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The Trump administration has suggested it is planning to "draw down" federal forces in Minnesota if there is cooperation from officials, after the fatal shootings of two US citizens in the state, BBC reported. 

At a press conference in Minneapolis, White House Border Tsar Tom Homan vowed to continue the immigration enforcement operation, but added he wants "common sense cooperation that allows us to draw down on the number of people we have here".

"We are not surrendering our mission at all. We're just doing it smarter," Homan said, according to BBC. 

China has agreed to allow British citizens to travel to the country for up to 30 days without a visa, Downing Street has said, BBC reported. 

The announcement came after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, as he became the first British leader to visit the country in eight years.

The trip also saw an agreement to cut import taxes on UK whisky from 10% to 5%, as the government seeks closer trade ties with Beijing to help boost economic growth, according to BBC. 

US President Donald Trump says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed not to attack Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other cities and towns for a week due to "extraordinary cold" weather, BBC reported. 

Russia has not confirmed any such agreement, but Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump's announcement and said he expected Russia to keep its promise.

Trump did not specify when the pause would begin, but temperatures in the Ukrainian capital are due to plummet from Thursday night and reach -24C (-11F) in the next few days, according to BBC. 

India handed over the second tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal, reinforcing bilateral cooperation ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.

Charge d’Affaires of India to Nepal, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, ceremonially handed over more than 250 vehicles to the Government of Nepal at a function held at the Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu. 

The event was attended by Nepal’s Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal.

The vehicles form part of the election-related assistance requested by Nepal to support logistical preparations for the forthcoming polls.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Khanal highlighted the longstanding and friendly ties between India and Nepal and expressed appreciation for the timely assistance. 

He noted that the support would play an important role in ensuring smooth election preparations.

The first tranche of India’s election-related assistance was handed over on January 20, 2026. 

Additional consignments are expected to be delivered in phases over the coming weeks.

The assistance reflects the close development partnership between India and Nepal and underscores the deep-rooted trust and cooperation between the two countries.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 17. 53 points to close at 2, 715. 05 points on Thursday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 58 points to close at 462. 68 points.

A total of 35,477,939-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 1. 55 billion.

Meanwhile, Himal Dolakha Hydropower Company Limited (HDHPC) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 23 percent.

Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL), Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) and Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd (SAPDBL) were the top losers as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 55 trillion.

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.