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Law Day is observed on May 9 and serves as a timely reminder of the foundational role that law plays in building an equitable and democratic society. In Nepal, Law Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of our legal system while fostering dialogue about the reforms necessary for a stronger future. It’s a time to honor legal professionals, acknowledge the importance of the rule of law, and commit ourselves to improving access to justice for all. ApEx spoke to three women law students to talk about the importance of law and how it can be improved in the education system.

Sadiksha Nepal

Fourth year, BA LLB, Chakrabarti College of Law

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot—about our legal system, our laws and regulations, and the structure of governance. But I haven’t had the chance to apply what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I feel like a bookworm—filled with theory but lacking real-world experience. The reality is our legal education system is still outdated. Most law colleges don’t have proper libraries, updated books, digital resources, or even well-functioning moot courts. Students often rely on personal copies of old materials. While some colleges offer internships and legal clinics, they are limited and not accessible to everyone. Most of our time is spent memorizing theory and preparing for exams instead of working with real clients or learning how the system functions outside the classroom. Workshops or mentorship to help us handle real-life moral challenges are extremely rare. Our textbooks are often outdated, and recent legal developments rarely make it into our syllabi on time. Colleges offer almost no career counselling or placement support so we’re left to build networks on our own. On top of that, the fees are so high that it’s a struggle for students from middle- or lower-income families.

Sanjita Khadka 

Third Semester, BA LLB, National Law College

The future of Nepal’s legal system is likely to be bright as AI and technology plays in e-filing and digital record-keeping, but cyber security will be a challenge. Environmental and climate laws are expected to be expanded to address Nepal’s risk of catastrophes and to align with international conventions such as the Paris Accord. To attract investment, Nepal may further make its business and intellectual property laws compatible with international standards. Emerging trends such as ADR and better legal education will help ease court overcrowding and prepare practicing lawyers for the real world. Legal education in Nepal can be enhanced by revising curricula to include practical skills (e.g., moot courts, drafting of laws). Developing teaching capabilities through training and international collaboration, technology integration (e-learning platform, online research tools), would enhance quality and accessibility. Partnerships with law firms, NGOs, and courts for internships and clinics bridge theory-practice gaps. Stricter accreditation by the governing bodies like the Nepal Bar Council is needed to bring about uniformity and accountability.

Puja Basnet

Fifth year, BA LLB, Kathmandu School of Law

With the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, Nepal is transitioning to a democratic and federal structure, and the legal system will be more inclusive and accessible than ever. The rapid technological advancement, however, will be a challenge for Nepal’s conventional legal framework, but with reform and modernization, embracing the technology will pave the way for ensuring timely justice and further strengthening the rule of law. Nepal needs to better train the available human resources and adopt technology-driven solutions to efficiently and effectively manage the caseload. As a law student, I have felt that the current legal education doesn’t adequately prepare us to meet the practical demands of the legal profession. The current academic structure is designed primarily to foster theoretical knowledge, and while it’s equally important, in the absence of essential practical skills, the transition from students to lawyers becomes difficult. To bridge this gap, legal education should be upgraded and skill-based training, such as moot court, internships, and clinical education, needs to be prioritized.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to become the world’s second-richest person, according to The Times of India. A recent surge in Meta’s stock, driven by investor optimism around AI and tech innovation, significantly boosted Zuckerberg’s net worth.

Bezos, now ranked third, has long been a major contender among the world's elite. The move highlights the unpredictable nature of tech-driven wealth, in which fortunes fluctuate in response to market trends and corporate performance.

Zuckerberg’s rise reflects Meta’s renewed momentum, while Bezos continues to lead through Amazon and his broader business interests. The latest reshuffle marks another chapter in the ongoing rivalry among tech’s wealthiest figures, The Times of India reported.

US President Donald Trump has applauded Robert Francis Prevost's election as the first American pope, calling it a "great honour" for the country. The 69-year-old Chicago native will be referred to as Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo studied near Philadelphia and later worked as a missionary in Peru. His unprecedented appointment has sparked admiration from political leaders across the United States, BBC reported.

With the US being home to the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, congratulations poured in following the announcement.

Bill Gates has pledged to donate $200bn through the Gates Foundation by 2045, after which the foundation will close. The funds will focus on disease eradication, maternal and child health, and poverty reduction, with an annual budget of $10bn, Financial Times reported.

Gates made the announcement amid major US foreign aid cuts led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which is set to slash nearly 80 percent of USAID programs. Gates accused Musk of contributing to preventable deaths in poor countries.

“The image of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one,” Gates told the Financial Times. He warned that the cuts could reverse decades of progress in global health.

He emphasized that philanthropy cannot replace government help, but he hoped that public priorities would change back to saving lives.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago has been elected as the 267th pope, making history as the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. The 69-year-old will be known as Pope Leo XIV, BBC reported.

He appeared before thousands in St. Peter’s Square Thursday evening, greeting them with the words, “Peace be with you all.” In his first address, delivered in Italian, Leo XIV honored his predecessor Pope Francis and called for a Church “that builds bridges and dialogue.”

“We must show our charity and be in dialogue with love,” he said, as stated by BBC.

Leo XIV was elected by 133 cardinals in just two days of conclave, indicating rapid and widespread support. He is anticipated to continue many of Francis' reforms, with an emphasis on unity and global participation.

The United States has agreed to lower import taxes on a limited number of British vehicles while allowing certain UK steel and aluminum shipments to enter tariff-free. The move provides partial relief to major UK industries harmed by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, BBC reported.

Despite the agreement, most UK goods will continue to be subject to a 10 percent tariff. No formal agreement was signed, and little specifics have been revealed, leading analysts to believe the accord does not significantly alter pre-existing trade rules.

Speaking at a Jaguar Land Rover factory in the West Midlands, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the accord as a "fantastic platform" that safeguards jobs in critical sectors. He highlighted the strength of the UK-US alliance, as stated by BBC.

President Trump described the deal as a “great” achievement, insisting it would expand further in the future.

Construction work at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground has gained momentum after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli issued a stern directive to complete the delayed floodlight installation and parapet construction within two months. The Prime Minister’s intervention came after it became clear that the projects would not meet the originally set deadline of May 7. 

Oli summoned officials from the Ministry of Urban Development and representatives of the construction companies involved, seeking clarification over the delay. He instructed them to expedite the process and ensure completion by mid-July.

The construction includes a parapet with a 10,000-seat capacity and modern floodlight systems aimed at upgrading the stadium to host day-night international matches. The parapet construction was awarded to BKOI-KCDC-BG JV for Rs 437.7m, while Vision-Ishwari JV was contracted to install the floodlights at a cost of Rs 421.9m.

According to the construction companies, work is now being carried out in full swing, with a commitment to complete the project within the revised timeline.

Earlier, on April 17, Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh had inspected the site and expressed confidence that the work would be completed on schedule. He also continued monitoring the project closely from the ministry.

Singer Pratap Das has released a new music video titled ‘Soltini Ukhumaai Manparyo’. The song premiered on Tuesday evening on his official YouTube channel. In this duet, Das is joined by singer Shantishree Pariyar. The lyrics were penned by Santosh Sapkota, with music composed by Arjun Sapkota. The video features Anjali Adhikari. Music arrangement, mixing, and mastering were done by HBN Kismat, and the track was recorded at 1DB HD Studio. The video was choreographed and directed by Ramji Lamichhane.