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Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua a Hamas spokesperson was killed by an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza, according to press reports, as Israel's army resumes its assault on the embattled region, Alzajeera reported.

A Hamas spokesperson, was killed when Israeli fighter planes targeted his tent shelter in the northern city of Jabalia early Thursday morning.Several more individuals were injured in the strike, including children, according Al Jazeera.

At least 24 people have been killed as multiple wildfires continue to ravage South Korea's south-east region, BBC reported.

As per authorities, the majority of the deaths are in their 60s and 70s, and 26 people have been injured, with 12 in serious condition, as the terrible flames drove over 23,000 people to flee their homes. 

Acting President Han Duck-soo stated that the "unprecedented" issue is still severe and is "rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation's history".

The fires destroyed the 1,300-year-old Gounsa temple in Uiseong city, and many cultural items were removed and relocated to safer land,according to BBC.

The flames began in Sancheong county on Friday afternoon and then spread to Uiseong county, according to authorities.

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has taken responsibility for a group chat in which high-ranking officials planned military strikes in Yemen in the company of a journalist who was inadvertently added, BBC reported.

"I accept full responsibility. "I built the group," Waltz told Fox News on Tuesday, adding that it was "embarrassing."

President Donald Trump and US intelligence leaders have played down the security threats, claiming no confidential information was provided.
However, Democrats and some Republicans have called for an investigation into what several senators have described as a significant breach, according to BBC.

Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of Atlantic magazine, stated that he was unintentionally joined to the Signal chat by a user named Mike Waltz.

Opposition parties have disrupted the meeting of the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament today.

Opposition lawmakers disrupted the meeting protesting the dismissal of Kulman Ghising, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

They demanded that the Prime Minister should inform the Assembly about the reasons for removing Ghising from his post.

"Kulman Ghising's remaining service period in NEA was only four months. What was the compulsion of removing Ghising when only four months before the termination of his term," wondered lawmaker Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami while speaking at the outset of the meeting.

Achhami accused the government of removing Ghising from his post as a 'reward' for his contribution to removing endless load shedding from the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 40.47 points to close at 2, 632.21 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 6. 15 points to close at 441. 12 points.

A total of 9,142,941-unit shares of 317 companies were traded for Rs 4. 20 billion.

Meanwhile, Rapti Hydro And General Construction Limited (RHGCL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 5. 74 percent. Likewise, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) was the top loser as its price fell by 7.27 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 35 trillion.

Japan's Ambassador to Nepal, Maeda Toru, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

During the meeting held at the Minister's office in Singha Durbar, the minister said Nepal's development priorities suggest an ample potential for attracting investment from Japan.  He urged the ambassador to further encourage the investment community at his home for exploring opportunities in Nepal.  

Expressing his happiness over an event titled 'Nepal-2025 World Expo' scheduled to be held in Osaka of Japan, the minister, who also serves as the government's spokesperson, was hopeful that the initiative would offer an opportunity to promote Nepali products, enhancing the bilateral trade ties.

He also informed the ambassador that Nepal and Japan will be observing the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations in upcoming year 2026 and the same year, Nepal will be graduating from the category of the least developed country to a middle-income developing country. 

Recalling the ministerial level visits from Japan to Nepal in May last year and in November of 2022 for election observation, the minister expressed his confidence that such visits contributed to further strengthening Nepal's democracy and conducting the election impartially. He said that such levels of visits to take place time and again are a milestone in the Nepal-Japan cordial relations. 

Shedding light on Japan's assistance to Nepal's socio-economic development, the minister said the bilateral cooperation will further grow in the days to come. It may be noted that Japan has remained a long and reliable development partner for Nepal's socio-economic endeavors.

Japan's economic cooperation with Nepal includes diverse areas: infrastructure development, human resources development, agriculture, environment conservation and culture.

The minister said Nepal longs for reaping benefits from Japan's experiences, knowledge, skills and technology in its infrastructure development, industrial development, and agriculture and hydropower sector.

The significant presence of Nepali community in Japan is a testament to Nepal-Japan cordial relations, the Minister said, wishing the ambassador a successful term.

He expressed his belief that the matters relating to economic assistance and cooperation, bilateral trade and investment will be the top priorities of Japan during the term of Maeda.

The Government of Japan has been providing annual scholarships in various fields to Nepal's government officials since 2016 under the Japan Development Scholarship (JDS) in human resources development. It has also started providing technical training to Nepali students as Japan has joined the Colombo Plan.

Minister Gurung expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for this support.

Stating that the bilateral ties between the two countries have been advancing in a further close and cordial manner since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them in 1956, Minister Gurung expressed happiness over the bilateral ties remaining equally strong at the people's level even before the establishment of formal diplomatic relations.

