WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 226 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.4 C 8.3 C Thursday, October 08, 2020 | 22-06-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla A state of status quo After immense pressure, the government has formed a panel to hold talks with KC, but the way it ignored him for 24 days and has failed on various fronts including the fight against the pandemic shows the Oli administration is losing its grip on governance, analysts say.

ANIL GIRI continued his hunger strike for the past KATHMANDU, OCT 7 two weeks. On Wednesday, a medical team attend- The country’s Covid-19 cases have been ing to him issued a statement, saying that rising. Dr Govinda KC has been on a fast- the doctor’s health is deteriorating fast unto-death for the last 24 days. The eco- and that he is in immediate need of criti- nomic outlook looks grim. Government cal care. KC, however, has refused to be offices are being shut one after another as admitted to the critical care unit. staffers are testing positive for the corona- Until Wednesday afternoon, the virus. The Oli administration, however, government had just “urged” KC to break seems to be indifferent. his fast. Last week, Foreign Minister Ever since Prime Minister KP Sharma Pradeep Gyawali, who is also the govern- Oli returned from the hospital in March ment spokesperson, said during a regular after his second kidney transplant, press briefing that “the government Baluawatar, his residence, has become the requests KC to call off his hunger strike, country’s administrative hub. All the deci- as most of his demands have been met”. sions are taken there, but Baluwatar has On Tuesday, Education Secretary been extremely stingy when it comes to Gopinath Mainali met with KC and repeat- sharing information with the public. Even ed the request. five days after his three close aides The main opposition Nepali Congress declared that they had tested positive for on Wednesday came down heavily on the Covid-19, there has been no word from POST PHOTOS Oli administration for ignoring KC and Baluwatar on Oli’s status. Observers and civil society leaders say Dr Govinda KC’s demands, reiterated through a number of his hunger strikes, serve broader public interest. not taking the initiative to form a team to “Sometimes, I wonder if our country is hold talks with KC. even being governed. It looks like no one The Covid-19 pandemic, which has investigating their properties are also on Civil society members say the Oli knows what’s going around,” said Chandi exposed Nepal’s fragile health system, has the list of KC’s demands. administration’s utter disregard to a Prasad Shrestha, a former secretary at the also put a spotlight on why KC’s demands The pandemic has Kedar Bhakta Mathema, a former social crusader who is on a peaceful pro- Ministry for Home Affairs. matter even more. vice-chancellor at Tribhuvan University test undermines democratic principles. “Ministers in the Oli Cabinet have Calls have been growing lately demand- put a spotlight on why who led a panel to recommend reforms in Some call it an irony that a government become so subdued and subservient that ing that the Oli administration initiate Dr KC’s demands the medical education sector, told the Post led by the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), they are even afraid to speak up. They fear dialogue with KC as the orthopaedic earlier this week that the doctor has not which is led by Oli and Pushpa Kamal they will be shown the door if they talk.” surgeon’s health is deteriorating fast. But matter even more. put forth any demands that the govern- Dahal, is contemptuous for a peaceful pro- Despite facing criticism for its poor the administration has been acting as if it ment cannot address. test, which is guaranteed by the constitu- handling of the pandemic, the Oli admin- has neither heard of or seen KC and his Civil society members say if the Oli tion. Both Oli and Dahal have a legacy of istration has not bothered to take any fur- condition. The 63-year-old doctor started his hun- administration cannot address all of the bloody armed struggles. When Oli started ther measures to protect the citizens. “The way this government is function- ger strike from Jumla on September 14 demands, it can at least form a dialogue his political career some six decades ago, Instead, it looks like it has left the people ing does not give us a sense that it is a with a list of demands, focusing on the team to initiate talks to save the he was one of those radical communists to fend for themselves. The number of democratically elected government,” said implementation of the past agreements, doctor’s life. The Oli administration who beheaded people terming them “class cases has been rising by the day. About Daman Nath Dhungana, a civil society various governments, including the one instead has nakedly displayed its con- enemy”. Decades later, Dahal led the “peo- two weeks ago, the Health Ministry said a leader and former House Speaker. “This led by Oli had reached with him. tempt for KC, as it has done in the past for ple’s war”, an armed insurgency against lockdown could be imposed again if the government has turned into the cabal of a His demands include establishing one dissenting voices. the state, which resulted in the loss of number of active cases crossed the 25,000 section of leaders. It is least bothered government medical college each in On September 22, when KC returned to more than 13,000 lives. mark. It reached the grim milestone on about people’s aspirations. Nor is it Sudurpaschim Province, Province 2, Kathmandu from Jumla via Nepalgunj, Both Oli and Dahal take pride in their Wednesday. inclined to make inclusive decisions.” Gandaki Province and Province 1 and an the Oli government deployed police to for- movements, saying it is because of their Nepal reported 3,439 new coronavirus Public intellectuals, opposition parties amendment to the National Medical cibly take the doctor to the National struggle in the past that the country has infections on Wednesday, the highest for a and civil society members say the Oli gov- Education Act. Probing corruption cases Trauma Centre, against his wish to go to achieved a sea change. The Nepal single day, as the national Covid-19 tally ernment’s nonchalant attitude towards against incumbent and former commis- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Communist Party says it is leading a reached 94,253. With 15 new deaths, the the doctor who has been on a hunger strike sioners of the Commission for After much criticism, he was allowed to go “pro-people” government. coronavirus toll has reached 578. for the past 24 days amazes them. Investigation of Abuse of Authority and to the Teaching Hospital, where he has >> Continued on page 2

POST PHOTO: MANOJ POUDEL Children play at Bardahawa in Kapilvastu Municipality-2 with masks on. As Covid-19 cases see an exponential rise, doctors advise caution. Active Covid-19 cases soar to 25,007 after country sees new spike in daily infections Public health experts say the number of cases could be much higher, as many asymptomatic patients are yet to be tested, which raises risk of virus spreading further.

