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Russia has ordered a block on WhatsApp, as the Kremlin continues to tighten restrictions on messaging apps, BBC reported. 

Meta-owned WhatsApp said the move aimed to push more than 100 million of its app users in Russia to a "state-owned surveillance app".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the BBC that the decision had been made "due to [Meta's] unwillingness to comply with the norms and the letter of Russian law". He has said Meta could resume operations if it "complies with [the law] and enters into dialogue".

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has selected his daughter as his heir, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers on Thursday, BBC reported. 

Little is known about Kim Ju Ae, who in recent months has been pictured beside her father in high-profile events like a visit to Beijing in September- her first known trip abroad. 

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it took a "range of circumstances" into account including her increasingly prominent public presence at official events" in making this assessment, according to BBC. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 8. 97 points to close at 2, 671. 07 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 51 points to close at 456. 72 points.

A total of 27,780,584-unit shares of 337 companies were traded for Rs 1. 52 billion.

Meanwhile, Madhya Bhotekoshi Jalavidyut Company Limited (MBJC) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. 

Likewise,  Kalinchowk Darshan Limited (KDL) was the top loser as its price fell by 7. 59 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 48 trillion.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has prorogued the current session of the National Assembly to be effective from midnight on February 13.

President Paudel prorogued the session of the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers on February 9, in accordance with Article 93 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.

The current session of the National Assembly was convened on January 18.

The Madhes Province Assembly has so far legislated 67 laws, according to the Office of the Chief Attorney of the Madhesh Province. 

Chief Attorney of the Madhes Province, Dr Sunil Ranjan Singh informed that other laws are under formulation process.

It has been stated that the frequent changes in the governments have brought challenges in the formulation of other laws.

He further shared that the free legal aid program being operated by the Chief Attorney Office under the Madhes province government has gradually become effective. Citizens belonging to the poor and marginalized section have improved access to justice with the free legal aid service in place, he claimed.

Dr Singh expressed the confidence that the legal structure would further strengthen good governance and the judicial system in the province.

The number of beneficiaries from the service that was launched focusing on Dalit, disadvantaged, and backward people who are likely to be deprived of access to justice due to financial condition is annually increasing, the office shared.

The provincial government has been providing legal assistance by mobilizing legal professionals in all eight districts of Madhesh.

According to the office, as many as 108 people had received the service in the starting year while the number increased to 110 in the year 2076/77 BS; 144 in the year 2077/78 BS; 238 in the year 2078/79 and 368 in the year 2081/82 BS.

The end beneficiaries have been receiving legal aid for their services from the District Court, the High Court, the Supreme Court and the Administrative Court.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 100 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.  

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 306, 500 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 306, 600 per tola on Wednesday. 

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 50 and is being traded at Rs 5, 340 per tola.

Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis combined for eight wickets as Australia overcame the shock pre-match loss of skipper Mitch Marsh to post a crushing 67-run victory over Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener in Colombo, Reuters reported. 

Marsh was officially ruled out just 30 minutes before Wednesday night’s toss after scans revealed he was suffering internal testicular bleeding from a blow he suffered at training earlier in the week.

Australia still managed to post a competitive 6-182 on the tricky wicket, with Marcus Stoinis (45 off 29 balls), Josh Inglis (37 off 17) and Matt Renshaw (37 off 33) all playing handy cameos, according to Reuters. 

Sherfane Rutherford has struck a belligerent half-century and Gudakesh Motie produced a brilliant display of spin bowling as West Indies thumped England by 30 runs at the T20 World Cup, Reuters reported. 

Rutherford smacked seven sixes in his unbeaten 76 off 42 deliveries to provide the bedrock of his team's imposing total of 6-196 in the Group C encounter in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Twice champions West Indies then returned to choke their ‌opponents with spin and bundled out England for 166 in 19 overs to top the group with their second successive victory, according to Reuters.