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The sweltering heat is getting to us. And that’s an understatement. Many people we know have suffered from heat strokes in the past couple of weeks while stepping out during the day time. If we were to be honest, the heat is also making us irritable. As much as we would like to stay indoors and chill when the weather is hot, it’s not always practical or possible. So, what can you do to make your office commute or grocery shopping trip more comfortable? We have compiled a list of essential items that can come to your rescue during this time.

A sun hat or UV protection umbrella

It probably goes without saying that you shouldn’t step out without a hat or an umbrella. But it’s appalling how many people are just out and about without one. Most people forget to carry one or consider it to be a bulky item to keep in their bags. However, sun hats and umbrellas protect you from the harmful rays of the sun and are thus a necessity. These days, you get really compact hats and umbrellas that don’t take up much space or weigh a lot. Invest in a good one and make it your summer buddy.

A chic water bottle

It’s imperative to stay hydrated during the summer but we forget to keep sipping on water mostly because we don’t have water with us all the time. Change that by buying a chic water bottle that you can take everywhere with you. Just get it refilled whenever you go—the restaurant or office. You can also add ice to your bottle if it’s a thermal insulated one and have access to chilled water if that’s what you fancy. Add a few slices of lime or cucumber or even a few sprigs of fresh mint if regular water is too boring for you. This is one of the simplest yet best ways to stay cool during hot summer days. We recommend you buy a water bottle holder. These are basically small bags that fit just your water bottle. It’s such a handy accessory to have as you won’t have to hold your bottle in your hand or risk spilling water in your bag and damaging everything you have inside it. 

A great pair of sunnies 

Sunglasses are a must have for summer. Not only will they protect your eyes from the sun but they will also make you look stylish and sleek. The sun also instantly feels more bearable when you have on a pair of sunglasses. While choosing sunglasses for summer, prioritize UV protection and look for lenses with 100% UV protection. Ensure a comfortable fit and choose the right frames for your face shape. We recommend sunglasses from Anthropose. They are stylish and made of recycled materials. What’s more, a small percentage of every sale goes towards providing free cataract surgeries to people in need in rural Nepal. 

Wet wipes

A packet of these and you are sorted for all kinds of hot conditions. You can use this to wipe your face or your hands and have an instantly cooling effect. They are great for maintaining hygiene on the go while removing sweat and dirt from your face, neck, and hands. They are also useful for quick cleanups after eating or to remove makeup when you are done with that meeting and would like to freshen up but still have a few hours of work left. A great alternative to wipes is a few drops of essential oil in water in a spray bottle. You can spray this directly onto your face, arms, or legs and use a handkerchief or some tissues to wipe off the dampness. 

Portable fan

A few years ago, you would have to go to select stores or places to find a nice portable fan. But these days, you get them everywhere. Every other store has started to stock up on these because the rising temperature means that the demand for these nifty items have gone up as well. Gone are the days of handheld paper fans that you would have to manually work. Battery powered fans are all the rage these days. You even get neck fans that go around your neck, much like a pair of bluetooth headphones. Just charge them overnight and the battery will last you a couple of days. A portable fan is a must have for everyone but especially for those who walk or take the local transport to work. 

Other important stuff

Besides the five important things we have mentioned, there are some other random things that are good to have during the summer (as well as other times of the year but especially during the summer). Invest in a good sunscreen and make sure you keep reapplying it throughout the day. This will prevent sunburn and rashes. A comfortable pair of shoes that don’t make your feet sweat is another important summer essential. Good footwear that allows your feet to breathe will make you feel more at ease. For women, claw clips are a must have as they will keep your hair out of your neck and face as well as help you achieve a stylish 90s style updo. Sweat absorbing pads that can go on your clothes under the arms are also handy to avoid sweat stains as are oil-blotting sheets that you can use to wipe excess oil from your face without ruining your makeup. 

