BIG THREE SUMMIT MONDAY

BIG THREE MEET; OTHER DETAILS

Kathmandu, 23 May: A summit of the Big Three-- Maoists, NC and UML-- is being held later at an unspecified time and place Monday Surya Thapa, press aide of the prime minister said.
The summit is being held amid growing political uncertainty as main opposition NC opposes an extension of the three-year tenure of the constituent assembly (CA)for another one year after 28 May.
Government couldn’t register a bill in parliament Sunday for the 9th amendment of article 64 of an interim constitution to extend the CA tenure for another one year amid NC opposition
Parliament has been called into session again Monday to register the bill
NC has demanded clear action from Maoists plan by Tuesday to complete the peace process through integration of 19,000 former Maoist fighters and their disarming to extend the assembly by another six months—three months to implement Maoist commitments and three months to complete a draft of a constitution.
A special committee for the integration, resettlement and supervision headed by the government chief also meets later Monday.
Major parties are represented in the committee
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal is to present a government proposal for the integration and resettlement of fighters at the committee.
Khanal finalized the proposal at a meeting with Maoist Chairman Prachanda Friday.
Maoists are grudgingly attempting to address opposition demands to extend the CA tenure by the Saturday.deadline
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LIFE IN VALLEY RETURNS TO NORMAL MONDAY

Kathmandu, 23 May: Life in the Valley returned to normal after the restoration of vehicular movement and people flocked the market after Khas Chetris called off a strike to press six demands including the group’s inclusion in government’s indigenous list.
The first day’s strike Sunday was crippling.
A government negotiating team led Minister Without Portfolio Ghanashyam Bhusal Sunday night agreed to form a task force to take up Khas demands.
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FIVE BANGLADESHIS HELD WITH FORGED NEPALI PASSPORTS

Kathmandu, 23 May: Five Bangladeshis were arrested in the capital Sunday with forged Nepali passports, police said.
Mohammad Rana, 25, Badiul Alam,39, Abdul Rasid,48, Sirajul Isam Muslamuddin, 34, and Mohammad Sahadat, 27, didn’t have valid documents.
Sanij Prasad Paudel, 34, suspected for aiding the Bangladeshis in the racket was arrested in a raid on a cyber café in Gaushala.
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OFFICE OF INDIAN COMPANY DEVELOPING UPPER KARNALI DAMAGED IN ATTACK

Kathmandu,23 May: Irate locals Sunday at Paltada in Dailakh torched the office of the developers of the Upper Karnali hydro power project
An Indian company is developing the project
Three buildings and office equipment were damaged.
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CENSUS OF WILD BUFFALOES BEGINS

Kathmandu, 23 May: Week-long population count of wild buffaloes at Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve began Saturday.
Altogether 219 buffaloes were recorded in a 2009 census.
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TRADE, COMMERCE, ECONOMY

PUSHPA RAJ RAJKARNIKAR APPOINTED CEO

Kathmandu, 23 May; Pushpa Raj Rajkarnikar took over responsibilities as CEO of Nepal Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank succeeded from 18 May.
Rajkarnikar succeeded Ratna Raj Bajracharya who retired.
Anjan Raj Paudel has been elected president of Stock Brokers’ Association Nepal (SBAN).
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SPORTS

FIRST ANNAPURNA MARATHON 3 JUNE

Kathmandu, 23 May: The first Annapurna Marathon will be organized 3 June, Bikram Pandey, President of Himalayan Expedition, the organizers of Everest Marathon said.
The 42.195km race from the base camp of the 8091 meters high Annapurna to Dampus situated at 1,650 meters will honour noted geographer Dr Harkha Gurung and France’s Maurice Herzog.
Herzog lost his fingers to frostbite after the historic ascent of Annapurna.
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BAN ON THREE FELLING TO BE LIFTED MONDAY

Kathmandu, 23 May: A 11-month ban on tree felling is being lifted Monday, Kantipur reports.
Restriction of their transport and sale is also being lifted after the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers empowered the forest ministry to take a decision on the ban.
“A formal decision will be taken Monday. I don’t see a reason for the ban,” Forest Minister Bhanubhakta Joshi told Kantipur.
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