WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 273 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 30.0 C -1.6 C Tuesday, December 01, 2020 | 16-08-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla The why, how and who of the anti-federalism, pro-king rallies The rallies, though small, are an expression of frustration with both the government and the opposition for their failures, and should be taken as a warning, observers say.

TIKA R PRADHAN earned achievements and constitution KATHMANDU, NOV 30 at stake. Amid this, the country of late has Twelve years ago, Nepal, in what was been seeing a new phenomenon rising. dubbed a giant leap forward, abol- After holding rallies in different ished the 240 years of royal rule and parts of the country, pro-royalist and transitioned into a republic. The pro-Hindu forces on Monday marched Constituent Assembly was tasked on Kathmandu’s streets, demanding with drawing up a new constitution. scrapping of the federal system and Nepali political parties took seven return of the king to what they years to draft the constitution. The chanted “save the country”. 2017 elections gave a clear mandate to Analysts say such rallies may gain a communist alliance of then CPN- some momentary traction because of UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre), the growing public frustration against which after a merger gave birth to the the current dispensation and political Nepal Communist Party, which is cur- parties’ behaviour but there is no need rently governing the country. to take them seriously yet. KP Sharma Oli returned to power in “Things have not been as we had February 2018 for a second time–this expected and the way our parties had time with a strong mandate to lead the promised,” said Rajendra Maharjan, a government for the full five-year term, political commentator who also writes POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI something which had not happened in for Post’s sister paper Kantipur. “No A man sits in the shade of a tree in Kirtipur on Monday with the city of Kathmandu in the background. more than two and a half decades. Oli doubt there is frustration among the had his task cut out–implementing the people because of poor governance. constitution, strengthening federal- But that does not mean the country ism and ensuring good governance. has to revert to the old system.” The Oli administration’s little more Before Kathmandu, pro-monarchy than last two and a half years term, and pro-Hindu demonstrators had With free testing available only for symptomatic however, have been mired in contro- organised rallies in Hetauda, Butwal, versy. It faces fierce criticism for fail- Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, ing to deliver, promoting impunity on Mahendranagar, Bardiya, Birgunj, corruption cases and weakening Janakpur, Nawalpur, Pokhara, institutions, with some critics even Rautahat and Biratnagar. patients contact tracing is yet to resume charging it with putting the hard- >> Continued on page 2 As people are left to die in their homes due to government apathy, officials say that asymptomatic cases, which make up the majority of the infected, may be superspreaders.

ARJUN POUDEL Two weeks ago, a 65-year-old man not provide free treatment and tests is KATHMANDU, NOV 30 from Goldhunga in Kathmandu was before all of us,” said Bam, who is also rushed to Tribhuvan University a senior chest physician at the As of Sunday, 233,452 people have test- Teaching Hospital in a critical condi- Tribhuvan University Teaching ed positive for the coronavirus while tion. He was admitted to the intensive Hospital. “Patients started seeking 1,508 deaths have been reported care unit and later put on a ventilator services only after they became seri- throughout the country. support. ous or unconscious. This led to the But, by implicit admission of offi- “The patient died after a few hours,” increase in the fatality rate.” cials at the Health Ministry, the fig- Dr Niraj Bam, associate professor at Of the 1,435 people who died from ures could be more as contact tracing the Institute of Medicine, told the the Covid-19 until Friday, 855 were has effectively stopped since October Post. “It was only after his death that aged over 60 years. According to the 17, when the ministry stopped free we found that he had been infected Health Ministry, most of those people tests and free treatment for Covid-19 with the coronavirus.” who died from the coronavirus had as per the decision of the Cabinet on Family members of the deceased pre-existing conditions. October 5. man told the doctors that they rushed “When the government asks the Although the Supreme Court has him to the hospital after he fainted. people to go to a hospital only in emer- ordered the government to conduct Dr Jageshwor Gautam, spokesper- gency conditions or only after one free tests and treatment, the Health son for the Health Ministry, had asked feels that one would become uncon- Ministry has not yet resumed contact the general public to go to the hospital scious, the fatality rate will rise,” said tracing, a crucial strategy to break the only if they feel that they are going to Dr Sushil Nath Pyakurel, former act- chain of virus transmission. be unconscious and if breathing ing health secretary. “The people and “How can contact tracing be becomes difficult and complicated. the country have been paying the resumed when the government only Similarly, a 62-year-old woman from price for wrong policy decisions. Had we not been told such things, people with pre-existing conditions would have lived.” Following the Supreme Court refus- al to entertain a review petition filed by the Health Ministry over its previ- ous ruling regarding free tests and treatment, the government was forced to resume free polymerase chain reac- tion testing. But since the guideline for testing includes only ‘symptomatic’ cases, the number of tests has not increased. Doctors say that over 70 percent of infected people remain asymptomatic but given the government guideline for testing, they cannot be tested. According to a Health Ministry offi- cial, without testing the people who came in close contact with the infected individuals, the ongoing spread of the coronavirus cannot be contained. “As there is no cure for the coronavi- rus infection, the government should treat symptomatic patients and test those who came into contact with the POST FILE PHOTO infected even if they are asymptomat- People are being rushed to hospitals only in their last stages, doctors say. ic,” the official said, warning that there is a high risk of asymptomatic conducts tests of symptomatic Kapan in Kathmandu, who died last patients becoming superspreaders. patients,” a senior official at the Health month in her home, tested positive for Former acting health secretary Ministry said on condition of anonym- the virus only after her death. Pyakurel said that the provision of ity. “The government is not serious According to Bam, her family mem- testing only symptomatic patients about containing the infection.” bers regretted not taking her to hospi- bars people from their constitutional The government’s October 5 deci- tal. rights of health care and this is sheer sion has also killed many people who “Government officials have urged irresponsibility as well as contempt of could have been saved otherwise. the public not to go to a hospital unless the court’s order. it is an emergency,” Bam added. “One wrong policy decision always “In these cases, patients were kept has chain effects,” he added. “The at their homes until their condi- decision to halt free Covid-19 tests and tions became too critical and they care not only made people suffer but eventually lost their lives.” also pushed the country’s achieve- With the government deciding ments in the health sector several not to conduct free testing and years back.” treatment, people stopped seek- Instead of being sincere, it seems ing medical care. Isolation cen- that the government is intent on find- tres of hospitals, which used to ing loopholes in the court’s order so as be full earlier, started to become not to expand testing, and this way the vacant as the hospitals started ongoing pandemic cannot be con- forcing the patients to pay. tained, said Pyakurel. “The result of the decision to >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Nepal-China border closure affects northern villages of Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung Local residents living in border settlements are having a tough time managing essential commodities and finding markets for their products.

