Fun and engaging content for free

YouTube is a great place to learn about so many things as well as pick up new skills. Want to learn DIY? There are hundreds of great videos on it that teach everything from mending a tear to making a side table from discarded pieces of wood. Wondering how to get rid of that stubborn stain on your carpet or that yellow splatter on a white wall? Many channels offer great cleaning tips and tricks. Thinking of starting a kitchen garden? Get all the information you need from experts around the world. There is no dearth of amazing content on YouTube but sometimes it becomes a little difficult to dig out the good stuff. Here, we recommend some of our all-time favorites.

Gittemary Johansen

If you want to learn about sustainability and zero-waste living, you needn’t look anywhere beyond this channel. It has over 700 videos on how to get started on your zero-waste journey and inspiration to reuse things and reduce consumption. Most of the videos are informal, it almost feels like you are listening to a friend talk. There is more than enough content here to inspire you to live consciously and be mindful of what you use and how.

The School of Life

‘Self-understanding, calm, and emotional maturity’ reads the tagline of this YouTube channel with over 8.8m subscribers and nearly a thousand videos. The School of Life was founded in 2008 by a group of academics, including author Alain de Botton. It publishes various materials dealing with the topics of anxiety management, emotional intelligence, relationships, work, creativity, and spirituality. We guarantee that you will learn a lot from The School of Life—things that will help you be more mature, content, and patient.

Tweak India

Founded by author and actor Twinkle Khanna, Tweak India is a media company that primarily focuses on women’s issues. It covers a range of topics including parenting, love, relationships, wellness, career, mental health, books, etc. It’s a space for women to challenge old ideas and discover new ones. There are interviews with phenomenal women like Supriya Pathak, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Azmi, Sushmita Sen, and many others. Some fun segments include women’s morning rituals and beauty hacks. This YouTube channel is inspiring and fun.

Garden Up

Run by Ekta, a researcher and an entrepreneur in Mumbai, India, Garden Up has many videos on gardening tips and how to convert your home into an oasis of calm. From cultivating vegetables and growing herbs to taking care of your indoor plants, this can easily be your go-to channel to nurture your green thumb. The owner/host arms you with some excellent tips to take care of your jade plant, how to prepare soil mix for indoor plants, and how to grow curry leaves in apartments among others. The videos are aesthetic and thus soothing to watch.

Clean My Space

With over 2.2m subscribers, Clean My Space is run by Melissa Maker who shows you how to clean better, faster, and get great results in a short time. Maker runs a cleaning business in Toronto, Canada, which she started in 2006. In 2010, she along with Chad Reynolds, started uploading cleaning videos on YouTube. You will find bathroom cleaning tips, rules for a cleaner home, hacks to get soap scum off showers and glass doors, and recipes for DIY cleaning products among other interesting tips and tricks for a sparkly, clean home.

Kenny Sebastian

Want to laugh till your belly hurts? Head to the YouTube channel of Kenny Sebastian, an Indian stand-up comedian. The 33-year-old rose to prominence through YouTube where he has uploaded over 300 videos to date. From figuring out fatherhood to dating rules guys need to follow, Sebastian will tickle your funny bones like no other. His wit, charm, and nonchalant attitude make his dialogue delivery even funnier. You can also relate to many of his woes. Overall, this YouTube channel will make you temporarily forget your problems.

Click for Taz

Taz Alam is a British content creator best known for her hugely popular YouTube channel that was launched in 2015. She grew up in Cardiff, Wales, and graduated with a law degree. She has also published a book on spoken-word poetry titled ‘It’s Fine, It’s Fine, It’s Fine’. Her channel, which was initially dedicated to spoken-word poetry, now has lifestyle and travel vlogs as well and they are hugely entertaining. No wonder her videos have garnered tens of millions of views. She’s your quirky 20-something young adult who is a delight to watch on screen.

Landslide obstructs Besisahar-Chame road section

Vehicular movement along the Besisahar-Chame road section has been obstructed following a landslide at Shreechaur of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-4 in Lamjung district. This is the only road connecting the districts of Lamjung and Manang.

The landslide occurred in the Shreechaur area after the rain on Saturday evening.

Information Officer of the District Police Office, Lamjung, Thaneshwor Chapai said that the passengers have suffered as the vehicles have remained off the road due to the landslide.

He shared that efforts are going on to clear the obstructions.

