UK weather: Power restored to homes after snow

Power has been restored to thousands of homes after a day of heavy snow caused disruption in some parts of the UK. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said 19,000 homes had power restored and only 200 remained cut off. Western Power Distribution said 695 properties were still without power.
Meanwhile, up to 300 passengers were waiting to rebook flights at Stansted Airport, following cancellations. A yellow weather warning for ice remains in place for most of the UK. The Met Office warned that injuries from falls on icy surfaces were possible on Thursday morning. Wintry photos from around the UK Welsh Grand National postponed. How cold is it where you are?
Latest from the BBC Weather centre. BBC Weather's Ben Rich said Thursday will start with a risk of ice with some wintry showers in northern and western areas. Freezing fog will develop across parts of Northern Ireland, he said, but many parts of the UK will have sunshine. A postman pushing his trolley through snow in Broadway, WorcestershireImage copyrightPA. Image caption
The Met Office warned that conditions will be icy on Thursday morning. A Stansted Airport spokesman said on Wednesday night: "Due to adverse weather conditions today a number of flights were cancelled. "There are up to 300 passengers in the terminal waiting to rebook flights."

He said that passengers who were unable to return home were given beds and blankets.  "All passengers due to travel are advised to check the status of their flights with their airline before travelling to the airport," he said. Luton Airport said it was open but flights remained subject to delay and cancellation because of freezing temperatures.

The White House's famous magnolia tree to be cut back

 historic tree that has stood at the White House for nearly 200 years is scheduled to be cut back. The "Jackson" magnolia was planted by President Andrew Jackson as a tribute to his recently deceased wife. It has been a backdrop to historic ceremonies and even featured on the $20 note between 1928 and 1988.

But experts say the tree is damaged and poses a safety hazard. First Lady Melania Trump has called for a large portion of it to be removed. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Mrs Trump had requested that seedlings be maintained so that a new tree could possibly be replanted in the same area. She said Mrs Trump had taken the decision because the tree posed a threat to "the safety of visitors and members of the press who are often standing right in front" of it when the presidential helicopter takes off. Marine One takes off on the South Lawn in front of magnolia blossoms on March 27, 2008 at the White House in Washington, DC.Image copyrightAFP
Image caption. The tree can often be been seen when the presidential helicopter, Marine One, takes off from the White House. Is the White House really a dump? Pest problem revealed in White House logs. The magnolia originally came from a cutting from Mrs Rachel Jackson's favourite magnolia tree on the couple's Tennessee farm. Its first problems began in the early 1970s when a section of its base was displaced and its exposed cavity was cemented. This was standard practice for the era, but some said it damaged the tree irrevocably. In 1981, the cement was removed and replaced with a large pole and cable system to hold it up.

Although at first sight the tree appears normal, a report from the United States National Arboretum, quoted by CNN, said "the tree is greatly compromised" and "completely dependent on the artificial support". The magnolia tree's life has spanned 39 presidencies, as well as the American Civil War and two World Wars.

source; www.bbc.com

Artist Mishra’s work on display at Park Gallery

Dec 27, 2017-Artworks by the economist-turned-artist Sandhya Mishra are currently on display at Park Gallery, in Pulchowk, Lalitpur. The exhibition features 21 Oil on canvas works, 13 silk paintings, and 20 porcelain paintings.

The works on display, artist Mishra said, were prepared over a period of four years, and have been inspired by the places that she has lived in. In the early 2000s, Mishra went to Japan for a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. There she saw the stone paintings that were done by her neighbour. She was also amazed by the colour combinations used in Japanese paintings, but her academic demands did not allow her the free time to engage in art. After completing her degree, she moved to Israel where she had the leisure to paint. Using acrylic paints, she started painting on stones, the way she imagined her Japanese neighbour would.

After a few years in Israel, she relocated to France. She felt the need of some formal art training to hone her skills, but she was struggling to adjust to the linguistic demands of living in a French territory. Nonetheless, she joined a programme because she believed that “one does not need language in art.” There were challenges, she said, but she eventually understood the directions given by her instructor. The ongoing exhibition will run through December 27.


