LOAD-SHEDDING TO BE REDUCED TO EIGHT HOURS A DAY Kathmandu, 3 May: Load-shedding will be cut by two hours a day from Sunday. The moves come with the onset o spring Power cuts will now be restricted to eight hours a day in the wnter. Nnnn SCHOOL BUS TORCHED Kathmandu, 3 May:: An unidentified group has set a school bus on fire in Kailali district this morning. The group set the school bus (Bhe 1 Kha 1218) of Pioneers Academy at Lamki in the district. The bus was at the school premises, SS reports from Kailali.. According to Police Inspector of the District Police Office, Bhakta Bista, the bus has been completely destroyed by the arson. Identity of those involved in the incident has not been ascertained yet and investigation into the incident is underway, said Bista. Nnnn SUPPORT, COOPERATION OF INDIA, CHINA NEEDED SAYS PRACHANDA AFTER RETURNING FROM BEIJING, NEW DELHI Kathmandu, 3 May:: UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ Thursday said that the support and cooperation from China and India could lead Nepal towards the path of development and prosperity within a few years, The Rising Nepal reports from Dharan.. Talking to the journalists here, he said that he had found the two countries crystal clear about the need for development in Nepal as it was essential for their own progress and development. Expressing sadness over the remarks made by leaders of some parties on his recent visit to China and India as personal, he said that it was really unfortunate and shameful of the leaders to put forth such comments. “I visited both neighbouring countries on the official invitation of the governments. It should be clear to all that I went to China and India representing the country,” said chairman Prachanda. He said that the government of China and India had corresponded with the government of Nepal prior to his visits to the neighbouring countries. Stating that the both countries were positive about development and prosperity in Nepal, he said that both China and Nepal wanted a peaceful and stable country through the Constituent Assembly (CA) election. Chairman Prachanda, who was in Itahari on Wednesday to address a mass assembly, reached Dharan on Thursday with party vice-chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Barsha Man Pun, Hisila Yami and Ram Chandra Jha to attend political training programme. Nnnn CPN MASHAL JOINING ELECTION FRAY Jathmandu, 3 May: CPN (Masal) general secretary Mohan Bikram Sing Thursday said second Constituent Assembly election could not be held within November as interim election council had become unable to announce poll date even till the Date, The Rising Nepal reports.. Sing viewed poll was immediate need of the country. Issuing a press statement to inform about his party’s Politburo meeting decision he said the meeting underlined the need of mobilizing citizen to guarantee election by November. The statement said new constitution would not be written in the given situation if issues of federalism were not resolved. The party urged all political parties to review their idea about federalism, ethnic state, self-determination rights, one Madhes one province. It demanded delineation of constituencies based on population, geography and other elements. The meeting also opposed recent verdict given by the Apex Court regarding Lok Man Singh Karki. Singh mentioned that recent India visit of UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda was to convince Indian leaders of his pro-Indian character. In the statement Sing analyzed Republic is in danger due to non-party government, uncertainty of election, raising activities of ex-kingies and recommendation of Lok Man Sing Karki for Chief Commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuses of Authority. The Rising Nepal Adds From Banke: anke, May. 2: CPN-UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal Thursday said his party will file candidacy in all constituencies in upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) election. Speaking at the party workers in Nepalgunj, Khanal, however, said at last alliance could be with democratic forces for some constituency. The UML chief viewed that the alliance could be for sake of writing democratic constitution. He claimed new constitution would be promulgating if his party became major party party in the poll. Khanal claimed his party was in lead position in 100 seats. The former prime minister committed that constitution writing task will be concluded winning two-third seat by joining with democratic forces. Accusing UCPN-Maoist of dissolving constituent assembly and picking ultra-communism idea, Nepali Congress of being unable to understand citizen’s eagerness of change, Madhesi of representing feudalists, he claimed that his party will secure majority. Khanal viewed the country is main task was to write constitution sake of securing achievement. Urging to election opposing parties to participate in poll he said new constituent assembly election would be held by November. The UML chief said his party was in favor of multi-identity federalism and no one leader and workers were against it. “Single identity agenda is no more with UML as those who advocated for that those already quitted the party” he said. “The UML is sea, it has no problem draw one judge water” he added. Khanal accused UCPN-Maoist of trying plunges country in crisis in the name of single identity federal states. Criticizing UCPN-Maoist chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of misinformed citizens on his recent visit of China and India Khanal said no agreement could have during his visit. He invited UCPN-Maoist leaders to come through politically and ideologically. Khanal accused the party leaders of being mad by commenting about UML. Nnnn NEPAL DEFEATS OMAN Kathmandu, 3 May: Nepal showed their bowling strength in the match against Oman when they defended an average score of 160 runs, bowling the opponents out for just 132 runs in 46.4 overs. Nepal sailed away with 28 runs win, The Himalayan Times reports. In the fourth match for Nepal in the ICC World Cricket League Division Three 2013 season played at Lord's, St David's Cricket Club Ground on Thursday Nepal were put on to bat first after losing the toss. After the top order batting failure, Nepal were restricted to an average total of 160 runs with a loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. However, the middle order consolidated the innings. Once again captain Paras Khadka (28 runs off 48 balls) and vice captain Gyanendra Malla (34 off 49) led from the front to guide the team to a respectable total. Middle order batsmen S Veshwar (27 runs off 45 balls), and B Bhandari (35 0ff 50) also made the valiant contribution to the total. The opening pair, and tail-enders could not even touch the double figures. For Oman, M Ansari took three wickets, and A Lalcheta claimed two wickets in their full quota of ten overs. When Nepal strated bowling, they did not get a dream start as Oman’s opening pair troubled the bowlers putting on 37 runs for the first wicket. However, S Regmi drew the first blood in the match taking wicket of on-form A Lalcheta for 24 runs. After the loss, Oman could not recover. They kept on losing wickets at regular intervals to some tight Nepal bowling. Skipper V Wategoankar played sensibly. He added 27 runs off 68 balls before he was caught by B Bhandari of P Baskota. Keeper batsman S Ahmed was looking dangerous guiding his team towards the victory, but unfortunate mix up got him going back to the pavilion. He was run out for 19 runs. Other batsmen could not make their presence felt, and the team got bundled out for 128 runs in 46.4 overs. Regmi duos claimed two important wickets each. B Regmi conceded 18 runs off his nine overs with five maidens, and S Regmi was economical giving only 25runs off his 9.4 overs. Skipper P Khadka, P Baskota, and S Gauchan claimed a wicket apiece. G Malla was adjudged man of the match for his valiant 34 runs in the difficult pitch to bat on. In other matches of the day, Bermuda won by 60 runs against Italy Uganda won by 82 runs versus USA In another match Nepal will be vying against underdogs Italy at St David’s on May 4 at 7:15 pm local time. Nepal will take on the pitch against Italy as favorites.This is a do or die match for Nepal to keep the hopes alive for the world cup qualifiers. However, Nepal’s fate will rely on USA’s upcoming match result. If USA, and Nepal both win their forthcoming matches then the net run rate will come into play for one to qualify. Currently, USA has better net run rate than Nepal. Uganda has already secured their place for the World Cup qualifiers. nnnn