Newslook :: Nepal's Premiere Online Newsmagazine, Since 1999

Another wave of violence in Rautahat, southern Nepal. 25 killed. A microcosm of the country itself—who will control the venue? Be it the venues of power centers in Kathmandu or the venues of public forums in the villages. And, sadly, the message these warring factions are sending is this: Force and violence pays in Nepal.
• Death toll in Gaur gun battle at least 25, M&C
• 8 Killed in Clash between Maoists and MPRF in Rautahat, NHRN
• Maoist target RPP Rana, Telegraph Nepal
• Violence rocks southern Nepal, Aljazeera
• Maoist supporters terrorise hotel guests, Zee News
• Maoists in south Nepal gun battle, BBC
• Death toll in southern Nepal gun battle at least 25 (2nd Roundup), M&C
• Maoist trade union wing owns up to beating hotelier Shrestha, KOL
• Maoists capture ex- army chief's property, India eNews

On surface, it sounds great. Retired British Gurkhas will now onward get full pension (a rise from £1,200 a year to £6,600 a year ) as their UK counterparts! It took Britain almost 200 years—since recruitment of Nepalis in British army began in 1815—to acknowledge equality. But a close look at this announcement shows this step may not be as significant. And the GAESO's initial reaction also does not look happy). Only soldiers who joined UK military after 1997 will be the beneficiaries. Don’t forget that now there are only about 3,500 serving the British Crown, as opposed to more than a hundred thousand during the hay days of the Empire. An estimated 25,000 retired British Gurkhas in Nepal will not benefit from this new concession.
• Gurkha org dissatisfied with British pension announcement, Jurnalo, Germany
• Better pensions for some Gurkhas, BBC
• Gurkhas win British benefits, Houston Chronicle
• Gurkhas get improved pension deal, Guardian Unlimited
• Nepalese Gurkhas Win British Benefits, Washington Post
• Gurkhas win right to equal pensions, Telegraph, UK
• Victory for the Gurkhas, The Sun
• Gurkhas win citizenship fight, ITV
• Gurkhas help secure road to Nasiriyah, ITN
• 'I always believed I was British', BBC

Lisa Ling is definitely a role model for many young journalists around the around. Her yet another investigative work (Inside North Korea) is airing tonight on National Geographic Channel's Explorer. Here is the preview. What is significant journalistically about this documentary is that Dr. Sanduk Ruit of Til Ganga apparently conspires with the udercover reporter. This is sure to drag the 2006 Magasay winner into a journalistic controversy.
• Dr. Ruit in North Korea, Beacon Journal
• Inside North Korea, National Geographic
• National Geographic's 'Explorer' takes cameras into North Korea, Southcoast Today
• 'Explorer' reveals N. Korea, Spokesman Review

First the widespread news on illness and then now (an even bigger news?) on a cure. Not long ago, the PM was down with Hepatitis E (suspected), as was Devyani Rana, the famous bride. The latter's wedding had to be postponed. This breaking story says among 2,000 healthy adults from Nepal, researchers found [read the journal article] that the vaccine was 96 percent effective in preventing hepatitis E infection. The Washington Post reports the vaccine is highly effective. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., based in Research Triangle Park, a North Carolina-based research organization, developed the vaccine in collaboration with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C. Newslook carried a critical report (Terror of Vaccine Test In The Kingdom, July 23, 2000) on the project when it started 7 years ago.
• Breaking google stories on Hepatitis E vaccine, Google
• 2,000 soldiers benefit by Hep E vaccine, Scientific American
• Hepatitis E vaccine called highly effective, Washington Post
• Hepatitis E Vaccine Shows Promise, WebMD
• PM, ministers, staff get hepatitis at key juncture of peace process, Intl Herald Trib
• Nepal’s famous bride down with meningitis, Gulf Times

One indication that Nepal's online news business is far from mature. Something that happened these past two weeks to the Himalayan Times, which bills itself as "No 1 Nepal's Leading English Daily" sparked off some private (offline) speculation among avid Web-watchers: Was it banned by the government? The newspaper disappeared Feb 8 to 21. While its competitor the Kathmandu Post (billed the "largest daily") celebrated its 15th year anniversary, THT went dead apparently "due to website maintenance." One insider told Newslook, however, that their server account had expired. Interestingly, something similar, if not identical, happened to Kantipur Online last month. None of these events made news. Why shouldn't they write a press release or post news on a sistersite. Two weeks is jillion years, cyberwise. Online usership in Nepal may be negligible, but why such neglect of the many consumers/audience outside the country? Hello APCA, hi KP?
• THT offline "due to website maintenance", THT
• Kantipur Publications marks 14th anniversary, KoL
• Journalists demand official recognition for online media, Nepal News