ANANDA GAUTAM IN TAPLEJUNG & Phurbu Bhote, the chief administra- by vehicle. The goods are then carried DIPENDRA SHAKYA IN SANKHUWASABHA tive officer of Bhotkhola Rural to Thudam of Bhotkhola using mules NOV 30 Municipality in Sankhuwasabha. and porters,” he added. “It takes three The northern villages of days for a mule to transport goods POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC Residents of several settlements in the Sankhuwasabha are hardest hit by from Sanwa to Bhotkhola.” Vehicles pass by the construction site of a roundabout at Chabahil, Kathmandu. The road section has been in a northern parts of Sankhuwasabha food shortages. The residents of The villagers are in a rush to man- state of disrepair for years, resulting in air pollution and traffic congestion. and Taplejung districts are having a Bhotkhola, a remote local unit about age food that will last them through- tough time managing essential com- five days walk from the district head- out the year, as the mule track from modities and finding markets for their quarters Khandbari, are greatly Sanwa to Thudam is often disrupted products due to the protracted closure affected, as China sealed the by heavy snowfall in winter. of the Nepal-China border amid coro- Kimathanka border point on January “One cannot use the track when The why, how and who of the anti-federalism ... navirus threat. 19 without prior notice. there’s snowfall in the area,” said Villagers living near the Nepal- The district administration had Dandu Sherpa of Papung in Taplejung. >> Continued from page 1 bargaining.” system in danger.” China border are dependent on Tibet supplied rice, cooking oil, salt and When the goods finally reach the Organisations like Rastriya Shakti According to Maharjan, both the When it was voted to power, the for daily essential commodities, as the other daily essentials to Bhotkhola on villages, their prices get exorbitantly Nepal, Goraksha Nepal, Bishwo ruling and opposition parties have Nepal Communist Party’s constitu- area is yet to be connected with the a Nepal Army helicopter in February high. Nupu Sherpa, a mule trader of Hindu Mahasangh, Rastriya Sarokar failed to discharge duties properly. ents were not only mandated to gov- national road network. Tibet is also and distributed the essentials to the Papung, said he charges Rs120 to Manch, Shiva Sena Nepal, Bir “The ruling party is bent on destroy- ern for five years but also to imple- the major market to sell their products settlements that were reeling under transport one kilogram of goods from Gorkhali and Matribhumi ing the system as it is drunk on power ment the constitution over the period. that range from medicinal herbs to food shortage. Sanwa to Thutham. Samrakshan Nepal, among others, because it has an absolute majority,” Constitution implementation domesticated animals. The local resi- According to Bhote, in the wake “The work is risky and it takes a have been at the forefront of these said Maharjan. “The opposition is entails ensuring laws for the federal dents have been greatly affected by the of the border closure, the residents week to take the mules to Bhotkhola rallies. groping in the dark, failing to system, devolution of power, strength- Nepal-China border closure since of Bhotkhola have started and back,” said Nupu. According to Keshar Bahadur Bista, put a check on the ruling party’s ening of the institutions, empowering January. transporting rice and other commodi- According to Narayan Thapa, the chairman of Rastriya Shakti Nepal shenanigans.” constitutional bodies and ensuring “The main challenge now is to find ties from Mikwakhola Rural vice-chairman of Taplejung Chamber which coordinated Monday’s rally in A few weeks ago, even reports had independence to institutions. food. The local residents used to buy Municipality in Taplejung, as it is of Commerce and Industry, a 50kg Kathmandu, they have three major surfaced that Oli and Sher Bahadur But from the very beginning, Prime daily supplies from the Tibetan mar- nearer than Khandbari, the district sack of Mansuli rice costs around Rs agendas–establishment of constitu- Deuba, the leader of the opposition Minister Oli started to display author- kets but they have not been able to do headquarters. 2,300 in Phungling. The same rice tional monarchy, reinstating Nepal as party, were in discussions for a possi- itative steraks, as he tried to central- so since the border closure,” said “They transport goods up to Sanwa costs Rs 8,700 after it is transported to a Hindu nation and scrapping federal- ble power sharing deal should the rul- ise power, contrary to what the consti- Thudam. ism, as “it divides people and puts the ing Nepal Communist Party split. tution envisioned. Likewise, the local people have also nation in danger.” The Nepal Communist Party is fac- “As the government failed, we as the been unable to find a market for their “It has become difficult for common ing a deep crisis with Oli’s bete noires opposition too failed,” admitted Gagan products, mainly carpets, medicinal people to survive, the country is in led by the other chair Pushpa Kamal Thapa, a Nepali Congress lawmaker. herbs and livestock, since the border crisis,” said Bista. “But the leaders Dahal piling pressure on him to step “It’s still not too late for us to intro- closure. are plundering the state.” down. spect. It’s the opposition that should According to Tashi Sherpa, a local These organisations, however, are Oli and Dahal, who until a few have been seen on the streets and in trader at Olangchungol in Taplejung, little-known entities, lacking political weeks ago were involved in verbal parliament. Instead, it’s royalist forces Tibet was the main market for the vil- base. war, have taken their fight one notch that are being talked about.” lagers to sell various medicinal herbs The one politically recognised party up–engaging in allegations and coun- According to Thapa, current leader- like Chiraito, Jatamasi, Kutki and that has made constitutional monar- ter-allegations in writing. ship, of both the ruling and opposition Bikhma. The herbs used to be trans- chy and reinstatement of Nepal as a Even ruling party leaders say the parties, should not make a mistake of ported to China from Kimathanka bor- Hindu nation is Rastriya Prajatantra two chairs are responsible for the cur- making light of such developments. der point in Sankhuwasabha and Party. The party is even in the federal rent mess. “Our leadership cannot simply Olangchungola border point in parliament with one seat. “Our party won the majority… was point a finger at the government and Taplejung. It, however, is not part of the recent given a huge electoral mandate, but say such a phenomenon won’t last “The export of herbs has come to a pro-Hindu, pro-monarchy rallies, rais- we failed to make use of it,” said long,” said Thapa. “We will have to halt since January. Carpets meant to ing suspicion among many as to Surendra Pandey, a Standing pay a price if we continue to ignore be sold in Tibetan markets are also whether the fringe forces, which are Committee member of the Nepal what is in front of us and realise the gathering dust and hundreds of little known, have the wherewithal to Communist Party and former finance possible threat.” women used in weaving the carpets organise such programmes in differ- minister. “We failed to build a culture, Observers say what is even more have been left unemployed,” he said. ent parts of the country. there was a lack of commitment and worrying is that the ruling party is “The border should be reopened at the Sagun Lawoti, a central executive vision. And this infighting in the engaged in its own infighting at a time POST PHOTO: ANANDA GAUTAM earliest so we can resume the export committee member of the Rastriya party is doing no good.” when forces that are calling out the Residents of Bhotkhola use mules and porters to bring essentials to their village. business.” Prajatantra Party, described the ral- The ruling Nepal Communist Party parties that championed the cause of lies as a natural reaction “of people” today is a combination of two commu- socio-political transformation are get- as disenchantment has been growing nist forces which were led by two ting the attention. Tilagupha Municipality among the people. leaders who at one point of time were It looks like the threat to the current Lawoti, however, said his party is poles apart. system, which was achieved because not leading these rallies. Oli’s commitment to federalism has of the sacrifice of many people, is Office of the Municipal Executive “We are in the discussion phase to been questioned on more than one from the dispensation rather than Galje, Kalikot District officially take the lead of such events,” occasion, while Dahal is described by external forces, according to them. Lawoti told the Post. “We have our many as a leader who championed the “A stable government does not nec- Karnali Province, Nepal support and solidarity to all those federalism cause and who led a war essarily usher in political stability. Invitation for Bids for the Supply of Medicines ongoing demonstrations.” for socio-economic transformation. And I have been saying this for long,” Those carrying out such rallies say Oli’s statements of late too have said Lokraj Baral, a professor of polit- Contract Identification No: TGM/MS/GOOD/NCB/01/2077/078 they have more plans to continue been dubbed anti-federal, when he ical science at Tribhuvan University First Date of Publication: 2077/08/16 (01/12/2020) them in different parts of the country, described provincial governments as and former ambassador to India. “In a as public support for them is growing. “administrative units” of his govern- country like ours, where individualis- 1. The Government of Nepal (GoN) has allocated funds to Tilagupha Municipality for Supply Of “The way we are getting more and ment in Kathmandu. tic and centralised mindset prevails, Medicines and the Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The Municipal Executive, Galje, Kalikot intends to more people by every new rally, we are The Oli administration’s move to legal and constitutional provisions do very encouraged that we will achieve empower chief district officers in the not work.” apply part of the funds to cover eligible payments under the Contract for Supply of Medicines to Tilagupha our goal,” said Bista, a former minis- fight against pandemic too had According to Baral, a majority or a Municipality Office. ter during Panchayat rule, who was received a lot of criticism, with two-thirds majority is just a number. general secretary of the Surya experts on legal and constitutional “Majority is just a technical thing,” 2. The Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The Municipal Executive, Galje, Kalikot invites sealed bids from Bahadur Thapa-led Rastriya matters saying that such a move weak- said Baral. “What matters is whether eligible bidders registered in Supply of Medicines for following Goods. Janashakti Party. He quit Rastriya ened the federal set-up. the leadership is committed to the Prajatantra Party after RPP Geja Sharma Wagle, who writes cause… whether the leadership is 3. Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information and inspect the bidding documents at the (Democratic) and RPP (Nationalist) extensively on political and security really responsible to the people, the Tilagupha Municiaplity, office of the Municipal Executive Galje, Kalikot, Mobile no.9858320054, e-mail: united to form RPP (Unified) in matters, says the ruling party’s country and the system [email protected], website http:// www.tilagufamun.gov.np. February last year. bungling coupled with opposition’s Some in the ruling party, who did Bista was also quick to point out failure is creating a space for not want to speak openly, even sus- 4. Bidding documents may be purchased from the office of Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The Municipal how the main opposition, Nepali regressive forces. pected if the Oli administration has a Executive, Galje, Kalikot by eligible Bidders, on submission of a written application, attested copies of Congress, has failed to hold the gov- “Due to the government’s non-per- quiet backing to the current pro-mon- ernment to account for failing to formance and the opposition party’s archy and pro-Hindu demonstrations. registration firm valid for F/Y 2077/078, VAT registration certificate, Tax clearance certificate ofF/Y ensure good governance. failure to make it work, frustration Their suspicion emanates from the 2076/077 and upon payment of above mentioned price within the office hours and upon payment of a non- Analysts say both the ruling and among the public is on the rise,” Wagle fact that the rallies are being held refundable fee for bid documents as mentioned in the following table, until 2077/09/ 16 (2020/12/31). opposition parties are equally to told the Post. “In a system that we without any obstruction at a time blame for the way regressive forces practice, people look up to the opposi- when the government has banned Information to deposit the cost of bidding document in Bank: are raising their heads. tion when the governing party fails. If mass gatherings in the wake of the Name of the Bank: Nepal Investment Bank, Branch office Nagma, Kalikot The major concern is, according to the opposition continues to fail to Covid-19 pandemic. It was not long ago them, the ruling party is not commit- inspire hope, people could turn to oth- the Oli administration had employed Name of Office: Tlagupha Municipality, Office of the Municipal Executive, Galje, Kalikot ted to protecting the hard-earned ers, including those who are crying security forces when a youth-led cam- Office code: - 56-365-08 achievements–the constitution and foul at the current system.” paign named Enough is Enough was Revenue Account no (Rajso) . : 06201400250009 federalism–despite getting a mandate According to Wagle, the concern is on the streets demanding an end to to strengthen them, and the opposi- not that a handful of people are out on corruption, good governance and pol- 5. The Bidders are invited to participate in the Pre-bid meeting on the 2077/09/08 (2020/12/23) at 10:00 tion has turned into a mute spectator. the streets. “That the Oli administra- ymerase chain reaction tests for all. P.M. at Office of the Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The Municipal Executive, Galje, Kalikot. “No one knows if the opposition tion has failed is just a fraction of a “It looks like two forces are working party is dead or alive in this country,” larger concern,” said Wagle. “The hand in glove to destroy the existing 6. Bids must be submitted to the office of Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The Municipal Executive, said Maharjan. “We get to hear about bigger concern is that the way the system–Oli from the current dispensa- Galje, Kalikot, on or before 12:00 hours (noon) on 2077/09/17 (2021/01/01). it once in a while but for all the wrong ruling and opposition parties tion and a bunch of royalist forces reasons–only when it is involved in are behaving could put the existing from the streets,” said a Standing 7. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of Bidders' representatives who choose to attend at Committee member of the ruling 13:00 Nepal Communist Party who repre- hours on 2077/09/17 (2021/01/01) at the office of Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The Municipal sents the former Maoist party. “We Executive, Galje, Kalikot. wonder if Oli and deposed king Gyanendra are working in cahoots.” 8. Bids must be valid for a period of 90 days and must be accompanied by bid security as mentioned in the Analysts like Maharjan, however, table below in cash deposited in Account No. 06201050250382 Nepal Investment Bank Branch Office see little threats from the street Nagma, Kalikot or in the form of bank guarantee in favor of Tlagupha Municipality, Office of The demonstrations in favour of the mon- archy and Hindu state but with cave- Municipal Executive, Galje, Kalikot as per standard format provided in Bid documents (Contract No. ats that the parties that brought in should be clearly mentioned, otherwise will not be accepted). Bid security validity period for tender shall changes must not be complacent. be 120 days from the date of bid opening. “We should not be worried about losing the system because of some 9. If the last date of submission and bid opening falls on a government holiday then the next working day demonstrations here and there. But shall be considered as the last day. our leaders must give a thought if they are genuinely working for the 10. The Employer reserves the right to accept or reject, wholly or partly any or all the bids without assigning larger cause,” Maharjan told the Post. any reason, whatsever. “Over the past few years, people have made a lot of sacrifices to achieve 11. The name and identification of the contract are as follows: what we have today. It’s a giant leap. POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA But it depends on leaders to make sure The rally in Kathmandu on Monday was held after similar ones in different parts of the country. Estimated Bid Security Fee for bid that it is not a leap to nowhere.” S.N. Contract No. Description of Good Amount, NRs Amount Document (Including VAT) (NRs.) NRs. Supply of Medicines to TGM/MS/GOOD/ Tlagupha Municipality, Office With free testing available only for ... 1 NCB/01/2077/078 4,034,926.96 110,000.00 3,000.00 of The Municipal Executive, >> Continued from page 1 of taking the experts’ suggestions pos- serious blunder,” Dr Dirgha Singh Galje, Kalikot. Public health experts had suggested itively, the government is busy finding Bam, former health secretary, told the multiple alternatives, including direct loopholes like testing only those who Post. “We do not know how many peo- Chief Administrative O cer polymerase chain reaction tests, to are symptomatic and not contact trac- ple are infected after the government’s lessen the cost of testing. But instead ing. “This government is making a decision of not conducting free tests.”

