Labour

A 2017 study by the Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment Foundation found that over one-third of shipbreaking workers surveyed had developed preventable health complications due to asbestos exposure.

A central concern of the report is India's underutilized demographic dividend. Despite having a large working-age population, the country's labor force participation rate stands at a mere 56.4 percent, significantly lower than its peers.

In Uttar Pradesh, one of the largest sugarcane-producing states, Red Rot and Top Borer diseases have severely impacted yields. Heavy and untimely rainfall and flooding in certain districts have further worsened the situation, spreading the infections to unaffected crops, reducing both sugarcane production and recovery rates.

With the successful completion of more than 68,000 Sarovars ahead of schedule, the government has now launched the second phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar. This phase will emphasise ensuring sustainable water availability and climate resilience, with community participation (Jan Bhagidari) being the core focus.

Tensions reached a boiling point at Rajshahi Railway Station, where angry passengers vandalised the premises after learning of the strike. The protests, which began around 7:00 am, resulted in damaged furniture and heightened tensions. Army personnel were deployed to restore order.

With the union now officially recognised, workers hope that the labour department will take stronger action to ensure improved working conditions and that Samsung management will be held accountable for its treatment of employees.

Sher Abbas Stanikzai, a senior political deputy at Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, stated that there was no valid reason to continue restricting education for women and girls, emphasising that the ongoing ban was not rooted in Islamic law.

The survey found that roughly the same number of respondents expressed optimism about the next four years as those who felt pessimistic.