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The National Governors Association canceled a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump later this month after the White House excluded Democratic governors, chairman Kevin Stitt told members on Monday, according to a source familiar with the matter, Reuters reported. 

Governors from across the U.S. gather every year in Washington for the NGA meeting. It is tradition for the president to host the governors at the White House for a session with Cabinet secretaries, among other officials, and a black-tie dinner for the governors and their spouses.

"To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration," Brandon Tatum, CEO of the bipartisan association representing U.S. governors, said in a statement, according to Reuters. 

A team working for President Donald Trump's spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico's voting machines, said Gabbard's office and three sources familiar with the previously unreported events, Reuters reported. 

The sources said the goal was to work with the FBI to investigate claims that Venezuela had hacked voting machines in Puerto Rico, but added the probe did not produce any clear evidence of Venezuelan interference in the U.S. territory's elections. Reuters first reported the investigation.

the May investigation but denied a link to Venezuela, saying its focus was on vulnerabilities in the island's electronic voting systems, according to Reuters. 

The U.S. Justice Department's investigation into the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia, started with a referral from an election integrity official appointed by President Donald Trump, court documents showed on Tuesday, Reuters reported. 

Kurt Olsen, an attorney involved in legal challenges to Trump's defeat in the 2020 election, referred the matter to the FBI. Olsen has recently been serving as a Trump-appointed official focused on election integrity and security, according to an FBI affidavit made public in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta.

The document lays out evidence used to justify an FBI search of Fulton County's election center last month, during which agents seized more than 600 boxes of ballots and other material related to the 2020 election, according to Reuters. 

Indonesia says it is preparing up to 8,000 soldiers for deployment to Gaza, the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States late last year, BBC reported. 

The army chief of staff, General Maruli Simanjuntak, said training for the soldiers had already begun, and that they would focus on medical and engineering roles in Gaza.

Indonesia has joined President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, which was announced last month, according to BBC. 

The Nepal Institute of International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) hosted the Nepal-India Think Tank Forum on Regional Resilience: Strengthening Nepal-India Security Cooperation with the senior experts from major think tanks of India and Nepal. 

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.), the Director General of the United Service Institution of India, oldest think tank of the Indian military shared that “Nepalis courage and valour have been at the forefront of Indian military strength and national security."

He also shared that “Agniveer scheme is open to Nepali citizens at par with Indians, and is akin to the earlier pre-1970s non-pensionable colour service. The scheme offers an opportunity to invest in human capital, with disciplined, motivated, empowered youth that strengthens and enriches society," reads a statement issued by NIICE. 

Ambassador Pankaj Saran, former National Security Advisor of India, praised Nepalis youth and urged youth from both countries to shape the future of Nepal–India relations.

Alok Bansal, Executive Vice President of India Foundation shared that India is a major victim of cross-border terrorism and it has a huge impact on Nepal as well.  

Similarly Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal of Jawaharlal Nehru University said that think tanks should strengthen India–Nepal ties and urged both governments to promote research.

Dr Gaurav Saini, co-founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, noted that while India–Nepal ties are strong, human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and counterfeit currency are the transnational threats affecting both countries. 

Maj. Gen. Binoj Basnyat, Political and Security Analyst, said that elections alone may not ensure Nepal’s stability and called for inclusive dialogue, according to the statement. 

Anurag Acharya, Director PEI discussed three major avenues including Physical connectivity, highlighted tech integration, religious and cultural tourism and sports as emerging opportunities.

Bibek Dhoj Thapa, Program Coordinator at NIICE emphasized that India–Nepal relations should focus on partnership with the rising youth population, seeing India not as a post-colonial power but as a strategic partner. 

Sumitra Karki, the Director of NIICE emphasized the need to engage academically and policy-wise in enhancing bilateral relationships. 

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal held a meeting with Election Commission officials on Tuesday to discuss election preparations. 

Home Minister Aryal reached the Election Commission (EC) office today and inquired with acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut and other high-ranking officials about election preparations. 

On the occasion, he also visited the Joint Election Operation Center which is in operation at the EC.  

The elections for the House of Representatives have been scheduled for March 5.

Ten of the 12 people, who died in a bus accident that took place earlier today near Manthali, the district headquarters of Ramechhap, have been identified.

They are Bhim Bahadur Tamang (38), Sanumaya Tamang (35), Ramita Tamang (26) and Tara Tamang (31) of Likhu Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-7 in Ramechhap; Babi Tamang (22) and Dipendra Basnet (26) of Likhu Tamakoshi-4; Dipesh Basnet of Likhu Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-6; Man Kumari Baruwal (45) of Likhu-6; Shiva Shrestha (34) of Golanjor Rural Municipality-6 in Sindhuli; and Man Bahadur Tamang (60) of Bhimeshwor Municipality-8 in Dolakha, according to Manthali Hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr Keshab Singh Dhami.

The identities of two others are yet to be ascertained.

Ramechhap’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bhola Bhatta, said eight people, including the driver, were injured in the accident and are being treated at Khurkot-based Jeevan Hospital, Manthali Hospital, and Tamakoshi Hospital.

Police have taken the bus driver into custody. 

The search for the remaining passengers is underway.

The accident occurred when the bus (Pradesh 03-01-005 Kha 9975) of Araniko Yatayat, heading to Okhaldhunga from Kathmandu, veered off the road and plunged into Tamakoshi River at Masantar of Manthali Municipality-6 this morning.

The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has unveiled its concise commitment paper in view of the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections,  placing special emphasis on economic reforms. 

At a program organized today at the party headquarters, Parisdanda, party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal made public the election-focused commitment paper. 

Among the key areas highlighted in the commitment paper include development of a self-reliant national economy, exercise of socialism from community level, delivery of quality service to the doorsteps of the people, economic development, prosperity, good governance, transparency and austerity. 

The commitment paper has incorporated slogans such as 'Quality Infrastructure of Educational and Health Sectors; Base for Prosperity' and 'Entrepreneurial Family; Employment in Rural and Urban Areas and Families'.