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.

Loud music banned in Annapurna Conservation Area for trekkers

Kathmadu: Kia Corporation (Kia) has developed the world’s first car accessory made from plastic extracted from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) by The Ocean Cleanup.



The announcement of the accessory is a major milestone in its long-term partnership with The Ocean Cleanup. Since 2022, Kia’s support of the non-profit organization, which is dedicated to developing and scaling technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, has been a key part of the brand’s ongoing transformation into a leading provider of sustainable mobility solutions.



As one of the most significant outcomes of the partnership so far, Kia will introduce a limited-edition trunk liner for the all-new Kia EV3 made using ocean plastic received from The Ocean Cleanup. The exclusive accessory will be available for EV3 in selected markets and available to order in line with the model’s market introduction.



Charles Ryu, Executive Vice President and Head of the Global Brand &amp; CX Division, Kia, commented: “This partnership is not only a testament to our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation, but a worldwide movement to create a cleaner, healthier oceans for future generations.”



“As the first genuine Kia accessory made using reclaimed ocean plastic, we are proud to see tangible progress made toward creating a circular resource system for ocean plastic. We will leverage the lessons learned during the recycling and product development process to continue to manufacture useful and beneficial products for our customers using ocean plastic retrieved and provided by The Ocean Cleanup.”



Taking inspiration from Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the trunk liner’s ‘geometric wave’ top surface pattern is reminiscent of waves and the flow of trash into a collecting area, echoing The Ocean Cleanup’s process for extracting marine plastic. Made with 40% recycled ocean plastic*, the high-quality trunk liner is just as durable, protective and functional as a conventional trunk liner. Each liner also features a QR code, which provides customers with detailed information about the product's development and the partnership, as well as The Ocean Cleanup logo.



Since the beginning of the seven-year partnership in 2022, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have worked tirelessly to find innovative ways to transform plastic waste from the GPGP into durable, practical products. Due to the unique qualities of the ocean plastic catch, the first phase involves sorting, recycling, and processing the plastic to meet Kia’s strict quality standards.



Unlike ocean-bound plastic, the Ocean Cleanup's catch is exclusively composed of materials that were already in the ocean, making it more challenging to recycle. This means that the plastic must undergo a Chain of Custody Standard to verify its traceability and material integrity**.



“We are so grateful to have a visionary and passionate partner in Kia, who shares our vision of ensuring that the plastic we extract from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is given a new life in sustainable items”, said Boyan Slat, Founder &amp; CEO, The Ocean Cleanup. “Our mission is made possible by partners such as Kia and we look forward to this launch being the first of many ways we turn ocean plastic from trash to treasure.”



As part of the company’s ongoing sustainability goals, Kia has proactively integrated recycled plastics and other eco-friendly materials in its latest models. This includes its all-electric flagship SUV – the EV9 – which incorporates recycled fishnets for flooring and recycled plastic bottles for seat fabrics, and the EV6, which uses cloth and matting produced from recycled plastics.



To support its broader vision of becoming a pioneer in sustainable mobility, Kia has pledged to increase the use of sustainable materials in its future products and raise application of recycled plastic in vehicles to more than 20% by 2030, underscoring its commitment to creating a circular resource system for ocean plastic.

Kia introduces world’s first car accessory made using recycled plastic

Kathmandu: Generation Next Communication Pvt Ltd, the official distributor of iPhones in Nepal, has officially launched the much-anticipated iPhone 16 series.



The new lineup boasts state-of-the-art features, including a sleek titanium design, advanced camera capabilities, 4K 120 Dolby Vision support, and the powerful A18 Pro chip. Additionally, the iPhone 16 now comes equipped with Shield Plus, priced at Rs 13,000.



Customers purchasing the iPhone 16 will benefit from a one-year warranty, along with a one-time replacement for the front screen and back glass.



In an exciting promotion, the company announced that each buyer will have the opportunity to enter a weekly draw for a chance to win an iPhone 16 Pro Max, an Apple Watch Series 10, and other attractive prizes.