ARJUN POUDEL Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, the joint Valley have already run out of inten- KATHMANDU, OCT 7 spokesperson for the Health Ministry, sive care beds, and ventilators and said that his ministry had recom- doctors have warned that soon there Nepal on Wednesday recorded the mended a lockdown if the active cases won’t be enough health workers to highest number of new coronavirus crossed the 25,000 mark. attend to patients. cases for a single day, as the country “But it is up to the Cabinet to Public health experts estimate that logged 3,439 infections, pushing the decide,” Adhikari told the Post. “That the actual number of the infected peo- national tally to 94,253. With 15 more was just our recommendation.” ple could be many times higher than deaths reported, the countrywide toll As of Wednesday, the number of what is being detected every day, as has reached 578. The new infections active coronavirus cases in the coun- many infected people may not have meant the country also clocked the try stood at 25,007. Public health been tested—either because they are government’s warning target of 25,000 experts say that the record surge in not going for tests or because they active cases, a mark the Health the new cases is alarming, but it was have no symptoms or they lack the Ministry had said would lead to yet expected as the government, by and wherewithal to get tested. another lockdown. large, failed to take any serious meas- Since Sukraraj Tropical and ures to contain the spread of the Infectious Disease Hospital conducts virus and improve facilities to tests for free, it is always crowded with treat the infected. people having to wait for hours for “It is the nature of this corona- their turn. Private health facilities virus, which spreads like a wild- and laboratories do tests for a fee, fire,” Dr Kiran Pandey, a consult- which not many can afford. ant physician at HAMS Hospital, Asymptomatic but infected people, told the Post. “Spikes in the new whose number is over 50 percent of cases show that the virus has the total cases, are even not seeking been spreading at a rapid pace tests, according to Dr Sher Bahadur and in an uncontrolled way.” Pun, chief of the Clinical Research As of Wednesday, 33,771 people Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and tested positive in Kathmandu Infectious Disease Hospital. Valley. Hospitals in Kathmandu >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Active Covid-19 cases soar to 25,007 after Father of Bijay Mahara claims he country sees new spike in daily infections was forced to change complaint >> Continued from page 1 lacked the understanding of, and also of medical care,” Dr Lhamo Doctors say those people can spread expertise on, the disease. Yangchen Sherpa, an epidemiologist, the virus to others. Experts’ continued calls to expand told the Post. The father of Bijay, who died in police custody, was promised monetary compensation and “The new case detection rate and testing, tracing and isolation were Of the 14,209 tests performed in the the total test numbers show we are completely ignored by the authorities, last 24 hours, over 4,600 were conduct- martyrdom for his son if he agreed to receive his body and change his statement. doing 10 times less tests than who also refused to take fair criticism ed by private laboratories. Since not required,” Pun told the Post. “It has of the government’s poor handling of all can pay the fee and they have to become even more apparent now the pandemic. wait in queues at government facili- that the virus is spreading fast in “The government doesn’t even have ties if they want the tests for free, society.” a phase-wise strategy to respond to there are chances that they The government, which has already the daily surge in cases,” Dr Govinda would remain untested and spread given up on its fight against the pan- Ojha, former director-general at the the virus. demic, is now completely clueless. Department of Health Services, told Dr Bhagwan Koirala, chairman of Multiple officials at the Ministry of the Post. “We have reached a critical Nepal Medical Council, said that Health and Population the Post spoke situation, as the virus is spreading in the best way to minimise the spread to said that they could not say how and such a way that the authorities cannot of the infections is to follow science when the infection could be controlled control it now, as they have neither the and learn from own experience— and how many people will contract the physical infrastructure nor human not to make the mistakes that the POST PHOTO: SHIVA PURI disease and could die. resources required.” government has made—and Panilal Mahara, father of Bijay Mahara, speaks at an interaction programme organised at Chandrapur by Dalit leaders on Wednesday. “How can I tell you about the exit As the government lost its fight emulate other countries which have strategy, when no scientist throughout against the virus, it came up with been successful in containing the SHIVA PURI Bijay died on August 26 at National Dharmendra Pasawan, a Rautahat- the world has been able to give a defi- stricter guidelines for testing, just as virus spread. RAUTAHAT, OCT 7 Medical College in Birgunj. His family based Dalit leader. “Discussions are nite answer to this problem,” said Dr it handed over the job of contact trac- “It has been eight months since members have claimed that he was underway to plan the next course of Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson for ing entirely to the local governments, Nepal reported its first case; now we Panilal Mahara, the father of 19-year- tortured in custody. action. We will not remain silent.” the Health Ministry. which too lack resources. have to learn from our own experience old Bijay Mahara who died on August Meanwhile, police have been saying On September 9, Panilal had filed a Public health experts say an exit As per the new guidelines, govern- as well. Officials should be ready to 26 after allegedly being tortured in that Bijay died in the course of treat- complaint at the Office of the District strategy is beyond the Nepal govern- ment laboratories will conduct Covid- acknowledge their mistakes and cor- police custody, has said that he was ment for a kidney ailment. However, a Attorney against SP Khadka, the then ment’s capacity now, as it failed to pay 19 tests only on those people who rect them,” said Koirala. forced to change his statement and video of Bijay, which was taken in DSP Gyan Kumar Mahato, the then heed to experts’ advice and completely either have symptoms or who provide “They should continue those steps was made to accept his son’s body hospital prior to his death, shows him Inspector Nabin Kumar Singh, SI disregarded science. Even as the gov- proof that they had come in close con- that helped contain the virus and against his wishes. saying that he was indeed tortured by Birendra Yadav and two head consta- ernment formed its own mechanisms tact with the infected people. learn from other countries. The best In an interaction programme organ- plainclothes police and was forced to bles Hiroj Miya Dhuniya and Munna “to fight the pandemic”, they were full “Due to this, poor people have been thing is to believe in science and listen ised at Chandrapur by Dalit leaders on confess to the August 16 murder of Singh and sought investigation into of ministers and bureaucrats, who deprived of the tests and as a result, to experts.” Wednesday, Panilal claimed that a 17-year-old Niranjan. the alleged torture of Bijay in police local leader named Sheikh In Kathmandu, Panilal had received custody. Karimullaha had told him he would be Bijay’s body, which was kept at TU Family members and friends of provided with Rs 2 million compensa- Teaching Hospital for postmortem, Bijay have claimed that Police Department of Roads tion and that his son would be declared and performed his final rites at the Inspector Singh and the head consta- a martyr if he changed his statement. Pashupati Arya Ghat. ble duo Singh and Dhuniya had tor- Road Division, Khurkot, Sindhuli “Karimullaha had sent me to Panilal had gone to Kathmandu tured Bijay when he was in the custo- Kathmandu assuring me Rs 2 million while Dalit leaders, rights activists dy of the Area Police Office in Garuda as compensation. He said my son and the locals had been staging at the instruction of the District Invitation for NCB would be declared a martyr,” said demonstrations by forming the Police Office. Panilal. “He then asked me to go to Niranjan-Bijay Murder Struggle But the complaint has been changed Notice No: 02-077/78 Kathmandu and receive my son’s body. Committee. And a case had been regis- now. Panilal says that he now knows Date of Publication: 2077/06/22 But my family has not received the tered at the Office of District Attorney what the contents of the letter he was amount nor has my son been declared against the then Superintendent of made to sign in Kathmandu were. 1. The Road Division Khurkot, Sindhuli invites national competitive bidding for the following works. a martyr. I made a mistake because I Police at the District Police Office in In the changed complaint sent to the was thinking about my family and Rautahat Rabiraj Khadka and five District Police Office through the post- S.N. Contract Identification No. Name of Works Estimate Bid Bid Fee how much the money would help us.” other officers on torture and murder al service a few days ago, only inspec- According to Panilal, who is in his charges. tor Singh and the head constable duo Amount Security late forties and is a resident of Garuda Panilal’s departure to Kathmandu Singh and Dhuniya have been charged. without VAT Amount Municipality Ward No. 8, he was taken and his agreement to receive Bijay’s Names of SP Khadka, DSP Mahato to Kathmandu in an ambulance in body ended the protest programme in and SI Yadav have been removed from 1. RDKHT/33701169-4/077/78-02 Construction of Roadway 68,35,055.19 2,00,000 3,000 September second week. “I went to Rautahat. the complaint. and Structural Works in Ek Kathmandu with two of my neigh- Upon his return home, Panilal says DSP Bharat Shrestha confirmed bours and a relative and signed the he contacted Karimullaha for the receiving another complaint through Dumja Marinkhola Kapilakot papers. I was asked to sign them in the amount that was promised to him but the post office. According to him, Lalbandi Sadak (Rampur - presence of four police officers and his calls went unanswered. names of SP Khadka, DSP Mahato and since I can’t read and write, I didn’t “Panilal, an innocent and unedu- SI Yadav have been removed from the Madhubani - Marine know the contents of that letter,” he cated man, has been deceived. He complaint signed by Panilal. Section) said. received the body and changed the When asked, Karimullaha denied Bijay and six others had been complaint after being lured with Rs 2 any wrongdoing. He claimed that he 2. RDKHT/33701169-4/077/78-03 Construction of Roadway 1,70,92,762.14 5,00,000 3,000 arrested on August 19 in connection to million. The demonstrations demand- had not promised Panilal anything and the murder of Niranjan Ram, a local ing justice for Bijaya and Niranjan was not aware that Panilal had left for and Structural Works (From teenager, in Garuda Municipality. ended inconclusively,” said Kathmandu upon his instructions. Dhapachowki to Sulibha- njyang) in Madhyapahadi Lokmarga ko Sulibha- njyang-DhapaChowki-Tin Government and Dr KC form dialogue teams Patan-Bhiman Sadak POST REPORT Lochan Karki, Dr Anjani Kumar Jha ing the establishment of a govern- KATHMANDU, OCT 7 and Om Prakash Aryal, an advocate. ment medical college each in 3. RDKHT/33701169-4/077/78-04 Construction of Roadway 1,70,89,473.14 5,00,000 3,000 “We will hold a discussion with the Sudurpaschim Province, Province 2, and Structural Works (From The government on Wednesday government team tomorrow morn- Gandaki Province and Province 1 and formed a three-member panel to hold ing,” Kshetry told the Post. an amendment to the National Medical Bhiman to Dhapachowki) in talks with Dr Govinda KC, who has The Oli government had come under Education Act. He arrived in Madhyapahadi Lokmarga ko been on his 19th fast-unto-death for intense scrutiny and was facing criti- Kathmandu on September 22. Sulibhanjyang-Dhapa the last 24 days. cism for ignoring KC’s ongoing fast. “KC’s blood sugar and all electro- In response, Dr KC’s team too Earlier in the afternoon, doctors lytes—potassium, magnesium, sodi- Chowki-Tin Patan-Bhiman formed its own talks team. attending KC warned of life-threaten- um and phosphorus—are critically Sadak Sindhuli Pradesh no Both the teams are scheduled to sit ing events if immediate measures are low,” the bulletin reads. “Moreover, for talks on Thursday. not taken. his white blood cell counts are low, 1,2 ra 3 jodne sadak, The government talks team is led by According to a medical bulletin which puts him at risk of acquiring Sindhuli Education Secretary Gopinath issued by Dr Subhash Prasad infections.” Mainali. Dr Dilip Sharma, director of Acharya, coordinator of KC’s medical Doctors have been giving him nor- 4. RDKHT/30700101-4/077/78-05 Construction of Roadway, 26,43,900.85 78,000 3,000 the Medical Education Commission, team, the senior orthopaedic surgeon mal saline to keep his vein open for RCC Pavement and and Dr Gunaraj Lohani, a joint secre- suffers from fatigue, dizziness, inter- emergency vascular access. tary at the Ministry of Health, are mittent palpitation, muscle cramps “In view of shortness of breath, Structural Works in Those members of the Mainali-led team. and pain. decreased oxygen saturation and elec- Falamkhani Approach “We will meet Dr KC and his team “He is also having shortness of trolytes imbalance and symptoms of tomorrow and hold discussions to find breath during movement and exer- severe electrolytes abnormalities, he Road a solution to the ongoing crisis,” tion, especially after he gets up or needs monitoring and management in Mainali told the Post. after urination,” reads the bulletin. a critical care unit,” reads the bulle- 5. RDKHT/33701132-4/077/78-06 Construction of RCC 42,72,972.99 1,25,000 3,000 The talks team on behalf of KC He started his 19th hunger strike tin. “KC was advised admission to ICU Structure and Gabion Works comprises Dr Jiwan Khestry, Dr from Jumla on September 14 demand- but he has denied.” in Khahare bridge protection works (Ch. 24+950) 6. RDKHT/33701137-4/077/78-07 Construction of RCC 34,18,033.01 1,00,000 3,000 A state of status quo Pavement Works in Kisantari >> Continued from page 1 quoist. Bhattarai, along with Oli’s two Kandegaira Sane Pipale Civil society members say despite “This government has largely failed other advisers, Surya Thapa and Duwaneta Sim Malagiri calling itself “pro-people”, the Oli gov- to grasp the changes that the country Bishnu Rimal, announced on Twitter ernment has not shown any interest to has achieved,” Dhungana told the on Saturday that they were in isola- Sadak address KC’s demands. Dr Jiwan Post. “Such a status quo... such atti- tion after testing positive for the coro- Khestry, a vocal supporter of KC who tude not to change with times may navirus. 7. RDKHT/33701137-4/077/78-08 Roadway excavation, soling 26,49,502.95 78,000 3,000 also writes extensively on health care cost us dearly. Even democracy will Since Oli has been attending and structure works in issues, earlier this week described the suffer.” Cabinet and Secretariat meetings, he Oli administration as “insensitive” Even some from the ruling party is clearly not in isolation, which doc- Umatirtha-Kashitar- for ignoring the doctor’s demands as say the government has lost its direc- tors say is a breach of the health pro- Lachhaur-Kau-Bauddhagu- well as his frail health. “This govern- tion, as it neither has any planning tocol set by his own government. ment is never tired of boasting that it nor vision to deal with the challenges Baluwatar has not come up with mba Sadak is pro-people, but it is not paying and contemporary issues—be it the any statement on why Oli does not attention to Dr KC’s pro-people pandemic and the economy or KC’s need to go into isolation. Nor has it 8. RDKHT/33701138-4/077/78-09 Roadway Cutting, RCC 98,04,549.22 2,87,000 3,000 demands,” Kshetry told the Post. ongoing hunger strike. said whether Oli has been tested—if Pavement, Drain Maintain- “The incumbent government is “The entire administration is direc- yes then when—for Covid-19 and what not just irresponsible; it is insensitive tionless and running without a was the result. About 10 days ago, Oli’s ance, Structural and as well.” vision,” a Standing Committee mem- personal photographer had tested pos- Blacktop Works in Milti On Wednesday evening, after grow- ber told the Post on condition of ano- itive for the virus, and about two ing pressure from several quarters, nymity. “It lacks the vision. It is fail- weeks ago, his physician’s Covid-19 Manthali Road (Ch. 19+900 the Oli government decided to form a ing to address people’s sufferings; it test too had returned a positive result. - 40+000) three-member dialogue team headed has done nothing substantial in As of Sunday, as many as 144 members by Education Secretary Mainali. The response to the coronavirus. It is los- in the Baluwatar orbit, including 1,00,06,642.08 2,93,000 3,000 two members of the panel are Gunraj ing its credibility.” army and security personnel, had test- 9. RDKHT/33701138-4/077/78-10 Roadway Cutting, RCC Lohani, joint-secretary at the Ministry According to the member, the poor ed positive for the virus. Pavement, Drain Maintaina- of Health and Population, and Dr handling of the Covid-19 pandemic “Baluwatar did not consider it nec- Dilip Sharma, director at the Medical has badly exposed the Oli administra- essary to release any update or state- nce, Structural and Blacktop Education Commission. According to tion. Officials from the prime minis- ment on Oli’s health status because he Works in Manthali Khurkot a secretary at the Prime Minister’s ter’s secretariat, however, defended had tested negative for Covid-19 last Road (Ch. 40+000 - 55+000) Office, the Mainali-led team will hold the government. Thursday,” said party spokesperson talks with Dr KC’s team on Thursday. “Regular meetings are taking place, Narayan Kaji Shrestha. The decision to form the talks team and the prime minister is doing his Political analysts say the Oli 10. RDKHT/33701136-4/077/78-11 Traffic Safety, Painting and 25,62,226.79 75,000 3,000 followed a warning by the Nepal work as per his schedule,” Rajan administration is losing its grip on Traffic Sign Maintenance Medical Association, the umbrella Bhattarai, Oli’s foreign relations governance. Works in Milti - Manthali - organisation of doctors across the adviser, told the Post. “Cabinet meet- “A country needs two things from country, that they would halt emergen- ings have not stopped. The party’s the leadership. First is governing Khurkot Road cy and all services for two hours on Secretariat meeting also took place on capacity and second is the system,” Thursday and whole day on Friday at Tuesday.” said Shyam Shrestha, a political com- 2. Eligible Bidders may obtain further information and inspect the Bidding Documents at Road division, Khurkot all health facilities, including those Bhattarai, however, said he did not mentator who has followed Nepal’s which have been designated for treat- have any idea about how the govern- leftist politics for decades. “But both or PPMO’s website www.bolpatra.gov.np ing Covid-19 patients. ment was planning to move ahead are missing in Oli. The country is Division Chief According to Dhungana, the regarding KC’s protest, as he was in stuck, as the pandemic continues to Oli government has become a status isolation. take hold.”

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 NATIONAL

BRIEFING

Six dead, one missing in jeep accident JAJARKOT: Six people, including the ward chairman of Junichande Rural Municipality-11, died and one other went missing in a jeep accident at Olabhir in Ward No. 1 of Junichande Rural Municipality on Wednesday. According to DSP of the District Police Office in Jajarkot Kishor Kumar Shrestha, the jeep was heading towards Parale from Khalanga, the district headquarters, when the accident took place. “The jeep plunged 700 metres down the road. The cause of the accident has not been known yet,” said Shrestha. The incident site is around 80km from Khalanga, police said.

