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As the upcoming election to the House of Representatives (HoR) is 79 days away, the Election Commission (EC) has intensified preparations for polls. 

The EC has received applications from 100 political parties, out of 114 political parties registered for the first past the post electoral system, for the proportional representation (PR) election system. 

These parties submitted their applications before the deadline for the proportional category of the HoR election, which is set for March 5. 

For the political parties registered for the PR electoral system, the EC has provided election symbol as well. 

The Commission had designated the registration period for parties aiming for the proportional election from December 7-9.

Out of the 275-member HOR, 165 members will be elected through the direct election system, while 110 members will be elected via the PR system.

The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) recently hosted consecutive high-level roundtable discussions with the non-resident ambassadors of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, underscoring Nepal’s efforts to diversify its economic diplomacy.

 The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral trade ties and exploring opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, highlighting growing interest in engagement with Central Asia.

The back-to-back meetings with H.E. Sardor Mirzayusupovich Rustambaev of Uzbekistan and H.E. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda of Tajikistan brought together a diverse group of Nepalese policymakers, business leaders, and energy experts, highlighting the country’s growing interest in the Central Asian region.

At the roundtable ‘Nepal-Uzbekistan: Strengthening Trade and Investment Ties,’ Ambassador Rustambaev highlighted Uzbekistan’s economic rise, reporting a GDP of nearly $115 billion in 2024 and a doubling of foreign trade to $65 billion.

"Uzbekistan has undergone comprehensive reforms to create an open, transparent economy," Ambassador Rustambaev told the gathering, positioning his country as a gateway to a regional market of 300 million consumers.

At the roundtable ‘Nepal-Tajikistan: Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Focus on Energy,’ H.E. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda highlighted the two nations’ shared potential to become the ‘energy batteries’ of South and Central Asia.

Ambassador Bobokalonzoda urged deeper technical cooperation on high-altitude infrastructure and grid management, and called for direct air links to enhance tourism and business ties between Kathmandu and Dushanbe.

Both roundtables emphasized the need for Nepal to shift from a ‘landlocked’ to a ‘land-linked’ economy, urging that diplomatic goodwill be converted into tangible economic partnerships. By organizing the dialogues, AIDIA aims to guide entrepreneurs and policymakers in tapping these often-overlooked markets, expanding Nepal’s connectivity beyond its immediate neighbors.

American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey will perform at the opening ceremony of next year's Winter Olympics, BBC reported. 

The five-time Grammy award winner will be one of the "leading performers" for the event at Milan's San Siro stadium - the home of football clubs Inter and AC Milan - on Friday, 6 February.

The Games in Milan and Cortina run from 6-22 February.

Athletes will be able to participate in the ceremony from other venues in Milan, Cortina, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme, according to BBC. 

The US has said it is ready to offer Ukraine Nato-like security guarantees to safeguard an eventual ceasefire, following talks in Berlin with European officials and a delegation from Kyiv, BBC reported. 

The "very strong" guarantees would be modelled on Nato's Article 5 clause of mutual protection, US officials said, adding that the Russians would hopefully agree to them.

While US officials talked up progress towards ending the war, there was little detail on how the thorny issue of Ukraine's sovereignty would be resolved in any peace deal, according to BBC. 

Football superstar Lionel Messi has wrapped up his three-day India tour in pollution-choked Delhi, after a chaotic opening in Kolkata, BBC reported. 

On Monday, thousands of fans gathered in a Delhi stadium to get a glimpse of the Argentina and Inter Miami forward.

As Messi, accompanied by Inter Miami team-mates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, strolled on the pitch - kicking balls into the stands, passing with a group of children and signing autographs - the crowd chanted his name, according to BBC. 

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was taken to hospital after being beaten when she was arrested last week, her family says, BBC reported. 

The 53-year-old human rights activist told them in a phone call on Sunday that she was brought to an emergency department twice after being "attacked by plain clothed agents with severe and repeated baton blows to the head and neck", according to the Narges Foundation.

There was no comment from Iranian authorities, but they have said she was detained for making "provocative remarks" at a memorial ceremony in the city of Mashhad on Friday, according to BBC. 

Chairman KP Sharma Oli and senior Vice Chairman Ishwor Pokharel filed their candidacies for the post of chairperson under its 11th General Congress. 

Both of them reached the office of the Central Election Commission set up at General Congress venue, Bhrikutimandap, with supporters today and filed their nominations.    

Chair Oli filed his candidacy at 3:30 pm while senior Vice Chair Pokharel at around 3 pm for the post of Chairperson. 

Aspirant candidates have been registering their nominations for the post of office-bearers and central committee members. 

The UML General Convention would elect a 301-member new working committee.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on the successful completion of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). 

ICC Chair Jay Shah has dispatched a letter to CAN Chair Chatur Bahadur Chand, congratulating the CAN for the event. 

Shah also expressed his hope that the CAN would take a new height under the leadership of Chand. 

Shah added that the NPL would not only contribute to producing new players, but also enhance its presence at the international-level. 

Stating that NPL's organizational management and quality of the matches have set an exemplary standard, he wished continued success of the CAN for the promotion of cricket and its development in Nepal.