Author: space4knews

Facing increasing financial pressure, the BBC has proposed a plan to cut up to 2,000 jobs over the next two years to save approximately £500 million. Under this plan, around 550 positions will be eliminated across BBC News, television, and radio, expected to save around £160 million. Additionally, the BBC’s sports department is preparing to cut 41 positions; although five new roles will be created through restructuring, the net job reduction will be 36.

8 October, Kathmandu – In response to growing financial constraints, the British public broadcaster BBC has revealed plans to reduce its workforce by up to 2,000 employees within two years. The BBC has launched a comprehensive restructuring effort aimed at reducing expenses. This includes staff reductions across various departments, discontinuation of some television programmes, and scaling back spending on new content production. The goal is to achieve savings of approximately £500 million within two years.

The cuts are expected to directly affect BBC News, television, and radio operations, resulting in the elimination of about 550 roles and anticipated savings of £160 million. According to the latest plan, the BBC’s sports division will see 41 job cuts. Despite the creation of five new positions through restructuring, the net reduction will be 36 roles.

To implement these job cuts, the BBC has initiated a voluntary redundancy scheme. From the proposed reductions in the sports department alone, it is estimated that about £2.6 million will be saved. An internal memo obtained by the Press Association reveals that Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips has proposed cutting £80 million from the commissioning budget by the 2027/28 fiscal year. She also projects that by the end of the current fiscal year, approximately 100 roles could be cut from the content division.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie, in an email to staff last June, acknowledged that difficult decisions would be necessary to achieve significant savings. He made it clear that all departments must contribute to these crucial savings efforts. As part of the plan to make the BBC leaner and more agile, senior leadership positions will be reduced by at least 10%. This represents the BBC’s largest effort to cut jobs in around 15 years.

A recent study has revealed that individuals who get 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night, along with sufficient REM and deep sleep, face a reduced risk of many serious health conditions. Published in PLOS Medicine, the research found that people who sleep less than 5 hours have a higher risk of 37 different diseases. Irregular sleep patterns were also linked to mental and physical health problems. Researchers from Capital Medical University in China analyzed data from 95,559 participants of the UK Biobank to reach these conclusions. Kathmandu, September 24.

This new study confirms that getting adequate sleep of 6 to 8 hours per night, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and deep sleep phases, significantly lowers the risk of numerous serious illnesses. Published on September 17 in the scientific journal PLOS Medicine, the research highlights that individuals sleeping less than 5 hours daily are more prone to various diseases.

Researchers led by Shengzhi Sun from China’s Capital Medical University disclosed new insights regarding the direct impact of both quantitative and qualitative sleep on human health. For their investigation, the team analyzed data from 95,559 participants in the UK Biobank. Each participant wore a wrist-worn accelerometer device for seven consecutive days and nights to monitor sleep patterns meticulously.

Using deep learning algorithms, the researchers measured different sleep stages (REM, deep, and light sleep), total sleep duration, post-sleep awakening state, and sleep irregularities. Participants were monitored on average for 8.9 years, and their health records were assessed to examine links between sleep and over 1,000 diseases. The study revealed that individuals with higher amounts of REM sleep had a significantly lower risk of 83 diseases, including heart failure, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Ataullah Tarar, has claimed that the Pakistani Air Force carried out airstrikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan. According to him, these sites were being used for drone storage and operations. Pakistan has not released detailed information about the targeted locations. Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan also claimed to have destroyed eight drones that entered its airspace from Afghanistan.

The spokesman for the Taliban government’s Ministry of Defense, Siddiqullah Nusrat, spoke to BBC on Wednesday, denying any attacks from Afghanistan on Pakistan. “There has been no attack from Afghanistan on Pakistan. The Afghan Air Force has not yet conducted any drone attacks,” he stated, adding, “The timing and nature of any responsive actions will be determined by the Afghan Air Force.”

According to Tolo News, citing Mustaghfur Gurbuz, spokesperson for the governor of Khost, Pakistan launched the attacks around 3:30 a.m. Gurbuz said the strikes targeted areas including Camp Gullen in Khost district, Ismail Khel, and some parts of Mandozi district. He claimed there were no human casualties from these attacks. The Taliban government has not provided a detailed account of the affected sites. However, photographs distributed by AFP news agency via Getty Images show flames and plumes of smoke rising after airstrikes in Kandahar.

A fire broke out on a sleeper bus traveling from Delhi to Bihar on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, resulting in the death of nine people, including a woman. According to police, the incident occurred near the 33-kilometer milestone in the Jewar police station area during the night.

Rinki Rajput, a passenger who survived the accident, described the bus being filled with smoke and the chaotic scene inside. She said, ‘I was asleep when someone loudly knocked on the door. When I opened my eyes, I saw a large crowd already gathered.’ She added, ‘People were pushing each other. I was also pushed, but eventually someone helped me get out. After that, I don’t remember anything.’

According to her, ‘The bus was completely filled with smoke. The situation was chaotic, and it was very difficult to get out. There was so much smoke that visibility was almost zero. Many people inside were struggling to breathe. Only a few managed to get out by forcefully making a path through the crowd.’ Rinki stated, ‘Many lost their lives. There were many people behind me who probably could not get out because I myself managed to escape only much later.’

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday in Washington to discuss various issues including trade tensions, artificial intelligence (AI), and Taiwan. Trump personally welcomed Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan with a red carpet ceremony at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Both countries have agreed to extend an 11-month trade war truce until January 10, temporarily putting aside tensions ahead of the talks.

