150 injured in Bangla strike violence Bangladesh police said about 150 people were injured in widespread violence and clashes between opposition and government supporters Saturday ahead of the start of a three-day general strike Sunday. Nepal King Birendra approves ordinances Much to the relief of Nepal's beleaguered Koirala government, King Birendra has re-promulgated two ordinances that Parliament had refused to ratify eight days ago. There was high drama as a senior Pakistani diplomat, caught here with 16 kg of explosives, put up stiff resistance when Kathmandu Police raided the house where he was putting up. The Nepal government will launch a nationwide campaign this month to eradicate diseases related to Vitamin A deficiency among some three million children, official sources said. Nepal ready for talks with Maoist rebels Nepal's centrist government is ready for talks with Maoist rebels to end a bloody conflict in the Himalayan kingdom, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel said Sunday.
Maoist rebels extend talks offer to Nepal govt.
Maoist rebels have extended an offer for talks to Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's government after two violent attacks on police forces last week in which some 60 policemen were killed. Rebels kill 28 policemen in Nepal Maoist rebels attacked a remote police outpost in western Nepal late Friday night killing 28 policemen and injuring more than 24, a home ministry official said. Strike by Maoists paralyzes Kathmandu A nationwide strike called by Maoist rebels in Nepal paralyzed life in the Kathmandu Valley Friday. Streets in the country's capital Kathmandu wore a deserted look as vehicles stayed off the roads and the main market remained closed. Schools and industrial establishments also remained shut.