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Amid the geopolitical tumult, American President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a historic talk that focused on a wide range of international, regional, and bilateral issues. The two major powers held talks at a time when the crisis in the Middle East was escalating and the Russia-Ukraine war continued.  

According to the Voice of America report, Biden and Xi have agreement on some vital issues. Xi agreed to help curb the production of the illicit fentanyl that is a deadly component of drugs sold in the United States. The two leaders have agreed to resume high-level military communications; China had severed the military hotline after then US speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022. The relationship was further soured after the US accused China of sending a spy balloon in its airspace.

In the conversation, Joe Biden said their discussion was straightforward and frank, and I have always appreciated them. A readout from White House said: “We have not always agreed, which was not a surprise to anyone, but our meetings have always been candid, straightforward, and useful.”  I value our conversation because I think it is paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunication, Biden said, we have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict, and we also have to manage it responsibly—that competition.

Regarding the understanding between two countries to resume military communication, Biden said: “We are back to direct, open, clear and direct communication.” The American President characterized the talks as some of the most constructive and productive discussions they have had. But Biden said that he still considers Xi as a dictator which is likely to annoy Beijing. He said: “Well, look, he is a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is a community country that is based on a form of government totally different from ours.”

President Biden reiterated the US One China policy in the meeting with Xi. "I reiterated what I have said since I have become president, and what every previous president of late has said: That we maintain an agreement that there is One China Policy." 

According to The Global Times, on the Taiwan question, Xi emphasized that it remains the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations, and China values the positive statements made by the US side during the Bali meeting. The US should implement its stance of not supporting "Taiwan independence" into concrete actions, stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification, according to the Chinese president, The Global Times reports.

According to Chinese news agency, Xinhua, Xi called on China and the United States to assume a new vision and build together five pillars for bilateral relations. Xinhua report says: China is consistently committed to having a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the United States, and China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be upheld, and red lines that must not be crossed.  And the critical global challenges we face, from climate change to counternarcotics to artificial intelligence, demand our joint efforts, Biden said.

Xi further added that the China-US relationship, which is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, should be perceived and envisioned in a broad context of the—accelerating global transformation unseen in a century. It should develop in a way that benefits our two peoples and fulfills our responsibility for human progress, Xi said.

The Chinese President further added that major-country competition is not the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, and one country’s success is an opportunity for the other. We should heavy responsibilities for the two people, for the world, and for history, Xi said, I look forward to having an in-depth exchange of views and reach new—reach new understandings with your on strategic and overarching issues critical to the directions of China-US relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development.

Ahead of COP28, the two leaders discussed climate change issues. According to The Global Times, they expressed their joint commitment to promoting the success of the COP28 and announced the China-US Enhancing Climate Action 2020s working group to accelerate specific climate actions. Despite the differences on a host of issues, China and America have similar positions on several climate change issues which has not gone well in the developing countries.

Chinese experts have said the talk continues the tone set in Bali last year. Speaking to The Global Times, Diao Daming, associate professor at the Renmin University of China said: Looking forward, it will be important to see whether the US can truly achieve a correct understanding. If the US can adjust its understanding and truly adopt a responsible perspective, recognizing each other’s position, effectively managing differences, and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, it will further stabilize the relations between the two countries.” 

During college, I consciously read more LGBT stories to understand and learn to accept love in all forms. And there have been some really great narratives that have changed the way I have looked at love and what I’ve, for far too long, considered as the only accepted version of romantic love. Now, I don’t actively seek out queer stories but I love it when I inevitably stumble upon one. They reaffirm my belief that love is love and that one should be allowed to love anyone.

‘Red, White & Royal Blue’, Casey McQuiston’s debut novel, follows a rivalry-turned-romance trope between the Prince of Wales and the First Son of the United States. Alex Claremont-Diaz, whose mother is running for a second term for president, is passionate and eager to kick-start his own political career. Prince Henry, whose full name is Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, is much more measured and guarded—a stringent follower of decorum and protocols.

The novel begins with the two hating each other but things change when Henry kisses Alex on New Year’s Eve in the Kennedy Garden. Henry is gay. But Alex always thought he was straight. Now, after the kiss, he’s not so sure. And he can’t get Henry off his mind. His feelings for Henry make him realize he is bisexual. What ensues is a whirlwind romance with plenty of political drama. McQuiston indulges in many political fantasies, including Alex’s mom winning the presidency in 2016 (meaning Donald Trump was never the president).

The writing is honest and optimistic. There’s a lot of humor and some really wonderful moments as well. Alex and Henry are endearing and so are the other side characters who don’t feel like side characters at all. There is a lot of discussion about the characters’ aspirations, their concerns for their countries as well as all that they want to do to help the LGBTIQA+ community. It all feels like a pep talk at times.

Red, White & Royal Blue is essentially a love story but it’s also a celebration of identity. If you haven’t read a queer love story, this could be a good place to start as nothing feels forced or fake. The make-believe world couldn’t feel more real. It starts slow but when it picks up, you won’t want to put it down.

Korala check point at Lo Manthang Rural Municipality in Mustang district has come into operation again from Monday after four years.

The check point was formally inaugurated in the presence of representatives of governments of Nepal and China.

On the occasion, member of House of Representatives Yogesh Gauchan Thakali, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province, Dipendra Bahadur Thapa, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhan Raj Acharya, Chief District Officer of Mustang, Janak Raj Panta and people's representatives of Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kunda and Lo Manthang rural municipalities were present from the side of Nepal.

Likewise, officials of customs, border monitoring, public security bureau, commerce bureau, border control and dry port management committee were present from the Chinese side.

Chairperson of Lo Manthang Rural Municipality, Tasi Narbu Gurung, said China gifted 100,000 kilograms of food grains, clothes and daily essentials to the locals of Lo Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipalities on the first day of resumption of check point.

Locals of both rural municipalities have started visiting China on the basis of identity cards, said CDO Panta. The check point was completely shut down from 2076 BS after the coronavirus pandemic.

'Departure and Entry Permits for Residents of Nepal-China Border Area Nepal- China' was distributed to around 1,000 people of Lo-Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kund rural municipalities as preparation for operation of Korala check point.  

"Those who have an entry pass have the facility to travel to and from China at any time", he shared.

Panta mentioned that temporary infrastructures have been built on Nepal's side near Korala checkpoint and arrangement of regular presence of security personnel has also been made."

The government of Nepal has decided to ban TikTok, citing concerns about its impact on social harmony.

The decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting held today at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar, Rekha Sharma, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and the government's spokesperson, said.

According to Sharma, TikTok is consistently disseminating propaganda that disrupts family structures and social relations, prompting the government to take temporary measures to regain control. "We have decided to halt TikTok for the time being to address this issue," she stated.

The Cabinet meeting instructed the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to oversee the technical aspects of this decision.

Sharma explained, "The decision to ban TikTok was made today, and relevant authorities are currently addressing the technical details. The Communication Ministry and the Nepal Telecommunication Authority have already initiated preparations. It is likely that the decision will be implemented as early as today."