News

Law bars Suu Kyi from elections

AP — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:29:11 -0500

YANGON: Myanmar's military regime took yet another step to expunge Aung San Suu Kyi from the political scene Wednesday by effectively barring her from the first elections in 20 years and pressuring her opposition party to expel her from its ranks.

A new election law announced Wednesday prohibits anyone convicted of a crime - as Suu Kyi was in August - from being a member of ...

SC mulls rewards for convicts

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:24:33 -0500

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court is all set to introduce a special legal provision to give incentives to convicted criminals who assist in the execution of court verdicts by giving themselves in.
"Homework is on to introduce the special provision as soon as possible," a highly-placed source at the SC told The Himalayan Times today. According to him, the system will be adopted by ...

State home minister Ansari steps down

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:23:45 -0500

KATHMANDU: State Minister for Home Affairs Mohammad Rizwan Ansari tendered his resignation today to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. PM Nepal had yesterday demanded the resignation from Ansari.
Ansari has mentioned "lack of appropriate working environment" and "no appropriate responsibility in the capacity of a state minister" as the main reasons of his resigna ...

Maoists demur CC chair move

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:21:10 -0500

KATHMANDU: Today"s meeting of the Constitutional Committee (CC) was adjourned after Constituent Assembly members of the Unified CPN-Maoist objected to CC chairman Nilambar Acharya"s act of leaking contentious agenda of the constitution to the media.
The CC had identified at least 16 conflicting issues which needed to be sorted out if the new constitution were to be adopted b ...

Tourism eyes sunnier days as worlds top fair opens

Agence France Presse — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:21:10 -0500

BERLIN: The world"s largest tourism fair, the ITB, kicked off today in Berlin with the global travel industry hoping for better times following a crisis-hit 2009.
According to United Nations figures, international tourist arrivals fell by four per cent in 2009 and the earnings from international tourism dropped by six per cent as the world economy went into a tailspin.
Howe ...

Economic crash looming, warn experts

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:20:07 -0500

KATHMANDU; Experts and authorities are concerned about the economic situation of the country, which if not countered soon and effectively will send the country into hyper-drive, causing complete economic destruction.
"Balance of Payment (BoP) has plunged into the negative while the investment situation of the country is far from good. Banks are facing liquidity crunch and economic ...

Australian job ads surge

Agence France Presse — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:19:14 -0500

SYDENY: The number of jobs advertised in newspapers and online in Australia rose by almost 20 per cent in February, according to a bank survey released yesterday which suggests unemployment has peaked.
The ANZ survey found total job ads rose by 19.1 per cent in February to a weekly average of 159,778 - just by 2.3 per cent under their level a year ago.
ANZ chief economist Warren H ...

GPK's 'last wish': Peace, statute

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:19:03 -0500

KATHMANDU: Girija Prasad Koirala, the ailing leader of the Nepali Congress, today said that his only wish at the final stage of life was to see peace and stability established in the country.
Koirala, 86, whose health is deteriorating after he was taken ill a week ago, made this statement, while talking to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, B Lynn Pascoe, at his reside ...

Companies not toeing NMB line

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:17:57 -0500

KATHMANDU: Himalayan News Service Kathmandu, March 10 Nepali network marketing companies seem reluctant to follow government rules and regulations. The Ministry of Commerce and Supply (MoCS) had directed the companies to deposit Rs 2.5 million with the Department of commerce (DoC) as security, giving them a 35-day deadline in January 31.
Not one company has deposited the guarantee amoun ...

Pascoe urges building trust among parties

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:16:58 -0500

KATHMANDU: UN Under Secretary-General of Political Affairs, B Lyan Pascoe today underlined the need of rebuilding the trust among the major political parties to lead the peace process to logical end and write the constitution on time.
Pascoe, who arrived here today on his three-day visit, expressed the view during the meetings with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress Presi ...

Pokhara costliest town in nation

Rastriya Samachar Samiti — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:16:32 -0500

KASKI: The price of daily commodities has increased by around six per cent in a year in Pokhara.
The hike in prices by leaps and bounds is such that this sylvan lake town in the western part of the country has been listed as the costliest in the nation.
This dubious distinction was bestowed on Pokhara after a recent survey conducted by a magazine.
Last year, the inflation ...

Provide allowance to single women regardless of age, SC tells govt

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:16:15 -0500

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) today directed the government authorities to provide allowances for single women irrespective of age. Thus far, single women above 60 years old were only eligible to claim the allowance.
A division bench of Justices Khil Raj Regmi and Girish Chandra Lal issued the order to the Prime Minister's Office and Cabinet, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law and ...

