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Sindhuredobhan Bagar in Marin Rural Municipality-2 of Sindhuli, once a barren riverbank carved out by the Marin River as it eroded fertile farmland, is now a flourishing agricultural zone. Thanks to seasonal and off-season farming of watermelons, pumpkins, gourds, beans, okra, and more, the once-desolate area has turned lush green.

The riverside farming initiative, carried out collectively by local farmers, has now reached national prominence, even drawing attention in Parliament. The visibility has boosted both income and public recognition. Just a couple of days ago, the chairperson of Marin Rural Municipality, Bimarsh Moktan (Prakhyat), visited Khumaltar and presented melons grown through collective farming to former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Soon after, former Youth and Sports Minister and current Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Biraj Bhakta Shrestha praised the initiative during a parliamentary session. “I would like to speak on a positive note today,” he said while commenting on the government’s policy and program. “Agriculture Officer Prabesh Devkota has already sold 10,000 kg of melons grown through riverside farming in Hariharpur Gadhi. Young entrepreneurs are doing their job. This country cannot be built with old leadership and outdated methods. I want to put on record that young warriors can do good work if not obstructed.”

Indeed, young farmers along the Marin River in Sindhuli have begun producing and selling melons worth millions from over 20 bighas of cultivated land. Besides local markets, melons are regularly sold at the traditional agricultural market in Durbarmarg, Kathmandu. So far, sales have exceeded Rs 1m.

Approximately 13 bighas of land along the riverbanks in Sindhuli Dobhan (Marin-2), Nakhli (Marin-3), and Jayamangal (Marin-7) have been used to cultivate watermelons and vegetables. In Hariharpur Gadhi, four bighas on the banks of the Marin and Bagmati Rivers are also under cultivation.

In Sindhuli Dobhan, 17 farmers have formed the Pashupati Agriculture and Small Enterprise Group to collectively grow watermelons. Meanwhile, in Jayamangal, the Yonjan brothers are leading cultivation efforts, and in Hariharpur Gadhi, 12 farmers have been growing watermelons for the past four years through the Jagaran Agriculture Group.

The rural municipalities have been supporting these efforts by providing financial aid, technical guidance, seeds, and medicine. According to Kamal Bahadur Alemagar, Ward Chair of Marin-2, around 7,000 kilos of melons have already been sold from Sindhuli Dobhan alone.

Initially, farmers were concerned about market access, but their produce is now reaching Kathmandu via Sindhuli, Hetauda, Ramechhap, and Dolakha. Public interest surged after melons were presented to Dahal and mentioned in Parliament.

Over 30 local youths are now engaged in melon and vegetable farming, transforming the once dry riverbank into a productive, income-generating area. In the Marin and Hariharpur Gadhi rural municipalities alone, local youths and the municipalities have produced melons worth about Rs 3m through joint investment. Additional vegetables—pumpkins, gourds, beans, and bitter gourds—valued at over Rs 2m are also being cultivated. Sales began in the last week of April.

With ample water sources nearby, irrigation poses no challenge. If the weather remains favorable, production is expected to increase further. The melons are currently being sold at Rs 50–60 per kilogram.

The US Department of Defense confirmed on Wednesday that it had accepted a $400m Boeing 747 jet donated by Qatar for President Donald Trump's official usage.

The acceptance has sparked widespread criticism on legal and ethical grounds. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described it as "the largest bribe from a foreign government in American history" and slammed the move as a stain on the presidency, according to Xinhua.

 President Trump dismissed the controversy, calling it "stupid" to reject the jet. Qatar also rejected the concerns.

A Department of Defense official confirmed that security upgrades will be implemented, with experts predicting retrofitting costs in the hundreds of millions, Xinhua reported

A severe earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 shook the Greek island of Crete early Thursday, according to the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.

The quake struck at 03:19 GMT, and its epicenter was 102.8 kilometers deep. The epicenter's coordinates were 35.46°N latitude and 25.82° E longitude, as reported by Reuters.

There were no early reports of casualties or damage. Authorities are keeping an eye on the situation for any potential aftershocks or new developments.

Iran has agreed to a fifth round of indirect nuclear talks with the US, which will take place in Rome on Friday, following a proposal from Oman, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei disclosed.

Baghaei reaffirmed Iran's commitment to peaceful nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment, and highlighted the country's efforts to secure the lifting of US sanctions.

The previous four rounds, also mediated by Oman, began in April, with the most recent occurring in Muscat on May 11. Tehran has strongly rejected recent US demands to halt uranium enrichment.

A coalition of twelve US states, led by Democratic attorneys general from New York and Illinois, has filed suit to block President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

The case, heard by a three-judge panel at the Court of International Trade, argues Trump unlawfully invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval. The states contend the IEEPA was not intended for trade policy, Xinhua reported.

Announced April 2, the tariffs are part of Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” policy aimed at addressing trade imbalances. Critics, including Senator Rand Paul, have called the strategy economically flawed and legally unsound.

A court ruling is expected in the coming weeks, according to Xinhua.

Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC after attending an event focused on aid for Gazans. The victims, a couple, were killed at close range, according to BBC.

Police arrested 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it a “shocking terrorist attack”, BBC reported.

US President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “clearly antisemitic” and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting antisemitism.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 700 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 191, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 189, 800 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 025 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 1, 990.

The US Army will amend personnel records to reflect all service members' birth sex, according to confidential military memo seen by Reuters. This move followed a Supreme Court decision that allowed the Pentagon to enforce a ban on transgender troops, which was reinstated under President Donald Trump.

The letter instructs commanders to modify pronouns, military titles, and access to gender-specific facilities based on biological sex. Transgender troops who do not voluntarily separate may be fired on June 6, and gender-affirming healthcare may be discontinued.

An estimated 4,240 transgender individuals currently serve, though advocacy groups believe the number is higher. Critics warn the policy could harm military readiness and morale. The Army has not issued a public response, Reuters reported.