PRACHANDA’S LATE APOLOGY AND RELIEF OF BUS BOMBING VICTIMS Kathmandu, 28 Feb.: Amid boycott of NC and UML and arrest of protestors , Maoist Chairman Prachanda inaugurated the Made Mahotsav in Chitwan Thursday. Black flags greeted the Maoist chief in the first visit in seven years, He announced a Rs.6 million for people of behalf of government. “People can use it in a manner they choose and like,” he said. Prachanda negotiated the relief with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and ministers of finance and peace Thursday before the Chitwan visit, the Maoist chief said. Thirty-nine persons were killed and 72 were injured seven years ago when Maoists ambushed a passenger bus along a river at Badarmudi in the district.. Prachanda apologized.for the bombing during the people’s war. Nnnn . TALKS UPDATE Kathmandu, 28 Feb.: Talks between leaders of the Big Four in and out of government was inconclusive Thursday. Leaders said informal discussions will be held Friday ahead of another round of talks Friday to find an outlet to remove hurdles. ‘Talks were very positive. We are close to an agreement coming possibly tomorrow,” Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar said. “Talks were positive,” another Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kazi Shrestha of Maoists said. Nnnn NPC GETS ANOTHER CHAIRMAN Kathmandu, 28 Feb.: Cabinet Thursday appointed senior Advocate Borna Bahadur Karki chairman of Nepal Press Council (NPC). Minister for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Eknath Dhakal announced the appointment. nnnn