WI THOUT F EAR O R F A V O U R

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 310 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 27.2 C 0.5 C Thursday, January 07, 2021 | 23-09-2077 Biratnagar Jumla Karki recuses himself after lawyers question why he was on bench Next hearing on writs against House dissolution on January 13 will focus on whether the five-member Constitutional Bench should hear them or send them to extended full bench.

BINOD GHIMIRE KATHMANDU, JAN 6

A hearing on writs against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli government’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives was adjourned on Wednesday after Justice Hari Krishna Karki recused himself from the Constitutional Bench. Karki was picked as one of the four members of the Constitutional Bench by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Rana leads the bench. Rana’s decision to pick Karki had run into controversy when the Photo: Supreme Court Constitutional Bench started a hearing Hari Krishna Karki on December 25. Justices Bishowambhar Prasad tioned if Karki could sit on the bench. Shrestha, Anil Kumar Sinha and Tej “It’s not that we are doubting Bahadur KC are the other members of Karki’s competence,” Tripathi told the the Constitutional Bench. Post. “However, it is an ethical issue. It Rana had selected the four justices is good that he opted out of the bench.” from the roster of 14. He had decided to The advocates on Wednesday had continue with the same composition questioned Karki if he should sit on Post photo: Anish Regmi on Wednesday. the bench if he believed in the princi- A woman carries home water at Pashupati temple premises in Kathmandu on Wednesday. As the project to divert water from the Melamchi river in Sindhupalchok to the Capital is delayed, city “Justice Karki decided not to be ple of natural justice. residents are reeling under an acute shortage of water. part of the Constitutional Bench that During his first stint as prime min- is hearing the writs against dissolu- ister in 2015, Oli had appointed Karki tion of the House of Representatives,” as the attorney general. Kishor Poudel, a communication By virtue of being the attorney gen- expert at the Supreme Court, told the eral, Karki hence was the chief coun- Post. “The chief justice will pick sel to Oli and his government then. Authorities don’t know yet whether the new another justice to replace Karki.” Since the case being heard by When the hearing began on the court is also against Oli and his Wednesday, advocates Shambhu government, advocates had raised Thpaa, Dinesh Tripathi and Mukti questions about Karki’s presence on variant of coronavirus has entered the country Pradhan, among others, who argued the bench. on behalf of the petitioners, ques- >> Continued on page 2 The government is yet to set up facilities for genome sequencing while it has refused to seek support from the private sector, thereby putting more people at risk, experts say.

ARJUN POUDEL to be sent to the World Health Nepal office could send the samples KATHMANDU, JAN 6 Organization’s collaborating centre in [to Hong Kong] by Saturday,” Dr Hong Kong. Bikash Devkota, chief of Quality When in the third week of January A year later, amid reports of new Standard and Regulation Division at last year, a man who had returned variants of the coronavirus being the Ministry of Health and Population, from Wuhan, China, was suspected to detected in various countries, Nepal told the Post. “We have also have been infected with the coronavi- finds itself in a tight spot. directed the National Public Health rus, Nepali authorities sent swab sam- The National Public Health Laboratory to send the other three ples collected from him to Hong Kong. Laboratory is planning to send swab samples to the WHO’s collaborating Since Nepal did not have the facility samples collected from three people centre for tests.” to conduct tests, the swab samples had who returned from the United Officials could not provide an Kingdom some two weeks ago to answer as to how long it will take to Hong Kong to ascertain if they get the results back. are infected with the new vari- “Due to a lack of capacity at the ant of the coronavirus. National Public Health Laboratory, we Swab samples from six of have to send these samples abroad,” eight people returning from the Dr Basudev Pandey, director at the UK had been collected. Epidemiology and Disease Control According to officials, they Division, told the Post. “Yes, we should have tested positive for Covid-19 be able to do this test on a regular but there is no way to determine basis within the country, as the virus whether they have contracted keeps changing its form, and we do the new variant of SARS-CoV-2, not know if the new variant has which causes Covid-19. already entered our country.” “The UN Health agency’s >> Continued on page 2 Why is everyone talking about Subas Nembang? Nembang, who led Constituent Assembly, is heard in a 2019 video clip saying constitution does not allow House dissolution. But he hasn’t called Oli’s move unconstitutional.

TIKA R PRADHAN parties and experts on constitutional KATHMANDU, JAN 6 matters describing it as extra-consti- tutional, Nembang has not made any Subas Nembang is a lawyer. But he has public statement on the matter yet. made his career in politics. According to critics, the constitu- Nembang, who has not lost any elec- tion does not allow Oli, as a majority tion since 1990, reached the pinnacle prime minister, to dissolve the House, of his political career after he got the but Nembang has remained tight- opportunity to chair the Constituent lipped on the matter. Assembly—twice—from 2008 to 2012 On Wednesday evening, when the and then 2013 to 2015, until it delivered Post reached out to Nembang, he the constitution. refused to speak on the House dissolu- Lately, Nembang has become a talk- tion issue. ing point, especially since Prime “I cannot talk on a case sub judice Minister KP Sharma Oli decided to [in court] as directed by the constitu- dissolve the House of Representatives tion,” said Nembang, hinting at on December 20. Post file Photo Article 105 of the constitution and On Wednesday, a video clip that Subas Nembang referring to the writs filed against the went viral once again put the spotlight House dissolution. on Nembang. in July 2019. Article 105 under the title In the video clip, posted on Twitter “We wanted to include polling dates “Restriction on discussion” states: from the handle jspanepal, which in [also in the constitution] like the fixed “No discussion shall be held in either its bio says “official twitter account of date for the fiscal budget. But we did House of the federal parliament on Journalists’ Society for Parliamentary not [do so] because once it is written any matters that may cause adverse Affairs”, Nembang is heard explain- polls must be held on a certain date, effect on the dispensation of justice on ing why the provision of not allowing and that may not be possible at times.” any cases which are sub judice in any a prime minister to dissolve After dissolving the House, Oli has courts of Nepal and on any judicial Parliament on a whim was inserted in called snap polls for April 30 and May acts done by judges in the course of the constitution. 10–a year and a half earlier than the performance of their duties.” “[In the past] whenever a prime scheduled general elections. Nembang’s silence, however, has minister was angry with lawmakers, Nembang, a leader of the Nepal left many intrigued. Even when Oli is he used to dissolve the Parliament. We Communist Party, these days is known publicly making claims that the House removed that [provision] and now the as one of the key persons in Oli’s cannot be restored, despite the prime minister cannot dissolve as we orbit, playing the role of, in effect, case being heard by the court, have excluded that provision,” Oli’s legal counsel. Nembang, who is well-versed on con- Nembang is heard saying while speak- Though Oli’s December 20 decision stitutional and legal matters, has cho- ing at a function organised by the to dissolve the House has received sen not to talk. Parliament Secretariat at Dhulikhel widespread criticism, with political >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 | 02 National Bardibas villagers grapple with drinking water shortage Around 400 families have been facing water shortages for the last five decades. SUNITA BARAL Bishnu Thapa, a local resident of Water and Sanitation Division Office MAHOTTARI, JAN 6 Bastipur Tol, complained that the in Mahottari has not released a budget authorities and people’s representa- for the continuation of the project. Every day, Mina Pokharel, a resident tives have not addressed their water “We have been requesting the divi- of Bhapsi Ratmate in Ward No. 3 of shortage problem despite multiple sion office for budget allocation but Bardibas Municipality, Mahottari, requests. nothing has been done yet,” he said. spends three hours to bring home a “In the dry season, we have to walk “The local residents had also put in a vessel of water. According to her, 20 to Palla Gaun to fetch a vessel of request with the division office but households in her neighbourhood rely water. It takes at least three hours to their calls went unheard.” on the communal water tap to meet reach Palla Gaun from Bastipur Tol The total cost of the project is Rs 30 their needs. but we have no other source of water million. So far, only the main supply “We get water in the tap every 15 nearby,” said Thapa. pipes have been installed in the water days and it takes at least two hours to Five years ago, the local residents spring area. According to the project fill one vessel,” said Pokharel. “Some had launched the Bhapsi Drinking officials, they have to construct a days, the tap goes dry even before we Water Project under which a tap was water tank and install pipes and taps get a chance to fill our buckets.” installed in each house of the area. in each house of the village. Around 400 families in Ratmate, The project is nearing its deadline in However, officials at the Drinking Bastipur and Raimandal villages in the running fiscal year but there has Water and Sanitation Division Office Ward No. 3 of Bardibas have been been no progress so far, say villagers. in Mahottari claim that despite the facing similar problems for the last “Water pipes were installed near delays, the construction of the drink- five decades. They go to the neigh- the spring area only. The construction ing water project will be completed post photo: beeju maharjan bouring villages of Atappe Gaun and work of the project has not gained within this current fiscal year. A man pours sweetened milk mixed with yogurt culture into clay pots to make Juju Dhau in Bhaktapur on Wednesday. Juju Dhau, which means Bardanda, among others, in search of momentum for the last two years,” “The construction work has not king of yogurt in the Newari language, is the staple dessert at local feasts. water. said Bijaya Pokharel, a resident of moved forward, as the project did not “We bring water from other villages Ward No. 3 in Bardibas. receive a budget in the running fiscal in winter and summer. In monsoon, Tara Bahadur Pulami, chairman of year. But we plan to supply water in we use floodwaters for drinking pur- Bhapsi Drinking Water and Sanitation Ward No. 3 this year. We intend to com- poses,” said Suka Bahadur Majhi, a Consumers Committee, says the delay plete the project this year,” said Why is everyone talking about Subas Nembang? resident of Ratmate. was caused because the Drinking Surendra Sharma, chief at the office.