C M Y K 03 | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 NATIONAL

BRIEFING Agencies involved Road expansion work halted in conducting NAWALPARASI (EAST): Road expansion work along the Butwal-Narayangadh stretch of East-West Highway has interviews for been halted for the past three days due to workers’ protest. Around 250 workers have been protesting since Qatar police Saturday saying that the Chinese con- tractor have not paid them their wages for the past one and half jobs suspended months.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Woman hurt in tiger attack KATHMANDU, NOV 30 BARDIYA: A 42-year-old woman was injured when a tiger attacked her at The government has taken action against three Siraute Community Forest in Kathmandu-based recruiting agencies found in Madhuwan Municipality-5, Bardiya, conducting interviews with prospective candi- on Saturday. According to dates for jobs in Qatar police without comply- Superintendent of Armed Police ing with the rules. Force Nara Bahadur Raut, Lalisara Department of Foreign Employment, the gov- Pun of Madhuwan sustained injuries ernment body that manages the labour migra- in the incident. The woman had gone tion sector, has suspended the operating licence to the forest area to graze her goats. of the three recruiting agencies for next six months. Tikamani Neupane, spokesperson for the Ward chief among four department, SOS Manpower Services Pvt Ltd, held for settling rape case DD Human Resources Pvt Ltd and Hope International Pvt Ltd won’t be allowed to oper- BAITADI: Police arrested four people, ate for the next six months after they were including the ward chairman of found to have conducted the interviews without Sigas Rural Municipality-3, on charge approval from the department. of settling a rape case in the village. “These agencies can’t do any business for the Ward chief Sher Singh Dhami and next six months,” Neupane told the Post. “They three others were detained on have not been fined, but the action we have Saturday evening, police said. The taken against them is severe as they won’t be trio had allegedly mediated a settle- allowed to send any workers abroad for the next ment between an 18-year-old rape POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC six months.” victim and her attacker back in Staffers from the Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee clean the Chabahil section of Dhobikhola on Monday as part of its ongoing efforts to clean the Bagmati and Last week, the three agencies flouted foreign June, officials said. its tributaries in Kathmandu Valley. employment rules and conducted interviews with candidates promising them a place in Qatar Police. On Monday, the Department of Foreign Employment had raided SOS Manpower Services Pvt Ltd and DD Human Resources Pvt Ltd only to find its operators interviewing Fed up of losses, Nepal Airlines comes up with candidates. The next day, officials raided Hope International. Upon inquiry, they discovered that the agency was preparing to interview prospective workers even as the jobs they were four options to get rid of six Chinese aircraft being interviewed for were not verified. Several hundred Nepali youths attracted by the lucrative job had come to these agencies Grounded due to technical issues and lack of manpower and spares, they have made losses of over Rs2 billion, the state-owned carrier said. with the hope of landing the job. “When our team reached the scene, we seized SANGAM PRASAIN its classic red and blue stripes livery, opting for their documents and called the agencies’ opera- KATHMANDU, NOV 30 a more modern design. tors to the department. However, it seems these In 2014, although one 17-seater Y12e aircraft agencies were yet to collect any money from Nepal Airlines has submitted four options to and one 56-seater MA60 arrived in Kathmandu candidates,” said Neupane. the Ministry of Tourism to get rid of the six as a precursor to what the new era would be The whole incident and sighting of a vehicle inefficient Chinese aircraft in its fleet, five like, they never took to the air. belonging to the Qatar Embassy on the premis- months after its board of directors unani- The delivery of the rest of the Chinese air- es of one of the agencies has sparked a contro- mously decided to stop flying them as they craft was stalled for years after issues appeared versy and fuelled allegations that a group of were worsening its losses. in the first batch of planes that arrived in 2014. recruiting agencies, in cahoots, with the Qatari At least two tourism ministry officials con- These issues included lack of pilots, lack of embassy are trying to form a syndicate to exclu- tacted by the Post said they had received the instructor pilots, lack of spare parts and lack sively send Nepali workers to Qatar. proposal from the state-owned carrier, and of engineers trained to maintain them. The Qatari embassy in Kathmandu, however, were studying the alternatives. The second batch of MA60 and Y12e aircraft, has refuted the allegations that it was involved Nepal Airlines has repeatedly said that the as part of a six-aircraft deal between Nepal in the hiring process. Chinese-made planes were causing heavy loss- and China, arrived in January 2017. Sujit Kumar Shrestha, general secretary of es ever since they were acquired between 2014 The corporation received the final two Y12e Nepal Association of Foreign Employment and 2018, and that it wants to remove them and aircraft in February 2018. Agencies (NAFEA), a grouping of 854 recruit- stop further losses. The initial issues were not fully resolved. ing agencies, said action will be taken against The first option, according to an unnamed The government corporation had raised the three agencies which had conducted inter- ministry official, is to ask the aircraft manu- four issues—aircraft performance, insurance views illegally. facturers to buy back the planes by evaluating POST FILE PHOTO premium, timely delivery of spare parts and “NAFEA has already demanded clarification their existing worthiness. Of the six aircraft, two were received as a gift while the other four were bought with a loan from a Chinese bank. cost of spare parts as reasons it wants to dis- from the three agencies for their involvement In November 2012, Nepal Airlines signed a pose of the aircraft. in unethical activities,” said Shrestha. “NAFEA commercial agreement with Aviation Industry rier is to lease the planes to interested Nepali to fly the Chinese planes. As per a November 2012 agreement, China will scrap the general membership of these Corporation of China (AVIC), a Chinese gov- operators on either a long-term or a short-term Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, joint secretary had given a seven-year grace period under agencies as well.” ernment undertaking, to procure six aircraft— basis. of the Tourism Ministry who looks after avia- which Nepal Airlines would not have to repay The government agency, however, is still not two 56-seater MA60s and four 17-seater Y12es. The third alternative is to auction off tion affairs, said that discussions would be the loan interest and instalment. The payback in a position to say whether the recent malprac- As part of the deal, China provided one the planes. held with the Finance and Foreign ministries period of the loan is 20 years. tices seen for Qatari jobs had any links with the MA60 and one Y12e worth Rs2.94 billion as The fourth option is to look for Chinese or to sort out the issue. The Nepal government has to pay an annual alleged syndicate. gifts in 2014. The other aircraft were bought for international companies or banks interested While Nepal Airlines is the operator of the interest rate of 1.5 percent and a service charge Meanwhile prospective workers are con- Rs3.72 billion with a soft loan provided by in buying or leasing them. planes, the Tourism Ministry is the owner. The and management expenses amounting to 0.4 cerned that the controversy will cost them the China’s EXIM Bank. “Nepal Airlines has been planning to buy Finance Ministry is the financier of the percent of the overall loan amount taken by lucrative opportunity. However, the feoreign The 17-seater Y12e is a twin-engine turbo- other planes like the Twin Otter by selling the Chinese planes. As China has given two of the the Ministry of Finance as per the deal. employment department said their action prop utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Chinese-built planes,” the ministry official planes as a gift, it’s difficult for the govern- The ministry, in turn, would charge Nepal against the three agencies will not affect Industry Group, previously Harbin Aircraft said. “However, there isn’t an option presented ment to sell them. Airlines an annual interest rate of 8 percent on demand for Nepali workers. Manufacturing Corporation. The 56-seater that if the Chinese companies can assure regu- “So, there is a need for extensive discussions the disbursed loan amount. “Other recruiting agencies can supply work- MA60 is a turboprop-powered airliner pro- lar maintenance or provide spare parts, the with all the ministries to find a solution,” said Nepal Airlines said that the Chinese planes ers for Qatari Police if they complete all the duced by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial planes can fly smoothly.” Lamichhane. had already caused losses of more than Rs2 procedures before conducting interviews,” said Corporation. Both manufacturers are subsidi- “It’s clear that Nepal Airlines doesn’t want In 2014, marking the beginning of what was billion as of the last fiscal year that ended Neupane. “We hope that the agencies will still aries of AVIC. to fly the Chinese planes anymore.” The flag supposed to be a new era for Nepal Airlines mid-July, and that they were mounting each get demands for security guards as Qatar also The second option presented by the flag car- carrier has already bid adieu to its pilots hired after acquiring the planes, had even changed passing month. seems interested in hiring Nepalis.” Women commission defunct as cases of violence against women continues Since it was elevated to a constitutional body in the new constitution, it has not had full quota of commissioners, and since 2017 it hasn’t had any office bearers. BINOD GHIMIRE five office bearers and none since 2017. In the past, the commission had have shown indifference towards KATHMANDU, NOV 30 But with no office bearers despite been active against formulation of appointing office-bearers in the com- its legal elevation, the commission is discriminatory laws against women. mission because the crime against Last week, people of Bardibas as if non-existent. One such example is in the Anti- women and girls doesn’t affect them. Municipality in Mahottari district “The lack of chairperson and mem- Witchcraft Act 2015. “Our leaders don’t think beyond the protested for three days after the body bers has paralysed the commission,” Prior to the promulgation of the politics,” Kumari, the former chair of six-year-old Gulabasa Khatun was Meera Sherchan, spokesperson for the Act, the now defunct Muluki Ain had of the commission, who also is cur- found stuffed inside a sack on Monday, commission, told the Post. “We have a provision for a fine between Rs 5,000 rently a Nepal Communist Party law- a day after she went missing. been unable to recommend actions in to Rs 25,000 for those accused maker, told the Post. “Their indiffer- A 40-year-old man protesting gov- criminal cases for years now.” of torturing women for practicing ence is weakening the constitutional ernment inaction in the case lost his Currently, the commission is large- witchcraft. commission.” life in police firing while two others ly limited to administrative works. That was hardly a deterrent and the Following pressure from the sustained injuries. The commission was constituted in practice was rampant across the coun- cross-party lawmakers the Cabinet on Her relatives and local residents 2002 to deal with cases of gender-based try. This prompted the National Sunday issued an ordinance increas- claim that she had been raped. violence and provide justice to vic- Women Commission to lobby for a ing the penalty in the cases of rape On September 23, a 12-year-old girl tims. It was elevated to a constitution- separate law with harsher punish- and sexual violence. Experts, however, from Masta Rural Municipality in al body by the constitution. ments. say the ordinance was brought just to Bajhang was murdered after being As per Article 253 of the constitu- “The commission itself formulated address the concerns of the lawmak- raped. On September 15, a teenage tion, the commission has an authority an Anti-Witchcraft Bill in 2012,” said ers rather than actually being empa- rape victim took her own life in to formulate policies and programmes Ansari, “The government later owned thetic towards the plight of the Saptari district after village elders concerning the rights and interests of it and it was endorsed by Parliament victims. forced her into an out-of-court settle- women, monitoring laws concerning in 2015.” They are especially riled by the pro- ment. rights and interests of women and The Act has provisions for a jail vision that any person, whether a man Nepal Police records show that 2,144 whether obligations under interna- term of up to three years along with a or woman, can now be considered to cases of rape and 687 cases of attempt- tional treaties to which Nepal is a fine of Rs30,000 for anyone found have been raped after the ordinance ed rape were reported in the fiscal party have been implemented. guilty of being involved in torturing replaced the clause “woman or girl year 2019-20, an increase from 1,480 It also has a mandate to make sug- women accusing them practising child” in Clause 221 of the Criminal cases of rape and 727 cases of attempt- gestions, accompanied by measures witchcraft. Code 2017 by “person” . ed rape reported in the previous fiscal for their effective compliance and Ansari claims that such cases of “The government hasn’t stopped year. implementation to the government. torture have somewhat decreased promulgating discriminatory laws,” Rewind to September 2009. Suntali Similarly, it can also recommend the POST FILE PHOTO after the Act was promulgated. said Meera Dhungana, president of Dhami, a constable was raped by six government ways to ensure women People of Bardibas Municipality in Mahottari district protested for three days last week after The rape cases of Mahottari, Forum for Women, Law and policemen in Achham. are included in mainstream national the body of six-year-old Gulabasa Khatun was found stuffed inside a sack on Monday. Baitadi and Saptari are cases the com- Development, a non-government “It was the National Women development while having proportion- mission would have looked into. organisation advocating for the rights Commission’s efforts that provided al representation in all organs of ber, had served as an acting chair until also a former member of National “We could have investigated the lat- of the women. justice to Suntali Dhami,” said Mohna the state. she too retired in October 2017. No Human Rights Commission est case in Bardibas and recommend- “The ordinance the government Ansari, then a member of the The commission, however, has been members have been appointed since. “Constitutional bodies under the lead- ed necessary actions if we had a full endorsed recently has changed the commission. without a chair for the past four years, “It seems appointments have been ership of the civil servants cannot quota of office-bearers at the commis- definition of rape which is condemna- But for the past five years, since the ever since the tenure of Chand Tara delayed deliberately to weaken it,” hold government entities accountable sion,” Sherchan said. ble,” she told the Post.“If there was a commission became a constitutional Kumari ended in November 2015. said Ansari, who after serving at the though that is their primary responsi- Women rights activists say succes- women’s commission, it would have body, it has not had the full quota of Bhagwati Ghimire, a former mem- National Women Commission was bility.” sive governments and political parties objected to the law.”

C M Y K TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL The globalisation of food Murdered by caste We have become accomplices to crimes against humanity and brought dishonour upon ourselves.

