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Donors including UNDP to help Nepal fight AIDS

Kathmandu, May 3: Donors, including the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ), gave Nepal  $2.53 million on April 26 to fight AIDS in Kathmandu Valley and other selected areas during a one year period, an announcement said.

The project will be executed under the overall guidance of a steering committee chaired an official of the Ministry of Health. The project aims  to address harm reduction needs  of female sex workers, their clients and injecting drug users.

Department of International Fund (DFID), United States Agency for Development  (USAID), the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS are also funding the project. HIV/AIDS epidemic is emerging as a major health problem in Nepal. nepalnews.com br

Executive Director of Melamchi project appointed

Kathmandu, May 3: Government has appointed Raj Kumar Malla executive director of the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee, an announcement said.

Malla was previously deputy executive director of the same Committee. An international  consortium led by the Asian Development Bank  (ADB ) is financing the multi-million dollar project to supply Kathmandu with drinking water by damming Melamchi river east of the capital.

ADB and Japan have already publicly pledged their contribution as funding from several other donors is still awaited. nepalnews.com br

Transport entrepreneurs call off strike

Kathmandu, May 3: Transport entrepreneurs called off a two-day strike Wednesday after government agreed to compensate a vehicle owner whose bus was badly damaged in an arson attack by leftist students demanding 33 percent concession on fares Monday, an official announcement said.

Government and entrepreneurs reached an understanding at a meeting with Transport Minister Palten Gurung who agreed to provide security and award compensation.

Students affiliated with the Nepal Communist party ( Unified Marxist Leninist ) have been launching a stir for several months demanding concession on public transport. The strike inconvenienced commuters inside Kathmandu Valley and on other national highways.

Vehicle owners have been reluctant to give students concession. A task force formed by the government is scheduled to submit a report Thursday on how to enforce concessional fares, Sarad Upreti, Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Transport Entrepreneurs said. Irate students condemning the strike Wednesday stoned several vehicles, police and eyewitnesses said. nepalnews.com br

Prime Minister Koirala questioned by CIAA

Kathmandu, May 2: Beleaguered Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been questioned by the Commission for Investigation of the Abuse of Authority ( CIAA )  on a controversial deal with Austria's Lauda Air to lease a Boeing aircraft for Royal Nepal Airlines at an inflated rate,
sources close to the Commission said.

The Commission in a letter Wednesday asked three questions to the Prime Minister including whether he sanctioned the release of foreign exchange for the lease, a Commission source said.
The head of government was questioned by the investigating body after it impounded the passport of former Tourism Minister Tarini Dutta Chataut this month and arrested a chief executive of the state airlines and a Director for failure to furnish the bills.

This is the first time a prime minister has questioned by the CIAA. The Commission also asked Koirala if he personally gave the go ahead for the lease. The opposition is charging Koirala for personal involvement in leasing the aircraft and has been pressing for his resignation. Critics of the deal argue the lease is bleeding the RNAC to death. The opposition stalled proceedings of the winter session last month demanding the resignation of Koirala who has refused to comply.
Koirala called the stalling of parliament proceedings unconstitutional.

Koirala's Nepali Congress party enjoys a majority in parliament and cannot be dethroned if the ruling party continues to unite. Rumour spread like wildfire that the prime minister had resigned.
nepalnews.com br

King condoles death of Babu Chiri

Kathmandu, May 2: King Birendra Wednesday condoled the death of renowned climber Babu Chiri Sherpa who died Sunday after falling 200 metres into a crevasse on the 8848 metres high Mount Everest.

"The death of a courageous climber is an irreparable loss for Nepal and and the climbing fraternity," the King said in a message. The King said he was saddened by Babu Chiri's untimely death. Babu Chiri's last rites will be conducted according to Buddhist tradition at the foot of Syambhunath Thursday.

Babu Chiri etched his name in the Guinness Book of records by climbing Everest in 16 hours and 56 minutes and camping on the highest point of earth for 21 hours; he also climbed the peak 10 times. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala went to Baudha Wednesday and paid his last respects by draping Babu Chiri's body with the nationalflag.

Koirala assured the widow of Babu Chiri the government will pay for the education of six daughters of the dead climber. nepalnews.com br

Four killed, 14 injured in bus accident

Kathmandu, May 2: Four persons were killed and 14 others were injured, two seriously, in a head on collision between a bus and a motorcycle at Manahara in Tanahu district Wednesday morning, police said. The injured are being treated at a hospital in the resort town of Pokhara.
The bus was heading to the capital from Pokhara. nepalnews.com br

Crown Prince returns home Thursday

Kathmandu, May 2: Crown Prince Dipendra returns home Thursday after concluding an eight day official visit to Japan, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

The heir to the throne arrived in Bangkok Wednesday from Japan, the Foreign Ministry said.
The Prince has visited immediate neighbouring countries India, China, Pakistan, Thailand and several European countries on similar missions. nepalnews.com br

State Electronic media blackout questioning

Kathmandu, May 2: The state electronic media Wednesday night completely ignored the questioning of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala by the CIAA. Nepal Television and Radio Nepal made no mention of the unprecedented development.

Prime Minister Koirala does not have to appear personally before the Commission and can send his answers in written form, a source at the investigating authority told nepalnews. nepalnews.com br

Kathmandu, May 2: Buses stayed off the streets in Kathmandu valley Wednesday protesting an arson attack on a bus Monday by leftist students demanding 33 percent concession on fares.
Transport entrepreneurs have threatened to go on a nation-wide strike if they are not compensated or provided security. Entrepreneurs have refused to give concession to students despite an earlier accord with the government.