He expressed gratitude to the Japanese people and the government, non-governmental organizations and universities for their cooperation in natural disasters including earthquakes, saying Nepal always attaches highest importance to mutual interest and cooperation with Japan.

Minister Gurung stated that Nepal heartily appreciates Japan's unconditional respect for Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

On the occasion, Ambassador Maeda said Japan enjoys very friendly relations with Nepal and its people. Stating that Japan was always ready to cooperate with Nepal, he stressed the need of further expanding cooperation that is beneficial to both the countries.

According to him, around 200,000 Nepalis are currently engaged in studies, employment and business in Japan. "It has been found that Nepalis have been operating restaurants lately. It's good," the ambassador said.

He said he liked the Nepali food and shared his experience of eating Nepali cuisine 'dal, bhat, tarkari (lentil soup, rice and vegetables),' in the restaurants opened by Nepalis while in Japan.

Stating that he wanted to visit Mustang, Ambassador Maeda said Nepal was rich in terms of nature and culture.

Minister Gurung briefed Ambassador Maeda about the beauty of Lamjung district and the important places to visit there.

Secretary at the Ministry Radhika Aryal, Joint Secretary Kosh Hari Niraula, Information Technology Expert Dr Shaligram Parajuli and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present on the occasion.

Wildfires driven by strong winds have devastated parts of South Korea’s southern regions, killing at least 19 people, destroying more than 200 structures, and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, Alzajeera reported.

A helicopter pilot was among those killed on Wednesday when his aircraft crashed while attempting to stop fires in Uiseong, one of the worst-hit locations, according to officials.

The wildfires, which began last Friday, have devoured 43,330 acres (17,535 hectares) of land, destroying a historic Buddhist temple as well as houses, industries, automobiles, and other property, according to Alzajeera.

The government's emergency response centre reports that nineteen individuals have been hurt.

Observers claim that, the present wildfires are the third-largest in South Korean history in terms of land use.
 

As the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision on the expansion of Birgunj’s highway progresses, homeowners and traders along the main road have begun protesting against it. On March 12, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Road Department’s plan to widen the main road from Gandak Chowk to Miteri Bridge via Murali, Ghantaghar, Maisthan, Adarshnagar, Chhapakaiya, and Birgunj Customs. The expansion, covering 25 meters on both sides, falls under the Tribhuvan Highway.

To enforce this decision, the Road Division Office, Hetauda, ​​directed the Survey Office, Birgunj, on March 22 to demarcate the designated area for expansion. Additionally, in a meeting on March 19, initiated by Birgunj Metropolitan City, government office heads along the main road pledged to remove their structures immediately. However, as soon as implementation began, affected homeowners and traders started protesting. They demand that the government compensate them for their properties if the expansion proceeds.

Jawahar Prasad Gupta, coordinator of the Birgunj Bachau Sangharsha Committee, announced that the Birgunj market would be closed on Thursday morning until noon. He added that homeowners and traders would gather at Adarshnagar Chowk at 10 am, march to the District Administration Office in Parsa, and submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Chief District Officer.

A meeting of affected homeowners and traders has been scheduled for Wednesday at Ranisati Athi Sadan, where further protest plans will be decided. Gupta, also the ward chairman of Birgunj-9, stated, “We want development, but not at the cost of making us homeless.” He argued that expanding the main road by 25 meters on each side is unnecessary, as alternative roads, including bypass and inner bypass routes, already exist. According to him, the expansion would displace over 1,100 homeowners and disrupt businesses operating in the affected buildings.

Arvind Gupta, a homeowner in Murali, criticized the decision’s execution, stating, “The full text of the Supreme Court’s verdict has not been released, yet authorities are using fear tactics against homeowners and traders.” He vowed to continue protesting, saying, “We will take to the streets, no matter the consequences.” He further argued that many streets in Birgunj lack adequate space for fire engines and ambulances, yet the focus remains on demolishing the main road, which he believes would erase the city’s history and character. “If the expansion goes through, Birgunj will lose its identity,” he added.

The road widening project has faced resistance for three decades. In 2012, affected homeowners sought legal action after the government ordered the removal of structures in the designated area. In 2019, residents—including Laxman Sah Rauniyar, Birendra Kumar Sanghai, Rajkumari Devi Tulsyan, Bharatsah Rauniyar, and Sudhir Kumar Barnawal—filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, demanding cancellation of the project, compensation, and an alternative route. After 27 hearings, on March 12, a joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Mahesh Sharma Poudel dismissed the petition, ruling in favor of the government.