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الوسم: social media ban

  • Nepali Protesters Hope Deaths Will Spark Change

    Nepali Protesters Hope Deaths Will Spark Change

    Relatives of those lost in Nepal’s anti-corruption protests expressed hope that their loved ones’ sacrifices wouldn’t be in vain, as the interim prime minister officially assumed office on Saturday. Among the victims was 30-year-old Santosh Bishwakarma, one of at least 51 fatalities during two days of unrest— the most severe violence since Nepal’s civil war ended and the monarchy was dissolved in 2008. His widow, Amika, also 30, with tears in her eyes, remembered his “ultimate goal” to “die knowing he had contributed to the country.” Santosh was shot on Monday amid the initial wave of protests led by the youth-led “Gen Z” movement.

    The protests were sparked by a temporary social media ban, which intensified long-standing frustrations over corruption and economic struggles, transforming into broader outrage. “He used to say he wouldn’t die like a dog,” Amika shared in her modest Kathmandu home, holding a framed photo of her late husband. “His dream was to make Nepal known worldwide—and he achieved that.”

    KP Sharma Oli, the 73-year-old leader of the Communist Party, stepped down as prime minister a day after Santosh’s death and amid protests that saw the parliament set ablaze, ending his fourth term. On Friday, former Supreme Court Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in to lead a six-month transition toward new elections. Thousands of young activists debated their next moves through Discord and selected Karki as their preferred leader.

    Now raising her 10-year-old Ujwal and 7-year-old Sonia on her own, Amika worries about the future. “My husband would have done everything to fulfill their dreams, even if it meant risking his life,” she said. “But how am I supposed to manage everything alone? He gave his life for our country, and I hope the new government will support us.”

    Family friend Solan Rai, 42, believes this unrest represents a turning point. “I hope this time we will see real change,” he said, noting that the anger has been “more intense than anything we’ve seen before.” The World Bank reports that a staggering 82% of Nepal’s workforce is employed informally—one of the highest rates globally—and the country’s GDP per capita is just $1,447.

    At Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Friday, hundreds gathered for mass cremations. Families mourned loved ones, including young men shot in the clashes. “I hope there will be justice—and that our people finally get the change they desperately need,” said Ratna Maharjan, mourning her son, tears streaming down her face. One mother refused to release her son’s body, wrapped in a shroud and holding onto him on the temple steps. Nearby, police officers laid marigold garlands on fallen colleagues as a bugler played over the smoke-filled riverbank.

    Amika’s plea was simple: “All we want is equality—so the wealthy can’t thrive while the poor suffer.”

  • Nepal Announces March Elections Following Interim Prime Minister Appointment

    Nepal Announces March Elections Following Interim Prime Minister Appointment

    Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel announced the dissolution of the parliament and scheduled new elections for March 5, 2026, following a week marked by deadly violence. The unrest reached a turning point when the country appointed its first female interim prime minister, Sushila Karki, after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid anti-corruption protests.

    The president’s decision was made shortly after Karki’s appointment, which came after intense negotiations involving Paudel, military leader Ashok Raj Sigdel, and protest organizers responsible for Nepal’s most significant upheaval in years, resulting in at least 51 deaths and over 1,300 injuries.

    India expressed hope that these political developments would promote peace and stability in Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended congratulations to Sushila Karki on her new role, emphasizing India’s commitment to Nepal’s progress and prosperity.

    The protests initially erupted over a social media ban, which was eventually lifted, leading to a reduction in violence following Oli’s resignation. Since abolishing the monarchy in 2008, Nepal has been battling political and economic instability, with high unemployment pushing many young people to seek work abroad in regions like the Middle East, South Korea, and Malaysia.

    Today, stability is gradually returning with reopened shops, resumed traffic, and police replacing guns with batons. The nation of 30 million, nestled between China and India, is inching toward normalcy as political upheaval subsides.

  • Nepal Prime Minister Oli Resigns Amid Rising Anti-Corruption Protests

    Nepal Prime Minister Oli Resigns Amid Rising Anti-Corruption Protests

    Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday amid widespread protests sparked by a social media ban, which resulted in clashes between demonstrators and police. The protests turned violent, leaving 19 dead and over 100 injured when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds attempting to storm the parliament building. Following the violence, the government lifted the social media restrictions.

    The mounting unrest is the most severe in Nepal in decades, a nation nestled between India and China that has faced ongoing political instability and economic challenges since the monarchy was abolished in 2008. Oli’s resignation was confirmed by his aide, Prakash Silwal, signaling fresh political turmoil for the fragile country.

