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The powerful Ecuadorean gang leader Adolfo Macías Villamar as Villamar has been extradited to the US to face charges of drug and arms trafficking, BBC reported.

Known as "Fito", he was recaptured in June, more than a year after he escaped from a high-security prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence for a series of crimes. 

He will appear in a US federal court on Monday, where he will plead not guilty to international charges of drug and weapons trafficking, his lawyer told Reuters. 

Macías was leader of Los Choneros gang, which is linked to powerful criminal organisations from Mexico and the Balkans. He is also suspected of having ordered the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023, according to BBC.

Japan's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the country's upper house, but Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he has no plans to quit, BBC reported.

Voters went to the polls on Sunday for the tightly-contested election, being held at a time of frustration at the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito over rising prices and the threat of US tariffs.

Speaking after polls closed on Sunday, the prime minister said he "solemnly" accepts the "harsh result" but that his focus was on trade negotiations.

Having already lost its majority in Japan's more powerful lower house last year, the defeat will undermine the coalition's influence, according to BBC.

Six major highways in various parts of the country have been completely obstructed due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains.

Nepal Police Headquarters said that Koshi Highway in Sankhuwasabha, while Mechi Highway in Panchthar and Tamor-Corridor road section were completely obstructed.

The Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi East, the Shahid Highway in Rolpa and Jajarkot-Dolpa Bheri Corridor in Rukum West are other roads obstructed by the landslides.    

Similarly, Tokha- Nuwakot route, Kaligandaki Corridor in Baglung, Mid Hill Highway in Galkot of Baglung, Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi East, Kaligandaki Corridor in Nawalparasi East, Shahid Highway at Pariwartan Rural Municipality in Rolpa are partially blocked, allowing the one-way traffic. 

A new suspension bridge has been constructed over the Jhimruk River, linking Arkha Lamidanda of Gaumukhi Rural Municipality-1 with Rajwara Deurali-3. Spanning 374 meters and standing 180 meters high, the bridge is now one of the prominent infrastructures in the region.

Beyond easing travel for locals, the bridge has become a popular spot for photography and social media content. Ninety-year-old Tul Bahadur Thapa remarked that the bridge has not only reduced physical distance but also brought people emotionally closer. “The bridge has created a bond between the two villages. Earlier, even a short meeting required a day’s journey,” he shared.

Residents are pleased that the suspension bridge has overcome the challenges posed by the region’s difficult terrain. Gaumukhi Rural Municipality Chairperson Bishnu Kumar Giri noted that since the bridge’s completion, people have been flocking daily to take photos and make TikTok videos.

Although the original construction deadline was November, the bridge was completed ahead of schedule in June. Built by Upper Tamakoshi JV Company under an agreement with the Suspension Bridge Division Office in Pulchowk, Lalitpur, the project cost a total of Rs 27.274m.

For many locals who had only heard of such high-altitude bridges in districts like Baglung and Parbat, witnessing the construction firsthand was a moment of wonder. The foundation stone was laid by Member of Parliament Surya Thapa on 28 Nov 2024.

The bridge is also seen as a potential tourism asset and with its height and length, it is poised to rank among the top 10 suspension bridges in Nepal. The rural municipality plans to promote it as a tourism destination, particularly for photography and video shoots.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 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 193, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 193, 300 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 285 per tola today.

Paras Khadka, former captain of the Nepali national cricket team and current secretary of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), presented Nepal’s cricket journey and future ambitions at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference held in Singapore. In his address, Khadka touched on the success of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), structural reforms, promotion of women’s cricket, and Nepal’s aspiration to attain Test nation status. Sharing his remarks on social media as well, he asserted that Nepal is now ready for the global stage.

Reflecting on the journey of Nepal cricket, Khadka said, “I led the national team for nearly two decades, taking it from Division 5 to achieving ODI status. Where we are now is incredible—but we must move ahead with a plan.” Describing last year’s NPL as a transformative moment, Khadka noted that the tournament gained international attention. “The NPL wasn’t confined to Nepal alone. Eight local franchise owners ran teams, attracting star players like Shikhar Dhawan and Jimmy Neesham. Cricket legends like Brian Lara visited, and Neesham won his first franchise title right here in Nepal.”

Highlighting the league’s symbolic gesture, Khadka said, “We placed a stone from Mt Everest on the NPL trophy to send a message to the world—that climate change is a grave issue, and Nepal lies at its heart. Even cricket can carry that message.”

Khadka also spoke about Nepal’s recent achievements on the global stage: “We’ve played in two World Cups, participated in the Asia Cup, and narrowly lost to South Africa by just one run in 2024. More than 8,000 Nepali fans were in the stadium in Dallas—that showed our strength.”

On women’s cricket, Khadka stressed its importance in Nepal’s pursuit of full ICC membership. “We’ve made women’s cricket a priority. For the first time, we’ve reached the global qualifiers. There’s no turning back now.”

Regarding government support, he added, “The national sports budget has doubled for the first time. A new international-standard stadium with floodlights is under construction. We’ve introduced the red-ball format in domestic cricket. While franchise cricket brings in revenue, we must also focus on Test cricket.”

Speaking about long-term goals, Khadka concluded, “We have the fans, government support, and backing from the ICC. We’re about to play our first-ever series against the West Indies. Becoming a Test nation is not just a dream—it’s our commitment.” 

The fringe far-right Sanseito party emerged as one of the biggest winners in Japan's upper house election on Sunday, gaining support with warnings of a "silent invasion" of immigrants, and pledges for tax cuts and welfare spending, Reuters reported.

Birthed on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, the party broke into mainstream politics with its "Japanese First" campaign.

The party won 14 seats adding to the single lawmaker it secured in the 248-seat chamber three years ago. It has only three seats in the more powerful lower house.

"The phrase Japanese First was meant to express rebuilding Japanese people's livelihoods by resisting globalism. I am not saying that we should completely ban foreigners or that every foreigner should get out of Japan," Sohei Kamiya, the party's 47-year-old leader, said in an interview with local broadcaster Nippon Television after the election, according to Reuters.

A sustained Ukrainian drone attack on Russia caused Moscow's major airports to be temporarily closed and saw at least 140 flights cancelled, officials said, BBC reported.

More than 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russia since Saturday morning - including 27 over the capital - according to the Russian defence ministry.

According to Russia's aviation watchdog, the four major airports serving the capital were disrupted and more than 130 flights also had to be redirected. All have since resumed normal operations. 

Meanwhile, at least three people were killed during Russian air strikes on Ukraine overnight, according to regional officials, according to BBC.