May 12, Kaski – General Secretary Kavindra Burlakoti of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) has urged all party leaders and members at every level to embrace patience, responsibility, and discipline moving forward. Speaking at the inauguration of the first convention of the Raswapa Gandaki Province Committee in Pokhara on Friday, he expressed this commitment. Despite the party’s relatively short four-year existence, Burlakoti emphasized that Raswapa holds significant responsibility in nation-building, which requires disciplined participation from all members.
“Conventions strengthen policies and leadership. We also look forward to the general convention as we progress towards building a larger party, and we must be self-critical,” he stated. “In the past, we faced many hardships, but now we are consistently making progress, so it is necessary to exercise restraint on many fronts.” He firmly believes that if Raswapa leaders and activists maintain discipline, the party will remain strong.
He clarified that the party was not established to create positions for any individual but was founded for the benefit of all Nepalese people, dedicating itself to nation-building. “Our party exists because of the contributions of all of us. We are in Raswapa not to seek personal political futures but to build the country’s future. Therefore, everyone must fulfill their assigned responsibilities,” he added.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after being denied entry by Canada. The 32-year-old Partey, who is facing allegations of rape and sexual misconduct in the UK, had his visa application rejected by the Canadian government. FIFA clarified that it has no role in the immigration process or visa decisions made by host nations.
Ghana is set to begin their Group L campaign on June 17 at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama. However, one of the team’s key players, Partey, will not be available for the match. FIFA confirmed in a statement to The Athletic that Partey’s visa application was rejected by Canada, and he was not permitted to travel from Ghana’s training camp in the United States to Canada.
Partey, aged 32, transferred from Arsenal to Villarreal in Spain in 2025. He denies the various allegations of rape and sexual misconduct leveled against him in the UK, with his case scheduled for hearing this year at Southwark Crown Court in London. According to Canadian immigration regulations, individuals involved in or convicted of crimes can be barred from entering the country. Nevertheless, the official reason behind the visa denial has not been disclosed.
The preliminary estimate for the current fiscal year predicts an economic growth rate of 2.94 percent for Karnali Province. The average capacity utilization of industries in Karnali Province has increased to 44.25 percent compared to the previous year. According to a study by Nepal Rastra Bank, the number of tourists entering Karnali Province has decreased by 50.07 percent. Kathmandu, 29th Jestha. The capacity utilization of industries in Karnali Province has shown improvement. While it was 40.22 percent last year, the average capacity utilization of these industries has now reached 44.25 percent. Up to mid-January of the current fiscal year, paper manufacturing industries in Karnali utilized their full capacity at 100 percent, whereas the industries producing electrical wires and cables under the category of electrical equipment had the lowest capacity utilization at 11 percent, according to Nepal Rastra Bank’s study.
Among industrial products, production of grains and livestock, instant noodles, other textiles, carpets, sawn wood, paper, and electrical wires and cables has increased, while processed milk and leather footwear industries have seen a decline in production. The preliminary estimate for Karnali Province’s economic growth rate for fiscal year 2082/83 is 2.94 percent. The contribution of agriculture, industry, and service sectors to the province’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected at 31.52 percent, 10.07 percent, and 58.41 percent respectively. Up to the end of mid-January of the current fiscal year, the area covered by food crops in Karnali has increased by 0.37 percent compared to the same period last year.
Among major food crops, the area covered by paddy has decreased by 2.94 percent, whereas maize, wheat, millet, barley, and buckwheat have seen area increases of 0.31, 0.25, 0.25, 11.17, and 2.49 percent respectively. Similarly, areas covered by vegetable and horticultural crops have increased by 0.25 percent, and fruit cultivation areas have expanded by 4.51 percent. Overall agricultural crop production in Karnali slightly declined by 0.05 percent up to mid-January of the last fiscal year, but within this total, the production of food, cash, and other crops increased by 2.06 percent.
Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan’s national team, has announced his immediate retirement from international football due to an injury that will sideline him for the World Cup. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder underwent surgery on his leg in February but was unable to fully recover before the tournament. Japan is scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign on June 14 against the Netherlands, and Endo’s absence deals a significant blow to the team. Kathmandu, May 29.