During Xi’s state visit, discussions are expected to cover several critical topics such as the U.S.-Israel conflict over Iran, the impact of tariffs imposed by Trump, and the potential threat of conflict over Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. After the welcome at Joint Base Andrews, Xi will receive a military flyover and a state honor guard comprising nearly 500 troops at the White House as part of the main events on Thursday morning.

Prior to the main meeting on Thursday, both sides agreed to temporarily halt the trade war crisis. The current 11-month trade truce, which was set to expire in November, has been extended until January 10. The discussions are also anticipated to focus on the U.S.-Israel tensions concerning Iran. Additionally, cooperation and competition in developing artificial intelligence technologies are expected to be key topics during the talks.

Despite underlying tensions, Trump’s personal decision to warmly welcome Xi signals the American president’s willingness to maintain a respectful relationship with the Chinese leader. This meeting is seen as an opportunity to find a path for collaboration amid the competitive interests of both countries.

Following a brief news summary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations General Assembly, alleging that Russia is utilizing citizens from 47 countries, including Nepal, in its war efforts. He highlighted the involvement of nationals from Nepal, Ghana, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, and South Africa in the conflict. Zelensky urged the respective nations to prevent their citizens from being recruited into the Russian military and to ensure their safety. Report from Kathmandu, 8 Ashoj.

Zelensky accused Russia of tricking and enticing foreign nationals into joining its side and being used as combatants. “Russia is employing citizens from 47 countries in its war,” he stated. According to him, many are taken against their will or through deception and subsequently sent to the battlefield.

Highlighting casualties among non-Russian foreign nationals, Zelensky appealed to governments of the affected countries to take steps to protect their people. Addressing delegates at the Assembly, he said, “These are your citizens; you must ensure their protection.” He also accused President Putin of dragging other nations into the war.

Supporting his claims, Zelensky referenced footage obtained via Ukrainian drones showing foreign nationals falling in battle. His remarks have reignited global discussions about the potential involvement of Nepali citizens in the Russia-Ukraine war. Nepal has long been conducting diplomatic efforts to prevent its citizens from enlisting in foreign militaries and to repatriate Nepalis currently serving in the Russian forces.

At the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being the ‘Patient Zero’—the initial source of aggression—and spreading war worldwide. He urged NATO allies to stop Putin and highlighted the risk of contagion in Asia via North Korea, noting that Kim Jong-un is supporting Russian forces militarily, contributing to increased missile and drone capabilities.

Zelensky claimed that in the past eight months, Russian forces have lost 248,000 soldiers, and shared that Ukraine is collaborating with the UK, Canada, France, and Germany on the ‘Freya’ missile development program.

Kathmandu, 7 Ashoj – In his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Zelensky described Russian President Putin as spreading war globally and appealed to NATO allies to act before this contagion expands further.

He stated, “Putin always seeks individuals who help him kill more people. Not for his country, but for territorial expansion and aggression against other nations, he wants to kill many. Can you imagine Putin not engaging in war? He is ‘Patient Zero’; this war has spread worldwide from the jungle’s edge. The more freedom Putin gains, the greater the catastrophe it could be for the world.”

NATO member states have faced hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, proxy agents, drone infiltrations, and far-right political support. Recently, Putin has issued security warnings about rapid strikes targeting NATO areas.

Zelensky expressed regret that China’s President Xi Jinping was absent from the General Assembly while meeting former U.S. President Donald Trump in America. He highlighted Beijing’s role in exporting technology and weaponry, which benefits Russia’s war effort and fuels Putin’s ambitions.

Regarding the contagion risk from North Korea to Asia, he said, “Putin’s ‘Patient Zero’ comrades, the North Korean leader, have exploited Russian military weaknesses by sending troops. Along the way, the North Koreans have suffered significant losses. You may have seen broadcasts honoring soldiers killed in Pyongyang; this is madness. Why should Koreans lose lives in a war against Ukraine?”

He added, “Kim Jong-un treats these forces like commodities to exact revenge. Additionally, neighboring Asian countries are concerned about Pyongyang’s growing ballistic missile and drone capabilities, terrifying the region.”

Zelensky also hinted that China might be surprised by advanced nuclear missile and Russian drone technologies. He criticized the European Union’s decision to lift sanctions on two wealthy Russians, saying,

“This decision will ease life for wealthy Russians and give Putin more time to send impoverished people into the dangers of war.”

He claimed that in the last eight months, the Russian military has lost 248,000 soldiers, including fatalities, supported by drone footage obtained by Ukraine. Reflecting on the significant destruction since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, he urged the world to feel accountable for its limited response.

Previously, Ukraine was considered a weak state, and Zelensky was widely respected as its leader. However, his recent address revealed a different tone.

He stated, “We have the answer to ‘Patient Zero’, and possibly the cure.” While acknowledging that Ukraine still needs help, he described his country as a “nation of startup warriors” leading the world in modern warfare technologies.

Ukraine, together with ten countries including the UK, Canada, France, and Germany, is engaged in the missile development program named ‘Freya,’ with Poland also invited to participate.

Emphasizing this collaboration, he said, “We are building our security in a way that strengthens our role as true providers of security globally and helps others gain that protection, which can reduce threats from those who initiate and spread war.”

(With contributions from agencies)