 

Good Reads

J-33

Kumar Nagarkoti

Fantasy Fiction

This graphic novel, set in a parallel universe and woven into the garland of reality, surrealism, and self-realism, is the love story of Jung Bahadur Rana and Royal Ballerina Calista Brown. It’s a story that has never been written in history. That is, until now. Who is J-33, a mysterious character who accidentally got caught in the rare love story of Ballerina and Jung Bahadur? In Jung Bahadur Rana’s tantric city, J-33 is looking for you. Why, and for what purpose? What secret treasures does he have that he is impatient to reveal to you? 

Mahabidhyawaridhidekhi Nobel Shanti Puraskar Manonayansamma

Surya Subedi

Biography 

Surya Subedi, who introduced Nepal to the world as an international face, is a Nepali who has reached the highest expert level of the United Nations. As a member of the delegation of the Government of Nepal, he has participated in the summits of the United Nations and Non-Aligned Nations and has represented Nepal in many international forums as an ‘unpaid international ambassador’. This book is a detailed account of the ups and downs, struggles, and achievements that Subedi has faced in his life. 

Bahadur Shah

Chiranjibi Wagle

Historical Fiction 

Chiranjeevi Wagle, a former minister who was elected as MP from Gorkha for three consecutive times, is dedicated to independent writing after a long political career. ‘Bahadur Shah’ is his third novel after ‘Bandhashala ma Kheer’ and ‘Balidaan le Baneko Desh’. Wagle, who has been engaged in literary creation since his studies in Banaras, has also published the ‘Yatra Kavita Sangraha ra Nepali Sahitya’. He is a prolific writer whose works will inspire you.

Mind Matters | Unable to juggle work and studies

As a 19-year-old receptionist balancing work and studies, life has been quite overwhelming lately. Handling a job while also trying to keep up with my studies is not easy. I can’t afford to lose my job because I have to pay for my education. The stress of managing both work and studies has affected me. There are days when I completely feel drained, both mentally and physically. It’s difficult to focus on my studies after a long day at work. I often find myself worrying about assignments and exams. My friends are out enjoying themselves while I’m stuck at home or the office. What should I do?

Answered by Kapil Sharma, counseling psychologist, Nepal Institute of Mental Health

I want to acknowledge the incredible effort you’re putting into balancing your professional life and education, especially at such a young age. Life has its highs and lows, and it’s okay to feel the weight of those pressures. Each hurdle you overcome builds strength and resilience, even if it might not feel like much at the moment. You are just 19 and shouldering responsibilities while working for the sake of your education can be challenging.

But let me assure you that it’s okay to feel this way. Trust your hard work. Remember to allocate some time for yourself. You can start by creating a demand list, which involves identifying the demands of both work and studies. Making a demand list is a form of self-care. Once you have that down, scheduling tasks becomes easier. Be sure to include regular breaks. Engage in activities that bring you joy. Monotony can be draining so doing things you enjoy is essential.

Taking care of your mental and physical health is crucial for maintaining productivity and focus. It’s important to develop skills in managing tasks rather than isolating yourself and risking burnout. Set realistic expectations for yourself and prioritize what truly matters to you. As much as you can, avoid comparing your life to others as everyone’s journey is different.

Seeking support from family, friends, and mentors can help in establishing good routines. Identify what’s making it difficult to manage studies and work, whether it’s a relationship issue or financial constraints, and address the root cause. If you’re still struggling, don’t hesitate to seek support from professionals.

Deliver in a way that assures changes to citizens: Home Minister tells security bodies

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane has stressed that security agencies should act sternly to curb drug abuse and social offenses.

During his visit to the District Administration Office in Jhapa on Friday, he urged security bodies based in the district to demonstrate competence in their operations. He also wanted them to disregard any directives of unethical nature and not to consider the accused's political connection.

"Deliver in a way that assures changes to citizens," he urged.

Lamichhane also pledged accountability promotion during his term as the Home Minister.

Jhapa's Chief District Officer, Bandhu Prasad Bastola, briefed the Home Minister on the security situation in the district, highlighting the challenges and the efforts being made to address them.

One billion meals go waste at household across world in a day: UNEP report

At least one billion meals go to waste at household level across the world every day, that is to say, per person waste amounts 79 kg of food in average in a year, according to a recent report released by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The Food Waste Index Report, 2024 released by UNEP on Wednesday stated that the food waste, including the edible ones, is equivalent to 1.3 meals every day for those suffering hunger globally.

