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The United States and Vietnam concluded a second round of tariff negotiations in Washington from May 19–22, making progress but leaving key issues unresolved, Vietnam’s trade ministry said Thursday.

Vietnamese Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer led the talks, which identified areas of near consensus and others requiring further discussion, Reuters reported.

Both sides agreed to resume negotiations in early June.

Vietnam, a major exporter to the US, currently faces a 46 percent reciprocal tariff rate, though these duties are paused until July. The US Trade Representative’s office has not yet commented, according to Reuters.

Sindhuredobhan Bagar in Marin Rural Municipality-2 of Sindhuli, once a barren riverbank carved out by the Marin River as it eroded fertile farmland, is now a flourishing agricultural zone. Thanks to seasonal and off-season farming of watermelons, pumpkins, gourds, beans, okra, and more, the once-desolate area has turned lush green.

The riverside farming initiative, carried out collectively by local farmers, has now reached national prominence, even drawing attention in Parliament. The visibility has boosted both income and public recognition. Just a couple of days ago, the chairperson of Marin Rural Municipality, Bimarsh Moktan (Prakhyat), visited Khumaltar and presented melons grown through collective farming to former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Soon after, former Youth and Sports Minister and current Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Biraj Bhakta Shrestha praised the initiative during a parliamentary session. “I would like to speak on a positive note today,” he said while commenting on the government’s policy and program. “Agriculture Officer Prabesh Devkota has already sold 10,000 kg of melons grown through riverside farming in Hariharpur Gadhi. Young entrepreneurs are doing their job. This country cannot be built with old leadership and outdated methods. I want to put on record that young warriors can do good work if not obstructed.”

Indeed, young farmers along the Marin River in Sindhuli have begun producing and selling melons worth millions from over 20 bighas of cultivated land. Besides local markets, melons are regularly sold at the traditional agricultural market in Durbarmarg, Kathmandu. So far, sales have exceeded Rs 1m.

Approximately 13 bighas of land along the riverbanks in Sindhuli Dobhan (Marin-2), Nakhli (Marin-3), and Jayamangal (Marin-7) have been used to cultivate watermelons and vegetables. In Hariharpur Gadhi, four bighas on the banks of the Marin and Bagmati Rivers are also under cultivation.

In Sindhuli Dobhan, 17 farmers have formed the Pashupati Agriculture and Small Enterprise Group to collectively grow watermelons. Meanwhile, in Jayamangal, the Yonjan brothers are leading cultivation efforts, and in Hariharpur Gadhi, 12 farmers have been growing watermelons for the past four years through the Jagaran Agriculture Group.

The rural municipalities have been supporting these efforts by providing financial aid, technical guidance, seeds, and medicine. According to Kamal Bahadur Alemagar, Ward Chair of Marin-2, around 7,000 kilos of melons have already been sold from Sindhuli Dobhan alone.

Initially, farmers were concerned about market access, but their produce is now reaching Kathmandu via Sindhuli, Hetauda, Ramechhap, and Dolakha. Public interest surged after melons were presented to Dahal and mentioned in Parliament.

Over 30 local youths are now engaged in melon and vegetable farming, transforming the once dry riverbank into a productive, income-generating area. In the Marin and Hariharpur Gadhi rural municipalities alone, local youths and the municipalities have produced melons worth about Rs 3m through joint investment. Additional vegetables—pumpkins, gourds, beans, and bitter gourds—valued at over Rs 2m are also being cultivated. Sales began in the last week of April.

With ample water sources nearby, irrigation poses no challenge. If the weather remains favorable, production is expected to increase further. The melons are currently being sold at Rs 50–60 per kilogram.

A severe earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 shook the Greek island of Crete early Thursday, according to the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.

The quake struck at 03:19 GMT, and its epicenter was 102.8 kilometers deep. The epicenter's coordinates were 35.46°N latitude and 25.82° E longitude, as reported by Reuters.

There were no early reports of casualties or damage. Authorities are keeping an eye on the situation for any potential aftershocks or new developments.

The number of Sarus cranes in Kanchanpur and Kailali region has been decreasing every year.

Flocks of Sarus cranes used to be seen in the wetland areas have lately become difficult to spot. With the destruction of wetland areas for cultivation, the habitat of the cranes has been shrinking each passing year. This means that the food for the birds has also been dwindling.

According to Hirulal Dagaura, an ornithologist at the Nepal Bird Conservation Society, the existence of this bird is in danger due to farmers increasingly using chemical fertilizers along with pesticides for farming.

The hunting of the Sarus, stealing its eggs, along with climate change and environmental pollution, has created additional risks.

Ornithologist Dagaura said up to five Saras cranes have been recorded in Kailali and up to 22 in Kanchanpur.

This bird can be spotted in Kalikich lake of Shuklaphanta National Park and in the wetlands of Beldandi Rural Municipality. Sometimes during the rainy season, cranes can be seen searching for food in rice fields in other areas and in the Ramsar site of Ghodaghodi lake in Kailali.

Since cranes feed on insects that are considered harmful to crops, they can be viewed as beneficial birds for farmers. When insect-pest control is done, farmers can harvest more produce, but recently it has been observed that this bird itself is in trouble.

Since cranes eat insects that are considered harmful to crops, they can be viewed as beneficial birds for farmers. In this way cranes help control insects and pest infestation in crops, but recently it has been observed that this bird itself is facing an existential crisis.

When ferocious animals like tigers, leopards, foxes, and wild boars come nearby, this bird alerts with a loud call. Therefore, the crane is also considered a human-friendly bird.

This bird, according to ornithologist Dagaura, relies on paddy fields and wetlands to make its nest and feed.

“But in recent days, it is hardly possible to see this bird here. Therefore, it is essential for the municipality and local communities to pay special attention to protecting wetland areas. Along with the importance of this bird, awareness about its habits, behavior, and habitat should be raised to involve local residents in conservation efforts,” he said.

Experts suggest that it is necessary to encourage farmers to promote the use of organic fertilizers and organic pesticides while discouraging the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture.

The Sarus crane is listed as a protected bird under the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has included it in the list of vulnerable species.

According to statistics, there are more than 600 Sarus cranes only in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Nawalparasi. In South Asia, it is estimated that the number of this bird is about 10, 000..