Endo sustained the injury while playing for his club at the end of February and required surgery. Despite this, coach Hajime Moriyasu included him in the 26-man squad announced for the World Cup, confident that Endo had fully recovered. The injury had prevented key players Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino from being selected. However, on May 31, during the first half of a friendly match against Iceland, Endo left the field feeling discomfort, raising concerns about his condition.
At that time, Coach Moriyasu stated, “According to medical reports, he is unable to play, so we are waiting with confidence.” Eventually, after it was confirmed that Endo would not be fit to participate in the World Cup, he decided to retire immediately from the national team. Japan will open their Group F campaign against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, United States. The absence of their captain and experienced midfielder presents a major challenge to Japan’s preparations.
As part of the 250th anniversary of American independence and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, the ‘Goal USA 2026 Finals’ was successfully held in Kathmandu. Selected players from Biratnagar, Surkhet, Bhairahawa, and Pokhara gathered in Lalitpur’s Satdobato for the final stage of the event. Organized by the US Embassy, the initiative aimed to strengthen the friendly ties between Nepal and the United States through sports.
The program began with a series of football skill development challenges held in Biratnagar, Surkhet, Bhairahawa, and Pokhara. Hundreds of young players participated in activities designed to foster team spirit and leadership skills. The best performers from each city qualified for the national finals held in Kathmandu. During the finals, participants not only competed but also took part in special friendly matches that involved young players, renowned athletes, and staff from the US Embassy.
This event is part of the Freedom 250 campaign, commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, and reflects the growing enthusiasm for the FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Before the matches began, Acting Ambassador Scott Urban stated, “Goal USA symbolizes the enduring friendship between the United States and Nepal. As the US gears up to host the FIFA World Cup 2026, we take pride in sharing the excitement with young people across Nepal and building stronger bonds between our communities.”
The competition demonstrated the power of sports to connect communities, inspire youth leadership, and reinforce partnerships. Throughout the tournament, participants exhibited team spirit, discipline, determination, and a commitment to excellence—qualities essential not only on the field but also for success in life. The final matches held at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur, witnessed enthusiastic participation from youth across Nepal, players, former participants, community leaders, and supporters.
The upcoming FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, including Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Curaçao, and Jordan, all making their debut appearances. Uzbekistan has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years since gaining independence. Curaçao, with a population of 150,000, will be the smallest nation in terms of both area and population to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Kathmandu, June 12.
The world’s largest football event, the World Cup, is expanding from 32 to 48 participating teams, with four new teams securing their spots for the first time. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The debutant teams are Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Curaçao, and Jordan. In the 96-year history and 22 editions of the tournament, 80 countries have competed so far. With the addition of these four teams, the total number of participants will reach 84.
Cape Verde is a small island nation located in the southern part of the Sahara Desert, with a population of approximately 250,000 and an area of 4,000 square kilometers. Since becoming an independent nation in 1975, Cape Verde’s football journey began three years later. Despite its size, the country has made its mark in international football. Under the leadership of coach Pedro Leitão Brito, Cape Verde has established a reputation in the global football community.
Uzbekistan secured a World Cup spot for the first time after gaining independence from the former Soviet Union 36 years ago. The team delivered an outstanding performance in the Asian qualifiers’ second and third rounds, playing a crucial role in their World Cup qualification. Curaçao, with a population of 150,000 and an area of 276 square kilometers, secured its World Cup ticket by finishing top of Group B in the CONCACAF qualifiers. Jordan, despite continuously participating in the qualifiers since 1986, has qualified for the World Cup for the first time this year.
29 Jestha, Kathmandu – An activist affiliated with the Communist Party of Nepal (Biplav) has been arrested on charges of planting a bomb at the office of Barhakot Rural Municipality in Jajarkot seven years ago. According to the District Police Office of Jajarkot, the arrested individual is known by the alias ‘Mahan,’ identified as Khibahadur Khatri.
Police report that Khatri, along with others, placed two bombs—a pipe bomb and a drum bomb—in front of the door of the rural municipality chairperson’s office building located in Limsa of Barhakot Rural Municipality on the night of Ashadh 9, 2076 (June 23, 2019). Additionally, a case has been registered against him for detonating a bomb on a road in Nalgad Municipality-5 that same year in Mangsir (November/December 2019), according to police.
