June 23, Kathmandu – Former Afghan cricketer Shapoor Zadran passed away on Tuesday at the age of 38. Zadran had been suffering from a rare immune system disorder, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and had been undergoing treatment in the Delhi-NCR region of India for several months. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed his death through social media, expressing condolences and recognizing Zadran as one of the foundational figures in Afghan cricket.
The ACB statement said, “Shapoor Zadran was among the key personalities who laid the groundwork for Afghanistan cricket. His dedication, passion, and relentless hard work played a pivotal role in the development of cricket in the country and its progress on the international stage.”
During his international career spanning from 2009 to 2020, Zadran played 44 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 43 wickets, and appeared in 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), claiming 37 wickets. He was notably one of the heroes of Afghanistan’s historic victory against Scotland in the 2015 ODI Cricket World Cup, scoring the winning runs to secure Afghanistan’s first-ever victory in World Cup history. The ACB further stated that Zadran was not only an outstanding player but also a source of inspiration for young Afghan cricketers. His courage, perseverance, and dedication to cricket will always be remembered.
IT company Microsoft has announced the reduction of 4,800 employees, which accounts for approximately 2.1 percent of its total workforce. The gaming division, Xbox, is expected to be the most affected by these cuts. Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President, stated in a message to employees that due to the rapidly changing IT industry, the company needs to focus more on areas that provide greater benefits to customers.
As part of this organizational restructuring, over 1,600 jobs will be immediately cut from the Xbox division. Asha Sharma, who recently became the CEO of Xbox, told employees that the company is initiating the biggest restructuring in Xbox’s history. According to her, an additional 1,600 jobs will be cut over the next year. Furthermore, four Xbox game development studios—Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs—will be separated as part of the company’s restructuring process. CEO Asha Sharma emphasized, “These changes are not intended to make Xbox smaller but to build a bigger future for it.” She added, “History has shown many companies have failed because they believed that surviving in the market long-term guaranteed their future. We will not make that mistake again.”
Caption, Krishna Bahadur Tamang and his wife, residing at the Ichangu holding center, express that they are unable to go elsewhereArticle Information
“Whether I get shot or suffer any harm, it’s for the government. I will not leave this place. Until another permanent solution is found, I will stay here. I have even gotten the last room,” said Krishna Bahadur Tamang, who has been living at the Ichangu holding center for two months, showing his resolve not to move elsewhere.
The displaced Tamang couple from Thapathali’s squatter community said that in the month of Baisakh, they were kept for 10-12 days in a hotel in Balaju and later relocated to a building constructed specifically for squatters at Ichangu.
“Even if we get a distant room, we are not in a condition to move. I am ill and my wife cannot walk,” he explained.
In Baisakh, the government had constructed various holding centers to temporarily house the displaced, while others stayed outside.
Now, all were instructed to submit applications by Monday to receive a one-time payment of NPR 25,000 and to resettle in their own homes. Additionally, a monthly allowance of NPR 15,000 for three months was promised to cover rent costs as part of resettlement expenses.
However, Tamang and nearly half of the displaced have indicated that they will not accept this directive.
Only 1,400 Applications Received
The government had evacuated settlements along hazard-prone riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley on Baisakh 12, 13, 19, and 20.
Among the hundreds displaced, some initiated livelihood restoration efforts while others registered their names on the government list.
“Currently, 388 people are at various holding centers and 2,220 are outside, totaling 2,608 on the list.
Out of these, 1,440 have submitted applications to receive compensation,” said Machakaji Maharjan, Project Director of the Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee, on Tuesday morning.
Image source, HPCIDB
The committee initially set deadlines on Asar 12 and later extended to Asar 19 to submit applications for self-management.
With a further extension, applications were allowed until Monday, Asar 22.
What will the committee do now? “Those who did not submit or fail to submit applications will have to be sent back,” Maharjan explained.
“For those who do submit applications, there is a plan to certify and provide permanent arrangements within three months.”
However, victims like Tamang are not particularly optimistic.
“The government brought us here promising to organize us. Until there’s a permanent solution, we must be allowed to stay here. We will stay here. This holding center was specifically built to accommodate squatters,” said Tamang.
