DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

“The Russian government must have the data of how many foreign fighters have joined the Russian army and how many Nepalis are fighting for Russia,” she said. The Russian foreign ministry has not responded to CNN’s questions about the number of Nepalis recruited by the Russian army and how many of them have died so far. She thought her husband, Shukra Tamang – a retired Nepali army soldier fighting for Russia – was the person calling. A photo shows Shukra Tamang, a retired Nepali army soldier, training in Russia. Bonuses paidNepali men who want to join the Russian army first travel to Russia on a tourist visa.

Persons: Nepal CNN — Ramchandra Khadka, Khadka, “, ” Khadka, Ramchandra Khadka, ”, Bimala Rai Paudyal, Nepalis, Kritu Bhandari, Russia haven’t, Bhandari, ‘, Januka Sunar’s, hasn’t, Sunar, …, Januka Sunar, it’ll, Tamang, Shukra Tamang, Shukra, –, Russia –, Shishir Bishwokarma, Avangard, Suman Tamang, ” Tamang, “ It’s, It’s, Binoj Basnyat, Ram Sharma, Sharma, ” Sharma, Saud, Nepalis haven’t, Bhupendra Bahadur Khatri, hadn’t, ” Khatri, Basnyat Organizations: Nepal CNN, Russia, Ukraine, CNN, Russian, Henley & Partners, Bank, Communist Party of Nepal, Maoist, CNN CNN, YouTube, AK, Moscow Oblast, Avangard, United Arab, Agents, Moscow, CNN Kathmandu, World Bank Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Russia, Russian, Moscow, Bakhmut –, Bakhmut, North Korea, Januka, Nepali, Avangard, Indian, United Arab Emirates, India, Dubai, UAE

☆ New York’s Rubin Museum is closing its doors — but will live on as a ‘museum without walls’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —New York’s Rubin Museum of Art, home to one of the world’s largest and most important collections of Himalayan art, announced on Wednesday that it will close its doors in October. Rubin Museum founders Shelley and Donald Rubin, pictured on October 8, 2015. Mireya Acierto/Getty Images“Building and sharing this collection of Himalayan art was one of my family’s great joys,” added Shelley Rubin. A lot of the time, we are shown Tibetan art as part of Chinese art — as an appendage because Tibet is now part of China. Robert K. Chin/Storefronts/AlamyThe closure will see some 40% of the Rubin’s staff lose their jobs — mostly those in “front-of-house roles,” a spokesperson for the museum told CNN.

Persons: York’s Rubin, Shelley, Donald Rubin, Rubin, Noah Dorsky, Mireya Acierto, ”, Shelley Rubin, “, Matthew Eisman, Jorrit Britschgi, ” Britschgi, Nepal’s, Ian Johnson, meanwhile, Curtis S, Chin, ” “, ” Johnson, Robert K Organizations: CNN, York’s Rubin Museum of Art, Rubin Museum, Rubin Museum of Art, Venice Biennale, Itumbaha Museum, Mandela, Centre for Foreign Relations, Asian Development Bank Locations: Manhattan, New York, Kathmandu, Nepal, New York City, Venice, York, Tibet, China

☆ The 8 things I really wish I knew before I traveled solo to 100 countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Abbie Synan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I've solo traveled to more than 100 countries since 2013 and I've learned lessons along the way. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . What was meant to be a short sabbatical from the US turned into visiting over 100 countries in the last decade. Here are the things I wish I'd known back when I set foot in country No. Solo travel will push you out of your comfort zone and challenge you in ways nothing else can.

Persons: I've, —, Abbie Synan, Abbie Synan There's, you've Organizations: Service, Google Locations: Bangkok, Cambodia, Nepal

☆ Malaysia to Review Migrant Labour Deals to Stamp Out Exploitation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia will review bilateral agreements with 15 nations from which it sources labourers in a bid to address exploitative practices and manpower imbalances that have left thousands of migrant workers stranded without jobs, officials said. The plight of the migrants coincided with concerns over workplace abuses in Malaysia, with several companies facing U.S. bans over the use of forced labour in recent years. They said Malaysia still had a shortage of workers in the agriculture and plantations sector, while quotas have been exceeded in other industries. Workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal account for over 70% of Malaysia's migrant labour, with the remainder coming from countries including India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Thailand. Sim said 751 Bangladesh migrant workers had filed cases with the labour department to claim unpaid wages, involving a total of 2.2 million ringgit ($467,687).

