Charlie Kirk, one of the most prominent conservative activists in the United States and a close ally of President Donald Trump, died Wednesday in a shooting at a Utah college. He was 31.

Kirk rose to national prominence after co-founding Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 at the age of 18. The organization, which now has chapters on more than 850 campuses, aimed to promote “fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government” in colleges often seen as leaning liberal.

Through TPUSA, his podcast, and regular appearances at Republican events, Kirk became a defining figure for young conservatives. Known for holding campus debates on issues ranging from climate change to transgender rights, he built a massive following online and in conservative media. His daily talk show drew millions of listeners, while his 2020 book The Maga Doctrine became a bestseller.

President Trump paid tribute after Kirk’s death, calling him “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk” and adding, “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”

Kirk’s ties to Trump and the Republican Party ran deep. TPUSA played a central role in voter outreach efforts that boosted GOP candidates in recent elections, with Kirk widely credited for helping register tens of thousands of new voters. He frequently visited the White House and shared the stage with Trump at campaign and Turning Point events. Earlier this year, he traveled with Donald Trump Jr. to Greenland as the then-incoming president argued the U.S. should pursue ownership of the Arctic territory.

Raised in Prospect Heights, a suburb of Chicago, Kirk was the son of an architect. He attended community college before leaving to focus on activism after being rejected from West Point. He often joked about his lack of a degree when debating academics. His evangelical Christian faith and family were at the center of his public identity. He married a former Miss Arizona and was a father of two.

While admired by supporters for his energy and outreach, Kirk was also one of the most polarizing voices in American politics. He promoted false claims about the 2020 election, rejected mainstream science on Covid-19, and endorsed the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, according to CBS. He sparked controversy earlier this year when he argued that “it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment.”

Even critics acknowledged his ability to stir debate. “His entire project was built on reaching across the divide and using speech, not violence, to address and resolve the issues!” William Wolfe, executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, wrote on X.

Kirk’s influence extended far beyond youth politics. His work through TPUSA and his close relationship with Trump reshaped Republican grassroots organizing, leaving a legacy that will continue to influence the movement.

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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during a campus event in Utah, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. He was 30.

The incident triggered a massive security lockdown at Utah Valley University, where heavily armed police patrolled the grounds as students sheltered in place. Investigators believe the fatal shot came from a rooftop overlooking the event. BBC Verify analyzed footage posted online that appeared to capture the moment of the attack.

Two individuals were taken into custody shortly after the shooting but were later released. Officials said they found “no ties” connecting them to the killing. The search for the suspect continues.

In a video statement, President Trump expressed sorrow and fury over the killing. “I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination,” he said. “This is a dark moment for America.”

Kirk, who founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA when he was just 18, rose to national prominence as a leading voice on the right. His close ties to the Trump family and his ability to mobilize young conservatives made him one of the most influential figures in Republican politics.

The shooting has reignited debate about the deep political divisions in the United States. “The fatal shooting lays bare America’s bloody and broken politics,” said BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the attack, but security officials said the investigation remains their top priority. The campus remains closed as police continue their search for answers.

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Defiant protesters in Nepal overran the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday, torching parliament, the Supreme Court and other government offices in the worst unrest the country has seen in decades. The demonstrations, driven by young Nepalis angered by corruption and lack of opportunity, forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign after days of escalating violence.

Officials confirmed at least 22 people have been killed and hundreds more injured since the clashes began. Security forces used live ammunition, water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds, according to Reuters. Thick smoke filled the capital as protesters ransacked government buildings and set fire to Oli’s private residence.

The crisis was triggered last week when the government blocked social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and X. While the ban sparked outrage, protesters say the deeper issue is decades of entrenched corruption and economic stagnation. “While the main trigger for the protest was the recent social media ban, the long history of corruption and bad governance is the main reason that thousands of people have come out on the streets,” one 28-year-old demonstrator told CNN.

