WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 40 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 36.2 C 8.6 C Tuesday, March 30, 2021 | 17-12-2077 Nepalgunj Jumla Oli is paying Nepal faction leaders with their own coin The UML chair suspends Madhav Nepal and Bhim Rawal as party’s general members for six months and asks Surendra Pandey and Ghanashyam Bhusal to furnish clarification.

TIKA R PRADHAN & ANIL GIRI The court order to revive the UML KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 and the Maoist Centre, broke, in essence, the alliance between Dahal Ever since the Supreme Court revived and Nepal, as the latter was left with the CPN-UML and the Communist no option than to return to the UML Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) on fold under Oli. March 7, KP Sharma Oli, the UML The party, in a letter sent to Nepal chair, has taken a series of decisions and Rawal, has stated that they are aimed at striking senior leader being given a final chance to mend Madhav Kumar Nepal with venge- their ways and work in favour of the ance. party. On Monday, the UML suspended “The party can reduce the Nepal, who led the party for 15 years suspension period if you mend your as former general secretary between ways. The party can take further 1993 and 2008, as well as Bhim Rawal, actions if you continue anti-party the party vice-chair, as general mem- activities,” reads the letter. bers for six months, saying the clarifi- Action against Nepal follows his cations they had furnished were not faction’s decision to continue parallel satisfactory. party committees as part of its strug- The party also decided to seek clari- gle against Oli and what it calls “Oli POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA fication from two other leaders, tendency”. Nepal national team and officials pose with the trophy after they beat Bangladesh 2-1 in the Three Nations Cup at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Monday. (Report on Pg 7) Surendra Pandey and Ghanshyam The Nepal faction which recently Bhusal. Though the party had asked organised a national gathering of the four leaders to furnish clarifica- leaders and cadres close to it has been tion, Pandey and Bhusal had holding meetings of its own leaders failed to respond. separately. Until the March 7 court Storm has been brewing in the Court seeks copies of Nepal’s and Bhattarai’s decision when the Nepal party for quite a while, as Oli has been Communist Party (NCP) trying to tighten the noose around was intact, Nepal, Rawal, Pandey Nepal and other leaders who once Cabinet decisions relating to Lalita Niwas case and Bhusal had sided with stood against him, even demanding Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his resignation. formed their own faction within After Nepal and other leaders The two former prime ministers were among key people spared by the anti-graft body the party. The Nepal Communist returned to the UML following the Party (NCP) was formed in court order, Oli amended the party which last year filed graft cases against 175 individuals, including three former ministers. May 2018 after the merger statute, making himself all-powerful of Oli’s UML and Dahal’s in the party. March 14, 2013. The Nepal-led Cabinet Maoist Centre. >> Continued on page 2 had decided to expand the area of the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar by giving certain land to fake tenants. Such a decision taken by the Cabinet on April 11 could not be implemented due to the refusal of the land reform office as per allegations made by a probe committee. Then, the Cabinet on May 14, decided to instruct the land revenue offices to implement the Cabinet decision. The Bhattarai-led Cabinet had allegedly decided to register govern- POST FILE PHOTO ment-owned land in the name of a Madhav Kumar Nepal Baburam Bhattarai guthi. As there cannot be tenants in the government lands, Bhattarai-led PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA vate individuals, be presented before Cabinet has been accused of facilitat- KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 the court. ing land dealers to get hold of the The court was responding to a writ prime lands through fake tenants. The Supreme Court has sought copies filed by advocate Balkrishna Neupane. “Originally, there was no ownership of the Cabinet decisions taken during Neupane had filed the case on of any guthi in any portion of disput- the tenures of former prime ministers February 10 last year. ed government land in Baluwatar and Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam The court has asked authorities to there were not a single tenant. But Bhattarai with regards to land trans- present the copies of the Cabinet deci- fake tenants were created after bring- fers of Lalita Niwas in Baluwatar. sions taken on April 11, 2010; May 14, ing certain land under the ownership Justices Anil Kumar Sinha and 2010; April 13, 2010 and October 4, 2012 of a guthi just to give the land to some Hari Phuyal ordered on Monday that and other documents through the interest groups,” said former secre- the copies of the Cabinet decisions Office of the Attorney General. tary Sharada Prasad Trital, under and other relevant documents, Nepal served as the prime minister whose leadership the government had including the proposals that were from May 25, 2009 to February 6, 2011. formed a probe committee on the made in relation to the transfer of Similarly, Bhattarai was the prime Baluwatar land scam. government lands in the name of pri- minister from August 29, 2011 to >> Continued on page 2 A Qatari woman aims to climb Everest to inspire women in her region Sheikha Asma Al Thani is on the quest to scale the tallest peaks in the seven continents and reach the two poles. Everest will be fourth of the nine feats.

SANGAM PRASAIN protocol of the Nepal government— KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 conducting the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test after arriving A Qatari woman is on a quest to com- in Nepal–Sheikha Asma will apply plete the Explorers Grand Slam– for the climbing permit,” said Ishwor reaching the summits of the seven Dotel, an official at TAGnepal. “She highest mountains in the seven conti- will be spending 45 days in Nepal for nents and the two poles. the Everest mission.” After reaching the North Pole, Asma of the Qatari royal family climbing 6,959 metres (22,831 feet) said she also wants to demonstrate Mount Aconcagua in South America women’s empowerment in Qatar while and 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) Mount inspiring a new generation of women Kilimanjaro in Africa, Sheikha across the region to dream bigger. Asma Al Thani’s sight is now set on “Through my journey, I aim to Everest. shatter the stereotypical image of the If she climbs the 8,848.86-metre traditional explorer and demonstrate (29,031. 69 feet) Everest, she will also women’s empowerment in Qatar be the first woman from her country while inspiring a new generation of to climb the mountain and 472nd from women across the region to dream the world, from the Nepal side. bigger,” she wrote on the website. A total of 6,507 mountaineers have The position of women from climbed Everest, which straddles POST COURTESY: SHEIKHA ASMA AL THANI the eight Gulf States–Bahrain, Iran, Nepal and China, from the south side Sheikha Asma first trekked to Everest Base Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi since 1953. Junko Tabei of Japan Camp in 2019. Arabia and the United Arab became the first woman to climb it in Emirates–is much behind other 1975. wrote on her website. countries which are economically on “In April/May this year, I will take Asma, the director of marketing par with them. on my biggest challenge yet, conquer- and communications for the Qatar Authorities in the Gulf view ing Mount Everest. I am only the third Olympic Committee, is scheduled to modernity as achievements in Qatari to ever attempt the climb and, land in Nepal on Thursday, her local economy, technology and education, if successful, I would become the first expedition organiser TAGnepal told while socio-political involvement is Qatari woman in history to stand 8,848 the Post. seen as problematic. [sic] metres above sea level,” Asma “After fulfilling the necessary travel >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Families of two youths who died in a Holi fair demand investigation A clash broke out during Holi celebratrions in Baglung on Sunday, leaving two dead and six injured.