The Madhesi movement for rights is not unexpected in the post-April 2006 Nepal. But looks like the former Maoist cadres want more than just rights. Finally, thanks to Jai Krishna Goit, the leader of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) or People's Terai Liberation Front, as well as Jwala Singh (real name Nagendra Paswan), who leads a splinter faction with a similar name, Nepal has reached the ranks of countries in the region, such as Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines, that have been grappling with issues of separatism for decades. Again, dialogue is the best way to resolve this early. So talk everyone.
• Madhesi group leader warns of unrest, Reuters
• Old wounds threaten new Nepal, Aljazeera
• Unrest in its 10th day: 1 more killed, Hindu
• Terai Unrest: Another protester dies, OhmyNews
• Madhav Nepal calls for probe into Terai violence, Gorkhapatra
• Deja Voodoo In 'New' Nepal, News Blaze
• New war erupts in Nepal as UN peace mission gets nod, Financial Express
• Protests rage in eastern Nepal, Hindu
• Violence spreads in south Nepal, BBC

MP Mani Kumar Subba's saga is but one of many stories about Nepalis living in India. Now that he has made to New Delhi's power circles, he must be the target of India's intellegence agency, and its apex court. Whatever the truth about his past, he has to prove he is a pukka Indian. But the fact of the matter is millions of India-born Nepalis have been denied citizenship all their lives. So Subba may not prove Indian citizenship even if he was born in India.
• MP has to prove he is Indian, Telegaph
• Subba's citizenship under scrutiny, SC pulls up CBI , Hindu
• Subba Indian? CBI won’t commit, Telegraph
• Congress MP Subba asked to prove nationality in 6 weeks, Zee News
• SC suspects nationality of Congress MP, Times of India
• SC pulls up CBI over Subba's citizenship, NDTV

Maoists have, in deed, reached the parliament. No doubt about it. They are on the way up, not down (Ukalo not oralo; see adjoining pic). Once ruthless killers and now increasingly peace-loving do-gooders, Maoists constitute 25 percent (count 83) of the 330-member Interim Legislature-Parliament. Whether you like them or hate them, the maobadi are in power now. But the question for the future is: Will they claim all the power for themselves (all authoritarians do) or share it with others as well (most good democracts would do so).
• Parliament dissolved, new assembly to meet Monday, San Diego U Trib
• Parliament adopts interim constitution, Playfuls
• Chronology: Nepal's path to peace, Reuters
• Nepal adopts new charter, Swiss Info
• Maoists take seats in new parliament, Reuters

Press freedom has been restored, but the press is not entirely free to report what it deems fit to cover. International Federation of Expression eXchange (IFEX), the Ontario, Canada-based organization reports at least half a dozen cases of abuses of journalists in the past week alone. In Kathmandu, a journalist was assaulted, injured, kidnapped, and finally released by Maoists. In Udaypur, another journalist was stabbed over story about local market. Fearing mob attack following assaults on journalists in Nepalgunj, newspapers stop publishing. In Kathmandu, even doctors who protested against assault are reported to have assaulted journalists.
• CPJ calls for probe into attacks on journalists in Nepalgunj, CPJ
• WORLD: 2006, a bloody year for journalists, Asia Pacific Media Network
• Missouri method: Journalism with skepticism, Kathmandu Post
• "You-have-to-show-me-journalism" Needed in Nepal, Nepal Monitor
• Assistance to families of killed journalists of NTV, The Rising Nepal
• Nemwang urges journalists to help in restructuring state, APM Network

The New York Times features Kunsang Sherpa, 23, as one its Neediest Cases. His is a touching story. Kunsang's life of struggle and his dreams of becoming a doctor or a nurse has brought him to USA. To do that he needs help. The NYTimes began its first Neediest Case on December 15, 1912. If you are interesting in donating, here is how you can do that.
• Helping educate Tibetans in Tibet and India "gives hope", Phayul
• Cashmere importer helps Nepalese children, Forest Park Review
• Mobile camps treat uterine prolapse, IPS News

