Israel's PM says second phase of Gaza peace plan is close

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a second phase of the US-brokered plan to end the war in Gaza is close - but that key issues still need to be resolved, BBC reported.

Under the second phase of President Donald Trump's plan, Israel should withdraw its troops further from Gaza as a transitional authority is set up and an international security force is deployed. Hamas is meant to disarm and reconstruction to begin.

With questions outstanding over Hamas disarmament, one senior official has suggested the group is ready to consider "freezing or storing" its remaining weapons, according to BBC.

Dozens injured after magnitude 7.5 quake strikes northern Japan

At least 30 people were injured after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit north-eastern Japan on Monday night, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes, BBC reported.

The quake occurred at 23:15 (14:15 GMT) at a depth of 50km (31mi), about 80km off the coast of the Aomori region, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. It prompted tsunami warnings which have now been lifted, while waves of 70cm (27in) were seen.

Some train services have been suspended and thousands of homes have been left without power as a result, according to BBC.

Critical moment to ramp up support for Ukraine, European allies say

European leaders have said "now is a critical moment" to ramp up support for Ukraine and put pressure on Russia to bring an end to the war, BBC reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday to discuss the latest version of a peace plan, drafted between Ukrainian and US officials last week.

The European leaders said more work was needed to obtain security guarantees for Ukraine, as the US puts pressure on Kyiv to agree a swift deal with Russia, according to BBC.

7.5 Quake Hits Northern Japan

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday, injuring 23 people and triggering a 70-centimeter (2-foot) tsunami along parts of the Pacific coast. The quake occurred around 11:15 p.m., about 80 km off Aomori, shaking towns across the region and prompting immediate tsunami alerts. Most injuries resulted from falling objects, while minor damage was reported in hotels, roads, and homes.

 

Authorities temporarily suspended Shinkansen services, and about 800 homes lost power. At the Rokkasho nuclear facility, around 450 liters of cooling water spilled, but regulators reported no safety risks. Nearly 500 residents evacuated to shelters as defense helicopters surveyed the damage.

 

Officials warned of possible aftershocks and a slightly increased risk of a larger quake along the northeastern coast. By early Tuesday, all tsunami advisories were lifted, though residents were urged to remain alert and prepared for further tremors.

Joey Barton Receives Suspended Prison Sentence

Former footballer Joey Barton has been sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for 18 months, for offensive social media posts targeting pundits Lucy Ward, Eni Aluko, and broadcaster Jeremy Vine. The 43-year-old was found guilty last month at Liverpool Crown Court of six counts of sending grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety. Following an FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton, posts made from January to March 2024 featured extreme and offensive comparisons and accusations, eliciting widespread condemnation. 

Barton’s sentence highlights the continuing legal ramifications of online harassment and offensive behavior on social media, emphasizing the gravity of digital communications in the UK.

 

Nepse plunges by 3. 02 points on Monday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 3. 02 points to close at 2, 606. 67 points on Monday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 50 points to close at 446. 75 points.

A total of 10,146,400-unit shares of 331 companies were traded for Rs 4. 66 billion.

Meanwhile, Upper Syange Hydropower Limited (USHL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Support Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (SMB) was the top loser as its price fell by 5. 16 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 47 trillion.

Woman who blackmailed Son Heung-min gets four years in jail

A South Korean court has sentenced a woman who blackmailed football star Son Heung-min to four years in prison, BBC reported. 

The woman in her 20s and her accomplice, a man in his 40s, were found guilty of blackmailing the former Tottenham captain by saying she was pregnant with his child.

The woman had approached Son sometime last year claiming she was carrying his child, when in fact she did not know whether that was the case, a Seoul district court heard, according to local media, according to BBC. 

Two injured in Rasuwa bear attack

Two persons were critically injured after being attacked by a bear at Khalchet area in Rasuwa district today.

The injured have been identified as  Man Bahadur Tamang (65) of Naukunda Rural Municipality and Shiva Prasad Gajurel (50) of Kalika Rural Municipality-5.  

The bear that came out from Langtang National Park attacked them while they were collecting grass on private land, said locals. 

Both of them have been referred to Kathmandu for further treatment, shared Deputy Superintendent of Police Hem Bahadur Shahi.