WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 258 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 32.9 C -0.9 C Saturday, November 14, 2020 | 29-07-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla At Secretariat meet, Dahal asks Oli to ‘sacrifice’ for saving party and republic In his political document, Dahal points out the failings of the government, accuses Oli of being individualistic, and demands that the prime minister engage in ‘self-criticism’.

TIKA R PRADHAN corruption in the purchase of medical KATHMANDU, NOV 13 supplies to fight the Covid-19 pandem- ic in March and Oli turning a blind The ice may have finally been broken eye to the corruption charges against with the Secretariat meeting of the Gokul Prasad Baskota, former infor- ruling Nepal Communist Party on mation minister and an Oli ally, over Friday after a 40-day interval but the the purchase of a security printing hatchet is yet to be buried. press. Party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal “If the government continues to has accused the other chair and prime ignore the party’s political pro- minister KP Sharma Oli of failing in gramme and manifesto, there is a dan- his responsibilities and has called him ger that this historic opportunity will to make sacrifices and accept his mis- be gradually missed. Such a situation takes for the sake of party unity, con- cannot be excusable,” the report reads. stitution and the federal democratic But, if a letter that Prime Minister republican set-up. Oli had written to Dahal on Tuesday is Dahal also accused Oli of not follow- anything to go by, he will not heed ing the party programme and mani- Dahal’s oblique call to resign. festo while leading the government The letter dated November 10 was and failing to control the pandemic. also presented at the Secretariat meet- “I hope that comrade KP Sharma ing. Oli, with necessary sacrifice, will take In the letter, Oli refers to an earlier the initiative and contribute to save agreement that he would lead the gov- party unity, the constitution and the ernment for the full five-year term federal democratic republic and the while Dahal would be the executive country with serious self-criticism,” chair of the party and important deci- Dahal said in his 19-page political doc- sions would be made in consultation ument presented at Friday’s between the two. Secretariat meeting. The latest row between the two Going by the tone of the political chairmen erupted after Oli appointed POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI document, Dahal wants Oli to resign ambassadors and ministers, as the Tihar shoppers defy the coronavirus threat as they crowd a busy street at Ason, Kathmandu. Nepali Hindus’ second biggest festival began on Friday with Kag Tihar, the day when the crow is as the government has failed in its Dahal camp alleges, without taking worshipped as the messenger of Yamaraj, the god of death. nearly three years of rule. him into confidence. He has accused the government of >> Continued on page 2 Will generational change in party leaderships be for the better? Experts aren’t optimistic. Politicians have made a career of politics rather than having the intention to serve the people and therefore it is the value system in politics that needs to change, they say.

tics is that we don’t have visionary and committed leadership,” Rajendra Maharjan, a political analyst who writes a column in Kantipur, the Post’s sister publication. But the younger generation is no different. Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai, for example, was well known for his leadership qualities when he was in student politics. When his party formed the govern- ment in early 2018 and he was not given a ministerial berth, he often criticised the wrongdoings of the party leadership. In July last year he was made the tourism minister. Soon he followed the ways of Prime

ILLUSTRATION Minister KP Sharma Oli in making

POST disparaging, derogatory and contemp- tuous remarks against dissenters. BINOD GHIMIRE anthropologist who writes political “The majority of the next and young KATHMANDU, NOV 13 commentaries. generation leaders in Nepali politics Whether the top is bestowed with isn’t any different from the current Both of Nepal’s established parties— that grace is a different matter. leadership,” said Maharjan. “There Nepal Communist Party and Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, have been several instances when the Congress—are in mess of their making. when asked at a recent television pro- second and third rung leaders, who While it is one chair KP Sharma Oli gramme about the handover of power otherwise looked promising, haven’t versus the other chair Pushpa Kamal to a younger generation of leaders, been different from their party boss Dahal in the ruling party, it is said leadership transfer was possible when they get to the leadership.” President Sher Bahadur Deuba versus to the crop of politicians in their 60s. Pokharel the anthropologist is even his long time rival Ram Chandra Oli is 68 years old and has had two more blunt in his assessment. Poudel in the main opposition party. kidney transplants. The next general “The next and younger generations At times, when the party leadership elections are due in two years. in the Nepal Communist Party are as is unable to come out of a quagmire, Experts say while the transfer of incompetent and corrupt as the older there is often a demand for the transfer the leadership is always a welcome generation,” said Pokharel on of leadership to the next generation. At move, that alone cannot be a determi- Whatsapp from Pakistan where he is the moment this demand may be nant factor in bringing about the currently based. stronger in the opposition which lost changes in the political scenario that Experts say developing a value-based miserably in the 2017 general elections. the country desperately needs. party system which functions on prin- Meanwhile, the ruling Nepal “The major question today is how ciples is what Nepal needs at this point. Communist Party (NCP) is so beset and with which value system a party They say the second and third rung with wranglings within that govern- functions,” he said. “If the party func- leaders in Nepali politics might have ance has taken a terrible hit. tions in the current fashion, there will talked about changing the party leader- But experts believe that even if a be no change no matter which genera- ship but they have seldom raised their younger generation were to be given the tion takes its leadership.” voices for developing a system within reins, politics would not change much. In their functioning, both the Nepali the party. “I don’t expect changes from the Congress and the Nepal Communist The problem, according to Chandra younger generation that gets the lead- Party have been corrupt, opaque in Dev Bhatta, a political commentator ership by the grace of the older gener- decision making, and have failed to who often writes in Kantipur, is that ation,” said Sanjeev Pokharel, an live up to the people’s aspirations as it leaders have taken politics as a career. has been evident again and again. “The problem with Nepali politics The inability of the govern- is it is not a part of voluntarism, it is ment to check the spread of the a profession,” Bhatta said. “We cannot Covid-19 contagion and the utter expect any changes, even if the leader- lack of a strategy to contain it is ship comes to the third generation, if a prime example of the lack of the culture is not changed.” vision among leaders, political Despite his doubts, Bhatta said he analysts say. would like to see the older generation As of Friday, there are 206,353 hand over power to the younger gener- cases of the coronavirus and 1,202 ation. But he believes it is necessary to deaths. The number of positive teach the upcoming generation about cases doubled in September and the political philosophy that politics is again in October. voluntary and its main motive is to “The problem with Nepali poli- serve the people.

C M Y K SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Nine people killed, 34 others injured in Baitadi bus accident The bus en route to Mahendranagar with 43 passengers on board fell nearly 600 metres down the road at Khodpe in Patan Municipality.

TRIPTI SHAHI IN BAITADI Khochale in Baitadi said, “I had accident. MOHAN BUDHAAIR IN DHANGADHI requested the driver to stop the vehi- “My husband, our one and a half DR PANT IN DADELDHURA cle but he insisted on moving ahead years old son and I started the journey NOV 13 saying the bus was experiencing only from Saleni to my maternal home minor problems. He told us not to in Kanchanpur. It was almost Nine people were killed and 34 others panic.” 10pm. On the way, the bus lost control. were injured in a bus accident in The police are investigating the I was knocked unconscious. When I Baitadi district on Thursday night. cause of the accident, said DSP came to my senses, my son was crying The bus en route to Mahendranagar Adhikari. nearby. I grabbed him and searched with 43 passengers onboard fell nearly “Our investigation is still in pro- for my husband. But, he was not 600 metres down the road at Khodpe in gress. It could be human error or a there.” Patan Municipality, police said. mechanical glitch.” Aidi and her baby are receiving A police team led by DSP Narayan Bimala Kunwar Aidi of treatment at Maya Metro Hospital in Prasad Adhikari had reached the Dogadakedar lost her husband in the Dhangadhi. spot soon after the accident. The injured passengers were rescued by locals and the security personnel on the same night. Birendra Karki, the bus driver, who POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC was receiving treatment at Maya A crow sits in front of the offerings made by devotees on the occasion of Kag Tihar on Friday. The first day of the Tihar festival sees Hindus Hospital in Dhangadhi, said the acci- worshipping the crow as the messenger of Yamaraj, the Hindu deity of death. dent occurred after the steering wheel jammed at a narrow road bend. “I could not turn the steering wheel towards the left and the bus over- turned,” he said. Some survivors, however, said that At Secretariat meet, Dahal asks Oli to Karki was aware of the trouble with the bus because he had stopped the vehicle from time to time to check for the issue. ‘sacrifice’ for saving party and republic “The driver stopped and checked the vehicle for at least three times. We >> Continued from page 1 Dahal, as the executive chair, had and system, Oli has established him- could tell something was wrong. We Oli in the letter, however, had said threatened to call a meeting of the self as extremely individualistic and had even advised him to fix the prob- that these appointments had been Secretariat even without Oli’s approv- the leader enjoys factional politics,” lem first before continuing on with the made after talks with Dahal. al on Thursday but decided against it Dahal says in his document. “It’s been journey, but he did not listen to us,” In the documents presented on after Oli had agreed to a meeting on essential to diagnose his attitude for said Harka Bahadur Dhami, one of Friday, which included three letters Friday. the party, movement and the country. the passengers admitted at Dadeldhura that had been exchanged in the past But before the meeting Dahal had It is nothing personal but a compul- Hospital. PHOTO COURTESY: KRISHNA BISTA week between Secretariat members, been meeting Secretariat members on sion for the sake of the party and the Another survivor Ritesh Bhatta of The injured passengers were rescued by local residents and security personnel on Thursday. accusations and counter-accusations his side for which Oli chided Dahal. country.” had been evident, laying bare the “I have urged [you] not to make The next meeting of the Secretariat degree of ill-will among them. your Khumaltar residence the head- is scheduled for Wednesday after the The three comprise a two-paged let- quarters of a faction,” Oli said in the nine members study the documents ter of five Secretariat members letter. “I want to ask you if in the past presented. “We will brainstorm on the requesting Oli to call the party’s the prime minister had his hands tied issues, analyse them and come to a Nepali Congress general convention likely Secretariat meeting, Oli’s response to and been cornered?” conclusion,” said Khanal. “Many said that letter, and Dahal’s response to He accused Dahal and other leaders we were fighting for a share Oli’s letter. in his faction that they have been of the resources but actually it was for In the nine-member Secretariat, going around spreading lies. ideological issues to make our party to be deferred, new date yet to be fixed besides Dahal senior leaders Madhav Dahal, on his part, accused Oli of better.” Kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal, being against party unity, and “Though there are many agendas to vice chair Bamdev Gautam and agreeing to the new party’s ideology be discussed in the party meeting, we With the central working committee deciding to extend the deadline for active membership spokesman Narayan Kaji Shrestha are as ‘people’s democracy’ only to have decided to focus on the ways to on one side and had been demanding a gain power even though he is not resolve the crisis seen in the party,” distribution to mid-December, the convention will be deferred, leaders say. meeting of the Secretariat while Oli committed to it. party spokesman Narayan Kaji was for consultations between the two “By continuous encroachment in Shrestha told reporters following the ANIL GIRI chairmen. the party’s organisational procedures brief meeting held at Baluwatar. KATHMANDU, NOV 13

