Some movements from King G. - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4238823.stm Nepal's new government, led by King Gyanendra, has vowed to crack down on corruption and speed up land reform....A royal commission would be set up to investigate corruption, and to seize and nationalise property amassed through abuse of authority and smuggling....bring in positive discrimination for the lowest castes, women and indigenous people. - http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Nepals-army-targets-rebels/2005/02/05/1107476853484.html There is speculation mobile phones may be switched off for the next six months and the internet may be out even longer. Because the Maoist Peoples Army is constantly on the move it would seriously disrupt its ability to plan attacks. - http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=68736 Arrested leaders may be released .....the number of politicians jailed in a countrywide crackdown against political dissent stands at "hundreds". - http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/feb/05nepal.htm ..decided to form a Royal Commission within 15 days to probe corruption cases against politicians....government made public its 21-point programme and promised to form a land bank within 15 days to distribute land to the landless. ... agitators burnt eight vehicles outside Kathmandu the day emergency was imposed. - http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/130991/1/.html ...ordinary Nepalis interviewed in the capital Kathmandu said that if they had to choose between peace and democracy, for which many have been pressing, they would choose peace. .... the king will no longer be able to hide behind successive governments for the failure to find peace with the Maoists, as he has until now......The task facing King Gyanendra is tough: find peace, organise elections and reestablish democracy in three years as he has promised, all the while developing the economy of the country, one of the poorest in the world. - http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/130606/1/.html ....the rhythm of life in the city does not seem to have been disrupted.....Shops are open and schools are in class. Taxi drivers are stuck in traffic jams, women shop in markets and tourists browse the boutiques. ...At the Shankardeb campus, students have symbolically stopped the holding of exams while waiting to be called to action. ...Asked their opinion of the week's dramatic developments, most voice as much suspicion of politicians they consider corrupt opportunists, as any anger towards the King Gyanendra. - http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=68691 What contributed to the dismissal of the Sher Bahadur Deuba government? The stars, say Nepal's astrologers......Though King Gyanendra ascended the throne in 2001, he has still not been coronated according to full traditional rites due to the absence of an auspicious date since then. He has inducted some janajatis into the cabinet. But names like Harka Gurung, not reassuring. The anti-corruption drive. Will it be all talk and no action? Or rather a way for the king to get even with the political leaders? Will the drive also include taking the royal budget to what it was before 2002? No madhesi presence in the cabinet. At least the Congressias used to have token representation of a community that just so happens to be 50% of the country's population. The guy basically wants to rule as an executive, like a Prime Minister. I guess he has been polishing his managements skills in the private sector, the world of business, before ascending to the throne.