Asia's new gay tourist hub? Nepal, the tiny Himalayan country known for some of the highest mountains in the world, now wants to establish itself as the world's newest gay destination.           Mao in the mountains A prolonged debate between Nepal's government and the Maoists over how to integrate former rebels into the national forces has brought the Himalayan nation to a standstill.         A quest for territory Settlers of Catan, a multiplayer board game that was introduced by a German game designer, has developed somewhat of a cult following.          From sketch to animation A behind-the-scenes look at Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes's process to complete an animated cartoon. Check out her animations at http://wapo.st/telnaes           Going to a Go-Go A night exploring D.C'.s home-grown music scene.            A haggler's best buy Stephen Popick of Alexandria, Va., doesn't take sticker price for an answer. From steaks to bicycles, he always knows how to get the best deals. Join him on the hunt for an iPod touch and pick up some tricks from the haggler's handbook.       From Himalayas to Helmand For almost two centuries, the Gurkhas have held a place among the fiercest and most loyal warriors in modern history. Today, members of the Royal Gurkha Rifles have a robust presence in Afghanistan's Helmand province. They play an invaluable role in training and mentoring programs for the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army, mainly because of the cultural knowledge they bring with them.             The Gefilte Circle Joan Nathan is one of the most prolific, and energetic writer about Jewish food in this country. The Atlantic's Corby Kummer follows her around in her kitchen.           The Politics of outreach South Asians in Sugarland, Texas have become the center of political attention as politicians court them for their votes.              Tibetan Protest in New York As Beijing Olympics approached, Tibetans living in New York protested throughout the city against China's effort to shun its leaders in Tibet and throughout the world.