Published: 27-12-2017 09:38

source; kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

On foot again

Dec 27, 2017-When I faced harassment last week and fought back against it, people told me I took a ‘brave’ step. Some came up to me and told me that I did something many couldn’t. Others told me I had done something they didn’t. I had taken the guy that touched me wrongly in the middle of a street to the police. Many told me they were proud of me.
When I fought back, I was hoping something positive came out of the step I had taken. But I wasn’t proud. I was still scared and terrified by what had happened. I still hadn’t been able to say it out loud that I was brave. After not walking at all for a whole week, I finally walked home again today. It was 5:40 pm and I was ready to leave from work. A week ago, I was wearing the same sweatshirt and had left work around the same time. A week ago, I had planned to walk home. Today, I hadn’t. Today, it was an impromptu decision. I still remember the police officer’s wide eyed expression when I told him I walked often from work to home. “All the way from Gyaneswor to Kalanki?”  He had asked as I nodded my head in a yes. I hadn’t been able to walk around on my own since that day. I had been a coward, but my impromptu decision to walk home today made me feel better. Somehow. I was uncertain and scared, right until the moment I carried my backpack and walked out from work. I had also asked two people off-handedly if they wanted to walk me out. I didn’t tell them I was asking because I was scared. They had prior commitments and hence I was on my own. Fortunately, I spotted my other coworker with his friend a few steps ahead and they were courteous enough to ask where I was headed. To be honest, it was such a relief to know that they were heading the same direction as I was. I didn’t only feel happy, but I also felt protected.

As I walked alongside my coworker and his friend, I only heard bits and pieces of what they were saying. My attention was more focused on the faces that walked past me. I was watching and observing every movement of every single person in the vicinity. I would join my walking-buddies in their conversation every now and then, but I was also extremely distracted by the surrounding. I don’t remember having walked like that ever before. I only put calculated steps forward—making sure not a single part of me touched another human being. I was stiff and I was scared that I would see the harasser again. I was afraid that I would find him walking carefree in the streets again. I wasn’t sure how I would react if I were to come face-to-face with him. I had good company, yet I missed my best friend a lot today. The last time I walked the streets of Basantapur was with her. Today, she is in an entirely another country. The streets are scary for me now, and without her by my side, it is only worse. I miss her. And I miss being able to stroll around carefree.

At Basantapur, I watched the city move around me—I observed humans of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicity walk past me. And as I sipped from my cup of chiya I prayed that the streets got safer. I prayed that I could keep my love for walking alive. As the hot tea scalded my tongue and moved on to warm up my stomach, I smiled a little remembering that today I was brave enough to walk the streets again as the dusk gave way for the night.

Shrestha is a BSc student at St Xavier’s College


Published: 27-12-2017 09:38


source; kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

The rules of life

Dec 27, 2017-Life is like a game. Sometimes you win, other times you lose. It is challenging, but with the right skills one can succeed. But, it is also true that nobody has complete control over life. Many aspects of life are beyond our control. It is mysterious and always full of surprises. Just when you think you have figured it out, you also realise that perhaps you haven’t.  Anything can happen at any time, there is no question about it. We all know that we will die one day, but we don’t know when. But this does not mean we should give up on life and living.

To quote Norman Cousins, “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.” We can try to make the best out of life despite all the uncertainty. It is not difficult to live a good life. The secret according to Gautam Buddha is to live in the present: “Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future; concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Most people are unhappy because they fail to shift their focus from past and future to the present. We can aspire for love and happiness. We can stick by our family and live by the society’s rule for acceptance and protection. I believe that regardless of what might happen tomorrow if we take control of what happens today, we will live a more fruitful life. Instead of fearing death and trying to run away from it, we should build a life that is worthy. We should live a life in such a way that people remember us forever.

We all are capable of making and doing beautiful things. We have one life, so instead of worrying too much about the bad, why not take chances with the good things? Of course, there is no hard and fast rule as to how to live. But there are certain truths that we cannot fight. The sooner we accept them, the better it is. Wagle is pursuing MBA at Charotar University of Science and Technology, Gujarat, India


Published: 27-12-2017 09:38

source; kathmandupost.ekantipur.com

KMC mayor at odds with his deputy

Dec 27, 2017-The controversy surrounding the Rani Pokharai reconstruction project refuses to die down, with the latest episode now pitting Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya against his deputy Hari Prabha Khadgi.

The conflict between the two top metropolis officials was on full public display on Tuesday as the construction site was first padlocked in the presence of Deputy Mayor Khadgi, a Nepali Congress leader, only to be reopened a couple of hours later on the orders of Mayor Shakya, who won the mayoral seat on a UML ticket.

The project, which is already running behind schedule, has come under fire from conservationists and locals following the use of concrete for building a 10-foot boundary wall on the southeastern side of the historic pond.

RPP to hold CEC meeting on Jan 3-5 in Kathmandu

Dec 27, 2017-The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to hold its central executive committee  (CEC) meeting on January 3, 4 and 5 in Kathmandu.
A meeting of the party office bearers held at Chairman Kamal Thapa's residence made the decision to this effect, party leader Mohan Shrestha informed. The party leaders are expected to review the election results and future strategy, it has been learnt. Meanwhile, the party has decided to celebrate Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day on Jaunary 11 and Birendra Jayanti on December 29 by organising special programmes.


Published: 27-12-2017 17:17

source; kathmandupost.ekantipur.com