Solution to Take 500 Days
Image source, RSS
Speaking in the National Assembly on Monday, Minister of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs, and General Administration Pratibha Rawal announced that the government aims to resolve the issues faced by landless people nationwide within 500 days.
“The Nepal government’s policy is to rehabilitate squatter families taken from various places in the Kathmandu Valley and kept in holding centers with long-term solutions,” she said.
“For now, the government intends to provide relief of NPR 25,000 per family and a monthly housing allowance of NPR 15,000 for three months, aiming to restore families to their normal lives.”
Minister Rawal further stated that the Land Problem Resolution Committee is prioritizing providing land to landless families in appropriate locations based on citizenship.
She added that, nationwide, more than 1.2 million applications concerning landless Dalits, squatters, and informal settlers are in the process of certification, including 103,140 cases of landless Dalits, 186,860 squatter families, and 954,065 informal settler families.
The minister acknowledged that the influx of further applications is making the problem more challenging to solve.
She confirmed the government policy to resolve the problem within 500 days following a phased approach. This contrasts with the National Independent Party’s declared goal of resolving it within 1,000 days.
In a related development, on Asar 18, land ownership registration certificates were distributed to 29 landless families in Bardiya’s Badhaiatal Rural Municipality.
Yet, for displaced victims like Tamang, immediate problems have grown more severe alongside long-term plans.
“Since I came here (Ichangu holding center), I have not been able to do any work. Now even food and water services have been removed. Conditions are extremely difficult. The government must allow us to stay here as long as we need,” Tamang stressed.
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June 23, Kathmandu – Despite the government’s presentation of new commitments, the trend of ‘last-minute development’ remains unchanged. This year as well, development projects in Siraha are progressing in the same old fashion. With only a few days left in the fiscal year 2082/083, rapid construction activities such as road paving, drainage installation, temple and pond beautification are being carried out abruptly across various local levels in the district. However, no information or notice boards are found at these construction sites. Most project sites lack the mandatory information boards, making it difficult for locals to access basic details about the project, budget, contractor, and completion timeline.
Under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development of Madhesh Province Government, a 106-meter RCC road in Red Cross area, Ward No. 11, Balkawa of Golbazar Municipality, is under construction with an estimated cost of around 2 million NPR. The road was paved late Saturday night around midnight. According to locals, urgent nighttime paving lacked even the essential reinforcement mesh. Local resident Sheikh Khan said, “There is no information about the consumer committee, budget or the project.” Another resident, Nasim Sheikh, expressed his lack of awareness about the reason for night paving despite suggesting the need to widen the curved part of the road.
In Golbazar Municipality Ward No. 4, locals criticized the rush to utilize the budget before the fiscal year ends. According to local reports, a 120-meter drainage pipe installation from Campus Road to Lumbodar Dahal’s house was done during the nighttime under the Madhesh Province government plan. Ward Chairperson Sakaldev Yadav stated, “A budget allocation of 1 million NPR has been made for road maintenance and upgrading throughout the ward.” However, he referred inquiries about who was awarded the quotation to the municipality office.
In Siraha Municipality Ward No. 7 as well, road RCC paving and drainage works accelerated at the fiscal year’s end. The project awarded to Ayushman Construction Services was contracted for NPR 13,317,428.67 with an agreement to complete by the end of Asar 2083. However, construction only began late in the timeline. The absence of project information boards on-site has raised further suspicion. Youth from Golbazar Municipality Ward No. 8, Shiv Yadav, remarked, “Without notice boards, how does one know what project it is, the budget involved, or who is carrying out the work?” Shekhar Mani Singh, engineer at the Physical Infrastructure Development Office, Siraha, clarified that there is no obligation to conduct construction work at night.
When asked again about the issue, Ward Chairperson Yadav declined to comment. Retired Divisional Engineer Devanath Mahto warned that rushed construction compromises quality. He said, “It is difficult to control quality in work done hastily.” These incidences indicate that even after a change in government, there has been no significant change in the approach to development projects.
June 7, Kathmandu – In the final match of the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Switzerland and Colombia will face off on Tuesday at 1:45 AM at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
This match will conclude the newly introduced Round of 32 games and determine the eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
Additionally, this will be the last World Cup match played on Canadian soil during the tournament. Both Switzerland and Colombia enter the contest aiming to reach the quarterfinals.
