Kathmandu: Bhupadev Shah, private secretary to Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen, confirmed that a Facebook status featuring a photo of UML Lumbini Province Assembly Member Rekha Sharma was recently taken down from the Mayor's official page.



The removal followed Facebook's designation of the post as a violation of its Community Guidelines.



Shah explained, "The status included a photo of Sharma and was removed after being flagged by Facebook. The platform is currently reviewing the situation, and we are hopeful for its restoration."

KMC Mayor Balen’s facebook post removed following community guidelines violation

Kathmandu: A tripartite agreement was signed today among the Industrial and Business Development Foundation, Nepal National Commercial Bank, and the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund to facilitate startup loans.



The agreement was formalized in the presence of Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari at the Ministry. Representing the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund, Executive Director Ramesh Ghimire signed the agreement alongside Devendra Raman Khanal, CEO of Nepal National Commercial Bank, and Umesh Gupta, Executive Director of the Industrial and Business Development Foundation.



Minister Bhandari highlighted the government's plan to encourage and effectively promote startup ventures through increased loan facilitation.



Ghimire noted that the Deposit and Credit Guarantee Fund has established special provisions for protecting startup loans. He emphasized the need for a collaborative approach among all levels of government to support and work with startup entrepreneurs.



Gupta revealed that a budget of NPR 1 billion has been allocated for startup ventures. He confirmed that the agreement aims to streamline the loan provision and protection mechanisms for startups.



Khanal, CEO of Nepal National Commercial Bank, shared that the bank had provided loans to 183 startups in the past year. He reiterated the bank’s commitment to utilizing its extensive national network to support loan distribution across the country.



Under the new arrangement, startup entrepreneurs can access loans up to NPR 2.5 million. Loans will be offered at a 3% interest rate, with a maximum repayment period of five years. Repayment of the loan or interest must begin within one year of receiving the first installment.

Tripartite agreement signed to boost startup loans in Nepal

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has inaugurated Nepal's first hydrogen car and refueling system at Kathmandu University (KU) in Dhulikhel, Kavre. The launch took place on Friday, ahead of KU's 29th convocation.



The hydrogen car, manufactured by Hyundai in Korea, was acquired for USD 33,000 with support from Nepal Oil Corporation. Kathmandu University facilitated its importation.



During the launch, PM Oli emphasized that hydrogen technology will help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate pollution in Nepal.

PM Oli inaugurates Nepal's first hydrogen car and refueling system

Kathmandu: The government has announced the lifting of the ban on TikTok, the widely-used social networking platform, following a decision made in a cabinet meeting on Thursday.



The relaxation of the ban comes with specific conditions. TikTok is required to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication to comply with the new policy directives.



Minister for Information and Communication Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, who also serves as the government spokesperson, stated, "The decision to lift the ban was made as a matter of policy. However, the company must meet our conditions for this decision to be fully implemented."



Minister Gurung emphasized that, as per Section 3 of the "Social Network Operation Guideline 2080," all social networking platforms must now be officially listed with the Ministry. Additionally, the points of contact for these platforms must be specified in accordance with Clause 6 of the guideline.

Nepal govt lifts ban on TikTok with conditions

Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal is currently engaged in discussions to lift the ban on the social media platform TikTok.



Sources from the Prime Minister's Secretariat have confirmed that the government is exploring the possibility of removing the restriction imposed on TikTok.



The ban on TikTok was initially implemented by the government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal on November 12, 2023.

Nepal govt considering to lift TikTok ban

Kathmandu: Dozens of staff at the Singapore office of TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, have been hospitalised in an apparent food poisoning outbreak.



Health and food safety officials in the city state are investigating the incident, which left 60 people with symptoms of gastroenteritis on Tuesday. Fifty-seven of them were treated in hospital.



ByteDance has also said it is looking into what caused its employees to fall ill.



Seventeen ambulances were sent to the building in Singapore's business district to treat those who had fallen ill, according to local media reports.



"Food operators must play their part by adhering to good food safety practices" said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in a joint statement with the city-state's Ministry of Health. "SFA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food operators," the statement added.



Founded in 2012 by Chinese entrepreneurs, ByteDance had its first major success with short video app Douyin in China. A year later, it launched TikTok, an international version of Douyin.



TikTok, which is not available in China, has more than a billion active users around the world. It is now run by a limited liability company based in Singapore and Los Angeles but is essentially owned by ByteDance.



Source: BBC

TikTok HQ staff hit by mass food poisoning incident

Kathmandu: Internet and mobile services were cut off in Bangladesh on Friday, following days of violent protests over the allocation of government jobs, with local media reports saying at least 28 people had been killed this week.



The protests, which began weeks ago and escalated sharply on Monday, are the biggest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term in a January election that was boycotted by the main opposition parties.