As soon as there is a semblance of an internal peace in Nepal, it is as if the Indians and the Nepalis must start it all over again. For years, after the democratic changes of 1990, the two sides collided over Mahakali, Kalapani, ISI (Pakistani Intellegence Agents), and other land encroachments by India. Now that old game is just getting revived.
• Nepalis 'occupy' 205 acres in Bihar, Times of India
• India cuts oil duties for Nepal, Kantipur Online
• Indo-Nepal boundary pact soon, Gulf Times, Qatar
• Indo-Nepal border is hub for criminals, Hindustan Times
• Terrorists using Nepal, Bangla borders to enter India: Army, Peninsula On-line
• Indians in Nepal are hostage to fortune, Hindustan Times
• Nepal farmers plough in Indian soil, CNN-IBN
• Anti-India axis in Nepal, Daily Pioneer
• Indian patients robbed in Nepal, India eNews

The UK-based Economist has often written about the Nepali conflict, but this one is incredibly different. This "Intelligence Unit Briefing" on Nepal, which reads like an official Downing Street dossier, actually reflects the UK's increasing alertness about the threat of terrorism and the significance of regional conflicts to the British populace. The report concluded with a positive note on the recent Baluwatar agreement: ...there is unity amid the optimism that with the insurgency almost at an end, the real business of building a modern Nepal can begin. But an interesting thing about this intelligence report is the apparent lack of intelligence on Nepal's army (see paragraph # 9): Is the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) still around in Nepal?
• Human rights must be central after pact, says UN, Reuters
• EU welcomes progress in peace talks, Times of India
• Maoists use children in victory rally, Oh My News
• 200-member UN team to help in peace process, Telegu Portal
• Coalition inks deal with Maoists, Washington Times, Oct 7/06
• US and EU delegations to visit Nepal, Nepal News

No sooner human-perpetrated death and mayhem subsided in the strife-torn country, nature's hand has fallen heavy on innocent lives in Nepal. After those recent air and land crashes, here comes the health crash. News reports say that as many as 36 have been killed by a mystery fever in the south-western district of Banke. But if the past is any indication, this is not a mystery disease at all. The need is to learn from the past mistakes. And, to do that, public health experts should find a connection between epidemology and health education in rural Nepal.
• 36 die of unknown illness in Banke, KoL, Oct 7/06
• 12 die of mystery disease in Banke district, People's Daily, Oct 13/06
• Mystery fever kills 36 in BankeBBC
• Disease claims 36 lives in west Nepal villages, International Herald Trib

Air crashes garner much attention, compared to land crashes. There have been 303 road accidents in the past year, and over 60 people were killed this month alone in bus accidents. This is a sad saga of Nepal's poor transportation system. Some experts say the problem is less about the lack of safety plans and more about the lack of implementing those plans. The government, however, remains mute on this grave problem, which also has a direct bearing on the country's tourism industry.
• Bus accident kills 42 in Salyan, News, Oct 28/06
• 303 road accidents in the last fiscal year, The Rising Nepal, Oct 28/06
• Forty-two killed in bus accident in Salyan, SM Herald, Oct 28/06
• Overloaded bus plunges off cliff, dozens killed, CNN, Oct 28/06
• 7 killed, dozens injured in bus accident in Khasaidhad, Intl Heradl Trib, Oct 7/06
• 8 killed, dozens injured in bus accident in Trishuli, Jerusalem Post, Oct 13/06
• 11 people killed in two bus accidentsGulf Times
• 24 dead in Nepal WWF air crash, CNN, Sept 25/06

The ceasefire between the Seven Parties and the Maoists has become a legitimized form of "do-any-thing-because-you-want-to" perpetual tease-fire. And more than any other, the Maoists continue to grab headlines for what many would call both attrocities and eccentricities they committ on a daily basis. They continue to kill as well as extort. They seem to tease-fire rather than cease fire. And this, dangerously, is also apparent in India.
• Govt asks Maoists to end extorting Everest climbers, Reuters
• Maoists behead couple in Jharkhand, Times of India
• Maoist atrocities up in Nepal: INSEC, NHRN
• Maoists take law in hand, arrest 70, The Hindu
• 'Ceasefire violations by Nepal Maoists increasing', The Hindu
• Committee urges Maoists to properly implement code of conduct, Nepal News
• Maoists collecting entry fee from trekkers, Himalayan Times
• Maoists suspected of killing youth after abduction, KoL
• Maoists abduct 16, including Congress cardes, Times of India
• Civilian dies under Maoist custody, KoL
• From Maosim to Fascism in the Himalayas?, Nepal News

