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Israel’s determination to attack Iran and the certainty that US troops would be targeted in response forced the Trump administration to take pre-emptive strikes, secretary of state Marco Rubio said, in a new explanation for Washington’s surprise entry into the conflict, The Guardian reported. 

The rationale drew divided reviews from top members of Congress who on Monday evening received the first briefing by the Trump administration since it ordered the air campaign to begin over the weekend.

Rubio, CIA director John Ratcliffe and joint chiefs of staff chair Dan Caine spoke to the lawmakers behind closed doors in the Capitol ahead of a vote expected later this week in the House of Representatives on a war powers resolution that presents an unlikely opportunity to force Trump to end hostilities against Iran, according to The Guardian. 

Three US fighter jets were mistakenly shot down over Kuwait early Monday in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, military officials said. All six crew members ejected safely, The Guardian reported. 

According to a statement from US Central Command (Centcom), Kuwait’s air defences fired on the F-15 war planes during a combat mission on the third day of conflict following Saturday’s launch of US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

The crew members who ejected were recovered and are in “stable condition”, Centcom said, according to The Guardian. 

India and Canada have announced a host of agreements, including a 10-year nuclear energy deal, after their prime ministers met in Delhi to reset ties that plummeted due to diplomatic tensions, BBC reported. 

Narendra Modi and Mark Carney also struck agreement in areas such as technology, critical minerals, space, defence and education.

Carney said they agreed to conclude a free trade deal, years in the making, by the end of 2026. Both countries want to reduce exposure to punitive US trade tariffs, according to BBC. 

Two persons died while another sustained injuries when a bus and a motorcycle collided with each other at Golbazar Municipality-3 in Siraha on Sunday. 

The deceased have been identified as Santosh Mahato (37) and Aman Raya (20) from Dhangadhimai Municipality-8.

The bus (Lu 2 Kha 1085) heading towards Bhairahawa from Dharan collided head-on with the motorcycle (Sa 5 Pa 4759) last night. 

Injured seriously in the incident, Mahato and Raya breathed their last during the course of treatment at a local health facility, according to police inspector Sudhan KC. 

Dhiraj Mandal was injured in the incident. All three were riding in the same motorcycle, the police added. Mandal is currently receiving treatment in Biratnagar.

The  bodies have been  kept at Lahan-based Ram Kumar Uma Prasad Province Hospital for postmortem. 

Police said that they impounded the bus and arrested its driver for investigation. 

On the occasion of Phagu Purnima, devotees have thronged Bhimsen Temple in Bhaktapur. 

On Phagu Purnima devotees throng Pardeshi Bhimsen Temple in Ardash, Yachhen Bhimsen Temple in Yanchen, and Tachpal Bhimsen Temple in Dattatraya for a darshan and worshipping.

It is culturally believed that worshipping the deity Bhimsen on the day of Phagu Purnima opens up a new source of income and business flourishes. 

On this day, traditional Dhimebaja, Fansuri baja, Dha baja, are played by different groups going up to the Bhimsen Temple from different settlements. 

The Fagu festival is celebrated by worshiping the deity and savouring Samyebajji. This is called Bhising Pooja in the local language. 

Likewise, local women dress up in Newari ethnic costume, the Hakupatasi, worship the Bhimsen deity, savor Samyebajji, and then go around the neighborhood to celebrate Phagu.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 5, 600 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 326, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 320, 500 per tola on Sunday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 6, 020 per tola today.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty before delivering a free kick that Benjamin Sesko nodded home for a 2-1 comeback win over 10-man Crystal Palace that moved the hosts into third in the Premier League standings on Sunday, Reuters reported. 

Interim boss Michael Carrick's unbeaten run since his appointment in mid-January stretched to seven matches, his side now sitting on 51 points from 28 games. Palace slumped to 14th, stuck on 35.

United remain unbeaten since the January 5 sacking of Ruben Amorim and having won six of their last seven matches under Carrick, they moved up to third for the first time since May 2023, according to Reuters. 

The "Finalissima" match between Spain and Argentina in Doha is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely, following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula, Reuters reported. 

The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha's Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.

"Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice," the association said in a statement on Sunday, according to Reuters.