Summary: Seven Nepali nationals injured by falling drone debris in the Al Ajban area of the UAE have been discharged after receiving medical treatment. Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that all injured individuals have now been released. The Nepali Embassy in the UAE also maintained contact with each injured person to gather detailed information about the incident.
On March 22 in Kathmandu, it was reported that seven Nepalis among twelve injured in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ajban area due to falling drone debris have fully recovered following treatment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that six of the injured had already been discharged earlier, and the seventh, who sustained a hand injury, was still under treatment. Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri later confirmed that this individual has also been discharged after treatment.
He further explained that of the seriously injured, one sustained a hand injury. Both the Nepali Embassy in the UAE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have taken this incident seriously and expressed deep concern. The embassy reached out to all the injured to collect additional details about the event.
The Council of Ministers meeting has commenced at Singha Durbar, under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Kathmandu, 22 Chaitra. The Prime Minister’s Secretariat has confirmed that the meeting is currently in progress.
In Bagbira village of Bodebarsain Municipality-7, Saptari, three crore Nepalese rupees were allocated in the fiscal year 2082/083 for the construction of a birthing center. However, the construction process has not begun due to budget cuts. Sanjiv Kumar Sah, chief of the Urban Building Construction Project in Rajbiraj, informed that work could not progress after the budget was halted.
Local youth Rajkishor Yadav has emphasized the need to secure the budget for the health-related birthing center, while Ward Chairperson Vijay Narayan Kapair urged for expediting the tender process. Kathmandu, 22 Chaitra. There is a shortage of budget for building a birthing center in Bagbira village, Bodebarsain Municipality-7, Saptari.
The Urban Building Construction Project Rajbiraj had initially allocated three crore rupees for the birthing center, but recent budget cuts have stopped the construction. According to Sanjiv Kumar Sah, the project could not advance as the budget was halted at the initial implementation stage.
“The budget was allocated at the start of the fiscal year. Since this is a new project, we were initially studying the tender process,” Sah explained. Local youth Rajkishor Yadav has stressed the importance of securing the budget for the center. Ward Chairperson Vijay Narayan Kapair has requested relevant authorities to ensure the budget for the local area and to expedite the tender process. In this context, Chandra Narayan Yadav from Khadakpur has donated seven kathha of land for the construction of the health post in the area.
March 22, Kathmandu – The Nepal Cricket Association (KNCB) board meeting scheduled for Saturday was postponed after Vice President Roshan Singh and his group were absent. Singh, along with eight board members, had submitted a memorandum to KNCB President Chatur Bahadur Chand last year in Jestha, demanding detailed expenditure reports for the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Those who submitted the memorandum included Roshan Singh, Durga Pathak, Bikram Bista, Madhav Karmacharya, Birendra Chand, Arjun Paudel, Pradeep Majgaiyan, and Jayanti Bhatt. Sources revealed that the board meeting was boycotted because KNCB has yet to provide the requested financial details.
The meeting agenda included the general assembly, budget, annual program, and audit report. After the postponement, the board meeting was rescheduled for Monday. KNCB President Chand stated that the meeting was shifted to Monday to ensure full attendance of all members. “Some members were absent and informal discussions took place. We have called the meeting for Monday to guarantee everyone’s participation,” he said.
The 31st Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Olympic Museum was held in Lalitpur. The assembly paid tribute to the late founding president Kshitij Arun Shrestha and the late treasurer Manju Tuladhar. The parliamentary assembly unanimously elected Sansi Shrestha as president, expressing a commitment to advance the museum at both national and international levels. March 22, Kathmandu.
The Nepal Olympic Museum, the first and only Olympic museum in South Asia, successfully held its 31st annual general meeting in Lalitpur. The meeting honored the memory of the late founding president, Kshitij Arun Shrestha, and the late treasurer, Manju Tuladhar, acknowledging their invaluable contributions. Shrestha established the museum in 1994 as a pioneering initiative to preserve Nepal’s sports history.