>> Continued from page 1 Madhes-based parties. Communist Party close to the Dahal- As many as 13 writs against Oli’s Many say despite holding a non-par- Nepal faction. “In the constitution House dissolution move are currently tisan office, Nembang played along to making process, Nembang’s role was Karki recuses himself after lawyers ... being heard by the Constitutional appease his political masters, includ- more managerial.” Bench of the Supreme Court. ing Oli who is known as the one who Nembang’s dilemma is understand- >> Continued from page 1 should a serious constitutional confu- bench, such a bench consisting of 9 to On Wednesday morning, Nepali rushed the constitution with the back- able, as he is close to Oli, according to Apart from questioning Karki on sion arise. 11 justices needs to be constituted. Congress leader Gagan Thapa took to ing of then prime minister Sushil Devkota who himself is a lawyer. the bench, advocates on Wednesday As per Article 128 (1) of the consti- “The constitution says the Supreme Twitter to question why Nembang has Koirala and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, “He knows that constitutional pro- also argued that the writs be sent to an tution, the Supreme Court has the Court—not the Constitutional Bench— refused to say a word even when then chairman of the CPN (Maoist visions, which were finalised with his extended full bench of the Supreme final power to interpret the constitu- is the final interpreter of the constitu- Oli’s move is prima facie extra- Centre). full knowledge, do not allow the prime Court. tion and laws. tion,” said Gyawali. “Similarly, the constitutional. minister to dissolve the House,” said As many as 13 writs have been filed Article 137 talks about the forma- court in the past has approved the “I am thinking of Constituent Devkota. at the Supreme Court challenging tion of the Constitutional Bench. House dissolution twice and rejected Assembly Chairman Nembang who Nembang insists “But he cannot cross his master and Oli’s decision to dissolve the House of According to Article 137 (1), the such a move as many times. So we knows very well the letters of the con- defy his master’s orders.” Representatives on December 20. Constitutional Bench hears and takes don’t have a set precedent.” stitution, the spirit they carry and the everyone should wait Though there are some who believe Petitioners and experts on constitu- decisions on disputes over the juris- In 1994 and 2002, the Supreme Court wide-ranging debates that had taken Oli took the decision to dissolve the tional affairs say Oli made an diction between the federation and a had approved the moves of then prime place,” Thapa wrote on Twitter. for the court to come House in close consultation with extra-constitutional move by dissolv- province, between provinces, and ministers Girija Prasad Koirala and “I had assumed that in such a time Nembang, as he is known as a master ing the House, as the constitution does between a province and a local level. Sher Bahadur Deuba of dissolving the of crisis, my chairman would stand up with a decision. of interpreting legalese, those close to not allow him, as a majority prime Article 137 (3) authorises the chief House of Representatives, while it had before the court and argue that ‘the Nembang say Oli made a sudden minister, to do so. justice to allocate the cases under con- rejected Manmohan Adhikari and House dissolution by @PM_Nepal is move, catching even people from his After a preliminary hearing on sideration at the Supreme Court con- Surya Bahadur Thapa governments’ unconstitutional. The constitution After the demise of the first own orbit by surprise. December 23, a single bench of Chief taining questions of serious constitu- similar moves in 1995 and 1998, respec- that was written under my Constituent Assembly, which also dou- According to some leaders from Justice Rana had decided to forward tional explanation to the tively. Gyawali said there has been a chairmanship does not have that pro- bled up as the legislature parliament, Nembang’s circle, he had been telling 12 writs—one had already been sent— Constitutional Bench. practice in the past to form an extend- vision and there is no legislative Nembang once declared that he would Oli that the constitution does not give to the Constitutional Bench. Advocates on Wednesday, however, ed full bench on such issues. intent like that’.” return to the courts as a lawyer. But any space for the prime minister to The bench on December 25 had argued that Oli’s House dissolution “The five-member Constitutional Thapa has charged Nembang with when the election to the second dissolve the House. heard opening remarks from lawyers move was prima facie unconstitution- Bench is too small to decide on the hiding somewhere fearing someone Constituent Assembly was declared, “I still hold my previous stance that arguing on behalf of the petitioners al, that it did not need serious constitu- matter,” Gyawali told the Post. will ask him anything [in that regard] Nembang was quick to return to his the constitution has left no room for a and issued a show-cause notice to the tional explanation and that a decision Not all agree though. and running away from questions. party–the CPN-UML. He ran on the majority prime minister to dissolve Oli government and the Office of the can be made by an extended full bench According to Bipin Adhikari, for- “I pity my chairman for not speak- ticket of then CPN-UML and won. He the House,” a leader close to Nembang President demanding reasons for dis- rather than the Constitutional Bench. mer dean at the Kathmandu University ing a word and showing this level of became the Constituent Assembly quoted him as saying. solving the House. As per Clause 22 of Chandra Kant Gyawali, a senior School of Law, the Constitutional ‘helplessness’ when a coup has been chair again. According to insiders, Nembang the Supreme Court Regulation, an advocate who is arguing on behalf of Bench can decide on the matter. committed on the constitution that He fought the 2017 elections again had even advised Oli that the dissolu- extended full bench means a bench the petitioners, said the hearing next “This is a breach of the constitu- was brought right under his leader- on the UML ticket. He won, but he has tion was not possible. comprising five or more justices. Such week will start with arguments wheth- tion,” Adhikari said. “There is no ship,” added Thapa. not held any public post. He was elect- Devkota believes that Nembang a bench is formed to interpret com- er or not to send the 13 writs filed complexity in this case as the dissolu- Since Nembang twice led the histor- ed the deputy leader of the may have advised Oli but his advice plex legal or constitutional questions. against the dissolution of the House to tion of the House doesn’t stand any ic Constituent Assembly until it pro- Parliamentary Party. could have been ignored by Oli. Though there were debates whether the extended full bench. constitutional ground.” duced the constitution, he is still According to insiders, Oli had tried “I think none of the leaders close to there should be a separate After Karki recused himself, the Since the next hearing on January 13 known as the “chairman of the his best to reinstate him as the House Oli were aware of the House dissolu- Constitutional Court, the drafters of next hearing has been scheduled for will focus on whether the Constitutional Constituent Assembly”, assuming Speaker but that could not happen tion move, as Oli did not inform them, the constitution had agreed to have a January 13. If the Constitutional Bench should continue or send the case that there won’t be any similar because there was pressure from his let alone seek suggestions,” Devkota Constitutional Bench under the Bench, after the next hearing, agrees to an extended full bench, a final deci- assembly in the future, meaning he opponents Pushpa Kamal Dahal, told the Post. “With the video clip now Supreme Court to decide matters to send the writs to an extended full sion is likely to take time. does not need to be addressed as Madhav Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal. surfacing on social media, it is under- “former chairman”. Khimlal Devkota, who worked close- standable that Nembang must be Those who were deeply involved in ly with Nembang during the constitu- under immense pressure.” the whole constitution drafting pro- tion drafting process, recalls Nembang To the Post’s query if he would like Authorities don’t know yet whether ... cess remember Nembang as a person as someone who played a “very techni- to say something on the House disso- who could conceal even some sinister cal role” as the chairman of the lution move, Nembang insisted that >> Continued from page 1 worse. According to the Business seeking help from private laboratories motives behind a facade of smiles. Constituent Assembly. everyone should wait for the court to Public health experts, however, Standard, the new variant first con- which can perform gene sequencing.” Nembang, as the chairman of the “Actually he was never positive on come up with a decision. have cautioned about the possible firmed in the UK has been detected in Experts say that the coronavirus, Constituent Assembly, played a cru- issues like state restructuring and “I will make my points clear,” said rapid spread of the new variant of the at least 41 countries and territories as which continues to spread throughout cial role in getting the constitution inclusiveness,” Devkota, a Central Nembang, “only a day after the virus, as cases have been reported in of Wednesday. the country, might have mutated sev- promulgated despite opposition from Committee member of the Nepal Supreme Court issues its verdict.” various countries since it was first “What are we going to do once we eral times by now. detected in the UK. confirm that those people who Most of the people infected in the Officials say since there is no facili- returned from the UK have the new initial few months were asymptomatic ty to perform whole-genome sequenc- variant of the virus?” said Professor and symptomatic cases started to ing in Nepal, there is no way to ascer- Jeevan Bahadur Serchand, an infec- increase later. tain if the new variant is already here. tious and tropical disease research Health Ministry officials admit that Whole-genome sequencing is a com- specialist at the Institute of Medicine. no one knows which variant of the prehensive analysis of the entire DNA “Actually we do not know yet which virus is circulating in the country. sequences of an organism’s genes. strain of the virus is circulating in the The officials, however, did not have Researchers believe that the whole-ge- country.” a justification as to why the authori- nome sequencing of the coronavirus According to Serchand, the authori- ties did not focus on setting up facili- could be instrumental in tracking the ties’ focus has been on those returning ties to perform gene sequencing when severity and properties of the virus. from the UK while anyone arriving new variants were expected by scien- Sameer Mani Dixit, director of from abroad can carry the new vari- tists the world over. research at the Centre for Molecular ant into the country. Experts say even as the government Dynamics- Nepal, however, says “The lackadaisical approach of the has not been successful in containing whole-genome sequencing is possible authorities since the start of the pan- the virus, it has spent billions of at his laboratory and that they could demic is one of the reasons for the rupees so far—some of which it have provided results by now, had the massive spread of the virus,” said should have invested in setting up the authorities sought their assistance. Serchand. facilities for performing gene sequenc- “Had the authorities trusted us, we The existence of a new and highly ing. Basically there was a lack of would have provided the results by transmissible coronavirus variant willingness, according to them. now,” Dixit told the Post. “Performing was announced by the UK’s health Dr Pradip Gyawali, executive chief the tests on time not only gives us secretary on 14 December, after Covid- of the Nepal Health Research Council, knowledge about the gene of the testing laboratories reported that a admitted that the country should have viruses circulating in our country but growing number of their positive set up the facilities for genome also helps us take measures to contain samples were missing a signal from sequencing long ago. the spread.” one of the three genes their PCR tests “We hope to start performing According to Dixit, his laboratory use to confirm the presence of the genome sequencing tests within the has the capacity and trained human virus. country very soon,” said resource and had already performed On December 22, authorities in Gyawali. “These tests will be carried whole-genome sequencing tests for the Nepal had directed all international out at government as well as private government and the reports were airlines not to bring passengers from laboratories.” matched with the report of the UN the United Kingdom or those transit- But at a time when government health agency’s collaborating centre. ing through the country from authorities have given up all meas- Public health experts say that send- December 24 onwards. ures—testing, tracing and treating, ing three samples of people returning Experts say the government failed the chances of containing the spread from the UK for whole-genome to pay attention to the fact that there of the virus—and its new variant— sequencing after several days does not should be facilities for gene sequenc- are slim even if the facilities are set help in containing the infection, as the ing. There is a tendency among the up for genome sequencing. new variant of the virus has already authorities in Nepal to wait for the “The new variants of the virus have reached dozens of countries, includ- disaster to happen, according to them. been identified in about 40 countries, ing India, and people are entering Now with the new variant causing possibly even more, and we have just regularly from those countries. havoc across the globe, authorities are started discussions on setting up the The Nepal government has made a clueless as to what their response facilities for gene sequencing,” said spectacular bungling in containing should be. Dixit said in the times of a Dr Sher Bahadur, Pun, chief of the Covid-19 ever since the country report- crisis or a pandemic, the government Clinical Research Unit at the Sukraraj ed its first case last year. must pull out all the stops and should Tropical and Infectious Disease As of Wednesday, 263,193 people not hesitate to seek support from the Hospital. “And then our focus has only tested positive for the coronavirus private sector. been on those returning from the UK.” throughout the country including “We had provided training and According to Pun, without facilities 1,899 deaths. In the last 24 hours, 409 some reagents including personal pro- for gene sequencing when the new people tested positive with six deaths. tective equipment to the National variants have emerged as a headache With almost all sectors now open, Public Health Laboratory to perform for many developed countries, Nepal including schools, the contagion could polymerase chain reaction tests [last looks set to invite yet another catastro- turn more severe, and the new variant year],” Dixit told the Post. “I do not phe, as it has yet to have a proper plan of the virus could make the situation understand why there is a problem in on inoculating the population.

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 National

Post Photo: Prakash Timilsena The Himalayan range seen from Kathmandu on Wednesday. According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, partly cloudy conditions are expected in the hilly regions of the country on Thursday. Day time temperature is also expected to go up slightly compared to the past few days. What’s stopping joint political movement against Oli’s move? Observers and parties say the nature of split in the Nepal Communist Party is still unclear. Should the two factions decide to unite, the movement will be a dud, they say.

