Policy analysis

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has successfully executed a symbolic and structural reset of Nepal’s diplomatic posture in just 24 hours.

IMF officials feel that without decisive action, Bangladesh risks not only losing the immediate $1.3 billion tranche but also jeopardising future disbursements and its broader reform credibility.

As the programme rolls out, its success will likely be measured not only by how many clergy benefit financially but also by how well it navigates the complex terrain of religious pluralism in Bangladesh.

As tensions persist, the world watches closely, aware that even minor escalations could have far-reaching consequences. The Strait of Hormuz, long recognised for its strategic importance in energy markets, is now emerging as a critical node in the global food supply chain.

MRR is calling for an immediate temporary halt to all dredging and land-reclamation projects until reef conditions normalise, followed by a two-week buffer period.

IMF says, with tensions still high and no immediate resolution in sight, policymakers, businesses and households must prepare for a more challenging economic environment.

In its policy brief released on Monday, the UNDP described the conflict as “development in reverse”, cautioning that even a fragile ceasefire may not prevent long-lasting economic damage.

Oxfam accuses the IMF of a “troubling double standard” in tax advice, handing progressive policies to rich nations while pushing regressive measures on India...