Israel steps up Gaza strikes; polio vaccination halted by blockade

Israel launched one of its heaviest airstrikes on Gaza in weeks, as the enclave’s health ministry warned of a total healthcare collapse due to an ongoing blockade on supplies.

According to Reuters, UN-backed polio vaccination campaign for nearly 600,000 children has been postponed, raising concerns about the disease's comeback.

A Hamas delegation is expected in Cairo to discuss a planned 5-7 year truce conditional on the release of hostages and the cessation of hostilities. Israel has yet to answer, reiterating its demand that Hamas disarm, which the organization opposes.

Since March 18, Israeli operations have killed over 1,600 Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands, Reuters reported.

Bheri Hospital launches kidney transplant service

The Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj has launched the service for kidney transplant beginning today.

Hospital's Chief and Medical Superintendent Dr Nirajan Subedi said this is the first time the hospital is transplanting kidneys on two patients. The transplantations are to be carried out serially. 

A 14-member team led by Dr Pukar Chandra Shrestha from Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center (SDNTC) has already arrived here in view of the launching of the service.

The hospital has planned to undertake at least one transplant in a month and the service will be expanded gradually.

A team comprising urology specialist Dr Dipesh Gupta, anesthetist Dr Paras Pandey, nephrologist Dr Shaurav Hamal, urologist Dr Anjit Phuyal and Dialysis in-charge Dr Parash Shrestha has been assigned to handle the transplant department. 

Presently, 20-25 kidney patients receive the dialysis facility on a daily-basis.  The transplant has been available at a very minimum cost, Dr Subedi said. 

In addition to the kidney transplant service, Bheri Hospital has recently launched several other facilities, including a six-bed burn ward, a 20-bed surgical ward, a 16-bed post-operative ward, and a new outpatient department (OPD).

 

US plans tariffs up to 3,521 percent on Southeast Asian solar panels

The US Commerce Department will impose tariffs of up to 3,521 percent on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, citing unfair trade practices linked to Chinese subsidies and product dumping. The move follows a year-long investigation prompted by US solar manufacturers, Reuters reported.

The tariffs, varying by company and country, aim to support domestic production but may raise costs for businesses and consumers. A final decision is expected from the US International Trade Commission in June.

The announcement comes shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the region, where he criticized US trade actions, according to Reuters. 

China has responded with 125 percent tariffs on US goods and pledged to retaliate further.

KMC urges people not to burn plastic waste in open

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has urged the metropolis denizens not to burn plastic waste in open places.

The metropolitan city has urged the people not to burn waste indiscriminately as the smoke from burning plastic waste is harmful to human health.

Sarita Rai, Head of the KMC's Environment Management Department, said the polluted air is harmful mostly to children, senior citizens, and people suffering from respiratory and heart issues.

He urged the people of the metropolis to dispose of all kinds of waste in the KMC vehicles coming to collect garbage.

Department Chief Rai also urged the industries to comply with the 'Pollution Control Standards- 2081 BS'.