Excess liquidity and low loan demand within the financial system have triggered a competition among banks to attract borrowers by reducing interest rates. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, approximately NPR 1.3 trillion is currently available as investible funds in the financial system, yet loan demand remains sluggish. Santosh Koirala, president of the Nepal Bankers’ Association, noted that towards the end of the fiscal year, banks have focused more on loan recovery than on disbursing new loans.
Kathmandu, 5 Ashar – With the growing complexity of excess liquidity within the financial system, banks and borrowers have begun to play with declining interest rates. This has resulted in competition where banks attempt to draw borrowers from rivals by offering lower rates. As of mid-April of the current fiscal year, loans disbursed by banks to the private sector totaled NPR 312 billion, which is NPR 5.6 billion less compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Banks have started attracting customers from other banks by offering loans at benchmark rates. The CEO of a commercial bank stated, “There is no demand for loans, and interest has to be paid as soon as deposits come in.” Meanwhile, the average maximum interest rate on personal term deposits by commercial banks stood at 4.27 percent in the month of Ashar, while the average interest rate on loans in Jestha was 6.73 percent.
Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, CEO of Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA), said, “The growing dissatisfaction between clients and banks has led to a trend of shifting loans.” Currently, interest rates have declined, with banks offering fixed interest rates ranging from 7 to 9 percent. This environment has likely encouraged customers to transfer loans, contributing to the current situation.
The 10th SKIBS 3×3 Basketball Tournament, organized by Shri Chandravindu International Boarding School in Basundhara, Tokha, will commence on Saturday.
The competition will feature 48 teams from 33 schools, with organizers estimating expenses around NPR 150,000.
The two-day tournament will include matches in Senior Boys, Junior Boys, and Girls categories.
June 19, Kathmandu – The 10th SKIBS 3×3 Basketball Tournament, organized by Shri Chandravindu International Boarding School (SKIBS), is set to begin this Saturday.
According to SKIBS Principal Arun Kumar KC, a total of 48 teams representing 33 schools will participate in the competition. There are 24 teams in the Senior Boys category, while Junior Boys and Girls categories will each feature 12 teams.
TIA holds the championship title in the Senior Boys category, Paramount Academy champions the Junior Boys, and Valley Public leads in the Girls category. Organizer Sagar Sharma estimated the tournament expenses to be approximately NPR 150,000.
On the first day, pre-quarterfinal matches for Senior Boys and quarterfinal matches for Junior Boys and Girls groups are scheduled, according to SKIBS basketball coach Sanjay Prajapati.
The matches will be held over two days at the organizer’s basketball court located in Ward No. 5, Tokha Municipality, Basundhara.
Following the confirmation of irregularities in vehicle imports through the Rasuwa Customs checkpoint, the Customs Department has suspended 13 employees, including the former office chief. Although the vehicles physically did not arrive, clearance was granted, leading to enforcement actions against importing companies such as Laxmi E-Mobility, Syamex, and CG Motors. (June 19, Kathmandu)
An internal review by the Customs Department confirmed no irregularities in the clearance process of 649 electric vehicles imported through the Mustang checkpoint. The study on vehicle imports via Mustang and Rasuwa checkpoints revealed that vehicles imported through Mustang’s Korala checkpoint before the budget period showed no irregularities. However, the department confirmed that at Rasuwa, goods clearance was processed based solely on documentation even though the vehicles did not physically arrive.
The monitoring team found that customs staff at the Rasuwa office did not exercise due diligence or fulfill their responsibilities adequately during the clearance of electric vehicles. Due to the incomplete legal process, the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department took departmental action by suspending 13 employees including the former office chief at Rasuwa Customs, advancing disciplinary proceedings.
The Nepal Chess Federation has selected five male and five female players to represent Nepal at the 46th Chess Olympiad organized by the World Chess Federation. The national chess competition held in Damak, Jhapa, concluded with Rupesh Jaiswal winning the open category and Kritisara Adhikari securing the title in the women’s category. These selections pave the way for Nepal’s 10-player team to compete in the Olympiad scheduled for September this year in Uzbekistan.
In the open category, champion Rupesh scored 9.5 points out of 11 games, while women’s champion Kritisara achieved 8.5 points. The 26th Open and 11th Women’s National Chess Championships were held on June 19 at Hotel Kamaksha in Damak. The event was organized by the Nepal Chess Federation in collaboration with the Provincial Sports Development Board, Koshi Province, and the District Chess Association of Jhapa.
Defending his title, FM Rupesh Jaiswal from Rautahat scored 9.5 points in 11 games, thereby securing the open category championship for a third time. He drew his last game against CM Sushrut Dahal. Young talent Ashish Phuyal from Dolakha finished second with 7.5 points, followed by former Nepal Champion Rajan Subedi in third place with 7 points. Using tiebreaks for the same score of 7 points, CM Sushrut Dahal from Jhapa ranked fourth, CM Purushottam Silwal from Kathmandu fifth, and Rishon Thapa from Panchthar secured the sixth position.
In the women’s category, Kritisara Adhikari of Jhapa exhibited an outstanding performance to become the national women’s champion with 8.5 points. Jhapa’s Puja Bhandari stood second with 7.5 points, while Nihana Shrestha of Dolakha secured third place with 7 points. Angel Maharjan, also with 7 points, ranked fourth based on tiebreak criteria. After playing tiebreaks such as direct encounter and Sonneborn-Berger, Binita Kapali from Kathmandu, former Oman Nepal champion Sindira Joshi, and Priya Kshetri from Jhapa tied with 6.5 points, with Kapali placing sixth.
