General News on Nepal

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Facebook stock closes nearly flat in debut

In this image provided by Facebook, Facebook founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, center, applauds at the opening bell of the Nasdaq stock market, Friday, May 18, 2012, from Facebook ...

Morgan Stanley made big bet on Facebook

REUTERS NEW YORK: Lead Facebook Inc underwriter Morgan Stanley took a bet earlier this week when it increased the size of the social networking firm's $16 billion initial public offering and it ...

Strauss-Kahn countersuit Opening the door to his sexual past

Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn arrives at a polling station in the second round of the 2012 French presidential elections in Sarcelles May 6, ...

Obama‚ Hollande agree on much - but not Afghanistan

REUTERS WASHINGTON: New French President Francois Hollande told President Barack Obama on Friday that he will stick by his pledge to withdraw France's troops from Afghanistan at year's ...

Obama‚ G8 may remind Iran of their own oil weapon

REUTERS WASHINGTON: Late last year, Iran issued a series of not-so veiled threats to the West, suggesting it could use its "oil weapon" to show displeasure over toughening sanctions by ...

Big protest march responds to Quebec legislative crackdown

ASSOCIATED PRESS MONTREAL: Thousands of people are marching tonight in a show of defiance against a legal crackdown by the Quebec government. The protesters say they're encouraged by the ...

Fund crunch puts brakes on road widening drive

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Budget crunch has put the brakes on the much-talked road widening drive that was in full swing until a month ago. The road expansion campaign, which had earned ...

NC‚ UML warn UCPN-M not to back-pedal on deal

PRAKASH ACHARYA KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML today warned the Unified CPN-Maoist that all the agreements reached on Tuesday would be rendered null and void if the Maoist party ...

MoFA summons Indian envoy

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Foreign Secretary Durga Prasad Bhattarai on Friday summoned Indian Ambassador Jayant Prasad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and inquired about a statement ...

Mehta said nothing what was reported

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE BIRGUNJ: Political leaders, who had attended a dinner party on Wednesday at a hotel in Birgunj, today said Consular SD Mehta at the Consulate General of India, Birgunj, had ...

296 lawmakers object to 11-pradesh model

RAM KUMAR KAMAT KATHMANDU: As many as 296 Constituent Assembly members from several political forces, including the Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhesi parties, today signed a ...

14 UML lawmakers oppose 11-pradesh model

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: As many as 14 Madhesi lawmakers of the CPN-UML have joined the chorus against the 11-pradesh model of federalism, tipping the scale against the proposal on which ...

Police detain five with weapons

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE RAJBIRAJ: Police made public five persons arrested with different weapons from Rajbiraj, at a press conference in Saptari on Friday. According to the District Police Office ...

Brains behind Janakpur blast named

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE JANAKPURDHAM: Police today made public preliminary findings of an investigation into the April 30 Janakpur blast, and named the alleged mastermind behind the incident. An ...

Biratnagar airport security beefed up

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE BIRATNAGAR: The Biratnagar airport on Friday was put under heightened security alert following the final preparations of the upcoming Constituent Assembly deadline. According ...

House resumes after PMs address

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Parliamentary proceedings resumed today after Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai assured Madhesi and other ethnic lawmakers that the recent agreement between parties ...

Prachanda grills Madheshi CA members

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal today questioned the Madhesi leaders of his party for their role in the obstruction of the House on Thursday. ...

Indigenous nationalities flay govt decision

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Hundreds of groups of indigenous nationalities, including the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), today warned the government of serious ...

Baidhya‚ Dahal camps hold separate meets

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE MYANGLUNG: Rival factions of the UCPN-Maoist party held separate programmes in Terhathum, yesterday and leaders of Mohan Baidhya camp threatened to form parallel district ...

Bandhs disrupt normal life in East

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE MAHOTTARI: Normal life in the east was thrown out of gear due to Madhes bandh called by the Broader Madhesi Morcha demanding ‘One Madhesh, One Pradesh’ and Nepal ...

Bajhang reels under acute food shortage

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE BAJHANG: Locals in nine village development communities of the Bajhang district have been reeling under acute food shortage due to continuous bandh called by various ...

