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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 198 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 34.5 C 15.5 C Saturday, September 04, 2021 | 19-05-2078 Dipayal Jumla Court observation on public debate on sub judice cases raises questions Restricting public discourse could be tantamount to gag order, which is a detriment to democracy, analysts say.

BINOD GHIMIRE bench would constitute a conflict of KATHMANDU, SEPT 3 interest, Rana had decided to allow the senior-most Justice Deepak Kumar While issuing an interim order on Karki to lead the bench. The hearing Thursday with regards to the hearing was scheduled for Friday. But Justice by the Constitutional Bench on Phuyal’s bench issued an interim appointments to various constitution- order on Thursday, throwing the hear- al bodies, Justice Hari Phuyal made ing into limbo. an observation on public discourse on As per the constitution, Rana, as sub judice cases. the chief justice, should lead the “There is a need to decide whether Constitutional Bench. But since Rana, people from various walks of life and as the chief justice, is also a member institutions should be allowed to make of the Constitutional Council that rec- public their opinions and even official ommends appointments to various decisions regarding the cases that are constitutional bodies, lawyers say being heard by the Supreme Court,” there was a clear conflict of interest. the bench observed. As many as 52 appointments were The bench said the court should made by the Constitutional Council look into remarks by former chief after the erstwhile KP Sharma Oli justices and justices, formal decisions introduced an ordinance to amend the by Nepal Bar Association and the pub- Constitutional Council Act. lic debates by lawyers on sub judice Now with Justice Phuyal’s observa- cases and decide whether they tion on public debate on sub judice Post photo: Hemanta Shrestha are within the parameters of cases, questions are being raised if A woman fills water from a stone spout at Mangalbazar in Lalitpur. freedom of expression and judi- the judiciary is attempting to gag free- cial culture. dom of expression. The observation was with Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi regards to growing debate on has already gone to the court with a whether Chief Justice Cholendra petition demanding vacation of the Afghan women Shumsher Rana should lead the ruling by Phuyal’s bench. The petition Odyssey of a man who Constitutional Bench while is in the process of registration. hearing the petitions against the “Controlling public opinion is demand rights appointments to various consti- against freedom of expression guar- came home after 47 years tutional bodies. anteed by the constitution as a funda- After questions were raised mental right,” said Tripathi. as Taliban seek that Rana’s presence in the >> Continued on page 2 Left Bardiya for India at eight. After switching odd jobs recognition and serving time in Karachi prison, freed by a twist of fate. Taliban say women will be able to continue education and work outside the home.

Associated press Kabul, Sept 3

A small group of Afghan women pro- tested near the presidential palace in Kabul on Friday, demanding equal rights from the Taliban as Afghanistan’s new rulers work on forming a government and seeking international recognition. The Taliban captured most of the country in a matter of days last month and celebrated the departure of the last US forces after 20 years of war. Post Photo: Keshav Thapa Now they face the urgent challenge of Bale Chhetri Bhandari arrived in Kathmandu from Karachi, Pakistan on Monday. governing a war-ravaged country that is heavily reliant on international aid. DEVENDRA BHATTARAI exclaimed as he hugged Guman after The Taliban have promised an KATHMANDU, Sept 3 he was introduced to his younger inclusive government and a more brother. “Did you get married?” moderate form of Islamic rule than Bale Chhetri Bhandari struggled to Both tried, unsuccessfully, to pick when they last ruled the country from recall his childhood. up the threads. 1996 to 2001. But many Afghans, espe- Born Bal Bahadur, everyone fondly “Brother, our 87 year-old father cially women, are deeply sceptical and called him Bale back in Bardiya. But always remembers you… he keeps on fear a rollback of rights gained over one day, he suddenly disappeared. He asking about you. Father did not the last two decades. was eight then. Then there was no believe when we told him that you are The protest in Kabul was the second information about him. No letters, no returning alive,” said Guman. women’s protest in as many days, with phones—no communication at all. “Is our father still alive?” Bale was the other held in the western city of When he landed at Kathmandu air- quick to ask, as though he did not have Herat. Around 20 women with micro- port on Monday night, more than four other things to say. phones gathered under the watchful decades had elapsed—47 years to be Then there was a call on Guman’s eyes of Taliban gunmen, who allowed precise. cell phone. It was their younger broth- the demonstration to proceed. “Yo sabai taqdir hola,” Bale said as er Surendra from Bardiya. The women demanded access to he landed in Kathmandu, in Nepali “Who Surendra? Do I have another education, the right to return to work that carried a heavy Hindi influence. brother also?” he questioned. When and a role in governing the country. [Translation: It must be my fate.”] Bale, the eldest son of the family, had “Freedom is our motto. It makes us He was brought home back from left home at the age of eight, Surendra proud,” read one of their signs. Pakistan. He was in a jail in Karachi. was not even born. A Taliban fighter ventured into the It looked like he had a zillion things When Bale was found in Karachi crowd at one point, but witnesses said to say, but he was unable to figure out prison, he could remember just two he was angry at the bystanders who how—what to say first. things—the place where he was born had stopped to watch the demonstra- “I lost my way to Madras [now and his father’s name. tion and not the protesters themselves. Chennai]… I landed in Bombay [now “I had gone to Sita (Rana)’s home in The Taliban have said women will Mumbai]. I went to Kerala. I took a Danfe, Nepalgunj to work. Then I went be able to continue their education and train to return home… but it so hap- to Rajapur,” Bale recalled. work outside the home, rights denied pened that I reached Gujarat,” he said. “Soon after I reached Kerala in to women when the militants were last He was completely unaware of what India to work at the house of a relative in power. But the Taliban have also lay in store for him. of Dr Saroj Rana. But wherever I vowed to impose Sharia, or Islamic In the beginning of 2018, scores of went, I could find only menial jobs... law, without providing specifics. fishermen were arrested by Pakistan doing household chores, cleaning the Interpretations of Islamic law vary for straying into the country’s territo- house, doing dishes. Fed up with that, widely across the Muslim world, with rial waters. Bale was one of them. A I decided to take a train home. But I more moderate strains predominat- Nepali who had ventured out of home landed in Madras.” ing. The Taliban’s earlier rule was for work as a child had found himself In Madras too, life remained the shaped by Afghanistan’s unique tribal in a jail in Karachi. same. “Once again, I landed a job of traditions, under which women are After an investigation by the cleaning dishes,” said Bale. Destiny not to be seen in public. Those cus- Embassy of Nepal in Pakistan, Bale’s then took him to Mumbai, where toms endure, especially in the coun- identity was ascertained that he was a a friend of his taught him how to fish. tryside, even during 20 years of Nepali. Accordingly, he was flown to Learning that fishing prospects Western-backed governments. Kathmandu. were better in Gujarat, he followed A potentially more pressing concern Guman Singh, Bale’s younger his friend to the western Indian coast- for the Taliban is the economy, which brother, had arrived in Kathmandu al state. is mired in crisis. Civil servants hav- earlier in the day after he was “I worked as a watchman… I worked en’t been paid for months, ATM’s have informed that his long lost brother at a tea stall,” he said. “One day a been shut down and banks are limiting was arriving. friend said I could earn up to Rs15,000 withdrawals to $200 per week, causing There was no way the two brothers Indian rupees monthly if I managed large crowds to form outside them. Aid could recognise each other—they to get a job on big fishing boats.” groups have warned of widespread were seeing each other after four dec- He spent most of 2017 working on hunger amid a severe drought. ades. And someone introduced them. fishing boats. >> Continued on page 4 “Oh my brother, Gumane!” Bale >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 | 02 National Odyssey of a man ...

