The BRICS Summit, which began on Saturday in New Delhi, was officially inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Pavilion. The BRICS declaration expresses concern over nuclear threats and the risk of conflicts, emphasizing resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy. It condemns the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 deaths and many injuries. The declaration also urges continuous discussions to facilitate cross-border payments and increase trade and investment in local currencies.
The BRICS leaders’ summit started on Saturday in New Delhi, marked by a grand ceremony where Prime Minister Modi formally opened the event at the India Pavilion. The summit is attended by top leaders including China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The BRICS grouping includes 11 member countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). BRICS has positioned itself as a significant platform for consultation and cooperation on contemporary global and regional issues as well as worldwide political and economic governance.
In the joint declaration of the BRICS summit, member states reaffirmed their commitment to resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation, and diplomacy. The declaration highlights the importance of adopting a multilateral approach that considers the differing perspectives and situations of member countries on key global issues. The New Delhi declaration expresses serious concern about the increasing risks of nuclear threats and conflicts, reiterating the commitment to peaceful resolution of international disputes.
The BRICS group opposed unilateral coercive measures that violate international law. It criticized unilateral, punitive, discriminatory, and protectionist measures like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as inconsistent with international law. BRICS stated that such actions particularly affect developing countries’ efforts to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change, hindering their adaptation capacity and resilience.
September 13, Kathmandu – Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi, India. He came on Saturday afternoon to participate in the BRICS Summit 2026. President Xi’s plane landed at Palam Airbase in Delhi, according to online sources. Previously, President Xi visited India in 2019, during which he held an informal summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram, near Chennai.
September 13, Kathmandu – The Muslim World League has issued a strong condemnation of the recent drone attacks targeting the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Madinah regions. According to a report from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, described the attacks as acts of betrayal and criminality. He stated that these attacks constitute a serious violation of all religious values as well as international and humanitarian laws.
Secretary-General Al-Issa expressed full support on behalf of the Muslim World League and its affiliated bodies for Saudi Arabia. He emphasized, “The Muslim World League will support every step Saudi Arabia takes to protect its security and sovereignty. Saudi Arabia possesses the full right to take action against the attackers and ensure the safety of its citizens.”
In a parallel response, Jordan has also strongly condemned the attacks. A statement released by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the assaults represent a breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
It is notable that the drone attacks on the Saudi pipeline have been claimed to have originated from Iraqi territory. The Iraqi government has announced it is conducting an investigation into the incident, a process that Saudi Arabia has expressed its support for.
Sandeep Lamichhane has been declared the best player of the ACC Premier Cup 2026. He took 17 wickets in 6 matches, playing a crucial role in leading Nepal to the title. Nepal defeated the UAE in the final match held on Saturday to clinch the Premier Cup.
On 27 Bhadra, Kathmandu – The captain of the Nepalese cricket team, Sandeep Lamichhane, was named the standout player of the ACC Premier Cup 2026. Demonstrating his decisive bowling skills, Sandeep took a total of 17 wickets across 6 matches in the tournament. He dedicated this award to those affected by the recent floods in Nepal.
In his first game against Bahrain, Sandeep took 5 wickets, followed by 1 wicket against Malaysia, 3 against Saudi Arabia, 4 against Hong Kong, 3 in the semifinal versus Oman, and 1 wicket in the final. Nepal secured the Premier Cup title by defeating the UAE in the final match held on Saturday.
Defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 44 runs, the Nepal national cricket team secured the ACC Premier Cup title. With this victory, Nepal has also qualified for the upcoming Asia Cup. This marks Nepal’s second appearance in the Asia Cup tournament. The Asia Cup, scheduled for June 2027 in Bangladesh, will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan alongside Nepal. Nepal made its Asia Cup debut in 2023, delivering notably impressive performances against India and Pakistan.
On Saturday morning at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Malaysia, Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first. Captain Ashif Sheikh’s century was instrumental in building a strong total of 313 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs. In response, Nepal’s bowling attack dismissed UAE for 269 runs in 49.1 overs. This innings marked the third time Nepal has scored over 300 runs in a One Day International; previously, Nepal scored 321 against Scotland last year and 317 this year against the United States.
