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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 331 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 24.6 C -6.6 C Thursday, January 28, 2021 | 15-10-2077 Dipayal Jumla Nepal begins first phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive Prime Minister Oli says all eligible citizens will be inoculated within three months but officials fail to explain how. The country will need around 45 million doses to cover 72 percent of the 30 million people.

Post Photos: Kabin Adhikari & Angad Dhakal A health worker preps a Covid-19 vaccine at TU Teaching Hospital; and Dr Sagar Rajbhandari (right), director of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, and Dr Anup Bastola react after receiving their first jabs in Teku, Kathmandu on Wednesday.

ARJUN POUDEL Nepal rolled out its Covid-19 vaccina- es, the government plans to inoculate The government has said it plans to “But due to various reasons including KATHMANDU, JAN 27 tion drive on Wednesday, a little over a around 430,000 health care providers and procure an additional four million doses supply problems, vaccination could not year after the country confirmed its first frontline workers, including female com- of vaccine, most likely Covishield, within start in 12 districts of Sudurpaschim, When Usha Devkota woke up on coronavirus case on January 24, 2020. munity health volunteers, security per- a month. Lumbini and Province 1,” said Adhikari. Wednesday morning, she was excited and The virus so far has infected 270,375. As sonnel, elderly people taking refuge in old The first phase of immunisation is tak- As the country was launching its vacci- nervous at the same time. Devkota, in many as 2,020 have died of the complica- age homes and prisoners. ing place as per the Health Ministry’s plan nation drive, there were some concerns charge of the intensive unit care unit at tions resulting from the infection. The vaccination drive kicked off from to inoculate people in a staggered manner about vaccine hesitancy, a phenomenon Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease The inoculation drive was launched Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease based on priority. defined by the World Health Organisation Hospital, was set to receive the coronavi- after India supplied one million doses of Hospital after Prime Minister KP Sharma After the frontline and healthcare as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of rus vaccine. Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the Oli inaugurated the campaign. workers, those above 55 years are the pri- vaccines despite availability of vaccina- “I was excited to get the jab,” Devkota, University of Oxford and pharmaceutical Dr Sagar Rajbhandari, director at the ority, as Covid-19 death rate in this age tion services”. 49, told the Post. “I am certain that now giant AstraZeneca and locally manufac- hospital, who was the first one to get vac- group has been reported to be the highest. However, doctors say that’s natural chances of transmitting the virus by me tured by the Serum Institute of India, cinated in the country, described it as one Everyone between 40 and 55 years will be when it comes to a new drug or a vaccine will be minimal and I can be with my fam- world’s largest vaccine manufacturing of the momentous events. immunised in the third phase and the and they stress the need to raise awareness ily.” company. remaining population will be inoculated among all sections of the society and peo- For the 49-year-old mother of one, it The India-manufactured vaccine, in the fourth round. ple from across the professional spectrum, was also an emotional moment, as she named Covishield, is Nepali authorities’ According to the Health Ministry, 9,084 including those in health care services. was hoping to spend time with her family preferred choice, as the country’s existing Health Ministry says people were vaccinated at 93 immunisa- Some health care workers the Post properly. storage facility supports the vaccine to 9,084 people were tion centres in 64 districts throughout the spoke to said that they too were concerned As a frontline worker, Devkota for the maintain its cold chain. The Covishield country on Wednesday. before they received the jabs, given last one year has been providing care to vaccine needs to be stored in tempera- vaccinated at 93 “The first day of the vaccination drive the reports that the vaccine was not the coronavirus patients admitted to the tures between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. went smoothly, without any glitches,” said widely tested and that some side effects intensive care unit of Sukraraj Tropical The vaccine is made from a weakened centres in 64 districts Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokes- were seen. and Infectious Disease Hospital. version of a common cold virus (known person for the Health Ministry. “Today’s Dr Saili Pradhan, head of the dental “My initial nervousness vanished as as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. The on Wednesday. coverage is almost close to the target.” department at Bir Hospital, said that until soon as I received the jab,” said Devkota vaccine, once injected into a person, According to a statement issued by the Tuesday her concern was if there could who got the vaccine at around 11am. “I am prompts the immune system to start mak- ministry, 2,694 people were administered be some side effects. pretty much fine.” ing antibodies and prepares it to attack “This is a safe vaccine and there is no the vaccine in Bagmati Province; 1,843 in “Just as fear had gripped [us] during Immediately after being inoculated, she any coronavirus infection, as the common need for people to be concerned or wor- Gandaki Province; 1,255 in Province 1; the initial stage of the pandemic, I was returned to her daily routine—taking care cold virus has been modified to look more ried about,” Rajbhandari, who received 1,082 in Sudurpaschim Province; 751 in kind of concerned about the vaccine too,” of those at her hospital’s intensive care. like a coronavirus. It, however, cannot the jab at around 10am, told the Post. “I Karnali Province; 733 in Lumbini Pradhan told the Post. “But it was until I Devkota is one of those frontline work- cause illness. want to send across a message to one and Province; and 726 in Province 2. took the jab. Thereafter, I encouraged oth- ers who are going to be vaccinated against With the available doses, which have all that people should receive the vaccine The ministry had said it would inocu- ers to get vaccinated without any fear.” Covid-19 over the next few days. been already shipped to all seven provinc- without any fear.” late around 12,000 people on the first day. >> Continued on page 2 Despite concerns, government releases New budget for projects xh'/sf] lzz' x'g]5 chosen by lawmakers 2021 sf] nflu k"0f{ tof/ Rs6.56 billion has been released for Local Infrastructure Programme even as House has been dissolved and polls announced.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA KATHMANDU, JAN 27

The KP Sharma Oli government, which has technically turned into a caretaker administration since the dissolu- tion of the House on December 20, released on Monday around Rs 6.56 billion for the highly controversial Local Infrastructure Development Partnership Programme. The programme is a lawmakers-led scheme which faces criticism for being distributive and many say it promotes misuse of the funds, as it is mainly run by local consumer committees usually at the behest of political party cadres. That the budget has been released after the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament, which effectively means there are no lawmakers, the government move has come into question. Under the programme, lawmakers “supposedly” play a lead role in selection and monitoring of the projects. Experts and analysts say the budget release after declar- ing the elections could give undue advantage to some candidates. After dissolving the House, the Oli government has called snap polls for April 30 and May 10. “The budget of Rs6.56 billion has been released to imple- ment various projects in 164 out of 165 electoral constituen- cies,” Basanta Adhikari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, told the Post. >> Continued on page 2

#SleepLikeAPampersBaby

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 | 02 National Youth hacked to death over school committee election dispute in Bajhang Ward chairman and three others arrested in connection with the murder.