Writer and filmmaker Raj Sargam’s short film ‘Color of Tea’ has won the Excellence Award at the Korea Gyeonggi International Film Festival for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2025. According to an announcement on the festival’s official Facebook page, the film received the top honor in the ‘Heart Section’ of the SDGs 2025 category.

The jury recognized ‘Color of Tea’ for its “minimal storytelling and deep emotional resonance,” praising its visual depiction of the quiet struggles faced by marginalized communities and its use of simple yet powerful metaphors to portray structural injustice.

The film explores the experiences of Dalit and Indigenous people from Madhes, highlighting the subtle aggressions and silent violence that perpetuate caste-based discrimination. Previously, ‘Color of Tea’ was officially selected for screening at the ‘MOD Fest–Minority Open Day 2025’ held in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Bablu Shiwakoti has been active in the Taekwondo sector in various capacities, including as an athlete, coach, referee, and sports official. His contributions span administrative roles, technical training, international representation, and athlete development. He holds several positions within the Nepal Taekwondo Association, including Central Committee Member, Technical Delegate (TD), and Chairperson of the National Poomsae Referee Subcommittee. In these roles, he has overseen national competitions and contributed to the introduction of formats such as Free Style Poomsae and Team Kyorugi in domestic championships. These formats were featured in events like the 2nd School Level National Championship and the Kukkiwon Cup in 2025.

Shiwakoti participated in the 2024 World Taekwondo Championships in Hong Kong, where he reached the quarterfinals. He also completed the International Taekwondo Instructor Course recognized by Kukkiwon in 2015. In terms of officiating, he is certified as an international referee in both Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae (forms). He completed referee training programs in Dubai (2023) and another in 2024. Shiwakoti has officiated in international events in countries such as Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China, and has attended rule-updating sessions in India and Kazakhstan. He has also facilitated referee training within Nepal’s provinces under the Nepal Taekwondo Association.

As a coach, Shiwakoti has worked with athletes at Sitapaila Taekwondo Dojang and led the Nepali team at the 2023 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Athletes he has trained have participated in various international tournaments, including the Asian Games and Youth Asian Games selections. He has also served as a coach at events like the 10th Fujairah Open in the UAE (2023) and the Asian Cadet and Junior Championships in Vietnam (2022).

Shiwakoti has expressed an interest in supporting the professionalization of Taekwondo in Nepal. He highlights the importance of long-term planning for athletes’ careers and the need to strengthen domestic opportunities to reduce early migration of players abroad. Originally from Rautahat, Shiwakoti began practicing Taekwondo during his school years. He later moved to Kathmandu, where he continued his training and competed in local and national-level tournaments.

How do I manage anxiety before important exams or presentations?

Answered by Dr Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

Have you ever felt your heart race, palms sweat, or mind go blank just before an important exam or presentation? If yes, you’ve likely experienced anticipatory anxiety—a common but often misunderstood response where the fear of a future event causes overwhelming stress.

Imagine a student preparing for a crucial medical entrance exam. She has studied well, revised thoroughly, and done countless mock tests. But as the exam day nears, sleep becomes elusive, appetite vanishes, and self-doubt creeps in. “What if I forget everything? What if I fail?” This is anticipatory anxiety in action—the fear of what might happen hijacks the present moment.

Why does this happen?

Our brains are wired to detect threats. But in today’s world, the ‘threat’ is not a wild animal—it’s failure, judgment, or embarrassment. Our bodies respond the same way—with increased adrenaline, tension, and a flood of negative thoughts.

How can we manage it?

Acknowledge the anxiety
Recognizing that you’re anxious—and that it’s normal—is the first step. Most high-performing individuals experience pre-event anxiety. It’s not a weakness; it’s part of being human.

Practice relaxation techniques
Deep breathing, grounding exercises, and mindfulness help calm the racing mind. Even five minutes of slow breathing can activate the body’s relaxation response.

Shift your focus
Instead of obsessing over the outcome, focus on your preparation and effort. Affirmations like ‘I am prepared and I will give my best’ help reframe thoughts.

