Congress team visiting China

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: A Nepali Congress team led by Vice-president Prakash Man Singh is visiting China from 30 August at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party.
Other team members include: Sujata Koirala, Dr Minendra Rijal, Dr Narayan Khadka, CA members Pushpa Bhusal and Sambhuram Simkhada, according to Annapurna Post.
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ADBL, Israel agreement

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Agriculture Development Bank Ltd (ADBL) and Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) of the Israeli Foreign Ministry signed an agreement Wednesday to upgrade institutional efficiency and human resources of the bank.
Israel’s Ambassador Dan Stav and the bank’s general manager Yogeshwor Panta signed the agreement.
The bank’s financial viability and sustainability will be ensured through rural and modern banking services.
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US flood assistance

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has released $50,000 to provide emergency relief supplies to flood victims in east Nepal, US embassy said
The money will be channeled through Save the Children and Nepal Red Cross.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said after inspecting the flood-hit areas Wednesday government will launch al appeal for international assistance.
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Indian reaction to PM Prachanda’s visit

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: India has no objection to the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to Beijing Saturday to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics.
“We just wanted to know whether he is going to visit China. But it’s not an objection,” The Kathmandu Post reported Thursday quoting an unnamed source in New Delhi.
Maoist leader CP Gajurel earlier told BBC Nepali Service India had suggested ‘it would be a wise step had he not visited China so early’, according to the newspaper.
But former Indian Ambassador KV Rajan was quoted as saying,” That India seemed to be worried over the matter is not a surprise for it. It should be taken as a natural step as he is taking part in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Obviously, the event provide him with a good opportunity to visit China.
“There should be no suspicion over the Nepali government’s decision as it was not a move taken in haste. Rather Nepal was invited for the event in advance. India should wait and see what decisions will be taken over there.”
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Search, rescue, relief operations continue

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Search and rescue of thousands of marooned and missing people continued Thursday as hundreds have gone missing after Kosi river bust embankments washing away 1,000 and damaging 3,000 homes in Susari, former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s district.
Nepali Congress didn’t join an all-party team on an inspection visit of flood-hit areas but charged Wednesday it was excluded and never got government invite; the team was led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who termed the devastation unprecedented and worst than expected.
Floods have left behind millions of rupees in damage and devastation destroying crops over thousands of acres of land washing away at least 3,000 homes and domestic animals.
Infrastructure, including the part of the East-West Highway, has ben destroyed.
Water pressure fedd and all rescue and search efforts are expected to end Thursday, Radio Nepal said..
Some people are refusing to be evacuated from rooftops to protest property.
Nearly 50,000 people have been displaced and 5,000 were rescued by helicopter and boats in a heroic effort by Nepal Army and police in three days until Wednesday as 8,000 others await rescue.
Marooned victims were plucked from roof and tree tops; television footage showed there was hardly a place for army rescue helicopters to land..
Twenty-seven bodies of children, women and elderly were found Wednesday downstream at Supaul district in Bihar, Naya Patrika reports.
Thirty-five are missing after two rescue boats overturned at Haripur, Rajdhani reports.
Seven family members of Bhutani Sada, 66, are missing.
Telephone services have been disrupted after underground optical fiber network was washed away.
An epidemic could breakout in 12 camps where victims are being cared in schools and government premises...
After an inspection of the flood-hit areas and Wednesday, Prime Minister Prachanda said the new government will seriously review flaws and shortcomings in agreements with India.
“Because the Kosi dam directly impacts Nepal’s politics, this is a national problem and not only Sunsari’s,’ he said.
Prachanda said the Kosi agreement with India was a historic mistake and the people are now being impacted.
‘The people are being impacted now with the agreement after the 2007 revolution,” he added saiing,” The government will now be serious when the embankment is constructed.”
He said talks will be held with India.
Prachanda told a review meeting in Inaruwa,” The present situation could have been averted had timely attention been given” and added the barrage burst because of the negligence of Indian and Nepali officials.
The prime minister said:” Government has already written to the government of India for a review of a treaty to find out where there are shortcomings.”.
The Kosi barrage burst the day Prachanda assumed office Monday.
The Indian embassy, reacting to criticism of India for the disaster, instead turned the blame of local Nepali officials.
Government is launching short and long-term relief measures as Rs 20 million has already been released to help victims.
Home ministry has appealed for national and international assistance. .
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Congress begins to act like opposition

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Nepali Congress, now in the opposition in the CA, has started coming pout of the streets.
Tarun Dal, the youth wing of the party, Wednesday protested at Baneshwor the. deployment of PLA for the security of the prime minister.
The Dal also protested what it termed the insult of the national dress by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal who took his oath of office and secrecy in a suit and tie and a Nepali cap.
Earlier, Nepal Students’ Union, the party student wing, also held protests for the same reasons.
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NMKP general convention begins Thursday

Kathmandu, 21Aug: The fifth general convention of Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party (NMKP) begins in the capital Thursday.
Party Chairman Narayanman Bijukakchaya said his party won’t join the Maoist-led government.
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81st birthday of former Queen Mother Ratna celebrated

Kathmandu, 21 Aug: Former King Gyanendra discussed the current political situation with ministers of the royal regime and leaders supporting monarchy Wednesday at a birthday reception for his mother, former Queen Mother Ratna, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
He held serious political discussions with three dozen leaders, including former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa.
Industrialists, businessmen, inner circle and former security officials were among the 300 invitees at the reception organized by Rajibraj Shahi, son-in-law of Dhirendra Shah at Jiban Kunj.
Royal relatives were invited nearby at Nirmal Nibas.
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