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One more person has been arrested in his connection with the recent gold smuggling case.

A team of the Department of Revenue Investigation had on July 19 seized 60.716 kg gold from Tribhuvan International Airport.

Shiva Kumar Sarraf of Bara district has been arrested, said Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kuber Kadayat.  A team of the Central Investigation Bureau arrested Sarraf on Thursday night. 

With this, the number of people arrested in the connection with the gold smuggling scam has reached 27, said police.

Let’s start with a couple of recent incidents that may appear insignificant from those in positions of power.

At a government-run children’s hospital in the heart of Kathmandu, a five-year-old, Rejina Gopali of Thaha municipality ward 10, died awaiting treatment, on Monday. 

In a far-flung Budhinanda municipality in the remote district of Bajhang, Jayapura Shahi was found hanging from the ceiling with a rope at her maternal house. Separated from her husband after he took a second wife, Shahi had been running a shop to eke out a living. Local people have moved the local police post, claiming that it was a murder. 

While in Bajhgara of Dharan municipality (Sunsari), a house caught fire on Thursday morning after a gas cylinder blast that occurred when the family of Sita Dhital was making preparations for a Dar feast as part of Teej celebrations. A narrow gulley came in the way of firefighting, taking the fire brigade 1.5 hours to douse the flames. By that time, the house had turned into ashes. 

Meanwhile, the specter of lumpy skin disease continues unabated. The trail of death and devastation from the disease is shocking. On Thursday, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Beduram Bhusal, informed the House of Representatives that 52,548 animals have died from the disease, 13,83,595 have recovered whereas 73,636 animals remain ill. 

Bad tidings do not end there. On Wednesday, a khukuri-wielding Shyam Sapkota (47) of Nuwakot Nepali Congress joint general secretary Mahendra Yadav. While Yadav is in police custody, Yadav is undergoing treatment. 

On Thursday itself, Mukunda Rijal, chair, Kathmandu Metropolitan City ward 16, died while undergoing treatment for severe pneumonia. This, even as large sections of the national population continue to suffer from the twin specters of dengue and conjunctivitis. 

Then there are those dignitaries from near and afar, who are a cut above the rest. They are so powerful that they can make controversial remarks questioning the status of Nepal as an independent country. As experts par excellence, it is of course their ‘prerogative’ to teach us how to conduct our foreign policy, isn’t it? 

Of course, nothing is certain except death and taxes, but this rings so true for the people. While negotiating the roads of this bustling valley, this stark realization comes to haunt us so often, despite the presence of police officers and a more-or-less functioning traffic system.

One major factor is mainly to blame for the incidents—from the death of a child to a close shave for a leader to a cylinder blast to chaotic roads to infringement upon our sovereignty and many other incidents in between. 

That is the near-total absence of the government from the affairs of a flailing state. The parliament, civil society, the judiciary, the free press and the people—above all else—should do every bit to make the government govern this country before it’s too late.    

I’m a 70-year-old woman who’s not happy in her marriage. My husband is indifferent and insensitive. I’ve been hurt a lot. He is always saying mean things that make me upset and angry. I have even stopped talking to him. But I don’t want a divorce and neither does my husband. But our relationship is suffocating and sad. What should I do?

Answered by Rishav Koirala, psychiatrist and researcher

In the context of long-term relationships, it’s not uncommon to encounter difficulties and hurdles that test the bond between two people. It’s a positive sign that neither you nor your husband is inclined towards divorce, as this indicates a willingness to work on the relationship. To address these complex issues, it’s important to adopt a holistic approach that takes into account both your perspectives, mental health, personality issues, and various potential strategies.

Begin with self-reflection, examining your own feelings and expectations within the marriage. This introspection can help you clarify what you want from the relationship and what you are willing to contribute towards its improvement. At the same time, try to cultivate empathy towards your husband. Understand his feelings, motivation, and past experiences, as this can be instrumental in fostering mutual understanding and empathy.

Perhaps underlying mental health issues could be the reason behind your husband’s indifference and insensitivity. Long-standing emotional struggles can manifest in these ways, and seeking professional help may provide valuable insights and strategies for managing your emotions and interactions. Additionally, mental disorders like anxiety can exacerbate these issues, as they often manifest as heightened negativity, irritability, and increased emotional sensitivity. These illnesses may remain hidden for years, disguised as behavioral quirks. So, it’s always advisable to visit a mental health expert for a thorough evaluation and professional management, which can play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and harmonious partnership.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. Initiate open and honest conversations with your husband, choosing a time when both of you are calm and willing to engage constructively. Express your feelings, but also actively listen to your husband’s concerns without judgment. If direct communication proves to be challenging and unproductive, it may be beneficial to seek the assistance of a couples’ therapist or counselor. A neutral third party can facilitate constructive conversations and offer practical tools to improve your relationship.

In some cases, taking some time apart to reflect on your feelings and goals independently can be beneficial. This separation doesn’t necessarily imply a permanent split but can provide both of you some valuable perspective. Establishing clear boundaries is also essential. Let your husband know what specific behaviors or comments you find hurtful, and request that he respect these boundaries. Similarly, be open to acknowledging and addressing any behaviors or comments from your side that he finds problematic.

To rebuild emotional connections, spend quality time together engaging in activities that you both enjoy. This can help create positive memories and strengthen your bond. Rely on your friends and family for emotional support. They can provide valuable insights and a listening ear during this challenging time.

