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On September 7, Saturday, bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu revealed that she is in a relationship. She says that her boyfriend is neither a cricketer nor an actor. Speaking to Pinkvilla in an interview, Taapsee said, “I will get married only when I want to have babies. I want to have kids out of wedlock.”

On September 8, Sunday, Kirstie Alley defended herself from blowback on a prior tweet, wherein she called out Hollywood for refusing to work with President Donald Trump supporters. Alley tweeted, “I refuse to be part of the Hollywood asshats who can’t see that “NOT working with Republicans” is as stupid and nasty as “refusing to do business with gay people”.

On September 9, Monday, 25-year-old “Riverdale” star Camila Mendes revealed to Women’s Health magazine she was sexually assaulted during her freshman year at New York University. Mendes said this experience inspired her to get a tattoo of the phrase “to build a home” in cursive above her rib cage.

On September 10, Tuesday, singer Nick Jonas told ‘Cigar Aficionado’ that he considers the J-Sisters the “Biggest Piece” of the Jonas Brothers’ Puzzle. “I think the biggest piece of the puzzle is those three incredible women who stand by our side. And they stole the show in our video,” he said about the “sucker” music video which has more than 200 million views on Youtube.

On September 11, Wednesday, the 50-year-old actress Jennifer Aniston revealed to the New York Times that she and her closest friends have been doing a “goddess circle” tradition for over three decades. During their ritual, the women sit cross-legged on the floor, pass around a charm and feather-decorated stick and set their intentions. They come together and do this during each other’s major life events.

On September 12, Thursday, Chhichhore, starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor and a strong ensemble cast, continued to remain steady at the box office. The film’s weekday collections are comparable to its opening day collections, amped up by a strong word of mouth, and stand at Rs 61.33 crore.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is faced with a serious selection headache as injuries take their toll on his Red Devils squad. United could be without eight players against Leicester this weekend due to injury and illness, hampering their chances of making a fast start after the international break. High on the list of fitness concerns is summer signing Aaron Wan-Bisska, with the right-back forced to withdraw from the England squad due to a back problem. Wan-Bissaka has been one of United’s better performers so far this season and it remains to be seen if the 21-year-old will be risked as Solskjaer hunts just his second win of the campaign.

South Africa A could add only seven runs to their overnight score as they were bundled out for 186 in the first session of day four. Shardul Thakur knocked over Lutho Sipamla to end South Africa’s second innings. The visitors set a non-threatening a target of 48 runs for the hosts to chase down. Chasing 48, India A lost the wicket of their skipper, Shubman Gill, early on. Lungi Ngidi took two wickets with the new ball including Gill and Ankit Bawne who was promoted up the order. Ricky Bhui was promoted up the order as well as Ruturaj Gaikwad did not open. The wicketkeeper-batsman Srikar Bharat lost his wicket to new ball bowler Dane Piedt. However, Shivam Dube helped his side finish with a flourish. Dube hit two back-to-back sixes to finish off the match and guide India A to an easy win in the first unofficial Test.

Participate
Book Exchange

Do you have some books that you would like to exchange with the books you haven’t read?
Bring a max five books for the exchange, and meet like-minded bookworms. It’s also a good time to talk about books with likeminded people in an informal environment.

Visit
Comic Con Nepal

This edition of Comic Con Nepal will play tribute to Stan Lee—no less than the creator of the Marvel Universe.

Attend
Musical Jatra

“Musical Jatra at Dhulikhel” is an event organized for the future generation of musicians in the area. The proceeds will be used to train and educate young music aspirants.

Listen
Outlawz: Live in Nepal

The Outlawz (formerly known as The Outlaw Immortalz) is an American hip hop group founded by rapper Tupac Shakur in the late 1995 after Shakur’s release from prison. Collectively, they were best known for their association with 2Pac.

The Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb has a pear-shaped profile, but with a less curvy design and sharper lines than most commonly available LED bulbs. Unlike standard bulbs, the Xiaomi offering has a metallic base and is quite heavy. The matte finish lends a premium touch to it and helps with heat dissipation.

 A key advantage that the Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb has over some competing smart home products is that it does not require a separate hub or a bridge to connect with, as it comes with in-built Wi-Fi. You just plug it in and you are good to go.

