Nepal, India discuss Extradition Treaty
Nepal and India have agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a revised extradition treaty during the Home Secretary Level Talks held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Indian delegation was led by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, while Nepal’s team was headed by Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadee. The two sides reviewed a wide range of bilateral security issues, including border management, and committed to further strengthening cooperation.
Key topics included the repair and maintenance of boundary pillars, tackling trans-border criminal activities, improving the functioning of Border District Coordination Committees, and upgrading infrastructure such as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), roads, and rail links. Both sides also discussed institutional capacity building and enhancing disaster risk reduction and management efforts.
Notably, the delegations welcomed the finalization of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and reiterated their commitment to conclude the revised extradition treaty at the earliest. The two countries agreed to hold the next round of talks in Nepal on a mutually convenient date.
Israeli forces kill 67 Palestinians seeking aid in northern Gaza, Hamas-run ministry says
At least 67 Palestinians were killed while waiting for UN aid trucks in northern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The UN World Food Programme said its convoy was met by large crowds of hungry civilians who came under gunfire shortly after crossing into the territory.
The Israeli military claimed it fired warning shots to prevent a perceived threat and disputed the reported death toll. Gaza’s civil defence later said 93 people were killed across the Strip on Sunday, including 80 in the north, according to BBC.
Hospitals remain overwhelmed, with doctors warning of growing famine. One woman told BBC Arabic that people are surviving on “only water and salt”, and children are dying from hunger.
New Zealand, Canada settle dairy dispute under CPTPP
New Zealand and Canada have resolved a dairy trade dispute under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), with the deal expected to boost New Zealand’s dairy exports by up to NZ$157m (US$93.8m) annually, according to Xinhua.
The dispute began in 2022 over Canada’s import restrictions, which a dispute panel found breached CPTPP rules. Canada agreed to revise its dairy quota system after New Zealand threatened tariffs in 2024.
The new arrangement improves market access, allows reallocation of unused quotas, and introduces penalties for misuse. New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay said the outcome reinforces fair trade and welcomed Canada’s cooperation, Xinhua reported.
Syrian presidency announces ceasefire after deadly sectarian clashes in south
Syria will deploy new forces to the south to stop deadly clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups, the presidency announced Friday. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged restraint and pledged to protect the Druze community, blaming “outlaw groups” for rejecting dialogue, according to BBC.
Over 700 people have died since violence erupted near Suweida on Sunday, with reports accusing government troops of killing civilians and carrying out extrajudicial executions.
Israel reportedly struck Syrian positions to pressure a withdrawal from the area. A ceasefire deal between Syria and Israel, brokered with support from Turkey and Jordan, was announced by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, though both sides have yet to confirm it publicly.
Israel also agreed to a 48-hour entry of Syrian Internal Security Forces into Suweida to protect Druze civilians.
UN human rights Chief Volker Turk condemned the violence and called for accountability, citing credible reports of summary executions by both state forces and local armed groups, BBC reported.