WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 248 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 31.7 C 4.9 C Wednesday, November 04, 2020 | 19-07-2077 Biratnagar Jumla Nepal’s Covid-19 death toll crosses 1,000 mark Public health experts warn of a catastrophic situation ahead if the authorities still fail to take preventive measures immediately.

ARJUN POUDEL governments in Kathmandu Valley 110 0 KATHMANDU, NOV 3 told the Post that they have stopped 1004 tracing contacts after swab samples With 20 more deaths in the last 24 10 0 0 of people who came in close contact hours, Nepal’s coronavirus toll Covid-19 deaths in 937 with infected people were returned by crossed the 1,000 mark on Tuesday, the National Public Health Laboratory. the Ministry of Health and Population 9 0 0 the country Experts had also taken part in a said. discussion held at the Covid-19 Crisis But if the data of Nepal Army, Management Centre’s meeting and which has been managing the bodies 8 0 0 given a presentation about the loom- of the people infected with coronavi- ing risks and measures needed to con- rus for their last rites, is anything to 694 trol the spread of the pandemic. go by, the number of Covid-19 deaths 7 0 0 “Even Prime Minister KP Sharma has exceeded 1,400. Oli must be aware of the suggestions “Since there is a variation in num- we provided,” said Koirala. “Infections 6 0 0 bers, a three-member panel has been will not come under control and formed to verify the data and it is 498 deaths from the infection will not working on a war footing,” said Nepal 50 0 decline even if we stop testing and Army spokesperson Brigadier contact tracing.” General Santosh Ballav Paudel. Doctors said that authorities are not Public health experts are more wor- 4 0 0 371 doing sufficient tests, which is consid- ried about the fact that the number of ered responsible for the spread of deaths has been increasing rapidly. infection. They said that over 20,000 The number of deaths got more 3 0 0 tests should be performed every day in than double in the month of 228 Kathmandu Valley and 10,000 in other September, and in October it almost parts of the country, if the contagion doubled again, according to Health 2 0 0 is to be brought under control. Ministry data. “We have been laying stress on one 102 “Cases have doubled in September specific thing since the very begin- 10 0 56 and October and will triple in 39 ning—test, trace and isolate and 19 November, and the situation will be 1 increase the capacity of hospitals. catastrophic in the coming days if the 0 This is still relevant today to control authorities do not take containment the virus spread,” Dr Kiran Pandey, a

measures immediately,” Dr Janak N OV 3 consultant physician, told the Post. S E P 15 S E P 3 0 M A Y 16 OCT 15 OCT 3OCT 1 A U G 15 A U G 3 1 J U L Y 15 J U L Y 3 1 Koirala, an infectious disease expert, J U N E 14 “The ongoing pandemic has exposed told the Post. POST INFOGRAPHICS the lack of seriousness in our work “I too wonder why the authorities Nepal reported its first Covid-19 death on May 16. In September and October, deaths doubled, and with winter setting in, fatalities may skyrocket, experts say. and our implementation capacity.” concerned are not doing the things, It is not difficult to convert some which are doable.” the end of October. of the public health experts invited to October 5 decided to charge people for responding to distress calls of the rel- unused buildings into isolation facili- Nepal reported its first coronavirus Sixty-seven deaths have been the Health Ministry last month, tests and treatment as a result of atives of serious patients. ties, set up oxygen supply, increase case in the third week of January. But recorded in the last three days—23 on almost everyone had warned of diffi- which the number of tests have been Dr Jageshwar Gautam, spokesper- tests, make contact tracing effective, the first Covid-19 death came months Sunday, 24 on Monday and 20 on cult days ahead and recommended going down. From a high of 18,473 son for the Health Ministry, however, enforce safety measures strictly, later on May 16. The country went into Tuesday. restrictions in Covid-19 hotspots tests on October 8, the average num- said that contact tracing has not according to Pandey. lockdown on March 24. But when the As of Tuesday, the total number of including Kathmandu Valley. ber of tests over the last seven days stopped, even if the ministry has Dr Bhagwan Koirala, chairman of government decided to lift the lock- Covid-19 deaths stood at 1,004. Koirala said they had also recom- has gone down to 11,417. stopped providing free tests. Nepal Medical Council, the national down on July 21, 40 people had died of The total number of cases stands at mended increasing the number of With the halt to free testing and “How is it possible to conduct over regulatory body of medical doctors, the virus. In the remaining 10 days of 179,614 with 3,114 people testing posi- tests, making contact tracing more treatment, contact tracing has also 10,000 tests every day if contact trac- said that fundamental principles for July, 16 more people succumbed to the tive nationwide in the last 24 hours. effective, isolating infected people decreased significantly. Even as the ing has stopped?” said Gautam. “It is prevention and control and mitigation disease. There were 372 serious patients in and increasing the capacity of hospi- number of infections rose—and with not important who said what. The of the infection have not changed. At the end of August, the number of intensive care units and 68 on ventila- tals as well as ensuring proper oxygen them the number of serious cases too Health Ministry is doing what it is “It will be suicidal if we let the dis- deaths stood at 228 which went up to tor support on Tuesday. supply. rose, officials tasked with the job of supposed to do.” ease spread without doing anything,” 498 at the end of September and 937 at According to Koirala, who was one Instead, a Cabinet meeting held on case management also stopped On the other hand, several local he told the Post.

POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN Chet Kumari Chitrakar prints images used for Laxmi Puja and Bhai Tika at Ya Chhen, Bhaktapur. She has been in the business for the past 45 years. This Tihar she plans to prepare 1,000 images. Trump or Biden? Americans vote after a bitter campaign under Covid-19 shadow More than 99 million Americans have already voted early in person or by mail and experts predict the vote could reach 160 million, far exceeding the 138 million ballots cast in 2016.

REUTERS WILMINGTON, DEL/WASHINGTON, NOV 3

Americans headed to the polls on Tuesday to choose either incumbent Donald Trump or challenger Joe Biden as their next president, after a tumultuous four years under the busi- nessman-turned-politician that have left the country as deeply divided as at any time in recent history. Biden, the Democratic former vice president and a career politician, has had a strong and consistent lead in national polls. But the Republican Trump is close in enough swing states to possibly REUTERS piece together the 270 state-by-state Voters line up at a polling station to vote in the 2020 US presidential election in Philadelphia.

Electoral College votes needed ble unrest. Several cities are boarding to hold on to the presidency, up buildings in anticipation of possi- which he won in a surprise ble protests, including around the 2016 election result despite los- White House and in New York City. ing the popular vote to Democrat Polls opened in some Eastern Hillary Clinton by nearly 3 mil- states at 6 am EST (1100 GMT). The lion ballots. most closely watched results will However, it may be days before start to trickle in after 7 pm EST the result is known, especially if (2400 GMT) when polls close in states legal challenges focused on post- such as Georgia, though definitive al ballots are accepted in the national results could take days if the event of a tight race. contest is tight. There is also fear about possi- >> Continued on page 6

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Supplier under investigation for illegal export of subsidised rice Police arrested the accused on Tuesday and have remanded him in custody for seven days for a probe.

KALENDRA SEJUWAL said Rajendra Bhatta, superintendent of SURKHET, NOV 3 police in Surkhet. According to him, the police recovered 60 quintals of rice (200 The District Police Office in Surkhet has sacks of 30kg each) in the godown. initiated investigation into the illegal “Investigation is underway to locate export of subsidised rice meant for around 750 quintals of rice,” Bhatta said. Karnali Province. Last Thursday, police According to the Food Management and had seized a truck carrying 250kgs of sub- Trading Company Ltd, Sharma had 1,000 sidised rice at Subbakuna Check Post in quintals of Japanese rice brought from Surkhet. The rice, originally to be sup- the company. The supplier had brought an plied to the hilly regions of the province, additional 100 quintals of Aruwa Mota was being transported to Bhaktapur in rice from the company on October 21. Bagmati Province. Sharma Transportation Service has On Tuesday, police arrested Basudev signed an agreement with the company to Sharma, the rice supplier and the proprie- transport 3,000 quintals of rice to Kalai of tor of Durga Bhagwati Enterprises and Mugu and 500 quintals each in Chamunda Sharma Transportation Service, for his and Thantikandh of Dailekh in the cur- POST PHOTO: MANOJ PAUDEL involvement in the illegal export of subsi- rent fiscal year. A white-rumped vulture seen flying near Tilaurakot, Kapilvastu. The number of the critically endangered species, locally known as dangar giddha, in the dised rice meant for Mugu. The District Nanda Bahadur Shahi, an assistant sub country has risen in the last four years, according to the latest survey. Administration Office in Surkhet had per- inspector of Kalai Police Post in Mugu, mitted the local police to take Sharma said the supplier had sent an additional 60 under custody for seven days. quintals of rice to Kalai, Mugu on Monday Chief District Officer Hiralal Regmi evening. said an investigation is being carried out Sharma Transportation Service is the to file black marketeering case against main trading firm that transports food to Critical Covid-19 patients can’t get treatment in Lamjung Sharma. various districts in Karnali. In the past “We are also consulting with the three years, the company has acquired District Attorney to precede the case. This about one-fourth of the total food trans- The district has not set up an ICU facility even after receiving funds six months ago. issue is not only about black marketeer- portation contracts in Karnali. The com- ing. It’s also a social crime,” said Regmi. pany was awarded a contract to transport AASH GURUNG Besishahar Municipality, says the authorities’ two ventilators and two intensive care beds in the “We will take strong action against the 7,000 quintals of rice to six different plac- LAMJUNG, NOV 3 delayed response to the spread of the virus in the first phase of operations but the plan has been on guilty and make sure such incidents do es in the current fiscal year. district has put public health at risk. hold since the initial budget released by the pro- not happen in the future.” The Food Management and Trading On May 19, Gandaki provincial government had “The delay in the construction of the ICU is an vincial government has failed to cover all expens- However, the recent incident of mal- Company has remained tight-lipped since allocated Rs 16.9 million to the District Community example of how lightly the authorities are taking es. “We have demanded an additional Rs 4.9 mil- practice in the business of subsidised rice the bust at the Subbakuna Check Post last Hospital in Lamjung for the construction of an this pandemic,” he said. “If the number of critical lion fund for the construction of an ICU building is not an isolated one. Around 35,000 quin- Thursday. As per the 32-point food trans- intensive care unit with ventilators and other patients increases in Lamjung, the chances of big enough to accommodate all necessary medical tals of subsidised rice is transported to portation agreement paper signed medical equipment. Six months into the plan and their recovery is slim here.” equipment,” said Shrestha. several districts of Karnali Province from between the Food Management and the hospital has yet to manage the infrastructure According to the District Health Office, the pro- The District Hospital, which was established 45 Surkhet through air and land routes every Trading Company and Sharma and necessary medical equipment required to vincial government had provided it with a budget years ago, does not have an ICU. Three months year. The illegal sale of subsidised rice on Transportation Service, the former can operate the ICU. for the construction of a five-bed isolation centre ago, eight local units in the district had provided the way to its destination, delay in the take action against the other party. It can In the absence of an ICU in Lamjung, Covid-19 with two ventilators. the hospital with Rs 200,000 each to establish an transport of the rice to designated places blacklist the firm, charge penalty and patients in critical condition have to go to Pokhara “On June 5, the District Health Office invited a isolation centre. and the illegal export of the supply to dis- seize the deposit amount. or Chitwan for treatment. tender to purchase equipment for the ICU. But no Gandaki provincial government had also pro- tricts outside the province are common Madhav Mishra, chief at Surkhet-based Narayan Ghimire, 41, a local of Ward No. 7 in one applied for the contract. After a month, on vided the hospital with Rs 1million to purchase occurrences, says Rom Mahat of Jumla, Food Management and Trading Company Besishahar Municipality, was infected with Covid- July 10, we invited a tender for the second time. medical equipment and other infrastructure, assistant chief district officer of Surkhet. Ltd, however, claimed that the Food 19 two weeks back. “I had to go to another district Finally, we found a contractor and construction according to the hospital administration. The hos- According to him, the authorities’ indif- Management and Trading Company has since treatment in Lamjung was not possible. I works were initiated from August 30,” said Amar pital runs a 40-bed isolation facility. ference to the malpractices in the rice not taken any action as the case is under was admitted at Chitwan Medical College for 13 Dawadi, chief at the District Health Office, adding Meanwhile, in Parbat, the district hospital has business in the region is one of the lead- investigation. “The investigation carried days and returned home two days ago,” he said. that the contractor had agreed to complete the installed an oxygen plant for the treatment of ing reasons why such incidents continue out by the district administration and According to him, Lamjung residents have to construction work of the ICU within a month. Covid-19 patients in the district. The oxygen gen- to occur. police will hopefully be concluded within wait for four days to receive their PCR report. According to Dawadi, three suppliers had eration plant was installed at the hospital on “The then Nepal Food Corporation a few days. We will wait for their report “That is why patients are taken directly to agreed to bring ventilators and a portable X-ray Wednesday. knew of two incidents wherein the suppli- and take action then,” he said. Chitwan, Pokhara or Kathmandu if they show machine but the medical equipment have yet to The hospital in Parbat has stopped referring er and other stakeholders were selling Meanwhile, the Karnali Provincial gov- Covid-19-related symptoms,” Ghimire said. arrive. Pokhara-based Pratik Suppliers had critical Covid-19 patients to other districts for lack subsidised rice meant for Karnali ernment, Social Development Committee Swab samples from the district are being taken agreed to supply ventilators and a portable X-ray of oxygen facilities. Govinda Pahadi, chairman at Province in other provinces,” he said. of the Provincial Assembly and lawmak- to the Provincial Laboratory in Pokhara for PCR machine with other supportive equipment needed the Hospital Development Committee, said, “But the guilty were not punished, as the ers from Mugu have directed police tests, according to the District Health Office. The to operate the ICU. “The oxygen plant was installed at a total concerned authorities did not investigate administration to take strong action district does not have a PCR testing lab in any of “Ventilators have to be imported from Europe cost of Rs 6 million. Now, medical oxygen is easily the cases. There is no record of such cases against the guilty involved in the incident. its hospitals. but since European countries are struggling with available for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in the official files since the incidents “The famine of Karnali has been long According to the district’s health office, the the pandemic, there has been a delay in procure- here.” were not investigated. The latest incident neglected. The guilty should be brought to number of infections in Lamjung has been oscil- ment,” said Dawadi. The 15-bed hospital has also increased its hold- will have proper investigation since the book. The provincial government will lating between two to five per day in the past few Meanwhile, Hemanta Shrestha, chief at the ing capacity to 35 beds for the treatment of Covid- local administration and police have support the district administration,” days. So far, 549 individuals have tested positive hospital, said, “One generator and intensive care 19 patients. Dr Shishir Devkota, acting medical taken the issue seriously,” said Mahat. Chief District Officer Regmi quoted Chief for Covid-19 in the district. Among them, 29 Covid- beds have arrived. But we are yet to receive venti- superintendent at the hospital, said, “Every bed is Meanwhile, Sharma’s godown in Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi as patients are staying in the isolation facility of the lators and we don’t have enough space to fit five fitted with an oxygen cylinder. The oxygen plant Birendranagar was sealed on Thursday, saying. District Community Hospital. intensive care beds.” has a capacity of 16 cylinders with 100-litre each,” Ram Kumar Shrestha, a local of Ward No. 8 of According to him, the hospital plans to install he said. Agandhar Tiwari in Parbat contributed reporting.

