Kathmandu, Oct.26: Maoists killed a policeman near Bijayanagar village in Pyuthan district Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The policeman was shot dead by a group of five rebels while going to Syaulibang police post after being transferred from Kaski district. nepalnews.com br

KMC Selects New Garbage Site

Kathmandu, Oct.26: The Kathmandu Municipal Corporation has selected a river bank along the Bishnumati river north of Balkhu bridge as a new site to dump the city's garbage, an announcement said.

The Corporation stopped lifting the city's garbage off the streets from Tuesday after locals protested its dumping at Teku. Government and the Corporation closed the site north of the airport after international airlines threatened to pullout of the country following six near fatal accidents following bird hits with during takeoff and landing in the last two months.

Authorities have not found a permanent dumping site after the closure of the Gokarna site several years ago. nepalnews.com br

Dog's Day, Laxmi Puja

Kathmandu, Oct.26: Thursday was dog's day. The protector of the home was garlanded and fed heartily on the second day of Yamapanchayak in the morning.

Lamxi, the goddess of wealth, will be worshipped in the evening as homes are illuminated.
Florists are doing brisk business as demand for flowers to decorate homes and shops soared.
Divali holidays began Thursday. Sunday is bhai tika. nepalnews.com br

Israel to Upgrade Embassy in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Oct.26: Israel has decided to upgrade its embassy in Kathmandu by again appointing a residential ambassador.

Avi Nir has been appointed Ambassador, the Foreign Ministry said. He is expected to arrive next week to take up his assignment. The embassy was headed by a charge d' affairs for nearly two years after the last Ambassador returned home on austerity grounds. Israel had decided to close the embassy but decided to retain the mission in Nepal on the request of the government.

Nepal was one of the few countries to recognize Israel during its international isolation in the 1960's.
Esther Esrat-Smilg was the last Ambassador. nepalnews.com br

Rat Starts Fire in Power Plant

Kathmandu,Oct. 25: A rat set off a fire at the Lahan sub-station of Nepal Electricity Authority caused a fire in it, disrupting power supply to most parts of Siraha, Saptari and Udayapur districts Monday, the National News Agency said.

 Damage to the machinery  is estimated at about Rs 1.2 million, officials said.  Power supply to Saptari and Udayapur resumed  Tuesday after the installation of 33 k.v. breaker. nepalnews.com br

Hailstorm Damages Standing Crops

Kathmandu Oct. 25: A severe hailstorm  Monday damaged nearly 90 percent of  paddy and vegetables in various parts of Lekhnath town as the crop was ready for harvest, the National News Agency said quoting the District Agricultural Development Office.  Three hours of hailstorm also lashed various parts of Syangja district Tuesday, damaging paddy crops, orange and fruits.

Full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed. Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat, who hails from the region, has demanded compensation for the farmers. 
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Two Killed in Bus Accident

Kathmandu, Oct 25: Two persons were killed and 10 others are in critical condition after a speeding bus met with an accident near Laxminiya Khormara in Mohottari district Wednesday morning at 7.45 AM, police said.

The dead were identified as driver Krishna Gurung and his help Dal Bahadur Magar. The students hail from Saraswati Secondary School Thukprebas in Tanahu district. The students were returning home after a tour of Mechi, Ilam and Darjeeling. nepalnews.com br

Hits FM Temporarily Stops Broadcasts

Kathmandu, Oct.25: Hits FM temporarily stopped its transmissions from Wednesday after successfully broadcasting  entertaining and informative programmes  for the past four and a half years, management said.

Hits FM, Hits Nepal Pvt Ltd.'s FM radio station, had been on air on Radio Nepal FM Kathmandu since April 2, 1996. Hits FM has created a niche in providing clean, quality entertainment to the Kathmandu Valley and the adjoining areas.

Hits Nepal Pvt. Ltd. also played a key role in the promotion of Nepali music and local talents.
However, as per the letter received on October 24, 2000, Radio Nepal  decided to terminate  transmission effective October 25, 2000, forcing Hits FM to go off the air at short notice "due to circumstances beyond our control," station said.

" The overwhelming support and encouragement that we have received from our respected sponsors, clients and loyal listeners has encouraged us and we shall be broadcasting again through our own radio station very soon on 91.2 MHz," the radio station said. nepalnews.com br

Two British Royals to Visit Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct.25: Two British royals will visit Nepal in November, a weekly newspaper reported Wednesday. Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, will be in Nepal from November 22 to 28, Janaastha said.

