Morning Filter: PM Modi in Nepal

1. PM Modi's visit to Nepal Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Nepal today for a brief visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and also hold comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba to expand bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity. 2. IMD issues red alert in five districts of Kerala As rains continue to lash across Kerala days ahead of the expected onset of Southwest monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert in five districts of the State for Sunday and Monday indicating extremely heavy rainfall. A red alert has been issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur districts for today. Except for Kasaragod, other districts in the State had an orange alert on Sunday. 3. 'Major part of Gyanvapi mosque's survey completed, exercise to continue on Monday' A court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex was carried out peacefully for the second consecutive day on Sunday, with the major part of the exercise said to have been completed. The survey, which was stalled last week amid objections by the mosque management committee, which claimed that the advocate commissioner appointed by the court for the survey did not have the mandate to film inside the premises, will continue on Monday. 4. Nadda to interact with 14 heads of missions today Heads of missions from 14 countries will participate in an interaction with BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda today at the party's headquarters in New Delhi as part of its "Know BJP" initiative. 5. Kejriwal to hold meeting of AAP MLAs on BJP’s anti-encroachment drive Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a key meeting of AAP MLAs on the anti-encroachment drive by the BJP-ruled civic bodies in different parts of the city today, officials said. 6. Wickremesinghe to provide explanation of the financial crisis Newly appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he will provide a full explanation of the financial crisis faced by the island nation today. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Mr. Wickremesinghe said there is a lot to be "done and undone" amid the unprecedented economic crisis in the country, which requires his government to prioritize matters. "We are prioritizing matters, rest assured they shall be addressed as early as possible. We have managed to get things moving in the last 48 hours. I will provide a full explanation of the financial crisis faced by the country tomorrow," he said. Mr. Wickremesinghe also said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution would be discussed today. 7. Finland, Sweden NATO membership The plan to join the alliance will be discussed in Sweden's parliament today; U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and a delegation of GOP senators are due to visit Helsinki today for talks with Finland's President. 8. Mired in crises, Lebanese vote for new parliament Turnout was low as Lebanon held its first election Sunday since a painful economic crisis dragged it to the brink of becoming a failed state. The vote is seen as a major test for opposition groups bent on ousting the ruling elite. But few observers expected a seismic shift, with all levers of political power firmly in the hands of traditional sectarian parties and an electoral system seen as rigged in their favour. Official results are expected today. 9. IPL | Play-offs at stake as DC and PBKS clash in must-win game Two teams struggling for consistency, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, will aim to outdo each other in a bid to keep their play-offs hopes alive in the Indian Premier League today. Both teams are yet to string back-to-back wins this season but neither side can afford another defeat in their remaining league games. [logo] The Morning Filter 16 MAY 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Morning Filter newsletter, your guide from The Hindu on the major news stories and events to follow today. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today 1. PM Modi's visit to Nepal [Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File.] Prime Minister Narendra Modi [will travel to Nepal]( today for a brief visit to [Lumbini]( the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and also hold comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba to expand bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, including in hydropower, development and connectivity. 2. IMD issues red alert in five districts of Kerala As rains continue to lash across Kerala days ahead of the expected onset of Southwest monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday [issued a red alert in five districts]( of the State for Sunday and Monday indicating extremely heavy rainfall. A red alert has been issued in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur districts for today. Except for Kasaragod, other districts in the State had an orange alert on Sunday. 3. 'Major part of Gyanvapi mosque's survey completed, exercise to continue on Monday' [View of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Dham and Gyanvapi Masjid complex, in Varanasi, May 14, 2022. ] A court-mandated videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex was [carried out peacefully]( for the second consecutive day on Sunday, with the major part of the exercise said to have been completed. The survey, which was stalled last week amid objections by the mosque management committee, which claimed that the advocate commissioner appointed by the court for the survey did not have the mandate to film inside the premises, will continue on Monday. 4. Nadda to interact with 14 heads of missions today Heads of missions from 14 countries will participate in an interaction with BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda today at the party's headquarters in New Delhi as part of its "Know BJP" initiative. 5. Kejriwal to hold meeting of AAP MLAs on BJP’s anti-encroachment drive [Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. File.] Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a key meeting of AAP MLAs on the anti-encroachment drive by the BJP-ruled civic bodies in different parts of the city today, officials said. 6. Wickremesinghe to provide explanation of the financial crisis Newly appointed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he will provide a full explanation of the financial crisis faced by the island nation today. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Mr. Wickremesinghe said there is a lot to be "done and undone" amid the unprecedented economic crisis in the country, which requires his government to prioritize matters. "We are prioritizing matters, rest assured they shall be addressed as early as possible. We have managed to get things moving in the last 48 hours. I will provide a full explanation of the financial crisis faced by the country tomorrow," he said. Mr. Wickremesinghe also said that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution would be discussed today. 7. Finland, Sweden NATO membership [U.S. Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell, center, and from left, Susan Collins, John Cornyn and John Barrasso prepare to meet with Swedish media at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm after a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist on May 15, 2022. ] The plan to join the alliance will be discussed in Sweden's parliament today; U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and a delegation of GOP senators are due to visit Helsinki today for talks with Finland's President. 8. Mired in crises, Lebanese vote for new parliament Turnout was low as Lebanon held its first election Sunday since a painful economic crisis dragged it to the brink of becoming a failed state. The vote is seen as a major test for opposition groups bent on ousting the ruling elite. But few observers expected a seismic shift, with all levers of political power firmly in the hands of traditional sectarian parties and an electoral system seen as rigged in their favour. Official results are expected today. 9. IPL | Play-offs at stake as DC and PBKS clash in must-win game [Mitchell Marsh of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Yashaswi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Royals during 58th T20 cricket match of the Indian Premier League 2022 (IPL season 15), between the Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Capitals, at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, May 11, 2022. ] Two teams struggling for consistency, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, will aim to outdo each other in a bid to keep their play-offs hopes alive in the Indian Premier League today. Both teams are yet to string back-to-back wins this season but neither side can afford another defeat in their remaining league games. 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