Nepal - World's Newest Republic

True to their word, the first thing that the Maoists have done after their victory in the elections is to abolish the monarchy. Nepal is now a republic. It is hailed as "the people's victory".

People have been cheering and celebrating in the streets of Katmandu, even before the abolition was official.

The monarchy has been ruling Nepal for 240 years. The king had been treated almost like diety. Absolute monarchy was abolished in 1991, and a prime minister was elected. King Gyanendra, who took over the throne after his brother and his family were massacred in the palace in June 2001, took a hard line against the Maoist rebels. In 2002 he dismissed the country's elected government and in 2003 declared a state of emergency. In 2005 he assumed complete control by direct palace rule, which led to weeks of demonstrations, and he had to yield in 2006.

Since then he had been trying to hold on to some semblance of dignity if not authority. But his time has finally ended.


--- Street scene in Kathmandu ---

Obama's Stance for Talks with Cuba Supported by Cuban Dissidents

Obama's Stance for Talks with Cuba Supported by Cuban Dissidents

Barack Obama said the U.S. has to talk to its enemies. He said he would lift restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. Against this, Hillary Clinton is at one with John McCain, opposing any change.

A group known as Women in White, relatives of political prisoners in Cuba, has endorsed Obama's position. They hope a change in policy will help their relatives in Cuba.

Cuba has a new leader, though also a Castro. Surely the old bogeyman (in Americans' eyes), Fidel, should be relegated to history. Times 'a changing. A new U.S. president with a new policy and new hopes - will that not lead to a better world for all?

Musicians in Havana

Nature, Politics and the Olympics

The problems created by politics are man made. Politics are a power-struggle, with protagonists espousing their own world views, many with idealistic premises, but some are deceiving themselves and others and are in it for power and self-survival.

The Olympics symbolise something more pure - sports and the sporting instinct, the desire to excel are universal, but as we have seen the Olympics are not immune to politics.

Nature is beyond all men, though we try to control it for our benefit. But in the end the power of nature, when it's unleashed with all its might, is just something men have to suffer. Yet even nature is impacted by politics.

The recent natural disasters in Myanmar and China serve as poignant reminders. Despite the offers of help from international groups, the Myanmese authorities are slow to let the world in, adding more tragedy and suffering to the victims of the cyclone.

China has been bearing the brunt of world criticism over its treatment of Tibet and other policies, highlighted in the glare of the Olympics. Yet with the major earthquakes striking Sichuan province, China has at least rallied its forces in its rescue efforts, and has responded to the tragedy in a compassionate fashion.

The earthquake has somewhat softened the hard outlook which the recent protests over the Olympic preliminary events have engendered.