WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 108 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 37.5 C 10.5 C Sunday, June 06, 2021 | 23-02-2078 Janakpur Jumla Leadership of task force formed to fight the pandemic comes into question Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre needs to be led by experts, not ministers or security personnel, experts say.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA cerns of health professionals will be KATHMANDU, JUNE 5 heard when the army or ex-army man leads the mechanism,” said Dr As Nepal geared up for its fight against Binjwala Shrestha, assistant profes- the Covid-19 pandemic last March, the sor at the Department of Community Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre Medicine under the Tribhuvan was formed. University Institute of Medicine. The deputy prime minister led it. The centre has been authorised to Last month the Covid-19 Crisis oversee implementation of the provi- Management Centre was reorganised sions of the ordinance, address issues after the Covid-19 Crisis Management involving care for Covid-19 patients, Ordinance was issued. implement the action plan to prevent A retired general of Nepal Army and control the pandemic, ensure sup- has been appointed to lead it. The cen- ply of medical goods and equipment, tre led by Balananda Sharma, a for- facilitate the mobilisation of resourc- mer lieutenant general, has a top es and direct the government agencies Health Ministry official, a major gen- to expand services including isolation eral of the Nepal Army, additional centres and holding centres at the bor- inspector general of the Nepal Police, der points, among other things. additional inspector general of the Dr Padam Bahadur Chand, an epi- POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI Armed Police Force, a joint-secretary demiologist who served as chief of the An asphalt plant, which produces the mixture of bitumen and fine aggregate for road construction, operates in the centre of a farmland at Sunakothi in Lalitpur on Saturday as countries of the Home Ministry and a joint-sec- Policy Planning and International celebrated World Environment Day with the slogan Ecosystem Restoration. An asphalt plant emits carbon monoxide, sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide gases which are hazardous to the retary of the Ministry of Industry, Cooperation Division at the Ministry surrounding atmosphere and people. Commerce and Supply as members. of Health and Population, says not In other words, four of the seven having experts in the committee is members are from the security forces. going against international practice. Health experts and retired civil “Every country including the USA, servants have questioned if a retired Britain, China, and Germany have soldier is the right person to lead a appointed epidemiologists or infec- INSIDE Change in criteria to appoint ambassadors body formed to handle the crisis. tious disease experts to lead in the “The leadership of a mechanism fight against the pandemic but it addressing the health crisis should seems that we do not feel the need for No testing, essential drugs for meets with widespread criticism have come from the health sector. experts,” Chand said. Upper Dolpa Covid-19 suspects There is a question whether the con- >> Continued on page 2 RUKUM (WEST): A large number of resi- dents in Dolpobuddha, Chharka- The share of political appointees among envoys has grown tangsong and She-Phoksundo rural municipalities in Dolpa district have and if the candidate is a former minister a high school been taken ill with fever, common cold and headache for the last two degree would qualify them for the role, officials say. weeks. But since there is no road access to these villages, health work- ers haven’t been able to provide the patients with the necessary treatment and medicines. According to people’s representatives, there isn’t enough essential medicine in the region to treat the patients that are showing symptoms similar to that of Covid-19. “The villagers haven’t recovered even in two weeks. Health workers are doing their best to control the disease but the number of people falling sick is growing,” said Kyalpo Thapa Bhote, chairman of Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality Ward 1. “Almost every house in Ward 1 has at least one patient of fever, cough, cold and body ache.” (Details on Pg 2)

Covid-19 fund idle even as pandemic paralyses nation KATHMANDU: The Coronavirus POST FILE PHOTO Prevention, Control and Treatment Foreign Ministry officials say the reported changes would be unacceptable to them. Fund established last year to generate resources to fight the Covid-19 pan- ANIL GIRI According to two joint secretaries demic through voluntary contribu- KATHMANDU, JUNE 5 that the Post talked to, this particular tions has remained largely unused criteria was changed to suit Yuvraj even as the country is reeling under a Nepal is in desperate need of Covid-19 Karki, who has been recommended as second wave of Covid-19 infections. vaccines. the next ambassador to Bahrain. The fund was established in March Given that the commodity is rare at “When we got his resume, we came 2020 to mobilise resources for procur- the moment, diplomatic efforts to to know that he was not even a gradu- ing medicines and medical goods, set- secure them are paramount. ate which means he didn’t meet the ting up infrastructure for the man- Appointing seasoned diplomats as existing criteria to be an ambassador,” agement of Covid-19 infected people, Nepal’s ambassadors would go a long said a joint-secretary on condition of mobilising human resources and pro- way in helping procure vaccines. anonymity. “The Cabinet amended the viding relief for the pandemic-affect- Instead, caretaker Prime Minister criteria waiving this provision in case ed people, according to the directives KP Sharma Oli is busy doling out of former ministers.” on Coronavirus Prevention, Control political largesse to his supporters to Karki, a former minister for general and Treatment Fund-2020. Since the the detriment of the country’s diplo- administration, is an Intermediate in meeting of its board on January 27, macy. It has changed the criteria for Science. another meeting was not held for four ambassadorial appointments as per The intermediate degree is equiva- months until last week. Not a rupee which political appointees do not even lent to a high school degree—grade 12. was released from the fund for the need a bachelor’s degree. Foreign Ministry officials do not management of oxygen, other medi- “The Cabinet has changed the qual- believe such a change has been effect- cal supplies, hospital beds and for ification criteria for ambassador ed. “What kind of results are we other measures to combat the second appointment,” an outgoing minister expecting from our ambassadors if wave of the pandemic. (Details on Pg 3) told the Post on condition of anonym- they are not qualified and only have ity. “A person does not have to be a the experience of teaching at middle graduate to become an ambassador.” school,” said another joint-secretary. Sunsari-Morang sees 20,000 Outgoing minister for information “An under-secretary at the Foreign and communication Parbat Gurung Ministry is far better than these workers laid off as lockdown during his regular press briefing on unqualified political appointees.” chokes factories Friday said that the Directives for Former foreign ministers are equal- BIRATNAGAR: More than 20,000 workers Ambassadorial Appointment have ly appalled by the decision. in the Sunsari-Morang industrial cor- been changed. “If that change has been made, then ridor were laid off after half the fac- “The Cabinet has changed some cri- it is not a good decision for the Foreign tories shuttered amid the lockdown. teria for ambassadorial appointments Ministry,” said Narayan Kaji Shrestha, The prohibitory orders have lasted and increased the quota for political a former deputy prime minister and more than four weeks, and the indus- appointments,” Gurung said. foreign minister. “The Oli administra- tries and businesses here are still tion has totally ruined institu- uncertain about what lies ahead. The tions. It has totally degraded industrial heartland in the region is ambassadorial appointments, home to 500 big and small factories which should be a matter of which employ 50,000 persons. Around pride for the nation. We need to 200 factories have shut down totally overhaul the Foreign Ministry due to the impact of the second wave and its conduct.” of the coronavirus outbreak. “Only 60 Sujata Koirala, another for- percent of the factories are open, but mer deputy prime minister and they are operating only partially due foreign minister, said the govern- to the restrictions,” said Suyash ment should discourage sending Pyakurel, president of the Chamber political appointees, leaders or of Industries Morang. (Details on Pg 5) cadres as ambassadors. >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL BRIEFING No testing and essential medicines for Migrant workers One dead, two injured in return to India in compressor blast Covid-19 suspects in Upper Dolpa NEPALGUNJ: A 25-year-old worker died search of jobs and two others were injured when an air compressor machine exploded at Villagers suffering from fever, cold and headache have not been tested as the district does not have any testing facilities. MOHAN BUDHAAIR Ward 21 of Nepalgunj Sub- DHANGADHI, JUNE 5 metropolitan City in Banke district HARI GAUTAM on Saturday. Police identified the RUKUM (WEST), JUNE 5 Despite prohibitory orders put in deceased as Saviraz Miya of place by the district authorities, peo- Kalaiya-19 in Bara district. According A large number of local residents in ple’s movement through the Trinagar- to the Ward Police Office in Dolpobuddha, Chharkatangsong and Gauriphanta border point has not Nepalgunj, the machine exploded She-Phoksundo rural municipalities stopped. Nepali migrant workers who while the workers were colouring a of Dolpa district have been taken ill had returned home when the second feed mill. The injured are receiving with fever, common cold and headache wave of the Covid-19 pandemic hit treatment at Nepalgunj Medical for the last two weeks. But since there India are now making their way back College, said police. is no road network reaching these to the country in search of jobs. rural villages, health workers haven’t A large number of migrant workers been able to provide the patients cross the border point on a daily basis, Budget issued to enhance with the necessary treatment and according to the Armed Police Force institutional capacity of medicines. Check Post in Trinagar. According to people’s representa- Every day, 200 to 400 Nepali migrant district hospital tives, there isn’t enough essential workers cross the border point into ARGHAKHANCHI: The federal govern- medicine in the region to treat the India, data from the check post ment has issued Rs 15 million to patients that are showing symptoms showed. enhance the institutional capacity of similar to that of Covid-19. Over 27,000 migrant workers have Arghakhanchi District Hospital. The “The villagers haven’t recovered returned home to Nepal since April hospital is in dire need of financial even in two weeks’ time. Health work- 29. Meanwhile, over 9,000 individuals support to provide treatment Covid-19 ers are doing their best to contain the have crossed the border to India victims during the second wave of spread of the disease but the number in search of jobs,” said Police the pandemic. “We will install an oxy- of people falling sick is growing,” said Inspector Laxman Joshi of the Armed gen plant and start intensive care ser- Kyalpo Thapa Bhote, chairman of Police Force. vice with the budget. But we have a Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality Since April 29, public transporta- shortage of trained human manpow- Ward No. 1. “Almost every house in tion has come to a halt because of er for the new services,” said Dr Ward No. 1 has at least one patient prohibitory orders imposed by vari- Kapil Gautam, chief at the hospital. suffering from fever, cough, cold and ous district administration offices body ache.” across Sudurpaschim Province. Although the villagers are suffering But in their desperation to reach Harion Municipality starts from coronavirus-like symptoms, India for employment, most migrant door-to-door health service health workers have not confirmed workers are paying exorbitant prices Covid-19 infection since the villagers to be ferried in vehicles with passes SARLAHI: Harion Municipality Office have not been tested for Covid-19 for a POST PHOTO granted for emergency services. in Sarlahi has deployed a rapid lack of testing facilities. Poor road connectivity has hindered the supply of essential medicines to the villages in Upper Dolpa. On Monday, Pahal Saud, a local res- response team with the aim to pro- On May 6, two health workers and ident of Pahalmanpur in Kailali, was vide health services at people’s door- two technicians from Dho in Upper cylinders and concentrators, to be cation if they fall sick. Many minis- tilator, which is currently not in use found crossing Trinagar border point steps. Tam Bahadur Ghising, a local Dolpa were airlifted to a Surkhet- sent to their villages in Dolpa. ters have said they will look into the for a lack of skilled staff, and two beds in search of a job in Maharashtra, resident of Ward No. 1 of Harion based hospital after they showed “But since there is no road connec- matter but no one has done anything with an oxygen facility. India. Municipality, said, “Locals who are symptoms of Covid-19. They tested tivity, the supplies have to be flown in so far,” said Temba Gurung, chairman There are no doctors available in “This is the fourth time that I am afraid to visit the hospital fearing positive for the virus. from Kathmandu. We are looking for of Dolpobuddha Rural Municipality. any of the local units in Upper Dolpa. travelling to Maharashtra since the Covid-19 infection have benefited “If we could transport medicine people who can help us do that,” said It takes three to six days on foot to Amar Singh Shahi, acting health start of the pandemic last year,” he after the municipality started the and medical supplies to the region, we Bhote. reach the District Hospital in Dolpa manager at the Health Service Office said. “I came home last year in mid- door-to-door service.” Ganesh Prasai, would be able to save many lives,” said The office of Dolpobuddha Rural from Upper Dolpa. In most cases, in Dolpa, said the local units should March. It’s time I go back and earn mayor of the municipality, said, “We ward chairman Bhote. Municipality has been requesting the Covid-19 patients are referred to manage all expenditures for the care some money. There is no source of have started providing health servic- According to him, Dolpa natives Karnali provincial government to health facilities outside the district of Covid-19 patients. income here.” es and have also requested locals to living in Kathmandu have collected 27 help in the supply of medicine but to since the district hospital is not “But there’s no such mechanism for Another Dil Bahadur Saud, a local contact health officials in case of types of essential medicines and other no avail. equipped to handle critical Covid-19 the management of Covid-19 patients man of Kailali, also shared similar emergency.” medical supplies, including oxygen “The villagers rely on herbal medi- cases. The 50-bed hospital has one ven- in Upper Dolpa,” he said. sentiments. “There are no jobs in the villages. We have to work for a living, pandemic or not. Otherwise, we will have nothing to eat,” said Saud. According to him, he paid an agent Rs 5,000 for a one-way transport fare to Maharashtra. “The normal transport Change in criteria to appoint ambassadors meets with ... fare is only Rs 2,000. But now we have to pay more than double given the >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 is another example.” ria states that any aspirant for ambas- After amending the criteria, a is against international practice and current situation,” he said. A retired middle school teacher, There had been the practice since sador should fulfil the barest mini- Cabinet meeting on May 13 recom- established norms, and these kinds of On Monday, Joga Bahadur BK, a Sumitra Subedi, a resident of Oli’s 1991 of appointing 50 percent ambas- mum standards--that they are above 35 mended 11 ambassadors to various changes will not be acceptable to us.” local resident of Ramshikhar Jhala in home district Jhapa, has been recom- sadors from among career diplomats years of age, hold a bachelor’s degree, countries. Of them only two were Former ambassador to Germany Kailali, was on his way to Gujarat mended as Nepal’s ambassador to and 50 percent political appointees. don’t have criminal records, have not joint-secretaries from the Ministry of Suresh Pradhan called the decision with his wife and two children. “We Denmark to replace Yubanath Lamsal, On the basis of reports submitted been convicted of corruption, Foreign Affairs and the remaining unfortunate. returned to Nepal last year amid fears who is a former editor of the state- by several task forces in the past and a and don’t appear to have any conflicts nine were supporters of the ruling He also placed the blame on Gyawali of Covid-19. Since then, we were owned English language daily The Supreme Court order, the Oli adminis- of interest. UML party. for this turn of events. working at a cotton factory in Kailali Rising Nepal. tration had introduced the criteria in Pradeep Gyawali, the outgoing for- Last August, the government rec- “It is the weakness of the foreign but the company laid off half of its However, as per the existing crite- 2018 as per which the tradition of eign minister who is also the spokes- ommended three joint-secretaries minister who should have pleaded for workers. That’s why we are returning ria, persons who are well-versed on sending 50 percent ambassadors from man for the ruling CPN-UML, howev- from Foreign Ministry as ambassa- making the Foreign Ministry strong,” to India in the hopes of getting jobs,” the dynamics of bilateral and multi- among diplomatic corps and 50 per- er, sees no reason to raise a hue and dors to Pakistan, Belgium and added Pradhan. “It will damage the BK said. lateral diplomacy should be appointed cent from among political appointees cry over the issue. Germany. Since then there have been image of the Foreign Ministry by Migrant workers who have stayed ambassadors based on the principle of was formalised. “Some changes were made in nine political appointees and five demoralising its human resource.” back in the villages at present also inclusiveness. The Oli administration-introduced ambassadorial criteria but not that career diplomats recommended as Nepal’s diplomatic corps is plan to leave for India soon in search “When I was the foreign minister, I criteria state that those with much significant,” he told the Post. ambassadors. despondent. of jobs. always tried to send more than 50 per- “excellent academic record and capa- “This time, the number of political Two joint-secretaries at the Foreign “These things have something to do Dip Bahadur Bohara, a local resi- cent of career diplomats as ambassa- bility to represent the country with a appointees is higher than career diplo- Ministry told the Post that they would with the lack of cultural maturity and dent of Bogtan in Doti, said, “Although dors,” said Koirala. “But if the gov- sound experience or knowledge of mats but we have not changed the certainly protest if the government political will. Looks like we have to I returned to Nepal due to the Covid-19 ernment has amended the criteria, Nepal’s foreign policy and interna- directives.” had changed the criteria and slashed wait for quite a long time before we crisis in India, I have to go back again then it will certainly set a very bad tional relations” can be appointed But the portion of career diplomats the quota for career diplomats. can stand among the ranks of other when the situation settles down. There precedent. Oli is destroying state ambassadors. being appointed ambassadors is get- “This will certainly degrade the better governed countries,” a joint-sec- is no work here. I have to go back to institutions one after another and this Point 6 of the ambassadorial crite- ting smaller. institution,” said a joint-secretary. “It retary told the Post. India to feed my family.”