The general convention of the Nepali Congress is likely to be pushed back after its central working committee on Friday decided to extend the deadline for distributing active memberships to mid-December. The ongoing row within the party between party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel has mainly been focussed on holding the 14th general convention, which will elect a new leadership, as early as possible. “With the deadline to distribute POST FILE PHOTO POST FILE PHOTO active membership of the party Sher Bahadur Deuba Ram Chandra Poudel extended to mid-December, it is almost certain that the 14th general conven- 14th general convention by September Poudel for the party presidency. As per tion of the party will be deferred and end and urged the meeting to discuss a the party statute, another convention the party will work out a new date new timeline accordingly, according should have been held in four years after Tihar,” Gagan Thapa, a central to a central committee member. but with internal wranglings within working committee member, told the But Poudel believes that the conven- the party, the convention had been Post. tion can still be held in February if postponed for a year. While the Deuba faction has pro- the party can meet the mid-December The earlier deadline for the distri- posed holding the general convention deadline for membership distribution, bution of active membership had been in September next year, the Poudel according to another Nepali Congress August for the convention to be held in faction hopes to hold it on the sched- central working committee member. February. uled dates February 19 to 22. The distribution of active member- The Poudel faction has accused the Krishna Prasad Sitaula, another ship is always crucial in the party Deuba faction of distributing active influential leader in the party, has because active members are the pri- party memberships indiscriminately proposed June for the convention. mary voters inside the party and are so as to bolster his support base. PHOTO COURTESY: PM’S OFFICE In the meeting on Friday, party pres- responsible to elect party representa- The party had decided to increase Members of the Nepal Communist Party Secretariat hold a meeting at Baluwatar on Friday. ident Deuba had proposed to hold the tives from ward to district levels. the number of active members by two- During the party’s 13th general con- fold ahead of the upcoming general vention in March 2016, Deuba beat convention. Collateral-free loan to promote self-employment in Bhimdatta BHAWANI BHATTA scheme is for those who to Bista. KANCHANPUR, NOV 13 want to start productive The municipal office had businesses under the Mayor collected data of overseas In its bid to promote self-em- Entrepreneurship returnees, mostly from ployment and entrepreneur- Development Programme. India, from various quaran- ship development targeting On Thursday, the Mayor of tine facilities between unemployed citizens and Bhimdatta Municipality, March and April. By then, returnees from India and Surendra Bista, and around 1,100 people had overseas, Bhimdatta Mahendranagar branch expressed interest to start a Municipality in manager of Nepal Bank business of their own, pro- Kanchanpur has launched a Limited signed an agree- vided they received collater- programme that creates ment to implement the pro- al-free loans from financial investment opportunities by gramme. According to institutions. “The objective providing collateral-free Bista, the municipality is of the programme is to pro- loans. going to establish a fund for mote self-employment and According to the munici- the programme in the bank. also utilise skills of the pality, the collateral-free “We will soon make an returnees,” said Bista. announcement for applica- The municipality plans to tions with a business plan. continue the programme in The selected applicants the next fiscal year if the will also receive training first phase of the pro- for entrepreneurship gramme becomes success- development. Officials of ful. Every year, the munici- the municipality and rep- pality has been spending Rs resentatives of the bank 30 to Rs 40 million in vari- will select the applicants. ous types of subsidies. The bank will provide Rs “We can pay bank loans 100,000 to Rs 500,000 to the from the same amount now,” selected applicants with- said Bista, adding that they out seeking collateral from have prioritised agricultur- them.” al productions and also One hundred unem- non-agricultural products ployed youths will benefit under the Mayor from the programme in Entrepreneurship the first phase, according Development Programme.

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 NATIONAL

BRIEFING

Three held for misbehaving with neighbours DANG: Police have arrested three per- sons for their alleged involvement in misbehaving with neighbours on accusation of witchcraft. According to Deputy Superintendent Sumit Khadka, two women from Ghorahi-16 were detained on Tuesday as per a complaint filed against them. They allegedly misbehaved with some locals accusing the latter of practic- ing witchcraft. Similarly, police arrested another man from Tulsipur who verbally abused a local woman accusing her for being a witch. Investigation is underway into both the cases, said police.

Covid-19 infected inmate flees from isolation BAJHANG: An inmate, who had been staying in an isolation building of District Prison in Bajhang, fled from the prison on Wednesday morning. Prabin Dhami, former district chair- man of the student union of Netra Bikram Chand led Communist Party of Nepal, was arrested in Dhangadhi on October 31 for offence against the national and public heritage, police POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI said. Dhami, who was remanded into A vendor sells powder of different colours at Kasthamandap, Kathmandu. Hindu sisters put seven-colour tika on the forehead of their brothers on Bhai Tika, which is celebrated on Monday, the last day of Tihar. custody from the District Court in Bajhang, had tested positive for Covid-19 on September 2.

Demarcation of Phewa lake within three months Provincial, local officials target free speech, media POKHARA: The first meeting of the committee formed to fix the boundary Advocates of free speech fear the culture that trickled down from the federal government will ultimately lead to a state of censorship. of the Phewa lake has decided to demarcate the lake’s border within BINOD GHIMIRE including Lumbini, are also in the Formulation of the laws to put a broadcasting are some of the exam- the administrative one.” three months. Last year, the Supreme KATHMANDU, NOV 13 process of preparing different laws curb on freedom of expression and ples of such regressive laws, accord- He said as the government is mak- Court had asked the government to aimed at regulating the media sector. free press started before the general ing to Dahal. ing its final preparation to come up conduct a fresh survey regarding the Provincial and local governments are “The culture has trickled down to elections. Against international prac- The advocates of free speech say it with the Mass Communication Bill, boundary of the lake. But the lake’s following the federal government’s the local governments,” he said. tice and norm, any perceived wrong- is necessary that the civil society which will have overarching jurisdic- borders are yet to be fixed. The lake path of formulating regressive media “Some of them have prepared the law, doings by the media or media persons remains vigilant and continuously tion, it is necessary that civil society has been shrinking due to siltation. laws targeted at curtailing the right to which even provides them with the have been treated as a criminal offence raises voices against such laws so that builds pressure for a proper law before free press and freedom of expression, authority to stop the broadcast of in the penal code (criminal code). the government is compelled to with- it lands in the federal parliament. according to the advocates of free local FM.” Despite the reservation by the draw or revise them. Mahendra Shankhi, an undersecre- Border outpost established speech. Schedule 8 of the Constitution of media sector, journalists and civil lib- Tanka Aryal, an activist on Right to tary at the Ministry of Communication PANCHTHAR: An Armed Police Force They have said the provincial and Nepal gives local level the authority to erty groups, no steps have been taken Information, said democratic values, and Information Technology, said the Border outpost has been established local governments too are guided by manage the operation of FM Radio. towards amending the restrictive international obligation and the spirit dual nature of “experts” too has creat- in Toriphule, Ward No. 1 of the mentality that the state should However, the authority to distribute laws. of constitution are being violated ed the problem. Yangwarak Rural Municipality. The control the media. Putting his view at the frequency lies with the federal “Wrongdoing by the media and while drafting regressive and restric- Without naming names he said that area shares a border with India. a virtual interaction on Friday, Tara government. media people cannot be treated as tive laws. experts give certain suggestions dur- Superintendant Kishor Shrestha, Nath Dahal, executive chairman of Putting their views at the interac- criminal offences. They should be “Our lawmaking process lacks ing consultations and change their chief at Himshikhar Battalion, said, Freedom Forum, an organisation that tion, the advocates of free speech said treated as civil offences,” said Dahal. proper consultation. Neither the views when the provision becomes “Panchthar district only shares inter- advocates for free speech, said the that in a worrying sign, all tiers of the “The trend of coming up with regres- concerns of stakeholders are taken controversial. national borders with India. There’s Integrated Communication Act governments have cultivated interest sive laws that began with the criminal into consideration nor the lawmakers “Therein lies the problem,” he said. 45 kilometers of the border area in endorsed by Province 2 is condemna- in curtailing information flow and code has continued.” have a proper role in the delibera- “I would also like to make it clear that the district. With this BOP, Panchthar ble which largely gives the provincial freedom of expression. The privacy law and bills on infor- tion,” he said. “It is also necessary most decisions on every law are taken has three BOPs now. We are yet to government the authority to control Such actions, they said, will ulti- mation technology, media council, to find out whether the lack of at the political level and we don’t have establish a BOP in Phalot now.” the media. He said other provinces, mately lead to the state of censorship. special service and public service transparency is a political problem or any role in it.” Bullion traders asked to record details of buyers in high value transactions Directive is aimed at making business transparent and discouraging money laundering. the behalf of others, a bullion trader needs to identify the real customer. However, traders of precious met- als and stones say that it would be dif- ficult for them to identify politically exposed persons. “We can seek the identity documents of persons who buy precious metals above Rs1 million in a day. But, it is really difficult to identify politically exposed persons,” said Ramesh Maharjan, president of Nepal Gold Silver Gem and Jewellery Associations, a grouping of bullion traders. He said that it would be impractical to seek identity details as doing so might discourage people from buying precious metals. But, Koirala said PEPs can be POST FILE PHOTO identified even with a copy of their As per the anti-money laundering law, traders can be subject to a penalty of up to Rs10 identity cards. million for failing to abide by the directive. “We can identify them through our tax examination process of the bul- PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA their AML/CFT obligations,” the lion traders and by making the bullion KATHMANDU, NOV 13 report said. traders make entry of purchases and According to the report, prepared sales in an electronic system,” he said. Bullion traders now need to record the ahead of the planned evaluation of As per the directive, bullion traders identity of customers who buy pre- Nepal’s performance against money will have to submit a report about any cious metals and stones worth more laundering and terrorism financing transactions above Rs1 million by a than Rs1 million in a day from them. by Asia Pacific Group on Money customer in a day to the Financial The move, aimed at making trade laundering, fraudulent and smuggling Information Unit within 15 days of transparent and discourage money activities were also found in the such a transaction. laundering comes two years after the sector. In the case of suspicious transac- Inland Revenue Department was The new directive also requires bul- tions, the bullion trader concerned named the regulator of the bullion lion traders to maintain updated should submit a report about it to the sector. records on customers who occupy FIU within three days. While submit- The department plans to implement high profile positions, also known as ting such the directive for a few bullion traders “politically exposed persons” (PEPs). A report, the bullion trader should only, initially. “Our initial target is Transactions by PEPs are considered submit the report in a format pre- 400-500 bullion traders (wholesalers risky because they may indulge in scribed in the directive. and distributors) and commercial corrupt activities by misusing their According to an official at the cen- banks,” said Gopi Koirala, director at positions. tral bank, bullion traders hardly the department. “We don’t have the “Bullion traders need to ensure that report their transactions to the FIU. capacity to make all bullion traders the PEPs and their family members “But, bullion traders who purchase comply.” are properly identified and this needs gold from commercial banks report to As per the anti-money laundering to be confirmed by obtaining docu- the concerned bank about whom they law, traders can be subject to a penalty ments from credible sources,” the sold the gold to and the commercial of up to Rs10 million for failing to directive says. bank reports it to the central bank,” abide by the directive. As per Money Laundering said the official. As per the govern- Although the Money Laundering Prevention Act, politically exposed ment’s directive, only commercial Prevention Act categorises bullion persons range from rural municipali- banks are allowed to import gold for traders as reporting entities that need ty vice-chairpersons to the president commercial purposes. to record details of customers who and senior bureaucrats. In order to properly implement the buy precious metals worth over Rs1 “A trader of precious metals needs system, a bullion trader needs to million in addition to reporting to develop a risk management system appoint a managerial level contact suspicious transactions to designated to identify politically exposed persons person. The proprietor and staff of authorities, they had not been and also make effort to find the source the firm involved in bullion trading doing so. of funds,” the directive reads. needs to provide necessary informa- The government’s recent National It says that such enhanced due dili- tion to such a contact person. Risk Assessment Report has also said gence should also be implemented in But traders said that it would be there is the case of those who are found risky to appoint someone from outside “Medium” risk of money launder- involved in suspicious transactions the family. ers using the bullion market. such as those who purchase precious “We are in the business of high “Dealers in precious metals and metals on a large scale and unusual value products and giving informa- stones operate with minimum ways. The new directive requires that tion to a person from outside could be regulations, and are often unaware of if someone buys precious metals on risky for us,” said Maharjan.