The market price for the iPhone 16, celebrated for its stylish design and advanced features, ranges between Rs 152,500 and Rs 302,000.

Iphone 16 series officially in Nepali market

Kathmandu: In a significant move to improve traffic management, the traffic police have been provided with 104 smartphones for the regulation of digital driving licenses.



The smartphones were handed over by Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), Devendra Dahal, and Minister for Labor, Employment and Transport at Bagmati Province, Prem Bhakta Maharjan, during a ceremony at the federal ministry on Friday. Minister Dahal emphasized that this assistance underscores the collaboration between the Ministry and the Nepal Police, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of traffic police operations.



Inspector General of Nepal Police, Basanta Kunwar, expressed optimism that the new devices would facilitate convenient public service delivery for the traffic police.



The event was attended by key officials, including MoPIT Secretary, AIG, IT experts from the Prime Minister's Office, and the chief of the Valley Traffic Police Office, among others.

Traffic police receive 104 smartphones to enhance digital license regulation

Kathmandu: Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays.



The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs, and available to adult passport holders whose passport has expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year. It is not available for the renewal of children’s passports, for first-time passport applicants for renewal applicants who live outside the United States or for expedited applications.



“By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.



The department said it estimated that about 5 million Americans would be able to use this service a year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.



After staffing shortages caused mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lengthy passport processing delays, the department ramped up hiring and introduced other technological improvements that have reduced wait times by about one-third over last year. It says most applications are now completed in far less than the advertised six weeks to eight weeks and the online renewal system is expected to further reduce that.



The system will allow renewal applicants to skip the current process, which requires them to print out and send paper applications, photos and a check by mail, and submit their documents, photo, and payment through a secure website, www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline.



There will be no change to the existing passport processing fees, which are currently $130 for a regular renewal.



Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, whose bureau oversees passport processing said the department hoped to expand the program in the coming years to possibly include Americans living abroad, those seeking to renew a second passport and children’s passports.



“This is not going to be the last thing that we do,” she told reporters. “We want to see how this goes and then we’ll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years.”



Source: AP

Americans can now renew passports online and bypass cumbersome paper applications

Kathmandu: Facebook owner Meta says it is banning several Russian state media networks, alleging they use deceptive tactics to carry out influence operations and evade detection on its platforms.



"After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," Meta said.



In a news bulletin, RT newsreader Eunan O'Neill said the broadcaster "and Russia as a whole denies the accusations that have been coming en masse against this channel and others in the past number of days".



The bans are expected to come into effect in the next few days. The Russian embassy in Washington and the owner of the Sputnik news agency, Rossiya Segodnya, did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment. Russian state media outlets have come under increased scrutiny over claims they have tried to influence politics in Western countries.



As well as Facebook, social media giant Meta owns Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. The move marks an escalation in the world's biggest social media firm's stance towards Russian state media companies.



Two years ago, Meta took more limited measures to restrict the spread of Russian state-controlled media, including stopping the outlets from running adverts on its platforms and limiting the reach of their content.



After the start of the war in Ukraine, Meta - like other social media platforms - complied with requests from the EU, UK and Ukraine to block some Russian state media in those regions.



Earlier this month, the US accused state broadcaster RT of paying a Tennessee firm $10m (£7.6m) to "create and distribute content to US audiences with hidden Russian government messaging".



An indictment said videos - which often promoted right-wing narratives on issues such as immigration, gender and the economy - were secretly "edited, posted, and directed" by two RT employees.



Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new sanctions against RT, accusing it of being a "de facto arm of Russia's intelligence apparatus". The top US diplomat told reporters on Friday that RT was part of a network of Russian-backed media outlets which have sought to covertly "undermine democracy in the United States".



He added that the Russian government has "embedded within RT, a unit with cyber-operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence". RT livestreamed Mr Blinken's remarks on X and declared it the "US's latest conspiracy theory".



Source: BBC

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