Anil GIRI these political parties must have a Party and Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepali Congress Spokesperson KATHMANDU, JAN 6 clear roadmap of the protest, where have announced their second round of Bishow Prakash Sharma also con- they want to reach and what they protests, which they plan to hold sepa- firmed the position maintained by the It has been almost two weeks since want to achieve, in order to form a rately. party leadership. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dis- united front. Raghuji Pant, a leader from the “Yes, we do have common views solved the House of Representatives, a This has not happened so far, Dahal-Nepal faction, believes that the against Oli’s move, but we have decid- move that has prompted all political although the parties are trying to parties will eventually join forces ed to hold separate protest pro- parties to hit the streets. bring all political forces together to against Oli’s action. grammes, because we still see Oli, From the Madhav Kumar Nepal and challenge Oli’s move through street “We have just completed the first Dahal and Nepal as the leaders of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led faction of protests. phase of our protest. It will take some same party,” he said. Nepal Communist Party, which parted In order to launch a joint protest more time for the people and the par- “Where was Dahal and Nepal and ways with Oli in the wake of the movement, the Dahal-Nepal faction of ties to come together,” he told the Post. their faction leaders who were in the House dissolution, to the Nepali the Nepal Communist Party held two “There will be a series of protests Oli Cabinet when anti-democratic Congress, Janata Samajbadi Party, back-to-back interactions with vari- once the political parties and the peo- laws were introduced? Why didn’t Bibeksheel Sajha Party to Rastriaya ous political parties and civil society ple arrive at the same conclusion, that they oppose those anti-constitutional Prajatantra Party, all of them have groups on Tuesday and Wednesday. Oli’s move threatens to demolish the and anti-democratic laws then?” raised strong objection to Oli’s action, Baburam Bhattarai, former prime system and undo all achievements.”. Uddhab Pyakurel, assistant profes- calling it “unconstitutional and minister and the leader of Janata Pant also sympathised with former sor at Kathmandu University and a undemocratic”. Samajbadi Party, said during prime minister Bhattarai’s concern political columnist, says doubts are But while their opinion concerning Wednesday’s interaction that a joint regarding the unclear relations warranted against the Dahal-Nepal the dissolution of the lower house of protest movement has not kicked off between the two factions of Nepal faction from the parties because it had Parliament remains the same, they because the relations between the two Communist Party. done little to keep Oli in check when are yet to come together on the streets factions of the Nepal Communist Postfile Photo “We are clarifying our position, but his government introduced a series of to challenge Oli’s December 20 move. Party is still unclear. As major political parties are wary of entering into an alliance with the Dahal-Nepal faction of it does not seem to be enough. But I oppressive laws in the past. The big political forces, namely “What if the two factions decide to the Nepal Communist Party, they are organising their own protests. have sensed that there is a growing “The Dahal-Nepal faction is the first Nepali Congress, which was the main patch up? Our protest movement will positive environment among the polit- victim of Oli’s move, so they are now opposition party before the House dis- be meaningless then. We want to be alone, though. Even civil society test are two different things. Parties ical parties, civil society members and calling for a joint protest movement. solution, Janata Samajbadi Party and clear which side the Nepal Communist groups are a scattered lot. have not gone into the agitation stage others to hold a joint protest,” he said. But what did it do to make Oli respon- the Nepal-Dahal-led Nepal Communist Party is on,” Bhattarai said, demand- Prof Krishna Khanal, a political yet. I think they will do so once the A senior Nepali Congress leader sible towards the people, the system, Party, which severed ties with Oli days ing answers from Dahal-Nepal faction. commentator, believes the current Supreme Court delivers the verdict on told the Post that the party president, the parliament and the constitution after he dissolved the lower house, Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress is agenda concerns the political parties Oli’s House dissolution move,” said Sher Bahadur Deuba, was still when it was part of the same party?” have so far staged separate rallies and also not comfortable joining forces and it is them who should decide their Khanal. unconvinced that the Nepal said Pyakurel. protest programmes. with the Dahal-Nepal faction of Nepal destination. The Supreme Court has started Communist Party had really split. “Dahal and Nepal cannot convince So what’s holding them from form- Communist Party. “What do the political parties hearing on the petitions filed against “According to President Deuba’s or win over the parties and the people ing a joint front against Oli’s decision The party has decided to maintain want--restoration of the House or the Oli’s move of dissolving the lower contention, the party is still one overnight to forge an alliance to stand to disband the House of an equal distance from both the Dahal- elections? What is their destination? house. because the Elections Commission up against Oli’s move.It will take some Representatives and call for snap polls Nepal and the Oli factions for now. What do they want to achieve? They Meanwhile, three major political has not acknowledged the split by reg- more time for the people and the par- on April 30 and May 10? This apparent lack of unity is not have just been protesting so far, it is parties, Nepali Congress, the Dahal- istering two separate parties,” the ties to realize the situation and come Some political analysts say that limited among the political parties not an agitation. Agitation and pro- Nepal faction of Nepal Communist leader told the Post. to the streets as a single, united force.” Briefing Kathmandu air improves but still unhealthy like most of the year One dead as army vehicle Recent spike in pollution is merely indication of how polluted Kathmandu’s air is and how authorities have failed to do anything about it, experts say. hits motorcycle RAJBIRAJ: An elderly man died after a CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL “The pollutants could not move up increased. Then there are open waste Nepal Army vehicle hit a motorcycle KATHMANDU, JAN 6 and get dispersed,” said Kandel. burning as well as agricultural resi- he was on at Rupanichowk on the But things changed on Wednesday due burning, even in areas like Saptari section of East-West Highway After witnessing two back-to-back as sunshine helped in allowing the Bhaisepati,” said Das. “Open burning on Wednesday. Police identified the hazy days, residents of Kathmandu trapped pollutants to get dispersed in is happening in major areas like deceased as Ramchandra Chaudhary, Valley woke up to a sunny morning on the atmosphere. “Although some pol- Tribhuvan University and other core 65, of Agnisair Krishnasabaran Rural Wednesday hoping that warm after- lutants are still trapped in the air areas of the Valley. We have not been Municipality-2, Saptari. Critically noons and clear skies would return. because of the Valley’s topography, able to even check such waste burn- injured Chaudhary breathed his last The bright sunny day made them the weather came to its rescue,” ing.” while being rushed to hospital. Police feel as if the polluted air from the day Kandel added. Das’s study on open burning of have detained the driver and seized before had disappeared all of sudden. While the improved weather condi- waste in the municipalities of Nepal the vehicle for investigation. But their hopes were dashed as the air tion on Wednesday provided a revealed that burning waste releases a quality of the capital didn’t improve much-needed but temporary respite to dangerous amount of pollutants into drastically. It was still “very the capital city, studies have for long the atmosphere. Sudurpaschim’s economic unhealthy”. been calling on authorities to take His research found out that of the affairs minister resigns On Monday and Tuesday, the air urgent actions to address the issue. 319 waste piles identified during the DHANGADHI: Jhapat Bohara, Minister quality index in Kathmandu soared to IQAir, a Swiss air quality technolo- study, 137 or 43 percent were actively for Economic Affairs and Planning of hazardous levels, creating a buzz gy company that provides real-time burning in different routes of the val- Sudurpaschim Province, has ten- among the members of the public and worldwide air quality data, showed ley’s urban and suburban areas. dered his resignation amid factional- making headlines across media plat- that Kathmandu became the most pol- The report estimated that munici- ism within the ruling Nepal forms. luted city in the world on Monday and palities in the valley burn about Communist Party. Organising a press “The air quality seems to have Tuesday. But the same company has 7,400 tonnes per year or 20 tonnes of meet in Dhangadhi on Wednesday, improved on Wednesday afternoon. It been showing that the capital’s air is solid waste every day, which is Bohara announced his resignation. has gotten slightly better than the last unsafe for several years. P OST PHOto: KESHAV THAPA three percent of the total waste pro- Bohara, who is an ally of Prime couple of days. However, it is still pol- The World Air Quality Report, 2018, On Monday and Tuesday, the air quality index in Kathmandu soared to hazardous levels. duced. Minister KP Sharma Oli, was nomi- luted and unhealthy,” Bhushan produced by the same group, ranked “Likewise, pollution from agricul- nated as central committee member Tuladhar, an environmentalist who Kathmandu as the seventh most pol- the general public for at least three levels are around five times higher tural residue burning, which has of the Oli faction a few weeks ago. closely follows urban issues including luted capital city in the world, based years, as the PM2.5 level has been con- than the national threshold limit,” picked up in Tarai, also travels to Physical Infrastructure Development pollution, told the Post. on its average yearly PM2.5 level. tinuously hitting the “unhealthy for said Das, who is an air quality special- Kathmandu with the wind. The cumu- Minister Pathan Singh Bohara also Following the sudden decline in air The report, which also ranked sensitive groups” mark. ist at Nepal Energy and Environment lative effect is seen in Kathmandu,” tendered his resignation to Chief quality in the Valley, government Nepal the eighth-most polluted coun- This means that the general public Development Services. “While the said Das. “Despite such a dangerous Minister Trilochan Bhatta. agencies, otherwise indifferent try, recorded the annual average PM2.5 and sensitive individuals, in particu- current PM2.5 levels are more than 30 level of pollution, there is no research towards the issue, had swung into level for Kathmandu in 2018 at 54.4 lar, are at risk of experiencing irrita- times more than the safety guidelines, and development in this area, which is action by issuing notices advising peo- micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), tion and respiratory problems. it hovers around 300 from December to the result of a lack of concern from Hilsa border point closed ple to stay safe and avoiding outdoor an increase from 45.9 μg/m3 in 2017. That the AQI reading for Kathmandu February.” responsible authorities.” HUMLA: Hilsa border point on the activities. Its latest report World Air Quality exceeded 600, means the air quality Emission from vehicles, industries, With the recent air pollution of Nepal-China border in Humla district However, experts say what hap- Report, 2019, once again placed was more than ten times worse than brick kilns, waste burning, road record level, experts called on the gov- has been closed due to massive snow- pened in the last two days was not Kathmandu as the sixth most polluted the US AQI standard. Likewise, with improvement, and construction sec- ernment to announce a public health fall. The area has been witnessing unexpected. In reality, residents of capital in the world with an annual an overall concentration of 667 μg/m3 tors are the major sources of air pollu- emergency as envisioned in the massive snowfall since Sunday. Suraj Kathmandu Valley have been breath- PM2.5 concentration of 48 μg/m3. of PM2.5 on Monday at 9:45 PM, the tion in the Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu Valley’s Air Pollution KC, police inspector stationed at the ing unhealthy and unsafe air almost While the concentration level of numbers exceeded the WHO Air However, nothing much has been done Management Action Plan, which says border outpost in Hilsa, said, “We are every day for the last few years. PM2.5, the most harmful of all air Quality Guideline by 66 times. in the last few years to address the the agencies can declare a public facing problems patrolling due to the “Pollution levels soar during the win- pollutants, was not recorded as “haz- “It came as a shock and as a warn- problem. health emergency in case of AQI level snowfall.” Around a month ago, the ter. It happens every year and is not ardous” in those reports, it wasn’t ing call. This is also because we had “It is one of those days when the air crossing 300. border was partially opened. The bor- something new.” found to be safe either. been breathing clean air in the last ten is nice and clear in the afternoon The action plan also comes up with der point had been closed since the On Monday and Tuesday, when the The WHO recommends an annual months when there was not much before it worsens in the evening,” said several measures like imposing odd- beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. overall Air Quality Index (AQI) read- mean exposure threshold of 10 μg/m3 movement due to the pandemic,” said Tuladhar describing Wednesday’s even rules, banning open burning of ings hit the roof and quickly went to minimise the risk of health effects Tuladhar. “Now, it is like we have weather. waste, and cleaning of streets, among from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” from PM2.5. However, the UN agency come out of a cinema hall after watch- “We are not out of the woods yet. others. Two held with brown and then to “hazardous”, the valley’s cautions that no exposure level is free ing a movie and our eyes can’t adjust Nothing much has been done to Government agencies such as the topography and prevailing meteoro- of health impacts. to the brightness outside. The air is improve the air quality as air pollu- Department of Environment and heroin in Dharan logical conditions also exacerbated The US Air Quality Index (AQI), still polluted and unhealthy.” tion has never been a priority. But it is Ministry of Health coming up with SUNSARI: Police arrested two persons the situation. which converts pollutant concentra- Bhupendra Das, an environmental not just an environmental issue, it is a advisories for the general public are in possession of brown heroin in “Pollutants remained trapped in the tions into a colour-coded scale of 0-500 specialist with expertise in clean ener- public health issue.” part of minuscule actions, said Dharan Sub-metropolis on air as the atmosphere was stable, and for representing the level of associat- gy and air pollution, is also not sur- While authorities have not come up Tuladhar. Wednesday. According to police,, we also witnessed thermal inversion,” ed health risk, has set “good” range prised by the latest spike in air pollu- with concrete and long-term actions, According to experts, the govern- Sachin Pradhan of Dharan-13 and Shanti Kandel, a senior meteorologist for PM2.5 (12μg/m3), slightly higher tion. they have failed to control open waste ment should cut down emissions in Sandip Rai of Kerabari-5 in Morang, with the Meteorological Forecasting than the WHO Air Quality Guideline “During winter, the air gets severe- burning, which has gone unabated in the transport sector and strictly both aged 24, were detained with 1.7 Division, said while explaining why (10μg/m3). ly polluted. Things improve with the various parts of Kathmandu Valley. enforce the green sticker rule while grams brown heroin. Detailed investi- pollution levels shot up on Monday Still, the PM2.5 concentration for onset of the monsoon,” said Das. “But “The volume of coal imported by effectively implementing the existing gation is underway, said police. and Tuesday. Kathmandu has remained unsafe for even during the summer, air pollution industries and brick kilns has action plan.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Scared of regional trade The gas chamber Unchecked pollution has made Kathmandu a dangerous place to live.