C M Y K SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 | 04 WORLD

EXPLAINED Shot in the dark: Early Covid-19 vaccine efficacy clarified

REUTERS dle is cleared. But the larger the ZURICH, NOV 13 underlying clinical benefit, the fewer trial participants needed to create that This week has seen a flurry of good clarity. news from Covid-19 vaccine develop- In Pfizer and BioNTech’s trial, they ers, with Pfizer Inc and BioNTech planned a final analysis when 164 peo- SE trumpeting early data indicating ple had become sick, with multiple, their mRNA candidate is more than 90 pre-planned interim analyses along percent effective. A Russian project the way. They skipped an analysis at came out a day later, touting 92 32 patients, and once they were ready percent efficacy for the Sputnik V can- to release a look at the 62-person mark, didate based on a smaller data set. 94 had come down sick. Details from the Russian trial are How do manufacturers arrive at unclear, without access to its protocol. efficacy numbers? How do these results stack up to In Pfizer’s case, it waited until 94 vol- other drugs, or vaccines for other unteers in its late-stage clinical trial illnesses? of more than 43,500 people—half got the vaccine, the other half got a place- In normal drug trials, for diseases like bo—tested positive after developing terminal cancer, benefits of new med- symptoms. icines may be less apparent, with sur- AP/RSS For 90 percent-plus efficacy, no more vival benefits of just a few months A man carries a girl through debris and floods in the typhoon-damaged Kasiglahan village in Rodriguez, Rizal province, Philippines on Friday. Thick mud and debris coated than eight people among those who sometimes revolutionary for patients many villages around the Philippine capital after Typhoon Vamco caused extensive flooding that sent residents fleeing to their roofs and killing dozens of people. tested positive had received the vac- at death’s door. cine, with the rest having received the For vaccines, however, marginal placebo. protection is inadequate, and the “Roughly speaking, it’s probably World Health Organization ideally around eight to 86 cases in the treated wants to see at least 70 percent effica- and placebo groups,” David cy in trials. The 90 percent efficacy BRIEFING Spiegelhalter, a Cambridge professor reported in the Pfizer and Russian China congratulates Biden, but of risk and an expert in statistics, told trials beats those, and appears to Reuters. exceed that of typical flu vaccines, Tigray conflict risks spiralling “You don’t need a lot of fancy statis- which the US Centers for Disease out of control: UN’s Bachelet tical analysis to show that this is deep- Control and Prevention (CDC) esti- few US policy changes seen ly impressive. It just hits you between mate reduce the risk of sickness by GENEVA: The United Nations human the eyes.” 40-60 percent. rights chief Michelle Bachelet on In Russia, Sputnik V-developer Friday expressed “increasing alarm” Biden might pursue a more traditional, predictable policy toward China, analysts say. Gamaleya Institute reached its pre- Can we expect efficacy rates to hold at violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray liminary 92 percent efficacy figure up as trials advance? region and said an alleged massacre al alliances, to Biden might increase based on 20 illnesses in 16,000 volun- there might amount to war crimes. pressure on China if Washington teers as its late-stage trial progresses. Pfizer acknowledged on Monday that “There is a risk this situation will forms a coalition with other developed It aims to reach 40,000 people. its final vaccine efficacy percentage spiral totally out of control, leading countries to push for policy changes. Of the 16,000 people, about quarter may vary. Still, Spiegelhalter said the to heavy casualties and destruction, China has tried to recruit Germany, got the placebo. study’s design seems likely to general- as well as mass displacement within France, South Korea and other gov- ly hold up, based on the 94 sick Ethiopia itself and across borders,” ernments as allies against Washington How many people must get sick in participants. she said in a statement delivered by a but all have refused. They criticised big vaccine trials? Geneva-based spokesman, Rupert Trump’s trade tactics of surprise tar- What about real-world efficacy, Colville. Amnesty International said iff hikes, which also were used against Some experts say that, ideally, 150 to should the vaccines be approved? scores and possibly hundreds of civil- allies, but echo US complaints that 160 people in a trial of tens of thou- ians were stabbed and hacked to China is violating its free-trade com- sands of participants must get sick The interim data is promising, death in the region on November 9, mitments. before making a reliable assessment since it appears to demonstrate that a citing witnesses. “If confirmed as Some Chinese trade experts have of a vaccine’s efficacy. That’s a bit of a vaccine can be effective in preventing having been deliberately carried out suggested Beijing might try to renego- rule of thumb, though, open to inter- Covid-19. by a party to the current fighting, tiate the “Phase 1” agreement pretation. The jump to mass vaccinations, these killings of civilians would signed in January as a first step “There is no such regulatory stand- however, presents new hurdles, in par- amount to war crimes and there must toward ending the trade war. It calls ard requiring X number of events for ticular for an mRNA vaccine like be an independent investigation and for China to increase purchases of US making a reliable decision,” the gov- Pfizer and BioNTech’s that must be full accountability for what has hap- AP/RSS goods in exchange for postponing fur- ernment-funded Swiss Clinical Trial stored and shipped at minus 70 pened,” she said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, speaks during a routine press conference ther tariff hikes. But that came before Organisation said. “The amount of degrees Celsius (-94°F). where he congratulated US president-elect Joe Biden in Beijing on Friday. the coronavirus derailed global trade, (infections) has to be seen in relation Moreover, the Pfizer-BioNTech vac- leaving China behind on meeting its to the disease and its risk profile. It’s cine requires two doses, ideally 21 Croatia jails former PM ASSOCIATED PRESS Trump labelled China a security commitments. rather a case-by-case evaluation.” days apart. If people do not stick to the Sanader for party slush funds BEIJING, NOV 13 threat and imposed export curbs and Renegotiation might fit a “more Typically, regulators strive to have timetable, it may affect the vaccine’s ZAGREB: Former Croatian prime min- other sanctions on Chinese compa- strategic, longer-term orientation” at least 95 percent certainty that the efficacy. ister Ivo Sanader was sentenced on China on Friday became one of the nies. On Thursday, he stepped up expected from a Biden administra- trial read-out is not the result of ran- Swiss epidemiologist Marcel Friday to eight years in prison for last major countries to congratulate those sanctions by issuing an order tion, but he “cannot be seen to be ‘soft’ dom variations with nothing to do Tanner, president of Switzerland’s creating slush funds for his conserva- US President-elect Joe Biden, who is that bars Americans from investing in on China” after the “hard rhetoric” of with the tested compound. Academies of Arts and Sciences and tive HDZ party by taking money from expected to make few changes to US securities issued by companies US the campaign, Kuijs said. For trial sponsors there is safety in one of the government’s top Covid-19 public companies via a marketing policy in conflicts with Beijing over officials say are owned or controlled Chinese leaders were quieter dur- numbers as a large enough trial can science advisers, expects possible var- agency. Sanader denied corruption trade, technology and security. by the Chinese military. ing this year’s election than in the 2016 ensure that 95 percent reliability hur- iations in efficacy among older people. charges in the case and is expected to China, along with Russia, avoided Political analysts expect Biden to presidential race, when they favoured appeal his conviction to a higher joining the throng that congratulated try to resume cooperation with Beijing Trump over former Secretary of State court. It was a retrial of a case for Biden last weekend after he and vice on climate change, North Korea, Iran Hillary Clinton. They disliked her for which Sanader had already been presidential running mate Kamala and the coronavirus. And they say carrying out then-President Barack jailed for nine years in 2013 but Harris secured enough Electoral Biden might pursue a more tradition- Obama’s foreign policy, which includ- whose verdict was annulled by the College votes to unseat President al, predictable policy toward China. ed pressuring Beijing on human Supreme Court on procedural Donald Trump. However, economists and political rights. Trump’s public image of busi- grounds. Sanader, 67, was prime min- “We respect the choice of the analysts expect few big changes due to ness success resonated with the ister from 2003 to 2009, when he American people,” said a foreign widespread frustration with Beijing’s Chinese public. stepped down without giving an ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin. trade and human rights record Trump shook up China’s leaders by explanation. In the re-trial, the pre- “We congratulate Mr Biden and Ms and accusations of spying and tech- hiking tariffs on Chinese products in siding judge ruled Sanader had Harris.” nology theft. 