Iran cannot participate in World Cup, minister says
Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
The attacks killed the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ‌Khamenei and triggered a region-wide conflict.
"Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," the minister told state television, according to Reuters.
Representation of marginalized groups in HoR weakens
The results of the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives have been made public of both the first-past-the-post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR) system.
Accordingly, the Rastriya Swatantra Party came first, the Nepali Congress came second, the CPN-UML third, and the Nepali Communist Party came fourth.
The results so far show a very weak representation of the marginalized groups, with only 14 people of 165 (8.48 percent) directly elected. There are 26 indigenous (15.76 percent), 28 Madhesi (16.97 percent), five Tharu (3.3 percent), four Muslim (2.42 percent), and one Dalit (0.61 percent) elected through the FPTP system.
Looking at Dalit representation in this election, the Nepali Congress had fielded only one candidate from the Dalit community as Joint General Secretary Prakash Rasaili from Bajhang. The UML had fielded Chakra Snehi as a candidate from Dadeldhura and Bimala BK as a candidate from Bardiya-2.
Similarly, the Nepali Communist Party had fielded Padam Bishwakarma from Syangja-2 and Man Bahadur Sunar from Kanchanpur-3.
The RSP had given tickets to Khagendra Sunar from Banke-3. Of them, only Khagendra Sunar has won.
Light rainfall likely today
The weather will be generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces, as well as in the hilly regions of Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces. It will be partly cloudy in the remaining areas.
According to the Weather Forecasting Division, there is a possibility of light rain and snowfall with thunder and lightning at some places in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi Province, as well as Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces; at a few places in Madhes Province; and at one or two places in the hilly and mountainous regions of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, as well as in the Tarai regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces.
The Meteorological Analysis by the Division shows that at present Nepal is under the partial influence of westerly winds, a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere, and a low-pressure area in the lower atmosphere near the eastern region of Nepal.
Pakistani PM congratulates RSP President Lamichhane, senior leader Shah
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated President of Rastriya Swatantra Party Rabi Lamichhane and its senior leader Balendra Shah on their remarkable victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal.
In a congratulatory message, Prime Minister Sharif said the strong mandate reflects the trust and confidence of the Nepali people in new and dynamic leadership.
He also expressed Pakistan’s willingness to work closely with the newly elected Government of Nepal to further strengthen the historic friendship and cooperation between the two countries, according to the Pakistani Embassy in Kathmandu.
