cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/61398000

Summary:

Hari Budha Magar, a double above-knee amputee, made history by successfully climbing Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica (4,892 meters), on January 6, 2026. With this achievement, he completed the Seven Summits challenge, becoming the first double above-knee amputee to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.

Magar battled extreme conditions including -25°C temperatures, strong winds, and steep icy slopes using prosthetic legs. He aims to inspire people with disabilities by proving that "nothing is impossible." His journey also raises awareness about disability and encourages others to pursue their dreams regardless of challenges.

Before Mount Vinson, Magar had already summited Mont Blanc (Europe), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Everest (Asia), Denali (North America), Aconcagua (South America), and Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania). He is the first person without legs to summit Denali and Carstensz Pyramid as well.

Born in Nepal and serving in the British Army's Royal Gurkha Rifles, Magar lost his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan in 2010. Overcoming physical and mental trauma, he found new purpose through adventure sports, becoming Nepal’s first athlete with disability to ski and later a mountain instructor.

Magar emphasizes inner strength over physical ability and hopes his achievements will change perceptions towards people with disabilities worldwide. He was awarded the MBE in the UK for his efforts.

Archive: https://archive.is/K3NGh

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/59560255

Summary:

Forty-seven Nepalis rescued from scam centers in Myanmar arrived in Kathmandu after being trafficked to work in cyber-fraud compounds along the Myanmar–Thailand border. Survivors described being deceived by social-media job offers promising $700–$1,500 monthly, then beaten, starved, locked, extorted with fines or ransoms, and forced to meet abusive online scam targets; some were threatened with sale to criminal groups. Many had been brought through Thailand and held in sites such as KK Park in Myawaddy Township. Rescuers included Myanmar’s military (which raided and closed camps), Thai authorities and Nepal’s embassy in Thailand; Nepali officials coordinated repatriation. Nepal’s Anti‑Human Trafficking Bureau called the operations “sophisticated” and said investigations and cases against traffickers will follow. Returned victims face financial hardship and debt (one reported owing 800,000 NPR) and urgent need to repay loans. The embassy warned Nepalis to avoid fraudulent online job offers and easy-money schemes; authorities noted hundreds more nationals have been returned over recent years (365 in three years) and that many victims likely remain trapped.

Archive: https://archive.ph/r7ywY

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/57679321

Summary:

The Election Commission of Nepal has extended the deadline for voter registration until November 21, 2025, following multiple requests from Prime Minister Sushila Karki. Initially hesitant due to concerns about election schedule disruptions, the Commission agreed after seeing high enthusiasm and pressure at registration centers. New voters can register up to November 21, with registration services available for extended hours, including weekends.

Technical glitches delayed registration for some, but integration of the National ID data with the voter registration system has allowed online registration without biometric redundancy since November 13. As of November 14, over 257,000 new voters registered nationwide, with about 37,000 registering online in a single day. The total registered voters now number over 18.1 million, an increase from previous years.

The Commission is also processing applications for new political parties ahead of upcoming National Assembly elections scheduled for January 25, 2026, and parliamentary elections on March 5, 2026. Several new parties have applied, including those led by businessmen, lawmakers, and social activists.

Archive: https://archive.fo/jSQSs

Related: Over 30,000 new voters added in a day as Nepal begins voter registration using National ID data

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/53180908

Summary:

Nepal appointed its first woman Prime Minister, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who was sworn in as interim leader at the presidential residence in Kathmandu. The ceremony—attended by President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Yadav, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Rawat, and the Indian Ambassador—also announced the next general election date: March 5, 2026. Karki’s selection followed intense public pressure from Generation Z–led protests against corruption and unemployment that forced the previous prime minister to resign; those protests saw heavy police responses and casualties. Other potential leaders considered included Kulman Ghising and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, is viewed as a strong anti‑corruption figure; she previously faced an impeachment motion but retained public support. The news coverage also referenced related developments: 36 protest deaths with injured treated in hospitals, peace rallies, advisories from the Nepali Army against fake news, insurance directives from the Nepal Insurance Authority, and resumption of public bus services.

Archive: https://archive.is/Ez2J9

Additionally:

• प्रतिनिधिसभा विघटन, निर्वाचन फागुन २१ गते बिहीबार
• उपत्यकामा लगाइएको कर्फ्यू हट्यो, जनजीवन सामान्य बन्दै

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/57227392

साइबर अपराधका लागि थाइल्यान्डमा कसरी बेचिन्छन् नेपाली युवा?

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

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/54498327

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

Another idiot funded by the evangelical Christians.

A self-proclaimed “one-man army”, Rai says he has been taking his anti-abortion message to more than 30,000 people across Nepal since he founded his organisation, Voice of Fetus Nepal, in 2009.

Rai speaks with the fluency and confidence of an evangelical preacher, taking his mostly female audience on an emotional journey. His message is built on the belief that life begins at the moment of conception, and underpinned by the teachings of the Bible. Instead of abortion, Rai promotes parenting, adoption and abstinence

Be wary of these people seeping into fandom status.