The Mi LED Bulb is controlled using the Mi Home app, which acts as a unified control hub for nearly all the connected smart home devices offered by Xiaomi. To start things off, fit the Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb into the socket and download the app.

Once the bulb lights up, open the Mi Home app and sign in with your Mi account. If you don't already have one, creating it takes less than a minute. Once you have signed in with your Mi account, tap the '+' button at the top of the home page and connect with the Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb. The phone will use Bluetooth to search for the Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb, and once it discovers it, the two devices will sync.

The installation and setup process is quite simple and can be completed in five to ten minutes. The Mi Home app has all the features that you need to interact with the bulb, but that's only half of the device's intended use case scenario. The Mi Home Smart LED bulb can also be controlled via Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants.

Have you been thinking of going on an international tour with your family, friends or loved ones but have not had the time to plan your trip? With the festive season starting soon, the holidays are on their way! If you choose one of our recommended tours, you won’t have to go through the hassle of waiting for your visa for eternity.  

Singapore

Enjoy the luscious sights and sounds of Singapore this Dashain and Tihar, with a guide in tow, for around Rs 100,000. In this four-night-five-day package you will explore the city by driving round the Civic District, pass by Padang, the Cricket Club, the historic Parliament House, the Supreme Court and City Hall. You will also explore the world-famous Merlion Park. Then visit the Thian Hock temple and National Orchid temple. This will be followed by a beautiful morning in Sentosa, the island of peace and tranquillity. Prasit Dhakal, sales and reservation officer at Laser Travels and Tours, says that if you want to experience a first-world place with diverse people and cultures, then you should visit Singapore. Visa on arrival. Call 5591381 for details.

Cambodia

The land of the Angkor Wat temple, the largest religious monument in the world first built in the 12^th century, Cambodia is a special destination for history lovers. The beautiful islands and lively night markets are sure to energize you. Anjila Yonjan, ticketing officer at Shikhar Holidays, informs that standard package of five days and four nights takes you to Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the Genocide museum, plus capital Phnom Penh. The trip costs you around Rs 80,000 a person, inclusive of round-trip air ticket, accommodation, breakfast, guide, and taxes. Visa on arrival. Call 5530857 for more details.

The Maldives

This land of coral islands where you can jump into clear blue seas and watch the most majestic sunsets, the Maldives is a must visit for people who love oceans. Once thought of as only a honeymoon destination, the Maldives caters to all kinds of tourists. You can go on a cycle ride to experience nature on its true form, try scuba diving, explore the capital, and visit a local village. Manish Kuinkel from Ace Travels informs that a trip of four nights and five days to the Maldives will cost you around Rs 160,000. Certainly one of the most exotic destinations in Asia. Visa on arrival. Call 4411830 for details.

Thailand

We know this is a clichéd choice but then Thailand has so much to offer. In Thailand, you can marvel the gleaming temples, catch a tuk-tuk along the bustling Chinatown in Bangkok, or take a long tail boat through the floating markets. Good hotels welcome you with the famed Thai hospitality. The Bangkok trip would not be complete without a glimpse of its famous nightlife. Sushmita Shrestha, sales and marketing officer at Raintree Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd, says this is a cheaper option compared to other international tour packages. It will cost you around Rs 65,000 for four nights and five days, inclusive of airfare, lunch, transport, visa, and a guide. You are sure to love the coral island in Pattaya. Visa takes five business days. Call 4225975 for more details.

Package tour: Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

Or, with the Dashain holidays rather long, you can visit three different countries in one go. Well Nepal Travel and Tours offers a 10-day package to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand at just Rs 130,000. The company’s Ramesh Ghimire says the package is for people of all age groups. Starting from places like The Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pao in Bangkok, you are sure to have an exciting tour. In Singapore, you will visit Universal Studios, Singapore Flyer, Asian Civilization Museum, Peninsula Plaza, Botanic Garden, Singapore Art Museum and Great World City. In Malaysia, you will be guided in places like Jamek Masjid, Tugu Negara, Thien Hou Temple and King Palace. Even though so many places are covered, you will still have enough time to relax and explore these beautiful destinations. Visa needed for Thailand. Contact 9851136944 for details.

