Turkey to fine passengers for ignoring seatbelt rules
Turkey has introduced mandatory fines for airline passengers who stand up or open overhead lockers before the seatbelt sign is turned off after landing. The civil aviation authority implemented the rule following a sharp rise in passenger complaints.
Fines are reportedly around US$70 (£50), though the official notice does not specify an exact amount. Airlines are now required to make in-flight announcements reminding passengers to remain seated with seatbelts fastened until the aircraft is fully parked, BBC reported.
Violators must be reported to the authorities. Turkish Airlines has already updated its landing procedures to comply with the new mandatory regulation.
Govt to import 600,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizer
The government has allocated Rs 28.82 billion for the procurement of chemical fertilizer in the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26 and the volume of the chemical fertilizer would be increased to 600,000 metric tons.
Unveiling the annual budget for FY 2025/26 in the joint meeting of the Federal Parliament on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel made the announcement to allocate Rs 28.82 billion in grant for the import of chemical fertilizer.
Likewise, necessary preparations would be advanced from the Investment Board of Nepal for establishing the chemical fertilizer factory.
Minister Paudel stated that Rs 400 million has been allocated for the Organic Agriculture Promotion Program to ensure higher agricultural productivity by maintaining the quality of soil.
As announced by the finance minister, promotion of agricultural production would be done along the Mid-Hill Highway and Madan Bhandari Highway.
Similarly, a budget has been allocated for expansion of cash crops, animal husbandry, high-end fruits, forest products, agriculture forest system and others, according to the finance minister.
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.
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.