According to federation member Raju Tamrakar, the selected male players for the 46th Chess Olympiad are FM Rupesh Jaiswal, Ashish Phuyal, Rajan Subedi, CM Sushrut Dahal, and CM Purushottam Silwal. The female team consists of former champion Sindira Joshi, Kritisara Adhikari, Puja Bhandari, Nihana Shrestha, and Angel Maharjan.
Architect Labs, co-founded by Aditya Suvedi and Ibrahim Husein from Canada, has successfully raised $24 million USD (approximately NPR 362 crore) to develop custom chip manufacturing. According to Reuters, these chips, developed by 19-year-olds Suvedi and Husein, will assist in designing AI and other general-purpose computing chips for cloud computing giants such as Amazon and Alphabet’s Google, competing against those made by Broadcom and Marvel. Reuters reported that custom chips designed by Marvel and Broadcom generate billions in revenue and this new development aims to offer an alternative to Nvidia’s powerful hardware.
Suvedi completed his School Leaving Certificate from Akshara School in Kathmandu’s Kandaghar and passed Class 12 from IB Yuleans before enrolling at Harvard University. While researching AI-based code verification at Harvard, he met Husein at another renowned university, Stanford. Husein had left school early after enrolling in college at the age of 15, later working on custom chip development for Apple and Tesla. Together, they founded Architect Labs.
Both founders began collaboration on AI systems that focus on chip design and verification research. Observing the gap between AI advancements and hardware development, they decided to leave their studies to launch Architect Labs. The company aims to make the chip design process faster and more affordable, a procedure that currently takes about two years and millions more in labor and R&D costs, according to Suvedi and Husein. Architect Labs intends not only to accelerate the design processes for chip manufacturers but also to provide custom chips to software companies aiming for faster and more efficient application performance, co-founder Ibrahim Husein told Reuters.
Husein stated, “The biggest problem large companies face isn’t just backend execution or layout, but managing the specific workloads they want to deliver to the world, and designing the appropriate chip architecture for that.” Based in Palo Alto, California, the company employs approximately 18 people in machine learning and hardware fields and was founded by Husein and Suvedi. Suvedi explained that just as Taiwan’s TSMC has made chip production accessible, their goal is to simplify chip design. The funding round was led by Kindred Ventures, with participation from TIQ Ventures, Race Capital, and Together Fund. Chief scientists from Google DeepMind Jeff Dean, as well as executives from OpenAI and Nvidia, have also invested in the company.
Architect Labs has announced plans to partner with various companies, AI research labs, and nations to develop specialized chips for complex computing workloads. Chip design technology remains one of the most challenging and restricted fields, requiring years of development, millions of dollars in investment, and expertise limited to a few specialized companies.
On the evening of June 18, at Atlanta Stadium, the names of Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, and Kathryn Nesbitt will be remembered for many years in world football history. That day, they did not just officiate a match; they also ushered in a new era of possibilities.
Summary
At Atlanta Stadium, three female referees officiated the Group A match between South Africa and the Czech Republic, making World Cup history.
Main referee Tori Penso became the second woman, after France’s Stéphanie Frappart, to officiate a men’s World Cup match.
The all-female on-field refereeing team, including assistant referees Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, oversaw the 1–1 draw.
Kathmandu. Atlanta Stadium. Thursday, June 18.
Only minutes remained before the Group A fixture was set to start. Thousands of spectators focused their attention on the field.
The players of the Czech Republic and South Africa were preparing to emerge from the tunnels. Before the national anthems played, the atmosphere gradually grew more electrifying.
The excitement of another critical World Cup match filled the stadium with a lively energy.
That day, the attention of fans, media, and football enthusiasts briefly shifted away from the players toward the center of the pitch.
The reason: three women standing there, whistle in hand.
Main referee Tori Penso and her assistants Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt had entered the field to officiate the match.
Main referee Tori Penso along with assistants Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, posing with the fourth official prior to kickoff
Usually, the arrival of referees is not considered major news. But that day, the situation was entirely different.
Before the match started, international media began highlighting this game as a special milestone. The spotlight was not on the players but the refereeing team.
Photos of these referees started circulating widely on social media. Many sports journalists described this as a historic moment in World Cup history even before the kickoff.
Why was this moment so significant?
Perhaps this moment transcended the game and the players.
Typically, World Cup coverage centers on star players: who will score, which team will win, and who will advance to the next round.
But on that day, the three women—who earned their places through years of hard work, dedication, and high-level performance—became the highlight.
Women have officiated in football for many years, but opportunities to referee in a men’s World Cup remain rare.
Moreover, having an entire on-field refereeing team composed exclusively of women was an extraordinary event.
This was not just an appointment; it was a signal of change in world football.
The appointment of Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, and Kathryn Nesbitt reflected this transformation.
The decision to place them on the field was not symbolic tokenism but based on their proven competence in domestic leagues, international tournaments, and high-pressure matches.
FIFA, the American football community, and analysts worldwide saw this as an important achievement in football history. Many commentators noted, ‘This is not just representation, but a triumph of merit.’
Let’s explore how these female referees were selected for the World Cup.
Tori Penso: The lone woman among 117 referees
The most discussed figure that day was lead referee Tori Penso. Born in Stuart, Florida, Penso’s relationship with football began in childhood.
At 10 years old, she informed her mother of her desire to play football—a decision that later shaped her life’s path.
Her ability to understand the pace of the game, deep knowledge of the rules, and clear decision-making under pressure propelled her forward.
Initially, she refereed minor matches for modest pay, but this small role transformed her life.
According to a story published in The Sun, her talent quickly attracted attention, leading to invitations to referee camps hosted by the Olympic Development Program in Texas.
At that time, Tori herself was still playing football and studying marketing at university, uncertain about turning refereeing into a full-time career.