PRAKASH BARAL A video of the clash became public BAGLUNG, MARCH 29 immediately after the incident but the police have not been able to arrest the Families of two youths who died in a perpetrators of the crime. clash during Holi celebrations in Following the incident, the Baglung on Sunday have refused to deceased’s wife had filed a complaint receive the bodies and demanded the at the Area Administration Office and arrest of the guilty at the earliest. Area Police Office in Burtibang According to the District Police demanding the arrest of the individu- Office in Baglung, Prakash Kunwar, als captured in the video and investi- 36, and Dipak Pariyar, 34, of Nisikhola gation into the case. Ward No. 7 died in the clash that took On Monday, an 11-member team, place at Baldechaur in Badigad Rural including District Police Chief Municipality ward no. 10. Krishna Bahadur Pallimagar, reached “The bodies of the deceased were the incident site to take stock of the found 400 metres from the incident situation. site. Six others have sustained inju- Chief District Officer of Baglung ries in the clash,” said Deputy Shiva Kumar Karki has vowed to give Superintendent of Police in Baglung full support to the police administra- Ikawal Hawari. tion in their search for the suspects. The post mortem of the bodies was A few days ago, the local adminis- conducted in Burtibang-based tration had issued a notice not to POST PHOTO: TULARAM PANDEY Primary Health Centre on Monday. organise fairs during the Holi festival. People take a pick-up truck across the Karnali river on a raft at Palata Rural Municipality, Kalikot. Local residents have to row their way across the river in the absence of a bridge. “We were observing the Holi festival But more than 600 individuals had in a fair at Baldechaur. There was a attended the Holi fair at Baldechaur, minor dispute which later turned into which lies in the border of Baglung, a violent mob attack. A large number Gulmi and Pyuthan district. of people started to attack us using “The programme was organised batons and stones. We don’t know the without any coordination. We have Court seeks copies of Nepal’s and Bhattarai’s Cabinet ... assailants,” said Mithu Pariyar, one of started an investigation into the mat- the injured individuals. ter,” said Karki. >> Continued from page 1 Nepal refused to comment on the ic of Oli. “We must be cautious about Nepal and Bhattarai are not policy On February 5 last year, the court’s order. Oli’s overall activities instead of decisions, it opens the door for the Commission for Investigation of Ever since the Supreme Court focusing on tidbits, and if we fail to anti-graft body to investigate and Abuse of Authority filed corruption scrapped the Nepal Communist Party stop Oli before it is too late, the coun- prosecute these two leaders as well charges against 175 individuals (NCP) and revived the UML and the try will plunge into a crisis.” as many other senior government Nepal Health Conclave to in relation to the Baluwatar land Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Many legal experts and anti-corrup- officials.” grab case. Centre) on March 7, things have not tion campaigners have for long been He said that in such a situation, the The anti-corruption body, however, looked good for Nepal. Nepal had calling for an end to suspicious deci- anti-graft body should investigate all be held on April 6 spared a number of key people, includ- sided with Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the sions which are usually given the people linked with the scam without ing Nepal and Bhattarai. The commis- Nepal Communist Party (NCP), but cover of policy decisions. As per discriminating against anybody. POST REPORT reimagine the health system of sion did not initiate action against with the court reviving the UML and Section 4 of Commission for Former chief commissioner of anti KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 Nepal,” the statement said. “The con- Nepal and Bhattarai, saying even the Maoist Centre, he was left with no Investigation of Abuse of Authority graft body Surya Nath Upadhyay said clave will bring together government though the decisions to illegally trans- option than to return to the UML fold. Act-1991, the anti-graft body cannot even if the court decides those Cabinet Nepal Health Conclave 2021, an initia- officials, medical professionals, public fer the government land into private Bhimarjun Acharya, a senior advo- investigate into policy decisions taken decisions were not policy decisions, tive of the media and journalism team health specialists, media personnel, hands were taken during their ten- cate, said the court order seeking cop- by the Cabinet. the commission should establish a at Trikal Productions and health pro- journalists, and community leaders to ures, the decisions constituted “policy ies of decisions taken by the Cabinet “This court order shows that it link between the Cabinet decision and fessionals within the US Embassy have a productive discussion as part decisions”, which the commission of Nepal comes at a time when Oli has wants to look into this case seriously,” how it benefited those involved in the Youth Council, is being organised in of the following four panels.” cannot look into. suspended him and this does raise said Acharya, the advocate. “Even decision in order to make any prose- Kathmandu on April 6. The theme of the conclave will be “If the court does not recognise some questions. though the court had earlier defined cution stronger. According to the organisers, the “Aarogyada: Living Healthier those as Cabinet decisions as policy “Even though the court seeking doc- what a policy decision is, we can The Baluwatar land scam was ini- event, first of its kind interactive and Together”. This is in recognition that decisions, it will open the door for the uments is a normal process, Oli expect a comprehensive definition tially unearthed by a probe committee public discourse on the status of it is within the rights of every Nepali commission to prosecute even Nepal appears to be in a bid to take revenge from the court as to what constitutes a led by former secretary Trital and the Nepal’s health sector, is supported by to strive to live a healthier, longer, and and Bhattarai,” said Neupane, the law- against Nepal,” Acharya told the Post. policy decision.” case was pursued by the Central the Ministry of Health and Population happier life, the organisers said. yer who filed the petition. “Such tendencies of (Oli) may over- Earlier on September 24, 1996, the Investigation Bureau of the Nepal and the US Embassy in Kathmandu. The Nepal Health Conclave will Neupane in his petition had claimed shadow even the genuine issue (raised Supreme Court said decisions taken Police, before the Commission for the The event seeks to address challeng- take place as a physical event for only that the decision to give the govern- in this case).” “collectively” by the Cabinet to fulfil Investigation of Abuse of Authority es faced by Nepal’s health sector in the the speakers and panelists, given the ment land to any individual could not Another former prime minister promises made in the election moved the Special Court. wake of the Covid-19 crisis. Covid-19 guidelines issued by the gov- be categorised as a “policy decision” Bhattarai, who is currently chairper- manifesto constitute “policy deci- Trital told the Post that whatever The organisers said in a press state- ernment, at Hotel Yak and Yeti. and it should not be immune from the son of the federal council of the sions.” Even after that verdict, the decisions the Cabinets led by Nepal ment that the initiative aims to ana- Additional participants can regis- anti-graft body’s investigation. Janata Samajbadi Party, termed the Cabinet took controversial decisions and Bhattarai took were not policy lyse the gaps in national health plans/ ter to attend the event virtually, as Nepal faces a possible prosecution court order part of regular proceed- with regards to Baluwatar land decisions. policies while considering the well as put forth questions for the at a time when he has been weakened ings but he said that things should be as well as many other public “These decisions were taken by vio- progress made so far through panelists through NHC 2021’s website in the CPN-UML, with Oli tightening viewed in a holistic way. procurements. lating the laws,” said Trital. “So all meaningful and critical conversations www.nepalhealthconclave.com. the noose around him. On Monday “The way Oli has been destroying “We need a comprehensive verdict those responsible for Cabinet deci- with stakeholders, as well as commu- The Post will be the media partner only, the UML suspended Nepal and and controlling all the organs of the regarding policy decisions,” said sions should be investigated.” nity members. of the event, which will be broadcast Bhim Rawal as members of the party state, it will lead the country towards Acharya. “If the court says the deci- “The event will be an opportunity live on Facebook and on Kantipur for six months. disaster,” said Bhattarai, a fierce crit- sions taken by the Cabinets led by (Tika R Pradhan contributed reporting) for policy reform to strengthen and Television. A Qatari woaman aims Oli is paying Nepal faction leaders with their ... to climb Everest to ... >> Continued from page 1 Oli has authorised himself to >> Continued from page 1 on May 22, 2013 and also became the change those elected to the House of So far only six women from these first person from his country to reach Representatives under the proportion- countries have climbed Everest from the top of the world. al representation system if he wishes the Nepal side despite the wealth they Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Bin Fahd so and select office bearers in the have from oil and natural gas. of Saudi Arabia had successfully Parliamentary Party on his own. On May 30, 2005, Farkhondeh climbed Everest on May 19, 2012 and is He also scrapped the Central Sadegh, a graphic designer, and Laleh also the first Saudi Arabian to Committee elected by the ninth gener- Keshavarz, a dentist, from Iran climb the seven highest peaks in the al convention and formed a 264-mem- became the first Muslim women to seven continents, a feat Asma hopes to ber 10th national convention organis- climb Everest. On May 18, 2012, emulate. ing committee, maintaining his chair- Parvaneh Kazemi, again from Iran, It costs $35,000 to $90,000 for a per- manship and keeping the post of gen- climbed Everest, according to the son to climb Everest depending on the eral secretary intact. Department of Tourism. extent of support the climber needs Oli and General Secretary Ishwar Raha Moharrak became the young- in terms of guides and supplies. This Pokhrel were given authority to select est Arab and the first Saudi woman to cost also includes the climbing permit new office bearers and Standing climb Everest on May 18, 2013. cost of $11,000. Committee of the party. Mona Kamal Shahab was another The risks of climbing are not lost on Insiders say Nepal has been badly Saudi woman who stepped atop those hoping for success. cornered in the party by Oli lately. Everest on May 23, 2019. “We understand it will be extremely Monday’s decision to suspend Nepal Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al difficult. People die on this mountain. as a general member seems to have Harthy became the first Omani We are not taking it easy,” Prince emanated from Oli’s intention to exact woman to summit Everest in 2019. al-Khalifa told the Post last week in an revenge. “Women from the Gulf states who interview. “We are the people living When the Dahal-Nepal faction of have climbed Everest can be counted below sea level. Everest is extremely the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on fingers. These states have seen difficult for us. We have trained our- waged a war on Oli after the latter fewer opportunities for women,” said selves vastly but still it is difficult.” dissolved the House on December 20, Ang Tsering Sherpa, former president It is a similar challenge that Asma they had expelled Oli as the leader of of Nepal Mountaineering Association. of Qatar faces. the Parliamentary Party. Dahal and “But things could change. The Gulf But for the moment, she is unde- Nepal had declared themselves chairs states are gradually opening up and terred and wants to climb not only for of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) POST FILE PHOTO promoting women. Everest has been herself but also to inspire other and removed Oli as the party chair in Insiders say Madhav Kumar Nepal has been badly cornered in the party by KP Sharma Oli. drawing a number of high-profile women. the third week of December. Then in male climbers from the Gulf states. “I climb mountains because it chal- January, they ousted Oli as party’s He said he would counter Oli’s wants to break the party,” Pant, who is ers had asked counter-questions to It’s a word of mouth promotion,” lenges my limits. And it is my hope member. moves politically, as the latter is in a close to Nepal, told the Post. “Since Oli Oli, accusing him of trying to run the Sherpa said. “The number of women that, by taking on the world’s highest Now with the UML revived, Oli bid to end the communist movement doesn’t hold any legal ground to seek party with an iron fist. climbers from the Gulf states could mountains, I can challenge the stereo- seems to be paying Nepal back with in Nepal. “He has an allergy to com- clarification from our leaders, he In the suspension letter sent to also rise in the near future.” typical image of the traditional his own coin. munist party. This (UML) party is must withdraw the letters sent to the Nepal, the party has said the leader From Qatar to the UAE and from explorer and empower women and Nepal told the Post on Monday ours and does not belong to KP Oli,” leaders so as to keep the party united. failed to admit his mistakes and intro- Bahrain to Saudi, Everest could be a youth in the region to challenge them- evening that Oli does not have the he said. “He has no contribution in Such moves by Oli will only escalate spect and self-criticise. big draw for the wealthy. selves and dream bigger,” Asma said legal right to take action because the making the party. So, we will lead the tension in the party.” Oli has pointed to Nepal’s anti-party On Friday, Nepal issued a permit to in a press statement before arriving in latter is no longer the party chair party ahead.” The Nepal faction, according to activities and factional politics as climb Everest for a royal Bahrain Nepal. ever since he “acted against the party Party leaders have termed Oli’s leaders, will soon hold a meeting of its other reasons for his suspension. military expedition led by “Ultimately, I want to become the statute”. decision to suspend Nepal and Rawal senior leaders in order to discuss “There is a possibility of continua- Prince Mohamed Hamad Mohamed first woman from the Middle East to “Ever since he dissolved the Central an attempt to split the party if Oli ways to counter Oli. tion of such activities by you for your al-Khalifa. complete the Explorers Grand Slam, Committee of UML, his moves have no does not correct his decision. Oli through the party’s March 20 own gains,” reads the letter. Such The Bahrani prince is following the and summiting Everest is just a mile- meaning and they are illegal. I reject Raghuji Pant, a Standing Committee Central Committee meeting had decid- activities could create confusion footsteps of members of the royal stone on my journey to inspire others and denounce this action,” Nepal told member, said that Oli’s decision to ed to seek clarifications from Nepal, among party cadres. Instead of seek- families of other countries in the Gulf. to push past their limits, break down the Post. “I would also appeal to all the suspend two leaders does not hold any Rawal, Pandey and Bhusal “for their ing an apology despite the party giv- Qatari Prince Sheikh Mohammed barriers and live their dreams,” she cadres of the party to stand strongly meaning. involvement in anti-party activities.” ing a chance, you have sought unwar- bin Abdulla Al Thani climbed Everest wrote on her website. against Oli’s regressive moves.” “We seriously suspect that Oli In their clarifications, the four lead- ranted and absurd clarifications.”