Opener Ashif Sheikh played a crucial innings at a critical moment. Nepal’s coach, Stuart Law, made strategic changes for the final, benching Dev Khanal and Sher Malla in favor of Arjun Kumar and Sandeep Jora. Ashif and Arjun put together a vital 97-run opening partnership. Ashif scored 102 runs off 106 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes. This century was his second in One Day International cricket.
Rahul Chopda and Soheb Khan added an 87-run partnership for the sixth wicket as the team aimed to build a competitive total. However, chasing a challenging 314-run target, the UAE team faltered early. Nepal’s bowlers steadily paved the way to victory. Despite battling an injury, Rahul remained unbeaten on 100 runs. Karan took 3 wickets for Nepal, while Dipendra and Lalit claimed 2 wickets each.
September 13, Kathmandu – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a telephone conversation on Saturday morning. The discussion followed a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline originating from Iraqi territory. The two foreign ministers engaged in this emergency dialogue in response to the incident.
According to an official statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining continuous contact and coordination between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Although the attack occurred from Iraqi land, Saudi Arabia expressed full support for Iraq and clarified that it will not take any retaliatory measures against Iraq. The Iraqi government also committed to conducting an impartial investigation into the attack.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken down a controversial advertisement targeting the Indian-American and Sikh communities after widespread backlash. The DHS had posted an AI-generated image on social media stating, “Get off our streets, you can’t drive, Mr. Singh.” This ad sparked sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and various civil rights groups, who condemned it as racially offensive propaganda.
Kathmandu, September 13 – The Department of Homeland Security removed the advertisement from the social platform X after it provoked a significant controversy. The ad contained a provocative message directed at Indian-American and Sikh communities which ignited broad opposition, prompting DHS to delete the post. Indian-American organizations and Democratic Party leaders strongly denounced the move.
The DHS had shared an AI-generated image on X depicting a lightly brown-skinned man with a beard. Accompanying the image was a message saying, “Get off our streets, you can’t drive, Mr. Singh.” The release of this advertisement triggered intense debate across US political and civil rights spheres.
While the DHS removed the original post, it continued to launch counterattacks against California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of issuing professional driving licenses to undocumented immigrants. The controversy began amid DHS efforts to promote its “CBP Home” program. Conservative organizations and advocacy groups sharply criticized the government’s promotional tactics.
Although five districts were primarily affected, officials have stated that the damage caused by the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli flood on September 26 roughly equals that of the 2015 earthquake. This “devastating” level of human loss and damage has severely impacted key infrastructure, from the main trade route connecting Nepal with China to one of the country’s emerging hydropower sectors. The destruction to infrastructure has created challenges for Nepal in mobilizing substantial resources needed for reconstruction, experts note.
According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report prepared by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the government will require NPR 723 billion for post-flood reconstruction. “The total estimated damage from this flood is NPR 408 billion, and for long-term recovery, we project a need of NPR 723 billion,” said Arjun Bhandari, Secretary of the National Planning Commission.
In the energy sector, 13 hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 759 megawatts and five solar plants producing 24 megawatts have been affected. Reconstruction of energy and grid systems is expected to cost NPR 390 billion. Additionally, 69 kilometers of road segments were damaged, 33 motorable bridges swept away, and four suffered partial damage. It is worth noting that the 2015 earthquake caused over NPR 2.1 billion damage in hydropower and more than NPR 2.2 billion in transportation.
Following the flood, an estimated NPR 5.077 billion is needed for the recovery of trade, business, banking, and agriculture sectors. The affected areas encompass 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 17 bank branches, and 4,800 commercial establishments. “Currently, we are in the relief phase. National and international support will aid initial recovery. However, for long-term reconstruction, resource mobilization together with development partners is imperative,” stated Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
September 12, Kathmandu – China Southern Airlines has announced the resumption of its regular passenger flight service between Guangzhou and New Delhi. The airline declared on Saturday that the Guangzhou-New Delhi regular flights will restart from September 21 (Ashwin 5 in the Nepali calendar). According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), this service had been suspended for the past six years and is now set to be reinstated.
Following the resumption of this route, China Southern Airlines will be operating over 100 weekly round-trip flights across eight routes in South Asia. Headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province in southern China, China Southern Airlines is one of the country’s leading carriers.
