Ncell to No Tobacco Sale and Everything In-between
Gather around Guff Buffs, we have conspired a Monday brief. In this edition we deconstruct Ncell-Axiata exit drama. While keeping a tab on Neighborhood election. As usual, Balen dai said no smoking in KTM, take a hike to Lalitpur fellas, and more in tech trends and societal quirks.
Current Affairs
Axiata’s Ncell Shuffle
In a strategic corporate maneuver, Axiata, the majority stakeholder in Nepal’s telecom giant Ncell, is orchestrating a sale to Spectralite UK at a significant loss, a move seen as a crafty ploy to avoid capital gains tax. This comes as Ncell faces a ticking clock set by Nepal’s Telecommunication Act, which mandates that companies with over 50% foreign ownership transfer to government control after 25 years, a deadline fast approaching in six years. Axiata’s sale to the newly-minted Spectralite UK, linked to Axiata itself, appears to be a clever workaround to maintain control and profits from Ncell, while circumventing the looming transfer of ownership to the Nepali government and evading the tax implications of a profitable sale.
Neighborhood Election Coverage
Indian National Congress in a Game of Political Tag: BJP It, Congress Not So Much
In the recent state elections in India, the Indian National Congress seemed to be playing tag with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but forgot the part where they’re supposed to be ‘it’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party has been scoring sixes across the northern belt, while Congress is left tying its shoelaces.
Like a cricket match where BJP is hitting sixes and Congress is still wondering if it’s batting or fielding. The Congress, once a heavyweight champion of Indian politics, now seems to be shadow boxing in the dark against Modi’s well-lit charisma.
The BJP not only kept its crown in Madhya Pradesh but also played kingmaker in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, leaving Congress to collect consolation prizes. The only cheer for Congress came from Telangana, but that’s like winning a free coffee in a lottery.
As the BJP tightens its grip looking ahead to 2024, Congress might need more than just a good game plan; maybe a magic wand or a time machine. So, as we wait for the next round in this political ring, one thing’s clear – in this game of tag, BJP is running fast, and Congress… well, better luck next time!
Bangladesh’s High-Stakes Political Drama
In a nutshell, the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are in the spotlight.
Now, about that eyebrow-raising Ansar Battalion Bill 2023 – it gives a paramilitary group called Ansar some serious powers, like home invasions. Critics are wondering if it’s all part of a strategy to secure a fourth term for the Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Election Commission has set January 7 as the date for choosing members of the 12th Parliament, but here’s the twist: the BNP might not participate. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is flaunting her economic achievements with impressive projects. But she’s also wary of the United States, fearing interference due to recently announced visa restrictions for anyone who interferes in the democratic process. The BNP’s massive rally and ensuing political violence and arrests add to the political drama.
Global Geo-Politics: Bond…James Bond Edition
Scene 1: The AUKUS Alliance – Shaken, Not Stirred: Picture this – Australia, the UK, and the US, huddling together in a high-security room. Maps of the Indo-Pacific region are spread out, as they plot to up their game to choke China’s maritime passage. It’s like a scene from a spy thriller, but with less tuxedos and more navy uniforms.
Scene 2: The Mysterious Arrival of Admiral Laubacher in Nepal: Cut to the narrow, bustling streets of Kathmandu. Among the vibrant colors and the scent of street food, a figure stands out – Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, fresh from Washington, walking with a purpose. She’s not here for the momo’s, folks. She’s got a mission, possibly linked to the grand AUKUS strategy. Is Nepal the new hotspot in the global chess game?
Scene 3: The Diplomatic Bond: Meanwhile, in the shadows of the diplomatic world, whispers circulate. Is the Admiral’s visit just a friendly chat, or is there a secret agenda? Cybersecurity, human rights, democracy – are these the code words for something more covert?
Scene 4: The Plot Thickens: Back in the AUKUS lair, the trio watches closely. The Indo-Pacific isn’t just a backdrop for beautiful sunsets; it’s a chessboard of power plays and naval might. And now, with Nepal entering the scene, the plot twists.
