Kathmandu: Nepal has officially recorded the Siberian Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) as a new bird species within its borders, adding to the country's growing list of avian diversity.



The bird, locally named Siberiyali Rajputrika, was first sighted on June 20 in the Manohara area of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality at an altitude of 1,319 metres. The initial discovery was made by a team of ornithologists — Supradeepta Neupane, Kumud Parajuli, and Shatrughan Pandey — who photographed the bird and suspected it to be of Siberian origin.



Following the sighting, the Nepal Bird Record Committee (NBRC), in collaboration with international ornithologists, conducted a detailed verification. The committee has now officially confirmed the species, according to its Chair, Dr. Tulsi Subedi.



The Siberian Sand Plover, listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, typically breeds in Siberia and migrates across countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand.



With this confirmation, Nepal’s total number of officially recorded bird species has risen to 902, reinforcing the nation’s significance as a critical habitat for both migratory and resident birds.

New bird species, Siberian Sand Plover, officially recorded in Nepal

Kathmandu: Scientists have identified a new species of pterosaur, a flying reptile that lived over 200 million years ago, based on a fossilized jawbone discovered in Arizona in 2011. Using modern scanning technology, researchers confirmed the fossil belongs to a previously unknown species, now named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, meaning “ash-winged dawn goddess.”



Led by scientists from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the discovery — published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — makes this the oldest known pterosaur found in North America, dating back 209 million years to the Triassic period.



The fossil was preserved in volcanic ash in what was once a riverbed in the Petrified Forest National Park. The site, part of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, has yielded a wide array of fossils, including fish scales, teeth, bones, and even fossilized feces.



Dr. Ben Kligman, a researcher on the team, told the BBC that the pterosaur’s teeth showed heavy wear, indicating it likely fed on primitive, armored fish. The fragile nature of pterosaur bones makes such finds exceptionally rare, especially from the Triassic era.



Scientists say the site offers a rare glimpse into a transitional ecosystem, where now-extinct species like ancient amphibians and crocodile-like reptiles lived alongside ancestors of modern animals such as frogs and turtles. The find could open the door to more discoveries of early pterosaurs in similar rock formations worldwide.

New species of ancient flying reptile discovered in Arizona

Kathmandu: Air pollution is the number one risk factor for death and disability in Nepal. Single-sector solutions are not sufficient to meet any clean air target. Public policy and investment need to optimize air quality actions across sectors, prioritizing those with the most cost-effective solutions, says the World Bank in a new report.



The report, Towards Clean Air in Nepal: Benefits, Pollution Sources, and Solutions, serves as a foundational assessment of air pollution in the country and the airshed of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF).



The Kathmandu Valley and the Terai are Nepal’s air pollution hotspots, with no significant improvement over the past decade. Air pollution reduces life expectancy by 3.4 years for the average Nepali and causes approximately 26,000 premature deaths annually.



In addition to health, air pollution impacts labor productivity, tourism, and the aviation sector. The economic cost of poor air quality is equivalent to more than 6 percent of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.



“Clean air and economic growth are not in conflict. In fact, the cost of inaction on pollution is far greater than the cost of taking bold steps today," said Hon. Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment. “From setting stricter industrial emission standards to promoting electric transport, the government is committed to cleaning Nepal’s air."



The multi-sectoral and multi-regional nature of air pollution requires action on many fronts:



Vehicle Emissions: Continuing to electrify vehicle fleets, including cars, motorcycles, buses, and trucks is critical to address air pollution. This needs to be complemented by strengthening the vehicle inspection and maintenance system and reducing road dust.



Industrial Emissions: Support for cleaner technology and fuel adoption in industries— including electric and pellet boilers and furnaces in small and medium enterprises—will help promote cleaner industries. Industrial facilities such as brick and cement factories also need to be supported to burn cleaner and more efficient fuels.



Household Cooking: Supporting households to adopt cleaner and, preferably, electric cookstoves is key to cutting household sources of air pollution. Biomass-fueled stoves create both indoor and ambient air pollution.



Forest fires: Forest fire prevention by reducing the fuel load and developing effective awareness programs is critical for reducing the likelihood of forest fires. Effective response systems to put out fires are also needed.