BASANTA PRATAP SINGH incident only after arriving at the dis- Tarun Dal. BAJHANG, JAN 27 trict headquarters. I have my motor- DSP Khadka also agreed that bike with me. My name is being linked the incident occurred due to political A 23-year-old man was hacked to death to the incident unnecessarily for polit- reasons. over a dispute during a school man- ical vendetta,” said Bikash. “Preliminary investigation shows agement committee election in “Investigation into the murder that a man named Prakash assaulted Chhabispathibhera Rural is underway after detaining four the victim. Investigation is on to find Municipality, Bajhang on Tuesday suspects,” said Deputy whether the ward chairman was evening. Superintendent of Police Rupak involved in the crime or not,” said According to the District Police Khadka. The murderers will be pun- Khadka, adding that the assailants Office, Amrit Singh of ished soon, he added. were under the influence of alcohol Chhabispathibhera-3 died after being Meanwhile, the local residents are when the incident took place. hit with a machete. Police arrested of the belief that Amrit was killed for Meanwhile, supporters of the four persons, including ward chair- political wrangling. They claimed that Nepali Congress, the victim’s relatives man of Chhabispathibhera-2 Bikash Nepal Communist Party activists and the local residents staged demon- Ayadi, in connection with the inci- assaulted Amrit with a machete, as strations in Chainpur on Wednesday, dent. Prakash Ayadi, Kedar Ayadi and the candidate from the Nepali demanding strong action against the Post Photo: Anish Regmi Gyan Bahadur Kathayat of the same Congress was elected the school man- culprits. The protesters burned tyres Pedestrians walk past an uncovered section of a drainage channel next to a footpath at Balkumari, Lalitpur on Wednesday. rural municipality were also detained agement committee chairman. at the main gate of the District for investigation. “There was no other enmity. Amrit Administration Office as a show of A heated dispute occurred between was killed in a fit of rage by NCP cad- protest. two groups during the school manage- res, as the other party’s candidate was “The criminals responsible for ment committee election of defeated in the election. He was killed Amrit’s death should be punished at Bannichaur Secondary School on for the sake of political revenge,” said any cost,” said Nepali Congress dis- Despite concerns, government releases ... Tuesday afternoon. The murder Bishnu Aidi, a local resident who is trict leader Prithvi Bahadur Singh accused Prakash and the victim had a also the district chairman of Nepal while addressing the protest rally. >> Continued from page 1 public pressure. and it has no plans to ask the govern- heated dispute and even traded blows “Only constituency for which the But this year, the government decid- ment to stop it immediately. during the election. budget was not released under this ed to release the budget despite wide- “The commission will consider tak- “Security personnel intervened and programme is Constituency-3 of spread concerns over possible misuse ing a decision on the programme once sent them away,” said Lokendra Singh, Sunsari from where Bijaya Kumar of the fund, especially to influence the we announce the election code of con- the principal of Bannichaur Gachhadar was elected.” voters. duct and publicise the election pro- Secondary School. After the Commission for Previously run as two separate pro- gramme,” Election Commissioner The assailants attacked Amrit, a Investigation of Abuse of Authority grammes—Constituency Narendra Dahal told the Post in a member of the local committee of filed a corruption case against Infrastructure Special Programme recent interview. Nepali Congress close Nepal Tarun Gachhadar, a senior Nepali Congress and the Constituency Development In the run-up to the last parliamen- Dal, near a shop in his village. The leader, along with other 174 persons, Programme, the Local Infrastructure tary elections in 2017, the commission victim, who sustained deep cut inju- in February last year in relation to the Development Partnership Programme had ordered the government to stop ries on his head, died shortly after the infamous Baluwatar land scam, he has also been criticised for discretion- implementation of the lawmakers-led incident. has remained suspended as ary powers given to lawmakers to programme after the code of conduct Police claimed that a govern- lawmaker as per the Corruption choose projects that often benefited was enforced about three months ment-owned motorcycle that ward Prevention Act-2002. their loyalists. before the elections. chief Bikash Ayadi had been riding As in the past, the budget has Under the programme, the govern- The government has released the was used by the perpetrators of the been fragmented mostly into smaller ment in the fiscal year 2020-21 had budget for the programme this crime. Security personnel detained projects. allocated Rs40 million for each constit- year also at a time when it is strug- Bikash from a hotel in Chainpur, the “Each project identified by the law- uency. The programme is implement- gling to meet the revenue target district headquarters of Bajhang, makers has a cost ranging from ed through the local governments because of the pandemic. The govern- along with the motorcycle on Tuesday Rs500,000 to Rs10 million,” said with the joint funding of federal and ment is also negotiating with donors night. Adhikari. local government resources. for financial help to procure Covid-19 Ward Chairman Bikash Ayadi, how- The budget has been released to Adhikari, however, said that the vaccines. ever, denied the accusations and Post Photo: BASANTA PRATAP SINGH implement a total of 4,552 projects, lawmakers’ influence would not be so The Health Ministry has estimated claimed that he was not involved in The victim’s relatives, local residents and Nepali Congress cadres demonstrated in Chainpur according to the ministry. This means, big, as they don’t get involved in the around Rs48 billion for the Covid-19 the crime. “I got to know about the on Wednesday, demanding strong action against the culprits. each project got Rs1.44 million on an implementation of the projects after vaccination programme. The govern- average. they are selected. ment has also sought help from phil- “Such distributive projects help the According to the working procedure anthropic organisations, donors and [erstwhile] lawmakers have political governing the programme, a directive businesses urging them to put money influence in their constituencies,” committee, headed by a directly elect- into its “vaccine fund” created to gen- said former minister and finance sec- ed lawmaker with a lawmaker elected erate resources. Tarakhola Rural Municipality starts retary Bidyadhar Mallik. “As elections under the proportional category and a The constituency programme, how- have been announced, there should National Assembly member as mem- ever, has been made even more distrib- have been certain control over financ- bers, is responsible for selecting and utive this fiscal year. The provision laboratory, hospital services in villages es that would provide undue advan- monitoring projects. that required the committees to spend tage to certain candidates.” “The District Coordination half of the budget on programmes It’s not yet certain though if elec- Committee will monitor the progress that are estimated to cost more than The availability of health services in the villages has relieved many local residents tions will happen, as Oli’s House dis- in projects under this programme in Rs5 million has been removed from solution move has been challenged in the absence of lawmakers,” said the working procedure. The newly of the expense of seeking medical treatment elsewhere. the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Adhikari. amended working procedure approved Cholendra Shumsher Rana-led But experts say releasing the budget in October last year by the Cabinet PRAKASH BARAL level and adopt plans and policies to tions. Now the rural municipality has Constitutional Bench is conducting a which is meant for lawmakers when states that a maximum of 30 projects, BAGLUNG, JAN 27 expand the health institution into a started providing health services, hearing on as many as 13 writ peti- there are no lawmakers itself is a each having an estimated cost of over 15-bed hospital.” including maternity services, and dis- tions against the House dissolution wrong practice. And since the govern- Rs1 million, can be implemented in Local residents of Tarakhola Rural Similarly, health posts at Argal, tributing free medicines,” said Top decision. ment, after announcing the elections, each constituency. Municipality have been relieved with Hila, Tarakhola and Amarbhumi have Bahadur Roka, a local resident of The country will go to the polls only has turned into an electoral govern- The new working procedure has the operation of a hospital, laborato- also started laboratory services start- Tarakhola. if the court validates the Oli govern- ment, it must have been mindful, removed the provision that required ries and other health services in their ing this year. The rural municipality has started ment’s decision to dissolve the House. according to them. projects with a Rs5 million price tag to own villages. Prior to this, the villag- “The laboratories have been estab- the distribution of 42 kinds of medi- In a recent interview with the Post, Pokharel, the former chief election be implemented through a contractor ers had to walk a long distance to get lished with the financial resources of cines, which the government distrib- former chief election commissioner commissioner, said that since it’s the selected through a tender process. proper health facilities. the rural municipality. The health utes free of cost. An ambulance has Bhojraj Pokharel said that continua- responsibility of the Election Experts have questioned this move, Tarakhola Rural Municipal Office posts are providing treatment as well also been operated in a joint invest- tion of the programme would be Commission to ensure that saying this gives room for irregulari- has started laboratory services in its as conducting blood, stool and urine ment of the rural municipality and a unfair to those candidates who were elections are fair, it must pay heed to ties as it allows the consumer commit- health posts from the current fiscal tests. We have also managed a post of donor. To make ambulance services not members of the dissolved House, such activities. tees selected by political parties to year. According to Prakash Gharti, lab technician in the health posts,” regular in the rural municipality, the in case elections are held. “If the commission finds that the implement all the projects. chairman of the rural municipality, a said Gharti. Baglung-Tarakhola road has been “For the elections to be considered implementation of the programme Mallik, the former minister and 10-bed hospital has also come The rural municipal office upgraded. fair, all candidates should get a level does not provide a level playing field finance secretary, said that the gov- into operation in the rural municipal- had received lab equipment from The health posts in Tarakhola now playing field,” Pokharel told the Post. for candidates and could potentially ernment should rather freeze the ity. Sande Health Post in Ward the Department of Health Services as refer patients to other fully facilitated “Such programmes don’t give equal affect the fairness of the polls, it must budget meant for projects under the No. 3 has been upgraded to the 10-bed a grant. hospitals only when they are in criti- opportunities to all candidates.” take necessary action,” Pokharel told Local Infrastructure Development hospital. The availability of health services cal condition. After implementation of develop- the Post. Partnership Programme for this fiscal “We have hired an MBBS doctor. in the villages has relieved many local “The health facilities in Tarakhola ment projects was stalled due to the If the court clears the way for elec- year. The hospital will now cater to all residents of the expense of seeking provide free treatment to those coronavirus lockdown in the last fis- tions, the first phase of voting is 93 “The budget can rather be diverted patients. The local residents will no medical treatment elsewhere. patients who are from poor economic cal year 2019-20, the government had days away. to other areas or utilised in other longer have to go to other villages and “We had to go to Baglung bazaar to backgrounds. Dalits, war victims, decided to use the unspent fund The commission said that it has pressing needs,” Mallik told the towns to seek medical treatment,” get treatment for even minor ailments helpless and impoverished families meant for the programme to fight the nothing to say at this point in time Post, “such as procuring Covid-19 said Gharti. “We will be collaborating or to get tested for diabetes, uric acid, are also getting benefits from the rural Covid-19 pandemic amid intense about the lawmakers-led programme vaccines.” with the government at the federal tuberculosis and other urinary infec- municipality,” said Gharti. Nepal begins first phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive >> Continued from page 1 symptoms (high temperature, sore ing that came to me after receiving the percent of the population, the govern- and Oxfam said that rich countries Badrinath Aryal, yet another front- The manufacturer said some com- throat, runny nose, cough and chills). vaccine,” Amatya told the Post. “The ment still needs to procure around 40 had secured enough coronavirus vac- line worker to receive the Covid-19 jab mon side effects could be there after Some uncommon side effects, which vaccine comes as a hope that the pan- million doses of vaccine. cines to protect their populations on Wednesday, described the moment the first vaccine dose, which could may be seen in up to 1 in 100 people, demic would end soon. I would advise Officials at the Health Ministry said nearly three times over by the end of as historic. include very common, which may be include feeling dizzy, loss of appetite, all to get vaccinated when the jabs are they are prepared to conduct the vac- 2021, possibly depriving billions of A nurse aide by profession, Aryal seen in more than 1 in 10 people, side abdominal pain, enlarged lymph available without any fear.” cination exercise once the vaccines people in poorer areas. for decades has been part of the coun- effects like tenderness, pain, warmth, nodes, excessive sweating and itchy But the question as to when addi- arrive. Asked how possible it is for Nepal to try’s immunisation programmes. redness, itching, swelling or bruising skin or rashes. tional doses will be available for the “If the government can bring suffi- secure vaccines for all within three “I might have inoculated thousands where the injection is given. According to the manufacturer, peo- masses remains. cient doses for all remaining eligible months, Pokhrel said it won’t be diffi- of people in my career,” Aryal told the People may feel generally unwell, ple, however, must tell the health care While inaugurating the vaccination populations, we will prepare to inocu- cult if the government is committed to Post. “And today was one important tired or can have chills or a feverish provider of their medical conditions drive on Wednesday, Prime Minister late them accordingly,” Dr Roshan its responsibility to inoculate all. day when I was the one who got vacci- feeling. Nausea and joint pain or mus- before taking the vaccine jab. KP Sharma Oli said that the govern- Pokhrel, chief specialist at the Health “Our relations with India have nated for a disease that has put the cle ache are other possible side effects. Some medical conditions that must ment is planning to immunise all eli- Ministry, told the Post. improved and since the world’s largest whole world on the tenterhooks. As I Other common side effects, which be disclosed are if anyone ever has gible citizens within the next three Given the reports and the World vaccine manufacturer is in India, we have encouraged all to get vaccinated may be seen in up to 1 in 10 people, had a severe allergic reaction (anaphy- months. Health Organisation’s warning about can secure a deal to get the vaccines,” during other inoculation exercises, I include a lump at the injection site, laxis) after any drug, food or vaccine; Over 21 million Nepalis (72 percent inequitable vaccine distribution, inoc- Pokhrel told the Post. would like all to take Covid-19 vaccine fever, being sick (vomiting), flu-like has bleeding disorder; are on blood of the population) need to be vaccinat- ulating all eligible citizens in Nepal, According to reports, the Serum without having any fear.” thinner medication, are immunocom- ed against Covid-19, as vaccines pro- as claimed by Oli, appears to be a task Institute of India is producing more According to health care officials, promised or on medicines that affect duced so far have not been tested on easier said than done. than 50 million doses a month. Even though some people who receive the the immune system. If a woman is children up to 14 years of age. On January 18, the UN health agen- though the vaccine’s emergency use vaccine developed some common pregnant, plans to become pregnant or Covishield, however, can be adminis- cy warned that the world faces a “cat- approval was granted only on January symptoms, as could happen with every breastfeeding, she must inform health tered only to those aged 18 and above. astrophic moral failure” because of 3, according to the livemint news por- other drug or vaccine, there was noth- care providers. The number of people to be vaccinat- unequal Covid-19 vaccine policies. tal, the company started production ing to worry about, as they were fine Unless there are medical condi- ed could be lower, as around four-five Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the when the pandemic started to unfold after a few minutes’ rest. tions, according to doctors, anyone million Nepalis live abroad. WHO chief, said it was not fair for in the country. The Nepal Health Research Council, above 18 years of age can receive the However, there is no clarity yet as to younger, healthy people in richer India rolled out its vaccination the country’s top public health vaccine. how the government is planning to nations to get injections before vulner- drive on January 16 and it shipped one research agency, however, has said it Dr Netra Bahadur Amatya, 80, was procure around 45 million—given 10 able people in poorer states. million doses to Nepal on January 21, will continue to monitor and study probably the oldest person to receive to 15 percent possible wastage—doses “Over 39 million vaccine doses had six days after Nepal’s regulator grant- side effects and the immunity devel- the Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday. of vaccines required to vaccinate all been given in 49 richer states—but one ed emergency use approval to the oped on the people who received the Amatya, former director at Bir eligible citizens. poor nation had only 25 doses,” he Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. vaccine. Hospital, who retired some 20 years If Nepal receives six million doses said. Apart from India, China, Russia, “We are preparing guidelines,” said ago as a radiologist, has been serving of vaccines through the World Health In December, Amnesty International the United Kingdom and the Dr Pradip Gyanwali, executive chief at Sukraraj Hospital as a part-timer. Organisation’s COVAX programme, and other organisations including United States have developed Covid-19 of the council, “to study overall effects “There was a kind of positive feel- which will be enough to inculcate 20 Frontline AIDS, Global Justice Now vaccines. of the vaccine.”

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 National Nepal Communist Party unification As life seems to return to prospects slim, leaders and analysts say normal in Capital, traffic Leaders from both factions continue to point finger at each other with elections just around the corner. jams are common again

