In Nepal, 76 protesters were arrested by police for organizing a general strike in response to the dissolution of the country's parliament by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The arrests occurred in Kathmandu amid ongoing sit-in protests and rallies by a faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions regarding the parliament's dissolution.

The author recounts a paragliding adventure in Sarangkot, Pokhara, overcoming initial apprehensions to experience the exhilarating freedom of flight. Guided by pilot Roshan Gautam from e-paragliding, the journey offers breathtaking views of the valley, Phewa Lake, and mustard fields. The narrative highlights the delicate balance between the pilot's skill and the passenger's cooperation, ultimately leading to a newfound courage and appreciation for taking chances.

Climate misinformation continues to spread despite scientific consensus on climate change, with fossil fuel companies, political agendas, and disinformation networks fueling falsehoods. Mainstream media's inadequate science reporting and the journalistic norm of presenting 'both sides' contribute to the problem. ExxonMobil's disinformation campaign, debunked by Inside Climate News, exemplifies corporate denialism. Misinformation undermines trust in science and hampers climate action. Terms like climate denialism, skepticism, discourse of distraction, delay, conspiracy theories, and greenwashing describe various misinformation tactics. John Cook's FLICC taxonomy helps counteract misinformation by promoting critical thinking and awareness.

A doctored photo of Toshima Karki, a lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has gone viral on social media, falsely depicting her protest against her party leader Rabi Lamichhane. The original photo was from a protest Karki led against the killing of job aspirants in Lalitpur. The doctored images were intended to discredit Karki and her party. The article uses reverse image search and multiple sources to debunk the misinformation.

A video that went viral claiming to show a procession in Nepal for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India, is misleading. The video actually depicts a July 2023 ceremony in Greater Noida, India, not a procession from Goddess Sita’s maternal home in Nepal. The claim was debunked by Nepal Check through keyframe analysis and cross-referencing with news reports, including one from ETV India about a Kalash Yatra that took place before Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri's recitation of Bhagwat Katha in early July.

The author revisits his hometown of Phidim during Dashain, reflecting on its transformation from a quaint town to a more urbanized area. Despite new infrastructure and buildings, the town faces challenges such as a lack of quality higher education and specialist healthcare, leading to a mass exodus of residents. The author nostalgically recounts his childhood memories, the changes in the town, and the realization that Phidim is now more of a transit town for pilgrims heading to Pathibhara Devi Temple. The journey evokes a mix of nostalgia and acceptance of the town's evolving identity.

A widely shared TikTok video falsely claims to show the recent earthquake in Jajarkot, Nepal. Nepal Check's investigation revealed that the video is actually from the 2015 earthquake in central Nepal. The recent Jajarkot earthquake on November 3, 2023, resulted in significant casualties and damage. The viral TikTok post, which garnered over 1 million views, was debunked through a detailed verification process, confirming the video was from eight years ago.

Deepak Adhikari, editor of Nepal Check, discusses the spread of AI-generated images following an earthquake in Nepal and outlines methods for identifying fake photographs. The article highlights the challenges fact-checkers face with the rise of AI-enabled platforms capable of generating realistic images. It emphasizes the importance of skepticism, source verification, and visual clues to distinguish between real and AI-generated content. Experts recommend that news media and social media users disclose AI-generated images to prevent misinformation.

Katanins, microtubule severing enzymes, are crucial in cell cycle stages. Using the Zp3-CreLox approach, researchers deleted katanin A1 (Katna1) and katanin A-like 1 (Katnal1) in mouse oocytes. Katnal1 deletion did not affect female fertility, but Katna1 deletion led to a 50% fertility reduction. Katna1-/- oocytes showed normal MI spindle morphology but altered MII spindle morphology, reducing fertilization rates. Katna1+/- embryos developed normally to the blastocyst stage, while Katna1-/- oocytes had reduced blastocyst formation, cell number, and increased nuclear size. The paternal allele's ability to rescue preimplantation development indicates fertility issues arise during the egg to embryo transition before embryonic genome activation.

Misinformation during Nepal's monsoon season exacerbates the chaos caused by natural disasters like floods and landslides. Social media platforms are rife with false and misleading content, leading to confusion and panic among the public. Experts emphasize the need for accurate and timely information from official sources to mitigate the impact of such crises. The article highlights instances of misinformation and calls for stronger risk communication strategies from government agencies.

