WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 95 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 37.4 C 9.1 C Monday, May 24, 2021 | 10-02-2078 Bhairahawa Jumla

INSIDE COVAX admits Around 25,000 outbound Nepali youths stuck due to flight suspension delays, asks Nepal to KATHMANDU: Thousands of Nepali youths who were planning to take up jobs overseas have been unable to leave the country due to the suspen- choose vaccine other sion of international flights since the past two weeks owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Amid record spikes in Covid-19 infections and deaths, the government had suspended all inter- than Covishield national flights, except for two flights between Kathmandu and New Delhi, since May 6 midnight. Special char- The latest communication is a blow to the government’s tered flights however have been allowed. According to an estimate by lacklustre efforts to procure jabs as it had been banking the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, an umbrella on the facility to give second doses to the over 65s. organisation of Nepali recruiting agencies that supply Nepali migrants ARJUN POUDEL second dose after 12 to 16 weeks. to foreign employers, nearly 25,000 KATHMANDU, MAY 23 Nepal is supposed to receive around Nepalis could not migrate abroad 13 million doses of vaccines under the since the imposition of the flight sus- Amid uncertainty over Covid-19 vac- COVAX facility in instalments, and pension. “Thousands of Nepalis have cine supplies to Nepal, the country’s around 2 million doses were expected been deprived of overseas employ- one immediate hope, the COVAX facil- to arrive by the end of March. ment opportunities,” said Sujit ity, has communicated to the govern- Officials until last week said that Kumar Shrestha, general secretary of ment that it won’t be able to provide they were expecting to get “some” the association. (Details on Pg 3) the jabs before next year. With this, it doses under COVAX. remains unclear when those 1.3 mil- But now with COVAX, a facility No restriction on withdrawing lion people above 65 years of age, who which is a partnership between CEPI took their first shots between March 7 (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness cash, bankers’ association says and March 15, will get their booster Innovations), Gavi (Global Alliance KATHMANDU: A notice issued by Nepal doses. for Vaccines and Immunizations), Bankers Association for its member According to officials, COVAX, an UNICEF and the World Health banks across the country to limit international vaccine-sharing scheme Organisation, admitting delays in sup- their services in order to avoid crowd- backed by the United Nations, has plies, Nepal’s vaccine hopes have suf- ing to prevent coronavirus spread has requested Nepal to look for other fered a major setback. sparked controversy. Customers say options. According to officials, COVAX, in a that the new rule has created confu- “COVAX has requested us to explore communication last week, said that it sion among the bankers as some other vaccines apart from Covishield,” regrets that its schedule has been banks stopped the withdrawals even said Dr Dipendra Raman Singh, direc- impacted by delays and reductions in though the association’s notice clear- tor general at the Department of supply availability. ly told banks not to accept deposits of Health Services. Apart from Covishield, the less than Rs50,000. The directive was According to the government sched- AstraZeneca type vaccine manufac- enforced on May 13. According to the ule, the booster doses to the 1.3 million tured by the Serum Institute of India, notice, banks will be providing the people, who took their first shots of COVAX has committed to supplying most necessary services only to avoid Covishield, should have been given Pfizer BioNTech vaccines to partici- crowds and it is applicable on all starting last Monday, which is eight pant countries across the world. branches during the lockdown period. weeks after the first dose as recom- Nepal so far has received 2.348 One issue, according to the copy of mended. million doses of Covishield and the notice seen by the Post, is that POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA Given the uncertainty over procure- 800,000 doses of China Sinopharm’s banks will not allow deposit amounts A boy balances his bicycle on one wheel on an empty road at Swayambhu in Kathmandu on Sunday. For nearly a month now, Kathmandu Valley ment of Covishield vaccine, the gov- BBIBP-CorV. less than Rs50,000. (Details on Pg 5) and most of the country have been placed under prohibitory orders in an attempt to stem the spread of Covid-19. ernment is now mulling giving the >> Continued on page 2 Oli attempts to use citizenship ordinance for his political gains Timing raises questions over intentions as bill had been pending in Parliament for years.

TIKA R PRADHAN Sunday promulgated Nepal Parliament when the bill was pending KATHMANDU, MAY 23 Citizenship (first amendment) there for years. Ordinance 2021. According to Law Minister Lilanath Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has Many believe the ordinance was Shrestha, the ordinance addresses two attempted to use one of the most sen- introduced to appease the Mahantha major issues—issuing citizenship by sitive issues to his political advantage Thakur-Rajendra Mahato faction of descent to the children of the couple amid political fluidity, as he finds him- the Janata Samajbadi Party. The two who received citizenship in Nepal self cornered. leaders have stood in support of Oli of before September 20, 2015 and citizen- President Bidya Bhandari on late, even in his Friday House dissolu- ship by descent to the children of a tion move, which has been criti- Nepali mother, whose father’s wherea- cised for being “unconstitution- bouts are unknown. al, illegal and immoral”. The Bill to amend Nepal Citizenship A minister in the Oli Cabinet Act-2006 has been pending in said that the ordinance was Parliament since August 7, 2018. brought in view of the urgency, Nepali politicians’ reluctance to as a large number of people have pass the bill had met with massive been suffering because they criticism, for rights activists don’t have citizenship certifi- argued that they refused to treat cates due to a lack of law. both men and women equally, as The minister, however, would without the law, mothers were not say why it was brought barred from passing citizenship to through an ordinance and why it their children. was not endorsed from >> Continued on page 2 Despite coronavirus scare, more than 170 climbers summit Everest in a day With a record 408 permits issued, the mountain remains crowded even after many abandoned their ascent as climbers and guides show Covid-19 symptoms.

