Top Headlines: Nepal in chaos amid Gen Z protests, Army patrols streets to prevent looting; protesters meet today
September 10, 2025
- Nepal in chaos amid Gen Z protests, Army patrols streets to prevent looting; protesters meet today
- India Tightens Security Along Nepal Border Amid Chaos
- ‘India & US are close friends’: PM Modi says teams working to conclude trade discussions
- Trump Urges EU to Impose 100% Tariffs on India and China
- CP Radhakrishnan Wins Vice Presidential Election
What Else
- Operation Gudder: Two LeT Terrorists Neutralized in Kulgam
- Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam Arrives in Mumbai for 8-Day India Visit
- India Expresses Deep Concern Over Israeli Strikes in Qatar
- Pakistan, Kazakhstan Deepen Strategic Ties Ahead of Presidential Visit
- Balochistan Crackdown: Over 200 Opposition Figures Detained Amid Rising Tensions
- US-Pakistan Ink $500M Mineral Pact to Boost Strategic Ties and Investment
- PM Shehbaz Condemns Israeli Airstrikes in Doha, Reaffirms Solidarity with Qatar and Palestine
- BNP Opts for Restraint Amid Constituency Disputes and Ducsu Tensions
Nepal in chaos amid Gen Z protests, Army patrols streets to prevent looting; protesters meet today
- Nepal is grappling with unprecedented turmoil as Gen Z-led protests, sparked by a government ban on social media, have spiraled into violent clashes, resulting in a total 21 loss of lives.
- The wife of former PM Jhala Nath Khanal, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, was also killed when their residence was set on fire by protesters.
- Many government buildings, political offices, Kantipur media house, and homes of senior leaders have been vandalized and set on fire.
- The protests have resulted in over 347 people injured, with 90 being treated in hospital.
- The protests, which began as a peaceful demonstration against the ban, have morphed into a full-blown movement demanding accountability, transparency, and an end to corruption and nepotism.
- In a significant development, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, 2025, citing “extraordinary circumstances”.
- The Nepal Army has taken control of security operations, urging restraint and dialogue to restore stability.
- However, protesters have defied curfews, setting fire to vehicles, schools, and ministers’ homes.
- PM Oli’s Resignation: Oli stepped down after days of violent protests, marking a significant shift in Nepal’s political landscape.
- Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched
- Nepal Army Takes Control: The country’s army has taken over for now, and its chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, has appealed to the protesters to engage in dialogue..
- Violent Protests: Demonstrators have vandalized government buildings, stormed party offices, and set fire to homes of senior leaders.
- India’s Response: India has advised its citizens to exercise caution and defer travel to Nepal until the situation stabilizes.
- Regional Implications: Oli’s exit is expected to impact Nepal’s relations with China and India.
- The international community is closely watching the situation, with the Russian Embassy confirming the safety of Russian citizens in Nepal.
- Airlines like Air India and IndiGo have canceled or suspended flights to and from Kathmandu due to the airport’s closure.
- As the situation continues to unfold, the Nepal Army has appealed for restraint and dialogue, urging protesters to remain calm and protect national assets.
- However, China’s silence on the situation has raised eyebrows, given Oli’s close ties with Beijing.
- The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has established emergency helplines for Indian nationals in Nepal, urging them to reach out in case of any urgent situation or need for assistance.
- As Nepal struggles to restore order, the international community remains vigilant, watching for any signs of escalation or resolution. [from various sources]
- [The same playbook used in Arab Spring, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and now Nepal reveals a pattern: create violence, foment chaos, and discredit govts. A Western nation, known for global hegemony and covert regime-change ops, seems to be orchestrating Nepal’s chaos, manipulating events to suit its strategic interests.]
India Tightens Security Along Nepal Border Amid Chaos
- India has heightened security measures along its border with Nepal, as the neighboring country grapples with violent protests and a government in turmoil.
- The Indian government has advised its citizens in Nepal to exercise extreme caution and follow local authorities’ instructions.
- Key Developments in India:
- Enhanced Border Security: Indian security forces have intensified vigilance along the India-Nepal border, with a focus on preventing potential spillover effects.
- Travel Advisory: The Indian government has issued a travel advisory, urging citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Nepal.
- Diplomatic Vigilance: Indian diplomats are closely monitoring the situation in Nepal, with a focus on safeguarding Indian interests and ensuring the protection of Indian nationals.
- CCS Meeting: PM Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to discuss the situation in Nepal and India’s response.