2018 over complaints Beijing steals or organised a group of people for crim- Wang gave no reason for the delay “A tough stance on China has broad pressures companies to hand over inal activity and covering up illegal but said, “the result will be confirmed support across the US political spec- technology. financial deals. according to US laws and procedures.” trum,” Louis Kuijs of Oxford The White House has lobbied allies US-Chinese relations have plunged Economics said in a report this week. to exclude telecom equipment giant to their lowest level in decades amid a “Biden’s own pronouncements and Huawei Technologies Ltd, China’s Official Myanmar vote count tariff war over Beijing’s technology policy program suggest he will first global tech brand, from next-gen- ambitions and trade surplus, accusa- continue to try to maintain the US eration telecom networks on security affirms Suu Kyi party’s control tions of spying and tension over technological lead and to attract man- grounds. Huawei’s access to American YANGON: Aung San Suu Kyi’s National human rights, the coronavirus pan- ufacturing activity.” components and technology was cut REUTERS League for Democracy won enough demic, Hong Kong and control of the Some forecasters suggest the change off over the past year, threatening to WHO ideally wants to see at least 70 percent efficacy in trials. The 90 percent efficacy seats in Parliament to return to South China Sea. from Trump, who rejected multilater- cripple its global sales. reported in the Pfizer and Russian trials beats those. power for a second five-year term, official results released by the elec- tion commission showed Friday. The NLD won 346 seats in the combined lower and upper houses of the legisla- ture, far above the 322 needed to secure a majority, the Union Election 6 killed as India, Pakistan Attacks spur EU to weigh tough Commission announced on television and in social media, even many seats from Sunday’s election have yet to be trade fire in Kashmir declared. The military-backed Union border, anti-extremism steps Solidarity and Development Party, the ASSOCIATED PRESS blamed Pakistan for starting the main opposition party, won 25 seats, MUZAFFARABAD, NOV 13 shelling. ASSOCIATED PRESS eign fighters in conflict zones like and the Shan Nationalities League for In Pakistan, authorities said the BRUSSELS, NOV 13 Syria or Iraq, many former jihadis Democracy, representing the ethnic Pakistani and Indian troops traded exchange of fire between Pakistani The ministers are who’ve been jailed have only received Shan minority, won 15 seats. fire in the disputed Himalayan region and Indian forces started Thursday European Union interior ministers on sentences of three to five years, de of Kashmir, killing six persons and and continued overnight in Kashmir, Friday weighed new measures to also considering a Kerchove said, and some are now liv- 14 Burkina Faso soldiers killed wounding others on both sides, offi- which is split between both countries counter extremist attacks following a proposal to train ing freely in Europe. cials said on Friday, amid increasing and claimed by both in its entirety. series of killings in Austria and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian by extremists in Sahel area tension between the South Asian The latest development comes a day France in recent weeks by lone-wolf imams in Europe. Kurz has denounced “political Islam, OUAGADOUGOU: Fourteen soldiers were nuclear rivals. after Pakistan summoned an Indian attackers with links to Islamic groups. radicalisation” in Europe that has killed and others were injured in an In a statement, Pakistan’s military diplomat to lodge a protest over this The ministers met via video confer- become “the poison, the breeding extremist attack in Burkina Faso’s blamed India for initiating the clash week’s alleged Indian violation of a ence on the fifth anniversary of one of fatally shot him. The shooting ground for terrorism.” That dovetails Sahel region, the government said. A by firing rockets and mortar shells 2003 cease-fire agreement. Two the bloodiest attacks in recent memo- strengthened calls in Austria for a with French President Emmanuel military convoy from the Tin-Akoff that killed one Pakistani civilian and civilians were wounded on the ry on European soil, the Islamic State- crackdown on Islamic extremism. Macron’s planned law to fight “separa- area, in Oudalan province was wounded three others. Pakistani side of the border in that claimed rampage in Paris that killed In France last month, an extremist tism,” which is aimed at rooting out ambushed on Wednesday, government The statement called it the latest exchange of fire. 130 people at a music hall and cafes on killed three people in a church in the those espousing radical Islam. spokesman Remis Fulgance unprovoked incident of cease-fire vio- Pakistan and India have fought two November 13, 2015. French city of Nice, and a Chechen European Council President Dandjinou said. Three severely lations by India and said Pakistani of their three wars over Kashmir Austria and France want their part- teenager beheaded a teacher near Charles Michel has referred to a “bat- injured people were evacuated by troops responded by targeting the since gaining independence from ners to agree to tighten Europe’s bor- Paris because he had shown his tle of values” with extremists. plane to the capital, Ouagadougou Indian posts. Britain in 1947. der controls, better tackle “terror con- students cartoons of Islam’s prophet “The training given to imams prac- and the military has been sent to the In Srinagar, the capital of Indian- Tensions between the two countries tent” and propaganda online, and for a discussion about freedom of ticing in Europe does not sufficiently area to find the attackers, he said. controlled Kashmir, police officer soared in February 2019, when monitor or detain jihadi fighters expression. take into account our fundamental The same day, at least 20 gunmen Mohammed Ashraf said two Indian Pakistan shot down an Indian war- who’ve returned to EU countries and EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator values, in particular freedom of were seen on motorbikes in the near- army soldiers and three civilians, plane in Kashmir and captured a pilot are either in prison or at large. Gilles de Kerchove said on November thought and gender equality,” he by town of Gorom Gorom, burning a including one woman, were killed by in response to an airstrike by Indian The ministers are also considering 3 that the Islamic State group doesn’t wrote in a newsletter on Thursday. bar and frightening civilians, Pakistani shelling. He said one aircraft targeting militants inside a proposal to train imams in Europe. appear to be actively preparing any He said that the EU should support Ousmane Amirou Dicko, the Emir of civilian was listed in critical condi- Pakistan. India said the strikes target- It comes after an attack in Vienna attacks in Europe, but it continues to any initiative aimed at “promoting an Liptako told The Associated Press by tion at a hospital. ed Pakistan-based militants responsi- on November 2, when a man who offi- inspire individuals or small groups to Islam which unequivocally embraces phone. The jihadists were trying to Two houses also were damaged in ble for a suicide bombing that killed 40 cials said had tried to join the Islamic commit atrocities. European values,” and “setting up one show that “they are in charge of the the shelling, Ashraf said. Col Rajesh Indian troops in the Indian-controlled State group shot four people to death Given the difficulty of gathering or more educational and training place,” he said. (AGENCIES) Kalia, an Indian army spokesman, part of Kashmir. in the Austrian capital before police solid evidence against so-called for- institutions for training imams.”

