Today, NewsForKids.net looks at recent events in Nepal and Brazil. Massive violent protests in Nepal have led to a new temporary government, and Brazil’s Supreme Court has found Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of planning a coup and sentenced him to 27 years in prison.
Nepal Protests Lead to New Temporary Government
Last Friday, after days of violent protests, Sushila Karki became Nepal’s first female prime minister. The protests were triggered by a ban on social media and anger over government corruption. As a judge, Ms. Karki was known for fighting corruption.
Last Monday, massive protests began in Nepal after the government blocked 26 social media sites, including Instagram and WhatsApp. This upset many people, who saw it as an effort to limit free speech.
(Source: हिमाल सुवेदी [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
Young “Gen Z” protesters – people born between 1997 and 2012 – were especially upset. In Nepal, jobs are hard to find and don’t pay much. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of young people have left Nepal. Social media is used to keep in touch and to send money back to Nepal.
Young people were also angry about government corruption, complaining that the children of politicians often live rich, easy lives.
The protests started peacefully, but quickly grew bigger, violent, and even deadly. Police used tear gas, and shot at the protesters. In response, protesters attacked several government buildings and set them on fire.
By Monday night, the government ended the social media ban. The next day, the prime minister resigned, and Nepal’s army stepped in to restore peace.
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Protesters used social media to decide who they wanted as the next prime minister. They chose Ms. Karki. On Friday, Ms. Karki became Nepal’s prime minister. Above, Ms. Karki and others seen on Sunday, taking a moment to remember people who died in the protests.
Tens of thousands of protesters used a social media app to decide who they wanted as the next prime minister. They chose Ms. Karki, who’s 73. On Friday, Ms. Karki became Nepal’s prime minister. She’ll run a temporary government until elections are held in March, 2026.
Brazil’s Supreme Court Finds Bolsonaro Guilty of Planning a Coup
Brazil’s Supreme Court has found Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of trying to take over the government by force after losing the country’s 2022 election. Mr. Bolsonaro has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison.
Mr. Bolsonaro is a far-right politician who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022. He, along with several members of Brazil’s military, was accused of planning a coup. He was also accused of encouraging his supporters to attack government buildings in the capital, Brasília, on January 8, 2023.
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Brazil’s Supreme Court has found Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of trying to take over the government by force after losing the country’s 2022 election. He has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison. Mr. Bolsonaro, seen above after a visit to the hospital, is under house arrest.
Last week’s trial was held before five justices of the supreme court. Four of the five judges found Mr. Bolsonaro guilty on several different charges.
Justice Moraes, who led the case, called Mr. Bolsonaro “the leader of a criminal organization.” He pointed to a plan to kill Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the 2022 election.
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Last week’s trial was held before five justices of the supreme court. Four of the five judges found Mr. Bolsonaro guilty on several different charges. Justice Moraes, who led the case, called Mr. Bolsonaro “the leader of a criminal organization.” Above, the supreme court last Thursday.
Mr. Bolsonaro has denied the charges. His lawyers say they plan to fight the result. Mr. Bolsonaro still has a lot of support in Brazil. Many of his supporters have protested in the streets and online over the trial results.
The trial has increased tensions between Brazil and the US. Mr. Bolsonaro is friends with US President Donald Trump, and the two are seen as similar in many ways. In an effort to force Brazil to drop the case against Mr. Bolsonaro, Mr. Trump raised tariffs on Brazil to 50%.