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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.

The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal hosted on May 8 an event at Patan Museum in Lalitpur to celebrate Europe Day. Europe Day officially falls on May 9th, and marks the adoption of the Schuman Declaration, which in 1950 laid the foundations of what would later become the European Union. The occasion holds special significance this year as it is 75 years since the signing of the Declaration.

Chief Guest of the event was Vice President of Nepal, Mr. Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav. Other attendees include Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, ministers and other representatives of the government of Nepal, diplomats including ambassadors of EU Member States, civil society, the private sector, media, as well as youth participants, and various other friends and partners of the European Union. The program featured a presentation on a youth-centered environmental campaign, reflecting the European Union’s commitment to sustainability and youth engagement in Nepal.

In her remarks,  Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, stated: “Nepal is a trusted partner of the European Union. Through our Global Gateway initiative, we support Nepal’s prosperity agenda, working together with EU Member States and European Development Finance Institutions.” The Ambassador said: “As global challenges grow, so does the EU’s determination to remain a reliable, consistent, and principled partner.”The Europe Day celebration underlined shared values and the ongoing collaboration between the European Union and Nepal, EU said in a press statement.

Nepal has reaffirmed its solidarity in the fight against terrorism, as it condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which killed several innocent tourists, including a Nepali national. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the Government of Nepal expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 attack. 

Nepal recalled standing in solidarity with India during the tragic period, united in grief and suffering. Reiterating its firm stance, Nepal described the assault as a “barbaric terrorist attack” and underlined its unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. “Nepal stands together with all in the fight against terrorism,” the statement said.

The Ministry emphasized that Nepal, in line with its principled foreign policy, would not allow any inimical forces to exploit its territory to harm neighboring countries. Urging restraint from all sides, Nepal called for the de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and stressed its dedication to promoting lasting peace and regional stability in South Asia.

The National Security Council reviewed the current international situation, various security challenges and implications that may arise in Nepal due to the recent developments between India and Pakistan.

Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and Member Secretary of the Council, Rameshwor Dangal, said that a meeting of the Council held on Wednesday discussed the situation arising out of the development and adopting appropriate strategy to deal with the situation in the coming days.

The 38th meeting of the Council chaired by Prime Minister and Council Chairman KP Sharma Oli was attended by members of the Council, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Home Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Defence Minister, the Chief Secretary, the Chief of the Army Staff and the Defence Secretary.

The meeting was held at the Council Secretariat in Singha Durbar.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 12. 60 points to close at 2,661. 08 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 60 points to close at 448. 63 points.

A total of 30,799,091-unit shares of 315 companies were traded for Rs 11. 65 billion.

Meanwhile, Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited (NMIC) and Crest Micro Life Insurance Limited (CREST) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Narayani Development Bank Limited (NABBC) was the top loser with its price dropped by 7. 06 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 42 trillion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to collaborating with Russia to protect the United Nations authority and protect developing nation’s interests from bullying and unilateralism during his official visit to Russia.

In talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Xi emphasized the shared responsibility of both nations as permanent members of the UN Security Council. He advocated for collaborative efforts to promote a fair interpretation of World War II history, a multipolar international order, and inclusive, balanced globalization, according to Xinhua.

Xi is in Moscow to attend events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War.

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.