Above all, be patient and persistent in your efforts to make the marriage better. Understand that improving a long-standing relationship takes time and effort from both parties. The ultimate goal should be to achieve a healthier and happier life for both you and your husband, whether that means remaining together and working through these issues or pursuing separate paths while maintaining respect and understanding.

A US Army team has arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the military exercise of the Nepal Army.

Twelver American soldiers under the leadership of American military officer Lim Commnter arrived in Kathmandu today.

Nepal and the US will hold the joint military drills from September 10-29 in Kathmandu Valley.

The Nepal Army said that the joint military drills will focus on disaster management, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance among others.

It has been learnt that a total of 42 personnel— 30 from Nepal and 12 the US will take part in the drills.

The Nepal Army has been conducting joint military exercises with the soldiers of Britain, India, China, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Israel.

It’s been four months since the government took over Smart Telecom revoking its license but the asset valuation of the embattled telecom is yet to begin.

Smart Telecom lost its telecom license in the third week of April, after failing to clear the dues and renewal fees it owes to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The NTA took over the company on May 2.

After taking over Smart Telecom on May  2, the NTA had formed an asset management committee, headed by its board member Gokarna Mani Sitaula. However, the committee has remained inactive after one of its members—Anup Nepal—refused to be part of it.

Since Smart Telecom is currently under the control of the NTA, it was earlier said that the auction process would be carried out after determining the price of the company. For this, the regulator had advanced the process of setting up a price determination committee in the first week of May itself.

The NTA has so far issued four notices for the formation of a committee to determine the property value of Smart Telecom, seeking a letter of intent from qualified evaluators.

A letter of intent has been invited for the five-member committee including the coordinator, specifying various qualifications. In order to become the coordinator of the committee, one should have a registered evaluator or a  degree in chartered accountancy or a master’s degree in management.

Achyutanath Mishra, assistant spokesperson of the NTA said that a committee has not been formed to determine the value of Smart Telecom. “We have issued notice thrice to form the committee. On Aug 23 again, we issued a notice for the fourth time,” he said.

The company owes Rs 28bn to NTA, of which Rs 23bn is for license renewal and Rs 5bn as dues. While NTA can recover the arrears from Smart Telecom’s assets and income. However, not all arrears cannot be recovered from the company’s assets. For that, the company has to be sold. The authority can make another decision on whether to operate or close the company. However, there is also a possibility that the dues of the government will not be recovered when the company is closed. Therefore, the NTA is forced to collect its arrears by selling the company.

Smart Telecom received the basic telephone services operating license on 15 April 2013, and had to renew the license by paying dues and renewal fees before the permit term expires. However, the company had defaulted in clearing the dues in the past and had sought an extension from the government several times. The then KP Sharma Oli-led government had allowed the company to clear the dues in five installments. Even then, Smart Telecom was not able to clear the outstanding amount.

The Singapore-based Lal Sahu Distribution Pte Ltd has a majority stake of 70 percent in Smart Telecom. By using political influence, the company in the past had been successful in getting extensions to pay dues as well as securing its license even when the regulator revoked it. This time also, the promoters of the company did intense political lobbying to secure the license, but to no avail.

On 29 July 2019, NTA revoked the license of Smart Telecom. However, the company succeeded in rolling back the authority’s decision after it filed a review application at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology within five months.

Before its license was revoked, the company had 2.2m customers and had 558 towers. It had a frequency of 5 MHz in the 900 band and 12 MHz in the 1800 band. 

Nepali Congress’s student wing, Nepal Students Union, Parsa has demanded resignation of Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Handing over a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal through the Chief District Officer of Parsa, the NSU, Parsad demanded resignation of Home Minister Shrestha.

Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav was attacked with a khukuri while he was exiting from the Bhrikutimandap-based Reporters’ Club after attending a program on Wednesday.

Saying that the Home Minister failed to maintain peace in the country, the NSU cadres demanded his resignation at the earliest.

Shyam Bahadur Sapkota (47) of Bidur, Nuwakot had attacked leader Yadav with a khukuri.

Yadav, who sustained injuries on his head, is undergoing treatment at the Trauma Center.

In the memorandum submitted by NSU, Parsa President Ramesh Yadva to Chief District Officer Hira Lal Regmi, it has been mentioned that the Home Minister should resign on moral grounds as he has been protecting the criminals and smugglers and has also been failing to maintain peace in the country.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa has sought an investigation into the attack on NC Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav.

Speaking at the Parliament meeting on Thursday, lawmaker Thapa demanded that the government carry out a thorough investigation into the matter and bring out the entire facts surrounding it.

He utilized the forum to raise concerns over the safety of political people while walking the streets of Kathmandu. 

"Some give a threat of arson while some attack with a Khukuri," he said, adding that he wished to see the government's presence in its functioning.

Yadav was attacked with a sharp weapon in the broad daylight in the Capital on Wednesday.

He is undergoing treatment at the National Trauma Center.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 28. 92 points to close at 1,932.45 points on Thursday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 5. 65 points to close at 371. 58 points.

A total of 3,769,033-unit shares of 276 companies were traded for Rs 1. 15 billion.

Meanwhile, Shuvam Power Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Barahi Hydropower Public Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 9. 71 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 89 trillion.