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The Russia-China Forum began Monday in Khabarovsk, gathering over 3,000 participants to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Dmitry Demeshin, Governor of Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory, highlighted growing collaboration with China in industry, energy, and transportation, describing it as a “bridge of trust and shared prosperity”, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Consul General Jiang Xiaoyang noted Khabarovsk’s key role in regional cooperation.

The forum includes talks on joint projects, such as the development of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, and aims to expand trade, investment, and business ties between the two nations, according to Xinhua.

Former US President Joe Biden has thanked the public for their support following the announcement of his prostate cancer diagnosis, calling the experience a reminder of shared resilience.

“Cancer touches us all,” he wrote. “Jill and I have learned we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up”, BBC reported.

His office confirmed the former president was diagnosed Friday with aggressive, high-grade prostate cancer that has spread to his bones but remains hormone-sensitive and treatable.

Support has poured in from global figures, including Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and King Charles, who sent a private message of encouragement, according to BBC.

Microsoft announced Microsoft Discovery, a new platform that uses agentic AI to speed scientific research, at its Build 2025 conference on Monday.

According to the company, the platform is extensible and capable of managing science-related tasks from start to finish. Microsoft described it as an enterprise-level tool that supports the entire research process — from reasoning and hypothesis creation to candidate testing, simulation, and analysis, according to Xinhua..

Microsoft stated that the platform enables researchers to collaborate with specialized AI agents, increasing the pace, scale, and accuracy of scientific discovery through the use of powerful AI and supercomputing technology.

The Office of the Auditor General of Nepal has repeatedly emphasized the need for auditing 43 government-owned organizations. However, the 62nd report of the Auditor General reveals that 31 of these organizations remain unaudited. Highlighting this issue, the Auditor General has called for policy reforms in corporate governance.

According to the report, during the 45th fiscal year, accounts of 43 companies, worth a combined Rs 447.5bn, were audited. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, audits were completed for an additional 42 organizations valued at Rs 477.49bn. Despite repeated directives, 31 organizations have not completed audits for 80 fiscal years, and 21 fully government-owned organizations still have 38 fiscal years pending audit. These unaudited entities include Udayapur Cement Industry, Nepal Tourism Board, Guthi Sansthan, Gorkhapatra Sansthan, Food Management and Trade Company Limited, Hetauda Cement Industry Limited, Dairy Development Corporation, Janak Education Materials Center Limited, Nepal Drinking Water Corporation, and Nepal Television.

Similarly, 10 corporate bodies majority-owned by the government have not submitted accounts for the 42nd fiscal year. These include the National Insurance Company, National Life Insurance Company Limited, Bishal Bazar Company, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Company Limited, Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited, Sajha Prakasan, and Nepal Orient Magnesite Private Limited.

The report notes inconsistencies in how boards of directors determine staffing and benefits in public corporations, often based on varying acts that lack uniformity. It recommends policy reforms to ensure that worker appointments and benefits are regulated through a standardized government policy implemented via the boards of directors. Additionally, there is no clear criteria for establishing subsidiaries or assessing the impact of issuing shares to the public on the organizations’ investments and liabilities. Since some organizations have share ownership spread across multiple ministries while the government acts as a single entity, the Auditor General suggests reviewing and amending laws and regulations accordingly.

The report also flags increasing operational expenses—such as financial management, salaries, allowances, and office costs—outpacing income, exacerbated by overstaffing and underutilized capacity. Several organizations have operated at a loss for extended periods, with low returns on government investments and no substantial efforts to strengthen these entities. The government reportedly has not evaluated the public services offered or their economic contributions, nor reviewed investments. The report further notes delays in auditing, failure to meet goals, unreconciled accounts, and non-payment of principal, interest, and dividends.

