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India on Tuesday handed over the first tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kathmandu.

The assistance was formally received by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. 

India’s Charge d’Affaires in Kathmandu, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, handed over more than 60 double-cab pickup vehicles along with other logistical supplies for use in preparations for Nepal’s upcoming elections, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Home Minister Aryal thanked the Government of India for the support and said it reflected the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.

India has been providing election-related assistance to Nepal since 2008 at the request of the Nepali government. 

According to officials, the support has included the supply of around 2,400 vehicles to various government bodies, including the Election Commission, the statement further reads. 

For the forthcoming elections, India has committed to providing about 650 vehicles, which will be delivered in phases over the coming weeks.

Officials said the assistance is part of broader bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal.

CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli registered his nomination for the election to the House of Representatives from Jhapa-5.

After filing his nomination at the Office of the Election Officer today, Oli said he has no “competitor” in the election. 

He had also won the 2022 House of Representatives election from Jhapa-5.

According to Election Officer Bidur Kumari Karki, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balendra Shah (Balen), had earlier filed his nomination from Jhapa-5. 

Shah resigned as the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City a few days ago to contest the election.

Similarly, eight candidates have already filed their nominations from Jhapa-5. 

They include Ranjit Tamang of the Nepali Communist Party, Laxmi Prasad Sangroula of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Dharma Raj Guragain of the People First Party, Ram Bahadur Meche of the Mongol National Organisation, Sachin Rai of the Rastriya Pariwartan Party, and independent candidate Matrika Bhattarai.

Mahabir Pun filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5. 

He is contesting from Myagdi-1, his home district.

After filing his candidacy, he said that amendments to impractical policies, rules and laws, job creation and prosperity are his election agenda.

Earlier, on Monday, he resigned as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology in the interim government formed with a mandate to conduct the fresh HoR election.

Pun reached the Beni-based Office of the Chief Election Officer today to file his nomination. 

Nepali Communist Party Coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal filed his nomination from Rukum (East) constituency-1.

The elections to the House of Representatives are scheduled for March 5.

Reaching the Office of the Election Officer, he registered his candidacy. 

Talking briefly to media persons after registering his nomination, Coordinator Dahal said that he would give first priority to overall development of Rukum. 

"Rukum was a key base of the people's war. I decided to file candidacy from this area in this election. I will give first priority to Rukum's development," he said.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 42. 26 points to close at 2, 714. 81 points on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 7. 82 points to close at 467. 25 points.

A total of 25,185,647-unit shares of 339 companies were traded for Rs 1. 55 billion.

Meanwhile, Gurkhas Finance Ltd. (GUFL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise,  10.75% SBL Debenture 2089 (SBLD89) was the top loser as its price fell by 4. 23 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 55 trillion.

The Ambassadors Club Nepal honoured United Nations Resident Coordinator to Nepal, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, with the ‘Recognition Award 2025’ at a special ceremony organized at its office premises in Bishalnagar on Monday.

Ambassadors Club Nepal President Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal, announced the award to Hanaa.

“In recognition of her (Hanaa’s) distinguished leadership, dedicated service, and lasting contribution to Nepal’s development journey, the Ambassadors Club Nepal will present the Recognition Award 2025 to Her Excellency Hanaa Singer-Hamdy,” President Dhakal added, who is also a former ambassador to Spain and Oman.

Pushkar Sapkota, Law and Human Rights Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, presented the award to Hanaa on behalf of the Ambassadors Club.

After receiving the award, UNRC-Nepal Hanaa thanked the Ambassadors Club Nepal and President Amb. Dr. Parajuli. 

“Thank you very much for honouring me. This is amazing—what you’ve done, always so graceful and always so appreciative,” Hanaa said.

Hanaa further added, “Nepal for me is my Maitighar (mother’s home). I have been coming to Nepal since 1997. I have visited Nepal around seven or eight times, and I have lived and worked in Nepal for around six years. I have travelled to over 54 districts, and I have been overwhelmed by emotions.” 

She further said that  she will always come back to Nepal because there is a kind of magic found only here—and a big part of that magic is the people.

Ambassadors, diplomats, Government of Nepal officials, officials from other diplomatic missions, and leaders of the private sector were also present on the occasion. 

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Prasad Lingden filed his candidacy from Jhapa 3 for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.

Chairman Lingden registered  his candidacy after reaching the Chief Election Officer's office at the District Coordination Committee Office  in Bhadrapur.

Australia's lower house of parliament has voted in favour of a national gun buyback programme, firearms and hate speech reforms, a month after the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach, BBC reported. 

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the gunmen would not have legally had access to firearms if had such legislation was in place prior to the attack. 

The individuals who killed 15 people on 14 December had "hate in their hearts and guns in their hands," Burke told parliament, according to BBC.