Governance

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $126.42 million loan along with $1 million in technical assistance to promote sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Lake area, one of the state’s most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged regions.

Nepal’s army stepped in late Tuesday night to impose an indefinite curfew across major cities, including the capital Kathmandu, as the country reeled from violent Gen Z-led protests that forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday.

By equipping cooperative members with structured training and exposure to international norms, the initiative empowers them to meet stringent global quality thresholds and certifications – a big leap from patchwork, localized interventions.

Recent tariff negotiations have also strengthened Pakistan’s position. Islamabad successfully reduced US reciprocal tariffs from 29 per cent to 19 per cent, a move projected to enhance access to US markets.

On Monday, the latest round of protests, driven by Gen Z youth demanding an end to corruption and authoritarian rule, spiralled into tragedy. Security forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in at least 19 deaths.

Fletcher’s statement amid what he described as “a massive military offensive” by Israeli forces against Palestinians in Gaza City, and the failure of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas militants.

In a move signalling a profound shift in Pakistan’s infrastructure financing and geopolitical posture, China has withdrawn from financing the pivotal Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, a cornerstone of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

The crisis has been compounded by the rise of hardline Islamist groups since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s long rule. Women’s rights activists warn that these groups are contributing to an atmosphere of communalism and hostility towards women, exacerbating their vulnerability.