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Summary:

• Sudip Neupane from Kalikanagar, Butwal (Rupandehi district, Nepal) was among 26 people killed in a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
• His mother was injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment.
• The family had traveled to the region for a holiday.
• Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba confirmed the incident and expressed condolences, stating Nepal is in close contact with Indian authorities and the embassy to provide necessary support.
• The attack was carried out by a militant group called ‘Kashmir Resistance,’ which claimed responsibility via social media, protesting the settlement of 85,000 outsiders in the region.
• This is considered the worst terrorist attack on civilians in Kashmir in nearly two decades.
• Nepal strongly condemned the attack, offering condolences and support to India during this time.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to return to India after the attack.
• This is the deadliest attack targeting civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Attacks on tourists in Kashmir are rare; the last major incident was in June 2024 when nine Hindu pilgrims were killed.

Archive: https://archive.md/2h5nA

The real rainfall hasn't even started yet and the infrastructure is already a mess. Construction everywhere just feels like corruption in process.

Summary:

• Pre-monsoon rains have caused daily traffic jams lasting hours on the Narayangadh-Butwal section of the Mahendra Highway, especially around Daunne, where a 14 km stretch can take 4-5 hours to cross. Some travelers have spent almost 24 hours stuck on narrow hilly roads.

• The situation is expected to worsen during the full monsoon season. The Department of Roads plans to discuss urgent measures to keep roads passable during heavy rains, including completing ongoing culvert construction, adding more culverts, avoiding digging drainage ditches that disrupt traffic, and using gravel to maintain road usability.

• The Narayangadh-Butwal road widening project remains incomplete after multiple deadline extensions; the Daunne section is not expected to finish soon due to complex terrain and construction difficulties.

• Alternative routes like the Kaligandaki Corridor exist but are longer and more challenging, especially since roads like the Siddhartha Highway regularly become unstable during rains.

• Experts note a lack of interconnected alternative routes among Nepal’s three main east-west highways (Hulaki, Mahendra, and Madan Bhandari), which could help reduce traffic problems during disruptions.

• Other highways also face issues: the BP Highway near Dhulikhel and Bardibas has damaged sections from last year’s heavy rains; some stretches need complete reconstruction, which may take over two years.

• Earthquake and flood damage from previous monsoons continue to affect roads in various regions, with temporary fixes in place but permanent solutions pending.

• The government is working on emergency measures like installing temporary bridges, clearing landslides quickly, and completing critical infrastructure before monsoon intensifies.

• Despite efforts, many highway sections will remain problematic during the coming rainy season, posing risks and travel delays.

Archive: https://archive.is/LurCe

Summary:

In Nepal, hospitals, particularly the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Kathmandu, faced serious health and environmental issues due to the toxic emissions from its incinerator, which caused respiratory issues among staff and patients.

In Nepal, hospitals have found an innovative solution to manage medical waste, particularly placentas, by using biodigesters to convert it into cooking gas. Traditional methods like incineration posed health risks due to toxic smoke, leading to respiratory issues among staff and patients. The Health Environment Climate Action Foundation (HECAF360) proposed replacing incinerators with underground biodigesters, which effectively manage both food and pathological waste.

The biodigester works by digesting organic waste and producing methane gas, which can be used for cooking. This system not only reduces harmful emissions but also improves waste management practices in hospitals. The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Kathmandu has successfully implemented this system, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality within the hospital.

Despite initial resistance from hospital staff, the project has shown positive results in waste management and environmental sustainability. The biodigester at TUTH is expected to last for 20 years and has the potential to be expanded to other hospitals in Nepal and beyond. However, challenges remain, including funding, awareness, and the need for proper training in waste segregation among hospital staff.

Archive: https://archive.md/2Q757

Summary:

The article discusses how the release of "Monster Hunter Wilds" has significantly boosted sales at a Nepalese restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. The game features enticing food animations, particularly showcasing stretchy cheese naan, which has made players crave it in real life. The restaurant, Salam Namaste, nearly ran out of cheese due to the influx of customers inspired by the game. Their social media account humorously thanked "Monster Hunter" for the increased business.

Additionally, the game's popularity has impacted the Japanese gaming industry, with some developers reporting a drop in sales for their games after "Monster Hunter Wilds" launched. The article highlights the effective marketing and cultural influence of the game, driving both food cravings and affecting industry dynamics.

Archive: https://archive.md/iuXsO

Summary:

The article discusses the alarming issue of human trafficking and cybercrime involving Nepali youth in Thailand. Each year, thousands of Nepalis, seeking better job opportunities, fall victim to scams and trafficking networks that exploit them in Thailand, particularly in areas bordering Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

These young individuals are lured with promises of attractive jobs but end up being forced into cybercrime activities, often facing physical and psychological abuse. Traffickers, including Chinese and Thai nationals, use fake job advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to attract victims. Once they arrive, their passports are confiscated, and they are subjected to harsh living conditions and relentless work hours, often being coerced into various online scams, including investment fraud and romance scams.