Students affiliated with the Nepal Communist party (Marxist Leninist) have been agitating for several months for concessions. Meanwhile, a group of unidentified people hurled  a petrol bomb at a business complex in Putali Sadak Wednesday night damaging property worth about Rs.100,000 police said. nepalnews.com br

Dughad showroom attacked in Pokhara

Kathmandu, May 2: A group of unidentified assailants attacked a showroom of  Dughad Iron and Steel Industries in Pokhara Tuesday causing damage worth Rs.1.5 million, the organization said. About a dozen persons entered the premises, cut telephone lines and damaged construction material. Arsonists had attacked the building earlier as well. "We do not know the
reason for the attacks," the organization said. nepalnews.com br

Minister Majgaiya resigns

Kathmandu, May 1:  Minister for Water Resources Baldev Sharma Majgaiya resigned from his post Tuesday. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev accepted the resignation submitted by Minister Majgaiya through Prime Minister Koirala, according to a notice from the Royal Palace.

His Majesty the King asked Prime Minister Koirala to look after the portfolio of Water Resource Ministry as well. Minister Majgaiya is one of Koirala’s strong loyalists. The reason of his resignation was not known. Sources said that he had some differences with Prime Minister Koirala over the appointment of  the secretary at Ministry of Water Resources. However, Majgaiya’s family members denied it and said he quit on purely personal grounds. Nepalnews.com yl

Chinese Premier Zhu to visit Nepal

Kathmandu, May 1: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji is to pay a three-day official visit to Nepal from May 14 to 16 at the invitation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Zhu would be accompanied by his wife and senior officials of  the People’s Republic of China during his official visit to Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcement said.

During the visit, Premier Zhu would meet with Prime Minister Koirala and leaders of different political parties and discuss Nepal-China relations and cooperation, according to Foreign Ministry official.

His Majesty the King would grant an audience to the visiting Chinese Premier. Nepalnews.com yl

Babu Chiri’s final rites to be held Thursday

Kathmandu, May 1: Babu Chiri Sherpa’s final rites are to be held at Swayambhunath Thursday, family member said. Babu Chiri’s body was evacuated to the capital from the base camp Tuesday. His body is presently at the Sherpa Monastery at Boudhanath prior to the final rites according to Buddhist tradition.

Babu Chhiri died Sunday in the second camp of Mt Everest at an altitude of 6200 meters on his attempt to climb the highest peak of the world for the eleventh time. Meanwhile Minister for Tourism Omkar Prasad Shrestha handed over initial relief assistance of 1,00,000 rupees to Babu Chiri’s widow Ang Futi Sherpa. The government earlier had announced to provide initial relief assistance of Rs. 1,00,000 to Babu Chiri’s family. Nepalnews.com yl

Babu Chiri's body brought to capital

Kathmandu, May 1: The body of renowned  climber Babu Chiri Sherpa was brought to Kathmandu from the foot of Mount Everest Tuesday morning for final rites.

Babu Chiri fell 200 meters into a crevasse at the second camp site of the 8848 meters high world's tallest peak Sunday and died. The 35-year-old climber has several records to his credit.

He established a speed climbing record by scaling Mount Everest in 16 hours and 56 minutes on May 21, 2000. He etched his name in the Guinness Book of World records by camping on the highest point on earth without oxygen for 21 hours in 1999.

He climbed Everest 10 times during a phenomenal climbing career. Nepali leaders expressed condolences on his death. Government announced an immediate relief of  Rs.100,000 to the
family. King Birendra had decorated Babu Chiri for his exploits. Nepalnews.com br

Seven killed in bus accident

Kathmandu, May 1: Seven persons were killed in a collision with another bus Sunday near Bhalumara in Jhapa, police said. Eight seriously injured are being treated at a hospital in Dharan
while four others are being nursed at a hospital in Damak. Forty-four others have returned home after treatment. Nepalnews.com br

French climber starts speed climbing on Everest

Kathmandu, May 1: French climber Marc Batard is credited with starting the dangerous game of speed climbing on Mount Everest. Batard climbed the 8848 meters world's tallest peak on September 29, 1988  without the use of bottled oxygen in 22 hours and 29 minutes when
he was 37 years old.

He succeeded in his third attempt after  bad weather forced him off the mountain. Swiss climbers Erhard Loretan and Jean Triollet had scaled the peak in a 43 hour round trip ascent without oxygen from the north side in Tibet before Batard.

" I was vomiting all the time. I was very sick. I could have climbed the peak in less than 20 hours," the   lean and diminutive climber said after the ascent. Kazi Sherpa later improved the French mountain guide's feat by climbing Everest in 20 hours and 24 minutes. Kazi Sherpa climbed the mountain dressed in national attire.

' I could have have climbed the mountain in the prescribed 18 hours. Two gusts of winds that nearly blew me off the mountain delayed my climb, first at 7300 meters and then about 150 meters below the summit," he later said. Babu Chiri improved Kazi's 1998 record by climbing Everest in 16 hours and 56 minutes in May 2000.

Speed climbing is dangerous because fast ascents can cause edema. The last rites of Babu Chiri is being held at Baudha. Nepalnews.com br

Britain gives £31.9 million for Nepal’s rural development

Kathmandu, May 1: The United Kingdom has agreed to provide a grant assistance of £3,19,95,000 to Nepal for the implementation of Rural Access Programme. The grant assistance is to be utilised to improve poor people’s access to goods, markets and services in different districts of Nepal.

Representatives of His Majesty’s Government and the British Embassy signed an agreement to this effect. The Nepal government has expressed its sincere thanks for the continued support from the UK for the social and economic development of the country. Nepalnews.com/yl/at