Nepal’s younger generation, ages 13 to 28, has been at the forefront of the movement. Youth unemployment reached 20.8% in 2024, according to the World Bank, fueling discontent. Anger has also intensified online through a viral campaign against “Nepo Kids” — the children of politicians flaunting lavish lifestyles while ordinary Nepalis struggle.

Nepal’s economy heavily depends on remittances from citizens working abroad, which account for more than a third of its GDP. Analysts say the lack of domestic opportunities has deepened frustration among young people, who see little chance of change under the country’s entrenched political elite.

The protests quickly turned violent. More than 400 people, including security personnel, were hospitalized Monday, the health ministry reported. The Kathmandu Post’s offices were attacked and its servers disabled. The United Nations and rights groups condemned the government’s heavy-handed response. Amnesty International warned that “the use of lethal force against protesters not posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury is a grave violation of international law.”

International concern is rising. The U.S. State Department urged American citizens in Nepal to shelter in place, while UN Secretary General António Guterres called for “a thorough investigation” and restraint to prevent further escalation.

The turmoil has rocked Nepal’s leadership. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned Monday, followed by several other ministers. Oli stepped down Tuesday, citing “the extraordinary situation” in his resignation letter. President Ramchandra Paudel appealed for calm, urging demonstrators to seek dialogue.

Nepal’s army said it deployed troops “to control the situation for the security of Nepal and Nepalis” but also called for a peaceful resolution. With no party holding a clear parliamentary majority, experts predict lawmakers may form an interim government. Some observers suggest Gen Z groups could even have a voice in shaping the next leadership.

“Nepal is now at a crossroads,” said Binay Mishra, a public policy analyst at Kathmandu University. “Once the prime minister steps down, parliament must move to form a government, but with such anger in the streets, involving the younger generation may be key to finding stability.”

For many, however, the upheaval underscores a broader truth: Nepal’s youth are demanding change, and the old political order may no longer hold.

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The South Korean government said it is working to bring home its citizens detained during a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Ellabell, Georgia last week.

Federal and immigration authorities arrested 475 people as part of an investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices. More than 300 of those detained were South Korean nationals, a government spokesperson told NBC News. U.S. officials, who executed the raid with a search warrant, said the workers were in the country illegally.

President Lee Jae Myung’s office confirmed on Sunday that the detainees will be flown back to South Korea on a chartered plane. Hyundai, when asked for comment on Monday, pointed CNBC to its earlier statement saying the company is “committed to full compliance with all laws and regulations in every market.”

The operation was the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the Department of Homeland Security, according to Steven Schrank, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia. He said those detained were employed by contractors and subcontractors rather than Hyundai directly.

U.S. Attorney Margaret Heap said more than 400 agents took part in the sweep. “The goal of this operation is to reduce illegal employment and prevent employers from gaining an unfair advantage by hiring unauthorized workers,” Heap said. “Another goal is to protect unauthorized workers from exploitation.”

White House border czar Tom Homan told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that more workplace raids are planned. “We’re going to do more worksite enforcement operations,” he said. “These companies that hire illegal aliens, they undercut their competition that’s paying U.S. citizen salaries.”

The Georgia site is home to both Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, which are building a $7.6 billion battery manufacturing plant. The project, which began construction in 2022, employs more than 1,200 people and has already started producing electric vehicles. LG Energy Solution said 47 of its workers were among those detained, along with about 250 from “equipment partner companies.”

Hyundai stressed on Friday that none of those arrested were direct employees of the automaker. The company added Monday that business travel to the United States continues, though some trips are subject to internal review.

South Korea’s foreign ministry expressed “concern and regret” to the U.S. Embassy in a statement, urging officials to protect the rights of its citizens. “In the course of U.S. law enforcement, the economic activities of our investment firms and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed upon,” ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said.

On Truth Social, President Donald Trump called on foreign companies to respect American immigration laws. “Your Investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people, with great technical talent, to build World Class products, and we will make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so. What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers,” he wrote.

Trump later told reporters the enforcement action had no bearing on U.S.–South Korea economic ties, saying Washington maintains “a great relationship” with Seoul.

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