Nepal condemns Mumbai terror attacks

Panic spread through the districts of Nepal on Thursday after the news broke of the worst coordinated terrorist attack ever in Mumbai that had killed 101 people and left nearly 300 injured. Thousands of Nepalis have made the Indian finance capital their home for decades while thousands more flock there every year either to study or work or even make their fortune in Bollywood. Following his visit to Nepal, Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee said India and Nepal would soon sign an updated extradition treaty that would include transnational crime. The treaty is expected to be a shot in the arm for India’s fight on terrorism. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Nepal_condemns_Mumbai_terror_attacks/articleshow/3766348.cms

WaterAid helps Nepalese quench thirst for change

The thirst of Nepal's people for equal opportunities and rights drove the past decade of tumult and terror in the Himalayan country, say the Maoists who waged a bloody insurgency in their name.

This year's election of a Maoist leader as prime minister, together with the abolition of Nepal's royal family, has completed the country's political transformation from a feudal monarchy to a republic. But the Maoists' rise to the head of a coalition government has turned attention to demands for delivery of the socio-economic transformation they promised during the guerrilla campaign. WaterAid is encouraging residents to channel their energies into organised activism by helping them form lobby groups and gather the evidence and confidence they need to stand up for their rights.

In each of the 17 countries where WaterAid works in Asia and Africa, one of its goals is to help poor people advocate for themselves and improve the accountability of often unresponsive service providers. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/653c2736-bb5c-11dd-bc6c-0000779fd18c.html

Nepal: open for business

After 10 years of civil war that caused untold suffering to the Nepali people, and a comparably trivial collapse in tourism, peace is in the air and holidays are on the agenda. Trekkers, climbers and rafters are particularly ecstatic that Nepal has calmed down. Nepal now has the chance to become an essential tourist destination. Considering how important tourism is to the Nepalese economy, the increase in numbers is very welcome. With greater tourist numbers, the local infrastructure can develop - especially internal transport to main tourist locations like Lukla (below), starting point for the Everest base camp trek. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinations/asia/article5206787.ece

Nepal 'Buddha Boy' returns to jungle

A young man believed by followers to be a reincarnation of Buddha has returned to Nepal's jungles to meditate alone, police said, as scholars cast doubt on his supporters' claims.
Known as the "Buddha Boy," Ram Bahadur Bomjam, 18, became famous in 2005 after supporters said he could meditate motionless for months without water, food or sleep.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gPRSoq8iAWFf-CN0Hv_-35QUXovQ

Nepal strike over alleged murders turns violent

At least two people were injured and police lobbed teargas shells to break up protests after a general strike over the alleged murder of two men by Maoists took a violent turn in the Nepali capital on Thursday. http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-36597020081120

Nepal: End Torture of Children in Police Custody

The Nepali government should urgently address the widespread torture and ill-treatment of children in police custody, Human Rights Watch said today in a statement marking Nepali Children’s Day on November 20. So far in 2008, Human Rights Watch has received credible claims of more than 200 cases of torture or abuse committed by members of the Nepali police against boys and girls, some as young as 13.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/11/18/nepal-end-torture-children-police-custody

Charity sale for Nepal orphanage

A CHARITY raising money to build an orphanage and a school in Nepal is holding a sale in Emsworth this Saturday November 15. The Nava Indardahanush Trust is aiming to raise £35,000 to build a completely new facility in Kathmandu by 2012. http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/chichester-news/Charity-sale-in-Emsworth-raising.4688433.jp

Nepal trek for hospice

Twenty seven people are off on a trek to Nepal to raise money for a Calderdale hospice.
All have raised more than £1,000 for Overgate Hospice in Elland to trek for six days in the Bhara Pokhari region of Nepal – a route hardly ever taken by foreigners. http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/11/10/nepal-trek-for-hospice-86081-22220632/

The Duchess and Nepal's Day of the Dog

The Duchess of Cornwall has taken part in the beginning of a sponsored dog walk to celebrate Nepal's Day of the Dog. The dog walk, in Green Park, London, was held in aid of the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre. The event was organised by British charity the Kathmandu Arts Centre. http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jcqWffunwTxy2JLSOedw1u7Mf0Ag

Charity biker ends marathon trek

A Scot has completed a marathon bike trek from Glasgow to Kathmandu to raise funds for child welfare in Nepal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7712700.stm
http://www.childwelfarescheme.org/homef.php

Harry to visit Nepal..

Prince Harry is launching an expedition to Mount Everest base camp for wounded members of the Armed Forces. Exercise Khumbu Challenge will involve five teams drawn from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, including those who suffered injury or trauma in Iraq or Afghanistan. http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5ioh8Zop612usfjkBs7LpHbHlI2TQ

Nepal records highest tourist arrivals in eight years

Nepal has recorded the highest tourist arrivals in eight years. According to the Nepal Tourism Board Monday, figures released by the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport indicate that 50,567 tourists visited Nepal in October, the highest in a single month since 2000. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/nepal-records-highest-tourist-arrivals-in-eight-years_100114565.html

Nepal and the credit crunch

Nepal's isolation from the world markets might make it less affected by the current international financial crisis. As South Asia’s poorest country, Nepal has no international banks, no foreign investments in stocks, only basic financial rules and no direct connections to the international markets. When falls in the US and European bourses pulled Asian equities down with them, Nepal’s market was largely unaffected. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f03dbda0-a9c2-11dd-958b-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Nepal to get $36 ml World Bank aid

The World Bank plans to provide $36 million aid package to Nepal to enhance its anti-poverty programme, including access to food and basic needs for vulnerable households in the impoverished nation. http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080070937&ch=11/2/2008%207:13:00%20PM