A significant concern raised involves loans extended by the Employees Provident Fund and the Citizens Investment Fund for Nepal Airlines Corporation’s purchase of aircraft. On 18 June 2013, the Provident Fund and Nepal Airlines provided a loan of Rs 9.98bn, guaranteed by the government, for two A320 narrow-body Airbuses. On 18 May 2017, an additional Rs 11.9bn loan, also government-guaranteed, was provided for one A330 wide-body Airbus. Due to non-payment of interest, the Provident Fund Board has capitalized the principal to Rs 28.5bn. The loans appear only in the retirement fund’s financial statements, with decisions made solely by the fund’s board at a time when no trustee was formed. The loan repayments have not followed the agreement, including the provision requiring 30 percent of ticket sales to be deposited into a special account.

The report stresses that when the government provides guarantees for large, long-term projects, detailed risk assessments and business plan evaluations should precede loan disbursement to ensure proper coverage.

Regarding the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Auditor General states that the reported profit is not entirely realistic. While total profit increased in the 2023/24 fiscal year compared to the previous year, net profit declined due to higher depreciation expenses. Ratios related to net income, long-term debt, equity, employee expenses, and imported electricity remained stable. The Authority’s accumulated profit reached Rs 46.47bn, but significant depreciation on trade receivables (Rs 11.51bn previously, Rs 5.16bn this year) has affected earnings.

The NEA had also recognized outstanding fines for dedicated and trunk lines as income, based on government commission recommendations for tariff exemptions. Electricity tariff arrears rose by 8.88 percent this year to Rs 48.26bn, with Rs 23.44bn owed by 59 customers on trunk and dedicated lines—debts disputed for over a decade. Another Rs 6.89bn remains unpaid for street lighting. Although power loss (leakage rate) decreased slightly from 13.46 percent to 12.85 percent, it remains above the global average, prompting calls for identifying causes and implementing effective control systems in high-loss areas.

With rising electricity production, the NEA has been urged to implement an effective export strategy while considering growing domestic consumption and demand during the rainy season. The NEA owes Rs 3bn to the government and Rs 5bn to other entities. According to Article 1 of the Mahakali Treaty between Nepal and India, Nepal receives 70m units of electricity free annually, with any additional requirements to be purchased.

The government provides free power to NEA at Rs 4.75 per unit. Of this, NEA owes the government Rs 2.42bn last year and Rs 330m this year. Furthermore, the NEA’s financial statements include Rs 5.6bn in discounts offered during the Covid-19 period, resulting in a net receivable of Rs 2.31bn from the government, which requires verification and settlement.

Construction of the suspension bridge intended to connect villages along the Kali Gandaki River in Thasang Rural Municipality-2, Mustang, has once again been stalled. Although 75 percent of the foundation and civil works for the Kowang-Sauru suspension bridge have been completed, construction has been halted for the past five months.

The Suspension Bridge Division Office, Kathmandu, contracted the 570-meter-long, 2-meter-wide suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki River to Elite Rubina Construction JV on 12 May 2020, at a cost of Rs 50m. Initially, Elite Construction, the main company of the joint venture, began the work but left the project incomplete after partial progress.

According to the contract, the bridge was to be completed within 30 months, with a deadline of No 2022. However, the construction company repeatedly extended this deadline, citing disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, snowfall, and adverse weather conditions.

After the joint venture partner Rubina Construction abandoned the project, Elite Construction resumed responsibility in March 2024. Elite deployed Nikesh Shrestha as its site representative to oversee the bridge construction. Following Shrestha’s involvement, the foundation work—including two 6-meter deep foundations in the Kali Gandaki River—was completed by Dec 2024. Shrestha also reported that all civil work on the bridge is now complete, with overall physical progress reaching 75 percent.

“All the civil work has been done; only the bridge fitting remains,” Shrestha said. “If I had been allowed to continue, the bridge would have been finished by now. However, I have since been removed from the project.” He added that Elite Construction is preparing to assign a new representative to complete the finishing work.

Gautam Sherchan, Ward Chairperson of Thasang Rural Municipality-2, confirmed that construction has been stalled again for six months. He noted that the bridge, originally scheduled for completion three years ago, remains unfinished due to delays by the construction company.

