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China’s undeclared blockade of Tatopani affecting Nepalese businessmen

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — China’s undeclared blockade of the Tatopani checkpoint is adversely affecting Nepalese businessmen, some committed suicides and many have left their businesses.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in China in December 2019, Nepal’s trade through the China border has been affected, reported EPARDAFAS.

The border point from which Nepal collects revenue of Rs 5 billion annually from import and export of Rs 20-25 billion worth of goods is deserted these days.

Just after the Chinese leader, Li Zhanshu visited Nepal, the checkpoint was opened on September 15 but the border has not been resumed completely. The movement of goods and services through this checkpoint is not seen rapidly. The trade is very less than the expectation made that trade will be effective after when the border reopens, reported EPARDAFAS.

Many businessmen here are worried as China is not interested in opening the border. According to the former president of Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rajendra Kumar Shrestha, the number of businessmen doing business through the Tatopani crossing has decreased by 70 per cent.

Due to this many businessmen have quit their jobs. Nepalis are facing deep economic woes and the people’s lives at the border is equally painful. Most of the people who have been making a living across the border for years have fled abroad for employment.

Many businessmen committed suicide under stress as financial conditions worsened, reported EPARDAFAS.

Sudarshan Ghimire, owner of Swet Baraha Enterprises, who created the image of a good businessman of New Road chose the path of suicide. He committed suicide on September 6, 2022.

Similarly, HareRam Paudel,a young entrepreneur from Sindhupalchowk involved in the import and supply of Chinese goods in the Nepali market had committed suicide on October 13, 2020, due to frustration when his goods got stuck on the Nepal-China border for months.

The entrepreneurs were in a double trap, their goods were lying at the border for many months and they also had a huge amount of loans. On one hand, they had been going through the financial crisis, and on the other hand banks, and other moneylenders were demanding the installment or the dues cleared on a regular basis, reported EPARDAFAS.

The undeclared blockade by China left 1,400 cargo containers that have been operating for 20 years, 2,800 drivers, and 5,000 labour families unemployed.
(ANI)

Newly-appointed US Ambassador Thompson arrives in Nepal

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — Newly-appointed Ambassador of the United States (US) to Nepal, Dean Thompson arrived in Nepal on Thursday.

Ambassador Thompson arrived Nepal, a week after Ambassador Randy Berry retuned home country completing his four-year term.

According to the US Embassy in Kathmandu, newly-appointed Ambassador Thompson along with his family would spend some days in get-together with Nepal-based US mission families and then present his letter of credentials to the government of Nepal.(RSS)

3 dead, over 55,000 affected in Sri Lanka’s floods, landslides

Posted on by SAT News Desk

COLOMBO — Three people have died and over 55,000 people from 13,902 families have been affected by floods and landslides in Sri Lanka in the past 72 hours, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said Sunday.

The rainy weather that ushered in floods and landslides will continue till Wednesday, the DMC said.

Meanwhile, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology) Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said the risk of floods in some areas will exacerbate if heavy rains continue.

The landslide warning issued for six districts has been extended considering the adverse weather conditions, the DMC said.

The Department of Meteorology said the current heavy rains are due to the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near the country. (Xinhua)

7 out of 10 deaths due to non-communicable diseases in Nepal

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — Seven out of ten deaths in Nepal are caused by non-communicable diseases in Nepal.

In a government’s accountability to promote tobacco control in Nepal programme on Saturday, Dr Lonim Dixit, World Health Organization (WHO), said that around 71 per cent of the total disease-induced deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases(NCD) In Nepal.

He said that previously communicable disease-induced death was more prevalent and rooted in Nepal, however, that has changed.

She said, “Consumption of tobacco and substance are among the major risk factors for developing non-communicable diseases in Nepal and also, burdens finances.

Around 56.7 per cent of the expenditure contributed to treatment for NCD is from out of the pocket of an individual. This ratio is expected to be more in developing countries where health insurance does not have full coverage.”

Dr Arun Shahi, consultant of Medical Oncology Patan Academy of Health Sciences said that there are around 3.8 million active tobacco users in Nepal and annually, 0.71 per cent of these users are losing their lives to tobacco. The total number of deaths from tobacco annually in Nepal stands at 27,137, Rising Nepal reported.

Nepal holds 0.29 per cent of the active tobacco consumers in the world and 0.27 deaths due to tobacco-caused diseases in the world are from Nepal.

According to him, tobacco use contributes to chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), Asthma, lung cancer, and diabetes mellitus. This disease leads to mortality among tobacco users.

