Nepal’s spring Everest climbing season opened this week amid a police probe into an alleged insurance fraud worthe nearly $20 million in which guides, helicopter operators, hospital staff and agents are accused of staging or inflating medical emergencies to trigger costly helicopter evacuations and bogus insurance claims. Police said the methods included mixing baking soda…

Pakistan is once again caught between allies and adversaries. Islamabad finds itself pulled between powerful partners and dangerous neighbourhood realities, between competing risks. As war between Iran and the Gulf states continues to spiral, Islamabad’s response has been strikingly cautious. Officials insist there is “no question” of rushing to Saudi Arabia’s defence, even as they…