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Australia has barred a citizen linked to the Islamic State (IS) group from the country for up to two years, BBC reported. 

The person is among the group of 34 Australian women and children who tried to head home after being released from a Syrian camp earlier this week, only to be turned back by Syrian authorities for "technical reasons".

The ban was issued "on advice from security agencies", Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Wednesday, adding that the other 33 people do not meet "required legal thresholds" to be banned, according to BBC. 

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has expressed confidence that the elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) set for March 5 will be held in a clean, fair and fearless environment. 

As part of the election preparations, he made an on-site inspection of various polling stations and the office of the election officer in Sundarijal area of Gokarneshwor Municipality, Constituency No-3, Kathmandu, today. 

During the inspection, Home Minister Aryal, also Spokesperson of the Government, directed the concerned officials to conduct the elections peacefully by being aware of the false information and propaganda that can come on social media.

The team, including the Home Secretary, the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu and the heads of security bodies, visited the polling stations in Gokarneshwor and Okhreni Secondary School and the Dhapdam area. 

On the occasion, the election officials informed that preparations including human resources, voter education and transportation of election materials are going on in full swing. 

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The Election Commission has introduced the ‘Temporary Voter List Procedure 2082’ to regularize the process of collecting temporary voter lists and permanent voting required for the elections to be held under the proportional electoral system under the House of Representatives.

The Commission has issued the procedure by exercising the authority granted by Section 44 of the Voter List Act, 2073. As per the procedure, the Commission will publish a notice including the program for collecting permanent voter lists. 

The names of employees working in the Government of Nepal, provincial governments, local levels, organizations owned or controlled by the government, army, police, detainees and prisoners in prisons, employees and security personnel deployed for election work, and heads and office bearers of constitutional bodies will be included in the permanent voter list.

According to the procedure issued by the Election Commission, if a person's name is missing or there is any error in the name or details of a voter, the concerned person may submit an application to the Chief Registration Officer with evidence to have their name included or the error corrected, the Commission has stated.

Pakistan became the final team to qualify for the Super Eight of the Twenty20 World Cup after Sahibzada Farhan's maiden international century powered them to a thumping 102-run victory over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday, Reuters reported. 

Farhan remained unbeaten on exactly 100 off 58 balls, reaching his landmark in the final over as Pakistan posted 199 in their must-win Group A encounter at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

"The partnership with Shadab was important. The idea was to build a partnership and once the partnership gets going, I would take charge and Shadab can hit as well."

Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane has said that the Rastriya Swatantra Party is contesting the elections to change the face of the country.

During a meeting held by the Rastriya Swatantra Party in Dhangadhi today, he said that the RSP will raise its voice against political distortions and anomalies and empower the people. “This time we have come to the elections keeping the political aspirations of the country at the center.”

The Rastriya Swatantra Party is looking forward to a stable government for five years, he said and urged the people to exercise their right to vote wisely during the March 5 elections.

At the same program, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party Balendra Shah said that the responsibility of building the Sudurpaschim and the country has now fallen on the shoulders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. 

He said that if it can become the largest party and enter the government through the elections, it will make the dreams of the Nepalis come true.

Senior leader Shah mentioned that the party's agenda includes issues such as education and health that the poor and disadvantaged groups should receive.

Nepali Congress has made its manifesto public in the lead up to the House of Representatives elections. 

The manifesto was made public today from Janakpurdham.

The manifesto was made public in the presence of party President Gagan Kumar Thapa, Vice President and coordinator of the election mobilization committee Bishwaprakash Sharma, Vice President Pushpa Bhusal, and Madhes Province president along with senior leaders.

In the context of the manifesto being made public, the Nepali Congress held a press conference at the party office in Sanepa today and informed about the points of the Vision 10. 

The Nepali Congress has stated that it aims to form a democratic government with a majority, dedicated to the public interest.

At the press conference, Party Spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the Congress wants the performance to be evaluated based on the implementation of the plan mentioned in the manifesto. 

The Congress claims that it is committed to not only showing the pledge but also implementing it and putting into practice the slogan of a prosperous Nepal and respected Nepalis.

Called the 'Congress pledge', the manifesto has been presented in simple terms as a summary of ‘Vision Ten’. The 10 visions include a Nepal where people can live with dignity, a Nepal where people can dream, a Nepal that encourages job creation, a Nepal of farmers who feed the people and make the country known, a Nepal that provides medicine and shelter, a Nepal where children do not have to bear the financial burden, a Nepal where the rule of law is in effect, a modern Nepal that is proud of its origins, a self-respecting Nepal that the world respects and a Nepal that thrives on prosperity.

The virtual meeting of the Nepali Congress (NC)'s Central Working Committee (CWC) held today endorsed the party's manifesto for the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives (HoR). 

The meeting presided over by party President Gagan Kumar Thapa unanimously passed the party's manifesto, informed Krishna Prasad Dulal, Acting Chief Secretary. 

The NC is set to officially unveil the manifesto today at a special ceremony in Janakpur. 

Party President Thapa, Vice-President Bishwo Prakash Sharma among other central leaders are scheduled to address the manifesto unveiling ceremony, it has been said. . 

Devraj Chalise, party's Spokesperson, asserted that the manifesto unveiling ceremony to be held in the historic and cultural city of Janakpurdham is not merely a political program but a historic opportunity intended to convey a message of Madhesh's dignity, inclusive democracy and national unity.

He shared that a press conference will be organized later today at the party's central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur to provide details about the manifesto unveiled in Janakpur. 

A briefing on the manifesto took place today at 4 pm.

The level of air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley declined today as compared to the previous day. 

It is said that the less flow of motor vehicles today, the public holiday for the Gyalpo Lhosar, caused the air pollution level to fall. 

Till 1 pm of Tuesday, the Kathmandu Valley's Air Quality Index was 191, unhealthy for all. Today, it dropped to 114 at the same hour.  On Tuesday, the Kathmandu Valley was listed the third most polluted city across the world and today, it ranks at 14. 

Today, Lahore of Pakistan is listed as the most polluted city in the world with AQI 193 while Dakar, Capital of Senegal, comes in second place with AQI 192. 

AQI 101–150, highlighted in orange, is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, who may experience health effects. 

According to environment expert Bhushan Tuladhar, the role of the transport sector is crucial for the determination of air pollution.

Vehicles are considered the direct source of air pollution. According to Superintendent of Police, Naresh Raj Subedi, the vehicular traffic on a public holiday decreased tentatively by around 10 percent.