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. To be updated
June 7th 2008Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu Ive been robbed!!! Ok… well not literally maybe, but by walking through Kathmandu it certainly feels like you have been…… Everywhere you look you are surrounded by shops and bazaa ... 41 photos[full story]
July 26th 2008Asia » Nepal It's been a while! We don't really keep track of the date here, just the day so I didn't even know it was the 26th until I got on the computer. 3 weeks yesterday since I left Alaska!
Life here has be ... [full story]
July 24th 2008Asia » Nepal » Butwal I think I've finally made Flickr happen, despite the painfully slow uploading issues. Most of the photos are the most recent batch that I developed from Butwal. Those of you who have heard me go on an ... 5 photos[full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Nepal In the style of most Nepali friendships, my friendships with Deepa and Nandu were almost immediate. I met Deepa through my work with Radio Jagaran in Butwal, and after only a few short hours of workin ... 7 photos[full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Nepal » Annapurna Manang - Khangsar
I'm getting really excited dreaming of Tilicho Lake already. I don't know why but this place seems to be so important for me to visit as the highest lake in this region (Tilich ... [full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Nepal » Annapurna We woke up at 6 am, washing our face and brushing teeth while ordering our breakfast. It was really cold, snowing and cloudy… made us worried whether we should go or not to Tilicho Lake to ... [full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Nepal » Annapurna We woke up in the morning ready to go to Tilicho Basecamp. For the first 2 hours, we were lost since we picked the wrong direction. After the gate, we picked the left trail and we ended up at th ... [full story]
July 23rd 2008Asia » Nepal » Annapurna I'm getting really excited dreaming of Tilicho Lake already. I don't know why but this place seems to be so important for me to visit as the highest lake in this region (Tilicho is not the highest la ... [full story]
July 22nd 2008Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu Nepal! I am in the stages of planning this little excursion. On the agenda is Chitwan Park to see elephants and rhinos. Then a flight to see Everest....I ain't gonna climb it and since I am going to b ... [full story]
July 4th 2008Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Thamal Hello! Wow, been a while since I updated this. Still, better late than never I guess! So Nepal……mmmm. Bit disappointing in the end to be truthful. Had high hopes when I got there, ... [full story]
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