GOVT., OPPOSITION MOVING TOWARDS CONFRONTATION Kathmandu, 5 June: Devendra Paudel, political aide o Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, claimed Tuesday the government chief has support of 18 to 21 parties”. Amid claims of main opposition parties NC and UML an anti-government coalition has 22 members. “The figure is inflated,” Paudel said. ‘We and prime minister don’t want a situation of conflict,” said as ruling arties and supporters also decided Monday to hold a hold a rally, like opposition, in a show of strength. “It is a clear attempt to spoil atmosphere. This is a show of force,” Paidel said of planned anti-governments in the capital Friday. Government side also come out on the street two days later. Government and opposition are moving towards confrontation with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai refusing to resign tomake way for la national consensus government. nnnn PM GOING TO BRAZIL Kathmandu, 5 June: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai will be the first foreign country he will visit after announcing fresh elections for constituent assembly (CA) 22 November. Premier Bhattarai will be visiting Brazil as leader of the Nepali team to attend the UN Rio+20 UN conference, a foreign ministry source said.. nnnnt BIR BAHADUR SHAHI DEAD Kathmandu, 5 June: Former Home Secretary Bir Bahadur Shahi had died, his family said Tuesday. Shahi was 81. He was former Chairman of Bhanubhakta Memorial Higher Secondary School. nnnn AFC U-22 CHAMPIONSHIP AT DASHRATH RANGASHALA FROM 16 JUNE Kathmandu, 5 June: ANFA, the supreme soccer governing body, will hold Group D qualifiers of AFC U-22 Championship at Dashrath Ranghashala 16 to 24 June. The qualifiers were first scheduled from 2 to 10 June and were postponed following political uncertainties. Besides Nepal, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Yemen and Bangladesh are in Group D. Two top teams of the group will qualify for the final round in 2013. Nnnn ________________________________________