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Japan said its trade deal with the United States is still incomplete, as Washington has yet to issue orders granting most-favoured-nation status to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

Economic policy minister Ryosei Akazawa noted that while the US has already adjusted general and auto tariffs, the pending directives are crucial for finalising the agreement, Reuters reported.

Tokyo will keep pressing for the measures and review how US auto tariff changes impact its economy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said relations with the United States remain “very positive” despite President Donald Trump’s comment suggesting India may be drifting closer to China.

Trump made the remark after Modi attended a regional summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while US–India trade tensions have grown over Washington’s new tariffs on Indian goods, Al Jazeera reported.

Modi stressed that the partnership with the US is forward-looking and global in scope. Trump later clarified he had not meant that America had “lost” India, adding that he values his friendship with Modi and the ties between the two countries.

Egypt and Qatar have sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments suggesting the displacement of Palestinians through the Rafah crossing, Al Jazeera reported.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called his remarks an attempt to fuel instability and evade responsibility for Israel’s actions in Gaza. It reiterated Cairo’s firm rejection of any forced or coerced displacement of Palestinians, warning such acts amount to war crimes under international law.

The ministry stressed that Egypt will never facilitate Palestinian expulsion, declaring it a “red line” that cannot be crossed.

Netanyahu had claimed in an interview that “half of Gaza’s population wants to leave” and suggested he could open Rafah, though he accused Egypt of keeping it shut, according to Al Jazeera.

A total of 12 major traffic routes across the country have come to a complete standstill due to floods and landslides triggered by the ongoing monsoon. 

According to the Department of Roads, while 160 roadways remain operational with one-way traffic, several key highways and corridors remain entirely disrupted.     

The affected routes include Thori-Bhandara-Malekhu, Galchhi-Trishuli-Betrawati-Mailing-Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi, Jamunaha-Nepalgunj-Kohalpur-Surkhet-Khulalu-Hilsa (Karnali Highway), Rani-Biratnagar-Itahari-Dharan-Dhankuta-Hile, Leghuwaghat-Tumlingtar-Khandbari-Num-Kimathanka (Koshi Highway).     

Along the Koshi Highway, a diversion over the Barun River has been washed away by floodwaters.     

Other routes facing total closure include Chatara-Mulghat-Majhitar- Amarapurdanda-Ganeshchowk (Tamor Corridor), Chhinchu-Kudu-Jajarkot-Dunai-Tinje-Marim (Bheri Corridor), Koilabas-Lamahi, Arjun Khola-Ghorahi-Holeri-Ghartigaun-Thawang-Lukum (Shahid Marga) and Surkhet-Tallo Dungeshwor-Saatkhamba-Dullu-Pipalkot-Khulalu-Manma-Nagma-Jumla Road     

Additionally, the Kathmandu-Dhulikhel-Dolalghat-Khadicharu-Kodari (Araniko Highway) remains disrupted due to ongoing construction work.     

Spokesperson at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Bhimarjun Adhikari, stated that efforts are currently underway to restore traffic along the disrupted routes. (RSS)

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, echoed the need for international cooperation to address global health challenges, stating that such issues transcend national boundaries.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2nd Nepal Mt. Everest International Conference on Gynecologic Endoscopy today, the Speaker highlighted that health concerns are universal and require collective efforts to address them. He expressed hope that the conference would help foster a collaborative approach to overcoming these challenges.

Ghimire underscored the need for integrating knowledge, technology, and cooperation as three key pillars for tackling health issues. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the formulation of effective health policies, referencing the constitutional guarantee of health as a fundamental right in Nepal.

Touching on progress in women’s health, the Speaker said that Nepal has reduced its maternal mortality rate by 70 percent since 2000, marking a significant achievement.

Also speaking at the event, lawmaker Chanda Karki stressed the need to expand quality and effective healthcare services to rural areas, urging the government to implement targeted measures to close the existing healthcare gap.

Bikash Devkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, added that the government is working to strengthen healthcare systems from the grassroots level, including the area of gynecology, to improve service delivery nationwide. (RSS)

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the existing coalition government will continue ahead. 

Talking to media at Biratnagar Airport this morning, the former Prime Minister and the parliamentary leader of the major coalition government partner echoed the need for a broader wider consensus with a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution.  

He also took time to say that the NC's upcoming general convention will be held on an appropriate time, adding that the NC has no immediate plans for reshuffling the ministers representing the party in the NC-UML government. 

According to the former Prime Minister, the Constitution has not prohibited former President or the former Vice-President from re-entering politics. (RSS)

The Israeli military has urged civilians in Gaza City to move south to Khan Younis, ahead of an intensified offensive against Hamas strongholds, Reuters reported.

A designated “humanitarian zone” has been set up in Al-Mawasi, where Israel says it is providing field hospitals, water supplies, desalination units, and food for displaced families.

Isareli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed forces to press deeper into Gaza City, which Israel considers a central base for Hamas. According to Reuters, military officials say they now control about three-quarters of the Gaza Strip and nearly half of the city.

US President Donald Trump warned that India and Russia appear to be slipping into China’s orbit after their leaders joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in Tianjin, Reuters reported.

A photograph from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting showed Xi walking hand in hand with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a display of unity that drew Trump’s sharp reaction.

He said both countries looked “lost” to the “deepest, darkest China,” highlighting Washington’s unease over shifting alliances and the deepening US–China rivalry.