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Eight different ordinances have been presented in today's meeting of the National Assembly's (NA) which had earlier been brought by the incumbent government. 

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam, on the behalf of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, tabled the Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Ordinance-2083, the Ordinance on Special Provisions Relating to the Removal of Public Officials-2083  and the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers and Procedures) (First Amendment-2083). 

The meeting of the Upper House also witnessed the introduction of the Ordinance to Amend Certain Nepal Acts, 2083 by Minister Gautam. 

Likewise, Minister for Finance, Dr Swarnim Wagle, presented the Prevention of Money Laundering (Third Amendment)-2083 in the Assembly's meeting.

Similarly, Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Pratibha Rawal submitted the Cooperative (First Amendment) Ordinance-2083. 

Additionally, Minister for Health and Population Nisha Mehata presented the Ordinance Enacted to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Health Science Academies- 2083.

During the meeting, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel tabled the Ordinance Enacted to Amend Some Nepal Acts relating to Universities-2083. 

The next meeting of the NA is scheduled for this afternoon itself at 5:15 pm.

The government's policies and programs for the upcoming fiscal year have been made public. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel on Monday made the government's policies and programs public while addressing a joint meeting of both houses of the federal Parliament.

Prior to the address, Prime Minister Balendra Shah presented a copy of the address to President Paudel. 

A Cabinet meeting held this morning had endorsed the government’s policies and programs.

Two days have been allocated for discussions on the policies and programs.

The concerned minister will respond after the discussion is over.

After the completion of discussion on the policies and programs, the budget will be presented in Parliament on May 29, as per the constitutional provisions.

Lawmakers from the opposition parties have drawn the government's attention to the management of landless squatters' settlements and other relevant issues, including ordinances in the House of Representatives meeting on Monday. 

During the meeting, they voiced their concerns regarding the ordinance, which was introduced while Parliament was suspended, thus violating established practices and traditions based on the recommendation of the future chief justice. 

Nishkal Rai from the Nepali Congress expressed his dissent against the government's decision to evict the landless residents from their settlement without providing alternative arrangements, while also sharing his differing views on the drafting of the new rules for the House of Representatives. 

Padma Kumari Aryal of the CPN-UML called for the respect of parliamentary dignity and the rule of law, urging the withdrawal of the ordinances. 

Yuvraj Dulal from the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) remarked that the removal of the landless settlement with only 24 hours' notice is a disregard for human dignity. 

Harkaraj Rai, the Chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party, criticized the government for its silence when India established a checkpoint in Lipulekh and extended the route to Mansarovar. 

Rastriya Prajatantra Party HoR member Khusbu Oli argued that the government failed to be sensitive to handle the landless squatters' issues.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 38. 10 points to close at 2, 783. 85 points on Monday.  

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 6. 08 points to close at 473. 41 points.

A total of 10,439,432-unit shares of 332 companies were traded for Rs 1. 58 billion.

Meanwhile, First Micro Finance Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (FMDBL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 14. 19 percent.

Similarly, Trishuli Jal Vidhyut Company Limited (TVCL) was the top loser as its price fell by 2. 87 points. 

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 74 trillion.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) today submitted a full-term budget review report of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083-84 BS (2026/2027) to the government.

NRB Governor Dr Biswo Nath Poudel today called on Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle and presented him the document. 

In accordance with the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058 BS, the central bank shall submit a report to the government about the country's economic and financial situation for the purpose of formulating the government's annual budget. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to Indians to revive working from home, buy less gold and limit foreign travel to deal with a surge in global energy ​prices because of the continuing crisis in the Middle East, BBC reported. 

Modi said the austerity measures, reminiscent of the Covid era, would reduce India's fuel use and help save foreign exchange.

India imports 90% of its oil and its crude bill has seen a multi-billion dollar spike since the US and Israel's war on Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow Gulf chokepoint, shut for more than two-and-a-half months now.

The counting of the rare one-horned rhinoceros, which was stopped last year due to lack of budget, will not be held this year as well. 

The rhino census, which takes place every four years, is being halted this year too due to budget constraints. 

The rhino count is done by employing genetic method. It will be conducted only next year as the authorities have forwarded the process to carry out the tiger census this year.

The census is conducted by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. 

A meeting of the technical committee related to the survey of wildlife has decided to formulate the necessary 'protocol' to count rhinos by genetic method.

Haribhadra Acharya, coordinator of the committee and the Department's senior ecologist said  that discussions have already started to prepare the protocol for the purpose. 

When counting by genetic method, the enumerators are mobilized to collect rhino dung (manure) and identify the number and sex through DNA testing in the laboratory. 

The genetic structure of one rhino and another's dung is different. 

According to Acharya, after identifying those places, dung is collected again and again by installing CCTV cameras.

He said that the protocol will be mentioned on how to do all these things. 

Primarily, rhinoceros are counted by this method in Chitwan National Park. Since it is a large area, the protocol will determine how much dung will be collected from the area. 

The habitat of the rhinoceros consists of riparian forest areas, river banks, grasslands, and swamps. 

Rhinoceros are found in four parks of Nepal. 

This method will be used only in Chitwan National Park as counting can be done by looking directly at Bardiya, Shukla and Parsa. 

In Nepal, only snow leopards are being counted by this method. 

It is less expensive and safer than previous methods. 

In the past, a direct calculation method was used by separating blocks. This method is costly and risky. According to Acharya, about Rs 30 million was spent on the rhino census in 2021.

In 2021, 752 rhinos were counted in national parks and conservation areas across the country. 

In the 1960s, the rhino population dropped to around 100. 

There were an estimated 800 rhinos in Nepal in the 1950s. 

The number of rhinos in Chitwan National Park alone had increased to 694, in Bardiya National Park from 29 to 38, and in Shuklaphanta to 18 in 2021.

The Beatles are turning the building where they played their last ever gig into an exhibition space, where fans can experience seven floors of memorabilia and never-before-seen archive material, BBC reported.

A Grade II listed mansion, 3 Savile Row served as the band's headquarters between 1968 and 1972 - and they recorded their final album, Let It Be, in the basement.

Sir Paul McCartney said that he wanted fans to have an official Beatles destination in London.