Groceries cost a third more in Republic

Dublin- Republic of Ireland shoppers are forking out almost a third more on groceries than those in Northern Ireland, a survey suggests.
The research carried out by the National Consumer Agency shows that branded goods cost up to 31% more south of the border. The difference is less for supermarkets' own branded products, but the NCA's Chief Executive Ann Fitzgerald insists that shoppers are losing out because of the lack of competition among supermarkets.

The agency conducted the survey at Tesco, Dunnes Stores and Lidl on both sides of the border.
There was a 31% difference between a basket of 42 branded goods in Dunnes Stores north and south of the border, and a 28% difference between Tesco stores. For own brand goods there was a much smaller price gap of 17% for Tesco and 11% for Dunnes Stores.
These differences were after prices of products were adjusted to take account of VAT and excise duties.
The NCA also found greater competition in the Northern Ireland grocery market than in the Republic. For a basket of 22 items in common between Tesco and Dunnes Stores, there was a price variation of €2.40 in Notrthern Ireland, while the same basket was identically priced in the Republic of Ireland at €78.53.
'Despite claims by retailers about the higher cost of doing business in the Republic of Ireland, it is interesting that there is a much lower price differential on own brand goods,' Ms Fitzgerald said.
She said Irish people tended to buy branded goods and suggested that the retailers are 'charging us for that preference'.
Ms Fitzgerald said different business models and costs in the two jurisdictions did not explain the big difference in prices of branded goods.

Study shows women work longer days than men

Dublin- Women work an average of 39 minutes longer than men every day, according to a new report from the ESRI.
The study of over a thousand men and women also shows the distribution of paid and unpaid work is very different between the sexes. Men spend an average of 4 hours 40 minutes on paid work per day, and under two hours on unpaid work. But their female counterparts spend just over 2 hours a day on paid work but over 5 hours on unpaid work like housework and caring duties.

Weekend Lotto jackpot heading for €15m

Dublin- Lotto fever is expected to hit the country this weekend, with the jackpot heading for around €15m. There was no winner of last night's midweek draw, worth €13.6m.

AIB: Housing slump to continue into next year

Dublin- AIB has issued an increasingly gloomy assessment of the short-term prospects for the Irish economy.In its latest forecast, the bank says it expects economic growth to be just 1.3% this year due to the ongoing slump in the housing market.It also says it expects this slum to continue into next year, with growth of just 2.5% forecast for 2009.

हेल्प नेपालको झन्डा सर्वोच्च शिखरमा

काठमाडौं - सर्वोच्च शिखर सगरमाथामाथि १३ औं विजयका लागि अघि बढ्दा कीर्तिमानी आरोही मिङमा शेपा विशेष उत्साही थिए । किन भने यसपाला उनीसग विदेशीमात्र होइन नेपालीलाई सघाउने सपना थियो ।
'धेरै खुसी लागेको छ,' विदेशमा बस्ने नेपालीले नेपालीलाई सघाउन सुरु गरेको अभियान हेल्प नेपाल सञ्जालद्वारा सोमबार आयोजित सम्मान कार्यक्रममा उनले भने- 'द्वन्द्वपीडित बालबालिकाहरूलाई सघाउन अवसर मिल्यो ।'
नेपाल बालबालिका ट्रष्टसग मिलेर सञ्जालद्वारा धुलिखेलमा निर्माणाधीन द्वन्द्वपीडित बालबालिकाहरूका लागि आश्रम बनाउन कोष जुटाउने अभियानमा उनी सरिक भएका हुन् । शेपाले गत मे २३ का दिन हेल्प नेपाल नेर्टवर्कको ब्यानर सर्वोच्च शिखरमा फहराएका थिए ।
आफ्ना सबै सात जना दाजुभाइ सगरमाथा चढेर कीर्तिमान कायम गरेका शेपा संसारको दोस्रो अग्लो चुचुरो केटु चढ्ने पहिलो नेपाली पनि हुन् । 'यो सफलता हामीलाई निकै सहयोगी हुने आशा छ,' सञ्जालका संस्थापक अध्यक्ष रविन्द्र मिश्रले भने । करिब ८० लाख रुपैयाको लागतमा निर्माणाधीन आश्रमका लागि ५० लाख रुपैया जुटेको र बाकी रकम संकलन गर्ने क्रममा नरहेको उनले जनाए । ५२ जना बालबालिकालाई आश्रय दिने लक्ष्साथ साढे दुइ तले भवन निर्माण भइसकेको जानकारी कार्यक्रममा दिइयो । बेलायती संगीतकार समूहले पनि रकम जुटाउन सहयोग गरिरहेको छ ।
'देश सेवाको भावना र मनमा लगन भए विदेशमै बसेर पनि देशका लागि ठूला काम गर्न सकिन्छ,' भन्ने भावनाबाट सन् १९९९ मा सञ्जाल स्थापना भएको हो । बेलायतबाट सुरु भएको यो अभियान संसारका १२ मुलुकसम्म विस्तार भइसकेको छ । सञ्जालले विदेशमा बसेका नेपालीहरूस“ग मासिक १ डलर उठाएर नेपालमा शिक्षा र स्वास्थ्य क्ष्त्रमा कल्याणकारी काम गर्दै आएको छ ।
सञ्जालले मुगुलगायत जिल्लामा एक दर्जनभन्दा बढी स्वास्थ्य चौकी र विद्यालय भवन निर्माण गरिसकेको छ । बालबालिका प्रायोजन, इ लाइबेरी निर्माणजस्ता कार्यक्रम गर्दै आएको छ । 'उठेको सबै रकम हामी कल्याणकारी काममा लगाउ“छां' मिश्रले भने- प्रशासनिक काम नेपाली र विदेशी गरी १५ जनाले खोलिदिएको अक्षयकोषबाट चलाउ“छौं ।' कार्यक्रममा आरोही शेपाले सर्वोच्च शिखर पुर्‍याएको ब्यानर नेर्टवर्कका नेपाल अध्यक्ष अरुणसिंह बस्नेतलाई हस्तान्तरण गरेका थिए ।

25m texts (sms) sent in Ireland every day

Dublin- Some 25 million text messages are sent in Ireland everyday, according to the latest data from the telecom regulator, ComReg.
New figures also confirm that mobile phones are continuing to overtake landlines as the most popular method of making calls here. In the first three months of this year, there were almost 100,000 new broadband connections, bringing broadband penetration in Ireland to almost 23%.

ESB 'to seek 30% rise in electricity prices this year'

Dublin- ESB is reportedly set to seek a 30% increase in the price of electricity due to the spiralling cost of oil on international markets.The increase, which has to be sanctioned by the Energy Regulator, follows the news that Bord Gais plans to raise prices by 19% in October due to the international fuel-price surge.This morning's reports say the ESB's request could be granted in the autumn and would add around €45 to the average bi-monthly electricity bill.This would have a particularly severe effect on low-income families, who already spend around 13% of their disposable wages on energy.

Lotto jackpot stands at €14m

Dublin- Tonight’s lotto jackpot is heading for €14m after rolling over for the last 13 draws.
The top prize has not been won since early May. Lotto chiefs said the last time the jackpot reached this amount was on April 23. It was not won then and rolled over to April 26 to hit the second highest jackpot ever at €15m.

Heavy rain forecast for many areas in Ireland

Dublin- Motorists are being warned to take extra care on the roads today, with heavy rain forecast for many parts of the country. Forecasters say the rain will reduce visibility and could cause spot flooding in some areas, particularly in coastal counties. Ferry crossings have also been disrupted by the bad weather.

भाडादर वृद्धि गर्न सहमति

काठमांडू- यातायात व्यवसायी राष्ट्रिय महासङ्घ र यातायात व्यवस्था विभागबीच सार्वजनिक सवारीसाधनहरूको भाडामा २६ देखि ३५ प्रतिशतसम्म वृद्धि गर्ने सहमति भएको छ ।

सोमबार राति अबेरसम्म भएको वार्तापछि सो सहमति भएको जानकारी दिंदै महासङ्घका बाग्मती अञ्चल संयोजक नीररत्न नेवाःले भाडादर मङ्गलबार दिउंसोसम्म कार्यान्वयनमा आउनसक्ने बताउनुभयो । सहमतिअनुसार लामो दूरीमा हाल कायम रहेको भाडादरमा प्रतिकिलोमिटर १ रुपियां ४२ पैसा, मध्यम दूरीको पहिलो ५ किमिको १२ रुपियां र प्रत्येक १ किमिको २ रुपियां ५५ पैसा, ट्याक्सीको सुरुआत मिटरमा ११ रुपियां र प्रत्येक किमिमा ४ रुपिया ६० पैसा कायम हुनेछ ।

यसैगरी ग्रामीण क्षेत्रमा यसअघि लागू गरिएको भाडादर यथावत् कायम गरिएको जनाइएको छ भने विमानस्थलका लागि सुरुको ५ किमिका लागि ३ सय रुपियां र प्रतिकिमि ८० रुपियां थप हुनेछ । त्यस्तै ग्यासबाट चल्ने सवारीसाधनले यसअघि ९ रुपियां लिने गरेकोमा अब ११ रुपियां लिने भएका छन् ।

फोहोरले राजधानी दुगन्धित

काठमाडौं- गर्मी चर्किरहेकै समयमा काठमाडौं र ललितपुरको फोहोर ११ दिनदेखि उठ्न नसकेपछि राजधानीमा महामारी फैलिने खतरा बढेको छ ।

ओखरपौवास्थित सिसडोल ल्यान्डफिल साइटका जनताले स्थानीय दुइ विद्यालयको भौतिक संरचना निर्माण गर्नुपर्ने र शिक्षक दरबन्दी दिनुपर्ने माग राखी काठमाडौंको तीनपीपलेस्थित मुख्य सडकमै अवरोध पुर्याएपछि राजधानीको फोहोर विर्सजनको समस्या उत्पन्न भएको हो । तीनपीपलेस्थित भवानी माध्यमिक विद्यालय र कागतीगाउँस्थित महालक्ष्मी प्राविका शिक्षक र विद्यार्थीहरू फोहोर Šयाँक्न नदिन संर्घषमा उत्रिएपछि फोहोर विर्सजन गर्न संकट उत्पन्न भएको हो ।

सरकारले स्थानीय जनतासँग पटकपटक सम्झौता गरे पनि माग पूरा गर्न चासो नदेखाएपछि अवरोध पुगेको बताइएको छ। फोहोर विर्सजनको प्रयास गरिरहेका छौं’, फोहोर मैला व्यवस्थापन तथा स्रोत परिचालन केन्द्रका निर्देशक निवासचन्द्र श्रेष्ठले भन्नुभयो- शिक्षँकले बाटो छेकेर अवरोध गर्नु हुँदैन, वार्ताबाटै समस्या समाधान गर्न सकिन्छ।’राजधानीको फोहोर उठ्न नसक्दा प्रमुख व्यापारिक तथा पर्यटकीय क्षेत्र ठमेल, दरबारमार्ग, बागबजार, पुतलीसडक, लैनचौर, न्युरोड, वसन्तपुर, पाटन दरबारक्षेत्र मंगलबजार, पुल्चोकलगायत प्रमुख बजार पूरै दुगन्धित भएका छन्।फोहोर विर्सजन गर्ने प्रयासस्वरूप काठमाडौं महानगरपालिकाले सोमबार १८ वटा गाडी सिसडोल ल्यान्डफिल साइट लगेको थियो। दिनभरको अवरोध र नाराबाजीपछि अबदेखि फोहोर खसाल्न नपाइने चेतावनीपछि एक दर्जन गाडीको मात्र फोहोर विर्सजन गर्न सकिएको थियो।

Tunick photo shoot takes place in Cork

Cork- More than 1,000 people are baring all in Cork this morning for a naked photo shoot by the US photographer Spencer Tunick.The Dare to Bare challenge is taking place at Blarney Castle as part of the city's midsummer festival.Tunick is renowned for his photographs containing large groups of naked people posing together in city locations, including New York, London, Rome and Barcelona.Another shoot is due to take place in Dublin's Docklands on Saturday.

