Appa Sherpa scales Everest for record 19th time

Kathmandu, 21 May: Appa Sherpa improved a personal record to scale the 8848 meters high Mount Everest for the 19th time Thursday morning.
He stepped on top of the world for the 18th time on 22 May 2008.
Ninety-eight climbers climbed Everest from Nepal Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Congress, CPN-UML discuss common approach against Maoists

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 May: Prime minister- in- waiting Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and other top leaders of the two political parties held discussions to develop a common approach party to tackle a Maoist parliamentary resolution condemning the president.
Maoists charged President Dr Ram Baran Yadav for unconstitutionally retaining Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal who was unilaterally sacked by Maoists.
Maoists charged a presidential and army coup saying they are establishing civilian supremacy over the army.
A political stalemate has been created for more than two weeks.
CPN-UML and Congress say discussion of the resolution will be unfortunate and illegal as the supreme court is considering a challenge to the presidential action.
Meanwhile, MJF central committee started discussions Thursday morning on a faction proposal to join the Nepal government.
One faction led by Bijaya Gachedhar favours joining the Nepal government while another group led by Chairman Upendra Yadav has aligned with Maoists.
The party with 53 seats is at a splitting point.
Nepal can form a majority government even if the party splits.
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Another deadline to draft constitution missed

Kathmandu, 21 May: Most subject committees will miss Friday’s deadline to submit drafts of their recommendations for a constitution that has to be completed by May 2010.
The result will be a constitutional crisis.
Nepal now has an interim constitution drafted by ruling parties that shred the 1990 constitution after toppling monarchy.
The 1990 constitution prepared by political parties and two nominees of the king was promulgated by King Birendra.
The king didn’t draft the constitution.
Only three of nine subject committees have completed their drafts.
The main drafting committee headed by Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is being appointed prime minister, hasn’t also completed a draft of the proposed constitution.
The work schedule of the committees has to be rescheduled for the fifth time.
Differences between political parties have delayed the drafting.
Maoists, who don’t have a majority in the constituent assembly, are pressing for a hard-line communist system.
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Breakthrough for British Gurkhas

Kathmandu, 21 May: All Gurkha ex-soldiers, who have served in British Army, are to be given the right to settle down in Britain with a formal statement expected tomorrow [Thursday], agencies report from London.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown , who has been severely embarrassed by Gurkha residency rights campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley, is expected to signal the new policy in the British parliament, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Keith Vaz, chairman, Home Affairs Select Committee, wrote to Brown last night [Tuesday] following a private meeting with Gurkha campaign group, including Lumley, and government officials.
Vaz accused the government of ‘overblowing’ estimates that up to 100,000 former Gurkhas and families would come to Britain if rights were granted to all.
“We believe that Britain has a moral debt of honour to the Brigade of Gurkhas and that this can be realised along the lines suggested here,” Vaz said.
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