 and NPR 2,200 for women’s volleyball.
October 1, Kathmandu – British Prime Minister Andy Burnham claims that the government has received clear indications of Iran’s involvement in the incident at RAF Fairford. According to reports, Prime Minister Burnham has made these allegations public, although he has not shared detailed information about the claim. Recently, five individuals were arrested on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack near the RAF Fairford airbase, which is also connected to the United States military. The British Prime Minister hinted at Iran’s role behind this event.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sharply to the British leader’s statement. He criticized British leaders for targeting the wrong direction. Araghchi wrote on social media platform X, “Prime Minister Burnham says the UK government can confirm Iran’s role in the RAF Fairford incident. But I can assure you on behalf of Iran that the decision to release alleged terrorists reportedly working for other countries speaks volumes. You are aiming at the wrong place.”
Araghchi also questioned why the suspects were released on bail. The BBC asked Prime Minister Burnham the same question. In response, Burnham said the suspects were released only under stringent bail conditions. He stated, “I think people need to understand that releasing them does not mean what they think. Clearly, strict bail conditions have been imposed on them. Officials are closely monitoring the matter with great rigor. I can fully assure you on this.”
During a flight from Dubai to Israel, a plane unexpectedly deviated from its course, prompting an immediate plea for assistance from a passenger onboard. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that one pilot attempted to attack the other with a knife, risking causing a serious incident.
The aircraft, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, descended roughly 5,200 meters in under two minutes before turning towards Saudi Arabia. The pilot accused of the knife attack has been apprehended and is currently under investigation.
September 30, Kathmandu – A federal judge has temporarily blocked the $100,000 fee imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on the new H-1B visa program for highly skilled foreign workers. U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam of Oakland, California, ruled that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State failed to complete the necessary rulemaking procedures before implementing Trump’s fee.
Appointed by former President Barack Obama, Judge Gilliam ordered federal agencies not to enforce this fee until a final ruling is made on a case filed in October. Earlier in June, another federal judge in Boston had temporarily blocked the fee in a separate lawsuit filed by 20 states.
In August, the Department of Homeland Security had initiated a process to establish a permanent fee of approximately $103,000, which is expected to face legal challenges once finalized. However, that case includes different legal issues than the current lawsuits, focusing more broadly on the president’s authority to unilaterally set such fees.
Initially, this $100,000 fee was to expire on September 21, but President Trump, a Republican, extended it for another year. The White House has not made any public comment on this recent court decision. Democracy Forward, a left-leaning legal advocacy group collaborating with plaintiffs in the case, welcomed the ruling in a statement. Senior attorney Steve Bresler said, “Today’s decision safeguards a system that was disrupted overnight.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business lobbying organization, has also filed a third lawsuit challenging this fee. The Chamber is appealing a judge’s decision that dismissed their claim that Trump lacked authority to impose the fee.
What is the H-1B Program? The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills in certain fields. Technology companies, in particular, heavily rely on workers under this visa category. The program issues 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for workers with advanced degrees. Visa durations range from three to six years.
Trump’s directive drastically increased the cost of this visa, which previously ranged from approximately $2,000 to $5,000 depending on various factors. The fee hike was a major change.
In implementing the fee, Trump invoked presidential authority under federal immigration law to bar admission of certain foreign nationals deemed detrimental to U.S. interests. He argued that businesses were abusing the H-1B program to displace American workers in favor of cheaper foreign labor. Furthermore, the Trump administration proposed tightening screening processes for H-1B applicants and prioritizing higher-skilled workers receiving greater salaries in the new visa selection system.
October 1, Kathmandu – On Wednesday, the United States carried out a large underground explosion in Nevada. However, this explosion did not involve the use of a nuclear bomb. Scientists employed powerful chemical explosives to generate vibrations and other signals, which were recorded. The primary purpose of this experiment was to understand how to detect if any country attempts to conceal signs of a small underground nuclear detonation by masking its signals. This test was conducted amid ongoing US accusations that China has been carrying out covert nuclear tests. In 2020, China was alleged to have conducted such a secret test at the Lop Nur Nuclear Testing Center in Xinjiang.
During the Cold War, the US carried out hundreds of nuclear tests at the Nevada National Security Site, and the recent experiment was conducted at the same location. The test took place approximately 900 feet below ground level in the P-Tunnel area of the Nevada National Security Site, a tunnel used for national security purposes over many years. Scientists installed chemical explosives inside the tunnel and placed various sensors to record vibrations, sounds, and other post-explosion signals. Based on the data collected, computer models will be developed to enhance systems used to detect nuclear explosions. This effort will enable the United States to better identify potential nuclear detonations occurring anywhere worldwide.
Why Was a Nuclear Bomb Not Used? The US objective was not to conduct a nuclear explosion but to study the signals produced during underground explosions. Thus, scientists opted for chemical explosives instead of a nuclear bomb. Why Is It Difficult to Detect Covert Nuclear Explosions? Typically, an underground nuclear explosion generates strong vibrations similar to an earthquake. Sensors worldwide detect such tremors, and scientists analyze these signals to determine whether a nuclear test has occurred. However, the difficulty arises when the explosion’s signals are intentionally weakened—a process known in scientific terms as ‘decoupling.’ This involves detonating the explosion in locations such as large underground cavities, which dampen the impacts reaching the surface. This reduces the vibrations picked up by sensors, making detection challenging. The recent US experiment aims to detect such low-signal explosions.
China’s Denial of US Allegations In June 22, 2020, the US accused China of secretly conducting an underground nuclear test at the Lop Nur Nuclear Testing Center in Xinjiang. US officials reported recording a seismic shock of magnitude 2.75, which they claimed was not a natural earthquake or a mining blast. China dismissed US claims asserting the explosion was conducted in a large underground cavity using decoupling technology, thus explaining the weak signals. China denied carrying out any nuclear test and accused the US of making baseless allegations. Meanwhile, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) stated that its monitoring network did not detect any clear signs of a nuclear test on that day. Although two minor seismic events were recorded, it was not possible to definitively conclude if they were caused by natural earthquakes, other blasts, or nuclear tests. (With agency contributions)