C M Y K 03 | TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 NATIONAL Bhaktapur school’s virus Education institutions ordered shut for four report raises concern days, stakeholders criticise delayed response were closed for nine months due to the Covid- Health experts say educational institutions could become coronavirus 19 pandemic last year, and they only opened from the second week of January. hotspots if health and safety measures are continued to be ignored. During the early days of the reopening, parents were apprehensive about sending ARJUN POUDEL for students of grades 10, 11 and 12 class only. their kids to school as virologists said it was KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 The government had given authority to local still risky. In recent times, the number of levels to resume in-person classes in December Covid-19 cases has unprecedentedly gone up At least 23 students and a teacher of the Nepal last year, after the number of new cases started in neighbouring India and schools and colleg- Army-run Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, declining. Many academic institutions reopened es in Kathmandu Valley are in a fix after the Bhaktapur have tested positive for Covid-19, that same month. government issued a circular advising the raising concern about academic institutions The Health Ministry says that schools and public to avoid crowds and strictly observe becoming coronavirus hotspots. local governments are responsible for implemen- health and safety protocols for Covid-19. Although children are at relatively low risk of tation of the safety measures to prevent the It’s not just students, members of the gen- developing a severe form of the infection, health transmission of the contagious disease. However, eral public, mostly in Kathmandu Valley, have experts warn that they could pass on the virus to officials at the ministry are unaware if the also been complaining of headache, cough, other vulnerable groups at their homes and com- safety measures are being followed in schools eye irritation, and throat infection due to air munities. and colleges. pollution. “We have been warning that the academic According to Shrestha, of the Institute of Sanjay Sharma, a secretary at the Ministry institutions could become coronavirus breeding Medicine, even people serving at front desks of of Education, on Monday said the govern- grounds and hotspots,” Dr Binjwala Shrestha, hotels and restaurants are getting infected. ment decided to close schools because of the assistant professor at the Institute of Medicine, From a low of 47 cases on March 6, Covid-19 adverse effects the rising air pollution can told the Post. “We have been asking authorities cases have been steadily rising in the country have on students’ health. concerned to strictly implement safety measures with 141 new cases reported on Monday. Suprabhat Bhandari, chairperson of the and provide vaccines to the teachers first.” Officials at the Ministry of Health and Guardians Federation Nepal also criticised A few weeks earlier, Covid-19 cases were Population suspect that the new variant of the government for the delay in its decision to detected in 40 students at an engineering college virus might be responsible behind the recent shut schools. in Pokhara, according to the Epidemiology and spate of infections, as spike proteins have “The government was well informed about Disease Control Division. been found missing in swab samples of a lot of the hazardous situation on Friday, but why “We have managed cases at both places and infected people. POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI didn’t it take the decision to close schools directed agencies concerned to trace contacts of However, whole-genome sequencing has not A domestic flight lands at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on Monday. Only a handful of flights then?” said Bhandari. He also accused the the infected people,” Dr Krishna Prasad Paudel, yet been performed on the swab samples of the landed at the airport on Monday due to poor visibility caused by heavy smog. central government of breaking the protocol director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control infected persons to identify the virus variant. and adopting a blanket approach. Division, told the Post. “The infected individuals S-gene target or spike protein is one of the key ANUP OJHA manages real-time worldwide air quality “Now we are in a federal setup. Schools have been asked to stay in isolation and those biological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, which KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 data, Kathmandu’s Air Quality Index (AQI) across the country reopened in January based who came into their close contact have also enables the virus to penetrate host cells and has remained between “very unhealthy” and on directives from the local government. This been tested.” cause infections. After witnessing four days of soaring levels “hazardous” levels in the last three days with time also, they should have been authorised Meanwhile, Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya Without spike protein, the coronavirus cannot of air pollution across the country, the gov- the highest AQI recorded at 411 with PM2.5 at to decide based on local conditions,,” said has been closed for an indefinite period. infect people, but doctors say that if the polymer- ernment on Monday ordered all schools and 366 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) at Bhandari. The school has been shut down from Monday, ase chain reaction tests are failing to detect the colleges shut for four days. 9:45 am on Saturday. Meanwhile, school associations are also not the Nepal Army has been conducting contact spike proteins in the swab samples of the infect- But stakeholders—parents and school asso- PM.25 (particulate matter) are tiny parti- happy that the government didn’t consult tracing of the infected students and the teacher,” ed people or negative s-gene target, there is a ciations—are not happy with the decision as cles or droplets in the air that are two and them before deciding to shut schools. “It Krishna Bahadur Mijar, chief of the health possibility that the virus may have undergone it was taken without proper consultations one-half microns or less in size. Such parti- didn’t consult with us and decided unilateral- office in Bhaktapur, told the Post, over the phone. mutations or the virus could be of a and after days passed in uncertainty. cles are considered hazardous as they can ly,” said Tikaram Puri, president of “We have been coordinating with school admin- different variant than the one common in the Smoke and haze have been covering penetrate the respiratory tract and reach the Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation istration to contain the spread of infections.” country. Kathmandu and other hilly areas in the coun- lungs to cause various ailments. Nepal (PABSON), an organisation that has Tests of swab samples of those who came in The new variant of the coronavirus, the one try since Friday with weather conditions Prem Kumari Mishra from Taudaha, is over 6,500 schools members all across the close contact with the infected students and the that was identified in the United Kingdom in becoming more severe in the afternoons. The more worried about the future of her son’s country. teacher are being performed at the Army December, was detected in Nepal in January. air quality has deteriorated in such a way health and his studies. “We only learnt about the government’s Hospital. While the exact situation of the spread of that Kathmandu became the most polluted “Last week the government requested decision from the media,” said Puri. Brigadier General Santosh Ballave Poudyal, coronavirus remains unknown as the authori- city in the world. But the government didn’t people to stay indoors because of bad Some local governments outside the Valley spokesperson of the Nepal Army, said the school ties have given up on contact tracing since order schools closed until Monday. weather and rising levels of air pollution, but have opposed the government’s decision and has shut down from Monday to prevent the October, the recent outbreaks in educational The Ministry of Education, on Monday, it didn’t say anything about closing schools. It published separate notices ordering schools spread of the infection. institutions have alarmed public health experts. directed all schools and colleges to shut down should have considered how vulnerable to continue classes. “We do not have air pollu- “In-person classes have been halted. Classes New cases of infection had spiked after reo- for four days (from March 30-April 2). kids are,” said Mishra, whose son studies in tion and the situation is normal, so our will be held virtually until further notice,” pening of schools in Europe and America, and “The government should have decided ear- grade 10. municipality has asked all schools and colleg- Poudyal told the Post. authorities there had shut down the schools. lier,” said Ratnavati Sthapit, 38, a mother of “Schools were closed for a year due to the es to continue their classes,” Saradha Khanal, According to Poudyal, after an administrative “If we continuously ignore the implementa- two school-going children. “For the past few pandemic. It’s been open for barely three deputy-mayor of Bhimad Municipality, staff member of the school tested positive for tion of health and safety measures, educational days, my kids have been coming home with months, and he only has three months to pre- Tanahun. coronavirus infection, the school had tested institutions could become the new hotspots for irritation in their eyes. Their schools should pare for SEE,” said Mishra. Other municipalities such as Ilam the students who had come in close contact coronavirus,” Dr Prabhat Adhikari, an infec- have been shut from Friday,” said the beauti- Like Sthapit and Mishra, thousands of par- Municipality and Biratnagar Municipality with him. tious disease and critical care expert, told cian who lives in Dhalko. ents are worried about their children’s health have also issued notices to schools and colleg- The school had been taking in-person classes the Post. According to IQ Air, a Swiss Group that and their education. Schools and colleges es to conduct classes as normal.

C M Y K TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Pitfalls of overregulation in banking Mass murder in Myanmar A regulatory regime is essential only if the system South Asian countries that swear by moves beyond the obsession democracy need to speak up. of collateralised lending.

