Nepal's official religion goes with the king

Nepal, which is now the world's newest republic, has not only abolished its monarchy, but has also rescinded the officially privileged status of Hinduism in the Hindu-majority country. Thus, the only country in the world where Hinduism used to be, until recently, a state religion, is now secular (BBC).

12th-century Buddhist art found in Nepal

A set of twelfth-century (or older) murals depicting the life of the Buddha has been discovered in Nepal, 250 km northwest of Kathmandu. The murals, which are made up 55 panels set within a painting 8 m wide, is located in a cave in a cliff 4,300 m above sea level.

The murals were found by a shepherd who took refuge in the cave from rain. The shepherd later informed an international team of researchers about them (BBC).