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Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed 17 people on Monday, Lebanon's health ministry says - marking one of the deadliest few days there since a ceasefire began just over two weeks ago, BBC reported. 

It brings the number of those killed since Thursday to 110 , according to the ministry. Israel says it is targeting the armed Shia Islamist group Hezbollah.

The Lebanese casualty figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. However, two of the dead and 14 of the injured are children.

President Donald Trump says the US has struck seven Iranian "fast boats" in the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington seeks to guide stranded ships out of the Gulf through the largely closed waterway, BBC reported. 

The UAE and South Korea both reported strikes on ships in the vital channel on Monday. The UAE also said a fire broke out at the oil port of Fujairah after an Iranian attack.

Shipping company Maersk told the BBC that one of its US-flagged vessels had successfully exited the strait with US military protection - under what Trump has called "Project Freedom".

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has stated that a system causing heavy rain with gusty winds is moving towards the eastern part of the country. 

Due to the influence of the system, most of the places in the Bagmati Province including the Kathmandu Valley and the Madhes Province are witnessing rainfall. 

A moderate rain coupled with storm and lightning is now taking place at different districts of the Karnali Province and Lumbini Province.

According to Meteorologist at the Department, Sanjeev Adhikari, the existing weather pattern started from the Sudurpaschim Province has spread to the Bagmati Province and the Madhesh Province through the Lumbini Province.  

The speed of the storm would be up to 40 kilometers per hour and will last approximately for two hours. 

Today, there is a possibility of heavy rain and is expected to decline by this evening. 

However, the rain causing system would remain active throughout the week, added the Department. 

At present, there is the influence of westerly and local winds in Nepal and the low-pressure area near the eastern part of the country. 

Also, the low-pressure trough that extended from east to west located in the southern part of Nepal has also had its influence. 

According to the Department, the weather in the Sudurpaschim Province has remained fully cloudy, while western areas and mountainous regions of Koshi, Karnali and Lumbini provinces are witnessing generally cloudy weather. 

A moderate rain coupled with thunder and lightning is taking place at some places of the Sudurpaschim Province. 

Tonight, generally cloudy conditions are expected across the country. 

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning at a few places in the hilly and mountainous regions and a few places in the Tarai region.  

Similarly, light to moderate rainfall is likely at few places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces as well as rainfall at a few places in other provinces on Tuesday. 

Rainfall with thunder is likely at some places in these provinces on Tuesday night. 

On Wednesday, cloudy weather is expected in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces and in hilly and mountainous regions in the remaining provinces. 

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain coupled with thunder at some places in these provinces and light rainfall at a few places in Tarai.

A constitution amendment task force is to hold discussions on Tuesday with former chiefs of constitutional bodies, former chief secretaries, foreign experts and administrators. 

The meeting is being organized as part of the preparation of a discussion paper on proposed constitutional amendment. 

The task force coordinated by Asim Shah, political advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, has scheduled the discussions from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. 

Task force member secretary Leeladhar Subedi said that the discussions aim to gather input from experts in relevant sectors in regard with the matters of constitutional amendment. 

The April 23rd meeting of the task force decided to hold discussions with former senior officials including the administrative experts to collect their submissions on the given matters. 

A Ukrainian drone hit an upmarket residential high-rise in Moscow in the early hours of Monday, resulting in no casualties but causing visible damage to the facade of the building, BBC reported. 

It was the third night in a row that the Russian capital came under attack from drones, days before Russia holds a scaled-back 9 May parade to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. 

An unverified video circulating on social media showed firemen entering a heavily damaged flat covered in dust and rubble and with blown-out windows, while another showed drone debris strewn across the street below, according to BBC. 

Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has stated that the government intends to present a budget that inspires hope. 

During his speech at the opening ceremony of the 60th Annual General Meeting of the FNCCI, Minister Wagle committed to fostering hope for the forthcoming fiscal year and positioning the private sector as a key driver of development. 

He emphasized the significance of the private sector in promoting economic growth, generating employment, and expanding investments. 

Minister Wagle disclosed that a strategic proposal aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the private sector has been submitted to the Cabinet. 

He noted that to realize the long-term objective of establishing an economy valued at approximately 100 billion dollars, the private sector will be essential. "The resources of the government are limited, yet private sector investment is crucial for economic expansion," he remarked. 

He pointed out that government spending constitutes only about 25 to 30 percent of the GDP, indicating that the remaining economic activities are predominantly managed by the private sector. 

"The initiative to repeal around two dozen laws that have obstructed economic advancement is underway," Minister Wagle stated, adding, "Furthermore, the tax system will be reformed to be more favorable to enterprises and investments by enhancing revenue administration." 

Minister Wagle affirmed that the government will implement policies aligned with the principles of a social market economy. 

He clarified that equitable income distribution will be achieved through education, healthcare, transportation, and social security, while simultaneously promoting innovation and mobility within the private sector.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 34. 63 points to close at 2, 704. 08 points on Monday.  

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 37 points to close at 461. 05 points.

A total of 10,074,524-unit shares of 341 companies were traded for Rs 1. 53 billion.

Meanwhile, Forward Microfinance Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (FOWAD)  was the top gainer today with its price surging by 15. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser as their price fell by 12. 58 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 61 trillion.

Iran’s military says it will attack US forces if they attempt to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz.

The warning comes after US President Donald Trump announced a naval mission, dubbed Project Freedom, to guide stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, with operations set to begin in the coming hours.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it is assessing a response from Washington to its latest 14-point proposal to end the war. Trump had called Tehran’s proposal “unacceptable”.