HIMALAYA SHUMSHERE RANA’S REMINISCES AND REFLECTIONS RELEASED Kathmandu, 1 Sept.:: “Reminisces and Reflections” written by Himalaya Shumshere Rana was released by Vice-President Parmananda Jha Friday. Rana prepared the country’s first budget in 2007 and was also the founding governor of Nepal Rashtra Bank. He worked with Subrna Shumshere Rana in the finance ministry Nnnn POET TULSI DIVAS UNDERGOES CATARACT OPERATION Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Poet Tulsi Divas underwent an eye operation Friday at Tilganga Eye Hospital. He had a cataract in one eye. The poet returned home after the operation. Nnnn 12 NEPALIS KILLED IN IRAQ EIGHT YEARS AGO Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Twelve Nepali workers were killed by terrorists in Iraq eight years go even as it was out of bounds for workers. The day is rememberd in Nepal as a black day. nnnn

MALAYSIA AIRLINES BEGINS THRICE WEEKLY FLIGHTS BETWEEn KATHMANDU, KUALA LUMPUR r Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Malaysia Airlines Saturday began thrice weekly flights between Kathmandu and Kuala Lumpur Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) also flies between the capitals of Nepal and Malaysia which is a popular destination of Nepali workers. nnnn UPDATE NEXT NAM SUMMIT IN VENEZUELA Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The 16th summit conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) concluded here Friday with a decision to hold the 17th summit conference in Venezuela, RSS reports from Tehran. The responsibility was given to Venezuela, a South American country on the basis of suggestions received and conclusion drawn from the discussions from various levels of the conference. Likewise, the conference adopted a more than 600-page Tehran Declaration on the basis of the views expressed by leaders of various countries in meetings of the minister level, foreign secretary level and the main session. The declaration mentions that the movement was effective for raising the common issues of poor and least developed countries not aligned to any powers for world peace and brotherhood. Likewise, the declaration also mentions that it is the inseparable right of a nation to produce nuclear weapons for peaceful purposes. Similarly, it also specially focused that there should be efforts of all for freeing the least developed countries from poverty, disease and fear. Addressing the concluding function, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also laid stress on world peace and brotherhood. Nnnn NRB RELAXES MONEY EXCHANGE RULES Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The central bank has continued to give further relaxation on foreign exchange management in line with this year’s monetary policy, The Kathmandu Post writes. The Foreign Exchange Management Department of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on Friday issued a circular, allowing money exchangers (licensed by the NRB) to provide exchange facility worth US $500 to Nepali citizens even if they do not have the source of the dollar (or other convertible currency). “Money changers licensed by the NRB can provide domestic currency in exchange for US Dollar or other convertible currency if demanded by Nepali citizens,” the circular says. “The maximum limit for such an exchange is $500 per transaction and money exchangers should collect the record of the beneficiaries.” “Even ordinary Nepali citizens like those who work in the hospitality and tourism industry as well as friends and relatives of migrant workers possess foreign currency in the form of tips or gift,” said Lila Prakash Sitaula, the executive director of the NRB. “We have to bring such currencies into the formal financial sector.” NRB awarded this facility to banks and financial institutions (BFIs) last year with a maximum limit of $1,000, but was reluctant to give the facility to money exchangers although they were pressing for it. “We did not allow money changers then because we wanted to test its effect first through formal financial channels,” said Sitaula. “Finally we have allowed them the facility. But we will be vigilant to check possible misappropriation.” He added that if the money exchangers comply with the documentation properly “we will increase their exchange limit to $1,000 like in the case of other BFIs.” The NRB directive comes at a time when there is a shortage of dollar in the market. Bankers said the move will further fuel the shortage. “There is no guarantee that money collected by the money exchanger will get back into the formal channel,” said a banker. “Since there is an acute shortage of US Dollar in the market, money exchangers will sell it in the informal market which offers a higher rate.” Some other bankers said there is a high chance that collection will be used to finance illegal import from China. “NRB should rethink this decision,” said a banker. “This is not the right time to relax the foreign exchange facility.” Nnnn NEPALI AGRICULTURAL SCIENTISTS AWRDED FOR THEIR WORK Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI), a US-based organisation, has decided to confer BGRI Gene Stewardship Award 2012 on a group of agriculture scientists of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Maina Dhitalwrites in The Kathmandu Post from New York.. Sarala Sharma, Deepak Bhandari, Dhruba B Thapa, Madan Bhatta and Nutan Gautam are the recipients of this award, which will be given away amid a ceremony in Beijing on September 2. Established in memory of Noble Laureate Norman Borlaug, who fought against world hunger, the award recognises a researcher or a team of researchers serving a national breedingprogramme or other nationally based institutions. Nepali research team was awarded for developing a variety of Ug99, which is resistant to rusts and yields better than existing varieties. The project is being conducted by Cornell University with the financial support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It takes much longer for breeders to develop and test new varieties than it does for Ug99 to mutate, so breeders are encouraged to release new varieties that do not rely on single major genes for resistance. Combinations of major and minor resistance genes can slow down Ug99’s predations. “Thanks to the Nepali team’s work, Nepal is fully prepared to face the possible arrival of stem rust IJg99 because the resistant varieties are already in farmers’ fields,” said Niranjan Prasad Adhikari, director at the Nepal Agricultural Research Institute. By releasing varieties that minimize losses caused by major wheat diseases, the NARC wheat team has significantly increased Nepal’s wheat yields. In the past five years, overall wheat yield has increased from 1.442 metric tons to 1.745 metric tons, and productivity has risen from 2.07 tons per hectare to 2.27. BGRI officials say that the NARC wheat research team works to release Ug99 resistant varieties of wheat and disseminate thenew varieties to resource poor farmers. By the end of the FY 2011-12, Ug99 resistant seed they have released is expected to cover approximately 5.4 percent of the wheat cultivation area in Nepal. “The team has also increased awareness for resistant varieties and pre-release seed multiplication among farmers, seed industry, planners and national agriculture system”, said Dr Sarah Evanega, associate director of the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat project, and adjunct professor of plant breeding at Cornell University. nnnn

DISSIDENTS IN UML AGREE TO HOLD TALKS WITH PARTY Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Dissidents in opposition UML, including Vice-chairman Ashok Rai, have agreed to hold discussions on their written nine demands submitted with the party Party’s chief of the disciplinary committee Amrit Bohara said the party has prepared a written reply to the nine-point demand amid assurances differing views wont be suppressed. Dissidents earlier has rejected invitation to talk with secretariat members. Rai has even threatened to launch a new party amid threat of a split in whatwas then the hird largest party before a split in UCPN Maoist and formation of a front of Madesshbadi parties. Rai and supporters oppose party policy of multi-ethnic federal units in and are emanding single ethnic units with identity in a new federal structure. Nnnn PM MEETS, CONGRATULATES IRANIAN PRESIDENT ON CONCLUSION OF NAM SUMMIT Kathmandu, 1 Sept. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai met and congratulated Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Friday on the successful conclusion of the two-day 16th on-aligned summit in Tehran. The summit began Thursday Nepal-Iran bilateral discussions have been strengthened with the summit , Bhattarai told the president. Western countries , including USA and Israel, pressurized Bhattarai not to personally attend the summit and send a lower level delegation instead. nnnn

BIG THREE RESUME DISCUSSIONS Kathmandu, ! Sept.: The Big Three Saturday resumed Friday’s discussions to end a prolonged political deadlock and constitutional crisis. Drect dialogue between Maoists and opposition NC and UML resumed after nearly three months after Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and called constituent assembly (CA) elections 22 November without consulting parties or the election commission. Election commission asked government to amend election-related clauses in the constitution and laws to hold the vote. Government didnlt accede to the request and fresh election date hasn’t The Big Three Friday discussed contentious issues in a constitution, including a federal structure. The top leaders of the parties have been asked to resolve differences by mid-September. Nnnn CPN MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET CONTINUES Kathmandu, 1 Sept. A central committee meet of CPN Maoist continued Saturday after 20 members expressed their views Friday.. The members are discussing a political report presented by Chairman Mohan Baidhaya of the new party formed after a split with ruling UCPN Maoist. The party is discussing preparations for a general convention in early February 2013. CPN Moist Friday discussed a 16-pount member code of conduct for party workers, including a ban on party workers to conduct business A code of conduct for the new party is being enforced following expensive lifestyles of UCPN Maoist leaders after they came out of the jungle to join the political mainstream. Leaders of the party of Chairman Prachanda and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai came under heavy fire for abandoning revolutionary ideals and two commissions were forme to probe assets of toppartyleaders. The body headed by Amik Serchan has submitted a report bt its contents haven’t; been made public. Chairman Prachanda himself is yet to move out of his palatial house in Lazimpat to a humbler house following criticism fir adopting a luxurious lifestyle. Nnnn ,

UML CHAIRMAN KHANAL HOSPITALIZED Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal has been admitted to Alka Hospital Khanal is being treated by Indian doctors Saturday for a stone in the urinary tract. He just returned from New Delhi where he underwent prostrate surgery Nnnn

