Massive unrest erupted in Kathmandu after Nepal’s government banned major social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X for failing to register with authorities. Tens of thousands of protestors stormed Parliament, chanting anti-corruption slogans and breaching barricades. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons; one person was killed, prompting army deployment. A curfew was imposed across key government zones. The government cited misuse of social media for hate speech and fraud. TikTok, Viber, and three other apps remain operational. Authorities have authorized force, including rubber bullets, to control the crowd. A bill is under debate to regulate platforms and ensure accountability amid rising tensions.

At least five people were killed and 11 injured in a shooting attack at Jerusalem's Ramot Junction when two Palestinian terrorists boarded a bus and opened fire on passengers during morning rush hour. Israeli police neutralized both attackers - a soldier and armed civilian killed the assailants. The terrorists, believed to be West Bank Palestinians from the Ramallah area, used makeshift "Carlo" submachine guns. Six victims remain in serious condition. Hamas praised the attack as "heroic" without claiming responsibility. The incident occurred after Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas to release hostages or face annihilation. Israeli military has encircled Palestinian villages near Ramallah in response to the attack.

Internet services across Asia and the Middle East face major disruptions after undersea cables were severed in the Red Sea, affecting countries including Pakistan and the UAE. NetBlocks reported failures in the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, causing widespread connectivity issues. While the exact cause remains unclear, concerns exist about Houthi rebels targeting cables as part of their Red Sea campaign to pressure Israel over Gaza, though the Yemen-based group has denied past attacks on internet infrastructure. Microsoft confirmed Middle East disruptions but noted unaffected traffic routes. UAE users experience slower speeds on state-owned Du and Etisalat networks. Saudi Arabia hasn't commented on the cable failures near its territory. (PC: The Times Of India)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy endorsed US tariffs on countries maintaining trade ties with Russia, calling it "the right idea" during an ABC News interview. Without naming India specifically, he supported measures against nations continuing Russian energy deals, describing Moscow's energy exports as Putin's "weapon against Ukraine." Zelenskyy criticized European partners for ongoing Russian energy purchases, stating "their losses must be felt" through sanctions and tariffs. His comments came after questions about PM Modi's SCO summit appearance with Chinese and Russian leaders. Meanwhile, Trump announced readiness to impose "second phase" sanctions on Russia. The US has imposed 50% tariffs on India, 25% reciprocal and 25% penalty for Russian oil purchases. (PC: ABC News)

The World Health Organization has urged Afghanistan's Taliban to lift restrictions on female aid workers following a devastating magnitude 6 earthquake that killed 2,200 people and injured over 3,600 in eastern Afghanistan on September 1. WHO estimates 90% of medical staff in affected areas are male, with Taliban's "no skin contact" rule preventing male rescuers from touching women victims. Dr. Mukta Sharma, WHO's deputy representative, highlighted the shortage of female healthcare workers and restrictions requiring male guardians for women's travel. The Taliban claims to respect women's rights under their Islamic law interpretation, but survivors report women being denied help during rescue operations. Female doctors are banned from training, hampering earthquake relief efforts. (PC: Reuters)

The US has implemented a new visa rule requiring all non-immigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews only in their country of citizenship or legal residence, effective immediately. This policy change particularly affects Indians who previously practiced "visa shopping" - applying from countries like Thailand, Singapore, Germany, or Brazil to avoid lengthy wait times. The rule applies to all non-immigrant categories including tourism, business, student, and temporary worker visas. Applicants scheduling interviews outside their home country face greater difficulty qualifying, with non-refundable fees and significantly longer waits. Indian visa appointment wait times already extend three-and-a-half months at US consulates, and this rule is expected to further increase delays as more applicants must apply domestically. 

Russia's Enteromix cancer vaccine has achieved 100% efficacy and safety in early clinical trials targeting colorectal cancer. Developed using mRNA technology similar to COVID-19 vaccines, the personalized immunotherapy is tailored to each patient's tumor profile. The trial involved 48 volunteers and was conducted by Russia's National Medical Research Radiological Centre with the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology. Patients experienced tumor shrinkage without serious side effects. Announced at the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the vaccine awaits regulatory approval from Russia's Ministry of Health. Unlike conventional cancer vaccines, Enteromix offers fully personalized design and rapid mRNA platform adaptability, potentially transforming cancer treatment globally if validated through larger trials. (PC: X)

An Indian woman was caught shoplifting at a US Target store in a viral video from January 15. The Gujarati-speaking woman was visibly distressed, shaking and sobbing during police interrogation. She admitted limited English proficiency and nodded when asked if she intended to resell stolen items. Officers assured her she wouldn't be jailed if cooperative but must appear in court and was permanently banned from Target. CCTV showed her walking past checkout with unpaid merchandise. Social media users criticized her behavior, with some calling it "acting." This follows similar cases involving Indian nationals shoplifting at Target stores, raising concerns about immigration consequences including potential deportation and impact on visa applications.

Arijit Singh's London concert ended abruptly when organizers cut power due to a strict 10:30 PM curfew, leaving fans shocked mid-performance. The Bollywood singer, who recently surpassed Taylor Swift as Spotify's most-followed artist, was performing a soulful version of "Saiyaara" when lights suddenly dimmed. A viral video shows Singh still singing as confused fans exit the venue. The Instagram clip caption read: "London stadium allegedly cut power without letting him say goodbye or finish the song." Fan reactions were mixed - some criticized the abrupt ending while others defended venue rules, noting noise pollution regulations in the UK. Despite the chaos, Singh's "Saiyaara" performance has gone viral across social media platforms. (PC: X)

Turkey has restricted access to major social media platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, YouTube, and TikTok as the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) called for rallies. The restrictions began Sunday evening after police erected barricades around CHP headquarters in Istanbul. According to Netblocks, bandwidth throttling affected multiple networks. The CHP faces a months-long legal crackdown targeting hundreds of members, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, whose arrest triggered Turkey's largest protests in a decade. Party Chairman Ozgur Ozel urged democrats to protect "Ataturk's home" and condemned what CHP calls politicized attempts to eliminate electoral threats against President Erdogan and weaken the opposition. (PC: Hindustan Times)