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Nepal imported goods worth Rs 434. 43 billion from India via Birgunj in the last 11 months of the current fiscal year 2024/25.

According to Deepak Lamichhane, the Chief Customs Administrator of the Birgunj Customs Office, the majority of import and export through this border is with the neighbouring country, India.

Argentina comes in second place after India in terms of imports through this check point. 

Many goods and commodities are imported from Argentina. 

In the current fiscal year, goods and commodities worth Rs 46.74 billion have been imported from Argentina. The share of goods imported from that country is 8.27 percent.

Similarly, goods worth Rs 28.86 billion have been imported from the northern neighbour China during the same period. The share of imports from China is 1.22 percent.

In the 11 months of the current fiscal year, goods and products worth Rs 565. 42 billion  have been imported from 50 countries at the Birgunj border.

Similarly, goods and items worth Rs 91. 51 billion have been exported to foreign countries through the Birgunj border in the last 11 months of the current fiscal year. During this period, goods and items worth Rs. 86. 97 billion  have been exported to India through this border. This volume of export to India comprises 95.05 percent of total export trade volume through Birgunj customs. 

America comes in second place in terms of volume of exports through Birgunj during the same period. 

Goods and products worth Rs 2.18 billion have been exported to America, which is 2.38 percent of total exports.

Similarly, goods worth Rs 680 million have also been exported to Afghanistan through this border customs checkpoint during the same period.

The former vice president of Ecuador who was detained last year during a highly criticized police raid on Mexico’s embassy in the South American country was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison, Associated Press reported.

Jorge Glas had been accused of misusing public funds intended for the reconstruction of two provinces affected by an earthquake in 2016. The quake devastated communities and killed hundreds of people.

Glas became vice president in 2013, during the presidency of Rafael Correa, and was removed from that position in January 2018, when he was charged in a corruption case tied to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, according to Associated Press.

Judge Mercedes Caicedo said the funds for reconstruction efforts following the earthquake were allocated to “useless, unusable and unnecessary buildings” disregarding the law, and above all, “with complete disrespect for the victims.”

A Russia-appointed official in Ukraine’s occupied Luhansk region said Monday that Moscow’s forces have overrun all of it — one of four regions Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in September 2022 despite not fully controlling a single one, Associated Press reported.

If confirmed, that would make Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia after more than three years of war and as recent U.S.-led international peace efforts have failed to make progress on halting the fighting. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and hasn’t budged from hisdemands, which include Moscow’s control over the four illegally annexed regions. 

There was no immediate comment from Kyiv on the claim made by the Moscow-installed leader of the occupied region, Leonid Pasechnik. In remarks to Russia’s state TV Channel One that aired Monday evening, Pasechnik said he received a report “literally two days ago” saying that “100%” of the region was now under the control of Russian forces, according to Associated Press.

The monsoon wind has its influence throughout the country at present with the monsoon low pressure trough somewhat closer to west Nepal, towards north from its average position, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said.

The weather will be generally cloudy across the country today.

There is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning in some areas of the hilly regions of the country including Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Province, as well as in some areas of the remaining regions.

The Division stated that there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in one or two places in the Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces.

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall in some areas of the country's high hilly and mountainous region.

Similarly, tonight it will be generally cloudy in the hilly areas of the country including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces, while the remaining areas will have partially cloudy conditions.

There is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning in some places of the hilly regions of the country, including Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces, as well as in some areas of other regions. There is also a possibility of heavy rainfall in one or two places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces.

The Meteorological Department has stated that there is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snowfall in some areas of the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called for justice and fairness in the global economic and financial system. 

The PM, who is currently on an official visit to Spain to attend the United Nations (UN)'s 'Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4)', made this call while delivering a statement at the FFD4 Plenary on Monday.

The following is the full text of the PM's statement:

STATEMENT by Rt. Hon. Mr. K P Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal as the Chair of the LDCs and in National Capacity at the Plenary of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) 30 June 2025, Seville, Spain   

Distinguished Co-Chairs, Your Excellencies the Heads of State and Government, Mr. Secretary-General of the United Nations, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of the least developed countries. 

Let me begin by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Spain—for generous hospitality, and for warmly welcoming us into this historic and beautiful city. Excellencies, A decade ago, in Addis Ababa, the world pledged solidarity with the LDCs. 

