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The nation is currently experiencing the effects of westerly winds along with a low-pressure system that has developed over the Arabian Sea. 

This afternoon, the hilly regions of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces are expected to see generally partly cloudy weather, while the remaining plains will also have partly cloudy skies. 

As per the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a chance of light rain or snow in one or two locations within the high hill and mountain areas across all provinces. 

Furthermore, tonight, predominantly cloudy conditions are anticipated in the remaining hilly regions, including Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, while the other Tarai regions are expected to have partly cloudy weather. 

The weather bulletin released by the department indicates a likelihood of moderate rain or snow in several areas of the hilly and mountain regions of Gandaki and Karnali Provinces, as well as in one or two locations in the other hilly and mountain regions, including Lumbini Province.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has conveyed his conviction that the Chhath festival will foster national unity among the Nepali people. 

In a message of greetings issued today for Chhath Festival–2082 BS, he remarked, "I am confident that this festival will motivate the elimination of all forms of discrimination, bias, and inequality, including those related to class, ethnicity, and gender, thus enhancing national unity among all Nepalis, while also preserving and promoting indigenous culture and reinforcing mutual harmony." 

President Paudel further noted that the Chhath festival will play a significant role in achieving sustainable peace, good governance, development, and prosperity. 

The festival of Chhath is celebrated with great reverence for the sun, water, and earth, involving the worship of the Chhathi goddess, performing rituals, and fasting, while vigilantly staying awake overnight along the banks of rivers, ponds, and lakes in a festive and joyful manner. 

It is believed that fulfilling the Chhath fast correctly yields desired outcomes, enhances family well-being, and alleviates personal sorrows and troubles, ushering in auspiciousness. 

President Paudel emphasized, "Recognizing that life on Earth is dependent on the sun, dedicating oneself both physically and mentally to remain at locations where water flows from the fourth to the seventh day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, offering milk to the rising and setting sun, and engaging in worship during this festival appears to assist individuals in fulfilling their responsibilities towards nature, fostering environmental awareness, as well as promoting family and social unity.

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) says it has taken control of the western city of el-Fasher, marking a turning point in the civil war, BBC reported.

The group said in a statement on social media that it had seized el-Fasher "from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army".

The loss would be a huge blow to the Sudanese army as el-Fasher is its last remaining foothold in the Darfur region, leaving the RSF effectively in control of the area. The army has yet to comment, according to BBC.

Two suspects have been arrested over the theft of precious crown jewels from Paris's Louvre museum, French media say, BBC reported.

The Paris prosecutor's office said one of the men had been taken into custody as he was preparing to take a flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Items worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken from the world's most-visited museum last Sunday, when four thieves wielding power tools broke into the building in broad daylight, according to BBC.

France's justice minister has conceded security protocols "failed", leaving the country with a "terrible image".

Teams from Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been allowed to search for bodies of deceased hostages taken during the 7 October attacks, Israeli authorities have confirmed, BBC reported.

The Israeli government said the teams have been permitted to search beyond the so-called "yellow line" in the area controlled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.

Separately on Sunday, Israeli media reported that Hamas members had also been allowed to enter the IDF-controlled area of Gaza to aid the search, alongside the ICRC teams, according to BBC.

The US and China have agreed the framework of a potential trade deal that will be discussed when their respective leaders meet later this week, the US treasury secretary has said, BBC reported.

Scott Bessent told the BBC's US news partner CBS that this included a "final deal" on TikTok's US operations and a deferral on China's tightened rare earth minerals controls.

He also said he did not anticipate the 100% tariff on Chinese goods threatened by US President Donald Trump coming into force, while China will resume substantial soybean purchases from the US, according to BBC.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on all parties engaged in peaceful demonstrations to exercise restraint. 

In a statement released today by spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, the NHRC urged the government to respond appropriately and promptly to the demands of citizens, to seek solutions to ongoing issues, to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders, and to uphold and safeguard human rights alongside the citizens' right to peaceful protest. 

The Commission stated that it firmly believes that solutions to issues can only be achieved through dialogue and discussion and every problem must be addressed peacefully, adhering to the rule of law, the Constitution, legal frameworks, and the principles of human rights. 

Reflecting on previous incidents, the NHRC noted that even protests deemed peaceful have occasionally escalated into violence, thus urging protesting parties to exercise caution to avert such occurrences in the future. "To maintain peaceful demonstrations, all involved parties must act responsibly, and both the government and protesters share the obligation to prevent any disruptions in upcoming protests," the statement emphasized. 

Stating that ensuring peace during demonstrations required restraint, patience, and wise conduct from security forces, the NHRC additionally  highlighted that protesting groups must also uphold their responsibilities, including maintaining peaceful activities, avoiding hate speech, and refraining from provocative actions. 

Given that it is the state's duty to honor citizens' rights and foster an environment that allows for the exercise of those rights, it is crucial to address the legitimate concerns raised by the Gen-Z generation during the protests on Bhadra 23 and 24 (September 8 and 9), the Commission stated.

Thai Air Asia has resumed flights from Bangkok to Bhairahawa and back to Bangkok from today.

An Airbus 320 from Bangkok with 17 passengers on board landed at the Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa at 12:15 pm today.

Likewise, the plane carrying 162 people returned to Bangkok from Bhairahawa at 1:15pm, said Binod Singh Rawat, the information officer at GBIA.

According to him, Thai Air Asia will operate flights twice a week on the Bangkok–Bhairahawa–Bangkok route. The airline has obtained permission for regular flights every Sunday and Wednesday.