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Ireland is advancing draft legislation to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, following its official recognition of a Palestinian state last year.

Prime Minister Michael Martin urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to cease the humanitarian crisis immediately. Foreign Minister Simon Harris acknowledged that the measure would prohibit imports from the settlements while possibly excluding services. The legislation will be reviewed by a parliamentary committee in the coming weeks before a final vote, according to Xinhua.

As Israel escalates its military campaign in Gaza, an increasing number of European nations are voicing strong criticism and demanding concrete measures in response.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson called on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka in Singha Durbar today.

On the occasion, they discussed various aspects of energy cooperation between the two countries and the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project.

During the meeting, Energy Minister Khadka stated that although the projects being carried out under the MCC project are progressing, the MCC has been on hold for some time, which has created some uncertainty.

He expressed the confidence that the MCC project would be continued and expected US's additional assistance in the energy sector.

In response, US Ambassador Thompson said the United States will continue to support and cooperate in Nepal's energy sector. He mentioned that all possible initiatives and efforts are being made to advance the MCC project.

He urged for the support that needs to be provided by the Government of Nepal to continually advance the projects being carried out under the MCC.

As per an agreement signed under the MCC, the US is supposed to invest 500 million dollars while Nepal would spend 197 million dollars for the MCC-funded MCA project.

Under this project, the construction of the 400 kV transmission line and associated substations will take place from Lapsiphedi–Ratmate, Ratmate–Damauli, Damauli–Butwal, and Butwal to the Nepal–India border (Gorakhpur).

Representatives of MCC and the MCA as well as the Ministry's senior officials were present at the meeting.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas has condemned Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, calling it a “disproportionate use of force” and “intolerable.” She urged an immediate ceasefire to enable hostage releases and support a lasting peace, according to Xinhua.

Kallas criticized strikes against civilian infrastructure and highlighted that aid for humanity should not be politicized. She advocated for the immediate and unrestrained delivery of aid to Gaza. She also denounced rising settler violence in the West Bank and attacks on Palestinians during Jerusalem Day marches, urging Israel to hold perpetrators accountable.

The Israeli offensive follows the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and led to the ongoing bombardment of Gaza, where over 54,000 have been killed, Xinhua reported.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today laid a foundation stone for a new building to be constructed for trauma and emergency services of the Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavrepalanchowk.

The facility is going to be constructed on the financial support of the Japan Government. The government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had signed an agreement in this regard.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that development is a gradual process, requiring integrity and continuous effort to turn dreams of transformation into reality. "Those who envisioned an advanced healthcare facility here many years ago have contributed to making it a reality today," he said.

He also praised the local community for contributing land for the hospital’s construction and expressed hope that the hospital would leave no stone unturned in delivering quality services to those in need.

As per the latest agreement reached between the two sides on May 16, the Government of Japan will provide an additional grant of 3.02 billion yen for the improvement project of the Trauma and Emergency Centre (internal grant), according to the hospital.  The agreement for the grant assistance was signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ikuina Akiko.

Although a grant agreement of 3.02 billion yen had already been signed between the two sides in 2023 for the implementation of the project, the additional grant was ensured as the initial budget had been insufficient to implement the project due to price rise and other financial issues.

As per the agreement, Japan shall bear 60% of the cost for the building and 40% for all sorts of medical devices. The facility will have a five-story building with three levels of basements, a parking lot, ICUs, three operation theaters, HDUs, laboratories, a pharmacy, waste management, and all other necessary service mechanisms.

Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel was also present on the occasion.