Prime Minister Balendra Shah flew back to Kathmandu on Saturday after speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. He addressed the assembly on 24 September, drawing attention to the recent Bhotekoshi‑Trishuli floods and the broader climate risks facing the Himalayas. While in the United States, Shah met UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Reports note his departure on Tuesday evening and his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday afternoon. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
The Devghat Hydrometer Center recorded the Narayani River at 8.98 metres at 15:00 on Saturday, just below the 9‑metre danger threshold and above the 7.3‑metre warning level crossed on Friday night. Chief District Officer Jagadishwar Upadhyay reported that residents of Gaindakot, Devchuli, Kawasoti, Madhyabindu and Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality are being moved to safer sites, while Boudikali and Bulingtar face flood and landslide risk from the Kaligandaki River. All 36 gates of the Gandak Barrage at Triveni have been opened; the discharge reached 300,400 cusecs, above the 300,000-cusec warning level, according to the Area Police Office in Triveni. Security agencies are on high alert for rescue operations. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
The Chitwan National Park office has asked staff, local groups and visitors to adopt high vigilance as continuous rain raises flood and landslide risks in the park and its buffer zone. Information officer and conservation officer Avinash Thapamagar said the Narayani, Rapti and Riu rivers and smaller streams are likely to experience higher flow, increasing the chance of flooding and riverbank erosion. The park urges only travel with weather forecasts and to avoid hazardous river and stream areas during adverse conditions. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24 September 2026, Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli disaster was a warning to the world, according to the text released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China to share satellite data, watch glacial lakes and strengthen early warning. Shah said the cost of physical recovery, by rapid assessment, is about 10 percent of GDP. He called for grant-based climate finance rather than new loans, and argued for a fairer global economic order. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal told a ministerial-level meeting of the United Nations Peace-Building Commission (PBC) in New York on Thursday that lasting peace needs national ownership, state institutions that include everyone and governance that is accountable. Held during the 81st session of the UNGA, the meeting heard Khanal cite Nepal's 2006 Comprehensive Peace Accord as an example of a homegrown process. He said democratic institutions showed flexibility during the Gen Z movement of 8 September 2025, and that power passed to an elected government within six months. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal addressed the annual meeting of least developed country (LDC) foreign ministers at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Speaking during the 81st session of the General Assembly, he emphasized the need for financial assistance and climate justice to address development hurdles. Khanal noted that LDCs face significant vulnerabilities despite contributing minimally to global emissions. He also referenced recent floods in Nepal as evidence of these risks. The meeting marked the end of Nepal's three-year chairmanship of the LDC group, with Gambia set to take over. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Iran has offered the United States a deal that could see the Strait of Hormuz reopened within a week if the United States meets conditions outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed in June. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement at the United Nations in New York, noting that the proposal was conveyed to Washington through Qatar. A U.S. official said that positive talks are ongoing, while the U.S. remains in a strong position and is not rushing the decision. The 14‑point agreement also called for a ceasefire and the easing of sanctions. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
The United States and China have agreed to create a dedicated communication channel for artificial intelligence incidents. Following a summit in Washington, the White House announced the establishment of a U.S.-China Super Intelligence Dialogue. Leaders agreed to use the term Super Intelligence rather than AI in official discussions. The next scheduled exchange is expected by November. President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to keep AI under human control, while President Donald Trump noted the topic would remain a significant discussion point. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Floodwaters from the Narayani River entered Susta in West Nawalparasi, affecting 165 households. Authorities evacuated 78 families from Tharu Tol to a holding centre on Friday, followed by 85 more from other settlements. The Chief District Officer stated security teams are on standby for further rescue operations. Reports indicate the river's flow reached 267,000 cubic metres per second at the Gandak barrage. Local residents noted that an unfinished 132-metre embankment section, halted by the Indian side, has led to erosion near homes. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
The Nepali Congress has completed village-level conventions across all seven rural municipalities in Humla district. District chair Mohanvikram Singh stated that 42 out of 44 ward assemblies have also concluded. Unanimous selections were made for local chairs in Namkha, Simkot, Kharpunath, Tanjakot, Adanchuli, and Sarkegad. The party will now begin the process of selecting representatives for the 15th national convention. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Prime Minister Balendra Shah returned to Nepal on Saturday after attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in the afternoon. Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, who was acting Prime Minister, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and Minister Khadkaraj Paudel went to the airport to receive him. Shah had left for the United States on Tuesday evening and addressed the Assembly on Thursday, presenting the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods as an example of the crisis caused by climate change. He also met UN Secretary-General Guterres and other leaders. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said multilateralism, equity and solidarity should sit at the centre of global work to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies. Addressing a high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response during the 81st UN General Assembly, he said the world should stop waiting for crises before acting, according to his secretariat. He welcomed the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the revised international health regulations, and set out five priorities from Nepal. In New York, Khanal also met representatives of the Nepali diaspora. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told UN journalists that Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the United States within seven days if the conditions outlined in the June memorandum of understanding are met. He said the proposal was conveyed to Washington via Qatar and that the decision now rests with the US side. A US official indicated that positive talks are ongoing through intermediaries, but added that America remains in a strong position and is not in a hurry. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Heavy snowfall in Solukhumbu's upper Khumbu area led to the rescue of seven foreign tourists, including Chinese nationals, from the Imja Tse (Island Peak) zone, officials said. Chief District Officer कमानसिंह थापा मगर reported more than half a metre of snow accumulation, prompting a stop to further trekking and climbing. Local ward chairperson लक्ष्मण अधिकारी urged visitors to avoid risky routes until conditions improve. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Continuous rain caused the Narayani River to breach into the Tharu settlement of Susta in western Nawalparasi, displacing households. Chief District Officer Dipak Raj Nepal said families were urged to relocate to safe shelters, including a community building and relatives’ houses. Ravindra Jaiswal of the Susta Rescue Campaign reported that 78 households from the Tharu settlement were moved to these shelters. Local resident Munseekumar Harijan noted that floodwaters also damaged fields, roads and crops. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Nepal and Senegal have formalised diplomatic ties, raising Nepal's total partners to 188 countries. The agreement was signed in New York by Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Senegal's Foreign Minister Sheikh Niyang during the 81st UN General Assembly, the foreign ministry said. Earlier talks between the two ministers covered various mutual interests. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Heavy snowfall in Solukhumbu’s Khumbu region forced officials to restrict movement of trekkers and mountaineers, with more than half a metre of snow reported in higher zones. Chief District Officer Kaman Singh Thapa Magar said seven foreign tourists, described as European citizens of Chinese origin, were rescued from the Imja Tse (Island Peak) area with help from local representatives. Over 1,200 tourists remain in the Everest region under continuous monitoring by police and local authorities. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
The Nepali Congress has invited the leaders of three other major parties to the opening ceremony of its 15th general convention, which begins on 16 Asoj at Khulamanch in Kathmandu. Joint General Secretary Udayashamsher Rana said a team led by him met CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli, Nepal Communist Party coordinator Prachanda and Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane on Friday and handed them invitation letters. A party office-bearer said preparations were also under way to invite guests from neighbouring countries. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
The Government of Nepal has asked people at home and abroad to contribute to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund and the Prime Minister Relief Fund, both held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, to help people affected by the Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa. The appeal, dated 10 Bhadau 2083, says the flood struck at 8:40 am that Wednesday and affected riverside areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha. It has been posted on the websites of the Prime Minister's Office and several ministries. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Continuous rain has blocked the Jomsom-Koral road in Mustang, the District Police Office Mustang said. Landslides hit three points on the route to the Koral pass; one at Ghami in Upper Mustang has been cleared, but the road remains shut at Kalobhir above Chaili and on the Kagbeni-Tangwe stretch. Containers carrying goods to and from the Koral pass are stuck, disrupting trade with China, and hundreds of electric vehicles brought in from China are held up in Jomsom. The Beni-Jomsom section was also blocked in several places, according to the road's project chief. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Women who ran small businesses along the rivers of Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Dhading lost stock, savings and premises in the August 26 flood, and many say they want support to trade again rather than relief alone. The government's Rs15,000 monthly housing allowance covers families who lost permanent homes, but there is no clear arrangement for those who rented shops. Officials in Nuwakot put the number of directly affected small traders and household businesses at more than 2,000. Bagmati Province says revival programmes for small entrepreneurs will follow once immediate relief ends. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Nepal's women's kabaddi team has made sure of at least a bronze medal at the 20th Asian Games after beating Sri Lanka 34-25 on Thursday. Every semifinalist in the event receives a medal. Nepal, who also took bronze at the 19th Games in Hangzhou, finished second in Group B and were drawn against Group A winners India in the semifinal on Friday at Tokai Citizen Gymnasium. Captain Manmati Bist and head coach Parbati Rai said the squad wanted a better medal this time. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's return to cricket has been pushed back again. A leg injury will keep him out of the three-match one-day series against Australia 'A' that begins on October 6 in Puducherry. Pandya had been named in the India 'A' squad subject to a fitness test, and the series was seen as a chance to check whether he could bowl 10 overs. He bowled in a first test on September 17 but could not complete the full quota, and felt pain in his thigh during a second test on September 19. After a scan, doctors advised two weeks of rest before a reassessment. India tour New Zealand in November for a five-match one-day series. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
A senior State Department official has said the United States wants to become a major source of energy for India, which has long sought to diversify its supplies. Speaking in New York, the official said the US is expanding hydrocarbon exports and is already the largest exporter of LPG and the second-largest for LNG. The remarks follow last week's signing by President Donald Trump of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which lets him impose tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The official said the law gives Trump a tool he need not use immediately and includes a broad national security waiver. From public sources and the WeNepal research team
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