Visualize success
Athletes do it—and so can you. Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking into the exam room or onto the stage, calm and confident, performing well.

Stick to a routine
Eat well, sleep adequately, and avoid last-minute cramming. A healthy body supports a calm mind.

Anticipatory anxiety doesn’t mean you’re not ready—it means you care. But with the right tools, you can turn that nervous energy into performance fuel.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denounced recent US immigration raids on California farms, calling them unfair and harmful to the US economy. She highlighted the essential role of Mexican and Latino migrant labor, warning that without them, key agricultural states risk seeing crops go unharvested.

Following the raids, Mexican consular staff began visiting detention centers to identify detained nationals. Sheinbaum also announced increased funding for consulates in the US to boost legal aid for affected Mexicans, according to Xinhua.

US President Donald Trump praised officials for their “incredible job” responding to flash floods in Texas that killed at least 120 people. Visiting Kerrville with First Lady Melania Trump, he met with first responders and victims’ families, calling the disaster unlike anything he’s seen before, according to BBC.

The visit follows criticism over delayed evacuation alerts and the county’s earlier refusal to install a warning system due to funding issues. Trump signaled support for future safety measures.

Amid the crisis, his administration faces backlash over plans to dissolve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), shifting disaster response to states. FEMA aid began after Trump’s disaster declaration, though he hasn’t addressed its long-term future, BBC reported.

US has resumed military supplies to Ukraine after a brief pause, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed, as Russia steps up attacks on Kyiv.

Zelensky had asked for more support, including ten Patriot missile systems, amid growing pressure from Russian strikes, according to Firstpost.

US President Trump said the US is now sending weapons through NATO, which will cover the full cost. “NATO’s paying 100 percent. They get the weapons and pass them to Ukraine,” he told NBC News.

Trump also said he’ll make a major statement on Russia Monday and criticized Russia's President Putin over the ongoing war. He expects the Senate to pass a tough sanctions bill, which he may choose to enforce, Firstpost reported.

A flag-hoisting ceremony is set to take place at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in November with thousands of special guests expected to attend and Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to be the chief guest.

An official of the temple trust, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told PTI that the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has shortlisted two dates in November for this significant event. Preparations for the ceremony are gaining momentum.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be present as the chief guest on this auspicious occasion,” the official said. According to sources within the temple, the Ram flag will be hoisted atop the 161-foot-high spire of the temple. In addition, flags will also be hoisted on the spires of all other temples within the complex, marking a major milestone towards the completion of the temple’s construction.

Anil Mishra, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra told PTI, “The final program is still being prepared. As soon as it is ready, it will be shared.”

Temple sources further told PTI that the flag-hoisting ceremony is expected to be as grand as the consecration of Lord Ram. The trust is preparing an extensive guest list that includes saints, religious leaders, distinguished dignitaries and devotees from across India and abroad. The trust estimates that thousands of guests will witness this second historic occasion following the consecration ceremony of the deity Ram Lalla.

A senior official from the Ayodhya administration confirmed that preparations are in full swing to welcome the guests. The temple trust and the administrative machinery have started booking rooms in hotels, while arrangements are also being made in major dharamshalas and guest houses across the city, the official added. According to temple sources, astrologers are determining the most auspicious time for the ceremony in November. Discussions are underway to finalise one of the two proposed dates—Nov 16 or Nov 25.

Lord Vishnu took birth on earth in the Treta Yuga as a prince in the royal household of King Dashrath in Ayodhya (now, also referred to as Ram Janmabhoomi) to his first queen, Kaushalya. His eighth avatar was nothing short of a challenge as he endured all the hardships, despite being a man of great principles. Centuries have passed, but his life continues to inspire millions of people across the globe. And the man, blessed with divine powers was none other than Shri Rama, the one who is hailed as Maryada Purushottam. The story of Shri Rama’s birth is a fascinating one. Read on to know how the divine powers planned Lord Rama's arrival on earth.