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A person died in police firing during a clash with liquor smugglers at Kamalpur in Rajgadh Rural Municipality-2, Saptari on Tuesday night.

The deceased has been identified as Lalu Yadav (36) of Kamalpur of Rajgad Rural Municipality-2.

Police had conducted a search operation based on a tip-off relating to illegal import and hoarding of alcohol.

The search operation, however, resulted in the clash between police and liquor smugglers.  

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jitendra Kumar Basnet, informed that they had to open firing for self-defense after the smugglers pelted stones at them.

Yadav, who had received an injury in legs, breathed his last on the way to Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital, Rajbiraj.

In the search operation, the police recovered 80 cartons of bottles of alcohol with varieties of brands from Nepal-India border.

Meanwhile, four days back, police had arrested two persons in possession of heroin from Chhinnamasta Rural Municipality-1.

The Jayprithvi Highway has been obstructed due to a landslide triggered by the incessant rainfall.

The debris deposited on the road disrupted vehicular movement since early this morning.

Spokesperson at the District Police Office, Balram Pandeya, informed that the Highway was blocked due to the landslide at Ramilapur of Sigas Rural Municipality-9.

The passengers have been stranded following the traffic disruption.

However, efforts are on to remove the debris for reopening the busy highway in Sudurpaschim Province, the police added.

The UN is calling for an urgent pause in fighting in Sudan, especially in the besieged city of El Fasher, to deliver life-saving aid to families facing starvation. Food prices have soared, supply routes are blocked, and some residents are resorting to eating animal fodder, Xinhua reported.

Women and female-headed households are among the hardest hit, facing severe food insecurity and limited access to aid. Cholera is highly spreading and malnutrition rates are rising sharply.

The UN warns time is running out and urges donors to scale up funding and support, according to Xinhua.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Tuesday reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and rejection of external aggression during a meeting with Lebanese Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar in Baghdad.

The two discussed enhancing bilateral ties, focusing on economic cooperation, investment, telecommunications, and facilitating private sector engagement. They also agreed to activate the Iraqi-Lebanese Business Council and improve labor coordination between the countries. Haidar emphasized Lebanon’s interest in building a constructive partnership with Iraq to advance mutual economic interests, according to Xinhua.

A senior UN official has raised alarm over reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may expand military operations across the entire Gaza Strip.

Speaking to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, warned that such an escalation could have catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and further jeopardize the lives of remaining Israeli hostages, Xinhua reported.

He emphasized that under international law, Gaza must remain a part of any future Palestinian state.

Lithuania has called for NATO’s help to strengthen its air defences after a Russian military drone carrying explosives entered its airspace from Belarus. The drone, found near Vilnius, was safely neutralised by Lithuanian forces, according to Firstpost.

Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called it a sign of Russia’s war spilling into NATO territory and urged immediate NATO action, including more patrols. It’s the second such incident in a month.

Defence officials said mobile units and short-range air defences are being deployed. Similar airspace breaches have also been reported in other NATO countries. Lithuania warned Belarus to prevent future incidents or face consequences, Firstpost reported.

The European Commission has suspended planned retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth €93bn, just before they were set to take effect on August 7. The move follows a trade deal between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, under which the EU will buy more American energy and face a 15 percent tariff on most exports to the US, Xinhua reported.

The decision drew criticism from Germany, with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil calling the EU’s stance “too weak.” The suspension lasts six months, with the option to reinstate tariffs if commitments aren’t met.

Delegates from 180 countries have begun talks in Geneva to negotiate a global treaty on plastic pollution, following a breakdown in talks last year, according to Firstpost.

UN officials warned plastic waste is causing severe harm to the environment and human health, with microplastics now found across the planet and inside human bodies.

Disagreements remain, especially between oil-producing nations resisting production limits and others pushing for stronger action, Firstpost reported.

Over 400m tonnes of plastic are produced annually, yet less than 10 percent is recycled. A Lancet report warns plastic pollution could cost the world $1.5trn a year in health-related losses.