Russia expels British diplomat over allegations of spying
A British diplomat has been ordered to leave Russia, with officials accusing the man of being an intelligence agent working undercover at the embassy in Moscow, BBC reported.
The man, who has not been identified, has been stripped of his accreditation and must leave the country within two weeks, Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday.
In a statement, the ministry added that it had summoned British charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia over the matter, according to BBC.
2 killed, 11 injured in Jhapa container truck-bus collision
Two persons, including a minor died and 11 others were injured when a container truck collided with a bus at Naya Basti in Kankai Municipality-3, Jhapa along the East-West Highway on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Sushma Rajbanshi of Bhadrapur Municipality-8 and her son 18-month-old Aarut Rajbanshi.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Khagendra Bahadur Khadka of the District Police Office, the accident occurred when the container (Me 1 Cha 4515), heading towards Maidhar from Biratamode, collided head-on with the bus (Na 5 Kha 2149) this morning. .
The condition of some of the injured is reported to be serious.
Police are searching for the bus driver, while the container driver, Jaqeer Hussain (39) of Biratamode Municipality-6, has been taken into police custody for further investigation.
Mid-term review of budget: Revenue stands at 38 percent, spending at 35 percent
Both the revenue and expenditure of the government has appeared weak in the mid-term review of the current fiscal year budget.
According to the Financial Comptroller General Office (FCGO), the government's revenue has shrunk to 38 percent and spending to 35 percent against the annual target as of mid-January.
For the current fiscal year, the government had proposed a budget of Rs 1,964 billion 110 million.
By the end of Poush (mid-January), Rs 690 billion 216.4 million had been spent, which comes to 35.14 percent of the annual target.
The budget expenditure under the current headings for the reporting period is 41.25 percent of the annual target.
Out of Rs 1,181 billion allocated for current headings, Rs 487 billion 143.1 million has been spent so far.
The capital expenditure has been reduced to 12.12 percent.
For the current fiscal year, recurrent budget of Rs 407 billion 888 million was proposed, but only Rs 494.2 million has been spent so far.
Similarly, under the financial management heading, Rs 375 billion 242 million was allocated for the current fiscal year, and by mid-January 2026 Rs 153 billion 644.9 million has been spent.
This expenditure constitutes 40.95 percent of the annual allocation for this heading.
This year the government has set a target of generating total revenue of Rs 1533 billion 446.9 million.
As of mid-January this year, the revenue generated was only Rs 588 billion 514.2 million which comes to 38.38 percent of the annual target.
Gold price drops by Rs 1, 500 per tola on Thursday
The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 500 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 276, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 278, 000 per tola on Tuesday.
Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 5, 485 per tola.
Trump administration halts immigrant visa processing from 75 countries
The Donald Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, marking one of its most expansive efforts yet to restrict legal pathways to the United States, The Guardian reported.
The freeze, which takes effect on 21 January, targets applicants officials deem likely to become a “public charge” – who they describe as people who may rely on government benefits for basic needs.
The state department wrote on social mediathat it “will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates”.
Makar Sankranti inspires everyone to come together for stability and prosperity: PM Karki
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has conveyed her best wishes, expressing hope that the Maghi or Makar Sankranti festival inspires everyone to come together and work towards peace, stability, and prosperity.
Prime Minister Karki offered her greetings to all Nepali sisters and brothers, both at home and abroad, emphasizing the increased necessity for unity, harmony, and mutual trust among all.
"Today signifies 1st Magh, Maghi, Makar Sankranti, Maghe Sakranti, although the names may differ, the core meaning remains the same," Prime Minister Karki remarked in a message posted on her social media platform Facebook mentioning that this festival promotes love, harmony, tolerance, and the spirit of unity among all Nepalis."
Advantage Arsenal in League Cup semi-final after win at Chelsea
Arsenal edged towards their first League Cup final since 2018 as they beat London rivals Chelsea 3-2 in the opening leg of their semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Mikel Arteta's side were dominant for long spells and goals by Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi should have virtually sewn up the tie.
But Chelsea showed plenty of fight in Liam Rosenior's first home game in charge and a double from substitute Alejandro Garnacho kept their hopes alive, according to Reuters.
Bayern beat Cologne 3-1 to set Bundesliga record at halfway mark
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich battled past hosts Cologne 3-1 on Wednesday to record the best first half of a season in the league's history and maintain their 11-point lead at the top of the standings, Reuters reported.
Bayern came from a goal down to earn their sixth league win in the last seven matches, and moved up to 47 points with a goal difference of +53. The previous best mark after 17 matches belonged to Pep Guardiola's Bayern from the 2013/14 season, also with 47 points but a goal difference of +35.
The Bavarians, who host Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League next week, have clear water between themselves and Borussia Dortmund in second place on 36 points, according to Reuters.