Fujitsu brings Life Book here to enhance folks live

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:15:39 -0500

KATHMANDU: Fujitsu has launched the Fujitsu Life Book series - LH700, LH530, SH760, SH560, and S710.
Life Book LH700 is a stylish companion ideally suited to make any generation Y-er outclass and outperform his or her peers while the sleek notebook - LH53 - is something that any casual or newly-initiated user can depend on for various tasks.
Both these new produ ...

Japan funnels in $88,218 for conflict victims' schooling

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:15:37 -0500

KATHMANDU: The Government of Japan has extended a financial assistance of $ 88,218 for educating student victims of armed conflict through Save the Children Japan-Nepal office.
Issuing a press release here today, Japanese embassy stated that Save the Children Japan will implement the Project for Quality Education for Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Dang and Surkhet Districts in co ...

15 SLC forms cancelled, guilty booked

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:14:42 -0500

KATHMANDU: The Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE) has cancelled the registration of 15 students due to take their School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations on March 25.
According to Dilli Luitel, deputy director, OCE, the candidates studying in Makwanpur-based schools had filled up their SLC exam forms as students of schools in Bara district without the prior permission o ...

HSEB forms panels to implement pact

Mohan Guragain — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:13:53 -0500

KATHMANDU: The Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) has formed two committees to suggest ways to implement the agreement it reached with the Maoist-aligned All Nepal National Independent Students' Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) last month.
According to Joint Secretary Narayan Prasad Koirala, who heads the HSEB's planning division, the working committees are in a process to reforming r ...

Obstacles in transplant services still remain

Laxmi Maharjan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:12:48 -0500

KATHMANDU: The country has made history in organ transplant by making available kidney transplant services more than a year ago. However, Nepal has a long way to go, for the poor are still suffering. Amidst poor transplant facilities, the country, however, is celebrating World Kidney Day, as always, on the second Thursday of March, to raise awareness on the fact that kidney diseases, though com ...

National Biz Briefs

HNS — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:12:17 -0500

LI Service Centre
KATHMANDU: Laxmi Intercontinental Pvt Ltd - sole authorised dealer for Hyundai Motor Company in Nepal - has opened LI Service Center at Dhapasi in Basundhara to provide full-fledged services to its customer. The centre - spread over 4200 sq ft - offers reliable and quick services. Customers can get global diagnostic system, wheel alignment, wheel ...

Capital Briefs

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:11:58 -0500

One killed in mishap
KATHMANDU: A person was killed when a commuter minibus hit the motorcycle he was riding on at Kaushaltar in Bhaktapur on Wednesday. The bus was en route to Kathmandu from Bhaktapur. The dead has been identified as Kedar Datheputhe (35) of Thoten in Bhaktapur. Injured Datheputhe died while undergoing treatment in Bir Hospi ...

Tibetans defy prohibitory orders, stage protests

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:10:38 -0500

KATHMANDU: Tibetan exiles living in Kathmandu today defied prohibitory orders and staged peaceful protests against Chinese rule in Tibet to mark the 51st anniversary of the failed Tibet uprising.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had instructed security officials to use all resources and legal tools to ensure that no activity aimed at undermining the bilateral relationship with the northern ...

Businessmen concerned about rising insecurity

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:09:44 -0500

PARASI: Entrepreneurs and businessmen in the area today said that they were facing difficulties in running their businesses due to the increasing criminal activities including murder, abduction and extortion.
Participants at an interaction programme organised by Nawalparasi chamber of commerce claimed that criminals were encouraged as the administration failed to nab them.
They ...

Shaukhala rescues Three Star; BUC hold MMC

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:09:42 -0500

KATHMANDU; Boys Union Club (BUC) held leaders Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangi Club (MMC) to a goalless draw while an 89th minute equaliser from striker Santosh Sahukhala saved Nabil Three Star Club from another upset in their 1-1 stalemate against Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
MMC maintain their lead atop the table with 13 points from four matches while ...

Aid agencies appeal for $123.5m for the poor

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:09:10 -0500

KATHMANDU: Humanitarian agencies in Nepal today appealed for US$ 123.5 million to fund projects to assist more than 3.4 million people across the country, who are in need of life-saving assistance, including food aid, in 2010.
A statement issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that nearly half of Nepal"s districts were witnessing fo ...