The internet clampdown came after violence escalated on Thursday, as students attempted to impose a "complete shutdown" on the country.



Reports of deaths rose, and protesters attacked the head office of state-run Bangladesh Television, breaking through a main gate and setting vehicles and the reception area on fire, a news producer and a reporter told The Associated Press by phone.



They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals."I escaped by leaping over the wall but some of my colleagues got stuck inside. The attackers entered the building and set furniture on fire," the producer said by phone.



He said the station continued broadcasting, though some Dhaka residents said they were receiving no signal from the broadcaster.At least 22 people were killed on Thursday, a local TV station reported, following six deaths earlier this week.



Authorities could not be reached to immediately confirm figures for the deaths.On Friday morning, internet services and mobile data appeared to be down in the capital, Dhaka, and social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were not loading.



Student protesters said they will extend their calls to impose a shutdown on Friday as well, and urged mosques across the country to hold funeral prayers for those who have been killed.



The protesters are demanding an end to a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971.



They argue the system is discriminatory and benefits supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, and they want it replaced with a merit-based system.



Hasina's party has accused opposition parties of stoking the violence, raiding the headquarters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and arresting activists from the party's student wing.



The BNP is expected to hold demonstrations across the country in support of the student activists protesting against the quota system.Hasina's government had earlier halted the job quotas following mass student protests in 2018, but last month, Bangladesh's High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of the 1971 veterans filed petitions, triggering the latest demonstrations.



The Supreme Court has suspended that ruling pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take up the issue on Sunday.



Source: AP

Internet and mobile services cut off in Bangladesh amid violent protests

Kathmandu: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is set to enhance digital payment systems to streamline cross-border financial transactions, addressing concerns raised by traders. NRB Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari announced these initiatives, noting that the upcoming monetary policy will introduce measures to boost digital platforms for cross-border payments.



Adhikari emphasized that NRB has already authorized payment service operators and providers for financial transactions with third countries, with integration underway with international partners.



Since March, NRB has allowed Nepali workers in India to transfer funds to Nepali banks through electronic banking, interbank payments, mobile banking, and QR codes via the National Payment Switch. Additionally, NRB has facilitated remittances from Nepal to India up to INR 15,000 daily and INR 100,000 monthly.



Expanding its digital payment system globally, NRB now permits foreigners to make payments to Nepali traders in foreign currencies via QR codes and the national payment switch. Similarly, Nepalis traveling abroad can use QR codes linked to Nepali commercial bank accounts for foreign currency transactions. Banks are instructed to independently assess and manage associated risks.



NRB has also signed an agreement with Reserve Bank of India to integrate Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and National Payments Interface (NPI) to facilitate cross-border remittances. Adhikari mentioned plans to sign similar agreements with Alipay of China and LankaPay of Sri Lanka soon.



Looking ahead, Adhikari highlighted that the upcoming fiscal year's monetary policy aims to revive the economy, acknowledging challenges faced by sectors like construction, real estate, and SMEs amidst favorable external economic indicators.



Responding to criticisms over stringent working capital loan policies, Adhikari assured that amendments have been made to allow small businesses to access loans up to Rs 40 million, aimed at easing financial pressures and supporting economic recovery.

NRB expands digital payment systems to ease cross-border transactions

Kathmandu: The European Union has raised tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as Brussels takes action to protect the bloc's motor industry.



The new tariffs on individual manufactures range from 17.4% to 37.6%, which is on top of a 10% duty that was already in place for all electric cars imported from China. This could raise the price of EVs across the EU, making them less affordable for European consumers.



The move is also a major blow for Beijing, which is already in a trade war with Washington. The EU is the largest overseas market for China’s EV industry and the country is counting on high-tech products to help revive its flagging economy.



EU officials say this rise in imports was boosted by "unfair subsidisation", which allowed China-made EVs to be sold at much lower prices than ones produced in the bloc. China has denied this repeated allegation from the US and the EU: Beijing is subsidising excess production to flood western markets with cheap imports.



The new charges come into effect on Friday but are currently provisional while the investigation into Chinese state support for the country's EV makers continues. They are not likely to be imposed until later this year.



It is not just Chinese brands that are affected by the move. Western firms that make cars in China have also come under scrutiny by Brussels. By imposing tariffs, Brussels says it is attempting to correct what it sees as a distorted market. The EU’s decision may seem tame compared to a recent US move to raise its total tariffs to 100%, but it could be far more consequential. Chinese EVs are a relatively rare sight on US roads but much more common in the EU.



The number of EVs sold by Chinese brands across the EU rose from just 0.4% of the total EV market in 2019 to almost 8% last year, according to figures from the influential Brussels-based green group Transport and Environment (T&amp;E).