He said that lung cancer is the leading cause of death globally and 80 per cent of lung cancer is caused by tobacco consumption. And, around 75 people die each day and 27,137 die annually due to tobacco-caused diseases in Nepal.

 Dr Bhakta Bahadur KC, Senior Health Education Administer, National Health Education, Information, and Communication Officer said that there is an inverse relationship between tobacco consumption and pictorial health warnings (PHW) in the wrappers of tobacco.

“90 per cent illustration of PHW has resulted in tobacco consumption and plain packaging will reduce it more,” he said.

India slips to 107th rank in Global Hunger Index 2022

Posted on by SAT News Desk

NEW DELHI — India ranked 107 out of about 120 countries and regions in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2022, according to the latest GHI report.

The South Asian country has slipped from last year’s ranking of 101, to be placed behind its neighbors Sri Lanka (64), Myanmar (71), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84) and Pakistan (99).

With the new ranking, only 14 countries or regions fared worse than India this year.

The recently-released report has been prepared jointly by the Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide and the German organization Welthungerhilfe.

India’s GHI score has also improved from 38.8 in 2000 to the range of 28.2-29.1 between 2014 and 2022.

The GHI score is calculated on four indicators, undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and the mortality rate of children under the age of five.

Child wasting refers to the share of children under the age of five who have low weight for their height as a result of acute undernutrition. Child stunting measures the proportion of children under the age of five who have low height for their age due to the impact of chronic undernutrition.

According to the report, 17 countries shared the top rank with GHI score of less than 5.

According to GHI which tracks hunger and malnutrition, the level of hunger in India is “serious”.

– Xinhuwa

Nepal election : Among 2412 candidates, 9 percent of them are women

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — The election of House of Representatives and seven provincial assemblies under the First-Past-The-Post category is underway on November 20 in Nepal .

Total  5,636 candidates have filed their candidacy in the elections to, of them,  2,412 candidates,  2,187 males and 225 are females, are  vying for 165 seats of the HoR, according to Assistant Spokesperson for the Election Commission-Nepal Rishiram Bhusal said. 

Correspondingly , 3,224 candidates are contesting  for 330 seats of seven provincial assemblies. Of them 2,943 are male, 280 female and one from sexual and gender minority community.

As per the EC’s data, altogether 437 candidates are contesting the election in the 28 seats of the HoR in Province 1.

Likewise, 510 candidates are in fray for 56 seats of provincial assembly. Of them, 458 candidates are male and 52 are females.

Of 15 districts in Province-1, Morang has the highest number of candidates, 105 for HoR election.

Likewise, Dhankuta has the lowest number of candidates for HoR. Only seven candidates are going to contest for one seat of HoR from the district.

Taplejung has 11 candidates, Panchthar 15, Ilam has 25, Sankhuwasabha 12, Terhathum 10, Bhojpur 12, Solukhumbu Khotang and Okhaldhunga have eight candidates each and Udayapur has 28 candidates for HoR.

In Madhes Province, 591 candidates are in fray for 32 seats of the HoR and 1,007 candidates for 64 seats of the provincial assembly.

Of 1,007 candidates of provincial assembly, 932 are male, 74 female and one from sexual and gender minority.

Of the eight districts in Madhes Province, Dhanusha has the highest number of candidates with 101 contesting for four seats of HoR and Parsa has the lowest number of candidates at 53.

Likewise,  631 candidates are contesting in Bagmati Province for 33 seats of the HoR, 668  (558 male and 80 female) for 66 seats of provincial assembly.

Of the 13 districts in Bagmati, Kathmandu has the largest number of candidates for 10 seats of HoR. A total of 257 candidates are in fray in Kathmandu and 63 for three seats of Lalitpur.

In Gandaki Province, 196 candidates are competing for the 18 seats of HoR, while 235 candidates (206 male and 29 female) are in fray for 36 seats of the provincial assembly.

Of 11 districts of Gandaki Province, Kaski has the highest number of candidates with 46 for three seats of HoR, while Manag has only three candidates, the lowest candidates in the province.

Likewise, Gorkha has 22, candidates, Lamjung has 11, Tanahu has 25, Syangja 24, Nawalparsai (Bardhaghat Susta East) has 27, Mustang has four, Myagdi has nine, Baglung has 13 and Parbat has 12 candidates for HoR elections.

According to the EC, 346 candidates are contesting from Lumbini Province for 26 seats of HoR. Similarly, 495 candidates are contesting for the 52 seats of the provincial assembly.

Out of 12 districts of the province, Rupandehi has the highest candidates with 88 contesting for five seats of HoR. Similarly, Kapilvastu has second highest candidates with 50 and Rolpa has the lowest candidates with  just five.