It was a gloomy weekend in Myanmar as the military junta went on a rampage, killing civilians indiscriminately, conduct- ACHYUT WAGLE ing air raids and even opening fire on mourners gathered for the funeral of a slain civilian. Cellphone and CCTV video foot- ages show soldiers firing recklessly at citizens minding their own business. Chilling narratives of children and elderly alike being picked up by the military, only to be returned as corpses the next day, are coming out on social media. The military junta Even the most ardent advocates of free has not been tamed at all nearly a decade after Myanmar adopt- market capitalism have concurred that ed the democratic process. regulation of the financial system, par- While there is considerable global outrage against the crimi- ticularly of the banks, is indispensable. The two most prominent rationales for nal suppression of democratic rights in Myanmar, global pow- such regulation are to prevent the ers have done precious little to restrain the military and help banks from potential moral hazards in stop the massacre. As Reuters reported, the UN Special lending the depositors’ money to risky projects for quick profits, and to main- Rapporteur for Myanmar said the junta was carrying out ‘mass tain the overall stability of the fanati- murder’, and called on the world to isolate the military and halt cal system of the economy concerned. its access to weapons. UN Secretary-General António Guterres The global financial crisis of 2008-09, on Sunday expressed shock at the killing of the civilians, and triggered by American subprime lend- ing, reinforced the idea of stricter reg- called for a ‘firm, unified & resolute international response’. ulation of the financial sector so as to That the ‘mass murder’ is being organised in the neighbour- avoid similar catastrophes in future. A hood should be of concern for South Asian countries that swear comprehensive study in 164 countries by democracy. In fact, most South Asian countries have been a by the World Bank entitled ‘Bank Regulation and Supervision Ten Years disappointment when it comes to putting the Myanmar junta in after the Global Financial Crisis’ con- POST FILE PHOTO the dock vis-à-vis the desecration of democracy there. On cludes, ‘bank supervision became the hour has persistently cast on it not ness houses never feature in the list the total number of loan accounts is Saturday, the bloodiest day in the country after the military took stricter and more complex compared only during key appointments of gov- even when their defaults amount to barely 1.5 million. Young innovative with the pre-global financial crisis ernors and deputy governors but also millions. The combined effect of such a minds with entrepreneurial intentions over, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan sent representatives to period.’ in day-to-day administration. The pref- laidback approach of the key regulator and, often, with relevant academic attend the Myanmar Armed Forces Day military parade in Despite criticism, a few key neoliber- erence of the personal loyalty of the and volumes of regulations of very degrees have become the primary vic- Naypyitaw even as the military reportedly killed 114 innocent al concepts on financial governance candidates to powerful rulers over the vague nature without the real prospect tim of the conservative regulatory civilians. like the central bank independence and academic and professional qualifica- of implementation, in fact, have pro- regime that constricts people who do its obligation to focus on the core func- tions, as manifested in the recent vided a wide room for regulatory arbi- not own the immovable property (on Nepal has failed to even speak a word ever since the govern- tion of inflation targeting ‘theorised’ appointment of two deputy governors trage to the players in the banking sec- top of this requirement, banks only ment issued a half-hearted press statement on February 1, the thorough discourses like Augmented of the Bank, is gradually rendering the tor. accept property with access to a motor- day the military took over. Being a responsible member of the Washington Consensus have not only central monetary authority a toothless For example, what is the extent able road) from accessing loans direct- South Asian neighbourhood, Nepal has much more to do in survived but, generally, consolidated. entity. Therefore, the compendium of banks can intrude into the private ly from banks. However, the risk-weighted capital NRB directives is burgeoning but effec- information of a customer; particular- A large number of women with busi- terms of holding the Myanmar military junta accountable for (adequacy) regulation has rather obses- tiveness is not. ly the borrower? It is not specifically ness acumen, who for various reasons grave acts of human rights violation. In fact, Nepal has previ- sively preoccupied the regulators. In The central bank has miserably clear in any NRB guidelines. The uni- of deprivation do not own any immova- ously abstained from voting on the UN resolution on the viola- parallel, the self-regulatory regimes failed to timely update its outlook fied directive says, ‘information about ble property, are also deprived of the designed for the bank and financial towards the financial industry and customers is often confidential, in that opportunity. The symbolism of tion of the human rights of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar institutions primarily in compliance introduce risk-mitigating instruments. it is provided under the terms of a legal small-ticket ‘collateral free’ or ‘targeted government and military. Above all, it is incumbent upon with the Basel III regulatory frame- Even in this era of information tech- agreement or counterparty relation- loans’ has very little or no impact on Nepal, as a UN Human Rights Council member, to defend the work have come into practice, albeit to nology, physical presence and paper ship.’ But this has not stopped the economic output. These are the reasons Myanmar civilians’ rights to life, freedom and dignity. a varied extent in different countries. verification of the customers is ever banks from asking very personal finan- Nepal’s import dependency is horrifi- The overarching objectives of these increasing. No substantive borrowing cial details of bank accounts and cally increasing on every passing day, Today, representatives of the same government that oppressed developments are rooted in the princi- is possible without pledging immova- employment agreements, beyond productivity is declining and potential the minorities have been put under arrest by the military. ple of ‘minimal government’ where the ble property as collateral. Although the legally valid tax return certificates, young entrepreneurs are leaving the Myanmar’s democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been a regulator and each individual bank Risk Management Guidelines of NRB of the family members who are country in hordes. disappointment for her inability to protect the rights of the became robustly professional and effi- states the banks would ‘analyse of bor- not necessarily responsible for the As a matter of fact, a regulatory cient. Only then can the financial sec- rower’s repayment history as well as repayment of personal type loans. It is regime is essential only if the banking people in the past several years after she came to power. But that tor effectively contribute to the econo- current and future capacity to repay, clear that banks have found it easier to system moves beyond the obsession of does not mean Suu Kyi and other democratic leaders should be my by investing in entrepreneurial and based on historical financial trends securitise the loans in this easy fully collateralised lending where cred- left to fend for themselves when they are becoming victims of value chain ecosystems. and future cash flow projections. For fashion of bullying than dwelling on itworthiness and project-worthiness commercial credits, the borrower’s financial and credit history analyses of become the major basis for investment. the military’s high-handedness. Compromise and arbitrage business expertise and the condition of the client. Then, the regulators and market play- The Myanmarese have shown immense grit in the face of a If viewed through the lenses of global the borrower’s economic sector and its ers will also be forced to leave behind brutal military crackdown even as over 400 of them have lost best practices, Nepal’s financial system position within that sector’ needed to Constricted entrepreneurship the ‘logistic management’ and their lives while over 2,000 have been arrested and many others suffers from a paradox of overregula- be reviewed. The apparent causal effect of overregu- embark on the domain of statistical tion on the one hand and, on the other, But, all these parameters are essen- lation, as if designed to facilitate only and technical risk analyses of the maimed. The Myanmarese deserve utmost support of pro-de- massive regulatory arbitrage by the tially meaningless as only the value of to the landlords of the feudal era, is entire financial system and, individual- mocracy forces all over the world. The rights of the Myanmarese industry players. Every successive the property with an arbitrary haircut evident in the historically low level of ly, of their own. Nothing should have to fight for democracy and peace must be protected, and the leadership in Nepal Rastra Bank is factored in while evaluating the cred- entrepreneurship. It is due to the stopped the NRB to depart from this global community should come out strongly against (NRB), despite its very powerful NRB itworthiness or calculating the limit of extremely low level of access to bank conservative mindset and to devise Act (2002), has failed to assert its the loans. The blacklisting provisions credit. It is evidenced by the NRB data appropriate formulae and risk-hedging the Myanmar junta’s criminal oppression and massacre of the deserved independence. The powerful are applicable to only a few voiceless itself that the total number of deposit instruments that address the emerging people. political shadow of the government of borrowers while about 500 large busi- accounts has crossed 31 million while market needs.

