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A US freelance journalist has been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and one of the suspects is linked to an Iran-backed militia, Iraqi and US officials say, BBC reported. 

Shelly Kittleson was abducted on Tuesday evening, said Al-Monitor, a news outlet for which she has contributed articles.

The Iraqi interior ministry said security forces had chased the reporter's abductors in a pursuit that resulted in one of the kidnappers' cars overturning and the arrest of one suspect, according to BBC. 

Workers at the under- construction Arun III Hydropower Project powerhouse have launched a strike over delayed payments for several months. 

It is said 1,500 workers for the 900-MW Project have reportedly not been paid for the past six months. 

The workers and petty contractors at Pukhuwa of Chichila Rural Municipality-2 where the powerhouse is based, have been on strike since this morning. 

As a result, the entire works on the Project have been affected. 

Workers have complained that the construction company ignored their repeated concerns regarding timely payment. 

Chief District Officer Sirjana Thapaliya also confirmed the launch of the strike by workers.

Earlier, the workers had approached the District Administration Office with an application, requesting its facilitation in ensuring timely pay.

The project is being developed by the Indian Satluj Company. 

Over 3,000 workers from Nepal and India have been employed at the dam site in Phyksida, Makalu Rural Municipality, and at the powerhouse construction site in Pukhuwa.

The project, which has a five-year deadline, is estimated to cost Rs 120 billion. 

Under the agreement, the project will provide 30 units of electricity free of cost to each affected family. 

Nepal is expected to receive Rs 340 billion in royalties over 25 years, along with free electricity and discounts on income tax, VAT, and customs duties, it is said.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 74. 73 points to close at 2, 776. 36 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 11. 21 points to close at 473. 63 points.

A total of 30,292,452-unit shares of 347 companies were traded for Rs 1. 59 billion.

Meanwhile, Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) and Super Khudi Hydropower Limited (SKHL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Nepal Reinsurance Company Limited (NRIC) was the top loser as their price fell by 9. 84 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 72 trillion.

Senior-most Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has taken charge as the acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from Wednesday. 

Malla assumed the role of acting Chief Justice after Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut retired from duty today due to the age limit of 65.

Meanwhile, the Judicial Council has recommended the senior-most Justice Malla and Justices Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Nahakul Subedi and Til Prasad Shrestha for the post of the next Chief Justice.

The constitution has the provision that the Constitutional Council makes a recommendation of the Chief Justice a month before the CJ retires. 

Once the parliamentary hearing endorses the recommended names, he/she is appointed by the President.