Comedian in custody:

Kathmandu: Prakash Ojha, famous comedian and singer, is in police custody for allegedly sexually abusing young girls. Accordng to police, Singha Durbar ward police office arrested Jha some days ago and handed him over to the Women and Children Cell of the Crime Investigation Department at the police headquarters. The cell took action after locals of Inaruwa, Sunsari (home district of Ojha) filed a complaint charging Ojha with sexually abusing girls and recording them on videotape. Locals charged him with luring children, teenagers and young girls with promises of giving them a part in ‘Tite Kareli’ — a comedy tele-serial being produced by him for a private television entertainment channel. — HNS

ICRC gives ambulances:

Kathmandu: The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) handed over three ambulances to the district chairpersons of Lamjung, Mahottari and Dang, according to a press release issued here today. Friedrun Medert, representative of ICRC in Nepal handed over the ambulances to the district chairpersons of Red Cross Society: Hari Bhakta Neupane, Mahendra Prasad Singh and Narayan Acharya, respectively. Medert said this would help the chairpersons in the districts to optimise the service. The release said Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) carries out it activities and provides services according to the seven principles of International Red Cross — humanity, impartiality, independence, voluntary, unity, worldwide and sovereignty. — HNS

Mind management class:

KATHMANDU: A two-day-long mind management programme jointly organised by the Indian Institute of Mind Management and Shristi Sadhana Kendra began for the employees of Employees Provident Fund on Wednesday. According to the organiser, Acharya Shree Dhruv, some 44 employees including senior officer Indra Krishna Dangol attended the camp. Instructor Dhruv also talked about the importance of hygienic food for personal development. — HNS

24-hour hospital service:

BHAKTAPUR: Korean cooperative hospital in Bhaktapur is starting a 24-hour service along with emergency services from February 12 with assistance from Madhayapur Thimi municipality. The hospital established in 1999 in Shankadharchowk of Madhayapur Thimi-13, runs OPD service from 8 am to 2 pm and emergency service 2 pm to 8am at present. — RSS

LPG cylinders seized:

KATHMANDU: A market monitoring team of the commerce department has seized at least 365 Himal gas cylinders from Gauri Shanker Industry Pvt Ltd, after it was found that the cylinders were 200 to 500 grams lighter in weight. Inspection officers of Lalitpur district, Consumers Forum Nepal, Consumers Interest Conservation Nepal, District Administration Office Lalitpur and representatives of Nepal Oil Corporation were part of the monitoring team. Such inspections will continue, informed officials. — RSS