Making sense of Nepal these days means finding connections between disparate developments. Hopes heightened amid the resumption of those halted peace talks. But the talks were prematurely suspended/postponed, without adequate explanation as to why the SPA and the Maoist leadership decided not to continue talking, even as the Rayamajhi Panel sent a questionnaire to seek King Gyanendra's explanations. And then, in the emerging “Lokatantrik Nepal” (already a shallow slogan?), journalists suffered abuses while covering the aborted talks. Amid procrastination and internal wrangling, Nepal lost temporary membership of the UN Security Cuncil. Meanwhile, another slap on the face-- a major study released in Kathmandu said the country requires a massive amount of $16.4 billion to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. To make matters worse, a little known group announced it will take up arms in support of the virtually sidelined monarchy. Any semblance of progress, or just grace?
• Rayamajhi Panel Sends Questionnaire to King, The Himalayan Times
• Probe commission questions king, Intl Herald Trib
• More work needed to achieve development goals - report, Reuters
• Maoists misbehave with journalists covering summit talks, Asia Media
• Nepal lost temporary membership of UN due to Maoists: Oli, Nepal News

This news report is troubling. The Gulf Times reports, citing a journalist association, that more than 1,000 Nepalis remain in Qatar jails for violating immigration and labor laws. This is a sour twist in Nepal's booming foreign employment sector. [Everyday, in the last 2 months or so, 557 people left the country to work in a foreign lands, said Department of Labor and Employment Promotion (DoLEP) on October 5.] However, the article fails to explain the crediblity and actual sources of those figures. Whatever the ground facts, in Qatar or in other countries hosting hundreds and thousands of Nepali workers, the question is: Will they ensure the due process of law to secure labor rights?
• Govt to name new envoy to Qatar: Oli , The Peninsula
• Over 1,000 Nepalis in Qatar jails, Gulf Times
• After Malaysia, it's Qatar, foreign employment up, People's Daily
• Nepal keen to sign labor agreements with host countries, People's Daily
• Nepalese expatriates send $100mn home, Gulf Times

This is a bit overdue for our readers in the USA, but may not be so for others. And this one is of interest not only to Asian Indians, but also to all brown folks (with their Karma), including Nepalis-- all those Macacans, estimated at 14 million in the United States alone. When electoral emotions run high, even the presidential hopefuls the like of George Allen (Republican from Virginia) cannot zip their mouths. Also note the power of self-broacasting-- the mainstream media could do nothing but recycle the footage with a heavy doze of newsworthiness. Any rebuttals? Aplenty. Chris Matthew's Hardball, John Stewart's The Daily Show, and the Macacan (?) himself on CNN, to name a few. The effect? ElectionCentral says Allen has already lost 17 points in the race.
• Media outlets ignored Allen's familial ties, Media Matters
• Macaca and media, CNet
• An un-American senator, Los Angeles Times
• Allen makes two xenophobic errors, recognizes only one, SJ Mercury News
• Genius of the Week: Allen and his Macaca Foul, The New York Inquirer

Staffan de Mistura has completed his Nepal Mission. The leader of that high-level United Nations delegation who visited Nepal recently to explore possible UN assistance in the country’s peace process believes the Maoists and the government will agree on arms management in the coming days. Many hope, and then doubt that Mistura’s diplomatic language (I am confident/I am optimistic, etc) reflects the ground realities. Clearly, there is no any political consensus yet among the parties. So much so that Maoists have said the peace process is in danger of collapsing even as they are writing a joint letter (with the SPA govt) to the UN.
• United Nations mission to Nepal is worth world’s attention, Asia Times
• Head of UN mission to Nepal expresses optimism on peace negotiations, UN News
• UN mission leaves Nepal with “cautious optimism”, Khaleej Times
• UN cautiously optimistic on Nepal's peace process, People’s Daily
• Interim government and Maoists hail UN mission, Zee News

