Submit your Article

A fire erupted Sunday at a chlorine production plant in Ledenon, southern France, prompting authorities to urge residents within a kilometer to stay indoors and seal windows and doors. Operated by HydraPro, the facility supplies chlorine for swimming pools and is classified as a high-risk “Seveso” site under EU safety rules.

Officials reported a chlorine smell carried north by the wind but said it posed no immediate health risk. Firefighters are tackling the blaze, with a specialized hazardous materials team en route. The site lies about 28 kilometers southwest of Avignon, Reuters reported.

South Korea and Vietnam have vowed to deepen economic and strategic cooperation following a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Vietnamese leader To Lam, Lee’s first state guest since taking office in June, Reuters reported.

The leaders agreed to expand trade to $150bn by 2030, encourage greater South Korean investment in Vietnam, and boost collaboration in technology, nuclear and renewable energy, finance, and infrastructure, including high-speed rail. At least 10 memoranda of understanding are set to be signed.

Vietnam, a key hub for South Korean firms such as Samsung, has long attracted investment with low labor costs and broad trade pacts. However, recent US tariffs — 15 percent on South Korean goods and 20 percent on Vietnamese imports — have added uncertainty to future business plans, according to Reuters.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 100 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 198, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 199, 200 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 2, 315 per tola.

A person died in an ambulance accident near Kolchaur, Bheri Municipality-1, Jajarkot on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as ambulance driver Sunil Chanara (27) of Daurikanda, Bheri Municipality-1. He died on the spot according to Police Sub-Inspector Bir Bahadur Thapa of the temporary police post, Holukhola.

The ambulance (Bhe 1 Cha 2247) was heading towards Daurikanda, Bheri Municipality-1, to pick up a patient when the incident occurred.

The ambulance crashed into a wall while going uphill and fell some 200 meters down the road, police said.

North Korea has strongly criticized upcoming joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, labelling them a “direct military provocation” and pledging “resolute counteraction”, Firstpost reported.

Defense Minister No Kwang Chol said the 11-day drills, starting August 18, pose a serious threat to the DPRK’s security and stability, accusing the allies of heightening hostility under the guise of defense.

The annual exercise, aimed at testing command control and troop mobilization, will have major field operations delayed until next month — widely seen as part of President Lee Jae Myung’s effort to reduce tensions.

Pyongyang has recently shown limited goodwill, removing some border loudspeakers after Seoul did the same, while issuing criticism in a more restrained tone, according to Firstpost.

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, following similar moves by the UK, France and Canada, BBC reported.

Albanese said the decision came after the Palestinian Authority agreed to demilitarize, hold elections, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and exclude Hamas from any future government.

Israel condemned the move as “rewarding terrorism,” while the US reiterated it would not recognize Palestine. The Palestinian Authority says the recognition reflects growing global support for self-determination.

Palestine is recognized by 147 UN member states and holds “permanent observer” status without voting rights, according to BBC.

The Sudurpaschim Province Government has decided to provide Rs 500,000 in compensation to the family of Bharat Chaudhary, an inmate who was killed in a clash in Kailali Prison on Friday night.

A meeting of the security committee held on Sunday evening in the presence of the Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province Government, Kamal Bahadur Shah, decided to provide the amount to the family of Chaudhary, according to a press statement released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law.

Likewise, the meeting decided to ensure free treatment to those injured in the clash.

The meeting took the decisions to make provisions for the security of the prison house, ensure resource management, install CC cameras, and carry out the maintenance of the prison, read the press statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law.

Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Singh Sarki, chiefs of security bodies from Sudurpaschim Province, the Chief District Officer of Kailali, representatives of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) attended the meeting.

Inmate Chaudhary from Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-4, died on Saturday during treatment following a clash between prisoners in the jail on Friday night.

It is said that 44 prisoners were injured in the incident.

The clash erupted between inmates residing in Block 'A' and Block 'B' of the jail. Currently, there are altogether 680 inmates in Kailali Prison despite its capacity to house just 100.

The UK’s seas have recorded their warmest start to the year ever, driving significant shifts in marine ecosystems, BBC reported.

Warmer waters are attracting new species like bluefin tuna and jellyfish, while cold-water fish such as cod are moving further north to cooler areas.

These changes are already impacting fishing communities. Heatwaves have caused declines in cold-water species like whelks, forcing fishermen to scale back their businesses.

Scientists warn marine heatwaves will become more frequent and intense, urging both fishers and consumers to adapt to a rapidly changing marine environment, according to BBC.