GERMAN DRONIER JOINS TARA AIR FLEET Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: A German-19-seater turboprop Dronier 228-212 Friday joined a fleet of Tara Air. A fleet of one Dronier and five Twin ,Otters services 20 internal destinations. nnnn CIAA DEVELOPS WATCHLIST OF 20 FORMER MINISTERS, POLICE OFFICERS Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has launched an investigation into the asset details of high-ranking police officials and kept around 20 former ministers on its watch list, Ananta Raj Luitel writes in The Himalayan Times. The move follows complaints against the police officials and former ministers that they have amassed and hidden wealth disproportionate to their legitimate income sources. The two top police officials who are under the CIAA scanner are Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajendra Singh Bhandari and Senior Superintendent of Police Rana Bahadur Chand. “In the complaints filed against them, DIG Singh and SSP Chand have allegedly accumulated assets disproportionate to their legitimate incomes sources,” sources at the CIAA told THT, adding that about two dozen low-ranking police officials too are under scanner. DIG Bhandari and SSP Chand have allegedly collected money from the racketeers of Voice Over Internet Protocol, an illegal business in Nepal. DIG Bhandari, who is chief of Western Regional Police Office in Pokhara, was director of the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police when a massive crackdown was launched against illegal call centres in Kathmandu and major cities in the country. SSP Chand was in-charge of the Metropolitan Police Crime Division, which first swung into action to unearth the underground call centres in Kathmandu. SSP Chand is currently posted at the Department of Operation, Nepal Police Headquarters. The complainants have argued that DIG Singh and SSP Chand own big houses and expensive vehicles — assets impossible to acquire through their income from their police service and allowances they received while serving in peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping missions are said to be one legitimate major source of income for police officials. CIB then had busted as many as 49 VoIP call centres, leading to the arrest of 79 racketeers across the country. The racketeers were pressed with charges under Telecommunications Act-1997 and were asked to pay Rs 9.88 billion for the loss they had caused to telecommunication structure. 18 ex-ministers on watch list As many as 18 former ministers are said to be under the scanner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority for accumulating wealth and property through ‘illegal means’. A source at the anti-graft body The Himalayan Times that most of them are second-rung leaders but refused to give details. Spokesperson for the CIAA, Ishwori Prasad Paudel, though confirmed that some former ministers were being investigated for corruption, he declined to give names of the politicians and the parties they belong to. “I cannot tell the names,” said Paudel. “As many as 500 complaints have been filed against these former ministers, and some of them are senior leaders in their parties.” The source at CIAA said the investigation into the assets of politicians has reached a decisive stage. “Since there was enough room to doubt about their wealth and property, we have directed them to fill a 13-page form detailing their assets and income sources through which they acquired them,” added the source. nnnn TEAM TO EVALUATE SOCIAL SECURITY DESIGNS Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The Social Security Fund is forming a three-member team to evaluate proposed designs of social security schemes submitted by various firms, as a measure to expedite the process of rolling out schemes that ensures unemployment and maternity benefits, among others, Republica reports.. Till the deadline set by the Fund, three domestic firms have submitted proposals, Kebal Prasad Bhandari, executive director of the Fund told Republica. “These proposals will be evaluated by a team comprising an official of the Insurance Board and one representative each from a trade union and employers´ organization,” Bhandari said, informing, “We have already asked different trade unions and employers´ organizations to reach a consensus on sending one representative each.” The government had first issued a public notice on June 26, requesting interested firms and consultants to submit bids on developing social security scheme from scratch. After no one responded to the first call, the government issued another public notice requesting the same on August 1 based on which three proposals were received. The three-member team formed under the Fund will now select a preferred bidder that will be responsible for developing the concept on formation of the social security system, suggesting how one-percent tax to be collected for the scheme would be utilized, deriving formulas to compute premium rates for different schemes and coming up with implementation plans. “However, we have not given any deadline to the team to select the preferred bidder. But we will conclude the screening process at the earliest,” Bhandari said. The Social Security Bill, which has been approved by Ministry of Labor and Employment, has identified nine core social security schemes to be rolled out over the years, which includes, unemployment, workplace accident, health, disability, maternity, family insurance, medical, dependent and old-age benefits. Currently, the fund has been collecting one percent tax from basic salaries of workers of the formal sector to launch the schemes. From this, the government has collected an estimated 2.53 billion so far. In future, it is planning to channel 10 percent of workers´ basic salary, which is currently being deducted to contribute to the provident fund, into the fund. Likewise, employers have also pledged to contribute 20 percent of employees" basic salary to the fund, which includes money contributed to provident fund and extended as benefits. In this manner, the fund is planning to collect 31 percent of salary of every employee to roll out social security schemes. Nnnn ________________________________________ 16-POINT CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CPN-MAOIST LEADERS Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) has started discussions on a new code of conduct that, among other things, bars its Central Committee (CC) members from involvement in independent business activities and requires them to maintain transparency over their private Property, Republica reports.. Leaders of the CPN-M said they expect that the proposed 16-point code of conduct will make the party leaders proletarian in political, cultural and economic respects. The new Maoist party has begun discussions on the code of conduct for its leaders at a time when the UCPN(Maoist) is investigating the properties of its own leaders, according to Maoist leaders. If the proposed code of conduct is passed, CC members of the CPN-M will be required to submit details of their family property to the party every year and the party will make such details public. In addition, the code proposes to bar the CC members from involvement in national and international non-governmental organizations. Their argument is that such organizations are run by "imperialists" to paralyze the communist movement. "The Central Committee has started discussions on the code of conduct and other agenda," said Purna Gharti Magar, a CC member. According to him, the code of conduct aims at promoting a proletarian lifestyle for party leaders. The code further says that all the vehicles of the party will be kept at party headquarters and leaders can use such vehicles only if the party permits. "Almost all leaders say that they should be transformed not only politically and economically but also culturally and should shun the lifestyle of Pushpa Kamal Dahal," said CC member Santosh Budha Magar, adding that if they cannot correct themselves, they will become the next edition of Dahal. Another point is that all the leaders should be ´whole timers´ and they should not run any independent economic activity, as all things will be managed by the party. "The leaders should not keep personal property and all property will be institutionalized," said Bharat Bam, a CC member. Nnnn : NO REPORT ON FUTURE OF RESORT, HOTELS IN CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK EVEN AS AUTUMN TOURIST SEASON APPROACHES Kathmandu, 1 Sept.: Though the cabinet has given a decision to form a committee and prepare a factual report based on the study of the Chitwan National Park (CNP), hoteliers are still worried about the image of the national park that is being tarnished in the international market, The Himalayan Times reports. The Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, under its coordination, has formed a committee along with representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Ministry of Finance, which will study about the impact that the hotels and resorts at CNP have had on the environment and wildlife. “The committee was supposed to submit its report within 15 days and there is only a week remaining now,” said vice president of Hotel Association Nepal Amar Man Shrestha. He also expressed concern about the lack of sufficient time for the hotels and resorts to take new bookings and reservations for the coming season this year. It has been a month since the hotels and resorts within CNP have been closed. “Hotels inside CNP have already stopped taking any bookings, and are in a dilemma as to whether it can take bookings or wait till the committee submits its report,” said Shrestha. The cabinet had formed a committee on August 23 to study the condition of the environment and wildlife in CNP. However, officials at the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation have said that it has not received any kind of written document regarding the formation of a committee and the tasks that it has to carry out. “We have no idea about the committee,” said an official at the ministry. Meanwhile, hotel entrepreneurs are confused on whether they should prepare for bookings or wait for a further decision. “It will be too late for the hoteliers if the government gives a decision after a month. We are hopeful that the committee will submit its report within a week,” said Shrestha. Hotel entrepreneurs also expressed their pleasure about the cabinet decision to review the issue of CNP. Though the government had directed the hotels and resorts inside the national park to vacate the space, they are still hopeful of getting their licences renewed. Entrepreneurs are still lobbying for a minimum five-year agreement. Despite the continuous lobbying by hotel entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation about a month back had decided that no more tourists would be allowed to stay at Chitwan National Park. It had also given an exit plan to the hotels and resorts. The lease agreement of the hotels expired in mid-July and the area should be vacated by mid-October. CNP alone attracts 30 per cent of the total tourist arrivals in the country. Hotels and resorts within the national park pay an annual revenue of around Rs 200 million. They have directly created employment for around 3,000 people and indirectly for more than 100,000 people. nnnn "MEDIA GOOGLE “Bista [Keshar Bahadur] had been boycotting the party meeting for the past six months. “He did not turn up for any of the district conventions.Rather we have been informed that he is engaged in provoking the cadres against the party.” According to sources, Bista was accused of having links with former King Gyanendra Shah. “Bista was active in taking the party towards regression which is not the demand of the time.” said an officer bearer of the RJP. (The Kathmandu Post, 1 Sept.) nnnn ‘I wish could be a prisoner like Khadka [Khum Bahadur].but…. Prison is in fact, a fight or survival but this is not the case with high-profile prisoners,.” (Anonymous prisonerin Dillibazzar Khor, Republica, 1Sept.) nnnn

PRICE LIST WILL BE MANDATORY SAYS CDO Kathmandu 31:Aug.: Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Chudamani Sharma has said that the administration would make it mandatory for all shops in the city to install pricelist of daily commodities within a week, RSS reports. Speaking at an interaction organized by Reporters´ Club here on Friday, he said the administration has been holding talks with the business entrepreneurs, consumers and experts among others to paste the pricelist of pulses, rice, sugar, oil, meat and other daily commodities. CDO Sharma stressed the need of preparing pricelist to take action against those who promote black marketing, adding the business entrepreneurs, who avoid putting up pricelist in their shops, would be face action as per Black Marketing Act-1975 on the basis of the nature and offence of the crime. The market monitoring mechanism would be made active to prevent shortage of daily commodities in the market during the festivals nnnn NC CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE ADJOURNED UNTIL SUNDAY Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: NC central working committee will meet again Sunday. Members are discussing a political report presented by General Secretary Krishna Prasad Shitaula. Some members are yet topresent their views on the report. nnnn ________________________________________

