The Nepal Parliament building is an impressive blend of traditional and modern architecture, featuring a large structure made of steel and concrete topped with a two-tier pagoda. However, last week, its white walls were marred by soot and graffiti. One message reads, “You picked the wrong fight,” and is signed “Gen Z.” Click link to continue reading.

It’s the fallout of the most dramatic upheaval the Himalayan country has experienced in years — where in less than 48 hours, protesters forced the overthrow of the government.

Nepal’s government is only the latest in South Asia to be overthrown by protesters, and it underscores the profound generational change shaking the world’s most populous region and testing governments’ ability to meet their citizens’ expectations.

The turmoil in Nepal began in earnest on Sept. 8, when police in the capital Kathmandu opened fire on anti-corruption protesters as they tried to breach Parliament walls. Mobs retaliated by torching buildings, looting banks and shops, and attacking politicians in their homes. The violence killed more than 70 people and wounded thousands more, according to Nepal police spokesperson Ramesh Thapa.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli resigned on Sept. 9 and has not been seen publicly since. The army imposed a curfew.

By Sept. 12, the country had a new interim leader: Sushila Karki. The 73-year-old was Nepal’s first female chief justice — and is now its first female prime minister. Her appointment by Nepal’s president followed online polls on the chat portal Discord, where thousands supported her citing her judicial record of taking on the corrupt and the elite.

“Our movement was motivated by two things,” says Abhiyan Sapkota, a 27-year-old civil engineer who participated in the protests, “unemployment and government corruption.”

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For months, young Nepalis sought to highlight the stunning contrast between the country’s masses and its wealthy elites, pulling together montages of social media images and videos uploaded by the children of prominent politicians. One image showed a young woman posing with a Prada bag worth $2,600, in a country where the average yearly income in Nepal is less than $1,500 a year.

They zoomed in on Nepali elites vacationing in Europe, a contrast to the travels of most citizens — who work abroad in low-paying jobs as porters, soldiers and construction workers.

The campaign, using variations of hashtags like #NepoKids, came amid mounting frustration with politicians who are widely seen as using public money to enrich themselves. “Over the last 10 years, all three individuals who have traded the prime minister’s chair have had pretty serious corruption allegations against them,” says Ashish Pradhan, an expert on Nepal at the International Crisis Group, a think tank.

Investigators never pursued the cases seriously, he says. “Instead, the anti-corruption watchdog was used to go after political opponents rather than to tackle systemic misuse of funds.”

But on Sept. 4, the government abruptly suspended most social media. It was widely seen by anti-corruption activists as an attempt to quell their campaign exposing the poolside luxury lives of Nepal’s elite. That led to thousands protesting in Kathmandu on Sept. 8.

In the days after violence, army personnel fanned out across the country. On major roads of Kathmandu, they set up checkpoints every few hundred yards and checked IDs. When curfew was relaxed for a few hours every day, youths cleaned the streets, visited hospitals to check upon the injured and held candlelight vigils for protesters who’d lost their lives. Outside a burnt-down police station in Kathmandu’s Darbar Marg, someone scrawled an apology: “Sorry dada,” Nepali for an elder brother.

 npr.org

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The Trump administration has informed Congress about plans to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, demonstrating U.S. support as the country faces increasing international isolation due to its conflict in Gaza. Click link to continue reading.

The proposed package includes a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, which would nearly double Israel’s fleet.

Additionally, there is a $1.9 billion sale of 3,200 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army, according to a U.S. official and another source familiar with the proposal, who requested anonymity since the plans have not yet been made public.

Officials indicated that deliveries of these weapons would take at least two to three years.

These proposed sales come at a time when U.S.-backed efforts to negotiate an end to Israel’s nearly two-year conflict with Hamas have stalled. This news follows Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, which has drawn significant criticism from American allies in the region.

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As Nigeria’s political scene heats up, new allegations have emerged about the appointment of a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

The current INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, will retire in less than 60 days after leading the 2023 presidential elections.

There are concerns that the President’s choice for the new chairman could cause major conflicts across the country. Click link to continue reading.

*Scores 84.38 per cent in midwifery council examination

Atiba University, Oyo, Nursing and Midwifery students have excelled in the recently concluded Midwifery Council Examination held in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to a statement by the institution, “the outstanding result once again underscores the University’s status as a beacon of academic and professional excellence in healthcare education.”