Big III press for 11-state federal model

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE ITAHARI: To counter the Madhes-based parties protest against the agreement signed among the major parties to carve out the country into 11 federal units, the three big parties ...

Woman‚ man found dead in Shivapuri

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Police recovered bodies of a man and a woman - believed to be of Keshman Lama (40) and Kyampa Rai aka Sani (30), both residents of Gagalphedi - in Gagalphedi VDC in ...

Training for govt officials concludes

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: A five-day human resources for health (HRH) training for government officials concluded in Kathmandu today. Issuing a press statement, Save the Children, the ...

Meet on glaciers ends with stress on data-sharing

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)-organised international conference on Himalayan glaciers concluded in the capital today. The ...

Bandana Rana in UN panel for women

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: UN Women’s Executive Director Michelle Bachelet has appointed Bandana Rana, executive president of Saathi (a rehabilitation centre for women and children) and ...

76 held during bandh

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Major markets and educational institutions in Kathmandu remained open on Friday despite a bandh call from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, which has been ...

US lauds statute progress

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: The United States today commended Nepali political leaders on their recent progress towards drafting a new constitution. "While the issues are complex and ...

Rock Madhes remark gets flak

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Student unions today condemned consular at the Consulate General of India, SD Mehta, for reportedly prodding Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum ...

Home stays attracting tourists with local flavour

RUP NARAYAN DHAKAL POKHARA: Home stays have slowly but steadily been gaining popularity in the villages of the Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones. And it is surprising that these home stays are really ...

Oldest yoga guru at 93

AGENCIES At 93, Tao Porchon-Lynch is named the oldest yoga teacher by Guinness World Records. Tao became interested in yoga when she was eight years old. She observed a group of young boys ...

Spiderman climbs Frances tallest building

AGENCIES A self-styled French ‘Spiderman’ who has made a name for himself by climbing some of the world’s tallest buildings without permission made something of a career first by ...

Chelsea‚ Bayern stars eager to make amends

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE MUNICH: Bayern Munich host Chelsea in Saturday’s Champions League final with both sides looking to erase painful memories of recent defeat at the last hurdle on ...

Bolton make huge changes

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE LONDON: Relegated Bolton have parted company with 12 players as boss Owen Coyle prepares for life outside the Premier League next season. Wanderers crashed out of the English ...

Strauss eyes ton as England press on

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE LONDON: England captain Andrew Strauss was nearing the end of an 18-month century drought as his side strengthened their grip on the first Test against the West Indies at ...

Greece hand over London Olympics torch

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE ATHENS: The Olympic torch was formally handed over from Greece to organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games in a ceremony here on Thursday. In damp weather at the Panathenaic ...

Largest protests yet in Syrian city of Aleppo

ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIRUT: Syrian security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands rallying today in the northern city of Aleppo, which activists said saw the largest turnout ...

China bars blind dissidents family choice of lawyers

REUTERS BEIJING: The nephew of blind activist Chen Guangcheng has been denied his family’s choice of lawyers to defend a charge of ‘intentional homicide’ in what one said was an ...

Obama names ambassador to Myanmar

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has eased investment curbs on Myanmar and named the first US ambassador to the country in more than 20 years, hoping to reward a ...

Presidential penis portrait riles SAfricas ANC

REUTERS JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s ruling ANC threatened to take legal action against a Johannesburg gallery for displaying art which lampoons President Jacob Zuma and accuses the party of ...

400 held at Occupy

ASSOCIATED PRESS BERLIN: Police in Germany have temporarily detained some 400 demonstrators during largely peaceful protests by Occupy activists. Frankfurt police said up to 1,000 people turned out ...

Indias poorest turn video journalists to fill news gap

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE MUMBAI: One video shows police beating protesters with sticks. Another shows two lifeless, dirty bodies dragged from their workplace in the sewers. In a third, a man explains ...

Malaysia named Division-IV hosts

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: The International Cricket Council has named Malaysia as the hosts of the ICC World Cricket League Division-IV, the world cricket governing body announced. The ...

Snedeker bags victory after clubs go missing

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE CASARES: Visiting American Brandt Snedeker made the most of having to compete with just 10 clubs in handing Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn a shock 5 and 4 defeat on day one of the ...

