The campaign trail in Nepal...

The fate of the world's only Hindu monarch is about to be decided. Elections are being held in Nepal on Thursday, but if Nepalis vote to abolish the monarchy in the Himalayan kingdom, some Nepalese politicians are vowing to fight to the death in a religious war.

Ahead of Thursday historic elections, Nepal's first in 22 years, "People and Power" goes on the campaign trail in Nepal.

Home for the Elderly - New Charity.

Some of you may be aware that I am in the process of starting a charity to promote and enhance the final years of life of the old people at Pashupati Briddhshram in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The aim of "Home for the Elderly" is to raises money to directly purchase essential supplies and equipment for the 'Old Home'. Every penny will be spent locally in Nepal on much needed items that will offer dignity and comfort in the final years of life for the Elderly people.
Learn more about what the charity is aiming to achieve on our new official website.

I spent three days in Kathmandu in January where I photographed the plight of the Elderly at this home and the inhumane conditions which they live in - which has inspired me to start this charity. Photos from the 'Old Home' can be viewed here.

What I desperately need is help people that would like to get involved in this project. It is still very early days so I'd really to hear from anyone who has perhaps visited the home when on holiday in Kathmandu, anyone who has the skills in setting up a charity and/or anyone who cares for the elderly people and would like to make a difference through this charity work.

Please take your time to view the new website and get in touch if you would like to help in anyway.

A year in Tibet...

Not sure if many of you managed to catch the wonderful series that has just finished on BB4 - A Year in Tibet.
It was a five-part documentary series following a year in the life of the society living in and around Gyantse, Tibet's third largest town.

If you're quick, you can catch a couple of the episodes on BBC iplayer now.

If you are too late, you've missed a facinating series, but fear not - here is a 10 minute clip fromthe first programme to give you a flavour. Hopefully the series will be released on DVD at a later date.

A Year in Tibet

The Girl with Eight Limbs....

So many people that I have spoken to about this programme missed this incredible story, recently on Channel 4 as part of their 'Bodyshock' series of documentaries.

Here is a brief introduction to the video clips below:
Two-year-old Lakshmi was born with one of the world's rarest physical abnormalities. Joined at the pelvis to her half-formed conjoined twin, she has four arms and four legs. In her remote Indian village she is revered as a living god. With exclusive access, this film follows Lakshmi's family on an epic emotional journey from their rural home to a hospital in Bangalore where her parents must decide whether to proceed with potentially life-threatening surgery to remove her extra limbs.

I have split the one-hour programme into 10 minute segments for easier viewing:

Part One


Part Two


Part Three


Part Four


Part Five

We're famous!

Yep, at last, we're famous....we'll to those that attented the QPR vs Stoke City match and happen to buy a match programme that is.

In a section of every match programme cleavery titled "On 'R' Travels", this is where supporters send in photos of themselves wearing a QPR shirt, normally on a bench in some Brit resort in Spain, in Disneyland or at some European Football ground.

So in case you missed it, on page 13 carefully positioned between what looks like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, you see "Team Shatabdi Express" in all their glory!

New photos: Stuck Mojo, London

All images - Copyright Mark Coughlan

Atlanta's finest, Stuck Mojo returned to the UK for the first time in nearly three years to play at the Camden Underworld, London on March 13th as part of their European tour. After the release of their latest album ‘Southern Born Killers’ with a debut for the new lead singer Lord Nelson, the 45 minute set included:

2 Minutes of Death
Twisted
Metal is Dead
Open Season
Rising
Throw the Switch
Enemy Territory
Southern Pride
Here comes the Monster
Not Promised Tomorrow

A full photo gallery from the show is online now: Stuck Mojo - Camden Underworld 2008