WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 109 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 38.6 C 11.6 C Monday, June 07, 2021 | 24-02-2078 Bhairahawa Jumla All eyes on Chief Justice Rana, as crisis deepens in the judiciary After Rana constituted the bench on seniority basis, Oli’s lawyers demand expulsion of two justices for their position that current House dissolution is linked to March 7 verdict.

TIKA R PRADHAN KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 EDITORIAL | PG 4 The judiciary must ensure its Nepal’s judiciary is facing a tough time extricating itself from an ongo- independence so that it remains ing crisis it has plunged into after loyal to the citizens. questions raised over justices and their presence in the Constitutional Rana on May 28 had formed the Bench which is hearing petitions on Constitutional Bench with Justices the May 21 House dissolution. Deepak Kumar Karki, Ananda Mohan After senior advocates pleading on Bhattarai, Tej Bahadur KC and Bam behalf of the petitioners asked not to Kumar Shrestha as members. have at least two justices on the bench, However, those arguing on behalf Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher of the petitioners said that Justices Rana on Sunday reconstituted it by Tej Bahadur KC and Bam Kumar designating justices on the basis of Shrestha cannot be on the bench. their seniority. They argued that Shrestha was one But those defending Prime Minister of the bench members that on March 7 KP Sharma Oli’s House dissolution passed a verdict which invalidated the decision, including Attorney General Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and Ramesh Badal, demanded that at least revived the CPN-UML and the POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA two justices cannot be on the bench Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist A fisherman prepares his net at Koshi Barrage on the border of Sunsari and Saptari districts. Small fish from the river sell for Rs400 to Rs500 per kg. because of the position they have Centre). They had said the current taken that does not appear impartial. House dissolution was a direct out- Now pressure is building on Chief come of that decision. Justice Rana to resolve the crisis and Though Rana had tried to defend, find an amicable solution as the judi- saying everyone must have faith in ciary’s independence is at stake. justices, the lawyers refused to listen. Nepal signs non-disclosure agreement to buy Chinese “The chief justice must be assertive They also questioned KC’s seat on the and show his leadership now,” said bench, saying he was one of the justic- Balaram KC, a former Supreme Court es of the bench led by Rana that reject- justice. “The longer the crisis contin- ed Maoist chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Covid-19 vaccines but legal questions remain ues, the more harm the Supreme petition against the March 7 decision. Court will suffer.” >> Continued on page 2 Nepal’s law does not allow such an agreement. Nepal wants to buy 10 million doses, but Sinopharm can only supply 2 million now and the price is not fixed yet, officials say.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA ond wave of pandemic, the govern- cines will be available.” KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 ment sought to procure vaccines from According to Roshan Pokharel, the Chinese company amid uncertain- chief specialist at the Health Ministry, With the country in desperate need of ty of supply from other sources. the government had proposed to buy Covid-19 vaccines, the government “The non-disclosure agreement 10 million doses but the Chinese have has signed a non-disclosure agree- was signed on Friday between the said they cannot make that quantity ment with the vaccine maker Department of Health Services and available immediately. Sinopharm to procure Chinese shots Sinopharm electronically,” an official “We will initially get probably two despite questions whether such an at the department told the Post on million doses,” he told the Post. agreement can be signed legally condition of anonymity. “After the The Chinese government has already remains unanswered. Health Ministry authorised the direc- given Nepal 1.8 million doses of the With the country battling the sec- tor general to sign the agreement with Sinopharm vaccine in grants—800,000 Sinopharm, the agreement was doses in March and an additional one signed.” million doses in early June. Sinopharm’s proposal for a The second grant of 1 million will non-disclosure agreement had be administered to 60 to 64 year-olds. created a dilemma among offi- Those above 65 years, who were cials as Nepal’s laws don’t provi- given their first doses of the Covishield sion non-disclosure agreements vaccine in March, are yet to get the in public procurement. second dose as India barred the export “After we state the quantity of of vaccines and the Serum Institute of jabs to be procured, Sinopharm India is yet to supply 1 million doses will quote the prices,” the depart- Nepal has already paid for. Supply ment official said. “Then the pro- from the COVAX facility remains curement process will move for- uncertain too. ward. I cannot say when the vac- >> Continued on page 2 Starving stray dogs face their own lockdown blues With the Valley under prohibitory orders, they are not getting enough to eat. This has made them aggressive, say vets and dog lovers who feed them.

the biscuits, fought among themselves and one nearly bit my hand when the biscuits were finished. They looked very hungry and wanted more food.” Thursday was the last day that gro- cery shops and department stores were closed for a week as per the strict pro- hibitory orders enforced in the Valley to check the coronavirus transmission. “For three days after such orders came [on May 28] they were silent, but now they have started to bark and snarl and when you go near them they become really aggressive,” said Khagendra Roka, 33, who operates an eatery at Bakhundole. The stray dogs were hungry. “These areas are full of restaurants, and these dogs used to survive on the leftovers from the restaurants and even customers of Big Mart used to feed them,” said Roka. “There are half POST PHOTO a dozen dogs and a single person can’t The family of Indu Maharjan has been adopting and feeding stray canines at Jwagal, Lalitpur afford to feed them all, they are really for over a decade. They also feed stray dogs twice a day along the Bagmati corridor now. in need of food.” He said he has been feeding one ANUP OJHA dozen stray dogs. She gave them some stray dog that stays in front of his KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 biscuits she had carried in her bag as closed restaurant. she always did. Due to the prolonged lockdown, res- Last Thursday morning Mira But their aggressive behaviour taurants have been closed and grocery Lamichhane, a dog lover, was return- caught her by surprise. stores and butcheries are allowed to ing home after buying vegetables. On “I had never seen them so aggres- open only briefly as a result of which the way back to her flat at Bakhundole sive before,” said Lamichhane, a the stray canines have been starved. she was surrounded by over half a 31-year-old nurse. “They gobbled up >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Three men arrested on charge of sexually assaulting two Raute girls The suspects took the victims to a local hotel, got them drunk and sexually assaulted them, according to police.