- Indian PM Modi said on X, ‘The stability, peace, and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us. I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace.”
- These developments reflect India’s proactive approach to addressing the security concerns arising from the chaos in Nepal. (more)
- Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari claims that the recent downfall of the Nepal government amid massive protests is not an isolated incident.
- He believes that an orchestrated attempt is being made to destabilize the South Asian region and bring about regime change.
- Tewari draws parallels between the situations in Bangladesh and Nepal, suggesting that domestic triggers may be exploited to fuel regime change. (more)
‘India & US are close friends’: PM Modi says teams working to conclude trade discussions
- The India-US trade talks are set to resume, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing confidence that the negotiations will unlock the limitless potential of the India-US partnership.
- Modi stated that the teams from both countries are working to conclude the discussions at the earliest.
- The trade tensions between India and the US began in Aug 2025, when the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Indian exports, followed by an additional 25% penalty tied to India’s continued imports of Russian oil.
- India has denounced these measures as unfair and unjustified.
- The US has been seeking greater market access for its industrial goods, electric vehicles, wines, dairy items, and agricultural exports.
- In contrast, India is keen on securing duty concessions for labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, plastics, chemicals, gems, jewelry, and agricultural products.
- The trade dispute has sparked concerns about the future of strategic cooperation between the two nations. (more)
Trump Urges EU to Impose 100% Tariffs on India and China
- US President Donald Trump has reportedly urged the European Union to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from India and China.
- This move aims to pressure Russia into ending its war in Ukraine by reducing India and China’s willingness to purchase discounted Russian oil.
- Trump emphasized the need for a united transatlantic approach to intensify economic pressure on Moscow.
- The US is prepared to match any tariffs imposed by the EU, which could lead to a significant escalation in US trade measures against India and China.
- The move follows escalating trade tensions, with Washington recently raising tariffs on Indian imports to 50%. (more)
CP Radhakrishnan Wins Vice Presidential Election
- CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate, has secured a decisive victory in India’s vice presidential election.
- Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra, garnered 452 votes, surpassing the majority mark of 377.
- His opponent, B. Sudershan Reddy of the INDIA bloc, secured 300 votes.
- Radhakrishnan’s win is attributed to the NDA’s strong support and cross-voting from outside the alliance.
- The election saw a total of 767 votes cast, with 752 being valid.
- The Biju Janata Dal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Shiromani Akali Dal abstained from voting. (more)
Operation Gudder: Two LeT Terrorists Neutralized in Kulgam
- Security forces have successfully concluded Operation Gudder in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, with the elimination of two hardcore Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.
- The slain militants have been identified as Rahman, a Pakistani national, and Amir Ahmed Dar, a resident of Daramdora, Shopian.
- A cache of weapons, ammunition, and other warlike stores was recovered from the encounter site.
- J&K CM Omar Abdullah paid tributes to 2 fallen soldiers who lost their lives during the encounter.
- The operation was carried out by the Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army, and the CRPF in the Guddar forest of Kulgam. (more)
Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam Arrives in Mumbai for 8-Day India Visit
- Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam has arrived in Mumbai, marking the beginning of his 8-day visit to India.
- He landed at Mumbai airport by a commercial flight from Port Louis and is scheduled to attend a business event at a luxury hotel in Mumbai before departing for Varanasi by a special flight on Wed afternoon.
- During his visit, Ramgoolam aims to strengthen bilateral ties with India, focusing on key areas such as defense, trade, and investment.
- His itinerary includes visits to several Indian cities, including Mumbai, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Tirupati. (more)
India Expresses Deep Concern Over Israeli Strikes in Qatar
- India has expressed deep concern over the Israeli airstrikes in Doha, Qatar, urging all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic engagement.
- The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the development has impacted the regional security situation, emphasizing the need to maintain stability and avoid actions that could endanger peace.
- India has consistently advocated for peaceful conflict resolution and has diplomatic relations with both Israel and Qatar.
- The MEA will closely monitor the situation and may issue further advisories.
- Qatar has yet to respond officially, while international observers call for urgent de-escalation.
- The incident has heightened security alerts and damaged civilian infrastructure in the region. (more)
- US says it notified Qatar about Israeli strike, Doha says call came after attack: US President Donald Trump’s administration has confirmed it was notified ahead of Israel’s attack on Hamas negotiators in Qatar, but said it did not agree with the decision. (more)
[neighborhood]
Pakistan, Kazakhstan Deepen Strategic Ties Ahead of Presidential Visit
- On September 9, 2025, PM Shehbaz Sharif met Kazakhstan’s Deputy PM and FM Murat Nurtleu in Islamabad to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
- The leaders emphasized expanding trade, investment, and connectivity via air, rail, and road.