>> Continued from page 1 in the jail. “It was water water everywhere… “Everyone took good care of me in We had to spend up to 15 days on the jail,” said Bale. “The fellow boat continuously. Every three hours, inmates liked me. Those in jail from we had to pull the big fishing nets out Pakistan would bring toothpaste and of the waters. Every meal was fish and toothbrush for me. They would some- rice... fish in the morning, fish in the times also offer chicken curry and rice.” evening,” recalled Bale, adding that he After spending years in had accumulated around Rs80,000. India, he speaks Gujarati and Hindi But before he could collect the fluently, but he has not forgotten money, he was arrested along with Nepali completely, even though the other Indian fishermen. effort he has to make to speak in He remembers that at least six fish- Nepali is quite visible, and the conver- ing boats were impounded. Every boat sation is frequently punctuated by had six “helpers”, at least, and by his Hindi terms. calculation, around 40-42 people must And “taqdir” is one. have been arrested then. “Taqdir kai karan jindagi ma ramro “All boats were owned by a single kehi garna sakiyena,” said Bale. person,” he said. [Translation: I lagged behind... as Fishermen from India and Pakistan everything, every path of mine was are often arrested whenever they predetermined.] stray into each other’s territorial “Everyone used to console me when waters. And they are often convicted I was in India, saying ‘don’t worry, it’s of trespassing. all about luck’. Luck will return to The arrests of Pakistani your side some day, they would say,” fishermen by Indians and Indian he said as he smiled. “I have been able fishermen by Pakistanis have long to return home despite fate taking me been a humanitarian problem, a to jail. It looks like luck indeed has solution of which rights bodies say returned.” must be found by the arch-enemies Out of jail and in home country themselves. now, nearly five decades later, incoher- Bale also became the victim of the ence is quite apparent when Bale long-standing practices by India and talks. He struggled to pick a topic for Pakistan of arresting fishermen. conversation. There are around 500 people in “We have some lands right? Or have Karachi prison who were arrested you already sold it?” Bale wondered, when they reached the Pakistani turning to his brother. Guman, waters from India while fishing, however, opted not to spoil the happy according to his estimates. reunion. He chose not to explain that As Bale says “taqdir,” it’s his luck the property [and land] had already Post Photo: Beeju Maharjan that he managed to get out of the pris- been divided between the brothers Workers restore the roof of a temple at Teku, Kathmandu on Friday. on. In April 2018, when the arrested and that he had already shifted to fishermen were taken to the Banke from Bardiya. court for a hearing, Bale pronounced: Bale thinks his immediate next “I am a Nepali,” not really knowing if move should be collecting the money that would lay the ground for his he had earned as a fisherman in release. Gujarat. The Embassy of Nepal in Pakistan “I don’t know about any other Swollen Koshi waters erode spurs in Saptari came to learn that there was a Nepali thing… but at the first chance, I will in a prison in Karachi. The embassy definitely go to Porbandar in Gujarat. then took up the case and made The Rs80,000 that I earned while Spur number 9.79 at Banarjhula in Tilathi Koiladi has been seeing continuous erosion over the last few days. arrangements for his repatriation, working as a fisherman is still with after providing sufficient evidence the man who owned the fishing boat.” ABDHESH KUMAR JHA on the spurs, according to technicians the erosion does not stop, the western “The threat of the river breaching that he was from Nepal. At the time of He does not know what else he RAJBIRAJ, SEPT 3 of the Koshi River Project. embankment will be at risk of being its western embankment and entering his arrest, he did not have his would do now. The spur numbered 9.79 in swept away,” said Satish Kumar Singh, the settlements has increased,” said citizenship card with him. Nor did he “Maybe I will get married… but Rising floodwaters in the Koshi river Banarjhula, Ward No. 5 of Tilathi chairman of Tilathi Koiladi Rural Singh. The Koshi Project should have have any other documents to prove maybe I will get into farming,” he have started eroding the spurs, struc- Koiladi Rural Municipality has been Municipality. done a better job protecting the who he was. mumbled. tures meant to protect riverbanks and seeing continuous erosion over the On Thursday evening, a team of embankments and spurs from ero- He regrets having accidentally land- main embankments by deflecting the last few days. “Since Thursday, efforts government officials including Singh sion. The authorities concerned ed in a jail, but he appeared grateful to (This story was originally published in currents away from riversides, on the are being made to stop the erosion of and Chief District Officer Jaya should have taken steps to ensure the Pakistani “brothers” who he met Kantipur, the Post’s sister paper.) western part of the Saptari district. the spur by constructing a temporary Narayan Singh of Saptari had reached preparations were made for the mon- The increased flow of water in the embankment using sand-filled sacks the Koshi river to take stock of the soon season. Spurs and embankments rain-swollen river has added pressure and bamboo trunks at Banarjhula. If situation. are at risk of erosion due to shoddy construction.”

Continuous erosion has put the western embankment at risk, officials say.

According to Singh, every year the authorities start embankment repair work only after the erosion starts. Starting August 18, 2008, Koshi Project worked continuously for ten years until 2018 when the Koshi river damaged its eastern embankment in Sunsari district. Five years ago, a pilot channel was dug to direct the river current towards the middle section of the river. “But for the last two years, the flow of the Koshi river has been directed towards the western part of Saptari,” Ashok Singh Thakur, engineer super- intendent of Koshi Project told the Post. “That’s why the pressure of water flow in the western part has increased in the last two years. According to the Koshi Project, they have started embankment repair work on the western part. “We have been making efforts to control erosion after post PHOTO: ABDHESH KUMAR JHA spurs started to get damaged because post PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA Workers use sandbags and bamboo poles to prevent spur erosion at Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality in Saptari. of high water flow,” said Singh. Bale Chhetri Bhandari (right) with his younger brother Guman Singh. Court observation on public debate ... Parbat landslides kill at least 11 people, >> Continued from page 1 were some with the view that public democracy, and all the constitutions Article 17 (2) (a) of the constitution debate on the House dissolution was a since 1990 have made them essential ensures freedom of opinion and wrong idea, as the case was sub judice rights that make citizens adequately power outage throughout district expression. in court. informed. Nepal’s constitution also “Barring opinion is not just an Lawyers defending Oli’s House dis- explicitly envisions separation of attack on freedom of expression but solution move too had raised the issue powers between the executive, the Multiple landslides have obstructed road connectivity in the district. also against international norms and of public debate on an issue that was judiciary and the legislature. practices,” Tripathi told the Post. being heard by the Constitutional Oli met with criticism from various LAL PRASAD SHARMA & AGANDHAR TIWARI said. Another landslide that occurred at around 9am at In his petition, Tripathi has cited Bench. walks of life because he intended to POKHARA/PARBAT, sept 3 Talche in the municipality took the lives of a 70-year-old the “Report of the Special Rapporteur Chief Justice Rana, who was presid- destabilise the principles of checks woman with her 40-year-old daughter-in-law and her three- on Independence of Judges and ing over the bench, however, had said and balances. Eleven people lost their lives in separate landslides in year-old grandson, police said. In Modi Rural Municipality Lawyers” which says judges and pros- that justices aren’t influenced by Observers say if Nepal’s judiciary, Parbat district on Friday morning. of the district, a 50-year-old died after being buried by a ecutors, just like all citizens, can exer- debates that take place out of the which in recent times has faced charg- According to the District Police Office, five people of the landslide. cise their right to freedom of expres- court. es of failing to discharge its duties in same family in Durlung, Ward No. 3 of Kushma Municipality Electricity supply has been cut off in Parbat since sion, belief, association, and assembly Democracy defenders and propo- a fair manner, indeed wants to were killed after their house was buried by a landslide. Thursday while road connectivity has also been obstructed which has to be done in a way that nents of freedom of speech say the improve its image, it should work to Similarly, a 38-year-old woman and her six-year-old son due to multiple landslides. doesn’t violate the dignity of their judiciary should refrain from putting clean the house, rather than pointing died in another landslide that occurred in Silmi of the “Midhill Highway and other road networks have also office. restrictions on people’s opinions on fingers at others, observers say. municipality. been obstructed in the district. Utility poles have been When erstwhile prime minister Oli the pretext of sub judice cases as that According to them, the judiciary’s “We had a sleepless night on Thursday night due to heavy uprooted in various places. We are yet to collect the details first dissolved the House of could be a regressive move. job is to focus on the evidence rainfall but we did not realise the danger we were in. We of the destruction,” said Shivaraj Budhathoki, deputy Representatives on December 20, four “Barring public debate would be and arguments presented by the thought our house was safe from landslides. We were superintendent at District Police Office, Parbat. former chief justices on January 8 against the norms of freedom of petitioners and defendants, rather wrong,” Prem Prasad Paudel, a local resident of Durlung Meanwhile, a landslide in Modi Rural Municipality dam- had issued a joint statement, calling expression and democratic principles than snooping about to find out if aged optical fibre cables and has affected telephone and the move unconstitutional. the country has embraced,” Daman there is any public debate and dis- mobile phone services. The House dissolution case was Nath Dhungana, a former Speaker course going on related to cases that “A technician team reached the incident site. But it is not already with the Supreme Court, and and civil society member, told the are sub judice. possible to fix the damage immediately,” said Bikash the Constitutional Bench was hearing Post. “The Supreme Court should Some say drawing a fine line would Timilsina, an engineer at Nepal Telecom in Pokhara. the case. The former chief justices restrain itself from any decision be in the larger interest of everyone, At least 18 people have lost their lives in flood and land- had stated that Oli had no authority to that stifles freedom of opinion and as judicial independence is as slide related incidents in Kaski and Parbat districts in the dissolve the House. expression.” important as freedom of speech and past two days, according to the data of the Gandaki Nepal Bar Association too had said According to Dhungana, since the expression. Provincial Police Office. the dissolution contradicted constitu- court is yet to make a final decision, it Bipin Adhikari, a former dean at On Friday, Krishna Chandra Nepali, chief minister of tional provisions. should be cautioned. Kathmandu University School of Law, Gandaki Province, directed authorities to speed up relief Political parties like Nepali A ruling to stop public debate on says unprincipled comments and and rescue works in the landslide and flood-affected areas. Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party, cases, especially those related to deci- opinions against sub judice cases He requested local and provincial levels to work effective- as well as some sections of then ruling sions by the governments that can must be avoided and need to be ly in order to help victims. Nepal Communist Party (NCP), had have a lasting impact, could be detri- restricted. The provincial government has decided to provide taken to the streets calling the House mental to democracy, observers say. “However, restrictions on debates Rs100,000 to the families whose loved ones died or are miss- dissolution unconstitutional. Freedom of political expression, on sub judice cases shouldn’t stretch ing in disasters. It has also decided to provide Rs15,000 for After Oli’s December 20 move, pub- freedom of speech and freedom of the to the extent where it breaches free- post courtesy: kamal regmi food, Rs25,000 for temporary shelter and Rs50,000 for medi- lic opinion too was divided. There press are basic tenets of Nepal’s dom of expression,” said Adhikari. Five people of the same family perished in Durlung. cal treatment.

