Kalpit Parajuli

A spokesperson for the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist makes the announcement at the party's convention. Delegates from foreign Communist parties cannot hide their surprise. Nepal's geopolitical situation required an economic revolution.

An official with the probe committee for martyrs and the disappeared makes the announcement. Indian-born Fr John Prakash was killed in 2008 by a group of Hindu extremists. He is the first martyr from the country's Catholic minority. Until now the term martyr was reserved to political leaders killed during the civil war.

The tragedy took place yesterday in the district of Nwalparasi (Lumbini Region, southern Nepal). Kisun Naue was only 26 years old. The young woman comitted suicide for fear of the family reaction and judgment of the local population.

Tired of Maoist promises, more and more Nepalis turn to the Bible's message of hope, this according to Bible for the World. The Christian text is a bestseller in stores.

The order was issued by the Daileck Court of Appeal (northern Nepal). Baburan Bhattarai and Mukti Narayan Pradhan, Attorney General of Nepal, have blocked the murder trials against former Maoist cadres. The lawsuit countered by judges. The two face up to a year in prison.

Baburan Bhattarai stops the investigations of a number of murders by Maoist rebels, including that of Dekendra Thapa, a journalist killed in 2004. In 2010, the government dropped 309 cases involving acts of violence.

Figures from 2012 show a terrible picture. Sixty-four per cent of Nepali women are victims of domestic and gender-based abuse. About 71 per cent of all victims between 26 and 35 years of age are deemed at risk. For sociologists, poverty is the main cause. Activist says, "We shall not mark New Year's celebration. We shall weep for all those who have died".

The exceptionally bad weather and cold temperatures that began on 15 December have blocked roads and other ways of communications with ice and snow. In rural provinces, poor people have to choose to freeze to death in the fields or die from hunger in their homes.

Thousands participate in Midnight Mass in Kathmandu's cathedral, including hundreds of Hindus and Buddhists. In many villages, local authorities join public processions, provide security and musical bands.

Hundreds of people, including many non-Christians, are expected at the celebrations in the capital's cathedral. The Catholic community will also celebrate 24 new members. Crèches, Christmas trees and more will decorate church yards.

Shiwa Hasami died yesterday in a Kathmandu hospital from her injuries. Police arrested her would-be groom but eventually focused on the young woman's family because it could not pay the huge dowry (US$ 2,300) demanded by the future groom's family.

The 28-year-old woman studied social work at St. Xavier College in Kathmandu. Since 2005 she has been involved with the children of female prison inmates, forced to live behind bars with their mothers.