Girija, Prachanda hold discussions

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 27 July: Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman Prachanda held political discussions Monday amid a continuing political impasse.
Prachanda called on Koirala at the latter’s residence.
Congress and MJF Monday boycotted an all-party discussion convened by Maoists to discuss the impasse., including the appointment of a special secretary at the president’s office.
Maoists oppose the creation of the post to empower a ceremonial president.
The meeting discussed a proposed import of non-lethal weapons opposed by Maoists whose secretariat meeting is being held for the second consecutive day Monday.
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Govt. adopts five-point special security strategy

Kathmandu, 27 July: The political committee of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Sunday adopted a five-point security strategy to improve the law and security situation.
Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department will be involved.
A cabinet meeting will endorse the strategy for 21 districts.
Altogether 109 rebel groups in the terai and east have been categorized as political and criminal groups.
One billion rupees has been set aside to implement the strategy, Kantipur reports.
Altogether 16,000 personnel, including 10,000 personnel by Nepal Police, will be additionally recruited by the security agencies.
Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur have been pcategorized as highly sensitive security districts.
The plan prioritizes opening of highways for movement of passengers and vehicles.
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MEDIA GOOGLE

“If the oath isn’t taken constitutionally, then Jha can’t work as vice-president.”

(Attorney General Dr Bharat Bahadur Karki, Kantipur, 27 July)
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Swine flu detected in Japanese

Kathmandu, 26 July: Swine flu has been detected in three more persons, including a Japanese, the health ministry said Sunday without identifying them.
Traces of the disease were also found in two Nepalese arriving from Canada and Qatar.
Altogether 17 cases of the disease have now been detected in Nepal.
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Maoists resume disruption of parliament

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 26 July: Maoists resumed the disruption of parliament session after a month-long break Sunday following a party decision.
The main opposition has permitted normal proceedings to allow government to present the annual budget of 2009/10.
Maoists said they will again continue to obstruct legislative session until Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal gives a ‘satisfactory’ on New Delhi’s decision during India visit of Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari to resume delivery on military supplied suspended three years ago during the royal regime.
Nepal told the committee there was ‘no problem’ in the import of non-lethal weapons.
Nepal told state affairs committee Sunday a 12-poin peace agreement between Maoists and seven parliament parties doesn’t bar the import of non0lethal weapons.
Maoists also demanded immediate relief for cholera-affected mid-West region where 187 persons have been killed in a cholera epidemic; 18,000 persons have been treated for the disease.
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MJF (Nepal) Yadav faction receives official recognition

Kathmandu, 26 July: MJF (Nepal) faction led by Chairman Upendra Yadav Sunday received official recognition from the election commission.
The commission said a splinter group led by Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar with the support of 17 central committee members can apply for recognition for another party.
Gachedhar faction is in government after splitting the biggest terai political party.
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Two pilgrims swept away in Dhanusha

Kathmandu, 26 July: Two Hindu Bol Bam pilgrims were swept away by swollen Kamala river in Dhanusha Sunday.
Three others are missing.
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Bijayanath Bhattarai takes over as NRB governor

Kathmandu, 26 July: Bijayanath Bhattarai Sunday assumed office as governor of Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) after 25 months.
Supreme court dismissed charges of irregularities by CIAA against Bhattarai.
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