Today’s News in a Nutshell

KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

Nepal seeks long-term G-7 support for Nepal’s climate disaster recovery

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has called for sustained international assistance to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas in Nepal affected by climate-related disasters. Speaking at the G-7 Development Ministerial Meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Khanal urged G-7 countries to strengthen their support for Nepal in areas including post-disaster recovery, climate finance, disaster preparedness, multilateral financing, and Himalayan issues. Representing Nepal at the meeting, Khanal thanked G-7 member states and other friendly countries for their solidarity and assistance following the recent climate-related disasters, according to his secretariat. He also praised the G-7’s role in promoting international cooperation on climate change, sustainable development, resilience, and disaster risk reduction, while thanking France, the current G-7 chair, for convening the meeting.

Foreign Minister Khanal calls Bhote Koshi disaster a stark warning from the Himalayas

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has described the Bhote Koshi disaster as a “stark warning from the Himalayas to the entire world,” stressing the growing threat posed by climate change. Speaking at the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Khanal said a warming planet could erase decades of development gains within hours. He also highlighted the disparity between Nepal’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and the severe climate impacts it continues to face. Drawing international attention to the devastation and loss caused by the recent Bhote Koshi disaster, Khanal outlined five priorities for Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction: long-term international partnerships, easier access to climate finance, greater investment in disaster preparedness, flexible multilateral financing, and placing the Himalayas at the center of global climate action, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Khanal meets German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has urged Germany to support the rehabilitation, resettlement, and reconstruction of areas affected by the recent floods in Nepal. During a bilateral meeting with German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Minister Khanal highlighted the need for additional investment in post-disaster reconstruction, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and capacity building. During the meeting, Khanal expressed gratitude to the German government and people for their sympathy, solidarity, and support following the significant loss of life and property caused by the floods. “Nepal is moving forward with post-disaster rehabilitation, resettlement, and reconstruction. In this context, additional investment in climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and capacity building is essential,” he said.

Foreign Minister Khanal meets Finnish counterpart

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held a bilateral meeting with his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. During the meeting, Minister Khanal conveyed sincere gratitude, on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal, for Valtonen’s condolences and sympathy following the loss of life and property caused by the recent devastating floods and landslides in Nepal. The two ministers also exchanged views on various aspects of Nepal-Finland relations and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation through multilateral platforms in areas of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Supreme Court orders immediate release of Bharat Dahal

The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of political analyst Bharat Dahal. A joint bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Pokharel issued the order on Thursday while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Dahal. Police had arrested Dahal from Belbari, Morang, on Ashoj 4. His daughter had filed the habeas corpus petition at the Supreme Court, arguing that his arrest was unlawful.

UML Central Committee meeting concludes, Bidhya Devi Bhandari named senior leader

The third Central Committee meeting of the CPN-UML has concluded. The meeting, chaired by party Chair KP Sharma Oli and held since September 21, unanimously endorsed the political report presented by the chair. The meeting also selected the remaining Central Committee members to be nominated following the party’s 11th General Convention and passed a 22-point contemporary proposal covering organizational issues, current political developments, and the flood and landslide crisis.

Nepal’s public debt reaches Rs 2.97 trillion

Nepal’s outstanding public debt has climbed to Rs 2.97 trillion, according to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). By the end of Bhadra, the government’s total debt liability had exceeded 45 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Of the total debt, Rs 1.36 trillion is domestic debt, while external debt stands at Rs 1.61 trillion. Domestic and external borrowings account for 20.63 percent and 24.41 percent of GDP, respectively. The government has set a target of mobilizing Rs 658.28 billion in public debt during the current fiscal year. By the end of Bhadra, it had raised Rs 61.05 billion, equivalent to 9.28 percent of the annual target. The amount comprises Rs 50 billion in domestic borrowing and Rs 11.05 billion in external loans.

Indian national arrested with 535 grams of gold at TIA

An Indian national has been arrested with 535 grams of gold at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Mohammed Chera Thodi, a resident of Kerala, India, who arrived from Dubai on Thursday, was arrested after police recovered the gold during a security check at the airport. According to Airport Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajkumar Silwal, the gold was in a semi-solid form and had been wrapped in plastic and concealed inside the suspect’s underwear. SP Silwal said the suspect has been handed over to the Airport Customs Office for further investigation and legal action.

HoR meeting: Govt urged to strengthen monsoon disaster preparedness and response

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Dhananjaya Regmi has urged the government to strengthen preparedness and formulate an effective response plan to protect lives and property from the potential impacts of the monsoon weather system developing in the country. Speaking during the urgent session of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday, Regmi said merely advising people to avoid unnecessary travel would not be sufficient to protect lives and property given the possibility of heavy rainfall and related disasters. “Along with asking people to stay at home, they should also be encouraged to assess whether the land around their homes is safe,” he said. He urged residents in hilly areas to watch for new cracks, subsidence or swelling of the ground, unusual water seepage and other early signs of landslides, and to evacuate to safer locations in a timely manner when necessary.

