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At least 17 protesters were killed Monday when Nepal police dispersed young demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its social media ban and tackle corruption.Several social media sites -- including Facebook, YouTube and X -- have been inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused.Police used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and batons when the demonstrators pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament. "Seventeen people have died," Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for the Kathmandu valley police, told AFP.Khanal said about 400 people were injured, including over 100 police.Following the violence, home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned at a cabinet meeting in the evening, local media reported."I had been there for a peaceful protest, but the government used force," said Iman Magar, 20, who was hit in his right arm."It was not a rubber bullet but a metallic one, and it took away a part of my hand. The doctor says I need to undergo an operation."Sirens wailed through the city as the injured were taken to hospitals."I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital," said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, which received many of those wounded."Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work," she told AFP.The United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe of the violence."We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation," UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement."We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces."Amnesty International also called for an investigation, and said live ammunition had been used against protesters.The district administration imposed a curfew in several key areas of the city, including the parliament, the president's residence and Singha Durbar, which houses the prime minister's office.Some of the demonstrators had climbed over the wall into the parliament premises and its gate was vandalised.Similar protests were organised in other districts across the country.Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business."We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here," said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24."We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal."Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting the "authoritarian attitude" of the government."We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation," she told AFP.Demonstrators had started their protest in Kathmandu with the national anthem and waving the country's flag, before chanting against the social media stoppage and corruption.There have been several corruption cases reported in the last few years involving ministers, former ministers and high-profile officials.Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating."There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they are afraid that might happen here as well," said protester Bhumika Bharati.The cabinet decided last month to give the affected social media firms seven days to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact and designate resident grievance and compliance officers.The decision came after a Supreme Court order in September last year.In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to "creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use".Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.UN urges probe The United Nations demanded a swift and transparent investigation on Monday after a rights group accused police in Nepal of firing on people protesting against corruption, social media ban, killing at least 17. "We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation," UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.

The Qatar Press Center (QPC), in co-operation with the Media Development Department of the Qatar Media Corporation (QMC), concluded the “Political Analysis for Media Professionals” course, which was held from August 31-September 3 at the Center’s headquarters.The course was attended by a select group of media professionals and journalists from various local media outlets. The course was presented by Professor Abdullah al-Shaiji, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, who shared his extensive academic and practical experience in interpreting the regional and international political landscape and analysing current issues in an in-depth and objective perspective. At the conclusion of the course, Abdullah bin Haji al-Sulaiti, vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of the QPC, distributed certificates to the participants. He also presented a certificate of thanks and appreciation to the lecturer, Professor Abdullah al-Shaiji, in recognition of his efforts and contributions to the success of the training programme. Sadiq Mohammed al-Ammari, director general of the QPC, expressed his happiness with the fruitful co-operation with the QMC in organising the fourth part of the political analysis course. He emphasised that this partnership comes within the framework of the Center’s commitment to providing the media arena with quality programmes that enhance skills and keep pace with current developments. The director general emphasised that the course attracted an elite group of media professionals and journalists from various media institutions, praising their interaction, which gave a practical dimension to the training experience. The director general emphasised that co-operation with the QMC will expand in the coming period to include the launch of more specialised courses and workshops aimed at providing media professionals with the knowledge and skills that keep pace with the rapid changes in the media and political landscape. Professor Abdullah al-Shaiji said: “This course is an opportunity to qualify young Qataris and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills in the fields of media and political analysis.”He added: “The course aims to enhance the capacity of young Qataris to gather and analyse accurate information and understand Qatari achievements at all levels. This is particularly true given Qatar’s influential soft power, its significant achievements in development and charitable work, and its pivotal role in bringing viewpoints closer at the Gulf, Arab, and global levels.” He praised the efforts of the QMC and QPC in building qualified media cadres capable of conveying Qatar’s accurate image, correcting negative stereotypes, and defending national achievements with evidence, figures, and statistics, thus contributing to strengthening Qatar’s position regionally and internationally.

Al Jazeera Media Network has announced the appointment of Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal bin Khalifa al-Thani as its new director general, succeeding Dr Mostefa Souag, who has held the position for the past 12 years.Sheikh Nasser, a graduate of Qatar University, has worked at several organisations, including four years at Barwa Real Estate, a statement said Monday. In 2013, he moved to the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he held various roles, culminating in the rank of ambassador.Sheikh Nasser will lead the Network, which in recent years has achieved notable successes and accomplishments across various fields of media. Today, Al Jazeera stands among the world's leading media organisations, distinguished by its award-winning field coverage, programmes, and documentaries.This leadership transition comes as the Network seeks to enhance its strategy and operational framework to keep pace with developments in the media and news industry, and to maintain its position as a pioneer both regionally and globally, the statement added.