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 National Census shows increase in tiger population in Shuklaphanta after four years

BHAWANI BHATTA KANCHANPUR, SEPT 3

The number of tigers has increased in Shuklaphanta National Park, accord- ing to the recent count conducted by the park. On Friday, officials of Shuklaphanta National Park released the latest tiger census highlighting the increase of the tiger population in the park. According to the census carried out between May 18 to June 6 this year, 19 adult tigers including six males, 11 females and one, whose gender is yet to be determined, were recorded in the park. The national census of tigers conducted in 2018 had put the number of adult big cats in Shuklaphanta at 16. According to the park officials, the tiger count was conducted using the camera trapping method. “The park area was divided into 89 grids and a couple of automated cam- eras were installed in each of the grids to record the movement of tigers for at least 15 days,” said Dil Bahadur Purja Pun, chief conservation officer of the park. According to Pun, the increase in the number of tigers may not seem high but it is encouraging news. “In Shuklaphanta, the tiger’s popu- lation had not changed for a long time. That’s why even this slight change in tiger numbers bears a great signifi- cance,” said Pun. The census also found that the ratio of male and female tigers is also almost equal. “In the past, the male-fe- male tiger ratio was lopsided. But now the number of males and females com- plement the entire tiger population in Post photo: Elite JOshi the park,” said Pun. Children pester passers-by for money at Koteshwar in Kathmandu on Friday. Tiger census was carried out with the technical assistance of the National Trust for Nature Conservation and Zoological Society of London. Thirty-three technicians were deployed in the tiger count. “We had selected a proper time Kathmandu allows cinemas, nightclubs to reopen frame to count tigers. The movement of tigers was frequent in particular locations this monsoon so it made Health experts warn of consequences after authorities decided to lift restrictions permitting most social and economic activities. it easier for us to not miss any tigers,” said Laxmiraj Joshi, chief at Shukla- phanta Conservation Programme of PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA maximum 50 percent attendance of were still required as per the smart the National Trust for Nature KATHMANDU, SEPT 3 people by following the health proto- lockdown guidelines. Conservation. cols,” said Kalpana Ghimire Nepal, Meanwhile, health experts say that Shuklaphanta is a suitable location Kathmandu District Administration assistant chief district officer of the sudden lifting of all restrictions for tigers with the availability of prey Office on Friday decided to allow cine- Kathmandu. might lead to a surge in infections. and habitat. According to 2018’s cen- ma halls, dance, and nightclubs to According to her, earlier, the “The most infectious Delta variant sus, over 68 wild animals (prey) were operate with a maximum of 50 percent Tourism Ministry had also requested of coronavirus is still circulating found per square kilometres inside occupancy. the District Administration Office to in our community and the majority the park. A day after the authorities decided address their concerns. She said that a of the population is still unvaccinated. Once upon a time, Shuklaphanta to lift most of the prohibitory orders monitoring committee headed by So there is an obvious risk of spread- was known as one of the major habi- that were in place in Kathmandu assistant chief district officer and rep- ing the virus again along with tats of tigers in Asia. In 2002, there Valley as a measure against Covid-19, resented by Nepal Police, Armed little to no restrictions,” Dr Sher were 26 adult tigers in the park. Since Kathmandu district administration Police Force, institutions represent- Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical then, the number of tigers decreased decided to reopen night-time business- ing the cinema producers, artists and Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical gradually in Shuklaphanta, the record es with some conditions. restaurants and clubs has also been and Infectious Disease Hospital, told of the park showed. According to the decision, Dohori formed. the Post. In 2008, eight tigers were recorded and dance restaurants can operate till The sudden lifting of restrictions “Reported infections per day are in the park and the number of tigers 12pm and nightclubs till 2am. They for the operation of night-time busi- more than 1,000 but still don’t know increased up to 17 in 2013, according to must also follow the 50 percent occu- nesses has come just two weeks how many people are getting infected the data of Shuklaphanta National pancy limit. after the government issued in reality. During the first wave, the Park. According to conservationists, “The new decision has come into circulars in the name of District cases had gone below 100 when the there’s a challenge in tiger conserva- effect from Friday itself,” Kali Prasad Administration Offices to implement situation had started to normalise.” tion due to rapid human encroach- Parajuli, chief district officer of ‘smart lockdown’. According to the ministry, 5.47 mil- ment near Shuklaphanta National Kathmandu, said. “With this decision, The government earlier had ordered lion individuals have received the Park and buffer zone areas. With the we sought a middle ground between the local administration to implement first jab of the vaccine while 4.79 mil- increase in tiger population, big cats preventing further spread of Covid-19 the Working Procedure on Smart lion people have received full doses as are seen straying outside their habi- and protection of livelihoods.” Lockdown starting from August 17 but of Friday. tats and getting closer to human A week ago, some representatives hardly any local administration has “Still a lot of people are yet to be settlements, resulting in conflicts of night-time businesses had submit- implemented such measures. Post photo: SANJOG MANANDHAR vaccinated and those unvaccinated with communities. ted keys to their businesses to the The working procedure has suggest- People enjoy their night out at Dancing Yak Club at Thamel in the Capital on Friday evening. are at high risk,” said Dr Pun. In Nepal, tigers are mainly found in Tourism Ministry, Covid-19 Crisis ed imposing hard, mixed, soft, or min- Even though the government its five protected areas and adjoining Management Centre and District imal lockdown based on risk assess- ly, stringent measures should be ity rate stood at 17.96 percent, accord- promised to enhance monitoring to forest areas outside the protected Administration Office, arguing they ment in a particular area of a district. taken, according to the procedure. A ing to the Health Ministry. The coun- control behaviour against health pro- parks in the low-lying Tarai belts. The could no longer run their businesses The areas should be categorised as soft lockdown should be imposed in try also reported 1,756 new Covid-19 tocol, Dr Pun expressed doubt if that Nationwide Tiger and Prey Survey amid continued lockdown. red, amber, yellow, or green zones as the case of moderate transmission cases with 23 deaths. would happen. “The recent experienc- 2018 recorded an impressive 19 per- “We returned their keys on per the degree of risk. and risk of transmission while enforc- Parajuli said that lockdown was lift- es show monitoring of violation of cent increase in tiger numbers from Thursday and took decisions to allow If there is a severe risk of transmis- ing preventive measures. ed to balance the health risk and live- health protocols has not been effec- the 2013 estimate of 198 tigers to 235. them to operate their businesses with sion and the virus is spreading rapid- On Friday, Nepal’s Covid-19 positiv- lihood although certain restrictions tive,” he said. Ornithologists hint at slight rise in endangered vulture numbers over past two years Give credits to awareness campaigns, youths’ involvement in conservation and coordination among community forest stakeholders for the increase.

ANUP OJHA experts. Of the total nine vulture spe- and himalayan griffon, are listed as growth, and in between we have established in Chitwan National Park. showed there were only 72 vultures KATHMANDU, SEPT 3 cies recorded in Nepal, four–white- near threatened. found more vultures shifting their Later, the government endorsed the in the area [in Rautahat], but in rumped vulture, slender-billed vul- Joshi, however, said awareness cam- nests and more people are aware of first Vulture Conservation Action the past 16 years the number has Those who are worried about the ture, red-headed vulture and Indian paigns, youths involvement and coor- the environmental benefits of these Plan for Nepal (2009-13). jumped to 334. decline in vulture numbers in Nepal vulture–are listed as critically endan- dination among community forest birds,” said Joshi. However, for Joshi, Bhusal and “The figure is from March, and have a piece of good news. gered. The Egyptian vulture is listed stakeholders might have helped Similarly, Krishna Bhusal, a mem- other conservationists, the death of 67 wherever we have expanded Jatayu Nepali ornithologists say the num- as endangered and three species, increase the bird’s population. ber of the vulture specialist group vultures in Nawalparasi (West) in restaurants, it has greatly helped ber of several endangered vulture spe- bearded vulture, cinereous vulture “The 2019 data also show a slight under the International Union for April this year, came as a huge shock. boost the vulture numbers,” said cies in the country might have Conservation of Nature, says there is “That was a black day for vulture Chaudhari. increased in the past two years. a possibility of an increase in the conservation,” said Dhan Bahadur Until two years ago, before the pan- “We could not conduct a survey due number of vultures in the country. Chaudhary, renowned vulture conser- demic, the Bird Conservation Nepal to the Covid-19 pandemic, but based “Due to increased awareness about vationist who is also a coordinator of had been counting vultures in May on the past trend we can say there vulture conservation in recent years, the Jatayu restaurant in Rautahat. He every year through transit surveys. might have been a slight rise in the we believe their numbers have not said the actual cause of deaths is still Every year, conservationists would number of white-rumped vultures in gone down. Also the expansion of not known. “Due to the government’s travel over 1,000 km by road on an the past two years,” said Ankit Bilash Jatayu [vulture] restaurants to seven indifference, we do not yet know the open pick up truck from Kakadbhitta Joshi, manager of the Vulture Project different places of the country and the actual cause of the deaths. Maybe to Mahendranagar (East-West high- under the Bird Conservation Nepal. ban on the use of harmful painkiller tests abroad would help resolve the way) driving the vehicle at the speed Surveys conducted between 2014 diclofenac have helped vultures mystery,” said Chaudhari. of 20 km per hour and counting vul- and 2017 showed the population of thrive,” said Bhusal. There are many reasons for the tures on the way, according to Joshi. white-rumped vultures in Nepal, had Jatayu restaurants established in deaths such as feeding on the carcass- “The number of white-rumped vul- gone up from 68 to 111. 2006, as a pioneer community-man- es of dogs that were probably poi- tures had decreased by 91 percent Vultures are natural cleaners as aged scheme for providing safe food soned to death. between 2002 and 2010,” said Joshi. they eat animal carcasses and prevent for the birds, have now opened Meanwhile, climate change, shrink- Nearly two and a half decades ago, potential diseases, poison and bacte- in Rupandehi, Dang, Kailali, Kaski ing habitats, increasing use of harm- there were 50,000 nesting pairs of ria from spreading. They are the envi- and Sunsari. ful veterinary drugs by farmers and white-rumped and slender-billed vul- ronmentally-beneficial scavengers To prevent the alarming decline in lack of food among other things have tures in Nepal, according to him. that serve the natural ecosystem. vulture population, the government in been identified as major threats to It is estimated that in the 1980s However, due to misconceptions and 2006 banned the production and use of vulture conservation. Nepal had over one million vultures, people not understanding their eco- diclofenac, a veterinary painkiller However, Chaudhari said before according to Joshi. However, he esti- logical value, their population dropped Post file Photo drug. Two years later, a Vulture the establishment of the first vulture mates their numbers have come down drastically in the past, according to Surveys showed the number of white-rumped vultures in Nepal went up from 68 to 111. Conservation Breeding Center was restaurant in 2005, his personal record to around 20,000.

