Up to 129 mm of rain in Jhapa in 24 hours

Up to 129 mm of rain has been measured to have taken place in different places of Jhapa including Anarmani, Chandragadhi and Kechana in the last 24 hours.

As a result, residents living in coastal areas of Kachankawal, Bardashi, Jhapa, Gauriganj and Kankai municipalities have been urged to remain alert.

Sirens installed with the help of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Authority in Bhagdubba of Bardashi Rural Municipality-3 and Pindalbari of Kachankawal Rural Municipality-5 have started sounding.

A similar early warning siren system is also operational in Kuwadi of Jhapa Rural Municipality and Keybari of Gauriganj Rural Municipality-5.

Kankai Municipality Mayor Rajendra Kumar Pokharel said that the level of water in the Kankai River in the municipal area is high and the surrounding areas have been put on alert.

According to Jhapa Chief District Officer Gopal Adhikari, immediate monitoring of high-risk areas, rescue and relief preparations have been made in coordination with the District Administration Office, security agencies and local levels. (RSS)

Narayangadh-Butwal road project's timeline extended by one year

The deadline of the Narayangadh-Butwal road project under the East-West Highway has been extended by a year.    

The deadline of the national pride project has been extended up to 23 July 2026, when the road construction saw only 70 per cent progress by the end of the timeline, extended for the third time.    

Public Information Officer at the Narayangadh-Butwal Road Project, Engineer Shiva Khanal, confirmed the extension of the project deadline fourth time.    

"The period extended for the fourth time is the final one", he said, adding that the timeline has been extended when the contractor has pledged to complete the road project during the period.    

Sharing that blacktopping has been completed in all areas apart from Daunne in the eastern section of the road stretch, he said the remaining works would be completed in a year.    

"The contractor has intensified the road widening works of late", Khanal said, adding the human resources deployed are being focused on placing RCC on Daunne road and building two remaining bridges.    

In the extended timeline, construction of around 65-km four four-lane road in the eastern section, dividers in the middle of the road and 17.5 km service road would be completed, he said. (RSS)

Ukrainian MP, officials arrested in defense corruption probe

A Ukrainian MP, local officials, and National Guard members have been arrested over a major bribery scheme involving overpriced contracts for drones and electronic warfare systems, Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed.

The arrests follow the restoration of independence to Ukraine’s top anti-corruption agencies, after public protests forced a reversal of a controversial bill seen as weakening their powers, according to Reuters.

Zelensky vowed “zero tolerance” for corruption—an issue central to Ukraine’s EU membership hopes.

Russian strike hits Mykolaiv, injures seven

A Russian missile strike on Mykolaiv injured at least seven people and damaged dozens of homes and civilian buildings late Saturday, local governor Vitaliy Kim said. Two of the injured were hospitalized, according to Reuters.

Ukraine’s air force reported 76 drones and seven missiles launched overnight, hitting multiple areas. Most drones were shot down.

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, at least three people were killed and over 12 injured in continued Russian attacks. A brief missile strike on Kyiv caused no reported damage.

Russia has not commented, Reuters reported.

 

Thousands rally in Sydney for Gaza peace and aid

Tens of thousands marched across Sydney’s Harbor Bridge on Sunday, calling for peace and urgent aid to Gaza. Despite heavy rain, crowds carried pots, pans, and Palestinian flags in a protest dubbed the “March for Humanity”, Reuters reported.

Organizers estimate up to 300,000 attended, while police reported 90,000. A court cleared the march after officials tried to block it over safety concerns.

The protest highlighted growing concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with over 60,000 reported dead and widespread hunger.

Australia’s Prime Minister supports a two-state solution but hasn’t recognized Palestine. According to Reuters, protesters urged stronger action, saying basic human rights in Gaza are being denied.

6.8 magnitude aftershock shakes Russia's Kamchatka

A 6.8-magnitude aftershock struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Sunday, according to the regional emergency ministry. The quake occurred at 5:37 a.m. GMT, about 277 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 26 kilometers, Xinhua reported.

Tsunami waves are expected to remain below 19 centimeters, posing no major threat. However, authorities have urged residents to avoid the coastline as a precaution. Vessels in coastal waters have been advised to move to deeper seas beyond the 50-meter isobath.

No casualties or significant damage have been reported, and officials continue to monitor the situation closely, according to Xinhua.

PM Oli congratulates Bantamweight Champion Rabindra Dhant

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has congratulated Nepal's athlete Rabindra Dhant for winning the Matrix Fight Night (MFN 17) Bantamweight Championship.    

Taking to his social media today, PM Oli congratulated and celebrated the remarkable achievement of Bantamweight Champion Rabindra.    

The PM wrote, "Rabindra Dhant has succeeded in becoming the Bantamweight Champion in the Matrix Fight Night (MFN 17) by defeating India's Chungreng Koren. Heartiest congratulations to Rabindra for bringing the title home for the first time."    

It may be noted that Rabindra secured the historic victory by defeating defending champion Chungreng Koren in the MFN 17 Bantamweight Championship, which was held in Greater Noida in India, last night. (RSS)

Rabindra Dhant becomes first Nepali MFN champion with TKO victory

Rabindra Dhant made history at Matrix Fight Night 17 (MFN 17) by defeating India’s Chungreng Koren to win the Bantamweight Championship, becoming the first Nepali fighter to claim an MFN title.

Despite early pressure from Koren—nicknamed “The Indian Rhino”—Dhant stayed composed and turned the tide in the third round with a flurry of strikes. The referee stopped the bout, awarding Dhant a TKO win.

The victory improved Dhant’s record to 8–1 and ended Koren’s five-fight winning streak. Celebrating the milestone, Dhant raised the Nepali flag inside the cage as the crowd erupted.