Transboundary pollution: Partnering effectively with neighboring countries is critical. Transboundary airflows carry pollutants across borders. The Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills Region shares an airshed, meaning that pollutants can travel across borders, affecting air quality in multiple countries.



Nepal's unique geographical location, particularly the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley surrounded by mountains, exacerbates the problem.



“The World Bank is committed to helping Nepal strengthen its air quality improvement programs by leveraging financial and technical assistance and capacity-building support,” said David Sislen, World Bank Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “As a steadfast champion of clean air for better health and prosperity, the World Bank continues to tap into its extensive knowledge and experience from around the world to ensure that our efforts to support cleaner air in Nepal are impactful and sustainable.”

Air pollution is number one health risk factor in Nepal: World Bank

Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said Sagarmatha, the world's highest peak, is the pride of the whole world.



Addressing a programme organized at local Basantapur on the occasion of the International Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) Day here this morning, Minister Pandey emphasized that everyone involved should actively work to enhance awareness for the conservation and promotion of Sagarmatha and attract tourists from around the world to Nepal.



"Sagarmatha is our identity and pride, and the world has also been proud of it. By successfully organizing the Sagarmatha Sambaad recently to establish the country's identity through the highest peak on Earth, we have made the global community aware of the problems faced by the country due to climate change.



The melting of Everest's snow affects not only Nepal and the Himalayan region but the entire planet. The dialogue was useful in highlighting that this is not only a problem for Nepal," he said on the occasion.



On the occasion of the International Sagarmatha Day, a morning procession was organized at Thamel, where there is considerable movement of tourists.



Among those present at the event were Minister Pandey, Officiating Tourism Secretary Indu Ghimire, Director General of the Tourism Department Narayan Regmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board Deepak Raj Joshi, as well as tourism entrepreneurs, representatives from tourism-related organizations, government officials, security agencies, and the members of the general public.



Before that, a wreath was offered at the life-size statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary located in the premises of the Nepal Tourism Board.



The International Sagarmatha Day is marked on May 29 every year in commemoration of the successful ascent of Mount Everest by the Nepali Sherpa and Hillary for the first time on May 29, 1953.

International Sagarmatha Day: 'Sagarmatha is pride of the world'

Kathmandu: Monsoon is not far away with the onset of the pre-monsoon this year.



As many as two million people of 450,000 households are likely to be affected from this year's monsoon.



The forecast has been made in the proposed Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, 2082 BS which was prepared by analyzing all the related factors based on the data of the Department of Meteorology.



Spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Response and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Ram Bahadur KC told RSS that the action plan was charted out with estimation that 10 percent of the affected people might require rescue and relief.



"We have estimated that around two million people would be affected in the imminent monsoon. All provinces of the country would be affected so sector-wide responsibilities have been delegated for the preparedness", he informed.



Sharing that the national action plan would be presented in the meeting of the executive committee of the NDRRMA to be held on May 28 under the chair of Home Minister, he said it would come into effect after the endorsement from the meeting.



KC further informed that the proposed action plan has put forth the actions, including monthly monitoring, evaluation and review of the disaster.



Earlier, the weather forecasts were made public in Nepal. According to the forecasts unveiled by the Department of Meteorology, there would be extreme rainfall with lower minimum and higher maximum temperature.



Being based on the forecasts, the NDRRMA has prepared the disaster response national action plan considering recommendations of the stakeholders and organizations.

Two million people likely to be affected from monsoon-induced disaster this year

Kathmandu: The first international gathering of summiteers of Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) will be taking place in Nepal on May 27.



The event named ' Everest Summiteers Summit' aims to bring together the climbers, provide them a forum for sharing experiences with each other and promote an adventurous tourism, according to organiser the Everest Alliance Nepal.



Alliance Chair Sudarshan Nepal has said that so far 177 climbers from 16 countries have confirmed the registrations for participating in the Summit. A total of 500 climbers who have already reached the top of the world's tallest peak are expected to attend the event.



They will represent India, China, the United States of America, Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Iran, Singapore, Australia, Lebanon, Morocco and the UAE.



There will be presence of those who climbed Mount Everest seven decades ago to share their experiences with the gathering. Those who have reached the peak, including individuals with different abilities, will also give presentations.



Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 expedition to Mount Everest, will be honored at the event. He was part of the team alongside Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, who made history as the first people to reach the summit.



The Summit will include extensive discussions on the impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems, with panel discussions featuring representatives from organizations such as WWF, ICIMOD, IUCN, and others.



The event is supported by several prominent organizations, including the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), the Nepal Mountaineering Association, and the Hotel Association of Nepal, among others.

First international 'Everest Summiteers Summit' on May 27

Kathmandu: The President of COP-29 and Special Representative the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, Mukthar Babayev, called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.



During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official resident in Baluwatar, PM Oli thanked the Government of Azerbaijan for its leading role in talking the climate change impacts through mutual cooperation.



PM Oli said that the non-aligned nations should continue to push for concerted efforts for the concept of Himalayas to the Oceans and bring the large countries on board.



The President of COP-29 and Special Representative the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues is in Nepal to attend the ongoing Sagarmatha Sambaad.



On the occasion, Mukthar congratulated the PM for organizing the Sagarmatha Sambaad and disseminating its messages to the world for the protection of Himalayas and for environment.

President of COP-29 meets PM Oli

Kathmandu: The Sagarmatha Sambaad, the international dialogue on climate action, sustainability, and global partnerships, themed "Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity" has kicked off in Kathmandu today.



Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the Sagarmatha Sambaad amid a special function a while ago. More than 350 national and international distinguished personalities are present at the event.



Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister and Coordinator of Sambaad Management Committee Dr Arzu Rana Deuba welcomed the distinguished guests attending the event.



Currently, the distinguished guests are addressing the event. There will be parallel thematic sessions after the closing of the inaugural session.

PM Oli inaugurates Sagarmatha Sambaad

Kathmandu: In its bid to inform the world community about climate change and its impacts, and to explore measures for climate resilience, the government is organizing the Sagarmath Sambaad from today in Kathmandu.



Beginning today, the Sagarmatha Sambaad -- the first of its kind from the Government of Nepal -- will conclude on May 18. The theme of the Sagarmath Sambaad is "Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity".



The program includes various sessions, seminars, and keynote speeches on topics such as climate action, sustainability, and global partnerships. According to Foreign Affairs Minister and Coordinator of Sambaad Management Committee Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, a total of 175 foreign guests and almost equal number of Nepalis will join the event.



There will be the participation of high-level delegation from 12 countries. The dignitaries from China, India and some other countries have already arrived in Kathmandu and the participants from some other countries are arriving.



The leaders of Indian and Chinese delegations are scheduled to address the event. Likewise, COP29 President and Special Representative the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues is also scheduled to address the event. Similarly, a video message addressed to the Sagarmatha Sambaad by UN Secretary General António Guterres will be presented today.



There will be series of plenary sessions after the inauguraal session. The programme includes various sessions, seminars, and keynote speeches on topics such as climate action, sustainability, and global partnerships.

Sagarmatha Sambaad begins today

Kathmandu: A total of 175 foreign delegates are participating in the 'Sagarmatha Sambaad' (Sagarmatha Dialogue), a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum committed to deliberate on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance, to be held here on May 16 -18.



Minister for Foreign Affairs and Sagarmatha Sambaad Management Committee Coordinator, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, in a press meet here today shared so.



Dr Rana apprised that altogether 350 participants including 175 foreign delegates are taking part in the event aimed at providing a suitable platform for multi-stakeholder, inter-regional global dialogue in Nepal on pressing contemporary issues facing the world.



Delegates will include ministers, high-ranking government officials, diplomats, representatives from donor agencies, climate change experts and environmentalists as well as development actors and leaders from various sectors.



They will deliberate on the burgeoning environmental challenges and concerns facing the world. They will also seek to forge regional and international cooperation for collective efforts towards climate action.



In the press meet organized to update about the event and its preparation, Minister Rana reiterated that the event will bring together a total of 175 foreign delegates and Nepali in similar number.



The three-day event will see participation of high-level delegates from 12 countries, said Dr Rana, adding they will engage in one high-level plenary session.



Furthermore, representatives from a total of 61 national and international organizations as well as representatives from SAARC, BIMSTEC, Asian Development Bank, World Bank as well as civic societies will also partake in the dialogue.



