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Nepal defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets in their first match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup on Friday.

The match was held at the Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka.

Chasing the target of 116 runs, Nepal made it in 16.1 overs at the loss of four wickets.

Samjhana Khadka was the top scorer for Nepal with 72 runs. She hit 11 fours in her 45-ball innings.

Likewise, Rubina Chhetri scored 10 runs while other batters failed to score in double digits.

For the UAE, Kavisha Egodage took three wickets while Lavanya Kenny claimed one wicket.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, the UAE scored 115 runs at the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.

Indu Barma took the highest three wickets for Nepal. Kritika Marasini, Sabnam Rai and Kabita Joshi claimed one wicket each.

Nepal will play their second match against Pakistan on July 21.

The Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal has decided to give a vote of confidence to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

JSP Nepal's Spokesperson Manish Kumar Suman said that his party had already supported the present government, so it would vote for PM Oli in the trust vote.

"JSP Nepal will give a vote of confidence to PM Oli. The Parliamentary Party meeting will make an official decision in this regard tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," he informed.

CPN-UML Chairman Oli, who was appointed as the PM in accordance with Article 76 (2), is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence on Sunday.

Oli was appointed the PM with the backing of largest political party in the Parliament, Nepali Congress, after Maoist Center Chairman, the outgoing PM, Pushpa Kamal Dahal failed to secure a trust motion in the House of Representatives meeting last Friday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated newly-appointed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

In a congratulatory message sent to PM Oli today, the Indian Prime Minister expressed the confidence that there will be more coordination and collaboration between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi stated in the message that a strong bond of friendship subsists between the citizens of the two countries due to the centuries-old culture and civilization and the open border they share.

Noting that the two countries have made a significant progress in connectivity and energy, among other sectors, in recent times, the Indian Prime Minister urged his Nepali counterpart for partnership and collaboration in the overall development of both.

"Nepal remains a special and priority partner under India's 'neighbors first' policy. There is a commitment to remain an unwavering partner for achieving economic development as well as prosperity of Nepal, strengthening the partnership on matters of our mutual benefit and charting out a new path," the Indian Prime Minister said in his congratulatory message.

He further said: "Our bilateral partnership will rise further and we are willing to work closely for fulfilling the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries with assurances of collaboration."

The Indian Prime Minister expressed the belief that ties between the two friendly nations will be further strengthened and the collaboration moved ahead in the positive direction by the leadership and experience of the newly-appointed Prime Minister Oli.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba at the latter's office in Singha Durbar on Friday.

Various aspects of Nepal-US relations including development cooperation, mutual benefit and partnership were discussed on the occasion, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ten people lost their lives and 25 others were injured in elephant attacks in Koshi Province last fiscal year 2023/24.

According to the Province Police Office, Biratnagar, five elephants also died during the period. Ten people of Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari were killed from elephant attacks, said police.

Spokesperson at the Province Police Office, Biratnagar, Bhim Bahadur Dahal, said six people of Jhapa, three of Sunsari and one of Morang lost their lives in tusker attacks. 

A herd comprising more than 35 elephants had made huge loss of lives and properties in November last year.  Similarly, fur elephants died in Jhapa and one in Morang during last fiscal year, added Spokesperson Dahal.

Likewise, 14 people were injured in elephant attacks in Jhapa, one in Ilam, three in Morang, five in Sunsari and two in Udaypur during the same period.

The government has been providing one million rupees as compensation to the families of those killed in elephant attacks.

According to the Division Forest Office, Jhapa, Rs 25,000 to Rs 100,000 is being provided to the injured for treatment.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has asserted that the new government was formed to resolve problems surfaced in the country and to make some changes.

During the discussion with office-bearers of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) today, Prime Minister Oli clarified that he did not take the responsibility of the Prime Minister this time just for the sake of it as he had already become the Prime Minister.

He mentioned, "The main objective of the incumbent government is to resolve the existing problems and to strengthen the country's economy. I became the Prime Minister this time with the determination to resolve the problems and to make some changes in the country, and not only for the post. So, the private sector should work together with the government believing it."

Expressing the view that tax rate should not be changed at the behest of someone and the private sector should protest against wrong policies, the Prime Minister stressed that the monetary policy should be flexible to make the economy dynamic.

On the occasion, CNI president Rajesh Kumar Agrawal urged the government to work with high priority to lift up the economy which has slowed down since the last three years. Stating that although the external sector is encouraging, the domestic economy was still in problem as the productive and construction sectors have been affected the most, he stressed on the need of boosting the morale of the private sector.

The CNI President underscored on making the sluggish economy vibrant through monetary policy.

CNI former presidents Bishnu Kumar Agrawal, Satish Kumar Mor and Haribhakta Sharma, vice-presidents Nirvan Chaudhary, Birendra Raj Pandey, Raj Bahadur Shah, Amit Mor and Bhim Ghimire, and the governing council members Shiva Ratan Sharada, Yogeshwar Lal Shrestha and Bal Krishna Shrestha, among other officials, shared on the present condition of the economy and gave suggestions to the PM on ways of improving it.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 147, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 145, 600 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 146, 800 per tola. It was traded at Rs 148, 800 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 30 and is being traded at Rs 1, 830 per tola.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli faces a complex situation of challenges and opportunities as he begins his fourth stint as the Prime Minister. His ability to become Prime Minister with the support of one of those forces is his political victory. Oli’s most significant advantage in his fourth term lies in parliamentary politics as he enjoys a near two-thirds majority in the lower house. This offers him an opportunity to break the political deadlock that has hampered Nepal's progress and to address pressing national issues.

He also has formidable challenges to tackle. Foremost among these is the need to revitalize an economy battered by global headwinds and domestic instability. Oli must come up with programs and policies that stimulate growth, boost investor confidence, attract investment and create jobs, while also managing inflation and fiscal pressures. Another critical task is completing the transitional justice process. For this, he will need to work closely with the main opposition CPN (Maoist Center)—one of the parties to the decade-long insurgency. Oli needs to demonstrate statesmanship by ensuring a fair and comprehensive approach that addresses the concerns of conflict victims while also bringing perpetrators to book.

Oli also faces a daunting task of balancing relations with Nepal’s giant neighbors, India and China. His relationship with India soured in the latter stage of his second term. He needs to make every possible effort to improve ties with the southern neighbor, which also happens to be the country’s largest trading partner. Oli must take a consistent and balanced approach that safeguards Nepal’s interests while maintaining cordial ties with both powers. This extends to managing relations with other international partners, including the United States.

Oli must work to foster cordial relations with other political parties. While his collaboration with NC gives him numerical strength, he needs to foster cooperation and mend ties with other parties who are wary of him, given his past attempts at dissolving parliament. He also needs to build trust with state institutions. The septuagenarian can steer the country toward stability and progress by learning from past mistakes, embracing a collaborative approach and focusing on national priorities.