CPN-UML, Nepali Congress discuss govt. expansion

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 28 May: CPN-UML and Nepali Congress Thursday expansion of the three-member government of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Nepal has said he wants to form a 35-member government by including smaller parties that supported him.
Nepal could address parliament Thursday before proroguing the winter session to prepare for the budget session.
But Maoists have decided to obstruct parliamentary proceedings as they are seeking discussion of a resolution condemning President Dr Ram Baran Yadav for intervening to retain Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal that triggered a political crisis.
The ruling parties oppose discussion of the Maoist resolution.
Nepal and Chairman Subash Nemwang Thursday discussed the end of the winter session.
The nine-month Maoist-led government of PM Prachanda fell; Maoists charged the presidential intervention was a coup by a ceremonial head of state with army help.
Seven parties, including some that supported Nepal, have opted to stay in the opposition, including RPP-Nepal.
Kathmandu-based ambassadors met separately with Nepal Thursday and lent support of their governments.
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Indian minister Bijendra Yadav on inspection visit of Kosi

Kathmandu, 28 May: Indian Minister Bijendra Yadav is inspecting the damage of embankments along the Saptakost river Thursday.
Indian and Nepali officials jointly inspected the damage Wednesday.
People have started moving to safe areas again fearing change of course of the river.
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Army preparing action against Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka

Kathmandu, 28 May: Nepal Army is preparing to take action against Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka, appointed acting army chief by the previous government, for military indiscipline, Annapurna Post reports.
The legal department of the army is preparing legal charges.
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Kazakh climber killed on Everest

Kathmandu, 28 May: Kazakh climber Sergey Samailov died Wednesday on the 8848 meters high Mount Everest, while descending from camp IV (8840m0 to the third camp in bad weather, ministry of tourism said.
Frank Ziebarth, 29, from Calgary died 21 May on the Tibetan side of the peak 21 May, former Nepal Mountaineering Association President Ang Tshering Sherpa said.
Six persons, including three Nepalis, have died on Everest this spring.
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67 killed in terai in one year

Kathmandu, 28 May: Al5ogether 67 persons have been killed in seven terai districts ion one year, the district office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in Janakpur Wednesday, according to Kantipur.
The Commission observed its 9th anniversary Wednesday.
Another 58 were abducted while 44 bombings were reported.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“What is the use of extending OHCHR’s mandate if it cannot speak when it has to?”

(CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel, The Kathmandu Post, 28 May)

“We are positive about the mandate extension, but there is a caveat. There has to be serious deliberations on questions that have been raised about OHCHR’s performance.”

(Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat, The Kathmandu Post, 28 May)

“OHCHR’s jurisdiction should be revised because NHRC is fully capable of carrying out its duties.”

(NHRC Spokesman Gauri Pradhan, The Kathmandu Post, 28 May)

“The present government is only a puppet of foreign reactionaries; it doesn’t have people’s support.”

(Prachanda, Annapurna Post, 28 May)
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