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Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki held a meeting with President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Tuesday. Minister Karki had reached Sheetal Niwas this morning to meet President Bhandari at a time when the various efforts are being made to deal on power sharing. A source at the President’s office said that the duo discussed possible power sharing and contemporary political issues. During a 45-minute meeting, President Bhandari expressed her concern on the election results and possible power sharing, a source said. Minister Karki told President Bhandari that the ruling coalition’s meeting held on Monday had decided to give continuity to the incumbent alliance. In addition to that, he said that elections were held in a peaceful manner. After being elected as a member of the House of Representatives, Karki’s meeting with the President is considered as a political meeting. This meeting was taken meaningfully after the ruling coalition’s meeting held on Monday decided to give continuity to the current alliance.

The ruling coalition has decided to move ahead unitedly. While some top leaders of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have been taking initiatives to unite the two parties. They are of the opinion that the two big parties should join hands together to provide stability to the country for five years instead of moving forward by roping in too many fringe parties. The UML leaders have also said that they would help the Nepali Congress form its government. A senior leader of the UML said: “Let the Nepali Congress form a government for five years. It will have our full support. We will focus on strengthening the party rather than joining the government. But, the NC’s government will be appropriate to bring political stability in the country.” As the ruling coalition failed to garner majority and the CPN (Maoist Center) has been bargaining for various posts, the Nepali Congress has also been expressing its readiness to adopt flexibility to form a new government with the support of UML. Leaders close to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML Chairman KP Oli have been working hard for the same. Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh had already held a meeting with UML Chairman Oli. The UML has also vowed to give written commitment to the Nepali Congress to form a single government for five years. The entire results of the elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and the Province Assembly held under the first-past-the-post system have already been announced. In the HoR direct elections, the Nepali Congress emerged the first party by winning 57 seats followed by 44 of the CPN-UML, 18 of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and 10 of the CPN (Unified Socialist). Meanwhile, the UML has secured more votes under the proportional representation. There is a possibility that the party would get 34 seats while the Nepali Congress will be in second place. It can get 32 seats. It has been seen that the Congress will get 89 seats and UML 78. The Congress and UML will have 176 together. If the NC and UML band together, the two parties can form a government with a clear majority. The UML, however, has decided not to join the government, instead decided to support the NC from outside. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has been advocating for a two-party system. He is in favor of forming a new government of Congress and UML saying that the fringe parties always do bargaining. During a meeting of the coalition, parties other than the Nepali Congress had expressed their grievances that the NC benefitted from this election while they had to face unexpected results. Expressing dissatisfaction over the election results, the parties apart from the Nepali Congress have been mounting pressure by forming morcha. CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been leading the front. In a meeting of its office bearers on December 3rd, the CPN (Maoist Centre) had decided to keep its options open on government formation. The Nepali Congress has also been doing homework internally to form a government with the UML. UML Vice-Chairman Pradeep Gyawali said that the Congress and UML have been holding discussions on the same. NC leader Min Bahadur Bishwokarma said that the first priority is to give continuity to the coalition.  

It was the same old Neymar out there, looking fit and scoring a goal to move closer to Pelé’s all-time record and lead Brazil into the World Cup quarterfinals.

Neymar returned from injury and converted a first-half penalty in Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16 on Monday, Associated Press reported. He reached 76 goals with the national team, one shy of the mark set by Pelé, who said he would watch the match from his hospital bed in Sao Paulo.

“I was very scared,” Neymar said. “It was very difficult after getting injured like I did. I was crying the entire night. My family knows what I had to go through. But in the end it all worked out. It was worth the effort to keep undergoing physiotherapy.”

The 82-year-old Pelé is recovering from a respiratory infection that was aggravated by COVID-19, leaving fans in Brazil and in Qatar worried about his condition. Neymar carried a banner with the soccer great’s image and “Pelé” written on it after the match, and the entire team then posed behind it near midfield.

