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Nepal’s New Prime Minister Lifts TikTok Ban, Signals Closer Ties with China

Nepal’s new Prime Minister has lifted the TikTok ban, signaling a shift towards closer ties with China. This decision marks a pivotal moment in Nepal’s digital landscape and international relations, fostering greater connectivity and collaboration.

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New Prime Minister of Nepal Reinstates TikTok Following Ban

The newly appointed Prime Minister of Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli, made headlines on Thursday by lifting the ban on TikTok that had been imposed by his predecessor in November. This move indicates a potential shift in Nepal’s geopolitical alignment, suggesting a closer relationship with China, the nation situated to its north. The popular social media platform, operated by the Chinese company ByteDance, had previously been prohibited due to its alleged failure to control what the former government described as hate speech that disrupted “social harmony.”

At the time of the ban, Nepali officials stated that their actions were a last resort after TikTok did not adequately address concerns regarding disturbing content on its platform. The decision to reinstate TikTok under Oli’s administration signals his perspective that, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and India, Nepal may benefit more from aligning itself with China, particularly as India too has imposed a ban on the app since 2020 amidst their historically strained relations.

Prithvi Subba Gurung, a spokesperson for the Nepali government, announced that TikTok would now be required to adhere to specific guidelines. These include:

  • Designating a local point of contact within Nepal.
  • Utilizing the platform to promote Nepali tourism.
  • Supporting initiatives for digital safety, literacy, and education.
  • Taking measures to curb hate speech and harmful content.

On Thursday morning, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, celebrated the news on the social media platform X, stating, “Today is a good day.” This message was interpreted by many in Nepal as a sign that negotiations to reinstate TikTok had successfully concluded.

K.P. Sharma Oli, who is 73 years old and leads Nepal’s largest communist party, has returned to power for the fourth time, having assumed leadership of a new ruling coalition in July. His predecessor, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, was perceived as more easily swayed by Indian influence, often altering coalition partnerships for personal gain.

Oli’s political history reveals his opposition to India’s dominance in Nepal. During his first term as prime minister in 2015, he vocally resisted a severe economic blockade imposed by India over certain constitutional provisions in Nepal. Furthermore, during his subsequent term after the 2017 elections, he revised Nepal’s political map, a decision that further strained relations with India.

In addition to the decision regarding TikTok, Nepal and China also reached agreements to enhance several development projects aimed at strengthening their bilateral ties. This includes a commitment to complete the upgrade of a critical highway in Kathmandu, which is part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. This development reflects the growing collaboration between Nepal and its northern neighbor.

Anupreeta Das contributed to this report.

World

Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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