A viral TikTok video claiming to show Nepal's Nagdhunga tunnel is actually footage of a tunnel on the Al Baha road in Saudi Arabia. The video, posted by TikTok user Hari Godar Thapa Chhetri, was analyzed and compared with a YouTube video by Mike Viado, confirming the misleading claim. The investigation highlights the importance of verifying information before accepting it as true.

The article discusses the pervasive issue of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in the digital age, particularly on social media platforms. It highlights the challenges faced by legacy media in maintaining credibility and audience attention amidst the chaotic online environment. The article uses the recent Nepali general elections as a case study to illustrate how electoral misinformation can undermine democratic processes. It also critiques platforms like YouTube and Facebook for prioritizing virality and ad revenue over accuracy, contributing to societal polarization. The article calls for a multi-pronged approach involving platforms, creators, and consumers to combat misinformation and promote informed discourse.

Nepal's Prime Minister, known as Prachanda, is traveling to China for talks on connectivity and security after attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a reception by U.S. President Joe Biden. This marks the first visit to China by a Nepalese leader in three years, following Prachanda's trip to India, which competes with Beijing for influence in the region.

A viral video claiming to show a flooded bridge in Nepal is debunked by Nepal Check, revealing it actually depicts a flood in Swat Valley, Pakistan, from over a year ago. The video, initially posted by Nepal Icons on Facebook, gained traction on TikTok and YouTube. A comprehensive fact-check involving reverse image searches and cross-referencing with reports from Samaa Television and other sources confirmed the video's true origin. The false claim has been widely circulated on social media, but evidence firmly establishes the video's Pakistani context.

A viral video and photos claiming to show a rally in Dharan after a controversial beef consumption incident and subsequent protest plans were found to be misleading. Nepal Check's investigation revealed that the imagery was from a religious procession in Birgunj, celebrating the 11th anniversary of Gahwa Mai Temple, and not from Dharan. The content was incorrectly labeled and shared on social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok. The actual event depicted was the Ratha Yatra held in Birgunj two months prior to the viral posts.

A viral video clip falsely claimed that Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' expressed dislike for the republic, federalism, and inclusiveness. Nepal Check's investigation revealed that the video was selectively edited and taken out of context, as Dahal was actually quoting former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's views, not his own. The misleading video was shared on social media, including by members of the opposition party Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Nepal Check concluded that the claim in the viral video lacks context and does not reflect Dahal's personal views.

Sanjay Upadhya's book 'Democracy in Turns: A Political Account of Nepal' provides an overview of Nepal's political history, particularly from the 1990s onwards. The book condenses significant events into 280 pages but has been criticized for lacking depth and relying heavily on international sources. It assumes reader familiarity with Nepali politics, which may challenge some. The book offers insights into the political parties' actions in opposition versus power and captures the Maoist insurgency's impact. However, it has been noted for potential bias towards the Shah monarchy and for not fully exploring the implications of certain historical transitions.

Recent floods and landslides in eastern Nepal have caused fatalities and destruction. A photo of a collapsed bridge circulated by Ratopati and Nepal Live was claimed to be from Sankhuwasabha district. However, an investigation by Nepal Check and confirmation from reporter Giriraj Banskota revealed that the photo was actually of a bridge over the Hewa Khola river in Panchthar district. The misleading photo was part of the Mechi Highway and not from the flood-affected area in Sankhuwasabha.

A viral video of a Nepalese wedding was falsely claimed to show a bride who would be buried alive if her husband died. The video, initially shared by @ScreenMix and widely circulated on TikTok, was fact-checked by Nepal Check. The investigation revealed that the video was recorded during a wedding ceremony in Bajhang district, Nepal, and featured Jayanti Khadka, who confirmed it was her love marriage. The claim was debunked as false.

A TikTok video falsely claiming to show the announcement of the 2023 Secondary Education Examination (SEE) results has gone viral, amassing over 2.1 million views. The video, originally posted by user @shahilbhandari08, features a four-year-old clip from Nepal Times, misleadingly edited to 10 seconds. Nepal Check's investigation revealed the video dates back to June 27, 2019, and the National Examination Board has not yet released the 2023 results. The TikTok post has been rated as misleading.