As conflict intensifies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has shut down a crucial oil pipeline after a drone attack originating from Iraqi territory. Iraq has accepted responsibility for the drone strike on its neighboring country’s east-west pipeline, which reportedly came from a province bordering Iran. Following this acknowledgment, Iraq has dismissed a military commander and initiated an investigation. The 1,200-kilometer-long pipeline has been instrumental in allowing Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, to supply oil without relying on the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
This development comes amid expanding control by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has now entered its seventh month and has further strained global oil shipping routes. Saudi authorities cautiously shut down the pipeline on Friday after satellite images revealed smoke and scorched earth near the area. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported some injuries and damage from the attack, although a full assessment is still underway.
Quoting ship-tracking companies and analysts, news agencies have stated that this pipeline accounts for 4 to 5 percent of the global oil supply. Following a call from Iraq’s Prime Minister, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry stated there will be no immediate response. Saudi Arabia affirmed its support for Iraq’s government efforts to prevent attacks from neighboring countries. The ministry’s statement emphasized that “Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, measures, and citizens.”
Asif Sheikh’s 102 runs and Gulshan Jhākō’s 52 helped Nepal post a commanding total of 313 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs against the UAE in the ACC Premier Cup final. Asif scored his second ODI century and shared an opening partnership of 97 runs with Arjun Kamal. A victory in the final will secure Nepal’s qualification for the Asia Cup. Kathmandu, 12 September.
Capitalizing on the toss at the Tribhuvan Cricket Oval, Nepal chose to bat first and produced a solid total of 313 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. Asif Sheikh scored 102 runs off 106 balls, hitting 8 fours and 4 sixes, while Gulshan Jhākō contributed a valuable 52 runs off 38 balls, including 3 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing excellent form.
Other key contributions came from Arjun Kamal with 43 runs and Rohit Paudel with 40 runs. Before his dismissal, Asif established crucial partnerships — a 97-run stand with Arjun Kamal for the first wicket, a 36-run partnership with Ishan Pandey for the second wicket, and a significant 68-run partnership with Rohit Paudel for the third wicket. For the UAE, Ibrar Ahmed took 4 wickets, Bin Tanvir claimed 2 wickets, while Haider Ali and Adib Usmani took one wicket each. The winner of the final will earn a place in the Asia Cup.
“I filtered the water mixed with oil using my own cloth before drinking it”
Sanjay Sah, who was trapped for 10 days in the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli Three A Hydroelectric Project due to flooding from a glacial lake outburst flood, has been rescued. After the rescue, he said, “I filtered the water mixed with oil using my own cloth before drinking it.” Following his rescue, he received treatment at Birendra Army Hospital in Chhauni and was discharged on Friday.
According to Sanjay Sah, although there was no food inside the tunnel, the air was sufficient, but obtaining water was a significant struggle. When asked how he managed to survive for such a long period, he replied, “I filtered the oil-contaminated water with my cloth and drank it. For two to three days, I hung from the ventilation.” Sah, a resident of Saptari, was working as a Mechanical Foreman at the hydroelectric project.
File photo, September 13, Kathmandu. The 18th BRICS Summit commenced on Saturday in New Delhi. This year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared together on the same stage in India for the first time in 10 years. These three leaders last participated together at the BRICS Summit held in Goa in 2016. In addition to the 11 member nations, leaders from 10 partner countries are also attending the summit.
This visit marks Xi Jinping’s first trip to India after nearly seven years, following the Galwan clash. Xi departed Beijing for New Delhi on Saturday morning, and his visit is being viewed with special significance. After the violent clashes in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh in 2020, this will be the first bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi on Indian soil. The two leaders are expected to hold talks on Saturday evening from 6 to 7 PM local time at the India pavilion.
BRICS’s strength lies not only in its 11 member nations but also in its demographic and economic weight. The organization represents approximately 49.5% of the world’s population. In terms of economy, on the basis of purchasing power parity, the combined GDP of BRICS countries accounts for about 39% of the global economy, roughly three times that of the United States.
Under India’s presidency, this year’s summit will emphasize trade in local currencies and seamless online payment systems. Prime Minister Modi is engaging in a series of bilateral meetings with heads of state from various countries. Security arrangements for the summit have been extremely stringent, with police vehicles equipped with sniffer dogs conducting thorough inspections.
