Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (June 3, 2019).

Contrary to government claims, latest Indo-Pacific Strategy report includes Nepal in its State Partnership Program

Even though the Nepal government categorically rejected any role and engagement in US-led Indo-Pacific Strategy, a recent report from the US Department of Defense states that the United States seeks to “expand” its defence relationship with Nepal under the ‘State Partnership Program in the Indo-Pacific.’

According to the ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy Report: Preparedness, Partnership, and Promoting a Networked Region’, released on Saturday, Nepal, along with Sri Lanka, has been “recently added”—in 2019—to the US’ ‘State Partnership Program in the Indo-Pacific’. Anil Giri with the report here.

As Upendra Yadav renews push for amending constitution, party members doubt the demand’s weight

Leaders of the newly formed Samajbadi Party Nepal—Baburam Bhattarai and Upendra Yadav—on Saturday warned that they would pull out of the government if it continued to ignore their demand for amending the constitution.

An amendment to the constitution has long been on the agenda for Yadav, whose Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal unified with Bhattarai’s Naya Shakti Party last month. But it was an irony that Yadav’s party chose to become part of the government led by KP Sharma Oli, who has never been committal to constitution amendment. Tika R Pradhan with the story here.

After 12 years in the game, a pat on the back and Rs 5,000 cash

When Bipendra Maharjan retired from the national basketball team in 2011, after 12 years of playing for Nepal, the Nepal Basketball Association honoured him—with a certificate of appreciation and Rs 5,000 cash.

Maharjan was, understandably, upset. After playing for the country for more than a decade, he’d expected something more. More by Adarsha Dhakal here.