JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES SATURDAY Kathmandu, 28 April: Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba arrives for a brief visit Saturday to become the first Japanese foreign minister to visit Nepal is 35 years. ‘The visit is taking place in the context of the recent high level bilateral visits and will provide an opportunity to review the progress in the relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry said in a statement ahead of the visit. Gemba will hold discussions with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kazi Shrestha, leaders of political parties and President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. He’ll proceed to India from Nepal. nnnn. INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN TERAI Kathmandu, 28 April: Indian Ambassador Jayant Prasad is currently visiting Sarlahi where he doled out Rs. 49.9 million for Ram Sakhi Janata Higher Secondary School whose foundation stone he laid Friday. He was accompanied by a controversial NC lawmaker Amresh Kumar Singh described as a person with close links with the Indian establishment, The former lawmaker was enrolled as a student at a Jawaharlal Nehru University in New in New Delhi. nnnn THREE STAR CLUB, NEPAL POLICE PLAY IN BRITISH GURKHA CUP FINAL Kathmandu, 28 April: Three Star Club and Nepal Police play in the final of The British Cup at Dashrath Rangashala Saturday, Three Star Club is attempting hat-trick. The winner will collect a Rs.500,000 price money in the country’s most expensive prize money. Nnnn LAXMAN THAPA DEAD Kathmandu, 28 April: Laxman Shumshere Thapa, former president of Nepal Boxing Association (NBA), died Thursday night. He was 68. Thapa is survived by a wife, son and daughter. The former NBA president established the Kamal Pokhari Boxing Club, the country’s first boxing institute, 51 years ago. He died while undergoing treatment at Sahid Ganga Lal Hospital. nnnn