The Ministry of Land Management has informed that the necessary legal procedures are being studied to arrange permanent resettlement for families affected by the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli floods that occurred last month, in safer locations. According to a member of the committee formed under the leadership of the Survey Department, 277 plots of land have been identified for families from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, where no other resettlement options exist.
Kathmandu, 13 Ashoj — In the men’s singles tennis competition at the Asian Games, Nepalese players Abhishek Bastola and Pradeep Khadka were both eliminated in the second round. At the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center, Abhishek lost in straight sets to Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenkov, with both sets ending 6–2 in favor of Shevchenkov. Similarly, Pradeep was defeated by Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej by identical 6–2, 6–2 scorelines. Thus, the campaigns of both Abhishek and Pradeep in the men’s singles event concluded at the second round.
However, in the men’s doubles event, the pairing of Abhishek Bastola and Pradeep Khadka has advanced to the second round. After securing victory over Mongolia’s Badrakh Munkhbaatar and Jolbodar Urnukh in the first round, the Nepalese duo earned their place in the next stage of the competition.
SpaceX’s rocket exploded and caught fire upon splashing into the ocean. The ‘Starship,’ launched into space carrying Starlink satellites, returned to Earth shortly after and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. The cause of the explosion upon water impact has not yet been determined.
The vehicle was carrying 26 advanced ‘V3’ satellites, which are part of Starlink’s network established in space to provide broadband internet services on Earth. Although the mission was originally planned for ten hours, the decision was made to bring the spacecraft down after approximately three hours of orbiting Earth.
October 1, Kathmandu – US President Donald Trump has denied reports by American officials suggesting that sanctions imposed on Iran would be lifted and frozen Iranian funds released if Tehran took concrete and flexible measures on its nuclear program. The news emerged amid renewed diplomatic efforts in New York, led by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, to ease tensions between the two countries. However, significant gaps remain over key issues between the parties.
Iran insists that the talks focus on ensuring unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the US blockade, while the Trump administration maintains that Iran must first agree to nuclear compliance. Although Trump rejected Iran’s recent ceasefire offer, indirect talks have raised hopes for diplomatic progress. Mediators in New York have met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss a proposal put forth by Qatar.
Qatari mediators have also scheduled meetings with US officials during the same visit. A US official familiar with the talks described the indirect negotiations as “positive and constructive” and indicated that Iran has shown some flexibility on nuclear issues. Nevertheless, significant differences remain, and the official noted that without decisive steps from Iran, an agreement is unlikely. According to the US side, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is increasing, while US sanctions and blockades continue to weaken Iran’s position.
The White House has expressed skepticism about Iran’s assurances. In July, the US accused Iran of breaching a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, the US wants confirmation that Iran is genuinely serious this time and seeking to overcome its difficult circumstances. Following the release of this report, President Donald Trump took to social media to refute it, labeling the media coverage as false and asserting that he has made no proposal to lift sanctions or return frozen Iranian funds.
Due to continuous rain disrupting the quarterfinal T20 match between Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Nepal national cricket team has been eliminated from the 20th Asian Games. The match, held at the Korogi Athletic Park in Nagoya, was suspended due to weather conditions, allowing the higher-ranked Sri Lankan team to advance to the semifinals according to tournament rules. Nepal is ranked 14th in T20 standings, while Sri Lanka holds the 9th position.
In Nagoya, the poor weather also led to the cancellation of matches between India and Afghanistan, as well as Pakistan and Hong Kong. To date, there has been no official T20 cricket match between Nepal and Sri Lanka. Interestingly, rain has consistently disrupted matches between these two teams.
During the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the United States and West Indies, Nepal and Sri Lanka were placed in the same group. Their encounter on June 11 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, was packed with Nepalese supporters. However, the toss could not be conducted due to rain, and despite fans continuously singing Nepalese songs in the stadium, the match was canceled.
In the truncated match, Nepal batted first and managed only 72 runs. Gyanendra Malla contributed 30 runs, and Paras Khadka added 18. Pursuing this modest total, Sri Lanka struggled significantly and, at one point, had lost 7 wickets for just 42 runs. In a challenging situation, lower-order players from Sri Lanka performed well to eventually steer their team through a hard-fought contest.
