Israeli strike in Gaza kills three journalists, first responders say

Three Palestinian journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza, first responders say, BBC reported. 

Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency said their car was hit in the al-Zahra area and named them as Mohammed Salah Qashta, Anas Ghneim and Abdul Raouf Shaat. They are understood to have been working for an Egyptian relief organisation.

The Israeli military said it struck "several suspects who operated a drone affiliated with Hamas... in a manner that posed a threat" to its troops. It added that the incident was under examination, according to BBC. 

Trump says 'framework of a future deal' discussed on Greenland as he drops tariffs threat

President Donald Trump says the US is exploring a potential deal on Greenland after talks with Nato as he dropped plans to impose tariffs on European countries that had opposed his plans for America to acquire the island, BBC reported. 

On social media, Trump said a "very productive meeting" with Nato's leader had led to the "framework" of a potential agreement covering Greenland and the Arctic, offering few details.

Nato also described the meeting as "very productive" - and said discussions on the framework mentioned by Trump would focus on ensuring Arctic security, according to BBC. 

HoR elections: Complaints lodged against five candidates

The Election Commission has stated that complaints were filed against five candidates from four districts among, 3, 487 candidates who registered their nominations in all 165 constituencies on Tuesday for the House of Representatives elections to be held on March 5. 

EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said  that complaints were filed against a candidate from Sunsari-2, one from Rautahat-1, two from Bhaktapur-2, and one from Kailali-1. 

He said that five complaints were filed at the Offices of Returning Officers in all 165 constituencies across the country from 10 am to 3 pm today. 

The period for filing complaints was determined in case the candidates who registered their nominations between 10 am to 3 pm today did not meet the qualifications.

It is stated that nominations and complaints will be reviewed from 3 pm today and decisions will be made by 5 pm on January 22, he said. 

The list of candidates will be published from 5 pm to 7 pm on the same day. 

On January 23, candidates will have the time from 10 am to 1 pm to withdraw their nominations. 

The final list of candidates will be published from 1 pm to 3 pm on January 23. 

On the same day, from 4 pm to 7 pm, candidates will be provided with election symbols. 

According to the commission, 3,089 men, 396 women, and one third-gender candidate have been registered, totaling 3,487 candidates.

 

EC Call Center can handle 15 calls at simultaneously

The call center launched by the Election Commission (EC) on January 19 is capable of receiving 15 calls simultaneously. 

Established in view of the  House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5, the facility aims to provide voters with information related to election matters.

According to EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the call center is based at the EC office in Kantipath and has been set up to address concerns and queries from voters, citizens, and other stakeholders regarding the March 5 elections. 

Voters can dial the toll-free number 1102 for any election-related inquiries.

The facility is equipped with six desks and operates daily from 9 am to 6 pm, Bhattarai said.

 

Nepse plunges by 9. 43 points on Wednesday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 9. 43 points to close at 2, 705. 38 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 35 points to close at 465. 90 points.

A total of 21,641,883-unit shares of 324 companies were traded for Rs 1. 54 billion.

Meanwhile, Kalika power Company Ltd (KPCL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 84 percent.

Likewise, Gurans Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (GLBSL) was the top loser as its price fell by 5. 89 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 54 trillion.

3,486 candidates file nominations for HoR elections

A total of 3,486 candidates have registered their nominations in 165 constituencies across the country for the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives (HoR), as per the latest update provided by the Election Commission. 

These candidates are contesting under the direct election (FPTP). 

The deadline for registering nomination for the elections was until Tuesday. .  

There have been minor changes in the preliminary list as the verification process undertaken by the Commission found that there were two candidates from the same party contesting in some constituencies. 

Registration of nomination was carried out simultaneously across the country on January 20. 

Among the total 3,486 candidates running for the elections, 3,089 are men, 396 women and one is from third gender, said the Commission. 

As per the election schedule, complaints, if any, can be lodged today against the candidates not meeting the required qualifications.

 

Karna Bahadur Fields Candidacy Against Injustice

In the remote hills of Jajarkot, a quiet challenge to long-standing social injustice is emerging. Karna Bahadur Nepali, a young Dalit rights activist from the marginalized Baadi community of Chhedagad Municipality–5, has filed his candidacy for the parliamentary election scheduled for early March.

A longtime humanitarian worker, Nepali has spent over a decade as a social mobilizer, working on poverty alleviation, education support, and community development. He has served in projects supported by Save the Children and contributed to local education initiatives through Panchatara Yuwa Sancharan Mancha. He later reactivated Baadi Sanrakshan Mancha and helped establish the Social Reform Agricultural Cooperative to improve local livelihoods.

“My candidacy is not against any person,” Nepali says. “It is against poverty, illiteracy, discrimination, and social injustice. It is for the development of Jajarkot.”

Recognizing his grassroots work, the Ujyaalo Nepal Party (UNP) has selected him as its candidate, calling his run a historic moment for Jajarkot. “For the first time, a young Dalit activist is contesting here,” says UNP leader Nar Bahadur Karki.

Jajarkot, heavily affected by the Maoist insurgency, has been represented by Maoist leaders since 2008, yet development remains limited. Persistent caste-based violence—including the 2020 killing of six Dalit youths—highlights unresolved injustice.

Against this backdrop, Nepali is contesting for the House of Representatives, challenging veteran Maoist leader Shakti Bahadur Basnet. His candidacy symbolizes more than an election—it represents a renewed push for justice, equality, and hope in Jajarkot.

 

HoR elections: Complaints can be filed against candidates till 3pm today

Complaints can be registered against the candidates running for the March 5 elections to the House of Representative (HoR) but failing to meet the required qualifications 

As per the HoR election schedule, complaints against unqualified candidates can be lodged from 10 am to 3 pm today, according to the Election Commission.

According to the information received by the Commission, a total of 3,486 candidates-3,089 men, 396 women and one from third gender- had registered their nominations in 165 constituencies across the country by yesterday. 

Kul Bahadur GC, Assistant Spokesperson of the Commission, said that the process of filing complaints against unqualified candidates has begun.

GC said that complaints can be filed with the election officer in the concerned constituency in accordance with the Schedule 16 of the House of Representatives Election Directives-2082 BS.

If complaints are filed, the election officer must register their complaints in the registration book in line with the Schedule 17 of the directives and the complainant be provided with a receipt as per the Schedule 18 of the same directive. 

Following this process, the Commission will publish the final list of the candidates on January 23 between 1 pm to 3pm. 

The Commission will give election symbols to the candidates in fray between 4 pm and 7pm on the same day.