Both teams defeated African opponents in the Round of 32: Switzerland overcame Algeria while Colombia beat Ghana, securing their spots in the Round of 16.
Switzerland, making its 13th World Cup appearance, previously reached the quarterfinals three times, including back-to-back appearances in 1934 and 1938.
Switzerland last played in a World Cup quarterfinal in 1954 and has not reached that stage in the past 72 years. In the last five World Cups, the Swiss team made it to the Round of 16 four times but exited there, except in 2010 when they were eliminated in the group stage.
Colombia, participating for the seventh time, seeks to advance to the quarterfinals for the second time. Their only previous quarterfinal showing was in the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil, where they were eliminated by the host nation.
Colombia did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, their first absence since 2016.
This match is expected to be highly competitive between two unbeaten teams with contrasting playing styles from different continents.
Journey So Far
Switzerland topped Group B to reach the knockout stage. They drew 1-1 against Qatar in their opening match, then defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, and secured a 2-1 victory against co-hosts Canada in Vancouver to remain unbeaten.
In the Round of 32, Switzerland won 2-0 against Algeria.
Colombia emerged as winners of Group E after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 and DR Congo 1-0, followed by a goalless draw against Portugal.
In the Round of 32, Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0.
Head-to-Head
This will be the second FIFA World Cup meeting between Switzerland and Colombia. Their first encounter was in the 1994 World Cup in the USA, where Colombia won 2-0.
Overall, the two teams have played four matches: Colombia has won two, Switzerland one, and one match ended in a draw. In a 2007 friendly in the US, Colombia defeated Switzerland 3-1.
Team News
Neither team has any suspended players. Switzerland’s Michael Abisror and Luka Jaqwez are struggling with muscle injuries. Should they be unavailable, Remo Freuler and captain Granit Xhaka are expected to anchor the midfield.
Colombia’s Jon Cordoba is out due to injury. Luis Suarez will feature as the center forward. Star player James Rodriguez is slightly unwell; if he is unavailable, Juan Quintero is set to start.
Key Players to Watch
Switzerland’s captain, Granit Xhaka, is a vital player whose style indicates how the team will play. Skilled at ball retention and distribution to initiate attacks, as well as strong defensively, his performance sets the tone for the team. Expectations are high for a display similar to their game against Algeria.
The tournament’s breakout star, 20-year-old Johan Manjambi, is also drawing attention, having contributed three goals and two assists in the last three matches.
For Colombia, Nestor Lorenzo relies heavily on Luis Diaz as a key player. Diaz has established himself as a national icon and arrived at the World Cup after an outstanding season with German club Bayern Munich.
Alongside Diaz, forward Luis Suarez is also an important figure, having delivered an impressive performance in Colombia’s recent victory over Ghana.
Currently, a significant portion of Nepal’s population is composed of young people. Yet, the primary aspiration of these energetic youth appears to be leaving the country. The number of young Nepalese eager to seek opportunities abroad continues to grow daily.
To date, over six million Nepalese have obtained labor permits for foreign employment. In addition, an equally large number of youth go abroad for education and various other reasons.
From manpower agencies and language testing centers scattered across urban alleys to airport queues, the presence of youth preparing to leave is unmistakable.
It is no longer unusual to see crowds of youth carrying passports, ready to depart. Conversations about going abroad dominate discussions at tea stalls and village gathering spots.
These trends prompt a common question — do Nepalese youth truly want to leave their country, or are circumstances forcing them into exile? The undeniable reality is that young people in their homeland currently do not feel a sense of opportunity, respect, or future prospects.
This is not merely about youthful impatience or dissatisfaction but about the anxiety of not seeing their future within their own land. In an interconnected global market of the 21st century, youth are searching for reliable foundations on which to build their lives.
A few years ago, the dreams of Nepal’s youth were different — they aspired to pursue higher education, secure government or respectable jobs, and build their lives domestically with their families. But over time, those dreams have changed. Today, youth conversations revolve more around language test scores, destination countries, and flight dates than about local employment, skills, or domestic opportunities.