Border outpost set up in Olangchungola TAPLEJUNG: The Armed Police Force has set up a border out- post at Olangchungola, a settlement in Taplejung district that borders China. Federal Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai inaugurated the border outpost amid a function on Wednesday, said Chief District Officer of Taplejung Jharendra Chapagain. POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA People enjoy their day after visiting the country’s first ever power house in Pharping, Kathmandu, on Wednesday. Drinking water pipeline reaches every household in Namra of Salyan SALYAN: Locals of Namra in Bangadkupinde Municipality, Salyan district, are elated after Coronavirus infections hit labour migration offices their households were recently connected with drinking water From providing compensation to issuing labour permits, works have taken a hit as labour-related offices are dealing with Covid-19 among their staff. pipelines. Jit Kala Budha, a local, said that with the connection of the pipeline, the locals now do not CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL “While the infection has been con- find it safer and convenient to visit the The office resumed its operations distributed to migrant workers visit- have to walk for miles to get KATHMANDU, OCT 7 firmed among two staff, we still Kathmandu office to collect compen- from Monday, though partially. ing the office for labour daily from drinking water from the Bheri River. need to test other staff,” Subedi told sation as well as to claim insurance,” “We have asked visitors to maintain Kathmandu office. The Drinking Water and Irrigation Foreign employment-related services the Post. “We have written to Subedi told the Post. physical distancing and wash or sani- After the detection of Covid-19 Office has spent Rs4.4 million to from government offices have been the Health Ministry for the tests. Despite the coronavirus infection tise their hands. We do not have cases, the office has brought down install the drinking water pipeline affected as some government officials Only after the tests are conducted and among its staff members, the board enough resources to enforce the health daily token numbers to 300. at Namra. have tested positive for the coronavi- the results are out, we can say when has not stopped ferrying the bodies of and safety protocol, but we have cau- According to Sapkota, the pressure rus in recent weeks. the board will resume its regular ser- migrant workers to their hometowns, tiously resumed our services,” said on Tahachal office is also because the The Foreign Employment Board, vices.” officials at the board said. Matrika Sapkota, a section officer Labour Office in Province 1 has not Sindhuli Hospital closed which provides compensation and Every day, dozens of people who Another government office with the Tahachal office. resumed its services and other SINDHULI: Sindhuli Hospital has damages for deaths and injuries of have either lost their loved ones struggling to provide services to bene- “We have prioritised issuing work provincial offices have also limited closed its services, except for its migrant workers, has been closed working abroad, suffered life-chang- ficiaries because of the Covid-19 permits to only those clients whose their services. emergency and maternity wards, for since Monday after two staff were ing injuries or contracted pandemic is the Foreign Employment visas are expiring or those who need “With the human resources an indefinite period from Wednesday infected with the virus. diseases visit the board’s secretariat Office at Tahachal. to travel immediately.” available right now, we should be after two of its health workers Following the confirmation of the office at Babarmahal for financial The office, under the Department of The office has also been issuing giving only 100 labour permits. There tested positive for Covid-19. A infection among the staff, the board’s assistance. Foreign Employment, issues labour limited numbers of tokens for service are not only labour permits total of nine health workers at the secretariat based in Babarmahal, Although the board accepts online permits to migrant workers. seekers. It has also urged the but other verifications like NOC hospital have been infected with the Kathmandu, has suspended all servic- applications filed through the con- The office suspended its services migrant workers who do not need to [no objection certificate] as well,” said virus so far. Similarly, the District es related to compensation until fur- cerned local governments to claim starting from September 30 after travel immediately to not to apply for Sapkota. “A large number of Land Revenue Office and four com- ther notice. compensation, the concerned family one of its employees was infected with labour permits for at least another two people have been visiting the mercial banks also closed their ser- According to Din Bandhu Subedi, members favour visiting the board’s the coronavirus. weeks. office. The daily work pressure has vices after their employees tested pos- information officer at the board, the office in Kathmandu. So far, five staff members at After the office resumed issuing increased as the office was closed for a itive for the virus. office is likely to be closed at least “The family members of the the office have tested positive for labour permits following the lifting of few days due to the infection among until Friday. deceased or injured migrant workers the virus. the lockdown, some 500-600 were being the staff.”

Sauraha elephant keepers hope cooperative Traffic police and model will save pandemic-hit safari business transport department Owners of privately-owned elephants agree to look after the animals together and share the safari income. to set up 11 help CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL KATHMANDU, OCT 7 desks this week It’s been one and a half decades since Narayan Bhattarai has been providing Focus of health desk will be on checking compliance to elephant-back rides to tourists in Sauraha—Nepal’s oldest jungle safari the health protocol and monitoring the bus fares. destination. His two elephants— Champakali and Ranikali—had been out of work since March when the ANUP OJHA charge 50 percent above their regular country stopped issuing visas for for- KATHMANDU, OCT 7 fare. eign tourists and enforced a lockdown After a surge in Covid-19 cases to contain the coronavirus spread. The Metropolitan Traffic Police in the Valley and an increase in Champakali and Ranikali would Division has announced plans to set the number of vehicles violating make four to five rides per day during up help desks targeting the upcoming the odd-even rule, the division office peak tourist season, mainly in spring festival season from this week. from last week has been strictly and autumn. SP Rameshwor Yadav, the spokes- monitoring the vehicles. “The business was good,” recalled person for the division, said they Spokesperson Yadav said the traffic Bhattarai. “Even though we had limit- were working in collaboration with police has been booking over ed the number of rides to morning the Department of Transport 1,000 motorists every day for violating and evening to allow the elephants to Management to install 11 help desks the odd-even vehicle rule. rest, the income was still good.” for citizens to manage the travel relat- “We are committed to following all Elephant keeping is a costly affair. ed issues during the festival. government protocol. This time Each elephant needs to eat 150-250 kg Each help desk will consist of traf- our focus will be to send people safely of food per day. fic police, consumer rights’ groups to their home and without being The cost of feeding, housing and and transportation stakeholders to cheated by the transport operators,” providing medical service an elephant help the passengers . said Dhakal. comes to around Rs 80,000-85,000 per POST FILE PHOTO “Earlier also, we used to keep a help month. Elephant keepers at Sauraha used to earn Rs 100,000 per month before the Covid-19 pandemic upended their business. desk before Dashain but this time we “Despite high maintenance cost, are more focused on the Covid-19 Fewer than 700,000 elephant owners were still making a Rs8 million. good for all elephant owners who have According to Tiwari, old elephants health protocols,” said Yadav. decent profit,” said Bhattarai, who After months-long ordeal of taking been struggling for months now,” said will be kept in a sanctuary for visitors The help desks are set to be installed people are expected earned around Rs 100,000 every month care of elephants during the lock- Tiwari, who is also the president of to see, fit elephants will be used in Kalanki, Balkhu, New Bus Park, through elephant safari. down, elephant owners are now strug- United Elephant Cooperative Limited. for safari and the young ones, Koteshwor, Satdobato, Gaushala, to leave the Valley Now, the Covid-19 pandemic has gling to earn their living. “The existing cooperative is for especially female calves, will be fed Nagdhunga, Chabahil, Dakshinkali upended Sauraha’s elephant safari They have been holding discussions administrative works and serves as and nurtured for the breeding pur- including other places with full for the Dashain business. to revive their business and keep the a union for elephant ride providers. pose. protections for the prevention festival this year. On March 11, the government decid- elephants alive. And they just might The new cooperative will take care of “The last six months have been of Covid-19 transmission. ed to temporarily stop issuing on-ar- have found a way to support the ele- the elephants and manage the safari tough for all of us. Now, if we want to The division has also deployed over rival tourist visas to all tourists and phant safari business, which is in an business.” sustain the business and save our ele- a dozen traffic police in 10 different subsequently imposed a nationwide all-time low due to the Covid-19 pan- As per the plan, all privately held phants, we must think in a new man- places to monitor the health protocols He requested the public to call at 103 lockdown on March 24. demic. elephants will be stabled together and ner,” said Tiwari. “At least, we can and transport fares. if they feel that they are being For months, elephant owners in Under a revenue-sharing coopera- mahouts and other staff will be hired save our elephants through this joint Authorities arrested more than overcharged or the concerned trans- Sauraha have been struggling to feed tive model, the elephant keepers in to tend to the animals and look after effort.” 10 people on charge of overcharging port companies are not following the their elephants as there are no tour- Sauraha have agreed to look after the the business. Since the pandemic, many elephant passengers for travel fares at Kalanki standard health and safety protocol. ists visiting the place these days. No elephants together and share the safa- “All the elephants will be fed and owners, who used to keep rented ele- and Balkhu in the past two days. According to the division office, tourists mean no business. ri income in the coming days. taken care of together. The income phants from India, have returned “We are seriously monitoring the 21,500 people left the Valley in “We could neither bring them grass “Since elephant safari is the most will also be shared among all the own- their elephants while others were incidents of price gouging when it 4,560 outbound vehicles on nor buy fodder from outside. Elephants preferred activity among the tourists ers,” said Tiwari. “Most importantly, forced to sell their animals. comes to travel fares,” said Wednesday. Nearly the same number need to go for a walk to find food. visiting Sauraha, we have to save the loss will also be equally borne by The number of privately owned ele- Senior Superintendent of Police Bhim of people also entered the Valley on Some elephants have started to fall these elephants and the safari tradi- all the owners. Dying of an elephant phants have come down to 47 from 55 Prasad Dhakal, also the chief of the the day. sick,” said Bhattarai. “Besides feeding tion here,” Bhattarai said. can be a financial disaster to an owner. in the recent months. division. The division estimates that fewer elephants, we now have additional Rishi Tiwari, who has got two ele- This modality is our vision. It will be “Under the cooperative model, there The government on September 17 than 700,000 people will leave the burden of their medical expenses.” phants Ichchhakali and Begumkali, is easier to operate as well.” won’t be competition among elephant opened the operation of long-haul Valley due to the Covid-19 pandemic There are an estimated 200 ele- counting on the cooperative business If implemented, all the elephants owners, but they will work as a team. vehicles after a six-month-long gap. this festival season. Earlier, over two phants in Nepal, including those model to succeed. will be categorised and used for three Elephant safari also means the source As per the new rule, public vehicles million people used to leave the Valley used by the government for jungle “If we can manage our elephants purposes—sanctuary, safari and of income for community forests,” were allowed to operate under the to reach their home towns to celebrate patrols. An adult elephant costs up to through a cooperative model, then it is breeding. said Bhattarai. one-passenger-per-seat rule and the Dashain festival.

