Cambodia shuts border crossings with Thailand as fighting continues

Cambodia has shut its border crossings with Thailand, as fighting continues between the two forces on Saturday despite US President Donald Trump earlier saying they had agreed to a ceasefire, BBC reported. 

The crossings will be closed until further notice, according to Cambodia's interior ministry.

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he told Trump a ceasefire would only be possible after Cambodia had withdrawn all its forces and removed landmines, according to BBC. 

Angry fans throw chairs and bottles at Messi event in India

Angry fans attending Lionel Messi's tour of India ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch after his appearance at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium, BBC reported. 

Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of the football star, but were left disappointed when he emerged to walk around the pitch and was obscured by a large group of officials and celebrities.

When the Argentina and Inter Miami forward was whisked away early by security after around 20 minutes, elements of the crowd turned hostile, according to BBC. 

Israel targets senior Hamas official in deadly Gaza strike

Israel said it killed a senior Hamas commander on Saturday in a strike on a vehicle inside Gaza, BBC reported. 

In a joint statement, the Israeli military and security agency Shin Bet announced it had "eliminated" Raed Saad, the head of weapons production for Hamas's military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in Gaza city.

Saad had been regarded as one of the most prominent Qassam commanders and led several brigades during Hamas's 7 October attacks on Israeli communities east of Gaza City, according to BBC. 

Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions

Belarus has freed 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the country, BBC reported. 

Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski is also among those who have been released following talks in Minsk with US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale.

The US has agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a key ingredient in fertiliser and an important export for Belarus, which is a close ally of Russia, according to BBC. 

 

Newly appointed four ministers take oath of office and secrecy

Four newly appointed ministers took oath of office and secrecy today.

President Ram Chandra  Paudel administered the oath to the newly-appointed ministers amidst a function at the Office of the President in Shital Niwas. 

President Paudel administered oath to Minister for Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation Kumar Singh Ingnam, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Rajendra Singh Bhandari, Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Chaulagain and  Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, heads of the constitutional bodies and high-ranking government officials were present on the occasion. 

Earlier today, President Paudel appointed Ingnam, Bhandari, Chaulagain and Shrestha as the ministers on the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

With the expansion,, the number of Cabinet members in the current government has reached 14.

The Cabinet was expanded thrice earlier—on September 15, September 22 and October 26. 

 

16 sheep, 3 mountain goats killed in snow leopard attack in Mustang

Sixteen sheep and three mountain goats were killed in a snow leopard attack near the Temperate Horticulture Development Center at Gharpajong-2, Marfa last night. 

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project Jomsom has reported that a snow leopard entered the sheep pen of Santosh Pariyar, a local, and killed the sheep. 

There were 45 sheep in his farm. 19 sheep among them were killed in the attack by the leopard, informed Rajesh Gupta, head of the ACAP Jomsom office. 

The preliminary estimate indicates a loss amounting to Rs 600,000. 

He shared that representatives from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Jomsom, and a team from the District Police Office are heading to the incident site. 

As reported, conflicts between humans and snow leopards have been increasingly visible in the area lately. 

During winter, snow leopards search for prey species and come closer to human settlements in lack of grass in grazing areas. 

Snow leopards, following their prey, also approach settlements and cause damage to local herders’ livestock. 

In recent times, establishing coexistence between humans and snow leopards has become tricky due to climate change effects. 

Citing these reasons, some farmers have started abandoning livestock rearing business in the district.

 

Gold price increases by Rs 3, 500 per tola on Friday

The price of gold has increased by Rs 3, 500 per tola in the domestic market on Friday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 256, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 253, 100 per tola on Thursday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 100 and is being traded at Rs 3, 905 per tola.

Inter Miami re-sign D Ian Fray through 2028-29

MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF announced a new contract with defender Ian Fray on Thursday, Reuters reported. 

The 23-year-old homegrown player is signed through the 2028-29 season.

Overcoming ACL injuries in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Fray enjoyed a strong season in 2025 with one goal and four assists in 35 matches across all competitions.

Fray was in the starting 11 for Miami's 3-1 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Dec. 6 to claim the franchise's first championship, according to Reuters.