Briefly World

Obama health plan gets boost

WASHINGTON: President Obamas goal to revamp US health care,was on track on Sunday to win Senate approval after a key senator said he would back the legislation. Democratic Senator Ben Nelsons resistance had kept fellow Democrats from getting the 60 votes needed to ensure Senate passage over resistance from Republicans. Nelson said he had secured new restrictions on paying for abortions.

Maoists shutdown cripples Nepal

KATHMANDU: Nepals riot police clashed with Maoists supporters who enforced a nationwide strike as part of its three-day anti-government protests,resulting in injury to over 24 people and arrest of 62 former rebels on Sunday. Maoist supporters disrupted life across the country to pressurise the government to rectify the decision of President Ram Baran Yadav to reinstate General Rukmangad Katawal,the then Army Chief dismissed by Maoists PM Prachanda.

Lockerbie bombers health deteriorates

TRIPOLI: The condition of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi,the Libyan sentenced to life imprisonment for the Lockerbie bombing and repatriated in August,has deteriorated and the cancer that afflicts him has spread,a bulletin said Sunday. The Tripoli Medical Centres bulletin stated that Megrahi arrived at the hospital vomiting.