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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 17.28 points to close at 2, 736.48 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 2. 55 points to close at 459. 03 points.

A total of 22,941,365-unit shares of 323 companies were traded for Rs 8. 23 billion.

Meanwhile, Peoples Hydropower Company Limited (PHCL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 79 percent. Likewise, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 54 trillion.

Media Alliance said that its serious attention has been drawn towards the Press Council Nepal’s decision to blacklist English Daily ‘The Himalayan Times’.

Press Council Nepal is an organization carrying a constitutional responsibility to listen to the views of both sides with priority, in accordance with a fair and transparent process. Hence, the Council should take the decision only after understanding the facts from the concerned parties, the Media Alliance said.

At a time when The Himalayan Times has already submitted a clarification letter and has been urging to remove it from the blacklist, the Media Alliance has urged the Nepal Press Council to review its decision and move ahead by holding a discussion with both sides.

The Himalayan Times has claimed that the Press Council Nepal blacklisted it without holding any discussion.

The Media Alliance said that it would like to draw the attention of the Press Council to provide an environment for the press to fulfill its responsibilities with confidence, while being mindful that quick decisions do not undermine press freedom and democratic values.

Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has said collaborative efforts among the three-tier government are needed to combat drug abuse.

Inaugurating a program entitled 'Fight onward against drug abuse' organized by the Koshi Province Police today, the Chief Minister urged the three-level governments to implement the awareness programs against substance abuse before it is late.

The three-level governments should collaboratively reach the community, making them aware of consequences of drug abuse.

He also pledged to allocate a budget for containment of drug addiction in the upcoming fiscal year.

In a bizarre moment on Monday, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen leaving the House of Commons in Ottawa carrying a chair, with his tongue sticking out. The humorous scene quickly gained traction across social media platforms, sparking widespread attention, The Economic Times reported.

On Monday, Justin Trudeau met with Liberal leader and prime minister-designate Mark Carney to start the transition of power after Carney's landslide win at the Sunday party election.

Trudeau's hilarious exit from Parliament

After the meeting Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill that the transition is expected to be "seamless" and "quick."

Meanwhile Trudeau has started the process to wind down his time in government. A Reuters photographer clicked a picture of Trudeau carrying his House of Commons chair out of Parliament Hill. The image quickly gained traction on social media, with many praising his sense of humour.

"Trudeau's reaction says it all, 'finally I have a normal life and enjoy nature'," a user commented. "This is the pic! Thank you PM Trudeau," wrote another.

"His face reminds me of the Māori people’s Haka dance," a third one quipped. "He don't care. He made his millions, and the new guy will make his," another one said.

"What was this circus all about??," another one curiously asked. "He's too funny!," another one joked.

Trudeau resigns from Liberal party

Trudeau’s resignation as leader of the Liberal Party had been announced earlier on January 6. On Monday, Mark Carney, following a decisive landslide victory, officially succeeded Trudeau as the new leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s next prime minister.

While the viral image captured the public's eye, it marked a significant shift in Canadian politics, as Carney took the reins of the party after Trudeau's long tenure, according to The Economic Times.

Trudeau’s formal resignation marked the end of his time as both prime minister and MP, though the chair he carried was more about tradition than any protest.

Carney met Trudeau on Monday and said the formal handover of power would be quick. Trudeau is still prime minister until Carney formally takes over the role.

Meanwhile, ahead of the announcement of his successor on Monday, Trudeau highlighted the ‘achievements’ of the Liberal Party over the past decade while looking towards the future.

In his speech at the Liberal Leadership Convention, Trudeau said, “I am damn proud of what we've done over these past 10 years for the middle class and the people working hard to join it.”

As the Liberal Party enters a new era, Trudeau told the crowd that “there is a responsibility to ensure that Canada stays the best country on Earth.”

A senior economic adviser to United States President Donald Trump says a plan to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium imports to 50 percent has been halted, as the trade war between the two countries continues to sow confusion and uncertainty, Al Jazeera reported.

In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday afternoon, Peter Navarro said the increased US tariffs would not come into effect as planned on Wednesday.

The announcement came just hours after the premier of the Canadian province of Ontario, Doug Ford, said he was temporarily suspending a surcharge on electricity exports to some US states.

That surcharge is what Trump earlier said had prompted his decision to impose the 50 percent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium – up from the 25 percent levies still set to come into effect on Wednesday.

“Just tamp it down, please, over there,” Navarro said in his CNBC interview, addressing Canada.

The back-and-forth highlights the unpredictable nature of Trump’s “America First” economic policy, and the lack of clarity around his announcements on tariffs.

US-Canada relations have plummeted amid Trump’s push to impose steep tariffs on a range of Canadian goods and his repeated threats to annex the country.

Some US tariffs against Canada came into effect last week as part of what the US president has said is an effort to balance the countries’ trade relationship. But the Canadian government has rejected the measures as “unjustified” and unveiled retaliatory levies, according to Al Jazeera.

The tariffs have spurred anger and frustration in Canada over the past several weeks.

