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Beijing's tariffs on certain US agricultural goods in retaliation for President Donald Trump's latest hike on Chinese imports came into force Monday, as trade tensions mount between the world's two leading economies, AFP reported.

Since retaking office in January, Trump has unleashed a barrage of tariffs on major US trading partners, including China, Canada and Mexico, citing their failure to stop illegal immigration and flows of deadly fentanyl.

After imposing a blanket 10 percent tariff on all Chinese goods in early February, Trump hiked the rate to 20 percent last week.

Beijing reacted quickly, its finance ministry accusing Washington of "undermining" the multilateral trading system and announcing fresh measures of its own.

Those tariffs come into effect Monday and see levies of 10 and 15 percent imposed on several US farm products.

Chicken, wheat, corn and cotton from the United States will now be subject to the higher charge.

Soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruit, vegetables and dairy will face the slightly lower rate.

The tariffs will not apply to goods that left before March 10, however, as long as they arrive in China by April 12, according to AFP.

Analysts say Beijing's retaliatory tariffs are designed to hurt Trump's voter base while remaining restrained enough to allow room to hash out a trade deal.

The increasing trade headwinds add to difficulties faced by Chinese leaders currently seeking to stabilise the country's wavering economy.

Sluggish consumer spending, a prolonged debt crisis in the vast property sector and high youth unemployment are among the issues now facing policymakers.

Analysts say China's exports -- which last year reached record highs -- might not provide the same economic lifeline for Beijing as its trade war with Washington intensifies.

For decades, the notion of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ has formed the foundation of justice systems all around the world, including Nepal. It ensures that every accused has the right to fair trial and is not convicted without sufficient evidence. However, in recent years, the legal tenet of ‘presumption of innocence until proven guilty’ has been under intense attack, particularly in light of Nepal’s changing media scene. Traditionally, this notion has served as a foundation of justice, ensuring that individuals are not unfairly punished without due process. However, the development of media trials, social media conjecture, and sensationalist journalism has resulted in a troubling trend: the presumption of guilt unless proven innocent.

Media trials have become a common occurrence in Nepal, where high-profile cases are frequently subjected to severe scrutiny by news organizations. These trials often take on a life of their own, overshadowing the real judicial proceedings. Before the court could rule, media outlets bombarded the airwaves with sensationalized tales of the purported crime, leading to a widespread sense of guilt. The hurry to disseminate details frequently resulted in misrepresentations and mistakes, essentially damaging the assumption of innocence, which should accompany any criminal charge.

For instance, the case of Nirmala Pant, a teenager whose rape and murder in 2018 shook the nation, saw extensive media coverage. While the public’s demand for justice was justified, the media’s relentless focus on certain suspects without conclusive evidence led to a trial by the media. Innocent individuals were harassed and their reputations tarnished irreparably.

Social media platforms have added to the complexity of Nepal’s justice system. The speed and scope of these platforms allow rumors and speculation to spread unchecked. For example; the infamous case of an alleged sexual assault on a senior player in Nepali cricket soon sparked a social media frenzy, with hashtags rising in support of victims and cries for punishment. However, in the middle of the outcry, the accused was publicly vilified, despite the fact that the court procedure was still ongoing. 

The immediacy of social media often fosters a mob mentality, in which people cast judgement without fully understanding the situation. This phenomenon not only influences public opinion but it can also put pressure on law enforcement and judicial organizations to take actions that jeopardize the integrity of investigations. The instance of comedian Apurva Singh is an appropriate example. In 2022, Singh was accused of making indecent remarks during a stand-up performance. The outcry on social media was fast and intense, with many people demanding his arrest and punishment without a formal investigation. The court of popular opinion had already found him guilty, demonstrating the power of social media in shaping views of guilt. 

Such journalism not only misleads the public but it also fosters a climate of fear and mistrust with individuals being condemned based on insufficient or biased data. This raises crucial considerations regarding the media’s role in protecting justice and fairness. One significant case in our country was the 2015 earthquake relief scandal. Several people and organizations were accused of misappropriating donations intended for earthquake victims. The media's sensationalist coverage sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, despite the fact that many of the accused were eventually proven innocent. The damage to their reputations and livelihoods, however, had already occurred.

