Tag: special

NASA and IBM have released an open-source artificial intelligence (AI) model named the ‘NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model’ designed to aid lunar observation. This model will assist researchers in identifying potential ice deposits in the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions, locating safe landing sites, and studying volcanic structures. According to NASA and IBM, testing has shown that the model identifies key features on the lunar surface 23% faster than other methodologies. Kathmandu, 11 September.

The American space agency NASA launched this new open-source AI model to analyze decades of lunar observation data and strengthen plans for sustained human presence on the Moon. Developed through collaboration between NASA and IBM, the ‘NASA-IBM Lunar Foundation Model’ is publicly available and trained on over 30 data layers collected by nine instruments from previous NASA missions. The dataset also includes information gathered by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).

This model is comparable to IBM and NASA’s ‘Earth’ series of open foundation models, which have been applied successfully across geospatial and meteorological domains. The new model enables researchers to pinpoint potential ice locations in the Moon’s permanently shadowed areas, map craters suitable for safe landings, and analyze volcanic features. Traditionally, such tasks required scientists to manually study maps and images or rely on lower-resolution machine learning tools.

NASA and IBM report that during testing, this model identified major lunar surface features up to 23% faster and with greater accuracy compared to existing methods. The presence of ice on the Moon indicates potential sources of water and oxygen, which are of significant interest to space agencies. These resources will be critical for constructing permanent bases or stations on the lunar surface and for producing rocket fuel necessary for future Mars missions. Under NASA’s Artemis program, astronauts are planned to return to the Moon during 2026-2027, fostering the development of new technologies for long-term lunar presence and upcoming Martian exploration. This AI model is freely accessible on the Hugging Face platform, with its code also hosted on GitHub, and is expected to support future lunar research efforts.

September 11, Butwal – Businessman and social leader Thaneshwar Paudel from Butwal has contributed NPR 2,525,000 to assist citizens affected by the recent floods. Paudel donated this amount to the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund to support those impacted by the flooding of the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa. He stated that the donation was made personally to the relief fund.

Paudel serves as a volunteer with the Paudel Human Welfare Committee in Butwal and is also the chairman of the Shine Resunga Development Bank’s board of directors. He remarked, “Amid one of the greatest disasters in Nepal’s history affecting districts including Rasuwa, Dhading, and Nuwakot, the country faces severe economic losses and challenging circumstances. It is our responsibility as Nepali citizens to support the government, which is why I have contributed to the relief fund.” He also shared that the Shine Resunga Development Bank, under his chairmanship, has previously donated NPR 6.5 million to the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund.

September 11, Kathmandu – A dispute has emerged after Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited, the company constructing the 456-megawatt Upper Tamakoshi hydroelectric project, convened a board meeting without including directors elected at the general assembly. It has come to light that the board meeting included members nominated by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the ex-officio directors, and invited members from creditor institutions, while rejecting the participation of directors elected by the company’s shareholders through the general assembly.
One member of the board, elected by the public shareholders, criticized the move, stating that senior officials of the authority violated the company’s bylaws and principles of corporate governance by calling the board meeting without notifying the elected directors.
“Until now, no formal meeting of the board of directors had been held,” the member noted. “However, today, the meeting was abruptly shifted from the company’s own office and boardroom in Gyaneshwor to the authority’s premises, and only a limited group of people were invited.” While NEA holds 41% of shares in Upper Tamakoshi and public shareholders hold 49%, the member asserted that excluding directors representing the public shareholders and involving creditor institutions and invited members to make decisions is unlawful and constitutes institutional misuse.
However, Acting Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairman of Upper Tamakoshi, Dhirghayu Kumar Shrestha, stated on Thursday that the company’s board meeting could not be held. He acknowledged that elected directors representing public shareholders were not invited to the board meeting, but explained that since the four-year tenure of these elected directors had expired, the meeting was convened only to discuss whether to call them or not.
“The meeting could not proceed due to lack of quorum. Decisions regarding these directors will be made after obtaining legal opinions,” he said. He also informed that the extension of the current directors’ term until the upcoming annual general meeting was discussed. “If an extension is legally possible, it will be granted; if not, decisions will be made based on the Company Registrar’s advice and legal consultation,” he added.
According to the elected directors, the annual general meeting and the election of new directors should have been completed by the end of August, as required by regulations, but this has not yet occurred. “Although the directors elected for four years are willing to hand over responsibilities to new leadership, officials of the authority have deliberately postponed the general assembly,” the member concluded.