CHANDANI KATHAYAT Social Development Ministry of BIRENDRANAGAR, JUNE 6 Karnali Province, the lives of the vic- tims are in danger, as the news and Police on Sunday arrested three peo- video of the incident have gone public. ple on the charge of sexually assault- “The video has been taken down ing two teenage girls from the Raute from social media platforms,” said community in Gurbhakot Gyawali. “We have been trying to Municipality-9, Surkhet on Saturday convince the victims to get medical night. tests done but they are hesitant.” The suspects allegedly took the vic- According to Gyawali, the victims POST PHOTO DEEPAK KC tims to a local hotel, got them drunk do not realise that what happened to Workers weed the green belt along the Gwarko section of Ring Road in Lalitpur on Sunday. and sexually assaulted them, accord- them is wrong. ing to police. The men filmed the incident and uploaded the video on social media. Police made the The video shows the perpetrators drinking alcohol with the victims and arrests after video Starving stray dogs face their own lockdown blues harassing the intoxicated women. Police detained the accused on Sunday of the incident after the video went viral. >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Last year during the lockdown there “They are like humans. They need under the Ministry of Agriculture According to Deputy Superintendent went viral on were cases of stray dogs attacking to be fed. Many are on the streets with and Livestock Development, said the of Police Ram Prasad Gharti, 29-year- social media. Though some non-governmental chickens, ducks and other domesticat- empty stomachs and they are getting central government does not have any old Binod Pun, owner of the hotel organizations and dog lovers have ed animals.” more aggressive,” said Indu Maharjan concrete mechanism regarding stray where the incident took place, and two been providing them food at some According to him, stray dogs are of Jwagal Lalitpur. animals. local youths Bhupendra Budha, 24, places like Bauddha, Jorpati, more aggressive at night. Her family, which includes her hus- “As the country has already adopted and Daman Bahadur Gharti, 35, were “They returned to their settlement Basantapur and Patan Durbar Square, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious band and a daughter, has been adopt- a federal setup, it’s the responsibility arrested in connection to the incident. on Sunday morning. People from the most street dogs living in their own Disease Hospital at Teku said that it ing and feeding stray canines for over of the local governments to look after “Investigation into the case is Raute community are sequestered territories in the eerie alleys, open had in recent times received inquiries a decade now. the stray dogs or animals,” said underway. We cannot reveal the details from the outside world and it’s diffi- spaces and near garbage dumps are about dog bites. At present they have adopted 30 Dhakal. “But there is no act or mecha- about the incident just yet,” said DSP cult for them to comprehend public not getting much to eat. “But we do not have many people stray dogs but every day the Maharjans nism for the welfare of stray animals. Gharti. “People from the Raute com- scrutiny,” she said. According to Kathmandu coming here for the rabies vaccine,” feed 90 stray dogs twice a day along We are aware of the need for an munity hesitate to talk to outsiders so Security personnel have been Metropolitan City’s estimates, there Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief at the the Bagmati corridor between UN Animal Welfare Act for the protection we will have to tread carefully.” deployed near the Raute settlement are 26,000 stray dogs in its area. hospital’s Clinical Research Unit told Park and Teku. of such animals. If there were such an Meanwhile, the National Human for the safety of the victims. Lalitpur Metropolitan City authori- the Post. “That could be because peo- They give them rice, meat and bis- Act, it would be easier to work but at Rights Commission has asked the gov- Pursuant to the decision of a ties do not have any such estimates. ple know that our hospital is mainly cuits with their own funds. the moment no such mechanism ernment to take immediate action Cabinet meeting in June 2018, the Veterinarian Dr Rakesh Chand is for the treatment of Covid-19 infected The 51-year-old too is aware exists.” against the perpetrators. Ministry of Federal Affairs and not surprised to hear of the dogs being patients, and they fear transmission some of them have been aggressive Local governments too are uncon- Issuing a statement on Sunday, the General Administration had instruct- aggressive. of the virus. ” of late. cerned about stray dogs at the commission urged the government to ed Gurans Rural Municipality in “Basically stray canines attack peo- Veterinarian Dr Chand, meanwhile, “There are a few dogs that have moment. investigate the incident and bring the Dailekh district to distribute ID cards ple when they face starvation because said another reason for people not started to bite people,” she told the “During last year’s lockdown the guilty under book. to the people of the Raute community. they have very limited sources for visiting the hospital is that they are Post. “Even when I go to feed them City had coordinated with some dog The commission’s provincial Accordingly, the local unit issued food. Besides with the rise in tempera- not taking dog bites as seriously as the regularly some of them get aggressive care centres to feed stray dogs, branch office in Karnali monitored identity cards to the Rautes, the ture they become more thirsty and coronavirus infection. and fight with each other. They try to but we do not have any plan this the incident site and inquired about nomadic ethnic people, in July 2018. this leads to them being even more “People have been mostly indoors attack if people are around.” time,” said Raju Maharjan, spokes- the matter after the video went public As per the national census carried aggressive,” said Chand. “During nor- and many feel that vaccines are not Authorities, however, are not both- man of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City. on social media. out by the Central Bureau of Statistics mal times they do not attack humans, necessary,” said Chand. ered about the stray dogs. “We will hold consultations and soon According to Anita Gyawali, the in 2011, there are 618 Raute people but when they do not get food they For dog lovers the plight of stray Dr Chandra Dhakal, information work on the issue and start feeding women development officer at the across the nation. become agitated and attack humans. dogs is heart-rending. officer at the Department of Livestock, them.” All eyes on Chief Justice Rana, as Nepal signs non-disclosure agreement to ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 According to another department’s 18 that it had signed a non-disclosure official, discussions are underway on agreement with Sinopharm, accord- crisis deepens in the judiciary But in the case of Nepal buying the procuring under different modalities ing to a report published in The Daily vaccines from Sinopharm, the legal such as government-to-government Star. Bangladesh had also signed a >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 question for the judiciary itself. whose presence on the bench would basis of the non-disclosure agreement agreement, government-to-company non-disclosure agreement for produc- Until the fresh crisis emerged, Rana amount to a conflict of interest. remains unclear. agreement, and procurement through tion of Sputnik V vaccine in Though it would have been natural had been forming the bench by pick- Only Tanka Bahadur Moktan will Nepal’s Public Procurement Act normal process after policy decision Bangladesh, according to the report. for both KC and Shrestha to recuse ing judges from a roster of 14 justices. remain in the 13-justice roster if the 11 2007 and the recently introduced from the cabinet. But such ‘secret’ deals could also themselves after questions were According to KC, the former Supreme justices are not included on the bench. Covid-19 Crisis Management “But no proposal regarding the pol- mean that the taxpayers would never raised against them, they refused to Court justice, the seeds of the crisis But the court refused to register the Ordinance are silent on non-disclo- icy decision from the Cabinet on the know the actual price the government do so. were sown some six years ago when the petition. sure agreements, even though both issue has been tabled at the Cabinet so is paying to the drug companies from Instead, Justice Deepak Kumar leadership of the judiciary incorporat- Lawyers arguing against the House allow the government to procure far,” Hridayesh Tripathi, the outgoing taxpayer funds. Karki and Ananda Mohan Bhattarai ed the issue of Constitutional Bench in dissolution said that the way the exec- directly from suppliers or manufac- health minister, told the Post. The New York Times reported in decided to opt out of the bench. the constitution and subsequently the utive is acting, deploying its lawyers turers without competitive bidding There is another hurdle too regard- January that an accidental revelation To prevent an imminent crisis in Judicial Council took a decision of set- to file petitions against about a dozen under extraordinary situations. ing a non-disclosure agreement. that the United States taxpayers were the judiciary, the Supreme Court Bar ting up a roster of justices for the justices, shows its sinister attitude. In late May, an official at the Public Even if the Cabinet decides to allow paying $19.5 per dose for the Pfizer Association intervened and held dis- Constitutional Bench. “If the executive tries to damage the Procurement Monitoring Office told the government to keep the price and vaccine, while Europeans paid just cussions with Chief Justice Rana on Questions as to why Chief Justice image of the judiciary, something the Post on condition of anonymity other particulars secret, it will be $14.70 per dose, had caused quite a stir. June 1. The Supreme Court Bar Rana did not form the Constitutional which was not attempted by the that except in a situation where the complicated for the government to The coronavirus, which has so far advised Rana to reconstitute the Bench with justices based on their Panchayat and king’s regimes, the government decides to procure secure foreign aid to procure vaccines killed over 3.72 million people world- bench on the basis of seniority. seniority were asked when Oli’s earli- judiciary must not remain a mere defence-related materials, which are if foreign donors are not shared wide, continues to remain a massive The constitution envisions a er decision on December 20 to dissolve spectator,” said advocate Tikaram sensitive from a national security details about procurement deals. threat to countries like Nepal. Constitutional Bench led by the chief the House was challenged in the court. Bhattarai during Sunday’s hearing. point of view, details of all other pro- According to the Finance Ministry, On Sunday Nepal reported 3,024 justice with four other members. But lawyers soon turned their focus Senior advocate Raman Kumar curements must be disclosed as per the majority of the budget for the pro- new infections taking the total tally to Article 137 (1) says the towards Justice Hari Krishna Karki, Shrestha also said that the judiciary the existing law. curement of vaccines is expected as 588,124 of which 89,217 are still active. Constitutional Bench consists of the demanding that his presence on the was not under attack like it is today In the absence of legal ways to pro- loans from donors like the World Bank The Ministry of Health reported 99 chief justice and other four judges bench constituted a conflict of inter- even during the king’s direct rule. cure vaccines under non-disclosure and the Asian Development Bank. more deaths taking the toll to 7,898. designated by the chief justice on the est. Karki in 2016, during Oli’s first “That a petition has been brought agreement, there have been discus- On April 2, the government and the Vaccine, therefore, has become the recommendation of the Judicial stint as prime minister, had served as arguing that 11 justices cannot be sions on procuring them through poli- World Bank signed an agreement for a world’s newest diplomatic currency. Council. the attorney general. After Karki included on the Constitutional Bench cy decisions of the Cabinet, according loan worth $75 million to support access And countries that have developed The Supreme Court (Constitutional recused himself from the hearing, is worrying,” said Shrestha during the to the officials at the Health Ministry. to safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines vaccines or are manufacturing them Bench Operation) Regulations 2072 BS Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla hearing. “The government is bent on They said that government officials for Nepal’s prioritised populations. as well as drug companies do not want also do not say anything about senior- replaced him. assaulting the judiciary.” will not put themselves at risk of Finance Secretary Sishir Dungana to share details while doing business. ity of justices for the institution of A Supreme Court justice told the potential investigation by the told the Post last week that the govern- Governments worldwide are current- such a bench. Post that the situation has become Commission for the Investigation of ment was finalising a loan deal of $165 ly buying vaccines either directly A proposal to amend the Regulations Lawyers against the “very complicated”. Abuse of Authority by signing the million with the Asian Development from manufacturers or through the so as to appoint justices on the bench “A decision on how to deal with the procurement agreement without a Bank mainly aimed at procuring the governments of vaccine-manufactur- on the basis of their seniority was House dissolution issue may come on Monday,” said the legal backing. Covid-19 vaccine. ing countries. taken to the full court on Friday. But justice who spoke on condition of ano- “If the existing procurement law One of the provisions in the pro- The Nepal government has not cut the full court refused to amend the say the judiciary nymity. and the ordinance don’t allow us to posed non-disclosure agreement is that any deal with any vaccine manufac- Regulations, saying they did not cre- That the ongoing arguments and procure the much-needed vaccines the information from the agreement turing firm, except the one it signed ate any hurdle for the chief justice to is under attack from counterarguments are creating through the non-disclosure agreement, cannot be disclosed to any third party, with the Serum Institute of India in pick justices on the basis of seniority. the executive. unease among justices was evident the procurement process can move which in general is a key condition, February. But Serum failed to provide As had been agreed upon, Rana on from a justice’s remark during ahead only through a policy decision according to a Health Ministry official. 1 million of the 2 million doses for Sunday designated Justices Deepak Sunday’s hearing. of the Cabinet,” Dr Taranath Pokharel, “But if we procure any goods or which Nepal paid. Nepal had agreed to Kumar Karki, Mira Khadka, Ishwar “We are not feeling comfortable director at the Family Welfare Division services with the money received buy the 2 million doses from Serum at Khatiwada and Ananda Mohan After the Constitutional Bench with whatever has been going on,” of Nepal’s Ministry of Health and from donor agencies like the World $4 per dose. The deal did not involve a Bhattarai to the bench, based on their overturned Oli’s decision and restored said Justice Khatiwada asking gov- Population told the Post. “I think the Bank and the Asian Development non-disclosure agreement. seniority. the House, the issue of seniority was ernment’s lawyers to allow those argu- cabinet will take a decision to facilitate Bank, we have to send all the procure- Nepal had planned to buy an addi- After the hearing started, Attorney forgotten, as many believed the end ing for petitioners to put forth their the vaccine procurement in the cur- ment-related documents to them,” the tional 5 million doses from Serum, but General Badal alleged that the compo- justifies the means. views. “We have had enough questions rent pressing time.” official told the Post last week on con- with India itself sliding into a devas- sition of the bench was lopsided and But not many were expecting the over the bench. This should not hap- The Commission for Investigation of dition of anonymity. tating crisis after a sudden surge in that it favoured the petitioners. issue to raise its ugly head again, and pen.” Abuse of Authority cannot investigate The Department of Health Services Covid-19 cases, vaccine supply from He was hinting at Karki and this time the judicial process has been A senior advocate said the chief the policy decisions of the Cabinet. official, however, said that despite a the south immediately is unlikely. Bhattarai who on June 1 had in their completely bogged down by argu- justice is to blame for creating the Section 4 (B) of the Commission for broader non-disclosure agreement, Nepal will receive vaccines from the opinion written that they would like ments and counterarguments of the crisis, as he decided to pick juniors the Investigation of Abuse of specifics of what specific information United States. On June 3, the US gov- to opt out of the earlier bench, as the bench and its formation. like Bam Kumar Shrestha and Tej Authority Act-1991 states, “The could be shared and what not would be ernment announced approximately 7 March 7 decision and the current On Friday, advocate Rajaram Bahadur KC for the Constitutional Commission, pursuant to the Act, determined during the procurement million will be distributed to the Asian House dissolution were related. Ghimire presented a petition, demand- Bench. KC and Shrestha rank 11th and shall not take any action in matters agreement. countries including India, Nepal, Karki and Bhattarai, however, had ing that 11 senior justices have a con- 12th on the roster from where the relating to any business or decisions “I think the Finance Ministry is Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, to be chosen for the new bench on flict of interest in House dissolution chief justice had picked justices for taken at meetings of any House of also on board regarding the procure- Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Sunday because of their seniority. cases, therefore they must not be the bench initially. Parliament or of any committee or ment of Chinese vaccines and it will Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Badal argued before the bench that included on the Constitutional Bench. “The Chief justice has opened anything said or done by any member deal with the donors regarding the Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, the two justices should leave the Ghimire, who has filed petition Pandora’s box,” Shree Prasad Pandit, at such meetings, or any policy deci- matter,” the official said. Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands. bench. Former attorney general Agni demanding that Oli be appointed a senior advocate who served as the sions taken by the Council of Vaccine manufacturing companies “Vaccine is the most effective meas- Kharel and senior advocate Sushil prime minister under Article 76 (5), registrar of the Supreme Court in the Ministers or any committee thereof or from many countries have made ure against this pandemic,” said Dr Panta too made similar arguments. has named Deepak Kumar Karki, past, told the Post. judicial actions of a court of law.” non-disclosure agreements a norm to Binjawala Shrestha, assistant profes- Questions are now being asked if Mira Khadka, Hari Krishna Karki, “We are left with no option but to Dipendra Raman Singh, director sell precious vaccines across the world. sor at the Department of Community lawyers representing the plaintiffs Bishowambhar Shrestha, Ishwar watch the ongoing drama,” said general of the Department of Health In December last year, Reuters news Medicine under the Tribhuvan and defendants continue to question Khatiwada, Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, Pandit. “If the issue continues to esca- Services, said that the policy decision agency reported that Kazakhstan had University Institute of Medicine. the justices and the composition of Anil Sinha, Prakash Man Singh Raut, late, the Supreme Court Bar of the Cabinet was one of the options signed a non-disclosure agreement “Once we get additional vaccine doses, the bench, it will not only delay the Sapana Pradhan Malla, Tej Bahadur Association should take an initiative being discussed to procure vaccines with Pfizer, the US-based vaccine we should run vaccination drives in hearing but also raise a huge moral KC and Bam Kumar Shrestha as those to defuse the crisis.” from Sinopharm. maker. Bangladesh announced on May every district without delay.”