The return of German politics

botched Covid-19 vaccine rollout. The It has become difficult for pandemic fallout will have to be high on the agenda regardless of who Germans to imagine a forms the next government. While the pandemic has accelerated government led by anyone digitisation, this momentum must now be used to help Europe catch up to other than Angela Merkel. the United States and China. Success here and on digital innovation more generally would be a decisive contri- JOSCHKA FISCHER bution to Europe’s sovereignty, help- ing the German and European econo- mies remain competitive in the twen- ty-first century. This will require huge investments in research and develop- ment, as well as the modernisation of education systems. Fortunately, the EU’s 750 billion ($884 billion) recovery Angela Merkel’s 16-year reign as plan, Next Generation EU, offers a German chancellor is coming to an historic opportunity to advance all of end. Whatever one’s feelings about these objectives. her, she has put her stamp on an entire The greatest challenge, however, era. But political epochs rarely end lies in ‘greening’ the economy while quietly, and ‘Mutti’s’ long goodbye is also safeguarding workers and pre- no exception. serving social cohesion. Here, the German electoral politics have task is too large to manage at the finally started to heat up. The first two national level. It will have to be done state elections of what will be a super collectively, at the European level, election year pointed to the possibility through a European Union that has that the federal election on September developed into a global power in its 26 could produce a new government own right. coalition without Merkel’s Christian Thankfully, Donald Trump has left Democratic Union and its Bavarian the White House (for good, one hopes), sister party, the Christian Social and Europeans recognise that a Union. well-functioning transatlantic alli- In both Baden-Württemberg and ance will be crucial for protecting Rhineland-Palatinate, large losses for their interests in this century. But to the CDU coincided with equally strong strengthen that relationship, Europe gains for the Greens and a stable share will have to share more of the security of the vote for the Free Democrats and political burden and do its part to (FDP). Hence, there is now talk of a SHUTTERSTOCK address the challenges introduced by possible ‘traffic light’ coalition charismatic Markus Söder. with the heyday of globalisation—that a decision to phase out nuclear power tions that proved the rule. The Merkel China’s rise. between the Social Democrats (red), Whoever prevails, the CDU/CSU is, with the opening of China’s mas- just weeks before. Though the deci- era was primarily characterised by Neither task will be easy for the FDP (yellow), and the Greens. faces an uphill battle, especially fol- sive export market. Domestically, how- sion was nonetheless courageous, she quietude, a feature that German vot- Germany. But the Baden-Württemberg Suddenly, a change of government in lowing the resounding defeats in two ever, it was characterised by resist- had to perform something of a ‘double ers, having re-elected her three times, and Rhineland-Palatinate elections Berlin seems like a realistic possibili- states where the CDU has for decades ance to reform, and will be remem- U-turn’ to help her party in Baden- obviously appreciated. With the eco- have driven home the fact that t y. presided over a quasi-hereditary fief- bered more as a time of talk than of Württemberg’s state elections. But the nomic sun seemingly always shining Merkel’s era of lofty talk and no Moreover, criticism of the Merkel dom. Those losses, and the steady rise political dynamism. Numerous work- manoeuvre failed. Since 2011, Baden- on her, why take the risk of reform or action is over. Reality is knocking government’s management of the of the Greens, augur a potential disas- ing groups, stacked with the usual Württemberg—a core German indus- strategic audacity? hard on Germany’s door, and later pandemic—including a staggering ter for the CDU/CSU. With every pass- commendable experts, were estab- trial region—has been governed by a After such a long period of compla- this year new caretakers may finally amount of corruption in the procure- ing day, Germans are coming to the lished to discuss topics like digitisa- Green minister-president (Winfried cency, it is no surprise that the coun- open it. ment of masks—has grown increas- difficult realisation that Merkel’s tion. But nothing ever really came of Kretschmann). try is now facing massive structural ingly loud. And for now, the power chancellorship is indeed ending. Her it all. Even more courageous was Merkel’s challenges. Along with the European Fischer, Germany’s foreign minister vacuum at the top of the CDU/CSU departure will be all the more painful Consider climate and energy policy. 2015 decision to open Germany’s doors Commission and other EU member and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005, remains unfilled. The CDU’s rather given the power vacuum within the Although Germany abandoned nucle- to refugees fleeing violence in Syria states, the German government will was a leader of the German Green unconvincing leader, Armin Laschet, conservative camp. ar energy after the 2011 Fukushima and other parts of the Middle East. have to work hard to overcome the loss Party for almost 20 years. is facing off against the CSU’s more The Merkel era largely coincided disaster in Japan, Merkel had reversed But these achievements were excep- of confidence following Europe’s — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 MONEY Second-hand vehicle market booms Traffic in Suez Canal amid calls for social distancing resumes after stranded Sales of reconditioned autos have increased by 25 to 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic times, dealers say. ship refloated KRISHANA PRASAIN KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 REUTERS transit the canal, including dozens of ISMAILIA (EGYPT), MARCH 29 container ships, bulk carriers, oil Public transportation has always been tankers and liquefied natural gas stressful for Agya Timsina who com- Shipping traffic through Egypt’s Suez (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas mutes daily between Gokarna and Canal resumed on Monday after a (LPG) vessels, the SCA’s Rabie said. Baneshwor by crowded bus and micro. giant container ship which had been The authority said earlier it would After the lockdown was lifted, blocking the busy waterway for almost be able to accelerate convoys through Timsina was told she would have to a week was refloated, the canal author- the canal once the Ever Given was attend office; and she dreaded having ity said. freed. “We will not waste one second,” to go back to riding the same crowded The 400-metre (430-yard) long Ever Rabie told Egyptian state television. buses again. Given became jammed diagonally He said it could take from two-and- “I have always thought of buying a across a southern section of the canal a-half to three days to clear the back- scooter. But after the pandemic, I felt it in high winds early last Tuesday, halt- log, and a canal source said more than had become a necessity,” Timsina, ing traffic on the shortest shipping 100 ships would be able to enter the who works for an education consul- route between Europe and Asia. channel daily. Shipping group Maersk tancy, told the Post. Live footage on a local television said the knock-on disruptions to glob- “I became afraid of commuting by station showed the ship surrounded al shipping could take weeks or public transportation listening to the by tug boats moving slowly in the cen- months to unravel. news of infections and deaths; and tre of the canal. The station, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah health experts were telling people to ExtraNews, said the ship was moving al-Sisi, who had not publicly com- maintain physical distance to control at a speed of 1.5 knots. mented on the blockage, said Egypt the spread of the virus,” said the “Admiral Osama Rabie, the had ended the crisis and assured 29-year-old office-goer. “Then I decided Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority resumption of trade through the to learn to ride a scooter and buy one,” (SCA), announces the resumption of canal. Oil prices were about one per- she added.After going to driving maritime traffic in the Suez Canal cent lower at $63.95 a barrel. Shares of school for a month, she went to buy a after the Authority successfully res- Taiwan-listed Evergreen Marine new scooter. But most of the models cues and floats the giant Panamanian Corp—the vessel’s lessor—rose 1.75 cost more than Rs200,000 which was container ship EVER GIVEN,” a state- percent. beyond her budget. Then one of ment from the SCA said. About 15 percent of world shipping her friends suggested buying a used “She’s free,” an official involved in traffic transits the Suez Canal, which scooter, and she thought she should the salvage operation said. is an important source of foreign cur- check it out. After dredging and excavation work rency revenue for Egypt. The stoppage Timsina purchased a second-hand POST FILE PHOTO over the weekend, rescue workers is costing the canal $14-$15 million a scooter for Rs90,000 from a recondi- Freedom from crowded public transportation, ease of driving and economics are the main reasons second-hand vehicles have become popular, from the SCA and a team from Dutch day. Shipping rates for oil product tion house last November. “I had many according to dealers. firm Smit Salvage had succeeded in tankers nearly doubled after the ship doubts about buying a second-hand partially refloating the ship earlier on became stranded, and the blockage scooter. I especially worried that it There are around 50 recondition economics are the main reasons sec- “People who had not planned to buy Monday using tug boats, two marine has disrupted global supply chains, may break down frequently. But houses on the stretch between ond-hand scooters have become popu- a motor vehicle may change their and shipping sources said. threatening costly delays for compa- it is not giving me much trouble, Soalteemod and Kalanki Mandir lar,” Shahi said. “Sales of used motor- minds as there are chances of a sec- Evergreen Line, which is leasing nies already dealing with Covid-19 and I take it in for a service on time,” which is considered to be a hub for cycles are at the same level as before ond wave of Covid-19,” he said. the Ever Given, confirmed the ship restrictions. said Timsina who has applied for a used cars. Shahi said that all the deal- the pandemic.” According to him, 70 percent of the had been successfully refloated and Maersk was among shippers rerout- driving licence. ers here report a hike in sales. Bhupendra Bhandari, marketing car owners who sell their vehicles do said it would be repositioned and ing cargoes around the Cape of Good Demand for reconditioned vehicles, “With people not being able to buy manager of DN Automobiles, Baphal so to upgrade to a new one while 15 inspected for seaworthiness. Hope, adding up to two weeks to jour- especially second-hand scooters, has new cars and the government’s apa- had expected sales of second-hand percent do so because they need the At least 369 vessels are waiting to neys and extra fuel costs. risen sharply, say used car dealers. thetic policy towards the automobile cars to drop because people had lost cash. Four-wheelers which have “Sales of second-hand scooters have sector, prospective customers are their incomes due to the pandemic. been driven for less than five years increased by almost 50 percent since turning to reconditioned vehicles, But he was in for a pleasant surprise are in good condition while cars used the lockdown was lifted,” said especially after the pandemic,” as people driving motorcycles upgrad- for more than 10 years might need Rajendra Shahi, owner of Newa Subhash Acharya, vice-president of ed to four-wheelers. maintenance. Brothers’ Recondition House, the Nepal Automobile Dealers “Sales of cars priced below Rs1.5 “Around 16 people come to us to sell Ravibhawan. Association, told the Post. million took off soon after the their four-wheelers daily. Our sales “Scooters get sold out as soon as “Sales of reconditioned automo- stay-home order was lifted. We had average 22 cars monthly,” he said. they arrive at the shop,” Shahi, who biles have increased by 25 to 30 per- nearly 30 reconditioned passenger “There should be laws regulating has been selling used vehicles for cent compared to pre-pandemic cars in stock which were sold out sales of reconditioned automobiles around 18 years, told the Post. “Second- times,” he said. “As most motor immediately after the three-month- as there are high chances of stolen hand scooters costing Rs80,000 to vehicles are imported from India long lockdown ended,” Bhandari said. cars being put on the market,” Rs90,000 sell the fastest,” he said. and production has slowed there due According to him, demand has dipped Acharya said. According to him, the price of old to the lockdown, the demand and slightly of late, but sales are still good. “If there was financing facilities for scooters depends on the condition and supply gap is also pushing customers “There are fewer sellers, but there second-hand automobiles, more peo- lot number. “I could sell 15-20 sec- towards second-hand machines,” has been no decline in the number of ple would have access to them. Due to ond-hand scooters daily if I had he added. prospective buyers,” said Bhandari of the high demand for reconditioned REUTERS enough inventory, but there are more “Freedom from crowded public DN Automobile which has completed vehicles, prices have also increased in Ship Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, is seen after it was fully floated in buyers than sellers.” transportation, ease of driving and 10 years of operation. recent times.” Suez Canal, Egypt on Monday.

FOREX Fridges, microwaves fall prey to global chip shortage Facebook, Google US Dollar 116.32 Euro 136.93 plan new undersea REUTERS Dan Ye, marketing director at Robam. Pound Sterling 160.84 SHANGHAI, MARCH 29 He added that the company had found it easier to source chips from Japanese Yen 10.62 cables to connect A global shortage of chips that has China than overseas, prompting it to Chinese Yuan 17.73 rattled production lines at car compa- re-evaluate future supplies. nies and squeezed stockpiles at gadget “The chips we use in our products Southeast Asia Qatari Riyal 31.95 makers, is now leaving home appli- aren’t the most cutting edge. Australian Dollar 88.97 ance makers unable to meet demand, Domestic chips can satisfy our needs according to the president of completely.” and America Malaysian Ringit 28.09 Whirlpool Corp in China. Already cutthroat, profit margins at The US based company, one of the white goods firms are getting further REUTERS Saudi Arab Riyal 31.02 world’s largest white goods firm, is squeezed due to the shortage. SINGAPORE, MARCH 29 Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank falling behind on exports to Europe Robin Rao, planning department and the United States from China, by director of China’s Sichuan Facebook said on Monday it as much as 25 percent on some months, Changhong Electric Co Ltd, said planned two new undersea cables to Shares Jason Ai told Reuters in Shanghai. lengthy replacement cycles for appli- connect Singapore, Indonesia “It’s a perfect storm,” he said on the ances, coupled with intense competi- and North America in a project Nepse 2,543.52pts -0.21% sidelines of the Appliance and World tion and a slowing real estate market, with Google and regional telecommu- Electronics Expo. have long kept profit margins thin. nication companies to boost internet HIGHEST LOSERS “On the one hand we have to satisfy “But because of these core compo- connection capacity between the CGH MHNL STC KPCL NMB50 CHL -7.17% -6.67% -4.87% -4.28% -3.97% -3.83% domestic demand for appliances, on nents and chips, our supply chain regions. the other hand we’re facing an explo- capital costs have increased.” “Named Echo and Bifrost, those MODERATE LOSERS UFL NCCB SSHL PIC GLH NRN sion of export orders. As far as chips To deal with the shortage of micro- will be the first two cables to go -3.27% -3.08% -2.87% -2.72% -2.31% -2.29% go, for those of us in China, it was REUTERS processors and flash memory chips, through a new diverse route crossing

