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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 

Veteran Telugu film actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao died at the age of 83 due to prolonged illness at his residence in Filmnagar in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

The actor died in the early hours of Sunday, two days after his 83rd birthday, NDTV reported.

Born in Kankipadu in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao made his debut with 'Pranam Khareedhu' in 1978. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he acted in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi languages, gaining fame for his versatile performances, particularly in villainous and character roles.

Some of his notable films include 'Aha Naa Pellanta!,' 'Pratigatana,' 'Khaidi Number 786,' 'Shiva,' and 'Yamaleela.'

Four journalists including Annapurna Post, sister publication of The Annapurna Express, journalist Mamata Thapa has been honored with Youth Journalism Award-2081.

Minister Teju Lal Chaudhary honored Thapa with the award during a program held at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Along with Thapa, Sushil Darnal of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Prakriti Dahal and Gaganshila Khadka of Kantipur Publications were also honored with the award.

Presenting the award, Minister Chaudhary congratulated all the journalists and urged them to be active in the youth sector and continue to write with greater vigor.

Former minister and Rastraiya Prajatantra Party leader Pashupati Shumsher JB Rana was honored on Friday.

He was honored on the auspicious occasion of his 84^th birthday, social worker Shobhit Upreti said.

RPP Chairman Rajendra Ligden was the chief guest of the program.

On the occasion, Chairman Lingden presented a certificate of honor to development-loving leader Rana on behalf of RPP while social worker Shobhit Upreti presented a certificate of honor on behalf of the facilitation committee.

Speaking at the event, RPP leader Rana said that politics is in his soul.

Leader Rana also recalled that he got an opportunity to lead various ministries at different times and that he served the people from the heart during that time.

Meanwhile, Krishna Prasad Bhandari, APPAN Advisor, Hydropower Promoter and Developer extended his heartfelt reverence, profound respect and deep gratitude to the illustrious leader Rana on the occasion of his 84^th birthday.

“You have long served as a political leader from Sindhupalchok district and you are a towering national personality whose unparalleled contribution to Nepal and the Nepali people, both nationally and internationally, you have brought immense pride not only to the people of Sindhupalchok but to the entire nation,” Bhandari said.

“Your remarkable leadership as the long-serving Minister for Water Resources and your visionary efforts to harness the country’s abundant water resources to steer the nation towards economic transformation, will forever be remembered and honored,” he added.

“In this very spirit and through your progressive vision, the historic foundation stone of the 7.5 MW hydropower project on the Indrawati River, situated in the remote areas of Bhotenamlang and Jyamire of Sindhupalchok district, was laid under your gracious hand in 2054 B.S. through private investment by National Hydropower Company Limited, marking a proud milestone in Nepal's hydropower development history,” Bhandari further said.

Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 52 Palestinians in Gaza, including children and women, according to local medical sources. Strikes on Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis claimed 28 lives, while 24 others were shot while heading to an aid site near Rafah.

Israel’s military said it fired warning shots but denied knowledge of casualties, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he’s nearing a ceasefire deal with Hamas, though recent talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu showed no progress. Around 50 hostages remain in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a 30 percent tariff on imports from the European Union and Mexico will take effect on August 1.

The decision was disclosed in letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, which Trump shared on his Truth Social platform, according to BBC.

Over the past week, the president has issued more than 20 similar letters to key US trading partners — including Canada, South Korea, Japan, and Brazil — outlining new tariff measures ranging from 20 to 50 percent.

The United States has slapped sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and top officials over their role in crushing the July 2021 protests.

Marking the fourth anniversary of the unrest, Washington imposed visa bans and targeted key figures, including the defense and interior ministers, for human rights abuses, according to Reuters.

The 2021 protests saw thousands march to the streets over food and gasoline shortages, with hundreds imprisoned and at least one killed—the largest rebellion since the 1959 revolution.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the government continues to benefit insiders while regular Cubans suffer. Havana retaliated, calling the move interference.

The US embargo on Cuba remains in place, Reuters reported.