Fatal fall

BHAKTAPUR: Sunita BK died on Saturday while being taken to Bhaktapur hospital after she fell off a motorcycle at Sudal VDC in the district. She was critically injured in the incident. Police have arrested the motorcyclist and begun investigation into the case. — HNS

Spelling contest held

KATHMANDU: The inter-school spelling contest 2009, concluded on Sunday at Donnelley hall of St Xaviers School. The programme was organised by Godavari Alumni Association and sponsored by Dabur Nepal. In a press release, the GAA informed that St Xavier’s School , Paragon Punic School and Pushpanjali School were the winners among the seniors and St Xavier’s School, Skylark English School and Paragon Public School won in the juniors section. —HNS

Diarrhoea medicines

KATHMANDU: Citizen Relief Fund on Sunday handed over medicines worth around Rs 3 lakhs to Home Minister Bhim Rawal. The medicines will be used for the treatment of the diarrhoea patients in Jajarkot, Rukum, Rolpa, Dolpa, Doti and Dadeldhura. — HNS

Habeas corpus plea

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court on Sunday directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to produce detainee Keshav Thapa before the apex court to verify the legality of his arrest. A single bench of Justice Prem Sharma had issued the order. Challenging his detention, a habeas corpus petition was filed at the Supreme Court on Sunday. The bench also directed the ministry to furnish a written explanation within 15 days regarding his arrest. —HNS

Army club opens

KATHMANDU: Minister for Defence Bidhya Devi Bhandari inaugurated an army club on the premises of Bhandarkhal at Arahiti in Kathmandu on Sunday. The press statement issued by the Nepali Army Public Relations Directorate mentioned that the club consisted of a gymnasium and a restaurant that occupied around 18 ropanis of land. Chief of the Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal was also present on the occasion. —HNS

FNJ flays budget

KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) today expressed concern about government's indifference to the issues raised by journalists in the budget for the fiscal 2066/67 and polices and programmes of the government. Issuing a press statement, the FNJ said that the government had turned a deaf ear to its demands for a long-term policy on free press, public welfare advertisement policy and corporation, journalist trust and full implementation of the Working Journalist Act. Similarly, the FNJ said its attention has been drawn towards government's further allocation of budget to the state-owned media, turning deaf ear to FNJ's demand to provide autonomy to such media houses. Although it was commendable of the government to exempt the FM radios of renewal fees, it was not enough for the promotion of free press in the country, the FNJ said. — RSS