Leadership of task force ... >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But that has not been done to the extent Sharma and his team have to carry out the needed. On Saturday, Nepal reported 3,540 directives of the Covid-19 Management new coronavirus infections and 68 deaths Directive Committee, which is headed by the taking the total tally of infections to 585,100 prime minister and has ministers as members. and the toll to 7,799. Sharma was widely lauded for his role as The number of daily new infections and coordinator of the Army Integration Special deaths from Covid-19-related complications Committee Secretariat that oversaw the inte- may have come down from the 8,000-9,000 and gration of former Maoist combatants, who around 200 respectively about three weeks fought an insurgency from 1996 to 2006 in ago but most of the country has been under which some 13,000 people were killed, into lockdown for some five weeks. Worryingly, the Nepal Army. the positivity rate continues to be stubbornly Some 1,420 former fighters chose to join high. On Saturday it was 31 percent. the Army when the integration process com- Of the 5,343 antigen tests performed on pleted in July, 2013. Saturday, 1,502 tested positive—a positivity “The prime minister appears to have no rate of 28 percent. trust in the political and administrative lead- “My concern is not that experts from other ership to control this pandemic and turned fields are leading the agency responsible in to an ex-army general for leadership and handling the pandemic but what is concern- involved security agencies prominently,” Dr ing is suggestions of the experts are not Aruna Upreti, a public health expert, said. “I implemented,” Dr Keshab Deuba a public think it is the result of the failure of our health epidemiologist, told the Post. political leadership as they ignored the “Controlling the pandemic is not as easy as advice of public health experts which result- considered. Authorities should have formed ed in a severe health crisis.” a committee of experts to give suggestions Despite the country facing a public health and hire experts to fight the pandemic.” crisis that has no end in sight, the newly-ap- But Sharma feels that given the amount of pointed chief of the Covid-19 Crisis coordination needed between different min- Management Centre stressed the prominent istries the government has sought leadership role that security agencies must play during from outside the bureaucratic machinery to the present crisis. control the pandemic because there is a ten- “In order to enforce the decision of the dency of one ministry not adhering to government, involvement of the security instructions of another ministry. agencies is key,” said Sharma, the coordina- “The involvement of Nepal Army is essen- tor of the Centre. “As health agencies could tial for mobilising the logistics,” he said. not execute their assigned roles without the Former bureaucrats argue that given that support of the security agencies, involve- state machinery is run by a bureaucracy, a ment of the security agencies became indis- bureaucrat should have been given the role to pensable.” lead the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre. Given that the government appears to have “I have no reservations about the choice of only one strategy to fight the pandemic—lock- Balananda Sharma because he is a capable down—security forces are the enforcer. person and has been exposed to crisis man- Kathmandu Valley has been under lock- agement but there is a system of civil admin- down since April 29 to fight the second wave istration in the country and the management of the pandemic and so far it has been of the health crisis is being undertaken extended to June 14. under this system,” said Shyam Prasad But with no end to new infections in sight, Mainali, a former government secretary. “In it is unclear how long the lockdown will go on. a democracy, civil administration remains in Doctors and public health experts have charge. It is not logical to say that only the been saying since day one that contact trac- army and police can address a health crisis.” ing, testing and isolating are the keys to ending the chain of transmission. (Arjun Poudel contributed reporting.)

