Trump files $5bn defamation lawsuit against BBC over Panorama speech edit

US President Donald Trump has filed a $5bn (£3.7bn) lawsuit against the BBC over an edit of his 6 January 2021 speech in a Panorama documentary, BBC reported. 

Trump accused the broadcaster of defamation and of violating a trade practices law, according to court documents filed in Florida. 

The BBC apologised to Trump last month, but rejected his demands for compensation and disagreed there was any "basis for a defamation claim".

Tiger census commences in Nepal; 1,100 advanced cameras installed

The nationwide tiger census, conducted once every four years, officially commenced today. 

The launch was marked by a formal inaugural program held in Sauraha, Chitwan.

The census is being led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, in coordination with the Department of Forests and Land Conservation. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Nepal, and the Geological Society of Nepal are providing technical and logistical support.

The tiger count is being carried out with the assistance of the Nepal Army, Buffer Zone and Community Forest Users’ Committees, it is said. 

According to the DNPWC, the census is expected to be completed within two and a half to three months, with the nationwide mobilization of 25 technical personnel.

DNPWC Director General Buddi Sagar Paudel stated that 1,100 advanced camera traps are being installed across tiger habitats. 

The tiger population will be estimated through the analysis of photographic captures of the species.

An estimated budget of approximately Rs 30 million is expected to cover the cost of the census, covering the mobilization of human resources, management of memory cards, tents, sleeping bags, and other logistical requirements.

The camera traps being used for the census were procured earlier, with each purchased at an around Rs 35,000.

Nepal has started counting the tiger population systematically using automated camera trap since 2009. 

In 2009, there were 121 tigers in Nepal. 

Counting of tigers has been carried out every four years since 2009. 

As per the Tiger Conservation Action Plan, the tiger census was already conducted in 2013, 2018 and 2022. Now, the counting of tigers is being conducted for 2026. 

Nepal has started observing Tiger Day since 2067 BS and counting of tiger population is carried out nation-wide every four years.

The population of tigers was 98 in 1995, 109 in 2000, 126 in 2005, 121 in 2009, 198 in 2013 and 235 in 2018.

To reduce the human-tiger conflict, he suggested providing alternative means of livelihood to the communities living on the fringes of the forests so that they will not have to go into the forests for livelihood and to change the attitude and behavior of the locals towards the wildlife.

18 problematic tigers caged throughout the country

The issue of problematic tigers is also rising in national parks, conservation areas and surrounding regions with a significant increase in the number of tigers.

In particular, tigers that have entered human settlements, attacked humans and domestic animals, or have been found injured are being rescued and kept in enclosures.

Currently, there are 18 troublesome tigers across the country. 

Among them, five are kept in cages at the central zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, seven in Chitwan National Park, four in Bardia National Park, and one each in Banke and Parsa National Parks. 

The government has been spending a large amount annually on the daily feeding, care, treatment, and other management of such tigers.

According to the latest figures in 2025, the number of tigers in the world has increased to 5,357. 

Among them, the highest number is in India with 3,167, followed by Russia with 750, Indonesia with 400, Nepal with 355, Thailand with 189, Bhutan with 151, Malaysia with 150, Bangladesh with 146, Myanmar with 22, China with 20, Vietnam with five, and Laos with two tigers.

 

UML 11th National Congress: Final list of candidates published

The final list of candidates for the election to be held under the 11th National Congress of the CPN-UML has been published. 

As per the name list of the candidates published by the Central Election Commission of the party, Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and senior Vice-President Ishwor Pokharel are contesting for the post of Chairperson. 

Similarly, 11 candidates have filed their candidacies for five posts of Vice Chairperson. 

Similarly, Shankar Pokhrel and Surendra Pandey have registered their nominations for the post of General Secretary. 

Likewise, seven people have registered their candidacies for the post of Deputy General Secretary as well as 20 candidacies for nine Secretaries. 

The Commission has made preparations to hold voting from 4 pm today. 

There are 2,262 representatives in the National Congress.

 

 

Bondi gunmen were inspired by Islamic State, had travelled to the Philippines, Australia police say

Two alleged gunmen who attacked a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach had travelled to the Philippines before the assault which killed 15 people and appeared to be inspired by Islamic State, police said on Tuesday, Reuters reported. 

The attack on Sunday was Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, and is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community.

The death toll stands at 16 including one of the alleged gunmen, identified by police as Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot by police. The man's 24-year-old son and alleged accomplice, identified by local media as Naveed Akram, was in critical condition in hospital after also being shot, according to Reuters.