When does news about journalists' protests in Nepal become no news? After they help establish democracy via historic street protests (unparalled perhaps anywhere in the world), and then begin protesting for thier own hand-to-mouth survival. Even the brightest lamp cannot do away with the dark conjoined shade around its base, one may argue. Is Nepali press just like that? Will working journalists get thier fair share? Why should or why not? Apparently, mainstream journalists cannot respond to these questions because they don't own the big media. They are citizen journalists like Umesh Shrestha who are pursuing such Qs.
• A Nepali Journalist Abroad, Oh My News
• Newspaper editor, 3 journalists threatened by local political leaders, IFEX
• Journalist slush funds and citizen-scribes, Nepali Times

Okay, okay, we may insist we now have more freedom in the country than ever before. But everyman's fiefdom is not freedom. Vigilante justice is not the rule of law. Apparently, and sadly, that seems to be the case, as the series of incidents reported by the media suggest.
• Maoists fine house owner, Kantipur Online
• Woman gangraped, paraded naked in Mahottari, Hindustan Times
• Officials lock up DPM Sherchan for eight hours, Nepal News
• Gang shoots dead two Maoists in Saptari, the Himalayan Times
• ‘Maoist’ thugs dictate driving license issue, Kantipur Online
• Maoists continuing atrocities, Nepal News
• Bharat Keshar episode: Angadawa receives death threat, Kantipur Online
• Bharat Keshar beaten up, the Himalayan Times

What do King Gyanendra, George W. Bush, the Dalai Lama, and Sylvester Stallone have in common? Well, they are all in thier 60s or 70s and they all celebrate their birthdays the same week of July (on Thursday, July 6, to be specific). King Gyanendra, however, a day later, on Friday, July 7. Is that merely because he was born in Nepal? If you read the theorizing of journalist Dhruba Hari Adhikary (Head of Nepal Press Institute), you may hum a tune or two.
Subdued birthday party, Reuters
Happy Birthday King Gyanendra, News Blaze
60th birthday of King Gyanendra observed, Nepalnews
A quiet birthday for Nepal's troubled king, Times of India
Birthday bash held for Sylvester Stallone, ABC
Tibetans celebrate Dalai Lama's birthday, Times of India
Bush opts for low-key 60th birthday, Reuters
A lonely Nepal king celebrates birthday, Hindustan Times
Nepal not to mark king's birthday, BBC

It looks like everything is possible in Nepal these days. It may even look surreal, given that not long ago, things were always obstinate in the country. One after another, announcements are made, of historic proportions, hoping the world may take notice: No absolute kingship, no untochability, no public smoking, etc. Even Bhutan may need to rethink their strategy of doing just what Nepal never did. As if the recent revolution was like breaking the Sound Barrier of the country's political atmosphere, there seem to be no barriers any longer in the dialogues between the mutually divided and traditionally very distrustful political players. The second peace talks with the Maoists in less than a month have taken place today with more agreements (without disagreements), and the country's Prime Minister Girija P. Koirala is meeting for the first time, one-on-one, the rebel leader Prachanda (who was designated a terrorist leader a few years ago when Koirala's own party was in government). The question is how long will these drumbeats sustain?
Rebel chief meets PM
PM holds first peace talks with rebel leader

As soon as Girija Prasad Koirala suggested that monarchy must continue at least in its ceremonial role, and at least until a Constituent Assembly decides the fate of the 237-year institution, young students walked out of their classroom to protest his views. A handful of disgruntled people can wreak havoc today in the streets of Kathmandu. Mob rule is the norm and extremist politics is the game in town. It seems there is no room for a middle ground in the country of Nepal. It is hard to know exactly how the majority of the Nepali population feels about the political passage and the recent April revolution. They remain silent. Nepal does not have periodic national public opinion polls like in the West. Nor have elections beeen held in years. Street demonstrations and the extent of vandalism and damage to public property are the only measures availalbe currently. But how plausible are such measures is an open question.
Nepal PM's remarks on king spark protests in Kathmandu
PM says 'monarchy to stay'
Premier favours ceremonial role for King
King should be given ceremonial role: PM
King should be given ceremonial role: PM Koirala