There is now a generation growing up that can envision their future more clearly outside their own country than within it. The key issue is not simply their disillusionment with Nepal, but where they perceive their life’s value, opportunities, and dignity.
Due to administrative inertia and a lack of good governance, young people no longer trust state institutions.
A wide gap between the existing education policy and employment opportunities is the root of this crisis. Graduation ceremonies may celebrate achievement by tossing caps into the air, but the reality on the ground is starkly different. Nepal’s education system produces certificates more than skills or practical knowledge. This policy and structural weakness is resulting in major universities facing declining student enrollments.
Classrooms are closing down, yet language testing centers and passport offices are overwhelmed. Data from the Department of Foreign Employment reveals that nearly 400,000 Nepalese have gone abroad for work with labor approvals in just the last six months.
These figures highlight a severe imbalance between the labor market’s demand and the workforce produced by universities. Many graduates are rejected from jobs citing “lack of experience,” but how can young people gain experience without opportunities? This unanswered question reflects that the problem lies not with the youth, but within education policies and traditional labor market structures.
Viewing this wave of youth migration solely as an economic transaction would be unjust. The long lines at airports represent a silent yet powerful protest against a state apparatus that they no longer trust. While the government rejoices over rising remittance figures, the reality is that the country’s productive workforce is steadily declining.
Currently, remittances account for more than a quarter of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product. In this fiscal year alone, remittance flows have increased by nearly 40 percent. These macroeconomic statistics may suggest surface-level stability, but they cannot hide the truth that the country’s productive youth base is hollowing out.
It is disheartening that the state views youth primarily as “exportable assets” and fails to provide adequate policy protection and investment environments when they return home.
While remittances provide short-term relief to families and the national economy, the continuous exodus of talent, energy, and creativity threatens to push the country into long-term social and economic decline.
For many young people, traveling abroad is not just a geographic change but the first step toward a life they imagine as secure, dignified, and full of opportunity.
Another, less visible yet serious dimension of this crisis is mental and social fatigue. Behind the colorful images and success stories portrayed on social media lies growing uncertainty, loneliness, and emotional emptiness. Young people today are hesitant or reluctant to commit to relationships, marriage, homeownership, or long-term decisions.
Mental health remains marginal in Nepal’s public health budgets and policy priorities. Neither sufficient counselors nor service frameworks reach local levels. The youth need not condescending advice but structures to listen, a supportive society, and a mentally safe environment. Unfortunately, this aspect remains excluded from the mainstream discourse on youth development and prosperity.
However, labeling this generation solely as hopeless or escapist is unjust. In recent years, Nepal’s youth have actively engaged in politics, social leadership, and alternative leadership fields.
The rise of leaders like Balen Shah and the growing presence of youth across parliament, streets, and social media reflect that youth dissatisfaction is evolving beyond mere migration into demands for participation and transformation. This sends a clear message — youth are not the problem but potential agents of solutions and change.
Yet, for youth wishing to contribute domestically, existing administrative structures and government practices are formidable barriers. When young entrepreneurs attempt to start ventures locally, they face numerous hurdles — complex registrations, multiple tax and customs procedures, countless permissions from various agencies, and lack of legal guidance — all of which can dampen enthusiasm permanently.
Inertia in public administration and weak governance erode youth trust in state institutions. The state must take clear responsibility in this regard. Making governance more citizen-friendly and agile, aligning education with market needs, creating domestic employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and making mental health a central public policy concern are urgent necessities. Such a new social contract would lay the foundation for a better future.
The state’s challenge is not merely that youth are migrating, but that it has failed to create an environment where youth can envision and build a future at home and where those who have left can be encouraged to return. Ultimately, the question is not about the youth, as they have fulfilled their responsibilities; the critical challenge now lies with the state.
Nepal is presently at a historic opportunity — a demographic dividend characterized by abundant youthful energy. Yet, failing to harness this energy within the country means perpetually missing unprecedented development opportunities.
Without a concrete action plan to transform remittance-dependent stability into a sustainable economy grounded in domestic production and employment, this trend will continue unabated. If the state cannot keep pace with the aspirations and changes of its own generation, tomorrow’s Nepal risks becoming a nation of the elderly.