September 10, Kathmandu – Apple unveiled its flagship iPhone 18 Pro at the annual Fall Event held on September 9, 2026, introducing significant changes to its camera features. For the first time, users will have physical aperture control, allowing them to manually adjust the amount of light entering the lens and the depth of field.

1. Manual Aperture Blade Technology
The highlight of the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera system is its 48-megapixel variable aperture camera. According to Kaiyan Drence, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, the system incorporates six laser-cut polymer composite blades, thinner than a human hair. These blades operate with a rotor mechanism and custom lens assembly. In low-light or dark conditions, the aperture will automatically open to allow up to 50% more light into the sensor.

2. Pro Controls and Manual Settings
Catering to professional photographers, Apple has added a ‘Pro Control’ feature within the camera app. This allows users to select from four different aperture options, adjust white balance, modify shutter speed, utilize histograms to monitor exposure, and manually tweak skin texture details for enhanced control.

3. New Software and Video Upgrades
Cinematic Effects: Users can now add half-speed cinematic mode effects at up to 60 FPS even with standard video recordings.
Time-Lapse: Time-lapse videos can be captured in Dolby Vision HDR at 4K resolution.
Audio Mix: The audio mix algorithm has been improved for higher quality voice recordings and now supports background music integration.

4. Smart Focus Tracking and Apple Reference Image
Smart Focus Tracking: Powered by on-device AI, this feature maintains focus on moving objects or people. It prevents loss of focus even if the subject moves out of the frame and returns or changes depth.
Apple Reference Image (Authenticity): This feature verifies whether photos are AI-generated or real. When a photo is captured, the camera sensor securely signs pixel-level data, which is then processed through a private cloud computing system to generate a reference image for authentication.

Following the Bhote Koshi flood, two technicians trapped in the underground structure of the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydroelectric Project have been rescued alive. Throughout the rescue operation, the team had to repeatedly revise their plans due to tunnel conditions, water and silt pressure, large boulders, and limited equipment. Geotechnical engineer Udayaraj Nyaupane voluntarily joined the field efforts, managing the technical aspects of the rescue using his own and gathered tools.

During the operation, the tunnel’s condition—with water and silt pressure, obstacles from large rocks and the structure itself, and the scarcity of equipment—forced the team to adapt their strategy multiple times. Nyaupane remarked, “After the disaster, I was contemplating how best to contribute aid.” He made the decision to bring his own equipment to the site.

While there was an expectation that someone might still be alive inside the tunnel, the exact situation was unknown. Nyaupane noted, “It was observed that the upper area of the tunnel was free from water and had some empty space.” The Nepal Electricity Authority had informed that 42 people were present there.

The team selected the cable duct for the rescue because draining efforts confirmed that the cable tunnel extended to the upper section. Nyaupane explained, “If there were people inside, the likelihood was higher that they would be in the upper part.” The operation involved battling water pressure and large boulders. Ultimately, upon finding two survivors, Nyaupane said, “That was a moment of immense relief.”

The collapse of a 100-meter section of road into the Trishuli River at Krishnabhir has blocked the Prithvi Highway for 12 days. This blockade has caused shortages of gas, sugar, and other essential items in Kathmandu, along with a rise in black-market activities. The Prime Minister’s Office has reported that work is underway to open a 200-meter track to resume highway operations within the month of Bhadra.

Kathmandu, 25 Bhadra — It has been 12 days since the city’s lifeline, the Prithvi Highway, was cut off due to the collapse of a 100-meter stretch of road at Krishnabhir into the Trishuli River. The highway’s closure has disrupted the main road network linking the federal capital, significantly impacting the daily flow of essential goods and passenger travel. Tourist routes between Kathmandu and the tourism hub of Pokhara have also been obstructed. Consequently, Kathmandu’s supply chain has broken down, resulting in shortages of gas, sugar, and other essentials along with increased black marketing.

The incident led to the resignation of Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Gaurikumar Yadav; however, the problems persist. Experts argue that the absence of alternative routes connecting such a densely populated region has turned this 100-meter road collapse into a severe crisis.

