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A tiger census is scheduled to begin in Chitwan National Park (CNP) from December 16. The census will also be conducted in three other national parks: Banke, Bardiya, and Shuklaphanta. 

The three-month survey is conducted every four years.

According to CNP Information Officer Abinash Thapa Magar, enumerators will undergo orientation on December 16–17.

Participants will include CNP staff, technical experts from the National Trust for Nature Conservation, local volunteers, students, and conservation partners. 

Around 150 personnel will be mobilized for the census.

Magar said that 900 grids have been demarcated in the two wildlife reserves. This means that a two square kilometres area will be counted using one grid. 

During the counting process, the two reserves will be divided into three sections for counting. 

Cameras will be placed in each section for 20 days. Each section will have 300 grids. 

A camera will be placed in a grid for 20 days. Technicians will set up camp and stay in the spaces between the grids to conduct the counting.

Previously, in the tiger census conducted in 2022, it was reported that there were 335 adult tigers in Nepal. 

In that census, 128 tigers were counted in Chitwan, 125 in Bardia National Park, 25 in Banke National Park, 41 in Parsa and 36 in Shuklaphanta.

According to Magar, preparations are underway to conduct a rhino census after the tiger census is completed.

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari today observed the Federal Parliament Building that was damaged during the September 8-9 Gen Z movement. 

She reached the Federal Parliament building based in New Baneshwor to take stock of the extent of damage from the vandalism and arson. 

Speaker Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal apprised her of the losses. 

Talking to the media following the inspection, she said she was disheartened to see the condition of the Federal Parliament Building. 

The 13th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival (NHRIFF) is starting in Kathmandu today with the aim of bringing human rights-focused films from around the world under a single roof.

Festival director Pandav Khatri said that with the slogan 'Children's Rights', the festival will be held for five days until December 15 at the auditorium of the Film Development Board and Nepal Tourism Board.

"We are screening 50 films from 26 countries, and most of the films selected for the festival have already participated in prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, and Busan," he said.

Khatri said the films screened at the festival would present the subject of human rights to the audience in an easy and simple manner. 

He stated that the attractions of the festival include the 'Palme d'Or' (short film) winner 'I Am Glad You Are Dead Now' under the 'Cannes Film Festival 2025', 'Navi Lili', which was screened for the first time at the same festival, and 'Aajur', the first feature film in Bajjika language.

The NHRIFF organizers stated that various programs such as interactive group discussions, photo exhibitions, and 'live painting' will be held at the festival in the presence of directors, producers, artists, and human rights activists.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday took aim at young people parading themselves on social media a day after a world-first ban on under-16s went live, saying the rollout was always going to be bumpy but would ultimately save lives, Reuters reported. 

A day after the law took effect with bipartisan support from the major political parties and backing by some three-quarters of Australian parents, the country's social media feeds were flooded with comments from people claiming to be under 16, including one on the prime minister's TikTok account saying "I'm still here, wait until I can vote".

Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand and Vietnam, Dhan Bahadur Oli, has called for Vietnamese investors to increase their investment in Nepal which has huge prospects for investment. 

Attending the discussion with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (VCCI) held in the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, he said that the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam have reached 50 years and emphasised on augmenting collaboration between the two countries for trade and investment areas. 

"Lately new challenges have emerged in the global economy. In this context, both the countries should mutually lay focus on expanding economic collaboration", he noted. There is also potential in the tourism sector between the two countries, he added. 

The Ambassador also highlighted the possibilities of trade at regional and international levels through economic collaboration between the two countries. 

He further said Nepal also has potentials for production-focused industry, ICT, pharmaceutical and herbal medicines among other sectors. 

FNCCI Chairperson Chandra Prasad Dhakal urged the Vietnamese investors to advance further economic collaboration between Nepal and Vietnam. 

“I urge Vietnamese investors to pursue economic cooperation between the two countries, noting that Nepal has huge investment potential. We assure you of our maximum efforts to utilize such opportunities,” Dhakal added.

Stating that Nepal has strong market potential for handicraft items, tea, coffee, and herbs, Chair Dhakal said that investment in these sectors could also be increased.

He noted that Nepal offers a substantial market for Vietnam’s agricultural goods, seafood, electronics, and various other products. He added that Nepal’s foreign direct investment climate is steadily improving, supported by investment-friendly laws and ongoing reforms in licensing, customs procedures, and tax administration.

According to Dhakal, the government is fully aware of the needs of foreign investors and remains committed to safeguarding their investments.

Investment in Nepal especially in cable car projects, resorts, and adventure and wellness tourism has been increasing, he said, adding that they wished to welcome Vietnamese investors to Nepal.

The FNCCI President invited the Vietnamese delegation to the FNCCI’s upcoming Annual General Assembly to directly observe Nepal’s business environment.

Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Deputy Executive President Nguyen Quang Vinh said they are eager to establish additional economic partnerships with Nepal.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the FNCCI leadership to Vietnam,” he said, emphasizing the potential for enhanced trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, adding that such cooperation will be further explored in the days to come.

One of the world's most bootlegged recordings - Fatboy Slim's Satisfaction Skank - is finally being released, after the Rolling Stones gave belated approval for the song's pivotal sample, BBC reported. 

Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, created the track 25 years ago by grafting the riff from the Stones' Satisfaction onto his platinum-selling single The Rockafeller Skank, after he grew "bored" of playing the original.

"It was my secret weapon," he told BBC News. "I had this tune that nobody else had, and it was a really good encore."

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 253, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 252, 100 per tola on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 55 and is being traded at Rs 3, 805 per tola.

Paris St Germain played out their first goalless draw of the season at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday but stayed in the driving seat for direct qualification for the Champions League last-16 after a string of fine saves by home goalkeeper Unai Simon denied the defending champions, Reuters reported. 

Luis Enrique’s side had the clearest chances after being under pressure in the first half, but Simon produced several superb saves and Ousmane Dembele’s absence was once again felt up front by the visitors.

The result left PSG in third place in the 36-team league with 13 points from six games while Bilbao are 28th on five points, two points from the playoff places, according to Reuters.