<p>Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki has committed to implementing the recommendations made by the Minimum Wages Fixation Committee regarding the wages and services of the working journalists. &nbsp;<br><br>While receiving the memorandum submitted by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) in the Ministry today, Minister Karki assured to implement any such decision made by the previous government.</p><p>Minister was urged to address the issues of big and small media houses separately. &nbsp;<br><br><br></p>

<p>The government is to make a public appeal to citizens as well as public bodies for investment in hydro power projects in the country.<br><br>Speaking at a press conference held at the Energy Ministry today, Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma said there is significant amount of capital inside the country to build hydropower projects. <br><br>Nepali migrant workers as well as Non-resident Nepalis shall also be encouraged to invest in hydropower development in Nepal.</p><p>And for this an integrated strategy will be adopted to move ahead, Sharma said. <br><br>Referring to the recent drive of severing the power supply lines of defaulters, Minister Sharma said the act is not a publicity stunt but to come up with concrete results in bringing down the arrears of the NEA, which runs as high as 10 billion rupees.<br><br><br></p>

<p>A joint meeting of the opposition parties including main opposition CPN (UML) has stressed on implementing the work plan developed by the erstwhile government for the implementation of the new constitution.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>The meeting of the opposition parties held in Singh Durbar today has stated that no decision should be made against the nation and nationality by the current government.</p><p>Following the meeting, UML chief whip Bhanubhakta Dhakal shared that the meeting discussed on making the opposition alliance effective.<br><br>Addressing the meeting, UML chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli urged the opposition leaders to be alert, saying that activities aimed at not implementing the constitution and decisions against the nationality might be carried out by the government.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br><br><br></p>

<p>Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today has expressed gratitude to the French support in the development endeavours of Nepal and hoped for further strengthening of bilateral ties in the days ahead. <br><br>During the meeting with French ambassador to Nepal Yves Carmona at his official residence in Baluwatar, the matters relating to the issues of bilateral ties, friendly relations and different dimensions of mutual support between two countries were discussed, according to the PM's deputy personal secretary Manohari Timilsina. <br><br>Similarly, according to Timilsina, Ambassador Carmona said both countries will continue to work in areas of common interest and concern as good friends. <br><br><br></p>

<p>Civil society leaders from Lalitpur today morning called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar. <br><br>During the meeting, they urged the PM to identify suppressed community and ensure their rights, said Deputy Personal Secretary to PM Dahal, Manohari Timilsina.<br><br>On the occasion, the PM urgesd to focus on retaining social identity and local development of Lalitpur, said the delegation member journalist Sunil Maharjan. <br><br><br><br><br></p>

<p>The aid agency Oxfam has accused UK ministers of "denial and disarray" over an agreement to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, which could be used in Yemen.</p><p>The Saudi-backed Yemeni government is fighting against Shia rebels.</p><p>The UK government has faced repeated calls to ban weapons sales to Saudi Arabia amid concerns over international humanitarian law breaches in that war.</p><p>A government spokeswoman said it was satisfied the Saudi deals complied with the UK's "export licensing criteria".<br><br><br></p>

<p>Nigeria's army says it has killed several commanders of the Islamist group Boko Haram in an air strike and seriously wounded its disputed leader.</p><p>An army spokesman said Abubakar Shekau's shoulder was badly injured in the strike on Friday in north-eastern Borno state.</p><p>There has been no independent confirmation of the strike.</p><p>Claims by the army that it has killed Shekau have turned out to be false on at least five previous occasions.</p><p>Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria's government and establish an Islamic State in the north.<br><br><br></p>