Communist Party of China (CPC), Traffic authority mobilises volunteers to manage cars and arrived in Kathmandu during the final week of December, met President pedestrians, but residents not convinced it will be of help. Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister Oli, another chairman Dahal and other top party leaders to discuss the ANUP OJHA business requires him to travel to dif- prospect of party unity. KATHMANDU, JAN 27 ferent parts of the city daily to deliver “The Chinese were in communica- goods. tion with the President, prime minis- Sudeep Acharya bought a scooter five “Sometimes I need to reach Kalanki ter and other senior leaders,” a senior months ago to avoid commuting on or New Bus Park from Pepsikola for NCP leader who follows foreign public vehicles where risk of trans- delivery, and if I ride during the day affairs, told the Post. “We are sur- mission of Covid-19 is high. time, my entire day is ruined,” prised that they could not sense that The other reason he bought the Timelsena said. “Just by deploying the House was going to be dissolved two-wheeler was to save time during volunteers on the street is not going to and the party was going to be split,” his commute. “The microbuses that solve the perennial problem of traffic the NCP said. ply between my home in Bohoratar congestion.” “We are also puzzled about how the and my office in Anamnagar were However, SP Shyam Krishna Chinese made such a miscalculation often late because they would get Adhikari, spokesperson for the divi- about Nepali politics,” said the leader. stuck in traffic jams or wait inordi- sion, believes that the deployment of “They tried their best to unite the nate lengths of time for passengers,” volunteers will ease the city’s traffic party, assessed the situation and said Acharya, who works for a flow. looked for several alternatives to save research centre. “People do not use zebra crossings the party from a split. It was too late When the nationwide lockdown was when Gou landed in Kathmandu,” the lifted in late July last year and the odd- Post Photo: ELite Joshi NCP leader said. Other major external even vehicle scheme was imposed in Officials concede Senior party leader Bamdev Gautam on Wednesday announced a national campaign to ensure that the Nepal Communist Party, which held 63 forces such as India and the US are not Kathmandu Valley in the second week percent of the seats in the House of Representatives, remains united. speaking about the party’s division as of September, Acharya didn’t have they don’t have an it doesn’t clash with their interests, he any problem commuting to work. ANIL GIRI munist factions will join hands in the tions continue to point their fingers at said. “I used to reach my office in 15 min- immediate solution KATHMANDU, JAN 27 near future. “I do not see any chances each other. “If we look back at the Analysts say that if the court utes on my scooter. On public vehicles, of the two groups sitting together,” developments inside the party from decides to restore the House, as it would take me nearly an hour,” said to address the issue. Two recent incidents have rekindled Subas Chandra Nembang, a senior last year, we can observe that it was demanded by various political parties, Acharya. little hope for those who want to see leader and an ally of Oli said. Oli who was responsible for everything politics will return to the parliamenta- But that all changed after the odd- the Nepal Communist Party remain The Nepal Communist Party was that went wrong,” said Bhim Rawal, a ry process. But if the court endorses even vehicle rule was lifted and daily to cross the road. The volunteers will intact. born out of a merger between Oli’s Standing Committee member of the Oli’s decision to dissolve the House, life somewhat returned to normal. enforce the zebra crossing rule and A ray of hope emerged on CPN-UML and Dahal’s CPN (Maoist Dahal. “It looked like Oli had plans to the country won’t have any other Acharya’s commute is no longer this alone could help reduce traffic Wednesday for the optimists when Centre). But since December 22, there split the party, dissolve the House and option but to go to the polls. But with smooth these days. jams by 15 to 20 percent,” claimed senior party leader Bamdev Gautam have been two parties, at least politi- lead the system and democracy the commission’s failure to resolve the “Even on a scooter, it takes me near- Adhikari. announced a national campaign to cally—Nepal Communist Party (Oli towards a collapse,” he added. legitimacy dispute of the Nepal ly an hour to reach my office,” he said. He nevertheless concedes that ensure that the Nepal Communist faction) and Nepal Communist Party “Until Oli rectifies his mistakes, I Communist Party, elections may not Traffic in Kathmandu Valley has Kathmandu’s traffic woes have no Party, which held 63 percent of the (Dahal-Nepal faction). Both factions do not see the possibility of unity take place on time, they argue. returned to the pre-pandemic days, immediate solution as long as the seats in the House of Representatives, had laid claims over the party and its between the two factions,” said Rawal. All these things further complicate with frequent snarl-ups, particularly city’s road infrastructure remains the remains united. electoral symbol, the sun. Oli on Wednesday claimed that his the situation and make it more diffi- during rush hours. To deal with the same. “Following the split in our party, the With the Election Commission not faction is the official one and rival, cult for the rival factions of the party problem of traffic jams, the “The city needs better road infra- Chinese Communist Party is crying recognising either of the factions as Dahal, Nepal faction would not win to come together. “I do not see any Metropolitan Traffic Police Division structure, flyovers and underpasses to and so are communist parties all over the legitimate Nepal Communist more than 10 seats in upcoming parlia- chance of party unity, it has already on Wednesday announced to deploy accommodate the growing number of the world,” said Gautam while Party, the Dahal-Nepal camp is think- mentary elections. split,” said political analyst Hari 130 scouts at major road sections. vehicles. We have about 1.5 million announcing his campaign to keep the ing of forming a new party if the state Some leaders in favour of unity are Rokka. But that is hardly any consolation vehicles operating daily in Kathmandu party intact. of confusion persists for a long time, a closely following China’s moves in “As the election commission did not for daily commuters like Acharya. Valley. This is the main reason behind That the Election Commission senior leader from the Dahal-Nepal Nepal as they believe the northern give a clear verdict, the situation has They are resigned to the fact that traffic jams,” said Adhikari. When the ruled on Sunday that it still recognises faction said. neighbour also wants to see the party become foggy. This ambiguity arose Kathmandu’s traffic condition is not odd- even vehicle rule was in place, the Nepal Communist Party co-chaired “We are waiting for the Election remain united. A week after Oli dis- due to indecisiveness on the part of going to improve. there were fewer vehicles on roads, by Prime Minister Oli and his rival Commission to decide. If we are not solved the House, Beijing sent a the election commission,” said Rokka. “Wherever you drive or take a pub- hence fewer traffic jams. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has also ener- recognised as the legitimate Nepal vice-minister of the Chinese “This was expected as the present lic vehicle in Kathmandu, you have to “The traffic volunteer programme gised those in favour of unity. Communist Party, we will form a new Communist Party to Kathmandu to chief election commissioner acts at set aside an extra hour for traffic is aimed at managing the vehicles and But party leaders from both fac- party as well as move the court against assess the situation. the behest of Oli. We just have 90 days jams. Traffic jams have become com- pedestrians. We also plan to increase tions say that there is very little or the decision,” the leader said. Guo Yezhou, vice-minister of the to go for polls, it is impossible for the monplace and there is no escaping it,” the number of volunteers in the com- almost no possibility that the two com- Meanwhile, leaders from both fac- International Department of the two factions to unite,” said Rokka. said Bhojindra Timelsena, whose ing days,” said Adhikari.

Briefing Employers found missing Fire destroys 32 houses JUMLA: A fire destroyed 32 houses in social security scheme’s Gothigaun of Tila Rural Municipality-7, Jumla, on Tuesday evening. According to District Police monthly premium deadline Office, 40 cattle and 30 goats were killed in the inferno. The fire broke out from a house belonging to Barab Rokaya while the family was prepar- CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL employers are found not to be deposit- ing an evening meal. Security person- KATHMANDU, JAN 27 ing the amount within the given dead- nel and the local residents contained line,” said Panthee. “Now, we are also the fire on Wednesday morning. The contribution-based social securi- making arrangements to send similar Preliminary police investigation ty scheme, already seeing a lukewarm alerts to enrolled employees.” showed that property worth around response from the public, has encoun- Workers are offered financial secu- 30 million was destroyed in the inci- tered a fresh problem: Employers are rity under four categories of sup- dent. not paying the monthly premium of port—medical treatment, health pro- their employees on time. tection, and maternity plan; accidents The Social Security Fund and disability plan; dependent family Ring road construction begins Secretariat, the government body that plan; and old-age security plan. GORKHA: Bhimsen Rural Municipality manages the fund and oversees the However, not paying the premium in Gorkha has initiated the construc- implementation of the scheme, has on time can have consequences for tion of a ring road around the town. discovered that many employers are workers and deprive them of their The rural municipality started the not depositing their premium within promised facilities. road construction in the current fis- the stipulated time. For accessing facilities under acci- cal year after preparing a detailed “The law clearly states that the dents and disability plan and depend- project report with an objective to monthly premium should be paid on ent family security plan, the monthly connect all eight wards. According to time--within 15 days. But we employ- contribution has to be made on the Ishwor Pandey, chairman of the local ers are not doing so,” Bibek Panthee, stipulated time. government, the estimated cost for spokesperson for the secretariat, told “If the contribution can not be the construction of the 40km ring the Post. “In some cases, employers made within the given timeframe, road is around Rs 1 billion. “We have come to deposit the money only after 15-20 days extension can be provided allocated Rs 70 million budget for the the worker has already died or met for exception cases if only the employ- project in the current fiscal year,” with an accident. Some employers er informs the secretariat. But that said Pandey. have paid the monthly premium only has not happened,” said Panthee. for those who have fallen ill, and not Employers not making the payment for others.” for accidents and disability plans and CCTV cameras installed to As per Section 4 (4) of the dependent family security plan affect Post Photo: SANJOG MANANDHAR Contribution-based Social Security not only workers if they meet any Farmers protest against government’s decision to allow foreign investment in agriculture at Maitighar, Kathmandu on Wednesday. check poaching of wildlife Scheme Act, 2017, the employer should accidents or dies in accidental or occu- RAUTAHAT: Division Forest Office in deposit the total amount within the 15 pational accidents but also dependent Rautahat has installed CCTV camer- days of the month for which salary family members. as in 17 places to check possible needs to be paid. If such a situation arises, when poaching of wildlife in the district. The much-talked social security employers have not made a timely According to Binod Singh, chief at scheme, which was rolled out for for- contribution but workers are entitled Official ban on felling and sales of timber gives the forest office, CCTV cameras have mal private-sector workers, has wit- to facilities as mentioned in the social been installed in the major habitats nessed a luke-warm response in more security scheme, it will be the respon- and corridors in the district. He said than two years of its enforcement. As sibility of the employer to provide rise to smuggling of wood in Kanchanpur the number of wild animals like of now, 13,140 employers and 187,107 financial coverage to the workers. tigers, bears, leopards, deer, wild workers have registered under the “If there is no timely payment and BHAWANI BHATTA sales of timber citing it as an unscien- months of 2020. boars and blue bulls in several scheme and the fund has collected something tragic happens, then KANCHANPUR, JAN 27 tific and environment-costly method “Timber logs are rotting away in national forests of Rautahat has been more than Rs3.84 billion so far. employers can not run from their of deforestation. several community forests in declining lately. In a bid to attract employers and responsibility by depriving workers,” The Division Forest Office in The ban has led to a zero sale of Kanchanpur while consumers are employees, the government recently said Panthee. “In such circumstances, Kanchanpur arrested one individual timber in the community forests, compelled to buy from smugglers at a introduced credit facilities for con- the employer must pay for all the ser- with smuggled timber in Brahmadev which has created a supply vacuum high price,” said Shivadatta Panta of 1.1 million people participate in tributors to the social security scheme. vices and the fund will not make the on Sunday. A few days ago, another leading to illegal sales of timber at a the District Forest Coordination health insurance programme Every month, both employers and payment.” individual was caught smuggling tim- higher price. Committee. workers are required to contribute to For medical treatment, health pro- ber from the Gail river area. A year ago, the price of a cubic “The smuggling of timber, which BIRATNAGAR: Nearly 1.1 million people the Social Security Fund. An amount tection and maternity plan, one month According to the office, seven indi- foot of timber was Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500. was limited to the rural areas, is now have participated in a health insur- equivalent to 31 percent of a worker’s of delay doesn’t affect the prospect of viduals have so far been arrested on But the price has gone up to Rs 5,000 in rampant in the urban areas as well,” ance programme in Province 1. The basic salary—11 percent deducted accessing services if the contribution the charge of smuggling timber from the black market for the same quanti- said Rabindra Kunwar, chairman of health insurance programme has from the worker’s monthly salary and has been paid for the past three the Chure area in the current fiscal ty. the Chure Conservation Network. been launched in 13 districts of the 20 percent contributed by the employ- months consecutively. The worker will year. A Cabinet meeting on May 28, 2020 “Timber is being smuggled from the province. According to the provincial er— is deposited at the fund. continue to get facilities for the next “The forest offices have been arrest- had decided to ban the collection, Chure area of Dadeldhura and health insurance board office, a total As per existing rules, it is also the three months. Once the contribution ing smugglers with woods. The situa- transportation and sales of timber Kanchanpur districts to various city of 1,096,539 people have taken health employer’s responsibility to deposit is made for the next three months, the tion will be the same until the govern- from community forests across the areas where there is a high demand insurance in the province under the the total amount-- both employers’ and worker, once again, becomes eligible ment resumes timber trade and allows country. The federal government took for timber to support rapid infrastruc- programme. “The programme will be the workers’ share, at the fund. The for facilities and services. legal business of timber,” said Ayaja the decision to investigate alleged ture building.” launched in Taplejung within two secretariat also sends three remind- “We have also issued a notice so that Bikram Manandhar, division forest financial irregularities in the sale of The District Forest Coordination months,” said Mahesh Pokharel, the ers— on the first, seventh, and the employers make regular payments,” officer in Kanchanpur. timber and in inviting tenders; to Committee in its attempt to condemn information officer at the board fourteenth days of the Nepali month— said Panthee. “But we urge the There has been an alarming rise in ensure transparency in the expendi- the rise in timber smuggling launched office. People who avail the insurance to employers to submit their due pre- employers to make the payment on timber smuggling cases in the Chure ture of the community forest a vehicular strike for a few hours at schemes have been promised a wide mium on time. time so that workers are not deprived region since the past year after the funds; and to curb rapid tree felling Attariya in Kailali and Jhalari in range of benefits, local officials said. “Despite frequent reminders, of any facilities.” government banned the felling and that was taking place in the first Kanchanpur last week.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Threat to Nepal’s hard-fought A jab of hope democratic ideals The leaders should work to bring the next lot at the earliest. The civil society movement not only must insist on Nepal has finally entered the much-awaited phase of the fight against Covid-19 as health workers across the country were punishing Oli, but also push inoculated beginning Wednesday. It is a festival, no less, and for a new political culture. deserves a celebration. After all, we have spent a gloomy year marked by the deaths of over 2,020 people and the infection of 270,375 people. Not to speak of the economic slump, joblessness, Pramod Mishra hunger, uncertainty and psychological trauma that came as CROSSROADS part and parcel of the pandemic. The happy faces of the frontline workers who took the jabs on the first day exemplified what hope really looks like. This is the time to acknowledge and appreciate the indomitable spirit with which the frontline workers served throughout the year The Oli government’s repressive even as they put their lives at risk. actions and his new-found religious But we have just begun what is going to be a pretty long and fervour have begun together. He uses the ruse of religious rhetoric to deflect winding return to normalcy. There is a risk of a misinforma- from his nefarious violation of the con- tion campaign about the efficacy of the vaccine and its side stitution and brutal repression of the effects doing the rounds in the days to come. The campaign voice of Nepal’s writers, academics, might intensify once the government begins inoculating the intellectuals and civil society mem- bers. He is, after all, a clever man—clev- elderly population after the health workers have received their er but evil, as Plato would like to say shots, and we enter the next round. The public information about a sharp man. campaign about the importance and efficacy of the vaccine While his wasps were already at work on social media, trolling writers must, therefore, reach the public before it reaches them. and intellectuals, on January 24 he The government must work towards establishing public unleashed his security forces on intel- trust in the vaccines. Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease lectuals, writers and civil society mem- Hospital Director Dr Sagar Rajbhandari led by example when bers who had taken out a peaceful pro- test march from a heritage site in the he got himself jabbed first to ensure that people across the centre of Kathmandu to the Prime country feel inspired and assured that the vaccine is safe. Minister’s official residence. The misinformation campaign has, in fact, already begun on Well, Nepalis are no strangers to repression and assault by their govern- the first day of the inoculation drive as Prime Minister KP Oli ment. But after having fought for a said the majority of citizens would hopefully be vaccinated constituent assembly and a constitu- within three months. That is a gross overstatement, consider- tion written by people’s representa- Post File Photo ing how developed countries such as the UK and the USA tives—however flawed and truncated So, Nepalis find themselves in the cion and paranoia of the citizenry. including Hinduism with all its virtues the constitution may be—and having middle of another political crisis on Nepalis are once bitten twice shy in and vices. Federalism made them the expect to finish inoculating their citizens only by Autumn and transferred the sovereignty of the top of the global pandemic. They had matters of the state. monitors to make sure it was imple- Summer respectively. Developing countries like ours that are country from the palace to Parliament thought that their job was done once This is indeed a sad state of affairs mented effectively, giving good govern- dependent on foreign generosity for acquiring the vaccines will and making the country a republic, they had waged the second people’s in a country already plagued by myri- ance to the people. But they did none of have to wait much longer than that to vaccinate the majority of who would have thought that movement in 2006. Now, the ball is in ads of ills. But what is the way these things. Instead, they invested all Parliament would unlawfully be dis- the Supreme Court. And lawyers, writ- forward? their energies to sharing the spoils of the people. solved and a puny, clever tongued Oli ers, intellectuals who speak as citizens The civil society members must not the state and government for their par- The leaders, including the prime minister, should stop telling would set his shenanigans on the coun- and who were instrumental in the sec- stop until Parliament is restored and ties. They closed their eyes to misgov- lies and showering accolades on themselves, and instead help try’s nationally and internationally ond people’s movement do not trust justice prevails. They should press for- ernance, corruption, injustice. Their educated and known writers and intel- even the judiciary. ward. Pressing this twin principle primary concern was to get plump and expedite real work towards bringing the next lot of vaccines at lectuals? There is so much speculation as to means they must unflinchingly insist powerful judiciary, police and other the earliest. The least they can do for the time being is cut down Signs of the prime minister’s hidden what the country’s apex court would on the restoration of Parliament on one positions for their own people. The par- on pomposity—and not jump the line like a provincial minister fangs and claws were apparent as soon do. So many conspiracy theories swirl- hand, and bring the all opposing, ties of the 1990s and early 2000s refused did, sans shame, in Janakpur. as he whipped the country into a popu- ing around in Kathmandu. Inheritors republican and democratic forces to give up their culture and corrupt list frenzy in the name of nationalism of a culture of rumours about this together and get a written commitment practices. The Maoists’ entry into the Meanwhile, citizens must remember that it is no time to be by baiting India and duping the coun- remote kingdom’s secretive palaces from them to restore justice, clean gov- mix, instead of infusing new blood, lenient on Covid-19 safety protocols. The government is vacci- try in giving his party near two-thirds and their intrigues, Nepalis can’t ernance and transparency in all aspects made even the viable newcomers sink nating less than 1.5 percent of the total population in the first majority in the federal parliament believe that the Supreme Court justices of politics. with the old parties. three years ago. The simple Nepalis would follow the letter of the constitu- Restoration of Parliament will help The civil society movement must phase, and plans to procure 4 million doses within a month. were taken in by his glib tongue, poor tion and defend it. Accustomed to the save the constitution and the commit- insist on punishing Oli and restoring However, it is yet to sign a pact with any country or company to health and unscrupulous tactics. And corrupt ways of Nepal’s caste-based ment from the political parties will Parliament, but it must also insist that procure the required vaccines. Rich countries have already pre- Nepalis, entrenched in the old regime officialdom, they can’t trust even the reverse the regressive steps. A firm a new political culture develops in booked millions of doses, and the manufacturers are scram- of caste, ethnicity and privilege, found justices of the highest court to do the commitment to clean governance and Nepal. Otherwise, republicanism, secu- Oli as their messiah because the ship right thing. They suspect Oli to have transparency will help restore larism and federalism—all three key bling to supply them within the stipulated time. of their centuries-old unearned privi- made a ‘setting’ with the other branch people’s faith in republicanism, secu- aspects—will lose their shine with the In such a scenario, we might have to wait for months to lege was sinking. At the same time, of the state—the judiciary—to achieve larism and federalism once again; in people. You can’t eat and dress republi- receive the next significant consignment of vaccines. In any average Nepalis were too busy with his nefarious goals of destroying the past few years since Nepal was canism, secularism and federalism. case, vaccinating 72 percent of the country’s population over their meagre lives in the midst of the Parliament. They think Oli has set it all declared a republic, the political par- Without a course correction of the pandemic and too easily entertained by up with India, China and the United ties and their leaders (not just those in first, the constitution will be gone and several phases is a Herculean logistical feat that takes time, Oli’s glib tongue that they didn’t know States to make his move. Otherwise, the government under Oli) did not many new Olis will rise on the horizon. patience and perseverance. We cannot expect to return to nor- that this is no sign of a political leader how can a puny man like him dare do insist on institutionalising the new Without the second, many hyenas wait- malcy anytime soon, and so we must continue washing hands, who delivers. In fact, clever words have such a thing as overturning the peo- structure. ing in the wings will pounce on and come in literature and history from ple’s long-earned constitution and The abolition of monarchy made make a kill. Champions of freedom and wearing masks, and avoiding crowds as far as possible, as the some of the world’s notorious villains, democracy? And the Supreme Court them the guardians of the country. justice in Nepal must achieve both. If vaccines will take months, if not years, to be effective on a mass such as Iago, Lucifer, Goebbels and itself, by dillydallying on such an Secularism made them the preceptors Trump can go, can Oli’s departure be scale. Shakuni. important case, is feeding on the suspi- and explainers of religious freedom, far behind? Political turbulence amidst the coronavirus pandemic

