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The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) of Nepal and the Center for Strategic Research (CSR) under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in research and dialogue on matters of shared interest.

The agreement – signed by the founder of AIDIA Sunil KC and CSR Chair Usmonzoda Khairiddin Usmon – allows joint studies, exchange of experts, and collaborative participation in academic and policy forums held in Nepal and Tajikistan, reads a statement issued by the AIDIA.

“Both institutions have agreed to undertake joint projects in areas that contribute to regional understanding, constructive engagement, and economic diplomacy,” said KC, after signing the agreement.

As part of the partnership, AIDIA and the CSR will co-host the ‘Dushanbe Dialogue’ – a forum established under the theme ‘Where Center Meets South’.

The dialogue will focus on key subjects including energy, security, artificial intelligence, and climate change, according to the agreement.

“It is intended to serve as a meeting ground for scholars, researchers, and policymakers to exchange perspectives on regional and global developments,” said Usmon, the statement further reads.  

KC stated that the collaboration represents a step forward in building sustained academic and policy ties between Nepal and Tajikistan.

Both organizations affirmed their shared commitment to fostering knowledge-based cooperation that contributes to peace, development, and mutual understanding.

Ramdular Sah, the priest at the Kabir Baba temple in Rajakpatti, Kachan- 8, Bodebarsain Municipality, Saptari, was shot dead this morning.

The 73-year-old priest was shot dead by an unidentified group at 2 am, said Ram Sundar Sah, a family member of the priest.

The priest had been living alone in a hut. Ram Sundar said an unknown group pulled the priest onto the road and shot him in the back.

Within a few minutes of the incident, the locals had reported about the incident to the police post in Kachanali.

Police teams from the District Police Office and the Area Police Office, Kadarbon have reached the incident site and started the necessary investigation.

The police have reported that two bullet casings were found at the scene.

Superintendent of Police Gautam Kumar KC, Chief of the District Police Office Saptari, said that the body has been sent to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for postmortem.

He added that a search has been intensified in the border areas of the district to track down the suspects.

A Nepali youth, who came to Portugal for work, has gone missing.

He is 34-year-old Jitendra Pandey from Pipalpani, Bhanu Municipality-9, Tanahun district in Nepal, who has been living in Portugal since the last two years.

Pandey's colleague, Bidur Tamang, said that Pandey has been out of contact and missing since last Monday from the Sintra area near Lisbon.

According to Tamang, Pandey had arrived at his house in the night last Sunday and he had left the house stating that his friend had phoned him. Tamang said Pandey has been missing after that.

"After Pandey went out of contact, we contacted his family in Nepal, and from there we received news that he had called a relative in the morning and said he would be out of touch for a few days. Currently, there is no contact with him," Tamang said.

He stated that the local police were informed on Tuesday through the employer of the search for Pandey.

Pandey's residency card, bank card, passport, and all belongings were found in the room where he stays.

Nepali Ambassador to Portugal, Prakash Mani Paudel, said that the local police administration had been notified immediately for a search as soon as the Embassy received the news of Pandey's disappearance.

Ambassador Paudel said that the Embassy is making every effort to search for him.

Pandey, who came to Portugal two years ago via Croatia, was working at a packing company in Sintra.

Pandey has elderly parents and sisters back in Nepal.

The Third Tihar Flora Expo has witnessed transactions of Rs 10 million.

The five-day expo organized by Nepal Nursery Entrepreneurs Association held at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, concluded on Saturday.

Laxmi Maharjan, Vice President of the Association and Expo Coordinator, said that more than 35,000 people visited the expo, which had a turnover of Rs 10 million.

Former Environment Minister Ganesh Sah, who participated in the Flora Expo closing program, underscored that everyone should support the 'Protect the Environment' campaign.

Actress Manisha Koirala stated that traditional and indigenous plants should be protected and promoted, emphasizing that this helps maintain environmental balance.

Association President Ramji Prasad Timilsina expressed a commitment to prioritize traditional local indigenous nursery plants in the upcoming expo.

The organizers stated that the Expo featured 70 stalls, including 62 commercial stalls, four official stalls of the Department of Plant Resources and the Floriculture Development Centre, and four competitive stalls.