At the 20th Asian Games currently underway in Japan, Nepal’s Abhib Pradhan was eliminated in the heat stages of the men’s 50-meter butterfly event. Competing in Heat 2, Abhib finished fourth in his heat and ranked 31st overall. Only the top eight swimmers advanced to the final round in this event. Kathmandu, 25 September – Despite setting a new national record, Nepal’s Abhib Pradhan failed to progress beyond the heats in the men’s 50-meter butterfly swimming event at the 20th Asian Games held in Japan.
Competing in the second heat, Abhib completed the race in 26.05 seconds, securing fourth place in his heat. This timing surpassed his previous national record of 26.40 seconds, which he himself held. However, with an overall placement of 31st, he did not advance further.
Coach Ratna Maharjan highlighted that while Abhib’s exit at the heat stage was disappointing, setting a new national record is a commendable achievement. Only the top eight swimmers from the heats were qualified to compete in the finals, which contributed to Abhib’s elimination at this stage.
A group of fishermen rescued an elephant calf that was swept away in the Teesta River in West Bengal, India. The calf was caught in the strong currents while crossing the river towards its grazing area.
The fishermen, who live along the banks of the Teesta River, rowed approximately four kilometers by boat to reach the calf. After the rescue, they handed the calf over to the forest officials for further care.
U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced an agreement to extend the trade war truce with China by an additional two months until January 10. The White House stated that the state dinner and Thursday’s talks will cover issues including artificial intelligence security, Taiwan, Russia-Iran relations, and tariff reductions. (October 8, Kathmandu)
It is not common diplomatic protocol for a U.S. president to personally greet a foreign head of state at the airport. However, on Wednesday evening at Maryland’s Joint Base Andrews, a unique scene unfolded. President Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, awaited Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan upon their plane’s arrival. The reception included a red carpet, a U.S. military band, and a flyover in an extravagant display of hospitality. Trump was seen smiling and placing his hand on Xi’s shoulder. Despite this warm welcome and ceremony, underlying the event was a complex web of geopolitical friction between the U.S. and China, global economic challenges, and Trump’s diplomatic inconsistencies.
Trump’s Contradictions: Threatening Allies While Honoring Competitors American media outlets have portrayed Trump’s approach as contradictory. On one hand, he threatens longtime allies such as Canada and the European Union (EU) with “100 percent tariffs,” while on the other, he honors leaders of China—America’s major strategic competitor—with red carpet treatment. A basic diplomatic principle is to treat allies better than adversaries. Trump’s apparent reversal has triggered significant domestic criticism.
Republican Senator Roger Wicker openly criticized Trump in the Senate, calling Xi a “cruel and oppressive dictator” and stating that it was inappropriate for Trump to invite him. Trump has overlooked accusations concerning China’s support to Iran and alleged interference in the 2020 U.S. elections. When asked about China providing satellite imagery to Iran for attacks against U.S. forces, Trump responded, “They do it to us, and we do it to them. We spy on them as well.” Trump views personal relationships as tools in diplomacy; however, foreign policy analysts emphasize that power and resistance should take precedence over placating Beijing. Trump appears to disregard this reality.
In the 20th Asian Games table tennis men’s singles event, Nepal’s Rubin Maharjan was defeated 4–1 in sets by Macau’s Tin Ian Mak in the first round. Similarly, Sanyog Kapali also bowed out in the first round after losing 4–1 to Ibrahim Gubran of Yemen. Rubin and Sanyog will now participate in the men’s doubles competition. Kathmandu, 8 Ashoj.
During the men’s singles table tennis matches at the 20th Asian Games held Thursday at the Sky Hall Toyota, Nepal’s Rubin Maharjan and Sanyog Kapali were eliminated in the opening round. Rubin lost to Macau’s Tin Ian Mak, 4–1 in sets, while Sanyog was defeated by Yemen’s Ibrahim Gubran with the same scoreline. After losing the first set 5–11, Rubin bounced back strongly with an 11–3 win in the second set. However, he then lost the following three sets 9–11, 4–11, and 10–12.
