LAXMI PUJA OBSERVED

Kathmandu, 5 Nov.: Laxmi, Goddess of Wealth, was worshipped Friday evening for health prosperity and happiness on the second day of Tihar.
Homes were illuminated and colourfully decorated with flowers particularly marigolds—mostly imported from India.
Kukkur puja was observed in the morning.
Even street dogs had their Friday; they were fed and worshipped.
The 102nd birthday of Laxmi Prasad Devkota was observed for his contribution to Nepali literature.
A fire triggered by firecrackers destroyed 14 houses at Kalayanpur in Saptari resulting in damage estimated at two million rupees Friday
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TWO CHILDREN DROWN IN POND IN RAUTAHAT

Kathmandu, 5 Nov.: Two children, who sent missing at a pond in Maheshpur in Rautahat Thursday drowned there.
Their bodies were recovered Friday.
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NO DETAILS OF BIG THREE TALKS

Kathmandu, 5 Nov.: Details of talks between the Big Three at Hatttiban Resort in Chovar Friday weren’t available until the evening.
Talks are being held between 15 top leaders of UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML amid tight security and the resort is out of bounds for journalists.
Chairman Prachanda, Vice-chairmen Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya and Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Ram Bahadur Thapa are in the Maoist negotiating team.
Before departing for Chovar, Prachanda hoped the summit would produce results to end on the prolonged impasse and announce a delayed annual budget of 2010/11.
NC President Sushul Koirala isn’t in his party’s talks team of which three-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel are members.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Home Minister Bhim Rawal are in the UML team headed by Chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
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SWISS SPEAKER LEAVES

Kathmandu, 5 Nov.: Speaker of the Swiss national assembly Pascale Wyss flew for home Friday concluding a four-day visit.
She held talks with Chairman Prachanda before flying back via Doha.
She evinced interest in the delayed peace and constitution dtafting processes.
She was guest of Speaker Subash Nemwang.
Wyss didn’t hold direct bilateral talks with other major political party leaders.
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