Property looted

BHAIRAHAWA: A gang of around 15 dacoits looted eight tolas of gold and Rs 40,000 cash from a house belonging to Pitambar Dhakal at Tikuligudh-7 in Rupandehi district on Tuesday night, the police said. The gang was armed with spears, khukuris and bamboo sticks. — HNS

Man held with pistol

SIRAHA: A patrol team of Armed Police Force arrested Mohammad Jaur, 31, of Sitapur-5 along with a homemade pistol on Tuesday night from his residence. Jaur has been handed over to the police for investigation, police said. — HNS

Tree plantation

KATHMANDU: Himalayan Club de Scientia (HICSCI), the Science Club of White House College, planted more than 700 trees on the premises of the White House College of Science and Engineering at Khumaltar. A press release issued by the HICSCI on Wednesday stated that the plantation was carried out amid a function attended by Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Kiran Gurung. The campaign was organised as part of the Global Plantation Mission of UNEP, which has envisioned to plant 100 million trees across the globe by October 16 and seven billion trees by the end of 2009. — HNS

World Bank support

KATHMANDU: The World Bank on Wednesday approved $36 million assistance for Nepal’s efforts to reducing hardship and speeding up recovery. About six million people of 33 districts are chronically affected by food shortage and at least 50,000 Nepalis are in immediate in need of food assistance, according to World Food Programme. — RSS