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Luna Luitel has been crowned Miss Nepal World 2025, succeeding Ashma Kumari KC at the 31st edition of the pageant held in Godavari on Saturday.

The 26-year-old, a nursing graduate from Australia now pursuing a master’s in Public Health at the University of Sydney, stood out among 26 contestants. Luitel, who previously placed first runner-up in Miss Teen Nepal 2015, said she wishes to live by the motto “Learn, Earn and Return” and use her platform to support social causes.

Other titleholders include Dipshikha Nepal (Miss Nepal Cosmo), Urusha Bhandari (Miss Nepal International), and Sony Ghale (Miss Nepal Earth).

The event concluded with a final Q&A, where the top four addressed changing perceptions of beauty pageants. The judging panel featured figures from the arts, media and former Miss Nepal winners.

Yemen’s Houthi group says its prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli air strike on Sanaa along with several ministers. The attack hit a government workshop on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.

Al-Rahawi, appointed in August 2024, led the Houthi-run administration in areas under the group’s control.

Israel confirmed striking what it called a “Houthi terrorist regime military site,” part of its ongoing campaign against the group. The Houthis have launched repeated missile and drone attacks on Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea, declaring support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Israeli strikes on Sanaa killed 10 people and wounded more than 90. Despite the losses, the Houthis say their operations will continue, Al Jazeera reported.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on Saturday, marking a significant step in strengthening Nepal-China relations. The meeting took place at the Tianjin State Guest House on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

During his official visit to China, which will continue until September 3, Prime Minister Oli is set to address the SCO Plus Summit on September 1 and participate in events commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression on September 3. The visit also includes planned meetings with other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh.

The discussions between Prime Minister Oli and President Xi focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity. Both leaders also reviewed the implementation of agreements from previous high-level visits and explored opportunities for further collaboration within the SCO framework.

 

Gaza City faced heavy Israeli bombardment early Saturday as Israel advances its planned seizure of the territory’s largest area. At least 35 Palestinians, including aid seekers, were killed in attacks across Gaza since dawn, Al Jazeera reported.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned that the ongoing operation could displace up to one million people. Since the conflict began, over 63,000 Palestinians have died and nearly 160,000 were wounded.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they arrested eight people accused of passing sensitive military information to Israel’s Mossad during Israel’s June air campaign, which targeted Iranian nuclear sites and killed top commanders and civilians, according to Reuters.

The suspects reportedly received Mossad training online and were detained before carrying out their plans. Authorities also seized materials for bombs and explosives.

Earlier, Iran reported arresting thousands during the 12-day conflict and has executed several individuals on espionage charges, which human rights groups criticize as political repression, Reuters reported.

EU foreign ministers are divided over how to respond to Israel’s war in Gaza amid rising civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions. Some countries, including Spain and Ireland, want stronger measures, while Germany and Hungary favor minimal action. Proposals such as suspending funding to Israeli start-ups or imposing sanctions lack the majority needed to pass.

Denmark signaled readiness to push for sanctions, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged deep divisions within the bloc. The debate comes as a UN-linked report confirmed famine in Gaza, a finding Israel disputes, and ahead of the UN General Assembly, where France stressed unrestricted access for Palestinian representatives, according to Al Jazeera.

Lawmakers and human rights advocates have called for the urgent passage of the first amendment to the Human Trafficking and Smuggling (Control) Act, 2064, 2081, which has been pending in Parliament for years. The call came during programs marking the 19th National Day against Human Trafficking, organized by Shakti Samuha and the Alliance against Trafficking in Women and Children Nepal (ATWIN).

Participants, including members of the National Assembly and House of Representatives, stressed the need for Parliament to act promptly, given the grave nature of human trafficking. They highlighted the importance of legal reforms, effective rescue procedures, border security, and civil society involvement to prevent trafficking and protect victims.

ATWIN and Shakti Samuha officials presented proposals for amendments, while victims emphasized the need for timely compensation, confidentiality, and follow-up support after rescue. Media representatives urged responsible reporting to raise awareness while safeguarding victims’ privacy.

Despite existing laws, participants noted that trafficking persists in new forms, including exploitation under the guise of visit visas, underscoring the urgency of strengthening legal mechanisms and ensuring their effective implementation.

Thailand’s cabinet on Saturday appointed Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai as acting prime minister after the constitutional court ended Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s tenure.

Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Chusak Sirinil announced the decision following a special cabinet meeting, which also named Prommin Lertsuridej as the Prime Minister’s Secretary General. The cabinet approved a strict framework to ensure stability during the transitional period while remaining within its mandate, according to Xinhua.

Under the constitution, the existing cabinet will continue in a caretaker role until a new administration is formed. The House of Representatives has been scheduled to convene from September 3 to 5 to vote on a new prime minister from the list of candidates submitted before the May 2023 general election.