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Namaste! As we celebrate yet another New Year in Nepal, we can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to renew our resolutions and start afresh. As we usher in the new year, there are some exciting political developments to keep an eye on.

La Eta Hernus

Government

Another corruption case: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) have filed a corruption case against nine individuals, including Bikal Paudel, the Executive Director of the Security Printing Centre. Apparently, these guys were involved in some sketchy business while procuring the Power System in the Security Printing Press and Pressurised Fuel Storage Tank. The CIAA is demanding over Rs 2.6 billion in fines and prison terms for the nine accused. Who knew there was so much money in printing?

My president is down-to-earth: President Ram Chandra Paudel is making headlines for his down-to-earth approach, quite literally. While awarding national medals to the disabled, the President stepped down the stairs and won the hearts of many. However, it's a shame that his office still lacks accessibility for people of all abilities. Come on, Mr. President, let's install a ramp and make your office as down-to-earth as you are!

Shots fired: Looks like Barsha Man Pun’s New Year party got a little too wild. Tirtha Mali Pun, Pun’s mother, was accidentally shot by a Nepal Police constable. Although the accused policeman, who happens to be a distant relative of Barsha Man Pun's family, said it wasn't intentional, witnesses say he fled the scene as soon as the incident occurred. According to an investigator, the policeman was a bit tipsy and had a quarrel at the party, after which he brought out his pistol, resulting in the accidental shooting. Regardless of the intention, carrying a loaded pistol during a family event is concerning, and the police headquarters will form an investigation team to look into the issue.

Tech 

Leak: The production team behind the Nepali movie 'Jaari' has taken action against 32 accounts that violated cyber laws by sharing unauthorized clips of the film. The team is currently investigating the damages caused and will demand compensation.

Hackermann (again!): The official website of the National Planning Commission was hacked on the Nepali New Year 2080, and users were redirected to an online gambling platform. Unfortunately, this was not the only case of a Nepali government website being hacked, as the Facebook page of the Armed Police Force was also hacked, with Vietnamese messages being posted. The frequent occurrences of such incidents raise questions about the security measures being taken by Nepali officials to safeguard sensitive information on websites and social media pages.

Fatafat

Stat: In a not-so-surprising turn of events, the AQI in Kathmandu has once again reached 200, making breathing a luxury for citizens. We even made it as the most polluted city in the world on Sunday. One of our interns even claimed that they could taste the pollution in the air. In response, here’s a five point action plan that the government has released. Second in water resources, but first in air pollution. Jay hos!

Read: What’s behind the decline in enrolment at Kathmandu University, from The Kathmandu Post

Culture

During the annual Biska Jatra festival in Bhaktapur, Sujan Baga Shrestha participated in the tongue-piercing ceremony, also known as Jibro Chhedne Jatra, on Saturday. The festival involves a series of traditional rituals, and Shrestha is pictured in the right photo participating in the event. In the left photo, he is seen performing another ritual after completing the tongue-piercing ceremony.

Bidesh Tira Hernus

• Harvard University will rename its graduate school to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences following a $300 million donation from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin. The donation brings Griffin's total gifts to Harvard to over $500 million, including a previous $150 million donation for undergraduate financial aid in 2014. Griffin graduated from Harvard in 1989 and has since become a billionaire. A ministry in Nepal: 2 crores, a department at one of the most prestigious schools in the world: $300 million, eating saag and sisnu with aanandi man because we will never get there: Priceless.

• French President Emmanuel Macron has signed a law to raise the state pension age to 64 from 62, which sparked protests across the country. The legislation was approved by France's Constitutional Council on Friday, prompting demonstrations in Paris and other cities. Despite calls from trade unions to scrap the pension reform, Macron's government forced it through parliament without a final vote.

• Legal marijuana sales in the US reached $30 billion in 2022, surpassing the combined sales of chocolate and craft beer. Insert wishful take about legalization in Nepal here. Oh, and happy 420, btw!

Three news briefs and a lie

Three of these news briefs are real, and one is faker than the benefits of those Himalayan Salt lamps that NRNs seem to love. Can you spot the odd one out? (Scroll all the way to the bottom for the answer).

1. RaSwaPa lawmaker Hari Dhakal has raised eyebrows with his proposal to take attendance at the end of parliament sessions rather than at the beginning. Dhakal claims that this will prevent MPs from signing in and then making a run for it. Opposition leaders have yet to comment.

2. The student branch of RaSwaPa has organized a rally in Chitwan, demanding that Rabi Lamichhane be listed as one of Nagarik News’ Barsha Byakti (Person of the Year) for 2022. When reached for comment, Lamichhane said he was honored but the award was not as important to him.

3. Nepali Congress MP Ramhari Khatiwada has declared war on monkey terror. His proposed solution? Exporting the monkeys to China or simply letting them be killed. It's unclear how this battle will end, but one thing's for sure: it's a jungle out there.

4. The Nepali government has declared living man Chakra Bahadur Mateli a national martyr. Mateli, who was hit by three bullets during the People’s War and has lost the use of his hands and legs, reportedly said, "I don't have any complaints that I'm a living martyr. After all, I am living as a dead one."

Eta Hernus Quiz

Here are five clues to help you guess a city. Let's see how many clues you need!

1. The old name of this city is Gograha Bazaar.

2. This city recently announced a ban on smoking, khaini, gutkha, and other tobacco products in public places.

3. Rapper Sudin Pokharel (DA 69) was born and raised in this city.

4. The city is known as the industrial capital of the country and is home to the first large-scale industry in the country.

5. This city is the capital of Koshi Province.

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(Answer to three newsbriefs and a lie: The second one is a lie. Answer to Eta hernus Quiz: It’s Biratnagar)