Trump administration slashed federal funding for gun violence prevention

The Trump administration has terminated more than half of all federal funding for gun violence prevention programs in the U.S., cutting $158 million in grants that had been directed to groups in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Reuters reported.

Of the 145 community violence intervention (CVI) grants totaling more than $300 million awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice, 69 grants were abruptly terminated, opens new tab in April, according to government data analyzed by Reuters.

The elimination of CVI programs is part of a broader rollback at the department's grant-issuing Office of Justice Programs, which terminated 365 grants valued at $811 million in April, impacting a range of public safety and victim services programs.

A DOJ official told Reuters the gun violence grants were eliminated because they "no longer effectuate the program's goals or agency's priorities." Thousands of Office of Justice Programs grants are under review, the official said, and are being evaluated, among other things, on how well they support law enforcement and combat violent crime.

US, China resume talks in Stockholm to ease tariff hostilities

U.S. and Chinese officials began a second day of talks in Stockholm on Tuesday to resolve longstanding economic disputes and step back from an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies, Reuters reported.

The meetings may not yield immediate large breakthroughs but the two sides could agree to another 90-day extension of a tariff truce struck in mid-May. It may also pave the way for a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the year, though Trump on Tuesday denied going out of his way to seek one.

The delegations met for more than five hours on Monday at Rosenbad, the Swedish prime minister's office in central Stockholm.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was seen arriving at Rosenbad on Tuesday morning after a separate meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. China's Vice Premier He Lifeng also arrived at the venue, according to Reuters.

Nepse surges by 30. 49 points on Tuesday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 30. 49 points to close at 3, 001. 80 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 3. 18 points to close at 518. 11 points.

A total of 41,808,966-unit shares of 321 companies were traded for Rs 18. 52 billion.

Meanwhile, Muktinath Krishi Company Limited (MKCL), Trade Tower Limited (TTL) and Sanvi Energy Limited (SANVI) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise,  Samata Gharelu Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SMATA) was the top loser as their price fell by 8. 60 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 5. 00 trillion.

Gold price drops by Rs 600 per tola on Tuesday

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 193, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 193, 6000 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the price silver, however, has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 2, 300 per tola today.

Nag Panchami being observed today

The Nag Panchami Festival that falls on the Shrawan Shukla Panchami as per the lunar calendar is being observed today across the country by Hindus as per the time-honored tradition.

The festival is being marked by worshiping Nag or the snake god and pasting a picture of the snake god above the main door of the house.

It is believed that sticking the picture of the snake god safeguards the family from snakes and scorpions, fire and lightning.

Nag Puja is believed to have started in the Vedic time and Nag is considered the king of snakes as per the Vedic tradition.

Special Pujas are being offered at Nagpokhari and Taudaha in Kathmandu, Siddhapokhari in Bhaktapur and several other ponds and shrines across the country this day.

After worshiping, the snake god is offered cow milk, Akshata, Dubo grass, rice pudding and Roti with due respect.

India's AI-driven tech firings could derail middle class dreams

India's showpiece software industry is facing a moment of reckoning.

The country's biggest private sector employer Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) - also its largest IT services company - has announced it will cut more than 12,000 jobs at middle and senior management levels. This will reduce the firm's workforce by 2%, BBC reported.

The Mumbai-headquartered software behemoth employs over half-a-million IT workers and is considered a bellwether for business sentiment across India's $283bn software industry. It forms the backbone of formal, white-collar employment in the country.

The decision, TCS says, was taken to make the company "future ready" as it invests in new areas and deploys artificial intelligence at scale amid seismic disruptions in its traditional business model, according to BBC.

US begins preparing Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One

Preparations are under way to refit a Qatari jumbo jet that is expected to serve as Air Force One for President Donald Trump, CBS, the BBC's US news partner, reports.

The Boeing aircraft - valued at $400m (£300m) - is being donated by Qatar as an "unconditional" gift, with any necessary retrofitting costs being borne by the US government.

The deal has ignited criticism from both Trump's detractors and some allies, with a few calling it a "bribe" from a foreign power. 

The White House has insisted that taking the aircraft is legal, and pledged that it will be donated to Trump's presidential library once he leaves office. Current rules suggest US officials can only accept gifts under $480, according to BBC.

France and Germany lead downbeat EU response to US trade deal

Leaders from Europe's two largest economies have led a chorus of gloomy reactions to the trade deal struck between EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, BBC reported.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the agreement would "substantially damage" his nation's finances, while French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it was tantamount to "submission".

The reaction has been downbeat across the bloc - though several capitals acknowledged signing an uneven deal was worth it in order to avert an all-out trade war.

It will see a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US - half the rate threatened by Trump - in return for Europe buying more American energy and slashing taxes on some imports, according to BBC.