The commitment was also echoed in the 2030 Agenda. We promised to leave no one behind and committed to uplift the furthest behind first. Ten years on, the world is making progress. Global GDP has grown—roughly from 75 trillion to 115 trillion. But inequality is rising—between and within nations. At the very moment when solidarity is most needed— Official Development Assistance is shrinking. 

Debt is suffocating the South—specifically, LDCs’ debt has tripled in the last decade. Trade is fractured. Growth is unequal. Investment remains weak, and poverty is persistent. Technology and innovation are advancing in leaps and bounds in developed countries. But the LDCs face a stark technological and digital divide—seriously hindering their economic and social progress. 

Poor and inadequate infrastructure continues to impede our potential. In global development forums, LDCs remain marginalized—their voices often unheard. Climate change strikes LDCs the hardest, although they emit less than 1 percent of greenhouse gas. After Addis Ababa— only four LDCs have graduated. 

Excellencies, 

Despite multiple challenges, LDCs are resolute to overcome them with the strength and ingenuity of their people as well as the support and solidarity of their development partners. This is also demonstrated by the 14 LDCs advancing toward graduation. 

Against this backdrop, the Sevilla Commitment we adopted today gives us a chance to change the course. It promises a renewed global financing framework for the realization of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The developing countries, particularly LDCs, strongly urge for its full implementation in good faith and high spirits. In this regard, we call for justice and fairness in the global economic and financial system. We stand for reform of global financial architecture. 

1. We urge our development partners to deliver 0.7 percent ODA commitment to developing countries; and to meet and go beyond 0.2 percent for the LDCs. 
2. We seek grants and concessional finance on fairer terms. 
3. We stand for rules-based and equitable global trading system where all countries accrue benefits.  We stand for vibrant private sectors connecting Global North and Global South through value chains bringing common prosperity to all.  We stand for a UN-led tax convention. 
4. We call for adequate climate finance that is concessional, predictable, and accessible. The Sevilla Commitment must serve as a vital catalyst for the development and progress of all the LDCs. It must also ensure a smooth, irreversible and sustainable graduation. Excellencies, Let me touch briefly upon my national context now. We are graduating from the LDC status in 2026. While our determination remains firm, we need robust support from our development partners to realize our development aspirations. Nepal is proud to have served as a co-facilitator of Sevilla Commitment—alongside Norway, Zambia, and Mexico. We thank all Member States for their trust. Excellencies, Let us implement the Sevilla agenda with urgency to overcome despair and to reignite hope: 
5. Hope for a fairer global governance system that respects all voices. 
6. Hope for partnerships built on solidarity. 
7. Hope for sensible investment in people and the planet.  
8. Hope for a better world where no country is left behind. Thank you!

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that tariffs levied by powerful countries were often a form of “blackmail” rather than instruments to rebalance trade, Reuters reported.

His comments in a speech at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain, came with the EU negotiating a trade deal with the US before a July 9 deadline, though he did not specifically refer to the US or US President Donald Trump.

“We need to restore freedom and equity to international trade, much more than barriers and tariffs, which are devised by the strongest, and which are often used as instruments of blackmail, not at all as instruments of rebalancing,” Macron said, according to Reuters ​​​​​​.

Members of the British rap punk duo Bob Vylan had their visas revoked by the United States and are under investigation by local police after leading a crowd to chant “death” to Israel’s military at a UK music festival this past weekend, CNN reported.

On Monday, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that the State Department “has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.”

He added on X that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”

Italy will issue nearly 500,000 new work visas for non-EU nationals from 2026 to 2028, a cabinet statement said on Monday, as part of a strategy to expand legal immigration channels in response to labour shortages, Reuters reported.

A total 164,850 people will be allowed in next year, aiming to reach a cumulative total of 497,550 new entries by 2028.

It is the second such move Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made since she took office nearly three years ago as the head of a right-wing coalition. The government had already decided to issue over 450,000 permits to migrants between 2023 and 2025.

Alongside rules to allow in new workers, Meloni has taken a tough stance against illegal arrivals, moving to speed up repatriations and curbing the activities of charities rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean, according to Reuters.