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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 165 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.0 C 16.4 C Monday, August 02, 2021 | 18-04-2078 Nepalgunj Jumla Karki committee for Constitutional Council without chief justice The idea behind having the chief justice on the council is he/she could vet names proposed by the prime minister, ensuring checks and balances, constitution drafters say.

BINOD GHIMIRE tions needs to be conducted by the KATHMANDU, AUG 1 Constitutional Bench, which Chief Justice Rana heads. A day after the Sher Bahadur Deuba Amid this, a report prepared by a government repealed the ordinance committee led by Justice Hari Krishna on the Constitutional Council Act, an Karki has recommended that the pres- advocate on July 19 filed a supplemen- ence of the chief justice in the tary petition at the Supreme Court Constitutional Council needs to be demanding a “quo warranto”. reviewed. The Karki-led committee Om Prakash Aryal, the advocate was formed to study the malpractices who filed the supplementary petition, and corruption in the judiciary and said his demand for “quo warranto” recommend solutions. means those 52 individuals appointed “The nominations made by the under the now-repealed ordinance Constitutional Council have been must show on what warrant they are dragged into controversy and they holding their offices. have also been challenged in the Aryal had earlier on June 13 this Supreme Court,” Chandeshwor year and December 16 last year filed Shrestha, president of Nepal Bar petitions demanding the quashing of Association and a member of the those appointments, saying they were Karki-led panel, told the Post. Post photo: Elite Joshi made after amending the “However, the hearing hasn’t been Staffers arrange new beds in a shed on the premises of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital at Teku, Kathmandu on Sunday. With Constitutional Council Act conducted yet because the chief jus- an increase in Covid-19 cases after a lull following the second wave’s devastation, hospitals have reported a rise in bed occupancy rates. through an ordinance. tice, who was present in the nomina- The court, however, has not tion process, leads the Constitutional conducted a single hearing on Bench. We have, therefore, recom- any of the petitions. mended a review of the provision that Many say since Chief Justice makes the chief justice’s presence in Cholendra Shumsher Rana was the council mandatory.” Inside Coordination is key to present in the meetings of the The constitution mandates the Constitutional Council that Constitutional Council to nominate made nominations for various officials for positions in the constitu- Women workers in Salyan fighting the pandemic, but constitutional bodies, he has tional bodies to keep checks on the refrained from conducting a government. get paid less than men hearing. The hearing on the peti- >> Continued on page 2 SALYAN: Sunita Roka has been work- ing as a daily wage earner for the last it is lacking at all levels 10 years. The 27-year-old from Simkharka in Sharada Municipality-8 is a skilled mason equally dexterous in building mud/stone walls as well Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre wants Health Ministry as concrete ones. She is well known in her locality as a proficient mason. to come up with a plan to check virus spread. Ministry says But she still doesn’t get wages on par with her male counterpart despite its suggestions are not followed and Centre is responsible. doing the same work. “The govern- ment has fixed equal wages for equal work. But women still get paid less than men,” said Roka. According to her, she is paid Rs600 per day for her work while her male co-worker receives Rs800 for the same work. “We know it’s unfair but we can’t afford to not work. We have to take what we are given or else we’ll have no means of survival,” she said. (Details on Pg 2)

Chiefs of stock market and market regulator under probe for alleged insider trading KATHMANDU: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority has launched an investigation into the alleged involvement of Securities Board of Nepal Chairperson Bhisma Raj Dhungana and Nepal Stock Exchange Chief Executive Officer Post file Photo Chandra Singh Saud in insider trad- An isolation centre set up by Nepal Army. Experts say preparations are lacking to tame virus. ing. The issue has come to light after it was revealed that Dhungana’s ARJUN POUDEL ic and preparing the policies needed daughter Rebika Dhungana and KATHMANDU, AUG 1 for the purpose. But it points the fin- Saud’s wife Sushila Kumari Bohora, ger to the Health Ministry to come up each, had each purchased 11,911 Last month, senior officials of the with plans of action. shares of Sarbottam Cement, which Ministry of Health and Population “We have held several rounds of is preparing to make an initial public were deployed to all seven provinces meetings with Health Ministry offi- offering (IPO) worth Rs6 million to assess the management in the cials and officials of other ministries under book building mechanism. first and second waves of the Covid-19 but Health Ministry officials have not Prem Kumar Rai, the chief commis- pandemic. presented any plan for better and sioner of the anti-graft body, con- The litany of complaints from effective management of the pandem- firmed to the Post on Sunday that health workers as well as people’s rep- ic,” Nurhari Khatiwada, spokesperson they have sought relevant documents resentatives in local governments was for the Covid-19 Crisis Management from the Finance Ministry on the similar: insufficient financial resourc- Centre, told the Post. issue. He didn’t elaborate more on the es, not enough antigen test kits, lack “We have been trying to convince matter. (Details on Pg 3) of viral transport medium needed for them for better coordination and coop- polymerase chain reaction tests, and eration.” non-payment of the promised allow- The Centre is headed by a retired Sugarcane farmers resort ances to health workers, according to Nepal Army lieutenant general to agitation again after multiple ministry officials the Post despite the Covid-19 pandemic being a talked to. public health issue. It has representa- government breaks promise “Like at the centre, we found a lack tives from the home, commerce, and KATHMANDU: Weeks after Sher of coordination as agencies under pro- health ministries as well as security Bahadur Deuba took the helm of the vincial and local governments did not agencies. government, sugarcane farmers have take the risks of the pandemic seri- The Health Ministry, in turn, points resorted to agitation for payment of ously enough,” an official at the to the Covid-19 Crisis Management their remaining dues, seven months Health Ministry who was deployed to Centre, saying it should be coordinat- after the then KP Sharma Oli admin- one of the provinces told the Post, ing and giving directions. istration had struck a deal commit- asking not to be named. “The CCMC was established to coor- ting farmers to clear their arrears. “I am not authorised to speak to dinate among all the agencies con- Last winter, hopeful sugarcane farm- the media, but what we found is we cerned, and it is responsible for taking ers returned home after weeks of pro- could have managed the pandemic far the necessary measures [to control the test in Kathmandu following an better than what happened, had all pandemic] and giving directives to the agreement with the government. The agencies concerned owned their agencies concerned,” Dr Samir Kumar Industry Ministry had on December responsibilities.” Adhikari, joint spokesman for the 28, 2020, assured farmers that it As the official pointed out, there Health Ministry, told the Post. would make sugar mills liable to pay still seems to be no coordination at the The Centre has held meetings with their dues pending for the last 4-5 centre in fighting the pandemic, 18 the representatives of several other years. As per the agreement, sugar- months into it. ministries, according to Khatiwada. cane producers would get all their The Covid-19 Crisis Management The current incarnation of the outstanding dues within 21 days of Centre, formed as per the May 20 Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre is the agreement. Now farmers are back Covid-19 Crisis Management different from the one formed earlier in Kathmandu to exert pressure on Ordinance, has the responsibility of and has the sole responsibility of the Sher Bahadur Deuba led coalition taking the necessary measures for responding to the pandemic. government. (Details on Pg 5) controlling the spread of the pandem- >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 | 02 National Briefing Women workers in Salyan get paid less than men One dead, three missing in Karnali boat capsize Authorities say those found guilty of gender discrimination at workplace can be penalised but they have received no such complaints so far. TIKAPUR: A woman died while two BIPLAB MAHARJAN others and a newborn went missing SALYAN, AUG 1 in a boat capsize in the Karnali river on Sunday. The women were on Sunita Roka has been working as a their way to get their Covid-19 vac- daily wage earner for the last 10 years. cine shots when the wooden boat car- The 27-year-old from Simkharka in rying 10 people capsized. The boat Sharada Municipality-8 is a skilled was heading towards Chaukune mason equally dexterous in building Rural Municipality in Surkhet dis- mud/stone walls as well as concrete trict from Mohanyal Rural ones. She is well known in her locality Municipality of Kailali. Police said as a proficient mason. But she still Dhansari Salami, 22, died while doesn’t get wages on par with her Parbati Thapa, 20, Urmila Salami, 22, male counterpart despite doing the and her newborn have gone same work. missing in the incident. Two other “The government has fixed equal children sustained injuries in the wages for equal work. But women still boat capsize. get paid less than men,” said Roka. According to her, she is paid Rs 600 per day for her work while her male 12 houses swept away by fresh co-worker receives Rs 800 for the floods in Melamchi river same work. “We know it’s unfair SINDHUPALCHOK: Floods triggered by but we can’t afford to not work. We incessant rainfall since Saturday have to take what we are given or else evening have caused damage to the we will have no means of survival,” riverbank areas of Helambu and she said. Melamchi. Police said floods swept Pramila Nepali of Sharada away six houses at Kiul village in ​​ Municipality-6 has a similar ordeal. Helambu and six houses in Melamchi Nepali, who has been working as a Bazaar at around 9:30 pm on Saturday. construction worker for the past seven The local authorities and security years, gets Rs550 a day while her male personnel have warned the residents counterparts receive Rs800 for the of Timbu, Gyalthum and Melamchi same work. Bazaar of possible flooding. Earlier, Roka and Nepali are just two exam- on June 15, sudden floods and land- ples. Wage gaps and discrimination in slides had displaced hundreds of fam- pay scale between male and female Post Photo: BIPLAB MAHARJAN ilies in the area. workers have left many women under- There are around 2,000 women working as daily wage earners in Salyan, according to the District Coordination Committee. paid across all fields but more so in the labour market. says women put in longer hours than “We may lose our jobs if we demand result of patriarchy and cultural Labour Association in Salyan. Covid-19 hospital set up in According to the District men on job sites but are still under- wages on par with the men,” said norms. Local authorities in Salyan say con- Coordination Committee (DCC) in paid. Gharti, a resident of Kupinde “People in general think women are tractors and consumer committees Salyan local unit Salyan, there are around 2,000 women “Men work by the clock, from 10 am Municipality Ward No. 10. “Any kind weaker. They believe women don’t put can be penalised if found guilty of SALYAN: Keeping in view of the third working as daily wage earners in the to 5 pm. But women stay back and of job is hard to come by these days so as much work and effort into their paying low wages to women labourers wave of Covid-19, Darma Rural district. work longer hours to prove that we are we continue working in silence. We jobs. This has led to a wide gender pay and of gender discrimination at the Municipality in Salyan district has The DCC has fixed wages at Rs 950 hardworking and deserving of equal even put in extra effort at work so that gap that affects the most vulnerable workplace. set up a Covid-19 hospital at per day for a mason, Rs 750 for an pay,” said Pariyar. “But we get paid we don’t get fired.” women in society.” “It is punishable by law to pay below Thumkesalli. The 15-bed hospital assistant and Rs 650 for an ordinary less than men for doing the same job. Gharti’s husband works as a daily “Contractors and representatives of the fixed wage limit. The local admin- has been constructed with worker. The daily wages for porters Male workers make Rs 700 a day while wage worker in India. She has the the consumer committees fix wages istration takes action against contrac- Rs 5 million provided by the and supervisors have been fixed at Rs I get Rs 600 for the same work.” responsibility of taking care of her themselves. Contractors in Salyan tors or representatives of consumer Karnali government. “We will soon 675 and Rs 750 respectively. Muna Gharti, a daily wage worker, family of five in Nepal but her income bring workers from other districts to committees if found providing low manage health workers and start But despite the fixed rates, discrim- blames contractors and consumer falls short of meeting all their needs, raise competition among workers so wages to women labourers. But we providing health services,” said ination continues. committees for the disparity in wages she says. that they can hire a labourer at the haven’t received any complaints yet,” Nim Bahadur KC, the chairman of Nirmala Pariyar, a daily wage and the discrimination against women Rights activists say the disparity in minimum possible wage,” said Sarita said Laxmi Devi Humagain, chief dis- the local unit. worker from Sharada Municipality-1, in the labour market. pay between men and women is a Hamal, chairperson of the Women trict officer in Salyan. Coordination is key to fighting ... Karki committe for Constitutional

