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Inter Milan's title hopes were dealt a crushing blow when a late Pedro penalty earned Lazio a 2-2 draw at the San Siro on Sunday, to leave the Serie A champions one point behind Napoli going into the final game of the season, Reuters reported. 

With leaders Napoli held to a 0-0 draw by Parma, Inter missed the perfect opportunity to move into pole position at just the right time, but Yann Bisseck went from hero to villain, conceding the 90th-minute penalty after opening the scoring.

Inter are on 78 points and are away to Como on the final day with Napoli on 79, and they will host Cagliari. Should the sides finish level on points, the title will be decided by a playoff. Lazio are sixth on 65 points, two behind Juventus in fourth, according to Reuters. 

The first half was mostly played at a pace which made the game look like an end of season match with nothing riding on it rather than two sides with still very much to play for.

Federico Dimarco's first-time effort from the edge of the area, which was parried away by Lazio keeper Christos Mandas after half an hour, was the first shot on target, and Inter keeper Yann Sommer was called into action shortly before the break, Reuters reported. 

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored late in the second half to give a depleted Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Sevilla, who ended the game with nine men after straight red cards to Loic Bade and Isaac Romero, Reuters reported.

With leaders Barcelona having already secured the title after Thursday's 2-0 win at city rivals Espanyol gave them an unassailable lead with two games left to play, Real entered the game missing several regular starters including Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.

Sevilla were a man down after 11 minutes when Bade held Mbappe to stop a quick counter-attack, with the referee considering it was a clear scoring opportunity for Real and flashing a straight red card at the French defender, according to Reuters.

However, despite dominating possession, Real struggled to create many chances with Mbappe and Endrick missing clear opportunities before the break.

Sevilla had a second player sent off three minutes after the restart when halftime substitute Isaac Romero's unpleasant studs up tackle on Aurelien Tchouameni earned another straight red card.

Five minutes after hitting the crossbar with a shot in the 70th minute, Mbappe finally managed to break the deadlock, slotting a low strike from outside the box just inside the right post, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine and trade relations. The call is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT), according to Reuters.

Trump said the focus will be on stopping the ongoing “bloodbath,” which is reportedly claiming over 5,000 lives weekly. He expressed hope for a productive outcome and an end to the conflict.

The Kremlin confirmed preparations for the call. Trump also plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO leaders. His administration has warned of further sanctions if Russia does not engage seriously in peace talks, Reuters reported.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has drawn the attention of the government to arrange a  safe settlement for the people of Tilgaun in Namkha Rural Municipality-6, Humla, who are at risk of landslides.

Taking to social media, main opposition party leader Dahal said, "I want to draw the government's serious attention to ensuring immediate rescue and safe settlement for the residents of the risk areas.”

Leader Dahal urged the government to focus not only in capital-centric discussion regarding the rising risks of glacial lake outburst due to the increasing impact of climate change but also to pay attention to carrying out scientific studies and disaster preparedness works in remote areas of the country.

He said, "The occurrence of mudslides due to the glacial lake outburst has put the settlement there at risk. The water supply infrastructure, roads, and bridges have been damaged due to the landslides, and the fact that 33 local people are awaiting relief."

The price of gold has increased by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 184, 800 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 184, 200 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1, 945 per tola today.

Former Nepali Ambassador to Spain and Oman Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal has launched Ambassadors Club, first of its kind in Nepal. The Club aims to serve as a neutral platform for resident and non-resident Ambassadors and heads of the mission.

In the program, it was announced that all resident and non-resident ambassadors credited to Nepal are honorary members of the Club.

The Club along with think-tank International Relations and Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) and Nepal’s first diplomatic Magazine, The Diplomat was launched amid a special ceremony held in Kathmandu on May 18. Speaking at inaugural program, chief guest former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said as global order is rapidly changing, Nepal cannot remain aloof from it. Bhattarai said the Club provides the soft space where trust is fostered and foreign policy influenced with vision and inclusivity.

Ambassador Parajuli said that this is not just the launch of an initiative — it is the beginning of a journey. “A journey that takes Nepal to the heart of global conversations. Nepal’s voice, rooted in peace and resilience, is stepping onto the world stage. In the global arena, Nepal carries the voice of hope, of clarity, and of courage. Small nations must rise — not in conflict, but in conviction. We must speak with clarity, engage with compassion, and continue forward with courage. In the face of global change, we must help shape it — not just react to it,” she said.

Sher further added, “We envision a circle of trust where ideas flow freely and voices, regardless of size, are heard equally. I am proud to announce that all ambassadors, heads of mission, and members of the diplomatic community are part of this shared vision. The IRGDD will ensure Nepal’s insights and ideals are shared with the world,” she said. “This moment highlights our unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, and shared progress. As diplomats, Nepal must be a clear and confident voice—not just for itself, but for all who strive for equity and understanding.” Dr. Dhakal added, “Diplomacy must be inclusive. It does not follow colors, borders, or status. It follows values. We speak with one voice.”

UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Hana Singer Hamdy, said, “After days of devastation, it’s time to celebrate — and we bring you not one, not two, but three reasons to be inspired. Three powerful stories of creativity. Three bold glimpses into the future. This issue is rich with thoughtful articles and beautiful photographs — a visual and intellectual celebration of resilience and vision,” she said. “The cover story dives into the heart of global diplomacy, with a special emphasis on multilateralism in the context of climate change and diaspora engagement. It carries the energy and momentum of Sagarmatha Sambaad — a space where ideas flow freely, and voices, especially from the Global South, are amplified.”

The Nepal Geotechnical Society (NGS) marked its 31st anniversary with a symposium focused on disaster resilience and geotechnical challenges, reflecting on the decade since the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. The event, held at The Plaza in Pulchowk, brought together engineers, geoscientists, urban planners, researchers, policy-makers, and representatives from government and professional institutions.

Themed “Geohazards and Geotechnics: Ten Years of Learnings and Rebuilding from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake,” the symposium reviewed Nepal’s reconstruction efforts and emphasized the need for greater preparedness and innovation in geotechnical practices.

Key sessions included a presidential keynote by NGS President Mandip Subedi, who discussed lessons from the past decade and highlighted gaps in risk-sensitive development and seismic resilience. Technical memorial lectures by Lok Bijaya Adhikari and Narayan Marasini focused on seismic data trends, soil behavior, and engineering responses to recent disasters.

A high-level panel discussion moderated by Prof Netra Prakash Bhandary explored the theme “What have we learned and what do we still need to learn from the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake?” Panelists addressed progress in institutional and policy frameworks, while also cautioning against emerging risks such as unplanned urban expansion and climate-induced hazards.

The event also featured the announcement of GeoMandu 2026, the third edition of NGS’s international conference series. The second GeoMandu, held in 2024, saw participation from around 500 attendees, including 200 international delegates. Four volumes of conference proceedings, comprising over 120 technical papers, are being published by Springer.

Another key highlight was the launch of a new disaster report book, edited by Bhandary, Subedi, and Rajan KC. The book, dedicated to recent geo-disaster victims, analyzes the geotechnical dimensions of natural disasters in the past five years and aims to inform infrastructure planning and policy-making.

In the formal segment of the program, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Secretary Er. Keshab Kumar Sharma delivered closing remarks as Chief Guest. Prof Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, Dean of the Institute of Engineering, attended as Special Guest. NGS General Secretary Er. Uday Raj Neupane presented the Society’s annual overview and announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society of Consulting Architectural and Engineering Firms (SCAEF), aimed at enhancing technical collaboration.

The program included award distributions to professionals for contributions to geotechnical engineering, as well as remarks from senior officials, awardees, and institutional representatives. It concluded with a group photo session and a cultural dinner.

In addition, the event hosted poster and photography exhibitions on the theme of geohazards and geotechnics, with contributions from students and professionals. Selected entries will be featured in the upcoming NGS newsletter.

Organizers highlighted that as Nepal confronts increasing risks from climate change, urbanization, and aging infrastructure, platforms like NGS Day remain critical for fostering technical dialogue and promoting proactive disaster risk management.

In our day-to-day lives, we often cross paths with people whose work keeps our communities functioning—bus conductors, street cleaners, garbage collectors, security  guards, and others working behind the scenes. Yet, these are the very people we so  often ignore, look down upon, or treat with impatience. It’s time we asked ourselves: Why? 

There is a deeply rooted tendency in our society to equate respect with position, wealth, or educational qualifications. Those who wear uniforms, perform physically demanding  tasks, or work under the sun are often treated as if they are somehow “less.” But the  truth is this: every job has dignity and every person deserves respect. 

Consider this: Kathmandu Valley alone generates over 1,200 metric tons of solid waste  every day, much of which is managed by over 1,500 sanitation workers, many from  marginalized backgrounds. These workers rise before dawn, clean our roads, and  handle the very waste we throw without a second thought. Yet, a 2023 study by the  Centre for Labour and Social Studies Nepal found that 65 percent of sanitation workers  reported being treated with disrespect or ignored entirely by the public. 

Public transport workers, too—like bus conductors and microbus helpers, help tens of  thousands of people reach their destinations daily. Despite their essential service, they  are often met with rude behavior or treated as if their efforts have no value. This  behavior isn’t just unkind—it’s unjust. 

It reflects a societal gap in empathy and awareness. We must understand that dignity is  not tied to one’s income, title, or background, but to the fact that each of us contributes,  in different ways, to the collective good of our society. The health of our communities,  the smooth functioning of our cities, and even our personal comfort depends on the  labor of these hardworking individuals. 

What we need is a culture shift. A shift that starts with something simple: respect. Meet the people we usually ignore. Let us teach our children to thank those who serve us—not just doctors and teachers, but also the cleaner who makes their school safe and  the driver who takes them home. Talk to the street vendor and parking attendant. These small acts can build a more inclusive and humane society. But the real change begins with us—how we think, how we speak, and how we treat those  around us. 

In a just society, no one is “too small” to be seen or heard. Let us remember that the  hands that sweep our streets and carry our garbage are just as important as the hands  that sign documents and sit in offices. Respect should not be a luxury for the privileged.  It should be a shared value that defines who we are as a people. 

Ayushma Budhathoki 

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar