Nepali Congress denies secret deal with Maoists

Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress on Saturday reaffirmed full support to the coalition government in Nepal, amid intense speculation that the party and Maoists had reached a secret deal to share power. The party’s general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi said: “Whatever might be the understanding in Singapore, there is neither need nor possibility of removing President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Nepal at the moment.” His comments came as the press beamed footage of Maoist strongman Prachanda and Nepalese Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala in conversation where Prachanda offers the President’s post to Koirala if he supports the move to replace the present incumbent Ram Baran Yadav.

Bangladesh ferry capsizes, 34 dead

DHAKA: A ferry packed with people going home for an Islamic festival capsized as they disembarked in southern Bangladesh, leaving at least 34 dead and scores missing, authorities said Saturday. Police and fire brigade divers pulled 34 bodies from the sunken part of the ferry, local police officials Saiful Islam and Showkat Hossain said. Many of the dead were women and children.

12 inmates escape from Afghan prison

Kabul: A dozen prisoners escaped jail through a tunnel they dug from their cell to the outside in western Afghanistan, police said on Saturday. Those who escaped from Farah prison overnight included low-level Taliban militants, drug-dealers and other minor criminals, said Farah province police chief General Mohammad Faqir Askar. A 13th prisoner arrested during his attempted escape.