PM Nepal returns Sunday

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal returns home Sunday from Denmark –the same day Maoists have announced a continuous three-day nationwide strike.
The Denmark climate change summit was inconclusive.
nnnn

US should help Nepal

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: The US, countries in the region [around Nepal] and others should try to help Nepal meet present ‘challenges’, a US official said Friday.
“Nepal is going through come major challenges.
“It’s important for the countries in the region, the United States and others to try to do what we can to help Nepal where we can,” said State Department Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood.
nnnn


French, Indian traffickers arrested

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: French woman Sylvie Nelly Tanghe, 29, was held at Tribhuvan International Airport this week with 38 grams of hash.
Indian nationals Jay Shanker Kalwar,35, and Shkhar Kumar Soni ,39, were also held by drugs enforcement officials this week.
Nepali Bikash Magar of Dallu was arrested.
Nnnn

12 Maoist autonomous region chiefs

Kathmandu, 18 Dec.: Here’s a list of 12 Maoist coordinators of federal autonomous regions.
1. Limbuwan- Shri Jagebu
2. Kochila-Purna Singh Rajbansi
3. Kirat- Gopal Kirati
4. Sherpa-Karjyang Sherpa
5. Tharuwan-Ran Charan Chaudhary
6. Seti-Mahakali- Lelhraj Bhatta
7. Bhot-Tshering D Lama
8. Vekh- Khadga Bahadur BK
9. Magarat-Santosh Budamagar
10. Tamuwan-Amar Tamu
11. Tamsaling-Hit Bahadur Tamang
12. Newa-Dil Bahadur Shrestha
13. Madesh-Yet to be announced
Nnnn

Honourary consul general appointed

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: Folk singer Lokraj Mahat has been appointed honourary consul general for Maryland and Pennsylvania in USA, Annapurna Post reports, Annapurna Post reports.
Nepal’s Ambassador to USA Dr Shanker Raj Sharma Thursday issued the appointment letter.
Nnnn

India unhappy with federal autonomous region declaration

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is unhappy with the Maoist declaration of federal autonomous republics against the interim constitution and the spirit of the comprehensive peace treaty, Nepal Samacharpatra reports from Copenhagen.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Premier Singh held discussions Friday.
Singh said he deeply understands Nepal’s problem and assured Indian government is ready to assist.
Singh advised ’prioritize constitution drafting and restoration of peace’.
Singh said India is happy with a capable prime minister like Nepal and requested his Nepali counterpart to even get in touch over the phone for any probkem.
Nepal said Maoists should be pressurized by the international community to be committed to democracy and participate in the constitution drafting process.
nnnn


TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

WB assist

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: World Bank (WB) Friday approved a $45 million assist upgrade Nepal’s rural road network.
The bank in 2005 extended a $32 million grant to upgrade roads in 20 of 75 districts.
Nnnn

Govt. collects Rs 56.6 billion revenue

Kathmandu, 19 Dec.: Government collected Rs 56.6 billion in revenue in the first five months of the current fiscal year—up 36 percent compared to the same period the previous year, finance ministry said.
Government has targeted to collect Rs 54.86 billion in that period.
Nnnn


MEDIA GOOGLE

“Some Congress leaders are trying to impose presidential rule by compounding the problem,”

(UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Rajdhani, 19 Dec.)

“We’ll not withdraw any protest plans until we topple the government.”

(Maoist leader Lilamani Pokhrel, Annapurna Post, 19 Dec.)
nnnn