During the meeting, Shrestha’s daughter, Sansi Shrestha, was unanimously elected as the new president. Upon her election, she expressed her commitment to fulfilling her parents’ vision by promoting the museum on both national and international stages. The new executive committee includes Jit Bahadur KC and Bhairav Shahi as vice presidents, Kishor KC as general secretary, and Ranjan Nagarkoti as treasurer. Olympians Tika Ram Shrestha and Vimala Rana Magar, along with Sulojana Sijakhwa, Surya Nepal, Kumar Shrestha, Ganesh Thapa, Ganesh Bhattarai, G.R. Khatri, and Prajapati Dahal were appointed as members.
Officially inaugurated at the Dashrath Rangashala in Tripureshwor during the 8th South Asian Games in 1999, the museum has been dedicated to preserving sports artifacts, collecting athlete records, promoting traditional sports, and conducting sports research. Looking ahead, the museum plans to prioritize digitization, creating digital archives of athletes, and programs connecting youth with sports history. Additionally, it was announced that special events will be held to honor the founders during the 32nd anniversary celebration.
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has shut down more than 7,000 online gambling apps and websites as part of the government’s administrative reform agenda. The authority has coordinated with internet service providers to block illegal gambling apps and websites within 24 hours. Under the Muluki Criminal Code, those involved in gambling face confiscation of the amount used, imprisonment for up to one year, and fines up to NPR 10,000. Kathmandu, 22 Chaitra.
More than 7,000 apps and websites related to online gambling have been shut down. According to Deputy Director Surya Prasad Lamichhane of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, illegal gambling apps and websites have been identified and internet service providers instructed to block them. “So far, over 7,000 such URLs and apps have been shut down. In the past week, the authority has received more than 50 complaints related to online gambling, all of which are being addressed as actions proceed,” he said.
Among the 100 points approved in the cabinet meeting on Chaitra 13 related to administrative reforms, point number 42 mandates shutting down gambling apps and websites within 24 hours. Following this decision, the authority, in collaboration with internet service providers, immediately blocked all identified gambling apps and websites operating electronically. According to Section 125(4) of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074 BS, engaging or facilitating gambling is prohibited. Violators face confiscation of the gambling amount, imprisonment for up to one year, and fines up to NPR 10,000.
The government has reiterated its appeal to refrain from using or operating gambling apps and websites. Strict action will be taken against unauthorized operation or use. Additionally, the government has urged the public to report any suspicious apps or websites to the concerned authorities.
Tourism entrepreneur Karn Shakya has asserted that his hotel operating in Lakeside, Pokhara, has not encroached upon land belonging to Fewa Lake. The Pokhara Metropolitan City demolished structures of the hotel situated within the Fewa Lake area, a move taken because the court had not issued any stay order. The new government has included the removal of unauthorized structures in the Fewa Lake vicinity within its 100-day action plan, which the metropolitan city is implementing.
Kathmandu, 22 Chaitra – Following the demolition of his hotel’s structures by the metropolitan city on Saturday, Shakya clarified that he did not violate any regulations. He stated, “There has been no land encroachment. We have the ownership certificate, the approved map, a license from the Tourism Department, certification from the Industry Department, as well as permission from the central bank. We have paid taxes annually and hold no bank loans.”
Shakya operates the Waterfront Hotel in Lakeside. The metropolitan city removed certain parts of the hotel on Saturday, citing that these structures fell within the protected zone of Fewa Lake. Shakya expressed dissatisfaction over the demolition being carried out without prior notice. However, the metropolitan city had previously requested that no new structures be constructed in this area and that existing unauthorized ones be removed. A 65-meter buffer zone has been established to protect Fewa Lake, and the court has already issued orders related to this regulation.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has safely recovered a missing crew member from the American F-15 fighter jet that crashed. Although the pilot had already been rescued by U.S. forces, an official connected to weapons systems had been unaccounted for since the incident. Trump confirmed that this crew member was rescued in good condition. Both the United States and Iran were actively involved in the search operation. The Iranian military had announced rewards for those who helped locate the individual. Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of Iranians searching in mountainous areas.