Former infrastructure expert and ex-Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma explains that the government’s current efforts to reopen the Prithvi Highway involve a last-resort solution—constructing an alternative track on the landslide site to temporarily restore traffic flow. The alternative routes prescribed by the government—Kanti Lokmarg, Tribhuvan Rajpath, and BP Highway—are technically unsuitable for heavy and large vehicles, which has prevented gas trucks from reaching Kathmandu. As a result, gas cylinders now have to be transported from the Terai region, compounding shortages and inflation.

Sharma notes, “There is no other option than the current effort to reopen Krishnabhir, but the overreliance on a single highway has revealed significant vulnerabilities.” Even if the road reopens promptly, landslide risks remain high due to additional fissures above the newly cleared track, threatening further collapses during heavy rain or dry conditions. Krishnabhir is a historically active landslide zone.

According to Sharma, long-term solutions such as constructing two bridges to divert the road alongside the Trishuli River, building retaining walls by stabilizing the slopes near the riverbank, or creating a tunnel could take 6 months to 2 years. The government delayed its decision to clear a new track until three days after the landslide, which slowed reopening efforts.

Additional hardships due to ineffective alternative routes

The government is constructing an expressway connecting Kathmandu to the Terai-Madhesh region, contracted to the Nepalese Army. The 70.97-kilometer expressway was inaugurated on Jestha 14, 2074 B.S., with plans to complete and operationalize it by the end of Chaitra this year. However, progress remains below 50 percent due to disputes over the starting point near Kathmandu.

Tribhuvan Rajpath, under construction since 2007, serves as a major alternative for large vehicles despite inadequate infrastructure. BP Highway has been deteriorated by floods for a long time, causing persistent problems. The Kanti Lokpath alternative suffers from weak infrastructure and is suitable only for small vehicles. Currently, freight traffic from Hetauda to Kathmandu uses Tribhuvan Rajpath going uphill and Kanti Lokpath on the return route, though both roads are in poor condition.

The government’s reactive approach to finding alternative roads only during crises continues to cause severe hardship for passengers, consumers, drivers, transport administrators, and police alike.

Efforts Underway to Reopen Prithvi Highway Within Bhadra

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, no exact reopening date for the Prithvi Highway has been determined yet. However, work is in progress to allow transportation services to resume within the Bhadra month. A 200-meter section of hillside is being cut to open a new track, with 10 machines and 30 personnel assigned to the task. The Armed Police Force has installed floodlights to enable night work.

The office also reported accelerated efforts to stabilize the landslide area from above and below the new track. Additionally, landslide clearance operations are underway at five other locations to facilitate two-way traffic. Discussions on immediate road repairs were held between Prime Minister Balen Shah and Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamsal. Technical professionals from the Department of Roads and the Nepal Geotechnical Society conducted a four-day study before recommending the opening of a new track.

Lessons Learned Yet Challenges Persist

Frequent landslides along the Muglin-Narayangadh road section have repeatedly forced the government to designate alternate routes between Hetauda and Kathmandu, including the Tribhuvan Rajpath. Last year, a dry landslide near Tuiun Khola blocked this section during the Dashain festival, disrupting traffic and affecting east-west travel.

Three travel options exist between Hetauda and Kathmandu: first, the Tribhuvan Rajpath via Hetauda-Palung-Naubise-Kathmandu, which recently suffered a new landslide near Nagdhunga; a tunnel is under construction to replace this track. Second is the Kanti Lokpath connecting Hetauda-Thingn-Satdobato, and third is the Sanguro road linking Hetauda-Kulekhani-Pharping. The latter two are suitable only for two-wheelers and small vehicles. Despite issues on the BP Highway linking eastern Nepal with Kathmandu, these alternatives are often used. However, the government has not sufficiently strengthened or maintained these routes, causing the same recurrent problems annually.

Malaysia has added 250 manpower agencies to its Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS) as sub-agents, at a time when its list allowing only 25 manpower companies to recruit workers from Nepal has sparked controversy. The Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies has criticized the decision to grant permission to a limited number of companies, calling it a violation of the principle of equality and urging for transparent criteria. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment has sent a diplomatic note concerning the expanded list and warned that agencies included without proper authorization will face legal action.

Kathmandu, 11 September — Malaysia initially published a list permitting only 25 manpower companies in Nepal to recruit workers, igniting widespread opposition. Recently, it registered an additional 250 companies as sub-agents under the main contractors within the FWCMS. Previously, only 25 manpower companies were listed as primary contractors. According to Dika Bahadur Khatri, president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, Malaysia has linked up to 10 sub-agent manpower companies under each of the 25 main contractors.

