International

Nepal Lifts Social Media Ban After Deadly Protests

By BPN News Desk September 9, 2025

The Nepalese government has lifted its ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reddit. The ban was introduced last week after these platforms failed to comply with new registration rules. Protests Turn Deadly The shutdown triggered widespread protests led largely by Gen Z youth. Demonstrations against corruption and

International

Zelensky Backs Trump’s Tariff on India

By BPN News Desk September 9, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to apply steep tariffs to countries that continue trading with Russia, specifically targeting India. Zelensky described the move as the “right idea,” stressing that economic pressure is necessary to curb Moscow’s aggressive energy diplomacy. Trump’s Tariff Move on

Technology Telecom

TRAI Denies Blocking Congress SMS Campaign

By BPN News Desk September 9, 2025

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has rejected the Congress party’s claim that it blocked an SMS campaign by rejecting the application to send messages to party workers in Maharashtra. The Congress said the messages contained a link to a documentary titled How the MH 2024 Election Was Stolen. TRAI’s Clarification TRAI clarified that […]

International

India Explores Taliban Ties As Mutual Interest Grows

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

India is considering the possibility of a diplomatic visit from Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, despite his current travel restrictions under the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions regime. While no dates have been finalised, Indian officials confirmed that discussions with the Taliban are ongoing, reflecting a shift towards pragmatic

International

Gen Z Protests In Nepal Turn Deadly Over Social Media Ban

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

A nationwide protest led mainly by young people erupted in Nepal after the government banned 26 major social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X—for failing to register under new regulations. The ban, which took effect on September 4, sparked anger across the country, with Gen Z activists using remaining platforms like TikTok to mobilize […]

International

Treasury May Owe Refunds If US Tariffs Are Overturned

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the government may need to refund about half of the tariffs collected under President Trump’s administration if the Supreme Court rules them illegal. The potential refund, amounting to tens of billions of dollars, poses a significant challenge to Treasury finances. Legal Challenges Mount Over Tariff Authority Several lower

International

Lavrov Sees Growing Common Ground Among Major Powers

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia, India, and China are increasingly interacting based on shared interests. He pointed to their recent display of unity at the SCO summit in Tianjin—such as the widely noticed triple handshake and friendly huddle among their leaders—as evidence of this emerging trend. Shared Goals Include Economic and Social Progress […]

International

India, EU Advancing Transformative Projects Alongside FTA Talks

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

India and the European Union are currently working on a series of “transformative initiatives” alongside ongoing efforts to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by December. These initiatives span defence cooperation, strategic alignment, and innovation collaboration. 13th Round of FTA Negotiations Underway The 13th round of India–EU trade negotiations has begun in New

Editorials Opinion

Faith or Separatism? The Hazratbal Emblem Attack

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

The image of the Ashoka emblem, India’s national symbol of sovereignty, lying defaced at the Hazratbal shrine is more than just vandalism. It is a question that cuts deep into the uneasy intersection of faith and separatist politics in Kashmir. Was this truly about religious sensitivity, or was it another chapter in the long saga […]

Op-Eds Opinion

India–EFTA FTA: Opening Doors to $100 Billion and 1 Million Jobs

By BPN News Desk September 8, 2025

India’s trade diplomacy is entering a decisive phase. With the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) set to take effect from October 1, 2025, the country has signed its first free trade pact with a developed Western bloc. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — may not […]