Submit your Article

The US Justice Department has informed President Donald Trump that his name appears in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, CNN reported. Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed Trump in May, noting the references were based on unverified hearsay.

Officials stressed that many public figures are named in the records and that inclusion alone does not suggest wrongdoing. Bondi confirmed no credible “client list” or evidence contradicting Epstein’s suicide was found.

The White House dismissed the report as “fake news,” and officials said the documents offered no new information about Trump’s past social ties with Epstein, according to CNN.

Russia and Ukraine held a third round of peace talks on Wednesday at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace, agreeing on a major prisoner exchange but failing to reach common ground on a ceasefire.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov reiterated the call for a full and unconditional ceasefire, stressing the need to halt attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Russia’s Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the exchange of 1,200 prisoners each and proposed short ceasefires to evacuate the wounded and retrieve fallen soldiers, according to Xinhua.

Ukraine also suggested a presidential meeting involving Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and possibly US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Russia, Ukraine hold third round of peace talks in Istanbul Russia dismissed the idea as premature.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged both sides to pursue a ceasefire and end the conflict, which continues despite earlier rounds yielding limited progress, Xinhua reported.

India and the UK will sign a trade agreement on July 24 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, aiming to double bilateral trade to $120bn by 2030.

The deal is expected to boost Indian exports in textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods by removing duties and easing market access. It may also simplify UK approvals for Indian drugs and open new opportunities for IT and professional services, according to Firstpost.

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into Harvard University’s exchange program for foreign scholars, citing national security concerns.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the review will assess whether the program, which uses J-1 visas for temporary academic exchanges, aligns with US interests. He warned that Harvard’s ability to host such visitors depends on full compliance with federal regulations, according to Al Jazeera.

Critics see the move as part of ongoing pressure on universities to align with Trump’s policies.

Over 145,000 people have been displaced in Syria’s Sweida province as clashes and drone strikes continue despite a truce, the UN News reported.

Violence has disrupted basic services, with severe shortages of power, water, fuel, and food. Most displaced remain in Sweida, while others have fled to nearby regions.

Aid efforts are underway, but access remains limited. The UN warns that overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation, and unexploded ordnance are putting lives further at risk.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced hope Wednesday that EU-US trade talks in Washington are moving forward, with a deal needed before President Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline.

Speaking in Berlin alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Merz noted signs of possible decisions on trade policy, according to Firstpost.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said negotiations were improving, as EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic met US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The EU has prepared countermeasures if talks fail.

Nepal and India have agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a revised extradition treaty during the Home Secretary Level Talks held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Indian delegation was led by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, while Nepal’s team was headed by Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadee. The two sides reviewed a wide range of bilateral security issues, including border management, and committed to further strengthening cooperation.

Key topics included the repair and maintenance of boundary pillars, tackling trans-border criminal activities, improving the functioning of Border District Coordination Committees, and upgrading infrastructure such as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), roads, and rail links. Both sides also discussed institutional capacity building and enhancing disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

Notably, the delegations welcomed the finalization of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and reiterated their commitment to conclude the revised extradition treaty at the earliest. The two countries agreed to hold the next round of talks in Nepal on a mutually convenient date.

The ‘Divya Pashupatinath’ campaign was officially launched at the Pashupatinath Temple premises on Monday. The campaign aims to address environmental challenges in the area surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include littering, poor waste management, and environmental degradation. The initiative incorporates community clean-up efforts, tree plantation programs, safety training for frontline workers, and awareness outreach through social media.

More than 200 people participated in a tree plantation drive held during the launch event, symbolizing a collective commitment to environmental conservation around the temple site. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, was present at the event, along with Deputy Superintendent of Police for Gaushala, Sukdev Khanal, representatives from Kathmandu Metropolitan City. In his remarks, Minister Pandey highlighted the cultural importance of Pashupatinath and noted the campaign’s relevance to sustainable urban development. 

The campaign is part of the Climate Smart Cities project, an initiative led by CREASION and implemented in partnership with various organizations. It is one of the key activities of the Mainadevi Foundation. Foundation’s founder KP Khanal outlined the year-long activities under the campaign, emphasizing local engagement and environmental protection. Sujata Koirala, General Secretary of CREASION shared plans to extend similar initiatives to Kathmandu and Bharatpur, aiming to promote sustainable urban practices in multiple locations. The Divya Pashupatinath campaign will continue throughout the year with a focus on improving waste management, reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and supporting eco-friendly practices while preserving the cultural heritage of the temple area.