Year after year, we hear shocking accounts of murder and vio- lence by people who are against inter-caste relationships and marriages. At the same time, distressing reports of other forms of caste discrimination continue to make headlines. In the majority of these reported incidents from across the country, women and girls continue to be the primary victims, but a num- ber of men and boys have also been killed. On Sunday, the police arrested six people in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old girl in Rautahat. Among the arrest- ed are the victim’s parents, who according to the police, had paid some henchmen money to kill their teenage daughter for fear of losing the ‘family’s honour’, as his divorced daughter was in a relationship with another man in the village. The vic- tim had allegedly been married off to a man from Sarlahi last year after her parents disapproved of her relationship with another man. That caste-based prejudices remain deep-seated in a country that is more educated and progressive than it’s ever been, and killing or seriously damaging people’s lives beyond repair, is evident of the fact that the scale of this problem is alarming and is an epidemic of its own. Addressing any issue requires examining the root causes. What is clear from the incident reports is that caste discrimination, despite being outlawed 14 years ago, is the bane of Nepali society. It has led to killings in the name of honour, and innocent lives have been lost just because they made relationship and marital choices. If this is not oppression, what is? Despite constitutional guarantees that protect the right of every person to equality, freedom and to live with human digni- ty, regardless of origin, caste, race, descent, community, occu- pation or business or physical condition, the ancient social constructs of the varna system continue to oppress people who SHUTTERSTOCK are perceived as lower caste. As a consequence, discrimination, everywhere, even if its origin lies else- they are Burmese Nepali. Similarly, the the food habits of people back home Helped by out-migration where. But through all strides the cui- thousands of Bhutanese refugees set- which has perhaps influenced the cui- violence and killings continue unabated based on the heredi- sines of Nepal have made, the rise of tled in the US are Nepalis as far as food sines of Nepal in a way. Previously, tary caste system. Investigations have revealed that the perpe- and changing food habits, Nepali food can be traced to a few par- is concerned, and they find comfort in there were many psychological restric- trators are often men and family members while the victims ticular aspects. that too. It is very difficult for third-gen- tions when it came to the food habits of Nepali cuisine is finally When Nepal opened its doors to the eration Assamese Nepalis to explain Nepalis. Some people, questioning the are usually women and girls. world in the early 50s, the tourists their origin, the Indian citizenship that caste of the people cooking the food in We cannot continue to be bystanders to these gross violations being recognised all over. brought with them a vibrant café cul- they gave up and their identity as highway eateries and restaurants, used of fundamental human rights laws and principles, which par- ture. The members of the then royal Americans, but they are included in to shun such establishments. Some peo- ticularly curtails the autonomy of women. In doing so, we have family opened hotels and restaurants the larger Nepali identity whenever ple equated meat with wealth, which SUJEEV SHAKYA and provided other establishments their kitchen or food comes into play. A did disservice many superb vegetarian also become an accomplice to these crimes against humanity with their patronage. This gave many Tibetan refugee from Bylakuppe or ingredients and dishes. Now, people are that breach the fundamental rights of an individual, and have THE OTHER Nepalis an opportunity to learn how to Dharamshala in India is more comfort- less bothered with caste questions brought dishonour upon ourselves. We need to reroute our VIEW master global dishes. A Russian dish able not to fight on the origins of the when it comes to food, which translates aspirations and level of maturity as a society and as a nation if like the Chicken A La Kiev is still made word momo in the US and do not mind to more Nepalis promoting Nepali food to perfection in many small restau- calling the barbecued meat in their globally. Also, with the international we want to progress. rants in Nepal, and this skill is what food menu as sekuwa. They get engulfed influences of vegan food, health-con- All this eventually boils down to the intent of the govern- the people took to the world. Whenever in the pan Himalayan Nepali identity. scious eating and calorie counting, a ment, which bears the primary responsibility of formulating For the last fortnight, Santosh Shah, a I travel, it is amusing to meet my for- The spread of Buddhism in the west variety of Nepali legumes, vegetables UK based Nepali chef, has been in the mer colleagues at the Soaltee Hotel also pushed this Himalayan cuisine and herbs have begun to be rediscov- and enforcing legislation that ensures every citizen in this news for featuring in a renowned UK managing very high-end restaurants identified with Nepal more than any ered. country, especially women and girls, are protected from hei- reality cooking show for professionals. with the staff they would have taken other country specifically. Nettle and buckwheat, which were nous crimes against them. While legal reforms and national His progress through the show has not from the workplace. In the opening of Food has been the biggest tool of associated with poverty, now are expen- policies provide the necessary framework to operate, cultural only made Nepalis around the world the floodgates of migration in the globalisation and since time immemo- sive superfoods. Vegetables like the proud but has also made many intro- 1990s, the people in the food and bever- rial the most peaceful way of overtak- lauka (bottle gourd) and karela (bitter norms and values entrenched in the archaic patrilineal system spect on the great food heritage we age sector were the ones that got better ing cultures and communities without gourd) have become sought-after need advocacy and educational interventions. inherit. The growth of migration in the jobs and started the first wave of waging a war. When Thaksin health foods. Avocados are as popular Our inalienable rights enshrined in the constitution must be past three decades has also spread migration. Many of them have now Shinawatra took over as Prime and as expensive as meat in the ingrained in the educational system if we want to rid our soci- Nepali food to the places the diaspora made it big like Chef Santosh Shah. Minister in Thailand, he called for all Kathmandu Valley. I have continued to resides in. One can find many Indian Further, when we talk about Nepali global cities to have Thai restaurants argue that the pictures of fruits and ety of caste discrimination. Because only when people, espe- restaurants owned and operated by food and Nepali identity, it goes beyond and every kitchen in the world to cook vegetables in an Instagram post looks cially men and boys, understand that men and women are Nepalis in the US East Coast. And, even the country of Nepal. In the many Thai food. This soft diplomacy strategy much better than the pictures of a dead equal, regardless of caste or background, will the possibilities in cities like Seychelles, the number of Indian restaurants operating in has been very successful; in any corner goat. Nepali owned and operated restaurants Thailand especially in Bangkok and of the world, it is very difficult to find There will be more to write as glo- of thwarting caste discrimination and subsequent acts of mur- will surprise people. The ubiquitous Phuket, one will find the staff and man- people who have not tasted Thai food. balisation moves from markets to der and violence become a reality. momo has come to represent Nepal agers chatting in Nepali, only to realise Moreover, there has been a change in kitchens. Kyrgyzstan’s post-revolutionary crossroads

periods of unrest. Kyrgyz people appreciate The official law-enforcement agen- cies were hampered by their own lead- that they have barely ers’ incompetence, corruption, and lack of professionalism. During the avoided falling into the days of rioting, many division chiefs (those with a rank above colonel) sim- political abyss. ply vanished, no longer even answer- ing calls from their subordinates. The whereabouts of the (former) minis- DJOOMART OTORBAEV ters of internal affairs and national security are still unknown; it is safe to assume that they are on the run. State institutions and civil society are once again functioning completely on their own. It is worth noting that the Kyrgyz state budget is around $2 billion— After staging three revolutions in two almost all of which is allocated for decades, one could argue that the peo- ‘protected items’ such as salaries and ple of Kyrgyzstan have accumulated pensions—whereas annual remittanc- unique knowledge of how it’s done. es, mainly from migrant workers in Then again, because new problems Russia, exceed $3 billion, accounting have emerged each time, there are for around 30 percent of GDP. The gap clearly limits to what experience can between private and public incomes is offer. one of the main sources of systemic Kyrgyzstan’s latest revolution corruption in the country. Kyrgyz do began in a typical fashion. Following a not expect anything from the state, parliamentary election on October 4, and ask only that it not take too much protesters and rioters took to the from them in the form of bribes and streets seeking to annul the result, kickbacks. Indeed, the revolutionary triggering a full-scale political crisis. impulse stems not from poverty and By October 6, demonstrators had occu- unemployment but from perceived pied the White House—the govern- injustice. ment building that houses the presi- Since the earliest days of dent’s office and Parliament. In the Kyrgyzstan’s independence, public following days, a peaceful power trust in the government has been struggle unfolded. In the end, the repeatedly undermined by systemic Central Election Commission corruption, falsified election results, annulled the election results, SHUTTERSTOCK and the state’s reliance on informal President Sooronbay Jeenbekov the country from the path of democra- determination of his activist base of political establishment with a young- Given the speed of events in recent institutions (including criminal enti- resigned, and Sadyr Japarov, a politi- c y. supporters and the loyal MPs who er generation of untainted profession- weeks, the international community ties and actors). Unlike in other coun- cian who had just been released from Japarov, now 51, began his political backed him. For all the criticism that als. If the upcoming vote on constitu- fears further destabilisation. But the tries with similar problems, corrupt prison, became the acting president. career in 2005, when he was elected to he is now receiving, there is no ques- tional changes succeeds, it will be the Kyrgyz people recognise and appreci- regimes here are overthrown quickly. Meanwhile, as the country’s only Parliament. The government that was tion that he played a central role in 10th time that Kyrgyzstan has amend- ate the fact that they have barely But the Kyrgyz people now must learn remaining independent political body, elected in 2010 prosecuted him, and he preventing the country from sliding ed its constitution since it emerged avoided falling into the political abyss. to build as well as they can destroy. the Parliament had continued to work went into hiding abroad. When he into chaos during the critical days of from the Soviet yoke in 1991. There is During the revolution, law-enforce- Failing that, they will always be risk- throughout the protests, enacting leg- returned, he was convicted and the October revolution. a persistent myth in Kyrgyzstan that ment agencies seemed paralysed, una- ing another plunge into political islation to hold a presidential election imprisoned. Both his parents and his Many Kyrgyz view Japarov as a changing the constitution will make ble to ensure the security of either chaos, and, with it, the threat of state and a vote on a new constitution on son died during his incarceration, ele- political outsider who can unite a frac- life suddenly better. But, of course, state institutions or private property. failure. January 10, 2021. This reform was ini- vating his status as a political martyr tured country and carry out necessary constitutional changes yield real- The only force that proved capable of tiated by Japarov himself, prompting in the eyes of many Kyrgyz. reforms. He has already announced a world results only when there is a maintaining a degree of legality was Otorbaev was Prime Minister of his opponents to accuse him of Japarov’s rise to power reflects not programme to fight corruption, curb deep public understanding and accept- the self-organised ‘people’s guards’ Kyrgyzstan in 2014-15. attempting to usurp power and divert just his vivid biography, but also the the shadow economy, and renew the ance of constitutionalism. who have cut their teeth during past —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 MONEY China eyes 60 GW UK says Brexit trade of hydropower on Central bank approves refinance of talks with EU are in Tibet’s Brahmaputra Rs64 billion for Covid-19 hit enterprises their ‘last week’ ASSOCIATED PRESS river: State media With the massive demand for the low interest loan through commercial banks and other financial institutions, Nepal LONDON, NOV 30 REUTERS Rastra Bank plans to make Rs200 billion available for this facility. Britain’s foreign minister said SHANGHAI, NOV 30 Sunday there is only about a week left PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA for the UK and the European Union to China could build up to 60 gigawatts KATHMANDU, NOV 30 strike a post-Brexit trade deal, with (GW) of hydropower capacity on a fishing rights the major obstacle to section of the Brahmaputra river, Nepal Rastra Bank has approved refi- an agreement. known as the Yarlung Tsangbo, which nance worth a whopping Rs64 billion As talks continued between the two flows from Tibet into India and for enterprises hit by Covid-19, indi- sides in London, Foreign Secretary Bangladesh, Chinese state media cating that the pandemic has taken a Dominic Raab said “I think we are reported on Monday, citing a senior heavy toll on businesses. into the last week or so of substantive executive. The central bank said it was negotiations.” Yan Zhiyong, chairman of state- preparing to invite applications for The UK left the EU early this year, owned Power Construction additional refinancing facility as it but remained part of the 27-nation Corporation of China, speaking at an has promised to provide more than bloc’s economic embrace during an industry conference, said that plans to Rs200 billion. 11-month transition as the two sides dam the river were a “historic oppor- After the Monetary Policy 2020-21 tried to negotiate a new free-trade deal tunity”, and would not only help to announced refinance facility for to take effect January 1. Talks have meet the country’s clean energy plans enterprises affected by the coronavi- already slipped past the mid-Novem- but would also strengthen water sup- rus, a large number of businesses ber date long set as a deadline for ply security. His remarks were pub- applied for it so that the interest agreement to be reached if it is to be lished by China Energy News, a sister payments they owed to banks would approved by lawmakers in Britain and publication of the Communist Party- be lowered. the EU before year’s end. run People’s Daily. Under refinance facility, the central The ruling Chinese Communist bank subsidises interest on loans by POST FILE PHOTO Party had said it would “implement providing funds at 1 to 3 percent inter- Around 40,000 borrowers received refinance facility under the combined applications, according to the central bank. Both sides have the development of hydropower est to commercial banks equivalent to resources on the lower reaches of the the amount of credit they have issued approach, the central bank refinances to borrowers using microfinance the case-by-case basis. made progress Yarlung Tsangbo river” in a list of to targeted borrowers. up to Rs50 million per borrower. Under institutions, according to the mone- According to bankers, they were 2021-2025 “five-year plan” policy rec- The banks are allowed to charge a case-by-case basis, it provides up to tary policy. inundated by requests for refinance on export issues ommendations published at the begin- these borrowers a maximum interest Rs200 million, according to the mone- According to the central bank, facility after they called for applica- ning of November. rate of 5 percent on their existing tary policy. nearly half of the total refinance facil- tions. Rastriya Banijya Bank has got but significant Environmental groups and Tibetan loans. Dhakal said that the large number ity approved under the collective refi- refinance approval for its 764 borrow- rights activists have expressed con- According to Nepal Rastra Bank, of borrowers seeking refinance indi- nance mechanism has been approved ers worth Rs1.87 billion. divergences remain. cern about China’s hydropower ambi- sectors that have been the hardest hit cates that the pandemic has affected for micro and small enterprises. “We got a large number of applica- tions in the region, saying it could or faced middle-level impact are eligi- enterprises badly. “We sought to res- “As much as Rs23.5 billion has been tions from small borrowers this time affect downstream water supplies. ble to apply for the facility. cue them with the refinance facility,” approved for micro and small enter- unlike in the past,” said Kiran Despite the stalemate, Raab told Sky Yan said hydropower construction “We have approved refinance facili- he said. prises, and they have received up to Shrestha, chief executive officer of News that “there’s a deal to be done.” would help to develop Tibet, while the ty of around Rs64 billion for over The total outstanding amount of Rs1.5 million each,” said Dhakal. The the government-owned bank. “It is He said the two sides had made pro- construction of power grids and roads 40,000 borrowers,” Dev Kumar Dhakal, refinance provided by the central amount has already been released to probably due to the monetary policy’s gress on “level playing field” issues— would make cross-border cooperation executive director of the central bank, bank in the last fiscal year 2019-20 banks and financial institutions, focus on providing refinance to the standards the UK must meet to with South Asian countries “more told the Post. stood at Rs7.49 billion, according to according to the central bank. Covid-19 affected small and medium export into the EU. The biggest hurdle smooth.” “Of the total value of refinance the central bank. According to a central bank study enterprises.” appears to be fish, a small part of the Anti-hydropower groups say approved, Rs50 billion was allocated In the past, refinance facility was released in August, micro and small Bhuvan Dahal, chief executive economy with an outsized symbolic China’s rivers are already at satura- for applications submitted collectively made available mainly to exporters enterprises were worse affected than officer of Sanima Bank, said his bank importance for Europe’s maritime tion point after a dam-building boom by A, B, and C class banks and other and productive industries sectors, larger industries during the nearly also received many applications for nations. EU countries want their boats that included the construction of the financial institutions, and Rs14 billion and it was approved individually. four-month-long lockdown which was refinance. “I have to see how many to be able to keep fishing in British Three Gorges Project and many other was okayed on a case-by-case basis.” But this year it is for pandemic-hit lifted on July 21. Over 60 percent requests were received. But, it is mas- waters, while the UK insists it must giant hydropower plants on the Around 40,000 borrowers received enterprises. micro and small enterprises were sive,” Dahal, who is also the president control access and quotas. Yangtze and its tributaries. refinance facility under the combined According to bankers, the collective fully closed enterprises while just of the Nepal Bankers’ Association, “On fisheries, there is a point of Earlier this year, a US govern- applications, according to the central refinance approach, as well as the flex- over 40 percent medium and large told the Post. He said that it was natu- principle: As we leave the transition, ment-funded study showed that a bank. “The number of borrowers who ibility adopted in the procedure tar- industries were fully closed during ral for enterprises to seek refinance as we are an independent coastal state series of new dams built by China on benefited from refinance provided geted at benefiting Covid-19 affected the lockdown, according to a central the pandemic hit the economy hard. and we’ve got to be able to control our the Mekong river had worsened the individually totalled 60,” said Dhakal. sectors, played a key role in the mas- bank study. “As this helps to lower their interest waters,” Raab said. EU chief negotia- drought affecting downstream coun- The collective approach is used sive rise in refinance approved this “The central bank has first released rate, it is natural to see a rise in tor Michel Barnier, who met through tries. China disputed the findings. when a bunch of applications are fiscal year. Until the last fiscal year, the amount meant for micro and small requests,” he said. the weekend with UK counterpart China says its current hydropower reviewed together unlike under a this facility was available only under a enterprises,” said Dhakal. “We are yet Other bankers had also told the Post David Frost, has said there are still capacity of around 350 gigawatts rep- case-by-case approach. case-by-case basis. to release the fund for refinancing for last month that they received a large “significant divergences.” resents only about half of its total The central bank had started to pro- Out of the over Rs200 billion availa- bigger enterprises who need the pro- number of refinance applications. If there is no deal, New Year’s Day potential. Frank Yu, an analyst with vide refinance facility to enterprises ble for refinancing in the current fis- vided facility between Rs1.5 million According to them, many banks will bring huge disruption, with the Wood Mackenzie, said during a webi- applying to get refinance on a case-by- cal year, 70 percent will be provided in and Rs50 million.” received requests beyond the thresh- overnight imposition of tariffs and nar on Monday that China would case basis since early October. Those bulk by the central bank as per the According to Dhakal, mostly hotels, old fixed by the central bank. As per other barriers to UK-EU trade. That require another 250 GW of hydroelec- who applied for the facility under the requests for loans through commer- schools and colleges, hospitals, phar- the central bank directive, refinance will hurt both sides, but the burden tric capacity by 2060 if it is to meet its collective approach were given until cial banks, 20 percent through a case- maceutical industries and other man- can be extended to up to 25 percent of will fall most heavily on Britain, carbon neutrality target set by Xi mid-October to do so. by-case basis and the remaining 10 ufacturing industries are among the the core capital of a bank under the which does almost half its trade with Jinping in September. Under the collective refinancing percent of the bulk refinance will go sectors that received refinance under bulk refinance category. the EU.

