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Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the government, irrespective of its target on elections, has intensified the drive for good governance side by side.

In her address to a program held at PM's office in Singha Durbar on the occasion of the 22nd International Anti-Corruption Day today, PM Karki reminded that as the government was formed on the backing of the Gen Z movement that advocated for good governance, the present government can not brush aside the activities to curb corrupt practices.

"It may take time to secure achievements as per Gen Z demand and aspiration, but the government does not budge from taking any sort of stringent measure against corruption," she reiterated, reminding that the existing mechanisms are working actively to this regard. 

She said that some elements, getting nervous with the anti-corruption drive, were even threatening the movement. But she would not let herself down, PM Karki added. 

She also urged the related government officials not to feel jittery, but to exercise professional freedoms to the fullest for the cause of good governance.

World Cup matches at the 2026 tournament will have three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half regardless of the weather conditions, FIFA has said, Reuters reported. 

Referees will stop games 22 minutes into each half so players can rehydrate, soccer's global governing body added in a statement.

FIFA said the new rule will streamline and simplify the previous rules, which required cooling breaks 30 minutes into each half when the temperature at kickoff exceeded 31 degrees Celsius, according to Reuters. 

Tottenham Hotspur will be without left back Destiny Udogie until January due to a hamstring injury, manager Thomas Frank said on Monday ahead of welcoming Slavia Prague in the Champions League, Reuters reported. 

The Italy defender sustained the injury in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United last week and missed the 2-0 Premier League home win over Brentford on Saturday.

Spurs are unbeaten in their last 22 European home games and need a victory on Tuesday to improve their chances of finishing in the top eight in the league phase, according to Reuters. 

AC Milan's Christian Pulisic came off the bench to score twice as they fought back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory at Torino on Monday that lifted them to the top of Serie A, Reuters reported. 

The win put Milan level on 31 points with Napoli after 14 games, with Inter Milan third on 30.

Milan manager Max Allegri watched from the stands as he served a touchline ban for protesting a refereeing decision during their 1-0 victory over Lazio last month, according to Reuters. 

Manchester United climbed to sixth in the Premier League on Monday as captain Bruno Fernandes scored twice to help them claim a comfortable 4-1 victory at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers whose calamitous season gets bleaker by the week, Reuters reported.

Dispirited Wolves fans spent most of the first half chanting in protest at the club's Chinese owners Fosun and their mood worsened when Fernandes gave United a 25th-minute lead.

To their credit Wolves showed some enterprise and they were cheered off at halftime after Haiti international Jean-Ricner Bellegarde fired home an equaliser in stoppage time, according to Reuters. 

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has evolved as an important forum for fostering understanding, strengthening mutual trust and advancing initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life across our region. 

In a message on Monday on the occasion of 41st SAARC Charter Day, the PM extended her greetings and best wishes to the governments and peoples of all SAARC Member States. "More than four decades ago, our founding leaders envisioned a South Asia united by peace, stability, and shared prosperity. Their collective foresight gave birth to SAARC, a platform dedicated to advancing regional cooperation, strengthening bonds of friendship, and improving the well-being of our peoples," the PM's message read.

The PM viewed that the SAARC Charter continues to guide us in deepening collective self-reliance, nurturing a common regional identity, and jointly confronting the complex challenges of our time from food and energy security to climate change, digital divides and poverty reduction. 

She has called for a renewed resolve to revitalize SAARC and make it more dynamic, inclusive, and action oriented. 

"As the current Chair, Nepal reiterates its steadfast commitment to working closely with all Member States in the spirit of amity, solidarity, and consensus, the very principles enshrined in the SAARC Charter," according to PM Karki.

Likewise, the PM mentioned that SAARC can accelerate progress towards our shared development goals and deliver tangible benefits to the South Asian peoples.

The Election Commission on Monday opened the Office of Election Officer for the proportional representation (PR) electoral system for the House of Representatives (HoR) elections slated for March 5. 

The Office is established at the EC premises in the federal capital.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari inaugurated the Office, EC's Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said.  

With the opening of the Office for the proportional representation electoral system, EC Secretary Mahadev Pantha has assumed the responsibility as the Election Officer for the PR system, while Joint Secretary Yagya Prasad Bhattarai is named as the Assistant Election Officer. 

A total of 41 staff members have been deployed to manage the PR election.

Under existing law, the 275 members of the House of Representatives are elected through two systems: direct election and proportional representation. 

Of these, 165 members are elected directly, while the remaining 110 are nominated through the PR system. For the direct (first-past-the-post) electoral system, the program for filing nominations at the respective election officers' offices is scheduled for January 20.

On the occasion, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari expressed confidence that establishment of the Office for the PR system will facilitate the process for the stakeholders. 

Bhandari mentioned that representatives will be selected based on ethnic, geographic, and gender categories through a formula-based method with support from the National Statistics Office (NSO), which will be trusted from all sides.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal and Minister for Law Anil Kumar Sinha held discussions with the Acting Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners at the EC regarding the polls preparations. 

The discussions focused on the support required from the government to ensure the elections in a free and fair manner. 

Minister Khanal also expressed commitment to ensure the required budget for the EC to hold the polls.

The first game of the qualifier stage is being played today in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) underway in Kathmandu. 

Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings are taking on in the match to be held at 4 pm in the TU International Cricket Stadium. 

Sudurpaschim Royals and Biratnagar Kings were qualified for Qualifier-1 as the first and second team in the points table. 

In the league stage, Sudurpaschim Royals won six games out of seven matches played while Biratnagar emerged victorious in five games. 

Today's winner will directly reach the finals and the next team will have the opportunity to play in the eliminator round.