September 30, Beijing – China has inaugurated four major high-speed railway lines in a single day. These new railways connect various regions, spanning from Xiong’an in Hebei Province to Shangqiu in Henan, from Xi’an in Shaanxi to Ankang, from Yichang in Hubei to Xingshan, and from Harbin to Yichun in Heilongjiang. The new railways are expected to enhance transportation connectivity across China’s regions, significantly contributing to regional economic development, according to China’s news agency Xinhua. China holds the world’s largest high-speed rail network.
The Xiong’an–Shangqiu section in northern China covers a distance of 552 kilometers. The railway links the new Xiong’an area with various cities in Hebei, Shandong, and Henan before reaching Shangqiu. According to China Railway Beijing Group, after the operation of this route, travel time from Xiong’an to Shangqiu will be reduced to just 2 hours and 27 minutes. The newly launched Xi’an–Ankang railway in northwest China measures 171 kilometers. Designed to traverse the complex geography of the Qinling Mountains while addressing environmental protection concerns, this route has a design speed of 350 km/h, enabling travel from Xi’an to Ankang in around 45 minutes.
In central China, the Yichang–Xingshan segment also overcame significant geographic challenges during construction. This railway passes through the Daba Mountains, featuring a 16.9-kilometer-long deep tunnel and multiple large bridges at high elevations. The line will connect the Yangtze River traversing Shanghai–Chongqing–Chengdu high-speed railway and the Chengdu–Chongqing high-speed railway. China Railway Wuhan Group states that this connection will further accelerate economic activities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
The Harbin–Yichun high-speed railway operating in northeast China spans 318 kilometers and is the northernmost high-speed railway built in China to date. The Yichun West Station is located at approximately 47 degrees north latitude above sea level. According to China Railway Construction Group, this station is the country’s first high-speed railway station constructed on permafrost, or permanently frozen ground. The new railway connecting Harbin and Yichun will reduce travel time between the two cities from about seven hours to two hours. This expansion enhances China’s high-speed rail network by extending access to northern and relatively less connected regions.
Supporting Tourism Promotion Expected Ahead of China’s National Day, these railway lines are also anticipated to promote tourism. The new routes link major cities with tourist destinations such as the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang and forested areas around Yichun. According to China State Railway Group, approximately 284 million passengers are expected to travel during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays from September 23 to October 8. China is accelerating the expansion and upgrading of its high-speed rail network to meet the growing needs of its domestic market and industry. By the end of 2025, the total length of railway lines in operation is projected to reach 165,000 kilometers, including over 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail.
October 13, Kathmandu – The fourth quarterfinal match of the men’s cricket tournament at the 20th Asian Games has also been canceled due to continuous rain. The official Asian Games website has confirmed the cancellation of the scheduled quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Earlier today, the match between Sri Lanka and Nepal was also called off for the same reason. Malaysian player Virandeep Singh reported via social media about receiving the cancellation notice three hours prior.
As a result, Bangladesh has advanced directly to the semifinals based on their seeding. Previously, matches between Pakistan and Hong Kong, India and Afghanistan, as well as Sri Lanka and Nepal, were all canceled due to rain. These four teams advanced to the quarterfinals based on their rankings and have now progressed to the semifinals following the cancellations.
Nepal and Afghanistan had qualified from Group ‘A’, while Malaysia and Hong Kong secured their quarterfinal spots from Group ‘B’.
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford during a terrorism-related investigation have been released on bail under strict anti-terrorism police conditions.
Early Sunday morning, after receiving reports of three “suspicious vehicles” near the Gloucestershire airbase, police declared a major incident, leading to the evacuation of dozens of homes in the vicinity.
Counter-terrorism officers are currently working on various aspects of the investigation, including whether any individuals involved were acting on behalf of a foreign state.
All five men arrested are residents of London.
Initially detained on suspicion of offenses under the explosives act, suspicions later evolved to the preparation for terrorist activities.
The counter-terrorism police have stated that although the men have been released on bail, strict conditions controlling their movements and contacts with others will remain in place as the investigation continues.
Among the group, three live in Westminster, one in Camden, and one in Willesden, with ages ranging between 23 and 25 years old.
A female farmer who alerted police after seeing three white vans in Welford village, located directly east of the main RAF Fairford airbase, described her sighting of the vehicles as “fortunate.”
Assistant Chief Constable Lawrence Taylor of the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said on Monday afternoon that the suspicious vehicles had undergone detailed examinations with support from military resources and forensic experts.
He confirmed that officers are investigating the incident “from every possible angle.”
The investigation is also considering the possibility that the activity may have been conducted by representatives or operatives linked to a foreign state, whether or not those individuals were aware of it.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a COBRA meeting Monday afternoon and urged the public to avoid speculation until all facts are established by investigators.
The Iranian Embassy in London has strongly rejected and condemned “baseless and unfortunate speculation” linking Iran to the incident, describing such claims as propaganda aimed only at fostering fear and negative sentiment against Iran within the UK.
The embassy has reserved the right to take appropriate legal action to protect the rights and interests of the country and its people in response to misleading and damaging media reports.
RAF Fairford has been used by the United States Air Force (USAF) for decades.
In recent months, American bomber aircraft have been flying from this airbase on missions to the Middle East following UK approval for its use in defensive actions against Iran.
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October 13, Kathmandu – Malaysian cricketer Virandeep Singh expressed his disappointment on social media after the quarterfinal match against Bangladesh at the Asian Games was cancelled due to rain. Sharing a photo holding a towel, Virandeep said, “We were in the hotel when we heard the news that our quarterfinal match was cancelled; I was wrapped in a towel. I had been waiting for three years for another chance to play against Bangladesh, but this time that opportunity slipped away. Associate cricket is very challenging.”
The scheduled quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Malaysia was called off due to continuous rainfall. Virandeep mentioned that they received the cancellation notice three hours before the match was set to begin. The cricket field at Korogee Sports Park remains only partially covered; while the pitch and square have tarpaulins, the outfield is exposed, leading to waterlogging on the ground.
Following the cancellation, Bangladesh advanced to the semifinals based on their higher ranking. Earlier the same day, the quarterfinal match between Sri Lanka and Nepal was also cancelled due to rain. Additionally, matches between Pakistan and Hong Kong and between India and Afghanistan on Monday were abandoned because of rain-related interruptions. Consequently, based on rankings, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh progressed to the semifinals. Nepal and Afghanistan had reached the quarterfinals from Group A, while Malaysia and Hong Kong qualified from Group B. Rain disruptions led to advancement decisions being determined by team rankings rather than match outcomes.
Image caption, No joint statement was issued at the Washington meeting between Xi and Trump, and only a few significant agreements were announced.Article Information
China released additional details on Saturday about the agreements reached during last week’s talks between President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump, highlighting a few tangible outcomes.
However, neither side issued a joint communiqué, and there were no major breakthroughs.
Instead, both governments publicly shared their own perspectives on the meeting, possibly signaling Beijing and Washington’s concerns about the White House visit and promises of a warmer relationship.
Here are four key things we know about what happened—and what didn’t—during the talks:
1. New Dialogue and Communication Channel on AI
Beijing confirmed that it agreed with Washington to establish a new dialogue concerning artificial intelligence, with further talks planned for late November.
Both countries are in a race to advance their AI technologies, which are increasingly applied from business to military planning. Both sides recognize the need for some regulatory measures on this technology.
They have agreed to set up a communication channel related to AI events, aiming to manage misunderstandings and prevent unexpected incidents from escalating tensions.
There was particular interest in what kind of understanding or agreements on AI development would emerge from the summit, notably in light of calls from US companies such as Anthropic to slow AI’s evolution, alongside reports of unauthorized access by OpenAI to Australian government websites and multiple US government sites.
2. Trade War Suspension: What Was Included and What Was Not Mentioned?
Chinese state media confirmed on Monday for the first time that the trade dispute had been suspended until January 10, 2027.
This short-term extension provides the two leaders with time for further dialogue ahead of major international gatherings and summits planned before the end of this year.
President Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Shenzhen in November, while President Xi will participate in the G20 summit in Miami in December, which hosts some of the world’s most influential economic powers.
Frequent meetings between leaders of the world’s two largest economies are rare. Beijing was anticipating a longer suspension of trade disputes, so the two-month extension is considered a modest success.
A reduction in tariffs on $30 billion worth of Chinese goods entering the US has been announced. Beijing is also expected to reciprocate with similar concessions for American goods.
Lower tariffs are expected to benefit household items and Christmas decorations imported from China to American stores.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
Image caption, Reduced tariffs will benefit toys and decorations supplied to American stores.