I mean business; he seemed to insist, with the quintessential Nepali (political) flavor of self-conceit, mixed with some mild emotional bouts of rage and cynicism. Pity the KTV reporter, he managed to ask so many questions, despite the fact that he was the first Nepali TV journalist who was filming “the fearsome" himself. Anyway, that helped Prachanda do a 360-degree on "the popular channel," as he put it. It was a free publicity. Without a Nepali Neilson, we may not know exactly how many tuned into the tube to see his aggressive gestures. Yet, little doubt, he did speak (some may say rambled) through many of the issues vexing the country today. Again and again, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal proved he would not miss a PR opportunity. If dialogue would not work, he warned, he would be ready to kill more. If other nations saw thousands and even millions dead to do away with their feudal past, why not Nepal?—he seemed to argue. Only about 15,000 Nepalis had died so far, he reminded, just to warn the parliamentary parties, whom he bashed again and again. He did speak in thet Nepali tongue, like an average Joe, directly, and often harshly, and many of his facts were dead-wrong. The self-described “scientist," for instance, could not tell British from Britain, repeatedly.

So, the Indian PM broke his protocol. What is the big deal? A PM met a PM at the airport. A cursory reading of this news story says otherwise-- Girijababu's old age and poor health was a bigger factor than the fact that he is a PM of an independent country. Pako umer, seniority in age, is an advantage in South Asian Politics. Else, how dare Koirala pat the back of the Indian PM? In the first place, it was his old age that helped re-enthron Girijababu to Singha Durbar, the seat of government in Nepal.

Whenever the New York Times editorializes, it is as if the world must take it seriously. And, in deed, Newslook does take notice (even after months of hiatus from pithy comments like this one). The big boy in the news business would not cover a “small country” for no good reason. In a rare 256-word editorial, the newspapers’ second such attempt re Nepal since 1990, the Times justifies its editorial as much as the readers’ need to know about the “remote” country on the basis of geopolitics, Maoist rebellion, difficult geography, and a democratic morality. Above all, the newspaper concludes: King Gyanendra has brought this on himself. Perhaps more important—what does such increased frequency of coverage suggest? Has Nepal reached another critical juncture in its excruciating history?
• In Nepal, Death Toll Is 3 as Protests Continue, NYTimes, April 10/06
• Nepalis Attack Police and Invite Arrest, NYTimes, April 7/06
• At Least 66 Killed as Nepal Battles Maoist Rebels in Western District, NYTimes, August 10/05
• Nepal's Human Rights Record Threatens Military Aid, NYTimes, August 9, 05

In recent months, Newslook was almost in recess when it comes to pithy comments— after all that big bang in February. It deserved some break. In fact, there is no dearth of comments and opinions on the issue—the Internet is unprecedentedly replete with a range of views. Now, time to speak up again when your brethrens are under invasion.

The language and spirit of the new media ordinance IS alarming but we all know documents don’t mean much in Nepal’s hukumi bureaucracy. Orals work better than literals. But when the nation’s media leadership is literally under attack, principles begin to matter. The plundering of Kantipur FM shows the true nature of King Gyanendra’s determination.

Contrast the unprecedented international media coverage of the Royal takeover with the occasional and sketchy reports on Nepal’s democratic efforts during the past 14 years. The world community remained largely oblivious. Now that King Gyanendra took the guts to reign over the mess, everyone has something to say. The governments are not quiet either. The US says it will directly address its concern with the king, EU is worried with the democratic setback . India says the King’s actions “can only benefit the forces that not only wish to undermine democracy but the institution of monarchy as well.” China considers it as an internal affair and wishes for Nepal’s “social stability.” Britain thinks the King’s action will increase the risk of instablility and that it is reviewing its aid to the country. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says he is deeply concerned and wants to see an immediate restoration of democracy. Pakistan echoes China and believes Nepal can overcome any transient difficulties. The country's major donor, Japan urges all sides for a peacful resolution, and Denmark says it is reviewing its aid to the government, although support for the civil society will increase. However strong or mild the diplomatic language, the world is caught between choosing the King and the Maoists.

