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Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday while reiterating Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said that Pakistan as a responsible country was open to participate ‘in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation’ into Pahalgam incident.

He said contrary to it on the Eastern border, their neighbour continued a pattern of exploitation and levelling of baseless allegations and false accusations without credible investigation or verifiable evidences in the recent tragedy of Pahalgam which was ‘yet another example of this perpetual blame game which must come to a grinding halt.’

Addressing a passing out parade of Pakistan Military Academy cadets, the prime minister said that water had been a vital national interest of Pakistan and lifeline for its 240 million people and “Let there be no doubt at all that its availability would be safeguarded at all costs and circumstances.”

In an apparent reference to India’s announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, the prime minister said “Any attempt to stop, reduce and divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty will be responded to with full force and might and no one should remain under any kind of false impression and confusion.

- APP

US and Iranian negotiators will meet Saturday in Muscat to continue talks on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.

According to Reuters, expert-level sessions will precede indirect negotiations between Iran's Abbas Araqchi and US ambassador Steve Witkoff via Omani mediators.

In an interview with the Times magazine, President Trump stated that he anticipates a settlement but has warned of possible military action if diplomacy fails.

The sides remain divided: the US demands Iran end uranium enrichment, while Tehran insists enrichment and its missile program are non-negotiable, reports Reuters.

European states have urged including missile limits in any agreement.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty and draft a peace deal by 2 May. The agreement was signed by their foreign ministers in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio present, BBC reported.

The move follows months of conflict in eastern DR Congo, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized mineral-rich areas, displacing hundreds of thousands. After losing territory, Kinshasa requested US assistance in exchange for mineral access.

Despite the breakthrough, fighting reportedly continued on Friday in North Kivu. The agreement also anticipates major investments supported by the US government and private sector, according to BBC.

At least 21 persons including 14 teachers were injured in a commuter bus accident at Shivasatakshi in Jhapa on Saturday.

According to the District Police Office, Jhapa, the incident occurred when the bus (Province 1-01-001 B4235) en route to Kathmandu from Jhapa turned turtle at Milan Chowk in Shivasatakshi Municipality this morning.

Among the injured, nine are being treated at B & C Hospital and 12 at Birtacity Hospital, Birtamod. All the injured are out of danger, police said.

They were on the way to Kathmandu from Jhapa to participate in the teachers' protest, the District Police Office said.

The Area Police Office, Jhiljhile has impounded the bus and arrested its driver Mahendra Kandangwa (38) for investigation.

US President Donald Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine are nearing a deal to end their three-year war, following talks between his envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, as stated by CNN.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin for three hours on Friday. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described the talks as “constructive and very useful.”

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the two sides are “very close to a deal” and should now meet “at very high levels” to finalize it, CNN reported.

Some people feel they are stuck in a job they don’t love but fear financial instability if they quit. What’s the best psychological approach to making this career decision?

Answered by Dr Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

Many people find themselves stuck in a career that doesn’t fulfill them, yet feel trapped by the fear of financial instability. The internal tug-of-war between security and self-fulfillment is more common than we think. From a psychological standpoint, here are key approaches that can help clarify such a difficult decision.

First, it’s okay to feel conflicted. Wanting stability doesn’t make you risk-averse, and craving purpose doesn’t make you reckless. Validating both desires, financial security and meaningful work, is the first step to clear thinking. Every now and then ask yourself: What truly matters to me? Is it creativity, autonomy, security, contribution, growth? Once you understand your top two to three core values, you can start aligning your work path with them. Career decisions often feel like ‘stay or quit.’ In reality, there are many shades in between shifting to part-time while exploring something new, building a side project or freelancing, and upskilling for a transition without quitting right away

Psychologists call this cognitive flexibility, the ability to see multiple possibilities. It reduces anxiety and opens up realistic options. Picture yourself in five years.

First image: You stayed in the job for security, how does it feel?

Second image: You took the leap toward passion, what’s the emotional tone?

This visualization taps into emotional forecasting and helps you anticipate regret, fulfillment, or relief. Fear of financial instability is real. But fear shrinks when we create a plan. How many months of savings do you need to feel secure? What’s the worst-case scenario, and how would you cope? This helps activate your prefrontal cortex (the most creative part  of the brain) instead of staying stuck in fear-driven survival mode. Talk to a therapist, or trusted mentor–not just to get answers, but to explore your own thinking patterns. Sometimes we need help distinguishing whether our fears are realistic or distorted by anxiety. Choosing a career path isn’t just a professional decision, it’s a deeply personal one. The goal isn’t to eliminate fear but to make a conscious decision with both your head and heart involved.

In a rapidly developing Nepal, where skyscrapers rise and digital trends dominate, a quiet but powerful movement is underway—led by the youth. From ancient jatras to fading rituals, young Nepalis are reconnecting with their roots, using creativity, curiosity, and technology to preserve and promote their cultural heritage in meaningful ways. ApEx spoke to three people to understand their thought process behind this.

Bidhan Shrestha, 20

As a Newar, I feel deeply connected to my culture and jatras. Growing up in a Newa community, I’ve always participated in rituals, dances, and festivals. Our cultural heritage is not just our identity but also a key driver of tourism, which contributes significantly to Nepal’s economy. In today’s modern world, social media has helped spread awareness of our traditions. Photographers, vloggers, and youth are using these platforms to promote culture and some are even earning from it. Participation among young people is increasing, not because they’re forced, but because they’re genuinely curious and proud of their roots. With technology, learning from our elders, and celebrating our culture, we can carry our legacy forward with pride.

Krish Shakya, 22

Growing up with festivals like Indra Jatra and traditional Newari customs has made me feel connected to my roots. Sadly, I don’t think enough is being done to preserve our architecture, customs, and festivals. Modernization is slowly erasing what makes us unique. However, I believe young people still care. We just need new ways to engage. We should adapt certain practices to modern times while preserving their essence. Youth can play a vital role by learning, sharing, and actively promoting our heritage in creative, digital ways.

Bina Poudel, 24

Nepal’s cultural heritage means a lot to me. It keeps me connected to home and gives me a strong sense of identity. I don’t see the efforts being done to preserve them. As youths, we have the power to protect and promote our heritage through awareness and digital platforms. While some young people still value cultural practices, many are drifting away. I believe we should preserve the essence of our traditions but adapt the way we celebrate them to fit the modern world and keep them alive for future generations. 

Amid heightened immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, US universities have been quietly guiding foreign students on how to navigate legal threats, including potential deportation over minor offenses and participation in pro-Palestinian protests, Reuters reported.

Following the arrests and visa terminations that affected thousands of overseas students, university advisors urged them to stay enrolled and seek legal advice.

According to Reuters, this effort has paid off, with the Trump administration recently restoring visa registrations for individuals affected since late March, following a string of successful legal challenges by students.