Are you thinking about being more active? Have you been trying to cut back on less healthy foods? Are you starting to eat better and move more but having a hard time sticking with these changes?

Old habits die hard. Changing your habits is a process that involves several stages. Sometimes it takes a while before changes become new habits. And, you may face roadblocks along the way.

Adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, may also help you manage your weight and have more energy. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they may become part of your daily routine.

The Finance Ministry letter to the FRLD board was jointly signed by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has publicly cited damage estimates and Maheshwar Dhakal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Forests and the Chief of the Climate Change Management Division, briefed reporters on its contents.

Dhakal has been candid that the letter does not specify an exact dollar figure Nepal wants, since it argues that the scale of loss is still being assessed and that it falls to the board to decide what compensation is appropriate.

On the diplomatic side, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has been the most vocal figure, framing the disaster in interviews as a matter of civilisational survival for South Asia given the region’s dependence on Himalayan rivers. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has also weighed in directly through social media rather than press conferences, a pattern that has defined much of his communication style since taking office earlier this year. https://english.nepalnews.com/s/explainers/bhote-koshi-flood-can-nepal-get-compensation-from-the-un-backed-loss-and-damage-fund/

What exactly has Nepal asked for, and through which channel?

The Nepal government sent two related but distinct communications. The first is a letter from the Ministry of Finance to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, known by its acronym FRLD, requesting emergency financial assistance to cope with the Bhote Koshi flood. Finance Ministry officials describe this as a request for a special decision, since the fund’s board does not have losses of this scale on its regular December agenda.

The second communication is a broader climate compensation claim letter sent to Nepal’s international partners, separate from the FRLD process, arguing that major greenhouse gas emitters bear historical responsibility. Foreign Minister Khanal has described this as a shift in diplomatic posture, moving away from framing international support as aid or charity and instead describing it as a matter of legal and moral liability. https://english.nepalnews.com/s/explainers/bhote-koshi-flood-can-nepal-get-compensation-from-the-un-backed-loss-and-damage-fund/

Under the fund’s current pilot phase, known as the Barbados Implementation Modalities, any developing country considered particularly vulnerable to climate change is eligible to apply, with half of the available money reserved for least developed countries and small island developing states specifically.

A request must be country led, meaning it originates from or is endorsed by a national focal point or authority rather than an outside organisation acting alone. It has to go through a defined eleven step cycle that includes a completeness check by the secretariat, a technical review, an opportunity for the country to respond to that review, and finally a vote by the twenty six member board.

Individual grants under this pilot phase are capped between USD five and twenty million, a modest ceiling that was designed to test how the fund operates rather than to fully cover any country’s actual losses. https://english.nepalnews.com/s/explainers/bhote-koshi-flood-can-nepal-get-compensation-from-the-un-backed-loss-and-damage-fund/

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s government has filed a formal request with the United Nations’ Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage after the Bhote Koshi flood, triggered by a glacial collapse upstream, killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands more unaccounted for. The Ministry of Finance sent an urgent letter on September 1, warning that the scale of destruction, put at USD four to seven billion dollars, is far beyond what Nepal’s own resources can absorb.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has gone further in public remarks, telling that Nepal’s emissions are negligible and demanding that top emitting nations such as China, the United States and India accept responsibility.

It is Nepal’s first claim on the fund since it came into existence, and it arrives at a moment when the fund itself has yet to pay out a single dollar to anyone.

What exactly has Nepal asked for, and through which channel?

The Nepal government sent two related but distinct communications. The first is a letter from the Ministry of Finance to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, known by its acronym FRLD, requesting emergency financial assistance to cope with the Bhote Koshi flood. Finance Ministry officials describe this as a request for a special decision, since the fund’s board does not have losses of this scale on its regular December agenda.

The second communication is a broader climate compensation claim letter sent to Nepal’s international partners, separate from the FRLD process, arguing that major greenhouse gas emitters bear historical responsibility. Foreign Minister Khanal has described this as a shift in diplomatic posture, moving away from framing international support as aid or charity and instead describing it as a matter of legal and moral liability. https://english.nepalnews.com/s/explainers/bhote-koshi-flood-can-nepal-get-compensation-from-the-un-backed-loss-and-damage-fund/

foods? Are you starting to eat better and move more but having a hard time sticking with these changes?

Old habits die hard. Changing your habits is a process that involves several stages. Sometimes it takes a while before changes become new habits. And, you may face roadblocks along the way.

Adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, may also help you manage your weight and have more energy. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they may become part of your daily routine.

Contemplation: “I’m thinking about it.”

In this first stage, you are thinking about change and becoming motivated to get started.

You might be in this stage if you

have been considering change but are not quite ready to start
believe that your health, energy level, or overall well-being will improve if you develop new habits
are not sure how you will overcome the roadblocks that may keep you from starting to change
Preparation: “I have made up my mind to take action.”

In this next stage, you are making plans and thinking of specific ideas that will work for you.

