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Chief Minister of Koshi Province Hikmat Kumar Karki is set to take a vote of confidence today.

Province Chief Parshuram Khapung has called the fifth session of the Koshi Province Assembly for 11 am today.

He called the meeting in accordance with the Article 183 (1) of the Constitution on the recommendation of the Koshi province government (Council of Ministers) on May 9.

Karki, who was appointed the Chief Minister on May 9, took oath of office and secrecy the same evening.

He has the support from 52 province assembly members, including 39 from CPN-UML and 13 from CPN (Maoist Center).

According to Article 168 (4) of the Constitution and Rule 128 of the Koshi Province Assembly Regulations, 2074 (including the First Amendment), an arrangement has been made for the Chief Minister to take the vote of confidence.

I’ve been in a relationship for a year now. Initially, my partner treated me well, but over time, his behavior has changed. He uses vulgar language, goes out with other girls without telling me, and is manipulative. He makes it hard for me to break things off. His actions haunt me, and I feel trapped. I feel like he will change every time he asks for forgiveness. I know I could be headed for trouble if I stay with him any longer, but I can’t seem to break free. There’s something keeping me attached to him, and it’s overwhelming. Please help me understand why I feel this way and how can I overcome it?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health

It’s good that you are aware of the situation you are in and aren’t making excuses for him. You’re grappling with a complex and distressing situation in your relationship so it’s crucial to prioritize your well-being and safety above all else. Understanding why you feel attached to your partner despite the toxicity can provide insights into your emotional experiences and pave the way for healing and growth.

First and foremost, let’s start by recognizing patterns in your relationship. Take a step back and reflect on the dynamics. Identify any patterns of behaviors or thought processes that contribute to feeling trapped or your inability to break free. Awareness of these patterns is the first step toward initiating change.

Next, explore the underlying factors behind your attachment to your partner, even in the face of harmful behavior. It’s common for individuals in toxic relationships to experience feelings of attachment stemming from factors such as fear of loneliness, low self-esteem, or past trauma. Understanding these underlying factors can help us address them more effectively.

Setting boundaries is essential for protecting your emotional well-being and safety. You have to establish clear boundaries with your partner. Communicate your needs and expectations assertively, and be prepared to enforce consequences if these boundaries are violated. Remember that prioritizing your boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s essential for self-preservation and growth.

I encourage you to invest time and energy into activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health. Engage in self-care practices such as exercise, mindfulness meditation, creative outlets, or spending time with supportive individuals who uplift and empower you.

You deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity in your relationships. While breaking free from a toxic relationship can be challenging, it’s a courageous step toward reclaiming your autonomy.

Feel free to reach out to trusted friends, family members, for support and guidance. Opening up about your experiences can provide validation, perspective, and practical advice for navigating the complexities of your situation. If it feels impossible to get out of the situation you should consider consulting a mental health professional. S/he will be able to help you develop coping strategies and explore healthier relationship dynamics.

Comedy often has a short shelf life. What is funny today, might not be funny 10 years down the line, depending on the context. It’s also subjective. You and your friend might not find the same thing funny. Having said that, there are some classics that will tickle your funny bone no matter what. You might roll your eyes at the incredulity but it will lighten your mood. Here, we recommend five of our favorites that you can choose from this weekend, when the unpredictable weather doesn’t allow you to do anything else.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy film starring Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura, an animal detective who is tasked with finding the abducted dolphin mascot of the Miami Dolphins football team. It’s a cult classic that made Carrey a Hollywood star. It’s silly and awkward at times but a laugh riot nonetheless. There are many visual gags and funny one-liners. Since there is also suspense in the plot, the movie grips you from start to finish. Carry is not everyone’s cup of tea. His brand of comedy might be a bit over the top for some people but we think no one should give Ace Ventura a miss. 

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

A swinging hipster from the 60s, Mike Myers (Powers) puts himself in a deep freeze for 30 years to pursue his archenemy, Dr Evil (Mike Myers). He is thawed out in the 90s when Dr Evil reappears and plans to drill a missile to the center of the earth and destroy the world.

We have to admit that this comedy of the 90s might not be entertaining for today’s generation but Austin Powers will provide you with the escapism you need. He takes comedy to another level with his expressions and body language.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

There are a total of three films in this franchise but we recommend the one that came out in 2002 featuring Nia Vardalos and John Corbett in the lead. It’s a light-hearted comedy that stands the test of time as so many of the family issues shown in the movie are as relevant today as they were back then. Everyone in the Portokalos family is worried about Toula (Vardalos). She is 30 and unmarried. Then she falls in love with Ian Miller (Corbett), a teacher who is handsome but not Greek. He is also a vegetarian. Toula’s family doesn’t want her to marry this man and chaos ensues. 

Home Alone

Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for France. At first, he’s happy to be in charge of the house. But then thieves try to break into his home and he has to put up a fight like no other. The result is a tense but hilarious drama that you will be glued to till the end. Again, there are a few films in the franchise as ‘Home Alone’ is a series of American Christmas family comedy films originally created by John Hughes. We suggest you start at the beginning with the one that came out in 1990. The novelty will wear off after a couple of films as each one features an isolated child left to defend himself but the first one is guaranteed to make you laugh while cheering for Kevin. 

