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Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that elections are the only means to maintain peace and harmony in the country and to establish sustainable democracy.

At a meeting with Durga Prasain, the leader of the Save Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture and Citizens Campaign in Baluwatar today, PM Karki emphasized the need to conduct the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives on March 5 in a peaceful and fear-free environment with significant participation from the general public.

She clarified that the government is on homework to address many of the demands of campaigner Prasain that are in favour of the people and requested that their grievances and demands be presented in a peaceful manner.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need for elections to the House of Representatives for political stability in the country, urging activist Prasain to support the national campaign to make the elections successful.

Pointing out that the country is engaged in the elections, the Prime Minister made it clear that obtaining the public's approval for his Campaign's agenda is the only democratic solution.

"We have brought the country from a very difficult situation to its current state, and with the cooperation of all relevant parties, we have been working day and night to conduct the elections on the scheduled date to provide a political solution for the country," she said. 

PM Karki added that the nation has been engrossed in the elections atmosphere by dispelling all types of doubts and all parties should be responsible and actively participate in the elections with the thinking that this country is theirs too and make the elections a success.

"We are also the advocates of justice; we have not come to the government to enjoy power and luxury. We have initiated processes to end corruption and to provide justice to the oppressed and suffering classes,” she said adding, “The government is also doing the groundwork to address some of the demands and issues you have raised. We will continue further discussions; the government is always with you," said Prime Minister Karki. 

On the occasion, Prime Minister Karki requested activist Prasain to support the campaign to maintain peace in the country, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. 

The Ministry of Finance has given source approval for Rs 2.19bn for the repair and reconstruction of roads in Ilam that were damaged due to heavy rains. The amount will be spent on the repair and reconstruction of the damaged Mechi Highway, Mai khola Bridge Rajduwali, Mai khola Bridge Belbase, Puwakhola Bridge, Jogmaikhola Bridge, and Mechi Corridor. The Ministry of Finance has released the immediate requirement of Rs 540m for the current fiscal year. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kulman Ghising directed the Road Department to immediately proceed with the tender process as the resources have been ensured for the repair and reconstruction of road structures. The work will be implemented by the Road Division, Ilam, under the department.

After the monsoon-induced disaster that claimed 39 lives and caused major damage to physical infrastructure, the government declared Ilam as a ‘disaster-affected’ state for three months. On Oct 11, a team comprising Minister Ghising, Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, Home Secretary Rameshwor Dangal, Director General of the Roads Department Vijay Jaisi, and Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Dinesh Raj Bhatta reached Ilam and inspected the damage caused by the disaster. The team pledged to provide immediate relief to the affected households, restore normal life by immediately repairing the damaged structures, and bring in the necessary immediate and long-term plans.

A source of Rs 200m has been ensured for the Maikhola Motorable Permanent Bridge Rajduwali under the Mechi Highway, Rs 250m for the Mai khola Motorable Permanent Bridge Belase in the Mechi Corridor, Rs 50m each for the construction of Bailey Bridges on the Puwakhola and Jogmaikhola Bridges, and Rs 140m for the Mechi Corridor, which is an alternative road to the Mechi Highway. Out of this, Rs 250m for the Mechi Highway, Rs 500m and Rs 100m for Maikhola Rajduwali and Maikhola Bridge Belase respectively, and Rs 400m for the Mechi Corridor have been released immediately in the current fiscal year. The entire amount required for the two Bailey Bridges has been released.

A total of 64 political parties have submitted closed lists under the proportional representation system for upcoming elections to the House of Representatives.

The political parties participating in the March 5 elections were asked to submit the PR closed lists at the office of election officer under the PR system established at Bahadurbhawan-based Election Office on December 28 and 29.

EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai shared that 64 political parties submitted their closed lists till early this morning. 

Names of 3,424 candidates of 64 parties have been included in the closed list for 110 places under the PR system. 

Out of 64 political parties, 54 political parties are using their own election symbols while the remaining 10 parties would use shared election symbols. 

A total of 93 political parties had filed applications in the EC to file candidacy under the PR system. 

The EC would give time to the political parties from January 5-11 to make any correction or ask for insufficient documents after investigating the closed lists on January 4. 

The final list of the closed lists under the PR system would be published on February 3.

Vehicular movement along the Chandranigahapur-Nijgadh road section in Rautahat has been completely obstructed after an Indian gas bullet truck met with an accident on Tuesday. 

The truck (UP 17 A 214) driver sustained minor injuries in the accident that occurred this morning. 

Authorities have halted traffic following reports of a gas bullet truck accident, citing safety concerns.

Police have urged drivers to use alternative roads. 

A fire engine and a crane were deployed to remove the truck from the road amid fears of a potential fire.

As the accident occurred in a forest area, the surrounding settlements are in a safe zone, DSP Rupa Labung of the Area Police Office Chandranigahpur said. 

She said that the road will remain closed until the situation returns to normalcy. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel has highlighted the role of the Tamu Lhosar festival in strengthening tolerance and unity among Nepali citizens.

In his message of best wishes on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar, the main festival of the Gurung community today, the President extended his wishes for peace, happiness, progress, and good health to all Nepali sisters and brothers living both at home and abroad.

The Head of the State expressed confidence that the festival, which is closely linked to the ancient calendar and traditional lifestyle of the Gurung community, would further promote ethnic harmony, respect for diversity, and national unity in Nepal’s multicultural society marked by diversities in caste, language, and culture. 

He added that Tamu Lhosar helps foster mutual tolerance and stronger bonds among all Nepali people.

Stating that the Gurung community, traditionally residents of the mountains and high hills, celebrates Tamu Lhosar as the beginning of the New Year, President Paudel said he hoped the festival would inspire everyone to work together with trust and unity to achieve economic, social, and cultural prosperity, and to move forward on the path of progress.

Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after suffering from prolonged illness, BBC reported. 

Zia became Bangladesh's first female head of government in 1991 after leading her party to victory in the country's first democratic election in 20 years. 

Physicians had said on Monday said her condition was "extremely critical". She was put on life support, but it was not possible to provide multiple treatments at the same time given her age and overall poor health, they said, according to BBC. 

China has fired rockets towards Taiwan as it pressed ahead with a second day of large-scale military drills, in which it also rehearsed a blockade of the self-governed island, Aljazeera reported. 

China’s military said on Tuesday it had deployed navy destroyers, bombers and other forces as part of the war games, which Beijing claims are aimed at “separatist” and “external” forces.

The drills were due to include live-fire exercises between 8am and 6pm local time (00:00 to 10:00 GMT) in five maritime and airspace zones around Taiwan, as well as air and sea patrols, simulated precision strikes and anti-submarine manoeuvres, according to Chinese state media, according to Aljazeera. 

National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal has said the Constitution has internalized the unity in diversity as the backbone of the nation.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar, a major festival celebrated by the Tamu (Gurung) community as the beginning of their New Year, the Chairman of the upper house of the Federal Parliament has wished for the happiness, peace, prosperity and continued progress to the members of the Tamu community, including all the Nepalis within the country and abroad.

"We Nepalis are rich in diverse languages, cultures, festivals and traditions, and this diversity has established Nepal's unique and distinct identity in the world. 

The Tamu Lhosar festival has played a special role in preserving and developing the folk culture of the Gurung community," he said.

Chairman Dahal said that unique festivals like Tamu Lhosar play an important role in strengthening social unity, harmony, religious tolerance, and national unity among Nepalis.