Netanyahu says Israel 'acted alone' in attack on Iranian gas field
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel "acted alone" in attacking an Iranian gas field, as tensions mount over strikes on energy infrastructure across the region, BBC reported.
Israel hit Iran's South Pars - part of the world's largest natural gas field - and Tehran retaliated by striking an energy complex in Qatar and attacking other energy targets in the Gulf.
The attacks led to a spike in energy prices and US President Donald Trump later posted he had not known about them in advance, according to BBC.
Israel launches new wave of attacks on Iran as crisis deepens
Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran on Friday, a day after President Donald Trump told it not to repeat its strikes on Iranian natural gas infrastructure, which sharply escalated the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Reuters reported.
The conflict has killed thousands of people, spread to neighbouring nations and hit the global economy since the United States ‌and Israel launched strikes on February 28, after talks about Tehran's nuclear program failed to yield a deal.
"The IDF has just begun a wave of strikes against the infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran," a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces said, without providing details, according to Reuters.
Australia PM heckled at Sydney mosque Ramadan event
Australia's prime minister has been heckled during an event at a Sydney mosque marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, BBC reported.
Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke were at Lakemba Mosque - one of the largest in Australia - after being invited by community leaders to attend Eid prayers on Friday morning, local time.
Several attendees accused the pair of being "genocide supporters", shouting "boo" and "get out of here" as a mosque leader gave a speech calling for the government to better engage with Muslim Australians, according to BBC.
US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil
The US is weighing lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets, BBC reported.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put forward the idea in a Fox interview, saying it could make more oil available to global buyers. Around the world, energy prices are shooting up as the war takes a toll on shipping and production.
If put into action, the move would mark a stunning reversal of longstanding American policy - and one with highly uncertain pay-off, according to BBC.
Cloudy weather condition with rain/snowfall likely in different parts today
At present, Nepal is under the influence of a westerly low-pressure system along with local winds, the Weather Forecasting Division stated.
The weather is generally cloudy in hilly and Himalayan areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, as well as Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces, while the mountainous regions of other provinces are also experiencing cloudy weather condition.
The hilly regions of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces are partly cloudy, while the rest of the areas have largely clear weather.
This afternoon, most parts of the country will be cloudy according to the Division. There is a possibility of moderate rain and snowfall with thunder, lightning, and hail in many areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, in some hilly and Himalayan regions of Gandaki, Lumbini, and Koshi Provinces, and in some areas of other provinces.
Heavy rain or snowfall is likely in one or two areas of the hilly and Himalayan regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, it is stated in the weather forecasting bulletin.
Similarly, most parts of the country will remain cloudy tonight. There is a possibility of moderate rain and snowfall with thunder, lightning, and hail in many areas of Karnali, Sudurpaschim, and Gandaki Provinces, and in some areas of other provinces.
The Division has cautioned the general public, farmers, as well as those travelling or engaged in transport operations in areas forecasted to have snowfall and rain. -
EC spent Rs 3.54 billion on HoR polls
The Election Commission has reported that Rs 3. 54 billion was spent to conduct the elections to the House of Representatives held on March 5.
According to the Commission, it had initially requested Rs 7.81 billion for the polls, of which the Ministry of Finance approved Rs 6.76 billion. Of the received budget, only Rs 3.54 billion was spent.
However, some amount is yet to be paid for the spending liability, added EC.
Out of 50 types of election materials, 37 types of election materials were purchased from province and district election offices.
The EC had purchased only 13 types of materials and dispatched them to districts.
At a news conference organized by EC after submitting a comprehensive report on HoR elections to President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday, Joint-
Secretary and EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Poudel states that Rs 284 per voter was spent in the elections to the House of Representatives.
The EC had adopted a policy of using the election materials purchased in the past in order to make the election frugal.
A total of 164 persons as the international observers conducted the monitoring of HoR elections.
Similarly, 35 NGOs worked as national observers.
The EC extended gratitude to all voters for making the HoR elections irrespective of difficult circumstances.
It also thanked the government, provincial government, local levels, chief returning officers, election officers, all security bodies, employees involved in election, security personnel, political parties, candidates, voters, observers, international community and media for their positive roles in holding the elections successful.
EC submits HoR elections report to President Paudel
The Election Commission (EC) submitted the report of the House of Representatives (HoR) elections held on March 5 to President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari submitted the report to President Paudel at a function organized at Sheetal Niwas.
On the occasion, President Paudel expressed happiness towards the successful completion of the HoR elections amid a complex situation.
The President thanked the EC, government officials and all stakeholders for conducting the polls in a successful manner.
Saying that the successful elections conducted in a free, fair and fearless manner uplifted people's trust towards the EC and the election system, the President stated that it has also further strengthened democracy.
Beware of storm for three days, alerts disaster risk authority
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has requested one and all to adopt precautions, reasoning about the possibility of heavy rains and storms for the next three days.
Issuing a press release on Thursday, NDRRMA urged everyone to remain alert.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, heavy rainfall and snowfall are predicted in the hilly and mountainous regions of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces for the next three days.
High speed wind is likely to occur in Dang, Nepalgunj and Tarai areas of Lumbini Province.
The Department mentioned that the storm would occur at a speed of 119 kilometer per hour in Biratnagar, Dhankuta, Dharan and the surrounding districts till Saturday.
It is shared that the wind may pose risks, causing damages in various structures, including disruption in electricity and communication services.
Under-Secretary at NDRRMA, Ram Bahadur KC, requested the locals of these areas to avoid unnecessary travel, stay in safer places and stop operating vehicles so that they could minimize damages and harms.