Securities Board releases concept paper on implementing intraday trading

The Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) has made public a concept paper on the implementation of intraday trading in securities. The board has prepared the “Concept Paper on the Implementation of Intraday Securities Trading in Nepal, 2083” with the objective of making Nepal’s capital market more modern, dynamic and aligned with international standards. The paper provides a detailed analysis and framework covering the legal, institutional, technological and risk-management requirements for introducing intraday trading in Nepal’s secondary market. Nepal’s securities market currently operates entirely on a delivery-based system, under which securities purchased or sold must be settled within the prescribed period. While this system has contributed to market stability and investor protection, the board said it has also created some limitations in market liquidity, price discovery and flexibility in trading strategies.

UML nominates 29 Central Committee members, Yogesh Bhattarai records dissent

The CPN-UML has nominated 29 new members to its Central Committee. The party’s Central Committee meeting, which has been underway for four days in Bhanimandal, Lalitpur, decided to nominate the names proposed by party Chair KP Sharma Oli. Under the UML statute, 10 percent of the Central Committee members can be nominated. The names proposed by Oli at the Secretariat meeting were presented to the Central Committee, which approved 29 of them. The nominees include leaders who joined the UML from other political parties as well as those already associated with the party. UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet said additional names may also be approved by the Central Committee.

Nighttime vehicle movement halted on BP Highway for four days

Vehicle movement along the Kavrepalanchok section of the BP Highway will be suspended at night for four days in view of the potential risks of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall. A meeting of the Monsoon Response Command Post, Kavrepalanchok decided to suspend vehicle movement on the Kavre section of the highway from September 24-28, Chief District Officer Gopal Kumar Adhikari said. According to Adhikari, vehicle movement will be prohibited from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am during the period in view of the weather forecast of heavy rainfall from Thursday through Sunday. The meeting also decided that daytime vehicle movement could be suspended if necessary after assessing rainfall and flood conditions.

Over Rs 15.50 billion deposited in PM Relief Fund

More than Rs 15.50 billion has been deposited in the Prime Minister Disaster Rescue Fund and the Prime Minister Relief Fund, according to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM). According to the OPMCM, more than Rs 11.63 billion has been deposited in nine different accounts of Rastriya Banijya Bank maintained for the Prime Minister Disaster Rescue Fund, while USD 25.447 million has been deposited in dollar accounts at Himalayan Bank and Laxmi Sunrise Bank. The total balance across all the bank accounts stands at around Rs 15.53 billion. The government has already disbursed Rs 1 billion from the funds. According to the OPMCM, more than Rs 207.25 million was deposited into the funds over the past 24 hours.

RSP sets attendance schedule to ensure MPs’ regular presence in HoR

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Parliamentary Party has introduced a group-wise minimum attendance schedule to ensure the regular and effective participation of its lawmakers in meetings of the House of Representatives (HoR). According to a notice issued by Chief Whip Kabindra Burlakoti, lawmakers from different groups are required to be present in Parliament on a compulsory basis according to the schedule from today through October 2. Lawmakers who have not been assigned to any group are also required to attend the HoR meetings. Burlakoti said the presence of all lawmakers is mandatory at all times, except in cases of urgent circumstances.

Hearing process for proposed ambassadors begins

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee under the Federal Parliament has begun the parliamentary hearing process for the ambassadors proposed by the government. The committee, at a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday, initiated the hearing process for ambassadors recommended for 13 countries. Committee Chairperson Bodh Narayan Shrestha said the committee has invited complaints and set a 10-day deadline for members of the public to submit information or complaints regarding the proposed ambassadors. He said the names of the proposed ambassadors received by the committee would be made public and that anyone with information or complaints about the nominees could submit them electronically or through other means within 10 days of the publication of the notice. He added that complaints should include clear grounds and supporting information.

Flash flood risk high in parts of Lumbini, moderate in several other districts

More than 60 districts are at risk of rising river levels and flash floods on Thursday, with the highest risk forecast in several districts of Lumbini Province, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Small rivers and streams in Palpa, Kapilvastu, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Pyuthan, Dang, and surrounding districts of Lumbini Province are likely to experience a sharp rise in water levels, resulting in a high risk of flash floods, the Department said. Similarly, water levels in small rivers and streams in most districts of Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Karnali provinces, as well as all three districts of Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan, Kaski, Rupandehi, Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot, and surrounding areas, are also expected to rise significantly. The department has classified these areas as facing a moderate risk of flash floods. The Flood Forecasting Division has urged people living along river and stream banks, residents of low-lying areas, and travelers to remain highly alert and take necessary precautions against possible floods and landslides.