Over time, she progressed from top-level domestic competitions to major international FIFA tournaments.
After years of dedication, she obtained FIFA referee certification in 2021.
She subsequently delivered consistent, outstanding performances at the international level.
A major milestone in her career was refereeing the final match of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She managed four games, including the semifinal between England and Australia, and the final between Spain and England.
Since then, she has become one of the most respected referees in world football.
In 2025, FIFA released a list of 117 referees selected for the Club World Cup, where she was the only woman.
Recognizing her talent, FIFA again selected her for the 2026 World Cup.
By officiating the match between South Africa and the Czech Republic, she became the second woman to referee a men’s World Cup match after Stéphanie Frappart from France in 2022.
In an interview with FIFA.com, she shared, ‘In the early days, there were no full-time female referees in the U.S., so I didn’t see it as a viable career. But I believed it wouldn’t be temporary and that this would help me understand my country and the world.’
Later, she bravely left a job at an advertising agency to become a full-time referee.
Her decision paid off.
Refereeing at the highest level requires not only knowledge of the rules but also outstanding fitness, mental toughness, deep understanding of the game, and pressure management skills.
Penso has demonstrated all these qualities on the field over the years.
Brooke Mayo: Whistling from age 13
Another name making history alongside Tori Penso was Brooke Mayo.
Raised in Garland, Texas, Mayo first blew her referee whistle at age 13. The journey she began then took her all the way to the biggest stage in world football.
In an interview with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Mayo said she set the World Cup as a goal and focused fully on achieving it.
She emphasized spending extra time in the gym, paying special attention to fitness and recovery, and treating every game as a learning opportunity.
After consistent effort for years, she secured her place on the historic World Cup officiating team.
Kathryn Nesbitt: From a diverse background to the World Cup
Kathryn Nesbitt’s story is no less fascinating. She is not only a football referee but also a scientist.
Alongside her refereeing career, she has studied and researched in the field of biological sciences.
According to FIFA’s official referee profile, Nesbitt is one of the most experienced assistant referees in world football.
She has overseen duties in various international competitions and earned her spot at the World Cup through consistent performance and experience.
Before establishing herself in world football, Nesbitt pursued studies and research in biological sciences. She notes that although football and science are different fields, both have helped her develop discipline, analytical skills, and precision.
The U.S. Soccer Federation’s profile highlights her continuous progress in both sciences and refereeing responsibilities.
After accumulating years of domestic, international, and FIFA tournament experience, she reached the World Cup stage.
“We are not just women, we are qualified referees”
Brooke Mayo’s remarks before the World Cup clarify the significance of this achievement.
In an interview with the U.S. Soccer Federation, Mayo stated that they prefer to be seen not as a “female referee team” but a “strong referee team.” Yet when a father requests a photo because his daughter is inspired, or women say such opportunities seemed impossible in their time, they realize the importance of their work.
For Mayo, the World Cup match was much more than just another game.
Asked how it felt to step onto the field from the tunnel, her response was emotional.
She described herself as a highly emotional person who struggles to hold back tears when entering high-stakes games.
“I’m living my dream. Family and friends are in the stadium cheering me on. I can never take such moments for granted,” she said.
Perhaps for this reason, that World Cup game was not merely an appointment but the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and dreams realized.
Confidence demonstrated during the match
Making history is one thing; officiating a match fairly and successfully is another challenge.
During the game, Tori Penso awarded a penalty for South Africa following a handball inside the box, making a rule-based decision with confidence.
South Africa capitalized on that opportunity by scoring an equalizer late in the match. The game ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw, with both teams sharing the points and continuing their respective campaigns.
However, post-match discussions focused more on the historic significance than the scoreline.
That June 18 evening, the names Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, and Kathryn Nesbitt will be recalled by world football for many years because, on that day, they did more than just officiate a game—they opened a new chapter of possibilities.
The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has concluded inter-ministerial discussions concerning the bills to be presented in Parliament in the upcoming fiscal year. Law Minister Sobita Gautam led the dialogue focused on preparing a prioritized list of bills to be submitted to the Federal Parliament by the end of Ashad month, in accordance with the Legislative Act.
Minister Gautam emphasized the importance of prioritizing thorough preparation to ensure the creation of high-quality and implementable laws, advising all ministries against hasty lawmaking. She has been engaging in daily consultations with ministers, secretaries, and other officials from various ministries to assess their progress and confirm which bills are included in the priority list.
Under the Legislative Act, there is a legal mandate to prepare and submit an annual prioritized list of bills to the Federal Parliament by the end of Ashad month. During the discussions, Minister Gautam requested all ministries to expedite the drafting of the necessary laws. The ministers committed to presenting an updated list of bills soon, highlighting bills currently in preparation.
The talks also covered finalizing and submitting the bill list on time and establishing clear timelines for each bill’s progress. Minister Gautam noted that careful and unhurried lawmaking leads to smoother implementation, warning that ambiguous or contradictory laws result in unnecessary expenditure of the state’s time, workforce, and resources.
June 19, Kathmandu – Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have reached an agreement on a ceasefire. Citing a senior U.S. official, BBC reported the ceasefire news. The agreement is set to take effect at 4 p.m. local time on Friday evening. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effi Dafrin provided a statement regarding the ceasefire status. “We are currently in a ceasefire. However, Israel is prepared to continue hostilities if necessary,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday night, the Israeli military conducted bombings targeting Hezbollah across various locations in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 18 people in southern Lebanon. Israel also claimed that four of its soldiers were wounded during these operations. The impact of the conflict has affected the peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The two countries had already agreed to halt hostilities and pursue a peace deal. A formal date for talks and signing was scheduled to take place in Switzerland today. However, Israel’s attack in Lebanon on Thursday night has complicated the situation. In the U.S.-Iran agreement, Iran has taken a firm stance to include the conflict in Lebanon, strengthening its position against the ongoing discord.