FURTHER DETAILS OF PM ADDRESS TO NAM SUMMITt Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has said Non-aligned Movement (NAM) principles are beacons of hope, progress and prosperity for all human being, RSS reports. Addressing the 16th NAM Summit held at Iran's Capital Tehran on Friday, Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai said Nepal, as a founding member of the Movement and a faithful follower of its ideals, has given a place to the guiding principles of the NAM in the Constitution of Nepal deeming them of timeless values and relevance. 'We must understand the importance of combined strength and cohesion, which in the past was utilized to break the edifices of colonialism, imperialism, racism, apartheid and many other ill practices in the pursuit of independent international relations based on merit, values and principles', the Prime Minister said. The today's world is characterized by systemic inequality, unilateral tendencies, conflicts of various intensities and an abysmal division between the haves and haves not and the oppressors and oppressed, he said, stressing the need of a global approach to find sustainable solution to the existing and emerging challenges like financial and economic crises, food and energy crises and climate change. 'The Non-aligned Movement has been a hope for the oppressed, exploited, colonized countries , and is still the hope of billions of disadvantaged and downtrodden people in the world', Dr Bhattarai further said, adding NAM was created to pursue the goals of peace, justice and equality and it should champion the cause with more vigor. 'The non-alignment should not always and necessarily mean neutrality when injustice is being meted out', he said arguing NAM should, therefore, come up vocally and take initiative against repression, invasion, intimidation and injustices. While addressing the Summit, Prime Minister Bhattarai expressed solidarity for the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people for an independent state. He also called for the end of violence and peaceful resolution of the current crises in Syria as determined by the Syrian people themselves. We stand today at the crossroads of history that has promised opportunities as well as new challenges especially for the developing countries, he noted, adding Nepal believes that an environment of lasting peace and security conducive to people-centric development can only be created under strengthened multilateralism. He said the world has undergone a sea change since the inception of NAM, adding that 'Nepal firmly stands with the NAM members for global economic justice and a shared prosperity for all'. 'The prospect of world trade for promoting development in the poorer economies of the NAM member countries has been constrained due to the stalled process of the Doha Development Agenda', the Prime Minister said, adding Nepal is in favour of open, rule-based, equitable, predictable and non-discriminatory trading as well as financial and monetary systems. Nepal is in the process of resolving its political problems through the process of dialogue and consensus in order to promulgate a new federal democratic constitution through Constituent Assembly for empowerment of all the people, and then embark on the path of economic development that is inclusive, fair, equitable and just, he added. 'We have some of the wonderful features of the world including the highest Himalayan range, ancient heritage, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, rich culture and a diverse mosaic of hard working people', the PM said, adding that we welcome foreign investments to translate our vision into tangible development,. The Prime Minister also extended special thanks to the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for providing NAM the leadership and guidance over the last three years since the 15th NAM Summit. nnnn 89 FAKE PASSPORTS RECOVERED DURING RAID ON LALITPUR HOUSE Kathmandu, 31 Aug,: Eighty-nine fake passports with visa stamps for UK, Ausralia and Malaysia were found Friday during a police raid on the rented house of Manoj Bahadur Singh at Imadol, Lalitpur He was arrested on swindling charge, police said. Tiger and deer were recovered during the raid. Weapons and statues of ´archeological importance were also recovered. Sings was arrested after complaints. Nnnn ´.

ADITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EU REPRESENTATIVE IN NEPAL Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: ATHMANDU: The European External Action Service (EEAS), the foreign policy wing of the European Union, has officially assigned Ambassador Dr. Alexander Spachis, Head of Delegation of the European Union in Nepal, will represent the European External Action Service EEAS in SAARC> EEAS is the foreign policy wing of EU. Dr. Spachis presented a letter of appointment to Ahmed Saleem, SAARC Secretary General Friday in the Nepalese capital where SAARC is headquartered. Nnnn

DISCUSSIONS ON BAIDHAYA REPORT BEGIN IN CPM MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE UPDATE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Discussions started Friday in the CPN Maoist on a political report presented by Chairman Mohan Baidhaya for approval Thursday/ Twenty committee members commented on the report Friday. Baidhaya proposed a roundtable conference to find solution a deadlock and rebellion if an agreement was elusive at such a meet. VIRAL FEVER CLAIMS FIVE LIVES IN DAILEKH Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Five persons died Thursday and Friday because of viral fever at a remote village in Dailekh, according to police. A one-year-child was among the dead. A health team is being sent to the district. nnnn.

BIG THREE MEET AGAIN SATURDAY UPDATE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The top leaders of the Big Three will meet again Saturday morning to discuss contents of a constitution , including a federal structure. Agreement was elusive for four years. There was no agreement between Maoists, NC and UML leaders in Friday’s meeting amid optimism They have been empowered to find a resolution to a prolonged deadlock by mid-September. nnnnEDUCATION REQUIRED FOR INFASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: : President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has stressed the need of visionary plan for the development of physical infrastructure in the country and that education was the first and foremost means for this, RSS reports. Inaugurating the Academy Day-2012 organised by Siddhartha Banasthali Institute here on Friday, he said though country has achieved greater success in the education sector during the last six decades but it has witnessed setback in the last one-and-a-half decade. President Dr Yadav said there was no situation to claim confidently that all people have enjoyed right to education however it was the fundamental rights. The education that is suitable to the country could only contribute to protect national integrity and prosperity, he added. The President further said the state and public sector have invested a huge chunk of money in the education sector but the results were not as expected due to political instability and lack of political representation at local level. Founding Principal of the institute and educationist Laxman Rajbanshi said that the anticipated changes in the education and commoners' life have not seen substantial changes though the nation has ushered into republican setups. President Dr. Yadav honoured various personalities including senior neuro surgeon Dr. Sarbottam Shrestha, engineer Himshila Shrestha, Mr and Mrs Jeffrey and founding Principal of the Institute Laxman Rajbanshi on the occasion. During the programme, senior cultural expert, Satya Mohan Joshi, honored 36 teachers in recognition of their long-term service to the school and a student Aditi Sharma for securing highest marks in the SLC-2011 batch. nnnn PRESIDENT’S SON ON TREE PLANTING DRIVE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prof Dr Chandra Mohan Yadav has launched a tree transplantation campaign on a bicycle with a view to promoting the President Chure Conservation Programme, RSS reports. Prof Dr Yadav is the son of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. The campaign kicked off in 15 Village Development Committees (VDCs) under the Dhanusha constituency No.-5 is also aimed at reducing impact of climate change. "Trees our future", "let's plant trees, save the future" and "let's prevent the Madhesh and nation from turning into desert lands" are slogans of the campaign. At least two saplings will be planted in every ward of these VDCs during the campaign, it is learnt. Nnnn

PM DISCUSSES LAREST POLITICAL SITUATION IN NEPALWITH INDIAN COUNTERPART MANMOHAN SINGH IN TEHRAN Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) here late Thursday evening, Ramesh Lamsel writes for RSS from Tehran.. Matters of mutual interests were discussed during the meeting held at the summit's lobby. The meeting lasted for over an hour. The meeting also discussed about the issues relating to Nepal's latest political situation and efforts undertaken for forging political consensus, PM Dr. Bhattarai told RSS after the meeting. During the meeting, the Indian Prime Minister was requested to provide 200 megawatts of electricity to Nepal in line with the past agreement and manage transmission lines in those areas lacking the lines. In response, the Indian PM pledged to supply power to Nepal as per the past agreement. PM Bhattarai urged his Indian counterpart to support Nepal's economic development endeavors and increase investment in Nepal as well. Stating that people's living standard would not go up until and unless the nation witnesses double digit economic growth, PM Bhattarai said that the Government of Nepal was committed to achieving double digit growth and urged the Indian Government to help to that end. Similarly, the Indian PM was requested to extend cooperation for the development of hydro power sector as well. In reply, Indian PM Dr. Singh said that his government was ready to extend help to Nepal as per its wishes and vowed special support in the days ahead. Nepal is in the forefront of Indian Government's foreign support list, he said. Enquiring about the latest political developments in Nepal, Indian PM Singh expressed hope that a way out to the present political crisis in Nepal would be found on the basis of political consensus. Political parties in Nepal are themselves capable to give a way out to the nation, he said. In response, PM Bhattarai said all the political parties of Nepal are making efforts for forging consensus and are univocal to move ahead together. The meeting was highly significant and the Indian PM praised the incumbent government for the measures it has taken, said Dr Bhattarai. nnnn PM URGES WORLD PEACE, FRATERNITY IN TEHRAN UPDATE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai addressed the 16th Summit of Non Aligned Movement (NAM) today pFridy]. PM Dr Bhattarai addressed the summit conference at 11:00 am as per local time on his capacity as the founding member of the Non Aligned Movement. In his address, the PM emphasized the need of promoting world peace and fraternity. Nepal's ongoing peace and constitution drafting processes were also the agendas of the PM's speech, RSS reports from Tehran. Meanwhile, the second day of NAM Summit kicked off in Tehran on Friday morning under the leadership of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The second day session of the summit began at the International Convention Center here at 10:00 am local time. Various leaders and presidents of the NAM member countries are due to address on the second day of the summit, said the NAM Secretariat. The United States and Israel are among the nations fearful that the
summit drawing a reported 50 or more heads of state and government
will give Tehran a boost in legitimacy and rally disgruntled states to
its defense of its nuclear programs. The Islamic Republic's three-year tenure as head of the NAM is a
chance for Tehran to elevate its international standing as the United
States seeks to cripple its economy and isolate it diplomatically over
its disputed nuclear program. nnnn

