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A group of journalists, human rights advocates, and lawyers led by advocate Abhaya Raj Joshi has filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court seeking the annulment of Section 295 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074. This provision criminalizes taking or publishing photographs of individuals without their consent, even in public places. The petitioners argue that this clause poses a serious threat to press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to information as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal 2015.

The petitioners claim that Section 295 has led to legal confusion and emboldened attempts to suppress journalistic activity under threats of prosecution. They argue that the provision contradicts the Constitution, international human rights treaties, and established legal standards regarding public interest and freedom of the press. Even public figures, they say, have started harassing journalists for clicking their photographs in public places, citing this provision.

The writ petition calls on the Supreme Court to declare the provision unconstitutional and to issue a mandamus order to prevent its enforcement. The petitioners have also requested interim relief until a final verdict is delivered, citing growing instances of intimidation against photojournalists.

According to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), there were 73 incidents of press freedom violations in the one-year period from 4 May 2024, to 30 April 2025. This marks an increase from the 62 incidents recorded during the same period the previous year. The FNJ notes that such incidents are on the rise and increasingly linked to the misuse of Section 295.

A preliminary hearing on the writ is scheduled for Aug 6.

US Senator Lindsey Graham says President Donald Trump plans to impose 100 percent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil—specifically India, China, and Brazil—to cut off funding for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to Firstpost.

Graham called it a move to hold nations accountable for supporting Russia’s war effort and warned of economic consequences. He also accused Vladimir Putin of trying to rebuild a Soviet-style empire by violating international agreements and Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The Pentagon has withdrawn 700 US Marines from Los Angeles, concluding a controversial deployment ordered by President Donald Trump in response to protests over federal immigration raids.

The move followed criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who opposed the presence of troops on city streets. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the recent drawdown of 2,000 National Guard troops, according to Firstpost.

Mayor Bass welcomed the withdrawal, calling it a step toward restoring local control. This marked the first federal troop deployment to a state without the governor’s consent since 1965.

The World Health Organization has accused Israeli forces of striking its main warehouse and staff residence in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, severely disrupting its operations, Firstpost reported.

Airstrikes caused major damage and forced staff and families to flee. WHO said male staff were detained and interrogated, with one still in custody. Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has called for the staffer’s release and urged protection for humanitarian workers.

The strikes coincided with Israeli tank advances into southern and eastern Deir al-Balah, where shelling reportedly killed at least three people and injured others, according to Firstpost.

United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of over 230,000 pages of documents related to the 1968 assassination of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

The files include records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, internal memos, and accounts of potential leads — including statements from the former cellmate of James Earl Ray, King’s convicted assassin, who claimed Ray spoke of a possible plot, according to BBC.

The release follows an executive order by US President Donald Trump to declassify remaining documents related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., President John F. Kennedy, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

The UK and 27 other nations have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning of worsening civilian suffering and condemning Israel’s aid delivery model as dangerous and dehumanising, BBC reported.

The statement criticised the killing of civilians seeking food and rejected plans to forcibly relocate Gaza’s population, calling it a violation of international law.

Aid agencies report rising deaths from hunger and malnutrition, with hospitals overwhelmed and food supplies critically low.

Israel rejected the criticism, blaming Hamas for the crisis and insisting it facilitates humanitarian aid, according to BBC.

The war, now in its 21st month, has killed over 59,000 people in Gaza.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit China on July 24, according to China’s foreign ministry.

During the visit, the two EU leaders will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also join them to co-chair the 25th China-EU Summit, marking continued efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, Xinhua reported.

Israel has launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, claiming to target Houthi infrastructure. In Gaza, at least 27 more people were killed, following a deadly day in which 115 Palestinians, including aid seekers, died in Israeli attacks, Al Jazeera reported.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 59,000 people and wounded more than 142,000. The October 7 attacks on Israel left 1,139 dead and over 200 taken captive.

Protests have erupted across the Muslim world, with demonstrators in Tunisia, Iraq, Turkey, Morocco, Lebanon, and Ramallah condemning Israel’s siege of Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.