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 MONEY

FOREX US Dollar 119.67 Bullion sales see modest Indonesia to woo Tesla Euro 141.47 Pound Sterling 157.73 in push to become Japanese Yen 11.39 rise on Dhanteras day Chinese Yuan 18.11 Qatari Riyal 32.87 Traders said that business was better than expected despite higher prices and Covid. battery superpower Australian Dollar 86.90 REUTERS cally on the planned meeting with Malaysian Ringit 29.03 JAKARTA, NOV 13 Tesla, but said that “there is a really good chance” that companies will Saudi Arab Riyal 31.91 Indonesian President Joko Widodo want to invest in Indonesian nickel Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank said he will send a high-level team processing to cut costs. next week to meet with top executives Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk PRICE PER TOLA of US automaker Tesla as the has said he is planning to offer a BULLION Southeast Asian country aims to “giant contract for a long period of become the world’s biggest producer time” so long as the nickel is mined Fine Gold Rs 95,200 of electric vehicle batteries. “efficiently and in an environmentally The president, known by his popu- sensitive way”. Silver Rs 1,220 lar name Jokowi, told Reuters in an Indonesia’s new Job Creation law, interview on Friday the trip will be which harmonises 79 existing laws, SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA part of Indonesia’s promotion of its has been met with criticism for relax- new, so-called “Omnibus” Job Creation ing environmental standards. law, which simplifies doing business Luhut said Indonesia could make GASOLINE WATCH in Indonesia. the supply chain of batteries environ- “Next week we will send a large mentally friendly in seven to eight team to America and Japan, to pro- years by powering smelters with mote the Omnibus,” Jokowi said. renewable energy sources, so they The trip comes after Jokowi con- could sell green batteries for cars in gratulated US President-elect Joe the European market by 2030. Biden on his win. The Indonesian Jokowi has repeatedly said the Job leader said he hoped a Biden adminis- Creation law is vital to cutting red tration would promote “stability” and tape, spurring investment and boost- “world peace”. ing labour market competitiveness. Led by Coordinating Minister of Despite protests to the law from Maritime Affairs and Investment unions, students and environmental- Luhut Pandjaitan, the team is set to ists, the legislation has been positively meet with Tesla executives, he said. received by the market. POST FILE PHOTO “It’s very important because we Indonesia has struggled to attract Workers arrange gold jewellery at a shop in New Road, Kathmandu. have a great plan to make Indonesia foreign investment at the same pace as the biggest producer of lithium batter- some of its neighbours. KRISHANA PRASAIN tune on this day, business was good,” around Rs71,000 per tola during last ies and we have the biggest nickel The president said the new law KATHMANDU, NOV 13 Shakya said. year’s Tihar. Shakya said that with [reserves],” Jokowi said. would be one of the main catalysts to In Nepal, gold is a traditionally and people selling their gold holdings In a separate interview, Luhut said boost economic growth next year. Bullion sales saw a modest rise on culturally important item during reli- lured by a rise in prices and the arriv- he would also hold meetings with the Southeast Asia’s largest economy Dhanteras on Friday, the first day of gious and marriage rituals. al of fresh shipments, there were suf- World Bank and US fund managers to suffered its first recession in over two the five-day-long Tihar festival which According to Shakya, gold sales in ficient stocks in the bullion market. talk about the Omnibus law and decades this year due to the fallout of is believed to be an auspicious day to the Kathmandu Valley used to “I purchased only 100 to 150 Indonesia’s environmental projects. the coronavirus pandemic, with mil- buy gold and silver. reach 50 kilos on Dhanteras in the grams of gold in the past three Luhut declined to comment specifi- lions losing their jobs. Covid-19 and higher prices hardly past. “Consumption was down 40 per- months as there is no demand and dampened the festive fervour as cele- cent this year compared to last year,” stock was piling with people selling brators thronged jewellery stores to he added. the yellow metal,” said former presi- buy the precious metal. Traders said A larger number of shoppers could dent Shakya. Smartphone that despite the pandemic and lowered be seen in the gold markets of New Investors around the world have incomes, sales were better than Road and Asan on Friday compared to poured their money into the precious expected. Dhanteras is the biggest day other days, he said. metal as the fall in demand for oil shipments in China for gold and silver dealers. Gold sales have been exhibiting a and stock prices has made them turn Gold prices closed at Rs95,200 per gradual increase in the past week to gold. tola on Friday. On August 5, the price reaching around 12 kilos on Friday, Even before the pandemic began in plunge 27 percent of the yellow metal crossed the six-dig- Shakya told the Post. January, the trade war between the it mark, reaching a record Rs101,400 Tej Ratna Shakya, former president United States and China had already per tola. A tola is equal to 11.66 grams. of the federation, said that business started pushing gold prices upwards, in October Manik Ratna Shakya, senior was about half of what used to be seen as returns on investment were becom- vice-president of the Federation of in past years. “Making a transaction ing uncertain, and gold is considered REUTERS Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ of 50 percent would be satisfying for a safe haven asset. SHANGHAI, NOV 13 Association, said that more than 25 bullion traders amid this difficult sit- Gold imports soared to Rs737 mil- kilos of gold were traded on Dhanteras uation,” he said. lion in the first quarter of the current Smartphone shipments in China day on Friday. Gold sales have been swelling every fiscal year compared to Rs60 million plunged 27 percent in October com- “Due to the sharp hike in prices and year ahead of Tihar with demand in the same period last year. pared with the same month last the pandemic, we were not expecting peaking at 50 kilos on the day of Nepal imported gold worth year, government data released on even a small rise in demand; but Dhanteras, former president Shakya Rs13 billion in the last fiscal year, Friday showed. thanks to the tradition of buying even said. a 60 percent drop year-on-year from REUTERS The numbers suggest that handset a small amount of gold for good for- The price of gold was hovering Rs32 billion. The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a branch office in Bern, Switzerland. demand is weak despite China’s recov- ery from the novel coronavirus and that Apple Inc and its local rivals, such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, will compete in a shrinking market. Trump bans US investments in firms linked to Chinese military The numbers REUTERS United States capital to resource and White House trade adviser Peter ers on a call. The move is the first The order echoes a bill filed by suggest that demand WASHINGTON, NOV 13 to enable the development and mod- Navarro estimated that at least half a major policy initiative by President Republican senator Marco Rubio last ernization of its military, intelligence, trillion dollars in market capitaliza- Donald Trump since losing the month which sought to block access to is weak despite The Trump administration on and other security apparatuses,” said tion was represented by the Chinese November 3 election to Democratic US capital markets for Chinese com- Thursday unveiled an executive order the order released by the White House. companies and their subsidiaries. rival Joe Biden and indicates that he panies that have been blacklisted by China’s recovery prohibiting US investments in Chinese The Chinese embassy in Washington “This is a sweeping order designed is seeking to take advantage of the Washington, including those added to firms that Washington says are owned did not immediately respond to a to choke off American capital to waning months of his administration the Defense Department list. from Covid-19. or controlled by the Chinese military, request for comment. China’s militarization,” he told report- to crack down on China, even as he “Today’s action by the Trump ramping up pressure on Beijing after has appeared laser-focused on chal- administration is a welcome start to the US election. lenging the election result. protecting our markets and inves- Phone makers shipped 25 million The order, which was first reported Biden has won enough battleground tors,” said Rubio, a top congressional handsets in October compared by Reuters, could impact some states to surpass the 270 electoral China hawk. “We can never put with 34.6 million a year earlier, accord- of China’s biggest companies, votes needed in the state-by-state the interests of the Chinese ing to the China Academy of including telecoms firms China Electoral College that determines Communist Party and Wall Street Information and Communications Telecom Corp Ltd, China Mobile the next president, but Republican above American workers and mom Technology (CAICT), a state-backed Ltd and surveillance equipment Trump has so far refused to concede, and pop investors.” think-tank. maker Hikvision. citing unsubstantiated claims of His comments were echoed by That follows an annual 36 percent The move is designed to deter US voting fraud. Republican Congressman Jim Banks, decline in September, to 22 million investment firms, pension funds and Thursday’s action is likely to fur- who described the order as “one of the compared with 34.7 million in others from buying shares of 31 ther weigh on already fraught ties wisest and most significant foreign September 2019. Data from third-party Chinese companies that were desig- between the world’s top two econo- policy decisions President Trump has research firms revealed that Apple nated by the Defense Department as mies, which are at loggerheads over made since he entered office.” and Huawei both saw shipments backed by the Chinese military earlier China’s handling of the coronavirus Rubio’s bill and the order are part decline year-on-year in Q3 2020 this year. pandemic and its move to impose of a growing effort by Congress Both companies released new Starting January 11, the order will security legislation on Hong Kong. and the administration to thwart flagship handsets in October. prohibit purchases by US investors of Biden has not laid out a detailed Chinese companies that enjoy the Analysts remain bullish about the the securities of those companies. China strategy but all the indications backing of US investors but do not reception of both devices in the short Transactions made in order to divest are that he will continue a tough comply with US rules faced by term, though the continued slump ownership in the companies will be approach to Beijing, with whom American rivals. It also shows a new suggests overall market trends for the permitted until November 11, 2021. REUTERS Trump has become increasingly con- willingness to antagonize Wall Street sector will not reverse. “China is increasingly exploiting White House staff and journalists walk across the North Lawn Driveway in Washington, US. frontational in his last year in office. in the rivalry with Beijing. Grain grab: China’s global hunt for feed grains roils world market

REUTERS said Philippe Chalmin, a French econ- in 2019, Chinese customs data showed, ing of hundreds of millions of pigs in BEIJING/BUENOS AIRES/SINGAPORE, NOV 13 omist and director of commodities and more record-setting crop purchas- China. The country is rapidly rebuild- report Cyclope. es are expected. ing its hog herd, by far the world’s Chinese feed producers, pig farmers The key catalyst for China’s grain “As corn prices are constantly ris- largest.“We don’t have enough domes- and traders are reshaping the global splurge has been a widening shortfall ing and are expected to continue to tic [corn] supplies, while demand from grain market as they scour the world in domestic corn output that has trig- rise, when it comes to substitute the pig sector is expected to be even for supplies amid a domestic shortfall gered unprecedented waves of imports grains including imported barley, sor- higher,” said a manager with a major that sent local corn prices to record and substitution in the world’s top ghum, and wheat, I am already mak- pig farmer based in northern China, highs and is expected to fuel global grain consumer. ing purchases for January-June next who was not authorised to speak to food inflation in 2021. Export prices of US corn, Russian year,” said a purchasing manager the media and declined to be named. The country’s buying has put it on a wheat and French barley have rallied with a feed producer in southern “We buy whatever we can get and trajectory to emerge as the top grain 25-30 percent since May, while the China, who has already bought more whenever we see fit.” China’s future buyer by far this season, shattering United Nations’ global cereals price than 200,000 tonnes of corn from the crop purchases are already at record previous purchase records and mark- index is up 17 percent from a year ago US and Ukraine, plus sorghum and highs. Buyers have booked about 17 ing a clear break from China’s history to its highest in more than five years. barley from the US, Argentina and million tonnes of corn for the 2020-21 as a relatively self-sufficient player in Chicago corn and wheat futures France. China’s grain buying has marketing year, which started grain markets. have climbed 25 percent and 17.5 accelerated since May as Beijing September 1, and are poised to buy That purchasing, and problems in percent respectively in the past burned through once-huge stockpiles more, lifting China alongside Japan as other key producing countries, has three months. and as extreme weather damaged this the world’s second-largest corn helped lift corn, wheat and barley “In China, corn prices and the cur- year’s corn crop. importers. More purchases could take prices worldwide—potentially send- rency are both at multi-year highs, so The fall in supplies has combined China beyond top buyer Mexico. ing shocks through the grain-reliant buyers are aggressively looking to with strong demand from the animal About 15 million tonnes of barley dairy and meat sectors in coming import,” said Darin Friedrichs, senior feed industry to open a shortfall of 20 and sorghum imports are expected in months, analysts and traders said. analyst at StoneX. million to 30 million tonnes in grains the new marketing year, according “The big development in grain mar- China’s imports of barley, corn, sor- supply in China this season. to two analysts. Wheat imports in kets is China turning into the world’s ghum and wheat jumped 83.3 percent The industry has rebounded after 2020-21 are expected to reach 9 million REUTERS biggest corn importer; it’s something to 20.86 million tonnes in the first nine two poor years during which a deadly tonnes, a record, according to a state- A man rides past facilities of China’s state grain stockpiler Sinograin near Tianjin port. that people didn’t see coming so soon,” months of 2020 from the same period hog disease outbreak forced the cull- owned trader.

