Kathmandu - The number of tourists visiting Nepal has continued to grow steadily and is expected to pass the half-million mark for the second year in a row, officials said Wednesday.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said 344,599 tourists arrived in Nepal by air in the first 11 months of this year, an increase of 4.3 per cent from the same period in 2007.

NTB said an estimated 100,000 visitors had arrived in the country through land crossings by the end of November.

The growth came despite fears that the tourism industry would be affected by the global financial crisis.

Kathmandu - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu Tuesday at the start of a three-day official visit.

The visit is the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the Nepal's politicians voted overwhelmingly to abolish the monarchy and declare the country a republic in 2007.

During his stay in Nepal, Yang, who leads a 10-member delegation, will hold talks with his Nepalese counterpart Upendra Yadav on a range of issues including Nepal's peace process, Chinese assistance and border issues.

Nepalese media reports said Yang was likely to raise the issue of Tibetan exiles living in Nepal.

Kathmandu  - Nepal strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai Thursday, describing them as cowardly.

In his first reaction, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the attacks were directed against innocent people and to terrorize the industrial and commercial centre of India and deserved unequivocal condemnation from all over the world.

"We are profoundly shocked at the unprecedented and brutal terrorist attacks in multiple places in Mumbai," Dahal said in a message to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.

Kathmandu- Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday ended his three-day official visit with a promise of continued support for Nepal's peace process.

The visit was the first by an Indian foreign minister to Nepal since the abolition of monarchy in May this year.

While in Kathmandu, he held talks with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and other influential politicians.

Speaking to reporters before his return, Mukherjee said there was a strong desire among Nepalese politicians to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Solang (HP), Nov 26 : A major fire engulfed Solang village near Manali in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday.

The fire which started due to a faulty electric wiring, soon spread and gutted around 25 houses which being old and made of wood burnt rapidly.

Many people were rendered homeless in the fire.

The residents tried to control the fire themselves by dousing it with water before the administration could come to their aid.

Kathmandu, Nov 26 : Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee handed over the invitation by President Pratibha Patil to Nepal President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav to visit India.

Mukherjee had called on President Yadav on Tuesday.

Earlier, he met Prime Minister Prachanda at the latter''s residence in Baluwater and discussed issues of bilateral concerns. The meeting dwelt on making the bilateral relationship between both countries more strong.

During his stay here, Mukherjee reportedly discussed Nepal''s political situation, the peace process and the army integration with Maoists.