Persons: Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Steven Sim, Sim, Rozanna, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Reuters, Workers, Human Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand

☆ Nepal urges Russia not to recruit its citizens into army; says six killed
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Nepal government said in a statement that six of its nationals, who had been serving the Russian army, were killed, without providing any details. Diplomatic efforts were underway to get one Nepali citizen serving the Russian army and captured by Ukraine released, the statement added. Nepal also urged its citizens not to join the army of any war-torn country. English daily, The Kathmandu Post, quoted Milan Raj Tuladhar, Nepal's ambassador in Moscow, as saying that 150-200 Nepalis were working as mercenaries in the Russian army. Millions of Nepali nationals are employed in civilian work mainly as labourers in industries and construction sites in South Korea, Malaysia and the Middle East.

Persons: Phil Noble, Milan Raj Tuladhar, Gopal Sharma, Sudipto Ganguly Organizations: Brigade, Catterick Garrison, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Richmond, Britain, Nepal, Moscow, India, China, Russia, Ukraine, Kathmandu, Russian, South Korea, Malaysia, Lincoln

☆ I'm the first plus-sized woman to compete at Miss Universe and I made the top 20. My story is changing society's standards.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett is the first plus-sized woman to compete and place at Miss Universe. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jane Dipika Garrett, who represented Nepal at Miss Universe in November. That moment really, really inspired me. Then I saw the Miss Universe Nepal application was open and I was inspired to try it. AdvertisementAfter Miss Universe, I've gotten so many messages from people who said they were inspired by me.

Persons: Jane Dipika Garrett, Garrett, —, I've, Olivia Cuplo, Hector Vivas, MARVIN RECINOS, El Organizations: Miss, Service, Miss Universe, Getty Locations: Nepal, United States, Pennsylvania, San Salvador , El Salvador, AFP, Miss Nepal, El Salvador

☆ Nepal registers its first same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —Local authorities in a village in Nepal registered the Himalayan nation’s first same-sex marriage on Wednesday, officials and activists said, five months after the Supreme Court issued an interim order clearing the way for such marriages in the largely conservative country. “We have issued the marriage registration certificate to the couple in consideration of the Supreme Court order and instructions from relevant government authorities,” said Hem Raj Kafle, chief administrative officer of the Dordi rural municipality. In June, the country’s Supreme Court issued an interim order allowing same-sex couples to register their marriages pending a final verdict. “It will open the door for them to jointly open bank accounts, own and transfer property like just any other couples.”Taiwan is the only other place to legalize same-sex marriage in Asia, where societies remain largely conservative. Hindu-majority Nepal has become increasingly progressive since a decade-long Maoist insurgency ended in 2006.

Persons: Ram Bahadur, Gurung, Surendra Pandey, ” Pandey, ”, Hem Raj Kafle, Sunil Babu Pant, Nepal’s, Pant Organizations: Reuters, Local, Blue Diamond Society, Maoists, Nepali Congress Locations: Nepal, Lumjung, Kathmandu, South Asia, Taiwan, Asia

☆ Nepal registers first same-sex marriage; 'historic', say activists
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Participants take part in an annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade, in Kathmandu, Nepal June 10, 2023. "We have issued the marriage registration certificate to the couple in consideration of the Supreme Court order and instructions from relevant government authorities," said Hem Raj Kafle, chief administrative officer of the Dordi rural municipality. In June, the country's Supreme Court issued an interim order allowing same-sex couples to register their marriages pending a final verdict. "It is historic," said Pant, a former lawmaker, noting that it was the first such registration in South Asia. Taiwan is the only other country to legalise same-sex marriage in Asia, where societies remain largely conservative.