• America establishes contact with new regime, HT, Feb 04/05
• Thailand concerned with seizure of power, BangkokPost, Feb 04/05
• India contacts new govt, HT, Feb 03/05
• EU warns on political and civil liberties, Reuters, Feb 02/05
• Delhi largely responsible on Nepal crisis: Times, London, Feb 02/05
• Annan calls for restoration of democracy, HS, Feb 02/05
• UN, US and others: Restore democracy immediately, HS, Feb 02/05
• Britain registers 'grave concern', Politics, Feb 01/05
• Rights groups call for UN intervention, RIAN, Feb 01/05
• China's cautious comments, Xinhua, Feb 01/05
• Bangladesh watching Nepal events, PTI, Feb 01/05
• India voices concern, TOI, Feb 01/05
• Pak believes Saarc summit on despite Nepal crisis, Reuters, Feb 01/05

This is yet another example of how Himal, a little-known alternative periodical until 1999, has made into mainstream journalism. It appears that Kunda Dixit and Kanak Dixit, who run the enterprise, know well how to tickle the country's stubborn tradition. However, even a slight suggestion of change creates controversies in a dormant and partisan culture. It was not even a handshake. Yet, how dare the Dixit brothers elicit to the world that an all-powerful His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Birkram Shah Dev held hands with his subjects? Alas, there is no any distance left betweeen the ruler and the ruled!
Himal cover brings them together, Jan 14-28/05
Himal cover courts controversy, APMN Jan 27/05
Photograph this!, Telegraph, Jan 25/05

Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, plays a balancing act-- condones the Maoist acts, but condones them with cautious criticism of governmental steps in curbing the insurgency. She conveys the world community's call for the government to upheld justice, while exercising its rights, if, and if, it wants its actions seen as legitimate. But the real question is: Will the parties listen? (UNHCR, Jan 26/05)

• UN rights body chief in capital, GP, Jan 23/05
• Army objects to UN official's slur, NK, Jan 28/05
• Arbour's advice, Jan 27/05
• Rebels to be accountable for their actions: UN official, BLG, Jan 27/05
• Arbour urges to sign peace accord, Jan 27/05
• Do not recruit children, GP, Jan 27/05
• UN criticises Nepal rights abuses, BBC, Jan 24/05

The old saying that there are as many temples in KTM as there are houses parallels with the modern reality that there are as many weeklies in the Valley as there are interest groups. The sexual minorities also now have an outlet. The debate over the legitimacy of gays and lesbians may never be won. Speculations over morality, God's wisdom and human gene may never find a common ground. Yet, the publication could help enliven the debate and level the ground a bit.

• Blue Diamond symbolizes Buddhist compassion: BDS
• Weekly to raise awarness, NK, Jan 21/05
• Minorites fight ban in Supreme Court, UKGayNews, Jan 18/04
• UK embassy supports Gay Journal, BBC, Jan 21/05

Will India draw any useful lessons from the recent display and venting of the pent up rage of the Nepalese people against its big neighbour’s domineering ways, asks Sher Khan."If history is any guide, very unlikely....So too with other smaller countries in the South Asia: Bhutan, Sikkim have become protectorates under Indian hegemony, relations with Bangladesh soured soon after the honeymoon of 1971, Sri Lanka’s problems with its Tamil population stem from Indian interference, Indian power has been projected as far afield as Maldives." (FrontierPost, Pakistan, Jan 23/01)

Govinda Mainali's case in Japan continues to be a subject of unusual legal interet. The Washington Post looks at the pro and cons of the Japanese justice system. The Tokyo High Court's verdict to jail Mainali for life have been critisized by Mainali's defendents, and his attorney have called it as "an extremely unjust verdict." The Post quotes a Japanese author who says "What they did was outrageous. They would never do this to a Japanese, or even to a Caucasian. There is an element of racism against the Nepalese because they are colored persons." Also, this quote from Hideki Morihara, a coordinator in Japan for Amnesty International :"It's not possible, legally, to detain a person who has been acquitted, but they did it anyway." (Washington Post, Dec 31/00)
• Acquittal Overturned: The 'Office Lady' Murder International Herald Tribune, Jan 03/01

The tug of war between the employers and the employees, and the government's role of a helpless spectator will cost the economy dearly now that the hotels have closed indefinitely, bringing the paryatan udhyog itself to a massive halt. The more the street tamasas, the less the dialogue for a mutual agreement. (ENS/UPI Dec 12/00)

Yes, the bus should come on time, I think. Especially for Harka, the man from Nepal who is so willing to help strangers from Korea. I know, big time, that it is really not a coincidence that of all the people in Reno, the biggest little city in America, these three lost men from Korea should turn to Harka for help, comments SUSAN PARKER, in her article in sfgate.com, Oct. 04/00

An ongoing Maoist insurrection has had little publicity outside Nepal, but could spell problems for trekkers, reports Outdoormagic, a British magazine. 09/21/00
American National Public Radio (NPR) report on Nepal Maoists. [Listen: Audio] (09/22/00)

Yet another instance of Britain's discrimination against the hill people of Nepal who have for over a century shed their blood for the island nation. A Telegraph story, Sept. 03/00

"...all the people I came in contact with, from a headsman of a village to the people at the leprosy clinic, were genuinely happy. This was definitely mind-boggling, but true", writes Stanton Schumacher in The State Journal Register, 29 Aug/00.

