NEPAL
Army, protesters to hold talks
The army yesterday was set to resume talks with “Gen Z” protesters to pick an interim leader for the Himalayan nation, an army spokesperson said, after angry demonstrations that killed 30 people and forced the prime minister to resign. Soldiers were patrolling the quiet streets of Kathmandu following the capital’s worst protests in decades, triggered by a social media ban that authorities rolled back after 19 deaths as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds. Former chief justice Sushila Karki, who was the country’s first woman appointed to the job in 2016, is the front-runner to be interim leader, with her name suggested by many of those leading the protest. “We see Sushila Karki for who she truly is — honest, fearless and unshaken,” said Sujit Kumar Jha, a 34-year-old supporter of the agitation. “She’s the right choice. When truth speaks, it sounds like Karki.”
Photo: Reuters
UNITED KINGDOM
Starmer fires Mandelson
British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson was sacked yesterday after his long-term association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became a further distraction for under-pressure Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Mandelson, dubbed the “Prince of Darkness” for his behind-the-scenes maneuvering during the previous Labour government, was forced from the most sought-after diplomatic post after his letters and e-mails to Epstein were published this week. The 71-year-old had come under scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein after a birthday book was released including a letter purportedly from the now ambassador describing Epstein as “my best pal.”
UNITED STATES
NASA blocks Chinese workers
NASA has begun barring Chinese nationals with valid visas from joining its programs, underscoring the intensifying space race between the rival powers. The policy shift was first reported by Bloomberg News and confirmed by the US government agency. “NASA has taken internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals, including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities, materials and network to ensure the security of our work,” NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens said on Wednesday. Bloomberg reported that Chinese nationals had previously been allowed to work as contractors or students contributing to research, although not as staff, but on Friday last week, several people told the outlet they were suddenly locked out of computer systems and barred from in-person meetings. NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy told reporters that the US was in a “second space race” with China.
AUSTRALIA
Croc wrestler probed
Authorities are investigating an American influencer who filmed himself wrestling wild crocodiles in Queensland, condemning the “extremely dangerous and illegal” activity. In a series of videos on his Instagram, bare-chested Mike Holston, who goes by therealtarzann online, tussles with saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. In one post, he dives into the water, emerging holding the crocodile by its throat with blood streaming from his elbow. “He got a hold of me, but I got a hold of him,” Holston says. Holston has said the videos, which have amassed millions of views, were for “educational purposes,” but the videos prompted outrage in Australia, where the maximum penalty for interfering with a saltwater crocodile is A$37,500 (US$24,755). The state of Queensland said it was “actively investigating” the videos.
LANDMARK CASE: ‘Every night we were dragged to US soldiers and sexually abused. Every week we were forced to undergo venereal disease tests,’ a victim said More than 100 South Korean women who were forced to work as prostitutes for US soldiers stationed in the country have filed a landmark lawsuit accusing Washington of abuse, their lawyers said yesterday. Historians and activists say tens of thousands of South Korean women worked for state-sanctioned brothels from the 1950s to 1980s, serving US troops stationed in country to protect the South from North Korea. In 2022, South Korea’s top court ruled that the government had illegally “established, managed and operated” such brothels for the US military, ordering it to pay about 120 plaintiffs compensation. Last week, 117 victims
China on Monday announced its first ever sanctions against an individual Japanese lawmaker, targeting China-born Hei Seki for “spreading fallacies” on issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and disputed islands, prompting a protest from Tokyo. Beijing has an ongoing spat with Tokyo over islands in the East China Sea claimed by both countries, and considers foreign criticism on sensitive political topics to be acts of interference. Seki, a naturalised Japanese citizen, “spread false information, colluded with Japanese anti-China forces, and wantonly attacked and smeared China”, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Monday. “For his own selfish interests, (Seki)
Argentine President Javier Milei on Sunday vowed to “accelerate” his libertarian reforms after a crushing defeat in Buenos Aires provincial elections. The 54-year-old economist has slashed public spending, dismissed tens of thousands of public employees and led a major deregulation drive since taking office in December 2023. He acknowledged his party’s “clear defeat” by the center-left Peronist movement in the elections to the legislature of Buenos Aires province, the country’s economic powerhouse. A deflated-sounding Milei admitted to unspecified “mistakes” which he vowed to “correct,” but said he would not be swayed “one millimeter” from his reform agenda. “We will deepen and accelerate it,” he
Japan yesterday heralded the coming-of-age of Japanese Prince Hisahito with an elaborate ceremony at the Imperial Palace, where a succession crisis is brewing. The nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Hisahito received a black silk-and-lacquer crown at the ceremony, which marks the beginning of his royal adult life. “Thank you very much for bestowing the crown today at the coming-of-age ceremony,” Hisahito said. “I will fulfill my duties, being aware of my responsibilities as an adult member of the imperial family.” Although the emperor has a daughter — Princess Aiko — the 23-year-old has been sidelined by the royal family’s male-only
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