Submit your Article

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to promptly address the demands of agitating teachers through dialogue. 

The human rights watchdog body has urged the government to resolve the problems seen in sensitive sectors like education through dialogue and enable the environment to resume classes. 

In a press release issued today, NHRC Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokharel said, "The Commission has urged the Government of Nepal to formulate the laws related to school education timely after holding adequate discussions and consultations with the concerned parties and to implement the agreements signed by the Government of Nepal in the past with the teachers". 

The Commission has said that the ongoing agitation by the Federation of Nepal Teachers in Kathmandu for the last 13 days demanding that the government immediately enact the School Education Act,  make the education policy productive and implement the agreement signed with the Government of Nepal in the past has affected the right of children to education. 

The Commission is carrying out on-site monitoring of the teachers' movement. "If the agitation continues, the results of SEE, Grade 12 examinations and the admission campaign of children will also be affected", the NHRC said.

Various parts of the country, including the Kathmandu Valley, experienced light rainfall this afternoon.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rains were recorded in most areas of the Koshi and Bagmati Provinces today.

Min Kumar Aryal, a meteorologist at the Division, said that the rains were triggered by the influence of the Westerly winds and the increased activity of local winds. However, no significant rainfall is expected in the coming days. This weather condition is likely to persist until Thursday.

The Division also predicts that light to moderate rains, accompanied by thunder and lightning, will affect parts of the hilly regions in Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces, with a few locations in other areas expected to experience similar conditions by Wednesday morning.

In the highlands and mountain regions, light rains and snowfall are possible, which could impact daily life, agriculture, health, roadways, and aviation services.

 The public has been advised to take precautions against the potential challenges posed by these atmospheric changes.

A severe sandstorm has swept through central and southern Iraq, blanketing cities in an orange haze and forcing the closure of airports as health facilities reported an alarming increase in respiratory issues.

This storm, the largest of the year, reduced visibility to less than one kilometer in various areas, Reuters reported.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with Muthanna province alone reporting approximately 700 cases of suffocation, as confirmed by health official Mazen Al Egeili. In nearby Najaf province, at least 250 individuals were hospitalized due to breathing difficulties, while Diwaniyah province treated around 322 patients, including children.

Additionally, more than 530 residents in Dhi Qar and Basra provinces sought medical assistance for respiratory problems.

In light of the hazardous conditions, airport operations in Najaf and Basra were temporarily halted, according to Reuters.

This latest sandstorm highlights Iraq's vulnerability to such climate events, as research by the United Nations identifies the country as one of the five most affected by climate change.

Police have arrested a person with 6. 97 kg of cannabis from Tribhuvan International Airport. The arrestee is a 27-year-old man from India.  

TIA Security Chief and Senior Superintendent of Police, Somendra Singh Rathaur confirmed the arrest of the Indian national from TIA who arrived in Nepal on Thai Air flight last night.

The contraband was found during a luggage check at arrivals. He has been sent to the Narcotics Bureau Koteshwor for further investigation into the case.