Gold and silver prices decline

The prices of gold and silver decreased in the domestic market on Thursday. The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association has fixed the price of gold at Rs 299,100 per tola for today, down Rs 3,200 from the previous day. Gold was traded at Rs 302,300 per tola on Wednesday. Similarly, the price of silver has decreased by Rs 165 per tola to Rs 4,650. Silver was traded at Rs 4,815 per tola on Wednesday, according to the federation.

Nighttime vehicle movement banned on Mechi Highway in Ilam

The District Administration Office, Ilam, has banned vehicle movement on the Mechi Highway from 7:00 pm today, Thursday, citing the risk of floods and landslides amid forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The administration has imposed the nighttime travel restriction for four days after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall from Thursday to Sunday. The Mechi Highway, Mechi Corridor, and other roads in Ilam district have remained in poor condition following last year’s floods and landslides. The administration said nighttime travel on these roads could be risky and has therefore prohibited vehicle movement from 7:00 pm today until the morning of September 27.

Nepal-Iceland foreign ministers hold meeting

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, held a meeting with Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. According to Minister Khanal’s private secretariat, the two ministers discussed cooperation on climate-related disasters and disaster risk reduction, among other issues. They emphasized the need for coordinated efforts by all levels of government and sectors of society for the rehabilitation, reintegration, and reconstruction following the Bhotekoshi floods. The two ministers also stressed the importance of strengthening global solidarity and international cooperation to address the growing risks posed by climate change, particularly in the face of limited capacity and resources.

Sita Air plane crashes at Jufal Airport

A Sita Air aircraft flying from Nepalgunj to Jufal Airport in Dolpa crashed while landing on Thursday morning. According to the District Police Office, Dolpa, the aircraft, with call sign N-AJH, veered off on the runway after its right rear tire burst. The aircraft was carrying 13 passengers, including seven foreign nationals, when the incident occurred at around 8:25 am. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anil Giri of the District Police Office, Dolpa, said all passengers and crew members on board were safe.

Nighttime vehicle movement suspended on Besisahar-Chame road

Nighttime vehicle movement has been suspended along the Lamjung section of the Besisahar-Chame road due to the increased risk of floods and landslides amid heavy rainfall. Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Khanal said vehicle movement will be prohibited from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am starting this evening through September 28. Of the 65-kilometer Besisahar-Chame road, around 35 kilometers lie within Lamjung. The road is a key transportation route connecting Lamjung with Manang. Meanwhile, preparations have been stepped up across the district in view of potential disaster risks, according to CDO Khanal.

Floods and landslides block several roads, traffic suspended on some routes

Various highways across the country remain blocked today due to floods and landslides triggered by rainfall. While some roads are completely blocked, one-way traffic is being allowed on certain sections. Local administrations have also imposed nighttime traffic restrictions on some roads. Traffic has been banned at night along the Siddhicharan Highway in Solukhumbu. Similarly, a landslide at Halesi-1 along the Mid-Hill Highway in Khotang has reduced the road to one-way traffic. Nighttime traffic has also been banned along the Tokha-Chhahare road section at Ghattekhola in Shivapuri-8, Nuwakot.

Biratnagar declares two-day school holiday amid heavy rain forecast

Biratnagar Metropolitan City has declared a two-day holiday for schools in view of the potential risks posed by incessant rainfall. The Educational Administration Division of Biratnagar Metropolitan City said schools will remain closed today (Thursday) and tomorrow. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across the country from September 24 to 27. The Division said the decision was taken to ensure the safety of students and the general public, citing the possibility of rising water levels in rivers and canals, inundation of settlements and roads, and road blockages during the period. The metropolitan city has also urged school administrations to keep school buildings ready for use as temporary shelters, if necessary, in the event of disasters.

17th World Peace Forum adopts Lumbini World Peace Declaration

The 17th World Peace Forum has unanimously adopted the Lumbini World Peace Declaration 2026, calling for stronger preventive diplomacy, climate resilience, ethical use of technology, peace education, and community-led initiatives to address growing global challenges. The declaration was adopted in Lumbini on Wednesday, following the forum held under the theme “Reimagining Peace in the 21st Century.” The gathering brought together government representatives, diplomats, global leaders, scholars, spiritual leaders, civil society representatives, private-sector stakeholders, environmental advocates, and youth changemakers. The declaration noted that the 17th World Peace Forum marked the first time the global gathering was held in South Asia. It highlighted escalating geopolitical tensions, nuclear and cyber threats, socioeconomic disparities, the digital divide, and the growing impacts of climate change as major challenges to global peace and stability.

Ministry of Health calls for high alert

The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has urged the health sector to remain on high alert amid forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days, which could trigger floods, landslides, and inundation. Taking into account the weather forecast issued by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the ministry has asked provincial ministries of health and social development, the Department of Health Services, health science academies, and federal hospitals to make necessary preparations to mitigate potential risks and ensure an effective response. The ministry has directed health workers to remain available as needed, including during public holidays, and to be prepared for immediate mobilization in the event of a disaster.