Noose in black firefighter’s locker prompts probe in Minneapolis suburb

The FBI is investigating after officials in the Minneapolis suburb or Bloomington said Saturday that a piece of rope resembling a noose was discovered in a black firefighter's locker.

from New York Daily News https://ift.tt/2NEq1UE

‘Nepal needs to break free from the shackles of the past’

The government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has been heavily criticised by the main opposition party Nepali Congress and the general public. The economy appears to be in the doldrums in the aftermath of the lockdown, in effect since March 24. A historical unity that Nepal’s political parties demonstrated surrounding the inauguration of a half-built road to Limpiyadhura by India last month had evaporated by the time the House started debating, and subsequently, passing a bill on citizenship. The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) remains virtually besieged under the Millennium Challenge Compact pact, awaiting parliamentary approval for more than a year. NC leader Minendra Rijal is one of the fiercest critics of the government and the prime minister. “As an opposition Member of Parliament, my duty is to create constant pressure on the government so that it listens to the people’s voice,” says Rijal. Ram Kumar Kamat of The Himalayan Times spoke to the NC leader on these issues. Excerpts:

The government is upbeat about being able to control the coronavirus pandemic. Do you agree?

The government has utterly failed to control COVID-19 and the situation will become even worse. The lockdown provided us with an opportunity to flatten the curve, but the government let it go. We had time to put people in safe places, separate the infected from the rest of the population and slowly prepare for the economy to reopen in safe areas. But the government did not prepare.
Almost 20 per cent of our population lives outside the country. We knew well in advance that many would lose jobs and eventually return home, that those working in India would come back first and migrant Nepalis working in third countries would follow thereafter. We should have prepared adequately to bring them back and put them in safe quarantine centres, ensuring safe distance between people in quarantine centres and test them. We were supposed to separate healthy people from infected ones and finally take people to their homes. The government did not do anything during this period. It could have used the three months’ period for immaculate planning.

What the government was interested in was making bucks from purchases and agreements. It was hell bent on feathering its nest. When the government first tried to procure health equipment, people were up in arms against it and the government had to withdraw its decision. The government brought in the army as a shield.

That’s not how the government, the prime minister in particular, view things.

Within and outside of the Parliament, the prime minister delved into areas that were not areas of his expertise. He has tried to act like a medical doctor, the most knowledgeable persons on COVID-19, health care system and economics. People elected him as a leader and not as the best doctor or the best economist. Young people took to the streets recently to oppose the government’s poor handling of COVID-19. They are common citizens that are venting anger at the government. Instead of listening to their voices, the government is trying to punish them. People’s protests provided a good window of opportunity to the government to correct its mistakes, but the government has not done anything. COVID-19 is spreading across the country exponentially and it looks like we are heading for deep trouble. Three months of lockdown had provided the government ample opportunity to increase preparedness, but it did not do that.

The PM recently told the Upper House that in the face of COVID-19, the country’s economy was not as bad as that of some other countries. What do you have to say?

The PM absolutely does not understand how bad the economic situation is. The gap between expenditure and income is reaching almost Rs 200 billion and for a country whose budget is 1,400 billion, this gap is just too huge. That is why the finance minister has urged the business community to pay taxes as soon as possible. Remittance can decrease by about 20 per cent. People’s disposable incomes can shrink by six per cent. That’s like the economy itself shrinking by as many percentage points. This will impact people who are marginally above the poverty line. Despite all the troubles in the last 30 years, we lifted one-third of the population above the poverty line, thanks also to remittance. Now the risk is that the sorry state of the economy might push many people below the poverty line. The PM is entirely in a different world and has no idea of the risks we are facing. My earnest request to the PM is please listen to experts and listen to your own finance minister.

Recently, you staunchly defended the government’s move on our border issues with India. Can you shed some light?

With India, the issue of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani are not new. We have been raising these issues for the last 23 years. In 1997, when then prime minister of India IK Gujral visited Nepal, we raised the issue and they were recognised as ‘pending issues’. In 2000, our then prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited India and we raised these issues again and they were recognised as ‘outstanding border issues’.