Acharya, director of the Department of Tourism. The exact number of ascents so far is not immediately available. There could be more climbs during the second window. After Monday there is a brief period of good weather on Wednesday but it is not clear wheth- er it will last long enough to allow a summit bid, according to Acharya. With a record 408 permits issued to climb the 8,848.86-metre mountain despite the pandemic, Everest is crowded. The highest number of per- mits issued before this year was 381 in 2019. There were no mountaineering expeditions in Nepal last year as the country remained closed to foreigners Evolution Trading Pvt. Ltd. because of the pandemic. Each foreign permit holder usually Evo Beverages Pvt. Ltd. This handout picture shows tents at the Everest base camp on Friday. has one high altitude guide to help him get to the top, meaning that there SANGAM PRASAIN the mountain on Monday. could be some 800 summiteers if all Eco-Infinity Pvt. Ltd. KATHMANDU, MAY 23 “The second window of good weath- get to the top. er opened on Sunday and more than During the first good weather win- More than 170 climbers reached the 170 climbers reached the summit. We dow from May 10 to May 12, around 150 summit of Everest on Sunday and are expecting another 100 successful had reached the summit. another 100 or so are hoping to climb climbs on Monday,” said Mira >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Despite coronavirus scare, Bajhang local unit dispatches health more than 170 climbers ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A week ago, Austrian Furtenbach teams to highlands to aid yarsa pickers With the good weather window Adventures abandoned its attempt to being small and the number of climb- scale Everest after its seven sherpas ers high, the Department of Tourism fell ill with Covid-19-like symptoms as Many people die from easily treatable ailments in the highlands due to lack of timely medical care. this year introduced a new system of Nepal battles a brutal second wave of quotas to make the summit attempt as infections. BASANTA PRATAP SINGH per which not more than 170 are Tendi Sherpa, managing director of BAJHANG, MAY 23 allowed to reach the top on a particu- Iceland Trekking and Expedition, the lar day. local company supporting the Saipal Rural Municipality, a remote A picture of a long line of moun- Austrian company, said it had 21 for- local unit in Bajhang district, has dis- taineers waiting to get to the summit eign climbers and 15 of them decided patched health workers to the high- in May 2019 went viral, raising ques- to quit. lands where thousands of yarsagum- tions about Nepali officials’ disregard However, six have been searching ba (Cordyceps sinensis) collectors for the lives of mountaineers as a long for other local agencies to help them have gathered to forage for the high- exposure to the elements at high alti- in their expedition with guides and ly-priced caterpillar fungus. tudes are risky. other support since they have decided This is the first time that a local Besides those waiting at Camp 4 at to continue their climbs, he said. unit has sent health teams to the high- 7,950 metres, from where climbers On Saturday, another international lands of Bajhang for the welfare of the launch their final summit bid, 55 per- outfitter, Mountain Trip, cancelled its collectors. cent of Everest hopefuls are waiting expedition. Every year a couple of deaths are for their turn to get to the top, accord- reported among the pickers in the ing to Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Bajhang highlands for a lack of timely Seven Summit Treks, the largest expe- medical attention to easily treatable dition outfitter. The spring ailments such as fever, common cold This means around 400 climbers and diarrhoea, among others. This will have to wait for the final window mountaineering year, the collectors’ health is more at and everyone will not be lucky, accord- risk as the Covid-19 pandemic rages ing to expedition organisers. season in Nepal across the country, says Lokendra But not everyone may be able to Jethara, the health unit chief of make a push for the summit given the lasts till May end. Saipal Rural Municipality. quota and the crowd despite having The yarsagumba collectors have spent as much as $90,000 that a climb- over the years requested the rural POST PHOTO: BASANTA PRATAP SINGH er forks out to climb the mountain, The company said on its Facebook municipality to send health teams Health workers have examined and treated around 500 people with minor illnesses in the highlands in the past two weeks. including $11,000 for the permit. Page: “Our team in Nepal has made with them on their forages to the high- The final weather window is only the extremely tough, but necessary lands. Nara Bahadur Singh, who lost highlands and have no access to medi- yarsa collectors and an outbreak of the world’s most expensive medicinal expected to last two days. call to end our 2021 Mount Everest his uncle four years ago in the high- cal care where minor illnesses can Covid-19 would be a disaster,” Jethara fungus. The herb is the main source of “Another good window has been Expedition. While it’s a difficult deci- lands during the foraging season, says turn fatal. said. “The health workers have exam- income for many families in Bajhang. forecast on May 29 and 30,” said sion to make when considering all of that deaths caused by treatable ail- According to Saipal Rural ined and treated around 500 people According to Rajendra Dhami, the Acharya. the work, years of preparation, sacri- ments can be easily avoided now that Municipality, at least three pickers with minor illnesses in the highlands chairman of Saipal Rural The spring mountaineering season fice and resources that have gone into the health teams are deployed to the died in the highlands of the local body in the past two weeks. The health Municipality, more than 10,000 people in Nepal lasts till the end of May. the expedition, it’s the only sensible highlands. in the last fiscal year. teams have been asked to look out for go to the highlands to collect yarsa- “Obviously, this year, it’s difficult to outcome from a risk management “We have lost people to minor According to yarsagumba collec- coronavirus symptoms so that if any- gumba each year but this year the manage. All will depend on how the standpoint.” illnesses such as fever and upset stom- tors, accidents on slippery slopes are one gets infected, they can provide number is not so high. weather will behave later this week,” “While we did our best throughout ach,” said Singh, a local man of common in the snow-covered steep timely treatment.” “The health risk is still very much said Mingma Sherpa. the expedition to be as Covid responsi- Jayaprithvi Municipality-1. “My uncle terrain and in the absence of a health Thousands of people from Bajhang there for pickers in the middle of the The number of climbers still on the ble as possible (and at the beginning died of a stomach ache that turned camp in the highlands, they have had and other neighbouring districts have pandemic. But this is their mainstay,” mountain may be high but it does not of the season it looked like Covid was worse for want of treatment. Having to carry many critically injured reached the highlands to collect yarsa- said Dhami. “The presence of health include those that have already aban- on the decline) there has been a sharp the health team with us in the high- friends to the nearest health post. gumba amidst the second wave of teams in the highlands is a necessity doned their climbs because of the spike of cases throughout Nepal that lands comes as a huge relief to us.” “Many died while being carried to coronavirus in the country. in light of the pandemic. We aim to coronavirus outbreak. we couldn’t predict or fully avoid, even Yarsa collectors in the previous the health post,” said Soni Bohara, In mid-April last year, the district continue this in the coming years On April 15, Norwegian national with being cautious. Six of our Sherpa years had to walk for three to four another picker from Saipal Rural authorities had put a ban on yarsa- too.” Erlend Ness was the first to leave the team have been evacuated to days to reach the nearest health post Municipality. “But now with the gumba collection amid the pandemic. The other three local units in mountain because of Covid-19 like Kathmandu with Covid symptoms,” during a health emergency. health team among us, we will not But despite the ban, by mid-June, hun- Bajhang—Bungal Municipality and symptoms and he was found to have the company added. “The thought that there was no help have to worry about getting medical dreds of yarsa pickers from Jayprithvi, Chhabis Pathivera and Surma rural been infected with the coronavirus. It said that sherpas were no longer nearby used to scare us. We had to help.” Bungal, Chhabis Pathibhera, Surma, municipalities—are yet to initiate There have been reports of more available to help the team go higher by walk for days before any medical help Saipal Rural Municipality has Saipal and Masta rural municipalities health camps for yarsagumba pickers infections on the mountain since then carrying essential resources to the was available,” said Singh. deployed two health teams that will had reached the highlands to collect in the highlands at their respective but authorities have said that the sit- upper camps. The yarsagumba picking season visit seven highland areas. the herb. local units despite demands for the uation is under control and strict Nepal on Sunday reported 7,598 new begins from mid-April to mid-July Jethara, the health unit chief of the Following pressure from the local same. guidelines have been placed for expe- infections, a slight drop from the more every year. Thousands of foragers rural municipality, says the health people, the local units allowed yarsa- The collectors, who pay an entry fee ditions not to mingle with each other. than 8,000 it has been reporting for spend almost three months living in workers deployed to the highlands of gumba collection in the highlands by to the local units to forage for yarsa- That, however, was no consolation nearly three weeks. The country’s temporary tents on high altitude the district have also been raising the end of June for pickers from with- gumba, have been demanding basic for two international expedition com- total infections count has reached slopes. awareness about the Covid-19 pandem- in Bajhang. health facilities in the highlands for panies and they have already aban- 513,241 with 115,547 of them active. The collectors are exposed to harsh ic and the fatality of its second wave. Yarsaguma is found at elevations years but their requests have gone doned their climbs citing a risk of The total death toll is 6,347 with 193 weather and living conditions in the “The highlands are crowded with between 3,000 and 5,000 metres and is unheeded. virus transmission. reported on Sunday. COVAX admits delays, asks Nepal to choose vaccine other ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 age capacity and ongoing surge of the infec- Of the total doses of Covishield, 1 million tions. were provided by India under grant assistance. The European Medicines Agency last week Another 1 million doses were part of an order recommended a change to the approved stor- of 2 million doses Nepal had placed by paying age conditions of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine in advance to the Serum Institute. The remain- and allowed storage between 2 to 8 degrees ing 1 million doses are yet to arrive. Celsius. In February, the US Food and Drug The first consignment of 348,000 doses of Administration (FDA) had allowed undiluted Covishield under COVAX arrived on March 7. vials of the vaccine to be stored at convention- “As the supply of Covishield from the Serum al 2-8 degrees Celsius temperatures for a period Institute of India has become uncertain, the of up to two weeks. COVAX facility has asked us to choose some Nepal’s existing vaccine storage facility can other vaccines,” Dr Shyam Raj Upreti, coordi- store vaccines in 2-8 degrees Celsius. nator of Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee, “Authorities should accept whichever vac- told the Post. cine COVAX provides, as it does not supply On Tuesday, Adar Poonawalla, chief execu- without the World Health Organisation’s emer- tive officer of the Serum Institute, in a state- gency use authorisation,” Upreti said. “Vaccine ment, said that his firm will continue to scale is complementary to other public health meas- up vaccine manufacturing and “prioritise ures to control the pandemic.” India” as the country is currently experienc- The Health Ministry says it has sent diplo- ing a deadly surge in coronavirus infections. matic notes to vaccine manufacturing coun- “We also hope to start delivering to COVAX tries like China, India, Russia, the United POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI and other countries by the end of the year,” the Kingdom and the United States of America, A woman spins a yarn on a charkha at Khokana, Lalitpur on Sunday. company said. requesting them to sell vaccines to Nepal. The Serum Institute is a major supplier to “We have requested them to sell vaccines COVAX. The statement comes two months under a government-to-government deal,” said after the Indian government imposed restric- Singh. “We have also made it clear that we are tions on all major exports of coronavirus vac- ready to pay the international market price if cines, which affected COVAX deliveries to low- they cannot provide us at subsidised rates.” and middle-income countries. Only last week, the United Nations in Nepal Oli attempts to use citizenship ordinance ... According to the updates provided by said it is advocating with the vaccine alliance COVAX to the Health Ministry, Pfizer for prioritisation of Nepal in the allocation of >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 which he had managed to retain even after than meets the eye. BioNTech vaccines are also on the list to be AstraZeneca vaccines. Oli himself and his party were opposed to losing the vote of confidence on May 10. The Thakur-Mahato faction may have been supplied to various countries by the third “The clearest pathway out of this pandemic the idea of passing the bill, as they argued that Because the Thakur-Mahato faction of the beguiled by the ordinance, but it does not yet quarter of 2021. is equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnos- the bill with such provisions could lead to Janata Samajbadi Party refused to support the actually address the concerns raised by women “We recognise the difficult situation Nepal tics and therapeutics and we are working granting citizenship to those people who were Nepali Congress-Maoist Centre alliance, a new rights activists. is facing to vaccinate priority populations, and towards it along with the COVAX facility,” the born out of Nepali mothers and foreign fathers, government could not be formed, even though The ordinance still has conditional provi- the impact that vaccine supply constraints UN said in an email response to the Post. especially Indians, given the marriages the Upendra Yadav-Baburam Bhattarai faction sions when it comes to allowing women to pass have had on battling the Covid-19 crisis,” reads A Gavi spokesperson said the COVAX facili- between Nepali women from the bordering of the Janata Samajbadi threw its weight citizenship to their children. the communication, which is seen by the Post, ty is currently assessing those countries that districts with Indian men. behind Congress President Sher Bahadur Firstly, for a woman to pass on citizenship to from COVAX to the Health Ministry. “We sin- are impacted by the Serum Institute’s delays to The issue had remained a lightning rod. Deuba. her children, she should be born in cerely regret that COVAX’s schedule has also support them wherever possible in ensuring Women rights activists for long had demand- But as they say a week is a long time in poli- Nepal. Second, she has to have lived in Nepal. been impacted by delays and reduction in sup- the second dose is administered in line with ed that the government must pass the law that tics, the Madhav Nepal faction of Oli’s UML, And third, only if the father’s identity is not ply availability, and assure you we are working recommendations. allowed Nepali mothers to pass on citizenship which had been vacillating for weeks, on known. proactively to mitigate the disruption…” “COVAX’s first priority, alongside raising to their children. Friday decided to support Deuba as prime min- Women rights activists have long fought Nepal plans to inoculate 72 percent of the 30 the necessary financial support from donors to “I had spoken in Parliament urging the gov- ister. against these provisions, especially the third million population (around 22 million people), fully fund the Gavi COVAX Advance Market ernment to issue the Bill to amend the Nepal Oli, in cahoots with President Bidya Devi one, where a mother has to provide the “proof” as those below 14 years of age account for 28 Commitment and procure 1.8 billion doses for Citizenship Act 2006 at the earliest, but the Bhandari, dissolved the House and declared that her child’s father is not known. percent of the total population and cannot be lower income countries and finalising agree- government refused to pay heed,” said Shashi elections for November. Political analysts say the citizenship ordi- inoculated as most vaccines have not been test- ments with new suppliers, is to work with Shrestha, who led the parliamentary State The opposition alliance is now set to chal- nance has been brought not because the gov- ed on them. governments with the largest supplies to Affairs and Good Governance Committee. lenge Oli and Bhandari’s House dissolution in ernment has realised the urgency and suffer- COVAX has committed to providing doses urgently deliver them, through COVAX, to The Shrestha-led committee had presented the Supreme Court. According to leaders, it ings of the people but only because Oli thinks enough to vaccinate 20 percent of the popula- countries where they can have an immediate the bill before the full house of the Parliament will file separate petitions signed by as many it could serve his interest. tion (6 million people). impact in addressing this short-term supply after discussing it in her committee for several as 145 lawmakers, including those from the “Oli is the most vocal leader in contempo- COVAX’s inability to supply vaccines any- disruption,” said the spokesperson in an email months. Nepal faction of the UML and the Yadav- rary politics with so much hatred for Madhes time soon and the Nepal government’s lethar- response to the Post. She said the only intention of Oli was to rule Bhattarai faction of the Janata Samajbadi on and its issues,” said Rajendra Maharjan, a gy in procuring jabs may mean a deepening Meanwhile, nine public health experts the nation through ordinance, a provision Monday. political commentator. “It’s clear that the ordi- virus crisis, as the surge in the second wave including Dr Sarad Onta, Dr Binjawala which should be used only to address urgent A Congress leader said the opposition alli- nance has not been brought because he realises has continued and experts are warning of a Shrestha and Dr Aruna Upreti, among others, issues that could arise only when Parliament is ance could not file the petitions on Sunday as it the fact that a lack of law was making many third wave. said on Sunday that the declaration of elec- not in session. took time as all the lawmakers needed to sign a children stateless.” “We are preparing to respond to COVAX,” tions by the government in the midst of the “The bill was pending in Parliament for separate petition. Maharjan said Oli’s only intention behind said Singh, the director general of the pandemic is a sheer negligence of public years, but it was never moved forward. Now it Just as the opposition alliance was working introducing the ordinance is fulfilling his Department of Health Services. “We have to health by the government. is being brought through an ordinance just to on petitions, Oli made his move. political interests. use any vaccine and we should be prepared to “Declaring an election instead of focussing fulfil the ruler’s personal interest,” said With the ordinance, insiders say, Oli has “The Bill to amend the Nepal Citizenship use it, as people are dying throughout the coun- to save lives is a clear example of sheer negli- Shrestha, a Central Committee member of the paved the way for the Thakur-Mahato faction Act 2006 had been languishing in Parliament try. We cannot wait on the pretext of our lack gence,” reads a statement issued by the experts. Maoist Centre. “Oli has brought this ordinance to join his government. for years just because of Oli’s reluctance, of capacity to store other vaccines.” “Accepting the emergency condition on health just to save his government.” Mahato has been tipped as leading the Home resulting in the suffering of a large number of Singh, however, said that the UN agencies caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and declara- Oli on Thursday issued the ordinance, just Ministry as a deputy prime minister. people,” Maharjan told the Post. “This is Oli’s are aware of Nepal’s limitations, vaccine stor- tion of election is contradictory in itself.” as he was facing a tough time to save his chair, But the citizenship ordinance has more to it yet another trickery.”