As if the dip in the temperature was not enough, Kathmandu on Monday felt like a gas chamber as the city dwellers found themselves suffocating, their eyes burning, with a dense fog all around. Ditto with the dwellers of two major cities in the east and the west respectively, Biratnagar and Nepalgunj. AQ AirVisual, a Swiss group that collects real-time air-quality data from around the world, said Kathmandu was the most polluted city in the world on Monday, with PM2.5 levels reaching 488 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) at 5:45 pm at Ratnapark station as per the United States Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index. The air became slightly better on Tuesday and Wednesday, although it remains unhealthy for most of the population of the country, raising concerns among city dwellers, health professionals and government officials. While preliminary analyses have shown that the recent spike in air pollution is the result of the weather and is fairly tempo- rary, it is not a completely natural phenomenon. Rather, it also points to a larger problem of the longstanding pollution prob- lem in major cities in Nepal, primarily Kathmandu, where the Shutterstock Association for Regional Cooperation including Nepal, have a long list of among the countries. Considering burning of fossil fuels has gone unchecked for the longest time. While everybody is (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu in 2014, import sensitive items with a protec- these realities, there is no other way As a result, the health—and life—of the citizens are at stake. forming blocs, South the leaders reiterated their commitment tion motive. than to tighten the provision of import The governments of all three tiers of the federal structure to attaining the goal of economic union Although the sensitive list is intend- sensitive lists and loosen the persistent through a free trade area, customs ed to protect domestic industries, it barriers to trade to encourage trade must come up with an immediate action plan to mitigate the Asian countries are weirdly union, common market and monetary may be irrational if its sole objective is among themselves. problem. The federal government has said it has been mulling union. But no significant progress has to substitute imports without calculat- punishing each other. been made in this process as reflected by ing the welfare effect. Hence, it is nec- Breaking the deadlock various actions to mitigate the risks caused by the pollution, the stalemate in the South Asian Free essary for countries to depart from this Both political and economic considera- including imposing odd-even rules for vehicles. That, however, Trade Agreement which is associated protectionist sentiment to boost tions are involved in every regional Bijendra Man Shakya may not be enough, as several reports from the experience in with SAARC. intra-regional commerce that accounts integration movement. The movement for just 6 percent of their total com- towards Western European integration New Delhi over the years have shown that it offers only a minor Lack of commitment bined trade. This is a disappointing was largely motivated by political con- respite from air pollution. The effort to promote South Asian figure compared to the Association of siderations and the desire to increase intra-regional trade, plagued by inher- Southeast Asian Nations where it is Europe’s interest in the international The direct effect of the recent spike in air pollution level is ent economic problems, lacks political more than 20 percent. arena. Regionalism in North America already evident in how doctors from various hospitals have commitment from the region’s big The expansion of intra-regional reflects the natural integration of the reported that the number of people suffering from respiratory countries and effective pressure from trade is central to economic integra- three economies (the United States, The recent creation of the Regional the smaller ones to resolve the impasse. tion. But trade among South Asian Canada and Mexico) by market forces, complications has spiked in the past few days, some of whom Comprehensive Economic Partnership This has inhibited attempts to break countries is not only restricted, it is and this has strengthened their posi- are at a critical stage and are admitted in intensive care units. (RCEP) in Asia-Pacific drew much the chain of intrinsic economic draw- also frustrating. Except for each coun- tion with respect to Western Europe. In attention in the field of economic inte- backs responsible for sluggish intra-re- try’s trade with India, bilateral trade Asia-Pacific, Japanese policy initia- Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths every year, gration as it is set to become the world’s gional trade. First, it has slowed down between other pairs of countries in the tives played an important role in addi- but it is especially punishing for Covid-19 patients with respira- largest free trade bloc, outweighing the the diversification of comparative region is trivial. For example, it is not tion to market forces as the most impor- European Union and the North advantage sectors within the region. worth mentioning the bilateral trade tant factor in the integration. tory problems and other serious ailments as it exacerbates the American Free Trade Agreement. There is a similar pattern of compara- between Nepal and Bangladesh, or Sri In contrast to these inspirations, symptoms, leading to increased mortality. Researchers have Including the 10 member states of the tive advantage among South Asian Lanka and Pakistan, and so on. It is the South Asian countries had the core confirmed air pollution has a direct correlation with coronavi- Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries. This means most countries provision of sensitive lists which is objective of eliminating poverty in the and its free trade partners—China, specialise in and export identical prod- responsible for counteracting each oth- region since the inception of SAARC rus infection—the higher the pollution level, the greater the Japan, South Korea, Australia and New ucts, like textiles and clothing or pri- er’s export potential. Some startling over three decades ago. This was sup- risk of Covid-19 mortality. Air pollution particles are also con- Zealand—RCEP makes up a third of the mary products. In order to have mutu- examples: Nepali farm products are plemented by the idea of a free trade global economy with about one-third of ally beneficial trade, trading nations subject to high tariffs in Bangladesh; area to attain this goal. Adding greater sidered to be acting as agents of coronavirus transmission. the world’s population. Although the should have different comparative and as retaliation, Bangladeshi gar- impetus to this ambition, South Asian Air pollution is never a good thing. But it becomes worse pact is perceived as an extension of advantages. ments face similar treatment in Nepal. countries need to advance to a higher when it comes coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic. As the gov- China’s influence in the region and a Second, the similarity in compara- There is a good reason for the India- level of economic integration, such as counter to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, tive advantage discourages trade com- concentrated trade in the region. customs union or common market. ernment scrambles to find ways to mitigate the problem, the another mega-regional deal, it is driven plementarity among the countries in Because India offers bilateral preferen- These moves liberalise not only trade citizens are well advised to follow the Department of by market forces, comprising the influ- the region. South Asian countries are tial treatment to most countries, which in goods, but also promote the regional ential East Asian economies which less divergent in terms of resource is greater than the concessions they get flow of capital, technology and human Environment’s request to children and the elderly suffering were previously not affiliated to any endowment. They are all labour-abun- under the regional arrangement, it is resources, including harmonisation of from respiratory problems, cough and heart ailments to stay specific trading bloc. dant and agro-based economies, and natural for them to direct their trade tariff regimes. Consequently, it forms a indoors. Citizens must also become self-aware about the dan- If this is the latest development in compete among themselves in towards India. Making the situation single regional market through econo- economic regionalism in Asia-Pacific, labour-intensive products and primary more complex, South Asian countries mies of scale in manufacturing and gers of air pollution, and find ways to mitigate it at the commu- South Asia has fallen behind in this commodities. are more inclined to trade with distant investment. But this is not possible nity level by reducing different forms of emission, including a respect. The progress of regionalism in Third, they are not keen on intra-in- countries than with their regional part- without breaking the deadlock in South Asia has been stymied by politi- dustry trade or trade in similar prod- ners as indicated by the trade restric- regionalism in South Asia which has complete halt to the burning of firewood and straw to beat the cal wrangling at the cost of its ambition ucts among themselves, fearing that it tiveness index. This problem has been existed for the last six years. chill, because even a small increase in PM2.5 particles has huge to achieve the highest level of economic will substitute import-competing exacerbated by a lack of connectivity integration as envisioned about two dec- industries. This is one primary reason and trade facilitation, diminishing the Shakya is an associate professor of effects. ades ago. At the 18th South Asian why most countries in South Asia, advantage of shared land borders economics at Tribhuvan University.

Hard life for the disabled

sons have received much less educa- great landmark in the struggle to Nepal is failing to adequately tion than their non-disabled peers. reframe the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities in terms of protect persons with Triple burden human rights. It is regarded as having In remote rural Nepal, Dalit (so-called finally empowered the world’s largest disabilities from discrimination untouchable) parents usually do not minority to claim their rights, and to send disabled girls to school in order participate in international and and marginalisation. to protect them from discrimination national affairs on an equal basis with and low expectations and general others. neglect. Schools are not equipped to DEV DATTA JOSHI give the support required. Dalit girls Right to make decisions with intellectual disabilities, especial- Article 12 of the Convention on the ly in rural Nepal, face a triple burden. Rights of Persons with Disabilities They are often subjected to inhuman states that persons with disabilities, treatment such as untouchability, and, especially persons with intellectual as disabled, they are perceived as disabilities and psychosocial disabili- objects requiring charity, with seem- ties long denied the right to make even ingly no rights. basic decisions about their lives, have The United Nations Convention on the People with disabilities, especially the same right to make decisions on Rights of Persons with Disabilities women with severe disabilities living their personal lives, health care and says that persons with disabilities in remote rural areas are among the property as any other citizen. With include those who have long-term poorest segments of the population; the convention forging the entry of physical, mental, intellectual or senso- they are highly marginalised and lack people with disabilities into all ry impairments which, in interaction access to services. People with disabil- aspects of social, economic, cultural with various barriers, may hinder ities are more likely to experience and political lives, the ripple effects their full and effective participation in economic and social disadvantages. In of Article 12 will reach processes society on an equal basis with others. general, women with disabilities expe- for personal decision-making, exercis- As per the World Health Organisation rience a higher level of discrimina- ing citizenship, managing contracts and the World Bank’s World Report on tion than men with disabilities. and informed consent, and executing Disability, more than 1 billion of the Statistical studies have shown that a myriad of economic and social world’s total population have disabili- unemployment rates among persons transactions. ties. The report further argues that with disabilities are drastically high- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable the population of young persons with er than rates of unemployment for Development grants an opportunity disabilities worldwide ranges from 180 persons without disabilities. Even in for the inclusion of persons with disa- million to 220 million, mainly in devel- developed countries like the United bilities and other under-represented oping nations. States of America, only a small per- Unsplash groups. Also, the 2030 Agenda estab- There are two main reasons under- centage of disabled people are floor surfaces that are slippery. Public treatment options, which in combina- For example, deaf persons or persons lished the principle of ‘leaving no one girding the stigma of people with dis- employed. Employer prejudices transport systems frequently deny tion reinforce harmful stereotypes by who are hard of hearing in the crimi- behind’. In conclusion, for persons abilities in developing nations like exclude disabled people from jobs. people with disabilities access to vari- leaving psychosocial disabilities nal justice system are often unable to with disabilities, in particular, the Nepal. First, there is a significant lack Prejudices operate subtly, sometimes ous means of transportation. In untreated. provide statements or provide accu- Convention on the Rights of Persons of information regarding the causes unconsciously, to eliminate disabled Nepal’s context, almost all bus sta- These are the unique challenges rate statements because of the absence with Disabilities is of paramount of disabilities and their resulting job applicants in the application, tions are not accessible to wheelchair that persons with significant disabili- of a skilled interpreter. Currently, due importance. It is foundational to real- characteristics. Second, the notion of screening, testing and interviewing users. We cannot see buses with lift ties face while exercising voting to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, per- ising self-empowerment and self-de- including persons with disabilities as processes. mechanisms to provide access for per- rights: 1. Stereotypes about disabled sons with disabilities, especially termination, and fundamental calls of fully participating citizens is a curse Buildings are inaccessible to many sons in wheelchairs. peoples’ capabilities and cultural women, are experiencing decreased the disability rights movement. to the perceptions of many. Despite individuals with certain kinds of disa- False attributions that consider psy- beliefs about the causes of mental access to health goods and services Despite some progress, the govern- some improvements, the treatment of bilities. The barriers take a variety of chosocial impairments as the product disability. 2. Lack of accessible materi- and negative impacts on their physi- ment of Nepal is failing to adequately persons with disabilities remains dis- forms such as stairs, escalators, nar- of supernatural possession have been als on how to vote, such as a guide in cal and mental health. protect persons with disabilities from criminatory in many critical areas. row doorways, revolving doors, inac- demonstrated to be particularly sig- simple language. 3. Laws and policies On December 13, 2006, the UN discrimination and marginalisation For example, public education sys- cessible restroom facilities, drinking nificant impediments to accessing that are not inclusive of persons with General Assembly adopted the as required by the convention. tems have consistently underserved fountains and light switches that are mental health care in the Nepali con- disabilities. Convention on the Rights of Persons and undereducated disabled people too high, lack of raised letters and text. This barrier is exacerbated by Persons with communication disa- with Disabilities and an associated Joshi is a human rights lawyer and throughout the world, mostly in devel- Braille signs, overly sloped or exces- negative attitudes among health care bilities have been experiencing many Optional Protocol. The formulation of executive director of Equip for oping countries. Overall, disabled per- sively long ramps, and carpeting and workers and a dearth of adequate barriers in the formal court system. the convention has been hailed as a Equality Nepal.

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 Money

FOREX India’s services US Dollar 117.27 Fertiliser buffer stocks to be created Euro 144.75 sector loses more Pound Sterling 160.13 Japanese Yen 11.40 to ensure regular supply to farmers steam in December, Chinese Yuan 18.16 job cuts resume Qatari Riyal 32.21 Each province will have a reserve of 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes which will be used in times of crisis, officials say.

