Renowned Spanish mountaineer falls to death on the ‘savage mountain’ News Desk Ten climbers from Nepal set a new world record on Saturday by becoming the first to reach the summit of K2, the world’s second highest mountain, in winter. On the same day a Spanish climber from a separate expedition to the savage mountain fell to his death. Sergi …

The pandemic causes a 22% decline in tourist arrivals in Q1, or $80bn loss, says UNWTO reports   Herald Report The coronavirus pandemic has caused 22% fall in international tourist arrivals in the first quarter (Q1) of the financial year 2020 and could further drop by 60-80% over the whole year, says a report. The UN tourism watchdog says 67 …

  There is a need to focus responses on women in Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) regions, write Chanda Gurung Goodrich and Kosar Bano in an essay on gender inequalities during the pandemic published on the ICIMOD website    Disasters and public health emergencies often compound gender inequalities in developing societies. They do not have to, and in fact, rather could present opportunities …

The closure of ‘Herald’ and ‘Newsline’ in Pakistan marks a larger crisis in the country’s journalism JAHANZEB HUSSAIN | 2019 was a difficult year for Pakistani journalism. Due to a history of state-orchestrated financial pressure and censorship, a faltering national economy, and poor management by media houses themselves, scores of journalists either lost their jobs, suffered significant pay cuts, or simply …

The peace deal was signed after 18 months of talks in Doha Sorin Furcoi Al Jazeera] Peace deal signed in Qatari capital, Doha, will pave the way for the complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan within 14 months   Doha, Qatar: The US and the Taliban have signed a landmark peace agreement after nearly 20 years of war that could …

The key water-related issues faced by Pakistan are that of mismanagement and population growth more than water scarcity itself, argues Amir Hussain in his latest column published in The News. He suggests a strong network of researchers, policymakers, and communities in the Indus Basin region to mitigate the risks posed by climate change to the ecosystem.     by Amir Hussain …

Impact of increase in shrubs and grasses not yet known but scientists say it could increase flooding in the region

Jost Kobusch wants to experience the highest mountain peak in the world in winter without oxygen supplement and alone.

There's more to our Hazara town than just bomb blasts: Shahida Abbasi

Unprecedented ocean and cryosphere change requires urgent action, IPCC report finds Herald Report Our oceans are warming, ice sheets are melting, and sea levels are rising – and all at an unprecedented rate, according to a report, published by the Geneva-based Mountain Research Institute. The most recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), highlights the severe impact …

Permit will depend on climbers having ascended at least one 6,500-metre Nepalese peak Also see: https://news.yahoo.com/nepal-may-implement-safety-measures-172348951.html  All climbers seeking a permit for Everest must have prior high altitude mountaineering experience and demonstrable training, a high-level commission for the Nepalese government has ruled. The recommendation was issued by the body charged with looking at the issue of high-altitude safety after one …

https://www.ted.com/talks/tshering_tobgay_an_urgent_call_to_protect_the_worlds_third_pole?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare The High Asia Herald/TV Special The Hindu Kush Himalaya region is the world’s third-largest repository of ice, after the North and South Poles — and if current melting rates continue, two-thirds of its glaciers could be gone by the end of this century. What will happen if we let them melt away? Environmentalist and former Prime Minister of Bhutan …

He plans to climb remaining three peaks of above 8,000 meters in next four months to break previous world record for climbing all 14 peaks in eight years Herald Report     Islamabad: Nepali mountaineer Nirma Purja has set a new record by climbing all five of Pakistan’s highest mountain peaks above 8,000 metres — – K2 (the second highest mountain …

Patience pays off for K2 climbers. In all 24 climbers make it to the summit of the savage mountain. This season’s success rate remains 100%   Herald Report Islamabad, July 26:  Patience paid off for the K2 climbers who remained on the mountain after the first summit attempt failed last week because of dangerous conditions. A total of 19 people …

Around 120 climbers are currently making their way up K2, in 10 separate teams   Herald Report Islamabad: Five Nepalis among seven climbers who reached on top of the 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) K2, the world’s second-highest peak on Wednesday, media reports said. Nirmal Purja and four others became the first climbers to stand atop the savage mountain at 7:50am Pakistan time …