Soldiers patrolled the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday, amid indefinite curfew in Nepal's capital following two days of deadly anti-graft protests that prompted Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
The worst upheaval in decades in the poor Himalayan nation was sparked by a social media ban unveiled last week but rolled back after 19 people died on Monday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds. At least a 100 people were injured.
"We are trying to normalise the situation first," army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said on Wednesday. "We are committed to protect the life and property of people."
No protests were reported in the capital, but media said about 25 people trying to "create trouble" on the outskirts of Kathmandu had been taken into custody. Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.
Several government buildings, from the supreme court and parliament to ministers' homes, including Oli's private residence, were set ablaze in Tuesday's protests, with the unrest subsiding only after the resignation.
"There are no protesters here," Ram Kumar Shrestha, a resident of Maharajgunj in the capital, told Reuters. "Only a few people are walking in the street. It is peaceful here."
Media said preparations were being made for authorities and protesters to hold talks, but did not specify details. Reuters could not independently confirm the information.
Most of the protesters were young people who voiced frustration with what they called the failure of the government to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities.
For years a lack of jobs has driven millions to seek work in countries such as Malaysia, the Middle East and South Korea, mainly on construction sites, so as to send money home.
Wedged between India and China, Nepal has struggled with political and economic instability since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.
India's security cabinet also met late on Tuesday to discuss the situation in its neighbour.
"Nepal's stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X later. "I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order."
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint militar...
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment