US appeals court reinstates Trump's tariffs
A federal appeals court has temporarily stayed a US Court of International Trade ruling that struck down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, allowing them to remain in effect during the appeal process.
The trade court had found the tariffs exceeded presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Trump administration appealed immediately and sought interim relief, which the appellate court granted, Xinhua reported.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, defended the tariffs as legally legitimate and requested the Supreme Court to intercede.
Separately, a federal judge halted tariff collection from two toy companies but suspended enforcement for fourteen days, according to Xinhua.
Israel approves US-backed 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal
The White House confirmed Thursday that Israel has approved a 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal submitted by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump, CBS News reported.
Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, stated that the proposal was forwarded to Hamas after Israel approved it. She said that talks are ongoing and expressed hope for a truce that will result in the release of hostages.
According to CBS News, the arrangement involves a 60-day cease-fire, the release of 10 living hostages, and the repatriation of the bodies of 18 others.
Hamas stated that it has received the proposal and is analyzing it through mediators, with the goal of serving its people's interests and achieving a permanent ceasefire.
Government unveils Rs 1. 964 trillion budget for fiscal year 2025/26
The government on Thursday announced a budget of Rs 1. 964 trillion for the fiscal year 2025/26.
Unveiling the annual budget at the joint session of the Federal Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel tabled the budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 with the size of Rs 1. 964 trillion.
"For the upcoming fiscal year, Rs 1.180 trillion (60.1%) has been allocated for recurrent expenditure while Rs 489 billion (20.8%) for capital expenditure, and Rs 375 billion (19.1%) for fiscal management," Finance Minister Paudel stated while reading out the annual budget.
The size of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is higher than 5.6 percent compared to the current fiscal year's allocation and 18.2 percent higher compared to the revised one.
Of the total allocation, Rs 417.83 billion has been allocated for fiscal transfer for the provinces and local governments.
According to the finance minister, Rs 1. 315 trillion would be managed for the revenue collection and Rs 53.45 billion from the foreign grants.
Likewise, Rs 595.66 billion would be managed from loans including Rs 362 billion from internal loans and Rs 233.66 billion from foreign loans, Minister for Finance Paudel announced in the Federal Parliament meeting today.
Govt sets economic growth rate target at 6 percent for upcoming fiscal year
The government has projected an economic growth rate of 6 percent in the Fiscal Year 2025/26.
Unveiling the annual budget at the joint session of the Federal Parliament today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said that the government's annual policy and programs and the budget's programs announced for the upcoming fiscal year would contribute to achieve the target of 6 percent of economic growth rate.
Likewise, the finance minister announced to maintain the 5.5 percent of inflation in the upcoming fiscal year.
WHO adopts global pandemic pact, approves $4.2bn budget
The 78th World Health Assembly concluded Tuesday with the adoption of a global pandemic agreement and a $4.2bn base budget for 2026–2027.
The WHO hailed the agreement, the result of over three years of negotiations post-COVID-19, as a major step toward stronger global pandemic preparedness. The budget, based on the Fourteenth General Program of Work, was reduced from an earlier $5.3bn proposal, according to Xinhua.
The Assembly also passed on measures concerning health funding, traditional medicine, air pollution, antibiotic resistance, maternal and child nutrition, and health workforce development.
Chinese vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the Assembly, where China took part in over 70 agenda items and organized side events, Xinhua reported.
Israel legalizes 22 new settlements in West Bank
Israel has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the biggest expansion in decades. Some were unauthorized outposts, now legalized under Israeli law, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Katz said the move “prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel,” while the Palestinian presidency called it a “dangerous escalation”, BBC reported.
Since 1967, Israel has built around 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews. Most of the world considers them illegal under international law, which Israel disputes.
No hike in civil servants’ salary, dearness allowance increased to Rs 5, 000
The government has decided not to increase the salaries of government employees in the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26.
The government, however, increased the dearness allowance.
Presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 in the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said that the salaries of civil servants could not be increased.
With the decision, the government staffs will receive Rs 5, 000 montly dearness allowance. Currently, they are getting Rs 2, 000 monthly.
Govt allocates Rs 10 billion for health insurance
The government has allocated Rs 10 billion for health insurance.
Presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 in the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said that Rs 10 billion has been allocated for health insurance.







