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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has terminated $60m in federal grants to Harvard University, citing the school’s failure to address antisemitic harassment and racial discrimination.

In a statement on X, HHS said federal funding must go to institutions that “protect all students” and will not tolerate discrimination, Al Jazeera reported.

The move is part of a broader conflict between President Donald Trump’s administration and elite universities, following pro-Palestinian protests on campuses. Trump has called the demonstrations antisemitic, while student organizers say they are peaceful protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Harvard rejected federal demands for disciplinary changes, removal of diversity programs, and external oversight, arguing they would compromise academic independence, according to Al Jazeera.

In response to the funding cut, Harvard has allocated $250m from its own funds to support affected research and has filed a lawsuit, claiming the cuts violate the First Amendment and federal law.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has left for Japan to participate in the international conference on social isolation in senior citizens, which is starting tomorrow in Tokyo. She left for Japan last night.

The conference theme is -“Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older People.”

Minister Rana is scheduled to address the conference on behalf of Nepal.

The conference organised by the Foundation for the Welfare and Education of the Asian People will have the participation of ministers, senior government officials, and social activists from more than 12 countries.

Minister Rana, who has been working for a long time in the field of economic uplift and social protection of Nepali women through Rural Women and Development Centre and organizations like the Safe Motherhood Network, has been invited as the special guest of the programme.

While in Japan, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to hold important bilateral meetings. She is set to return home next Saturday.

Lumbini Province has unveiled its policies and programs for the fiscal year 2025-26. Province Chief Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar presented the plan during the fifth meeting of the sixth session of the Provincial Assembly.

The document outlines the province’s vision for inclusive development, good governance, efficient service delivery and progress in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, health and environment. The government aims to uplift the living standards of its citizens, foster sustainable development and strengthen public trust through these initiatives.

The policy framework highlights priorities including the strengthening of physical infrastructure and human development, enhancing cooperation among the three tiers of government, formulating legal and human resource foundations for institutional development, and promoting balanced and specialized development across all districts.

The province plans to streamline coordination among all ministries and government bodies while emphasizing improved governance, citizen-friendly administration and efficient service delivery. Digital initiatives such as “Mobile Haatma, Pradesh Sarkarka Sewa Sathma” will be promoted to expand access to services.

In agriculture, the government plans to increase productivity, treat the sector as a backbone of prosperity, keep farmlands green year-round and deliver agricultural services at the doorstep. The province has also set an ambitious goal of becoming fully organic within 10 years and transforming into a hub for organic farming.

The policy further focuses on promoting domestic industries, entrepreneurship and local products to create employment opportunities. It also seeks to strengthen social security programs and collaborate with the media to reach the grassroots with government policies.

Several citizen-centered campaigns have been introduced, including “Nagarikko Yogdan, Mahinako Ek Din Sramdan,” “Mero Bidhyalaya Mero Dayitwo,” “Hariyali Sahitka Sadak Purbadhar,” and “Pratyek Ghar Ujwalo Abhiyan.”

Other plans include completing ongoing projects, introducing a project bank system, developing one model settlement in each district, and initiating the Rampur-Chapakot urban development plan. The province also aims to implement a master plan for the capital area and mandates the use of local timber in government building construction.

Programs addressing disaster preparedness, climate resilience and wildlife victim relief also form part of the policy document. The government will upgrade the Rapti Provincial Hospital to a 200-bed facility, launch a climate center in Deukhuri and integrate skill development with education.

Additional plans involve providing free services to underprivileged citizens in medical colleges and hospitals, expanding snakebite treatment facilities and extending health programs to schools and communities.

The policy prioritizes green energy promotion, including electric vehicles and solar energy. Based on this policy document, Lumbini Province is set to announce its budget on June 15.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to respond to the queries of lawmakers in the Parliament today.

The Federal Parliament Secretariat said that the Parliament meeting has been summoned for 11 am.

General Secretary of Federal Parliament Secretariat Padhma Prasad Pandey said that Infrastructure Development Committee Chair Dipak Bahadur Singh is also expected to table the Infrastructure Development Committee Annual Report, 2081 in the House.  

Likewise, Minister for Land Management and Poverty Alleviation Balaram Adhikari would table a proposal seeking considerations on "bill to amend certain Nepal Acts relating to land, 2082".