Anne, Patron of Save the Children UK, is visiting Nepal on the invitation of Prince Gyanendra. The Princess will visit camps for Bhutanese refugees in east Nepal, the newspaper said. Prince Philip, the husband of the Queen, is also visiting Nepal, the newspaper said. King Birendra will grant him an audience on November 14, the newspaper reported.

The weekly newspaper has been reporting on Royal Palace events regularly. The British Embassy would not confirm or deny the report. The Princess and the Duke have visited Nepal previously. nepalnews.com br

Ama Dablam, Baruntse Scaled

Kathmandu, Oct.25: Six members of the Peak Freak Ama Dablam 2000 team scaled the 6812 metres high peak through the south west ridge on October 16, the Ministry of Tourism said Wednesday.

Leader of the 12 member team Timothy Rippel,39, Ole Henning Sommerfelt,32, Mark Bryant, 51, Elmer Smith, 54, George Cutter, 46, and Salvadore Thomas Baio, 28, climbed the peak located in the Sagarmatha region. Three Swedish women and two sherpa guides climbed the 7192 metres high
Baruntse via the south east ridge on October 20, the Ministry said. 

Anna Hallden, 35, Lars Thulin, 36, Lisa Flink, 31, Kame Sherpa, 35, and Kami Sherpa, 22, climbed the peak at 2.45 PM after launching summit bid from the second camp at 6400 metres. nepalnews.com br

Princess Sruti Discharged from Hospital

Kathmandu, Oct.25: Princess Sruti, the only daughter of King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, was discharged from a maternity hospital in the city four days after giving birth to her second daughter, an announcement said.

She gave birth to the second child weighing 2.5 kgs Saturday. The Princess wed Kumar Gorakh SJB Rana in 1997. nepalnews.com br

Nepali Squad for ACC Trophy Selected

Kathmandu, Oct.25: A 14 member Nepali squad for the ACC trophy cricket tournament to be held in Sharjah from November 15 to 24 has been selected, the Cricket Association of Nepal said.

The players are: Pawan Kumar Aggrawal( Capt.), Dipesh Shrestha, Binod Kumar Das, Paresh Lohini, Budhi Bahadur Tamang, Dipendra Chowdhary, Kalam Ali, Kiram Kumar Aggrawal, Sanjeev Joshi,, Raju Khadka, Mehboob Aalam, Paras Lunia, Jaya Prakash Saraf, and Ganesh Bahadur Shahi( wicketkeeper).

The team was selected by a committee of the National Sports Council under the chairmanship of Resham Gurung, a Council member.

The final team was selected from 18 players trained by former Pakistan test cricketer Haroon Rashid. nepalnews.com br

Move to Unite Teachers

Kathmandu, Oct.25: A move has been initiated to unite university teachers under one umbrella by forming a federation.

A 15 member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Bhimsen Das Shrestha to form the Nepal University Teachers' Federation.

A convention will be held December 5 to change the present structure of the Nepal University Teachers Association.

Teachers are fractured mainly in two groups-- democrats and progressives. nepalnews.com br

Sadbhavana Demand

Kathmandu, Oct.25: As the harvesting season approaches in the terai, the Nepal Sadbhavana party has demanded the government fix support price for rice purchase.

The terai based party has asked the government to fix the price of coarse paddy at Rs.1,000 per quintal and Rs.1,200 for mansuli variety and Rs.1,300 for fine rice.

The party has demanded in a petition submitted to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala the government establish purchase centres in districts through the Nepal Food Corporation.

The party also asked the government to reduce customs duty on agricultural tools. 
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Kerosene Quota Increased

Kathmandu, Oct.25: Government has increased the quota of subsidized kerosene from three to five litres per month with effect from Tuesday, an announcement said. Fuel facilities for the Prime Minister and other officials have also been slashed by 10 percent to reduce government spending on fuel.

Government amid nation-wide daily protests increased the price of kerosene 100 percent. The government expects to issue four million coupons to families nation-wide for the subsidized kerosene. The government has also formed a team to recommend technical and administrative reforms in the Nepal Oil Corporation, the sole importer of petroleum products in the country. nepalnews.com br

Tuladhar, Paudel Parley on Dialogue with Maoists

Kathmandu, Oct.25: Human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar met Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel Tuesday to broker talks with Maoists to end an insurgency that has claimed more than 1450 lives in nearly five years.

Tuladhar said Comrade Prachanda, the underground rebel leader,  telephoned him earlier requesting the human rights leader to negotiate talks between the insurgents and the government to end Nepal's worst internal conflict.

