Hour-long Maoist, UML meet inconclusive; other details

Kathmandu, 23 May: An hour-long summit meet between Maoists and UML which is leading a 22-party coalition was inconclusive Sunday morning as both parties stuck to their positions.
A meeting between Maoists and NC was inconclusive as well Saturday.
A scheduled summit of the three parties Sunday to end the prolonged could be derailed.
Only five days remain to promulgate a constitution to institutionalize a republic that’s already been announced.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has called a meeting of 10 political parties of the ruling coalition Sunday to review the emerging constitutional and political crisis
Eleven of 25 political parties in parliament are boycotting Sunday’s legislative criticizing the premier for his statement last week the constituent assembly (CA) was a Maoist ‘brainchild’ which he opposed but agreed to only to placate Maoists.
Nobody was injured overnight when a socket bomb exploded in front on the Birendra International Convention Center where the CA meets.
Dynamic Youth Forum took responsibility for panting the bomb.
A leaflet recovered from the area claimed the bomb was detonated to alert those against the peace process and constitution drafting.
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NDC meet starts

Kathmandu, 23 May: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday inaugurated a two-day meet of the National Development Council (NDC)
The council will finalize details of the next three-year plan.
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Doctors on nation-widestrike

Kathmandu, 23 May: Doctors at the call of the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) Sunday closed down hospitals and other health institutions, except emergency and outdoor services, protesting the possible abduction of Dr Bhaktaman Shrestha five days ago.
The NMA accused the government failure of locate the Executive Director of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, Chitwan.
NMA said health facilities were closed down to pressure the government,
Police recovered the doctor’s car in Pokhara and his briefcase along Trishuli river in Chitwan.
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European parliamentary team arrives

Kathmandu, 23 May: A 10-member team of European Parliament (EP) for Relations with South Asia led by Britain’s Jean Lambert for a week-long visit arrived Sunday for the 8th EP-Nepal parliamentary meet.
The team will assess overall progress recorded since 2008 when the team last visited Nepal.
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President to launch centenary celebrations of Pharping power house

Kathmandu, 23 May: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will launch Sunday centenary celebrations of the construction of the Pharping hydro power during the Rana period.
The power house constructed with Nepali recources is Nepal’s first and Asia’s second.
The plant has stopped generating electricity; but drinking water is distributed to Lalitpur residents.
The plant is at Sedidevi VDC.
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Last rites of slain Darjeeling leader to be conducted in Ilam

Kathmandu, 23 May: Slain Gorkhaland leader Madan Tamang will be cremated at Jogmai-3 Ilam Monday, Nagarik reports from Ilam.
Tamang, 64, was born in Jogmai-3 Kalikhop.
The separatist leader was hacked to death with swords and khukri in Darjeeling Friday.
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Another party forms youth front

Kathmandu, 23 May: Madesh Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) today [Saturday] made public its youth wing meant to establish on society on the ideals of justice, freedom and equality, The Himalayan Times reports from Bara.
At a programme held in Kachorba in Bara, the MJF made public Madesh Raksha Dal Nepal (MRDN) consisting of 64 youths from 22 districts.
‘W have formed the youth wing to establish a society based on justice, freedom and equality; and to secure the Tarai belt,” said MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav. He said they would train about 20,000 youths and that the youth wing would be extended across all Tarai districts.
‘This is a campaign launched to free Madeshi people from all kinds of bondages and these youth are the real patriots,” said Yadav.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“Such comments [about CA] of the prime minister expose his monarchist character.”

(MJFN Chairman Upendra Yadav, Kantipur 23 May)
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