C M Y K 03 | SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 NATIONAL Government set to resume issuing labour permits to outbound workers CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL KATHMANDU, JUNE 5

With the resumption of a limited number of international flights, the government is set to start issuing labour permits in person to out- bound workers. Although a few permits were issued on Friday itself when the decision was made, the Foreign Employment Office, which is under the Department of Foreign Employment, has decided to officially resume issuing the per- mits in person from its office from June 9. The office had suspended in-person issuance of the permits since May 7 following the sus- POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL pension of international flights by the govern- Children from Bal Mandir, a non-profit organisation in Naxal, get discharged from the isolation centre of Ayurveda Teaching Hospital in Kirtipur after recovering from Covid-19 on Saturday. After 10 days of ment, although online issuance of the permits stay there, the children tested negative for the virus in antigen screening. Staff at the facility bade an emotional farewell to the children by giving them Chyawanprash and sweets produced by the hospital. was unaffected. “Since some international flights have start- ed now, we have decided to resume our services to those who plan to migrate by these scheduled flights. Aspiring migrant workers who need to register their biometric details for a labour permit can visit the office,” Krishna Prasad Dawadi, director general of the department Covid-19 fund idle as pandemic paralyses nation told the Post. “Labour permits will be issued in person but just once a week for now. After the authorities in the Kathmandu Coronavirus Prevention and Control Fund officials say there was no demand for resources, but others blame political crisis for the disuse. Valley imposed prohibitory orders from April 29 to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA the meeting of the Fund’s board, according pointed prime minister on May 13 as the leader According to the directives on Coronavirus office had reduced its daily quota of labour KATHMANDU, JUNE 5 to Kadel, are fewer Covid-19 cases until of the largest party in the House. Prevention, Control and Treatment Fund-2020, permits to in-person applicants while encour- March and the limited resources at the Fund’s Right after Oli lost the vote of confidence key resources of the fund include receipts aging online applications. The Coronavirus Prevention, Control and disposal. on May 10, office bearers of the National from the federal government, provincial But later, the office completely halted several Treatment Fund established last year to gener- On March 6, the country had reported as low Planning Commission also lost their positions governments and local governments; foreign of its services like issuance of final labour ate resources to fight the Covid-19 pandemic as 47 new Covid-19 cases. in line with the commission’s Formation and governments, institutions/organisations or permit, status legalisation and new labour through voluntary contributions has remained “With the Finance Ministry itself providing Operating Order-2018. individuals; governmental and non-govern- permit that require migrant workers to visit largely unused even as the country is reeling necessary funds to various agencies to fight After being sworn in as prime minister, Oli mental organisations; and domestic organisa- the office. under a second wave of Covid-19 infections. the pandemic, maybe the Fund’s resources reappointed Kadel and the three members to tions or individuals. “The decision was made on Friday so we The fund was established in March 2020 to When the fund was created last year, minis- issued labour permits to around 30 individuals mobilise resources for procuring medicines ters, lawmakers, private companies, police per- who had visited our office on the first day and medical goods, setting up infrastructure sonnel, non-governmental organisations and itself,” said Dawadi. for the management of Covid-19 infected peo- individuals had contributed to it. “But from now on we will be issuing the per- ple, mobilising human resources and provid- However, little effort was made to collect mits only on Wednesdays until further notice.” ing relief for the pandemic-affected people, extra funds in the wake of the second wave of According to Dawadi, although the office had according to the directives on Coronavirus the pandemic. From early this year, the govern- encouraged people to apply for labour permits Prevention, Control and Treatment Fund-2020. ment seems to have made no effort to collect online during the period of prohibitory orders, Since the meeting of its board on January more funds. there were very few online applications. 27, another meeting had not been held for four A total of Rs2.89 billion has been collected in In May last week, the government had decid- months until last week. And not a single rupee the Fund since its creation, according to the ed to allow a limited number of regular com- was released from the fund for the manage- Prime Minister’s Office. mercial flights to select countries including ment of oxygen, other medical supplies, hospi- After distributing much of the collected China, Turkey and Qatar starting June 1. tal beds and for other measures to combat the amount, as of mid-April, the Fund has Rs406.67 The government decision followed reports second wave of the pandemic. million, a slight rise from the Rs383.41 million that some migrant workers were subjected to Officials, however, defended the disuse of in mid-March, according to the Financial exorbitant fares for chartered flights in the the fund saying that there was no request Comptroller General Office. absence of regular flights, and also in a bid to for resources. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, help workers stuck in Nepal and abroad. “We received no request for funds from any the resources under the fund were spent on Nepali nationals, mainly outbound workers agency under the three tiers of government developing health infrastructure such as at home and homebound workers stranded during the last four months,” said Pushpa Raj freezers required to manage dead bodies, in various labour destination countries, were Kadel, vice-chairperson of the National setting up oxygen plants and oxygen manage- hit hard after the government suspended Planning Commission, who chairs the fund. ment systems, hospital beds, intensive care international flights from the midnight of “Therefore, the board hadn’t met since January units (ICUs) and laboratories, and procuring May 6. until the one held last week.” ventilators, polymerase chain reaction (PRC) Officials hope that the number of migrants Meanwhile, the country’s paralysed health machines among others. seeking labour permits could go up as the system was pushed to the limit due to the Although a committee headed by the international flights have resumed. surge in coronavirus cases and shortage of National Planning Commission has been mak- The distribution of labour permits in person oxygen throughout May when the second wave POST FILE PHOTO ing decisions regarding the distribution of the from offices outside Kathmandu remains sus- of the pandemic, that hit the country from In the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals were overflowing with patients. resources in the Fund, from now on the deci- pended as much of the country still remains April, peaked. sion will be made by the recently reorganised under prohibitory orders. The Covid-19 pan- As of Saturday as many as 7,799 people were not needed,” said Kadel. the commission on May 20. Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre. demic and subsequent restrictions have badly have lost their lives and 585,100 have been But officials at the Prime Minister’s Office “Besides political uncertainty, the absence Balananda Sharma, who was recently affected labour migration as thousands of infected, according to the Ministry of Health said that the heightened political wrangling in of chairperson of the fund [commission’s appointed coordinator of the Centre, told the Nepalis remain stuck at home and abroad. and Population. Till March-end, as many as the month of May was one of the main reasons vice-chairperson] also contributed to the Post that the Centre would mobilise the Since the imposition of prohibitory orders 3,030 had died while 277,309 people had been why the board could not hold its meetings. delay in holding a meeting of the fund’s board,” resources of the Fund. in the Kathmandu Valley and the scaling infected. In the middle of the pandemic, Prime said Khag Raj Baral, secretary at the Prime Baburam Marasini, a former director at the down of services by the Foreign Employment On Saturday, the country reported 3540 new Minister KP Sharma Oli sought a vote of Minister’s Office. Epidemiology and Disease Control Division at Office, around 4,500 Nepalis have received cases and 68 deaths. confidence in the House of Representatives. In Oli faces criticism for prioritising his the Health ministry, said that mobilisation of labour permits. “Last week’s meeting of the Fund’s board the May 10 vote, he failed to secure a vote of political interests rather than managing the the fund from a single window will save costs. “We expect a surge in the number of decided to distribute funds between Rs500,000 confidence. pandemic. “As the Crisis Management Centre has been migrants seeking labour permits both online and Rs1 million to each district for the man- As the opposition parties, particularly the Besides failing to hold the meeting of the authorised to fast-track the mobilisation of the and in person in the coming weeks,” said agement of the bodies of Covid-19 victims,” Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of fund’s board, the leadership of the fund also Fund’s resources, there should be a scrutiny Dawadi. “As flights to Qatar have resumed, said Kandel. Nepal (Maoist Centre), could not muster the made no efforts to increase the size of the fund though to ensure transparency of its opera- migrant workers can travel to other Gulf coun- Other factors behind the delay in holding numbers to prove a majority, Oli was reap- over the last several months. tion,” he said. tries as well using Qatar as transit.”

Gamblers caught with cash from a New Road house SHUVAM DHUNGANA KATHMANDU, JUNE 5

Police raided a house at the Capital’s New Road on Friday and arrested 15 gamblers along with Rs 1.3 million in cash. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu and the Metropolitan Police Circle, Janasewa, had raided the house of Ajaya Shrestha at Ward 22 and arrested the gamblers. Police also seized 32 pieces of cowrie shells and five decks of cards used in gambling from the site. “A person was injured while trying to flee. He is being treated at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj,” said Senior Superintendent Ashok Singh, the chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range. According to Singh, several others managed to flee so they could arrest only 15. Those arrested will be charged under Gambling Act 1963, Singh told the Post. According to the Act, anyone arrested for gambling for the first time faces a fine of up to Rs200 but repeat offenders can be jailed between one month and up to a year. Singh said they are investi- gating the gamblers. It is one of the biggest raids on gambling operations in recent times, according to Singh. Every year, especially during the Tihar festival, Nepal Police conducts hundreds of raids in gambling dens, which are operated mostly in private houses and seizes millions of rupees. But they had not conducted major raids of late as the police are busy enforcing the Covid-19 prohibitory orders that have been in place since April 29. According to the Metropolitan Police Office Ranipokhari, since the imposition of the prohibitory orders they have arrested over 30 persons in the Kathmandu Valley on the charge of gambling. “The law bars Nepali citizens from visiting casinos with the intent of gambling, so these gamblers would gather at hotels and restaurants. But now due to the prohibitory orders, gambling dens are being operated at private houses,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Sushil Singh Rathour, the spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari. “Currently, we are conducting raids after receiving complaints. We receive complaints sometimes from the gamblers’ family members and other times from the neighbours,” said Rathour. The police surmise that gambling has thrived as most people are either jobless or have free time due to the pandemic. In April, the Metropolitan Crime Division had arrested 11 indi- viduals of a betting racket,which was operating in Kathmandu. The racket used to organise illegal betting on several sports tournaments such as the Indian Premier League, the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League and so on.

