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Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday, reaffirming India’s support for China’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) — a key regional bloc focused on security, economic, and political cooperation, Firstpost reported.

He noted steady progress in India-China ties since the 2024 Modi-Xi meeting and welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, calling it widely appreciated in India.

Amid global uncertainties, Jaishankar emphasized the need for open, honest dialogue between neighbours. He is also set to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Firstpost.

About 59 percent of this season’s paddy plantation has been completed across the country, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

As of July 13, paddy has been planted on around 816,405 hectares of land. This is about 8 percent less than the same period last year.

Among the provinces, Sudurpaschim is leading with 93 percent of its target already completed, covering around 164,000 hectares of land while in Karnali Province, paddy plantation so far spreads on 64,000 hectares, reaching 83 percent of the target. In Lumbini, it is 73 percent, with 223,000 hectares of land planted with paddy.

Last year, by this time, the country had reported about 67 percent paddy plantation.

Paddy plantation is still ongoing in many areas and is expected to reach around 98 percent by mid-August.

Ministry spokesperson Mahananda Joshi said that the Tarai region is the most fertile and produces about 70 percent of the country’s total rice, while the hilly regions contribute the remaining 30 percent.

During the previous fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/24), the country had witnessed a total rice production of 5.724 million metric tonnes. Unfavorable weather conditions, natural disasters, excessive rainfall, and droughts create adversities for rice plantation, deferring the plantation schedule in some areas.

In Nepal, paddy is usually grown on about 1.4 million hectares of land. With the use of improved knowledge, skills, modern technologies, and better seed varieties, rice production is expected to increase in the coming years.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, a 10 percent change in rice production can lead to about 1 percent change in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This year, an estimated 6 million metric tonnes of rice will be produced, yielding approximately 3.5 million metric tons of edible rice, it has been said.

A 28-year-old woman in Kanchanpur died after being bitten by a snake while observing Chhaupadi, the outlawed practice of banishing girls and women to isolated huts during menstruation.

Police said Kamala Auji of Nigali village in Krishnapur Municipality-1 was asleep in a Chhau hut when the snake bit her. She was rushed to Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi, but died during treatment. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Sagar Bohora, Auji had gone to sleep in a neighbor’s hut after the one she was staying in began leaking due to rainfall.

The exact circumstances of the incident are still under investigation, Bohora said.

Despite being legally banned, Chhaupadi remains prevalent in parts of western Nepal, driven by deeply rooted superstitions. Many people still believe that menstruating women are impure and must isolate themselves. 

Mohan Basnet, ward chair of Krishnapur-1, said that the local government demolished around 60 Chhau huts last year as part of a campaign to eradicate the practice, but it persists. The huts typically lack electricity, insulation, and basic bedding, making them unsafe.

Both Kanchanpur and other districts in Sudurpaschim have intensified efforts to eliminate Chhaupadi. 

According to official data, seven districts in the province have dismantled 7,545 huts so far. Achham led the effort with 5,813 huts demolished, followed by 230 in Kanchanpur alone.

Chhaupadi was criminalized in 2017 under Nepal’s Criminal Code, with penalties of up to three months in jail and a Rs 3,000 fine for forcing women into isolation during menstruation. But enforcement remains weak.

“This inhumane practice continues to kill innocent women,” said Dalit rights leader Rajuram Sarki. 

Shivi Luhar, chairperson of the National Freed Haliya Society, urged authorities to treat Chhaupadi huts like any other public-health hazard. “Tear them down and prosecute offenders,” he demanded. 

Sudurpaschim Province records dozens of snakebite cases each year. Health workers warn that Chhau huts, often built near fields or water sources, attract snakes and expose women to hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, and sexual violence.

The local municipality has pledged to accelerate demolitions, expand legal enforcement, and partner with schools, religious leaders, and women’s groups for door-to-door awareness campaigns.

As Auji’s family prepares for her funeral, advocates say her death is a grim reminder of Nepal’s failure to translate legal bans into lived reality—one that will persist until communities replace superstition with science and safety.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on a weeklong visit to China from July 12 to 18, choosing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before holding talks with US President Donald Trump following his re-election.

