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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.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has initiated a process to withdraw vehicles from employees and office-bearers, who have been using government vehicle facilities against existing laws.

The Office has so far pulled back 622 government vehicles from different ministries, their subordinate bodies and constitutional commissions. 

The preliminary investigation conducted by the Prime Minister's Secretariat found the fact that though there is a legal provision that only gazetted first class officers or office-bearers above them get vehicle facility, lower-level employees are using government vehicles. 

In the course of investigation, the details of vehicles used by employees and office-bearers of all government bodies were demanded. 

Based on the details, the OPMCM had on April 23 directed all ministries, their subordinate bodies and constitutional commissions to immediately return such vehicles. 

The government took this step in order to reduce financial burden taking place in the name of fuel, maintenance and vehicle facility.

The Nepali Congress has expressed its concern over the government's move to adjourn the Parliament and enact laws through ordinances.

In a statement today, Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the practice of adjourning the Parliament and enacting laws through ordinances is not correct in terms of democratic values, parliamentary dignity and constitutional process. "The government's decision is a clear violation of the legislative powers by the executive." 

The Congress has stated that choosing the path of ordinances despite having a clear majority in the house is a dangerous sign of centralization of power. 

It has urged the government to remain fully committed to democratic values, parliamentary practices and constitutional dignity, to respect the role and dignity of Parliament, and to immediately reconsider such steps.

Traffic Police have taken action against 2,746 people  in the last 24 hours.

As of this morning, during checks conducted by traffic police at various locations in the Kathmandu Valley, 79 drivers were penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol, 225 for  violating ride sharing rules, 175 for running red lights, 148 for speeding, 324 for lane crossing, 149 for driving on footpaths, 55 for no-horn violations, 54 for U-turns and overloading, and 1,537 for other offences, totalling 2,746 drivers, said Traffic Police spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi.

"In the past twenty-four hours, 2,746 vehicle drivers were penalised for violating traffic rules in the Kathmandu Valley. A total revenue of Rs 2. 96 million has been collected from these penalties," he added.

Driving under the influence of intoxicants is illegal and punishable, and the Traffic Police have urged passengers to immediately report it to the nearest police station, the traffic control room hotline number 103, or the police hotline number 100, if they suspect that the driver has taken intoxicants or drugs.