Kathmandu, April 5, 2006

The local administrations of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts today announced night curfew in both the districts. The curfew, which will go into force at 11 in the night, will be lifted at 3 in the morning the following day, notification said. However it will only be in force within Ring Road area of the cities. The police today barred entry of long distance buses plying into the capital from Thankot and other entrepots. The government today rounded up alliance leaders and activists as part of its efforts to thwart the seven party alliance’s bid to stage demonstrations from Thursday to Sunday pressing the demand for return to democracy. The number of those arrested since Tuesday has gone up to over 200 although the number of central leaders is still just under a dozen. Those picked up today include CPN-UML leader Keshav Badal, Subhash Nemwang, Bhim Rawal, Raghu Pant and Gopal Shakya. However Nemwang, Rawal and Shakya were freed later. The Nepali Congress (D) leaders who were arrested and later released in the day include General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi, Spokesman Dr Minendra Rijal, central members Man Mohan Bhattarai and Indra Bahadur Gurung, Police however later freed Dr Rijal, Bhattarai, Lama and Basnet.

Multi-ethnic team to scale Mt Everest for world peace

Kathmandu, April 5, 2006

Today, a nine-member team of mountaineers from seven different countries including Palestine, Israel and Nepal, announced its plan to scale Everest to spread the message of world peace.The multi-religious group consisting of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Jews will scale the 8848-metre high peak under the umbrella of Everest Peace Project. “We are organising a historymaking Everest climb to spread the message of peace in the world. And Nepal needs peace as much as any other country,” said Jamie McGuinness, an atheist and the climbing director from New Zealand. The team intends to send a message of peace, teamwork and cultural understanding from the top of the world. “Our message is clear: That in a climate of peace, all cultural, religious and political barriers can be broken and that through friendship and teamwork, even the tallest mountain poses no obstacle,” said Lance Trumbull, the team leader. The peace team will gather at the summit of Mount Everest and fly the United Nation’s flag.The team will attempt to scale the mountain from the Tibetan side. “Heroic stories and images motivate people. Our Everest ascent for the cause of peace will provide the world with inspirational stories, images and videos that portray courage, friendship and teamwork,” Trumbull said.