All Asia: South & Central
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.
First LookAfter fleeing violence in Myanmar, Rohingya refugees struggle in IndiaThousands of Rohingya Muslims who have settled in India face significant hurdles to secure jobs, homes, and documentation in a country that is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor does it have laws to protect their rights.
First LookMyanmar's farmers shift from growing poppies to raising silkwormsFarmers in the hills of eastern Myanmar have grown poppies for generations, much of which ends up as heroin. A Chinese company is working with locals to help them raise silkworms to export to China in hopes that opium loses its foothold in the nation.
First LookIndian journalists face consequences if critical of Modi's administrationSome journalists say they increasingly face threats with physical harm and abuse on social media when they run stories critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India ranked 138th out of 180 countries surveyed in the latest World Press Freedom Index.
First LookAs water scarcity worsens, 'Day Zero' becomes commonplace in IndiaA fast-growing population, rising demand for water, and poor management of resources has led to water scarcity in India where more than 1 in 10 people lack access to clean water near their home, according to a WaterAid report.
Cover StoryThe girls who took over a town in rural IndiaDevelopment experts around the world are increasingly focused on girls as a linchpin of economic and social progress. In Thennamadevi, though, teen girls have taken action on their own, improving their village with a speed that would make any official envious.
First LookSouth India's 'Tollywood' film industry addresses sex traffickingTollywood, an influential film industry, has produced six short anti-trafficking films designed to deter young men from buying sex in an effort to counter the number of trafficked girls and women lured by acting opportunities.
First LookMalala returns home with promise to continue fighting for girls' educationSix years after she was shot by the Taliban for attending school, Malala returns home to Pakistan. She continues to work for girls' education and asks that Pakistan be united on such issues as providing better health care and education.
