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US intelligence reports indicate Israel is fully prepared to launch a strike on Iran, likely targeting its nuclear facilities. Both Israeli and US officials declined to comment, Reuters reported.

In response to rising tensions, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the voluntary departure of military dependents from the Middle East. Non-essential embassy staff and families have also been ordered to leave Iraq.

Iran accused the United States of aiding Israeli aggression and threatened reprisal against American bases if attacked. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that all US bases in host countries are within reach, according to Reuters.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to resume nuclear talks. President Donald Trump expressed doubts Wednesday about achieving an agreement with Iran.

World Bank Regional Director for South Asia Pankaj Gupta called on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar today.

During the meeting, they held discussions on the World Bank's investment in the hydroelectricity sector of Nepal.

On the occasion, Energy Minister Khadka thanked the World Bank for its investment in Nepal's hydropower projects to date and urged for its continuation in the future.

He also urged the World Bank to expedite the financial management process of the Upper Arun Hydropower Project. Similarly, the meeting also discussed the issue of strengthening the power supply.

In response, Regional Director of the World Bank Gupta stated that the World Bank has prioritised the Upper Arun Hydropower Project.

Energy Ministry Secretary Suresh Acharya, Joint Secretaries Chiranjibi Chataut, Sagar Raj Gautam, and World Bank Nepal Country Director David Sislane were present in the meeting.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has expressed her hope that joint partnership and connectivity in various sectors between Nepal and India would lay the foundation for shared prosperity between the two nations.

Inaugurating the Nepal-India Strategic Dialogue in Kathmandu today, she underscored the need to speed up cooperation in trade, transit and investment between the two countries and advance economic partnership through connectivity.

 “I look forward to a future where ginger from Nepali farmers reaches the Mumbai market within 24 hours and an Indian tourist reaches Pokhara on an evening flight after finishing a morning meeting in Delhi. This kind of proximity should be the basis for economic prosperity for the citizens of the two countries.”

Citing the ago-old Nepal-India relations, built on shared values, culture and emotions and people-to-people contacts, she said enhancing cooperation and connectivity would help shape a prosperous future for both countries.

She stressed the need for investing in roads, railways, waterways, air routes, and digital infrastructure to increase mutual connectivity. “A seamless connectivity between the two countries will not only support regional and global supply chains, but also enhance transit trade and border economies. This will benefit the citizens of both countries.”

Stating that the current global economic scenario is shifting towards a knowledge-based economy, services and digital platforms, Minister Rana stressed the need for both countries to jointly focus their efforts on digital economy, technology and innovation, modern education system, skill development and creative economy.

Highlighting the energy sector as a notable example of cooperation between the two neighbors, she said that Nepal’s vast hydropower potential will provide a clean, renewable energy source, which she said will be useful for the future generations.

She added India's commitments to importing 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal in the coming decade reflects Nepal-India cooperation in the energy sector. "The two countries have further strengthened cooperation in the power sector, including developing transmission interconnections, grid connectivity and power exchange, and cross-border power trade."

Minister Rana proposed collaboration between India's expertise in digital innovation and Nepal's young and tech-savvy population. "We should promote tech hubs, start-ups and digital innovation platforms in mutual cooperation and let our youth work together, use technology and move forward on the path of prosperity."

Calling for joint efforts to tackle shared challenges posed by climate change especially amid rapid technological advancements and shifting geopolitical dynamics, she expressed gratitude to the Government of India for its cooperation and support for successfully organising the "Sagarmatha Sambaad" recently in Nepal.

Reiterating Nepal's commitment to a future of peace, stability and prosperity through partnerships with its neighbors and international friends, the minister underscored that such dialogues are vital for deepening Nepal-India relations, promoting the exchange of ideas, and strengthening the people-to-people relations.

A Chinese-backed militia is protecting new rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar, according to four people familiar with the matter, as Beijing moves to secure control of the minerals it is wielding as a bargaining chip in its trade war with Washington, Reuters reported.

China has a near-monopoly over the processing of heavy rare earths into magnets that power critical goods like wind turbines, medical devices and electric vehicles. But Beijing is heavily reliant on Myanmar for the rare earth metals and oxides needed to produce them: the war-torn country was the source of nearly half those imports in the first four months of this year, Chinese customs data show.

Beijing's access to fresh stockpiles of minerals like dysprosium and terbium has been throttled recently after a major mining belt in Myanmar's north was taken over by an armed group battling the Southeast Asian country's junta, which Beijing supports, according to Reuters.