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The 160th birth anniversary of the national luminary Yubakavi (the Youth Poet) Motiram Bhatta is to be observed by organizing several literary events today.

Bhatta was born this day on Kushe Aunsi (National Father's Day) in 1923 BS (1866 AD) and died on the same day in 1953 BS (1896 AD). He lived a short life of 30 years but is ever remembered for his substantial contributions to the world of Nepali literature, especially for immortalizing Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya by making public his biography.

Further, Bhatta was also credited for introducing the printing press in Nepal for the first time. He was the one who introduced Ghazals in Nepali literature. He also published the Ramayana of Bhanubhakta in 1941 BS.

He further developed Nepali language and made it a beautiful medium for literary expression.

Among the popular literary creations of Bhatta are 'Bhanubhaktako Jeewan Charitra', 'Priyadarshika' and 'Pikdut'.

It is through this press that journalism has started in Nepal. Various literary organizations, including the Nepal Education Council and Nepal Academy are organizing programs on the occasion of the day. (RSS)

Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan arrived here this morning on a three-day official visit to Nepal, at the friendly invitation of Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav.

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Vietnamese Vice President was welcomed by Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey. 

High-ranking government officials and heads of security agencies were present on the occasion. Vice President Xuan also inspected a guard of honour presented in her honour by the Nepali Army.

Foreign Minister Dr Rana is to pay a courtesy call on the Vietnamese Vice-president later this afternoon, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

This is the first high-level visit from Vietnam to Nepal. During the visit, delegation-level bilateral talks will be held between Vice President Yadav and his counterpart Xuan in Kathmandu on Sunday, the ministry has stated.

Vice President Xuan is scheduled to pay separate courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the visit. This visit is viewed with special importance as this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.

Vice President Xuan is scheduled to return home on August 25. (RSS)

The Texas Senate has approved a new Republican-favored congressional map, sending it to Governor Greg Abbott for signature. Passed 18-11 along party lines after hours of debate, the map adds five districts likely to help Republicans maintain their congressional majority in the 2026 midterms. Abbott is expected to sign it, while Democrats plan to challenge it in court, Al Jazeera reported.

The redistricting has already influenced the race: Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett said he may retire if his district overlaps with another Democrat under the new map. The move reflects a broader national push by Trump and Republican-led states to redraw maps for electoral advantage, while California recently approved a voter referendum on its own Democratic-favored map.

Supreme Court rules allow partisan—but not racial—gerrymandering, and states can redraw districts mid-decade, according to Al Jazeera.

Five people were killed and dozens injured when a tour bus carrying 54 passengers from Niagara Falls to New York City crashed Friday, 40 km east of Buffalo. Authorities said the driver, likely distracted, lost control at high speed, causing the bus to overturn. No mechanical issues or other vehicles were involved, according to Al Jazeera.

Passengers from China, India, the Middle East, the Philippines, and the US were treated for injuries ranging from broken bones to head trauma, with many airlifted to nearby hospitals. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Governor Kathy Hochul and first responders coordinated rescue efforts, while a call for blood donors was issued.

Texas and Florida have asked a federal judge to join a lawsuit challenging the FDA’s easing of restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone. They argue Missouri, Kansas and Idaho can no longer adequately represent Republican states, as abortion bans in those states face legal setbacks, Reuters reported.

The case disputes FDA decisions allowing telehealth prescriptions, mail delivery, and use of the drug up to 10 weeks. Texas and Florida say they must protect their laws against states with “shield laws” enabling mail-order access.

The lawsuit, launched under President Joe Biden, is being continued under President Donald Trump, according to Reuters.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) marked its 30th anniversary of development partnership in Nepal by hosting a ceremony in Kathmandu under the theme “30 Years Together: A Journey of Trust and Cooperation.”

The highlight of the program was the signing of agreements for three major projects worth a total of USD 29m, reflecting KOICA’s strategic priorities for the coming years.

The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya and South Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Tae-young for the establishment of the Gandaki Technical Institute, a five-year project (2025–2030) with a budget of USD 9m.

In addition, two Records of Discussion (RoDs) were signed:

• Value Chain Development for Fruits and Vegetables Project in Nepal (Phase II) with a budget of USD 10 million, to run from 2025 to 2031. The agreement was signed by Dr. Hari Bahadur KC., Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and KOICA Nepal Country Director Moon Han Kong.

• Establishment of Sudurpaschim Polytechnic Institute Project with a budget of USD 10m, to be implemented from 2025 to 2030. This was signed by Joint Secretary Shiv Kumar Sapkota from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and KOICA Nepal Country Director Kong.

Speaking at the event, KOICA Country Director Moon Han Kong reaffirmed KOICA’s strong commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Nepal, emphasizing priority areas such as education, health, agriculture, and governance.

Foreign Ministry Joint Secretary Bhrigu Dhungana highlighted KOICA’s significant contributions over the years, thanking Korea for supporting Nepal’s progress in education, health, agriculture, and capacity building. He stressed that deepening bilateral cooperation would help Nepal achieve its sustainable development goals.

Ambassador Park Tae-young said KOICA’s 30-year journey symbolizes the deep friendship and mutual trust between Nepal and Korea, calling the new projects symbols of shared progress.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor and chief guest Ghanshyam Upadhyaya congratulated KOICA on the milestone and praised its contributions across Nepal. He expressed the government’s readiness to expand future programs with KOICA to ensure broader outreach and sustainability.

KOICA also reviewed its three-decade-long journey in Nepal, pledging to continue working with the government and communities for an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Since 1991, Korea through KOICA has supported Nepal in health, education, agriculture, technical training, rural development, information technology, and tourism. So far, 2,921 Korean volunteers have served in government institutions across Nepal, while 2,230 Nepali civil servants have participated in KOICA’s capacity-building programs. KOICA has also partnered with civil society, universities, and international organizations to help Nepal achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Following Nepal’s designation as a priority country for KOICA in 2010, Korea’s support has significantly expanded. By 2025, KOICA’s total assistance to Nepal has exceeded USD 200 million. A framework agreement on development cooperation is also being prepared to further strengthen Nepal–Korea friendship.

South Korea has confirmed firing warning shots after North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the military demarcation line in the Demilitarised Zone before retreating. Pyongyang condemned the move as a “deliberate provocation,” warning of “uncontrollable” tensions, according to BBC.

The incident occurred as President Lee Jae Myung departed for visits to Tokyo and Washington, and amid North Korea’s efforts to seal its border. Despite Seoul’s suspension of propaganda broadcasts to ease hostilities, relations remain strained. The two Koreas, divided since the 1953 armistice, are still technically at war.

Kushe Aunshi, a Hindu religious festival, is being observed across the country on Saturday by bringing kush, a holy grass used in the performance of various religious rituals, into their homes.

There is a religious belief that keeping kush cut by the priests and anointed with sacred verses or mantras in the house brings wellbeing to the household.

The Hindu community regards kush, Tulashi (basil plant), peepal and shaligram (ammonite stone) as the symbols of Lord Bishnu.

The day is also celebrated as Father's Day or Gorkarna Aunsi.

People across the country celebrate this day by showing respect and reverence to fathers. On this day, children feed their fathers delicious food items including sweets and show respect to them.

Those who have lost their fathers take an early bath and visit nearby temples to perform shraddha (annual death rituals) in honor of the departed souls. Children also take blessings from their living fathers.

Meanwhile, people have thronged the Gokarneshwor Temple in the capital and other various Hindu temples across the country since this morning to perform the shraddha in memory of their late fathers.