The article highlights that many victims report inadequate support from the Nepali embassies in Thailand and Myanmar, with some being rescued while others remain trapped. The situation is dire, with many victims suffering from severe mental health issues due to their traumatic experiences.

Archive: https://archive.md/TwB8m

Interns at Dhulikhel Hospital on Tuesday exposed details of the grim working conditions many resident doctors experience at its psychiatry department, a day after a social media post raised alarms over their well-being. The anonymous post came after what it said was a suicide attempt by a first-year psychiatry resident on Sunday, urging people to pressure the authorities and prioritise the well-being of healthcare professionals.

“The situation is worse than what has been revealed,” the interns wrote in a letter addressing Doctorstory Nepal, a social media account sharing information about the country’s medical field. “Every single resident in the department has either thought about dying or leaving their residency because of how harsh it is. The professors have told them to go and kill themselves in the rounds and presentations in front of us all.”

Archive: https://archive.md/QsMpf

Summary: In Nepal, the construction of cable cars, originally intended for transportation and logistical convenience, has become a contentious issue due to policies that favor commercial interests. The Mukumlung (Pathibhara) cable car project in Taplejung is currently a hot topic. There are divided opinions: some support the project, while others, including local residents, oppose it, citing environmental concerns and cultural significance.

The Pathibhara area is both a historical and cultural site for the indigenous Limbu community and a significant religious site for Hindus. The decision to build a cable car here has sparked protests, leading to clashes and even gunfire, with two people injured. Despite these protests, business interests, supported by local and federal governments, push forward, anticipating increased tourism and economic benefits.

The primary concern is the impact on local employment and businesses. Traditionally, these areas rely on foot traffic for livelihoods, and the introduction of cable cars might bypass these local economies. The article also highlights the broader trend in Nepal of cable cars being constructed in religious sites primarily for profit rather than public transportation needs. There is an ongoing debate about balancing development with preserving cultural heritage and local livelihoods.

Archive: https://archive.md/dbUXy

The last time the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), the smallest of the world’s 13 known otter species, was recorded by scientists in Nepal was in 1839.

“After years of speculation about its presence in Nepal, we can finally confirm that the small-clawed otter lives on in the country,” said Mohan Bikram Shrestha, the lead author of a short note published in the latest edition of the bulletin of the Otter Specialist Group at the IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority.

Although historically three species of otters are believed to occur in Nepal, modern researchers had until now only confirmed the presence of smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) and Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra), with a question mark hanging over the small-clawed otter. During that time, reports have come in, never confirmed until now, of small-clawed otter sightings in Makalu Barun National Park in Nepal’s eastern Himalayas and Kailali and Kapilvastu districts in the western plains.

Summary: A Dalit youth, Satyendra Ram, and Neha Rouniyar, from different castes in Nepal, faced severe challenges after their inter-caste marriage. Despite completing the legal marriage registration, they experienced harassment allegedly under the direction of the Home Minister and senior police officials.

The couple was reportedly pursued and detained by police, with claims of misuse of state power to break their relationship. They were even arrested in Mumbai by a police team sent from Nepal and charged with child marriage, despite already being of legal age. The couple petitioned the National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court of Nepal, which ultimately ruled in their favor, allowing Neha to stay with Satyendra.

Neha's father, Surendra Rouniyar, a businessman with political connections, allegedly used his influence to manipulate law enforcement against them. The case highlights issues of caste discrimination, misuse of authority, and legal lapses in Nepal, sparking public outrage and raising questions about human rights and justice for marginalized communities.

Archive: https://archive.md/3ocK4

The Nepal government has updated its peak profile, officially recognising 14 mountains surpassing 8,000 metres.

Experts emphasise, however, that the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA), the body recognised by the International Olympic Committee, must approve the new list for global recognition. The Department of Tourism recently published the revised peak profile on its website, adding six new eight-thousanders to Nepal’s official count.

Four of the newly recognised mountains—Yalung Khang (8,505 metres), Yalung Khang West (8,077 metres), Kanchenjunga Central (8,473 metres), and Kanchanjunga South (8,476 metres)—fall on the Kanchenjunga range.

Two peaks from the Lhotse range—Lhotse Middle (8,410 metres) and Lhotse Shar (8,400 metres)—have been added as well.

14 just in Nepal, that is; 20 worldwide.

Archive: https://archive.md/39dKM

For a group of young Nepali entrepreneurs, the vast accumulation of this low-value plastic waste presented an opportunity.

"A plastic road can use even low-value plastics," said Bimal Bastola, founder of Green Road Waste Management, the organization leading the initiative in Nepal.