Author: space4knews

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a planned attack on Iran, expressing optimism for a rapid agreement with the country. Writing on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that the attack was called off exactly when the prospects for a swift deal became apparent. According to him, the agreement would include immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the elimination of “Iran’s nuclear threat.” Trump also noted that this decision was made with Israel’s support.

American media outlets had revealed that Washington was preparing new and tougher attacks against Tehran. Earlier, Tehran accused the U.S. of escalating tensions and warned allied nations they would be “consumed by the fire of war.” Trump had stated that the U.S. was ready to execute the most powerful military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran since World War II. However, following requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to halt the attacks for the sake of negotiations, Trump said those attacks had been postponed for now.

Trump indicated progress was being made towards an agreement, with some parts already agreed upon. “The deal will include immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat,” he wrote. Following Trump’s announcement, Iran has so far not issued any response. The U.S. government has already warned its citizens in the Middle East to stay alert and be prepared to leave the region should tensions escalate.

Security alerts released on Saturday advised, “Americans in the Middle East should remain vigilant and be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.” Multiple sources told CBS News that the U.S. and Israel had plans for the most severe bombing ever on Iran’s energy infrastructure. These plans were reportedly discussed in a cabinet meeting on Friday, during which journalists were present and Trump stated, “We will respond harshly to the Iranians whenever they say ‘enough is enough.'”

Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared his concerns about a potential attack with Trump on Saturday. Reuters also published news of the phone conversation. The situation between Washington and Tehran has deteriorated into intense back-and-forth attacks since the April ceasefire was broken. This week, the U.S. increased bombing following attempts to launch ballistic missiles at its military bases. The U.S. has imposed naval blockades and airstrikes on Iranian ports, while Iran continues missile and drone attacks on American positions across the Middle East and has targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Since February 28, clashes between the U.S. and Iran have been ongoing, causing significant fluctuations in global oil markets.

The Nepali mountaineering community is reflecting on last Thursday’s Broad Peak avalanche, considered the largest mountaineering disaster abroad in decades, with increasing interest in the expanding role of Nepali climbers in Pakistan. On Saturday, Nepali expedition officials confirmed the deaths of all 10 members, including six Nepalis and several missing foreigners, who had been unaccounted for two days. With six Nepali climbers involved in the single incident, experts emphasize the need to investigate the legacy of the ‘Fourteen Peaks’ challenge and the growing presence of the Nepali Sherpa community in Pakistan’s mountaineering sector.

The ‘Fourteen Peaks’ refers to the climbing of all 14 Himalayan peaks above 8,000 meters. Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja, born in Nepal and a former British Special Boat Service (SBS) operative, achieved this feat in an unprecedented six months in 2019, drastically reducing a process that typically takes years. South Korean climber Kim Chang-ho held the previous record, completing all peaks in seven years, ten months, and six days—a record unbroken for a decade. The legendary Reinhold Messner took nearly 16 years to complete the challenge.

Purja’s 189-day record-breaking achievement gained international acclaim through a Netflix documentary. His pioneering ascent accelerated the pace of high-altitude mountaineering worldwide. Ishwari Paudel, acting president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, stated, “There is no doubt that Nimsdai is the greatest promoter of the Fourteen Peaks challenge. His contributions have provided significant employment opportunities for Nepali Sherpas beyond Nepal, especially in Pakistan.”

Pakistan is essential for the Fourteen Peaks expedition, hosting five of the world’s 14 highest peaks: K2 (8,611 m), Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m), and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m). Purja’s record was halved in 2023 by Norwegian Kristin Harila and Sherpa Tenjen Lama. That same year, Tenjen Lama tragically died in an avalanche while climbing Shishapangma in Tibet.

Much about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remains shrouded in mystery, with the mystery surrounding his mother being particularly striking. In his 15 years of leadership, he has never publicly mentioned his mother even once. The legitimacy of the hereditary dictatorship appears to rest on the “Mount Paektu” lineage—named after the tallest mountain on the Korean Peninsula, which is considered a mythical birthplace of Koreans. This is also the site where Kim Il Sung, regarded as the founding father of the nation, conducted guerrilla activities against Japanese colonial rulers.

The mothers of the two previous paramount leaders—Kim Il Sung’s mother Kang Pan-sok and Kim Jong Il’s mother Kim Jong-suk—are both revered as “Mothers of Korea.” In stark contrast, the current supreme leader Kim Jong Un’s mother, Ko Yong-hui, remains largely anonymous. Her name and status are scarcely mentioned anywhere. The primary reason for Ko Yong-hui’s obscurity is believed to be her association with a stigmatized social class within Korean society.

According to various accounts compiled by biographers, Kim Jong Un’s mother was born in 1952 in Osaka, Japan. Her parents mainly resided on Jeju Island, which today falls under South Korean territory but was once considered a hostile region to the north. Ko’s family were “Zainichi Koreans,” ethnic Koreans who lived in Japan during the colonial period from 1910 to 1945. North Korea is a society that places great emphasis on social hierarchy, which some analysts liken to a form of caste system.

Analysts note that the Confucian-era concept of respect and veneration for one’s parents and ancestors is still taught to people there. Due to the secrecy surrounding Kim Jong Un’s parents, it is speculated by analyst Cheong that Kim raised his wife Ri Sol Ju publicly early in his leadership and is grooming his teenage daughter Ju Ae as a future successor.

The United States has made its bond requirement program permanent for those applying for ‘tourist’ or ‘business’ visas, increasing the bond amount to $20,000 (over NPR 3,041,000). Along with 50 other countries, Nepal has been included in the mandatory visa bond list. Nepali officials had earlier requested the US government to remove Nepal from this list. The latest announcement published in the US Federal Register states that a visa bond of up to $20,000 is now permanently mandatory for tourist or business visa applicants. This rule will take effect starting next Monday.

In 2025, the US initiated a pilot program implementing a $15,000 bond requirement. Nepal was added to this list of countries subject to the bond rule as of January 21 this year. The inclusion of Nepal alongside countries such as Venezuela and Cuba has raised concerns among foreign policy experts. The US government has described the pilot program as effective, leading to the permanent enforcement of the bond rule. Countries already under the pilot program will remain on the list as the new regulation goes into effect.

Out of the 50 countries on the mandatory bond list, despite 45,488 individuals overstaying their permitted time in the US during 2024, fewer than 50 visa overstays were recorded in the first ten months of the pilot program. This has been cited as evidence for the rule’s effectiveness. Moreover, visa issuance rates have dropped significantly following the bond enforcement. Compared to the previous year’s first ten months, visa issuance rates during the pilot period up to July decreased by 83%. The US government describes this policy as part of former President Trump’s foreign policy initiatives to mitigate the risk of visa overstays.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, speaking during dialogues with US officials just after Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government marked 100 days in office, reportedly requested the removal of Nepal from the visa bond list. He stated, “In every high-level visit and even over the phone with embassy representatives, I have clearly raised this issue. US officials say this is based on scientific data.” A US State Department spokesperson commented, “The visa bond pilot program has proven effective in preventing illegal immigration.”