South Korea was trying to advance past the round of 16 for the first time since its historic run to the semifinals as a co-host in 2002.

Neymar damaged ligaments in his right ankle in the team’s opening match against Serbia and at the time there were doubts if he would play again at the World Cup. He was clearly back, and there were no signs of the injury as he led Brazil to a comfortable victory and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals for the eighth straight time.

Brazil will next play Croatia on Friday.

Neymar scored his first goal of this year’s World Cup after kissing the ball and calmly sending a low shot from the spot after waiting the goalkeeper to choose a side in the 13th minute. He danced as his teammates huddled around him, then did dance moves along with Vinícius Junior and other teammates before raising his arms to the sky and smiling broadly, according to Associated Press.

Neymar was forced out of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after getting hurt in the quarterfinals. On Monday, he joined Pelé and Ronaldo with goals for Brazil in three different World Cups.

Fans chanted his name as he walked off the field after the match. He had been substituted in the 81st.

Vinícius Júnior scored the first goal from inside the area after a cross by Raphinha in the seventh minute, Richarlison added to the lead from close range after a nice exchange of passes by the Brazilians in the 29th, and Lucas Paquetá scored the fourth before halftime after an assist by Vinícius Júnior.

They celebrated each goal by dancing, and even Brazil coach Tite participated in Richarlison’s traditional “pigeon” celebration, Associated Press reported.

Paik Seung-ho scored South Korea’s goal in the 76th minute.

South Korea coach Paulo Bento said after the match he was quitting. The Portuguese coach took over the national team after the last World Cup and his contract was due to end after this year’s tournament.

Croatia is going deep at another World Cup, and the team is taking the long route once again.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in Croatia’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout on Monday, securing a return to the quarterfinals for the runner-up in the 2018 tournament. The match was tied at 1-1 after extra time, Associated Press reported.

On its surprising run to the final in Russia four years ago, Croatia needed extra time in each round in the knockout stage — and twice came through a penalty shootout.

“History keeps repeating itself,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said with a smile.

Livakovic was the backup goalkeeper to Danijel Subasic in 2018 but took center stage this time, diving to his left to keep out Japan’s first penalty by Takumi Minamino, to his right to block Kaoru Mitoma’s effort from the second penalty, and then again to his right to deny Maya Yoshida off the fourth.

That gave Mario Pasalic the chance to put away the clinching penalty. The substitute joined the rest of Croatia’s jubilant players in heading right for Livakovic after hitting the back of the net.

“In Croatia, we do things this way,” Livakovic said. “I continued the tradition.”

The similarities with 2018 do not stop there. Just like in every game in the knockout stage that year, Croatia fell behind to Japan when Daizen Maeda swept in a close-range finish in the 43rd, according to Associated Press.

Ivan Perisic equalized by meeting Dejan Lovren’s cross from the right with a header into the bottom corner from near the penalty spot in the 57th.

Dalic said his team’s ability to recover from losing positions “reflects the Croatian people,” with a nod to a psyche the players forged growing up in a country ravaged by war as the former Yugoslavia broke up in the 1990s.

“We never give up ... We have been through so much pain and the players have great pride,” Dalic said. “The whole of Croatia is supporting us and this is a way of giving them faith for a better tomorrow.”

While Croatia — also a semifinalist in 1998 — prepares to take on Brazil in the quarterfinals, Japan exits a World Cup in the round of 16 for the fourth time, just like in 2002, 2010 and 2018. The Asian team also lost in a penalty shootout to Paraguay at that stage in 2010.

Asia is still waiting for a second team to advance beyond the last 16, after South Korea on home soil in 2002.

Japan made its mark in Qatar, though, beating Germany and Spain — two of the last three World Cup champions — in huge upsets in the group stage.

“The players showed a new era of Japanese football, I think,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. “They should use this feeling of being upset and try to go further next time.