Subash Tamang clinched the title at the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship by defeating Bhuvan Nagarkoti and amateur Sadbhav Acharya in a playoff. Along with the trophy, Subash received a cash prize of NPR 320,000. All three players completed the 72-hole competition with an 18-under-par 270 score. This season, Bhuvan Nagarkoti earned a total of NPR 1,033,500, securing his position as the number one player on the Surya Nepal Golf Tour.
Kathmandu, 4 Asar — The final event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025–26 season, the Surya Nepal Premier Golf Championship, concluded with Subash Tamang emerging victorious in a playoff. He triumphed over Bhuvan Nagarkoti and amateur Sadbhav Acharya by winning the first hole of the playoff, securing the championship title and a cash prize of NPR 320,000. Subash, Bhuvan, and Sadbhav each finished the 72-hole tournament with an overall score of 18-under 270.
During the playoff, Subash made par while both Bhuvan and Sadbhav missed par, sealing his championship victory. Bhuvan finished as runner-up and was awarded NPR 206,000. Subash carded a 3-under 69 today. Despite a bogey on the third hole, he birdied the seventh to complete the front nine at even par 36. He then secured three birdies from holes 11 to 13, finishing the back nine 3-under 33.
Sadbhav Acharya performed excellently with a 6-under 66 scorecard, shooting 3-under 33 on both the front and back nines. As the leading amateur, Sadbhav was declared the amateur winner of the tournament, beating Rahul Bishwakarma by eight strokes. Shukra Bahadur Rai played in the final group, finishing fourth overall with a 15-under 273.
Prizes were presented to the winners by Gaurav Tayal, Managing Director of Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd., and Ravindraman Shrestha, President of the Nepal Professional Golfers’ Association. The tournament offered a total cash prize pool of NPR 1.8 million, with the top 18 professional players receiving monetary awards. Following the completion of eight events in the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2025–26 season, Bhuvan Nagarkoti is confirmed to be the number one player for the upcoming season.
सारांश: खेलको समय तालिका र कडा सुरक्षा कारणले गर्दा काठमाडौँ र सौराहामा यस विश्व कप सिजनमा होटल र रेस्टुरेन्टमा गतिविधि निकै कम भएको छ। यसको विपरीत, पोखराका खेल बार र रेस्टुरेन्टमा भारतीय पर्यटकको आगमन र रातको व्यापार नियममा सजिलोका कारण विश्व कपको उत्साह बढेको छ। काठमाडौँको जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालयले ठूलो स्क्रिनमा सार्वजनिक स्क्रिनिङको लागि पूर्व स्वीकृति बिना रोक लगाएको छ, जसले व्यवसायलाई विशेष विश्व कप प्याकेजहरू प्रस्तुत गर्नबाट रोकिरहेको छ। १९ जुन, काठमाडौँ – नेपालमा फिफा विश्व कप केवल एक खेलको घटना मात्र होइन, यो एक भव्य चाडको रूपमा मनाइन्छ। नेपाली समर्थकहरू यो डेढ महिने फुटबल प्रतियोगितामा ‘पागल’ देखिन्छन्। उनीहरूको उत्साह यति छ कि उनीहरूले एक्लै खेल्नको सट्टा साथी, नजिकका व्यक्तिहरू र परिवारसँग मिलेर खेलहरू हेर्न मन पराउँछन्। आफ्नो मनपर्ने टोलीको जर्सी लगाएर, अनुहारमा झण्डा रंगेर, र जोशका साथ चियाइरहेका नेपाली फ्यानहरूले सामूहिक जीवंत वातावरण सिर्जना गर्छन्। यसलाई ध्यानमा राख्दै, नेपालभरका विभिन्न स्टार होटल, रेस्टुरेन्ट, बार र सार्वजनिक स्थानहरूले विश्व कप अनुभवलाई बढावा दिन विशेष वातावरण तयार गरेका छन्। विश्व कपको अवधिमा, आतिथ्य क्षेत्रले फुटबल-थीमको वातावरण सिर्जना गर्नका लागि तीव्र प्रयास गर्छ। काठमाडौँमा, लक्जरी होटलहरूले आफ्नो लाउन्ज, बगैचामा वा पौंडी क्षेत्रहरूमा ठूलो