Nepal’s Prime Minister Oli quits after violent protests over social media ban

Published

4 days ago

September 9, 2025

WHY THIS MATTERS: Protests in Nepal have revealed the extent of young people’s frustration with the lack of opportunity in the Himalayan nation, as they spiraled into a broader challenge to the government. While around a fifth of young people are unemployed, many note that the children of the political elite seem to enjoy luxury lifestyles and numerous advantages.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s prime minister resigned Tuesday as protests against a short-lived ban on social media grew increasingly violent and expanded into broader criticism of his government and accusations of corruption among the Himalayan country’s political elite.

The resignation appeared to have little effect on the demonstrations. Tens of thousands of protesters remained on the streets late in the day, blocking roads, storming government buildings and setting them on fire, and, in some cases, attacking political leaders. Army helicopters ferried some ministers to safe places.

A day earlier, demonstrations led by young people angry about the blocking of several social media sites gripped the country’s capital, and police opened fired on the crowds, killing 19 people.

The ban was lifted Tuesday, but the protests continued, fueled by anger over the deaths and growing frustration with the political elite in the nation wedged between China and India.

As the protests intensified, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli announced he was stepping down. The president accepted the resignation and appointed Oli to lead a caretaker government until a new one is in place — though it was unclear what power he would wield or even where he was.

The army issued a statement calling for calm and urging political dialogue, but did not give any other details.

Protesters vandalize and burn down Nepalese communist party office during protests against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Focus turns to the government

The demonstrations — called the protest of Gen Z — began after the government blocked platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube, saying the companies had failed to register and submit to government oversight.

But they spiraled to reflect broader discontent. In particular, many young people are angry that the children of political leaders — so-called Nepo Kids — seem to enjoy luxury lifestyles and numerous advantages while most youth struggle to find work. With youth unemployment running at about 20% last year, according to the World Bank, the government estimates that more than 2,000 young people leave the country every day to seek work in the Middle East or southeast Asia.

“I am here to protest about the massive corruption in our country,” said Bishnu Thapa Chetri, a student. “The country has gotten so bad that for us youths there is no grounds for us to stay.”

Videos shared on social media showed protesters beating up Nepali Congress party leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, the current foreign minister. Both appeared to be bleeding, while one video showed the party leader being helped to safety. The party is the country’s largest and is part of the governing coalition.

Local media and videos on social media also showed protesters attacking government buildings and the residences of the top political leaders throughout Tuesday.

The presidential palace, the prime minister’s official residence, and a building that houses the offices of the prime minster and several ministries were all torched. Thick smoke rose from the prime minister’s office building.

Earlier, Oli’s private home was set on fire, as were those of the president, home minister and the Deubas. The home of the leader of the opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was also set ablaze.

Some protesters blamed the government for the police opening fire and called for the ouster of the increasingly unpopular prime minister.

“We are here to protest because our youths and friends are getting killed, we are here to see that justice is done and the present regime is ousted,” said Narayan Acharya, who was among the protesters outside the battered wall of the parliament building Tuesday. “K.P. Oli should be chased away.”

Police fire on crowds

Protesters vandalize Nepalese congress party central office during protests against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Monday’s rallies swelled to tens of thousands of people in Kathmandu and crowds surrounded the Parliament building before police opened fire on the demonstrators.

“Stop the ban on social media. Stop corruption, not social media,” the crowds chanted, waving national flags.

Seven of the 19 killed and scores of the wounded were taken to the National Trauma Center, the country’s main hospital.

“Many of them are in serious condition and appear to have been shot in the head and chest,” said Dr. Badri Risa, who works at the hospital. Families waited for news of their relatives while people lined up to donate blood.

Before he resigned, Oli said he would form an investigating committee that would submit a report on the shooting in 15 days. He added that compensation would be given to the families of those who were killed and those who were wounded would receive free treatment.

Social media ban seen as part of larger crackdown

The violence unfolded as Nepal’s government pursues a broader attempt to regulate social media with a bill aimed at ensuring the platforms are “properly managed, responsible and accountable.” The proposal has been widely criticized as a tool for censorship and for punishing government opponents who voice their protests online.

An ambulance drives past protesters burning tires to block streets during protests against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

The bill would require companies to appoint a liaison office or a point of contact in the country. Rights groups have called it an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression and fundamental rights.

The registration requirement applied to about two dozen social networks widely used in Nepal.

Neither Google, which owns YouTube, nor Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Elon Musk’s X platform also did not respond.

TikTok, Viber and three other platforms have registered and operated without interruption.

Nepal in 2023 banned TikTok for disrupting “social harmony, goodwill and diffusing indecent materials.” The ban was lifted last year after TikTok’s executives pledged to comply with local laws, including a ban of pornographic sites that was passed in 2018.

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Farm Aid on as University of Minnesota, Teamsters reach deal to end strike

Published

1 hour ago

September 13, 2025

Erin Adler

Sources familiar with negotiations said Gov. Tim Walz’s office got involved late in the game to help reach a deal after Nelson’s call.

On Friday night, Nelson posted on X that he spoke to Walz and appreciated his involvement: “We both know that ultimately, it’s up to the university to do the right thing, and soon, so that Farm Aid 40 can go forward.”

In response, Gov. Walz posted on X around midnight: “We’ll get ‘er done, Willie.”