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 NATIONAL

BRIEFING Tribhuvan University Pharmacist shot at in Mirchaiya finally agrees to SIRAHA: A group of armed assailants shot at Ramsagar Safi in Mirchaiya Municipality-5, Siraha, on Saturday night. A gang of around four assail- conduct exams online ants had attacked Safi, 39, at his phar- BINOD GHIMIRE macy at Mirchaiya Chowk. The vic- KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 tim sustained bullet injuries in his right leg and arms. He is receiving Following pressure from students, the Tribhuvan treatment at Mangalam Health Care University has agreed to hold the final exams of all and is out of danger, according to disciplines and programmes by mid-August by adopt- police. Safi’s pharmacy is located just ing alternative methods if necessary. 50 metres from the Area Police Office The final exams of various disciplines and pro- in Mirchaiya. “We have detained grammes at the country’s oldest and largest universi- some youths for interrogation,” said ty have been delayed for over a year due to the Covid- Deputy Superintendent of Police 19 pandemic, subsequent movement restrictions and Shaligram Sharma. the university’s insistence on holding the exams in person. While other universities have conducted the Maoist Centre pulls out support exams virtually, the Tribhuvan University hasn’t conducted even a single test online. to Province 1 government The university, however, conducted a few examina- MORANG: The CPN (Maoist Centre) tions in person between the first and the second wave has withdrawn its support to the of the pandemic, but it had to cancel other scheduled Province 1 government. According to in-person tests after a surge in the coronavirus cases Gopal Prasad Parajuli, the secretary from the second week of April. The postponement of at the province assembly secretariat, the tests and reluctance of the university administra- Maoist parliamentary party leader tion to conduct the tests online has angered the stu- Indra Bahadur Aangbo registered a dents who are waiting for their final tests for around letter on Sunday informing that the two years now. party has withdrawn its support lent POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI They have been demanding that the university to Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai. People while their time away at a traditional resting structure known as ‘Sattal’ during the lockdown at Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur on Sunday. hold the exams through virtual or any other medium. “The university is committed to concluding all the pending examinations by Shrawan (mid-August),” Shiva Lal Bhusal, rector of the university, told the Post. “We have already directed the Office of the Controller of Examinations and the dean offices to conduct all final exams within the given timescale by Raghubir Mahaseth as pick for deputy prime adopting any suitable method.” He said the tests could be conducted in person if the pandemic subsides and virtually if it persists. The examination controller’s office is responsible for conducting the tests for the students under the annu- minister and foreign minister surprises many al system while the respective dean offices will hold the tests for the students under the semester system. “We have heard that the university administration His choice is for UML to gain influence in the Madhes and for his potential ability to procure Russian vaccines, observers say. has finally given its nod for virtual tests,” Tika Ram Bhandari, a final year student who is pursuing a mas- ANIL GIRI “Our top most priority is to keep the house it was for political reasons that Mahaseth has ter’s degree in physics at the Tribhuvan University, KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 in order. No one has confidence when there is been included in the Cabinet with a told the Post. “Our pressure on the university admin- political instability and as a result we have promotion and an important portfolio, istration seems to be yielding positive results.” The country is hit hard by the Covid-19 pan- very little to show on the international front he said. Bhandari and his friends had been pressuring the demic pushing the health infrastructure to at present,” Madhuraman Acharya, former “In Nepal, we do not have a tradition of university administration to hold the exams through the brink of collapse. foreign secretary and ambassador, said. choosing ministers on the basis of expertise, a virtual medium as they haven’t been able to com- But Prime Minister KP Oli who leads the “Our key traction, challenges and opportu- qualifications and prior working plete their two-year programme in which they caretaker government is busy in Cabinet nity is geo-politcs. So we should be careful experience,” Rijal said. “I cannot comment enrolled in April 2018 even after three years. reshuffle. On Friday, he reshuffled his while playing off the geo-politics competition on what differences Mahaseth will bring in The examinations for the third semester of the Cabinet for the 18th time since he became at this critical juncture when there is uncer- the Foreign Ministry, but one thing is sure Master’s in Physics that was postponed in April last prime minister in February 2018. tainty inside the country and outside too.” that he was appointed to balance out Mahato’s year hasn’t been held yet. The tests scheduled to com- Fighting the pandemic has never been a But many people inside the Oli administra- appointment.” mence from the first week of April last year were priority for him or his government for the tion believe that it is Oli himself who runs There are also speculations that Mahaseth postponed indefinitely after the government last 15 months. the foreign ministry, sets foreign policy and was brought in the Foreign Ministry imposed a lockdown starting March 23 due to the The role of the foreign minister and the takes major decisions including ambassado- for procuring Sputnik-V Russian Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Similar is the situation of the country’s diplomatic missions, which the rial appointments. vaccine, as some of his relatives are said to bachelor’s first year programme. Two batches of the ministry directs, has become crucial to pro- Besides, there are some other faces includ- have good connections in Russia. first year programme haven’t been able to start their cure the vaccines against Covid-19, to ensure ing some members of the Oli’s kitchen “Who knows but maybe he was brought to second year of study as their final exams have yet to emergency supplies and critical medical sup- Cabinet, some retired ambassadors and some procure the Sputnik vaccine from Russia as be held. port from the outside world. party leaders who have great interest in POST FILE PHOTO Mahaseth has deep business connections,” Earlier, the university administration had been Geo-politics has also become increasingly the foreign ministry, according to a former Raghubir Mahaseth an official from the Prime Minister’s arguing that there could be a question of validation important with different world powers joust- minister, Office (PMO) said. “We do not believe that of the exams, if they are held remotely without ing for influence in Nepal, according to “Several decisions were made against the for the new minister who has a tainted back- new Health Minister Sher Bahadur Tamang adopting proper vigilance measures. The university experts and diplomats. interest of outgoing Foreign Minister ground, someone who had become a contro- would be able to demonstrate the capability also cited possible legal hurdles if the exams were But Oli’s choice of foreign minister in the Pradeep Gyawali in the past,” he told the Post versial figure in the past as the Minister for to procure vaccines.” held online. latest reshuffle caught observers by surprise. on condition of anonymity. Physical Infrastructure and Transportation,” Nepal needs to procure nearly 40 million Dr Dharma Kant Banskota, vice-chancellor at the CPN-UML Standing Committee member Oli and his team are also aware of the another outgoing minister said. vaccine doses to inoculate the rest of the pop- university, has already revised the existing law to Raghubir Mahaseth was not only made for- activities deemed undiplomatic of ambassa- According to some ruling party leaders, ulation above 18 years. pave the way for conducting the exams online. “We eign minister but also one of the three depu- dors in key missions in New Delhi, Beijing, Oli had some compulsions to induct Mahaseth “Vaccine procurement is a big issue and have developed a software and are now ready for ty prime ministers. Washington DC, Tokyo, London, New York and promote him to counterbalance the the prime minister might think that online tests,” he told the Post. He said the high num- He does not have much experience in diplo- and some other Capitals but no action was appointment of Rajendra Mahato who has Mahaseth could be the right person for the ber of students and the reluctance of the college macy and international relations. taken, another outgoing minister said. been made another deputy prime minister job,” the official at PMO said. administrators to adopt a new system posed a chal- Besides, he had been removed as minister “Even we are aware about the activities of from the Janata Samajbadi Party. But experts say there are other long-term lenge in conducting the exams online. of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation our ambassadors who have been given minis- Mahaseth and Mahato are third and fourth issues that the country’s foreign policy has to Other universities including the Kathmandu in November 2019 after serving in the post for terial-level designation, but Oli and Gyawali in protocol in the Cabinet after Oli and take note of. University and Agriculture and Forestry University, 18 months for his poor performance. He had always closed their eyes in their extra-diplo- Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister According to them, Nepal needs a robust however, have shifted to online tests without any even opposed Oli’s decision to dissolve matic activities,” he said. Bishnu Poudel who was also elevated on and balanced foreign policy based on trust questions being raised about their validation. The Parliament in December last year, The former minister was also critical of Friday. and this applies to any foreign minister and it Tribhuvan University, which has 1,124 affiliate and 61 But while assuming office on Monday, the growing number of political appointees Both Mahaseth and Mahato are from is the need of the hour too. constituent colleges, is the largest university in the Mahaseth said that rather than ministers, it as ambassadors. Dhanusha, a district in Province 2, where “Foreign policy is all about earning the country with over 400,000 regular students. The num- is the civil servants that make a government “They are surely ruining the country’s Oli’s party, the CPN-UML, has a poor organi- trust,” Prakash Chandra Lohani, former for- ber of examinees, however, exceeds 500,000 as there a success or a failure. image,” he said. sational base. eign and finance minister, said. “Who will are students sitting exams for back papers. The uni- But his role as the leader of the Ministry Mahaseth’s appointment is not a good sign, “There is no alternative to Mahaseth as he trust us if we swing here and there? And, if versity runs 125 programmes in the bachelor’s and of Foreign Affairs is crucial, given Nepal’s said another outgoing minister. is the only leader besides Minister for Law someone seems to be failing to protect the the master’s levels. political instability, and if Nepal tries to “In this context of mismanagement inside and Parliamentary Affairs Lilanath Shrestha national interest, then chances of compro- “We are happy that the university has finally indulge in the geo-politics game, especially Nepali missions abroad, increasing geo-polit- to win the 2017 general elections from mise will be there.” agreed to shift online,” Suresh Adhikari, a student regarding the procurement of Covid-19 vac- ical rivalry and competition, we see a very Province 2,” Bishnu Rijal, deputy chief of “So earning trust is a vital instrument pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the university, told cines, it would be disastrous and expensive sorry picture of our diplomacy and status of UML’s Foreign Relations Department, said. while conducting the foreign policy and this I the Post. “We wouldn’t have lost a year had the uni- for the country in the long run, observers say. international relations. I have very little hope Rather than for his expertise in diplomacy, see as the biggest challenge for us,” he added. versity made this decision last year.” Few convinced as government body defends plan to export construction materials The government’s plan to export construction materials from mines in order to reduce trade deficit has been criticised as an environmentally disastrous idea.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL and stones from the Chure range but During the virtual press confer- be done after environmental impact KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 from mines identified elsewhere. ence, the Chure Board officials con- assessment, the impact of the decision Instead, they blamed the media and ceded that the Siddhababa area is part will be on Chure itself as there is The President Chure Tarai Madhes other stakeholders for unnecessarily of the Chure range but claimed they no possibility of digging up these Conservation Development Board has linking the plan with Chure. were unaware of any such plan. materials from other mines finally spoken. “Point 199 of the budget speech Other officials present at the press immediately,” said Rameshore Eight days after the government doesn’t include Chure. But the latest conference also highlighted the signif- Khanal, who was the first chairperson announced its plan to export construc- media discourse has linked Chure icance of the Chure region but did not of the President Chure Tarai Madhes tion materials, a plan that is likely to with that plan,” said Kiran Poudyal, speak about the possible consequenc- Conservation Board. “Lack of physi- harm the environment and ecosystem, chairperson of the Board. “Digging up es of the government plan. Decades of cal infrastructure, mainly roads, lead- the Board, which is mandated to con- stones, sand and pebbles for export unchecked mining operations in the ing to other mines shows excavations serve the Chure region from further will be done outside the Chure range, Chure range have caused widespread will ultimately be carried out in the degradation, came forward only to in the Mahabharat range, which is degradation of the fragile landscape. Chure region. Siddhababa area is an defend the government’s move. above the Chure area and beyond the The impacts of degradation of the example.” On Sunday, the Board organised a Board’s jurisdiction. We are not Chure range are witnessed downhill Besides, the Chure region will be virtual press conference and went all answerable to the issues beyond our in the Tarai that see an acute water the preferred site for excavation of out defending the government for its jurisdiction.” shortage in the summer and flooding these materials for being cost-effective decision to excavate construction In its latest budget for the fiscal in the monsoon. and hassle-free for constructing a materials and export them, claiming year 2021-22, the government unveiled POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA “Mining will take place in the areas ropeway, which is mentioned in the the decision does not affect the the plan to mine construction materi- A tractor and a truck are seen at a sand mining site in Gwang River, Sindhuli. identified by the Department of budget speech, according to Khanal. Chure range. als like stones, pebbles and sand and Geology and Mines, followed by envi- “They know it’s easier and cheaper The budget announced for the export them to other countries pur- released statements saying stones and to protecting the Chure region.” ronmental and social impact studies,” to extract these construction materi- upcoming fiscal year has invited mas- portedly to reduce the trade deficit. pebbles will be mined only after con- While the government officials, said Krishna Prasad Oli, a member of als from Chure. Even though EIA is sive criticism from environmentalists, This is mentioned in point 199 of the ducting environmental impact assess- including Chure Board members, left the National Planning Commission. done, excavation of these materials development practitioners and the budget statement. ment and that the government was no stone unturned to defend the gov- “Chure will be spared while mining should not take place in the Chure general public, for the plan could “Based on an environmental impact committed to preserving the Chure ernment plan claiming that the Chure will be conducted in the hilly area region because of its geological fea- invite an ecological disaster in assessment, mine-based stones, peb- range. range would be left untouched, the above Chure which is a less sensitive tures,” said Khanal. “The region is the Chure range and downhill bles and sand can be exported to mini- On the ground, digging of these Lumbini provincial government has zone. Should we not utilise our extremely fragile as its topsoil is too communities. mise the trade deficit,” Finance materials, even from various rivers of rolled out a plan to slice the hills in resources for bringing prosperity?” loose and prone to landslides. It’s After several days of hue and cry, Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel said the Chure region, has continued una- the Siddhababa area for exporting However, not everyone is convinced because of Chure, the productivity of the Board said its attention was drawn while reading out the budget for the bated. stones and aggregate. by the claims of the officials. Tarai region is intact so far, and wild- after an extensive reporting in the fiscal year 2021-22. “We are not claiming that it’s all Siddhababa area falls in the Chure Also, on Sunday afternoon, at a life presence is abundant in the media that the plan could lead to an The announcement has caused a good everywhere. We have heard that range, which occupies about 12.78 per- webinar participated by about region.” exploitation of construction materials huge uproar from conservationists excavation of riverbed materials has cent of the country’s total area and 400 people from various walks of Khanal, also a former finance secre- from the Chure belt. and even political parties, who say the been taking place in various places. comprises the inner Tarai, the Chure life, the government plan was roundly tary, added that the government’s plan A team including the Board’s mem- plan to dig up valuable resources for But most of these excavations are tak- hills and the Bhavar plains. criticised saying the plan will leave of minimising the trade deficit is not bers, officials of the Ministry of export purportedly to reduce the trade ing place with approval from the local The provincial government plans to behind a trail of destruction in possible. Forests and Environment, and a mem- deficit is not only ludicrous but will governments,” said Poudyal. “We have dig up and flatten the hills on the bor- the Chure region and the Tarai “Even when there was no ban on the ber of the National Planning also prove disastrous for the country. not permitted the use of heavy equip- der of Rupandehi and Palpa districts districts. export of these materials, the trade Commission vehemently defended the After massive backlash against the ment, which is illegal. We have writ- for utilising the construction materi- “Although the budget has not men- deficit was the same as today,” said government saying the plan does not plan, the Ministry of Forests and ten to the district-level authorities to als within the country and exporting tioned the Chure range and said the Khanal. “So it is unlikely that the include excavation of sand, pebbles Environment and Ministry of Finance stop such practices. We are committed the surplus to other countries. export of mine-based materials would trade deficit will improve.”