एलईडी स्क्रिनहरू स्थापना गर्छन्, जसले साना स्टेडियमको अनुकरण गर्छ। मनोरञ्जनलाई बढावा दिन, यी होटल र प्रमुख रेस्टुरेन्टहरूले प्रत्यक्ष ब्यान्ड प्रदर्शन, खेलहरू अघि चियरलीडर शोहरू आयोजना गर्छन्, र पाहुनाहरूलाई उत्साह जगाउन अनुहारमा रंग लगाउने सेवा प्रदान गर्छन्। खाना अनुभव पनि यस घटनासँग जोडिएको छ, होटल र रेस्टुरेन्टहरूले विशेष विश्व कप-थीमका मेनु तयार गरेका छन्। बार र पबहरूले बियर बकेट अफर (एक किनेर अर्को निःशुल्क वा समूहका लागि छुट) र अनलिमिटेड नाश्तासहितको प्रवेश प्याकेजहरू प्रदान गर्छन्। सजावटमा विभिन्न देशका झण्डाहरू समावेश गरिन्छ, र स्टाफले रेफरीको युनिफर्म वा प्रसिद्ध खेलाडीका जर्सी लगाएर अनुभवलाई समृद्ध बनाउँछन्। यस संस्करणको विश्व कप, जुन संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका, क्यानडा र मेक्सिकोमा आयोजना भइरहेको छ,को कारण नेपालमा खेलहरू प्रायः मध्यरात र बिहानको समयमा हुन्छन्। अघिल्लो प्रतियोगिताहरूमा, काठमाडौँका स्टार होटल, रेस्टुरेन्ट, पब र खेल बारहरू विश्व कप सुरु हुने बित्तिकै चहलपहलमा भरिएका हुन्थे। समूहहरू ठूलो स्क्रिनमा खेलहरू हेर्न भेला हुन्थे, चियाइरहेका र आफ्नो मनपर्ने टोलीको जर्सीमा उत्सव मनाइरहेका। तर, यसपटक, व्यवसायका मालिकहरूले प्रमुख शहरी आतिथ्य क्षेत्रहरूमा सीमित गतिविधि रिपोर्ट गरेका छन्। बिहानको खेलहरूको लागि, काठमाडौँका केही रेस्टुरेन्ट र क्याफेहरूले ‘बिहानको हेर्ने अनुभव’ प्रस्तुत गरेका छन्—विशेष प्याकेजहरू जसमा बिहानको कफी, बेकरी वस्तुहरू र नाश्ता विश्व कप हेर्नको लागि समावेश गरिएको छ। तर, उनीहरूले यी खेलको समयमा पनि ग्राहकको उपस्थितिमा कमीको रिपोर्ट गरेका छन्। काठमाडौँमा चहलपहलको कम हुनु मुख्य रूपमा जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालयको निर्देशनका कारण हो, जसले रातको समयमा ठूलो भेला र सार्वजनिक प्रसारणमा रोक लगाएको छ। कुनै पनि संस्था जसले प्रत्यक्ष सार्वजनिक प्रसारण गर्न चाहन्छ, त्यसले पूर्व स्वीकृति लिनु आवश्यक छ; अनुपालन नगर्दा कानूनी कारवाही हुन सक्छ, जसले विशेष विश्व कप घटनाहरू आयोजना गर्न व्यवसायको उत्साहलाई कम गरेको छ। उदाहरणका लागि, बागमती क्यारिडोर, बुद्धनगरमा रहेको लोकप्रिय ‘रेल स्टेशन क्याफे’ले विश्व कपका लागि कुनै विशेष कार्यक्रम सुरु गरेको छैन। क्याफेका प्रबन्धक केशव पौडेलले भने कि अनुकूल खेल समयको कारणले गर्दा उनीहरूले कुनै विशेष विश्व कप योजना बनाउन सकेका छैनन्। “खेलहरू धेरै राति वा बिहानको समयमा हुन्छन्,” उनले भने, थप्दै कि यद्यपि, क्याफेले ग्राहकहरूलाई नियमित कम्बो अफरहरू प्रदान गर्न जारी राखेको छ। पौडेलले भने कि आर्थिक मन्दीले व्यवसायलाई अघिल्लो वर्षको तुलनामा प्रभावित गरेको छ। “व्यवसाय चलिरहेको छ, तर यो पहिलेको जस्तो छैन,” उनले भने, वर्तमान आर्थिक अवस्थालाई एक कारकको रूपमा उल्लेख गर्दै। रातको १०:३० बजेपछि कडा सुरक्षा कार्यान्वयनले रातको स्क्रिनिङका लागि थप चुनौती प्रस्तुत गर्दछ, जसले फुटबल फ्यानहरूलाई रातको समयमा सेवा दिन गाह्रो बनाउँछ। “पुलिसले प्रायः १०:३० बजेपछि हामीलाई बन्द गर्न भनिरहेका छन्, त्यसैले ठूलो स्क्रिन भए पनि हामीले खेलहरू देखाएका छैनौं,” उनले भने। स्टार होटलहरूमा पनि चहलपहलको कमी व्यवसायका मालिकहरूले भनेका छन् कि गतिविधि केवल साना होटल र रेस्टुरेन्टहरूमा मात्र सीमित छैन, तर ठूलो, स्टार रेटेड होटलहरूमा पनि। नक्सलमा रहेको पाँच तारे म्यारियट काठमाडौँका प्रबन्धक शशिकान्त अग्रवालले भने कि अधिकांश खेलहरू रातको समयमा हुने भएकाले होटलले बाह्य ग्राहकहरूलाई लक्षित गर्दै कुनै विशेष प्याकेज वा कार्यक्रम सिर्जना गरेको छैन। “बाह्य पाहुनाहरू रातको समयमा धेरै आउँदैनन्, त्यसैले हामीले कुनै विशेष योजना वा कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरेका छैनौं,” उनले स्पष्ट गरे। यद्यपि, होटलले घरेलु र अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय पाहुनाहरूका लागि प्रत्येक अतिथि कोठामा खेलहरू हेर्ने सुविधा व्यवस्था गरेको छ, जसले उनीहरूलाई आफ्नै कोठामा खेलहरू हेर्न अनुमति दिन्छ। अग्रवालले भने कि