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.

ChildSafeNet collaborates with TikTok to promote digital safety for children and youth

Kathmandu: U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade.



The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice calls for sweeping punishments that would include a sale of Google’s industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions to prevent Android from favoring its own search engine.



A sale of Chrome “will permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet,” Justice Department lawyers argued in their filing.



Although regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android too, they asserted the judge should make it clear the company could still be required to divest its smartphone operating system if its oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct.



The broad scope of the recommended penalties underscores how severely regulators operating under President Joe Biden’s administration believe Google should be punished following an August ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that branded the company as a monopolist.



The Justice Department decision-makers who will inherit the case after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year might not be as strident. The Washington, D.C. court hearings on Google’s punishment are scheduled to begin in April and Mehta is aiming to issue his final decision before Labor Day.



If Mehta embraces the government’s recommendations, Google would be forced to sell its 16-year-old Chrome browser within six months of the final ruling. But the company certainly would appeal any punishment, potentially prolonging a legal tussle that has dragged on for more than four years.



Besides seeking a Chrome spinoff and a corralling of the Android software, the Justice Department wants the judge to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. It would also ban Google from favoring its own services, such as YouTube or its recently-launched artificial intelligence platform, Gemini.



Regulators also want Google to license the search index data it collects from people’s queries to its rivals, giving them a better chance at competing with the tech giant. On the commercial side of its search engine, Google would be required to provide more transparency into how it sets the prices that advertisers pay to be listed near the top of some targeted search results.



Kent Walker, Google’s chief legal officer, lashed out at the Justice Department for pursuing “a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America’s global technology.” In a blog post, Walker warned the “overly broad proposal” would threaten personal privacy while undermining Google’s early leadership in artificial intelligence, “perhaps the most important innovation of our time.”



Wary of Google’s increasing use of artificial intelligence in its search results, regulators also advised Mehta to ensure websites will be able to shield their content from Google’s AI training techniques.



The measures, if they are ordered, threaten to upend a business expected to generate more than $300 billion in revenue this year.



“The playing field is not level because of Google’s conduct, and Google’s quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired,” the Justice Department asserted in its recommendations. “The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages.”



It’s still possible that the Justice Department could ease off attempts to break up Google, especially if Trump takes the widely expected step of replacing Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, who was appointed by Biden to oversee the agency’s antitrust division.



Although the case targeting Google was originally filed during the final months of Trump’s first term in office, Kanter oversaw the high-profile trial that culminated in Mehta’s ruling against Google. Working in tandem with Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, Kanter took a get-tough stance against Big Tech that triggered other attempted crackdowns on industry powerhouses such as Apple and discouraged many business deals from getting done during the past four years.



Trump recently expressed concerns that a breakup might destroy Google but didn’t elaborate on alternative penalties he might have in mind. “What you can do without breaking it up is make sure it’s more fair,” Trump said last month. Matt Gaetz, the former Republican congressman that Trump nominated to be the next U.S. Attorney General, has previously called for the breakup of Big Tech companies.



Source: AP

US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment

Kathmandu: Press Council Nepal has taken action against nine YouTube channels for spreading inaccurate and fabricated content, accusing them of promoting disorder. Among these, three unregistered channels have been recommended for further investigation by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police.



In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Council instructed the immediate removal or suspension of unverified and one-sided content on social media platforms, especially YouTube. It emphasized that the dissemination of credible and authentic information is essential for strengthening journalism and upholding its integrity.



Chairperson of the Press Council Nepal, Balkrishna Basnet, expressed concerns over the increasing circulation of unauthentic and biased content, including recent false claims about Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He stressed the importance of accountability in media, saying, "Media and social sites presenting themselves as media must be responsible and accountable. Freedom of the press does not mean license. No one is above the law."



The Council has also been actively monitoring objectionable content on social media as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation. It urged all stakeholders to avoid spreading false information and reaffirmed its commitment to raising public awareness.



Chairperson Basnet revealed that the Council is working to regulate and facilitate YouTube channels and online TV platforms through specific guidelines. He reiterated that all media outlets must adhere to the established code of conduct to maintain credibility and public trust.

