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An Indian minister's comment that two female Australian cricketers, who were "touched inappropriately" last week, should've informed authorities before leaving their hotel has sparked a row with many accusing him of victim blaming, BBC reported.

The incident occurred in Indore in Madhya Pradesh state on Thursday as the players were walking to a cafe. Police said the man who harassed them has been arrested.

India's cricket board condemned the incident, which has sparked an outpouring of anger globally.

But Kailash Vijayvargiya, a state minister, raked up a controversy by saying this was "a lesson for authorities as well as the players" who should have informed the security or administration before going out, according to BBC.

The UN has called for safe passage for trapped civilians out of the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after paramilitary fighters announced they had seized control of the army's main base there, BBC reported.

Sudan's military has not acknowledged the loss of the site, which would be a significant victory for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war. 

El-Fasher is the last army foothold in the vast western region of Darfur, and has been besieged by the RSF and its allies for 18 months.

Heavy fighting has been reported since Saturday after RSF fighters captured the home of the North Darfur governor, according to BBC.

The Samachakewa festival has begun in the Mithila region, including Mahottari. 

This festival, dedicated to brothers, is observed by the women of Mithila (Mithilani) and started on Monday night.

It begins on the second day of the Chhath festival, or the fifth day of Kattik Shukla (the bright fortnight) in the month of Kartik, and is observed for 11 days, concluding on Purnima (the full moon day of Kartik).

During the festival, Mithila women from the same community gather at night to sing songs praising the bravery, benevolence, dedication, and love of their brothers. In the local language, the festival is called Samakhel.

The festival begins on the day of Kharana during Chhath, the major festival of the region. The women create clay figures of Sama and Chakewa (mythical characters from the Dwapara Yuga), Brindavan (forest), Saptarshi (seven revered sages in the Hindu mythology), birds, and Chugala (the gossip messenger). 

They decorate these figures with vibrant colours and sing songs while interacting symbolically with the characters. Oil lamps are lit in a dala (a traditional wicker basket), and through songs, the women describe the qualities of each figure, highlighting the philanthropic and brave deeds of their brothers. These songs express pride and admiration for their brothers’ courage, social contributions and good deeds.

The Chugala character, regarded as the gossipmonger, is symbolically punished during the festival by singing his beard with a small flame from a broom. 

In songs, the character is scolded and blamed for mischief and misdeeds. On the final day, Purnima, it is customary for brothers to place all the clay figures on their knees and break them. The broken figures are then disposed of in the deserted forests. After this, brothers offer their sisters beaten rice made from newly harvested paddy and Sakkhar (molasse). In return, sisters serve their brothers delicacies, and the brothers give their sisters clothes, jewelry, and cash (dakshina), marking the conclusion of the festival.

The Samachakewa festival is rooted in a legendary story from the Dwapara Yuga about Sama, the daughter of Lord Krishna, and her beloved, the army commander Chakradhar (Chakewa). According to the myth, the Chugala reported it to Krishna which angered him. Krishna cursed both Sama and Chakewa, turning them into birds.

To free them, Krishna’s son Samba performed penance to Lord Shiva and blessed with a boon allowing him to appease Krishna. As a result, Sama and Chakewa were freed from the curse, returned to human form, and married. 

In gratitude for her brother Samba’s help, Sama sang songs praising him. In remembrance of this, the tradition of the Sama-Chakewa festival was established. Hemnarayan Lal Karn, principal of Yajnavalkya Lakshminarayan Vidyapeeth (Sanskrit Campus) in Matihani, explains that this is the origin of the festival’s customs.

Countries would reject being asked to "enforce" peace in Gaza if deployed under the Trump ceasefire plan, King Abdullah of Jordan has told the BBC.

Under US President Trump's 20-point peace plan, Arab states and international partners are to commit stabilisation forces that "will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field." Hamas is to disarm and give up political control of the territory.

"What is the mandate of security forces inside of Gaza? And we hope that it is peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch that," said King Abdullah, BBC reported.

In an exclusive interview for BBC Panorama, he said that Jordan and Egypt were willing to train Palestinian security forces.

The Chhath devotees have been observing fasting since early morning and now preparing to offer arghya (curd and holy water) to the setting sun later this evening.

Observance of fasting is a significant part of the Chhath festival. However, only devotees and not all celebrants observe the rigorous fasting during which they have to abstain even a drop of water.

The Sun God, Chhathi Mata and rivers are worshipped during this festival. The offering of the curd is conducted on the sixth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Kartik. The curd is offered by adhering to the rituals. 

On the main day of the Chhath today, there is a bustling presence of celebrants and devotees from Guheshwori to Gaurighat- the Bagmati River bank above the Pashupatinath Temple- in Kathmandu. 

The mythological belief has it that Draupadi had worshipped the Sun God and wished success to the five Pandavas when their whereabouts was not clear. The holy text, Mahabharat, has such mention. It is believed the celebration of the Chhath festival began then.

Similarly, the Surya Purana has explained it was Anushuya, spouse of Atrimuni, observing the Chhath fasting, which resulted in happiness and love and fulfilling life with the spouse. The Surya Purana believes it is the beginning of the Chhath festival which continues thereafter.

As part of the festival, the devout abstain from meals for once since the fourth day of bright fortnight, while observing the rigorous fasting later. Similarly, the offering with fruits and pudding is made to Shasthi Mata on the sixth day.

The Guheshwori Gaurighat Chhath Puja Committee informed that the devotees who have observed rigorous fasting are offering arghya to the setting sun this evening.  

Kamalpokhari, Nakkhu and Bishnumati river banks are also decorated for Chhath celebration. 

The Chhath festival, initially limited to the Mithila region, expanded gradually to other Tarai districts and hills including the federal capital, Kathmandu, in recent years.

The President, Vice President and other dignitaries have extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers on this occasion. 

The government has given a public holiday for the Chhath celebration today. 

It is the festival of cleanliness, purity, worship to nature and Sun God, family bond and harmony in community.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham earned Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a spiky El Clasico on Sunday that snapped a four-match losing streak against their rivals and extended their lead atop the LaLiga standings, Reuters reported.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a close-range finish after a perfectly timed through ball from Bellingham. However, Barcelona capitalised on a mistake by Arda Guler to equalise in the 38th minute through Fermin Lopez.

Real regained the lead five minutes later when Bellingham tapped in from inside the six-yard box following an inspired run and cross by Vinicius Jr, according to Reuters.

Two headed goals by Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven helped his side to a 3-0 Premier League win over Everton on Sunday as the visitors became the first team to win in the Merseyside club's new stadium, Reuters reported.

Tottenham made a sluggish start but took the lead in the 19th minute when Dutch defender Van de Ven nodded in from virtually on the goal line following a corner.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalised soon after but his powerful header was disallowed for an infringement on Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, according to Reuters.

Arsenal enjoyed a serene Sunday as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 and title rivals Manchester City lost by the same margin at Aston Villa to leave the north London club four points clear at the top of the table on Sunday, Reuters reported ​​​​​​.

Champions Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday gave Arsenal the chance to move seven points clear of Arne Slot's side and they did just that with Eberechi Eze scoring the only goal against his old club.

City were unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions since a stumbling start to the campaign but they came unstuck at Villa Park where Matty Cash's goal earned his side a fourth successive league win to lift them to eighth, according to Reuters.