Today’s news centers on climate-driven risks and recovery commitments, alongside court and governance actions shaping accountability and public policy.
Politics & Governance
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said climate justice is not only about money, but also distributive justice, and called for fair representation of small and poor countries in global decision-making. He also backed international cooperation to address disaster impacts, including through a regional Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism linking Nepal, India, and China. Climate justice is not only about money, says Nepal PM Shah and Prime Minister Shah proposes ‘Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism’ between Nepal, India, China reported these positions ahead of and during his UN General Assembly engagement.
Flood recovery also featured prominently in international commitments, including a discussion with Australia focused on post-flood reconstruction support. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said reconstruction would require about 10% of GDP and urged external assistance to speed recovery. Prime Minister Balen meets with a counterpart in New York, pledges to assist in post-flood reconstruction and 10% of GDP needed for post-flood reconstruction, we want support: Prime Minister highlighted the scale of the financing gap and the request for support.
Courts & Accountability
The Supreme Court ordered the release of political analyst Bharat Dahal after finding insufficient grounds for his continued detention, while allowing the investigation to continue outside custody. The court characterized his statements as freedom of expression and referenced the limits of detention under the Electronic Transactions Act. Supreme Court says Bharat Dahal exercised freedom of expression, orders release detailed the order and the earlier arrest tied to comments on the Gen Z movement and alleged foreign influence.
Economy & Business
The government is moving toward mandatory waste segregation at the source under the Waste Management Bill, 2026, with collection withheld for households that do not separate waste. Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal also said local governments will be required to build interconnected waste-processing facilities, alongside public-private partnership and economic sustainability measures. Government plans mandatory waste segregation at source described how compost subsidies and fees for hazardous waste management are expected to support implementation.
In parallel, flood warnings continued to affect economic activity and planning, with risk forecasts for rising river levels and possible flash flooding across multiple provinces. The Flood Forecasting Division projected elevated water flow today and tomorrow, with particularly high risks for flash floods in parts of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim. Flood threat across the country: what is the risk in which districts today and tomorrow reported the geographic spread of expected risk and the timing of warnings.
Date: September 25, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Aswin 09, 2083
Top News
1. जलवायु न्याय केवल पैसाको विषय होइन, यो वितरणात्मक न्यायको विषय हो : प्रधानमन्त्री बालेन (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Prime Minister Balen emphasized that climate justice is not solely a financial issue but also a matter of distributive justice. He highlighted the importance of equitable distribution in addressing climate-related challenges.
2. न्युयोर्कमा प्रधानमन्त्री बालेन र अस्ट्रेलियाली समकक्षीबीच भेट, बाढीपछिको पुनर्निर्माणमा सघाउने प्रतिबद्धता (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Prime Minister Balen Shah met with his Australian counterpart in New York, where they committed to collaborating on reconstruction efforts following recent floods. The discussions focused on support for rebuilding initiatives in affected areas.
3. बाढीपछिको पुनर्निर्माणमा जीडीपीको १० प्रतिशत रकम चाहिन्छ, सहयोग चाहन्छौं : प्रधानमन्त्री (www.onlinekhabar.com)
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated that 10% of the GDP is needed for the reconstruction efforts following the floods and called for international assistance. He emphasized the urgency of support to facilitate recovery and rebuilding in affected areas.
4. प्रधानमन्त्री शाहद्वारा नेपाल-भारत-चीनबीच ‘हिमालयन क्लाइमेट रेजिलियन्स मेकानिजम’ प्रस्ताव (nepalnews.com)
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal proposed the establishment of a "Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism" involving Nepal, India, and China during his address at the 81st UN General Assembly. He emphasized the importance of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region for nearly two billion people and outlined plans for satellite data exchange, monitoring of glacial risks, and enhanced cross-border disaster coordination. Dahal also highlighted Nepal's significant ecological contributions and commitment to climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
5. Supreme Court says Bharat Dahal exercised freedom of expression, orders release (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The Supreme Court has ordered the release of political analyst Bharat Dahal, stating his recent statements were an exercise of his freedom of expression. The court found insufficient grounds for his continued detention under the Electronic Transactions Act, allowing the investigation to proceed while he remains outside custody. Dahal was arrested on September 20 in Morang for comments regarding the Gen Z movement and alleged foreign influence, with his daughter filing a habeas corpus petition for his release.
6. Climate justice is not only about money, says Nepal PM Shah (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah emphasized at the 81st UN General Assembly that climate justice extends beyond financial aspects, highlighting the importance of distributive and procedural justice. He called for a stronger representation of small and poor countries in the UN and advocated for a collaborative approach to achieve equitable outcomes in climate action. Shah also proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism involving Nepal, India, and China.
7. Nepal PM Shah: last month’s Himalayan Tsunami ‘warning to the world (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Prime Minister Balendra Shah described last month's catastrophic flash floods in Nepal as a "warning to the world," highlighting the extensive death and destruction caused in mountain communities. He emphasized that the disaster affected areas on both sides of the Nepal-China border, shifting the focus from development and democracy to the urgent need for addressing such calamities.
8. Nepal PM at UNGA: Bhotekoshi Flood is a "Close Warning for Humanity (theannapurnaexpress.com)
During the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah described the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood as a "close warning for humanity," emphasizing the urgent need for climate justice. He called on global leaders to take collective action to address the escalating threats faced by vulnerable nations and proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism involving Nepal, India, and China for enhanced support.
9. देशभर बाढीको त्रास : आज र भोलि कुन जिल्लामा कस्तो छ जोखिम? (www.ratopati.com)
The Flood Forecasting Division has issued warnings of rising water levels in major rivers across Nepal, predicting significant increases in flow today and tomorrow. High risks of flash floods are expected in several districts of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, particularly affecting small rivers in areas such as Gorkha, Lamjung, and Kaski. Additional districts from Taplejung to Baitadi may also face moderate flood risks, with warnings extending to various regions by tomorrow.
10. Government plans mandatory waste segregation at source (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The government plans to make waste segregation at source mandatory, as outlined by Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal during discussions on the Waste Management Bill, 2026. Households that do not segregate waste will not have their waste collected, and local governments will be required to establish interconnected waste-processing facilities. The bill aims to promote a public-private partnership model and includes measures for economic sustainability, such as subsidies for compost production and a fee for hazardous waste management.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.25 |
| CAD → NPR | 109.23 |
| AUD → NPR | 109.1 |
| GBP → NPR | 204.95 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.77 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4259.03 | NPR 244,760.87 |
| Silver | $63.41 | NPR 3,644.09 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