Constitutional provisions anti-national and anti-democratic. Nepal is facing growing According to Article 85 of the consti- tution, the term of the House of Impartial decision humanitarian losses and Representatives is five years unless it On the other hand, almost all political is dissolved earlier in accordance with forces except that of Prime Minister serious socio-economic Article 76, that is in the absence of Oli, constitutional experts, civil socie- any political party with a majority in ty and public media are pleading for consequences. the House after a general election, and an impartial judicial decision to inval- when any proposed prime minister idate the dissolution and restore the supported by two or more parties fails House. There have been street protests Ram Sharan Mahat to receive majority support in a vote by civil society demanding invalida- of confidence. The constitution has tion of the act where the protestors other provisions that seek to ensure were assaulted by the police. Four political stability. For example, a former chief justices of the Supreme no-confidence motion cannot be regis- Court also issued a statement terming tered until two years after the appoint- the dissolution being against the fun- ment of a prime minister; and if the damental law of the land. There are no-confidence motion fails, another also other writs under review by the The dissolution of the House of motion cannot be tabled for a year. Supreme Court questioning the gov- Representatives and the declaration Both factions of the ruling party ernment ordinance to alter the of mid-term elections in April-May have registered their cases with the appointment provisions of constitu- 2021 by President Bidya Devi Bhandari Election Commission to claim legiti- tional commissions, and the Cabinet at the recommendation of Prime macy as the official Nepal Communist reshuffle by Prime Minister Oli after Minister KP Oli has triggered a politi- Party. The faction led by Pushpa assuming caretaker status following cal storm in the nation. This arbitrary Kamal Dahal and Madhav Nepal the dissolution. step was the consequence of a sharp replaced Oli as party chairman and Amid the suffering brought about power struggle within the ruling even revoked his membership. The Oli by the coronavirus pandemic that Nepal Communist Party which had a faction, for its part, removed Dahal as requires the government to deal with strong majority in Parliament. The executive chairman and expanded the the crisis and revive the economy as a prime minister argues that there was central committee to more than 1,100 priority, there is widespread national a conspiracy to remove him from his members. The Election Commission engagement in political conflicts. In post by his rivals in the party despite has refused to recognise either faction addition to the nationwide debates, the electoral mandate given to him as as the legitimate party for failing to opposition and agitation against the party president and parliamentary abide by the Political Parties Act and unconstitutional act, there is public majority leader for five years, hence their own party statute. agitation from a section demanding he felt the democratic need for a fresh The power struggle within the rul- Post File Photo the return of constitutional monarchy mandate from a new election. ing party is reflected in various to favour the proposed mid-term elec- dissolution is a political move whose under the 1990 constitution had too and the Hindu state. The latter has Justifying the dissolution of the dimensions. After seven ministers tion which could be to NC’s advantage. validity is not to be reviewed at the been subjected to judicial reviews at resulted from the failure to meet pub- House and mid-term elections, from the rival faction resigned from However, as the country’s oldest party judicial level. He also mentioned that that time. lic expectations by the new political President Bhandari announced that the Cabinet protesting the dissolution, committed to the democratic constitu- he was forced to dissolve the House and Under the current circumstances, structure under the new constitution the action was in keeping with parlia- the prime minister appointed new tion and the rule of law, NC is opposed hold snap polls for a fresh mandate the Supreme Court verdict is being due to poor governance and misman- mentary practices and values. ministers to the vacant positions. The to the presidential decision. Despite because of infighting within his party. eagerly awaited. It remains to be seen agement. All this demands a better There is widespread opposition split at the national level has also per- the opportunity to take advantage of The Office of the President claims whether it restores the House by inval- quality of governance to fulfil from almost all political parties, civil meated to the provincial levels with the situation, it has been launching that the House has been dissolved in idating the dissolution because of its socio-economic requirements meeting society and constitutional experts to rival factions taking action against street protests all over the country accordance with the constitution, past unconstitutionality or permits mid- public expectations, effective imple- the declaration because the action each other in the Provincial Assembly. against the dissolution of Parliament. precedent and international practices. term elections for a fresh public man- mentation of the constitution and fair contradicts constitutional provisions. The current political events marked The country is now awaiting the These explanations contradict the date validating the dissolution. judgement by the independent judici- This has led to strong street protests by unconstitutional actions and sharp Supreme Court’s verdict in response to constitutional provision that states There is a public impression of the ary, like the recent one by the United throughout the country, particularly divisions within the ruling party have the 13 writs challenging the dissolution the specific grounds for a possible prime ministerial attempt to States judiciary denying unwarranted by the ruling party and opposition created a favourable climate for the of the House. The prime minister’s House dissolution as mentioned influence the independent judiciary pressure by the then president Trump parties. Only the Oli faction of the opposition parties, in particular the explanation in response to the show- above. A prime minister with majority because of his strong statements rul- to favour his unlawful complaint to ruling party has launched street main opposition, Nepali Congress cause notice issued by the support in Parliament has no authori- ing out the prospect of a House resto- overturn the election results. demonstrations supporting the disso- (NC). The general sentiment among Constitutional Bench has become pub- ty to dissolve it. House dissolutions in ration. He even alleges the critics of lution. party workers and supporters seems licly controversial. He argues that the the past by the then prime ministers his unconstitutional action as being Mahat is a former minister of finance.

