19 killed in Gen Z protests across Nepal as police open fire

At least 19 people have been killed and over 340 injured, dozens critically, in violent clashes between security forces and youth-led protesters across Nepal on Monday, as demonstrations against government corruption and the ongoing social media ban spiraled into one of the deadliest days of civil unrest in recent years. The protests, led by Generation Z activists, students, and youth organisations, erupted in multiple cities including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Itahari, Damak, Bharatpur, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, and Nepalgunj. The epicentre was New Baneshwar in Kathmandu, where thousands gathered near the Federal Parliament building demanding political reform and the restoration of banned platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. Despite authorities imposing a curfew from 3:30 PM, the situation rapidly...