C M Y K SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 | 04 world

Briefing Sri Lanka imposes Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani price controls to Kim orders tougher virus steps after N Korea shuns vaccines tackle food shortages SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Baradar to lead new Afghan government Jong Un ordered officials to wage AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE a tougher epidemic prevention The government’s legitimacy in the eyes of international donors and investors will be crucial. COLOMBO, SEPT 3 campaign in “our style” after he turned down some foreign Covid-19 REUTERS Sri Lanka imposed price controls on vaccines offered via the UN-backed KABUL, SEPT 3 key foods Friday as the government immunisation programme. During Afghan women demand rights as Taliban seek recognition stepped up the use of emergency a Politburo meeting on Thursday, Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul powers to counter shortages. Kim said officials must “bear in Ghani Baradar will lead a new Afghan >> Continued from page 1 Queues formed outside state-run mind that tightening epidemic government set to be announced soon, The Taliban said Western Union, supermarkets even before they opened prevention is the task of paramount sources in the group said on Friday, as which halted service after the mili- to sell sugar seized from private importance which must not be its fighters battled forces loyal to the tants entered Kabul last month, will dealers at less than half the price loosened even a moment,” the vanquished republic in the Panjshir resume transfers, which may help being charged on the open market official Korean Central News Valley north of Kabul. Afghans to receive cash from relatives 24 hours earlier. Agency reported on Friday. But the new government’s most living abroad. But most of “There is no sugar available else- immediate priority would be to Afghanistan’s foreign reserves are where,” moaned K. Perumal, 62, at avert the collapse of an economy held abroad and frozen while Western the Sathosa store in Colombo’s Kashmir still under lockdown grappling with drought and the ravag- nations consider how to engage with Maligawatte area where he waited after anti-India leader’s death es of a 20-year conflict that killed the Taliban, putting pressure on the for his two kilogram quota. SRINAGAR: Indian authorities enforced around 240,000 Afghans before US local currency. “There are small children in my a security lockdown and a near-total forces completed a tumultuous pullout There was no immediate comment family, we need about six kilos of communications blackout for a sec- on August 30. from Western Union on the resump- sugar a month,” he told AFP. “I have ond straight day in disputed Kashmir At stake is whether the Taliban can tion of service. not been able to find milk at all.” on Friday after the death of Syed Ali govern a country facing economic The Taliban say they want good Another shopper, N Wijeratne Geelani, a top resistance leader who meltdown, a humanitarian disaster relations with all countries, even the said two kilos was not enough but became the emblem of the region’s and threats to security and stability United States, and have held a string added: “Rationing is good because it defiance against New Delhi. Geelani’s from rival jihadist groups, including a of meetings with foreign envoys in will let others also a chance to get death at age 91 on late Wednesday and local offshoot of Islamic State. recent days in the Gulf nation of some supplies.” the ensuing crackdown on public Baradar, who heads the Taliban’s Qatar, where they have long main- The government, which declared a movement and communications by political office, will be joined by tained a political office. state of emergency this week, imposed Indian authorities highlighted the Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the son Western nations are expected to a maximum price of 125 rupees for turmoil seething just below the sur- of late Taliban co-founder Mullah demand the Taliban live up to their a kilo of sugar and 95 rupees for a face in the Himalayan region. Omar, and Sher Mohammad Abbas promises to form an inclusive govern- kilo of white rice. Wearing flak jackets and riot gear, Stanikzai, in senior positions in the ment and prevent Afghanistan from Authorities said that more than armed police and paramilitary sol- government, three sources said. being a haven for terrorist groups. AP/rss 32,000 tonnes of sugar were found in diers patrolled streets in Srinagar, the “All the top leaders have arrived in They may also press the Taliban on Women demand their rights under the Taliban rule during a protest in Kabul on Friday. raids on private warehouses carried region’s main city, and ordered resi- Kabul, where preparations are in final women’s rights, though that could be a out on Wednesday and Thursday. dents to stay indoors. stages to announce the new govern- harder sell for the group’s hard-line ior Taliban official based in Qatar, fear from them. But many Afghans, as But there have also been sharp price ment,” a Taliban official told Reuters, base, which is steeped in Afghanistan’s recently met with British and German well as Western nations that spent two rises for onions and potatoes, while speaking on condition of anonymity. deeply conservative, tribal culture. delegations, according to the Taliban, decades fighting the group, remain milk powder, kerosene oil and cooking US Supreme Court delivers Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Ahmadullah Muttaqi, a spokesman which said another official, Abdul deeply sceptical. gas are also in short supply. Taliban’s supreme religious leader, for the Taliban’s cultural commission, Salam Hanafi, had a phone call Tens of thousands of Afghans fled Only government stores have been blow to abortion rights will focus on religious matters and said a senior official from the United with Chinese deputy foreign minister the country after the Taliban takeover opening because of a nationwide WASHINGTON: A Supreme Court trans- governance within the framework of Arab Emirates flew into Kabul’s Wu Jianghao. in a massive US-led airlift out of Kabul coronavirus lockdown that the formed by Donald Trump has deliv- Islam, another Taliban source said. international airport on Friday to Most Western embassies were international airport. The scenes of government on Friday extended ered the biggest blow to abortion The Taliban, which seized Kabul on meet with Taliban officials, without evacuated and shuttered in the days chaos, from Afghans clinging to mili- for one week. rights in the United States in 50 years August 15 after sweeping across most naming him. Afghanistan’s TOLO TV after the Taliban rolled into Kabul on tary aircraft as they took off before Experts have blamed the food crisis by refusing to block a Texas law that of the country, have faced resistance reported that the aircraft was August 15. The Taliban have urged falling to their deaths, to a suicide on a shortage of foreign exchange bans the procedure after six weeks of in the Panjshir Valley, where there also carrying 60 tons of food and diplomats to return. bombing that killed 169 Afghans and to import and maintain stocks. pregnancy. Abortion opponents were have been reports of heavy fighting medical aid. Taliban political leaders have gone 13 US service members, marked a bit- The government, which is also celebrating on Thursday, while and casualties. Sher Mohammad Stanikzai, a sen- on TV to say the world has nothing to ter end to America’s longest war. short of cash to service its foreign Democratic President Joe Biden Several thousand fighters of region- debt, has insisted the shortages are lashed out at the court and pro-choice al militias and remnants of the gov- a result of traders profiting from groups geared up for further legal ernment’s armed forces have massed militant movement said the interim and the structure of the future Humanitarian groups have warned pandemic restrictions. challenges to the “Texas Heartbeat in the rugged valley under the leader- government now being formed would government, the source said. of impending catastrophe and the “What we see is not a genuine Act.” That law bans abortion once a ship of Ahmad Massoud, the son of consist solely of Taliban members. All the sources expected the interim economy, reliant for years on millions shortage,” Foreign minister heartbeat can be detected, which usu- former Mujahideen commander It would comprise 25 ministries, government’s cabinet to be finalised of dollars of foreign aid, is near Gamini Lakshman Peiris told a press ally takes place at six weeks—before Ahmad Shah Massoud. with a consultative council, or shura, soon but differed over exactly collapse. conference on the food emergency. many women even know they are Efforts to negotiate a settlement of 12 Muslim scholars, the source when, with some saying it would be But Kabul airport, the key to any “It is an artificial shortage created pregnant—and makes no exceptions appear to have broken down, with added. settled later on Friday while others aid lifeline, has been closed since the by a few.” for rape or incest. “A tremendous each side blaming the other for the Also being planned within six to felt it would take until the middle Taliban takeover due to a lack of Junior finance minister Nivard #prolife victory!” tweeted Dan failure. eight months is a loya jirga, or grand of next week. air traffic control. Cabraal said only a handful of items Patrick, the Republican lieutenant While the Taliban have spoken of assembly, bringing together elders The government’s legitimacy in The Taliban are still talking to for- were in short supply, adding: “We have governor of Texas, America’s sec- their desire to form a consensus gov- and representatives across Afghan the eyes of international donors eign countries about technical assis- ample food stocks for the foreseeable ond-most populous state. (AGENCIES) ernment, a source close to the Islamist society to discuss a constitution and investors will be crucial. tance needed to reopen it. future”. Japan’s struggling PM Suga steps down, sets stage for new leader