The police press release stated that Khatri had been on the run since the incident. However, on Friday afternoon, he was arrested from Bheri Municipality-3 in Jajarkot and presented before the Jajarkot District Court, authorities confirmed.
May 12, Kathmandu – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons as long as he remains in office. Speaking on X on Friday, Netanyahu made this assertion. “I am in complete agreement with Donald Trump on this issue,” Netanyahu stated. “For over 30 years, I have led the international campaign to stop Iran’s nuclear program.”
He claimed that without his efforts, Iran would have already acquired nuclear bombs aimed at destroying Israel, stating, “Iran seeks to obliterate the Jewish state. I have dedicated my life to stopping this.” Netanyahu added, “As long as I am Israel’s prime minister, I will not allow such a situation to arise.”
Caption, In January 2020, 122 Chinese nationals arrested for illegal activities in Nepal were deported back to China via two chartered flights.Article Information
The Education Ministry and the Department of Immigration, investigating the issue of fake recommendations used to grant student visas to foreign nationals, have said they are currently examining 21 individuals.
A suspect arrested for submitting a forged letter under the name of Valmiki Vidyapeeth, affiliated with Nepal Sanskrit University, claimed to be a faculty member of the same campus.
However, the Department of Immigration’s investigation, starting from doubts regarding the authenticity of the document, asked the individual a single question which confirmed the suspicions of authorities.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has formed a committee to investigate the involvement of its staff in the incident, according to a statement from the Education Minister’s Secretariat.
Authorities from the immigration department went to Valmiki Campus after concerns arose regarding the eight individuals who had obtained visa recommendations from the Education Ministry and claimed to be students.
After the campus administration responded that both the recommendation letter and the students were not genuine, the person who filed the visa applications and facilitated the process—claiming to be a campus teacher—was interrogated, said Department spokesperson Tikaram Dhakal.
“At the start of interrogation, we asked for the campus head’s name. He was unable to provide it. When asked for a contact number, he tried contacting friends to get the information,” Dhakal explained.
Subsequently, the department arrested this person along with the Chinese nationals who had applied for visas together and handed them over to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Department.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarat Thapa confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the case.
Both Teacher and Students Found to be Fake
Image Source, nsu.edu.np
During the investigation, officials discovered that the individual facilitating the visa cases was not a teacher at Valmiki Vidyapeeth.
When contacted, Valmiki Vidyapeeth Professor Achyut Prasad Lamichhane confirmed that inquiries had been made about the person and the letter.
“That person does not teach here. When talking with our staff, he had said he teaches at Bishwabhāṣā Campus. Meanwhile, the staff at Bishwabhāṣā Campus said he told them he teaches at Valmiki,” Lamichhane said.
Both campuses are located less than 500 meters apart on Exhibition Road.
Authorities found that the arrested suspect still teaches part-time in the Sanskrit Central Department of Tribhuvan University, where his name is listed as a department member on the official website.
Departmental staff stated that he has been working as a partial faculty member for a long time.
According to Valmiki Vidyapeeth, the registration number and receipt number on the recommendation letter submitted to the Education Ministry are newer than those previously issued by the campus.
“The letter was made stating it was for undergraduate studies in Sanskrit literature. We do not offer that subject at our campus and these students are not enrolled here,” said Principal Lamichhane.
Valmiki Vidyapeeth often invites students from China and various other countries for study.
Currently, 23 students from China, the United States, Japan, Russia, and other countries are enrolled at Valmiki Vidyapeeth, he added.
10 More Visas Issued in Baishakh
After it was revealed that visas were obtained using fake letters, the Ministry of Education and Sports has sent a letter to the Home Ministry requesting further investigation, according to the Secretariat of Minister Sasmita Pokharel.
Following the arrest of two suspects, the Department of Immigration is investigating other individuals who applied for visas alongside them.
According to the department, the eight individuals who applied together received their visas on Jestha 21.
Of these visa holders, six are Chinese nationals, one is Korean, and one is Russian, department spokesperson Dhakal said.
On Friday, the department was informed by the Education Ministry that on a previous date, Baisakh 14, another 10 individuals had received similar visa recommendations.
Immigration officials said these individuals had already been issued visas as well.
“We are currently searching for those who have already been issued visas, and the process of canceling their visas has begun,” said department spokesperson Dhakal.