KESHAR BAHADUR BISTA EXPELLED FROM RJP Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Keshar Bahadur Bista,a former minister, was expelled from Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) for anti-party activities by Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa Friday. Bista was party general secretary. He joined RJP after Thapa split with RPP. nnnn OPINION IN THAT VERY SPECIAL PLACE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: With a major section of the Nepali Congress in a tizzy over how leading party luminaries are being singled out for corruption conviction and sent to prison, Maila Baje recalls a remark Shailaja Acharya used to make, Maila Baje writes in NepaliNetbook. As Nepal’s last real brush with democratic politics degenerated into a macabre street show, the Nepali Congress was singled out for wrecking an enterprise that had begun with such hope in early 1990. While most of the other Nepali Congress stalwarts were busy blaming the palace, the CPN-UML and the Maoists for subverting democracy, Shailaja had a different take. The Nepali people had a right to be angry with the Nepali Congress, she said. And no, it was not just because the party had been in power for most of the 1990-2002 period. The public outcry was rooted in the great expectations the people had from the party. Now, Shailaja’s words had an unnerving self-righteous tinge, quite imaginably even to some within her party. But consider the context. The panchas had squandered thirty years trying to prove their democratic credentials, when they could focused more on infrastructure building and promoting Nepal’s international persona. The communists, who boldly called their system a dictatorship of the proletariat, were congenitally brutal. The head-hunters in Jhapa were merely forerunners of the mass murderers unleashing a ‘People’s War’. Sure, the Nepali Congress, too, bombed bridges and tried to kill kings. But when the party claimed it did so in the name of democracy, that sort of ended the story. Countless leaders and supporters had braved incarceration and exile, while many made the ultimate sacrifice for the people. Lack of inner-party democracy did little to obscure the halo of democracy from the party. So when the Nepali Congress in 1990 promised to turn Nepal into another Singapore and Switzerland, the people could do little but take them seriously. No such feeling exists for the party today. Few Nepalis see the Nepali Congress as any different from the bumbling tribe that comprises the political class. Time has been a great equalizer since April 2006, where the Maoists, mainstream parties and the monarchists are on the same plane. If anything, in today’s sovereignty-is-under-siege ambience, Jang Bahadur Rana is remembered for having regained some of the territory Nepal had lost in the Sugauli Treaty. Chandra Shamsher is lauded for his role in securing the British Empire’s unequivocal recognition as a free and independent state as the Great Game waned. Still, Shailaja’s remark carries relevance to our context if you are willing to listen a bit differently. The Nepali Congress, despite its tawdry record in office, continues to assert its specialness. (“We led three democratic revolutions… blah, blah, blah.”) And that puts off a lot of people. So when Chirajibi Wagle, Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Govind Raj Joshi and Khum Bahadur Khadka are packed into prison for old cases of corruption, the people barely yawn. What they stole may seem chump change compared to the scale of the loot people of other parties (and, yes, the Nepali Congress) are perpetrating today. But your average person has no time for that. The moral of the story: If the Nepali Congress wants to be treated like the other parties on matters of vice – or for that matter, virtue -- then maybe it should quit claiming to be so special. nnnn NEW POLARIZATION BUILDING WHIRLPOOL Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: History repeats itself in full circle. The last eight years in the Nepali political landscape have underscored this once more, with some variations here and there for the worse. The major political parties never had the people in general as their primary target for serving. Power and other profits were the sole motives, and they led the country to the sorry state that it is in today so horrendously, Trikal Vastavik writes in People’s Review.. Prompted by his advisers and well-wishers, some of whom make a beeline at the Shital Niwas residence through the normal gate or a wee bit circuitous route to shake off the prying eyes of regular officials and paid advisers, President Ram Baran begins to bare his teeth. The hectic shuttles by opposition activists to Shital Niwas have unsettled Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his party deputy Baburam Bhattarai, limping ignobly as an interim prime minister that nobody but his party boss Pushpa Kamal Dahal wants. Presently three political blocks are operating, heading as they are toward a collision course unless intervened by external forces, namely New Delhi, Beijing and Washington and in that order. A third block is also clearly emerging. Ram Baran Yadav heads the first force consisting of the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) while the Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Maoists steer the second block which includes most Madhesi parties and ethnicity-based groups. The third force on the horizon is that of the breakaway group of the Maoists, headed by Mohan Baidya. Pro-constitutional monarchist Kamal Thapa’s RPP-Nepal and other “nationalist and patriotic forces” are emerging as the third force. In the first block, Dahal and Prime Minister Bhattarai, who presents a pathetic sight defending his failures by trying to pass the buck on others and resorting to antics that unmasked his pretensions as a great intellectual, are worried that the next elections could see their party would get a crushing drubbing in the next elections. Their ex-combatants who were promised integration into the Nepal Army and with it regular service, regular pay and pensions without having to undergo any probing procedures and fitness tests have sent a massively disenchanting message to their erstwhile supporters. The daily public tirade, directed at Dahal and Co., by Baidya’s team and virtually all other political forces across the board outside the unpopular ruling alliance, has been debilitating to the ruling side. Dahal to his supporters is no longer venerable but most vulnerable in the face of Baidya, Ram Bahadur Badal and C.P.Gajurel. The huge deficit in Bhattarai’s public credibility has also engulfed Dahal, while their other comrades still clinging to the “mother party” are hardly visible or voluble. Stung by Dahal having waylaid them so often and so successfully, the Nepali Congress and the UML rank and file are passionate about the “trickery and undemocratic” practices Dahal resorts. Their wrath against Dahal emanates from frustrations fuelled by their outright failure to sideline the man whose political agenda they so impotently agreed to: federalism, secularism and removal of monarchy. As a party that boasts of having led all the successful major political revolutions in the country, Nepali Congress is completely at a loss as to how to stop Dahal from setting the key national agendas. In sheer desperation, it is tottering without direction, with its drab and lackluster president Sushil Koirala issuing warnings to Dahal’s Party day in and day out that “Anyone who thinks of sideling Nepali Congress will itself be finished off.” No one is inspired or shaken by the dull rhetoric. The late Girija Prasad Koirala had ruled NC with an iron fist, leaving no stone unturned to sideline those who disagreed with him or posed a threat to the leadership, and turned blind eyes on those who expressed servitude in words and action apart from being on the alert against anyone or group that did not brook Koirala’s act and action within and outside the party. They were known as “Kalo Congressi.” UML, banking on Sushil Koirala’s coattails after his octogenarian boss died, is neither here nor there. Like the NC, it rues that its heydays in power-sharing are over with the introduction of proportionate system of elections in the mix of the first-past-the-post. Two of its leaders, Madhav Kumar Nepal and party president Khala Nath Khanal, became prime ministers but leaving behind nothing of substance to their credit. Maoists’ gains have been UML’s losses. UML’s struggle is one of not being spaced out. As an emerging third force in the Nepali political firmament, the Baidya group has attracted the cadres frustrated by the Dahal-Bhattarai-Hisila Yami style of functioning and deviating from the thoughts and principles they were indoctrinated with during the decade-long war that the trio directed from Delhi for the latter eight and a half years of the war. Baidya’s group is widely perceived as being led by comrades far cleaner images in contrast those of the leaders in the Dahal camp. Its move to join hands on the basis of the common grounds of agreement shared with “nationalist and patriotic forces” is beginning to make a stir, sending shivers in their former colleagues led by Dahal. The emerging “nationalist and patriotic force” might draw Kamal Thapa’s RPP-N most of whose agendas are in agreement with those of other smaller parties like that of Chitra Bahadur’s Narayan Man Bijukchhe’s communist groups. In fact, the general consensus is that the issues brought forth by Thapa, particularly the call for a national referendum on federalism and secularism, has drawn considerably serious public attention. Monarchy is the issue that Thapa and others are yet to reach an agreement on. But they all in accord that the Dahal-Bhattarai charade should be exposed to the hilt. Dahal and Bhattarai have gone for free for all public tussles, declaring unconstitutional the manner in which the president dismissed the ordinances submitted by the interim cabinet for approval in connection with the elections and other purposes. If private comments by Yadav’s staffs and advisers are any indication, the president is hopping mad against Dahal and Bhattarai. Baidya is encouraged by the responses he is getting from different quarters. Defense analysts of high order term the Maoist-led block “dangerous to the vitality of the nation”. Desperate that the “gains” made in the aftermath of the 2005-6 movement planned in and directed from Delhi. Vertical and horizontal polarization among the individual parties has thrown up new conditions of distrust and uncertainty. The whirlpool of political crisis roars clearly, loudly and dangerously. nnnn

UNIQUE FAST FOOD SEALED Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Unique Fast-Food,in Anamnagar-was sealed Friday based by Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. Authorities said the restaurant was selling outdated food items and rotten meat/ Authorities have become active with the approaching festive season. Nnnn

TWO CHESTS WITH MALLA-ERA PRICELESS OBJECTS BEING OPENED Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Two chests with priceless objects of the Malla era is being opened, Ishwor Raj Dhakal writes in Nepal Samacharpatra. With age, the place where they are kept is likely to collapse. nnnn

