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Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday that they would ban Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, adding to challenges for global shipping through the Middle East during the Iran war, Reuters reported. 

The group said in a statement it had launched ​an attack on Israel and enacted a total ban on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, warning of further ‌escalation.

At least 35 people have died after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines, officials say, BBC reported. 

The quake hit at 07:37 local time on Monday (Sunday 23:37 GMT), triggering tsunami alerts in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Australia. The warnings were cancelled or downgraded hours later.

Videos and images showed buildings collapsing, including a clip of a Jollibee fast food restaurant reduced to rubble, and landslides have been recorded in some areas.

Iran and Israel say they have halted attacks on each other, after the two countries exchanged fire for the first time since April's truce, BBC reported. 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that his country was holding fire "at the moment". But he stressed that the struggle against Iran and Hezbollah was "not finished".

It came hours after Iran's armed forces said it had stopped operations following the delivery of a "painful response" to Israel.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed its final review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program for Nepal, approving approximately USD 42.9 million in assistance. 

This decision comes in light of Nepal's notable achievements in structural reforms despite a slowdown in economic activity, the IMF stated in a press release. 

The press release highlights improvements in governance, including modernization of the monetary operation system, enhanced financial sector monitoring, and increased accountability of public institutions. 

Following a meeting on June 5, the IMF's Executive Board acknowledged significant progress in Nepal's economic reforms, projecting a growth rate of three percent for the fiscal year 2025/26. 

However, this growth is expected to be tempered by factors such as political demonstrations, reduced agricultural production, a slowdown in private investment, and the repercussions of the Middle East conflict. 

To date, Nepal has received a total of approximately USD 384.1 million in aid under the ECF program, which is set to continue until July 11, 2026. 

The program, approved on 12 January, 2022, allows Nepal access to 180 percent of its quota, amounting to USD 282.4 million. 

Nepal has committed to maintaining financial stability, bolstering foreign exchange reserves, enhancing public finance management, and advancing economic reforms.

British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn described Nepal as a 'living laboratory' for climate adaptation and innovation. 

The British envoy made the remarks at a gathering of the stakeholders working for climate action in Kathmandu on Monday.  

“From the Himalayan region to smallholder farms, combining local knowledge with modern technology can drive transformative change," he said.

Stakeholders gathered to discuss ways and means to further advance the 'Accelerating Food Systems Climate Innovation (AFCIA) program, a joint initiative of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment.

The gathering was also part of the efforts to coordinate efforts among the stakeholders to strengthen climate resilience and food security.

During the discussion, Ministry's Secretary Dr Govinda Prasad Sharma stressed the need to scale up sustainable climate adaptation solutions tailored to local needs. 

"Our collaboration with the WFP will empower innovators and help strengthen the resilience of Nepal’s agricultural systems and vulnerable communities," he added.

Likewise, WFP Nepal Country Director Riaz Lodhi highlighted the importance of innovation in addressing climate-related disasters. 

"Innovation plays a critical role in helping communities confront the growing challenges posed by climate-induced risks," he noted.

The AFCIA program prioritizes solar-powered irrigation, clean energy technologies, digital advisory services for farmers, satellite-based insurance and climate information systems, as well as market and value-chain innovations for smallholder farmers. 

Participants also discussed scaling up climate-smart solutions nationwide and attracting investment for wider impact.

The Dr Dilliraman Regmi National Peace Award 2082 has been jointly presented to senior physician Dr Gaurishankar Lal Das and senior ophthalmologist Dr Ram Prasad Pokharel.

In addition, the Dr Dilliraman Regmi International Peace Award 2026 has been presented to the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). 

The awards are presented by the Dilliraman-Kalyani Regmi Memorial Library Development Committee.

Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel handed over the award at a special ceremony organized on Monday. 

The National Peace Award carries a purse of Rs 100, 000. 

Dr Gaurishankar Lal Das has been active in the fields of medical science, public health, health policy and humanitarian services for a long time. 

Similarly, Dr Ram Prasad Pokharel played an important role in the development of Nepal's ophthalmology sector, the expansion of modern eye treatment services and the establishment and strengthening of the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh.

KOICA, which has been honored with the international award, has been providing long-term support to Nepal in the fields of education, health, good governance, information technology, technical and vocational education, disaster management and institutional capacity development. 

The program was held under the chairmanship of Prof Dr Bina Poudel, Chair of the Library Development Committee.

Goods worth more than Rs 40 billion were imported so far in the current fiscal year from the Rasuwagadhi customs point, a major trade corridor between Nepal and China.

Acting Chief of Rasuwa Customs Office Bharat Singh BK said that the total goods imported from China to Nepal through the customs point reached Rs 40.1 billion in this fiscal year. 

BK added that mostly the readymade garments, shoes and sandals, garments, electronic goods, apple, garlic, ginger, machineries for hydropower projects and electric vehicles, among others were imported.

During the period, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 900 million to China. As a result, Rs 10.8 billion was collected in revenue from the exports and imports of the goods from the Rasuwagadhi customs point.

Likewise, Acting Chief BK shared that the existing Customs Act and Regulations allows the importers to deposit the revenue amount in advance. 

BK's comment was in response to the concerns raised regarding the import of EVs in the recent past from the customs point.  

He made it clear that there is no loss for the state as the revenue collection was as per the given procedures.

Karnali and Madhes Provinces have been allocated the highest amount of grants from the federal government for the  fiscal year 2083/84. 

The two provinces, which are lagging behind in the development index, have received the highest federal grants among the seven provinces in the country.

According to the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer for Provinces and Local Levels for the new fiscal year 2083/84, Rs 424 billion 277.4 million has been allocated. Of this, Rs 314. 63  billion is allocated to the province level and Rs 109. 65 billion  to the local level. 

The federal government has provided this grant to the provinces and local levels under the headings of equalization, conditional, special and complementary.

Of the grant amount allocated for the provinces, Rs 17.05 billion has been allocated to Madhes Province and Rs 17.02 billion has been allocated for Karnali Province. Likewise, Rs 16.04 billion has been allocated for Koshi, Rs 15.02 billion for Bagmati, Rs 12.07 billion for Gandaki, Rs 14.04 billion for Lumbini and Rs 16.04 billion for Sudurpaschim Province.