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As the deadline for nomination of candidates contesting the March 5 elections under first-past-the-post system draws closer, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and officials of the Election Commission (EC) held a discussion on the relevant matters today.

The discussion was held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, Kathmandu. 

Minister for Finance Rameshwor Khanal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentarian Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma and Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari among others dwelt on the election-related matters. 

The interim government led by PM Karki is conducting the elections to the House of Representatives on March 5. EC, a constitutional body, is responsible for conducting and monitoring elections. 

The deadline for nomination of candidates contesting the elections under the first-past-the-post system is January 20. 

The political parties are making last-ditch efforts to finalize the FPTP candidates from 165 constituencies from across the country. 

Similarly, the election code of conduct is getting in force from mid-night.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah resigned from his post on Sunday. 

He submitted his resignation to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol.

In his resignation letter, Shah stated that he stepped down voluntarily in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal 2072, the Local Government Operation Act 2074, and prevailing legal provisions of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The resignation takes effect immediately.

Reflecting on his tenure, Shah said that he worked honestly and with dedication for the welfare of the city and its residents.

He further expressed hope that the metropolis’s leadership, service delivery, and development efforts would become more effective, transparent, and result-oriented in the future, wishing success to the Municipal Executive.

Following his resignation, Shah is set to enter active politics. He

 has also been preparing to contest the upcoming elections from Jhapa-5.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 31. 12 points to close at 2, 672. 55 points on Sunday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 4. 70 points to close at 459. 43 points.

A total of 16,611,479-unit shares of 338 companies were traded for Rs 1. 52 billion.

Meanwhile, Sagar Distillery Limited (SAGAR), Unnati Sahakarya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (USLB), Shreenagar Agritech Industries Limited (SAIL) and Gurkhas Finance Ltd. (GUFL) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise, Three Star Hydropower Limited (TSHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 8. 78 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 48 trillion.

Soldiers are on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, a US defence official has told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, BBC reported. 

The official said the 1,500 soldiers, currently in Alaska, are an option for US president Donald Trump if he decided to use active duty military personnel, as anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations continued in the city on Saturday.

No decision has yet been made on whether to deploy the soldiers from Alaska, the official said, according to BBC. 

Nasa's mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years, BBC reported. 

Over almost 12 hours, the 98m-tall Space Launch System was carried vertically from the Vehicle Assembly Building on the 4-mile (6.5km) journey to the pad.

Now it is in position, the final tests, checks - and a dress rehearsal - will take place, before the go-ahead is given for the 10-day Artemis II mission that will see four astronauts travel around the Moon, according to BBC. 

Three members of the National Assembly resigned on Sunday.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, Nepali Communist Party leaders Narayankaji Shrestha, Bandev Gautam and CPN-UML leader Bhagwati Neupane submitted their resignations to National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal today.

Shrestha, Gautam and Neupane tendered their resignation to become the candidates for March 5 House of Representatives elections. 

The 19th session of the Upper House began at the old building of the National Assembly located at the Federal Parliament Secretariat premises, Singha Durbar.

Announcing the commencement of the 19th session, NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal welcomed the members.

On the occasion, NA Chair Dahal read the letter sent from the Office of the President regarding commencement of the session. Soon after it, one minute of silence was observed to pay tribute to martyrs who sacrificed their lives for democracy.

The NA meeting also passed a condolence motion in the demise of its member Baldev Bohara.

Born in 2008 BS, Bohara of Kanchanpur passed away on January 14. He was a Constituent Assembly member in 2070 BS and was elected as NA member in 2080 BS.

The election for 19 new members is taking place on January 25.

The NA will meet next on January 22.

On Sunday, the first trading day of the week, the price of gold increased in the domestic market. However, the price of silver has decreased today.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the gold is being traded at Rs 277,800 per tola (11.66 grams) today against Rs 277,200 on Friday. The price of the yellow metal has gone up by Rs 600 per tola today.

Similarly, the Federation has fixed the price of silver at Rs 5,625 per tola today. It has decreased by Rs 20 per tola. The silver price was Rs 5,645 on Friday.

According to the Federation, the price of gold and silver in the domestic market has been affected due to the fluctuation of the price in the international market, dollar exchange rate and geopolitical uncertainty. 

As per the international media, gold is being traded at USD 4,596 per ounce and silver at USD 90 per ounce.