POST PHOTO: KALENDRA SEJUWAL Surkhet police on Thursday seized a truck transporting subsidised rice meant for Karnali Province to Bhaktapur.

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 NATIONAL

BRIEFING Valley’s mayors Police constable arrested on say government rape charge in Doti DOTI: Sushil Singh, a police constable not doing its bit working at a temporary police post in Gadsera who was at large after alleg- edly raping a 15-year-old girl from Jorayal Rural Municipality Ward No. to contain spread 5, was arrested on Monday night. According to the family of the victim, Singh had alleged that he raped the of Covid-19 girl on October 29. Mukesh Singh, SP of the Sudurpaschim Provincial They do their best, but centre Office said, “Sushil Singh was arrest- ed in Sahajpur in Kailali. An investi- letting them down, they say. gation into the case is underway.” The victim’s family had lodged a ANUP OJHA complaint against Singh at the KATHMANDU, NOV 3 District Police Office in Doti on Monday, officials said. With rapid increase in Covid-19 cases, the head of civic bodies in Kathmandu Valley Construction of Chaurikhola have criticised the central government for not doing enough to contain the spread of bridge incomplete for decade the contagious disease. RAMECHHAP: The construction of a People are walking on the streets with- motorable bridge over Chaurikhola out wearing a mask and are not maintain- linking Ramechhap with Kavre ing social distancing, even as Covid-19 district has been left incomplete for cases continue to soar, and the central the last 10 years. As per the agree- government is not doing anything to pre- ment of the project, the construction vent the spread of the virus. work should have been completed “This is really a scary situation,” said four years ago, said Ram Bahadur Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Mayor Bishwokarma, an engineer at the Madan Sundar Shrestha, also the secretary Division Road Office in Khurkot. of Kathmandu Valley mayor’s forum. “The “The construction work of the central government has already done bridge did not complete on time bulunder, for doing nothing to prevent the due to the contractor’s negligence. spiking of Covid-19.” We have pressurised the contractor As Dashain is over, the number of people to speed up construction work. entering Kathmandu from across the coun- This time, we have given them try has increased, adding more risk of three more months to complete transmission of the virus. According to the bridge’s construction which Rameshwor Yadav, spokesperson for the is in its final stage,” said POST PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, an Bishwokarma. A woman carves a grinding stone at her roadside workstation in Chabahil, Kathmandu on Tuesday. A grinding stone sells for Rs600 to Rs4,000. average of 25,000 people are entering Kathmandu Valley after Vijaya Dashami. As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Valley has reached 81,068. While Kathmandu has reported 249 Covid-19-related fatalities so far, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur have recorded 68 and 63 Observers cautiously optimistic over Naravane visit deaths respectively. Mayor Sundar suggested that the gov- ernment do more to control the mobility of While he may be coming to be conferred rank of honorary general of Nepal Army, the visit will pave the way for further thaw in relations, officials say. the people, the way Spain and the UK have gone into lockdown after Covid-19 cases ANIL GIRI Naravane’s remarks had created a huge increased dramatically. KATHMANDU, NOV 3 uproar in Nepal. Similarly Bhaktapur Mayor Sunil Many officials believe that Naravane’s state- Prajapati also criticised the central gov- Exactly one year after the boundary row erupt- ment was one of the major reasons behind ernment for its failure to contain the ed between Nepal and India, General Manoj Kathmandu’s decision to release a new map on spread of the disease. “The central govern- Mukund Naravane, chief of the Indian Army, is May 20 incorporating Kalapani, Lipulekh and ment couldn’t coordinate with local bodies, arriving on a three-day official visit to Limpiyadhura, which are currently occupied and that’s the consequences we are facing Kathmandu on Wednesday. by India. now,” said Prajapati. The city’s data shows General Naravane will be the first senior Whether Naravane’s arrival will help defuse that till date, 1,443 positive cases have been Indian official to visit Nepal after the boundary the tension between Nepal and India remains to recorded in the city with 43 deaths. dispute arose between the two neighbours when be seen. But officials say both the countries are He said the pandemic is going to get India released a new political map incorporat- keen on mending fences. worse in the coming days. “Because the ing Nepali territories currently occupied by Officials say that more high-level visits and government has already announced that India, last November. meetings are scheduled to take place between citizens should pay for their polymerase Diplomats and experts have maintained a Nepal and India after Naravane’s visit. But chain reaction tests, people won’t go for cautious approach about the visit of Indian experts and diplomats say it will take more than tests even though they are infected. How army chief who will be conferred the rank of exchange of visits and meetings to resolve the can everyone afford to pay Rs 2,000?” said honorary General of the Nepali Army President bitter boundary dispute. Prajapati. Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday. Nepal and Two government officials privy to the devel- Hari Prabha Khadgi, deputy mayor of India have a historic tradition of conferring opment with ties with India told the Post that Kathmandu Metropolitan City, also blames the honorary title to each other’s army chief after Naravane visit, Foreign Minister Pradeep the central government for not making any since 1950. Gyawali and Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj concrete plans for the Valley. In addition to They believe success of the visit hinges on Poudyal are set to visit India either in a bilater- that, she is not impressed by the way how well Prime Minister KP Oli and Naravane’s al visit or to participate in the sixth meeting of Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya handled the counterpart General Purna Chandra Thapa the Nepal-India Joint Commission to be held at situation. read the mind of the Indian side. Foreign Minister level. “I feel ashamed to say we are elected Dinesh Bhattarai, a former ambassador, said The meeting is set to take place in New Delhi representatives. Although I have done Naravane’s visit will not only give Nepal an PHOTO COURTESY: INDIAN ARMY WEBSITE after both sides agree on a date. enough from my individual level, the opportunity to read the Indian mindset but also ‘I am sure that this visit will go a long way in strengthening the bonds and friendships that the two armies cherish,’ Similarly, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsha mayor has done nothing substantial,” said set the tone for future bilateral engagements, General Naravane told ANI on the eve of his visit to Nepal. Vardhan Shringla is also likely to visit Khadgi. particularly concerning the boundary dispute. Kathmandu on an introductory visit. She criticised the central government “The visit of Indian army chief gives us an But those in the Oli administrations have a Speaking to Indian news agency ANI on But for now all eyes are on the Indian Army and the mayor for not setting up a single opportunity to read the Indian mind and what different view. Tuesday, Naravane said that he is delighted to chief, Naravane. quarantine or isolation centre in they are thinking about advancing the ties. It Despite having differences over boundary be visiting Nepal on the invitation of his Nepali Though Naravane’s visit is expected to help Kathmandu. would be better to understand the Indian posi- issues, the visit of Indian Army chief shows counterpart General Thapa. create a positive environment for dialogue Another local representative and a tion,” Bhattarai told the Post. that our ties with India is heading towards a “I am sure that this visit will go a long way in between the two countries, there is also the vice-president of the mayor’s forum Chiri The Nepali side should also be heedful not to normal direction, Rajan Bhattarai, foreign rela- strengthening the bonds and friendships that sense of unease about his arrival which comes Babu Maharjan also blamed the federal give the responsibility of resolving bilateral tions advisor to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the two armies cherish,” he told ANI. two weeks after the chief of the Indian intelli- government for rising Covid cases. “Now dispute to the military leadership, according told the Post. Naravane emerged as a divisive figure back gence agency, Research and Analysis Wing winter is coming and the Covid-19 sitiat- to others. “Though we have some differences, our other in May by suggesting at an online conference (R&AW) visited Kathmandu. tion will get more severe, but the govern- Bipin Adhikari, who was a member of the engagements with India are very much on that Nepal was protesting the opening of the Two back-to-back visits by senior Indian ment is running away from its responsibil- task force formed by the government to prepare track. Other issues like trade, commerce, busi- road by India at Lipulekh at China’s behest. security officials have raised suspicion ities,” said Maharjan. the position paper on how to deal with bounda- ness, transit and agriculture are on track,” said “I don’t know what they are actually agitating whether the two governments are taking a He said the city received Rs2 million ry issues with India, has strongly opposed the Bhattarai. “This shows, despite having differ- about. There is a reason to believe that they security-centric approach to resolve the border from the provincial government. “But we visit of Indian army chief. ences in one issue, our ties with India are mov- might have raised this problem at the behest of dispute. have not received any help from the federal “Our government should tell the Indian side ing at a normal pace. Our ties with India have someone else and that is very much a possibili- “The visit of R&AW chief and now of the government, and we do not have any hope to send the political leadership in this context, gained maturity. The visit of Indian army chief ty,” Naravane had told the conference. Indian Army chief raises the question whether of receiving any help,” he said. not the military leadership. At a time when our will create a positive atmosphere to further His remarks came after India opened a new we are taking a security-centric approach in “We are doing our best, but the federal land is occupied by India, inviting and hosting strengthen our ties,” track linking the Mansarovar to the Indian state resolving our dispute? If that’s the case, then it government is going to make the situation the Indian army chief is not a good idea. This The Indian army chief was similarly upbeat of Uttarakhand via Lipulekh, an area that is wrong. We must elevate ties to political and more severe without doing anything sub- was a mistake from our side,” said Adhikari. in New Delhi. Nepal claims to be its territory. diplomatic level,” said Bhattarai. stantial,” said Maharjan. All is not well inside country’s primary opposition party too A faction of the party led by senior leader Ramchandra Poudel is dissatisfied with President Sher Bahadur Deuba camp’s response to its demands related to the general convention.

