Author: space4knews

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that in response to two missile attacks on American warships by Tehran over the past two days, US forces launched strikes on five Iranian oil tankers. According to CENTCOM, four Iranian oil tankers associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) located in the Gulf of Oman and another tanker near the main oil terminal on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf were targeted.

Following Tehran’s missile strikes on the US military base in Jordan, the Jordanian government reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted 18 of the 20 missiles launched by Iran. Since the initial attacks on Iran on February 28, there has been a marked increase in similar offensives between the US and Israel over the past week. Oil prices rose in early Asian trading: Brent crude benchmark gained 1.5 percent to reach $99.41 per barrel, while US oil futures increased by 1.6 percent to $95.55 per barrel.

A spokesperson for Jordan’s armed forces indicated that during Iran’s missile offensives toward Jordan, two missiles landed in sparsely populated areas. Iran has also issued a warning of further retaliatory attacks, urging tanker crews associated with the United States near the ports of Kuwait and Bahrain to immediately leave, citing threats to their vessels.

Tensions escalated following ballistic missile attacks by Iran targeting US warships in the recent phase. No American military personnel were reported injured in these strikes. The US response targeted the five oil tankers described as part of a “multi-billion dollar shadow network” that financially supports the IRGC and its regional affiliates.

The mother of a Gen Z martyr says, ‘My son always appears in my dreams.’ The families of the martyrs have expressed grievances that the recommendations of the investigation commission and the Human Rights Commission regarding the Gen Z movement have not been implemented. The new generation’s uprising demanding an end to corruption, misgovernance, and nepotism resulted in some losing their lives and many others injured on 23rd and 24th Bhadra last year.

However, the families of the martyrs say the dreams they have seen remain unfulfilled and the true honor of the martyrs has not been bestowed. Watch this video story featuring conversations with various family members of the martyrs.

More than two weeks after the Rasuwa flood, officials have stated that obtaining the exact number of human casualties is “immediately impossible” and that “the process of identification and confirmation could take years.” Abi Narayan Kafle, the central spokesperson for Nepal Police, said, “We still do not have accurate data on the missing individuals. Some bodies may never be recovered.” According to police figures, nearly 1,400 bodies have been found, but only around 500 have partial remains. Among these, families have been able to claim approximately 100 bodies.

There is a discrepancy of about 1,300 between two government agencies, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the police, regarding the number of missing persons. As of Tuesday evening, the authority reported approximately 5,300 individuals as uncontactable, whereas the police confirmed around 4,100 as missing. Shanti Mahat, a spokesperson for the authority, stated, “The actual number of uncontactable persons might not be this high. Some could be deceased or rescued.” She added, “According to the law, unidentified bodies cannot be removed from the list of uncontactable persons.”

Police officials have described the challenge of body recovery as an “unprecedented problem.” According to central spokesperson Kafle, the police are preparing to launch a major search operation targeting collapsed houses, shelters, and similar structures along both banks of rivers from the border with China to India. “We are conducting extensive searches using drones, trained dogs, binoculars, and a large workforce,” Kafle explained. Recovery efforts near Trivenidham, more than 200 kilometers downstream from Rasuwagadhi checkpoint, have been ongoing for two weeks.

Madan Thapa, police spokesperson for Nawalparasi West near the Indian border, noted, “Even the intact bodies we found could not be identified based on facial features. The fragmented remains recovered pose an even greater challenge.” Although more than 200 bodies were collected, Thapa’s team succeeded in handing over only nine to families. “Those identifications were possible only through tattoos,” he said. “There is also a possibility that many remains may belong to the same person.”

Following the ‘artificial shortage’ of gas and arbitrary price increases, some consumer rights groups have accused the government of inaction. After a landslide occurred in Krishnabhir on the Prithvi Highway, increased transportation costs via alternative routes led businesses to raise the price of cooking gas in Kathmandu. “It is ironic that the government’s responsibility to regulate prices is being taken over by businesses,” said Vishnu Timilsina, General Secretary of Consumer Forum Nepal. “Currently, obtaining gas is very difficult and only possible by paying higher prices.” Similarly, Bimala Khanal, Chairperson of Consumer Eye Nepal, criticized the government, saying it is “encouraging the black market.” “Despite the gas shortage persisting for months, no solution has been found. Now, the natural disaster is being used as an excuse.”