MODERATE GAINERS inevitable.” A Whirlpool French Door refrigerator is shown during a trade show in Las Vegas. Dreame Technology—a vacuum clean- the Java Sea and they will increase UMHL GUFL LLBS HURJA UMRH WOMI The company has struggled to er brand funded by Xiaomi—cut its overall subsea capacity in the trans-pa- 4.73% 4.83% 5.41% 5.45% 5.63% 5.96% secure enough microcontrollers, sim- earnest in late December, was caused has blindsided not just Whirlpool but marketing budget and hired extra cific by about 70 percent,” Facebook HIGHEST GAINERS ple processors that power over half of in part as automakers miscalculated other appliance makers too. Hangzhou staff just to manage relationships Vice President of Network SNLB RHPC SMFDB MLBSL AIL USLB its products including microwaves, demand and pandemic-fuelled sales of Robam Appliances Co Ltd, a Chinese with suppliers. Investments, Kevin Salvadori, told 6.99% 7.18% 9.43% 9.85% 9.92% 10% refrigerators, and washing machines. smartphones and laptops surged. It white goods maker with over 26,000 Dreame has also spent “several mil- Reuters. While the chip shortage has affected forced carmakers including General employees, had to delay the release of lion yuan” to test out chips that could The cables, according to the execu- a range of high-end suppliers like Motors to cut production, and a new high-end stove vent by four serve as alternatives to the ones it tive, will be the first to directly con- Qualcomm Inc, it originated and increased costs for smartphone mak- months because it couldn’t source typically uses, said Frank Wang, the nect North America to some of the PRICE PER TOLA remains most severe for mature tech- ers such as Xiaomi Corp. enough microcontrollers. company’s marketing director. main parts of Indonesia, and will BULLION nologies, for example power-manage- And with every company that uses “Most of our products are already “We’re working to have deeper con- increase connectivity for the central ment chips used in cars. chips in its products panic buying to optimised for smart home use, so of trol of our suppliers, and have even and eastern provinces of the world’s Fine Gold Rs 86,500 The chip shortage, which began in shore up its stockpile, the shortage course we need a lot of chips,” said invested in a few suppliers,” he said. fourth most populous country. Silver Rs 1,225 SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA Too quiet for comfort: Spanish town worries about tourist season GASOLINE WATCH REUTERS “We just have to wait for better “Magaluf relies heavily on British MAGALUF (SPAIN), MARCH 29 times and meanwhile we enjoy the tourism so it goes without saying it’s peace,” said Helena, 29, a designer been heavily affected,” Nikki Boskett, Quiet and birdsong have replaced the from Milan. who has run the Gemini hair salon in sounds of thumping music and But for locals, peace and quiet the town centre for five years, told fun-loving tourists in the popular doesn’t pay the bills. Reuters. “It’s been quieter for sure, Mallorca resort of Magaluf, and the “The truth is we’re all a bit sad ... many businesses are far more hesi- prospect of another potentially lost All this is a bit of a mess,” Maria tant about opening.” season is weighing heavily on locals. Asun, 59, who has lived in Magaluf for The eerie silence that hangs over Along the deserted main drag, bars 40 years and run La Vila ice-cream Magaluf highlights just how hard the that usually throng with mainly parlour for seven, told Reuters. pandemic has hit the country’s tour- British tourists to the Spanish A smattering of locals sit outside ism sector. island are shuttered. Some have the ice-cream parlour wearing masks. Foreign tourism to Spain plunged 80 put up hand-made paper signs saying For sale signs dot holiday apartment percent last year to 19 million visi- “we love tourists” and “we will be balconies. At a time of year when the tors—its lowest in half a century—as back in 2021”. town should be busy with spring tour- global pandemic restrictions dramati- “It’s very strange, it’s like a ghost ists and gearing up for the summer cally curtailed international travel. city,” said a 35-year-old Italian tourist crush, there is uncertainty over what “Right now we’re usually focusing from Florence, who gave only her first tourism will take place this year. on opening up, all the hotels are pre- name, Virginia. She and her friend Britain currently bans all foreign paring for Easter, all the bars are open Helena were among the few tourists to travel, except for work, education or and lots of people are working around make it to Magaluf for a spring holi- health reasons. The government is to here,” said Maria Asun. REUTERS day as much of Europe grapples to get review that in April and possibly “Now, you go out onto the street ... People wait in queue outside a coronavirus disease test site at Son Sant Joan airport in Palma coronavirus under control. allow it from May 17. and there is no one.” de Mallorca, Spain.

C M Y K TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING Russian opposition Thousands take to the streets as five activist says police Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese air force detained his father TAIPEI: more protesters killed in Myanmar Ten Chinese military aircraft including fighter jets entered the southwestern corner of Taiwan’s air to pressure him defence identification zone on About 3,000 ethnic Karen people have fled to Thailand after military jets bomb their villages. Monday, the island’s defence ministry REUTERS said, in a further escalation of ten- REUTERS MOSCOW, MARCH 29 sion across the sensitive Taiwan MYANMAR, MARCH 29 Strait. Taiwan’s air force deployed A close ally of jailed Kremlin critic missiles to “monitor” the incursion, Myanmar security forces killed at Alexei Navalny accused authorities the island’s defence ministry said, least five protesters on Monday, three on Monday of detaining his father without elaborating. It also said its of them in the main city of Yangon, over the weekend in an attempt to planes warned the Chinese aircraft witnesses and media reported, as pressure him over his opposition over the radio. activists called on ethnic minority activities which include organising a forces in the diverse nation to back new anti-government protest. their campaign against military rule. Ivan Zhdanov, head of Navalny’s Newlywed militant suspects After the bloodiest day since the Anti-Corruption Foundation, said that blamed in Indonesia attack February 1 military coup with 114 police had detained his retired father deaths on Saturday, thousands took to in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don INDONESIA: A recently married couple the streets in towns across the coun- for alleged abuse of office after search- with suspected militant links used try, determined to show their opposi- ing his home and questioning him pressure cooker bombs to blow them- tion to the relapse into military rule into the night. selves up outside a Roman Catholic after a decade of democratic reform. “I have no doubts that this criminal cathedral during Palm Sunday Mass, At least two people were killed in case is linked to me and to what I do,” Indonesian officials said on Monday. the Yangon district of South Dagon said Zhdanov, who is outside Russia The attack wounded 20 people, includ- when security forces moved in to clear and part of a team of anti-Kremlin ing four church guards, and broke protesters’ barricades, residents said. activists trying to mobilise support for windows at the church and nearby “We can confirm two were killed in a new protest this spring which the buildings in Makassar, the capital of our ward,” said one neighbourhood authorities oppose. South Sulawesi province. The couple resident who asked to be identified as Police in Rostov did not immediate- were married six months ago and just Win. ly respond to a request for comment police were investigating their house Security forces fired a much heavi- about the case. in Makassar, National Police spokes- er-calibre weapon than usual to clear Zhdanov said his father had various person Argo Yuwono said. The a barricade in South Dagon, witnesses health problems and that he doubted attackers detonated their bombs said and a video clip showed. It was REUTERS the 66-year-old would be able to sur- when they were confronted by guards not immediately clear what Protesters use slingshots while taking cover behind a barricade as smoke rises from burning debris during ongoing protests against the vive being held in pre-trial detention. outside the church. type, although a community group military coup, in Monywa, Sagaing region, Myanmar on Monday. Authorities have cracked down on posted a picture of a soldier with a allies of Navalny, President Vladimir Beijing launches air pollution grenade launcher. protests, the General Strike Committee forced to return to the Myanmar side expressed support for the anti-coup Putin’s most prominent critic, whose State television said security forces of Nationalities, called in an open let- of the border on Monday evening. movement and called on the army jailing on what he said were trumped crackdown after sandstorms used “riot weapons” to disperse a ter on Facebook for ethnic minority “Thailand’s heartless and illegal act stop the violence against civilian up parole violation charges sparked engulf city crowd of “violent terrorist people” forces to help those standing up to the must stop now,” Sunai Phasuk, senior protesters. protests earlier this year. who were destroying a pavement and “unfair oppression” of the military. researcher on Thailand for Human Myanmar’s military has for decades The authorities accuse his allies of BEIJING: China’s capital Beijing has one man was wounded. “It is necessary for the ethnic armed Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter. justified its grip on power by saying it illegally encouraging people to take launched a month-long campaign to One man was killed earlier in organisations to collectively protect A Thai provincial official said is the only institution capable of pre- part in those protests which they said stamp out air pollution violations, the another Yangon neighbourhood, when the people,” the group said. the refugees had not been pushed serving national unity. It seized power at the time were not authorised and official Xinhua news agency reported security forces fired on protesters and Insurgents from different ethnic back but were on the Thai side of a saying that November elections won represented a public health risk due to on Monday, after the city was choked a Red Cross team, witness Thiha Soe groups have battled the central gov- border rive r. by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s Covid-19. by two sandstorms in as many weeks. told Reuters. ernment for decades for greater auton- Earlier, Thai Prime Minister party were fraudulent, an assertion They have cast Navalny as a Beijing’s air quality index (AQI) Police and a junta spokesman did omy. Though many groups have Prayuth Chan-ocha said he wanted dismissed by the election commission. Western-backed puppet on a mission reached the maximum 500 on Sunday, not answer calls seeking comment. agreed to ceasefires, fighting has Myanmar’s latest problems to remain Suu Kyi remains in detention at to destabilise Russia ahead of a parlia- as dust carrying extremely high lev- Myanmar’s Red Cross said in a mes- flared in recent days between the there. an undisclosed location and many mentary election due in September, a els of hazardous particles blew in sage it was checking the report. army and forces in both the east “We don’t want to have an exodus, other figures in her party are also in charge he denies. from Mongolia and northwest China. Two people were also killed in and north. evacuation into our territory but we custody. Many of Navalny’s closest allies, In mid-March, the city was hit by shooting in the central town of Heavy clashes erupted on the week- will observe human rights,” Prayuth UN Special Rapporteur for including his spokeswoman and what China’s weather bureau called Myingyan, student leader Moe Myint end near the Thai border between the told reporters in Bangkok. Myanmar Tom Andrews said the brother, are under house arrest and the biggest sandstorm in a decade. Hein told Reuters. army and fighters from Myanmar’s He also dismissed suggestions army was carrying out “mass mur- facing charges. Although external factors were Based on a tally by the Assistance oldest ethnic minority force, the Thailand was backing the Myanmar der” and called on the world to isolate Zhdanov’s father used to work as an blamed for the conditions, the Beijing Association for Political Prisoners Karen National Union (KNU). junta. the junta. US Trade Representative official in a village in Russia’s north- authorities will carry out inspections advocacy group, 464 civilians have About 3,000 villagers fled to In Myanmar’s north, fighting erupt- Katherine Tai said the United States ern Nenets region, but has been on all local construction sites until been killed since the coup. Thailand when military jets bombed a ed on Sunday in the jade-mining area was suspending all trade engagement retired since last summer, Zhdanov the end of April, severely cracking Despite the violence, crowds turned KNU area after a KNU force overran of Hpakant when Kachin with Myanmar until the return of a said on Facebook. down on violations such as allowing out in towns across the country, an army outpost and killed 10 people, Independence Army (KIA) fighters democratically elected government. The case against him relates to him construction dust to get out and according to media and social media an activist group and media said. attacked a police station, Kachinwaves But foreign criticism and Western recommending social housing be allo- unpunctual clearance of waste, posts. The Free Burma Rangers activist media reported. sanctions have failed to sway the cated to a woman whose family had Xinhua said. (AGENCIES) One of the main groups behind the group said 2,009 people had been Both the KNU and KIA have generals. already received a housing subsidy. Animals likely source of Covid-19 outbreak: WHO ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIJING, MARCH 29 India suffers highest A joint WHO-China study on the ori- daily coronavirus gins of Covid-19 says that transmis- sion of the virus from bats to humans infections in five months through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is NEW DELHI: India reported the highest “extremely unlikely,” according daily increase in coronavirus cases in to a draft copy obtained by The five months on Monday, with the sec- Associated Press. ond wave of the disease driven by The findings offer little new insight surging infections in the country’s into how the virus first emerged and richest state Maharastra. leave many questions unanswered, A total of 68,020 new coronavirus though that was as expected. But the cases were reported in the last 24 report does provide more detail on the hours, the health ministry said. It was reasoning behind the researchers’ the highest daily rise since October 11, conclusions. The team proposed fur- according to a Reuters tally. ther research in every area except the India has been reporting a spike in lab leak hypothesis. cases—above the 60,000 mark—for The report, which is expected to be three consecutive days, though made public Tuesday, is being closely Monday’s rise was still below watched since discovering the origins September’s peak of more than 90,000 of the virus could help scientists pre- cases a day. vent future pandemics—but it’s also The total number of cases since the extremely sensitive since China bris- epidemic began a year ago crossed the tles at any suggestion that it is to 12 million mark, making India the blame for the current one. Repeated hardest hit country outside the United delays in the report’s release have States and Brazil. raised questions about whether the Chinese side was trying to skew its conclusions. visit by a WHO team of international “We’ve got real concerns about the experts to Wuhan, the Chinese city AP/RSS methodology and the process that where Covid-19 was first detected, People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of coronavirus enjoy blooming cherry blossoms from paddle boats in Tokyo on Monday. went into that report, including the from mid-January to mid-February. fact that the government in Beijing In the draft obtained by the AP, the apparently helped to write it,” U.S. researchers listed four scenarios in Secretary of State Antony Blinken order of likelihood for the emergence said in a recent CNN interview. China of the coronavirus named SARS- rejected that criticism Monday. CoV-2. Topping the list was transmis- China warns firms not to engage in politics over Xinjiang “The U.S. has been speaking out on sion from bats through another ani- the report. By doing this, isn’t the U.S. mal, which they said was likely to trying to exert political pressure on very likely. They evaluated direct REUTERS labour in Xinjiang - a charge that Xu repeatedly rejected accusations the members of the WHO expert spread from bats to humans as likely, BEIJING, MARCH 29 Beijing has repeatedly denied. of genocide and human rights abuses group?” asked Foreign Ministry and said that spread through “cold- The US has publicly Elijan Anayat, another Xinjiang in the region and accused the Western spokesperson Zhao Lijian. chain” food products was possible but Chinese officials on Monday said government spokesman, said during powers of engaging in political manip- The report is based largely on a not likely. Sweden’s H&M and other foreign com- accused Beijing of the briefing that Chinese people did ulation to destabilise China with the panies should not make rash moves or genocide against the not want the products of companies sanctions. step into politics after the companies such as H&M and Nike that have boy- “They have lost their minds and raised concerns about forced labour Uighur Muslim cotted Xinjiang’s cotton. He said he their conscience, they are enthusias- in Xinjiang, sparking a furious online would welcome companies taking tic about political manipulation and backlash and boycotts. ethnic minorities. trips to the region’s cotton fields to see the abuse of sanctions, to a level that H&M, Burberry, Nike, Adidas and them for themselves. is hysterical,” said Xu. other Western brands have been hit by Washington on Friday condemned Anayat said: “Their real purpose consumer boycotts in China since last “To rush into this decision and get what it called a state-led social media by fabricating the issue of genocide week over comments about their involved in the sanctions is not rea- campaign in China against US and is to disrupt security and stability sourcing of cotton in Xinjiang. The sonable. It’s like lifting a stone to drop other international companies for in China.” growing rift comes as the United it on one’s own feet,” he said. committing not to use cotton from The United States in January States and other Western govern- H&M did not immediately respond Xinjiang. announced an import ban on all cot- ments increase pressure on China to a request for comment. The wave of consumer boycotts in ton and tomato products from the area over suspected human rights abuses Chinese social media users last China has coincided with a coordinat- due to allegations of forced labour in the region. week began circulating a 2020 state- ed set of sanctions imposed by Britain, from detained Uighur Muslims. “I don’t think a company should ment by H&M announcing it would no Canada, the European Union and the Western governments and rights politicize its economic behaviour,” longer source cotton from Xinjiang. United States last week over what they groups have previously accused said Xu Guixiang, a Xinjiang govern- H&M said at the time the decision say are human rights abuses taking authorities in the far-western region ment spokesman, at a news confer- was due to difficulties conducting place in Xinjiang. The US government of detaining and torturing Uighurs in REUTERS ence on Monday morning. “Can H&M credible due diligence in the region has publicly accused Beijing of geno- camps, where some former inmates A healthcare worker collects a swab sample from a passenger at a railway station during a continue to make money in the and after media and human rights cide against the Uighur Muslim eth- have said they were subject to ideolog- rapid antigen testing campaign for Covid-19 in Mumbai, India. Chinese market? Not anymore.” groups reported the use of forced nic minorities in the region. ical indoctrination.