C M Y K SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 | 04 OPINION Experimental theatre in the time of Covid-19

SHUTTERSTOCK is its continuity. Theatre performers directors is appearing with all its spirit is the main success of the exper- to express what Sartre himself calls experiment in theatre by Yubaraj A recent virtual have kept the practice of performance strength and the message of an impor- iment. Spelling out the challenge and the ennui or the tedium created by the Ghimirej. In the plays written by alive in very difficult times also. They tant order. Only the other day, a tre- the nature of the resistant avant-gard- pandemic. Sartre during the very harsh years of performance reminds continued to perform plays even on mendous surge of theatrical energy ism, director Ghimire says in his note One important feature of this per- the Second World War, the lines sepa- the ruins of buildings raged by bomb- was evinced in the virtual perfor- ‘because of the all-out closures of formance was the rendezvous of the rating life from death are very tenu- us of the power of ings during wars and in violent times. mance of a play made at the initiative schools, colleges, business and small theatre artists who have long and ous. Sartre has depicted that mood, to The world of theatre is now debating of the artistic director and manager trades we too had to close our thea- diverse experiences of acting and my mind, more brilliantly in his series theatre and life. about the possibilities of keeping the of Shilpee Theatre, Yubaraj Ghimire tres’. The most tantalising part, working with different directors and of novels entitled The Road to theatre performances going. I keep aka Ghiyu, in Kathmandu. The Nepali Ghimire says (the most painful part theatres. Pabitra Khadka is totally Freedom. But he has dramatised the receiving letters and tracts of infor- translation of No Exit a play written for the theatre people, as said earlier) dedicated to theatre. She has mostly same mood more intensely in his ABHI SUBEDI mation from the International Theatre by the French existentialist play- is that ‘we could not touch each other; played important roles in different plays; No Exit is one of them. This Institute about the efforts of people wright and author Jean-Paul Sartre as lovers could not embrace; people had plays, too many to mention here. She shows how the human experience has WORDS & devising various ways of keeping the- Anupasthit Teen or the ‘absent three’ to maintain distance from each other. has played roles in my own plays also. a certain character of repetition. ECHOES atre alive during the pandemic. was performed live by three theatre That raised a question—is that life? To And she has been working mostly Lastly, I want to recall one of my Nepali theatre has made tremendous artists separately from their respec- seek an answer to that we decided to under the tutelage of Ghimire. Salil own early experiences of acting in a progress in the twenty-first century tive homes. This performance was a perform this play written by Jean- Subedi started his career of acting Nepali play with a theme of damna- especially in terms of drawing the audi- great theatrical experiment because Paul Sartre in which individuals are with the German director Sabine tion. Bijaya Malla’s play entitled ence, exploring talents that include the separate artists performing from trapped and condemned with the fate Lehmann of Studio 7 and has played Pattharko Katha or the story of boul- The mantra of theatre is proximity playwrights, theatre and related artists, their rooms came on the screen togeth- of not touching each other.’ leading roles in six plays in her ders has such theme of resistance in among the characters on the stage and and creating theatres. Being part of this er as if they were performing face to The artists performed from a state Brechtian theatre. He played under the afterlife state of existence— their close contact with the audience. renaissance one way or the other, I have face on the stage. And they did that of lockdown. The three characters are other directors like Sunil Pokharel against the nature of the damnation. I The power of the theatrical perfor- seen how the different generations of successfully. Abhilasha (Pabitra Khadka), Azad and Bimal Subedi. Usha Rajak is a played the main role of Raghubir in mance emanates from this very theatre directors, managers and artists According to the theatre scholar (Salil Subedi) and Ichha (Usha Rajak). versatile artist who has played on that play in 1968 as a graduate student ancient and immanent practice of have made tremendous sacrifices to and teacher of performance studies at The brief role of the valet is played by stage and in films as we can see how in English at Kirtipur. Giving the keeping drama very close to human keep this precious form of performance the Tribhuvan University Central Manahang Laoti. The people normally her work in ‘rhythm and soul with medal for best acting, judge experience and performance. The art alive. Many talented youths chose to Department of English Dr Shiva Rijal, called ‘off stage’ though everybody Usha Rajak’ got disrupted due to Balakrishna Sama had said ‘the death choice of a specified space called thea- make theatre their career knowing very this show embodies an element of was off stage, were the musicians and Covid-19. that you all played here is the drama tre and its milieu is, therefore, its well that the state is not ready to help avant-gardism. Explaining this he of course the translator Awatar A detailed discussion about the of life.’ Resistance of the punished is most important need. Anything that is this form of art. says though this conditionality may Pathak. This play was performed for theme of damnation and the human always a valid and warranted theme. removed from this practice tends to The Covid-19 scourge harmed nas- be considered a makeshift arrange- one time and was streaming live on longing to resist the blow of finality is Today writing these words about disrupt and even destroy the power of cent theatre. The new wave of infec- ment, the inherent spirit of challeng- YouTube; it will be viewed by many not possible here. But what must be Sartre’s characters on Nepali stage I the selfsame entity called theatre. One tions came as a double whammy. The ing the negative energy represents theatre lovers and others who are des- mentioned here is the intelligent evo- would like to reassert my conviction other power of the mantra of theatre resilience of the theatre artists and that idea. He is right because this very perately looking for an apt metaphor cation of the existentialist mode of about the power of life.

How we bungled vaccine procurement

ation of having to go to the world, We have only ourselves to begging bowl in hand, asking for alms. Begging every time. And when our blame for not being friends and neighbours are unable to help us out to the extent we need, we able to get enough have the gall to wag a moral finger at them. A finger we haven’t really Covid-19 vaccines. grown. Not only have we not done enough to help ourselves during the pandemic DR KIRAN RAJ PANDEY despite promising starts here and there, we also haven’t contributed enough to the global effort to fight the pandemic. The COVAX mechanism that we were counting on with bated breath until a while ago barely saw any contribution from our side in get- ting it off the ground. For a while, On January 21, 2021, the government manufacturers in India were going of India sent 1 million doses of Covid- around looking for financial resources 19 vaccines to Nepal gratis, the same to expand production—we could have day that it dispatched 2 million doses to joined hands with them then. Bangladesh. It took Nepal until the end of February to get a million more doses Global effort of vaccines from India. By that time, Several countries, including South however, Bangladesh was able to Africa, India and others have been secure 9 million doses. It was not that arguing for a temporary waiver of the Indian government or the vaccine intellectual property rights on Covid- manufacturer—Serum Institute of 19 vaccines and other health technolo- India—took a special liking to gies since last year, but we have not Bangladesh over Nepal. Bangladesh been seen anywhere in this debate. All had an ounce of foresight more than through 2020, there was a Herculean we did: They figured that the regular global effort underway to test and trial way of doing government procurement several vaccine candidates against was not going to do during this pan- Covid-19. We not only declined to join demic. The Bangladeshi government that global effort to generate a body of went out of its established ways and knowledge for the betterment of all, facilitated a deal between Beximco, a but we also blurted out that we were local pharmaceutical company, and the not letting them make ‘guinea pigs out Serum Institute of India to pre-order of the Nepali people.’ We are plenty vaccines. This was in August 2020, stupid to do that on our own. before our government had woken up Nepal’s problems are our own to to the possibility that we might have to solve. We could have done a lot more buy vaccines on our own. on our own to source vaccines well in For most of 2020, the Ministry of SHUTTERSTOCK time and prevent this devastating sec- Health was lost in a make-believe cy to send them another letter asking effective. Experts who had been close- wrought. But we didn’t. than 10 million doses of vaccines from ond wave. We can’t always look to world that the COVAX mechanism for a response! When common sense ly watching the ongoing development As difficult as sourcing vaccines has India alone thus far, Bangladesh still other nations to rescue us out of our would fulfil Nepal’s vaccine needs. revisited us, and we went to them with of vaccines tried to convince the gov- been for all countries, Nepal had unique languishes behind us in per capita shots problems, trying to trigger their moral Even when we did figure that we need- money in hand, it was already 2021. By ernment to strike a deal with the advantages. We have some of the world’s administered. With that many doses, angst, all the while not meaningfully ed to reach out to the vaccine manu- then, we were sufficiently back in line Serum Institute and other potential largest vaccine manufacturers right our vaccine coverage could easily have contributing to the global order. We facturers on our own, we were so that we could buy only a million doses manufacturers so we could get vac- next to our doorstep. We have been been one of the best in the world. But we really aren’t a small country like we lackadaisical that we sent a letter to before India’s vaccine export ban went cines even before we got any from doing business with these companies lost that opportunity. Our tendency to think we are. We are the 49th largest the Serum Institute of India asking into effect. COVAX. If we had done the political, for a while now. And while we aren’t make dunces out of ourselves rarely country in the world, and it’s time we for a quotation and sat back waiting diplomatic and commercial manoeu- Bhutan or Maldives—with less than a fails to get the better of us. acted like one. for a response. All the while several Slow starter vring in August 2020 that we did only million people—we are also not bur- Now that a runaway second wave of countries were lining up at their door- After about July of last year, it in January 2021, we might have been dened by the kind of large populations Covid-19 has resulted in untold misery Pandey is a physician, researcher steps to buy vaccines. And when the appeared increasingly likely that the able to vaccinate enough people to that some of our neighbours have, so a with a nation gasping for oxygen, and author of Up is the curve—A Serum Institute conveniently ignored Oxford vaccine the Serum Institute prevent the heartbreaking devasta- few million more vaccines could have overflowing hospitals and needless genealogy of healthcare in the our request, we had the obdurate idio- was manufacturing was going to be tion the second wave of Covid-19 has meant a lot for us. Despite getting more deaths, we are in the unpalatable situ- developing world.

