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.
Israel legalizes 22 new settlements in West Bank
Israel has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the biggest expansion in decades. Some were unauthorized outposts, now legalized under Israeli law, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Katz said the move “prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel,” while the Palestinian presidency called it a “dangerous escalation”, BBC reported.
Since 1967, Israel has built around 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews. Most of the world considers them illegal under international law, which Israel disputes.