One-third of burglaries take place during summer in Ireland: Report

Dublin- More than one-third of all home burglaries take place during the summer months, according to the latest statistics from eircom Phonewatch.

The organisation says Dublin still has the highest number of burglaries, with 35% of all break-ins happening in the capital.Meanwhile, more than 90% of people do not tell their neighbours when they are going on holiday, but Eircom Phonewatch says small steps like this can protect houses from break-ins while their residents are away.

Fresh efforts made to combat homelessness in Ireland

Dublin- Fresh efforts are being made to combat homelessness.
The Government hopes to stamp out the problem with a new 5-year strategy.
It aims to ensure homeless people are not housed in emergency accomodation like shelters and B&B's for more than six months.
The draft document seen by the Irish Times advises a major shift towards the use of private-rented accomodation. But it doesn't outline how much funding will be needed, or whether money will be ring-fenced to sure the plan is implemented.

More than a thousand people pose nude in Cork

Dublin- More than a thousand people have posed naked in Cork this morning to take part in the latest work by photographer Spencer Tunick. The scene of Blarney castle was treated to the spectacle of the group of nude volunteers at about 5.30 this morning.

Gorkhaland issue: Life paralysed in Darjeeling hills

SILIGURI-

Normal life in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling district was paralysed on Tuesday as Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) enforced a second spell of indefinite bandh in the area to press for its demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Shops, markets, business establishments, banks and post offices were closed and vehicles remained off the roads after the bandh resumed from 6 pm on Monday after a five-day break. The National highway 31A linking Sikkim's capital Gangtok with Siliguri passing through Kalimpong sub-division was blocked by GJM activists, virtually cutting off the Himalayan state from the rest of the country, officials said.

All state and Central government offices also remained closed and the heritage Toy Train, a major tourist attraction, did not run. However, there were reports of normal work in tea gardens and schools and collages as these were kept outside the purview of the bandh. The Inspector General of Police (North Bengal), K L Tamta, said that situation in the hills remained peaceful. GJM has also announced that it would stage relay hunger strikes in many places in Siliguri and Dooars from 11 am on Tuesday, causing concern to the police and administration. The administration, as a precautionary measure, promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC in both the areas, which saw clashes between pro and anti-Gorkhaland outfits last week. The General Secretary of GJM, Roshan Giri, said that GJM would go for the hunger strike as per schedule at least at four places in Siliguri and five places in Dooars despite the prohibitory order. "We are not interested in violence and it is upto the police to deal with the situation," Giri said.

नायिकाहरुको आन्दोलन ?

नेट नसा डटकमका लागि नेपाली चलचित्रका चर्चित नायिकाहरू निरुता सिंह, संचिता लुईंटेल, उषा पौडेल, अरुणिमा लम्साल, ऋचा घिमिरे र सोभिता सिंखडा आदि छ जना नायिकाहरूलाई झुक्याएर फोटो खिची फोटोग्राफर राजीव श्रेष्ठले यामाहालाई बेचर सुटुक्क लाखौं रूपैयाँ हात पारेका छन् ।
नायिकाहरूलाई बेबसाइटको उपयोगका लागि मात्र फोटो खिंचाएको भनेर फोटोग्राफर श्रेष्ठले पछि यामाहाको मोटरसाइकल बिक्री प्रवर्द्धनका लागि सो क्यालेण्डर बेचेको थाहा भएपछि नायिकाहरूले यसविरुद्ध कानुनी कारबाहीका लागि अधिवक्ता सपना प्रधान (मल्ल) को ढोका घच्घच्याएका छन्। विश्वस्त सूत्रका अनुसार नेटनशा डटकमको लागि भनेर फोटोग्राफर श्रेष्ठलाई हिरोइनहरूको जानाजानी फोटो खिच्न यामाहा नेपालका अधिकृत वितरक मोरङ अटो वकर््सका मालिक विष्णु अग्रवाल, जिएम सुरज श्रेष्ठ र यामाहाको मिडिया एजेन्सी थम्पसन नेपालका नवीन जोशीले उक्साएका थिए। आफूहरूको फोटो त्यसरी खिचेर अनधिकृत रूपमा व्यवसायिक प्रयोग कुनै पनि हालतमा मान्य नभएको सम्बद्ध नायिकाहरूको भनाइ थियो। 'राजीव श्रेष्ठले कलाकारलाई पहिलोपटक झुक्याएका होइनन्, उनले नव–नायिकाहरूको धेरै शोषण गरेका छन्।' उत्तेजित्त हुँदै नायिका ऋचा घिमिरेले भनिन्। 'लगातार यसरी शोषण सहँदै जाने हो भने नेपालका कलाकारहरूको के अस्तित्व रह्यो त, त्यसै त कम पारिश्रमिकमा हामीले काम गर्नुपरिरहेको छ।' फोटोग्राफर र नायिकाको विवादले नेपाली सिने जगतमा हलचल पैदा गरेपछि सिनेमा बनाउँदै गरेका निर्माता र नायकहरूको पनि यसतर्फ ध्यान केन्द्रित भएको छ। नायक राजेश हमालले फोटोग्राफरले कुनै पनि चलचित्र कलाकारको अनुमतिविना त्यसरी व्यवसायिक प्रयोजनका लागि फोटो प्रयोग गर्न नहुने कुरा व्यक्त गरे। उनले भने, 'राजीवजीलाई म राम्ररी चिन्दछु, खोई किन उहाँले यस्तो गर्नुभो, विश्वास लागिरहेको छैन।' व्यवसायिक प्रयोजनका लागि कुनै नायिकालाई जानकारी नै नदिई ठूलो अर्थलाभ गरेको नेपाली सिनेजगतमा यो पहिलो घटना भने नभएको कलाकारहरूले बताएका छन्। उता, विवादलाई राफसाफ पार्न मोरङ अटो वर्क्सका सञ्चालक विष्णु अग्रवालले थम्पसनका नवीन जोशीमार्फत् हिरोइनहरूलाई सानो थैलीको नजराना चढाउने कोसिस गरेको स्रोतले बताएको छ। थैलीमा दिइन लागिएको रकम अत्यन्त कम भएको र यसले हात्तीको मुखमा जीरा जस्तो काम गरेकाले हिरोइनहरूको आन्दोलनलाई झन् चर्काउने भएपछि अहिले क्यालेण्डर प्रकाशन यामाहाको लागि गलगाँड सावित भएको छ। स्रोतका अनुसार नायिकाहरूले फोटोका लागि प्रतिनायिका पाँच लाख मागेको तर अग्रवाल र जोशी यसका लागि तयार हुँदाहुँदै पनि फोटोग्राफर श्रेष्ठ नदिनका लागि जोडतोडले लागिरहेका छन्। उल्टै राजीव श्रेष्ठ नायिकाहरूलाई नौटङ्कीको संज्ञा दिन्छन्, 'हिजो मस्कीमस्की फोटो खिचाउने अहिले पैसाको ठूलो माग गर्ने?' उनी भन्छन् 'यो द्वैध चरित्र हो।'

नारायणहिटी अब संग्रहालय

काठमाडौं-
नारायणहिटी दरबारबाट पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्र शाह बाहिरिएपछि आइतबार विशेष समारोहबीच राष्ट्रिय झन्डा फहराइनुका साथै नारायणहिटी दरबारलाई संग्रहालयमा परिणत गरिएको छ ।
नेपाल सरकारका तर्फाट पहिलो पटक नारायणहिटी दरबारमा आयोजित विशेष औपचारिक समारोहबीच राष्ट्रप्रमुखका हैसियतले प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालाले दरबारको मूलद्वारसामु तीनवटा राष्ट्रिय झन्डा फहराउनुभएको थियो । झन्डोत्तोलनसँगै नेपाल सरकार नारायणहिटी दरबार संग्रहालय’ लेखिएको बोर्डमा लगाइएको पर्दा उघारिएको थियो ।
संवैधानिक अंगका प्रमुखहरू, विदेशी कूटनीतिक नियोगका प्रमुखहरू, प्रमुख राजनीतिक नेताहरू, संविधानसभाका सदस्य, नागरिक समाज, विभिन्न क्ष्त्रका प्रबुद्ध व्यक्तिहरू, सञ्चारकर्मी, उच्चपदस्थ अधिकारी, सुरक्षानिकायका प्रमुख, मन्त्रीगणलगायतको उपस्थिति रहेको समारोह निकै उल्लासमय देखिएको थियो।नेपाल संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र घोषणा भएको ऐतिहासिक उपलक्ष्यमा आयोजित झन्डोत्तोलन समारोहका पाहुनाहरूले नारायणहिटी दरबारभित्रका सबै भाग हेर्ने इच्छासमेत राखेका थिए। नारायणहिटीको मूल भाग देखिने गरी त्यहाँ पुग्नासाथ तस्वीर खिचाइरहेका विशिष्ट व्यक्तिहरूले गृहमन्त्री कृष्णप्रसाद सिटौलासँग सबै भाग हर्ेनका लागि अनुरोधसमेत गरेका थिए तर गृहमन्त्री सिटौलाले नेपाली जनतालाई सबै कोठाकोठा र महत्त्वपर्ूण्ा ऐतिहासिक सामग्रीको अवलोकन गराउने तयारी पूरा हुन अझै दुइ/तीन महिना लाग्न सक्ने जानकारी गराउनुभएको थियो।

Dublin cleans up litter problem

Dublin- The latest litter survey has found that cleanliness in Dublin city has improved noticeably, and that almost 60% of Irish towns are deemed clean to European levels.
The latest findings are mainly positive, particularly regarding the capital. Having languished as a blackspot for many years, Dublin city is now ranked in 16th place of the 55 areas surveye

However, Tullamore, Tallaght and Roscommon were described as litter blackspots. The towns of Bray, Ballina, Cobh, Enniscorthy and Longford were described as seriously littered.
It is the latest survey from Irish Business Against Litter - an alliance of companies that use the environmental group An Taisce to monitor all towns of population 6,000 and over.
The average litter rating rose to a record level; almost half of all approach roads to towns were littered; and inspectors found supermarket car parks to be a particular problem.

Plans for country's tallest building put on hold

Dublin- Plans to create Ireland's tallest building have been put on hold.
Permisison was given three years ago for a 32-storey skyscraper to be built near Dublin's Heuston station. It includes apartments, offices and a cultural centre.
But the office of public works has postponed work on the project because of the downturn in the property market.

One in six Irish people doesn't have a bank account.

Dublin- One in six Irish people doesn't have a bank accoount.
That's according to a major new report from the from the Financial Regulator on the financial capability of Irish consumers. 27% of consumers don't know how to make a complaint against a bank or financial institution. The Regulator's Consumer Director, Mary O Dea, says over one-third of respondents also have problems keeping up with bills.

Ennis named cleanest town in Ireland in latest litter survey

Dublin- Ennis in Co Clare has been named as Ireland's cleanest town in the latest survey by the Irish Business Against Litter organisation.

Thirty-two towns are rated as litter-free in the survey and 60% of towns are now deemed to be clean, compared to only 7% six years ago. Elsewhere, the number of litter blackspots in the survey has fallen to just three - Tallaght, Roscommon and Tullamore. Limerick, Kilkenny and Cork have also slipped backwards in the league, while the survey found that almost half of all approach roads to towns are littered.