Iranian officials have claimed that the crashed fighter jet was downed by Iran’s own air defense systems, though no official response has yet been issued by U.S. authorities. Iranian state media reported on Friday for the first time that their forces had brought down the American aircraft in the country’s southern region. The military search and rescue mission managed to locate the jet’s pilot. During the rescue operations, an A-10 Warthog aircraft took part but reportedly came under attack over the Persian Gulf. The A-10 pilot was said to have ejected safely using emergency equipment.
After the F-15E jet was downed, the helicopter carrying the rescued pilot was also reportedly fired upon with a low-powered weapon. Several crew members aboard the helicopter were wounded as a result. According to American media reports, the helicopter was able to land safely. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that tribal groups living in mountainous regions opened fire on two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the U.S. rescue mission. A video confirming the incident was publicly released on Friday.
According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, the top joint military command credited the country’s new air defense systems with shooting down both U.S. warplanes. However, the exact time and location of the F-15 crash have not been officially confirmed. Iranian state media mentioned two possible provinces — Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, or Khuzestan. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad are mountainous southwestern provinces of Iran, home to more than 700,000 residents.
Ravi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Janamat Party (RJP), has proposed the election of DP Aryal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Since Aryal stands as the sole candidate, he has been elected unopposed to the position. The House of Representatives is scheduled to formally announce his election as Speaker today, 22 Chaitra, in Kathmandu.
During the House session, the proposal to elect DP Aryal as Speaker was formally presented by RJP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane. Chairman Lamichhane expressed his gratitude to all parties that supported Aryal’s unanimous election as Speaker. “I extend my thanks to everyone for their cooperation and political respect,” Lamichhane said.
Dr. Swarnim Wagle has also voiced support for Ravi’s proposal. Since Aryal was the only nominee registering on the nomination day last Friday, he has secured an unopposed election as Speaker. Today’s House session will officially declare his election.
22 Chaitra, Pyuthan – A fire broke out in the settlement of Khedaghatt, Aairawati Rural Municipality-1. The fire reportedly started from a grass-thatched temporary shed owned by local resident Laxman Rana and spread throughout the village, according to police reports. To control the blaze, a team of 30 personnel, including DSP Narhari Adhikari, chief of the District Police Office, alongside officers from the Bijuwar Police Office and Dangwang Police Post, were deployed.
The fire, which began around 11:45 pm Saturday night, was brought under control by 7 am Sunday morning with the assistance of the Nepali Army, Armed Police, and local residents, according to Hari Bhattarai, Information Officer at Pyuthan District Police Office.
Thirteen homes belonging to families in the locality were completely destroyed by the fire. Authorities estimate damages to be close to one crore Nepali rupees.
March 22, Kathmandu – A 5.8 magnitude earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan. According to Mohammad Yusuf Hammad, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority, the earthquake resulted in the deaths of nine individuals. Hammad reported that a house collapsed in Kabul province, leading to the fatalities of those nine people. Additionally, one child was injured at the same location. The tremors from the earthquake were also felt in the capital city, Kabul. The earthquake’s epicenter was identified at a depth of 186.4 kilometers, located at 36.55 degrees north latitude and 70.85 degrees east longitude.
Kalinchok Hydropower has issued 1,375,000 primary shares worth NPR 137.5 million for the general public. Applications for the IPO can be submitted for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 10,000 shares, with the application window open until Chaitra 25.
The company’s project, located in Sangukhola of Dolakha district, has a generating capacity of 5 megawatts and a total project cost of NPR 120 crore.
Kathmandu, 22 Chaitra – Kalinchok Hydropower has officially opened its primary shares (IPO) to the general public. The company plans to sell 25 percent of its issued capital of NPR 550 million, which amounts to NPR 137.5 million or 1,375,000 shares, to public investors. After allocating shares to local communities affected by the project, Nepalis working abroad, collective investment funds, and employees, 684,750 shares remain reserved for the general public.