- PM Shehbaz expressed high regard for Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s upcoming visit and proposed sending a delegation to Astana to finalize key MoUs and agreements.
- Nurtleu, on his first official visit to Pakistan, praised the hospitality and shared optimism about a historic presidential visit that could usher in a new era of cooperation.
- Earlier, DPM Ishaq Dar and Nurtleu led delegation-level talks, pledging to elevate the strategic partnership across trade, economy, and infrastructure.
- Federal ministers and senior officials attended the meeting, underscoring the depth of engagement.
- Both sides anticipate signing pivotal agreements later this year, reinforcing their fraternal and forward-looking relationship. (more)
Balochistan Crackdown: Over 200 Opposition Figures Detained Amid Rising Tensions
- On September 9, 2025, police across Balochistan detained more than 200 opposition leaders and workers in a sweeping crackdown linked to recent protests.
- In Quetta alone, over 100 individuals were arrested from various areas, including Sariab and Brewery Road.
- Senior figures from Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Balochistan National Party, National Party, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were among those held.
- Arrests were also reported in Sorab, Mastung, Loralai, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Duki, Sanjavi, Kalat, and Chaman.
- Authorities cited violent behavior—stone-pelting and forced shop closures—as justification, though opposition leaders rejected these claims, accusing police of unprovoked use of tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators.
- The crackdown follows heightened unrest after a deadly suicide bombing near Shuhada Stadium in Quetta, which sparked province-wide protests.
- Critics say the arrests reflect a broader suppression of dissent and a denial of the constitutional right to protest.
- Political tensions in Balochistan continue to escalate. (more)
US-Pakistan Ink $500M Mineral Pact to Boost Strategic Ties and Investment
- In a landmark move to reset bilateral relations, Pakistan and the United States signed two MoUs on September 9, 2025, to develop and process critical minerals, including rare earth elements.
- US Strategic Metals (USSM) partnered with Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO), while Mota-Engil Group (MEG) signed with the National Logistics Corporation (NLCP).
- The agreements, witnessed by PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, mark a $500 million investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
- The collaboration aims to establish value-added facilities, export key minerals like copper, gold, and tungsten, and eventually build a poly-metallic refinery.
- Sustainability, tech transfer, and job creation are central to the initiative.
- The MoUs also signal a strategic shift in US-Pakistan ties, moving beyond security to economic cooperation.
- Analysts highlight the military’s pivotal role in resource development, with the agreements following a breakthrough meeting between Army Chief Munir and US President Donald Trump in June. (more)
PM Shehbaz Condemns Israeli Airstrikes in Doha, Reaffirms Solidarity with Qatar and Palestine
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes in Doha on September 9, 2025, calling them “heinous and unlawful” and a grave violation of Qatari sovereignty.
- In a statement posted on X, he expressed outrage over the bombing of a residential area, which endangered civilian lives.
- Extending Pakistan’s sympathies to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Qatari people, PM Shehbaz warned that such aggression threatens regional peace and stability.
- He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for both Qatar and Palestine.
- The Israeli military, in coordination with the Shin Bet security agency, claimed the strikes targeted senior Hamas leaders.
- Hamas confirmed that while its leadership survived, negotiator Khalil al-Hayya’s son and aide were among those killed.
- The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Qatar and heightened tensions in the region.
- Pakistan’s response underscores its stance against violations of sovereignty and its support for oppressed communities. (more)
BNP Opts for Restraint Amid Constituency Disputes and Ducsu Tensions
- Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national election, the BNP has chosen not to engage in protests or blockades over the Election Commission’s final gazette on constituency boundary changes.
- Party leaders emphasized that legal constraints prevent BNP from intervening, and they aim to avoid damaging their image or disrupting democratic processes.
- Districts like Brahmanbaria, Faridpur, Pabna, Bagerhat, and Cumilla have seen local unrest, but BNP insists such matters are for individuals to challenge legally.
- During a Standing Committee meeting chaired virtually by Tarique Rahman, leaders also addressed frustrations over the delayed results of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) elections.
- While expressing satisfaction with Chhatra Dal’s peaceful campaigning, they condemned reported irregularities and urged members to maintain calm.
- The party remains cautious, avoiding immediate action until results are declared, and is focused on ensuring stability ahead of national polls. (more)