In Karnali Province, only 74 candidates are in fray for 12 seats of HoR election, while in provincial assembly, 116 candidates (113 male and 3 female) are contesting.

Of 10 districts in the province, Surkhet has the highest number of candidates (17) contesting for two seats of HoR, while Humla has the lowest candidates (three) contesting for HoR election in the province.

Altogether 137 candidates are going to contest election for 16 seats of HoR in Sudurpaschim Province while 193 candidates (180 male and 13 female) are competing for 32 seats of the provincial assembly election.

According to EC, of nine districts of the province, Kailali has the highest number of candidates (48) for five seats of the HoR, while Bajura has the lowest number of candidates (5) fielding for HoR election.

Earlier on Sunday, the EC has informed that  6,002 candidates have filed their candidacies for the election to the HoR and Provincial Assemblies.

However, on Wednesday, as many as 119 candidates for the HoR and 257 for the provincial assemblies  withdrew their candidacies.

Global economy ‘dangerously close’ to a recession: World Bank

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Washington — The global economy is “dangerously close” to a recession, as inflation remains elevated, interest rates rise, and growing debt burden hits the developing world, World Bank President David Malpass said.

“We’ve lowered our 2023 growth forecast from 3 per cent to 1.9 per cent for the global growth, that’s dangerously close to a world recession,” Malpass on Thursday said at a press conference during the IMF and World Bank annual meetings.

“All of the problems that people have taken note of, the inflation problem, the interest rate rises, and the cutoff of capital flow to developing world hit the poor hard,” he said, highlighting the buildup of debt for developing countries.

“That’s a world recessions could happen under certain circumstances,” Malpass said.

In a study published in mid-September, the World Bank warned that as central banks across the world simultaneously hike interest rates in response to inflation, the world may be edging toward a global recession in 2023, with a growth forecast of only 0.5 per cent.

The World Bank chief noted at the press conference that world population growth is estimated at 1.1 per cent per year. “So if you get much slower in terms of world growth, that means people are going backward,” Malpass said in response to a question from Xinhua.

Citing a recent World Bank report, Malpass said that Covid-19 pandemic dealt the biggest setback to global poverty-reduction efforts since 1990, pushing about 70 million people into extreme poverty in 2020, and the war in Ukraine threatens to make matters worse.

According to the Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report, global median income declined by 4 per cent in 2020, the first decline since its measurements of median income began in 1990.

“So if we have a world recession now, that would also depress median income, meaning that the people in the lower half of the income scale are going down,” Malpass said.

The World Bank chief also noted that he has been concerned about the concentration of capital in the world in the top end of the advanced economies.

“So that’s, I think, one of the issues that the world has to deal with to allow capital to flow to new businesses and to developing countries, that would take a change in the direction of fiscal and monetary policies in the advanced economies,” said Malpass.

The world is facing very challenging environment from the advanced economies, and that has serious implications, dangers for the developing countries, he said. “My deep concern is that these conditions and trends might persist into 2023 and 2024.”

UNI/XINHUA PRT

What’s ‘deliberative’ democracy? Research in Nepal shows it could spur global youth voting

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Professor, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University

 

After local elections in Nepal earlier this year, the Kathmandu Post expressed some alarm that Nepalis were losing interest in voting.

Across the country, election participation fell by 10 percentage points, from 74 per cent in 2017 to 64 per cent in 2022.

We in Canada should envy even the lower figure as similar elections here — Ontario’s June 2022 election, in particular — drew less than half of the voting populace.

Voter apathy is a global phenomenon and is a significant threat to democracy. Apathetic voters make it easier for autocrats and powerful interest groups to cynically manipulate election results.

Youth political apathy indicates distrust in contemporary political culture.

German sociologist Karl Mannheim once argued that young people must adapt the social institutions of the past to the contemporary realities they are born into.

But youth around the world are contending with issues today that their parents barely encountered, including precarious labour markets, extended demand for higher education, globalizing technologies and shifting gender relations. They are understandably questioning how aging democratic institutions are relevant to their needs.

Nepal is a new democracy, and those institutions were won after decades of civil war and political struggle. That’s why Nepalis participate in their elections at levels that put most of the rest of the democratic world to shame. But voting is not all there is to democracy.

Citizens make decisions

In a representative democracy, voters choose which politician or political party will make decisions about contemporary realities on their behalf. Politicians and political parties have a great deal of power to define what those realities are and how they should be addressed.

Contesting and corrupting that power has become a central focus in many democracies. But what gets lost is the deliberative potential of democracy, in which citizens debate contemporary issues among themselves so that the decisions they make together carry more weight and are more broadly legitimate.