Nepal has been raising these issues in all bilateral fora since then — both coherently and continuously. We have been very patient. We know the importance of our relations with India. India has a very special place in the Nepali mindset. We hope there is equal goodwill among Indians about Nepal and Nepali people also. But the thing is India has to recognise that Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are part of Nepali territory. We have tried to persuade Indian leaders that this land has to be returned to Nepal. We are not asking India to give its land to us. We are only asking India to give our land back. Let’s present our evidence and check facts and evidence. Let’s see whose case stands out clearly and who will prevail. We raised the issue in eminent persons’ group.

When a deal was signed between India and China in 2015 on Lipulekh pass, we sent our diplomatic notes to both India and China. We said that they could not do that on their own and Nepal had to be consulted. In November 2019, India published a new map depicting Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani as its territories. We have objected to that.

There are perceptions that our land has been encroached by China also. The government has, however, clarified saying that we have no border issues with China. What do you have to say?

We know that there are issues with China also. We will use our diplomatic channels to raise these issues. There are procedures and protocols to follow.

Are we using different yardsticks for India and China?

No. Our land on both southern and northern borders is of equal importance for us and there should be no misgivings that we employ two yardsticks as far as our two neighbours are concerned. The yardstick is the same and I will even go beyond that. Our relationship with India is very special. We have always honoured that and I am confident that the Indian people understand that. I hope Indian leaders at the policy-making level will understand that and respect us for what we stand.

What’s your take on the ruling party’s proposal to make foreign women married to Nepali men wait for seven years to obtain naturalised citizenship?

On citizenship, we have nuanced differences. A lot of people have not understood that we are a nation whose over five million people, which is more than one-fifth of the population live and work in foreign countries other than India. When we talk about citizenship issue, forget about India for a moment, how will citizenship bill affect over five million people living and working in several countries. That’s precisely why we have provision for non-resident Nepali citizenship. Once a Nepali, always a Nepali, but we do not understand that aspiration. They are our greatest resources. More than five million Nepalis working in foreign countries are our ambassadors living in all nooks and corners of the world. We have to be very serious about the citizenship bill affecting millions of Nepalis. That’s one of the reasons why there are nuanced differences between the parties on the citizenship issue.

Second, there cannot be disparity between men and women. We have to recognise the institution of marriage and the way it is changing. Citizenship issues are not the issues they used to be 25 or 30 years ago. Citizenship issues have various dynamics. While finalising the citizenship issue, we have to be very open-minded. We do not compromise our national security interests but at the same time we do not become too introvert a nation that will not use its six million people living outside the border to the best advantage in Nepal’s future endeavours.

What do you have to say about the seven–year waiting period for obtaining marital naturalised citizenship?

There could be one-year or five-year or seven-year waiting period. Then there is issue of equality between men and women. Many out of six million people living outside the country could get married to people of different nationalities. We will have to take into account these people, children born to these people who would get married to men and women of different countries. India should not be the only factor that we should look into while finalising citizenship issue.

We are a sovereign state. I know Indian people do understand Nepal and they have an enormous amount of love and affection for Nepal. I would urge Indian policy makers also to understand Nepali people’s aspirations. We are ready to make sacrifices for the benefit of our friends but we feel that our honour and pride should be respected. Nepalis have fought wars not only to defend their own territory but also India and the United Kingdom. Our leaders fought alongside their Indian brothers and sisters for Indian independence. If you give us a strong feeling of friendship, we are willing to reciprocate. We are willing to walk the extra mile to help our friends.

Your party has said that the Interim Constitution’s provision regarding naturalised citizenship on the basis of matrimonial relations should be retained. What do you say?

Not only in the interim constitution, but this provision was first introduced in the 1962 constitution and the provision served us well till now. Even before 1962, this provision was guided by common law, so when we want to change it, there must be national consensus on it.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has not decided yet about the fate of millennium challenge corporation agreement. What are your views on the MCC agreement?