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 NATIONAL Around 25,000 outbound Nepali youths stuck due to flight suspension Recruitment agencies call for allowing few weekly flights to labour destination countries.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL earned jobs. The government should KATHMANDU, MAY 23 make some arrangements to send them.” Thousands of Nepali youths who Officials at the Department of were planning to take up jobs over- Foreign Employment, the oversight seas have been unable to leave the body of the foreign employment sec- country due to the suspension of tor, also admit that the flight suspen- international flights since the past sion has served a big blow to thou- two weeks owing to the Covid-19 sands of foreign job aspirant pandemic. Nepalis. Amid record spikes in Covid-19 According to Krishna Prasad infections and deaths, the govern- Dawadi, the director-general of the ment had suspended all internation- department, nearly 24,000 migrant al flights, except for two flights workers have received labour per- between Kathmandu and New Delhi, mits since Baishakh [April 14]. Of since May 6 midnight. Special char- them, nearly 4,000 have received POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN tered flights however have been labour permits online after the gov- Health workers remove oxygen pipes from the outer wall of a ward at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu on Sunday. The coronavirus patients, who were allowed. ernment suspended the internation- being treated outside the ward due to insufficient beds, have been moved to the hospital’s cancer care building, which has been repurposed for Covid-19 care. According to an estimate by the al flights. Nepal Association of Foreign “As per our estimates, nearly half Employment Agencies (NAFEA), an of those who had received labour umbrella organisation of Nepali permits might have flown to destina- recruiting agencies that supply tion countries. But around 10,000 Nepali migrants to foreign employ- workers are stuck here,” said Delay in arrival of test reports risks community ers, nearly 25,000 Nepalis could not Dawadi. “Even after the suspension migrate abroad since the imposition of flights, some workers approached of the flight suspension. us for labour permits saying they would leave the country on char- tered flights. We issued them labour transmission of coronavirus in Gorkha district The ongoing permits.” However, the department officials It takes more than a week for test results to arrive, as the district has to send swab samples to Pokhara for testing. international flight admitted that there haven’t been any discussion about making any special HARIRAM UPRETI and another 88 samples on May 17 but “The municipal office has initiated the Health workers say the report will suspension has arrangements for sending the work- GORKHA, MAY 23 the reports are yet to come,” said Beli process to procure more antigen come shortly whenever we call them,” ers as the issue is beyond their Shrestha, the health unit chief of kits as the 50 kits provided by the said a 37-year-old Covid-19 suspect been extended jurisdiction. Health workers and the people’s repre- Gandaki Rural Municipality. “The peo- district health office have already from Palungtar Municipality-6. “My The ongoing international flights sentatives in Gorkha are concerned ple whose swabs have been collected been used.” family and neighbours are worried and till May 31. suspension has already been extend- about the possible risk of community for PCR tests frequently ask us for According to the District Health anxious. I don’t know how long we have ed till May 31. transmission of Covid-19 due to the their reports. When we call the provin- Office, the PCR reports of 1,379 swab to wait for the report.” The recruiting agencies, however, delay in the arrival of Polymerase cial laboratory to inquire about test samples have yet to arrive at the dis- Keeping in view the high risk of “Thousands of Nepalis have been have been demanding that the gov- Chain Reaction (PCR) reports. reports, it says it has tremendous pres- trict as of Saturday afternoon. community transmission of the virus, deprived of overseas employment ernment schedule a few regular Gorkha does not have its own PCR sure and cannot complete the “We have been informed that the the meeting of the District Covid-19 opportunities,” said Sujit Kumar flights to destination countries to lab. Health workers say it takes more work on time. Hence, we have started provincial lab is under immense pres- Crisis Management Centre held on Shrestha, general secretary of the ensure that those youths who have than a week for PCR test reports to testing Covid-19 suspects by using anti- sure due to the rising cases of Covid-19 Friday urged all 10 local units in association, told the Post, adding, already secured jobs could travel. arrive, as the collected swabs from the gen kits.” brought by the second wave of the Gorkha to intensify testing by using “These workers had completed all “Despite the suspension, two district are sent to the Province the process and were ready to leave flights per week from India have Public Health Laboratory in Pokhara the country when the flights were been allowed even though the Covid- for testing. suspended all of a sudden.” 19 situation is terrible there. Then “We’re having a difficult time con- According to Shrestha, the highest why can’t the government allow a taining the virus spread mainly due to number of youths were bound for few weekly flights to labour destina- the delay in the release of PCR test Qatar, followed by Saudi Arabia, the tion countries?” said Shrestha. “We reports. Covid-19 suspects are roaming United Arab Emirates, Oman and have requested the government freely in their villages while waiting Bahrain in the Gulf region. agencies to operate a limited num- for their test reports. They are unknow- “Besides, a significant number of ber of flights to the labour destina- ingly infecting others as well,” said workers had also received work visas tion countries where Covid-19 cases Hom Bahadur Rana, the chairman of for countries beyond the Gulf region. are low.” Gandaki Rural Municipality in Gorkha They were ready to fly to Romania Last week, the government said district. “Those who were in contact and Cyprus as well as the Maldives,” Nepalis could also travel on char- with the suspects can also easily trans- said Shrestha. tered flights meant for evacuating mit the virus to others while waiting As the second wave of Covid-19 foreigners stranded in Nepal. for the test results to be released.” picked up pace in Nepal and its Besides, the government is also con- According to him, 43 swab samples labour destination countries last sidering resuming a limited number of Covid-19 suspects at Ward No 6, 7 month, labour migration once again of commercial flights for select and 8 of the local unit were collected was hit hard just like during the first countries. and sent for testing on May 14. The test wave last year. “Chartered flight is not a good reports are yet to arrive. As a result, the number of Nepalis option for migrant workers because Local units in the district have no seeking to migrate abroad had the ticket prices are exorbitantly alternative but to do an antigen test POST PHOTO: HARIRAM UPRETI already dwindled in the weeks before high and it only promotes under- owing to the delay in the arrival of A health worker collects the swab sample from a man for Covid-19 test at Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality in Gorkha. the country finally halted interna- hand practices in ticket sales. So PCR test reports. tional flights. regular flights should be the priori- “We have to intensify testing through The situation of other local units in pandemic. The health office has urged antigen kits. According to the association’s esti- ty,” said Shrestha. “The government antigen kits so that we can take prompt the district is also similar. Palungtar the local units to conduct antigen tests “The meeting decided to demand for mates, at least 2,200 workers had need not open all the flights but a few action to isolate Covid-19-infected indi- Municipality is awaiting the PCR of symptomatic patients,” said more antigen kits from the federal and even bought their flight tickets. weekly to countries like Saudi viduals and control the virus from reports of 326 swab samples collected Narajung Thakuri, chief at the district the provincial governments. The cen- “At least these 25,000 Nepalis Arabia and Qatar from where there spreading,” said Rana. According to six days ago. health office. tre has asked the local units to pur- would have started employment will be connecting flights to other him, Gandaki Rural Municipality has “It is very difficult to isolate Covid- The delay in receiving PCR test chase antigen kits in their own initia- abroad if there were no restric- destination countries. Resuming purchased 150 antigen test kits and 19 patients and contact trace suspects reports has not only affected health tives for the time being,” said Harka tions,” said Shrestha. “Foreign jobs regular flights is in favour of requested the District Health Office in the absence of PCR reports. We have workers but the suspects of Covid-19 Roka, an officer at the District are already scarce since the pandem- workers as they have already and the provincial government to pro- prioritised testing using antigen kits as well. Administration Office in Gorkha. ic struck last year and these people invested huge amounts to secure vide them with additional kits. for now,” said Dipendra Giri, the Covid- “My swab sample was collected six There are a total of 778 active Covid- have been deprived of their hard- foreign jobs.” “We sent 43 swab samples on May 14 19 focal person at the municipality. days ago but the report is yet to come. 19 cases in Gorkha. Nepalis on social media take a dig at Oli over his criticism of a Kantipur cartoon The Post’s sister paper had run the cartoon two days after President Bhandari endorsed Prime Minister Oli’s House dissolution decision with promptitude.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL pawn and how the Bhandari has been “Congratulations!!! Wear it as your KATHMANDU, MAY 23 complicit with Oli. badge of honor,” said @sarojpkr, Abin’s cartoon was published two quote-tweeting the same story, who Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s days after President Bhandari also changed his display photo with loathing for the media is not new. Over endorsed Oli’s House dissolution deci- the cartoon. the past few months, it has just grown. sion with promptitude. “Useless prime minister!,” wrote On Sunday, Oli reacted sharply to a After failing to be reappointed @BlessingPanday. “While prime min- cartoon published by Kantipur, the prime minister, Oli on Friday night, at isters of every other country are Post’s sister paper, in what comes as 11:38pm, recommended that Bhandari working to move forward, how to his growing intolerance of free press dissolve the House and declare snap defeat the Covid-19 pandemic, giving and freedom of expression, the two polls for November 12 and 19. President relief to the common public, how to most cherished achievements of Bhandari followed the orders, issuing achieve economic growth, our PM is Nepal ever since democracy was rein- a notice of House dissolution and poll complaining to a faction of journal- stated in 1990. dates at 1:39am. ists about which newspaper published Addressing a press conference at Social media was quick to react what kind of cartoons that it did not Baluwatar on Sunday afternoon, Oli after Oli lashed out at the paper for show respect.” expressed his strong dissatisfaction publishing the cartoon. This is not the first time Oli has over the cartoon, calling it a misuse “Utilising the right to freedom given taken issues with the Nepali media of the right to freedom of expression by democracy, I am sharing this car- though. given by democracy. toon,” wrote @sanpokh. In October 2019, Oli was not happy “How much they must have rejoiced “Under the rule of which king was with the way Nepali media and jour- in the disgusting act of making a huge it decided that publication of such nalists address individuals, implying cartoon of a ghost institution, and news and cartoons will send out a bad that they refer to everyone as “timi” placing the president in its pocket in message to the outside world?” @ and not “tapai”, a respectful form of the name of democracy,” said Oli. ChitrakarSanam wrote a satirical address in Nepali. “Monarchy is a dead institution. How comment. In January last year, Oli said that dare they make such a macabre car- The cartoon on Sunday was garner- Nepali editors lacked a heart to praise toon of that dead institution and put ing praises on social media from early the good work, in an indication that an institution that represents the peo- morning, with many calling it an the Nepali media failed to see and ple and a symbol of the republic in the exact portrayal of the collusion report his government’s performance. pocket of a dead feudal institution?” between Oli and Bhandari. Oli’s aversion to media had In the cartoon, drawn by Kantipur’s “Good! He should be made aware of become apparent also when his admin- in-house cartoonist Abin Shrestha, the mood in the country!” wrote istration attempted to introduce the Oli is seen wearing the crown with @BigBlackYak, responding to eKanti- Media Council Bill, which experts President Bidya Devi Bhandari in the pur story with the cartoon on Oli’s said had strong provisions that would breast pocket of his coat—a depiction reaction to the cartoon. endanger free press and freedom of of how Oli has made the President a Prime Minister Oli has described the cartoon as a misuse of the right to freedom of expression given by democracy. Another social media user said: expression.