The Trump administration stated that Beijing agreed to purchase at least 10 million metric tons of coal in 2027 and 2028.
Interestingly, some key issues were not mentioned in the agreement — including increasing exports of China’s rare earth minerals to the US and any indication of relaxing restrictions on advanced American semiconductors.
3. US Did Not Mention Taiwan, But China Raised the Issue
The White House fact sheet made no mention of Taiwan, but clearly this was a priority subject for Xi.
According to Beijing’s account, Xi formally urged Donald Trump to oppose Taiwan’s independence and to handle the matter cautiously.
Following a previous meeting in May, Trump revealed that Xi had directly asked him if the US would defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese attack.
Trump told reporters, “Only one person knows about this, and that person is me.” At that time, he also questioned whether it would be appropriate for the US military to travel 9,500 miles to engage in fighting over Taiwan.
This time, Trump expressed very little opinion on the matter.
“We didn’t really discuss it much,” he said to reporters over the weekend. “Everything is fine right now. Things are going along pretty well,” Trump added. “He understands well how I feel.”
This silence may be significant.
Image source, Anadolu via Getty Images
Image caption, Taiwan was clearly a priority issue for Xi.
Previously, Trump had proposed a $1.4 billion US arms package for Taiwan, which he described as a key bargaining chip in talks with Beijing. This package has been on hold for several months.
Speaking to Fox News, US Ambassador to China David Purdue said Trump had offered to sell arms to Xi. However, the US State Department later clarified that there are no such plans due to legal prohibitions.
Beijing regards the self-governing island as part of China. Most countries, including the US, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington opposes any attempt to take control of the island by force and regularly commits to supplying Taiwan with arms.
4. China May Open Doors for Investors
China announced it will allow American banks, investment companies, and insurance firms, among other foreign financial institutions, to operate and open offices in China, subject to Chinese laws and regulations.
This last point is critical: while China is opening its doors, it retains control over who receives approval.
Foreign financial firms have long complained about regulatory barriers, licensing requirements, and restrictions on capital outflows that hinder their ability to expand operations in China despite nominal access to the market.
Beijing also said discussions were held about increasing the number of flights between the two countries, though details have yet to be disclosed.
China grants visa-free entry to citizens from over 75 countries but has not extended this arrangement to the United States.
Meanwhile, the US State Department maintains its travel advisory for China at level two, warning travelers to exercise caution due to arbitrary law enforcement, exit restrictions, and detention risks.
Thus, while both countries advocate for enhancing trade and travel, major disputes remain entrenched.
What Do We Know?
The summit provided an opportunity for further talks, but did not result in dramatic changes. The most complex and sensitive issues, from cutting-edge technology to Taiwan, remain unresolved.
Both leaders gave advance insights into the outcomes: expanded communication channels, modest economic concessions, and proposals aimed at steering relations in a constructive direction.
The two countries pledged to cultivate a more cordial relationship. Rather than expecting one superpower to concede agreements, continuous dialogue between the US and China seems the more realistic path forward.
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October 13, Kathmandu – SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk, has successfully sent its powerful rocket ‘Starship’ into Earth’s orbit for the first time. During the 14th test flight on September 28, Starship also deployed 26 new Starlink satellites into space. The launch took place from the Starbase facility in Texas at 6:30 PM Nepal time.
Previously, all Starship test flights had been limited to sub-orbital trajectories with the goal of collecting as much data as possible on rocket performance while maintaining safety. This time, however, Starship achieved orbital insertion for the first time.
The mission ended earlier than planned. Originally, Starship was scheduled to orbit Earth for approximately 10 hours, but after an in-flight review, the controllers decided to shorten the mission. About 2 hours and 12 minutes after launch, the starship completed its de-orbit burn, and roughly three hours into flight, the vehicle successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean.
The Starship system consists of two major components: the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster. Together, they stand about 403 feet (123 meters) tall. Since its inaugural test flight in 2023, Starship’s testing program has now reached its 14th flight, marking the first time it has reached orbital velocity. SpaceX plans to develop Starship as a fully reusable vehicle capable of carrying humans and large amounts of cargo into space in the future.