ANIL GIRI of the party. with the response it received for its KATHMANDU, NOV 3 The Poudel camp alleges that the 16-point memorandum, party insiders Deuba faction distributed active mem- told the Post. The faction wants the At a time when the ruling communist bership only to its allies so that only establishment to commit to holding party is in a deep crisis, internal dis- representatives loyal to the establish- the party general convention in cord and dispute also plagues the pri- ment are elected during the general February, as was decided earlier. It mary opposition, Nepali Congress. convention. It also says that Deuba, believes that Deuba wants to postpone The party, already grappling with who has been president for four years, the general convention to prolong his feuds between various factions, is now decided to form various 20 depart- stay at the helm of the party. witnessing a new wave of discord ments of the party only at the fag end The Poudel faction’s hopes of get- with senior leader Ramchandra of his tenure to influence the outcome ting the establishment to commit to a Poudel submitting a 16-point memo- of the upcoming general convention. February convention was further randum to President Sher Bahadur The party has convened a meeting dented when former general secretary Deuba, and the establishment express- of party office bearers, former office and senior leader Krishna Prasad ing unwillingness to budge on some of bearers and central working members Sitaula proposed that the 14th general issues raised in the document. available in Kathmandu on Monday. convention of the party be postponed. “We are not happy with the way the The party is planning to convene its POST FILE PHOTO Sitaula said that as it was impossi- establishment faction responded to central working committee meeting The Poudel faction has also criticised the Deuba group for forming various party departments just ahead of the general convention. ble to conduct the general convention our demands,” central working mem- on November 6 in order to resolve the in February, the party should resched- ber, Arjun Nar Singh KC, also a mem- differences inside the party and Bahadur Khadha also defended the tion of active membership, Nidhi who party needs to complete the distribu- ule it to May or June, said another ber of the Poudel faction that has possibly reschedule the 14th general Deuba camp on various issues, belongs to Deuba camp, said that tion of active membership at the central working committee member demanded the memorandum be dis- convention. including the distribution of active everything was being done as per grassroots, form interim structures in Minendra Rijal cussed in the central working commit- “I am ready to reconsider all of my membership. the decision of the central working all 77 districts and conduct district-lev- Arjun Nar Singh KC, said the rival tee of the party on November 6. decisions, except on the formation of The party recently decided to committee. el conventions before the end of camp was not serious about resolving In the memorandum, the Poudel the party departments,” Deuba was increase the number of active mem- But Nidhi’s claim was challenged by December. The distribution of active various issues that have cropped up in group has raised issues related to the quoted by Gagan Thapa, another cen- bers from 450,000 to 900,000 ahead of another central working committee membership cards is important as the party. “Democracy is in trouble “unfair” distribution of the party’s tral working committee member, dur- the general convention, scheduled for member, Mahesh Acharya. Acharya active members elect party leaders at and we are being dragged into a cold active membership, recruitment of ing a recent meeting. February next year. Active members said active membership should be dis- the ward level. But the issue of active war between major powers. It is only people who joined the party recently, According to Arjun Nar Singh KC, are primary voters who pick repre- tributed as per the requirements of membership has always been conten- our party that can play a balancing act formation of various departments of party Vice President Bimalendra sentatives at ward level. the local committees. tious in the party. between India and China,” KC said, the party, and the general convention Nidhi and General Secretary Purna Defending the decision of distribu- Ahead of the general assembly, the The Poudel faction is not satisfied “But our leaders are not serious.”

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL The India way in an uncertain world Let them eat bread There is hardly any For a corrupt leadership, there is nothing more space for a third party inconvenient than truth. in the unique ties between India and Nepal. According to a fable, an emperor is once visited by two swin- dlers who promise to weave for him a set of new clothes that are invisible to stupid people. The emperor is excited about wear- ATUL K THAKUR ing a special kind of clothes and expends the state coffers to get the outfit stitched. The emperor’s minions see that the weavers are not weaving any clothes, but they keep quiet for fear of being considered stupid. When the emperor finally gets to wear the invisible clothes and comes out on the street to exhibit his miraculous costume, everyone seems to admire them. It is only when a child spills the beans—the emperor is naked—that the The year 2020 proved to be highly for- gettable with the China-originated people realise that they have been duped. Even then, the emper- Covid-19, lockdown and immense loss- or must continue to pretend that all is well. Such is the insula- es of lives and livelihoods across the tion that the nexus between power and shamelessness gives an world. This year, China also found individual who believes everyone around is a fool. allies to encircle India on different Like other folktales, the emperor’s tale never goes out of fronts. Altogether, such adventurous acts forced India to re-prioritise its fashion for a reason. Each new age gets it a new emperor who choices in the new world order filled is as pretentious as the original one. And each new generation with uncertainties. In India’s official gets to see a new avatar of the emperor in its own surround- establishment, now there is a feeling ings. As if the national level leaders were not playing the roles that ‘realism’ should drive India’s strat- of neo-emperors well enough, Kathmandu Metropolitan City egies and foreign policies, especially in its neighbourhood. Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya on Monday sent a diktat to indi- India’s External Affairs Minister Dr viduals and organisations that have been feeding the poor and S Jaishankar’s newly-released book hungry at several locations in the city to stop doing what they The India Way: Strategies for an were doing. The reason, the mayor said, was that those who Uncertain World is a sort of manifesto were being fed for free were not needy, and that the city’s open to set out the new priorities for India in spaces had become filthy due to the feeding activities. And to its international affairs. The reckoning is clear about India’s rising position in top that, the mayor said the activities had brought a bad name the world order, and the need to visual- to the metropolitan city. This, coming from a mayor who recent- ise its interests with effective commu- SHUTTERSTOCK ly stayed and had his lunches and dinners at a major five-star nication. Dr Jaishankar, who earlier supposed to get space in new policy global order as well. As an integrated ambivalence in the international arena hotel when he and his family contracted the coronavirus, served as India’s foreign secretary and manoeuvrings. China’s rise, dispropor- market, trade and services are surely has been seriously puzzling over the undoubtedly breaks all ceilings of shamelessness. ambassador to the United States and tionate aggression and intervention- going to benefit. It is noteworthy how decades. In today’s time, Nepal needs China, is someone uniquely positioned ism in South Asia have been quite the process of economic reforms in more strategic minds than the Clearly, the mayor hasn’t heard of Malar Sada’s hunger saga. to contribute to that endeavour. instructive for India. Since 2014, India’s India that started way back in the early Mandarin experts to know about A daily wage labourer from Saptari, Sada starved to death, on In his individual capacity as India’s new regime found a new way to deal 1990s had a positive impact on Nepal. China’s plan in its totality. Over a long May 19, after he lost his job due to the nationwide lockdown top diplomat, Dr Jaishankar is known with the changing global scenario. Now The economic integration was never so period of time, China has enjoyed its imposed by the government—without any contingency plan for to be a firm believer in keeping India’s it was more flexible in recognising the stout and heady for achieving extraor- insulation despite showing disregard the poor and the marginalised—to tackle Covid-19. Thousands ‘optimal relationship’ with all the greater multi-polarity and unpredicta- dinary outcomes. Now when India is for ‘international responsibilities’. Of major powers to best advance its goals. bility trends that had increased influ- moving in a direction of giving extra late, China stands exposed on the world of Malar Sadas go to bed hungry each night, right in the capital Under the same framework, he advo- ence over international affairs. Dr traction to ‘self-reliance’, though with- stage, and it is not possible that its city as leaders choose to ignore the plight of the poor. As the cates for a bolder and non-reciprocal Jaishankar makes a point here, out being protectionist, it is again hegemonic advances will not get a mayor famously said, he doesn’t read the newspapers and gets approach to the immediate and extend- ‘Nations were combining on narrower opening the door with bright possibili- counter-response. his news from the people around him. It is not difficult to ed neighbourhood. In recent times, issues rather than broad approaches. ties for Nepal’s businesses to deepen In a world badly ravaged by Covid-19, understand that he gets told only what he wants to hear, just as India has followed that approach in To a large extent, world affairs now their engagement in India, and further Nepal should do everything possible to engaging with its immediate neigh- looked like a global marketplace with enhance regional and sub-regional eco- revive its industrial prospects and the fable’s emperor is told that he is, in fact, wearing clothes. bours, including Nepal. This is not less pre-conceptions and more transac- nomic cooperation. Sooner than later, occupy its workforce to attain self-sus- For a corrupt leadership, there is nothing more inconvenient something of an enigma for policymak- tions’. India’s trade-balancing exercise will tainability and control the very high than truth. ers in Kathmandu. In a new world more receptive to have some meaning for China too. rate of outbound migration. To get Leaders from top to bottom take the poverty and helplessness At the highest decision-making level ‘transactional terms’, there is a litmus In the South Asian region, India’s greater space in the world order, Nepal of the people as an affront to them, a challenge to their unbri- in India, it is believed that the existing test for age-old cross-boundary friend- engagement drives will continue irre- has to work extra hard on the domestic dled power. History is full of stories of inept leaderships—from era of global upheaval entails greater ship. Here, if India-Nepal relations are spective of strategic challenges curated front. A balancing approach is wishful expectations from India, putting it on taken into perspective too, the chang- by China through Pakistan or on its thinking, and it is also imperative to East to West, North to South—who consider the plight of the the path to becoming a leading power. ing norms offer a ‘new normal’. In own. India’s capabilities are overshad- avoid acrimonious stances. A progres- people inconsequential. When told that there was a shortage of Dr Jaishankar should be hailed for recent times, Nepal’s inability to keep owing the challenges in the region, and sive developmental narrative in Nepal bread in the country, Marie Antoinette, the bride of France’s making a clear distinction between the spirit of trilateralism in check it is unlikely that China will get much will enthuse India to give extra focus to King Louis XVI, is rumoured to have callously said, ‘Let them ‘national interest’ and ‘international while making choices for its bilateral in the long term from its over-pricey the vision of shared prosperity. eat cake.’ Having failed to provide decent food and shelter to responsibilities’, and provisioning relations with India could be termed a and directionless projects like the Belt Working and growing together should much needed balancing acts. It is vital lapse. If India continues with ‘certain and Road Initiative and cross-border drive our bilateral mechanism. India thousands of people who have lost their means of livelihood in to note that India is on the way to constants’ beside the inevitable chang- incursions. However, its expansionism and Nepal will be big beneficiaries if the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the mayor of Kathmandu reclaiming its prominent place on the es, it is for safeguarding the valued is surely getting an edge with the vul- both countries give their due to the has made a place for himself in the list of inept leaders who do world stage and being a civilisational terms it has with Nepal. With deep care nerabilities of its allies, especially trust-based relationship. In their not mind breaking any glass ceiling of shamelessness at the power. for its inalienable relations with Nepal Pakistan. unique ties, there is hardly any space expense of others. Someone who has recently munched on lav- No longer is consistency the sole and respect for its sovereign status, Nepal, with its bright spot in the new for a third party. The ‘India Way’ is and driving force of India’s foreign policy India remains its most trustworthy world order, should do everything pos- will be clearly friendly for Nepal. ish desserts at a posh five-star hotel should at least be ashamed and strategies. Choices have to be exer- neighbour and ally. sible to negate China’s ploy to use it as enough to keep quiet when the generous people help their com- cised in the changing circumstances, India’s rise in the world is something ‘strategic hotspot’ against India. China Thakur is a policy professional and patriots with a few pieces of bread out of their pockets. hence both constants and changes are that makes Nepal strongly placed in the is not known to be an altruist power, its writer based in New Delhi.

