Submit your Article

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, suggesting that Putin is “playing with fire.” Trump implied that his involvement has prevented severe consequences for Russia.

Earlier, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Putin’s actions and criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his comments about US responses to Russian attacks, New York Post reported.

In response, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, cautioned that growing tensions might lead to a far more devastating battle, citing the prospect of World War III.

The Trump administration has directed US embassies and consulates to suspend new appointments for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) while the State Department reviews and plans to strengthen social media vetting for these applicants. An internal cable, authenticated by a top official, specifies that previously planned appointments would be maintained, but unclaimed appointment seats must be withdrawn, Reuters reported.

The heightened vetting aims to improve screening systems as part of the administration's larger immigration enforcement operations, which include more deportations and visa revocations. The State Department stated that it will continue to prioritize services for US citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud prevention.

The review is expected to require operational changes at consular posts to manage the additional workload and resource demands, according to Reuters.

Seventeen years ago, on this day, then Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula was negotiating with King Gyanendra Shah to ensure a smooth transition from monarchy to republic. The following day—May 29, 2008—the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) decided to abolish Nepal’s 249-year-old monarchy.

Since then much water has flowed under the Bagmati bridge, yet royalist forces are now mobilizing for what they call a “decisive movement” to restore the monarchy and Hindu state. Meanwhile, republican forces are preparing to celebrate Jestha 15 (May 29) as Republic Day, showcasing their strength. With royalist groups gearing up for a “final showdown” and the CPN-UML-led republican camp vowing to counter them, there are fears of potential violence in Kathmandu.

On Tuesday, top royalist leaders met with a group of editors to assure their upcoming protests would remain peaceful and non-violent. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairperson Rajendra Lingden said: “Our Kathmandu-centric protests, beginning May 29, will be a form of civil disobedience—peaceful and non-violent.” He also urged the press to objectively monitor their protests to ensure accountability if violence erupts.

The previous royalist protest in Kathmandu on March 28 had turned violent, resulting in two deaths, vandalism of businesses, and an arson attack on Annapurna Media Network. Royalist forces blame government agencies for the violence.

Lingden also criticized Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent call to his cadres to “seize Kathmandu Valley for a few hours,” on May 29, warning that such remarks could incite unrest. The RPP chairman was joined by veteran royalist leaders Kamal Thapa, Navaraj Subedi, and Keshar Bahadur Bista. They all emphasized their commitment to peaceful protest while demanding their constitutionally protected right to protest. 

There is growing curiosity about the scale, influence, and sustainability of the royalist movement. Why are they so confident this time? Kamal Thapa, chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, said: “After 2006, this is the first time all parties and groups advocating for monarchy and a Hindu state have united.” He claimed 45 parties and factions—led by Panchayat-era leader Subedi—have joined the movement, capitalizing on what they see as the most favorable political climate in 17 years. The upcoming royalist protest follows a series of consultations with former king Gyanendra, who has increasingly encouraged supporters through public statements. Recently, he held a luncheon meeting with senior royalist leaders to discuss the movement. Those who met him reported unusual confidence from Gyanendra about the monarchy's possible revival.

Asked how royalists plan to achieve their goals—including constitutional amendments requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority—Thapa responded: “Our strategy is mass mobilization, pressuring the political establishment to negotiate.” He argued the same method was adopted during the political changes of 1990 and 2006.

However, government and major political parties are in no mood to talk with the royalist forces stating that those who will go against the constitution will be punished. Thapa said while the 2015 Constitution permits peaceful advocacy, the government is amending laws to criminalize pro-monarchy and Hindu-state agendas. 

Despite the show of unity, internal coordination remains unclear, particularly regarding leadership of the May 29 protest. RPP leaders admit that the psychological impact of March 28 violence has dampened morale of party cadres and monarchy supporters alike, which could potentially reduce the May 29 turnout. The government has filed cases against 61 individuals, including RPP leaders Rabindra Mishra, Dhawal Shumsher Rana, and protest “commander” Durga Prasai in connection to the March 28 violence. 

Still, royalist parties have vowed to continue their peaceful movement until their demands are met, but major parties remain unlikely to compromise. Their core demands include: restoration of the monarchy, reinstatement of Nepal as a Hindu state, and abolition of federalism.

Despite their call for restoration of the monarchy, not all royalist parties appear keen on putting Gyanendra back on the throne. Thapa said: “If there is a consensus among the political parties, Hridayendra (grandson of Gyanendra) could be king.”

With limited street power and minimal parliamentary influence, the royalist movement faces dim prospects. This time, the push seems driven by Gyanendra’s pressure rather than genuine momentum. The overall tone of Tuesda’'s interaction with editors revealed royalists’ persistent fear of another March 28-like violence, casting doubt on their ability to sustain a peaceful campaign.

The Ministry of Health and Population has started preparations for necessary preparedness for the prevention and control of pandemic during the monsoon. 

Health Minister Pradip Paudel held a preparation meeting which took six decisions regarding response and prevention in view of the possibility of different types of infection, diseases and pandemic in the rainy season.  

During the meeting with health officers involved in disaster response and pandemic control today, Minister Paudel directed them for preparedness by identifying the problems on time. 

According to Minister Paudel's Private Secretariat, the Department of Health Services would make necessary preparations for the management of cleanliness and clean water by identifying the places vulnerable to outbreak of pandemic. 

Similarly, the National Health Education Information and Communication Centre would carry out activities for the dissemination of effective information up to local levels for raising awareness on the use of clean water.  

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division would collect necessary information and forward preparation by holding virtual meetings with rapid response teams of all local levels. 

The Division would update the details of those trained for health related disaster control and assign them in all seven provinces as per the need. 

Likewise, necessary preparations would be initiated by coordinating with the National Emergency Operation Centre and Provincial Health Emergency Operation Centre.  

The meeting took the decision where the Department of Health Services would submit the proposal in the ministry within a week in order to amend the 'Infectious Disease Act, 2020' as per the changing context and need.