>> Continued from page 1 the provincial or federal government positive in polymerase chain reaction On March 29 last year, the Covid-19 agencies inquiring about their prob- tests. The positivity rate continues to Crisis Management Centre was lems. be high—it was 24 percent on Sunday. Council without chief justice formed with the then deputy prime “Neither the central government Along with reviving quarantine and minister as its head. Several ministers nor provincial government agencies isolation centres, testing should be >> Continued from page 1 the Council is a constitutional provi- Giriraj Mani Pokharel, a Standing were members, but the Centre had lit- contact us to inquire about our prob- ramped up and contact tracing and The council is headed by the prime sion, and taking him/her out of the Committee member of the Communist tle to show in terms of its efforts to lems and preparations to deal with the isolation of the infected people should minister with the chief justice, House Council will need an amendment to Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), who check the spread of the pandemic. pandemic,” said Uddhav Prasad be made effective, experts say. Speaker, National Assembly chair, the constitution. A constitutional was a member of the Constitution When the second wave of the pandem- Kharel, mayor of Budhanilkantha Despite the mantra being repeated deputy Speaker, and the main opposi- amendment, however, is possible only Drafting Committee of the Constituent ic hit the country in April this year, Municipality in Kathmandu. “With for the last 18 months, neither has tion leader as members. if Parliament votes for it with a two- Assembly, said no decision should be the then government headed by KP the available resources, we have tried testing been increased nor contact On December 15 last year, the then thirds majority. taken based on just one incident or Sharma Oli issued the Covid-19 Crisis to do what we can, including manag- tracing made effective. KP Sharma Oli government intro- Constitutional experts and the polit- activities of one particular chief jus- Management Ordinance. It appointed ing isolation centres.” “The only way to contain the spread duced an ordinance to amend the ical party leaders involved in the con- tice. Balanada Sharma, who was coordina- With the rapid spread of the Delta of any virus including the Delta vari- Constitutional Council Act, 2010 to stitution drafting process have a divid- “The chief justice is a dignified per- tor of the Army Integration Special variant, which is more transmissible ant is by increasing testing, isolating ease convening the Council’s meeting. ed opinion on the recommendation by sonality who even administers the Committee during the peace process, than other strains of SARS-CoV-2, patients and making contact tracing Before the amendment, Clause 6 (3) the Karki-led panel. oath to the President of the country,” as the chief of the Centre. causing a spike in the number of new effective,” Dr Baburam Marasini, for- of the Act said that “at least five mem- Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi, said Pokharel. “I disagree with the But it seems to be relying too much cases in recent days, public health mer Director at the Epidemiology and bers must be present besides the who specialises in constitutional law, idea of discontinuing the chief justice on the Health Ministry. experts say that better preparations Disease Control Division, told the prime minister for the Council to con- says the Karki-led committee has made as a member of the Council.” “The chief executive officer has are needed to lessen the loss. Post. vene its meeting”. The amendment to an important recommendation that According to Pokharel, the idea been trying to convince Health However, there has been little prepa- “I fail to understand the govern- the provision meant the Council could political parties need to internalise. behind including the chief justice in Ministry officials for cooperation and ration. ment policy. Why have all these meas- convene a meeting when the majority “The entire judiciary has come the Council is that he/she could vet coordination,” said Khatiwada. Even the construction of holding ures, without which the pandemic of existing members were present. under controversy because of the the names forwarded by the prime “Without the help of all agencies con- centres at border crossings between cannot come under control, been given With no deputy Speaker appointed, chief justice’s presence in the contro- minister, thereby ensuring checks and cerned, this pandemic cannot be over- Nepal and India, started before the up?” Oli held the meeting in the presence versial decision by the Council,” balances. come, and the role of the Health start of the second wave of the pan- When Health Ministry officials of the chief justice and the National Tripathi told the Post. “The Karki “We should be concerned about Ministry is very much important in demic, has not been completed. The were sent to the provinces last month, Assembly chair. panel’s recommendation should be whether everyone is performing their containing the pandemic.” Health Ministry is not even aware of one of their tasks was to gather inputs The ordinance had run into contro- adopted through an amendment to the expected responsibility, rather than Experts say that this pandemic is no the progress. from the agencies under the provin- versy. Despite Oli’s promise to with- constitution.” making changes because of an inci- less than a war, and without better “We are not aware of the comple- cial and local governments to start draw the ordinance, he did not do so. dent or two.” coordination and cooperation among tion and handover of the holding cen- preparations for a possible third wave. Instead, after making some appoint- Experts had told the Post in all state agencies and the general pub- tres as of now,” said Adhikari. “Nepal But to bring the pandemic under ments, he dissolved the House on Constitutional December that it was Oli who had lic, the war cannot be won. Army was tasked with setting up one control, the writing is clearly on the December 20. thrown the principle of checks and “We are still struggling to overcome 1,000-bed holding centre in each of the wall—testing, contact tracing, ramp- As many as 38 nominations made on experts have balances out the window when he the pandemic, so coordination is still seven provinces and one also in ing up immunisation, and setting up December 15 had immediately met with introduced the ordinance to amend important,” Dr Biraj Karmacharya, Kathmandu before the start of the infrastructures, among other meas- criticism. Oli’s House dissolution was divided opinion the Constitutional Council. an epidemiologist at Dhulikhel second wave.” ures—according to experts. overturned by the Supreme Court on Oli had argued that the continued Hospital, told the Post. It will still take some time for them “These are basic things,” said February 23. But on May 4, the Oli-led on Karki-led panel’s absence of Deuba, who was the leader The Health Ministry says that its to be completed, according to Santosh Karmacharya, who is also the head of Council again made 20 nominations. recommendation. of the then opposition party, had cre- directives and recommendations are Ballav Poudyal, spokesperson for the Department of Community Of the total individuals nominated, ated hurdles in holding the meetings not followed. Nepal Army, as the national defence Programme at Dhulikhel Hospital. 52 were automatically appointed to of the Constitutional Council, thereby “For example, testing should be force has already signed a contract to Creation of many agencies, which various constitutional bodies after affecting appointments to various con- ramped up, and for that we have dis- set up six holding centres. only issue directives, is counterpro- their parliamentary hearing could not Others, however, disagree. They say stitutional bodies. Since there was patched hundreds of thousands of “Nepal Army has already signed a ductive as that hinders coordination be conducted within 45 days. the chief justice is the only non-politi- also a tussle in the then Nepal antigen testing kits to local govern- contract to set up six holding centres. and cooperation, according to As per Article 292, parliamentary cal face in the Council who can correct Communist Party (NCP), Speaker ments, but tests are not happening We are working on completing their Marasini, the former government offi- hearings shall be conducted for if some unjustified nominations are Agni Sapkota avoided the meetings. in sufficient numbers,” said Adhikari, construction within two months, and cial. appointments to the offices of the made. Sapkota was appointed the Speaker joint spokesperson for the Health we hope that they will be ready before “Instead of creating agencies that chief justice and judges of the “There is no need to take a position in January last year after a long tug- Ministry. “Public transportation the third wave hits the country,” implement directions, authorities Supreme Court, members of the against the chief justice’s presence in of-war between Oli and Pushpa Kamal and gathering should be restricted Poudyal told the Post. “Due to land keep increasing the agencies to give Judicial Council, chiefs and members the Council because of a one-off inci- Dahal, who was the other chair in the and monitored and crowding should acquisition problems, work has not orders only,” said Marasini. of constitutional bodies and offices of dent,” Tulasi Simkhada, a constitu- Nepal Communist Party (NCP). be prohibited but nothing has started in two places.” “Had the government increased ambassadors. tional lawyer, told the Post. “It would Sapkota’s reluctance to attend the happened.” There were 31,298 active cases health workers including doctors, and But Rule 26 (2) of the Joint be better to review the provision that Council meetings was also seen as On the other hand, local govern- throughout the country on Sunday, hired volunteers for contact tracing Parliamentary Meeting Regulations makes it mandatory for the chief jus- part of his long-time comrade Dahal’s ments complain that they are just according to the Health Ministry. In and lab technicians for testing, things says there would be no obstruction for tice to lead the Constitutional Bench.” fight with Oli. given responsibilities without either the last 24 hours, 1,981 people tested would have been different.” the nominated individuals to assume The question of whether the chief Sapkota had even sent back the 38 office in constitutional bodies if the justice should lead the Constitutional nominations made on December 15 to hearing committee fails to take any Bench had arisen earlier in December the Constitutional Council’s decision within 45 days of receiving and May when petitions were filed Secretariat, saying he was not g]kfn ;/sf/ the letter from the [Constitutional] against Oli’s House dissolutions. informed about it. vfg]kfgL dGqfno Council. Some argued that the chief justice Now the Karki-led panel recom- Oli, however, was ousted by the can let any other senior justice lead mending that the chief justice should vfg]kfgL tyf 9n Joj:yfkg ljefu Supreme Court on July 12 after his the bench if questions are raised not be a member of the Council has second House dissolution on May 21. about his presence on the bench. raised more questions. ;+3Lo vfg]kfgL tyf 9n Joj:yfkg cfof]hgf The Sher Bahadur Deuba govern- Questions were also asked about the Those involved in the constitution g]kfnu~h ment formed on July 13 repealed the composition of the bench, as plaintiffs drafting process say the presence of ordinance on July 18, but since the doubted the conflict of interest of the head of the judiciary in the af]nkq :jLs[t ;DaGwL cfzosf] ;"rgf appointment issue was already sub some of the justices. Article 137 (1) Council enhances its dignity and the ;"rgf k|sflzt ldlt M @)&*÷)$÷!* judice, experts said it was up to the says the Constitutional Bench con- objective is nothing but making court to decide. sists of the chief justice and four appointments to the constitutional o; sfof{nosf] tklzn adf]lhdsf] af]nkq ldlt @)&*÷)!÷!% ut] b sf7df08f} kf]i6 /fli6«o b}lgs klqsf tyf E-Bid 4f/f k|sflzt As Rana, who was part of the nomi- other justices designated by the chief bodies fair. ;"rgf cg';f/ Online btf{ x'g cfPsf k|:tfjx? dWo] tklznsf] k|:tfjnfO{ ul7t d'NofÍg ;ldltaf6 :jLs[tsf nflu l;kml/; eO{ nation process, leads the justice on the recommendation of the “The presence of the chief justice is Constitutional Bench, which is sup- Judicial Council. necessary to ensure all three organs cfPsf]df ;fj{hlgs vl/b P]g @)^# sf] bkmf @& sf] pkbkmf @ / # tyf $& sf] k|of]hgfy{ ;DalGwt k|:tfjsx?nfO{ hfgsf/L posed to hear the petitions, questions After the controversy, Chief Justice of the state have a presence in the u/fO{G5 . have arisen about his conflict of inter- Rana had changed the composition of Council,” Rewati Raman Bhandari, est and impartiality. the bench by designating four senior who was a member of the constitution tklzn M “Such a situation could have been most justices. drafting committee from the CPN- l avoided if the chief justice was not Those involved in the constitution UML, told the Post. “We can find a way ;= Aff]nkq sf]8÷7]Ssf gDa/ Aff]nkqbftfsf] gfd / 7]ufgf d'=c= s/ ;lxtsf] g= k|:tfljt /sd -?_ part of the Constitutional Council,” drafting process say the chief justice out for the mandatory presence of the said Shrestha. “That’s why we have as a member of the Constitutional chief justice in the Constitutional MRIT SANJIWONI-SWAMINARAYAN- != 01/077-78/CF/FWSSMP-NEPALGUNJ #),&#,^%,@&*.%^ recommended that the provision of Council is a continuation of the earli- Bench though.” SAGUN JV Butwal 13, Rupandehi, Nepal the chief justice in the Council be er constitutions of 1991 and 2007. This cfof]hgf k|d'v amended.” is an international practice as well, (Tika R Pradhan contributed But the chief justice’s presence in according to them. reporting.)