The rise of the Indian-American voter

On the Democratic side, Biden’s Indian-American community. But it Politicians that have running mate, US Senator Kamala remains to be seen how much the Harris of California, has openly Democrats will be helped or harmed special ties to another embraced her roots, using a Tamil by their own politicians’ unsparing term to describe her Indian aunts in criticism of Modi. Representatives country adopt principled her nomination acceptance speech Pramila Jayapal of Washington and this August. She has spoken at length Ro Khanna of California, echoed by positions toward it. about her Indian ancestry, as well as Harris, have condemned the Modi gov- visits to her grandfather and the con- ernment’s actions in Kashmir. versations they had during seaside If Biden wins, Harris’s presence in SHASHI THAROOR walks in Chennai. Moreover, Indian- the administration will ensure that American celebrities have cam- India isn’t overlooked, let alone forgot- paigned enthusiastically for the ten. But that attention will cut both Biden-Harris ticket, with one fund- ways. Harris is bound to be a strong raiser in September reportedly pull- voice for democracy and human rights ing in a record-breaking $3.3 million generally, which could put her at odds from the Indian-American communi- with the Modi government. When pol- t y. iticians have special ties to another Beyond the major headlines surround- For his part, US President Donald country, they are more likely to adopt ing the US presidential election, a lit- Trump responded to the Harris nomi- passionate and principled positions tle-noticed development is attracting nation with a campaign ad featuring toward it. But this is not always wel- attention both in India and among Indian Prime Minister Narendra come within that country, as would American campaign strategists. The Modi, whom he has lavishly praised surely be the case with Modi and his rising influence of the Indian- throughout his first term. As right- allies. American community in the United wing populists with a deep suspicion Modi’s Indian-American supporters States—though barely 1 percent of the of minorities and a barely concealed may feel that Trump’s re-election electorate—has made it impossible for bias against Muslims, Trump and would be ‘good for India’. But while the world’s oldest democracy to ignore Modi have developed something of a Trump has uncritically embraced the world’s largest. ‘bromance’. They have even held joint Modi and his Hindutva agenda—and Indian-Americans are the sec- campaign-style rallies, sharing the there has been growing convergence ond-largest immigrant group in the stage at a ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event in on security co-operation, especially in US, and among the fastest-growing— Texas and a ‘Namaste Trump’ event in view of Chinese assertiveness in the up by nearly 150 percent over the last Modi’s home state of Gujarat. region—his administration has not decade. They also are more affluent The Republicans have created a always been helpful to India. From and highly educated than any other campaign organisation called Indian tariffs and immigration restrictions to ethnic group, with a median income Voices for Trump, as well as various environmental politics, US policies nearly double the national average sub-groups to target Hindu, Sikh, and over the past four years have needled (estimated at $100,000 in 2015). And Muslim Indian-American voters sepa- New Delhi. they have been remarkably active rately. And Trump’s handlers recently Those Indian-Americans who dis- politically, as voters, campaigners, arranged for their candidate to pre- like Trump can argue that a donors, and candidates. In the past side over a rare White House naturali- Democratic administration could two decades, two state governors, one sation ceremony featuring a sari- hardly be worse. And Trump’s close US senator, five members of the House draped Indian-born software engineer. SHUTTERSTOCK identification with Modi will affect of Representatives, and now a All of this attention has led some Republican Party’. When Trump issues such as Kashmir and Pakistan outside his rallies, decrying the votes of Modi’s Indian-American vice-presidential candidate, have been observers to suggest that Indian- described India’s air as ‘filthy’ at the and his advocacy of an assertive his human-rights record. Modi’s opponents. Americans of Indian descent. Americans, who traditionally lean second presidential debate, Biden was majoritarian Hindutva (Hindu nation- popularity among some Indian- When asked recently by a White No wonder both major parties are Democratic, may shift their support to quick to reply that he wouldn’t insult alist) ideology. They cheered for his American voters probably accounts House reporter whether he thinks actively courting Indian-American vot- Trump this election. There has cer- a friend that way. government’s controversial for the slight shift toward Trump, but Indian-Americans will be voting for ers, a significant number of whom tainly been a modest realignment However, there are larger fault lines Citizenship Amendment Act and his they are still far outnumbered by him, Trump confidently replied: ‘I do’. reside in potential swing states like from eight years ago, when 84 percent emerging within the Indian-American participation in a ceremony breaking those expressing support for the We will soon learn if he was right. Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. of them voted to re-elect President community. India’s diaspora, though ground for the construction of a Ram Democratic ticket. Both presidential candidates have Barack Obama. Still, a recent YouGov collectively influential, is deeply temple on the site of a demolished Both tickets have their drawbacks, Tharoor, a former UN under-secre- released television commercials in poll finds that 72 percent of Indian- divided by ideology, religion, age, mosque. though. Trump’s harsh immigration tary-general and former Indian Indian languages on the leading net- American voters support Biden, and, immigration history, and even caste. But Indian-Americans of a more rhetoric and policies—including Minister of State for External Affairs works broadcasting Indian program- as one recent study concluded, ‘Indian Modi, for example, is a deeply polar- liberal bent oppose Modi just as severe restrictions on H-1B visas, and Minister of State for Human ming in the US, and Joe Biden used the Americans continue to be strongly ising figure among Indian-Americans. intensely. While their counterparts which have disproportionately hurt Resource Development, is an MP for Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi to attached to the Democratic Party, with Those who support him do so passion- have cheered Modi’s every appearance Indian tech professionals—certainly the Indian National Congress. woo Indian-American voters. little indication of a shift toward the ately, applauding his tough stance on in America, they have protested haven’t helped his standing in the —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 MONEY

