New year brings more canceled flights for air travelers

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, air travelers wear masks at Love Field in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

(AP): For air travelers, the new year picked up where the old one left off – with lots of frustration. By late Saturday afternoon on the East Coast, more than 2,600 U.S. flights and nearly 4,600 worldwide had been canceled, according to tracking service FlightAware. That is the highest single-day U.S. toll yet since just… Continue reading New year brings more canceled flights for air travelers

North Korea to focus on economy in 2022

File Photo North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's return to testing missiles will be getting the attention of the White House. Photo Courtesy: Reuters

(BBC): North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has said the faltering economy will be the national priority this year as the country faces a “great life-and-death struggle”. He was speaking at the end of a key ruling party meeting, which coincides with him being in power for 10 years. A self-imposed coronavirus blockade has left North… Continue reading North Korea to focus on economy in 2022

India: At least 12 dead in New Year temple stampede

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

(BBC): At least 12 people were killed and several others injured after a stampede at a religious shrine in India. Pilgrims were visiting the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Indian-administered Kashmir on Saturday when the tragedy unfolded. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “saddened” by the loss of life. Tens of thousands of… Continue reading India: At least 12 dead in New Year temple stampede

Omicron’s New Year’s cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022

A man celebrates the start of the New Year, backdropped by fireworks exploding in the background over Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Photo Courtesy: AP

PARIS (AP): Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were — again — the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022. New Year’s Eve, which used to be celebrated globally with a free-spirited… Continue reading Omicron’s New Year’s cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022

Germany shuts down half of its 6 remaining nuclear plants

File Photo The nuclear power station is seen in Gundremmingen,southern Germany, May 23, 2006. Photo Courtesy: AP

BERLIN (AP): Germany on Friday is shutting down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation, a year before the country draws the final curtain on its decades-long use of atomic power. The decision to phase out nuclear power and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy was first taken by the… Continue reading Germany shuts down half of its 6 remaining nuclear plants

Guna Airlines to begin Kathmandu-Surkhet flight from Sunday

Kathmandu: Domestic airline company Guna Airlines is preparing to operate regular flights on the Kathmandu-Surkhet-Kathmandu route from next Sunday. This is the 9th destination designated by the company from Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, Guna Airlines currently flies to Bharatpur, Pokhara, Tumlingtar, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, Simara and Janakpur. Currently the company has a total of seven aircraft… Continue reading Guna Airlines to begin Kathmandu-Surkhet flight from Sunday

New Year’s Eve muted by omicron; many hoping for better 2022

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as New Year's Eve celebrations begin in Sydney, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP): Good riddance to 2021. Let 2022 bring fresh hope. That was a common sentiment as people around the world began welcoming in the new year. In many places, New Year’s Eve celebrations were muted or canceled for the second straight year due to a surge of coronavirus infections, this time driven… Continue reading New Year’s Eve muted by omicron; many hoping for better 2022

Snow blocks both trade ports connecting China

Photo Courtesy: Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)

Kathmandu: Heavy snowfall has blocked both the major ports of Nepal-China. The import of goods from both Rasuwagadhi Kerung and Tatopani Khasa has been blocked since Thursday evening. According to the Tatopani Customs Office, it has become difficult to send the cargo container immediately due to the snowfall while some containers supposed arrive Nepal were… Continue reading Snow blocks both trade ports connecting China

Idea Studio season 6; opportunity for startup companies

Kathmandu: Idea Studio Nepal announced the application of Idea Studio Season 6 has opened from today. Up till Season 5, more than 2,500 innovative business ideas have been submitted, 160 have gone through the incubation programme, and over 60 businesses are successfully in operation. Organizing a press meet today, Idea Studio Nepal has called for… Continue reading Idea Studio season 6; opportunity for startup companies