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One hundred and sixty-three complaints have been registered with the Press Council Nepal (PCN) in the first six months of the current fiscal year. 

PCN stated that 163 complaints have been registered until the end of Poush (January 14) in the fiscal year 2082/83 BS (2025/26).

PCN joint spokesperson Ram Sharan Bohara said that among the registered complaints, following the correspondence in accordance with the Journalist Code of Conduct, 77 refutations have been issued, 52 responses presented by the respondents have been communicated to the complainants, and 14 apologies/corrections were made.

Similarly, five content materials have been suspended, 10 were asked for clarification, five were given instructions and warned, and during this period one media outlet was penalised by being placed on the non-compliance/blacklist.

According to Bohara, 744 contents from 632 media/web portals/social networks have been self-monitored during this period.

"Among the 744 contents are 447 media contents and 185 non-media contents, and based on the severity of violations of the code of conduct, 136 media and 27 non-media have been instructed and cautioned. 

For 20 non-media with no contact, an investigation has been conducted and correspondence has been sent to the relevant authority for action," reads a statement issued by spokesperson Bohara on Wednesday.

PCN has stated that while it has been regularly monitoring whether journalists and media outlets comply with the Code of Conduct for Journalists, it has initiated a special monitoring process regarding compliance with the Election Code of Conduct in the context of its implementation.

The partial influence of the westerly winds is currently persisting in the country. 

According to the Weather Forecasting Division, fog is likely to blanket some parts of the Tarai region this afternoon. 

Currently, there are partial clouds over the high hill and Himalayan areas of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while the weather will be mainly fair in the rest of the country. There is fog in some parts of the Tarai. 

According to the Division, there will be partial clouds over the high hill and Himalayan areas of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while the weather will be mainly clear in the rest of the country this afternoon. 

Similarly, some parts of the Tarai may experience mist tonight. 

Partial cloudy weather is expected in the high hill and Himalayan areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, while the weather will be mainly clear in other regions. 

The Division has cautioned towards possible low visibility at various Terai airports, which may cause flight delays due to mist and fog, and has advised drivers of long and short-distance vehicles to remain vigilant of weather conditions. 

The local administration in Baitadi has urged all concerned to submit the licensed weapons registered in individual names in the wake of forthcoming elections to the House of Representatives.

For the purpose of making the HoR elections scheduled for March 5, the district administration urged the people for arms submission if they have kept the arms and ammunition with license.

Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Thapa issued a directive to all concerned ones to provide the individual licensed weapons to the authority. They can submit the weapons to the District Police Office and local administration or any police office at their convenient places before February 3.

The District Administration Office, Rupandehi has issued a similar directive to submit the weapons kept individually by taking license. The district people bearing such weapons are asked to hand over the weapons before January 29.

The District Administration Office, Lamjung has given a February 3 deadline for the submission of the licensed weapons. It is said more than 1,000 persons have possessed such weapons in the district.

The local administrations have warned of legal actions if the licensed armed and ammunition are not handed over to the authority. The offices made it clear that the weapons would, however, be returned to the respective persons after the HoR elections are held successfully.

The districts have been making other security arrangements for the safety at poll centers and security to candidates in the March 5 HoR elections.

The nominations under the direct election, first-past-the-post, of 165 members of HoR were conducted peacefully across the country on Tuesday.

The country is currently witnessing a partial effect of westerly wind. 

The Weather Forecasting Division has predicted foggy weather in some places of the Tarai belt later today. 

It will be partly cloudy in the upper hill and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces. 

The Tarai region is forecasted to have a thick fog during morning and evening.

Owing to thick fog and haze, visibility in air flight will be affected, warranting alertness, according to the weather service.