WÒRDS FÒR YÒU

Kathmandu, September 9, 2025 — In a swift reversal, Nepal’s government has rescinded its controversial social media ban following deadly mass protests. This highlights the country's growing generational divide and mounting frustration over governance. Ban Reversed Amid Crisis Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed that the government fully lifted the ban on major platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and WhatsApp, after the unrest spiraled out of control. Casualties and Curfews The protests—dubbed 'Gen Z rallies'—were sparked by youth-led outrage over a perceived digital crackdown. They resulted in at least 19 deaths and over 100 injuries in Kathmandu and beyond, with some reports indicating up to 300 people hurt. In response, authorities imposed curfews in Kathmandu and other cities to stem further violence. Resignation of Home Minister Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, taking moral responsibility for the bloodshed during the pro...

Kathmandu, Sept 8 — Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on Monday evening after 19 people were killed and more than 400 injured in escalating youth-led protests against corruption and restrictions on social media restrictions on social media The resignation came during a Cabinet meeting at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Baluwatar, according to  The Kathmandu Post . A minister present at the meeting confirmed Lekhak stepped down “on moral grounds” following the unprecedented violence, which claimed 17 lives in Kathmandu and two in Itahari. Earlier in the day, senior Nepali Congress leaders Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma had called for Lekhak’s resignation at a party meeting. Though Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba refrained from comment, Lekhak reportedly informed colleagues of his decision before the session. He had been serving as Home Minister since July 2024. Protests Enter Third Day The unrest, dubbed the “Gen Z Protests,” entered its third da...

Gelephu – In a heartwarming display of solidarity, Sunil Lal, an Indian shopkeeper from Gelephu, joined Bhutanese volunteers during the GMC initiative, even though he was not dressed in the national attire like others. Lal shared that having grown up in Bhutan and benefited from the nation’s free services, he felt it was his duty to give back. His participation, though modest, carried deep symbolic value, reflecting the bonds of goodwill that extend beyond borders. According to organizers, many individuals from across the border also expressed interest in joining the initiative. However, due to the overwhelming number of local volunteers and logistical limitations, only a few could be accommodated. The people of Bhutan have extended heartfelt gratitude to these Indian well-wishers. They say the GMC initiative has become more than a community movement—it now stands as a symbol of unity not just among Bhutanese people, but also between the two neighboring nations.

The Department of Trade under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment has once again reminded the public that operating online businesses without a valid trade license is illegal. In a public notification issued today , the Department warned that despite repeated announcements since September 2022, a number of individuals continue to run online businesses without securing the required licenses. The Department stressed that a valid business license is mandatory for all business activities , including digital and online platforms. Officials highlighted that securing a license is not just about meeting legal obligations but also about ensuring trust, legitimacy, and protection for both entrepreneurs and consumers in Bhutan. “A valid license provides protection for both business operators and consumers. It is essential that everyone intending to do business, whether physical or online, complies with the Trade and Industry Rules 2023,” the notification stated. To...

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned on Sunday, September 7, 2025, following mounting pressure from within his own party after a devastating election loss. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered a historic defeat in the July parliamentary elections, losing its majority in both the upper and lower houses. The setback sparked widespread calls from party members for Ishiba to step down and take responsibility. Although he initially resisted, cautioning that his departure might create a political vacuum, Ishiba eventually gave in to the pressure. He announced that he would set in motion a leadership vote to determine his successor, eliminating the need for Monday’s scheduled no-confidence-style decision. During his tenure, Ishiba grappled with major challenges, including U.S. tariffs that hurt Japan’s economy, rising domestic prices, contentious rice policy reforms, and heightened regional tensions. His decision came after key discussions with Agri...

In a sweeping move that could reshape Nepal’s digital landscape, the government has decided to block 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, after they failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The decision, made during a ministerial-level meeting chaired by Communications and IT Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung on Thursday, follows a Supreme Court directive mandating tighter regulation of online platforms. Sources in the ministry confirmed that the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has been instructed to begin enforcing the ban immediately. “We gave them enough time to register and repeatedly requested compliance, but they ignored the notices, leaving us no choice but to shut their operations in Nepal,” Minister Gurung said. Why the ban was imposed? The move stems from a mandamus order by the Supreme Court, where a joint bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shant...

The dream of pursuing higher education in Australia has long inspired Bhutanese students. While the vision of a  “full scholarship”  may seem like the ultimate prize, today’s academic landscape offers a range of meaningful pathways—through government-funded scholarships, university bursaries, and tuition discounts—that make international education more achievable than ever. Scholarships & Financial Avenues Australia Awards Scholarships  – Funded by the Australian government, this prestigious program provides full postgraduate support—including tuition, living stipends, and allowances—for Bhutanese pursuing Master’s degrees by coursework or research. Applications for studies commencing in 2026 were open from  1 February to 30 April 2025 , with mandatory nomination procedures managed by Bhutan’s MoESD. ([education.gov.bt][1], [australiaawardsbhutan.org][2]) Torrens University Regional Scholarship  – Offers Bhutanese undergraduates and postgraduates...