NAWALPARASI COLLISION KILLS AT LEAST SIX PERSONS Kathmandu, 21 Aug.: At least six persons, including Indians, were killed Monday in a head-on collision between a .truck and a bus heading for the far-West from the capital at Arunkhola in Nawalparasi. Forty-two were injured. Three persons died when a .mini-truck fell into Trisuli river at Jogimara in Dhading Monday. Nnnn NEPAL DEFEATED BY SRI LANKA Kathmandu, 21 Aug.: Nepal lost to Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup quarterfinal in Brisbane, Australia. Nepal was all out for 79 runs in 27.3 overs. Sri Lanka achieved the target ib 20.4 overs for the loss of two wickets. nnnns MEDIA GOOGLE “In Nepal, there are so many development agencies, INGOs and NGOs. There are some that work very well and help rural people. But there are only a very few of them that are dedicated to really helping the people. For most of them it just a business.” (Magsaysay Award winner Mahabir Pun, Republica, 21 Aug.) “There is no alternative to the promulgation of a new constitution, To end the deadlock, we are ready to discuss all alternatives once the PM resigns.’ (NC Spokesman Dilendra Badu, The Kahmanu Post. 21 Aug.) nnnn QUEEN MOTHER’S 85TH BIRTHDAY BING CELEBRATED Kathmandu, 20 Aug.: Queen Mother Ratna’s 85th birthday is being celebrated in a subdued manner at Nirmal Niwas, where former King Gyanendra an Queen Komal live. The Queen Mother lives at a bungalow inside Nayaranhiti. Queen Mother Ratna’s birthday was previously celebrated as national children’s day nnnn NBL EARNS A RS.406.727 MILLION PROFIT Kathmandu, 20 Aug.: Nepal Bank Ltd. (NBL), the country oldest, recorded a increased net profit of Rs.406.727 million in Q4 on the last fiscal year 2068/69 ending 15July. The bank earned a Rs. 383.436 million in the same quarter the previous year. Mega Bank Nepal Ltd. recorded a net profit of Rs, 71.4 million in the same period. nnnn MEDIA GOOGLE ‘Koirala (Sushil) is the root cause of problems in our party (NC). He never goes for consensus. I am the one who united the party. Why should I split it. You’d better ask Koirala about it.” (Sher Bahadur Deuda, The Kathmandu Post, 20 Aug.) UNPRECEDENTED INCREAED LOAD-SHEDDING EVEN IN SUMMER Kathmandu, 19 Aug.: Unprecedented load-shedding will be increased one hour every day from Monday to 46 hours a week. Power cuts, previously, were increased only during the peak dry season for four months beginning mid-November. Load-shedding was reduced to two hours last year during the previous government—helped by good rain and control of power theft. The government said it took the unusual measure after power export cuts by India which experiences massive power outage for two days this year. The move was made to collect water at the Kulekhani reservoir which has not filled this year with below normal summer rain. Nnnn MAJOR TARA AIR ACCIDENT AVERTED DURING TGAKEOFF FROM JOMSOM AIRPORT Kathmandu, 19 Aug.: All 19 passengers and crew survived when a Tara Air aircraft skidded off Jomsom airport in Mustang for a short flight for Pokhara Sunday. A rescue teak pulled out the aircraft from Kaligangadi river back to the airport. Nnnn AOTHER LEOPARD DARTED Kathmandu, 19 Aug.: The eight leopard was darted in the outskirts of the capital this time at Syuchatar by an Armed Police Force team. The cat was delivered to Jawalakhel Zoo. Leopards have been straying into rural areas, even houses, with expanding forest cover around the four towns in the Valley. Wild cats haven’t attached humans so far. nnnn