Meanwhile, Sanyog won the third set 11–8 but fell short in the first, second, fourth, and fifth sets, which he lost 5–11, 8–11, 7–11, and 6–11 respectively. Consequently, both Rubin and Sanyog were eliminated from the men’s singles event at the first stage. The players will now compete in the men’s doubles category.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that an AI agent from OpenAI gained unauthorized access to a government website. The incident, which occurred in June, involved the AI agent accessing the Medicare Statistics Reporting Service portal under Services Australia. A thorough investigation is currently underway regarding this breach. A special task force, led by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, has been established to conduct the inquiry.
Prime Minister Albanese conveyed Australia’s serious concerns and apprehensions directly to OpenAI’s Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, during a telephone conversation. The government’s preliminary investigation has so far confirmed that no personal information of any citizen was stolen. However, technical probes continue to determine precisely which types of files the AI accessed and the full consequences of the breach.
This incident has intensified the global discussion on cybersecurity of government information systems in Australia, along with the safe development and regulation of AI technology.
In the men’s cricket competition at the 20th Asian Games, Afghanistan defeated Japan by 48 runs in the opening match of Group ‘A’. Chasing a target of 130 runs, Japan was bowled out for 81 runs in 19.3 overs, with Afghanistan’s Arab Gul taking 4 wickets.
For Japan, Rio Sakurano Thomas scored the highest with 23 runs, followed by Benjamin Ito Davis with 17 runs and captain Kendal Kadowaki Fleming with 14 runs. Arab Gul was economical and effective, claiming 4 wickets for only 8 runs in 4 overs. Nangelia Kharoti took 3 wickets, Abdullah Ahmadzai 2, and Najibullah Zadran took 1 wicket.
After losing the toss, Afghanistan batted first and posted a total of 129 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Mohammad Akram top-scored for Afghanistan with 34 runs, while captain Darwish Rasooli added 29 runs. Mohammad Ishaq remained unbeaten on 25, and Karim Janat contributed 21 runs. For Japan, Shoma Sugaya Slater and Ibrahim Takahashi took 2 wickets each, while Benjamin Ito Davis and Rio Sakurano Thomas claimed 1 wicket each. Nepal is also in the same group and is scheduled to play against Afghanistan on Friday and Japan on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump gave an exceptionally warm welcome to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews. The Chinese president, on a historic three-day visit to the United States, arrived in Washington, DC. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the runway at the base. This is the first time since 1962 that a sitting US president has personally welcomed a foreign leader at this airbase.
According to White House correspondents, this “rare” welcome underscores the special significance Trump attaches to Xi’s visit. After Xi disembarked, the two leaders shook hands, with their spouses standing nearby. The reception included two B-1 bombers flying overhead, the US Air Force Band playing both national anthems, and flags being raised. Following the welcome ceremony, Presidents Trump and Xi departed for Washington via separate motorcades.
Later, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced an agreement to extend the trade deal, originally set to expire in November, until January 10. After meeting with the Chinese Vice Premier, Mnuchin revealed that discussions also included the possibility of a more comprehensive trade agreement. “I don’t know if there will be a bigger deal than this. I’m not sure if we will just abide by the current deal or reach a new agreement,” he said.
On Thursday, Trump and First Lady Melania will host a formal dinner at the White House for Xi and Peng. The two leaders are scheduled to hold talks the same day. Given the ongoing competition between the US and China in artificial intelligence (AI) development, AI-related issues are expected to be central to their discussions. Other topics anticipated for the talks include agricultural products, rare minerals, and US arms sales to Taiwan.
The state dinner following the bilateral talks will be attended by prominent officials from both countries, as well as key technology industry leaders. Heads of major companies such as Microsoft, Apple, OpenAI, Amazon, Tesla, SpaceX, Google, and Dell are expected to participate.
Xi and Trump: Adversaries or Allies?
According to Laura Bicker, China correspondent for the BBC, both leaders are attempting to find common ground and focus on managing their complex relationship. However, one of them has adopted a more openly appreciative tone toward the other. In May, during Xi’s visit to Beijing, Trump called Xi “a great leader.” Trump has repeatedly praised Xi’s strengths and leadership, but President Xi remains cautious and difficult to read. He does not respond publicly to Trump’s compliments, rarely shows emotion, and avoids commenting on their personal relationship. Instead, Xi remains steadfast in established principles and focuses on the broader implications of the talks for both nations.