GROUP ON LOOT IN BHAKTAPUR Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: An unidentified gang looted cash and property worth approximately Rs. 1.2 million from a house at Dadhikot VDC- 9 in Bhaktapur district Thursday night, RSS reports from Bhaktapur.. A group of five masked men that barged into Gopal Prasad Pathak´s house at 1 am in the night plundered valuables and cash at the house, brandishing rods and khukuris and taking the family members under control, sources confirmed. The robbers looted 10 tolas of gold, seven kilogram’s of silver, five mobile phone sets and Rs. 80,000 from the house, according to Pathak. The Metropolitan Police Circle, Thimi said a search is on for nabbing the looters. nnnn PENTAGON THREATENS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST OVER OSAMA bin LADEN BOOK Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The Pentagon on Thursday threatened legal action against the former Navy SEAL who has written a book recounting his role in the May 2011 raid that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, AFP reports from Washington. Just days before the release of the first-hand account of the operation on Pakistani soil, the Pentagon´s top lawyer, Jeh Johnson, told the author he had broken his promise to abide by a strict non-disclosure agreement signed before he retired from the military this year. "In the judgment of the Department of Defense, you are in material breach and violation of the non-disclosure agreements you signed" and the Pentagon is considering "all remedies legally available," Johnson said in a letter to the author, who writes under the pseudonym Mark Owen. The former Navy commando´s book "No Easy Day" is due to be released next week but has already sparked a wave of publicity and controversy. He signed documents during his service and before he retired promising "never to divulge" classified information and to submit any manuscript to the Pentagon before publishing, Johnson said. The Pentagon´s general counsel noted that some copies of the book had appeared on Wednesday -- before next week´s scheduled release -- and warned: "Further dissemination of your book will aggravate your breach and violation of your agreements," it said. The letter did not indicate whether the book had revealed secrets that could endanger US forces but made clear that simply by failing to clear the manuscript with the military, the Navy SEAL had broken faith with his obligations. Top military and intelligence officials, who met to discuss the book on Wednesday, have combed through the text in recent days looking for any disclosure of sensitive tactics or techniques but so far have not pointed to any worrisome revelations. The Navy SEAL team member´s version of bin Laden´s death at his Abbottabad compound differs from previous accounts offered by President Barack Obama´s administration and comes amid a politically-charged debate about the handling of state secrets in the wake of the raid. The Pentagon made clear that the publisher, Penguin´s Dutton, also faced potential legal jeopardy over the book. "I write to you to formally advise you of your material breach and violation of your agreements, and to inform you that the Department is considering pursuing against you, and all those acting in concert with you, all remedies legally available to us in light of this situation," it said. The publisher has moved up the scheduled release date from September 11 to September 4, as media coverage has fueled a flood of orders for the book. The book provides fresh details about the May 2011 raid, describing how bin Laden was first shot in the head as he peered out of a door and then pumped with bullets as he convulsed on the floor. Previous official accounts said bin Laden had appeared in a doorway and ducked back into his bedroom, leading the US commandos to suspect he might be retrieving a weapon. But the author said bin Laden was shot in the head by the SEAL team when he leaned out of the doorway and was found bleeding from his wound when commandos made their way to his room, according to excerpts cited in media reports and confirmed to AFP by defense officials. The Al-Qaeda leader was mortally wounded and twitching on the floor as two women cried over his body. The team pushed aside the women and then fired more shots at him, according to the book. We "fired several rounds," the author wrote in the book. "The bullets tore into him, slamming his body into the floor until he was motionless." Fox News has revealed what it says is the identity of the author, a former Navy SEAL who also took part in the 2009 operation that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates. Obama administration officials have appeared anxious to avoid having to discuss or defend in detail an operation they deem a major triumph, while suggesting the book did not shed any new light on the raid. nnnn ________________________________________

UPDATE BIG THREE MEET INCONCLUSIVE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A summit of the Big Three was inconclusive Friday. The leaders of Maoists, NC and UML have been empowered to find a resolution to a prolonged deadlock by mid-September. Nnnn TWO BANGLADESHIS AGAIN ARRESTED FOR ILLEGALLY OPERATING VoIP SERVICE ILLEGALLY Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Two more Bangladeshis have been arrested for illegally operating voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service. A Nepali who assisted them has been arrested. nnnn

19 STUDENTS PEDALLERS ARRESTED Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Two campus students were arrested by drugs enforcement agency Thursday for drugs pedaling using two private hostels as base of their operations. Nineteen students were arrested. Meanwhile,Kiran Acharya ,36, cargo shop owner was arrested Thursday for attempting to parcel two kg hash from General Post Office.to Russia. Nnnn HUMLA HIT HARD BY NATURAL DISASTER Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Natural disasters in Humla district this year caused loss of property worth Rs 40 million and infrastructures, the Humla District Natural Disaster Relief Committee stated, RSS reports from Jumla . A meeting of the District Natural Disaster Relief Committee held at Humla district headquarters, Simikot, heard that 61 households were affected, two persons killed, two were missing, scores of cattle perished and many houses and large swathes of land damaged by the natural disasters that hit the district this year. The committee assessed the damage caused by the natural disasters from the reports and data it received from the police stations at different places in the district, according to Assistant Chief District Officer, Narendra Pariyar who is also the coordinator of the District Natural Disaster Relief Committee. Meanwhile, nearly 70 patients suffering from diarrhoea and pneumonia have been hospitalised here at the Humla District Hospital. nnnn

PM, UN CHIEF MEET IN IRAN Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai held meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the NAM Summit on Thursday evening, RSS reports. During the meeting, views were exchanged in regard to the stalled Constitution making process and the resumption of the process from the point it was left out. It was conveyed that dialogue and consensus building which was going on among the political parties on a continued basis would help find the way forward to finish the remaining task. PM, UN CHIEF MEET IN IRAN Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The Prime Minister apprised the Secretary General of the recent development on the integration of the Maoist combatants into the national army. During the meeting, the UN Secretary General emphasized the need to establish transitional justice mechanism including disappearance commission as early as possible. He advised that a human rights team attached to the UN Country team could help Nepal in facilitating the protection and promotion of human rights in Nepal in cooperation with the National Human Rights Commission. The Secretary General thanked Nepal for its role and continued contribution in the peacekeeping operation of the United Nations. He took a keen interest in the Lumbini Development Project and asked the Nepalese side to take leadership and ownership of the project with full political commitment so that it could attract the support of the relevant international community. On the part of the UN, the Secretary General showed commitment to muster support for the project. The Prime Minister said that Nepal would be able to meet most of the MDG targets with enhanced support from the development partners and would like to pursue further development agenda through SDGs in the post-2015 development phase. He appreciated the SG for the important role played by the UN in moving the peace process forward. Also on Thursday evening, the Prime Minister had a sideline meeting with Dr. Jose R. Machado Ventura, Vice President of Cuba and leader of the delegation, and exchanged views on various aspects of experiences gained by the two countries. Both leaders felt the need to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in possible areas. Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Iran and Bolivia on the sidelines of the NAM Summit on Thursday. During the interaction with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, both leaders felt the need to strengthen relations between the two countries and to explore possible areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. The Iranian Foreign Minister suggested that Iran could be good tourist originating market for Nepal and it should be promoted to pave the way for cooperation in other areas. During the meeting with Bolivian Foreign Minister Mr. David Choquehuanes, both leaders shared mutual experiences in the political and socio-economic development process in their respective countries. nnnm

ONLY WOMAN SECRETARY FILES CONTEMPT OF COURT CHARGE AGAINST PM Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Secretary Brinda Hada Thursday filed a contempt of court charge against Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai charging the government je did not executed a court order. The apex court has issued an interim order not to transfer her from to the Office of the Prime Minister via the Office of the Auditor General . Hada said she was being disgracefully transferred before her retirement. A single bench of the supreme court issued an order to send her back to the energy ministry.untila finalverdict. She filed cases against the prime minister, chief secretary and irrigation minister. Nnnn MULTIPLE AGENCIES TO MONITOR COOPERATIVES Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The government has planned to involve multiple agencies in monitoring cooperatives as the Department of Cooperatives (DoC) has been having a hard time doing it alone, Rajesh Khanal writes in The Kathmandu Post.. A draft of the cooperatives regulation prepared by the Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (MoCPA) has envisioned that a number of agencies including Nepal Rastra Bank and the Central Cooperatives Association will join forces with the DoC. “The current mechanism has not been effective due to the rising number of cooperatives and the limited human resources at DoC,” said MoCPA spokesperson Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal. The draft of the regulation will be submitted to the Cabinet by mid-September, he added. As per the proposed regulation, the ministry will coordinate the monitoring. Similarly, the task will be divided among the agencies on the basis of the turnover of the cooperatives. There are more than 25,000 cooperatives in Nepal, out of which more than 11,000 are savings and credit cooperatives. They hold deposits valued at Rs 127 billion while their investments amount to Rs 136 billion. According to the DoC, around 700 savings and credit cooperatives have an annual transaction in excess of Rs 50 million. Following their explosive growth, the DoC has been struggling to monitor them effectively with its limited resources. Currently, the department has been conducting monitoring with the help of two officials from the central bank. However, it has been able to check only around 100 cooperatives in the last two years. In the absence of an all-powerful regulatory body like the central bank to monitor cooperatives, there are fears that public deposits might be at risk with most of the cooperatives not following prudential financial norms. The proposed regulation has envisioned categorising cooperatives into four segments depending on their annual transaction. According to Dhakal, cooperatives with a yearly transaction of over Rs 250 million will be put under A category, and those with transactions in the range of Rs 50 million-Rs 250 million will be put under B category. Similarly, the C category will consist of cooperatives with an annual transaction of between Rs 10 million-Rs 50 million while the rest will be lumped together in category D. nnnn INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE BEING SET UP Kathmandu, 3 Aug.: The Home Ministry has said that an organisational and management survey it is conducting to set up an Industrial Security Force is at the final Stages, The Kathmandu Post reports. A draft of the proposal regarding the Industrial Security Force has recommended that the Finance Ministry supervise the personnel for industrial security. “This will be a separate industrial security force,” said Home Ministry sources. As per the proposal, personnel from the Armed Police Force have been recommended for the force. “A total of 2,500 Armed Police Force personnel will be deployed for this force.” According to Home Secretary Navin Ghimire, the survey report will be sent to the Finance Ministry soon. The ministry had formed a committee comprising representatives from the Finance, Industry and Law ministries and other agencies to conduct the study. The security force, which was originally envisaged to be used at industrial zones, will now be deployed at customs offices too. “Due to weak security and inspection provision, there has been a huge loss in revenue collection,” said Lok Darshan Regmi, joint secretary at the Finance Ministry. In March 2010, the Cabinet decided to form an industrial security force to protect industrial units from local vandals and violent activities of trade unions and workers during strikes. The government moved to form the force after entrepreneurs asked for a separate security force for the industrial sector. Following the Cabinet’s decision, the budget announcement for the fiscal year 2010-11 mentioned that a security force would be set up for big factories. It had asked the Industry Ministry to establish police posts with five police personnel each at factories employing more than 500 workers. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai had also asked the concerned authorities to provide a security force in his Immediate Relief Measure Package last year. Subsequently, many factories have asked the Industry Ministry to provide them the promised force. Kiran Shoe Manufacturers, Triveni Spinning Mills, Reliance Spinning Mills and Jagdamba Steels are among the factories that have asked the government for a security force. The Patan, Balaju and Bhaktapur industrial estates have also made similar requests. Industry Ministry spokesperson Yam Kumari Khatiwada said that the ministry had asked the Home Ministry to coordinate deployment of the security personnel in response to an increasing number of requests from industrial units. “This time, the Home Ministry has begun preparations to implement the programme,” she said. “After the preparations are complete, we will send the names of the companies that have asked for security personnel to the Home Ministry and ask other interested companies to apply.” Industrialist Manish Agrawal said that the government should form the force as soon as possible as the country’s industrial sector is suffering from a number of threats. “Even if it takes time, the government should plan the programme in a more organised way,” he said, adding that industrialists were ready to cooperate with the government. nnnn