८ सय शरणार्थी गइसके पुनर्वासमा

काठमाडौं- नेपालमा रहेका ८ सय भुटानी शरणार्थी तेस्रो देशमा पुनर्वासका लागि प्रस्थान गरिसकेका छन् ।
नेपालस्थित शरणार्थीसम्बन्धी राष्ट्रसंघीय उच्चायोग (यूएनएचसीआर) को कार्यालयका अनुसार यही जेठ १८ गतेसम्ममा तेस्रो मुलुकको पुनर्वासका लागि ३६ हजार भुटानी शरणार्थीले आवेदन दिइसकेका छन् । पुनर्वासका लागि प्रस्थान गरिसकेका शरणार्थीलाई अस्ट्रेलिया, क्यानडा, डेनमार्क, नेदरल्यान्ड, न्युजिल्यान्ड, नर्वे र अमेरिका गरी सातवटा देशमा लगिएको छ । दर्ता भएका लगभग १ लाख ८ हजार शरणार्थीमध्ये केहीले तेस्रो मुलुक पुनर्वासको विरोध गर्दै स्वदेश फिर्तीको माग अघि सारी पर््रदर्शन गरे पनि तेस्रो मुलुक पुनर्वासका लागि आवेदन दिनेको संख्या दिन प्रतिदिन बढ्दै गएको नेपालस्थित उच्चायोगको कार्यालयकी प्रवक्ता निनी गुरुङले नेपाल समाचारपत्रलाई बताउनुभयो ।
शरणार्थीलाई पुनर्वासका लागि तेस्रो देश लैजाने काम निरन्तर चलिरहन्छ’, प्रवक्ता गुरुङले भन्नुभयो- ँदर्ता भएका शरणार्थी जसले तेस्रो राष्ट्रमा जाने इच्छा व्यक्त गरी आवेदन दिन्छन्, उनीहरूलाई मात्र लगिन्छ।’ तेस्रो देशमा लाने प्रक्रियामा बसाइँसराइसम्बन्धी अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय संस्था -आईओएम) ले इच्छुक शरणार्थीले यूएनएचसीआरलाई दिएको आवेदनको आधारमा अन्तर्वार्ता र मेडिकल परीक्षणको काममा सघाउँदै आएको छ।
गएको मार्च महिनासम्ममा यूएनएचसीआरले १२ हजार शरणार्थीलाई पुनर्वासका निम्ति ७ देशलाई रिफर’ गरेको थियो। जसमध्ये ११ हजार अमेरिका, ८ सय अस्ट्रेलिया, १ सय ५० न्युजिल्यान्ड र बाँकी संख्या क्यानडा, डेनमार्क, नेदरल्यान्ड र नर्वेका लागि रिफर’ गरिएको थियो । रिफर गरिएकामध्ये २ हजार ५ सयलाई अमेरिकाले, १ सयलाई न्युजिल्यान्डले, २९ जनालाई क्यानडाले, १३ जनालाई डेनमार्कले, ३२ जनालाई नेदरल्यान्डले र २४ जनालाई नर्वेले स्वीकृत गरिसकेका छन् । सन् २००८ पछि प्रत्येक महिना १ हजार ५ सय शरणार्थी पुनर्वासका लागि तेस्रो देश जाने अनुमान आईओएमको छ । आईओएमका अनुसार सन् २००८ भित्र १० हजार भुटानी शरणार्थी पुनर्वासका लागि तेस्रो देश प्रस्थान गरिसक्नेछन्, जसमध्ये ठूलो संख्या अमेरिका प्रस्थान गर्नेछ ।

RSA offers tests to drivers before deadline

Dublin- The Road Safety Authority says it will have offered driving tests to more than 120,000 holders of second provisional licences by the end of this month.
New laws, which come into force in July, will require all provisional drivers to be accompanied by full licence holders. When Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey announced the new legislation last October, the RSA sought to ensure all those who held second provisional licences at the time would have an opportunity to sit their test. A spokesman has said the RSA actively targeted second provisional holders and anyone who applied for their test has been accommodated.
He added the 'vast majority' of those who failed have also been offered a re-test.
A further 120 provisional drivers were on driving test waiting lists at the time.
The RSA says it has also met its deadline to ensure these drivers were all tested by March, and claims waiting times around the country now vary from six to 10 weeks.

दार्जिलिङमा बंगाली र गोर्खालीबीच झडप

बिर्तामोड- भारतको पश्चिम बंगालको सिलगुढी, नक्सलवाडी, बागडोगरालगायतका ठाउँमा बंगाली र नेपालीभाषी भारतीय नागरिकबीच बिहीबार झडप हुँदा करिब १ सय नेपालीभाषी घाइते भएका छन् ।

यस्तै नेपालीभाषीका ३ देखि ५ वटा घर बंगालीहरूले भत्काइदिएका छन् । दार्जिलिङ जिल्ला अर्न्तर्गतका ती क्षेत्रमा गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाले गत मंगलबारदेखि अनिश्चितकालीन बन्दको आयोजना गरेकोमा बिहीबारबाट ६० घण्टाका लागि सो संगठनले बन्द फिर्ता लिएको थियो । बन्दको समयमा स्थानीय तहमा कठिनाइ बेहोर्नुपरेको आरोप लगाउँदै मोर्चाको विरुद्धमा आमरा बंगाली र जनजागरण मञ्चले नेपालीभाषीविरूद्ध बिहीबारदेखि आक्रमण शुरू गरेका हुन् ।

उनीहरूको समूहले नेपालीभाषीलाई छानीछानी कुटपिट गरेको थियो । मोर्चा नेपालीभाषीको छुट्टै राज्यको माग गर्ने समूह हो । तर सो समूहले अनिश्चितकालीन बन्द भने छुट्टै राज्यको माग पूरा गराउन आयोजना नगरेको अरू नै आन्तरिक माग पूरा गर्न भएको जनाइएको छ । सिलगुढीका भारतीय पत्रकार प्रमोद गिरीले बिहीबार राति नेपाल समाचारपत्रलाई फोनमा जानकारी गराउनु भए अनुसार हिंसात्मक घटना नियन्त्रण गर्न भारतीय प्रहरीलाई गाह्रो परिरहेको छ । उनका अनुसार सिलगुढीछेउमा महानन्द नदीनजिक रहेको नेपालीभाषीको एउटा बस्तीमा आक्रमणकारीले आगो लगाउने प्रयास गरे पनि भारतीय प्रहरीले रोकेको थियो । सो समयमा भएको झडपमा नौ जना भारतीय प्रहरीसमेत घाइते भएका थिए ।

Abuse of elderly under spotlight

Dublin- Around 85% of abuse against the elderly takes place in the home, it emerged today.

Referrals in the south of the country have revealed a further 8% of abuse happened in a private nursing home or a relatives homes.

Meanwhile, 6% occurred in both acute hospitals and care units, with 1% recorded in boarding facilities.

The figures from 2007 indicated a family member is most like to abuse an elderly family member (82%), followed by a carer (6%), neighbour (4%), other patients (1%) and other (7%).

Latest data also showed a total of 245 allegations have been referred to HSE south in the first five months of the year. However, it is estimated between 3000 to 5000 older people are being abused in the region.

The subject will be put under the spotlight today at a seminar for health professionals in Cork.

Hosted by the HSE South in advance of World Elder Abuse Day on Sunday, Uncovering Elder Abuse aims to raise the awareness of the issue among health service staff and voluntary and statutory agencies.

Con Pierce, Dedicated Officer for Elder Abuse in the South area said: “Elder Abuse is not new. However, with increased awareness and changing social policy there is now a firm commitment to address this issue.

Waiting for result in Lisbon Treaty Referendum

Dublin-
The outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum appears to be too close to call, with counting of votes set to get underway at 9am.

The results in the 43 constituencies will be communicated to the main count centre in Dublin Castle throughout the day, with a final result expected sometime in the afternoon.

Turnout is understood to be somewhere between 40% and 45%.

Observers had predicted that a turnout below 40% would favour the No camp, while a high turnout is likely to boost the Yes vote.

Turnout is believed to have been higher in urban areas than rural areas.

Maoist ministers offer resignation

Kathmandu- Ministers from the CPN (Maoist) have announced their resignation form the Koirala-led government and have forwarded the joint resignation letter to party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
According to forest minister Matrika Yadav, the ministers have offered their resignation to pave the way for formation of a new government. He said Prachanda would forward the resignation to the Prime Minister. The CPN-M has five ministers and two state ministers in the government.
The Maoist ministers' resignation came hours after a meeting between Prachanda and Prime Minister Koirala in Baluwatar.
Though the two leaders are said to have reached an understanding to settle the power-sharing issue within two days they differed on the composition of the government as well as the time when the government will be formed.

नारायणहिटीबाट पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रको बहिर्गमन

काठमांडू- भूतपूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्र शाहले आफू नेपालमैं बसी सक्रिय रहने घोषणा गर्दै बुधवार नारायणहिटी दरबार छोडेका छन् । नयाँ आवास नागार्जुन दरबारतर्फ प्रस्थान गर्नु तीन घण्टाअघि नारायणहिटी दरबारमैं सयौं पत्रकारहरुका बीच एउटा लिखित वक्तव्य पढ्दै दुई-दुई पटक राजा बनेका ज्ञानेन्द्रले दुवैपटक बाध्यतावश श्रीपेच पहिरिनु परेको बताए ।
उनले आफू र आफ्नो परिवारमाथि लगाइएका विभिन्न आरोपहरुको खण्डन गर्दै आफूले गरेका कामबाट कसैलाई मर्का परेको भए त्यसलाई भूलवश भएको ठानिदिन आग्रह गरेका पूर्व राजा दौरा सुरुवाल र ढाका टोपीमा सजिएर चश्माको सहयोगमा आफ्नो लिखित वक्तव्य पढेका ज्ञानेन्द्र शाहले भने, “मैले देश छोडेर जाने सोच बनाएको छैन। म मातृभूमिमै बसी मुलुकको वृहत्तर हित र शान्तिका लागि योगदान पु-याउन चाहन्छु। यसको लागि सबैको सहयोग हुनेनैं छ भन्ने आशा लिएको छु।”
उनले राजदरबार हत्याकाण्डमा उनी र उनको परिवारलाई मुछेर चलाइएको चर्चाको कडा प्रतिवाद गरेका थिए । उनले भने, “त्यस्तो आक्षेप मानवीय संवेदनासँग मेल खाँदैन। यो राजसंस्थाप्रति नेपाली सामू रहेको सदभावना बिगार्ने र दुर्भावना फैलाउने रणनीति हो।“
आलोचना अस्वीकार
ज्ञानेन्द्र शाहले सम्पत्तिको मोह राख्ने राजाका रुपमा गरिएको आफ्नो आलोचना अस्वीकार गरे।
उनले भने, “ मेरो संपूर्ण सम्पत्ति नेपालमै छ। मैले विदेशमा चल अचल सम्पत्ति राखेको छैन। विगत सात वर्षमा मैले कुनै थप सम्पत्ति जोडेको छैन।"
ज्ञानेन्द्र शाहले आफुले विगतमा चालेका कतिपय कदमहरु असफल भएको स्वीकारोक्ति दोहो-याएका थिए।
नारायणहिटी छाड्नअघि बुधवार ज्ञानेन्द्रले आफ्नो संपूर्ण सम्पत्ति नेपालमै रहेको बताएका थिए
ती कदमहरुप्रति सोझै माफी नमागेपनि जनताहरुबाट समझदारीको अपेक्षा गर्दै उनले भने, “म र मेरो परिवारका सदस्यले विगतमा भए गरेका कामबाट कसैलाई पीडा पर्न गएको वा कसैको हक हनन् हुन गएको भए अनजानवश यस्तो हुन गएको बुझिदिनु हुनेछ भन्ने आशा गरेका छौं।"
दुई हप्ताअघि संविधानसभाले गणतन्त्र घोषणा गरेपछि नारायणहिटी दरबार छोड्न दिएको १५ दिने म्यादभित्रै बुधवार भूतपूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्र शाह, सरकारलेनै तोकि दिएको नागार्जुन दरबार सरेका हुन्।
सरकारले भूतपूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई तत्कालका लागि मात्र नागार्जुन दरबारमा बस्न दिइएको बताएको छ।
तर उनलाई त्यहाँ बस्न दिइने समयको किटान गरिएको छैन।

Nepal's deposed king leaves palace for the last time

Kathmandu- Nepal’s deposed king gave up his crown of peacock feathers, yak hair and jewels and, with the streets slicked by rain and the air filled with metaphor, left his palace forever.