Local resident Sojan Hirachan from Thasang-2 Sauru said Elite Construction has stored the bridge’s beams and steel parts near the site, but the fitting work has yet to progress. The bridge will directly benefit villages such as Sauru, Sirkhum, and Kokhethanti, located across the Kali Gandaki from the national highway.

Currently, villagers must risk crossing the river during the rainy season or travel about one and a half hours via the Kokhethanti suspension bridge to reach essential services such as the rural municipality office, schools, health centers, and the district headquarters in Jomsom. Hirachan said completing the new bridge would reduce this travel time to just 15 minutes.

We all love a good breakfast, which is probably why most restaurants these days have come up with their own breakfast menus and open as early as seven in the morning. We believe a good breakfast sets the tone of your day. But as lovely as an occasional breakfast or brunch outing can be, we are in no way suggesting you eat out on a regular basis. In fact, most fancy breakfast items you find in restaurants can easily be replicated at home. The good thing is that you don’t need to put in a lot of time and effort and it can save you a lot of money in the long run. Here are eight quick and easy breakfast ideas that can give you a much-needed energy boost in the morning. Most don’t require any advanced preparation while some might need you to put in a few minutes of kitchen time before you retire for the night.

Oats banana pancake

This protein rich breakfast delicacy does not need any pre-preparation. You can whip up delicious pancakes in under 15 minutes. It’s filling, nutritious, and simply delicious. Serve the pancakes with the side of fruits for a complete meal. Mash two bananas in a bowl, add an egg and whisk it until smooth. Add half a cup of oil along with a teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of baking soda. Grind two cups of oats and add it to the wet ingredients in the bowl. Add water or milk to make a smooth batter, which should neither be too runny nor too thick. Grease a pan with butter and pour small rounds of batter into it. Wait until you see bubbles on the surface of the pancake and then flip it to cook the other side. Since you’re using oats, you might have to cook the pancakes for a few minutes extra then you would have to while using regular flour.

Mango chia pudding 

For this amazing breakfast item that tastes a little bit like dessert, you need to soak chia seeds overnight. The rest of it is just chopping and assembling ingredients when it’s time for breakfast. It is perfect for summer when you don’t want to have a hot breakfast early in the morning. You can also enjoy this as a snack in the afternoon. Soak two tablespoons of chia seeds in a cup of yogurt and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. When it’s time for breakfast, transfer the pudding into a bowl, drizzle some honey, and top with chopped mangoes. You can also substitute mangoes with strawberries, blueberries, or any other seasonal fruit. Packed with protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients, this breakfast will keep you full for a long time.

Toast with a twist

Toast is a quintessential breakfast item. Traditionally served with butter, jam, or other such spreads, it is something that everybody likes. These days, toasted with avocado has become popular in many restaurants. Our version is a spinoff to that and is just as delicious and nutritious. Cut off the edges of two slices of bread and lay them flat on a baking tray. In another bowl, mash two boiled eggs and add some finely chopped onions and coriander to it. You can also add tomatoes if you want. Add salt and pepper according to taste to this mix and slather it on the slices of bread. Top it with a slice of cheese and let it back in the oven at medium heat for 15 minutes. You’re loaded toast that tastes a little bit like pizza is ready to be enjoyed.

Baked potato bonanza 

You need large sized potatoes for this recipe, which is really simple to make and tastes like an absolute dream. Thoroughly wash two large potatoes and leave their skin intact. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the potatoes, letting it cook for about 15 minutes. Don’t fully cook the potatoes. Drain the water and cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Spread the thin layer of butter or on top of the potatoes. Add some grated garlic and finely chopped green chilies. Sprinkle salt and pepper and top with grated cheese. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 minutes in medium heat or until the cheese melts and you get a slightly charred smell. You can serve this carb and protein rich dish with a side of lightly steamed vegetables. It’s a wholesome meal that will keep you satiated for hours.

