Trump does not rule out seeking third term - but says he will not use VP loophole

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of seeking a third term for the White House, saying he would "love to do it". 

But Trump rejected the possibility of running for vice-president in 2028 - an idea floated by some supporters as a way for him to circumvent the US constitution that bars the president from running for a third term, BBC reported.

Speaking to reporters during his trip to Asia, Trump described the idea as "too cute" and said it "wouldn't be right". 

It is unclear what method he would use to run again. Last week, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon said that a "plan" was in place to secure the 79-year-old president another term, according to BBC.

Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica braces for world's strongest storm of 2025

Jamaica is bracing for the strongest storm of the year, with US meteorologists warning of "catastrophic and life-threatening winds, flooding, and storm surge".

With wind speeds of up to 175mph (282km/h), Hurricane Melissa is a category five storm - the maximum strength. It is expected to make landfall on the Caribbean island in the early hours of Tuesday, BBC reported.

The storm has already been blamed for the deaths of four people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Meteorologists warn that Melissa's slow pace means it is set to dump torrential rain on affected areas for longer, increasing the risk of deadly flooding and landslides, according to BBC.

 

PM Karki performs Chhath Puja

Prime Minister Sushila Karki performed Chhath Puja of Chhathi Mata by attending the celebrations at Kamalpokhari in Kathmandu this evening. PM Karki worshipped the Sun god and Chhati Mata at Kamalpokhari.

Arghya (the curd holy water) is offered to the Sun god by paying homage to the setting sun today, the main day of the Chhath festival. 

Devotees who are observing the festival with much reverence and assiduousness remain awake at the Chhath worshipping area from early morning today until next morning that concludes after offering Arghya to the rising Sun. 

It is stated in the Surya Purana that one's wishes will come true by celebrating the Chhath festival. According to mythological accounts, during the era of the Mahabharata, Draupadi and the five Pandavas spent one year in incognito worshipping the Sun, and the celebration of the festival is rooted in the same mythical narration. 

The government had also announced the nationwide public holiday today on the occasion of the Chhath festival.

 

Rainfall likely tonight and tomorrow

There is a possibility of light to moderate snow and rainfall in the country starting tonight. This is due to the influence of the low pressure system formed in the Arabian Sea along with the westerly winds.

Light to moderate snowfall and rain is likely in some places of Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali Provinces and in a few places in the hilly and mountainous areas of the remaining provinces, says the Weather Forecasting Division in a Post-monsoon Special Weather Bulletin released earlier today.

In addition, there is a possibility of heavy snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Gandaki Province. As a result, the division has requested people to take necessary precautions as the possible snow and rainfall may affect daily life, mountaineering, as well as the agriculture and tourism sectors.

The Division has also stated that it is continuously monitoring this system and will update regularly.

 

 

Indian minister accused of victim blaming after Australian cricketers' assault

An Indian minister's comment that two female Australian cricketers, who were "touched inappropriately" last week, should've informed authorities before leaving their hotel has sparked a row with many accusing him of victim blaming, BBC reported.

The incident occurred in Indore in Madhya Pradesh state on Thursday as the players were walking to a cafe. Police said the man who harassed them has been arrested.

India's cricket board condemned the incident, which has sparked an outpouring of anger globally.

But Kailash Vijayvargiya, a state minister, raked up a controversy by saying this was "a lesson for authorities as well as the players" who should have informed the security or administration before going out, according to BBC.

UN pleads for safe passage for civilians trapped in war-hit Sudan city

The UN has called for safe passage for trapped civilians out of the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after paramilitary fighters announced they had seized control of the army's main base there, BBC reported.

Sudan's military has not acknowledged the loss of the site, which would be a significant victory for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war. 

El-Fasher is the last army foothold in the vast western region of Darfur, and has been besieged by the RSF and its allies for 18 months.

Heavy fighting has been reported since Saturday after RSF fighters captured the home of the North Darfur governor, according to BBC.

Samachakewa festival begins in Mithila

The Samachakewa festival has begun in the Mithila region, including Mahottari. 

This festival, dedicated to brothers, is observed by the women of Mithila (Mithilani) and started on Monday night.

It begins on the second day of the Chhath festival, or the fifth day of Kattik Shukla (the bright fortnight) in the month of Kartik, and is observed for 11 days, concluding on Purnima (the full moon day of Kartik).

During the festival, Mithila women from the same community gather at night to sing songs praising the bravery, benevolence, dedication, and love of their brothers. In the local language, the festival is called Samakhel.

The festival begins on the day of Kharana during Chhath, the major festival of the region. The women create clay figures of Sama and Chakewa (mythical characters from the Dwapara Yuga), Brindavan (forest), Saptarshi (seven revered sages in the Hindu mythology), birds, and Chugala (the gossip messenger). 

They decorate these figures with vibrant colours and sing songs while interacting symbolically with the characters. Oil lamps are lit in a dala (a traditional wicker basket), and through songs, the women describe the qualities of each figure, highlighting the philanthropic and brave deeds of their brothers. These songs express pride and admiration for their brothers’ courage, social contributions and good deeds.

The Chugala character, regarded as the gossipmonger, is symbolically punished during the festival by singing his beard with a small flame from a broom. 

In songs, the character is scolded and blamed for mischief and misdeeds. On the final day, Purnima, it is customary for brothers to place all the clay figures on their knees and break them. The broken figures are then disposed of in the deserted forests. After this, brothers offer their sisters beaten rice made from newly harvested paddy and Sakkhar (molasse). In return, sisters serve their brothers delicacies, and the brothers give their sisters clothes, jewelry, and cash (dakshina), marking the conclusion of the festival.

The Samachakewa festival is rooted in a legendary story from the Dwapara Yuga about Sama, the daughter of Lord Krishna, and her beloved, the army commander Chakradhar (Chakewa). According to the myth, the Chugala reported it to Krishna which angered him. Krishna cursed both Sama and Chakewa, turning them into birds.

To free them, Krishna’s son Samba performed penance to Lord Shiva and blessed with a boon allowing him to appease Krishna. As a result, Sama and Chakewa were freed from the curse, returned to human form, and married. 

In gratitude for her brother Samba’s help, Sama sang songs praising him. In remembrance of this, the tradition of the Sama-Chakewa festival was established. Hemnarayan Lal Karn, principal of Yajnavalkya Lakshminarayan Vidyapeeth (Sanskrit Campus) in Matihani, explains that this is the origin of the festival’s customs.

 

International troops won't want to enforce Gaza peace, says King of Jordan

Countries would reject being asked to "enforce" peace in Gaza if deployed under the Trump ceasefire plan, King Abdullah of Jordan has told the BBC.

Under US President Trump's 20-point peace plan, Arab states and international partners are to commit stabilisation forces that "will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field." Hamas is to disarm and give up political control of the territory.

"What is the mandate of security forces inside of Gaza? And we hope that it is peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch that," said King Abdullah, BBC reported.

In an exclusive interview for BBC Panorama, he said that Jordan and Egypt were willing to train Palestinian security forces.