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American President Joe Biden is all set to launch Indo-Pacific Economic Framework(IPEF) during his first trip to Asia which begins on May 20.

Biden administration has provided the documents of framework to Asian countries. Big Asian countries are working on the language of a two-page statement that will accompany the unveiling of the IPEF.

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not said anything about whether America has shared any documents on IPEF.  "We do not have any information about it," said the official. 

Earlier, countries across the Indo-Pacific have spent the past year urging the US to develop an economic strategy to help counter China. Nepal figures out prominently in America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Sri Lanka' s prime minister has warned of a food shortage as the island nation battles a devastating economic crisis and vowed the government will buy enough fertiliser for the next planting season to boost harvests, The Times of India reported.

A decision in April last year by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to ban all chemical fertilisers drastically cut crop yields and although the government has reversed the ban, no substantial imports have yet taken place.

"While there may not be time to obtain fertiliser for this Yala (May-August) season, steps are being taken to ensure adequate stocks for the Maha (September-March) season," Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a message on Twitter late on Thursday.

"I sincerely urge everyone to accept the gravity of the ... situation."

Rajapaksa appointed nine new members to the cabinet on Friday, including to the critical health, trade and tourism ministries. But he did not name a finance minister and the portfolio is likely to be retained by Wickremesinghe.

Tourism-dependent Sri Lanka is facing a dire shortage of foreign exchange, fuel and medicines, and economic activity has slowed to a crawl, according to The Times of India.

"There is no point in talking about how hard life is," said APD Sumanavathi, a 60-year-old woman selling fruit and vegetables in the Pettah market in Colombo, the commercial capital. "I can't predict how things will be in two months, at this rate we might not even be here."

Nearby, a long queue had formed in front of a shop selling cooking gas cylinders, the prices of which have soared to nearly 5,000 rupees ($14) from 2,675 rupees in April.

"Only about 200 cylinders were delivered, even though there were about 500 people," said Mohammad Shazly, a part-time chauffeur in the queue for the third day in the hope of cooking for his family of five.

"Without gas, without kerosene oil, we can't do anything," he said. "Last option what? Without food we are going to die. That will happen hundred percent."

The central bank governor said on Thursday foreign exchange had been secured from a World Bank loan and remittances to pay for fuel and cooking gas shipments, but supplies are still to flow through, The Times of India reported.

Inflation could rise to a staggering 40% in the next couple of months but it was being driven largely by supply-side pressures and measures by the bank and government were already reining in demand-side inflation, the governor said.

Inflation hit 29.8% in April with food prices up 46.6% year-on-year.

Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights and US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya arrived in Kathmandu on Friday.

US Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry welcomed her at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

She arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon after meeting Dalai Lama, a religious leader, at Dharamshala in Himanchal Pradesh.

Zeya held a meeting with President of Central Tibetan administration Penpa Tsering in Himanchal Pradesh.

During her stay in Nepal, she will pay courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

She will also separate meeting with Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand and Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka.

According to a source at the Home Ministry, Zeya will discuss the current situation of Tibetan refugees in Nepal and the problems they have been facing with Prime Minister Deuba.

Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has directed the government to investigate the incident of sexual violence against a girl who took part in beauty pageant.

Speaking at a meeting of the Federal Parliament on Friday, Speaker Sapkota directed the government to expedite the investigation into the incident and bring the culprits to justice.

The Speaker issued the ruling to bring the culprits to justice after lawmaker Gagan Thapa demanded an investigation into the sexual violence against the girl who participated in the beauty pageant.

Earlier this morning, youths staged a demonstration outside the residence of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba demanding justice to the rape victim.

They have demanded investigation into the incident and action against the culprits.

Earlier on Wednesday, the girl came out with a series of videos on TikTok claiming that she was drugged and raped in 2014 when she was16-year-old.

At least six persons were injured when CPN-UML cadres attacked the participants taking part in the victory rally of Nepali Congress in Birgunj Metropolitan City-27.

The Congress had taken out the rally on Thursday night after Hridaya Narayan Prasad Kurmi was elected the chairman of Birgunj-27.

Police said that six persons were injured when the supporters of Pradeep Kumar Yadav of CPN-UML, who had lost the elections, attacked the victory rally of Nepal Congress.

The injured have been identified as Nema Resha (58), Munni Khatun (30), Malik Nuniya (40), Muhammad Nurain (18), Muhammad Miya (42) and Jahir Hawari (19).

Among the injured, four have already returned home after primary treatment and two are undergoing treatment at the Narayani Hospital.

Youths have staged a demonstration outside Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Baluwatar on Friday demanding justice to a girl who was raped eight years ago in the name of beauty pageant.

They have staged the demonstration to express solidarity with the survivor and to demand action against the culprits.

Earlier on Wednesday, the girl came out with a series of videos on TikTok claiming that she was drugged and raped in 2014 when she was16-year-old.

The participants have also demanded that a time limit on filing complaints on rape and other incidents of sexual violence be removed at the earliest.

China has been closely monitoring the visit of Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights and US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya after the news of her arrival became public.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand and expressed her concern over the visit of Zeya to Nepal.

According to a source at the Home Ministry, the Chinese Ambassador told Home Minister Khand that she was confident that Nepal will maintain its one-China policy.

In response, Home Minister Khand said that he was sensitive about Nepal-China relations and China security issues.

Shiva Shankar Mahato of CPN-UML has been elected as the mayor of Dhangadhimai Municipality in Siraha.

He defeated Nepali Congress district president and Constituent Assembly member Ram Chandra Yadav by 155 votes.

Yadav is considered as an influential leader in the Nepali Congress.

Elected Mahato secured 7, 056 votes while his contender Yadav received 6, 901 votes.

Outgoing mayor Hari Narayan Chaudhary is in the third place. He got 4, 369 votes.

Likewise, Sangita Kumari Chaudhary of Nepali Congress garnered 6, 613 votes while Shova Baral of CPN-UML secured 6, 378 votes.

Outgoing deputy mayor Phul Kumari Shrestha secured 4, 314 votes.