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Ambassador of the United States to Nepal Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav at the Office of the Vice President at Lainchaur today. 

During the meeting, along with exchanging greetings, discussions were held on various aspects of Nepal-America relations, bilateral cooperation, diplomatic partnership, and future possibilities, the Vice President's secretariat said.

Vice President Yadav stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947, Nepal and the United States have enjoyed a cordial and mutually respectful relationship.

He said, "Democracy, human rights, and freedom are our shared values, which have strengthened our relationship." 

Vice President Yadav on the occasion expressed gratitude for the development assistance provided by the American government to Nepal since 1951 and stated that America's contribution to socio-economic development and democratic consolidation is commendable.

He added that he is optimistic about the resumption of infrastructure projects being operated under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and programmes being conducted through USAID.

On that occasion, Ambassador Thompson stated that the MCC, USAID, and other development projects are positively progressing on the path of continuity. He mentioned that the Nepali community in America plays a very active and vibrant role, stating that Nepal and the United States can work together to accomplish significant tasks.

Lawmakers have demanded updates about those Nepali affected by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. 

During a meeting of the National Assembly today,  lawmakers  advised the government to take diplomatic initiatives to know about the Nepalis residing in these countries and appeal to the world community for an end to war and for peace. 

The lawmakers also expressed views that the line ministers should apprise the House about measures implemented for disaster risk reductions, relief and rehabilitation works.  They were airing their views in a special hour of the upper house session. 

Additionally, the session advised the government to develop strategic plans to address the challenges Nepal will face after graduating from the category of Least Developed Countries (LDC) to a middle-income nation, noting that the country will lose certain international support and facilities following the transition.

Concerns were also voiced over the removal of grants for sugarcane farmers in the upcoming fiscal year, and the government was criticized for its failure to adequately address farmers' urgent needs for agricultural fertilizers.

Women lawmakers highlighted ongoing issues related to superstition-based violence, including witchcraft accusations and dowry practices. They also expressed alarm over the 'rising' trend of sex-selective abortions and demanded timely government intervention to curb the practice.

Among those who spoke during the special hour were Nara Bahadur Bista, Mohammed Khalid, Kiran Babu Shrestha, Dr. Bedu Ram Bhusal, Sharada Devi Bhatta, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota, Urmila Aryal, and Indira Devi Gautam.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has said that the government is working with priority for the safety of Nepalis in areas affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, while taking the potential impacts seriously. 

Responding to queries raised by lawmakers during the discussion on the appropriation bill in today's House of Representatives meeting, she said, "The ministry issued travel-related information with detailed contact details on June 15, requesting Nepalis currently in Israel and Iran to exercise maximum caution from a safety perspective."

Minister Rana said that the Nepali ambassadors in the respective countries have been instructed to coordinate for the safety of Nepali citizens. 

Mentioning that an 'online portal' was launched on June 17 to collect details of Nepali citizens, she informed that 885 individuals have registered their information on the portal so far and the registration process is increasing. 

The Foreign Affairs Minister stated, "On June 18, all Nepali missions in the Gulf have been instructed to facilitate the process of providing online visas and other assistance for Nepalis who wish to travel to safe locations or neighboring countries, in light of the current suspension of air routes in those countries."

In this context, she mentioned that the Jordanian government documented on June 19, 2025 stated the need to provide necessary assistance to foreign nationals coming from Israel to their borders. 

The minister  also stated that the Nepali Embassy  has communicated with ILO and IOM regarding facilitation on this matter. 

Minister Rana informed the Parliament that a request was made to the Indian government to rescue 16 Nepalis in Iran, and with the help of the Indian embassy in Iran, the process to bring back 11 of them to Nepal has begun. 

The remaining five are detained due to immigration laws, and the ministry is working through the Nepali Embassy in Doha to complete the paperwork for their return. 

She also mentioned that efforts are underway for the prompt rescue and repatriation from Israel and Iran through coordination with the relevant bodies and the formation of a rapid response group. 

Foreign Minister Rana stated that the Nepal government has been continuously pursuing diplomatic efforts at both bilateral and multilateral levels for the release of Bipin Joshi since the beginning.

The minister added that Nepal has pursued economic diplomacy as one of the major tools of its foreign policy and its missions abroad are being encouraged to engage in trade, foreign investment, tourism, and technology provision. 

Likewise, she said that efforts are underway from the diplomatic missions to promote cultural and tourism diplomacy, adding that the Ministry is undertaking necessary works for the sustainability of Nepal's graduation from the category of the least developed country to a middle- income developing country. 

Nepal is scheduled to observe its graduation from the LDC to the developing nation in 2026.  