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, is preparing for a four-day diplomatic visit to India with the goal of improving strained relations due to border disputes and power project issues. The two countries share a 1,770-kilometer open border and have a history of trade and political influence, which was impacted when Nepal released a political map including territory controlled by India.

A viral video falsely claiming to show people chasing away former deputy prime minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi in connection to a fake Bhutanese refugee scam is actually from 2021. The video, originally showing a protest against Rayamajhi when he was the Minister of Energy, has been misleadingly linked to the recent scam. The scam involved racketeers and government officials swindling millions from victims by promising US visas as Bhutanese refugees. Several individuals, including Rayamajhi's son and former home minister Bal Krishna Khand, have been arrested.

The article discusses the integration of yoga with the Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) and its implications for health monitoring and exercise guidance. It covers the benefits of yoga for physical and mental health, the use of IIoT to detect and monitor yoga postures, and the challenges and future directions in this field. The authors provide a comprehensive survey on the topic, including the types of yoga, safety measures, and the application of IIoT in yoga practice. They also highlight the need for more research to explore the long-term impacts of yoga and the technological advancements in IIoT for yoga practice.

The article discusses the repatriation of stolen cultural artefacts to Nepal, highlighting the efforts of art enthusiasts, community members, and organizations in restoring Nepal's cultural heritage. Two wooden struts from the Narayan Temple and a stone sculpture of the Buddhist Goddess Tara from the Bir Bhadreshwar Mahadev Temple were recently returned from the US and Yale University Art Gallery, respectively. The article outlines the history of art theft in Nepal, particularly during the 1970s and 80s, and the role of books by Lain Singh Bangdel and Juergen Schick in documenting these stolen artefacts. The Lost Arts of Nepal social media campaign and the Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign have been instrumental in identifying and pressuring for the return of these items. The process of repatriation involves verifying the provenance of artefacts, negotiating with foreign institutions, and sometimes involving the FBI and Interpol. Once returned, artefacts are kept at the National Museum and can be reclaimed by local communities, who must also ensure their security. The article concludes with the mention of a documentary titled 'The God Thieves' by Newsy, which addresses the broader issue of antiquities trafficking.

The article details the perilous journey of a Nepalese man, referred to as Ramesh, who embarked on a risky and expensive migration to the United States in search of a better life. Ramesh's odyssey took him through various countries, facing dangers such as treacherous jungle crossings and encounters with smugglers and robbers. The story highlights the broader issue of human smuggling from Nepal, with local social workers and law enforcement discussing the prevalence of the issue in the region. Despite the hardships, Ramesh eventually made it to the U.S., and his social media suggests he has achieved some level of success. However, the article also touches on the high costs and debts incurred by migrants, suggesting that the true beneficiaries of this migration are often traffickers and moneylenders. The piece includes additional reporting by Nathan Jaccard (OCCRP) and Jose Guarnizo (Revista Semana).

The Election Commission ordered re-polling in Dolakha after determining that the initial polling did not meet standards. While news reports claimed the re-polling was peaceful, social media videos showed clashes between political party cadres and security forces. Fact-checking revealed that confrontations did occur, particularly involving supporters of the ruling coalition and CPN-UML cadres. Despite these clashes, the re-polling proceeded without major disruptions, making the claim of peaceful re-polling only partially true.

The study investigates the increasing prevalence of anxiety among university students and explores the effectiveness of a novel smart belt integrated with the Intelligent Internet of Medical Things (IIoMT) and Mano Shakti Yoga (MSY) in detecting, classifying, and reducing anxiety. Over six weeks, 66 students were monitored using a smart belt to detect anxiety through cardiac signals and self-rating anxiety scales. The experimental group practiced MSY, showing significant anxiety reduction compared to the control group. Machine learning algorithms, including Decision Tree, Random Forest, and AdaBoost, were used to analyze the data, achieving a maximum accuracy of 80% with the Random Forest algorithm. The study concludes that MSY can significantly improve students' mental health, attention, and memory.

Nepal has commenced its campaign for parliamentary and provincial elections, with voting scheduled for November 20. This marks the second general election since the adoption of a new constitution in 2015, which transitioned Nepal from a unitary Hindu kingdom to a federal republic with federal, provincial, and local tiers of government.

