Nepal PM ousted by protests

NEPAL’S Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa quit yesterday — brought down by weeks of pro-democracy protests in the kingdom that has been wracked by political instability and a bloody Maoist insurgency.

The resignation paves the way for talks between King Gyanendra and opposition parties demanding the restoration of a democratic government and a resumption of parliament, suspended two years ago.

Thapa, 75, had served since the king appointed him last June.