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL The tyranny of loss Court on trial Death is not as much about the deceased The judiciary must ensure its independence so as it is about those who that it remains loyal to the citizens. survive them.

Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was on Sunday forced to reconstitute the five-member Constitutional Bench based on DINESH KAFLE the seniority of the justices to hear the writ petitions filed against the May 21 dissolution of the House of Representatives. This comes on the heels of an outcry in the legal community after senior advocates questioned the impartiality of the bench which included justices Bam Kumar Shrestha and Tej Bahadur KC. Rana rightly relented on his previous decision of appoint- ‘Life is so rare to be statistically insig- ing junior justices on the bench. nificant’, writes Annie Dillard in her On Sunday, the top court saw yet another drama when book The Writing Life. The loss of lives Attorney General Ramesh Badal, who is defending Oli’s House owing to the coronavirus pandemic has been a statistical nightmare as dead dissolution decision, questioned the impartiality of the bench bodies of victims are either lining up with justices Deepak Kumar Karki and Ananda Mohan in cremation ghats or washing up on Bhattarai on it. The drama does not seem to be ending anytime the banks of the Ganga. As decent med- soon, delaying the judicial process itself. ical care becomes a chimaera, we have started wishing for a decent funeral in The fact that the constitutional bench tasked to consider the case we ourselves or our loved ones constitutionality of the House dissolution has been questioned succumb to the virus. That the deaths implies a crisis in the legitimacy of the judiciary itself. This are more a result of systemic failure than the virus itself leaves us in a episode has exposed how the independence of the judiciary has dilemma as to whether we should pri- come into question of late. That the judiciary itself has to prove oritise mourning the dead or express- its independence and impartiality, which are its innate charac- ing angst against the system. Statistics teristics, is alarming. may not humanise each death, but at least they provide us with an abstrac- The relentless attack by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on tion of the magnitude of the crisis in the democratic process has led to a prolonged political crisis, front of us. People are being denied leaving the country unable to fight the deadly coronavirus pan- numbers, let alone dignity in death and demic and taking the focus away from an economic downturn. illness. The criminal apathy of those who govern us is depressingly repre- At a time when the entire country should have been working hensible. towards keeping the pandemic in check and resuscitating the For me, the coronavirus crisis ceased economy, the top leadership has been embroiled in one political to remain a statistic and became a per- tussle after another. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court and sonal story of grief when my best friend lost her father in late April. ‘Dad people hope it stands fast and independent. Amid a serious passed away’, Fathima texted me from political crisis the country is facing, the judiciary is the last her home in western Uttar Pradesh just bastion of democracy. as I was alighting from the last of the flights before the second wave restric- SHUTTERSTOCK While some of the arguments against the constitution of the tions came into effect. Exactly a week the loss is to be considered destiny or few days, Nishi Aunty’s condition dete- offending them by over-expressing constitutional bench are frivolous, some others hold merit and before that day, she had informed me, cosmic injustice. riorated and she had to be put under your remorse or by not expressing it need to be taken seriously. A Supreme Court constitutional over patchy internet connection when I Death is not as much about the intensive care. She got medical facili- enough. No amount of justification of bench, or any judicial institution for that matter, should main- was somewhere in the middle of the deceased as it is about the living. It is ties at a private hospital in Delhi, but our loss as part of a collective crisis is Langtang National Park, that both her about how we come to terms with the could not make it back. For those of us going to compensate for our personal tain utmost independence and impartiality to benefit the citi- parents had tested positive for the virus void the ones who passed on have left in who had left our homes behind to be at pain. In our own personal selves, we zenry. Judicial independence does not only encompass institu- and been rushed to the hospital. While our lives. It is about how we memorial- the university in Delhi, Nishi Aunty have been deeply wounded. Rather tional independence of the judiciary including in the assign- her mother was stable and returned ise them and give them afterlives. I provided us with a sense of filial secu- than pretend to be strong, maybe the ment of judges to cases, but also the adjudicative independence home in a co uple of days, her father remember Mukhtar Uncle as a man of rity—and a home away from home. And best way out is to let this grief take had to be admitted to the ICU right few words. When he called his daughter now, she is gone. Tanvi’s friends have over us as long as it should, leaving it to of individual judges. The individual interests of justices should away. Luckily for them, at least then, on the phone, he hardly spoke for a lost someone who made Delhi feel like time to heal our wounds. in no way find a space in such institutions. there was a steady oxygen supply at the minute before passing the phone on to home. Tanvi, who now lives abroad and We are not yet certain when this cri- The legitimacy of the judiciary is contingent upon the trust hospital—a rarity in these troubling his wife. But whenever he got an oppor- could not visit her mother during her sis is going to get over, but there will citizens put in its functioning. Even a semblance of partiality times. tunity, he accompanied his daughter last moments, has lost an anchor to come a time when we will speak of it in The next few days were a roller-coast- when she travelled for conferences and home and country. The invisible enemy the past tense. We will remember it as a on the part of the justices risks bringing into question the er ride as Mukhtar Uncle’s vitals fluc- took special pride in being identified as has exposed the ephemeral nature of war—a war against an invisible enemy impartiality of the entire institution. Even one instance of par- tuated, each alternate day bringing Fathima’s father. Each summer, he what we often took for granted as secu- that we mostly lost even if we survived tial behaviour from one single justice risks putting the legitima- hope and despair. We sought positive travelled to Delhi from his hometown rity and refuge from the vagaries of the it. In the aftermath of this war, we will stories of miraculous recoveries and in Sambhal district to drop mangoes outside world. probably seek solace by telling each cy of the judiciary at stake. Justices are bound not only by the hoped that Uncle would return home. for his daughter and her friends, had As a collective event of death and other the stories of our losses, and law but also by conscience and ethics. They are, therefore, But by the evening of the sixth day, my lunch at the university, and took the mourning, the pandemic is nothing helping heal each other just as animals expected to leave partisan interests behind for the sake of the friend was praying to the Almighty to afternoon train home. He could not short of an apocalypse. But each differ- lick each other’s wounds as a collective ideals of justice. make her father’s impending journey make his annual pilgrimage to the uni- ent person’s death becomes a personal process of healing. Maybe some of us to jannat as painless as possible. That versity due to the pandemic last year. story of grief for many. I do not know will try to forget this crisis altogether As the country awaits with bated breath the decision of the is what living and dying has come to This year, he passed away even before whether I should really ask my friends as part of the healing process. It will be Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the House dissolu- during this pandemic. The ruthless the mangoes were ripe. who have lost their loved ones to be a struggle between memorialising and tion, it is time for the judiciary to rise to the occasion, fulfil its contagion robs us of the chance to be On the second day of Mukhtar brave or to let them grieve for as long as obliterating our irreparable losses; responsibility towards the people judiciously, and continue to with our loved ones in their final Uncle’s passing, I heard that Tanvi’s they need to. Providing consolation for each unique struggle is valid. moments and mourn the way we are (another friend) mother had taken ill the bereaved is a tricky affair, for you maintain public legitimacy. accustomed to. We are left wondering if and needed oxygen supply. In the next are never sure if you are unknowingly Kafle is an opinion editor at the Post. Triangular geopolitical rivalry