C M Y K MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Give, and you will receive Democracy’s gravediggers Nepal’s sahujis can make a difference by giving back KP Sharma Oli proved that you may win to the community in this elections and still be a loser. hour of need.

When President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved Parliament in December last year on the recommendation of Prime Minister SUMANA SHRESTHA & KP Sharma Oli, we wrote on these pages that Bhandari and Oli SAKAR PUDASAINI had ticked all the boxes of Machiavellian treachery. Little did we know at the time that there was more to come in the next few months. When the Supreme Court invalidated their unconstitutional act, it was hoped that they would realise the political crime they Charitable giving by the wealthy is a had committed against the constitution, express remorse for critical piece of the social landscape their actions, and mend their ways. On the contrary, they came around the world. While private giving back with vengeance. cannot, and should not, replace the In the days after Parliament was reinstated, the President and state’s social safety net, it can fill inevi- the prime minister honed their skills at scheming against the table gaps and fuel social sector innova- tion. As business owners, we believe constitution. They took calculated risks and took some setbacks private enterprises and their owners in their stride in anticipation of a bigger victory. And they have already contribute to building a pros- achieved what they wanted: The dissolution of Parliament and perous society by addressing market the announcement of midterm elections yet again. needs and generating livelihood. We also believe the motivation to earn The President and the prime minister have won in their profits is an important driver of inno- unconstitutional stratagem while the country has lost. In their vation and creativity. Private sector pursuit of excellence in Machiavellian treachery, Bhandari and innovation improves the quality of life Oli have shown how just a handful of politicians can take poli- on a massive scale. Thus, we do not begrudge Nepali business families and tics out of track if their priorities are misplaced. The point is, private sector leaders their prosperity. their politics is not even going to take them anywhere. If any- Yet, no business succeeds alone. Any thing, their political schemings have wrecked their political businessperson’s success depends on future. And they have wrecked political culture along with their the community’s willingness to pur- SHUTTERSTOCK political future. chase their products, obey the laws that allow them to prosper, and provide of their net worth to ameliorate the fund Covid-19 relief work in India. break—including flying in an oxygen If Oli and Bhandari were honest about solving the political human resources to work in their busi- raging humanitarian crisis. That Such significant and impactful philan- factory, setting it up, staffing it and crisis, they would have done various things other than dissolve nesses. This mutual dependence impos- would be a commitment worthy of pub- thropic contributions matter any- providing transportation and running the House. Oli could have opted for a graceful exit, no matter es a moral obligation on private sector lic celebration. where, but would go even further in costs—is projected to cost about Rs30 how disgraced he already was. Bhandari could have given more leaders to give back, especially to sup- Behind closed doors, private sector Nepal where social services and the million. port those pushed to the margins by the leaders respond to calls for increased safety net are weaker. This amount is barely a dent in the than just a day to parliamentarians to claim majority support. same system facilitating their prosper- giving by arguing that their social obli- But money alone is not enough. This portfolio of many business families. In But no, their intention was clearly to dissolve the House at any ity. This obligation exists at all times. gations are fulfilled by tax payments. is also the time for private sector lead- another example, private sector leaders cost. And in that conspiracy, they have proven pretty successful. But it is all the more pronounced dur- Everyone pays taxes which fund the ers to demonstrate leadership by con- can organise the logistics and cover Having partaken in Oli’s schemes, the President has dis- ing times of crisis. public infrastructure—roads, bridges, tributing their know-how, networks hardship pay for hundreds of frontline graced the country’s top institution that is mandated to act as a police—essential to our lives and our and talents. Private sector leaders often medical workers, surging them into Press and visibility businesses. Those who benefit dispro- claim that they are more adaptive and hotspots, including rural areas. Such check-and-balance mechanism against the executive. President We are dismayed by how little wealthy portionately from the existing social thus better problem solvers than gov- complex action would leverage not only Bhandari has set a benchmark for how not to become a pawn at business families and private sector order have an additional obligation. ernments. This is often true. Now, as the resources, but also the abilities of the hands of an authoritarian comrade. She used the President’s leaders are contributing to help Nepal Private sector leaders should also people are desperately looking for solu- private sector leaders to plan and Office only to support the authoritarian ambitions of one indi- even as hundreds of people die every remember that the ‘we pay our taxes’’ tions, is the time to demonstrate these orchestrate large-scale operations. day. Cash contributions by private sec- argument is asking for social pressure skills and buttress these claims. The Just as COVAX was created by the vidual whereas her job description is exactly the opposite. tor leaders have been minuscule in on governments to raise taxes on the leadership vacuum created by the lack world’s wealthiest countries to ensure The President is mandated to check undemocratic activities comparison to their earnings—and wealthy. We see this pressure building of government action should not be vaccine equity, Nepal’s wealthiest fami- of the executive head of the state and uphold and protect the negligible in comparison to their net around the world today. In the United used by private sector leaders to excuse lies could create a vaccine philanthro- constitution. Instead, Bidya Devi Bhandari used every duplicity worth. At the same time, they have States, a backlash against attempts by their own inaction. If private sector py mechanism. Donating 10 percent of sought outsized press and visibility for the ultra-rich to separate themselves leaders cannot demonstrate their great- Nepal’s vaccine needs to the govern- in the book to destroy constitutionalism and rule of law. Sadly, these minor contributions. The lime- from their social obligations is likely to er efficiency and creativity in the mid- ment, which would cost about Rs350 we don’t have many past presidents to compare, but future gen- light and fanfare surrounding these result in significant increases to both dle of a crisis, the public and the media million, is still less than 2 percent of erations will probably speak of her as one of the worst presi- insignificant contributions suggest corporate and individual taxes this are justified in doubting these claims the reported net worth of Nepal’s dents we have had. Rather than a president, she will be remem- that Nepalis have very low expecta- year. in normal times. wealthiest person alone. Even match- bered as a sidekick to the prime minister. tions of private sector leaders. Even a Private sector leaders around the ing COVAX’s commitment of providing contribution of Rs10 million by some- world have given away significant Rs30 million for oxygen plant vaccines to 20 percent of the popula- When the country should be fighting together against the one worth billions is not an event amounts of their wealth in response to Private sector leaders often justify tion would still cost less than 1 percent deadly Covid-19 pandemic, Bhandari and Oli want people to deserving of public celebration. the pandemic. Aziz Premji of Wipro their disproportionate wealth accumu- of the combined worth of Nepal’s 20 stand in voting queues as politicians fight against one another Social recognition is an important committed Rs15.4 billion, almost 2 per- lation by noting that they are good at wealthiest business families. How in midterm elections. History will judge them harshly for their driver of philanthropic and humani- cent of his net worth, to philanthropy sensing opportunities and taking the many of Nepal’s private sector leaders tarian giving by individuals. We have last year. MacKenzie Scott, the Amazon risks needed to realise potential. A are bold enough to seize these opportu- foolproof cunning against the constitution, parliamentary no ideological objections to celebrating billionaire, has given Rs660 billion, global pandemic, a great crisis, is also nities and lead the way? The whole democracy, ethical politics, and the future of the country. such contributions. But we do object to about 10 percent of her net worth, to an opportunity for private sector lead- nation is waiting to find out. When the country underwent a series of political changes in the low standards. It is time to expect bolster basic services such as those ers to earn the nation’s respect by the first two decades of this century, the least the people expect- more of those who have benefited the addressing hunger and homelessness demonstrating leadership and solving Shrestha is the founder of Kosi most from our communities. We call on during the pandemic. Just this week, problems. In just one example, fulfill- Collaborative, a data management ed of politicians was a commitment to ethics-based politics and Nepal’s wealthiest individuals and fam- cryptocurrency billionaire Vitalik ing the critical care oxygen needs of a and consulting firm; Pudasaini is a march towards development and prosperity. Today, it is a sad ilies to make a public commitment to Buterin contributed Rs110 billion, just city the size of Dhangadhi through a the founder of Karkhana, an story of dreams deferred and aspirations in the doldrums. immediately deploy at least 1 percent under 1 percent of his net worth, to several-months-long Covid-19 out- education-focused social enterprise. Thinking about machines that think A machine is not equipped to decide what is right and what is wrong.

