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The United States and China completed the first day of high-level trade talks in Madrid on Sunday, addressing strained economic ties and the looming deadline for TikTok’s Chinese parent to sell its US operations, Reuters reported.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and senior negotiator Li Chenggang at Spain’s Palacio de Santa Cruz.

While no major breakthroughs are expected, officials signaled the TikTok deadline, due September 17, may be extended. Broader issues such as tariffs, export controls, and agricultural trade are likely being saved for a potential Trump-Xi summit later this year.

At the same time, Washington is urging G7 allies to impose tariffs on China and India over their Russian oil purchases, aiming to curb Moscow’s revenues and push it toward peace talks on Ukraine, according to Reuters.

Talks will continue Monday, followed by joint press briefings.

Israel has intensified air strikes on Gaza City, flattening dozens of buildings and forcing thousands to flee. The push is aimed at seizing what Israel calls Hamas’s last stronghold, Reuters reported.

The escalation coincided with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s arrival in Israel, where he is pressing for the release of remaining hostages and discussing Gaza’s future reconstruction.

Tensions have deepened after Israel struck Hamas leaders in Doha, an attack that stalled ceasefire talks. Arab and Islamic leaders are set to meet in Qatar for an emergency summit on the crisis.

I built my first science project with nothing but YouTube and frustration. In a world driven by science and technology, my school didn’t even mention robotics. During my time at school, I spent more than 15 hours a day sitting in classrooms, being taught the best strategies—how to memorize answers, how to present them in exams, and ultimately how to secure a flawless GPA. At the very end, we were even taught how to cheat in exams—not directly, but cleverly enough to boast a 100 percent pass rate at school. But behind those glowing numbers was a harsh reality: over 90 percent of the students lost all interest in science. 

My friends even told me the SEE would be the last time they would ever engage in the scientific field—not because of different interests, but because of frustration. We lacked practical education, we lacked skill-based learning, we lacked research exposure—and most of all, we lacked proper guidance. This isn’t the story of my school—it’s the story of most educational institutions across Nepal. In fact, it reflects a deep flaw in the entire education system.

Looking back, I often wonder how things could have been if we had been introduced to robotics early on—a subject that teaches not just science, but also creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving. Robotics is a branch of engineering and computer science that involves designing and building machines that can sense, move, and respond using sensors and programming. These systems interact with the real world and provide hands-on experience in innovation and critical thinking from a young age. “Even a simple robot that avoids obstacles or follows a line can spark a light of wonder in a child”.

While robotics may sound technical or expensive, the truth is it doesn’t require a rocket scientist or a massive budget. With affordable kits and open-source platforms now available, it has become one of the most effective and accessible ways to improve practical education and expose students to global tech trends. Yet when we mention robotics to teachers and parents, it is often seen as a luxury. “Seeing robotics as a luxury today will cost our future innovators tomorrow.”

The global job market is rapidly shifting towards Artificial Intelligence and Automation. In this new era, basic knowledge in computer programming and AI is crucial—no matter what field you’re from or what field you want to pursue. While coding was once reserved for higher education, it’s increasingly being introduced in K–12 classrooms, even for children under the age of eight—especially in tech-innovator countries like the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Finland, where kindergarten coding is becoming common. “Nepal is failing to prepare its youth for the future by ignoring robotics education in early classrooms”.

The earlier children are introduced to robotics, the more naturally they develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. At a young age, the brain is wired to absorb complex ideas through play and experimentation—making grades 5 to 8 the perfect window to explore technology hands-on.Studies by Bers (2010), Eguchi (2014), and the OECD reveal that early robotics education enhances computational thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and iterative testing. Most importantly, it boosts confidence and interest in STEM, while also building strong teamwork and communication skills, making STEM education inclusive for children from diverse backgrounds

Many students in Nepal lose interest in science due to rote-based learning rather than experiential learning or problem-solving. Robotics introduces practical, hands-on learning that can reignite curiosity. It turns our passive education into active learning and helps align our classrooms with global trends and innovation.

In many European countries, coding is often seen as a path to future careers—a tool for building resilience, confidence, motivation, and a strong leadership mindset. It sharpens problem analysis, logical thinking, and analytical reasoning in young learners. If our youth are not equipped with these skills early on, they may face unemployment and irrelevance in tomorrow’s digital economy. “Using this, they may be able to create their own projects to demonstrate in science exhibitions, rather than copying ideas from YouTube and Internet.”

 Introducing robotics in Nepal comes with critical challenges. First, the most significant—lack of awareness. Many people, including high-ranking officials and school administrators, still view robotics as a luxury and irrelevant to traditional careers. Second, there is a severe lack of infrastructure—many public and even private schools continue to struggle with basic facilities like science labs, digital instruments (projectors, TVs), electricity, and internet access. 

As of 2021, fewer than 20 percent of government schools in Nepal had internet access, and only 12 percent had both computers and connectivity. Third, teachers are rarely trained in programming, digital tools, robotics, or AI. So even if kits are available, there’s often no one qualified to guide students. Lastly, the national curriculum is rigid and slow to adapt, with no structured policy to introduce robotics in primary or middle school.

That being said, overcoming these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. First, the government should invest in STEM education by establishing robotics labs in schools and colleges, while also empowering research and innovation. Public–private partnerships with organizations actively contributing to this field—such as Engineers Vlogs, Robotech Nepal, and the Robotics Association of Nepal—can reduce costs and support curriculum development. With proper planning and execution, mobile robotics labs (vans) can be deployed to rural areas where resources are limited. Ultimately, the most powerful and effective solution lies in raising awareness and empowering both educators and institutions to embrace this transformation.

