High-level headway
The high-level taskforce formed to sort out the differences over constitution writing has resolved the issue of the judiciary. The Maoists had proposed bringing the judiciary under parliament. Now, the political parties have agreed to set up an independent judicial body to appoint and terminate Supreme Court tenures. The Constitutional Council and the Judicial Council are tasked with making recommendations for the appointment of the chief justice and other judges of the Supreme Court under existing constitutional provisions.

The taskforce also decided on a single federal citizenship with a provincial identity and declared the Nepali language the official state language, and dealt with some contentious issues in the report submitted by the Committee for the Protection of National Interest. The taskforce has been given a Friday deadline to resolve about 200 constitutional issues. The federal model and system of government are yet to be discussed.

Northern lights
President Ram Baran Yadav returned home Monday after his state visit to China. He attended the concluding ceremony of the Shanghai Expo and also met the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. "This visit has further enhanced relations between the two countries", said Yadav upon landing at Tribhuwan International Airport. The Chinese premier also pledged Rs 750 million as grant assistance to Nepal. President Yadav has sent an invitation to Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit Nepal.

Election on
Two rounds of prime ministerial elections this week failed to elect a new prime minister. The sole prime ministerial candidate, Ram Chandra Poudel, received less than 100 votes each time. His party has 114 seats in parliament. The elections will not yield any results unless the UCPN (Maoist), UML and Madhesi alliance take part in voting. However, Poudel says he will only withdraw if there is a clear roadmap on the peace process and constitution writing first. The 16th round has been scheduled for 4 November.

Tough cop replaced...for now
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner's Office on Tuesday deputed SP Bhog Bahadur Thapa as Chief of Kathmandu Police in place of SP Ramesh Kharel, who is leaving for Beijing on Wednesday to take part in a two-week security training program. There are widespread speculations that Kharel will be removed from office on his return. Kharel earned a reputation as a tough, incorruptible cop, but many believel he has earned enemies within the police force as a result of his commitment to better policing.