Attend acoustic nights
In Kathmandu

Every Wednesday from around 7:30 pm to 11 pm, The Bar Bar Black Sip in Thamel organizes an acoustic night. While listening to some live acoustic music, you can order great drinks available at the bar such as Vodka Paradise, White Russian and Coronarita. Additionally, Wednesdays are also ladies’ night so they provide free Somersrita and shots for ladies from 7 pm to 9 pm as a welcome drink. This barbecue restaurant, beside Saatghumti parking lot, is a great place to spend relaxing evenings. Call 9803859320 for more details.

Party
In Pokhara

Party Nepal, one of the largest event management companies of Nepal, is organizing the fourth edition of its pool party “Grind” in the beautiful city of Pokhara from September 20-21. With the tagline of “Let’s get out of the box” this party is designed to mobilize a substantial number of domestic tourists. ‘Grind 4’ is a quick escape for the young entrepreneurs, corporates and expats from Kathmandu. The event features pool party with Nepal’s top DJs, group games and activities, spa, yoga, and gym. Priced at Rs 15,000 for men and Rs 12,000 for women, the ticket includes one-way flight, hotel accommodation, food, and drinks. Call 4440203 for details.

Ride a bike
In Kathmandu

Join some of the most passionate motorcyclists in the country as they take part in the fourth Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride (DGR) in Nepal on September 28. The prime motto of the classic and vintage motorcycles ride is to raise funds and awareness on men’s mental health and prostate cancer around the globe. This year’s DGR will bring together over 120,000 well-dressed gentlefolk in 700+ cities on stunning motorcycles across 110+ countries. The goal for 2019 is to raise awareness and $7m for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health on behalf of charity partner the Movember Foundation. For registration and local ride details, check out https://www.gentlemansride.com/

In no ways does The Annapurna Express promote the use of vape or any other smoking aid. But when it comes to vape tricks, it is an art, just like other forms of it and thus worth our appreciation. With the increasing use of vapes for recreation or as an alternative to cigarettes, this week we feature some young vapers to learn more about this budding art.

Spunky Vapes, 22

Someone who started vaping after learning tricks from hookah (the device used to smoke nicotine since the old times) Spunky Vapes (he does not want to reveal his real name) is currently pursuing a Bachelors in hotel management. “I have been performing tricks for around two and a half years. It all started by watching YouTube videos of famous international vapers,” he says. Spunky has also just started doing vaping on a commercial basis. With the increase in the number or good vapers in the Nepali vape community, he believes vaping could even be a career choice one day. He plans to open a vape lounge of his own.

The easiest trick that he learnt: Blowing O

Basic trick to start from: Smoke rings

Sohel Shakya, 18

A self-taught talent who honed his skills by constant practice, Shakya’s tricks can woo anyone for the delicacy with which he performs them. “I started vaping out of fascination almost three years ago. Now I see it as my biggest passion,” states Shakya. But due to the limited scope of vaping in Nepal, Sohel does not intend to take it as something more than a passion. He does want greater recognition of vaping as something more than ‘blowing smoke’ though. No, Shakya does not plan to open a vape lounge of his own.

The easiest trick that he learnt: Cheerios or smoke rings

The basic trick to start from: Jellyfish

Samrat Sherchan, 18

One of the known names in the vaping bailiwick after winning an online video submission tournament organized by Vape Nepal, Samrat has been the choice performer for various restaurants and casinos. It’s been just one year since he started vaping and even in this short time he seems to have come a long way. He too was first attracted by the videos of the western vape community. Although Sherchan is the most accomplished among the three in the vape community yet he has no plans to take it up as a career. “I do not intend to open any vape lounge as I see no potential in Nepal,” says Sherchan who’s currently planning his Bachelors in business administration.

The easiest trick that he learnt: Jellyfish

The basic trick to start from: Jellyfish

How injurious is vaping?

Although no performer mentioned above claims to have suffered from any health problem due to vaping, it does not mean it is completely safe. “The American flavors are stronger than Malaysian flavors. Once you get used to the Americans, you find the Malaysians soft. However it’s all about the nicotine which does harm if smoked in any form, be it vape or cigarettes,” says Spunky Vapes. Vapes could be a good alternative for chain smokers who intend to give up cigarettes and opt for something with milder nicotine intake. But a recent study published in the journal Radiology showed temporary changes in blood vessel functioning after vaping in healthy people, with a potential long term impact. So, again, The Annapurna Express does not promote the use of nicotine or any such chemicals.