A record-breaking Nepalese Sherpa flew to Mount Everest today to prepare to scale the world’s highest mountain once again and scatter the ashes of its most celebrated climber, Edmund Hillary.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of his historic conquest of Mount Everest, Edmund Hillary complained that legions of modern-day climbers were holding drunken parties at base camp and then scrambling to the summit on fixed ropes and ladders.

Maoist rebels killed at least 102 people, including policemen and troops, when they attacked a district headquarters and a nearby airport in northwestern Nepal, officials said today.

At least 48 policemen are thought to have been killed when suspected Maoist rebels attacked a district headquarters and a nearby airport in northwestern Nepal, police said today.