Many Canadians are boycotting US products and calling on the government to reduce the country’s economic dependence on the US.

Ford, the Ontario premier, announced on Monday that his government would impose a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the US states of Michigan, Minnesota and New York.

Ford – who has taken a strong line against Trump’s policies – told reporters that Ontario’s electricity powers 1.5 million US homes and businesses in those US states.

The surcharge, the premier said, would cost families and businesses as much as $276,000 (400,000 Canadian dollars) per day.

“Let me be clear, I will not hesitate to increase this charge. If necessary, if the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford had said.

On Tuesday, Mark Carney, the new leader of Canada’s governing Liberal Party and the country’s next prime minister, also slammed Trump’s plan to increase tariffs on steel and aluminium as “an attack on Canadian workers, families, and businesses”.

“My government will ensure our response has maximum impact in the US and minimal impact here in Canada, while supporting the workers impacted,” Carney, who is set to be sworn in as prime minister in the coming days, wrote on social media.

“My government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect and make credible, reliable commitments to free and fair trade.”

The US stock market plunged this week amid the uncertainty around Trump’s economic and trade policies, Al Jazeera reported.

Canada and the US are major trading partners, with the US importing $412.7bn from its northern neighbour in 2024, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. US exports to Canada that same year totalled $349.4bn.

The District Administration Office of all the three districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur) of the Kathmandu Valley have urged everyone to celebrate Holi festival in a dignified and civilized manner.

Assistant Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Anil Poudel, urged all to celebrate the festival in a peaceful and decent way.

Issuing a notice, he said, "The Social Behaviour (Reform) Act and Regulations, 2033 BS have systematized and regulated the celebration of religious, social and cultural festivals. Therefore, on this occasion of the festival of colours, everyone is urged not to indulge in ruckus and quarrels in public places affecting the peace and security, consuming alcohol, disturbing the family and social life and public dignity and peace.

Everyone is requested not to indulge in such rowdy acts as throwing colours and water-filled balloons, sprinkling water from pipes, smearing colours without the consent of others or to run in a very excited manner while playing Holi, as doing so might invite accidents and even lead to death."

The Holi festival is being celebrated in the Hilly region on March 13 and in the Tarai region on March 14.

Canada’s next prime minister met with outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau on Monday and vowed a quick transition, Associated Press reported.

Mark Carney said he had a long meeting with Trudeau in which they discussed U.S.-Canada relations, national security issues and the timing of the handover in power.

“That transition will be seamless and it will be quick,” said Carney, adding there would be an announcement soon.

Carney, a two-time central bank chief, will become prime minister after the governing Liberal Party elected him its leader Sunday in a landslide vote with 85.9% support.

Carney, 59, replaces Trudeau who announced his resignation in January but remains prime minister until his successor is sworn in.

Carney is widely expected to trigger a parliamentary election in the coming days or weeks amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff and annexation threats. Or the opposition parties in Parliament could force one with a no-confidence vote later this month, according to the Associated Press.

Carney is a former Goldman Sachs executive with no experience in politics.

He navigated crises when he was the head of the Bank of Canada from 2008, and then in 2013 when he became the first non-citizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. His appointment won bipartisan praise in the U.K. after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries. He helped managed the worst impacts of Brexit in the U.K.

The opposition Conservatives had hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.

But Trump’s trade war and his talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state have have infuriated Canadians, who are booing the American anthem at NHL and NBA games. Some are canceling trips south of the border, and many are avoiding buying American goods when they can.

The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in a parliamentary election, and Liberal showings have been improving in opinion polls.

“There is tremendous energy in the Liberal caucus,” Carney said. “This is a united party full of energy.”

Trump has postponed 25% tariffs on many goods from Canada and Mexico for a month, amid widespread fears of a broader trade war. But he has threatened other tariffs on steel, aluminum, dairy and other products.

Carney said Sunday night that Canada will keep its initial retaliatory tariffs in place until “the Americans show us respect.” He said Canada didn’t start the fight but would win, Associated Press reported.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, called the U.S.-Canada relationship vital and said there’s no one more prepared to strengthen it than Carney.

“Mark is one of the smartest, most capable, and steady-handed leaders I know,” Bloomberg posted on X.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to present the 'Bill to amend certain Nepal Acts relating to the Promotion of Good Governance and Delivery of Public Services, 2081' in a meeting of the House of Representatives today.

According to the tentative agenda published by the Parliament Secretariat, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is scheduled to present the 'Bill to amend certain Nepal Acts relating to Improving the Economic and Business Environment and Promoting Investment, 2081', the 'Economic Procedure and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment) Bill, 2081' and 'Privatization (First Amendment) Bill, 2081'.

Similarly, Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balaram Adhikari will present the 'Bill to Amend Some Nepal Acts relating to the Cooperatives, 2081 BS'.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak will propose to send the 'Armed Police Force, Nepal Bill, 2081 BS' to the concerned committee for clause-wise discussion.