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US has sharply criticized France’s investigation into Elon Musk’s X, calling it a threat to free speech. A French prosecutor is probing the platform for alleged foreign interference and has reportedly classified X as an “organized crime group”, according to BBC.

The US State Department called the move politically motivated and warned against silencing dissent. X has denied the claims and refused to hand over its algorithm and data, calling the request unjustified.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the country is “very close” to a trade deal with the US after meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though Washington has not confirmed a timeline. Both sides discussed expanding trade, especially in critical minerals and mining, according to Firstpost.

Meanwhile, India and the US are finalizing the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement aimed at boosting market access, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening supply chains. US President Donald Trump recently said a deal with India is also “very close.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and other top leaders during his visit to the Maldives, calling the country a “valued pillar” of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Mahasagar vision, Firstpost reported.

He will attend the Maldives’ Independence Day celebrations as chief guest. The visit marks a reset in ties following recent tensions.

India announced a $565m line of credit and signed six agreements in fisheries, digital infrastructure, meteorology, and finance. The two sides also agreed to cut Maldives’ annual debt repayment burden by 40 percent, according to Firstpost.

Modi called the talks productive, adding, “Our relations are older than history and as deep as the ocean. For us, it is always friendship first.”

Nearly one in three people in Gaza are going days without food, the UN’s World Food Programme has warned, with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment for malnutrition.

Nine more people reportedly died of hunger on Friday, bringing the total to 122 since the war began. While Israel denies restricting aid, access remains limited, worsening the crisis, according to BBC.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain may join planned aid airdrops, though aid groups warn they are not a long-term solution. Jordan and the UAE are also awaiting clearance to deliver supplies.

The UN and several countries have urged Israel to lift restrictions immediately, calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza unacceptable. UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the global inaction and lack of compassion, BBC reported.

At least 13 Cambodians were killed and 71 injured in ongoing border clashes with Thai forces, Cambodian officials confirmed Saturday. The fighting, now in its third day, reportedly began when Cambodian troops opened fire near Thailand’s Trat province, according to Xinhua.

Five Cambodian soldiers and eight civilians were killed, with most casualties in Oddar Meanchey province. Thailand responded with a military operation, “Trat Strike 1,” pushing back Cambodian forces at multiple points and deploying naval support.

The conflict has since spread to Cambodia’s Pursat province, as tensions along the border continue to rise, Xinhua reported.

US President Donald Trump on Friday denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing Democrats of spreading falsehoods. Speaking before departing for Scotland, he said, “I have nothing to do with the guy,” and pointed to others, including Bill Clinton and Larry Summers, as having closer ties to Epstein, CNN reported.

Trump dismissed reports of a birthday letter to Epstein bearing his signature, calling it likely fake. He criticized Democrats for promoting “fake news” and defended his promise to release Epstein-related documents if re-elected.

The Justice Department recently stated no client list exists, sparking backlash from some Trump supporters. The White House rejected new reports linking Trump to Epstein files as politically motivated, according to CNN.

Nepal imported over 44,500 electric vehicles in fiscal year 2024/25, underscoring a rapid shift toward electric mobility, driven by low customs duty, rising environmental awareness, and the increasing availability of affordable EV models packed with modern features.

According to the Department of Customs, 44,534 units of electric three-wheelers, motorcycles and scooters, as well as cars, vans, microbuses and buses were imported into the country in the last fiscal year. The total value of these EV imports stood at Rs 43.99bn. Customs data shows the government collected Rs 22.76bn in revenue from these imports. 

A majority of these electric vehicles came from China, while few also came from India. This surge underscores the growing preference among Nepali consumers for electric alternatives to fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.

Electric three-wheelers led the import charts, with 16,505 units brought into the country in the review period. These include 9,728 fully assembled vehicles and 6,777 knockdown units for local assembling. The total value of these three-wheelers was Rs 1.68bn. These vehicles are popular for public and short-distance transport, particularly in urban areas and the low plains of Tarai.

Similarly, 13,578 units of electric cars, jeeps and vans, totaling Rs 31.76bn in value, were imported into the country during the fiscal year. Passenger cars accounted for the lion’s share with 11,951 units, while van imports reached 1,626 units. The government earned Rs 19.7bn in revenue from this category alone. Particularly, mid-range models with motor capacities between 51-100 kilowatts were the most popular in this category. 

Electric scooters and motorcycles also saw strong growth, with 11,319 units worth Rs 4.39bn imported last year. These vehicles, preferred by commuters for their low operating costs and ease of use, generated Rs 370m in revenue for the government.

Meanwhile, Nepal imported 3,132 units of electric microbuses and buses valued at Rs 9.48bn. These included 1,830 units in the 11–14 seats category, 1,260 in the 15–25 seats category, and 16 full-sized electric buses. The government collected Rs 2.1bn in revenue from these imports.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday inspected drought-hit areas in Tarai-Madhes.

A Cabinet meeting held on July 23 had decided to declare Madhes Province as disaster-hit areas for three months.

Earlier, Prime Minister Oli had held a discussion with concerned ministers, provincial government and other bodies concerned to resolve the problem.