Former King Gyanendra’s departure closed the final chapter on the world’s last Hindu monarchy, but a remnant stayed behind: the 94-year-old mistress of the deposed monarch’s grandfather, who died more than half a century ago.

Few Nepalis knew of the mysterious elderly woman’s existence until authorities announced yesterday that she would be allowed to continue living in the palace. The reason: the youngest mistress of King Tribhuwan, who ruled the Himalayan kingdom from 1911 until his death in 1955, has no house to move to or relatives to take her in.Little else, however, will remain of a dynasty that united Nepal and reigned for 239 years. Most of the palace – a pink, concrete 1970s monstrosity – will be turned into a museum, one that seems unlikely to celebrate the monarchy that Nepal’s leaders were so eager to do away with.And the last king, Gyanendra, is to live as something akin to an ordinary citizen, albeit and incredibly wealthy one, protected by police at a one-time summer palace on a forested hill on the outskirts of Katmandu.“I have no intention or thoughts to leave the country,” Gyanendra said yesterday, hours before departing his family’s seat. “I will stay in the country to help establish peace.”The vast majority of Nepalis have made it clear they are pleased to see the monarchy end and while Gyanendra’s throne was formally abolished last month, yesterday’s move carries great significance in a nation that was ruled by Shah dynasty monarchs for more than two centuries.The former king pulled out of the palace gates in an armoured black Mercedes at about 8.45pm, followed by a police and army escort. A few loyalist onlookers shouted at Gyanendra to stay on the throne, but most of the several hundred people gathered were happy to see him go.“I came to see the end of a dark era,” said Gopal Shakya, a shopkeeper in Katmandu who watched the king leave the palace. “Tomorrow it will be a brand new beginning for Nepal.”Nepal was declared a republic last month after elections that saw the country’s former Communist rebels win the most seats in a special assembly charged with rewriting the constitution.“I have accepted the decision,” Gyanendra told reporters who had gathered in a grand palace hall decorated with portraits of the Shah dynasty kings, stuffed tigers and ornate chandeliers.The Narayanhiti palace has been Gyanendra’s home since becoming king in 2001 after a massacre in which a gunman, allegedly the crown prince, assassinated King Birendra and much of the royal family before killing himself.After his brother’s death, Gyanendra assumed the throne. But the killings helped pierce the mystique surrounding a line of kings who had once been revered as reincarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu.No proof has ever surfaced that Gyanendra was involved in the killings, but rumours have swirled for years that he was behind the slaughter.Yesterday he dismissed the accusations as a “campaign to defame the royal institution”.The king does not leave public life a pauper, even if his palaces have been nationalised and his £1.5 million annual allowance cut.Before assuming the throne, he was known as a tough businessman with interests in tourism, tea and tobacco. He also inherited much of his family’s wealth after the palace massacre.The government is letting Gyanendra live in the summer palace – which was among the royal residences that were nationalised – because the former king’s son is living in the family’s private Kathmandu residence.As for the former mistress, Sarala Gorkhali, she and Gyanendra’s 80-year-old stepmother are being allowed to remain at the main palace because they own no property and have nowhere else to go, says interim home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.It was common knowledge that Tribhuwan had mistresses, but Nepal was shocked to discover that one of them was still alive and had lived in the palace for over half a century. She rarely emerged, except to occasionally visit Hindu temples alone, without guards or escorts.
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Weekend Lotto jackpot set to exceed €12m

Dublin- Saturday's Lotto jackpot is expected to exceed the €12m mark following another rollover last night.There was no winner of the midweek pot, worth more than €11m.

Gardaí to mount safety blitz on learner drivers

Dublin- Gardaí are set to mount a safety crackdown on learner drivers over the next week in an effort to reduce the death toll among young motorists.

A special road safety blitz due to get underway tomorrow will specifically target provisional drivers who do not display L-plates or who drive unaccompanied. Studies have found that male drivers aged between 17 and 20 are almost 10 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the roads compared to those in their 40s and 50s. The six-day operation will also target drink-drivers and motorists who use their mobile phone while behind the wheel.

Fathers’ rights protestors scale M50 toll plaza, Dublin

Dublin- Three men have mounted a protest on top of the M50 toll plaza in Dublin calling for better rights for unmarried fathers. The protest began just after 6am and gardaí are currently at the scene trying to coax the men down.The demonstrators are vowing to remain on top of the toll plaza until an official from the Department of Justice agrees to meet them.

Ireland votes in Lisbon referendum

Dublin- Ireland goes to the polls today in the Lisbon Treaty referendum which will have far-reaching implications for the future of the European Union.

The controversial document, which has already been approved by 17 member states, is due to come into force by January 1, 2009.Ireland is the only EU country holding a referendum on the treaty because it has to amend its national constitution in order to ratify its provisions. Pro-treaty groups say acceptance will streamline EU decision-making and keep Ireland at the centre of influence in Europe.

However, its opponents warned during the divisive campaign that the charter was flawed and anti-democratic and urged the Irish government to renegotiate a better deal. Many Irish voters are confused by the complex 287-page charter and as many as one third of the electorate was still undecided up to last week. The treaty and six years of negotiating work will almost certainly collapse if the referendum is rejected by voters. “The legal position is that if Ireland says No, then the document falls,” said international referendums expert, Professor Matt Qvortrup of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

Ireland has gained billions of euro in EU subsidies since it joined the bloc alongside Britain and Denmark in 1973. The state’s independent Referendum Commission called for a high turnout and the sunny weather forecast is likely to encourage voter participation between 7am and 10pm. In a last-minute plea to the electorate, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said: “The Treaty of Lisbon will enable the European Union to be stronger and better equipped to serve its citizens in the face of today’s global challenges.”Taoiseach Brian Cowen warned that future generations would not thank Irish voters if they halted EU progress.“This treaty will decide whether or not our country stays true to its positive approach to the European Union or takes a new and uncertain route,” he said.However, anti-treaty frontman, businessman Declan Ganley countered: “No good reasons for a Yes vote have been given in this campaign. I hope, and I firmly believe, that the Irish people will vote No.”Islands off Ireland’s west coast have already cast their votes due to concerns over inclement weather.Results from 43 constituencies will be relayed to the national count centre in Dublin Castle and a final verdict is expected by 6pm tomorrow.

Prince's Croke Park concert cancelled

Dublin- Over 55,000 fans will be disappointed today after the upcoming Dublin concert by US pop star Prince was cancelled. The concert was due to be held at Croke Park on Monday June 16th. Prince: Croke Park concert cancelled
Promoters MCD accounced that "due to reasons beyond the control" of both Prince and MCD, the concert would not go ahead and the 55,161 ticket holders will be fully refunded. Tickets ranged in price from €66.50 to €125.50, excluding handling fees. The gig had been billed as a greatest hits tour and his last ever trip to Ireland. The star sold out a 21-night run at London's 20,000 capacity 02 Arena last year.
MCD said plans are under way to reschedule the concert for next year. MCD had applied for a licence to stage the event, as the stadium has planning permission for only three concerts a year. It has already hosted concerts by Celine Dion and Westlife, while Neil Diamond is due to play on Saturday. A Dublin City Council spokeswoman said the licence was granted last Friday.

Dublin parking increase sought

Dublin- Dublin City Council officials want to increase parking charges in high demand areas by 20c an hour.
They say the fee increase is necessary to reduce traffic congestion before enabling works for the Luas and Metro start in May next year. A report due to be presented to the council's Transport Committee meeting on Thursday says the increase is twice the rate of inflation but is necessary to reduce traffic congestion in the city.

It notes that the number of private vehicles travelling into the city centre has begun to increase in recent years after a long period of reductions. The report says that there is currently occupancy rates of over 90% for on street parking bays in the city centre's Yellow Zone.
Executive Manager Tim O'Sullivan says that motorists 'cruising' for parking spaces increases congestion. He proposes raising the cost of parking in yellow zone areas by 20c to €2.90 an hour.
With the red zones going up by 20c to €2.40 an hour and the green areas by 10c to €1.60.
The orange and blue zones would not be changed. The report says that the last increase was in August 2007 and applied only to the yellow and red zones.

Lotto jackpot to hit €11m

Dublin- Tonight’s lotto jackpot is heading for €11m euro after rolling over for the last 11 draws. The top prize has not been won since the beginning of May. Lotto chiefs said the last time the jackpot reached this amount was on April 16. It was not won then and rolled over to April 26 and the second highest jackpot ever at €15m.

More disruption in Cork Rail dispute

Dublin- There could be more chaos on the cards for rail passengers. Two drivers in Cork have been taken off the payroll - after refusing to work a 'training shift' for fear of being held responsible if an accident occured. There's mounting concern the action could re-ignite a dispute which scuppered the plans of 100-thousand customers less than a fortnight ago.

पूर्व राजाले पत्रकार सम्मेलन गर्ने

काठमांडू- नारायणहिटी छाडेर नागार्जुन जानुअघि पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रले पत्रकार सम्मेलन गर्ने भएका छन् । पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रले नारायणहिटी छाडेर नागार्जुन दरवार जानुअघि पत्रकार सम्मेलन गर्ने भएका छन् । श्रोतका अनुसार, ज्ञानेन्द्रको पत्रकार सम्मेलन जेठ २९ गते बेलुका साढे पाँच बजे नारायणहिटी दरवारमा हुनेछ । पत्रकार सम्मेलनमा निकै कम पत्रकारले सहभागि हुने मौका पाउने पनि श्रोतको भनाइ छ ।

Jobs boost for Offaly, Ireland

Dublin-

Meat processing firm Rosderra is to create up to 120 jobs at its plant in Offaly. The new jobs will come on stream this Autumn when Rosderra finishes rebuilding a section of the Edenderry plant that was destroyed by fire a year ago.

Irish Temperatures to continue rising

Dublin- A new report is forecasting that temperatures in Ireland are set to keep rising, but there'll also be more rain.

The document, compiled by Met Eireann and UCD, is to released by Environment Minister John Gormley later today. It'll reveal that average temperatures will increase by up to one-and-a-half degrees by 20-40 and by as much as four degrees by the end of the century. Winter rainfall is also expected to rise - by some fifteen per cent with more extreme downpours on the cards.

