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The leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace deal aimed at ending the long-running conflict in the region at a summit hosted by US President Donald Trump in Washington, BBC reported. 

Ahead of the summit, there was an escalation in fighting in resource-rich eastern DR Congo between government forces and rebels believed to be backed by Rwanda. 

DR Congo's army accused its rivals of attempting to "sabotage" the peace process, but the M23 rebels said the army had launched an offensive in breach of a ceasefire, according to BBC.

Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief until 2019, has resigned from a leading role in Belgium after she was detained for questioning and accused in connection with an anti-corruption investigation, BBC reported. 

The investigation, ordered by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), related to suspected fraud involving the award of an EU-funded training for junior diplomats to the College of Europe.

Ms Mogherini, 52, was head of the highly regarded institute based in Bruges. She was questioned this week along with another staff member at the college and a senior official from the European Commission, Stefano Sannino, according to BBC.

The Israeli military has carried out a new round of air strikes in southern Lebanon, less than a day after Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in decades, BBC reported. 

Residents of the towns of Mjadel, Baraachit, Jbaa and Mahrouna were told to evacuate areas around locations that the Israeli military alleged were weapons warehouses belonging to the Iranian-backed group. No casualties have been reported.

An Israeli military spokesman said the sites constituted a ceasefire violation and warned that it would continue to operate "to remove any threat" to Israel, according to BBC.

President Vladimir Putin has warned again that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war in Ukraine, BBC reported.

"Either we liberate these territories by force, or Ukrainian troops will leave these territories," he told India Today. Moscow controls around 85% of Donbas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out ceding territory, according to BBC.

Shree Antu in Ilam is famous for its sunrise views. Now, a new destination is drawing visitors eager to witness the sunset: Borabandh in Varahakshetra Municipality-6 of Sunsari, a riverside spot along the Saptakoshi that has rapidly gone viral.

The number of visitors coming to Borabandh to watch the giant waves of the Saptakoshi, the golden reflections on the river, and the spectacular view of the sun sinking behind the hills is increasing every day. Ward Chairperson of Barahakshetra-7, Kapil Acharya, said, “Just like Shree Antu attracts people for sunrise, Borabandh is now attracting visitors for sunset. It has become a new tourist hotspot in Varahakshetra.” What was once a quiet riverside hangout has surged in popularity after photos and videos of the area went viral on social media.

The biggest draw for tourists is the stunning sunset scene—an open sky, a calm river surface, and the sun slowly disappearing behind the hilltops. By late afternoon, young people, families, couples, and photography enthusiasts gather here to take photos, record videos, make TikToks, or simply sit along the riverbank. Visitors begin arriving around 3 pm, and by 5 pm the riverside is packed.

Tourists say Borabandh offers an intimate experience of nature. Sitting in a boat, playing with the river’s waves, and watching golden light shimmer across the water leaves many smiling in wordless satisfaction. The growing crowds have transformed the once-quiet Koshi banks. Hotels and restaurants have now opened in places where only a handful of people visited before.

One such business is a riverside restaurant operated by local resident Bikul Shrestha, which has quickly become one of the busiest establishments in the area. “Our daily turnover now exceeds Rs 50,000,” he said. “We serve fish, local chicken, pork, spicy dishes, and more—right on the banks of the Koshi. Tourists leave happy.” The popularity of Borabandh has boosted the local economy, created employment opportunities for youth, and increased demand for local products.

Visitors are now coming not only from Dharan, Beltar, Inaruwa, Itahari, and Biratnagar, but also from Bihar, India. With the rising number of tourists, authorities have strengthened security. Police Inspector Diwas Kunwar of the Mahendranagar Area Police Office said police have been deployed for public safety and traffic management.

The local government has also taken interest in Borabandh’s potential. Varahakshetra Mayor Ramesh Karki said, “We plan to develop Borabandh as a new tourist destination. It could become another key attraction after Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary.” Plans include systematic development with parks, walking trails, picnic areas, proper parking, and improved sanitation.

The name “Borabandh” itself has a story. During the monsoon, river erosion posed flood risks to nearby settlements. To protect the area, locals filled soil in sacks and stacked them along the riverbank to create an embankment—bora (bags) and bandh (embankment)—giving the place its name.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted restrictions on the use of high-denomination Indian rupee notes in Nepal, introducing a more flexible system for currency movement between the two countries.

The RBI amended its earlier rules under the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations 2025. Under the revised provision, Indian currency and RBI-issued notes—except notes of InRs 100 denomination and above—can now be carried to and from Nepal and Bhutan without restriction.

According to the new rules, travelers from India to Nepal or Bhutan can now carry Indian currency notes above InRs 100 denomination up to a limit of InRs 25,000. Likewise, persons traveling from Nepal or Bhutan to India are also allowed to bring high-denomination notes up to InRs 25,000.

The amendment also permits Nepali and Bhutani currency to be carried between Nepal, Bhutan, and India without restriction. However, the new provision does not apply to citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Earlier, Nepal had prohibited the use of high-denomination Indian notes within its territory. The revised rules will take effect once Nepal Rastra Bank aligns its regulations with the new RBI provision.

Officials say the updated policy will benefit tourists and migrant workers traveling between Nepal and India by easing currency-related difficulties.

Kathmandu Gorkhas have become the second team to reach the playoffs in the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) underway in the capital. The Sudurpaschim Royals had reached the playoffs before this.

In today's match, Kathmandu defeated Pokhara Avengers by 13 runs to secure a place in the playoffs.

Pokhara, chasing the target of 166 runs set by Kathmandu, were all out for 152 runs in 20 overs. 

Rishi Dhawan of Pokhara hit a maximum of 54 runs but it was not enough to secure victory.

In bowling, Shahab Alam took six wickets including a hat-trick for Kathmandu.

Earlier, in the match held at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, having lost the toss, batted first and scored 165 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. 

Ben Charlesworth and Bhim Sarki played a half-century innings for Kathmandu. Ben was out for 64 and Bhim for 55.

Dhananjay Lakshan took four wickets while captain Kushal Bhurtel took two wickets for Pokhara.

With this win, Kathmandu have reached the playoffs with 10 points while Pokhara have four points from six games. 

Pokhara now have one game remaining.

The number of tourists visiting Mustang by November has increased by 10.61 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Jomsom, 14,411 more foreign tourists visited the district by November this year compared to the previous year. 

One hundred fifty-one thousand two hundred and thirty tourists visited the district as of November this year.

This year, 124,353 tourists from SAARC countries and 26,877 from other countries visited the district as of November. 

Tourist arrivals in August and September had declined due to adverse weather and the Gen Z movement, it is said.

In 2024, a total of 135,719 tourists, including those from SAARC nations, had visited the district. 

The number of tourists from the SAARC region stood at 109,549.