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The storm coupled with rainfall has damaged winter crops in the Pokhara Valley and vicinity.

Creeper vegetables and corn were damaged by the storm and rainfall occurred for some days. 

Two weeks back, the hailstone that took place during evening perished cucumber and watermelon, while the storm recently damaged maize farming. 

Some farmers also lost livestock due to lightning.

Owner of Tikhedhunga Livestock and Agriculture Farm Ramesh Acharya said that lightning struck a buffalo to death on Tuesday. 

King Charles has extolled the importance of Britain’s “special relationship” with the US in a speech to Congress that made pointed reference to the importance of Nato, the defence of Ukraine and the climate crisis, The Guardian reported. 

In a speech that will be read as a veiled plea to Donald Trump to return to the US’s traditional European alliances and restore his country’s role as a defender of liberal values, Charles said: “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more."

Charles’s appearance before the joint session of Congress – the first such royal address in 35 years – was billed as the centrepiece of his four-day state visit to the United States, where he and Queen Camilla are taking part in celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of independence.

EU countries and European Parliamentlawmakers failed to reach a deal on watered-down landmark artificial intelligence rules after 12 hours of negotiations on Tuesday and will resume talks next month, Reuters reported. 

The changes to the AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024 with key elements set to be enforced ⁠in ⁠stages starting this year, are part of the European Commission's Digital Omnibus, which aims to simplify a slew of regulations in the digital sector to help businesses catch up with US and Asian rivals.

Europe's AI rules, considered to be the strictest in the world, came amid concerns about the impact of the ​technology on children, workers, companies and cybersecurity.

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it was quitting OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil producers' group ​as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations, Reuters reported. 

The exit of the UAE - one of the group's biggest producers - weakens ‌OPEC's control over global oil supplies and widens a rift between the UAE and its neighbour Saudi Arabia, effectively the leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

It could also free the UAE to increase output once exports via the Gulf resume as it would no longer be governed by OPEC quotas.

Kim Jong Un has praised North Korean soldiers who killed themselves by detonating their grenades while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, confirming a long-suspected battlefield policy, BBC reported. 

In a speech this week, the North Korean leader said those who "unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack, in order to defend the great honour" were "heroes".

South Korea estimates at least 15,000 North Koreans have been sent to help Russia recapture parts of western Kursk, and more than 6,000 have been killed so far. Neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have confirmed the numbers.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has urged one and all to adopt high alert measures, indicating chances of thunderstorms, lightning, hail and rain in various parts of the country from Wednesday evening. 

Meteorologist at the Department, Sanjeeb Adhikari shared that  the likelihood of strong winds in Dadeldhura and Doti in Sudurpashchim Province; Bardiya, Banke, Dang and Arghakhanchi in Lumbini Province; Dhanusha and Bara in Madhesh Province, and Morang and adjoining districts in Koshi Province on Wednesday. 

The Department has stated that the windstorm is expected to start at 5:45 pm Wednesday and end at 7:45 am Thursday. 

As the westerly system moves eastwards, the Department has indicated the possibility of rain with thunderstorms, lightning, windstorms and hail in many parts of the country. 

In view of possible effects on livelihoods, agriculture, transport and electricity services due to adverse weather, the Department has urged for necessary precautions.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, they exchanged views on bilateral relations, parliamentary collaboration, development partnership and regional and international issues. 

Sharing that Nepal-China relation is historical, friendly and based on panchasheel, Speaker Aryal laid emphasis on further strengthening the relations, according to Speaker Aryal's Secretariat. 

The government is clear on the issue not to allow use of Nepali territory against China, he opined, reiterating that Nepal is fully committed to the 'One-China Policy'.

The Speaker underscored that the incumbent government has focused its attention for development, good governance, technology promotion and to end corruption, expecting Chinese government's support and cooperation to it. 

Expressing concern over increasing conflict in the world, he argued that Nepal is always in favour of peace, dialogue and collaboration. 

Similarly, Ambassador Zhang conveyed the best wishes message and handed over the congratulation letter from the National People's Congress, China.

The Ambassador expressed commitment to continuously support Nepal's sovereignty, independence and regional integrity. 

The Chinese Envoy mentioned that China was ready to collaborate in infrastructure, connectivity, border management and development projects under Nepal-China collaboration, adding electric vehicles were supported by the Federal Parliament Secretariat. 

Ambassador Zhang extended an invitation to the Speaker, lawmakers and parliamentary office-bearers to visit China.

The Lalitpur Metropolitan City has declared a local holiday tomorrow, Wednesday, on the occasion of the 'Coconut Dropping' day under the Rato Machhindranath Rath Jatra.

All the offices of the Metropolitan City and its subordinate offices will remain closed as the residents of the metropolis will participate in the Jatra on the day, said Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan.

The work of pulling the chariot with Rato Machhindranath seated on chariot at Pulchowk in Lalitpur began on April 21. 

After the chariot is taken to Lagankhel via Gabahal, Mangalbazar, and Sundhara, the Bali Puja is performed and the coconut is dropped from the top of the chariot the next day.

The 'Coconut Dropping' tradition, which takes place in the Lagankhel area as part of the Rath Jatra, is linked to religious beliefs and cultural significance. 

The Metropolitan City has stated that the holiday has been declared in respect of tradition as there will be significant participation of the city residents on this day.