Experienced Pakistani all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has signed with the Janakpur Bolts for the third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). Janakpur announced the 36-year-old Iftikhar’s recruitment as their foreign player through social media.
Iftikhar is a right-handed batsman who also bowls off-spin. He has represented Pakistan in 66 T20 internationals, scoring 998 runs. Across all T20 matches in his career, he has played 329 games, amassing 6,196 runs and taking 97 wickets.
Iftikhar has previously competed in major franchise tournaments including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lanka Premier League (LPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Nepalese supporters notably recognize him for his century against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup, where he propelled Pakistan to a formidable total.
In the 20th Asian Games, Nepalese duo Ivana Thapa and Navita Shrestha were eliminated from the women’s table tennis doubles event at the second round due to a walkover. On Thursday, the scheduled match at Sky Hall Toyota was forfeited as the Nepali pair did not appear on the court, allowing Singapore’s Tan Zhao Yun and Chloe Lai to advance to the next round by walkover.
Ivana and Navita had already exited the women’s singles event in the first round. In mixed doubles, the team of Ivana and Rubin Maharjan was eliminated in the first round, while Navita and Sanyog Kapali reached the second round before bowing out. Nepal now has only the men’s singles and men’s doubles table tennis events remaining in the competition.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has announced that work is underway to open at least single-lane tracks within the next two weeks in areas where roads were disrupted due to severe floods on September 26 in the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river region.
Approximately 40 kilometers of road from Galchi in Dhading to Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa is currently being cleared by the Department of Roads, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and the Nuwakot Road Division Office, according to the ministry.
The Rasuwa District Administration reports that four rural municipalities in Rasuwa have been completely affected.
Officials stated that the devastating flood in the Bhote Koshi river—entering Rasuwa district via the Lhende river flowing from the Nepal-China border—has fully impacted the Gosaikunda, Amachodingmo, Kalika, and Uttargaya rural municipalities of Rasuwa.
These four rural municipalities include 20 villages and areas such as Rasuwagadhi, Ghatte Khola, Timure, Tatopani, Lingling, Medangpudu, Runga, Syafruveshi, parts of Sano Bharkhu and Hakuweshi, Gumchet, Mailung, Salletar, Simle Puchar, Pahireveshi, Khalte, Naubise, Kaidletar, and Betrawati, all of which are fully affected.
Furthermore, several wards of these four rural municipalities and Naukunda are partially affected, according to Rasuwa administration.
A press release from the Rasuwa District Administration Office details that road networks in wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Gosaikunda rural municipality are completely broken, as are roads across all wards of Amachodingmo rural municipality. Additionally, road networks in wards 1, 2, and 3 of Uttargaya rural municipality are also disrupted.
Roads in wards 1 through 5 of Kalika rural municipality and wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 of Naukunda rural municipality are partially damaged.
What Do Local Representatives Say?
Image source, SHAKTIMAYA TAMANG
Local residents in Rasuwa’s affected areas have complained that due to electricity and communication outages lasting several days after the floods, they were unable to access relief assistance.
Many people from Uttargaya, Gosaikunda, and Amachodingmo rural municipalities have been rescued and relocated to temporary camps in Nuwakot.
However, some villagers remain safely in their own homes, local representatives report.
Gosaikunda Rural Municipality Chairperson Kaisang Tamang said that for the first week, electricity and communication services were completely cut off in most areas of the rural municipality, though they have since partially resumed.
He added that affected individuals have been accommodated in secure homes within Gosaikunda, two holding centers there, and also in holding centers in Kathmandu.
However, work on bridges and road networks has not progressed yet, Tamang said.
Following the collapse of the bridge near the Chilime Hydropower powerhouse in Syafruveshi, areas of two rural municipalities were completely affected.