Persons: Navesh, Ram Bahadur, Gurung, Surendra Pandey, Pandey, Raj Kafle, Sunil Babu Pant, Nepal's, Pant, Gopal Sharma, Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Richard Chang Organizations: REUTERS, Blue Diamond Society, Maoists, Nepali Congress, Thomson Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal, Lumjung, South Asia, Taiwan, Asia

Another two Thai workers were set free on Tuesday, bringing the total released to 23. He said they remain in contact with him and send him updates about the release of hostages even before the news breaks. The Thai foreign ministry said three Thais were being treated for wounds in hospital. On Wednesday night, four additional Thai hostages were released. Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back to Gaza on Oct. 7.

Persons: Parnpree Bahiddha, Nukara, Thais, Parnpree, Lerpong Syed, Israel, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Howard Goller, Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates Organizations: Thai Foreign, Shamir Medical Center, Hamas, Iran, Reuters, Thomson Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Thailand, Palestinian, Gaza, Thai

☆ China's Xi Urges Stronger Rule of Law Overseas Amid 'External Risks'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - President Xi Jinping has called for stronger rule of law related to foreign affairs given "external risks and challenges" as China opens up to the outside world, state media reported on Tuesday. Xi, speaking during a study session of the Communist's Party's powerful political bureau, said that to protect its overseas citizens and interests, it was necessary to deepen international cooperation on law enforcement, strengthen consular protection and assistance, and build strong rule of law. To facilitate economic and trade exchanges, authorities say Chinese law firms have set up 180 overseas offices in 35 countries and regions, an increase of nearly 50% since 2018. China needs to actively develop foreign-related legal services and cultivate world-class arbitration institutions and law firms, Xi said. China says such centres are meant to help its citizens renew expired driving licences, and are run by Chinese volunteers, not law enforcement officers.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, Ryan Woo, Robert Birsel Organizations: Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Locations: BEIJING, China, Nepal, U.S, Canada, Britain, Netherlands, Beijing, Ukraine, Sudan

☆ Explainer: Global fossil fuel subsidies on the rise despite calls for phase-out
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Sarah Mcfarlane | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

For example, it subsidises its refiners when global oil prices rise above $130 a barrel so they can keep fuel prices affordable. UNITED STATESU.S. fossil fuel subsidies stretch across the U.S. tax code, which makes detailing their costs complex. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has proposed axing fossil fuel subsidies in his annual budget, largely a political document used in negotiations with Congress. MIDDLE EASTOil and gas producers in the Middle East including Qatar and Saudi Arabia had some of the highest fossil fuel subsidies per person, IMF data showed. CANADAEarlier this year Canada unveiled plans for eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

Persons: Navesh, Joe Biden, Sarah McFarlane, Timothy Gardner, David Stanway, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, International Monetary Fund, EU, IMF, Nanjing Audit University, UNITED STATES, One U.S, Taxation, Democrat, Representatives, International Institute for Sustainable Development, EAST, Thomson Locations: Lalitpur, Nepal, Glasgow, Dubai, EU, Ukraine, CHINA, China, U.S, One, RUSSIA, India, Russia, East, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada

☆ Nepal riot police rout protesters seeking restoration of monarchy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The "Citizens' Campaign" protesters say governments in place since the monarchy was scrapped, as part of a deal ending a Maoist insurgency, have failed to live up to commitments to develop one of the world’s poorest countries. Protesters tried to dismantle a police barricade on the outskirts of Kathmandu and march into the centre of the capital, prompting riot police to intervene and repel the crowd, witnesses said. Some police officers were injured by stones thrown by protesters, said Basnet. Durga Prasai, coordinator of the Citizens’ Campaign, said about 10 protesters were injured in the melee, two of them critically. Gyanendra, the last king of the Himalayan mountain country wedged between India and China, lives as a commoner with his family in Kathmandu.

Persons: Jitendra Basnet, Durga Prasai, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Gopal Sharma, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Pro, Police, Protesters, Citizens ’, East, Nepali Congress, Thomson Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal, KATHMANDU, Malaysia, South Korea, India, China

☆ Son bags double for South Korea as top sides win in Asian qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japan, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all won, while Kuwait and North Korea scored a flurry of goals en route to victories. Australia and Palestine players stood for a minute's silence ahead of their game, which was played in Kuwait due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Son was in top form as South Korea completed back-to-back wins at the start of their challenge for a place at the 2026 finals. Players held a minute's silence ahead of kickoff before Souttar scored the game's only goal with an 18th-minute header. Kuwait, meanwhile, thrashed Afghanistan 4-0 away to move into second place in Group A behind Qatar.