As a professor of youth studies, I have been researching political engagement with a team of Nepali youth activists for the past decade. We took the idea of deliberative democracy to young Nepalis through a series of youth assemblies held across the country in 2018 and 2019.

In deliberative assemblies, also known as “mini-publics,” a group of citizens selected to accurately reflect the diversity of the population is assigned the task of deliberating a contemporary issue. They then craft a common position that is used to inform decisions made by their political representatives.

Deliberative assemblies have been used around the world to address issues like participatory budgeting (in Porto Alegre, Brazil), constitutional reform (in Ireland) and electoral reform (in British Columbia).

Our youth assemblies were designed to reflect Nepal’s diversity. More than 200 youths participated, and were drawn from the Brahmin-Chetris castes, the traditional political elites of the country; the Adivasi Janajati, Nepal’s Indigenous and ethnic groups; the Madhesi, the culturally and linguistically distinct peoples that inhabit the plains that border India; and the Dalits, or “untouchable” castes that have for centuries been subjected to menial labour and debt bondage.

Heated debates

There was also an even balance between men and women, and participants included those who identified as LGTBQ or who had disabilities, two communities that have had little recognition in the country.

During the assemblies, participants were tasked with composing a collective declaration that identified five priorities for Nepal’s political leadership to address.

Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India, in April 2022. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

The debates that led to these declarations were contentious and often heated, showing that Nepali youth had many different visions about how to define and address Nepal’s contemporary problems. There was consensus, however, on the need for broader equality and the reform of Nepal’s political culture, which is dominated by powerful, high-caste males and riddled with nepotism.

These declarations alone would have limited value if there were no uptake by political decision-makers. But using deliberative mini-publics as a model, youth delegates presented their declarations to a panel of political leaders from all three levels of Nepal’s government.

Deliberative democracy, however, is not yet a feature of Nepal’s political culture. Leaders are more familiar with mobilizing youth for political action than they are with actually heeding young people.

everal of the leaders invited to the assemblies politely listened to the youth declarations and then gave stump speeches as if to an election rally. But others were challenged by the youth delegates and responded to their priorities.

Our youth assemblies were experimental, and the political leaders who attended them were under no obligation to act upon anything they learned from them. But they did show that deliberation and dialogue can inspire political engagement.

In a documentary video about our research, young Nepalis show that they are articulate, capable and passionate advocates for themselves and their communities.

At a time when democratic norms appear to be in decline around the world, deliberative democracy is one remedy that our research with Nepali youth suggests is worth pursuing. ( From The Conversation)

IMF downgrades its World Economic Forecast

Posted on by SAT News Desk

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday downgraded its 2023 world economic outlook, citing Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, widespread inflationary pressures and higher interest rates boosting borrowing rates for both businesses and consumers.

The 190-nation lending agency said it expects a meager 2.7% global growth rate next year, down from the 2.9% it projected in July. The IMF left its 2022 prediction unchanged, a modest 3.2% figure that would be only slightly more than half of last year’s 6% growth.

Aside from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the IMF said it is “the weakest growth profile since 2001.The worst is yet to come, and for many people, 2023 will feel like a recession.”

More than a third of the global economy will see two consecutive quarters of negative growth in the coming year, the IMF predicted.

The downturn in the IMF forecast was no surprise. Growth is slowing in the world’s two biggest economies, the United States and China, while key economies in Europe are also facing economic headwinds. Russia is coping with debilitating sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its Western allies for its war against Ukraine, now in its eighth month.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, speaking as the IMF and the World Bank meet in Washington, warned that the “risks of recession are rising” around the world and that the global economy is facing a “period of historic fragility.”

With economic uncertainty and rapid consumer price increases in the U.S., the IMF cut its predicted growth for the American economy to 1.6% this year, down from the July projection of 2.3%. The IMF said it is expecting only 1% U.S. growth next year.

Throughout the world, the IMF is expecting consumer prices to increase by 8.8% this year, up from 4.7% in 2021.

The IMF said it foresees 3.2% growth in China this year, down sharply from 8.1% last year. China’s business growth has been disrupted by coronavirus controls and a crackdown on excessive real estate lending. China’s economy is predicted to grow by 4.4% next year, which is still modest compared to recent Chinese advances.

The IMF said it projects economic growth of just a half percentage point in the 19-nation European bloc that uses the euro currency. Its energy prices are sharply higher as it weans itself from fuel purchases from Russia in protest of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

In the U.S., the Federal Reserve has imposed sharp increases in its key benchmark interest rate five times this year to curb inflationary pressures, on the theory that higher borrowing costs for businesses and consumers will cut their purchases and dampen the increase in consumer prices.

