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US President Donald Trump has reversed a key Obama-era scientific ruling that underpins all federal actions on curbing planet-warming gases, BBC reported. 

The so-called 2009 "endangerment finding" concluded that a range of greenhouse gases were a threat to public health. It's become the legal bedrock of federal efforts to rein in emissions, especially in vehicles.

The White House called the reversal the "largest deregulation in American history", saying it would make cars cheaper, bringing down costs for automakers by $2,400 per vehicle, according to BBC. 

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland has been charged with "gross corruption" over his ties with the US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, police have said, BBC reported. 

The charge was brought after the Council of Europe lifted Jagland's immunity, which he enjoyed because of his past diplomatic role. He denies criminal liability and is willing to cooperate, his lawyer says.

Emails released by the US government are thought to show that Jagland planned solo and family visits to Epstein's homes in Paris, New York and Palm Beach after the billionaire was convicted of a child sex offence, according to BBC. 

Nepal suffered a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Italy in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup match held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.

Chasing a target of 124-run victory posted by Nepal, Italy completed the target in 12.4 overs. For Italy, Anthony Mosca scored 62 runs while Justin Mosca gathered 60 runs.

Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal gathered 123 runs in 19.3 overs at the loss of all wickets. 

For Nepal, Aarif Sheikh scored the highest 27 runs while Rohit Poudel made 23 runs, Aasif Sheikh 20 runs, Dipendra Singh Airee 17 runs and Karan KC 18 runs (not out). 

Italy's Crishan Kalugamage and Ben Manenti took three wickets and two wickets respectively while Jaspreet Singh and JJ Smuts took one wicket each. 

This is the second consecutive defeat of Nepal, which is in Group 'C'. With this consecutive loss, Nepal's possibility of entering Super Eight has become weak. 

However, this is the first win of Italy.

The Election Commission (EC) has said that the printing of ballot papers for 124 electoral constituencies in 58 districts has been completed. So far, 15. 77 million ballot papers have been printed. 

According to the Election Commission, ballot papers have been printed for Dolpa, Mugu, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum (West), Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorkha, Myagdi, Parbat, Nawalparasi (Susta West), Morang, Udayapur, Mustang, Lamjung, Tanahu, Syangja, Bardiya, Rukum (East), Dang, Banke, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Rupandehi, Rolpa, Manang, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk, among others.

Till Wednesday, ballot papers for 53 districts had been printed, and today printing was completed for an additional five districts.

Around 1.5 million ballot papers are being printed every day.

Similarly, 20,830,000 ballot papers for the proportional representation electoral system have already been printed. A total of 20,323,000 ballot papers are to be printed for the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The EC has said that ballot papers for 12 electoral constituencies in 10 districts of Karnali were dispatched today. 

They are for Salyan, Rukum West, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Kalikot, Jumla, Jajarkot, Dailekh and Surkhet, according to Assistant Spokesperson Prakash Neupane.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has assigned engineer Sahdev Chand as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) effective from February 11.

Engineer Chand has been working at NRB for over 24 years. 

He has extensive experience in the areas spanning the economic research department, banking department, non-bank financial institution supervision department, and the information technology department. 

Engineer Chand is currently engaged in General Ledger operations and Disaster Recovery Management.

As a CISO, Chand will lead initiatives to strengthen NRB’s cybersecurity framework, enhance protection of digital infrastructures, and ensure compliance with national and international regulatory standards. His responsibilities include advancing Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities and reinforcing information security governance so that it would contribute to cyber resilience, according to NRB.

NRB Spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel said that Chand was assigned as CISO as per NRB's Cyber Security Policy, 2074.

The assignment comes amidst NRB's ongoing digital transformation. 

The new responsibility is expected to contribute to NRB’s strategic commitment to strengthening cybersecurity governance, enhancing institutional resilience and maintaining public trust in Nepal’s financial system in the wake of digital advancement at warp speed.

Chand, who holds BSc Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering from Khulna University, Bangladesh, also has the MA and MPhil Degrees in Economics from Tribhuvan University. He is currently pursuing PhD in Economics at Tribhuvan University. 

Chand has participated in numerous international training programs in cybersecurity, ICT policy, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and distributed ledger technologies across Asia, Europe and the United States.

India on Thursday handed over the third tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal. 

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava presented the assistance  to Minister for Home Affairs of Nepal Om Prakash Aryal at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu. 

The latest tranche includes more than 270 vehicles and other logistical supplies, among them 50 trucks designated for the Nepal Army, in line with Kathmandu’s request to support election preparedness.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel formally received the trucks on behalf of the Nepal Army.

Speaking at the program, Home Minister Aryal thanked the Indian side for the timely and significant nature of assistance provided to Nepal. He also conveyed his appreciation for the mutually beneficial and comprehensive nature of cooperation between the two countries, which is marked by mutual trust, friendship, and a shared adherence to democratic values.

The first two tranches of such election-related assistance, comprising over 310 vehicles and other supplies from the Government of India, have already been handed over to Nepal on January 20 and 29  respectively. Some additional deliveries are expected to take place in batches in the coming days, according to the statement. 

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that  voting in the mountainous and hilly districts will be held on March 5 under any circumstances.

The Prime Minister arrived in Solukhumbu today to assess election preparations, relevant security arrangements, and geographical challenges. 

On the occasion, she stated that there is no situation that would warrant postponing the election, emphasizing that the election must be held as scheduled.

“There is no alternative to holding the election on March 5 to free the country from the cycle of instability,” she said. Acknowledging the challenges of conducting elections in mountainous regions, she added that the government has already made necessary arrangements to address such adversities.

The Prime Minister urged voters, political parties, and candidates to remain confident that the election will be conducted in a fearless, peaceful, and impartial atmosphere. According to her, the government’s entire focus is now on ensuring the election is held in a cordial environment. She also called on all concerned bodies to concentrate their efforts on the polls.

During a briefing with the District Security Committee, the Prime Minister specifically directed authorities to create an environment where voters can cast their ballots without fear, pressure, or influence.

She instructed the concerned authorities to leave no stone unturned in guaranteeing security at remote polling stations in the mountainous areas, and directed them to mobilize additional security forces if necessary.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer Leela Kumari Pandey KC presented a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister, highlighting the district’s overall security situation, the physical status of polling centers, and their accessibility.

After reviewing the details, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to take special precautions regarding security, transportation of election materials, and the safety of ballot papers, according to CDO Pandey.

Solukhumbu, the part of Koshi Province, has 123 polling stations. The District Administration Office stated that alternative plans have been prepared in view of possible snowfall, climate conditions, and geographical challenges.

The Prime Minister said it is the constitutional responsibility of the government to ensure the voting rights of people in all areas, including mountainous regions. She assured that necessary arrangements would be made to enable the voters of Solukhumbu to cast their ballots in an easy and accessible manner.

The Election Commission (EC) has called on all first-past-the-post (FPTP) candidates for the March 5 election to the House of Representatives ( HoR)  to submit a copy of their election manifesto to the respective Election Officer’s Office by February 15.

The EC has written to all FPTP candidates, directing them to make their election manifestos public and submit a copy to the Election Commission Office in accordance with Clause 37 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 BS.

Similarly, Election Offices in all provinces and the respective Election Officers’ Offices have been instructed to maintain records of the submitted manifestos and provide the details to the Commission.

Earlier, the EC had also written to political parties, urging them to unveil their election manifestos by February 15.