Govt. overturns decision of Prachanda govt.

By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 18 June: Government in its cabinet meeting Wednesday overturned a decision of the Prachanda government to sack Gen Rukmangud Katawal and other major decisions including criticism of the president to retain the army chief.
CPN-UML also formed a four member task force to recommend running the government.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Chairman Jhanalant Khanal. General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel are and ecretary Bishnu Paudel are members.
MJF leader Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar was empowered Thursday to appoint the party’s government team in the Nepal government.
Gachedhar said other two parties from terai are likely to join government Friday.
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Nepal increasing vigilance

Kathmandu, 18 June: Following an international WHO alert, Nepal this week increased vigilance at international points and the border along Tibet and India to stop swine flu already reported in India and China.
The borders with India and Tibet are open.
There are no screening measures along the borders.
High alert is being maintained 40 points where surveillance systems have been set up.
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Nepal making progress in eliminating trafficking in persons
Kathmandu, 18 June: Nepal is making significant efforts to eliminate trafficking in persons but has not fully met the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, a US State Department report said.
The assessment was released as part of the 8th annual Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State Tuesday6 in Washington, D.C.
Speaking at the release, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, “The Obama Administration views the fight against human trafficking, both at home and abroad, as a critical part of our foreign policy agenda. The United States currently funds 140 anti-trafficking programs in nearly 70 countries, as well as 42 domestic task forces to address the challenge here. We are proud of the work we do, but we know we have much more ahead of us. Economic pressure, especially in this global economic crisis, makes more people susceptible to the false promises of traffickers.”.
United States law requires the U.S. Department of State to issue the Trafficking in Persons Report annually with the goal of stimulating action and creating partnerships around the world in the fight against modern-day slavery. Countries determined to have a significant number of trafficking victims are assigned to one of three tiers.
Nepal maintained its status as a Tier 2 country. The report notes that Nepal still does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government continued modest efforts to prosecute traffickers and raise public awareness on trafficking during the reporting period, though its efforts to adequately punish labor trafficking could be improved. Additionally, trafficking-related complicity by government officials remained a serious problem in Nepal, according to the US embassy.
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TRADE, ECONOMY, BUSINESS
Direct flights between Kathmandu, Kunming to start
Kathmandu, 18 June: A Chinese will start direct thrice weekly flights on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday between Kathmandu and Kunming, southwest China 17 July.
The airline already operates such flights linking Kunming with Kolkata and Dhaka in South Asia.
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Kathmandu, new shopping mall

Kathmandu, 18 June: Nepal’s capital has another Rs 450 shopping mall at Kamalpokhari.
The Nepal Life Insurance Co Ltd (NLIC) City Center with 125 showrooms and 15 restaurants was launched Wednesday.
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