C M Y K THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Harvesting our souls in a reset world Protect health workers Nepal needs to set a new No one is safe if our frontliners are unsafe. developmental narrative by giving weightage to Nepal’s pandemic preparedness in the hands of incompetent politicians has been inadequate right from the start. They have continuity and change. wasted precious time and public sacrifice, and have done little to contain the spread of Covid-19. As a result, new cases contin- ATUL K THAKUR ue to rise colossally, having crossed the 90,000 mark this week. With the spike in cases and deaths from the coronavirus, health workers serving on the frontlines are also contracting it at an alarming rate. This rise in the infection rate of health workers, infectious disease experts say, is a sign of another impending catastrophic situation. As Dr Baburam Marasini, a former director at the division, said, health workers could become More than a reckoning, it’s a sort of superspreaders if they get infected, and we may lack health collective realisation that the deadly workers if we fail to protect those working on the frontlines. coronavirus and deadlier counter-re- sponses have damaged the world Healthcare workers are exposed to unusual levels of risk beyond complete repair. On the cusp of while serving on the frontlines, especially during a contagion. an unprecedented transition, it is nec- According to the World Health Organisation, preliminary data essary to reflect on what exactly will be from many countries indicate that Covid-19 infections among the new normal in the changed times. Even before we had witnessed a bleak health workers are far greater than among the general popula- scenario, the world where we lived in tion. While it remains unclear if health workers contracted the was made a theatre of the absurd by a virus at the workplace or in community settings, the UN body flawed decision-making process and in a statement last month said that around 14 percent of the inept decision-makers. reported cases are among health workers. In some cases, the A system of this sort came into exist- ence with the absolute failure of the proportion was as high as 35 percent. custodians in upholding progressive According to officials at the Epidemiology and Disease ideas. Their acts have been not altruis- Control Division of the Health Ministry, over 2,000 health work- tic, and history should not be kinder to ers serving at over 150 health facilities across the country have them than their detractors. Coming to South Asia, it is important to notice the contracted Covid-19; and at least three health workers, includ- significance of the agenda drive. This ing a doctor, have succumbed to the disease. The numbers could has emerged something like a virtue grow when the division presents its updated data in two weeks. with capabilities to shake up the judg- Most of the infected health workers are not among those who mental attitude of the masses, the lost SHUTTERSTOCK are exclusively treating Covid-19 patients, but those who work plots of priorities are glaring even the meantime, China found space to go Nepal’s economy. Now that this source tive, be it for the home or the world. though they can’t reach the collective the extra mile in leveraging the weaker of income has been severely hit, about Nepal clearly needs a balancing act. in hospitals providing service to non-Covid patients. This not imagination as the interest-sharing economies of South Asia, including a million people are back from India Hopefully, the leadership will acknowl- only exposes the lack of workplace safety for health workers culture across ideological blocks is in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and and other countries where they were edge its urgency and let better sense but is also evidence of an irresponsible government and deep harmony. Pakistan, with its encircling policies. engaged in gainful employment. Back prevail. healthcare stakeholders who continue to ignore the fact To India, it has offered a two-front war- home, the prospects of insecurity, Separation of powers like situation. indebtedness and hunger are making Cooperation with India that health workers are crucial partners in containing this Today, it is not easy to establish separa- Why is China showing such urgency them jittery. Noticeably, Nepal is among India has its own ways to take on China pandemic. tion of powers as the dichotomies are with its imperialistic drive? Possibly those few countries that could not offer for its adventurous strategic and eco- This is a preventable failure. forthright through predictable out- because China is the only country that even a symbolic economic relief pack- nomic overplays. Nepal will be greatly We cannot continue to put frontline health workers in harm’s comes. The degenerated state of the remains insulated from any major age to the people or a stimulus package benefitted by not giving China undue way. Both the government and stakeholders must bear the media sans exceptions poses a big chal- changes in its political system. Now it is to industry. traction. With India, it has an open lenge before fixing up the accountabili- seeing a great chance for recalibration Next door in India too, the response border and common civilisational links moral responsibility to guarantee safe working conditions as ty of the leaders in different walks of when the rest of the world is facing seri- to the disaster was far short of expecta- besides being on friendlier terms. The they work extended hours, and live in constant fear of exposure life. With no or wrong figures of the ous challenges from the China- tions. The Indian economy is facing a trust-based bilateral relation between to the disease. To protect health workers from the hazards of damage incurred due to the global pan- originated coronavirus and home- 24 percent contraction in the current India and Nepal is unique in the world, this disease, we need to ensure that hospitals enforce an infec- demic, lockdowns and counter-respons- grown misplaced political tendencies. fiscal year, and the outlook looks uncer- nothing else can form the bond of shar- es by governments, the world today has However, it is too easy a calculation that tain for an economic rebound in the ing like this. All pending matters can tion prevention and control protocol together with an adequate lost its comfort. It was never perfect certainly has no merits to be validated. foreseeable times. India’s struggle on be tabled and resolved. Widely respect- stockpile of optimum quality protective gear at all times. earlier, though the worse is being wit- By showing strange aggression the slippery economic pitch will have ed as a modern sovereign republic, Health workers who relieve suffering and save lives shouldn’t nessed now. against India, China has turned South serious ramifications for the subconti- Nepal has all the reasons to deepen the be worrying about the resources they need to protect them- In political culture, optics is of great Asia into a zone of confrontation. nent, especially on a deeply linked level of cooperation with India. selves while treating patients. significance. When it comes to econom- Nepal’s political leadership should economy of Nepal. What is worrisome Much inspired by the people’s aspira- ics, the same method is of no use. Mass show the required maturity in dealing in India is the persisting demand and tions, Nepal needs to set a new develop- The World Health Organisation recommends that countries unemployment is the case now in the with China. In no manner should it mix supply shock, a pattern that goes mental narrative by giving weightage have a buffer stock of protective gear. Given the current informal sector, and the formal sector too up its ties with India when shaping up straight against conventional funda- to continuity and change. A crisis Covid-19 caseload, which is at a maximum for Nepal’s health is ravaged to the core with large work- its bilateral engagements with the mentals. phase like now calls for an outcome-ori- system, this is not the first time that the availability—or, forces left on their own by employers. It northern neighbour. In recent times, No longer finding a common basis ented approach. All escapist tendencies is time to accept the situation as the new Nepal’s reliance on foreign policy has for economic recovery is something should be bidden adieu. Knowing the rather, lack thereof—of protective equipment has drawn atten- normal and reorient policies to create a gone unusually high. Sadly, the chang- optional for connected economies. complexities of the South Asian region, tion. We must act urgently to protect health workers from infec- way forward for recovery. Here, taking es figured out has come at the cost of Nepal, being largely an importing Nepal should assess and exercise its tions in the workplace. The lack of protective gear should not into consideration the cases of India and giving domestic matters their well economy, has to be particularly cau- choices in the reset world. India-Nepal be a threat to health workers, who play such an essential role Nepal, we get majorly disappointed. deserved due. As a country, Nepal has tious in exercising its choices as the relations should return to the best of on the frontlines to save lives. The government and stakehold- Bilateral relations have seen a down- to keep its priorities clear and for- new times have brought out existential elements. ward spiral at a time when both sides ward-looking. challenges. At this point of time, the ers must realise that if our healthcare workers are not safe, no should have shown greater sensitivity For over the last two decades, remit- writing on the wall is clear. Poorly con- Thakur is a policy professional and one is. towards cooperation. Unfortunately, in tance has been the major contributor to ceived policies can be counter-produc- writer based in New Delhi.

The Catholic challenge

Court, where conservative judges are America’s founders wanted often hostile to secular groups, as though they were barbarian enemies that the people, not God, out to destroy America. Barr, moreo- ver, has made speeches about Godless would govern. This idea is ideas threatening the ‘Judeo- Christian’ values in public schools now being challenged. and other secular institutions. US Vice President Mike Pence, a born-again evangelical who was IAN BURUMA raised Catholic, declared that he was ‘a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order’. And Trump’s nominee as the next Supreme Court Justice, Amy Coney Barrett, is a member of the People of Praise, ‘char- ismatic Catholics’ who have merged the Catholic faith with Pentecostal In his quest for the secret of US practices, such as speaking in tongues democracy in the 1830s, the French and communing directly with God. aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville Coney Barrett has said that her reflected on the important role played faith would not interfere with her by religion in American life. Having duties as a justice deciding on consti- escaped from the authority of the tutional matters. But she also told law Pope, he argued, American Christians students at the Catholic University of were free from any religious authority. Notre Dame to ‘keep in mind that Christianity in the New World, he con- [their] fundamental purpose in life is cluded, could only be described as not to be a lawyer, but to know, love, ‘democratic and republican’. and serve God’. She has supported By republican he did not mean the claims that the right to abortion, pro- Republican Party, of course, but the tected by the Court’s decision in Roe v republican form of government. And Wade in 1973, is a wicked sin, and most Christians he met were affixed her signature to an appeal Protestants. The American Republic decrying the ruling’s ‘barbaric legacy’ was founded by Protestants, and and calling to overturn it. American elites were for a long time The problem, then, is not largely Protestant. So far, John Catholicism as such, which can be Fitzgerald Kennedy has been the only many things. The problem is that peo- Catholic president, and he had to SHUTTERSTOCK ple in the highest positions of author- affirm publicly during his election does it signify? The least one can say is In fact, Catholics are as divided as very different strain of Catholicism, The common cause between reac- ity are pushing at the barriers between campaign that his first loyalty was to that the dominance of the White Anglo- Protestants. There are left-wing which is often at odds with the current tionary Catholics and Protestant ene- church and state, erected so carefully the United States, not to Rome. Saxon Protestant (WASP) elites is over. Catholics, right-wing Catholics, and head of the Catholic Church, Pope mies of the secular state goes back by America’s founders to ensure that But something extraordinary has Catholics, once distrusted and often everything in between. Biden, a pious Francis. more than two centuries. Ever since the people, not God, would govern. happened since the republic was excluded from public life because of man, and not a radical in any sense, Indeed, Elizabeth Bruenig, a com- the French Revolution toppled the That the person seeking to tear founded by Protestants in 1776. Five of the supposed incompatibility between was denied communion last year mentator for the New York Times, authority of the Catholic Church, down the wall between church and the eight current Supreme Court jus- their faith and liberal democratic prin- because he supports women’s right to recently wrote that the ‘Catholic right along with that of the absolute monar- state is Trump, a man of no known tices are Catholics, and soon there ciples, now occupy key positions. opt for an abortion. For many other is no longer recognisably Catholic. Its chy, Catholic reactionaries, including faith, who has done more damage to may be six. The one Protestant on the Tocqueville, a Catholic himself, did Catholics, including a considerable politics are more or less identical to such anti-Enlightenment philoso- the moral order than any of Barr’s court, Neil Gorsuch, was raised not think Catholicism was inimical to number of Latinos, their fervent oppo- those of the other members of the phers as Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821), imagined secular enemies, should Catholic. (The other two justices are democracy, especially in the US. On sition to abortion is the main reason right-wing Christian coalition’. have yearned to restore the Church’s seem odd. God’s ways are difficult to Jewish.) Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the contrary, he said, Catholics are they support Donald Trump. This is partly true. Right-wing central position in political life. fathom. But many people in the US, the House of Representatives, is more egalitarian than Protestants, Biden and Pelosi are Catholic liber- Catholics have made common cause Likewise, Protestant opponents of Catholic and Protestant alike, are now Catholic, as is the US attorney gener- who prize individual liberty more als in the way Kennedy was. So is with evangelical Protestants, who view Thomas Jefferson branded him an convinced that He put Trump in the al, William Barr. And Joe Biden, who than social equality. He believed that Sonia Sotomayor, one of the Supreme Trump as an unholy saviour who will ‘infidel’ and ‘anti-Christian’ for limit- White House for a reason. might be the next president, is New World Catholics, often from poor Court justices. But several other jus- overturn abortion rights and various ing religious faith to the private Catholic, too. immigrant communities, were per- tices, as well as the attorney general, barriers between church and state. But sphere. Buruma is the author, most recently, of How to explain the emergence of so fectly in tune with American demo- and Stephen Bannon, one of Trump’s to claim that they are no longer recog- This challenge is once again out in A Tokyo Romance: A Memoir. many Catholics in high places? What cratic ideals. early ideological advisers, belong to a nisably Catholic is questionable. the open, including in the US Supreme —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 MONEY Asian Development Bank to give $150 Contract extensions million for airport improvement works of construction works $60 million will be spent on building an international terminal building at Gautam Buddha International Airport . fail to yield results SANGAM PRASAIN other aircraft to clear the runway, cre- Contractors want their deadlines to be extended by KATHMANDU, OCT 7 ating congestion at the country’s sole international airport. another year after the winter season begins. The Asian Development Bank is There are two parallel taxiway pro- poised to issue $150 million to the Civil jects: Extension of the parallel taxi- Aviation Authority of Nepal to ways at the northern and southern PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA upgrade the airports in Kathmandu parts of the runway. The northern KATHMANDU, OCT 7 and Bhairahawa. part too is jointly funded by the gov- This will be the largest funding ernment and the Asian Development Although the government decided to package the multilateral agency has Bank, and the construction contract extend the number of contracts of given to Nepal’s civil aviation sector has already been awarded, said air- construction projects whose deadlines so far. The Nepal government will chip port officials. ended during the four month-long in $48 million for the improvement Two hangar aprons are planned to Covid-19 lockdown by six months, the project. be constructed at the east side of the decision has had a little difference According to an Asian Development COURTESY: YOGESH BHATTARAI/FACEBOOK airport. The existing hangars of when it comes to the progress of the Bank official, $60 million of the money A concept architectural design of international terminal building, known as Terminal 2 (T2), of Nepal Airlines and the Nepal Army concerned projects. will be spent on building a state-of-the- Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa recently made public by Tourism Minister will be relocated to the eastern side, The worsening Covid-19 pandemic art international terminal building, Yogesh Bhattarai. according to the airport official. and the devastating monsoon season known as Terminal 2 (T2), at Gautam Hangar Apron No 1 will be con- have severely affected the progress of Buddha International Airport in The terminal currently being built 11 parking bays, with two added last structed for Nepal Airlines comple- the projects that received deadline Bhairahawa. at Gautam Buddha International month, prompted the ministry to ask menting Buddha Air’s hangar, accord- extension, officials say. In case of Another $100 million has been ear- Airport has been deemed too small for the project to develop a bigger facility, ing to the Asian Development Bank’s some projects, obstructions created by marked for building a parallel taxiway an international terminal, and it will officials said. The planned new termi- document. The apron will have park- locals also stalled their progress. POST FILE PHOTO at the southern side of the runway of be repurposed for domestic flights, nal T2 will be erected in the west of ing capacity for two Code C aircraft North-South Trade Highway During the lockdown period, only two Tribhuvan International Airport and according to Rajan Pokhrel, director the existing terminal. like the Boeing 737-700 and the Airbus Directorate had extended the contract percent of the construction projects a new hangar apron facility at the general of the Civil Aviation Authority The Civil Aviation Authority of A-320; and three Code E aircraft like of a number of contractors related to remained fully operational. eastern side of the runway. of Nepal. The 15,000-square-metre Nepal has acquired 25.76 hectares of the Boeing 747 and the Airbus 340. construction, but works in most The total cost of the project, includ- building, which is in the final stages land for the construction of T2 and Hangar No 2 for the Nepal Army is project sites have not moved ahead “We at least want the government to ing value added tax, is $198 million. of completion, has only six parking other facilities in the future. located at the south side of the deep till date. prepare and implement the health “We have completed loan negotia- bays and lacks an aerobridge. The national pride project in well used for water supply and the “Due to the difficulty in arranging protocol particularly for the construc- tions with the Finance Ministry. The The idea of constructing a bigger Bhairahawa has been envisaged to airport’s radar station. workers, local obstructions and the tion projects,” Singh said. “In the Asian Development Bank’s board of terminal building was originally float- serve the fast-rising business and The apron will have parking space monsoon rains, the contractors could absence of a health protocol, we directors will soon approve the loan,” ed by the Finance Ministry following industrial hub of Bhairahawa, and for three Code C aircraft and four hardly execute their works,” said have been unable to mobilise workers said Naresh Pradhan, senior project concerns that the current terminal facilitate international pilgrimage to fixed-wing aircraft including the Shiva Nepal, chief of North-South as locals oppose the presence of work- officer (transport) at the bank. may not be large enough to accommo- Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord MI-17, the document says. The runway Trade Highway Directorate.This ers who are usually brought “Following the approval, the bank date forecasted passenger traffic Buddha. As part of the improvement side strips will be improved comple- office is responsible for the develop- from other parts of the country and and Nepal’s civil aviation body will growth. plan at Tribhuvan International menting these hangar aprons and ment of the North-South highway cor- even India.” formally sign the loan and project exe- T2 is expected to be 35,000 square Airport in Kathmandu, a 1,140-metre- associated taxiways. The construction ridor including Koshi, Gandaki and Some officials say the timing of cution agreements,” he said. metres in area, nearly as large as the long parallel taxiway will be built at project at Kathmandu airport will last Karnali corridors. deadline extensions was not suitable, On September 24, the cabinet gave terminal at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan the southern side, or the Koteshwor three years. According to the bank, “During the contact extension peri- because even those projects that were its okay to the Finance Ministry to International Airport. The proposed side, of the runway. This will connect the building contract will likely be od so far, only a few works, such close to being completed could not begin negotiations for a concessional new building will have at least 15 park- the existing international apron to the awarded in the first quarter of 2021. as clearing landslide debris and erect- move forward.“The only works that loan with the Asian Development ing bays and be fitted with aerobridg- end of runway 02. Overcrowding at Kathmandu’s air- ing retention walls were carried out,” took place in the recent months were Bank, which is issuing the funds es, according to the Asian Development As the taxiway does not extend port is becoming worse by the day as said Nepal. The government had emergency ones, such as clearing through its South Asia Sub-Regional Bank’s document. along the full length of the runway, airlines are aggressively expanding decided to extend the deadlines of the landslide debris and the repair and Economic Cooperation Airport Severe congestion at Tribhuvan aircraft face delays before landing and their fleets in response to growing air contracts that ended during the lock- maintenance of roadways damaged by Capacity Enhancement Project. International Airport, which has only taking off as they have to wait for travel demand in the country. down, as well as those contracts signed floods and landslides,” Shivahari during the lockdown period. Sapkota, spokesperson for the But after the lockdown was lifted on Department of Roads, told the Post. July 21, the Covid-19 situation wors- Government officials and contrac- FOREX ened in the country. The number of tors don’t see the construction works infections rose to over 90,000 by resuming anytime soon. The capital Tuesday, up from 17,994 cases on July expenditure remains at three percent US Dollar 117.64 21, the last day of the lockdown. The as of Monday, which suggests that Euro 138.35 number of deaths also crossed to over construction works have slowed down Pound Sterling 151.80 500 from 40. in the early months of this fiscal year, “The deadline extension had no according to the Financial Comptroller Japanese Yen 11.10 meaning for the contractors, except General Office. Chinese Yuan 17.32 for keeping the contracts alive,” said During the same period last fiscal, Rabi Singh, president of Federation capital expenditure stood at 4.3 per- Qatari Riyal 32.31 of Contractors’ Association of Nepal, cent. Contractors say one of the major Australian Dollar 86.97 a grouping of the contracttheors. hurdles they have come across to Malaysian Ringit 28.30 “They could not work due to the lock- resume works amid the current health down, the subsequent prohibitory crisis is the lack of funds. Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank orders and the monsoon.” “We have asked the government to During the lockdown period, only at least release the fund that we have Shares two percent of the construction pro- deposited as performance security jects remained fully operational, and take bank guarantee as an alter- Nepse 1,600.97pts 0.93% according to a Nepal Rastra Bank native, but to no avail,” said Singh, the study. As many as 40 percent of the president of Federation of HIGHEST GAINERS construction projects were partially Contractors’ Association of Nepal. NHPC SJCL KRBL BARUN DHPL SFCL 10% 10% 10% 10% 9.92% 9.92% operational and 59 percent of the pro- According to him, if the govern- jects were completely shut. ment were to release the performance MODERATE GAINERS Singh said that the contractors security, it could help inject around AKJCL TMDBL GHL KKHC NHDL CHL 9.92% 9.9% 9.85% 9.84% 9.78% 9.76% have sought extension of deadlines by Rs30 billion to resume various con-

