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Newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal Ruwanthi Delpitiya paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki at the latter's office, Singha Durbar, on Wednesday.

Bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, according to the PM's secretariat.

PM Karki congratulated the newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador Delpitiya and wished her a successful term. 

Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has informed that activities are underway in a planned manner to prevent possible misuse of technology in the upcoming elections. 

The elections to the House of Representatives are just a month away, March 5.

Addressing a program organized by the Election Commission to exchange memorandum of understanding with the representatives of TikTok on Wednesday, he mentioned that a historic agreement was signed and it would be instrumental in creating a clean digital atmosphere for HoR elections. 

Bhandari expressed the belief that the agreement would help to minimize violation of election code of conduct and curb spread of false information. 

He thanked TikTok for its free support to stop misuse of its tech platform that might take place during the elections. 

On the occasion, EC Joint-Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, and Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at TikTok, Ferdous Al Mottakin, exchanged the MoU. 

The EC believed that the initiative would help maintain impartiality of HoR elections. 

It would further contribute to EC's efforts to control misleading and harmful content that could affect the election, added EC.

Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has said that the upcoming election serves as an opportunity to further strengthen democratic practices in the country. 

Addressing the fifth anniversary of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission today, the Vice President was of the view that election provides citizens a vital platform to express and exercise their rights. 

He stated that through elections, Nepali citizens exercise their franchise and help determine state policies, emphasizing that such an opportunity should not be missed.

He added that elections help keep democracy alive by institutionalizing inclusive practices and strengthening the federal democratic system. According to him, the meaningful participation of all communities, including indigenous nationalities, is essential to ensure the success of the election.

Vice President Yadav also advised the Commission to take further initiatives to guarantee indigenous nationalities’ access to resources, ensure their participation at the policy-making level, and engage them in a just development process. 

He stressed that the relevance of inclusive democracy can only be proven when every citizen feels dignity in their self-identity and enjoys guaranteed rights.

He further said that constitutional bodies like the Commission have a significant role to play in building an equitable society..

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 1. 64 points to close at 2, 681. 50 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 70 points to close at 456. 00 points.

A total of 16,682,626-unit shares of 326 companies were traded for Rs 1. 53 billion.

Meanwhile, Kalinchowk Darshan Limited (KDL), Super Mai Hydropower Limited (SMH), Super Madi Hydropower Limited (SMHL) and Ankhu Khola Jalvidhyut Company Ltd (AKJCL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, HLI Large Cap Fund (HLICF) was the top loser as their price fell by 5. 54 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 50 trillion.

A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Kathmandu to Istanbul reported a fire shortly after takeoff. The fire broke out in the right engine about four minutes after departure from Tribhuvan International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 225 passengers.

Airport officials said the pilot shut down the right engine and turned the plane westward. Tribhuvan Airport was closed for about 15 minutes as emergency teams were placed on alert. Fire engines and ambulances were prepared as a safety measure.

The fire was brought under control after the engine was shut down. The aircraft was diverted to Kolkata, India, using its left engine. The plane landed safely, and airport operations in Kathmandu returned to normal.

Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy sector on Monday night - as temperatures dropped to -20C (-4F) - were "barbaric" and "particularly depraved", UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said, BBC reported. 

He made the comments after speaking to US President Donald Trump hours after Russia hit power plants and critical infrastructure in the capital, Kyiv, and elsewhere.

The attacks came at the end of a week-long pause that Trump had asked Russia's President Vladimir Putin to observe as a fierce cold swept Ukraine, according to BBC. 

China will ban hidden and electronic car door handles starting next year, AP reported. The rule applies to most vehicles, including many electric cars. All doors must have a mechanical release, except tailgates.

Officials said to AP that the move follows safety concerns after fatal accidents. In some cases, electronic door handles failed to open and trapped passengers. The new rule will take effect on 1 Jan, 2027, while older approved models have until 2029 to comply.

Popular EVs like Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y use retractable handles and may need redesigns. Experts say the rule could influence other countries to adopt similar standards. Carmakers may face higher costs to update vehicle designs.

Italy is expanding efforts to make its cultural sites more accessible to people with disabilities. In Rome, blind visitors are now offered sensory-based tours of landmarks like the Colosseum according to AP. These tours use touch, sound and storytelling instead of sight.

AP reported, the push gained speed in 2021, when Italy linked EU recovery funds to accessibility reforms. Sites like Pompeii added braille signs, tactile models and audio guides. Museums in Florence also published detailed accessibility routes for visitors with special needs.

Experts sais to AP that inclusive tourism improves experiences for everyone and makes economic sense. Guides now encourage slower tours and creative interaction with art. Italy hopes the changes will help more people connect with its history in new ways.