The high-profile state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to China this week has rapidly evolved beyond a traditional diplomatic engagement into one of the most consequential geopolitical and economic summits of 2026. Hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two-day meeting comes at a moment when global markets, security alliances, and technology supply chains remain under intense strain from the Iran conflict, semiconductor restrictions, and growing tensions surrounding Taiwan. What makes this summit historically significant is not only the return of presidential diplomacy between Washington and Beijing after nearly a decade, but also the unprecedented presence of America’s corporate...

KATHMANDU – The Federal Parliament of Nepal is currently locked in a high-stakes political stalemate, with the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting scheduled for 11:00 AM today, May 14, 2026, hanging in the balance. Following a series of dramatic adjournments yesterday, the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress (NC), along with other opposition groups, has vowed to continue obstructing house proceedings until Prime Minister Balendra "Balen" Shah personally addresses the chamber. The tension erupted during discussions on the government's Policies and Programs for the fiscal year 2026/27. While Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle was designated to table the proposal on...

In a move described by political analysts as one of the most sweeping structural transformations in Nepal’s recent history, the government has launched a massive administrative reform initiative. On May 2, 2026, President Ramchandra Paudel issued three critical ordinances, paving the way for the removal of nearly 1,600 political appointees across various state institutions. This decisive action, championed by the administration of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, signals a new era of governance in Nepal, aimed at depoliticizing public bodies, reducing state expenditure, and fostering a culture of merit-based appointments. Federal Overhaul: Breaking the Cycle of Political Patronage The primary objective...

The Rato Machindranath Jatra, also known as the Bunga Dyah Jatra, is one of the most significant and longest-running cultural festivals in the Kathmandu Valley. Celebrated primarily in the historic city of Lalitpur (Patan), this month-long chariot festival is a profound display of Newari culture, faith, and communal harmony. It honors the deity of rain, fertility, and prosperity, serving as a vital thread that weaves together the social and religious fabric of the region. The Legend and Origin The origins of the festival are steeped in ancient lore. Legend has it that during the reign of King Narendra Dev (around...