400 NEPALI STUDENTS AFFECTED BY BRITISH GOVT. DECISION Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Nearly 400 Nepali students have been affected by a British government decision following a British government to to withdraw a permission to London Metropolitan University to withdraw its teaching license,

________________________________________ POKHARA PROTESTS WITHDRAWN FRIDAY MORNING Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Pokhara residents Friday morning withdrew their week-long protest demanding construction of an international airport to service the resort town in the western region. Government sought15 days time consider the demand. Government is be negotiating with China to finance and design the project. But ruling Maoists have already taken a hefty commission from contactors for the airport’s constriction. nnnn SUPREME COURT REINSTATES SACKED JUDGE Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A full bench of the supreme court (SC) has reinstated Syangjha district court justice Chitra Dev Joshi after judicial council sacked him six years ago. Justice Joshi was sacked for his unflattering comments on Prithvi Jayanti and Nepal Army during royal rule. Niranjan Thapa was law minister then. The court ruled the dismissal was unlawful.’ Nnnn

UML AGAIN INVITES DISSIDENTS FOR TALKS SATURDAY Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A renewed invitation has been sent by UML secretariat to dissidnts to sit down for talks to consider their nine-point demands Saturday. The letters were sent by Bishnu Paudel. Discussions will be held in the presence of Chairman Jhalanath Khanal. Party critics had been demanding a meeting with standing committee leaders. Nnnn 1ST MEETING OF BIG THREE TO FIND OUTLET Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: The first round summit meeting of the Big Three will be held at the residence of UML: Chairman Jhalanath Khanal to break a prolonged Deadlock by mid-September. The leaders will be assisted by two aides each. Parties empowered leaders to find an outlet to the deadlock that has created constitutional and political crisis. Nnnn NT SEEKS STRATEGIC PARTNER Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: A committee that was formed to recommend the government about the process of bringing a strategic partner at Nepal Telecom (NT) has prepared the draft of its report, Shiromani Dhungana writes in The Himalayan Times.. It has concluded that it will take at least two years to complete the process of bringing in a strategic partner if the process starts soon, a member of the committee informed. The government should remove the hurdles in the Public Procurement Act before inviting a strategic partner for Nepal Telecom, he said, adding that NT cannot compete with other telecom service providers due to the existing legal barriers. The committee has envisaged three stages to introduce a strategic partner at NT, according to the member. Nepal Telecom will present its status in the first stage and take feedback from firms which show interest in the second stage, he said, adding that the third stage will be transition management. “Handling of administration and management of the company in the process of bringing in a new strategic partner should be the main concern in the third stage.” The report has also mentioned the basic requirement of firms which apply to be a partner. “The report will address details of technical, financial and administrative aspects of bringing in a new partner for the state-owned telecom service provider,” he added. However, the committee is still mulling on whether to provide all the decision making rights to the Ministry of Information and Communications, he informed. Some members of the committee have suggested that the Finance Ministry should lead the process in introducing a strategic partner at NT, he said. The government had decided to divest at least 26 percent of NT shares to a foreign partner about three years back. NT has been asking the government to facilitate the process of bringing in a strategic partner to fight the growing competition from private operators. Nnnn NEPAL TO SIGN DRY PORT AGREEMENT Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA) has welcomed the initiative taken by the government to become a signatory to the Inter-governmental Dry Port Agreement, The Himalayan Times reports. According to the association, once Nepal signs the Inter-governmental Dry Port Agreement it will receive international recognition with its registration in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP). “Along with the registration, Nepal will also be recognised in the Global Shipping Map,” said president of NEFFA Rajan Sharma. “As soon as Nepal gets the membership of the Inter-governmental Dry Port, it can directly receive its cargo through its inland container depot,” he said. On average, there is movement of around 15,000 containers in a month, but the number could vary, he said. “Once the cabinet approves the agreement, it will go for a ministerial level meeting with UNESCAP in February 2013,” he said. The Transshipment Agreement with India through this agreement will also help in direct export and import of goods through Nepali dry ports. “We are in the initial stages, but receiving such trade facilitation is a great achievement for our country,” said Sharma, adding that the association is looking forward to the government’s signature and discussion on the issue in October, which will finally forward it for the cabinet’s approval. According to the association, the Transshipment Agreement will also minimise transport and logistic costs. nnnn

PM ADDRESSES NAM SUMMIT FRIDAY Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai addresses the 16th summit of non-aligned nations summit Friday. The two-day summit began Thursday. nnnn 70 PERSONS WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING AMNESTIED Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: Acting on recommendations by different political parties, the government is working to withdraw some 70 criminal cases involving around 300 individuals, on the ground that these are "political" in nature, kiRAN Chapanain writes in Republica. Multiple knowledgeable sources told Republica that the Office of the Attorney General has already approved a decision by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar to withdraw the criminal cases. And the Ministry of Home Affairs is making internal preparations to forward the cases to the Ministry of Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs so that the later can register a proposal in the cabinet to withdraw them, the sources said. "Majority of the cases are political in nature and relate to the conflict era," said a government source privy to developments on condition of anonymity,"But the others are purely criminal." Republica´s efforts to check whether the cases are "political" or not have failed. This daily had filed an application early this week under the Right to Information Act, requesting details of the cases to be withdrawn, after it received tip-offs about the government´s preparations to drop the criminal cases. Though this daily sought information about cases approved by the Office of the Attorney General for withdrawal, the ministry replied otherwise. "This ministry has not recommended any case to the Ministry of Law, Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs for withdrawal this fiscal year," said the information officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs in a reply to this daily. However, a knowledgeable source said, "We cannot share information as per your request at present as the ministry is still working on recommending the cases to the law ministry for withdrawal." Another source also said that the majority of cases being considered for withdrawal are from the conflict era, but the remaining ones are criminal in nature. It may be recalled that the Baburam Bhattarai-led government had withdrawn criminal cases involving 349 individuals -- one of the largest case withdrawals -- back in March. Besides, the cabinet is also currently considering nearly a dozen cases for withdrawal. Meanwhile, sources said that the ministry is being flooded with recommendations from political parties for case withdrawals. "There are around 400 applications for case withdrawal," said another source at the ministry. "We are studying the applications seriously." The ministry does not entertain applications for case withdrawal if the cases relate to corruption, citizenship, black-marketing, stealing of natural heritage, smuggling, leakage of revenue, cheating in foreign employment, rape, illegal drugs, espionage, arson, confidentiality of documents and cases pending at appellate courts. nnnn ________________________________________ CHYANGRA PASHMINA TRADEMARK REGISTERED IN TAIWAN Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: In a latest bid to promote Nepali hand-knitted Chyangra Pashmina in the overseas market, Nepali Pashmina producers and exporters have registered its trademark recently in Taiwan, Republica reports.. But China has refused to register Chyangra Pashmina saying the trade mark resembles already existing trademark of a Chinese Pashmina producer. “We have registered Chyangra Pashmina trademark in Taiwan last week paving the way for its promotion there. We have yet to receive a formal certificate from the Taiwan government,” Mandu Babu Adhikari, chief program officer of Nepal Pashmina Industries Association (NPIA), said. With the latest registration, the number of countries registering the Nepali Pashmina trademark has reached 41. Most of those countries registering the trademark are North American and European. Adhikari informed that they are working to register the trademark in Brazil, Russia, the UAE and China. “We have reapplied for registration in China,” said Adhikari. He also said Nepali Chayangra Pashmina is not identical to the said Chinese Pashmina trade mark. NPIA, the umbrella organization of Pashmina producers and exporters in Nepal, has been issuing trademark tags to those exporters whose products meet the quality requirements. According to Adhikari, around 8,000 tags have been distributed to exporters so far. After a few years of slowdown, export of Nepali Chyangra Pashmina has bounced back. According to Trade and Exports Promotion Center (TEPC), export of Chyangra Pashmina reached Rs 1.86 billion during the fiscal year 2011/12, which is an increase by 14 percent compared to the figure of the previous year. Nnnn

UML DISSIDENTS REJECTS TALKS WITH PARTY SECRETARIAT Kathmandu, 31 Aug.: UML dissidents opposed to the party’s official policy for multi-ethnic federal units Thursday rejected an invitation from the secretariat to discuss demands. Janajati amnd Madeshi leaders have opposed the party position and are pushing single ethnic federal units with identity. The secretariat had invited dissident with Vice-chairman Ashok Rai in the forefront to discuss a nine-point demand amid heats totake action if defiance against party establishment continues. The dissidents said they’ll talk only with the standing committee. Nnnn NC CWC MEETING CONTINUES FRIDAY Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: The resumed meeting of the min opposition NC resumes its central working meeting (CWC)for the second consecutive day Friday with Spokesman Dhilendra Prasad Badu saying most speakers at Thursday’s meet demanded fresh national election to resolve the current dialogue. Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, away in South Africa to attend a meeting of Socialist International, is demanding revival of dissolved constituent assembly (CA) to end the dialogue. Main political parties are discussing two options: revival of CA automatically dissolved after Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai called aborted CA elections CA elections 22 November or national elections with government insisting vote should be for an assembly. The party is also discussing a political report presented by General Secretary Krishna Prasad Shitaula. Bimalendra Nidhi also proposed a party general convention before the festive season in Janakpur should be rescheduled. Office bearer will decide new convention date to elect office bearers for thenext three years. The party’s policy making body resumed its meet Thursday amid demands President Sushil Koirala should head a consensus government to hold elections. Ruling UCPN Maoist and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai ejected the demand saying Bhattarai’s resignation will come only an alternative in firmly in place before he quits. CPN Maoist chired by Mohan Baidhaya also continues its central working meeting for the second day Friday. nnnn.