MODERATE LOSERS one year after the Dashain and struction projects. NUBL DDBL GGBSL BNT GBD80/81 LLBS Tihar festivals when most of the con- “It would not only help contractors -1.13% -1.16% -1.39% -1.42% -1.44% -1.51% POST PHOTO: MANOJ POUDEL struction works can be resumed, pay their suppliers but also help the

HIGHEST LOSERS A minor sells fruits at a shop in Gaudichowk, Kapilvastu. The local authority, which imposed a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus in provided that the coronavirus cases economy rebound during these trou- LUK NICAD8283 SABSL GLBSL MSMBS LEMF the district, has allowed sales of fruits and vegetables and other household daily essentials from 8am to 10pm. are brought under control. bled times,” Singh said. -1.67% -1.93% -2% -2.2% -2.29% -3.11%

BULLION PRICE PER TOLA India’s rice exports Globalisation revised but not reversed Fine Gold Rs 94,100 Silver Rs 1,175 could jump to record by coronavirus pandemic SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA REUTERS exporters hit a two-year high in ($2.08 billion) earmarked for firms CHICAGO/BRUSSELS, OCT 7 September. From Washington to re-shoring production. In a first GASOLINE WATCH on Thai drought effects Wellington, politicians this year have round, it paid 57.4 billion yen for 57 New York-based Delta Children, which preached self-sufficiency, urging firms projects - less than $10 million per REUTERS makes cribs in China for retailers to bring production home, particular- firm. “Senior policymakers have made MUMBAI, OCT 7 such as Walmart, briefly studied mov- ly of “essential” products. a whole range of strong statements, India mainly ing production to the United States as The pandemic has led to a record but it hasn’t reached a stage yet where India’s rice exports in 2020 may rise by supply shortages caused by the Covid- 235 export restrictions as countries there’s a lot of money on the table for nearly 42 percent from a year ago to exports non-basmati 19 pandemic added to its hefty bill hoarded protective equipment and repatriating factories,” said Simon record highs because of reduced ship- rice to Bangladesh, from US import tariffs. medical supplies, according to moni- Evenett, Global Trade Alert founder ments from rival exporters and a Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross toring service Global Trade Alert. The and professor at Switzerland’s depreciating rupee, industry officials Nepal, Benin and predicted in January the pandemic impact of trillions of dollars of subsi- University of St Gallen. said this week. would “help accelerate” this type of dies is still unclear. Even before Covid, a key aim of US Higher shipments from India, the Senegal. re-shoring of jobs to the United States, But despite the drum beat of protec- President Donald Trump’s tariff war world’s biggest rice exporter, while some policymakers even spoke tionist rhetoric, there have been far on Chinese imports from 2018 was to could cap global prices, reduce the of a wider retreat of globalisation as fewer new import tariffs than in the repatriate production. Companies, on country’s bulging inventories and president for Olam India’s rice companies retrenched to deal with past two peak years, and Pascal Lamy, the other hand, were drawn from limit Indian state stockpiler purchas- business. severed supply chains. who led the WTO from 2005 to 2013, China to lower costs in Southeast Asia es from farmers. “Basmati rice demand is more-or- But Delta chief executive Joe believes re-shoring will be marginal. and adopted a “China Plus One” strat- India’s rice exports could jump to 14 less stable, but in non-basmati we have Shamie finally ruled out the move due “The reason there will be more talk egy to boost supply diversity. million tonnes in 2020, up from last seen a huge surge in demand due to to higher labour costs and a lack of than walk is simple—it’s costly,” said “Whether or not [the pandemic] year’s 9.9 million tonnes, the lowest in attractive prices,” Gupta said. suppliers. The company still plans Lamy. “Globalisation is efficient and leads to much more re-shoring into eight years, said BV Krishna Rao, India’s non-basmati rice exports to diversify its supply chain - but by painful. De-globalisation is inefficient the US market itself remains to be president of the Rice Exporters may double from a year ago to 9.5 mil- moving some production to South and painful.” seen,” Michael Froman, US Trade Association. lion tonnes, while basmati rice exports East Asia. The only high-profile country to put Representative in the Obama adminis- “Thailand’s shipments are falling would remain stable around 4.5 mil- “The Made-in-USA tag will work if up funds is Japan, with 220 billion yen tration, told a webinar. due to the drought. Vietnam is strug- lion tonnes, he said. the products are of the same quality gling because of lower crop. That India was offering 5 percent broken and competitively priced, which is not share is naturally coming to India,” parboiled rice at $380 per tonne on a case at the moment,” Shamie told Rao said. free-on-board basis, while Thailand Reuters. “I would diversify, not totally Thailand, the world’s second-largest was offering the same grade at $490 leave China.” BIZLINE rice exporter, suffered through a per tonne, dealers said. While global trade volumes have drought earlier this year that has Indian exporters have offered rice inevitably fallen as the world plunged affected the rice crop. Shipments in at lower prices at a time when global into recession and travel restrictions Qatar Airways thanks teachers 2020 could fall to 6.5 million tonnes, prices have jumped on limited sup- and social distancing curtailed the the lowest in 20 years. plies because of the rupee’s deprecia- movement of people, the economic with complimentary tickets Vietnam, the third-biggest global tion, Rao said. ties built up by successive waves of KATHMANDU: Qatar Airway will be giv- exporter, has contended with low The rupee has declined 3 percent globalisation are proving more resil- ing away 21,000 complimentary tick- water levels in the Mekong River against the US dollar so far this ient than some thought. ets to teachers to thank them for their Delta, the country’s main rice growing year. Trade in goods is set to decline by 9 vital work in educating young people region, that has limited supply. In addition to lower Southeast percent this year, the World Trade worldwide during the ongoing pan- India mainly exports non-basmati Asian sales, China has also cut exports Organization forecast on Tuesday, less demic. Teaching professionals from rice to Bangladesh, Nepal, Benin and to Africa after floods hit local crops, severe than its April prediction of a over 75 countries in which Qatar Senegal, and premium basmati rice to said a Mumbai-based dealer with a 13-32 percent plunge. Airways currently operates in are eli- Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. global trading firm. China’s industrial sector is steadily gible for tickets and the giveaway will India’s rice shipments in 2020 “Unlike other countries, India has recovering to pre-pandemic levels, begin from October 5 and close on will rise because of robust demand massive surplus. Exports won’t create with exports up 9.5 percent year-on- REUTERS October 8, states the press release for non-basmati rice from African shortage in the local market,” the year in August, their sharpest rise in A file photo shows employees working on a production line manufacturing lithium battery issued by the company. countries, said Nitin Gupta, vice dealer said. 18 months. Optimism among German products at a factory in Yichang, China.