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 Money

FOREX World Food US Dollar 116.98 Hotel industry prepares for a long recession Euro 141.82 Programme chief Pound Sterling 160.65 It is doubtful when tourists will come back to Nepal despite the vaccination drive, insiders say.

Japanese Yen 11.27 warns of vulnerable SANGAM PRASAIN percent). In Africa and the Middle Chinese Yuan 18.08 KATHMANDU, JAN 27 East, this share is 60 percent and 50 percent, respectively,” said the World supply chains Qatari Riyal 32.12 Nepal’s hotel industry stuck to its Tourism Organisation. Australian Dollar 90.36 gloomy outlook for the year even as The main barrier to an earlier or ASSOCIATED PRESS the country launched a Covid-19 vacci- more rapid recovery is the large-scale THE HAGUE (Netherlands), JAN 27 Malaysian Ringit 28.92 nation drive on Wednesday, not expect- travel restrictions that remain in ing tourist arrivals to rebound despite place in many destinations around the The head of the World Food Saudi Arab Riyal 31.19 the immunisation campaign. world. Alongside that, experts Programme said on Wednesday that Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Hotel Association Nepal, which cite slow virus containment and the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the counts around 3,000 establishments declining consumer confidence as need to strengthen vulnerable supply among its membership, retained the major factors that are hindering the chains to impoverished nations strug- Shares uniform payout structure, fearing that recovery outlook. gling to feed their populations. hotels would not be able to pay their Nepal received 230,085 foreign tour- David Beasley, executive director Nepse 2,441.85pts 0.77% employees as it did not see a tourism ists last year, equivalent to the 1986 of the United Nations’ Nobel Peace recovery this year either. arrivals figure, according to the statis- Prize-winning food programme, highest gainers Under the uniform payout deal tics of the Department of Immigration. said that the pandemic put further NLIC ACLBSL GLBSL SMB PLI NHPC 9.99% 9.98% 9.97% 9.96% 9.91% 9.85% made with trade unions, all staff, from Most of the visitors came before the stress on supply chains getting food to front door workers to general manag- country slapped restrictions on tour- the hungry. moderate gainers EICPO SICL PIC IGI CCBL MFIL ers, will remain on salary without ist entry on March 20. Between April “We’ve got to continue to work the 9.82% 8.1% 7.96% 6.53% 6.31% 5.76% working; but they will all get the same and December, fewer than 15,000 indi- system, we’ve got to make certain that

moderate losers pay. The hotels have also trimmed sal- viduals visited Nepal. we are ... less vulnerable to Covid type ADBL RRHP PPCL NBL CORBL HPPL aries by 50 percent. On March 12, 2020, the government impacts,” Beasley told a World -2.89% -3.27% -3.42% -3.43% -3.51% -3.7% The organisation of hotels and decided to stop issuing on-arrival Economic Forum virtual panel. highest losers three trade unions renewed their tourist visas to nationals of all coun- GUFL NICBF NFS SIFC CMF2 PFL agreement on the uniform payout tries besides cancelling spring moun- -3.71% -3.86% -4.65% -4.71% -4.72% -7.05% structure on Tuesday. The pact was taineering expeditions including 10 percent of the initially valid from April 13 to Photo Courtesy: Hotel Association of Nepal those to Everest. December 31, 2020. Representatives of Hotel Association of Nepal and three trade unions sign a new uniform pay The decision came a day after the global population is “All three unions representing hotel agreement on Tuesday. World Health Organisation declared Price Per tola employees agreed to renew the deal as the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic, in extreme poverty bullion the scenario of tourists coming back Rs4,300 monthly, respectively. Staff of management will be paid separately and urged countries to take precau- to Nepal is still uncertain,” said two-star hotels and resorts will get for their work,” the association said, tionary measures. From October 17, and need to be Fine Gold Rs 92,100 Binayak Shah, senior vice-president Rs2,000 monthly. adding that the hotels and resorts Nepal opened the door a crack for of the association. “The vaccination According to the new arrangement, would not make new hires, including trekkers and mountaineers, nearly reached by suppliers. Silver Rs 1,250 drive started on Wednesday, and obvi- tourist-standard hotels and resorts interns and workers from outsourcing seven months after the country ously it raises hopes of a turnaround will get payment based on mutual agencies. imposed a complete lockdown. Soceur : FENEGOSIDA in the economy; but there are renewed understanding between the employees Hoteliers said that many hotels in During the lockdown, 91 percent of “If you think you’ve had trouble waves of infection and new variants and employers. Pokhara and Chitwan had been able to the hotels and restaurants were com- getting toilet paper in New York, of the virus, casting doubt on tourism In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, survive due to increased domestic pletely closed while more than 7 per- because of supply chain disruption, gasoline watch prospects.” the hospitality industry continued to traveller movement; but it’s a different cent remained partially opened, what do you think’s happening in According to him, the new agree- be significantly and adversely impact- story for hotels in Kathmandu as according to a Nepal Rastra Bank Chad and Niger and Mali and places ment is applicable until December 31, ed even after the government lifted the domestic travellers don’t dine and stay study released in August. like that?” 2021. “But if the tourism scenario lockdown; and things are unlikely to in tourist establishments here. An updated study published on Beasley stressed that the food sup- improves and hotel occupancy improve in the next few months, said The Panel of Tourism Experts of January 12 said that after the lock- ply system is “not broken” but that 10 increases, the agreement will become hotel owners. the United Nations World Tourism down was lifted in the third week of percent of the global population is in invalid.” The association said in a press Organisation has anticipated that the July, only 29.70 percent of the hotels extreme poverty and need to be As per the renewed agreement, all statement issued on Wednesday that it recovery in global tourism will begin and restaurants were in operation reached by suppliers and that the glob- employees working in five-star hotels was a force majeure situation--the in the third quarter of 2021. But fully, while 46.53 percent were operat- al pandemic exacerbated existing or resorts will get Rs5,000 per month. hotels cannot perform the contract roughly one in five panellists believes ing partially. problems. Earlier, it was Rs9,000 per month. due to circumstances beyond their the recovery won’t start before 2022. Nepal’s manufacturing and service He said that “with 270 million peo- Employees of four-star hotels and control. Under the agreement, the “Most experts do not see a return to sector reported the highest 50.51 per- ple on the brink of starvation, if we resorts will be paid Rs4,000 monthly. employees will not get festival or other pre-pandemic 2019 levels happening cent recovery in production or turno- don’t receive the support and the Earlier, it was Rs8,000 monthly. bonuses and travel allowances. before 2023. By regions, the largest ver after the lockdown was lifted. funds that we need, you will have mass Employees of three- and two-star “As the hotels will not remain total- share of experts pointing to a return Hotels and restaurants were at famine, starvation, you’ll have desta- establishments will receive Rs3,000 ly closed, the employees will be called to 2019 levels in 2023 or later are in the bottom of the list with an 18.11 bilization of nations and you’ll have and Rs2,500 monthly, respectively. for duty turn by turn,” the association Europe (74 percent) the Americas (71 percent recovery in their business mass migration. And the cost of that Earlier, they were getting Rs5,000 and said. “But the employees called by the percent) and Asia and the Pacific (66 transactions. is a thousand times more.” ByteDance cuts India Google revives Australia news platform workforce, unsure of BIZLINE launch amid content payment fight comeback after app ban REUTERS S YDNEY, JAN 27 Turkish Airlines partners with Nepal School Sports Federation REUTERS Google is reviving plans to launch its NEW DELHI, JAN 27 own news website in Australia within ByteDance in 2019 weeks, according to a local media out- China’s ByteDance is cutting the had laid out plans to let contracted to provide articles for size of its 2,000-plus India team and the venture, as the search giant fights is unsure when it will make a come- invest $1 billion in world-first proposed laws on content back, the company told employees in payments.The launch of the News an internal memo on Wednesday, India before TikTok Showcase product as early as next months after its popular TikTok video month is Google’s latest tactic in a app was banned. was banned. high-profile campaign against the The move came after India this Australian government’s planned leg- month decided to retain its ban on islation to make the company pay KATHMANDU: Turkish Airlines TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps Before the ban, India had been one local news providers for content that Kathmandu Nepal and The Nepal following responses from the compa- of TikTok’s largest markets and appears in its search engine. School Sports Federation (NSSF) have nies on issues such as compliance and ByteDance in 2019 had laid out plans Misha Ketchell, editor of the jointly announced a long term agree- privacy. to invest $1 billion in India. academic-penned newsite The REUTERS ment which will contribute towards The ban dates from last year when At the time of last year’s ban, the Conversation, said on Wednesday he Smartphone with google app icon is seen in front of the displayed Australian flag in this increasing the promotion of school political tension between the neigh- Indian government described the apps was approached by Google “to resume illustration photo. sports and tourism through the exten- bours rose over their disputed border. as prejudicial to the “sovereignty and discussions about launching the News sive network of Turkish Airlines. “We initially hoped that this situa- integrity of India”. Showcase product as soon as possible, content deals, negating the need for showing links to articles, not for pub- NSSF President Pradeep Joshi along tion would be short-lived...we find that The move followed a skirmish with potentially in February. We are work- government-mandated legislation. lishing news. with Secretary General Raj Kumar has not been the case,” ByteDance Chinese troops at a disputed ing with them on this”. A spokesman for Alphabet Inc “Right now, no website or search Karki and Turkish Airlines Nepal wrote in the memo which was seen Himalayan border site that killed 20 Google had announced plans to owned Google in Australia declined to engine pays to connect people to other General Manager Abdullah Tuncer by Reuters. Indian soldiers. launch News Showcase in Australia comment on Wednesday. Two other sites through links,” Silva said in the Kececi signed a memorandum of “We simply cannot responsibly stay In the United States, the previous last June, signing deals with seven local publishers confirmed they had undated post. “This law would change understanding during a signing cere- fully staffed while our apps remain Trump administration ordered small local outlets, including The content details in place for the news that, making Google pay to provide mony held at the Turkish Airlines un-operational...we don’t know when ByteDance to divest TikTok citing Conversation, for content. It subse- site, without discussing recent talks. links for the first time in our history.” Nepal premises. The collaboration we will make a comeback in India” national security concerns, and quently delayed the launch, citing reg- Google Australia Chief Executive Under the planned laws, Google and will be implemented particularly In a statement, the company said sought to impose restrictions that ulatory conditions, when Australia’s Mel Silva told a parliamentary hear- social media behemoth Facebook Inc through the contribution to strength- it was disappointing that despite would have effectively barred its use. competition regulator published a ing last week the company would pull must negotiate binding commercial ening the school sports and tourism its efforts it had not received a TikTok has also come under scruti- draft copy of the proposed media bar- its flagship search tool from Australia contracts with Australian outlets sector, reads the press release issued clear direction on how and when its ny in Australia for any risks it gaining code. if the laws, the first of their kind in whose content drives traffic to their by the airline. With this joint collabo- apps could be reinstated. It did not may pose to users from around poten- The decision to push ahead with the the world, went ahead. platforms. If they can’t strike a deal, ration Turkish Airlines Nepal will specify how many employees would tial foreign interference and data pri- launch was an apparent show of In a post on its local website, the government will appoint an arbi- provide discounted individual fares lose their jobs. vacy issues. Google’s willingness to run its own Silva says Google opposes paying for trator to do it for them. or group fares and extra luggage facilities to the school participants.