C M Y K 07 | TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Nepal edge Bangladesh to claim Three Nations Cup trophy The hosts overcome their South Asian rivals 2-1 in the final match at the Dasharath Stadium to claim their fifth international title and second trophy at home ground. Biraj Maharjan calls time on international football career PRAJWAL OLI national team at 18 against Pakistan KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 in 2008, achieved what none of his predecessors did. He led the national Biraj Maharjan, the most accom- team to three titles in 2016 including plished captain of the Nepali national the U-23 men’s football gold in South football team, pulled the curtains Asian Games (SAG) in February, AFC down on his 13-year long glittering Solidarity Cup in September and international career with his last Bangabandu Gold Cup in January. appearance against Bangladesh in the The SAG was an age group event but home team’s 2-1 title celebration of the other two held in the same year Three Nations Cup at the Dasharath were official international. Stadium, Tripureshwor on Monday. With the Bangabandhu cup Nepal The victory made the defender’s had ended their 23-year international final appearance in the national col- trophy drought. our a moment to celebrate. “What The left back started playing foot- could have been a better farewell to me ball while he was a child and was than winning a trophy at the home selected for the second batch of foot- soil,” said the 31-year old, who will ball academy run by the All Nepal still give continuity to club football. Football Association (ANFA) as a U-12 Maharjan had been struggling to player. Since then, he never had to get playing time of late and came as a look back. He represented Nepal in 90th minute substitute for Tridev various age group international tour- Gurung and played in the six minutes naments. stoppage. He also wore the national After making his debut against captain’s armband. Once the final Pakistan in an international friendly, whistle was blown, he was carried by he won 73 caps. Maharjan, one of the his teammates and paraded around most prolific left backs the country the stadium. has ever produced, has scored one He was applauded by roaring home international goal against Kyrgyzstan supporters as Prime Minister KP during the AFC Challenge Cup in Sharma Oli presented him with a blaz- March 2009. er at his farewell. He wore the captain’s armband for “It is an emotional day for me and a the first time during Trivandrum very tough decision to make. But SAFF Championship in December every player has to go through this 2015 against India replacing Anil day in their career,” said Maharjan. “I Gurung. He led the team as captain for have never imagined that I would 18 matches. POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI achieve this height when I started the Maharjan had been struggling for a Nepal finally ended their eight-match goalless streak after goals from Sanjog Rai (on air) and Bishal Rai helped them beat Bangladesh in the final of the Three Nations Cup football tournament. game. I thank my supporters, team- regular place in the national fold since mates and coaches.” 2019. Leaving aside the final of the PRAJWAL OLI gold in the 1993 SAF Games and 2016 goal scoring opportunities in the first who had last scored against Chinese Captain Kiran Limbu, who succeed- Three Nations Cup, his last interna- KATHMANDU, MARCH 29 Bangabandu Gold Cup both in Dhaka. half. Bangladesh, meanwhile, barely Taipei in September 2019 in the World ed Maharjan, said that the team have tional appearance came at a friendly In the same year Nepal won the AFC threatened the goal. Cup and Asian Cup joint qualifiers fulfilled their promise of a happy fare- match against Malaysia in June 2019. Hosts Nepal defeated Bangladesh 2-1 Solidarity Cup in Malaysia. Skipper Kiran Limbu lauded the match. well. “Having spent 13-years of play- He also claimed top tier domestic in the final of the Three Nations Nepal made two changes in the fighting spirit of his teammates. During the half hour mark, forward ing career with him, I had promised league—the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Cup football tournament at the starting XI in comparison to the last “There are lots of positive changes in Anjan Bista wasted a golden scoring him a trophy on his farewell before the Division League—with Three Star Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor two matches replacing forward the squad in comparison to the one we opportunity when he chipped above tournament began. And we did it,” he Club, Manang Marshyangdi Club and on Monday. Avishek Rijal with Sunil Bal and played against Bangladesh in the bar from the area in one-on-one said. Machhindra Club. He led Machhindra Tournament debutant midfielder bringing central midfielder Bishal Rai November last year. There are many with the advancing Bangladesh goalie Maharjhan, who debuted for the to the league title in the last season. Sanjog Rai and Bishal Rai scored in in place of Ravi Shankar Paswan. young players and have fighting spirit. Rahman. the first half to seal the victory as “As I have told earlier, we came with But my goal with the team is to win The home team backed by roaring Nepal claimed the fifth international a different tactics and different forma- the SAFF Championship.” supporters doubled the advantage in title and second trophy at home. tion and that paid off,” said coach Bal Nepal created their first real chance the 42nd minute through Bishal Rai Mahbubur Rahman pulled one Gopal Maharjan, who had also led the in the 13th minute only for midfielder after he fired a powerful shot to beat back late in the second half for team to Bangabandhu trophy. Tridev Gurung to apply a feeble touch Bangladeshi goalie Rahman in Ranjit Bangladesh. Maharjan also made changes in the from the area on Sunil Bal’s cross Dhimal’s pass. Champions Nepal received the win- 4-4-2 formation he played in the last allowing Bangladesh defender Riyadul Bangladesh created a couple of ners’ trophy and a cash prize of $5000 two matches by deploying a single Hasan to clear it. chances in the second half and pulled and runners-up Bangladesh got $3000.. forward Anjan Bista. Nepal came closer to scoring in the one back in the 83rd minute through In the group stage match played on “It’s a proud moment to win the 17th minute when defender Ananta substitute Mahububur Rahaman. The Saturday, Nepal had played 0-0 draw trophy at home turf. We were defeated Tamang was allowed a free header in unmarked forward made a towering against Bangladesh before settling for by the Bangladesh team at the same Sunil Bal’s cross forcing Bangladesh header to convert skipper Jamal the same scoreline against the U-23 venue in the 1999 South Asian Games goalie Anishu Rahman for a long Bhuiya’s corner. Though Bangladesh team of Kyrgyzstan on Thursday. football final while I was a player,” stretch dive. A minute later Sanjog Rai pushed on for a second goal, they ran Nepal’s first trophy at home dates recalled Maharjan, adding that he had broke the deadlock with a quick strike out of time. back to 1984 when the team defeated defeated Bangladesh most while as a as Bangladeshi defenders failed to Nepal’s star defender Rohit Chand the same opponents 4-2 in the first coach and also as a player. clear the ball from the crowded area was declared the player-of-the-tourna- POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA South Asian Federation Games now Nepal looked a better side from the following a corner. ment and won $500 while goal scorer Teammates hoist former Nepal national football team captain and defender Biraj Maharjan known as SAG at the Dasharath onset piling pressure on their oppo- The goal also broke Nepal’s eight Sanjog Rai was named man-of-the- after he announced his retirement from international career with 73 caps. Stadium. Apart from that Nepal won nent. They created nearly half a dozen match long 748-minute goal drought match and won $250. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) *** CANCER (June 22-July 22) **** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** Two different stories are at play under Tuesday’s You’re likely to find yourself pining for play As a Libra, you’re cosmically guided by the As a Capricorn, you’re ruled by the stoic and skies. The psychological Scorpio moon draws over productivity today, Cancer. The moon slith- bond-building planet, Venus. Today’s skies see patient planet, Saturn. Today’s skies see you into a private, emotionally rich realm and ers into depth-probing Scorpio, stirring up your Venus in a well-supported alignment with sta- Saturn receiving a visit from benefit-bringing on the other, gift-giving Venus aligns with disci- need for romance and creative activities. ble Saturn, helping you ground down and Venus, helping to attract positive but subtle plined Saturn. explore realistic opportunities for connection opportunities. on the romantic front.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) **** LEO (July 23-August 22) ** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** As a Taurus, you’re faithfully guided by the You’re ready to tap out of your social life for a The final day of the month has a few curveballs You’re ready to get after it today, Aquarius. The celestial movements of the bond-building plan- bit, Leo. The moon slides through pensive in store, Scorpio. The moon spends the day in moon glides through sharp-focused Scorpio, et, Venus. Tuesday’s skies feature a grounding, Scorpio all day, directing your attention towards your sign, helping you tune back into your directing your attention towards your current supportive alignment between Venus and any buried feelings stirring just below the sur- health, body, and current emotional state. career path and it’s pressing concerns. self-disciplined Saturn. face.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) ** There’s things to take care of under Tuesday’s As a Virgo, you’re a natural born storyteller. Let You’ve just about had enough of everyone’s It’s hard to stay focused on the present tense cosmic landscape, Gemini. Look for the errands yourself activate this talent today through any demands, Sagittarius. Let yourself become an today, Pisces. Your focus seems to be swept up in on your to-do list that have slipped through the kind of activity that allows for open, fearless introverted, self-focused hermit for the day. future plans, as the deep-diving Scorpio moon cracks in recent days. self-expression. has you closely examining your next move.