FOREX Saudi Aramco US 119.36 Civil Aviation Authority raises questions Euro 139.55 third-quarter Pound 154.94 profit slumps Japanese 11.40 about the credibility of virus testing labs Chinese 17.86 44.6% as virus Qatari 32.78 Nepal Airlines has been banned twice after passengers carrying negative reports tested positive at destination airport. Australian 84.91 SANGAM PRASAIN So far, the Air India route has been chokes demand Malaysian 28.72 KATHMANDU, NOV 3 suspended three times. REUTERS According to reports, both India DUBAI, NOV 3 Saudi 31.83 The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and Nepal are on Hong Kong’s list of Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank has raised questions about the credi- high-risk countries for Covid-19. Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco bility of private labs after Nepal Those flying in from such places are on Tuesday reported a 44.6% drop in Airlines passengers carrying Covid required to test negative for Covid-19 third-quarter net profit as the corona- Shares negative certificates tested positive at before departure, and to quarantine in virus crisis continued to choke Nepse 1,643.03pts the destination airports. a hotel upon arrival in the city. There demand and weigh on crude prices. 0.33% Such ‘false certificates’ are bad for are 11 other nations are on the list. Share prices of global oil compa- HIGHEST GAINERS the national flag carrier as foreign nies have been hammered this year as BBC SMFDB PPCL SSHL RBCLPO RBCL governments may bar it for violating investors fret over the impact of the 9.96% 9.92% 9.73% 9.43% 9.01% 7.86% Covid-19 norms, the regulatory body The regulator has pandemic on energy demand and the MODERATE GAINERS said. long-term shift away from fossil fuels. BARUN CLBSL RLI CBBL SICL PFL Nepal Airlines has already been asked for dedicated Oil prices have recovered only 1.03% 1.23% 1.20% 1.20% 1.16% 1.05% banned twice after several passengers slightly since tumbling to their lowest MODERATE LOSERS it flew to Hong Kong were found to be and authorised in almost two decades in March, UMHL NRN CBL RSDC HURJA LLBS infected upon arrival. prompting Aramco and other majors -0.60% -0.58% -0.57% -0.52% -0.51% -0.51% Airports in the United Arab testing labs for such as Shell and BP Plc to slash capi- HIGHEST LOSERS Emirates have also raised concern airline passengers. tal expenditure this year and next. MLBL DHPL UNHPL JOSHI AHPC NSEWA over the truthfulness of certification Weaker refining and chemicals -2.55% -2.52% -2.44% -2.34% -2.33% -2.31% issued for passengers from Nepal, said margins also hit Aramco’s net profit, Rajan Pokhrel, director general of the which fell to 44.21 billion riyals ($11.79 Civil Aviation Authority. Chinese University Professor David billion) for the three months ended PRICE PER TOLA “We have informed the Tourism and Hui Shu-cheong, a government advis- September 30, in line with an analyst BULLION Health ministries about the issue,” he er on the pandemic, told the South estimate of 44.6 billion riyals provided said, adding that breaches in Covid-19 China Morning Post that something by Refinitiv but down from 79.84 bil- Fine Gold Rs 95,400 safety protocols could put Nepal had gone wrong in the testing done in lion riyals in the same period of last Airlines into serious trouble. Nepal, as travellers had to obtain neg- year. Silver Rs 1,210 “Nepal Airlines may be blameless ative results before boarding. “Maybe “We saw early signs of a recovery in as it does not conduct the tests, and POST FILE PHOTO their tests are not accurate or sensi- the third quarter due to improved eco- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA relies on the certificates produced by On October 3, six Nepal Airlines passengers tested positive upon arrival in Hong Kong. tive enough, or perhaps people didn’t nomic activity, despite the headwinds the passengers before boarding. But if take it seriously enough when giving facing global energy markets,” Saudi such cases are not properly monitored people entered the Emirates with fake Nepal Airlines flight to Hong Kong samples.” Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin GASOLINE WATCH by the government, it could spell dis- certificates. tested positive upon arrival. The car- Nepal Airlines requires polymerase Nasser said in a statement. aster as it may tarnish Nepal’s reputa- The Post couldn’t independently rier was issued a two-week suspension chain reaction test negative test Aramco’s shares rose as much as tion abroad.” verify whether the certificates were for violating Covid-19 norms by Hong results before allowing passengers on 1% and were 0.6% higher at 34.4 riyals Pokhrel said that they had asked the fake or the Nepal Airlines passengers Kong authorities. international flights, but the carrier by 0830 GMT. Although down 2.3% government to assign dedicated became infected after taking the test. Again on October 22, nine Nepal does not have a list of authorised labs year to date, Aramco has outper- and authorised testing labs for airline Civil aviation officials said it was Airlines passengers, who had twice and clinics to issue the certificates. formed the likes of Exxon, BP and passengers. almost impossible for such a large tested negative during their quaran- “Obviously, the recurring issue has Shell, which are down by more than On June 23, the United Arab number of passengers to become tine period, were among the 11 new become a serious one for Nepal 50% while Chevron is down by 40%. Emirates officially re-opened its air- infected at the same time. Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong. Airlines,” said Sulekh Mishra, deputy Analysts say that is partly because space and permitted travellers to visit Pure Health officials in the United Authorities banned the carrier yet spokesperson for Nepal Airlines. of the broader performance of the Dubai for tourism from July 7. All Arab Emirates have made it mandato- again, just four days after it had com- “It’s not clear whether the certifi- Saudi stock market, on which Aramco tourists must undergo a polymerase ry for passengers wishing to travel pleted a two-week suspension. cates were fake or the travellers con- is listed, but also because the company chain reaction test, no more than 96 to Dubai to register on their portal Another two-week suspension will tracted the virus after testing nega- has guaranteed its dividend payment. hours before their scheduled depar- before undergoing a lab test to end on Wednesday. tive,” he said. Aramco said it would distribute a ture to Dubai International Airport, at avoid being issued fake Covid-19 cer- Other carriers besides Nepal “The Hong Kong cases and the dividend of $18.75 billion for the quar- an officially recognised testing centre. tificates. Airlines too have faced action for warning from Dubai International ter, in line with its plan to pay a base The negative Covid-19 test result Passengers who register on the bringing infected passengers. Airport have put us on high alert, but dividend of $75 billion for 2020. must be presented in a printed certifi- company’s portal are given certifi- According to the South China Morning we board passengers based on the But equity analyst Yousef Husseini cate format by the traveller on arrival cates with special QR codes, and those Post, flight restrictions were issued Covid-19 negative certificates they at investment bank EFG-Hermes said at the airport. For transit passengers who carry these certificates will be against Air India’s route into the city produce,” he said. Aramco would likely have to increase and tourists, additional testing may be allowed to travel. from Delhi, Air Vistara from Chennai, “If the government authorises dedi- its debt financing in the short- to required on arrival. “If dedicated labs are approved for and Cathay Dragon’s Kuala Lumpur cated labs for airline passengers, cases medium-term, or further cut capital The Dubai civil aviation authority airline passengers, it will make them service after infected passengers were of fake certificates, if indeed they are expenditure, in order to be able to toughened its regulations from accountable,” said Pokhrel. flown in from India, either directly or so, will not happen. The labs will be maintain the dividend unless oil pric- September-end after several On October 3, six passengers on a via transit in Malaysia. responsible for their reports.” es recovered to at least $55 a barrel. China tells Ant to expect scrutiny of credit business: Sources Beijing tightens restrictions

REUTERS micro-lenders or third-party technolo- BEIJING/HONG KONG, NOV 3 gy platforms like Ant for underwrit- ing consumer loans, amid fears of on Australian exports China’s top financial regulators told rising defaults and deteriorating asset Ant Group Co Ltd’s founder Jack Ma quality in a pandemic-hit economy. ASSOCIATED PRESS these issues,” said Agriculture and two top executives that the compa- Ant’s consumer lending balance CANBERRA, NOV 3 Minister David Littleproud. ny’s lucrative online lending business was 1.7 trillion yuan ($254 billion) as The latest controls apply to timber faces tighter government scrutiny, of the end of June, accounting for 21% China has stepped up trade restric- from Queensland and barley from an sources told Reuters, days before its of all short-term consumer loans tions against Australia, suspending additional Australian producer. record-setting listing. issued by Chinese deposit-taking imports of some timber and barley, China is Australia’s biggest export Ant’s controller Ma, its Executive financial institutions. the agriculture minister said on market. Beijing increasingly is using Chairman Eric Jing and Chief “Regulators have long aimed to Tuesday, amid tension over the coro- its status as a growing consumer giant Executive Simon Hu were summoned curb the fast-growing online lending navirus, Hong Kong and the South as leverage against other governments to a rare joint meeting with senior industry to prevent systematic risks China Sea. in political disputes. representatives from four regulators to the vast financial sector,” said the Chinese authorities also are delay- A Chinese foreign ministry spokes- on Monday, as Beijing published new first source. ing clearance for a $1.4 million ship- man said Tuesday that the quarantine draft rules for online micro-lending. “Ant’s high-profile blockbuster IPO ment of live lobsters from Australia. measures were imposed in line with The trio were informed that the has become the tipping point as it Beijing has blocked or limited the law. company, notably its cash-cow con- urges all relevant regulators to imports of Australian coal, beef and “In the meantime, mutual respect sumer lending business, will face step up efforts to look into its sprawl- other goods and announced an investi- is the foundation and guarantee of tougher scrutiny over matters includ- AP/RSS ing business.” gation into whether wine was being practical cooperation between coun- ing capital adequacy and leverage The figure of Ant Group’s mascot is displayed at the Ant Group office in Hong Kong. During the meeting on Monday, the sold at improperly low prices. tries,” said the spokesman, Wang ratios, said two sources who were People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China That follows demands by Beijing for Wenbin. briefed on the matter. They declined to credit business, details of which were consumer credit business that Securities Regulatory Commission the Australian government to drop its “We hope Australia can do more be identified as details of the meeting disclosed for the first time in its IPO includes Huabei, which operates like (CSRC), China Banking and Insurance support for an investigation into the things conducive to mutual trust, have not been made public. prospectus in late August, said the a virtual credit card service, and Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) and origin of the coronavirus pandemic bilateral cooperation and the spirit of The move comes as some of the reg- first source. short-term consumer loan provider the foreign exchange regulator also that began in central China in China-Australia comprehensive stra- ulators were “surprised” by Ant’s Ant’s credit unit contributed close Jiebei. told Ant to properly comply with the December. tegic partnership and bring the bilat- business and financial figures, includ- to 40% of the group’s revenue in Beijing has become more uncom- new micro-lending rules, said the sec- “We will work with the Chinese eral relations back to the right track ing the scale and profitability of its the first half of the year. It holds Ant’s fortable with banks heavily using ond person. authorities to investigate and resolve as early as possible,” Wang said. Shares rise, dollar sinks as investors bet on clear Biden poll win

