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About 100 bighas of land in the Mardhar wetland area of Chandrapur Municipality-8, Rautahat, have been registered under an individual’s name. The municipality has filed a case at the Birgunj High Court seeking to cancel the registration and is requesting investigations by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Chandrapur Municipality has halted land tax collection from this wetland area, claiming the public land was illegally transferred through collusion between political figures and land revenue officials. Mayor Sanjay Kafle said that after the Land Revenue Office in Chandranigahapur failed to revoke the land deeds, the municipality was compelled to take legal action.

The land issue dates back to the Panchayat era, during the tenure of then-Forest Minister Hem Bahadur Malla, when displaced settlers from Dhiyal in Makawanpur were relocated to this wetland. According to the Land Revenue Office, the then High-Level Commission for Forest Area Strengthening had allocated around 80 bighas to the settlers. The municipality argues that this decision led to the encroachment of the remaining wetland, which was later registered in individual names under the pretext of resettlement.

A letter from the commission cites a Cabinet decision from 27 May 1989, that allowed the division of wetland land among displaced individuals, with many receiving 10 katta each. Safala Neupane of Dhiyal, Makawanpur, received a title deed for 7 katta in plot number 170.

Documents at the Land Revenue Office show that 19 other individuals also received land titles, each averaging 10 katta. Many of the original settlers were supposed to be relocated to Gujara Municipality (then Rangpur VDC), but Chandrapur suspects that some may have colluded with land mafias to register the Mardhar land in their names.

Out of the total 100 bighas, 10 bighas—including the lake—have reportedly been registered to private individuals. Among the listed names are Yadav Adhikari, Ramadevi Parajuli, Subodh Kumar Nepal, and Basant Prasad Dahal of Dhiyal, who hold ownership documents for the wetland area.

Mayor Kafle stated that the municipality is open to reconciling with relevant bodies but remains committed to reclaiming the public wetland.

In the last fiscal year, the Madhesh Province Ministry of Tourism spent Rs 3.5m on infrastructure for wetland conservation, including rest houses, toilets, and fencing. The provincial government had allocated Rs 15m for Mardhar’s development, but the funds were returned after the land’s private registration came to light.

On Dec 5, the municipality formally requested the Land Revenue Office Chandranigahapur to begin the cancellation process. However, the office cited an earlier commission letter saying that cancellation was no longer possible, as the land had already been transferred to private ownership.

Legal advisor Advocate Dilip Koirala said that the title deeds had already been collected in the presence of ward representatives six months ago. According to him, the land should only have been granted to landless individuals and only if they had no alternative property. Since the titleholders have not contacted the municipality so far, Koirala said preparations are underway to file a writ in the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the land titles.

Debate Network Nepal (DNN) has announced that Nepal will not participate in the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) 2025, scheduled to be held from July 22 to August 1 in Panama City. The decision was made due to high travel and participation costs, despite ten years of continuous representation at the international event.

Last year, Team Nepal achieved a historic milestone by reaching the elimination rounds and finishing 15th out of 68 countries at the 36th WSDC held in Belgrade, Serbia. However, DNN cited financial limitations and logistical challenges as reasons for this year’s withdrawal.

While Nepal will not be present at WSDC 2025, the country will participate in the Asian Schools Debating Championship (ASDC) 2025 in Hanoi, Vietnam, from June 15 to 18. Two teams—the Nepal National Team and the Nepal Developmental Squad—will represent the country at the regional event. DNN expressed appreciation to the ASDC 2025 organizing committee for their support in enabling Nepal’s participation.

A regional youth consultation focusing on the upcoming national report under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism was held in Kathmandu. The event gathered youth representatives from Koshi, Gandaki, and Sudurpaschim provinces. The one-day program was organized by Yuwalaya, with financial support from Plan International Nepal and technical partnership from the Women’s Service Society.

More than 57 youth-related organizations, clubs, and networks collaborated in the consultation, with 29 youth participants representing various districts of the three provinces. The session was facilitated by youth champions Sadikshya Nepal and Sweekriti Dangi, with technical support from Bhawana Bhatta of the Women’s Service Society.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the US decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent, calling it unfair and lacking legal basis.

Sheinbaum noted that Mexico imports more steel and aluminum than it exports, making the tariffs unjustified. She also rejected the national security justification, Reuters reported.

Negotiations with US officials are underway, and if no agreement is reached, Mexico will announce measures next week to protect its industry.

Bali will ban the production and sale of plastic water bottles under one litre starting January 2025 to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.

Governor I Wayan Koster stated that the measure has to be taken because landfills are nearing capacity, primarily due to single-use plastics. The initiative, which is supported by the central government, expands on previous prohibitions on plastic bags and straws, Xinhua reported.

Noncompliance may result in canceled business permissions or the loss of public funds. Authorities anticipate that the action will establish Bali as a model for sustainable tourism.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has warned Gaza residents to avoid heading north due to ongoing military operations.

Spokesman Avichay Adraee identified Beit Lahia, Jabalia, and Beit Hanoun as active combat zones, urging civilians to stay south of Salah Khalaf Street and Al Quds Street, according to Xinhua.

The warning follows the resumption of Israel’s offensive on March 18. Over 4,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since then.

In a  step toward strengthening bilateral economic relations, Jordan has announced it will soon host a Nepali business delegation to explore trade and investment opportunities.

This initiative was unveiled during a high-level ceremony held in Kathmandu to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The non-resident Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Nepal Yousef Mustafa Abdelghani, on the occasion, emphasized the importance of private sector leadership in deepening economic ties between the two countries. “Governments will create enabling policies, but the real actors are the private sector,” he stated. “Jordan offers vast opportunities in sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, and we are eager to welcome Nepali businesses.”

During his official visit, Ambassador Abdelghani presented his credentials to the President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Poudel, and formally inaugurated the Honorary Consulate of Jordan in Kathmandu, marking a new chapter in Jordan-Nepal diplomatic and commercial engagement.

The ambassador also acknowledged the contributions of the approximately 3,000 Nepali workers currently employed in Jordan, and reiterated Jordan's interest in strengthening the Labour Agreement signed in 2017, with an aim toward greater transparency and expanded opportunities for Nepali workers.

The ceremony’s Chief Guest Ramhari Khatiwada, Chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee in Nepal’s House of Representatives, applauded Jordan’s proactive role in fostering peace in the Middle East and deepening trade relations with Nepal. “Jordan’s constructive approach in bridging the gap in trade and investment with Nepal is commendable,” he noted.

Honorary Consul of Jordan to Nepal Kunal Kayal highlighted the strategic potential of Nepal-Jordan collaboration. “Strategic engagement—guided by sector expertise and regional understanding—can unlock significant value in both markets,” he remarked, emphasizing opportunities in renewable energy, tourism infrastructure, and agriculture modernization.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed it damaged the Crimea Bridge on Tuesday using underwater explosives equivalent to 1,100kg of TNT. The operation, led by SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk, targeted the bridge’s supports and caused structural damage without civilian casualties.

The bridge was briefly closed, reopened, and then shut again later in the day amid unconfirmed reports of further blasts. Russia has not officially responded, though military bloggers suggested an underwater drone may have been used. The SBU called the bridge a legitimate military target, BBC reported.