Himalaya Airlines and Yeti Airlines join hands for No Brexit bonfire for City of London, but it won’t be a ‘rule taker’ network integration KATHMANDU: Himalaya Airlines and REUTERS “We’re not looking for a bonfire of financial rules in return for market ers—we must be rule makers. We need While trading in euro shares and Yeti Airlines have entered into a stra- LONDON, JAN 27 regulation, we’re not looking for a access, McGuinness said: “I would to look at what our strengths are some derivatives has left for other tegic business partnership for inte- move away from international stand- hope that equivalence decisions could and what we need to do to build on European centres—with some to New gration of network, expansion of London has no desire for a bonfire of ards—absolutely not,” McGuinness be made because they ought to be them effectively—and hopefully that’s York—after Brexit, no one European sales growth and for gradual exten- regulations to retain its position as a said. “We’re not expecting any major pragmatic and we are completely against the framework of internation- competitor has dominated and so sion of support in e-commerce func- top international finance centre after deregulation at all.” aligned in terms of rules.” al regulations that we will help London views New York, Shanghai, tionalities of both the companies. Brexit but it is ready to act if the Asked if it was worth Britain seek- It would be irrational of the EU to to shape.” Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore as The first agreement to this effect of European Union blocks access, the ing so-called equivalence, essentially refuse, she said. The EU says it wants to examine its true rivals. Application Programming Interface City of London’s political leader said. agreeing to stay aligned with EU “It’s clear that we can’t be rule tak- planned UK divergence from EU rules Some elements of the bond, deriva- (API) was signed by the representa- While it is still the only global cen- before deciding on any UK access. tives and capital markets had moved tives of both the companies at a small tre to rival New York, London has seen London’s Brexit job losses so far to after Brexit, McGuinness said, though ceremony held on Wednesday. The some business and job losses since the the EU were around 7,500, McGuinness London retained by far the deepest agreement includes airlines invento- shock 2016 Brexit vote and financial said, still at the low end of the range capital markets in its time zone. ry for ticket issuance & ancillary services were largely forgotten by predicted by investment consultant The finance sector pays more than products and is aimed at facilitating British leaders during EU divorce Oliver Wyman which said in 2016 that 10 percent of Britain’s tax bill, but different passenger segments of both negotiations, cutting the City off from the British capital could shed 65,000 to McGuinness said in 2019 that British the airlines making their products its biggest single customer. 75,000 jobs in a sector that employs a leaders were throwing it under a bus available in each other’s website for “It’s disappointing to lose business million people. during Brexit negotiations by focus- easy accessibility; however the imple- but it’s not at all catastrophic,” London dominates the world’s $6.6 ing on the goods trade and largely mentation process will take some Catherine McGuinness, who leads the trillion-a-day foreign exchange mar- ignoring finance. Britain’s trade deal time for completion, reads the state- ancient financial district’s ruling ket, it is the biggest centre for interna- with the EU, clinched last month, does ment issued by the airlines. Through body, the City of London Corporation, tional banking and the second largest not cover financial market access. the websites of both airlines, passen- told Reuters. fintech hub in the world after the “It was disappointing, it was very gers will get the benefit to book con- The City, McGuinness said, neither United States. surprising. I’ve speculated it’s because necting flights of their choice both wanted nor expected Prime Minister New York retained the top spot in a fish is more picturesque than finance, nationally and internationally in the Boris Johnson’s government to light survey of global financial centres pub- it may be that we don’t tell our own selective destinations that Yeti “a bonfire of regulations”. Still, a lished in September by Global story well enough or perhaps they felt Airlines, Tara Air and Himalaya financial capital the size of London REUTERS Financial Centres Index, with London the sector was big enough it make its Airlines operate flights. could not be a “rule taker”, she said. The sun rises behind the skyline of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London, in London. strengthening its position in second. own way,” she said.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 | 06 world Briefing Vaccine row escalates as Protesting farmers Bangladesh to move more Rohingya to remote island return to camp after NEW DELHI: Bangladesh is preparing to EU grapples with delays move 2,000-3,000 more Rohingya Muslim refugees to the remote Bay of In a further sign of fraught relations, a second EU official said the company had Bengal island of Bhasan Char this storming Indian fort week, a navy officer in charge of the pulled out of a meeting with the European Union scheduled for Wednesday. island said on Wednesday. “Most A SsociATED PRESS The protesting farmers’ groups probably, they will be taken to REUTERS NEW DELHI, JAN 27 were scheduled to meet later on Chittagong tomorrow and the next BRUSSELS, JAN 27 Wednesday to discuss the future day, they will be sent to Bhasan char Leaders of a protest movement sought course of action. Another march is from there,” Navy Commodore The European Union is asking on Wednesday to distance themselves planned for February 1 when the Modi Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury AstraZeneca to publish the contract it from a day of violence when government is scheduled to present told Reuters, referring to the nearest signed with the bloc on Covid-19 thousands of farmers stormed India’s the annual budget in Parliament. sea port. “Last time, we had prepara- vaccine supplies, an EU official said historic Red Fort, the most dramatic As the protests have gathered tions for 700 to 1,000 but finally more on Wednesday, as frustrations over moment in two months of strength, they have rattled the than 1,800 Rohingya moved there. delivery delays bubble to the surface. demonstrations that have grown into government like never before since People who moved earlier are calling Vaccine rollouts in the European a major challenge of Prime Minister they form the most influential voting their relatives and friends to go Union have been slow compared with Narendra Modi’s government. bloc in India and are also crucial to there. That’s why more people are some other regions, especially former Farmers demanding the repeal of its economy. But political analyst going there.” EU member Britain, exacerbated by new agricultural laws briefly took Arti Jerath said Tuesday’s violence AstraZeneca and Pfizer both announc- over of the 17th-century fort, and could dampen their power. ing holdups in recent weeks. images broadcast live on television “The Supreme Court has all along India court suspends ruling The EU move follows an interview shocked the nation. In a particularly said the farmers can continue with on man who molested girl with newspapers on Tuesday in which bold rebuke to Modi’s Hindu- the protest without disrupting the NEW DELHI: India’s top court on AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said nationalist government, the protest- life in New Delhi,” she said. “Tuesday’s Wednesday suspended a lower court’s the EU contract was based on a REUTERS ers hoisted a Sikh religious flag. development has given the ruling reducing the punishment for a best-effort clause and did not commit AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot has said the EU contract was based on a best-effort clause At least one protester died, and government a handle to go to the man who groped a girl after the ver- the company to a specific timetable for and did not commit the company to a specific timetable for deliveries. several demonstrators were injured, top court and say see this is dict sparked an outcry in a country deliveries. as were more than 300 police officers, precisely what it was fearing that it where crimes against women have AstraZeneca had previously and there are concerns the violence would turn violent.” become politically contentious. announced a cut in supplies to the Wuhan next-of-kin say China silencing them as WHO visits could undermine the protest Cracks appeared on Wednesday in Rights groups and politicians had EU in the first quarter, which an movement that has thus far been the protest movement when a former warned that the lower court’s deci- EU official told Reuters last week WUHAN: Relatives of Wuhan’s corona- But pressure has escalated in recent largely peaceful and is growing in convener of the farmers’ umbrella sion could undermine efforts to crack amounted to a 60 percent reduction to virus dead on Wednesday said Chinese days, apparently to muzzle any criti- strength. organisation disassociated himself down on assaults on girls and women 31 million doses caused by production authorities have deleted their social cism and avoid embarrassment dur- The farmers—many of them Sikhs from the group after Tuesday’s in India, which in 2018 introduced the issues at a factory in Belgium. media group and are pressuring them ing the highly sensitive WHO investi- from the major agricultural states of violent clashes. death penalty for rapes of girls under In a further sign of fraught rela- to keep quiet while a World Health gation. A group on social media plat- Punjab and Haryana—are demanding VM Singh said he was ready to hold the age of 12. The High Court of tions, a second EU official said the Organization team is in the city to form WeChat used by 80 to 100 family the repeal of new laws that talks with the government on Bombay last week punished the man, company had pulled out of a meeting investigate the pandemic’s origins. members over the past year was sud- they fear will favour large corporate legislation guaranteeing a minimum convicted of pressing the breasts of a with the European Union scheduled Scores of relatives have banded denly deleted without explanation agriculture and leave smallholders support price for wheat and rice. He 12-year-old girl through her clothes, for Wednesday. together online in a shared quest for about 10 days ago, said Zhang Hai, a behind. The government insists the said he is no longer seeking the repeal under a less-stringent penal code Minutes later, Austrian Health accountability from Wuhan officials group member and a vocal critic of laws will benefit farmers and of the three new laws. instead of a 2012 law protecting chil- Minister Rudolf Anschober said the who they blame for mishandling the the outbreak’s handling. boost production through private Protest organiser United Farmers’ dren from sexual offences. meeting had been postponed to outbreak that tore through the city “This shows that [Chinese authori- investment, but, in the face of Front sought to distance the move- Thursday. one year ago. ties] are very nervous. They are afraid protests, it has offered to suspend ment from the violence, accusing two AstraZeneca initially declined to The effort has thus far been thwart- that these families will get in touch them for 18 months. The farmers want outside groups of sabotage by infil- UN rights chief seeks sanctions comment-but later said the meeting ed by official obstruction, monitoring with the WHO experts,” said Zhang, nothing less than a full repeal. trating their movement. against Sri Lanka generals would take place on Wednesday as of social media groups and intimida- 51, whose father died early in the pan- On Tuesday, more than 10,000 “Even if it was a sabotage, we can’t originally planned. tion, say next-of-kin. demic of suspected Covid-19. (AFP) tractors and thousands more people escape responsibility,” said Yogendra GENEVA: The UN human rights chief The EU contract with AstraZeneca on foot or horseback moved into the Yadav, another protest leader. has called for an International is an advance purchase agreement for capital, shoving aside barricades Yadav said frustration had built up Criminal Court investigation into Sri the supply of at least 300 million doses official said. “Obviously you cannot up to meet the needs of a specific and buses blocking their path and at among the protesting farmers and Lanka’s Tamil separatist conflict and provided that the vaccine is approved put a completely legal obligation” agreement, the vaccine produced from times met by police using tear gas and asked, “how do you control it if the sanctions on military officials as safe and effective. under these conditions. The official any supply chain is dedicated to the water cannons. government is not serious about accused of war crimes. Michelle The EU official said on Wednesday said however that best effort meant relevant countries or regions and “The situation is normal now. The what they have been demanding for Bachelet accused Sri Lanka of reneg- that details revealed by Soriot on pro- that the company had to show an makes use of local manufacturing protesters have left the streets of two months?” ing on promises to ensure justice for duction capacity and best-effort clause “overall” effort to develop and deliver wherever possible.” the capital,” New Delhi police officer Several roads were closed thousands of civilians killed in the were confidential. vaccines. Philanthropist Bill Gates, in an Anto Alphonse said on Wednesday again on Wednesday near the final stages of the 37-year separatist The official added that the AstraZeneca said in a statement on interview with Reuters, called the morning. police headquarters and war that ended a decade ago. best-effort clause was standard in con- Wednesday: “Each supply chain was rollout of vaccines a “super hard Hundreds of police are now guard- Connaught Place, a shopping “Domestic initiatives for accountabil- tracts with manufacturers of products developed with input and investment allocation problem” that was putting ing the fort, while the farmers have area close to government offices, ity and reconciliation have repeatedly that are in development. from specific countries or internation- pressure on global institutions, returned to their camp at the edge following a protest by some retired failed to produce results, more deeply “Best effort is a completely al organisations based on the supply governments and drugmakers. of the capital, where they have hun- Delhi police officers demanding entrenching impunity, and exacerbat- standard clause when you are signing agreements, including our agreement “Every politician is under pressure kered down since November. They prosecution of the protesting farmers ing victims’ distrust in the system,” a contract with a company for a with the European Commission. to go bid for their country to get have said they will stay until the farm who engaged in violence, the Press she said in the report. (AGENCIES) product that does not yet exist,” the “As each supply chain has been set further up in line,” Gates said. laws are repealed. Trust of India news agency said. Russian parliament approves extension of START nuclear treaty New START expires on Feb. 5. After taking office last week, Biden pro- posed extending the treaty for five years, and the Kremlin quickly wel- comed the offer. The treaty, signed in 2010 by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, and envisages sweeping on-site inspec- tions to verify compliance. Biden indicated during the cam- paign that he favoured the preserva- tion of the New START treaty, which was negotiated during his tenure as AP/rss US vice president. Russia has long In this file photo, Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missiles roll in Red Square during the Victory proposed prolonging the pact without Day military parade marking the anniversary of the Nazi defeat in Moscow, Russia. any conditions or changes, but the Trump administration waited until Associated Press in the next few days. last year to start talks and made the MOSCOW, JAN 27 The pact’s extension doesn’t require extension contingent on a set of congressional approval in the US, but demands. The talks stalled, and Russian lawmakers on Wednesday Russian lawmakers must ratify the months of bargaining have failed to quickly approved the extension move and Putin has to sign the rele- narrow differences. of the last remaining nuclear Russia- vant bill into law. The negotiations were also marred US arms control, a fast-track Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei by tensions between Russia and the action that comes just days before it’s Ryabkov told lawmakers that the United States, which have been fuelled due to expire. extension will be validated by by the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow’s Both houses of parliament voted exchanging diplomatic notes once all meddling in the 2016 US presidential unanimously to extend the New the procedures are completed. election and other irritants. START treaty for five years, a day Upper house Speaker Valentina After both Moscow and Washington after a phone call between US Matvienko said after the vote that the withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate- President Joe Biden and Russian decision to extend the pact shows that Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, President Vladimir Putin. The Russia and the US can reach agree- New START is the only remaining Kremlin said they agreed to complete ments on major issues despite the nuclear arms control deal between the REUTERS the necessary extension procedures tensions between them. two countries. Mount Merapi volcano spews hot ash as seen from Kaliurang in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