SAMBRIDH GHIMIRE

When I think about machines that think, I think about software that thinks, instead of armoured hard- ware. I think more of Brainiac of Krypton and less of the T-800 from The Terminator. Due to pop culture, we are predisposed to visualising thinking machines as sentient military-assas- sins rather than a Go player. The Turing test is designed to find out if a machine can think, but the test is more of a question about a machine’s ability to talk like a human rather than think like a human. I’m more concerned about how they think, espe- cially those already around us—our translators and our spellcheckers, our smartphones and our spam filtering bots. To narrow it down even further, rather than asking whether they can think, I like to ponder about how they SHUTTERSTOCK think or will think. such actions. While a computer can unable to cope with such a system. is hydrated, and switch itself off. But all humans with HIV would effectively scope for abuse, I can be reasonably My main area of concern is one quickly identify your pets in our pho- Even though we can build an algo- is it capable of knowing that it eradicate the disease and be an effec- confident that they will be abused in where machines meet morality. tos, they cannot, for instance, tell you rithm that scans for expletives, we should use water sparingly during a tive yet appalling solution. How do we the near or distant future. Even Machines are designed to perform spe- if he is a good boy. I do not believe that cannot equip it to keep shifting its drought? A machine for student’s teach machines about human values mundane tasks require some sort of cific tasks. A PlayStation would be a a machine is equipped to decide what moral goalpost along with us. Take the attendance can record whether the if we cannot decide what these are? moral questioning. Is this email ask- poor replacement for a crane lift. The is right and what is wrong. example of Microsoft’s Tay chatbot. It biometrics were present at the Early warning systems to identify ing for donations for Black Lives lift was designed with its job in mind. was taught to be a racist in less than 24 time of class, but can it make an at-risk youth are now in development. Matter spam? What are the repercus- Machines perform a variety of tasks, Complex thought hours. This isn’t because the program- exception for a differently-abled stu- These try to collate data across social sions of a machine flagging it as inap- things we wouldn’t have imagined a I cannot comprehend how such a com- mers wanted a Nazi chatbot, but dent who happened to limp in 40 sec- platforms to determine the chances of propriate without any prior indica- few years ago. We now see machines plex thought can be reduced to algo- because the chatbot couldn’t discern onds late? risk. This is most probably an attempt tion from the user? When an app is flagging inappropriate content rithms, partly due to my limited between what was appropriate to say to facilitate pre-emptive action. collating articles that might interest because they can do so faster than knowledge of computer program- and what wasn’t, between good knowl- Moral decision But at what point does this system me, does it unwittingly make a judge- humans. So much data is uploaded to ming, and partly because humans can- edge and bad knowledge. Machines perform various tasks, and turn into a paternalistic machine run- ment about the kind of information the internet daily, it is impossible to not make that decision with 100 per- When I think of machines that some are bound to put it in situations ning real-time analysis about how you that I have access to? These are the have human oversight of the same, cent certainty. Things that were think, I think about whether where it has to make a moral decision. think? One that socially engineers us things that I think about machines and here we need machines. But these acceptable to say in the 1950s now machines have a moral compass and Morality, unlike humidity, is unquan- according to the algorithms that engi- that think. machines are designed to target con- provoke people to raise their pitch- how they would use it. A smart sprin- tifiable. After an earthquake, should it neers it. tent that would inherently lead it to forks. Our morality shifts with time, kler can now detect if your lawn needs prioritise paramedics, a school with It is Murphy’s law that what can Ghimire is a political consultant and weigh the moral repercussions of but my concern is that machines are watering, activate itself till your lawn 200 kids or Parliament? A massacre of happen will happen. Because there is electoral strategist.

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Israel reopens US Dollar 116.84 Bankers’ association says there is no Euro 142.32 borders to small Pound Sterling 165.33 Japanese Yen 10.72 restriction on withdrawing cash groups of foreign Chinese Yuan 18.16 tourists Qatari Riyal 32.08 Customers have complained that banks are not allowing withdrawals after Nepal Bankers Association’s

Australian Dollar 90.34 REUTERS new rule not to accept cash deposits of less than Rs50,000. JERUSALEM, MAY 23 Malaysian Ringit 28.22 KRISHANA PRASAIN Israel reopened its borders to foreign Saudi Arab Riyal 31.16 KATHMANDU, MAY 23 tourists on Sunday after a fall in Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Covid-19 infections but said it would A notice issued by Nepal Bankers take time for visitors to start arriving Association for its member banks and to revive the tourism industry. Shares across the country to limit their ser- Under an easing of coronavirus vices in order to avoid crowding to restrictions, the government went Nepse 2,820.00pts 1.18% prevent coronavirus spread has ahead with a plan to start letting in sparked controversy. small groups of tourists from coun- HIGHEST GAINERS Customers say that the new rule has tries using vaccines it has approved. KRBL GRDBL MLBL UMRH SADBL KPCL 10% 10% 9.96% 9.92% 9.92% 9.86% created confusion among the bankers Foreign airlines are also resuming as some banks stopped the withdraw- flights they suspended when MODERATE GAINERS GFCL BFC SAPDBL BARUN SPDL SIFC als even though the association’s Palestinian militants began rocket 9.84% 9.84% 9.83% 9.83% 9.81% 9.8% notice clearly told banks not to accept attacks on Israel this month. A cease-

MODERATE LOSERS deposits of less than Rs50,000. The fire has now halted the fighting, help- NFS LLBS TRH UNL KMCDB SHL directive was enforced on May 13. ing the government meet Sunday’s -1.36% -1.46% -1.5% -1.62% -1.64% -1.82% According to the notice, banks will target date for starting the plan. HIGHEST LOSERS be providing the most necessary ser- But registration for the Tourism NIBD2082 ACLB GLBSL RBCLPO SMATA RURU vices only to avoid crowds and it is Ministry’s plan opened only last week, -1.92% -2.16% -2.36% -2.49% -3.67% -3.73% applicable on all branches during the so the number of visitors will initially lockdown period. be limited. One issue, according to the copy of “It is unlikely that the first groups the notice seen by the Post, is that will arrive before the beginning of PRICE PER TOLA banks will not allow deposit amounts June,” a Tourism Ministry spokes- BULLION less than Rs50,000. Through the notice, woman said. the association has advised its cus- Tourism in 2019 hit a record high of Fine Gold Rs 93,600 tomers to adapt with the digital bank- 4.55 million visitors, contributing 23 ing system in the time of pandemic. billion shekels ($7.1 billion) to Israel’s Silver Rs 1,345 But in some places, customers com- economy, mainly via small and mid- plained that banks had even stopped sized businesses. Under a pilot pro- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA customers from withdrawing money SHUTTERSTOCK gramme due to continue until June 15, which amounts to less than Rs50,000. The association has advised its customers to adapt to the digital banking system in the time of pandemic. Israel gave the green light to visits by But the central bank said, they have 20 groups of between 5 and 30 tourists GASOLINE WATCH not issued any circulars in regard to repayment and make money transfers wave, more than 17,000 employees of Banks’ branches have been opened from countries including the United withdrawing money. through banks if they don’t use the banks and financial institutions have following the central bank circular States, Britain and Germany. Dev Kumar Dhakal, spokesperson digital banking system,” he added been infected, the central bank’s and also following the respective local Another 20 groups were chosen to for Nepal Rastra Bank, said the cen- Anil Sharma, executive director of spokesperson said. administration’s orders, Sharma said. be on standby if any of the first 20 tral bank has not issued any circular the association, said the new rule was A staff working in Sanima Bank The central bank has verbally tour operators did not meet Israel’s to banks to limit deposit and with- enforced to discourage customers told the Post that they have been tak- directed banks to reduce the number conditions. drawal amounts. from coming outside their homes. ing the deposit of less than Rs50,000. of branches that are opened effective Tourism Minister Orit Farkash- “But we have given a green signal “But it does not mean that banks “Customers are coming as many from Sunday in Kathmandu Valley Hacohen said the ministry was work- for the new rules issued by the associ- are not accepting deposits less than don’t know about the rule. We accept with security forces complaining ing to allow more tourists to enter to ation to limit the crowds in banks Rs50,000,” he said. “We provide the the deposit and tell them not to visit about the increasing risk of Covid-19 “rehabilitate the tourism industry based on suggestions from security banking services as per the needs of the bank again, except in an emergen- infection. and bring hundreds of thousands of forces that have been complaining the customer. But at this time of cri- cy, as their movement is a risk for According to Dhakal, a commercial people back into the workforce”. about the growing movement of peo- sis, keeping a small amount of money bank employees too,” he said asking bank can open three branches in Israeli authorities believe that ini- ple to go to banks,” Dhakal said. “So at home is more secure as there is a that his name not be used. Kathmandu, two in Lalitpur and one tially limiting tourism to small groups far, the banks have asked customers risk that customers may catch Covid- According to Sharma, there is no in Bhaktapur including its head office. is the best way to monitor and contain not to come to deposit less than 19 if they make frequent visits to restriction on withdrawal. Similarly, a development bank can the spread of Covid-19, especially new Rs50,000. People can keep small banks.” “Customers can withdraw any open two branches in Kathmandu and variants. The plan is to boost the num- amounts of money securely at home According to the central bank, as amount according to their needs. one each in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. ber of groups in June and allow indi- rather than going to the banks in this many as 6,000 employees of the banks There is no limitation on that,” A financial institution can open one vidual tourists to start visiting in July. pandemic situation.” and financial institutions have been Sharma said branch each in Kathmandu, Lalitpur Visitors will need to show negative He said that the move was taken as infected with the coronavirus in the As the government has ordered not and Bhaktapur. PCR tests before flying and to undergo it would discourage customers from second wave of the pandemic that to go outside of the home unless any- Dhakal said that the head offices of further tests on arrival. frequently visiting banks and help started in mid-April and peaked in the thing urgent occurs, the association commercial banks have been allowed Israel has fully vaccinated about 55 control the spread of virus. first week of May. has requested to use digital banking to operate with 20 percent of total percent of its population and Covid-19 “But customers can make loan As of now, in the first and second and make transactions from home. employees. cases have dropped sharply.

13 tonnes of Covid-19 assistance from Singapore arrives in Nepal Zimbabwe’s tobacco booms, but Black growers complain of debt

ASSOCIATED PRESS the tobacco to the highest bidders at could purchase inputs for their crops. HARARE (ZIMBABWE), MAY 23 the auction or to wealthier merchants, But the banks pulled out years ago mostly buyers who will export the because the government has not Zimbabwe’s tobacco is flourishing crop to China. issued transferable ownership deeds again. And so are the auctions where For more than 60 years, tobacco was to the Black farmers resettled on the premium prices are being paid for the a lucrative export crop from which formerly white-owned land. “golden leaf” that is exported around white farmers profited. But after the The contract growing scheme the world. year 2000 when Robert Mugabe’s sup- helped Black farmers desperate to get Most of the growers are Black, a porters began seizing white-owned in on the tobacco bonanza. It was initi- KATHMANDU: A Nepal Airlines charter historic change from when tobacco farms, often violently, tobacco produc- ated mainly by Chinese buyers but is flight arrived in Kathmandu on was largely produced by white farm- tion plummeted. The flue-cured tobac- now so lucrative that it attracts dozens Saturday from Singapore with more ers. But many of the small-scale farm- co crop dropped from a 1998 peak of of Zimbabwean merchants. than 13 tonnes of Medical cargo for ers complain they are being impover- 260 million kilograms to just 50 mil- According to the regulatory body, combating the pandemic in the coun- ished by middlemen merchants who lion kilograms in 2008. the Tobacco Marketing Industry try. This was made possible by dona- are luring them into a debt trap. Since then tobacco production Board, 96 percent of tobacco farmers tions from Temasek Foundation Rosemary Dzodza recently travelled by Black farmers has grown. A few have been financed under the contract Singapore, Lotus Life Foundation 200 kilometres (125 miles) to the thousand white farmers produced the growing scheme. Singapore and Gorkha Brewery Pvt capital, Harare, with her tobacco crop bulk of the tobacco crop before the The contract system is hailed for Ltd in close collaboration with the for what she hoped would be a good land reform but now the number of reviving tobacco and cementing government of Nepal, various minis- payday. Black growers, mainly small-scale, Zimbabwe as Africa’s biggest grower tries, diplomatic missions and Nepali The 60–year old farmer ended up AP/RSS has risen to more than 145,000. The of the crop. But many Black farmers diaspora. The cargo with a combined sleeping in the open for two weeks Tobacco farmers and auctioneers inspect the crop at a tobacco auction floor in Harare. recovery has been stunning in recent say greedy merchants are impoverish- estimated value of around Rs 25 crore awaiting payment. When the money years with Zimbabwe’s tobacco crop ing farmers. was handed over to the Minister of eventually came, it was just a tiny she said, trembling with anger. The under a contract growing scheme. estimated to be 200 million kilograms Farmers are charged high interest Health and Population Hridayesh fraction of what her tobacco had actu- rest of the money went to the mer- In addition to repaying the loan this year, up from 180 million kilo- on their loans and many fall prey to Tripathi by Surendra Silwal, Deputy ally fetched at the auction. chant who had given her a loan to pay with interest, Dzodza was obligated to grams in last year. predatory contractors, said Tobacco MD of Gorkha Brewery, reads the “My tobacco sold for $7,000, but I am for fertilizer, seed, labour, firewood for sell her crop to the merchant, at the Zimbabwe’s commercial banks used Association of Zimbabwe president press release issued by the company. only going home with less than $400,” curing, and even household food items price he set. The merchant then sold to give loans to white farmers so they George Seremwe.

