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.
Houseplants with eye-catching leaves
People grow houseplants for all kinds of reasons. They provide a connection to nature and can make a room feel more inviting. They’re also pretty. And if pretty is what you’re after, I’ve got some lookers for you.
Some of the most striking houseplants are succulents with unusual leaves. Unlike blooms that fade, unique foliage can steal the show year-round.
All succulents should be planted in well-draining potting mix, ideally one formulated specifically for cactuses and succulents, in a container with a drainage hole at the bottom. Let their soil dry out before watering them again.
Krinkle Kurl
One of my favorites is Krinkle Kurl (Hoya carnosa). The vining plant has thick, waxy, tightly packed, cupped leaves.
Slow-growing, it needs at least four hours of direct sunlight daily, so place it near a south-facing window or under fluorescent lights. Apply an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength every two months during spring and summer.
In a few years, small pink flowers will appear during the warmer months, but those twisted, wavy leaves are the main attraction.
Burro’s tail
Another succulent, Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum), gets its common name from its eye-catching long stems, which are surrounded by layered silvery-blue, teardrop-shaped leaves that resemble an artichoke’s.
Place the long-living plant near a bright, south-facing window. For maximum impact, hang it from the ceiling or place it on a tall stand to allow its pendulous stems, which can reach 4 feet, to trail. Fertilize just once each in spring and summer.
Sweetheart plant
If this were a contest, sweetheart plant (Hoya kerii) would take top prize in the Cutest category. At the garden center, you might find it as a single heart-shaped leaf rooted in a small container (typically sold as a gift plant for Valentine’s Day) or as a full vining plant with thick, heart-shaped leaves growing along each stem.
Either way, the plants require bright, indirect light, so place them directly in front of a north-facing window or off to the side of a south- or west-facing one.
Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, every two to four weeks during spring and summer.
String of Dolphins
String of Dolphins (Curio peregrinus) is named for the shape of its curved leaves, which resemble dolphins breaching out of the water, fins and all.
The easy-care plants will perform best in a south-facing window. Water them thoroughly when their soil becomes dry, roughly once a month during fall and winter, and every week or two during spring and summer. Feed once a year with a balanced, liquid fertilizer (diluted to half-strength) as plants resume active growth in spring.
Note: String of dolphins is considered toxic to dogs and cats.
String of pearls
String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) sports “pearls” along its vines, which can reach 3 feet long. To be honest, they look more like peas to me, but “string of peas” wouldn’t likely pack the same marketing punch. Still, I find them irresistible.
A cousin to the string of dolphins, both plants were recently recategorized into the Curio genus from the Senecio, so some plant tags still might list their old names.
Another low-maintenance plant, its only requirements are bright, indirect light, water only when its soil becomes dry, and monthly applications of a balanced liquid fertilizer (at half strength) during spring and summer (none needed in fall or winter).
Note: String of pearls is considered toxic to dogs and cats.



