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Striker Mexx Meerdink has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for this week’s World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Finland, the Dutch football association said on Tuesday, after he suffered an injury two days into his first call-up, Reuters reported.

The 22-year-old from AZ Alkmaar will not be replaced, it added, even though Memphis Depay was late arriving from Brazil after his passport went missing.

Coach Ronald Koeman has already said Depay would not start against Malta away on Thursday, leaving Donyell Malen as the likely first-choice striker for the game at Ta’Qali, according to Reuters.

England's golden generation failed to live up to their potential because they were "egotistical losers" who fostered an unfriendly environment and were unable to work together, former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard said, Reuters reported.

In the 2000s, big things were expected from an England squad that included the likes of Gerrard, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard but the team never progressed past the quarter-finals at a major tournament.

"I think we were all egotistical losers. I watch the telly now and I see (Jamie) Carragher sitting next to (Paul) Scholes on this fan debate and they look like they've been best mates for 20 years," ex-England captain Gerrard said on a podcast with Ferdinand, according to Reuters.

Continuous rainfall on Oct 4 and 5 inflicted widespread damage to major highways, bridges and culverts across eastern and central Nepal, severely disrupting transportation and connectivity.

According to the Department of Roads (DoR), the Mechi Highway of Koshi Province and BP Highway of Bagmati Province have suffered the most extensive damage due to floods and landslides. “Four bridges and dozens of culverts  have been destroyed by floods and landslides triggered by heavy downpour,” said Engineer Prabhat Kumar Jha, spokesperson for the DoR. 

He added that more than 250 landslides have been recorded along 80 major highways so far. “Even if funding is made available today, it will take at least two to three years to stabilize these slopes and rebuild the damaged infrastructure,” he said, estimating a cost of around Rs 20bn for the restoration work.

While a full assessment is still underway, preliminary reports show that a permanent bridge and two bailey bridges along the Mechi Corridor, an under-construction bridge over the Sanomai River on the Mechi Highway, and one bridge along the Hulaki Highway were either swept away or critically damaged.

Apart from Mechi and BP highways, several other major roads—including the Prithvi Highway, Hulaki Highway, Mid-Hills Highway, Kanti Highway and Araniko Highway in Koshi and Bagmati provinces, have sustained partial or complete damage. Some sections are operating one-way, while others remain completely blocked.

“The immediate focus is on reopening roads and ensuring movement of vehicles,” Jha said. “Reconstructing permanent bridges and restoring roads to their original condition will take time.”

The DoR has requested the Ministry of Finance for emergency funds to clear debris and start temporary restoration. It also plans to seek the release of money from the Road Board, where over Rs 100bn remains unspent. The department intends to use Rs 20 billion from that amount specifically for landslide prevention and highway stabilization projects. “We face the same problems every monsoon. Without proper preventive measures, the damage will only worsen in the coming years,” Jha said.

Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal said that the government would mobilize its own resources and, if necessary, seek international assistance for reconstruction and rehabilitation. The government is also preparing to install about 10 new bailey bridges in critical sections to restore connectivity in the short term.

Fifa has accused Malaysia of falsifying citizenship documents so seven foreign-born players could play for the national team, BBC reported.

Football's world governing body had fined and suspended the players in late September and on Monday released a report justifying its action.

Fifa said the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had forged birth certificates to make it look like the players' grandparents were born in Malaysia. This, the body said, "constitutes, pure and simple, a form of cheating".

But FAM said the discrepancies arose from an "administrative error" and that it would appeal Fifa's penalties. It maintained that the players were "legitimate Malaysian citizens".

The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for their work on quantum mechanics that is paving the way for a new generation of very powerful computers, BBC reported.

"There is no advanced technology used today that does not rely on quantum mechanics, including mobile phones, cameras... and fibre optic cables," said the Nobel committee.

The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

"To put it mildly, it was a surprise of my life," said Professor John Clarke, who was born in Cambridge, UK and now works at the University of California in Berkeley, according to BBC.

A total of 580 hikers who were trapped by severe weather near Mount Everest have been guided to safety in Tibet, according to Chinese state media, BBC reported.

The trekkers arrived in the small township of Qudang and surrounding areas, along with 300 local guides, yak handlers and other support staff, CCTV reported on Tuesday.

A final group of around 10 hikers, accompanied by rescue workers, is yet to reach Qudang but has made it to a rendezvous point, which has heating equipment, oxygen and other emergency supplies.

The tourists became stranded at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft) after heavy snowfall blocked their route up Everest's eastern slopes over the weekend, according to BBC.

Israelis have gathered across the country to mark two years since the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, as negotiations continued in Egypt over an end to the war in Gaza, BBC reported.

The attack saw over 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken back to Gaza as hostages. It was the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza which has killed more than 67,000 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the UN and other international bodies, according to BBC.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that alongside "immense pain", Israel had shown "miraculous resilience".

A month after GenZ protesters toppled the KP Sharma Oli-led government and an interim administration headed by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was formed, uncertainty still looms over whether the new government will be able to hold fresh elections on March 5 next year. Conducting free and fair elections remains one of the main demands of the GenZ movement, and the only viable path to safeguard Nepal’s constitution.

Beyond the election, the Karki government faces multiple challenges: managing factionalism among GenZ groups, rebuilding key government institutions damaged during the protests, and restoring law and order.

