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The three-day Nepal Mango Fest 2025 concluded, attracting over 8,000 visitors and facilitating the sale of more than nine metric tons of mangoes. Held in Kathmandu, the festival highlighted the agricultural potential of Madhes and promoted safe, pesticide-free mango production. Now in its second year, the festival was inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture Ram Nath Adhikari, who underscored the role of such events in connecting farmers with markets. He also emphasized the need to develop value-added mango products to increase domestic consumption and support local economies.

The event featured five varieties of mangoes for sale—Maldaha, Dasheri, Jarda, Kishanbhog, and Kulkatia—all grown without pesticides and sourced from Madhesh. A mango exhibition showcased over 20 varieties, including Japan’s Miyazaki mango, considered one of the most expensive in the world. Saplings of all exhibited varieties are available at the Tropical Horticulture Centre in Nawalpur, Sarlahi.

Festival Director Bhuwan KC, also the founder of Kathmandu Organics, highlighted the festival’s aim to promote safe and accessible mangoes for all consumers. He called on the government to play a stronger role in raising awareness around sustainable agriculture in Nepal. Organized by Kathmandu Organics in partnership with AgriNepal, Earthier App, UB Holdings, and Walnut Bistro, the event also featured mango-inspired menus at three restaurants: Walnut Bistro (Panipokhari), H2O Café (Swayambhu), and Watering Hole (Jhamsikhel).

National Assembly (NA) members have expressed their concerns over the alleged changes made in the Civil Service Bill in an unauthorized way.

Airing their views during zero hour of the session today, they said the incorporation of the word 'except' in the provision regarding the cooling-off in the Bill endorsed by the State Affairs Committee, House of Representatives is objectionable.

"Such an act is fraudulent and unconstitutional," they said, demanding the formation of a parliamentary committee to probe the matter.   "This is an unjust act," said Shreekrishna Adhikari. "The unauthorized alteration to the Bill is an insult to the dignity of Parliament," commented Sabitri Malla.  

Several members, including Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Ghana Shyam Rijal, Rukmini Koirala, Renu Chand, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota, and Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma raised various contemporary issues. These included the two-month-long power outage in Rukum East, the lack of MRI and ICU facilities at the National Trauma Centre, and the shortage of drinking water as well as inadequate road and electricity infrastructure in Melauli, Baitadi.

They stressed the need for swift coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments, and called for the timely presentation of the draft bill, aimed at uplifting the Dalit community, in the Parliament.

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the Tokara Islands in southern Japan at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported. The quake, at a depth of 10 km, had its epicenter near Toshima village in Kagoshima Prefecture, which recorded a seismic intensity of lower 5.

Authorities are monitoring surrounding areas and advising caution amid a continuing earthquake swarm since late June, according to Xinhua.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Tuesday for the first time in over two years, touching on Iran’s nuclear program and the war in Ukraine, according to Xinhua.

Macron urged Iran’s full cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, stressing shared global responsibility under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Putin, in turn, defended Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy while backing continued IAEA engagement.

When it came to Ukraine, Macron said again that France supported the country's independence and called for peace talks and an end to the fighting. Putin condemned Western armaments support for escalating the war and urged for long-term solutions based on present geographical realities, Xinhua reported.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a "30% or 35%" tariff on Japan if a deal between the two countries is not reached before a deadline next week, BBC reported.

That would be well above the 24% tariff Japan was hit with as part of Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" on 2 April, when he announced steep import duties on countries around the world.

The tariffs on most trading partners were later lowered to 10% for 90 days to give them time to negotiate deals with Washington.

That pause is due to expire on 9 July and Trump has said he is not thinking of extending the deadline, according to BBC.

The physical progress of the Narayangadh-Butwal road construction project has reached 69 percent only, even as the deadline extended for the third time is about to expire

The work on the expansion of the Narayangadh-Butwal road is being carried out by China State Construction Corporation Pvt. Ltd.  and the deadline extended for the third time is coming to an end on July 24.

According to the Information Officer of the Project, Shiva Khanal, the process of extending the deadline for the fourth time has begun, which is to be done for one more year.

Meanwhile, the new bridge over the Binayi River in Dumkibas will be operational in two to three days. If the new bridge is operational, it will provide relief to drivers and passengers who have been suffering due to the diversion, washed away multiple times to frequent floods caused by rain.

Project Information Officer Khanal said that the work ahead will focus on making transportation easier in the Daunne section of the Narayangadh-Butwal road section. Only maintenance work is being done to ensure smooth operation of traffic by stopping other works including culvert construction.

Passengers have been suffering for a long time due to the important highway expansion project not being completed on time.

An oil-drilling ship capsized in the Gulf of Suez, killing at least four crewmen and leaving four others missing, authorities said Wednesday, Associated Press reported.

The drilling ship overturned Tuesday evening off the city of Ras Ghareb, on the African side of the Gulf of Suez, the Red Sea’s northwestern arm and a crucial shipping route, the Petroleum Ministry said in a statement.

There were 30 workers on board when the drilling ship capsized, said Amr Hanafy, governor of the Red Sea province.

Rescue teams recovered four bodies and rescued two 22 others who were taken to hospitals, he said, according to Associated Press.

Ram Ayodhya Yadav, a member in the Second Constituent Assembly (2013), passed away on Wednesday at the age of 72.

He had been suffering from kidney-related complications and breathed his last at Healthcare Hospital in Birgunj, according to his son, Dr Jitendra Yadav.

Yadav was elected to the 2013 Constituent Assembly from Bara-1, representing the Nepali Congress (NC).

He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed profound sorrow over the demise of Yadav.

In a statement issued today, Deuba extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, stating that the party would always remember Yadav’s contributions to strengthening the party organization.

He said that with Yadav's demise, the party has lost an experienced and leading political figure.