उनीहरूले विश्व कप फाइनलको लागि विशेष कार्यक्रम आयोजना गर्न सक्छन्। “हामी फाइनल खेलको दिनका लागि केही विशेष योजना बनाउन सक्छौं, तर अन्य खेलहरूको लागि कुनै प्रमुख योजना छैन,” उनले थपे। सौराहामा पनि समान स्थिति पूर्व अध्यक्ष होटल संघ नेपाल (HAN) चितवन अध्याय र जंगल सफारी लजका मालिक सुमन घिमिरेले भने कि सौराहाका होटलहरूले यस विश्व कप सिजनका लागि विशेष अफरहरू सुरु गर्न सकेका छैनन्। “अघिल्लो वर्ष, जब खेलहरू साँझमा हुने गर्थे, रेस्टुरेन्टहरूले ठूलो स्क्रिनमा खेलहरू देखाउँथे र ग्राहकहरूलाई विभिन्न अफरहरू दिन्थे,” उनले भने। “तर अब, मध्यरातमा खेलहरू हुने भएकाले सार्वजनिक दृश्यता सम्भव छैन।” केही होटल र रेस्टुरेन्टहरूले आफ्ना पाहुनाहरूका लागि आन्तरिक दृश्यता व्यवस्था गरेका छन्, तर यस्ता सेटअप सीमित रहेको छ, उनले थपे। “प्रविधिक रूपमा अहिले लबीहरूमा वा सार्वजनिक क्षेत्रहरूमा टिभी राख्न पनि गाह्रो छ,” उनले स्पष्ट गरे। जबकि पहिलेका साथीहरूको समूहहरू रेस्टुरेन्ट वा बारमा खेलहरू हेर्न भेला हुन्थे, अहिले धेरै दर्शकहरूले घरमा वा मोबाइल उपकरणमा खेलहरू हेर्न प्राथमिकता दिन्छन्। “पहिले सार्वजनिक स्क्रिनिङमा कुनै समस्या थिएन, तर अब अधिकार र अनुमतिहरूका कारण यो सजिलो छैन—त्यसैले धेरै मानिसहरूले घरबाट हेर्न रोज्छन्,” उनले भने। यसका साथै, पर्यटनको लागि यो अफ-सीजन भएकाले सौराहामा विदेशी आगन्तुकहरूको संख्या कम छ; यद्यपि, स्थानीय उद्यमीहरूका अनुसार, घरेलु पर्यटकहरूले व्यवसायलाई सन्तोषजनक स्तरमा राखेका छन्। पोखराका रेस्टुरेन्ट र बारमा गतिविधि वृद्धि पर्यटन राजधानी पोखरामा ‘भारतीय सिजन’का कारण होटल, रेस्टुरेन्ट र खेल बारमा बढी गतिविधि भइरहेको छ। भारतका पर्यटकहरू चिसो मौसमको आनन्द लिन आइरहेका छन्, र विश्व कपले युवा लक्षित रातको जीवनलाई थप उत्साहित बनाएको छ। रेस्टुरेन्ट र बार संघ नेपाल (REBAN) – पोखरा अध्यायका अध्यक्ष विश्वास पौडेलले पुष्टि गरे कि विश्व कपले पोखराको आतिथ्य क्षेत्रमा सकारात्मक प्रभाव पारेको छ। “हामीले १०:४५ PM, १२:४५ AM, र ३ AM मा निर्धारित खेलहरू आरामसँग हेर्ने मानिसहरूलाई देखेका छौं,” पौडेलले भने। “खेल बारहरूमा ठूलो स्क्रिनमा साथीहरूको भेला हुने प्रवृत्ति बढ्दैछ, र रेस्टुरेन्टहरू रातभर खुला रहन्छन्।” उनले भने कि यस्ता युवा-केंद्रित गतिविधिहरूले व्यवसायलाई बढावा दिएको छ, साथै भारतीय पर्यटकहरूको स्वस्थ प्रवाह पनि। सुरक्षा एजेन्सीहरू, प्रशासन र पर्यटन मन्त्रालयसँग ट्राफिक र कोठा व्यवस्थापनको लागि समन्वय भइरहेको छ। पौडेलले पनि पोखराबाट उत्तरी हिमाली क्षेत्रहरू, मुक्तिनाथ र उच्च मुस्ताङतर्फ जाने युवा यात्रुहरूको बढ्दो प्रवृत्तिको रिपोर्ट गरे, र पर्यटन जानकारी र व्यवस्थापनलाई तदनुसार सहज बनाइँदैछ। होटल संघ: संलग्नता पहिलेको जस्तो व्यापक छैन विनायक शाह, होटल संघ नेपालका अध्यक्षले यस वर्ष होटल र रेस्टुरेन्टहरूमा विश्व कप लक्षित अफरहरू अघिल्लो संस्करणको तुलनामा व्यापक नभएको बताएका छन्। उनका अनुसार, केही व्यवसायहरूले सीमित अफरहरू प्रस्तुत गरेका छन्, तर तिनीहरूले ठूलो स्तरमा विस्तार गरेका छैनन्। अनुकूल समय र रातको समयमा खुला रहनका चुनौतीहरूको कारण साना र मध्यम आकारका रेस्टुरेन्ट र बारहरूले प्रमुख विश्व कप अफरहरू लागू गर्न संघर्ष गरेका छन्। साना खुला रेस्टुरेन्टहरूले समय र सुरक्षा कारणले चुनौतीहरू भोगिरहेका छन् भने, ठूलो स्टार होटलहरूले आन्तरिक रूपमा घटनाहरू आयोजना गर्न सकेका छन्, शाहले स्पष्ट गरे। “स्टार होटलहरूमा शान्ति र सुरक्षा हुन्छ,” उनले भने। “खेलहरू भित्र देखाएर, उनीहरूले बाहिरको विघटनबाट जोगिन्छन्।” विश्व कपले चाडको वातावरण सिर्जना गर्दा, रातको समयमा तालिका र सुरक्षा संवेदनशीलताहरूले नेपालमा आतिथ्य क्षेत्रको प्रस्तावलाई यस सिजनमा बढी नियन्त्रण र सीमित स्तरमा राखेको छ, व्यवसायका मालिकहरूले बताएका छन्।
A senior US official has confirmed that Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the ceasefire is currently being implemented, but the army is prepared to resume military operations upon receiving orders.
