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President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to deepen cooperation between Nepal and Qatar on issues of common interests like saving the earth from climate change impacts, protecting the Himalayas, preserving the sources of water, and maintaining environmental balance.

President Paudel said so at a meeting with the Qatari Emir Al Thani at the Office of the President in Sheetal Niwas earlier today.

The Emir of the State of Qatar arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon on a two-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Paudel.

"The common challenge of today's world is saving the earth from climate change; protecting our Himalayas; preserving the source of water and maintaining the environmental balance. Cooperation of all is imperative in these areas. This is an issue of human existence. I think mostly the developing countries should be more serious in such issues,” President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel quoted President Paudel as saying.

The President also said that the conflict in the Middle East has 'made us worried', Pokharel said. 

Likewise, President Paudel praised the role played by Qatar for peace building and wished for the end to the war and restoration of peace in the Middle East.

On the occasion, the Emir of the State of Qatar Al Thani said the entire world is suffering from climate change impacts, and good results will come and a good environment will be created if all abided by the international agreements on climate change.

He also expressed the confidence that his visit would be fruitful to explore new areas of cooperation by further deepening Nepal-Qatar relations.

Furthermore, the Emir of Qatar praised and expressed appreciation to Nepali migrant workers stating that they have huge contributions to the development of Qatar.

The Emir of Qatar Al Thani viewed that new possibilities could be explored for investments in water resources, agriculture, tourism and other sectors in Nepal.

On the occasion, President Paudel also expressed the confidence that the agreement and memorandum of understanding to be reached on Wednesday would unleash new potentials for investment in the areas such as water resource, agriculture and tourism in Nepal.

Noting that Nepal and Qatar have ever enjoyed cordial bilateral relations, President Paudel clarified that the relations between Nepal and Qatar are bound by the sense of friendship, mutual respect, trust and good will.

There has been a tradition of exchange of high-level visits between the two countries in a regular way which he claimed had played a spectacular role in expanding the bilateral relations.

The historical visit has taken the Nepal-Qatar relations to a new height, he further said.

Noting that Nepal has moved towards the journey of economic development and prosperity now with the agendas of political transformation reaching to a conclusion of late, he expressed his belief that there would be continuous support from Qatar to Nepal's efforts towards attaining development and prosperity.

President Paudel further expressed his optimism that the bilateral cooperation and collaboration would be further deepened in coming days in the context when there are arrays of potential for partnership in trade, tourism and investment areas.

Qatar has been a prime and attractive destination of foreign employment for Nepali workers and Nepali workforce has also substantially contributed in the making of modern Qatar, he recalled.

Expressing happiness over the sustainable development and prosperity of Qatar under the visionary leadership of the Emir, President Paudel lauded his far-reaching thinking and unswerving commitment to make Qatar a highly-developed nation.

On the occasion, the visiting dignitary also signed the visitors' book placed at the Office of the President.

President Ram Chandra Paudel and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a meeting at the former’s official residence in Maharajgunj on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest, the President Office informed.

Qatari Emir Al Thani, who arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day state visit this afternoon, was welcomed by President Paudel upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha had reached TIA to receive the distinguished guest from Qatar.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, members of the Council of Ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were at the airport to welcome the Qatari Emir.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday on a two-day state visit to Nepal.

He landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport at 3: 45 pm.

President Ram Chandra Paudel welcomed the Qatar’s Emir upon his arrival at the airport. A contingent of the Nepal Army offered a guard of honor to Qatar Emir Al Thani at the airport.

He arrived in Kathmandu at the cordial invitation of President Paudel.

The Qatar’s Emir arrived in Kathmandu today after completing his official visit to the Philippines and Bangladesh.

The Qatar’s Emir arrived in Kathmandu today after completing his official visit to the Philippines and Bangladesh.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha had reached TIA to receive the distinguished guest from Qatar.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, members of the Council of Ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were at the TIA to welcome the Qatari Emir.

The visit is expected to help elevate the bilateral relations between Nepal and Qatar to a new height.

The Foreign Ministry said that he will hold a meeting with President Paudel in Sheetal Niwas today itself.

The President is scheduled to host a state banquet in honor of the Emir.

Similarly, the distinguished guest from Qatar will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.

Following the talks, both leaders will witness the signing ceremony of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, the Foreign Ministry added.