Renault-Nissan fights court battle with Indian workers on continuing operations

REUTERS “It is a question of life versus liveli- CHENNAI, MAY 23 hood,” M Moorthy, general secretary of Renault Nissan India workers Renault-Nissan has told an Indian union which represents all 3,500 per- court it needs to continue production manent factory workers, told Reuters. at its car plant to meet orders, reject- “We just want social distancing proto- ing claims from an employee union cols to be followed and the manage- that Covid-19 safety protocols were ment to be responsible for any risks to being ignored at the factory, legal fil- the workers or their family members.” ings show. The factory, which produces Nissan, Renault-Nissan India and workers Renault and Datsun cars, also employ- at its plant in the southern state of ees 3,000 contract workers, 2,500 staff Tamil Nadu have been locked in a members and 700 apprentices. legal tussle after workers petitioned a Nissan, which has a majority stake court to halt operations because in the Renault-Nissan India plant, social distancing norms were being declined to comment for this article. flouted and company-provided health India is currently facing its second benefits were outweighed by the risk wave of coronavirus infections. Tamil to their lives. REUTERS Nadu is one of the worst hit states In response, Renault-Nissan has A file photo shows a worker walking past recording more than 30,000 cases argued in a court filing—which is not parked Renault cars at its stockyard on the each day. public—that there was a “compelling outskirts of Ahmedabad. The state, an auto hub dubbed as need” to continue operations to fulfil India’s “Detroit”, has imposed a full domestic and export orders. It said all nies will be allowed to continue opera- lockdown until May 31 but has allowed Covid-19 norms were being followed. tions, but action will be taken against some factories, including automo- The case will next be heard on violations of social distancing proto- biles, to continue operating. Monday at the Madras High Court cols by any company. Renault-Nissan’s May 16 court filing when the state government, which is The legal battle highlights the chal- shows it has pending export orders also party to the case, is expected to lenges big companies are facing to of about 35,000 vehicles for the file its response. keep operating in India amid height- May-October period, which if not ful- A top Tamil Nadu state official told ened worries from employees who fear filled could lead to penalties and loss Reuters on Sunday automobile compa- for their health and safety. of business.

C M Y K MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 | 06 WORLD India battles fatal fungal Myanmar anti-coup insurgents seize threat as coronavirus police post, kill security forces deaths near 300,000 Amid renewed conflict on several fronts, Junta also faces daily protests and strikes that have paralysed the country.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Reports from other media said up to 15 NEW DELHI, MAY 23 members of the security forces had India has reported been killed. Doctors in India are fighting a fatal more than 26 million Mobye is around 100 km (60 miles) fungal infection affecting Covid-19 east of the capital Naypyidaw, but lies patients or those who have recovered Covid-19 cases—half near territory held by some of the from the disease amid a coronavirus ethnic armed groups that have fought surge that has driven the country’s of them in the past for greater autonomy for decades. fatalities to nearly 300,000. An alliance of four ethnic groups The life-threatening condition, two months. opposing the coup battled early on known as mucormycosis, is relatively Sunday with security forces in Muse, rare but doctors suspect that the sud- one of the main border crossings to den increase in the infection could and other health care needs. China, Myanmar media said. further complicate India’s fight Mucormycosis has a high mortality Since the army took power, local against the pandemic. rate and was already present in India People’s Defence Forces have also India has reported more than 26 before the pandemic. It is not conta- sprung up to oppose the junta - often million confirmed cases of the corona- gious but its frequency in the last armed with shotguns and homemade virus since the pandemic began, with month has left doctors shocked. weapons. The video from Mobye almost half occurring in the past two “It is a new challenge and things are showed at least one fighter firing an months. On Sunday, the Health looking bleak,” said Ambrish Mithal, assault rifle. Ministry reported 3,741 new deaths, the chairman and head of the endocri- While the junta is struggling with driving India’s confirmed fatalities to nology and diabetes department at renewed conflict on several fronts, it 299,266. Max Healthcare, a chain of private also faces daily protests and strikes It also reported 240,842 new infec- hospitals in India. that have paralysed hospitals, schools tions, as daily cases remained below Mithal said the fungal infection and much private business. 300,000 for a week. The numbers are preys on patients with weakened More than 125,000 school teachers - almost certainly undercounts, with immune systems and underlying con- REUTERS nearly a third of the total - have been many cases likely being missed due to ditions, particularly diabetes, and People protest in Mandalay, Myanmar in this picture obtained from social media dated May 16. suspended for joining a civil disobedi- limited testing. irrational usage of steroids. ence movement to oppose the coup, an Experts say new infections in India, Uncontrolled blood sugar can put REUTERS official of the Myanmar Teachers’ which had been rising steeply, may immunocompromised people at a YANGON, MAY 23 Federation said. finally be slowing. But there are some higher risk of contracting the disease. EU denounces Myanmar junta’s electoral At least 815 people have been killed early indications that mucormycosis, The latest surge of coronavirus Fighters opposed to Myanmar’s mili- by security forces since the coup, also known as “black fungus,” is fast infections in rural India has already tary junta seized a police station in the body plan to dissolve Suu Kyi party according to the Assistance becoming a cause of worry. taken a toll. Now heath experts are eastern town of Mobye on Sunday and Association for Political Prisoners Mucormycosis is caused by expo- worried that over-the-counter medica- claimed to have killed at least 13 mem- BRUSSELS: The European Union on chairman of the junta-appointed activist group. sure to mucor mold, which is com- tion, including steroids, can increase bers of the security forces and cap- Sunday denounced a proposal by Union Election Commission (UEC), The junta disputes that figure. Its monly found in soil, air and even in the prevalence of mucormycosis. tured four, local media said. Myanmar’s junta-appointed election Thein Soe, as saying the panel would leader, Min Aung Hlaing, said in com- the nose and mucus of humans. It SK Pandey, a medical officer at Ram Videos shared on social media commission to dissolve deposed have to dissolve the NLD for ments broadcast on Saturday that 300 spreads through the respiratory tract Manohar Lohia Hospital in Uttar showed what appeared to be the dead leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the committing vote fraud in the people had been killed in addition to and erodes facial structures. Pradesh state’s Lucknow city, said bodies of security forces in the latest National League for Democracy November election. 47 police. Sometimes, doctors have to surgically that unqualified doctors were giving attack of a general upsurge of conflict (NLD), which overwhelmingly won Myanmar’s army seized power on Protesters also demand the release remove the eye to stop the infection steroids to patients in many rural in parts of Myanmar since the Feb. 1 the general election in November. February 1, overthrowing and detain- of nearly 4,300 people who have been from reaching the brain. areas without giving a thought coup that overthrew elected leader “If the Commission were to proceed ing the elected civilian leader Suu Kyi, arrested since the coup, including Suu On Saturday, federal minister whether they require it or not. Aung San Suu Kyi. with this proposal, it would show who led a non-violent struggle against Kyi, 75. Sadananda Gowda said nearly 9,000 “This has led to increase in black A gun battle also erupted near the yet again the junta’s blatant disregard dictatorship in the last two decades of Min Aung Hlaing said Suu Kyi was cases had been reported in India so fungus cases in smaller cities where Chinese border early on Sunday, while for the will of Myanmar’s people the military’s 1962-2011 rule of healthy and would soon appear in far, leading to a shortage of the patient has not even been on Saturday an armed ethnic group and for due legal process,” a Myanmar. The military justified its court. Her next hearing is on Monday Amphotericin B, the drug used to hospitalised,” he said. opposed to the coup launched an spokeswoman of the EU’s executive coup by accusing the NLD of obtain- on some of the many charges brought treat the condition. India’s Health Ministry on Thursday attack on a jade mining town on the Commission said in a statement. ing a landslide victory through a against her, which range from illegal Gowda didn’t share the number of asked states to track the spread of the other side of Myanmar, near India. On Friday, media cited the manipulated vote. possession of walkie-talkie radios to fatalities, but local media have said condition and declare it an epidemic, Video from Mobye showed bodies in breaching a state secrets law. more than 250 have died because of making it mandatory for all medical the uniforms of the security forces, The army seized power claiming the disease. facilities to report the cases to a federal while other pictures showed four men flames as dozens of fighters milled at The Irrawaddy news outlet quoted a fraud in a general election won by Suu Health officials were working to surveillance network. who were said to be police with their the scene. Reuters was unable to reach fighter from the local People’s Defence Kyi’s party in November. Its accusa- alleviate the drug shortage, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi hands behind their backs and blind- a junta spokesman or to independent- Force as saying the police station had tions had been dismissed by the for- comes at a time when the country is on Friday called the disease a folded with surgical masks. ly confirm the video or the accounts been set on fire and that two civilians mer electoral commission, dozens of already short on supplies of oxygen “new challenge.” A police vehicle was shown in of the fighting. had been wounded in the fighting. whose officials are now locked up.