Tandukar takes fifth round lead

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:08:53 -0500

KATHMANDU: Former Nepal champion Naveen Tandukar won both the Wednesday"s two round matches to take the lead at the first Rambir Shrestha Memorial FIDE Rating National Chess Tournament.
Naveen accumulated five points after he defeated Dinesh Shrestha in the fourth round and eased past another veteran Ganesh Man Duwal - winner of the recently held Makhan Rating Chess Tourname ...

Ten killed in Tanahun road mishap

HNS — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:08:23 -0500

TANAHUN: Ten persons were killed and 14 injured when a jeep met with an accident in Shivapur-3, Setang, this evening.
The jeep, headed for Jhaputar from Bhirkot in Tanahun, skidded 150 metres off the graveled road at around 5:50 pm.
According to Ishwori Prasad Chapagain, DSP at the District Police Office, Tanahun, the dead have been identified as Man Bahadur Ale of Byas-10, his w ...

Lions Club to felicitate Bista

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:08:04 -0500

KATHMANDU: Lions Club of Kathmandu Horizon (LCKH) is running a campaign to felicitate record setting taekwondo star Deepak Bista.
The LCKH said that it hopes to collect a whooping amount to present the player as a felicitation for his achievement in the recently concluded 11th South Asian Games in Dhaka. Bista won gold medal in Dhaka to became the first player to have won four successiv ...

Panel submits report on sand, boulder extraction

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:07:43 -0500

KATHMANDU: The sub-committee formed under the parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Means submitted its report on sand and boulder extraction from the foothills of churia range to the full committee today. The sub-committee"s coordinator Chandra Dev Joshi submitted the report to the House committee chairperson Shanta Chaudhary.
But the House committee today asked its me ...

Govt committed to peace: PM Nepal

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:07:08 -0500

GAIGHAT: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today said that the major task of the incumbent government was to maintain peace in the country by giving a logical conclusion to the ongoing peace process.
Unveiling a statue of communist leader late Pushpa Lal Shrestha in Beltar Bazaar of Udaypur district, Prime Minister Nepal said that the Maoist combatants had to be managed effectively.

Nepal favourite to qualify for semi-finals

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:06:45 -0500

KATHMANDU: Nepal look set to make it to the ACC U-16 Elite Cup semi-finals ahead of their last Group B match against Bahrain at the Birendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyalaya grounds on Thursday.
The home team lead their Group with two wins out of two matches. Hong Kong occupy the second position on better net run rate than Bahrain. To the advantage of the home team, they also have superior ...

All civic bodies may get fire engines

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:06:27 -0500

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Local Development (MoLD) is planning to provide fire engines and sanitary equipment to municipalities across the country.
The MoLD is collecting data of the same from civic bodies for the purpose. According to the MoLD, fire engines in most of the 58 municipalities in the country are either not functioning or they are in an irreparable condition. During emerge ...

Squatter eviction drive

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:05:54 -0500

SARLAHI: Forest staffers, who had gone to vacate encroached land under the Sagarnath Forest Development Project at Tekani in Rajghat VDC, today fired around 100 rounds in the air after encroachers stopped them from carrying out their work.
According to Shekhar Yadav, forest officer, forest staffers fired six tear gas shells and at least 100 rounds in the air after the squatters attempte ...

Arsenal, Bayern through to quarter-finals

Associated Press — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:05:21 -0500

LONDON: Arsenal dismantled FC Porto 5-0 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals along with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Nicklas Bendtner scored the first hat-trick of his career to help Arsenal overcome a first-leg deficit in the Champions League for only the second time, while Bayern advanced past Fiorentina on away goals despite a 3-2 loss in Italy that made it 4-4 on aggregate.

Indian leaders want peace restored: DPM

Ram Kumar Kamat — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:04:55 -0500

NEW DELHI: Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, who arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit, today held separate meetings with National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.
According to Gachhadar, they discussed Nepal"s peace and constitution-drafting processes and other bilateral issues, including securit ...

Govt not to bear Jha's India tour expenses

Himalayan News Service — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:04:14 -0500

KATHMANDU: A Cabinet meeting today decided that the government will not
bear the expenses of Vice-President Paramanda Jha"s private visit to India.
Jha had demanded the government provide expenses for his pilgrimage to Haridwar, India.
"The government will not bear the expenses of Jha"s visit as it is a private one. However, the government will bear the ...

Pakistan suspend Younis, Yousuf from intl cricket

Associated Press — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:04:01 -0500

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has barred Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan from the national team indefinitely and imposed a one-year ban on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved for behavior they say contributed to Pakistan"s poor performance on their recent tour of Australia.
The PCB on Wednesday implemented the recommendations of an inquiry committee formed to evaluate Pakista ...