Persons: Korea's Son Heung, Min, Tingshu Wang, Ueda, Heung, Son, Yan Junling, Lee Kang, Jung Seung, Yan, Thais, Suphanat Mueanta, Mano Polking's, Ayase Ueda, Hajime Moriyasu's, Jong Il Gwan, Harry Souttar, Kuwait's Jaber Al, Souttar, Oston Orunov, Igor Sergeev, Mohanad Ali, Jesus Casas, Darren Lok, Amadoni Kamolov, Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehri, Jordan, Abdalla, Ali Mabkhout, Michael Church, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre, REUTERS, China, Japan, North Korea, Thailand, Singapore, North, Syrians, Syria, Palestine, Ahmad, Iraq, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, United, Bahrain, Thomson Locations: China, Republic of Korea, Shenzhen, Republic, Korea's, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, Korea, Myanmar, Syria Australia, Palestine, HONG KONG, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, North, Israel, Syria, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Australia's, Gaza, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Manila, Oman, India, Yemen, Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Islamabad, Saudi, Afghanistan

Here is a closer look at Israel’s raid on the Shifa Hospital. Israel has long claimed that Hamas uses hospitals, schools, mosques and residential neighborhoods as human shields. In particular, it says Hamas has hidden command centers and bunkers underneath the sprawling grounds of Shifa. The Israeli military has released videos showing AK47s, ammunition and other military equipment it said was found in the hospital’s MRI unit. Israel has not said where the Shifa tunnel leads to or given specifics on what it was used for.

Persons: Israel, –, ”, Daniel Hagari, Osama Hamdan, Hamdan, “ It’s, Richard Hecht Organizations: JERUSALEM, Hamas, Shifa, ISRAEL, Toyota Locations: Israel, Shifa, Gaza, Thailand, Nepal, Beirut, ISRAEL

☆ Miss Universe: Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua wins 2023 pageant in El Salvador
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the culmination of the annual beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday night in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador. The winners of 84 countries’ national pageants had competed at this year’s Miss Universe, judged by a panel including model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016). Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Nicaragua, competes in the evening gown round. A newly-crowned Palacios waves to the audience in attendance at the Miss Universe pageant final. Palacios succeeds the 2022 Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA.

Persons: CNN — Sheynnis Palacios, Anntonia, Carson Kressley, influencer Avani Gregg, Janelle Commissiong, Iris Mittenaere, Sheynnis Palacios, Hector Vivas, Palacios, Porsild, Moraya Wilson, Australia, Mary Wollstonecraft, “, ”, Marvin Recinos, Colombia, Camila Avella, Karla Guilfú, Athenea, Congeniality, R’Bonney Gabriel Organizations: CNN, Miss, Miss Universe, Getty Locations: Nicaragua, El Salvador’s, San Salvador, Thailand, Aden, Trinidad & Tobago, France, Miss Nepal, Miss Pakistan, Miss Nicaragua, British, AFP, Miss Puerto Rico, USA

☆ See the best evening gowns at the 2023 Miss Universe competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Bolivia, Estefany Rivero. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Brazil, Maria Brechane. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Bulgaria, Yuliia Pavlikova. Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss Slovakia, Kinga Puhová Benjamin Askinas/Courtesy Miss Universe Miss South Africa, Bryoni Govender. The 2023 Miss Universe pageant also marks longtime Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart’s last year.

☆ Miss Universe 2023 preliminary: Highlights from the national costume competition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alex Rees | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That’s a serious question, but with a delightfully nonsensical answer: All served as inspiration for national costumes on display during the 2023 Miss Universe pageant’s preliminary competition. (Specifically, those were the looks donned by Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Dominican Republic and, yes, Miss Switzerland.) Eighty-four countries are represented at this year’s Miss Universe, which is taking place in the El Salvadoran capital of San Salvador. Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, is one of the first “curvy” women to compete at Miss Universe; Erica Robin, meanwhile, is the first woman to represent Pakistan at the pageant. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesTrue to form for the competition, Miss France ventured into Moulin Rouge's costume department.

