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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.

VayuDrishti, a startup from Nepal, has been selected among the top 20 finalists in the global Hult Prize competition, chosen from over 15,000 entries worldwide. The team will now compete in the final round in London for a chance to win the $1m grand prize. The Hult Prize, now in its 16th year, is one of the world’s largest student startup competitions, engaging more than 200,000 students from over 130 countries. It aims to support entrepreneurial solutions to pressing global challenges.

VayuDrishti has developed a patent-pending device that integrates air quality monitoring, purification, and AI-based pollution forecasting. The device is intended to offer an accessible and scalable approach to air pollution management and public health protection. The team is led by 19-year-old Shakriya Pandey of Saraswati Multiple Campus, along with team captain Shrisha Pandey and member Manjila Pandey. Their selection marks a significant milestone for Nepal in international student-led innovation competitions.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada won’t accept a bad trade deal with the US ahead of an August 1 deadline, when steep new US tariffs are set to take effect.

“Our goal isn’t just any deal—it’s the right deal for Canadians,” Carney said, according to BBC.

US President Trump has already imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, with more—up to 35 percent—threatened if talks stall. Carney signaled Canada may expand countermeasures to protect key sectors like aluminum and lumber.

Canada sends about 75 percent of its exports to the US. While Trump says tariffs protect US jobs and curb fentanyl imports, data shows minimal fentanyl enters via Canada, BBC reported.

Chinese vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Sweden from July 27 to 30 for economic and trade talks with the United States, China’s commerce ministry announced Wednesday.

The discussions follow a recent presidential call and aim to address key bilateral trade issues through the established consultation mechanism, emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation, according to Xinhua.