Qatari envoy calls on Minister Khanal
The Ambassador of Qatar to Nepal, Mishal Mohammed Al Ansari, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal at the Ministry on Thursday.
During the courtesy call, views were exchanged on further strengthening bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest, including labour migration, partnership in hydropower and agriculture, tourism and investment promotion, according to the Ministry.
It is said that matters commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Qatar were also discussed on the occasion.
Rise of Dar, return of Hazlewood boosts Bengaluru's bowling unit
The return of Josh Hazlewood and the rise of Rasikh Dar have given Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowling unit real depth and helped the defending Indian Premier League champions move top of the standings with a win over Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Bengaluru defeated Lucknow by five wickets to draw level on eight points with Rajasthan Royals, edging ahead on net run-rate.
While veteran batter Virat Kohli remains the headline act and is the leading IPL run-scorer this season with 228 runs, it is the depth of the bowling unit that has underpinned Bengaluru's early consistency.
Neymar on potential MLS move: 'I honestly don't know'
Brazilian star Neymar said he is still weighing his next move despite reports linking him to FC Cincinnati, Reuters reported.
"I honestly don't know," the 34-year-old forward told ESPN on Thursday.
He added that he intends to finish his current contract at boyhood club Santos, which expires at the end of this year.
Neymar, captain of the club in Brazil's Serie A, has been limited to eight matches in 2026 due to a knee injury. He has four goals and three assists.
Messi acquires Spanish fifth-tier club UE Cornella
Lionel Messi has acquired Spanish fifth-tier team UE Cornella, the Catalonia-based club announced on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Argentina World Cup winner Messi, who played 778 games and scored 672 goals for Barcelona before joining Paris St-Germain and Inter Miami, has taken over the Spanish club as part of a strategic effort to develop local talent in the region.
"This move reinforces Messi’s close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia — a connection rooted in his years at FC Barcelona and sustained ever since," Cornella said in a statement.
Lawsuit filed against Messi after failing to play friendly in Miami
Lionel Messi is facing a lawsuit from a Miami-based event promoter that alleges the soccer star breached a contract by failing to play in an exhibition match last year, according to court records filed on March 31, Reuters reported.
VID Music Group last month filed claims of fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine Football Association in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, court records show. The lawsuit also names sports executive Julian Marcos Kapelan.
According to the complaint, VID signed an agreement with the AFA last summer granting it exclusive rights to organise and promote Argentina's international friendlies in October against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, in exchange for ticketing, broadcast and sponsorship revenue.
Iran women players thank Australian government for protection
Iranian women's soccer players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives, Reuters reported.
In their first public comments since being granted humanitarian visas, the players said in a statement the compassion and support shown to them had provided them hope for a future where they could live and compete in safety.
"We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Australian government, and particularly Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country," they said.
Fire breaks out at Janakpur Refineries Company in Dhanusha
A fire broke out at the Janakpur Refineries Company at the Dhalekbar-based Mithila Municipality-7 in Dhanusha district.
In the fire that occurred last night, the company lost nearly Rs 150 million as key machines were gutted to cinders, Manager Sanjaya Gupta said.
The Janakpur Refineries Company is involved in the refined oil processing business.
The fire was brought under control in two hours by the firefighters and security personnel by mobilizing five fire engines from Janakpur, Mahendranagar and Dhalkebar in the district.
Police Inspector of the Area Police Office Laxman KC said that it could take some days to estimate the total loss caused from the fire.
The reason behind the fire has not been ascertained yet, police said.
Partly cloudy weather likely across the country
There is a partial influence of westerly and local winds in the country and has led to partly cloudy weather conditions in most parts of the country today.
The weather is generally cloudy in the Himalayan region, partly cloudy in the hilly region and generally fair in the Tarai region.
The Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology shared that light rain and snowfall is taking place in one or two places of the hilly and Himalayan regions of the Koshi Province.
This afternoon, generally cloudy conditions are expected in the hills and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.
There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at one or two places in the hills and Himalayan regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.
Later tonight, generally cloudy conditions are expected in the hills and Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, and partly cloudy in the Tarai area of the Koshi Province and the hilly regions of the other remaining provinces.
