SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

The parties have been unable to come to an understanding on a power-sharing agenda for forming a government to be led by the Maoists, who won the most seats but not a majority, in the constituent assembly elections last April.

The country, which abolished its 240-year-old monarchy, has been functioning under a caretaker government since the elections.

Besides the Maoists, the other major parties are the Nepali Congress, Unified Marxist Leninist and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum.

UML leader Bhim Rawal has said if the issue of ministerial portfolio division isn't discussed, it wouldn't be possible for the Maoists to stake claim to form a government by Friday, Nepalnews.com reported.

A Maoist party leader claimed caretaker Prime Minister G.P. Koirala was trying to exclude his group from the effort, the Press Trust of India reported. The leader said the Maoists would prefer to sit in the opposition.

 BREAKING STORIES

McCain, Palin hit the stump this weekend

McCain's VP choice under investigation

South Ossetia eyeing Russian merger

Sources: Hezbollah has advanced missiles

Obama, Biden on Midwest bus tour

Attar: Iran moving forward with enrichment

Putin: U.S. incited conflict in Georgia

Report: Kenya leaders incited riots

Israel eyeing all-Israeli workforce

Central Asia calls for calm in Georgia

Immigration arrests intensify work debate

Obama gives, receives props at DNC

Protesters face riot cops in Bangkok

Prison break showed Taliban strength

Snap Canadian election looks likely

Romney goes on attack in Denver

Satellite shooting unneeded says scientist

Sharif: PML-N out of coalition government

Sri Lankan journalist facing terror charge

Candidate's spouse can affect election