Media City Qatar has joined as a strategic partner for the Innovation by Design Summit 2025, powered by Doha Design District, Msheireb Properties has announced.The summit, presented by Msheireb Properties in collaboration with Fast Company Middle East, returns to Doha on September 24 following its 2024 debut.It will bring together regional and international experts to discuss how design intersects with business and innovation.Themed ‘Inspiring the Future of Design,’, the event will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Doha in Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) and feature 15 panel discussions and sessions on topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, product innovation, immersive media, sustainable architecture, and the future of the creator economy.Msheireb Properties CEO engineer Ali al-Kuwari said: “MDD exemplifies how design harmonises heritage, sustainability, and community. As a hub for institutions like Media City Qatar, we’ve witnessed firsthand how intentional design leads innovation ecosystems. This partnership will ignite collaborations that redefine urban living and regional connectivity.”Media City Qatar CEO, engineer Jassim Mohamed al-Khori, said: “Design is now central to how we tell stories, build systems, and connect with the world. At Media City Qatar, we enable media and tech innovators to build solutions that resonate globally.“This partnership accelerates our mission to advance Qatar as a nexus where talent, technology, and purposeful design converge, driving economic diversification in line with the Third Qatar National Development Strategy.”More than 60 entries have been submitted for the Innovation in Design Awards, spanning architecture, sustainable design, and emerging creators.The summit features discussions such as “How is Design Saving the World?,” “Designing the Future of Tourism,” and “Creative Intelligence: How Design is Driving Innovation.” Through these conversations, the event will highlight how design is increasingly central to how we build trust, scale ideas, and solve real problems.Sessions like “Designing for Harmony” will dissect design’s capacity to address climate resilience, equitable architecture, and resource efficiency, and “Beyond the Screen: The Rise of Immersive Media in the Digital Age” will discuss NFTs, AI-generated environments, and the $480bn Mena creator economy by 2027.

The Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) received a media delegation from the Republic of Uzbekistan, headed by Mamdamni Safarov, vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan and director of Uzbekistan 24 Television and Radio, to enhance media co-operation and exchange of expertise between the two countries.The delegation was received by Ali Saleh al-Sada, director of Qatar TV, and Mohammed Nasser al-Mohannadi, director of Qatar Radio, and was briefed on the Corporation's various facilities.The tour included the radio building and Qatar TV studios, as well as the technical departments that form the backbone of media work in the country.During the tour, QMC officials briefed the delegation on the nature of daily media work, the mechanisms for producing programmes and news bulletins, and the latest technologies used in broadcasting, radio and television, including modern control systems and production studios equipped with the latest global equipment.The QMC reviewed its efforts to develop media content to meet the aspirations of viewers and listeners, and its role in conveying a true image of Qatari society and its openness to different cultures.This visit comes within the framework of the QMC's efforts to build bridges of international co-operation, highlight the media renaissance taking place in Qatar, and exchange ideas on the best contemporary media practices.The visit is expected to contribute to opening new horizons for bilateral co-operation, enhancing joint media presence.

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) has been recognised with two Telly Awards for a video produced by its Production and Digital Media Services department in support of the university’s Executive Education Programme.The video was recognised in two categories: a “Non-Broadcast Video for an Educational Institution” and a “Craft Award for Editing”, with the latter acknowledging the work of production support specialist Haidar Helmi.The Telly Awards honour excellence in video and television across all screens and receive more than 13,000 entries annually from around the world.Winners are selected by a judging council of more than 250 industry experts from production companies, advertising agencies, and major networks, including Adobe, Netflix, and Meta Creative Shop.Past winners include organisations such as the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), National Geographic, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.NU-Q dean and chief executive Marwan M Kraidy said that the recognition reflects the commitment and talent of the university’s staff.“The creative and technical skills of our production team may not always be visible, but they are essential to our academic mission and to the experience we offer students, faculty, and partners,” he said.For Production and Digital Media Services director Rami al-Badry, the recognition highlights the collaborative spirit that drives the department’s work.“Every project we take on is built on close collaboration with colleagues across the university,” he said.“This video is one example of how our team works hand in hand with academic and administrative units to translate ideas into high-quality productions,” al-Badry added. “Having that work recognised is a proud moment, because it shows what we can accomplish together in support of the academic mission.”The Executive Education programme at the NU-Q offers advanced training in communication, media, and leadership to professionals in the region.With these awards, the NU-Q is recognised among a wide range of global institutions and organisations for its high-quality digital and media production, a statement added.