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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Associated Press or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Sushila Karki has been appointed Nepal’s first woman prime minister, following the collapse of the previous government amid violent anti-government protests
• President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved parliament and set March 5, 2026, as the date for new elections
• Karki, a former Supreme Court Chief Justice known for her anti-corruption stance, assumes leadership as an interim figure during a period of national emergency
🔭 The context: Mass unrest erupted after a government-imposed ban on major social media platforms, with protests quickly escalating into broader demonstrations against nepotism, inequality, and government dysfunction
• Over 51 people were killed, including protesters and police, and key government buildings were torched
• Former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli resigned and fled, prompting military intervention and curfews in the capital
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Nepal, home to fragile ecosystems and critical water resources in the Himalayas, is highly vulnerable to climate change but remains politically unstable
• The unrest highlights how governance failures can undermine public trust and disrupt efforts to implement environmental and economic reforms
• Youth-led mobilizations, such as this “Gen Z protest,” show a growing demand for transparency, accountability, and equitable development—key pillars for sustainability transitions in the Global South
⏭️ What's next: Karki is expected to stabilize the country ahead of the March elections and lead a transitional government. Talks are ongoing between the military, protesters, and political stakeholders to prevent further violence
• International observers will be closely monitoring Nepal’s electoral roadmap, internet governance policies, and civil rights protections
• Long-term political legitimacy will depend on the credibility of the upcoming elections and structural reforms addressing youth disenfranchisement and elite dominance
💬 One quote: "If we don’t fix corruption and give youth a future, there will be no democracy left to defend." – Student protester at a rally in Kathmandu
📈 One stat: At least 51 people have died in this week’s unrest, marking the deadliest political violence in Nepal since the 2006 civil war ended
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