C M Y K THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING September was Half of Karabakh population displaced world’s hottest on Germany expects EU response to Navalny case in coming days record, EU climate BERLIN: Germany and its European as Putin says ‘tragedy’ must end Union partners will agree in the coming days a joint response to the change service says poisoning in Russia of Kremlin critic Sporadic fighting has erupted frequently since a 1994 ceasefire, most notably in 2016 in eruption many saw as brief war. REUTERS Alexei Navalny with a nerve agent in LONDON, OCT 7 the banned Novichok family, Foreign ing “scores” of civilians had already Minister Heiko Maas said on lost their lives. Last month was the world’s hottest Wednesday. “It is a serious violation Baku and Yerevan have for decades September on record, with unusually of civic rights committed with a been locked in a simmering conflict high temperatures recorded off chemical nerve agent, and we firmly over Nagorno-Karabakh and attempts Siberia, in the Middle East, and in believe that this cannot remain to find a final resolution have always parts of South America and Australia, without consequence,” Maas told met with deadlock. the European Union’s Copernicus German lawmakers in Berlin, It broke away from Baku in a 1990s Climate Change Service said on where Navalny has been treated. war that claimed the lives of some Wednesday. “That is why we will be coordinating 30,000 people and declared independ- Extending a long-term warming a joint response with our partners ence. Nagorno-Karabakh’s 140,000 trend caused by emissions of within the European Union—and also inhabitants are almost exclusively heat-trapping gases, high tempera- within the OPCW (Organisation for Armenians. It remains acknowledged tures this year have played a major the Prohibition of Chemical by the international community as role in disasters from fires in Weapons)—over the next few days,” part of Azerbaijan and no state, California and the Arctic to floods in he added. Maas said it was in including Armenia itself, recognises Asia, scientists say. Russia’s interests to get to the bottom its independence. “As we go into an even warmer of the case. Without an explanation Sporadic fighting has erupted fre- world, certain extremes are likely to from Russia, “targeted and propor- quently since a May 1994 ceasefire, happen more often and be more tionate sanctions against those most notably in 2016 in an eruption intense,” Copernicus senior scientist responsible are unavoidable”, he told many saw as a brief war. Freja Vamborg told Reuters, pointing the Bundestag lower house of parlia- But analysts say that a game-chang- to heat waves and periods of intense ment. “Russia would do well not ing element this time is the whole- rain as examples of this. to let it get that far.” hearted involvement of Turkey, which Globally, September was 0.05 has reportedly sent pro-Ankara degrees Celsius warmer than the Syrian fighters to boost Azerbaijan same month in 2019 and 0.08C warmer Russia not producing chemical and also home-produced drones that than in 2016, previously the warmest weapons, Kremlin says after have already been deployed with suc- and second warmest Septembers on OPCW findings on Navalny cess in Libya and Syria. record, the Copernicus data showed. In an interview with AFP Tuesday, Over the final three months of 2020, MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol climate events such as the La Niña Wednesday that Russia was not Pashinyan said Turkey’s “full sup- phenomenon and projected low levels developing any chemical weapons AP/RSS port” had motivated its ally Azerbaijan of autumn Arctic sea ice will influ- and was fully complying with its obli- A man walks in the yard of an apartment building damaged by shelling by Azerbaijan’s artillery during a military conflict in Stepanakert, to reignite fighting, describing the ence whether the year as a whole will gations under an international arms self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday. role of Armenian forces as a “coun- become the warmest on record, the control treaty that outlaws their pro- ter-terrorism operation”. Copernicus service said. duction.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE People are dying, there are heavy loss- the noise indicating the source was a According to the Syrian Observatory The last five calendar years were Peskov was speaking after the STEPANAKERT, AZERBAIJAN, OCT 7 es on both sides,” Putin said during an drone, an AFP correspondent said. for Human Rights, 1,200 fighters have the world’s warmest on record. Organisation for the Prohibition of interview with state-run television. “According to our preliminary esti- been sent by Turkey and at least 64 Average global temperatures have Chemical Weapons said blood sam- Half of the population of the breaka- Even if the longstanding conflict mates, some 50 percent of Karabakh’s have already died. already climbed to roughly 1 degree ples from Kremlin critic Alexei way Nagorno-Karabakh region have could not be resolved, a ceasefire population and 90 percent of women But Turkish Foreign Minister Celsius above pre-industrial times. Navalny contained a nerve agent been displaced in clashes between must be agreed “as quickly as possi- and children—or some 70,000-75,000 Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday the Countries agreed under the 2015 from the banned Novichok family. Armenian forces and Azerbaijan as ble”, he added. people—have been displaced,” world should back Azerbaijan as the Paris climate accord to attempt to cap The watchdog’s findings confirm Russian President Vladimir Putin Intermittent shelling by Karabakh rights ombudsman Artak “side of those who are right”, describ- warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, which results released by Germany, where called for the end to a “tragedy” that Azerbaijan’s forces has turned Beglaryan told AFP Wednesday. ing Armenia as the “occupier”. scientists say would avoid the most Navalny was treated after falling sud- shows no sign of abating. Karabakh’s main city Stepanakert Azerbaijan has accused Armenian Ex-Soviet master Russia has so far catastrophic impacts of climate denly ill on a flight in Siberia in The fighting in one of the most com- into a ghost town dotted with unex- forces of shelling civilian targets in kept its distance in the conflict as change. But even though large emit- August. Peskov said Russia had yet to bustible frozen conflicts left over after ploded munitions and shell craters. urban areas, including its second-larg- other troubles mount, such as the pro- ters, including China and the receive any official information from the fall of the Soviet Union erupted on Much of the Stepanakert’s est city of Ganja. tests in neighbouring Belarus, the poi- European Union, have pledged to the organisation about Navalny’s September 27 and so far neither side 50,000-strong population has left, with Prosecutors spokeswoman Gunay soning of opposition figure Alexei slash their emissions in the coming case. Russia has denied has shown willingness to compromise. those remaining hunkering down in Salimzade said the 427 dwellings popu- Navalny and now unrest in decades, overall, current policies any involvement. The conflict has gained an interna- cellars. lated by some 1,200 people had been Kyrgyzstan. would see temperatures rise far tional dimension that has alarmed They were disturbed by air raid destroyed since the start of the cur- It has cordial relations and arms beyond the 1.5 degree level. the West, with Turkey supporting sirens throughout the night as multi- rent conflict. cooperation with both sides. But it “That is the key point. The earth Court finds Greek neo-Nazi Azerbaijan and Armenia hoping that ple explosions went off in a city The International Committee of the has a military base in Armenia has warmed a lot, and it will carry on party a criminal group Moscow, which has so far stayed on plunged into total darkness. Red Cross at the weekend condemned and Yerevan is a member of a Russia- warming if greenhouse gas emissions in landmark ruling the sidelines, could help its cause. The city was hit by new strikes in “reported indiscriminate shelling and led regional security group while continue at the rate they are at the “Of course this is a huge tragedy. the morning, with smoke visible and other alleged unlawful attacks”, say- Baku is not. moment,” Vamborg said. ATHENS: Greece’s neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn was branded a criminal organisation Wednesday, with its leaders facing heavy sentences in one of the most important trials in the country’s political history. The judge- European Union buys more ment came to a background of clash- Two scientists win Nobel chemistry es between police and anti-fascist demonstrators on the sidelines of a large protest of some 15,000 people. Remdesivir amid shortages Reading out the verdict in a trial that prize for ‘gene scissors’ lasted over five years, presiding judge REUTERS Maria Lepenioti said Golden Dawn BRUSSELS, OCT 7 ASSOCIATED PRESS of CRISPR in 2018, when Chinese sci- founder and leader Nikos Remdesivir, steroid STOCKHOLM, OCT 7 entist Dr He Jiankui revealed he had Michaloliakos and other senior The European Commission said on dexamethasone helped make the world’s first gene-ed- members were guilty of running a Wednesday it had agreed with US com- Two scientists won the Nobel Prize in ited babies, to try to engineer resist- criminal organisation. (AGENCIES) pany Gilead to buy additional doses to are only EU chemistry Wednesday for developing a ance to future infection with the AIDS treat about 3,400 patients of its Covid- method of genome editing likened to virus. His work was denounced world- 19 drug Remdesivir, amid shortages of authorised drugs “molecular scissors” that offer the wide as unsafe human experimenta- the medication in Europe. promise of one day curing inherited tion because of the risk of causing A spokesman for the EU executive to treat Covid. diseases and even cancer. unintended changes that can pass to UK PM Johnson said Brussels agreed with Gilead last Working on opposite sides of the future generations, and he’s currently Friday to supply nearly 20,300 addi- Atlantic, Frenchwoman Emmanuelle AP/RSS in prison. tional doses “which help almost 3,400 bined population of 500 million, are Charpentier and American Jennifer A Emmanuelle Charpentier and In September, an international says Covid cases patients” at a cost of 7 million euros negotiating a contract with Gilead for Doudna developed a method known as Jennifer Doudna panel of experts issued a report say- ($8.24 million). That is in addition to the supply of new doses of the antivi- CRISPR/Cas9 that can be used to ing it’s still too soon to try to make 30,000 courses of treatment it bought ral medicine, the EU spokesman said. change the DNA of animals, plants Gustafsson said that, as a result, genetically edited babies because the rising but lockdown at the end of July. The first batches of the additional and microorganisms with extremely any genome can now be edited “to fix science isn’t advanced enough to “These additional doses are being supply were being sent to The high precision. genetic damage,” adding that the tool ensure safety, but they mapped a path- approach correct currently delivered,” the spokesman Netherlands, the Czech Republic, “There is enormous power in this “will provide humankind with great way for any countries that want to told a news conference, adding the EU Greece, Austria, Denmark and genetic tool, which affects us all,” said opportunities.” consider it. REUTERS was giving priority to countries which Slovenia, he added. Claes Gustafsson, chair of the Nobel But he cautioned that the “enor- “I was very emotional, I have to LONDON, OCT 7 needed it the most. Several European countries have Committee for Chemistry. “It has not mous power of this technology means say,” Charpentier, 51, told reporters by Remdesivir and steroid dexametha- said they were experiencing shortages only revolutionized basic science, but we have to use it with great care.” phone from Berlin after hearing of the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sone are to date the only authorised of the drug, whose global stock has also resulted in innovative crops and It has already raised serious ethical award, announced Wednesday in said on Wednesday that Covid-19 infec- drugs to treat Covid-19 in Europe. been secured almost entirely by the will lead to groundbreaking new med- questions in the scientific community. Stockholm by the Royal Swedish tions were rising in London and else- The EU and Britain, with a com- United States. ical treatments.” Most of the world became more aware Academy of Sciences. where, but that his government’s approach to controlling the spread of the virus was still the right one. “The local and regional approach combined with the national measures remains correct,” Johnson told Ethicists say Trump special treatment raises fairness issues parliament, when asked why infec- tions continued to rise in areas where local lockdown measures have been ASSOCIATED PRESS rather than getting the drug. line for you,” she said. put in place. Analysis presented in WASHINGTON, OCT 7 Compassionate use requests are As for Trump, “it’s not clear to me parliament by the opposition Labour decided on a case-by-case basis, and that this was an emergency situation,” Party showed that infection rates had The special treatment President both the drug company and the US said Dr Steven Joffe, medical ethics risen in 19 out of 20 areas in England Donald Trump received to access Food and Drug Administration must chief at the University of that are subject to additional lock- an experimental Covid-19 drug raises agree. An FDA spokeswoman refused Pennsylvania. down measures. fairness issues that start with the comment on the FDA’s decision or to “I think there is something wrong flawed health care system many say how many others have asked for with the privileged, the president, get- Americans endure and end with the the drug. ting special treatment that’s not avail- public’s right to know more about able to the rest of us,” he said. “There’s Johnson’s strategy his condition, ethics and medical How special was this? so much injustice in our health care over the summer experts say. Fewer than 10 of these requests have system, with so many people not even Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. been granted, said Regeneron spokes- having access to the basics,” that the was to try to shut revealed on Tuesday how rare it was woman Alexandra Bowie. The drug is favoritism shown Trump is “a symp- for anyone to get the drug it gave in limited supply, the priority is using tom of a much larger problem.” down localised Trump outside of studies testing its it for the ongoing studies, and emer- Trump spent three nights at a mili- safety and effectiveness. gency access is granted “only in rare tary hospital with a team of doctors outbreaks. The drug, which supplies antibod- and exceptional circumstances,” she watching him around the clock there ies to help the immune system clear wrote in an email. and at the White House. the coronavirus, is widely viewed as Regeneron also contacted Johnson’s strategy over the sum- very promising. AP/RSS Democratic presidential nominee Joe How sick is he? mer, when new nationwide infections Trump also received the antiviral In this October 5 photo, President Donald Trump removes his mask upon returning to the Biden’s campaign “to make them Trump’s doctor has dodged some were in the low hundreds per day, was remdesivir and the steroid dexameth- White House in Washington from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda. aware of the compassionate use mech- questions about details of Trump’s to try to shut down localised outbreaks asone, and it’s impossible to know anism, should they need to apply” if illness and cited health privacy rules. while reopening the wider economy. whether any of these drugs did him the severity of his illness. an experimental medicine if they Biden becomes infected, Bowie wrote. He has repeatedly portrayed Trump’s On Tuesday, Britain reported more any good. “The public is getting mixed mes- can’t enrol in a study testing it and “There was no promise of access to symptoms as mild, and said that oxy- than 15,000 new infections. “He deserves special treatment by sages about his condition and that’s there’s no good alternative. the medicine,” she added. gen was given to him on two occasions The analysis showed that in Wigan, virtue of his office,” said George a problem,” Annas said, adding that Trump was given the drug at the Alison Bateman-House, an ethicist but that he was not short of breath. northwest England, the infection rate, Annas, who heads Boston University’s there’s a right to know anything White House on Friday before he at NYU Langone Health, said The steroid Trump was given is only measured as the number of confirmed center for law and health ethics. that could affect Trump’s ability to do was taken to Walter Reed National Regeneron’s overture to Biden raises recommended for hospitalised cases per 100,000 population, had risen “The question is whether it’s good his job. Military Medical Center. Walter Reed concern. patients who need extra oxygen— by 3,653 percent since a local lockdown treatment.” is not a site where the drug is being “That crosses lines of appearing to studies suggest it can be harmful in was first imposed on July 30, increas- These drugs are unproven for mild How he got the drug tested, so he may have met that criteri- promote a potentially unapproved less sick patients. ing to 225 from 6. illness and have not been tested in Trump’s doctors asked for the on on technical grounds. Had he product” in violation of FDA rules, “We’re certainly getting a very con- Increases in the other areas were combination. The steroid seems Regeneron drug under “compassion- enrolled in a study, he would have she said. Rather than directing fusing picture. There are aspects of between 13 percent and 2,241 percent, at odds with medical guidelines ate use” rules, which allow a patient risked being randomly assigned to a people to enrol in studies, it suggests the story that don’t seem to fit togeth- Labour’s data showed. based on what doctors have said about with a life-threatening disease to get comparison group getting usual care “just call us up and we’ll cut the er,” Joffe said.

