Kathmandu: As the potential ban on TikTok looms in the United States, users are migrating en masse to RedNote, a Chinese social media app popular among Mandarin-speaking audiences. Dubbed "TikTok refugees," this exodus has propelled RedNote to the top of Apple's US App Store, making it the most downloaded app on Monday.



RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu or "Little Red Book," combines elements of TikTok and Instagram, focusing on lifestyle tips and urban trends. With 300 million monthly users, it caters primarily to young, urban women sharing advice on fashion, dating, and travel.



The shift follows a Supreme Court deadline of January 19, requiring TikTok to sell its US operations or face a ban. TikTok has opposed the move, citing free speech concerns for its 170 million US users.



US users migrating to RedNote have embraced the platform despite potential challenges, including navigating its Mandarin interface and security concerns linked to Chinese software. Posts under the hashtag "TikTok refugee" have garnered over 63,000 discussions, with newcomers exchanging tips on using the app and basic Chinese phrases.



Some, like Utah school canteen worker Sarah Fotheringham, view the switch as a subtle protest against government intervention. "If China wants my data that badly, they can have it," she quipped. Fashion designer Marcus Robinson from Virginia sees the platform as an opportunity to expand his brand and stay ahead of trends, although he expressed concerns over accepting terms and conditions he couldn’t read.



Despite welcoming the influx of US users, RedNote has faced scrutiny for alleged censorship, particularly concerning criticism of the Chinese government. Similar to TikTok, it has been flagged in places like Taiwan, where officials are restricted from using it due to security risks.



For many, the appeal of RedNote lies in its community and cultural exchange. Tennessee tech worker Sydney Crawley gained over 6,000 followers within a day of joining and plans to maintain her new platform, regardless of TikTok's fate.



"I’m discovering so much about Chinese culture and daily life," said Fotheringham. "It’s been fascinating and so much fun."



With TikTok’s future in the balance, RedNote has emerged as a surprising alternative, offering US users a fresh start and a global connection in the ever-changing world of social media.



Source: BBC

US TikTok users flock to Chinese app RedNote amid looming ban

Kathmandu: Chinese car maker BYD saw its sales jump at the end of last year, as it competes with Tesla to be the world's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) maker of 2024. The company says it sold 207,734 EVs in December, taking its annual total to 1.76 million, as subsidies and discounts helped attract customers.



It comes as Tesla is due to announce its own quarterly sales figures later on Thursday. The US electric car maker maintained a slim lead in EV sales over BYD in the previous quarter but the Shenzhen-based firm has been narrowing the gap. BYD's total vehicle sales jumped more than 41% in 2024, year-on-year. The surge was powered mainly by sales of its hybrid cars.



The company has benefited from a rise in car sales in its home market, as intense competition drove down prices and government subsidies encouraged consumers to replace their old cars with EVs or other more fuel efficient options. BYD sells 90% of its cars in China, where its been extending its lead over foreign brands like Volkswagen and Toyota.



The rise of BYD and other Chinese EV makers contrasts with the challenges faced by some legacy car makers, which have been struggling in major Western markets. Last month, Honda and Nissan confirmed that they were holding merger talks, as the two Japanese firms seek to fight back against competition from the Chinese car industry. Also in December, Volkswagen announced it had reached a deal with the IG Metall trade union which will avert plant closures in Germany and avoid immediate compulsory redundancies.



The German motor industry giant had previously warned it might have to shutter plants in the country for the first time in a bid to cut costs. Earlier in the month, the boss of car making giant Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, quit with immediate effect following a boardroom clash.



His abrupt exit from the company - which owns brands including Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler - came two months after Stellantis issued a profit warning. In the third quarter of 2024, BYD saw its revenues soar, beating Tesla's for the first time.



It posted more than 200bn yuan ($28.2bn, £21.8bn) in revenues between July and September - a 24% jump from the same period last year, and more than Elon Musk's company whose quarterly revenue was $25.2bn. However, Tesla still sold more electric vehicle (EVs) than BYD. Chinese car makers have been trying to boost sales of their EVs outside the country but have faced pushback in some major markets.



In October, European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% on imports of Chinese-made EVs came into force across the bloc. The US has also imposed a 100% duty on EVs from China and President-elect Donald Trump is expected to impose further tariffs on imports. Meanwhile, BYD has been expanding its foothold in emerging economies.



Last month, it faced a setback in Brazil - its largest overseas market - with authorities halting the construction of a BYD factory, saying workers lived in conditions comparable to "slavery". BYD said it had cut ties with the construction firm involved and remained committed to a "full compliance with Brazilian legislation".



Source: BBC

China's BYD closes in on Tesla as sales jump

Kathmandu: A parliamentary committee has unanimously approved an amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act-2059, significantly enhancing the investigative authority of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).