35 killed, thousands displaced as flash floods, landslides wreak havoc in Nepal

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu: At least 33 people have died in floods and landslides across western Nepal in the past week, local media reports say.

The worst of the monsoon rains hit Karnali province in the north-west, where thousands of residents were evacuated, officials said.

Nepal is nearing the end of its monsoon season, which typically begins in June and ends in October.

At least 110 people have died this year in rain-related disasters, according to the National Emergency Operation Centre.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged in the avalanches and flooding. At least 22 people are still missing across the province and scores more have been injured, the BBC reported.

Rescuers have described difficulties in getting to the mountainous region amid continued rain.

‘We have mobilised police officers on the ground. We have arranged a helicopter for air rescue from Surkhet,” said one police spokesman, quoted by the Annapurna Post.

“However, unfortunately, due to the weather not improving, progress is not being made as expected.”

Most reports of missing people came from the low-lying Kalikot district. Thousands were evacuated from their homes there in the past week amid warnings of intense rain.

In some areas of the province, the Karnali river had risen to over 39ft , Nepal’s emergency authorities said.

Several suspension bridges over the river had also been washed away, local media reported.

Government officials have dispatched aid to the region on helicopters.

The UN’s humanitarian agencies said they were distributing food and medicine to the worst affected communities in western Nepal.

Nepal Run UK to organise “Northolt 10K” on “Remembrance Day”

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London — Nepal Run UK is organising  a running event  “Northolt 10K” on the occasion of
of the “Remembrance Day”.

The 10 Km run event will be held on 13th of November 2022 in Northola Field Park , Northolt.  Nepal Run is a registered athletic club in England promoting running and fitness activities in the community.

The run event aims to  promote health and fitness awareness in the community. The fund collected fom the event will be  donated to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

More than 350 Nepali and local community members are expected to participate in the event. The event will also help to promote Nepal and the charitable activities of the Nepali community as well as honour the contribution of Gurkhas. The main sponsor of the event is A-Star Financial Solutions UK. “It is our pleasure to support such a valuable event to keep our community fit and healthy” Director of A-Star Mr. Min Darlami said.

Other sponsors of the events are AESN recruitment agency, Makesworth Accounting, Gurkha Walfare trust, Pran Yog Nepali.

To participate in the program, a form will have to be filled through the Nepal Run UK website (https://nepalrun.org) . The finisher of the run will get T-shirts and medal.  ‘Prizes for the first, second and third place holders will be awarded at the event,’ coordinator of Nepal Run UK Mr. Santosh Rai said.

Zuckerberg Loses Over 119 Million Facebook Followers. Here’s Why

Posted on by SAT News Desk

New York — Several users of Meta’s Facebook are complaining losing majority of their followers on the social media platform due to unknown reasons.

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has lost over 119 million followers which has brought down his follower count to below 10,000.

“Facebook created a tsunami that wiped away my almost 900,000 followers and left only 9000 something on the shore. I kind of like Facebook’s comedy,” exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen tweeted.

When contacted, a Meta spokesperson said, “We’re aware that some people are seeing inconsistent follower count on their Facebook profiles. We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and we apologize for any inconvenience.”

Earlier this week, the sudden drops in Facebook follower counts of several of the USA’s largest media outlets experienced on Monday and Tuesday led to rumours that the social media giant might be deleting fake or bot accounts.

According to data from analytics platform CrowdTangle, the New York Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Hill, USA Today, New York Post, and Newsweek all saw a decline in followers on October 3 and 4.

(PTI)

TikTok profits from livestreams of families begging: Report

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London (UNI) — Refugee families in Syrian camps are begging for donations on TikTok while the company takes up to 70 per cent of the proceeds, a BBC investigation has found.

Children are livestreaming on the social media app for hours, pleading for digital gifts with a cash value.

The BBC saw streams earning up to $1,000 (£900) an hour, but found refugees received only a tiny fraction of that.

TikTok said it would take prompt action against “exploitative begging”, the BBC report said.

The company said this type of content was not allowed on its platform, and it said its commission from digital gifts was significantly less than 70 per cent. But it declined to confirm the exact amount.

Earlier this year, TikTok users saw their feeds fill with livestreams of refugee families in Syrian camps, drawing support from some viewers and concerns about scams from others.

In the camps in north-west Syria, the BBC found that the trend was being facilitated by so-called “TikTok middlemen”, who provided families with the phones and equipment to go live.

The middlemen said they worked with agencies affiliated to TikTok in China and the Middle East, who gave the families access to TikTok accounts. These agencies are part of TikTok’s global strategy to recruit livestreamers and encourage users to spend more time on the app, the BBC said.