REUTERS “Control of the Senate is crucial for the economy further. “The problem with markets is that activity accelerating more than themes we believe would outperform LONDON, NOV 3 any ‘blue wave’ scenario to material- Australian’s central bank became they are very binary. One day expected in October. in that event, moving toward a more ise, otherwise divided government the latest to take action to shore up the everything is hunky dory and the next Wall Street futures were up 1% pro-risk stance overall despite last Europe’s stock markets rallied on continues and fiscal stimulus expecta- coronavirus-hit economy, trimming day it’s the depths of despair and so ahead of the start of New York trad- week’s market pullback,” the strate- Tuesday and Wall Street looked set to tions will need to be scaled back,” interest rates to near zero on Tuesday you have to tread that tightrope ing. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia- gists said in a report. follow as investors bet on a clear win added Alvin Tan, Asia forex strategist and ramping up its bond-buying plans. between the two that creates volatili- Pacific shares outside Japan had South Korea’s main index advanced for Joe Biden as the United States at RBC Capital Markets. Investors are also waiting on ty,” CMC Markets’ Hewson said. added 1.4% overnight. The gauge is 1.7% and Hong Kong’s index sprinted votes in its most polarised presiden- Reassuring earnings from French Federal Reserve and Bank of England The global tone had also helped by less than 1% shy of a 2-1/2 year high 2.2% higher. The MSCI China index tial election in living memory. bank BNP Paribas lifted its shares by meetings this week that are also gains on a Wall Street on Monday struck in mid-October and up over 5% hit a 23-year high too as Chinese facto- US President Donald Trump and 6.5%, adding to a sense that the bank- expected to bring more support. underpinned by US manufacturing this year, driven by a 37% rebound ry activity also expanded the fastest in Democratic rival Biden made a ing sector was holding up relatively from China’s markets since March. a decade. last-minute push for votes in battle- well to an economic pounding from Currency markets also seemed to be The safe-harbour yen was steady at ground states on Monday and though the Covid-19 crisis. tilting towards a victory for Biden. 104.76 yen per dollar. Japanese mar- their campaigns were wary of possi- But a 40% fall in full-year earnings The dollar was down almost 0.5% kets were closed for a holiday. ble legal disputes that could delay a at Associated British Foods due to a against a basket of the world’s other The Aussie dollar fell as much as clear outcome, a wave of risk appetite profit plunge in its Primark clothing top currencies at 93.656 after hitting a 0.2% and Australia’s ASX 200 ended swept through markets. business was a reminder of how the month-high on Monday. 2% higher as the central bank The pan-European index rose 1.6% pandemic is wreaking havoc with cor- Analysts believe a Biden win would trimmed interest rates to near zero in a second day of robust gains, porate balance sheets. weaken the dollar as the former and expanded its bond-buying pro- having slumped to a five-month low ABF shares fell 1.7%. No major vice-president is expected to spend big gramme, as expected. last week as many of the region’s top European economic data is due on on stimulus and to take a freer Oil prices were clawing higher after economies were forced back into Tuesday, with only a smattering of approach to trade, boosting other cur- two weeks of weakness, with Brent almost complete coronavirus lock- earnings to steer investors. BNP bank rencies at the dollar’s expense and futures up nearly 3% at $40 a barrel downs. Growth-sensitive cyclical sec- was buoyed by a surge in currency potentially pushing up bond yields. again and US WTI up 3.2% at $38. tors such as oil and gas, miners and and commodity trading to beat third The euro extended gains through Gold ticked up 0.2% to $1,894 an banks once again led therally - all ris- quarter profit expectations. the morning to stand 0.5% higher at ounce, while benchmark US and ing between 2-3.5%. For story on how global markets $1.1645. Sterling went up 0.6% to just European bond market yields, which “Markets are pricing for a Biden have fared over the last four years below $1.30, while Russia’s rouble are a proxy for governments’ borrow- win, certainly a clear outcome, and click which has been one of the currencies ing costs, were also shuffling higher. they want a clear and uncontested hit hardest by the prospects of a Biden “There is an expectation that there outcome,” said Michael Hewson, chief Binary Market Mood win, also saw a strong bounce. will be a Biden victory,” said Jan von market analyst at CMC Markets. Analysts said that while the mood was Strategists at Blackrock Investment Gerich, an analyst at Nordea. But he A shock Trump win, a contested more upbeat on Tuesday, it remained Institute said polls were suggesting a said that there was a “preparedness result, or just a divided outcome could febrile as European countries intro- greater likelihood of a Democratic that there could be some big moves” all trigger corrections in markets, he duced tougher lockdown restrictions REUTERS sweep in the election. on Wednesday should the result be said. to fight a pandemic that was set to hit The London Stock Exchange Group offices pictured in December, 2017. “We are starting to incorporate unclear.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING China’s Xi warns Myanmar fugitive monk Wirathu hands himself in to face sedition charges of rising risks as YANGON: Hardline Buddhist national- ist monk Ashin Wirathu handed him- self over to police in Myanmar’s com- mercial capital of Yangon on Monday after more than a year on the run party charts course from charges of sedition. Wearing a face mask and shield, he spoke to sup- porters at a monks’ association in the city before driving to a police station in Dagon township, according to for five years Reuters witnesses. Officials there did not immediately comment. Wirathu is known for his rhetoric against minor- China faces rising tensions with the US, Hong Kong, ity Muslims, particularly the Rohingya community, but he has also Xinjiang and economic shocks brought by Covid-19. been critical of the civilian govern- ment of Aung San Suu Kyi and sup- REUTERS ety in the first half of 2021. portive of Myanmar’s powerful BEIJING, NOV 3 China is doubling down on domestic military. consumption and innovation, while Chinese President Xi Jinping, com- aiming for sustained and healthy eco- Kabul University attack death menting on the ruling Communist nomic development, with an emphasis REUTERS Party’s recommendations for the next on a higher quality of growth, the In this photo provided by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, rescue workers carry four-year-old girl Ayda Gezgin out toll rises to at least 35 five years, on Tuesday said the coun- party said in a communique last week. from a collapsed building in the Aegean port city of Izmir, Turkey on Tuesday. Ayda was trapped under the rubble for more than 90 hours after a KABUL: The death toll from Monday’s try faces a significant increase in China is set to narrowly miss a pre- deadly earthquake struck the Aegean Sea on Friday. attack on Kabul University has risen risks. vious goal of doubling GDP in the to at least 35, most of them students, Xi and the Central Committee, the decade to 2020, as the economy needs two government sources said on largest of the ruling Communist to grow at least 5.6 percent this year to Tuesday. The sources told Reuters Party’s top decision-making bodies, hit that target. The economy could around 50 people had been wounded concluded a four-day meeting on eco- grow just over 2 percent this year. in the attack, which was claimed by nomic and social policy goals for the In the party’s recommendations for Vienna attack suspect New Delhi sees Islamic State. Gunmen stormed next five years last month. economic and social development, it Kabul University, shooting at stu- It was not immediately clear to said technological prowess would dents in their classroom and clashing what risks Xi was referring but China drive growth, with key projects worst wave as with security forces for hours on faces rising tensions with the United planned in artificial intelligence, States over issues including trade, quantum information, semiconduc- had ties with IS Monday. Hong Kong, Xinjiang and human tors and other areas. India’s cases drop rights and economic shocks brought It will encourage the merger of ASSOCIATED PRESS which all people have equal rights and Qatar’s emir promises Shura about by the coronavirus pandemic. companies in strategic emerging VIENNA, NOV 3 dignity.” Council elections next year “At present and over the next phase, industries and provide tax incentives The attacker, identified as Kujtim ASSOCIATED PRESS China is prone to all kinds of contra- for companies involved in basic scien- At least one Islamic extremist — a Fejzulai, was sentenced to 22 months NEW DELHI, NOV 3 DUBAI: Qatar’s emir announced on dictions and risks, and the various tific research. Development of China’s 20-year-old armed with an automatic in prison in April 2019 because he had Tuesday that the country will hold risk factors, both foreseeable and sovereign digital currency will be rifle and a fake explosive vest — ram- tried to travel to Syria to join the India’s capital is seeing its worst wave elections for its top advisory panel unforeseeable, have increased signifi- steadily pushed forward. paged through a crowded Vienna Islamic State group. He was granted of coronavirus infections since the next year, a long-promised step that cantly,” Xi was quoted by the Xinhua It will also support Beijing, nightlife district hours ahead of a early release in December under juve- start of the pandemic, even as the aims to give the country’s citizens state news agency as saying. Shanghai and the southern Greater coronavirus lockdown, leaving four nile law. nation’s overall cases fall. more say on how their hereditary Rather than setting a numerical Bay Area, including Hong Kong, into people dead before being killed by Nehammer told APA that Fejzulai New Delhi has averaged more than emirate is governed. In a speech goal to double GDP or per capita becoming global tech innovation cen- police, Austrian authorities said on had posted a photo on his Instagram 5,200 newly confirmed cases a day this before the national legislative body, income by 2035, China will prioritise tres. Tuesday. account before the attack that showed past week, the highest level since the known as the Shura Council, Sheikh optimising economic structure and China will boost the overall compet- The suspect in Monday night’s him with two of the weapons he appar- first case was recorded in the capital Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said the development quality, Xi said. itiveness of the state economy and attack was identified as a young ently used. on March 2. first-ever vote will take place in However, reaching such goals is keep manufacturing industry’s role in Austrian-North Macedonian dual citi- “(The suspect) was equipped with a The Health Ministry has attributed October 2021. He described it as “entirely possible”, he said, adding the economy basically stable, said the zen with a previous terror conviction fake explosive vest and an automatic the surge in New Delhi to the festival “an important step” for the tiny that China was set to declare it has party, while reiterating its existing for attempting to join the Islamic State rifle, a handgun and a season and warned that the situation energy-rich state on the Arabian achieved the goal of turning the coun- policy of discouraging speculation in extremist group in Syria. machete to carry out this repugnant can worsen due to people crowding Peninsula to “develop the legislative try into a moderately prosperous soci- the property market. Unverified video showed the sus- attack on innocent citizens,” markets for festival shopping. process with a wider participation pect, dressed in white coveralls, firing Nehammer said. Overall, new cases are declining in of citizens.” off bursts apparently at random as he Authorities were still trying to India, with 38,310 reported in the last ran down the Austrian capital’s cob- determine whether further attackers 24 hours. The Health Ministry also Uganda opposition presidential blestone streets. may be on the run. People in Vienna reported 490 more fatalities, raising Police have arrested several other were urged to stay at home if possible the overall death toll to 123,097. candidate Bobi Wine arrested people and searched 15 houses and on Tuesday and children did not have With 8.2 million confirmed cases of KAMPALA: Ugandan opposition apartments, Interior Minister Karl to go to school. Some 1,000 police coronavirus, India is the second worst- presidential candidate Bobi Wine was Nehammer told the Austrian news officers were on duty in the city on hit country behind the United States. arrested on Tuesday after handing in agency APA. Tuesday morning. In other developments in the Asia- his nomination papers to the election Two men and two women died from The shooting began shortly after 8 Pacific region, authorities in Sri body, his party’s spokesman said. their injuries in the attack, Chancellor p.m. (1900 GMT) Monday near Vienna’s Lanka are keeping schools closed for Wine, 38, a musician turned politi- Sebastian Kurz said. He said a police main synagogue as many people were two more weeks amid a virus surge in cian whose real name is Robert officer who tried to get in the way of enjoying a last night of open restau- two clusters. The decision announced Kyagulanyi, aims to end Yoweri the attacker was shot and wounded, rants and bars before a month-long Tuesday means schools will now reo- Museveni’s more than a third of a and another 14 people were hurt. coronavirus lockdown, which started pen November 23. Schools were closed century in power. Elections are sched- Vienna’s hospital service said seven at midnight. last month as a precaution when the uled for February next year. “They people were in life-threatening condi- Vienna police chief Gerhard Puerstl clusters emerged at a garment factory (police) used a hammer and broke tion Tuesday after the attack, APA said the attacker was killed at 8:09 p.m. and later the country’s main fish the windows of his vehicle and reported. But authorities continued to look for market. The two recent clusters forcefully dragged him out ... they “Yesterday’s attack was clearly potential further assailants. account for about three-quarters of bundled him into their own vehicle an Islamist terror attack,” Kurz The Austrian government on Sri Lanka’s 11,335 total confirmed and took off,” Joel Senyonyi, said. “It was an attack out of Tuesday ordered three days of official cases. spokesman for the National Unity REUTERS hatred—hatred for our fundamental mourning, with flags on public build- The government has imposed a cur- Party, said. (AGENCIES) Job seekers wearing face masks fill in forms at the Wan Chai Job Fair, following the values, hatred for our way of ings to be flown at half-staff until few in Western province and some coronavirus disease outbreak, in Hong Kong, China, on October 29. life, hatred for our democracy in Thursday, APA reported. other areas since last week. Trump or Biden? Americans vote after a bitter campaign ...

>> Continued from page 1 economy and bridge America’s political divide. Experts predict the vote could reach 160 million, far Trump has also said votes should only be count- The voting caps a campaign dominated by the More than 99 million Americans have already exceeding the 138 million ballots cast four years ed through election night, even though many states coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than voted early either in person or by mail, motivated ago. often take days or weeks to tally ballots. 231,000 people in the United States and put millions not only by concerns about waiting in line on At the Chavis Community Center in southeast Voters on Tuesday will also decide which politi- out of work. The country has also been shaken by Election Day amid the pandemic but also by Raleigh, North Carolina, lines were short in the cal party will control the US Congress for the next nationwide protests over racial injustice against extraordinary levels of enthusiasm after such a hour after polls opened; volunteers and voters spec- two years, with Democrats pushing to recapture a Black Americans. polarising campaign. ulated that the massive early vote and worries Senate majority and expected to retain their con- Biden, who has framed the contest as a referen- The record-shattering total is already more than about Covid-19 had thinned the crowd. trol of the House of Representatives. dum on Trump’s handling of the virus, promised a 70 percent of the total 2016 vote, according to the US Eric Blakeslee, 47, of Raleigh, who works in Trump, 74, is seeking another four years in office renewed effort to combat the health crisis, fix the Elections Project at the University of Florida. information technology, said he voted in person on after a tumultuous first term marked by the corona- Tuesday because he was concerned virus crisis, an economy battered by pandemic that Republican challenges to mail-in shutdowns, an impeachment drama, inquiries into ballots might mean an absentee vote Russian election interference, US racial tensions could be invalidated. and contentious immigration policies. “I was really worried about my vote Trump held five campaign rallies in four states counting,” said Blakeslee, who voted on Monday, returning to Washington on Tuesday. for Biden to end what he called four He was expected spend most of Tuesday at the years of “crazy days.” White House, where an election night party is The election has already prompted a planned for 400 guests. wave of litigation over whether to Appearing on Fox News on Tuesday morning, adjust voting rules in light of the Trump said the crowds he saw on Monday gave him Covid-19 pandemic. On Monday, a fed- confidence that he would prevail. eral judge in Texas rejected a “We have crowds that nobody’s ever had before,” Republican bid to throw out about said Trump, who has been criticised by Democrats 127,000 votes already cast at drive- for holding huge rallies in defiance of the pandem- through voting sites in the Democratic- ic. “I think that translates into a lot of votes.” leaning Houston area. Biden, 77, is looking to win the presidency after a Trump has questioned the integrity political career spanning five decades including of the election results for months, mak- eight years as vice president under Barack Obama. ing unsubstantiated claims that mail- He mounted unsuccessful bids for the Democratic in voting is rife with fraud and refus- presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008. ing to commit to a peaceful transfer of Biden spent his last full day of campaigning in power if he loses. the swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and was expected to spend Election Day in Pennsylvania. Regarding Correction of Date of Birth He started his day at St Joseph on the Brandywine, This is to inform that the Indian official near Wilmington, Delaware, of Mr. Balram Khatri has wrongly where he spent some time at his son Beau’s grave with entered and made error in the date of Beau’s daughter, Natalie. birth of Mr. Topendra Khatri, son of Mr. Beau died of cancer at age 46 in 2015. Balram Khatri and Mrs. Bishnu Khatri, The two candidates have a resident of ward no. 3 Bheerkot Municipality, Syangja focused on about a dozen competitive state battle- District. As per details maintained by Mr. Balram Khatri in grounds, nearly all states the office, the date of birth of Mr. Topendra Khatri needs that Trump won in 2016. Much of their attention to be corrected as 2062-1-20 BS (2005-5-3 AD) instead has gone to Florida, with 29 of wrongly entered 2006-5-4 by the official. So, humbly electoral votes. The state is seen as the biggest must-win request the official to have the date of birth corrected. for Trump, as a loss there With Regards would block most of the pres- ident’s viable paths to win- Balram Khatri ning the Electoral College.