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 National Chiefs of stock market and market regulator under probe for alleged insider trading Securities Board chair and Nepal Stock Exchange CEO are accused of insider trading after their kin bought the shares of Sarbottam Cement which is preparing to issue IPO.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA The company has publicly stated the board or the development of the KATHMANDU, AUG 1 that it was preparing to sell the capital market and causes any loss shares to the general public for at and damage to the board, the govern- The Commission for Investigation of least Rs750 per unit, rather than the ment of Nepal may form an inquiry Abuse of Authority has launched an par value of Rs100. committee as prescribed and, on the investigation into the alleged Dhungana and Saud are accused recommendation of such a commit- involvement of Securities Board of of insider trading for purchasing the tee, remove him or her from Nepal Chairperson Bhisma Raj shares in the name of their kin at the office. Dhungana and Nepal Stock Exchange cheaper rates after getting prior A senior official at the board told Chief Executive Officer Chandra information about potential prices. the Post on condition of anonymity Post Photo: KESHAV THAPA Singh Saud in insider trading. If any person deals in securities or that the board chairperson’s move An aspiring migrant worker holds a flyer demanding digital Covid-19 vaccine certificates in Kathmandu on Sunday. With The issue has come to light after it causes any other person to deal in has raised questions about the integ- countries like Kuwait mandating digital vaccine certificates, many Nepali youths have been unable to fly for abroad jobs. was revealed that Dhungana’s daugh- securities on the basis of any insider rity of the board itself and smeared ter Rebika Dhungana and Saud’s information or notice that are its image as market regulator. wife Sushila Kumari Bohora, had unpublished, communicates any “As per reports, his [Dhungana’s] each purchased 11,911 shares of information or notice known to such daughter purchased the shares at Sarbottam Cement, which is prepar- a person in the course of the dis- Rs250 per unit and it can be assumed ing to make an initial public offering charge of his or her duties in a man- that he, as the chair of the regulator (IPO) worth Rs6 million under book ner likely to affect the price of secu- body, had information that the price Expensive airfare puts additional building mechanism. rities, such individual shall be of the company’s share would be Prem Kumar Rai, the chief com- much higher,” said the board’s missioner of the anti-graft body, con- official. firmed to the Post on Sunday that Finance Ministry As per the Code of Conduct for the burden on Nepali migrant workers they have sought relevant documents Board Members of Securities Board from the Finance Ministry on the has also sought of Nepal 2017, a board member CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL pleted all the procedures but are flights and this has hit our sales because issue. He didn’t elaborate more on should not involve in activities to KATHMANDU, AUG 1 hesitant to fly as tickets are not many people are buying tickets the matter. clarifications from benefit himself or herself or the fam- unreasonably expensive,” said these days.” The commission’s move comes a ily members by using his or her Aspiring migrant workers, who have Shrestha. Currently, Qatar Airways operates few days after the Finance Ministry Dhungana and position in the transactions of listed been undergoing a series of hardships Workers have started migrating after two daily flights from Kathmandu to sought clarifications from Dhungana Saud on the issue. companies and securities traders over the last few months, are being com- destination countries reopened their Doha, whereas Nepal Airlines conducts and Saud on the issue. licenced by the board. pelled to pay exorbitant prices for air borders for outsiders. five flights a week, as per their updated Last week, the Finance Ministry “The chairperson’s act is a matter tickets lately. Already, workers are under pressure schedule for the month of August. had asked Dhungana and Saud to deemed to have been committed an of conflict of interest,” the official Overseas job seekers have been left to either get vaccinated or pay for an Likewise, Himalaya Airlines, as per its submit clarifications within three insider trading in securities, accord- said. with no option than to pay exorbitant expensive quarantine stay, which can latest schedule, operates four weekly days about the media reports about ing to the Section 91 of the Securities Dhungana, meanwhile, said that airfares as labour migration has slowly cost over Rs100,000, for going abroad to flights from Kathmandu to Dammam of their involvement in insider trading. Act-2007. his daughter purchasing shares of restarted with the resumption of inter- work. Now, expensive flight tickets have Saudi Arabia and two weekly flights on After Sarbottam Cement sought Employees Union of Securities Sarbottam Cement was her inde- national flights. come as a new hurdle that is keeping the Kathmandu-Doha route. the board’s assistance in facilitating Board of Nepal on Sunday demanded pendent decision. Stakeholders say workers are being them from flying to labour destination “The government says that the launching of the company’s IPO, legal action against the stock regula- “As my daughter is married and no charged two to three times more than countries. regular flights have resumed for major the kin of Dhungana and Saud tor’s chairperson, Dhungana, after longer belongs to my own family, her the regular airfares and this is affecting According to Ishwar Kafle, manager destination countries. But there are not appear to have taken advantage from he was accused of insider trading decision to buy shares does not fall their jobs prospects. at Smile Travels, a Thamel-based travel enough flights. Airline companies say insider information about the poten- although his job is to check such under the category of insider trad- “The Nepal government has said that and ticketing agency, an economy class that they are not given more flying tial prices. malpractices. ing,” Dhungana claimed. “There has it has allowed regular flights, but if we Nepal Airlines ticket to Doha, Qatar slots,” said Shrestha. “There should be According to one official, The union said in a statement that been no violation of laws when she look at the airfares of those regular costs more than Rs70,000 these days. more flights to facilitate migrant Sarbottam Cement had asked the the reports about the involvement of purchased those shares.” passenger flights, they are so expensive “Airfares cross Rs100,000 for Qatar workers so that they get tickets at board to facilitate the launching of Dhungana in insider trading sug- Dhungana also confirmed that his that migrant workers simply cannot Airways flights,” said Kafle. “If one has cheaper rates. Nepal Airlines is not its IPO through book building meth- gested that his act amounts to daughter purchased the shares of afford them,” said Sujit Kumar to fly to Saudi Arabia by Himalaya operating flights to Saudi Arabia, od two months before the completion “utmost moral hazard” from the per- the company at Rs250 per share. Shrestha, general secretary of Nepal Airlines, it can cost more than Rs150,000 a popular labour destination country, of a fiscal year after the company spective of honesty, legal provisions, A legal expert said that an investi- Association of Foreign Employment as they have to also pay for quarantine whereas a private company is operating was registered as a public limited and code of conduct of the board. gation should be conducted as ques- Agencies. services which has to be paid at the chartered flights. Why can’t the Nepal company. The union has demanded that tions have been raised. The government decided to resume time of buying the air ticket.” Airlines do that? Is it because the As per the current rules of the those involved in such practices “As per section 103 of the Securities limited international flights after Stakeholders say limited flights to government wants to promote a certain board, a public limited company can should be suspended and they should Act-2007, the board can initiate an Covid-19 cases started declining in mid- labour destination countries have private airline company?” launch its IPO upon completion of a be punished as per sections 7(7), 12, investigation into the issue by June. Regular commercial flights to caused the air rates to skyrocket, which The Nepal Association of Foreign fiscal year after becoming a public 91, and 92 of the Securities Act. appointing an investigation officer if major labour destinations were has affected the migrant workers. Employment Agencies has been limited company and making public If the board’s chairperson or a a question is raised about insider resumed also because there were “As there are not enough regular drawing attention of the agencies con- the financial details of the fiscal board member commits any act con- trading or if there is an indication of reports of workers being made to pay commercial flights, ticket prices have cerned to investigate the inflated air- year. trary to the interest of investors in insider trading,” said Gandhi Pandit, for expensive chartered flights. gone up. One would buy an economy fares, which they have blamed on the Book building is the process by securities or any act that may cause a corporate lawyer. “Not only while Shrestha said workers who were class ticket at Rs18,000-20,000 for Qatar “airline cartel”, and operate more which an underwriter attempts to loss or damage to the development of purchasing or selling shares, insider stuck at home due to the second wave of during normal times. For Saudi Arabia, flights. determine the price at which an IPO the capital market, such person may trading can also happen if someone the Covid-19 pandemic-led restrictions it would be around Rs30,000-35,000,” “We have issued a warning that if will be priced. The process of price be removed from the office, accord- having insider information purchas- have been paying between Rs60,000 to said Kafle, the travel agency manager. more regular flights are not added, we discovery involves generating and ing to section 12 of the Act. es or sells shares for himself or her- over Rs100,000 to fly to Persian Gulf “Expensive air tickets have added to the will come out strongly against the gov- recording investor demand for Section 7 of the law says if the self or encourages others to pur- countries. financial burden of Nepalis flying ernment, because the current flight sit- shares before determining an issue chairperson commits any act or chase or sell shares with a malafide “As per our estimates, there could be abroad for employment. The prices are uation has affected both workers and price. action contrary to the interests of intention.” around 30,000 Nepalis who have com- high because there are not enough recruiting agencies,” said Shrestha.

C M Y K MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Ideals of the rule of law Prevention is cure The laws of the nation must bear The Deuba administration has to rope in top the fundamental experts in the field to assess our latest situation. ideals of justice.

