Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (August 30, 2019).
India, Pakistan confirm participation in SAARC Council of Ministers’ meeting in New York
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over New Delhi’s move on Jammu and Kashmir, both countries have confirmed their participation in the meeting of SAARC Council of Ministers at Foreign Minister level to be held in New York.
Since August 5, when India abrogated Article 370 of its constitution, the two South Asian countries, which have fought two wars over Kashmir, have been trading barbs.
Against this background, the confirmation from the nuclear-armed rivals to participate in the meeting called by Nepal as the chair of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) can result in some positives, officials familiar with the development told the Post. The meeting will be held on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly on September 26.
Media Council Bill tabled in the Upper House amid uproar
Despite reservations from the main opposition, the government on Tuesday tabled the controversial Media Council Bill in the National Assembly.
The bill, which will replace the existing Press Council Act, was registered in the National Assembly on May 10. Though the government wanted to get the bill endorsed, it backtracked following strong reservations from the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Nepal Media Society and the Nepali Congress.
Health Ministry to seek the help of Army, police to combat dengue outbreak
The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to seek assistance from all security agencies to deal with the dengue infection spread in 42 districts of the country.
The decision of the ministry comes after its efforts thus far failed to contain the spread of the virus.
Energy Ministry clears the way for investors to open charging stations
Amid growing concerns over lack of charging infrastructure deterring the growth of electric mobility in the country, the Energy Ministry has outlined a business model paving the way for private investment in building charging stations for commercial operation.
“The outline which, once incorporated by the Nepal Electricity Authority in a concrete technical and financial work procedure, will guide many commercial entities to build and profit from charging stations,” said Prabin Raj Aryal, spokesperson for the Energy Ministry.
On the International Day of the Disappeared, one family in Kanchanpur talks about the misery of being torn apart
The decade-long armed insurgency that began in 1996 came to an end when the rebel CPN (Maoist) entered mainstream politics in 2006, almost 13 years ago. But for Astani Chaudhary of Pipaladi, Kanchanpur, the insurgency that tore his life apart feels like it happened yesterday. “The insurgency period still haunts me; all the lives lost, families torn apart,” said Astani, a mother of four daughters.
Astani’s house is next to a busy thoroughfare in Pipaladi and she can usually be found seen sitting outside with her eyes on the road. Every time she sees an adolescent approaching her house, her heart skips a beat. “I see my daughter, Madhu, in every young girl I see. It has been 17 years since her disappearance, but I still hope for her return,” said Astani.
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