C M Y K SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Nepal lose first of two Scotland, North Macedonia Neymar ruled out of Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers qualify for Euro 2020 SAO PAULO: Paris St Germain striker friendlies against Bangladesh AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE There was no such joy for Northern Neymar has been ruled out of BELGRADE, NOV 13 Ireland, who went to Euro 2016 but Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against will miss out on the next European Uruguay next week in Montevideo. Visitors concede a goal each in both the halves to face defeat against the South Asian foes. Scotland’s long major tournament Championship after losing 2-1 in extra The forward arrived in Brazil with a exile is over after a penalty shoot-out time to Slovakia in Belfast. Milan leg injury and although he was cer- win over Serbia in Belgrade secured Skriniar’s late own goal gave Ian tain to miss Friday’s game against their place at Euro 2020 on Thursday, Baraclough’s side a lifeline after Juraj Venezuela in Sao Paulo, the national while minnows North Macedonia will Kucka put Slovakia ahead, but Michal team’s doctors hoped he would recov- make their finals debut following a Duris won it for Slovakia in the 110th er in time for the second match in the tense play-off win in Georgia. minute. Slovakia, who beat the double header next Tuesday. “We Hungary and Slovakia also won to Republic of Ireland on penalties in the were hopeful that he could play, that’s secure spots at the tournament which semis, will go into Group ‘E’ at why we brought him to Brazil,” team was postponed earlier this year the finals with Poland, Spain and doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said late because of the coronavirus pandemic Sweden. Thursday. “He improved but not and is now set for June and July of Hungary came from behind to stun enough so that he’ll be ready for the 2021. Iceland and secure their place, two game on Tuesday against Uruguay. An extra year’s wait will not matter late goals in Budapest giving them a The backroom staff decided to to Scotland, who had gone through 10 2-1 victory. Twice World Cup run- release Neymar Junior.” It was not failed qualifying campaigns since ners-up, Hungary ended a 30-year clear whether he would remain with their last major tournament, the 1998 major tournament absence when they the Brazil squad or return to Paris. World Cup, and nearly threw away went to Euro 2016 and reached last 16. their play-off final against Serbia. North Macedonia will make their Steve Clarke’s team led courtesy of tournament debut after veteran Hoffenheim confirm eighth Ryan Christie’s strike early in the sec- 37-year-old striker Goran Pandev coronavirus case ond half in the rain in Belgrade, but scored their winner in the 56th minute HOFFENHEIM: Hoffenheim on Thursday Luka Jovic headed in to make it 1-1 in in Tbilisi. confirmed an eighth case of coronavi- the 90th minute, forcing extra time. North Macedonia had never come rus with the squad already quaran- There were no more goals, and close to reaching a major tournament tined. Training is suspended after the Scotland triumphed 5-4 on penalties as before but were given a chance after squad was quarantined Wednesday. goalkeeper David Marshall saved the new UEFA Nations League offered Hoffenheim are due to host Stuttgart Aleksandar Mitrovic’s last spot kick, a route to Europe’s traditional min- in their next league game on sparking joyous scenes of celebration nows. One qualifying place was set November 21. Defender Kevin Vogt in an empty stadium. aside to a team from the bottom was the latest player to test positive Unbeaten in nine games, Scotland League ‘D’, and North Macedonia for Covid-19 on Wednesday evening, can look forward to a trip to Wembley topped a group with Armenia, just as midfielder Sebastian Rudy, for- to play England, and will also face the Gibraltar and Liechtenstein before ward Ishak Belfodil and a staff mem- PHOTO COURTESY: BIBEK SUBEDI/ANFA Czech Republic and Croatia in beating neighbours Kosovo 2-1 in the ber earlier had in the morning’s test- Nepal’s Nawayug Shrestha (left) vies for the ball against Bangladesh in their first of the two-match friendly meeting in Dhaka on Friday. Glasgow in Group ‘D’ at the finals. play-off semi-finals last month. ing. Hoffenheim had two cases of the virus confirmed Tuesday when SPORTS BUREAU their fort nor threaten the opponent’s get. In the 27th minute, goalkeeper Denmark winger Robert Skov and KATHMANDU, NOV 13 goalpost. Chemjong caught Manik Mollah’s Israel striker Munas Dabbur tested Defender Bikash Khawas, who long range strike. Four minutes later positive while on national duty and An under strength Nepali football made it to the starting XI, was one Ziban could have doubled the lead for Paraguay hold Argentina to were sent home. Denmark winger team’s first international outing in among three debutants for the the home team but he ended up firing Jacob Bruun Larsen and a member the Covid-19 era could not fetch a sat- national side. Arik Bista and Darshan inches wide. In the 39th, Nepal’s Anjan of staff were isolated at the weekend isfactory outcome as they lost 2-0 to Gurung were the other two players Bista applied a feeble shot only for after testing positive. Croatia striker Bangladesh in a friendly in Dhaka on to don the national jersey for the goalie Anisur Rahman to pounce on it. draw in World Cup qualifiers Andrej Kramaric and Ghana cen- Friday. first time Arik Bista replaced Bikram Lama tre-back Kasim Adams tested positive The second fixture of the two-match “We couldn’t create much chance in the midfield for his debut appear- REUTERS that was picked up by the Video last month after returning from series will be played at the same attacking, but I am satisfied with the ance for the national squad in the 42nd BUENOS AIRES, NOV 13 Assistant Referee. At the other end, national duty. venue, the Bangabandhu National performance and the result of the minute after the latter picked up an Paraguay had a loud shout for a penal- Stadium on Tuesday. friendly doesn’t matter much,” injury. Forward Shrestha was replaced Argentina conceded a first-half penal- ty turned down after the ball hit the This was the first competitive Nepal’s head coach Bal Gopal by George Prince Karki in the second ty but recovered to secure a 1-1 draw arm of centre back Nicolas Otamendi, Tsitsipas drawn at Nadal’s match for the Nepali side since their Maharjan said after the match. “My half. Veteran striker Bharat Khawas against Paraguay in the 2022 World who lamented Argentina’s luck after 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kuwait on boys came into the match at the back was called in the 72nd minute as sub- Cup qualifiers in Buenos Aires on the game. group at ATP Finals November 19 last year. The home team of a very short training period. They stitute, but his impact wasn’t felt on Thursday. The result means both sides remain LONDON: Defending champion had also not featured in an interna- also lacked match fitness, confidence the pitch. Angel Romero scored his third goal unbeaten after the first three of their Stefanos Tsitsipas was placed in the tional fixture since October last year. and experience. We have a match to Bangladesh doubled their advan- in three internationals when he coolly 18-game quest to reach the finals in same round-robin group as Rafael Nepal played in the absence of five play in a few days and we will try to tage in the 80th minute as substitute rolled home the penalty for Paraguay Qatar. The top four in the 10-team Nadal when the draw for the ATP regular starters–four of them ruled amend our shortcomings.” Mahbubur Rahman sealed victory for midway through the half after Lucas South American qualifying section Finals was made in London on out after testing positive for coronavi- The physically superior his side scoring in a counter attack. Martinez Quarta was adjudged to automatically make the finals, and the Thursday. The Greek will also face rus and one injured during training Bangladeshi team dominated posses- “We could have scored three or four have brought down Miguel Almiron. fifth-placed side go into an inter-re- Austria’s US Open champion Dominic before leaving for Bangladesh. The sion and kept Nepali defenders busy goals in the first half,” Bangladesh’s Nicolas Gonzalez equalised for gional play-off. Argentina’s next game Thiem, who he beat in last year’s visitors conceded a goal each in both throughout the first half. They came British coach Jamie Day said. “Nepal Argentina four minutes before is away at Peru on Tuesday, while final, and Russian debutant Andrey the halves. It was Nepal’s first defeat up with an improved show after the performed better in the second half half-time when he bulleted a header Paraguay take on bottom side Bolivia Rublev in the London group. World against Bangladesh since losing to the interval. and It was a tough game. The match home from a Giovani Lo Celso at home the same day. number one Novak Djokovic, bidding South Asian rivals in the AFC The home team opened the scoring would be helpful for our World Cup corner kick. Bolivia lost 3-2 at home to Ecuador for a record-equalling sixth title at Challenge Cup qualifiers in 2013. as early as in the 10th minute when and Asian Cup qualifier matches.” After matching the home side for earlier in the day thanks to a late pen- the event, is in the Tokyo group with Moreover, Nepali players prepared forward Mohammad Nabin Newaz It was Nepal’s first defeat against the opening period Paraguay were on alty. The home side took the lead Russian Daniil Medvedev, Germany’s for just a week at home and trained for Ziban produced a clinical finish from the South Asian foes since 2013 when the back foot for most of the second shortly before half-time only for Alexander Zverev and Argentine four training sessions in Dhaka. the area. Ziban made a quick turn and they lost to Bangladesh with an identi- half in the Boca Juniors stadium, Ecuador to score twice early in the first-time Diego Schwartzman. The With the team opting for four applied a one-touch strike to convert cal scoreline in the AFC Challenge empty because of the coronavirus second period. ATP’s elite year-ender is being defenders, five midfielders and a lone Md Saad Uddin’s cross leaving custo- Cup qualifiers. The two sides played pandemic. Argentina thought they Although Marcelo Moreno equal- staged at London’s O2 Arena forward in Nawayug Shrestha, Nepal dian Kiran Chemjong clueless. each other twice after that—in the had taken the lead after an hour when ised for Bolivia, Carlos Gruezo scored for the final time having moved appeared to have prepared to play Nepali forward Shrestha threatened 2013 and 2018 SAFF Championships— Lionel Messi sidefooted home, but the Ecuador’s winner from the spot two there in 2009. Next year it will defensive. But the strategy didn’t pay the home team in the 17th minute with Nepal defeating Bangladesh on goal was chalked off for an earlier minutes from time, consigning Bolivia move to Turin. (AGENCIES) off as the visitors could neither hold before, but he ended up firing off tar- both the occasions. infringement inside their own half to their third loss. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** There is no such thing as an accident, especially It’s a good day for you to do some cleaning up. Your Today you’ve reached a milestone on a journey If you’re put in charge of planning or researching when it comes to meeting new people today. You mind is focused and your energy is nearly unlimited. toward one of your goals. You probably feel like anything now, you’re going to have a blast! Nothing might not like everyone you encounter, but you’ll But you don’t have to apply this precept literally. you’ve a little further to go, and you do, but for now will delight you more than finding facts and han- find them all very useful in helping you get where Sure, if you want to empty your closet or organize you need to ignore the nagging voice in your head dling all those other details that so often drive most you want to be in your career. your files, it’s as good a day as any. that’s telling you to keep going. people absolutely batty.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Instead of making yourself your first priority today, If you’re feeling more thrifty and conservative than You don’t always have to know all the details involved Being considerate has never been a problem for you, see to it that everyone you care about is taken care of. usual, that’s a good thing! It will make saving more in a situation. Today, let someone else take care of all but just because it comes second nature to you doesn’t Check in with an older relative or friend who might money a lot less painful for you, and saving more the planning and strategizing while you go off and mean it doesn’t require conscious thinking on your need you to run an errand. Ask a co-worker how money is something you should be focusing on right do something more meaningful to you, or even indul- part. Never assume that you can be careless when their latest project is going. now. Make the most of this phase. gent dealing with others.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Never mind the busybodies who seem to think they You’re in the midst of a wonderful phase in which You can’t ask for something that can’t be given and Not everyone has had the opportunities you’ve had. know how to run your life better than you do. Just even the grouchiest of people will cause you to smile. expect to get it. If funds are tight at the office, don’t The imbalance is really starting to bother you, but turn the sound down and let your mind wander as There’s just no telling where all this good energy has ask for a raise. If a person just isn’t interested in you, the good news is that you can do something about it! this person drones on about what you’re doing wrong come from, but why question it? Embrace the good don’t ask for a date. The weather isn’t going to Show others in your situation that being generous is and what you could be doing better. vibes. change, so don’t hope for rain. a good thing. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 CULTURE & ARTS Frank appraisals of the working balance sheet of a chief justice Though an autobiography, the book enlightens the readers with some tell-tale stories of major figures in Nepal’s judiciary and the tortuous course that it has had to historically undergo.