REUTERS Former foreign minister Fumio ner, assured of being premier due to TOKYO, SEPT 3 Kishida has already thrown his hat in the LDP’s majority in the lower house the ring. of parliament, must call the general Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Before Abe’s record eight-year ten- election by November 28. Suga said in a surprise move on ure, the country had gone through six Declaring himself a contender for Friday he would step down, setting prime ministers in as many years, Japan’s next leader, Kishida, a the stage for a new premier after a including Abe’s own troubled first soft-spoken Hiroshima lawmaker, on one—year tenure marred by an unpop- one-year term. Thursday criticised Suga’s coronavi- ular Covid-19 response and sinking Tokyo stocks jumped on news of rus response and urged a stimulus public support. Suga’s decision, with the benchmark package to combat the pandemic. Suga, who took over after Shinzo Nikkei rising 2 percent and the broad- “Kishida is the top runner for the Abe resigned last September citing ill er Topix hitting its highest levels time being but that doesn’t mean his health, has seen his approval ratings since 1991. victory is assured,” said Koichi drop below 30 percent as the nation “I want to focus on coronavirus Nakano, political science professor at struggles with its worst wave of response, so I told the LDP executive Sophia University. Covid-19 infections ahead of a general meeting that I’ve decided not to run in Nakano said Kono, Suga’s adminis- election this year. the party leadership race,” Suga told trative reform minister, could run if he Suga did not capitalise on his last reporters. “I judged that I cannot jug- gets the backing of his faction leader in major achievement—hosting the gle both and I should concentrate on the party, Finance Minister Taro Aso. Olympics, which were postponed either of them.” Former defence minister Shigeru months before he took office as coro- He said he would hold a news con- Ishiba, also popular with the public as navirus cases surged. ference as early as next week. a potential premier, said he was His decision not to seek reelection Suga’s abrupt resignation ended a ready to run if the conditions and as ruling Liberal Democratic Party rollercoaster week in which Suga environment are right. He was a rare (LDP) president this month means the pulled out all the stops to save his job, LDP critic of Abe during his time as party will choose a new leader, who including suggestions he would sack prime minister. will become prime minister. his long-term party ally, as well as Kono has led Japan’s rocky inocula- There is no clear frontrunner, but plans to dissolve parliament and tion drive but remains high on the list the popular minister in charge of reshuffle party executive and his cabi- of lawmakers voters want to see suc- Japan’s vaccination rollout, Taro net. He is expected to stay on until his ceed Suga. Kono did not deny media ap/rss Kono, intends to run, broadcaster TBS successor is chosen in the party elec- reports but stopped short of declaring The Berlin Cathedral is illuminated on the eve of the start of the 17th ‘Festival of Lights’ in Berlin, Germany on Thursday. said on Friday without citing sources. tion slated for September 29. The win- his candidacy. With no tourist handouts, hungry Bali monkeys raid homes

ASSOCIATED PRESS the tall nutmeg trees and leaping keys, the sanctuary has also lost out Frequently, monkeys wander into SANGEH, INDONESIA, SEPT 3 about the famous Pura Bukit Sari tem- on its admission fees and is running the village and sit on roofs, occasional- ple, and are considered sacred. low on money to purchase food ly removing tiles and dropping them Deprived of their preferred food In normal times the protected jun- for them, said operations manager to the ground. When villagers put out source—the bananas, peanuts and gle area in the southeast of the Made Mohon. daily religious offerings of food on other goodies brought in by tourists Indonesian island is popular among The donations from villagers have their terraces, the monkeys jump now kept away by the coronavirus— local residents for wedding photos, as helped, but they are also feeling the down and make off with them. hungry monkeys on the resort well as among international visitors. economic pinch and are gradually giv- “A few days ago I attended a tradi- island of Bali have taken to raiding The relatively tame monkeys can be ing less and less, he said. tional ceremony at a temple near the villagers’ homes in their search for easily coaxed to sit on a shoulder or “This prolonged pandemic is Sangeh forest,” Gustu Alit said. something tasty. lap for a peanut or two. beyond our expectations,” Made “When I parked my car and took out Villagers in Sangeh say the gray Ordinarily, tourism is the main Mohon said, “Food for monkeys has two plastic bags containing food and long-tailed macaques have been ven- source of income for Bali’s 4 million become a problem.” flowers as offerings, two monkeys sud- turing out from a sanctuary about 500 residents, who welcomed more than 5 Food costs run about 850,000 rupiah denly appeared and grabbed it all and meters (yards) away to hang out on million foreign visitors annually ($60) a day, Made Mohon said, for 200 ran into the forest very fast.” their roofs and await the right time to before the pandemic. kilograms (440 pounds) of cassava, the Normally, the monkeys spend swoop down and snatch a snack. The Sangeh Monkey Forest typical- monkeys’ staple food, and 10 kilo- all day interacting with visitors— Worried that the sporadic sorties ly had about 6,000 visitors a month, grams (22 pounds) of bananas. stealing sunglasses and water will escalate into an all-out monkey but as the pandemic spread last year The macaque is an omnivore and bottles, pulling at clothes, jumping on assault on the village, residents have and international travel dropped can eat a variety of animals and plants shoulders—and Gustu Alit theorizes been taking fruit, peanuts and other off dramatically, that number dropped found in the jungle, but those in the that more than just being hungry, food to the Sangeh Monkey Forest to to about 500. Sangeh Monkey Forest have had they’re bored. try to placate the primates. Since July, when Indonesia banned enough contact with humans over “That’s why I have urged villagers “We are afraid that the hungry mon- all foreign travellers to the island and the years that they seem to prefer here to come to the forest to play with keys will turn wild and vicious,” vil- shut the sanctuary to local residents other things. the monkeys and offer them food,” he lager Saskara Gustu Alit said. as well, there has been nobody. And they’re not afraid to take said. “I think they need to interact AP/rss About 600 of the macaques live in Not only has that meant nobody matters into their own hands, Gustu with humans as often as possible so Made Mohon, the operation manager of Sangeh Monkey Forest, feeds macaques with donated the forest sanctuary, swinging from bringing in extra food for the mon- Alit said. that they do not go wild.” peanuts at the popular tourist attraction site in Sangeh, Bali Island, Indonesia on Wednesday.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 Money

FOREX

US Dollar 117.14 Supply chain goes haywire as constant rain soaks country Euro 139.05

Pound Sterling 161.91 Vegetable prices soar with the start of festival season while traders blame shortages as usual. If the rains continue, prices will keep on rising, they say.

Japanese Yen 10.66 KRISHANA PRASAIN vegetables,” he said. “Even though Chinese Yuan 18.16 KATHMANDU, SEPT 3 consumption is less than what it used to be before the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatari Riyal 31.78 Disruptions to the supply chain sales are slightly higher compared to Australian Dollar 87.06 caused by landslides and floods due to the festival season last year.”KC added incessant rain in various parts of the that the production period of seasonal Malaysian Ringit 28.25 country has made vegetables dearer produce was coming to an end in veg- in the valley’s wholesale and retail etable heartlands like Dhading and Saudi Arab Riyal 31.23 markets, traders said on Friday. Panchkhal, which means a drop in Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Sellers of fresh produce said prices shipments to the valley. would rise further as the lockdown Seasonal vegetables come to the val- Price Per tola has been eased and the festival season ley mainly from Dhading, Kabhre, bullion has begun. If the rains continue, high- Nuwakot, Panchkhal, Makwanpur, er freight charges will make vegeta- Chitwan, Sarlahi, Bara and Parsa. Fine Gold Rs 90,900 bles even more expensive, they said. “Normally, wholesale prices of sea- Binaya Shrestha, deputy director of sonal vegetables used to range from Silver Rs 1,195 the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Rs40-50 per kg,” Shrestha said. Market Development Board, said that Consumers are complaining about Source: FENEGOSIDA falling production of seasonal vegeta- the rise in the price of vegetables, bles and swelling festival demand especially with festivals like Father’s would keep prices on the high side Day and Teej approaching when con- gasoline watch until the next harvest season. sumption increases, insiders said. It is highly likely that prices will go “Today I paid Rs110 per kg for okra up in the next few days as the lock- and Rs130 per kg for sponge gourd. down has been eased, which will push This is outrageous as around a fort- up demand after long closed business- night ago I bought these vegetables for es reopen, he added. Rs50 and Rs40 per kg, respectively,” Besides demand and supply, weath- said Tokha resident Raj Kumar er and transportation cause vegetable Lamichhane. prices to fluctuate widely, traders said. “What other vegetable to buy when Wholesale prices of yard-long beans bottle gourd is priced at Rs105 per kg?” are now in the range of Rs90-100 per he asked. “The festival season is near- kg while in normal circumstances ing, and such steep increases in vege- at this time of the year, they would POST FILE PHOTO table prices will push up our festival cost Rs40-50 a kg. The current retail When roads become impassable due to landslides, vegetable shipments are stranded on the way; and in the rainy season, they start to rot fast. expenses because food is a major part price of yard-long beans is Rs170-180 of the celebrations.” per kg. received around 600-700 tonnes of veg- because of the landslides in different bles such as yard-long beans, okra, Lamichhane added that not only When roads become impassable etables on Thursday and Friday. But places on the highway. sponge gourd, snake gourd, bitter had vegetables become dearer but also due to landslides, vegetable shipments most of the fresh produce arrived in a Traders attributed the recent rise in gourd, green pumpkin, makai bodi hard to come by. are stranded on the way; and in the damaged state, he said. prices to the upcoming festival season, and cucumber, among others, had The country’s vegetable import bill rainy season, they start to rot Barely 300-400 tonnes of vegetables but they claimed that wholesale prices become more expensive. reached Rs15.27 billion in the last fis- fast. This leads to shortages of inven- were being delivered to the Kalimati were down by 15-20 percent compared It has been around 10 days since cal year 2020-21, up 12.5 percent com- tory and consequent higher prices, Fruits and Vegetable Market daily in to last year. vegetable prices increased by around pared to the previous fiscal year 2019- traders said. the past few days, he said. Bijay KC, president of the Kalanki 10-12 percent, he said. 20 when imports amounted to Rs13.58 Shrestha said that the supply situa- Trucks carrying vegetables take Vegetable Market which contains 115 “Observing the festival demand, billion, according to the macro eco- tion had improved as the market 9-10 days to arrive in Kathmandu stalls, confirmed that seasonal vegeta- farmers have raised the field price of nomic data of Nepal Rastra Bank. US funding tapped for Pacific undersea cable LNG prices soar as Asian after China rebuffed, sources say buyers compete for cargoes REUTERS Still, buyers are mostly choosing to REUTERS SINGAPORE, SEPT 3 remain in the sidelines, waiting for prices SYDNEY, SEPT 3 to drop, traders added. Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices Pakistan LNG, for instance, bought The Federated States of Micronesia will tap soared towards $20 per million British ther- only two of five cargoes it had sought, a US funding facility to construct a Pacific under- mal units (mmBtu) this week as supply while a tender by Pakistan State Oil for sea communications cable, two sources told constraints in Europe provided competi- October delivery did not receive any offers, Reuters, after rejecting a Chinese company-led tion for Asian buyers. The average LNG they added. proposal that was deemed a security threat by price for October delivery into Northeast Instead of buying in the spot US officials. Asia was estimated at about $19.90 per met- market, buyers are turning to sellers of The United States has taken great interest in ric million British thermal units (mmBtu), long-term contracts to seek extra volumes, several plans in recent years to lay optic up $2.70 from the previous week, industry traders said. fibre cables across the Pacific, projects that sources said. Demand from some parts was still robust. would bring vastly improved communications to “Prices now are mostly Europe-driven, Jordan’s National Electric Power island nations. as headline news about Russian supply Company (NEPCO) is seeking a cargo for The undersea cables have far greater data affects gas prices there, it’s having a spillo- delivery in October, while Turkey’s natural capacity than satellites, leading Washington ver effect here,” a Singapore-based LNG gas distributor BOTAS may have bought 20 to raise concerns that the involvement of Chinese trader said. of the 30 cargoes it had sought for delivery firms would compromise regional security. Asian prices have been boosted by tight over September to March, sources said. Beijing has consistently denied any intent to supply over the past few months due to pro- Japan’s Kansai Electric bought a cargo use cable infrastructure for spying. Two sources longed maintenance in Russia and for mid-October delivery at about $19.50 per with knowledge of the plans said FSM would use Australia, but the situation is improving, mmBtu while GNL Chile likely purchased a US funds to construct a line between two of its one source said. cargo for October, they added. four states, Kosrae to Pohnpei, replicating part of a route proposed under a previous $72.6 mil- lion project backed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Reuters reported in June that project, which also encompassed Nauru and Kiribati, was scup- pered after Washington raised concerns the con- tract would be awarded to Huawei Marine, now called HMN Technologies and majority owned by Shanghai-listed Hengtong Optic-Electric Co Ltd. One source told Reuters that FSM would draw around $14 million from the American Rescue Plan, a US facility created by President Joe Biden to distribute funds both at home and abroad to combat the health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. FSM said it was committed to providing fibre connectivity to the State of Kosrae, and onward connectivity to Kiribati and Nauru. The United States and FSM have a long geopo- litical relationship, enshrined in the Compact of Free Association, a decades-old agreement between the United States and its former The World Bank said in a statement it was Prominent US lawmakers have warned that Pacific trust territories. Under that agreement, working with FSM and Kiribati to map out their Chinese companies could undermine competi- Washington is responsible for the island next steps after the original tender for the larger tive tenders by offering state-subsidised bids nation’s defence. project concluded with no contract awarded. Reuters previously reported. The second source said the US funded Undersea cables represent one of the The US Commerce Department publicly lists cable would likely connect to the HANTRU-1 newest and most sensitive fronts in the rivalry Huawei Marine on its so-called “Entity List”— undersea cable, a line primarily used by the US between China and the US in the strategic waters known as a blacklist—which restricts the sale of government that connects to the US Pacific terri- of the Pacific. US goods and technology to the company. The tory of Guam. While FSM has close ties to the United States, Department told Reuters that Huawei’s new Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity it also has long-standing diplomatic and trade owner, HMN Tech, would also be captured under as they were not authorised to speak publicly. relations with China. these restrictions. General Motors, Ford halt some production as chip shortage worsens