Kul Man Ghising, managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, claimed that Nepal began selling electricity to India under the Deuba government. However, a detailed timeline reveals that negotiations and groundwork for power trade with India had been ongoing for over a decade, starting under the Sushil Koirala administration and continuing through the KP Sharma Oli administration. Key milestones include agreements and infrastructure developments facilitated by various governments, culminating in Nepal's participation in the Indian Energy Exchange in November 2021.

Radha Pokharel's claim that women lawmakers did not raise the issue of violence against women in Parliament is proven false. The article provides a detailed timeline of instances where female MPs have actively spoken out against such violence, particularly highlighting the Nirmala Pant case. The Federal Parliament has seen numerous debates and legislative actions addressing violence against women, contradicting Pokharel's assertion.

Nepali politicians and investigative journalists have raised concerns about the significant amounts of money deposited by Nepalis in Swiss banks, with figures showing a substantial increase over the years. Despite promises from the government to investigate and retrieve these funds, little action has been taken. The article delves into the history and mechanisms of Swiss banking secrecy, the challenges of money laundering, and the difficulties Nepal faces in bringing back illicit funds. Key figures and organizations involved in the investigation and discussion include former finance ministers, lawmakers, and investigative bodies like the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and the Center for Investigative Journalism Nepal.

A TikTok user falsely claimed that a mixture of coconut oil and Vitamin E capsules can cure melasma, attributing the remedy to Ayurveda. Experts, including an Ayurvedic scholar and a dermatologist, refuted the claim, stating that Ayurvedic texts do not mention vitamins and that coconut oil and Vitamin E cannot cure melasma. The article concludes that the TikTok user's claim is false.

A viral social media post falsely claimed that a map of Nepal with Urdu captions depicted the country as an 'Islamic Republic'. The map, created by Mahmud Jalil Qasmi for educational purposes, was misinterpreted. Fact-checking by Nepal Check and translations by Pakistani journalist Lubna Jerar confirmed that the map only identified the districts and provinces of Nepal in Urdu, without any political implications.

A video circulated on social media, including Twitter and Facebook, purportedly shows lawmakers from the Communist Party of Nepal, Unified Marxist and Leninist (CPN-UML) chanting pro-monarchy slogans during a parliamentary session. The video was shared by a user named Apil Gurung and gained some traction online. However, upon investigation by Nepal Check, it was found that the original video from a House of Representatives session on September 8, 2021, had been doctored. The lawmakers were actually protesting against Speaker Agni Sapkota with slogans related to maintaining the dignity of Parliament and the rule of law. The original voices in the video were replaced with pro-monarchy slogans. The misleading video was shared in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Nepal, with the apparent aim of discrediting the CPN-UML party.

Khagaraj Adhikari, a lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), claimed that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has not attended any Prime Minister’s Questions sessions since taking office, implying a lack of accountability to Parliament. Nepal Check confirmed that the prime minister is indeed required to answer questions twice a month according to the House of Representatives Regulation, and that no PMQs have been held since Deuba's tenure began. However, the article points out that Adhikari's claim lacks context, as he failed to mention the roles of both the speaker and the MPs in organizing PMQs, including his own responsibility as an MP, thus rendering his claim incomplete and misleading.

A TikTok user's claim that a mixture of coconut oil and vitamin E capsules can cure melasma is false. Ayurvedic texts do not clearly describe vitamins, and coconut oil is barely mentioned in classical Ayurvedic literature. Dermatologists do not recommend coconut oil for melasma treatment, and vitamin E cannot be injected into the skin to cure it. Melasma is influenced by hereditary factors, sun exposure, and birth control pills, and while coconut oil has some beneficial properties for the skin, it is not a cure for melasma.

A video of a landslide in Assam, India, was falsely shared on TikTok by user @bibhushanpoudel as a recent landslide in Sindhuli, Nepal. Nepal Check fact-checked the claim using video verification tools and reverse image search, confirming the video's actual location in Assam. The claim by the TikTok user was determined to be false.

