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An arrest warrant has been issued against Nepal national cricket team skipper Sandeep Lamichhane. The Kathmandu District Court issued the arrest warrant to carry out further investigation. Earlier on Tuesday, a 17-year-old girl registered a rape complaint against Lamichhane at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala. The girl in her complaint said that the Nepal’s leg spinner had raped her in various places of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Lamichhane is currently in West Indies to play Caribbean League. Earlier today, the International Cricket Council had inquired the Cricket Association of Nepal about Lamichhane’s case.

Nepal reported 227 new Covid-19 cases and one death on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 518 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 137 returned positive. Likewise, 2, 883 people underwent antigen tests, of which 90 were tested positive. The Ministry said that 168 infected people recovered from the disease. As of today, there are 2, 473 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 2. 13 points to close at 1,937.74 points on Thursday. Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 54 points to close at 376. 84 points. A total of 3,401,762 unit shares of 227 companies were traded for Rs 1.04 billion. Meanwhile, Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 4. 49 percent. Likewise, Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 6. 49 percent. At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 2. 77 trillion.

The International Cricket Council has showed concern after a rape complaint was filed against Nepal national cricket team skipper Sandeep Lamichhane. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has briefed the International Cricket Council about the incident of Lamichhane. CAN Acting General Secretary Prashant Bikram Malla said that the top officials of the ICC have been inquiring about Lamichhane. “The ICC officials have been calling me frequently. I have told them this is a minor issue. They are also serious,” he said. Malla said that he had a phone conversation with Lamichhane who is currently in West Indies to play Caribbean League. He said that Lamichhane had asked him to help him find legal remedy. During the conversation, Lamichhane denied the allegations of rape. “I had contacted him through the CAN. I told him a rape complaint has been filed against you. A minor has registered a rape complaint,” Malla said, adding, “In response, Lamichhane said I am aware about the complaint but I am innocent.” Malla said that Lamichhane will return home only after the Caribbean League. A 17-year-old girl filed a rape complaint against Lamichhane at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala. According to the complaint, Lamichhane had raped the girl in various places of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur on August 22. She claimed that Nepal’s leg spinner Lamichanne had raped her at room number 305 of a hotel in Kathmandu-9.  

The 56th International Literacy Day is being observed in Nepal today with the theme 'Transforming Literacy Learning Space'. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been marking the day since 1967 on September 8 every year. Delivering a best wishes message on the occasion, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba pledged to continue with the literacy campaign. On the same occasion, the Educational Quality Assessment Centre under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is making public a report with evaluation indicators of school excellence.

Many things need to be fixed, or torn down for that matter to turn Kathmandu into a livable city. Our myopic politicians and policymakers have left the metropolis a mess. Now, Mayor Balendra Shah has taken upon himself to clean up this mess. It’s a gargantuan task but Kathmandu residents are rallying behind the young mayor. His latest “bulldozer campaign” to enforce building code by demolishing basement shops, spaces actually meant for vehicle parking, has won him plaudits aplenty. Finally, Kathmandu has a leader who can stand up and show some teeth if necessary. Shah has demonstrated that he is not afraid to take drastic measures, even if that meant ruffling the feathers of political and corporate overlords. Surely, most of the ward chairs of Kathmandu are not pleased with Shah, who unlike them was elected as an independent candidate. Political candidates could have never done what Shah is doing, because they work at the bidding of their party leadership who are in cahoots with big businesses and corporations. Things such as infrastructure, transport, education, healthcare and environment determine the livability of a city. Kathmandu ranks among one of the most polluted cities in the world. The perennial waste management problem of Kathmandu continues to worsen, to say nothing of air and water pollution. If drastic and immediate measures are not enforced, Kathmandu will soon become a dangerous city to live in. A message for the city leaders: stand up behind your mayor. For once, Kathmandu appears to have a chance at redeeming itself. Shah does not have a strong political backing. Already, he is facing pushbacks and criticisms. Kathmandu residents and civil society should fully support him at times like these. Shah on his part also needs to amend his ways, because in some places he has been called out for showing rash behavior. While exercising his executive rights, he should be mindful of the constitution and the law. But the bottom line is there should not be any obstructions to his campaign, in any pretext. Shah’s works, though he is still in his early days of his mayoral tenure, show the promise that Kathmandu can do better.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 800 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 93, 800 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 93, 000 per tola on Wednesday. Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 93, 300 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver is being traded at Rs 1,135 per tola today.