ASSOCIATED PRESS short supply of cars, trucks and dim with the reality that tight inven- DETROIT, SEPT 3 SUVs on dealer lots nationwide that tory will last well into 2022,” said have pushed prices to record levels. Kevin Roberts, director of industry The global shortage of computer Automakers reported that US dealers insights for Cargurus.com. chips is getting worse, forcing auto- had just under a million new vehicles Demand for trucks, SUVs and makers to temporarily close factories on their lots in August, 72 percent other autos is strong, but buyers are including those that build popular lower than the 3.58 million in August growing frustrated due to lack of pickup trucks. of 2019. “It now appears to be acceler- inventory and high prices. US light General Motors announced ating in the wrong direction,” said vehicle sales fell nearly 18 percent in Thursday that it would pause produc- Jeff Schuster, president of global August compared with a year ago, tion at eight of its 15 North American vehicle forecasting for LMC while the average vehicle sale assembly plants during the next two Automotive, a consulting firm. price hit over $41,000, a record, weeks, including two that make the Industry analysts say the delta var- according to JD Power. Sales of company’s top-selling Chevrolet iant of the novel coronavirus has hit Ford’s F-Series trucks fell nearly 23 Silverado pickup. employees at chip factories in south- percent for the month. Ford will stop making pickups at east Asia hard, forcing some plants to The August sales dip and invento- its Kansas City Assembly Plant for close. That’s worsened a chip short- ry shortages prompted Schuster to the next two weeks. Shifts will be cut age that was starting to improve ear- cut his US sales forecast for the year at two more truck plants in Dearborn, lier in the summer. to 15.7 million. Until the pandemic Michigan, and Louisville, Kentucky. “Now the prospects for new sales hit, sales had been running around 17 The cuts will compound an already for the rest of the year continue to million per year.

C M Y K SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 | 06 Sports | Medley Djokovic five matches away Goverdhan misses Paralympic bronze SPORTS BUREAU the match 12-9 to deny Goverdhan a KATHMANDU, Sept 3 shot at making history. The third round was tied at 5-5. Palesha Goverdhan missed out on Li had earlier overcome Micev from calendar Grand Slam the opportunity to win Nepal’s first in the 23-17 in the round of 16 before ever Paralympic medal after she lost losing her semi-final to Munro 34-25. The Serbian defeats Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round. her women’s K44 below 58 kg weight Brazilian Silvana Fernandes also category repechage bronze medal won the bronze beating Gamze Gurdal Agence France-Presse final to China’s Li Yujie at the Tokyo of Turkey 26-9 in another repechage NEW YORK, Sept 3 2020 Paralympic Games on Friday. bronze medal final match. Goverdhan had earlier lost to Beth Fernandes had lost her semi-final World number one Novak Djokovic Munro of Great Britain 21-8 in the bout to Lisa Gjessing of Denmark. The moved five matches from completing round of 16 but re-energised her hopes Danes went on to beat Munro 32-14 in the first men’s singles calendar-year winning two repechage contests but the final to win gold. Grand Slam in 52 years by advancing fell short against the Chinese in the Goverdhan, the winner of the to the third round of the US Open on bronze medal match. historic bronze medal at the 2018 Friday. This is also the first occasion any Post file Photo Asian Para-taekwondo Open The 34-year-old Serbian cruised Nepali athlete has won a match at Palesha Goverdhan lost against China’s Li Championship in Vietnam, had past 121st-ranked Dutchman Tallon either Olympic or Paralympic Games. Yujie in women’s K44 below 58 kg weight missed the qualifiers due to the Covid- Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe The 17-year-old taekwondo player, category repechage bronze medal final. 19 pandemic but had earned a wild- Stadium to book a third-round date who was born without a palm on her card for Tokyo. with 2014 US Open runner-up Kei right hand, defeated the United States’ bronze medal bout with Li. She was the only representative Nishikori of Japan. Brianna Salinaro 10-0 and Marija Li lost the round one 4-2 but bounced from Nepal to compete at the Tokyo A fourth US Open crown would Micev of Serbia 23-15 to book a back to win the round two 5-0 to win Paralympics. bring Djokovic his 21st career Grand Slam crown, giving him the men’s all-time record, one more than the mark he now shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent with injuries. Argentina, Brazil win World Cup qualifiers Griekspoor broke in the seventh game of the second set to pull Agence France-Presse Venezuela did not go home Ecuador left it late to cement their within 4-3 when Djokovic sent a MONTEVIDEO, Sept 3 empty handed, though, as Yeferson hold on third place in the standings backhand long, but the number Soteldo scored a cheeky “Panenka” before beating Paraguay 2-0 in Quito. one broke back and held, taking the Argentina maintained their unbeaten penalty deep into injury time at the Felix Torres opened the scoring two set on his 10th ace on his way to a start to their World Cup qualifying end of the game. minutes from time with a header and 99-minute victory. campaign, cruising to a 3-1 victory at Argentina travel to Brazil on Michael Estrada’s individual effort Nishikori made himself an obstacle 10-man Venezuela on Thursday night. Sunday in a repeat of July’s sealed the victory five minutes into in Djokovic’s path to history by But Brazil continued their perfect Copa America final, which they time added on. outlasting American Mackenzie start to qualifying with a seventh win won 1-0 to end a 28-year wait for a Uruguay were without their two McDonald 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 2-6, out of seven as Everton Ribeiro major trophy. star forwards, Luis Suarez, who was 6-3, avenging a loss in last month’s scored the only goal in a 1-0 away Depleted Brazil were second best for injured, and Edinson Cavani, whose Washington semi-finals. victory over Chile. much of their trip to Santiago having club Manchester United refused to Djokovic has a 17-2 career record Afp/Rss In his first match for his country seen 11 players prevented from joining release him over coronavirus quaran- against Nishikori, who last beat the A fourth US Open crown would give Novak Djokovic all-time record 21st career Grand Slam since moving to Paris Saint-Germain, the squad by their clubs due to corona- tine regulations in Britain. Serbian star in the 2014 US Open title, one more than the mark he now shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Lionel Messi struggled to stamp his virus quarantine restrictions. But the twice former World Cup semi-finals. Since then, Djokovic has authority on the match in Caracas, Key English based players Alisson winners snatched a draw away to won 16 in a row, most recently in the Vinolas 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. minutes to advance. but it mattered little. Lautaro Martinez of Liverpool, Chelsea’s Thiago Silva Peru, who climbed off the bottom, as Tokyo Olympic quarter-finals. Reigning Wimbledon champion German Oscar Otte, ranked 144th, opened the scoring in first half injury and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s 29th minute Tokyo Olympic champion Barty, seeking her third Grand Slam became the fifth men’s qualifier to time after Venezuela had been reduced were missing but crucially Neymar, equalizer cancelled out Renato Tapia’s Alexander Zverev and top-ranked title, next plays American Shelby reach the third round by defeating to 10 men by Luis Adrian Martinez’s who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in opener from the hosts five minutes Ashleigh Barty rolled into the Rogers as she chases a sixth trophy 92nd-ranked American Denis Kudla red card for a reckless challenge on France, was available. earlier. third round. of the year and first US Open 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Messi. And it was his shot on 64 minutes Fernando Saucedo equalized seven Australian Barty dispatched Danish quarter-finals spot. There haven’t been so many qualifi- Argentina did not impress but the that Chile goalkeeper Claudio minutes from time for Bolivia in a 1-1 teen Clara Tauson 6-1, 7-5 and German Zverev, last year’s US Open ers so deep at any Slam since six at the extra man told in the final quarter Bravo spilled into the path of draw in La Paz after Roger Martinez’s fourth seed Zverev ripped 33rd-ranked runner-up and a champion two weeks 2011 French Open and not at the US when substitutes Joaquin Correa and Everton Ribeiro to nick the only goal opener for Colombia on 69 minutes Spanish left-hander Albert Ramos- ago at Cincinnati, took only 74 Open since five made it in 1984. Angel Correa broke through. of the game. following a mazy run. Sweden beat Spain, European champions Italy held by Bulgaria

