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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is on a weeklong visit to China from July 12 to 18, choosing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before holding talks with US President Donald Trump following his re-election.

This marks Albanese’s second visit to China as prime minister, reflecting improving ties after years of strain. He will also meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, with talks focusing on trade, tourism, and artificial intelligence, according to Firstpost.

The decision to prioritize Beijing over Washington has drawn criticism from Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor, who questioned the government’s diplomatic focus. Albanese is not expected to meet Trump until later this year at the Quad summit or UN General Assembly.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, warned of China’s growing military buildup while affirming Australia’s close alignment with the US on Indo-Pacific security.

The visit comes amid a US review of the Aukus submarine deal and growing global uncertainty over Trump’s tariff policies. Despite tensions, China remains Australia’s top trading partner, Firstpost reported.

A 14-member high-level Nepali delegation is on an official visit to Israel from July 12-18 to participate in Muni Expo 2025, the flagship annual event of the Federation of Local Governments of Israel. The event will be held from July 15-17.

This is the first time such a delegation- comprising senior officials responsible for policy and planning from Nepal’s Ministry of Urban Development, the National Planning Commission, as well as mayors from various municipalities, will participate in a focused program on municipal innovation and urban resilience, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Israel.

Muni Expo, Israel’s largest and most significant event of its kind, brings together mayors, municipal leaders and policy makers from around the globe. This year’s theme, “Local Compass,” will explore key issues such as crisis response, local-national coordination, and combating anti-semitism.

Delegates will interact with over 150 Israeli and international companies and startups, gain insights into innovative and groundbreaking municipal projects, and build global partnerships.

In addition to attending the Muni Expo, the Nepali delegation will visit several key sites and institutions including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv- Jaffa, Yad Vashem- The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Facility, Municipal Innovation Center, and the Police Station in Sderot, according to the statement.

These visits aim to provide first-hand exposure to Israel’s advanced urban management technologies and innovative infrastructure solutions.

The delegation will also visit the Nova festival site on October 7, 2023 where the Hamas terrorist group carried out a brutal attack killing hundreds of innocent people. Hamas terrorists also murdered 10 Nepali nationals on the same day in Kibbutz Alumim. Hamas and other terror groups still hold 50 hostages, among them Bipin Joshi, said the press release.

The visit marks a significant step in growing cooperation between Nepal and Israel in the fields of sustainable urban development, capacity building, and knowledge exchange at the municipal and national levels.

The Embassy of Israel believes that there will be continued collaborations in a wide range of sectors, bringing mutual benefits to both the countries.

Thakurbaba Pragya Pratisthan on Sunday honored Annapurna Post journalist Shankar Prasad Khanal for his contribution in the fields of art, literature, social, cultural, educational, environmental and physical development through journalism.

He was honored amidst a program organized at Baganaha on the occasion of 212^th Bhanu Jayanti.

Social Development Minister of Lumbini Province Janmajaya Timilsina, Thakurbaba Municipality Chief Tilakram Lamsal, Deputy Chief Bina Kumari Bhattarai and Thakurbaba Pragya Pratisthan Chairman Krishna Prasad Paudel jointly honored Khanal by presenting a certificate.

Sudip Adhikari of Rajdhani Daily, Bhabuk Yogi of Radio Tiger, actor Shantaram Thakur, Thaggu Tharu, Som Demondaura, Prabhat Subedi, Ishwori Rijal, JB Anuragi, local social worker Krishna Sharma Wagle, Chabilal Sapkota, and Shyamlal Tharu among others were also honored on the occasion.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 193, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 192, 900 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 2, 315 per tola today.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has urged its party cadres to provide humanitarian assistance to the needy during disasters.  

Issuing a statement on Monday, Acting Chair of the party Dol Prasad Aryal called upon all levels of the party's committees, departments, and members to actively engage in reducing potential disaster and support for the victims.

The party has further urged the concerned sides to be ready for rapid rescue, effective distribution of relief, and other humanitarian assistance efforts.

The RSP has urged party cadres to maintain continuous coordination with local governments, district administration offices, security agencies, and local disaster management committees for disaster preparedness.

'In the context of the Meteorological Department having already predicted above-average rainfall during this year's monsoon, it is emphasized that we all need to be extra attentive and prepared,' according to the statement.

At least 30 people have been killed in clashes in southern Syria as authorities sent forces to de-escalate the situation, BBC reported.

Scores of people were also injured in the violence between Bedouin Sunni tribes and fighters from the Druze religious minority in the city of Sweida.

Syria's interior ministry said at least 30 people were killed, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, put the death toll at 37.

Fighting between different minority groups has escalated since the collapse of the Assad regime in December, according to BBC.

At least 10 Palestinians have been killed at a water collection point in central Gaza, six of them children, as famine spreads in the besieged enclave and food and water supplies remain at critically low levels, Aljazeera reported.

Israeli forces on Sunday killed at least 92 Palestinians, 52 of them in Gaza City, as they targeted residential areas and displacement camps across Gaza, medical and local sources told Aljazeera.

The attack on the water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp, which also wounded 16 people, came as the Israeli military steps up attacks as it prepares to force the entire population of Gaza into a concentration zone in the south, according to Aljazeera.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said there is a water crisis across the Gaza Strip.

China's exports regained some momentum in June while imports rebounded, as firms rushed out shipments to capitalise on a fragile tariff truce between Beijing and Washington ahead of a looming August deadline, Reuters reported.

Businesses on both sides of the Pacific are waiting to see whether the world's two largest economies can agree on a more durable deal or if global supply chains will again be upended by the reimposition of duties exceeding 100%.

Customs data on Monday showed outbound shipments from China rose 5.8% year-on-year in June, beating a forecast 5.0% increase in a Reuters poll of economists and May's 4.8% growth, according to Reuters.

Imports rebounded 1.1%, following a 3.4% decline in May. Economists had predicted a 1.3% rise.