National
ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Thursday, May 16
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (May 16, 2019).Post Report
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (May 16, 2019).
Kami Rita Sherpa, in a stirring new record, climbs Everest for the 23rd time
Soft-spoken and always smiling, Kami Rita Sherpa is an affable man. At 49, he is lean and wiry, with a forehead burnt brown from the sun. But his amiable manner belies his accomplishments.
On Wednesday morning, Kami Rita Sherpa scaled Mount Everest for the 23rd time, breaking his own record for the most ascents of the world's highest peak. On the mountain, Kami Rita is seemingly unstoppable. But despite his unparalleled feats of skill and endurance on the world’s highest peak, he remains humble.
Pollution more than pulmonary: look after your eyes too
Itchy or dry eyes and allergies might seem harmless, but leaving them alone or taking unprescribed drugs can have detrimental and lasting effects.
Eye specialists in Kathmandu are seeing an increase in the number of patients with pollution-related problems, but say they can be dealt with easily before they become too grave.
Pulmonary and cardiac diseases are closely associated with Kathmandu’s pollution problem and have been predicted to shorten Kathmandu residents’ lifespans by 30 months. However, eye problems too are becoming increasingly common and treatment is often overzealous or unsuitable.
Nepal has committed to One-China policy, and yet, violations continue
Two controversial incidents in the past week have once again stoked discussion about the One-China policy, Nepal’s stated position on its northern neighbour, and why this gets violated repeatedly.
On Sunday, March 12, the Post reported how three journalists working for the Rastriya Samachar Samiti, the national news agency, were under investigation by the government for circulating a news report about the Dalai Lama’s health. Again, on Monday, March 13, two Members of Parliament were discovered to have attended an event in Latvia organised around the Tibet and the International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet, prompting an investigation by the Parliament Secretariat.
Both these instances have been a cause for concern for the Chinese, who have expressed their displeasure with the Nepali authorities, given that Nepal has committed firmly to the One-China policy since 1955.
Such incidents display how hollow Nepal’s commitment is, say foreign policy experts, while also raising questions about Nepal’s conduct of its foreign policy in a concerted manner.
National Human Rights Commission objects to Media Council Bill
The National Human Rights Commission has taken serious exception to an amendment Bill to revise the Press Council Act, saying the proposed law is against democratic norms and the freedom of expression that is ensured by the Constitution of Nepal.
The constitutional human rights watchdog has said press freedom, human rights and the rule of law are integral parts of democracy and an attack on any of these pillars adversely affects the democratic principle the country has established after a long struggle.
Special Court releases disgraced anti-graft commissioner Pathak on Rs 7.8 million bail
The Special Court on Wednesday released Narayan Pathak, former commissioner of Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, on Rs7.8 million bail.
Pathak is facing corruption charges for taking Rs 7.8 million from some individuals promising to settle a dispute related to Nepal Engineering College.
A joint bench of judges Babu Ram Regmi, Dwarikaman Joshi and Pramod Kumar Shrestha Vaidya decided to release Pathak on bail of Rs7.8 million, the amount Pathak is accused of receiving in bribe, according to Puspa Raj Pandya, spokesperson for the Special Court.
Health officials urge city denizens to be cautious about the water they drink
Water from all sources—including bottled water, the well and from tankers—in the house of a patient was recently found to have been infected with coliform and E. coli, which has raised concerns among health experts about the quality of drinking water in the city.
The National Public Health Laboratory which collected water samples and carried out tests as per the instructions of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division found the presence of hazardous microbes in the water at excessive levels.
The division had directed the laboratory to carry out tests after a 45-year-old man from Kathmandu was infected with Vibrio cholera 01 ogawa serotype.