Nepal's AFC Bids Hang on FIFA Suspension Lift

Kathmandu, July 2 – The Asian Football Confederation has notified the All Nepal Football Association that Nepal's national and club teams can participate in regional tournaments provided FIFA lifts its ban prior to the respective competition deadlines.

An official letter dated June 27 from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), released by ANFA on Tuesday, indicates that Nepal missed out on qualifying for the AFC Women's Champions League 2026/27.

However, Nepal would still have been excluded from the competition even if FIFA hadn't suspended ANFA. The Martyr's Memorial ANFA Women's League was delayed on the first day, and without a champion, Nepal wouldn’t have had a team to compete in the AFC Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round unless the AFC made exceptions.

Nevertheless, Nepal still has the chance to dispatch its squads for two competitions—the 2027 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers and the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

According to a letter authored by Datuk Seri Windsor John, the general secretary of the AFC, and addressed to Kiran Rai, the general secretary of ANFA, Nepal will be eligible to compete in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers provided that FIFA lifts its suspension by July 13, which falls three days prior to the draw for the Preliminary Stage scheduled on July 16.

In addition, Nepal has the opportunity to participate in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers provided the ban is lifted by August 1, which is 30 days prior to the qualifiers.

Nepal had previously entered submissions for the AFC tournaments prior to FIFA's ban on June 24.

"If the ban imposed on ANFA is not revoked by the specified deadlines, its representatives and club teams will be excluded from the respective tournaments," stated the AFC in its latest correspondence.

The ANFA has faced an indefinite suspension due to ongoing external intervention by government officials. This suspension will be revoked once two requirements are fulfilled.

FIFA's initial condition requires the complete cancellation of the National Sports Council's ruling from March 25, which involved the suspension of ANFA and instructions to revise the Statutes, with no exceptions and the return of the present ANFA Executive Committee.

The second requirement involves enabling ANFA to complete, at the earliest opportunity and in line with its statutes and rules, the election procedure that has already been started.

Dhaka Ties for Top Spot in Global Air Pollution Index

Dhaka, July 2 – On Thursday morning, Dhaka was tied for first place along with Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as one of the most polluted places globally, achieving an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 152 at 9:25 am.

The city's air quality was rated as "Unhealthy," suggesting that levels of harmful particles in the air had risen to a point where they might endanger people's well-being, based on the AQI index.

Delhi came second with an AQI reading of 145, then Jakarta at 132. Jerusalem placed fourth with an AQI value of 107.

As per AQI guidelines, values ranging from 101 to 150 are classified as "unhealthy for vulnerable populations," 151 to 200 as "unhealthy," 201 to 300 as "highly unhealthy," and readings exceeding 301 are categorized as "dangerous," indicating significant threats to well-being.

The Air Quality Index offers daily information about air conditions, showing whether the air is pure or contaminated and pointing out possible effects on health.

In Bangladesh, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is determined using five key contaminants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Dhaka has faced ongoing issues with air pollution, as environmental conditions tend to deteriorate in the colder months and improve when the rainy season arrives.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution leads to approximately seven million fatalities worldwide annually, primarily because of conditions such as stroke, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, lung cancer, and acute respiratory illnesses.

Japan Objects to China's East China Sea Claim

July 2 - Pakistan: On Wednesday, Japan filed an official complaint following China's request for a Japanese research ship to stop conducting undersea surveys in the East China Sea. Tokyo stated that this demand was not acceptable as the survey took place inside Japan's exclusive economic zone. This conflict increases rising tensions between Asia's two biggest economies.

As per Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, the research ship Takuyo was repeatedly contacted via radio by a Chinese maritime enforcement vessel. The Chinese craft instructed the ship to halt its operations and depart the region located northwestern of Okinawa. Japan dismissed this request, asserting that their activities adhered to global legal standards.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, stated that Japan raised concerns via official diplomatic means. He emphasized that Tokyo will resolutely safeguard its territorial integrity and sovereignty while maintaining a composed response. Japanese officials asserted that the underwater survey was a lawful operation conducted within the nation's exclusive economic zone.

The latest confrontation comes amid broader disputes over Taiwan and the East China Sea. Japan has repeatedly accused Chinese survey vessels of operating near the Tokyo-administered, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands. Maritime incidents have continued to strain relations between the neighboring countries.

In addition, Chinese officials officially detained two workers from Fuji Electric due to suspected breaches related to the export of rare earth elements. These detentions come after stricter Chinese regulations on the export of rare earths and items with both civilian and military applications. Such measures have caused supply issues for Japanese companies and heightened diplomatic disputes between the countries.

China Tops Nature Index Again, South Korea Ranks 7th

For the third straight year, China has topped the "Nature Index," which measures worldwide scientific research performance. South Korea stayed at 7th position, consistent with the previous year's placement.

The global academic publishing house Springer Nature, which publishes the journal *Nature*, revealed the list of "2026 Nature Index Research Leaders" on the 10th.

The Nature Index is a ranking system developed by Springer Nature that assesses the quantity of research articles published in prestigious scholarly journals, including those focused on natural sciences, along with their influence.

Although the Nature Index mainly focused on fundamental science and medicine disciplines, this year it broadened its coverage by adding 17 applied science journals and 15 social science journals.

China remained the leading nation for global research production this year. Its output rose by 22.4% between 2024 and 2025.

The United States came in second place, with Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, South Korea, India, Canada, and Italy following closely behind.

Among the leading countries, China was the sole nation to achieve growth surpassing 10%. Japan and South Korea also experienced research output increases within the 9% bracket, reflecting strong expansion trends across Eastern Asia.

