<p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.42857;">Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said her government does not fear "international scrutiny" of its handling of the growing Rohingya crisis.</span><br></p><p class="p1">It was her first address to the country about the violence in northern Rakhine state that has seen more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims cross into Bangladesh.</p><p class="p1">Ms Suu Kyi has faced heavy criticism for her response to the crisis.</p><p class="p1">In her speech in English to Myanmar's parliament, Aung San Suu Kyi said she felt "deeply" for the suffering of "all people" in the conflict, and that Myanmar was "committed to a sustainable solution… for all communities in this state".</p><p>

</p><p class="p1">Hours after her speech, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva called for full access to the region so it can investigate the situation "with its own eyes".</p>

<p><span style="line-height: 1.42857;">Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has left for New York, USA today leading a 20-member Nepali delegation to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).&nbsp;</span><br></p><p><br></p><p>Speaker Onsari Gharti, Deputy Prime Ministers Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar and Gopal Man Shrestha, Ministers, among top government officials, the chiefs of the security bodies and chiefs and representatives of the foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal saw off the PM at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)'s VVIP lounge today.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>On the occasion, Nepal Army (NA) squad offered a Guard of Honour to PM Deuba, who left on an Etihad Airlines flight at 5:00 pm.&nbsp;</p><p>The High Level Segment of the United Nations General Assembly begins on 19 September 2017 with the theme of ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet'.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>While in New York, the Prime Minister will address the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September 2017. The Prime Minister will hold bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the same day.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>On the sidelines of the GA, the Prime Minister will have bilateral meetings with the President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani; President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena; Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina; and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on 21 September.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>On the same day, the Prime Minister will address the Columbia University's World Leaders Forum as well.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Prime Minister Deuba will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid on 22 September.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The Prime Minister will then address and give directions to the Americas-based Heads of Nepali Diplomatic Missions.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The Prime Minister will attend the National Day reception to be hosted by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in New York on 22nd of September as the Chief Guest. Similarly, the Prime Minister will attend the National Day programme being organized by the Consulate General of Nepal in New York on 23 September.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Prime Minister Deuba will leave New York for Muscat, Oman on 24 September where he is scheduled to address Heads of Nepali Diplomatic Missions based in the Gulf region and provide direction on matters relating to promoting and protecting interest of Nepal and Nepali migrant workers in the region.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><b>DPM Mahara attends UN high-level meeting</b></p><p><br></p><p>Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, attended the High-level meeting on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse hosted by the UN Secretary-General this afternoon in New York on the margins of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>As one of the top troops and police contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations, Nepal has expressed commitments to the Voluntary Compact against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse proposed by the Secretary-General. Also today, Nepal participated in the High-Level Event on United Nations Reform co-hosted by United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Jordan, and other countries. &nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Addressing the event on behalf of the co-hosts, Donald J. Trump, the US President, reaffirmed commitment to UN reform and applauded the UN Secretary General for laying out a vision to reform the United Nations. The Secretary-General António Gutteres appreciated the support extended to him on the much needed reform at the UN.&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="line-height: 1.42857;">Vote count is underway at all local levels in Province-2 except Rajbiraj Municipality-15.&nbsp;</span><br></p><p><br></p><p>As per the updates provided by Joint Election Operation Centre (JEOC) at the Election Commission, vote count is underway in 135 out of 136 local-level.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Voting at Rajbiraj Municipality-15 did not take place following the passing away of a candidate of chairperson of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The third phase of the local level elections held in the eight districts in Province-2 yesterday.</p>

<p><span style="line-height: 1.42857;">The counting of votes in Balara Municipality in Sarlahi district has been disrupted, following a dispute that ensued between the cadres of Nepali Congress (NC) and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) today.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p>According to Chief District Officer (CDO) of Sarlahi, Pradeep Raj Kandel, the vote counting was halted after a dispute erupted between cadres of two political parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="line-height: 1.42857;">Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi today left for China on a four-day official visit aims to hold bilateral and multilateral discussions about issues of Chinese investment in Nepal's hydropower sector.&nbsp;</span><br></p><p><br></p><p>According to the Minister's Secretariat, he is scheduled to hold talks with the Chinese side on the issues of Chinese contractors' failing to complete Nepal-based hydropower projects on time.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Likewise, discussions with the authorities concerned about the matter of instantly commencing the construction of West Seti and Budi Gandaki hydroelectric projects are also in the minister's visit agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="line-height: 1.42857;">The Election Commission (EC) has called on the government to make correction of its yesterday's decision of expanding the size of Council of Ministers. &nbsp;</span><br></p><p><br></p><p>In a press statement issued by EC Spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal, the EC said the Prime Minister's decision to induct two more ministers of state in his Cabinet has suppressed the essence of free and fair election.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>More, the decision is an adverse to the election code of conduct, the EC added.</p>