C M Y K 07 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Kenin edges Collins to secure semi-final berth Buttler criticises top order after Barcelona start process to American defeats her compatriot 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 to set up Kvitova clash in French Open. Nadal passes Italy’s Sinner test. reduce salaries due to losses BARCELONA: Barcelona have begun a REUTERS Mumbai defeat process to reduce the pay of players, PARIS, OCT 7 AGENCIES coaches and non-sporting staff to ABU DHABI, OCT 7 adapt to the huge losses suffered due Fourth seed Sofia Kenin claimed her to the Covid-19 pandemic, a club maiden French Open semi-final spot Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler source said on Wednesday. Staff have as she fought to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 victory admitted his side’s top order has failed been notified by the club of the need against fellow American Danielle to perform in the last three games that to reduce costs after posting a loss of Collins on Wednesday. has cost them dear in the Indian 97 million euros in their annual The Australian Open champion was Premier League so far. financial report, released on Monday. kept on her toes for two sets by an The Royals suffered a 57 run-loss to The employees, including players, opponent who had beaten her in defending champions Mumbai have been asked to nominate a repre- their previous encounters before Indians—their third defeat on the sentative over the next two weeks to strolling through the decider to set up trot—with only Buttler contributing a represent them in the negotiations a clash with Czech seventh seed Petra sizeable score (70) on Tuesday. over the changes to their salaries, Kvitova, who breezed past unseeded “We have not managed to come off added the source. German Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-3 to as a top-order in the last three games. reach her second semi-final at the We have lost three wickets in the pow- French Open after a gap of eight er-play a few times and in T20 cricket Ukraine call up retired years. you never win too many games from goalkeeper for France friendly “This is really special, I’m super that position,” Buttler told reporters KYIV: Ukraine have included 45-year- happy. I know she plays really aggres- after the match. old retired goalkeeper Oleksandr sive so I needed to have a better first “Of course, the power-play is a time Shovkovskiy in the squad for serve percentage and play aggressive you have to take advantage due to Wednesday’s friendly against France myself; I did a great job overall,” said the field restrictions, but as players after three other keepers tested posi- Kenin, who won four of her five we have not performed but that can tive for Covid-19, the country’s foot- matches at Roland Garros in three happen in T20 cricket,” the ball federation (UAF) said. sets. “I guess I like winning in three Englishman added. Shovkovskiy, who retired in 2016 and sets. I know it’s tough but I’m getting Chasing a big target of 194, the has made around 90 appearances for the job done.” Royals were struggling at 12 for 3 in Ukraine, is currently assistant to Collins was bothered by abdominal the third over and they never recov- head coach Andriy Shevchenko. pains in the third set, looking unable ered from there despite a blazing 70 Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Andriy to give her maximum effort in the off 44 balls from Buttler. They were Pyatov, along with midfielder Taras finale on court Philippe Chatrier. “I eventually bundled out for 136. Stepanenko, both missed the trip to felt like I was kind of a little bit off “We lost wickets. Mumbai bowled Paris after testing positive for Covid- with my shots. Sometimes just going really well and we never got into 19. On Tuesday, the UAF said that for it and just wasn’t working for me our innings. As a batsman, you are goalkeepers Andriy Lunin and Yuriy today,” said Collins, who suffered from always vulnerable early on in your Pankiv had also tested positive. an abdominal injury earlier this year. innings and as a top order we didn’t She played well. “Obviously there is a AP/RSS manage to counteract the opening physical ailment, but I don’t want that Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has extended her outstanding run of success at Grand Slam events this year. bowling well enough to get through Barnsley defender banned for to take away from the great tennis that that period,” the 30-year-old wicket- she was playing.” ing set as Kvitova put in a near-perfect first Grand Slam quarter-final, is the Garros title gathered momentum. keeper-batsman said. two years over doping offence The 30-year-old Kvitova, a two-times show. The left-hander hit six aces, lost first Polish woman to reach the French The Spaniard, also looking to match For Mumbai, Suryakumar Yadav LONDON: Barnsley defender Bambo champion at Wimbledon, reached the a single point on her first serve and Open semi-finals since Jadwiga Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand made a blazing unbeaten 79 off 47 Diaby has been banned for two years last four stage on the claycourts at converted her first breakpoint oppor- Jedrzejowska was runner-up in 1939. Slam men’s singles titles, set up a balls to post a challenging 193 for 4. after breaching the Football Roland Garros in 2012 and was yet to tunity to canter through the opener in Former Wimbledon junior champion clash with Argentine Diego Buttler praised Yadav for using angles Association’s anti-doping rules, lose a set at this year’s tournament in 34 minutes. Swiatek will face Argentine Nadia Schwartzman, who beat him in the and his crease to perfection. English football’s governing body Paris, which has lost the top three On Tuesday, Polish teenager Iga Podoroska in the semi-finals. Italian Open quarter-finals last month. “He [Suryakumar] played a fantas- said on Wednesday. The FA said that seeds in the women’s draw. Swiatek recovered from a nervy start In men’s singles, claycourt master Schwartzman outlasted Dominic tic innings. We could not quite tie the 22-year-old’s in-competition urine Siegemund, ranked 66th in the to outclass Italian qualifier Martina Rafael Nadal passed his first real test Thiem in a brutal claycourt war of [him] down. He used the angles and sample provided to it and UK Anti- world, was appearing in the second Trevisan 6-3, 6-1 and move into the of this year’s French Open with a attrition to prevail 7-6(1), 5-7, 6-7(6), his crease really well and he is a fan- Doping after Barnsley’s game against week of a Grand Slam for the first French Open semi-finals. The 19-year- 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-1 victory against Italian 7-6(5), 6-2 and reach his first Grand tastic player. We could not execute our Blackburn Rovers on November 23 time in her career and the 32-year-old old, who thrashed Romania’s top seed rising star Jannik Sinner as his quest Slam semi-final at the French Open on plans to him but full credit to him. He last year was found to contain the did not pose a challenge in the open- Simona Halep on Sunday to reach her for a record-breaking 13th Roland Tuesday. played a very good innings,” he said. prohibited substance Higenamine. Championship side Barnsley said that Diaby’s contract had been termi- nated by mutual consent.

Dubois out of French squad Gotze joins PSV, but many big-name free agents still without clubs PARIS: France defender Leo Dubois ASSOCIATED PRESS recognizable names whose careers ing Trabzonspor in Turkey, and in that at AC Milan didn’t work out. After a half of this year playing in Spain at has been sent home from the squad to AMSTERDAM, OCT 7 have stalled: time he has served a four-month failed stint at Liverpool, he tried res- Valladolid. It was the eighth club in a isolate after testing positive for worldwide ban for breaching betting urrecting his career in France at Nice third country for the 33-year-old Covid-19 and will miss their upcom- For all the transfers negotiated in JACK WILSHERE rules. Recently, he has been training and Marseille. After jumping back and attacking midfielder after stints at ing internationals, the French federa- Europe’s $3 billion summer transfer In 2011, he held his own against—and with a non-league side Kidsgrove, in forth between leading sides in the Lyon, Newcastle, Hull, Marseille, Nice, tion said on Tuesday. The Olympique market, paying nothing for players at times outplayed—Barcelona’s England’s eighth tier. Just two years Italian, English and French leagues, Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes. Lyonnais right back, 26, will miss was always an option. Dutch club PSV star-studded midfield in a Champions ago, he was scoring for Liverpool in a Balotelli returned in 2019 to Brescia Wednesday’s friendly with Ukraine at Eindhoven Mario Götze on Tuesday. League game. Just two years ago, he Champions League win over Paris before his homecoming ended in a ALEXANDRE PATO Stade de France and the Nations He scored Germany’s winning goal in was in the England squad. Now, Saint-Germain. fallout with the club. With experience playing in Europe for League games at home to Portugal on the 2014 World Cup final but had been Wilshere is without a club after West AC Milan, Chelsea and Villarreal, the Sunday and in Croatia on October 14. without a club since leaving Borussia Ham terminated his contract two MARIO BALOTELLI HATEM BEN ARFA 31-year-old striker is reportedly Dubois has made five appearances for Dortmund in June. Even though the years into a three-year deal. A league and cup winner with Inter Referred to in the past as the French searching for another opportunity the national team. France under-21 transfer window has closed in Milan and Manchester City, the Italy Lionel Messi, the former France inter- outside Brazil. After enduring yet striker Odsonne Edouard of Celtic Europe’s major leagues, free agents DANIEL STURRIDGE striker became better known for his national has struggled to live up to the another disappointing season with also tested positive on Tuesday and remain available to be signed by teams The former England striker has been off-field antics than scoring goals. lofty billing during a much-traveled Sao Paulo, he parted ways with the has left his team. (AGENCIES) in need of reinforcements. Some are without a club since March after leav- Blighted by injuries, a return to Italy and turbulent career. He spent the first club on August 19. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) **** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** The future is always in motion, so don’t stress if you You’re a maestro at orchestrating swinging social You know how a turtle has that hard shell and a soft Your brain needs food, too. So turn off the TV and do can’t quite make out your goal right now. Simply deal situations. Whether it’s planning some kind of cele- tummy it has to protect? Well, apply that analogy to something stimulating and invigorating. Go for a with events as they come along, and try not to control bratory event or an intimate meal for two, you’re someone in your life right now. They might look hike. Write a letter to someone you love but haven’t or predict the future too stringently. After all, life has able to combine the elements in such a way that it hardened and tough on the outside, but really they’re talked to in far too long. Pick up those paints you many wonderful surprises to offer. delights and astonishes everyone. just protecting themselves. haven’t touched since college.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) **** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Someone’s in the mood for love. Is it you? Could be! Responsibility can seem an awful lot like a four-letter Racing toward the finish line gets your blood and As someone in Wonderland said to Alice, it’s best to And if it’s not you, someone you’re very close to is word. Haven’t you done enough? Isn’t there someone spirits pumping in just the way you need. You thrive try to believe at least three impossible things feeling full of affection and mischief. If your spirits else who can help pick up the slack? Those are very in competitive circumstances and contests of skill before breakfast. The funny thing is that once you aren’t up there already, they’ll soon reach new good questions. However, you may not be able to and endurance. But after this is over, you’re still let yourself believe them, they don’t seem all that heights. answer them until you simply soldier on. going to need an outlet for all your energy. impossible.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) **** PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** It’s all too easy to get bogged down in shoulda-coul- There’s nothing more poignant than an unfulfilled It’s funny the way deadlines seem to sneak up on you Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, you’ve da-woulda as well as “I could never do that.” Don’t promise. Is there an area of your life you’ve been when you least expect them. In this case, if you’re taken some pretty tough circumstances and used put limits on what you can achieve before you even neglecting? Perhaps a hobby or just a promise to able to stay calm and take care of the details that them to grow. Now you’re developing into something get started. What’s even more discouraging, however, spend more time with someone that’s fallen by the make up this situation, tackling them one by one, lovely and fantastic beyond your wildest imaginings. is when you demand too much of yourself at once. wayside in all the hustle of everyday life? you’ll be finished in no time. Embrace everything. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K THURSDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 How this all-female band aims to make Nep-Hop more respectable Formed in 2017, Faithom has released four singles, combining pop and rap, which have struck a chord in the heart of many listeners.

