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The Election Commission has stated that printing of ballot papers for 100 constituencies of 44 districts for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system has been completed. 

According to the information provided by the EC, printing of ballot papers for Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum Paschim, Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Panchthar districts has been carried out. 

EC's Assistant Spokesperson Kul Bahadur GC said that a total of 12,256,000 ballot papers were printed in the Janak Education Materials Center, Bhaktapur, as of Monday. 

Likewise, printing of ballot papers of Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorkha, Myagdi, Parbat, Bardaghat Susta Paschim (Nawalparasi), Morang, Udayapur, Mustang, Lamjung, Tanahun, Syangjha and Bardiya has also been completed. 

KC said that the packing of ballot papers is also going on. So far, 10,759 boxes of ballot papers have been readied. 

As informed, the printing of ballots for the proportional electoral system was already completed. 

A total of 20,830,000 ballots for the proportional system have been printed, packed, registered, and prepared for delivery. 

Similarly, 20,323,000 ballots need to be printed for the FPTP electoral system. 

The printing of ballots for the FPTP electoral system started on January 30.

The United Nations said on Monday it is waiting for details on when and how much the United States will pay toward its delayed budget dues, following a promise last week that Washington would make an initial payment within weeks,  Reuters reported. 

"We've seen the statements, and frankly, the secretary-general has been in touch for quite some time on this issue with Ambassador (Mike) Waltz," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a briefing.

"Our (budget) controller has been in touch with the U.S.; indications were given. We're waiting to see exactly when payments will be made and in what amounts," he added, according to Reuters. 

Bangladesh has secured exemptions for some clothes and textiles that are made with US-produced materials, as part of a new agreement announced on Monday, BBC reported. 

As part of the deal, Washington will also cut its tariffs on Bangladesh from 20% to 19%, in exchange for Dhaka to open its markets to a wider range of American goods.

The apparel industry forms the backbone of Bangladesh, which is the world's second largest exporter of clothes after China, according to BBC. 

Australian police have defended their actions after violent clashes with protesters in Sydney during a demonstration against a visit by the Israeli president, BBC reported. 

Officers showed "remarkable restraint", NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said, adding that they "did what they needed to do".

His comments came after police arrested 27 people at a rally in Sydney on Monday night. Earlier, rally organisers had failed in their court bid to overturn police powers that limited their right to demonstrate, according to BBC. 

King Charles has made his first intervention in the latest round of revelations in the Epstein scandal, saying Buckingham Palace is ready to support the police as they consider allegations against his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, BBC reported. 

"The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct," a Palace spokesman said.

"While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect," he said, according to BBC. 

The government has decided to extend the tenure of the Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the physical and human losses incurred during the Gen Z uprising on September 8-9. 

The Cabinet meeting held on Monday decided  to extend the tenure of the Commission by 25 days, informed government spokesperson and Minister for Home Affairs, Om Prakash Aryal. 

It may be noted that the Cabinet meeting held on September 21 had constituted the Inquiry Commission under the premiership of former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki to fairly investigate the physical and human losses that occurred in the course of the September 8-9 protests and submit a report. 

Likewise, the Cabinet has approved the Order 2082 to collect data for the National Economic Census, 2082. 

Minister Aryal informed that the Cabinet also decided to present the Nepal Government's Annual Report of the fiscal year 2081/82 to President Ram Chandra Paudel. 

The National Assembly (NA) has passed the Tourism Bill, 2081 BS. 

The meeting of the Upper House today unanimously approved the proposal  presented by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha seeking passage of the Bill. 

During the meeting, Minister Sinha informed the House that the Bill was introduced with an objective of diversifying and promoting Nepal's tourism sector. 

Likewise, the meeting passed a condolence motion on the demise of former NA member, Sukraraj Sanyok. 

Sanyok, who was elected the NA member in 2054 BS (1997/1998) representing the Nepali Congress, passed away on February 2 at the age of 90. 

The NA is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday at 1:15 pm. 

The National Assembly (NA) has unanimously passed a decision to withdraw a bill on social networks use and management.

NA Chairman Narayan Dahal presented the bill for decision and later informed that it was withdrawn unanimously. 

Chairperson of the Legislation Management Committee, Tulasa Kumari Dahal, had earlier presented the Committee report on the bill in the NA meeting.

As many as 155 amendment proposals were filed by 35 NA members during the Committee meeting.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, on February 3, had decided to withdraw the bill and requested the Parliament for it.