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More than 90, 000 foreign tourists have entered Nepal in May this year.

According to the statistics released by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) today, a total of 90, 211 foreign tourists visited the country in May.

The tourist arrival has increased by 16.10 percent this year in comparison to last year.  A total of 77, 703 foreign tourists had visited Nepal in May last year.

The NTB Director Maniraj Lamichhane said that the arrival of foreign tourists is encouraging. He said, "Overall, the arrival of tourists seems to be encouraging. Comparatively, although a large number of Indian and American tourists entered the country, the number of tourists from China has not increased as per expectation."

According to NTB, 38,288 tourists from India, 8,381 tourists from China and 8,527 from the United States visited Nepal in May.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 13. 51 points to close at 2,083. 04 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 45 points to close at 371. 65 points.

A total of 9,697,206-unit shares of 325 companies were traded for Rs 4. 31 billion.

Meanwhile, Multipurpose Finance Company Limited (MPFL) and Makar Jitumaya Suri Hydropower Limited (MAKAR) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Narayani Development Bank Limited (NABBC) was the top loser as its price fell by 9. 13 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 30 trillion.

Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun has said the budget for the fiscal year 2081/82 BS (2024/25) remains objective though significant pressure has been realized in the management of resources.

Proposing to the House of Representatives (HoR) today to initiate general deliberations on the estimations of the government's income and expenditures for the current fiscal year, the finance minister said the budget is capable of alleviating civic frustrations and counteracting economic slowdown.

"In the course of the budget formulation, the shrinking of resources was realized by all. There were many expectations in the budget. Concerns were whether it would prioritize the need to enable an atmosphere for encouraging youths to seek career opportunities within the country and motivate the private sector. But now reactions are that the budget is objective amidst the shrunken resources. The private sector also dubbed it a balanced one," he said.

The minister said that the budget is based on the principles and priorities presented by outgoing Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat.

Similarly, changes in tax rates were made on a need basis with in-depth analysis of their relevance. Tax rates were revised at the lowest level and those changes were based on the need basis, he clarified.

According to him, the government did not want to jeopardize political stability by changing tax rates significantly. 

The Minister apprised the House that the nation's economy has gradually improved.  Amidst the shrinking of the national economy, the Central Statistics Office has estimated a 3.9 per cent economic growth rate this year.

Last year, Nepal's economic growth rate was 1.9 per cent. The scenario suggests that the economy is recovering, but a full recovery is awaited, according to him.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa said that the savings of cooperatives’ victims should be returned.

Speaking at a Parliament meeting on Sunday, he mentioned that the savings of depositors of the cooperatives should get their money back in time.

Also, General Secretary of Nepali Congress, Thapa suggested that the Parliamentary Investigation Committee on cooperatives formed on May 28 should study the issues seriously to reach the conclusion.

He argued that most of the cooperatives are performing well, but some have tarnished the sector and are found involved in fraud and embezzlement cases; therefore, the committee should investigate the issue critically.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has advised citizens to take precautionary measures against dengue fever infection.

With temperatures on the rise and the monsoon season approaching, the local government has cautioned residents about the heightened risk of dengue.

According to the advisory, the proliferation of mosquito larvae is expected to increase with the onset of rainfall, further amplifying the risk of infection.

Sajina Maharjan, the acting chief of the Kathmandu Metropolis health department, said though there have been no reported cases of dengue in the city thus far, the local government is concerned regarding its potential outbreak during rains. Regular cleaning is being carried out at the ward level to mitigate the risk; Maharjan added.

In preparation for any potential outbreaks, the local government has ensured the availability of essential supplies such as cetamol and Jeevan Jal for those affected by dengue. The supplies will be coordinated through the health promotion centers at the ward level.

Moreover, teams comprising center employees, volunteers, and sanitation workers are busy in finding areas with accumulated water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and cleaning them.

The local government also planned to undertake bio-larvicide spraying activities if deemed necessary to combat the spread of dengue infection.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 200 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 142, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 142, 200 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 141, 300 per tola. It was traded at Rs 141, 500 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 25 and is being traded at Rs 1,850 per tola today.

Nepal Police have arrested a person, who had allegedly murdered lawmaker Anwarul Azim Anar of Bangladesh, from Kathmandu.

Police identified the suspect as Siam MD Hussain (33).

A police source said that Siam was detained in Kathmandu after killing the Bangladeshi lawmaker in India.

It has been said that the Bangladeshi Embassy is taking diplomatic initiatives for the extradition of Siam.

According to a preliminary investigation of police, other people had also fled to Kathmandu after the murder. Siam had gone to Bangladesh after killing the lawmaker. After that, he came to Kathmandu.

Bangladesh ruling party lawmaker Anwarul Azim Anar, who came to India to receive treatment, had gone out of contact since May 3. Later, he was found dead in Kolkata.

The Bangladeshi lawmaker, who had entered India on May 12, was seen for the last time with his friends at a Bidhannagar-based house near Kolkata on May 13.

As many as four yarsa pickers have died of altitude sickness in the past two days in Mugu district. The next one is receiving treatment in a local health facility.

Chief District Officer of Mugu, Topendra KC, said that Devraj Budha (20) of Tallekhgaun from Chhayanath Rara Municipality-10 in the district died on the way to the District Hospital in Gamgadhi on Saturday as his treatment was not likely in Mugu Health Post. Likewise, the health condition of Jiban Budha of the same village is serious due to altitude sickness.

Similarly, Man Bahadur Budha, Shovan Budha and Raj Bahadur Sawad of Chhayanath Rara Municipality-12 died due to altitude sickness in Patan Thulo Koiki area.

The Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality opened the entry of yarsa pickers in more than 25 highlands of the district from May 7.