The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee passed the bill on Thursday, introducing provisions that will allow the CIAA to access telephone records of individuals under investigation with court approval. This includes intercepting calls or requesting data from relevant institutions to aid investigations.



The amendment also grants the CIAA five additional methods for conducting inquiries: controlled investigations (controlled delivery), undercover operations, telephone or media interception with judicial consent, access to electronic device systems, and continuous surveillance of suspects to gather evidence.



If the bill is approved by the full parliament, these expanded powers are expected to bolster the CIAA’s efforts in combating corruption across the country.

CIAA to access call records for corruption investigations

Kathmandu: President-elect Donald Trump on Friday requested the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the potential ban on TikTok until his administration can pursue a "political resolution" to the matter.



The request coincides with opposing briefs filed by TikTok and the Biden administration. TikTok argued that the court should overturn the law, which could force the platform's divestment or ban by January 19, 2025, while the Biden administration emphasized the statute's necessity to address national security risks.



"President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline…while it considers the merits of this case," stated Trump’s amicus brief, authored by D. John Sauer, his pick for solicitor general.



This move underscores Trump’s growing influence on national issues before taking office. The president-elect has actively engaged in federal negotiations, international trade discussions, and meetings with foreign and business leaders at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including TikTok CEO Shou Chew.



Trump, who had sought to ban TikTok during his first term over security concerns, reversed his stance during his 2024 campaign, using the platform to connect with younger voters. Despite joining TikTok, Trump maintains concerns about its security risks but opposes an outright ban.



The dispute stems from a law signed by President Joe Biden in April, requiring TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban. TikTok and ByteDance challenged the law, arguing it violates the First Amendment.



Earlier this month, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the statute, prompting TikTok to appeal to the Supreme Court. TikTok's brief argued that the lower court based its ruling on speculative risks rather than evidence, emphasizing that the U.S. government has no proof of Chinese interference through the platform.



In contrast, the Biden administration maintains that TikTok's corporate ties to ByteDance and its reliance on Chinese-developed infrastructure pose national security risks, even as it acknowledges no evidence of misuse to date.



Oral arguments on the matter are scheduled for January 10. Trump’s brief indicated his desire to address the issue through diplomatic channels once in office.



Source: AP

Trump Asks SC to delay potential TikTok ban, seeks political resolution

Kathmandu: A new report by the Open Nepal Initiative (ONI) has unveiled a troubling increase in online violence targeting female politicians in Nepal, shedding light on the pervasive nature of this issue and its detrimental impact on democratic participation and public discourse. The findings, which are based on three months of monitoring the social media accounts of 12 prominent female politicians from August to October 2024, underscore the urgent need for action to create safer digital environments.



The report documents a disturbing upward trend in online abuse against women in politics, with significant increases in incidents over the past three months. In August 2024, 24 instances of online violence were recorded, with 67% involving "insult and hate speech." September saw 35 incidents, with 74.3% categorized as "insult and hate speech," which included physical threats and sexualized distortions. The number of incidents reached a record high in October, with 44 documented cases, 70.5% of which involved hate speech and insults.



The attacks, according to the report, not only target women for their political roles but also degrade them based on their gender. This strategy aims to undermine their credibility and silence their voices in public life. "These online attacks are part of a broader strategy to delegitimize women in politics by portraying them as unworthy of holding power," the report states.



The findings also highlight X (formerly known as Twitter) as the primary platform for such abuse, with the platform accounting for the majority of incidents across the three months. The anonymity and vast reach of social media have enabled coordinated attacks, which often include spreading disinformation and gendered hate speech.



The report identifies several female politicians who have been particularly targeted, including Toshima Karki, former State Health Minister, Sumana Shrestha, former education minister and foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba.



“These cases reveal how female politicians, irrespective of their political affiliations, are disproportionately attacked with abuse, harassment, and disinformation," the report notes.

Alarming rise in online violence against female politicians in Nepal

Kathmandu: Nepal’s income from the export of information technology (IT) services has seen a significant boost, rising by 20.28 percent in the first four months of the fiscal year 2024/25, compared to the same period last fiscal year. According to data released by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), by mid-November, the country had earned Rs 6.69 billion from IT service exports, up from Rs 5.56 billion during the same period last year.



The breakdown of earnings shows that Rs 1.72 billion came from telecommunications services, Rs 4.96 billion from computer services, and Rs 9.3 million from information services. During the review period, Nepal imported IT services worth Rs 1.19 billion, resulting in a surplus of Rs 5.50 billion from the export and import of IT services. The country imported Rs 456.8 million worth of telecommunication services, Rs 684.1 million in computer services, and Rs 52.1 million in information services.



Nepal’s export of IT services, including software products, apps, and other technology-related services, has been growing in demand internationally. However, experts point out that the actual income from IT service exports may be much higher than the official figures, as many service providers receive payments through informal channels.