    Earlier in the day, Oli convened a meeting with political parties, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue to address issues and condemning violence. Still, protests persisted in Kathmandu, with demonstrators setting tires ablaze, throwing stones at police, and confronting officers in riot gear. Some protesters even set homes of politicians on fire, and reports indicated that the military had evacuated certain ministers from danger.

    Supporters of the protests, mainly young people frustrated with the government’s inability to combat corruption and improve economic prospects, gathered from nearby regions, marching toward the capital in solidarity. Witnesses reported the burning of political residences and the involvement of military helicopters in safety operations.

    The chaos has caused disruptions at Kathmandu’s main international airport, with limited visibility due to smoke from nearby fires, halting flight operations. Protest organizers have described these demonstrations as driven by Generation Z, highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction among Nepal’s youth.

    Throughout the day, various international embedded media and social media platforms have continually updated, showcasing the intensity of Nepal’s political crisis and the ongoing protests demanding change.

  • Nepal Ends Social Media Ban Following Deadly Protests, Minister Confirms

    Nepal Ends Social Media Ban Following Deadly Protests, Minister Confirms

    Nepal has lifted a social media ban after protests that left 19 people dead, according to a government official on Tuesday.

    The government announced it had reversed the ban on social media platforms that was put into place last week, stated Cabinet spokesperson and Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung.

    The move came after intense protests—dubbed the “Gen Z” movement—resulted in 19 deaths and over 100 injuries in the capital and other cities. The protests erupted in response to the restrictions on social media.

    “We have ended the social media shutdown. Platforms are operational now,” Gurung told Reuters.

    Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed grief over the violence, blaming it on “infiltration from various selfish centers.” He also pledged financial assistance to the families of the deceased and free medical care for those injured.

    “A special commission will be formed within 15 days to investigate the causes, evaluate damages, and recommend measures to prevent future incidents,” Oli added in a late-night statement on Monday.

    The protests, which spread across the country’s cities, are called “demonstrations by Gen Z” by organizers. They represent widespread frustration among young citizens over the government’s perceived inaction on corruption and economic development.

    Last week, the government moved to block access to several social media services, including Facebook. This decision sparked further outrage among the youth.

    Officials explained that the shutdown targeted platforms that had not registered with the government, as part of efforts to curb fake IDs, misinformation, and hate speech.

  • Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro placed under house arrest for social media ban breach

    Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro placed under house arrest for social media ban breach

    A former Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been placed under house arrest after violating a social media ban, intensifying a tense conflict between the courts and the politician, who faces allegations of plotting a coup. Bolsonaro is currently on trial in the Supreme Court, accused of attempting to retain power following his 2022 election loss to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

    The United States has criticized Bolsonaro’s house arrest and has pledged to hold all responsible parties accountable. During the proceedings, Bolsonaro is prohibited from using social media, and third parties are not allowed to share his public statements. However, his supporters defied these restrictions on Sunday by sharing footage online of a call between Bolsonaro and his eldest son, Flavio, during a rally in Rio de Janeiro.

    Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes expressed strong disapproval, stating that the judiciary would not tolerate Bolsonaro’s misuse of his influence or power. Due to ongoing non-compliance with court orders, Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to stay at his home in Brasília, restricted visitor access to his legal team, and prohibited him from using mobile phones. He warned that any further violations could result in detention. Police reportedly seized several phones from Bolsonaro’s residence on Monday.

    The Biden administration condemned the new restrictions, with the State Department’s Western Hemisphere Affairs bureau criticizing Moraes’ use of judicial authority to silence opposition and threaten democracy. They called for Bolsonaro’s voice to be heard and warned they would hold accountable those involved in enforcing sanctions.

    Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, actively shared the US government’s statements on social media, asserting that Brazil is no longer a democracy and criticizing Moraes as an “out-of-control psychopath.” Moraes, who is overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial and has presented himself as a defender of democracy against the far-right, had previously ordered Bolsonaro to wear an ankle bracelet and restricted his media activity.

    In response, Trump took the unprecedented step of barring Moraes from entering the U.S. and freezing his assets in American banks. Trump’s efforts to influence Brazil’s domestic politics have resonated with Bolsonaro’s conservative supporters, some of whom attended rallies brandishing U.S. flags and thanking Trump. Bolsonaro himself has remained in home confinement during the trial, which is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.

    Prosecutors allege Bolsonaro and six others tried to overturn his 2022 defeat through a conspiracy that largely failed due to military inaction. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison. Following the unsuccessful attempt, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Congress in January 2023, ransacking offices and confronting police—a scene reminiscent of the attack on the U.S. Capitol two years prior.

    Despite being ineligible to run again, Bolsonaro aims for a political comeback in the 2026 presidential race, just as Lula, age 79, has hinted at a possible third term, health permitting, after recent hospitalization for a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall.