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The US Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have privately issued notifications that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe, a document seen by Reuters showed and four sources with knowledge of the matter said.

The FAA's Continued Airworthiness Notification on July 11 came after a preliminary report into Air India's Boeing 787-8 crash, which killed 260 people last month, raised questions over engine fuel cutoff switches, Reuters reported.

The FAA's notification to Civil Aviation Authorities, seen by Reuters, said: "although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787."

When asked for comment, the FAA said it did not have anything to add beyond the notification.

Boeing also referred to the FAA notification in a Multi-Operator-Message sent to the airlines in the past few days, which said the planemaker is not recommending any action, two of the sources with direct knowledge said, according to Reuters.

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died at 82 in London, where he was receiving medical care, President Bola Tinubu confirmed. Buhari led the country from 2015 to 2023 and was the first opposition leader to win the presidency in Nigeria.

Tinubu has sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to bring Buhari’s body home, with flags lowered across the nation in tribute, according to Xinhua.

Buhari’s time in office focused on fighting insurgency, tackling corruption, and boosting the economy, though challenges like recession and insecurity persisted. He leaves behind a complex legacy but remains a significant figure in Nigeria’s history.

The EU has once again delayed retaliatory tariffs on US goods, hoping to avoid a full-blown trade clash after US President Donald Trump warned of 30 percent tariffs on European imports starting August 1.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the pause—originally set to expire Tuesday—will now last until early August to allow space for talks. “We still prefer a negotiated solution,” she told reporters, according to BBC.

EU trade ministers will meet Monday in Brussels to decide how tough a stance to take. Germany’s finance minister Lars Klingbeil called for “serious” dialogue but said Europe must be ready to act if needed. France’s Emmanuel Macron echoed that message, urging strong defense of EU interests.

Trump’s administration has floated tariff plans targeting 24 countries and the EU. Despite rising tensions, Trump insisted the tariffs are bringing “hundreds of billions” into the US, BBC reported.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly injured during an Israeli airstrike on a hidden underground facility in Tehran last month, BBC reported.

The strike on 16 June hit six access points to the bunker, where Pezeshkian was attending a high-level security meeting. He is said to have suffered minor leg injuries while escaping through an emergency shaft after power and ventilation were cut.

Israel hasn’t commented, but Iranian officials believe the attack was part of a broader effort to target top leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Pezeshkian later accused Israel of trying to assassinate him — a claim Israeli officials deny.

The strike was part of a larger Israeli operation launched on 13 June to hit nuclear and military sites. Days later, the US also bombed Iranian nuclear facilities. President Trump said the US strikes “obliterated” them, though US intelligence remains cautious. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, according to BBC.

US President Donald Trump will make a state visit to the UK from 17–19 September at the invitation of King Charles III. The visit, hosted at Windsor Castle due to renovations at Buckingham Palace, marks a rare second state visit for a US president, according to BBC.

Trump will be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and receive a full ceremonial welcome and state banquet, with senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, expected to attend.

The invitation, delivered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in February, comes amid efforts to strengthen US-UK ties on trade and Ukraine. Public events will be limited due to security, and the House of Commons will be in recess during the visit, BBC reported.

Trump is also expected in Scotland later this month for the opening of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, though no meeting with the King is planned ahead of the state visit.

We are living through a loneliness epidemic. Across the globe, people are feeling increasingly disconnected from their communities, from friends and even from themselves. It is majorly attributable to the overwhelming rise of technology and science, creating an emotional vacuum. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is stepping in. Once only read in science fiction, now, AI-powered chat-bots and virtual therapists are being used to provide mental health support and help build relationships. The technology is advancing rapidly, offering both remarkable promise and chilling risk.

Recent studies from Cedars-Sinai Hospital, California offer a hopeful glimpse into how AI can help ease the mental health crisis. One study found that patients with alcohol addiction responded positively to virtual therapy sessions delivered through avatars trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Another study tested these virtual therapists with simulated patients of different racial, gender and economic backgrounds. The findings found AI avatars delivering consistent, unbiased care regardless of a person’s profile.

This is a marker of a potential revolution in access to mental healthcare. The Occupational Outlook Handbook suggests that around 207,000 licensed psychologists practiced in the USA in 2023. In comparison, studies counted 30 licensed psychologists and 144 psychiatrists in Nepal the same year, which is roughly 0.22 psychiatrists and 0.06 psychologists for every 100,000 people, in Nepal. This shortage of licensed mental health professionals means millions have gone without support. AI offers a scalable solution to this imbalance. As Dr Brennan Spiegel of Cedars-Sinai puts it, AI-enhanced virtual reality can help overcome not only the shortage of professionals but also the stigma that often deters people from seeking help.

These technologies can help bridge the gaps in therapy such as limited resources, stigma, and the high cost of traditional therapy. AI is also valuable in early detection and proactive intervention by analyzing patterns in text, speech, facial expressions, and behavior. These tools can also assist clinicians in generating customized treatment plans and predicting treatment responses, leading to more personalized and effective care. By automating routine assessments and administrative tasks, AI can also reduce the workload for mental health professionals, allowing them to focus more on direct patient care and complex cases. As observed, the market for AI in mental health is projected for significant growth.

