Author: space4knews

March 25, Kathmandu – The newly elected members of the House of Representatives have taken their oath of office. The ceremony was held at the temporary parliamentary building located in Singha Durbar.

The oath was administered by the senior member of the House, Arjun Narasingh KC, who oversaw the taking of the oath of office and secrecy.

According to the Parliamentary Secretariat, 63 members took the oath in their native languages other than Nepali.

The parliamentarians arrived at Singha Durbar in their traditional attire to take their oath.

March 25 (Chaitra 12), Hetauda – The Division Forest Office of Makwanpur has filed a forest case against five individuals found guilty in connection with illegal dolomite mining in Bakaiya Rural Municipality, Makwanpur.

The investigation by the Sub-Division Forest Office, Bakaiya confirmed that a national forest was cleared to build a road for dolomite excavation. The soil extracted from the road construction caused destruction of vegetation, prompting the filing of a case against the five individuals, four landowners and one businessman.

The accused landowners on plot number 132 – Sukulal Nesur, Dhan Bahadur Ghalan, and Prem Bahadur Muktan – were arrested, and the Division Forest Office filed charges against them following confirmation of violations under Section 49 (g) of the Forest Act, 2076.

The Division Forest Office reported that Nesur was released on a bail of NPR 100,000, while Dhan Bahadur and Prem Bahadur each posted bail of NPR 50,000. Another landowner, Birbahadur Ghalan, and businessman Prakash Gautam remain at large and are being actively searched for, according to Division Forest Chief Rakesh Prasad Chandravanshi.

The investigation report states that Nesur claimed to have obtained permission from other landowners of plots 131 and 132 to excavate dolomite and had constructed roads for the purpose. Dhan Bahadur and Prem Bahadur allegedly supported Nesur by granting permission for mining activities.

“Sukulal Nesur and Shri Om Atut Construction Pvt. Ltd., Hetauda-16, used an excavator on their own accord to widen the road further. The road, constructed over land owned by defendant Birbahadur Ghalan (plot 131) and passing through national forest land, extends approximately 191 meters with a width of 5-6 meters, encroaching upon the Kalikath hill and outside survey lines,” the report notes.

Based on statements and evidence, it was confirmed that defendants Nesur and Om Atut Construction Pvt. Ltd. carried out unauthorized forest clearing and mining of mineral substances in violation of the Forest Act 2076, Section 49 (g). Accordingly, a case was filed at Makwanpur District Court seeking penalties under Section 50 (3), as explained by District Attorney Devendra Raj Acharya.

Other accused individuals Dhan Bahadur, Prem Bahadur, and Birbahadur are alleged to have conspired with Nesur to incite and permit the illegal excavation and sale of dolomite from plots 131 and 132, facing charges under Section 54 of the same act.

The Division Forest Chief also stated that compensation fees have been assessed under Section 41 of the Victim Protection Act 2075 and deposited into the Victim Relief Fund as part of the case proceedings.

The Taswas Kolkhop Access Road, constructed by the rural municipality in 2078 BS, spans 3 meters wide and 2,011 meters long, funded by NPR 500,000. The Sub-division 12 Ward Office of Bakaiya Rural Municipality oversees this road. Division Forest authorities reported that Nesur and the construction company independently upgraded the road without municipal support as the municipality had not acted on road improvement for two years, during which he constructed the road to facilitate movement and dolomite transportation.

Details of the Illegal Dolomite Mining Incident

Illegal dolomite mining has taken place for months in the Chapki mining area along the border between Makwanpurgadhi and Bakaiya rural municipalities, primarily on private land in collusion with local authorities. Despite dolomite deposits being government property requiring approval from the Department of Mines and Geology for extraction, unlawful mining and sales have continued.

Following media coverage, the Division Forest Office dispatched an investigative team on Mangsir 19 led by Chief Forest Officer Saru Shrestha from Sub-Division Forest Office Bakaiya. Despite formally notifying the municipality on Kartik 20, 2080 BS that approval from the Mines Department was required for mining, the municipality ignored legal demands and remained complicit.

At the municipality’s executive meeting dated Ashoj 29, 2082 BS, permission was granted for mining and transportation of dolomite from land owned by Sukulal Nesur (plot no. 132, 11 ropani 6 aana 2 paisa 3 dam) under the incorrect classification of ‘stone and soil.’ However, Nesur reportedly engaged a construction company to illegally mine and sell dolomite.

The Mines and Minerals Act 2042, Section 3, states that all minerals beneath both private and government land in Nepal are the property of the government. The rules and regulations under the Mines and Minerals Regulation 2056 clarify who is authorized to extract such minerals.