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Leicester City could again challenge for top four finish PSG without Mbappe for Champions League Leipzig trip The Foxes thump Leeds 4-1 to stay one point behind the leaders Liverpool following their away wins at Man City, Arsenal and West Brom in the season. PARIS: Paris St Germain forward AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE At the Craven Cottage, Fulham Kylian Mbappe will miss Wednesday’s LEEDS, NOV 3 avoided their worst start to a season Champions League clash against since 1951 as they finally clinched Leipzig due to a hamstring problem, After the disappointment of missing their first win of the season beating the French champions said on out on a place in the Champions West Bromwich Albion 2-0 thanks to Tuesday. Mbappe, 21, sustained the League last term, Leicester have first half goals from Bobby Decordova- injury during Saturday’s 3-0 Ligue 1 shown they are capable of mounting Reid and Ola Aina. victory against Nantes and was with- another top four challenge. Even a Scott Parker’s side deservedly ended drawn towards the closing stages of title push might not be impossible a run of six games without a win—a the match. “After going off during the given they have already thrashed dismal stretch including five defeats— game against Nantes with a right Manchester City 5-2. since their promotion from the hamstring problem, Mbappe’s not Leicester swept into second place in Championship last term. The available for the trip to Germany and the Premier League with an impres- Cottagers had lost all three of their the situation will be reassessed in 48 sive 4-1 victory at Leeds on Monday. previous home games this season, but hours,” PSG said in a statement. Brendan Rodgers’ side are just one their first success in west London lift- Coach Thomas Tuchel will also be point behind leaders Liverpool after ed them out of the relegation zone. without the services of Neymar and winning five of their first seven games “We knew how important this game Mauro Icardi due to injuries, with the in a top-flight season for the first time was. I’m pleased we got a result. We duo expected to return only after this in their history. played very well,” Parker said. month’s international break. PSG, Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans “Defeats are going to happen but they who followed up a 2-1 home defeat by put Leicester two up before half-time can’t bury us. Wins breed confidence.” Manchester United with a 2-0 victory at Elland Road. Stuart Dallas got one Third bottom West Brom are still at Istanbul Basaksehir, are second in back for Leeds but Jamie Vardy’s chasing a first win since returning to Group ‘H’ of the Champions League eighth goal of the season and a late the top-flight last season. with three points. Tielemans penalty wrapped up With just three points from their Leicester’s fourth successive away opening seven league games, West Shane Watson announces league win. “We were technically bril- Brom have made their worst start to a liant. We had the quality to play when campaign since 1985-86, failing to win retirement from cricket we had the opportunities. I thought we any of their opening seven games for LONDON: Australian all-rounder Shane were amazing right across the team,” the first time since 2004-05. “We have Watson retired from all forms of Rodgers said. “This team has got an to wake up. We have to be much better cricket on Tuesday, drawing the cur- amazing mentality with lots of young, than this. Everything starts with work tain on an injury-plagued career hungry players. It’s still very early rate, commitment and dedication,” which he managed to extend by rein- and most of our games have been Albion manager Slaven Bilic said. venting himself as a journeyman away but we’ve had brilliant perfor- AP/RSS Fulham went ahead in the 26th min- Twenty20 specialist. Watson ended mances.” Leicester’s Youri Tielemans (front) scored twice against Leeds United in their Premier League match at the Elland Road in Leeds on Monday. ute through Decordova-Reid. Antonee his Test career in 2015 and quit inter- Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said, “In Robinson fired in a cross from the left national cricket the next year, surren- the first 30 minutes we defended poor- Meslier before squaring for Barnes to close range. weathered the storm and Vardy struck to an unmarked Aleksandar Mitrovic dering in his battle against a litany ly and after we didn’t create enough tap into the empty net. Leicester didn’t Dallas gave Leeds a lifeline in the in the 76th minute with a close-range at the far post, who nodded across goal of injuries that bedevilled his career. danger. That is one of the main have to wait long to double their lead 47th minute when his cross evaded finish after Cengiz Under flicked before the ball was turned in by He quit Big Bash League last year but responsibilities of the manager.” in the 21st minute. Marc Albrighton’s everyone and looped past the flat-foot- James Maddison’s pass over Meslier. Decordova-Reid. Four minutes later, played this year’s Indian Premier Leicester made the perfect start in cross picked out Vardy at the near post ed Schmeichel. Leeds had the momen- Belgian midfielder Tielemans got the Fulham doubled their lead when League where his team Chennai the third minute. A poor back-pass and his diving header was unconvinc- tum and Pablo Hernandez almost fourth with a stoppage-time spot-kick Nigerian defender Aina blasted his Super Kings failed to make the play- from Robin Koch was intercepted by ingly pushed out by Meslier to equalised with a curling strike from after Mateusz Klich’s foul on shot past Sam Johnstone from the off. “It really does feel like the right Vardy and he rounded keeper Illan Tielemans, who slotted home from the edge of the area. But Leicester Maddison. edge of the area. time now that I’ve played my last game of cricket ever for my beloved CSK...” the popular blond said in a video on his YouTube channel. Watson played 59 Tests, 190 one-day- ers and 58 Twenty20 matches in his 14 Paris Masters starts despite years in international cricket. Iyer says Delhi can upstage Mumbai AGENCIES composure on that given day is going second place obviously makes you feel second France lockdown Maradona admitted to hospital ABU DHABI, NOV 3 to make it through.” good after the season you had, with all BUENOS AIRES: Argentine football With Prithvi Shaw, Iyer himself, the ups and downs,” he said. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE In front of 15,000 vacant seats, the great Diego Maradona was admitted Delhi Capitals’ skipper Shreyas Iyer is Rishabh Pant and South African pace- Iyer also hoped that Ajinkya Rahane PARIS, NOV 3 hum of the air conditioning was often to hospital Monday for medical quite ‘chuffed’ about the way his team man Kagiso Rabada, Delhi is packed will continue to play a significant role. the loudest noise on the main court. checks, his personal doctor said. “It’s bounced back from four consecutive with talented youngsters. Iyer said the Rahane scored 60 runs in the win The Paris Masters got underway at a Khachanov bowed out tamely to bring not a serious situation and we didn’t losses to make the Indian Premier key to getting past holders Mumbai on against the Bangalore. near-empty Bercy Arena on Monday a disappointing season to a close. come for an emergency,” Leopoldo League play-offs and insists that the Thursday in Dubai would be handling “He (Rahane) carries a lot of experi- amid France’s second coronavirus Croatian Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Luque told reporters outside the clin- ‘fearless’ bunch has what it takes to pressure with ease. ence in the IPL and the way he lockdown, with former champion Open champion, claimed an impres- ic in La Plata, south of Buenos Aires. upstage defending champions Mumbai “We need to keep things simple and paced his innings, it was amazing to Karen Khachanov being knocked out sive win over Canada’s Felix Auger- Though he gave no details of Indians up next. not complicate in pressure situations. see. It was great example and he in the first round. Russian Khachanov Aliassime, edging through to the sec- Maradona’s condition, Luque said his Delhi earned a top-two finish with The way we have been going, this was peaked at the right time, just when we was beaten 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 by Spanish ond round 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. patient would undergo a series of an easy six-wicket win over Royal a really good win and it’s going to be a needed him.” qualifier Alejandro Davidovich Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez set medical check-ups. “He’s an elderly Challengers Bangalore on Monday. really good booster as well for us.” Meanwhile, Bangalore all-rounder Fokina. up a second-round clash with top seed patient with many pressures in his They will take on the defending cham- The four-match losing string Shahbaz Ahmed said getting the wick- The organisers had expected to wel- Rafael Nadal—back in Paris just life. It’s a time when we must help pions on Thursday for a place in the snapped, Iyer was a relived man. “This et of Shikhar Dhawan was special. come 1,000 fans a day to the event, but weeks after lifting a record-extending him. It’s very difficult to be IPL title clash. win was very essential and it has put “The practice camp before the IPL instead had to refund the tickets when 13th French Open title—by beating Maradona,” Luque said of the star, “The Mumbai Indians are one of smiles on our faces after four consecu- helped me. And the first wicket in IPL French President Emmanuel Macron Serbian Filip Krajinovic 7-6, 6-1. who celebrated his 60th birthday on the best teams. Having said that, I feel tive losses. Today the way we played, it that too of Shikhar Dhawan is a spe- announced France would reenter lock- Pablo Carreno Busta was another Friday. The doctor ruled out any link we are also a fearless and amazing was a comprehensive win. All the cial feeling,” he said. down last week. The prize money on Spaniard to progress, seeing off home to the coronavirus pandemic. bunch of boys,” Iyer said. “It really departments were covered up well by “It’s good that we had better net run offer has been cut by more than two wildcard Hugo Gaston 6-3, 6-2. France’s Maradona, is considered at high risk depends on the day. They are pretty the players. I am really chuffed by rate and we qualified despite the loss. million euros from last year, when Ugo Humbert, Alex de Minaur and of coronavirus complications should experienced in such (finals) stages but their performance, the way they came The good thing is we had intensity, Novak Djokovic won the title. Borna Coric also won their matches. he be infected. (AGENCIES) the team has a good attitude and good up and delivered at the right time. The that’s one of the positives.” HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Today, take any opportunity you can to watch other In any close relationship, open communication is Anyone who is telling you to get more discipline If you’re feeling uncertain or nervous about people deal with a conflict. Observing about how critical! If you think that someone you love is hold- in your life is someone you should ignore. You’re your career, don’t suppress it. Turn to your family people handle their disagreements will help you get ing back their true feelings, don’t wait another day to doing just fine! This person is just projecting for the comfort you need, even just a short phone a better handle on any future conflicts you might get to the bottom of it. They have been sending their own worries and guilt on you, so feel free to call could make you feel ten times better about this have and definitely give you the upper hand. mixed signals, and it’s frustrating for you. ignore it. situation.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Today, take any opportunity you can to watch other Today, you can have a good time doing just The most beautiful words can have a less than beau- Your cynical side is in charge today, which means people deal with a conflict. Observing about how about anything from washing dishes to taking tiful interpretation, so look more closely for the you’re going to be suspicious of people who act like people handle their disagreements will help you get a walk to sitting through a marathon meeting! meaning behind what people say today. And watch saints. To you, these folks don’t have altruistic a better handle on any future conflicts you might You’re in a phase of life when your expectations out for people who are sugarcoating their criticism motives. They are helping someone only with the goal have and definitely give you the upper hand. are low. and trying to hide what they really mean. of helping themselves in the end.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** If people are putting restrictions on you, tell them to Negotiations should be avoided today. There is too You can get lots done and have fun doing it because A new project could create more confusion in your get lost, even if that person is the big boss. Your goals, much division in the various parties. Not everyone is your enthusiasm is gigantic. Don’t worry if you life than you thought possible, but this might not be your wishes, and your hopes are your own, and you on the same page, and it could cause some conflicts. don’t have every little wrinkle of a situation ironed that big of a problem. Sure, you might feel like you’re deserve the right to bring them to reality however So be careful of others and focus on activities that out. What matters is that the overall goal has been in a fog until you can sort things out, but it won’t take you see fit. are best done by yourself. met, and you enjoyed the effort of meeting it. too much time. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Months into virtual learning, parents become more involved in their children’s education There is no denying that online education has taken a toll on children and parents. But it has also given many parents an opportunity to understand their children’s learning process better and be more engaged in their overall development.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA LALITPUR