Reports suggest that some of this income is kept abroad, with authorities suspecting that a portion of it is being brought into the country through informal channels like hundi. Due to tax compliance issues and bureaucratic hurdles, many exporters do not formally report their earnings, especially when the income comes from personal or outsourcing sources.



A study by the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) estimated that Nepal earned USD 515 million from IT service exports, with about half of this income coming through informal channels. The study found that approximately 66,500 IT personnel in Nepal are exporting services, and if the informal earnings were brought into the formal system, it could significantly contribute to Nepal’s economy.

Nepal’s income from IT service exports increases by over 20 percent

Kathmandu: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched an initiative to monitor air pollution levels in the capital, following Kathmandu's ranking as one of the most polluted cities globally. The installation of air quality measuring devices has begun at 18 locations across the city, with the aim of providing real-time data on air pollution levels.



On Tuesday, KMC Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol inaugurated the installation of the first device at the roadside area near Kathmandu Plaza, which houses the KMC's central office. Additional devices were placed at the Chhatrapati Free Clinic Hospital in Ward 17 and Shanti Vidya Griha Secondary School in Ward 26, Lainchaur.



The move is part of a broader effort to tackle air pollution through the collaboration of KMC's Environmental Management Department and the Partnership for Healthy Cities. The Partnership for Healthy Cities is a global network of 70 cities dedicated to reducing non-communicable diseases and injuries. KMC is an active member of this network.



Speaking at the launch, Deputy Mayor Dangol emphasized KMC's commitment to combating pollution through both internal initiatives and partnerships with global health organizations.



The newly installed air pollution measuring devices, the Clarity Node-S sensors, are designed to provide real-time data on particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels in the air. These devices are powered by solar energy, and the data collected is transmitted to the KMC's central dashboard. In the future, the KMC plans to make the air quality data publicly accessible through a web portal and mobile application, enabling residents to monitor the air quality in real-time.



As part of its ongoing efforts to improve air quality, the KMC is working on a series of measures aimed at reducing pollution levels and improving the health and well-being of Kathmandu's residents.

KMC begins installing air pollution monitoring devices in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: Minister Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, of Nepal's Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, reaffirmed the country’s dedication to protecting children from online harm during his speech at the WeProtect Global Alliance (WPGA) Summit 2024 in Abu Dhabi.



In his address, the Minister stressed that the Nepalese government is actively developing strong policies and laws to safeguard children and youth in the digital space. "The government is committed to creating a safer online environment for children," he stated, urging cooperation between governments, civil society, educational institutions, and the private sector to tackle online risks.



Minister Sudi also announced that Nepal will adopt the WeProtect Model National Response, a framework designed to coordinate and enhance child online protection efforts across sectors.



Anil Raghuvanshi, Founder and President of ChildSafeNet, praised the government’s initiative, urging full commitment to ensuring a safer digital space for young people. "We call on the government to invest seriously in child protection online," Raghuvanshi said.



ChildSafeNet, a key player in child protection in Nepal and a member of WPGA, continues to support these critical initiatives.



On the summit's second day, a poignant video titled “My Voice, My Future” was shown, featuring young voices from Nepal and Nigeria sharing their hopes for a safer digital world.



The WPGA Global Summit 2024, organized with the UAE Ministry of Interior, took place on 4-5 December under the theme #FocusOntheFuture. The summit brought together over 800 global delegates to discuss urgent child online safety issues.

Nepal’s commitment to child online protection at WPGA Summit

Kathmandu: TikTok has taken down 6,078 videos in Nepal that violated its community guidelines over a two-month period, according to a representative from the platform. The videos, posted in April and June, were swiftly removed, with 99.1% taken down immediately and 93.2% deleted within 24 hours of being flagged.



The data was shared during the 'Digital Safety Summit Nepal,' which was held in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The summit was organized by TikTok in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Sidra Jalil, a TikTok representative, presented a working paper outlining the platform's regulatory guidelines at the event.



Jalil emphasized that TikTok has taken steps to ensure a safe and dignified experience on the platform, with specific age categories assigned to users. The platform's guidelines state that users must be at least 16 years old to directly message others on TikTok and 18 years old to access live-streaming features.



However, TikTok's representative noted that a lack of awareness about proper social media use has contributed to users not fully following these guidelines.



Fordous Mottakin, TikTok's Head of Public Policy and Government Relations for South Asia, also spoke at the summit. He reiterated the platform's commitment to working closely with the Government of Nepal to promote digital literacy and online safety. Mottakin highlighted that the guidelines are particularly designed to protect the safety of children and youth on the platform, with a focus on fostering a secure online environment.