But not all Chinese-made EVs will be hit equally by the new tariffs.



Source: BBC

EU hits Chinese electric cars with new tariffs

Kathmandu: The Nepali government has taken a significant step forward by preparing its first Concept Paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI), aimed at guiding the formulation of policies and laws governing AI use and operations in the country.



Initiated by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Concept Paper addresses the absence of specific policies and laws on AI amidst its increasing global prominence and usage. Over a period of five months, a technical committee formed by the Ministry, led by Joint Secretary Anil Kumar Dutta, meticulously studied and developed the concept paper.



The committee, comprising Ministry Under-Secretary Narayan Timilsina, Information Technology Director Pabitra Dangol, Dr. Baburam Dawadi from the Institute of Engineering, and Ministry computer engineer Surya Prakash Upadhyay as member-secretary, presented its findings and recommendations to the Ministry.



Among its key recommendations, the report advocates for the enactment of policies, laws, and procedures necessary for the development, regulation, and ethical use of AI. It emphasizes addressing critical issues such as cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy at the policy level. The committee proposes the establishment of a national AI policy, a strategy for data protection, and frameworks aligned with international standards.



Furthermore, the report stresses the importance of fostering research, development, and utilization of AI through structured national programs and enhancing collaboration and investment in AI initiatives. It calls for integrating AI-related information through a national portal and prioritizing AI development across relevant sectors' policies and programs.



"A strategy should be taken to promote privacy protection, transparency, accountability, and research on the development and use of AI," stated Under-Secretary Narayan Timilsina, emphasizing the report's recommendations.

Nepal govt initiates concept paper on AI, paving way for policy development

Kathmandu: Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) of Nepal has unveiled a pioneering draft of the 'Science and Technology Bill,' aimed at bolstering research and innovation across the nation.



The draft legislation, recently published on the ministry's official website, invites feedback from stakeholders, the general public, and elected representatives within a 15-day period from its release.



Central to the proposed bill is the establishment of a high-level Science, Technology, and Innovation Council to be chaired by the Prime Minister. This council is envisioned to provide strategic guidance and oversight in advancing Nepal's capabilities in science and technology.



Currently, the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has been at the forefront of driving innovation and research within the country.



Key provisions of the draft include the formulation of a comprehensive master plan, enhancing research coordination between government and non-government entities, promoting innovation, and facilitating the commercialization of research findings.



In alignment with the government's upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 policy and programs, universities, schools, researchers, and scientists will be mobilized to actively participate in scientific research and innovation endeavors. The initiative also aims to engage non-resident Nepalis in contributing to these efforts.



Furthermore, the draft outlines plans to revise university curricula to incorporate science, communication, and information technology studies, reflecting contemporary educational needs. Addressing intellectual property rights, the government has committed to streamlining the patent registration process for products and knowledge emerging from research and innovation initiatives.



Indu Bikram Joshi, Joint-Secretary at MoEST, highlighted that the bill's implementation would bring clarity regarding the establishment of a dedicated fund for science and technology development. He emphasized that increased investment and transparent spending modalities are expected to catalyze progress in these fields.



The draft legislation proposes a significant increase in budget allocation, aiming to earmark at least one percent of Nepal's GDP for research and innovation activities, up from the current 0.30 percent.



While estimates indicate the presence of approximately 120 institutions and over 90,000 professionals in Nepal's science and technology sector, the ministry acknowledges the need for precise data to guide future policy decisions.

Nepal proposes groundbreaking 'Science and Technology Bill' to foster innovation

Kathmandu: Elon Musk has unexpectedly asked a California court to withdraw a legal case against OpenAI and its boss Sam Altman, which accused them of abandoning the firm's founding mission of developing artificial intelligence (AI) for humanity's benefit.



The filing submitted by the multi-billionaire's lawyers asked for the months-old case to be dropped without offering any reason for the move. It came just a day before the court was expected to hear the ChatGPT-developer's bid to have the case dismissed.



The Tesla boss filed the lawsuit against OpenAI at the end of February this year, arguing the company he had helped found in 2015 had deviated from its altruistic goals to focus on making money.



OpenAI countered that Musk had previously backed the idea of a for-profit structure and even suggested a merger with his electric car firm Tesla. The feud intensified earlier this week after Apple unveiled a partnership with OpenAI to boost its Siri voice assistant and operating systems with OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot.



After the announcement, Musk posted several messages on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, criticising the tie-up. One of the posts ended with the words: "Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river."



However, investors seemed to welcome the news, as Apple's stock market value rose to a record high above $3tn. Musk started his own AI company, called xAI, in July 2023, which he said would aim to "understand reality". In November that year, xAI launched Grok, a chatbot with "a little humour", in a bid to rival the likes of ChatGPT.



Source: BBC

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