Persons: Miss Great, Miss Nepal, Jane Garrett, Erica Robin, R’Bonney Gabriel, Hector Vivas, Miss Brazil, El Salvador's, Alex Peña, Ireland's, carnations, Miss Nigeria's, Miss Curaçao's, Marina Machete, Miss Malaysia, Serena Lee, Jordanne Levy, Moulin, Anntonia Porsild, Bryoni Natalie Govender, Miss Mongolia's Organizations: CNN, Swiss Guard, Miss, El, Oxford English, Miss Netherlands, Games, country's Air Force, Images Locations: Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Switzerland, El Salvadoran, San Salvador, Netherlands, Portugal, Miss, Pakistan, USA, Miss Iceland, Venezuelan American, Costa Rica, Miss Portugal, Honduras, Jamaica, Thailand, South Africa

Chhetri is one of Israel’s approximately 110,000 registered migrant workers; tens of thousands of other foreign workers lack a permit, often having entered as tourists or overstayed their visas, according to workers’ rights organization Kav LaOved. Pranita Chhetri, who moved from India seven months ago and is a caretaker in northern Israel, considers Israel a safe country for foreign workers despite the Israel-Hamas war. (Michele Chabin)When Hamas terrorists massacred 1,200 people and took more than 200 others hostage last month, they didn’t spare migrant workers. With so many Israeli farmers killed or kidnapped, the workers didn’t know where to turn for help, she says. While it may sound counterintuitive right now, Chhetri insists that Israel “is a safe country for foreign workers.

Persons: JERUSALEM, Pranita Chhetri, Chhetri, ”, Esther, Yad Sarah, Kav, Michele Chabin, Shira Abbo, Eldose, Yahel Kurlander, ” Kurlander, “, Abbo, Assia Ladizhinskaya, Kav LaOved, “ Israel, ” Abbo, ” Umkudiyil, “ don’t, Israel “ Organizations: Hamas, Hotline, Refugees and Migrants, Hai, ” Locations: Gaza, Israel, India, Kiryat Shmona, Lebanon, Jerusalem, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Tel Aviv, Thailand, Nepal, China, Moldova, Tel, Bangkok, Ashkelon

☆ Nepal Bans TikTok, Saying It Disturbs ‘Social Harmony’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Shan Li | Krishna Pokharel | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Nepal’s government said last week it would require social-media companies to set up liaison offices in the country. Photo: prakash mathema/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesNEW DELHI—Nepal is banning TikTok over concerns that the video platform is “disturbing social harmony,” joining a growing list of countries that have partially or completely banned the popular Chinese-owned app. Nepal’s cabinet, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal , decided to ban TikTok on Monday, said Rekha Sharma , the minister of communication and information technology.

Persons: prakash mathema, ”, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rekha Sharma Organizations: Agence France Locations: DELHI, Nepal

☆ Nepal bans TikTok because of ‘disruption’ to social harmony
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Sugam Pokharel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London/Hong Kong CNN —Nepal has decided to ban TikTok because the popular short video app was disrupting social structures in the South Asian nation, government officials say. “Considering how TikTok is disrupting our social harmony, and the impact it’s having on our family and social structures, the cabinet has decided to ban TikTok for the moment,” Rekha Sharma, Nepal’s minister of communication and information technology, told a press conference on Monday. Purushottam Khanal, chair of the Telecommunications Authority, has asked internet service providers to cut access to the app, the country’s state-run Nepal Television said in a Monday report. In February, the White House told federal agencies that they had 30 days to remove TikTok from all government-issued devices. Australia announced in April that the app would have to be removed from federal government devices.

Persons: ” Rekha Sharma, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, ”, Purushottam Khanal, TikTok Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Monday, CNN, Telecommunications Authority, Nepal, WorldLink Communications, Reuters, —, New Zealand, White House, Australia Locations: Hong Kong, Nepal, India, Bhaktapur, United States, — Australia, Britain, Canada, New

☆ A country just banned TikTok because it disrupts 'social harmony' and 'family structure'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Authorities last week tightened control over all social media with new rules for users. AdvertisementThe government of Nepal banned TikTok over what it says it its damaging effect on Nepalese society. Content shared on the app was responsible for disturbing "social harmony, family structure and family relations," said Rekha Sharma, Nepal's minister for communications and information technology. The crackdown on TikTok in Nepal follows a series of tight controls on other social media platforms announced last week, per The Kathmandu Post. Social media companies must now register with the government, open an office, and pay taxes in Nepal.

