• Coastal project targets flood risks, ecosystem restoration: ministry
• Punjab initiative promotes low-carbon, climate-smart farming.
• Millions to benefit from resilience, productivity measures: ministry.

Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday signed two major climate resilience initiatives aimed at strengthening coastal protection and promoting low-carbon agriculture.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the agreements include the $180.5 million Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project (SCRP) and the Punjab Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project, valued at $124 million.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Islamabad, Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim appreciated ADB’s continued support, describing it as a trusted development partner in Pakistan’s efforts to advance climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and inclusive growth.

He said the Sindh Coastal Resilience Project would promote integrated water resources and flood risk management, restore nature-based coastal defences, and strengthen institutional and community capacity for strategic planning.

The project will be financed through $140.5 million from ADB, including a $140 million loan and $0.5 million technical assistance grant, $40 million from the Green Climate Fund, and $20 million in counterpart funding from the Sindh government. It is expected to directly benefit more than 3.8 million people in Thatta, Sujawal and Badin districts.

Karim said the Punjab Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project would enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience across 30 districts of Punjab. The project, with a total outlay of $129 million, will be financed through a $120 million ADB loan, a $4 million ADB grant, and $5 million in counterpart funding from the Punjab government.

Under the project, small farmers will gain improved access to climate-smart machinery, circular agriculture practices will be introduced to reduce crop residue burning, testing and training facilities will be established, and 15,000 women will be empowered through skills development and livelihood diversification.

The secretary said both initiatives were transformative, noting that the Sindh project would safeguard livelihoods, food security and biodiversity along the province’s vulnerable coastal belt, while the Punjab project would drive sustainable, low-carbon agricultural growth and inclusive development.

ADB Country Director Emma Fan welcomed Pakistan’s commitment, highlighting the importance of the Sindh project in addressing climate-induced risks and protecting coastal communities, and describing the Punjab mechanisation initiative as a key step toward modernising agriculture and reducing emissions.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the effective use of financing and the timely completion of the two projects.

Nicole Kidman recently finalized her divorce with ex husband Kieth Urban.

The 58-year-old was immensely shaken by her split with former husband as she expected that it will last forever.

But her close friends are trying to get her out of that phase and are encouraging to date a much younger guy this time.

According to the reports of Closer, “There’s a trend in her circle right now of powerful women quietly taking younger lovers.”

The Babygirl star’s friends believe that Zac Efron would be a great fit for her.

The duo worked together in 2024’s A Family Affair movie in which their chemistry was largely appreciated by viewers.

As per the sources, when Nicole worked with Zac, she did not think of him as a potential match for herself. Rather, she tried to set him up with others as she was so in love with Kieth at the time.

“But now that she’s single, she’s looking at everything, and everyone, in a very different light, and the fact is, Zac is a gorgeous man.”

Kidman’s friends believe that rather than setting someone else up with Efron, she should consider giving him a shot at relationship.

An insider stated, “But now her friends are saying she should forget matchmaking and test the waters with him herself!”

Nicole and Kieth parted ways in September 2025 citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Paris — Call them Monsieur and Madame Clooney.

France’s government says George Clooney, his wife Amal and their eight-year-old twins Ella and Alexander have been awarded French citizenship.

The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star and his family were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published.

The government notice indicated that human rights lawyer Amal Clooney was naturalized under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. It also noted that George Clooney’s middle name is Timothy.

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021. In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney described their “farm in France” as their primary residence – a decision the 64-year-old actor and his 47-year-old wife made with their children in mind.

“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood,” he told the magazine. “I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”

Growing up away from the spotlight, in France, “they’re not on their iPads, you know?” he said. “They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”

Representatives for George Clooney didn’t respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment Monday.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Clooney retained his American citizenship. Amal Clooney was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K. The were born in London.

In early December, George Clooney told French radio network RTL — in English, that “I love the French culture, your language, even if I’m still bad at it after 400 days of courses,” according to French news agency AFP.

Clooney owns an estate in Italy’s Lake Como region and he and Amal bought a historic manor in England, AFP reports, adding that they also own a New York apartment and a property in Kentucky.

But he told RTL his family’s French home “is where we’re happiest,” AFP noted.