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Cholera, which broke out in Birgunj city, has now spread to the community level. The source of the outbreak is yet to be identified.

It has been detected in various wards since Friday.

According to Jayamod Thakur, Public Health Officer at the Health Office Parsa, total 79 people were tested positive to cholera in Birgunj so far.

As of 8 pm on Sunday, the number stood at 71, and eight more cases were identified by Monday morning.

Currently, the infected ones are being treated at various hospitals but the primary source of the infection remains unknown.

A representative from the World Health Organization (WHO) has collected water samples from the area for further laboratory testing.

Dr Uday Narayan Singh, spokesperson for Narayani Hospital in Birgunj city, stated that with the rising number of infected patients, there is now a shortage of beds and medical staff to respond to the situation. No substantial institutional support has been provided to the hospital so far in response to the spread.

In addition, the hospital is overwhelmed not only with cholera patients but also with individuals suffering from other health issues. Cases of snakebites and fever are also on rise. The current workforce is inadequate to handle the growing number of patients, he complained.

Bacterial tests were conducted at various hospitals. Narayani Hospital alone has reported 26 cases, followed by 25 in Terai Hospital, nine in National Medical College, three in Bhawani Hospital, and two each in Birgunj Health Care, Ali Artho Hospital, and Mangalam Pathology.

Details of the recent eight cases are still awaited.

US Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Russia has made “significant concessions” in efforts to end its war with Ukraine. In an interview with NBC News, Vance emphasized that Moscow has shown flexibility on some core demands and is engaging in diplomatic talks in good faith, Xinhua reported.

“Of course, the war isn’t over yet, but we are working to bring this to a close,” Vance said, noting that progress would take time.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, however, said Friday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is not planned. Recent weeks have seen intensified diplomacy, including talks involving former President Donald Trump with both Zelenskiy and European leaders following a Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, according to Xinhua.

China has become a top trading partner for 157 countries and regions worldwide, according to Sun Meijun, head of the General Administration of Customs of China.

In 2024, trade with Belt and Road Initiative countries reached 22trn yuan (around 3trn US dollars), making up over half of China’s total imports and exports. Trade with emerging markets in ASEAN, Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia has expanded at an annual rate of more than 10 percent since 2021, according to Xinhua.

Sun emphasized China’s commitment to international cooperation, citing 519 agreements signed since 2021 to promote mutual economic benefits.

US forces have sped up their withdrawal from the Ayn al-Asad and Victoria military bases in Iraq, with some troops being redeployed to Erbil and a neighboring Arab country, local media reported Sunday. The drawdown, ordered by the US Embassy, is being carried out in phases, according to Xinhua.

The accelerated timeline aligns with last year’s US-Iraq agreement on a gradual coalition exit. Hussein Allawi, security advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, recently confirmed that the US-led coalition’s mission in Baghdad and at Ayn al-Asad is set to conclude in September. The coalition currently maintains around 2,500 troops in Iraq.

Chinese copper wire manufacturer Wellascent will start production later this year at its Texas plant, producing 3,000 metric tons annually by 2028 for clients including automaker Stellantis. The facility shields US customers from a 50 percent tariff on imported copper wire, while refined copper remains exempt, Reuters reported.

Hazel Zhu, a Wellascent board member, said US factory has turned tariffs into a “golden opportunity,” with the plant expected to generate over half of the company’s overseas revenue within three years.

According to Reuters, Wellascent’s investment is a rare example of a Chinese firm benefiting from US trade measures. A temporary 145 percent equipment tariff earlier this year almost halted plans, but a trade truce allowed construction to continue. Experts say the case may guide other Chinese firms eyeing US investment.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 192, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 197, 500 per tola on Sunday.

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 2, 355 per tola.

Elon Musks' SpaceX postponed Sunday’s tenth Starship launch from Texas about 30 minutes before liftoff due to a ground system problem. The 232-foot Super Heavy booster and 171-foot Starship were fully stacked and fueled at Starbase, according to Reuters.

The delay slows progress on the next-generation rocket, which has faced multiple test failures this year. Starship’s upgraded design includes stronger heat shields, improved flaps, and increased thrust, crucial for reentry and rapid reuse. A new launch date has not been announced.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, on his first visit to Kyiv since taking office, voiced strong backing for Ukraine’s demand for lasting post-war security guarantees. Speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Independence Day, Carney said Canada would not rule out sending troops under such a framework, stressing that Ukraine’s safety cannot rely solely on its armed forces, Reuters reported.

The visit came as US President Donald Trump leads international peace efforts and Kyiv works with allies on guarantees modeled on NATO’s Article 5. Zelenskiy said the goal was to ensure future generations inherit peace, not the threat of war.

Carney and Zelenskiy also signed a drone co-production deal, while Canada confirmed Ukraine will receive more than C$1bn in military aid next month, according to Reuters.