Persons: —, Rekha Sharma, Sharma, Bytedance, TikTok Organizations: Authorities, Service, Social, New York Times, Business Locations: Nepal, India, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, Kathmandu

☆ Nepal Is Banning TikTok Over Hate Content, Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Bhadra Sharma | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The government in Nepal said on Monday that it was banning the popular social media app TikTok, saying the platform’s refusal to curb hate content was affecting “social harmony.”TikTok has more than a billion users globally, so the ban by a Himalayan country with a population of about 30 million is unlikely to significantly affect the app, but it is another ominous sign for the Chinese-owned company of broader efforts by governments around the world to restrict its use. TikTok was among dozens of Chinese apps India banned in 2020, following a military standoff between the two countries in the Himalayas that remains unresolved. The app has also been subjected to increased scrutiny and restrictions in the United States, Europe and Canada over concerns that sensitive data for users is being shared with the Chinese government. Nepal finds itself pulled between its two giant neighbors, but the concern has been less about Chinese misuse and more about domestic harmony. Officials cited the prevalence of content that they said was stoking religious hate, violence and sexual abuse and has led to clashes offline, forcing curfews and the deployment of the police.

Persons: ” TikTok, TikTok, curfews Locations: Nepal, United States, Europe, Canada

Students from India now outnumber those from China in 24 U.S. states, including Illinois, Texas and Michigan, which rank among the top destinations for international students. For the second consecutive year, America's graduate programs were the main attraction for international students, the study finds. Taken together, those three fields account for more than half of all international students in the United States. The surge nearly brings international numbers back to their pre-pandemic highs, with a peak of almost 1.1 million students in 2018. University leaders say they're important for global exchange, and they're also important for revenue — international students are usually charged higher tuition rates, effectively subsidizing college for U.S. students.

Persons: ”, Allan E, Goodman, Marianne Craven, they're Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, U.S, State Department, Institute of International Education, State, United Nations, Engineering, University, ., National, Associated Press, Carnegie Corporation of New, AP Locations: India, U.S, China, United Kingdom, Canada, Asia, United, Illinois , Texas, Michigan, United States, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, Spain, Carnegie Corporation of New York

☆ He lost his eye in a tiger attack — but Bhadai Tharu is still fighting to protect the king of the jungle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But by the time Tharu was growing up in the 1970s, the tiger population had dwindled to just 20% of its peak. As an adult, he became involved in forest conservation and was committed to protecting their habitat. Similarly, the creation of artificial watering holes has also helped to disperse the tiger population and direct animals away from local communities. “It is crucial to prioritize community development, to ensure that communities become advocates for tiger conservation,” Paudel adds. Even as human-animal conflicts increase, Tharu says the local communities are happy to see the tiger population flourish.

Persons: Bhadai Tharu, Tharu, “, ” Tharu recommitted, Vijay Bedi, ”, Umesh Paudel, Paudel, Anupam Roy, iStockphoto, NTNC, ” Tharu Organizations: CNN, WWF, Trust for Nature Conservation, Parks, Nepalese Army Locations: Bardiya, Nepal, India, Asia, Tharu’s, Khata, Uttar Pradesh

☆ Nepal to ban China's TikTok, alleges damaging social impact
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. TikTok has already been either partially or completely banned by other countries, with many citing security concerns. Nepal's Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said the decision to ban TikTok had been made at a cabinet meeting earlier on Monday. "Colleagues are working on closing it technically," Sharma told Reuters. Nepal's neighbour India banned TikTok along with dozens of other apps by Chinese developers in June 2020, saying that they could compromise national security and integrity.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, China's, TikTok, Technology Rekha Sharma, Sharma, Purushottam Khanal, Khanal, Pradeep Gyawali, Gopal Sharma, Sakshi Dayal, Jason Neely, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Nepal's, Communications, Technology, Reuters, Nepal Telecom, Communist Party of Nepal, Marxist, Thomson Locations: Nepal, India, Pakistan

Search resuls for: "Nepal"

25 mentions found