The nation risks losing not only hundreds of thousands of workers but the very direction of its future and possibilities.
US President Donald Trump has once again shared his perspective on the conflict between India and Pakistan that began after the Pulwama attack. Addressing a question about Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, Trump claimed he has successfully prevented eight wars so far. Speaking with reporters at the White House, he stated, “I was also able to stop the conflict between India and Pakistan. In other cases as well, I have played a similar role. That conflict between India and Pakistan could have been extremely dangerous. There was a possibility of nuclear war. According to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, 40 million people could have died in that war. Maybe even 50 million could have perished.”
He added, “Both sides had shot down 11 planes each. The situation kept deteriorating. The tense state lasted for four days, and then I stopped the conflict.” When asked about the attack in Kyiv on July 4, Trump responded. When questioned why he had not exerted any pressure even after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, “I think Putin is under pressure. He wants this war to end, and Volodymyr Zelensky also wants to conclude this conflict. We are in talks with both sides, and let’s see if we can end this war. This is an extremely sad situation.”
Claiming mediation efforts, Trump said, “I have ended eight wars. In my view, resolving the Russia-Ukraine war should have been comparatively easier because I am familiar with both leaders. In many other cases, I was not acquainted with those leaders.”
The match between Argentina and Egypt is scheduled to kick off at 9:45 PM Nepal Time on Tuesday night in Atlanta, USA. This marks the first-ever World Cup encounter between the two nations. Kathmandu, 7 July – Defending champions Argentina will face African powerhouse Egypt in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both teams secured their spots after hard-fought victories in the Round of 32.
South American giants Argentina progressed by defeating Africa’s debutants Cape Verde 3-2, while Egypt advanced by beating Asian representatives Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the knockout stage for the first time. Captained by global superstar Lionel Messi, Argentina is in excellent form and aims to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the World Cup title. Ranked number one in the FIFA standings, Argentina is making its 19th World Cup appearance. The team has previously won the title three times and finished runner-up on three occasions.
Egypt, which first participated in the World Cup in 1934, has now cleared the group stage for the first time in 92 years and recorded their first-ever knockout round victory. Currently ranked 29th in the FIFA rankings, Egypt remains unbeaten in this tournament. Whenever Argentina plays, Messi is at the center of attention. Opponents devise plans to contain him, while Argentina’s squad strategizes to maximize his impact. At 39 years old, Messi continues to deliver magical performances, setting new records at every match. So far, defending champions Argentina have won all four of their games in this World Cup.
In the group stage, Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0, and Jordan 3-1. Following an impressive group campaign, they edged past debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in the Round of 32. Captain Lionel Messi has scored in every match, accumulating a total of seven goals— the highest in the tournament. On the other hand, seven-time African champions Egypt have remained undefeated, drawing 1-1 with Belgium, defeating New Zealand 3-1, and drawing 1-1 with Iran in the group stage.
Finishing second in Group G and advancing to the knockout stage, Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in the penalty shootout. Imam Asour scored twice during the group matches. Historically, Argentina and Egypt have never faced each other in a World Cup match, making this their first encounter on this stage. However, the two teams have met twice before overall: Argentina won 6-0 at the 1928 Olympic football tournament and 2-0 in a friendly in Cairo in 2008.
Argentina’s squad is relatively free of major issues, though players are experiencing fatigue from continuous play. Both captain Messi and Rodrigo De Paul played the full 120 minutes in the Round of 32. Continuous matches have posed challenges in recovery and time management. Fullbacks Nahuel Molina and Facundo Modina suffered minor issues in the previous game but are expected to be ready. Egypt has no reported problems either. Star player Mohamed Lasheen is available after serving a suspension for a yellow card. Team director Ibrahim Hassan noted that left-back Mohamed Abdelmoleim and center-back Ahmed Fatoh are unlikely to feature. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is battling a hamstring injury.
The spotlight remains firmly on Lionel Messi, who is the most remarkable and must-watch player in this World Cup. He has set numerous new records: most matches played (30), most goals scored (20), scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games, and most World Cup appearances (6). He also shares the top spot for most assists and would lead outright with nine assists if he assists against Egypt. Despite Messi’s continued scoring spree, other forwards like Lautaro Martínez and Julian Alvarez have struggled to find the net. The knockout match presents a huge opportunity for them to prove themselves.
