Nepal rolled back a steep rise in fuel prices on Jan. 23 after two days of anti-government protests disrupted life in much of the Himalayan nation ahead of national elections. The state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), which has a monopoly over oil imports, had increased kerosene, cooking gas and diesel prices by up to 20 percent on Jan. 21 to cut its losses and attempt to minimize fuel shortages. It was the second price rise since October. But the move was greeted with nationwide protests from student activists which caused two days of disruption. (Reuters)