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Young, rich and racy: South Korea’s livestreamers In a country that has long stressed academic qualifications, ‘content creator’ now ranks fourth in a survey of most desired jobs.

DANIEL DE CARTERET and produces variety shows for SEOUL some of the country’s biggest TV stations. rom a converted store- Only a small fraction of stream- room on the roof of his ers make significant sums, but mother’s Seoul apart- Ahn said the stars who were ment, Kim Min-kyo already earning tens of thousands plays video games for up of dollars a month have seen their to 15 hours a day—and takings “double or even triple” Fmakes a fortune from the thou- during the pandemic. sands of fans watching him. The hyper-wired South is often The cramped studio is an at the forefront of technological unlikely home for a budding mil- change—it launched the world’s lionaire, but the 24-year-old’s gam- first nationwide 5G networks in ing prowess—mixed with 2019, two years after internet tele- quick-witted commentary and vision subscriptions overtook high-school-level humour—has cable TV. seen his income climb to about Mobile advertising revenue tri- $50,000 a month. pled between 2015 and 2019 to 4.56 That puts him well into the top trillion won, according to regula- one percent of earners in South tors, overtaking broadcast adver- Korea, but has not affected his tising along the way, which fell by lifestyle. almost a quarter. “I’m not really into cars or “Conventional media is at an spending lots of money,” said Kim, important crossroads,” said Ahn, who eats, sleeps, washes and whose business activities straddle works in the small space. both traditional and new media. “My mum manages all my “Now with YouTube, anyone can income so I never have a lot of have their own channel.” money on me,” he told AFP. Some livestreamers have moved Livestreamers, known as into the mainstream, including “Broadcast Jockeys” or BJs in appearances on TV variety shows South Korea, are hard-wired to the and sports commentating. digital infrastructure of youth Meanwhile minor celebrities, culture. financial analysts and even some They entertain for hours with politicians have turned to lives- an interactive mishmash of chat, treaming to boost their profiles. gaming, dance, music, eating, get- And in a country that has long ting drunk or even just sleeping. stressed academic qualifications, Top livestreamers enjoy subcul- “content creator” ranked fourth in ture celebrity among teens and a survey of primary schoolchil- 20-somethings, who consider them dren’s most desired jobs last year. more relatable than traditional South Korea’s best-known con- media stars. AFP/RSS tribution to the global livestream- A few can earn over $100,000 in a Joshua Ahn, CEO of South Korean production company Starfish Entertainment, poses during an interview with AFP at his home in Seoul. ing phenomenon has been “muk- good month from broadcasting bang”, where the host commen- live on homegrown platform 400,000 subscribers. The audience can donate them tates while eating huge plates of AfreecaTV, and uploading edited There is regular controversy in while interacting with a lives- food. content to YouTube. South Korea over a lack of regula- With the world under lockdown for treamer, who converts it back to Some broadcast activities are Kim, who often streams himself tion on livestreaming, from undis- cash with the platform taking a more controversial, such as scant- playing online battle game League closed product promotion to “lewd” much of last year, the coronavirus cut. ily-clad suggestive conversation, of Legends in his pyjamas, builds behaviour—a bar set relatively low has been good for business for Donations on it climbed by more or even criminal, for instance on his content with conversations in a conservative culture. than 20 percent to 41.5 billion won threats of violence against rivals. that flirt with the country’s social Some livestreamers have been livestreamers. in the third quarter of last year. “The reason why the content of boundaries. called out for misogynist commen- “Even though it’s sad that these BJs is getting more sexual “Maybe sometimes you need to tary and violent behaviour. Covid-19 has happened, it would and violent is because they seek do something absurd to attract And at any given hour it is easy Over the first four months of YouTube said it saw huge spikes be a lie to say that it hasn’t helped more attention,” said California followers,” he acknowledged. to find scantily-clad women on last year, as the South urged peo- in global viewership last year, BJs grow,” said Joshua Ahn, who State University Monterey Bay He makes money from fan dona- AfreecaTV willing to “talk cute”, ple to stay at home to control the including in South Korea. heads local production company researcher Hojin Song. tions, sponsorship—sometimes “dance sexy” or send a private outbreak’s first wave, time watch- AfreecaTV, which now hosts Starfish Entertainment. “The more audience that they consuming local energy drinks video for the right price. ing videos on smartphones surged, about 17,000 livestreamers, sells The 44-year-old Maserati- can draw in, the better chance midstream—and advertising on For livestreamers, the coronavi- according to the Korea “starballoons” to viewers for 110 driving media entrepreneur man- they get at making better money.” YouTube, where he has more than rus has been good for business. Communications Commission. won ($0.10) each. ages dozens of top livestreamers, — Agence France-Presse No Oscars or sensitive art spark Hong Kong censorship fears Amid the decisions that were taken, concerns are being raised that Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in the city is extending to arts and entertainment.

them,” he said. Ai, the artist, was not immedi- ately available for comment. Earlier this month, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said authori- ties were on “full alert” to ensure that exhibitions in the city do not violate the national security law. Pro-Beijing lawmakers have said that some of M+’s artwork is polit- ically sensitive and could be in breach of the legislation. Separately, public broadcaster TVB confirmed Monday that it will not air this year’s Academy Awards ceremony for the first time in decades. A report by local newspaper The Standard suggested that earli- er critical comments about main- land China by Chloe Zhao, the AP/RSS Beijing-born director of nominat- People walk in front of ‘M+’ visual culture museum in the West Kowloon Cultural ed film “Nomadland,” as well as District of Hong Kong. the nomination of a short docu- mentary about the 2019 protests in ZEN SOO loyalists. Henry Tang, head of the Hong Kong could be linked to the HONG KONG city’s West Kowloon Cultural decision not to broadcast the cere- District Authority, said at a news mony this year. ecisions in Hong conference Monday that there are “TVB does not have the broad- Kong not to display no plans to exhibit a photo at the casting rights for The Oscars 2021. a politically sensi- opening of the city’s new M+ It was purely a commercial deci- tive photograph in museum by dissident Chinese art- sion that we decided not to pursue a museum exhibi- ist Ai Weiwei showing him hold- the Oscars this year,” TVB said in tion and not ing up his middle finger at a statement. Dbroadcast the annual Academy Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Old comments by Zhao in which Awards for the first time in The decision prompted concern she was perceived to be criticising decades have prompted concerns that the security law will not just mainland China sparked outrage that Beijing’s crackdown on be used to silence dissent but also in the country. Searches for dissent in the city is extending to to intervene in freedom of art and “Nomadland” were blocked on the arts and entertainment. expression. Chinese internet. Hong Kong authorities have Tang dismissed suspicion that The Academy of Motion Picture taken a tougher stance on opposi- the museum was under pressure Arts and Sciences Awards, which tion following Beijing’s imposi- to remove the photo, saying there presents the awards, could not tion of a national security law on never were plans to include it. immediately be reached for com- ment. In Beijing, proposed changes to The announcements came as China’s Hong Kong’s electoral system were submitted to the Standing top legislature began deliberating a Committee of the National People’s Congress at the revamp to Hong Kong’s election laws. opening of its session on Monday, the official Xinhua News Agency said. the city, arresting prominent “We have never planned for that Under the proposals, the make- pro-democracy activists and par- photograph to be included in the up of a committee that chooses the ticipants in anti-government pro- opening exhibition, so there is no leader would be changed, and the tests in 2019. question that we have retracted it, committee would be given the The twin announcements on the or we have succumbed to pressure power to pick a large share of the Oscars and the photograph came and have changed it,” Tang said. legislature. The changes are as China’s top legislature began “If any of our works or any of expected to reduce the proportion deliberating a revamp to Hong our actions contravenes any such of lawmakers elected by direct Kong’s election laws that would law, I’m sure the law enforcement vote, though details have not been put more power in the hands of a agencies will get in touch with us released yet. committee dominated by Beijing and we will co-operate fully with — Associated Press

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