From this, I conclude: without the urgent integration of robotics education into the national curriculum, Nepal risks leaving its youth behind in a technology-driven world. By investing in teacher training, affordable kits, and curriculum updates today, “we can empower curious minds to become bold innovators—and lead the future of Nepal”.

Siddhant Pokhrel

St Xavier’s College

What happens when governments are no longer held accountable? That question, in my view, cuts straight to the heart of nearly every crisis we see around the world today—whether it’s corruption, social injustice, or growing inequality. And while some may see accountability as just a technical concept or a legal matter, I believe it’s something far more fundamental: it’s about trust, responsibility, and the kind of future we want to build.

I’ve often thought about what it truly means to live under a government that is answerable to its people. It’s easy to take the idea for granted especially in countries that hold regular elections or where democratic institutions still exist on paper. But real accountability isn’t about just holding an election every few years. It’s about what happens in between those elections. It’s about whether public officials serve the people or simply serve themselves.

The cost of no accountability

When those in power are not questioned, challenged, or monitored, they begin to drift away from the interests of the public. In many places, this has led to blatant corruption. Public money meant for essential services like education, healthcare, or clean water vanishes into private bank accounts. Mega-projects are announced with fanfare, only to be left half-finished while communities continue to suffer.

I’ve personally seen this: roads that are “renovated” every election cycle but never actually improved, schools that lack basic supplies while the education budget is reported as fully spent, and public offices that operate more like private clubs. These things don't just happen by accident. They happen when no one is held responsible.

It’s not just about money—it’s about life. When governments ignore accountability, it’s often the most vulnerable who pay the highest price. Poor governance during natural disasters, pandemics, or economic downturns leaves millions without support. And when people protest or speak out, they are often met with violence, censorship, or imprisonment.

The slow death of democracy

One of the most dangerous outcomes of a government without accountability is the slow erosion of democracy. When politicians are not held to the promises they make, and when institutions like the courts or the press are silenced or co-opted, citizens begin to feel powerless. And when people lose faith in the system, democracy weakens from the inside.

Democracy is not a self-sustaining machine. It requires constant maintenance and accountability is the oil that keeps its gears running smoothly. Without it, we don’t just risk mismanagement. We risk authoritarianism.

Why we must care

Some may say, “Well, what can one person do?” Honestly, I’ve asked myself the same thing. In the face of systemic corruption or abuse, individual actions can feel small. But I believe change begins when people start asking questions. When we demand transparency, when we support investigative journalism, when we vote wisely and stay informed, we contribute to a culture of accountability.

We also need to remember that governments work for us. That means they should fear betraying the public trust, not the other way around.

Accountability isn’t just about punishing bad behavior, it’s also about encouraging good governance. When leaders know they are being watched and evaluated, they are more likely to act in the public’s best interest. They become more transparent, more honest, and more focused on long-term progress rather than short-term gain.

A vision for the future

Imagine a society where government budgets are published in full and explained clearly. A society where journalists are protected, public meetings are open and well-attended, and whistleblowers are praised. That’s what accountability looks like. Of course, no government will ever be perfect. Mistakes will happen. But the difference between a responsible government and a reckless one lies in whether it owns up to those mistakes or buries them. Accountability is what makes the difference between a system that learns and improves, and one that decays in silence.

To some, this might all sound idealistic, but I don’t think so. Demanding accountability is simply part of being an engaged, responsible citizen. If we don’t speak up, if we don’t question those in power, we end up becoming complicit in our own decline. Governments without accountability don’t just fail, they fail us. And that’s why it matters. Because when leaders stop answering to the people, the people end up paying the price. It’s time we stop accepting silence and start demanding answers.

Amisha Baniya

Kathmandu School of Law

The building housing the Ministry of Health and Population at Ramshah Path turned into ashes following an arson attack during the protests of Gen-Z.  Following the incident, the Ministry is preparing to resume its services from the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) building.

Although the old NHRC building located in the Ministry premises suffered partial damage, the new building remains intact. Along with the four-story building of the Ministry of Health, furniture, important documents and files, computers, as well as vehicles in the premises have been completely burned and destroyed.

The Secretary at the Ministry, Dr Bikash Devkota, has said that there are plans to temporarily work from the new NHRC building for the time being. 

He said, "We will start regular work from the building. Currently, a room is being prepared for the minister. The plan is to later relocate within Singha Durbar."

Secretary Devkota mentioned that there have been issues in daily operations due to the building being destroyed by fire. Currently, the Ministry is collecting details of the damages and is conducting an inventory, while staff members are marking their attendance in the register.

According to him, the health emergency and disaster management unit located within the Ministry's premises is currently operating from a building of Bir Hospital.

Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Sumana Shrestha has quit the party.

Shrestha, taking to social media, announced her departure from the party.

Before the dissolution of the Parliament, she was the lawmaker from the RSP.

Pakistan has conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Sushila Karki on her appointment as the Prime Minister of the interim government of Nepal.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to Karki on assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal and stated through the Pakistani Embassy here that he is eager to cooperate with PM Karki to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

In his congratulatory message, the Pakistani Prime Minister also wished for peace and progress for the Nepali people.

China has congratulated Sushila Karki for her appointment to the post of Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal.

The northern neighbor also expressed commitment to collaborate to further strengthen mutual relations.

China congratulated Prime Minister Karki in a response to a query of a journalist with the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of China regarding Karki's appointment as the Prime Minister. 

Stating that there has been a friendly-relation between China and Nepal for a long time, the Spokesperson mentioned that China would respect the path of development chosen by the Nepali people independently, according to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

"We are ready to work with Nepal to promote the five principles of peaceful co-existence, to exchange and increase support in different sectors and further strengthen bilateral relations," shared the Chinese Embassy quoting the spokesperson.