20-MEMBER ANFA NATIONAL TEAM ANNOUNCED Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: ANFA Thursday announced a 20-member squad for the Second SAFF Women´s Championship to be hosted by Sri Lanka 7 to 17 September Nepal is in Group B of the tournament; Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan and in the group. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are I n Group A Nepal plays Pakistan 8 September It will meet Maldives 10 September and Afghanistan 12n September in the group match. India is defending champion. nnnn 2,000 STUDENTS RICK BEING DEPORTED FROM UK WHERE MANY NEPALIS STUDY Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: More than 2,000 foreign students face possible deportation from Britain after their university was stripped of its right to authorize visas, AP Reports from London. Immigration Minister Damian Green said Thursday that London Metropolitan University had lost its "highly trusted status" because a survey had found more than a quarter of its foreign students did not have permission to be in the country. The students have 60 days to find a new sponsor, or they could find themselves at risk of deportation. Universities Minister David Willetts says a task force has been set up to help genuine students who are affected through no fault of their own. The university´s president, Liam Burns, says the government´s "heavy-handed decision makes no sense for students, no sense for institutions and no sense for the country." nnnn

UPDATE NEPAL LOSES TO SYRIA 0-2 IN NEHRU CUP IN NEW DELHI Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Nepal lost to Syria 0-2 Thursday in the Nehru Cup in New Delhi. Nepal lost three matched and drew one in the tournament. Both the countries are out of the tournament. nnnn JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS KILLS THREE IN KAILALI Kathmandu, 30 Aug.:Three persons died of Japanese encephalitis while receiving treatment at different hospitals in Kailali district, RSS reports from Dhangadhi.,. Nine persons were admitted to the Tikapur Hospital after taken ill due to the Japanese encephalitis, a disease that transfers through the bites of the culex female mosquitoes. According to the District Public Health Office, Kailali, two persons died while undergoing treatment at the Tikapur Hospital while next one died while at the Seti Zonal Hospital, Dhangadhi. Similarly, a person has been referred to Nepalgunj from Dhangadhi for Dengue treatment while two others returned home after their treatment. Likewise, the number of viral fever patients has increased lately with the change in monsoon. nnnn TU AYURVED CAMPUS HOSTEL VANDALIZED Kathmandu, 30 Aug. : Nepal University Teachers Association, Ayurved Campus Unit, has condemned the attacked that took place in the Hostel of Ayurved Campus on Wednesday night, RSS reports.. President of the Ayurved Campus Free Students Union Sudarshan Pokhrel and former President Shankar Gautam were injured in a clash following by minor dispute between the members of Ayurved Campus Nepal Students Union and ANNISU (Revolutionary). NUTA Ayurved Campus Unit President Ramadhar Yadav issued a press statement and demanded that such activities be stopped for they defame the dignity of the institution and urged the campus administration to take action against the guilty and take initiatives to stop such activities in the campus premises. The students close to ANNISU (Revolutionary), who dispersed after the disputes again entered with other students at the hostel at 11:00 pm on Wednesday and attacked the Free Students´ Union (FSU) leaders, according to FSU Unit of the Campus. The FSU claimed that leaders of ANNISU (Revolutionary) Laxmi Narayan Bhagat, Lokendra Karki, among others, were involved in the attack nnnn E CONFERENCE ON PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN SEPT. Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: An international conference on new initiatives on peace, sustainable development and poverty alleviation is being held in Kathmandu from September 1 to 2, RSS reports. Joint Secretary at the Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, Sudarshan Dhakal, said the conference would be attended by the representatives from 25 countries, including India, China, US, South Korea and Nepal. The Ministry and the Universal Peace Federation are organising the conference. nnnn

CPM MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET BEGINS Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: CPN Maoist central committee meet began Thursday. Chairman Mohan Baidhaya presented a political report for approval. Baidhaya proposed a roundtable to resolve current deadlock and a struggle if such a conference didn’t yield result. The committee is also discussing organizational matters and other issues, including holding a general convention in early February 2013.. The meeting continues Friday. Maoist Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun opposed a roundtable meeting arguing ‘royalists’ will create obstacles. UCPN Maoist of Chairman Prachanda revealed a strategy of UCPN Maoist to work for a resolution with present rulers and opposition only. nnnn CLASH IN KANCHANPUR Kathmandu, 30Aug.: Nine persons, including three policemen were injured in clashes in Daubi VDC in Kanchanpur Thursday. Clashes broke out after locals demanded land deeds. nnnn WORLD’S SHORTEST MAN AND WOMAN – A NEPALI AND INDIAN—MEET IN ITALY Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: The world’s shortest man—a Nepali—and shortest woman, an Indian, met for thee first time in Italy, Guoinness World Records said. Nepal’s Chandra Bahadur Dangi and India’s Jyoti Amge, of India, met at an event in Italy. Dangi said hewas pround of his family and country. Nnnn GOVT. COMMISSION TO FIND DISAPPEARED FORMED THROUGH ORDINANCE UNACCEPTABLE TO NHRC Kathmandu, 30 Aug.:: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadhyay has said the commission on search of disappeared and truth and reconciliation would be unacceptable to NHRC if it is was formed through ordinance, RSS reports from Lalitpur.. The commission must be formed by meeting international standard, he said, warning that the NHRC would not involve in it if it is formed through the ordinance. At an interaction organised by the NHRC on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared at its office, Lalitpur, on Thursday, Chairman Upadhyay said the NHRC had written to the Office of the Prime Minister informing him of its stand. Moreover, he belittled the trust on the government, saying the commission through ordinance could do nothing important because the government has failed to provide information about the disappeared even to the NHRC, a constitutional body. On the occasion, Secretary at Peace Ministry, Dhruba Prasad Sharma, pointed out the need of formation of the commission on search of the disappeared and truth to cater justice to the people. Only economic relief would not do justice to the victims, he argued. Human rights defender Ganesh Bishwokarma said those involved in forced disappearance should be brought to book. Chairman of the Society of the Families of Disappeared by the State, Ekram Bhandari, accused the state of becoming indifferent to the agonies of the conflict victims. Similarly, Coordinator of the National Network of the Families of Disappeared Ram Kumar Bhandari said the justice was delayed to victims because torturer became stronger while the tortured ones weaker. nnnn ECQUADOR FEARS ASSANGE WON’T GET FAIR TRIAL IN USA Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Ecuador's president fears Julian Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States and has insisted that Britain and Sweden guarantee they will not extradite the WikiLeaks founder, AFP reports from .Quito. Assange took shelter in Ecuador's London embassy after exhausting all appeals against his extradition to Sweden for questioning on sex crime allegations, and Quito later granted him asylum, sparking a diplomatic row. Assange has said he fears Sweden intends to hand him over to the United States, where he could face prosecution over his part in the leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret battlefield reports and embassy cables. Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said Wednesday in an interview with state-run television that if Assange were to be extradited to the United States, "there would be no guarantee of due process." "What we want is to insure a fair trial and the right to life for Mr. Assange, but there are clear and serious indications of political persecution," he said. The 41-year-old Australian former hacker has denied the sex crime allegations and accused Washington of carrying out a "witch hunt" aimed at silencing critics of its policies. The United States called WikiLeaks a national security threat following its release of thousands of war reports from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a trove of often-embarrassing classified State Department cables. Correa said there were three ways to resolve the diplomatic impasse with London: either Britain and Sweden could guarantee that Assange won't be sent to a third country, Swedish prosecutors could question him in the Ecuadoran embassy, or British authorities could allow him to leave without arresting him. nnnn

