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US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that immediately doubles the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent. The UK, on the other hand, is still temporarily exempt, and its tariffs stay at 25 percent.

The exemption depends on a trade agreement between the UK and the US that was signed last month. The goal of the agreement is to get rid of all tariffs. The UK could have to pay the full 50 percent rate if the deal isn't done by July 9, according to BBC.

Officials in the UK say they are doing everything they can to make the agreement happen as soon as possible.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel assured that the newly introduced budget for the fiscal year 2025/26 would ensure proper utilization of the available resources and to foster infrastructure development. 

In a discussion organized by the Society of Infrastructure Journalists (SIJ-Nepal) on the 'Infrastructure sector in budget and its implementation', DPM Paudel reiterated that the budget has been devised to prevent the misuse of the resources in construction of infrastructures.

Paudel added that the budget was allocated in a realistic approach taking into consideration the needs of the nation and available resources.

According to him, several reform measures have been introduced and implemented to address the longstanding problems and challenges in the infrastructure sector. He believed that these measures would yield result-oriented outcomes.

"Budget is only a single digit document. The budget is prepared in a realistic way so that the credibility of the budget is not questioned," the DPM asserted, claiming that there has been no criticism of the newly introduced annual estimates of income and expenditure.

It may be noted that the incumbent government on May 29 had introduced an annual budget of Rs 1.964 trillion for the fiscal year 2025/26.

Furthermore, for fiscal discipline, he informed that the budget includes a dedicated focus on capital expenditure to ensure proper management of the resources and timely spending of the allocated budget. 

In a departure from the trend of increasing general expenditure, the DPM highlighted that stringent measures have been put in place to cap the general expenditure to prevent excessive recurrent spending. 

As for the Public Procurement Act, he informed that the 14th amendment to the Act has already addressed some existing issues. He expressed his readiness to consider further amendments in the Act if need be, so as to promote the country's construction sector. 

Addressing concerns over shortage of construction materials affecting construction works' timeliness, the DPM said that the excavation of mining and aggregate materials will be allowed from only appropriate places and after conducting environment impact assessment.

Citing the provision of alternative development financing for mega projects introduced by the government, he was confident that the Parliament would endorse necessary laws to facilitate such provisions.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed the need of eradicating caste based discrimination and untouchability by fostering empathy and equality.

In his message of best wishes via social media on the occasion of the National Day for the Elimination of Caste Discrimination and Untouchability, Prime Minister Oli said that we should develop society in which persons are evaluated not by their caste, surname, or birth, but by their action, thought and contribution.

"Mothers do not give birth to castes, they give birth to newborn humans. Once a newborn baby starts to walk, society begins to ask about his/her caste and lineage. There is no caste above humanity. Everyone's blood is of the same color. Tears flow with the same pain for everyone. We need to create a society where we are evaluated not by caste, lineage, or birth, but by our actions, thoughts, and contributions," PM Oli stated in his message.

The US government has announced visa restrictions targeting several unnamed Central American officials and their families due to alleged involvement in Cuba’s medical mission programs. The US claims these programs involve forced labor and exploitation of Cuban workers, according to Reuters.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the move seeks to hold accountable those linked to such practices. Meanwhile, Cuba has denied the accusations, and some Caribbean leaders have defended the medical missions as vital healthcare support.

This action follows earlier US sanctions against Cuban officials connected to the country’s overseas labor export programs, Reuters reported.