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.

 

HoR elections: Rupandehi records highest number of candidacies and Mustang lowest

Candidacies were registered across the country on Tuesday for the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives (HoR). 

Political parties and candidates enthusiastically filed their nominations within the scheduled time.

The Election Commission (EC) said that a total of 2,925 candidates have registered to participate in the first-past-the-post (FTPT) election system for the House of Representatives elections.

Among them, 11 percent, that is 336 candidates, are female, and male candidates are 88 percent, that is 2,589. 

Six candidates from the sexually marginalized community have registered their candidacies. They are representing the Samabeshi Samajbadi Party.

According to the details, in 165 constituencies of the country, the most number of candidates, 35 each, have registered in Rupandehi constituencies No. 2 and 3. Similarly, the fewest, eight candidates, have registered in Mustang.

The EC also stated that 85 persons with disabilities and 138 from backward areas have filed their candidacy.

In this election, there are one million 893 thousand 689 voters across the country, who will be voting in 10 thousand 967 polling stations and 23 thousand 112 polling centers on March 5 to elect new members in the Federal Parliament.

 

Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan

A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people has gone missing near Mount Aso, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, BBC reported. 

The aircraft took off from a zoo in Aso City at 10:52 local time (01:52 GMT) on Tuesday for a 10-minute tour but never returned, local reports say, quoting police.

An object resembling an aircraft was spotted by a police helicopter inside the crater of Nakadake, one of Mount Aso's five peaks, at around 16:00. Authorities have yet to confirm if it is the missing helicopter, according to BBC. 

Trump doubles down on Greenland ahead of Davos visit, saying there is 'no going back'

US president Donald Trump has doubled down on his threats to take control of Greenland, saying on social media that there is "no going back" and that "Greenland is imperative," BBC reported. 

During a news conference at the White House, Trump was asked how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland and replied, "You'll find out". 

Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron warned at a meeting at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland of a "shift towards a world without rules", while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the "old order is not coming back".

Sharp rise in gold price in domestic market

The price of gold climbed sharply in the domestic market today compared to Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold reached Rs 295,100 per tola (11.66 grams) today, while that of silver is set at Rs 5,920 per tola.

On Tuesday, gold was traded at Rs 284,700 per tola, while the price of silver stood at Rs 5,880 per tola. Recently, both gold and silver prices have continued to surge significantly.

In the international market, gold is priced at USD 4,740 per ounce today, while silver is trading at USD 95 per ounce, international media reported. 

According to economic analysts, rising uncertainty in the global economy, inflation, and geopolitical tensions have contributed to the increase in gold and silver prices, as they are considered safe investment assets.

 

Man City stunned by tiny Bodø/Glimt in huge Champions League upset

Manchester City lost 3-1 at tiny Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt in one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history on Tuesday, while defending champion Paris Saint-Germain also was on the end of an unexpected defeat at Sporting Lisbon, Associated Press reported. 

Vinícius Júnior turned jeers from his own fansto cheers by scoring for Real Madrid in a 6-1 win over Monaco and Arsenal became the first team to secure direct qualification for the round of 16 after a 3-1 victory at Inter Milan, maintaining its 100% record in the league stage after seven rounds.

Pep Guardiola’s squad of City superstars was humbled inside an 8,000-capacity stadium in Bodø, a Norwegian fishing town north of the Arctic Circle whose soccer team is playing in the Champions League for the first time this season, according to Associated Press. 

Arsenal in seventh heaven with 3-1 win at Inter

Arsenal made it seven wins from seven in the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, where Gabriel Jesus scored a first-half double and Viktor Gyokeres netted late on, Reuters reported. 

The win guarantees Arsenal a top-two finish in the league phase which means home advantage in the second leg all the way through to the semi-finals. They sit top of the standings on 21 points, six ahead of Bayern Munich who host Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday.

"I'm very proud of the team," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Amazon Prime, according to Reuters. 

Tottenham beat 10-man Dortmund to close in on last-16 spot

Tottenham Hotspur shrugged off their domestic gloom with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund that took the heat off head coach Thomas Frank and put them within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday, Reuters reported ​​​​​​. 

First-half goals by captain Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke gave Tottenham control against a desperately disappointing Dortmund side who played three-quarters of the match with 10 men after Daniel Svensson's red card.

Tottenham have won twice in 11 Premier League matches at home this season -- a run that has left Frank fighting for his job. But in the Champions League they have been impeccable in north London, winning four out of four without conceding, according to Reuters.