CPM MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET BEGINS Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: CPN Maoist central committee meet began Thursday. Chairman Mohan Baidhaya presented a political report for approval. Baidhaya proposed a roundtable to resolve current deadlock and a struggle if such a conference didn’t yield result. The committee is also discussing organizational matters and other issues, including holding a general convention in early February 2013.. The meeting continues Friday. Maoist Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun opposed a roundtable meeting arguing ‘royalists’ will create obstacles. UCPN Maoist of Chairman Prachanda revealed a strategy of UCPN Maoist to work for a resolution with present rulers and opposition only. nnnn CLASH IN KANCHANPUR Kathmandu, 30Aug.: Nine persons, including three policemen were injured in clashes in Daubi VDC in Kanchanpur Thursday. Clashes broke out after locals demanded land deeds. nnnn WORLD’S SHORTEST MAN AND WOMAN – A NEPALI AND INDIAN—MEET IN ITALY Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: The world’s shortest man—a Nepali—and shortest woman, an Indian, met for thee first time in Italy, Guoinness World Records said. Nepal’s Chandra Bahadur Dangi and India’s Jyoti Amge, of India, met at an event in Italy. Dangi said hewas pround of his family and country. Nnnn GOVT. COMMISSION TO FIND DISAPPEARED FORMED THROUGH ORDINANCE UNACCEPTABLE TO NHRC Kathmandu, 30 Aug.:: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadhyay has said the commission on search of disappeared and truth and reconciliation would be unacceptable to NHRC if it is was formed through ordinance, RSS reports from Lalitpur.. The commission must be formed by meeting international standard, he said, warning that the NHRC would not involve in it if it is formed through the ordinance. At an interaction organised by the NHRC on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared at its office, Lalitpur, on Thursday, Chairman Upadhyay said the NHRC had written to the Office of the Prime Minister informing him of its stand. Moreover, he belittled the trust on the government, saying the commission through ordinance could do nothing important because the government has failed to provide information about the disappeared even to the NHRC, a constitutional body. On the occasion, Secretary at Peace Ministry, Dhruba Prasad Sharma, pointed out the need of formation of the commission on search of the disappeared and truth to cater justice to the people. Only economic relief would not do justice to the victims, he argued. Human rights defender Ganesh Bishwokarma said those involved in forced disappearance should be brought to book. Chairman of the Society of the Families of Disappeared by the State, Ekram Bhandari, accused the state of becoming indifferent to the agonies of the conflict victims. Similarly, Coordinator of the National Network of the Families of Disappeared Ram Kumar Bhandari said the justice was delayed to victims because torturer became stronger while the tortured ones weaker. nnnn ECQUADOR FEARS ASSANGE WON’T GET FAIR TRIAL IN USA Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Ecuador's president fears Julian Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States and has insisted that Britain and Sweden guarantee they will not extradite the WikiLeaks founder, AFP reports from .Quito. Assange took shelter in Ecuador's London embassy after exhausting all appeals against his extradition to Sweden for questioning on sex crime allegations, and Quito later granted him asylum, sparking a diplomatic row. Assange has said he fears Sweden intends to hand him over to the United States, where he could face prosecution over his part in the leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret battlefield reports and embassy cables. Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said Wednesday in an interview with state-run television that if Assange were to be extradited to the United States, "there would be no guarantee of due process." "What we want is to insure a fair trial and the right to life for Mr. Assange, but there are clear and serious indications of political persecution," he said. The 41-year-old Australian former hacker has denied the sex crime allegations and accused Washington of carrying out a "witch hunt" aimed at silencing critics of its policies. The United States called WikiLeaks a national security threat following its release of thousands of war reports from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a trove of often-embarrassing classified State Department cables. Correa said there were three ways to resolve the diplomatic impasse with London: either Britain and Sweden could guarantee that Assange won't be sent to a third country, Swedish prosecutors could question him in the Ecuadoran embassy, or British authorities could allow him to leave without arresting him. nnnn

CPM MAOIST CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEET BEGINS Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: CPN Maoist central committee meet began Thursday. Chairman Mohan Baidhaya presented a political report for approval. Baidhaya proposed a roundtable to resolve current deadlock and a struggle if such a conference didn’t yield result. The committee is also discussing organizational matters and other issues, including holding a general convention in early February 2013.. The meeting continues Friday. Maoist Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun opposed a roundtable meeting arguing ‘royalists’ will create obstacles. UCPN Maoist of Chairman Prachanda revealed a strategy of UCPN Maoist to work for a resolution with present rulers and opposition only. nnnn CLASH IN KANCHANPUR Kathmandu, 30Aug.: Nine persons, including three policemen were injured in clashes in Daubi VDC in Kanchanpur Thursday. Clashes broke out after locals demanded land deeds. nnnn WORLD’S SHORTEST MAN AND WOMAN – A NEPALI AND INDIAN—MEET IN ITALY Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: The world’s shortest man—a Nepali—and shortest woman, an Indian, met for thee first time in Italy, Guoinness World Records said. Nepal’s Chandra Bahadur Dangi and India’s Jyoti Amge, of India, met at an event in Italy. Dangi said hewas pround of his family and country. Nnnn GOVT. COMMISSION TO FIND DISAPPEARED FORMED THROUGH ORDINANCE UNACCEPTABLE TO NHRC Kathmandu, 30 Aug.:: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadhyay has said the commission on search of disappeared and truth and reconciliation would be unacceptable to NHRC if it is was formed through ordinance, RSS reports from Lalitpur.. The commission must be formed by meeting international standard, he said, warning that the NHRC would not involve in it if it is formed through the ordinance. At an interaction organised by the NHRC on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared at its office, Lalitpur, on Thursday, Chairman Upadhyay said the NHRC had written to the Office of the Prime Minister informing him of its stand. Moreover, he belittled the trust on the government, saying the commission through ordinance could do nothing important because the government has failed to provide information about the disappeared even to the NHRC, a constitutional body. On the occasion, Secretary at Peace Ministry, Dhruba Prasad Sharma, pointed out the need of formation of the commission on search of the disappeared and truth to cater justice to the people. Only economic relief would not do justice to the victims, he argued. Human rights defender Ganesh Bishwokarma said those involved in forced disappearance should be brought to book. Chairman of the Society of the Families of Disappeared by the State, Ekram Bhandari, accused the state of becoming indifferent to the agonies of the conflict victims. Similarly, Coordinator of the National Network of the Families of Disappeared Ram Kumar Bhandari said the justice was delayed to victims because torturer became stronger while the tortured ones weaker. nnnn ECQUADOR FEARS ASSANGE WON’T GET FAIR TRIAL IN USA Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Ecuador's president fears Julian Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States and has insisted that Britain and Sweden guarantee they will not extradite the WikiLeaks founder, AFP reports from .Quito. Assange took shelter in Ecuador's London embassy after exhausting all appeals against his extradition to Sweden for questioning on sex crime allegations, and Quito later granted him asylum, sparking a diplomatic row. Assange has said he fears Sweden intends to hand him over to the United States, where he could face prosecution over his part in the leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret battlefield reports and embassy cables. Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said Wednesday in an interview with state-run television that if Assange were to be extradited to the United States, "there would be no guarantee of due process." "What we want is to insure a fair trial and the right to life for Mr. Assange, but there are clear and serious indications of political persecution," he said. The 41-year-old Australian former hacker has denied the sex crime allegations and accused Washington of carrying out a "witch hunt" aimed at silencing critics of its policies. The United States called WikiLeaks a national security threat following its release of thousands of war reports from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a trove of often-embarrassing classified State Department cables. Correa said there were three ways to resolve the diplomatic impasse with London: either Britain and Sweden could guarantee that Assange won't be sent to a third country, Swedish prosecutors could question him in the Ecuadoran embassy, or British authorities could allow him to leave without arresting him. nnnn

GOVT. COMMISSION TO FIND DISAPPEARED FORMED THROUGH ORDINANCE UNACCEPTABLE TO NHRC Kathmandu, 30 Aug.:: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadhyay has said the commission on search of disappeared and truth and reconciliation would be unacceptable to NHRC if it is was formed through ordinance, RSS reports from Lalitpur.. The commission must be formed by meeting international standard, he said, warning that the NHRC would not involve in it if it is formed through the ordinance. At an interaction organised by the NHRC on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared at its office, Lalitpur, on Thursday, Chairman Upadhyay said the NHRC had written to the Office of the Prime Minister informing him of its stand. Moreover, he belittled the trust on the government, saying the commission through ordinance could do nothing important because the government has failed to provide information about the disappeared even to the NHRC, a constitutional body. On the occasion, Secretary at Peace Ministry, Dhruba Prasad Sharma, pointed out the need of formation of the commission on search of the disappeared and truth to cater justice to the people. Only economic relief would not do justice to the victims, he argued. Human rights defender Ganesh Bishwokarma said those involved in forced disappearance should be brought to book. Chairman of the Society of the Families of Disappeared by the State, Ekram Bhandari, accused the state of becoming indifferent to the agonies of the conflict victims. Similarly, Coordinator of the National Network of the Families of Disappeared Ram Kumar Bhandari said the justice was delayed to victims because torturer became stronger while the tortured ones weaker. nnnn ECQUADOR FEARS ASSANGE WON’T GET FAIR TRIAL IN USA Kathmandu, 30 Aug.: Ecuador's president fears Julian Assange would not get a fair trial in the United States and has insisted that Britain and Sweden guarantee they will not extradite the WikiLeaks founder, AFP reports from .Quito. Assange took shelter in Ecuador's London embassy after exhausting all appeals against his extradition to Sweden for questioning on sex crime allegations, and Quito later granted him asylum, sparking a diplomatic row. Assange has said he fears Sweden intends to hand him over to the United States, where he could face prosecution over his part in the leaking of hundreds of thousands of secret battlefield reports and embassy cables. Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said Wednesday in an interview with state-run television that if Assange were to be extradited to the United States, "there would be no guarantee of due process." "What we want is to insure a fair trial and the right to life for Mr. Assange, but there are clear and serious indications of political persecution," he said. The 41-year-old Australian former hacker has denied the sex crime allegations and accused Washington of carrying out a "witch hunt" aimed at silencing critics of its policies. The United States called WikiLeaks a national security threat following its release of thousands of war reports from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a trove of often-embarrassing classified State Department cables. Correa said there were three ways to resolve the diplomatic impasse with London: either Britain and Sweden could guarantee that Assange won't be sent to a third country, Swedish prosecutors could question him in the Ecuadoran embassy, or British authorities could allow him to leave without arresting him. nnnn