Australian Dollar 91.65 REUTERS SANGAM PRASAIN BENG ALURU, JAN 6 Malaysian Ringit 29.24 K ATHMANDU, JAN 6 Growth in India’s dominant services Saudi Arab Riyal 31.26 The government is working to create industry continued to lose momentum Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank buffer stocks of chemical fertilisers in in December as a resurgence in coro- each of the seven provinces to ensure navirus infections weighed on new Shares that farmers have adequate supply at business and employment, a private all times. The scheme is slated to come survey showed on Wednesday. Nepse 2,178.57pts 0.60% online this fiscal year, officials said. Asia’s third-largest economy has Chemical fertiliser has become a been gradually recovering from a highest gainers political commodity, and Nepali farm- coronavirus-induced recession but is KMCDB JSLBB SMFBS NABBC PLI SMB 10% 9.99% 9.96% 9.94% 9.49% 8.8% ers have been plagued by regular not expected to return to pre-pandem- shortages when they need the plant ic levels soon, especially within the moderate gainers nutrients the most, severely slashing service industry - the engine of eco- SLBSL HGI NLBBL NFS SLBBL SNLB 7.92% 6.76% 6.52% 6.48% 6.19% 6.17% their income and hitting the country’s nomic growth and jobs in the country. economic growth which largely The Nikkei/IHS Markit Services moderate losers SLICLP HPPL LEC NHPC API SPDL depends on agriculture. Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to -1.94% -2.18% -2.3% -2.54% -2.66% -2.67% Scarcities have been recurring 52.3 in December from November’s

highest losers annually during the peak crop plant- 53.7 but held above the 50-mark sepa- BNT SIFC GHL NHDL JOSHI NIBPO ing period, especially in recent years rating growth from contraction for a -3.77% -3.8% -4.2% -4.2% -5.13% -8.55% with more Nepali farmers going into POST FILE PHOTO third straight month. commercial farming which has Scarcities have been recurring annually during the peak crop planting period, especially in recent years with more Nepali farmers taking up “A spike in Covid-19 cases was pushed up demand. commercial farming which has pushed up demand. reported as a key factor restricting Price Per tola When the border with India was growth of new work intakes among bullion tightened due to the Covid-19 pandem- record level for the fourth straight usual scarcity during the peak grow- iser for at least five years at import service providers, which in turn ic, Nepali farmers were put into a year due to good monsoon rains and ing season. parity prices. curbed the rise in output and led to Fine Gold Rs 96,700 right panic as smuggled fertiliser an abundant supply of farmhands, The accord will be secured through The proposal was in line with the increased business uncertainty about stopped coming. They have habitually even though a severe shortage of a government-to-government deal, 10-year Prime Minister Agriculture the outlook,” Pollyanna De Lima, eco- Silver Rs 1,340 depended on the contraband to chemical fertiliser during transplan- said Karki. Modernisation Project introduced in nomics associate director at IHS make up for the shortfall in legitimate tation and top dressing caused dis- According to ministry officials, the 2017 which aims to boost farm output Markit, said in a release. SoG urce: FENE OSIDA supplies. tress among farmers. discussions are at a preliminary stage. substantially. The Agriculture “It is clear that the early part of The crippling effect of the shortage According to preliminary estimates It normally takes six months to pro- Ministry had proposed importing 2021 will continue to be challenging was seen in paddy production this of the ministry, farmers harvested cure chemical fertiliser following a 150,000 tonnes of fertiliser (100,000 and we’re looking at a sustainable gasoline watch year as Nepali farmers were prevent- 5.62 million tonnes of paddy, up by global tender call under the Public tonnes of urea and 50,000 tonnes of recovery and some return to normali- ed from performing better even when a nominal 1.28 percent compared to Procurement Act. And in case the pro- potash) in the first year, that is 2018. ty once Covid-19 vaccines become they had an abundant labour supply last year. curement is cancelled due to price The ministry had planned to import available.” and the monsoon rains were the best Paddy is transplanted in June and volatility or other factors, there will 170,000 tonnes in the second year India has the second-highest num- in the past three decades. harvested in November. The monsoon be havoc in the farm sector. under a government-to-government ber of coronavirus infections in the Yogendra Kumar Karki, secretary is the lifeblood of Nepal’s Rs3.76 tril- “The new arrangement made deal, 195,000 tonnes in the third year world. On Sunday it approved two at the Ministry of Agriculture and lion economy which is farm-depend- through a government-to-government and 210,000 tonnes each in the fourth coronavirus vaccines for emergency Livestock Development, told the Post ent, as nearly two-thirds of the farm- deal is not required to go through a and fifth years. use but it could take years to vaccinate that they had planned to create a buff- lands are rain-fed. Paddy contributes lengthy procurement process, and it The expected government-to-gov- over 1.3 billion people with its rudi- er stock of chemical fertiliser in around 7 percent to the gross domestic will ensure that farmers have ade- ernment pact has been pending since mentary healthcare system. all provinces to ensure the availability product and is the key income source quate supply during times of shortag- December 2018, when Nepal submitted Although a sub-index monitoring of the plant nutrients during critical of farmers. es,” said ministry officials. the first draft of the proposed memo- overall demand ended a rough 2020 in stages. Secretary Karki said that farmers In 2009, in a bid to end the perennial randum of understanding. growth territory, it declined to a three- “Each province will have a buffer go through the same agony of fertil- shortages, Nepal signed an agreement According to a former secretary at month low as night curfews in some stock of 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes. This iser shortages every year, and it was with India for 100,000 tonnes of chem- the Agriculture Ministry, they had major cities depressed demand. inventory will be used in times the state’s responsibility to ensure ical fertiliser (60,000 tonnes of urea sent the proposal and several rounds Demand from abroad remained of crisis. We are aware that any short- that they have adequate supplies. and 40,000 tonnes of DAP) annually at of discussions were held. But India firmly in contraction territory as age of this vital fertiliser will have “The government plans a long-term import parity prices. The pact allowed refused to provide chemical fertilisers many countries reimposed lockdown any adverse impact on production,” solution to stop the endless problem.” Nepal to purchase fertiliser directly at the import parity price. measures to contain a fresh spike in he said. While the possibility of construct- without going through the six-month- According to the Agriculture Covid-19 cases. Weak demand forced “If there had been adequate chemi- ing a chemical fertiliser plant is being long tendering process. Ministry, Nepal’s annual requirement firms to lower their prices despite an cal fertiliser, we could have harvested discussed, Nepal has also revived Shipments came to a stop in 2015-16 of chemical fertiliser stands at more uptick in input costs, which increased 6 million tonnes of paddy this year,” talks for a chemical fertiliser offtake due to protests in the Tarai and an than 700,000 tonnes while imports at the quickest pace since February. said Karki. “Even though the growth agreement with India under which it Indian blockade, and the agreement amount to around 300,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, job market conditions in output was marginal, it’s still an will buy a fixed amount of plant nour- too expired at the end of 2017. In 2018, Demand for chemical fertiliser has darkened, slipping back into contrac- all-time high.” ishers from the southern neighbour Nepal had proposed to renew the shot up following the spread of com- tion, although the pace of job shed- Nepal’s paddy production reached a over a long-term period to avoid the agreement to procure chemical fertil- mercial agriculture. ding remained minimal. BIZLINE

Madan Krishna appointed World Bank sees subdued brand ambassador for thee GO Alibaba plans $5 billion bond this month amid regulatory scrutiny recovery in 2021 ASSOCIATED PRESS REUTERS W ASHINGTON, JAN 6 HONG KONG, JAN 6 It warns that The global economy will experience a China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd subdued recovery this year from the near-term plans to raise at least $5 billion the devastating pandemic, the World outlook is highly through the sale of a US dollar-denom- Bank predicted on Tuesday, but it inated bond this month, four people warned that the near-term outlook is uncertain as Covid KATHMANDU: Madan Krishna Shrestha with knowledge of the matter said, highly uncertain and growth could has been appointed brand ambassa- amid regulatory scrutiny of co-found- be imperilled if coronavirus infec- infections rise. dor for the entire range of electric er Jack Ma’s empire. tions and delays in the rollout of vac- vehicles from thee Go. Regarded as Depending on investor response, cines continue. one of the most innovative and versa- proceeds could reach $8 billion which In its new Global Economic Outlook, lenges in public health, debt manage- tile Nepali artists, he fully embodies the e-commerce leader is likely to use the World Bank forecast 4 percent ment, budget policies, central banking and matches the thee GO brand and for general corporate expenditure, one growth this year following a 4.3 per- and structural reforms,” said World values, states the press release issued of the people said. cent decline in 2020, the biggest plunge Bank President David Malpass. by the company. The company is at a The fundraising will be a test of in global output since a contraction of The bank said global growth will be defining juncture in its evolution as it investor sentiment towards Alibaba, 9.8 percent in 1945 as nations demobi- aided by a recovery this year to GDP gears up to disrupt the mobility amid a regulatory crackdown on it lized at the end of World War II. growth of 3.5 percent in the United industry in Nepal with path-breaking and financial technology affiliate Ant By comparison, the global recession States and an even bigger 7.9 percent offerings. “This is high time that we Group. Chinese officials have come REUTERS triggered by the Great Depression of rebound in China, the world’s two big- seriously start considering the modes down hard on Ma’s business empire The Alibaba Group logo is seen at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. the 1930s saw growth shrink by 4.8 gest economies. of transportation. E-mobility has since he publicly criticised the coun- percent on average from 1930 through For 2020, the World Bank expects greater economic and environmental try’s regulatory system in October Alibaba declined to comment. Chinese regulators are also review- 1932. The 2008 financial crisis trig- GDP in the United States to fall by 4.3 advantages and benefits. We can pave setting off a chain of events that Since Ma’s speech, Chinese regula- ing Ant’s equity investments in doz- gered a 1.8 percent drop in global out- percent while it predicted a modest 2 the way for an environmentally sus- resulted in the halting of Ant Group’s tors have begun an antitrust probe ens of companies and considering put in 2009. percent increase in China. tainable Nepal by promoting electric $37 billion stock market listing. into Alibaba and ordered fintech Ant whether to instruct the firm to divest “If history is any guide, the global Because of the uncertainty caused vehicles. The future of zero emissions Ma’s absence from public view to change its lending and other con- some of those investments, Reuters economy is heading for a decade of by the current resurgence in virus and zero pollution is only possible in the intervening time has fuelled sumer finance businesses, including has reported. growth disappointments unless policy cases and initial problems in distrib- when we are committed ourselves to social media speculation over his the creation of a holding company to “Investors will need Jack Ma to makers put in place comprehensive uting vaccines, the World Bank cau- leading the way towards this future. I whereabouts. meet capital requirements. make some sort of public appearance reforms,” the bank warned, citing the tioned that its forecast is highly uncer- am delighted to be partnering with The bond sale plan, including time- US President Donald Trump has to give them confidence for the bond to global pandemic layered over econom- tain. Under a scenario where virus thee GO whose approach is aligned line, is not finalised and is subject to also ratcheted up tensions, moving to be well received,” said an Asia credit ic trends already in play. cases continue to rise and the rollout with sustainable development and change, the people said, declining to ban transactions with eight Chinese analyst with a European bank, who “While the global economy appears of the vaccine does not accelerate, wellbeing of all Nepalese,” said the be identified as they were not author- software applications, including Ant was not authorised to speak to the to have entered a subdued recovery, global growth could be reduced to a inspiring Nepali icon. ised to speak to the media. Group’s Alipay mobile payment app. media and so declined to be identified. policymakers face formidable chal- meagre 1.6 percent this year. Huawei to pack less of a punch in the new year after bruising 2020, analysts say