Republicans unite behind failed effort to challenge Trump trial REUTERs was released after an examination, his constitutional, arguing that presidents who WASHINGTON, JAN 27 spokesman, David Carle, said in a state- engage in misconduct late in their terms There is a debate over ment. Some Republican senators who should not be immune from the very pro- Forty-five Senate Republicans backed a backed Paul’s motion said their vote on cess set out in the Constitution for holding failed effort on Tuesday to halt former whether the Senate Tuesday did not indicate how they might them accountable. President Donald Trump’s impeachment can hold a trial for come down on Trump’s guilt or innocence The Constitution makes clear that trial, in a show of party unity that some after a trial. impeachment proceedings can result in cited as a clear sign he will not be convicted Trump now that he “It’s a totally different issue as far as I’m disqualification from holding office in of inciting insurrection at the Capitol. concerned,” Republican Senator Rob the future, so there is still an active issue Republican Senator Rand Paul made a has left office. Portman told reporters. for the Senate to resolve, those scholars motion on the Senate floor that would have The senators voted after being sworn in have said. required the chamber to vote on whether as jurors for the impeachment trial. Fellow Republican Senator Lisa Trump’s trial in February violates the US where a loss is actually a victory,” Paul Democratic Senate Majority Leader Murkowski, who has been critical of Constitution. later told reporters. “Forty-five votes means Chuck Schumer, who moved to thwart Trump, rejected Paul’s move. The Democratic-led Senate blocked the the impeachment trial is dead on arrival.” Paul’s motion, dismissed the Republican “My review of it has led me to conclude motion in a 55-45 vote. But only five Paul and other Republicans contend that constitutional claim as “flat-out wrong” that it is constitutional, in recognising that Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to the proceedings are unconstitutional and said it would provide “a constitutional impeachment is not solely about removing reject the move, far short of the 17 because Trump left office last Wednesday get-out-of-jail-free card” for presidents a president, it is also a matter of political Republicans who would need to vote to con- and the trial will be overseen by Democratic guilty of misconduct. consequence,” Murkowski told reporters vict Trump on an impeachment charge that Senator Patrick Leahy instead of by US There is a debate among scholars over on Tuesday. he incited the January 6 Capitol assault Chief Justice John Roberts. whether the Senate can hold a trial for She joined fellow Republicans Mitt that left five people dead. Leahy, 80, was briefly hospitalised on Trump now that he has left office. Many Romney, Susan Collins, Ben Sasse and “It’s one of the few times in Washington Tuesday evening after not feeling well but experts have said “late impeachment” is Patrick Toomey in opposing Paul.

C M Y K 07 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 Sports | Medley Briefing All-rounder Karki stars as APF enter final Man City have Arsenal sign Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard on loan APF edge defending champions and fierce rivals Nepal Police Club in Prime Minister Cup semi-finals by 30 runs. the firepower LONDON: Arsenal have signed Real SPORTS BUREAU Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard KATHMANDU, Jan 27 on loan until the end of the season, despite De the two clubs announced on An all-round performance from Wednesday. Odegaard, 22, has made Bhuvan Karki guided Nepal Armed only three La Liga starts for Real and Police Force Club to the final of the was also linked with a move to Bruyne absence Prime Minister Cup National one- Spanish rivals Real Sociedad, where day cricket tournament as they he spent last season on loan, helping edged defending champions and REUTERS the club to finish sixth and qualify for arch rival Nepal Police Club by 30 LONDON, Jan 27 the Europa League. “It’s great that runs in the semi-final on Wednesday. we’ve secured Martin to come to us The man-of-the-match Karki If their Premier League title rivals hoped the until the end of the season,” Arsenal scored 42 runs in batting and absence of injured Kevin De Bruyne might slow manager Mikel Arteta said in a state- claimed four wickets for the APF, down Manchester City’s charge they were left ment. Odegaard, who made his who will meet the winners of the disappointed on Tuesday as Pep Guardiola’s side Norway debut at the age of 15, joined second semi-final between annihilated West Bromwich Albion 5-0 to go top. Real as a 16-year-old in 2015 but found Tribhuvan Army Club and Bagmati The Belgian playmaker faces several weeks out it difficult to break into the first Province in the summit clash on with a muscle injury but City’s 11th successive team, spending loan spells at Dutch Saturday. Army and Bagmati will win in all competitions showed they have the sides Heerenveen and Vitesse lock horns on Thursday. firepower to cope without him. City scored three Arnhem. Arsenal sit eighth in the Put into bat first at the TU times in the opening half hour at The Hawthorns Premier League. grounds, APF garnered 203-9 in the as they moved to 41 points from 19 games, one allotted 50 overs and bowled out more than Manchester United and significantly their fierce rivals for 173 runs in seven more than struggling champions Liverpool. Cologne rope in former Crystal 49.2 overs. Two goals form Ilkay Gundogan and one from Palace player Max Meyer APF had a shaky start to their Joao Cancelo finished the match as a contest and BERLIN: Former Germany internation- innings and were 43-4 in 13.5 overs. Riyad Mahrez made it 4-0 just before the break. al Max Meyer returned to the But decent contributions from The only surprise was that City only added a Bundesliga on Wednesday after sign- Shankar Rana, Sundeep Jora and Raheem Sterling goal to their tally in the second ing with Cologne following the mid- Karki propelled them to the moder- half. While City are threatening to take a stran- fielder’s departure from Crystal ate target. Opener Asif Sheikh was glehold at the summit, the situation below them Palace this month by mutual consent. out for one run while his opening remains fluid with West Ham United the latest The 25-year-old, who last played in partner Subash Khakurel contrib- team to break into the top four. the Bundesliga for Schalke 04 before uted 19 runs. Skipper Sharad Two goals from Thomas Soucek earned West leaving for England in 2018, signed a Vesawkar hit 18 runs and number Ham a 3-2 victory at London rivals Crystal Palace contract until the end of the season. five batsman Sumit Maharjan was who had taken the lead in the second minute “What was decisive for me was the out for one run. through Wilfried Zaha. West Ham’s fourth suc- prospect of playing,” Meyer, who had But highest scorer Rana, who cessive league win moved them above Tottenham struggled at Palace, said. “I want to contributed 44 runs, and Jora Post Photo: Hemanta Shrestha Hotspur and Liverpool who meet on Thursday. use the chance at Cologne to present shared a 64-run partnership for the Nepal APF Club’s Bhuvan Karki scored 42 runs and claimed four wickets against Nepal Police Club at the TU grounds on Wednesday. “The players have been exceptional with myself at top level and help the club fifth wicket before the latter was how they have played, they really have been and to stay up.” Meyer won four caps for dismissed for 34 runs. Jora hit three kitty while Abinash Bohara top order batsman, was forced to Police’s fightback. Airee hit 33 off they want more,” West Ham manager David Germany, his last one dating back to boundaries and a six. Rana, the remained not out for 11 runs. bat as number 10 batsman due to 69, Sah contributed 21 off 44 and Moyes said. 2016. Cologne, who said Meyer accept- next wicket to fall, hit four bounda- Police all-rounder Aarif Sheikh, injury. He was out for 16 runs. Sarraf, the highest scorer for Police, Arsenal avenged Saturday’s FA Cup defeat by ed a considerable pay cut to join, are ries in his 96-ball knock before who picked leg injury in the 46th The defending champions Police scored 40 off 61. Rashid Khan was Southampton to beat the Saints 3-1 on the south in 16th place on the relegation playoff being caught by Sunil Dhamala off over during fielding, grabbed three made a poor start to their run chase the other remarkable contributor coast—their fifth win in six league games mov- spot. Dipendra Singh Airee. wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi and losing three wickets for 15 runs. scoring 34 runs off 51. ing them up to eighth. Stuart Armstrong had put Karki, who came to bat at num- Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two They lost openers Sunil Dhamala APF’s Karki came up with an the hosts in front but goals from Nicolas ber seven, hit one four and two wickets each. Sheikh conceded 31 (3) and Kushal Bhurtel (0) and Amit economical figure conceding 21 Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette Murray to play in Italy after sixes in his 56-ball knock. He was runs in his 10-over spell with a Shrestha (8) cheaply. runs in his 9.2 overs spell with a sealed an impressive win for Mikel Arteta’s reju- stumped by wicketkeeper Anil Sah. maiden over. But middle order batsmen maiden over. Kamal Airee, Abinash venated side. Australian Open withdrawal Kamal Airee was another notable Sheikh, one of the consistent per- Dipendra Singh Airee, Anil Sah Bohara and Vesawkar pocketed two The pressure continues to pile up on Newcastle ROME: Former world number one contributor with 19 runs in his formers for Police with bat and a and Pawan Sarraf gave life to wickets each. United manager Steve Bruce after they lost 2-1 at Andy Murray will compete in a chal- home to Leeds United—a defeat that leaves them lenger tournament in Biella next in 16th place with 19 points, but having played month following his Australian Open more games than the two sides immediately withdrawal, the Italian Tennis below them. Raphinha put Leeds ahead and Federation confirmed on Wednesday. although Miguel Almiron levelled, Leeds went Three-time Grand Slam winner Biratnagar crush Chandrapur 5-0 to register first win ahead again almost instantly through Jack Murray was forced to pull out of the Harrison, leaving Newcastle with only two points first major of 2021 in Melbourne after SPORTS BUREAU Sarita made it three after the break opening game. from the last 27 available in the league. he was unable to find what he called a KATHMANDU, Jan 27 when her shot from outside the box went “We had faced Biratnagar before and expected In a Premier League season of wild unpredict- ‘workable quarantine’ following a straight into the net in the 63rd minute. to win. But we did not. Nor were we expecting ability, City are beginning to look ominously in positive Covid -19 test on January 14. Kusum Khatiwada scored a hat-trick as Player of the match Khatiwada then scored two such a heavy loss,” said Chandrapur assistant the sort of groove that helped them claim back- The indoor tournament in Biella, Biratnagar Metropolitan City overpowered within a span of two minutes--first taking advan- coach Chitra Darlami Magar. “We have a defen- to-back titles before Liverpool knocked them off which begins on February 15 and has Chandrapur Municipality 5-0 on Wednesday to tage of the miscommunication between goal- sive crisis. Our key defenders are injured which their perch last season. Even without De Bruyne 132,000 euros of prize money, will register their first win in the National Women’s keeper and defenders in the 69th minute and her has badly affected our game.” and Sergio Aguero they looked frightening in mark the 33-year-old’s first appear- Football League. Anu Rai and Sarita Sherpa were third came in the 70th minute from another Biratnagar, meanwhile, jumped to fourth with attack against a West Brom side who have lost all ance at a challenger event since com- also on the score sheet in the day’s only game at counter attack. maximum four points and are level with four home league games since Sam Allardyce peting in Mallorca in August 2019. the ANFA Complex. Chandrapur—boosted from a 7-1 win over Tribhuvan Army Club after playing a 1-1 draw took charge. Murray, now ranked 123 in the world Biratnagar were a consistent threat in the Chaudandigadhi Municipality two days against Waling in the opening match and losing Bottom club Sheffield United are next in City’s after battling his way back from two counter attack from the early hour and got their ago—could have leapfrogged Nepal Police Club to to APF 7-0 on January 24. firing line. “The way we play, everyone is involved hip operations, could face the likes of first goal when Khatiwada beat Chandrapur goal- second had they beaten Biratnagar but instead “Our attacking strategy certainly worked in the attack and the play and create chances and world number 54 Alejandro keeper Yunish Rai for a fine finish. Anu then slip to fifth in the standings with only today and players were outstanding. It is nice to try to score chances—it doesn’t matter, it is Davidovich Fokina and number 74 doubled the lead brilliantly, chipping the goal- three points from three matches. They slumped walk home with three points at the end of the important to arrive in the box and create Lucas Pouille. (AGENCIES) keeper in the 32nd minute. to Armed Police Force (APF) Club 6-0 in their day,” said Biratnagar coach Paras Chaudhary. chances,” Guardiola said. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) ***** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** Friends are the family you choose for yourself, You might think you’re seeing double today. A fast and furious stream of information could Sure, you have a lot of decisions to make right and you have chosen very well! That will become Your eyes could be playing some serious tricks be coming at you today, and you need to do your now, but don’t think that you have to spend the all the more apparent today when someone on you, especially when they are trained on best to avoid it. Hide under your desk, turn off same amount of time making each one. Act backs you up in a potentially embarrassing someone whose opinions you value highly. your phone, and lose your passwords. Make more quickly than you usually do. Don’t waste situation. yourself harder to get hold of. too much time mulling things over.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) ***** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) **** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** Be mindful that when you’re communicating The modest kitten deep down inside of you has Someone you thought you’d never see again Your fabulous attitude can help you overcome your feelings, sometimes the other people aren’t been slowly turning into a very proud lion over could pop back on the scene today. There won’t silly little details today. Move on to deal with the paying attention. It’s not because what you feel the past few months, and you’re becoming more be direct contact, but there will still be a chance bigger picture when it comes to where you are isn’t interesting, and it’s not because they don’t and more aware of your power. Today, you’ll to learn something from the encounter. and where you want to be. You will be blissfully care how you feel. have a wonderful opportunity to flex. removed from all drama.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) *** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) **** PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** Has a recent spending spree left you feeling just If you’re looking for some help to develop your It’s time you got reacquainted with the bolder, Your feelings won’t always be the same as the a bit regretful? Today, if you can undo any of the self-discipline, you need only look in the mirror. more aggressive you! The milder, more passive feelings of the most important person in your damage, you should. Take back whatever you No one can control you as well as you can con- you has been doing well for a while now, but life, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your don’t need, and make a promise to yourself to be trol yourself, so stop looking for outside solu- today’s events could require you to do a lot of feelings for each other are going to dissolve any a little bit thriftier. tions for your inner issues. questioning. Be prepared. time soon either. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 With many hungry for content, Sundance market heats up With more than 72 feature films debuting, the 2021 Festival, which kicks off on Thursday, is shaping up to be a robust market.