FOREX Europeans snap up old cars to avoid public transport US Dollar 118.79

Euro 142.30 REUTERS In the longer term, however, the has helped major automakers recover Pound Sterling 158.21 LONDON/MADRID, NOV 30 shift away from public transport to some extent from the financial towards “individual mobility” in the blows pandemic lockdowns delivered Japanese Yen 11.40 Want a cheap used car to nip around pandemic era is expected to help car- in the spring. Chinese Yuan 18.07 town without running the gauntlet of makers, hit by a 27 percent slump in But an analysis of car registration coronavirus on public transport? new vehicle sales across Europe in the data in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Qatari Riyal 32.62 Welcome to Pandemic Motors, we first 10 months of 2020. Switzerland and the United Kingdom Australian Dollar 87.63 have just what you need. At Nawaie Motoring’s crammed lot conducted for Reuters by IHS Markit Across Europe, people are snapping in the west London suburb of Hayes, also shows there’s a significant shift Malaysian Ringit 29.16 up old bangers, clunkers, general manager Ameen Sultani toward older, used vehicles. Klapperkasten, tacots and catorci, des- points out the older cars selling for In France, for example, the IHS Saudi Arab Riyal 31.67 perate to avoid buses and trains but under 3,000 pounds ($3,985) that are in analysis showed used car registra- Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank wary of splashing out on a shiny new demand. He said prices for the cars, tions rose nearly 16 percent in the motor in uncertain economic times. mostly over a decade old, have jumped third quarter while new vehicle sales “Public transportation is terrific by 25 percent as buyers who used to fell more than 5 percent. It also showed Shares here, but with the Covid and all that, take trains and buses look for afforda- that in 2020 so far, vehicles over 15 it’s better to avoid it,” said Robert ble alternatives. years old made up a higher proportion Nepse 1,997.05pts 1.46% Perez, who recently moved to Spain’s REUTERS “Anything under 3,000 pounds has of used car registrations than in 2019. capital Madrid from Argentina. Ameen Sultani, general manager of used car dealer Nawaie Motoring, shows some of the sold very quickly and is very hard to “It’s fair to say in the time of HIGHEST GAINERS On the hunt for work, Perez, a vehicles that have been popular with customers during the pandemic, in Hayes, Britain. replace in our inventory because corona that the amount of vehicles UMHL UPPER GRDBL NBB SJCL RHPL 10% 9.79% 9.69% 9.68% 9.61% 9.6 33-year-old automotive engineer, everyone is chasing the same vehi- older than 15 years has increased ver- bought a red 2001 Seat Toledo for 2,000 research firm IHS Markit and online The surge in interest in used cles,” Sultani told Reuters. “Most of sus prior years,” said Bjoern Huetter, MODERATE GAINERS euros ($2,370) from OcasionPlus, a car market AutoScout24 showed there cars is neither good news for strug- them have bought because they want- an associate product director at IHS. NLIC STC NCCB SHPC LICN ALICL 9.43% 9.16% 9.15% 8.61% 7.92% 7.78 Spanish used car firm that has opened has been a marked upward shift in gling mass transit networks nor the ed to avoid public transport.” There was an even bigger jump in

MODERATE LOSERS four new dealerships since the lock- registrations of older cars across environment as dirty old cars appear Stronger than expected demand for Spain, with used car registrations NMB LBL PFL MLBL SBI SIFC down due to soaring demand. Europe, as well as a spike in internet to be more in demand than new elec- new cars in the United States, Europe up nearly 25 percent, according to the -3.13% -3.27% -3.31% -3.37% -3.44% -3.66 Data provided to Reuters by searches for ageing vehicles. tric vehicles. and especially China in recent months IHS analysis. HIGHEST LOSERS PCBL GBBL EICPO LBBL BNT BBC -3.77% -3.79% -3.8% -4.09% -5.42% -10%

BULLION PRICE PER TOLA China’s factory activity Fine Gold Rs 90,000 expands at fastest pace Silver Rs 1,120 SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA in over three years

GASOLINE WATCH REUTERS the 50-point mark that separates BEIJING, NOV 30 growth from contraction on a monthly basis. It was also higher than the China’s factory activity expanded at 51.5 median forecast in a Reuters poll the fastest pace in more than three of analysts. years in November, while growth in “The rise in November manufactur- the services sector also hit a mul- ing PMI, with broad-based improve- ti-year high, as the country’s econom- ments across the sub-indices, ic recovery from the coronavirus pan- suggest the recovery momentum in demic stepped up. the industrial sector has become more Upbeat data released on Monday certain,” Zhang Liqun, analyst at suggests the world’s second-largest China Federation of Logistics & economy is on track to become the Purchasing. “But the results also first to completely shake off the showed inadequate demand is still a drag from widespread industry shut- common issue facing firms. downs, with recent production data We need to consolidate the policy showing manufacturing now at support aimed to expand domestic pre-pandemic levels. demand.” China’s official manufacturing The robust headline PMI points to Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) solid fourth-quarter growth, which rose to 52.1 in November from 51.4 in analysts at Nomura expect to quicken October, data from the National to 5.7 percent year-on-year, from 4.9 Bureau of Statistics showed. It was percent in the third quarter, an the highest PMI reading since impressive turnaround from the deep September 2017 and remained above contraction earlier this year.