पेट्रोलियम पदार्थमा मूल्यवृद्धि

काठमांडू - जेठ २७ गते मध्य रातीदेखि लागु हुने गरी बृद्धि गरिएको नयाँ मुल्य अनुसार काठमाडौंमा पेट्रोल प्रति लिटर १ सय, डिजल ७०, मट्टितेल - ६५ र एलपी ग्यास प्रति सिलिण्डर १२ सय रुपियाँ पुगेको छ । 
नेपाल आयल निगमले पेट्रोल, डिजल,मट्टितेल र खाना पकाउने एलपी ग्यासको मूल्य बढाएको छ ।जेठ २७ गते मध्य रातीदेखि लागु हुने गरी बृद्धि गरिएको नयाँ मूल्य अनुसार काठमाडौंमा पेट्रोल प्रति लिटर १ सय, डिजल ७०, मट्टितेल ६५ र एलपी ग्यास प्रति सिलिण्डर १२ सय रुपियाँ पुगेको छ । तराई र भित्री मधेशका जिल्लामा एलपी ग्यासको मुल्य प्रति सिलिण्डर ११ सय ८० कायम गरिएको छ । यस अघि पेट्रोल प्रति लिटर ८०, डिजल ५६ रुपियाँ ५० पैसा, मट्टितेलको ५१ रुपियाँ र एलपी ग्यास प्रति सिलिण्डर ११ सय रुपियाँ थियो ।
नयाँ मुल्य निर्धारण गरेपछि पनि नेपाल आयल निगमलाई मासिक घाटा १ अर्ब ५० करोड रुपैयाँ रहेको उद्योग, वाणिज्य तथा आपूर्ति सचिव पुरुषोत्तम ओझाले बताए । उनका अनुसार पुरानो मुल्यमा बेच्दा निगमलाई मासिक २ अर्ब ६२ करोड रुपैयाँ घाटा थियो ।
सरकारले पेट्रोलियम पदार्थमा लिँदै आएको करमा समेत कटौती गरेको छ । जस अनुसार प्रति किलोलिटर पेट्रोलमा १४ हजार ७ सय ५० रुपियाँ कर लिने गरिएकोमा १४ हजार, डिजलमा २१ सय रुपियाँ लिने गरिएकोमा १६ सय र मट्टितेलमा १३ सय रुपैयाँ लिने गरिएकोमा १ हजार बनाइएको छ । खाना पकाउने ग्यासमा लिँदै आएको ६ दशमलब ७५ प्रतिशत करलाई ४ प्रतिशतमा झारिएको छ ।
यस अघि लिँदै आएको १ दशमलब ५ प्रतिशत स्थानीय विकास करलाई पनि १ प्रतिशतमा झारिएको छ ।
यसैगरी जेठ २७ गते बसेको मन्त्री परिषद राजनीतिक समितिको वैठकले निजी क्षेत्रले पनि पेट्रोलियम पदार्थ आयात गरी बिक्री वितरण गर्न पाउने निर्णय गरेको छ ।

Lisbon Treaty campaign to reach peak today in Ireland

Dublin- The Lisbon Treaty campaign is expected to reach a peak today as voters prepare to go to the polls in 48 hours. A media blitz is expected to get underway, with broadcasters legally obliged to avoid mention of the central issues from midnight tonight.Yesterday, the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour joined forces to press for a 'yes' vote, saying it would be in the interests of the Irish people and the Irish economy.This is contested by the anti-Lisbon group Libertas and other commentators, who are continuing to insist that the treaty poses a threat to Ireland's low corporation tax rate.Opinion polls suggest the outcome of the referendum is too close to call.

बिबादहरु समाधान हुदै

काठमांडू- माओवादी, नेपाली कांग्रेस र एमाले नेताहरु रहेको कार्यदलले सेना समायोजन, संवैधानिक र सुरक्षा परिषद गठन बाहेकका बिबादस्पद मुद्धामा सहमति बनाएको छ ।
राजनीतिक बिबादमा सहमति कायम गर्न प्रमुख तीन दलले बनाएको कार्यदलको बिहान सुरु भएको बैठक स्थगित भई दिउँसो तीन बजे पुन सुरु हुने भएको छ । जेठ २८ बिहान तथा हिजो सिंहदरवारमा भएको माओवादी, नेपाली कांग्रेस र एमाले नेताहरु रहेको कार्यदल बैठकले सेना समायोजन, संवैधानिक परिषद र सुरक्षा परिषद गठनबाहेक बिबादका सबै मुद्धामा सहमति बनाइसकेको कार्यदलका सदस्य भीम रावलले बताए । रावलका अनुसार, दिउँसो हुने कार्यदल बैठकले ती बिषय टुङ्गो लगाउनेछ । हिजो र आज बिहान भएको कार्यदलको बैठकले सरकार बनाउन र हटाउन सामान्य बहुमतले गर्न सकिने प्रावधान अन्तरिम संविधानमा राख्ने, संविधानसभाले नै संसदको अधिकार प्रयोग गर्ने, अन्तरिम संविधानमा उल्लेखित सात दलको ठाउँमा २५ दल राख्ने, अन्तरिम संविधानमा लेखिएको तत्कालिन बिधायकहरुको नाम हटाउने बिषयमा सहमति बनाएको पनि रावलले जानकारी दिए । माओवादी भात्रृ संगठन वाईसीएलले कब्जा जमाएका सार्वजनिक स्थल उनीहरुले तत्काल छाड्ने तथा उसको अर्धसैनिक संरचना खारेज गर्ने सहमति पनि कार्यदल बैठकमा भएको उनले उल्लेख गरे । दलहरुबीच बिबाद रहेको राष्ट्रपतिबारे भने कार्यदलमा अहिले छलफल नभएको श्रोतले बतायो ।

Global warming to hit hardest in south and east

Dublin- A study due to be published today is reportedly warning that the south and east of the Ireland will be most affected by global warming in the coming decades.

Reports this morning say the assessment by the Community Climate Change Consortium for Ireland warns that temperatures in the south and east will rise by up to four degrees by the end of the current century. It reportedly says the warmer climate will be most obvious in the summer and autumn. Winter rainfall could also increase by up to 15%, while summer rainfall could decline by up to 20%. Such changes would have major consequences for agriculture and domestic water supply.

पेट्रोलियम मूल्यबृद्धि हुने

काठमांडू- अन्तराष्ट्रिय भाउ बृद्धिको कारण देखाउदै सरकारले पेट्रोलियम पदार्थको मूल्य गर्ने निर्णय गरेको छ । 
आपूर्ति मन्त्री श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले पेट्रोलियम पदार्थ मूल्य बृद्धि हुने बताएका छन् । जेठ २७ गते सिंहदरवारमा मन्त्री परिषदको राजनीतिक समितिको बैठक सकिएलगत्तै संचारकर्मीसँग कुरा गर्दै मन्त्री गुप्ताले आज बेलुकासम्ममै मूल्य बृद्धि हुने जानकारी दिए । कति मूल्य बृद्धि हुनेबारे भने नेपाल आयल निगमको संचालक समितिलाई जिम्मा दिइएको पनि उनले उल्लेख गरे । मन्त्री गुप्ताले अन्तराष्ट्रिय तथा भारतमा पेट्रोलियम पदार्थको मूल्य बृद्धि भएकाले पनि यहाँ मूल्यबृद्धि गर्नुपरेको बताए । मन्त्री गुप्तासँगै रहेका निगमका कार्यकारी निर्देशक दिगम्बर झाले खरिद मूल्य र सरकारको अनुदानबाट नपुग मूल्य बृद्धि हुने बताए । झाले हिजैदेखि डिपोहरुलाई पेट्रोलियम पदार्थको आपूर्ति बन्द गरिएको पनि जानकारी दिए तथा आजदेखि खुद्रा बिक्रेताहरुलाई आपूर्ति बन्द गरिने पनि उल्लेख गरे । संचारकर्मीहरुबीच मन्त्री गुप्ताले मन्त्री परिषदको राजनीतिक परामर्श समितिले पेट्रोलियम पदार्थको आपूर्ति निजी क्षेत्रलाई दिने निर्णय भएकोसमेत जानकारी दिए ।

Transport chief's Dublin plan: confuse drivers to cut crashes

Dublin- TAKE A street in Dublin. Eliminate the footpaths. Get rid of all the "clutter" - traffic lights, direction signs, pedestrian crossings and guard rails, then see what happens.
That's the experiment John Henry, director of the Dublin Transportation Office, wants to try out in the centre of the city.
"Without any signs, traffic will automatically slow down and there will be fewer accidents because drivers will take more care," he said confidently.
"The environment is what controls speed, not signs or rules. It's psychological. Signs like 'slow', 'stop' and 'yield' are often not seen by drivers. If you take the signs and kerb lines away, and say 'go figure it out yourselves', you're creating uncertainty - and that's safer."
Evidence from abroad, rather surprisingly, supports Mr Henry's novel proposal. Five years ago, the Dutch town of Drachten removed signs and traffic lights as part of a "naked streets" experiment - and accident figures plummeted as drivers became more cautious.
The idea of "going Dutch" was taken up by Daniel Moylan, deputy leader of the Tory-controlled London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Mr Moylan said it was "about re-civilising the city, to the benefit of all people who use the roads. We want to stop this top-down system of signs and signals to keep drivers and other road users apart, and give everyone back a sense of shared ownership and responsibility."
And that's what was done in Kensington High Street three years ago.

Staff locked up during Dunnes raid

Dublin- A garda investigation is under way following an armed robbery at Dunnes Stores in Rathmines in Dublin. The robbery happened at about 8.30pm last night.
Two men wearing balaclavas entered the store armed with what appeared to be a shotgun and a handgun. The store in the Swan Shopping Centre was closed at the time but five staff members were still on the premises. Three of them were taken to a cash room where threats were made, and a substantial amount of money was then taken.
The three staff were locked in the cash room afterwards. No shots were fired and no-one was injured. The raiders fled in a silver-coloured Ford Galaxy car that was parked nearby on Castlewood Avenue.

National Carers Week launched in Ireland

Dublin- The Care Alliance of Ireland is aiming to highlight the support carers need from the Government as it launches its national carers week. There's over 160, 000 carers in this country and the Care Alliance say they're at risk of stress and isolation. Over one in ten women aged between 40 and 59 work as a family carer.

Drink-Drivers not to be suspended from Driving

Dublin- First-time drink drivers won't be put off the road, under new laws due to come into force in autumn.
Instead of an automatic ban and court appearance, those found to be 'slightly over the limit' will be hit with penalty points and fines. The Road Traffic Bill 2008 has been hailed as a move which will crack down on dangerous driver behaviour in an effort to reduce the carnage on Irish roads. The current limit of 100 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood will be reduced to 80 meaning just one drink could put most drivers over the limit. But it's now emerged the constant message from safety experts that it's never ok to drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel - is about to be seriously undermined.Instead of an automatic ban and court appearance, those found to be 'slightly over the limit' for the first time will be hit with penalty points and fines. Repeat offenders and those well over the limit will be more severely penalised but that'll be cold comfort to both road safety experts and relatives of crash victims - as alcohol is a factor in one in three fatal collisions.
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Public divided on wearing of headscarves in schools in Ireland

Dublin- The Irish public is divided on the issue of whether Muslim pupils should be allowed to wear headscarves in schools, according to an opinion poll published this morning.

Forty-eight per cent of respondents to the TNS/MRBI poll in the Irish Times said the wearing of headscarves should be allowed, but 39% disagreed. Support was highest among women, young people and among Green Party and Sinn Féin supporters. The issue hit the headlines last month when the principal of a school in Co Wexford called on the Government to issues guidelines on the wearing of headscarves. The principal had been asked to allow a Muslim girl wear her headscarf even though it contravened the school rules on uniforms.

First ever Miss Universe Ireland pageant in Dublin today

Dublin- The first ever Miss Universe Ireland pageant will take place in Dublin today.Twenty eight women will compete at the Citywest Hotel for the chance to represent Ireland at the Miss Universe competition, which is being hosted in Vietnam next month.The event is being broadcast live on TV and features Rosanna Davison and Brendan O'Connor amongst its seven judges.

Motorists warned of long delays in Sutton Cross, Dublin

Dublin- Motorists have been warned to expect long delays in the Sutton Cross area of Dublin today.

Large crowds are expected to attend the Blessing of the Graves at St Fintan's Cemetery at 3pm this afternoon. As a result, there will be traffic delays between 3pm and 5pm at Sutton Cross and coming from Baldoyle and the Coast road. Gardaí have asked motorists to avoid the area if possible, and they're appealing to anyone attending the service to arrive early in order to minimise delays.

No winner of €10m Lotto jackpot

Dublin- There was no winner of last night's Lotto jackpot, which was worth more than €10m.Next Wednesday's jackpot is now heading for €11m.