Nepalese government replaces handwritten passports with electronic ones

The Nepalese government has begun introducing electronic passports to replace existing handwritten documents. The Nepalese Embassy in Abu Dhabi renews about 30 to 40 passports a month, and the ...

11-stated model can be reviewed PM to House

THT ONLINE KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Friday told the Legislature-Parliament that the understanding on 11 states made among the top three parties could be reviewed. Addressing ...

Nepal’s kung fu nuns practise karma with a kick

-- It is a hot, cloudless morning on a hillside on the outskirts of Kathmandu and dozens of nuns arrange themselves into lines around a golden Buddhist ...

Arthar Dadakharka VDC lit up with electrification

RSS PARBAT: Six different wards of Arthar Dadakharka VDC in Parbat district have been provided with electricity from Thursday. Locals and rural community electrification programme spent Rs 10.4 ...

Toursim sector hit hard by strikes

RSS KATHMANDU: Tourism entrepreneurs have said continuous strike in the country has made a great loss in the tourism industry and increased the possibility of Nepal being an unsafe destination. At ...

TRMM presses for Tamsaling province with protest

RSS KATHMANDU: Tamang Rastriya Mukti Morcha (TRMM) protested in the capital today demanding Tamsaling autonomous province. Supporters of Tamsaling autonomous province coming from Dhading, Nuwakot ...

RPP-N brings life to halt in Pokhara

RSS POKHARA: Normal life was hit hard here due to the bandh called by RPP- Nepal demanding Nepal as a Hindu nation in the new constitution, and guarantee of peace and constitution in the country. ...

Health Ministry highlights need to amend Health Act

RSS KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the political leaders to help in the amendment of Health Service Act. The Ministry had prepared a draft for amendment of the Act and ...

Late Dhakal to be honoured with Gokul literature award

RSS POKHARA: Gandaki Sahitya Sangam, Pokhara is going to provide national level Gokul Literature Award-2068 BS to progressive litterateur the late Ghanashyam Dhakal posthumously. The Sahitya Sangam ...

China rejects US ruling in solar dumping case

n this photo taken Wednesday March 21, 2012, Chinese workers examine solar panels at a manufacturer of photovoltaic products in Huaibei in central China's Anhui ...

Miss World boss to head to Fiji to tackle fiasco

ASSOCIATED PRESS SUVA: The head of the Miss World beauty queen franchise says she plans to travel to Fiji "as soon as possible" to address the problems that turned last month's ...

Boxer Pacquiaos deals safe‚ despite gay row

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE MANILA: A row sparked by boxer Manny Pacquiao's comments on gay marriage has damaged the world champion, but has not so far affected any of his mega-buck endorsement deals, ...

Queen of Disco Donna Summer passes away at 63

FILE - In this May 21, 2008 file photo, Donna Summer performs during the finale of "American Idol" at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Summer, the Queen of Disco who ruled the dance floors ...

Williams sisters surge into Rome quarters

Venus Williams of the United States waves as she celebrates after winning her match against Samantha Stosur of Australia at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Thursday, May 17, 2012. Venus ...

A language in Nepal has only one speaker

language in western Nepal - has been teaching it to a linguist for the past few months in order to preserve it for posterity. Seventy-five-year old Gyani Maiya Sen's son and daughter did not ...

Dahal discusses with Maoist Madhesh leaders and workers

RSS KATHMANDU: UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Vice Chairman and Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai jointly discussed with central members and district in-charges of the party on ...

British ex-Gurkhas vent ire

RSS KATHMANDU: The Nepal Ex-servicemen's Association has expressed its dissatisfaction over the government's apathy to address the demands submitted by the Association in the new ...

Vaccine services halted in Jhapa

RSS BHADRAPUR: All health workers in Jhapa district have stopped for indefinite period all types of vaccine services, which are provided to children below one year of age. It is said that all ...

German FM predicts 1-2 years of euro zone market crisis

REUTERS PARIS: Market turmoil over the euro zone crisis could last another 12 to 24 months, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Friday, saying it was up to the Greeks to decide if ...