C M Y K 05 | SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 MONEY Sunsari-Morang sees 20,000 workers Thailand sticking with laid off as lockdown chokes factories plan to welcome The industrial heartland in the eastern region is home to 500 factories which employ around 50,000 persons. vaccinated tourists in July

BINOD BHANDARI REUTERS infections recorded, and has so far BIRATNAGAR, JUNE 5 BANGKOK, JUNE 5 inoculated about 50 percent of the population. More than 20,000 workers in the Thailand will go ahead with a plan Under the “Phuket Sandbox” plan, Sunsari-Morang industrial corridor next month to reopen to vaccinated foreigners who have been fully were laid off after almost half of foreign visitors starting with its most vaccinated and fly direct to Phuket the factories shuttered amid the popular resort island Phuket, from overseas do not need to undergo lockdown. as it tries to revive tourism while bat- quarantine. The prohibitory orders have lasted tling its biggest coronavirus outbreak Thailand lost about $50 billion in more than four weeks, and the indus- so fa r. tourism revenue last year, an 82 per- tries and businesses here are still The plan was approved by the gov- cent slump, with Phuket, which is uncertain about what lies ahead. ernment’s economic task force on visited by about a quarter of foreign The industrial heartland in the Friday and comes just days ahead of tourists in Thailand, badly hit. eastern region is home to 500 big and the start of a mass-vaccination drive, The government hopes at least small factories which employ around the success of which will determine 100,000 foreign tourists will come to 50,000 persons. Around 200 factories when Thailand can fully restart an Phuket in the third quarter. have shut down totally due to the industry that attracted 40 million Thailand had just 28,701 arrivals in impact of the second wave of the coro- POST FILE PHOTO tourists annually before the pandem- the first four months of this year and navirus outbreak. The factories in the industrial area were producing more than Rs1 billion worth of goods daily before the lockdown. ic. Phuket is a pilot scheme for the the state planning agency predicts a “Only 60 percent of the factories are reopening and is aiming to vaccinate total of 500,000 this year. open, but they are operating only par- tocols are unable to ship their prod- workers within the premises, but for Bank, significant improvements had 70 percent of its local population by That compares to 6.7 million foreign tially due to the virus restrictions,” ucts to market, and unsold inventory many of the enterprises it is not possi- been seen in the operation of trade July 1, far ahead of the national rate. visitors in 2020, and nearly 40 million said Suyash Pyakurel, president of is piling up in their warehouses,” ble to feed and accommodate hun- and industry in mid-April 2021 as com- It has eased many restrictions in in 2019, when tourists spent 1.91 tril- the Chamber of Industries Morang. Raut added. dreds of workers, according to trad- pared to mid-July last year. recent weeks, with few daily local lion baht ($61 billion). “We estimate that around 20,000 work- Prakash Mundada, president of the ers. “It is not easy for the workers to Production, trade and employment ers have lost their jobs.” Morang Merchant Association, said commute to the factory due to the had been gradually rebounding before He added that these plants had cut that the production of non-essential travel restrictions.” a second lockdown halted the recovery production by 60 percent as consump- goods had declined. “Non-essential The government has set several con- in its tracks. tion had fallen sharply with the mar- products have not been able to reach ditions for operating factories during The second wave of the pandemic kets all closed. the market.” the lockdown period which include that forced the government to issue “The factories producing essential The factories in the industrial area keeping all employees on the premises prohibitory orders on April 29 to pre- goods too are not operating fully. We were producing more than Rs1 billion and feeding and housing them, main- vent the spread of the coronavirus estimate that they are operating at 80 worth of goods daily before the lock- taining physical distance between again hit business activities. percent of capacity,” he said. down. In normal times, the govern- people, checking the health of all According to the Central Bureau of Rajendra Raut, central member of ment would collect Rs150 million daily workers daily for fever, and using Statistics, the country’s economic the Federation of Nepalese Chambers in customs duties on raw materials masks and sanitisers. In case workers growth rate, or output of the gross of Commerce and Industry, said that and manufactured goods. The govern- become infected, they should be put domestic product, plunged by 15.4 per- the factories were operating at 50 per- ment also earned Rs350 million in in isolation. cent in the fourth quarter of the last cent of capacity on average. excise duty, Rs110 million in value Traders and industrialists are wor- fiscal year 2019-20 compared to the “Factories which require oxygen in added tax and Rs270 million in income ried due to the extended lockdown. It same period in 2018-19, resulting in a their production processes have closed tax monthly. was becoming difficult to keep the year-on-year negative growth rate of down completely as the government After the lockdown was clamped in factories running due to the prohibito- 2.1 percent. has commandeered all the stock and the region, the revenue collection of ry order which has strangled the sup- The economic growth rate contract- sent it to hospitals where it is badly Biratnagar Customs plunged from ply chain, they said. ed by -4.6 percent in the first quarter needed,” he said. Rs170 million to Rs50 million daily. According to a follow-up survey of the current fiscal year 2020-21 as “Many factories that have been The government has allowed facto- report on the impact of Covid-19 on compared to the same period in the REUTERS operating by following the safety pro- ries to operate if they house their the economy released by Nepal Rastra last fiscal year. A file photo shows a man walking at the empty Karon beach on Phuket Island, Thailand.

FOREX Switzerland to US Dollar 117.10 G7 nations strike deal to tax big companies globally Euro 141.90 launch Covid-19 Pound Sterling 165.44 Rich nations have struggled for Japanese Yen 10.63 years to agree a way to raise more revenue from large multinationals certificates next Chinese Yuan 18.27 such as Google, Amazon and Facebook, Qatari Riyal 31.72 which often book profits in jurisdic- Australian Dollar 89.82 tions where they pay little or no tax. week to ease travel Malaysian Ringit 28.37 US President Joe Biden’s adminis- tration gave the stalled talks fresh REUTERS Saudi Arab Riyal 31.22 impetus by proposing a minimum ZURICH, JUNE 5 Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank global corporation tax rate of 15 per- cent, above the level in countries Switzerland will start distributing PRICE PER TOLA such as Ireland but below the lowest “Covid-19 certificates” next week to BULLION level in the G7. people who have been vaccinated, test- Germany and France also wel- ed negative or recovered from infec- Fine Gold Rs 93,400 comed the agreement, although tion as a way to ease travel in Europe, French Finance Minister Bruno Le the government said on Friday. Silver Rs 1,340 Maire said he would fight for a higher It was still working out details global minimum corporate tax rate of when a certificate—available in SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA than 15 percent, which he described as hard copy and electronic format— a “starting point”. must be presented domestically and German finance minister Olaf which restrictions may be lifted for GASOLINE WATCH Scholz said the deal was “bad news for bearers including those seeking to tax havens around the world”. attend events. “Companies will no longer be in a “The goal of the certificate is clear: position to dodge their tax obligations it should create freedom of movement by booking their profits in the low- by showing one has been vaccinated, est-tax countries,” he added. recovered or tested. In particular it REUTERS Irish finance minister Paschal will make travel in the Schengen area Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (centre) speaks at a meeting of finance ministers from across the G7 nations in London. Donohoe, whose country is potentially simpler,” Finance Minister Ueli a big loser with its 12.5 percent tax Maurer told a news conference in REUTERS more tax in the markets where they and other European countries which rate, said any global deal also needed Bern, referring to the 26-member pass- LONDON, JUNE 5 sell goods and services. the United States said unfairly target- to take account of smaller nations. port-free zone in Europe that includes “G7 finance ministers have reached ed US technology giants. Sunak said the deal was a “huge Switzerland. The United States, Britain and a historic agreement to reform the However, the measures will first prize” for taxpayers, but it was too An ordinance creating the legal other leading nations reached a global tax system to make it fit for the need to find broader agreement at a soon to know how much money it foundation for launching the Swiss landmark deal on Saturday to pursue global digital age,” British finance meeting of the G20—which includes a would raise for Britain. system takes effect on Monday, when higher global taxation on multination- minister Rishi Sunak said after chair- number of emerging economies—due The agreement does not make clear the first certificates will start to roll al businesses such as Google, Apple ing a two-day meeting in London. to take place next month in Venice. exactly which businesses will be cov- out. They will be available to the and Amazon. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen “It’s complicated and this is a first ered by the rules, referring only to general public by the end of June at In a move that could raise hundreds said the “significant, unprecedented step,” Sunak said. “the largest and most profitable multi- the latest. of billions of dollars to help them cope commitment” would end what she The ministers also agreed to move national enterprises”. Switzerland’s certificates are with the aftermath of Covid-19, called a race to the bottom on global towards making companies declare European countries have feared designed to protect individuals’ priva- the Group of Seven large advanced taxation. their environmental impact in a more that a business such as Amazon could cy and includes apps for storing and economies agreed to back a minimum The deal, which was years in the standard way so investors can decided slip through the net as it reports lower checking the certificates that will be global corporate rate of at least 15 making, also promises to end national more easily whether to fund them, a profit margins than most other well- available free of charge in Google and percent and for companies to pay digital services taxes levied by Britain key goal for Britain. known technology companies. Apple app stores. China aims to slow yuan’s rise but likely to avoid drastic steps, policy sources say

REUTERS will be enough to cope with it,” said BEIJING, JUNE 5 one of the people, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the China is likely to lean on incremental matter. In a statement, the PBOC said steps to slow the yuan’s gains to deter it will not “use the exchange rate as a speculators and help its exporters, tool”, and reiterated its managed float- shunning drastic measures that could ing currency regime based on market undermine its goal to liberalise the supply and demand and with refer- currency and boost the yuan’s global ence to a basket of currencies. clout, policy sources said. “The attitude of the PBOC on the The yuan has gained almost 12 per- exchange rate goal is consistent and cent against the dollar since May 2020 REUTERS clear, that is, no one can accurately as China leads other economies in its A Chinese Yuan banknote is seen in front of predict the trend of the exchange rate, recovery from Covid-19 and the green- displayed stock graph in this illustration. the uncertainty of the exchange rate back weakens, though it has been driv- is inevitable, and two-way fluctuations en more recently by foreign fund inflows amid worries over asset bub- are normal,” it said. inflows into yuan-denominated bonds bles, but will tread cautiously to avoid Policymakers fear rapid yuan gains and stocks. But it slipped more than spooking investors, said the policy could lure more speculative money 0.5 percent this week as Beijing has sources, who advise the government. into everything from property, to mounted a coordinated effort to talk The PBOC, under reform-minded stocks and commodities, fuelling asset down expectations of further gains. A governor Yi Gang, has been trying to bubbles, with any sudden reversal of flurry of official statements have give market forces a greater role in the inflows potentially harming the warned against speculating on the steering the yuan, part of longer-term economy. They also worry about the currency and regulators have taken reforms to make it a more internation- impact on Chinese exports, which steps to stem its rise. al currency, they said. remain strong for now but could lose The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) “The yuan’s appreciation will test steam in the second half of the year as has ample tools to cool one-way cur- the PBOC’s market-based approach, factories in other countries recover rency bets and fend off hot money but policy tools at the PBOC’s hands from the pandemic.

