International News
Social Media Shutdown Sparks Mass Protest In Nepal’s Capital
KATHMANDU – Nepal’s capital witnessed a massive youth-led demonstration on Monday as thousands of protesters demanded an immediate reversal of the government’s social media restrictions and called for an end to widespread corruption.
Authorities had, since Friday, restricted access to 26 platforms that failed to meet new registration requirements.
The move cut off popular services such as Facebook, YouTube, and X, sparking outrage across the country.
Millions of Nepalis, many of whom depend on these platforms for livelihood, communication, and information, were left frustrated.
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The protesters, largely members of Generation Z, turned the streets of Kathmandu into a rallying point. They sang the national anthem before breaking into chants against both corruption and the online blockade.
“We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said Yujan Rajbhandari, a 24-year-old student.
“We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”
Another protester, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, accused the authorities of heavy-handedness.
“We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation,” she told AFP.
While the ban silenced many platforms, TikTok remains accessible. In recent days, videos contrasting ordinary citizens’ hardships with images of politicians’ children flaunting wealth have gone viral, fueling public anger.
“There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well,” said Bhumika Bharati, another participant.
The government last month instructed companies operating in Nepal to register locally, appoint compliance officers, and create grievance-handling mechanisms, following a Supreme Court directive.
Officials insist the restrictions are temporary and argue they remain committed to safeguarding freedom of expression.
Nepal has a history of such restrictions. The Telegram app was suspended in July over fraud concerns, while TikTok was banned for nine months before returning last year under tighter regulation.
The United Kingdom is considering sweeping new restrictions that could limit or completely block children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, as part of a broader push to improve online safety and reduce excessive screen time among young users.
The proposal, currently under government consultation, is being led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and focuses on addressing concerns over how teenagers interact with platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
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Officials say the move is driven by growing evidence and public concern that algorithm-driven feeds and “endless scrolling” features may be negatively affecting children’s sleep patterns, concentration levels, and overall well-being.
The government is also reviewing whether additional measures such as app curfews and time limits should be introduced.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the consultation has already attracted widespread public input, with tens of thousands of responses from parents, teenagers, and advocacy groups.
She noted that the government is particularly interested in feedback on addictive platform design features and the use of AI tools targeting younger users.
The UK is also studying policies already implemented in other countries. Australia has introduced stricter age-based restrictions, while Greece and Indonesia have also moved toward tighter regulation of children’s access to social media.
Authorities emphasize that no final decision has been made, but the consultation process is expected to shape future legislation on how tech companies operate and how young users are protected online in the digital age.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked global reactions following his remarks about Pope Leo XIV after the Pope’s recent anti-war message calling for peace in conflict-hit regions.
The controversy began after Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong appeal at the Vatican, urging world leaders to end ongoing wars and prioritise dialogue over violenceviolence.
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The pontiff warned against the “idolatry of power” and called for global cooperation to restore peace.
Reacting to the message, Trump told reporters he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as “very liberal” and questioning his views on crime and international security.
The U.S. President further criticised the Pope’s stance on global conflicts, suggesting his message overlooks serious security challenges linked to rising geopolitical tensions, including nuclear concerns.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump intensified his criticism, accusing the Pope of taking a weak position on foreign policy matters and suggesting political factors influenced his leadership position.
The comments have since triggered widespread debate across political and religious circles, adding to ongoing tensions between Washington and the Vatican over issues such as immigration policy, military action, and global diplomacy.
While both sides have previously denied any formal rift, the latest exchange has renewed global attention on their differing positions regarding war and peace efforts.
The Israeli military said on Thursday that Mohammed Wishah, an Al Jazeera journalist killed in a strike in Gaza on Wednesday, was a Hamas operative “operating under the guise of a journalist.”
According to Israeli forces, Wishah was “a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production headquarters” and had been planning attacks against soldiers in the area.
The military said he used his journalist identity to advance Hamas’ operations against Israel.
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Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster, strongly condemned the killing. In a statement, the network described the attack as a “heinous crime of targeting and killing” its correspondent and insisted the strike was deliberate, not accidental.
The channel vowed to pursue “all necessary legal action to prosecute those responsible for the killing of its correspondents and staff in Gaza.”
Media rights organization Reporters Without Borders also condemned the incident, stating that Wishah’s name now joins “more than 220 journalists killed in two and a half years by Israeli forces in Gaza, at least 70 of whom were killed while performing their duties.”
The killing occurred despite a US-backed ceasefire in Gaza that has been in effect since October 2025, highlighting ongoing tensions and frequent accusations of truce violations by both Israel and Hamas.
Al Jazeera listed Wishah among 11 of its journalists killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel that triggered the Gaza war.
Past incidents include the killing of Mohammad Salama in August 2025 and the deaths of four Al Jazeera staff and two freelancers outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City earlier that year, prompting widespread condemnation.
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