Snapshot of today's news: September 26

Kathmandu, September 26 — In this section, we present the key headlines of the day. If you've been busy and missed the news, we’ve got you covered. Here are the highlights.

Prachanda promises news of Leftist unity 'soon'

Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, claimed that a new update on leftist unity will be heard soon. 

While addressing the 23rd National Conference of the All Nepal National Free Students' Union (Revolutionary) held in Kirtipur on Thursday, Prachanda instructed the student organization to prepare plans and programs accordingly.

"Reactionary forces are currently conspiring to eliminate leftist power. To counter this, all leftist groups will come together. You should emerge as lions on the streets; I have already come forth as a lion in Parliament. You will soon hear news of leftist unity," he said while directing the student organization.

Heavy rain advisory: Night bus operations suspended on Friday and Saturday

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged heightened vigilance in districts at high risk of heavy rainfall.

In a notice issued today (Thursday), the authority warned of potential heavy rain across the country from tonight through Sunday.

Previously, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology indicated that 56 districts would experience heavy rainfall, cautioning that there could be damage to life and property.

The department projected that all seven provinces would face significant risks due to heavy monsoon rains over the next four days.

The authority has specifically advised against operating night buses in the mountainous and hilly districts on September 27 and 28.

Gold prices soar to record high

A new record has been set for gold prices in the Nepali market on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of hallmark gold has reached 160,700 rupees per tola (11.66 grams).

This price is the highest recorded to date, as stated in the information published by the federation on Thursday.

On the previous day, Wednesday, the price of hallmark gold was 160,400 rupees per tola, indicating an increase of 300 rupees compared to the previous day.

Organized crime charges: Rabi Lamichhane expresses concerns

Following the report submitted by the parliamentary committee formed to investigate the misuse of cooperative savings, the cabinet approved the report, leading to the arrest of former DIG of Nepal Police, Chhabilal Joshi, who is also an operator of Gorkha Media.

Immediately after his arrest, many speculated that the investigation would focus on the president of the Rashtriya Swotantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane. With Joshi's arrest, there were concerns from Lamichhane, who is also a former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, about his own potential arrest. He called his party workers to the party office to announce their resistance against the situation.

After police began questioning Joshi, Lamichhane did not hold a press conference regarding the accusations against him on September 24. Instead, he made a one-sided statement through his social media (Facebook).

In a speech lasting about 40 minutes, Lamichhane acknowledged that although he was not involved in the cooperative fraud, he accepted responsibility for managing the money that came from the cooperative as a responsible person of Gorkha Media, indicating he would accept the parliamentary committee's recommendations for action.

During this, he expressed concerns that he could be accused of fraud and organized crime. However, legal experts suggest that additional charges may also be filed against him. According to them, initially, Lamichhane could face investigations for fraud, money laundering, misuse of cooperative funds, and organized crime.

Prithvi Highway expansion: Western section lags behind with only 30% progress

 "It used to take us three hours to get from Pokhara to Mugling, but now it takes over five hours," says Kaji Shrestha, a bus driver on the Pokhara-Kathmandu route. "We had heard that the Chinese company would work quickly, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. We are surprised at the delays."

Due to the prolonged construction, potholes have caused frequent breakdowns of his vehicle. He often has to deal with angry passengers when the bus stops unexpectedly due to mechanical issues. "It's not like before when we could drive smoothly," he adds. "Passengers complain about how late we are."

The upgrade of the Pokhara-Mugling road is underway with the support of the Asian Development Bank. The project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing construction has caused significant difficulties for drivers, passengers, and local residents and businesses along the road. They are urging authorities to fill potholes and make the road more navigable in the meantime.

NRB reports foreign exchange reserves at $15.58 billion

The Nepal Rastra Bank has released data showing that foreign exchange reserves amounted to $15.58 billion as of the end of Shrawan (July-August).

This is an increase from $15.27 billion at the end of the previous fiscal year 2023/24. The bank reported a 2% rise in dollar reserves over the past month. In Nepali rupees, this reserve is equivalent to NPR 20 trillion 41 billion 10 million.

Of the total foreign exchange reserves, NPR 18 trillion 83 billion 42 million is held by the Nepal Rastra Bank. At the end of Shrawan, it was NPR 18 trillion 48 billion 55 million. Other financial institutions hold NPR 2 trillion 8 billion 79 million.

RSP leaders cut short China trip and return early

Leaders of the Rashtriya Swotantra Party (RSP) who were on a visit to China have returned. The delegation, led by Vice-President Swarnim Wagle, returned today.

After the arrest of former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, who was the then operator of Gorkha Media, speculation about the possible arrest of President Rabi Lamichhane led to concerns among the leaders.