Together they will engage in 12 parallel sessions and other side events, she informed. The first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad is themed 'Climate Change, Mountains and Future of Humanity'.



Hereafter, the government decided, the multi-stakeholder dialogue forum will be held every two years. Participants will discuss various contemporary issues facing the humanity across the global particularly the climate-change induced adversities and impacts and dwell on climate action and climate justice.



"Preparation to the Sagarmatha Sambaad is in its final stage. We have reached this far completing various rounds of preparation. Preparation to hold 10 preliminary discussions has been completed," Minister Rana mentioned.



Foreign Minister Rana, during the press meet, asserted that Nepal has the potential to take on a leading role on neutral and dialogue-driven diplomacy.



Moreover, she highlighted Nepal's commitment for collective efforts towards climate action and expressed her confidence that Nepal, through this event, can position itself as a key player in promoting peaceful dialogue on the global stage.



Prime Minister KP Sharma will address the event where Minister Rana will deliver keynote address. A short audiovisual content illuminating the participants about the dialogue forum will be shown, it was shared.



A video message addressing the event by the General-Secretary of the United Nations will also be broadcasted in the event.



According to the Sagarmatha Sambaad Secretariat, high-level delegates from India and China and COP-29 President also the President of Azerbaijan will address the event.

A total of 175 foreign delegates to participate in 'Sagarmatha Sambaad'

Kathmandu: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, the oldest American currently serving in space, returned to Earth on Sunday — the day he turned 70 — after completing a 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).



Pettit landed alongside Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner in Kazakhstan's steppe at 06:20 local time (01:20 GMT), aboard the parachute-assisted Soyuz MS-26 capsule, according to NASA.



During the mission, the trio orbited the Earth 3,520 times. It was Pettit’s fourth journey into space, bringing his total time spent off-planet to 590 days.



Although Pettit is now the oldest serving U.S. astronaut to have flown in space, he is not the oldest person to do so — that title remains with John Glenn, who flew aboard a NASA mission in 1998 at age 77.



The crew handed command of the ISS to Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi before departure. Pettit, originally from Oregon, will now undergo re-adaptation to Earth’s gravity before returning to Houston, Texas. His Russian colleagues will be transferred to Star City, Russia’s main space training base near Moscow.



Last month, another NASA mission made headlines when astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after an unexpectedly extended stay of more than nine months on the ISS due to technical delays.



Source: BBC

NASA’s oldest active astronaut Don Pettit returns to earth on 70th birthday

Kathmandu: Three genetically engineered wolf pups resembling the extinct dire wolf have been born and are now living in a secure, undisclosed location in the United States, according to Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm working to revive lost species. The pups, aged three to six months, are already around 80 pounds and are expected to grow to nearly 140 pounds in adulthood.



As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the project is part of Colossal's broader efforts to recreate animals that resemble extinct species by using advanced genetic techniques. While the company claims these wolves bear physical similarities to dire wolves — large prehistoric predators that vanished over 10,000 years ago — independent scientists say this does not signal the true return of the species.



“You can’t actually bring back an extinct species — all you can do now is make something look superficially like something else,” said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo, who was not involved in the project.



Colossal researchers studied ancient DNA from dire wolf fossils, including a 13,000-year-old tooth from Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment from Idaho. Using CRISPR gene editing, they altered gray wolf cells at 20 genetic sites before implanting the engineered DNA into dog egg cells. The embryos were carried to term by domestic dog surrogates.



Despite the physical resemblance, the genetically engineered wolves lack the lived experience of hunting in the wild. “They’ll never learn the finishing move to take down a giant elk,” noted Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal care expert.



In a parallel development, Colossal also announced it had successfully cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from the critically endangered red wolf population in the southeastern U.S. The effort aims to expand genetic diversity within captive breeding programs.



Wildlife ethicists remain cautiously optimistic. University of Montana conservation expert Christopher Preston noted that while the new cloning process may be less invasive than past methods, it still involves sedating wild wolves — a difficult and risky procedure.



Colossal CEO Ben Lamm said the company recently met with U.S. Interior Department officials to discuss the project. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the development on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “thrilling new era of scientific wonder.” However, skeptics like Lynch warn that whatever ecological role dire wolves once played cannot simply be reinserted into today’s altered ecosystems.



Source: AP

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