This is the first visit by any Qatari Emir to Nepal ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations on January 21, 1977.

Nepal opened its embassy in Doha, Qatar on July 11, 2000 and Qatar its embassy in Nepal in Kathmandu in August 2011.

Qatar serves as one of the major labor destinations for Nepal.

The Qatari Emir is scheduled to depart from Kathmandu on April 24.

The delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries from Russia paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

In the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar today, the visiting Russian delegation discussed various aspects of Nepal-Russia relations and investment prospects among others with PM Dahal.

On the occasion, PM Dahal shared that the Government of Nepal was preparing for the Investment Summit (on April 28-29 this year) to attract foreign investment and, thus, urged the Russian delegation to consider investment in Nepal, according to PM Dahal Secretariat.

"We have prepared for the Investment Summit focusing on the entrepreneurs and foreign investors," the PM informed the visiting Russian delegation, mentioning some amendments in the laws to facilitate foreign investors to invest in Nepal.

 "The government adopts the policy of cooperation to those willing to invest in Nepal," he assured. Stating that Russia had been continuously supporting economic development in Nepal, the Head of the Government suggested that there was ample scope for investment in road, agriculture, hydro power projects and information technology in Nepal.

Expressing his confidence that the Nepal-Russia ties would remain further strong in the new context, he emphasized enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in coming days.

The Russian delegation was led by Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Russian Federation. Present in the courtesy meeting were Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov among others.

The federal capital, Kathmandu, is preparing to warmly welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, who is scheduled to arrive late this afternoon on a state visit.

The Qatari Emir is arriving on a two-day state visit at the cordial invitation of President Ram Chandra Paudel.

The city has been adorned with welcome gates and banners along major roads and intersections in honor of the high-profile dignitary from Qatar. 

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office has undertaken the cleaning and decoration of roads stretching from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to various key areas including Tinkune, New Baneshwor, Babarmahal, Tripureshwor, Kalimati, Jamal and Lainchaur.

According to Nabin Manandhar, the spokesperson for the Kathmandu Metropolis, the adorned roads proudly display the national flags of both Nepal and Qatar.

The banners featuring the names of President Ram Chandra Paudel and the Emir of Qatar, along with a portrait of Kumari, the Living Goddess, adorned with the Namaste gesture, indicate the cultural richness and diversity of the Kathmandu Valley. Such banners read "Hearty welcome to the Emir from Qatar".

Security arrangements along the designated route for the VVIP from Qatar have been intensified, with each welcome gate being guarded by security personnel.

Furthermore, key areas such as Sheetal Niwas (the Office of the President), Soaltee Hotel where the Emir will be staying, and Dwarika Hotel where various visit-related events are scheduled to take place have been beautifully decorated for the occasion. The Non-Resident Nepali Association and the Qatar Embassy in Nepal have also prepared welcome gates to extend greetings to the Emir.

In light of the Emir's visit, the government has declared a public holiday for today, suggesting the diplomatic significance of the visit.

Security beefed up

Meanwhile, the Nepali Army has said it has mobilized a security mechanism in the venues where various visit-related events ranging from welcome and other ceremonies to farewell are scheduled to take place. The security arrangements are in place on a need basis.

In coordination with the NA Chief of General Staff, a Lieutenant General, various security squads comprising security personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department have been mobilized.

According to TIA General Manager, Jagannath Nirauala, all flights at TIA will remain halted for 15 minutes each during the arrival and departure of the Qatari Emir, bearing in mind the security sensitivity of the visit.

The visit is expected to help elevate the bilateral relations between Nepal and Qatar to a new height. The Qatari Emir's visit marks the first highest-level visit from the entire Middle East to Nepal.  Qatar serves as one of the major labor destinations for Nepal.

Experts laud the benefits of a ‘balanced diet’—one which contains all the essential nutrients in just the right amount. A balanced diet supplies the nutrients your body needs to work effectively. Without balanced nutrition, you could be more prone to disease, infection, and fatigue among other health issues.

You need carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, and fiber and putting it all together in the required quantities can be a daunting task. That is often why so many of us just give up altogether. But eating clean and getting the nutrients you need doesn’t have to be so complicated. There are some basic things that you can follow to make sure you are getting most of the nutrients you need on a daily basis.

