PM BHATTARAI HOLDS DISCUSSIONS WITH MANMOHAN SINGH Kathmandu, 22 June: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai held discussions with Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the sidelines of a UN-sponsored meeting of sustainable development Thursday. Further details are awaited. nnnn PRACHANDA, RAM BAHADUR THAPA HOLD DISCSSIONS THURSDAY Kathmandu, 22 June: UCPN Maoist (Chairman) Prachanda and General-Secretary splinter group CPN Maoist Ram Bahadur Thapa held discussions Thursday and discussed prevention of clashes between workers of the Maoist parties. The parties formally split this week after open public differences. Keeping hopes alive for unity, UCPN (Maoist) has formed a three-member team headed by Amik Serchan to hold a dialogue. nnnn HARIBANSHA ACHARYA MARRIES Kathmandu, 22 June: Noted comedian Haribansha Acharya wed Ramila Patkah Thursday at a ceremony in the capital—both for the second time. Acharya’s first wife Meena died one year ago. Nnnn WILD TUSKER FOUND DEAD IN SUNSARI Kathmandu, 22 June: A wild tusker was found dead on a cord field Thursday at Tehraardi, Susari. Locals suspect the elephant was probably electrocuted. Elephants from across the border in Assam cross over spreading terror while destroying crops in Jhapa. Angry people in the far-East district ill the elephants poisoning or electrocuting them. nnnn NEPAL PLAYS JORDAN FRIDAY Kathmandu, 22 June Nepal plays Jordan Friday in the last match of the Group D Qualifiers of the AFC U-22 Championship at Dashrath Rangashala. Nepal has lost to Yemen and Uzbekistan while defeating Bangladesh. Jordan and Uzbekistan top the group with six points in two wins while the home team has three points. Nepal is virtually out of the tournament. nnnn