All Asia: South & Central
First LookGeorgia protests lead to speaker resignation, stir tensions with RussiaProtesters Thursday called for the resignation of Georgia's parliamentary speaker and foreign minister, in addition to changes in election law. Georgia and Russia each blame the other for the violent protests sparked by the visit of a Russian lawmaker.
Difference Maker‘Hope to move forward’: One refugee’s story of resolveWhen we think of refugees, we often think of hardship and dependency. One refugee’s story turns that perception on its head.
Road-melting heat becomes another part of the job for India’s day laborersRecord-breaking heat has driven many of India’s well-heeled into the comfort of air conditioning. But not everyone enjoys that luxury.
First LookJapan to provide economic aid to BangladeshJapan has promised $1.2 billion to support economic and infrastructural development as well as its own businesses in Bangladesh.
Letter from India: Lessons from an election with 900 million votersIndia’s national elections are a logistical feat, stretched over 39 days. On Thursday, the country learns if PM Narendra Modi has won a second turn.
First LookFirst in Asia, Taiwan approves full marriage rights for same-sex couplesTaiwan's acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships began in the 1990s to help Taiwan stand out in Asia as an open society. Friday's vote allows same-sex couples full legal marriage rights, including taxes, insurance, and child custody benefits.
The ExplainerAfter the bombings, searching for sense in Sri LankaIn the wake of the Easter bombings, a reporter who covered the Sri Lankan civil war unpacks some pressing questions.
First LookDeadly explosions rock churches, hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter SundayThe Easter Sunday bombings in and around Sri Lanka's capital left hundreds dead and injured. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts.
First LookIndia's Election Commission wrestles with fake informationFake political news is proliferating on social media ahead of India's election. Several platforms agreed to adhere to a voluntary code of ethics to curb the menace. Facebook says it has already removed 687 pages or accounts linked to one party.
First LookPopular support challenges Pakistan's crackdown on militant groupsPakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a crackdown on militant groups after a suicide bomb killed 40 Indian soldiers and escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. Because many militant groups support the poor through charity networks, experts warn of a backlash.
First LookAs Kashmir dispute escalates, Pakistan to free captive Indian fighter pilotIn an attempt to de-escalate tensions after a terror attack killed more than 40 Indian troops, Pakistan's prime minister pledged on Thursday to release a Indian pilot captured in an aerial skirmish, the latest spat in a military tit-for-tat over the disputed Kashmir territory.
The ExplainerAs Kashmir waits on edge, timing adds fuel to the fireDisputes over Kashmir have long colored India and Pakistan’s relations, and call for farsighted solutions. But with elections just months away, some worry that short-term strategy will trump long-term perspective.
First LookIndia-Pakistan tensions high after Indian airstrike in KashmirAn Indian airstrike on Pakistani-controlled territory in Kashmir ratcheted up tensions on Tuesday between the two nuclear-armed rivals, the latest escalation since a deadly suicide bombing in India's section of Kashmir earlier this month killed more than 40 Indian soldiers.
To fight trafficking, Indian groups turn to the experts: survivorsSurvivors' perspectives are key to prevention and rehabilitation efforts, advocates argue. Young women are helping each other heal, while challenging the attitudes that contribute to trafficking in the first place.
First LookIndian transgender activist challenges norms at Hindu festivalLaxmi Narayan Tripathi, one of India's best-known transgender activists, is expanding on the ruling Hindu nationalist party's emphasis on the nation's Hindu heritage to carve out a place for transgender people and her inclusive monastic order among the country's religious elite.
First LookPakistan's top court upholds acquittal of Christian woman accused of blasphemyThe Pakistan's Supreme Court's decision is a blow to radical Islamists, who demanded the execution of Aasia Bibi. Her lawyer hopes that Ms. Bibi's acquittal will deter false blasphemy allegations in the future. She will join her family who has fled to Canada.
First LookFreed from death row, Pakistani Christian woman still fears for her lifePakistan's Supreme Court acquitted Aasia Bibi of blasphemy after eight years on death row on Oct. 31. As she awaits the final verdict, extremists and angry mobs are still calling for her death because she refuses to convert to Islam.
First LookDays before Bangladesh election, Facebook shuts down fake news sitesFacebook has identified a series of its pages and fake accounts that spread false information about events in Bangladesh. The accounts were created by anti-opposition Bangladeshis with government ties, says Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity.
First LookAfter Rohingya refuse to go, Bangladesh puts return plans on holdOn Nov. 15, Bangladesh had planned on beginning the repatriation of 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, where they had previously faced violence. But the Rohingya people – fearing for their own safety – refused to return when the buses appeared.
Lure of Europe loses shine for AfghansNot long ago, there were almost as many Afghans as Syrians applying for asylum in Europe. But their numbers dropped by 75 percent last year. Why? Part 6 of On the Move: the faces, places, and politics of migration.
