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TikTok will invest €1 bn ($1.14bn) to build its first data centre in Finland, aiming to store European user data locally amid privacy concerns.

The move is part of “Project Clover,” a €12bn data security plan launched in 2023 to address growing scrutiny over potential Chinese government access to user data, according to Reuters.

Owned by China-based ByteDance, TikTok has faced bans from several Western institutions. It currently stores European data in centres in Norway, Ireland, and the US, with its Norwegian facility going fully online this month.

Finland is an attractive location for data infrastructure due to its cold climate, strong connectivity, and access to carbon-free energy. Over 20 new data centres worth €13bn are planned in the country, Reuters reported.

China has lifted sanctions on numerous European Parliament members and its human rights subcommittee, Parliament President Roberta Metsola revealed on Wednesday. The move tries to mend relations with the EU amid rising trade tensions with the United States, Reuters reported.

Beijing implemented the sanctions in 2021 in response to EU criticism of its treatment of Uyghur Muslims. The measures prohibited access into China and restricted economic transactions.
Metsola praised the decision, emphasizing the need of free dialogue. China's foreign ministry advocated for greater legislative connections and increased EU visits, as stated by Reuters.

Reinhard Butikofer, a former German MEP, remains sanctioned. He praised the development but condemned the persistent limitations on six members of civil society and think tanks.

Iran has executed Mohsen Langarneshin, accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad and aiding in the 2022 assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Colonel Sayyad Khodai.

The judiciary said Langarneshin provided logistical and operational support to Mossad over two years, including tracking Khodai’s movements using a motorcycle and passing the information to Israeli agents. Khodai was shot dead by two motorcyclists outside his home in Tehran, in an operation reportedly acknowledged by Israel to the United States, according to The New York Times.

Langarneshin was also suspected of assisting in a failed sabotage operation on an Isfahan military-industrial plant affiliated with Iran's Ministry of Defense. Iranian authorities reported that his conviction was based on significant intelligence and a complete confession. The case highlights the heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with Tehran routinely accusing Israeli intelligence of arranging assassinations and attacks on its territory, The New York Times reported.

Thirteen people were killed Tuesday in Jaramana, a Druze-majority town near Damascus, after sectarian clashes erupted over an alleged recording of a Druze man insulting the Prophet Mohammad, according to Al Jazeera.

Gunmen from nearby Sunni areas reportedly entered the town overnight, sparking armed clashes. Among the dead were two members of the General Security Service.

Authorities are examining the recording, as Druze and government leaders urged calm and promised to hold those involved accountable. Druze elders criticized the remarks and called on both communities to eschew sectarian bloodshed, Al Jazeera reported.

The incident highlights rising tensions in Syria's Islamist-led government, as well as growing anxieties among minority groups.

Somalia has banned the entry and transit of Taiwanese passport holders, a move Taiwan says was made under Chinese pressure. The ban, announced by Somalia’s civil aviation authority, took effect Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera.

Taiwan slammed the decision, accusing Somalia of utilizing the UN's 1971 Resolution 2758 and the "one China" principle to falsely claim Taiwan as part of China.

The action comes amid strengthening connections between Taiwan and Somaliland, a breakaway province claimed by Somalia. Both opened representative offices in 2020, which infuriated Mogadishu.

China applauded Somalia's action, describing it as a reaffirmation of the one China concept. Taiwan, on the other hand, said that the restriction would have little impact, citing only 16 Taiwanese travels to Somalia since 2016, Al Jazeera reported

The UK and US conducted joint air strikes near Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, targeting Houthi drone production facilities used in Red Sea attacks, according to the British Ministry of Defence.

The UK provided details on the operation, stressing efforts to limit civilian harm. The US, which has conducted over 1,000 plus strikes on Houthi targets since mid-March, has yet to comment on this joint action, Al Jazeera reported.

Concerns over civilian casualties are rising. Houthi media say a recent US strike killed 68 migrants at a detention center while the Pentagon is assessing the claim.

A Yemeni rights group reports hundreds of additional civilian deaths in recent strikes.

A meeting of the ruling coalition parties on Wednesday suggested the government bring policies and programs capable of further strengthening democratic republic, bringing the economy to its track and instilling a ray of hope among the youths.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, the leaders of the ruling parties stressed on the need to prevent the resources, said CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.

He said that the government has been urged to focus on entrepreneurship, skill development, startups, enterprise development and market expansion so that the youth community is encouraged.

The meeting advised the government to remove unnecessary structures and to be strict in reducing unnecessary expenditures, focusing on the enhancement of good governance and work efficiency and strengthening of external relations.

President Ram Chandra Paudel will present the government’s policies and programs on May 2.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had summoned the meeting today to discuss the matter. 

The leaders have urged the government to collectively defend attacks on the existing system and to bring agricultural and livestock development programs focusing on hills so as to correct the migration trend.

In his response to the journalist's query, leader Gyawali said that the talks between the government and the agitating teachers are underway, expressing his confidence that an atmosphere will be created to resume the community schools soon.

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair Oli, Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, NC Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, UML senior Vice Chair Ishwor Pokhrel, General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, Deputy General Secretaries Gyawali and Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Nepal Chair Mahantha Thakur and Janata Samajbadi Party Chair Ashok Kumar Rai were present on the occasion.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 5. 61 points to close at 2, 626.36 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 28 points to close at 442. 26 points.

A total of 24,641,261-unit shares of 314 companies were traded for Rs 9. 37 billion.

Meanwhile, Samaj Laghubittya Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SAMAJ) and Nepal Micro Insurance Company Limited were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Bhugol Energy Development Company Limited (BEDC) was the top loser with its price dropped by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 36 trillion.