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Nepal and India have intensified their diplomatic engagements over the past few months. The surge in high-level ministerial visits and agreements underscores a pragmatic approach taken by the two countries to boost economic, environmental and security partnerships while navigating existing challenges.

Within this short span, two senior Indian ministers visited Nepal, while three Nepali ministers traveled to India for talks. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba’s discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi focused on political and economic collaboration, while Minister for Forest Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri’s meeting with his Indian counterpart focused on transboundary environmental conservation. During Minister for Water Supplies Pradeep Yadav’s visit to New Delhi, the two countries signed an agreement expanding cooperation in water resources management, sanitation and hygiene. The two countries have expressed commitment to address water scarcity and improve public health through joint infrastructure projects and knowledge-sharing.

Meanwhile, India’s Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar’s visit focused on cross-border electricity trade and hydropower development. Officials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Power Grid Corporation of India signed an MoU to advance two critical trans-border transmission lines in the presence of Khattar and Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. Complementing this, a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in agricultural science and technology, signed by Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and India’s Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Kathmandu aims to enhance food security and sustainable farming through joint research and innovation. Security and trade ties have also seen progress. The Nepal-India Joint Working Group and director general-level talks addressed border management, cross-border crime and trade facilitation which are crucial for Nepal’s reliance on Indian ports. India recently renewed Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certifications for over 100 industries, which will help resume long-stalled export of products like cement, steel and agro products to India. 

There are some concerning issues as well. Nepal harbors resentment with India over delayed Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) Report and handling of border issues. Recent allegations of India’s support for Nepal’s pro-monarchy movement, though swiftly denied by India, highlight the delicate nature of Nepal’s domestic politics. India’s wariness of Nepal’s engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) adds another layer of complexity. Despite these tensions, both nations have prioritized economic and developmental partnerships. Such partnerships are crucial for Nepal given withdrawal of the USAID support and impending graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, which could impact international development support to Nepal.  

The one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC meeting earlier this month and Wednesday’s telephone conversation between the two leaders following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam of Kashmir signal a commitment to strengthening ties. While Oli’s potential visit to New Delhi remains uncertain, this pragmatic approach—emphasizing mutual benefits while gradually addressing contentious issues—is paving a promising path for Nepal-India relations.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 189, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 190, 600 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the silver being traded at Rs 2,000 per tola today.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has stressed for spreading public awareness about earthquake safety measures.

In a message today on the 10th Memorial Day of the Gorkha Earthquake, the President said that the risks of earthquakes have accelerated every year due to an increasing trend of urbanization.

The possible risks of earthquakes could be lowered though it could not be prevented, according to the President.

Likewise, the President has mentioned that Nepal's topography and human-made physical infrastructures were the key reasons behind the risks of earthquakes in the country. 

President Paudel has drawn attention of all stakeholders for massive awareness dissemination on safety measures as well as the effective tools for quake risk reduction among the general public.

In his message, President Paudel has expressed heartfelt condolences to all sisters and brothers who lost their lives in the Gorkha Earthquake on April 25, 2015 and the subsequent tremors.

Similarly, the President has thanked all involved directly and indirectly in the reconstruction of quake-hit physical properties and the resettlement of the affected communities.

The temperature in the Kathmandu Valley is expected to fall from Sunday.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology stated that the temperature is likely to drop from Sunday after rainfall.

The Department said that the days in the Kathmandu Valley will be hot on Saturday as well. 

The maximum temperature in the valley is likely to remain from 31 degree Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius, according to the Department.

Likewise, the weather will remain fair in the country today except partly to generally cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.

Chances of light rainfall along with thunder and lightning are there in one or two places of hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali Provinces.  

The book 'The Momo War’ written by Nepali-American author Adrian Pokharel is now available on Amazon.

Along with being a writer, Pokharel is known as an American politician, songwriter, singer, artist, social worker, and businessman.

The book has incorporated various issues like stories of immigrants, political upheaval as well as humor and sharp cultural commentary, Pokharel said.

The price of the book, which has 150 pages in English, is $21.99.

The ‘Momo War’ has also been depicted as Unity and Division in Little Everest.

“Not only in English, the book will also be published in other languages,” Pokharel said.

Goals from Alexander Sorloth, Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez powered Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 home win over city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, strengthening their grip on third place in LaLiga.

With their league title hopes all but over after a 1-0 loss at Las Palmas, Diego Simeone's side bounced back to move up to 66 points, six clear of fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

"It was a pretty entertaining match with attacking play and dangerous chances for both teams, which I'm sure we could have handled better," coach Simeone told reporters.

"In the second half, the team played with more order. The play that led to the third goal was exquisite."

Real Valladolid, the team owned by former Brazil striker Ronaldo, were relegated from LaLiga after a 5-1 loss at Real Betis on Thursday, ESPN reported.

It is the third relegation in seven years for Valladolid under Ronaldo, who is reportedly negotiating the sale of the club. The Brazil great has been loudly criticized by Valladolid's fans, who say he has been absent and doesn't give enough attention to the club.

Last-place Valladolid have lost 13 of their last 14 matches and their goal differential is at negative 57, according to ESPN.

The heavy loss capped a tumultuous season for Valladolid, which saw two managerial sackings -- Diego Cocca and Paulo Pezzolano -- before former Valladolid player Álvaro Rubio took over in February.

World Malaria Day is being marked across the globe today.

The World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control, World Health Organization (WHO) said.

On World Malaria Day, the WHO has called for revitalized efforts at all levels, from global policy to community action, to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.

On this occasion, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated that "The history of malaria teaches us a harsh lesson: when we divert our attention, the disease resurges, taking its greatest toll on the most vulnerable".

He added that malaria can be defeated with strong political commitment, sustained investment, multisectoral action and community engagement.

Likewise, the International Delegate's Day is being marked today itself.

According to the UN, the International Delegate’s Day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization.

On April 25, 1945, delegates from 50 countries came together for the first time in San Francisco.

Coming together after the devastation of World War II, their aim was to set up an organization that would restore world peace and impose rules on the post-war world order, the UN said.