The ramifications of this transformation are substantial. The presumption of innocence is more than just a legal nicety; it is a basic human right. Individuals who are considered guilty face serious consequences, including social isolation, loss of work and even threats to their safety. This was clear in the case of a young Nepalese student who was accused of theft. Despite the absence of evidence, his name and face were widely circulated on multiple media platforms, creating a hostile environment that drove him to flee his hometown.

Socially, the weakening of the presumption of innocence produces a culture of dread and suspicion. Individuals may become reluctant to speak out or engage in public discourse, fearing that any accusation, regardless of its veracity, could lead to their social and professional ostracization. This culture of fear can stifle free speech and hinder the healthy functioning of a democratic society.

Furthermore, the legal system itself may suffer long-term consequences as a result of this erosion of rights. Judges may be under pressure to render decisions that reflect popular opinion rather than an unbiased evaluation of the facts when public opinion is strongly against the accused. The impartiality necessary for a fair trial is put in danger by these phenomena. 

For decades, the notion of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ has formed the foundation of justice systems all around the world, including Nepal. It ensures that every accused has the right to fair trial and is not convicted without sufficient evidence. However, in recent years, the legal tenet of ‘presumption of innocence until proven guilty’ has been under intense attack, particularly in light of Nepal’s changing media scene. Traditionally, this notion has served as a foundation of justice, ensuring that individuals are not unfairly punished without due process. However, the development of media trials, social media conjecture, and sensationalist journalism has resulted in a troubling trend: the presumption of guilt unless proven innocent.

Media trials have become a common occurrence in Nepal, where high-profile cases are frequently subjected to severe scrutiny by news organizations. These trials often take on a life of their own, overshadowing the real judicial proceedings. Before the court could rule, media outlets bombarded the airwaves with sensationalized tales of the purported crime, leading to a widespread sense of guilt. The hurry to disseminate details frequently resulted in misrepresentations and mistakes, essentially damaging the assumption of innocence, which should accompany any criminal charge.

For instance, the case of Nirmala Pant, a teenager whose rape and murder in 2018 shook the nation, saw extensive media coverage. While the public’s demand for justice was justified, the media’s relentless focus on certain suspects without conclusive evidence led to a trial by the media. Innocent individuals were harassed and their reputations tarnished irreparably.

Social media platforms have added to the complexity of Nepal’s justice system. The speed and scope of these platforms allow rumors and speculation to spread unchecked. For example; the infamous case of an alleged sexual assault on a senior player in Nepali cricket soon sparked a social media frenzy, with hashtags rising in support of victims and cries for punishment. However, in the middle of the outcry, the accused was publicly vilified, despite the fact that the court procedure was still ongoing. 

The immediacy of social media often fosters a mob mentality, in which people cast judgement without fully understanding the situation. This phenomenon not only influences public opinion but it can also put pressure on law enforcement and judicial organizations to take actions that jeopardize the integrity of investigations. The instance of comedian Apurva Singh is an appropriate example. In 2022, Singh was accused of making indecent remarks during a stand-up performance. The outcry on social media was fast and intense, with many people demanding his arrest and punishment without a formal investigation. The court of popular opinion had already found him guilty, demonstrating the power of social media in shaping views of guilt. 

Such journalism not only misleads the public but it also fosters a climate of fear and mistrust with individuals being condemned based on insufficient or biased data. This raises crucial considerations regarding the media’s role in protecting justice and fairness. One significant case in our country was the 2015 earthquake relief scandal. Several people and organizations were accused of misappropriating donations intended for earthquake victims. The media's sensationalist coverage sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, despite the fact that many of the accused were eventually proven innocent. The damage to their reputations and livelihoods, however, had already occurred.

