Submit your Article

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.

The Chhath devotees have been observing fasting since early morning and now preparing to offer arghya (curd and holy water) to the setting sun later this evening.

Observance of fasting is a significant part of the Chhath festival. However, only devotees and not all celebrants observe the rigorous fasting during which they have to abstain even a drop of water.

The Sun God, Chhathi Mata and rivers are worshipped during this festival. The offering of the curd is conducted on the sixth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik. The curd is offered by adhering to the rituals. 

On the main day of the Chhath today, there is a bustling presence of celebrants and devotees from Guheshwori to Gaurighat- the Bagmati River bank above the Pashupatinath Temple- in Kathmandu. 

The mythological belief has it that Draupadi had worshipped the Sun God and wished success to the five Pandavas when their whereabouts was not clear. The holy text, Mahabharat, has such mention. It is believed the celebration of the Chhath festival began then.

Similarly, the Surya Purana has explained it was Anushuya, spouse of Atrimuni, observing the Chhath fasting, which resulted in happiness and love and fulfilling life with the spouse. The Surya Purana believes it is the beginning of the Chhath festival which continues thereafter.

As part of the festival, the devout abstain from meals for once since the fourth day of bright fortnight, while observing the rigorous fasting later. Similarly, the offering with fruits and pudding is made to Shasthi Mata on the sixth day.

The Guheshwori Gaurighat Chhath Puja Committee informed that the devotees who have observed rigorous fasting are offering arghya to the setting sun this evening.  

Kamalpokhari, Nakkhu and Bishnumati river banks are also decorated for Chhath celebration. 

The Chhath festival, initially limited to the Mithila region, expanded gradually to other Tarai districts and hills including the federal capital, Kathmandu, in recent years.

The President, Vice President and other dignitaries have extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers on this occasion. 

The government has given a public holiday for the Chhath celebration today. 

It is the festival of cleanliness, purity, worship to nature and Sun God, family bond and harmony in community.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham earned Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a spiky El Clasico on Sunday that snapped a four-match losing streak against their rivals and extended their lead atop the LaLiga standings, Reuters reported.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a close-range finish after a perfectly timed through ball from Bellingham. However, Barcelona capitalised on a mistake by Arda Guler to equalise in the 38th minute through Fermin Lopez.

Real regained the lead five minutes later when Bellingham tapped in from inside the six-yard box following an inspired run and cross by Vinicius Jr, according to Reuters.

Two headed goals by Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven helped his side to a 3-0 Premier League win over Everton on Sunday as the visitors became the first team to win in the Merseyside club's new stadium, Reuters reported.

Tottenham made a sluggish start but took the lead in the 19th minute when Dutch defender Van de Ven nodded in from virtually on the goal line following a corner.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalised soon after but his powerful header was disallowed for an infringement on Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, according to Reuters.

Arsenal enjoyed a serene Sunday as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 and title rivals Manchester City lost by the same margin at Aston Villa to leave the north London club four points clear at the top of the table on Sunday, Reuters reported ​​​​​​.

Champions Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday gave Arsenal the chance to move seven points clear of Arne Slot's side and they did just that with Eberechi Eze scoring the only goal against his old club.

City were unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions since a stumbling start to the campaign but they came unstuck at Villa Park where Matty Cash's goal earned his side a fourth successive league win to lift them to eighth, according to Reuters.

Argentine President Javier Milei's party cruised to victory in midterm legislative elections as voters handed him a mandate to keep pushing through his radical overhaul of the economy despite widespread discontent with his deep austerity measures, Reuters reported.

A relief to Milei, whose poll numbers had sagged in recent weeks, the results are also likely to please U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration had faced criticism after providing Argentina with a hefty financial bailout.

Analysts said the stronger-than-expected showing could reflect fear of renewed economic turmoil if the country abandoned Milei's austerity policies which, while slashing subsidies long relied on by many Argentines, have succeeded in drastically slowing inflation, according to Reuters.

Chhath festival is being observed today by worshipping and making offerings to the setting sun.

The festive fanfare has been seen in different parts including Ranipokhari, Gaurighat, Kupondole of the Kathmandu Valley as well.

The festival is dedicated to the sun God, with offerings made to the rising and setting sun. It is observed for four days, from Kartik Shukala Chaturthi to Kartik Shukla Saptami as per the lunar calendar.

It usually falls between October and November in the Gregorian calendar. The Sun considered as the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress.

The ritual of Chhath Parba includes taking holy bath, fasting, standing and worshiping the sun for a long time and offering Prasad and Argha to the ‘Rising and setting Sun”.

Chhath is a festival of bathing and worshipping that follows a period of abstinence and segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days.

During this period, the worshiper observes purity and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket.

This is the only holy festival which has no involvement of any pandit (priest).

The devotees offer their prayers to the setting sun and then the rising sun in celebrating its glory as the cycle of birth starts with death. It is seen as the most glorious form of Sun worship.     

Prime Minister Sushila Karki said that the upcoming election on March 5 will be regarded as a national ritual. 

In her best wishes message released today for Chhath festival, a significant festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun, Prime Minister Karki emphasized, 'I call on all parties to also embrace the upcoming election as a national ritual and to participate in and make it successful.' 

The message reflects on the circumstances following the Gen-Z movement, highlighting the obligation to hold the House of Representatives (HoR) election on March 5.  The message calls for all parties to acknowledge the sensitivity of the current situation and their individual responsibilities, working collectively to ensure the election's success. 

The message reads, 'Street protests alone are not the solution to all problems,' and adds, 'Even if one has certain stances or grievances, presenting them peacefully to win the support of the general public and getting them approved through elections is the best method of democracy.' 

The Prime Minister conveyed her best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters, both in home and abroad, expressing hope that this festival will help eliminate social, caste, and gender disparities, thereby enhancing national unity.  

She stated, 'I sincerely hope that the worship of the Sun God and the blessings of Mother Chhathi will inspire all of us to protect our constitutional achievements and move forward towards building a prosperous, inclusive, and well-governed Nepal.'