The Nepalese government has banned the sale and transport of chicken and all poultry products in the capital city to prevent the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus.

A PLANE carrying tourists to view Mount Everest crashed while attempting to land in Nepal yesterday, killing all 19 people on board, including 13 foreigners, officials said.

A Nepalese government commission has found King Gyanendra responsible for a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in April that left at least 19 dead and several hundred injured, officials said today.

Nepalese government soldiers killed at least 20 communist rebels today in an operation near the country's capital, the military said.

A website linked to an Iraqi militant group today showed a video of what is purported to be the execution of 12 Nepalese workers by their kidnappers.

A British company has signed an agreement with the Nepalese government to explore for oil in the Himalayan kingdom.

THE start of a three-day strike called by Maoist guerrillas battling to overthrow the Nepalese government brought normal life in the country to a standstill yesterday, as roads were emptied of vehicles and schools and businesses closed over fears of rebel attacks.

Storms forced more than 100 climbers to retreat from the south face of Mount Everest today, amid celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the first conquest of the world’s highest peak.

The Nepalese government has asked the country’s king Gyanendra to declare a state of emergency to give the army the power to launch an all-out assault on Maoist rebels fighting for freedom.

The Nepalese Government has begun peace talks with the country’s powerful Maoist rebels in the first attempt by both sides to bring an end to five and a half years of insurgency.

The Nepalese Government has warned Maoist rebels holding 70 police officers hostage that the military will attack if the policemen are not freed.