While the municipality attempted to classify dolomite as ordinary stone and soil, applicable laws reject this; according to Rule 3, Schedule 1, of the Mines and Minerals Regulation 2056, dolomite is classified as a metallic mineral and considered valuable.

Makwanpur district contains abundant dolomite deposits across its hills, including infrastructure regions within the Mahabharat mountain range. Western areas like Raksirang, Bhimphedi, Makwanpurgadhi, Bagmati, and Bakaiya rural municipalities have substantial dolomite reserves. The district hosts several cement factories such as the government-owned Hetauda Cement Industry and private operations like Shivam Cement and Riddhi Siddhi Cement, all utilizing local mineral resources.

March 26, Kathmandu – Newly elected Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Member of Parliament Gyanbahadur Shahi expressed confidence that despite a reduced number of opposition members, it will not be a problem to play a constructive role.

He made these remarks while speaking to journalists at the Parliament building in Singha Durbar, following his oath-taking as an MP.

Shahi highlighted that the country has acquired new leadership and stated his willingness to support the rule of law accordingly.

“The country has been given new leadership. We will work in accordance with the role we must play to uphold the rule of law,” he said. “We welcome good governance and remain alert to combat corruption.”

12 Chaitra, Kathmandu – The report by the Gauribahadur Karki Commission, established to investigate the protest on 23rd and 24th Bhadra, reveals a contradictory recommendation of both disciplinary action and an award for the same individual.

During the protest, AIG Siddhivikram Shah, who was working in the Operations Department of the Police Headquarters (now the Police Academy), has been recommended for both punishment and recognition.

On page 689 of the commission’s report, it is stated that AIG Shah should be awarded.

The report states, “On 24th Bhadra, during the attack on the Police Headquarters near Bhattabhetni in Tongal and the Hilton Hotel in Nakla, AIG Shah, as the head of the Operations Department, played a leading role by preventing the attackers from entering the main gate, successfully securing the Police Headquarters. Therefore, the Police Headquarters should award him.”

However, the commission also recommended disciplinary action against AIG Shah. On page 725, under the disciplinary recommendations section, AIG Shah’s name appears as recommended for departmental disciplinary measures.

The report cites Article 9, clause (4) of the Police Act 2012 and Rule 109 of the Police Regulations, stating that disciplinary action is required due to shortcomings in duty performance.

March 26, Kathmandu – The Central Committee of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is scheduled to convene today.

The meeting will be held at 4 PM this afternoon at the party’s central office in Bansthali.

The agenda includes discussions on selecting the parliamentary party leader, according to the RSP. Following the Central Committee’s decision, the party’s parliamentary group is set to choose Balen as their leader.

The newly elected members of parliament will take their oath of office today. The Central Committee meeting has been convened subsequent to the oath-taking ceremony.

Once the parliamentary party leader is selected in today’s meeting, Balen is expected to be appointed Prime Minister on Friday. The date for his oath-taking as Prime Minister has already been finalized.

Prior to the election, the RSP had already declared senior leader Balen as their prime ministerial candidate. The agreement between the party and Balen also stipulated appointing him as the future Prime Minister.

March 26, Panchthar – In this eastern hilly district, Chaite rice has been transplanted earlier this year compared to previous years. Most of the fields around Hokmakhola, Fidim-2, have been planted with Chaite rice.

According to local farmer Upendra Aryal, rice transplanting typically started after March 29 in the east, but this year it has been completed in many places much earlier. “We transplant after the seeds sown in January sprout. We have been farming here for many years. This time, the heat has been more intense. Unlike before, the seeds sprouted quickly, probably due to the increased warmth,” he explained.

Chandrakumari Shrestha, encountered in the fields, also noted that rice was transplanted sooner this year. “We face significant water scarcity here. When the soil is warmer, seeds sprout sooner, which might be a reason,” she said.

Recent rainfall has facilitated easier cultivation of Chaite rice. The rice is mainly grown in the Aul area, where there is a tradition of producing rice twice a year. Rice cultivation occurs only where sufficient irrigation is available.

Keshar Bahadur Magarati, Crop Protection Officer at the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Panchthar, confirmed that rice transplanting began a few weeks earlier this year. “Transplanting started as early as the first week of Chaitra,” he said. According to him, Chaite rice farming is practiced in Fidim Municipality, Phalgunanda, Kummayak, Hilihang, and Miklajung regions. “Last year, Chaite rice farming decreased in Panchthar due to damage and erosion to irrigation canals and fields, but with the canal restored this time, rice cultivation is expected to increase,” he added.

Last year, Chaite rice was cultivated over an area of 2,136 hectares.

March 25, Siraha – Hiradevi Mahara had lived in darkness for five years due to untreated cataracts. Financial constraints had prevented her from seeking medical care.