Kathmandu, October 13 – The third quarterfinal match of the men’s cricket tournament at the 20th Asian Games currently underway in Japan, between Nepal and Sri Lanka, was cancelled due to persistent rain. The match was scheduled to start at 5:45 AM, but heavy rainfall led to a complete cancellation. As a result, Sri Lanka advanced to the semifinals based on the rain rule, effectively ending Nepal’s journey in the competition at the quarterfinal stage.
Nepal had secured its quarterfinal spot as the group winner after defeating Afghanistan in the group stage and no result from the match against Japan. Previously, Nepal had also exited the Asian Games cricket competitions at the quarterfinal stage in 2010, 2014, and 2022, and once again this year their campaign concluded at the same phase.
Similarly, the matches between Hong Kong and Pakistan, and India and Afghanistan were also cancelled due to rain, resulting in Pakistan and India advancing to the semifinals. The final quarterfinal match scheduled today at 10:45 AM between Malaysia and Bangladesh is also at risk of cancellation due to ongoing rainfall.
October 13, Kathmandu – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed a secret meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE’s official news agency, Emirates News Agency (WAM), verified the talks that took place on Monday between Netanyahu and President Al Nahyan. Netanyahu had made a confidential visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, over the weekend. According to WAM, their discussions focused on bilateral relations between the two nations and ways to further strengthen and develop them.
Israeli media had previously reported on Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE, but this is the first confirmation from the UAE side. The trip occurred roughly a month before Israel’s parliamentary elections scheduled for October. Additionally, it took place amidst reports that, prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel, UAE President Al Nahyan had warned Netanyahu of a potential major assault.
According to Al Jazeera, Israeli Channel 12 was the first to break the news of Netanyahu’s recent visit to the UAE. On Monday, Israel’s secret service Shin Bet filed a complaint with the Israeli military censor, stating that reports about Netanyahu’s visit jeopardize the Prime Minister’s security and disclose sensitive operational details, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The claim that a warning was given prior to the attack was first reported by Israeli newspaper Haaretz on September 9. The report alleged that President Al Nahyan had a phone conversation with Netanyahu about ten days before the October 7 attack. According to the newspaper, Al Nahyan had informed Netanyahu that Hamas’s then-leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a “major surprise,” alerting him to a possible threat. Haaretz also reported that Al Nahyan had previously shared this security information with Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet. However, Netanyahu’s office has denied receiving any such warnings before the attack.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that US negotiators may hold further discussions with Iran this week, signaling that the possibility of dialogue remains alive. Although Iran has demanded the lifting of the US naval blockade and sanctions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and advance nuclear negotiations, Trump formally rejected these conditions. Meanwhile, Qatari mediators have been facilitating subtle diplomacy, and indirect talks between the two sides appear poised to enter a new phase starting Monday. Kathmandu, 12 Ashoj.
Following Iran’s rejection of a proposed peace initiative, Trump expressed hope for additional talks with Iranian negotiators this week. In a telephone conversation on Sunday with ‘Axios,’ Trump suggested that prospects for negotiations still exist. Qatar and other regional mediators have been working to revive dialogue between the US and Iran, though significant disagreements remain on key issues.
Iran aims to focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the US naval blockade, while the Trump administration demands Iranian concessions in the nuclear arena. According to regional sources, the next round of indirect talks could begin Monday. Trump told Axios, “I think there will be more talks with Iran this week. They want to make a deal, but it’s not the kind of deal I want.”
On Sunday, airstrikes in Yemen’s Taiz region resulted in the deaths of approximately 30 Houthi fighters and 8 civilians, according to Houthi sources who spoke to AFP. The internationally recognized Yemeni government claims to have conducted 756 precise attacks within 72 hours targeting Houthi military camps and vehicles.
The Houthi Health Ministry reported that the strikes hit shops in the Mavyah market of Taiz province. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated, “We will respond to these attacks from our side.” Meanwhile, Yemeni government military spokesperson Colonel Majid Abdullah Al-Nujaili claimed, “The military conducted 756 precision strikes within 72 hours, killing more than 2,300 Houthi fighters and four Iranian experts.”
Al-Masirah TV, affiliated with the Houthis, has asserted that the airstrikes were carried out by Saudi combat aircraft. There has been no immediate response from the Saudi side. This incident occurs amid intensified clashes between Houthi forces and Yemeni government-backed troops.
