Trump administration to cut vaccine aid to developing countries
The Trump administration is planning to end funding for Gavi, a global health organization that helps provide vaccines and other life-saving care to developing countries, The Guardian reported.
A 281-page spreadsheet obtained by the New York Times lists the Trump administration’s plans for thousands of foreign aid programs, including financial cuts to the organization that buys vaccines for children, as well as scaling back on programs that combat malaria in developing countries.
Gavi is estimated to have saved the lives of 19 million children since it was set up 25 years ago with the US contributing 13% of its budget, the Times said.
“The US has historically been one of Gavi’s biggest donors and I hope that longstanding champions on Capitol Hill will urge the administration to reverse course,” said Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of the global health policy program at the Center for Global Development, according to The Guardian.
She added: “Gavi is one of the most impactful global health initiatives. We know that vaccinating children is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health and save lives – which is exactly why Gavi has enjoyed bipartisan support to date.
“This latest move will turn back years of hard-won progress and stymie Gavi’s efforts to stop the spread of infectious disease outbreaks before they reach the US border.”
Canada PM Mark Carney says old relationship with US 'is over'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada's old relationship with the United States, "based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over".
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa after a cabinet meeting, Carney said Canadians must "fundamentally reimagine our economy" in the face of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, BBC reported.
He said Canada would respond with retaliatory tariffs that will have "maximum impact" on the US.
Trump announced on Wednesday he would target imported vehicles and vehicle parts with a 25% tax, stating: "This is permanent."
NHRC urges protesting groups to organize tomorrow’s demonstrations peacefully
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged one and all to exercise the right to freedom of expression and demonstration in a peaceful manner while putting forth their demands.
The statement of the NHRC comes ahead of the separate demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow by the political parties in the Socialist Front and pro-monarchists.
In a press statement by NHRC Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokhrel, the demonstrating sides have been urged to remain sensitive to abide by the constitution and the provisions stated in the national as well as international laws for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and speech. The NHRC has asked both sides to ensure peaceful demonstrations and to remain aware of the infringement of others' rights.
Likewise, the NHRC has urged the government and the security agencies to remain sensitive to human rights while making arrangements for law and order, considering the possible consequences of the situation.
The NHRC has stated that it discussed with the chief district officers of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts, Chief of Kathmandu Police and representatives of the Human Rights Cell of Nepal Police in regard to the law and order situation of the Kathmandu Valley.
On the occasion, NHRC Chair Tapa Bahadur Magar directed the officials and stakeholders to consider the principles of human rights while ensuring and managing law and order.
Similarly, the NHRC is to monitor the demonstrations on Friday in the Capital City.
Birgunj customs sees imports worth Rs 390 billion in eight months
Imports amounting to over Rs 390 billion took place via the Birgunj customs in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.
The imports are more by 11.40 percent (Rs 39.92 billion) in the corresponding period last fiscal year.
According to Birgunj Customs Office Chief Customs Administrator, Dipak Lamichhane, the imports of petroleum products, raw soybean oil and motor vehicles were relatively high in the current fiscal year.
Petroleum products (five types) worth over Rs 122 billion were supplied into the country between July 16 and March 13. The amount was Rs 120.53 billion in the corresponding period last year.
Similarly, the raw oil of soybean amounting to Rs 29.29 billion entered the country against the volume of Rs 5.78 billion last year.
Likewise, the imports of iron and iron materials are noticeable in the current fiscal year, with the office registering the imports worth Rs 22.51 billion compared to Rs 21.94 billion last year.
Similarly, the office recorded the imports of machinery and their parts worth Rs 21.67 billion in the given period against Rs 18.65 billion in the first eight months of the last fiscal (2023-2024).
The imports of motor vehicles amounted to Rs 11.68 billion during the period while it was worth Rs 10.10 billion in the same period last year.
Canada will react to Trump's 'attack' soon, could impose tariffs, says Carney
Canada will soon respond to new tariffs on imported vehicles announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and could impose retaliatory measures against the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Carney said Trump's move was "a direct attack" and told reporters he would be convening a high-level cabinet meeting on Thursday to decide on a response.
"We will defend our workers, we will defend our companies, we will defend our country, and we will defend it together," he said in Kitchener, Ontario.
The tariffs look set to damage the highly integrated North American auto industry.
Canada has already announced a package of retaliatory tariffs totaling C$155 billion that it said would be imposed in stages depending on what Trump did, according to Reuters.
Trump officials attack journalist after Signal leak published in full
The White House reacted furiously on Wednesday after The Atlantic magazine published messages between national security officials in a Signal group chat in their entirety, BBC reported.
President Donald Trump called the reporting "all a witch hunt" and declared the publication a "failed magazine".
Jeffrey Goldberg, the journalist who was inadvertently included in the chat among senior cabinet leaders, shared texts in which US defence secretary Pete Hegseth provided sensitive information such as detailed timetables and unit information ahead of a US strike in Yemen, according to BBC.
Goldberg said he decided to publish the information after the Trump administration accused him of lying that classified information was shared.
Trump announces 25% tariffs on car imports to US
US President Donald Trump has announced new import taxes of 25% on cars and car parts coming into the US in a move that threatens to widen the global trade war, BBC reported.
Trump said the latest tariffs would come into effect on 2 April, with charges on businesses importing vehicles starting the next day. Charges on parts are set to start in May or later.
The president claimed the measure would lead to "tremendous growth" for the car industry, promising it would spur jobs and investment in the US.
But analysts have said the move is likely to lead to the temporary shutdown of significant car production in the US, increase prices, and strain relations with allies, according to BBC.
Most parts of the country likely to see fair weather today
There is now a partial influence of westerly winds and local winds in country's weather
The weather, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces and fair in the rest of the provinces.
In the afternoon, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly region while the rest of the country will see partly cloudy to fair weather.
Light rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces. Also, there are chances of light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces.
Similarly, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly regions of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces tonight. Light snowfall is likely to occur at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces.
In the next 24 hours, light rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki provinces.
In view of possible light snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces, the Division has cautioned about partial impact on daily life, agriculture, health, road and aviation sector.