“This disconnected many wards of Gosaikunda and Amachodingmo rural municipalities, hindering progress. A hanging bridge (swing bridge) needs to be installed, but the required survey and design have not yet been done,” Tamang said.
“Similarly, three concrete bridges will have to be constructed on the route to Timure, but no studies for this have been conducted yet.”
Electricity service has partially resumed, he confirmed.
Except for Dahalfedi in ward number 1 and Nimling in ward number 3 of Gosaikunda rural municipality, power is available in other areas to some extent.
Communication services, while improved compared to immediately after the floods, have not yet fully normalized, he added.
How Much of the Road Has Been Reopened and What Remains?
Image source, SHAKTIMAYA TAMANG
According to Information Officer Gyanraj Lamsal of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, efforts are ongoing to open a single-lane track to enable vehicular movement on the road from Galchi to Rasuwagadhi before the Dashain festival.
Due to flood damage, about 40 kilometers of roads between Galchi in Dhading and Rasuwagadhi in Rasuwa were mostly blocked, isolating many villages from the road network.
Work to reopen about half of this road section has been completed, and the Ministry and Department of Roads are working swiftly to clear the remainder.
“The Nuwakot Road Division Office is prioritizing the reconstruction and track clearance of the main connectivity route from Galchi to Rasuwagadhi, currently blocked,” Lamsal said.
“Restoring roads is the top priority to normalize daily life, deliver aid, and facilitate rehabilitation. The track clearance should be completed within two weeks.”
He added that once the track is open, four-wheel vehicles will be able to transport goods.
“The plan is to open at least a single-lane, one-way road so that goods can be transported and daily life can be restored,” he explained.
After the floods, people had been using alternative routes to reach Rasuwa from Nuwakot.
Currently, however, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development is working on reestablishing the track on the original flood-damaged road.
“We are clearing the track along the riverside on the previous road and will conduct feasibility studies for constructing a suitable new road in the future,” said officials from the ministry and department.
In addition to roads, three suspension bridges have been installed in areas isolated by rivers, enabling people to resume movement, they added.
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The men’s cricket event at the 20th Asian Games commenced today at Korogi Sports Park in Aichi, Japan, featuring matches between Afghanistan vs. Japan and Hong Kong vs. Malaysia. Nepal’s first match is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, at 10:45 AM against Afghanistan. Nepal is placed in Group A along with Afghanistan and Japan, and securing at least one victory would significantly enhance their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals.
On October 8, Kathmandu – The men’s cricket competition at the 20th Asian Games officially started today. The games are being held at Korogi Sports Park located in Nishin, Aichi, Japan. Two matches are slated for today: the first match in Group A starts at 5:45 AM local time with Afghanistan facing Japan, followed by a Group B match between Hong Kong and Malaysia at 10:45 AM.
Nepal, however, will play its opening match tomorrow, Friday, at 10:45 AM against Afghanistan. With only three teams in Group A – Afghanistan, Japan, and Nepal – winning at least one match will provide Nepal a strong chance to qualify for the quarterfinals. Upon reaching the quarterfinal stage, Nepal is set to compete against either India or Sri Lanka. In the previous Asian Games, Nepal reached the quarterfinals but was defeated by India.
The Sydney City Council has implemented a ban on the use of smart glasses in public areas. This unanimous decision aims to safeguard individual privacy and prevent unauthorized video recording. According to the new regulation, wearing smart glasses will be prohibited at Sydney’s swimming pools, libraries, gyms, childcare centers, and town halls.
Smart glasses equipped with cameras can capture photos and videos without the consent or knowledge of others, posing a particular privacy risk to women and children, the council concluded. Green Councillor Matthew Thompson stated that incidents of targeted harassment of women and covert video recording abroad have increased, prompting this precautionary measure.
“We have seen cases overseas where women are targeted and recorded without consent, as happened in the United States, and we do not want a similar situation to arise here,” he said. To raise public awareness, the council will update information boards and related guidelines in public places regarding the ban. However, exemptions will be made for individuals with vision impairments, deafness, or hearing difficulties if the use of smart glasses is essential.
Sydney’s move highlights a complex debate between technology promotion and the protection of personal privacy.
