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Yemen’s Houthi group said it fired two ballistic missiles, including a hypersonic one, at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday, claiming one directly hit the target and warning airlines to halt flights. The group said the attack was retaliation for Israeli airstrikes earlier that day on Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen’s Hodeidah province, according to Xinhua.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting a missile over central Israel but did not confirm any hit on the airport. No casualties were reported. The Houthis have been targeting Israel and Red Sea shipping since November 2023 in support of Palestinians.

Syrian Air has resumed flights between Damascus and Istanbul after a 12-year suspension due to the Syrian civil war. The first flight landed at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday evening and was welcomed with a ceremony, the airport press office confirmed.

The route will operate five times each week, improving regional connectivity. Istanbul Airport's commercial director, Firat Ocak, praised the action as a symbol of renewed connections and increased cooperation. Syrian Air becomes the sixth new airline to arrive at Istanbul Airport this year, Xinhua reported.

Sima Poudel, a college student, relies on public transportation to reach her college. For her, it is the most exhausting part of her day.

“You rarely find a bus on time, and even if you do, it is overcrowded,” she says.

Poudel’s personal struggle with public transport represents the reality faced by most public transport commuters in Kathmandu.

According to findings of the Asian Transport Outlook (ATO), 2023, Scoping Urban Transport in Kathmandu, high access to bus stops does not necessarily translate into high transit mode share. While 56 percent of the Kathmandu population lives within walking distance of public transportation, only  28 percent actually use public or informal transit. This mismatch can be attributed to several factors, including poor service, overcrowding, safety and comfort. Limited investment in public transport has hindered the much-needed improvements, leaving the system inefficient and frustrating for passengers.

This extends beyond discomfort. For many women, public transports are a space of vulnerability.
Anjila Pokharel recalls the long-lasting effect of harassment on the bus, which affected her daily work life. While travelling from her home to Sundhara, she experienced inappropriate behaviour from a middle-aged man that triggered fear and long-term anxiety.

“That incident had a lasting impact on my mental health,” she shares. “I used  to feel terrified afterwards, and the memory of that haunted me for a long period.”

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), sexual harassment can result in severe mental health consequences, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and trauma. This all can significantly alter how survivors engage with public life. 

Although the International Association of Public Transport, a worldwide association representing all local public transport stakeholders, states that public transport offers equal opportunities to all citizens, regardless of their social standing, the reality in Nepal tells a different story. While buses and microbuses may physically connect people, they often fail to ensure a safe and equitable environment for everyone.

Sabina Rai witnessed a conductor yelling at an old passenger who was confused about the bus route. “It was upsetting to watch the conductor telling off a person double his age,”Rai recalls. When another person tried to intervene, the conductor continued his rude behavior. The incident shows that public transport operators and their staff are not concerned with the safety and comfort of passengers. 

Public transports are supposed to be accessible and affordable, but the reality is entirely different in Nepal. Even the elderly and disabled are not accorded the respect and care they deserve. Designated seats for seniors and disabled are often ignored.

Bivek Limbu, who lost one of his legs in a motorcycle accident, says a lack of disabled-friendly transport has made his traveling experience very difficult.
“I travel daily from Bhaktapur to Chabahil, but it's difficult getting into and off a bus,” he says. According to the Nepal Census 2021, 2.2 percent of the Nepali population lives with some form of disability, and for them, navigating public transport is often exclusionary. Limbu’s experience showcases daily struggles faced by people with disabilities who are forced to adopt a system that was never built for them

Another pressing but under-discussed issue is the lack of proper CCTV surveillance in public vehicles. 

This absence makes theft, assault, and misconduct go unchecked. Reema BK once left her purse on a bus. While she was able to find the bus with the help of traffic police,  her belongings were never recovered. “While it is the responsibility of passengers to take care of their items, sometimes the level of security and accountability must also be ensured,” BK says.

While Nepal struggles with poorly regulated public transport, its neighbouring country India has made notable progress in the past years. In order to reduce harassment cases, Delhi Metro has introduced CCTV surveillance, panic buttons, and safety protocols that make commuting safer. Additionally, many buses are equipped with digital payment systems and a tracking app to ensure reliability. 

While in Nepal, only a small number of buses have adopted these practices. These successful initiatives from South-Asian countries can serve as a model for Nepal to reduce problematic concerns over public transport efficiency and safety.

The public transport problem not only affects the passengers, but also its staff members. Shyam Kumar Shrestha says that his brother has been working as a nighttime driver along the Butwal–Kathmandu route. “Despite working long, grueling hours, his wages are often delayed,” he says. Exploitation of drivers, conductors and maintenance workers by transport operators ultimately affects service quality and passenger safety.
While discussing the problems of public transport, concerned authorities focus on the surface-level issues, such as overcrowded buses or traffic congestion. But improving public transport also requires inclusive planning that prioritises both individual needs and the collective welfare of people.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected accusations by US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that she encouraged violent protests in Los Angeles following immigration raids. Sheinbaum called the claims “absolutely false” and reaffirmed her government’s stance against violence, urging Mexicans in the US to live peacefully, according to Firstpost.

Noem said that Sheinbaum incited trouble, saying that violence during protests would not be tolerated.

The protests, which began peacefully, became tense as President Donald Trump sent the National Guard, declaring them a "rebellion" against federal authority, Firstpost reported.