Nepal is reporting 2,343 new infections on average each day, according to the daily data released by the Health Ministry. Sambridh Ghimire There are projections that the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will hit Nepal within seven weeks. But some epide- miologists and infectious disease doctors believe the situa- tion could spiral out of hand sooner than expected as the Delta variants of the coronavirus confirmed in Nepal are as contagious as chickenpox and more likely to evade protec- tions offered by the existing vaccines. Amid these risks, there Rule of law is fundamentally defined as are concerns that the new wave could be lethal to the unvac- an instrument of societal control with cinated population, especially children, as the average num- the sovereign’s approval. But the wise ber of new infections rise for seven days straight. feel that such a definition is not holistic In the week ending July 16, the effective reproduction rate and leaves ample room for misuse. In of Covid-19 or the ‘R’ factor, based on a seven-day average, this sense, the rule of law can be used to deliver justice and justify oppres- stood at 0.97. On July 31, it stood at an alarming 1.18. Data sion. Philosophers have argued that no show that we have lost a crucial fortnight to control the law can be classified to be law until it spread of the coronavirus, and the rising ‘R’ factor has encompasses the ideals of justice, fair- renewed fears of the May mayhem as hospital admissions ness and equity. A ‘just law’ and an increase. We know, given our fragile and inequitable health ‘unjust law’ may not have the same infrastructure and a deadly second wave, that things will moral and ethical legitimacy. Still, it quickly come to a standstill and will only get worse before may command society’s adherence by being the law, although it might not be they get better. Saving lives is the government’s biggest in the best interest of society. But the responsibility right now, and there is no room for token direc- law, whether just or unjust, would have tives and actions, but the Deuba administration has done just the sovereign’s backing. Nonetheless, that as more than one in five tests continue to return positive any law must bear the fundamental despite inadequate testing. ideals of justice. A state can be gov- On Friday, the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre, whose erned by law only when the law encom- relevance has already come into question, proposed that the passes the basic tenets of justice. government impose a ‘smart lockdown’ in affected areas The Shah Monarchy and the Rana Oligarchy used the law as an instru- instead of a blanket lockdown following the Health Ministry’s ment of political repression. The rul- statement that a third wave could rage across the country. ers were always regarded above the But technically speaking, Covid-19 hotspots in the country law; the case of Praveen Gurung is a are already under some sort of prohibitory orders following landmark of the same. The governance the botched reopening with no mechanism to implement pub- of these rulers resembled ‘rule by law’ unsplash lic health protocols and social measures to break the chain of rather than the rule of law. The demo- interpreted not by intent but by con- part, and now it’s upon the rulers to values like the rule of law come under transmission and ensure the safety of the people. Instead, the cratic struggle of 1950, two Janandolans venience. introspect whether they have been rul- the judiciary’s purview. But in the (people’s movement) of 1990 & 2006 and Second, equality before the law is an ing up to the constitutional mandate. unlikely situation that it does happen, government has turned a blind eye since the decline in new a 10-year civil war all battled to estab- essential tenet of the rule of law. The judiciary has long been regard- the judiciary must act with complete cases, hospital admissions and deaths following the deadly lish a nation governed by the rule of Equality here is a two-way street— ed as Sentinel on the qui vive, i.e. the freedom and fairness to apply checks second wave. Besides schools and theatres, almost everything law. But today, after 70 years of the equal laws for all and equal access to watchful guardian, which is the fourth on government power. If any of the in the market is open and runs as if there is no pandemic. It democratic struggle, we are at a critical justice. The state cannot discriminate principle—an independent judiciary. other two organs is controlling the is not hard to figure out how the increase in social mixing juncture. At this point, we must ask against citizens by enforcing unequal The judiciary is the only organ that judiciary, the rule of law becomes and mobility and lax public attitude have contributed to the ourselves, are we being governed by the laws. In short, it is the delivery of jus- interprets the constitution and adjudi- illusionary. Understandably, opportuni- recent spike in new infections, but the government is equally rule of law? To what extent have we tice to all constituents of the society, cates disputes arising thereof. It is ties will present where the judiciary to blame for it is its duty to ensure that public health and used this to protect and ensure the wel- with particular attention to the vulner- mandated to declare acts ultra vires if can collude with the government for fare of our people. The current scenar- able groups. Yet, in practice, citizens not in line with the spirit of the consti- some material interests, but it should social measures are implemented strictly to prevent infec- io has provided us with an opportunity like Rupa Sunwar and Nawaraj BK, tution. The judiciary serves as a check refrain from engaging in such petty tions and save lives. to reflect and prepare for the future belonging to marginalised communi- on the powers of the other two organs illusions. Sixteen months into the pandemic, the country still doesn’t crossroads. ties, still face unequal treatment by law by the instrument of judicial review of The judiciary also has to be aware of have any serological data. Testing remains insufficient to The fundamental concepts of the and society. The third is the “right to acts and laws. This power of the the multidimensional pressure exerted give us an accurate scale of the spread, and a bunch of rule of law vary between various participate in the creation and amend- court is a fundamental part of the con- on it by various other stakeholders, bureaucrats and security personnel call the shots that direct- schools of jurisprudence. Regarding ment of laws”. A democratic state like stitution. It should not be influenced by particularly members of the bar, gov- ly impact our lives. The Deuba administration has to end this strict positivism, I would like to reflect ours should allow the citizens to make the other two organs—the executive ernment institutions, print and on four principles that I think should laws directly or indirectly that govern and the legislative—as it is the most social media. For an unbiased judg- loop of madness and rope in top experts of the field to assess be discussed in the present context. them. For example, Nepal has adopted important safeguard for the rule of law. ment, the judges must not fall prey to our latest situation so that we have a science-guided action First, the law must be accessible and the universal adult franchise to elect The essential nature of the judiciary narratives set forth by external forces. plan to break the chain of transmission and an implementa- understandable. The people for whom leaders by creating and enforcing laws should not make it immune to malefi- While the influence of the executive on ble reset strategy to keep the economy afloat. Last week, the the laws are made must at the very through the legislature. cence or misfeasance. But it is not just the judiciary is a topic of regular World Health Organisation warned that the Covid-19 virus is least know what the laws are. Therefore, Panchayat apologists Mahendra Bir the judiciary’s responsibility to uphold debates, the persuasion and confusion getting ‘fitter and faster’ and infections have increased in the law should be transparent, and its Bikram Shah and Tulsi Giri thought the constitutional values and that the caused by members of the bar and every region of the world. According to lead WHO epidemiol- information must be accessible to the democracy could not fare in a nation executive and legislative are equally media remain unheard. Jurists should ogist and Covid-19 technical lead Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the common woman. Moreover, it should with deep inequalities, illiteracy and responsible. But the transgression of be aware that the worst wheel of the be drafted in a simple and uncomplicat- backwardness. However, in the past the judiciary will always be the ulti- cart makes the most noise, and if you Delta variant is ‘dangerous and the most transmissible coro- ed language, commonly the lingua fran- seven democratically held elections, mate blow to the rule of law. Judicial can’t change it, just don’t be over- navirus to date’ lest we need a reminder that the Delta vari- ca. The current issue of stark varia- the people of Nepal have rejected the checks and balances should be the last whelmed by it. ant is the dominant variant in Nepal and its sub-lineage tions in the interpretation of the con- ruling power six times. They have reg- resort for any healthy democracy. The Delta Plus has also been detected. The Deuba administration stitution is a direct result of the poorly istered their protest through the street executive and the legislative ought not Ghimire is a political consultant and must heed the warnings. drafted provisions, which have been and ballot. The people have done their to let questions regarding fundamental electoral strategist. Education and Afghanistan’s security

Education, reports that “student The current Afghan enrollment grew from 900,000 male students in 2001 to more than 9.5 mil- government relies lion students, 39 percent of whom are girls, in 2020.” on international aid for Much of this progress has been ena- bled by foreign donors. With such sup- 75% of its budget. port, NGOs, working with UNICEF, have contributed to strengthening ele- mentary education. USAID has devel- Karen J. Greenberg oped programs that engage US univer- sities and schools to bolster the devel- opment of Afghan educational institu- tions. Donor-supported graduate pro- grams, teaching training, certification programs, and guidance on education- al standards have helped professional- ise teaching and energise research. US President Joe Biden has decided But delivering quality universal that it is time for American troops education in Afghanistan remains an finally to leave Afghanistan, the first uphill battle. According to UNICEF, an country to which the United States estimated 3.7 million Afghan children sent troops after the September 11, are out of school, more than half of 2001, terror attacks. He set a fitting them girls. The COVID-19 pandemic withdrawal deadline--the 20th anni- and the recent uptick in violence have versary of those attacks—but created additional headwinds. As the America’s remaining troops have left withdrawal of US and NATO troops the country much sooner, with only raises the risk of further violence, the 600 remaining in early July, along with maintenance—and expansion—of other NATO forces and thousands of educational support is essential. private contractors. Given security and health consider- Biden’s timetable has elicited cheers ations, remote partnerships will be from those who are eager to end the central to this effort. Fortunately, such “forever wars.” But it has also drawn arrangements can build on the rapid criticism from those who predict the development of virtual learning plat- collapse of the Afghan government, a forms and teaching methodologies, as takeover by the Taliban, and renewed well as expanded access to telecommu- al-Qaeda activity. Already, violence is Reuters nications hardware, that the pandem- on the rise, and progress in areas like Biden administration officials Drones, cruise missiles, and spyware, displaced. After all, they point out, the current ic spurred. women’s rights, hygiene, and health is share some of these fears. CIA officials say, will be available for intel- Some experts have advanced prom- Afghan government relies on interna- To be sure, while education is a nec- at risk of being reversed. Yet there are Director William Burns has highlight- ligence gathering and lethal attacks. ising proposals for leveraging such aid tional aid for 75% of its budget. essary condition for stability and ways to mitigate such risks that have ed the challenges posed by America’s The US will stay vigilant, Sullivan to improve Afghanistan’s prospects. Jackson and Amiri emphasise the prosperity in Afghanistan, it is not little to do with the military. diminished capacity to collect intelli- promises, albeit from afar. Robert Gates, another former CIA role of education – and for good rea- sufficient to ensure that outcome. But, As it stands, the military dimension gence in the country. Ultimately, as But such hard-power tactics alone director who was also US Secretary of son. With over 70% of the Afghan as USAID head Samantha Power of America’s Afghan policy seems to National Security Advisor Jake will not stabilise Afghanistan, let Defense, suggests establishing an population under 25 years of age, edu- observed in her memoir, education be the one getting all the attention. Sullivan bluntly put it, the Biden alone put it on the path toward long- international Afghan development cating today’s young people means can turn impossible ambitions into “Ending US involvement in an endless administration “can’t make any guar- term peace and prosperity. For that, fund whose funds would be condi- creating a generation of skilled work- achievable goals. Thanks to the efforts war doesn’t end the endless war,” antees about what will happen inside soft-power solutions are also essential. tioned on political and economic ers, potentially effective leaders, and of the past 20 years, this has already warned General David Petraeus, a for- the country. No one can.” Even as US and NATO troops leave, reforms or on a peace agreement that engaged citizens. That is a formula for happened for many girls and women mer commander of the US Central But, Sullivan continued, the Biden the United Nations is maintaining its includes “basic rights for women and political stability and sustained eco- in Afghanistan. Ensuring that it con- Command and CIA director. “It just administration can improve presence in Afghanistan to deliver a disavowal of terrorists.” nomic development. tinues to happen is not up to interna- ends our involvement. And I fear that Afghanistan’s chances of defying the aid. So, reportedly, are more than 160 Likewise, Ashley Jackson and Over the past 20 years, significant tional troops. But it is up to the inter- this war is going to get worse.” prophecies of doom by providing humanitarian agencies. Last week, Rahmatullah Amiri argue that inter- progress has been made on the educa- national community. Petraeus also noted that the US is los- resources and training to the coun- the US State Department pledged $266 national aid can be leveraged to tion front. After 2001, access to educa- ing a valuable platform for regional try’s security forces. Moreover, as million in new assistance to help its ensure that women and girls retain tion among boys and girls increased Karen J. Greenberg is Director of the counterterrorism campaigns, con- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin humanitarian partners in the country the rights they have gained over the tenfold. The US Agency for Center on National Security at cluding that America would come to assured NATO, the US will “continue deliver support to those in need, last two decades, even if the “retro- International Development (USAID), Fordham University’s School of Law. regret the decision to withdraw. to fund key Afghan capabilities.” including millions who are internally gressive” Taliban returns to power. citing the Afghan Ministry of Higher — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 Money

