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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed grief over the Palpa bus accident. PM Dahal paid tribute to the passengers who lost their lives in the accident. In a tweet today, PM Dahal extended his condolences to the relatives of those killed in the accident. At least six persons lost their lives in the bus accident that occurred in Rainadevichhahara Rural Municipality-8, Tandi last night. As many as 18 passengers were injured in the mishap. PM Dahal wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. He appealed to all sides concerned to play a role to make public transport safe and dignified.

The air quality has degraded across the country including the Kathmandu Valley lately. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the lack of winter rainfall has led to the high level of air pollution in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Tulsipur in Dang, in Dhankuta and in the southern plains. The issue of fog and haze has become more intense in the Tarai due to the lack of precipitation. The Air Quality Index (AQI) at 7:45 am today shows the increasing level of air pollution in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Tulsipur and Dang. Kathmandu’s AQI has reached 153 followed by 154 in Bhaktapur. It was measured at 108 in Tulsipur and 106 in Dhankuta. AQI above 100 is considered harmful for public health. Children, aged people and people with breathing complications are more vulnerable to air pollution as they may face adversity and further complications if it is in the 100-150 scale. It is harmful for all if it exceeds 150. Generally, AQI 0-50 is considered okay for human health. The Higher the AQI goes, the more it is hazardous for public health. Experts have urged one and all to take precautions against increasing air pollution in the country.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has collected revenue of Rs 4.34 billion as of December 30 in the current fiscal year. In the same period last year, the KMC had accumulated revenue of Rs 3.69 billion, KMC Revenue Department Chief Dr Shivaraj Adhikari said. With the decreasing trend of coronavirus infection, the metropolis has been able to improve its performance in revenue collection, Adhikari added. At a meeting of the Revenue Advisory Committee held at KMC on Wednesday, Dr Adhikari shared the information about revenue collection. The meeting has decided to present the agenda related to the fine and penalty for not removing unauthorized display boards within KMC to the municipal assembly.  

Nepal will be receiving 1.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines (for booster dose) from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) next month. According to the government, the GAVI has confirmed dispense of such quantity of vaccine to Nepal on February 2. As the Family Welfare Division, Department of Health Services said, the vaccines will be arriving in the first week of February. Division Chief Sagar Dahal said in response to a letter that Nepal wrote to the GAVI on December 29 asking it for the supplies of vaccines for the administration of booster dose, the second party promises the supplies from the United States of America under the COVAX facility. Nepal decided to request the Gavi for fresh supplies of vaccines bearing in mind increasing risk of COVID-19 infection. It will be getting Pfizer vaccines to administer booster dose following the Department of Drugs Administration (DDA)’s approval for the ‘emergency use’ for booster dose. The Ministry has urged one and all those getting the booster dose earlier to receive it in the aftermath of increasing case of FB.7, the sub-variant of Omicron virus in neighbouring India and China. Similarly, the Ministry has urged one and all to follow the health protocols: use of face mask, observation of physical distancing, hand wash with soap and water and regular use of sanitizer regularly as preventive measures against the virus.