कार्यदल गठन

काठमांडू- सेना समायोजन, वाईसीएल गतिविधि नियन्त्रण, संविधान संशोधन र नयाँ सरकार गठनबारे सुझाव दिने जिम्मेवारी दिएर तीन प्रमुख दलले ६ सदस्यीय कार्यदल गठन गरेका छन् ।

माओवादी, नेपाली कांग्रेस र एमालेका शीर्ष नेताबीच भएको बैठकले समसामयिक राजनीतिक मुद्धामा सहमतिको सुत्र बनाउन कार्यदल गठन गरेको छ । जेठ २६ गते बिहान प्रचण्ड निवास नयाँ बजारमा भएको तीन दलको बैठकले बनाएको ६ सदस्यीय कार्यदलमा माओवादीका कृष्णबहादुर महरा र खिमलाल देवकोटा, नेपाली कांग्रेसका डा। प्रकाशशरण महत र राधेश्याम अधिकारी तथा एमालेका भीम रावल र अग्नी खरेल छन् । कार्यदललाई सेना समायोजन, वाईसीएल गतिविधि नियन्त्रण, संविधान संशोधन र नयाँ सरकार गठनबारे सुझाव दिने जिम्मेवारी रहेको बैठकका सहभागि एमाले महासचिव झलनाथ खनालले जानकारी दिए ।

यसअघि, माओवादी, नेपाली कांग्रेस र एमालेका नेताबीच भएका छुट्टाछुट्टै बैठकमा केही सातादेखि बिबादस्पद बनेको सरकार बनाउन र हटाउन संविधानसभाको सामान्य बहुमतले गर्नसक्ने प्रावधान अन्तरिम संविधानमा राख्न माओवादी सहमत भइसकेको नेताहरुले बताएका छन् । माओवादीको नेतृत्वमा बन्ने सरकार हटाउने खेल नहुने राजनीतिक प्रतिबद्धता अन्य दलले ब्यक्त गरेपछि सामान्य बहुमतबाट सरकार बनाउन र हटाउन सक्ने प्रावधान संविधानमा राख्न माओवादीले सहमत जनाएको हो । अन्तरिम संविधानमा सरकार बनाउन र हटाउन दुई तिहाई बहुमत चाहिने प्रावधान छ ।

माओवादी बैठक सुरु

काठमांडू- सरकार गठन, राष्ट्रपति र प्रधानमन्त्री चयन लगायत मुद्धामा पार्टको रणनीति बनाउन माओवादी केन्द्रीय समितिको बैठक राजधानीमा सुरु भएको छ ।
समसामयिक राजनीतिक मुद्धाहरुमा पार्टीको रणनीति बनाउन माओवादी केन्द्रीय समिति बैठक सुरु भएको छ । जेठ २६ गते बिहान राजधानीको होटल गार्डेनमा सुरु भएको बैठकले दलहरुबीच भएका औपचारिक तथा अनौपचारिक छलफलको समिक्षा गर्नुसँगै आफ्नो नीति बनाउने श्रोतले बताएको छ । अन्य दलसँगको छलफलमा संवैधानिक राष्ट्रपति बनाउन तथा त्यसमा आफ्नो दावी छाड्न माओवादी सहमत भइसकेको छ । दलहरुबीच अझै राष्ट्रपतिमा कसलाई समर्थन गर्नेबारे सहमति नभइसकेकाले त्यसबारे पनि माओवादी बैठकले रणनीति बनाउने बिश्वास गरिएको छ । श्रोतका अनुसार, संवैधानिक राष्ट्रपतिमा आफ्नो दावी छाडिसकेको स्थितिमा प्रधानमन्त्री कुन नेतालाई बनाउनेबारे पनि आजको बैठकले निर्णय गर्नेछ । पार्टी अध्यक्ष प्रचण्डलाई राष्ट्रपति प्रचार गरेका कारण उनलाई प्रधानमन्त्री बनाउन नहुने आवाज माओवादीका केही नेताहरुले उठाउदै आएका छन् । यसैबीच, जेठ २६ गते बिहान हुने भनिएको मन्त्री परिषदको बैठक माओवादी केन्द्रीय समिति बैठकका कारण बेलुका साढे पाँच बजे सरेको छ । बैठकका लागि प्रधानमन्त्री निवासमा माओवादीबाहेक सबै मन्त्रीहरु जम्मा भए पनि माओवादी मन्त्री आउननसक्ने भएपछि बैठक स्थगित गरिएको आपर्ूर्ति मन्त्री श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले बताए ।

Bad day on the jobs front

Dublin- It has been a bad day on the jobs front, with job loss announcements from three separate companies. Kielys Electrical Ltd, a leading Munster retailer of electrical goods, has confirmed that it is to go into voluntary liquidation.
The company employs about 80 people in outlets in Limerick, Killarney, Tralee, Ennis and Newcastlewest. Earlier, Shannon-based technology company announced that it is to close with the loss of 48 jobs. Buffalo Technology Ireland assembles, tests and distributes devices used for storing information.
The company said its Irish business had made losses in the past two years and it was no longer feasible to serve its marketplace from its location in Shannon. Buffalo said the main markets for its products were concentrated in the UK, Germany, Nordic countries and southern Europe, while it was also developing in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The company said it had started talks with workers on redundancy packages and was also consulting Shannon Development on the closure. And the Woco Irish Rubber Components plant in Carrick-on-Shannon is also reported to be closing down, with the loss of 41 jobs. The plant has been in the Co Leitrim town since the 1970s. Its operations are now being moved to Germany.

Man dies in Dublin road accident

Dublin- A man has died following a road traffic collision in Dublin. The four-car crash happened on Orwell Road in Rathgar at around 9pm last night. Four people were injured and are being treated at St James's and St Vincent's Hospitals in Dublin.
The road is closed pending a technical examination later this morning.
Traffic diversions are in place.

Lotto jackpot nears €10m

Dublin- Tonight’s Lotto jackpot is heading for €10m euro after rolling over for the last 10 draws. The top prize has not been won since the beginning of May. Lotto chiefs said the last time the jackpot reached this amount was on April 12. It was not won on that night and continued to roll until April 26 when it reached over €15m and became the second largest Lotto jackpot yet.

एक सातामा सहमति बन्ने

काठमांडू- प्रमुख दलहरुबीचको असहमति एक सातामा समाप्त हुने एमाले महासचिव झलनाथ खनालले दावी गरेका छन् । 
एमाले महासचिव झलनाथ खनालले आउँदो एक साताभित्रै दलहरुबीच राजनीतिक सहमति हुने बताएका छन् । नेपाल दूर संचार संस्थान कर्मचारी संघको पाँचौ परिषदको जेठ २४ गते राजधानीमा उदघाटन गर्दै खनालले आपसमा न्यूनतम राजनीतिक सहमति गरेर अघि बढ्नुको बिकल्प दलहरुसँग नरहेको उल्लेख गरे । कार्यक्रममा एमाले महासचिव खनालले मुलुकको राष्ट्रपति संविधानसभाबाट निर्वाचित हुने धारणा पनि राखे । सरकार बनाउन तथा हटाउन संविधानसभाको सामान्य बहुमतबाट गर्न सकिने प्रावधान अन्तरिम संविधानमा राखिनुपर्ने धारणा एमाले महासचिव खनालले कार्यक्रम दोहोर्‍याए ।
'सरकारले राम्रो काम गरेन भने हटाउन पनि संविधान संशोधन गर्नैपर्छ' खनालले भने । माओवादीले हिंशात्मक गतिविधी छाड्नुपर्ने तथा अपराधीहरुलाई संरक्षण दिनुनहुने पनि खनालको भनाइ थियो ।

Jobs growth slows to 2.6% in 2008in Ireland

Dublin- Annual growth in employment slowed to 2.6% in the first quarter of the year, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The quarterly increase in the numbers at work of 6,200 compares to almost 20,000 in the same period last year. Foreign nationals now account for 16% of all people in employment.

Income tax figures and today's employment data point to a possible small increase in employment for 2008, say economists. The development comes as the European Central Bank has continued to leave interest rates on hold at 4%. Earlier, Fine Gael accused Fianna Fáil of sabotaging the economy's capacity to withstand tougher economic times.

पूर्वराजाको बुलेटप्रुफ गाडीमा आगलागी

काठमाडौं-

पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्र शाहको नारायणहिटी दरबार छाड्ने समय नजिकिँदै जाँदा बिहीबार मध्याहन विगतमा राजकीय सम्मानमा प्रयोग गरिने उनको कार आगलागी भएको छ ।

पूर्वराजाको निवास श्रीसदनबाट विभिन्न स्थानमा परिक्रमा गरी पूजाघरअगाडि आइपुग्दा गाडीमा दिउँसो १२ बजे अचानक आगलागी भएको थियो’, दरबार स्रोतले भन्यो- उक्त गाडीमा पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्र सवार थिएनन्।’

नम्बर प्लेट नभएको र नम्बर प्लेट राख्ने स्थानमा श्रीपेच राखिएको सो कार अत्याधुनिक बुलेटप्रुफ कार हो । कार आगलागी हुनासाथ दरबारभित्रै तैनाथ सेनाको वारुणयन्त्रले आगो निभाएको थियो । उक्त कारको पछाडिको भाग क्षतिग्रस्त भएको छ’ । बेलायतबाट झिकाइएको सो कारमा रहस्यमय ढंगले आगलागी भएपछि पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्रले समेत कारको निरीक्षण गरेका थिए । यसैबीच राजज्योतिषको साइतअनुसार आज शुक्रबार नागार्जुन दरबार स्थानान्तरण हुने सम्भावना रहेका पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्रले नारायणहिटी दरबार छाड्नुअघि सरकारसँग आफना निजी कर्मचारी र दुइवटा बुलेटप्रुफ कार माग गरेका छन् ।

महेन्द्र मन्जिल दिन मिल्दैनः प्रम

काठमांडू- पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्रकी मुमा रत्नले नारायणहिटी दरबारभित्र रहेको महेन्द्र मन्जिल छाड्न नमानेपछि पूर्वराजाका अवकाशप्राप्त मुख्य सचिव पशुपतिभक्त महर्जन बिहीबार बिहान प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालासँग भेट गर्न बालुवाटार पुगेका थिए ।
भेटका क्रममा महर्जनले पूवमुमा बडामहारानी रत्नको चाहना, राजालाई सेनाकै सुरक्षा दिनुपर्ने तथा दरबारका गाई के गर्ने भन्ने विषयमा प्रमसँग कुरा राखेका थिए । जबाफमा प्रधानमन्त्रीले महेन्द्र मन्जिल रत्नलाई दिन नमिल्ने बताउँदै भन्नुभएको थियो- गाई जसले हेछ र घाँस हाल्छ, उसैले दूध खान्छ । पूर्वराजाले गाई छाड्दैमा अलपत्र पर्दैनन्।’

सभासद्को आपत्ति

संविधानसभाको बिहीबार बसेको बैठकमा सभासद्हरूले पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई नागार्जुन दरबार उपलब्ध गराएकोमा पनि आपत्ति गरेका छन् । सभासद्हरूले गणतन्त्र घोषणा भए पनि पूर्वराजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई ठूलो दरबारबाट सानो दरबारमा सार्ने काम मात्र भएको बताए ।

विराटनगरमा बैंक बढे

विराटनगर- महानगरको मुख्य बजारक्षेत्रमा घरै पिच्छेजस्तो बैंक भेटिन्छन् । जनआन्दोलन चोकदेखि उपमहानगरपालिकाको भवनबीचमा पर्ने करिब डेढ किलोमिटर क्षेत्रभित्र २१ वटा बैक छन् । उक्त क्षेत्रमा नै अर्को बैंक स्थापनाका लागि घर भाडामा लिइसकिएको छ । बजार क्षेत्रका अग्ला घरमा हेर्‍यो भने बैंककै साइनबोर्ड देखिन्छ ।
काठमाडौंपछिको दोस्रो ठूलो सहर विराटनगरमा पछिल्ला दिनहरूमा बैंकको आकर्षा बढेको छ । तीन दिनअघि ग्लोबल बैंकले मुख्य बजारमा शाखा खोलेको छ । योसगै यहा सरकारी बैंकसमेत २१ वटा पुगेका छन् । केही महिनाभित्र प्राइम बैंकले शाखा खोल्ने तयारी गरिरहेको छ । यो बैंकको शाखा स्थापना भएपछि राष्ट्र बैंकबाट स्वीकृति लिएका सनसाइन र माछापुच्छ्रे बैंकबाहेक सबैले शाखा खोलिसक्नेछन् ।
राजधानीपछिको सहर हुनु र औद्योगिक नगर भएका कारण पनि यहा बैंकहरूको आकर्षा बढेको हो, राष्ट्र बैंक विराटनगरका मुख्य व्यवस्थापक जगदीश्वरप्रसाद अधिकारीले भने । उनका अनुसार गत आर्थिक वर्षा मात्र जिल्लामा बैंकहरूले ४० अर्ब ५४ करोड लगानी गरेका छन् ।

'No' campaign surges ahead in Lisbon Treaty poll

Dublin- The Lisbon Treaty faces defeat in the referendum next week if an opinion poll out this morning reflects the electorates view.
The Poll in the Irish Times gives the NO campaign a significant lead, with a surge in support in recent weeks. It was held on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and is compared to a poll held three weeks ago. It shows that the number of those voting Yes has dropped by five points to 30% while there's been a 17 point increase in those voting No to 35%.

