Khoj Samachar

Surkrishna Vaidya has been elected as the Senior Vice President and Manish Lal Pradhan as the Treasurer of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). The elections concluded on Friday at the FNCCI Central Office in Teku, Kathmandu, finalizing key leadership positions within the organization.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new policy requiring most green card applicants to complete the process from their home countries, ending the practice of adjusting status within the United States except in extraordinary circumstances. This significant shift, announced by the Trump administration, aims to tighten immigration controls and curb perceived system misuse, with applicants now needing to go through U.S. embassies or consular offices abroad.

An internet meme, "Cockroach Janta Party," has rapidly evolved into a youth-driven digital movement in India, symbolizing frustration over unemployment and political disillusionment. The movement originated from online outrage following a remark attributed to Chief Justice Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing, which was later clarified as taken out of context. Abhijeet Dipke, an Indian student, launched a satirical campaign that transformed the perceived insult into a symbol of digital resistance.

Youth activists led by Miraj Dhungana protested in Chitwan, demanding the removal of six taxes on petroleum products due to rising fuel prices and inflation. Meanwhile, Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav inspected the Nepal Oil Corporation and urged the private sector to promote ethanol production as an alternative energy source.

The Chhinnalata Geet Puraskar Guthi has announced that veteran singer Madan Krishna Shrestha will receive a special honour for his contributions to Nepali music. The organization also recognized lyricist Navaraj Lamsal, composer Kiran Kandel, singer Bimala Rai, and young talent Sarika Ghimire with awards in their respective categories.

An extended meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Kalaiya, Bara, turned chaotic on Saturday as disgruntled cadres protested disciplinary action against former district chairman Chandan Swarnakar. Lawmakers present at the meeting rejected claims that they were chased out, stating the incident was exaggerated and that supporters of Swarnakar attempted to disrupt the proceedings.

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the 'MOFA Mitra' mobile application to provide online consular services to citizens abroad and their families. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal stated the app aims to make public services more convenient and citizen-friendly by allowing online registration of concerns and tracking of requests. The application is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

The Nepali film 'Elephant in the Fog,' directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, has won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a historic achievement for Nepali cinema. Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, stated that Nepal's presence and recognition at the festival have elevated the stature of the nation's film and creative industries on a global stage.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India to reinforce strategic and economic ties, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The discussions focused on cooperation in trade, energy, defense, and maritime security, with Rubio expressing optimism about a broader trade deal and India's role as a key strategic partner.

Farmers across Nepal are facing significant challenges due to a growing monkey menace, which is destroying crops and contributing to rural migration. Lawmakers have raised concerns in parliament about the impact on livelihoods, with some suggesting drastic measures for monkey management. The issue is seen as a critical ecological imbalance affecting rural communities.

European diplomats, led by EU Ambassador Véronique Lorenzo, have expressed strong confidence in Prime Minister Balendra Shah's reform agenda and commitment to Nepal's development. Following a meeting in Kathmandu, the delegation noted Shah's clear vision and structured roadmap for implementing impactful transformations in the country, signaling a new phase of cooperation.

The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to submit a written explanation within 24 hours regarding the arrest of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai, responding to a habeas corpus petition. The court also directed that Prasai should not be kept in detention beyond Sunday if the investigation is not completed, and if no case is filed, he must be released.