Egypt’s captain and biggest star Mohamed Salah has achieved numerous accomplishments in club football and led his country to the knockout stage for the first time. He, along with Imam Asour, who has scored twice, are Egypt’s key players to watch against Argentina. This eagerly anticipated match promises to captivate football fans worldwide.
Gianni Infantino has been FIFA’s president for 10 years. Next year, he may once again enter the electoral arena as a candidate for office.
From the FIFA Peace Award to the excessively expensive World Cup tickets and the Club World Cup, his tenure has been marked by controversy.
But could the referee’s sudden reversal of the red card given to American player Folarin Balogun, allowing him to participate in the match against Belgium, become a stumbling block for Infantino?
World Cup 2026: Intervention by Co-Host
The United States, a co-host nation, counts Balogun as its star player, having scored three goals in the tournament.
However, as Balogun received a red card in the prior match, permitting him to play against Belgium contravened FIFA rules.
Balogun participated in the game on Monday night, though the U.S. suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
FIFA issued an 871-word statement 24 hours after the decision was reversed, but it did not explain why the decision was altered. Another individual clarified.
“I am the one who made that decision,” said former U.S. President Donald Trump when asked about directing Infantino.
He said he had only asked for a reconsideration of the red card decision, not to overturn the match suspension.
Yet, from the perspective of international football, such intervention is serious.
In the U.S., it is argued that Balogun was unfairly given the red card. The expulsion during the Bosnia-Herzegovina match was deemed sufficient punishment, and missing the next game is considered inappropriate.
Trump echoed this sentiment.
Infantino’s Response
Image source, PA
Infantino asserted that there was no political interference and that the disciplinary committee operated independently.
Yet, perceptions about the matter also matter.
This decision did not benefit just a single team but favored the co-host country, led by Trump, whom Infantino refers to as an ally.
This can be viewed akin to a presidential pardon.
Strong Criticism
“This is our game, not theirs,” said Liverpool’s former manager Jürgen Klopp.
“If Trump and Infantino make this a secret deal, it would be a blow to the sport, raising questions from every angle.”
But will this controversy impact Infantino’s position?
FIFA clearly rejects political interference in its regulations.
When governments intervene in national football associations, FIFA suspends those associations.
For example, Pakistan has been suspended three times over the past eight years.
But are the rules different when it involves Infantino and Trump?
Trump received the new FIFA Peace Award last year amid accusations of rule violations, leading to a complaint filed with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December.
When no hearing took place, 50 European Parliament members wrote to the Ethics Committee.
Dispute with the European Union
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has sharply criticized FIFA over the handling of the Balogun case.
FIFA described the decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unacceptable.”
This is not the first disagreement between UEFA and FIFA.
In May 2025, UEFA’s president and European representatives demonstrated opposition at the FIFA Congress.
After the US government refused to admit a Somali referee for the World Cup, UEFA appointed him as a referee for the Super Cup match.
UEFA has also protested the high cost of World Cup tickets, noting the upcoming Euro 2028 tickets will be much cheaper.
Infantino was previously associated with UEFA.
Could this situation threaten Infantino’s position?
In fact, the situation is quite the opposite. Infantino remains popular among many football federations worldwide.
His FIFA Forward program has expanded investment in global football projects, and the World Cup expansion has also created new opportunities.
This time, 16 additional countries have participated, with nations like Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan beginning to dream big.
This year FIFA is generating revenue of nine billion dollars.
UEFA may express criticism given its own significant resources.
However, other member nations depend greatly on FIFA and Infantino. FIFA has 211 member associations; to win the presidency, a candidate needs 106 votes.
In April, 10 South American football federations publicly supported Infantino. Three weeks later, the African federation with 54 members and the Asian federation with 47 members also declared support.
This means Infantino has already secured 111 votes and is unlikely to be defeated.
Re-elected in 2019 and 2023, it seems difficult for him to lose in 2027.
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Following the United States’ elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026, coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the need to review and evaluate the team’s performance. Kathmandu, June 7. After the defeat against Belgium, Pochettino acknowledged that the team has significant lessons to take away. He stressed the importance of reassessing the situation after being knocked out of the tournament.