MADAN KUMAR BHATTARAI Commission and joined the judiciary. He Bishwa Nath Upadhyaya for his contribu- as Registrar of the Supreme Court and not only started to like the new career tions but blames him for doing everything helped establish a private law college. He ormer Chief Justice Min option but took it very seriously and han- to promote two of his uterine brothers, also credits Rekha Bahadur Rayamajhi, Bahadur Rayamajhi has recent- dled some key assignments that can be Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, who also suc- his relative and Nepal’s first railway engi- ly published his autobiography well illustrated by the fact that he was ceeded in becoming Chief Justice, and neer, for his role in his struggle for both under the heading alone in his batch of 16 officers to reach Baija Nath Upadhyaya, who was Supreme education and job at Birgunj. Nyayapalikaka Chaar Dasak – the topmost position of Chief Justice. Court Justice but failed in reaching to the The book has a chronological study of Mero Samjhana, which can be Some of his batch mates like Sharada top. He also records his verbal duel with the status of judiciary in the country Floosely translated into Four Decades of Shrestha, Badri Kumar Basnet, Tapa Bishwa Nath Upadhyaya on this score. especially in remote places and efforts Judiciary--My Memories. This is the sec- Bahadur Magar, Arjun Prasad Singh, However, Rayamajhi does not have any being made to enable them to make use of ond time that a former Chief Justice has Sharada Prasad Pandit and Krishna qualms in fully accepting that all three technology with minimum infrastruc- come out with a full-blown autobiogra- Prasad Upadhyaya reached Supreme brothers were men of integrity with full tures. The author also laments seeming phy, after Nayan Bahadur Khatri who had Court while some others occupied top command of judicial knowledge. lack of awareness on the part of people the longest tenure in the job. echelons of administration in civil ser- The book mentions some names who on the role of independent judiciary as The book has 14 chapters with three vice and royal palace. It was coincidental made good marks in administration and exemplified by the burning of his effigy annexures and a photo section. It makes an that at least two of them, Badri Kumar even diplomacy in their careers. They in protest against the judgment he deliv- interesting struggle of the author, who Basnet and Gajendra Mani Pradhan, had include Kalyan Bikram Adhikary who ered in declaring the oath-taking by first shifted to Birgunj first and then to taught him at school in Bhojpur. died in harness as ambassador to France, Vice-President and his erstwhile col- Kathmandu for higher education after com- Though an autobiography, the book Karna Dhoj Adhikary who served as Chief league in the judiciary Paramananda Jha pleting school education at his native dis- enlightens the readers with some tell-tale Secretary and ambassador to India, and null and void. trict of Bhojpur. He not only continued his stories of major figures in Nepal’s judici- Justice Ishwari Raj Mishra who had the Despite all these positive factors that studies but also earned his living with ini- ary and the tortuous course that it had to opportunity to represent Nepal at least make the book a compulsive reading espe- tial associations as an assistant with undergo under the then partyless system NYAYAPALIKAKA CHAAR DASAK three times including as ambassador to cially for people who want to keep abreast Birgunj Sugar Factory and Nepal Industrial of governance and afterwards. There is a – MERO SAMJHANA the United Kingdom and Pakistan. He has of the history of Nepal’s judiciary, there Development Corporation. It is sad that lurking dissatisfaction in the mind of the Min Bahadur Rayamajhi also named a number of stellar brains in are certain drawbacks in the otherwise both these institutions that used to be the writer that things have not been that pos- judicial service that he encountered and very interesting work. One weakness of pride of Nepal’s endeavours for self-reli- itive even in the changed situation of Publishers: Sangri-La Books served together in his long career. They this autobiography is that it is filled with ance have now been thrown to the footnotes multiparty rule in the country. He feels Pages 416 are Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha who repetitions. Another problem in the book of history after we embarked on a rather that the judiciary is what he calls still in Price: Rs 666 helped him in preparing strategic plan for is the author’s reticence in naming people ill-conceived drive for privatisation. the grip of shortcomings, influence and judiciary, Surya Nath Upadhyaya who who did influence the situation. While Rayamajhi’s first career choice pressure despite political change. One of became Secretary in a number of minis- was chartered accountancy, he pursued the frank appraisals on the part of not have legal education, more popular tries and later took over as the Chief Bhattarai is a former foreign secretary studies for the law degree. After a brief Rayamajhi is that he found senior justices and efficient than their counterparts who Commissioner of Commission for the and author involved in the study of stint in a law firm, he passed the legal of earlier generations serving both in the had formal law degrees. Investigation of the Abuse of Authority, Nepal’s foreign relations from a examination of the Public Service Supreme Court and other courts who did The author gives credit to Chief Justice and Ramakrishna Timalsena who retired historical perspective. BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

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1. India’s World: How Prime Ministers Beyond Possible The New World Disorder and the Satta Ra Satya Shaped Foreign Policy by Rajiv Dogra Author: Nimsdai Purja Indian Imperative Author: Khagendra Sangraula 2. Geopolitically Speaking by M R Josse Publication: Safu, Quixote Cove Author: Shashi Tharoor & Publication: Book Hill Price: Price: 3. Nyayapalikama Chaar Dashak by Min Rs 800 Samir Saran Rs 500 Publication: Bahadur Rayamajhi Aleph Book Company Record-breaking mountaineer Nirmal Price: Rs 1278 Political analyst and writer Khagendra 4. Kranti ra Pratikranti by Ramesh Nath Purja aka ‘Nimdai’ tells his story Sangraula translates 11 philosophical Pandey about conquering the 14 highest peaks Writer Shashi Tharoor and Samir essays from eight renowned intellectu- 5. The Politics of Nepal: Persistence and of the world and what led him to Saran discuss the rise of China, the als. The essays advocate for the wel- Change in an Asian Monarchy by Leo become a mountaineer. He also dives economy of the world led by the fare of society and discuss govern- E Rose and Margaret W Fisher into his past and his dream of becom- United States, and the growing influ- ment systems and envisions a better ing a Gurkha soldier, revealing to ence of populism and strongmen and way of life. readers how he grew up. women leaders. The writers argue what India’s role should be in shaping the regimes of the future.

Tunnel plan near Stonehenge gets UK government consent Opponents of the scheme, however, have for years voiced worries about the potential damage to the environment, wildlife and potential archaeological finds underground.

PAN PYLAS LONDON

he British government went against the recommendations of planning officials Thursday, approving contro- versial plans for a road tunnel to be built near the prehistor- Tic monument of Stonehenge in southern England. The project, which is aimed at trying to ease traffic along a stretch of road widely prone to gridlock, has been touted for decades but has faced vociferous opposi- tion from local residents as well as archaeologists. The A303 highway, which is a popular route for motorists traveling to and from the southwest of England, is often severe- ly congested around the single-lane sec- tion of road near Stonehenge. As part of widespread improvements, a two-mile tunnel will be built that will effectively remove the sight and sound of traffic passing the site, and cut journey times. The decision by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps goes against the recom- mendation of the Planning Inspectorate, which warned of “permanent” and “irre- versible” harm arising from the project, unseen in the site’s history. AP/RSS However, according to the Department In this file photo, visitors take photographs of the world heritage site of Stonehenge, England. for Transport, Shapps was said to be “sat- isfied that on balance the need case for Opponents of the scheme, who have a ously as possible. authority in full before responding fur- computer for predicting eclipses and the development together with the other six-week window to appeal to Britain’s “The decision to inject a great gash of ther.” solar events. benefits identified outweigh any harm.” High Court, have for years voiced worries tarmac and concrete into Britain’s most Stonehenge, which is one of the world’s Nowadays, the charity said the inter- Proponents of the upgrade, which about the potential damage to the envi- precious prehistoric landscape is one that most famous prehistoric monuments, was pretation “most generally accepted is that Highways England has estimated will ronment, wildlife and potential archaeo- ranks simultaneously as spendthrift and built on the flat lands of Salisbury Plain of a prehistoric temple aligned with the cost 1.7 billion pounds ($2.2 billion), say it logical finds underground. sacrilegious,” he said. in stages, starting 5,000 years ago, with movements of the sun.” will dramatically ease congestion and The Stonehenge Alliance, which has Hopes that the project wouldn’t win the unique stone circle erected in the late Whatever it was designed to be, eventually help the local environment. campaigned against the tunnel, said it approval were raised in June when it Neolithic period about 2,500 BC. Stonehenge has long captured the imagi- The agency expects the fieldwork to start “deeply regrets” a decision that will be emerged that a team of archaeologists The site’s meaning has been a subject nation of the British public and remains in late spring next year, with the main greeted with “shock” around the world. had discovered a ring of at least 20 large of vigorous debate through the centuries, one of the country’s biggest tourist five-year construction phase expected to The group added that the plan will shafts within the site, a short distance some seemingly more outlandish than draws. That’s particularly true at the time start by 2023. breach the UK’s international treaty obli- from the standing stones. others. of the summer and winter solstices. “This transformational scheme will gations “not to damage” the World In a statement, the National Trust, English Heritage, a charity that manag- Because of the coronavirus pandemic, return the Stonehenge landscape towards Heritage Site. which looks after 2,100 acres around es hundreds of historic sites, notes sever- there will be no winter solstice at its original setting and will improve jour- Historian, author and broadcaster Tom Stonehenge, said it had a “long-standing al explanations over the centuries from Stonehenge this year but the sunrise on ney times for everyone who travels to and Holland, who is president of the ambition” to resolve issues relating to the Stonehenge being a coronation place for the morning of December 21 will be live- from the southwest,” the agency’s chief Stonehenge Alliance, said the group will A303 and that it will “now take some time Danish kings, a Druid temple, a cult cen- streamed. executive, Jim O’Sullivan said. oppose the “shameful” decision as vigor- to study the conclusions of the examining tre for healing or even an astronomical — Associated Press

