Submit your Article

ByteDance has pledged to curb its AI video tool Seedance after legal threats from Disney. The move follows complaints from several Hollywood studios over alleged copyright infringement. Seedance’s latest version has gone viral for its realistic clips.

According to Reuters, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter accusing ByteDance of using a “pirated library” of copyrighted characters. These include figures from Marvel and Star Wars. Disney’s lawyers described the alleged action as a “virtual smash-and-grab” of intellectual property.

ByteDance said it respects intellectual property rights and is strengthening safeguards. The company did not give details on what measures it plans to introduce. It had earlier paused the option allowing users to upload images of real people.

Reuters reported, the Motion Picture Association demanded the tool immediately stop infringing activities. SAG-AFTRA accused Seedance of blatant infringement, while Paramount Skydance reportedly sent its own legal notice.

The controversy adds to wider tensions between AI firms and the entertainment industry. Last year, Disney and NBCUniversal sued Midjourney over copyright claims. Meanwhile, Disney has a $1 billion deal with OpenAI to use selected characters on its AI platforms.

Flights were delayed on Monday at Kenya’s main airport after workers began a planned strike. AP reported, the action follows a labor dispute with authorities over pay and working conditions. Departures and arrivals were affected.

Kenya Airways issued a travel advisory to passengers. According to AP, the airline said air traffic control delays were disrupting schedules. It urged travelers to confirm their flight status before going to the airport.

The Kenya Airports Authority said contingency measures were in place. It added that it was engaging stakeholders to resolve the strike. Officials stressed they were open to dialogue. Workers gave a seven-day strike notice last week. They cited problems in implementing a collective bargaining agreement. They are demanding better pay, improved benefits and safer working conditions.

The strike has disrupted operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The airport is a key hub for regional and international travel, trade and tourism.

The Election Commission (EC) has reported that its Central Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee received 66 complaints related to violations of the election code of conduct so far. It has sought clarifications from the concerned political parties, organizations, media outlets and individuals. Of these, 32 responses have already been received.

According to EC Legal Officer Mohan Raj Joshi, clarifications were demanded from political parties, election candidates, government and non-government organizations, as well as media houses and journalists. In the case of registered media outlets and journalists, the EC sought responses through the Press Council Nepal.

The complaints of code of conduct violations have also been registered at the district level. These cases are currently under investigation and are being processed for necessary action.

To ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of the code of conduct, assistant chief district officers in all 77 districts have been assigned to oversee non-financial matters. Financial aspects are being monitored by the chief district treasury controllers and treasury controllers, in accordance with Clause 32 of the Election Code of Conduct.

Joshi added that stakeholders at the district level have expressed their commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the election code of conduct.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 8. 16 points to close at 2, 662. 91 points on Monday. 

The sensitive index, however, increased by 1. 06 points to close at 455. 66 points.

A total of 19,616,395-unit shares of 335 companies were traded for Rs 1. 52 billion.

Meanwhile, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC), Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) and Salapa Bikas Bank Limited (SABBL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Khanikhola Hydropower Co. Ltd. (KKHC) was the top loser as their price fell by 9. 38 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 47 trillion.

The body of a nine-year-old boy missing after a bus accident in Ramechhap has been found. Police said the body was recovered from the banks of the Sunkoshi River on Monday.

The child was identified as Krichan Tamang of Manthali Municipality-2, Piple. His body was found near the lower market of Golanjor Rural Municipality-7, according to the District Police Office Sindhuli. He was identified by his great-grandfather, Yubaraj Tamang.

With the discovery, the death toll from the Ramechhap bus accident has risen to 13. Earlier, the bodies of 12 passengers had been recovered from the Tamakoshi River after the bus plunged into the river.

The bus, bearing the number Province 3-01-005 Kha 9975, met with the accident on 10th Magh. The incident occurred near Benighat Bridge in Manthali Municipality-6. Police said further investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Nepal successfully hosted the panel discussion “Nepal’s Next Decade” at Xavier International College on February 13, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, and youth leaders to discuss the country’s economic and governance priorities for the coming decade.

The event, organized by Students for Liberty, opened with remarks from Nitisha Ban, who stressed that Nepal’s policies over the next 10 years must be evidence-based and rooted in the principles of liberty. 

She emphasized that sustainable progress depends on a governance framework that balances individual freedoms with innovation and economic growth.

Youth activist and advocate Nabin Giri facilitated the main discussion.

Amit Agrawal, Co-Founder of IME Khalti, highlighted Nepal’s potential to generate IT exports worth Rs 2 trillion. 

Urging youth to move beyond the “landlocked mindset,” he called for proactive engagement in AI and entrepreneurial ventures. 

Agrawal warned that weaponised digital regulation could stifle startups and innovation, underscoring the importance of protecting digital property rights to retain talent. 

Sabita Bhandari, Attorney General, addressed governance and accountability, noting that GenZ’s primary demand is good governance and proper legal processes. She clarified that all decisions regarding allegations against her have been made in accordance with the Constitution and Section 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2017.

Economic analyst Murahari Parajuli observed that Nepal has yet to achieve meaningful economic transformation despite political upheavals. 

Advocating for personal freedom and an open market economy, he argued against excessive government intervention. 

Dr Arjun Singh Saud of Tribhuvan University highlighted the importance of investing in digital skills and technical expertise. He recommended localizing AI applications in education and healthcare while ensuring curricula align with industry demands.

The discussion concluded with consensus that Nepal’s next decade should be guided by evidence-based policymaking, digital innovation, economic openness, and a commitment to liberty-oriented governance.

Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted daily life across New Zealand’s North Island on Monday. Flights, trains and ferries were cancelled. Many roads were closed due to flooding and fallen trees. Tens of thousands of homes lost power, reported Reuters.

Images online showed flooded neighbourhoods and damaged roads. Trees fell onto vehicles and homes were inundated. Marilyn Bulford from Bunnythorpe described the storm as “absolutely terrifying” in an interview with the The New Zealand Herald. She said she had never seen trees blowing so violently before.

According to Reuters, emergency services received 852 calls overnight. The Wellington region accounted for more than half of them. Authorities said more than 30,000 properties were without electricity. Several schools were closed and residents were urged to stay off the roads.

The storm is expected to move toward the South Island’s east coast on Tuesday. Officials warned of further heavy rain and disruption. The severe weather comes weeks after a deadly landslide at Mount Maunganui, where six people died during heavy rains.

The price of gold and silver has slightly decreased in the domestic market today. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the price of gold has declined by Rs 3,000 per tola (11.66 grams) and silver by Rs 125 per tola today.

The Federation has determined the gold price at Rs 302,800 per tola and silver at Rs 4,985 per tola. Gold price was Rs 305,800 per tola on Sunday while silver was traded at Rs 4,860 per tola.  

According to international media, gold is being traded at USD  5,025 per ounce and silver at USD Rs 77 per ounce today.