" Maoists are prepared for talks with the government if the latter created the atmosphere by releasing some of the prominent Maoist leaders, including Dinesh Sharma," Tuladhar said. " The time is opportune. Both sides seem serious about a dialogue," Tuladhar said. Tuladhar said he will get in touch with Prachanda after meeting Paudel, who is also Home Minister. Earlier, Paudel had requested Tuladhar to arrange a meeting with the government and the rebels. A faction within the ruling Nepali Congress party is accusing the government of attempting to by-pass a committee headed by former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba who is also trying to broker talks between the rebels and the government.The term of the Deuba ended last week and is preparing a report to end the insurgency.

Deuba's term has not been extended. Deuba is challenging Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for the  presidency of the ruling Nepali Congress party in January. nepalnews.com br

Bhai Tika on Sunday

Kathmandu, Oct.25: The most auspicious time for Bhai Tika is 11.25 AM Sunday, a meeting of the Panchange Nirnayak Committee said.

The Committee met Monday. The best day for Mha Puja is Saturday. nepalnews.com br

Two Policemen Injured in Ambush

Kathmandu,Oct 24: Two police personnel were injured in an ambush laid by Maoists at Kalpabrichya village in Sindhuli district Monday, police said.

The policemen were on patrol duty and their condition is normal. Police have launched a search for the rebels. nepalnews.com.np

Protestors Gherao Ministers Quarter

Kathmandu, Oct.24: Many persons, including a leftist legislator, were arrested Tuesday as they gheraroed the official residences of government ministers and the Ministry of Supplies in continuing protests against a 17 to 100 hike in the prices of petroleum products.

Among the arrested were legislator Lila Mani Pokhrel and Chief of the United People's Front Amik Serchand.

Clashes with police were reported from several parts of the capital.The protests were organized by a group of nine left parties and the Rashtriya Prajatantra party.

Nearly two dozen persons were injured in clashes Monday night during a 15 minute blackout to protest price increases. nepalnews.com br

Five Resign from National Group against Women Trafficking

Kathmandu, Oct.24: Five executive members, including Anuradha Koirala, resigned Monday from the executive of the National Group Against Women Trafficking alleging irregularities by chairperson Durga Ghimere.

Anuradha Koirala has gained international acclaim for her campaign to stop trafficking and she heads Maiti Nepal that gives shelter to women. Britain's Prince Charles has supported Koirala's campaign. She was treasurer in the Group.

Others who resigned are: Member of Parliament Shilupyari Karmacharya, Vice President Prativa Subedi,  Member Secretary Tulsalata Amatya and Dr. Lata Bajracharya.

They charged Durga Ghimre of irregularities. nepalnews.com br

154,785 Vehicles Registered in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu, Oct.24: The 740 kilometres of roads within Kathmandu Valley cannot sustain 154,785 vehicles registered in the area, a report said.

The holding capacity of roads with the Valley is only 28,000, the report said.

Government has banned the registration of new three-wheeler tempos and minibuses within the ring road in Kathmandu Valley to erase traffic congestion in the Valley.

The government has adopted other measures including a ban on the registration of new meter taxis. nepalnews.com br

31 Tibetans Arrested

Kathmandu, Oct.24: Thirty-one more Tibetans were arrested this week near Jiri for illegal entry into Nepal, police said.

The group- all males- was sent to Kathmandu Tuesday from Jiri.

The Nepal office of the UNHCR will process their onward journey to India where their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, lives in self- exile, if they desire.

A Nepali was injured in a police firing this week while trying to ferret out 13 Tibetans to India at Baharabise. nepalnews.com br

Large Thanka Complete

Kathmandu, Oct.24: A large thanka measuring 16 feet by 14 feet has been completed after 18 months of hard labour involving four artists, the National News Agency said.

" I have created the scroll of this  size so that it may represent Nepal and the Nepali people at world art exhibitions and earn me accolades far and wide, " said Padma Bahadur Pakhrin.

The Rs.1.5 million thanka was partially financed by Tamaki Kaneko, a Japanese national.

The thanka features Hindu and Buddhist deities in gold and silver. nepalnews.com.br

Nine Nepalis and Foreigners Nominated to Lumbini Trust

Kathmandu, Oct.24: Nine Nepalis and foreigners have been nominated advisors to the Lumbini Development Trust, an announcement said.

The appointments were made by an executive committee meeting chaired by Minister for Civil Aviation and LDT Chairman Tarini Datta Chataut.

Nominated Nepalis are Minister for Commerce Ram Krishna Tamrakar, Bikshu Sudarshan Mahasthavir, Lok Darshan Bajracharya, Dr. Harkha Gurung and Gajendra Lama.

