"efficiency"

#13710146

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13710147

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13710148

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13710149

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13710150

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13710151

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13710152

16 May 2026

A Nepali worker applies fresh paint over newly renamed merged ministries at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 16, 2026. This is part of an administrative restructuring plan aimed at improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance. A Cabinet meeting held on May 13 approved the Nepal Government (Work Division) Regulations, 2083 BS, which redefined the functional allocation of federal ministries. Under the new structure, the number of ministries has been reduced to 18, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, down from 22 earlier. Ministries such as Finance, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation have been retained. A separate Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been created by separating science and technology-related functions from the Ministry of Education. The government states that the new ministry aims to prioritize research, innovation, and technological development. Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Urban Development, and Water Supply have been merged to form a new Ministry of Infrastructure Development. The Ministry of Education has been renamed the Ministry of Education and Sports by incorporating the sports sector, while the Ministry of Labour has been expanded to include youth affairs and renamed the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment. Likewise, the Ministry of Women and Children has been expanded to include gender and sexual minority issues along with social security, and will now operate as the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13665712

4 May 2026

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - MAY 4: Travelers wait with luggage near a row of automated ticket machines as commuters navigate the main concourse of Hiroshima Station during the Golden Week holiday period in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 4, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13665742

4 May 2026

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - MAY 4: Costumed dancers perform a scene from the Kagura play 'Momijigari' (Maple Leaf Viewing), holding traditional folding fans and swords, during the Hiroshima Flower Festival on May 4, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13665711

4 May 2026

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - MAY 4: Commuters and travelers pass through ticket gates featuring local baseball team branding at Hiroshima Station in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 4, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13611968

22 Apr 2026

NAGASAKI, JAPAN - APRIL 22: A row of white Suzuki Every light commercial vans, common 'kei' vehicles in Japan, are parked along a narrow street in Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, on April 22, 2026. These compact vehicles are essential for urban logistics and local delivery services in Japan's densely populated areas due to their ability to navigate tight spaces and their efficient fuel consumption.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13607788

21 Apr 2026

KUDAMATSU, JAPAN - APRIL 20: A black car is parked on a private metal bridge spanning a small drainage canal in a quiet residential neighborhood in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, on April 20, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13607791

21 Apr 2026

KUDAMATSU, JAPAN - APRIL 20: A standard red Japan Post mailbox with dual slots for letters and larger parcels stands against a grey wall in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, on April 20, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13579688

15 Apr 2026

An unmanned rice transplanter equipped with the Beidou navigation driving system carries out rice transplanting in Chongqing, China, on April 15, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13579689

15 Apr 2026

An unmanned rice transplanter equipped with the Beidou navigation driving system carries out rice transplanting in Chongqing, China, on April 15, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13579690

15 Apr 2026

An unmanned rice transplanter equipped with the Beidou navigation driving system carries out rice transplanting in Chongqing, China, on April 15, 2026.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.