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The political turmoil that has roiled Nepal in recent weeks will not stop its peace process from moving forward, the country's prime minister said Saturday, adding that the former Maoist guerrillas still must prove that they are committed to negotiations.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, whose coalition government has been all but paralyzed by Maoist strikes and internal bickering since he came to power last month, said he expected the peace process and the new constitution to be completed by the May 2010 deadline.

The government "has extended its hand of cooperation to the Maoists," he told The Associated Press in an interview, and the Maoists …

In Its Effort to Expand, Amtrak Seeks Tax Funds

WASHINGTON Given half a chance, W. Graham Claytor Jr. tellsanyone willing to listen that his quasi-public National PassengerRail Corp. - Amtrak - can resolve many of the nation's troublesometransportation and pollution problems.

And with a little help, the Amtrak president preaches, it sooncould do away with federal operating subsidies - something no othernational passenger railroad in the world has done.

"We can make this railroad self-sufficient in operating funds bythe end of this decade," he said in a recent interview. "But we'vemade it clear that we can only do it if we get a considerableincrease in capital investment."

To that end, Amtrak is …

Rebensburg leads Germans at WCup GS; Vonn 18th

SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Olympic champion Viktoria Rebensburg led a German 1-2 finish Saturday at the season-opening World Cup giant slalom, while defending overall champion Lindsey Vonn was 18th.

Rebensburg finished in a combined time of 2 minutes, 26.39 seconds on the Rettenbach glacier to beat giant slalom world champion Kathrin Hoelzl. Manuela Moelgg of Italy was third.

Maria Riesch, who shared second with Rebensburg after the opening run, was fifth. Julia Mancuso of the United States was 12th.

Because of relatively high temperatures, conditions on the usually icy glacier were bumpy.

Vonn nearly lost balance in a left turn after 30 seconds in her opening run …

Flyers-Stars Sums

Philadelphia 1 1 1_3
Dallas 2 0 0_2
First Period_1, Dallas, Ott 14 (Benn, B.Richards), 9:41 (pp). 2, Philadelphia, Gagne 15 (M.Richards, Pronger), 15:01. 3, Dallas, Ott 15 (Grossman, Eriksson), 17:55. Penalties_Parent, Phi (tripping), 8:15	Laperriere, Phi, major (fighting), 14:38	Sutherby, Dal, major (fighting), 14:38.
Second Period_4, Philadelphia, M.Richards 27 (Gagne), 5:27. Penalties_Coburn, Phi (cross-checking), 4:51	Sutherby, Dal (cross-checking), 4:51	Timonen, Phi (holding stick), …

Quinn Cries `Whoa!' On Duchossois Plan

State Treasurer Patrick Quinn called for legislation Tuesday toprevent individuals from owning shares in both a racetrack and ariverboat - a move that would block a West Dundee deal by ArlingtonInternational Racecourse.

Quinn also called for a "revolving door clause" to ban GamingBoard members or staff from acquiring any interest in a riverboatlicense or working for a casino or an owner for three years afterleaving office.

Under the proposal, Arlington owner Richard Duchossois could notjoin Mirage Resorts in a plan to split the proceeds from a riverboatand off-track betting development in West Dundee.

Duchossois said he "obviously" would oppose the …

San Antonio hosts ICBA's 2000 National Convention and Techworld

More than 3,000 members of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) were greeted with a Texas-size welcome during the association's 2000 National Convention and Techworld in San Antonio, March 5-9. The convention was a celebration of 70 years of service by ICBA and focused on a new century and new challenges in the financial industry. In addition, bankers toured the ICBA Techworld comprised of approximately 200 vendors marketing their products and services for the 2lst century.

A new slate of ICBA officers were chosen for 2000-01 during the convention. Elected to positions were: President Thomas Sheehan, chairman, president and CEO of Grafton (Wis.) State; …

European central banks offer US$90B in ready cash

The European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Swiss National Bank continued to provide ready liquidity to markets Wednesday, offering US$90 billion in overnight money to the financial sector.

The ECB offered up US$70 billion, while the BoE and the SNB both offered US$10 billion.

Terms of the offers are similar to those in the past. Bidder and rate information is released later in the day.

…