Islamabad’s 2019 ban on single-use plastic shopping bags aimed to reduce plastic waste, but compliance is limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the ban as well as other factors in curtailing plastic bag use in Islamabad. Regression modeling within a rational choice framework analyzed survey data from 406 retailers across 18 selected urban and rural markets. We found that the subjective belief that a fine was unlikely (β = −16.10; t = −3.90; p < 0.001), likely (β = −24.99; t = −4.95; p < 0.001), or very likely (β = −43.84; t = −4.07; p < 0.001) for selling bags versus very unlikely was significantly associated with lower usage. Additionally, older retailer age (β = −0.25; p < 0.001) and more education (β = −0.77; p < 0.01) were associated with lower plastic bag usage. Business registration (β = −3.94; p < 0.10) and trade membership (β = −4.04; p < 0.05) also decreased use. Rural location (zone II: β = 13.28; p < 0.001) and plastic bags stock availability (β = 16.75; p < 0.001) increased use. Awareness, viewing bags as “Good”, unlikely fines and lack of substitutes lowered use. Results provide insights to inform more effective policies for reducing plastic waste.

Background: India’s rich educational heritage dates to ancient times, with popular institutions like Nalanda, Takshashila, and Banarasi-Kasi flourishing as early as the 6th century BC, which offered diverse courses spanning medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and more. Invasions by the Mughals and British during the 12th to 18th centuries disrupted India’s traditional education systems. Post-independence, India faced the challenge of transitioning from ancient to modern education. Remarkably, the country managed to preserve its popular traditional education through a strategic change management approach by the educational institutions. The Government of India has introduced in the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) in July 2020, to bring transformational reforms in school and higher education systems. In this manuscript, we have summarized the salient features of the NEP 2020 and the preparedness steps to its effective implementation in Indian educational institutions. Method: We have utilised standard databases like PubMed, Science Direct, or Google Scholar, and/or public domains and the NEP 2020 document for this literature survey. Value addition: NEP 2020 aims to ensure access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability with more flexible curricular structure, and holistic approaches. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, dynamic planning, and collaboration among public and private institutions, and industries supported the effective implementation of NEP 2020. Notably, the change management approach, which has been a constant throughout India’s educational journey, played a pivotal role in keeping pace with technological advancements and fostering growth in the higher education system in India.

Focusing on Shanghai Port, this in-depth study explores how government support can make port organizations more competitive. This study shall implement qualitative analysis based on in-depth interviews with key industry and government leaders to break down the complicated actions taken by the government and how they have changed the operational and strategic skills of the port industry. Seven factors were found in our study to be the most crucial support factors: Financial, regulatory, infrastructure growth, talent, market, policy, and organizational support. In their ways, each of these groups undermines the ability of port businesses to compete. For instance, finance can make ports more competitive in aspects such as tax cuts, lower interest rates, innovation and R&D funds, financing programs, venture capital funds, and putting up R&D sites. Supporting regulations makes sure that there is fair competition and smooth operations. This is done by protecting intellectual property, keeping the market going smoothly, improving the business environment, and monitoring market regulations. Building new infrastructure, such as innovation and updated buildings, enables the smooth running of the port businesses and minimizes wastage of time; thus, more time is spent on production. Supporting talent, the market, and policy all work together to make the human capital, international cooperation, and strategic regulatory framework that a company needs to stay ahead in the long run. It is clear from organizational support how important collaborative networks are for making ports more competitive. These networks, for instance, can be of assistance in helping schools and businesses work together, create new technologies, and find ways for companies and colleges to study together. This study examines these support systems to determine where the government should step in and how the systems can be made better to make ports more competitive. In terms of practical contribution, this in-depth study helps policymakers and port workers plan for the future. This study shows a fair way for the government to support the port business, which changes with its needs and stays competitive in the world of trade.