The gifts they’re asking for are virtual, but they cost the viewers real money and can be withdrawn from the app as cash. Livestream viewers send the gifts – ranging from digital roses, costing a few cents, to virtual lions costing around $500 – to reward or tip creators for content.

For five months, the BBC followed 30 TikTok accounts broadcasting live from Syrian refugee camps and built a computer program to scrape information from them, showing that viewers were often donating digital gifts worth up to $1,000 an hour to each account.

Families in the camps said they were receiving only a tiny fraction of these sums, however, the BBC report said.

TikTok influencer and ex-professional rugby player Keith Mason donated $330 during one family’s livestream and encouraged his nearly one million followers to do the same.

When told by the BBC that most of these funds were taken by the social media company, Mason said it was “ridiculous” and “unfair” to families in Syria.

“You’ve got to have some transparency. To me, that’s very greedy. It’s greed,” he said.

TikTok’s rules say you must have 1,000 followers before you can go live, you must not directly solicit for gifts and must “prevent the harm, endangerment or exploitation” of minors on the platform.

After the BBC contacted TikTok directly for comment, the company banned all of the accounts.

It said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned by the information and allegations brought to us by the BBC, and have taken prompt and rigorous action.

“This type of content is not allowed on our platform, and we are further strengthening our global policies around exploitative begging.”

TikTok, the world’s fastest-growing social media app, has made more than $6.2 billion in gross revenue from in-app spending since its launch in 2017, according to analytics company Sensor Tower.

Promotion of green hydrogen vital to achieving net zero target- Ghale

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Shesh Ghale

After searching various research reports and articles, we have discovered the death of around 40,000 people in Nepal is directly linked to poor air quality.  Similarly, a child born today will have their life shortened by more than two years. Likewise, our Himalayas are melting fast. 2020 study projected the eastern end of the range, in Nepal and Bhutan, could lose as much as 60 percent of its ice mass by 2100, relative to 2015, even in a low-emissions scenario, due to global warming. Isn’t this alarming? Certainly, there is no more climate change but we have a climate emergency today.

With the aim of finding solutions for this, we have further explored a bigger overarching and pressing agenda of “Greening Nepal” whilst the whole world has already embarked on alternative and renewable energies with the aim of saving the environment and reducing carbon emissions fulfilling respective climate goals.

 It came across our minds that yet once again, we need to be a part of this global movement by taking the lead to start this initiative in our home country, Nepal with the hope that it can leave a lasting impact that will not only benefit the coming generations but also something that they can be proud of. Further, an uncertain economic environment, escalating climate vulnerability, the increasing economic and social cost of climate change and the need for all countries to reduce their carbon emissions compels Nepal to use this window of opportunity not just to internalize environmental externalities but also to pro-actively pursue innovative long-run multipliers.

With the aim of finding solutions for this, we have further explored a bigger overarching and pressing agenda of “Greening Nepal” whilst the whole world has already embarked on alternative and renewable energies with the aim of saving the environment and reducing carbon emissions fulfilling respective climate goals.

Moreover, the recent Russia-Ukraine war has signaled to the world that it is time to focus on “going local” and being able to sustain and be resilient in key strategic areas like energy,  fertilizers, and agricultural products. Thus, there is a compelling argument for investment in the clean energy sector and sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change as well as help economic growth and create jobs. This is the main objective of this summit: Transition to a green economy by seizing the opportunities for sustainable development and climate goals, energy transition, and food security in Nepal.

Since the source of electricity in Nepal is hydroelectricity and the country is rich in water resources, green hydrogen can be cost-competitive in the global green hydrogen market.

In recent years, Nepal relies heavily on imported foods as well as fertilizers like urea which is critical to the Nepali agricultural sector. Even so, Nepal faces a fertilizer supply shortage every year, impeding agricultural production and food security. Green Hydrogen and the subsequent production of green ammonia can tackle the problem of supply of fertilizer as well as reduce reliance on fossil fuel to some extent in transportation and industrial sectors with the use of green hydrogen.

Since the source of electricity in Nepal is hydroelectricity and the country is rich in water resources, green hydrogen can be cost-competitive in the global green hydrogen market.

A report shows that Nepal could generate green Hydrogen at the cost of US$1.17/kg. For comparison, the production cost for green hydrogen is about US$5.5/kg in most geographies-higher than grey hydrogen produced using gas at below US$2/kg.

 Thus, domestically, the production of green ammonia from green hydrogen can reduce the import of fertilizers, which can help the Nepali economy not only boost agricultural yield but also minimize the outflow of foreign reserves.