FOREX China’s major US Dollar 119.36 Sugarcane farmers resort to agitation Euro 141.69 fertiliser makers to Pound Sterling 166.02 Japanese Yen 10.88 again after government breaks promise suspend exports Chinese Yuan 18.47 Farmers say sugar mills still owe them Rs250 million that includes the subsidy amount given to them by the government. amid tight supplies Qatari Riyal 32.59

Australian Dollar 87.67 KRISHANA PRASAIN REUTERS KATHMANDU, AUG 1 BEIJING, AUG 1 Malaysian Ringit 28.28 Weeks after Sher Bahadur Deuba took Some of China’s major fertiliser com- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.83 the helm of the government, sugar- panies said they would temporarily Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank cane farmers have resorted to agita- suspend exports to assure supplies in tion for payment of their remaining the domestic market, the state planner dues, seven months after the then KP said on Friday, after prices in one of Shares Sharma Oli administration had struck the world’s top grain producers hit a deal committing farmers to clear record levels. Nepse 3,081.05pts 0.04% their arrears. China is the world’s top exporter of Last winter, hopeful sugarcane phosphate, and shipped 3.2 million highest gainers farmers returned home after weeks of tonnes of diammonium phosphate fer- GHL SPDL KPCL GLH UPCL JBLB 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% protest in Kathmandu following an tiliser in the first half of this year to agreement with the government. major buyers such as India and moderate gainers NGPL CHDC RRHP MHNL HDHPC BARUN The Industry Ministry had on Pakistan as well as 2.4 million tonnes 9.83% 9.63% 9.45% 8.84% 8.21% 7.89% December 28, 2020, assured farmers of urea, according to customs data.

moderate losers that it would make sugar mills liable The National Development and PROFL LUK MFIL GLICL JFL TRH to pay their dues pending for the last Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a -2.77% -2.8% -2.8% -2.82% -2.83% -3% 4-5 years. As per the agreement, statement it had summoned the fertil- highest losers sugarcane producers would get all iser firms for a discussion against NIBSF2 PRIN NABBC KEF CGH LEMF their outstanding dues within 21 days hoarding and speculation. It did not -3.07% -3.14% -3.15% -3.55% -3.86% -6.98% of the agreement. identify the companies. Now farmers are back in But analysts said they expected Kathmandu to exert pressure on state-owned firms such as Sinofert the Sher Bahadur Deuba led coalition Holdings Ltd, Sinoagri Group, China Price Per tola government. National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) bullion “The farmers are back in and China National Coal Group to be Kathmandu for the third time after among those curbing exports. Fine Gold Rs 92,400 the government broke its promise,” The move is the latest by Beijing to Rakesh Mishra, patron of the tackle soaring prices of major raw Silver Rs 1,285 Sugarcane Farmers Struggle materials. Committee, told the Post. According to Fertiliser prices in China have hit Source: FENEGOSIDA him, as per the government’s claim, records this year amid stronger sugar mills owe Rs155 million to farm- demand from overseas, lower produc- ers out of a staggering Rs650 million tion domestically and high energy gasoline watch after pilling dues for the last 4-5 years. POST FILE PHOTO costs. But farmers say that the mills still Fifty percent of farmers have quit sugarcane farming as they are not paid on time. owe them Rs250 million which includes the subsidy amount given to Offices have reported that sugar mills refunds 90 percent of the value-added cane farmers, who arrived in The move is the them by the government which sugar with remaining dues have deposited tax levied on the sugar sales to mills Kathmandu last Thursday, have given mills have not paid. the amount with the banks, but as which they pay to sugarcane farmers. an ultimatum to the government to latest by Beijing Mishra said that as per the govern- they don’t have the farmers’ contact Narayan Prasad Regmi, spokesper- correct the report by August 21 which ment’s record, Annapurna Sugar Mill numbers, it has not been transferred son of the Industry Ministry, claimed has excluded their additional pay in a to tackle soaring of Sarlahi still owes Rs80 million, fol- to their accounts. that the draft copy of the committee’s form of subsidy. lowed by Rautahat-based Shree Ram The ministry had said earlier that report has been provided to the farm- Likewise, according to the farmers’ prices of major Sugar Mill with Rs30 million, and since there was a dispute on the ers as well. “But they did not come committee, the ministry had not ful- Nawalparasi-based Lumbini Sugar amount of remaining dues after farm- for the discussions after they received filled its promise to provide compen- raw materials. Mill with Rs20 million. ers claimed mills have yet to pay them the report.” sation to the family of sugarcane Another Nawalparasi-based Indira Rs250 million, it would be decided Regmi said that farmers are also on farmer Narayan Ray who died while Sugar Mill owes Rs20 million to farm- through a report prepared by a gov- the technical committee. When asked protesting in Kathmandu. Flooding around China’s central ers and Sarlahi-based Mahalaxmi ernment formed committee. The if the farmers’ demand for additional Mishra said that the sugar mills Henan province has also hit produc- Sugar Mill is yet to clear Rs5 million. report was said to be published after payment [the subsidy amount] was have also deferred payment of sugar- tion at some plants, said Gavin Ju, Urmila KC, deputy spokesperson of 120 days of the agreement but there is genuine, Regmi asked to check with cane harvested in mid-January. principal analyst for fertilisers at CRU the Industry Ministry, said sugar mills no development so far, said Mishra. farmers. “The ministry invited us to The country’s sugar demand stood Group. Urea futures prices on China’s have already deposited the remaining The government subsidy includes sign the report prepared by them but at 250,000 tonnes in the last fiscal year, Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange dues with the banks but as many Rs65.28 per quintal of sugarcane. This we didn’t. The report was not clear on but local production amounted to have surged by over a third since the farmers do not have bank accounts, it subsidy amounts to 90 percent of the the subsidy amount so we did not 105,000 tonnes only. start of the year. has not been transferred. value-added tax levied on the sugar sign,” Mishra said. Mishra said that 50 percent of farm- They hit record highs of 2,616 yuan According to the Industry Ministry, sales at current prices by sugar mills. The ministry is reluctant to publish ers have left sugarcane farming as ($405.19) per tonne on Thursday before the concerned District Administrative As per the provision, the government the genuine record, he said.The sugar- they are not paid on time. easing 2.7 percent on Friday.Spot urea prices were at 2,814 yuan a tonne in early July, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, up from 2,674 yuan in June. NDRC’s action follows comments Canada looks to women to bolster trades amid labour shortage from Premier Li Keqiang last month calling attention to high prices of key farm inputs, a potential threat to the REUTERS Building Trades Unions. But she said says union advocacy has made the country’s food security. The NDRC OTTAWA, aug 1 there should be quotas on major pro- industry more inclusive. said last month it was launching an jects to ensure women get hired. One of the unions leading the investigation into the urea market. A shortage of skilled workers is inten- Canada has suggested quotas for charge is UA Canada, which pays up to It urged key fertiliser companies on sifying in Canada, potentially threat- certain groups—like women and 24 weeks salary to pregnant members Friday to “operate in an orderly man- ening the pace of the economic recov- Indigenous people—on major projects unable to work due to safety risks. ner... and not hoard, drive up prices, or ery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and that get federal support, but it is up They also pay a top-up for both men fabricate or spread information about that has policymakers looking at a to the provinces to set them, a and women who take parental leave price increases”. largely untapped market for new con- spokesperson at the infrastructure after a baby is born. Companies had agreed to “tempo- struction workers: Women. ministry said. “I really think it does help with the rarily not arrange fertiliser exports to But attracting and retaining women More than a decade ago, the prov- retention for sure,” said Alanna ensure the supply of fertiliser in the in the skilled trades has long proven ince of Newfoundland and Labrador Marklund, a national manager at UAC domestic market”, it added. difficult, with tradeswomen and advo- realized that efforts to get women who is also a journeyperson welder. Ju said fertiliser exports would only cates citing challenges balancing more interested in the trades were But childcare continues to be an shrink from September onwards after childcare and on-site work, the stub- working, but few were sticking with it. issue for many tradeswomen. Several port stocks have cleared. born sexism still ingrained in some The province funded the Office to tradeswomen interviewed by Reuters “We do expect [the SOEs]... to sus- workplaces, and a lack of opportuni- Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA) said they depended on family mem- pend or curb fertiliser exports and ties for women to get a foot in the door. to connect tradeswomen with employ- bers or spouses to help care for young focus on domestic supply as priority Vanessa Miller was a young single ers and also set hiring quotas for children. in the next few months, which will mom when she decided to scrap uni- women and other under-represented Maggie Budden, a journeyperson help to curb domestic fertiliser price versity for welding. She got her jour- groups, like Indigenous people, on ironworker, ended up taking a job in a increase in near future,” said Ju. neyperson ticket and became a rarity REUTERS major projects. bank after her children were born. in Canada: a woman with her own Millwrights Cassandra Whalen (centre), Della Ryan and Amanda Reese pose outside Carpenter By 2017, about 14 percent of con- “Unfortunately with construction you welding rig, a truck kitted out with all Millwright College in Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. struction tradespeople working need to travel and I could not do that the equipment needed to do big jobs. in Newfoundland and Labrador with my daughters,” she said. She now “Every time you go to a different job of the pandemic, and about 54,000 of new apprentices for the most in-de- were women, far above the national runs the newest branch of OAWA, in and nobody knows who you are, you women have left the labour force since mand trades. Companies that hire average of 3-4 percent, though some Cape Breton. have to prove yourself,” she said, February 2020. women, Indigenous people and other barriers remain. Daniella Francis was living in speaking from her home in Regina, The gap between women’s labour minority groups get double the fund- When journeyperson millwright Ontario when she started considering Saskatchewan. “It’s still difficult to force participation and men’s costs ing. But women working in the trades Cassandra Whalen landed in remote the trades, but she couldn’t find any break into the industry, it’s still very the Canadian economy C$100 billion and union leaders say it will take Voisey’s Bay, Labrador for a recent job, programmes for women in her prov- male dominated.” ($79.3 billion) each year, said Carrie more than just money to get more she discovered there was no safety ince. She ended up moving her entire Canada, like other developed Freestone, an economist at RBC. women in the trades. equipment in her size on site. family to Alberta and is now an nations, is facing a shortage of skilled “Obviously skilled trades are a good “We’re doing the work to mentor “I needed a respirator, I needed apprentice plumber. trade workers just as a pandemic stim- opportunity,” Freestone said. tradeswomen, to build our supply of gloves and I needed a harness, none of “There needs to be more options,” ulus-backed building boom gets In its latest budget, Canada’s Liberal under-represented groups,” said which they had in size small,” she she said, adding however: “I would say, underway. At the same, more women government pledged C$470 million Lindsay Amundsen, director of work- said. “They had to be flown in.” as a woman, don’t be afraid to go into than men remain unemployed because ($373.2 million) to support the hiring force development at Canada’s But Whalen loves her work, and the trades. Things are changing.”