Except for the CPN (Maoist Center), major political parties remain undecided about joining the electoral process. A lingering climate of fear continues to grip the private sector as well, likely accelerating capital flight and worsening Nepal’s already fragile economy. The media, which should be playing a pivotal role at this critical juncture, has largely resorted to self-censorship due to fear and uncertainty. It also remains unclear whether major powers, who have long been influential in Nepal’s internal affairs, truly support the call for free and fair elections and the protection of the constitution.

The Sept 8–9 protests erupted against endemic corruption and the deep politicization of state institutions. Despite sporadic violence and criminal acts, the demonstrations reflected the people’s anger and frustration that had been simmering for years. Global experience shows that managing a nation after such a major upheaval is a herculean task. Many countries, after similar uprisings, have descended into prolonged civil wars or become arenas for international rivalries. Bangladesh, for example, remains uncertain about its elections more than a year after its own popular uprising. In Nepal, too, doubts persist over whether elections can be held on time amid so many unresolved issues.

The law and order situation remains fragile. Despite limited resources, the Nepal Police is trying to restore its offices, but officers continue to live in fear of renewed attacks. Their apprehension is not unfounded. Many believe protesters could again target them, as during the September unrest. The government’s handling of security has also been questionable. Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive instructing police not to arrest individuals directly involved in vandalism, arson, and attacks on public and private property.

Following the directive, police were compelled to release those arrested during the protests. Later, the probe committee led by Gauri Bahadur Karki clarified that government agencies are free to investigate criminal cases independently. Yet, with law enforcement still weak, many political leaders remain underground, and normal political activity has not resumed. The private sector, too, is hesitant to voice its concerns. “Who will protect us if some unidentified group attacks?” asked one businessman, expressing widespread anxiety within the business community. To restore confidence, the government must go the extra mile to ensure law and order and engage with both GenZ protesters and political leaders making provocative statements.

There should be no ambiguity in addressing the Sept 8-9 incidents. The government must investigate and take action against those who ordered police to open fire on unarmed students in broad daylight. While the inquiry commission can look into the matter, the police must act where clear evidence exists. Likewise, not all violent acts during the protests can be justified as spontaneous expressions of public anger. In several places, organized groups carried out arson and targeted attacks, many of which were captured on video. Some acts were clearly politically motivated. Therefore, all sides, including the government, political parties, and GenZ groups, must avoid a biased approach and commit to impartial justice.

There are now dozens of GenZ factions, each voicing distinct demands on social media and in the streets, often shaped by political leanings. One faction, for instance, advocates amending the constitution to introduce a directly elected presidential system in place of the current parliamentary one. While all political views should be heard and respected, constitutional amendment is neither feasible nor within the interim government’s mandate. Prime Minister Karki has made this clear in her address to the nation. The constitution was already stretched during the formation of this government, and President Ramchandra Paudel lacks the authority to amend it unilaterally.

Most of the issues raised by GenZ groups are not new; they echo debates from the constitution-drafting period. Today, various forces are again trying to push their agendas, such as restoring the monarchy, reviving the Hindu state, and dismantling federalism. All sides should recall 2015, when despite immense disagreements, a compromise was reached to finalize the constitution. They should recognize that failure could plunge the nation into instability. Reopening that Pandora’s box now would only invite further conflict. The current situation offers all forces a fair chance to compete in elections and present their agendas to the people.

Equally concerning is the lack of dialogue between the government and political parties, a crucial step toward creating an environment conducive to elections. The Election Commission has yet to invite parties for consultations. If its current office-bearers fear engaging in dialogue, they should step down to make way for new leadership. Unilateral decisions by the commission, without stakeholder consultation, risk undermining credibility.

A central demand of the GenZ movement is firm action against corruption. Yet, the government has done little on this front. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), a constitutionally mandated anti-graft body, is under pressure as protesters demand the resignation of its leadership. The government may face legal hurdles in forming a parallel body, but it must find a way to address corruption, either through an understanding with the CIAA to investigate major scandals or by proposing new accountability mechanisms.

Since the GenZ protests, the public has also been watching how global powers perceive Nepal’s unfolding situation. These powers should firmly support the timely holding of elections within six months to protect the constitution. Any derailment of the electoral process might serve short-term interests, but long-term instability or conflict in Nepal benefits no one. While external actors should refrain from interfering in domestic politics, their goodwill and support should reinforce Nepal’s democratic path.

The major political parties, too, bear heavy responsibility. While the new political environment may be a setback for some leaders, it should not be for the parties themselves. They must support the electoral process and engage constructively with the interim government. If they do so, a conducive political environment will gradually emerge, and if necessary, they can also seek judicial remedies through the Supreme Court.

At this critical juncture, the role of independent media is indispensable. Unfortunately, due to insecurity and impunity, many journalists are resorting to self-censorship. The interim government has yet to make any commitment to safeguard media freedom, and the international community, once vocal on press freedom violations, has remained largely silent despite systematic attacks on journalists and media houses.

Ultimately, the government, political parties, judiciary, civil society, and all democratic actors must work together to stabilize the country. While some groups may seek immediate fulfillment of their demands, everyone must recognize the fragility of the state. Nepal cannot afford further instability or chaos, politically or economically. Those in positions of power must act responsibly, inclusively, and without provocation.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai 

Editor