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A coalition of twelve US states, led by Democratic attorneys general from New York and Illinois, has filed suit to block President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

The case, heard by a three-judge panel at the Court of International Trade, argues Trump unlawfully invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval. The states contend the IEEPA was not intended for trade policy, Xinhua reported.

Announced April 2, the tariffs are part of Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” policy aimed at addressing trade imbalances. Critics, including Senator Rand Paul, have called the strategy economically flawed and legally unsound.

A court ruling is expected in the coming weeks, according to Xinhua.

Each traffic police officer in the Kathmandu Valley is responsible for managing an average of 1,787 vehicles, according to the latest report from the Auditor General. There are 2,084 kilometers of road across the three districts of the Valley, while the total number of vehicles registered in Bagmati Province in the fiscal year 2023/24 has reached 1,988,819.

The report highlights that only 1,113 personnel are currently deployed to manage traffic in the Valley. This means each officer must oversee both a high number of vehicles and an average of 1.87 kilometers of road.

According to Binod Ghimire, Chief of the Valley Traffic Division, the workload on traffic police is considerable given the current manpower. However, he noted that not all vehicles registered in Bagmati Province operate solely within the Valley.

The introduction of traffic lights, CCTV cameras, and other technologies has eased vehicle monitoring to some extent. The Traffic Division now uses 326 CCTV cameras installed across various locations in the Valley to monitor traffic violations, investigate accidents, and track vehicle theft.

Recently, Auditor General Toyam Raya submitted the 62nd annual report to President Ram Chandra Paudel. The report states that the average annual growth rate of road accidents in Nepal is 12.48 percent. It attributes the rise in accidents to poor road and vehicle conditions, traffic congestion, and delays in completing road construction projects.

Over the past five years, the number of people seriously injured in traffic accidents has increased by 7.35 percent annually, while minor injuries have risen by 6.16 percent. The report points to poor driver training, lack of awareness of traffic rules, and driver negligence as key causes of fatalities and injuries.

To address these issues, the Auditor General has recommended improvements in road infrastructure, pedestrian crossings, parking facilities, traffic signals, CCTV coverage, and road signage. It also calls for better inter-agency coordination and strict enforcement of the Vehicle and Traffic Acts.

The report further urges authorities to closely monitor vehicle condition, load limits, passenger capacity, and speed. It recommends implementing intelligent traffic light systems and ensuring strict compliance with traffic signs to improve traffic management not only in Kathmandu but also in other major cities.

Another area of concern raised in the report is the large number of abandoned vehicles at police offices. According to the Police Headquarters, as of fiscal year 2022/23, 6,982 vehicles—including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers—remain abandoned, with no identified owners.

Although 5,518 vehicles were auctioned in the same year, including 5,478 two-wheelers, 2 three-wheelers, and 38 four-wheelers, 1,464 vehicles are still left unattended. As per the 2022 Procedure for Auctioning Government Property and Goods, such vehicles should be documented, publicly notified for 15 days, and auctioned if no ownership claim is made. The report emphasizes the need to update records and auction the remaining vehicles as required by law.

Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC after attending an event focused on aid for Gazans. The victims, a couple, were killed at close range, according to BBC.

Police arrested 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it a “shocking terrorist attack”, BBC reported.

US President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “clearly antisemitic” and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting antisemitism.

Economist Bishwo Poudel has assumed the office of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) as its 18th Governor on Tuesday. His appointment, following nearly one and half months of leadership vacuum and a politically charged process, has placed him under intense scrutiny.

As a former Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentary candidate, Poudel steps into a role that demands not only economic acumen but also a clear demonstration of independence. He must now navigate a complex landscape shaped by political expectations, economic stagnation, and international obligations. The challenges ahead are significant and will require bold, balanced, and credible policy responses to restore confidence, revive growth and protect the NRB’s integrity as an autonomous institution.
 

Poudel’s political background has reignited concerns about the politicization of the NRB governorship—a role that, while historically influenced by political appointments, is expected to rise above party interests. The prolonged selection process reflects a troubling prioritization of political loyalty over institutional continuity. For Poudel, the first and perhaps most important test is to assert his independence. He must earn public and investor trust by making transparent, evidence-based decisions that put the country’s economic well being above political considerations. Failing to do so risks deepening skepticism about the central bank’s autonomy and complicating efforts to stabilize the economy.

One of the most urgent challenges before him is reviving credit growth. Although more than Rs 600bn in investable funds are sitting idle in the banking system and interest rates are at record lows, credit disbursement has remained weak for the past many months. This signals a deeper issue: a lack of confidence among borrowers and subdued demand for investment. The resulting liquidity trap has stifled economic activity and blunted the impact of monetary policy. To address this, Poudel will need to introduce targeted measures to stimulate lending. This could include easing regulatory barriers, supporting innovative financial products, and channeling credit into high-potential sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Working closely with banks and financial institutions to better assess and manage lending risks can help mobilize this idle capital into productive use, while unlocking growth and job creation.

Another critical issue is Nepal’s inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist because of the shortcomings in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing efforts. This designation will damage Nepal’s global financial standing, discourage foreign investment and hamper integration with international markets. The new governor must work closely with the Ministry of Finance and relevant regulatory bodies to strengthen the AML framework, enhance enforcement and ensure alignment with international standards. Removal from the greylist would not only restore investor confidence but also signal the NRB’s capacity to meet complex global obligations.

Despite a relatively strong external sector—marked by healthy remittance inflows, solid foreign exchange reserves and a balance of payments surplus—domestic economic activity has remained sluggish since the lifting of the post-covid stimulus. This disconnect highlights deeper structural challenges such as bureaucratic red tape, policy uncertainty and weak engagement with the private sector. Poudel must prioritize efforts to rebuild private sector confidence. Targeted incentives, such as credit guarantees for SMEs or support for green investments, could stimulate private sector involvement and energize the real economy. It is important to strike the right balance: reviving growth without stoking inflation, and implementing short-term stimulus that aligns with long-term development goals.

By promoting forward-thinking policies and fostering collaboration across institutions, Poudel has the chance to steer Nepal’s economy toward. His legacy at the central bank will be defined not just by the policies he takes, but by his ability to preserve the central bank’s independence and credibility.