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A total of 12 major traffic routes across the country have come to a complete standstill due to floods and landslides triggered by the ongoing monsoon. 

According to the Department of Roads, while 160 roadways remain operational with one-way traffic, several key highways and corridors remain entirely disrupted.     

The affected routes include Thori-Bhandara-Malekhu, Galchhi-Trishuli-Betrawati-Mailing-Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi, Jamunaha-Nepalgunj-Kohalpur-Surkhet-Khulalu-Hilsa (Karnali Highway), Rani-Biratnagar-Itahari-Dharan-Dhankuta-Hile, Leghuwaghat-Tumlingtar-Khandbari-Num-Kimathanka (Koshi Highway).     

Along the Koshi Highway, a diversion over the Barun River has been washed away by floodwaters.     

Other routes facing total closure include Chatara-Mulghat-Majhitar- Amarapurdanda-Ganeshchowk (Tamor Corridor), Chhinchu-Kudu-Jajarkot-Dunai-Tinje-Marim (Bheri Corridor), Koilabas-Lamahi, Arjun Khola-Ghorahi-Holeri-Ghartigaun-Thawang-Lukum (Shahid Marga) and Surkhet-Tallo Dungeshwor-Saatkhamba-Dullu-Pipalkot-Khulalu-Manma-Nagma-Jumla Road     

Additionally, the Kathmandu-Dhulikhel-Dolalghat-Khadicharu-Kodari (Araniko Highway) remains disrupted due to ongoing construction work.     

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Bhimarjun Adhikari, stated that efforts are currently underway to restore traffic along the disrupted routes. (RSS)

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, echoed the need for international cooperation to address global health challenges, stating that such issues transcend national boundaries.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2nd Nepal Mt. Everest International Conference on Gynecologic Endoscopy today, the Speaker highlighted that health concerns are universal and require collective efforts to address them. He expressed hope that the conference would help foster a collaborative approach to overcoming these challenges.

Ghimire underscored the need for integrating knowledge, technology, and cooperation as three key pillars for tackling health issues. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the formulation of effective health policies, referencing the constitutional guarantee of health as a fundamental right in Nepal.

Touching on progress in women’s health, the Speaker said that Nepal has reduced its maternal mortality rate by 70 percent since 2000, marking a significant achievement.

Also speaking at the event, lawmaker Chanda Karki stressed the need to expand quality and effective healthcare services to rural areas, urging the government to implement targeted measures to close the existing healthcare gap.

Bikash Devkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, added that the government is working to strengthen healthcare systems from the grassroots level, including the area of gynecology, to improve service delivery nationwide. (RSS)

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the existing coalition government will continue ahead. 

Talking to media at Biratnagar Airport this morning, the former Prime Minister and the parliamentary leader of the major coalition government partner echoed the need for a broader wider consensus with a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution.  

He also took time to say that the NC's upcoming general convention will be held on an appropriate time, adding that the NC has no immediate plans for reshuffling the ministers representing the party in the NC-UML government. 

According to the former Prime Minister, the Constitution has not prohibited former President or the former Vice-President from re-entering politics. (RSS)

The Israeli military has urged civilians in Gaza City to move south to Khan Younis, ahead of an intensified offensive against Hamas strongholds, Reuters reported.

A designated “humanitarian zone” has been set up in Al-Mawasi, where Israel says it is providing field hospitals, water supplies, desalination units, and food for displaced families.

Isareli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed forces to press deeper into Gaza City, which Israel considers a central base for Hamas. According to Reuters, military officials say they now control about three-quarters of the Gaza Strip and nearly half of the city.

US President Donald Trump warned that India and Russia appear to be slipping into China’s orbit after their leaders joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in Tianjin, Reuters reported.

A photograph from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting showed Xi walking hand in hand with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a display of unity that drew Trump’s sharp reaction.

He said both countries looked “lost” to the “deepest, darkest China,” highlighting Washington’s unease over shifting alliances and the deepening US–China rivalry.

Some 61 local governments have yet to unveil their budgets for the current fiscal year. 

As per the rule, the local level governments are obliged to introduce their budgets within June 24 (Asar 10). 