Foreigners nominated are: Chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Association, Vidyalankar Parivenadhipati W. Kusaldhamma Nayakther of Sri Lanka, Ovadacariya V. Panditivivamsa of Myanmar and Phra Thepkittipanyakun Kittivuddho Vikkhu from Thailand.

Lumbini is the birthplace of the Buddha and an international effort under UN auspices in underway to develop it. nepalnews.com br

Spaniards Climb Putha Himchuli

Kathmandu, Oct.23: Three Spaniards and two sherpa guides scaled the 7246 metres high Putha Himchuli through the north face on October 18, the Ministry of Tourism said Monday.
Leader of the 10-member team Angel Miguel Vidal, Fransisco Ramiro, Sergio Mingote, Muktule Sherpa and Lakpa Sherpa climbed the peak in west Nepal.
Expedition members have returned to Kathmandu en route home. nepalnews.com br

Thapa Expelled from RPP

Kathmandu, Oct.23: Ganesh Bahadur Thapa, a senior leader of the Rashtriya Prajatantra party, has been expelled from the organization for anti party activities, an announcement said. Thapa was member of the party's central committee and hails from Bhaktapur.

Thapa lost two elections for parliament from Bhaktapur. He represented the district in the Rashtriya Panchayat, parliament in the ousted partyless panchayat system.

Reports said activists of the RPP, the third largest party in parliament, are joining the Nepal Communist Party (Unified Marxist Leninist) . nepalnews.com br

Privatization Date Extended

Kathmandu, Oct.23: Government has extended the date for the submission of proposals for privatization of the Butwal Power Company to December 1, 2000. The announcement was made by the Privatization Cell of the Ministry of Finance. Repeated attempts to sell the electricity generating Company have failed and marred by controversies.

Mainly European companies have shown interest in acquiring the Company. The ruling Nepali Congress has adopted a policy of privatizing most of the ailing public sector enterprises to save money.

British Ambassador Ronald P Nash said this week foreign investors were feeling insecure by the worsening law and order situation in Nepal caused by a Maoist insurgency that has claimed more than 1450 lives in nearly five years of insurgency. nepalnews.com br

Maoists Abduct Five in Kalikot

Kathmandu, Oct.23: Maoists abducted five persons near Ruku village in Kalikot district Friday, police and district officials said.

Those kidnapped were teachers Jashi Giri, Dadi Bista, Agra Bahadur Giri and Jaisige Luwar. Kamal Kadayat ,an aspirant for a job in the police, was also abducted. Rebels have been targeting activists of the ruling Nepali Congress party and police in their attacks as an insurgency  enters its sixth year in February. nepalnews.com br

Nepali Congress Dispute Resolved

Kathmandu, Oct.23: A dispute threatening a split in the ruling Nepali Congress  was resolved after the party's central committee Sunday evening decided to renew the active membership of nearly 907 activists who had been delisted, a party spokesman said.

But membership of persons who had stood  as rebel candidates or persons who supported or seconded them in general elections  nearly two years ago will not be renewed. Opponents had charged that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had and his coterie were attempting to manipulate the party's internal elections in January for the presidency and other positions.

Only active members can contest elections for positions in the party. Shailja Acharya, a niece of Koirala, formally announced her candidacy for the presidency Sunday. Deuba has said he too will contest elections. Koirala has not said whether he will seek re-election. nepalnews.com br

AFC Meet to Discuss Nepal Soccer Dispute

Kathmandu, Oct.23: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)  will discuss the split in Nepal's soccer governing body at a meeting in Beirut Thursday, a source close to the government recognized All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) said.

The split has been put on the AFC's agenda for the meeting in the Lebanese capital where the Asian Cup championship is currently being held. Normally meetings are held in Kuala Lumpur where the AFC is head quartered. A representative of the AFC and FIFA, soccer's world governing body, came to oversee elections of the rival ANFA which re-elected Ganesh Thapa chairman and other executive members Monday. The government and the National Sports Council does not recognize Thapa's ANFA.

The Council, Nepal's supreme sports authority, recognizes another ad hoc ANFA led by Mrs. Gita Rana, the first woman to head the organization. The AFC will report to FIFA on the split in ANFA and the world's supreme soccer authority will give its verdict sometime in October.

The National Sports Council has handed over the ANFA complex in Lalitpur to Mrs. Rana after sealing it earlier. Meanwhile, Nepal's most popular sport will continue to suffer until the dispute is settled. FIFA has threatened to discontinue funding for the sport in Nepal if the dispute continues. nepalnews.com br