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The federal government has decided to award six best performing local levels.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration is honoring six local levels which performed best in the local level institutional self-assessment (LISA) system for the fiscal year, 2023/24. 

The award is expected to foster healthy competition among local governments. The reforms in governance and development management are identified through LISA.

The local levels being awarded are Khairahani Municipality of Chitwan, Tilottama Municipality of Rupandehi, Nilakanth Municipality of Dhading, Arjunchaupari Rural Municipality of Syangja, Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality of Dhading and Ruruchhetra Rural Municipality of Gulmi district.

They would be awarded amidst a function attended by Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhagawati Neupane on August 22.

China will stage a massive military parade in Beijing on September 3 to mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War Two. Tens of thousands of troops, hundreds of aircraft, and new military equipment including advanced missiles and hypersonic weapons will be on display, according to Reuters.

President Xi Jinping will review the 70-minute “Victory Day” parade at Tiananmen Square, joined by foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Authorities have tightened security across the city, reflecting the scale of the event and global attention on China’s growing military strength.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended Tuesday that all children aged 6-23 months receive COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of prior doses or infection, differing from federal guidance that leaves vaccination up to parents and doctors, Reuters reported.

The group cited high hospitalization rates among the youngest children, comparable to adults aged 50-64, and stressed the importance of protecting those at highest risk.

Earlier this year, the AAP and other medical groups sued the government over the removal of routine vaccination recommendations, while federal officials recently revived a task force on safer childhood vaccines.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has given the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to quickly allow veterinarians and farmers to use animal drugs to prevent or treat infestations of the flesh-eating New World screwworm. While no cases have been reported in the US for decades, recent detections in Mexico have raised concerns over potential impacts on cattle herds and beef prices, according to Reuters.

Screwworm, a parasitic fly that can attack any warm-blooded animal, is usually controlled by releasing sterile flies—a process currently limited by production capacity. With no FDA-approved drugs for screwworm in the US, the emergency authorization will allow the use of unapproved drugs or off-label applications to protect livestock more rapidly.

Officials emphasized that the risk to human health remains very low, but proactive measures are needed to safeguard animals and the food supply, Reuters reported.

The United States has agreed to hold World Trade Organization consultations with Brazil over tariffs it recently imposed on Brazilian goods, while maintaining that the levies are a national security matter, Reuters reported.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump implemented a 50 percent tariff on most Brazilian imports, citing concerns that recent policies in Brazil threaten US national security, foreign policy, and the economy. In a WTO submission, the US argued that some of Brazil’s requests involve political issues that fall outside the organization’s dispute resolution process.

The White House launched an official TikTok account, @whitehouse, on Tuesday to share President Donald Trump’s messages with the app’s 170m US users. The debut video showed Trump declaring, “I am your voice”, Reuters reported.

Trump, who credits TikTok with boosting his support among young voters in 2024, also posts on Truth Social and X.

Lawmakers worry US user data could be accessed by China. Trump is negotiating a US buyout of TikTok’s parent, ByteDance. A 2024 law required TikTok to divest or halt US operations, but Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline, sparking criticism over national security risks, according to Reuters.

India’s government is considering a ban on online games played for money, a move that could heavily impact the booming gaming industry. The proposed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, reviewed by Reuters, cites potential psychological and financial harm from such games and prohibits offering or facilitating them.

The bill defines online money games as those where users deposit money with the expectation of winning cash or other rewards. Violations could carry up to three years in prison and fines.

The sector, valued at billions of dollars, has gained popularity through fantasy cricket apps like Dream11 and Mobile Premier League, which attract users with small entry fees and large prize pools. The government has long raised concerns over the addictive nature of these games, especially during major tournaments like the Indian Premier League, Reuters reported.

US and European military planners are assessing possible post-conflict security guarantees for Ukraine, sources told Reuters, following President Donald Trump’s pledge to support Kyiv under any peace deal with Russia.

The Pentagon is conducting planning exercises on US support beyond weapons, including potential European troop deployments under national flags but commanded by the US, though not under NATO. Officials caution it will take time to determine what is militarily feasible and acceptable to Moscow.

Trump ruled out sending US ground forces but suggested Washington could provide air support, including air defense systems or a no-fly zone.US has already sent billions in weapons to Ukraine, and Trump reaffirmed his commitment to supplying primarily defensive arms, Reuters reported.

Russia has rejected NATO troop involvement in any peace agreement.