I am pretty clear about MCC, but have not spoken about it. The reason: my position is not going to change the fate of the agreement. It is so sad that NCP leaders are so divided on the issue. Former PM Jhalanath Khanal and Bhim Rawal are on one side and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Pradeep Kumar Gywali on the other. How can party leaders be on two opposite sides on one issue? The NCP has to come up with consistent position on the issue. If they don’t endorse it, then they have to come up with an alternative plan to fund the project that would have been funded under MCC programme. But I have deeper worries. With the introvert nature that the ruling NCP has, it probably has not understood the increase in significance of Nepal internationally. China is the second largest economy in the world competing with the USA. India is following China’s footstep and it has also very strong ambition in the international arena. India, China and countries of the world that matter in the international arena take keen interest in Nepal and this should be good news for us. There should be no reason for us to take an introvert position. We need to come out of the shackles of the past and play a greater role in the international arena keeping in mind the best interest of our country.

---

A version of this article appears in e-paper on June 28, 2020, of The Himalayan Times.

The post ‘Nepal needs to break free from the shackles of the past’ appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

from The Himalayan Times https://ift.tt/2VrqLAZ

PM Oli shows up to leave NCP SC meet

KATHMANDU, JUNE 27

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who had skipped the Standing Committee meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) yesterday, showed up at the meeting venue today but only for a few minutes.

A member of the Standing Committee said Oli left the meeting hall saying he was not well and needed rest.

“I can understand the PM is not in the pink of health but that’s not the only reason he is avoiding the Standing Committee meeting. He does not want to hear criticism,” said Standing Committee member Lilamani Pokharel.

One major issue the PM will face at the meeting is the rival faction’s demand that he quit either the post of prime minister or the party’s co-chair.

On Thursday, both cochairs Oli and Dahal took potshots at each other. Oli said party leaders were acting like opposition leaders while Dahal said he regretted letting go his chance to become the prime minister for two-and-a-half years. Dahal also said party leaders should be ready to make sacrifices.

Standing Committee member Yubaraj Gyawali told THT the SC meeting would establish the principle of one person, one post rule in the party.

Our party statute has clearly stated that one leader should hold only one major post, but that rule has not been followed. This meeting will make sure that one leader holds only one post, Gyawali added. He said the main reason behind the contradictions in the party was violation of the statute’s provision that stipulates that one leader should hold only one post.

Another Standing Committee leader told THT on condition of anonymity that although the rival faction led by party Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal had been trying for long to unseat the PM, a deal had not been sealed among Dahal, Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Bamdev Gautam regarding who should hold what post in case Oli was removed, or Oli might not be removed from the post of PM, but restrictions could be imposed on him. “Either the rival faction with majority in the party will force the PM to follow all the party’s decisions or the faction may form a mechanism to check the government,” the source added.

Standing Committee member Lilamani Pokharel said the party had not discussed the one leader, one post rule yet, but the issue would certainly come up when leaders discuss the government’s performance and the party’s functions.

“On the one hand, we have to ensure party unity, while on the other, we also have to make sure that one person, one post rule applies and the government follows the party’s rules,” he said. “This is not a coalition government and hence the government cannot act unilaterally,”

Pokharel added. He said party leaders holding two posts could lose one post as both Oli and Dahal had spoken of the need to make sacrifices.

Pokharel also said that although some leaders spoke of introducing visa system between Nepal and India and fencing of the open border, these measures could not be implemented at present and the maximum all the leaders could agree to would be to regulate the border.

“We can designate border points between Nepal and India, improve the lives of border residents and improve road and other physical infrastructure in the border region,” Pokharel said.

He said most of the Standing Committee members also agreed on increasing the number of border outposts.

According to Pokharel, the SC members also said Nepal should hold talks with India both at government and peoples’ level to resolve the border row. The next meeting of the party body has been scheduled for Tuesday. PM Oli is in minority in all party bodies — the Secretariat, Standing Committee and Central Committee.

---

A version of this article appears in e-paper on June 28, 2020, of The Himalayan Times.

The post PM Oli shows up to leave NCP SC meet appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

from The Himalayan Times https://ift.tt/3icahGz

Bayern demolish Wolfsburg 4-0 to end season on high

• Bayern make it 25 games without defeat in all competitions
• Bavarians miss equalling all-time goal record by one goal

BERLIN: Bayern Munich, already crowned Bundesliga champions last week, lifted the league trophy in an empty stadium on Saturday after crushing hosts VfL Wolfsburg 4-0 on the final matchday.