The IPO application process allows investors to apply for a minimum of 10 shares and a maximum of 10,000 shares, according to sales manager RBB Merchant Banking. The application window closes on Chaitra 25. Care Ratings Nepal assessed the company with a BB rating, indicating a moderately weak capacity for debt repayment.
Applications can be submitted via member banks and financial institutions of ASBA or through the CDSC’s online platform, Meroshare. The project in Sangukhola, Dolakha district, was developed with a 5 MW capacity. The total project cost is NPR 120 crore, with a cost per megawatt of NPR 24.14 crore. The payback period for regular investments is set at 9.19 years, while the payback period on a discounted basis is 15.36 years.
The Federal Parliament’s House of Representatives and National Assembly will convene on 22 Chaitra in Kathmandu.
The House of Representatives will formally announce Rashtriya Swatantra Samajwadi Party Vice Chairperson Dol Prasad Aryal’s unopposed election as Speaker.
The National Assembly meeting will include the chairperson’s nomination of subject committee members, and the Prime Minister will present the women’s commission annual report.
22 Chaitra, Kathmandu – Both houses of the Federal Parliament will convene today. The House of Representatives meeting will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the National Assembly meeting at 12:15 p.m.
The House of Representatives session, to be held in the multipurpose hall of the under-construction Federal Parliament building at Singha Durbar, will see the formal announcement of Rashtriya Swatantra Samajwadi Party Vice Chairperson Dol Prasad Aryal’s unopposed election as Speaker.
Aryal was elected unopposed for the Speaker position after filing his sole candidacy on nomination registration day last Friday.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly will meet at Singha Durbar at 12:15 p.m. The agenda includes the chairperson’s nomination and adjustment of members of subject committees. Additionally, the chairperson will nominate members authorized to conduct meetings in the absence of the chairperson and deputy chairperson.
According to the schedule, Prime Minister Balendra Shah is also set to present the annual report of the Women’s Commission for fiscal year 2081/82, Federal Parliament Secretariat Secretary-General Padma Prasad Pandey stated.
Scientists believe that “banking” sleep can enhance athletic performance, improve concentration, and offer numerous benefits.
It’s the weekend — an ideal time to turn off your alarm clock and enjoy a few extra hours in bed.
For many weary after a busy workweek, this opportunity for sleep can be quite beneficial.
But are we perhaps overlooking another perspective? Could storing extra hours of sleep before busy periods help mitigate the effects of upcoming sleepless nights?
Some researchers suggest that banking sleep might be an effective strategy.
The concept of sleep banking refers to intentionally sleeping longer on multiple nights in advance of anticipated periods when sleeping will be difficult.
This helps the brain accumulate the resources needed to stay alert and improve cognitive performance later on.
The topic is gaining popularity in health-related discussions on platforms like TikTok.
Sleep banking is often praised as a way to boost performance before long journeys or major events.
Some consider it a “protective shield” against periods of intense demands. But is it truly effective?
The concept was first introduced in 2009 by researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, USA.
A team led by Tracy Roepke at the University of Utah tested this with soldiers, seeking methods to increase alertness before missions.
They began by studying whether extending sleep duration helps or not.
The researchers divided 24 soldiers into two groups: one allowed 7 hours of sleep per night, the other 10 hours.
The following week, these participants were limited to just 3 hours of sleep per night, following their prior extended sleep periods.
The results were promising: those with extended sleep showed less decline in alertness and concentration, and their reactivity was quicker than those who had not banked sleep.
Years of various studies have suggested that sleep banking can protect mental and physical health before nights of insufficient sleep.
Image credit, Getty Images
Caption, Supporters claim sleep banking can be helpful in the near future if you anticipate sleeplessness.
A 2023 study by doctors at a Miami hospital showed that an extra 90 minutes of sleep for three nights could significantly improve nighttime sleep quality for up to two weeks.
Other studies have demonstrated positive effects on athletic performance through this strategy.
Tennis players improved their performance by sleeping nine hours each night for a week consecutively. Basketball players also showed improvements after increasing sleep from five to seven weeks.
Sleep: A Bank or a Credit Card?