ack in March, when schools shut down to curb the spread of the coronavirus, many par- ents were uncertain what that would mean for their chil- dren’s education. Virtual Blearning was so new at the time, and so naturally parents were apprehensive. How immersive would the classes be? Would the experience be as fulfilling as being in an actual classroom? Was it real- ly necessary at this time? “But then as the lockdown extended, I think it dawned on most parents that it was imperative our children keep learn- ing despite the pandemic because these are their growing years,” said Hari Shrestha, who works in the development sector. “And even if schools decided to reopen, I wouldn’t be able to let my chil- dren go,” said Shrestha.

For parents with younger children, however, virtual learning is a little more challenging.

It has been almost seven months now that schools across the country have been closed. And education has become com- pletely online. And while this shift has been difficult for children to adjust to, it has been equally tough on the parents as well. Because the change has meant that besides overseeing their children’s school work, parents have had to simultaneously manage work and family. And while in the beginning adapting to this reality was difficult, many parents say they are now grateful, as they believe this has given them an opportunity to understand their children’s learning pro- cess better. “I personally have been grateful to the teachers and the schools for their relent- SHUTTERSTOCK less effort to help the children with their sure that virtual classes would require ities and their learning environment. Eliza. “Of course, it’s understandable ously were not welcoming of the idea of learning. They have been extra careful of parents assistance in varied scenarios The virtual classes have also let par- that not all of us have that environment, going virtual with their children’s class- how this time will impact their future,” from guiding their learning to monitor- ents see how their children are being but I have always believed that parents’ es, after looking at how other children are said Eliza, who asked to be identified by ing them to take the classes. taught by teachers. It has brought them to effort is necessary for their children’s learning, have rejoined their children in her first name only. Eliza works in the “Parents’ involvement in distance see through the teacher’s effort and growth,” she said. online classes,” said Karki. developmental field just like Shrestha learning is quite significant because of school’s lesson planning. “Where once we Eliza has set down a routine for her “Certainly adapting to this way of and is a mother of two, who are in grade the limitation of the virtual classroom,” didn’t have much idea of what our chil- children and has been checking on their learning will take time, but like all of us 5 and 10. said Benju Karki, founder of Euro Kids, dren were learning and how, now we have schoolwork regularly and their engage- they are doing their bit,” said Karki. “Distance learning has also helped me Dhapakhel, who also teaches upper and a better idea,” said Shrestha. ment at home more closely to understand “Plus, the pandemic isn’t going away any- realise how stressful and challenging lower kindergarten children. “It’s more “Being involved with my children’s how her children are experiencing the time soon,” she said. school is for my children. We often forget necessary that a parent is present in the education has taught me that I sometimes distress of the virus-stricken world. “But As Covid-19 cases continue to rise rap- to acknowledge that, as we have long case of children who are aged between need to take a step back from my own I think children are more resilient than idly every day, virtual classes are increas- passed that age,” she said. “But getting four to six during virtual classes because methods of parenting and reflect on how us. My children adapted faster to living ingly becoming significant for children’s involved in their learning during this many children are prone to distraction, I have been teaching my children,” said this way than us. Yes, it has been difficult education, said parents and teachers. time has helped me understand them and need more guided instructions,” said Shrestha. He remembers an incident for them to be learning inside rooms However, the current time has also wid- more,” she said. Karki. where he was rushing to teach his daugh- without the open environment and their ened, and made obvious, the disparity of In early July, when schools were look- Many teachers, especially of younger ter how to solve a mathematical problem. friends, but I can see that they are try- learning with many children out of ing to transition to online classes, many children, often discuss their course plan For him, the problem was easy but for his ing,” said Eliza. school in areas without access to any private schools in the Valley first carried with the parents before taking classes. daughter the problem was something she For parents with younger children, technology. Majority of households out a survey to assess if running virtual “Virtual classes certainly demand more had never solved. however, virtual learning is a little more across the country still do not have com- classes on a daily basis was doable. “The time from parents than before Covid-19, Only after realising this he understood challenging. “It’s absolutely necessary puters or access to the internet. survey asked parents questions like how but this also allows them to see how we the pace of learning for children. “I real- that there is someone to guard my daugh- But in the meantime, urban parents many hours do we think children should teach their children and the process of ised as easy as it is for me to grasp multi- ter while she is taking the class because have adapted and are even enjoying be taking online classes and how much their learning,” said Karki. plication, for my five-year-old daughter she gets easily distracted,” said Shrestha. engaging with their children’s classwork they too would be willing to invest and In the absence of schools, parents are this is all extraordinary. So, in that way I “While my son who is in grade 3 is and homework. “We are still waiting to engage with their children’s learning,” now also realising what schools were pro- have learnt to be more patient with her dependable to be left alone, I can’t say the send our children back to school safely, said Eliza, whose children study at GEMS viding their children with, besides child education,” said Shrestha. same for my younger one. She is mischie- but have been more grateful than ever for School, in Lalitpur. care and education. It is not just Shrestha who believes vir- vous like all children are in their age,” the virtual classes and the teachers,” said The survey also looked into the resourc- The school was a place where their tual classes have helped parents recog- said Shrestha. Shrestha. es required to carry out virtual classes— children learned social life and disci- nise their roles in their children’s educa- Many parents who in the start of lock- “I think I have come to learn more where the children were staying, and pline, a place where they were learning to tion. “It’s not just the schools’ role to down were critical to virtual learning about my children in this pandemic. I whether the students had internet access collaborate and explore. And in engaging teach children, it’s as important for par- have also come around to see the signifi- didn’t know their lives can be stressful in and if they didn’t what other alternative with their online education now, parents ents to be involved with their children’s cance of a learning space for their chil- their own ways,” he said. “I am rooting approaches could be exercised. are also learning parenting and a whole education, see what is straining them or dren amid the pandemic, said the teach- for virtual classes to support my children But from very early on, teachers were new side to their children’s learning abil- making learning difficult for them,” said ers the Post spoke to. “Parents, who previ- while we go through this pandemic.” K-pop’s social media power spurs Thailand’s youth protests

PATPICHA TANAKASEMPIPAT 23, told Reuters. “We’re proud to support the cause we BANGKOK In just nine hours, Thai fans of the girl believe in, in the name of someone we group, who called themselves SONEs, love,” said Jan, 27, who raised more than rom raising hundreds of thou- raised more than 780,000 baht ($25,000), 700,000 baht ($22,500) with Super Junior’s sands of dollars for Thai pro- along with other Thai K-pop fandoms that fandom E.L.F. in 22 hours. testers to inspiring the youths collectively raised more than 4 million Thai Lawyers for Human Rights told who join demonstrations baht ($128,000) that week. Reuters donations soared. through dances and social “We suddenly have more than 10 mil- media, K-pop fans have emerged lion baht ($321,440) in our bank account,” Fas a potent political force in Thailand’s Earlier this year, said director Yaowalak Anuphan. “I’m anti-government movement. amazed by the K-pop fans.” Earlier this year, K-pop fans in the K-pop fans in the US On social media, K-pop fan accounts United States surprised many people by that used to focus on news about their using their social media power to raise used their social favourite artists have turned political— funds for Black Lives Matter and to sabo- promoting protest-related hashtags and tage a re-election rally for President media power to raise undermining pro-monarchy hashtags Donald Trump. with sarcastic messages and K-pop slang. But in Thailand they have been part of funds for Black Lives The presence of K-pop fans is visible at the youth culture for a long time, and protests, as activists wave LED signs and their support for the protest movement Matter. light sticks, as they would at K-pop con- reflects the frustrations of a generation certs, and hold gold-framed pictures of that is unhappy with the government music idols that parody portraits of Thai using the power of the state to stifle Areeya and her team coordinated pur- royals. dissent. chases of protective equipment such as The fans’ knowledge of South Korea’s “K-pop fans would love to just fangirl helmets and goggles, organising deliver- history and the part pop culture played in over our ‘oppas’ and care about nothing REUTERS ies to protest sites, and recording recent protests was also a source for else, but with our country like this, we as A file photo of a woman taking a picture of a billboard wishing happy birthday to K-pop singer Jimin at everything for transparency. inspiration. citizens have to call for better things,” the subway in Bangkok, Thailand. The largest chunk of the donation went Natchapol Chaloeykul, 24, danced at said Suphinchaya, 23, using the term of to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a recent protests to the sounds of “Into the endearment for male K-pop artists. The greatest spur to action was an Oct. the cause. non-profit group that provided pro bono New World” by Girls’ Generation—the Like many Thai protesters she declined 16 crackdown when police used water Results were overwhelmingly positive, legal assistance to more than 90 protest- song sung at student rallies that led to the to give her full name because of the sensi- cannon to disperse protesters who had she said, as K-pop fans were no stranger ers arrested since mid-October. impeachment of former South Korean tivity of the issue. defied a ban aimed at ending protests to lightning fundraising campaigns—pre- Thai fans of K-pop’s biggest names president Park Geun-hye in 2017. Young, mostly female, and social against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- viously using them to buy billboard ads such as BTS, Super Junior, EXO, “K-pop fans read up about South Korea, media-savvy, the profile of K-pop fans ocha, a former army chief, and to demand in public spaces to celebrate their beloved Blackpink and SHINee also mobilised. and when we look back on our country, we matches that of many protesters, said curbs on the monarchy’s power. artists’ birthdays or album releases. The artists’ labels, SM Entertainment, wonder why we can’t be where they are,” Chayanit Choedthammatorn, a Thai Far from the scene, Areeya started “Many people were angered by the Big Hit Entertainment, and YG said Natchapol. researcher of Korean studies. a Twitter poll from her Girls’ Generation crackdown and police violence against Entertainment, did not immediately “Like in the song, we want new things “Although they are K-pop fans, they are fanbase account with over 17,500 unarmed protesters that day. They turned respond to Reuters’ requests for for our country too.” Thai citizens first,” she said. followers to see if they would help fund that anger into donation money,” Areeya, comment. — REUTERS

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