The government of Nepal doesn’t seem to have formulated a road map for the hydrogen economy let alone have a green hydrogen policy, but cooperation and support from key ministers encouraged us to be here today.

Along with the opportunities, there are also challenges. To realize these opportunities, the important step is to create an enabling environment and policies conducive to green hydrogen development. A Green Hydrogen Policy is required to open the door to a promising green hydrogen economy. The government of Nepal doesn’t seem to have formulated a road map for hydrogen economy let alone have a green hydrogen policy, but cooperation and support from key ministers encouraged us to be here today. Currently Levelized Capex of setting up Hydrogen Plant is not commercially viable without government subsidies and incentives. On today’s cost, installation of 50MW Electrolyser ranges close to 100m and a major component of opex is consumption of electricity.

The good news is big corporations/ funding agencies/investment banks all are catching up with ESG-focused investments as investments become more focused on ethical parameters Such projects would be attractive for ESG investment through its CO2 emission abatement. • Green Bonds may be a suitable vehicle • Concessional lending and some form of gap funding is essential to breakeven the project in the initial years 

As usual, is the case entrepreneurs who are heavily principled on ESG must lead such projects as always, the case then policies follow and can go in tandem. It’s not about competition it is about cooperation and collaboration between corporations, governments and international agencies.

Therefore, through this summit, we want to bring dialogues for investments and policy decisions in green hydrogen technology and its integration into Nepal’s economy that will help Nepal ride the green energy wave, develop a competitive edge and be a part of the global green hydrogen value chain. So, it’s essentially greening Nepal and moving into first-ever Green Economy. This summit will revive the zeal for policy reforms in innovative financing modalities, foreign direct investments, further engagement of the private sector, technology adoption; and a solid foundation of policies, strategies, and governance.

Whilst we advocate conducive policy frameworks, we have to be mindful of what not to do? Such as keep subsidizing polluters or emitters?

Over the last 20/25 years, Nepal embarked on Hydroelectricity now its time to capitalize on and extend the journey from Hydro to Green Hydrogen.

We are already on renewables so its renewables to renewables? That means Nepal can be free of Hydrocarbons, Nepal can be free of imported fossil fuels, Nepal can be free from imported fertilizers, protecting food security.

Over the last 20/25 years, Nepal embarked on Hydroelectricity now its time to capitalize on and extend the journey from Hydro to Green Hydrogen.

Nepal can be free of CO2 – from the supply chain of fossil fuels to the value chain of green hydrogen to green Ammonia to green Urea etc., cleaner transport mobility, and cleaner industries to households.

Our mountains can breathe fresh air and the Himalayas can last forever. Then Rivers can flow forever and our children, grandchildren born and unborn can live longer, healthier, and more prosperous.

This is the very first Green Hydrogen Summit in Nepal, but it will certainly not be the only one. We will keep doing this and keep learning and trying to bring best practices from all around the world.

( Ghale is the chairman of MIT Foundation, one of the organizers of the Green Hydrogen Summit. This article was originally published on nepal infrastructur.com)

The prevention and control of dengue in Nepal depends on effective vector control – WHO

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu ,  WHO  — Dengue is endemic in Nepal. The country is experiencing a surge in cases that started from the week commencing 8 August to 26 August. Between January to 28 September 2022, a total of 28 109 confirmed and suspected dengue cases and 38 confirmed deaths due to dengue have been recorded, affecting all seven provinces. The causative serotype(s) is unknown. This represents the largest dengue outbreak in Nepal with regard to the cumulative number of cases reported nationwide per year.

Description of the outbreak

Between January and 28 September 2022, a total of 28 109 suspected and confirmed cases of dengue fever including 38 confirmed deaths (overall CFR 0.13%) have been reported from all seven provinces of Nepal, affecting all 77 districts in Nepal (Figure 1). Bagmati province which is the second-most populous province has reported the highest number of cases (78.2%) and deaths (68.4%).

According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Ministry of Health and Population, the highest number of new cases in 2022 have been reported in the districts of Kathmandu (n=9528; 33.8%), Lalitpur (n=6548; 23.2%), and Makwanpur (n=2776, 9.8%).

Data on demographics was available for 23% of cases (n= 6734) of which 76% (5175/6734) were aged 15-59 years old, and 54% were males (n=3637). As of 28 September, 38 deaths have been verified, of which males and cases aged 15 – 59 years old each accounted for 55% (n=21) of reported deaths. Cases aged over 60 years old accounted for 39% (n=15) of reported deaths.

