Top Nepal judge becomes head of interim government

Nepal's chief judge became head of an interim government on Thursday that is charged with holding elections in three months to replace the parliament whose term expired almost a year ago.

Nepal arrests Dalai Lama's new envoy in Nepal

Ahead of the swearing in of the new prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamshala, police on Friday arrested the new representative of the Dalai Lama in Nepal for holding a press conference though it had no political overtones, simply seeking to urge for the protection of refugee rights and clarify matters.

Nepal's shortest man in quest for world record

KATMANDU, Nepal -- A man who is only 22 inches (56 centimeters) tall left his home country of Nepal on Sunday in a quest to be recognized as the world's shortest man. Khagendra Thapa Magar is traveling to Europe to campaign for the Guinness World Record title. He applied to London-based group for a place in the record book in October, soon after turning 18, but said he has not received any response.

Magar's family initially filed a claim when he was 14, but it was rejected because he was not an adult and there was a chance he might grow.

They say doctors in Nepal have not been able to explain why Magar is so small.

"We are going to Italy to try to record his name in the Guinness Book of World Records," his father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, told reporters in Katmandu. They plan to appear on an Italian television show to talk about his bid for the title.

Once in Italy, Magar, his father and a supporter will decide on their next destination.

His supporters saw him off from the Nepalese capital on Sunday, offering flower bouquets and garlands.

The current record is held by He Pingping of China, who is 29 inches (73 centimeters) tall.