Nepal parties object to Indian diplomats remarks

Nepal political parties were in arms Friday against reports of an Indian diplomat inciting politicians from southern Nepal to "create a storm" over federal issues in the region. Political ...

Envoy Lama presents credentials to S. Korean Prez

RSS KATHMANDU: The Ambassador of Nepal to the Republic of Korea, Kaman Singh Lama, presented his letters of credence to the President of Korea Lee Myung-bak amidst a ceremony held at the ...

Aussie cricketer charged with Delhi hotel assault

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE NEW DELHI: Indian police on Friday arrested and charged Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach with molesting a woman and badly beating up her fiance after a late-night party at a ...

Thai police arrest Brit with foetuses for black magic

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE BANGKOK: Six human foetuses which had been roasted and covered in gold leaf as part of a black magic ritual have been seized from a British citizen in Bangkok, Thai police said ...

NEFIN slams indigenous status for Brahmins‚ Chhetris

THT ONLINE KATHMANDU: Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) on Friday has flayed the government decision of registering Brahmins, Chhetris, Thakuris, Dashnamis and Dalits in the ...

N. Korea denies jamming GPS of civilian aircraft

North Korea on Friday denied it had jammed the GPS systems of hundreds of civilian aircraft and ships in South Korea, accusing the South of using problems with navigation equipment to smear the ...

Probe raises questions about Peru hostage raid

ASSOCIATED PRESS LIMA: Peruvians traumatized by years of guerrilla violence cheered in 1997 when government troops raided the Japanese ambassador's residence to rescue hostages held for 126 ...

Anonymous Joins Forces with Nepalese Hacktivists Against Political and Business Elite

attack on the Supreme Court of India and the Congress , the Anonymous hacking collective has taken down the website belonging to Nepal's stock exchange in protest against the government and the ...

5 killed as 3 blasts rock Baghdad bird market

ASSOCIATED PRESS BAGHDAD: Three bombs struck near simultaneously at a busy bird market in eastern Baghdad on Friday morning, killing five people and wounding dozens, police and health officials ...

Save the Children trains govt officials on HRH

THT ONLINE KATHMANDU: Save the Children has concluded a five-day workshop, administering training to 25 government officials representing various government sectors including Ministry of Health and ...

Parties hold talks to assuage agitating UDMF

THT ONLINE KATHMANDU: Four party meeting among Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF has taken place to address the demand of the agitating UDMF at ...

Nepals constitution Respect the dissenters

Nepal's constitution: Respect the dissenters Gyan Basnet Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their ...

In pictures Kathmandu Nepal

Kathmandu Valley with one million inhabitants. Featuring all the colour of exotic markets and bustling centres it’s also replete with ancient architecture, historic temples and pilgrimage ...

Indias centre-state ties lesson for federal Nepal

The India tour of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this week again triggered a flurry of discussions on centre-state relationship and unprecedented influence of regional forces in New ...

Britney is back - and so are the brickbats

REUTERS LOS ANGELES: Britney Spears hasn't even taken her seat as the new judge of "The X Factor," but the pop icon is already getting a lesson in the media glare of live, talent show ...

Lampard ready for Chelseas final fling vs Bayern

Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard (R), pictured during a training session with teammate Juan Mata, at the club's complex near Cobham, on May 15. Chelsea are to play Bayern Munich in the ...

Texas boy suspended over NBA shave scores tickets

This family photo shows Patrick Gonzalez, 12, with an image of San Antonio Spurs' Matt Bonner shaved into his head, at his home in San Antonio on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Gonzalez was suspended ...

Call for indefinite strike in Madhes

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Newly formed Broader Madhesi Front has called general strike from tomorrow across Madhes to protest the 11-pradesh proposal agreed by the three major parties ...

Glory days ahead for Nepali diplomacy

LEKHANATH PANDEY KATHMANDU: Smooth promulgation of new constitution by May 27 heralds good news for diplomatic exposure of Nepal. High-profile visits from India, Qatar and United Nations are on the ...

Nepal Undocumented residents excluded from state services

lack citizenship documents , excluding them from government-funded services. "This is the central document of existence in Nepal," said Hari Phuyal, a human rights lawyer in the capital, ...

