AGREEMENT ON LUMBINI BEING SIGNED Kathmandu, 7 Nov.:Broader Lumbini Development National Direction Committee and Hong Kong-based NGO, the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APECF) are signing an agreement on Wednesday to back a project to build Lumbini as an international peace city. UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, co-chairman of the foundation, and Xiao Wunan, executive vice-chairman of APECF are signing the agreement Wednesday night. A nine-year development plan for the historic site is being implemented. Nnnn CPN-MAOIST ILAM BANDA Kathmandu, 7 Nov.: CPN-Maoist district committee has called Ilam district shutdown for indefinite period from Wednesday in protest of arrest and detention of its cadres without any reason, RSS reports from Mangalbare. The shutdown has been enforced in protest of arrest of the party district secretary Jabegu and Pawan Shanker, said district in-charge Kanchha Lawati. He accused the police administration of apprehending their cadres charging fake case against them. There is no vehicular movement on the long and short route to Jhapa and Panchthar due to shutdown. The move has widely affected tourists on visit to Ilam and people heading to home to celebrate Tihar festival. Police had held them for allegedly involved in setting fire on godown of Ganesh Himal Tea Factory at Shreeantu-4, Ilam at 8.30 pm on October 16. Nnnn ________________________________________ AIRBUS, NAC OFFICIALS DICUS AIRCRAFT PURCHASE Kathmandu, 7 Nov.: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and three representatives of Airbus continued negotiations Wednesday for the purchase of two-narrowed-bodied Airbuses for Nepal’s flag-carrier. Talks are being with the manufacturer of the Airbus even as Government is pushing for the purchase of six aircraft from China for the Nepali flag-carrier. A deal to purchase two Airbuses collapsed after unfounded charges of corruption against NAC officials. nnnn DEUSI, BHAILO BANNED AFTER 11PM Kathmandu, 7 Nov.: Deusi-Bhailo have been banned after 11 P during tihar beginning Tuesday. The local administration in the Valley issued the banned Nnnn YADAV ELECTED Kathmandu, 7 Nov.: The first national general convention of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Republican) going in Birgunj has unanimously elected Raj Kishor Yadav the party chairman, RSS reports from Birjung. Prior to this, Yadav was the acting chairman of the party and is the Minister for Information and Communications in the coalition government. Party four leaders including Jayanath Yadav today proposed for electing Yadav as the party chairman while other four leaders including Bijay Mahaseth backed the proposal that was later accepted by the general convention representatives, Mahaseth said. Similarly, the general convention has unanimously picked Sabita Yadav as the party treasurer and discussions are being held to make other nominations on the basis of consent, according to the party source. Nnnn