BRIEFING Iran says it may withhold

21 die in extreme weather in China ultramarathon nuclear sites images BEIJING: Twenty-one people running a ASSOCIATED PRESS Agency had said its director-general mountain ultramarathon have died in TEHRAN, MAY 23 would brief reporters later Sunday in northwestern China after hail, freez- Vienna. The United Nations agency ing rain and gale-force winds hit the Iran’s parliament speaker said Sunday did not immediately respond to a high-altitude race, state media report- that international inspectors may no request for comment. ed on Sunday. After an all-night res- longer access surveillance images of Under what is called an “Additional cue operation in freezing tempera- the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites, Protocol” with Iran, the IAEA “col- tures involving more than 700 person- escalating tensions amid diplomatic lects and analyses hundreds of thou- nel, rescuers were able to confirm efforts in Vienna to save Tehran’s sands of images captured daily by its that 151 people were safe, out of a atomic accord with world powers. sophisticated surveillance cameras,” total of 172 participants. Twenty-one The comments by Iran’s parliament the agency said in 2017. The agency had died, according to the official speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, also said then that it had placed “2,000 Xinhua News Agency, The runners aired by state TV, further underscored tamper-proof seals on nuclear materi- were racing on an extremely narrow the narrowing window for the US al and equipment.” mountain path at an altitude reach- and others to reach terms with Iran. Iran’s hard-line parliament in ing 2,000-3,000 metres. The 100-kilo- The Islamic Republic is already December approved a bill that would metre race was held in the Yellow enriching and stockpiling uranium suspend part of U.N. inspections of its River Stone Forest tourist site in at levels far beyond those allowed by nuclear facilities if European signato- Baiyin city in Gansu province. its 2015 nuclear deal. ries did not provide relief from oil and “Regarding this, and based on banking sanctions by February. The the expiration of the three-month IAEA struck a three-month deal with Congo volcano leaves wreckage deadline, definitely the International Iran to have it hold the surveillance but major city spared Atomic Energy Agency will not have images, with Tehran threatening to GOMA: A smoking trail of lava from the right to access images from delete them afterward if no deal had a volcanic eruption covered hundreds May 22,” Qalibaf said. May 22 been reached. of houses in eastern Congo on was Saturday. It wasn’t immediately clear if the Sunday, leaving residents to pick Hours later, however, a website images from February had been gingerly through the wreckage, called Nournews that’s believed to be deleted. Before Qalibaf ’s remarks, though the flow halted just short close to Iran’s Supreme National lawmaker Ali Reza Salimi urged an of the major city of Goma. Goma Security Council quoted an anony- open session of parliament to ensure was thrown into panic on Saturday mous official suggesting Tehran’s deal Iran’s civilian nuclear arm “erased” evening as Mount Nyiragongo with the IAEA could be extended the images. The Atomic Energy erupted, turning the night sky an AP/RSS “another month.” Organization of Iran did not immedi- eerie red and sending a wall of Shoppers cross the street in downtown Chicago on Saturday. Major US retailers have dropped mask requirements for fully vaccinated shoppers. The International Atomic Energy ately comment on the decision. orange lava downhill towards the lakeside city of about 2 million people. Thousands fled on foot with their belongings, some towards the nearby border with Rwanda. As the Israeli police allow Jews to visit flashpoint Jerusalem site sun rose on Sunday a smouldering black gash could be seen on the out- skirts of Goma, where the lava had ASSOCIATED PRESS Friday prayers in an early test for compound or partition it. The Israeli hundreds of airstrikes across Gaza at led a number of large buildings in the cooled to rubble. JERUSALEM, MAY 23 the truce, which had taken effect government has repeatedly said what it said were militant targets, impoverished coastal territory, which hours earlier. it has no intention of changing the while Hamas and other armed groups is home to more than 2 million Israeli police on Sunday escorted The Waqf said on Sunday it was the status quo, under which the Waqf fired more than 4,000 rockets towards Palestinians. Gaza has been under a Vietnam holds parliament more than 120 Jewish visitors to a first time Jews had been allowed to oversees the site under Jordanian cus- Israel. More than 250 people were crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem visit the site since May 4, a week todianship. killed, the vast majority of them since Hamas, an Islamic militant election amid virus surge where police actions in recent weeks before the war broke out. The Gaza war saw Israel unleash Palestinians. The Israeli strikes leve- group, seized power from forces loyal HANOI: Mask-wearing Vietnamese had ignited protests and violence that The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third to the internationally backed went to the polls on Sunday, with tens triggered war in Gaza, according to holiest site in Islam. It sits on a sprawl- Palestinian Authority in 2007. of millions expected to select a large- the Islamic authority overseeing the ing hilltop in Jerusalem’s Old City The International Committee of the ly rubber-stamp legislature amid a site. that is revered by Jews as their holiest Red Cross said on Friday an estimated rapidly spreading Covid-19 outbreak. The Waqf said police cleared young site because it was the location of the 700,000 Palestinians are affected by Fewer independent candidates than Palestinians out of the Al-Aqsa biblical temples. The site has often damage to power and electricity before are standing in the election for Mosque compound and barred entry been the scene of Israeli-Palestinian infrastructure, with the water supply the 500-seat National Assembly, which to Muslims under the age of 45. violence and was the epicenter of the decreased by 40 percent. The group is held every five years and usually Muslims who entered were required 2000 Palestinian intifada, or uprising. said thousands of people have after the ruling Communist Party to leave their IDs with police at the Israeli police repeatedly clashed lost their homes, businesses and holds its congress to select a new entrance. It said six Palestinians were with Palestinian protesters in the places of work in Gaza from the bom- leadership. Despite increasing open- detained, with four later released. days leading up to May 10, when bardment. ness to social change in the Southeast Israeli police denied there was any Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers fired The war also may have left hun- Asia nation and a plethora of free age restriction and said they arrested long-range rockets at Jerusalem. The dreds of unexploded munitions across trade deals, the Communist Party— five suspects who “violated the public threatened eviction of dozens of the territory, the ICRC said. one of the last ruling communist order.” Palestinian families from a nearby On Sunday morning, hundreds of parties in the world—retains tight Israeli police spokesman Micky Jerusalem neighbourhood was municipal workers and volunteers control over Vietnam and its media, Rosenfeld said the site was open for cited as another major trigger of the started a one-week campaign to clear and tolerates little dissent. The “regular visits” and that police had 11-day war. rubble from Gaza’s streets. The work nearly 69.2 million registered voters secured the area to prevent In recent years, increasing numbers began outside a high-rise building will also vote for members of the “incidents.” of religious and nationalist Jews have AP/RSS that was flattened by Israeli war- people’s councils at provincial Israeli police had briefly clashed visited the site. Palestinians fear Children salvage debris from a building that was severely damaged by an airstrike in Beit planes during the early days of air- and district levels. (AGENCIES) with Palestinian protesters after Israel plans to eventually take over the Lahia, the Gaza Strip. strikes on Gaza.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Coach Simeone found missing piece Lewandowski breaks in Luis Suarez to forge champions Mueller’s 49-year-old Forced out of Camp Nou last summer, the Uruguayan forward scores his 21st goal and leads Atletico Madrid to La Liga title. goal-scoring record is completely set in his ways. After REUTERS a Serge Gnabry cutback in the ninth years of preferring a 4-4-2 formation, MUNICH, MAY 23 minute. Gnabry then headed in their Simeone deployed a 3-5-2 this season second goal in the 23rd after Gikiewicz to use a three-man backline. The cen- Bayern Munich striker Robert had saved a point blank effort by treback trio of Stefan Savic, Filipe Lewandowski broke Gerd Mueller’s Lewandowski. Augusto and Mario Hermoso allowed 49-year-old Bundesliga goal-scoring A minute later Bayern keeper wing backs Renan Lodi and Kieran record for a single season on Saturday Manuel Neuer denied Daniel Caligiuri Trippier push forward and help Koke when he netted for the 41st time in the from the penalty spot, before Joshua Resureccion’s midfield. Zinedine last minute of their last match, a 5-2 Kimmich launched a 20-metre missile Zidane and Ronald Koeman also used win over Augsburg. to make it 3-0 for the hosts. Kingsley a three-man defence at Madrid and The Poland striker is already sec- Coman also got onto the scoresheet, Barcelona, respectively. The differ- ond on the all-time scorers list in the scoring two minutes before the break, ence was that Atletico did so while not Bundesliga with 277 goals, behind with his low crisp shot whizzing past conceding more chances. And when only Mueller’s 365. Mueller set the Gikiewicz. attackers did get free, there was Jan previous record of 40 goals in the The visitors came to life midway Oblak to stop them. The Slovenia goal- 1971/72 season, which Lewandowski through the second half, scoring twice keeper anchored a defence that equalled last week. with Andre Hahn and Florian allowed a league-low 25 goals in 38 Lewandowski missed more than Niederlechner. But it was games. half a dozen clear scoring chances in Lewandowski who had the last say. Simeone became the most success- the game and looked set to miss out on At the other end of the table former ful coach in his club’s history with his the record, with Augsburg determined Bundesliga champions Werder second league title, taking his tally to not to let him add to his tally and Bremen were relegated for the first eight trophies since he transformed snatch the record away from Mueller, time since 1980 following their 4-2 Atletico into winners. A serious task- who was idolised by Augsburg coach defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach, master day in, day out, Simeone burst Markus Weinzierl in his youth. But along with already-relegated into laughter after the final whistle on the Pole was not to be denied and in Schalke 04. Saturday and did not lose his huge the final minute, when keeper Rafal “We tried to turn it around but it did grin afterward. He embraced his fami- Gikiewicz spilled a Leroy Sane shot, not work,” said coach Thomas Schaaf, ly before jumping onto the team bus as the forward rounded the keeper a former Bremen player and longtime his players celebrated to Queen’s “We to score. coach, who was brought back for the Are the Champions.” With coach Hansi Flick and several final game of the season. “It is hard of the old guard -- Javi Martinez, for me to talk at the moment. The play- Great Start, Gritty Finish David Alaba and Jerome Boateng -- ers are sitting in the changing room. Atletico had a great start to the sea- bidding farewell to the club, it was an Silence.” son, equalling a club record in the emotional afternoon for Bayern and Cologne will go into the relegation opening half of the season—the first the 250 invited fans in the 75,000-seat playoffs after scoring an 86th-minute 19 rounds—with 50 points. That arena. winner over Schalke while Union allowed the red-and-whites to open up It did not take long for the hosts, Berlin will play in the new Europa double-digit leads over both Madrid who had wrapped up the champion- Conference League after finishing sev- AP/RSS and Barcelona. Then came the let- ship weeks ago, to take the lead. enth thanks to Max Kruse’s dramatic Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid clinched their first Spanish League title in seven years with a 2-1 comeback win over Valladolid on the final day. down, and an advantage that looked Augsburg’s Jeffrey Gouweleeuw stoppage time winner against RB insurmountable quickly dwindled to stabbed the ball into his own net from Leipzig. ASSOCIATED PRESS anywhere near the net. The Uruguay said, speaking through his tears after just two points. Atletico dug in and BARCELONA, MAY 23 striker scored 21 goals for his new club the final whistle. “I will always be started winning again, while their and gave them an intimidating point thankful to this great club for that. I rivals slipped in their chase. Atletico’s Practically handed a world-class scor- of attack that also opened up space for have been in football for many years 0-0 draw at Camp Nou earlier this er by one of their top rivals, Atletico his teammates. and I think this has been the most dif- month sunk Barcelona’s chances of Madrid rode the goals of Luis Suarez That included winners by Suarez in ficult year for me.” overtaking them at the wire. burning to prove his former team both of Atletico’s final two matches of This was supposed to be Joao Felix’s wrong and the competitive all-for-one the season where they were trailing. The man in Black year to shine, providing youth and spirit preached by Diego Simeone to Suarez’s 88th-minute strike completed Simeone’s staying power, his ability to playmaking alongside Suarez’s expe- the Spanish league title. a 2-1 comeback win over Osasuna in continue to engage his players and rience. The 21-year-old Portugal for- With Barcelona sunk in mounting the second-to-last round to keep keep their faith intact after almost a ward, however, failed to keep up his debt and coming off a season without Atletico in front of Real Madrid. And decade in charge of the club, is what promising start to the campaign and a title, the club in September told none was bigger than his second-half separates the Argentine from the over- fell out of Simeone’s starting 11. Suarez—their third all-time leading goal to complete the come-from-be- whelming majority of his coaching Simeone turned to the less flashy scorer no less—that he needed to find hind victory against Valladolid. brethren. but more effective Marcos Llorente, a new home. After the win at Valladolid, Suarez Since taking over the club in Angel Correa and Yannick Carrasco After a move to Italy fell through, was overcome by an outpouring of January 2012, he has never wavered to help get the goals. Barcelona stunned their fans by sell- emotion that brought together the joy from his mantra of going forward Following his breakout last season ing Suarez on the cheap to Atletico to of victory and the satisfaction of hav- “game by game,” a message that never when he scored twice in Anfield to shed his salary. The transfer fee that ing made Barcelona regret his exit. lets his players grow complacent or help eliminate Liverpool from the with add-ons could only reach 6 mil- After embracing his teammates and lose their focus on the match at hand. Champions League, Llorente provided lion euros ($7 million) was a ludi- coaches, Suarez sat on the turf and Nor has Simeone ever been shamed by Simeone with a versatile player who crously small sum for a player who made a video call, apparently to his rivals who criticise his no frills, could operate as a forward, a midfield- had netted 21 goals for Barcelona in wife and children, where he openly defence-first playing style. While the er and a wing back. He chipped in the previous season. wept. Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was with 12 goals. Correa added nine goals, The deal proved to be a boon for “This has been a hard season for the silent without fans because of the pan- including the equaliser against Simeone. Finally, he had a ruthless situation I had to go through, starting demic, Simeone was still a force as he Valladolid. And when Atletico were finisher in Suarez who, at age 34, has the season the way it did, being disre- stalked the touchline in his all-black struggling, Carrasco, a speedy left- REUTERS lost quickness but maintains his killer spected (by Barcelona) and having coat and tie. side winger, netted four goals and Robert Lewandowski netted his 41st league goal of the season on Saturday and is second instinct when the ball reaches him Atletico open their doors to me, Suarez But that does not mean that Simeone made four assists down the stretch. on the all-time scorers list in Bundesliga with 277 goals, behind only Gerd Mueller’s 365. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Monday’s skies pull you away from the noise, as the The moon slides into Scorpio’s potent waters today, This time of year pushes you to explore new avenues It’s been imperative that you get organised in your privacy-seeking Scorpio moon places you in a psy- directing your attention towards romance, pleasure, for growth and self-expansion. Don’t be afraid to get craft and examine your talents in a new light, so that chologically rich headspace to explore your intimate and creative self-expression. Put yourself on a stage out of your comfort zone. Monday’s skies help you you can eventually enter into the next phase of your relationships and unexpressed feelings. of your choosing and shine—or simply get lost in a step back and examine your talents and resources. career plans. Today’s skies highlight your need to playful, joy-restoring activity. pull back and reconnect with your people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Relationship matters seem to dominate your thinking The universe needs you to be painstakingly clear This time of year asks you to explore your own You’re getting ready to share a new side of yourself beneath Monday’s skies, Taurus. The moon wades about your goals. Monday’s skies help you reflect on depths and push yourself to follow a new vision out- with the world, Aquarius. It’s okay that you’re cur- through deep-feeling Scorpio all day, sending your your future in a new light, as the moon wades into side of your comfort zone. The moon’s presence in rently under construction, you’re right where you energy towards collaborative efforts, romantic part- reserved Scorpio. This transition points your focus your sign today works to ground you down and help need to be! Monday’s skies push you to hone in your nerships, and important one on one interactions. on home and family matters. you reconnect with your body. personal career ambitions and calling.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** You’re in the process of developing a new relationship Your career reigns supreme in matters of impor- Don’t expect yourself to leap right into action today, The moon floats through deep-feeling Scorpio all day, with yourself, Gemini. Your individuality, health, and tance this time of year, and it’s critical you sort out Sagittarius. The moon slinks into sleepy Scorpio this turning your attention towards the big picture view sense of self are of prime importance right now—so, your next step. Monday’s skies work to illuminate morning, pulling you into an introverted, rest-seek- of your life. You’re craving some adventure and to it’s critical you listen to your newly emerging needs some of the stories that need further exploring, as ing headspace. Give yourself the space and time shake up your routine, so make whatever effort you and take active steps towards meeting them. the moon slides into sharp-minded Scorpio. alone you need. can to keep things fresh. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 As US schools resume testing, large numbers are opting out Some of the nation’s largest districts plan to test only a fraction of their students as many continue to learn remotely.