The death toll has reached 20 after a passenger ship sank in Indonesia’s Java Sea. According to the National Search and Rescue Agency, 115 people remain missing while 108 have been rescued. The vessel, named ‘Karya Transport 8,’ was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when contact was lost due to bad weather on the morning of September 13.
‘Karya Transport 8’ departed from Surabaya in East Java on September 12, heading toward Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Problems arose during the voyage due to adverse weather conditions, and communication was lost at approximately 2 a.m. local time on September 13.
Rescue teams working in the search and salvage efforts have discovered bodies inside the ship and along the coastal areas of Central Kalimantan province. Divers are focusing their efforts on the ship’s cabins; however, limited underwater visibility and strong sea currents are hampering the recovery operation, the agency reported. Indonesia, an archipelago consisting of around 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries and other maritime transport. Due to weather, sea conditions, and safety concerns, maritime accidents occur sporadically in the region.
Ethiopian Airlines has canceled all flights scheduled for Wednesday morning to the troubled northern region of Tigray. This decision comes amid escalating tensions following the formation of an alliance of seven opposition groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, united with the goal of removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power. The airline has suspended flights to Mekelle, Axum, and Shire, although access to these cities remains possible via charter flights.
On October 7, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines, a government-owned carrier, announced the cancellation of all flights to Tigray due to the increasing risk of conflict between federal and regional forces. This suspension comes just three days after the opposition coalition was formed by seven groups opposing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. The alliance emerged following the June general elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition groups and resulted in the victory of Abiy’s Prosperity Party.
The airline did not provide further information, but cited the current security situation as the reason for halting flights to Tigray’s capital Mekelle, Axum, and Shire. Despite this, chartered flights continue to serve these locations. No other airlines currently operate regular flights in this area.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front had previously been engaged in a deadly conflict with federal forces in northern Ethiopia, a confrontation that ended with a peace agreement signed in November 2022. On Sunday, the opposition groups announced the formation of a new coalition called the “Ethiopian Peoples Forces Alliance for Survival.”
Min Aung Hlaing, the President of Myanmar, has asserted that he is “extremely generous” towards former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and indicated that her situation could be reconsidered. In an interview with Time magazine, he suggested that granting Suu Kyi a pardon depends on her and that conditions might change if there is a valid reason. He also emphasized Myanmar’s commitment to establishing a democratic system that aligns with its own culture and traditions. (7 Ashwin, Yangon, Myanmar)
Min Aung Hlaing claimed his generosity towards Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained after being ousted in 2021. In the interview with the American magazine Time, he hinted at a possible reevaluation of her situation. He reiterated that the military led the removal of Suu Kyi’s elected government in the 2020 elections due to alleged fraud. Since then, Suu Kyi has been held on various charges.
Human rights groups have maintained that these charges are intended to maintain power. “I am very generous towards her,” he stated. He also claimed that all possible efforts have been made to prevent further deterioration of the political situation. Having retired as military chief in April of this year and assumed the presidency, he now faces pressure to advance diplomatic efforts to end Myanmar’s international isolation.
Meanwhile, many countries have expressed concern over the condition of 81-year-old Suu Kyi. Analysts suggest that amid civil war and armed resistance, Min Aung Hlaing is possibly leveraging the relaxation of Suu Kyi’s detention to improve international relations. Prior to his visit to Thailand last August, his office released rare photos showing Suu Kyi meeting with a senior Red Cross official. When asked about the possibility of pardoning Suu Kyi, Min Aung Hlaing said it “depends on her,” and indicated that circumstances could change if grounds for reconsideration arise.
In April, acting on his orders, Suu Kyi was moved from prison to house arrest in Naypyidaw. Following an election under strict military control where Suu Kyi’s party was barred from participating and critics were jailed, international condemnation surfaced. The civilian administration established afterward is widely viewed by analysts as a government still influenced by the military. Min Aung Hlaing underlined the need for a democratic system compatible with Myanmar’s culture, traditions, and social circumstances. In his conversation with Time, he stated, “There are different forms of democracy, and Myanmar will ensure a democratic system that aligns with its own culture and traditions.”