Cinnamon delight

This one will blow your mind. Be warned that it’s not as healthy and wholesome as the other items on this list but it’s definitely food for your soul. You need a thick slice of bread for this. It should be double the thickness of a regular slice of bread. You can buy fresh, uncut bread at the bakery and slice it yourself. In a large bowl, mix a cup of milk with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and two tablespoons of brown sugar. Give it a stir so that there are no lumps in the mixture. Grease a pan with butter. Dip the bread slice in the cinnamon mixture, making sure you coat both sides. Toast it on the pan after the butter starts sizzling, cooking both sides for two minutes each. The result will be a gooey cake like toast that melts in your mouth. Since this is mostly carbs, we suggest you serve it with some scrambled eggs and fruits on the side to make it a complete meal.

Yogurt fruit bowl

This is by far one of the healthiest things you can have for breakfast. It’s a great source of probiotic and fiber, leading to good gut health. Apart from being filling and nutrient-dense, it’s also delicious and you might just get hooked to it. You can use regular yogurt or blend a fruit with yogurt to get a creamy base. Then add that to a bowl, and add a teaspoon of honey to it. You can also add a bit of your favorite syrup to give it that extra flavor. This goes into the base of your bowl. Top the yogurt with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, crushed walnuts, and a handful of raisins. Next, chop fruits of your choice and layer them over the yogurt as well, creating an interesting mix of colors. Sprinkle coconut powder on top of the fruits and seeds and your delicious fruit bowl is ready.

Tangy chana chaat

If you aren’t a fan of sweet breakfasts, then this is for you. You just have to soak a cup of chana or black gram overnight. Then you can quickly whip up this dish in the pressure cooker the next morning. Chana is known to have anti aging benefits, improve hemoglobin levels, control blood sugar, and promote heart health among others. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds and dried red chilis to it. Allow it to sizzle. Add the overnight soaked chana to it and let it roast for about a minute before putting in salt and turmeric. Add half a cup of chopped tomatoes and mix it well. Pour one cup of water and let it cook for four to five whistles. Once cooked, transfer it to a serving dish and add chopped onions and coriander to it and mix well. Squeeze half a lime and serve hot. You can also have this with lightly toasted bread or plain roti.

Moong dal chilla

Chilla is basically a savory lentil pancake that is traditionally had for breakfast. It’s easy to prepare and rich in protein which makes it a good option for breakfast. You can also use chickpea flour (besan) to make these yummy pancakes but we recommend moong dal for its perfect taste and texture. Soak a cup of moong dal overnight and grind it in the blender the next morning. In the blender, add half an inch of ginger, two to three cloves of garlic, a teaspoon of cumin seeds, a few green chilis, and salt, along with the soaked moong dal and blend until you get a smooth paste. Ensure there are no lumps in it. Next, chop one medium tomato and onion and add this to the batter as well. Heat and grease a girdle and spread the batter in a thin circle. Let it cook for a minute or two before flipping it over. Serve the chilla hot with mint chutney.

Thailand and Indonesia have officially upgraded their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Bangkok — the first by an Indonesian leader in two decades, according to Xinhua.

President Prabowo and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launched a leaders consultation mechanism to deepen cooperation in key areas.

They agreed to intensify joint efforts against transnational crimes, including online scams, human and drug trafficking, and to explore defense industry collaboration and joint military exercises.

Thailand will host the first Joint Trade Committee meeting to boost trade and reduce barriers, Xinhua reported.

A health cooperation MoU was also signed.

Sudan’s army chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has appointed Kamil al-Taib Idris as the country’s first prime minister since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023. Idris is tasked with forming a transitional government as the army consolidates control, including the recapture of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in March, according to the Firstpost.

Idris, a former United Nations legal consultant, is regarded as an impartial man with no political affiliations, which increases his prospects of acceptability among Sudan's diverse populations.

The war has killed over 20,000 people and displaced approximately 13m people, including 4m refugees. With half of Sudan's 50m people enduring acute hunger, the humanitarian catastrophe remains dire. The previous prime minister resigned in 2022, Firstpost reported.