ANKIT KHADGI niche identity of being a music KATHMANDU band. But rapping in Nepal, espe- cially when you are a woman, he stage is set. The comes up with its own challenge, crowd starts chanting they say. their names. The loud- Last year, V-Ten, a popular rap- er the chants, the fast- per, was arrested on the grounds er their heart pounds. of promoting anti-social behav- Hundreds of thoughts iour. Likewise, he was also Tstart gushing on their minds. Will attacked by stones during a con- we forget our lyrics? Will we be so cert, which reflects how Nepali nervous that we won’t be able to society views rap, as for them rap synchronise? is more of a nuisance that sets All of these thoughts are a bad example and influence in shared by the band members society than a mere expression or of Faithom—a band formed an art form. by Suprina Ghalan, Monalisa And because of this same mind- Shrestha, and Bhumika set and misconception, working Buddhacharya—whenever they as a rap artist in Nepal is filled perform in front of an audience. with many challenges, says But when they step on stage, the Buddhacharya. fear melts and a ‘different’ kind of “Due to the misconception energy runs through their body, about rap music in the Nepali con- they say, which makes them sing text, we are constantly asked if we their hearts out like there’s no also use ‘vulgar’ and ‘obscene’ tomorrow. words in our songs,” she says Originally a four-member band, expressing her annoyance at the Faithom started in 2017, and till misunderstanding of her art form. date have released four originals That’s why, one of the major in their musical career. While objectives of the band is to chal- Ghalan, 24, is the lead guitarist, lenge these preconceived notions composer, and writer, Shrestha, and show the Nepali audience that 20, and Buddharcharya, 20, are rap can also be a respectful art the rappers, who through their form. “Rap is not about using abu- rhythmic and smooth flow of lyr- sive language. Through rap we can ics add a different flavour to their talk and express so many impor- creations. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB VIA YOUTUBE tant issues that can be catered to “It was our love for music that The three-member band Faithom has Suprina Ghalan, Monalisa Shrestha and Bhumika Buddhacharya as its members. people of every age group,” says united us. For all of us, music pro- Buddhacharya. vided peace, power, happiness and their spirit. Even when they had dekchu jaanjir le badeko” (which But according to the band, However, despite the meagre Last year, the band had per- was always a medium of our ups and downs, they knew that translates to: born as a girl, the except Suti Sake Nepali, all of income, the exposure is important formed in an all-female led musi- expression and healing,” says being an artist in Nepal itself is a norms engulfed me... I took two their songs were recorded in their to them to create more meaningful cal event. And for them, more plat- Buddhacharya. difficult task, and instead of wait- steps and noticed the shackles that home studio, through an iPhone. music. “There’s no lying that forms are required as such con- But forming a band with no for- ing for opportunities to knock on were tied to.) In this second verse Likewise, even the music video of money has its own value and with certs function as repositories to mal connection with anyone from their door, they started looking for of their song ‘Chori’, which was these songs and the composition financial resources, we can promote and exhibit their talent, the music industry, that too at a opportunities themselves by released last year, the band depicts were done through their phone, achieve so many things. However they say. young age, came with its own increasing their digital presence the collective experiences shared which according to them is now we want to chase our dream “For any artists, nothing can struggle, says Shrestha. and releasing their original songs by all women, whose legs are because of the lack of financial of music, not dreams of loading give happiness, except seeing their “In the beginning, we were kind on YouTube. trapped in the name of norms resources restoring them to use our pockets with cash,” says audience dance, sing along, and of lost. We were confused about In three years of their career, in the shackles that prevents available resources. Buddhacharya, who along with enjoy their performance. The how to interact, get gigs and even Faithom has released four singles; them from taking any step inde- “No one of us has a 9-5 paying Shrestha is studying business. reaction we have received from handle the crowd while perform- ‘Chori’, ‘Khel kasto yo paisa ko’, pendently. job. We all are studying due to To fill such gaps, their focus is the mass when we are performing ing,” she says. ‘Suti Sake Nepali’, and ‘Jeevan’ on Likewise, in their other songs, which there is a constraint of more on making the lyrics heart- on the stages is motivating,” says Likewise, since they were an all- their YouTube channel, along ‘Khel kasto yo paisa ko’, ‘Suti Sake financial resource. And that’s why felt that can evoke many emotions, Shrestha. girls band and rapped in their with few cover songs, which has Nepali’, and ‘Jeevan’, the band we haven’t been able to deliver they say. “Whenever I am writing And that’s why even when their songs as well, opportunities sel- helped them to get almost 14k sub- have also underlined many other high-quality songs and music vid- the lyrics, my main goal is always work is not yielding any money or dom came their way, they say. scribers. issues like the rise of materialism, eos and even release some of our to pen down songs where we can the fame and exposure they should “Performing gigs late at night “Through our music, we want to the tendency of Nepalis to become other songs,” says Shrestha. talk, sing and reflect our life, feel- get for their talent, they want to wasn’t an option for us due to our express our emotions. We want to apathetic to wrongdoing, and the Likewise, even the gigs and ings, experiences as well as tell continue their journey in creating family reasons. Likewise, whenev- create songs that can resonate existential life-crisis looming over their stage performances aren’t our personal stories that many music as for them their faith in er you are entering a realm beyond with a larger audience who can the heads of every people. sufficient for them to make a liv- people can also relate to,” says music beats all the odds, which is what society expects of you, the feel like their emotions are being “As a band, we like to experi- ing out of their music. “The pro- Ghalan, who mostly writes the also reflected in their band’s way people view creates another expressed by us through the ment with genres. We like to bring grammes are mismanaged most of lyrics for the band. name, Faithom an amalgamation layer of challenge, which hap- songs,” says Ghalan. our uniqueness by mixing Nepali the time. We aren’t even paid the Likewise, since rap is an inte- of two words—Faith and Om pened in our case,” says Shrestha. “Chori bhayi jane ma, riti riwaz and Western as well as writing price we are promised,” says gral part of their songs, they also (a spiritual and religious symbol But the struggles never shook le dhakeko... Dui paila chale maile heartfelt lyrics,” says Ghalan. Buddhacharya. have been able to create their own of faith).

Chanel celebrates cinema industry to cap Paris Fashion Week Like Milan before it, Paris has undertaken an unusual fashion season for Spring-Summer 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

THOMAS ADAMSON PARIS The nine-day onumental light-bulb calendar was a mix of encrusted letters spell- ing CHANEL sparkled ready-to-wear runway over the runway at the Grand Palais on the last collections with day of Paris Fashion masked guests seated MWeek prefacing a collection celebrating the cinema industry. It brought a pang of nostalgia for better times during this in the front row. reduced virus-hit season that has been notable for its lack of star power. Like Milan before it, Paris has under- democratize their products, something taken an unusual fashion season for that is admirable and forward-looking. It Spring-Summer 2021 because of the coro- helps make fashion relevant by opening it navirus pandemic. The nine-day calendar up beyond the 200 guests who are invited was a mix of ready-to-wear runway collec- to a physical show. tions with masked guests in seated rows, But Louis Vuitton is one house that in-person presentations and completely seems to have gone a little too trigger-hap- digital shows streamed online with pro- py in its bid to record and project its show motional videos. digitally and that can distract from the The American actors who usually viewing of the collection by editors, which attend Chanel, the highlight of Paris is one of the show’s prime functions. Fashion Week, stayed away. But designer This phenomenon predates the corona- Virginie Viard dreamed of more glamor- virus pandemic by several years. ous times. She produced an optimistic At Tuesday’s show, some guests strug- collection channeling the Hollywood or gled to see the collection because of the Cannes movie star machine and its media over-100 cameras obstacles set up on poles circus, appropriately placing French in the Louis Vuitton runway. There were Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard two camera poles next to almost every on the front row. guest in the main runway hall. “I was thinking about actresses at the When the collection started, large cam- photocall, coming off the red carpet: their eras on rollers moved up and down faces a little distracted, their attitude a throughout. little out of sync with the outfits they’re Miuccia Prada’s little sister house of wearing ... this very lively side to cinema Miu Miu is known for its quirky designs that happens beyond cinema,” Viard said. AP/RSS with cerebral depths. This season, Prada It produced a diverse display of high- Models wear creations for the Chanel Spring-Summer 2021 fashion collection during Paris fashion week. delved into the sportswear of the 1980s class glamour that mingled with the and infused it with eye-popping colour. casual — in a collection notable for its moments. A shoulderless black mini dress as a cue for a diverse and colorful collec- A biker jacket was both oversize and The collection seemed to have woven shoulder shapes that were exaggeratedly was the definition of chic, with a sheer silk tion on models that often had androgy- cropped like a bolero. One standout piece every single bright colour in the chart into round and wide, or diagonal and flat. black overskirt that fluttered gently to the nous looks and hairstyles. Fashion, as an was a V-neck sleeveless check knit sweat- the 53 looks. It could be interpreted as a For the high-class, there were ecru and ankles to sensually reveal the legs. A loose industry, has been moving towards co-ed er, with chic sage leather shoulders, that note of optimism in one of the darker black tweed skirt suits — the house signa- black silk top had dramatic swooshes of styles for some seasons now, and it is a was so gargantuan it had a band fastening chapters of the fashion industry. ture. The best was a stiff knit black num- white feathers across it like a sash. pivotal moment when a house as powerful the bottom half to fit the model. It was Blood orange dazzled on a retro track- ber with giant round shoulders, uber- On a note of nostalgia, this could be one as Vuitton chooses to explore this theme likely a tongue-in-cheek reference to suit top and sweat pants. Persian blue cinched waist, giant tubular arms and of the last Chanel shows in the Grand so explicitly in clothes. The collection women who sometimes don their boy- gleamed on a velvety turtle neck. Satin large white visible shirt cuffs and collar. It Palais for years. The venue has said it is mixed a sporty edge with flashes of mens- friend’s sweater, and it was very cool. sheen gold added a contemporary touch cut a beautiful silhouette against the pure- closing from December 2020 to March 2023 wear. While a cross-over wool coat in peach Actresses Alicia Vikander and Lea on a vintage jacket and sporty split skirt. white illuminated runway. for renovations, to reopen before the Paris yellow with an angular T-shaped silhouette Seydoux applauded vigorously from the Elderberry formed the top section of a Some of the casual looks, however let Olympics of 2024. was probably for a woman, many other gar- front row. geometrically striped halterneck with a the collection down. Large prints in This season’s mission for powerhouse ments for spring-summer successfully Fashion defines itself as an industry dark sporty sienna skirt that looked part vibrant colour, such as a turtle-neck and Louis Vuitton was to dissolve masculine delivered on the unisex (and very much that is constantly changing. This is nor- Piet Mondrian and part Wimbledon. cross-over dress, featured blown-up letters and feminine in fashion. “[To explore] a on-trend) mission. mally a positive thing, because moving One skirt was in one of the brightest spelling the house name to evoke neon sensitive zone that erases gender and The buckled belt of a men’s trench coat forward to new ideas and ways of present- colours that must surely have ever been lights. But the colours clashed and it promises exponential creative possibili- was a leitmotif, appearing as an oversize ing fashion is how a trend is created, and seen on the Paris runway: A glowing pure sometimes seemed as if the designer was ties. What does an in-between garment version in tan, striped, black, white and that is the industry’s blood life. citrine so strong that the silhouette could trying too hard to be hip. look like?” the house asked. laurel green, and its loose end was styled Increasingly, houses stream their collec- hardly be made out. That said, there were plenty of stand-out Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere used that to hang down the leg. tions on Instagram and other outlets to —Associated Press

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