Joshipur Rural Municipality Champagne growers struggle Office of the Rural Municipal Executive Joshipur, Kailali in one of the wettest summers Sudurpaschim Pradesh, Nepal

REUTERS “We know that to be a winemaker, it’s to Invitation for Bids for the Construction of Civil Works LE BRUEIL (France), AUG 1 work with nature, we know there are risks and that there are years where it’s OK and (Date of First publication: 2078/04/18 B.S.) The rain gauges have been overflowing in years that are less OK,” Toubart told Reuters. Maxime Toubart’s vineyards and that is bad “This year will be difficult and will stay in Joshipur Rural Munucipality, Kailali invites electronic bids only from Nepalese eligible bidders for the construction of Projects news for his champagne vintage. my memory, because as far as us winemakers He says his corner of France has seen 300 remember, we have never seen such a serious as mentioned below under NCB procedures (Single-Stage: Two-Envelope Bidding Procedure). Eligible Bidders may obtain all mm of rain over the past two months, 10 case of mildew fungus.” further information at the office of Joshipur Rural Municipality, Office of the Rural Municipal Executive, Joshipur, Kailali or times what he would normally expect at this He said frost during the spring meant 30 may visit PPMO's website http://www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp. time of year. percent of the harvest was lost and the mil- “The grape vines now need sunlight, they dew was costing another 30 percent. Minimum need to be dry,” he said, holding up a sprig of “We’ve lost more than half of the harvest Minimum Average mildewed grapes. in a few weeks,” said Toubart, who is Deputy Experience in Bid Security Bid doc S.N. Contract Id Name of Project Annual “Excess rain causes mildew to develop, a Chairman of the Champagne industry lobby Similar Size and Amount(NRs) fee NRs fungus that grows on the leaves and on the CIVC. Fellow grower Franck Jobert said care- Turnover (NRs) grapes, and this fungus affects the quantity ful planning had helped him limit his losses, Nature(NRs) of grapes.” but there was only so much he could do. JRM/NCB/WORKS Siddartha Boarding School He says the way the climate is going is “We do what we can, it’s also partly luck, 1 Dekhi Simri Samma Sadak 6,23,00,000.00 3,35,00,000.00 12,70,000.00 5000 playing havoc with the established order of we can’t put the grapevines in tunnels,” he 01/078-79 Kalopatre things in the vineyards of the Champagne said. Meteo France said Champagne had the region, where he now harvests in August second wettest June-July period since records Chief Administrative Officer rather than in October. began in the 1960s.

C M Y K MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 | 06 world China tests millions as virus cases surge Myanmar army ruler Beijing has closed its doors to tourists and is only allowing ‘essential travellers’ with a negative nucleic acid test. takes prime minister role, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE BEIJING, AUG 1 Chinese cities rolled out mass testing again pledges elections of millions of people and imposed fresh travel restrictions as health authorities battled on Sunday to con- REUTERS tain the country’s most widespread BANGKOK, AUG 1 coronavirus outbreak in months. The announcement China on Sunday reported 75 new Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung coronavirus cases with 53 local trans- Hlaing has taken on the role of prime came exactly missions, with a cluster linked to an minister in a newly formed caretaker six months after eastern airport now reported to have government, state media reported on spread to over 20 cities and more than Sunday, six months after the army the army seized a dozen provinces. seized power from a civilian The outbreak is geographically the government. power. largest to hit China in several months In a speech on Sunday, Min after the country’s successes in large- Aung Hlaing repeated a pledge to ly snuffing out the pandemic within hold elections by 2023 and said his ASEAN foreign ministers are to its borders last year. That record has administration was ready to work meet on Monday, when diplomats been thrown into jeopardy after the with a future regional envoy on say they aim to finalise a special fast-spreading Delta variant broke out Myanmar. envoy tasked with ending violence at Nanjing airport in eastern Jiangsu The announcement and speech and promoting dialogue between province in July. came exactly six months after the the junta and its opponents. Authorities have now conducted army seized power on February The army seized power after three rounds of testing on the city’s 1 from a civilian government follow- Suu Kyi’s ruling party won 9.2 million residents and placed hun- ing elections that were won by Aung elections that the military argues dreds of thousands under lockdown. San Suu Kyi’s ruling party but were tainted by fraud. It has said its They are also scrambling to track that the military said had been takeover was in line with the more than 5,000 people nationwide fraudulent. constitution. who attended a theatre festival in Min Aung Hlaing has chaired The country’s electoral commission Zhangjiajie, a tourist city in Hunan AFP/rss the State Administration Council has dismissed the fraud allegations. province which has locked down all Workers disinfect a residential area after a resident was infected with Covid-19 in Yantai, China’s eastern Shandong province on Sunday. (SAC) that was formed just after After the coup, Suu Kyi, 75, was 1.5 million residents and shut all tour- the coup and that has run charged with several crimes. ist attractions after four visitors test- Myanmar since then, and the caretak- Her trial on charges of illegally ed positive. Scuffles in Berlin as sceptics defy ban Thousands protest against health pass er government will replace it. possessing walkie-talkie radios and Health officials say the mini-out- “In order to perform the country’s breaking coronavirus protocols is break in Zhangjiajie was sparked by BERLIN: Hundreds of anti-lockdown demonstrators defied a PARIS: Thousands of people protested in Paris and other duties fast, easily and effectively, scheduled to resume on Monday. travellers from Nanjing and has court-ordered protest ban on Sunday and gathered illegally French cities on Saturday against a mandatory coronavirus the state administration council has The military authorities have helped spread the disease to more in the streets of Berlin, resulting in scuffles with police. health pass for entry to a wide array of public venues, intro- been re-formed as caretaker govern- faced months of protests, strikes than 20 cities. Police said some protesters had “harassed and attacked” duced by the government as it battles a fourth wave of ment of Myanmar,” a newsreader on that have paralysed public and “Zhangjiajie has now become the officers in the capital’s western Charlottenburg district and infections. Protesters injured three police officers in Paris, state Myawaddy television said. private sectors, and a resurgence of new ground zero for China’s epidemic ignored roadblocks. “They tried to break through the police a police spokesperson said. Interior Minister Gerald In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing armed conflicts in the borderlands. spread,” virologist Zhong Nanshan chain and pull out our colleagues. This led to the use of Darmanin said on Twitter that 19 demonstrators were repeated a pledge to restore The authorities have branded told reporters Saturday. irritants, batons and physical violence,” Berlin police tweet- arrested, including 10 in Paris. It was the third weekend in democracy. their opponents as terrorists. “We must cast the net wider when ed. Several people were arrested, they added. The protest a row that people opposed to President Emmanuel Macron’s “We will accomplish the provisions “At present, the whole country is tracing close contacts of the Delta was called by the “Querdenker” (Lateral Thinkers) move- new Covid-19 measures have taken to the streets, an unusual of the state of emergency by August stable except for some terrorist variant.” ment, which has emerged as the loudest voice against show of determination at a time of year when many people 2023,” he said. attacks,” Min Aung Hlaing said in Beijing Sunday reported three local- Germany’s coronavirus restrictions. Judges had banned are focused on taking their summer break. The number of He added: “I guarantee the estab- his speech. ly transmitted infections—a family several of its planned demos this weekend, including one demonstrators has grown steadily since the start of the lishment of a union based on democ- The Assistance Association for living on the outskirts of the Chinese for Sunday that was meant to draw some 22,500. (AFP) protests, echoing the “yellow vest” movement. (REUTERS) racy and federalism.” Political Prisoners activist group capital that had returned from Shortly after the coup, junta has accused the armed forces of Zhangjiajie, the local health bureau leaders promised new elections killing 939 people in suppressing said. Fresh cases were also reported abroad tested positive. Thirty locally importance of vaccination alongside within two years. The reference on dissent since the coup and said Beijing has cut all rail, bus and air Sunday on Hainan island—another transmitted cases have been detected, strict measures. Sunday to August 2023 was at least 6,990 military opponents links with areas where coronavirus popular tourist destination—as well with authorities on Sunday ordering “The Covid vaccine’s protection interpreted by some local media as have been arrested. cases have been found. as Ningxia and Shandong provinces, tests of all 10 million residents. The against the Delta variant may have extending that time frame by six The military said the number of The Chinese capital has also closed authorities said. head of the city’s health commission somewhat declined, but the current months. protesters killed is far lower and its doors to tourists during the The country is also battling a sepa- has also been sacked. vaccine still has a good preventative Min Aung Hlaing also said his members of the armed forces have peak summer holiday travel season rate rise in cases in the flood-ravaged And after reports that some people and protective effect against the Delta administration would work with any also died in violence. and is only allowing “essential travel- city of Zhengzhou in Henan province sickened in the latest cluster were variant,” said Feng Zijian, virologist special envoy named by the It said its response has met lers” with a negative nucleic acid test after two cleaners at a hospital treat- vaccinated, health officials have said at the Chinese Centre for Disease Association of Southeast Asian international norms in the face of to enter. ing coronavirus patients coming from this was “normal” and stressed the Control and Prevention. Nations (ASEAN). threats to national security.