Dublin Airport delays over radar fault

Dublin-
The Irish Aviation Authority said around 20 flights have so far been delayed by restrictions imposed following a radar fault at Dublin Airport last night. The Dublin Airport Authority said there will still be a knock-on effect when restrictions are lifted and it will take some time for things to return to normal.
However they hoped there would be some improvement for passengers later this morning.
Passengers are being advised to check with their airlines for more specific information.
The radar at the airport went down for 30 minutes late yesterday evening, and several flights were delayed as a result. It is working again this morning but restrictions are in place on the number of flights that can arrive and depart. Lilian Cassin of the Irish Aviation Authority said the cause of the radar failure was being investigated and that the restrictions were in place as a precaution.

Irish social housing residents living below poverty line

Dublin-
Residents in social housing are living below the poverty line in Ireland. That's according to a new report commissioned by Ireland's largest housing association, Respond.
The report states that the average weekly household income of Respond residents is 164 Euro.
That's almost thirty euro below the 2005 poverty line of 193 Euro.

Irish companies forced to discipline workers for social networking

Dublin-
Seven in ten Irish companies have disciplined their staff for using social networking sites like "Facebook". A new survey by Peninsula Ireland has found that some employees can waste up to ninety minutes a day checking their profiles. That's around 350 hours a year. The move has led to many firms now blocking the sites from their servers.

Weekend Lotto jackpot heads for €10m

Dublin- This weekend's Lotto jackpot is heading for the €10m mark following another rollover last night. There was no winner of the midweek jackpot, worth more than €9m. The numbers drawn were 4, 11, 17, 33, 40 and 42, while the bonus ball was 2.

Dublin Airport flights delayed after radar failure

Dublin- Flights in and out of Dublin Airport are experiencing delays this morning after a radar failure at the airport last night. The Irish Aviation Authority says restrictions have been put in place in the interests of safety, but the radar is now working as normal. The airport is operating at 70% capacity and will do so until 10am at the earliest.The cause of last night's radar failure is still under investigation.

'राष्ट्रपति गैरराजनीतिकलाई'

काठमांडू- प्रधानमन्त्री र राष्ट्रपति दुवै पद आफैले पाउनुपर्ने अडान राखिरहेको माओवादीको केन्द्रीय सचिवालय बैठकले सहमतिका निम्ति कुनै गैरराजनीतिक र सम्मानित ब्यक्तिलाई राष्ट्रपति स्विकार्न सक्ने निर्णय गरेको छ । 
माओवादी केन्द्रीय सचिवालय बैठकले राष्ट्रपति माओवादीलाई दिन अन्य दल सहमत नभए गैर राजनीतिक तथा सम्मानित ब्यक्तिलाई राष्ट्रपतिमा स्विकार गर्न सकिने निर्णय गरेको छ । जेठ २३ गते राजधानीमा भएको सचिवालय बैठकले गरेको यो निर्णय जेठ २६ गते हुने माओवादी केन्द्रीय समितिको बैठकले अनुमोदन गर्ने तथा पूर्णता दिने पनि श्रोतले बतायो । राष्ट्रपति स्वतन्त्र ब्यक्तिलाई स्विकार गरेपछि प्रधानमन्त्री पार्टी अध्यक्ष प्रचण्ड नै बन्ने वा अन्य नेता बन्नेबारे पनि २६ गते हुने केन्द्रीय समिति बैठकले निर्णय गर्ने श्रोतले उल्लेख गर्‍यो ।

आधा घण्टामै बैठक समाप्त

राजनीतिक दलहरुबीच महत्वपूर्ण मुद्धामा सहमति नभएपछि संविधानसभा बैठक आधा घण्टामै सकिएको छ । 
संविधानसभाको दोश्रो बैठक आधा घण्टा बसेर सकिएको छ । बैठक जेठ २३ गते बिहान ११ बजे सुरु हुने भनिए पनि डेढ बजे मात्र सुरु भएको थियो । प्रमुख दलहरुबीच सरकार निर्माण, संविधान संशोधन तथा राष्ट्रपति र प्रधानमन्त्री भागवण्डामा सहमति नभएकाले आजको संविधानसभा बैठकले संविधानसभा नियमावलि मस्यौदा समिति बनाउनु भन्दा अरु केही गरेन ।

समिति निर्माणको प्रस्ताव माओवादीका दिनानाथ शर्माले पेस गरेका थिए भने नेपाली कांग्रेसका लक्ष्मणप्रसाद घिमिरे र एमालेका रामचन्द्र झाले प्रस्तावको समर्थन गरेका थिए । बैठकमा सभासदहरुले सबै दलका प्रतिनिधिले बोल्न पाउनुपर्ने माग पनि गरेका थिए । बैठकमा एमालेका हितकाजि गुरुङ, दलित पार्टीका बिसेन्द्र पासवान र एकिकृतका परि थापाले पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई बासस्थानका लागि नागार्जुन दरवार दिनेको सरकारको निर्णयको बिरोध गरेका थिए।

Leaving and Junior Certs get underway all over Ireland

Dublin- Over 114 thousand students begin their Leaving and Junior Certificate Examinations this morning.
For the first time, Leaving Cert students will begin their exams with a new mix of subjects aimed at reducing the writing burden that came with sitting both English papers on the first day.
Native speakers from across the EU will sit exams in their mother tongue in 15 non-curricular languages including Polish, Romanian and Latvian.
Minister for Education Batt O Keefe is extending his best wishes to students this morning.

Minister for Education wishes exam students good luck

Dublin- The Minister for Education Batt O' Keefe is extending his best wishes to all the Leaving and Junior Cert students who begin their exams today in Ireland. Over 114 thousand students will sit exams in 89 subjects at over 4 thousand centres across the country. This year, the revised Leaving Certificate timetable hopes to relieve the writing burden faced by many students previously.

New jobs for Dublin

Dublin- 60 new jobs are being announced in the capital. Renowned toy shop Hamley's is to open a store at Dundrum town centre in south Dublin in October. It's the company's first European stand-alone shop outside its flagship store in London's Regent street.

Three killed in road crashes over past 24 hours in Ireland

Dublin- Three people have lost their lives following accidents on Ireland's roads over the past 24 hours.

The latest incident happened just after 8pm last night in Co Mayo, when a man in his 70s died after the car he was driving crashed on Rahilly Street in Ballina. Less than two hours earlier, a man in his 20s died when his motorcycle collided with a car in Co Cork. His female passenger, who was also in her 20s, was seriously injured in the crash. In Co Sligo, meanwhile, a woman in her 80s died after her car collided with a lorry on the main Sligo to Bundoran road yesterday afternoon.

Last month warmest May on record in many areas in Ireland

Dublin- Met Eireann says last month was the warmest May on record in many parts of the country.

Temperatures were close to normal in March and April, but May was exceptionally warm, particularly in the west, where temperatures were three degrees higher than normal. The highest temperature during the month was 25 degrees recorded in Birr on May 12. Met Eireann says last month was also one of the driest since 1991, with less than half the normal rainfall recorded in most areas.

अर्को लडाकु संगठन गठन

काठमांडू- माओवादी भात्रृ संगठन वाईसीएल बिघटनको माग उठिरहेको बेला एमालेसम्बद्ध युवा संघले युवा शक्ति नामको लडाकु संगठन गठनको प्रक्रिया अघि बढाएको छ ।
एमालेसम्बद्ध प्रजातान्त्रिक राष्ट्रिय युवा संघ, नेपालले नागरिक सुरक्षाका निम्ति लडाकु शक्ति निर्माण गर्ने घोषणा गरेको छ । संघका केन्द्रीय अध्यक्ष अजम्बर राई काङवाङका अनुसार, लडाकु शक्तिको नाम 'युवा शक्ति' रहनेछ तथा यो निर्माणका लागि संघले महेश बस्नेतको संयोजकत्वमा ७ सदस्यीय समिति पनि बनाइसकेको छ । 'हामी अरुले जस्तो ब्यारेकमा बस्ने, हत्या, अपहरण र लुटपाटमा संलग्न हुने काम भने गर्दैनौं' काङवाङले भने ।
'युवा शक्ति' को संरचना देशका सबै वडामा पुर्‍याइने काङवाङले बताए । महेश बस्नेतको संयोजकत्वमा बनेको समितिले युवा शक्तिको नियमावलि र ढाचाबारे टुङ्गो लगाइसकेपछि कार्यन्वयनमा लगिने पनि काङवाङले उल्लेख गरे ।

सहमति प्रयास जारी

काठमांडू-
प्रमुख दलबीच राजनीतिक सहमतिका निम्ति दलहरु छलफलमा ब्यस्त छन् । 

राजनीतिक गतिरोध अन्त्यका निम्ति माओवादी, नेपाली कांग्रेस र एमालेका शीर्ष नेताबीच प्रधानमन्त्री निवास बालुवाटारमा जेठ २२ गते बिहानदेखि सुरु बैठक बेलुका ४ बजे पुन बस्ने भएको छ । बिहानको बैठकमा सहमति नभए पनि बैठक सहमतितर्फ अघि बढिरहेको बालुवाटारमा उपस्थित संचारकर्मीलाई एमाले महासचिव झलनाथ खनालले बताए । खनाल र एमाले नेताहरुले आफ्नो संसदीय दलको बैठकमा भाग लिन बालुवाटार छाडेको बताए पनि माओवादी र नेपाली कांग्रेस नेताहरु भने अहिले पनि बालुवाटारमा छलफल गरिरहेका छन् ।

यसैबीच, आजै बिहान प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालालाई भेट्न पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रका सहयोगी पशुपतिभक्त महर्जन बालुवाटार आएका थिए । कोइराला र महर्जनबीच आधा घण्टा कुराकानी भएको बालुवाटार श्रोतले बतायो । श्रोतका अनुसार, महर्जनले पूर्व राजाको बासस्थानको ब्यवस्थाबारे प्रधानमन्त्रीसँग छलफल गरेका थिए ।

पूर्व राजालाई नागार्जुन

काठमांडू- पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई बसोबासका निम्ति उपत्यकाको उत्तर डाँडोमा रहेको नागार्जुन दरवार दिने मन्त्री परिषदले निर्णय गरेको छ । 

पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्र शाहको बासस्थानका लागि सरकारले नागार्जुन दरवार छुट्याउने निर्णय गरेको छ । जेठ २२ गते बसेको मन्त्री परिषदको बैठकले तत्कालका लागि पूर्व राजा ज्ञानेन्द्रलाई नागार्जुन दरवार दिने निर्णय गरेको भूमिसुधार मन्त्री जगतबहादुर बोगटीले बताए । बैठकले पूर्व राजाको सुरक्षा बन्दोबस्त मिलाउने निर्णय गरे पनि सुरक्षाका लागि कति सुरक्षाकर्मी खटाउने निर्णय भने भइनसकेको बोगटीले उल्लेख गरे । गृहमन्त्री कृष्णप्रसाद सिटौलासँग जेठ २० गते भएको भेटमा पूर्व राजाले आफूलाई बासस्थान र सुरक्षाको ब्यवस्था मिलाइदिन माग गरेका थिए ।

