Three parties fail to break stalemate

Kathmandu, 17Sept: UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML failed to break a political stalemate after two days of successive discussions Wednesday/Thursday.
The ruling parties and main opposition discussed a common resolution in parliament to break an impasse.
Congress particularly opposes a Maoist censure motion against the president in parliament.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is particularly interested to negotiate a breakthrough before he leaves for New York to attend the annual UN general assembly session and a meeting with US President Barak Obama.
Because of the four-month stalemate, the annual budget for fiscal year l2009/10 hasn’t yet been approved by parliament.
Maoists continue to disrupt public meetings addressed by the president, prime minister and ministers opposing what they call unconstitutional retention of sacked Army Chief Gen Rukmangud Katawal who has now retired.
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Four more swine flu cases reported

Kathmandu, 17 Sept: With four more swine flu cases reported , the number of cases recorded in the country has risen to 35 with no deaths, health ministry said.
Fresh cases were reported in two persons coming from US and Rumania.
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Maoists seek replace of unique national flag

Kathmandu, 17 Sept: Maoists have proposed the replacement of the unique national flag with two triangles.
Maoists Wednesday proposed its replacement with star-studded flag with stars for each proposed province.
The move was opposed by Nepali Congress and several other parties.
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Bomb found near US embassy

Kathmandu, 17 Sept: A pressure cooker bomb was found near the US embassy Wednesday.
The defused bomb wasn’t fused with a detonator.
The home of Vice-President Parmananda Jha has also been repeatedly targeted.
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CIAA cancels police jacket purchase

Kathmandu, 17 Sept: CIAA Wednesday cancelled a multi-million rupee order for purchase of 57,000 jackets by Nepal Police.
The CIAA said the order was irregular.
Nine officers, including IGP Ramesh Chandra Thakuri, were guilty for irregularity, CIAA said.
The anti-graft body is seeking explanation from them.
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US defence official in town

Kathmandu, 17 Sept: US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South Asia and Southeast Asia Robert Scher arrived on a three-day visit to Kathmandu on Wednesday, Republica reports.
Scher held talks with Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari on the day of his arrival.
He is scheduled to meet with the home minister and other political leaders on Thursday.
Although the American embassy has termed this visit regular, Army sources have claimed that he is here for a review of US aid programs.
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Prachanda meets Chinese officials in Hong Kong

Kathmandu, 17 Sept: Chairman Prachanda met senior Chinese officials in Hong Kong, Kantipur reports.
They weren’t identified.
Prachanda returns home Thursday.
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