All Asia: South & Central
As Imran Khan takes office, military looms over plan for 'New Pakistan'From campaign slogan to oath-of-office attire, Imran Khan has signaled he wants a new chapter for Pakistan. It’s a frequent promise of charismatic, break-the-mold politicians. But it often collides with the realities of government – in this case, a powerful army.
First LookRohingya take documentation of ethnic cleansing into their own handsA group of Rohingya refugees have painstakingly pieced together the only record of those killed in a brutal crackdown by Myanmar's military. The lists tell the stories of 10,000 people which the group hopes will serve as a historical record of atrocities that otherwise might be forgotten.
First LookIn remote Himalayan town, women take on plastic to preserve natural beautyWhen the town of Leh – located in the far north of India – became a popular tourist destination, plastic and pollution also came with the new attention. Steady environmental deterioration over the years inspired one women's alliance to take action.
First LookPakistan's newly elected parliament convenes for swearing inFormer cricket player Imran Khan is expected to be sworn in as prime minister. He has adopted a conciliatory foreign policy strategy and promised job growth.
First LookIn northeast India, 4 million must prove citizenship as nativist anger churnsFor decades, fears of migration from Bangladesh to Assam state have triggered tensions between its majority ethnic group, Hindus, and Muslims. Now, those left off of an official citizenship list are filing appeals to avoid possible detention, expulsion, or years in limbo.
First LookCricket star Imran Khan wins historic Pakistani electionDespite criticism of the election process, Imran Khan has won Pakistan's third consecutive election and promises to sweep out corruption and rebuild international relationships. But without majority support he must form a coalition before he can pursue his agenda.
First LookLaos dam collapse raises questions about construction standardsThe collapse earlier this week, which killed at least 27 people and left 131 missing, was most likely caused by heavy rainfall or shoddy engineering. Laos has dozens of other hydroelectric projects under construction.
As Pakistan votes, military tightens its leash on the mediaThe country's July 25 elections represent its second civilian transition of power in its seven decades of independence. But many military critics have warned of its attempts to influence the election, particularly through control of the media.
First LookOne million people to become homeowners in India's Odisha slumsA government program aims to give land rights along with loans to build sturdier houses to about 1 million people living in slums across the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Living in temporary structures is incredibly dangerous given near yearly cyclones.
First LookAfter decades of fear, political parties openly campaign in PakistanPolitician Altaf Hussain's political party long dominated Karachi, Pakistan's financial center. Now, open campaigning for the upcoming general election demonstrates the transformation of the coastal metropolis since his 1992 exile and a 2013 paramilitary crackdown.
Afghan women write their own stories to fight for gender equityFree Women Writers, a nonprofit in Afghanistan, strives to foster a shift in thinking about women in a nation rife with gender-based violence. It has published poems, memoirs, and articles written by more than 140 women and creates scholarships for women with the proceeds.
First LookThree rescued Thai boys and coach live in stateless limboThree of the Thai soccer players and their young coach who were rescued from a cave in northern Thailand are stateless, shedding new light on an issue that affects up to 3.5 million people in the country.
First LookBond between players and coach may have saved Thai boy's livesEncouraging words of wisdom from soccer coach Ekapol Chanthawong and his experience in meditation as a Thai monk may have played a large role in keeping the 12 Thai boys alive inside the flooded cave until they were rescued this week.
First LookAfter 18 days, entire Thai soccer team rescued from caveInternational efforts to rescue the 12 young Thai boys and their coach ended in success on Tuesday after a treacherous multi-day rescue mission. Their community, Thailand, and the world expressed relief and happiness at the successful rescue.
First LookPhilippine city ushers in 'community-led rehabilitation' after siegeAfter pro-Islamic State rebels forced more than 300,000 people last year from Marawi, Philippines, the government has begun funding residents' efforts to reconstruct homes and rebuild a sense of community.
First LookIndonesian elections hint at rise of political Islam in the secular countryAs local and national elections kick off this week in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, some Islamic leaders have emerged as the most vocal opponents of the current president. They belong to a loose grouping of Islamists behind protests that culminated in the election defeat and jailing for blasphemy in 2017 of a governor and ally of the president.
First LookIndia takes direct control in Kashmir after alliance endsKashmir, a contested territory between Pakistan and India, has come under direct control of India's federal government after a political alliance ended. In response, thousands of Kashmiris, who want independence or Pakistani rule, took to the streets to protest.
Poachers become protectors: How tigers bounced back in an Indian parkWho knows how to fight poaching better than former poachers themselves? A program in Periyar Tiger Reserve has reduced poaching by not only policing the park, but also by giving former poachers an alternate economic lifeline.
First LookSlum dwellers in the Philippines build homes through community programsThrough state-backed programs partnered with charities and private firms, many Philippine families are leaving behind their fear of eviction in the Manila slums to build their own homes, finding a greater sense of peace and community.
Hindu prayer service? There’s an app for that.The combination of religion and hand-held technology isn't new, but its horizons may be widest in India. A new crop of start-ups has caught the attention of temples and techies alike.
