September 30: Snapshot of today's main news

Kathmandu, September 30 — 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.

Monsoon-induced disaster: Death toll climbs to 209

The death toll from recent natural disasters, including floods and landslides, has reached 209. According to the Nepal Police, this number was reported by 7 PM on Monday.

Additionally, there are 127 injured and 26 missing. The police stated that more than 4,222 people affected by the disaster have been rescued.

From September 26 to 28, continuous heavy rainfall impacted various districts, including the Kathmandu Valley.

Prime Minister Oli returns from U.S. visit

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has returned to Nepal after completing his visit to the United States. He landed at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday afternoon.

On September 20, Oli traveled to New York to participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On September 26, he addressed the Assembly. While in New York, Prime Minister Oli also held sideline meetings with leaders from various countries.

Landslides disrupt Prithvi Highway in Dhading and East-West Highway in Daunne

A landslide has occurred again in Malekhu, Dhading. Continuous rainfall has led to the obstruction of the section of the Prithvi Highway that passes through Dhading and Chitwan.

As the landslides continue, additional police personnel have been deployed on the Malekhu-Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway. DIG Krishna Hari Sharma of Bagmati Province informed Ratopati that 75 extra personnel have been sent to assist in this area.

Meanwhile, landslide at Daunne of West Nawalparasi on the East-West Highway has completely obstructed the highway. After the road collapsed in the Khursani Khola area of Bardaghat Municipality-4, the police have advised vehicles heading from Butwal to Kathmandu to take the route through Pokhara.

Ishwari Aryal, the acting chief of the Highway Traffic Management Office in Butwal, informed Ratopati that about one and a half feet of road has collapsed in Daunne, causing traffic to be halted.

Jhyaple Khola tragedy: 13 out of 35 buried in three vehicles identified

 A landslide in the Jhyaple Khola of Dhading's Dhunibeshi Municipality-9 has buried three vehicles, resulting in the deaths of 35 people. Among the deceased are 25 men, 9 women, and 1 girl. District Police Inspector Prahlad Silwal from Dhading informed Ratopati that 13 of the deceased have been identified.

Two microbuses and one bus were caught in the landslide. The bus with registration number Na.4 Kha 2270 was traveling from Gorkha to Kathmandu and had 4 passengers on board. The Hiace with registration number Ba.2 Kha 1345 was coming from Chitwan to Kathmandu and had 17 passengers, while the Winger with registration number Lu.1 Ja 4577 had 14 passengers.

The bodies collected from the site are being autopsied at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

Six complaints filed against proposed Chief Justice Raut

Six complaints have been filed against Prakash Man Singh Raut, who has been recommended for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. According to the Parliament Secretariat, the complaints include both procedural and personal issues.

A total of eight complaints have been registered with the joint committee of both houses, with six against the proposed Chief Justice and two against ambassadors.

On September 16, the Constitutional Council meeting recommended Raut for the position of Chief Justice. The parliamentary hearing committee has announced that six complaints against Raut were received within the stipulated 10 days (on Sunday) following the public call for complaints on September 19.

ANNFSU (Revolutionary) Conference: Prachanda calls for election to resolve age limit dispute

Differences emerge over whether to impose an age limit within the All Nepal National Free Students' Union-Revolutionary (ANNFSU-R), a sister wing of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).

The issue of age limits was debated during the ongoing 23rd National Conference, which began on September 26.

After disagreements arose regarding the age limit, the closed session held on Sunday was unable to reach a conclusion, leading to discussions with party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', on Monday morning.

During the discussions at Prachanda’s residence in Khumaltar, he instructed that the dispute be resolved through the electoral process, as noted by Vice Chair and Spokesperson G.B. Mainali. According to Mainali, preparations are underway to resolve the age limit issue through voting.

Gold prices drop slightly

The price of gold has slightly decreased in the local market on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of hallmarked gold has dropped by a total of 100 rupees to 160,500 rupees per tola (11.66 grams).

The previous day, the price of hallmarked gold was 160,600 rupees per tola.

Similarly, on Monday, the price of hallmarked gold was set at 137,605 rupees per 10 grams.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has also seen a slight decrease.

NEPSE index rises by 44.45 points on Monday

The NEPSE stock market index has risen by 44.45 points on Monday. Starting from 2,466 points, the trading fluctuated before climbing to 2,508.86 points.

Although the index saw a significant increase today, the transaction amount has decreased. A total of 3.71 billion rupees was traded, with 9.71 million shares bought and sold from 319 companies. Previously, the transaction amount had exceeded 4 billion rupees for a few days.

Today, the share prices of 210 companies increased, while 33 companies saw a decrease, and one company’s price remained stable.

Aviation traffic congestion at TIA due to passenger surge

 Due to an overwhelming number of passengers, there has been an air traffic jam at Tribhuvan International Airport. The disruption of traffic on the country’s main highways has led many travelers to choose air travel.

As a result, the airport office has reported that all flights are delayed by 1 to 2 hours.

On Sunday alone, there were 426 departures and arrivals at Tribhuvan International Airport for both domestic and international flights.

Koshi province to host first investment summit on January 25-27, 2025

The Koshi Province government has announced that it will hold its first investment conference on January 25, 26, and 27, 2025. The conference aims to foster an investment-friendly environment and communicate that an industrial landscape is emerging in Koshi Province.

