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King Gyanendra's birthday declared national holiday

Kathmandu, July 3: According to monarchical tradition, King Gyanendra's birthday on Ashad 23 or July 7 has been declared a national holiday to be celebrated with pomp and gaiety, a Home Ministry
announcement said Tuesday. The government decided to celebrate the day every year as a national
holiday, the same announcement said. Saturday July 7 this year is a normal weekend holiday.
Saturday is the new King's 54th birthday.

Gyanendra became king for the second time in 50 years last month. King Gyanendra ascended Nepal's throne on June 4 following the death of King Dipendra in a shoot-out at the Royal Palace.
The announcement did not say if the government delisted the birthday of late King Birendra on December 28 as a national holiday. Altogether 14 members of the royal family and relatives died or were injured in a June 1 carnage at Narayanhiti Royal Palace. nepalnews.com br

Space Time beats Nepal television to go satellite

Kathmandu, July 3: For the first time in Nepal, Space Time Network began a daily four-hour prime time satellite transmission of its programmes beginning 7 PM Tuesday local time beating the state Nepal Television by 24 hours to go international. Channel Nepal's programmes were broadcast to more than 50 countries through an uplink from Bangkok via Thaicom-3Globalbeam. Channel Nepal will focus primarily on current affairs and news, management said.

The channel aired an exclusive interview with main opposition parliament leader Madav Nepal in its first interview Tuesday. Nepal Television satellite test transmissions will begin Wednesday
under a Rs.100 million expansion and modernization programme. Government had stopped Channel Nepal's uplink facilities from within the country on a technicality after initially giving approval to expand its reach. Nepal's biggest cable network operator is a promoter of Channel Nepal.
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Nepal lose to Namibia

Kathmandu, July 3: Nepal lost to Namibia by eight wickets in a group ICC tournament trophy league match Monday in Toronto, reports from Canada said. Nepal scored only 131 runs in 50 overs for the fall of seven wickets after electing to bat after winning the toss. Namibia scored 136 runs for the fall of two wickets in 32.4 overs to score an easy victory over Nepal in the kingdom's second outing of the tournament. Jaya Prakash Saraf was the top scorer for Nepal hitting 47 runs. Twenty-four nations were initially participating in the competition. nepalnews.com br

No casualties in Balaju explosion

Kathmandu, July 3: There were no casualties Tuesday in an explosion set off by suspected Maoists at a cloth factory in the Balaju Industrial Estate ahead of a nation-wide strike called by rebels next Thursday. Some machinery was damaged and window panes were  shattered in the explosion, police and eyewitnesses said. "We are still investigating to find out what was used in the explosion," a policeman said over telephone.

Maoists have stepped up attacks against targets in Kathmandu Valley in the last several days ahead of the strike to protest what they call promulgtion of stiff regulations to curb freedoms. A group of Maoists torched and destroyed two offices including the district forest office in Jajarkot district in far west Nepal Tuesday and abducted two forestry officials. District Forest Officer Ran Khadka and Ranger Ram Chaudhary were abducted, police said. nepalnews.com br

Axe falls on palace security personnel

Kathmandu, July 3: Four aide de camps of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and Crown Prince Dipendra were sacked Monday for lapses that culminated in deaths or injuries of 14 members of the royal family and relatives in a carnage at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace June 1, a royal palace source who preferred anonymity said. Col. Sunder Pratap Rana, Major Ananta Keshar Shima, Major Gajendra Bohara and Major Raju Kumar Karki were dismissed along with two runners, the source said. Saujanya Kumar Sulpyajoshi, Personal Secretary of the Crown Prince, and his civilian aide
were also dismissed and the secretariat of Dipendra was disbanded, the source said.

Four ADCs, including Capt. Prafulla Bikram Shah, have been sent back to Army Headquarters, the same source said. Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Bivek Shah and ADC to King Birendra Brig. Gen. Tika Dhamala have been served warnings, the source said. The axe fell on military and civilian personnel at the palace following a probe by a five member investigation team headed by retired Military Secretary Gen. Shanta Kumar Malla. The entire family of King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya were killed in the carnage started by Crown Prince Dipendra who turned a gun on himself and committed suicide; Princess Shruti and Prince Nirajan, the daughter and son of the royal couple, were also killed. Some of the ADCs confessed supplying drugs to Crown Prince Dipendra.