C M Y K TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Pandemic unrest leaves six Australia demands Russia begins mass trials of second coronavirus vaccine apology from China MOSCOW: Russia plans to begin mass dead in Sri Lanka’s prison trials of its second coronavirus vac- cine, EpiVacCorona, on people aged For more than three weeks now, India’s single-day cases have remained below 50,000. after fake image posted over 18 on Monday, the RIA news agency cited the consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor as saying. EpiVacCorona, which is being devel- on social media oped by Siberia’s Vector Institute, was authorised this month to carry REUTERS out trials on 150 volunteers over 60 SYDNEY, NOV 30 and 3,000 volunteers over 18, the Morrison says world watchdog has said. The trials will be Australia demanded an apology after conducted in Moscow and several a senior Chinese official posted a fake is watching how other cities including Kazan and image of an Australian soldier hold- Beijing responds Kaliningrad, the TASS news agency ing a knife with blood on it to the cited it as saying. Coronavirus cases throat of an Afghan child, calling it to tensions in ties have surged in Russia since “truly repugnant” and demanding it September, but authorities have be taken down. with Australia. resisted imposing a touch lockdown Prime Minister Scott Morrison and have said that targeted measures called a media briefing to condemn are enough to cope with the crisis. the posting of the image, into the origins of the coronavirus marking another downturn in pandemic. deteriorating relations between the Earlier this month, China outlined Pakistan’s lonesome elephant two countries. a list of grievances about Australia’s starts new life in Cambodia The Australian government has foreign investment, national security PHNOM PENH: Pakistan’s lonely ele- asked Twitter to remove the image, and human rights policy, saying phant Kaavan arrived in Cambodia posted on Monday by China’s foreign Canberra needed to correct its actions by cargo plane on Monday to start a AP/RSS ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian to restore the bilateral relationship new life with fellow pachyderms at a A family member of an inmate cries demanding that authorities reveal the condition of her relative as others console her outside the prison on his official Twitter account, with its largest trading partner. local sanctuary, the culmination of complex following an overnight unrest in Mahara, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Monday. Morrison said. Morrison said countries around the years of campaigning for his transfer “It is utterly outrageous and world were watching how Beijing by American singer Cher. Cher was ASSOCIATED PRESS ed prisoners had been ignored by offi- the 50,000 mark. The capital, New cannot be justified on any basis,” responded to tensions in Australia’s on the tarmac at the airport of COLOMBO, NOV 30 cials for more than a month. Delhi, has also seen a dip in daily Morrison said. “The Chinese govern- relationship with China. Cambodia’s second-biggest city Siem Sri Lanka has experienced an infections. It reported fewer than 5,000 ment should be utterly ashamed of In the latest in a series of trade Reap to greet Kaavan and was photo- Inmates unhappy about the coronavi- upsurge in coronavirus cases since new cases for the second consecutive this post. It diminishes them in the sanctions, China announced on Friday graphed in sunglasses, black face rus threat at an overcrowded prison last month when two clusters—one day. On Sunday, it recorded 68 deaths, world’s eyes.” it will impose temporary anti-dump- mask and white jacket meeting the near Sri Lanka’s capital have centered at a garment factory and driving the capital’s total to 9,066. Australia has told 13 special forces ing tariffs of up to 212.1percent on vets who accompanied the elephant, clashed with guards who opened other at a fish market—emerged in India is second behind the US in total soldiers they face dismissal in rela- wine imported from Australia, a move who made the long journey in a cus- fire, leaving six prisoners dead and 35 Colombo and its suburbs. coronavirus cases. In an effort to slow tion to an independent report on Canberra has labelled unjustified and tom-made crate. others injured, officials said Monday. Confirmed cases from the two the virus’s spread, the home ministry alleged unlawful killings in linked to diplomatic grievances. Two guards were critically injured, clusters have reached 19,449. Sri has allowed states to impose local Afghanistan, the head of the country’s Zhao wrote on Twitter: “Shocked by they said. Lanka has reported a total number of restrictions such as night curfews but army said on Friday. murder of Afghan civilians & prison- Thousands flee as Indonesian Pandemic-related unrest has been 22,988 coronavirus cases, including has asked them to consult before “It is the Australian government ers by Australian soldiers. We strong- growing in the country’s prisons. 109 fatalities. imposing lockdowns at state, district who should feel ashamed for ly condemn such acts, & call for hold- volcano bursts to life Inmates have staged protests in recent India has recorded 38,772 new coro- or city levels. their soldiers killing innocent ing them accountable.” JAKARTA: Thousands have fled the weeks at several prisons as the navirus cases in the past 24 hours, Cambodia’s Education Ministry is Afghan civilians,” said Hua Chunying, His Twitter account had posted scene of a rumbling Indonesian vol- number of coronavirus cases surges driving its overall total to 9.43 million. ordering all schools to close after a China’s foreign ministry spokeswom- the same message, but without the cano that burst to life for the first in the facilities. The health ministry on Monday also rare local outbreak of the coronavi- an, when asked about Morrison’s fake image of the soldier and child, time in several years, belching a mas- More than a thousand inmates in reported 443 deaths in the same peri- rus. It says public schools will remain comments. on Friday. sive column of smoke and ash, the five prisons have tested positive for od, raising the death toll to 137,139. shut until until January 11, the start The image posted by her colleague Morrison said Australia had estab- disaster agency said Monday. The the coronavirus and at least two have India continues to have one of the of the next school year, while private shows people’s “indignation,” said lished a “transparent and honest” pro- evacuation of more than 4,400 resi- died. About 50 prison guards have also lowest deaths per million population schools must close for two weeks. Hua, speaking at a regular news con- cess for investigating the allegations dents came as Mount Ili Lewotolok tested positive. globally, the health ministry said in a Officials said over the weekend that ference in Beijing on Monday. Whether against the accused soldiers and this erupted Sunday, spouting a thick Senaka Perera, a lawyer with the statement. It also said that focused a family of six and another man tested it will be taken down is a matter “is what a free, democratic, liberal tower of debris four kilometres Committee for Protecting Rights of measures to ensure a low and manage- positive for the coronavirus. between Twitter and the Australian country does”. into the sky, triggering a flight Prisoners, said the inmates at Mahara able fatality rate have resulted in daily Eight more cases were reported government, she said. Australia had “patiently sought” to warning and the closure of a local prison near Colombo had been frus- mortality figures of less than 500. For Monday among residents of Phnom Australia’s relationship with China address tensions in the relationship airport. The crater’s last major trated because their pleas for corona- more than three weeks now India’s Penh who were in contact with has deteriorated since Canberra with China and wanted direct discus- eruption was in 2017. (AGENCIES) virus testing and separation of infect- single-day cases have remained below the family. called for an international inquiry sion between ministers, he said. Iranian TV says weapon used in scientist’s killing was made in Israel

REUTERS state TV reported, as the defence minister DUBAI, NOV 30 promised that the Islamic Republic would retaliate for his killing. Iran’s English-language Press TV reported Iran’s clerical and military rulers have on Monday that the weapon used in the blamed Israel, for Fakhrizadeh’s killing, killing of prominent Iranian nuclear scien- raising the threat of a new confrontation tist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh last week was with the West and Israel in the remaining made in Israel, the Islamic Republic’s long- weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency. time enemy. When asked about potential Iranian “The weapons collected from the site of reprisals, Cohen told radio station 103: “We the terrorist act (where Fakhrizadeh was have regional intelligence supremacy, and assassinated) bear the logo and specifica- on this matter we are prepared, we are tions of the Israeli military industry,” an increasing vigilance, in the places where unnamed source told Press TV. that is required.” In Jerusalem, there was no immediate Iran’s hardline Kayhan daily, whose edi- reply from Israeli officials contacted for tor-in-chief is appointed by Supreme Leader comment on the report. Iran’s semi-official Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an opinion Fars news agency said on Sunday that piece on Sunday called for an attack on the Fakhrizadeh was killed by a machine gun Israeli port city of Haifa, if an Israeli role operated by remote control, while the in Fakhrizadeh’s killing is proven. AP/RSS Arabic language Al Alam TV reported that However, Iran’s rulers are aware of Sheep stand together in their enclosure on a field in Rodgau near Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday. the weapons used in Fakhrizadeh’s killing daunting military and political difficulties were “controlled by satellite”. in attacking Israel. Such an attack would Witnesses on Friday told state TV that also complicate any effort by US President- there were gunmen on the ground. elect Joe Biden to revive détente with Speaking before the Press TV report, Tehran after he takes office on January 20. Israeli intelligence minister Eli Cohen told Tensions have increased between Tehran Uproar in France over limits on filming police radio station 103 FM on Monday that he did and Washington since 2018, when Trump not know who was responsible. exited Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six pow- Fakhrizadeh, who had little public profile ers and reimposed sanctions that have crip- ASSOCIATED PRESS Activists say the bill may have an even greater threatened or to incite hatred,” he said. in Iran but had been named by Israel as a pled Iran’s economy. In retaliation, Tehran PARIS, NOV 30 impact on people other than journalists, especial- “The law doesn’t ban journalists or citizens prime player in what it says is Iran’s nucle- gradually breached the deal’s curbs on its ly those of immigrant origin living in neighbor- from filming police in action ... It bans these ar weapons quest, was killed on Friday nuclear programme. Biden has said he will French activists fear that a proposed new securi- hoods where relationships with the police have images from being used to harm, physically or when he was ambushed on a highway near return the United States to the deal if Iran ty law will deprive them of a potent weapon long been tense. Images posted online have been psychologically,” he argued. “The lives of officers Tehran and his car sprayed with bullets. resumes compliance. against abuse—cellphone videos of police activi- key to denouncing cases of officers’ misconduct are important.” Iran began Fakhrizadeh’s burial in a Tehran has always denied seeking nucle- ty—threatening their efforts to document possi- and racism in recent years, they argue. A “tiny fraction of the population feeds rage cemetery in northern Tehran on Monday, ar weapons. ble cases of police brutality, especially in impov- Assbague expressed fears that, under the pro- and hatred” against police, Jean-Michel erished immigrant neighbourhoods. posed law, those who post videos of police abuses Fauvergue, a former head of elite police forces French President Emmanuel Macron’s govern- online may be put on trial, where they would face and a lawmaker in Macron’s party who co-au- ment is pushing a new security bill that makes it up to a year in jail and a 45,000-euro fine. thored the bill, said in the National Assembly. illegal to publish images of police officers with “I tend to believe that a young Arab man from “We need to find a solution.” intent to cause them harm, amid other measures. a poor suburb who posts a video of police brutal- Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has Critics fear the new law could hurt press free- ity in his neighborhood will be more at risk of acknowledged that “the intent (to harm) is some- doms and make it more difficult for all citizens to being found guilty than a journalist who did a thing that is difficult to define” and the govern- report on police brutality. video during a protest,” she said. ment appears ready to back revamping part of “I was lucky enough to have videos that protect Amal Bentounsi’s brother, Amine, was shot in the proposed law. me,” said Michel Zecler, a Black music producer the back and killed by a police officer in 2012. The Activists consider the draft law one more step who was beaten up recently by several French officer was sentenced to a five-year suspended in a series of security measures passed by French police officers. Videos first published Thursday prison sentence. Along with other families of lawmakers to extend police powers at the expense by French website Loopsider have been seen by victims, in March she launched a mobile phone of civil liberties. over 14 million viewers, resulting in widespread app called Emergency-Police Violence to record A statement signed by over 30 groups of fami- outrage over police actions. abuses and bring cases to court. lies and friends of victims of police abuses said Two of the officers are in jail while they are “Some police officers already have a sense of that since 2005, “all security laws adopted have investigated while two others, also under investi- impunity. ... The only solution now is to make constantly expanded the legal field allowing gation, are out on bail. videos,” she told the AP. The app has been down- police impunity.” The draft bill, still being debated in parlia- loaded more than 50,000 times. Riots in 2005 exposed France’s long-running ment, has prompted protests across the “If we want to improve public confidence in problems between police and youths in country called by press freedom advocates and the police, it does not go through hiding the public housing projects with large immigrant civil rights campaigners. Tens of thousands of truth,” she added. populations. people marched Saturday in Paris to reject the The proposed law is partly a response to In recent years, numerous security laws have measure, including families and friends of peo- demands from police unions, who say it will pro- been passed following attacks by extremists. ple killed by police. vide greater protection for officers. Critics noted a hardening of police tactics dur- “For decades, descendants of post-colonial Abdoulaye Kante, a Black police officer with 20 ing protests or while arresting individuals. immigration and residents in populous neigh- years of experience in Paris and its suburbs, is Hundreds of complaints have been filed against borhoods have denounced police brutality,” both a supporter of the proposed law and strong- officers during the yellow vest movement against Sihame Assbague, an anti-racism activist, told ly condemns police brutality and violence social injustice, which erupted in 2018 and saw The Associated Press. against officers. weekends of violent clashes. Videos by the public have helped to show a “What people don’t understand is that Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said out of wider audience that there is a “systemic problem some individuals are using videos to put 3 million police operations per year in France, with French police forces, who are abusing, the faces of our (police) colleagues on social some 9,500 end up on a government website that punching, beating, mutilating, killing,” she said. media so that they are identified, so that they are denounces abuses, which represents 0.3 percent.

