Aryatara Shakya, a 2-year-old girl, has been chosen as Nepal’s new living goddess, Kumari. She was carried through the streets of Kathmandu to the Kumari Ghar temple palace, where she will reside for several years. Chosen from the Shakya clan, Kumaris are revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. The new Kumari will bless devotees, and her family will receive elevated status. Though Kumaris lead a secluded life, changes have occurred in recent years allowing them an education and a small pension upon retirement.
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In a remarkable turn of events, Nepali youth have ousted their government following an attempted ban of social media platforms. Protests erupted after the Prime Minister’s decision to ban social media, which was seen as a response to growing criticism. Demonstrations turned violent, leading to the resignation and flight of the Prime Minister. Subsequently, youth organized on Discord, holding a digital convention and electing Sushila Karki, a known anti-corruption crusader, as interim Prime Minister. The military has since accepted this recommendation, signaling a significant victory for youth activism.
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Sushila Karki, Nepal’s former Chief Justice, has been sworn in as the interim Prime Minister, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the country’s history. The oath of office was administered by President Ramchandra Paudel following the dissolution of Parliament and the resignation of the former Prime Minister amid anti-corruption protests. Karki is highly regarded for her integrity and judicial independence, and she served as Chief Justice from 2016 to 2017. Her appointment comes with the support of the Gen-Z movement and will be closely observed during Nepal’s transitional period.
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Anti-Corruption Crusader Named Nepal’s Leader After Gen Z Protests: That’s a headline that’s got a lot packed into it, doesn’t it? It’s like a movie trailer condensed into a few words. The story goes that in Nepal, a country that has been struggling with deep-seated corruption, a new leader has emerged, propelled into power by a wave of protests, primarily driven by the younger generation, Gen Z. It’s a pretty wild story, and it definitely warrants a closer look.
The story starts with social media, and in particular, it’s interesting to hear that the protests were fueled, at least in part, by a social media ban.… Continue reading
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned following escalating Gen Z protests and amidst reports of a possible move to Dubai. An all-party meeting was called to assess the situation before the Prime Minister’s resignation. As a result of the unrest, authorities have increased security measures and heightened alert along the India-Nepal border, including increased police presence and monitoring of cross-border activity. Simultaneously, government ministers are being evacuated via helicopter, with protestors organizing disruptions at the airport to interfere with aircraft.
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Russia has recruited as many as 15,000 Nepalis to fight its war. As I read this statement, I am immediately struck with a mix of curiosity and concern. The idea that Russia has reached out to foreign soldiers for its military operations raises several questions and reflects some disturbing realities.
Firstly, I can’t help but wonder why Russia is allowed to recruit soldiers from other nations. Is this just a wartime strategy, or could other countries potentially do the same? The fact that Russia is able to tap into the manpower of different nations raises concerns about the level of international cooperation and accountability in times of conflict.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood