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Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli Resigns Amid Violent Protests and Public Outrage

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September 9, 2025

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli Resigns Amid Violent Protests and Public Outrage

Kathmandu, Nepal – Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after days of massive anti-government protests engulfed the country, officials confirmed. His dramatic departure came just hours after hundreds of demonstrators stormed the prime minister’s office in Kathmandu, shouting anti-government slogans and demanding his immediate resignation.

According to reports, Oli is now preparing to leave Nepal, though government sources have not confirmed his destination. His fall from power follows one of the deadliest days of unrest in recent years, which saw at least 19 people killed on Monday as police clashed with protesters opposing the government’s controversial ban on social media platforms.

The protests, led largely by young people, escalated after the government blocked access to 26 online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). Authorities claimed the move was necessary to curb “fake news” and maintain order, but critics condemned it as an attack on free expression and an attempt to silence dissent.

Anger reached new heights late Monday when demonstrators torched Oli’s private residence in Balkot, demanding accountability for the fatalities and calling for the prime minister’s ouster. By Tuesday, the protests had spread from Kathmandu to other major cities, overwhelming security forces and forcing the government to impose curfews in multiple districts.

Oli, who had been a dominant figure in Nepalese politics for more than a decade, acknowledged in his resignation letter that he could no longer lead the country effectively amid what he described as a “national crisis.” His departure leaves Nepal at a political crossroads, with the ruling coalition fractured and public trust in government at a historic low.

The prime minister’s resignation is expected to trigger an urgent search for a successor, though opposition leaders are already demanding fresh elections. Analysts warn that Nepal now faces a period of deep uncertainty, as the country grapples with widespread discontent, economic hardship, and rising anger among its youth population.

Thai Supreme Court Orders Ex-PM Thaksin Back to Jail, Rules Hospital Stay Unlawful

Asia

Diplomat Times

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September 9, 2025

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Thai Supreme Court Orders Ex-PM Thaksin Back to Jail, Rules Hospital Stay Unlawful

Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must return to prison to complete his sentence, declaring that his lengthy hospital stay could not be counted as time served.

The Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions concluded that Thaksin’s six-month detention at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok was not legally valid as part of his punishment and therefore should not be deducted from his one-year prison term. The court’s statement made it clear: “The time spent at a police hospital cannot be deducted as days of imprisonment.”

Thaksin, now 76, is one of the most influential and polarizing figures in Thailand’s modern history. He served as the country’s prime minister from 2001 until he was ousted in a military coup in 2006. Following his removal from power, he lived abroad in self-imposed exile for more than 15 years, avoiding multiple convictions for corruption, abuse of power, and conflict of interest.

In August 2023, Thaksin made a dramatic return to Bangkok, where he was immediately taken into custody. He had been sentenced to eight years in prison on three corruption-related convictions, but King Maha Vajiralongkorn later granted him a royal pardon, reducing the sentence to one year. Despite this, Thaksin spent less than a single day in prison before being transferred to the Police General Hospital on claims of urgent health concerns. He remained there for six months, sparking public debate and accusations that he had been given special treatment compared to ordinary inmates.

The Supreme Court’s ruling now compels Thaksin to serve out the remainder of his sentence in prison. The decision is seen as a major test of Thailand’s justice system, which has long been criticized for treating political elites differently from regular citizens.

Thaksin’s influence continues to loom large over Thai politics. His populist policies once earned him immense support among rural communities and low-income citizens, but his critics accuse him of rampant corruption and of undermining democratic institutions. His return to Thailand last year and the controversies surrounding his imprisonment have once again placed him at the center of the country’s ongoing political turbulence.

The former prime minister, who had once dominated Thai politics, now faces the prospect of returning behind bars at a time when the nation is still grappling with political divisions, economic pressures, and questions over the balance of power between elected leaders and the country’s powerful establishment.

Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines expand codeshare partnership

Travel

Diplomat Times

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September 8, 2025

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Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines expand codeshare partnership

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have announced a major expansion of their codeshare partnership, alongside increased flight frequencies between Doha and Beijing ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday period. The move builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, strengthening both airlines’ commitment to enhancing global connectivity for Chinese travellers.

From 16 October 2025, Qatar Airways will place its code on China Southern’s three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha. In return, China Southern will expand its “CZ” code onto Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including Athens, Barcelona, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Madrid, and Munich.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said the expansion underscores the carrier’s long-term commitment to China. “This latest development ensures that every Qatar Airways route to China is now accessible to China Southern Airlines’ passengers, underlining our shared focus on growth and connectivity,” he said. “Timed with Golden Week, it provides Chinese travellers with unrivalled access through Doha to over 170 destinations worldwide via Hamad International Airport, the Best Airport in the Middle East, as voted by Skytrax in 2025.”

China Southern Airlines has been operating flights between Guangzhou and Doha since April 2024, with Qatar Airways already codesharing on those services. Pending government approvals, the partnership will also extend to additional Chinese gateways including Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.

China Southern President and CEO Han Wensheng said Beijing Daxing remains central to the airline’s international strategy. “The launch of new Doha services further strengthens its role alongside Guangzhou,” he said. “Together with Qatar Airways, we are creating new opportunities for Chinese passengers to reach destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.”

With the expansion, Qatar Airways, China Southern, and fellow partner Xiamen Airlines will collectively offer 64 weekly flights across eight Greater China gateways, making it one of the most extensive networks established by Qatar Airways.

The two airlines also plan to deepen collaboration beyond passenger services, with future cooperation expected in cargo operations and loyalty programmes.

Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 170 destinations worldwide and was named World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. China Southern, meanwhile, remains China’s largest carrier by passenger traffic and continues to expand its hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing Daxing.

India, Israel Sign Bilateral Investment Agreement in New Delhi

India

Diplomat Times

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September 8, 2025

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India, Israel Sign Bilateral Investment Agreement in New Delhi

New Delhi, India – India and Israel signed a bilateral investment agreement on 8 September aimed at boosting trade and investment ties between the two countries, whose partnership has grown closer in recent years.

The pact was signed by India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during a meeting in New Delhi.

According to India’s Finance Ministry, the agreement will strengthen investor protection, encourage mutual trade and investments, and introduce an independent dispute resolution mechanism through arbitration. The two sides also expressed commitment to expanding cooperation in fintech, infrastructure, financial regulation, and digital payment connectivity.

Bilateral trade between India and Israel reached $3.9 billion in 2024, Reuters reported.

Despite tensions between New Delhi and Washington over India’s purchase of Russian oil since 2022, India and Israel have continued to enjoy close ties. The partnership has been particularly strong in the defense sector, with India remaining one of Israel’s largest buyers of military equipment. Between 2001 and 2021, India imported an estimated $4.2 billion worth of Israeli arms.

Reports have also highlighted growing collaboration in arms production. Joint ventures such as Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India, Premier Explosives, and state-owned Munitions India have supplied weapons and technology to Israel. Analysts note that this cooperation has become increasingly important for Tel Aviv as some European countries face public pressure to curtail military support amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with international observers warning the toll could be far higher. Critics argue that India’s defense ties with Israel make it a key enabler of Tel Aviv’s military operations, even as New Delhi deepens its economic partnership through agreements like the new investment pact.

Africa seeks to lead on climate after US pullback

Diplomat Times

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September 8, 2025

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Africa seeks to lead on climate after US pullback

Addis Ababa – African leaders aim to offer a global model for tackling the climate crisis through green investments, they said on Monday, after the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement deflated the fight against climate change.

The continent, which has been buffeted by landslides, floods and droughts this year, is holding its second climate summit in Ethiopia, seeking a common voice before global climate talks in Brazil, COP30.

“We are not here to negotiate our survival. We are here to design the world’s next climate economy,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told the opening ceremony.

Africa’s development lenders and commercial banks signed a deal at the summit to mobilise up to $100 billion to power a “green industrialisation” using renewable energy, said Kenyan President William Ruto.
Participating institutions include the Africa Export-Import Bank, the African Development Bank and commercial lenders like Ecobank Transnational and KCB Group, Ruto said.

Abiy proposed a new Africa climate innovation initiative, funded by the continent, bringing together African universities, research institutions, startups, rural communities and inventors to deliver 1,000 solutions to tackle climate challenges by 2030.

If we make the right choices now, Africa can be the first continent to industrialize without destroying its ecosystems,” said Abiy, who wants his country to host COP32 in 2027.

Leaders sought more financing at the inaugural summit in Nairobi two years ago to help governments to tackle climate challenges amid fiscal constraints and heavy debt burdens, but the continent is still badly short of funding, receiving just 1% of the annual global climate financing, officials say.

African countries, which are among the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of manmade global warming despite being among those least responsible for it, have long demanded that COP meetings yield more funds to help them adapt.
“Climate finance must be fair, significant and predictable,” said Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission.

Leaders also expressed concerns about the potential damage from a fraying of the multilateral approach to tackling climate change.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration pulled out of the landmark Paris agreement on climate change for the second time earlier this year and has also withdrawn from clean energy partnerships with countries such as South Africa.
“Commitments are broken and international solidarity is dismissed as weakness precisely when the scale of the climate crisis demands enhanced cooperation, not less,” said Ruto.

NDA Workers’ Conference in Pirpainti Witnesses Massive Gathering, MLA Lalan Kumar

India

Ahsan Ansari

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September 8, 2025

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NDA Workers’ Conference in Pirpainti Witnesses Massive Gathering, MLA Lalan Kumar

Bhagalpur, India – In a massive show of strength, a grand NDA workers’ conference was organized today at the Shivnarayanpur Sports Ground in Pirpainti Assembly. The event drew thousands of enthusiastic party workers, turning the ground into a sea of supporters and showcasing the organizational might and unity of the NDA in the region.

The chief guest of the historic gathering was Hon’ble MLA of Bihpur, Shri Kumar Shailendra Ji. Several senior leaders shared the stage, including Shri Dulalchandra Goswami Ji (former MP, Katihar), Shri Bulon Mandal Ji (former MP, Bhagalpur), and Shri Pawan Yadav Ji (Hon’ble MLA, Kahalgaon).

RELATED NEWS : 6 lose lives in Gujarat temple ropeway accident

The conference was conducted and led by Pirpainti MLA E. Lalan Kumar Ji, who received a rousing welcome from the workers.

Prominent Leaders in Attendance

The program witnessed the participation of several prominent district and state-level NDA leaders, including:

Mr. Bipin Bihari (JDU District President, Bhagalpur)
Mr. Santosh Sah (BJP District President, Bhagalpur)
Mr. Subodh Paswan (LJP District President)
Mr. Ashok Rajak (HAM District President)
Mr. Suman Kumar Prasun (RLM District President)
Mr. Anil (State Minister, BJP)
Mr. Rajesh Jain (District Incharge, BJP, Bhagalpur)
Mr. Nitesh Singh (District General Secretary, BJP, Bhagalpur)
Mr. Devbrata Ghosh (Assembly Incharge, BJP)
Mr. Manish Kumar Sinha (Assembly Convenor, BJP)
Mr. Kanhaiya Mandal (Regional Incharge, Core Committee)
Mr. Rakesh Singh Rathore (Block President, Pirpainti)
Mr. Vivekanand Gupta (JDU Block President)

Energy and Enthusiasm for Upcoming Elections

Speeches by senior leaders highlighted the NDA’s collective vision and stressed the importance of grassroots participation in strengthening the alliance. The presence of thousands of workers turned the event into a festival of democracy, with chants and slogans echoing across the ground.

The conference infused new energy and confidence among the cadre, setting the tone for the upcoming electoral battle. Leaders called for unity, discipline, and active participation to ensure NDA’s resounding success in future elections.

With such an overwhelming turnout, the Pirpainti workers’ conference is being seen as a turning point in mobilizing NDA’s base in Bhagalpur district and beyond.

Nepal’s Interior Minister Resigns After 19 Killed in Anti-Corruption and Social Media Blockade Protests

Asia

Shasi Kumar

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September 8, 2025

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Nepal’s Interior Minister Resigns After 19 Killed in Anti-Corruption and Social Media Blockade Protests

Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal’s Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on Monday citing “ethical reasons,” following the deaths of at least 19 young people during nationwide protests against corruption and the government’s decision to block major social media platforms.

Lekhak, a senior leader of the Nepalese Congress who had held the post since July 2024, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli during a cabinet meeting at the official residence in Baluwatar. The resignation was confirmed by Nepalese Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain, who added that mounting public anger has also placed heavy pressure on Prime Minister Oli to step down.

Nationwide Unrest Turns Deadly

The resignation followed one of the bloodiest days of unrest in recent years. Protests that began in Kathmandu’s New Baneshwor area quickly spread to several major cities, leaving 19 people dead and more than 347 injured, many with severe bullet wounds to the head and chest, according to hospital sources cited by EFE.