Previously, the Department of Immigration had stated that five Chinese, two Koreans, one American, one British, and one Swedish national had obtained such visas.
Committee Formed to Investigate Staff Involvement
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Sports has established a committee to investigate the potential involvement of ministry employees in the submission of forged letters and documents related to study visa recommendations.
According to a statement issued by Minister Pokharel’s Secretariat, the committee was formed under a ministerial decision, chaired by Undersecretary Chandrakant Bhusal. Deputy Secretary Gopikrishna Regmi and Section Officer Gunraj Bhattarai are members of the committee.
The committee has been directed to conduct the necessary investigation into the roles and responsibilities of implicated staff and submit their report within seven days.
Following this, the committee will also study procedural weaknesses in immigration and document verification systems.
The ministry called the incident “serious” and stated that further administrative and legal actions would be taken based on the investigation results.
Chinese Nationals Represent Largest Group of Deportees from Nepal
In the last five years, Chinese nationals have comprised the largest number of foreign citizens deported from Nepal.
According to the Department of Immigration data from 2021 through May 2026, Chinese nationals lead the statistics for foreigners deported annually from Nepal.
In 2021, out of 218 deportees, 34 were Chinese; in 2022, 191 out of 570; in 2023, 209 out of 458; in 2024, 141 out of 501; and in 2025, 120 out of 523 were Chinese nationals.
So far in 2026, among 267 deported foreign nationals, the highest number—26—are Chinese, equaled only by 26 Bangladeshi deportees.
Last week, 15 Bangladeshi workers employed at a Chinese-run scam center were deported simultaneously.
Data from Nepal Police shows that between Shrawan 2079 and Jestha 18, a total of 1,123 foreign nationals have been arrested in Nepal.
Indians constitute the largest portion, with 698 individuals arrested, according to the Nepal Police Headquarters.
Citizens from various other countries account for 425 arrests.
Following Indian nationals, Chinese nationals represent the second highest number of arrests in Nepal.
Police report that Chinese citizens account for the majority of cases violating visa regulations.
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Chitwan Rhinos have retained seven players, including marquee player Kushal Malla, ahead of the upcoming season of the Nepal Premier League. Other retained players are Dev Khanal, Kamal Singh Airi, Arjun Saud, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar, and Deepak Bohora. The Rhinos have expressed their commitment to building a more balanced and competitive team through the player draft and other recruitment processes.
Bharatpur, Chitwan – Chitwan Rhinos announced on Friday through a press release that they have retained seven players, including marquee player Kushal Malla, for the third season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). The franchise emphasized that the retention aims to establish a strong team foundation with continuity, stability, and long-term success as focal points.
The retained group consists of marquee player and captain Kushal Malla, Dev Khanal, Kamal Singh Airi, Arjun Saud, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar, and Deepak Bohora. According to the Rhinos, these players made significant contributions to the team’s performance and development last season, blending national team experience, consistent domestic performances, and promising young talent. This group is viewed as the core base for building the squad for the upcoming season.
Kushal Malla’s leadership qualities, international experience, and ability to clinch victories are expected to strengthen the team further. Dev Khanal and Arjun Saud are emerging as promising young players in Nepali cricket, while Kamal Singh Airi’s all-rounder skills will be vital for the squad. Similarly, Rijan Dhakal, Ranjit Kumar, and Deepak Bohora have earned the management’s trust through consistent performances, hard work, and dedication. The Rhinos’ management noted that maintaining a strong core group is a crucial step toward a successful upcoming season and stated they will continue building a balanced and competitive team through the player draft and other recruitment efforts.
Video streaming platform YouTube has reintroduced its ‘in-app private messaging’ feature for users. To initiate a conversation, users must send an invitation link via WhatsApp or SMS that remains valid for seven days. Currently, in this new feature available in the US and selected countries, users can only share text and videos; sending photos, documents, or GIFs is not supported. Kathmandu, 12 June.
With this new setup, users can share videos and chat directly within the YouTube app without needing any other messaging applications. This functionality is currently available to users aged 18 and above in the US and several international markets. YouTube first launched its direct messaging system in 2017 but discontinued it within the same year.