The Malla report has suggested a ban on drugs at the Royal Palace and stiff gun control rules after the Crown Prince used deadly assault weapons in the shoot-out. Meanwhile, Madav Kumar Nepal, the leader of the main opposition in parliament, Monday implicitly called for a re-assessment of
Crown Dipendra's place in Nepal's history; Dipendra was declared king after the assassination of his father; he never came out of a coma to enjoy his regal royal powers. "Who ever may be responsible for the unimaginable events at the Royal Palace, he should not be honoured in history. Who is the killer? The real facts have not emerged publicly as yet," Nepal said. nepalnews.com br

Government okays funds for helicopter purchase

Kathmandu, July 3: After initial hesitation, the government has agreed to sanction Rs.250 million to the Nepal Police for the direct purchase of two helicopters to transport supplies and  personnel in an ongoing campaign against Maoists.

Finance Secretary Bimal Koirala said this to the Public Accounts Committee of parliament Monday. Without its own helicopter fleet, police spends nearly Rs.240 annually to hire helicopters from private operators.

The Home Ministry had requested Rs.570 million for the purchase of Russian MI-17 transport helicopters to improve its mobility and save costs. Rebels have attacked and damaged several choppers after threatening operators not to lease helicopters to police. nepalnews.com br

Nepal defeat Gibraltar by three wickets

Kathmandu, July 3: Nepal Sunday posted a three wicket victory over Gibraltar in its first outing in the Group A Division 2 match of the ICC Trophy Tournament in Toronto, reports from Canada said. Nepal was to play Namibia Thursday is the original schedule changed after the delayed arrival of the Nepali team in Canada following visa hassles at the Canadian embassy in New Delhi. Gibraltar elected to bat after winning the toss and scored 133 runs in 43 overs. Nepal reached the target of 134 runs in only 39.5 overs  in a play reduced by rain. Paras Luniya top-sored with 36 runs and Jay Sarraf took two wickets.

Besides Nepal and Gibraltar, Namibia, Germany and Italy are also in the grouping. The tournament aims to popularize the sport  beyond the borders of limited test playing nations. nepalnews.com br

Three Maoists killed in Kalikot

Kathmandu, July 3: Three Maoists were killed at a village in Kalikot district in far west Nepal Monday night in an hour-long exchange of gunfire with police, local officials said Tuesday. A rebel was captured in the encounter, an official said.

There were no casualties in the police side. At least 1,700 persons have been killed and hundreds others injured in a communist insurgency that entered its sixth year February. nepalnews.com br

Lightning kills six, at least 17 others injured

Kathmandu, July 2: Six persons were killed and at least 17 others were injured by a lightning that struck households in a village at Betini in neighbouring Nuwakot district about 50 kms northwest of the capital Friday night in drenching rain, local officials said. Rescue teams were sent to the village Monday morning after delayed reports reached district headquarters after disruption of communication links. Three of the 17 injured are still in serious condition, officials said. Two members of a Tamang family and four others taking shelter from rains at their home perished when the lightning struck. nepalnews.com br

Maoists torch carpet factory

Kathmandu, July 2: Maoists torched a carpet factory at Thimi eight kms east of the capital Monday morning and destroyed carpets and factory equipment worth several thousand rupees, officials said. Insurgents smashed the factory's show room and torched a vehicle. This the the latest rebel attack on targets in the Kathmandu Valley where underground Maoist activity has been heightened ahead of a nation-wide strike next Thursday to protest what they call stiff anti constitutional measures to curb fundamental rights and fundamental freedom by amending the state security act last month. The government denies the rebel and other opposition charges. nepalnews.com br

Trivhuban Sadan to be demolished

Kathmandu, July 2: The site of the June 1 carnage at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace will be demolished on orders of Queen Mother Ratna, daily newspaper Naya Sadak said Monday quoting unnamed palace sources.

Crown Prince Dipendra started the shoot-out at the Trivhuban Sadan at a family party that Friday evening in which 14 members of the royal family and relatives were killed or injured; King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya were among the dead. All five members of the immediate royal family were killed wiping our a dynasty and Prince Gyanendra, brother of King Birendra, was declared Nepal's 13th king of the Shah dynasty. The carnage site was also the living quarters of the Crown Prince.