Vice-President Wagle stated that they returned today, shortening their 9-day visit. Eight members have returned, while the remaining six will return tomorrow. The RSP decided to bring back the leaders following speculation about the arrest of President Lamichhane. They had departed for China on September 21.

Supreme Court grants 'senior advocate' title to 159 lawyers

A total of 159 lawyers have been granted the title of Senior Advocate.

The Supreme Court provided this information through a notice on Thursday.

The full court meeting of the Supreme Court held on Thursday decided to confer the title of Senior Advocate to these 159 individuals.

NEPSE index declines by 32.81 points, breaking two-day growth streak

The share market index (NEPSE) did not sustain its growth for the second consecutive day. On the last trading day of the week, Thursday, the market saw a decline of 32.81 points. On Wednesday, the market had increased by 49 points.

Overall, the NEPSE index has fallen by 102 points this week. On Sunday, the market reached a high of 2,588 points before stabilizing. By the end of the trading week, the index is at 2,486 points.

Leader of Palestinian Authority denounces Israeli Gaza offensive at UN, insists: ‘We will not leave’

 The head of the Palestinian Authority denounced Israel and its offensive in the Gaza Strip in front of world leaders Thursday, appealing to other nations to stop what he called a “genocidal war” against a place and people he said had been totally destroyed.

Mahmoud Abbas used the rostrum of the U.N. General Assembly as he typically does — to criticize Israel. But this was the first time he did so since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel that triggered an Israeli military operation that has devastated the occupied Gaza Strip.

Abbas strode to the podium to loud applause and a few unintelligible shouts. His first words were a sentence repeated three times: “We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.”

South-eastern US braces for 'catastrophic' Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene continues to strengthen as it barrels toward the US Gulf Coast.

The category one storm is on track to intensify quickly into a dangerous category four hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida on Thursday evening local time, with official forecasts and warnings describing its likely impacts as "catastrophic", "life-threatening" and "unsurvivable".

The governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency ahead of the storm's landfall.

Mexico's Yucatán peninsula and the tourist resorts of Cancún and Cozumel were spared major damage when the hurricane skirted its north-eastern coast but failed to make landfall.

Torrential rains caused flooding in parts of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Lewandowski scores his 7th goal to give Barcelona its 7th straight win in Spanish league

With Robert Lewandowski on target again, Barcelona extended its perfect start to the Spanish league season.

Lewandowski scored his seventh goal in as many matches and Barcelona won its seventh in a row in the league by defeating Getafe 1-0 at home on Wednesday.

The triumph gives Barcelona its second-best league start ever, equaling the seven victories it also earned at the start of the 2017-18 season. The Catalan club won eight straight to start the 2013-14 season.

“I’m really proud about my team. They fight 90 minutes or 95 minutes,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. “But also I’m very proud because the fans they realized that we needed them and they give everything. It’s a good connection at the moment and I’m really happy about that.”

Barcelona has outscored its opponents 23-5 in its first seven games this season. It has a four-point lead over defending champion Real Madrid, which on Tuesday beat Alaves 3-2.

Chandimal, Mathews punish sloppy New Zealand to make it Sri Lanka's day

A trademark and enterprising century from Dinesh Chandimal led Sri Lanka's charge towards a big score after winning the toss, making New Zealand rue multiple lapses in the field on the opening day in Galle. Chandimal's 16th Test century saw him switch gears across the first two sessions to help the hosts finish on a commanding 306 for 3, helped by unbeaten half-centuries from Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis.

Coldplay to break Taylor Swift's Wembley record

Coldplay are to play an unprecedented 10 nights at London's Wembley Stadium next summer, breaking a record held by Taylor Swift and Take That.

The band originally announced an six-night run at the stadium next summer, but added four extra shows due to "phenomenal demand" during a fan-only presale on Thursday morning.

The general ticket sale begins at 9am on Friday, 27 September, with prices starting at £20 (plus fees).

Unlike Oasis, the band have declined to use Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model - where ticket prices are adjusted according to demand. A message on the company's website stated, “all ticket prices for these concerts are fixed at the advertised rate".

The 2025 tour dates are in support of the band's 10th album Moon Music, which is due for release on 4 October.

Earth to briefly gain second 'moon', scientists say

Get ready for a cosmic surprise this autumn - Earth is about to get a second moon, according to scientists.

A small asteroid is going to be captured by Earth’s gravitational pull and temporarily become a "mini-moon".

This space visitor will be around from September 29 for a couple of months before escaping from Earth's gravity again.

Sadly the second moon is going to be too small and dim to be seen, unless you have a professional telescope.

The asteroid was first spotted by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on 7 August.