Press Council Nepal takes action against YouTube channels spreading misinformation

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped tech mogul Elon Musk to jointly lead a new initiative called the "Department of Government Efficiency." Musk will co-chair the body alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican entrepreneur, in a role described as largely advisory.



Trump emphasized that the new department's primary mission will be to "dismantle government bureaucracy" and streamline operations across the federal government. In his announcement, Trump likened the effort to the historic "Manhattan Project," a top-secret U.S. government program during World War II that developed nuclear weapons. The reference signals the scale of ambition Trump has for this new initiative, which he suggests could be a transformative force for the federal government.



"With Elon Musk's innovative leadership and Vivek Ramaswamy's expertise in business, we are poised to tackle the inefficiencies that have long plagued Washington," Trump said.



In other major appointments, Trump has selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, to serve as the next Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is a staunch advocate for military reform and veteran issues, and his appointment has been praised by many conservative leaders.



Trump also named John Ratcliffe, a Republican Congressman from Texas, as the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe, who has been a vocal critic of the intelligence community's previous leadership, will likely push for significant reforms within the agency.



In addition, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is set to lead the Department of Homeland Security, a position that will give her a central role in managing national security and immigration policies.



As Trump begins to build his cabinet, Republicans are also on track to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, a shift that could reshape the legislative landscape in the coming years. The changes signal a sweeping agenda for the incoming administration, focused on government reform and strengthening national security.



The appointments reflect Trump’s commitment to reshaping both the government and national security apparatus, with an eye on efficiency and accountability.

Trump appoints Elon Musk to lead new Department of Government Efficiency

Kathmandu: Foreign tech giants, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and Netflix, have started paying Nepal's 2% Digital Service Tax (DST) for providing electronic services to local consumers.



As of now, 20 registered companies are complying with the tax, which was introduced in the 'Economic Act for FY 2022/23'. The DST applies to companies offering services like digital advertising, cloud computing, and online streaming in Nepal. Companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple are among those paying the tax.



Despite the law's implementation, many foreign companies remain outside the tax system due to unclear provisions regarding mandatory registration. The government has raised the transaction threshold for DST from NPR 2 million to 3 million annually, exempting smaller transactions from the tax.



Government reports show significant revenue losses due to unregistered digital service providers, especially from advertising on platforms like Facebook, which generate billions of rupees from Nepali users.



The law also stipulates penalties for non-compliance, including fines and interest charges for late payments.

Foreign tech companies begin paying digital service tax in Nepal

Kathmandu: Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) and Ant International have officially launched cross-border payment integration between NEPALPAY QR and Alipay+ at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2024.



This new integration allows travelers from 10 countries and regions, including China, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, South Korea, and Italy, to make seamless payments in Nepal using their home country's payment apps.



The announcement was made by Edward Yue, General Manager of Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand at Ant International, and Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, CEO of NCHL, during the festival. The launch event was also attended by Vishrut Thapa, Chairman of NCHL, Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, and several global dignitaries and delegates.



With this integration, over 875,000 merchants across Nepal’s NEPALPAY QR network are now equipped to accept payments from Alipay+ partners. These include popular mobile wallets such as Alipay, AlipayHK, Tinaba, MPay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, MyPB, Hipay, GCash, Changi Pay, OCBC Digital, Naver Pay, Toss Pay, and TrueMoney.



This launch builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in May 2024, paving the way for enhanced cross-border payment solutions that benefit both international travelers and Nepalese businesses.

Nepal launches cross-border payments with Alipay plus

Kathmandu: Australia's government says it will introduce "world-leading" legislation to ban children under 16 from social media. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws, to be tabled in parliament next week, were aimed at mitigating the "harm" social media was inflicting on Australian children.



"This one is for the mums and dads… They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online. I want Australian families to know that the government has your back," he said.



While many of the details are yet to be debated, the government said the ban would not apply to young people already on social media. There will be no exemptions on the age limit for children who have consent from their parents. The government says that the onus would be on social media platforms to show they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access.



Albanese said there would be no penalties for users, and that it would be up to Australia's online regulator - the eSafety Commissioner - to enforce the laws. The legislation would come into force 12 months after it passes and be subject to a review after it's in place.