Khatri commented, “It seems the number was increased to attract the government’s attention. Ultimately, it appears they plan to implement a model similar to that used in Bangladesh.” The publication of the initial 25-company list by Malaysia met with significant resistance in Nepal, including requests from some included agencies seeking removal of their names from the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment’s list. Khatri asserts that adding 250 companies will not resolve the underlying issues, noting that with over a thousand foreign employment agencies operating in Nepal, restricting work permits to a few companies violates Nepalese law and constitutional principles of equality.

September 11, Kathmandu – Apple has unveiled the highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 12 at its annual September launch event. Alongside the iPhone 18 series, the first foldable iPhone Duo, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4, the company introduced the new Series 12 model to the market. While the external design remains similar to previous models, Apple has made significant upgrades to its internal hardware, processor, and health-related sensors.

New S11 Chip and Faster Siri AI: Apple has moved on from the S10 chip used in the past two generations to introduce the new S11 processor. This chip features a faster CPU, GPU, and neural engine. With watchOS 27 and Siri AI improvements, the new chip allows the smartwatch to respond more smoothly and rapidly. It can easily answer complex, context-based user queries and extract instant information from Apple’s native apps.

Battery and Sensors: The heart rate monitoring technology is now more accurate and capable of capturing measurements more frequently, though Apple maintains its claim of a 24-hour battery life. The AI-driven ‘Audio Intelligence’ feature is one of the most compelling additions in Series 12. This feature can listen to surrounding conversations, record them, and summarize key points. According to Apple, these conversations are stored only on the device and when processed in the cloud, neither the company nor any team has access.

New Readiness App for Health and Fitness: Apple has enhanced health and recovery tracking for users. The Readiness app analyzes sleep, stress, and recovery data to inform users whether they are ready for intense workouts or need rest. The redesigned Health app uses AI and biometrics to offer daily health recommendations. It includes features to measure VO2 max using the camera and even order blood tests through the app.

Design, Colors, and Variants: Although the traditional rectangular design is maintained, Apple has introduced new finishes and bands. Available colors include Black, Silver, Gold, and a new Bronze aluminum finish. For the first time since the Series 5 of 2019, Apple has reintroduced the ceramic case option with this edition.

Pricing and Availability: While Apple increased prices for the iPhone 18 Pro series, the Series 12 maintains its price point. Pre-orders for these smartwatches are already open. The Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm aluminum Wi-Fi) starts at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is priced from $799.

September 11, Kathmandu – The government has identified real estate, precious metals, digital currencies, and legal entities as the primary sectors vulnerable to money laundering. This year, the government has highlighted significant risks associated with digital currencies through a comprehensive analysis. A detailed assessment was conducted on potential risk areas for money laundering and terrorist financing activities. According to the evaluation report, the highest risk sectors in Nepal include real estate, precious metals, digital currencies, and legal persons.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers carried out this risk assessment following the action plan issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Although a similar evaluation was performed in 2020, fintech and digital currencies were not included then. However, the 2026 risk assessment report now incorporates an extensive review of the fintech sector along with the identification of risks. The report notes moderate risk levels in banking, cooperatives, fintech, casinos, remittances/hundi, and the securities sectors.

The assessment states that the likelihood of criminal activities and terrorist financing through these sectors remains low. A Nepal Rastra Bank official involved in the process explained that the Office of the Prime Minister collaborated with relevant ministries, the Financial Information Unit, and other agencies in conducting the money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment. “This evaluation was carried out by domestic experts in cooperation with the World Bank,” the official added, “and was performed in line with the FATF action plan given to Nepal.”

According to the official, Nepal shows a high risk mainly in money laundering, while the risk of terrorist and criminal financing remains comparatively low. Nepal has been on the FATF grey list for about one and a half years due to insufficient implementation of effective reforms. The FATF has provided a two-year action plan, which includes periodic risk assessments of the country’s vulnerabilities.

The fourth general assembly of NAS-IT has elected nine board members for the next three years. Dipen Chapagain, Country Director of Guardsix Nepal, has been appointed as the chairman for the term 2026–2029. The new committee aims to strengthen collaboration with member companies, government, educational institutions, development partners, and international stakeholders. Kathmandu, 25 Bhadra.

