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The price of gold has dropped by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 170, 200 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 170, 700 per tola on Thursday.

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1, 990 per tola today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has urged the stakeholders and officials to pay attention for the selection of projects of national importance, while submitting projects for the fiscal year 2082/83 BS.

During a discussion with the officials of the Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation held separately in the lead up to the development of upcoming fiscal year's budget, the Finance Minister asked to give emphasis on mega projects considering the role and responsibility of the province and local governments.

The Finance Minister said that the federal government was not necessary to implement projects that the province and local governments do adding that the federalism will be strengthened only if the rights and responsibilities were handed over to the province and local levels.

On the occasion, Minister Paudel said that the new budget will be drafted as per the needs and aspirations of the people by holding consultations with all sides concerned. 

Five ordinances approved by National Assembly

National Assembly has endorsed the five ordinances tabled by the Government.
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The NA follows suit of the House of Representatives that passed the Ordinance on Wednesday.

The Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts relating to the promotion of good governance and public service delivery, 2081, the Economic Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2081, the Privatization (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2081, the Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts relating to economic and business environment improvement and investment promotion, 2081, and the Ordinance to amend some Nepal Acts relating to cooperatives, 2081, were approved by the Upper House with a majority. Earlier, various MPs had tabled a motion to reject the ordinances but was rejected by a majority.

The National Assembly will meet again tomorrow.

A high-profile delegation of renewable energy and development experts met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House in Dhakaon Monday to discuss advancing Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector and strengthening regional energy cooperation.

Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to green energy, emphasizing both short-term and long-term strategies. He reiterated that Bangladesh is prepared to import any capacity of electricity generated in Nepal and underscored the need for developing common infrastructure between Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan as a long-term plan for sustainability and cost-effectiveness. "At our core, we are dedicated to promoting renewable energy and driving green industrialization," he stated.

The delegation included former Norwegian Minister for Development and Environment Erik Solheim, Vice-Chair of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Sushil Pokharel, and ProClime Founder & CEO Kavin Kumar Kandasamy, alongside other clean energy experts. Discussions focused on advancing investments in small-scale solar plants, small hydropower projects, pumped storage project, carbon markets,and agroforestry to expand Bangladesh’s clean energy footprint.

Former Minister and climate champion Erik Solheim emphasized Bangladesh’s immense potential in green industries.

He stated, "We discussed leveraging the carbon market for mangrove restoration, afforestation, and eco-agriculture while expanding solar energy, pumped storage, and a hydropower partnership with Nepal and India to drive sustainable growth."

The discussions align with Bangladesh’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and enhance international collaboration in sustainable development.

Sushil Pokharel, Vice-Chair of IHA, highlighted the potential of cross-border electricity trade, emphasizing its role in reducing carbon emissions and minimizing dependence on fossil fuels.

He noted that Bangladesh could significantly benefit from importing Nepal’s surplus hydropower, with India facilitatingregional energy cooperation.

Pokharel reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for stronger Bangladesh-Nepal energy partnerships.

The high-level delegation also held meetings with top policymakers, including Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser for the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Forest and Environment, Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser for Agriculture, Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA)

These discussions focused on policy frameworks, foreign investment in renewable energy, and regional energy cooperation, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable industrialization and green growth.

Lawmakers demanded the government issue a white paper for the monetary aid it received from the United States of America.

Demanding time in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, Ramahari Khatiwada urged the government to make public the details of US aid expenditures amid the alleged misappropriation of the fund.

He urged the government to issue a white paper on it, providing details of funds obtained through non- government offices and international non- government offices.

He also drew the government's attention to the US deportations of Nepali citizens and the suspension of press pass of journalists for their questions to the Prime Minister.

Devendra Paudel apprised the House that so far the US has made deportations of 35 Nepali, urging the government to take initiatives for respectful return of Nepali citizens facing problems in various countries.

"Nepali continue to be deported from Dubai, Japan, Canada and Korea as well." Hari Dhakal expressed his dismay at the situation forcing the government to increase the price of cooking gas (liquefied petroleum gas) for the commission interest of suppliers.

Similarly, he said the Public Account Committee's direction to reduce the cost of cement has not been implemented yet.

"Prices of consumer goods have soared significantly," he complained. Madhav Sapkota urged the government to implement agreements it signed with school teachers last year. Amresh Kumar Singh accused the government of violating the Constitution in the appointment of secretary at the Ministry of Health. "

The exclusion of a senior employee in the appointment shows that the government is biased against indigenous community, Madheshi, and women," he accused, seeking the resignation of the Health Minister.

Ten people have died due to attacks by wild animals in Chitwan National Park and its neighbourhood in the first six month of the current fiscal year.

The 10 people fell victim to attacks by rhino, elephant and tigers in the Park and surrounding areas since mid-July.

According to the park's information officer, Abinash Thapa Magar, eight people have died in rhino attacks, one person each due to attack by elephant and tiger.

Another 14 people have been injured due to wild animal's attack.

Of them, 12 were injured in rhino attacks and two in elephant attacks.

Going by the regulation, the national park authorities have compensated the bereaved family, including Rs 1 million each for the deceased's family and the treatment cost up to Rs 200,000 for the injured.

So far, Rs 9,461,931 has been provided as relief support to the people who have suffered damages in wildlife attacks. The park authority has been working to minimize the conflict between humans and wild animals including through grassland management and water (lakes, ponds and ponds) management in the park premises.

Installation of mesh wires, electric fences, concrete walls and rescuing and managing settlements are also being carried out, Magar said.

Some fatal incidents have also occurred when people have made unauthorized entry into the park and the buffer zone

Five ordinances are being tabled in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting for discussion and approval today.

The HoR meeting has been summoned for 1 pm this afternoon.

As per agenda of the day, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is to table a proposal seeking endorsement of the lower house to the Ordinance designed to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Good Governance Promotion and Public Service Delivery, 2081.

Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is likely to table the proposal seeking endorsement of the Economic Procedures and Financial Responsibility (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2081 and the Privatisation (First Amendment) Ordinance, 208 and the Ordinance designed to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Economic and Business Environment Improvement and Investment Promotion, 2081 Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balaram Adhikari will present a proposal seeking approval of the house to the Ordinance designed to Amend Some Nepal Acts Related to Cooperatives.

Prior to this, the 'Nepal Legal Practitioners' Council (second amendment) Bill, 2081' originated from the Upper House will be tabled, along with the message from the House.

Though the government introduced six ordinances a month ago, the government is tabling five ordinances only after the Janata Samajwadi Party and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party stood against the Ordinance to Amend Some Nepal Acts relating to Land, 2081.

Meanwhile, the major ruling parties Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have asked their HoR members to compulsorily attend the HoR meeting on Wednesday directing them to second the ordinances.

The weather at present remains partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, while the rest of the region will be mainly clear.

This is due to the partial influence of a westerly low-pressure system, according to the Meteorological Forecast Division.

Later in the afternoon, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while the rest of the region will be mainly clear.

Tonight, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province and mainly clear in the rest of the region.