While most experts agree that social media platforms can harm the mental health of adolescents, many are split over the efficacy of trying to outlaw them all together. Some experts argue that bans only delay young people's exposure to apps such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, instead of teaching them how to navigate complex online spaces.



Previous attempts at restricting access, including by the European Union, have largely failed or faced backlash from tech firms. And questions remain over how implementation would work given there are tools which can circumvent age-verification requirements.



One of Australia's largest advocacy groups for child rights has criticised the proposed ban as "too blunt an instrument". In an open letter sent to the government in October, signed by over 100 academics and 20 civil society organisations, the Australian Child Rights Taskforce called on Albanese to instead look at imposing "safety standards" on social media platforms.



The group also pointed to UN advice that "national policies" designed to regulate online spaces "should be aimed at providing children with the opportunity to benefit from engaging with the digital environment and ensuring their safe access to it".



But other grassroots campaigners have lobbied Australia's government for the laws, saying bans are needed to protect children from harmful content, misinformation, bullying and other social pressures.



A petition by the 36Months initiative, which has over 125,000 signatures, argues children are "not yet ready to navigate online social networks safely" until at least 16, and that currently "excessive social media use is rewiring young brains within a critical window of psychological development, causing an epidemic of mental illness".



When asked whether there should be broader efforts to educate children about how to navigate the benefits and risks of being online, Albanese said that such an approach would be insufficient because it "assumes an equal power relationship".



"I don't know about you, but I get things popping up on my system that I don't want to see. Let alone a vulnerable 14-year-old," he told reporters on Thursday. "These tech companies are incredibly powerful. These apps have algorithms that drive people towards certain behaviour."



Source: BBC

Australia plans social media ban for under-16s

Kathmandu: TikTok has officially been registered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, marking a significant step toward regulatory compliance for the popular social media platform in Nepal.



The registration was completed on Tuesday under Section 3(1) of the 'Guidelines for the Regulation of Social Media Use - 2080 BS', which requires individuals, companies, or organizations wishing to operate social media platforms in Nepal to register with the Ministry.



The registration process follows a Cabinet decision on October 24, which approved the platform's listing. However, the registration was delayed due to the observance of the Dashain and Tihar festivals.



In addition to TikTok, two other popular social networking platforms—Viber and WeTalk—have also completed their registration with the Ministry. The Ministry has issued a directive urging all active social networking sites in Nepal to comply with the registration guidelines.



This move is part of ongoing efforts by the government to ensure that digital platforms adhere to local laws and regulations, including content management and data privacy standards.



The registration of TikTok is expected to strengthen the government's oversight over social media operations in Nepal, ensuring greater accountability and compliance with national regulations.

TikTok officially registered with Nepal's Communications Ministry

Kathmandu: The surging global popularity of TikTok has seen the co-founder of its parent company, ByteDance, become China's richest person.



According to a rich list produced by the Hurun Research Institute, Zhang Yiming is now worth $49.3bn (£38bn) - 43% more than in 2023.



The 41-year-old stepped down from his role in charge of the company in 2021, but is understood to own around 20% of the firm.



TikTok has become one of the most popular social media apps in the world, despite deep concerns in some countries about its ties to the Chinese state. While both companies insist they are independent of the Chinese government, the US intends to ban TikTok in January 2025 unless ByteDance sells it.



Despite facing that intense pressure in the US, ByteDance's global profit increased by 60% last year, driving up Zhang Yiming's personal fortune.



Source: BBC

TikTok founder becomes China's richest man

Kathmandu: In a move to preserve the tranquility of the Annapurna Conservation Area, the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) has announced a ban on loud music during treks. This decision comes as the region experiences an influx of tourists during the autumn trekking season, deemed ideal for outdoor activities.



The NTNC issued a notice urging trekkers to refrain from playing loud music that could disturb others. Recently, officials confiscated speakers and other audio devices from trekkers on the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) route for violating this new regulation.



“The use of loud music is unnecessary on trekking routes. We ask trekkers to respect the experience of others,” said an NTNC representative. The organization has already begun enforcing these rules at check-posts along the ABC trail.



This initiative has garnered positive feedback on social media, with users expressing support for efforts to maintain a noise-free environment in the conservation area. The Annapurna Conservation Area spans the districts of Manang, Mustang, Myagdi, Kaski, and Lamjung.

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