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Germany has halted arms exports to Israel in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and growing public pressure. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, once a firm Israel ally, said the military campaign is unlikely to meet its goals against Hamas or secure hostages, Reuters reported.

This marks a rare shift in Germany’s long-standing support rooted in Holocaust responsibility, as public opinion turns critical of Israel’s actions. While Germany continues humanitarian aid to Gaza, calls for tougher measures, including sanctions, are rising within the government.

Despite tensions, Germany remains Israel’s second-largest arms supplier, highlighting the complexity of balancing moral concerns with strategic ties, according to Reuters.

Former Palestine football star Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, was killed by Israeli gunfire in southern Gaza while waiting for humanitarian aid, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said.

Obeid, nicknamed the “Palestinian Pele,” scored more than 100 goals in his career and earned 24 caps for the national team. He played for Gaza’s Khadamat Al-Shati and the West Bank’s Al-Amari Youth Center, becoming one of Palestinian football’s most celebrated figures, according to Al Jazeera.

The PFA says 321 football players and officials are among 662 sports community members killed in Gaza since October 2023. Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 61,000 deaths in the conflict.

Until just 10 days ago, Shambhu Prasad Yadav of Sakhuwaprasauni Rural municipality-2 in Parsa district was uncertain whether he would be able to complete paddy transplantation this season, as a prolonged dry spell had gripped the Madhesh Province.    

However, the rainfall which is almost regular over the past week has brought much-needed relief to farmers across the province.    

Prior to the rains, farmers were relying heavily on deep tube wells for irrigation, a costly and challenging alternative, particularly in areas with unreliable electricity supply.    

According to Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Senior Crop Development Officer at the Madhesh Province Agricultural Development Directorate, paddy transplantation activities have gained momentum since the rainfall began. As of Srawan 16 (August 1), some 57.27 percent of the total 372,645 hectares allocated for paddy cultivation had been transplanted. Over the past week, it increased by 19.27 percent.    

By August 8, the area under paddy cultivation in the eight districts of Madhesh Province had reached 76.54 percent or 285,234 hectares.    

Among the districts, Bara reports the highest progress with 95 percent of its paddy fields transplanted, followed by Parsa at 92 percent, Rautahat at 85 percent, Sarlahi at 75 percent, Dhanusha, Saptari and Siraha each at 70 percent and Mahottari at 61.5 percent.    

Chief of the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Bara, Raj Narayan Prasad Shah, said that the recent rains have brought immense relief to farmers. “Many fields had developed fissures due to prolonged dryness, and the rains have not only irrigated the land but also brought relief and joy to farmers." (RSS)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday briefed the leaders of China, India, and several allies on his recent talks with US President Donald Trump’s envoy over ending the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The calls followed Putin’s meeting in Moscow with envoy Steve Witkoff, after which the Kremlin said a Putin–Trump summit could be held as early as next week. Trump has given Moscow a deadline to agree to peace or face new sanctions.

China’s Xi Jinping welcomed the dialogue, while India’s Narendra Modi thanked Putin for the update despite facing new US tariffs over Russian oil imports. South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa backed peace efforts, and UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed offered his country as a possible summit venue, according to Reuters.

Putin also shared the developments with Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Thousands gathered in Nagasaki on Saturday to mark 80 years since the US atomic bombing that killed tens of thousands in 1945. A moment of silence was held at 11:02 a.m., the time the blast struck, according to Reuters.

Mayor Shiro Suzuki warned that global tensions risk another nuclear disaster and urged world leaders to commit to disarmament. Representatives from 95 countries, including nuclear powers, attended the ceremony.

Survivors, or hibakusha, still face health issues and stigma, but their stories continue to fuel calls for a nuclear-free world. Japan supports disarmament but has not joined the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons, Reuters reported.

North Korea has begun dismantling loudspeakers along the border, days after South Korea removed its own under President Lee Jae Myung’s policy to ease tensions.

The broadcasts, halted in June, had featured K-pop, news, and unsettling noises, escalating after balloon launches from both sides. Seoul’s military said it is monitoring whether all North Korean devices have been removed, according to Reuters.

Lee has also urged an end to anti-Pyongyang leaflets and offered unconditional talks. The Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950–53 conflict ended without a peace treaty.

Vehicular movement in the Kaligandaki Corridor, which was blocked since last Friday evening following a landslide, has resumed from today morning.

According to the District Police Office, Baglung, the Corridor was completely blocked when a landslide fell in the road along the Corridor Kalakhola of Baglung Municipality-12 in Baglung district at around 7 PM.

Police Inspector Keshav Thapa shared that the Corridor reopened today morning around 10 AM after clearing off the debris using a machine.The southern side of the Baglung district had remained disconnected due to the blockage in the Corridor, one of the national pride projects.

With the Corridor reopened, vehicles traveling to Mustang and Butwal, Bhairahawa and Sunauli among others plying the road along the Corridor have moved towards their destinations, said Inspector Thapa.

According to him, efforts were made to reopen the blocked road last night itself but no avail due to torrential rain. Moreover, landslide falling in the road continuously had hindered the effort.

The debris was removed today morning allowing the stranded passengers head towards their destinations. (RSS)

President Ramchandra Paudel received the Rakshabandan (a sacred thread tied around the wrist) and the Nawayagyopavit (Janai) in accordance with the Vedic rituals on the occasion of Rakshabandhan and Janai Purnima festival on Saturday.    

President Paudel along with First Lady Sabita Paudel, received the Rakshabandhan from priest Arjun Neupane at the auspicious hour, according to the Office of President-Shita Niwas.    

The ceremony was held at the Shital Niwas where the President's close relatives were also adorned with the Rakshabandhan.    

The festival of Janai Purnima, also known as 'Rishi Tarpani', is being celebrated across the country today along with Rakshabandhan.    

Earlier today, President Paudel extended best wishes to all Nepalis at home and abroad and wished them happiness, peace, good health and progress on the same occasion.    

In his message, Paudel expressed his confidence that the festivals celebrated by putting on Janai and Rakshabandhan would further deepen mutual relations and goodwill among Nepalis.    

Emphasizing the importance of such festivals in a culturally diverse country like Nepal, the Head of the State believed that celebration of such festivals would contribute to foster friendship and goodwill among all communities. (RSS)