In the eastern town of Damak, protesters hurled stones at the residence of Prime Minister Oli, prompting security forces to fire warning shots. Across the East-West Highway, demonstrators erected barricades using burning tyres, paralyzing transport and commerce.

Authorities imposed a curfew in several parts of Kathmandu from 3:30 p.m. local time, but clashes continued into the night and spilled into neighboring districts.

Social Media Blockade Sparks Generation Z Revolt

The demonstrations were triggered by the government’s order to block 26 platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). For days, young people had voiced their anger online under hashtags such as #NepoKid, #NepoBabies, and #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal, denouncing nepotism and systemic corruption.

The youth-led movement, spearheaded largely by Generation Z (ages 15–28), accused politicians of protecting their families and allies while restricting citizens’ freedom of expression.

Police Crackdown and Escalation

What began as peaceful demonstrations escalated as police moved in with water cannons, tear gas, and eventually live fire. Videos circulating online show heavily armed officers clashing with young protesters, some waving banners calling for “justice and jobs” and an “end to political corruption.”

With tensions spiraling, analysts warn that Nepal is facing its most serious governance crisis in years. “The scale of public anger and the loss of so many young lives has shaken the foundations of this government,” Bajgain told EFE.

Uncertain Political Future

Lekhak’s resignation marks a dramatic turning point in the crisis, but protest leaders insist it is not enough. Calls are growing louder for Prime Minister Oli to step down and for the immediate restoration of social media access.

As barricades smolder on Nepal’s highways and anger simmers among its youth, the country stands at a political crossroads — caught between demands for accountability and fears of further instability.

Ishiba Resigns, Japan Set for Its Fourth Prime Minister in Just 5 Years

Diplomat Times

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September 7, 2025

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Ishiba Resigns, Japan Set for Its Fourth Prime Minister in Just 5 Years

Tokyo, Japan – Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on Sunday, stepping down on the eve of a key Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) meeting that was widely expected to strip him of power following a series of bruising electoral losses.

“I have decided to resign as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. According to the party statutes, the call for an extraordinary campaign to elect a new president is no longer necessary,” Ishiba told reporters at a hastily arranged press conference after news of his decision leaked.

His departure sets the stage for yet another leadership contest within the ruling LDP — the third in five years — underscoring Japan’s political instability. None of the past two prime ministers managed to complete their terms.

A Daunting In-Tray for Successor

Japan’s next leader will face an uphill task: repairing strained US-Japan relations, tackling soaring inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, and navigating a parliament where the ruling coalition no longer holds a majority in either house.

“I have long said I had no intention of clinging to power and would step aside at the appropriate time,” Ishiba said. “That time is now.”

His announcement came shortly after Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator and Minister of Economic Revitalization, returned from Washington having signed a U.S. executive order lowering tariffs on Japanese cars to 15 percent. Ishiba praised the deal as a “milestone” and urged his successor to fully implement it.

Resignation Amid Party Revolt

Ishiba’s position had become untenable after the July 20 upper house elections, where the ruling coalition lost its majority, sparking open dissent within the LDP. His exit as party leader automatically ends his tenure as prime minister, since Japan’s head of government must be the leader of the largest party in parliament.

Elected party chief only last September, Ishiba highlighted what he considered his key achievements:

Finalizing the trade deal with Washington
Implementing a record rise in the minimum wage
Passing an emergency budget to combat inflation

He thanked supporters, apologized “for having to resign,” and urged his successor to strengthen ties with the United States, deepen partnerships with Asia, Africa, and Europe, and prepare for new security threats. He voiced concern over increasing cooperation between North Korea, Russia, and China, calling credible deterrence “an urgent priority.

LDP Election Ahead

The LDP is expected to announce Monday the timeline for its leadership election, which will also determine Japan’s next prime minister. Ishiba confirmed he will not be a candidate.

According to public opinion polls, the frontrunners include former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who rose to prominence during the country’s recent “rice crisis.

For Japan, Ishiba’s resignation marks yet another chapter of political churn, as the nation braces for its fourth prime minister in just five years.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali Claims Victory as PPP Secures Majority in Elections

Latin America

Diplomat Times

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September 7, 2025

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Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali Claims Victory as PPP Secures Majority in Elections

Georgetown, Suriname – President Irfaan Ali declared victory in this week’s general and regional elections after the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won seven out of ten electoral districts, securing more than 240,000 votes.