“We cannot be superheroes in one go. We have to improve step by step. But Japan is reaching a level where we can play on the world stage.”

The result guarantees at least one more World Cup game for 37-year-old Croatia captain Luka Modric, one of the best midfielders of his generation. The 2018 world player of the year had a quiet game, save for one pass with the outside of his right foot that sent Perisic away for a shot on goal in the first half, Associated Press reported.

Old House, located at Purano Naikap, is a great place to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The outdoor cafe is famous for its breathtaking views of the nearby hills and mountains. You can also get a good bird’s-eye view of Kathmandu from here. What’s great is that the food is good, and it’s affordable too. The momos are really fantastic here, with Nanglo momos being its specialty. It’s basically a momo platter served in a nanglo (which is a round tray made of woven bamboo). There are all different kinds of momos as well—steam, fried, kothey, and chili. You can also order momos in bulk—in packs of 30 and 50. The price of 30 momos is Rs 460 while that of 50 is Rs 890. If you think you can have momos at any restaurant in Kathmandu, then think again. The momos here are delicious as the meat is really succulent. The blend of spices they use to marinate the filling is, we assure you, unlike anything you have ever tasted. The chicken khaja set is worth a try as well. It’s quite filling with beaten rice, bhatmas sadheko, aloo ko achar, chicken, egg, papad, and salad. We don’t recommend this for one but if you are there with a friend who doesn’t find sharing his/her food, definitely give this one a go. The sekuwa is pretty decent too. You can let the servers know your preference so that they can grill it to your liking. Expect the place to be full if you go there in the evening or during lunchtime. The interior is cozy, and there are more than enough tables to accommodate quite a few customers. If you prefer a calmer setting to enjoy your meal, there is also a private room away from the main restaurant area. But if you are planning to visit Old House during the weekend, it might be a good idea to make a reservation. Their specials Nanglo Momo Chicken Khaja Set Sekuwa Opening hours: 12 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Purano Naikap Online payment: Yes Meal for two: Rs 1200 Call: 9849892912 Parking space: For bikes only

The ruling coalition meeting held at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar has largely decided to give continuity to the current alliance. Issuing a joint statement on Monday, the four parties—Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist) and Rastriya Janamorcha—concluded that the elections to the House of Representatives and Province Assembly have confirmed the necessity and relevance of the alliance. “The results of the recently concluded parliamentary and provincial elections have reaffirmed the need and significance of the current coalition. It is also necessary to give continuity to the alliance to deal with the challenges facing the country,” read the statement issued by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Nepal and Rastriya Janamorcha Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC. The election results have given a clear message that the parties should move ahead on the path of political stability and economic prosperity with mutual agreement and cooperation. The ruling coalition said that the elections have protected the constitution and brought political stability in the country. “The coalition, which was formed to safeguard the constitution and democracy,government has successfully completed all three—local, provincial and federal elections. The successful completion of all three levels of elections have further strengthened democracy and protected the constitution,” the statement read. The statement has also mentioned about the incidents of non-cooperation and disagreements within the coalition during the election. The coalition has also decided to resolve these kinds of problems in the coming days. Expressing gratitude to all the voters, the ruling alliance has decided to uphold its commitment to move ahead unitedly in the future, keeping the interests of the country and people in the center by respecting the trust and sentiment of the voters.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand held a meeting on Monday. During the meeting held at Dahal’s residence in Khumaltar, the duo discussed contemporary political issues. According to a Khumaltar source, the two leaders discussed giving continuity to the five-party alliance. The source said that both of them stood in favor of giving continuity to the alliance.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 24. 46 points to close at 1,938.76 points on Monday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 5. 19 points to close at 379. 64 points. A total of 4,127,286 units of the shares of 240 companies were traded for Rs 1. 67 billion. Meanwhile, Sayapatri Hydropower Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 3. 12 percent. Likewise, Ajod Insurance Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 7. 37 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 78 trillion.