Submit your Article

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war, as Tehran’s foreign minister landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. 

Hopes of reviving peace efforts receded on Saturday when Trump scrapped a visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shuttled to and from mediators Pakistan and Oman on Sunday before flying to Russia, with the two sides still seemingly far apart on issues including Iran’s nuclear ambitions and access through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The King and Queen's state visit to the United States will be about "renewing and revitalising a unique friendship", says the UK's ambassador, Sir Christian Turner, BBC reported. 

The royal visitors, arriving on Monday, were already facing a diplomatic challenge with political tensions between the US and the UK.

But the shooting incident in Washington DC at the weekend, at an event attended by President Trump, added another layer of security concerns.

A person died in a wild boar attack at Lalbandi in Sarlahi on Sunday. 

The deceased has been identified as Prem Bahadur Thing (Dawa) (32) of Pidkhola, Lalbandi Municipality-15. 

Severely injured in the attack, Thing breathed his last on the way to a hospital in Lalbandi, according to District Police Office, Sarlahi spokesperson DSP Saroj Rai. 

The body has been taken to the Provincial Hospital Malangawa for postmortem. 

The animal attacked him while he was on his maize field. 

He had been staying at the farm since the past few days to protect the crops from animals.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 300 per tola in the domestic market on Monday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 300, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 299, 200 per tola on Sunday. 

Similarly, the price of silver, however, has dropped by Rs 50 and is being traded at Rs 5, 045 per tola today.

Lebanon's Ministry of Health has said Israeli strikes on the country on Sunday killed 14 people, including two children and two women, and injured 37,  BBC reported. 

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson had earlier issued evacuation warnings for several villages in southern Lebanon, writing that residents "must evacuate" immediately, and that staying would be "endangering their life".

The IDF later said it had carried out "artillery and aerial strikes" targeting Hezbollah operatives and sites in southern Lebanon that it claims were used "to advance attacks against IDF soldiers".

The government has launched the 'Energy Consumption and Export Strategy, 2083', with the objective of generating a total of 24,500 megawatts of electricity by the fiscal year 2092/93 BS through investments from government, public, and private sectors. 

This strategy includes projects that have been proposed, studied, are currently under construction, or are ready to begin construction. 

In addition to planning for reservoir and semi-aquatic projects, solar energy initiatives have also been integrated into the strategy. 

Significantly, the highly anticipated Budhigandaki Project is expected to be completed by 2081, with a planned total capacity of 1,200 megawatts. 

While the investment framework has been established, the government has prioritized the implementation of this program. 

The action plan detailed in the strategy indicates that the Raghuganga Hydropower Project will be finalized in the near future, with a total capacity of 40 MW currently in the final stages of construction. 

Moreover, the 140-megawatt Tahe hydroelectric project is anticipated to be completed by 2085/86. 

According to the strategy, the completion targets include Upper Modi A with a capacity of 42 MW, Upper Modi with 18.2 MW, and Upper Trishuli 3B with 37 MW. The dam's construction is scheduled for completion by 2019, with the plant's capacity set at 670 MW. Upper Arun, with a capacity of 161 MW, and Nalgad, with 417 MW, are also part of the action plan to be finalized this year. 

Additionally, the 490 MW Arun IV and the 439 MW Betan Karnali Hydropower Project are expected to be completed by September 2090. The government also aims to complete the 210 MW Chainpur Seti by 2087. Special emphasis has been placed on Tamakoshi V, with a total capacity of 99 MW, Naumure with 281 MW, and the Uttarganga Hydropower Project, which has a capacity of 828 MW, with the latter scheduled for completion.

The 1000 MW solar initiative, which is to be advanced by the Nepal Electricity Authority, is scheduled for completion by the year 2085. Solar projects that are to be funded and developed by private sector investors have been chosen and endorsed based on a competitive selection process. A solar planning framework has been proposed to facilitate the implementation of an energy mix concept.

 In a similar vein, projects with a capacity of 3,500 MW, to be promoted by government entities and their subsidiaries, are also expected to be finalized by 2092. 

Additionally, solar and export-oriented projects backed by the Independent Power Producers' Organization Nepal (IPPAN) are projected to reach completion in the same timeframe. 

The total capacity of these projects is anticipated to be 14,000 megawatts. The government has introduced a comprehensive strategy aimed at delivering high-quality electricity to consumers, enhancing trade, and fostering exports. This strategy includes the construction of 14 domestic transmission lines and 10 international transmission lines. 

Furthermore, the underground distribution system is set to be completed by 2085. The objective is to provide subsidies through the domestic expansion of electric stoves, to electrify the transportation sector by increasing the number of charging stations nationwide, and to convert coal-fired boilers into electric ones. 

In line with the aim of modernizing the agricultural sector, electricity revenues will be subsidized, and a complete transition to electric irrigation pumps is planned. A special electricity tariff will be established for energy-intensive industries, including those involved in chemical fertilizers and data centers.

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw at the San Siro on Sunday, a second stalemate between the sides in Serie A this season, with both clubs on course for a place in next season's Champions League, Reuters reported. 

Inter lead the standings on 79 points, 10 ahead of Napoli with Milan a further two points back in third on 67. Juve hold the all-important fourth spot with 64 points, three ahead of Como and AS Roma with four rounds remaining.

There were no goals when the sides met in Turin back in October, and Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri again had to settle for a share of the spoils against the club where he won five league titles.

Xavi Simons has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for around eight months, The Guardian reported. 

The Tottenham midfielder suffered the injury in his team’s 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday and will be unavailable for the remainder of the club’s Premier League survival fight.

His devastation has been compounded by the knowledge that he will not be able to play for the Netherlands at the World Cup finals this summer.