South Korea placed third in applied sciences, achieving a 14% increase in research production within this area, reflecting significant progress. Nevertheless, it came in eighth for natural sciences, highlighting that it continues to trail somewhat in fundamental scientific disciplines.

In terms of institutions, the Chinese Academy of Sciences was ranked number one. For the first time since the rankings started in 2015, Harvard University from the United States dropped from the top position to be replaced by Zhejiang University from China.

Apart from Harvard University, all entities ranked from 1st to 12th were Chinese institutes or universities. The German Max Planck Society dropped to 13th position, exiting the top 10.

At Seoul National University in South Korea, the institution secured the 58th position, moving down six positions compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, KAIST climbed two ranks to reach 80th spot.

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Veteran Power Boosts High-Flying Japan's Soccer Ambitions

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Following surprising victories over Brazil in October and England in March during friendly matches, expectations for Japan have risen to an unprecedented height before their previous seven World Cup tournaments.

However, their veteran players showed no intention of relaxing at their base camp in Nashville on Wednesday as they practiced diligently before Japan's opening match in Group F on Sunday against the Netherlands, another established strong team.

I completely grasp that friendly matches and the opening game of the World Cup are entirely different things," stated 34-year-old defender Shogo Taniguchi. "We will work collectively and keep making adjustments right up until the final moment when studying our rivals.

Japan securing their fifth consecutive World Cup team, 39-year-old Yuto Nagatomo referenced the painful experience of being eliminated during the group stage at the 2014 event in Brazil under coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

"For those four years, everything went well, defeating Argentina, France, and Belgium in the process, but ultimately realizing that what we believed was confidence was actually excessive self-assurance," he stated.

Prior to the competitions held in South Africa (in 2010), Russia (in 2018), and Qatar (in 2022), we faced challenges, and it's typical for people to come closer together during tough times. I believe we require that unity right now.

The Japanese squad managed by Hajime Moriyasu has openly expressed their ambition to go all the way, and 25-year-old full-back Yukinari Sugawara, who is poised for his World Cup appearance, feels the team's distinctive structure will benefit them greatly.

Besides Maya Yoshida and Takumi Minamino, the two veteran players still with the team even though they are not listed to participate in the competition, former Japanese legends such as Makoto Hasebe and Shunsuke Nakamura are present to offer useful guidance as part of the coaching group.

"I believe this is the largest sports competition on Earth... From now on, teams making their tournament debut may experience something unusual as match days draw near. It will be crucial for us to get into top condition, utilizing every available resource, including our experienced veteran players," Sugawara stated.

**"In Pictures: Haw Par Mansion & the Lost Tiger Balm Garden"**

The Tiger Balm Garden was a large park next to the striking Haw Par Mansion. Although the garden was torn down in 2004, the mansion is currently being developed into Hong Kong's first "cultural villa."

Constructed during the 1930s by Aw Boon Haw, the founder of the Tiger Balm business, Hong Kong's Tiger Balm Garden located in Tai Hang aimed to showcase Chinese culture alongside his popular pain-relief balm. It featured a large park with a white pagoda and vibrant sculptures around a striking villa. Although the garden was torn down in 2004 to make way for residential buildings, the Haw Par Mansion remained standing and was later transformed into a music school, opening in 2019.

It shut down once more after three years, yet it is currently undergoing renovation to become Hong Kong's initial "cultural villa." Spearheaded by the Foundation for Art and Culture, this independently funded, nonprofit initiative aims to reinvent the Grade 1 heritage landmark—renamed Villa Haw Par—as a hub for creative interaction, community involvement, and cultural conversations.

The change will be introduced in stages starting from September, leading to areas for research, exhibitions, and interactive experiences along with a tea house and a film program that honors Hong Kong's cultural heritage.

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Mystery Platform: China Claims Research at Scarborough Shoal

An announcement follows as Manila submitted an official complaint regarding the "unlawful presence" of a floating facility at the contested reef.

China stated that it conducted a scientific mission at Scarborough Shoal, as tensions with the Philippines escalate over the contested area. South China Sea atoll.

A research expedition that started on May 20 included the deployment of a mobile platform for ecological surveillance and data collection, according to a release from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences issued on Wednesday.

It followed when Manila filed a formal diplomatic protest On Tuesday, regarding what it referred to as the "unlawful occupation" of a floating facility in Scarborough Shoal.

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The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea—an intergovernmental group responsible for managing Manila’s naval approach in the South China Sea—reported that air surveillance over the reef has identified a buoyant structure resembling an antenna.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it was properly using its rights to conduct actions such as "scientific research" at Scarborough Shoal and called on the Philippines to cease its "exaggerated publicity."

The research center stated that its voyage had explored all parts of the reef with the objective of gathering information about the geological development and biological reactions of coral reefs to changing environments.

Located approximately 124 nautical miles (230 kilometers or 143 miles) from the shores of the Philippines, Scarborough Shoal is a triangular coral reef encircling a lagoon. In China, it is referred to as Huangyan Island, while in the Philippines, it is called Panatag Shoal.

The group has emerged as a key point of contention in the ongoing conflict between the two countries above the South China Sea.

Last September, Beijing declared the creation of a natural sanctuary near the reef , sparking discussion about China's attempts to establish long-term structures there.

A Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson named Jay Tarriela informed journalists on Wednesday that their maritime surveillance mission conducted on May 30 was confronted by a Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft.

He further mentioned that no excavation ships—employed for constructing man-made islands—were present in the region.

"I'm certain we still haven't figured out what they're up to," Tarriela remarked.

However, I prefer to think that the reason for the Chinese research ships being there is because they have a base.

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