Goel to Kathmandu to make a secret Nepal must maintain deal with Prime Minister KP Oli. But whatever New Delhi does, the objective a balance among the is the same. Prominent international relations big powers, or it will turn thinker, Henry Kissinger, has opined that India and China are the centres into a playground. of gravity of the emerging new multipolar world, which will have sig- nificant implications in global geopol- GEJA SHARMA WAGLE itics. Noted geopolitical affairs schol- ar, Robert Kaplan, has also highlight- ed the heightening strategic and geo- political gravity of the Indian Ocean, Asia and the Himalayan range, and its implications on Nepal. Moreover, he has predicted that the Himalayan range may the epicentre of the emerg- Given Nepal’s geopolitical sensitivity ing geopolitical rivalry for global and geostrategic importance, the power vis-à-vis the US, China and United States, the superpower, and India relations. emerging global powers and immedi- ate neighbours, India and China, have Sensitive and worrisome been competing with each other to Analysing the interests and national extend their influence here. They have security policies of India, China and been giving high priority to Nepal for a the US, it is obvious that they have couple of decades to extend their polit- direct geopolitical, strategic and secu- ical, diplomatic, strategic, security, eco- rity interests in Nepal. They, there- nomic and cultural influence. Of late, fore, have strategic rivalry to extend they have been using vaccine diploma- their influence. India and the US have cy for the same. In fact, they have not given a higher priority to geopolitics only been giving high priority, but they than geo-economics whereas China have also increased financial assis- has prioritised geo-economics over tance and development and military geopolitics. The triangular rivalry budget to Nepal. Likewise, they have SHUTTERSTOCK may undermine Nepal’s national been promulgating a number of poli- China Sea, terrorism in Asia and nership to a strategic partnership dur- promulgated some policies and strate- cordial and special relations, it believes interests in the future as their rivalry cies and strategies focusing on Nepal human rights situation and refugee ing the visit. President Xi also gies focusing on the Asia-Pacific it has a traditional sphere of influence intensifies. Therefore, the simmering for obvious reasons. The ever-growing issues of Tibet that will have direct announced substantial financial sup- region. China considers the increas- in Nepal; and, therefore, a higher stake geopolitical power play among them, geopolitical, diplomatic and strategic security and strategic implications in port including rail and road connec- ing influence of the US as a threat, compared to China and the US. Nepal which will have significant immediate interests, their proactive diplomacy Nepal. In 2018, Nepal signed the tivity. Nepal and China signed the and wants to control it. China pro- and India share a 1,800-km-long open as well as long-term implications on and their policies and strategies are a Millennium Challenge Corporation Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and claimed a comprehensive security pol- border, and both countries have equal- Nepal, is highly sensitive and worri- matter of serious discourse for Nepal. (MCC), a US government’s grant have agreed to sign an extradition icy focusing on the Asia-Pacific region ly high-security concerns and threats. some for the country. In 2018, the US promulgated the worth $500 million to develop its treaty. In 2017, Nepal signed the Belt in 2017, namely ‘China’s policies on India’s concerns are not just limited to Against this backdrop, Nepal should much-hyped Indo-Pacific Strategy hydroelectricity transmission infra- and Road Initiative (BRI) which is Asia Pacific security cooperation’, strategic, defence and security affairs, thoughtfully study and objectively (IPS) in order to extend its influence structure. Some communist parties considered to be a mega project for which is similar to the IPS. It has also but expands to political, diplomatic, analyse the global powers’ policies, in the Indo-Pacific region. The IPS and leaders have been heavily criticis- infrastructure development and con- issued another security policy, economic, social, religious and cultur- strategies and diplomacy and their report has interestingly mentioned ing the IPS and MCC terming them an nectivity, with the potential to change ‘China’s National Defence in the New al spheres too. New Delhi, therefore, implications. Nepal should protect Nepal as an emerging defence partner. anti-national pact and a conspiracy the traditional geopolitics and geo-eco- Era’ following the promulgation of wants to further extend its influence by and promote its national interests As a result, the IPS has been a against Nepal. nomics of the world. The BRI, there- the IPS. The northern neighbour has minimising the growing influence of while respecting their fundamental much-debated issue in Nepal. fore, is both an opportunity and a been establishing close military and China and the US. New Delhi has strategic concerns. Nepal, therefore, According to the IPS, the US has cho- BRI bonanza challenge for Nepal. Nepal needs to security relations with Nepal’s securi- been following carrot and stick should maintain a much-needed diplo- sen Nepal as part of the State Not only the US, but China has also implement the BRI projects in line ty agencies and has been increasing diplomacy as per Indian interests that matic and strategic balance among Partnership Programme that supports significantly elevated its relations with its national interest and priority military assistance. Until a few years have been seriously hurting Nepal’s them. Otherwise, the country will the security agencies to enhance their with Nepal. President Xi Jinping’s for economic development and pros- ago, China was far behind India and interests time and again. New Delhi, turn into a geopolitical and geostrate- fighting capability. In 2019, the US also 2019 visit became a milestone for perity while maintaining good rela- the US with regard to military assis- therefore, sometimes imposes block- gic playground. introduced the Asia Reassurance Nepal-China relations and economic tions with India and the US. tance to Nepal, but today it has over- ades and publishes a new map Initiative Act focusing on the growing development. Nepal and China Taking into consideration growing taken them. encroaching on Nepali territory, and Wagle works at the Asia Strategic security challenges such as the South upgraded their comprehensive part- US strategic interests, China has also Given India’s centuries-old close, sometimes sends spy agent Samant Foresight Group.

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Indian gold market US Dollar 117.10 Rehabilitation scheme for Covid-19 Euro 142.48 still muted, China Pound Sterling 165.76 Japanese Yen 10.69 affected enterprises fails to woo borrowers flips to discount Chinese Yuan 18.31 REUTERS Entrepreneurs say the prerequisites of needing to clear a portion of earlier loans and providing tax clearance certificates MUMBAI, JUNE 6 Qatari Riyal 32.16 are obstacles. Central bank hopes the scheme will have takers as it gets continuity in the new budget. Australian Dollar 90.61 Indian gold dealers offered the biggest discounts in eight and a half months Malaysian Ringit 28.37 PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA this week as Covid-19-related restric- KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 tions stifled consumption, while top Saudi Arab Riyal 31.22 consumer China flipped to a discount Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Vinayak Shah, proprietor of Airport for the first time since late January. Hotel, gave up seeking loans under the India’s official tally of coronavirus government’s Business Continuity infections crossed 28 million, with Shares Credit scheme after the bank he more than 2,500 daily deaths. approached sought repayment of 10 “Bullion dealers offered hefty dis- Nepse 2,906.89pts 1.75% percent of loans that he had borrowed counts since prices are correcting earlier. overseas and demand is weak in the HIGHEST GAINERS He didn’t name the bank but said local market,” said a Mumbai-based MLBSL GFCL LBBL RHPC NBB MDB 10% 9.89% 9.88% 9.87% 9.07% 8.94% the bank’s demand for repayment of bullion dealer with a gold-importing the past loans was the reason he had bank. MODERATE GAINERS PFL MEGA NIFRA LBL BOKL HGI to give up securing subsidised loans Dealers offered discounts of up to 8.89% 8.7% 8.26% 8.01% 7.2% 6.93% from the bank as he didn’t have $12 an ounce, the highest since enough funds to pay the loans mid-September 2020, over official