This agreement was reached considering the possibility that ongoing conflict in Lebanon could adversely impact the US-Iran agreement.
Direct talks between the US and Iran, scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, have been postponed.
Lebanon has reported that at least 18 people died in the latest Israeli airstrike, while Israel stated that it responded after Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers.
Agreement Amid Concerns
Image source, Reuters
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have officially confirmed the ceasefire with Hezbollah. IDF spokesperson Avichay Deferin said, “We are in a ceasefire state. If ordered, we are ready to resume fighting.”
Under the US-Iran agreement, the conflict in Lebanon was also expected to end, but Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that at least 47 people died in southern Lebanon overnight due to Israeli airstrikes.
The Israeli military reported the deaths of four of its soldiers and stated it targeted Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.
Israel’s right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the military deaths by saying all of Lebanon should burn.
Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun described the expansion of Israeli attacks as dangerous and warned it would escalate tensions.
US Vice President JD Vance delayed his visit to Switzerland, citing these tensions as the reason.
Technical discussions on implementing the US-Iran agreement, signed earlier this week, were scheduled to take place today in Switzerland.
However, the White House announced on Thursday that Vice President Vance would not attend the talks, stating that the visit preparations were neither routine nor predictable.
Following the agreement, the US lifted maritime sanctions on Iran.
A few hours before the White House statement, Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese media reported that the talks were postponed due to the Israeli attack.
How Hezbollah Became Involved in the Iran-Israel Conflict
At the end of February, after Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed in an Israeli attack, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against Israel. Subsequently, at the start of March, Lebanon was drawn into the conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran.
Israel conducted bombings across Lebanon and captured several areas to clear Hezbollah fighters from the northern border.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 3,912 deaths and 11,699 injuries in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Health.
Dozens of communities in southern Lebanon have been completely destroyed, and around one million people have been displaced.
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In Kanakai Municipality-5, Jhapa, a tractor collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of the driver and his 5-year-old niece. The driver’s 45-year-old mother was seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment at B&D Hospital in Birtamod, police reported. The tractor and its driver involved in the accident have been taken into custody as further investigations are underway. June 19, Biratnagar.
In Jhapa, two people riding a motorcycle died after being hit by a tractor, and one person was injured in the accident. On Friday afternoon, at Tulsiwari in Kanakai Municipality-5, a motorcycle with the registration number ME 4 PA 585 traveling from Surunga toward Jhapa Bazaar was struck by a tractor numbered ME 1 TA 7404, which was exiting a field onto the road.
As a result of the collision, the motorcycle driver, 20-year-old Samir Ali from Jhapa Rural Municipality-3, and his 5-year-old niece, Hajira Khatun, died. According to police, they were immediately taken to Kanakai Hospital in Surunga for treatment, but doctors declared them dead upon examination.
Also seriously injured in the accident was Samir’s 45-year-old sister, Nuresh Sadevi, who was riding on the back of the motorcycle. After receiving initial treatment at Kanakai Hospital, she was transferred to B&D Hospital in Birtamod for further care, the police stated. The district police office of Jhapa confirmed that the tractor and its driver involved in the accident have been detained and investigations are ongoing. *(Previously, the police reported that Samir and Hajira were father and daughter, but after it was clarified that they were uncle and niece, this has been corrected—Editor)
An extraordinary bond forged through football between Mexico and South Korea
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. As part of Group A, Mexico faced South Korea in an exhilarating match held on June 18 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mexico emerged victorious with a 1-0 win. Beyond the scoreline, heartwarming scenes of Mexican locals embracing South Korean fans both inside the stadium and on the streets have gone viral on social media. The Mexican supporters warmly welcomed their Korean guests by saying, “Korean brothers, now you are Mexican,” in a gesture rich with cultural hospitality.
Despite the vast distance of over 12,000 kilometers between the two countries, football has magically created an unexpected friendship. During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, South Korea’s 2-0 upset victory over Germany helped Mexico advance to the knockout stage round of 16—a moment celebrated by Mexican supporters with great enthusiasm akin to their own wins. This friendship between Mexico and South Korea extends well beyond football: Korean culture is increasingly popular in Mexico, and commercial ties between the two nations continue to strengthen.
To prolong the lifespan of a smartphone battery, it is important to keep the battery level consistently between 20 and 80 percent. Nowadays, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. They are used for calling, browsing social media, capturing photos and videos, conducting financial transactions, controlling home appliances, listening to the radio, and even for business purposes. Such extensive use causes batteries to drain quickly. Many users habitually keep their phones plugged in before the battery gets low. However, questions often arise regarding how frequently and in what manner to charge the phone, and how to maintain the battery’s health over a long period. Improper charging habits can shorten battery life.
Using the correct charging method is essential to extend battery longevity. Most modern smartphones use lithium-ion batteries. Experts advise against fully discharging the battery or charging it to 100% every time. The optimal battery charge range is generally considered to be between 20 and 80 percent. When the battery level drops to around 20%, it should be connected to a charger. Once the battery reaches 80 or 85 percent, it is best to unplug the charger. Frequently charging up to 100% can put excessive strain on the battery, which negatively impacts its lifespan.
How often should you charge your phone in a day? Many believe that frequent charging is harmful. However, topping up the charge two to three times a day in small amounts, as needed, is completely safe. Instead of charging from 0 to 100 percent in one go, partial charging is preferable for battery health. The lifespan of a smartphone battery depends on charge cycles. Typically, batteries retain their capacity for 300 to 500 charge cycles. A full charge cycle is defined as charging from 0 to 100 percent, whereas charging from 40 to 80 percent twice approximately equals half a cycle.