The ramifications of this transformation are substantial. The presumption of innocence is more than just a legal nicety; it is a basic human right. Individuals who are considered guilty face serious consequences, including social isolation, loss of work and even threats to their safety. This was clear in the case of a young Nepalese student who was accused of theft. Despite the absence of evidence, his name and face were widely circulated on multiple media platforms, creating a hostile environment that drove him to flee his hometown.

Socially, the weakening of the presumption of innocence produces a culture of dread and suspicion. Individuals may become reluctant to speak out or engage in public discourse, fearing that any accusation, regardless of its veracity, could lead to their social and professional ostracization. This culture of fear can stifle free speech and hinder the healthy functioning of a democratic society.

Furthermore, the legal system itself may suffer long-term consequences as a result of this erosion of rights. Judges may be under pressure to render decisions that reflect popular opinion rather than an unbiased evaluation of the facts when public opinion is strongly against the accused. The impartiality necessary for a fair trial is put in danger by these phenomena. 

Raj Pandey

Final year, BA LLB

Kathmandu School of Law

Life as sweet as honey 

was the greatest lie ever told

The wave of time came bearing sorrows 

with the reality it behold

The fire of my heart craving anger 

never ceasing to grow 

The emptiness in my soul kept asking to be filled 

with the love of gold

My first love was to the anger 

with her eyes as livid as ember

I craved the burns to my skin 

only to be drowned by the guilt that followed

I try again but once more that I try 

the more she seems to devour 

Then at the faint of night she whispered to me

Anger was never truly her name it was grief she told

Arnav Shrestha

A Level

LA College

Until the filing of this report, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the Kathmandu Valley was 163, putting it as the fifth most polluted city in the world.

As per the AQI chart, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam was the most polluted with 210 AQI while Beijing of China in the second position with 184 followed by Dhaka of Bangladesh in the third with 175 and New Delhi of India in the fourth with 170.

Amidst this, the Department of Environment has suggested the increased risk of air pollution till the month of Jeth (May-June). Smokes from industries, factories, motorcycles, construction sites, households, from the burning of waste in the open and dust from the construction works are among the identified major sources for air pollution.

Children, aged people, people with respiratory illness including asthma and heart diseases and expectant women are considered more vulnerable to the impact of air pollution.

Disaster Management Expert Dr Dharmaraj Upreti said an AQI 0-50 is good for human health and indicated by green signal and it is suggested by yellow when it is measured 51-100 to urge us to remain alert to the situation.

An AQI of 101 to 150 is indicated by orange and is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. It is capable of further impacting people with breathing issues and heart diseases.

Similarly, an AQI of 151 to 200 is considered unhealthy and is suggested by red and when it is in between 201 to 300 it is considered very unhealthy and it is hazardous when it exceeds 300. In this emergency condition, everyone is more likely to be affected.

Air Quality Management Action Plan-2076 BS for the Kathmandu Valley has also stated that a situation where the AQI value is higher than 300, it will be treated as a disaster.

The sky of Kathmandu Valley is cloudy and air pollution has also increased due to lack of adequate rainfall.

Meteorologist Binu Maharjan said that the rainfall could not take place due to the influence of the local wind and that of the western low-pressure system.

"There has been snowfall and light rain in some parts of the country, but adequate rainfall has not occurred to remove the air pollution. The weather will likely remain like this for three days more," she said.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 46. 33 points to close at 2, 772. 10 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 7. 31 points to close at 463. 29 points.

A total of 22,726,283-unit shares of 315 companies were traded for Rs 10. 09 billion.

Meanwhile, Guardian Micro Life Insurance Limited (GMLI) and 9% ICFC Finance Limited Debenture 2088 (ICFCD88) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (ULBSL) and Sindhu Bikash Bank Ltd (SINDU) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 60 trillion.

China announced tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products on Saturday, retaliating against levies Ottawa introduced in October and opening a new front in a trade war largely driven by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats, Reuters reported.

The levies, announced by the commerce ministry and scheduled to take effect on March 20, match the 100% and 25% import duties Canada slapped on China-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products just over four months ago.

