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A UN report reveals that dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations have faced explicit death threats since the Taliban took power in 2021. Despite Taliban denials, these threats have forced the UN to implement protective measures, according to Al Jazeera.

Since late 2022, the Taliban has banned women from working in NGOs, including UN agencies, and imposed strict rules limiting women’s freedoms and access to education. Over 1.4m girls remain out of school, risking the future of a generation.

In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two top Taliban leaders for gender-based persecution, charges the Taliban reject.

Jordan will host a meeting on Tuesday with Syrian and US officials to discuss ways to support Syria’s rebuilding, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and US envoy Thomas Barrack are expected to attend, Al Jazeera reported.

This follows recent deals worth $14bn signed by Syria with international partners, including projects for a new airport and subway in Damascus. Syrian officials see these agreements as a key step toward recovery, though the UN estimates reconstruction costs at over $400bn.

Despite ongoing violence and challenges, Syria is actively seeking foreign investment to revive its battered economy and infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera.

Following the US imposing a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, calls to boycott American brands like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple are rising in India. Business leaders and supporters of Prime Minister Modi are urging people to choose local products and support Indian businesses, according to Reuters.

India remains a key market for US companies, but the push for self-reliance and “Made in India” products is gaining momentum. Modi has encouraged prioritizing domestic needs, while groups linked to his party hold rallies promoting nationalism through buying Indian.

Despite the tensions, some consumers continue to use US brands without concern, separating politics from daily life, Reuters reported.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 28. 44 points to close at 2, 821. 92 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 4. 46 points to close at 485. 69 points.

A total of 25,092,490-unit shares of 324 companies were traded for Rs 10. 21 billion.

Meanwhile, River Falls Power Limited (RFPL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 99 percent. Likewise, Unnati Sahakarya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (USLB) was the top loser as its price fell by 7. 64 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 71 trillion.

The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, plans to deport foreign nationals from prisons in England and Wales immediately after sentencing. This builds on new rules that allow deportation after serving 30 percent of a sentence, but the government now aims to start the process right after sentencing, Firstpost reported.

The policy excludes those serving life sentences or convicted of serious crimes like murder or terrorism. Foreign nationals make up about 12 percent of the prison population, with Albanians the largest group. Since July 2024, deportations of foreign offenders have increased by 14 percent.

The move aims to ease overcrowded prisons, cut costs, and reduce reoffending. Starmer’s tougher stance on immigration also responds to pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which advocates even stricter deportation measures, according to Firstpost.

Vietnam will allow visa-free entry for tourists from 12 European nations, effective August 15, 2025, through August 14, 2028, Xinhua reported. This move aims to boost tourism and applies to all passport types from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

The National Statistics Office noted that Vietnam welcomed 12.23m international visitors in the first seven months of 2025, a 22.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

A fire erupted Sunday at a chlorine production plant in Ledenon, southern France, prompting authorities to urge residents within a kilometer to stay indoors and seal windows and doors. Operated by HydraPro, the facility supplies chlorine for swimming pools and is classified as a high-risk “Seveso” site under EU safety rules.

Officials reported a chlorine smell carried north by the wind but said it posed no immediate health risk. Firefighters are tackling the blaze, with a specialized hazardous materials team en route. The site lies about 28 kilometers southwest of Avignon, Reuters reported.

South Korea and Vietnam have vowed to deepen economic and strategic cooperation following a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Vietnamese leader To Lam, Lee’s first state guest since taking office in June, Reuters reported.

The leaders agreed to expand trade to $150bn by 2030, encourage greater South Korean investment in Vietnam, and boost collaboration in technology, nuclear and renewable energy, finance, and infrastructure, including high-speed rail. At least 10 memoranda of understanding are set to be signed.

Vietnam, a key hub for South Korean firms such as Samsung, has long attracted investment with low labor costs and broad trade pacts. However, recent US tariffs — 15 percent on South Korean goods and 20 percent on Vietnamese imports — have added uncertainty to future business plans, according to Reuters.