C M Y K SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 ‘Believe in your purpose and create your own opportunities’ Nirmal Purja, a former British Special Forces soldier who climbed the world’s 14 highest peaks in the shortest span of time under his mission ‘Project Possible’, is out with his book titled ‘Beyond Possible’.

irmal Purja aka climbers and to bring awareness er forms they can to achieve their ‘Nims Dai’ is a about climate change and biodi- own goals. Hopefully, people read- man of his word— versity. So, now when you have ing the book can take away some- he will do every such a bigger mission, these pur- thing from this story and use this unimaginable if poses become your glory and in to their advantage. he sets his mind to. tough times, when you are going I see a lot of us make excuses as NPurja last year was on a record through an emotional turmoil, to why we couldn’t achieve our set breaking spree to climb 14 of the you have to keep reminding your- goals, but I believe excuses are for world’s highest peaks in about six self who you are. And so, I would losers—have you ever seen a win- months. And now he is already keep repeating to myself: I am a ner make an excuse? If you are out with his autobiography Gurkha, and I am here to repre- making excuses, you are already ‘Beyond Possible’, revealing who sent Nepalis. I would tell myself on the losing side. So, the whole he is and what drove him to do the that I have no rights to ruin the book is a mindset about who I am unthinkable. reputations of our ancestors. It and what led me to be who I am Purja carries the story with grit was a self-induced pressure for a now. And I hope a lot of people and confidence, alluring people to good reason. can relate to that in their own see how dreams are made possible. project possible in their lives and From a 16-year military career to You mention in the book that get something out of this experi- becoming a ground-breaking there were many who slammed ence to be where they want to be mountaineer, Purja tells his story your efforts, especially for shar- in life. swiftly with clarity and much vig- ing your goals with the world our. He is unstoppable and unwa- instead of doing things quietly. You were also recently in the vering with his aspirations—he is Can we talk about why, despite centre of criticism when you led resolute and demands the readers that, you decided to be vocal a team of Kuwait climbers to reading to be the same to climb about your ambition? summit Ama Dablam. What real- their mountains. There’s much to ly happened there? learn from him and his book about The reason I had to go vocal about taking risks for one’s dream. my ambition was because I had no The purpose of doing that project On an early morning from sponsorship and funding. And I was because it was impossible Ölüdeniz, Turkey, where Purja believed that once I started to and it aligned with how I do these days is enjoying speed fly- climb the mountains in the man- things. When the project was com- ing, he spoke to the Post’s Srizu ner I said I would, people would pleted successfully, I was happier Bajracharya about his book, his support the project. than when I completed my Project motivation and what goes behind I also knew that people wouldn’t Possible. And that was the signifi- the mind that is planning to pull be ready to believe me if I said I cance of that climb but people off the impossible. Excerpts: climbed a mountain in this weath- didn’t understand it, and I wasn’t er, or with this difficulty, so I had doing it for anything else but to It seemed like you always want- to collect pieces of evidence on share my knowledge and ed to tell your story. Was writing my way and tell them that I really expertise with people who had no a book always in the back of did the impossible. practical experience in the moun- your mind? tains. Since the book is telling your I felt that as a Nepali climber I To be honest, I had never thought story through your lens, were could guide and lead them and of writing a book one day, espe- you worried about how readers show things were possible. But I cially about my life. But when I will see other people mentioned didn’t break any governmental did my project—Project Possible— in the book, especially your rules and everything was done by last year, I knew I would be writ- family? the book. If I had done something ing a book because it was a huge wrong, I would have been pris- project. In a way, when I was in Not really, because this was my oned. And again because this was the mountains, I used to think I statement and I worked so hard to a huge project, I wanted to film it need to be alive to tell my story. write this book, it took about 10 and we did that. And I didn’t And I felt like if I had died, no one months and writing the book was have to do that straight after would be able to tell my story the harder than climbing the climbing 14 of the highest moun- way I want it to be told. mountains. And at the end of the tains, it wasn’t about money at all. day, I didn’t write this book to My purpose was to show to the Can we talk about the process please anyone but to tell my story world that you have to do what that went into writing this book? and to say maybe you can you love doing and that nothing is Were you writing journals and learn something from my story. impossible. I had no bad making notes while climbing PHOTO VIA NIMS DAI INSTRAGRAM/SANDRO GROMEN HAYES But I am not worried about how intention. mountains? by how others had expressed their about the technicality of climbing There is this sense of pride people will take this book. But experience, I wanted to be able to or gives information about the 14 when you talk about being a yes, I have been brutally honest So, what’s next for you? The process of collecting infor- tell my story in my own way, and highest mountains I climbed. Gurkha. Many times in the story with my experience in the moun- mation and jotting down my expe- when reading such books, it’s This book is more about my expe- you talk about how you don’t tains, and of the mountaineering Now I am planning for K2 rience was made quite simple impossible not to be influenced. rience, of where I came from and want to fail that reputation. Can world. Winter Project. K2 is the only with the technology I was carry- Of course, I looked through infor- what drove me and how I achieved we talk about this sentiment; mountain that hasn’t been ing with me. I would shoot short mation to check my facts but in the impossible amid the storm, why was upholding this prestige In many ways, this book reads climbed in winter, and remains video clips of my journey and terms of style, I have stayed true high altitude, the emotional important for you? like a motivational book—where undefeated, as it has extreme voice memos, recording my to myself. struggle. I wanted to tell my your grit really empowers the weather conditions. I am going moments and experience. I went story in a way that people can When you have a big dream, you story you are telling. But was there with my Nepali team mem- back to them for information but I What did you not want the book relate to it, I wanted them to see need to love what you do and you this internal monologue inten- bers this December or January. was also lucky enough to start to sound like? What did you that we all have our mountains to need to have a purpose and my tional for the storytelling of the And hopefully, we will be able to writing the book immediately hope to highlight and do you climb and how we can climb it. purpose was always to show the book? make the impossible possible— after the project. think you were able to do so? And I hope that people feel world what is humanly possible. again. But I didn’t do any research in inspired to work on their impossi- And in my mind, I felt that I was Yes, it was. I was telling the story particular to see how other moun- I was certain I didn’t want the ble to make it possible after read- representing the amazing human in a way that people could relate (Beyond Possible is now available taineers had written their story. I book to sound like just another ing this book. endeavour. I was also aiming to to it, see who I am and so that they in bookstores in Kathmandu also didn’t want to be influenced mountaineering book that talks highlight the names of Nepali can apply my approach in whatev- Valley.)

AC/DC is back and fighting off the black with new album Forty-seven years along, and with the closest thing possible to their original lineup, the rockers are releasing Power Up, their first album in six years.

ANDREW DALTON better than his music?” LOS ANGELES “Power Up,” their 17th studio album, whose first single and video, the blues-in- hrough decades, deaths and flected “Shot in the Dark,” were released disasters, AC/DC keeps thun- in October, is overflowing with the same dering on. thundering chords and schoolboy sneers Forty-seven years along, that made them legends with albums like and with the closest thing pos- “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black.” sible to their original lineup, The latter was also dedicated to a recently Tthe rockers on Friday are releasing deceased essential bandmate, original “Power Up,” their first album in six years. singer Bon Scott, who died in 1980. It’s also the first since the 2017 death of “There is the similarity between Bon’s Malcolm Young, who founded the band in tragedy and Mal’s,” Angus Young said. Sydney, Australia in 1973 with his little With Malcolm Young suffering from brother, Angus. “Power Up” is dedicated the dementia that would lead to his death, to the elder brother and is shot through his nephew Stevie Young stood in for him with his spirit and songwriting. on 2014’s “Rock or Bust,” and did it again “We all felt Malcolm around us, he was on “Power Up,” though at 63 he’s hardly there. We’re not spiritual type people, but, the new kid. boy, oh boy,” lead singer Brian Johnson, “We’ve known Stevie forever and ever. 73, told The Associated Press in an inter- He’s been around us for decades,” bassist view via Zoom from his home in Sarasota, Cliff Williams said via Zoom from his Florida. “Malcolm was a very strong home in North Carolina. “So there was no character in real life, and him passing trying to fit him into any kind of thing.” away wasn’t gonna stop that. He was After a tough tour in 2016 that Johnson there, everywhere, and I think you can couldn’t finish because of hearing loss tell it on the record.” that had grown increasingly severe, it All 12 tracks are co-written by Malcolm appeared the classic version of the band and Angus Young, selected by the young- might never play together again. er Young from a trove of unused songs He’s since been equipped with state-of- that piled up during the band’s long life. the-art hearing-aid technology and had “Malcolm and myself over the years, been anxious to get back on stage, espe- whenever we’d come to an album we cially after feeling how well it worked to always walked in with a lot of A-grade rehearse with the band at full power. songs,” the 65-year-old Angus Young said “It was just a lot of fun to be with the via Zoom from his home in Sydney. “We boys, and I felt like I was equipped to actu- always had a stack full more left that were ally go out and do something,” Johnson all great, great tracks.” said. “My ammunition belt was full. I was Most of the songs came from a fruitful ready to go.” AP/RSS writing period in a long gap between albums The album had been recorded in 2018 A file photo of Brian Johnson (left) and Angus Young, of AC/DC, performing in Chicago. After 47 years, the band is releasing its 17th studio album. from 2000 to 2008, and Angus Young chose and early 2019, and the jam sessions came those that most evoked his big brother. in preparation for the planned release of weeks of that, and then a few days later continents as they isolated with families “We’re doing a lot of promotional stuff “I concentrated on the ones I knew date, early in 2020. the world started to shut down.” and friends. to let people know, to get the message out were Mal’s favourites,” Young said. “It’s a “We rehearsed quite a bit, because we When the coronavirus reached pan- After nearly a year passed, the band that AC/DC’s got a new album,” Young fitting project for him. He always liked were hoping to be able to maybe do some demic levels, the album was shelved and and Columbia Records opted to release it said. “Hopefully to cheer you up.” being simple and direct, so I felt, what shows,” Young said. “We’d done a couple the band went dark, stuck across different in November. — Associated Press

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd., Central Business Park, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, P. B. No. 8559, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: [email protected], Regd. No. 32/049/050, Chairman & Managing Director: Kailash Sirohiya, Director: Swastika Sirohiya, Editor: Sanjeev Satgainya