COLLIN BINKLEY scope of the problem schools face as they help students recover. tandardised tests are returning to the “Standardised tests at the state level are the nation’s schools this spring, but mil- most consistent data we’ve had to track aca- lions of students will face shorter demic progress, so it would be a huge missed exams that carry lower stakes, and opportunity to forgo those tests this year,” she most families are being given the said. “Flying blind is not a responsible position option to forgo testing entirely. for a public official to take.” SWith new flexibility from the Biden adminis- Some critics blame the Biden administra- tration, states are adopting a patchwork of tion for allowing halfhearted attempts at evalu- testing plans that aim to curb the stress of ations. They point to places like New York City, exams while still capturing some data on stu- where the outgoing schools chief urged par- dent learning. The lenient approach means ents in February to consider opting out of large swaths of students will go untested, shat- tests. Oregon’s two largest districts have voted tering hopes for a full picture of how much to defy state orders and skip testing. The state learning has been set back by the pandemic. says their penalty will be to submit a plan to “We will end up with a highly imperfect set come into compliance next year. of data,” said Robin Lake, director of the “These states are simply playing games. Center on Reinventing Public Education at the They’re not even pretending to make an effort University of Washington. “This is something to test students, and the Biden administration our country will have to commit to tracking is letting them get away with it,” said Michael and learning about for at least the next few Petrilli, president of the Thomas B Fordham years, and maybe the next decade.” Institute, a conservative education think tank. Some of the nation’s largest districts plan to If testing isn’t feasible now, Petrilli said, it test only a fraction of their students as many should be done in the fall. Maryland, New continue to learn remotely. In New York City, Jersey and Washington state have postponed students must opt in to be tested this year. In tests, and it’s an option for districts in Los Angeles, most students are not being asked California. to take state exams this year. Other districts In some states, officials are pushing ahead are scaling back questions or testing in fewer with tests much as they have in the past. In subjects. Tennessee and Arkansas, education officials It’s the latest episode in a long-fought battle have said all healthy students are expected to over school testing and, as in the past, parents take state exams, which are only being offered are polarised. Some are demanding tests to get in-person. More than 1.4 million tests have a sense of their children’s progress. Others see already been given in Arkansas this spring, no need to put their children through that kind and the state is on track to test at least 95 per- of stress. cent of students, according to the state’s educa- As a teacher, Jay Wamsted believes there’s tion department. value in testing. But when his sixth-grade In normal years, the federally required tests daughter Kira asked to opt out this year, he saw are used to gauge school effectiveness and no reason to object. He already knows she needs chart the progress of students, both as individ- to catch up on math after months of remote AP/RSS uals and in demographic groups. In some learning. And as a teacher at her school, he Jay Wamsted, left, and his daughter, Kira, are photographed in Smyrna, Georgia. states, students must pass certain tests to move knew that many other students were also back- to the next grade or graduate from high school. ing out, undermining the value of the results. her mom said. Still, Norman resents that stu- dents, they say, and testing only takes away But this year, most states are focusing on meas- “I know she’s a little behind, and I don’t need dents were put in that situation at all. from classroom time. uring student growth and letting schools and that data,” said Wamsted, who live in Smyrna, Several states lobbied the Biden administra- Several states lobbied Michigan’s education chief has blasted the students off the hook for the results. Georgia. “To take a month to gather data that tion to cancel standardised tests entirely for a the Biden administration uneven flexibility granted to states. School After last year’s tests were cancelled, there is not going to mean anything to any of their second year, but the Education Department across Michigan have already used other tests was hope that this year’s exams would provide teachers next year—it seems like a waste of aimed for a middle ground: It told states to test to cancel standardised to assess students, he said, and more exams the most comprehensive look yet at the pandem- time.” as many students as possible without requir- “will inform precisely nothing about our chil- ic’s impact on education. But the inconsistency Parent Abby Norman found her third-grade ing them to come in just for exams. The goal, tests entirely for a dren’s needs.” State officials in New York between states now makes a broad analysis daughter crying in her bedroom the morning the agency said, should be to measure the pan- argued that testing is unlikely to produce use- impossible, said Scott Marion, executive direc- tests were scheduled to begin at her school demic’s impact and identify how to help stu- second year. ful data given the variability in instruction tor of the nonprofit Center for Assessment, near Atlanta. Priscilla, 9, had just returned to dents recover. during the pandemic. which helps states design and evaluate tests. the classroom after learning remotely and was Acknowledging the challenges of the pan- “In fact, the students most in need of state Still, he believes the results will have value. worried she wasn’t prepared. demic, the agency invited states to shorten or ed similar requests from Michigan, New York assessments—those receiving remote instruc- As schools begin the long process to help stu- “She was so nervous about this test that I delay tests, and it urged them to ease the stakes and Georgia. Requests to scale back testing tion—are the very children who are not dents recover, he said, this year’s data will don’t care about at all, that does not matter to for students. But the department later granted were granted in Colorado and Oregon, but a required to take the test,” the state’s top educa- provide a foundation to measure against. me,” said Norman, who is a preacher. “I literal- additional leniency to certain states, prompt- plan to narrow the testing pool in Washington tion officials wrote in an April statement. “I do think the data can be a useful baseline ly ended up telling her, ‘If you want to lick the ing criticism that it failed to set a clear bar. state was rejected. Testing advocates counter that there’s still going forward,” he said. “If this is the low test and give it back, I don’t care.’” Washington, DC, was granted permission to Those who opposed testing say it’s the last value in collecting as much data as possible. point, or close to it, how are our kids going to With that reassurance, Abby agreed to take cancel tests because 88 percent of students thing students need after such a challenging Lake, at the University of Washington, said come out of it going forward?” the tests and scored “almost off the charts,” were learning remotely, but the agency reject- year. Schools have other ways to evaluate stu- even imperfect results can help illuminate the — Associated Press

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