Briefing Outgoing Iran president

Egypt army says 89 insurgents killed in restive Sinai says government not CAIRO: Egypt’s military said on Sunday it has killed 89 suspected insurgents in operations in North always truthful Sinai, a region where an affiliate of the Islamic State group has been ASSOCIATED PRESS meant by his remarks. However, dur- active for nearly a decade. “Amid DUBAI, AUG 1 ing his tenure, Iran’s paramilitary ongoing efforts in pursuing and Revolutionary Guard mistakenly shot defeating terrorist elements... during Iran’s outgoing president on Sunday down a commercial airliner and the previous period, the armed forc- acknowledged his nation at times “did killed 176 people onboard in January es... carried out operations that killed not tell part of the truth” to its 2020, which the government 89 dangerous takfiris... in northern people during his eight-year tenure, as refused for days to acknowledge until Sinai,” the army spokesperson said. he prepares to leave office with his Western nations went public with His statement did not specify a time- signature nuclear deal with world their suspicions. frame for the operations, but said the powers in tatters and tensions high Rouhani, a relative moderate within army had suffered eight casualties. with the West. Iran’s theocracy, insisted he and his The army also said it destroyed 404 President Hassan Rouhani’s com- officials did their best. improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ments, aired on state television, come “If we have a defect, we apologise to four explosive belts and 13 tunnels as officials in his government have the people and ask them for forgive- used by militants to infiltrate appeared rudderless in recent months ness and mercy,” Rouhani said. Egyptian territory. amid a series of crises ranging from He pointed to the country’s 2015 the coronavirus pandemic to parching nuclear deal with world powers, which droughts fuelling public protests. saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment Ismail Haniyeh re-elected After appearing just days earlier to of uranium in exchange for the lifting as chief of Hamas be lectured by Supreme Leader of economic sanctions. However, GAZA: Ismail Haniyeh has been Ayatollah Ali Khamenei about their that deal now sits in tatters after re-elected as leader of the Palestinian failures in the nuclear negotiations, then-President Donald Trump unilat- Islamist group Hamas, officials said Rouhani’s remarks appeared aimed at erally withdrew America from the on Sunday, cementing his control of acknowledging the problems his gov- accord in May 2018. the organization which rules the ernment faced in its waning hours. Rouhani blamed many of Iran’s cur- Gaza Strip and has fought multiple President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, a pro- rent problems on Trump’s decision, violent conflicts with Israel. Haniyeh, tégé of Khamenei, will be inaugurated which saw the value of the Islamic Hamas chief since 2017, has con- on Thursday. Republic’s rial currency crash. The trolled the group’s political activities “What we told people was not con- president said that while Iran had in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West trary to reality, but we did not tell part plans to upgrade its armed forces after Bank and the diaspora largely from of the truth to people,” Rouhani the expiration of a UN arms embargo outside Gaza, splitting his time said at his last Cabinet meeting as in October 2020, it couldn’t due to its between Turkey and Qatar for the president. “Because I did not find it financial woes. “We did not have the past two years. He directed Hamas in useful and I was afraid it would harm money to buy due to sanctions and not an 11-day conflict with Israel in May national unity.” selling oil, but the contract is com- AP/rss that left over 250 in Gaza and 13 in He did not elaborate on what he pletely ready,” he said. A Kashmiri boatman returns at the shore of the Dal lake after day’s work, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, on Sunday. Israel dead. An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire has mostly held since. His term will last four years.

Two rare Sumatran tigers Kim’s sister warns South Korea-US drills will rekindle tensions recovering from Covid-19 ASSOCIATED PRESS as scheduled,” Kim Yo Jong said. “I or downsized some of their exercises JAKARTA: Two rare Sumatran tigers at BERLIN, AUG 1 view this as an undesirable prelude to support diplomatic efforts the zoo in the Indonesian capital are which seriously undermines the to end the North Korean nuclear recovering after being infected with The powerful sister of North Korean will of the top leaders of the crisis or because of the Covid-19 Covid-19. Nine-year-old Tino became leader Kim Jong Un warned on North and the South wishing to see a pandemic. ill with shortness of breath, Sunday that next month’s annual step taken toward restoring mutual Asked about prospects for next sneezing, and a runny nose on military drills between South Korean trust and which further beclouds the month’s summertime drills, Boo July 9. He also lost his appetite. and US troops will undermine pros- way ahead of the North-South Seung-Chan, a spokesman at South Two days later, 12-year-old Hari was pects for better ties between the relations.” Korea’s Defence Ministry, told a showing the same symptoms. Swabs Koreas, just days after the rivals reo- She added: “Our government and briefing on Thursday that Seoul were taken and results came back pened their long-dormant communi- army will closely follow whether the and Washington were reviewing positive for Covid-19, Suzi cation channels. South Korean side stages hostile war factors like the pandemic’s Marsitawati from the Jakarta Kim Yo Jong’s statement carried by exercises in August or makes other current status, efforts to achieve denu- Parks and Forestry Agency said in state media targets only South Korea, bold decision.” clearisation on the Korean Peninsula a statement on Sunday. The tigers and this could add credence to a Regular drills between Seoul and their combined military were immediately treated with theory that North Korea’s decision to and Washington have been a long-run- readiness. antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-in- restore the communication lines is ning source of animosities on the The US-led diplomacy aimed at flammatory drugs and multivitamins. mainly aimed at pushing Seoul to Korean Peninsula, with North Korea persuading North Korea to abandon They were getting better after 10-12 convince Washington to make calling them an invasion rehearsal its nuclear programme in return days, and have now recovered under concessions while nuclear diplomacy and responding with missile tests. for economic and political rewards close observation at Jakarta’s remains deadlocked. South Korea and the US have hasn’t made progress since a Ragunan Zoo. “Their condition is “For some days I have been hearing repeatedly said their drills are defen- second summit between Kim Jong Un good now. Their appetite has returned AP/rss an unpleasant story that joint military sive in nature. and then-President Donald Trump and they’re being active,” In this 2018 photo, Kim Yo Jong waits for the start of the women’s hockey game between exercises between the South Korean In the past few years, South broke down because of disputes over Marsitawati said. (AGENCIES) Switzerland and the combined Koreas at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. army and the US forces could go ahead Korea and the US have cancelled US-led sanctions in early 2019.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 Sports | Medley IOC has no plan to mark Hiroshima Milestone medals in pool, Jacobs wins 100 m sprint anniversary USA’s Caeleb Dressel wins fifth Tokyo gold while Australian Emma Mckeon becomes the first woman to win seven swimming medals at a single Games. Associated Press Reuters TOKYO, Aug 1 TOKYO 2020 Medal Count TOKYO, Aug 1 Caeleb Dressel and Emma McKeon Rank Team/NOC G S B Total The International Olympic Committee earned milestone medals at the 1 China 24 14 13 51 does not plan to call for a moment of Olympic pool before Italian runner 2 USA 20 23 16 59 silence at the Tokyo Games on August Marcell Jacobs was the surprising 3 Japan 17 5 9 31 6, the anniversary of the atomic bomb- winner of the race to determine the 4 Australia 14 3 14 31 ing of Hiroshima in 1945, instead aim- fastest man in the world. 5 ROC 12 19 13 44 ing to honour it in the Tokyo 2020 Jacobs crossed the line in 9.80 sec- 6 Great Britain 10 10 12 32 closing ceremony, organisers said on onds on Sunday to bring the sprint 7 France 5 10 6 21 Sunday. gold to Italy for the first time. Jacobs Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui topped Fred Kerley of the United 8 Korea 5 4 8 17 sent a letter dated July 28 to IOC chief States and Andre DeGrasse of Canada 9 Italy 4 8 15 27 Thomas Bach asking for a moment of to take the spot held for the past 13 10 Netherlands 4 7 6 17 silence to be observed. “I am hoping years by the now-retired Usain Bolt. 11 Germany 4 4 11 19 that athletes and Games-related peo- American sprinter Trayvon Bromell 12 New Zealand 4 3 4 11 ple will touch upon the reality of the came into the Games as the favourite 13 Czech Republic 4 3 1 8 atomic bombing in some way,” Matsui but didn’t make it to the final after 14 Canada 3 4 7 14 said in the letter, made public on the finishing third in his semi-final heat. city’s web site. “I wonder if you could Dressel won two more gold medals 15 Switzerland 3 4 5 12 call on them to observe a moment of to give him five in the Tokyo Olympics, 16 Croatia 3 2 2 7 silence at 8:15 am on August 6 at the winning the 50-metre freestyle and 17 Chinese Taipei 2 4 4 10 athletes’ village or wherever each of putting the Americans ahead to stay 18 Brazil 2 3 5 10 them is and participate in the Peace in the 4x100 medley relay on their way Ap/Rss 19 Hungary 2 2 2 6 Memorial Ceremony to be held in to a world record. “I’m proud of Caeleb Dressel wins gold medals in 50 metres freestyle and 4x100 medley relay on Sunday to join Americans Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz and 20 Slovenia 2 1 1 4 Hiroshima on that day in their minds.” myself. I feel like I reached what my Matt Biondi, as well as East Germany’s Kristin Otto as the only swimmers to win as many as five gold medals at a single Olympic Games. The US atomic bombing occurred at potential was here at these Games,” 8:15 am on August 6, 1945, which Dressel said. “It was just really fun very surreal,” said McKeon, a 27-year- has added a gold medal on vault to go his Olympic title in pommel horse and CT Pan of Taiwan, who closed with reduced the city to ashes and killed racing.” old from Brisbane. “It’s going to take a with the silver she earned in the all- Artem Dolgopyat won Israel’s first a 63, won the bronze in a playoff some 140,000 people by the end of Dressel join Americans Michael little bit to sink in. I’m very proud of around. ever Olympic medal in artistic gym- among seven countries that lasted the year. Phelps, Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi, myself.” Andrade put together a pair of soar- nastics. four holes. Bach visited Hiroshima on July 16, as well as East Germany’s Kristin Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and ing vaults to post an average of 15.083. Nina Derwael of Belgium won the a week before the Tokyo Olympics’ Otto, as the only swimmers to win as Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy tied for The medals Andrade has won in Tokyo gold medal in the uneven bars and Tennis gold for Zverev opening ceremony, laid a wreath at the many as five golds at a single Olympics. the gold medal in the men’s high jump. are the first two for Brazil in gymnas- Olympic all-around gymnastics cham- Fifth-ranked Alexander Zverev of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park ceno- Phelps did it three times. Both men where clean at every attempt tics at the Games. pion Sunisa Lee added a bronze medal Germany won the gold medal in men’s taph and called the Games a “beacon to 2.37 metres and both missed all American gymnast MyKayla to her haul in Tokyo. tennis singles. Zverev beat Russian of hope” for a peaceful future. Seven medals for McKeon three attempts at the Olympic record Skinner, who entered the competition opponent Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-1 for “According to the IOC, since the Rio McKeon became the first female swim- of 2.39. after defending Olympic champion Schauffele bags golf gold the biggest title of his career. It fol- (de Janeiro) Games, a programme to mer and second woman in any sport to Simone Biles pulled out to focus on Xander Schauffele won the Olympic lows a comeback victory for Zverev give our thoughts to those who lost claim seven medals at one Olympics. World record for Rojas her mental health, captured the silver. gold medal in golf in a tense finish. over top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the their lives in grievous events in histo- Four of them were gold, the other Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela set a USA Gymnastics said Biles has also Schauffele was tied for the lead with semi-finals. ry and for other various reasons has three bronze. world record with her final attempt to opted not to compete on floor exercise. Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia with two The top-seeded Czech team of been incorporated in the closing cere- McKeon won the 50 free and took win the women’s triple jump. She won gold in the event in Rio de holes to play. The American made Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina mony,” Tokyo 2020 spokesperson Masa the butterfly leg on Australia’s win- Rojas finished the competition with Janeiro and placed second in qualify- birdie from 6 feet on the 17th hole to Siniakova won gold in women’s dou- Takaya said in an email message. “I ning effort in the women’s 4x100 med- a mark of 15.67 metres to break a ing last week. Jennifer Gadirova of regain the lead. Then after a bad tee bles. The Czechs beat the Swiss team understand the (IOC’s) policy is to ley relay. The only other woman to win record set in 1995. Inessa Kravets of Britain will replace Biles in Monday’s shot that forced him to play short of of Belinda Bencic and Viktorija share the thoughts of people in seven — in any sport — was Soviet Ukraine held the record at 15.50. finals. “Biles has not decided whether the water, he hit wedge to 4 feet and Golubic 7-5, 6-1. Hiroshima on that occasion.” gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya, who to participate in Tuesday’s balance made the par to win. Bencic won gold in singles a day The closing ceremony is scheduled claimed two golds and five silvers at Gymnastic medals beam final,” USA Gymnastics said. Sabbatini set an Olympic record earlier by beating Czech player for August 8. the 1952 Helsinki Games. “It still feels Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade Max Whitlock of Britain defended with a 61 and won the silver. Marketa Vondrouova. The technology behind Tokyo 2020 Olympics’ fast track