“From the start, it was truly a tough challenge. We congratulate Belgium; they performed well. Today was not our day. We need to learn from this. It is necessary to re-evaluate our game,” he said. Pochettino added, “It is essential to understand why we were unable to present the kind of performance expected for the remainder of the World Cup phase.” The United States exited the competition after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16.
Experts indicate that since the budget failed to boost confidence, the stock market now expects clear policy support from the central bank’s upcoming monetary policy.
Currently, the stock market is experiencing a severe shortage of institutional investors, which is highly concerning.
Contrary to hopes for increased activity following the formation of a new stable government, trading at the Nepal Stock Exchange has remained sluggish.
Fluctuations in NEPSE
Shortly after the general elections for the House of Representatives on Falgun 21, the NEPSE index saw a significant surge, increasing by 162.93 points to reach 2,875.
However, this growth could not be sustained for about three weeks until the government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Walendra Shah ‘Balen’ on Chaitra 13.
On Chaitra 15, the day the market reopened, the index plunged approximately 71.05 points to 2,879.11.
A year ago, NEPSE’s average daily trading amounted to 10–15 billion Nepalese rupees around the end of Ashad, whereas it has now dropped to an average of 4–5 billion rupees daily.
Looking back over the past two years, NEPSE reached a high of 3,000.81 on Shrawan 31, 2081 BS, and dropped to a low of 2,464 on Asoj 13.
What Are Market Expectations?
According to NEPSE’s Information Officer Murhari Parajuli, the stock market generally expects two main outcomes from the monetary policy.
“The primary hope is that loans are made available at lower interest rates, encouraging these funds to flow into stock investments. There is an inverse relationship between interest rates and the market; when rates drop, the market usually rises. However, despite reduced interest rates currently, the market has not responded accordingly. Balancing this is a challenging task,” he explained.
Stock Broker Association General Secretary Bhaktiram Ghimire believes the lack of institutional investors has weakened trust in the market.
“We are proposing several measures to address this via the upcoming monetary policy,” he stated.
“First, we want to open channels for channeling some of the excess liquidity held by banks into the stock market,” he added.
Image Credit: NRB
He noted that the central bank had imposed strict regulations recently: “Currently, banks can buy shares, but they must wait at least six months before selling them.”
Another major expectation concerns attracting bank investments in shares, Ghimire said.
“Just as banks are mandated to invest a certain percentage in underprivileged sectors or energy, similar provisions are necessary for stock investments. Currently, regulations allow banks to invest up to 40% of their core capital in shares. While other sectors have defined investment percentages, applying a core capital limit to the stock market is inappropriate,” he explained.
However, former Securities Board chairman and ex-chief of NEPSE Revat Bahadur Karki believes minimal interference from the central bank is preferable.
“Setting the 40% core capital limit is sufficient and, in my view, does not restrict investment,” Karki said.
Interest in ‘Margin Trading’
There is a consensus among experts that introducing the ‘margin trading’ facility, already popular abroad, could help revive Nepal’s sluggish stock market.
In simple terms, margin trading enables investors to expand their investments by borrowing from brokers.
“This means brokers obtain large loans from banks and provide retail financing to their clients. Investors contribute 30% of the investment, and the remaining amount is raised through bank loans, with brokers also investing some portion,” they explained.
Such loans are typically short-term, ranging from one or two months up to one year.
“For example, if a client deposits NPR 300,000 with a broker for margin trading, we allow them to trade shares up to NPR 1 million,” they elaborated.
Compared to banks, these loans are easier and faster to obtain, with brokers charging fixed service fees and slightly higher interest rates than banks.
Since margin trading was included in the directives issued in 2082 BS under the initiative of brokers and the Securities Board, five brokers currently offer this service.
“We hope the monetary policy will provide clarity to banks on this matter, bringing some dynamism to the market,” Ghimire said.
However, Revat Bahadur Karki advises against extensive central bank intervention in margin trading.
“This is primarily a relationship between brokers and investors,” he noted.
Budget Fails to Inspire Investor Confidence
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) had pledged during elections to make the capital market transparent, secure, and investor-friendly by introducing regulatory reforms, technology-friendly trading systems, and robust investor protection mechanisms.