भोलीसम्म दलहरुबीचको बिबाद अन्त्य हुन्छः कोइराला

प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालाले दलहरुबीचको राष्ट्रपति र प्रधानमन्त्रीको चयन लगायतका बिषयको विवाद भोलीसम्म मिल्ने बताउनुभएको छ । विहान नेपाल मजदुर किसान पार्टी अध्यक्ष नारायणमान विजुक्छे संगको छलफलमा प्रधानमन्त्री कोइरालाले यस्तो बताउनुभएको हो ।
प्रधानमन्त्री कोइरालाले दलहरुबीचको बिबाद मिलाउन भोली सात दलका शीर्ष नेताको वैठक बसेर गतिरोध अन्त्य गर्ने बताउनुभएको हो । भेटपछि संचारकर्मीहरुसंग कुरागर्दै विजुक्छेले भोली बस्ने सात दलको वैठकले राष्ट्रपति चयन प्रकृया, प्रधानन्त्री चयन, संविधान संशोधन र २६ जना सभासद्को टुङ्गो लगाउनेमा प्रधानमन्त्री बिश्वस्त रहेको बताउनु भयो । यसैवीच प्रधानमन्त्री कोईरालाले चीनको सिचुवान प्रान्तका भुकम्प पिडितलाई ६८ लाख १५ हजार रुपैयाँ सहयोग गर्ने पनि बताउनुभएको छ ।

माओवादीले सहमती जुटाउन सकेन

काठमांडू - सरकार निर्माण गर्न सबैभन्दा ठूलो दल माओवादीले राजनीतिक सहमति जुटाउन नसकेको निश्कर्ष मधेशी जनअधिकार फोरमले निकालेको छ ।
मधेशी जनअधिकार फोरमका अध्यक्ष उपेन्द्र यादवले माओवादीले सरकार बनाउन राजनीतिक सहमति जुटाउन नसकेको आफ्नो निश्कर्ष सार्वजनिक गरेका छन् । पार्टीको केन्द्रीय समितिको बैठकका निर्णय सार्वजनिक गर्दै जेठ २१ गते राजधानीमा यादवले माओवादीले राष्ट्रपति र प्रधानमन्त्री दुवै पद दावी गरेकाले राजनीतिक सहमति नभएको धारणा राखे । 'जनताले धेरै मत दिएकाले सरकारको नेतृत्वमा माओवादीको दावी ठिक भए पनि दुवै पदमा उसले दावी गर्न मिल्दैन' यादवले भने । जेठ १९ गते सम्पन्न फोरमको बैठकले आत्मानिर्णयको अधिकारसहित स्वयायत्त प्रदेशहरुको गठन, प्रत्यक्ष मतबाट सरकार प्रमुख र राष्ट्र प्रमुखको चयन, कार्यकारी राष्ट्रपतिको ब्यवस्था, प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचनबाट प्रदेश सरकार र प्रादेशिक मुख्यमन्त्रीको निर्वाचन हुनु पर्ने निर्णय गरेको छ । फोरमले सरकारको नेतृत्व गर्न माओवादीलाई समर्थन गर्ने तर, गुण र दोषका आधारमा सरकारको समर्थन वा बिरोध गर्ने निर्णय गरेको पनि यादवले जानकारी दिए । बैठकले पार्टी संगठनलाई पुनर्गठन गर्दै उपेन्द्र यादवलाइ अध्यक्ष, जयप्रकाश गुप्तालाई उपाध्यक्ष र प्रवक्ता, बिजयकुमार गच्छदारलाई बरिष्ठ नेतामा चयन गरेको पत्रकार सम्मेलनमा जानकारी दिइएको थियो । यसैगरी, बैठकले ससंदीय दलका नेतामा महासचिव रामसहाय यादवलाई चयन गरेको छ ।

Weekend death toll 'appalling': Byrne

Dublin- The Chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, has described as appalling the deaths of seven people on the roads this bank holiday weekend.Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Bryne said he did not know the circumstances of these accidents, but that he suspected speed was a factor.

Gardaí have named the two men killed in yesterday's collision in Lixnaw in Co Kerry as David Flynn, 36, Bunagarha, Listowel, Co Kerry, and 19-year-old Owen McGillicuddy, Gurtinard, Listowel, Co Kerry. The man killed in a collision at Drimoleague in Co Cork on Friday has been named as 38-year-old Peter Dukelow from Durrus, Bantry, Co Cork.

The lady killed in yesterday afternoon's collision on the R336 at Rusheen in Galway was 79-year-old Rita Crean from Frenchville, Grattan Road, Co Galway. Saturday evening's collision victim on the N25 at Grange, Ardmore, Co Waterford was 23-year-old David Wall of Crough, Colligan, Waterford. The man killed on Saturday afternoon in Cloone, Co Leitrim, was 63-year-old Patrick Kilkenny of Tooma, Cloone.

And the male pedestrian killed in Durrow, Co Laois, yesterday was Michael Walsh, 43, of Tully, Connemara, Co Galway.

Irish businesses slowest to pay bills

Dublin- Irish businesses are among the slowest in Europe to pay their bills according to a new report. Debt collection agency Intrum Justitia calculates that the average delay in payments in Ireland is now more than two weeks and ranks Ireland 14th out of 20 EU countries.

New boarding prices for Ryanair

Dublin- Ryanair passengers face new boarding charges from today even as the low-cost carrier has announced record profit of almost half a billion euro.
The airline will hit travellers who check in over the internet with a five euro charge from this morning. It already affects customers who check in at airports. Despite the massive profits, the budget airline's warning of a sharp downturn because of the cost of oil.

Quarter of all building jobs to go by '09

Dublin- A leaked assessment by the jobs agency FÁS has reportedly concluded that up to one-quarter of all construction workers could lose their jobs by the end of next year.

Reports this morning say more than 65,000 people could be out of work by the end of 2009 due to the slowdown in the building sector. The FÁS study blames the economic downturn and the plummeting value of new property. It says men will be worst-hit, with builders, carpenters and plasterers most at risk of losing their jobs. However, the study also says the losses will be offset slightly by the creation of more than 20,000 construction jobs in other areas, including projects in the National Development Plan.

कन्टेनरभित्र कतार-काठमाडौं यात्रा

कतारको दोहास्थित कतार एयरवेजमा कार्यरत गोविन्द कार्की कन्टेनरमा थुनिएर नेपाल आइपुगेका छन्।

कन्टेनरमा काम गर्ने सिलसिलामा अचानक थुनिएपछि बेहोस भएका कार्की कन्टेनरभित्र थुनिएकै अवस्थामा नेपाल आइपुगेका हुन्। आइतबार बिहान ८ः१५ बजे उक्त कन्टेनर खोलेर हेदा मान्छे फेला परेपछि केहीबेर होहल्ला मच्चिएको थियो।

परिचयपत्रसहित कन्टेनरमा बेहोस अवस्थामा कार्कीलाई फेला पारेपछि नेपालस्थित कतार एयरवेजका कर्मचारी उपेन्द्र शाहले कार्कीलाई उपचारका लागि काठमाडौं मेडिकल कलेजमा लगेका थिए।

बिनाराहदानी र टिकट नेपाल आइपुगेका कार्कीलाई उक्त एयरवेजले कतारबाट राहदानी मगाएर पुनः कतार लैजाने भएको छ। करिब ६ घण्टाको उपचारपछि कार्की घर फर्किएका छन्।

Motorists advised to take more care on roads

Dublin- With the bank holiday weekend in its final day, motorists are being urged to take extra care on the roads, especially if they're travelling long distances.

Seven people have died on Irish roads since Friday.

Two motorcyclists in their twenties died in a crash just outside Listowel in County Kerry yesterday afternoon

Meanwhile, in Galway a woman in her 70s died yesterday when the car in which she was a front seat passenger - crashed into a camper van at Rusheen.

And four men lost their lives in separate road crashes on Friday and Saturday in counties Laois, Waterford, Cork and Leitrim.

Conor Faughnan from AA Roadwatch says today is going to be one of the busiest days of the summer for traffic.

40,000 women to run in today's Dublin mini-marathon

Dublin- The annual Flora mini marathon hits the streets of Dublin today with participants hoping to raise millions of euro for a variety of charities.

Forty thousand women representing 400 different registered charities are taking part in the race from 3pm this afternoon.

The race starts at Fitzwilliam Square and continues over 10kms en route to St Stephen's green.

The organisation hopes to top last year's total fundraising, by raising more than €14m today.

Laois fatality brings holiday road deaths to four

Dublin- A 43-year-old man has died following a road accident in Laois this morning.

The death brings to four the number of people killed over the bank holiday weekend.

The pedestrian was fatally injured when he was struck by a car on the N8 two miles north of Durrow, Co. Laois at about twenty past midnight

This section of the N8 has been closed and motorists are asked to follow the diversions in place.

Meanwhile a section of the N25 at Grange near Ardmore in Waterford has re-opened after a serious accident there yesterday evening left one man dead.

The man died when the car he was driving was in a collision with a tractor and a bailing machine.

And yesterday afternoon a 63 year old man died after a collision at Tooma, Cloone, in County Leitrim.

While on Friday night, a man in his thirties died after a crash in County Cork.

प्रचण्डले खुलामन्च यसो भानेका थिए...

काठमांडू- माओवादी अध्यक्ष प्रचण्डले जेठ १७ गते खुलामञ्चमा यस्तो बोलेका थिए-
'ज्ञानेन्द्रको कुबुद्धिले गणतन्त्र आयो, कांग्रेस र एमालेले कुरा नबुझे जनगणतन्त्र आउछ ।''
अक्टोबर क्रान्ति लुकेर होइन, खुलमखुला हुन्छ ।'
'दुनियाँलाई थाहा छ, हामीले राष्ट्रपति भनेर चुनाव लडयौं, अहिले हारेकाले राष्ट्रपति माग्ने ?
''कुनै पार्टी बिशेषलाई राष्ट्रपति दिन सहमति जनाएका छैनौं, राष्ट्रपति, प्रधानमन्त्री र अध्यक्ष यसलाई दिने भनिएको छैन । त्यसमा पनि जसलाई चुनावबाट जनताले हराएका छन्, तिनलाई राष्ट्रपति बनाउन तयार छैनौं ।
''हारिसकेपछि राजीनामा दिने संसारभरको चलन हो, मसँग अमेरिकाले यही भन्छ, कांग्रेस र एमालेसँग अर्कै भन्छ कि ?''
गणतन्त्र बनाउन राष्ट्रपति र उपराष्ट्रपतिमा सहमति जनाएकै हो, नभए संविधानसभाको पहिलो बैठक फुत्किने थियो ।'
'जनताको यति ठूलो आदेश पाउँदा पनि माओवादीलाई घेरा हाल्ने रे अब कसले कसलाई घेरा हाल्दो रहेछ, हेर्दै जाउँ ।
''हतियार नष्ट गर्नुपर्ने रे, सेना बिघटन गर्नुपर्ने रे, लाज नभएपछि जे भने पनि हुने, दुनियाँमा कहीँ नभएको आठौं आश्चर्य, हतियार ल्याएर कहाँ डढाइन्छ, बेइमानहरु ।
''कसैले बेइमानी गरे के गर्नुपर्छ भनेर जनताले मन बनाएर बसेका छन्, आर्मी, पुलिस सबैले कुरा बुझेका छन्, जित्नेको पछि लाग्ने कि हार्नेको ?'
'हामी जति पनि लचिलो र कठोर हुने खालका छौं, हामी अर्कै जातका हौं ।हामीले पनि सहकार्य गर्न चाहेका हौं, माओवादीको नेतृत्वमा सरकार बनाउनुपर्छ, धेरै लोभचाहिँ नगर्नु ।
''गल्ती गर्‍यौं भने त्यतिबेला आलोचना गर्नुहोला, आन्दोलन गर्नु माओवादीभन्दा ठूलो र उल्टाउनु ।
''चुनाव जितेकाले दम्भ आउछ कि भन्ने डर छ, वाईसीएलको ब्यारेक सिस्टम हटाउन तयार छौं ।'