Does charging your smartphone overnight harm the battery? Modern smartphones are equipped with an automatic cut-off system that stops power supply when the battery reaches 100%. Therefore, there is no risk of battery damage or phone explosion from overnight charging. However, keeping the phone plugged in for prolonged periods may keep the battery in trickle charge mode, which is not ideal for battery health. For this reason, selecting the appropriate charger is critical. Always charge your phone using original or certified, reliable brand chargers. Substandard chargers may deliver incorrect voltage, causing excessive heat and increasing the risk of battery damage.
Opposition parties have raised questions regarding pressure exerted by advisors to Prime Minister Walendra Shah ‘Balen’ on officials and staff of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) amid the passport contract investigation.
During the parliamentary sessions on Friday in both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, opposition MPs accused the government of intervening in the autonomy of constitutional bodies.
Officials from the Department of Passports stated that after the contract awarded over a year ago, the new company has already delivered more than 550,000 passport booklets.
Concerns about a shortage of passports from next month have arisen following the commencement of the CIAA’s investigation.
Prior to the distribution of new passports, reports surfaced in the media that the Prime Minister’s Office intervened and pressured the anti-corruption body to investigate the contracting process.
Questions Over Prime Minister’s Office Intervention
Image source, PMO
Opposition parties raised questions in parliament about the alleged conduct towards the anti-corruption officials at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Khadka Bahadur Budha, a Nepali Congress MP elected from Jajarkot, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that advisors to the Prime Minister pressured the heads and officials of constitutional bodies.
“Has the Prime Minister understood this yet? The CIAA is not a vigilance center under the Prime Minister’s Office; it is a constitutional entity that monitors the government and balances the exercise of state power,” he said.
“If today the Prime Minister’s Office intimidates the CIAA to make decisions according to its desire, then who will investigate the Prime Minister if he commits corruption tomorrow?”
Ganesh Bahadur Bishwakarma, a Nepali Communist Party MP, commented that the government’s actions have raised questions about its governance rhetoric.
“This government came with the slogan of good governance. But the mistreatment of a diplomat in the public sphere, the conduct and pressure exerted on the head of a constitutional body, and the threatening expressions used all send an alarming signal,” he questioned.
Khusbu Oli, a member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, also alleged in parliament that the Prime Minister’s Office advisors created a situation that seemed akin to controlling the commission’s officials, exerting pressure.
“If this report is false, the government should deny it immediately. If it is true, it is a direct interference in the autonomy of a constitutional body. Is this the starting point of the new government?” she questioned.
MPs Budha, Bishwakarma, and Oli also questioned the government in parliament over the Prime Minister’s Secretariat’s reported insult to the German Ambassador to Nepal, Udo Foltz.
“Reports say Nepal’s diplomatic reputation built over decades has been tarnished. The manner in which the staff has treated diplomatic representatives is said to be disrespectful. Such behavior damages Nepal’s image and credibility in the international community,” said Rastriya Prajatantra Party MP Oli.
In the National Assembly, Nar Bahadur Bista from the Nepal Communist Party raised questions against the government, stating that “CIAA officials were pressured by the Prime Minister’s Office to issue arrest warrants.”
Officials noted that only 70,000 passports from the previous printing company remain in the stock of the Department of Passports.
The contract signed to distribute passports from July 13 by a new company is currently under investigation, raising concerns about potential disruption in passport issuance.
The Department has reported distributing 3,000 to 3,500 passports daily.
If passports printed by the new company are not ready for timely distribution, it is anticipated that a shortage may begin from mid-July (Sawan).
However, passport department officials have downplayed concerns regarding the shortage.
These officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the ongoing CIAA investigation regarding passport matters.
“The German company has printed 550,000 new passports. The department has completed all necessary tests and has them ready,” they stated.
“Once passports from the old company are exhausted, the new company’s booklets will be distributed.”
It remains unclear whether passports from the German company will be deployed immediately or not.
Attempts to contact government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel, as well as Prime Minister’s political advisor Asim Shah, regarding the passport issue yielded no response by the time of publication.
In June last year, the Department of Passports awarded contracts to two German companies: Veridos for printing passport booklets, and Mühlbauer ID Services for software and data management systems.
These companies were responsible for printing 6.4 million passports and managing data, but after a lengthy process, the contract became controversial.
The French company Idemia previously printing passports in Nepal took the case to the Supreme Court, which delayed the new contract process and caused existing passport stocks to run low.
In addition, during the Genjil Movement in September last year, more than 6,000 passports were reportedly destroyed by fire.
To resolve the passport shortage, then-election government Prime Minister Sushila Karki took proactive steps and sought assistance from German Ambassador Udo Foltz to expedite passport supply.
At that time, Karki’s public relations advisor Govindanarayan Timilsina stated that an emergency purchase of additional passports from France’s Idemia company was arranged to prevent immediate shortages.
After the German company indicated delays in manufacturing, the government procured 700,000 additional passports from the French company to avoid shortages.
Currently, only 70,000 of those 700,000 passports remain in stock.
Department officials said the German company Veridos has prepared passports for distribution but they have not yet been put into use as the old inventory is still depleting.
Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Responds
Image source, RSS
Caption, Prem Kumar Rai is currently the Chief Commissioner of the CIAA
A spokesperson for the CIAA stated that the passport-related matter is currently under investigation and declined to provide further details.
“We do not have any information on that matter. We are not aware of that issue,” said CIAA spokesperson Suresh Nyaupane.
The constitutional commission, appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, currently has one Chief Commissioner and three Commissioners.
Prem Kumar Rai is the Chief Commissioner; he is a former Home Secretary.
Jay Bahadur Chand, Hari Paudel, and Sumitra Shrestha Amatya are Commissioners of the CIAA.
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