REUTERS US technology. Last August, the ban budget smartphone line Honor in a phones after being cut off from SHENZHEN (China), JAN 6 was extended to foreign firms with US sale founder Ren Zhengfei said would Alphabet Inc’s Android, said Nicole business, reaching chief suppliers allow the brand to regain access to Peng, VP of Mobility at consultancy Huawei Technologies Co Ltd this year such as Taiwan Semiconductor chips. Huawei could look to do the Canalys. will likely see slower 5G business and Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC). same with its premium lines this year, Elsewhere in software, Huawei will push further into software, while hop- The change hit an Achilles heel as Triolo said. likely pivot more towards services ing its smartphones get a reprieve Huawei depends on TSMC to make Huawei was the world’s biggest such as cloud computing and internet- from US sanctions which last year advanced chips for its handsets, smartphone maker as recent as the of-things devices, though these are struck the chip-reliant heart of its fifth-generation (5G) network base sta- second quarter of 2020, but the Honor unlikely to offset slowdown in smart- group, analysts said. tions, servers, cloud computing and sale and chip shortage will likely take phones and telecommunication infra- Limited access to high-end semicon- artificial intelligence products, said it out of the top six this year, said data structure, analysts said. ductors means rationing during Paul Triolo, head of global tech policy firm Trendforce. Huawei’s network business does China’s network upgrade, they said, at Eurasia Group. Stockpiles only last Its luck may change with the US have bright prospects, but with major while the dissection of its mobile arm so long, he said. presidential inauguration of Joe markets such as Britain and Japan will send Huawei tumbling down “Passage of this death sentence Biden, from whom analysts expect banning its equipment, it will likely rankings while it continues to develop does not involve a swift execution,” more leniency towards Huawei’s focus on China, analysts said. a proprietary operating system. technology analyst Dan Wang said in smartphone business. The inaugura- The company has enough chips to China’s leading telecommunica- a client note. “Instead, the process is tion this month comes as Chief make around 500,000 5G base stations, tions equipment maker found itself much more like a slow strangulation.” Financial Officer Meng Wangzhou said Jefferies analyst Edison Lee. Yet on a US trade blacklist in May 2019 Huawei declined to comment. discusses a deal with US prosecutors rather than use up that supply, the due to national security concerns. Wang said Huawei will feel the over allegations of doing business government will likely slow 5G intro- Huawei has repeatedly denied it is impact most acutely in its consumer with Iran. duction, taking “a middle-of-the-road a risk. business, which brought in 54 percent In the meantime, Huawei will likely approach to balance between expand- That effectively banned US-based of revenue in 2019. focus on the Harmony operating sys- ing coverage and waiting for Huawei REUTERS firms from selling Huawei essential In November, Huawei spun off tem it is developing for its smart- to catch up,” he said. Women wearing face masks walk past a Huawei store at a shopping complex in Beijing, China.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 | 06 world Criticism mounts over India’s ‘abrupt’ Warnock makes history approval of local coronavirus vaccine with Senate victory as Experts question why the regulator recommended approval one day after asking Bharat Biotech for more analysis. Democrats near majority

REUTERS Atessocia d Press Warnock the winner after an analysis BENGALURU, JAN 6 WHO virus mission blunted ATLANTA, JAN 6 of outstanding votes showed there was no way for Loeffler to catch up to Criticism of India’s approval of a as China refuses team entry Democrat Raphael Warnock won one his lead. Warnock’s edge is likely to local Covid-19 vaccine without proof of Georgia’s two Senate runoffs on grow as more ballots are counted, of its efficacy grew on Wednesday AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Wednesday, becoming the first Black many of which were in Democratic- after news that a regulatory panel BEIJING, JAN 6 senator in his state’s history and put- leaning areas. approved the shot just one day after ting the Senate majority within the Loeffler refused to concede in a asking the vaccine maker for more An expert mission to China to probe party’s reach. brief message to supporters shortly evidence it would work. the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic A pastor who spent the past 15 years after midnight. The recommendations of the Indian was in disarray on Wednesday after leading the Atlanta church where “We’ve got some work to do here. drugs regulator’s subject expert com- Beijing denied entry to the World Martin Luther King Jr preached, This is a game of inches. We’re going mittee (SEC) released on Tuesday Health Organization team at the last Warnock defeated Republican incum- to win this election,” insisted Loeffler, show that the panel asked Bharat minute despite months of painstaking bent Kelly Loeffler. It was a stinging a 50-year-old former businesswoman Biotech International Ltd to present negotiations. rebuke of outgoing President Donald who was appointed to the Senate less more efficacy data for its Covid-19 Ten experts were due to arrive in Trump, who made one of his final than a year ago by the state’s governor. shot before it could consider approv- China this week for the delicate, high- trips in office to Georgia to rally his ing the treatment. ly politicised task of establishing how loyal base behind Loeffler and the “After detailed deliberation, the and where the virus jumped from ani- Republican running for the other seat, committee recommended that the mals to humans. David Perdue. The focus now firm ... may perform interim efficacy But with a number of the team The focus now shifts to the second shifts to the second analysis for further consideration of already in transit, China denied them race between Perdue and Democrat restricted emergency use approval,” entry visas, prodding WHO chief Jon Ossoff. The candidates were race between the SEC’s recommendations in a Jan. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to say locked in a tight race and it was too 1 meeting show. he was “very disappointed”. early to call a winner. Under Georgia David Perdue and The very next day, the committee China is determined to control the law, a trailing candidate may request a recommended approving Bharat origin story of the virus, which has recount when the margin of an elec- Jon Ossoff. Biotech’s vaccine for “restricted use killed more than 1.8 million people tion is less than or equal to 0.5 percent- in emergency situation in public around the world and laid waste to age points. interest as an abundant precaution.” global economies. If Ossoff wins, Democrats will have Loeffler, who remains a Georgia The SEC also separately recom- The first cases of the coronavirus complete control of Congress, senator until the results of Tuesday’s mended emergency use authorisation were recorded in the central Chinese strengthening President-elect Joe election are finalized, said she for the Oxford University/AstraZeneca city of Wuhan in late 2019, prompting Biden’s standing as he prepares to would return to Washington on Covid-19 vaccine, being produced by accusations of chaotic, secretive han- take office on January 20. Wednesday morning to join a small India’s Serum Institute. dling by Chinese authorities which Warnock’s victory is a symbol of a group of senators planning to The greenlighting of Bharat led to its spread beyond China. striking shift in Georgia’s politics as challenge Congress’ vote to certify Biotech’s COVAXIN had already faced Despite the hail of criticism, the swelling number of diverse, col- Biden’s victory. criticism from opposition lawmakers Beijing has so far resisted pressure lege-educated voters flex their power “We are going to keep fighting for and health experts for lack of efficacy for an independent probe and instead in the heart of the Deep South. It fol- you,” Loeffler said, “This is about pro- data, typically obtained from a large, has seeded doubt as to whether lows Biden’s victory in November, tecting the American dream.” Phase III human trial - which the man- the pandemic even started inside when he became the first Democratic Georgia’s other runoff election pit- ufacturer is still conducting. REUTERS its borders. presidential candidate to carry the ted Perdue, a 71-year-old former busi- News of the SEC’s recommenda- A medic fills a syringe with COVAXIN, an Indian government-backed experimental Covid-19 state since 1992. ness executive who held his Senate tions spurred further criticism. vaccine, before administering it to a health worker during its trials, at the Gujarat Medical Warnock, 51, acknowledged his seat until his term expired on Sunday, “Was the Subject Expert Committee Education and Research Society in Ahmedabad, on November 26, 2020. cryptic language that left some experts improbable victory in a message to against Ossoff, a former congressional (SEC) approval a command perfor- baffled. supporters early Wednesday, citing his aide and journalist. At just 33 years mance? This is as serious as it can People’s Science Network, a network Both Bharat Biotech and govern- “They’ve introduced terminologies family’s experience with poverty. His old, Ossoff would be the Senate’s get,” Manish Tewari, an opposition of science advocacy groups, said in a ment officials have pointed to regula- that are confusing,” said Giridhar mother, he said, used to pick “some- youngest member. lawmaker, said on Twitter. statement. tory provisions that allow for quick Babu, a professor of epidemiology at body else’s cotton” as a teenager. Trump’s false claims of voter fraud Health experts questioned why the “We are perplexed at the abrupt drug approval for serious diseases the Public Health Foundation of India. “The other day, because this is cast a dark shadow over the runoff SEC abruptly recommended approval change in thinking of the SEC from even without Phase III trial data. “The phrase ‘in clinical trial mode’ is America, the 82-year-old hands that elections, which were held only one day after asking Bharat Biotech the first two meetings to the third day Neither India’s drugs regulator not generally a term you will see used to pick somebody else’s cotton because no candidate hit the 50 per- for more analysis. on which the approval was recom- nor Bharat Biotech responded to in approvals.” picked her youngest son to be a United cent threshold in the general election. “The SEC ... appears to have mended while apparently discounting Reuters requests for comment on Any confusion around vaccines States senator,” he said. “Tonight, He attacked the state’s election chief been pressured overnight into recon- the need for efficacy data as the condi- Wednesday. could harm immunisation pro- we proved with hope, hard work and on the eve of the election and raised sidering its decision and giving tion of the approval,” the All India Regulators also granted approval grammes by causing distrust, Babu the people by our side, anything is the prospect that some votes might not approval the next day, albeit hedged in Drug Action Network, a nonprofit to Bharat Biotech’s vaccine only said. “It takes decades of work to build possible.” be counted even as votes were being by many conditions,” the All India health watchdog, said. “in clinical trial mode”, unusually confidence in vaccines.” The Associated Press declared cast Tuesday afternoon.

Briefing Assange denied bail by

Pakistani Shiites continue sit-in over killing of 11 miners London court over risk he QUETTA: Pakistan’s minority Shiites continued their sit-in for a fourth straight day on the outskirts of the might abscond again southwestern city of Quetta to pro- test the killing of 11 coal miners by REUTERS Assange’s partner, Stella Moris, the Islamic State group, insisting LONDON, JAN 6 said the judge’s decision to deny him they will bury their dead only when bail was a huge disappointment and Prime Minister Imran Khan person- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange urged the United States to pardon ally visits them to assure protection. was denied bail on Wednesday by a him. WikiLeaks said it would appeal Residents and relatives of the slain British judge who said there was a against the denial of bail. miners, who were members of the risk he might flee justice while the Admirers hail Australian-born minority Shiite Hazara community, United States tries again to secure his Assange, 49, as a hero for exposing began the protest on Sunday after IS extradition. what they describe as abuses of power militants abducted and killed them in Assange, who has spent more than by the United States. But detractors southwestern Baluchistan province. eight years either holed up in the cast him as a dangerous figure who Ecuadorean embassy in London or in has undermined the security of the jail, had asked to be freed on bail after West, and dispute that he is a Four dead at India steel plant the court ruled on Monday that he journalist. after suspected gas leak should not be extradited because he WikiLeaks published hundreds of BHUBANESWAR: Four contract workers would be at risk of suicide. thousands of secret US diplomatic at the Steel Authority of India “I am satisfied that there are sub- cables that laid bare often critical US Limited’s Rourkela steel plant in east- stantial grounds for believing that if appraisals of world leaders, from ern India died on Wednesday after a Mr Assange is released today he would Russian President Vladimir Putin to suspected gas leak, the state-owned fail to surrender to court to face the members of the Saudi royal family. company said in a statement. The appeal proceedings,” Judge Vanessa Assange made international head- four men were employees of private Baraitser told London’s Westminster lines in early 2010 when WikiLeaks firm M/S Star Constructions and Magistrates Court. published a classified US military were engaged in maintenance work at “As far as Mr Assange is concerned video showing a 2007 attack by Apache the plant’s coal chemicals depart- this case has not yet been won ... the helicopters that killed a dozen people ment, SAIL said. “A high-level com- outcome of this appeal is not yet in Baghdad, including two Reuters mittee has been formed to inquire known.” news staff. into the cause of the incident and all The US Department of Justice says Clair Dobbin, a lawyer representing emergency protocols have been imme- it will continue to seek Assange’s the United States at the hearing, said diately activated in the plant,” the extradition to face 18 criminal Assange had gone to extraordinary company said in a statement. charges of breaking an espionage law lengths to avoid extradition and that AP/rss and conspiring to hack government he could try to leave the United A health worker wearing a protective suit leads exercises with Covid-19 patients at the Patriot Candrabhaga stadium recently turned into computers. Kingdom to flee justice. isolation centre amid the coronavirus outbreak in Bekasi on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Dozens of Hong Kong opposition figures arrested under security law HONG KONG: As many as 50 Hong Kong opposition figures were arrested on Rival teams race to be first for winter summit of ‘savage’ K2 Wednesday under a new national security law in the largest operation yet against Beijing’s critics, deepen- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE 450 people have managed it—com- months in total depending on the work together, we have a bigger Because there are people in the team ing a crackdown sweeping the finan- ISLAMABAD, JAN 6 pared to more than 6,000 who have weather. chance,” said Coster. who don’t want to go back without cial hub. The latest police operation scaled Mount Everest. K2 is set amongst some of the most Climbers spend days going up and reaching the summit.” comes as China stamps out opposi- Dozens of mountaineers have Lockdowns and travel bans sparked breathtaking landscapes the world down attaching ropes to the mountain Many mountaineers shared the tion to its rule in the semi-autono- converged on Pakistan’s mighty K2 by the coronavirus outbreak mean the has to offer—and some of the most to help them reach the top and also same concerns, fearing some of the mous business hub after millions hit peak, vying to conquer one of the summer climbing season last year was dangerous. acclimatise to the thinning air—par- climbers are not sufficiently prepared. the streets in 2019 with huge and world’s last major climbing a washout in Pakistan and other popu- “Multiple factors must fall in line ticularly tiring work for small groups. Of the other two expeditions, one is sometimes violent democracy pro- challenges—reaching the summit lar climbing destinations in the for anyone to have a chance of sum- One trekker has already been air- led by Nirmal Purja, a star Nepalese tests. Opposition figures and parties in winter. region, such as Nepal. miting,” said climbing coach Alan lifted from base camp because of a climber and former British special took to their Facebook and Twitter Four teams with around 60 climbers “People had plans for the year but Arnette, who points to altitude sick- pre-existing health condition, the forces serviceman who has set his accounts to confirm at least 21 and sherpas between them have begun they couldn’t go anywhere,” said ness, avalanches and landslides—as company said. team of six apart with a plan to arrests, most on a charge of climbing the world’s second-highest Dutch mountaineer Arnold Coster, well as egos—as potential pitfalls. Mingma Gyalje has climbed 13 of paraglide off the summit. “subversion”. (AGENCIES) peak—known as the “savage who is helping to lead one of the Coster’s expedition, organised by the highest peaks but failed to reach In 2019, Purja scaled all fourteen of mountain” — where winds can blow at expeditions. Nepalese company Seven Summit the K2 summit last winter. the world’s 8,000-metre mountains in more than 200 kilometres per hour “So we’ve been kind of jobless for a Treks, stands out with its supersize This year he is heading an all-Nepa- six months and six days—however, and temperatures drop to minus year and now lots of people want to do team of around 20 clients of varying lese team of three experienced that was in the summer. 60 degrees Celsius. something,” he told AFP. experience and around 30 support sherpas. The fourth team is an Icelandic- Since the first attempt in 1987-1988, Although Pakistan is still battling staff. Gyalje is a contender to summit this Pakistani pairing of three. only a handful of winter expeditions more than 2,000 fresh coronavirus Together, they will have to accom- time, better prepared for the cold after With so many people on K2 this have been made on the 8,611-metre cases a day, the country has reopened. modate differing ambitions, including his harsh lesson last year—but con- winter, the chances are good that at mountain in the Karakoram massif Throughout December, the teams those who do not want the help of cerned about sharing a crowded least one person will reach the top, on the Chinese border. None of them flew into the northern town of Skardu sherpas or oxygen. mountainside with other teams. said Arnette, the climbing coach. have got above 7,650 metres. and trekked over the Baltoro Glacier “We have a lot of different people “I don’t feel like it’s a good sign hav- “However, almost everything must Even in summer, almost one in six to reach base camp, from where they with different ideas. For us, as leaders, ing so many people, too many clients,” go practically perfect,” he said. climbers who attempt the summit die, will begin the ascent—an expedition it’s difficult to manage. But from a he told AFP. “And that rarely happens on an and since the first success in 1954 only that could take up to two and a half manpower point of view, if people “It puts pressure on the staff. 8,000-metre peak, much less on K2.”

