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Iranian forces say they have struck a US naval base in Bahrain, as Iran launched strikes across the region in retaliation for a "massive" and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel, BBC reported. 

Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The extent of any damage is unclear and the US has not commented. 

Elsewhere across the region, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait - all home to US military bases - said they have intercepted missiles in their air space, according to BBC. 

The Election Commission (EC) has said the entire preparations for the voting to take place under the House of Representatives (HoR) on March 5 has been over. 

The EC shared this in a weekly press meet on Friday.

EC Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said ballot papers, ballot boxes and other election logistics have been already transported to all 77 districts. 

Similarly, voter education program is underway at all 6,743 wards of 753 local levels.  

The programs being facilitated by volunteers will conclude on February 29. Employees and security forces assigned for the election duties have started departing for the respective stations. 

The government and the local levels have been already requested to facilitate in assuring spaces for establishing the polling centres. Such centers are to be established at schools, health institutions and ward offices. 

The EC had already taken decisions regarding election security, the operation of essential services, and the facilitation, coordination and management of election and voting procedures.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on various dimensions of Nepal-China relations. 

According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, the Prime Minister congratulated Zhang on the assumption of the post, wishing him a successful term. 

She hoped that the Ambassador would successfully carry out his duties, thereby contributing to take the friendly relations between the two countries to a new height. 

The Chinese Ambassador congratulated the Prime Minister for building an atmosphere conducive to House of Representatives election by maintaining peace, security and a rule of law. 

He added that China's support and cooperation would always be there in such a process. 

The Prime Minister thanked China for its goodwill and support for the election, a significant part of Nepal's democratic process. 

She also, on behalf of Nepal and Nepali citizens, expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government for its support to various development projects in Nepal. 

The Prime Minister and the Chinese Ambassador exchanged best wishes on the occasion of the Chinese New Year. 

Stating that the two nations are closely connected by culture, geography and historic ties, Prime Minister Karki reiterated Nepal's commitment to the Panchasheel Principles (The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence). 

She affirmed Nepal adheres to the 'One-China Policy', and made it clear that no activities against its close neighbour would be entertained in its territory. 

Instability in one nation may cause issues in another nation, she reminded, underlining the need for strengthening mutual cooperation for having regional peace and stability. 

In response, the Chinese Envoy, on behalf of the people and President of China, expressed gratitude to the Nepal government for its policy and stance regarding China. 

The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu has urged the public to maintain peace and order and be mindful about the upcoming elections while celebrating Holi festival.

The elections to the House of Representatives is scheduled on March 5 while the Holi, festival of colours, in the hilly area is on March 2 and in Tarai region on March 3. 

Issuing a notice today, the DAO, Kathmandu also appealed to the people to not organize  huge gatherings, organize celebratory programs on streets and sell and distribute alcohol in public places during the Holi. 

The local administration clarified that celebrating Holi culturally and religiously within the premises of one's house with family and friends will not be restricted. 

The DAO, Kathmandu has urged full compliance with the Election Code of Conduct enforced by the Election Commission of Nepal in view of the upcoming elections. 

The notice issued by Assistant Chief District Officer, Muktiram Rijal, states that it is prohibited to use election candidates' election symbols, flags, stickers or any materials displaying symbols, including caps, t-shirts, jackets, bags or other items during rallies, mass gatherings or election campaign related activities.

The administration has requested the public not to engage in activities that violate the Election Code of Conduct by using such materials. 

The notice also warns that forcibly throwing colours or splashing water on someone against their will, consuming alcohol and disrupting public order, creating excessive noise and engaging in any unruly activities are considered unlawful.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has asserted that the elections to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5 would be held in a free, fair and impartial manner.

In the course of inspecting the voting centers of Baiteshwor Rural Municipality in Dolakha district today, Home Minister mentioned that the elections would be made fair and impartial this time by correcting the past weaknesses. 

He also directed the concerned officials to create such environment where voters could cast vote peacefully with confidence. 

On the occasion, the Home Minister urged all concerned sides to involve in preparation of their respective election constituencies being aware about the wrong, misleading and misinformation disseminated in social platforms. 

A team comprising Home Minister Aryal and Acting Chief Election Commissioner, Ram Prasad Bhandari, inspected the voting centers of the rural municipality and discussed about election security.

Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, Raju Aryal, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General, Pradip Jung KC, Additional Inspector General of Police, Ganesh Thada Magar, Spokesperson of the Home Ministry, Ananda Kafle, Assistant Spokesperson Rama Acharya, Chief District Office of Dolakha, Hari Prasad Ghimire, Chief Returning Officer, Ram Prasad Neupane, among others were present on the occasion.

The team enquired about local level elections and elections to the House of Representatives held in 2079 as well as election security plan for the upcoming HoR election, shared Assistant Spokesperson Acharya.

It was shared that security has been tightened at different borders in view of sensitivity and problems surfaced in the voting centre in past. 

Similarly, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari requested all stakeholders for their active participation in order to hold the elections in fair, impartial and fear-free environment. 

He also directed to ensure election security by carrying out preparation of the election, finding out possible problems keeping past election sensitivity in mind. 

Briefing about the present election situation of the district, Chief Returning Officer Neupane and Chief District Officer Ghimire informed that coordination among security bodies is underway.

Likewise, Inspector General of APF, Aryal, briefed about district security. 

There are eight voting centers, 21 polling stations and 18,422 voters in Baideshowr Rural Municipality.

As many as 221, 000 employees are going to be deployed across 165 constituencies throughout the country for conducting the House of Representatives elections to be held on March 5.

The employees are to be deployed at 23,112 voting centers in 165 electoral constituencies and 143 temporary voting centers for proportional voting in the 77 districts across the country.

Election Commission Assistant Spokesman Prakash Neupane, said that arrangements have been made to deploy nine staff members in voting centers with over five hundred voters and eight staff members in centers with fewer than 500 voters.

The Commission has stated that after training the election officers and assistant election officers assigned to polling centers, the election officers themselves will train other staff assigned to the centers.

The Election Commission has stated that election materials and ballot papers have reached all 165 electoral constituencies across the country by Thursday.

Four hundred and eighty-one firearms (guns) have been handed to the district administration in Madhes Province, in response to the notice issued targeting the House of Representatives elections.

According to the Madhesh Province Police Office, Janakpurdham, weapons have been received in that number to date following the notice issued by the district administration offices under the province to conduct the election in a free and fearless environment.

Although there are records that various individuals in eight districts in the Province have obtained 2,531 licensed firearms, the office has stated that only 481 have been received so far. There are still 2,050 firearms remaining to be surrendered.

The local administration had issued a notice to surrender weapons to the nearest police unit or district police office.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Friday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 314, 900 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 315, 400 per tola on Thursday. 

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 5, 740 per tola.