Associated Press for 12 Olympic Games. This particular Is it really that fast? tracks feel like. And for us, this track Sydney McLaughlin said. “This one Gotta be the shoes, too? TOKYO, Aug 1 surface, according to the company, Maybe. Sometimes, it’s just fast run- feels really quick.” regenerates it and gives it back to you. The other factor in these records features “three-dimensional rubber ners in tip-top shape who make it look You can definitely feel it.” could be the technological advances in The Jamaican sprinter and her granules specifically designed with a fast. Only time will really tell. The Why so bouncy? the spikes. Nike’s Vaporfly model of Olympic-record time captured every- selected polymeric system that are track also has been baking in the Mondo says on its website that the So, what records may fall? shoe shook up the world of distance one’s attention. What’s under foot, integrated in the top layer of Tokyo sun with little use, making it main objective was to “maximise the Keep close watch on the men’s and running a few years ago, with car- though, might have been a factor when MONDOTRACK WS that are added to extra firm. speed of athletes and improve their women’s 400 hurdles. McLaughlin set bon-plated technology credited for Elaine Thompson-Herah broke a the semi-vulcanised compound. The “Oh, it’s fast,” American 800-metre performance.” The top layer is vulcan- the mark (51.90 seconds) on June 27 at helping runners shave minutes off 33-year-old Olympic record in the vulcanisation process guarantees the runner Clayton Murphy said. “Might ised rubber to help with elasticity. the US Olympic trials, breaking the their times. That sort of technology is women’s 100 metres. It’s shaping up as molecular bond between the granules take world records to win.” There are also “air-filled cavities” in record that had belonged to teammate moving its way into the spikes for a fast track surface at Olympic and the surrounding matter, creating The track went in over four months, the lower layer, which assist with Dalilah Muhammad. They will be the sprinters. Stadium. Runners are certainly on a compact layer.” from August to November 2019. It “shock absorption, energy storage gold-medal favourites Wednesday — Thompson-Herah also has a track to setting personal, Olympic and Translation: It’s speedy. hasn’t seen much action since the sur- and immediate kinetic response.” and may break the mark again. theory on fast times after running possibly even world-record times over “Feels like I’m walking on clouds,” face was put in. The athletes are More to the point: It helps racers fly Karsten Warholm of Norway 10.61 seconds to break the Olympic the next week at the Tokyo Games. US 100-metre sprinter Ronnie Baker breaking it in with style. down the track. recently broke the men’s 400 hurdles mark of the late Florence Griffith The brick-red track is made by explained of the surface. “It’s really “You just feel it, man, you just feel “Some tracks absorb your motion mark when he went 46.70. He eclipsed Joyner. Mondo, a company that’s been around smooth out there. It’s a beautiful it,” South African sprinter Akani and your force,” American 400-metre a record that had stood since 1992. Can “My training,” she said. “Doesn’t since 1948 and has been the supplier track. One of the nicest I’ve run on.” Simbine said. “You know what fast hurdler and world-record holder he break it again? matter the track or the shoes.” HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Don’t expect to sit still under Monday’s skies, Aries. Feel free to hide away in your private shell, Cancer. The universe is urging you to embrace relationship You’re ready to hit the ground running today, There are places to go and people to meet as the moon The moon wanders into reflective Gemini, compel- changes today, Libra. Your ruling planet, bond-build- Capricorn. You’re likely to wrestle with some ten- cruises into socially-suave Gemini. Luna’s tussle with ling you to cancel plans and keep to yourself. ing Venus, forms a supportive connection with invig- sion between your day job and dream job, as the go-getter Mars may add some stress on the job front, but orating Uranus. giddy Gemini moon squares off with irritable Mars. it also provides a boost of energy to tackle your workload.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Embrace the excitement you’re feeling under Don’t expect to keep all to yourself today, Leo. You’re Keep it low key today, Scorpio. Your tolerance for Monday’s skies encourage you to seek out play and Monday’s skies, Taurus. Your ruling planet, looking to rejoin your community and form connec- superficial interactions is running low, as the moon pleasure, Aquarius. Even if that’s not a possibility, bond-building Venus, locks into a supportive align- tions with your people, as the moon cruises into bounces into reflective Gemini. Luna’s square with aim to save your more laborious workloads for later ment with stagnation-breaking Uranus. social-butterfly Gemini. your ruling planet, action-taking Mars, makes it an in the week. ideal day to focus on therapeutic activities.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Tend to your own wellbeing beneath Monday’s skies, You’ve got your sights set on your career today, Direct your focus toward the intimate partnerships Monday’s skies summon you homeward, Pisces. The Gemini. The nurturing moon saunters into your Virgo. Luna’s presence in multi-talented Gemini in your world, Sagittarius. The universe is nudging moon drifts through mentally-sharp Gemini, turning sign, sending its supportive focus towards your allows you ample space to push ahead with reputa- you to take a closer look at them today, as the moon your attention towards family connections and the health and physical body tion-enhancing projects. prances into your opposite sign of playful Gemini. state of your living space.

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C M Y K MONDAY, AUGUST 02, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Billie Eilish remains brilliant Chinese pop star Kris Wu with sophomore album detained on suspicion of rape Since 19-year-old student Du Meizhu’s accusations, ‘Happier Than Ever’ is a fascinating look at a messy, famous pop star’s life, as more alleged victims have spoken out online. diaristic as Taylor Swift but more self-critical and emotionally candid. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE hymn based on a Hindu verse— BEIJING she warns a novice: “You’re sacred and they’re starved/And their art hinese-Canadian is gettin’ dark/And there you are pop megastar Kris to tear apart.” Wu has been Those same evil forces are at detained on suspi- play on the album’s triumph—the cion of rape, Beijing acoustic guitar-driven ‘Your police said Saturday. Power,’ pleading with a mentor CWu was accused last week by abusing his power over someone 19-year-old student Du Meizhu of in his thrall. “Will you only feel date-raping her when she was 17, bad if it turns out/That they kill drawing the widespread condem- your contract?” she taunts. nation of the singer on Chinese So much for living happily ever social media and leading to sever- after. Seven Grammy Awards hav- al luxury brands dropping deals en’t changed her or her co-writer with him. and producer, Finneas. If 2019’s “Wu Yifan, 30, Canadian nation- ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where ality, is now criminally detained in Do We Go?’ was sarcastic, quirky, accordance with the law by internal and angsty, ‘Happier Chaoyang branch of Beijing public Than Ever’ is fuller and grander, security bureau on suspicion of the songs stronger in their con- rape,” police in Beijing’s Chaoyang struction, crisper. district said in a Weibo statement, The brother and sister have an using Wu’s Chinese name. ability to take a spare noodle of a Officers said they launched an sound and build a sturdy song investigation after Wu, one of around it, with Eilish wrapping China’s biggest celebrities, was her expressive and whispery-lush reported by internet users for hav- vocals. Her spoken word ‘Not My ing “deceived young women multi- Responsibility’ is important and ple times into having sexual rela- AP/Rss powerful. “Would you like me to be tions”. Eilish goes on to explore fame and its dark sides in her album, ‘Happier Than Ever’. quiet?” she asks and the answer is The scandal evokes China’s always no, no, no. She even targets #MeToo movement sparked by

MARK KENNEDY mature—a young woman pulling mortality itself in ‘Everybody Chinese feminists in 2018, in a di

the fire alarm while we all stare at Dies.’ which women were empowered to pe

appier Than Ever,’ the flames. The new album isn’t all serious. voice their experiences of sexual Wiki Billie Eilish The 16-track album that clocks There are terrific kiss-off songs (‘I harassment—sometimes involv- a (Darkroom/ in at just under an hour, kicks off Didn’t Change My Number,’ ing powerful public figures.

Interscope Records) with ‘Getting Older’ and a 19-year- ‘Therefore I Am,’ ‘Lost Cause’ and Wu originally shot to fame as a vi GEM_Ady ‘HBillie Eilish seems to be in a old prodigy’s cutting, clear-eyed the slow-building ‘Happier Than member of the K-pop boyband good place on her sophomore observation that “Things I once Ever’) and one where she’s hope- EXO, before leaving in 2014 to Canadian citizenship and grew up once at a party, tried to extort his album. “I’m happier than ever,” enjoyed/Just keep me employed lessly in love (‘Haley’s Comet’). launch a successful solo career as between Vancouver and staff for millions of yuan and fal- she sings on the first song. But now.” Eilish and Finneas even play with a singer, actor, model and variety Guangzhou, has denied all allega- sified her accusations. there’s a tear running down her Using that as a launching pad, bossa nova in one terrific slinky show judge. tions of assault and insisted he When the accusations surfaced, cheek on the cover. And before the Eilish goes on to explore fame and tune. Since Du’s accusations, more was innocent in multiple social luxury firm Bulgari said it “attach- collection is done, she returns to its dark sides. On ‘NDA,’ she But Eilish is best in the shad- alleged victims have spoken out media statements. es great importance to the incident the phrase “I’m happier than acknowledges a real-life stalker ows, exploring our messiest online, accusing Wu’s staff of “I only met Miss Du once at a relating to Kris Wu and decided to ever” but qualifies it with “When (“Had to save my money for secu- impulses. ‘Oxytocin’ starts off as predatory behaviour such as invit- friend’s gathering, I didn’t ply her terminate all related collabora- I’m away from you.” So it’s compli- rity”) and on ‘OverHeated,’ an sexy come-on, appropriate for a ing them to boozy karaoke parties. with alcohol... I have never tions with Wu from today.” cated. encounter with paparazzi leads to song named after a hormone that ‘coerced women into sex’ or His lawyers are suing Du for Few people do complicated like an examination of surgery and controls reproduction. But it bril- Star’s denials engaged in ‘date rape’,” he wrote defamation, and the student has Eilish and ‘Happier Than Ever’ is “plastic” bodies. liantly shifts halfway through, Brands including Louis Vuitton, on July 19, adding he does not said she is also taking legal action a fascinating look at a messy, Eilish also reaches up to expose turning lust into something dark- Bulgari, L’Oreal Men and Porsche sleep with underage girls. against Wu. famous pop star’s life, as diaristic unequal power structures, often er: “’Cause as long as you’re still last week suspended their partner- Wu’s studio also published a Du said the star had attempted as Taylor Swift but more self-criti- returning to the theme of inno- breathing/Don’t you even think of ships with him as a result of the lengthy response to Du’s claims, to buy her silence with 500,000 cal and emotionally candid. It’s a cence polluted. On the hypnotic leaving.” Hey, it’s complicated. escalating fallout. denying any wrongdoing and RMB ($77,100). superb album, ambitious and ‘GOLDWING’—which starts as a — Associated Press The star, who also holds alleging that she only met him — Agence France-Presse

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