However, the first budget brought forward by the Raswapa-led government failed to ignite enthusiasm in the NEPSE index.
According to Revat Bahadur Karki, the budget adopted some regressive policies regarding capital gains tax.
The capital gains tax on shares sold within one year was raised from 7.5% to 10%, and for shares held more than one year, the tax increased from 5% to 7.5%.
“When the leftist government had increased this tax earlier, revenue fell. Now, although the current government announced a reduction, it has instead raised the tax,” said Karki.
Likewise, Ghimire mentioned the budget did not sufficiently uplift investor morale.
Another reason for the stock market’s sluggishness is the government’s attitude towards private individuals, who still face a “detain first, listen later” approach.
“Wealthy individuals are linked to the stock market in various ways, and their wrongdoings need to be addressed. I believe financial crimes should incur financial penalties; imprisonment should be reserved for the gravest offenses,” he stated.
Despite interest rates being around 6%, the lack of investment is linked to weakened investor confidence.
Meanwhile, NEPSE’s Information Officer Murhari Parajuli sees expectations from the new government as not overly high.
“No government possesses a magic wand. The economy remains as it is, and expecting the market to surge instantly would be unrealistic,” he observed.
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Following Portugal’s painful exit from the World Cup after their defeat to Spain, team captain Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his sadness. Kathmandu, June 23 – Having been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026, Ronaldo stated that he leaves the tournament with a sense of satisfaction. After the loss to Spain, he shared that bidding farewell to his loved ones and supporters was deeply painful. “I am very saddened to be ousted from the World Cup in this manner. I gave my all and performed at my best, and I am leaving with a content heart,” he said.
Regarding retirement, Ronaldo made it clear that he will not make any decisions hastily. He stated, “Yes, this was my last World Cup, but now I have time to reflect and spend with my family. I will not rush into any decisions.”
With the onset of the monsoon season in Nepal and entering the second week of Ashar, the first meeting of the Monsoon Response Command Post was held at Singha Durbar, focusing specifically on how to address hazardous conditions on highways during the rainy period. Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, explained that an internal application operated in coordination with the Department of Roads involves all relevant stakeholders.
“This ‘Setu App’ includes all dozer operators from the Department of Roads. Additionally, security agencies, district coordination committees, and all parties involved in response efforts are connected,” Koirala stated. “If anyone reports a landslide by calling the Ministry of Home Affairs’ toll-free number 1149, it is immediately registered as an incident, and the Department of Roads team provides necessary instructions via the app.” Dozers are arranged to reach the site within 30 minutes.
Engineer Shyam Bahadur Khadka, spokesperson for the Department of Roads, noted that locations prone to landslides have been identified based on previous incidents. “We have pinpointed 140 locations on national highways where traffic blockages may occur and stationed 155 pieces of equipment at these points,” he said. “An additional 122 machines are available nationwide if needed, and private-sector dozers can also be deployed.”
Following increased landslide problems on Kantipath, local authorities announced a suspension of public transportation from Sunday night until further notice. An advisory issued by the Lalitpur District Administration Office has instructed districts to halt essential vehicle operations on national highways and local roads depending on the severity of the disaster. Similarly, various sections of the BP Highway have seen similar decisions by district administrations. “Particularly during heavy rainfall, such decisions are necessary. Local administrations can act as required,” added Pradeep Kumar Koirala, head of the Disaster Authority.
At the ongoing match in Seattle Stadium, Belgium has taken an early lead against the host team, the United States, in the ninth minute. Kathmandu, 7 July – In the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Belgium has maintained a lead against co-hosts the United States. In the match held at Seattle Stadium, Belgium scored in the ninth minute against the American team. Belgian player Charles De Ketelaere converted a pass from Nicolas Raskin into a goal, giving the team the lead.
In the match held at Dallas Stadium in the United States, Spain has taken the lead thanks to a goal by Mikel Merino. On June 7th, Kathmandu time, during the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Spain advanced by gaining the lead against Portugal. In the game at Dallas Stadium, during injury time of the second half, Mikel Merino scored from a pass by Ferran Torres, securing Spain’s advantage.