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The Election Commission has stated that citizenship certificates are mandatory for the filling of nominations by candidates contesting the March 5 House of Representatives elections.

As per the election calendar set by the commission, nomination of candidates is being held across the country today. 

A copy of the citizenship certificate or a copy of the voter ID card is mandatory for registration of candidacy. Similarly, proof that the name is included in the final voter list of any rural municipality or municipality of the country is also required.

If the candidate is holding a position in the Government of Nepal, Provincial Government or local level or is receiving remuneration from an organization that receives grants from the Government, proof of resignation from such position is also required. 

The nomination papers submitted need to be signed by one who has proposed and one who seconded the candidacy, by those whose names are included in the final voter list of the same constituency.

If a party has filed a candidacy, a formal letter of nomination for a candidate for the House of Representatives issued by the party’s central executive committee or a similar committee authorized to issue a formal letter of nomination for the candidate will be required.

Similarly, in the case of parties participating in the election jointly by taking a single election symbol, a formal letter of nomination for the candidate as per the House of Representatives Election Guidelines, 2082 BS, will also be required.

Candidates also need to submit a receipt of a deposit of Rs. 10,000 at the office of the concerned election officer. In the case of women, Dalits, minority communities, or economically disadvantaged candidates, a 50 percent discount on the deposit amount has been provided.

Similarly, the candidate must also provide a sealed property statement stating the details of his movable and immovable properties, accounts in banks and financial institutions, securities, shares, bonds, and loans given to or taken from anyone.

Armed gangs have kidnapped dozens of people attending two churches in Nigeria's Kaduna state, according to local police, BBC reported. 

A senior church leader said more than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen during Sunday service. 

It is the latest mass kidnapping in Nigeria, where both Christians and Muslims have been targeted. Gangs, known locally as "bandits", frequently carry out such attacks in northern and central parts of the country to get ransom payments, according to BBC. 

Spain is reeling from its deadliest train accident in more than a decade, with the death toll of a high-speed train collision rising to at least 40 people as emergency workers continue to search for victims and Spanish authorities promise an investigation into the accident’s causes, Aljazeera reported. 

The incident occurred when a train heading from Malaga to Madrid, with about 300 passengers on board, derailed near Cordoba in southern Spain at 7:45pm (18:45 GMT) on Sunday and collided with a train coming from the capital to Huelva, another southern city, carrying about 200 passengers.

“We are wondering what happened. Time and the work of the experts will provide the answer,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said during a news conference. “We will uncover the truth with absolute transparency and make it known to the public.”

China's birth rates sunk to a record low in 2025, despite the government rolling out a spate of incentives to boost it, as the country's population fell for the fourth straight year, BBC reported. 

Government data on Monday showed that the country's birth rate fell to 5.63 per 1,000 people – a record low since the Communist Party took power in 1949 – while its death rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000 people, the highest since 1968.

Its population fell 3.39 million to reach 1.4 billion by the end of 2025, marking a quicker decline than the previous year, according to BBC. 

Donald Trump has vowed to "100%" follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on European countries who oppose his demand to take control of Greenland, BBC reported. 

European allies have rallied around Greenland's sovereignty. Denmark's foreign minister emphasised the US president cannot threaten his way to ownership of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated the UK's position that the future of Greenland is for "Greenlanders and for the Danes alone" to decide, according to BBC. 

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel resigned from his post on Monday. 

He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sushila Karki today.

In his resignation letter, Minister Kharel stated that he decided to resign from his post before entering the arena of party politics and considering the independent identity of the current government.

“In view of the current national needs, long-term strengthening of the democratic system and people's expectations, I have now come to the conclusion to play an active and responsible role through party politics. Therefore, I have decided to resign from my post to preserve the independent identity of the current government,” the resignation letter states.

Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai has been arrested in Pokhara. 

He will be sent to Kathmandu, informed Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kaski, Naveen Karki. 

“Since his case is registered in Kathmandu, he is being sent there,” he said. Earlier, on Sunday, the Election Commission had requested action against Prasai and had communicated with the police cyber bureau for the same. 

It may be noted that a few days ago, Prasai had released a video accusing a faction of Congress’s special convention of submitting Rs 520  to the Commission to get recognized by the constitutional body.

Over the matter, the Commission had directed the police to arrest and investigate Prasai.

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said the Sonam Lhosar, celebrated as the New Year by the Tamang community, helps to preserve and promote cultural values.

Issuing a message of best wishes on the occasion of the Sonam Lhosar today, President Thapa expressed belief that the festivals are instrumental in reinforcing mutual harmony, coexistence and fraternity in Nepali society.

Thapa further wished the festival renewed energy and encouragement among all Nepalis living in the country and abroad.