CHL GRDBL PMHPL JOSHI BFC MPFL amid the devastating impact of the domestic prices—inclusive of 10.75 -4.06% -4.07% -4.2% -4.31% -4.32% -4.69% Covid-19 pandemic on the hotels and percent import and 3 percent sales HIGHEST LOSERS restaurant sector. levies—versus $10 discounts last GHL UNHPL AKJCL NABBC DHPL RADHI “It is not just me but most other week. “Jewellers were only making -5% -5.14% -5.49% -5.97% -6.91% -8.56% hoteliers have complained about simi- inquiries as a few state governments lar demands from banks,” Shah, who are planning to ease lockdown is also the first vice-president of Hotel restrictions. But they weren’t placing Association Nepal, told the Post. orders,” said another Mumbai-based PRICE PER TOLA “Similarly, enterprises needing to sub- bullion dealer with a gold-importing BULLION mit their tax clearance certificates as POST FILE PHOTO bank. well as of the employees also discour- As of mid-April, only 33 enterprises have received Rs420 million credit under this scheme, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. A combination of resurgent Covid- Fine Gold Rs 94,100 aged many hotels from availing these 19 cases and recent regulations pushed loans under this programme.” taken loans under this scheme,” said ees. “I think, this provision of the over the last one year. Chinese gold prices to a discount Silver Rs 1,355 Like Shah, many targeted enterpris- Dev Kumar Dhakal, spokesperson at working procedure deterred many Around 50 employees of the restau- of as much as $20-$50 an ounce es have not benefitted from the gov- the central bank. Officials at the cen- enterprises from availing the subsi- rant chain lost their jobs due to clo- over international spot prices from SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA ernment’s scheme introduced through tral bank and bankers say that the dised loans under this scheme,” said sure of these outlets. The firm has premiums of $6-$7 earlier in the week, the budget for the current fiscal year delayed introduction of working pro- Dahal, who is also chief executive outstanding loans of around Rs10 mil- traders said. 2020-21 to provide subsidised credits to cedures regarding this credit plan was officer of Sanima Bank. lion but it has not made any efforts to Last week saw premiums of $7-$10. GASOLINE WATCH micro, small and medium enterprises one reason for the low demand for According to bankers and central take extra loans to continue operating China’s central bank on June 1 and tourism enterprises affected by credit. Even though the government bank officials, the provision of the the business. issued a revised draft anti-money the pandemic. announced a Rs50 billion package working procedure which stipulates “We were not aware of the govern- laundering law, covering accounting As per the working procedure on under this scheme in May last year, that anybody who has already received ment’s scheme and we didn’t approach firms and precious metal exchanges. Business Continuity Credit Scheme—a the working procedure was intro- loans under other subsidised loan any bank for subsidised loans,” This follows a clamp-down on lend- two-year credit programme—an enter- duced only in November last year. schemes cannot receive loans under Kedarnadhi Pandey, general manager ers selling investment products linked prise from the most affected sectors “When the working procedure was this scheme also prevented many of Hot Bread which sells bakery items. to commodities futures to mom-and- can get up to Rs100 million credit introduced, the borrowers had already potential borrowers from receiving “Although executive committee mem- pop buyers. while enterprises from the sector that taken credit from banks to run their the credit under the Business bers of the Restaurant and Bar Bernard Sin, regional director, is facing medium-level impact can get businesses,” said Bhuvan Dahal, pres- Continuity Plan. Association of Nepal had talked Greater China at MKS, said discounts up to Rs70 million. Enterprises from a ident of Nepal Bankers’ Association. Clause 10 of the working procedure about making efforts to get subsidised rose to as much as $50, possibly due to partially affected sector can get up to “They could receive the loans at lower states that borrowers who are enjoy- loans, I don’t know what happened to newly imposed regulations, and deep- Rs50 million. interest rates because of adequate ing subsidised credit facilities from their efforts.” er discounts could be seen going for- Half of the loan can be used to pay liquidity with the banks. After the banks and financial institutions, gov- The government is continuing the ward. “Guangzhou has seen a surge in staff salaries and the other half can working procedure on the Business ernment agencies or donors are not scheme for the next fiscal year too. Covid-19 cases, resulting in a complete be used as working capital to continue Continuity Credit Scheme was intro- eligible to get loans under this scheme. “Maybe more enterprises will be lockdown, affecting all gold manufac- the business. An enterprise cannot duced, people willing to take extra But, some borrowers didn’t interested in this scheme after the turers,” Sin said. fire any employee as long as the credit credit from banks were required to approach the banks because of igno- borrowers hit the refinance facility Singapore premiums were little facility is in effect. justify their proposals which many rance about the government’s provi- limit,” said Dhakal, central bank changed at $1.2-$1.7. But, as of mid-April, only 33 enter- could not do.” sion. For example, Hot Bread, a res- spokesperson. Brian Lan, managing director at prises have received Rs420 million Dahal said that the important rea- taurant chain, didn’t approach any The Nepal Rastra Bank had decided dealer GoldSilver Central, said there credit under this scheme, according to son behind the lack of interest among bank to secure extra credit under any to provide refinance facility upto was more selling from jewellers, Nepal Rastra Bank. targeted enterprises is that they were government schemes. Due to the Rs212 billion and it has already pawnbrokers and retailers due to “Tourism related enterprises such required to submit their tax clearance impact of the pandemic, they had to approved Rs147 billion in refinance higher prices at the start of the week, as hotels and cable cars have mostly certificates as well as of the employ- close three of their seven outlets facility. although demand has since improved.

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING US senators promise vaccines Crunch vote for Attackers kill 88 people in northwest Nigeria Israel’s ‘change’ NIGER: Attackers killed 88 people in for Taiwan amid China row Nigeria’s Kebbi state on Thursday, spurring its governor to pledge a big- The island of 24 million people is desperate for vaccines after a sudden outbreak. ger deployment of security forces on coalition draws nearer Sunday as insecurity spreads largely unchecked through the country’s AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE party, the coalition would not have northwest. Perpetrators swept JERUSALEM, JUNE 6 a majority. through eight villages, killing people A Friday post on Netanyahu’s and sending residents fleeing, police The speaker of the Israeli parliament Facebook page said “those who were said, giving a death toll of 88. Details will formally notify lawmakers on elected on right-wing votes have to do began to emerge on Saturday. A Monday of the opposition’s announce- the right thing—to form a good, strong spokesperson for Kebbi Governor ment of a coalition to unseat veteran right-wing government”. Abubakar Bagudu said on Sunday the premier Benjamin Netanyahu, his Should last-minute defections scup- attackers had come from neighbour- office said. per the alliance, Israel would likely ing Niger and Zamfara states, rus- The notification will set in motion have to return to the polls for its fifth tling cattle and destroying crops. preparations for a confidence election in just over two years. vote in the new government, which On Saturday the head of Israel’s will now likely be held on Wednesday Shin Bet internal security agency Israel arrests Jerusalem or the following Monday, Israeli Nadav Argaman issued a rare public activist as reporter recovers media said. statement warning of a “severe esca- JERUSALEM: Israeli police arrested a The late Friday announcement by lation in violent and inciting dis- Palestinian protest leader in the speaker Yariv Levin, a close course” namely on social media. contested Sheikh Jarrah neighbour- Netanyahu ally, allays fears their hood of Jerusalem on Sunday, a right-wing Likud party could find pro- day after forcefully detaining a prom- cedural ways to block the formation With possible jail inent Al Jazeera journalist covering AP/RSS of the motley coalition that would the campaign by Jewish settlers to In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, President Tsai Ing-wen (right) speaks as US Democratic Sen Tammy Duckworth of end Netanyahu’s 12 consecutive years time hanging over evict dozens of Palestinian families Illinois looks on in Taipei, Taiwan on Sunday. in office. from the area. The arrest of Muna On paper, the coalition announced him, Netanyahu is al-Kurd was the latest move by Israeli ASSOCIATED PRESS of the pandemic and beyond.” partner Fosun, and that the by opposition leader Yair Lapid police to quell several days of tension TAIPEI, JUNE 6 Taiwan was included on a long island’s government is to blame for just minutes before a midnight not expected to give in one of the most sensitive neigh- list of places announced last week putting politics above the lives of its Wednesday deadline, should com- bourhoods in Jerusalem. It came as The US will give Taiwan 750,000 doses that would receive 25 million doses people. Taiwanese law bans the import mand a slender majority in the confi- up without a fight. Givara Budeiri, a veteran correspond- of Covid-19 vaccine, part of President from the United States in what of Chinese-made medicines. dence vote. ent for the Al Jazeera satellite chan- Joe Biden’s move to share tens of the Biden administration says is the Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, But all eyes will be on potential nel, was released from a hospital with millions of jabs globally, three first tranche of at least 80 million welcoming the senators at the airport, defections from the disparate alliance “This discourse could be under- a broken hand she sustained on American senators said on Sunday, doses to be distributed globally. Most said that Taiwan is fortunate to have which is united only by shared hostili- stood by certain groups or individuals Saturday. after the self-ruled island complained of the first tranche, including like-minded countries showing ty to Netanyahu. as enabling illegal violence that could that China is hindering its efforts Taiwan’s, will be sent through COVAX, support, which he said is about Under the agreement, Naftali even cost a life,” Argaman said, call- to secure vaccines as it battles a UN-backed programme to distribute sustaining freedom and democracy in Bennett of the religious nationalist ing on public officials to “issue a clear Nicaragua detains another an outbreak. vaccines to low and middle-income the face of autocracy. Yamina party would be premier for call to stop this discourse”. Democratic Sen Tammy Duckworth countries. “Taiwan is facing unique two years, to be replaced by the cen- A spokesperson for the Shin Bet opposition presidential hopeful of Illinois, who made a three-hour The island of 24 million people, challenges in combating the virus,” trist Lapid in 2023. would not tell AFP if Argaman was MANAGUA: Police in Nicaragua on stop in Taiwan with fellow Democrat which lies 160 kilometres (100 miles) he said. “While we are doing our best With possible jail time hanging over referring to a certain group or person Saturday took opposition politician Christopher Coons of Delaware and off China’s east coast, is desperate to import vaccines, we must overcome him in his ongoing trial on corruption being threatened, merely saying: Arturo Cruz into custody, detaining Republican Dan Sullivan of Alaska, for vaccines after a sudden outbreak obstacles to ensure that these charges, Netanyahu is not expected to “This is a general atmosphere that a second presidential hopeful in less said their visit underscores bipartisan that started in late April caught life-saving medicine are delivered free give up without a fight. must stop.” than a week. Cruz was seized at the US support for the democratic island authorities by surprise. Japan shipped from troubles of Beijing.” His supporters have been working Politicians opposing Netanyahu, Managua airport upon return from that Beijing claims as its own rene- 1.2 million doses to Taiwan on Friday, He said China is trying to block hard to win defections from lawmak- however, interpreted Argaman’s state- the United States, on accusations of gade territory. Taiwan faces a severe opting to skip the COVAX process in Taiwan’s international assistance ers from Yamina uncomfortable with ment as an accusation against the acting “against Nicaraguan society vaccine shortage and has geopolitical the interest of speed. It was unclear and prevent it from participating in Bennett’s alliance with Jewish leftists premier. and the rights of the people”. His significance as a flashpoint in when the 750,000 American doses the World Health Organization. “We and Arab conservatives. “Whoever is trying to deny the legit- detention came three days after US-China relations. would arrive. are no strangers to that kind of Demonstrations orchestrated by imacy of basic democratic moves and opposition figure Cristiana “I’m here to tell you that the United Taiwan has accused China of obstructionism,” he said. Netanyahu supporters have been held flaming the fire of incitement is Chamorro—a possible challenger States will not let you stand alone,” blocking its efforts to reach a deal Taiwan and China split amid civil outside the home of Yamina lawmak- responsible,” said Defence Minister to President Daniel Ortega in Duckworth said at the airport after with BioNTech to import the vaccine war in 1949, and most Taiwanese er Nir Orbach, who has warned Benny Gantz. November elections—was placed landing on a US military transport co-developed by the German company favour maintaining the current state Bennett he may not support him in the And Tamar Zandberg of the under house arrest, after government plane. “We will be by your side to and Pfizer. Beijing has said it is of de facto independence while engag- confidence vote. leftwing Meretz party called it “a claims that she was guilty of money make sure the people of Taiwan have willing to supply vaccines to Taiwan, ing in robust economic exchanges Were Orbach to vote against wakeup call to Netanyahu and his laundering. (AGENCIES) what they need to get to the other side including BioNTech, through Chinese with the mainland. the deal without resigning from the followers”. Back on stage, Trump airs conspiracies and flirts with 2024 run