LINDSEY BAHR over $17.5 million (a record) for N ew York the worldwide rights to the Andy Samberg comedy “Palm Springs.” hree years ago, film- “Boys State” also got a $12 million makers Julie Cohen deal from Apple and A24. This and Betsy West got a year there is an added anxiety dream Sundance about content since many produc- debut. They premiered tions were put on hold because of their film “RBG” to a the pandemic. Tsold-out crowd with Justice Ruth But there’s also opportunity in Bader Ginsburg not only in attend- the fact that there could be a big- ance but seeing it for the first ger and more diverse audience time. There was a standing ova- seeing the films who may never tion, a bidding war and a big sale. have had the opportunity to attend It also went on to be a major the expensive festival. The cost of awards contender. It’s the kind of entry for the virtual films is $15 a Sundance experience most film- ticket and many are sold out. makers fantasise about. “Taking Sundance off the This year they’re returning to mountain and to the whole coun- the festival with their follow-up, try will be a beautiful way to com- “My Name is Pauli Murray” about mune together over our shared the somewhat obscure legal trail- love and need for artistic expres- blazer, and while their excitement sion,” said McIntosh. remains high, the festival itself There have already been a few will be quite different. Like so pre-Festival deals. RLJE Films on many in the past year, Sundance has had to reinvent itself as a mostly virtual experience. This year, Amazon Still, the 2021 Festival which kicks off Thursday is shaping up and Netflix are to be a robust market for compa- nies looking for content. More some of the than 72 feature films are debuting over the seven days. biggest players It’s slimmed-down lineup from the previous years’ 118 and in the game. some already have ways to get to AP/RSS audiences, like Robin Wright’s This image released by the Sundance Institute shows Christopher Abbott (left) and Jerrod Carmichael in a scene from On the Count of Three, an official selection of the US “Land” and “Judas and the Black Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Tuesday announced that it had Messiah,” which will both be acquired the Nicolas Cage film available to the masses in the com- al debut “Passing,” starring Ruth Cohen and West’s “My Name is and the Timur Bekmambetov- judge movies a little more objec- “Prisoners of the Ghostland,” ing weeks. But many this year are Negga and Tessa Thompson as two Pauli Murray” is among the sales produced social media age Romeo tively because we’re not necessari- Magnolia Pictures took the rights acquisition titles seeking distribu- light-skinned Black women who titles as is Mariem Pérez Riera’s and Juliet riff “R#J.” ly influenced by a crowd who to “A Glitch in the Matrix” from tion deals. choose to live on opposite sides of “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who There are boundless “discov- stands up to cheer it at the end.” “Room 237” director Rodney “Buyers and sellers have found the color line in 1929 New York. Decided to Go For It,” which exam- ery” opportunities for parties And indeed, for better or worse, Ascher, Bleecker Street snagged a rhythm for conducting business Jerrod Carmichael is making his ines how the entertainer battled looking beyond the flashy names that in-person energy has often the Ed Helms drama “Together at virtual markets, to great suc- debut with the dark satire “On the racism to become one of the few who might just stumble upon the played a role in negotiating the Together” and Juno Films picked cess. And consumers are continu- Count of Three” with Christopher performers to win an Emmy, next Ryan Coogler or Damien price. Sometimes the hype is up the documentary “The Most ing to ask for more content,” said Abbott and Tiffany Haddish. Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Lucy Chazelle. warranted, and you get a “Little Beautiful Boy” about Swedish Deb McIntosh, an SVP at Endeavor Questlove is too with his opening Walker has a documentary about As Sundance programmer Kim Miss Sunshine.” actor Bjorn Andresen. But many Content. “I’m confident that we’ll night documentary “Summer Of the history of wildfires, “Bring Yutani said, “You don’t really But other times off the moun- are holding back pre-screenings find distribution partners for all Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Your Own Brigade” and Jonas know what these films are until tain, the glow fades and compa- and waiting until the actual of our films.” Could Not Be Televised).” Zoe Poher Rasmussen will debut his you see them.” nies are left with a flop. Prices Sundance premiere. Julie Dansker, an executive at Lister-Jones also reunites with animated refugee documentary Audience enthusiasm for a par- have also been going up steadily “I’m still excited,” said Hall, Shout! Studios, is coming to the her “Craft: Legacy” star Cailee “Flee.” ticular film might be harder to due to the influx of deep-pocketed whose “Passing” premieres virtual festival looking for films to Spaeny for “How It Ends,” co-star- And then there’s the more judge virtually, though. streaming companies who don’t Saturday. “But would I rather that buy and Sundance, she said, ring Olivia Wilde and Fred unconventional efforts like anima- “There’s all this energy that have to worry as much or at all we were all together wandering always offers a variety of films Armisen. And “CODA,” a day one tor Dash Shaw’s psychedelic happens at a festival when you’re about box office returns. through the snow, freezing cold from established and emerging tal- film from Sian Heder about a child “Cryptozoo,” featuring the voices in person that is hard to translate Six years ago, Amazon and and, you know, trudging down ents. of deaf adults, is expected to be of Lake Bell, Michael Cera and to a virtual environment,” said Netflix both struggled to get titles. Main Street? Yes, I would, because This year there are high profile one of the breakouts. Grace Zabriskie. Or Nattawut Jordan Fields, head of acquisi- Now, the streamers are some of that communal experience is part projects from well-known names As always, the documentary sec- Poonpiriya’s Wong Kar-Wai pro- tions for Shout! Studios. “But on the biggest players in the game. of it.” like actor Rebecca Hall’s directori- tions are fertile ground for buyers. duced drama “One for the Road” the upside, it gives us the ability to Last year saw Hulu and NEON pay — Associated Press For one survivor, Holocaust memories live on only in faded photos Leah Nebenzahl was a baby when her parents were murdered in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Reuters In her home in Jerusalem, JERUSALEM Nebenzahl held up a photograph of herself as a baby. Her mother or some survivors of the had sent it to the infant’s grand- Holocaust, the vow to mother after her birth in 1942. “never forget” takes on “She signs as if she was me: a special meaning when ‘Leah Herschman’—and that’s they have only faded how I learned my name that was memories, or none at given to me by my parents. This is Fall, of parents they lost as young the only source. That’s why this is children. a historic photograph,” she said. Leah Nebenzahl was a baby Another photograph shows a when her parents, Pipha and Zvi woman clutching a baby. Herschman, were murdered in “There is no doubt that I am the Nazi-occupied Poland. baby, and I assume that the woman The Jewish infant, rescued by a who holds me is my mother, but priest who placed her in an it’s not very clear because nothing orphanage run by nuns, survived was written [on the back of the World War Two as the adopted photo],” she said. daughter of a Christian couple. After the war, Leah’s aunt Reuters On Wednesday, Holocaust survi- learned that her sister had given Talash practises breakdancing during a training session in Kabul, Afghanistan. vors mark the 76th anniversary of birth. the liberation of the Auschwitz The aunt won a court custody death camp by Soviet troops. battle against the adoptive parents The stories and photos of in Poland and brought the child to Jewish youngsters, some of them Israel in 1949 after Leah was Afghanistan’s first female breakdancer orphans like Leah who were housed temporarily in one of the placed in seven children’s homes children’s homes featured in the for survivors in Europe after the Yad Vashem exhibit. war, are part of a new online exhi- Now a great-grandmother, sets sights on Paris Olympics bition—”My Lost Childhood”—by Nebenzahl faces new risks from Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust a coronavirus pandemic that has museum. put the elderly particularly in 18-year-old Manizha Talash wouldn’t look out of place in a dance studio anywhere in the world, but in Many were reunited with rela- danger. tives and went on to live their lives But she said she still held fast to Afghanistan’s conservative, Islamic society, she stands out for being courageous enough to pursue her dream. in Israel, the United States, her life’s motto—”to turn dark- Canada, Latin America and other ness into light and bitter into Hameed Farzad start of a session at a mixed mar- Taliban more say in the country’s breakdancing athletes to the inter- places. sweet”. KABUL tial arts centre in Kabul. “I want to future, while the United States national community [at the become a good role model in prepares to withdraw its last Olympics].” hen 18-year- Afghanistan.” remaining troops. Breakdancing, an art form old Manizha Many conservative Afghans “When I think about the possi- which was born on the streets of Talash joined frown on dancing of any descrip- ble return of the Taliban and that New York City in the 1970s, was a small but tion, and even more vehemently maybe I cannot continue practis- among four sports, along with ardent break- object to a woman’s public partici- ing breakdancing, I become very skateboarding, sports climbing dancing com- pation—some of them violently. upset,” said Talash. “I want to be a and surfing, that the International Wmunity in Afghanistan a few Talash says she has received death role model, a person who has Olympic Committee agreed months ago she was the only threats, but she’s still dancing. achieved her dreams.” recently to add to the Paris Games woman, but she already aims to Just being female can be dan- Founded a year ago in Kabul, the in 2024 in an effort to attract a represent her country in one of gerous in Afghanistan. Girls club she belongs to now has over 30 younger, more urban audience. the latest sports to be admitted to schools were frequently targeted members, of whom six are female, “This [sport] is very tough, and the Olympics. by militants during the past two and they gather three times a week you have to have a strong physique Dressed head to ankle in black decades, and in May last year 24 to practice the acrobatic moves, to learn and do it....it isn’t easy, for training, Talash wouldn’t look people, including 16 mothers, were including headspins, that are hall- but nothing is easy, you can learn out of place in a dance studio any- killed in a horrific attack on a marks of breakdancing. and achieve the goal,” Talash said, where in the world, but in maternity ward. “I think it is very good that adding some moves require an Afghanistan’s conservative, Progressive-minded Afghans women can do such a sport like athlete to lift their entire body Islamic society she stands out for fear gains in women’s rights since break-dancing,” said breakdancer weight on one arm. being courageous enough to pur- a Taliban government was ousted and instructor Sajad Temurian. Talash doesn’t say so, but her sue her dream. in 2001 may be at risk as their gov- “We have four years to train bravery could be a more valuable Reuters “I want to be different,” Talash ernment engages in peace talks more girls in Afghanistan to intro- quality than her physical strength. A collection of Holocaust survivor Leah Nebenzahl’s family photographs are seen on told Reuters as she waited for the that could end up giving the duce at least one or two of them as — Reuters a table during her interview with Reuters in Jerusalem.

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