You might be in this stage if you

have decided that you are going to change and are ready to take action
have set some specific goals that you would like to meet
are getting ready to put your plan into action
Action: “I have started to make changes.”

In this third stage, you are acting on your plan and making the changes you set out to achieve.

You might be in this stage if you

have been making eating, physical activity, and other behavior changes in the last 6 months or so
are adjusting to how it feels to eat healthier, be more active, and make other changes such as getting more sleep or reducing screen time
have been trying to overcome things that sometimes block your success
Maintenance: “I have a new routine.”

In this final stage, you have become used to your changes and have kept them up for more than 6 months.

You might be in this stage if

your changes have become a normal part of your routine
you have found creative ways to stick with your routine
you have had slip-ups and setbacks but have been able to get past them and make progress
Did you find your stage of change? Read on for ideas about what you can do next.

Are you thinking about being more active? Have you been trying to cut back on less healthy foods? Are you starting to eat better and move more but having a hard time sticking with these changes?

Old habits die hard. Changing your habits is a process that involves several stages. Sometimes it takes a while before changes become new habits. And, you may face roadblocks along the way.

Adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, may also help you manage your weight and have more energy. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they may become part of your daily routine.
The information below outlines four stages you may go through when changing your health habits or behavior. You will also find tips to help you improve your eating, physical activity habits, and overall health. The four stages of changing a health behavior are

contemplation
preparation
action
maintenance

Generative AI, sometimes called gen AI, is artificial intelligence (AI) that can create original content such as text, images, video, audio or software code in response to a user’s prompt or request.

Generative AI relies on sophisticated machine learning models called deep learning models algorithms that simulate the learning and decision-making processes of the human brain. These models work by identifying and encoding the patterns and relationships in huge amounts of data, and then using that information to understand users' natural language requests or questions and respond with relevant new content.

AI has been a hot technology topic for the past decade, but generative AI, and specifically the arrival of ChatGPT in 2022, has thrust AI into worldwide headlines and launched an unprecedented surge of AI innovation and adoption. Generative AI offers enormous productivity benefits for individuals and organizations, and while it also presents very real challenges and risks, businesses are forging ahead, exploring how the technology can improve their internal workflows and enrich their products and services. According to research by the management consulting firm McKinsey, one third of organizations are already using generative AI regularly in at least one business function.¹ Industry analyst Gartner projects more than 80% of organizations will have deployed generative AI applications or used generative AI application programming interfaces (APIs) by 2026.

Generative AI, sometimes called gen AI, is artificial intelligence (AI) that can create original content such as text, images, video, audio or software code in response to a user’s prompt or request.

Generative AI relies on sophisticated machine learning models called deep learning models algorithms that simulate the learning and decision-making processes of the human brain. These models work by identifying and encoding the patterns and relationships in huge amounts of data, and then using that information to understand users' natural language requests or questions and respond with relevant new content.

AI has been a hot technology topic for the past decade, but generative AI, and specifically the arrival of ChatGPT in 2022, has thrust AI into worldwide headlines and launched an unprecedented surge of AI innovation and adoption. Generative AI offers enormous productivity benefits for individuals and organizations, and while it also presents very real challenges and risks, businesses are forging ahead, exploring how the technology can improve their internal workflows and enrich their products and services. According to research by the management consulting firm McKinsey, one third of organizations are already using generative AI regularly in at least one business function.¹ Industry analyst Gartner projects more than 80% of organizations will have deployed generative AI applications or used generative AI application programming interfaces (APIs) by 2026.

Being healthy and fit requires a sustainable balance of intentional nutrition, regular physical activity, and adequate recovery. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, center your diet around whole foods while prioritizing protein and fiber, and get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body to recover.Achieving your wellness goals requires building a step-by-step foundation. Focus on these actionable areas:Move Consistently: Aim for the global benchmark of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. This can be a mix of brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Complement this with strength training 2-3 times a week to maintain muscle mass and bone density.Fuel Your Body Intentionally: Adopt a balanced diet emphasizing lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Base your meals around protein and fiber to manage cravings and energy levels. Minimize your intake of heavily processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats.Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your metabolism, maintain energy levels, and regulate your body temperature.Prioritize Recovery: Sleep is when your body repairs and regulates critical hormones. Ensure you are getting 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep nightly.Start Small: Avoid overwhelming yourself by overhauling your entire routine overnight. Build habits gradually, starting with small changes like going for a 15-minute walk daily or swapping out sugary beverages for water.

Diet plays a critical role in shaping the health and well-being of both individuals and populations, and unhealthy diets are a major risk factor for disease and disability.
Healthy diets help to protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Healthy dietary practices start early in life – breastfeeding fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development.
Dietary behaviours and preferences established in childhood and adolescence often extend into adulthood.
Healthy diets come in many forms, but the four core principles of adequacy, balance, moderation and diversity should be the foundation of any healthy diet.
A diet must also be safe to be healthy, i.e. free from microbial and chemical contaminants.
A variety of minimally processed and unprocessed foods low in unhealthy fats, free sugars and sodium are the foundation of any healthy diet.