The proliferation of social media has led to widespread misinformation, especially during major events like the Covid-19 pandemic. Fact-checking is essential to ensure people have accurate information to make informed decisions. Tactical Tech's 'Exposing the Invisible – The Kit' is a resource designed to help individuals develop skills to identify false information and conduct fact-checking effectively. The Kit includes sections on the mindset needed for fact-checking, how to get started, staying safe, and challenges faced, with contributions from fact-checkers in Nepal and India.

A false claim circulating on social media in Nepal suggests that 5G radiation is responsible for rising Covid-19 cases, particularly in India. The claim, shared by a Pokhara-based photographer, has been debunked by experts and fact-checking organizations. 5G technology, which is still being tested in Nepal, is not linked to the spread of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization has stated that viruses cannot travel on radio waves or mobile networks. The article emphasizes that misinformation about 5G has been prevalent, partly due to fears of government surveillance.

As the second wave of Covid-19 spreads in Nepal, a viral social media post claims a traditional remedy can boost blood oxygen levels. The remedy involves camphor, cloves, carom seeds, and eucalyptus oil. Experts, including Dr. Prakash Gyawali and Dr. Pushpa Mani Kharal, refute this claim, stating there is no evidence supporting the mixture's effectiveness in increasing blood oxygen levels. The article concludes that the widely shared remedy is misleading and baseless.

Shashank Koirala, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, significantly understated Nepal's arable land area during an interview on AP1 TV. He claimed that Nepal has 1.7 million hectares of arable land, but the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development's report and the Central Bureau of Statistics' Environment Statistics of Nepal 2019 indicate that the total arable land is 4.121 million hectares, including both cultivated and uncultivated agricultural land.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made several false claims in his recent speeches, including incorrect statements about Nepal's hydropower history, the country's electricity generation capacity, the enforcement of a nationwide shutdown, and the UK's parliamentary dissolution laws. Fact-checking reveals that Nepal was not the first South Asian country to generate hydropower, and its installed capacity was higher than Oli claimed. Additionally, viral photos used to support his shutdown claim were misattributed, and his statements about the UK's constitution and Covid-19 vaccination booths were inaccurate.

The articles from 'The Record' cover a range of topics related to Nepal and its interactions with the world. The first article discusses the resumption of on-arrival visas for tourists in Nepal, indicating a cautious optimism among tourism entrepreneurs and workers. The second article highlights the ongoing issues with Kathmandu's vaccination drive, marked by mismanagement and overcrowding. The third piece reflects on the contribution of Nepali contractors to America's wars on Veteran's Day, noting their lack of appreciation and fair compensation. The fourth article critiques the Nepali government's response to India's inauguration of a road to Mansarovar, suggesting that a press statement may be insufficient. The fifth article reports on the Nepali government's adoption of COVID-19 measures. Lastly, the sixth article delves into the confusion surrounding the court ruling in the Nirmala Panta case, which has failed to bring clarity or closure.

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will visit Nepal in late November, marking a significant diplomatic effort by New Delhi to improve relations with Kathmandu after a year of strained ties. This visit follows a series of high-profile visits by Indian officials, indicating India's intent to mend fences with its northern neighbor.

Nepal is currently involved in territorial disputes with both of its neighbors, India and China. Traditionally, Nepal has been economically dependent on India, but in recent times, it has sought to diversify its economic partnerships by engaging with China, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative. The Nepalese government now faces the delicate task of managing domestic discontent over these territorial issues without jeopardizing its broader economic strategies and relationships with these powerful neighboring countries.

Protesters and Nepalese police clashed near the India-Nepal border, resulting in the death of an Indian man and exacerbating Nepal's political and economic crisis. The police cleared protesters from a bridge in Birgunj, leading to the crossing of over 200 trucks into India. The ethnic Madhesi population, opposing a new Constitution, continued their protests, attacking security forces and setting fire to a nongovernmental organization's office.

Human Rights Watch reported on violent protests in Nepal's Terai region against the new Constitution, which was perceived to favor traditional ruling classes and marginalize Madhesis and Tharus. The violence included the beating death of police officers and extrajudicial killings by police. The protests have led to curfews and a tense standoff with India, which has historical ties to the Madhesis and has closed border crossings, causing fuel shortages in Nepal. The situation has affected the local population, with many desiring peace and a resolution to the conflict.