Archive: https://archive.md/mmFSB

Its been a rough time for a lot of people after the recent floods in terms of loss, road blockades and price gouging. But I hope everyone's family is safe and celebrating in however way they can.

Post your dashain pics if you want to share.

Archive: https://archive.md/GIb0L

KATHMANDU, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Incessant rains in Nepal have unleashed floods and landslides that killed at least 10 people with seven missing during the last 24 hours, while disrupting transport, officials said on Saturday.

Stay safe everyone!

Eminent Nepali conservation NGOs and environmentalists are urging the Supreme Court of Nepal to repeal a controversial law that allows private infrastructure projects within protected areas. This law raises concerns that it will permit developments like hydropower plants, cable cars, and hotels, potentially exploiting natural resources and harming local communities reliant on these ecosystems.

Introduced to attract foreign investment, the law amends existing regulations, easing restrictions on construction in national parks and reserves. Critics, including a committee representing 27 conservation organizations, argue that this could undermine years of conservation efforts and erode public trust in environmental policies, as stakeholders were not consulted during the drafting process.

The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on the law following a petition, highlighting the contentious nature of the amendments. While some government officials suggest that new guidelines are being developed to manage protected areas better, many worry that this could lead to further exploitation of valuable ecosystems.

Archive: https://archive.md/Yg6wU

Sustainable transportation leader Gogoro Inc. is expanding its footprint across Asia with strategic investments from lubricant maker Castrol; upcoming launches in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Singapore; and market growth in the Philippines. These strategic moves highlight the company’s commitment to providing eco-friendly transportation alternatives and addressing the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in urban centers

China and Nepal have commenced a joint anti-terrorism military exercise, featuring the debut of a new type of ball-shaped reconnaissance drone.

The exercise, known as Sagarmatha Friendship-2024, began with an opening ceremony at a training base in Chongqing Municipality, China, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency.

This marks the fourth edition of the Sagarmatha Friendship drills, with the last one taking place in 2019. The exercise, which will run until October 1, focuses on joint anti-terrorism operations in urban environments.

https://archive.md/o5gRM

The article discusses concerns regarding the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and its collection of potentially looted art, particularly focusing on Nepalese artifacts. It highlights the case of a 12th-century Nepalese Buddha sculpture recently identified as stolen, which led to its repatriation after being purchased by collector Michael Phillips.

Activists and scholars argue that many items in LACMA's collection may have been illegally removed from their countries of origin, emphasizing the importance of provenance research. LACMA is conducting an internal review of its holdings, but critics note that the museum has not been transparent about its findings or cooperated with legal authorities.

The article also reflects on the broader implications of art repatriation, mentioning that other institutions, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, are proactively examining their collections for provenance issues. Experts express skepticism about museums policing themselves and the challenges involved in determining the rightful ownership of cultural artifacts.

Overall, the piece underscores a growing movement for repatriation and accountability in museum practices regarding art acquisition and display.

In recent years, Nepal has made significant strides in reducing pesticide-related suicides, which have been a major public health concern. The issue gained attention after Dr. Rakesh Ghimire treated a young woman who had ingested a common pesticide in 2011. This prompted a movement among health professionals to advocate for a ban on hazardous pesticides.

In 2019, Nepal implemented a ban on eight specific pesticides linked to high suicide rates. Early data shows that this ban has led to a decrease in reported suicide deaths by approximately 30% in the 2022/23 financial year. Pesticide self-poisoning is a common method of suicide in low- and middle-income countries, with the World Health Organization noting that around 140,000 people die from it annually.

Research indicates that restricting access to these dangerous substances can dramatically lower suicide rates without harming agricultural productivity. Countries like Sri Lanka and South Korea have seen similar successes after implementing bans on hazardous pesticides.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Monitoring enforcement is difficult, especially in remote areas, and there are ongoing concerns about the smuggling of banned pesticides. Additionally, while the focus has been on reducing pesticide access, there is a pressing need for improved mental health services to address the underlying issues contributing to suicides.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/21516601

YSK rice commonly contains arsenic, but most of it can be removed by boiling in water (4:1 ratio) for 5 minutes, and discarding that water before starting the regular cook cycle.

Why you should know:

Arsenic is a carcinogen and has various other negative health effects; enough to warrant exposure limits in various jurisdictions. A five minute boil-and-discard step before cooking is a simple way to reduce your exposure, especially if you eat a lot of rice.

Details are in the study, linked in the title of this post. Here's a diagram from the abstract:

Archive: https://archive.md/9zybz

In the first seven months of 2024, Nepal welcomed 647,615 foreign tourists, marking a significant increase in tourist arrivals. This reflects a 21.22% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. The surge in tourism is indicative of Nepal's growing appeal as a travel destination, likely due to its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and improved accessibility for international visitors.

A video about the effects of climate change, change in regulations, piles of trash, cleanup attempts, and crowded lines on Mt. Everest.

I thought the narration was a bit slow for me (probably for dramatization). Watch it at 1.25x if you feel the same.