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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 15. 92 points to close at 1,831.05 points on Tuesday. Similarly, the sensitive index plunged by 2. 54 points to close at 358. 14 points. A total of 2,107,742 unit shares of 229 companies were traded for Rs 66 billion. In today’s market, all sub-indices saw green except for Hotels and Tourism and Mutual Fund. Meanwhile, Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 97 percent. Garima Debenture was the top loser as its price fell by 10 percent. At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 63 trillion.

The two day-long Born with Pride Conference is being organized at the Hotel Himalaya, Kathmandu by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kathmandu, Samriddhi Foundation and the German Nepal Friendship Association. The conference is engaging in conversation with multiple stakeholders of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, politicians, activists, academicians, lawyers, organizations and civil society. As many as 21 speakers from seven South Asian Countries as well as from Europe and the Tibetan community and more than 100 participants attend the event. The high number of participants shows the importance of the issue and the great willingness to know more about the issue. The conference also has welcomed seven keynote speakers from across the Nepali and European political spectrum addressing various LGBTQIA+ community issues. There are five interactive sessions to discuss various topics such as queer in power, inclusive digital spaces for queer persons, the issue of legal recognition, the role of media, and the acceptance and integration of queer persons in civil society. Speaking at the conference, Dr. Carsten Klein, Head of the FNF Regional Office South Asia states, “platforms like this provides an opportunity to have a healthy dialogue, network, and come together to solve the inequalities and discrimination”. Former Minister of Urban Development and member of the House of Representative Ram Kumari Jhakri thanked the organizer for organizing the conference and highlighted the need of convergence of political and civil society campaigning to achieve the shared goal of promotion and protection of queer rights noting that “our party has nominated two inclusive candidates in the upcoming federal and provincial election and that we are determined to bring them in the upcoming house of representative”. Yannick Shetty, Member of the Austrian Parliament, highlighted the need of a value based foreign policy that condemns discrimination. The event will conclude on 28th September with the prize distribution for the Winners of the Born with Pride Visual Art Competition that was organized online before the conference.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday. With the price drop, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 91, 400 per tola today. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the yellow metal was traded at Rs 91, 800 per tola on Monday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 90, 900 per tola today. Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 150 per tola.

All the persons, who went missing in an avalanche at Manaslu Base Camp in Gorkha district on Monday, have been rescued. The District Police Office, Gorkha said that 13 persons, who were buried in the avalanche, have been rescued on Tuesday morning. The Incident occurred while they were heading towards the fourth base camp from the third. SP Kedar Khanal said that two persons were rescued on Monday while 10 this morning. He said that six persons have been sent to Kathmandu. Preparations are underway to send others to the Capital, he said. Nima Dorje Sherpa (40) and Dawa Sherpa (25) of Sankhuwasabha, Phurita Sherpa (40) and Lakpa Tamang (37) of Dolkha have been sent to Kathmandu this morning. Among them, Nima Dorje is critically injured. Three helicopters of Simrik Air, Heli Everest and Kailash Air have been deployed to carry out rescue operations. Thirteen people, who were carrying essential materials for the mountaineers, were buried in an avalanche yesterday. Among them, one died on the spot while 12 others sustained injuries. It has been learnt that 404 people had taken permits to climb Mount Manaslu this year.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau will travel to Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic from September 28-October 9, 2022. Her 12-day trip will prioritize working with US diplomatic missions on policy and messaging priorities, including countering disinformation from Russia and the People’s Republic of China, ongoing US support to the people of Afghanistan, social equity, media freedom, and climate, the US Department of State said. Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with government officials and civil society organizations, foreign media outlets and press, influencers, students, journalists, and US public diplomacy sections. In Nepal, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with minority group activists, media contacts, and embassy exchange program alumni for roundtable discussions on disinformation and media’s role in a democracy.  She will also visit Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) sites in Kathmandu. In the UAE, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will participate in discussions with Pan-Arab media outlets and the Dubai Public Policy Research Center.  She will also visit the Global Public Affairs Dubai Regional Media Hub and participate in media engagements. In Uzbekistan, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will deliver a keynote speech to Webster University’s English for Professionals in Mass Media graduates.  She will also engage in roundtable discussions with local NGOs, travel to Djizzakh to tour a women’s shelter, and meet alumni from a range of US government-funded exchange programs. In the Kyrgyz Republic, Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will meet with government officials, media outlets and development organizations, and social media influencers.  She will discuss the importance of a free press and US government support to strengthen the professionalism and independence of media. Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will also visit with Kyrgyz Republic official government spokespersons to discuss the changing media landscape. Finally, she will meet with local NGOs to discuss gender-based violence, gender equality, and inclusive economic development. Acting Assistant Secretary Trudeau will also engage with local media in one-on-one press interviews.

Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal, head of Nepali delegation, addressed the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday. In his address, the Foreign Secretary outlined the threats to global peace and prosperity arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, inequalities, and climate crisis and stressed for stronger solidarity and cooperation in the international system to overcome them. Accentuating pandemic control as the top priority for the world, he called for vaccine equity and universal vaccination to save lives. He said that Nepal had vaccinated more than 96% of the target population while thanking neighbours, India and China as well as development partners for supporting Nepal in the achievement of this milestone. The Foreign Secretary stated that the interlinked global challenges seriously hampered the achievement of sustainable development goals, particularly for the countries in special situation like the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDs. He mentioned that Nepal was on the path of graduation from the LDC category, in spite of the huge investment and capacity gaps for structural economic transformation and implementation of SDGs. He called for enhanced level of development assistance, foreigninvestment, debt relief, aid for trade, and technology transfer in support of Nepal’s graduation process. He also stressed the need for immediate implementation of climate finance goals to address the climate crisis faced by developing countries and reiterated Nepal’s commitment to achieving net zero emission by 2045, as expressed by the Prime Minister in CoP26 in Glasgow. He also urged for reforms of international financial architecture for an equitable economic order. In his statement, the Foreign Secretary reiterated Nepal’s principled position on peace, security, and disarmament. Expressing concerns over the rising military expenditure in the world, he called for general and completed disarmament. He underlined Nepal’s opposition to threat or use of force against sovereignty, territorial integrity,and independence of any nation. He condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called for an early conclusion of a comprehensive convention against terrorism. The Foreign Secretary reiterated Nepal’s unwavering commitment to human rights. He mentioned that the Constitution of Nepal had guaranteed universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms andhad enshrined the principles of inclusion and participation. He also shared Nepal’s commitment to conclude transitional justice by addressing the concerns of the victims, complying with the directive of the Supreme Court, and abiding by the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Accord and country’s relevant international commitments. Paudyal expressed concerns about the situation in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Libya, Syria, Yemen,and the Middle East and urged all parties involved to ensure peace, security, and stability. The Foreign Secretary said that Nepal is committed to promoting peace, security, and stability. Referring to Nepal’s contribution to the UN peace operations as the second largest troops and police contributing country, he expressed support for initiatives aimed at reforming UN peace operations. Condemning attacks against the peacekeepers, he underlined the importance of their safety, security, and dignity as well as the need for adequate training, resources, and modern technologies. The General Debate of the 77th Session of UNGA is being held at UN Headquarters in New York from 20 to 26 September under the theme A Watershed Moment:Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges.

Hurricane Ian was growing stronger as it barreled toward Cuba on a track to hit Florida’s west coast as a major hurricane as early as Wednesday, Associated Press reported.

Ian was forecast to hit the western tip of Cuba as a major hurricane and then become an even stronger Category 4 with top winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) over warm Gulf of Mexico waters before striking Florida.

As of Monday, Tampa and St. Petersburg appeared to be the among the most likely targets for their first direct hit by a major hurricane since 1921.

“Please treat this storm seriously. It’s the real deal. This is not a drill,” Hillsborough County Emergency Management Director Timothy Dudley said at a news conference on storm preparations in Tampa.

Authorities in Cuba were evacuating 50,000 people in Pinar del Rio province, sent in medical and emergency personnel, and took steps to protect food and other crops in warehouses, according to state media.

“Cuba is expecting extreme hurricane-force winds, also life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall,” U.S. National Hurricane Center senior specialist Daniel Brown told The Associated Press.

The hurricane center predicted areas of Cuba’s western coast could see as much as 14 feet (4.3 meters) of storm surge Monday night or early Tuesday.

In Havana, fishermen were taking their boats out of the water along the famous Malecon, the seaside boardwalk, and city workers were unclogging storm drains ahead of the expected rain.

Havana resident Adyz Ladron, 35, said the potential for rising water from the storm worries him.

“I am very scared because my house gets completely flooded, with water up to here,” he said, pointing to his chest, according to Associated Press.

In Havana’s El Fanguito, a poor neighborhood near the Almendares River, residents were packing up what they could to leave their homes, many of which show damage from previous storms.

“I hope we escape this one because it would be the end of us. We already have so little,” health worker Abel Rodrigues, 54, said.

On Monday night, Ian was moving northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h), about 105 miles (169 kilometers) southeast of the western tip of Cuba, with top sustained winds increasing to 105 mph (169 km/h).

The center of the hurricane passed to the west of the Cayman Islands, but no major damage was reported there Monday, and residents were going back into the streets as the winds died down.

“We seem to have dodged the bullet” Grand Cayman resident Gary Hollins said. “I am a happy camper.”

Ian won’t linger over Cuba but will slow down over the Gulf of Mexico, growing wider and stronger, “which will have the potential to produce significant wind and storm surge impacts along the west coast of Florida,” the hurricane center said, Associated Press reported.