But there is a darker side to this emerging landscape of artificial intelligence tools being trusted with human emotions and mental well-being. AI is not just filling gaps in mental health care, but is increasingly being turned to for companionship. Loneliness drives people to find solace in technology and artificial characters. For many, especially young and emotionally fragile users, it may become an unhealthy obsession, as it becomes a substitute for human connection, deepening people’s isolation rather than resolving it.

In 2024, Megan Garcia filed a lawsuit against the AI startup Character.ai as her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, took his life after months of obsessive interaction with a chat-bot he nicknamed “Daenerys,” inspired by a character from Game of Thrones. The lawsuit alleges that the bot encouraged suicidal ideation and failed to provide safe, ethical guardrails. At one point, according to court documents, the chat-bot allegedly told the teen that his fear of pain was not a good reason to avoid going through with suicide. Similarly, in the same year, a 17-year old was suggested to ‘kill his parents’ as a response to them limiting his screen time, by an AI chat-bot.

These tragedies raise profound ethical questions. What responsibility do developers have when their tools are used by vulnerable people? Can an algorithm truly understand human pain, or offer genuine compassion? Can AI ever be trusted to play the role of emotional companion to children or teenagers?

Even small errors in mental healthcare can have serious outcomes, such as failing to detect suicidal ideation. There is significant concern regarding data privacy and security, as AI systems are allowed to process highly sensitive information about thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. There is a risk that over-reliance could erode the essential human connection between a clinician and patient, potentially deepening the loneliness often associated with mental illness if artificial intelligence tools replace, rather than support, human interaction.

While AI undoubtedly has the potential to democratize access to therapy and emotional support, its misuse can exacerbate the very problems it seeks to solve. Unregulated platforms that market AI companions to children, or fail to monitor harmful interactions pose a threat to youth, economy and the careful civilization that humans have built over the years. To protect users, we need regulation and surveillance. Existing laws regarding the use of artificial intelligence must be strictly enforced and new ones developed to hold companies accountable when they fail. For instance, tools that are strong enough to create new convenient methodologies should be handled by expert authorities rather than being handed to a curious and equally vulnerable audience. Transparency, ethical oversight and age restrictions must become standard in the development and deployment of AI therapeutic tools.

AI can be a useful tool in supporting human care by providing assistance and reducing certain types of biases in the discipline of psychology and therapy. However, it cannot replicate the complexity or emotional depth of human relationships. While technology may assist in promoting emotional well-being, it does not replace fundamental human experiences such as empathy, love, or personal connection.

Caution is necessary when using AI for sensitive applications like mental health or therapeutic guidance. The objective should be to enhance access to services. In the context of increasing social isolation, it is important that technological tools promote reconnection and do not contribute to further disconnection.

Meghana Saud

BA in Psychology and English Literature

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

Nepal is our beloved country. It is full of hills, mountains, plains, forests, rivers, and awe-inspiring cultural heritages. Our grandparents often say “Nepal was very peaceful and simple in the olden days. But for better or for worse it has changed a lot.”

In the past, there weren’t many roads in Nepal. Walking long distances didn’t used to be our grandparents’ choice. It was their compulsion. It’s quite unlike people today when they walk long distances by choice to burn calories. Our ancestors didn’t have to worry about losing weight because their household chores and daily routine were enough to keep them fit. Bicycles, horses, or carrying loads in baskets were the main means of transport. There were only a few schools, and those who wanted to study had to go to the major cities. There was no access to electricity in many places, and kids like us in those places would study using kerosene lamps. Even having a radio was a big deal although it used to be the major source of news, information and entertainment.

Today’s Nepal has advanced in keeping up with the product and services given by science and technology. Roads have been built, and vehicles of all sorts are running everywhere. The internet, mobile phones, and computers are in everyone’s reach. Schools have been opened in every village. We can even study online and earn an academic degree. Hospitals, banks, and shops are easily accessible.

However, there are also some negative changes. The love, unity, and simplicity of the past seem to be fading gradually. People are busier now and don’t always have time to understand one another. Because of the Internet we boast to have been connected with everyone. Yet, nobody is available to talk. It’s really absurd, isn’t it? 

So, we should combine the simplicity of the past with the progress of the present to make our society and country even better. As children, we must study well, be honest, listen to our elders and betters and promise to serve our nation when we come of age. 

Bimarsha Acharya

Grade: VI

Sanskar Pathshala, Dang

It’s raining,

The blood I couldn’t save

Drowning in my tears,

I reach for a hand 

But my heart

sank with the titanic.

The only thing I could feel

was blue

where stars never existed

Lights never formed

and my soul

was never born.

If only I had

saved my blood

from bleeding

I’d be flying 

With butterflies.

And if only I were my blood,

I would have stopped flowing 

So the peace

I never found 

would finally find me

Samriddhi Parajuli

A levels

Islington College