"The orders have been issued for demolition as the building brings back recollections of the horrible tragedy," the newspaper said. Some had demanded the building's conversion into a memorial for the
late King and Queen. nepalnews.com br

Five killed in landslide

Kathmandu, July 2: All four members of a family were buried by a landslide at a village in Lamjung district Saturday night, police said. Those dead are Mana Bahadur B.K., wife Syani, son Udit and daughter Rajani of Namla village.

Police constable Jagdish Kewet recently escaped a Maoist ambush at Chakratirtha village in the district but was smothered by a mudslide where he was hiding to attack the rebels, police said. nepalnews.com br

Army Chief Rana begins UK visit

Kathmandu, July 2: Chief of the Army Staff Prajwalla Shumshere J.B. Rana begins a week-long visit of the United Kingdom Monday at the invitation of Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, an announcement said. Gen. Rana left for London Sunday accompanied by his wife Sindhu Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana. The trip is part of an exchange of visits by senior members of the armed forces of the two countries to discuss bilateral co-operation, sources said.

Staff Lieutenant General Durganath Aryal is Acting Chief of the Army Staff. nepalnews.com br

NEPSE Index falls 3.69 Points

Kathmandu, July 1: The NEPSE index registered a 3.69 point fall at the end of five day trading Friday. Trading opened at 336.38 points Monday and closed at 332.81 points Friday. Altogether 214,860 shares of 34 companies valued as Rs. Rs.23.39 million were traded during the week as the market recovered  from a slump during the two weeks following the June 1 royal carnage killing or injuring 14 members of the royal family. Bank shares slumped  5.3 points during the week. Altogether 115 companies are now listed in the market after shares of Nepal Merchant Banking and Finance Co.Ltd. and Siddhartha Finance Ltd. were registered during the week. nepalnews.com br

Eight missing in Trishuli

Kathmandu, July 1: Eight persons are missing when a truck and a motorcycle collided and fell into the turbulent Trishuli river at Jyamireghat Friday, police said. A man and a woman swam to safety. Nil Bahadur Gurung who is undergoing treatment in the capital is reported in serious condition. nepalnews.com br

Maoists kill 5 cops in Tanahu

Kathmandu, June 30: Five policemen were killed and several others were injured when guerillas of underground Communist Party Nepal (Maoist) attacked a police post in Kihu of Tanahu district, about 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, Friday night, police sources said. Those killed in the Maoist attack Friday night are assistant sub-inspector of police Surendra Singh, constables Padma Narayan Mahato, Keshav Neupane, Devendra Koirala and Amareshwar Raya, according to police.
About 200 armed insurgents suddenly attacked the police post manned by 25 policemen at night. Police said there was an exchange of fire between the insurgents and police for more than two hours. Police surrendered as they ran short of ammunition after two hours, the police source said.
Insurgents have also taken away all arms and ammunition from the police post. The injured have already been flown to Kathmandu where they are undergoing treatment. nepalnews.com yl

Nepal, India agree to review extradition treaty

Kathmandu, June 30: Nepal and India agreed this week to begin expert level discussions to review existing extradition arrangements between the two South Asian nation, an announcement said. This was agreed at a two-day meet of the fourth India Nepal joint working group (JWG) meeting in New
Delhi Thursday and Friday; Joint Secretary at the Finance Ministry Tika Dutta Nirula and Indian Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Sudendra Kumar headed the talks.

The two countries agreed to improve infrastructure facilities at checkpoints along the open 500 mile border. Nepal and India agreed to strengthen co-operation to control cross border terrorist, criminal and other undesirable activities and effectively manage the border. The two countries also agreed to hold regular meetings of the Interpol units to expedite disposal of pending cases; details were not released. The two countries agreed to computerize immigration facilities at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport earliest. Home secretaries will meet in New Delhi soon to discuss further
co-operation. nepalnews.com br

Switzerland gives Rs.107 million grant

Kathmandu, June 30: Switzerland Friday gave Nepal a Rs.107 million grant to implement the third phase of a project to upgrade and rehabilitate two sections of the Chinese aided Arnioko highway linking Nepal and Tibet, an announcement said. The money will be used to rehabilitate the Surya Binayak Dhulikhel section of the only highway linking Kathmandu and Lhasa and maintenance of
the Barhabise Kodari section of the 114.5 kms highway. nepalnews.com br