However, during internal testing of a revamped version toward the end of 2025, YouTube observed users preferred sharing videos and chatting without switching apps. Consequently, the platform enhanced and relaunched the feature. The new messaging system incorporates important security restrictions, including preventing users from sending messages directly to any recipient without prior consent.
To start a chat, the sender must first share an invitation link through third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp or SMS that expires after seven days. The chat will only begin once the recipient accepts the link on YouTube. This mechanism helps curb unsolicited messages and spam from unknown contacts. YouTube has also made it clear that all conversations within the messaging box are subject to its ‘Community Guidelines’ and policies.
Summary: The government has extended the deadline for the committee tasked with preparing the constitution amendment discussion paper, led by the Prime Minister’s political advisor, Asim Sah. Kathmandu, 29 Jestha — The government has prolonged the timeframe for the committee responsible for preparing the constitution amendment discussion paper. The committee, formed under the leadership of Prime Minister’s political advisor Asim Sah, continues its consultations with former presidents, top leaders of various parties, constitutional experts, and others.
According to reports, a bus traveling from Sankhuwasabha to Dharan met with an accident in Chyangchyangbari, Dhankuta district, resulting in injuries to 11 passengers. Following the accident, the Koshi Highway section between Dhankuta and Mulghat has been operating on a one-way basis. The injured passengers were rescued and sent to the local medical facility for treatment, informed Police Deputy Superintendent Hemant Bhandari Kshetri. The incident occurred on 29 Jestha in Dhankuta.
The bus overturned in Dhankuta, causing injuries to 11 passengers. The accident took place near Mulghat in Dhankuta Municipality-9, Chyangchyangbari, part of the Koshi Highway. The bus, numbered Ko 1 Kha 7788, en route from Sankhuwasabha to Dharan in Sunsari, lost control and flipped on the road, according to police reports. As a result, the Koshi Highway section between Dhankuta and Mulghat, which was blocked due to the overturned bus, has been operating in one-way traffic. Police Deputy Superintendent Hemant Bhandari Kshetri stated that there were 15 passengers on board. The injured were rescued and taken to the local medical center for treatment.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev has stated that American President Donald Trump is capable of making fundamental changes in the relationship between the two countries. Speaking at the ‘Russia Day’ event organized at the Russian Embassy in Washington, he described Trump’s two and a half years in office as extremely significant. The ceremony was attended by personnel from the White House, the US State Department, and diplomats from various countries.
According to Ambassador Darchiev, Trump’s two and a half years in office represent a decisive period. Given the current circumstances, it is difficult to predict the future direction of American domestic politics and foreign policy. However, he noted that this time span is sufficient to accomplish a major and grand task, which requires political will.
He added that President Trump is an influential politician capable of making remarkable decisions and introducing new dimensions to bilateral relations. Alongside officials from the White House and the State Department, the grand event also included diplomats from various countries based in Washington, expert groups, representatives of civil society, and Russian citizens residing in the United States.
Many believed that red cards had become rare occurrences in World Cup matches. However, in the opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday, the referee issued three red cards. Hosted in Mexico City, the Group A match saw the host nation Mexico defeat South Africa 2-0. The referee first sent off South African players Yaya Sithole and Temba Zwane, and then, in the final moments of the match, Mexico’s César Montes was also shown a red card.
Fans may have grown accustomed to referees exhibiting lenient behavior and temperament. In the previous two World Cups held in Russia and Qatar, only four red cards were issued across the entire tournaments. Yet, after two decades, this single match witnessed three players being dismissed. In the 2006 World Cup, a total of 28 players received red cards throughout the competition. In that tournament, three separate matches featured three red cards each, while the Portugal vs Netherlands match remains the record for the highest with four players shown red cards.
In 2017, FIFA appointed Pierluigi Collina as the new head referee, marking the beginning of a new era. Collina emphasized that referees’ decisions must aim to be fair to both teams. Players should remain on the field unless they commit an offense warranting a red card. For instance, during his tenure, the rules around denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) through a foul were relaxed. Now, referees award a penalty but do not immediately issue a red card in such cases.
Early decisions by referees often set a precedent for matches that follow. How fitting is it to conclude that this opening match signals a tougher approach? Prior to the tournament, during the briefing, Collina highlighted that he would focus particularly on curbing time-wasting and player behavior.
