Flood response, policy reforms, and accountability measures dominate today’s news as Nepal and partners address disaster impacts and governance priorities.
Politics & Governance
An all-party engagement is scheduled to convene today to discuss key political issues and enable collaboration among factions, with potential implications for upcoming governance and policy decisions. Separately, both Houses of the Federal Parliament are set to hold meetings today, though the agenda has not been made public. All-party meeting taking place today Both Houses of Federal Parliament set meetings today
Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane has called an all-party meeting today in Singhadurbar to discuss creating a high-level political mechanism for disaster risk reduction and management. The meeting is expected to draw senior leaders from multiple parties, alongside ongoing parliamentary sessions on contemporary issues including disaster impacts. RSP President Lamichhane calls all-party meeting Both Houses of Federal Parliament set meetings today
The government is preparing to register a waste management bill in federal parliament aimed at covering the full waste cycle from reduction to safe disposal. Law Minister Sobita Gautam said the draft includes modern concepts such as zero waste and extended producer responsibility, with waste management bill registration as a step toward cleaner public spaces. फोहोरमैला व्यवस्थापनसम्बन्धी विधेयक संसदमा दर्ता गर्ने तयारी Local corruption complaint
Courts & Accountability
A Member of Parliament has raised concerns about severe corruption at local government levels, pointing specifically to Birgunj Metropolitan City’s debt and alleged mismanagement. Sanjay Buddhiprasad Pant said local authorities are struggling to pay salaries and benefits, with more than NPR 730 million owed to employees, and urged stronger action by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. Local corruption complaint फोहोरमैला व्यवस्थापनसम्बन्धी विधेयक संसदमा दर्ता गर्ने तयारी
Economy & Business
The government is moving to guarantee compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost baggage through proposed legislation. Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said the bill would set minimum passenger compensation and raise the insurance liability from about $20,000 to $100,000, while also addressing separation of regulatory and service-provider roles in the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Compensation for flight cancellations, delays and lost baggage Compensation for flight cancellations, delays and lost baggage
Separately, the government has proposed extending paid maternity leave from 90 days to six months, with fathers’ paternity leave increased from 15 days to 42 days. Minister Sobita Gautam said a draft amendment to the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018, is being prepared for cabinet approval before submission to parliament. Nepal government proposes six-month maternity leave, 42 days for fathers Nepal government proposes six-month maternity leave, 42 days for fathers
Society & Community
UNICEF says thousands of children in Nepal need mental health support following the August 26 glacier-collapse floods that affected more than 84,000 people. The agency reported that around 32,000 children were among those affected, with trauma tied to loss of loved ones and displacement, while UNICEF and partners are providing mental health services, family reunification, and educational support. UNICEF says thousands of children require mental health support after Nepal floods France provides emergency humanitarian aid to flood-hit Nepal
France has delivered emergency humanitarian aid to Nepal’s disaster risk reduction authority to support recovery after the August 26 floods. The assistance reportedly includes hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and solar lamps, with French Ambassador-designate Francoise Puig-Inza presenting supplies to Minister Mahabir Pun. France provides emergency humanitarian aid to flood-hit Nepal UNICEF says thousands of children require mental health support after Nepal floods
Nepal’s disaster experience has also fed into a push for climate and disaster diplomacy as a strategic foreign-policy priority. An analysis notes that intensified climate impacts—alongside disasters such as rock-ice avalanches—make stronger international cooperation on climate justice and adaptation planning increasingly urgent. Nepal needs climate and disaster diplomacy as strategic foreign policy priority
Date: September 16, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Bhadau 31, 2083
Top News
1. UNICEF says thousands of children require mental health support after Nepal floods (theannapurnaexpress.com)
UNICEF reports that thousands of children in Nepal require mental health support following floods caused by a glacier collapse on August 26, which affected over 84,000 people, including approximately 32,000 children. The floods resulted in over 1,300 deaths and left more than 5,000 missing, with many children experiencing trauma from the loss of loved ones and displacement. UNICEF is collaborating with the Nepal Government to provide mental health services, family reunification, and educational support, while Education Cannot Wait has allocated $1 million to assist 17,000 affected children.