The Coffee Guff Take: In the world of international relations, every move is a calculated step in a larger game. And just like in a James Bond movie, there’s always more than meets the eye. Stay tuned as we decode the diplomatic signals and uncover the real story behind these high-profile visits. It’s espionage, Coffee Guff style – a little shaken, a lot stirred, and always served with a wink. 🕵️♂️🌏🚢🍸
Tech Trends
Swipe Left for Freedom: Nepal’s Social Media Ban-a-thon!
Nepal’s government is on a banning blitz, targeting every social app from TikTok to Tinder. It’s not just a crackdown; it’s a digital drama, with a dash of irony and a pinch of freedom of speech concerns.
The Prime Minister’s IT whiz, Prakash Rayamazhi, in a reveal worthy of a dramatic pause, told BBC Nepali Service that these apps are less social media, more anti-social media. The accusation? Spreading negativity and misinformation like a bad meme gone viral.
First on the hit list was TikTok, blamed for messing with social harmony like a badly timed joke in a quiet room. Now, the government’s expert team is on a surveillance spree, eyeing apps like a nosy neighbor over the fence. Bigo Live, Likey, Tinder, Snapchat, Telegram – all under the digital microscope. It’s like a reality show where apps get voted off the island.
But wait, there’s a plot twist: freedom of speech. As the government plays app judge and jury, whispers of “What about our digital rights?” bubble up. It’s a classic tale of control vs. freedom, with a 21st-century twist. Users are left swiping through a shrinking list of apps, pondering the price of online safety versus free speech.
In this saga, even video games aren’t safe. PUBG and Free Fire are sweating under the government’s watchful eye, like gamers on a losing streak. The message seems to be: Play nice, or you might just get the boot.
As the final scene unfolds, with reports and potential bans looming, Nepal’s digital landscape hangs in the balance. Will it be a tale of safe surfing, or a story of censored swipes? Stay tuned as Nepal navigates its way through the digital soap opera, where every update feels like a cliffhanger. Swipe left for freedom, right for safety, and maybe… just maybe, find a middle ground in the app-world saga. 📱🚫🗣️🕵️♂️🎭🌐
Microsoft’s Copilot Conundrum: A Divided PC Community on Windows 10 Update
In a move that has the PC community buzzing with mixed reactions, Microsoft has introduced its AI assistant, Copilot, to Windows 10. This decision, however, has split users down the middle. The core of the debate? The real value Copilot brings to the Windows 10 experience.
On one side, there’s skepticism. Many loyal Windows 10 users, who have stuck with the OS for its stability and familiarity, view Copilot as an unnecessary addition. Their argument hinges on the belief that Copilot doesn’t significantly enhance the operating system, but rather, seems like a strategy to expand Microsoft’s user base.
On the other side, some users see potential in Copilot’s integration, welcoming the evolution of the OS with open arms. However, this enthusiasm isn’t universal. The underlying sentiment among many users is that this move by Microsoft is less about user experience or innovation, and more about capturing a larger market share.
So, where do you stand in this digital divide? Is Copilot a welcome upgrade or an unnecessary complication to the tried-and-true Windows 10? We’re curious to hear your thoughts! Share with us, and let’s navigate this latest tech development together.
Consolation Prize
Kathmandu’s Plastic-Wrapped Tobacco Ban: Smokers’ New Fitness Regime
Kathmandu’s latest rule is straight out of rulebook and Balen Dai’s hand waving gesture: No more tobacco in plastic! From next year, if your smokes, tobacco products are wrapped in plastic, they’re as welcome in Kathmandu as a puddle less street in monsoon.
Smokers there is a new fitness plan for you: Take a hike to Lalitpur or Bhaktapur for the nicotine fix. It’s like Kathmandu is saying, “Want to puff? Better get those walking shoes on!”
This could be the city’s sly way of promoting fitness: “Come for the temples, stay for the tobacco trek!” So, as Kathmandu breathes easier, smokers might just end up with stronger legs. Talk about a win-win! 🚭🚶♂️🌆💨
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