C M Y K SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Delhi, Mumbai ease lockdown Comply with IT rules French ‘paparazzi queen’ charged in Sarkozy probe or face ‘unintended’ PARIS: A major figure in France’s as India Covid numbers fall paparazzi world has been charged with witness tampering in a case AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE consequences, Twitter told involving former president Nicolas NEW DELHI, JUNE 5 Sarkozy, her lawyer told AFP REUTERS officer, and its grievance officer and Saturday. Mimi Marchand, who runs Markets and shopping malls in New NEW DELHI, JUNE 5 nodal contact person were not employ- the BestImage agency, had also been Delhi will be allowed to reopen from ees as mandated by rules. charged with criminal association, Monday in a further easing of the India has told Twitter Inc it has one It said such non-compliance would said lawyer Caroline Toby. “She firm- Covid-19 lockdown, the chief minister last chance to comply with new IT lead to “unintended consequences” ly denies the charges against her,” said as infections fall in major Indian rules, or face “unintended conse- including the possibility that Twitter she added. Marchand was arrested on cities after weeks of restrictions. quences” according to a copy of an could be held accountable for content Thursday along with several other Delhi Metro will also resume servic- official letter seen by Reuters. posted on it, an exemption it currently suspects on the orders of magistrates es at 50 percent capacity, the city’s The new rules—which were largely enjoys. investigating alleged corruption by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said announced in February and which It added, “However, as gesture of Sarkozy, who has been accused of tak- on Saturday. became effective at the end of last goodwill, Twitter Inc is hereby given ing money from former Libyan dicta- Markets and malls will operate on month—are aimed at regulating con- one last notice to immediately comply tor Moamer Kadhafi. Sarkozy denies alternate days, with half of them open tent on social media and making firms with the Rules.” the charges. Francois de Labarre, a on any given day. such as Facebook, its WhatsApp mes- The technology ministry did not journalist from Paris Match who was Offices can also reopen at half senger and Twitter more accountable respond to a request for comment. also arrested Thursday, was released capacity but Kejriwal urged people to to legal requests. Twitter declined to comment. without charge later the same day. still try to work from home. They also require big social media The new IT rules have spurred The easing comes after Delhi AP/RSS companies to set up grievance legal battles, including a lawsuit filed allowed construction sites and facto- Volunteers and workers bury the body of a Covid-19 victim in Chennai, India, on Saturday. redressal mechanisms and appoint by Facebook-owned WhatsApp that Around 100 civilians killed ries to reopen last week. new executives to coordinate with law accuses the government of exceeding in Burkina Faso’s worst “They have been open for a week enforcement. its legal powers by enacting rules that attack in recent years but the Covid-19 situation is still India’s technology ministry will force the messaging app to break under control, and we have less than UK to protect population before donating wrote to Twitter on May 26 and end-to-end encryption. OUAGADOUGOU: Armed assailants 500 fresh cases in the last 24 hours,” May 28 on the new rules, but the killed around 100 civilians in an over- Kejriwal said. vaccines abroad, minister says company’s responses “neither address night raid on a village in northern “It is important to bring the econo- the clarifications sought by this min- Burkina Faso, the government said my back on track now that the Covid- OXFORD: Britain’s Health Secretary meeting of G7 healthcare ministers istry nor indicate full compliance They also require on Saturday, as the region faces a 19 situation is improving. We pray Matt Hancock has said vaccinating in Oxford, central England. with the Rules,” said the June 5 letter worsening wave of jihadist violence. that the situation remains the same.” children in the United Kingdom “Alongside that I’m working with from the technology ministry to big social media The provisional death toll given by The government of Maharashtra against Covid-19 would take priori- my international colleagues to Twitter deputy general counsel Jim companies to set up the government made it the country’s state, which includes India’s economic ty over donating vaccine doses to make sure that people can get access Baker. deadliest attack in recent years. The powerhouse Mumbai, announced a other countries around the world. to the vaccine around the world.” The letter, a copy of which was seen grievance redressal attackers struck during the night on five-level plan to ease restrictions Britain’s medicine regulator on Hancock had hosted health min- by Reuters, said that among other Friday, killing residents of the village depending on infection rates and hos- Friday approved Pfizer/BioNTech’s isters from the Group of Seven (G7) things, Twitter had yet to inform the mechanisms. of Solhan in Yagha province border- pital bed occupancy. vaccine for use in 12-15 year olds, rich countries at the University of ministry about its chief compliance ing Niger. They also burned homes In level-one areas—with infection but global health bodies warn that Oxford, where AstraZeneca’s Covid- and the market, the government said rates below five percent and hospital if rich countries prioritise low-risk 19 vaccine was invented, ahead of a in a statement. The government, bed occupancy below 25 percent—all members of their own populations G7 leaders’ meeting next week. declaring a 72-hour period of national shops, restaurants and malls will be over broadening access globally, The ministers agreed a new set of mourning, described the attackers as allowed to reopen. they risk disaster. standards to improve clinical trials, terrorists but no group claimed But level-five districts—with infec- Asked he would prioritise vacci- as well as support for vaccine dona- responsibility. tion rates over 20 percent—will nating teenagers over more vulner- tions when domestic circumstances remain under severe movement able people globally, Hancock said: allowed. US President Joe Biden restrictions. “My first duty as health secretary outlined plans to share 25 million Turkish air strike kills at least Daily infections reported across for the UK is to make sure that the surplus vaccines globally on three in Iraq refugee camp India have dropped to about 120,000 UK is protected and safe.” Thursday, while France also said it BAGHDAD: A Turkish air strike killed from more than 400,000 in May, accord- “Whilst thankfully children are would donate doses to Senegal. at least three people and injured oth- ing to official statistics. very rarely badly affected by Covid Britain has given a first Covid-19 ers on Saturday at a camp for dis- Deaths have also fallen, with 3,380 themselves, they can still pass on vaccine to three-quarters of adults, placed people in northern Iraq hous- reported in the previous 24 hours, the disease, and so that is my first and fully vaccinated half the adult ing thousands of Kurdish refugees although this is widely seen as a major duty,” Hancock told Reuters after a population. (Reuters) from Turkey, said Rashad Kelani, a underestimate. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party At least 344,082 people in the coun- official.The air strike took place three try have lost their lives to the corona- The devastating surge was blamed due to shortages, confusion and squab- days after Turkish President Tayyip virus, which is now surging in parts on new virus variants and the govern- bling between the central government Erdogan warned Iraq that Turkey of rural India. Delhi reported about ment having allowed most activity to and state authorities. would “clean up” a refugee camp 400 new infections Saturday, down return to normal including mass reli- So far about 180 million people, only which it says provides a haven for from about 25,000 daily cases when gious and political gatherings. 14 percent of the population, have REUTERS Kurdish militants. (AGENCIES) the lockdown was announced seven India’s vaccination programme received one dose, and 45 million, or People holding mobile phones are silhouetted against a backdrop projected with the Twitter weeks earlier. meanwhile is making slow progress 3.4 percent, two shots. logo in this file illustration picture. Putin says US threats smack of US federal judge overturns decades-old Soviet Union’s fatal mistakes California ban on assault weapons AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE hands of lawabiding responsible citi- place in Florida, Indiana, California, REUTERS “The people who do this, they prob- LOS ANGELES, JUNE 5 zens are better,” he argued. Colorado and Georgia, in a surge in MOSCOW, JUNE 5 ably assume that the United States has Benitez said he would give the state violence that President Joe Biden has such economic, military and political A US judge has overturned California’s 30 days to appeal the decision, which branded an “epidemic.” Russian President Vladimir Putin might that it can get away with that. It three-decade-old ban on assault weap- Governor Newson said posed a “direct The US Supreme Court is also due said the United States was wrong to is no big deal, that is what they think.” ons in a move swiftly condemned by threat to public safety” and which he to hear a challenge backed by the gun think that it is “powerful enough” to Putin said such behaviour remind- the state’s governor Gavin Newsom as vowed to challenge. lobby to a New York law that restricts get away with threatening other coun- ed him of the Soviet Union. gun-related homicides surge across “We’re not backing down from this the carrying of firearms outside the tries, a mistake, he said, that led to the “The problem with empires is that America. fight, and we’ll continue pushing for home. downfall of the former Soviet Union. they think they are powerful enough In a 94-page decision, federal Judge common sense gun laws that will save It will be the first major case involv- Putin made the comments during a to make some mistakes. We will buy Roger T Benitez described California’s lives,” he said in a statement. ing the Second Amendment constitu- press briefing late on Friday as he these (people), bully them, make a deal assault weapons ban—in place in The decision comes as gun violence tional right to bear arms heard by the spoke about US sanctions against with them, give necklaces to them, 1989—as unconstitutional and defend- surges across the United States—and nation’s highest court in more than a Moscow, according to Russia’s news threaten them with battleships. And ed the right of Americans to own just over a week after a disgruntled, decade. agency TASS. this will solve all the problems. But semi-automatic rifles. heavily-armed California public While the coronavirus pandemic He was speaking just days before a problems accumulate. A moment “Like the Swiss Army Knife, the transit worker shot and killed nine slowed workplace violence as more meeting with US President Joe Biden comes when they cannot be solved popular AR-15 rifle is a perfect combi- people. people stayed home, it also saw record whose cabinet in April imposed a anymore.” nation of home defense weapon and A search this week of the shooter’s gun sales. broad array of sanctions on Russia, Biden and Putin will meet in homeland defense equipment,” he home—which was set ablaze shortly In March last year, the number of including curbs to its sovereign debt AP/RSS Geneva on June 16, the White House wrote. before the attack—turned up 12 guns, weekly federal background checks on market. in the context of the United States’ and the Kremlin have said, to discuss “Guns and ammunition in the around 22,000 rounds of ammunition gun buyers surpassed one million for “We hear threats from the Congress, domestic political process,” Putin was “the full range of pressing issues”, hands of criminals, tyrants and ter- and suspected Molotov cocktails. the first time, The New York Times from other sources. It is all done with- quoted as saying. according to Washington. rorists are dangerous; guns in the Mass shootings have also taken reported. Amid brutal case surge, Afghanistan hit by a vaccine delay