The newly formed party “We’re Investing in the Nation” (WIN), launched just three months ago, made a surprising impact by finishing second with around 109,000 votes.

“I am not the president of some Guyanese. I am the president of all of Guyana,” he said. “Our greatest achievements always come when we remain united. Today I commit to being a president for every community, every sector, and every Guyanese.”

Ali, 45, credited his outgoing cabinet with laying a strong foundation for the years ahead, describing their record as “unprecedented development.”

He emphasized accountability and promised that the government must be “seen, heard, and felt in every community, village, and municipality.”

Economic growth fueled by oil

Guyana has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, driven by its oil boom.

The country posted record growth of 63% in 2022, and the International Monetary Fund projects average annual growth of 14% over the next five years.

Ali pledged to deliver on his campaign promises, including new social programs and infrastructure projects.

Plans include the construction of two bridges over the Corentyne and Berbice rivers to strengthen internal connectivity.

The president framed his agenda as a continuation of progress, stating that his administration would build on the momentum of the oil-driven economy while ensuring that benefits reach all citizens.

PPP/C secures clear majority

Ali’s swearing-in came just hours after the Guyana Elections Commission formally declared him president-elect, confirming the victory of his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The final results gave the PPP/C more than 240,000 votes and 36 seats in the National Assembly, a commanding majority.

The newly formed We Invest in the Nation (WIN) party secured about 109,000 votes and 16 seats, making it the official opposition.

WIN, launched in June by businessman Azurddin Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the United States, displaced the long-standing opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which won 77,000 votes and 12 seats.

The small Forward Guyana Movement obtained one seat.

The announcement of results was delayed after APNU requested a recount in one district, but the official declaration confirmed PPP/C’s widely expected win.

Who is Irfan Ali?

Born in 1980, Muhammad Irfan Ali was born in the village of Leonora in Guyana’s Demerara West Coast region to Bibi Shariman Neshaw and Mohamed Osman Ali, the son of an Indian-Guyanese Muslim family.

He is a Guyanese politician who has served as Guyana’s tenth and current president since 2020. A member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Ali previously served as Minister of Housing and Water from 2009 to 2015.

He is the first Muslim to hold office and the second Muslim head of state in the Americas after Noor Hassanali of Trinidad and Tobago.

US to host 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, Trump confirms

Diplomat Times

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September 6, 2025

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US to host 2026 G20 Summit in Miami, Trump confirms

Washington, USA – United States President Donald Trump announced Friday that the US will host the 2026 G20 summit at his Trump Doral resort in Miami, marking the first time in nearly two decades that the world’s major economies gather on US soil.

“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation next year, the United States will have the honor of hosting the G20 summit for the first time in almost 20 years,” Trump said in the Oval Office.

The last US-based G20 took place in Pittsburgh in 2009.

According to Trump, the summit will take place at his luxury Trump National Doral resort, a 300-hectare (741-acre) property featuring four golf courses and located just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Miami International Airport.

“Everybody wants it there because it’s right next to the airport,” Trump said, adding that he would not profit from the event despite choosing his own property as the venue.

The decision is expected to spark scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, but Trump defended the choice as practical and convenient.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, present during the announcement, said hosting the summit “means the US will showcase what it has to offer under President Trump’s leadership.”

The 2026 gathering will bring together leaders of the world’s 19 largest economies plus the European Union to discuss global challenges, from trade and financial stability to climate change and security.

“America will be at the center of the conversation on how to shape the global economy for the future,” Bessent added.

Trump also confirmed he will not attend this year’s G20 summit in South Africa, citing political differences with its leadership.

Vice President J.D. Vance will represent the United States instead.

South Africa has held the G20’s rotating presidency since Dec. 1, 2024, and will hand over the chairmanship to the US on Nov. 30, 2025.

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Welcome to Diplomat Times

Prominent Leaders in Attendance

Energy and Enthusiasm for Upcoming Elections

Nationwide Unrest Turns Deadly

Social Media Blockade Sparks Generation Z Revolt

Police Crackdown and Escalation

Uncertain Political Future

A Daunting In-Tray for Successor

Resignation Amid Party Revolt

LDP Election Ahead

Economic growth fueled by oil

PPP/C secures clear majority

Who is Irfan Ali?

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