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE have to get it done. We have no choice In contrast, the crowd fell largely better example of the Democrat and WASHINGTON, JUNE 6 actually. We’re going to defend our silent during his claims of successful- media corruption than the 2020 elec- freedoms.” ly tackling Covid-19 and of developing tion hoax... That election will go down Former US president Donald Trump Trump described 2024, the year of the vaccines that have helped quell the as the crime of the century. returned to the spotlight on Saturday the next presidential election, as “a pandemic. Out of office and off social media, for his first speech in months, framing year that I look very much forward Banished from social networks but Trump now fires out a stream of next year’s midterm elections as a to”—drawing loud cheers from the no less influential among the party incendiary statements by email—sup- battle for the “survival of America”— audience in Greenville, North faithful, Trump has remained politi- porting chosen Republican candi- but keeping followers guessing on his Carolina at the state’s Republican cally active since he left the White dates, launching vitriolic attacks on own plans for 2024. Party convention. House in January. perceived enemies and relishing the Trump lapped up applause from Addressing a sold-out crowd of On Saturday, he dismissed role of king-maker when meeting with Republican supporters as he described about 1,250 for his first major speech Facebook’s recent announcement his allies and party leaders. the United States as “being destroyed since February, Trump, 74, appeared ban would be for two years for violat- During the speech, his daughter-in- before our very own eyes” since he to lack much of the raw energy and ing its rules over the deadly attack by law Lara Trump came on stage to was voted out, and launched bitter enthusiasm that he often brought to his supporters on the US Capitol. announce she would not be running criticism of his victorious rival his raucous, larger campaign rallies. “I’m not too interested in that they for a Senate seat after speculation of President Joe Biden. Verbal attacks against his favourite may allow me back in two years... so political ambitions that could still “The survival of America depends targets, including Biden’s border poli- unfair,” he said. establish a political dynasty. upon our ability to elect Republicans cy, China, “radical left Democrats,” Again airing his false claims that “I am saying ‘no for now,’ not ‘no at every level, starting with the mid- and “critical race theory,” all trig- election fraud denied him rightful vic- forever,’ “ said Lara Trump, who is AFP terms next year,” Trump said. “We gered wild cheers. tory last year, he said that “there’s no married to Eric Trump. Former US president Donald Trump addresses his supporters in Greenville, North Carolina.

