Background: In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003. In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime minister who formed a four-party coalition government, which the king subsequently tasked with paving the way for elections to be held in spring of 2005. Citing dissatisfaction with the government's lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency, the king in February 2005 dissolved the government and assumed power.
May 2nd 2008Asia » Nepal » Namche My lungs hurt, my lips are frozen, my legs are begging me to stop. Four more steps. I stop to gasp for air. At last, there is no where else to go. I'm standing on the summit of Kala Pattar at 5,600m. ... 107 photos[full story]
December 22nd 2007Asia » Nepal » Namche Haven't had a chance to catch everyone up for a few days now. Since I last left off, I spent a day in kathmandu, enjoying the company of my wonderful guide, Milan, and seeing some really incredible th ... [full story]
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