C M Y K 07 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 Sports | Medley Briefing Jose Mourinho has chance to deliver Fit-again Rohit Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil close to returns for third securing Fenerbahce deal Australia Test ANKARA: Arsenal’s out-of-favour Tottenham’s first trophy since 2008 German midfielder Mesut Ozil is in Reuters advanced talks to join Istanbul club SYDNEY, Jan 6 Fenerbahce, Turkish media reported Spurs beat Championship side Brentford 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to advance into the League Cup final. on Wednesday. Ozil is expected to sign A fit-again Rohit Sharma will replace a three and a half year deal with the Reuters struggling opener Mayank Agarwal 19-time Turkish champions, the pri- LONDON, Jan 6 and fast bowler Navdeep Saini will vately-owned DHA news agency make his Test debut for India in their reported. The reports came after the Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose third match against Australia begin- 32-year-old, a World Cup winner with Mourinho said he senses the desire of ning at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Germany in 2014, fanned speculation his players to end the club’s 13-year Thursday. by tweeting a photograph of himself trophy drought after they reached the Rohit returns after recovering from in Istanbul with the words: League Cup final beating a hamstring injury which kept him “This city ... #throwback #Istanbul.” Championship side Brentford 2-0 on out of the limited-overs series in Sports daily Fanatik reported Tuesday. Australia as well as the first two Tests that Fenerbahce chairman Ali Koc Spurs have not lifted a major trophy in Adelaide and Melbourne. The and team director Emre Belozoglu since their League Cup triumph over 33-year-old from Mumbai will partner flew to London to persuade the Chelsea in 2008 and goals from Moussa Shubman Gill at the top after player, who is of Turkish origin, to Sissoko and Son Heung-min secured Agarwal’s meagre aggregate of 31 make the move. A Fenerbahce spokes- their ninth final appearance in the runs in four innings made his place in man did not immediately respond to competition, which they have won the playing XI untenable. query. Other reports on Tuesday said four times. Mourinho, who is seeking “We all are really excited to have Ozil was in talks with MLS side DC his fifth League Cup crown as a man- him [Rohit] back,” said Ajinkya United. Ozil moved to Arsenal from ager after previous triumphs with Rahane, who is leading India in the Real Madrid in 2013 and is the highest Chelsea (2005, 2007, 2015) and absence of skipper Virat Kohli who is paid player in the Premier League Manchester United (2017), said there out on paternity leave. “His experi- club’s history on a reported £350,000 was a simple secret to success in the ence at the highest level matters a lot. ($480,000) a week, but he has not competition. He had seven-eight [practice] sessions. played all season and does not appear “I came to England in 2004 and I He came to Melbourne and when our to be in coach Mikel Arteta’s plans. remember ... I had to learn the mean- Test match got over, he started his ing of the cups here and I always took practice straightaway. He’s been bat- it seriously. If there’s any secret it’s to ting really well,” Rahane. Slaven Bilic back in coaching take it seriously. To respect what India have also lost the services of job with Beijing Guoan English football is,” Mourinho told frontline pacers Mohammed Shami LONDON: Beijing Guoan have appoint- reporters. “What I sense in the team is AP/rss and Umesh Yadav through injuries ed former West Bromwich Albion exactly that desire. I’m not saying win- Goals from Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-min (centre) sent Tottenham to their ninth final of the League Cup, which they have won four times. since levelling the series 1-1 in manager Slaven Bilic as their new ning mentality, I’m not saying we are Melbourne. Saini’s debut means head coach on a two-year contract to this or that. I just say we’re honest way to the semis, thought they had 2-0 after 70 minutes. Brentford’s disap- final for now. But when April arrives Jasprit Bumrah will lead an inexperi- replace Bruno Genesio, the Chinese people. The guys since the first game drawn level after the break when pointment was compounded when we have to be ready and to fight for the enced three-pronged pace attack Super League (CSL) club said on against Chelsea, then Stoke City, and striker Ivan Toney headed home but Josh Dasilva was sent off six minutes trophy,” he added. which also includes one-Test old Wednesday. Beijing made the now ... took it seriously. That’s what I the goal was disallowed for a very from time for an over-the-top chal- Brentford boss Thomas Frank said, Mohammed Siraj. announcement on social media and hope to do on Sunday in Crosby tight offside, which was spotted by lenge on Tottenham’s Denmark mid- “It was an open game, we had a top “We’ll definitely miss Umesh and said they had decided not to renew against Marine [in the FA Cup third VAR. Toney’s grounded knee was fielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who attitude, we were brave and an equal- Shami but that gives opportunity to the contract of Frenchman Genesio, round]. Try to be serious, respect the ruled to be offside before he rose to was immediately substituted with iser wouldn’t have been a totally other guys to come and do well at the who guided them to third in the CSL opponents and try to progress.” head in from close range after Ethan blood streaming down his shin. unfair result against a world-class highest level,” Rahane said, citing and the quarter-finals of the Asian Fellow London side Brentford, play- Pinnock nodded a cross back across “It’s a game that takes us to a final team. If you want to go to a final Siraj’s impressive debut in Melbourne Champions League. Croatian Bilic ing in their first semi-final in a major the face of goal. to, probably, but I hope not, an empty against a top team, you need the mar- as inspiration. “It’s not about one or returns to management less than a cup competition, started brightly but Jose Mourinho’s Spurs side Wembley final but of course I’m very gins with you but then they show class two individuals, it’s about the bowling month since he was sacked by fell behind in the 12th minute when responded to that let-off with South happy,” said Mourinho. to get a second and after that it was unit ... As a team we want to do well. English Premier League side West unmarked French midfielder Sissoko Korean forward Son collecting a fine “The final is now in a pocket for game over.” The way he bowled in the last game, Brom following a poor start to the headed in a fine Sergio Reguilon cross pass from Tanguy Ndombele and three months, we have to wait for the The match will be held at Wembley especially when Umesh got injured in 2020-21 season in which they claimed from the left. The visitors, who had bursting goalwards before slotting final so we have to focus on what we on April 25, after the Football League the second innings ... Siraj was really seven points in 13 games under the beaten four top-flight teams on their past goalkeeper David Raya to make it have coming up... so let’s forget the moved the date back from February. exceptional.” 52-year-old.

Juventus confirm second Covid-19 positive test this week New Zealand rout Pakistan in second Test to sweep series 2-0 TURIN: Juventus confirmed on Tuesday that Juan Cuadrado has test- Reuters Test series triumph with victo- on paper was very much in our Masood on Tuesday night. ed positive for Covid-19, the second WELLINGTON, Jan 6 ry inside four days at the favour, we know that when you Mohammad Abbas was caught player from the Serie A champions to Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. are playing quality opposition, behind off a Trent Boult deliv- test positive this week. Brazilian Kyle Jamieson took his second The win also pushed the Black it’s the small margins,” ery before Jamieson got into defender Alex Sandro is already in five-wicket haul of the match Caps firmly into contention for Williamson, who was adjudged the swing again to send back isolation after testing positive on as New Zealand beat Pakistan one of two berths in June’s player-of-the-series, said after Abid Ali and leave the tourists Monday, with Cuadrado confirmed as by an innings and 176 runs in inaugural World Test the win. We won those small labouring to lunch at 69-3. having contracted Covid-19 after the the second Test on Wednesday Championship final at Lord’s. margins and had a bit of luck Jamieson secured his fourth latest round of testing. “Juventus to sweep the series 2-0 and top As much as player-of-the- go our way as well.” five-wicket haul in six Tests Football Club announces that, during the world rankings for the first match Jamieson’s fine bowl- Pakistan managed 297 in the in the second session by dis- the checks provided for by the proto- time. ing, the win was built on the first innings and only an missing Haris Sohail, Azhar col in force, Juan Cuadrado has The young paceman took magnificent 238 skipper Kane extraordinary rearguard Ali and stand-in skipper emerged positive with Covid-19. 6-48 to add to his 5-69 from the Williamson scored in New action was going to prevent a Mohammad Rizwan. Boult dis- The player has already been first innings as the Black Caps Zealand’s only innings, which heavy defeat when they missed Zafar Gohar, who made placed in solitary confinement and is dismissed the tourists for 186 enabled the hosts to declare on resumed on 8-1 after Jamieson AP/rss 37, to seal the victory for asymptomatic.” (AGENCIES) to seal an eighth straight home 659-6. “Even though the result had removed opener Shan The victory sent New Zealand to the top of world rankings for the first time. New Zealand. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) *** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) ***** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** One of the best ways to remind yourself that You might think you’re seeing double today One of your current projects feels like it will A friend has been making some remarkable you’re the chief of your life is by rearranging when you come across someone who reminds never end. If you’ve been waiting for the light at changes in their life, which could mean you’re your life. It’s time for some cleaning! But before you a lot of yourself at a younger age. This per- the end of the tunnel to come into view, you thinking about making some changes of your you get annoyed at the prospect of organising son is stirring up some emotions about the goals might be able to get a glimpse of it today if you own. They have some excellent advice on how to things left untouched, stop and think about it. you left unconquered in your life. keep calm and remain confident about it. get started, so you should pick their brain.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ***** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) ***** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** Do you know the fastest route to your happy The energy you direct at other people will This is a very good day to get what you want, Take a second look at recent events and you’ll place? If not, you’d better figure it out quick! always come back to you in some way, shape, or whether it’s the attention of a certain someone finally be able to see them for what they are. A There could be at least one difficult personality form. This is something to keep in mind the next you have your eye on or just a better parking little distance plus time can give you clarity. It’s living up to their reputation today, making your time you feel like chatting on your phone while space. You’ve got some killer positive energy not easy to be honest with yourself about the life a little bit more difficult. someone next to you is trying to read. inside of you right now. mistakes you’ve made in the past, but it’s the best way to grow.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** The person in power right now might not be the Just because your friend or co-worker doesn’t If you get paired up with someone at work or If you’ve been dreaming about making a change person you’d like to see in power, but so what? like to toot their own horn doesn’t mean you school, your first reaction might be that the two in your life, today you could get the chance to You can and will still achieve a lot today. Their have to keep from singing their praises when of you are mismatched. If that’s the case, stick start making that dream come true. This is only involvement in your life is waning, and you you hear about their latest triumph. Show them with it anyway. Give this relationship time to the beginning, though. You can’t expect any won’t have to worry about them breathing down how proud you are of them and organize a little bloom, and you could be nicely surprised by major transformations to happen overnight. your neck. celebration. what it grows into. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 07, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 A place to shine for young Nephop artists Sabda Sangram, an upcoming virtual rap battle show, is making sure aspiring rappers have a voice.