Recently, the LP Gas Industries Association instructed all LPG distributors in the valley to sell gas cylinders at the Nepal Oil Corporation’s fixed price of NPR 2,060 per cylinder, plus an additional NPR 105.38 for alternative transport costs. This amounts to a maximum of NPR 2,165.38 per cylinder. How is gas entering Kathmandu amid these circumstances? The supply chain for LPG cooking gas, already affected by the conflict in the Middle East, has worsened due to the landslide at Krishnabhir. After approx. 100 meters of road collapsed on Bhadra 14 (August 30), this road segment was severely impacted. According to Nagendra Sah, Chief of Nepal Oil Corporation, about 30,000 cylinders enter Kathmandu daily on average. “Normally, 35,000 to 40,000 cylinders are needed daily,” he stated. “We should be satisfied that even fewer cylinders are arriving given the roadblock.”

Information from Nepal Oil Corporation shows that 16 industries delivered 87,877 cylinders to Kathmandu on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. About 19 LPG filling plants operate in Kathmandu, but due to the roadblock in Krishnabhir, large gas trucks are unable to reach Kathmandu directly. “Businesses are filling gas cylinders in places like Hetauda, Birgunj, Nawalparasi, and Dhanusha,” said Sah. “We are making efforts to ease logistics during this crisis.”

Usually, the Nepal Oil Corporation sets the prices for diesel, petrol, and gas. However, with businesses now adding extra transport costs and setting gas prices independently, some consumers perceive this as irregular. “The government has shown no role or vigilance as businesses hike prices,” noted Timilsina from Consumer Forum. Meanwhile, Gyaneshwar Aryal, Chairman of the Gas Sellers Federation, argued that the added transport costs should be viewed as assistance under special circumstances. “Large hotels have been willing to pay extra transportation charges just to keep their businesses operational,” he explained.

Nepal Oil Corporation’s Sah confirmed that under current conditions, businesses are permitted to add extra transportation charges. “Business operators must sell gas at the fixed price within a 50-kilometer radius from the plant, and price hikes are not allowed there. However, in areas like Dashbariya, which are further away, they can add transport costs. This is an old rule, not a new one. During such difficult times, we urge restraint,” he emphasized. Aryal stated that the additional transport costs have not covered actual expenses. “The NPR 105 charge alone is not the issue. I am currently in Hetauda; to transport gas cylinders by Tata Mobile to Kathmandu costs NPR 35,000. If 80 cylinders are carried, it translates to about NPR 400 per cylinder.” “Though prices should not have increased, compromises are necessary in adverse conditions,” he added. Khanal from Consumer Eye Nepal insisted that the government should assume responsibility for transportation. “The government should provide subsidies or transport via government or military vehicles. Former Prime Minister Marichman Shrestha arranged for cooking oil supply by ship,” she said.

Sah from Nepal Oil Corporation argued that all stakeholders must collaborate to resolve the current problem. “Nature damaged the road. Complaining alone won’t solve anything.” “The Krishnabhir road will reopen soon. Once it does, the situation will normalize and gas will be sold at NPR 2,600 in Kathmandu,” Sah said. However, Timilsina from Consumer Forum pointed out that while gas is available in the market, it is primarily through the black market. “Consumers who should get gas at NPR 2,600 are paying NPR 2,780.” They urged the government to immediately intervene and control the situation. “Otherwise, traders will maintain this condition for a long time.” Aryal of the Gas Sellers Federation said any misconduct found should be penalized. “I can’t say there is no malpractice. It might exist in some places.”

Market monitoring in Nepal is generally conducted by the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection. According to Director Anil Kirati, monitoring has intensified, but few black market activities have been detected. “Usually, three teams are deployed; now we have ten teams active. Recently, in Bhaktapur, we fined a businessman NPR 300,000 for malpractice related to gas. Several minor actions have also been taken.” He explained that lack of solid evidence that prices exceed fixed rates makes enforcement difficult. “Because complaints keep coming, we are discussing how to enhance enforcement,” Kirati said.