Royal address flayed

Kathmandu: Terming Friday’s royal address to the nation regressive, 31 well-known figures from different walks of life said it failed to respect the people’s desire for change. “The address comes at a time when the people’s movement is heading towards the establishment of a republic. Anything less than the election to a constituent assembly is not acceptable,” they stated in a press release. The celebrities included comedians Madan Krishna Shrestha, Hariabansha Acharya, film critic Pradeep Bhattarai, producers Ashok Sharma, Nabin Subba, literarteur Tulasi Bhattarai and artiste Sarita Giri. —HNS

NBA condemnation

Kathmandu: The Nepal Bar Association on Saturday said the royal address neither met demands put forth by the seven-party alliance nor was it aimed at resolving the crisis. “The present political crisis can be resolved only through the restoration of the House of Representatives and election to the constituent assembly,” NBA general secretary Madhav Banskota said in a press release. The lawyers’ body also called on the King, the seven-party alliance and the Maoists to hold talks to find a peaceful way out. — HNS

Bid to clean Everest

KATHMANDU: Mountaineers of various countries will soon embark on a campaign to clean the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest. Eighteen mountaineers from South Korea, Austria, France and 15 from Nepal are to take part in the campaign that aims to clean the mountain upto the height of 8000 metres. The 30-day campaign will be led by South Korean mountaineer Hangwang Yong. Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, Hangwang said the team aims to collect at least 5,000 kg of solid waste from Mt Everest.— RSS