Civil society

The Taliban government in Afghanistan says it has reached an agreement in principle with the United States to carry out a prisoner swap.

The rollover, agreed after high-level talks in Malé, reflects India’s continued financial support to its maritime neighbour and long-standing development partner.

With just five years left to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a new United Nations report has warned that the world is “alarmingly off-track” on gender equality, placing millions of women and girls at risk of being left behind.

The government claims that the bill includes amendments that address journalists’ concerns, and asserts it will not obstruct media freedom. The President said the law’s aim is not to curb free reporting.

While male participation in the labour market remained largely steady, dipping only slightly from 48.1 million to 48.0 million, female participation plunged more markedly – from 25.3 million in 2023 to 23.7 million in 2024.

The state had proposed expansive eco-tourism development in this area, which spans over 745 square kilometers.

Nepal's political landscape is in a state of turmoil, as major political parties have united to demand the reinstatement of the Parliament, which was dissolved by President Ram Chandra Poudel following a week of deadly anti-corruption protests.

According to the study, India’s recent trajectory on non-communicable disease mortality marks a departure from the broader global pattern.