One killed in Nepal strike

The authorities is Nepal say one person has been killed during violence on the second day of a three-day general strike. Police say the incident occurred in the southern town of Birgun.

The strike has been called by six communist opposition parties to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

On Sunday, another demonstrator was killed and several others injured in clashes with the police.

The strike has caused widespread disruption - businesses and schools are closed and armed police are patrolling the streets.

The opposition parties have called for Mr Koirala's resignation over corruption allegations which stem from a multi-million dollar deal last year to lease an Austrian aircraft for the state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines.

The prime minister denies any wrongdoing.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service