Thailand concerned at Myanmar violence

REUTERS BANGKOK, JUNE 6

Thailand is concerned at the violence in many parts of Myanmar and wants to see the implementation of steps agreed by Southeast Asian leaders with the military junta to help end the turmoil since the February 1 coup, the foreign ministry said on Sunday. Myanmar’s junta has shown little sign of heeding the five point ‘consensus’ agreed among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in April - which calls for an end to violence, political talks and the naming of a regional special envoy. “We have been following developments in Myanmar closely with much concern, especially incidents of violence in many parts of the country,” foreign ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat said in a statement. He reiterated a call for an end to the violence, the release of all detainees and the “concrete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus” as soon as possible. The junta has failed to impose control since seizing power from elected leader Aug San Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. At least 847 have been killed, a rights group says. The army disputes that figure. Meanwhile, daily protests against the military have evolved in parts of Myanmar into armed insurrections while decade old ethnic conflicts have flared anew. Opponents of the junta have voiced frustration at the lack of tough action by ASEAN and say the meeting of two representatives of the group with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Friday gave him greater legitimacy but brought no benefit. Thailand has a longer border with Myanmar than any other country and fears the conflict could bring a flood of refugees. Its government is itself led by a former army chief who seized power in a coup before hold- ing elections. “Much of what Thailand has done may not have been made public as we believe that quiet and discreet diplomacy between neighbours would be more effective and in line with traditional Thai diplomacy,” Tanee said.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Nepal eye victory over mighty Jordan Djokovic, Nadal advance; The victory over the opponents that sit 76 places above in the FIFA rankings will strengthen Nepal’s bid for Federer likely to pull out direct qualification into the next round of Asian qualifiers but a defeat is likely to send Nepal into the playoffs. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Federer’s 102 at the Australian Open. Nadal’s PARIS, JUNE 6 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie put him into the last 16 of a major for Roger Federer said Sunday he is considering the 50th time. Nadal, chasing a 14th Roland withdrawing from the French Open despite Garros title and record-setting 21st Grand reaching the fourth round as Novak Djokovic Slam, goes on to face Italian teenager Jannik and Rafael Nadal set up clashes with two Sinner. Italian teenagers widely seen as their Grand Musetti, ranked 76 in the world, fired 50 win- Slam heir apparents. ners past compatriot Marco Cecchinato in a Two months shy of his 40th birthday, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory. He becomes just the Federer, the 2009 champion, and probably tak- sixth man since 2000 to make the fourth round ing part in his last Roland Garros, reached the of a Slam on debut. second week for the 15th time. His knife-edge Nadal defeated Sinner in the quarter-finals 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 win over in 2020 but expects a much tougher assignment 59th-ranked Dominik Koepfer took place in on Monday. “Jannik is not the best fourth Court Philippe Chatrier devoid of fans and round. Without a doubt, he’s a dangerous one,” atmosphere due to a government-enforced Nadal said. “I need to be ready to play at a very Covid-19 curfew. high level.” Sinner, seeded 18, made it to the Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries second week, easing past Sweden’s Mikael last year and is playing just his third event Ymer 6-1, 7-5, 6-3. since the 2020 Australian Open, is scheduled to Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini on Monday. reached the last 16 for the second successive “I don’t know if I am going to play,” said year with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over three-time Federer whose 3hr 35min tie ended just before quarter-finalist Elina Svitolina as only 12:45 on Sunday morning. “I have to decide three of the top 10 women’s seeds made it to whether or not to continue playing. Is it too the second week. World number 33 Krejcikova risky to keep putting pressure on the knee? Is goes on to face former US Open champion it a good time to rest?” Sloane Stephens for a place in the quarter-fi- The 20-time Grand Slam title winner has nals. Stephens, the 2018 runner-up in always said Wimbledon is his priority this Paris, defeated Czech 18th seed Karolina year. He is chasing a ninth title at the All Muchova 6-3, 7-5 to reach the last 16 for the England Club where the action starts on 28 seventh time. June . He is also scheduled to play the warm- Fourth seed Sofia Kenin, the runner-up in up grass court tournament in Halle beginning 2020 and the highest seed left, came back to on 14 June, the day after the French Open ends. beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, “Every match I have to reassess the situa- 6-4. The top three seeds, Ashleigh Barty, Naomi PHOTO COURTESY: ANFA tion and see the next morning in what state I Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka all exited earlier Nepal had lost 3-0 to Jordan at the Amman International Stadium in October 2019 in their away match of the ongoing 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifiers. wake up and how my knee is doing,” added in the week. Federer. Defending champion and eighth seed Iga SPORTS BUREAU ing World Cup qualifiers 2014, Nepal had gone “We have prepared for Jordan as much as we Djokovic, the champion in Paris in 2016 and Swiatek overcame an early break to defeat KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 down 9-0 but in the home match played five prepared for Chinese Taipei,” said Almutairi, chasing a 19th Grand Slam title, brushed aside Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 to days later Nepal held Jordan to a 1-1 draw in who also partially credited the victory to the 93rd-ranked Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania stretch her record of straight-sets wins at Nepal lock horns against the mighty Jordan Kathmandu. In their last encounter played in team’s in-depth research on the opponents in 6-1, 6-4, 6-1. The world number one is in the last Roland Garros to 10 matches. Swiatek reeled with a winning ambition in their penultimate Nepal’s away match of the ongoing qualifiers, the last match. 16 for the 12th successive year and will next off 11 of the last 13 games and will next face Group ‘B’ game of the joint qualifiers for Jordan had won 3-0 in October 2019. Jordan coach Vital Borkelmans took a cau- face 19-year-old Lorenzo Musetti. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. World Cup 2022 and Asian Cup 2023 at the Al Jordan hold a highly superior spot than tious approach at the pre-match conference but Defending champion Nadal reached the American 17-year-old Coco Gauff made the Kuwait Sports Club Stadium in Kuwait City on Nepal in the FIFA rankings as they are 76 plac- indirectly said that they would snatch all three fourth round for a record 16th time, claiming last 16 for the first time when compatriot Monday. es above their South Asian opponents. While points. “Everybody expects us to take three his 103rd victory in Paris to set a new record of Jennifer Brady retired with a foot injury after While a victory over the West Asian country Nepal are placed at 171st position, the West points but this is football and anything is possi- match wins at a Grand Slam, eclipsing dropping the first set. will strengthen Nepal’s bid for direct qualifica- Asian country are in 95th position. They could ble. I saw Nepal playing against Chinese Taipei tion into the next round of Asian qualifiers, a strengthen their bid to qualify for the next and Iraq and their quality and playing system defeat is likely to send Nepal into the playoffs stage of World Cup qualifiers with victory over has changed,” said the former assistant manag- for a place in the qualifiers. The match would the South Asian side. er of the Belgium national team. also be vital for Jordan who hope to advance to Nepal had edged Chinese Taipei 2-0 in their Captain Kiran Limbu will take charge of the the next round of the World Cup qualifiers as last match played on Friday while Jordan are post for Nepal who are set to come up in 4-3-3 one of the four best group runners-up, if not yet to play their first match after the resump- formation. Rohit Chand and Ananta Tamang group winners. tion of qualifiers that was put on hold since are expected to line up in defence along with Nepal are fourth with six points after victo- November 2019 owing to Covid-19 pandemic. Suman Aryal and Gautam Shrestha on the ries over Chinese Taipei in both leg matches. However, Nepal’s newly appointed coach starting list. Anjan Bista, who scored twice in Jordan are level on 10 points with second Abdullah Almutairi is adamant on a competi- the last two matches for Nepal, is expected to placed Kuwait but are behind the hosts in the tive performance. “Our goal is to qualify for line up along with Nawayug Shrestha and standings on the basis of their goal difference. Asian Cup Qualifiers and we need to win Sunil Bal. Santosh Tamang, Pujan Uprekoti Nepal’s chances of reaching the next round against Jordan for that,” said the Kuwaiti at a and Manish Dangi are likely to be recruited as of World Cup qualifiers as group winners are pre-match conference on Sunday. He is believed midfielder. already over. Nor do they have realistic dreams to have instilled confidence, the major factor Nepal should have hosted all four return leg to finish as group runners-up given that they lacking in Nepali players, against the big matches of the group at home as they played need to play Asian powerhouse Australia in the names, giving the team an attacking flair all four initial matches at away venues due last group match on Friday. Nepal had lost the and transforming them to an offensive to the unavailability of an international first leg 5-1 against Australia in Canberra in approach of play. standard stadium because Dasharath Stadium October 2019. “Many have termed us underdogs holding no was under construction. But once the stadium Despite Nepal’s ambitious target, Jordan chance against Jordan but every match starts was ready, the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, will be a tough nut to crack for the South Asian at 0-0 and the result depends on the perfor- forcing the event to be played at the centralised minnows in the scorching heat of Kuwait. The mance on the field. Our aim from the start is venue. two sides have met three times in the past and going to win the game,” Said Almutairi, who The Nepal-Jordan match will kick off at AP/RSS Jordan have won twice and drawn once. In the has already become a fan favorite in Nepal for 21:45 and will be telecast live on Kantipur Roger Federer, who underwent knee surgery last year, beat Dominik Koepfer 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 7-5 to reach first match played in Amman in July 2011 dur- his outspoken attitude. Television. the fourth round of French Open but said he could preserve himself for Wimbledon which begins on June 28. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** The universe knows you’re in need of a break, Aries. You’re craving a connection to your community Don’t expect to leap right into a productive state of You’re in no mood to get down to business, Capricorn. Let Monday’s skies help you smooth things over and today, Cancer. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the action today. The moon wanders through laid-back Let yourself ease into the start of the week, as the untangle any remaining knots. The moon glides friends you may have lost touch with and re-instil Taurus, prompting you to withdraw into a world of sensual Taurus moon encourages you to prioritise through easygoing Taurus, centring your focus on the solidity of those cherished connections. your own. It’s an ideal day to devote energy toward play over labour. It’s an ideal day to turn your atten- your financial situation. therapeutic practices centred around release. tion to any unfinished personal projects.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Little cosmic action colours the day ahead, Taurus, You can’t help but get lost in thoughts over your high- Point your focus towards your partnerships, Scorpio. Let yourself withdraw from the world an extra day, making life on earth much more low-key! Take the er destiny today, Leo. While that’s far from a casual The moon wanders through your opposite sign of Aquarius. You’re in the mood to hole up in the com- hint and let yourself casually unwind today, as the topic, don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed if earthy Taurus, making for a low-action day that’s fort of your home, as the moon ambles through soul-nurturing moon gently cruises through your things aren’t shaping up the way you’d like. centred around collaboration. Turn your focus peace-seeking Taurus. It’s an ideal day to reconnect sign. towards the important people in your life. with family and spruce up your living space.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Monday’s skies are sleepy and sweet, Gemini. Let As a Virgo, you tend to look at life by examining the You need order and structure to feel your best today, You’re likely to find yourself roped into a variety of yourself remain in a solitary space, as your primary smaller components that make up the whole. Sagittarius. Let yourself cultivate a productive ongoing conversations today, Pisces. The moon glides focus today revolves around catching up on rest. Monday’s skies push you to step back and see things workflow that helps you cross everything off your through capable Taurus, without making many cos- Work to prioritise reconnecting with nature, staying from a macro perspective. Today, shake up your rou- to-do list. It’s best to stick to maintenance on existing mic connections. It’s a low-key kind of day. low-key, and finding a healthy outlet. tine and watch the inspiration flow. projects than working on something new. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 07, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Museum protesters denounce Third chapter of ‘The Conjuring’ franchise creaks The movie leans into old school horror and its rules are increasingly easy to predict. Picasso’s treatment of women MARK KENNEDY teenager in another state. The Warrens must find out who is behind he universe of ‘The The franchises may it and stop them. “A master Satanist is Led by the #MeToo movement, the protest echoed the global Conjuring’ proves it may fail to keep up with not an adversary taken lightly,” they be reaching its spooky lim- are warned. debate on men’s treatment of women. its when a demon pops up the real world, Director Michael Chaves has real in the latest film from, of skill with eeriness but we can also see all things, a waterbed. where the algebra of the patterns: Quiet scenes start ordi- TThat such a well-worn punchline of fear is harder now. narily until an odd occurrence hap- ’80s suburban life could be home to pens—say, a cereal box shakes—then Satan’s spawn might be played for the music gets ominous and the cam- camp in any other movie, but not here. era gets shaky before the split-second This gentle franchise is all about pair of married, devoutly Roman shocking addition of a disturbing fig- timeless scary stuff—swing sets that Catholic paranormal pros. The last ure. mysteriously move, battery toys film drew them ‘into one of their most Fans of the franchise get some nice that suddenly turn on and doorknobs diabolical cases.’ The new one leads to call-backs to Elvis and the demonic that rattle. So the waterbed was per- ‘the most sinister discovery of their doll Anabel, while newcomers and haps a step too far. What’s next? A career.’ (Here’s betting the fourth will veterans alike may never be able to demonic Frisbee? A bloody Rubik’s be called the most ‘pernicious’ or listen to Blondie’s ‘Call Me’ the same Cube? ‘baleful.’) way again. It’s a signal that while the franchise Based on a real-life murder trial, the The ‘Conjuring’ universe, kicked soldiers on unironically, the films may movie opens with an exorcism of an off by creator James Wan, now fail to keep up with the real world, 8-year-old in southern New England in includes three ‘Conjuring’ films and where the algebra of fear is harder 1981 that catapults the demon inside such movies as ‘Annabelle’ and now. Almost 600,000 people in America the child into the body of a family ‘Annabelle: Creation,’ ‘The Nun’ and have died from a murderous airborne friend, Arne Johnson, who then later ‘Annabelle Comes Home.’ plague and Warner Brothers thinks it kills his landlord. Charged with mur- The latest film perhaps belongs in can terrify those of us who survived— der, Johnson claims demonic posses- the Warrens’ basement trophy room now seated in theatres masked and sion, one of the first known cases in with all the others, sealed off from the socially distanced and slightly para- which that defense is used. present day like a dusty museum of noid—with a moist bed demon? David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick’s artefacts. It’s a place to retreat to when ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me screenplay—he also co-wrote ‘The you’re looking for what can only be Do It’ is a fine instalment but in an Conjuring 2’—uses that real history described as comfort terror—lots of increasingly creaky franchise, appro- and then opens it up to a wider mys- flashlights, rats and bones cracking. priate for films that adore the sound tery, which may include a missing But look carefully during the end of rotting wood floors. It leans into old credits and you’ll see an uncomforta- REUTERS school horror without really advanc- ble reminder of our present-day fears: Students protest inside Picasso Museum in Barcelona, Spain. ing the conceit or upping the scare The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It There were three Covid-19 compliance factor. Its rules are increasingly easy Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi officers on the set. That reminds us of O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook BARCELONA in recent years after several high-pro- bly “very machista” but that he did to predict. Director: Michael Chaves something scary enough to wet the JOAN FAUS file rape and abuse cases. not know of cases of physical abuse. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga bed for real. Llopis, 45, said she wanted to make Picasso, who lived from 1881 to 1973, are back as Ed and Lorraine Warren, a — Associated Press professor from a a low-key protest to say that the muse- had many relationships throughout Barcelona art school um was not putting enough focus on his life. has staged a protest at a Picasso’s female relationships, in par- In a 2001 book, his granddaughter museum dedicated to ticular in Maar’s work and her trou- Marina Picasso wrote that he would Pablo Picasso intending bled life after their break-up. dispose of women after he “submitted to shed light on the “It was not an attack on Picasso,” them to his animal sexuality, tamed SpanishA painter’s sometimes callous she said. “I don’t believe at all in can- them, bewitched them, ingested them behaviour towards women. cel culture. I believe in the truth, in and crushed them onto his canvas”. Maria Llopis and seven of her not hiding things.” Art historian Victoria Combalia, female students appeared at the The museum director, Emmanuel the author of a biography on Maar, Picasso Museum wearing t-shirts that Guigon, said he respected the protest accused Llopis’ protest of being super- read “Picasso, women abuser” and and deemed the debate it prompted ficial but she backed putting informa- others that referred to Dora Maar, a fundamental. He said that a talk next tion in museums about the context French artist who is believed to have autumn on Picasso’s relationship with behind some paintings. suffered abuse by Picasso during their women and exhibitions on the issue Asked about that possibility, muse- relationship in the 1930s and 1940s. were already planned. um director Guigon ruled it out, saying The protest last week echoed the “We cannot look at Picasso’s work it was more important to hold debates. global debate on men’s treatment of and life as we did 20, 40 or 50 years There is evidence that at least once women, led by the #MeToo movement, ago,” he said. “It can always be looked Picasso very likely punched Maar in which includes reassessing the con- at with new and critical eyes, but we her eye and that he could be seen as duct of deceased personalities as well will not remove Picasso’s work from abusive to women in general, TUBE YOU AB VIA as the living. In Spain, women’s rights art history.” Combalia said.

have moved to the political forefront He said that Picasso was undenia- — Reuters SCREENGR

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