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The road connecting the district headquarters to the center of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality has finally been blacktopped. The 8.36-kilometer section from Ghyampeshal to Takukot has surfaced after 28 years since the track was first opened. The seven-meter-wide, two-lane road was blacktopped by the Gandaki Province Government. MS, Biruwa, Waiba and Lama JV Company carried out the blacktopping at a cost of Rs 297.7m, according to the Infrastructure Development Office, Gorkha. The company signed the contract on 30 July 2020, with a completion deadline of April 2025.

“There was some delay due to Covid-19 after the contract was signed,” said Kapil Kapri, an engineer at the Infrastructure Development Office. “In addition to blacktopping, a one-meter-wide drainage system, gabion walls, and machinery walls have been constructed at several locations. The road was surfaced using asphalt technology.”

Krishna Gurung, Chairperson of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality-7, said locals are thrilled to see the road finally blacktopped. “This track was opened in 1997, but had never surfaced,” he said. “We feared it might remain unpaved forever. Although delayed, the work has now reached its final stage.”

Chair Gurung added that residents had long suffered due to the lack of a proper road. “When the road was unpaved, transportation was difficult—especially during the monsoon, when landslides and muddy conditions made travel extremely challenging,” he said. “Now that it's blacktopped, we expect smooth travel even during the rainy season.”

Locals believe the newly surfaced road will greatly ease travel between the municipality center and the district headquarters, improving access and quality of life for residents.

Ukraine has accused Russia of violating its self-declared ceasefire by launching airstrikes on the northern Sumy region shortly after the truce began, Al Jazeera reported.

Ukraine's air force claims that Russian planes launched three guided bombings after midnight, just hours into the three-day ceasefire that Moscow announced on May 8–10. In accordance to the Kremlin, the truce was a humanitarian gesture intended to test Ukraine's peace preparedness and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, called the action an absurdity and claimed that Russia had increased its attacks in response to peace proposals. He reiterated Ukraine's backing for the United States' March ceasefire proposal, which Russia has not yet accepted and which calls for a 30-day truce, according to Al Jazeera.

Moscow insists that such a ceasefire would require enforcement mechanisms before implementation.

At least 40 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on Wednesday, according to Xinhua.

An Israeli drone reportedly targeted a restaurant and market in the al-Rimal area, killing at least 25 people and seriously injuring many more. The casualties were taken to local hospitals, and officials warned that the death toll might climb.

Separately, Gaza's civil defense said that two airstrikes hit a school sheltering displaced inhabitants east of the city, killing 15 people and wounded 10, Xinhua reported.

The Israeli military has not responded to the strikes.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid emphasis on making efforts for eradicating leprosy more dynamic and effective under the Healthy Nepal Campaign.

Addressing the inaugural session of 'Nepal Leprosy Conference' organized by the Ministry of Health and Population and different organizations today, Prime Minister Oli argued, "Though the number of leprosy patients below one in 10,000 people each in Nepal is considered as the indicator of success, we will not be satisfied until it is completely eradicated."

He expressed the belief that we could stay healthy if we adopt a lifestyle paying special attention to diet and care.

Recalling that he was kept on the cold floor in prison during the Panchayat period and tortured, PM Oli said that it was due to this that his kidneys failed.

Prime Minister Oli said that the government would amend the law to prevent discrimination against the leprosy patients and the government would make necessary facilitation to prevent the spread of the disease.

He stressed on the need of providing regular treatment for infectious diseases like leprosy in the form of awareness.

The Prime Minister drew the attention of the Ministry of Health and Population to spread awareness for the prevention of leprosy through mass communication and information technology with the message that no disease should be concealed.

The New York Times reports that President Donald Trump plans on announcing a trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday. It would be the first since his massive tariffs went into force.

Trump teased the agreement on Truth Social on Wednesday, calling it a "MAJOR TRADE DEAL" with a "HIGHLY RESPECTED" country, but did not mention the United Kingdom by name.

The deal's final status is unknown, but it comes amid investor concern about growing trade tensions. The IMF recently lower its global growth prediction for 2025 from 3.3% to 2.8%, citing trade uncertainty, according to The New York Times.

Talks between the United States and China are also scheduled to resume this weekend in Switzerland.

New York police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters Wednesday after they occupied Reading Room 301 of Columbia University’s Butler Library.

The university called in the NYPD when demonstrators refused to leave or identify themselves. Officials highlighted safety concerns and the engagement of non-affiliated parties. Two campus security officers were hurt during a mob rush, BBC reported.

Online videos showed masked demonstrators entering the library and screaming slogans. Columbia has warned students that they may face disciplinary action for breaking campus policies.

Mayor Eric Adams said the arrests were made at the university’s request, affirming support for peaceful protest but not trespassing. Governor Kathy Hochul praised law enforcement and condemned campus disruption, according to BBC.

The Trump administration has warned 60 universities that funding may be withdrawn if antisemitism charges on campuses are not addressed.

President Donald Trump has indicated he may change how the United States refers to the Persian Gulf during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the name of the waterway could be raised during meetings with regional leaders. US media reports suggest he may announce a shift to calling it the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia”, according to Al Jazeera.

The naming of the strategic waterway has long been a point of contention between Iran and Arab states. Iran insists on using the historical  name "Persian Gulf," citing old maps and archives. In contrast, numerous Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prefer to be known as "Arabian Gulf."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed the proposed modification, calling it a "hostile act" that will incite enormous resentment among Iranians, Al Jazeera reported.

The US Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate constant at 4.25%-4.50%, citing inflation and employment risks associated with President Trump's recent tariffs.

The Fed observed a rise in imports ahead of the tariffs, but concluded it had no major impact on overall GDP. Tariffs imposed on China and other countries have caused market volatility, but execution will be delayed until July to allow for trade discussions, Reuters reported.

Despite low unemployment and stable inflation, early indicators suggest a possible economic slowdown. The Federal Reserve reaffirmed its independent role in regulating inflation and employment.