According to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, 692 out of a total 753 local level governments have so far introduced their budgets and put for implementation. 

With this, number of local governments failing to bring their budgets is 61. According to the ministry, five local governments from the Koshi province, 40 from the Madhes province, and five from the Bagmati province have not yet presented their budgets. 

It is found that the local governments have failed to present their budgets due to political dispute and local coordination gap. 

When all local governments in the Gandaki province have brought budgets, seven local governments from Lumbini province, three from Karnali province and a local government from Sudurpaschim province failed to comply with budget unveiling. 

Bhojpur Salpasilichho rural municipality, Itahari sub-metropolitan city, Dharan sub-metropolitan city, Sunbarshi municipality of Morang, and Sunkoshi rural municipality of Okhaldhunga have not yet been able to make their budgets public. 

Only five local level governments in Saptari under the Madhes province have not disclosed their budgets. Three from Siraha, ten from Dhanusha, one from Mahottari, five from Sarlahi, five from Rautahat, five from Bara, and five from Parsa have not presented their budgets. 

According to the portal maintained at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Hariharpurgadhi rural municipality of Sindhuli, Bigu of Dolakha, and Khaniyabas and Galchi rural municipalities of Dhading have not presented their budgets.  

Although the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has already unveiled its budget, it appears that they have not yet posted the details to the portal of the ministry. 

Among other local governments failing to bring the budgets in Lumbini province are Palhinandan rural municipality and Pratappur rural municipality from Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Kotihimai and Sammerimai rural municipalities from Rupandehi, Shuddhodhan rural municipality from Kapilvastu, Tulsipur sub-metropolitan city and Lamahi municipality from Dang. 

It is stated in the ministry's details that Kumakh, Chhatreswori, and Dharma rural municipalities of Salyan district in Karnali province have not submitted their budgets. 

Similarly, it is noted that Tikapur municipality in Sudurpaschim province has not submitted its budget according to the ministry's details. 

The Constitution has obligated the federal government to present the budget in a joint session of both the Houses of the Federal Parliament on Jestha 15 every year. 

Likewise, there is a provision for the provincial governments to present their budget proposals on Asar 1 and the local governments to introduce budgets on Asar 10 every year. (RSS)

The low pressure trough of the monsoon at present is located to the south than the average position. 

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, weather this afternoon will be generally cloudy across the country. 

There is a possibility of moderate rainfall in some areas of the hilly regions of the country, including Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, and in a few locations of the Terai regions in the remaining provinces. 

The Division has indicted generally cloudy weather in the hilly regions of the country, including Koshi province tonight while remaining areas will see partial cloud cover. 

Moderate rainfall is likely to take place in some areas in the hilly regions and a few locations in Terai regions. (RSS)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel has urged the media sector to pinpoint weaknesses of the government and effectively reach out the good works to the people. 

During his address to the 27th Annual General Meeting and convention of the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal (SEJON) here today, he said the media sector should advance its performance both critically and recommending ways. 

"It is the responsibility of the media to clearly expose any policy lacunas or weaknesses in their implementation," Paudel noted. Additionally, it is equally important to inform citizens about the achievements and work done for the public good by the government." 

On this occasion, Finance Minister Paudel emphasized the importance of economic journalism, stating the role of journalists is essential in enabling the country’s economy. 

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal noted the country's economy has been impacted by several reasons such as the COVID pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but improvements have been seen recently. 

He mentioned FNCCI is always seeking ways the private sector can play a role in improving the economic sector of the country and has been continually advising the government on legal and practical reforms. 

Also speaking on the occasion, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Birendra Raj Pandey shared the CNI's ongoing study on the need of investment in different sectors to improve the country's economy and the necessity of policy and legal reforms for this. 

President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) Kamlesh Kumar Agarwal mentioned that although economic indicators have been improving, the private sector is still not ready for investment. 

He emphasized the implementation of the suggestions and recommendations provided by the High-level Economic Reforms Recommendation Commission to the government. 

Former presidents of SEJON expressed their views on the challenges facing the media sector, the quality of journalism, and the need for investigative reporting related to the economic sector. 

The convention will elect new leadership for SEJON today. (RSS)