Dahal assures DeLisi on statute

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal today reiterated that the new constitution would be promulgated by May 27 as all political forces, including his party were ...

One killed in accident

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE DAMAK: Ganesh Majhi (50) of Bihar, India was killed and 11 others were injured on Thursday, when a bus carrying a wedding party from India’s Phoolbari to Morang’s ...

Report on discrimination submitted

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: A sub-committee formed under the Parliamentary Committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare to take stock of the prevalence of caste based discrimination today ...

Demand to release YCL cadres held with weapons

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE PATHLAIYA: Young Communist League (YCL), Bara today demanded the release of two of its two cadres who were held with weapons, explosives and contrabands. Organising a press ...

Relief to Siraha fire victims

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE SIRAHA: Different organisations and philanthropists today distributed relief to 541 families of Aurahi, Siraha, who were affected by the blaze on Tuesday. Ramnagar-based ...

ACAP contract likely to be extended

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: The government is likely to extend a contract, which it inked with the National Trust for Nature Conservation to hand over the management of Annapurna Conservation ...

Criminal activities up in Far-west

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE DIPAYAL: Criminal activities are reportedly increasing in the hilly highway of the Far-western region owing to frequent bandhs, police said. According to a source, an ...

Accidents claim six lives

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE DHADING: Six persons were killed in separate accidents in various parts of Dhading in the last two days, police said. Five persons were killed and one injured when a car en ...

Ministers sans portfolio express dissatisfaction

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Newly appointed ministers today expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in the announcement of their portfolios. Speaking at Reporters’ Club, Minister from ...

Eastern Tarai reeling under strikes

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE ITAHARI: Life in eastern Tarai has been adversely affected due to a bandh called by Tharu Joint Struggle Committee demanding three federal states in the Tarai, on the fourth ...

Bandh hits Education sector hard

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE BIRATNAGAR: Press Chautari Morang on Thursday organized an interaction to discuss the impacts of the bandh on the education sector. Intellectuals, teachers, representative of ...

Tug of war over provincial capital

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE ITAHARI: Even as the long-drawn dispute over the number of federal units was finally getting settled, various districts have started squabbling over the provincial capital of ...

Debate on federalism‚ forms of governance rages on

ARJUN BHANDARI KATHMANDU: Two days after four major political forces – Unified CPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front - reached an understanding on federalism ...

Madhesi lawmakers block House

RAM K KAMAT/ TIKA R PRADHAN KATHMANDU: Madhesi lawmakers representing several political parties, including the UCPN-M, today disrupted the first parliamentary session called by the President, ...

Bandh shuts schools‚ businesses

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: The Joint Struggle Committee-imposed Nepal bandh had partial effect in the Kathmandu Valley today. Motorbikes, cabs and private vehicles plied the road, while ...

Wave of protests hampers normal policing in Valley

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: A wave of bandhs, chakkajams, sit-ins and protest rallies sweeping across the Kathmandu Valley has affected normal policing, giving rise to social crimes. In view ...

Confusion looms large in schools due to bandh

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: District Education Offices are facing dilemma over opening schools tomorrow on the day of the bandh. The recent statement of Ministry of Education has given DEOs ...

Cops held for drug trafficking

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Narcotic Drug Control Law Enforcement Unit has rounded up three policemen from various parts of the country for operating a drug-peddling racket. Head constable ...

World Hypertension Day marked

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Norvic International Hospital today organised various programmes to raise awareness on hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Issuing a press statement, ...

Petition against perks for ex-VIPs

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: Challenging the recently promulgated ordinance to provide facilities and perks to former bigwigs, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed at the Supreme ...

Indian education fair from tomorrow

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE KATHMANDU: India-based AFAIRS Exhibitions and Media with support from Global Reach, Nepal is organising a two-day ‘The Great Indian Education Fair’ in Kathmandu ...

Photos Eating in the dark in Nepal’s restaurant for the blind

KATHMANDU, May 16 (Reuters) – A line of diners, holding on to the shoulders of the person in front of them, enters the pitch dark hall at Nepal's first blind restaurant, which treats ...