Iran rejects ceasefire negotiations while under Israeli attack, official says
Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official briefed on the communications told Reuters on Sunday, as the two foes launched fresh attacks and raised fears of a wider conflict, Reuters reported .
"The Iranians informed Qatari and Omani mediators that they will only pursue serious negotiations once Iran has completed its response to the Israeli pre-emptive strikes," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conflict.
Iran made "clear that it will not negotiate while under attack," the official said.
Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran on Friday morning that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will continue to escalate in coming days, according to Reuters.
Iran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" in retaliation in what has emerged as the biggest ever confrontation between the longstanding enemies.
Israel-Iran battle escalates, will be high on agenda as world leaders meet
Israel and Iran kept up their attacks, killing and wounding civilians and raising concern among world leaders at a G7 meeting in Canada this week that the biggest battle between the two old enemies could lead to a broader regional conflict, Reuters reported.
The Iranian death toll in four days of Israeli strikes, carried out with the declared aim of wiping out Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, had reached at least 224, with 90% of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said.
Early on Monday, the Israeli military said it had detected more missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.
"At this time, the (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat," the Israeli Defence Forces said. Live video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and Reuters witnesses said explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem, according to Reuters.
At least 10 people in Israel, including children, have been killed so far, according to authorities there.
MI6 appoints first female chief in 116-year history
MI6 will be led by a woman for the first time in the foreign intelligence service's 116-year history, BBC reported.
Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will become the 18th chief of the organisation and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this year.
She is currently responsible for technology and innovation at the service and said she was "proud and honoured" to have been asked to lead.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the appointment "historic" at a time "when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital," according to BBC.
MI6 is tasked with gathering intelligence overseas to improve the UK's security, with its core aims being to stop terrorism, disrupt the activities of hostile states and bolster cyber-security.
House meeting scheduled for today
The House of Representatives (HoR) is scheduled to meet at 11 am on Monday.
In the meeting to be held at the Federal Parliament Building in New Baneswor, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is scheduled to present two bills related to the budget.
According to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the Finance Minister will present the 'Appropriation Bill, 2082' and the 'Bill to Raise National Debt, 2082'.
Similarly, Finance Minister Paudel will respond to the queries raised by the parliamentarians regarding the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year 2082/83.
Additionally, a bill related to the 'Constitutional Council Functions, Duties, Powers and Procedures (First Amendment) Bill, 2079' will be tabled in today's meeting along with a message received from the National Assembly.