ASSOCIATED PRESS hitting 16 provinces and the capital doses from India and then purchases population.” KABUL, JUNE 5 Kabul the hardest. This week, the rate of Sinopharm from China. About At the Afghan-Japan Communicable of registered new cases reached as 600,000 people have had at least one Disease Hospital, Kabul’s only hospi- Afghanistan is battling a brutal surge high as 1,500 a day, compared to 178 a dose, about 1.6 percent of the popula- tal dedicated solely to Covid treat- in Covid-19 infections as health offi- day on May 1. tion of 36 million. But the number ment, all 174 beds are full. The Health cials plead for vaccines, only to be told Hospital beds are full, and it is who have gotten a second dose is min- Ministry opened roughly 350 more by the World Health Organization that feared rapidly dwindling oxygen sup- ute—“so few I couldn’t even say any beds for coronavirus patients in the 3 million doses the country expect- plies will run out. Afghan ambassa- percentage,” Nazari said. another three hospitals, but they too ed to receive by April won’t be deliv- dors have been ordered to seek out Last month, the ministry received a quickly filled up. This week, people ered until August. emergency oxygen supplies in nearby letter from WHO saying the expected were being turned away. “We are in the middle of a crisis,” countries, Foreign Minister Haneef shipment of 3 million vaccine doses Each day three or four people die of Health Ministry spokesman Ghulam Atmar said in a tweet on Friday. will not arrive until August due to Covid at the Afghan-Japan Hospital, Dastigir Nazari said this week, By official figures, Afghanistan has supply problems, Nazari said. With said hospital administrator Dr Zalmai expressing deep frustration at the seen a total 78,000 cases and 3,007 just 35,000 vaccine doses remaining in Rishteen. Doctors struggle with the global vaccine distribution that has deaths from the pandemic. But those the country, the authorities were public’s refusal to take precautions left poor countries scrambling to find figures are likely a massive under- forced to stop giving first jabs to use and follow safety protocols. supplies for their people. count, registering only deaths in hos- remaining supplies to give second “Our people believe it is fake, espe- Nazari has knocked on the door of pitals, not the far greater numbers jabs, he said. cially in the countryside,” Rishteen several embassies, and so far, “I’ve who die at home. Poor countries around the world said. “Or they are religious and gotten diplomatic answers” but no Testing is woefully inadequate. In have been pleading for vaccines even believe God will save them.” vaccine doses, he said. only the past month, the percentage of as developed nations have been able to In the hospital’s intensive care unit, Over the past month, the escalating positive Covid tests has jumped from inoculate significant portions of their Dr. Rahman Mohtazir said that only pace of new cases has threatened to about 8 percent to 60 percent in some populations. COVAX, set up with UN makes it more dangerous for him as overwhelm Afghanistan’s health sys- parts of the country. By WHO recom- help to try to prevent vaccine inequi- he does his job. tem, already struggling under the mendations, anything higher than 5 ties, has struggled to fill the gap. It “I am afraid I will catch it, but I am weight of relentless conflict. In part, percent shows officials aren’t testing faced a major setback when its biggest here to help,” he said. “I listen to peo- the increase has been blamed on unin- widely enough, allowing the virus to supplier, the Serum Institute of India, ple and they say it’s fake. Then they terrupted travel with India, bringing spread unchecked. announced last month that it would come here.” the highly contagious Delta variant, At most only 3,000 tests a day are AP/RSS not export any vaccines until the end The Health Ministry has recruited first identified in India. carried out, as Afghans resist testing, A doctor checks a Covid-19 patient at Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital in Kabul. of the year because of the surge in clerics, prominent religious figures Also, most Afghans still question even after the country dramatically that country. and local elders to encourage vaccina- the reality of the virus or believe their ramped up its capabilities to 25,000 a out the pandemic. gone to India for medical treatment. “Honestly speaking, I lost my faith tion and anti-coronavirus precau- faith will protect them and rarely d a y. But it is rare to see anyone wearing Nazari said banning flights was not in COVAX,” Nazari said. tions. The worsening Covid situation wear masks or social distance, often Only recently, the government tried a mask in the streets, and even where an option since many Afghans cannot “Unfortunately, there are countries prompted the US Embassy on mocking those who do. Until just a to take steps to clamp down to contain masks are mandatory, like in govern- afford to be stranded in India and the who vaccinated more than their Thursday to issue a health alert warn- week ago, the government was allow- the surge. It closed schools, universi- ment offices, it’s rarely enforced. As government cannot prevent citizens 50 percent or 60 percent percent of ing of shortages of supplies, oxygen ing unrestricted mass gatherings. ties and colleges for two weeks. It also many as 10 flights arrive daily from from re-entering their own country. the population ... and there are coun- and beds at hospitals and urging The Delta variant has helped send shut down wedding halls, which had India, packed with Afghans, particu- For vaccines, Afghanistan so far has tries who did not receive vaccines American citizens to “to leave Afghanistan’s infection rate soaring, been operating unhindered through- larly students and people who had relied on a donation of AstraZeneca to even vaccinate 1 percent of their Afghanistan as soon as possible.”

C M Y K 07 | SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY

BRIEFING History-chasing Serena Brazil maintain perfect Tevez leaves Boca Juniors BUENOS AIRES: Carlos Tevez announced he was leaving Boca World Cup qualifying start Juniors on Friday, saying he had reaches French Open last 16 “nothing more to give” his boyhood club, but stopping short of declaring he would not play soccer again. Aryna Sabalenka’s surprise exit means the eighth seed American, who is chasing a Tevez, whose father died three months ago, said he wanted to spend record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, is now the highest ranked player in her half of the draw. more time with his family. Known as ‘El Apache’, Tevez began his career at through the most serious test of his Boca in Buenos Aires. He went on to title credentials so far with a hard- win titles with Corinthians, fought victory over Isner in four sets Manchester United, Manchester City in the night match. The 22-year-old and Juventus before returning from a Greek, who lost a dramatic semi-final year in China for another spell at his last year to Novak Djokovic, bounced hometown club, where he is idolised back from losing a tight first set to win by fans. The 37-year old said he would 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. not play for another Argentinian club An excellent third-set tie-break was but was open to a possible transfer the key to securing a fourth-round overseas. match against Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta, who eased past Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Italy beat Czech Republic 4-0 “I didn’t have the best start I would BOLOGNA: Italy swept aside the say, but things started going my way Czech Republic 4-0 on Friday. Lazio in the second set. My head kind of forward Ciro Immobile put the hosts cleared up and helped me to that ahead in the 23rd minute before Inter important victory,” said Tsitsipas Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella whose win ended US men’s hopes in doubled the lead for Italy just before the tournament. the break. Insigne made it 3-0 in the Second seed Medvedev was adopted 66th minute and turned provider as the new home favourite by the REUTERS Neymar and Richarlison goals helped Brazil beat Ecuador 2-0 and stay top of the table. minutes later when he set up French crowd as he eased to a straight- Domenico Beradi, who completed the sets win over Opelka on Court AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE scoring. Euro 2020 will mark Italy’s Suzanne Lenglen. The two-time Grand Ecuador were their usual physical SAO PAULO, JUNE 5 return to a major tournament follow- Slam runner-up, who speaks French selves but showed little of the attack- ing a five-year gap. After reaching the and lived in France as a youngster, ing verve that had seen them score 13 quarter-finals of Euro 2016, they impressed in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 success. Star forward Neymar scored a retaken goals in their previous three matches. failed to qualify for the 2018 World Medvedev had lost all four of his penalty as Brazil maintained their Neymar in particular felt the full force Cup in Russia. Italy face Turkey in previous French Open matches before perfect start to South American World of Ecuador’s muscular approach. the opening game at Rome’s Stadio this week, but received generous sup- Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over Brazil thought they’d gone in front Olimpico on June 11 before hosting port from the fans, with no French Ecuador on Friday. three minutes before the break when Switzerland and Wales in the Italian players in the third round for the first Richarlison had given Brazil the Gabriel converted a right wing cross capital to complete their Group A fix- AP/RSS time in the Open era. The Russian will lead on 64 minutes and Neymar sealed from Danilo but Ecuador were saved Three-time Roland Garros champion Serena Williams defeated Danielle Collins 6-4 6-4. tures. The Czechs will seek to face Cristian Garin for a last-eight the win deep into injury time, but only by a narrow offside call. A minute regroup against Albania on Tuesday spot after the Chilean beat US player after another VAR farce. Referee later Dominguez had to scoop behind AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in another tune-up for the The eighth seed had already seen Marcos Giron 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. Alexis Herrera initially gave a free- a rasping long-range drive from PARIS, JUNE 5 tournament where they will face yet another of her potential title rivals German sixth seed Alexander kick against Gabriel Jesus after con- Neymar. England, hosts Scotland, and Croatia exit the tournament on Thursday, Zverev needed five sets to beat unher- tact between him and Angelo Preciado Ecuadoran chances were few and in Group D. Serena Williams continued her quest when world number one Ashleigh alded compatriot Oscar Otte in the in the Ecuador area five minutes from far between, with fullback Preciado for a record-equalling 24th Grand Barty hobbled out during the second first round before edging Russian time. But after an interminable blazing over from 20 yards on 58 Slam title by reaching the French round with a hip injury. After Naomi qualifier Roman Safiullin in three four-minute VAR review, he changed minutes. Spain and Portugal play draw Open second week for the first time Osaka’s shock withdrawal, Simona tight sets. He cruised to a 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 his mind and awarded a penalty. Brazil coach Tite had seen enough since 2018, after third seed Aryna Halep failing to start the tournament win over Laslo Djere on Friday, Neymar stuttered in his run-up but and brought on forward Gabriel Jesus MADRID: Spain and Portugal played Sabalenka’s surprise loss left the vet- through injury and early losses for though, setting up a last-16 clash with Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander for defensive midfielder Fred, who out an entertaining 0-0 draw on eran American as the highest-ranked Bianca Andreescu and Angelique former world number four Kei Dominguez wasn’t fooled and easily was making his first appearance for Friday. Spain fell behind when Jose player in her half of the draw. Kerber, none of the players who have Nishikori. saved his weak shot. the Selecao since 2018. The switch paid Fonte’s looping header beat Unai In the men’s third round, fifth seed beaten Williams in Grand Slam finals “This is the main goal of my tennis Ecuador were then down the other instant dividends. After Domingiuez Simon after 23 minutes. However, it Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil since her last title in the 2017 career, to win Grand Slams, to reach end attacking when Herrera blew his saved low to his right from Neymar, he was ruled out for a foul on Pau Medvedev beat big-serving Americans Australian Open are still in the com- the top of the rankings. I feel like the whistle and brought the game back for was poorly beaten on 64 minutes at his Torres. A nervy Simon then saw a in John Isner and Reilly Opelka petition. last year I’m on the right track again,” encroachment by Dominguez. Neymar near post by a shot from Richarlison. clearance charged down by Cristiano respectively. World number four Sabalenka, who said Zverev. retook the penalty and this time sent It was one-way traffic and Ronaldo. But the ball ricocheted Three-time Roland Garros champi- was the highest-seeded women’s play- Nishikori reached the fourth round Dominguez the wrong way. Marquinhos headed over the bar straight back to the Athletic Bilbao on Williams came through a potential- er still in the tournament at the start when opponent Henri Laaksonen The slapstick ending could not before Dominguez made partial stopper. After struggling early on, the ly tricky third-round tie with compa- of the day, was dumped out by Russia’s retired injured after dropping the first mask a deserved victory for Brazil, amends for his earlier clanger, saving hosts were much better after the triot Danielle Collins, winning 6-4, 6-4. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The set. The short outing would have been who now top the qualification table by low to his right to deny Gabriel Jesus restart, with Alvaro Morata and She will next face Kazakh 21st seed Belarusian, who has never reached a a relief for Japan’s Nishikori, who four points from unbeaten Argentina, and then blocking a shot from Gabriel Pablo Sarabia both missing chances. Elena Rybakina, with a possible quar- Grand Slam quarter-final, slumped to spent more than eight hours on court with Ecuador third, two points further with his foot. Gabriel, whose nick- Portugal were indebted to keeper Rui ter-final against old rival Victoria a 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 defeat. The 31st-seeded over the first two rounds. back. name is Gabigol, then headed wide of Patricio, who denied Ferran Torres Azarenka up for grabs. The 39-year-old Pavlyuchenkova will next face In-form Norwegian youngster Predictably, Brazil dominated the an empty net from Richarlison’s cross from close range with two minutes Williams, still one short of Margaret Azarenka. Casper Ruud was knocked out by early possession with 75 percent of the on a lightning counter-attack after remaining, before Morata hit the bar Court’s all-time record of most Grand Former world number one Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a ball in the first quarter of an hour. But Dominguez made a rash dart out of in stoppage time as Luis Enrique’s Slam singles titles, thundered down Azarenka, who stunned Williams in marathon match which lasted more it wasn’t until 20 minutes that they his area. side pushed for a late winner to no five aces and struck 22 winners past their 23rd meeting in last year’s US than four-and-a-half hours. The first threatened with Richarlison mil- But the true drama came at the end avail. Spain face Lithuania in their Collins. Open semi-finals, cruised past Spaniard clinched victory in a dra- limeters away from turning home a of the match as VAR once again stole final warm-up fixture on Tuesday “Today it was very difficult, but I Madison Keys 6-2, 6-2 to reach the matic final game, even including an whipped inswinging Neymar freekick. the headlines. before the Euros kick off next Friday. played well, stayed concentrated. I’m Roland Garros fourth round for the underarm serve, on his fifth match Moments later Richarlison played Brazil travel to Paraguay on Portugal host Israel on Wednesday very happy,” said Williams, who first time since making the last four in point, winning 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), Gabriel in on goal but Dominguez was Tuesday while Ecuador host Peru, before they start the defence of their fought back from 1-4 down in the sec- 2013. 0-6, 7-5 to secure a last-16 date with out quickly to smother his poked before the Copa America begins in Euro title. (AGENCIES) ond set. Men’s fifth seed Tsitsipas came Argentina’s Federico Delbonis. effort. Brazil on June 13. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You need some room to cool down from yesterday’s Sunday’s skies bring a welcome sense of ease, You’re likely to be feeling inward and withdrawn Leisure should be your key goal under Sunday’s intensity, Aries. Fortunately, the moon slides into Cancer. The moon departs from Aries and marches today. Listen to your instincts to focus on the emo- skies, Capricorn. The moon roams into sensual peaceable Taurus this morning, helping you ground forward into simplicity-seeking Taurus—helping tions stirring within you. It’s an ideal day for journ- Taurus today, prompting you to explore creative out- down and turn your attention towards small produc- you restore a sense of emotional equilibrium on the aling, therapy, or vulnerable talks with a trusted lets, enliven your sex life, and indulge in activities tive efforts. relationship front. confidante. that bring you joy.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** The moon glides into your sign this morning, help- Career matters are ripe on your mind today, Leo. Let Let Sunday’s skies cool you off and help you process Sunday’s skies call for rest and retreat, Aquarius. ing you shake off any excess irritability from yester- yourself explore your next step with a refreshed some of the thoughts and conversations you faced You’re craving to reconnect with your home base and day. Luna’s presence in your sign works to reconnect sense of stability, as the moon glides into grounded yesterday. Focus towards the stories currently swirl- family members today. It’s an ideal day to focus on you with your body, health, and individual needs. Taurus. ing around your relationships. beautifying your home and healing any rocky family relationships.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Allow yourself to withdraw from society today, Escape your comfort zone today, Virgo. In order to You’re in the mood to get productive under Sunday’s There are errands to run, messages to respond to, Gemini. Solitude, restorative activities, and sleeping clear your head, you need a fresh perspective and an skies, Sagittarius. Focus towards any imbalances in and important conversations to have. Luna slides in is ideal. Luna spends the day in an uplifting con- adventure that can help inspire you. Reconnect with your current work/life balance and helping you hone into practical Taurus and helps you tackle anything nection with lover Venus and visionary Jupiter. nature and simplify your environment. in on health matters. requiring a touch of realism.

