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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine and follow up on recent talks held in Istanbul, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said.

Fidan also met with Russia's chief negotiator and will see Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday. While there is no definite date for further discussions, Turkey has offered to host and mediate, according to Reuters.

The Istanbul meeting earlier this month resulted in a prisoner exchange and formal cease-fire pledges, but no agreement was reached. Putin and Fidan also talked about bilateral economic and energy connections.

Fidan is expected to visit Ukraine later this week. Russia has identified Turkey and several Gulf States as possible venues for future negotiations, Reuters reported.

India reported a total of 1,010 COVID-19 cases as of May 27, marking a steady rise in infections. Kerala recorded the highest spike with 335 new cases, followed by Maharashtra with 153, Delhi with 99, and Gujarat with 76, raising its total to 83. Punjab reported its first case and has begun contact tracing efforts, according to Times of India.

The new variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are being closely monitored by the World Health Organization, though no serious threat has been identified so far. Health experts advise the public to maintain hygiene and remain cautious but not alarmed, as symptoms remain mild.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that hospitals are fully equipped to manage any further rise in cases, Times of India reported.

The National Vigilance Centre (NVC) has submitted its annual report for fiscal year 2023/24 to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

NVC Secretary Saraju Kumar Baidya presented the report to the Prime Minister at a program organised at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today.

On the occasion, PM Oli directed the NVC to carry out its works in an effective manner as the present government has been formed with the mission of accomplishing good governance and development.

He emphasised that since the NVC is under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, it needs to be more active in terms of regular reporting and following directions, stating that corruption is an obstacle to development and good governance, and that all concerned parties must sincerely fulfill their assigned responsibilities to control it.

The report mentions that the NVC has been working on regulation and monitoring, including surprise inspections, to make the service delivery from public bodies effective in order to eradicate corruption and maintain good governance according to the objectives of the 16th plan.

If any irregularities are found during the monitoring process, the NVC writes to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority for action.

High officials, including the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Eak Narayan Aryal, were present on the occasion.

A total of 11 people lost their lives and 67 were injured in fire incidents across the country in the last one month.

The deceased include three men, five women, two children and one girl child, according to the Nepal Police.

Nepal Police's Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Thapa said that 67 people sustained injuries in the fire incidents within the Nepali month of Baisakh.

Among the injured, 27 were men, 32 women and eight children, said SSP Thapa.

A total of 634 cases of fire were recorded in a single month during which 141 houses were destroyed, displacing 110 families.

Furthermore, 101 sheds and three public office's buildings were also damaged in the fire.

The financial losses from these incidents are estimated to be over Rs 241 million, according to the Nepal Police Headquarters.

Expressing concern over the rising cases of fire incidents lately resulting in a huge loss of human lives and physical properties, SSP Thapa called for greater public awareness and precautionary measures to prevent such untoward incidents.

Province-wise, Lumbini Province recorded the highest number of fire incidents at 143 in a month followed by 136 in Koshi Province, Spokesperson Thapa informed.

He shared that 104 cases of fire incidents were reported in Madhesh Province, 64 in Bagmati Province, 53 in Gandaki, 43 in Karnali and 59 in Sudurpaschim.

Gross negligence and ignorance about fire safety are one of the key factors contributing to such incidents, experts assess.

North Korea has strongly condemned the United States' planned "Golden Dome" missile defense system, claiming it is a step toward the militarization of space. The system, revealed by US President Donald Trump, is designed to guard against advanced ballistic and cruise missile threats.

Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, released a statement through its foreign ministry warning that the plan might spark a nuclear and space weapons race. China's foreign ministry in Beijing also slammed the idea, claiming it jeopardizes global strategic stability, BBC reported.

Analysts in Seoul say the system could undermine North Korea’s deterrence. Initial funding is $25bn, with long-term costs expected to rise.

Chinese authorities in Guangzhou have accused Taiwan’s government of supporting a cyberattack on a local technology company. In a statement released Tuesday, officials claimed a foreign hacker group, backed by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was behind the attack, Reuters reported.

The accusation is based on an initial police investigation. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has not yet responded to the allegations

In reaction to Russia's recent large-scale aircraft bombardment on Ukraine, which killed at least 12 people and injured 30, US senators drafted the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, seeks to impose 500 percent tariffs on all Russian imports and on goods from countries that continue to purchase Russian energy resources.

The law also calls for sanctions against key Russian officials and state-owned enterprises. Despite widespread support in Congress, President Trump has expressed doubts about the legislation, citing concerns about its possible impact on global trade and diplomatic relations, according to the Firstpost.

Lawmakers argue that these measures are necessary to hold Russia accountable for its continued aggression in Ukraine and to deter further attacks.

Three persons died on the spot and two others sustained injuries when a jeep they were travelling in met with an accident at Jagannath Rural Municipality in Bajura on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Office Chief of Nepal Telecom Bajura, Lok Bahadur Khadka (55) of Dhangadhi, jeep driver Karan Mahatara (40) and Rabindra Dhami (28) of Badimalika Municipality-7, according to the District Police Office.

The injured are receiving treatment at the Basic Hospital in Kolti.

The incident occurred when the jeep was heading to install solar panels at a local Nepal telecom tower from Piluchaur.