She made it clear before the session that the appointment of ambassadors is taking place as per the existing rules and in the deputation of labor attachés.

The minister said that  the number of missions and human resources for foreign services has been increased following the Ministry's Organisation and Management Survey. 

In addition to these, digital archiving and data management are among the priorities of the Ministry.   

The total budget allocation to the Ministry in the upcoming fiscal year has slightly increased compared to the previous year. However, the budget for other headings except the capital expenditures has decreased. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 8. 13 points to close at 2,604. 11 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 60 points to close at 445. 70 points.

A total of 17,587,036-unit shares of 325 companies were traded for Rs 6. 47 billion.

Meanwhile, Joshi Hydropower Development Company Ltd (JOSHI) was 

​​​the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 98 percent.

Likewise, Gurans Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GLBSL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 46 trillion.

A two-year MA in History and Philosophy course (MAHP) has been launched by Kathmandu University (KU) and the Southasia Institute for History and Philosophy (SIHP), geared for aspiring scholars and practitioners from Nepal and internationally. The call for applications has been announced for courses starting in October 2025 and in April 2026.

Speaking at the launch event on June 19, which brought together faculty and scholars from various institutions, KU Vice Chancellor Professor Achyut Wagle said: “The new MA programme is geared to understanding these times, which are turbulent for both people and the planet. The course marks a milestone in Nepal’s higher education, and we look forward to welcoming national and international students for two years of rigorous learning aimed at producing future thinkers with humanism.”

Historian Yogesh Raj, Academic Director at SiHP, noted: “The MA programme seeks to consolidate the emancipatory ideals of the humanities while correcting their dominant anthropocentric perspectives. The course structure promotes historically grounded and philosophically informed research, policy and advocacy enquiries. It helps foster plural notions of Southasia among the public and inclusive configurations of Southasian studies in academia.”

According to SiHP, the MA course is useful for those seeking careers in humanities research and instruction, as well as a wide range of possibilities from policy analysis, diplomacy, public service, media to social activism. The course will develop scholars able to countenance problems and advance solutions from local, national and Subcontinental perspectives.

MAHP’s 60-credit course has been tailored to Himalayan and Southasian socio-ecological realities and aspirations. The curriculum includes foundational and advanced courses in History and Philosophy, and elective courses in Society, Technology and Environment.

Prospective candidates for the MA course can come from a variety of academic streams, and need to take SiHP’s Advanced Level Test for Humanities in Southasia exam (ALT-HuS). The instruction fee for the course is set at Rs 6 lakh for Nepali nationals (Rs 9 lakh for SAARC region, Rs 12 lakh for elsewhere). Full to partial fellowships are available to Nepali students based on merit, inclusion and need.

The application deadline for the October 2025 course is 25 July 2025.

The jeep safari services operated inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) are to be suspended from this June 29 in view of the monsoon.

The safari has been closed because it becomes difficult for vehicles to enter the park during the rainy season.

CNP closes the jungle safari every year during the monsoon season. 

As the monsoon ends, the safari is opened around mid-September when the festivals begin. If the monsoon prolongs, the opening time will also be postponed accordingly.

Avinash Thapamagar, the CNP Information Officer, said the jungle safari will be reopened after repairing the roads damaged during the monsoon due to rain.

Although the jungle safari inside the park will be stopped, he mentioned that jeep safaris will continue in the community forest of the park buffer zone.

He said that tourist activities including trekking inside the reserve and observing the crocodile breeding center will be regularly conducted. 

Dr Ganesh Pant, the CNP Chief Conservation Officer, said there is a practice of closing jungle safari in such parks around the world for a few months every year. 

He added that due to this, the wildlife inside the sanctuary will not be disturbed and living will be made easier.

It is said that during the monsoon season, floods occur and rivers swell, trees fall, roads become slippery and muddy, and with the growth of grass and shrubs, even wild animals cannot be seen easily.

Thirty-two jeeps are operated from Sauraha area, 10 from Kasara, seven from Meghauli, and five from Amaltari providing jungle safari to tourists.

The gold is being traded at Rs 195, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 10 and is being traded at Rs 2, 170 per tola today.

Israel briefly reopened its airspace on Sunday and is expanding flight operations on Monday, aiming to help tens of thousands of travellers stranded by widespread cancellations across the Middle East after the U.S. attacked Iran, Reuters reported.

An organisation that monitors flight risks warned on Sunday that U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region.

With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed due to war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia, but flight tracking website FlightRadar24 showed empty space over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel. Airlines have chosen routings such as north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, even if these mean higher fuel and crew costs and longer flight times, according to Reuters.