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K SUNDAY, JUNE 06, 2021 | 08 BLACKBOARD (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Living with coronavirus Moving on KRISHNA HUMAGAIN

In these stressful times, we all need to take care of our mental and physical well-being. In the middle of the night Raju suddenly woke up anxiety among the general public. Social media have been flooded with disturb- he felt someone was watching him ing news of spike in Covid-19-related fatalities, he scanned his spartan room and saw no one acute shortage of oxygen cylinders, ordeals of commoners. If we pay attention to the multi- Raju walked to the window and stared into the dark tudes of challenges that common people are now the cool night breeze and the silence calmed him facing, it seems as if the government doesn’t Raju has lost count the number of times he got up at night exist. While the government seems hell-bent on things hasn’t been easy flexing political muscles, that too at a time of such a grave crisis, the pandemic has once again Three months ago, his wife passed away reignited the widening gap between the haves something in him changed since and have-nots. Fostering holistic communication strategy as if it unlocked all his fears and providing proper counselling to the people fears--both real and imaginary of all age groups can be path-altering when it comes to bringing about desirable changes in He locked himself in his room their behaviour. Authentic information must be he cut himself off from his family and friends disseminated in a bid to quell misinformation the Raju who was the life of every party about the contagion. Debunking baseless and disappeared into thin air conspiracy theories associated with the corona- virus is the need of the hour. Self-quarantine, But that night as he lay in his bed self-isolation, social distancing, mindfulness, he felt a strong urge to look at his favourite photo of his late wife meditation, spirituality, performing regular exercise to keep one’s mind intact, intake of his hands trembled as he took out the photo nutritious food to boost one’s immunity power, something he hadn’t done in three months among other practices, can be the right approach UNSPLASH to dealing with the pandemic. Spending His heart ached like never before SANJOG KARKI domestic violence have skyrocketed. Likewise, much-needed quality time with one’s family and his eyes welled up prevalence of crime rates, including larceny, members and loved ones, developing a habit of he soon fell asleep he resurgence of the second wave of homicide, cyber crimes, among other untoward reading good books, playing with pets, learning his pillow wet with tears the coronavirus pandemic has incidents, can never be undermined. Such grave new skills, relishing childhood memories, etc, upended lives in an unprecedented concerns need to be addressed sooner rather can keep one’s mind occupied and away from all That night he saw his wife in his dream way. At the same time, misinforma- than later. the negativity. she whispered in his ears tion related to Covid-19 has left peo- It’s crucial that mental hygiene should be ple from all walks of life in a real taken into consideration while also maintaining “It breaks my heart to see you in this state, dear. Let go” quandary. Apocalyptic assumptions surround- As always, mental health is good personal hygiene. Mental health ought to the next morning, for the first time in months T Raju got out of his room. ing the origin of the deadly virus seem to be a come out of the shadows. You can save others major bugbear of many people. the most neglected issue only if you save yourself in the first place. Needless to say, the emerging variants of Containing the pandemic may not be under our Humagain is a sociology student at Tribhuvan University. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, are in this hour of chaos and control, but creating a positive mindset and highly contagious and getting out of hand. This turmoil, particularly in practicing healthy coping strategies can be is indeed a big reason to worry. This is probably path-altering and help mitigate the risks of the the worst downturn facing the entire world after the context of Nepal. contagion to some extent. World War II and the global economic depres- Disseminating Covid-related fatalities all the sion in the 1930s. time will only inflict psychological harm to the After more than a year since the emergence of As always, mental health is the most neglect- already mentally fragile. Recovery rates also Covid-19 in Wuhan, China for the first time in ed issue in this hour of chaos and turmoil, par- ought to be taken into consideration so as to late December of 2019, many countries, includ- ticularly in the context of Nepal. Patients uplift the psyche of vulnerable people. Bolstering ing Nepal, have been forced to hunker down to scourged by Covid-19 shouldn’t be subjected to psychosocial support to those people who are on battle a new pandemic. social discrimination and stigma at any cost. the receiving end can be path-altering when it The world economy is now in dire straits, ren- Being inflicted by the coronavirus disease comes to addressing their mental health issues. dering millions of people jobless. With the glob- should in no way be regarded as a matter of Since the ongoing pandemic is not going to al economy coming to a standstill, the whole guilt, shame, discrimination or stigma. subside anytime soon, living with the coronavi- world is plunged into chaos. Prohibitory orders Needless rumours, misinformation and vile rus by adopting health and safety protocols is and lockdown restrictions being enforced in an news spread like wildfire. Superfluous informa- the only way out. Washing hands, using sanitis- effort to contain the deadly virus have delivered tion about coronavirus—now termed as ‘corona- ers, donning masks and maintaining social dis- a big blow to the impoverished ones with mea- virus infodemic’—spreads faster than the pan- tancing is of utmost importance if we are to gre or no savings at all. The ongoing prohibitory demic itself. At the same time, misinformation subdue the deadly virus. All in all, dealing with orders in major parts of Nepal have robbed daily associated with the coronavirus is as detrimen- everyday life situations gracefully and prudent- wagers, transport and tourism entrepreneurs, tal as the pandemic itself. Fear-mongering over ly can work wonders. among others of their livelihoods. The future of Covid-19 is rampant. Fake coronavirus claims tens of thousands of students is at stake owing that have been circulating over social media sow Karki is an MA in Psychology student at to the ineffectiveness of online classes. Cases of unnecessary panic and fear, thereby fuelling Tribhuvan University. UNSPLASH

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