Submit your Article

Israeli officials said on Saturday that Iranian forces had for the first time fired long‑range missiles, expanding the ​risk of attacks beyond the Middle East, even as an Iranian strike injured dozens of people not far from Israel's nuclear site, Reuters reported. 

Iran launched two 4,000-kilometer-range ballistic missiles at the U.S.-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Israeli ‌military chief Eyal Zamir said. The Israeli military said it was the "first time" Iran had used long‑range missiles in the conflict, marking its first expansion beyond the Middle East since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28.

"These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals — Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range," Zamir said in a statement, according to Reuters. 

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran ​does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuzwithin 48 hours, a dramatic escalation barely a day after he talked about "winding down" the war, Reuters reported. 

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump said on social media.

The threat of Iranian attacks has kept most ships from getting through the strait, a narrow waterway that serves as the conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, threatening a global energy shock. Its near-closure sent European gas prices surging as much as 35% last week, according to Reuters. 

US President Donald Trump has threatened to send agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to provide security at airports, unless a deal is reached to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), BBC reported. 

"I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before," Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday.

The DHS has gone without funding since mid-February, after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement - leaving normal airport security without pay, according to BBC. 

Hawaii remains under a statewide flood watch after a severe storm hit the state and prompted officials to order evacuations, BBC reported. 

The potential for flash floods threaten the island of Oahu and parts of Maui County, Governor Josh Green said on Saturday.

The storm that struck this weekend is the second severe weather event to hit the archipelago in the last week, according to BBC. 

It has been raining in Kathmandu for a while. The rainy weather is coupled with storms.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology stated that  the Kathmandu Valley is witnessing rain with storms for over an hour. 

Meteorologist Bibhuti Pokharel said the current weather is likely to intensify further. 

With the storms, the electricity and telephone cables may be snapped, poles and trees uprooted, and corrugated zinc roofs of shelters and houses blown away, she reminded, alerting over the adversity that requires adequate attention and precaution.

The weather service has appealed to everyone to stay in safe places and avoid travel during such adversity.

The guardians and related bodies are also urged to take special care of children as the hostile weather starts at a time the schools are over.

Vehicular movement along the Kanti Highway has been obstructed following a landslide at Gangate area in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-8 of Makawanpur district today.

Spokesperson of the District Police Office and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pushkar Bogati said the traffic was closed after the landslide occurred at 5 this evening. 

Bogati shared that efforts are on to clear the landslide debris  and a team of police personnel from the Area Police Office in Thingan has been deployed.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DoHM) has called for adopting high alertness as there is a possibility of human and material damage due to high winds accompanied by hailstone since the afternoon today particularly in some districts in the Tarai.

The public is urged to avoid going outside unnecessarily and to take necessary precautions to reduce potential damage that may be caused by the storm. 

Disaster management expert Dr Dharmaraj Upreti advised the general public to take necessary precautions, stating that damage from natural disasters is increasing in Nepal due to ignoring the weather alert.

He urged not to drive vehicles during storms and hail, not to sit near trees and electric poles, and to avoid going outside unnecessarily.

According to the Department, there is a possibility of moderate rain and snowfall with thunder, hail, and storms in many places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, some hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi province including in Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces, and a few places in the Tarai of Bagmati, Madhesh, and Koshi Provinces towards the afternoon today.

Department spokesperson Bibhuti Pokharel said that in the afternoon strong winds would particularly blow in the Tarai region and this would last for two to three hours, urging special precautions to be taken.

According to spokesperson Pokharel, light rain along with thunder and lightning is taking place in some districts of the Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Lumbini Provinces at present also. 

It is necessary to adopt alertness as this system is moving north-eastwards. 

"There is a possibility of strong winds (around 50–60 km/h) in the Tarai region of Madhesh Province as well as in Koshi and Lumbini Provinces. Due to this, there is a risk of trees falling, weak structures and roofs being blown off, and disruption of electricity and communication services, so it is necessary to take necessary measures and precautions to avoid its impact," she said.

According to spokesperson Pokhrel, there is a possibility of heavy rain/snow in one or two places in the hilly and mountainous areas of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces this afternoon. 

The Department stated that Nepal is currently under the influence of a western low-pressure system and local winds.

Spokesperson Pokharel said the impact of the storm in the Kathmandu Valley would be low. 

She mentioned that although it would have a greater impact in the Tarai region, there is no need to panic, but it is necessary to take precautions.

A Nepali national has been arrested in the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry stated. 

Speaking at a press conference held on Friday, Ramkaji Khadka, Head of the West Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Amrit Jha, was among the crew members of a ship that was seized by the Iranian authorities in Hormuz. 

It has been learnt that the Iranian authorities had reportedly taken the entire crew into custody. 

The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. 

Iran shut down imports from the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel attacked Iran.