Agence France-Presse strike, after excellent work from unbeaten streak to 35 matches, but it British media reported that Raheem both scored headers. Declan but will be happy that his two PARIS, Sept 3 Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski, was not the celebration in Florence Sterling and Jude Bellingham were Rice’s late strike capped an excellent much-maligned forwards, Timo put Sweden two points clear of Spain Roberto Mancini’s men were hoping targeted with monkey chants as night on the pitch for England as they Werner and Leroy Sane, both got on Sweden beat Spain 2-1 in Stockholm at the top of Group B with a game in for as they returned to action follow- England bounced back from their ago- maintained their 100 percent record the scoresheet. The four-time world on Thursday to take control of their hand. ing their penalty shoot-out triumph nising Euro final defeat by seeing off with a fourth straight victory in champions next host group leaders group in World Cup qualifying, while Carlos Soler had given Spain a over England in the European Hungary 4-0 in Budapest. Group I. Armenia, who they trail by one point, Italy were held by Bulgaria in their fifth-minute lead, but Alexander Isak Championship final in July. The majority of the 60,000 home Poland now sit second in the table, on Sunday. first match since winning Euro 2020. levelled for the hosts just a minute Federico Chiesa gave the Azzurri fans booed Gareth Southgate’s players five points behind England who they Armenia were held to a goalless Elsewhere, Belgium thrashed later. Only the group winners qualify the perfect start with the opening goal as they took the knee to highlight meet in Warsaw next week, after draw by North Macedonia. Estonia, England thumped Hungary automatically for the 2022 tournament in the 16th minute, but Atanas Iliev’s racial injustice before kick-off, before Robert Lewandowski netted in a 4-1 Romelu Lukaku scored a double as in a match marred by reported racist in Qatar, with the runners-up facing a equaliser five minutes before half- repeatedly throwing missiles at the win over Albania. Belgium cruised to a 5-2 success over chanting and Germany claimed an play-off. Spain have reached every time gave Bulgaria a 1-1 draw. Italy, visiting team from the stands. Germany struggled for long periods Estonia in Tallinn. underwhelming win against World Cup since last failing to qualify who missed out on the 2018 finals in Sterling answered the hostile against Liechtenstein in St Gallen but Roberto Martinez’s men are three Liechtenstein in Hansi Flick’s first in 1974, but have plenty of work to do Russia, remain top of Group C, but Puskas Arena crowd in the best possi- eventually won 2-0 for a crucial three points ahead of the Czech Republic, match as coach. to continue that run. Switzerland, four points adrift, have ble way with a 55th-minute opening points. who beat Belarus 1-0, at the top of Viktor Claesson’s second-half Italy extended their national record two games in hand. goal, before Kane and Harry Maguire Flick was visibly frustrated at times Group E. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) *** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Saturday’s skies push you to form new commitments You’re pining for some kind of breakthrough today. You’re ready to commit to something. Find what that Pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fall into place while simultaneously embracing release. The day Let yourself embrace the freedom you seek. This day activity or project looks like and allow yourself to today. The day offers you new insights around career offers an ideal time for serious, future-oriented con- is likely to illuminate which self-confidence issues begin planning. Today, it is easier to embrace a changes. There may be breakthroughs in your cur- versations in close relationships. Prioritise your are blocking the path forward towards actualising grounded and realistic view of your future. Light up rent relationship. Free up old habits so your plans to desire for pleasure and creative expression. your goals. the importance of friendship connections. move forward can more easily emerge.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** You’ve been steadily undergoing some major life Find the space you’re craving today. If you don’t put Saturday’s skies work to help you break free and Keep your ear to the ground. The universe is sending changes. Saturday’s skies work to highlight the work your needs out there, you can’t expect other people to form new plans all at once. The day highlights what you fresh philosophies and opportunities for self-ex- still waiting to be done. Elements of your family past magically meet them. The day may highlight changes needs shifting within partnership matters. It helps pansion. The day makes it easier to commit new that are clouding your present can come up. Take waiting to be made on the career front. Today offers a you make firm plans for the future and is ideal for plans, especially those concerning educational or firm steps towards your career goals. grounded atmosphere for close relationships. having serious, future-oriented conversations. travel-based matters.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Today’s cosmic landscape works to help you plant Saturday’s skies offer a moment to slow down and Staying with the same old routine is no longer func- Let yourself create a workable routine today. Rather your feet on the ground. The alignment works to help get serious about your next steps. The alignment tioning for you. The universe is pushing you to than bouncing towards either side of an extreme, you step firmly towards future goals and make the helps you think progressively about the future of explore new options in your work-life balance today. seek out balance and structure in your day to feel right plans to get there. Take a moment today to com- your work-life balance and helps you make grounded The alignment allows ideal space for future-oriented good. Aim to prioritise exercise, clean eating, and mit to new creative pursuits. plans towards getting where you want to be. discussions among community. tackling any looming errands. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 Culture & Lifestyle Against Islamophobia A Palestinian immigrant writer’s new novel exposes the fault lines of the ‘melting pot’ that is America.

FATHIMA M ily as well. Afaf ’s brother, Majeed, is also inclusion—exposing the vulnerable side humiliation and exclusion because of opposed to this dogma of religion, and of a racial supremacist who has been one’s faith. And in the same way, else- ince the tragic incident of 9/11, while he does not oppose it like his moth- brainwashed into hating a particular where in other sides of the world, news reports on ‘terrorism’ er, he somehow keeps equidistance with community. Muslims hope that Islamophobia will end have often become synonymous religion. The story of Afaf ’s sister, who went one day and that they will be able to live with Muslims committing hei- Mustafah combines elements of thrill- missing for a long time, brings the family with dignity and without any fear of nous crimes and the condemna- er and crime and connects them with the drama back right when it begins to being demonised. tion of the entire Muslim popu- everyday life of a Palestinian immigrant become something more than just a fam- While America’s (un)ethical stand Slation all over the world. The West is family in Chicago. Except that the novel ily story. But Nada’s disappearance and regarding Israel’s occupation of obsessed with this notion, jeopardising is no thriller. By delving into the psyche dramatic return only reaffirms that Palestine has to be questioned over and the lives, prospects, and dignity of the of a white, Islamophobic shooter, Muslims are like any other people. They over again, this novel shows how even Muslim community every time any Mustafah depicts one of the ways in have happy and unhappy families. They inside America, the so-called land of Muslim individual carries any criminal which Islamophobia unveils itself. The have joys and problems just like any promises and opportunities, there is so activity. The vetting and interrogation of novel shows Muslims as ordinary other family. The novel gives glimpses much violence against the cultural, Muslims before entering Western coun- humans leading ordinary lives like the into the challenges of an ordinary and ethnic, and religious ‘other’. But the tries has been normalised for over two people of any other faith. And the white uprooted family that is further trauma- novel is not limited or pertinent to just decades now. This fear of Muslims is shooter is the result of years of condi- tised in their adopted country because of America. Islamophobia has seeped into strategically inculcated in the minds of tioning of ordinary people against their faith. It also throws light on the gun many parts of the world, and the Indian many Westerners. Muslims. violence and mass shootings in America subcontinent is no exception. This book This systematic inculcation of The story of Afaf and her family is and the government’s failure to take an must be read not to see or prove Muslims Islamophobia is the topic of Sahar always at the backdrop of this bigger ethical stand on it. According to a report as peaceful, heroic, or revolutionary, but Mustafah’s new novel, ‘The Beauty of picture of Islamophobia that undercuts in The Washington Post, in the last 22 to see Muslims as ordinary human beings Your Face’. The book tells the story of the identity of America as a liberal, secu- years, more than 250,000 children have with their strength and limitations and Afaf, a Palestinian immigrant in lar nation. As we delve into Afaf ’s child- been exposed to gun violence at school. to break stereotypes generally associated America, who, with her family, comes to hood, we see a dysfunctional family try- This only shows how violence is so deep- with Muslims in the western world terms with the growth of Islamophobia ing to come to terms with the pain of ly embedded in the psyche of an average and elsewhere. in her adopted country. When the novel being uprooted. The disappearance of American. begins, Afaf is just a ten-year-old girl liv- her sister adds to the trauma. is a political tool employed by the For a democratic nation that promises The author is a PhD candidate at the ing with her immigrant family in the The missing sister balances the narra- West to keep its racial biases alive and freedom, prosperity, and happiness, Centre for English Studies, Jawaharlal suburbs of Chicago, until things sudden- tive by depicting how a marriage between intact. America’s gun violence and terror inci- Nehru University, New Delhi. ly change after her sister’s disappear- a Muslim and a Westerner is despised The conversation between the shooter dents are a matter of shame and concern. ance. The family, which does not follow even among non-practising Muslims. and Afaf is particularly significant in the But the novel is optimistic that one day, Islam religiously, is now divided into two And this is how Mustafah depicts novel. Even though the shooter wishes to Muslims will not have to justify their The Beauty of Your Face halves—the religious and the irreli- how Muslims do not need romanticisa- understand Afaf ’s life and thoughts, he existence or the choices they make just gious—after Afaf and her father embrace tion but dignity and trust as ordinary fails to move beyond his limited under- because of the criminal activities of Author: Sahar Mustafah Islam following the girl’s disappearance. humans. Muslims are as peaceful standing of Muslims and Islam and his some Muslim individuals. Even Publisher: Legend Press Afaf ’s mother, consumed by grief, does as anyone else and can be as biased or suspicion of Muslims and criminal though Afaf is terrified on the roads of Price: Rs 1460 (approximately) not turn to religion to ease her pain, and criminal as anyone else from any instinct gets the better of him. He choos- Chicago because of her hijab, she hopes eventually, she drifts away from her fam- other faith. Islamophobia, therefore, es hatred and violence over love and that one day this will end—the brutal Best-sellers | New releases

