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A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings in Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii.

The shallow quake, centered 136 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, raises the risk of strong tremors and tsunami waves. Japan warned of waves up to 1 meter, urging people to avoid the coast. US officials also issued advisories for parts of Alaska and Hawaii, according to Firstpost.

No injuries have been reported so far, though a kindergarten was damaged. Authorities are urging caution as tsunami threats remain active.

US President Trump has dismissed reports claiming he is seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating he’s “not seeking anything”, Al Jazeera reported.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he may visit China only at Xi’s invitation, which he noted has already been extended.

His remarks come amid ongoing US-China trade talks in Sweden, ahead of an August 12 tariff truce deadline, according to Al Jazeera.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, calling it a step toward easing tensions and ending violence. He urged both sides to fully uphold the agreement and work towards lasting peace, according to Xinhua.

Guterres also praised Malaysia, the US, and China for helping mediate the deal. The UN said it stands ready to support efforts for regional stability.

Iran has no current plans to resume nuclear talks with the United States, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.

He criticized the US for backing recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, calling such actions incompatible with diplomacy. Baghaei stressed that any future negotiations would require a fundamental change in Washington’s approach, warning that talks should not be used as a tool for pressure or intimidation, according to Xinhua.

The comments follow a brief but intense flare-up between Iran and Israel in June, which ended with a ceasefire on the 24th after 12 days of conflict.

Nepali Congress leader and Minister for Drinking Water, Energy and Irrigation Shyam Bahadur Khadka of the Bagmati Province government tendered his resignation on Tuesday.

Earlier, four ministers had resigned for their post.

Minister for Youth and Sports Min Krishna Maharjan, Minister Internal Affairs and Law Suraj Chandra Lamichhane, Minister for Culture and Tourism Bimal Thakuri, and Minister for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Madhu Kumar Shrestha had resigned.

After submitting their resignations, they filed a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama to remove him as the Nepali Congress provincial Parliamentary Party leader.

Along with Khadka, 22 lawmakers have signed the proposal.

After resigning from the post of minister, he signed the no-confidence motion against Lama.

The Bagmati Province government has 14 ministries, including the Chief Minister.

Of these, ruling coalition party CPN-UML has six ministers and Congress has eight.

In any home, food preparation is perhaps one of the main chores. Family members, or often one of them, spend hours in the kitchen readying meals every single day. Though cooking is an elaborate process involving a lot of labor, there are a few things you can do to shorten your time in the kitchen and not be consumed by mundane tasks. We are here to share some secrets.

Pre cut and wash veggies

This might seem like a simple, obvious tip but not many people do it thinking they will chop and ready whatever they need when they need it. But it’s usually the chopping and washing that takes most time when preparing a dish. Many of our readers confessed that some prepping of basic ingredients well in advance can save a lot of time in the kitchen. So look at your produce and figure out what can be cut and stored. Most veggies like carrots, cauliflower, and mushrooms can be cut, washed, dried, and stored in an airtight container in the fridge a few days in advance ready for use. Similarly, you can also store coriander, mint, and other herbs. The idea is to eliminate the need for immediate preparation.

Invest in a spice rack

Do you have a dedicated spice rack within easy access? If not, it’s time you considered building one. A small thing as a spice rack that is easily accessible and stores all the essential spices at one place is one of the most basic ways to avoid confusion in the kitchen and make cooking a breeze. Many people store spices randomly and in what different jars and boxes are available at home. 

Having all the necessary spices at one place saves you the hassle of having to search for what you need when you are in the kitchen making meals. It’s a small thing but the impact is life changing.  

Think one pot meals 

One of the many reasons why we end up spending so much time in the kitchen is because cooking usually involves a lot of separate steps. There’s boiling, blanching, frying etc and all of these take multiple dishes and are time consuming. So when you are in a rush, it helps to have an arsenal of one pot meals up your sleeves. There are many stews, pastas and other vegetable dishes that you can whip up in a single pan. This significantly lessens your cooking and cleaning time.

Put the oven to use

Cooking can sometimes be an ordeal especially when it’s hot like it is these days. Also, having something simmering on the stove can mean more time in the kitchen as you have to constantly attend to it. If you have an oven, put it to good use by whipping up meals that can be baked. This way, you can assemble the ingredients in a pan and then pop it in the oven and attend to other things around the house as your meal gets cooked. If you don’t have an oven, cooking in an air fryer is also a good option.

Get creative with leftovers

You can turn leftovers into new dishes with minimal effort if you put some thought into it. Leftovers can become great bases for fried rice, salads, tacos, and even lasagnas. So whenever you are feeling too lazy to cook, just look inside your fridge and pull out everything that is there and whip something up with them. There are many apps and YouTube channels that teach you ways to utilize leftovers to make some delicious meals. You could also have one day in the week where you only eat what’s in the fridge. Alternatively, you could also make double batches of rice, pasta, and lentils and use them in different ways to avoid repetition fatigue. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss a Gaza peace plan and aid response, amid rising pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Aid groups warn Gaza is on the brink of mass starvation, especially among children, and say Israel’s current measures are insufficient. US President Donald Trump has acknowledged “real starvation” in the region, while Israel denies responsibility, BBC reported.

Agencies are urging Israel to fully open border crossings and ensure safe passage for aid convoys.

Do you like how you feel in cafes and coffee shops? Do you find yourself wondering how you could replicate that atmosphere at home? Have you tried and not been able to get it right? We have a five-step guide to help you combine coziness, subtle aesthetics, and sensory comfort and transform your space.

It’s all about the music

One of the main things you notice when you enter a cafe is the soothing music playing in the background. create a personalized playlist featuring lo-fi, jazz, or acoustic music. You can also try YouTube playlists. Play the music on a bluetooth speaker. One tucked away on a shelf is just right to have music coming in from somewhere.

Evoke the senses with aromas 

While having a pot of coffee or fragrant tea brewing in the kitchen to fill the house with a pleasant aroma is ideal, it might not always be possible. Use incense, diffusers, or scented candles to always have your home smelling great. We recommend coffee, vanilla, or cinnamon scents to get that cafe ambience point on.

Pay attention to the decor

Cafe ambience is all about plants, books, and cute little trinkets. Stack books and magazines on a shelf. Get a small chalk board, set it up on the kitchen counter and write down your favorite quote or meal plan of the day. Find cool, vintage prints and hang them on the wall. Place plants in small pots on coffee and side tables or hang pothos from shelves. You can also have a few twigs from the garden displayed artistically in a small vase on your dining table.

Light up your space 

During the day, pull back the curtains and let natural light in. You can use sheer curtains to control the amount of light coming into the room. In the evening, make sure you use indirect, ambient, lighting, and not harsh overhead lights to create a mellow atmosphere. Think floor lamps, string lights, and low mood lighting in the form of candles and small lamps. Make sure you use warm lights instead of white lights for that added effect.

The devil is in the details

Once you have the basics down, don’t forget to add in some rustic details to give your space that cozy cafe vibe. Add throws or blankets on your sofa. Use natural fibers like cotton, hemp, and linen to keep things cool and comfortable. Make sure your space is tidy. Create little nooks where you can sit and sip on some coffee. Add dried flowers in small glass vases and keep them on the side tables. A great coffee table book can lend an element of intrigue while random trinkets, arranged artistically, on a tray can add charm.