PhotoS courtesy: sabda sangram’s Facebook Page Following its first season that aired in June, the show started its second one in October.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA show has been perking up the rap country. For us this realisation of in their battles. sion, emotion and stress. I also many Nepali rap artists like KATHMANDU culture in the country. For the people’s interest has been very And because the battles are had sought participation to con- Laure, Uniq Poet and Sacar, the organisers themselves their pro- motivating,” says Souljah. online, the programme has had a nect with people with whom I online rap battle programme in a here’s something gramme’s traction has been unex- “This battle show also aims to wide reach in terms of participa- could work on my skills,” said music industry devoid of plat- about watching rap- pected--and overwhelming. encourage rappers to recognise tion--from participants who are Ghimire who is also one of the forms for aspiring rappers has pers battle with each “When things were quiet during rap battle as a genre they can above 25 to people who have been current participants of season 2 been a silver lining to test and other—the aggression the lockdown, Souljah said let’s do explore themselves in. It’s not nec- closet rappers, Sabda Sangram and a former participant of the work on themselves. and the swag sweeps something together for the hip- essary that every rapper has to has managed to give something season one of the show. “The title I won in the first sea- you in immediately. hop scene. With the initiative we have a rap song, this genre too can different to participant’s experi- For both Adhikari and Ghimire, son means a lot to me and I believe TIt’s imposing and undaunting. hoped to provide a platform for have a scope and that has also ence. For many participants, platforms like Sabda Sangram it will open me to more avenues,” And on Sabda Sangram, as rap- aspiring rap artists and keep the been one of the ultimate goals of the programme has allowed them have been important for their said Adhikari. pers bash one another in a heated youth productively engaged amid the show,” said Souljah, who has to explore their interest in rap exposure in the rap scene and for For the organisers, however, the passion for rap, the rendition is a distressful time,” says Nita been promoting hip-hop for over a more deeply. significant experience that con- programme still looks challenging compelling and the beats cleverly Pradhananga, the co-founder of decade and he is also the vocalist For 24-year-old Ankush tribute to their career in rap. for they have not received the sup- compulsive. the show, who is also the host. of Tumbleweed Inc. Adhikari, aka WLF Kush, Sabda “Programmes like these help us port they wished they had. Despite And over the months of the pan- “We had not even expected a lot grow as artists, as it expands our the popularity of the battles--they demic, the virtual rap battle pro- of participation—the programme horizons and gives an opportunity are still struggling to find spon- gramme has been amassing a lot was imagined on a small scale,” to artists like us. Moreover, it sors. “After the success of season of attention on the internet, espe- she says. The programme has been amassing helps to foster the underground one, we were hopeful about getting cially on YouTube and Facebook. “It wasn’t an ambitious project hip-hop scene,” says Adhikari. more support but that really didn’t “It’s been an incredible experi- to begin with. It was more like— a lot of attention on the internet, Over the years, although the happen. The fault could be on our ence so far and quite different let’s bring people together and let especially on YouTube and Facebook. hip-hop scene of the country has part as well, on our outreach. But from what we expected,” says them experience something,” gained firmer foothold, many art- while the audience reception has Ktm Souljah, the hip-hop artist added Souljah. “But after seeing ists and young hip-hop enthusi- been overwhelming, we can’t say who is one among the people people’s expectations, we had to asts believe people still don’t get the same in terms of the funding behind the show. buckle up,” he said. The culture of rap battle origi- Sangram has been a memorable what rap means and that the hype we hoped we would get for the pro- Sabda Sangram manifested over To their surprise, Sabda nated in the 1980s in the East Coast experience to enhance his rap has been more around celebratory gramme,” said Pradhananga. the lockdown as a group of ardent Sangram’s open call received over hip-hop scene and it emphasised career. “Before Sabda Sangram, I rap figures. And for much of the But Pradhananga, Souljah and hip-hop followers decided to do 200 application videos on their complex lyrical wordplay and had participated in cyphers and time, the hip-hop scene is under- the entire team of Mero Mazzako something to bolster the under- first season, with Nepalis partici- delivery than the beats itself. freestyle battles as well and I rated and for emerging artists the Karyalaya, who is behind the pro- ground hip-hop scene. pating from different corners of “Rap battles are known for thought the platform would be a journey to making a name in the duction of the rap battle, is hope- The idea was to bring together the country to India, Japan, the expressing aggression and are good exposure,” said Adhikari, rap scene is still challenging. ful that Sabda Sangram will mark rap artists from across the US, the UAE, Malaysia and confrontational. The genre of hip- who won the first season. “But that is also why platforms a significant movement in the country and engage them in Australia. Their second season hop itself originates from revolu- Besides Adhikari, Sharmila like these are important to us, it underrated hip-hop scene of the intense expressions of themselves saw over 300 applications. tion and rap battles, a sub-genre Ghimire aka Everest Queen has helps us to explore more and break country. “I think it’s still very in a rap battle. Today, for the organisers, things of it is expressive, defiant and also sweeped many people’s curi- the set notions of how hip-hop is early to say we have become a plat- The programme seeks to help have been moving quickly and even explicit,” says Souljah. osity. The only female MC in the uncultured and freaky,” said form already, but we do want to artists exercise their wordplay with more significance than they Sabda Sangram’s format, second season, Ghimire has cooly Ghimire. “For me, the exposure make Sabda Sangram an influen- and understand the beats and har- had imagined. however, discourages the use of brushed her opponents with her has also helped me find an audi- tial platform for aspiring rap art- mony of rap. And following up its “I think the listeners of rap and explicit words to encourage the feisty and frisky delivery. ence and people to work with.” ists,” said Souljah. “And we look first season that started in June people interested in being rap art- participants to be more “Sabda Sangram for me was a After Raw Barz, a freestyle bat- forward to expanding and growing with its second one in October, the ists are gradually growing in the creative with their confrontations platform to express my aggres- tle league that brought together the rap scene.” Grammy Awards shift to March due to pandemic conditions Due to the recent surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, the annual show that was supposed to be held on January 31 has been moved to March 14.

ter of the state’s 40 million resi- dents. County health officials fear the incoming Christmas and New Year’s surge. The new Grammys date coin- cides with the scheduled hosting of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which is typically held at another downtown Los Angeles venue, the Shrine Auditorium. That show honours the best per- formances in film and television. “The Daily Show” host and comedian Trevor Noah is set to AP/RSS host the 2021 Grammys, where In this file photo, Neil Young performs at the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival at Napa Valley Expo in Napa, California. Beyoncé is leading contender with nine nominations. She scored nominations for song and record of the year with “Black Parade,” which she released on Juneteenth, Neil Young becomes latest artist while “Savage”—her No. 1 collabo- ration with Megan Thee Stallion-- picked up bids for record of the to sell stake in his songs year, best rap song and best rap AP/RSS performance. In an industry where music sales have dwindled and the concert industry A view of the red carpet appears prior to the start of the 62nd annual Grammy Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” Awards in Los Angeles. which aired on Disney+, is nomi- is on hold, song publishing is seen as an increasingly valuable asset. nated for best music film while MESFIN FEKADU “Brown Skin Girl,” a song dedicat- NEW YORK The Daily Show ed to dark- and brown-skinned DAVID BAUDER panion and I know every note, their music for advertising cam- women, is nominated for best NEW YORK every word, every pause and paigns. The accompanying video he 2021 Grammy host and comedian music video. Her daughter Blue silence intimately,” he said. “Neil parodied ads that featured Michael Awards will no longer Ivy Carter sings on “Brown Skin eil Young has Young, or at least his music, has Jackson and Eric Clapton. take place this month Trevor Noah is set Girl” and also earned a Grammy become the latest been my friend . . . ever since.” In the song, Young sang: “Ain’t in Los Angeles and nomination. musician to strike The businessman also said singin’ for Pepsi, ain’t singin’ for will broadcast in to host the 2021 Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Roddy gold with his song Young’s late manager, Elliot Coke. I don’t sing for nobody. March due to a recent Grammys. Ricch, Jhené Aiko, Post Malone, catalogue, selling a Roberts, was equally an idol to Makes me look like a joke.” Tsurge in coronavirus cases and Renée Zellweger, Billie Eilish and 50 percent stake in him. In an industry where music In the years since, it has become deaths. her producer-brother Finneas also Nhis music to a British investment sales have dwindled and the con- much more common for musi- The annual show would shift scored nominations. company in a deal announced on cert industry is on hold due to the cians to earn income through from its original January 31 broad- read the statement from Recording First-time nominees include Wednesday. advertising campaigns. But at cast to March 14, according to a Academy interim CEO Harvey The Strokes, Megan Thee Stallion The Hipgnosis Songs Fund said least through 2016, Young contin- joint statement released on Mason Jr, CBS executive Jack and Harry Styles. it had acquired half of the copy- ued to resist having his music Tuesday from the Recording Sussman and Grammys executive Since the pandemic, a number right and income interests in The deal comes a used this way, according to Rolling Academy and CBS, which broad- producer Ben Winston. of awards show were postponed some 1,180 songs written by the month after Bob Stone magazine. casts the ceremony. The statement “We want to thank all of the and later revamped due to Covid- 75-year-old rock star, composer of It was unclear whether the said the decision was reached talented artists, the staff, our ven- 19 restrictions. The BET Awards “Heart of Gold,” “Rockin’ in the Dylan sold pub- Hipgnosis deal augers a change in “after thoughtful conversations dors and especially this year’s was the first major awards show Free World” and “Cinnamon Girl.” that policy. with health experts, our host and nominees for their understanding, during the pandemic and was a Terms were not disclosed. lishing rights to In Wednesday’s announcement, artists scheduled to appear.” patience and willingness to work success thanks to its artsy, highly The deal comes a month after Mercuriadis said that his compa- “The deteriorating Covid situa- with us as we navigate these produced, well-crafted pre-taped Bob Dylan sold publishing rights around 600 songs. ny and Young “have a common tion in Los Angeles, with hospital unprecedented times.” performances. to more than 600 songs to the integrity, ethos and passion born services being overwhelmed, ICUs The Grammys will be held in The MTV Video Music Awards Universal Music Publishing Group out of a belief in music and these having reached capacity, and new Los Angeles at the Staples Center. featured Lady Gaga winning for a reported fortune of between coronavirus pandemic, song pub- important songs. There will never guidance from state and local Los Angeles County, the epicentre awards and performing onsite in a $300 million and a half billion dol- lishing is seen as an increasingly be a ‘Burger of Gold’ but we will governments have all led us to of the crisis in California, has sur- mask, and the Latin Grammys lars. Stevie Nicks sold an 80 per- valuable asset. The companies work together to make sure every- conclude that postponing our passed 11,000 Covid-19 deaths and pre-taped several performances cent stake in her music to Primary generally push for use of an art- one gets to hear them on Neil’s show was the right thing to do. has had 40 percent of the deaths in the week of the show, handing out Wave for a reported $100 million. ist’s songs in movies, video games terms.” Young has released some Nothing is more important than California. It is the third state to some of its awards to the winners Merck Mercuriadis, founder of and advertising. 70 albums as a solo artist and with the health and safety of those in reach the 25,000 death count. who attended the show. Performers Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, The latter use has been a stick- bands like Buffalo Springfield, our music community and the An average of six people die at the upcoming Grammys will be said that he bought his first Neil ing point for Young, whose 1988 Crazy Horse and Crosby, Stills, hundreds of people who work tire- every hour from Covid-19 in Los announced at a later date. Young album when he was seven song “This Note’s For You” sharp- Nash & Young. lessly on producing the show,” Angeles County, which has a quar- — Associated Press years old. “’Harvest’ was my com- ly criticized artists who leased — Associated Press

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