TikTok removes over 6,000 videos in Nepal for violating community guidelines

Kathmandu: At this year's Paris Olympics, the electric flying taxi service, promised by Germany's Volocopter, was meant to be a highlight but ended up as just a demonstration, with no passenger flights. Volocopter, which had hoped to raise €100 million from the German government, now faces a serious financial crisis and is negotiating with China's Geely for an 85% stake in exchange for $95 million. This deal could move manufacturing to China.



Volocopter is part of a global push to develop electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which offer the flexibility of helicopters without the high cost and noise. However, the industry has struggled with high development costs and regulatory hurdles, causing several companies to face financial setbacks.



One of the most notable casualties is Lilium, a German company that developed a radical eVTOL design using 30 tilting electric jets. Despite securing 780 orders, the company ran out of funding after failing to secure a €100 million loan. In November, Lilium entered insolvency proceedings and its shares were delisted from the Nasdaq.



Meanwhile, Vertical Aerospace, a British eVTOL company, has also faced challenges. Despite successfully completing test flights, the company encountered a major setback when Rolls-Royce withdrew from supplying motors. Vertical recently reached a rescue deal with its largest creditor, Mudrick Capital, which will take a 70% stake in the company in exchange for a $50 million investment and restructuring of $130 million in debt.



On a more positive note, Airbus' CityAirbus NextGen project remains on track, with financial backing and strong engineering expertise. Other well-funded start-ups, such as Joby and Archer in the US, also show promise, but the key challenge remains whether these aircraft can find a profitable market once in production.



Source: BBC

Europe's flying taxi dreams falter as cash runs short

Kathmandu: As the use of the internet and information technology continues to grow, so do the number of cyber crime complaints in Nepal. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has reported a significant rise in such incidents, with over 6,500 complaints filed since mid-April 2024 alone.



According to CIB spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepak Raj Awasthi, a total of 6,702 cyber crime complaints were registered as of November 19, 2024. The growing trend of criminal activity through the internet has raised alarms, with social media platforms accounting for the highest number of complaints.



Of the 6,702 complaints filed this year, 3,949 were related to Facebook, 1,282 to Instagram, and 759 to WhatsApp. Additionally, there were 356 complaints related to TikTok, 151 to e-Sewa, 41 from email, and smaller numbers from other platforms such as Viber, X, YouTube, websites, and IMO.



The increase in cyber crime complaints is part of a broader trend. Data from the CIB reveals that the total number of cyber crime cases has more than doubled in the last fiscal year. In 2022/23, a total of 9,013 complaints were filed with the CIB. That figure skyrocketed to 19,730 in the fiscal year 2023/24.



Comparatively, in the previous years, the number of cyber crime complaints was much lower. In the fiscal years 2020/21 and 2021/22, there were 3,906 and 4,686 complaints, respectively. The number of registered cases also grew from 76 in 2020 to 132 in 2021, and 127 in 2022.



The complaints include a range of criminal activities such as online fraud, character assassination, breaches of privacy, and the distribution of pornographic material. The rise in these offenses highlights the growing challenges law enforcement faces as internet-based crimes become more prevalent.



The CIB and other authorities continue to urge the public to be more vigilant and report any suspicious or criminal online activities to help curb the rising tide of cyber crimes in Nepal.

Cyber crime complaints surge in Nepal amid rising internet use

Kathmandu: ChildSafeNet has initiated a partnership with TikTok to enhance digital safety for children and young people. In the first phase of the collaboration, training programs on digital safety will be conducted for children, parents, and teachers in Bagmati, Gandaki, and Koshi provinces.



As part of this initiative, ChildSafeNet recently organized a digital safety workshop for children and youth. The workshop, held on November 22 in Lalitpur, brought together over 40 participants from 20 schools and colleges. It provided a platform to share experiences related to digital technology, discuss its positive uses, and address challenges in the digital space.



The interactive workshop employed child- and youth-friendly methods, enabling participants to discuss topics such as cyberbullying, hate speech, misinformation/disinformation, online grooming, and harmful content (including sexual and violent material). Attendees also learned strategies to protect themselves from online threats like sextortion, romance scams, and child sexual exploitation.



ChildSafeNet founder and president, Anil Raghuvanshi, conducted an interactive session on the relationship between youth and digital technology. Participants were educated on responsible use of digital devices, as well as TikTok and other social media platforms’ community guidelines and safety measures.



A key highlight of the program was a panel discussion featuring popular digital content creators, including Miss Nepal World 2023 Shrinkhala Khatiwada, fashion designer and content creator Prakram Rana, and actor/dancer Angel Rai. They shared insights into their digital journeys, experiences with toxic comments, and strategies for overcoming such challenges.



Participants offered valuable recommendations for improving digital safety for children and youth. They emphasized the need for collaboration among government bodies, lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, schools, colleges, digital platforms, businesses, social organizations, parents, and young people. Suggestions included strengthening legal frameworks, raising nationwide awareness of digital safety, and increasing investments from governments, technology companies, and educational institutions.

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