Online-based revenue information system put in place in Beni
Beni Municipality in Myagdi has brought into use the online-based revenue information system. The online revenue information system, which was earlier put in place in the municipality, has been expanded in all ward offices since the fiscal year 2079/80 BS (2022/23 AD). Chief Administrative Officer of Beni Municipality, Dholakraj Dhakal said that the online revenue system was put in place as per the concept of 'paperless governance and faceless service'. He further said, "We have used information technology to provide services in a prompt, hassles-free and economized manner. Public service has been decentralized in wards so as to address service-seekers' compulsion to turn up to the municipality office for each work". With this, software is being used to collect details and produce invoice. It has eased local residents to pay revenue at ward office through online system. The system is expected to lower irregularities, promote transparency and prompt service delivery. Likewise, software has been put in place to prepare cost estimate of the project. Vital registration had already gone digital in the municipality. The recommendation of the municipality and wards, its registration and issuance has been made online. Beni municipality mayor Surat KC said ward secretary has been given authority to sign agreement of the budget-allocated project up to Rs 500,000 by arranging technical works at wards. Internet has been installed in all wards to make the online service delivery effective, Dhakal added.
Plans afoot to clear basement of Suraj Arcade
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City is making preparations to clear the basement of New Road-based Suraj Arcade. A team of the KMC has reached the Suraj Arcade for the same. The Metropolitan City team reached there after Mayor Balen Shah directed the officials to clear the basement of the Suraj Arcade and to demolish the structures built illegally around the shopping center. The KMC swung into action after the Suraj Arcade management ignored a 35-day notice of the Metropolitan City to clear the underground parking area. The parking on the street has caused chaos in the area after the Suraj Arcade does not allow parking in the basement. Earlier on Sunday, the KMC dismantled the structures constructed above the subway in Ratnapark.
Artemis: Nasa ready to launch new era of Moon exploration
The American space agency is counting down to the lift-off of its giant new Moon rocket - the Space Launch System, BBC reported.
SLS is the most powerful vehicle ever developed by Nasa, and will be the foundation of its Artemis project which aims to put people back on the lunar surface after a 50-year absence.
The rocket is timed to go up from the Kennedy Space Centre at 08:33 local time (12:33 GMT; 13:33 BST) on Monday.
Its job will be to propel a test capsule, called Orion, far from Earth.
This spacecraft will loop around the Moon on a big arc before returning home to a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in six weeks' time.
Orion is uncrewed for this demonstration but assuming all the hardware works as it should, astronauts will climb aboard for a future series of ever more complex missions, starting in 2024. "Everything we're doing with this Artemis I flight, we're looking at through the lens of what can we prove out and what can we demonstrate that will buy down risk for the Artemis II crewed mission," explained Nasa astronaut Randy Bresnik.The US space agency has several opportunities over the next week to fly SLS-Orion, but it will want to take the option immediately in front of it, according to BBC.
The weather here in Florida is very dynamic at this time of year, with frequent electrical storms passing over the spaceport.
Indeed, the pad's lightning towers have been struck several times in recent days.
Early morning is when conditions are usually at their calmest, which makes Monday a great day to fly.
"Basically, the beginning of the launch window, or just after 08:30 in the morning, has an 80% chance of favourable weather," said meteorologist Melody Lovin.
Pakistan flood victims throw note pleading for help
Hundreds of people are stranded across the river in the Manoor valley of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after a flash flood hit the region on Friday, destroying at least ten bridges and dozens of buildings, BBC reported.
"We need supplies, we need medicine and please rebuild the bridge, we are left with nothing now." Those are the contents of a handwritten note villagers throw to our team when we visit.
The Manoor valley is located up in the mountains of Kaghan - a famous tourist destination in Pakistan. The valley has been hit by a torrential flood that killed at least 15 people, including women and children.
Flash floods swept away the only concrete bridge connecting the scenic valley to the main city. Since then, all the villages on the other side of the river have been cut off and resident are waiting for help.
The BBC's team reach the valley after a dangerous one-hour drive where the road was damaged at many points due to the flooding and landslides. In Manoor, two bridges have completely collapsed and a temporary wooden bridge has been erected. Here, we meet a woman sitting with her belongings. She tells the BBC she can see her home but is unable to reach it.
"My home and my children are on the other side of the river. I've been waiting here for two days now thinking the government might come and repair the bridge. But authorities are telling us that we should start walking around the other side of the mountain to reach our homes. But that's a hike of eight to ten hours. I am an old woman. How can I walk this much?"
She waits for a few more minutes and leaves when the rain starts again and water flowing underneath the temporary wooden bridge begins to swell up.
We see men, women and children sitting outside their mud houses on the other side of the river. They wave at us thinking we are government officials, according to BBC.
It is then that some of them throw us a piece of paper across the river, packing it into a plastic bag filled with stones in order to throw it to the side of the river where we are filming. This is the only way they can communicate with the other part of the village these days. Mobile networks do not operate here.
The handwritten letter carries information about the losses they are coping with and also requests supplies and medicine for the stranded villagers.
"Many people are sick and can't leave the village on foot. Kindly get the bridge built, it's the main connection with the city," the letter says.
"There are many other people who have lost their property and means of income," he says. "They need help. They need food. There was a small market here which was swept away. Shops had all the food and supplies.
"My home is on the other side and now I'll have to walk for eight hours to reach my home. How can I do that in such an old age?" he asks.
Many shops and hotels have been destroyed here. Soheil and his brother have lost their mobile phone repair shop to the flood.
He tells the BBC he has three families to feed and is uncertain about his future now. "I don't know what to do. No one has come here to help us as we deserve. Every shopkeeper here is worried. They are all poor people who have big families to feed," he says.
"These authorities and politicians come here for photo sessions and fun. They come, take photos and leave. No one is helping us."
"We have completed the assessment and flood victims will be compensated soon," he states. "Work has already started regarding reconstruction of the bridge, but it will take some time."
