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Social media addiction has been compared to casinos, opioids and cigarettes. While experts debate whether heavy use qualifies as a true addiction, many people say they struggle to step away from platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. Critics argue the apps are designed to keep users scrolling, generating billions in advertising revenue.

AP reported, Dr Anna Lembke, an addiction specialist at Stanford University School of Medicine, defines addiction as compulsive use despite harm. She says constant, frictionless access makes social media especially hard to resist. However, social media addiction is not officially recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the standard guide used by mental health professionals.

According to AP, experts recommend small changes to reduce screen time. These include turning off notifications, moving apps on the home screen or using built-in tools like Screen Time on phones. In more serious cases, users may consider greyscale settings, physical phone lockboxes or therapy to address underlying issues such as anxiety, stress or loneliness.

Iran and the US will hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, Oman’s foreign minister said. Badr Albusaidi confirmed the meeting as concerns grow over the risk of military conflict between the longtime rivals. Oman is mediating the indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

According to Reuters, tensions have risen after Donald Trump warned that “really bad things will happen” if no agreement is reached over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said recent talks had produced “encouraging signals” but stressed Tehran is prepared for any scenario.

Iran has signalled it may offer fresh concessions, including sending part of its highly enriched uranium abroad and diluting the rest, Reuters wrote. However, it insists any deal must lift economic sanctions and recognise its right to peaceful nuclear enrichment.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff questioned why Tehran had not “capitulated” under pressure, citing concerns that Iran’s uranium enrichment has reached 60 percent purity. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded that Iran would not surrender but said diplomacy remains possible, Reuters reported.

Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Kumar Thapa has expressed deep sorrow over the fatal bus accident that had occurred in the wee hours today at Bhainsegauda in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5, Dhading. 

The bus (Ga 1 Kha 1421) heading towards Kathmandu from Pokhara plunged into the Trishuli River, killing 17 people and injuring 27 others. 

In a press release today, the NC President has, on his behalf and the party, extended heartfelt tributes to the deceased and condolences to the grieving families. 

He has urged the government to take all necessary arrangements so that the injured could access quality treatment. 

The party has also drawn the government's attention to the need for taking measures for addressing growing cases of road accidents lately. It wants the government to form a taskforce to find out reasons behind such accidents.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 3, 200 per tola in the domestic market on Monday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 313, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 310, 300 per tola on Sunday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 170 and is being traded at Rs 5, 595 per tola today.

The European Commission demanded on Sunday that the United States adhere to the terms of an EU-U.S. trade deal reached last year. This came after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Donald Trump's global tariffs, prompting him to respond with new across-the-board levies, Reuters reported. 

The European Commission, acting on behalf of the EU's 27 member states in trade policy negotiations, stated that Washington must offer "full clarity" regarding its intended steps after the court's decision.

After the court struck down Trump's global tariffs on Friday, the U.S. president announced temporary, across-the-board tariffs of 10 percent, which he then hiked to 15 percent a day later, according to Reuters. 

North Korea's ruling Workers' Party has again chosen Kim Jong Un to be its general secretary, state media report, BBC reported. 

The announcement by the rubber-stamp party congress on Sunday comes as little surprise given the Kim family has ruled the dictatorship since the late 1940s.

State-run KCNA said that under Kim's leadership North Korea "radically improved" its "war deterrence", "with the nuclear forces as its pivot".

The local administration has clamped curfew in Birgunj Metropolitan City of Parsa district in a bid to curb possible untoward situation. The curfew order is in place from 9:45 am today.  

Chief District Officer of Parsa, Bhola Dahal, issued the curfew order after a tense situation surfaced between the two groups over the issue of parking at Shreepur area of Birgunj Metropolitan City on Sunday. 

The curfew was enforced until further notice as per the Clause 6 (A) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, added Dahal. 

The curfew will be imposed in the Baipass road towards west, Sirsirya river towards west, Gandak Chowk towards north and Shankaracharya Gate towards south.  

People's movement, gatherings, rallies and assemblies have been banned in the assigned area. 

However, security personnel would facilitate the movement of vehicles of essential service, media persons, vehicles of health workers and diplomatic missions, tourist vehicles, students for prescheduled examinations of universities, human rights activists and air passengers during curfew hour.

Byas Municipality in Tanahun has generated income Rs 1.4 million from the sale of waste products in the first seven months of the current fiscal year. 

During the period from mid-July 2025 to mid-February 2026, the municipality earned Rs 1,450,611 from the sale of recycled waste products. 

Chief Administrative Officer Sukadev Lamsal informed that the municipality earned the income from the sale of garbage and glass items. 

Facing the challenge of waste management, the municipality has started collecting segregated waste from households. 

Lamsal explained that biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste is collected separately, and income is generated by selling sellable waste. 

He said, 'Collecting all waste in one place causes problems, so biodegradables are collected in a separate vehicle and non-biodegradable in another.' 

Lamsal mentioned that selling waste has helped the municipality increase its internal resources. 

Byas Municipality Mayor Baikuntha Neupane said they have been segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste from the very beginning of collection, and even within non-biodegradable waste, different items like glass, plastic, and paper are being separated and compressed with the use of machines. 

The municipality has educated families, wards and school leaderships within the municipality on waste segregation methods. 

The municipality is selling non-biodegradable waste such as paper, glass, and plastic collected from its office premises.