This marks Albanese’s second visit to China as prime minister, reflecting improving ties after years of strain. He will also meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, with talks focusing on trade, tourism, and artificial intelligence, according to Firstpost.

The decision to prioritize Beijing over Washington has drawn criticism from Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor, who questioned the government’s diplomatic focus. Albanese is not expected to meet Trump until later this year at the Quad summit or UN General Assembly.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, warned of China’s growing military buildup while affirming Australia’s close alignment with the US on Indo-Pacific security.

The visit comes amid a US review of the Aukus submarine deal and growing global uncertainty over Trump’s tariff policies. Despite tensions, China remains Australia’s top trading partner, Firstpost reported.

A 14-member high-level Nepali delegation is on an official visit to Israel from July 12-18 to participate in Muni Expo 2025, the flagship annual event of the Federation of Local Governments of Israel. The event will be held from July 15-17.

This is the first time such a delegation- comprising senior officials responsible for policy and planning from Nepal’s Ministry of Urban Development, the National Planning Commission, as well as mayors from various municipalities, will participate in a focused program on municipal innovation and urban resilience, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Israel.

Muni Expo, Israel’s largest and most significant event of its kind, brings together mayors, municipal leaders and policy makers from around the globe. This year’s theme, “Local Compass,” will explore key issues such as crisis response, local-national coordination, and combating anti-semitism.

Delegates will interact with over 150 Israeli and international companies and startups, gain insights into innovative and groundbreaking municipal projects, and build global partnerships.

In addition to attending the Muni Expo, the Nepali delegation will visit several key sites and institutions including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv- Jaffa, Yad Vashem- The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Facility, Municipal Innovation Center, and the Police Station in Sderot, according to the statement.

These visits aim to provide first-hand exposure to Israel’s advanced urban management technologies and innovative infrastructure solutions.

The delegation will also visit the Nova festival site on October 7, 2023 where the Hamas terrorist group carried out a brutal attack killing hundreds of innocent people. Hamas terrorists also murdered 10 Nepali nationals on the same day in Kibbutz Alumim. Hamas and other terror groups still hold 50 hostages, among them Bipin Joshi, said the press release.

The visit marks a significant step in growing cooperation between Nepal and Israel in the fields of sustainable urban development, capacity building, and knowledge exchange at the municipal and national levels.

The Embassy of Israel believes that there will be continued collaborations in a wide range of sectors, bringing mutual benefits to both the countries.

Thakurbaba Pragya Pratisthan on Sunday honored Annapurna Post journalist Shankar Prasad Khanal for his contribution in the fields of art, literature, social, cultural, educational, environmental and physical development through journalism.

He was honored amidst a program organized at Baganaha on the occasion of 212^th Bhanu Jayanti.

Social Development Minister of Lumbini Province Janmajaya Timilsina, Thakurbaba Municipality Chief Tilakram Lamsal, Deputy Chief Bina Kumari Bhattarai and Thakurbaba Pragya Pratisthan Chairman Krishna Prasad Paudel jointly honored Khanal by presenting a certificate.

Sudip Adhikari of Rajdhani Daily, Bhabuk Yogi of Radio Tiger, actor Shantaram Thakur, Thaggu Tharu, Som Demondaura, Prabhat Subedi, Ishwori Rijal, JB Anuragi, local social worker Krishna Sharma Wagle, Chabilal Sapkota, and Shyamlal Tharu among others were also honored on the occasion.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 193, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 192, 900 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 2, 315 per tola today.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has urged its party cadres to provide humanitarian assistance to the needy during disasters.  

Issuing a statement on Monday, Acting Chair of the party Dol Prasad Aryal called upon all levels of the party's committees, departments, and members to actively engage in reducing potential disaster and support for the victims.

The party has further urged the concerned sides to be ready for rapid rescue, effective distribution of relief, and other humanitarian assistance efforts.

The RSP has urged party cadres to maintain continuous coordination with local governments, district administration offices, security agencies, and local disaster management committees for disaster preparedness.

'In the context of the Meteorological Department having already predicted above-average rainfall during this year's monsoon, it is emphasized that we all need to be extra attentive and prepared,' according to the statement.