According to the statement, the University recorded an impressive overall success rate of 84.38 per cent, “reflecting the quality of teaching, mentorship, and commitment that define the Atiba learning experience,” the statement said.

Out of the 32 candidates presented, 27 students passed all three papers outright, thereby qualifying with distinction, with three (3) and two (2) having reference in Papers 1 and 2, respectively.

The institution stated that it remained committed to supporting the five students who would be retaking their papers, assuring them of renewed mentoring and guidance towards eventual success.

Speaking on this achievement, the Founder and President of Atiba University, James Adesokan Ojebode (PhD), commended the students for their resilience and the staff for their tireless commitment to training competent health professionals. He stated:

“This performance is a great source of joy and pride to us at the Atiba University, Oyo. It is proof that our vision of producing globally competitive graduates who are grounded in knowledge, skill, and character is being realised. I congratulate the students, faculty, and all stakeholders who contributed to this success.”

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Similarly, the Acting Registrar, Mrs. Oyepeju Ayomide Ogunseye (Esq), expressed delight at the outcome and emphasised the importance of the success to the department’s continued growth:

“These results reflect the hard work of our students and the painstaking preparation by our faculty. Midwifery is a delicate and noble profession, and our students’ strong performance in this rigorous examination is evidence of their readiness to make a positive impact in the healthcare sector.”

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Olawale Okeniyi, also congratulated the successful candidates while reaffirming the University’s dedication to continuous improvement:

“We are encouraged by these results, and as an institution, we remain committed to providing the enabling environment, academic support, and infrastructure necessary for our students to excel at the highest levels. We will continue to raise the bar in training professionals who will serve society with excellence and integrity.”

Okeniyi further noted that the performance was not only a major milestone but also a validation of the University’s steady investment in quality teaching and professional mentorship.

With this success, Atiba University Oyo continues to strengthen its role as a centre for excellence in health sciences, reaffirming its mission to nurture competent, compassionate, and ethical professionals for Nigeria and the global community.

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“What is needed now is politics that can turn our anxieties about life and the future into hope,” the 64-year-old told reporters.

Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister and close ally of slain ex-premier Shinzo Abe, revealed her bid during a meeting with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, now the LDP’s supreme adviser. Click link to continue reading.

Japanese conservative politician Sanae Takaichi on Thursday announced her intention to run for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a contest that could make her the country’s first female prime minister, Kyodo News reported.

Takaichi, a former internal affairs minister and close ally of slain ex-premier Shinzo Abe, revealed her bid during a meeting with former Prime Minister Taro Aso, now the LDP’s supreme adviser.

“What is needed now is politics that can turn our anxieties about life and the future into hope,” the 64-year-old told reporters. She is scheduled to outline her policies at a press conference on Friday.

Takaichi is considered one of the leading contenders in the Oct. 4 party election, alongside Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. A Jiji Press poll of 2,000 respondents showed Koizumi ahead with 23.8% support, followed by Takaichi at 21%.

Other expected candidates include Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi.

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The LDP leadership vote was originally scheduled for 2027, the end of Shigeru Ishiba’s three-year term, but was moved up after Ishiba announced his resignation on Sept. 7 following his coalition’s defeat in July’s upper house election.

While stepping down as party president, Ishiba will remain prime minister until the LDP chooses a new leader – a role that in Japan’s political system is effectively equivalent to the premiership.

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The atmosphere in River State has significantly stabilized following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to lift the six-month state of emergency that had been in place.

Although the immediate tension has eased, the challenges that Fubara will face from the state assembly and local government are looming large.

These potential conflicts could ignite a new wave of political turmoil, threatening to plunge the state back into chaos. Click link to continue reading.

The underlying issues remain unresolved, leaving many apprehensive about the future of governance in River State.

Tinubu, in a statement he signed yesterday, declared that the emergency rule would end at midnight, clearing the way for Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule to resume duties today.

The president said he saw no reason for the state of emergency to continue a day longer.

A fresh prophecy from Prophet Julius Okonkwo, a cleric and the presiding pastor of Kingdom Seeker Ministries based in the United States, revealed that the storm is not yet over in Rivers State.

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“This jubilation should wait; I am not seeing peace at the moment, no peace, no cohesion; everyone is in a mind game, the storm is not over, and there will be another brutal storm. For Fubara, the battle is not over; he’s not happy, and things won’t favour him. The governor would be in his office with folded arms, eating and refreshing, but he wouldn’t have governing power. He has not been forgiven; only time will tell,” said Okonkwo in his weekly message. 

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