C M Y K 07 | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Tottenham not happy despite top spot, says Mourinho Warner out of white-ball series, uncertain for Test A goalless draw means Chelsea remain just two points behind their London rivals in third, with holders Liverpool trailing Spurs only on goal difference. MELBOURNE: Australia batsman David Warner has been ruled out of the rest AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE while Mourinho kept Gareth Bale in of the white-ball matches against LONDON, NOV 30 reserve for the full 90 minutes. India due to a groin injury and faces Hugo Lloris was finally forced into a fitness battle to be ready for the Jose Mourinho claimed his side were a meaningful save 10 minutes from first Test at Adelaide Oval on not happy just to settle for a point time when the Spurs captain turned December 17. Cricket Australia said from a 0-0 draw at Chelsea that moved Mason Mount’s powerful strike on Monday that Warner, who suffered Tottenham back to the top of the behind. But the biggest chance to win the injury in the field during Premier League. the game came in stoppage time when Australia’s 51-run ODI win on Sunday, Chelsea enjoyed the better of a Giroud pounced on a weak header would be rested in the hope of being game of few chances, but Spurs from Joe Rodon, but he did not get fit for the four-Test series against showed a resilience and steel to hold enough on an attempted lob over Virat Kohli’s side. Fast bowler Pat out for a fourth consecutive clean Lloris and his French international Cummins has also been withdrawn sheet that bolstered their claim to be teammate easily saved. from the white-ball series to freshen contenders for a first league title in 60 At the St Mary’s Stadium, Edinson up before the Tests. Opener D’Arcy years. “The one thing I take from the Cavani inspired Manchester United’s Short has replaced Warner in game is normally a point here is a thrilling 3-2 win at Southampton. Australia’s Twenty20 squad, but no positive thing, to stay top of the league Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were replacement has been made for is also a positive thing, and my dress- facing a dismal defeat after first-half Cummins as yet. Australia’s win in ing room is not happy,” said Mourinho. goals from Jan Bednarek and James Sydney sealed the three-match ODI “That for me is fantastic. It’s a com- Ward-Prowse put Southampton in con- series 2-0. The teams play the dead plete change of mentality and of trol. But Uruguay striker Cavani rubber third match in Canberra on personality.” sparked United’s escape act after com- Wednesday. The evidence of the 90 minutes sug- ing on at the interval. gested Mourinho was indeed more Cavani set up Bruno Fernandes to

than happy just to extend an unbeaten reduce the deficit and the former AC Milan win without run in the league to nine games as Paris Saint-Germain star grabbed the cautious tactics from both saw the equaliser from his team-mate’s deflect- forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic sides largely cancel each other out. ed shot. The 33-year-old netted again MILAN: AC Milan midfielder Franck A share of the spoils means Chelsea in the final moments as his third goal Kessie converted one penalty and remain just two points behind their since signing as a free agent in October missed another as the Serie A leaders London rivals in third, with Liverpool extended United’s winning to four brushed aside Fiorentina 2-0 on trailing Tottenham only on goal differ- games in all competitions. Sunday, making light of the absence ence. Mourinho also ensured he did At the Emirates Stadium, Jimenez of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Alessio not lose three consecutive league needed 10 minutes’ treatment follow- Romagnoli put Milan ahead in the meetings to the same manager for the ing a clash of heads with Arsenal’s 17th minute and Kessie added a sec- first time in his career and to one of AP/RSS David Luiz. ond goal from a penalty 11 minutes his former players, Frank Lampard. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy saves a shot during the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge. Luiz was cleared to resume play, but later following a foul on Alexis Chelsea were wary not to give Jimenez had to go to hospital, with Saelemaekers. Milan, missing their Tottenham any chance to counter-at- Son [Heung-min], we didn’t really give games and the Senegalese produced a against the German international. reports claiming he was conscious 39-year-old leading scorer Ibrahimo- tack in the manner that cut open them a sniff.” smart stop to deny Serge Aurier’s Chelsea began to push with more pur- and responding to treatment. vic through injury as well as coach Manchester United and Manchester Only once did Spurs’ pace on the strike from outside the box. pose early in the second half as three Pedro Neto put Wolves in front in Stefano Pioli with a Covid-19 infec- City in recent weeks. break threaten to cause Chelsea prob- But that was the only effort on goal times Tammy Abraham could not get the 27th minute and Gabriel tion, were awarded another penalty “The clean sheet factor against a lems when Steven Bergwijn turned either side managed before the break a clean contact on inviting crosses Magalhaes headed Arsenal’s equaliser before halftime, after Theo Hernan- team we’ve seen recently are set up to inside and blasted just over the bar as Chelsea controlled possession with from Reece James and Werner. three minutes later. Daniel Podence’s dez collided with Martin Caceres. But counter-attack and have amazing play- early on. The arrival of Edouard little penetration. Lampard showed his intent to try cool finish clinched it for Wolves in Kessie saw his weak effort palmed ers to counter-attack, I think that part Mendy has resulted in a huge upturn Timo Werner did produce an exqui- and win the game by throwing on the 42nd minute, leaving Arsenal lan- away by Bartlomiej Dragowski. of our game was excellent,” said in Chelsea’s defensive record with site finish to fire in off the far post, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and guishing in 14th place after a three- Milan, who have gone 21 Serie A Lampard. “Against Harry Kane and now six clean sheets in seven league but the goal was ruled out for offside Olivier Giroud in the final quarter, match winless run. games unbeaten since losing to Genoa in March, have 23 points, five clear of Inter and Sassuolo in their best start to the season since 1994-95. Barcelona remember Maradona in winning style England secure T20 series win De Gea a doubt for PSG clash AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE advertising hoardings while a club Griezmann scored with a powerful AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE the back here,” he told SuperSport MANCHESTER: Manchester United man- BARCELONA, NOV 30 official held a framed Maradona left-foot volley from outside the box in PAARL, NOV 30 television. “It was nice to come home ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unsure Barcelona shirt. the 42nd minute. The France World and win a game for England.” whether David de Gea will recover in Barcelona on Sunday followed the The Catalans have been struggling Cup winner then passed up a shooting Dawid Malan returned to the town South Africa could only manage time for Wednesday’s Champions advice of coach Ronald Koeman and in La Liga and started the game 14th. chance in the 56th minute to roll a where he grew up and guided England 146-6 after being sent in on a slow League game against Paris St paid tribute to their former player On Friday, Koeman said the best pass across the goal and set up a tap-in to a series-clinching victory over pitch, which offered help to spinners. Germain after the Spanish goalkeep- Diego Maradona with an emphatic tribute his team could pay Maradona for Philippe Coutinho. South Africa in the second Twenty20 Leg-spinner Adil Rashid took 2-23. er suffered a knee injury. De Gea return to form in La Liga and a 4-0 was to “show what we can do on the Messi got his goal in the 74th min- international at the Boland Park in England struggled in reply, with banged his knee on the goalpost in victory over Osasuna. pitch”. He recalled Messi and Frenkie ute with a dazzling strike. He celebrat- Paarl on Sunday. left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi his failed attempt to keep out Maradona, who played two seasons de Jong, who were not in the squad for ed by pulling off his Barcelona shirt to The left-handed Malan made 55 off taking a career-best three for 19, dis- Southampton midfielder James Ward- for Barca, died on Wednesday aged 60. Tuesday’s 4-0 Champions League win reveal a vintage Newell’s Old Boys 40 balls to anchor a tricky chase. missing England big guns Jos Buttler, Prowse’s free kick and was with- Before the match, the club played ‘The at Dynamo Kiev, and also started jersey from Maradona’s one season England reached a target of 147 with Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. drawn at halftime in Sunday’s 3-2 win Song of the Birds’ by Catalan cellist Antoine Griezmann, who was on the with the club in Rosario, Argentina. four wickets and one ball to spare to Malan, batting at number three, at the St Mary’s. “Let’s have a little Pablo Casals as the teams stood bench in Ukraine. “It was a great moment,” said Koeman. take 2-0 lead in the three-match series. admitted that he struggled to time the check on (De Gea),” Solskjaer told around the centre circle where a Barcelona took the lead after 29 “Leo’s goal, his gesture dedicated to Malan, 33, was born in England but ball at the start of the innings but he Sky Sports. “Hopefully he will be ok Maradona shirt was laid on the centre minutes through Martin Braithwaite. Maradona. “It was something very grew up in Paarl and attended the found his touch in a fifth-wicket stand for Wednesday but I’m not sure.” De spot. Lionel Messi, who has inherited Messi seemed to be attempting a trib- big. We Europeans don’t realise how local high school. He made his first- of 51 with captain Eoin Morgan before Gea was replaced by Dean Maradona’s legendary Argentina ute to Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of big Maradona is in Argentina.” class debut for the Boland provincial falling to an athletic catch on the long- Henderson, who has been given few number 10 shirt, bowed his head. God’ goal against England in 1986 as Barcelona climbed to seventh, still team at Boland Park in February 2006 on boundary. Reeza Hendricks leapt to opportunities to impress since Flags at the Camp Nou flew at half he leapt after the floating ball stretch- 10 points behind leaders Real Sociedad, before going back to England and play- stop the ball going for six, landing returning from his loan spell at mast, Maradona’s image was dis- ing his left arm toward it but the refer- who drew 1-1 at home to third-placed ing for Middlesex. over the boundary but returning to Sheffield United. (AGENCIES) played on every screen and digital ee deemed he did not make contact. Villarreal. “My cricket was learnt in the nets at the field to complete the catch. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You can finally put whatever has been bothering you The best thing you can do right now is slow down. There’s really no need to be in such a hurry to prove You might feel like keeping a low profile these days, on the back burner and spend the next few days Good things definitely come to those who wait. New yourself. The more patient you are, the happier and it’s no wonder. The stars are heating things up. walking on air, or maybe on water. Wherever you go, circumstances find you facing your own indiffer- you’ll be when you finally get your turn. The stars Don’t be too surprised if something you did in the others throw themselves shamelessly at your feet. ence. It’s difficult to make a decision when you just urge you to win your victories one at a time, face-to- past catches up with you. There’s nowhere to run The impossible seems routine to you right now. don’t have much invested in the outcome, isn’t it? face and to be fully aware of your actions. once it finds you, so you might as well face it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Look down at your plate before you go back to the You have the advantage no matter which way you Keep one eye on the bottom line at all times. Your You’re a big fan of blunt honesty. If you think it, buffet for a second helping. Do you still have perfect- turn. Lately, it seems as if the laws of the universe strength and determination won’t let you fail. When you’re likely to say it without censoring it for the ly good food in front of you? Well, don’t waste it. The were written to benefit you, and you delight at the you’re finished, no one else can claim this victory audience. Luckily, you run with a crowd that has a same applies to certain opportunities you’re ponder- prospect of everything going your way. Good days are but you. You need your alone time, and that’s a good sense of the absurd. Keep in mind that not everyone ing. here! thing because solitude is on the agenda. in the world appreciates your sense of humour.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** You’re one of the first people chosen for the team. All If you can’t do it yourself, maybe you shouldn’t This is the perfect time to use body language and What happened? You got off to such a great start, but day long it seems that you’re somehow on the right attempt to do it at all. Support may be forthcoming, gestures to get your point across. Talking is highly you’re suddenly feeling tired. Don’t be surprised if side of the line that separates insiders from outsid- but it’s on someone else’s schedule. In the hours that overrated. Instead of describing your feelings, your huge lead slows back down to a walking pace. ers. Don’t be afraid to ask for something that you it takes to wait and explain, you could probably han- demonstrate them creatively. In a group, games like Now that you’ve had your fun, another person gets a didn’t think was possible yesterday. dle matters on your own. charades may be especially amusing. chance. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K TUESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Key question in Cosby appeal: Does defendant’s past matter? Investigators say it is crucial the jury hears the defendant’s past to show a crime pattern, but defence lawyers say it often amounts to character assassination.

MARYCLAIRE DALE she thought was an herbal remedy from PHILADELPHIA Cosby. She said she could not fight back as he put his hand down her pants. Cosby n 2016, as Bill Cosby’s legal team described the penetration that followed as prepared for trial in his stunning consensual. sexual assault case in Pennsylvania, An intermediate appeals court last the state Supreme Court quietly year called O’Neill’s decision on the other heard a death row inmate’s appeal. accusers reasonable. Then the state Lawyers for Charles Hicks ques- Supreme Court jumped in when he Itioned whether three women who said he appealed again. had beaten and choked them in Texas The Cosby appeal could decide whether should have testified at his trial in a courts allow the expansive use of “prior fourth woman’s death in the Pocono bad act” witnesses that many judges have Mountains. adopted in recent years or rein it in to Prosecutors hoped to show a pattern of preserve the presumption of innocence. “strikingly similar” conduct, even if only The testimony is often referred to as one woman died. The seven Supreme “404(b) evidence,” a reference to the legal Court justices issued five separate opin- rule that governs it. ions on the use of the “prior bad act” tes- “I think the Supreme Court probably timony. wants to tighten up some of the 404(b) That may explain why they are hearing issues that certainly are ripe for tighten- Cosby’s appeal of his conviction on ing,” said Brennan, who sat through Tuesday. weeks of testimony from priest-abuse In taking the case, the justices appear victims in the 2012 church trial. “It pol- eager to clear up the law on one of the lutes the air for the jury.” murkiest questions plaguing criminal tri- Pennsylvania Chief Justice Thomas als: When should a jury hear about some- Saylor raised concerns that creates one’s past? “mini-trials on collateral testimony” in Investigators say it can be crucial to his 2017 opinion in the Hicks case, show a signature crime pattern, but but he still sided with the majority to defense lawyers say it often amounts to uphold the conviction, if for different character assassination. reasons. The debate has been central to the The Supreme Court will also consider high-profile prosecutions of actor and Tuesday whether the jury should have comedian Cosby, movie mogul Harvey heard Cosby’s damaging deposition testi- Weinstein and a Roman Catholic Church mony from Constand’s lawsuit, when he official in Philadelphia charged with pro- acknowledged giving alcohol or quaaludes tecting predator priests. But it also comes to some of his accusers before sexual into play for lesser-known people like encounters. Hicks, who remains on Pennsylvania’s Defense lawyers say that Cosby, before death row. sitting for the deposition, relied on a “The issue is really intriguing because secret agreement from a former prosecu- it forces defendants to spend time fighting tor that he would never be charged in shadows of uncharged, sometimes unre- Constand’s case. But O’Neill found no lated accusations that never really AP/RSS evidence of such a pact. became formal criminal charges,” said The actor Bill Cosby has spent more than two years in prison since he was convicted of sexual assault in the first celebrity trial of the #MeToo era. Cosby, like other defendants, does not Philadelphia defense lawyer William J. have the right to attend the appellate Brennan, who was involved in the church “It is unusual, to say the least, that battery lawsuit, dozens of women had arguments, which have been trial. “It’s very distracting. You should defendant has been repeatedly ... accused come forward to say the star of “The moved online because of the Covid-19 focus on what you’re criminally charged of engaging in sexual conduct with Cosby has long Cosby Show” had mentored and then pandemic. with.” unconscious or otherwise incapacitated betrayed them. He resides at a state prison near Cosby has long complained that young women,” his office wrote in a complained that the O’Neill allowed just one of them to tes- Philadelphia, where several inmate Montgomery County Judge Steven Supreme Court brief this year. tify at the first trial, in which the jury deaths have been blamed on the coronavi- TO’Neill let five other accusers testify at Cosby, 83, has spent more than two Montgomery County could not reach a verdict. rus. Cosby’s friends have made public his 2018 retrial, when he became the first years in prison since he was convicted of But the following year, at the 2018 retri- pleas for his early release, given his age celebrity convicted of sexual assault in drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Judge let five other al, the judge let five other accusers take and increased risk of infection, but he the #MeToo era. His lawyers, and his Constand, a Temple University employee the stand to describe encounters with has not filed any formal legal petitions. wife, Camille, have called the women gold he had taken under his wing, at his subur- accusers testify at Cosby in the 1980s. Each believed they And prosecutors say he doesn’t qualify as diggers and their testimony lies. ban Philadelphia estate in 2004. his 2018 retrial. had been drugged and sexually assaulted. a sexually violent predator. But District Attorney Kevin Steele By the time her case went to trial in Constand, a former professional bas- The Supreme Court is not expected to believes the similarities in their accounts 2017, after a judge unsealed Cosby’s ketball player from Toronto, said she rule for several months. were no mere coincidence. long-buried testimony in her 2005 sexual became incapacitated after taking what —Associated Press

Fact or fiction? UK govt says Merriam-Webster’s top word of The Crown should be clear 2020 not a shocker: pandemic LEANNE ITALIE at Thanksgiving,” Sokolowski said. “We see a word NEW YORK like surreal spiking when a moment of national trag- edy or shock occurs. It’s the idea of dictionaries f you were to choose a word that rose above being the beginning of putting your thoughts in most in 2020, which word would it be? Ding, order.” ding, ding: Merriam-Webster on Monday Merriam-Webster acted quickly in March to add announced “pandemic” as its 2020 word of the and update entries on its site for words related to the year. pandemic. While “coronavirus” had been in the dic- “That probably isn’t a big shock,” Peter tionary for decades, “Covid-19” was coined in ISokolowski, editor at large for Merriam-Webster, told February. Thirty-four days later, Merriam-Webster The Associated Press. had it up online, along with a couple dozen other “Often the big news story has a technical word entries that were revised to reflect the health emer- that’s associated with it and in this case, the word gency. pandemic is not just technical but has become gener- “That’s the shortest period of time we’ve ever seen al. It’s probably the word by which we’ll refer to this a word go from coinage to entry,” Sokolowski said. period in the future,” he said. “The word had this urgency.” The word took on urgent specificity in March, Coronavirus was among runners up for word of when the coronavirus crisis was designated a pan- the year as it jumped into the mainstream. demic, but it started to trend up on Merriam-Webster. Quarantine, asymptomatic, mamba, kraken, defund, com as early January and again in February when antebellum, irregardless, icon, schadenfreude and the first US deaths and outbreaks on cruise ships malarkey were also runners up based on lookup occurred. spikes around specific events. On March 11, when the World Health Organization Particularly interesting to word nerds like declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global Sokolowski, a lexicographer, is quarantine. With AP/RSS pandemic, lookups on the site for pandemic Italian roots, it was used during the Black Death of In this file photo, a man wearing a face mask walks past a billboard advertising ‘The Crown’ television series about Britain’s spiked hugely. Site interest for the word has the 1300s for the period of time a new ship coming Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. remained significantly high through the year, into port would have to wait outside a city to prevent Sokolowski said. disease. The “quar” in quarantine derives from 40, JILL LAWLESS depiction of Thatcher, played by Gillian Anderson. By huge, Sokolowski means searches for pandemic for the 40 days required. LONDON Britain’s first female prime minister, who died in on March 11 were 115,806 percent higher than lookups Spikes for mamba occurred after the January 2013, is portrayed as clashing with Olivia Colman’s experienced on the same date last year. death of Kobe Bryant, whose nickname was the Black ritain’s culture minister thinks the Elizabeth to an extent that some say is exaggerated. Pandemic, with roots in Latin and Greek, is a com- Mamba. A mass of lookups occurred for kraken in Netflix TV series The Crown should come The Crown creator Peter Morgan, whose work also bination of “pan,” for all, and “demos,” for people or July after Seattle’s new National Hockey League fran- with a disclaimer: It’s a work of fiction. includes recent-history dramas The Queen and population. The latter is the same root of “democra- chise chose the mythical sea monster as its name, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden Frost/Nixon, has defended his work, saying it is thor- cy,” Sokolowski noted. The word pandemic dates to urged along by fans. weighed in amid criticism of the histori- oughly researched and true in spirit. the mid-1600s, used broadly for “universal” and more Country group Lady Antebellum’s name change to cal liberties taken by the drama about the In a 2017 discussion of The Crown, Morgan said specifically to disease in a medical text in the 1660s, Lady A drove dictionary interest in June, while BBritish royal family. “you sometimes have to forsake accuracy, but you he said. malarkey got a boost from President-elect Joe Biden, “It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction. So as must never forsake truth.” That was after the plagues of the Middle Ages, who’s fond of using the word. Icon was front and with other TV productions, Netflix should be very Steven Fielding, a professor of political history at Sokolowski said. center in headlines after the deaths of US clear at the beginning it is just that,” Dowden told the the University of Nottingham, said the suggestion He attributes the lookup traffic for pandemic not Representative John Lewis and US Supreme Court Mail on Sunday newspaper. “Without this, I fear a that The Crown carry a disclaimer was “reasonable entirely to searchers who didn’t know what it meant Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. generation of viewers who did not live through these and yet pointless.” but also to those on the hunt for more detail, or for The Merriam-Webster site has about 40 million events may mistake fiction for fact.” “It invariably doesn’t have an effect,” he said. inspiration or comfort. unique monthly users and about 100 million monthly Dowden is expected to write to Netflix this week to “There are studies that show that people believe fiction “We see that the word love is looked up around page views. express his view. Netflix did not immediately respond when it’s presented as fact—even if you tell them it’s not Valentine’s Day and the word cornucopia is looked up —Associated Press to a request for comment from The Associated Press. fact.” Questions of historical fidelity were not a major Fielding said it was no surprise that Charles and issue during earlier seasons of the show, which his allies were annoyed with the heir to the throne’s debuted in 2016 and traces the long reign of Queen depiction as “a bit of an idiot.” But he said making a Elizabeth II, which began in 1952. fuss about it only amplifies the attention. But the current fourth season is set in the 1980s, a Historians are used to railing at inaccuracies in divisive decade that many Britons remember vividly. dramas such as the Academy Award-winning Darkest Characters include Conservative Prime Minister Hour, which included an invented scene of Winston Margaret Thatcher, whose 11-year tenure transformed Churchill meeting ordinary Londoners on an and divided Britain, and the late Princess Diana, whose Underground Tube train during World War II. death in a car crash in 1997 traumatized the nation. “Mixing historical fact and fiction has been around Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter has since Shakespeare. This is not new to films, it’s not called the series a “hatchet job” on Prince Charles, new to TV,” said Fielding, co-author of The Churchill the heir to the British throne, and his first wife Myths, which examines Britain’s wartime leader in Diana. The troubled relationship of the couple, popular culture. played by Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin, is a “I don’t recall the culture secretary complaining major storyline in the series. about the ridiculous presentation of Winston Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has also said the Churchill in ‘Darkest Hour,” he said. “Because it show should carry a notice that “this isn’t true but it went with the myth, with the idea of Churchill the is based around some real events.” hero, nobody complained.” “I worry people do think that this is gospel and “Nobody’s bothered if fact and fiction are all man- that’s unfair,” he told broadcaster ITV. gled up, so long as it’s saying nice things,” he added. AP/RSS Some Conservatives have criticized the program’s —Associated Press Merriam-Webster on Monday announced ‘pandemic’ as its 2020 word of the year.

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