KATHMANDU, May 25: The stock market opened on a positive note on Thursday but failed to hold gains as the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index started its decline after mid-day trading session. Subsequently, the index closed the last trading day of the week 0.76 percent lower at 1,318.22 points.

BRUSSELS, Oct 7: As in-fighting consumes the British government, Europeans have stepped up quiet preparations for a possible collapse of Brexit talks that could see Britain crash out of the EU without a deal 18 months from now.