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Paras Khadka, former captain of the Nepali national cricket team and current secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), presented Nepal’s cricket journey and future ambitions at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference held in Singapore. In his address, Khadka touched on the success of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), structural reforms, promotion of women’s cricket, and Nepal’s aspiration to attain Test nation status. Sharing his remarks on social media as well, he asserted that Nepal is now ready for the global stage.

Reflecting on the journey of Nepal cricket, Khadka said, “I led the national team for nearly two decades, taking it from Division 5 to achieving ODI status. Where we are now is incredible—but we must move ahead with a plan.” Describing last year’s NPL as a transformative moment, Khadka noted that the tournament gained international attention. “The NPL wasn’t confined to Nepal alone. Eight local franchise owners ran teams, attracting star players like Shikhar Dhawan and Jimmy Neesham. Cricket legends like Brian Lara visited, and Neesham won his first franchise title right here in Nepal.”

Highlighting the league’s symbolic gesture, Khadka said, “We placed a stone from Mt Everest on the NPL trophy to send a message to the world—that climate change is a grave issue, and Nepal lies at its heart. Even cricket can carry that message.”

Khadka also spoke about Nepal’s recent achievements on the global stage: “We’ve played in two World Cups, participated in the Asia Cup, and narrowly lost to South Africa by just one run in 2024. More than 8,000 Nepali fans were in the stadium in Dallas—that showed our strength.”

On women’s cricket, Khadka stressed its importance in Nepal’s pursuit of full ICC membership. “We’ve made women’s cricket a priority. For the first time, we’ve reached the global qualifiers. There’s no turning back now.”

Regarding government support, he added, “The national sports budget has doubled for the first time. A new international-standard stadium with floodlights is under construction. We’ve introduced the red-ball format in domestic cricket. While franchise cricket brings in revenue, we must also focus on Test cricket.”

Speaking about long-term goals, Khadka concluded, “We have the fans, government support, and backing from the ICC. We’re about to play our first-ever series against the West Indies. Becoming a Test nation is not just a dream—it’s our commitment.” 

The fringe far-right Sanseito party emerged as one of the biggest winners in Japan's upper house election on Sunday, gaining support with warnings of a "silent invasion" of immigrants, and pledges for tax cuts and welfare spending, Reuters reported.

Birthed on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, the party broke into mainstream politics with its "Japanese First" campaign.

The party won 14 seats adding to the single lawmaker it secured in the 248-seat chamber three years ago. It has only three seats in the more powerful lower house.

"The phrase Japanese First was meant to express rebuilding Japanese people's livelihoods by resisting globalism. I am not saying that we should completely ban foreigners or that every foreigner should get out of Japan," Sohei Kamiya, the party's 47-year-old leader, said in an interview with local broadcaster Nippon Television after the election, according to Reuters.

A sustained Ukrainian drone attack on Russia caused Moscow's major airports to be temporarily closed and saw at least 140 flights cancelled, officials said, BBC reported.

More than 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russia since Saturday morning - including 27 over the capital - according to the Russian defence ministry.

According to Russia's aviation watchdog, the four major airports serving the capital were disrupted and more than 130 flights also had to be redirected. All have since resumed normal operations. 

Meanwhile, at least three people were killed during Russian air strikes on Ukraine overnight, according to regional officials, according to BBC.

Zaina Begum stood helplessly next to her withering paddy field.

A farmer in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pulwama district, she had been waiting for rainfall for more than a month, hoping to save her crop from dying, BBC reported.

So when it finally rained earlier this week, she was hopeful. 

"But it was already too late by then," she said. "Our land had completely dried up."

The region recorded its highest daytime temperature in 70 years at 37.4C (99.32F) - at least 7C above the seasonal average, according to BBC.

US TV star Ellen DeGeneres has made her first public appearance since moving to the UK, saying she decided to settle in England the day after Donald Trump was re-elected US president, BBC reported.

The comedian and host told a crowd in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, that life "is just better" in the UK.

Ellen said she and wife Portia de Rossi were considering getting married again in England after some moves in the US to reverse the right to gay marriage, and that America can still be "scary for people to be who they are".

She also addressed allegations of a toxic workplace that led to the end of her long-running chat show in 2022, admitting she could be "very blunt", but dismissed the stories as "clickbait", according to BBC.

 Devotees thronged to the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu to observe the first Monday of Shrawan.

On the occasion, all four doors of the Pashupatinath temple have been  opened for the devotees from 3 am today.

Arun Biset, an official of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), shared that provisions have been arranged considering that around 500,000 devotees would visit and pay homage to the holy shrine. 

The Hindus perform pooja to lord Shiva with top reverence by fasting on the Mondays of Shrawan month.  

A large number of devotees thronged the Pashupatinath temple from early morning today, Biset said.

The PADT has stated that tickets of less than Rs 7,500 will not be issued for the special pooja in the month of Shrawan. 

Likewise, a free meal will be served to the devotees at Pashupathinath temple from Marwari Samaj and this arrangements will be continued every Monday this month. 

Furthermore, the PADT has ensured a bus service for free along the ring road in the valley on every Monday for the devotees coming to the Pashupatinath temple.

The monsoon wind has its influence throughout the country at present with the monsoon low pressure trough somewhat north to its average position, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said.

There are chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali Provinces today. 

As the weather remains generally cloudy throughout the country, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and at a few places of the rest of the country, according to the Division. 

There is also a possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of the country tonight. 

In view of the risk of floods, landslides, and debris flow, the Division has urged the residents to apply precautions and safety measures in urban and Tarai regions. 

It has been informed that water levels in large and small rivers and rivulets could rise, potentially affecting daily life, agriculture, health, tourism, and transportation on roads and air traffic near river areas.

CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari held a meeting at UML Headquarters, Chyasal, today.

After former President Bhandari announced her return to party politics, the recently held Secretariat and Politburo meetings of the party had discussed this issue.

Chair Oli has been saying that former President Bhandari did not hold any discussion with the party before announcing her return to party politics. 

In the Politburo meeting, concluded on Saturday, the members had put forth the views that the former President, who already served in the prestigious post, should not return to active politics. 

The Central Committee meeting of the UML is scheduled on Monday.