Submit your Article

A powerful winter storm sweeping across the Nordic region has left at least two people dead in Sweden and caused widespread disruption to transport and electricity supplies. Storm Johannes brought strong winds and severe weather, prompting the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute to issue alerts across much of the country’s northern half. One man in his 50s was killed after being hit by a falling tree at the Kungsberget ski resort in southern Sweden. Separately, a regional energy company confirmed that one of its employees died in a work-related accident during the storm.

Tens of thousands of homes across Sweden, Norway, and Finland were left without electricity. In Sweden alone, more than 40,000 households lost power, while rail services and flights were cancelled. Norway’s Nordland region reported over 200 weather-related incidents and major outages. In Finland, where the storm is known as Hannes, more than 33,000 homes lost power, though no injuries were reported.

In response to the harsh cold, local authorities in Mahottari have declared school closures. 

The prevalent cold weather, cold wave, and thick fog have disrupted daily activities, prompting all 15 local levels in Mahottari to suspend classes temporarily. 

Currently, a holiday of two to three days has been announced, which will be subtracted from the annual vacation days. 

According to a statement from the local authorities, the intense cold has begun to impact students, leading to the closure of schools within the municipalities. 

In the Tarai-Madhes region, cold waves and chilly winds have been prevalent in recent days. 

The extreme cold has particularly affected children and the elderly.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 47. 55 points to close at 2, 633. 42 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 8. 25 points to close at 456. 78 points.

A total of 13,468,145-unit shares of 328 companies were traded for Rs 1. 49 billion.

Meanwhile, Mid Solu Hydropower Limited (MSHL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 49 percent. 

Likewise, Wean Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (WNLB) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 42 trillion.

Export of herbs has increased through the Nepalgunj border in the five months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. 

According to the Information Officer of Nepalgunj Customs Office, Pabitra Kumar Khadka, herbs worth Rs 250 million were exported via Nepalgunj border till December 15 from the beginning of the current fiscal year. 

A total of 841,338 kilograms of different species of herbs were exported, he added. It was more by Rs 100 million compared to corresponding period of the last fiscal year. 

Herbs worth Rs 146.27 million were exported through the Nepalgunj border in the first five months of the previous year.

Timur (Nepali pepper), kaulo, satuwa, cinnamon, bojho and amala (Indian gooseberry) are exported via the Nepalgunj border. Around 85 percent herbs are exported to India from Nepalgunj border, said Chairperson of Association of Herbs Entrepreneurs, Tanka Sharma. 

The export of herbs has increased via the Nepalgunj border in recent periods, he added. 

There is a problem in mountainous districts to reach the district headquarter to acquire permission to collect and export herbs. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday announced an additional $2.5 billion of economic aid for Ukraine, Reuters reported. 

The assistance will help Ukraine unlock financing from the International Monetary Fund, Carney said during an appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who also spoke briefly to reporters, according to Reuters. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine was in no hurry for peace and if it did not want to resolve their conflict peacefully, Moscow would accomplish all its goals by force, Reuters reported. 

Putin's remarks on Saturday (Dec 27), carried by state news agency TASS, followed a vast Russian drone and missile attack that prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to say Russia was demonstrating its wish to continue the war while Kyiv wanted peace.

Zelenskiy is to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday (Dec28) to seek a resolution to the war Putin launched nearly four years ago with a full-scale invasion of Russia's smaller neighbour, according to Reuters. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in Florida on Sunday to hammer out a plan to end the war in Ukraine, but face major differences on crucial issues and provocations from Russian air attacks, Reuters reported ​​​​​​. 

Russia struck Kyiv and other parts of war-torn Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday, knocking out power and heat in parts of the capital. Zelenskiy called it Russia's response to the ongoing U.S.-brokered peace efforts.

Zelenskiy has told journalists that he plans to discuss the fate of eastern Ukraine's contested Donbas region during the meeting at Trump's Florida residence, as well as the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and other topics, according to Reuters. 

The price of gold reached an all-time high in the domestic market on Sunday, setting a new historical record.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Traders, the price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 300 per tola to reach Rs 270, 600 per tola today.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 435 and is being traded at Rs 4, 835 per tola.