Kathmandu  - Nepal's former rebel Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has announced it will seek new recruits for its combat force, threatening to derail its three-year-old cooperation agreement with other political parties.

Issuing a statement late Monday night, the Maoist People's Liberation Army said it intended to recruit nearly 12,700 new combatants.

"The recruitment will be open to anyone who has reached the age of 18 and has a sense of sacrifice," the statement issued by Maoist commander Nanada Kishor Pun said.

Kathmandu, Mar 2: Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala has said that Maoist’s commitment towards press freedom and human rights is doubtful.

In his meeting with a delegation of Asian Journalist Association Media Mission here on Sunday Koirala said, “The Prime Minister says something and does something regarding the media.”

Kathmandu, Mar 2: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today arrived on a three-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of Nepali President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.

According to Nepalnews, President Rajapaksa arrived here with his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa and other high-level Sri Lankan delegates.

Dr Yadav will host banquet at his office in honor of the Sri Lankan President later today.

Kathmandu - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu at the start of a three-day official visit Monday amid tight security.

The visit is the first by a head of state to Nepal since the Maoist-led government took over following elections victory in April last year.

Rajapaksa, who is in the Himalayan nation on the invitation of Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav, is accompanied by his wife Shiranthi.

Kathmandu - At least five people were killed by wildfires in western Nepal believed to have been deliberately started by poachers, police said Monday.

Five people, including four members of the same family, were burnt alive when they were trapped by raging forest fires on Saturday in Myagdi district, about 250 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.

The five had entered a forest near the village of Gaganpani to collect firewood when the fire engulfed them, police said.

Kathmandu  - At least 10 people were killed when a bus plunged from a narrow mountain highway in western Nepal, police said Sunday.

It fell nearly 800 metres into a narrow gorge while negotiating a sharp bend in remote Baitadi district, about 500 kilometres west of Kathmandu.

Police said 10 another seven people were taken to hospital in serious condition.

The bus was carrying 17 passengers between the western town of Mahendranagar and neighbouring Bhajhang district.

It was not immediately clear why the driver lost control, but police said they suspected he could have been speeding.