Have a handful of nuts and seeds

Nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts, and others are packed with protein, fats, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Nuts and seeds regulate body weight as their fats are not fully absorbed. They will thus keep you fuller for longer and help you regulate food intake. Nuts and seeds also contain unsaturated fats and other nutrients that provide protective effects against heart disease and diabetes. Studies have even found that people who eat nuts frequently are at a lower risk of gaining weight than those who seldom eat nuts. Nuts also help in regulating cholesterol. Scientists have also found a direct relation between eating nuts at least a few times per week and the reduction of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.

Stick to the one fruit a day rule

Have one whole fruit a day. Eat the entire fruit and don’t juice it as that removes the fiber content. According to Ayurveda, the best time to have a fruit is before two in the afternoon. 

Fruits are nutritious, they make a tasty snack or dessert, and they can satisfy a sweet tooth. Choose local fruits that are in season as they are fresher and provide more nutrients than imported fruits. Fruits are high in sugar, but it’s natural sugar. They will boost the body’s supply of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, if you have diabetes, consult a dietician on which fruits you can eat and how and when to eat them.

Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

Try to eat less saturated fat and choose foods that contain unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils and spreads, oily fish, and avocados. When having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off fat that is visible. Cut down on sugar consumption as well. The problem with too much sugar is that your diet will be high in calories and this can lead to putting on weight. Excess weight increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory diseases. Read the label of the products you buy and try to avoid those that have added sugar in them. If there’s more than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g, then that item is high in sugar, while five gram of total sugars or less per 100g means the food is low in sugar. To be on the safer side, experts tend to suggest giving up biscuits, jams, chocolates, and fizzy drinks.

Stock up your fridge and pantry

Having a well-stocked fridge and pantry can make your eating habits better. Keep jars of nuts where you can see them. Put fruits in a bowl on the dining table. If you have chips and chocolates at home, stow them away from sight. Make healthy snacks like makhana, popcorn, and sprouts at home to munch on when you are feeling hungry and there’s still a couple of hours to go for dinner. Cut and chop vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and beetroot and keep them in the fridge. You can have them with freshly made hummus or just plain salt and pepper. It will up your fiber intake as well as keep you satiated for a long time. The idea here is to have ready-to-eat healthy things on hand so that you don’t reach for the unhealthy stuff.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal stressed on taking the private sector into confidence and spreading a message that there is an investment-friendly environment in the country.

Addressing the Investment Board's meeting at New Baneshwor today, PM Dahal opined that the private sector should be facilitated rather than controlled to ensure development and prosperity. The PM argued that the idea of controlling was not acceptable in today's world parlance.

"A new model for development should be charted by taking the private sector into confidence. There will be no development unless the private sector is taken into confidence," Dahal reiterated.

He asserted that the public's aspirations and expectations could be fulfilled by adopting the policy that encourages development and thus instructed the Board's officials to work towards that.

While talking about the upcoming Third Investment Summit, the Head of the Government opined that all should deliver with a positive attitude to make it a success. He asserted that practical projects should be projected and pitched rather than merely presenting a 'wish-list' during the summit. The summit is due in less than a week in Kathmandu.

According to the PM, some Acts were amended prior to the Summit which would give an impetus to attract foreign investment. "Let's organize the Summit and give a new message," he encouraged, pointing out the need to simplify procedures and other works related to development projects.

The PM insisted that the political leadership should be able to deal with the difficulties arising while delivering some good works. Stating that priority should be given to the steel industry, he underscored that work should be done seriously for the establishment of such industries.

Furthermore, he instructed the Board to prioritize irrigation related projects to generate as many jobs in the agriculture sector. He also drew the attention of the Board to accelerate stalled development projects.

A truck carrying chemicals used in drugs caught fire in Dhading on Tuesday.

The truck (Na 4 Kha 8617) was heading towards Kathmandu from Sunauli of Rupandehi when it suddenly caught fire at Banchhetar in Gajuri Rural Municipality-6 of Dhading district this morning.

Sushil BK, the driver of the truck, surmised that the incident might have occurred after the chemical canisters collided with each other when the truck was moving.

A fire engine has been called from Dhunibesi Municipality to put off the fire, said Ganesh Lal Shrestha, Chairman of Gajuri Rural Municipality.