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Heavy snowfall in Humla, a mountainous district of Karnali Province, has disrupted normal life. 

The snowfall has obstructed road access from the district headquarters, Simkot, to northern Namkha village and other areas.

Continuous snowfall over the past two days has led to the suspension of flights on the Nepalgunj–Simkot and Surkhet–Simkot routes. 

According to Chief District Officer Tek Kumar Regmi, heavy snowfall, particularly on January 28, has intensified the cold in the district. Bonfires have been arranged at government offices to provide warmth for service seekers.

Security personnel, including the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Army, along with government employees, have intensified efforts to clear snow from the Simkot Airport area. Meanwhile, rainfall in the southern belt of the district has further hampered public movement.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, political parties have continued election publicity campaigns in villages ahead of the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5.

Meanwhile, farmers have welcomed the snowfall, citing its benefits for winter crops such as barley, wheat, and oat. 

They say snowfall helps retain soil moisture and improves soil fertility, supporting better crop growth.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that he wanted to build a "sophisticated relationship" with Beijing to boost the UK economy, signalling a reset after years of strained ties, Reuters reported. 

On the key day of his four-day visit to China, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, Starmer held an 80-minute summit with Xi at the Great Hall of the People before they lunched together. Starmer said the pair chatted about soccer and Shakespeare, as well as business matters.

The British leader will also meet Premier Li Qiang, according to Reuters. 

The price of gold has increased by Rs 20, 500 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 339, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 318, 800 per tola on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 205 and being traded at Rs 7, 505 per tola today.

A fire broke out at the Woodland Hotel in Durbarmarg, Kathmandu on Thursday. 

The District Police Range, Kathmandu, said that the fire broke out at the dance club of the hotel.

Four fire engines, local and police personnel have been deployed to take the fire under control.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet.

Inter Milan scored late goals to earn a 2-0 win at Borussia Dortmund in their final Champions League group phase match on Wednesday but it was not enough for a top-eight finish, with both teams going into the playoffs for a knockout stage spot, Reuters reported. 

Federico Dimarco curled home a sublime free kick in the 81st minute before Andy Diouf added another goal in stoppage time to snap Inter's three-game losing run in the competition.

Despite hopes before the game of a top-eight spot and automatic progress to the last-16, Inter came 10th on 15 points, according to Reuters. 

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an astonishing 98th-minute header as Benfica beat Real Madrid 4-2 on Wednesday to keep themselves in the Champions League and deny their illustrious opponents an automatic spot in the last 16, Reuters reported. 

In an extraordinary finale, the Portuguese side were heading out despite leading 3-2 with seconds of stoppage time remaining before Trubin came forward for a free kick to score the goal needed to sneak into the playoff round on goal difference.

That sparked wild celebrations from Benfica players, fans and their charismatic coach Jose Mourinho - a former manager of Real Madrid - at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, according to Reuters. 

The Chinese Football Association on Thursday said its former president Chen Xuyuan and former national team coach Li Tie, who were among 73 people convicted of match-fixing, would be barred from soccer-related activities for life, Reuters reported. 

The announcement followed lifetime bans issued, opens new tabin September 2024 on 43 soccer players and officials also for match-fixing.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe said the team did not match the hunger shown by Benfica in Wednesday's 4-2 Champions League defeat and that they are not showing the consistency worthy of champions, Reuters reported. 

A 98th-minute header from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin denied 15-times European champions Real an automatic spot in the last 16, while the Portuguese side crept into the playoffs on goal difference.

"It isn't about quality, and it isn't about tactics," Mbappe, who scored twice on Wednesday, told reporters, according to Reuters.