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The construction of a state-of-the-art aviation fuel depot has been completed at Pokhara Regional International Airport. Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) undertook the project, which marks a milestone as the first aviation fuel depot built entirely with indigenous skills and capital in the corporation’s 55-year history, according to Project Chief Engineer Pradeep Kumar Yadav.

Construction began on 17 July 2023, and has been completed within the stipulated two-year timeframe. The depot is expected to be officially inaugurated in July. Covering 9,215 square meters within the airport premises, the depot was established under a five-year lease agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority, with provisions for renewal. Although the initial tender for the project was invited on 15 March 2021, in line with the Public Procurement Act, delays led to the contract being awarded only on 15 Nov 2022, to the lowest bidder. Subsequently, the land lease agreement was signed on 1 Jan 2023.

The depot includes three large vertical storage tanks, each with a capacity of 1,200 kiloliters, totaling 3,600 kiloliters of aviation fuel. Each tank stands 12 meters high and has a diameter of 12 meters. The facility is equipped with two 230-horsepower diesel fire-fighting pumps, a 15-horsepower jockey pump, and an 8-inch pipeline for fire suppression.

A dedicated 1,200-kiloliter water tank has also been constructed to enhance safety, directly connected to the fire-fighting infrastructure. Additionally, a 4,000-liter foam storage tank, integrated with the fire-fighting system, provides further protection by releasing foam alongside water during emergencies to quickly suppress fires.

The depot is equipped with micron filters (1 and 5 microns) for loading and unloading operations and uses API-standard storage tanks and iron piping to maintain safety and quality. Fuel is transferred from tankers to the storage tanks via a specialized aviation fuel pipeline system. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 750m (excluding VAT).

Three sailors were killed and two injured after Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea, the EU naval force confirmed Tuesday. The vessel remains adrift with the crew onboard, according to Associated Press.

The incident follows a separate Houthi assault on the Magic Seas, a Greek-owned bulk carrier, which was later sunk. Its 22-member crew, including 17 Filipinos, was rescued by a UAE vessel.

Though the Houthis haven’t claimed responsibility, the attacks were blamed on the group by the US, EU, and Yemen’s exiled government. The US condemned the strikes as a threat to global shipping and regional stability.

These are the first Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in 2025 and come amid rising Middle East tensions and ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks. The UN has urged the Houthis to halt attacks and comply with international resolutions, Associated Press reported.

The flood in Chumging river triggered by heavy rainfall swept away four bridges in Upper Mustang on Tuesday.

According to the District Police Office, Mustang, the flood caused damage to a bridge over Chumjung river and an under construction bridge at Samjung.

Similarly, the flood washed away an iron bridge and three wooden bridges, the District Police Office said.

DSP Tsering Kappa Lama of Mustang informed that the families of two houses, who were at high risk of flood, were shifted to a safer place.

According to DSP Lama, though the flood caused damage to the bridges, there was no loss of life and livestock.

He said that a nine-member team under the command of the assistant sub-inspector of the Area Police Office, Choser and the inspector of the Armed Police Force has been deployed in the area to carry out rescue operations.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met again Tuesday to discuss a possible 60-day Gaza ceasefire.

Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said only one issue remains unresolved between Israel and Hamas. The proposed deal includes the release of 10 hostages and the remains of nine others, according to BBC.

Netanyahu, who also met US officials including VP JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson, said Israel’s military campaign would continue, but negotiations were advancing.

Qatar, a key mediator, said more time was needed. Talks between Israel and Hamas resumed Sunday but remain stalled, BBC reported.

Ten highways of the country have been completely disrupted due to floods and landslides.

According to Nepal Police headquarters, the Koshi Highway in Sankhuwasabha, Mechi Highway in Phungthar, Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa, Kanti Lokpath (Highway) in Makawanpur, Darbang Road in Myagdi, East-West Highway in Nawalparasi, Bheri Corridor in Dolpa, Jajarkot-Dolpa-Bheri Corridor in Rukum West, and the Jay Prithvi Highway in Bajhang have been obstructed by the water-inducted disasters.  

Meanwhile, one way traffic has come into resumption along the Banepa-Nala-Bhaktapur, Kali Gandaki Corridor in Baglung, same section in Gulmi, and Shahid Highway in Rolpa which were disrupted due to floods and landslides.

The Kalung rivulet of Jaimini Municipality-9, Paiyuthanthap swept away the dam and power house of the Upper Kalungkhola Hydropower Project.

Local Ganga Acharya said that the flooding this morning washed away the dam along with the power house of the project.

The flood also swept away the steel bridge that was constructed last year at the cost of Rs 3.5 million, Acharya informed.

The natural disaster caused damage to the transformer of the central power transmission line, disrupting power supply to a total of 130 households in Paiyuthanthap.

Two families of Khareyabot, Paiyuthanthap were displaced due to flood. Seven families are at risk of floods and landslides, Acharya informed.

US President Donald Trump will announce new tariffs on at least seven more countries Wednesday, with additional measures possible by noon.

This follows warnings to 14 nations on Tuesday, urging trade deals by August 1 or face higher US tariffs. Trump said countries that retaliate will face steeper penalties, according to Firstpost.

While not formal agreements, the letters highlight Trump’s assertive trade stance. Despite economic concerns, he says the tariffs will boost US manufacturing and fund recent tax cuts.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is personally determining tariff rates and trade plans, Firstpost reported.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that BRICS nations, including India, could face a 10 percent tariff, accusing the group of working to undermine the United States and weaken the US dollar.

He claimed BRICS was created to harm US interests and said any member country would be subject to the tariff. “If they want to play their game, I can play mine,” he said, as quoted by Firstpost.

Trump dismissed the bloc as “not a serious threat,” claiming it had largely broken apart. He warned that losing the dollar’s global dominance would be like “losing a major world war.”