Today, Annapurna Spiker Kings and Karnali Shivraj will compete for the title of the inaugural Nepal Volleyball League. Annapurna secured the top position in the league stage, advancing directly to the final, while Karnali earned their spot by defeating Kathmandu Reds in the playoffs. In their first encounter during the league phase, Karnali defeated Annapurna 3-1.
The final match will take place at the National Sports Council’s covered hall in Tripureshwor, starting at 4 PM. Annapurna topped the league stage with 12 points, winning 4 out of 5 matches. Karnali finished second with 11 points from 4 matches, having lost only to Kathmandu Reds in the league stage.
In the final, Annapurna has the chance to seek revenge against Karnali, while Karnali aims to maintain the strong momentum from their earlier victory over Annapurna. The winner of the NVL will receive the trophy along with a cash prize of 2 million Nepalese Rupees.
On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, current and former U.S. presidents gathered to honor the memory of those who lost their lives when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field.
President Donald Trump led the ceremony at the Pentagon, while U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance participated in the World Trade Center memorial in New York City. All four living former presidents and their spouses were in attendance at the event.
A moment of silence was observed to recall the moment of the attacks, followed by the reading of approximately three thousand names of the victims.
On Friday evening, two beams of light illuminated the Manhattan skyline in a ‘Tribute in Light’ honoring the victims of 9/11.
Various other prominent sites across New York State were also lit up in blue.
Image Source, Pool/Getty Images
The ceremony at the World Trade Center featured former President George W. Bush, who was president during the attacks, alongside former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.
“Today, we renew the sacred vow we made 25 years ago in memory of those we lost. We will never, ever forget. This is why we continue to fight today,” Trump said.
He also linked the post-9/11 ‘war on terror’ to his current conflict with Iran, a war that significantly increased U.S. involvement in prolonged Middle East conflicts.
Addressing the inclusive crowd, Trump vowed that the Islamic Republic “will never acquire nuclear weapons.”
A memorial was also held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the site where Flight 93 crashed after passengers courageously resisted the hijackers.
Image Source, AFP via Getty Images
Every September 11, bells ring at the precise moments when the four planes crashed and the Twin Towers collapsed.
After each of the six bells is rung, a short moment of silence is observed.
This year, a seventh bell was rung to honor the thousands who have since died from cancer and other illnesses related to the attacks.
According to U.S. health officials, the number of deaths caused by illnesses from dust and smoke inhaled during the towers’ collapse now exceeds three times the nearly 3,000 who perished in the initial attacks.
Image Source, Reuters
Caption, This year, a seventh bell was also rung to commemorate thousands who have died from cancer and other illnesses related to 9/11
During the nearly four-hour-long reading of victims’ names at the Manhattan ceremony, a woman who lost her husband criticized Saudi Arabia sharply. She expressed frustration over the unfulfilled attempts by U.S. officials to hold Saudi Arabia accountable.
“Each year that passes, the memory of you grows stronger,” said Terry Strada, who lost her husband Tom Strada, during the globally broadcast event.
“But even after 25 years, we have not obtained justice for Saudi Arabia’s role in your murder. How is this possible?”
Image Source, Pool/Getty Images
The national president of 9/11 Families United, Strada’s remarks were met with sustained applause from the audience.
Most of the 9/11 attackers were Saudi nationals, and the plot was orchestrated by al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, who was a scion of an influential Saudi family.
However, Saudi officials have consistently denied any involvement in the attacks. The 2004 commission report found no evidence that the Saudi government or senior officials provided institutional or financial support to al-Qaeda.
Image Source, Getty Images
Caption, A formal ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace in London
Tributes were held worldwide, with various events commemorating the victims.
A formal ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace in London, attended by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephenson.
In Toronto, Canada, the stock exchange held a memorial event honoring colleagues who died in the attacks.
Image Source, Getty Images
Caption, A group of firefighters from Italy and the U.S. formally climbed the stairs in tribute
In Milan, firefighters from Italy and the United States participated in a formal stair-climbing ceremony up the 110 floors of the Galfa Tower to honor emergency responders who lost their lives in the line of duty during the attacks.
They wore their gear and carried necessary equipment while ascending the stairs, symbolically matching the number of floors of each Twin Tower.
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