2. Nepal needs climate and disaster diplomacy as strategic foreign policy priority (english.onlinekhabar.com)
Nepal is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating rock-ice avalanche that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and extensive infrastructure damage, exacerbated by climate change impacts. The disaster highlights the urgent need for Nepal to prioritize climate and disaster diplomacy in its foreign policy, advocating for climate justice and building coalitions with other vulnerable nations. As climate change intensifies existing inequalities, Nepal must integrate climate adaptation into its national planning and development strategies to address these existential challenges.
3. Nepal moves to guarantee compensation for flight cancellations, delays and lost baggage (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The Nepalese government is proposing a new bill to ensure minimum compensation and passenger rights for flight cancellations, delays, and lost baggage, as stated by Minister Khadak Raj Paudel. The bill aims to raise the insurance liability from approximately $20,000 to $100,000 and establish legal compensation for non-passengers affected by aircraft accidents. Additionally, a separate bill will address the separation of regulatory and service-provider functions within the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
4. Nepal government proposes six-month maternity leave, 42 days for fathers (english.onlinekhabar.com)
The Nepal government plans to extend paid maternity leave from 90 days to six months and paternity leave from 15 days to 42 days, as stated by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam. A draft amendment to the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018, is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet before going to Parliament, emphasizing the shared responsibility of child-rearing between parents.
5. France provides emergency humanitarian aid to flood-hit Nepal (theannapurnaexpress.com)
France has provided emergency humanitarian aid to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority following the floods on August 26. The aid includes essential supplies such as hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and solar lamps, delivered by French Ambassador-designate Francoise Puig-Inza to Minister Mahabir Pun. This assistance reflects France and the European Union's commitment to supporting Nepal in recovery efforts for affected communities.
6. All-party meeting taking place today (risingnepaldaily.com)
An all-party meeting is scheduled for today in Nepal, aimed at discussing key political issues and fostering collaboration among various political factions. The outcomes of this meeting could influence ongoing governance and policy decisions.
7. Both Houses of Federal Parliament set meetings today (risingnepaldaily.com)
Both Houses of the Federal Parliament are scheduled to hold meetings today. The agenda for the sessions has not been disclosed.
8. RSP President Lamichhane calls all-party meeting (theannapurnaexpress.com)
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has convened an all-party meeting today at 11 am in Singhadurbar to discuss establishing a high-level political mechanism for disaster risk reduction and management. Senior leaders from various political parties are expected to participate. Additionally, the House of Representatives and National Assembly will hold meetings today to address contemporary issues, including the impacts of recent disasters.
9. फोहोरमैला व्यवस्थापनसम्बन्धी विधेयक संसदमा दर्ता गर्ने तयारी (www.ratopati.com)
The government is preparing to register a waste management bill in the federal parliament, addressing waste reduction, classification, collection, transportation, recycling, and safe disposal. Law Minister Sobita Gautam stated that the bill incorporates modern concepts like zero waste and extended producer responsibility, aiming to tackle the entire waste management cycle. This legislative move is considered a significant step towards building a clean, healthy, and beautiful Nepal.
10. स्थानीयमा भयावह भ्रष्टाचारः सरकारको ध्यानाकर्षण (rajdhanidaily.com)
Sanjay Buddhiprasad Pant, a Member of Parliament from Parsa-1, has raised concerns about rampant corruption in local governments, particularly in Birgunj Metropolitan City, which is heavily indebted due to mismanagement and corruption. He highlighted that local authorities are unable to pay salaries and benefits, with over NPR 730 million owed to employees, and called for the government to strengthen the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to address these issues effectively. Pant also suggested that the federal government should reward well-performing municipalities and impose stricter penalties on those involved in corruption.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.19 |
| CAD → NPR | 110.24 |
| AUD → NPR | 109.16 |
| GBP → NPR | 206.55 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.9 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4323.34 | NPR 248,359.40 |
| Silver | $64.56 | NPR 3,708.73 |
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.
