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Australian woman sentenced to life in prison for poisoning people with mushrooms.

  MELBOURNE, SEPTEMBER 8 – An Australian judge has sentenced Erin Patterson to life in prison, with a minimum of 33 years before she can apply for parole, for poisoning four of her estranged husband’s relatives with deadly mushrooms. Patterson, 50, was convicted of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson by serving them beef Wellington pastries laced with death cap mushrooms. She also tried to kill Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived but spent weeks in the hospital. Patterson had invited her estranged husband Simon Patterson to the lunch, but he did not attend. Justice Christopher Beale said Patterson’s crimes were a huge betrayal of trust. “Your victims were all family by marriage who had been good to you and your children,” he said. “You not only cut short three lives and harmed Ian Wilkinson, but you also caused untold suffering to your children, robbing them of their grandparents.” Both prosecution and defense agreed that a life sente...
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4 years, 3 protest movements: How public anger overthrew governments in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh

  NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 10 – A wave of public anger has been sweeping through South Asia in recent years. It began in Sri Lanka in 2022, ousting the president, then spread to Bangladesh, toppling its government last year. On Monday, it reached Nepal, forcing the prime minister to resign just a day after protests erupted. These movements often start with a specific issue but quickly grow into broader anger against the political elite, whom people see as corrupt, out of touch, and responsible for economic inequality. Young people have often led these protests, which sometimes turn violent and create political uncertainty. In Nepal, protests were sparked by the government’s ban on major social media platforms. Many citizens were also frustrated by the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ families while ordinary people faced unemployment, corruption, and rising costs. At least 19 people have died so far. Protesters burned the parliament, presidential residence, and homes of politicians....
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Trump is straining relationships with U.S. allies who are crucial for standing up to China.

  WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 10 – President Donald Trump's tough trade and immigration policies are straining relationships that have long been central to U.S. efforts to counter China's influence. This is undoing years of diplomatic work built over multiple administrations. The latest incident occurred Friday when hundreds of South Korean workers were detained at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, which had symbolized strong economic ties between the U.S. and South Korea. Some of the workers were investigated for visa issues and were even handcuffed. While U.S. officials say trade won’t be affected, experts worry about the growing damage to diplomatic relationships. Instead of building coalitions to counter China, Trump has been applying pressure on both allies and rivals. “Treaty allies are preparing backup plans in case the U.S. steps back from the region,” said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. “Some are even trying to strengthen ties with China.” R...
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“Flash Floods in Indonesia Kill 15, Leave 10 Missing”

 Denpasar, September 11 At least 15 people have died and 10 are missing after flash floods and landslides hit Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province and the island of Bali, officials said Wednesday. Torrential rains that began on Monday caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides in several areas. In East Nusa Tenggara’s Nagekeo district, rescuers found a mother and her child buried in mud in Mauponggo village, and a man in the nearby village of Loka Laba. Earlier, three members of one family were killed when their house was swept away in Mauponggo, while four others remain missing. In Bali, rescuers recovered the body of a woman near Denpasar’s Badung market late Wednesday. Six people are still missing in the province. Earlier, eight other bodies were found, including four people trapped inside a building swept away near Kumbasari market in South Denpasar, according to the local Search and Rescue Agency. Floodwaters have inundated at least 112 neighborhoods in Bali, submer...
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“Buddha Air to Resume Flights from September 11”

 Kathmandu, September 10 Buddha Air has announced that it will restart regular flights from Thursday morning, September 11, after Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) reopened. In a public notice, the airline said passengers can now book tickets through its website, mobile app, other online platforms, and travel agencies. TIA had been closed for two days due to unrest and security concerns in the Kathmandu Valley. The airport reopened on Wednesday evening after a security committee meeting approved operations under tighter security.
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“Killed but Not Silenced: A Call for a New Nepal”

 Nineteen young lives have been lost. We must call it what it truly is – not an accident, not a clash, but murder. These were youths who raised their voices against corruption and demanded dignity. Instead of being heard, they were silenced with bullets and batons. Their blood now stains the conscience of our nation. But even in our grief, we cannot ignore the truth: the real power of Nepal does not lie in the halls of Singha Durbar, but in the streets where ordinary citizens—led by the youth—demand change. This is the essence of democracy: the will of the people rising above arrogance, greed, and political manipulation. The resignation of the Prime Minister and several ministers is not the end—it is only the beginning. Their downfall was written by the courage and sacrifice of a new generation. Our political leaders must now understand that their power is not permanent; it is borrowed from the people, and the people can take it back. At the same time, we must remember that democra...
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“Gen Z Protests Across Nepal Met With Harsh Government Crackdown”

 The nationwide protests led by Gen Z youths have shaken Nepal, especially the capital, Kathmandu, after the government suddenly banned social media. Demonstrations have spread to Butwal, Birtamode, and other cities, with reports of at least 14 deaths so far. If the unrest continues at this pace, Nepal risks heading toward crises similar to those seen in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Sri Lanka, protesters stormed the Prime Minister’s residence after the economy collapsed, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee. In Bangladesh, student protests against government repression grew so intense that despite holding a two-thirds majority, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee to India. In Nepal, the protests began peacefully at Maitighar Mandala, where young people voiced frustration over the social media ban. Instead of engaging in dialogue, the government dismissed their concerns, reducing the issue to “just four jobs.” Prime Minister, accused of adopting an a...
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