Arun III, the controversial multi-million dollar hydropower project killed some years ago following a long environmental debate, makes a comeback.
• Programmes of action for LDCs discussed, M2 C, 25 July
• Nepali Currency Weakens Against U.S. Dollar, Xinhua, 25 July
• Nepal Extends Textile Pacts With US and Canada, Reuters, 19 July
• ISI behind smuggling of gold into Nepal, 19 July, HT
• Brazilian Company Braspower wins tender, SABI, 17 July
• Nepal looking at second international airport, M2 Com, 14 July
• Nepal to buld international airport at Buddha's birth-place, BBC, 14 July
• ADB provides $50m loan for rural electrification, BBC, 13 July
• TOI, 13 July: Foundation laid for rail link with India
• TOI, 13 July: Indian railway minister assures extension of trains
• BBC, 13 July: ADB provides $50m loan for rural electrification
• BBC, 12 July: First private power plant starts production
• Xinhua, 12 July: Germany to provide grant assistance
• CN Asia, 12 July: Forwarders' fears after Nepal air crash
• Reuters, 06 July: Nepal picks up US firm for hydropower plant
• BBC 06 July: Arun III back, American company to build the plant
• Reuters, 03 July: Carpet exporters oppose new export tax

S.K.Ramoo writes in The Hindu, 10 July that the Indian tourism industry, known for its half-hearted endeavours, can take a leaf out of the Nepal Tourism Board's (NTB) book and learn how to lure foreign tourists all round the year.
• Mountain climbing and eye surgery are all in a day's work for a woman, OC Register, 22 July
• ABC/AP, 12 July: Study says supplemental oxygen crucial for climbers’ survival
• AP, 11 July: Sherpa seeks glory from clmb
• Babu hopes his Everest record will bring glory to local guides
• AP/Las Vegas Sun, 10 July : Sherpa seeks glory from climb Read this story also in the Star Tribune
• CNN, 07 July: Kathmandu restaurant hiring policy offers a unique eating experience
• ABC/Reuters, 05 July: Nepal agents oppose fee increase for small peaks
• MSNBC.Com, July 05: Nowhere to go but up
• The Columbus Dispatch, 03 July: Student thought Himalayan expedition was necessary for career

The frenzy of record-breaking during this year's spring climbing season reflects a new social reality on the slopes of the world's highest mountain, Marion Lloid writes in South China Morning Post, 20 July, "After half a century of lugging Westerners up its treacherous face - at the cost of more than 50 Sherpa lives - the "unsung heroes" of Everest have finally found a place in the limelight."

Judy Mann argues in the Washington Post that instead of exporting a rule that is undemocratic and a program that is less than generous, Americans could be lending a hand to the world's poorest countries, in a way that they could be proud of.

Pressure, both internal and external, have forced both parties-- the government and the Maoists-- to at least rethink their postures. But will they come face-to-face to carve a deal in the immediate future is a million-dollar question. For a feel of the external forces at work go to June 23 issue of American Reporter (an independent outlet and a 'content partner' of Nando Times), which carries a dispatch by Chiranjibi Paudyal from Kathmandu.
• UPI, June 25: Tuladhar says Koirala doesn't want Dueba to get credit in peace deal
• UPI, June 24: Police desert guerilla fight
• Sri Lanka Daily News (June 23): Nepal police to buy new arms to fight Maoists
• Opinion: 'Inevitability of talks' by C.K. Lal in Nepali Times
• Commentary: 'Talking about talks' by Sushil Sharma in KantipurOnline
• CNN, June 17: Rebel violence on upswing in Nepal

M. R. Josse argues in People's Review that the government's posture of talking soft but carrying a big stick will only worsen the prospects of a peaceful dialogue sought for the resolution of the violent Maoist insurgency.
• Ramesh Sharma in PR: 'Koirala should have rejected palace pressure'
• Kunda Dixit in NT: Funny Side Up