Background: The prevalence of anxiety among college students is a growing global concern, with a median prevalence of 32%. This study addresses the need for effective interventions within an educational policy framework to alleviate anxiety and promote mental health among college students. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the impact of breathing relaxation exercises and tactile art therapy on college students’ self-understanding and psychological well-being, providing reference information for policies and practices in mental health education. Methods: We enrolled 10 college students from X University in South Korea, dividing them into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of breathing exercises and tactile art therapy, while the control group received standard psychological counseling. Pre- and post-tests assessed breathing function, self-understanding, and psychological well-being. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in breathing function, particularly in forced vital capacity (FVC), and in psychological well-being, as measured by the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS). Sub-factors such as safety, goal orientation, and self-acceptance within self-understanding, self-acceptance, positive relationships, purpose in life, and environmental mastery within psychological well-being, showed notable enhancements. In contrast, the control group did not show significant effects in terms of FVC and FEV1（p > 0.05）, and there were no statistically significant differences in the various sub-factors of self-understanding and psychological well-being. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that integrating breathing relaxation exercises and tactile art therapy into educational policy can significantly reduce anxiety and enhance the psychological well-being of college students. These findings suggest that such interventions can be effective components of a comprehensive educational policy aimed at improving student mental health.

Research issue: The study is driven by contemporary global challenges regarding the stability and efficiency of production processes, the necessity to enhance competitiveness, and ensuring workplace safety, which demands a systematic approach to monitoring and supervising adherence to labour discipline. The research is theoretical in nature. The aim/objective of the study is to analyse the specifics of state policy on supervision and control over employees’ adherence to labour discipline, the peculiarities of its practical implementation, and perspectives for improvement. Method: The study employed a logical-semantic method, analytical and documentary methods of analysis, and the method of expert assessment of labour discipline of employees and employers based on their evaluation of certain aspects of labour discipline. The research methodology included a sample size of 30 respondents, and the research instrument was expert evaluation. Data collection was conducted through surveys, and the calculation method was quantitative. Results: The article examines the impact of the main incentives and methods on ensuring labour discipline, determining their essence and forms of manifestation. It also considers the extent of application of each method in enterprise practices. It was found that economic methods are widely used and aimed at increasing employee motivation and maintaining their labour discipline. The analysis revealed that the main manifestations of employee labour discipline and managerial duties are differences in the perception of labour discipline by both parties. It was found that employers underestimate the productivity and abilities of employees, indicating potential systemic deficiencies in human resource management. Conversely, employees note that managers ignore their needs and problems. The results of the expert evaluation showed that employees rated their discipline higher than employers did. These discrepancies in evaluations could affect internal relations within the team and require managerial attention to improve interaction and cooperation. Conclusion: Based on the assessment of labour discipline, systemic deficiencies in human resource management were identified, highlighting the need for appropriate monitoring and employee motivation mechanisms. The study proposes innovative personnel management methods to ensure labour discipline in enterprises, including HR branding, team building, mentoring, and grading. It is proven that these approaches allow for the creation of a fundamentally new management system to ensure compliance with labour discipline and the development of professionalism and employee motivation.

In the third national communication submitted by Ecuador, the total greenhouse gases (GHG) emission was calculated at 80,627 GgCO_2-eq, considering the country’s commitment to the Framework on Climate Change. In 2018, Ecuador ratified its nationally determined contribution (NDC) to reduce its GHG emissions by 11.87% from the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2025. The macroeconomic impacts of NDC implementation in the energy sector are discussed. A Computable Equilibrium Model applied to Ecuador (CGE_EC) is used by developing scenarios to analyze partial and entry implementation, as well as an alternative scenario. Shocks in exogenous variables are linked to NDC energy initiatives. So, the NDC’s feasibility depends on guaranteeing the consumption of hydropower supply, either through local exports or domestic demand. In the last case, the government’s Energy Efficiency Program (PEC) and electricity transport have important roles, but the high levels of investment required and poor social conditions would impair its implementation. NDC implementation implies a GDP increase and price index decrease due to electricity cost reductions in the productive sector. These conditions depend on demand-supply guarantees, and the opposite case entails negative impacts on the economy. The alternative scenario considers less dependence on the external market, achieving higher GDP, but with only partial fulfillment of the NDC goals.