Her world was shrouded in darkness because of the cataract condition. However, during the first week of Chaitra, she was able to attend an extensive free eye camp organized by the municipality. Expert doctors conducted a thorough eye examination.

Following the examination, surgery was deemed necessary and successfully performed. Hiradevi expressed with joy, “Now I can see clearly,” adding that she found it hard to believe such services were available within her own municipality.

Similarly, Shivakumari Sah, approximately 60 years old from Mirchaiya-6, was unable to undergo treatment earlier due to financial difficulties. Smiling, she said, “The poor often lack the means and are worn down by ill health, but receiving free services here has brought a new light into my life.”

Ramshankar Yadav from Mirchaiya-1 and local Sumitradevi Yadav also regained their vision after receiving eye treatments at the same camp.

Mayor Shravan Kumar Yadav of Mirchaiya Municipality informed that, in collaboration with Tilganga Eye Hospital in Kathmandu, 312 patients underwent cataract surgery at the camp. He emphasized that all services—from vision testing and cataract screening to eyewear examinations—were provided completely free of charge.

According to Dr. Basudev Adhikari, cataract surgery typically costs between NPR 28,000 to 30,000 at hospitals, but each operation here was offered at just NPR 14,000, inclusive of medication, examinations, and transportation.

Mayor Yadav explained that upon learning about elderly members of Dalit and disadvantaged families with vision problems unable to afford treatment, the municipality partnered with Tilganga Eye Hospital to organize this camp.

Health Branch Chief Rajan Kumar Sah reported that from March 16 to 22, screening camps were held across all wards and at Mirchaiya Hospital, treating a total of 4,550 individuals’ eyes, with 312 cataract surgeries successfully completed.

March 26, Kathmandu — A jury in California, USA, has found social media platforms Meta and YouTube guilty of intentionally fostering addiction in a young woman, causing damage to her mental health.

Meta and YouTube were ruled to have failed in warning users about the risks of their platforms, resulting in serious harm to the user.

According to CNN, the case was filed by a 20-year-old woman from California, referred to by the pseudonym ‘Kelly,’ and her mother. They had sued Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap Inc. The lawsuit alleged that these companies attracted Kelly from childhood, fostering an addiction that led to anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and suicidal thoughts. Prior to the trial, reports indicate that TikTok and Snap reached settlements in the case.

The jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay a combined total of $3 million in damages — $2.1 million from Meta and $900,000 from YouTube. The jury assigned 70 percent of the responsibility to Meta and 30 percent to YouTube, according to CNN.

After a seven-week trial and more than eight days of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict. In court, Kelly testified that her social media addiction still affects her daily life; she feels compelled to secretly use her phone even during work hours and spends hours editing her appearance using filters.

Preparation for Appeal

Both Meta and YouTube have expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced their intention to appeal. Meta argued that adolescent mental health is a complex issue that cannot be attributed to a single app. YouTube stated that it is a responsibly designed platform.

CNN notes that this is the first time among approximately 1,500 similar lawsuits filed against social media companies that a case has gone to a full trial. The verdict is expected to guide the outcomes of future cases. Continued losses in such litigation could force these companies to pay billions in damages and implement significant platform reforms.

Previously, a jury in New Mexico also found Meta liable for failing to protect children from sexual predators.

Experts suggest this decision may represent a ‘turning point’ in the history of social media. Parents and advocacy groups have long called for stricter regulations to ensure children’s safety. Following this ruling, pressure is expected to increase on the U.S. Congress to enact stronger child protection laws.

March 26, Kathmandu – The dates for US President Donald Trump’s visit to China have been finalized. Trump is scheduled to visit China on May 14 and 15, corresponding to the Nepali calendar dates of Baishakh 31 and Jestha 1, 2083.

During this visit, US President Trump is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. This long-awaited meeting will take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15, according to information released by the White House on Wednesday, as reported by Reuters.

The China visit, initially expected at the end of March or early April, has been postponed by nearly six weeks. Trump had indicated that due to ongoing conflict with Iran, the talks would be delayed by about a month.

Trump Describes Meeting with Xi as ‘Important and Historic’

Following a press conference on Wednesday, Trump conveyed via the social media platform Truth Social that the US delegation is making final preparations for the ‘historic’ trip. He expressed confidence that his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping would be both ‘important and historic.’

According to the Trump administration, the military conflict initiated by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28 may continue for several more weeks.

When questioned about this, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the war with Iran is expected to last between four to six weeks, and President Trump’s China visit schedule was adjusted accordingly.

Meanwhile, during his visit to China, Trump is also expected to invite President Xi to visit the United States.

According to White House Press Secretary Leavitt, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will invite Chinese President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan to visit Washington, D.C. later this year. The exact dates for this visit will be determined in the future.