Fiction

1. The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green 2. Girl in White cotton by Avni Doshi 3. A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman 4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo 5. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman Source: Mandala Book Point Source:

Non-Fiction Nehru Tibet and China Books Do Furnish a Life: Reading The Comfort Book Author: A S Bhasin and Writing Science Author: Matt Haig 1. India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past Publication: Penguin Viking Author: Richard Dawkins Publication: Penguin Life Present by Shivshankar Menon Price: Rs 1118 Publication: Bantam Press Price: Rs 1118 Price: Rs 1278 2. A New Cold War: Henry Kissinger and Based on the archival research from 1949 Matt Haig, the writer of this book, the Rise of China Edited by to Indo-China war 1962, this non-fiction The British writer Richard Dawkins comforts the readers who are in con- Sanjaya Baru and Rahul Sharma book looks into the aftermath of the com- shares his take on the greatest con- stant search of hope, a meaningful life, 3. Language of Truth: Essays 2003-2020 by plex relationship of China with India temporary science literature and or simply in need of encouragement Salman Rushdie and Tibet after the declaration of China provides new material from other and motivation. The author defines as People’s Republic of China. The book great thinkers. The science book is happiness as an occurrence that results 4. India’s China Challenge by Ananth further discusses why India and China as divided into different sections, and from accepting who you truly are from Krishnan a country have been failing to find the each of them have separate themes, the inside and forgetting who you’re 5. Epicenter to Aftermath: Rebuilding solution till date. including celebrating nature, explor- expected to be or expected to do. and Remembering in the Wake of ing humanity, and interrogating faith. Nepal’s Earthquakes Edited by Michael Hutt, Mark Liechty, Stefanie Lotter In ‘The Card Counter,’ Tiffany Haddish brings the light The 41-year-old actor consulted with some professional gamblers she knows to learn more about what their agents are like.

LINDSEY BAHR slimy people to me,” she said. “I VENICE wasn’t feeling that. I was like, ‘I’m not making her slimy, that’s iffany Haddish may for sure.” have Martin Though she’s dabbled in some Scorsese to thank for serious roles, it was a bit of a her role in Paul learning curve for Haddish at Schrader’s “The first. But it was one that she was Card Counter,” at game for. Tleast indirectly. “For someone with Tiffany’s It was Scorsese who opened background one of the hardest Schrader’s eyes to the power of things to learn is you don’t have the comedic actor when he cast to hit every line,” Schrader said. Albert Brooks in a vanilla— Haddish put it a little more seemingly plain—role in “Taxi bluntly. Driver.” Schrader asked him why “When we came into rehears- and he said he thought Brooks als the first day I sucked. I would find something in it. sucked bad. I was horrible “You cast a comic, they will because I feel like that’s where break something in a role, even you should be horrible at, in if it isn’t laughs. They will make rehearsal,” she said. “We played themselves interesting,” a lot, and what I love about Paul Schrader said. “It’s in their is he was blatantly honest with DNA.” me, which is the most refreshing And it’s a theory he’s often thing in the world. I learned a gone back to, from casting lot from him, and I’m very, very Richard Pryor in his debut grateful, Paul, that you let me be “Blue Collar” to bringing Cedric in the movie. And that you didn’t the Entertainer to his last film fire me on that first rehearsal.” “First Reformed.” So when Haddish is not much of a Haddish’s name came up for the gambler herself, she said. She role of La Linda, a gambling keeps her bets to a $20, two-hour agent who gets entangled with limit. But she did take one big Oscar Isaac’s mysterious card gamble, on herself, when she shark William Tell, he was spent her rent money on an act- intrigued. ing class and ended up homeless “She brings a little joy, she for a time. brings her charisma,” Haddish “I told myself it would pay off said Thursday at the Venice in the long run and here I am in Film Festival before its world Italy, in Venice!” Haddish said premiere. “Every good drama, triumphantly. “So darling, it no matter how dark it is, needs a paid off.” little light so people can take a “The Card Counter” is com- breath, that’s what I was looking peting for the Golden Lion at the to do.” Venice Film Festival, up against The 41-year-old actor consult- films like Jane Campion’s “ The ed with some professional gam- Power of the Dog “ and Paolo blers she knows to learn more Sorrentino’s “ The Hand of about what their agents are like. God.” “The Card Counter” She wasn’t impressed with what opens in US theatres on she heard. September 10. AP/RSS “It sounded like a bunch of — Associated Press Tiffany Haddish poses for portraits for the film ‘The Card Counter’ during the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy.

C M Y K SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 ABBA back after 40 years with a new album, virtual stage show The group sang and played together for hours every day for weeks to create the 22-song, approximately 90-minute show.

The group’s next album ‘Voyage,’ is to be released on November 5.

more accurate then.” They sang and played together for hours every day for weeks, using motion capture and other techniques to create the 22-song, approximately 90-minute show. “We dressed up in a leotards with dots or little things on them,” Ulvaeus said. “And we had dots in our faces and helmets with cameras. And there we were, the four of us on stage togeth- er doing these songs.” They say it was hard work but a great pleasure, but for one thing. “I’d say the only big problem was that we had to shave our beards,” Andersson said. “I’ve had my beard for 50 years.” The planned show spurred the mak- ing of the album, which features the ap/rss new songs “I Still Have Faith In You” Associated Press The group has been creating and “Don’t Shut Me Down.” It began LONDON the live show with George Lucas’ with sessions in 2018 and was delayed special-effects company, Industrial by the coronavirus pandemic. BBA is releasing its Light & Magic. They say the “It was so joyful to be together in first new music in four virtual versions of themselves are the studio again, the four of us,” decades, along with a “weird and wonderful,” and go beyond Andersson said.” concert performance holograms. The show will come 50 years after that will see the “It was suggested to us that we the founding of the group that consist- “Dancing Queen” quar- could go on tour as a hologram. And ed of two married couples for most of tetA going entirely digital. this is now four, five years ago,” Björn its existence, and whose name is an The forthcoming album “Voyage,” Ulvaeus, ABBA’s 76-year-old guitarist, acronym of the first names of its to be released November 5, is a fol- backup singer and co-songwriter said members, Agnetha Fältskog, 71, Anni- low-up to 1981’s “The Visitors,” which at a news conference Thursday. “And Frid Lyngstad, 75, Ulvaeus and until now had been the swan song of we found out very soon that that Andersson. the Swedish supergroup. And a virtu- wasn’t even possible because holo- Their music has remained ubiqui- al version of the band will begin a grams is an old technology, but I mean, tous in the decades since their series of concerts in London on May the vision was there of having our breakup, in part because of the stage 27. digital selves, that even was a possibil- musical “Mamma Mia!” and the two “We took a break in the spring of ity.” films that followed it. 1982 and now we’ve decided it’s time to “And also,” said Benny Andersson, They were inducted into the Rock end it,” ABBA said in a statement 74, who plays keyboards, sings and and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Thursday. “They say it’s foolhardy to writes songs with Ulvaeus, “we want Last week the group launched a wait more than 40 years between to do it before we were dead.” website with the title “ ABBA Voyage,” albums, so we’ve recorded a follow-up Ulvaeus added, “it’s good if you do teasing the new announcement. to ‘The Visitors.’” that before you dead. Because it gets Tickets go on sale Tuesday.

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Limited, Central Business Park, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, P. B. No. 8559, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: [email protected], Regd. No. 32/049/050, Chairman & Managing Director: Kailash Sirohiya, Director: Swastika Sirohiya, Editor: Sanjeev Satgainya