Trump suggests Starmer could use military to control UK borders

Donald Trump suggested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could use the military to stop illegal migration at a news conference marking the end of the US president's second state visit to the UK, BBC reported.

Trump said he discussed migration issues with Sir Keir during a meeting at his country residence Chequers.

The US president talked about his policies to secure borders in the US and said the UK faced a similar challenge with migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

"You have people coming in and I told the prime minister I would stop it, and it doesn't matter if you call out the military, it doesn't matter what means you use," Trump said, according to BBC.

Editorial: Time for national reconstruction

Call it the “unintended consequences” of a movement, at least for now. 

The recent Gen Z movement against corruption, nepotism and bad governance has left behind a trail of deaths and destruction while making the myopic and reactive ruling clique flee the scene. 

More than 70 people have lost their lives and around 1000 have suffered injuries. All three organs of the state—the executive, the legislature and the judiciary—have suffered extensive infrastructural damage—as if damage resulting from the loss of credibility due to various scams and scandals were not enough—along with the fourth estate—the free press—a soft target of protesters of all hues and shades at all times. 

Throughout the country, government offices have turned into cinders while business and industries have suffered significant losses.

The most affected parts make one wonder if something more sinister has hit this country than mere protests.  

Even in a grim scenario like this, there’s a feeling among the public that all’s not lost. 

From the ashes of death and destruction, the country appears to be rising slowly. 

A caretaker administration has taken shape under a retired chief justice on the precincts of what used to be an imposing, historic Singhadurbar—the federal government secretariat—with a mandate to conduct elections within six months.

Housed in tents, the Supreme Court has begun hearing habeas corpus writ petitions. On the arteries of Kathmandu devoid of dividers and traffic islands, traffic police personnel have returned to duty and one can see them trying to bring some semblance of order amid traffic jams and snarls. 

Though badly burnt and dissolved, there’s some semblance of the bicameral Parliament at New Baneshwor, with the speaker of the House of Representatives and the chair of the National Assembly still in office. 

While the national army is back in the barracks, the Sheetal Niwas—the presidential palace—remains at the center of the current scheme of things, with burns and all. 

As a long and arduous process of national healing begins, the onus is on us—Nepalis from all walks of life, within the country and beyond—to join hands for national reconstruction by mobilizing our resources and utilizing our skills rather than looking for international support. At this juncture, the government would do well to appeal to the Nepalis to contribute to this great cause.  

From the ashes of destruction, we can—and shall—rise like a phoenix.

 

Investment-friendly atmosphere key to economic revival: Governor Poudel

Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr Biswonath Poudel has stressed the urgency of political stability, investment-friendly environment and morale boost of the private sector to revive the national economy.

He clarified that reform in the economic system is needed to protect entrepreneurs. 

While welcoming the new working committee of the Society of Economic Journalists of Nepal (SEJON) on Thursday, NRB Governor Poudel mentioned that the problem had surfaced due to unclear law. In his view, legal clarity helps resolve the problems while negotiating the present difficult time. 

He reminded the media persons over the risk of dissemination of wrong information and messages. All should be aware of it, the Governor added.

"There won't be a resource crunch for the reconstruction of structures damaged during the Gen-Z protests. Although a huge financial resource is needed for the reconstruction, improvement in governance and administrative efficiency is prerequisite," Dr Pauel underlined. 

Moreover, there is no option before the government but to boost the morale of the private sector as there was massive damage to commercial buildings during the Gen-Z protests. "Our priority should also be attracting the foreign investment by creating an environment conducive to investment in the country," he said, assuring that it would not take time to revive the national economy and make it vibrant in some years we acted in collaboration.

 

EC stresses on amending laws and ensuring resources for elections

The Election Commission has urged the government to ensure the necessary resources, including the amendment to the Voter Registration Act, 2073, to be able to conduct the elections to the House of Representatives within the stipulated time.

By the 16th of Kartik (November 2, 2025) the number of voters who have reached the age of 18 is projected to reach 18. 16  million..  

During a discussions with Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal held at the Election Commission today in relation to the upcoming elections, the EC officials including Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that since the collection of voter registration lists has been suspended from June 30 due to the previously set date for the by-elections, legal arrangements must be made to allow for the resumption of voter registration after the date for the mid-term elections has been announced.

On the occasion, discussions were held between the Commission and the government to amend the law by ordinance regarding the provision in sub-section 2 of section 4 of that Act.

After Home Minister Aryal suggested the EC plan measures to allow Nepalis living abroad to exercise their voting rights, in accordance with the Supreme Court's order, the EC has prepared to discuss with legal experts to provide suggestions on this topic.

Following the Gen Z demonstrations on the 24th and 25th of this month, an interim government has been formed under the leadership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, and the House of Representatives has been dissolved, with an election date announced for March 5, 2026.

The acting chief election commissioner Bhandari stated that the Commission has already started work on the elections as per the directive of the interim government, urging for effective security arrangements, assurance of manpower and resources, coordination with other ministries, involvement of political parties, and cooperation from the government and relevant sectors in the implementation of the election code of conduct.

 

 

US Ambassador Thompson calls on PM  Karki

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson today paid a courtesy call on newly appointed Prime Minister of the interim government Sushila Karki. 

During the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, the two exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the US support to Nepal, expressing her hope that such assistance would continue in the future, too. 

Congratulating the Prime Minister on her appointment, the ambassador pledged the continuity of the US support to Nepal with priority as in the past. 

 

 

Air India crash victims' families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell

The families of four passengers who died on an Air India jet that crashed in June have filed a lawsuit in the US against planemaker Boeing and aircraft parts maker Honeywell, accusing the companies of negligence, BBC reported.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday, and seen by the BBC, said faulty fuel switches caused the accident and accused the companies of doing "nothing" despite being aware of the risks of the aircraft's design.

Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick, a Boeing 787, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.

Fuel switches have become a focus for investigators after a preliminary inquiry found that fuel to the engines was cut off moments after the plane left the ground, according to BBC.

Election is government's major responsibility: Home Minister Aryal

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that ensuring a free and impartial environment for the upcoming election is a key responsibility of the incumbent government.

Speaking at an interaction organized today at the Election Commission in view of the recently announced House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026, Minister Aryal stated that the ongoing Gen Z demonstrations presented an opportunity to reaffirm democratic values and test public confidence through legitimate means.

He called upon all stakeholders to prioritize the upcoming election and contribute to creating a conducive environment for its success. 

The Minister also emphasized the need for guaranteeing voting rights for eligible Nepali citizens residing abroad with the use of technology and acknowledged the right of voters to recall their representatives mid-term if necessary.

During the event, the Election Commission presented an update on its ongoing activities and its expectations from the government to proceed ahead.

 

NEPSE closed for the day after repeated negative circuits

Share trading has closed for today after NEPSE – the benchmark index of share transactions in the stock market dropped by six percent. 

The market had started plummeting immediately after the commencement of stock trading. 

Within two minutes of the market resumption, the NEPSE index had dropped by four percent. The first negative circuit was applied within a short time. 

After the closure of the share market for 20 minutes and its subsequent reopening, the second circuit was triggered at 11:23 am. At that time, the market had declined by five percent. 

Following the second circuit, trading was suspended again for 40 minutes. When NEPSE opened the market again at 12:04 pm, the index had invariably dropped by six percent. 

The trading was closed following the third circuit. According to NEPSE, the index dropped by 160.33 points to 2,511.91. 

Total trading volume recorded in the limited time was Rs 728.72 million. The stock market that remained closed due to adverse situations in the country in the wake of the Gen Z protests on September 8-9 had opened today.