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The Trump administration intends to revoke all remaining federal contracts with Harvard University, valued at $100m. A letter from the General Services Administration directs agencies to identify and terminate these contracts by June 6, claiming discriminatory admissions and hiring practices, as well as a failing to protect Jewish students, according to Reuters.

This decision follows previous efforts to reduce roughly $3bn in research funding and limit international student enrollment. Although a federal judge temporarily lifted the student visa prohibition, US embassies have halted new visa appointments.

Harvard is challenging the administration in court, arguing the actions violate constitutional rights. Student protests have erupted on campus, with many criticizing the government’s pressure on academic institutions, Reuters reported.

India reported a total of 1,010 COVID-19 cases as of May 27, marking a steady rise in infections. Kerala recorded the highest spike with 335 new cases, followed by Maharashtra with 153, Delhi with 99, and Gujarat with 76, raising its total to 83. Punjab reported its first case and has begun contact tracing efforts, according to Times of India.

The new variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are being closely monitored by the World Health Organization, though no serious threat has been identified so far. Health experts advise the public to maintain hygiene and remain cautious but not alarmed, as symptoms remain mild.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured that hospitals are fully equipped to manage any further rise in cases, Times of India reported.

The National Vigilance Centre (NVC) has submitted its annual report for fiscal year 2023/24 to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

NVC Secretary Saraju Kumar Baidya presented the report to the Prime Minister at a program organised at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today.

On the occasion, PM Oli directed the NVC to carry out its works in an effective manner as the present government has been formed with the mission of accomplishing good governance and development.

He emphasised that since the NVC is under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, it needs to be more active in terms of regular reporting and following directions, stating that corruption is an obstacle to development and good governance, and that all concerned parties must sincerely fulfill their assigned responsibilities to control it.

The report mentions that the NVC has been working on regulation and monitoring, including surprise inspections, to make the service delivery from public bodies effective in order to eradicate corruption and maintain good governance according to the objectives of the 16th plan.

If any irregularities are found during the monitoring process, the NVC writes to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority for action.

High officials, including the Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal, Eak Narayan Aryal, were present on the occasion.

A total of 11 people lost their lives and 67 were injured in fire incidents across the country in the last one month.

The deceased include three men, five women, two children and one girl child, according to the Nepal Police.

Nepal Police's Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Thapa said that 67 people sustained injuries in the fire incidents within the Nepali month of Baisakh.

Among the injured, 27 were men, 32 women and eight children, said SSP Thapa.

A total of 634 cases of fire were recorded in a single month during which 141 houses were destroyed, displacing 110 families.

Furthermore, 101 sheds and three public office's buildings were also damaged in the fire.

The financial losses from these incidents are estimated to be over Rs 241 million, according to the Nepal Police Headquarters.

Expressing concern over the rising cases of fire incidents lately resulting in a huge loss of human lives and physical properties, SSP Thapa called for greater public awareness and precautionary measures to prevent such untoward incidents.

Province-wise, Lumbini Province recorded the highest number of fire incidents at 143 in a month followed by 136 in Koshi Province, Spokesperson Thapa informed.

He shared that 104 cases of fire incidents were reported in Madhesh Province, 64 in Bagmati Province, 53 in Gandaki, 43 in Karnali and 59 in Sudurpaschim.

Gross negligence and ignorance about fire safety are one of the key factors contributing to such incidents, experts assess.