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The Martyr Day is being observed across the country today by organizing several programs. 

The Martyr Day has been marked by commemorating those who sacrificed their lives for the country and its people. 

The Day is observed by remembering the struggling life and devotion of martyrs,  Shukra Raj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand and Ganga Lal Shrestha as well as contributions of other martyrs to the establishment of democracy in the country.  

Martyr Week is observed from Magh 10-16 every year on the initiatives of different organizations in memory of brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives against the then Rana regime. 

In 1997, Martyr Shukra Raj Shastri was executed in Teku-based Pachali on Mag 10, Dharma Bhakta Mathema at Shifal on Magh 13 and Gangla Lal Shrestha and Dasharath Chand at Shobha Bhagawati on Magh 15 by Rana ruler while demanding independence. 

The Election Commission (EC) has unveiled sample ballot papers for various districts and electoral constituencies for the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5. 

The Commission made public sample ballot papers for the districts under all seven provinces. 

The sample ballot paper is of one type for districts with a sole electoral constituency and of another type for districts with more than a single constituency. 

The sample ballot papers, according to the EC, have been designed based on the number of candidates. 

The ballot size for constituencies with more candidates will be relatively larger while it will be smaller for constituencies with fewer candidates. 

For having the highest number of constituencies, Kathmandu will have the ballot paper with larger size. 

There is only one electoral constituency in Salyan, Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot and Rukum West in Karnali Province, the EC informed. 

Dailekh and Surkhet have two electoral constituencies. The Commission has also made public the sample of the actual ballot papers of these districts. 

In Sudurpashchim Province, districts with single constituency are Bajura, Bajhang, Doti, Darchula, Baitadi and Dadeldhura. Achham has two while Kanchanpur has three and Kailali five electoral constituencies. 

The Commission has also made public the sample of actual ballot papers for all these electoral constituencies. 

It will gradually make public the actual ballot papers for other districts as well, the EC shared. 

Printing of ballot papers is going on at the Janak Education Materials Center. 

The Commission has stated that the printing of ballot papers for the proportional representation electoral system has been completed. 

With the preparation of sample ballot papers of various districts, the Commission has also advanced the election awareness drive. 

The outreach of the sample ballot papers prepared for voter awareness programs is also underway, it is shared. 

The European Union has added Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its terrorist list in response to Tehran's deadly crackdown on protesters in recent weeks, BBC reported. 

"Repression cannot go unanswered," the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said, adding the move will put the IRGC - a major military, economic and political force in Iran - on the same level as jihadist groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the EU decision was a "stunt" and a "major strategic mistake".

The Trump administration has suggested it is planning to "draw down" federal forces in Minnesota if there is cooperation from officials, after the fatal shootings of two US citizens in the state, BBC reported. 

At a press conference in Minneapolis, White House Border Tsar Tom Homan vowed to continue the immigration enforcement operation, but added he wants "common sense cooperation that allows us to draw down on the number of people we have here".

"We are not surrendering our mission at all. We're just doing it smarter," Homan said, according to BBC. 

China has agreed to allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa, Downing Street has said, BBC reported. 

The announcement came after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, as he became the first British leader to visit the country in eight years.

The trip also saw an agreement to cut import taxes on UK whisky from 10% to 5%, as the government seeks closer trade ties with Beijing to help boost economic growth, according to BBC. 

US President Donald Trump says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed not to attack Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other cities and towns for a week due to "extraordinary cold" weather, BBC reported. 

Russia has not confirmed any such agreement, but Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump's announcement and said he expected Russia to keep its promise.

Trump did not specify when the pause would begin, but temperatures in the Ukrainian capital are due to plummet from Thursday night and reach -24C (-11F) in the next few days, according to BBC. 

India handed over the second tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal, reinforcing bilateral cooperation ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.

Charge d’Affaires of India to Nepal, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, ceremonially handed over more than 250 vehicles to the Government of Nepal at a function held at the Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu. 

The event was attended by Nepal’s Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal.

The vehicles form part of the election-related assistance requested by Nepal to support logistical preparations for the forthcoming polls.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Khanal highlighted the longstanding and friendly ties between India and Nepal and expressed appreciation for the timely assistance. 

He noted that the support would play an important role in ensuring smooth election preparations.

The first tranche of India’s election-related assistance was handed over on January 20, 2026. 

Additional consignments are expected to be delivered in phases over the coming weeks.

The assistance reflects the close development partnership between India and Nepal and underscores the deep-rooted trust and cooperation between the two countries.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 17. 53 points to close at 2, 715. 05 points on Thursday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 58 points to close at 462. 68 points.

A total of 35,477,939-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 1. 55 billion.

Meanwhile, Himal Dolakha Hydropower Company Limited (HDHPC) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 23 percent.

Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) and Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd (SAPDBL) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 55 trillion.