Government forms high-level probe committee to investigate visit visa scam

The government has formed a high-level study and investigation committee under the headship of former Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi to investigate the visit visa scam. 

Demanding the time with Speaker Devraj Ghimire in the beginning of today's meeting of the House of Representatives, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak responded to the queries of lawmakers put forth on contemporary issues.

On the occasion, he shared that joint-secretaries of six ministries are the members of the probe committee.

The committee consists of Tirtha Raj Chilwal (Finance Ministry), Aruna Joshi (Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry), Ram Krishna Lamichhane (Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation), Mani Ratna Koirala (Foreign Ministry), Pradip Koirala (Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security) and Ananda Kafle (Home Ministry).

Minister Lekhak mentioned that the committee was formed to resolve the visit visa related problems seen since the past. 

Earlier, ruling parties and opposition parties had agreed to form a high-level probe committee to investigate the visit visa scam.

China plans to show off new equipment at parade marking 80th anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender

China plans to hold a military parade Sept. 3 marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender and featuring the People’s Liberation Army’s newest weaponry, Associated Press reported.

President and head of the military Xi Jinping will deliver a speech on the occasion, which will feature “new-type combat capabilities,” including hypersonic weapons and a range of electronic gear, said Wu Zeke, identified as a senor officer of the PLA, the ruling Communist Party’s military wing. 

The force is the world’s largest standing military with more than 2 million members and an increasingly sophisticated arsenal of missiles, aircraft carriers and fighter aircraft.

Military parades are a favorite of Xi’s, held primarily to mark the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, Japan’s surrender and the anniversary of the PLA’s founding. Relentlessly drilled marching units, armored columns and aerial units all feature on such occasions, according to Associated Press.

Israel says Iran violates ceasefire, orders strikes on Tehran

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday he had ordered the military to strike Tehran after Iran fired missiles in violation of a ceasefire, opens new tab after 12 days of war, Reuters reported.

"In light of Iran’s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States — through the launch of missiles toward Israel — and in accordance with the Israeli government's policy to respond forcefully to any breach, I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)... to continue high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure in Tehran," he said.

The Israeli military said it was working to shoot down Iranian missiles after detecting a launch.

Israel had said on Tuesday a ceasefire was in effect after it had achieved all the goals of the bombing campaign against Iran that it launched on June 13. Iran had confirmed that it would halt retaliation if Israel's bombing stopped, according to Reuters.

Ruling parties agree to endorse budget

A meeting of the ruling parties held in Baluwatar on Tuesday concluded with an agreement to endorse the Appropriation Bill, 2082 BS, which has been tabled in the Federal Parliament.

Held at the call of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the meeting decided that lawmakers from the ruling coalition will vote in favor of the bill, which is essential for the passage of the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

After the meeting, Chairman of the Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party Mahantha Thakur said that the major ruling parties, CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC), have already reached an agreement on the 'Take and Pay' provision included in the budget.

He added that today’s discussions primarily focused on ensuring the budget's endorsement.