By excluding canola, which is also known as rapeseed, and was one of Canada's top exports to the world's No.1 agricultural importer prior to China investigating it for anti-dumping last year, Beijing may be keeping the door open for trade talks.

But the tariffs also serve as a warning shot, analysts say, with the Trump administration having signalled it could ease 25% import levies the White House is threatening Canada and Mexico with if they apply the same extra 20% duty he has slapped on Chinese goods over fentanyl flows.

"Canada's measures seriously violate World Trade Organization rules, constitute a typical act of protectionism and are discriminatory measures that severely harm China's legitimate rights and interests," the commerce ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters.

China will apply a 100% tariff to just over $1 billion of Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes and pea imports, and a 25% duty on $1.6 billion worth of Canadian aquatic products and pork.

"The timing may serve as a warning shot," said Dan Wang, China director at Eurasia Group in Singapore. "By striking now, China reminds Canada of the cost of aligning too closely with American trade policy."

"China's delayed response (to Ottawa's October tariffs) likely reflects both capacity constraints and strategic signalling," she added. "The commerce ministry is stretched thin, juggling trade disputes with the U.S. and European Union."

"Canada, a lower priority, had to wait its turn."

The Canadian embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in August that Ottawa was imposing the levies to counter what he called China's intentional state-directed policy of over-capacity, following the lead of the United States and European Union, both of which have also applied import levies to Chinese-made EVs.

In response, China in September launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports. More than half of Canada's canola exports go to China and the trade was worth $3.7 billion in 2023, according to the Canola Council of Canada.

"The investigation on Canadian canola is still ongoing. That canola was not included in the list of tariffs this time might also be a gesture to leave room for negotiations," said Rosa Wang, an analyst with agricultural consultancy JCI.

Beijing could also be hoping that a change in government in Ottawa makes it more amenable. Canada's next national election must be held by October 20.

China is Canada's second-largest trading partner, trailing far behind the United States. Canada exported $47 billion worth of goods to the world's second-largest economy in 2024, according to Chinese customs data.

China is Canada's third-most important pork export market. It takes products for which Canada does not have easy alternate markets, said Cam Dahl, General Manager of the Manitoba Pork Council.

“The things we export to China, heads for example, are parts of the animal that don’t have easy other markets," he said. "We can’t take that container that’s going to China and just ship it to Mexico.”

China is Canada's number-two market for canola, said Chris Davison, president and CEO of the Canola Council of Canada, Reuters reported.

"The (tariff) levels that are being talked about here are prohibitive levels, for sure. ... The impacts will be felt across the industry," he said, adding that he would like to see financial support from the government.

Canadian government spokespersons did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"To be honest I don’t understand why they are doing this one at all," said Even Pay, agriculture analyst at Trivium China.

"I expect Beijing will use the election and change of leader as an opportunity to reset relations as they did with Australia," she added.

China in 2020 introduced a series of tariffs, bans and other restrictions on key Australian exports, including barley, wine, beef, coal, lobster and timber in retaliation to Canberra calling for a COVID origins probe.

Beijing did not begin lifting the bans until 2023, one year after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ousted Scott Morrison, who had called for the inquiry.

Tara Air has suspended its regular flights from Surkhet to Mugu, Humla and Jumla. The private airlines operator said it had to suspend flights to the three mountainous districts of Karnali due to losses incurred in every flight.

The Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment of Karnali Province government, Suresh Adhikari, had inaugurated the flights on December 4, 2024. The Himali Travels and Tours had been managing the flights to the three districts through Tara Air.

The travel and tour company said it has not got support from the Karnali Province Government and had been incurring losses in every flight to these districts.

Min Bahadur Rawal of Himali Travels and Tours said that although the work has been started as per the agreement to operate regular flights twice a week in three districts, the air service had to be closed due to lack of necessary support.

Meanwhile, private airline Yeti has completed its Surkhet-Kathmandu test flight on Saturday. The Yeti Airlines said a test flight was also conducted to Dhangadhi on Saturday.

Yeti Airline's 9N-AMN ATR-72 aircraft successfully conducted the test flight, airline spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said.