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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 3. 07 points to close at 2, 769. 09 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 64 points to close at 471. 83 points.

A total of 36,264,873-unit shares of 332 companies were traded for Rs 1. 58 billion.

Meanwhile, SY Panel Nepal Limited (SYPNL), Him Star Urja Company Limited (HIMSTAR), Sanvi Energy Limited (SANVI), Saptakoshi Development Bank Ltd (SAPDBL) and Mountain Hydro Nepal Limited (MHNL) were the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, National Hydro Power Company Limited (NHPC) was the top loser as its price fell by 3. 12 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 64 trillion.

An explosion and fire tore through a cookie factory in central Greece, killing at least four workers and leaving one person missing, AP reported. The blast struck the Violanta biscuit plant near Trikala during the night shift. The fire that followed severely damaged the factory.

Seven people, including a firefighter, were taken to hospital with injuries. Authorities said none of those hospitalized were in serious condition. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours before recovering four bodies from the wreckage.

AP wrote, police believe the explosion may have started near the factory’s ovens, which run nonstop. All the victims recovered were women. Investigators and emergency crews remain at the site as the cause of the blast is examined

During the first six months of the current fiscal year 2026/27, there has been an increase in the export of cardamom, churpi and other goods from the eastern border point Kakadbhitta. The Mechi Customs Office has stated that 3.461bn kg of cardamom worth Rs 7.199bn were exported in the six months from July to December.

The office’s information officer Ishwar Kumar Humagain said that the export of cardamom in the current fiscal year has increased by 58 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. Cardamom worth Rs 4.557bn was exported from the eastern border point from the same six months of the previous fiscal year. The export of churpi, which is being exported to third countries as dog and cat food, has increased by 66.2 percent during the first six months of the current fiscal year compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The export progress of tea and plywood has been negative compared to the previous fiscal year. In the six months of the current fiscal year 2026/27, veneer sheets worth Rs 534.96m and lentils worth Rs 91.287m were exported.

Compared to the previous fiscal year, lentils have increased by 481 percent and veneer sheets by 109 percent. According to the Mechi Customs, tea exports have decreased by 26.4 percent and plywood exports by 44.5 percent in the half-year period. Tea worth Rs 2.178.75bn and plywood worth Rs 1.974m were exported in the six months of the current fiscal year. In the same period of the previous fiscal year, tea worth Rs 2.95bn and plywood worth Rs 1.97bn were exported.

Similarly, in the half-year period up to December of the current fiscal year 2026/27, Rs 338m worth of amliso, Rs 501m worth of ginger and dried fruits, Rs 113m worth of cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli, and Rs 574m worth of herbs were exported, informed Customs Information Officer Humagain.

Increased cold following a snowfall in Jumla has disrupted normal life. 

The temperature in the district, part of Karnali Province, has dropped to minus 0.71 degrees Celsius.

As water froze with extreme cold, the water pipes started cracking.

The disruption of water supplies has added woes to the local residents. “It is biting cold, paralyzing daily life in Jumla,” said Sunita Budha of Chandannath Municipality. Along with Jumla, cold waves have gripped Mugu, Humla, and Dolpa districts of the upper Karnali.

According to Asham Pura Karki, Chief of the Jumla Office of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the cold has increased significantly following the recent snowfall. The temperature dropped below zero, wreaking hostility to daily life particularly during mornings and evenings/nights.

Irrespective of the adversity, farmers have warmly welcomed the snowfall that occurred after a drought for months. 

It is the first snowfall of the season. Local resident Lanka Budha of Tila Rural Municipality–1 said the snowfall was beneficial for winter crops: it helps retain soil moisture and supports plant growth. Jumla’s hills are now blanketed with snow.

The Agriculture Development Office, Jumla also stated that the snowfall is essential for winter crops like wheat, barley and potatoes to thrive.

 Meanwhile, air services that had been disrupted due to snowfall resumed on Sunday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Office, Jumla.

At Yiwu International Trade City, China’s largest wholesale market, shoppers are crowding into a small stall ahead of the Lunar New Year.
According to the Reuters, they are hunting for an unusual hit: a red plush horse with a frown, a gold bell on its neck, and shy-looking eyes. The toy has gone viral online as China prepares to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Nicknamed the “crying horse” by social media users, the toy was meant to smile. A factory mistake turned its mouth upside down, creating a sad expression instead. Shop owner Zhang Huoqing said to Reuters that the flawed toy spread online after a customer failed to return it.

The gloomy horse has struck a chord with young Chinese workers who say it reflects job stress and long hours. It also fits the rising trend for “ugly-cute” collectibles. Vendors say demand is surging, with shelves quickly selling out as the holiday approaches.

Taiwan is monitoring what it called "abnormal" changes to China's military leadership after its most senior general was put under investigation, and will use various methods to decipher Beijing's intentions, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Monday (Jan 26), Reuters reported. 

China announced on Saturday that Zhang Youxia, second-in-command under President Xi Jinping as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, and another senior officer, Liu Zhenli, were under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law.

"We will continue to closely monitor abnormal changes among the top levels of China's party, government, and military leadership. The military's position is based on the fact that China has never abandoned the use of force against Taiwan," Koo told reporters at parliament, according to Reuters. 

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has issued a circular to all 753 local levels and 77 district coordination committees reminding them to enforce the Election Code of Conduct, 2082.

The subordinates are asked to effectively enforce the Election Code in their respective areas, according to Dipesh Kattel, section officer at the Ministry.

The Election Code was published in the gazette on December 27.

It has been enforced since the midnight of January 18.

The Election Code of Conduct has 10 chapters, 5 schedules and 55 clauses.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 5, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 309, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 303, 800 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 275 and being traded at Rs 6, 765 per tola today.