The Bavarians, who have matched a club record of 25 matches in all competitions without defeat and are unbeaten in the Bundesliga in 2020, went ahead in the fourth minute with Kingsley Coman netting from Thomas Mueller’s 21st assist, a league record.

Mickael Cuisance then rifled in from 25 metres for a sensational goal in the 37th and the 20-year-old Frenchman earned a penalty, which resulted in Joshua Guilavogui being sent off with a second booking. Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski converted it for his 34th goal of the season.

The Polish striker earned his fifth Bundesliga top scorer award and his third in a row. Mueller then made it 4-0 in the 79th minute as Bayern took their season goal tally to 100, one less than the league record set by them in the 1971-72 season.

“I am just proud of the way we have presented ourselves in the past months,” said coach Hansi Flick, who took over as interim coach in November. Flick has since signed a deal to 2023.

“Obviously we were relieved to resume play after the coroanvirus break. So in a way it is a special league title for us,” he said of his first title in his debut season as head coach in the Bundesliga.

For Wolfsburg the defeat denied them a direct Europa League group stage spot, leaving them in seventh place.

The bizarre trophy ceremony in the empty Wolfsburg stadium was a reflection of the season that was interrupted for more than two months in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With no families, fans or friends in the stands to share their joy, the Bayern players were left to celebrate lifting the sparkling trophy with a handful of club bosses in the stands.

Bayern can win more silverware next week with the German Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen. They are also still in the Champions League.

“It is a special but strange moment,” said German football League CEO Christian Seifert in an address before the trophy ceremony.

“We have never experienced a season ending in such a way, no fans, no whistles, no cheers.

“It is not the Bundesliga we want but the only Bundesliga that could be played under the circumstances. This championship title belongs a bit to all of us to have played the season out and it ends with a sporting champion.”

The post Bayern demolish Wolfsburg 4-0 to end season on high appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

from The Himalayan Times https://ift.tt/2Vkjpzh

Noose in black firefighter’s locker prompts probe in Minneapolis suburb

The FBI is investigating after officials in the Minneapolis suburb or Bloomington said Saturday that a piece of rope resembling a noose was discovered in a black firefighter's locker.

from New York Daily News https://ift.tt/384LPCy

Steve Bing’s son, Damian Hurley, thanks well-wishers for condolences following dad’s suicide

Damian Hurley, the son of Steve Bing, offered thanks on Saturday for fans' condolences.

from New York Daily News https://ift.tt/2BJaJvh

Thousands in Colorado protest Elijah McClain’s death, block highway

McClain, a 23-year-old black man, died after being detained by cops in Aurora in August 2019.

from New York Daily News https://ift.tt/3dIpmMC

Govt caught flat-footed as locusts enter country

Kathmandu, June 27

In contrast to the government’s prediction, a few groups of desert locusts have been located in five districts of the country so far.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development today confirmed that locusts had entered the country and were seen on Thursday night.

According to MoALD Spokesperson Hari Bahadur KC, desert locusts have been seen in Sindhuli, Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi and Rupandehi so far.

“As per the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the wind has been blowing from the south to the north since the last two days due to which a few groups of locusts have split from their swarm and reached here,” KC said. He further mentioned that the locusts were on the move and the ministry was tracing them.

Meanwhile, provincial governments have allocated technicians in the respective areas to find other details regarding the locusts.

The ministry has also called a meeting tomorrow with stakeholders regarding the issue, KC added.

“Earlier, the wind was blowing from the east to west but then we received information from the meteorological division regarding the change in the wind’s direction,” he said, adding, “Since then our taskforce has been working to prevent the impact of locusts.

However, these are very small groups of locusts, so the taskforce believes they may not have a major impact on our crops.”

The MoALD had formed a taskforce coordinated by Sahadev Humagain, chief of Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre, on May 27 to study the possible impact of locusts and how to prevent them from destroying crops. A week after its formation, the taskforce had submitted a report to the ministry predicting less possibility of locusts entering Nepal. However, that prediction failed due to which farmers are worried at the moment.

“This is the vegetable season and maize crops are also growing.

Moreover, paddy plantation has started. The locusts could destroy all our corps,” said Navaraj Basnet, president of Nepal Farmers’ Group Federation. The federation has been informed about the locusts and a meeting of farmers has been called tomorrow in the affected districts.

“The farmers were already troubled by COVID-19 and now the locusts have posed another major problem,” Basnet said. “It will not only affect farmers but also create food crisis in the country.”

As the locusts eat all green plants and crops, the country may face a food crisis, according to him. “The government has to take immediate action to prevent destruction of crops,” Basnet stated.“Once it starts to destroy crops, it will be difficult to contain them as these are flying insects and have a huge appetite,” he said, adding, “By this time the government should have taken action instead of collecting details and holding meetings only.”

Dilli Ram Sharma, former director general of the Department of Agriculture, said the government had enough time to prepare for the situation. “The MoALD had formed a taskforce a month ago to prevent the impact of locusts, which means the government should have been ready to take action instead of just holding meetings,” he said. “It is necessary to minimise the population of locusts immediately otherwise it will have an impact on crops,” Sharma informed.

According to him, a group of 100,000 to 200,000 locusts have entered Nepal, while a single swarm includes 40 to 80 million of the insects.

“Although the groups are just a part of the swarm, more locusts may enter the country if the wind changes direction,” he added.
According to Sharma, desert locusts are passive at night, thus, the government must use pesticides on them at that time to cull their population.

“Meanwhile, farmers could use loud decibel noise to scare away locusts because they cannot tolerate high volume,” he added.
Prior to this situation, the insects were seen in Nepal way back in 1962. Back then, the swarm had attacked crops in Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Dhading and a few other districts causing huge damage.

---

A version of this article appears in e-paper on June 28, 2020, of The Himalayan Times.

The post Govt caught flat-footed as locusts enter country appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

from The Himalayan Times https://ift.tt/3eICwuk

Aspas strikes late to blunt Barca’s title bid

VIGO: Spain striker Iago Aspas dealt a fresh blow to Barcelona‘s La Liga title hopes by striking a late free kick to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to the Catalans on Saturday as Quique Setien’s side twice threw away the lead in a thrilling match.

The draw put Barca back on top of the table on 69 points after 32 games but Real Madrid, on 68, can go two points clear at the summit if they beat Espanyol away from home on Sunday.

Luis Suarez headed Barca in front in the 20th minute thanks to a piece of ingenuity from Lionel Messi, who looked certain to fire at goal from a free kick but instead lofted the ball towards his Uruguayan strike partner.

Russia striker Fedor Smolov equalised for Celta early in the second half, knocking in a pass from Okay Yokuslu to complete a quick counterattack after Barca’s Ivan Rakitic had given the ball away.

But Suarez restored Barca’s lead in the 67th minute after combining again with Messi, swivelling to fire into the bottom corner.

The second goal looked to have averted a second consecutive away draw for Barca after last week’s goalless stalemate at Sevilla but Aspas won a late free kick after falling over the outstretched legs of Gerard Pique.

Celta’s talismanic striker made the late opportunity count by sending a low drive around the wall and into the near bottom corner, flummoxing Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Celta should have won the game in added time when Nolito arrived at the far post with the goal gaping, but instead of tapping into the net his shot went straight at Ter Stegen.

Celta are 16th on 34 points, the draw taking them eight points clear of the relegation zone.

The post Aspas strikes late to blunt Barca’s title bid appeared first on The Himalayan Times.

from The Himalayan Times https://ift.tt/3i9z6Da

‘Master’ no longer used to describe bathrooms and bedrooms by Texas real estate group

A Houston real estate group will cease using the word "master" when describing bathrooms and bedrooms.

from New York Daily News https://ift.tt/3dG1uco

Disneyland workers demand coronavirus testing for employees at Saturday protest

It may not be so fun inside this Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

from New York Daily News https://ift.tt/2Zfbx3c