Dengue cases have increased since July coinciding with the rainy season with majority of the cases reported during September (83.6%; n=23 514)

The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for dengue virus infection.  Although dengue does not spread from human to human, mosquitoes can become infected after biting infected individuals. This cycle, therefore, makes the infected mosquito capable of spreading the dengue virus among households and in the neighbourhood, leading to clusters of cases.

The prevention and control of dengue depend on effective vector control. WHO does not recommend that any general travel or trade restrictions be applied to Nepall. WHO promotes a strategic approach known as Integrated Vector Management (IVM) to control mosquito vectors, including Aedessubspecies (the vector of dengue). IVM should be enhanced to remove potential breeding sites, reduce vector populations, and minimize individual exposure. This should involve vector control strategies for larvae and adults (i.e., environmental management and source reduction, and chemical control measures), as well as strategies for protecting people and households.

Vector control activities should focus on all areas where there is a risk of human-vector contact (place of residence, workplaces, schools and hospitals, and construction sites in Kathmandu Valley). Vector control activities can include covering, draining, and cleaning household water storage containers on a weekly basis. Space spraying with insecticide can be deployed as an emergency measure. Chlorination and application of suitable larvicides/insecticides for water storage in outdoor containers should also be considered.

Personal protective measures during outdoor activities include the application of repellents to exposed skin or clothing, and the wearing of long sleeves shirts and trousers. Indoors, additionally, protection can include the use of household insecticide aerosol products or mosquito coils. Window and door screens, as well as air conditioning, can reduce the probability of mosquitoes entering the house. Insecticide-treated nets offer good protection to people against mosquito bites while sleeping during the day. Since Aedes mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, personal protective measures are recommended particularly at these times of the day.

There is no specific treatment for dengue infection, but early detection of warning signs and timely access to appropriate clinical management (including referral to an appropriate health care facility) reduce the risk for severe dengue complications and mortality. Vector and human case surveillance should continue to be enhanced in all affected areas and across the country. Where feasible, resources should be allocated for the strengthening of a sample referral mechanism for the confirmation and sub-typing of dengue virus.

WHO does not recommend that any general travel or trade restrictions be applied to Nepal based on the information available for this event.

‘Heat and Eat’ range of exotic Nepali foods now available in the UK

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London – Nepal Foods, in collaboration with BBC Masterchef Santosh Shah, has introduced a range of authentic and exotic Nepali foods in the UK market.

Launching the products at a ceremony organised at House of Lords on Monday, second runner up in the BBC MasterChef: The Professionals in 2020, Mr Shah said that he was so happy to launch ready to eat authentic Nepali foods in the UK.

‘All you need to do is boil the water, drop the whole packet in the warm water, and wait for a few minutes. Now you can eat it with bread, rice or as a soup,’ Shah said. He said the shelf life of these products was 18 months and they could be kept in room temperature. ‘This is another addition of Nepali food to the world,’ he said.

‘My mission has always been to put Nepalese cuisine on the world map and to show the world how amazing Nepalese cuisine is,’ said Mr Shah.

The products launched on Monday include: (Aloo Bodi Tama (potatoes with bamboo shoots), Mustang Dal (lentils from Himalayan district of Mustang, Nepal), Qwanti (mixed beans sprout curry), chana ko dal (split chickpeas lentil) and maas ko dal (black lentil).

Brand director of Nepal Foods and CEO of Market Direct, Bikash Nepal, said that each product has been overlooked by MasterChef Santosh Shah to make sure the texture and taste is authentic. ‘To ensure the flavour, taste and the texture of these products are as traditional as you would find it in Nepalese home, Santosh had to personally make visits to the factory and taste them himself,’ he added.

Nepal Foods also announced that they have launched the Nepal Foods Foundation charity and have joined hands with PHASE Worldwide, a British charity. ‘We want to give back to the community especially to those farmers who they buy their products from,’ said Mr Nepal.

‘We are very proud of our partnership with Nepal Foods,’ said Billy Curryer, Director of PHASE Worldwide. ‘With our partner, PHASE Nepal,  we focus on health, education and livelihoods,’ he added.

Ambassador of Nepal to the UK, Gyan Chandra Acharya, said that this  was a very good example of food, trade abd culture – a composite whole. ‘Nepal-UK bilateral trade is very limited and we want to increase it,’ said Mr Acharya adding quality and branding are very important. ‘It’s a no less achievement to make your products available in a  very competitive market like the UK . Make Nepal known to the culinary world in the UK and abroad,’ he added.

Nepal Foods said that their products will be available in Nepalese stores across the UK and some large Indian stores from later this week. You can also order online at www.nepalfoodonline.co.uk

(All pics by Kushal Shrestha)