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At a recent World Trade Organization General Council meeting in Geneva, the European Union and numerous member countries protested US tariffs, claiming they disrupt the global trading system and cause economic instability. The EU criticized the use of tariffs to address domestic economic difficulties and called for increased multilateral cooperation.

Representatives from Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and more than 100 WTO members also expressed concern, urging for reforms to support the rules-based trading system and fight protectionism, as reported by Xinhua.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged the United States to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve trade disputes and support global trade stability.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has instructed the security agencies in the Madesh Province to adopt draconian measures to control criminal activities and smuggling in the bordering areas between Nepal and India in the Province.

Minister Lekhak directed this while inaugurating the provincial level security seminar organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and departmental ministry of the Madhesh Province in Janakpur today.

Furthermore, Lekhak urged the concerned authority to maintain a high-level caution for security concerns, he added, saying all eight districts of the province share open borders with India.

He emphasized the need for the security agencies to discharge their duties with honesty in the changing context of the world.

The Home Minister asked the civil employees in the province to be honest and unbiased and deliver public services in an easy manner and promptly.

Minister Lekhak expressed his concern over the increasing cases of drug abuse, road accident, suicides and cybercrimes in the recent times.

Likewise, Madhesh Province's Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh drew the attention of the Home Minister, stating that maintaining peace and order in the province was becoming challenging in absence of adjustment of police personnel in the province.

He said the province government had been extending utmost support to the security agencies in the province despite its limited means and resources.

On the occasion, he urged the concerned authority to take forward the adjustment process in the police organization.

Similarly, Province's Minister for Home Affairs, Communications and Law Raj Kumar Lekhi appealed to the security agencies to remain vigilant and aware towards the prospects of heightened security challenges that arise in the bordering areas due to the conflict and tensions between the neighboring countries.

Chiefs of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal and National Investigation Department in the province as well as the Chief District Officers of all eight districts in the province were present in the program.

Jhapa’s Haldibari Rural Municipality has launched a campaign to replace old wooden bridges with durable concrete structures, funding the initiative entirely from its internal budget. Two years ago, the municipality laid the foundation for three concrete bridges—one over the Bhuteni Khola and two over the Bhusudi Khola—with a total project cost of Rs 49.68m.

On Wednesday, the newly constructed concrete bridge over Bhuteni Khola, connecting Wards 1 and 5, was officially inaugurated by Rajendra Prasad Lingden, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, and the current Member of Parliament from Jhapa Constituency-3.

Speaking at the inauguration, Haldibari Rural Municipality Chairperson Rabindra Prasad Lingden shared that in 2017, a team from the Department of Roads’ Bridge Division had visited the area and conducted a soil test for the bridge. They later prepared a DPR (Detailed Project Report) and estimated the cost of a single bridge at approximately Rs 270m. “That estimate shocked us,” said Lingden. “We were unsure whether we could construct the bridge with our limited resources. But we decided to move forward, and we successfully completed the bridge with just Rs 23m.” He added that the bridge division’s estimate might have included a slightly longer and higher bridge, “but there’s no way it required such a large budget.”

Highlighting that all three bridges were constructed for under Rs 50m, Lingden stated, “The inauguration of the remaining two bridges will follow soon. Haldibari is now free from its dependency on wooden bridges.” He emphasized that this project is a strong example of how disciplined and honest leadership can accomplish major infrastructure works at minimal cost.

The United Nations has issued a warning about Sudan's deteriorating humanitarian situation, as conflict continues to displace hundreds.

In West Kordofan, a state in central-western Sudan, approximately 47,000 people escaped conflict this month, while 6,000 were displaced in North Darfur. The region now hosts over 1.7m displaced people, Xinhua reported.

Khartoum is experiencing major disruptions due to power outages induced by drone attacks, which are limiting access to water and healthcare and driving a cholera outbreak.

Over 25,000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in White Nile state in recent weeks, seeking safety from danger, according to Xinhua.

The UN reports only $552m of the $4.2bn humanitarian funding goal has been met and urges greater support and access.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has rejected US demands that Iran cease uranium enrichment, warning that such a condition would make any nuclear agreement impossible.

Speaking on state-run IRIB TV ahead of the fifth round of indirect talks in Rome, Araghchi stated, "If the United States insists on ending uranium enrichment in Iran, there will be no agreement." He reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, but considers enrichment a sovereign right that is "non-negotiable", Xinhua reported.

He also stated that, while the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is now inactive, it is not dead and may be revived. In 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the pact and reimposed sanctions.

The UN has delivered the first aid convoy to Gaza in 11 weeks, with 90 trucks entering via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The shipment includes food, medicine, and 500 pallets of nutrition supplies, but officials warn it falls far short of meeting the needs of 2.1m people, according to UN News.

Some bakeries, supported by the World Food Programme, have resumed limited bread production. However, fuel, fresh food, hygiene items, and water purification supplies remain blocked.

UN staff face long delays due to military operations, and humanitarian routes remain insecure. Al Awda Hospital in North Gaza was damaged in a reported attack, and water wells are failing due to fuel shortages. Nearly 500,000 people are on the brink of starvation, UN News reported.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Tanaka Akihiko held a meeting on Friday.

During the meeting held at Tokyo-based JICA Headquarters, they discussed issues related to Nepal-Japan bilateral relations and mutual welfare as well as climate change, natural disasters and good governance, according to Minister Rana's Secretariat.

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Rana on the behalf of Nepal thanked JICA for its support provided for the socio-economic development of Nepal for long.

She appreciated the support the Japanese government has been providing through JICA in various areas of Nepal including construction of Nagdhunga tunnel route and reconstruction and maintenance of Sindhuli Bardibas road.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 100 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 190, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 191, 500 per tola on Thursday.

The price of silver has increased by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 2, 005 per tola today.