On Sunday, the cabinet meeting of the Koshi Province government approved the concept and set the dates for the conference. The government plans to organize the event in collaboration and coordination with the private sector. The investment conference was also mentioned in the government’s policy and budget for the current fiscal year, and the Chief Minister's office has indicated that this program will be advanced accordingly.

Mexico counting dead from 'zombie storm' John

At least 15 people have died in Mexico as a result of Hurricane John, the country's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has confirmed.

The storm first made landfall a week ago as a category three hurricane on Mexico's Pacific coast, south-east of the resort of Acapulco.

It then weakened and dissipated over the mountains of Guerrero state before regaining strength over the waters of the Pacific and hitting the Mexican coast a second time, prompting meteorologists to describe it as a "zombie storm".

Its heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding, cutting off many residents and killing more than a dozen.

The term "zombie storm" was first used by meteorologists from the US National Weather Service in 2020 to describe a storm which dissipates only to regenerate again.

Israeli strikes may have displaced million people - Lebanon PM

Israel's continuing air strikes may have already forced as many as one million people from their homes across Lebanon, the country's prime minister has said.

"It is the largest displacement movement that may have happened," Najib Mikati said.

Lebanon's health ministry reported more than 50 people killed in Sunday's strikes - two days after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. Meanwhile, Hezbollah fired more rockets into northern Israel.

In a separate development, Israel said it had carried out "large-scale" air strikes on military targets of the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen.

Hezbollah confirmed on Sunday that top military commander Ali Karaki and a senior cleric, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, had also been killed in the Israeli air strikes.

Thirty killed in one county after hurricane swamps North Carolina

 At least 30 people have died and scores more are unaccounted for in just one county in North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene tore across the state and caused catastrophic flooding.

A clearer image of the damage the storm inflicted after barrelling through Florida and Georgia emerged throughout Sunday, with Buncombe County appearing to be the hardest hit area.

“We have biblical devastation,” said Ryan Cole, an emergency official in the county, which contains the mountain city of Asheville. "This is the most significant natural disaster that any one of us has ever seen."

At least 116 people have died nationwide since the hurricane made landfall in Florida on Thursday, according to the BBC's US partner CBS, and that figure is expected to rise as officials reach more areas.

France's Griezmann retires from internationals

France forward Antoine Griezmann has announced his retirement from international football.

The Atletico Madrid player, 33, made 137 appearances for his country, scoring 44 goals, and helped them win the 2018 World Cup, converting a penalty in the final as France beat Croatia 4-2 in Moscow.

He also won the 2021 Nations League with his country.

"It is with a heart full of memories that I close this chapter of my life. Thank you for this magnificent tricolour adventure and see you soon," he said in a video posted on social media.

"After 10 incredible years marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and make way for the new generation.

"Wearing this jersey was an honour and a privilege."

India smash scoring records against Bangladesh Second Test, Kanpur, day four of five

Bangladesh 233 (Mominul 107*) & 26-2 (Ashwin 2-14)

India 285-9 dec (Jaiswal 72, Rahul 68)

Bangladesh trail India by 26 runs with 8 wickets remaining

India blitzed a number of batting records on the fourth day of the rain-hit second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.

The hosts, who lead the two-match series 1-0, smashed the record for the fastest team to 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 in Tests as they racked up 285-9 declared off 34.4 overs in reply to Bangladesh's 233 all out.

There was still time left for India's spin bowlers to reduce the tourists to 26-2 in their second innings - still 26 runs behind heading into the final day.

Bodies of ANFA Academy students brought to Hetauda

The bodies of three students from the Sisneri Academy of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) have been brought to Hetauda. The three students, who were on training at the Batsala Secondary School in Sisneri, died in a landslide on Saturday.

The deceased are Anupam Ghalan from Hetauda-12, Simon Yonzan from Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality, and Bikal Regmi from Nijgadh, Bara. Their bodies were transported by helicopter to the Bagmati Province Police Office in Hetauda.

The District Sports Development Committee of Makwanpur organized a condolence meeting. A tribute ceremony was held at Hupra ground in Hetauda.

SpaceX docks at ISS to collect stranded astronauts

A SpaceX capsule sent to bring back two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) has docked.

The Dragon capsule, which has two empty seats for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, docked at 17:30 eastern time (22:30 BST).

The pair arrived at the station on Boeing's new Starliner capsule for an eight-day mission in June, but were forced to remain there because of a fault discovered during the flight.

They are now expected to return to Earth in February.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan says 'it's good to be back' after award win

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has told fans "it's good to be back" after winning the best actor award at the International Indian Film Academy Awards.

Khan was referring to his return to movies in 2023 after a hiatus lasting four years.

"I think I have a little happiness from the audience this year because I worked (again) after a long time," he declared to crowds at a star-studded show in Abu Dhabi.

Khan, a household name in India, is also one of the country's most popular stars with millions of fans domestically and abroad.

He not only won the prize for his role in action thriller Jawan but also co-hosted the event in in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a city with a big Indian population.

Fireworks greeted his arrival on stage, and the whole event was peppered with tributes to him.