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Nepal Deploys Troops as Protests Turn Deadly

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Nepal Deploys Troops as Protests Turn Deadly


Armed soldiers stood guard outside Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday as streets remained deserted under an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu, following two days of deadly anti-corruption protests that led Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.

The worst upheaval in decades in the poor Himalayan nation was unleashed by a social media ban announced last week, but rolled back after 19 people died on Monday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.

Burnt vehicles and twisted metal heaps littered the area around parliament, where army firefighters battled to douse a blaze in the main hall, while the exterior was charred after angry protesters set it ablaze on Tuesday.

“We are trying to normalise the situation first,” army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said. “We are committed to protecting the life and property of people.”

Armoured vehicles kept vigil in streets deserted except for a few strollers, with shops and markets shut.

Several other government buildings, from the supreme court to ministers’ homes, including Oli’s private residence, were also set ablaze in Tuesday’s protests, with the unrest subsiding only after the resignation.

Nepali army soldiers clear debris from a road near the Singha Durbar office complex following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters
Nepali army soldiers clear debris from a road near the Singha Durbar office complex following protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Flights were disrupted, with the main airport in Kathmandu shut until 6pm, an airport spokesperson said.

TALKS TO DEFUSE CRISIS

In an appeal on X, the army said prohibitory orders would stay until Thursday morning, adding that relevant parties were coordinating to tackle the situation after the protest and resolve the issue.


Media also said preparations were being made for authorities and protesters to hold talks, without giving details. Reuters could not independently confirm the information.

Former Supreme Court judge Balaram K.C. urged the protesters to set up a negotiation team, with the army helping to maintain law and order, and called for fresh elections.

“Parliament should be dissolved and fresh elections held,” the constitutional expert told Reuters. “They should discuss forming the next caretaker government.”

Charred remains of a Nepal Police vehicle sit inside the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Charred remains of a Nepal Police vehicle sit inside the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Most of the protesters were young people voicing frustration at the government’s perceived failure to fight 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.

Members of the media stand in front of the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Members of the media stand in front of the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

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.

Members of the media walk inside the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

Members of the media walk inside the Parliament house, which was set on fire by protesters in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. – Reuters

“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.”



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Dubai police seize bikes of youths after Ramadan stunts spark complaints

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Dubai police seize bikes of youths after Ramadan stunts spark complaints


This image shows e-bikes seized by Dubai Police at Kite Beach sports tracks. — X/@DubaiPoliceHQ
This image shows e-bikes seized by Dubai Police at Kite Beach sports tracks. — X/@DubaiPoliceHQ

DUBAI: Dubai Police have seized several motorbikes after groups of young riders were reported performing dangerous stunts and causing disturbance in residential neighbourhoods following iftar during Ramadan.

Authorities said residents complained about loud noise, reckless riding and youths using motorbikes and quad bikes to carry out risky manoeuvres on public roads.

Police summoned the parents of the minors involved and took legal action, stressing that such behaviour poses a serious risk not only to the riders themselves but also to other road users and pedestrians.

“Reckless driving and stunts endanger lives and disturb community safety,” Dubai Police said, urging the public to report similar violations through the 901 helpline or via the Dubai Police mobile app.

A video shared by Dubai Police on social media showed some of the confiscated bikes and officers addressing the issue as part of ongoing efforts to ensure road safety during the holy month.





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Canada PM begins key India visit, seeking to boost trade

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Canada PM begins key India visit, seeking to boost trade


Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands before posing for a photo during the G7 Leaders Summit in Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada, June 17, 2025.— Reuters/File
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands before posing for a photo during the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada, June 17, 2025.— Reuters/File 
  • Canadian PM to address finance leaders before meeting Indian PM.
  • Carney wants more than double two-way trade with India by 2030.
  • India hopes Canada to support to expand nuclear power capacity.

Canada PM begins key India visit, seeking to boost trade

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in India on Friday for a visit he hopes would reset ties and double trade, offsetting the damage from his country’s fracturing relations with the United States.

Carney’s visit is a key step forward in ties that effectively collapsed in 2023 after Ottawa accused New Delhi of orchestrating a deadly campaign against Sikh activists in Canada.

He arrived in the financial hub of Mumbai, where he is expected to address business leaders before travelling to the capital and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, the final day of his visit.

Indian broadcasters showed a police convoy as Carney was whisked through Mumbai.

Carney’s office said discussions would focus on “ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence”.

Last year, the two countries agreed to resume negotiations on a proposed free-trade agreement.

Carney has said he wanted to more than double two-way trade with India by 2030, eyeing an annual target of $51 billion.

Before Carney took office last year, Ottawa accused Modi’s government of direct involvement in the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalised Canadian citizen who was part of a fringe group that advocated for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

Khalistan members have been blamed for the assassination of an Indian prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet.

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government further alleged India had directed a campaign of intimidation against Sikh activists across Canada.

India has repeatedly dismissed the allegations, which sent diplomatic relations into freefall, with both nations expelling a string of top diplomats in 2024.

Ties improved after Carney took office in March 2025, and envoys have since been restored.

Asked whether Canadian concerns about transnational repression would feature at the New Delhi talks, Foreign Minister Anita Anand told reporters: “That is always at the forefront of our minds.”





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India court acquits Modi opponent Kejriwal in graft case

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India court acquits Modi opponent Kejriwal in graft case


Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gestures as he speaks during a press conference at the Aam Aadmi Party office after Indias Supreme Court gave temporary bail to the AAP national convenor in a liquor policy case, in New Delhi, India. — Reuters/File
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gestures as he speaks during a press conference at the Aam Aadmi Party office after India’s Supreme Court gave temporary bail to the AAP national convenor in a liquor policy case, in New Delhi, India. — Reuters/File

An Indian court acquitted the former chief minister of the capital Delhi on Friday in a long-running corruption probe the man had called a “political conspiracy” by the ruling party.

Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal was Delhi’s chief minister before losing elections in 2025 in the midst of the judicial proceedings.

Kejriwal, 57, who spent several months in jail after he was arrested in March 2024 on accusations that his administration received kickbacks from the allocation of liquor licenses, wept as he left court.

“Truth has won,” Kejriwal told reporters after the verdict, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of using a “political conspiracy” to finish AAP.

On Friday, a Delhi court cleared him, his former deputy Manish Sisodia and 21 others of all charges.

A key opponent to Modi, he had consistently denied wrongdoing.

Rekha Gupta, a member of Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, was elected as chief minister of the sprawling megacity of more than 30 million people in February 2025.

Kejriwal began his career as a tax collector but quit his civil service job to become an anti-corruption crusader, bringing him national fame.

Several of Modi’s opponents have faced criminal investigation or trial in recent years, including two state chief ministers.

In August 2025, the government introduced a bill to remove politicians if they are arrested and detained for 30 days, which opponents called a “chilling” bid to crush constitutional safeguards.





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