The Nepal Association for Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT) recently held its fourth annual general assembly, electing nine board members to serve a three-year term. For the period 2026–2029, Dipen Chapagain of Guardsix Nepal was selected as the chairman. Additionally, Vibhushan Bisht, Executive Chairman of Young Innovations, was elected as vice chairman; Shreya Shrestha, General Manager at Alaya Nepal, as general secretary; and Sagar KC, CEO of Jesper IT, as treasurer.

The remaining five board members include Kailash Raj Bijayanand, Chief Operating Officer of Lipfrog Technology; Narayan Koirala, Managing Director of Eminence Wage; Pallav Parajuli, CEO of Quickfox Consulting; Prarthana Sakha, Co-founder of BIC Technology; and Subrat Gyawali, Co-founder of Ripplebytes Solutions. The newly elected officers and board have pledged to continue the organization’s long-term vision to develop and expand Nepal’s technology sector.

The new committee has also expressed commitment to further enhance cooperation with NAS-IT’s member companies, government bodies, educational sectors, development partners, and international stakeholders. NAS-IT is a non-profit industry organization representing Nepal’s software and IT services companies. It works in policy advocacy, industry development, talent and workforce growth, accessing international markets, and fostering collaboration to strengthen Nepal’s technology ecosystem. The organization also organizes roadshows to promote Nepali companies abroad.

Summary of the News

Dipak Kumar Sah, a Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswap) lawmaker elected from Sunsari-4, has been recommended as the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. Prime Minister Balen Shah has proposed his name to fill the vacant ministerial position. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place today at 5:30 PM at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas.

25 Bhadra, Kathmandu: Dipak Kumar Sah, elected from Sunsari-4 representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has been officially recommended for the post of Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. His recommendation letter has been submitted to the President’s Office at Sheetal Niwas. Following the Prime Minister’s recommendation, the President will make the official appointment. In this context, Prime Minister Balen Shah proposed his name today to fill the currently vacant ministry post. Gauri Yadav resigned from this ministerial position earlier the same day. According to the President’s Office, Dipak Kumar Sah will take the oath of office and secrecy at 5:30 PM today.

Devyani International Nepal Pvt Ltd, the franchise operator of KFC in Nepal, has contributed NPR 3.1 million to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund to support those affected by the Bhotekoshi flood. The company collected NPR 1 million from each of its 31 KFC stores, which has been allocated for relief and rehabilitation efforts. Devyani International stated that the funds will be utilized to support flood-affected families in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.

Operating 31 KFC outlets across Nepal, Devyani International Nepal Pvt Ltd made the donation to assist communities impacted by the Bhotekoshi floods. The total amount of NPR 3.1 million, pooled from contributions of NPR 1 million from each store, is earmarked for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation of affected families in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

The floods caused not only human casualties but also damage to homes, roads, bridges, and other local infrastructure in these districts. Devyani International Nepal has a history of supporting the Nepali community through various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The company reaffirmed its commitment to stand united with communities during times of need, expressed condolences for the lives lost, and extended heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families. Additionally, it wished for the swift recovery of those injured. Devyani International Nepal Pvt Ltd is the franchise operator of KFC Nepal and continues to expand its business operations within the country.

Akshay Golyani, Chairman of the Golyani Group, expressed his heartfelt respect for the families of the Janjhi martyrs through an emotional message posted on LinkedIn. The Janjhi Martyrs’ Welfare Society honored him on Tuesday, during which he also met with members of the martyr families. The Golyani Foundation provides educational scholarships up to Grade 12 for 31 children of 22 martyrs and health insurance for 43 parents of 22 martyrs. Kathmandu, 25 Bhadra.

On the occasion of Janjhi Martyrs’ Memorial Day, Golyani noted that the pain of the participating martyr families remains vivid. He wrote, “The faces of everyone gathered bore fresh pain, as if the incident had occurred only yesterday.” He shared that the meeting with the martyr families after the formal program left a profound impact on him. “In that room, amidst tears, there was warmth and affection,” he said.

The Golyani Group, through its social cooperative organization, the Golyani Foundation, has been providing educational scholarships up to Grade 12 for the children of martyrs. Currently, 31 children of 22 martyrs receive these scholarships. The foundation spends 40,000 rupees monthly, totaling 480,000 rupees annually, on their support. Golyani remarked that the collaboration with the martyr families has made them feel like an integral part of the Golyani family.