The university had not added new information to its strike update website and did not respond to requests for comment Saturday morning.

“I was happy to walk the picket line with the U of MN Teamsters. They deserve respect and fair wages for their work at the university,” Regent Robyn Gulley said Saturday, speaking as an individual Regent. “This strike is a lesson on the power of solidarity for working class families. Everyone should have a union.”

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Trump says he’s ready to put ‘major sanctions’ on Russia if NATO nations do the same

Published

3 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Erin Doherty, CNBC

President Donald Trump said Saturday he is “ready to do major Sanctions on Russia” once all NATO countries have started “to do the same thing” and pause their purchases of oil from Moscow.

He also urged NATO countries to impose “50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA,” which he said should be withdrawn after the Russia-Ukraine war has concluded.

“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, which he said was the text of a letter sent to all NATO nations and “the world.”

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but has so far held off from doing so.

Earlier this month, the president said he was prepared to move towards a second phase of sanctioning Russia, but has not yet imposed the levies.

Part of Trump’s reluctance to impose the strict economic punishments may be in part because he hopes he can broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, analysts previously told CNBC.

“The second reason … is there is a sense that if Russia is defeated … then it has no choice but to go even further all-in with China, and that potentially then would strengthen China’s position,” Chris Weafer, the chief executive of Moscow-based Macro-Advisory, told CNBC earlier this month.

Trump’s Saturday post underscores that he is shifting his focus to NATO nations to put pressure on Russia to end its war.

“As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking!” Trump wrote in the post.

“It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia,” he continued.

Hungary and Slovakia have continued to buy Russian fossil fuels, drawing criticism from Trump officials.

“We want to displace all Russian gas. President Trump, America, and all the nations of the EU, we want to end the Russian-Ukraine war,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said Friday.

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College football Week 3 best bets: Will Darian Mensah put up a big game against his former team?

Published

3 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Austin Mock

“Sometimes it’s best to be lucky” sums up last week’s best bets from my College Football Projection Model. The model churned out a winning week, but the way that two of the winners got home was impressive.

Louisville and Syracuse, both favorites, somehow managed to cover by the hook (the final half-point of a spread) in games that I wasn’t even sure they were going to win. So yeah, it pays to be lucky. If there is a lesson, though, it’s that both games won by the hook, but if you didn’t bet them at the number that I bet during publish, you either pushed or lost. Even my worst price to bet would have gone 1-0-1 but the closing line would have gone 0-1-1. I say it every week, but getting the best of the number is vital to long-term success.

Last week’s record: 3-2, +0.80 units
Season record: 5-4, +0.60 units, 6.0% ROI

Five bets to kick off Week 3, and at least three that are a half-point off from getting onto the card, so stay tuned there. Hopefully we can have a big week, but I’ll settle for a modest winning one like last week. As always, shop around for the best price and good luck!

College football Week 3 best bets

Colorado +4.5 (-110) at Houston

I don’t like this bet one bit, but the numbers are what they are. I think Houston is improved and Colorado is trending down, but this is a bit too much for my taste. This seems like a buy-low spot on Colorado and a sell-high spot on Houston. My numbers actually have this game closer to a pick ’em, so getting 4.5 is a must-buy.

Worst price to bet: Colorado +4 (-110)

Arkansas at Ole Miss under 61.5 (-110)

Well, both of these teams like to play at a lightning pace and have scored 50-plus points in three of the four games they’ve played so far this season. Arkansas hasn’t played anybody good yet, and Ole Miss played Kentucky in their only game against solid competition. The total points in that game ended up being 53. I’m not saying we will see this game go into the low 50s, but I’m not as scared of the pace if I believe you’re going to struggle to find consistent offense down to down.

Worst price to bet: Under 61 (-110)

South Alabama at Auburn under 55.5 (-115)

Maybe I’m overrating the Auburn defense, but I think South Alabama is going to have loads of problems in this matchup. I also have an edge on Auburn against the spread here, but don’t really care to get involved in such a big spread. Similarly to the game above, South Alabama will want to play at a fast pace, but it doesn’t matter too much when you’re not able to move the ball. My only worry here is Auburn scoring a ton, but with two consecutive ranked road games on deck to precede a stretch of four ranked opponents in five weeks, I think they’ll want to get in and out with a clean bill of health.

Worst price to bet: Under 54.5 (-110)

Western Michigan at Illinois over 50.5 (-110)

The pace won’t be anything to get excited about here, but I think Western Michigan will play faster than expected. Last week against North Texas, the Broncos played incredibly slowly, but they were in the lead for the majority of the game. They’ll likely be trailing in this matchup, and their pace will likely match closer to their game against Michigan State. They’ll still need to find a way to move the ball, but my number on this total is in the mid-50s.

Worst price to bet: Over 51 (-110)

Duke at Tulane under 54.5 (-105)

BetMGM is giving us the best price in the market by a considerable margin here, so I’ll gladly scoop this up. Tulane is good, but I think the Duke defense will have a talent advantage to slow them down and keep this a lower-scoring game. Sure, some will say Duke quarterback Darian Mensah will want to put up a big game against his former team, but I’m not buying into that narrative. Let’s keep the fireworks to a minimum here, please.

Worst price to bet: Under 52.5 (-110)