International - The Purbottar

12 Aug

Education Reform: Major Push to Reduce Student Debt

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a bold bid to tackle student debt and boost economic opportunity, U.S. President Biden has unveiled a proposal offering free community college education for students from households earning under $80,000 annually. The plan also includes expanded Pell Grants and emergency student financial aid through partnerships with community colleges and nonprofits. The initiative is expected to increase high school graduation incentives and funnel skilled workers into trade sectors. Education advocates in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are observing closely—engaging in discussions about similar models to reduce dropout rates in rural areas. This push could reshape workforce development and inspire region-wide reforms…

11 Aug

London Hosts Major Event on Sustainable Insurance and Green Finance

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is gearing up for its presence at London Climate Action Week 2025, focusing on sustainable finance models, insurance underwriting transformation, and climate risk strategies in financial systems. Sessions will showcase how to de-risk climate investments and integrate resilience into financial structures, with global bankers, insurers, and policymakers participating. Finance professionals in South Asia—especially in Bangladesh’s Dhaka and India’s Mumbai—are using this as a roadmap to strengthen their own climate-responsive financial frameworks.

11 Aug

U.S. Stock Buybacks Hit Record High Amid Economic Uncertainty

Mohini BarmanInternational

U.S. companies have ramped up their stock buyback programs to unprecedented levels in 2025, with buybacks already reaching $983.6 billion, potentially surpassing $1 trillion by year-end. Tech giants like Apple and Alphabet lead the charge, pledging buybacks of $100 billion and $70 billion respectively. While these moves are bolstering earnings per share and investor returns, critics warn they may starve the economy of capital needed for long-term growth and innovation. The trend reflects strong corporate earnings but raises fears of overvalued markets and reduced investment. In the South Asian context, corporate governance experts are watching closely—especially in India and Bangladesh—where…

09 Aug

USA Expands Credit for First-Time Homebuyers Amid Housing Crisis

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. government has enacted a $7,500 tax credit for first-time homebuyers earning up to $125,000 annually. Combined with expanded down payment assistance and programs for low-income borrowers, this is one of the largest housing affordability efforts in recent years. Participants must complete homebuyer education and buy homes in designated affordability zones. The Department of Housing and Urban Development expects the move to benefit over 200,000 families in urban and suburban areas. Housing advocates note the model could inspire similar low-cost ownership schemes in growing metropolitan regions of India and South Asia, including Dhaka and Kathmandu.

08 Aug

Nairobi Introduces Green Hydrogen Buses in Public Transport Fleet

Mohini BarmanInternational

Kenya has launched the continent’s first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses in Nairobi, marking a leap toward green public transport. Developed by Japanese and South Korean partners, the buses run silently with zero tailpipe emissions. The initiative is part of Kenya’s Vision 2040 to cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable urban mobility. The government plans to install hydrogen refueling stations at six locations over the coming year. East African cities like Uganda's Kampala and Rwanda’s Kigali, along with South Asian metros, are watching closely for possible adaptation of hydrogen technology in mass transit systems.

08 Aug

Atlantic Storm Season Arrives Early, Forecasters Warn of Intensity

Mohini BarmanInternational

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has started early, with tropical Storm Aurora forming weeks before the official June 1 start date. Meteorologists now predict an above-average season, with up to 20 named storms and as many as 10 reaching hurricane strength. Climate scientists attribute the early formation to record-warm ocean temperatures and weaker wind shear. Coastal states from Texas to Florida are ramping up preparedness, deploying aid stores and reinforcing infrastructure. With similar trends appearing in the Bay of Bengal region—where tropical cyclones threaten Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka—regional disaster agencies are coordinating enhanced early warning systems ahead of the…

07 Aug

California Implements First-U.S. Wildfire Prevention Tax

Mohini BarmanInternational

California has introduced a first-of-its-kind environmental tax to combat its worsening wildfire seasons. The levy imposes an additional $50 annual fee on high-risk homeowners—those with properties in forested or brush-heavy zones. Revenue will fund vegetation thinning, controlled burns, and firefighter resources. State officials project that the fund could raise $500 million annually, significantly enhancing wildfire resiliency. Critics, however, argue it may burden lower-income families living in at-risk areas. Experts in Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Bhutan see this model as potentially replicable, given increasing fire threats. Many are now evaluating how a similar levy could bolster mountain community safety.

06 Aug

Tokyo to Host Historic Carbon-Neutral Olympics in 2028

editorInternational

Japan has announced that the 2028 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will be fully powered by renewable energy sources, making it the first carbon-neutral Olympic event. The plan includes solar stadiums, hydrogen-fueled transport, and zero-waste venues. Organizers say the initiative will not only reduce emissions but also showcase Japan’s clean energy leadership. Sponsorship packages will involve joint ventures with Indian and European green energy firms. With the NEP 2020 promoting sustainability education in India, and Nepal and Bangladesh expanding renewable infrastructure, this initiative offers a shared template for South Asian sports diplomacy and eco-governance.

05 Aug

Chicago Becomes First US City to Ban Facial Recognition in Public Surveillance

Mohini BarmanInternational

The City Council of Chicago has passed a groundbreaking ordinance banning the use of facial recognition technology in public surveillance systems operated by law enforcement. Citing concerns over privacy, bias, and wrongful identification, the law has been welcomed by civil liberties groups across the USA. The law makes Chicago the first major American city to enforce such a sweeping digital rights measure. Exemptions are made for airport security and private businesses, but police departments must now rely on alternative tracking methods. Legal think tanks in India and Bangladesh, where facial recognition is expanding, are reviewing the implications. Experts suggest that…

04 Aug

New Passageway to Protect Migratory Species from Habitat Loss

Mohini BarmanInternational

Kenya has inaugurated the largest wildlife corridor in Africa, connecting Tsavo East and West National Parks. Stretching over 100 kilometers, the corridor aims to facilitate safe migration for elephants, lions, and other endangered species. Built through a partnership between the Kenyan government and the African Wildlife Foundation, the project involved land acquisition from private owners and the construction of underground roads for vehicles to reduce animal-vehicle collisions. It’s a groundbreaking model of human-wildlife coexistence. Wildlife experts in Assam and Terai regions are taking cues from this corridor’s success, considering similar models to reconnect fragmented elephant corridors. Conservationists from Nepal and…