Mr Bean’s Holiday

We remember watching Mr Bean as children and his silly antics always made us laugh. We confess it still does. In ‘My Bean’s Holiday’ the hapless Mr Bean is on a vacation on the French Riviera. There, as everything that could possibly go wrong always does when Mr Bean is around, he becomes ensnared in an accidental kidnapping because of a case of mistaken identity. Mr Bean separates a father and son and then travels with the son in search of his father. Rowan Atkinson, as Mr Bean, is phenomenal. He is what makes the character so hilarious.

In the depths of my soul lies a darkness,

A chaos that balances the world outside.

The concrete walls absorb the color of my being,

Leaving only black, in and out.

No palette to play with, no colors to paint,

Just the darkness consuming my very being.

Hope and reason seem far away,

As I surrender to the comfort of this void.

But I find solace in the darkness,

For in it, I can weep and be free.

No need to pretend, no need to act,

Just the darkness, the chaos, and me.

Life’s colors may not be mine to hold,

In the darkness, tears wave a tale of silent plight

Longing for the warm love and care that the inner child deserves,

For a touch so kind 

A tired heart seeks solace in the dark.

Pratikshya Aganja

In the quiet of solitude, I ponder alone,

Yearning for company, yet on paths of my own.

Friends beckon, laughter in their call,

But dreams whisper louder, urging me to stand tall.

A friend in need, a friend indeed they say,

But should I forsake my dreams, come what may?

In the dance of life, a delicate sway,

Between camaraderie’s warmth and ambitions fray.

Yet in the midst of this existential ride,

I find solace in dreams that I confide.

For in the pursuit of what my heart deems true,

I discover friendships anew.

So I'll walk this path, both bold and free,

Embracing dreams, wherever they lead me.

With friends by my side, laughter in the air,

I’ll chase my dreams, knowing they’ll be there.

Yusuf Shrestha 

BBM 7th Semester, United College

Dance is the element in my life that makes my mind, body, and soul alive. Dance is my passion, my therapy. It is the language I use to express myself when words can’t.

I am a trained belly dancer; it is the oldest dance form that dates 6,000 years back. It is believed that belly dancing was a fertility ritual. It’s also believed that belly dance relieves menstrual pain and aids in easy childbirth. Hence it was passed on from mother to daughter. Listening to stories of great dancers motivates me to do something magnificent. The Reda Troupe, which was founded by Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy, started with only 12 dancers and 12 musicians and gradually grew, and made history, encouraging me to do something exceptional.

Dance inspires me to go against the grain. Looking up to Mahmoud Reda, whose choreography was inspired by a combination of Traditional Egyptian folk dances and Western-style dances like ballet, urges me to think out of the box and experiment with my choreography. Once I combined cultural Nepali and belly dance steps, draped a sari (Traditional Nepali Outfit) as a skirt, wore a hip scarf, and danced to a Nepali folk song. Dance helps me to be creative. I feel every beat of the music and decide which steps go with which part of the music. When I hear the music, I know what theme to choose and what prop to use. I know what costume and accessories will elevate the beauty of my dance.

Dance is my refreshment, exercise, and meditation. I feel alive when I dance. When I mix Maya, Taqsim, Wahda-wa-nus, Chest pop, Egyptian shimmy, Chest shimmy, Hip rolls, Hip glides, and Grapevine in Traditional Egyptian music, my soul nourishes. Dancing makes exercising fun for me. I don’t even have to push myself to dance since I start grooving as soon as I hear the music.

I don’t limit myself to just moving the body while dancing. I explore the history, cultural, and health significance of my favorite dance form (belly dance), and research inspirational stories like that of the Reda Troupe. I polish skills like creativity, critical thinking, observational skills, analytical thinking, etc. with the help of dancing, and most importantly I nurture my soul while dancing because dancers know, “The soul dances and the body just copies”.

Sarwagya Bhattarai

The CPN (Maoist Center) quit the Madhes government on Sunday.

The Maoist Center recalled its two ministers withdrawing the support extended to the government led by Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism Yuva Raj Bhattarai and Bharat Prasad Sah, minister without portfolio, resigned from their post this afternoon.

They submitted their resignation to Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav.

CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula accused the Nepali Congress of demanding the government in the name of a parliamentary committee.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting called by Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, he clarified that the parliamentary committee will not be formed as demanded by the Congress.

“Congress has not demanded the parliamentary committee. It has demanded the government in the name of a parliamentary committee, which is not possible. The parliamentary probe committee is not in accordance with law and regulations,” Bartaula said.

He was of the opinion that the demand of Congress is not in favor of cooperative victims.

“The demand of Congress will not be addressed,” he further said.

“We have come here to formulate laws, not to carry out investigations. We will be only investigation officers for five years if we keep on forming committees,” Chief Whip Bartaula said, adding, “The UML will also pile pressure on the government to take a concrete initiative to resolve the problems of cooperative victims.”

The government is unveiling its policies and programs on Tuesday.

President Ram Chandra Paudel will present the government policies and programs in the joint meeting of the House of Representatives and National Assembly.