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Four journalists including Annapurna Post, sister publication of The Annapurna Express, journalist Mamata Thapa has been honored with Youth Journalism Award-2081.

Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary honored Thapa with the award during a program held at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Along with Thapa, Sushil Darnal of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Prakriti Dahal and Gaganshila Khadka of Kantipur Publications were also honored with the award.

Presenting the award, Minister Chaudhary congratulated all the journalists and urged them to be active in the youth sector and continue to write with greater vigor.

Former minister and Rastraiya Prajatantra Party leader Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana was honored on Friday.

He was honored on the auspicious occasion of his 84^th birthday, social worker Shobhit Upreti said.

RPP Chairman Rajendra Ligden was the chief guest of the program.

On the occasion, Chairman Lingden presented a certificate of honor to development-loving leader Rana on behalf of RPP while social worker Shobhit Upreti presented a certificate of honor on behalf of the facilitation committee.

Speaking at the event, RPP leader Rana said that politics is in his soul.

Leader Rana also recalled that he got an opportunity to lead various ministries at different times and that he served the people from the heart during that time.

Meanwhile, Krishna Prasad Bhandari, APPAN Advisor, Hydropower Promoter and Developer extended his heartfelt reverence, profound respect and deep gratitude to the illustrious leader Rana on the occasion of his 84^th birthday.

“You have long served as a political leader from Sindhupalchok district and you are a towering national personality whose unparalleled contribution to Nepal and the Nepali people, both nationally and internationally, you have brought immense pride not only to the people of Sindhupalchok but to the entire nation,” Bhandari said.

“Your remarkable leadership as the long-serving Minister for Water Resources and your visionary efforts to harness the country’s abundant water resources to steer the nation towards economic transformation, will forever be remembered and honored,” he added.

“In this very spirit and through your progressive vision, the historic foundation stone of the 7.5 MW hydropower project on the Indrawati River, situated in the remote areas of Bhotenamlang and Jyamire of Sindhupalchok district, was laid under your gracious hand in 2054 B.S. through private investment by National Hydropower Company Limited, marking a proud milestone in Nepal's hydropower development history,” Bhandari further said.

Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 52 Palestinians in Gaza, including children and women, according to local medical sources. Strikes on Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis claimed 28 lives, while 24 others were shot while heading to an aid site near Rafah.

Israel’s military said it fired warning shots but denied knowledge of casualties, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he’s nearing a ceasefire deal with Hamas, though recent talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu showed no progress. Around 50 hostages remain in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a 30 percent tariff on imports from the European Union and Mexico will take effect on August 1.

The decision was disclosed in letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, which Trump shared on his Truth Social platform, according to BBC.

Over the past week, the president has issued more than 20 similar letters to key US trading partners — including Canada, South Korea, Japan, and Brazil — outlining new tariff measures ranging from 20 to 50 percent.

The United States has slapped sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and top officials over their role in crushing the July 2021 protests.

Marking the fourth anniversary of the unrest, Washington imposed visa bans and targeted key figures, including the defense and interior ministers, for human rights abuses, according to Reuters.

The 2021 protests saw thousands march to the streets over food and gasoline shortages, with hundreds imprisoned and at least one killed—the largest rebellion since the 1959 revolution.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the government continues to benefit insiders while regular Cubans suffer. Havana retaliated, calling the move interference.

The US embargo on Cuba remains in place, Reuters reported.

Rio de Janeiro has officially proposed to become the permanent home of the BRICS economic bloc, which currently lacks a formal headquarters, according to Firstpost.

Following the 2025 BRICS summit held at the city’s Museum of Modern Art, Mayor Eduardo Paes sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressing the city’s interest.

Formed in 2009, BRICS now includes 11 countries, representing 46 percent of the global population and 37 percent of world GDP. Rio’s bid aims to provide the group with a fixed base and stronger institutional structure, Firstpost reported.

Saima Wazed, daughter of former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina and WHO’s Southeast Asia chief, has been placed on indefinite leave after corruption and fraud allegations surfaced.

WHO head Dr. Tedros announced the move in an internal email, naming Dr. Catharina Boehme as her temporary replacement, according to Firstpost.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission accuses Wazed of using political influence to secure her WHO post, faking credentials, and misusing $2.8m through the Shuchona Foundation during her mother’s rule.

At least 22 civilians, including three children, were killed in an air strike on a monastery sheltering displaced people in Lin Ta Lu village, central Myanmar. The attack happened early Friday, leaving the monastery hall completely destroyed, according to Hindustan Times.

Locals say the victims believed the monastery was a safe haven. Two others remain in critical condition. A resident who saw the aftermath described bodies torn apart and said the scene was heartbreaking.

Sagaing region, heavily targeted since the 2021 coup, continues to face deadly strikes despite a supposed post-quake truce, Hindustan Times reported.