The household food waste in Nepal stands 93 kg per capita annually as per report. The data stands at 55kg per capita annually in case of India while at 76 kg per capita per year in case of China.

"In 2022, the world wasted 1.05 billion tons of food. This amounts to one fifth (19 per cent) of food available to consumers being wasted, at the retail, food service, and household level. That is in addition to the 13 percent of the world’s food lost in the supply chain, as estimated by FAO, from post-harvest up to and excluding retail," the report mentioned.

Food waste: Market failure, environmental failure

The report has defined 'food waste' as 'food and the associated inedible parts removed from the human food supply chain.'  It has dubbed food waste as a market failure which results in the throwing away of more than USD one trillion US worth of food in a year.

Importantly, the report has extensive links of food waste to SDGs and climate actions. The food waste is also described as an environmental failure in the document. "Food waste generates an estimated 8–10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (including from both loss and waste), and it takes up the equivalent of nearly 30 percent of the world’s agricultural land," it reminded.

The report has sought a special role from G20 countries to raise awareness about food waste at home and transfer knowledge on it to others. It read: "G20 countries can take a leading role in international cooperation and policy development to deliver SDG 12.3, can use their substantial influence on global consumer trends to promote awareness and education about food waste at home, and can share their expertise with countries just getting started in tackling this issue."

In this connection, the UNEP News wrote: “Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

 “Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature. The good news is we know if countries prioritize this issue, they can significantly reverse food loss and waste, reduce climate impacts and economic losses, and accelerate progress on global goals,” Andersen added.

Similarly, the document has shown south Asia having highest household food waste data points- with 31 estimates over seven countries, which it said equates to an estimate for all countries in the sub-region except Iran and Nepal.

The authors of the report are Hamish Forbes, Eloise Peacock, Nettie Abbot and Michael Jones (WRAP). Similar report was made public last time in 2021.

The UNEP has underlined the need of addressing food waste at individual and systemic levels by setting targets and channelizing efforts accordingly. International collaboration among countries- both developed and developing ones- has also been equally stressed for addressing this global challenge.

 

There has been positive improvement in economic indicators: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal claimed that the country's economy is not crisis-ridden like last year.

Addressing the 25th annual general assembly of the Federation of Contractors' Association of Nepal (FCAN) in Hetauda today, PM Dahal asserted that there has been a positive improvement in the economic indicators.

He, however, said the national economy was not completely free from stressors and called for an intensive discussion for that.

Stating that preparations were afoot to incorporate all sectors in the upcoming policies, programs and budget, Dahal shared that the government was effortful to clear the outstanding payment of the construction contractors.

On the occasion, PM Dahal honored construction contractors Dhruba Karki and Roshan Shrestha for their notable delivery in the construction sector.

Similarly, parliamentary Infrastructure Development Committee's President Deepak Bahadur Singh demanded clearance of over Rs 60 billion of outstanding amount to contractors, amending the Public Procurement Regulations to prevent brain drain of youths engaged in construction sector and completing compensation distribution among others works prior to calling tender.

Likewise, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Chairperson Chandra Prasad Dhakal viewed that development works were adversely impeded due to the country's fragile economic and industrial situation and thus urged the PM to resolve the problems facing the construction contractors.

He said, "The government should understand that infrastructure development and development are the most important aspects for the development of the country. The projects could be delayed if there is delay in payment to the contractors. The contractors have not been able to pay bank's installment of banks, laborer’s wages and large amounts of taxes. They are in trouble."

Likewise, FCAN President Ravi Singh requested the government to be serious towards their problems.

Around 1,800 construction contractors from all 77 districts attended the program. 

 

Man arrested with pistol from Kapan

Police have arrested a person in possession of a pistol from Kapan, Kathmandu on Friday.

Prashanta Prangdewa Limbu (28) of Phungling, Taplejung was held today in the course of the 'hooliganism and illegal arms control' campaign run by District Police Range Kathmandu.

SP Nawaraj Adhikari of the District Police Range, Kathmandu said that Limbu has been apprehended on the charge of involving in hooliganism and creating fear and terror in the community in the Kapan area of late.

Police confiscated a crude pistol, two sharp knives, a hammer, two mobile phones and one iPhone from Limbu.

Adhikari said police are interrogating Limbu.