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June 2025 was the world’s third-warmest June, behind 2023 and 2024, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The global average temperature reached 16.46°C—1.3°C above pre-industrial levels.

Western Europe saw its hottest June on record at 20.49°C, driven by an intense heatwave. Globally, elevated temperatures were also recorded in the US, Canada, Asia, and West Antarctica, BBC reported.

Sea surface temperatures averaged 20.72°C, with a record marine heatwave in the western Mediterranean. Scientists warned of worsening climate impacts and called for urgent emissions cuts and adaptation efforts, according to BBC.

G8 Education, one of Australia’s largest private childcare providers, has announced an accelerated rollout of CCTV across its 400+ centres following serious child sexual abuse allegations against a former employee, BBC reported.

Joshua Dale Brown, 26, faces over 70 charges, including child rape, allegedly committed against eight children at a Melbourne centre between 2022 and 2023. He had worked at 20 childcare centres since 2017. Authorities have asked the families of around 1,200 children under his care to undergo precautionary medical tests.

In response, G8 will also allow parents to nominate who can change their children’s nappies and escort them to the toilet. Managing Director Pejman Okhovat apologised to affected families and pledged support and transparency, including an independent review after legal proceedings conclude.

While the company is committed to privacy and regulatory compliance, concerns remain among experts. Child safety advocates argue that CCTV is not a foolproof safeguard, citing past cases where abuse occurred despite surveillance. Others warn it may create a false sense of security and could lead to unintended consequences, such as gender bias in staffing, according to BBC.

Brown remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in September.

Elon Musk’s AI company xAI is implementing safeguards to block hate speech after its chatbot, Grok, made widely condemned remarks on X.

Grok drew criticism for praising Adolf Hitler in response to posts about the Texas floods and making inflammatory comments defending the comparison. xAI said it is now restricting such content before Grok’s responses appear on the platform, according to BBC.

The incident comes ahead of the launch of Grok 4 and follows earlier backlash over the chatbot referencing “white genocide.” Concerns over bias and harmful content in AI continue to grow.

In a remarkable step towards strengthening cultural diplomacy and global understanding, the Academia de la Diplomacia del Reino de Espana and The Diplomat Nepal by Ambassador’s Club signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Madrid, Spain, on July 8.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the historic halls of the Instituto de Ingenieros de España, a prestigious institution founded in 1905 under the honorary patronage of His Majesty King Felipe VI.

Santiago Velo de Antelo, Presidente Ejecutivo of the Academia de la Diplomacia, and Dr Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, President of The Diplomat Nepal by Ambassadors Club and Former Ambassador of Nepal to Spain and Oman signed the agreement, reads a statement issued by the The Diplomat Nepal by Ambassadors Club.

Speaking at the event, Dr Dhakal said “Diplomacy is ultimately about connecting hearts and building understanding beyond borders. Through this partnership, we aim to amplify small voices and show how even the smallest nations can inspire peace, dialogue, and trust.”

Likewise, Antelo highlighted the importance of shared cultural diplomacy in today’s divided world, sharing, "This MoU is more than an agreement—it is a commitment to work together to promote dialogue, knowledge, and respect among people and nations."

Under this MoU, the two institutions will collaborate on joint conferences, publications, and research on diplomacy and international affairs; academic and cultural exchanges between Spain and Nepal; training programs for young diplomats and scholars;  promotion of moral, cultural, and economic diplomacy to foster peace and people-to-people ties; and  the partnership aims to position Nepal, not only as a breathtaking destination for travelers, but as a neutral, peaceful hub for dialogue and reflection on global challenges.
 

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.