However, sleep banking remains a controversial topic. Not all researchers agree that sleep can be “banked” and later used as needed.
Many try to clarify whether the body truly stores sleep for future use or simply compensates for unmet prior needs.
Studies on shift workers investigating sleep banking suggest there may be biases involved.
Improvements in performance could merely reflect the extended sleep prior to the study rather than true banking.
The central question remains: why does our body need sleep?
“There are many theories on why we sleep,” said Peter Pollos, Associate Professor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
“Sleep involves metabolic, hormonal, neurological, and cognitive processes that operate during this time. It’s essential for the brain to consolidate and prioritize important information.”
Physiologically, sleep is critical for repairing billions of cells in our body.
“Healthy sleep is vital for cellular repair and energy replenishment,” said Michael Howell, Professor of Neurology at the University of Minnesota.
“Throughout the day, our brain and body produce various wastes that are cleaned during sleep.”
He recommends seven to nine hours of sleep nightly for most adults. “Only a minority can function well with four or five hours of sleep.”
Severe sleep deprivation causes harm.
Without adequate sleep, the brain cannot clean waste effectively, making it challenging to focus on daily activities.
“Whether you’re learning a language, music, an athlete, or acquiring new skills, you will struggle to concentrate and process information,” he explained. “It also impairs long-term memory storage and usage.”
Roepke and colleagues believe that sleep banking aids the brain in removing neuronal waste and replenishing glycogen, an energy source for the brain, enabling it to withstand sleep deprivation.
Is it Best to Bank Sleep in the Morning or at Night?
“If you want to bank sleep, I recommend adding 30 to 60 extra minutes and trying to start this practice one or two weeks before the anticipated period of sleep loss,” Howell advised.
Setting an alarm to wake up earlier is easier for most, as people generally find it easier to sleep early and wake early, although this may vary.
Peter Pollos added that going to bed early might work best for some individuals.
“If you can wake at 6 a.m., set your alarm for 7 a.m., but anyone can wake at 6 a.m. by whatever means,” he said.
Image credit, Getty Images
Caption, People who struggle to get long nighttime sleep are advised to take short afternoon naps.
Elizabeth Klerman, Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, emphasized the need to verify if sleep banking is truly possible, given that it would require people to be able to sleep even when they aren’t naturally sleepy — evidence for which is currently lacking.
She cited past experiences showing that people often cannot sleep more even when given the opportunity, leading her to compare sleep to a credit card rather than cash.
“In other words, you may go into debt, but you cannot save surplus sleep,” she explained.
If people believe sleep banking is effective, they risk depriving themselves beforehand by assuming they’ve stored enough sleep.
“This could prevent them from obtaining what is fundamentally essential for their health and well-being,” she warned.
Nevertheless, she concurs that catching up on missed sleep when necessary is important. However, she cautions against napping for longer than 45 minutes in the afternoon, since oversleeping can lead to lethargy.
Peter Pollos advises that while sleep banking may aid in future sleep deficits, it should not be relied upon as a long-term solution.
“Don’t depend on it for all your sleep problems or the demands of life,” he said. Improved sleep habits will provide long-term benefits.
“Try to keep consistent bedtimes and wake times, and ensure you get enough quality sleep,” Pollos stressed.
Chaitra 22, Kathmandu – The Bhaktapur police have reported arresting 60 individuals during a ‘sweep operation.’
On Chaitra 21, the District Police Office along with subordinate units detained 60 people, according to the authorities.
The police had been monitoring individuals suspected of involvement in motorcycle theft and other suspicious activities. During this operation, 60 persons were apprehended in a single day, said Prakash Jabegu, the Information Officer and DSP of Bhaktapur District Police Office.
The Bhaktapur police have designated this campaign as the ‘Sweep Operation.’ DSP Jabegu added that this operation will continue in the coming days as well.
Meanwhile, Bhaktapur police also arrested a public transport bus driver for operating the vehicle under the influence of intoxicants. The driver was taken into custody during a checkpoint at Radheradhe on Chaitra 21, police reported.
